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 Foreword
AS we turn the pages of this author's new book,
we hear again the Saviour's voice, saying to us:
"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as
ye think not the Son of man cometh."
Every chapter calls out that message to me. There
are here to be found very quiet and powerful and com-
forting lessons for those who are looking for the soon
coming of Christ. H e r e are the old-time advent ad-
monitions set to the measure of the new time. I t is
as though the Saviour drew us aside and spoke for
this very hour, "Look up, and lift up your heads;
for your redemption draweth nigh."
W e have joined the company of "them that look
for Him." When the glad day comes, we must be
still with the waiting ones.
"When Thou, my righteous Judge, shalt come.
T o call T h y ransomed people home,
Shall I among them stand ?"
W e sing our hope and determination to be found
standing with them then, even as we rejoice in the
fellowship of those of like precious faith now.--
"I love to meet among them now,
Before T h y gracious throne to bow,
Though weakest of them all ;
Nor can I bear the piercing thought,
T o have my worthless name left out.
W h e n T h o u for them shalt call."
In this book, "Behold, H e Cometh," I am admon-
ished anew that the time of the final roll call of names
[7
 Behold, He Cometh
is close at hand. As I read, I am not, first of all, a
preacher calling others to prepare; I am one of the
believers, face to face with the certainty that sud-
denly, at some fast-hastening moment, my name Author's Preface
must be called in that solemn service of the day of
His preparation that began many years ago in the THEfirst reason for writing this book is the con-
heavenly sanctuary, when "the judgment was set, viction that not only is the day of the Lord near and
and the books were opened." hasting greatly, but the end is nearer than most
"Be ready," the Saviour calls from that place of of us realize. This thought is developed in the open-
judgment. M y heart answers, Make me ready; keep ing chapters. Too often have we passed by the
me ready. I t has done me good to go over again in scriptures that warn of the unexpectedness of the
these pages the things that make for readiness in advent, leaving such texts to unbelievers. But the
Christian experience. warning is primarily to the church, with all that such
F o r our time, especially, is the lesson of the a warning implies.
parable of the ten virgins who went forth to meet the T h e author also believes that in these last days we
bridegroom. When the bridegroom came, "they that are confronted with new temptations more subtle than
were ready went in with him to the marriage : and the any in past ages. These temptations are discussed in
door was shut." Others were getting ready, but were some detail because in being made aware of them we
too late. H o w came some to be ready?-They were may most surely be placed on our guard.
ready all the time; they kept ready. Be ready now- I t is no light thing that we should be awaiting
that is the lesson for us ; and keep ready every day and the return of our Lord. T o o often we affirm our
every hour, by His grace. H e who says, "Be ye also belief in the advent without sensing that it means
ready," is the One who is able to make us ready and we are expecting the day soon to come when we shall
keep us ready. meet God face to face. W h a t is required of us in
T h e difference between sins confessed and for- order that we may look, unafraid, upon the face of
given, and sins unconfessed and unforgiven, makes all God? T h e author believes that it requires a certain
the difference-an eternity of difference-in that day. very clearly defined course of holy living, a complete
separation from the world, a growth in grace day
"Then, 0 my Lord, prepare by day. Therefore this book not only warns of the
M y soul for that great day;
0 wash me in T h y precious blood, unexpectedness of the advent and of the temptations
And take my sins away !" that confront us today, but seeks to offer suggestions
W . A. SPICER. on living successfully the Christian life.
[9
 Behold, He Cometh

Throughout our history we have trained ourselves

to scan the distant horizon constantly to discern the
signs that show the Saviour's coming near. And we Contents
should be even more diligent in discerning the signs
today. But we need also to be looking within our IN A N HOURTHAT
YE THINK
NOT - - 15
own hearts to see if we are ready for the great and
IN A N HOURTHAT YE THINKKOT-CONCLUDED - - 31
awful day of the Lord. T h e author sends this book
forth, not with the desire that any one should be less
r .
I H E MAGNITUDE OF TIII: ADVENT - 43
A N D AWFULNESS

attentive to the conditions about him in the world .ARE YOUREADY

T O STAND BAR? 53
REF OR^ GOD'SJUDGMENT
which fulfill prophecy, but with the hope and prayer -
Do You LIVEAS I F IN GOD'SPRESENCE? - - 63
that the reader may more fully sense the need of a THEPRICEOF HOLINESS-SEPARATION - - - 71
far-reaching and complete preparation of heart to
meet God. "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look SEPARATION
FROMT H E WORLDAS TO MARRIAGE,
BUSI-
NESS PARTNERSHIPS,
DRESS - - 83
for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of
H i m in peace, without spot, and blameless." SEPARATIONFROMT H E WORLD AS TO DIET,SOCIAL RELA-
TIONSIIIPS, EDUCATION- - 93
F. D. N.
Takoma Park, Washington, D.C., TEMPTATIONS PECULIAR
T O OURDAY-THE %'~O\'IES - 103
April 15, 1938. TEMPTATIONS PECULIARTO OUR DAY-RADIO, STYLES,
SPEEDAND TENSION - 113
TE?~IPTATIONS PECULIART O OURDAY-AUTOMOBILE,
MODERN LITERATURE,
TREND TOWARD T H E CITIES - 125

THEDANGER
O F SPECULATING
O N UNFULFII.LED
PROPHECY - 137
THEDANGER
O F WANING CONFIDFNCE - 147
A N D DECEPTION

THEDECEPTION -
OF APOSTASY - - 155
AIDSTO MAINTAINING
FAITHI N THE ADVENT
MOVEMENT
167
PRAYER-AN-%DTO GROWTH
IN GRACE - - 175
BIBLESTUDY-AN AIDTO GROWTH -
I N GRACE - - 185
ATTENDASCEAT DIVINE
SERVICES-ASAID TO GROWTH
-
I N GRACE - 195
11 r
CL.
n
5
X
2
H
V)

2f
Lrl
 In an Hour That Ye Think Not
"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye
think not the Son o f man cometh." M a t t . 2q:qq.

I F you are a normal Seventh-day Adventist, you

find great spiritual satisfaction in the fact that it
is possible to know when Christ's coming is near,
even at the door. But there is also an element of
unexpectedness in the advent. N o man knoweth the
day or the hour of our Lord's return. More than
that, you can actually be put off your guard so that
you remain in a state of unreadiness, as a result of
certain viewpoints you may hold. Let us illustrate
what we mean :
There is always the danger of falling into the
attitude of mind that your membership in a move-
ment raised up of God in these last days, will in itself
protect you against being overtaken by 'the advent as
by a thief in the night. Probably no Adventist would
give open expression to such a view. Indeed! if it
were presented to him in this formal fashion, he
would repudiate the idea. But after all, our lives are
very largely colored, if not altogether controlled, by
feelings and thoughts, attitudes and viewpoints, that
run deep in our lives and that may never come to the
surface for close scrutiny.
O r perhaps you may have felt that even though
your membership in the church is not in itself a full
assurance of your being ready for the advent, the
r 15
 Behold, H e Cometh
I n an H o u r That Ye Think N o t
~niraculousoutpouring of God's Spirit which is to
come before the end, will certainly arouse you to a full have seen the magnitude of the task still to be ac-
consciousness of the nearness of the end, and enable complished, and have concluded that the day of the
you to make ready. Lord must be a considerable distance in the future.
Again, you may be like many others in the church W e believe that in all this reasoning there are very
who have given almost exclusive attention to the grave fallacies. Let us examine them:
texts which assure us, for example, that we are not First, this vague idea that membership in the
in darkness that that day should overtake us as a thief advent body is a kind of insurance against being sur-
in the night. You have rested assured that these prised by the last great day. W e would be the last
Scriptures settle fully for us the whole matter, and to minimize the importance of belonging to the move-
that without any possible doubt you will be waiting ment, of definitely allying ourselves with the cause
and rejoicing to meet our Lord when H e comes. that God has blessed and enlarged through the years.
O r again, you may be one of those church mem- Nevertheless, we are certain that church membership
bers who have done a little speculating on unful- in itself is no protection against our being surprised
filled prophecy, with the result that you are really by the return of our Lord. T h e ancient Jewish
putting off the day of the Lord. T o illustrate, you church affords a tragic illustration of how a people
may have been reading about the exceedingly calam- could be set apart in the world as God's own, could
itous conditions that are to develop, and of an op- know the prophecies by heart, and still not be ready
pressive religious law that is to go forth. Then you for the advent of the Lord. When Jesus came as a
have looked about you in the world and declared that babe in Bethlehem, Me was rejected by those who
while all is not well in our troubled earth, neverthe- expected H i m to come.
less, with the most careful kind of reasoning, the only Of equal mistakenness is the feeling that the
proper conclusion is that it will take quite a while pouring out of God's Spirit in the latter rain will of
for conditions to shape themselves for the fulfillment itself be such a miraculous display of God's power
of these last signs. This, of course, is but another that we cannot fail to be aroused by it and thus placed
way of saying that quite a time must elapse-with in readiness for the advent. T h e servant of the Lord
an emphasis on the must-before our Lord can re- declares: "Unless we are daily advancing in the
turn. exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we
Finally, you may have read Christ's declaration shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy
concerning the preaching of the gospel' in all the Spirit in the latter rain. I t may be falling on hearts
world for a witness unto all nations before the end all around us, but we shall not discern o r receive it."
comes, and then you have looked out over the earth, -Review nnd Herald, M a r c h 2, r897.
I t was possible for the ancient Jews to witness
16 I
2
C 17
 B e h o l d , f f e Conleth I n art florrr. 'I'lzat Y r 7'i'zink .Y7ot

tile most relnarkable manifestations of the working as a snare shall it come on all them that d ~ l onl the
of God's Spirit through Christ. and yet not sense face of the n h o l e earth." T h e trarning is to "voul--
(1
that indeed they \\ere witnessing a display of God's selves." lest that day likewise come upon you as a
power. T h e r e must be clearness of spiritual eye- snare." Christ's ~ v h o l eprophetic portrayal of the
sight if spiritual things are to be discerned. events that will take place at the end of the Christian
But even more dangerous is the error of concen- Era. ends on this v:arning note. L'Takeheed to your-
trating on one group of texts that deal with the advent, selves."
failing to take home to our ottn individual hearts the T h e suddenness, the unexpectedness, involved in
meaning of other and equally inspired declarations the advent, is vividly portrayed in the blaster's state-
concerning the return of our Lord. I n fact, there ment concerning the times of Lot and of N o a h : "As
are sollle texts that we are prone to give a\vay to the it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in thc
Gentiles round about us. God intended that those days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank.
texts should really first of all be appropriated by our they married wives, they were given in tnarriage,
own hearts. Indeed, most of the texts of Scripture arc until the day that h'oah entered into the ark, and the
intended for those within the churcfi, rather than for flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also
the unbelieving world. as it was in the days of L o t ; they did eat, they drank,
And what-are sorne of these texts that are ad- they bought, they sold, they planted. they builded;
dressed to us within the church, that speak of the b u t t h e same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained
danger of our being taken by surprise? One of the fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed then)
rslost striking is the declaration of our Lord at the all. Even thus shall it be in the day when tile Son of
conclusion of H i s portrayal of the signs of the end: man is revealed." Luke 17:26-30.
"Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts W e often discolrer in this only one parallel be-
be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, tween these ancient times and the last days; namely,
and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you that these last days are to be filled with iniquity even
unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them as were the times of Lot and AToah. But there is a
that dwell on the face of the whole earth." L,uke further, and we believe an even more obvious, parallel
2 I :33-35. that the Rlaster seeks to present, and that is the
T h e warning here is to "yourselves," and not to parallel of suddenness and unexpectedness. A t onc
the unbelieving tvorld. It w:r: not needful for Christ momerlt the antediluvians were drinking, marrying
to say that there was danger that the day of the Lord wives, eating; the next moment destruction was rained
would come upon the world unawares. T h a t is upon them. A t one moment in Sodom they w-ere eat-
taken for granted in the sweeping declaration, "For ing, drinking, buying, selling, planting. and building;
IS 1 [ 19
 Behold, l i e Corneth In an H o u r Thut Y e Think N o t
the next moment fiery destruction brolte upon them. in the night; therefore why claim that we can know
Then follows immediately the declaration, "Even so definitely about it?"
thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is O u r reply has always been that they have failed
revealed." to read down as far as they should in the passage, and
This passage is a commentary on Christ's state- we then proceed to read the fourth verse: "But ye,
ment, "For as a snare shall it come on all them that brethren, ait: not in darkness, that that day should
dwell on the face of the whole earth." Luke 21 :35. overtake you as a thief." H a v i n g quoted this further
And while this arresting parallel between ancient statement of ['aul's, we rest satisfied that we shall of
times and our last days need have a terrifying effect a surety not be overtal~enby that day as by a thief
on only unbelievers, nevertheless the very fact that in the night.
the final day will come as suddenly as destruction But neither our critics nor we have read quite as
came upon the antediluvians and the Sodomites, far as we should in order to reach the climax of
only gives further point to Christ's warning, "Take Paul's reasoning in this passage. Paul was a very
heed to yourselves." logical man, and had a way of coming to a very
Continuing our consideration of texts w e some- definite point in a discussion. If we fail to read
times overlook, we turn to the words of Paul in the through until we come to the "wherefore" o r the
fifth chapter of his first epistle to the Thessalonians. "therefore" whicl! iritroduces the conclusion, we are
H e r e is a passage that has been the center of dis- likely to miss the real thought he is endeavoring to
cussion between Adventists and other churchmen. present. Reading on, we colne to his conclusion, in
Whenever we present the doctrine of the nearness of the sixth verse: "Therefol-c;, let us not sleep, as do
the end, and claim that we can know something others; but let us watch and be sober."
definite about it, critics are wont to quote these open- N o w it is evident that Paul is striving to make
ing sentences in the chapter: clear to the Thessalonians that while the day of the
"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye Lord will come as a thief in the night to the un-
have no need that I write unto you. F o r yourselves believing world, and while it is not necessary that
know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh we be thus overtaken, nevertheless, if we are to be
as a thief in the night. F o r when they shall say, free from this danger, we must not "sleep, as do
Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh others." O r we might restate it this way: T h o u g h
upon them." I Thess. < : I - 3 . we are children of light, that in itself will not pro-
W i t h something of a triumphant air, our critics tect us, nor will belonging to the company who have
have said in substance this: "See, the apostle P a u l been taken out of darkness and translated into the
declares that the day of the Lord cometh as a thief kingdom of God's dear Son, ensure us gain st sur-
20 I C 21
 Behold, H e Co~rlettr

prise. T h e r e is sornething that we personally must lSToah, in which H e declared that everything ap-
be actively doing. \Ye must be a~vake,we rnust be peared to he the samc as in the days before Noah's
\vatcliing, and we must be sober. or Lot's \v-arning voice was raised.
Even more subtle is the error of reasoning that a W e think also of the comment of the Spirit of
considerable period of time must yet elapse before prophecy on the destruction of Sodom: "The bright
world conditions can fulfill certain prophecies, and rays of the morning seemed to speak only prosperity
that therefore the day of the 1,ord is not as near as ~ n peace
d to thc cities of the plain. T h e stir of active
might otherwise be believed. T h e r e are several mis- life began in the streets; men \yere going their various
takes it] such reasoning. ~ v a y sintent
, on the business or the pleasures of the day.
First, it is a mistake to conclude, from studying the he sons-in-law of Lot were making merry at the
prophecies, that the conditions in our world for some f e u s and warnings of the weak-minded old man.
period before the end must be so dreadfullv calam- Suddenly and unexpectedly as would he a thunder
itous and chaotic as to be altogether different from peal from an unclouded sky, the tempest broke."-
the state of affairs in any previous time. It is true "Patriarchs and Pt-oplrets," p. 162.
that the Bible does predict times of trouble, and of Couple with this the inspired statement conccrn-
calamity, and of distress in the last days. Yet there ing the very last hours of earth's history. "Come
are equally plain predictions that despite the troubles v h e n it may, the day of God will come unawares to
or the last time, there will be a sufficient measure of the ungodly. W h e n life is going on in its unvarving
calm and routine carrying on of business over the round; when men are absorbed in pleasure, in busi-
nvorldto make things appear to be going on as of yore. ness. in traffic, in money-making; when religious
It is when men cry, Peace and safety, that sudden leaders are magnifying the world's progress and en-
destruction comes upon them, the apostle Paul de- lightenment, and the people are lulled in a false
clares. Peter tells us that in the last days scoffers securi ty.-then, as the midni qht thief steals within
~ v i l linquire, "Wrhere is the promise of I l i s coming? the u1;guarded dwelling, so sl-rall sudden destruction
for since the fathers fell asleep, all things co~itinue come upon the careless and ungodly."-"The Greaf
as they were from the beginning of the creation." Colt t1'07~ersj~," p. 38.
3 Peter 3 :+. Note the remarkable parallel between these two
These scofiers would not be out boldly proclaim- passages. Both describe the appearance of things
ing their skepticism unless there were some measure going on the same as when the fathers fell asleep,
of outward calm and routine ;o the activities of life. and then sudden destruction coming. Note further
I t is in this connection that we think again of the that thc final sudden destruction mill come not only
statement of Christ concerning the times of Lot and upon the ungodly, bnt also "upon the careless." which
22 2) [ 23
 Behold, He Cometh I n an Hour That Ye Think Not

evidently must describe those in the church who are are now taking the front pages of our papers, would
not in readiness. have startled men to the depths of their souls.
But some one may ask, "Is it not true that the Bible T h e third mistake is the failure to take properly
very explicitly pictures most troublesome times in into account that most remarkable characteristic of
these very days in which ure are living? Therefore, our day, the speed with which things occur. Over-
how do these quotations from the Spirit of prophecy night there can take place in our times, changes as
fit with this picture from the Bible prophets?" T h e astounding as formerly would have called for cen-
answer, we believe, is not hard to find. And that turies of development. I t is in our day that we have
introduces us to the second mistake in conriection with witnessed the sudden change of the form of govern-
the tendency to put off the Lord's coming because IFent in different nations, with an entirely new phi-
we think world conditions in general have not pet losophy of the state in its relation to men and economic
developed as the prophets foretold they would before conditions.
the end. There is something about human nature Not the least impressive of the lessons that we
that makes us very adaptable. For a moment we ought to have learned from the World War, is the
can be shocked by a terrible scene or by terrible news. suddenness with which it happened. I n the spring of
but after a little we become accustomed to it. \TTe 1914 all things seemed to be going along the same
lose the sense of shock; we take it as a matter of course. as when the fathers fell asleep. Then suddenly one
Therein lies the explanation, we feel, for this morning we wakened to the realization that the whole
apparent contradiction between the picture of a world was aflame. Might not the next world struggle
troubled world and the appearance that things are begin as suddenly, or even more so? And the up-
going on the same as when the fathers fell asleep. heaval that would take place after even a brief period
W e can witness today the most astounding happen- of such world conflict could conceivably set the stage
ings in our world, and yet find ourselves taking them for the fulfillment of almost any prediction.
as a matter of course. W e read of plans for another This is not an attempt to prophesy, but to show
world war so dreadful that it will mean the blotting the folly of those who would proceed to delay the
out of civilization. and yet we fold up the morning Lord's coming by what amounts to prophesying;
paper and go on to our work with scarcely a quicken- namely, by their endeavoring to tell just how long a
ing of the heartbeat. W e read of the most amazing time must elapse before certain things can take place
inventions that are revolutionizing the habits of the in the world.
\\rorld, and we consider them quite the order of the But what justifies any of us in feeling that because
day, simply matter-of-fact happenings. Yet a short world happenings in the past have taken a certain
generation ago anv one of the numerous matters that period of time to come to fruition, therefore such
24 I r 25
 I n an Holcl That Ye Think N o t
happenings in the future 11iust tzke an equal length the despisers of the grace of God. T h e calamities by
of tirne? T h e scoffers in the last days are those who land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms
declare that all things continue as they \\-ere since the of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching
fathers fell asleep. I n other words, they proclain~ events of the greatest magnitude. T h e agencies of
that there is uniformity in the operation of things in evil are combining their forces and consolidating.
our world, so that we can estimate the future by what They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great
has happened in the past. But just such reasoning as changes are soon to take place in our world, and the
that must logically rule out thk phenomenon of the findl movements will he rapid ones."--" Testii~~onirs,''
second advent itself. N o long course of events in our l'o], IAy,p. 1 T.
~ v o r l dwould of itself bring the climax of the second As \ve have already stated, it is a rather startling
advent, and the destruction of our world. T h a t great fact that our very present day is marked with the
event must necessarily require the intervention of most astounding quicke~lingof pace. T h e past is no
God. Therefore, when we think of the world hap- measure of the future. short time ago there was
penings that are to set the stage for the final climax. published a large three-volume \vork by a group of
we must always include in our thinking the super- university professors on the subject of the social and
natural intervention of God in world affairs. T h a t olller changes that have taken place in the world in the
means that we cannot measure time as the skeptics Christian Era. W e quote two sentences from the
would measure it. W e must allow for the qujckening preface to the opening volume. These sentences corne
of pace in our last days in harmony with the inspired as the climax of a description of the unexpected and
declaration that a "short work will the Lord make quite contradictory things that have been taking place
upon the earth." Rom. 9:28. in the last twenty-five years:
T h e Spirit of prophecy is very emphatic as to "If anvbody had seriously predicted in 1913 a
the quickening of pace in the last davs. a:ld of thc small fraction of what has actually taken place since,
unexpectedness, therefore, of great happenings and he would have been branded then as mad. -4nd yet
the final climax. H e r e are two short quotations which ~ v h a tthen appeared to be absolutely impossible 11:ls
illustrate : indeed happened."-"Social and Ctiltural Dynnm-
"Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this ics," Pitirim Soyokin, P o l . I, p. ix, Preface.
last work in a manner very much out of the common T h e servant of the Lord has something very defi-
order of things, and in a way that will be contrary nite to say about the danger of putting off the advent
to any human planning."-"Special Testir~ionies," through wrong viel~fs of prophecy. "The solemn fact
Series A , No. 6. p. 59. is to be kept not onlv before the people of the world,
"Plagues and judgments are alreadv falling upon but before our own churches also, that the day of the
26 I 127
 Behold, H e Cometh

Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly. T h e fearful In an Hour That

warning of the prophecy is addressed to every soul. Ye Think Not-Concluded
Let no one feel that he is secure from the danger
of being surprised. Let no one's interpretation of
prophecy rob you of the conviction of the knowledge
of events which show that this great event is near at
hand."-"Special Testimonies on Education," p . 108.
T h e startling fact of the suddenness with which
great events now take place, provides the final and
complete proof that we are altogether unjustified in
putting of7 the advent because the stage is ap-
parently not yet set for tile fulfillment of certain
prophecies.
 In An Hour That Ye Think Not---
Concluded
" H e w i l l Jinish the zclork, atid rut it short i n riyhteous-
ness: ber(~usea short tclork wiil the Lord make lipon thc.
r~lrtlr." Kom. g:28.

LOSELY related to the mistaken view of the

nearness of the advent discussed in the preced-
ing chapter, is the attitude that sorrle are tempted to
take as they read Christ's declaration that "this gospel
of che kingdom shall be preached in all the world
for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end
come." l l a t t . 24:14. T h a t is a wide, sweeping state-
ment. It covers all the earth. T h e devil, whose busi-
ness i t has always been to cast doubt on the word of
God, seeks through such a statement as this to cause
some in the church to feel that surely the day of the
Lord must be a great distance away, because the task
yet to be accomplished is so great.
But let us look into this matter carefully. O u r
warning message may be viewed as consisting of two
main parts: first, a presentation to the world of the
inspired picture of present conditions and coming
events; and second, an appeal to men to make ready
for the day of the Lord. Now certainly unless men
believe the first half of our message, they will see no
point i n accepting the second half. There was a time
not manv- vears
- ago when, superficially speaking, the
I [ 31
 B e h o l d , EIc C o m e t h I n an Hour- T h a t Ye Think N o t

world seemed sufficiently calm and prosperous, and look at this phenomenon in the narrow sense ; namely,
the popular ministry was predicting increasingly that knowledge has been increased by the Lord in
ideal conditions, so that it was often very difficult our day simply to provide a remarkable sign of the
for us to convince men that all was not well with the times. Most certainly it is intended of G o d to be
world. such a sign, but the L o r d always has a deep purpose
But today all this has changed. I t is not very hard in everything H e does in air world. W i t h this
to persuade men that something is the matter with o u r thought in mind, let us look into this matter of the
old earth, something very much the matter. N o r is it increase of knowledge.
difficult to persuade them to believe that the future T h e most distinctive feature, we believe, that
holds even worse troubles and calamities for us. In- characterizes the extension of our knowledge of na-
deed, we can use the statements of the most eminent ture's laws, is the eli~ninationof time and space as
of world leaders to paint a picture as gloomy and as controlling forces in our world. Until o u r very
annihilating as any painted for us by the Bible proph- present days, the element of time dominated all of
ets. I n other words, the first half of our warning men's plans. I t took just so long to travel a certain
message is being preached for us today on every side, distance. T h e passing centuries hardly quickened the
by statesmen, newspaper writers, and almost all who pace in any way. But now our world is a very small
are commentators on world affairs. world. &/fen go around the earth in a few days.
T h i s is a phenomenon of our present time, a fact W e think nothing of traveling the broad distance of
which has a bearing on the presentation of o u r mes- a continent three thousand miles wide. China and
sage. W e believe that it is one way whereby the Japan, with their terrifying war, seem very near to
Lord is setting the stage to bring all men finally to all the rest of us today. T h e speed of travel, the
a definite decision, one way or the other, for eternity. telegraph, the radio, and countless other inventions
T h e very fact that men's hearts are today failing them have all worked to eliminate time and space from our
for fear, and for looking after those things that are reckoning. I n other ways also time has been quite
coming on the earth, enables us to give very much eliminated. Formerly, for example, it was a slow,
greater momentum to the preaching of the second laborious procedure to print an edition of a book or
half of our message-telling men how to make ready of a paper. No\v the presses can roll them off at an
for the day of the Lord. incredible speed.
T h e r e is another force at work in our world that One of the chief results, therefore, of the quicken-
has a bearing on this question of the world-wide ing of pace in our world, by inventions and dis-
preaching of the gospel. W e refer to the remarkable coveries, is the much more rapid dissemination of
increase of knowledge in our day. W e are likely to news over the world. W e are neighbor to every other
32 ] 3
r 33
people today. W h a t happens in India this morning ever-increasing volume, leaflets, tracts, papers, book-
we read in our noon edition of the papers over the lets, aild large books, dealing ~ i t l lthe truths for
world. If the ruler of some nation makes an iin- these times. X fen7 years ago we gathered together
portant speech, it is not at all unusual to have an the best figures available concerning tlle total volume
international radio hookup, so that rhe people of tlle of pieces of literature circulated during the history
world can hear the message that the king o r emperor of this movement. Confessedly, such an estimate can-
or president, or whoever he may be, desires to g i e.~ not claim a high degree of accuracy. T h e error,
N o w certainly these remarkable facts have a ho~vever,is on the conservative side. MTe estimated
direct bearing on the question of the preaching of rhat approximately ~ , m , m ,piecesm of literarure
the gospel. Shall we be so lacking in faith as to have been printed and distributed during our history.
doubt that when the Ruler of heaven and earth de- Doubtless manv of these pieces of literature have
cides that all men must come to a final decision. H e long ago been destroyed, but we are equally certain
can use all these marvelous agencies for the giving that vast amounts are still found on library shelves
of a final decisive appeal to men? F a r be it from in the homes of men and women over the \ ~ l ~ o l e
us to enter the dangerous realm of prophesying, or earth. W e are constantly impressed with this fact as
attempting to say just how God will finally make our missionaries and other ~vorkersmake their con-
H i s appeal to all men's hearts. W e insist only that tacts here and there. Indeed, the Spirit of prophecy
in view of the facts here presented, there is no ground has given us the heartening assurance that a great
for doubt that the Lord can do a short work in the amount of this literature has not been destroyed, that
earth. these seeds of truth are lying in many homes, waiting
N o w let us carry this reasoning a bit further. W e only the final outpouring of God's Spirit to spring
not only have this tnarvelous increase of knowledge forth into life.
which helps us to see how quickly a final appeal can H e r e is the picture presented in the Spirit of
be made to men's hearts, but we also have a vast prophecy :
amount of Adventist literature scattered over the "Servants of God, with their faces lighted u p and
world. H e r e is a silent force constantly working for shining with holy consecration. will hasten f ronl
the fulfillment of that statement by Christ in Alatthew place to place to proclaim the message from heaven.
L + : T ~ concerning
, the preaching of the gospel in all By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warn-
the \vorld. I t works so silently that sometimes we do ing will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick
not take it as fully into our rec!coi~ingas me should. will be healed, and signs and woilders will follow
'l'hroughout the whole history of this denomina- the believers. Satan also 1%-orkswith lying wonders.
tion there have been pouring from our presses, in even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of
[ 35
 Behold, H E Cometh I n an Hour. That l'r Think N o t

