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    T~E~/ taudal d+hleDevoted to the Exposition of Scripture respecting Conditional Immortality, Resurrection,

    the Return and Reign of Christ, and the Final Destruction of all Evil.EDITED BY W ILLIAM LEASK , D.D.

    '~The Wages of Sin is Death; but the gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

    No. 12. Vol. Ill. Price One Penny.EPTEMBER, 1880.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS.News of the Work... ...Orders for Workers, pd /'t 1.A Gigantic Error ...Shared"All Things are Yours" ...The AdventWhat is Truth?The ConferenceCold Water SongMotivesA SoliloquyLives of BeautyStrange but True Theology

    PAGE.134135136136137137138138139139139140140

    FORTHCOMING CONFERENCE.THE THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE

    of the" C O N D I T I O N A L I M M O R T A L I T Y A S S O C I A T I O N , "

    will be held (D.V.)On TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, & THURSDAY,

    SEPTEMBER 7th, 8th, & 9th, 1880,At the Washington Hotel, Lime-street,

    LIVERPOOL.CONFERENCE PLAN.

    Tuesday, September 7th.8 0 p.m. Business Meeting of General Committee and

    Delegates.Chairman-H. J..Ward, Esq., President.

    5-30 p.m, Tea for Members and Friends.6-30 p.m. Devotional Meeting.To be conducted by Mr. Thos. Vasey.

    7-30 p.m. Conversazione for Members and Friends.Chairman-Rev. W. Leask, D.D., Vice-President. Several shoaddresses will be given.

    Wednesday, September 8th.11-0 a.m. Business Meeting of General Committee, Del

    gates, and Association Members.Chairman-The President.

    1-30 p.m, Public Dinner.3-0 p.m. Public Meeting.

    Chairman-General H. Goodwyn.Paper by Mr. M. W. Strang, of Glasgow, Editor of T

    Meesenqer, "Christians Despoiled through Philosophy aVain Deceit."

    Paper by Rev. Henry Constable, M.A., late PrebendaryCork, " Man and Immortality."

    Paper by Mr. Robert J. Hammoud, of London, Treasur"Man, the Image of God."

    5-30 p.m. Public Tea.6-30 p.m. Question Meeting.

    Chairman-The Treasurer.

    7-30 p.m. Public Meeting.Chairman-Rev. Henry Constable, M.A.Address by Major G. J. van Someren, "Our Position wregard to other Christians, and to the World in General."

    Address byMr. T. J. Hitchcock, of Glasgow,Lecturing Age"The Teachings of Conditional Immortality, as Justifyithe Ways of God to Men."

    Address by Mr. Thomas Vasey, of Birkenhead (late of Bridnorth), Lecturing Agent, " Traditional Theology: Testedits Results and Found Wanting."

    One ormore Addresses by other Speakers.

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    i 3 4 TnE BiBLE STANDARD.HYMNS

    of the

    LIFE AND ADVENT,Thursday, September 9th.

    11-0 a.m. Business Meeting of the Executive Committee.Chairman-The President.

    1-30 p.m. Public Dinner.3-0 p.m. Public Meeting.

    Chairman-Robed J _ Hammond, Esq., of London, 'I'reasurer.Paper by Bev, George P. Mackay, of Lincoln, "EverlastingPunishment not Everlasting Pain."

    Paper by Mr. Henry Brittaiu, F.S.A., F_R.His.Soc. of Birming-ham, " Roman Catholicism opposed to the Establishment ofthe Kingdom of God on Earth."

    Paper by General H. Goodwyn, " The Second Advent of Christ, aPersonal Appearing, connected with the First Besurrectiou."

    5-30 p.m. Public Tea.6-30 p.m. Question Meeting.

    Chairman-General H. Goodwyn.7-30 p.m. Public Meeting.

    Chairman-Henry J. Ward, Esq., President.Address by Capt. J. E. Dntton, of Liverpool, " The Rewards. in the Kingdom."Address by the Rev.' W. Leask, of London, Vice-President,Editor of The Rainbow, "Responsibility measured byPrivilege. "

    Address by Mr. Henry B. Murray, of Cheltenham, LecturingAgent, " Resurrection: Scripturally Considered."

    Address by Mr. Cyrus E. Brooks, Secretary, " Our Association:Its Aims and Claims."

    N.B. The charge for Tea will be 1s. each day; thecharge for Dinner will be 2s. each day. Arrangements forsupplying the same (on the premises) have been made withthe Manager of the Hotel.Apartments and Beds can be had by applying direct to

    the Manager.The Washington Hotel lies in the very centre of the City,

    and within a stone's-throw of the Stations of the Midland,and the London and North Western Railway Company, andwithin a few minutes' walk of the Landing Stage for theRiver and the Great Western Railway Company.Applications for Private Lodgings should be made to the

    Local Secretary as below.Local Friends willing to receive the Members of the

    Cunference as guests, are requested to communicate withthe Local Secretary, Mr. W. H. MILLER,11, Belmont-road,Liverpool.Donations in aid of the above Conference are specially

    invited.All enquiries and donations should be addressed to the

    GENERALSECRETARY,CYRUS E. BROOKS,

    4, Oriel-place, Cheltenham.

    by

    CYRUS E. BROOKS,(Assisted by several Friends).

    CHELTENHAM:THE AUTHOR, 4, Oriel Place.

    LONDON:

    F. SOUTHWELL, 19, Paternoster Row, E.C ONE HALF-PENNY.

    Post-free Sixpence per Dozen.