men. T h u s the inhabitants of the earth will be the pioneers of this movement looked forward by
brought to take their stand. faith, we witness fulfilled about us today. Even
"The message will be carried not so much by the most incredible predictions, that tested the faith
argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of of the pioneers to the limit, that tested indeed the
God. T h e arguments have been presented. T h e faith of some of us a short score of years ago, have
seed has been sown, and now it will spring u p and now come to pass. T h e events which fulfilled them
bear fruit. T h e publications distributed by mission- are matters of current record. W e witness a world
ary workers have exerted their influence, yet many hurrying on at an amazing pace. \Ye witness the
whose minds were impressed have been prevented most unexpected events happening almost overnight.
from fully comprehending the truth o r from yield- I t is far easier today ~ i ~ aever
n before to understand
ing obedience. N a w the rays of light penetrate 11ow literal are the declarations in the Bible and the
everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the Spirit of prophecy concerning the suddenness and
honest children of God sever the bands which have unexpectedness of the last events, and of the advent
held them. Fainily connections, church relations, are itself.
powerless to stay tl~eimnow. T r u t h is more precious A n d by the same token we should be able to see
than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies com- today that Christ's warning to us must be taken most
bined against the truth, a large number take their literally, "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time
stand upon the I,ordls side."-"Thr Great Contro- your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and
versy," p. 6r2. drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day
I n the light of this psssage we can very clearlv come upon you unawares." Luke 21 :34.
see that the world-wide preaching of the gospel wiil This is no time to be saying, " M y Lord delaveth
be brought to a speedy climax by the miraculous H i s coming." E\reiy sign in the world about us $i\-es
working of God's Spirit in a manner quite out of the lie 10 such a skeptical declaration. Something is
the ordinary. W e shbuld remember always, when we conling upon our world,-that all statesmen and
are tempted to put o!? the day of the Lord, that the world cor~~mentators believe,-something disastrous
temptation comes from the enemy of all souls, and and overwhelming. FIov; tragic if we, the people of
that the strength of that temptation lies in the tend- G o d who are commissioned to tell men the meaning
ency of the human heart to forget that God can arise of coming events, should find ourselves in such a day
and do great things when the fullness of time comes as this, hesitant and uncertain, doubting whether we
for the carrying out of H i s divine plans. have followed the sure word nf prophecy.
W e are living very much nearer the end than W e have not followed cunningly devised fables.
most of us seem to believe. T h e great signs to which TYe have more reason thsn ever before to believe that
36 I r 37
 Behold, I l r (>on~rtl/

we have preached the truth to men. T h e mere 1,usiness. I t is not something we can care for in-
passage of time since the pioneers began their preach- cidentally. If we are to bc ready for the return of
ing, has not provided any reason for doubt, even our Lord, v.e must i n our lives give new meaning to
though time has been extended longer than we i4is exhortations to watch and to pray and to be sober.
thought for. 'The reason is that the passing years
have only intensified the evidence and painted a still
sharper picture in confirmation of the prophecies.
I t is high time that we awake out of sleep.
Drowsy, routine living of the Christian life ill not
prepare us for the suddenness of the last great event,
the coming of our Lord. W e are commanded to
watch. Mre are commanded to pray always in re-
lation to this solemn truth. \Ye are n a r n e d against
the "cares of this life." H e r e are exhortations : ~ n d
warnings that belong peculiarly to us. EIow easv i t
is to allow the cares of this life so to consume our
hours and our energy that we do not have time f o i
meditation and praye-r, or for the study of the proph-
ecies of God in relation to events about us. 1 l o n r
easy it is to becorne rather reconciled to the lvorld in
i\,hich we live, and to feel that after all it is not such
a very bad world. HOJTeasy it is to be drawn into
the amusements and the whirl of activities that fill
the ~ v a k i n ghours of the multitudes. Christ warned
against the danger of "surfeiting, and drunkenness."
These words include a great deal more than might at
first appear from the text. W e can be drunk with
the pleasures of the world, with its various activities.
as well as with strong drink. O u r senses can be be-
numbed by too-close fellonrship \vith those n h o are
of the world, even as they can be benumbed by liquor
?lalring ready for t& day of the I,ord is no light
38 ]
 T h e Magnitude and Awfulness o f
the Advent
.,E v e r y
bondmgn, and e w r y f r e e ~ ~ ~hid o ? t~h,e r ~ ~ ~ e lit1
z~es
tlse dells and i n the rocks o! ;he n ~ o ~ l n i a i nfind
s : stlid to t ! ~ ?
7nonntn;ns and rocis, F ~ l o,ll us, and hide us l r o n ~ihe fac r
of H i m that sittcth on thr thronr, find from the w r a t h o/
the L a m b : l o r the great d a j of H i s w r a t l ~is c o n r ~ :nnii
W ~ JO ~ ~ zbeI I able to >to712?" R P C ~6 :I1. j-I:.

D E S C R I B I h T G the end of the world, the apostle

Peter declares: "The L o r d is not slack concern-
ing Eiis promise, as some men count slackness; but
is lmg-suffering to usward, not willing that any
should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the 1,ord will come as a thief in the
nigh:; in the which the heavens shall pass awsy with
a great noise, and t l ~ eelements shall melt with fervent
heat, the earth also and the works that are therein
shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things
shall be dissol~ped,what manner of persons ought ve
to be in all holy conversation and godliness?" 'cter
3 :9-11.
O u r church membership may be roughly di3iided
into four groups as regards the second advent. T h e
first group consists of those who, because tl!e 1,ord
has not come a s soon as they thought H e oul;ht to
come, have begun to doubt the fact of H i s coming,
have begun to question very seriouslv whether o r not
the L o r d will ever come. T h a t j$oup need to re-
member that tliough the Lord is long-suffering 2nd
143
 Behold, H e Cometh T h e A,fagnitude and Awfulness o f the Advent

waits for men, nevertheless "the day of the Lord w i l l sense the nearness of Christ's coming, but also have
come." I t is a certain, definite, unqualified declara- a real collception of the magnitude of that event, of all
tion. N o matter what there may be to cause the that is involved in it. T o o few of us, we fear, are in
Lord to wait in patience and in long-suffering, God's this group. Y e t w e must all enter it if w e would be
great day finally will come. Nothing will stop i t ; ready for that final day. T h e whole subject of the
nothing can prevent it. I t is irresistible and sure advent is too vague in the minds of most of us, even
and certain. "The day of the Lord w i l l come." This though we believe Jesus' coming is near.
is the answer to all those who, speculating in their T h e grave danger that confronts us in connection
own minds, and making their own deductions, con- with all spiritual truths is that we shall think of
clude that, because the Lord did not come as soon them merely as so many doctrines, as so many ab-
as they thought H e ought to come, H e will doubtless stractions, instead of sensing them as stern, solid
not come at all. realities that are to confront us. T h a t danger pre-
Then there is the second group. When asked with sents itself in its most intense sense in connection with
regard to the coming of the Lord, they say: "Of a the doctrine of the second advent. W e discuss this
surety I believe it. I don't doubt for a moment that doctrine so frequently that to many of us it has be-
the Lord is going to come. I have never questioned come comnzonplace, at least to the degree that we do
the hope of the conling." But that group do not not meditate as we should upon the magnitude of it.
sense Idis coming as something near at hand and If we truly sensed just what will take place at
hasting greatly. T h e second advent is an abstract the second coming of our Lord, it would take away
thing to them. They say, "Yes, I believe the day of from us that smug spiritual self-satisfaction that is
the Lord will come," but when you inquire into their likely to permeate the large majoritv of us who think
attitude and their expectations, you find that they that somehow because we are Seventh-day Adventists
have no realization, no thought, of the nearness of it. all will be well with us at Christ's appearing.
Then there is the third group. They believe not T h e second advent has first of all a physical
only in the fact of the second advent of the Lord, magnitude inconceivable to the mind of man. As a
but also in the nearness of that event. There are many sort of prelude to the great event itself, there come the
devout in the church who, day by day, think upon seven last plagues,-those terrible scenes, those dread
the signs and events of the soon coming of Jesus actualities that will finally occur right on this earth.
Christ, who search earth and sea and sky for signs Grievous sores, water turned to blood, great darkness
of the fulfillment of God's promise to come again and upon the seat of the beast, a terrible earthquake, fear-
take us home to Himself. ful hail, the sun scorching men with fire,-all these
But there is also a fourth group. They not only are but a preface to the awful event itself. If we
44 41 [ 45
 B e h o l d , Hr C'olrleth T h e f i f u g n i t l ~ d e and A ~ c * / i l l n ~ os sf tlrr ~ l d ' i l ~ t l t

should conjure u p in our minds all the most fearful Tliere is only one event in the history of man that
catastrophes that we can recall, whether earthquakes, can even faintly compare with this, and that is the
fires, pestilences, or famines, we ~ v o u l dobtain but a deluge,-that fearful flood of water that rushed over
faint suggestion of what is soon to take place right the whole earth, sweeping everything before it, and
here on tliis earth and before our eyes. causing even Satan himself to shudder for fear his
T h i n k of that dreadful catastrophe that occurred own destruction was at hand! But the flood was as
years ago in San Francisco-fire and earthquake. nothing compared with what will take place at the
T h i n k of Vesuvius pouring out its stream of death second coming of Jesus Christ. T h e flood was a
upon men and women. T h i n k of all the dreadful physical manifestation. A t the second advent, nut
things that have occurred. A d d them together, tnul- only will the cities fall and the earth shudder under
tiply them to the greatest degree possible, and you our- feet, but there will also be a moral and spiritual
have something that pales into insignificance in cotn- manifestation, the like of which has never been
parison with what will take place when God finally witnessed before in all the six thousand years oi
arises to shake terribly the earth. earth's history.
Some time ago we read a story TI ritten by a scien- A t the second coming of Christ the veil that has
tist regarding what would take place i f an earthquake separated us from the invisible spiritual ti~orldis to be
shook N e w York City, and all the inhabitants of those removed. T h e veil that has kept our physical eyes
great skyscrapers suddenly stampeded and rushed out. frorn observing the dreadful controversy that has
I t was estimated that they would be three deep down raged between the forces of good and evil, will be
there in those narrow streets, and the large majority. parted. This whole earth in those last closing hours
even if they escaped from the buildings, would be will be given over to the powers of evil. T h a t has
trampled to death. T h e Scripture says that the great never occurred before in the history of the eartk.
cities of the nations will fall when the final dreadful I;l/'hen God's Spirit is finally withdrawn from the
earthquake takes place. earth, evil spirits will have full control.
T h e second coming of Christ is so real and so N o one can adequately visualize \-?hat nil1 occur
definite that it means the shattering and shaking of on this earth when Satan is finally given control.
the earth beneath o u r very feet. As the tragedy of Evil angels will work supernatural wonders. T h e y
sin draws to a close, the inanimate earth is con- will go forth to the kings of the earth to gather them
vulsed. F o r six thousand years this earth has had for the l ~ s tterrible battle, and as a climax, Satan
to bear u p under the burden of sinful. blasphemous himseli will impersonate Jesus Christ! l'hink of it--
Inen who have defiled it and defamed the name of Satan incarnate! T h e eves of men and mromen will
H i m who created it. actually look upon the face of him ~ v h ohas been the
46 I 147
 Behold, H e Cometh T h e ~Vlclgnitude ntld d c o f ~ ~ l r r e sosf the Adrvnt

leader in this fearful rebellion through all the history the rnost terrible things that this world can present,-
of mankind. T h a t is what is to take place in connec- 1 those lneil fall in terror simply at the sight of God.
tion with the second advent of Jesus Christ. Yet that How awful, then, is that event! T h e reason they
is but a prelude, for man is not only to look upon fall is that the terrors of conscie~lcetake hold upon
the face of Satan himself, but to look upon the face them-the terrors of an accusing conscience before
of God. God. T h e guilty man realizes that he is guilty,
Lt is impossible for any of us to realize rverl hopelessly guilty, and that nothing is hid from the
faintly what is comprehended in the statement that eye of God-tiothing.
we shall look upon the face of God Himself. T h e "The Great Controversy," describing that dread-
heavens will part, and as all the world gazes upward, ful event, says that from time to time the dark clouds
every eye will look upon the face of Jesus Christ, in the heavens \\-ere parted, and the sun came out for
and upon the faces of countless thousands of angels. a little while in all its brilliance, as if it were the
T h a t sight in the heavens will cause men far more accusing eye of God searching out men and women
terror than the sights that will have been confronting everywhere. Nothing is hid from the brightness of
them on the earth, dreadful as those sights will have God, a brilliance so great, so blinding, that it finally
been. F o r it is when evil men gaze upon the face of consumes men.
God that the scripture is fulfilled which says: "The T h e r e are a few faint comparisons in the history of
kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich the world. T h e r e have been a few occasions when
men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and the brilliance of God has broken forth to a certain
every bondman, and every freeman, hid themselves in extent. A t times an angel has come down with great
the dens and in the rocks of the mountains ; and said to power. T h i n k of Jesus Christ in the Garden of
the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from Gethsemane when all the rabble fell back, as it
the face of H i m that sitteth on the throne, and from were dead, because of one momentary flash of gloi-y.
the wrath of the L a m b : for the great day of H i s T h e n at the tomb of Christ, \vhen one angel came
wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Rev. down, all the hardened Roman soldiery fell back as
6:15-17. dead. Afterward they quaked so at the very memory
T o hide them from what? N o t from earthquakes, of it that they could scarcely make their way to the
not from the terrible things on the earth. T h e y are city to tell their story. If one lone angel, reflecting
even hoping that the rocks and mountai~lswill fall power and light f r o m the presence of God, could
upon them, because they want to be hid from thc make all the Roman soldiery fall back as dead, what
face of God. All the great men, all the brave men, will it be when God Himself and all the innumerable
all the men who have faced battle, who have braved hosts of heaven stand fully revealed?
48 I 4 [ 49
 B e h o l d , EIP Conzetll

M'e habe arlother illustration. , I t h l t . Sinai God Are You Ready to

came down as a consuming fire on the top of the Stand Before God's
mountain. But even that was very circun~scribed.
N o marl saw the face of God then. But limited as
Judgment Bar?
was that scene, the people were terror stricken, and
pleaded with Jloses, You speak with us, and tell us
the words of God, "but let not God speak with us,
lest \\-e die." Of the million or two people present
around that mountain, God found only orie man,
>loses, to whom H e could say, "Come u p to h l e into
the mount." And the record is that hloses gat him
up i n ~ othe mount, and the top of the mount was like
a consuming fire. Moses li\,ed in such close associa-
tion \-,,it11 God that, unafraid, he walked u p the side
of that mountain into the consunling cloud, and talked
wit11 God.
Are we ready to go up into the mountain? If w e
hitd been hack there utith >loses, could it have been
said of us as it was of hloses, that we gat us u p into
the mountain, that w e were not terror stricken at the
sight, that we were so conscious of walking with God
and cor~lmuningwith H i m day by day, that we longed
for closer fellowship and closer communio~lwith
EIir?:? O r , to put it in another way, are you, who
are reading this book, ready to look upon the face of
God? Are you? T h e r e are going to be some n h o
,:L-ill look upon the face of God. and will not flee in
terror. There are sQme who are going to lift u p
their heads and look upon the face of God, and re-
joice that their redemption draweth nigh. Ifre re-
peat, Are yo14 ready to look upon the face of God?
Are Y o u Ready to Stand Before God's
Judgment Bar?
" W e must (111 uppear before thp judgment spat of
C h r i s t ; that e w w y one m ~ receive
y the things done in his
body, according to that he h d h done, w h e t h e r it l,? good
o r bod." r C o r . 5:ro.

I N that great day when God is revealed, no one will

bring forth the hackneyed excuse: "Well, I am
as good as the rest of the people in the church." I t
will not be of any use then to be simply as good as
the rest. It will not give any consolation or any re-
lief at that moment to sense that though you cannot
look upon the face of God, neither can others. W e
marvel that it brings any satisfaction even now to
mumble out the words, "1 am as good as the rest
of the folks in the church." God knows nothing
about such standards, such relative ideas of holiness.
Heaven knows only one standard, and that is the
standard of righteousness and purity that will enable
men and women to look upon the face of God when
H e comes.
W e ought to do less looking at one another, less
looking to this side o r that, and more looking u p
toward heaven, ready to gaze unafraid upon the face
of God. W h e n we really sense what will confront
us in the day that Christ is revealed in all H i s glory,
we shall lose all our smug satisfaction. W e shall
no longer compare o u r s e l ~ ~ eone
s with another, be-
cause in that hour man will be as nothing, and man's
 Brhold, f3e Cometh Are You Ready?

standards will be as nothing before God. Every Are you personally ready for tlle verdict to be pro-
man will s t m d i l l the presence of God as if there nounced, " H e that is unjust, let him be unjust still:
were not another man on the face of the earth. Are and he w h i c ! ~is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he
you ready to look upon the face of God i A r e you? that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he
ATow there is a subtle danger that presents itself that is holy, let him be holy still"? ,4re you ready
because o i our being inembers of the church, We for that verdict that kno~vsno revocation, that ver-
have shed the Lvorst outbreaking Iices. T h e r e is an dict that knows no reversal, once it has gone foi-th
absence of the out\val-d ~nanifestationsof vice and f rorn the omnipotent God ?
inicl~lityand n/aywardness. ll'e are thus in very great "The day of the Lord will come." T h e close of
danger of thinking that we are quite holy, quite probation .jilill come. T h e end of this world wi!l
free from iniquity-as touching the law, blameless. come. T h e r e is a certainty to it, there is a surety to
l'here is danger of forgetting that in the last great it, there is a finalitv to it, that admits of no doul~t.
day our standing before God will be determined not T h e r e is iln end to the long-suffering of God. There
simply by whether we have shed the outward mani- is an end to the forbearance of God. T h e r e is an
festatio!ls of sin, but by whether we have purged the end to this earth with all its iniquity. 7'hen he that
soul of evil desires and emotions. is uiljus!, will be unjust still; and lie that is holy,
O u r standing before God will bear a very real thanli God, will bc holy still. Never tl~rough all
relation to the victory we have obtained over the eternity 17-ill that decision be reversed. .?ire ycju
so-called little sins. \Ire say "so-called," for when the r ~ n r l yfor that verdict. A r e you?
great light f rom God bursts upon this world, we shall Can we conceive in our minds of a timc ~ v h e n
discover that there are no little sins. T h e brilliance there will be no more confessing of sin, no more
from God's thl-one has a tremendous and appzlling forgiveness of sins? Today, how simple is the means
magnifying FoLver that will make a little sin stand for obtaining release from sin! If we have nsatle
out and enlarge itself until it envelops us and swal- b1u:lders. if mre hc~vestumbled i l l the way, \Ire can fall
lows us u p in condemnation! T h e Ins11 or woman to our knees, lcnowing that i f \I-c confess our sins.
who believes that Christ is soon coming has no time God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, But
to look about hirn critically to see how the other mem- do we truly realize that the day is soon coming when
bers of the church are living. Instead, we need to there will be no more confessing of sins, when men
turn our atteniion upon our own hearts, and loof; will fall down on their knees in terror and despair,
within to be sure that w r shall be able to stand w l x n but will receive no forgiveness of sins before G o d ?
the Son of man is revealed. N o t that God is Iiard, not that H e is ~ v a i t i n gfor an
But there is another question that should be asked : opportunity to bring damnation upon men, but siinply
54 1 r 55
 B e h o l d , I l e Conleth A r e Yo11 R e a d y ?

that men through their own hardness of heart and which is blotted out by the blood of Jesus Christ. 1\11
their constant following in the ways of iniquity have our deeds, all our acts, everything about us through
so steeled their hearts against the pleadings of the all our life, will stand open and revealed before God
Spirit that nothinq would avail by continuing pro- in that last dread hour. Of the youth who read this
bation's hour. page, we ask: Are jlorr ready to have every secret act
And this danger of driving 2way the Spirit is and deed and thought of your life stand out in
just as real for Selrenth-day Adventists as for anybody panorama before G o d ? Fathers and mothers, are
else in the world. I t is possible for us to cherish some ycru ready to have every act, every thought. every
little sins within our hearts, that will finally drive plan of your heart, stand revealed? There are going
away the Spirit of God just as surely as if we should to be some in that day who, having availed them-
con.lmit the worst outbreaking sin. selves of the blood of Jesus Christ, will stand forth
Peter says that "the time is come that judgment there with only the good revealed! But there will be
must begin at the house of G o d : and if it first begirl multitudes who will stand before God with every
at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the secret thing, evil and vile, revealed to the universe.
gospel of G o d ? And if the righteous scarcely be W e went to the Census Bureau once, and the guide
saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner zp- took us down into the vault where they keep all the
pear?" I Peter 4:17, 18. old records. Those records run back to the very first
T h a t word "scarcely" has an almost paralyzing census in 1790. W e saw there the records of one
effect upon one's heart. "If the righteous scarcelp be family after another. T h e records of a century and
saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner ap- a half ago stood out plainly before us. T h e ink had
pear?" Is it not possible that we sometimes take this not faded. Every one was listed, and every now and
matter of salvation altogether too lightly? W e act then we saw in the margin a special notation about
at times as if there were not verv much involved in this individual or that, placed there by some enu-
this matter of a change of life, and a preparation of merator, in those early censuses. W e remember one
heart to live with God. W e need to get a larger such marginal note. I t told how a woman there
realization of what is involved in the divine work of listed was the widow of a certain general of George
changing us and making us ready to live with God. Washington's staff, which general had been detailed
As we study into this subject, another question to capture the traitor, Arnold. There it was for all
demands an answer: Are you ready to have every future generations to gaze upon,-the record of this
secret thing of your life brought to light? A r e you? woman, her relationship to this general and his rela-
There is nothing hid that shall pot be revealed i n tionship to this other man, a traitor. After all these
that dav. Everything will come to light, save that years the record still stands for any one to read.
56 I r 57
 Behold, EIe Coirzetlt A r e You Ready?

When we went down aisle after aisle and saw mids, and other markings that are found on one's
those ponderous tomes, hundreds and hundreds of finger tips. "Those markings are distinctive for
them, with the names and records of all in this wide every individual," they explained, "there are no two
land of ours, just faintly we began to sense what it alike." I n other words, we carry our signature right
means that God has kept a record of every man, every oo our very finger tips. Everything we touch, every
woman, and every child upon this earth. And the act we perform, as it were, ismarked indelibly with
record has been kept with an unerring, unswerving a signature that is not duplicated by any one else.
accuracy. T h e criminal problem is not one of identification,
W e went at another time to the Department 01 but of prosecution.
Justice in Washington, D.C. They took us through As we looked upon those rows and rows of files
one of their bureaus where they keep the records of where they keep millio~ls of cards, and saw with
a14 the criminals apprehended in the United States. what unerring accuracy they check up on this man
There are millions of fingerprint records. Some of and that, dimly v e sensed how God, who assigns to
them, of course, are duplicates; a criminal may have every man a recording angel, can confront us with
his fingerprints taken several times in different cities. an unerring record.
But each time the card carries a new notation of Heaven has no problem either of identification
crime. There is filing case after filing case, room or of prosecution, for there are unerring accuracy and
after room-millions of these records of men. \Ye unerring justice in all the movements of God. T h e
asked: "Can you really tell who's who through all long-suffering of God does not vitiate, does not
these records?" neutralize, and does not hold back forever the divine
They smiled at our ignorance, and brought out justice. I t is high time we sensed more fully some
a great list of cards that had come in to them just of the sterner qualities that belong to religion, in
that dav. They showed us some of those cards. and order to have a more definite realization of the
said, "\Vithin forty-eight hours we shall send back il awfulness of sin. N o w is the time that God is long-
report on every one of these cards to the different suffering. T h a t time is going to close in the very
police offices of the country, and tell them ~vhether near future.
or not the men whose fingerprints are marked down But tve must go further u i t h our inquiry. Have
on those cards, have any record here at our head- you, by tile grace of God, developed a moral fiber that
quarters." will enable you to stand when persecution breaks
We said. "Show us how vou do it." "lt's verv
7
upon the earth? There is soon to come a time of
simple," they said; "s!lo\~ us your hand." They trouble the like of which has never been in the
marked out all the little lines and n-horls and pyra- history of the world. Have you, by the grace of
58 1 r 59
 Behold, He Cometh

God, developed moral qualities that will enable you Do You Live
to stand firm if you are ridiculed for your faith, or us if in God's
cast into a dungeon, or put under torture? O r are Presence?
you faithful and good simply because no particular
test has been placed upon you? Which is it?
There is a question that troubles us greatly at
times. W e have asked this question of our on7n
heart: Is my goodness, my propriety, my walking
circumspectly, due simply to the good environment
-the helpful brethren and the counsels and the
prayers of those round about m e ? O r is my walk-
ing in the right way due to an indwelling power
from God that personally directs my steps? Some-
times we say, "How strange and terrible that Brother
Blank suddenly fell from the ways of righteousness
when he moved away from everybody, to another
city!" T h e truth is that he had the seeds of weakness
in him before he ever moved away. H e had been
kept moving along in right paths simply because he
had little temptation, while he was with good associ-
ates, to turn to one side or the other.
If today we stand for right principles only be-
cause we are supported by God-fearing associates, we
are preparing the way for a tragic fall when suc11
associates are no longer about us.
 Do You Live as if in God's Presence?
" A s t h e L o r d of hosts livetlt, before ulhont Z stand."
I Kings 18:15.
''HTho anlong us shall d w e l l w i t h the dezlouring fire?
w h o artlotrg us $Itall Julell w i t h eoerlastinq burnitrgs?
Zsa. 3 3 : 1 4 .

I N thz book of Ezekiel is found a symbolic account

of men going forth with swords, and of a man with
a writer's inkhorn in his hand sealing certain ones so
that thev would not be destroyed by the executioners.
'The distinguishing characteristic of those sealed was
that they sighed and cried for the abomiilations that
were done irr the land. T o make Ezekiel's solemn
symbolism have present-day meaning, we would ask
these q u e s t i o n s d o you sigh, or are you quite at
home in this present world? D o you crv at the
sights of evil that present themselves, or do you
laugh? Do you reslly hate iniquity?
-Does it cause you any great shock to see or hear
something evil? Is there anything in your nature
that recoils against it, or do you feel that you are
moving along in your element when your eyes see
these sights and your ears hear these sounds or when
you read the details of this crime or that? Does
the thought of the horror and evil and corruption of
the world bring forth from your inmost soul a sigh-
ing and a longing to be moved out of the world?
D o e s it? If it does, there is a mark to be placed upon
 Rehold. Ile Cometh Do Y o u Live as if i n God's Presence?

you, for yo11 do not bclong to this world. If there those of the world that the gathering angels will have
is nothing in yoilr being that recoils against the evils no difficulty whatever in finding us!
of the world, there will be nothing in you that will -We can imagine the Saviour's pointing to these
respond to the holy atmosphere of heaven, for these people the world calls odd, and declaring to the
things work by opposites. gathering angels: "Those are the ones who do not
O w e need to give more serious consideration to the belong to the world. Look at them; there is nothing
command of God to come out of the world. W e about them that fits with the world. Listen to their
preach this command to those not of our faith, and speech ; it does not belong to this world. Look at their
we think that once they are physically inside the dress ; it does not countenance the lax standards of this
church, the command stops. True, the worli ought to world. Their habits are not those of this world.
be completed by then, but as an actual matter of es- Angels, go forth and gather them out; I have a better
perience, we know that there is a great deal of the \$rorld for them."
world within a great many inside the church. T h e I n the terrible Massacre of St. Bartholomew there
question therefore is: Have you really come out al- was one thing that protected men from destruction,
together? Are you different in every way from the and that was a white handkerchief tied around the
world, on every question that affects moral and arm. O n that horrible night any man could move
spiritual standards? Is there anything different in about safely through the streets as long as that unique
your speech, in your dress, in your habits of life, that distinguishing mark was upon him. Thank God,
would draw a very clear, sharp line between you and it is possible for us, by His grace, to bear the cross
the world? of uniqueness and peculiarity nsw, if necessary, in
I t seems a very great trial to many to be different order to walk safely and calmly in the presence of the
from the world now. They say it makes them stmd destroying angels at the last great day!
out sharply from everybody else. They are sensitive T h e ultimate objective in the plan of salvation is
about it. Some apparently would rather blend with to transport us bodily, literally, out of this world,
the world, fitting in with things as they are, than to away from evil associations, into another world and
stand out different, and pure, and unique, and even into associations with holy beings. D o we really sense
odd, if necessary. Doubtless it is a trial to be odd. that? T h a t is the ultimate end of the plan of salva-
Rut in the last day, the terrible day of chaos and tion, to place us in a new environment, where all is
catastrophe, when it will be hard to distinguish happiness and holiness. If we do really sense that,
friend from foe, it will bring a feeling of great then we ~ v o u l dask : D o you feel that you are ready
satisfaction to the soul to know that our dress, our to associate with holy beings? Are your thoughts
speech, and everything about us is so different from such that they would be in tune with the thoughts
(34 I 3
r 65
 B e h o l d , H e Conzetlz Do Y o u L i ~ e0 s i i in G o d ' s P r e s e n c ~ ?
of hea,-enly beings? If so, then you are ready for the of the second advent, and searching land and sea and
ulcimate goal that God has in mind in the plan of sky for signs of H i s coming, nre ought to take part
salvation. of the time to turn o u r eyes within, and search o u r
-The question might be asked in a little different own hearts to find whether there is evidence t h e r e of
f o r m : D o you today live in the presence of God, so preparedness for that day.
that when you literally come into H i s presence you -Perhaps some one says, "When you speak like this,
will feel at home? D o you? T h e r e is a thrill in it causes me uneasiness. 1 tremble with fear in my
reading the words of Elijah to Obadiah: "-4s the soul." But is it not better for us to tremble now,
Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand." Elijah and to be calm when the Lord comes? Is it not
walked ever as if in the presence of God. T h a t was better to weep over our condition now than to weep at
why Ire was ready to be lifted out of this world, the last dav? I t is far better for us to bow the knee
translated, to live in the presence of God. and pray to G o d for help now, than to bow the
"Enoch walked with G o d : and he was not; for knee and pray for the rocks and mountains to fall on
G o d took him." If we are to go through to the full us and hide us froin the face of God when H e comes.
with the plan of salvation, we must sense that it means F a r better is it for us in deep contrition of soul to bow
to live day by day as if in the presence of God, con- ourselves before God now, and be able then to lift u p
scious that God is with us, c o ~ ~ s c i o uthat
s H i s angels our heads and rejoice because our salvation draws
are with US, although our physical eyes see them not. near. I t is a question of which seems to us to be less
D o you meditate often upon the glorious promises painful-anguish of soul no.rv or at the final day.
that GO-d has given us in H i s Book, of how "eye hath T h e prophet Joel, after depicting the dreadful
not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the scenes of world destruction, presents the long-suffer-
heart of man, the things which God hat11 prepared ing and mercy of God : "Turn ye even to M e with ali
for them that love H i m " ? r Cor. 2:9. D O you your heart." God does not wish to destroy anv one.
think upon those promises enough so that a holy dis- T h e Lord is gracious and long-suffering. W h o
content fills your soul? Those who are ready to meet knows but H e will return and leave us a blessing?
God will be those w h o have so meditated upon these Surely now is the time for us to turn our hearts com-
glorious promises that they are discontented with pletely to God, that H e may turn completely to us
the things of this world. at that last day, and lift us u p out of this earth.
'These are only a few o i [he questioiis that we may Could any tragedy be more terrible than that we
\.cry properly ask our own hearts, as we think of the who name the name of Seventh-day Adventists, who
tremendous events involved in the second advent of have spent our means and energies to prepare men
Jesus Christ. W h e n we arc studying this subject for the coming of the Lord, should be forced, at that
66 1 r 67
 Bellold. f l e C o m r t h

last great day, to flee fro111 H i s presence? 'I'o think The Price o f Ho1ines.s-
that Jesus has gone away to prepare mansions for us. Separation
and that when Me comes to take us home to those
mansions, Me may find some of us fleeing in terror
from H i s face! T h e r e are loved ones who have gone
to their rest, cheered by our promise that we will be
waiting to greet them again on the resurrection morn-
ing. Is it possible that they may rise on that great
resurrection day, only to see us fleeing in terror to the
rocks and mountains! But that is what is going to
take place for some at the last great day.
W e believe it very worth while sometimes to think
upon things that are sober and serious, even tragic
and terrible; for the Bible has a great deal to say
about sorrow and horror and woe. T h e day of God
draws on apace. I t is nearer than any of us think.
W e ought to pray God to help us to sense the m n g ~ i -
tude of this mighty eyent that is about to come up011
us. T h a t is what n e need.
-The morning cometh, and also the night." T h e
night of the \vo;ld is upon us. T h e day of God's
grace and light is about to close. and darkness and
eternal destruction are about to descend upon the
earth. T h e night cometh, and also the day. F o r
those who have here walked in the presence of God.
for those who have basked in the sunlight of H i s love,
for those who have lived i n the brilliance of H i s
promise, for them the day cometh. T h e i r path grows
more and more bright as they move toward that
day when they will be ushered into the brilliance of
the Son of God. Ts it the n i g h t or is it the day that
draws on apace for you?
68 1
 The Price o f Holiness-Seprrration
<<
Jfi-herefore conre out frorrr artrong thern, and he ye
separate, saith the L o r d , arrd touch not the unclean thing;
a n d I w i l l receive you." 2 C o r . 6:17.
" F o l l o w peace w i t h all men, nrrd Iroliness, w i t h o u t
u'hich no nran shall see the Lord." H e B . 1z:rq.

0 our father Abraham, God declared: "I am the

TAlmighty G o d ; walk before M e , and be thou
perfect." Gen. 17:'. This command echoes down
through the centuries to all the children of Abraham.
I n barying language the thought is expressed. God
commanded the children of Israel through Moses:
"Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for
I am the Lord your God." Lev. 20:7. &loses re-
affirmed this thought when he exhorted the Israelites :
"Thou art a holy people unto the L o r d thy G o d :
the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special
people unto Himself, above all people that are upon
the face of the earth." Deut. 7:6. I n similar lan-
guage the apostle Peter describes spiritual Israel:
"Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation. a peculiar people; that ye should show
forth the praises of H i n l who hath called you out
of darkness into H i s marvelous light." I Peter 2:g.
M a n y similar scriptures might be quoted.
Even as Israel was called out to be the special
people of God in ancient times, so are we who name
the name of Christ in the Christian E r a called out.
Paul writes of Christ, "Whg hath saved us, and called
r 71
 T h e P r i c e o f I1oliness.--Separation

us with a holy calling." 2 T i m . I :9. O u r whole ness in every feature of our program of lii-ing. Christ
manner of life, our "conversation," as the King James declared: "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they
Version expresses it, is to be holy. Listen to the shall see God." hf att. 5 :8.
exhortation of Peter : If we would h a l e God dwell in our hearts even
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be while we dwell on this earth, we must be the pos-
sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be sessors of two choice qualities, purity and humility;
brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; for the great God \\rho dv:ells in the high and holy
as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves ac- place declares that H e di:pei!s also with him "that is
cording to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as of a contrite and humble spirit." Isa. 57:1;. There
H e which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in are many who feel free of any conscious desires that
all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be are impure, but who inay be cursed with pride and
ye holy; for I am holy." I Peter I :13-16. self-esteem. T h e Bible standard of holy living, let
I n his second epistle, Peter describes the very time i t be repeated with proper emphasis, calls for both
into which we are moving, the day when God will purity and humility.
bring fiery judgments upon the earth. As a climax T h e test of our readiness to dwell \vith God is
to this stirring description, he writes: "Seeing then n~hetherGod now dwells with us. When pride and
that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner self-esteem control, they so shrivel the heart that
of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation there is no room f o r God. W h a t a world of troubles
and godliness. . . . VCTherefore,beloved, seeing that ye would be removed from our churches and our homes
look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found if we were possessed of humble and contrite hearts!
of H i m in peace, without spot, nnd blameless." And what a glorious foretaste of heaven and the fel-
2 Peter 3:"-14. lowship oi God would be ours as a result!
Paul appeals to us to dedicate o u r whole lives, MThen our brethren and sisters see us day by day,
our very bodies, in holiness to God : "1 beseech you can they sav of us, as the Shunammite woman said of
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye Elisha. "I perceive that this is a holy man of God"?
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable 2 Kings 4:9. Others can often see in our lives defects
unto God, which is your reasonable service." Rom. to which we are blind. Especially can they see
I2:I. whether we possess humility. Would we not be
There is to be nothing about our lives unholy. dealing with a matter of importance in our
n-hether it be in practices that would defile the body, spiritual lives if we prayed more for humilitv and
or thoughts and desires that would defile the soul. purity, for holiness, without which no man shall see
If we would meet God in peace, there must be holi- G o d ? Indeed, ought we not to pray that our lives
72 I [ 73
 Behold, l l e Cometh The Price of IIoliness-Separation

day by day may be such that others will be constrained What a strange spectacle our world presents in
to holy living by our very example? an otherwise perfect universe! Of the many worlds
When the final destiny of all has been sealed, there that God has created to glorify His name and obey
goes forth the edict: "IIe that is unjust, let him be H i m faithfully, only one has rebelled. Everywhere
unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy else in the vast expanse of God's great heavens are
still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous found perfection, purity, harmony, and peace. In
still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Rev. this one little spot are found corruption, rebellion;
22:1 I . bloodshed, and death. N o such condition was ever
I n that day there will be no middle class. There witnessed before sin came into existence, and no such
will be no halfway holy people; at least the Lord condition will ever occur again, when sin has run
has no separate classification for them. They must its course in this earth.
be numbered with the "unjust" and the "filthy." But there is something even more striking than
There are many today who would be shocked to be this, more amazing to all the inhabitants of other
considered as belonging in such evil company. They worlds; and that is that in this little earth, apparently
have done nothing strikingly evil or vile, it may be so completely given over to evil, are found men and
true. Yet thev are numbered with the wicked, the women who are definitely separated from the cor-
corrupt, who are lost. If we were called upon to rupt multitude, and whose habits of life are in sharp
pass judgment, we might, perhaps, judge otherwise, contrast to the habits of those about them. H o w poor
for man looks on the outward appearance. But God, creatures on this earth, who have wallowed in the
who looks on the heart, judges differently. David dark depths of corruption, can be lifted up to walk
realized t h e need of holiness within when he praved: on the tablelands of light, and can develop, as they
"Create in me a clean heart, 0 G o d ; and renew a walk, characters that will fit them for a better world
right spirit within me." Ps. 51 :IO. -this must indeed be the occasion for never-ceasing
If we would be accounted holy when that irrevo- wonder to the heavenly hosts. For great as may be
cable edict goes forth, not only must we be free from the intelligence of created beings in other worlds,
overt acts that are unholy, from words that are im- none can fully understand how the power of God as
pure, but there must be fulfilled for us the prayer of revealed through the gospel, is able to work such
David: "Let the words of my mouth, and the medita- mig!lty miracles.
tion of my heart, be acceptable in T h y sight, 0 Lord, W e who walk in the ways of truth and light amid
my strength, and my Redeemer." Ps. 19:14. God a world of corruption, are truly "a spectacle unto the
is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. W e must world, and to angels, and to men." I Cor. 4:9. T h e
have the ssme abhorrence of evil. guiding of mighty suns and solar systems on an un-
74 I r 75
 Behold, H e Comefh The P r i c e of Iioliness-Separation

deviating path through trackless space, is rightly said the course of life that should be ours in the light of
to i e \ f e d the glory, the handiwork, and the power of this fact. While God has left us in this evil world,
God. But His greatness is even more marvelously H e has given to us His promises of protection, in
displayed in His guiding safely through the trackless fulfillment o i the prayer of Christ that His followers
astes of this sinful world those believing souls who should be kept "from the evil." W e are assured that
put their trust in Him. where sin abounds, grace does much more abound;
In behalf of H i s disciples Christ prayed to His that with every temptation there is prepared a way of
I'ather: "1 pray nut that Thou shouldst take them escape; that when we resist the devil, he will flee
out of the world, but that Thou shouldst keep them from us ; and that in every battle we can come off
from the evil." John I 7 : I 5. Translation, the taking more than conquerors through Jesus Christ.
of us out of this world, may truly be considered a But if we are to claim these promises, we must
great miracle; but it is an even greater miracle that follow the course that God marks out for us. For the
God, while allowing us to remain in this world, Bible is filled, not only with the promises of God's
should protect us from its evil. Translation, which protection for His children, but also with admonition
will literally separate us froin this world, is but the and counsel as to the course they should follow in
climax to God's plan for us, whereby we are even now order that His promises may be fulfilled for them.
to be separate from the world in spirit and practices. W e are not to tempt the Lord by a presumptuous
T h e separation of translation gives us the key to course. His promises of protection apply while we
the program that God has for the lives of all those walk along the highroad toward heaven. W e forfeit
who are His children on this earth. W e do not be- those promises when, contrary to the plain admoni-
long to this m-orld, for it is given over to sin. W e are tions of His word, we turn down a bypath to join with
pilgrims and strangers here. LYe seek a better coun- the sinful multitude below. Separation from the
try, a heavenly. O u r thoughts, our conversation, are world is the distinctive mark of those who have given
in heaven. O u r allegiance is there. their allegiance to God.
I n untangling the involved tragedy of sin, God I t is this word "separation" that explains a very
has not seen fit, immediately upon the conversion of great deal of the Scriptures. When God called Abra-
each man, to lift him out of this world of iniquity. ham to be the father of the faithful, H e commanded
Instead, H e has permitted us who have become His him, "Get thee out of thy country, and from thv
loyal subjects to stay on this rebellious earth for a kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that
period of time. W e cannot here turn aside to explore I will show thee." Gen. I 2 : 1 . O u t from U r of the
the reasons why God should have followed this plan. Chaldees, that populous center of pagan worship,
\Ye are concerned with the fact that H e has, and with out from relatives, friends, and neighbors who were
76 1 r 77
 Beltold, H e Conzeth T h e P r i c e of Holiness-Separation

given over to idolatry and who would have a strong direct measures in dealing with the Jews who had
hold upon him, Abraham was bidden to depart. allied then~selveswith the peoples about them.
W h e n God called the descendants of Abraham out Spiritual Israel in the Christian E r a , while not
of Egypt to establish them in the Promised Land, intended to be separated geographically as was an-
H e gave repeated commandment through hIoses that cient Israel, is commanded by God to walk separate
they should be separate in every way from the peoples from the world. I n fact, this command is even more
round about them, that they should make no covenant imperative in o u r Christian age, for we are not of one
with them nor intermarry with them, lest they be blood, or of one country, with such protection as
lured away into evil practices. T h e y were to be a those factors oiiered to the ancient Jews. W e are of
separate and a holy people. (See Deut. 7:2-7.) all races and all climes, and must move about hither
O n e of the most fearful judgments of God \Tas and yon over the earth amid every kind of surround-
that upon N a d a b and Abihu. I t was intended to ings. I t is to us that the promise most directly comes,
show God's strong abhorrence of the mingling of that where sin abounds, grace does much more
sacred and profane things. T h e Israelites could not abound. Terrlptations and allurements are the more
fail to see in this judgment something more than the real for spiritual Israel, but the measure of God's
sin of these two men in respect to one particular grace and power ill behalf of H i s children has been
feature of divine service, the holy fire. T h e lesson poured out sufficient to meet these greater tempta-
must have struck home to every heart that God con- tions.
siders that there is a wide gulf fixed between the holy T o the church living in the vile city of Corinth,
things of heaven and the gross things of this earth. and through them to all Christian believers, Paul
O n e of the chief reasons why the Israelites were wrote :
finally carried into captivity was that they failed to "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbe-
maintain a separation between themselves and the lievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with
nations about them. T h e y made trade agreement. unrighteousness? and what communion hath light
with them, compacts for defensive war, and inter- with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with
marriages. Even Solomon, the wisest of Israel's Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an
kings, was led far astray- bv- the heathen wives whom infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God
he married. with idols? for ye are the temple of the living G o d ;
W h e n the exiles returned from Babylon, Nehe- as God hsth said, I will dwell in them, and walk in
miah and E z r a emphasized anew the need of separa- them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My
tion from the world. And in his characteristically people. Wherefore come out from among them,
aggressive manner, Nehemiah employed vigorous, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
78 I r 79
 Behold, Conte111

unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Separation From the
Father unto you, and ye shall be M y sons and daugh- World as to Marriage,
ters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Cor. 6: 14-18.
T h e r e are those who think of this passage simply
Business Partnerships,
in the restricted sense of a warning against mixed Dress
marriages. True, this idea is included in Paul's
thoughts, but he is setting forth the whole broad
principle that the children of God must be separate
from the world. As he states the matter tersely in the
Roman epistle: "Be not conformed to this world: but
be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God." Rom. 1 2:2.
T h e call that came to our father Abraham many
long centuries ago, which has been taken u p ant1
reechoed by prophets and apostles through the in-
tervening years, sounds again in the last hours of
earth's history. A final call goes forth to all who
find in their hearts any longing for God, any desire
for righteousness, any determination to do the will of
G o d : LLComeout of her, M y people, that ye be not
partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her
plagues." Rev. 18:4. W h i l e this applies primarily
in the religious realm, we believe that the warning
properly relates to the whole life program of those
who desire to be known by God as "3Iy people."
Separation From the World as to Marriage,
Business Partners hips, Dress
"Be ye not unequally yoked together w i t h wzbelievt,rs:
for w h a t fellowship hnth righteozlsness w i t h unrighteous-
ness? a n d w h a t corrzrrzunion hath light w i t h darkness?"
2 C o r . 6:rg.

IT is one thing to discuss the general principle of

separation; it is quite another to discuss its specific
application to our dzily life. W'e grant there is al-
ways danger that in setting forth rules for the appli-
cation of a divine principle, finite beings inay soine-
times err. T h e Bible itself deplores a zeal not ac-
cording to knowledge, and rebukes those ~ i h oare
overmuch rigl~teouswith a righteousness that n~isses
the real essence of true religion. Yet the mistakes
of some who are extreme in their application should
not deter us from a prayerful and resolute endeavor
to apply to our daily living the divine principles re-
vealed in the Scriptures. W h i l e ever displaying
Christian charity toward others in the church who
may not see eye to eye with us as to how a Bible
principle is to be applied, we should maintain for
our own lives a program of spiritual discipline that
will bring every act and deed and thought into con-
formity with the divine will as God has revealed it
to our hearts.
Certainly we but inake mockery of religion if we
give assent to the Bible principles set forth by the
minister on the Sabbath day, but make no sincere
r 83
 Behold, H e Cometh Marriage, Business Partnerships, Dress
move on Sunday morning to apply those truths to the some one to God calls for God's aid, for it is H e alone
routine acts and associations of the week. For the who brings repentance and conviction to hearts. But
great majority of us there is no petition that could in the name of honest spiritual thinking, how can any
more properly be voiced in prayer to God, than that one believe that taking a step that God condemns is
for courage-courage to examine squarely the rela- following a course that will be most effective in
tion of a Bible teaching to our personal living, and winning some one to G o d ? T r u e it is that the Lord is
courage to act upon our findings. gracious and long-suffering, and stands ready to for-
Coming directly now to the question of separation give our mistakes, our violation of His laws, over-
from the world, we may ask, I n what ways should ruling sometimes the most distressing situations to
this principle be reflected in our lives? Without at- H i s glory and to the salvation of many. But such
tempting to dogmatize on fine details, we believe victories for God as may finally result, despite viola-
there are certain quite well defined areas where this tions of God's command, provide no justification for
truth should make contact with our daily living. violation on the part of others. T h a t is equivalent to
There is scarcely any one in the church who would making God's long-suffering and grace an occasion
challenge the general statement that marriage with for sin. It is presumption-nothing else. There are
unbelievers is a clear violation of God's rule of ways, tried and true, to work for the salvation of un-
separation from the world. Yet how often in specific believers. But marrying them is not one of these
cases is such a practice condoned, if not defended. I n ways.
this matter parents have a solemn duty to impress Not infrequently, when persons accept the advent
upon their children, as they become of age, that God message, they are tied up in some close business rela-
condemns marriage with unbelievers. I t is true, of tionship, such as a partnership, with unbelievers. T h e
course, that finally the youth must decide the matter evil of this is generally evident at once, from the fact
and be held responsible for their course. But might that the business concern operates on God's holy Sab-
there not be fewer of these unscriptural unions if bath, and that therefore to maintain partnership in
every parent sensed as he should the grave impor- such a concern \vould be to deny the Sabbath truth.
tance of impressing his children that God's command T h e dispatch with which the great majority of such
in respect to marriage is just as binding as any other new believers break these connections is heartening
command in the Bible. proof of the power that this message has to change
There are young people who at times endeavor to men's lives.
justify their plans for an unscriptural alliance by de- But at times there are those who for one reason
claring that they hope in this way to win their future or another do not break off such partnerships. Surely
companion to Christ and the church. Now, winning this is altogether contrary to the principle of separa-
84 I r 85
 Behold, E l c Cometh

tion. H o w can a brother hope to be a daily witness This fact needs to be remembered, lest members
before others, of the advent truths in general and in the church endeavor to defend their slavish fol-
the Sabbath in particular, while retaining a partner- lowing of various changing fashions on the ground
ship in a concern that violates the Sabbath? T o con- that there is nothing unhealthful or imn~odest in-
tinue such a relationship is to deny the faith. volved. T h e r e is sonrething as blighting to the soul
'I'he apostle Peter appeals to believers to be as immodesty, and even more disasti-ous than un-
separate from the world in the matter of dress, and healthful practices, and that is a program of living
offers as an incentive that this difference in dress that puts the constant emphasis on our selfish selves.
rnay be the occasion of winning others to God. W e W e never get so near to the stuff of \\.hich sin is made,
read : as when we are dealing with the pride, the vanity, the
"Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own conceit, of the human heart. These have brought
husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also forth a world of iniquity since the day that Lucifer
may without the word be won by the conversation of fell.
the tvives; while they behold your chaste conversa- T o meet the terrible results that have gronrn out
tion coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not of this fall, Christ humbled Himself, first to be
be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and born in a stable; then to inox:e anlong men as a
of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; servant, with no plzce where H e might lay H i s head;
but let it be the the hidden man of the heart, in that and finally, stripped of H i s meager garments by
which is not corruptible, exvrenthe ornament of a greedy soldiers, to submit to the shameful death of
meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God the cross. All about H i i n was pride. T h e chief
of great price." I Peter 3 :1-4. priests were too proud to accept H i m . H i s disciples
Satan has made dress the handmaid of pride. were too concerned as to who should be chief in the
A n d in this fact is found the essence of the evil of kingdom to understand H i s rich truths for them, even
fashionable dress. It is true that there are other in the very shadow of Gethsemane. T h e story of the
related evils, such as the danger to physical health cross is the story of the contrast between pride and
which results from certain fashions, and the tempta- humility.
tion to immorality that resides in still other modes of H o w natural it is to think of ourselves, to fill u p
dress. But fashions may be free from physical harm, our horizon with a picture of our own importance,
and they inay so clothe the person as to be justly ex- to lavish all o u r thoughts and interests on ourselves.
empt from any charge of contributing to lowered Expending our first energies and funds upon our
moral standards, and yet be evil because they pander clothes is but one evidence of self-centered living.
to vanity. T h e matter of dress is not primarily a questioil of a
187
 Behold, Me Cometh Marriage, Business Partnerships, Dress
particular sex, but of selfishness. I t simply happens and vital spiritual problem. W e cannot hope to be
that in our age the opportunities for the manifesta- separate from the vain, self-centered world when we
tion of pride and vanity are greater, perhaps, for slavishly follow practices that quicken our vanity.
women than f o r men. I n past ages this was not al- N o words of extenuation or defense of fashion can
ways so. blur this fact. A n d let the one who endeavors to
T h e question of simplicity in dress is only ob- defend conformity to every changing whim of fashion
scured when brethren on the one hand make it an first ask himself the question, "Are m y first thoughts
occasion for belaboring our sisters exclusively, and on God, or on myself? on the enlarging of H i s king-
the sisters on the other hand endeavor to minimize it dom, or on the beautifying of myself?" This brings
by declaring that the brethren should be dealing with us to the heart of the problem.
other and more important subjects. I t is possible I t may not be amiss to add, in contrast, that God
for a man to be as vain about his appearance and dress does not desire us to go about garbed in a dowdy
as a woman. A n d it would be difficult to say to what manner, uncouth and unkempt. This is an extreme
lengths some men might go if fashion presented the which some earnest, but misguided, souls are tempted
temptation. to adopt. T h e r e is no piety inherent in holding onto
O n the other hand, our sisters cannot honestly dis- the styles of yesteryear. T h e r e was a time when they
miss the question of dress as being unimportant. were fashionable. T h e y are simply ludicrous now.
T h e r e is a divine principle involved. This fact is T h e r e is a golden mean in this matter of dress,
plain from the Scriptures. I t is an aspect of the as there is also in the matter of speech. O u r language
broader principle of separation from the world; sepa- changes constantly. O n one border are the archaic
ration from that which would lead us on and on in forms of a bygone day; on the other fringe, the slang.
ways of vanity and pride; into paths that would fill Some with a love for puritanical English, would hold
our mind so completely with thoughts of ourselves onto archaic words and constructions until their lan-
that there would be no room for thoughts of God or guage sounds quite strange to the ear, and attracts
of the needs of our fellow m a n ; into avenues that curious attention. O n the other hand, some feverishly
would make such a large and constant drain upon our strive to add to their vocabulary every new slang
resources as to prevent our contributing to God's term, every recently coined phrase. But good usage
needy cause in sacrificial gifts as we should. suggests that we do not hold on forever to styles in
W h e n we think of the matter in this light, we lift words that have seen their day, and that we do not
the whole discussion above the level of petty dis- rush avidly to devour every new and untried term,
putes over this o r that minor feature in the realm of but that we follow a middle path. T o a certain de-
dress and fashion, and discern in the question a broad gree this suggests the path we should follow on the
88 I C 89
 Behold, He Conzetlr

difficult question of changing styles i n dress. There Separation From the

is a golden mean somewhere. World as to Diet,
W e have many sisters-thank God for their 1i1-ing
esample-whose attire looks neither antiquated nor
Social Relationships,
ultrafashionable. As we see them, we think neither I Education
of a bygone day nor of the latest fashion plates. Such
esamples are a living proof that one may be rnodern
in the right sense of the word, modest, well dressed,
and yet not a slave to fashion; a proof that one may
be attired in such a way as to maintain proper self-
respect and poise without pandering to vanity.
Separation From the World as to Diet,
Social Rekktionships, Education
"
I beseech yozc therefore, brethren, by the mercies o f
G o d , that ye present your bodies n living sctirifice, holy,
acceptable unto G o d , w h i c h is your reasonable service."
R o m . rr:r.

F the Christians newly converted from paganism

O Paul asked the solemn question: "Know ye not
that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of
God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple
of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of
God is holy, which temple ye are." I Cor. 3 :16, 17.
Later in the same epistle he made the sweeping
declaration: "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or
whatsover ye do, do all to the glory of God." I Cor.
I O :1.~ This was in keeping with his statement to the
Roman church: "I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service." k o m . I 2 : I .
I n what sharp contrast must such instruction have
been, with the standards in pagan circles, in which
gratification of the physical senses was dominant, and
in which the proverb was current, "Let us eat and
drink; f o r tomorrow we die." Of some pagans Paul
went so far as to declare that their "god is their
belly." Phil. 3 :I 9.
W e are to be separate from all the gross practices
that benumb the senses of nlen and separate them
C 93
 B e h o l d , H e Contetll D i e t , Social Relationships, E d u c a t i o n

from God. UTe cannot hope to know anything of misguided zealots--and their numbers and blunders
real fello\vship with God if the higher faculties of have been exaggerated in the retelling-can never
the mind are dulled by our physical practices. W h a t alter the fact that our bodies 2re the temples of
we eat and how we eat it have a very direct bearing the H o l y Ghost, and that if we defile these bodies,
on this question of a clear mind capable of appraising God will destroy us. N o r do those blunders take any
spiritual things. Because various practices in the of the force from the already-quoted command:
realm of diet reduce our capacity for grasping spirit- .'\Vhether therefore ye eat, or drink, o r whatsoever ye
ual thoughts and weaken o u r bodies that should be do, do all to the glory of God." It is time that we
wholeheartedly consecrated to God, the question of restudied and applied with new faithfulness and
healthful living is interlocked with that of holy sincerity, the principles of healthful living revealed
living. A n d it is in the light of this interlocking in the Bible and the Spirit of prophecy.
that we may safely decide the question of the sinful- T h e principle of separation from the world con-
ness of unhealthful living. fronts many of our believers in a very real way when
T h e doctrine of health reform is at once our glory they are called upon to decide what social affairs are
and o u r shame-our glory in that it has opened be- proper to attend, and what pleasures are spiritually
fore us such elevated standards in an important area lawful to engage in. Generally speaking, our people
of living; our shame in that it has served. on various are not isolated in little communities where an in-
occasions, to bring the truth into a certain disrepute dependent, self-contained social life may be carried
because of the extremes of fanatics. But the folly 011. Instead, they are spread thinly over wide areas,
of a certain kind of health reformers provides no placed here and there in neighborhoods and con?-
justification for discounting o r evading this truth. munities. T h e wholehearted, sweeping way in which
T h e r e have been those who held fanatical views on converts generally break with their former social
other doctrines, too. connections is a gratifying evidence of the power of
T h e r e is something far worse than any shame that the gospel. T h e r e is no better proof that the social
fanatics may hay-e created by their actions; and that is relationships of the world, by and large, are foreign
the shame th3t rests upon those in the church who, to the principles we should maintain, than that those
despite their clear knowledge of divinely revealed in their first love, who can see most sharply the
health principles, continue on in practices that rob contrast between worldly standards and Christian
them of physical health and spiritual perception. It standards, should so definitely sense the need of break-
is the shame of failing to live u p to a privilege, an ing away from the former social relationships and
opportunity. And no reference to the folly of pleasures.
fanatics can take away this shame. T h e blunders of T h i s is not to say that there are no social gather-
94 I [ 95
 Behold, H e Cometh Diet, Social Relationships, Education

ings of those not of our faith which it would be right and the standards of the advent movement are on trial
to attend. T h e r e are such gatherings. T h e r e are in our lives. W h i l e others may seek to have us
high-minded men and women who are living u p to join them in their social activities, they may at the
all the principles of righteousness that they know, same time be perplexed at our accepting their in-
w h o meet f o r various neighborhood and community vitations.
gatherings which have some very proper civic o r N o hard and fast rule, of course, can be set down
social objective, where nothing enters that would dull as to when it is right o r wrong to attend a social
our moral or spiritual sensibilities. gathering. T h e r e will be bewilderment at times as to
W e are thinking rather of that wide range of what course should be taken. I n such situations this
social gatherings the primary, if not the sole, objec- rule is worth remembering: W h e n in doubt, don't.
tive of which is pleasure. T h e forms of pleasure in- W e shall never suffer irreparable loss by failing to
dulged in in such gatherings include a subtle mix- attend some social function, and we may be saved
ture of good and bad. Oftentimes, for example, an from great spiritual damage.
informal dance may be the feature of the evening's T h e r e is a very distressing feature to this subject.
pleasure, for those who wish to participate; or card I n many instances there are divided homes. A wife
tables may be present at still others. has found the faith and new standards of living, but
I t is not sufficient for a believer to answer that he the husband has not. H e pleads, o r perhaps harshly
does not personally engage in any feature of the insists, that his wife attend social gatherings and
evening's pleasure that is contrary to his standards. places of amusement with him as before, threatening,
T h e facts are that by attending such gatherings we perhaps, that if she refuses to attend, he will find
place ourselves in an atmosphere that is not conducive other friends.
to holy living. W e are putting ourselves to a greater T h i s is no minor o r imaginary problem. Con-
o r lesser degree under the influence of men and fronted with this test, some wives have compromised
women who would draw us away from the true stand- by attending gatherings o r amusement places, trust-
ards. I t is scarcely possible for any one to spend ing that in time they could win their companion away
hours in certain social gatherings in the more o r less from such associations, but all the while troubled in
carefree attitude of mind to which such gatherings their conscience because of con~promising their
conduce, without being definitely affected by these standards. Surely this is not the way to meet this
adverse influences and associations. N o man liveth trying issue. Compromise is never the way out of
unto himself. W e are all affected by o u r associations. perplexity, when conscience must be stifled in the
T h e r e is, too, this very real fact that must not be bargain. If ever there is need of maintaining spirit-
forgotten,-others are watching us. T h e good name ual peace and calm and an active faith that G o d will
94 I 7 C 97
 Behold, H e Cometh D i e t , S o c i a l Relationsllips, E d u c a t i o n

solve the problem, there is need in a situation like lived centuries before us. "Ye have not yet resisted
this. unto blood, striving against sin." Heb, r2:4.
I t is a happy fact, demonstrated in the lives of N o labored arguments should be needed to es-
many of our devoted sisters, that a quiet but resolute tablish as a fact that in the matter of education we
refusal by the wife to participate in activities that should be separate from the world. T h e child who
formerly engaged the attention, has been definitely begins in the first grade and goes on through to the
used of God to bring conviction to the husband. I n end of college, spends sixteen years, the most plastic
many other instances, where conviction and con- years of his life, in school. I t seems unnecessary to
version have not resulted, there has at least been remark that the atmosphere of that school, its teach-
created a profound respect for the newly acquired ers and its associations, will have made an indelible
religion of the wife that has put an end to friction impression upon him long before the sixteen years are
over the matter of amusements, and has resulted in completed. T r u e it is that many children have run
the husband's staying at home evenings rather than the gantlet of years in schools where the atmosphere
going out. Invariably, \v here the wife's courageous has not been a reinforcement to Christian principles,
stand has brought these cheering results, it has been and have not been turned away from God and the
accompanied in the home by the fruits of righteous- church. But let no one attempt to find in this a justi-
ness, peace, long-suEering, goodness, patience,-vir- fication for sending his children to a worldly school.
tues that are more eloquent than words, that are in- for there is another fact that bears directly on the
deed an end to all argument. question; namely, that a far greater number of vouth
But no matter whether the outcome be happy or who might have been saved to God and the church
not, this fact undeniably stands out plain and clear,- were led astray by the influences of a worldly school.
there cannot be compromise with principle. History W e live today in an age in which iniquity
tells us of a woman in the early Christian church who abounds, and in which the devil is making his last
had accepted Christ, and who therefore refused to desperate endeavor to deceive man and destroy the
attend places of pagan amusement with her husband. race. T h e world mo:?es along with an intensity it
W i t h fiendish hatred he turned upon her, haled her never knew before. A wide array of temptations
before the magistrate, and had her condemned to peculiar to our time confronts our children. I n a
death. For what was the life of a Christian worth in way unknown to the past, schools from the grammar
those days? I t was out of such heroic material as grades up have every variety of social adjunct, so that
this that the Christian church was built. H a r d , then, it is exceedingly difficult for a student to escape being
as the problem of any of our sisters today may be, it drawn into a complex cycle of social functions.
is not so hard as that which confronted those who Couple with this the fact that in our modern school
98 1 C 99
 Behold, He Cometh
system there is a subtle brand of cynicism, skepticism, Temptations Peculiar to
and infidelity taught that was unknown in former Our Day-The Movies
generations. Only a miracle of God can save the
inexperienced, youthful mind from becoming lost in
the fog of skeptical sophistry that clouds too many
classrooms in worldly institutions of learning.
True, we may invoke such a miracle of grace in
behalf of our children when it is absolutely impos-
sible for them to acquire an education in one of our
own schools. God still lives and works miracles for
those who have faith, and who cooperate with H i m in
obtaining the answer to their prayers by casting about
their children the influences of heaven during the
hours they are at home.
But what is to be said of those parents who viemi
apathetically this important question of education,
and take no active steps to find a way whereby their
children may be in one of our schools? There is an
accountability that we have before God for our sons
and daughters. And no shrug of the shoulders, no
listless remark that a Christian education is out of the
question, will discharge that responsibility. There
are too many living proofs that godly fathers and
mothers, determined to find some way, may by prayer
and planning and economizing, discover a way. N o
parent can honestly say that he is sincerely endeavor-
ing to apply in his own life and that of his family
the principle of separation from the world, unless he
does all within his power to see that his children are
separated from the world in the matter of their
education.
 Temptations Peculiar to Our Day-
The Movies
'< 7
f i n a l l y , brethren, whntsoezler things are true, w h a i -
soever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are loveljl,
whatsoever things are of good report; if &here be any
virtue, a n d i f there be any praise, think on these things."
Phil. 4 :8.

E V E R Y age has its distinctive characteristics, even

as has every individual. Every age, speaking
spiritually and morally, has temptations peculiar to
it. T h a t is strikingly true of our present time-per-
haps more so than of any time in the past, because
today we have seen more rapid changes than men
have ever witnessed before. Suddenly we are con-
fronted with new situations and problems and condi-
tions, of which our fathers and our fathers' fathers
never dreamed; and thus we are not fortified against
them by any generations of training in the church
or in the home.
T o illustrate, for centuries we have had an institu-
tion known as the theater, very sharply labeled and
defined. T h e r e had grown u p in the church a well-
defined attitude toward it. And from infancy up,
children were instructed so that they would not at-
tend. There was a mass of evidence submitted to
show the baleful effects of this institution.
But we come to our present day, and suddenly
something appears as a sort of hybrid. I t did not
[ 103
 Behold, H e Cometh I The Movies
fit altogether within the limited bounds that had good and the bad are together, is the clearest evidence
been labeled theater." I t entered in an unob- of the subtle danger that is involved. F o r while there
trusive fashion, as a sort of scientific experiment, an may be good films, generally there are others thrown
improvement over still stereopticon pictures. Curi- in with them that quite neutralize the good, and al-
osity prompted many of us to go to see what this most invariably the music, which is so vital to the
new thing was. A n d some began to reason that the atmosphere of the place, is very, very foreign to holy
movies were really not like the theater. living.
W e repeat, T h e moving picture was ushered in Let us approach the question in another way. W e
suddenly in o u r day, and thus its relationship to the as Seventh-day Adventists hold as our greatest hope
theater, that institution against which the church had the belief that our eyes will finally gaze on the
long been fortified, was quite obscured. T h e r e was glorious sight of the coming of the Son of man in
no wall built u p in advance to meet this new tempta- the clouds of heaven. W e would submit this thought,
tion. partly figurative and partly literal,-that if we are
Some would tell us that there are "good" movies spending o u r hours in an institution which has dark-
as well as bad. A n d who are we to dispute this? ness as a prerequisite to success, and our eyes are
But as surely as there has been through the centuries a accustomed to darkness, u7e shall not be prepared to
definite institution known as the theater, with a cer- gaze with undimmed eye upon that dazzling sight.
tain environment and atmosphere, so surely is there Instead, u7e shall turn away in terror, even as will
a definite institution today known as the moving- others, blinded by the divine spectacle.
picture house, which has its certain influence and Again, we talk about letting our light shine;
atmosphere. A n d if a person frequents such a place, we say it should shine always. H o w can it shine in
he will become permeated with its atmosphere, and a darkened moving-picture place? I t would ruin the
find himself in a frame of mind wholly foreign to that picture! Certainly it would ruin most of the pictures
spiritual state necessary to the development of Chris- that are thrown on the screen.
tian character. Eminent men of the world speak in no uncertain
I t is from this broad angle that we wish to con- tones concerning the evil possibilities that reside in
sider the question, rather than to descend to the the moving-picture theater. F o r the evil is so evident
profitless discussion of relatively good or bad movies, that one need not have any particular theological
with every one employilig his own definition of bias in order to be able to see the dangers. W e quote
"good" and "bad." Indeed, there is nothing more a short, typical statement. I t is by Roger W . Babson,
distinctive about the devil's whole program than his the head of the Babson Institute, one of the largest
mixtures of good and bad. T h e very fact that the and most reputable of the numerous organizations
104 ] [ 105
 Behold, l i e Colneth T h e Movies

that provide financial and statistical information for troubled world. I t is this world that is soon to wit-
the business world. I n a "special letter" entitled, ness the mighty act which is the climax to the great-
"Crime Waves," h'lr. Babson sets forth certain stag- est drama of all, the drama of God's dealing with
gering facts concerning the enormous increase in sinful man.
murders and other crimes, and then declares: W e read that "God shall bring every work into
"Such studies as T have made lead directly to the judgment, with e\ ery secret thing, whether it be good,
movies as the basic cause of the crime waves of today. or whether it be e ~ i l . " Doubtless, it was with this
Furthermore, when one considers that ten million solcrnn truth in mind that David uttered that sublime
people, largely young people, in the United States prayer, "Let the words of my mouth, and the medita-
alone, attend the movies every week, the tremendous tion of my heart, be acceptable in T h y sight, 0 Lord,
influence of the cinema in all ways must be admitted. my strength, and my Redeemer." But how can we
In view of statements by psychologists that impres- pray David's prayer or make ready for the hour when
sions through the eye are very much more powerful the deepest recesses of our soul will be exposed to the
than those which come through the ear, it is evident penetrating brilliance of the judgment day, if we have
that the movies are the greatest force today in molding allowed our thoughts to be directed along the
character for good or evil. I n fact, I sent a ques- channels of the plots and intrigues of popular movies?
tionnaire to the school principals of N e w England. I t is no small thing to make ready for heaven;
asking which of the following had the greatest in- it is no light undertaking to prepare to dwell with
fll~encein molding the character of our young people a God who is of too pure eyes to behold iniquity,
today,-the school, the church, or the home,-and to live with angels whose innermost natures cherish
70 per cent scratched off all three and replied: ' T h e not one suggestion of evil. I n an earlier chapter
movies !' " we quoted the solemn warning of the apostle Peter
Plots a.nd intrigue, villain and hero, seduction, that the righteous will "scarcely" be saved. So
betrayal, and double living-these terms, so essential great is the pull of evil, so heavy is the atmosphere of
to the stage, and to the movies, have no place in the sin that presses in all around us, that only by the
speech of men and women who expect shortly to greatest miracle of God's grace and by constant trust
commune face to face with God and to hold converse and reliance in Hirn can we hope to escape safely
with the inhabitants of unfallen worlds. O u r eyes out of this world. I t is when we view the matter in
should follow with rapt attention, not the scenes and this light that we find the most sweeping indictment
ideas revealed by the spotlight on the stage of the of the movies and every kindred place of amusement.
theater, but those signs and omens revealed by the Some of these thoughts have been suggested by an
great spotlight of on the stage of this editorial in the Billboard, a leading trade journal of
106 ] [ 107
 Behold, H e Cometh T h e Movies

the theater. W e are indebted to the Catholic weekly W h a t America as a religious journal says regard-
America for the quotation from this theater paper. ing the stage might of course be considered by many
Under the title, "The Degenerate Stage," America worldlings as prejudiced, but the statement it quotes
says in part: from the Billboard editor is not open to such a charge.
"When a clergyman or teacher criticizes the Certainly when a theater trade paper finds itself
morals of the stage, he is usually told that he does forced to describe its own industry thus, it is almost
not know what he is talking about. T h e moral con- superfluous for religious leaders to add any further
duct of actors, off and on, is better on an average, he indictment of their own. Even if we were planning
will be informed, than that of teachers and clergy. to make ourselves simply better citizens of this pres-
But when the criticism comes from the stage itself, ent world, we might well conclude that our character
the probabilities are that it is true. and our outlook should be based on something other
"In the Billboard for January 7 , the editor offers than the stage. But in view of the fact that we are
the following considerations under the caption, 'Shall preparing for citizenship in the kingdom of God, we
W e Rejoin the Ladies?' Once upon a time, the editor find the reasons for abstaining from attendance at
mourns, there were ladies on the stage, and ladies the theater and the movies overwhelming.
and gentlemen in the audience. But now-
" ' I t is seldom that we see a lady depicted behind
the footlights. Harridans, prostitutes, and wenches
make up the female population of our plays, and
even when some one with the status of a lady must
be introduced, she is shown up as a fishwife-r,
preferably, a strumpet. T h e stage has taken the
aspect of a smoking room, and it is seldom enough
now that gentility finds its place either behind or be-
fore the footlights.'
"The Billboard is a leader among trade papers,
and is not given to exaggeration on its editorial page.
Its criticism, which comes with authority, agrees
with that which is entertained by civilized persons
generally. Unfortunately, there are no groups of
associations which are able to raise the stage from
its low estate."-January 1 4 , 1933.
10s ]
 Temptations Peculiar to Our Day-
Radio, Styles, Speed and Tension
"This k n o w also, tlidt in the last days perilous tirnes
shall come." 2 T i m . 3 : I .
" W o e to the inhabiters of the earth and of the secz!
for the dcvil is come d o w n unto you, having great wrath,
berause he Rnouleth that he hath but a short time."
R e r . 12:12.

HAT a wonderful aid the radio can be in the

Wdissemination of truth. Doubtless it will prove
an even greater aid as the days go by. But we can-
not shut our eyes to the fact that the devil has suc-
ceeded largely in prostituting this marvelous inven-
tion to his own ends.
W e suppose that in former generations some in the
church were tempted to go to places where the music
of the devil was being played. But that desire had
to be quite sharp and pronounced, and the urge de-
finite and clear, to cause a church member to put on
his coat and hat and go down to such a musical place
and pay admission to sit there. But today that temp-
tation need only be strong enough to cause him to turn
the radio dial a few points, and the whole house is
filled from cellar to garret with strange, unholy
sounds. T h a t is a peculiar temptation of our day.
As one goes up and down the streets, one hears strange
overtones and other weird sounds pouring out of in-
numerable radios-sounds which offend both musical
and religious sensibilities. T h e air is filled with a
8 [ 113
 Behold, H E Cometh Radio-Styles-Speed and Tension

Perhaps it may sound fanatical, but we would say on every billboard. N o matter which way we turn,
that if a Seventh-day Adventist feels in his soul that we are confronted with the subtle, and sometimes very
he is not able to withstand these temptations, then in obvious, appeal to turn in the old model of this, that,
order to cooperate with his prayer, "Lead us not into or the other thing and get a later one. As a person
temptation," it would be far better for him to throw reads the advertisements, he is likely to feel that he
the radio into the furnace, and go to heaven without is behind the times if he does not have the very latest
having had this remarkable invention in his home, of everything.
than it would be to go down in the lake of fire having Now, we would not advocate living as did our
heard a radio all his life. "If thy right hand offend father ,4braham, in a tent amid the dust and germs
thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profit- that must have been there in abundance. W e are in
able for thee that one of thy members should perish, the world. There is a certain definite relationship
and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." to it that we must maintain. N o one can escape that
Matt. ;:30. fact. But the admission of that fact seems to us far
Let us pass, now, to a more expansive and yet removed from the tendency to turn our attention and
specific problem under the general title of "Styles." first thought from morning till night to the question
W e are not going to discuss the question of women's of whether we can keep in step with all the fashions
dress. W e wish to use that word, "style," in its larger and fads of the hour-whether we can scrape together
aspect, as embracing the whole subject of changing a little money to buy this later model or that. And
vogues or fashions in every aspect of our modern the most unsatisfying thing about this whole program
living. of keeping up with the trend, is that one really can-
There is nothing more distinctive of the present not keep up-before the installmeilts have been paid
time in contrast to all the past than that today our on the new model, it has become old.
whole industrial world is geared up for mass pro- T h e effect is twofold. There is created an ab-
duction. In order to obtain a constant market for an normal longing and craving which is of the essence
ever-increasing output of automobiles, radios, furni- of covetousness. W e view our brother just a little
ture, pianos, bedsteads, chairs,-everything imagina- enviously because he can pay $5 or $ ro a month more
ble,-there has been set in motion a campaign which in installments, and thus is able to have a more up-to-
our fathers before us never witnessed, a campaign the-minute kind of radio or washing machine: or
which has a very definite relationship to spiritual dining-room furniture of a newer style, or what not,
living, though we may not have realized it. W e refer than we. T h e feeling in our heart is covetousness.
to the high-pressure program of national advertising Let us call it by its right name. And this vice of
that greets us in every magazine and newspaper, and covetousness brings on an u~ihealthy,unthankful state.
[ 117
 B e h o l d , He C o m e t h Radio-Styles-Speed cznd 7'ension
W e become unthankful for the blessings God has al- to our present age. Despite the depression, we live
ready given us. T h a t is the danger of it. 011 a !eve1 of prosperity not dreamed of before. W e
But not only does this striving to keep pace with have comforts not conceived of by our fathers. O f
the fashions tend to generate covetousness; it goes 1 course there are exceptions. T h e y prove the rule.
contrary to the very genius of this advent movement,
which is one of sacrificial living and n~issionarygiv-
ing. T h i s urge to get hold of everything we can, to
i But think of our ordinary homes. \Ire have a wealth
of material blessings. T h e whole standard of living
I has been raised very greatly.

1
turn in the old model simply becaase a new one is 1 And let us repeat right here that we are not op-
nonr advertised, stands in sharp opposition to all the posed to material comforts as such. But surely it is
mighty appeals that come to us from the mission proper to sound a warning against the potentiality
fields to give and g i ~ and
e give. I t would be highly for evil that resides in this present high level of
profitable for us as Seventh-day Adventists to guide material comforts, the danger of too-great coatent-
our lives more fully by Paul's economic philosophy: ment with this present evil world. Rlost of us are
"Godliness with contentment is great gain. F o r I
really quite happy, physically speaking. O u r needs
we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain are well provided for. I n a partly literal and partly
we can carry nothing out. And having food and figurative sense we might say that everything is
raiment let us be therewith content." I T i m . 6:6-8. padded with upholstery today, so that we do not feel
T h i s inspired message applies more directly to the sharp, jagged edges of this old sinful world. T h e
us than to any people who ever lived before in all danger is that we shall not sense as we should that
the history of the world. Let us pray very definitely this present evil world is not a good place in which
to God for spiritual help to be so contented with to live.
what we already have that our first thought will be O f course it need not be true that simply because
concentrated on adding a little more to our mission we have comforts we cannot realize that this world
offering rather than to installments for the latest is not a good place in \vhich to live. I t is possible
models of everything for the home. We need to pray for U S to realize it, hut it is less likely that n7e shall.
for that quietness of soul and calmness of spirit that T h e Scripture declares that God a l l o ~ ~ hardships
s to
make us contented with the simpler things of life, come, so that man rnav know he does not live by bread
and free us from an undue craving for material alone. but by e1,ierp word that proceeds out of the
comforts. "See!< ye jirst the kingdom of God, and mouth of God.
H i s righteousness." T h e r e is one more characteristic of our day on
Right in this c o n ~ ~ e c t i o3.nword might appropri- ~ v h i c hwe wish to comment, and that is the tremen-
ately be said concerning the prosperity that belongs dous speed and tension. T h i s situation did not con-
[ 119
 Behold, H e Cometh Radio-Styles---Speed a n d Tension
front any former generation in all the history of man- seems to us that the very essence of godly living is
kind. O u r father Abraham, to illustrate by this found in quiet meditation, in com~nunionwith God
patriarch again, could sit calmly in the door of his alone, when all the world is shut out. And in such
tent in the cool of the evening and talk with his meditation there comes into the soul a consciousness
friends. A traveler would stop to visit with him, of fellowship with God, a comprehension of spiritual
would spend the night, and stay another day or two, truths, that cannot come in any other way. If we
perhaps, before going on. I n all former generations allow the rush of the modern world to deprive us of
they had plenty of time. this silent communion, we never can say that we walk
Today, we rush by and are gone. T h e symbol of I with God or that we really know H i m . Surely the
our age is a rapidly revolving wheel. O u r nerves devil has come down with great wrath. H e would
are frayed. W e find we have very little time for our increase our pace so that we have no time to walk
families or for quietness and spirituality. There is or talk with our God. Tr is for us to make the high
always something else to do. W e rush here and rush resolve to take time to be holy.
there. This state of affairs has a definite relationship
to the spiritual life. I t is a temptation peculiar to our
day. N o t only should we realize this, but we should
be prepared to meet the potentialities for evil that
reside in it. Otherwise we shall find ourselves over-
whelmed and driven to distraction. W h a t we need
to think of more than anything else, is the divine
injunction, "Be still, and know that I am God."
If we would neutralize the baleful influence of
this modern speed and tension, we shall have to work I
out a definite plan of spiritual discipline that will
sanctify certain time for holy meditation and godlv
thinking and reading. W e cannot escape from this
world, but by God's help we can escape sufficiently
from its noise and hurry to be able to hear H i s voice
speaking to us day by day.
Holiness goes much deeper than mere conformity
*I I

I
to creed and freedom from outward violation of I

divine law. T h a t is good, so far as it goes. But it

120 ] I
Temptations Peculiar to
Our Day-Automobile,
Modern Literature,
Trend Toward the Cities
 Temptations Peculiar to Our Day-
Autorno bile, Modern Literature,
Trend Toward the Cities
I,
Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,
deceiving, and being deceived." 2 T i m . 3:13.

UR fathers never had an automobile, but our

O children know nothing else. It is distinctive
of our day. Without it we would be greatly handi-
capped in our missionary labor. N o one wishes to
dispute that. T h e point is that this invention which
has suddenly come to us has great potentialities for
both good and evil. and that it is necessary for us to
sense what these potentialities are, that we may be
fortified against the evil ones.
T h e automobile presents peculiar temptations for
the old and for the young. Never before has it been
possible for young people in a few moments to be
swiftly and completely removed altogether from the
environment and atmosphere of home. And it is the
home that provides the normal, wholesome, inhibi-
tory influence upon the tempestuous emotions of
youth. Never before have the youth been presented
with a temptation so large and so full of evil possi-
bilities. I t is highly necessary that fathers and
mothers realize that they in their youthful days were
not confronted with such a temptation, and that they
must take definite, concrete steps to fortify their
[ 125
 Behold, l i e Conzetlz Automobile-DIoderr~ Literature

a person's being so on wheels that he has no direct con-

children against it. This new temptation calls for
nection with, and thus does not give consistent sup-
new preczutions, i f we are to guide aright the feet ,
of our children and build up their spiritual re- port to, a n y church. I n fact, there is real danger
that he will become so irregular that after a while he
sistance.
will not feel the necessity of even being present any-
But it is not only the youth who are confronted
with temptation because of the automobile. From I where. T h a t is where lie the gravest potentialities
another angle the old as well as the young are
tempted. T h e automobile has more potentialities for ~
I
for sin. Now surely it is our duty to give steady
support to one church, whenever that is possible.
N o r do we see how it is possible to shirk this duty
ruining that calm and meditative repose, without
and be wholly free from sin.
which Sabbathkeeping is impossible, than almost
I t is their very subtlety that makes the temptations
any other modern invention.
Are we therefore opposed to taking any sort of of our day so insidious. I t is the obvious benefits that
ride on the Sabbath? No, it is possible to employ belong to many of these modern inventions that blind
the automobile on that day in a way not necessarily us to the equally obvious dangers that also are found
foreign to the Sabbath. But after making that state- in them.
ment we wish to qualify it immediately with one I Let us consider another temptation of our day,-

1
just as obvious and as easily demonstrable; namely. moderil literature. This is a very broad classification.
that we may easily let the automobile bring into It covers a multitude of good things and a mu1titude
of sins, and again illustrates that very sharp distinc-
our Sabbath day a stir and bustle, a haste and
tion which exists between the present day and all
scramble, that drives all spiritual thoughts from the
soul. W e are likely to be so desirous of making some the past. There is nothing more distinctive of our
I modern world than the wealth of printed matter that
extended journey or some great trip somewhere that
we have, of all sizes, shapes, descriptions, and colors.
we would make certain preparations on the Sabbath
which are not justifiable on any account. And by a Whereas in former generations there were perhaps a
few hundred books published in a pear, today there
gradual process of dulling the spiritual sensibilities.
are so many that one would scarcely have time to
a person may finally begin patronizing a gasoline
read even the titles of them.
station, for example, on God's holy day. I

T h e automobile also presents a temptation to W h a t would Seventh-day Adventists be without

some to be irregular in church attendance. They the press? W e should be handicapped to such an
want to go to this church and that. W e do not say extent that our work would be almost paralyzed.
i t is a sin for a person to visit some other church. Surely printing is proving a mighty blessing. But
I

'vVe simply call attention to the grave possibility of on the other hand, we must not be blind to the dangers
126 ]
 Behold, He Cometh Automobile-Modern Literature
inherent in much of the matter that is pouring forth other. But what is the difference, spiritually speak-
from the presses everywhere. ing, between spending hours on one piece of fiction,
Christian people of earlier times were well forti- a novel, and spending the same amount of time on an
fied against a certain specific variety of literature, accumulation of novelettes?
known as the novel. I t was quite well marked I t is absolutely impossible for one to read a very
out, a definite size book with a definite kind of large portion of what is presented to us every day
typography. And when a church member thought in the newspapers-ven some of the actual facts and
of a novel, he thought of something well defined happenings of the day-without having the mind
both as to its nature and as to its specific evil effects. brought into such a frame that it has no relish for
But today! W e are not prepared by any gen- the Good Book, if indeed there is any time left for
erations of training to meet what suddenly confronts such reading.
us in the world of literature. T o be specific: Virtu- But the newspaper is not the only unique feature
ally every home today has its newspaper. And thus of modern printing. Think of the wealth of cur-
we all receive that literary monstrosity, the Sunday rent magazines. They are a development of our
newspaper, expanded beyond all the conceptions of very present day. O u r fathers before us never
those who published newspapers in former years. It dreamed of seeing an array of all shapes and sizes
covers every angle of life, from the banal, vacuous and colors of magazines such as strikes our eyes
funny page, to serious dissertations on philosophy, today in the stores everywhere. And these magazines
and runs the gamut of everything between. There is contain a mixture of good and evil, generally more
f a r more potentiality for evil in it than there was in evil than good. They often have one or two good
the newspapers of the past. W e have not been forti- articles, but at the same time contain an overwhelm-
fied against it, for it is a sudden thing that has con- ing proportion of stories-fiction that may run all
fronted us in this generation. the way from what might be labeled "high class"
W h a t about the old idea of the novel as describ- down to that which is most appallingly insidious
ing such literature as should not be read? I t has and immoral.
disappeared. Instead, we now have the novel cut W e cannot fill up our reading tables in our homes
u p in small sections-short stories. I n fact, a most I with a host of these journals, dabbling in them our-
distinctive thing about the Sunday newspaper is the selves, and leaving them around as a temptation to
variety of short stories dropped in here and there. I our children, without suffering spiritually. T h e
Perhaps the piece of fiction takes only a column of
type. W e think there is surely no harm in sketching I
i devil has come down with great wrath, knowing he
has but a short time; so he endeavors to persuade
through the story. Then we find another, and an- us to fill up our homes with such a mass of current
128 ] II 9 [ 129
 Behold, He Cometh Automobile-Modern Literature
journals that we litelally will not have room for the children. I t is often possible by careful study and
Bible. thought so to situate ourselves that there will be a
If there were no other indictment against the little of the open spaces around us; a little of God's
mass of printed matter today, this one would stand green trees and flowers, rather than the curbstones
without possibility of challenge: that we are likely and city streets, and the innumerable sounds and in-
so to consume all our available spare moments in fluences that acconlpany such streets. I t is hardly
reading current literature that we have no time or
mental energy left for strictly spiritual reading. This
indictment can stand even though we might grant
i
I
possible for a person to live all the time in the
abnormal atmosphere of a great city-and assuredly
it is abnormal-without suffering spiritual loss, with-
that the current literature which is read is not in out at least being placed under a most serious handi-
any sense reprehensible. cap. Heaven intended man to live with nature, to
This danger runs through the whole series of be in a certain state of quietness in which God could
temptations peculiar to our day. There is the defi- ever speak to him. I t calls for very strong spiritual
nite tendency to fill up all our time with things discipline to be able constzntly and completely to
foreign to godly living. If Satan can succeed in I stern the insidious tide that ever sweeps about us if we
having us do that, he has completely carried out I are drawn closely into a congested city.
I
his plot. W e as a people are not alone in seeing in the
U p to this present age, at least in America, the distinctive features of our present-day life, temp-
large majority of people lived out in the courltry, tations stronger than those of former generations.
in the open spaces. Now the whole trend, with in- Under the arresting title, "Are W e Riding for a
creasing momentum, is toward the cities, and the Fall?" the widely known New York clergyman,
abnormal living that goes with the cities. There are H a r r y Emerson Fosdick, writes of the peculiar
very serious results growing out of this-serious as dangers that confront us today. H e is speaking in
to the status of the home and the children, serious particular of the United States, but in a larger way
as to all the confusion and noise and activities that of the whole world. H e cites several specific in-
belong with the city and that draw us away from cidents to illustrate his points. T h e following is
quietness and the spiritual life. This city life is typical :
presenting a variety of temptations that rarely con- "Here in the juvenile court is Clara, a young girl
fronted our fathers before us. from an American family, who has gone the limit and
This is something we should think of very often I at fourteen has little to learn about the raw side of
when we consider the whole question of where we life. 'A generation or two ago,' comments a social
shall live and in what environment we shall rear our worker, 'Clara would have been flirting, more or
I [ 131
 Behold, H e Conleth Automobile-~odcrn Literature
less innocently, at husking parties and church socials. ities and temptations unique in their nature, and
T h e automobile, modern hotel, and city have merely beyond all controversy, stronger and more insidious
enlarged her opportunities.' T h a t comment covers in their downward pull than those which attacked
many facts in our present situation. Into the hands men in all former generations.
of our generation have come countless new instru-
ments of power, from autos and movies to knowledge
about birth control, and new power always means
a moral strain that many cannot stand."-American
Magazine.
T. H. Randall, a professor at Columbia Uni-
versity, has written an article on the "Effects of
Science and Industry on Religion." H e proceeds
to show with much force of logic and many illus-
trations, that the great change that has taken place
in our world from the quiet agricultural life of
former generations to the highly industrialized city
life of today, is breaking down most of the social,
moral, and spiritual ideals of our fathers. While he
believes that the new scientific theories have done
much to break down old standards, yet he declares:
"Industrialism and city life have been far more
subversive than all the scientific theories put to-
gether. . . . A truly intelligent Fundamentalist, in-
deed, would leave biology alone as of little influence.
H e would instead try to abolish the auto~nobilesand
movies and Sunday papers and golf links that are
emptying our churches."-current History.
These declarations, one from an outstanding
preacher and the other from a university professor,
are quite representative of numerous quotations that
might be given in support of the declaration that
our present age offers to us problems and perplex-
"+ 2
k *2
,
o h
c., d
 B e h o l d , H e Conzeth T h e Danger o f Speculating

launched, that ambitious project to federate all who believe the end of all things is at hand. W e
Protestant bodies, there were again a few who felt simply feel that no one can venture even a success-
free to speak with great certainty on the exact re- f u l guess as to what may develop out of any passing
lationship that this happening bore to prophecy, event, and that therefore we should refrain from
some going so far as to picture the exact way i n speculating. Let us prayerfully and quietly watch
which Protestantisnl would be bound together by what is taking place. I t is always fitting to "watch
this new movement and would finally persecute the and pray."
people of God. W e have never had any reason to doubt the
A few years ago there was launched in the United sincerity or devotion to the cause of the layman or
States a bold program of economic recovery known minister who falls before this temptation to speculate.
as the N R A . In connection with this, as with other I n fact, it is the very devotion and sincerity of such
outstanding events of the past, the temptation came an individual that often give to his dogmatic fore-
again to speculate. T h e r e were a few who told us casts a ring of certainty that causes the listener to
just how the N R A was related to certain prophecies accept such unsupported predictions as gospel truth.
in the book of Revelation, and of exactly the way If the failure of time to prove the predictions of
in which this governmental move for restoring pros- such persons true, reacted only against the individual
perity would result in persecution. himself, small harm, perhaps, would be done. But
But forecasts regarding the N R A proved to be this is not the case. When events fail to work out
in the same category with forecasts regarding other exactly as some one has declared they must and will,
notable happenings. T h a t the World W a r came there are always those whose faith is thereby weak-
to an end instead of merging into Armageddon; ened regarding the whole subject of prophecy and
that the League of Nations has failed to prove a the signs of Christ's coming.
dominating force in world affairs, with the nations Of course, such a weakening of faith is unwar-
going their own nationalistic way; that the Inter- ranted, for all should be able to see that there is a
church W o r l d Movement died almost before it was clear distinction between the definite signs of Christ's
born; and that now the N R A is dead,-these are coming as marked out in the prophecies, and the de-
simple matters of record. T h e y prove more elo- tailed speculations of a few individuals regarding
quently than could any studied line of reasoning, the the exact outcome of particular happenings. hTever-
grave danger of speculating concerning the exact theless, the fact remains that the faith of some in
outcome of notable happenings in the world. the general subject of prophecy is injured by the
I t is not that we would dismiss any event of the failure of speculations to prove true. A t the same
day as necessarily meaningless for us as a people time, the skeptic is provided with what he believes
138 1 [ 139
 Behold, H e Corneth The Danger of Speculating

is just another reason for making sport of the whole stay by the clear statements of prophecy. Of course,
subject of religion in general and prophecy in par- to a certain extent we must deal with unfulfilled
ticular. prophecies ; but if we will confine ourselves to what
But with our world in its present troubled state, is stated by the prophet, we shall be safe. T h e temp-
there is an even more serious possibility-yes, even tation is to fill in details where the prophet is silent.
a probability-in connection with these speculations Sir Isaac Newton, who was as devout as he was
and forecasts; there is a very real danger that un- learned, well remarked in his "Observations on the
called-for handicaps may be placed upon the work of Prophecies," that "the folly of interpreters has been,
God, and persecution may be unnecessarily provoked to foretell times and things by this prophecy [of
because of unwarranted declarations concerning the the Revelation], as if God designed to make them
future in relation to present events. W e live in a time prophets. By this rashness, they have not only ex-
of unstable emotions among the great masses of the posed themselves, but brought the prophecy also
people throughout the whole world, in a day when into contempt."-Page 251.
intense hatreds can be quickly generated and trans- With such a wide field of fulfilled prophecy to
lated into action against this o r that party or group expound to the world, how unfortunate that any
which arouses the ill will of those in the majority. should fall before the temptation to wander off into
Too many illustrations of this in all corners of the speculation on unrevealed details of unfulfilled
earth come immediately to mind, for any added proof prophecy, or to attempt to construct out of some
to be required here. But it is this very state of affairs present happening a whole chain of closely connected
in the world that should cause us to exercise the links to tie together that happening in direct and
greatest good judgment in all our utterances. If ever logical relationship to the day of Christ's coming!
there was a time, when, in our speech, we should fol- I t is not a sufficient defense for a person who thus
low the Scriptural injunction to be wise as serpents as makes predictions to inquire, "Well, is not my ex-
well as harmless as doves, it is now. planation of the outcome of these present happen-
W e have a message that must be preached, and ings plausible and reasonable?" Experience proves
with courage we should preach it. But there is a that too often in this uncertain world, what is plau-
very wide difference between proclaiming the rugged sible and apparently reasonable today becomes im-
outlines of the great time prophecies, with the re- possible tomorrow. Where the Bible and the Spirit
lated Bible forecasts of conditions in the last days, and of prophecy are both silent as to the details of future
speculating on the exact outcome of particular hap- events, reverence and a recognition of the blunders
penings of the day. Surely we have a sufficiently of those who have speculated- in the past, prompt us
positive and startling message for the world when we to be silent also.
140 ] [ 141
 Behold, H e Conteth T h e Danger o f Speculating

W e are confident there are not many who allow tragic when an attempt is made, though perhaps
themselves to fall before this temptation to speculate. unwittingly, to obtain the support of the Spirit of
Unfortunately, it takes only a few such to bring great prophecy f o r such speculations. Is it reasonable to
perplexity, embarrassment, and even collfusion to believe that an important revelation to the servant of
many. I t is one thing to view with godly fear the God concerning the events of these last davs would
events of our present troubled day as playing a part not see the light of day until some one in-a distant
in the last act of this world's sinful drama, and to corner of the field heard of it through the precarious
declare with confidence that all these events provide medium of word of mouth? T h e question answers
increasing evidence that the day of the Lord is near itself. W h y turn aside our ears unto fables?
and hasteth greatly. I t is an altogether different VSTe need to be careful lest our pious desire to
thing to single out some particular happening, and learn more fully God's purposes for this world, be
dogmatically attempt to find in it the key to unlock displaced by an idle curiosity to discover what God
the mystery of all the remaining details of this world's has not seen fit to reveal. Let us not add to the words
- history. W e shall never go astray, nor will our mes- of the prophets, lest we come under the judgments
sage ever be brought into disrepute, if we confine which God will mete out to those guilty of so doing.
ourselves to the definite utterances of the prophets. And let us not assume the role of prophets ourselves,
And, what is more, we shall not lack f o r an efr'ective, by attempting to dogmatize on the exact outcome of
a timely, and a soulsaving message for the world in various happenings, lest we be found guilty as false
these last days. prophets.
I n a closely related category is the tendency of a
few to give credence to unsupported bits of hearsay
concerning what Mrs. E. G . W h i t e is supposed to
have said at some time or other about future events.
Recently a worker wrote in to us to say that in his part
of the field a stir was being created by the circulation
of the story that Mrs. W h i t e had foretold by name
the man who would be in charge of the Ucited States
Government when Christ returns, and that this fore-
cast was to be found in one of her unpublished manu-
scripts.
I t is unfortunate enough to have some one wandcr
afield in idle speculation about future eLents: it is
142 ]
 The Danger of Waning Confidence
and Deception
" C a s t not a w a y thr,rejore your confidence, w h i c h harh
great recompense of r e w a r d . F o r yc have need o~
patience, that, a f t ~ rY P hove done the w i l l of G o d , y r
might reccine the pronzise. F o r yet n littlr w h i l e , nnd
H e t h a t shall rortte z~lill come, a n d ulill not rnrry."
H e b . I0:35-3f.

Tthe
HERE is a certain danger that presents itself to
church as a result of the breakdown of faith
and confidence everywhere. T h e world today is
marked in a very distinctive way by a loss of faith
in all things spiritual,-a loss of faith in God, a loss
of faith in the Bible, a loss of faith in the church.
And it expands beyond that to the very corroding in-
fluence of loss of faith in our fellow men, in estab-
lished institutions, in all things that we have taken as
permanent and dependable in the world. Society
itself seems to be shaking and disintegrating under the
pressure of forces which can best be described under
the head of loss of faith and confidence.
T h e special danger to us is that this loss of faith
may attack the very shrine of our hearts, and rob us
of the confidence and hope that have distinguished
the advent believers from the beginning of the move-
ment. And when hope is lost, all is lost. For if
I we lose the faith and confidence in the nearness of
i the advent of the Lord which created this movement,
there is nothing but disintegration ahead.
I [ 147
 Behold, H e Cometh T h e Danger o f W a n i n g Confidence
WTe are confronted in a very peculiar way today origin of this movement than we ever had before;
with a temptation to loss of confidence that did not we have more reason to have it.
confront the first believers. T i m e has lingered longer T r u e , time has continued longer than the pioneers
than the limited understanding of the first believers anticipated. But as time has grown longer, the
permitted them to see. T h e y did not grasp the full- evidence has grown stronger in support of the advent
ness of the dimensions of the program of God f o r message. W h a t the pioneers had to see with the eye
this people in the last days. I t could not be expected of faith in their preaching of the prophecies, we can
that they should. But as the decades have passed, see with the natural eye today. W h a t they had to
the devil has endeavored to capitalize the mere pas- read largely in the symbolic language of the prophets,
sage of time as a reason why we should lose faith in we can read in the literal language of the news-
the advent truth. T h e warning and exhortation in papers.
Hebrews comes directly to our hearts today with a I n a sense we do not live in a day of prophecy,
more pertinent meaning than ever before: but in a day of fulfillment. W e witness the actual
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which reviving o i the Papacy, the struggle between capital
hath great recompense of reward. F o r ye have and labor, the religious apostasy, the preparation for
need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of war-to inention only a f e w of the forecasts that
God, ye might receive the promise. F o r yet a little were made at a time when it seemed to the casual
while, and H e that shall come will come, and will observer that such forecasts would never come true.
not tarry. N o w the just shall live by faith: but if W e witness today a state of affairs in our world
any man draw back, M y soul shall have no pleasure which is at once the greatest vindication of Seventh-
in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto day Adventist preaching through the years, and the
perdition; but of them that believe to the saving - of greatest reason for the continuance of that preaching.
t
;he soul.". H e b . 1o:35-39 But we are confronted not simply with the danger
T h i s is a time for strengthening our faith and our of loss of faith, but also with the danger of decep-
confidence in God. I t is a-time when our confidence tion. I n the remarkable twenty-fourth chapter of
ought to be stronger than it ever was before. T h e Matthew, which records Christ's prophecy concern-
present lack of faith and confidence in all things ing H i s second advent, is found a warning that should
spiritual should be a challenge to us to know God be carefully pondered by every one of us. Christ's
better, to know H i s Scriptures more fully, to know first words in response to the questions of the disciples
more definitely what it means to pray to God and to were, "Take heed that no man deceive you." T h e n
have answers to our prayers. W e ought, in these last later in the chapter H e declared again to them:
days, to have more definite confidence in the divine "There shall arise false christs, and false prophets,
148 1 [ 149
 T h e Danger o f W a n i n g Confidence

and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch belong to us individually and as a people, to be
that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very turned aside into any of these channels. T h e r e are
elect.'' Verse 24. enough good people around the circle of the world
This warning against deception was given for who ha-de not been commissioned of God to preach a
the protection of the church. As we draw near the special message, to give to the varied plans for world
end, the warning applies with added force. As a betterment all the momentum and support they de-
people, we may not be in grave danger of delusion serve. \Ve must never lose sight of the fact that there
from certain types of deception that would easily is but one reason for our existence as a people. And
lead others astray, but that does not mean we are the reason is that God desires that there be brought to
free from all danger. Whatever would turn our the world a certain definite message-a message to
minds and hearts from a proper understanding of prepare men for the second advent of Jesus Christ
the times in which we live, or divert our energies in our day. There is no gainsaying this Pact. It has
from this advent movement, is as disastrous a decep- controlled the thinking of this movement from the
tion as though we literally followed some leader who beginning. If we change the emphasis in any de-
draws men off to the darkened chamber or out to gree, to that degree we turn aside from the real pur-
the desert place. pose of and the real reason for our existence.
Seventh-day Adventists are a crusading people. W e are as surely deceived i f we turn aside to sup-
Thank God for the fire and enthusiasm in our hearts! port some glittering scheme for world betterment as
But while that is a great asset, it is also a potential if we followed some new, strange religious view.
danger to us if it is diverted to a wrong use. There T h e nature of the deception is different, but the
is a variety of remedies being offered in our troubled effect can be just as disastrous. In both cases we
world today as cure-alls for the ills that beset nations 2 give our energy to that which is not of the essence
and men. There are panaceas political and panaceas of this advent message.
social. They look very charming, they look very As a religious body grows older and larger, its
inviting, they look \;erv plausible; and one certainly very size gives to it a certain influence. Increas-
mould not wish to indict the good intentions of those ingly its membership, either individually or collec-
who put them forth. 3Tany times the promoters tively, is urged by various organizations to give sup-
:\re high-minded men and women, with noble ambi- port to this project or that. W e are beginning to be
tions, who, without a doubt, may accomplish a certain confronted with this problem. There is something
amount of good in holding back the forces of evil. flattering about this to a little people like us, who
W e must guard against allowing any real measure have had to struggle against tremendous opposition
of the fire, the energv, the time, and the resources that to gain the headwav n7e now have. T h e very energv
150 1 [ 151
 Behold, He Cometh

we have revealed in promoting our beliefs serves only The Deception

to increase the invitations given to us to support o f Apostasy
various noble schemes and plans for world im-
provement.
W e cannot isolate ourselves from the world and
its material problems; yet we cannot afford under
any circumstances to turn our primary energies to
any of the numerous projects for world betterment.
W h i l e it is true, for example, that we may properly
give a certain support to the prohibition movement,
our chief endeavor should be along the path of the
health and temperance message that God has given
to us. W e may properly give some moral support
to the many laudable movements for peace, but our
real endeavor is to bring to men's hearts the Prince of
Peace, and make them ready for the setting up of
the kingdom of peace. W e may hope and pray for
the success of the schemes devised for settling the
age-old conflict between capital and labor; yet our
real endeavor should be to point men to the meaning
of this conflict, and to turn their hearts toward readi-
ness for the soon-coming day when God will solve
the problem.
W i t h delusive teachings springing up here and
there, and with appealing projects for world reform
beckoning to us, we should remember the warning
of Christ: "Take heed that no man deceive you."
 The Deception of APostusy
"Behold, I conze quickly: hold that fast which tllo~r
,,
irast, that no mun take thy crozcitl. R e v . 3 : I I .
"But he that shall endurr unto the end, the same shnll
be saved." M a t t . 2 . $ : 1 3 .

P R O B A B L Y the most subtle of deceptions is that

created by the apostasy of some from the church.
John wrote concerning apostasy in the first century:
"They went out from us, but they were not of us;
for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have
continued with US : but they went out, that they might
be made manifest that they were not all of us."
I John 2:19.
This inspired statement was made only about
seventy years after the founding of the Christian
church. T h e r e were numbers still living w h o had
witnessed the organization of this new movement in
the world. Yet in this short space of time there had
been desertions from the church, with all the troubles
that such apostasies create. I t is therefore not a
thing to be marveled at, that in these last days also
the church of God should be troubled with apostasy
in its various forms.
T h e Bible does not give us many details regard-
ing the church troubles of the first century, nor is it
necessary for us to know them; but it is well for
us to give some study to the problem as it affects our
own age. F r o m time to time since the beginning
of this second advent message, there have been those
[ 155
 Behold, He Cometh T h e Deception o f Apostasy

who have gone out from us. This is frequently a of the sad faculty of stressing the unimportant; they
cause of perplexity to many good church members, are almost ready to become martyrs for the incon-
who, though they may not be led away into apostasy, sequential. W e have a ludicrous illustration of this
are nevertheless not quite able to understand why in the person who is ready to call down anathemas
such "earnest people" have withdrawn from the upon the men of the denomination because they shave
movement. the "coiners of the beard."
UTe believe that a lucid way to deal with this It is a fact, however, that at times "new light" is
problem is to set down the outstanding characteristics advocated by such offshoots, that does not deal with
of these offshoots. With these points before us we an irrelevant or unimportant subject. Instead, it af-
can then draw definite conclusions. Allowing for fects some basic doctrine. If we remember one
some minor exceptions, the various offshoots that simple rule, we shall be able to judge rightly as to
have developed from time to time possess, or did whether to accept "new light." And that rule is
possess while they existed, the following character- that no new light from God will cast a shadow over
istics : light already given to us.
I . They are destructive. Their message is not a 3. T h e mistakes of certain leaders are held up.
new, clear, positive one, but a negative one. They Reduced to a syllogism, the argument runs thus:
are chiefly concerned with denouncing the movement Elder Blank is a minister. H e is not what he ought
with which they have so lately been allied. N o w true to be. Therefore the whole movement is evil.
Protestantism, though it is a protest against the evil This is not a new method of attacking an organ-
of the false church out of which our fathers came, ization. I t is as old, and also as faulty, as the human
is defined in terms of positive truths that were set race. T h e rightness or wrongness of a movement
forth by the Reformers. N o great wisdom is re- cannot thus be determined. There will always be
quired to be a critic or to denounce others. T h e those among the leaders who are not what God would
evidence of wisdom, of the wisdom that cometh have them to be. T h e movement is not bad because
down from above, is in the setting forth of a new of them, but good in spite of them. T h e question of
and better way in which men should walk. whether the Lord is leading in a movement is best
2. Irrelevant or unimportant questions are answered by comparing its doctrines with the words
stressed. If the whole time and energy of the off- of Scripture. LLIf they speak not according to this
shoot is not concerned with denouncing or criticizing word," then we can rightly say that the organization is
the denomination, the "new light" given out gen- not of G o d ; and, conversely, if they do speak ac-
erally consists of irrelevant and often ludicrous cording to the Bible, then God surely must be di-
points. There are certain minds that seem possessed recting the work, for only when the Spirit of God
156 ] [ 157
 T h e D e c e p t i o n of ripostnsj1
B e h o l d , I-le C o m e t h

enlightens men, can they know the truth. Flesh and 4. T h e Testimonies are frequently the pivotal
point. T h e various offshoots may generally be classed
blood cannot reveal it unto them. Therefore this
in two opposing groups as regards the \ ~ r i t i n g sof
second advent movement, which is teaching the true
Mrs. E. G. White. T h e first quote the Spirit of
Bible doctrines, was not started by the wisdom of
prophecy at great length; the second denounce it as
man, nor does it thus continue.
a fraud. T h e first use the Testimonies because they
Without question! the faulty life of a leader can
find therein certain passages that apparently give
do great damage and cause the name of God to be
blasphemed among the Gentiles. I t is also true that support to their charge that the denomination is so
sinful that its members should leave it; the second
genuine Christianity can be fully understood only
group denounce them as fraudulent in an attempt to
as it is lived out. Yet we must always remember that
escape the indictment found in those writings against
the question of the divine origin of Christianity must
deserters from the faith.
be decided by the great spiritual truths and moral
T h e first group are not consistent, because the
standards it represents, and not by the lives of those
very Testimonies which point out sins in the de-
who call themselves Christians.
nomination, also affirm that despite spiritual weak-
For four years the so-called Christian peoples of
nesses God is still with the movement, and will bring
various nations killed one another in bloody fight-
it through to a successful finish, and denounce those
ing, much to the bewilderment of the heathen, who
who raise the cry, "Come out." T h e second group
thought that Christianity meant loving one another.
show the weakness of their charge that the Testi-
T h e only explanation needed for this paradox is that
monies are a fraud, by the irrelevant objections they
these Christian peoples were not living up to what
they claimed to believe. Christianity still stands as bring forth. I t is possible to bring objectio~isagainst
even the Bible, but they are palpably weak. Thus
the revelation of God to nlan despite the course that
so-called Christian nations pursue; and likewise the with the case that this second group would strive
threefold message still remains as God's last message to make out against the Testimonies.
for the world. despite the course that any member or Of those who wrongly quote the Spirit of proph-
leader in the movement may take. ecy, the messenger of the Lord inquires:
"Those who have proclaimed the Seventh-day
However, before we pass on to the next point, a
word of caution might well be given regarding the Adventist Church as Babylon, have made use of the
charges that the enemies of the denomination make 'Testimonies' in giving their position a seeming sup-
against various leaders. Most of these charges are port; but why is it that they did not present that
a pure tissue of falsehoods, and others are based on which for years has been the burden of my message,
-the unitv of the church? W h y did they not quote
a gross distortion of facts.
[ 159
158 ]
 Behold, H e Cometh The Deception of Apostasy
the words of the angel, 'Press together, press together, of deception, and will lead souls into false paths.
press together'? W h y did they not repeat the ad-
monition and state the principle, that 'in union there
is strength; in division there is weakness1?"-"Testi-
monies to Ministers," p. 56.
j
i'
They are to be met, and opposed, not because they
are bad men, but because they are teachers of false-
hood, and are endeavoring to put upon falsehood the
stamp of truth."-Id., p. 55.
5. Great earnestness and sincerity seem to control 6. These offshoots ultimately languish and die.
offshoots. This feature is a source of perplexity to If, as they claim, they are the final "called out" of
many. "How," they ask, "could those people be so I God who are to complete the great work begun by this
earnest and sincere if they did not believe what they
teach?" Unfortunately, earnestness and sincerity,
while they generally accompany a firm belief in
anything, do not thereby prove the belief true. It is
f
i
j/
movement, they should grow stronger and more suc-
cessful as the years go by. But just the reverse is
true. N o w God is not the leader of a dying concern.
1 H e is directing a growing and expanding movement
the truth of a belief that sanctifies the earnestness, 1 in these closing days, for H i s last message is not
and not the earnestness that sanctifies and makes true I going to end up in a corner, but is to be proclaimed
the belief. mightily in every part of the earth.
T h e human mind is so constructed that a lie may
ultimately be accepted as the truth if there is the I Whenever our minds are troubled over this whole
question of countermovements, we should think back
will to believe. This fact is well illustrated by Scrip-
ture. "The time cometh," said Christ to H i s dis-
Ii a moment over the characteristics that distinguish
them, and then ask ourselves, I s God the author of
ciples, "that whosoever killeth you will think that
he doeth God service." John 16:2. This is the i such offshoots? T o ask the question is to answer it.
W i t h that question decided in the negative, we should
choicest example that could be offered of reversed then remember tlrese five great positive facts:
thinking combined with great earnestness. Further,
I . God has a church on the earth.
we are told of a class of people who, "because they
received not the love of the truth," finally believed
"a lie." 2 Thess. 2 :10, I I . A self-deceived earnest i "God has a church upon the earth, who are His
chosen people, who keep H i s commandments. H e
man we may appropriately pity, but we cannot be-
lieve. T h e Spirit of prophecy declares :
"False teachers may appear to be very zealous
I is leading, not stray offshoots, not one here and one
there, but a people."-Id., p. 61.
2. T h e remnant church is not Babylon.
for the work of God, and may expend means to bring "When any one arises, either among us or out-
their theories before the world and the church; but side of us, who is burdened with a message which
as they mingle error with truth, their message is one declares that the people of God are numbered with
160 I I 11 [ 161
 B e h o l d , I l e Cometl~ T h e Deception o f Apostasy
Babylon, and claims that the loud cry is a call to to be reproved, warned, and counseled, is the only
come out of her, you may know that he is not bear- object upon earth upon which Christ bestows His
ing the message of truth. Receive him not, nor bid supreme regard."-Id., p . 49.
him Godspeed; for God has not spoken by him, I t is well for all of us to ask ourselves betimes,
neither has H e given a message to him, but he has "Why am I a Seventh-day Adventist?" T h e answer
run before he was sent."-Id., p . 4 I. is that nre are Adventists because, as a result of the
3. This great movement came at exactly the right study of the Bible, which we believe to be God's
time in fulfillment of prophecy. If it had come word to us, we have learned great truths that are
earlier or later, it could not claim to have arisen in vital to our salvation, and particularly because we
response to prophecy. I t was no accident that this have learned from the prophecies that the day of the
message began in the days of '44. God started it, Lord is near at hand. Believing these truths in the
and what is more encouraging, we have the promise setting of the prophecies, we have applied them to
that H e will carry it through to a glorious con- our lives, and have joined ourselves to those who hold
clusion. the same religious convictions. W e have thus joined
4.. T h e offshoots are simply so many signs that with others, not only that we may receive the joy
the end is upon us, for the devil knows of no more that comes from such fellowship, but also that !-,-e
effective way to hinder God's plan than to attempt may give that added strength to the spreading of
to tear down this organizatioil that Heaven has built the message that comes from united effort.
up in these last days. Instead of being downcast by When we thus view our membership in this move-
these desertions, we should lift up our heads and ment, we arm ourselves against the subtle tempta-
rejoice, for our redemption draweth nigh. tion to give up everything because of the failure of
some individual member. W e think of ourselves as
5. Despite all the weaknesses and mistakes of an army under orders that we have found in God's
both leaders and lap metnbers, God still loves and
word, commissioning us to warn the world. Thus,
directs this advent movement. i f a traitor, whether official or private, is discovered,
"God has a people in which all heaven is inter- we do not conclude that it is time for us all to desert.
ested, and they are the one object on earth dear to Rather, we feel that there is need for greater loyalty
the heart of God. Let every one who reads these on our part. God, who has brought forth and en-
words give them thorough consideration; for in the larged and strengthened this movement over the
name of Jesus I would press them home upon every earth, is not going to desert it in these last days.
soul."-Ibid. There is no danger of that. There is danger that,
"The church, enfeebled and defective, needing under the pressure of temptation, some member of
162 ] [ 163
 Behold, H e Cometh
the movement may desert it. T h a t is what we must Aids to Maintaining
guard against.
Apostates and apostate movements will confront
Faith in the
us until the end. Sad to say, there are a few be- Advent Movement
lievers who have been deceived and led astray by
them. But we need not be thus deceived if we will
but remember the characteristics that have always
distinguished apostasy.
 Aids to Maintaining Faith in the
Advent Movement
" W - h ~ nthe Son o j man corneth, shai! H P find juith o n
the earth?" L u k e 18:s.
I,
W e have also a more sure w o r d o j prophecy; where-
unto ye d o urell that ye t ~ R eheed, as unto 11 light that
shineth in a dark piore, until the day d a w n , and the
D a y s t a r arise in your hearts." 2 P e t e r I :19.

INourourfaith
day, when the devil is seeking to break down
in the advent movement, what course
should we follow to ensure the maintenance of our
faith? W e offer five brief suggestions:
I . W e should keep fresh in our minds the history
of this movement. I n reading the story of the chil-
dren of Israel, we are repeatedly impressed with the
fact that God desired them to remember all the way
that H e had led them. T h e i r appalling outbursts
of rebellion in the wilderness and their departures
from God later on in Canaan, were generally the
result of a loss of faith in God's leadership. This, in
turn, was the result of their forgetting what God
had done in their behalf at former times. T h e Lord
commanded the Israelites to erect various memorials,
that when their children asked, "What mean these
stones?" their parents might recount to them the ex-
periences of the past.
T h e Bible presents to us the doctrine of faith as
resting not simply on the immediate conviction of the
individual soul, apart from all things else, but as
[ 167
 Behold, He Conzeth Aids to Maintaining Faith

depending in a very real way on the demonstrations ing this movement today as surely as when it began.
that God has given in former times of H i s care for T h e one who has been tempted to lose faith because
H i s children. T h e eleventh chapter of Hebrews, time lingers, will be led to a new and stronger faith,
that notable chapter on faith, is followed immediately for he will see in the harvest of souls in benighted
by an appeal to those who know of what God did for lands a new meaning to the words of Peter regard-
the worthies of old, and who are thus "compassed ing the Lord's promise to return: "The Lord is not
about with so great a cloud of witnesses," to press slack concerning H i s promise, as some men count
on unfalteringly in the way. slackness ; but is long-suffering to usward, not willing
W e do well to refresh our mind regarding the that any should perish, but that all should come to
signal evidences of God's guiding hand in the early repentance." 2 Peter 3 :9.
years of this advent movement. Only recently we T h e one w h o is tempted to give u p everything be-
were reading again the life of William Miller, and cause he sees about him those who are hypocritical
the experiences of 1844. O u r own soul was ref reshed I
and who do not live out the truth, will find in these
as we received a renewed conviction that God led in reports of mission advance the best antidote f o r this
that mighty spiritual awakening. Then, as we fol- temptation to desert. H e will be impressed anew
low on from 1844, and witness the forming of a com- I
that the faithlessness of some member in his local
pact and growing movement, protected in its tender church cannot minimize the courageous faith of
years from extremes of fanaticism and directed along some far convert froni heathenism who endures great
paths that have led to a world-wide field of endeavor, dangers and hardships in following his new-found
there comes over us the renewed conviction that God faith.
has been leading this movement from the beginning.
i 3. But there is something even more stimulating
2. But it is not sufficient that we should simply I to our faith than the reading of the heartening re-
keep bright in our minds God's leading hand in the ports from far mission fields. W e can provide a
early days of this advent movement. W e need also to
keep closely in touch with the very present evidences
/
.
demonstration in our own community that the power
of God attends this message. T h e r e is no better
of God's guiding. W e are not connected with some- antidote for that listlessness and waning interest that
thing static, but with a movement, something that so quickly changes to complete loss of faith in the
is enlarging and spreading its borders constantly. movement than to engage in soulsaving work for God.
T h e miracles of grace, the evidences of a directing W e may hear some one else say that there is a power
Providence, and the proofs of divine intervention that attends the preaching of the prophecies, and
that repeatedly present themselves in connection with the other distinctive truths from God's holy word.
our far-flung mission work, reveal that God is lead- But what each of us needs is the proof of that in
168 ] [ 169
 Behold, H e Comedh Aids to ~14aintainingFaith

experiences we ourselves have. There is no sub- terpreted news, such as is found in abundance in our
stitute for this. In spiritual matters, even more than denominational literature, both books and period-
in material, we learn best in the school of experience. icals.
N o theory regarding the divine source of opr message W e have found some Adventist homes-we like
and its transforming effect upon men's lives can to think there are few-in which the members of the
compare with the conviction that takes hold upon us household say they do not have time to read our
as we witness a life transformed through the message denominational literature. 1-et those same homes
we have been instrumental in presenting. almost in1;ariably subscribe to a bulky daily new-s-
T h e church member who is busy in such work paper, and oftcn to some worldly magazines. The
for the Lord, and who sees men turning from evil question is not necessarily whether such reading
habits with rejoicing to walk in the ways of right, matter is good or bad, for we may grant that there
will have little time for the attacks of those who is much worth-while information to be obtained from
would instill doubts concerning God's leadership these sources. T h e question is, rather, Should we
of this movement. devote our few available reading hours to perusing
W e touch here only briefly on the subject of mis- this secular literature, to the virtual exclusion of our
sionary work as it relates to maintaining our faith own truth-filled journals and boc>ks? O n the answer
in the movement. T h e related aspects of missionary to this question hinges in no small degree the spiritual
work will be considered in later chapters. fervor and faith of certain church members.
4. W e should keep in close touch with world 5 . Last, but certainly not least in this brief series
events in relation to fulfilling prophecy. I t is not of suggestions on aids to maintaining faith and con-
sufficient simply to read our daily newspaper or the fidence in the movement, is that we talk with others
weekly news magazines, as those of the world read in the church of what God has done for us as a result
them. Instead, we should scan the news of chang- of our following the light. W e are busy people, but
ing events and trends in our world always with a generally we find a little time to visit with others.
consciousness that the news we read may have a bear- Yet how often the social hour is completely filled with
ing upon the prophecies for these last days. a discussion of things that have no possible relation-
I n order to have this prophetic outlook on the ship to our spiritual living. There is certainly no
news of the day, we must find time to read something sin in discussing the weather, or business, or crop
else besides the news. Too often in our busy life conditions, or a variety of similar subjects. But it is
we seem to find little time for reading other than the a pity to deprive our souls of the spiritual strength
newspaper. W h a t we need to make sure of is that that comes from even a brief exchange of thoughts
we are also constantly reading the prophetically in- and experiences in the spiritual realm.
170 1 1171
 Behold, H e Cometh

hfuch is said of the need of gaining greater bold- Prayer-An Aid

ness in Jesus Christ, to proclaim H i m to the world. to Growth in Grace
But sometimes it seems that we need a measure of
this boldness in order to speak out naturally and freely
about spiritual matters, even to those of the house-
hold of faith. I t is a good thing at times simply to
talk of the goodness of God when you E e e t some
brother along the wayside, or have a word across the
fence, o r call on him for a few moments in a social
way.
Greater reality and depth is given to our own
spiritual understanding when we make audible in
conversation with others our hopes and our desires
in the Christian way. Almost invariably such ex-
pressions by us result in similar ones by those to
whom we speak. This in turn adds strength to our
Christian living. F o r who of us has not noted at
times the new impetus to godly living that we have
received from the words of faith and fervor expressed
by some other soul? Perhaps it has been but a simple
confession of calm faith in God under some trying
experience. W e go back to our own home, and the
memory of it fastens upon us. I n our own hours of
trial and perplesity, we are aided by the conviction
that if some other brother is experiencing blessing
and increased faith in the midst of his trials, we can
also.
And the value of this interchange of experiences
moves out beyond the narrow circle of our own par-
ticular life's problem, to the larger sphere of our
confidence in the whole movement that has nurtured
our spiritual life in a denominational way.
172 ]
 Prayer-An Aid to Growth in Grace
''IZ'lltch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation:
the spirit indeed is willing, but the fIesh is weak." M a t t .
26:4r.
,,T r i t L ~y e heed, zuatch c;nd pray: for ye knozu not e:lhrn
the time is." .$lark 13 :.j.?.

HILE it is true that we are saved through no

Wvirtue of our own, and through no pious works
that we may perform, it is equally true that God has
set before us certain activities as aids to growth in
grace. While justification from sin and acceptance
with God is the work of a moment, sanctification is
the work of a lifetime. T h i s is simply another way
of saying that while the new birth may be instan-
taneous, growth in grace and in the knowledge of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is to continue through
all our days. O u r goal should ever be to grow u p to
the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.
As truly as in the physical life, we cannot expect
God to feed and clothe and strengthen our bodies
while we sit listless, failing to avail ourselves of the
opportunity of labor; even so in the spiritual life
we cannot expect the Lord to strengthen our soul,
enlarge our understanding, or quicken our spirit, if
we apathetically move along in our spiritual life,
failing to avail ourselves of the divine aids to growth
in grace. There is in this matter of spiritual growth
the same beautiful principle of cooperation of the
divine and the human as in the matter of provision
[ 175
 B e h o l d , H e Cotneth Prayer
for the physical body. God does not move inde- tian life at times. But they are not a substitute for
pendently of the creatures whom H e has created, and that consistent, day-by-day program and discipline
to whom H e has given free will and the mysterious for the spiritual life, without which the soul becomes
privilege of developing character as the result of flabby, languid, and cold.
the experiences that are met day by day. And what are the aids to growth in grace, the
N o truth is more important for the beginner in activities in which the Christian should consistently
the Christian way to learn. I n fact, many who have engage if he is to erisure for himself a steady and a11
been long in the way need to have this truth refreshed enriching spiritual life that will prepare him for
in their minds. H o w often those who did run well the day of the Lord? W e do not claim to offer a
for a time find themselves hindered in the way! H o w complete answer to this question, but we venture to
often those who have had a rich and blessed ex- set forth certain primary means ordained of God for
perience starting out on the path, find their hearts this purpose. W e shall consider in this chapter
cold and their spiritual movements stiff and halting what we believe is the most obvious and most im-
after a little time! portant of all these aids,-prayer. T h e person who
There are present everywhere about us evidences knows not how to pray knows not God, and he who
of a lack of growth in grace. Many church members has forgotten to pray has forgotten God. God is
seeill to conclude that religious experience is an il- not only our Saviour from sin, the one who has
lustration of perpetual motion, that once the religious lifted us from the kingdom of darkness and placed
life has been set in motion by conversion, it ought to us in the kingdom of light; but H e is our counselor,
run automatically, without any attention or care on our guide, our comforter, our sustainer, our pro-
their part. But the idea of perpetual motion is as tector against temptation. I n these manifold ways
much an error in the spiritual world as in the phys- God proves a source of consistent strength and guid-
ical. O u r religion is based on very solid and sub- ance to us, and a very present help in time of trouble.
stantial facts, and the experience that is to be drawn T h e irreligious view God as one whom they need
from them demands certain nurture and care and call on only in the hour of extremity; the true Chris-
exercise. tian, having had the experience of receiving help
There are those who apparently think that they from God in the hour of spiritual conviction of sin,
find in an occasional revival service and in a few seeks ever a closer fellowship with such a God, and
fleeting moments of exalted feeling or deep contrition, strives to know H i m better day by day. As the com-
a substitute for this consistent care and exercise. munion of friend with friend brings mutual joy, en-
Revivals are proper; contrition is most wholesome; couragement, counsel, and consolation, so the daily
and exalted feelings may well be part of the Chris- communion of the Christian with his Father in
12 [ 177
 Behold, He Cometh Prayer

heaven brings that sense of constant fellowship, pro- pleading forgiveness f o r sins, and invoking an eve-
tection, and guidance that gives to the Christian the ning benediction and protection upon the home. I t
peace that passes all understanding. hardly need be added that the range of our prayers
I n H i s notable prayer in the shadow of Geth- may properly move far beyond the limits of this
semane, Christ declared: "This is life eternal, that briefest outline. B u t this simply describes certain
they might know T h e e the only true God, and primary features that s l ~ o u l dbe dominant in the
Jesus Christ, whom T h o u hast sent." John r7:3. prayer life, so far as the individual's own soul is
But how can we hope to know God, whom to know concerned.
aright is life eternal, unless we commune often with If prayer is to be other than a mere form of words,
H i m ? T h e r e is no substitute for prayer in the faith must be exercised. Indeed, true prayer is a
spiritual life, even as there is no substitute for breath- sublime exhibition of faith. I t is a constant reve-
ing in the physical life. T o talk with G o d is the lation on the part of a poor, frail human being that
exalted privilege of those who, having once been he believes the G o d of the universe is interested in
enemies of God, are now made friends by the blood his little problems and needs. T h e book of Hebrews
of Christ. I t is the privilege of those who, once sets forth this matter of faith in relationship to o u r
having been aliens and outcasts, are now adopted into coming to God. W e read: "Without faith it is
the family of heaven. Those who are enemies hold impossible to please H i m : for he that con~eth to
no converse with one another. W h a t must Heaven God must believe that H e is, and that H e is a
think of the one who, having been reconciled to God, rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Heb.
continues on, at least in the matter of converse with II :6.
God, as though he were still an enemy! W e should pray to God, not in the attitude of
Ure should ever be in a prayerful attitude, ever those who anxiously fear lest their supplications will
conscious that our dependence is upon God, and that not be heard, but in the attitude of those who possess
it is to H i m that we must look for such spiritual aid quiet confidence and assurance that God has heard
as may be needed for any emergency that confronts them in the past, and will again listen to their pleas.
us. I t is in this sense that the apostle's words are to A beautiful illustration of this quiet confidence is
be understood, "Pray without ceasing." Particu- seen in the words of Christ as H e stood before the
larly, as a practice of life, we should pray in the tomb of Lazarus: "Father, I thank T h e e that T h o u
morning when we arise, committing our ways to the hast heard M e . A n d I knew that T h o u hearest M e
Lord, asking for H i s divine power for successful always: but because of the people which stand by
living for the day; and then again in the evening, I said it, that they may believe that TIIOU hast sent
expressing thankfulness for the blessings of the day, M e . John I I :41,42.
178 ]
 Behold, H e Cometh

N o t only should we pray with confidence, but we day by day. T h e r e is no other way than this for
should pray with definiteness. One obstacle to suc- prayer to serve the real purpose that God intended
cessful prayer is the hackneyed groove into which it should as an aid to growth in grace. W e do not
we are ever in danger of letting our words fall. live day by day in broad generalities; we live in
T h e r e is something peculiar about words. Phrases
terms of actual, definite experiences that we meet
which, when first uttered, expressed most precisely hour by hour. T h e n let our prayers be definite and
the deepest feelings of the soul, may, as a result of to the point.
endless repetition, lose all meaning and significance. T h e devil's temptations do not present themselves
W o r d s have no meaning, at least in prayer, unless in a vague, cloudy way along the pathway of life,
they reflect immediately and definitely the feelings but in terms of very real and generally well-defined
of the mind and heart. But how can it be said that temptations. A n d while it is true that none of us
the heart's longings are being expressed to G o d when knows all the possible iniquity of his heart, yet sad
most of the prayer consists of the repetition of phrases experiences have revealed to us that in certain kinds
that have been used countless times before, and which of encounters with the devil we have not come off
pour from the lips with scarcely any relationship to conquerors. Therefore our prayer to God should
;he heart? T o o many prayers reveal a good memory be for victory on these very points. I t may be pas-
rather than a good religious experience. T h i s is a
sion, it may be pride, it may be temper; but whatever
hard saying, but who will doubt the truth of it? it is, God has grace and power for that problem.
,411 of us are in danger of falling before this F o r where sin abounds, grace does ~ n u c h more
temptation, and few escape altogether. If w e con- abound, and with every temptation God has prepared
tinued to talk to our friends as many of us too often a way of escape. (See Rom. 5 :zo; I Cor. 10:13.)
talk to G o d in prayer, we would lose o u r friends. Of what value is our Christian life if it cannot
T h e y would conclude, and rightly so, that o u r heart help us in the places where we are weakest? A n d
was not in what we said, that o u r words and phrases therefore of what value is prayer, unless it can serve as
were strangely like those they had heard us use many a ineans of presenting definitely to the Lord our need
time before, and that we were merely going through of help on these particular points? . H o w sad indeed,
a set form of expression for politeness' sake, rather when we must go forth day by day to fight the world,
than because we really desired to converse with them the flesh, and the devil, that our morning prayers are
on matters of immediate present interest. so often filled with what in harsh truth must be
W h e n we pray to God, we should mention spe- described as little more than a form of words, a
cifically our needs, and pray very definitely for pro- mere repetition of phrases.
tection against specific temptations that confront us One means of making our prayer very definite
180 ]
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 Behold, He Cometh

is to place our finger on a promise of God that is Bible Study-An Aid

found in the Scriptures, and then claim a fulfillment to Growth in Grace
of that promise in our own experience, reverently
challenging the Lord to fulfill His promise in our
behalf. This is the counsel offered to us in the
Spirit of prophecy.
It is we who live in the last days who are in the
greatest need of this mighty aid to growth in grace.
T o us the wanling of Christ applies with the most
timely force: "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for
ye know not when the time is." M a r k 13 :33. H o w
can we espect to meet successfully the subtle tempta-
tions of these last times unless we commune much
with G o d ? Those who will go triumphantly through
the final time of trouble will be a praying people.
Bible Study-An Aid to Growth i n Grace
" T h y word have I hid in mine Ireart, that I might riot
sin against Thee." Ps. I I ~ : I I .
"Only those who have been diligent students r ~ f thc
Scriptllres, and who have received the love of the truth,
will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes thc
zc~orld captive."-"The Great Controversy," p. 625.

HE words of the apostle Peter properly intro-

Tduce our discussion of the Bible as an aid to
growth in grace. W e read : "Wherefore laying aside
all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies,
and all evilspeakings, as newborn babes, desire the
sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."
J Peter 2:1, 2.
T h e figure of speech here used is a simple one.
As the newborn babe, by partaking of milk, grows
strong, even so those newborn in the faith grow by
faithfully partaking of the word of God. I n both
cases the opposite results certainly follow failure to
take food. A failure to partake of food would cause
the newborn infant to weaken and die; even so, the
beginner in the Christian way who fails to feed upon
the word of God, will not have his spiritual life
maintained and strengthened. Without doubt we
find in this fact the reason why there are so many
weak, sickly Christians.
Let us carry the figure a little further: If food
is to give real strength and growth to the body, it
must be eaten regularly. Spasmodic feeding, a great
 Behold, He Cometh Bible Study
quantity occasionally, with varying long intervals ing and evening, that our first thoughts of the day
between, would produce very poor results. T h e may be of the instruction God has for us, and our
child might survive, but it would be far from healthy. last thoughts at night a meditation on H i s Holy
Even so with the Christian. We cannot make our Word.
study of the Bible a hit-or-miss affair, reading only If we are just starting out in the Christian way,
occasionally as the rnood impels, and leaving the we may profitably begin our study of the word by
Bible unread for long periods between. T h e r e inust reading the more simple narratives, the four Gospels,
be system and order and a carefully followed pro- f o r example, and the stories of God's leading of the
gram in the spiritual life, as in the physical, if satis- patriarchs and the children of Israel, as found in
factory growth is to result. G o d will not work mir- the writings of Moses. N o t only are these passages
acles to give physical health when we knowingly the most simple, and therefore the most easily under-
violate the laws that govern our bodies. Now, then, stood, but they provide the proper introduction to a
can we expect H i m in some miraculous way to more exhaustive study of the whole Bible; for the
maintain for us our spiritual vitality and fervor four Gospels provide the setting in which we are to
when we knowingly fail to observe the most primary see all the writings of the N e w Testament. T h e
laws that govern our spiritual being? These ques- epistles of Paul and the other apostles are an exposi-
tions are so obvious that they provide their own tion of the gospel which Christ enunciated by H i s life
answer. But how often members in the church pro- and teachings.
ceed on a course that reveals that they have given T h e writings of h4oses are not only the introduc-
no serious thought to such questions! tion to the O l d Testament, but the introduction to
No fnct needs to be impressed more firmly on all the Scriptures, for Christ declared to the Jews:
our minds than this, that growth in grace is not the " H a d ye believed bloses, ye would have believed M e :
result of accident, nor even exclusively of providence for he wrote of Me." John 5 :46. And again, when
or a miracle, as we coinrnonly understand those terms, Christ set before H i s disciples the proof that H e must
but rather of a beautiiul combination of the divine needs sufier and die and be raised again, H e drew
and the human. God, on H i s part, gives promised H i s proof first from Moses. W e read: "Beginning
wisdom and strength for holy living. W e , on our at Moses and all the prophets, H e expounded unto
part, give obedience to the laws of the spiritual life. them in al! the Scriptures the things concerning H i m -
A n d beyond all controversy, one of those laws is that self." Luke 24:27.
we should diligently, prayerfully study the Scrip- W e should not be discouraged if we do not at
tures. first fully understand all that we read. W h i l e the
Some portion of the Bible should be read morn- Bible has passages of the most charming simplicity,
[ 187
 Bible S t u d y
B e h o l d , He C o ~ n e t h
repeated effort, it is an encouragement to know that
it also has portions that are profound. But God has a systematic study of the Scriptures will cause certain
promised that His Spirit will enlighten our minds, so choice passages to become fixed in c u r minds almost
that we can ever more fully understand His word. without our realizing it. This is one of the unex-
And it is the testimony of all those who have prayer- pected dividends of systematic study.
fully and reverently studied the Scriptures over a If we would gain the full inspiration and bless-
period of years that H e has fulfilled to them His ing from the reading of the Bible, we should strive
promise. There is always a true thrill in studying to impress anew upon our minds each time we open
the Bible. There are ever new truths to discover in the Book, that we are dealing with the word of the
it. When we read, at first the outline of God's ways living God. Writing to the Thessalonians, Paul de-
for inan may stand forth as a very dim, hazy picture; clared: "For this cause also thank we God without
but as our study continues, the outlines become ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God
. , the details are filled in, the colors become
sharper, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word
more clear and rich. of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God,
N o t only should we read the word of God, but we which eifectually tvorketh also in you that believe."
should endeavor to memorize choice portions. There I Thess. 2:13. Indeed, the word cannot work ef-
is no stronger bulwark against temptation. T h e fectually in us unless we believe that it is in truth
psalmist declares: "Thy word have I hid in mine the word of God.
heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Ps. I 19 : I I . There are many scholars who read the Bible as
T h e words of God, fixed in our memory, are they would a piece of literature, reveling in its choice
not only 2 bulwark against temptation, but a source phrases and figures of speech. But they fail to receive
of comfort and guidance in hours of perplexity or from it any real blessing or renewing of spirit, be-
gloom. W h a t is fixed in the memory has a remark- cause they look upon it simply as the words of men.
able way of coming suddenly into the foreground of I t is well f o r us at times to ponder the sweeping
one's thinking at the critical moment. If our memory declaration of Paul: "All Scripture is given by in-
is filled with Scripture, the hour of crisis will find spiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
us considering some choice passages of inspired in- reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous-
struction. I n the midnight watches, when sleep re- ness : that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
fuses to come to us, whether from physical affliction furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. 3 :16, 17.
or from nervous anxiety, how strengthening and But there is one step further even than main-
quieting it is to meditate upon some portion of the taining a consciousness that we are reading the word
word that we have fixed in our memory! of God and that all that it says, whether in prophecy
While memorizing will require diligent and
[ 189
 Behold, H e C o m e t h Bible Stud?

or history or exhortation, is true. T h a t further step as we read the experiences related in the Scriptures.
is the realization that those things "written aforetime But we are to see the practical application of
were written for our learning, that we through Scriptures not only with respect to the promises and
patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have the faithfulness of God, but also with respect to
hope." Rom. 15 :4. I t avails little that we should the warnings of Scripture. Of the record of wayward
know of God's dealing with the ancient worthies who Israel of old, Paul wrote to the church at Corinth:
had faith in H i m , unless we see that the same God "Now these things were our examples, to the
who rewarded their faith will reward ours. T h e intent we should not lust after evil things, as they
great lesson that Paul strives to bring out from the also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of
recital of the faithful patriarchs in that notable them; as it is written, T h e people sat down to eat
eleventh chapter of Hebrews, is that inasmuch as we and drink, and rose u p to play. Neither let us com-
are compassed about by so great a cloud of witnesses, mit fornication, as some of them committed, and
we should "lay aside every weight, and the sin which fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither
doth so easily beset us, and . . . run with patience let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted,
the race that is set before us." Heb. 1 2 : 1 . and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur
For example, we should not read the story of ye, as some of thern also murmured, and were de-
Eiijah simply as a record of a man whose prayer God stroyed of the destrdyer. N o w all these things hap-
answered thousands of years ago, but as an occasion pened unto them for ensamples: and they are written
for confidence that God will answer our prayers. I t for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world
is in this way that James viewed this experience. I n are come." I Cor. 1o:6-II .
exhorting to faith in prayer, he declared to the N e w Well does the apostle add immediately: "Where-
Testament believers: "Elias was a man subject to fore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest
like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that he fall." Verse 1 2 . T h a t is the moral, we might
it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by say, to the stories of the Old Testament. Human
the space of three years and six months. And he nature is surprisingly the same through all the ages.
prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the T h a t is what makes the Old Testament characters
earth brought forth her fruit." James 5:17, 18. T h e seem so real to us. and their experiences s s vivid.
obvious lesson, of course, is that if God heard a man And that is why we should ever strive to find in each
by the name of Elijah, who was flesh and blood as of these incidents of the long ago the practical lesson
we are, H e will hear us. T h e conclusion is simple for our own present-day living. T h e same primary
and irresistible, and it is this conclusion that we temptations that pressed upon them crowd in on us
must ever bring into the forefront of our thinking today.
190 I [ 191
25 ~ 5 - a
7C.5
0 025
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Attendance at Divine Services-An Aid
to Growth in Grace
" N o t forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as the rEcInner of sotnz is; but exhorting one another: and
so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." H e b .
IO:2j.

ANgrace
O T H E R of the important aids to growth in
is the services of the house of the Lord.
Where the word of God is proclaimed, there God,
by His Spirit, is present to enlighten and to bless.
T h e Lord's promise is that "where two or three are
gathered together in M y name, there am I in the
midst of them." Matt. 18:20.
God did not ordain church services simply to
establish for His children a ritual, a form, or a
ceremony, but because such services are vital to the
continuation and growth of the spiritual life. There
is nothing meaningless or unnecessary in God's plans
for us. There are countless opportunities for men
and women to meet together in a variety of capacities
for culture, for education, for amusement. I t is not
because we need simply one more opportunity of
mingling with our fellow men, that God ordained
the services of the church.
God ordained the church, not as an addition to,
but rather in the place of, many other organizations
and gatherings that the world offers to meet the
natural desire for fellowship. T h e picture that the
[ 195
 B e h o l d , H r Conleth A t t e n d a n c e at D i v i n e Services
Bible presents to us of the church is that of a body today is the same. Against both are the clear, un-
called out of the world. O u r spiritual standards, equivocal words of Scripture, that we are not to
our whole view of living, automatically makes a forsake the assembling of ourselves together. O n
dividing line between us and the world at large. the contrary, we are to be "exhorting one another."
Former pleasures and associations are no longer Furthermore, we are to be the more diligent in our
proper o r enjoyable. God offers us instead the fel- faithfulness at services as we "see the day approach-
lowship of the seints, communion with the children ing."
of light in the circle of H i s church. H e intends that W i t h the world more and illore banded together
the church shall provide a bulwark against many evil in a bewildering array of leagues and cliques, polit-
associations that otherwise might overwhelm us. ical and social, in an endeavor to meet the problems
There are always those who declare that they can that our troubled times present, we should be more
worship God as richly hy staying at home and read- and more faithful in our support of the one organiza-
ing their Bibles. T h e y may be sincere in thus thinli- tion in this world that God has promised to guide
ing, but we are confident that they are mistaken, and safely to the end.
our confidence rests on the simple fact that there is If we are to view this subject of attendance at
no safe substitute for God's ways and plans. If one church in the true light, we must impress on our
could live as satisfactorily in his spiritual life by con- minds the fact that we come to church, not to hear
fining his religious exercises to his own home, or the preacher, but to worship God. H o w often do
to his own self, he w-ould automatically make un- some excuse their absence from service by declaring
necessary the church service. But there is nothing that they do not care particularly to hear the speaker.
unnecessary in God's plans. W e may freely grant that some ministers bring to our
T h i s idea that one can worship God as well bv souls a more powerful message from God than do
himself is not a twentieth-century idea. I t is very others, and that we feel more strengthened in spirit
ancient. I t was present in the early church. V;l'e when we have sat under the preaching of some than
read this earnest warning of Scripture: "Not for- when we have listened to others. Such differences
saking the assembling of ourselves together, as the are inevitable, for there has not been given to every
manner of some is; but exhorting one another : and man the same measure of grace; and some who might
so m ~ c hthe more, as ye see the day approaching." possess more grace have not sought for it as they
H e b . 10:25. These words are straightforward, and might.
admit of no misunderstanding. T h e "manner of I n the presentation of Heaven's message, God has
some" in the early church was to forsake the assem- always worked through human agencies, and preach-
bling of themselves together. T h e manner of some ing in the church services is no exception. But the
196 ] [ 197
 Behold, He Cometh Attendance at Divine Services

fact that the sermon may not possess the strength that there are some who restrict their view of the services
we might properly long for, cannot alter the fact of God's house to this one lone hour. Thus they rob
that God has promised to be in our midst to bless us. themselves of much that God has for them. There is
N o r does it alter the equally important fact that the Sabbath school hour, which immediately pre-
the presentation of Scripture, even in the hands of cedes. It needs no labored argument to show its
the most mediocre preacher, has in i t a blessing for worth. T h e Sabbath school is no longer on trial;
those who hear it and receive it to their hearts. His rather, those who fail to attend are on trial. H e r e we
word will not return unto H i m void. have the systematic study of portions of God's word.
W e should enter the house of God with the reali- Many point to the Sabbath school as the means
zation that it is the house of God, remembering whereby they have obtained their real instruction in
the admonition: "The Lord is in H i s holy temple: the Bible.
let all the earth keep silence before Him." Hab. There is also the prayer meeting. A Sunday-
2:20. And as we enter with that realization, a spirit keeping minister once declared that the eleven-
of solemnity will take possession of our hearts, a con- o'clock hour revealed the popularity of Sunday; the
sciousness that God's Spirit is present, and H i s evening service, the popularity of the preacher;
angels are there. W e shall sing with the spirit and and the Wednesday-night service, the popularity of
the understanding, raising our voices thus in worship the Lord. T h e prayer meeting is really a very
to God. When the prayer is offered, our heart will unusual sort of meeting. T h e world is filled with
join with the one who leads the congregation. W e every kind of forum and gathering where men rise
shall view the receiving of the offering as an oppor- u p to discuss a multitude of material problems, and
tunity to show our love to God. When the Scriptures likewise the world is filled with innumerable clubs
are opened by the speaker of the hour, we shall look where peopIe gather to discuss aimlessly the gossip
beyond the preacher to the word that he is proclaim- and scandal of the day. But the prayer meeting is
ing from the Holy Book. And when the benediction a place where people meet to talk together about the
is pronounced, we shall thank God anew that we can goodness of God, to exhort one another to more holy
claim His blessing and H i s protection upon us as living, and to recount to each other the blessings and
we leave H i s holy habitation. Maintaining this at- experiences that have brought help and strength.
titude, we may truly worship God and be refreshed There is nothing else quite like the prayer meeting
in spirit, despite all the limitations of the speaker. anywhere in the wide circle of man's activities. I t
But the blessings of attendance at service are by is a good place to be. T h e goodness of God is a
no means confined to what is described as the eleven- blessed subject to discuss, and it is in the prayer
o'clock hour on Sabbath morning. Unfortunately, meeting that such discussion is carried on.
198 ] [ 199
 B e h o l d , H e Cowieth A t t e n d a n c e mt D i v i n e Serzrices

But it is not only the listeners in the pews who central fact of Christ's sacrifice in our behalf. For,
hear what is said concerning the Lord and His said the Saviour to His disciples, "as often as ye eat
blessings; God Himself in heaven above hears. W e this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's
read: "Then they that feared the Lord spake often death till H e come." I Cor. I I :26. Surely we have
one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard none too many aids to memory concerning this sub-
it, and a book of remembrance was written before lime fact in the plan of salvation.
H i m for them that feared the Lord, and that thought T h e ordinance of humility which im~nediately
upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the precedes, is also of great spirit;al significance. W h o
Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up M y of us but needs ever to learn anew the lesso~lof
jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his humility, to sense that if we are to be true followers
own son that serveth him." Mal. 3 :16, 17. It is of the lowly Christ, there must be no pride or self-
those who would rather talk of God's love and good- esteem in our hearts? If we are tempted to stay away
ness than anything else, whose conversation is in from this special service because our heart smites us
heaven, that are the fit subjects for heaven. And so, or because of some tension with our brethren. we
declares God, "they shall be Mine . . . in that day should thank God that H e has ordained this service
when I make up M y jewels." that so clearly brings to our minds the need of a better
It is in the prayer meeting that we are best able Christian experience.
to follow the admonition from the scripture in Seventh-day Adventists are a churchgoing people.
Hebrews already quoted, "exhorting one another." I t is one of the marks of this movement. It must con-
W e can give strength and new courage to one an- tinue to be a mark of those who will go through
other by mutual exhortation. T h e experience of one safely to the kingdom of God. W e must not forsake
believer proves an aid to faith for another. God has the assembling of ourselves together, and so much
so designed. IVe may rob some soul of the encourage- the more as we see the day approaching.
ment and blessing that he sorely needs if we fail to
be present at the prayer meeting to offer our testi-
mony of what God has done for us.
There are some who, while generally quite regu-
lar in their attendance at church service, absent
themselves on the Sabbath when the Lord's supper
is celebrated. W e have never been able to under-
stand fully why this should be so. Communion
service is intended to keep bright in our minds the
200 ]
Liberality-An Aid to Growth in Grace
,,L a y up for yourselves ireasures in heaven, ~ v i i e r e
neither m o i h nor rust d o t h corrupt, a n d w h e r e t h i ~ a ~ s
do n o t break through nor steal: for w h e r e your trerzsur~
is, there w i l l your heart be also." M a t t . 6:zo, 2 1 .

I T is difficult for some church members to see a very

close relationship between money and spirituality.
r 7

1here are some, even, who feel that while the collec-
tion is indeed a necessary part of the church service,
it is rather alien to the rest of the service, and plays
no real part at all in the cycle of spiritual activities
that mark the worship in the house of the Lord. W e
grant that it is possible for the financial features of
church life to be handled in such a way that they
are not only alien to the spiritual worship, but
actually opposed to it. T h i s is truly to be regretted,
and the fact that such matters are occasionally thus
handled causes some to forget that God intends our
acts of giving to be a very real part of our worship,
to be, indeed, aids to growth in grace.
T h e same principle applies in this matter as ap-
plies in subjects we have studied in the preceding
chapters; namely, the spirit in which the act is per-
formed determines the effect of that act upon our
spiritual life. If we give grudgingly, contributing
out of a sense of compunction o r cold duty, certainly
there is little or no blessing that will come to our
heart in exchange. T h e Lord loveth a cheerful giver.
[ 205
 Behold, H e C o m e t h Liberality
But if, filled with a sense of our great debt to God the reputation of liberality while enjoying the ma-
for all His goodness to us, we express our gratitude, terial security of money.
not simply in words or even in hours of labor, but God has ordained the path of liberality as an
also in giving of our means, we make of that giving a avenue of escape from that deep-seated vice of self-
religious act; it becomes the outward expression of ishness which is present in the natural heart. Indeed,
an inward feeling and conviction of the soul. we cannot follow Christ, and thus cannot grow in
T h e devil ever tempts us to selfishness. There grace, unless we are willing to walk along the path
are a great many Christians who succumb in vary- of liberality toward the Lord. This is one of the
ing degrees to this temptation, and who thus give ex- lessons taught in the story of the rich young ruler.
pression to their love and gratitude to God in a much Evidently, from his answer to the Master, he was
smaller manner than they ought. T o the extent that what would be known as a model young man, to all
n7e stifle our expressions of gratitude, to that extent intents and appearances, at least so far as the letter
we hinder growth in grace. T h e picture that the of the law was concerned. But to his question, "What
Bible presents to us of God's side of the plan of lack I yet?" the iMaster replied: "If thou wilt be
salvation is one of unreserved giving, holding back perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the
nothing from us. Paul thus describes the divine at- poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and
titude: " H e that spared not His own Son, but de- come and follow Me. But when the young man
livered H i m u p for us all, how shall H e not with heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he
H i m also freely give us all things?" Rom. 8:32. had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto His
T h e Christian who would follow the divine example disciples, Verily I say unto you, T h a t a rich man
will allow no place for the temptation to selfishness; shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And
he will be ready to respond to the promptings of again I say unto you, I t is easier for a camel to go
God's Spirit to give whatever the Lord impresses through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to
him to give. enter into the kingdom of God." Matt. 19 :2 1-24.
I t is a notable fact that in the early Christian T h e decision of this young man is one of the
church just such a course as this was followed. T h e tragic decisions of history. H e decided to follow
believers sold what they had and placed the money the path of his riches rather than follow Christ. H e
at the apostles' feet. (See Acts 4:32-37.) And one could not follow both. T h e command of the Saviour,
of the most striking judgments of God took place "Go and sell that thou hast," went deep down to the
in connection with the man and his wife \~11o,while source of the trouble, the natural selfishness of the
making a pretense of placing all at the apostles' feet, human heart.
actually kept back part for themselves. They wished Christ's declaration "that a rich man shall hardly
206 ] [ 207
 Liberality
Behold, He Cometh
the Lord is revealed further in the fact that it tends
enter into the kingdom of heaven" (verse 23), has ever to develop in us faith in God. Christ said to
caused some to conclude that rich men of necessity His disciples: "Take no thought for your life, what
are essentially more evil than others, but this is to ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put
miss the spiritual truth entirely. T h e only difference on. T h e life is more than meat, and the body is more
between the rich and any other of Adam's children than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither
is that they are under greater temptation to selfishness sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor
and covetousness. And thus, unless they receive defi- barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are
nite help from God for victory over this temptation, ye better than the fowls?" Luke 12:22-24.
they can never obtain that growth in grace needful Bible writers condemn the hoarding of resources
to obtain an inheritance in the kingdom of God.
Again, we may view this matter of liberality from 1 as an enemy to spirituality and to that sense of de-
pendence on God which should characterize the
another standpoint. T h e more we invest in a project, Christian. Paul well sets forth the Christian philoso-
the more our heart is there, for where our treasure is, phy of living, so far as material possessions are con-
there will our heart be also. And Christ declared that cerned: "Godliness with contentment is great gain.
when our gifts are given in liberality to causes that For we brought nothing into this world, and it is cer-
God ordains, we "have treasure in heaven." N o w
tain we can carry nothing out. And having food and
of a surety if we are following a program in our raiment let us be therewith content." I Tim. 6 :6-8.
spiritual life that causes us increasingly to have our H e immediately presents the other half of the
heart fixed on heaven, we are following a plan that picture by declaring: "But they that will be rich fall
means growth in grace. God invested all that H e
into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish
had, even His only-begotten Son, in this earth of ours. and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction
All the thoughts and the plans of heaven have been and perdition. For the love of money is the root of
directed first of all to our little earth, and it is this that all evil: which while some coveted after, they have
ensures full salvation. If God had only a halfhearted
erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through
interest in our benighted world, what hope would we with many sorrows. But thou, 0 man of God, flee
have? W e , upon accepting of salvation, place all of these things; and follow after righteousness, godli-
the treasure that we have in heaven; our whole heart ness, faith, love, patience, meekness." Verses 9- I I .
and interest is there. Thus a divine balance is main-
Coveting money, loving money so dearly that we
tained. T o the extent that we allow our heart to allow it to stifle a proper expression of our love to
be centered on the world, to that extent we hinder God,-this, indeed, is the enemy of righteous living.
growth in grace. Paul would have Timothy "flee these things; and
T h e spiritual value of unstinted liberality toward 14 [ 209
 Relzold, H e C o m e t h Liberality
follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, 1 to the bats. Right today we are witnessing here and
patience, meekness." Following after these, we grow there throughout the world the most amazing evi-
in grace. dences of financial insecurity. Even in the most
I t is not simply the rich who are under the special favored of lands men are fearful as to the safety of
temptation we have been here discussing, but also their investments. T o us comes the exhortation of
"they that will be rich;" that is, all who set their Christ, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon
will to acquire earthly riches, as the goal and ob-
I
I earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where
jective of life. T h e fact that our means may be thieves break through and steal: but lay up for
limited does not free us from the temptation to self- yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth
ishness and covetousness. It may still be true that 1
I
nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break
we are seeking with all our energy to make the ac- 1 through nor steal." Matt. 6:19, 20. T h e spiritual
quiring of worldly treasure our first objective in life. value of following such a course is revealed in the
T h e taking of the offering in the house of the Lord nest verse: "For where your treasure is, there will
provides for many members a test, a time of decision. your heart be also." If we would have our heart and
Even as the ordinance of humility brings to us at i our affection in heaven above, from whence we ex-
regularly recurring intervals a realization of our pect, soon, to see our Saviour come, we must give
need of humility before God and of humble fellow-
~
I
increasing attention to the spiritual value of sacrificial
ship with our brethren, just so may we view the regu-
lar taking up of the offering as ordained of God to liberality.
bring to us the realization that our treasure should be
in heaven, that selfish desire should be crucified.
Down here in the last days of earthly history the
scripture is still true, that it is more blessed to give
than to receive. And the blessing that the Lord gives
to the liberal soul is one that cannot be obtained in
any other way; it is a blessing, indeed, that con-
tributes much to our spiritual growth. A true Ad-
ventist will be a liberal giver.
T h e subject of liberality toward the Lord is one
that ought to receive increasing attention. W e live
in a day when there is soon to be fulfilled the pre-
diction that men will throw their gold and their silver
210 ]
 Missionary Work-An Aid to Growth
in Grme
" W h o then is a faithful and wise servant, whonl Iris
lord huth made ruler over his household, to give then1
meat in due senson? Blessed is that servant, w h o m his
lord w h e n he cometh shall find so doing." Matt.
z4:45, 46.
1,L who are true Christians believe in missionary
A work, in laboring for the salvation of others.
Certainly every true Seventh-day Adventist does.
But very frequently such missionary work is viewed
\vholly as a blessing that is brought to others. T h e
fact is that this kind of work brings as much blessing
to us as it does to those for whom we labor. Mis-
sionary work has a definite place in that group of
factors which God has ordained as aids to growth in
grace. Certainly this much is true at the outset,
that he who fails to engage in any kind of labor for
souls, who does not turn over his hand at any time
to advance the kingdom of God by his own personal
missionary efforts, will lead a stunted, sickly spiritual
life.
T h e Christian life is a life of giving, and such
giving is subject to the miraculous rule that the more
we give, the more we have. T h e more we give out
to others of a knowledge of God's saving grace, the
more fully we possess that knowledge ourselves, and
the more richly we grasp the meaning of this salva-
tion for our own lives.
[ 215
 B e h o l d , He Cotneth Missionary W o r k

T h e r e are some who act as though the giving of Certainly we cannot work our way to heaven,
their resources was a substitute for personal mission- whether by missionary work or by works of penance
ary work. This is an error. T h e r e is no substitute or by any other kind of works. I t is also true
for personal work. However, this is not to say that that we cannot read our way into the kingdom of
God holds all responsible for the same amount of heaven. T h e ancient rabbis read the Scriptures so
personal work. I t simply means that we cannot buy intensively that they committed long portions to
our way out of our personal responsibility, whatever memory; but their act of reading and memorizing
the measure of that responsibility is. This is not to could not save them. N o r can we pray our way into
minimize the giving of resources, but simply to heaven. T h e r e were rabbis who made long prayers,
magnify the primary importance of personal, im- and many have followed their example with a certain
mediate labor for souls. kind of religious fervor in the centuries afterward ;
T h e last words of Christ in the Gospel record but this did not ensure them salvation, but rather
are the solemn command, "Go ye therefore, and teach the contrary.
all nations." Matt. 28:19. W h e n we compare this But granting these facts does not in any way
command with the record in the book of Acts, we minimize the importance of prayer o r Bible study
find that the early Christian church took this com- or missionary work, o r invalidate in any way the
mand very literally and very personally; we read statement that all of them are intended of God to
that they "went everywhere preaching the word." serve as aids to growth in grace. W e must ever
Acts 8 :4. A n d who will doubt but that this personal remember in connection with any program o r en-
missionary fervor contributed much to the spiritual deavor we perform in the spiritual life, that we must
life and vitality of the early church? Certainly it always carry out such a program with the spirit and
contributed greatly to its growth in membership. with the understanding, so that it is a reflection of
Of course, we are not blind to the fact that a per- the deepest movings of the soul.
son may go through the forms of missionary service I t is deplorable, we grant, that some who are
without gaining grace or enlargement of the spiritual very busy about the work of the Lord, and whose
life. Christ declared that in the last days there would missionary reports reveal much activity, fail to dis-
be those who would say to H i m : "Lord, Lord, have play in their lives a growth in grace that is in keeping
we not prophesied in T h y name? and in T h y name with this volume of activity. But it is more de-
have cast out devils? and in T h y name done many plorable when others use such examples as an excuse
wonderful works?" A n d to these H e makes the for not doing anything in the work of the Lord.
astounding reply: "I never knew you: depart from T h e one who doubts that a spiritual blessing and en-
h l e , ye that work iniquity." Matt. 7:22, 23. largement of heart await him in missionary labor,
216 ] [ 217
 Behold, H e Cometh Missionary W o r k

simply reveals that he has either never carried on but, thank God, all may reveal a heart glowing with
any such work, or else has never entered into it with the warmth of heaven. A n d the more we fan the
a whole heart and an unreserved desire to advance Hame in our hearts by such missionary endeavor, the
the kingdom of God. more brightly it burns and the more radiant is our
A l l about us are men and women who, though Christian life.
they live in a so-called Christian land, are in truth Paul tells us that we "are laborers together with
pagans. T h e y know nothing of God, H i s H o l y W o r d , God." I Cor. 3 :9. W h e n we are laboring with
or H i s plan of salvation. h'dany of them have hearts God, we are thinking H i s thoughts; our plans are
that are filled with distress and fears and troubles, being molded to the pattern of heaven; our ideals and
and not infrequently they long for some one to speak objectives are constantly being shaped by the divine.
some word of help and inspiration and comfort to Think of it-laborers together with God! W e may
them. If you go out with your heart full of the love easily say the words, but w h o can fathom the depth of
of God and a desire to bear witness to what God has their meaning? W h o can enter into the fullness
done for your soul, you will find opportunities to bear of tile experience made possible by these words?
witness, and you will find that when you have borne And w h o mill doubt that there is great growth in
your testimony, you have brought blessing not only grace in store for the man whose life is dedicated to
to those who have heard you, but also to yourself. laboring together with God. T h e r e is not only
You will find opportunities even to teach them how greater grace that results, but also a new and true
to pray. W h a t a rare privilege-to introduce poor, dignity to living. L i f e takes on a meaning that it
troubled men to God, to help them frame the first could never have otherwise. W e sense that there
words, perhaps, that they have ever uttered in sup- is a plan and a purpose for us in this seemingly dis-
plication to Heaven! l'SThenwe are thus acquainting traught and confused world.
men with God, we become better acquainted n-ith W h e n we are sincerely engaged in missionary
H i m ourselves, and thcs we grow in grace. labor for souls, we are using one of Heaven's or-
O n e of the most hopeful aspects of this whole sub- dained barriers against temptation. I t is as true in
ject of missionary labor is that w e need not have great the spiritual world as it is in the material world that
learning or specialized training in order to make "Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to
such work contribute definitely to our growth in do." A church that has set f o r itself no diligent
grace. N o t the eloquence of our witnessing, but the labors f o r God, but is merely going through a round
truth and sincerity of it, is the test of its value in the of routine service, is as surely laying itself open
sight of Heaven. Perhaps not all are able to reveal to temptations as is the man who is physically idle.
in their endeavors the evidence of a brilliant mind, God never intended that H i s church should consist
218 ] [ 219
 Behold, H e Cometh Missionary PVovR

of a group of people with time so heavy on their the proclaiming to men of the solemn message of the
hands that they would be subject to the constant soon coming of Jesus Christ.
temptation to discuss rumors about Sister Smith or In a sense that is more real and more easily under-
espress critical views of Brother Brown. stood than at any previous time in the world's his-
Paul warns us: "Let us not be desirous of vain- tory, the message we have for men is a savor of life
glory, provoking one another, envying one another." unto life or of death unto death; for those to whom
Gal. 5:26 And how needful this warning is! But we preach are either to be ready with us to lift up
if it is to have its full value for us, we ought to read their heads and rejoice in the day of Christ, or else
it in connection with these words from the epistle to to flee in terror to the rocks and mountains. God did
the Hebrews: "Let us consider one another to pro- not give us this solemn message simply to treasure
voke unto love and to good works." Heb. 10:24. in our own hearts, but to share with others. MTe are
Evidently there are two kinds of provoking: one not intended to be reservoirs, but channels, of grace.
kind that leads to envy and jealousy, and another And if we let the grace of salvation flow out to others
kind that leads to love and good works. If the church from us, richer and still richer currents of grace will
of God follows the pattern set for it, being diligent flow into our own hearts.
in missionary labor, one member encouraging an-
other by the blessed experiences that he has had in
such labor, there will be little chance for the devil to
make headway in tempting us to provoke others to
envy and jealousy. And of course, if we are provok-
ing one another to love and to good works, we are
following a path that will lead us to greater growth
in grace.
T h e Seventh-day Adventist Church is a mission-
ary church. I t always has been, and it ever must
be if it is to carry out the full counsel of God. W e
cannot truly fit into the spirit of this movement unless
missionary zeal takes hold of our hearts. I t is a
very solemn thing to be a Seventh-day Adventist.
This is most fully sensed when we realize, not only
that missionary work is the duty of all, but also that
our missionary work has as its most distinctive feature
220 I
 Behold, He C o m e t h 30 Y o u W o r k for God?

representati~~eorganization in American Protes- tion as to how what happened at Oxford can be made
tantism. T h e editorial is discussing the importance to leaven the life of the churches, and thereby of the
of the great Oxford conference of all of the churches world, while there is yet time, will doubt that there
that was held in 1937, at Oxford, England. This is ground for fears."
Oxford meeting was the greatest of its kind since N o w the phrase to which we wish to call par-
the Reformation days. One of the real reasons why ticular attention is this, "the dark ages." I t is into
it was called was that the churches now realize that such an age that churchmen today feel the world is
the world about them has become so pagan and so moving.
hostile to all the ideals and the principles of Chris- Place alongside this another description of our
tianity, that unless the churches unite and gain the times. T h e Christiun Century, which is undoubtedly
strength that comes from unity, they can hardly hope the most representative interdelionlinational journal
to withstand the pagan forces crowding in on them published in America, contained in the closing issue
from all sides. of 1937, 2n editorial discussing the state of the world
This editorial in the Federal Council Bulletin at the turn of the year. W e quote the first paragraph :
opens with a quotation from a well-known liberal "Another year enters history. Many will see
professor who is discussing the Oxford conference it pass without regret, remembering it as a period of
as he imagines a future historian would describe it. fear, when most of man's efforts ended in failure,
H e believes that in some far-distant day a historian, I and every day brought new foreboding. Everywhere
looking back to the early days of the twentieth cen- I the sense of apprehension, the feeliilg that civilizatioll
tury, would write as follows: is rushing blindly to an zwful doom, has increased
"Oxford came too late. Once again it was the during the twelve months now closing. N o longer is
'home of lost czuses and impossible loyalties.' All the question asked, 'Will there be another world war?'
the findings of this conference, applicable as they T h e terror at the back of men's minds now forces
were to the tragic situation in the early twentieth their lips to say, 'When will the second world war
century, never registered with the churches, and so start?' Many with historical insight, viewing the
failed to forestall the debacle or prevent the dark events of 1937, are questioning, 'Has the new world
ages which followed."-Federal Council Bulletin, war begun?' Man, the hunted quarry of his own
N o v e m b e r , 1937. follies, staggers along a dark road that seems to lead
T h e comment of the Bulletin editor on this dole- toward a greater darkness."
ful picture is this: W e do not recall having read in many a day a
" N o one who faces realistically the actualities of more gloomy or more doleful declaration than this.
the world situation, or who tries to answer the ques- This liberal editor thinks that man is staggering
226 ]
 B e h o l d , H e Conzeth Do Yolr W o r k f o r G o d ?
"along a dark road that seems to lead toward a dence to the contrary, that even if all was not well
greater darkness." Further on in the editorial is with the world, the future would surely soon bring
found this comment on conditions in England, which about a better condition. These apostles of a man-
are typical of conditions in many lands today: made millennium quite refused, even through World
"Gas masks have been provided for every man, W a r days, to believe that their beautiful doctrines
woman, and child in the British Isles. And as 1937 of progress were unfounded. They were sure the
closes, the government is rushing through Parlia- world was being purged by war, and that a better
ment a law which, on the outbreak of war, will world would arise from the ashes of the terrible con-
transport seven million of the inhabitants of the cities Ilagration.
of England into the country and hide them in woods But now these very men, who often ridiculed our
or in caves in the earth. England marshals her might prophetic preaching, are almost outdoing us today in
to prepare her people for a return to the Dark Ages !" the gloomy picture they paint of world conditions,
Ibid. both present and future. T o our mind, this com-
Note those closing words, "a return to the Dark plete reversal of attitude and viewpoint on the part of
Ages." Place them alongside the almost identical liberal churchmen is one of the most significant facts
thoughts found in the preceding quotation. Then of our day, and provides a most unexpected and
bring to mind very similar descriptions given by forceful support for the Bible predictions we have
other eminent commentators on world affairs today; been making.
and when all that has been brought to mind, then W h a t is more, these conditions in the world give
place alongside the inspired forecast, "Behold, the the greatest timeliness and force to the command,
darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the "Arise, shine." This is a day when there must not
people." be an unlighted Adventist. There must be shining
Note the remarkable fulfillment of the prophetic out from each of us the light of this truth. T h e
descriptions of our time. But more striking is the glory of the Lord has risen upon us. God has caused
source of some of these descriptions of our troubled the light of heaven to shine on our way. H e has
world. I t is not Adventists who are here speaking, given us a knowledge of prophecy, which is as a light
o r even statesmen, who have from time to time viewed in a dark place, that shineth more and more unto the
the future with foreboding. Instead, the statements perfect day. But that light is not to be kept to our-
are made by spokesmen for that group in the world selves. I t is to shine out, that others may see the
who might be described as diehards for the doctrine way of life everlasting.
of world progress. I t has been liberal churchmen W e read one time of an accident case that was
who have kept insisting, in the face of growing evi- being tried in court. A car had collided with a
228 ] [ 229
 B e h o l d , He C o m e t h D o Yotc W o r k for G o d ?

train at a railroad crossing at dusk. T h e crossing night is settling down upon the earth. Let us not be
watchman was on the witness stand. H e was asked taken unawares as was the watchman; let us have our
whether he was on duty at the time of the accident. J antern lighted.
Then, whether he was actually standing out in the Ours is the task of warning men to flee from the
road at the time of the accident. A n d finally, whether wrath to come. T h e judgments of G o d are already
he was waving his lantern. T o each of these ques- descending upon our earth, and soon a new Dark
tions, he replied, "Yes," and was dismissed from the Age will be here in all its intensity, a D a r k Age that
witness stand. T h e story goes that afterward he said will last for a thousand years. I t is for us to light
quietly to his own lawyer, that he was glad he was the paths of others, that they may be lifted out of
not asked whether the lantern was lighted. I t seems this world at the advent of our Lord and spend the
that he had failed to sense that darkness was coming millennium in the light of H i s presence.
on, and had to rush out with his unlighted lantern,
hoping that the mere waving of it back and forth
would attract sufficient attention to prevent accident.
W e have thought of this story many times in re-
lation to Adventists and this command to Isaiah,
"Arise, shine." T h e r e are many of us who can go
through the routine motions of attending the regular
services in the house of God, of giving faithfully of
tithes and ogerings, of even taking part in various
campaigns. A n d all this is good. I t cannot justly be
said that we are idle, but it is possible that we may
be like the watchman: we are going through many
motions, but there is still one thing lacking--no
warning light shines forth from us to guide the
travelers on the highway of life and protect them
against destruction.
W e need to sense that there is an immediate per-
sonal responsibility that rests upon us individually to
let the iight of this truth shine out to men. T h e
command is not just to ministers o r Bible workers, or
conference employees, but to all. T h e darkness of
230 ]
 Do You Live as i f You Believed the
End Is at Hattd?
"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such
things, be diligent that y e m q be found o f H i m in peace,
without spot, and blameless." 2 Peter 3 : I 4 .

AS Adventists, we are accustomed to speak often

1
of the end of the world, and it is fitting that we
Ii should; for this mighty event is the climax of earth's
history, and the day toward which we should all
1 look, and for which we should prepare ourselves.

i But how many of us give heed to the solemn truth

that in a very real sense of the word, the world may
end for us today? I t is truly fitting that we should
make ready to meet God at the second advent, but
we should so live that we may be ready to meet H i m
today, if called; for if death should come to us today,
our next conscious waking moment would be when
we stand before the judgment bar of G o d at the
resurrection.
I t may seem morbid to discuss the dark subject of
sudden death, but it is folly not to sense the possi-
bility of it. T h e insurance companies spend millions
to keep the minds of men impressed with this serious
fact, and so also do the makers of caskets and the
sellers of grave lots. Lawyers and trust companies
continually impress on the public the need of prep-
aration for the unexpected, in the matter of making
wills. Yet all these are dealing only with the material
side of life, important as that may be.
[ 235
 Behold, H e Cometh D o Y o u B e l i e v e t h e End I s at N a n d ?

But what of the spiritual side? W h a t of the fact resurrection day. I would ask God to probe the
that our destiny for all eternity is settled when we depths of my soul, to see if there was any wicked
close our earthly career? W e are not of those ivho way in me of which I was unaware.
believe in a second probation, or in a purgatory where I would make sure that I had paid my vows to
certain sins may be purged and an imperfect soul God, that I had not robbed H i m in tithes or offer-
made ready for bliss. Instead, we find in the Good ings. H o w could I rise in the resurrection day to
Book the definite truth that our hope of the life meet God if I knew that I had kept back from H i m
beyond depends altogether on how we have lived in that which belongs to H i m , that I had used for my
this present life; that is, on whether or not we have own selfish pleasure the sacred tithe, that I had spent
accepted Christ and followed in His steps down here upon my person or upon comforts for my home,
on this earth. money that should have been sacredly set aside for
Too often we live in a manner that would lead the advancement of the great mission program in
others to conclude that we are following in our re- these last days? Is it a small thing that we should
ligious life the policy of putting off till tomorrow rob God in tithes, or that we should chronically
what we could or should do today. Some one has reveal a spirit of selfishness in thinking first of our-
well said: "Work as though you would live forever. selves in the spending of our means rather than of the
Live as though you would die today." T h a t means Lord, so that we should fail to give to H i m our
we are not to put off till tomorrow anything that it liberal offerings? There will be no thieves in heaven.
is possible for us to do in the perfecting of life and of There will be no stingy or selfish citizens in the new
heart today. earth.
I n view of life's uncertainties, we cannot squarely Is this a hard, stern way to speak of the matter of
face the question, "Am I ready for the advent?'' church finances? Perhaps so; but it is God H i m -
except as we honestly answer the compelling in- self who speaks to us, through the prophet Malachi,
quiry, "Am I ready to meet God today?" and declares that there are those in the house of
T h e writer would ask this question of his own Israel who rob H i m in tithes and offerings. A
heart, W h a t \vould I do if I had but this day or robber is a thief, and thievery grows out of a desire
this week to live? to have and to enjoy that which does not rightfully
First and foremost, I would malce sure that I was belong to one.
right with God. I \vould make sure that my sins I do not want to end my earthly days with the
were all forgiven, through the blood of Jesus Christ. consciousness that I have driven a hard bargain with
I would make certain that no secret sins were cher- the Lord in the matter of finance. I am certain that
ished in my heart, that would trouble me in the I cannot buy my way into heaven; but I am equally
236 ] [ 237
 Behold, H e Cometh D o Y o u Belieoe t h e E n d Is at H a n d ?

certain that it is possible for me to lose my right to can move from this earth to the new earth to escape
heaven by following a selfish course in the matter an honest debt. If we may believe reports, and we
of my financial relationships to God. have no reason to doubt them when they come from
If I had but this day or this week to live, I would responsible heads of such institutions as our sani-
make sure that I spoke some word for my Saviour. tariums and our schools, there are some among us
Christ said to the apostles, "Ye shall be witnesses unto who need a quickened sense of responsibility in the
Me." T h e original meaning of the word "martyr" matter of their financial obligations.
is "a witness." T h e term came to acquire its present Admittedly there are many instances, especially
meaning because it was restricted to those who wit- in these uncertain times, when one finds himself in a
nessed for Christ at the cost of their lives. When position where he is absolutely unable to meet in
I meet my Lord at that last great day, my joy in meet- full a just debt. There are some instances, even,
ing H i m will be in no small degree measured by hov7 in which, though the debtor has the best of intentions
faithfully and earnestly I have witnessed for H i m and the most earnest desire, no settlement of any kind
here in this earth. can be made. But in the great majority of instances,
When I was certain that I had made all things if there is a keen sense of duty and honor, and if there
right with God, I \vould turn to the question of is real planning in the matter of economies at home,
whether all things were right between me and my a way can be worked out that will mean the satis-
fellow men. I would ask myself whether 1 had dif- factory settlement of the account within a reasonable
ferences with any of my brethren; and if so, whether period of time.
I had done all within my power to make peace and W e have heard of those who cross to the other
harmony and fellowship again. I am sure that if side of the street to avoid meeting a creditor. If
I had but today to live, I would not stand very much there are such within our ranks, we would ask them
on dignity in the matter of striving to heal a wound this question : If you must avoid meeting one of your
or cement again a friendship within the circle of fellow men, how can you expect to meet God face to
the brotherhood. Said Christ, "By this shall all men face? And after all, is not that the real question we
know that ye are M y disciples, if ye have love one to must repeatedly ask ourselves? Of what worth is the
another." whole of living,-all our religious activities, all our
I would ask myself whether, in my dealings with spiritual exercises,-if it does not prepare us for
others, I had handled my business affairs in such a that great and final test when men must meet God
way as to be beyond reproach. There are those who face to face?
move from one city to another or from one country to If I knew that my days were numbered, I would
another to escape just debts, but there is no one who try also to be more thoughtful and more tender in
238 1 [ 239
 B e h o l d , H e Comet11 D o Y o u B e l i e v e t h e E n d Is at H a n d ?

the home and with friends and brethren in the church. tonight, that record should stand as the final account
H o w easy it is to make some severe remark, to give for your life? T o ask this question is the best way
audible expression to a criticism that wounds either for us as Adventists to sense the gravity of this matter
the one hearing it or some other member in the of readiness for the coming of the Lord.
church. If we truly believe that the future world
holds for us the rare privilege of converse with sin-
less beings, should we not zealously strive in our
conversation now to cultivate a manner of speaking
that will prepare us to engage in the conversations
of heaven?
If I had but today to live, surely there would be
less place found in my heart for those chronic tempta-
tions to pride and to vanity with which the devil
assails us. M y heart would be fixed on eternal values,
and that would give 110 room for pride or for vanity.
T h e thought of meeting God would cause me to walk
softly before H i m here, and to purge my heart of
that vice that has characterized sinful men since be-
fore Nebuchadnezzar boastfully declared, "Is not
this great Babylon, that I have built?" All my little
achievements and successes would look pathetically
small compared with the standard of perfection and
the goal of a rich Christian character which the
Scriptures set before me.
If I had but today to live, my conversation surely
would be less on worldly things, and more on the
things of heaven. H o w shallow our living and our
thinking frequently are ! Have there been no depths
developed in our character? Shallow souls would
not be happy in heaven.
W h a t we do today may decide our destiny for all
eternity. Are you willing that when the ledger closes
240 ]
 Are You Happy or Fearful as You
Face the Future?
" I t shall be said in that day, L o , this is our G o d ; w e
have waited for Hirn, and H e will save us: this is tire
L o r d ; w e have waited for Hirn, w e will be glad ccnd
rrjoice in H i s salvation." Iscc. 2j:g.

H E N Christ finally returns to this earth, there

Wwill be two distinct groups of people. One
group are filled with terror and despair, and cry to
the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide
them "from the face of H i m that sitteth on the throne,
and from the wrath of the Lamb." (See Rev. 6:14-
17.) T h e other group have entirely different feel-
ings. They will cry out, "Lo, this is our G o d ; we
have waited for H i m , and H e will save us: this is
the L o r d ; we have waited for H i m , we will be glad
and rejoice in His salvation." Isa. 25 :9.
I n these days immediately preceding the second
advent of Christ are found two groups, not as defi-
nitely marked off, perhaps, as at the actual advent
of Christ, but nevertheless two separate companies.
T h e state of heart of those in the one group is
suggested by the words of Christ, that there will be
"upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;
. . . men's hearts failing them for fear, and for look-
ing after those things which are coming on the earth.''
Luke 21 :25, 26. T h e feelings that should charac-
terize the other group are indicated by the words of
[ 245
 Behold, H e Cometh 1 A r e Y o u Irlappy as Y o u F a c e the Future?

Christ in the verse almost immediately following: with forebodings, Christ declared to them, "Let not
"W7hen these things begin to come to pass, then look your hearts be troubled." "Peace I leave with you,
up, and lift u p your heads; for your redemption M y peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth,
draweth nigh." give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
T h i s stCdy in contrasts ought to have a very defi- neither let it be afraid." John rq:r, 27. I t is not
nite meaning f o r us in these present days of perplexity. difficult for us to understand the disciples' state of
Everywhere about us we see troubled countenances mind in the hours before Calvary, but it is impossible
and listen to statements of neighbors and friends, as for us fully to fathom how Christ, facing Gethsemane
well as of those in high places, that reveal the state of and the cross alone, could speak such words as these.
mind that fits exactly this prophetic description by T h e r e is no greater lesson to be learned from the life
Christ in Luke 21 :25, 26. T h e danger is that living, of Christ on earth than this lesson of peace and quiet-
as we must, in such an environment, confronted con- ness of heart, even within the shadow of troubles as
stantly with increasing evidences of a distressed dark as Golgotha. But while w e cannot hope to
world, we shall allow our own hearts to become in- fathom the mystery of how Christ could repeatedly
fected with some of that distress and fear. But if in utter such words of comfort and cheer, we may take
the near future we are going to belong to the company those words by faith and claim their promises as
who will cry out exultantly, "Lo, this is our G o d ; . . . unique and glorious gifts of the Christian religion.
we have waited for H i m , we will be glad and re- T h e reason why many so-called Christian people
joice in H i s salvation," we must not allow our hearts fail to find reality and satisfaction in these promises,
to becotne possessed of the fears which increasingly is that they fail to see them in their true setting.
control the ungodly. F o r those fears will come to Christ placed them in the setting of H i s return to
their logical climax in an appeal to the rocks and this world the second time. W h e n H e declared to
mountains. H i s disciples, "Let not your heart be troubled," H e
If our religion can bring to us joy and peace only added, "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go
in times of peace and plenty, then we are of all men and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
most miserable. God desires that we claim serenity receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye
and joy amid the darkest and most terrifying ex- may be also." A n d again later in the chapter: "Ye
periences. I n a very special sense, this is one of the have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and
spiritual dividends to be obtained from a belief in the come again unto you. If ye loved M e , ye would
doctrine of the second advent in the setting of rejoice."
prophecy.
I n an hour when the disciples' hearts were filled
'I
P
If the disciples were to free their hearts from
trouble and fear by remembering that Christ would
246 ] \ [ 247
 Behold, H e Cometh A r e Y o u I J a p p y as Y o u Face t h e Future?
come again, how much more should we who live in heard almost this exact phrase from men who have
the days when H i s coming is at hand, obtain our visited our institutions, from police who have
freedom from fear and foreboding in this glorious guarded our grounds at camp meetings, and from
truth of the advent! T h e very conditions which serve attendants who have cared for convention halls where
to trouble the unbeliever may be viewed by us simply we have met. T o one such person who very recently
as so many signs and omens of the speedy fulfill- made this remark, we replied, "Why should we not
ment of the promise of Christ's return. I n other be happy? \;Ire expect soon to meet our Lord and
words, that which occasions trouble to others' souls Saviour at H i s second appearing. H e will bring to
can serve to drive trouble away from ours. an end this troubled world, and will give to us a new
I t is possible f o r us to be so filled with the thought
of the awfulness of the events now occurring in the
earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." -
M e n everywhere should know us, not simply as
world, and of greater ones still to come, to be so the people who believe in the soon coming of Christ,
overwhelmed, if not terrified, by them, that we shall but also as the people who are truly happy-not with
fail to experience that true happiness and joy in the the kind of happiness that the world gives, but with
Lord that we should. This thought cannot be too the quiet, genuine, unaffected kind of happiness that
strongly stated. I n no better way can we witness for does not forsake us amid the perplexities of life.
the message, we believe, than by revealing in our Confronted, as we are constantly, with the handicap
lives the true happiness which is our rightful posses- of prejudice and sometimes bitter and unreasoning
sion. M e n search feverishly for happiness today and malice and hatred, we would do well to see more
do not obtain it. I t is ours by right. h l e n pay out definitely in this doctrine of advent happiness, a way
money lavishly for some of the devil's substitutes for of meeting such opposition. Hopelessly prejudiced
happiness. But genuine happiness is ours as a free enemies may continue their attacks, but to the hearts
gift. \Ye ought to claim it more fully, and then of many onlookers will come the conviction that a
proclaim it more effectively in the expression of people who can be so joyful and happy amid the
our countenances, in our words, in our actions. troubles of the world, have a message that is worth
\\re believe that in spite of the limited way in investigating.
which most of us avail ourselves of this gift from I n fact, the greater the opposition and attacks
God, we are nevertheless, by contrast to the world upon us, the greater should be our display of true
about us, a marked people. I n several different joy, for declared Christ: "Blessed are ye, when men
instances, we have personally noted the singular re- shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from
111ark of non-Adventists in describing a company of their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out
our people, "You all seem so happy." W e have your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Re-
248 ] [ 249
 Beltold, H e Cometh A r e Y o u H a p p y as Y o u Face the Future?
joice ye in that day, and leap f o r joy: for, behold, read the exhortations to joy, or the actual experiences
your reward is great in heaven." Luke 6:22, 23. of godly men.
Strong arguments, disputes, and even debate, may at Take, for example, the story of Peter and the
times be necessary in witnessing for the faith. But other apostles who were beaten because they pro-
the argument of a radiant countenance and a joyful claimed the name of Christ. Of them the record
life can always safely be employed, and is always declares: "They departed from the presence of the
sure of producing some effect upon other lives. council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to
D o the neighbors on your street know you simply suffer shame for H i s name." Acts 5:41. O r read
as a member of a CJZUYCIZ that believes the second the account of Paul and Silas, upon whom were laid
coining of Christ is near? or do they also know you many stripes: "At midnight Paul and Silas prayed,
as the most genuinely happy, joyful soul in the neigh- and sang praises unto God." Acts 16 : 25. O r again,
borhood? T h i s is the practical question for each one read of Paul and Barnabas, against whom was "raised
of us individually to answer. persecution :" "The disciples were filled with joy."
But vile need not simply look forward to o u r Acts 13 :52.
Lord's return in order to be joyful. W e have the -T h e- disciules. who believed that Christ dwelt in
promise that here and now Christ dwells in o u r their hearts gYfa'ith, felt a sense of peace and happi-
hearts by faith. T h e sense of fellowship that comes ness so great that it overwhelmed all feelings of
from this abiding presence of Christ in o u r hearts bodily agony from persecution, or of depression and
brings to us our abiding joy and peace in anticipa- loneliness from the treatment they received at the
tion of the day when we shall see o u r Redeemer's face. hands of their own countrymen. T h e apostles knew
Declared the Saviour: "These things have I spoken that they were considred the offscouring of the earth;
unto you, that M y joy might remain in you, and that yet this realization brought to them no gloorn or
your joy might he full." John 15:rr. I n the light sorrow; they rejoiced, instead, that "they were
of this, it is not difficult to understand Paul's exhorta- counted worthy to suffer shame for H i s name."
tion, "Rejoice evermore." W e may have the same exultant experience day
T h e r e is an amazingly long list of texts, both in by day. T h e r e is no more direct proof of the reality
the O l d Testament and in the New, in which the of our experience in the Christian way and o u r be-
words "joy" and "rejoice" are found. H o w tragic lief in the most essential feature of the Christian faith
that the devil has succeeded in persuading so many -the abiding presence of Christ-than our ability,
to think that the living of the Christian life is a sad by the grace of God, to remain peaceful amid per-
and doleful affair. A true reading of the Scriptures plexities, joyful amid adversities and even persecu-
reveals the very opposite. T h i s is so, whether we tion.
250 ] [ 251
 Behold, H e Cometh

I n these days when fear is the most distinctive

mark of the times, we should claim the promise of
Christ's abiding presence, with all that this means
for us, more fully than ever before. T h e reason why
men's hearts fail them for fear is that they are look-
ing after those things which are coming on the earth.
They know not what portends, and they know not
how to meet what they fear will come.
MJe know not all that the future may hold for us
in this troubled day, but we do know that we shall not
have to face that future alone. W e face it in fellow-
ship with God. W e do not know what temptations
and problems may confront us in our personal living,
but we do know that we shall not have to face these
in our own strength. Therein lies the great difference
between the fearful worldling and the peaceful, joy-
ous believer who walks with God day by dav and who
is awaiting the speedy return of his Lord.