    This small book of 45 Original Hymns, wi(D.V.) be followed by a larger collection, should thwork win the favour of the Christian Public.

    NEWS OF THE' WORK.TORQUAY.

    Excellent service has been here rendered by our worthy 'I'reasureMr. R. J. Hammond, of London. During the month, over whichvisit extended, he conducted four public gatherings in the St. GeorgBall, each week, which were well attended. The discourses given haprovoked considerable discussion, and led to letters and editorial coments in the local papers. The writers, whilst joining issue with MHammond as to his teachings, admit his candour, fairness, aChrisfian temper. We hope in some later issue to be enabled to regissome permanent result from this visit.

    CHELTENHAM.Our friends here have recently been favoured with visits from Mr.

    J. Hitchcock, of Glasgow, and Mrs. Schwartz, of London, mother ofpastor. The former gave two addresses, the latter three. Mupleasure was expressed by the hearers.

    SKIPTON.The removal to a better meeting-room has been followed by a c

    siderable improvement in the congregation.PERSONAL.

    Owing to the claims upon our space this month, wehave to be contewith very meagre notes, but hope to see this section of our paperlarged and improved with the new volume.

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    THE BIBLE STANDARD. 135

    ORDERS FOR WORKERS.-P.dRT 1.. "This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying: Not by

    might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Whoart thou, 0 great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shall become aplaiu."-Zech. iv. 6, 7.THIS word of the Lord to Zerubbabel is not less a word tous, or any who may be attempting work for God. As thework is not our own, so neither is the strength our ownwith which to do the work. If any would build for God, hemust build upon God's plan, with God's material, and in thestrength given by God's Spirit. Not by human might orearthly power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.There was a time when Pharaoh's chariots and horsemenwere set in array to pursue God's people and hinder theirescape, and we know what came of it. The times changed,and presently we find Israel going down into Egypt for helpto stay on horses and trust in. chariots, because they weremany, and in horsemen, because they were" very strong."But what said the Word of the Lord? "Egyptians aremen, and not God, and their horses flesh, and not spirit;when the Lord shall stretch out His hand, both he thathelpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall, and theyall shall fail together."So whether the enemies of God attempt to help 01' to

    hinder God's work 01' God's people, they shall be alike con-founded and put to shame when they interfere with thework that is altogether God's. In these days of Zechariahand Haggai, Ezra and Nehemiah, enemies at one time'would help, at another they would hinder, but the uprightmen who were doing God's work in God's way would haveno fellowship with them whatever. And let us be sure thatthe very best of man's doings are nothing worth in God'saccount if done without Him, nor must we ever forget Saul'stransgression in " sparing the best" of that which God hadtold him" utterly to destroy."Not by human might the very best of it, nor by natural

    endowment the most eloquent, but" by My Spirit, saith theLord," shall My work be done. And why? Because manis a failure, and God's work must be a success. The head-stone of God's work must be brought in "with shoutings,"crying, " Grace, grace unto it."

    " Grace all the work shall crown,Through everlasting days;

    It lays in heaven the topmost stone,And well deserves the praise."2nd. "By My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." We

    better understand than our fathers the personality of thatSpirit which since the day of Pentecost has indwelt themembers of the mystical body of Christ. According to thewords of Christ, He hath come to dwell within us: "Hedwelleth with you, and shall be in yon." And shall wenot honour Him in that personality to which Jesus. gavesuch unmistakeable tel?timony? "When' He, the Spirit of

    truth is come, He will guide you into all truth, for He shallnot speak of Himself, but whatsover He shall hear that shallHe speak, and He will shew you things to come." Person-ality seven times expressed in one passage. Nor let usthink to honour Him by confession alone. Let usgive him the chief room. Let us give Him the reinsand the heart, for as many as are led by the Spiritof God they are the sons of God. The Holy Spirit hathcome not only to reveal, but to impart the fulness of theGodhead bodily, and this He doth by revealing Jesus, inwhom that fulness is treasured in fulfilment of the promise," He shall take of mine and shew it unto you." All Hewants is empty vessels, disengaged hearts, hearts opentoward Himself, that He may fill them with all the fulnessof God, and thus full by His filling complete in His com-pleteness, throughly 'furnished by His equipment, we arequalified to obey the admonition, " Carry out with fear andtrembling your own salvation, for it is God which workethin you both to will and to work for His good pleasure,"whereupon Dean Alford comments, 'God not only bringsabout the will, but creates the will-we owe both the will todo good, and the power, to His indwelling Spirit.'Well may it be said, " Quench not the Spirit," and again,

    " Grieve not the Holy Spirit, whereby ye are sealed unto theday of redemption." .

    Brd , "Who art thou, 0 great mountain?" Greatmountains not unfrequently block the way of God's peoplein their wilderness journey and wilderness work. But wemust never forget that God not only made the mountains,but leads His people in the way of them, too. What Hispeople have to do is to lose sight of the mountains-in God'seeing Him both higher and greater than any mountain, 0 ;all the mountains put together. For thus it is that His" worm J acob " is able to " thresh mountains and beat themsmall, and make the hills as chaff." When Jacob becomes" a worm and no man," then God is seen to be " the mightyGod of Jacob," and comes forth for His defence and deliver-ance. Valleys become exalted, and mountains and hillsare made low at His word.Perhaps yonder in the near distance stands some mountain

    right in our path, and we are dreading the day when it mustbe climbed, or cast into the sea. Take God with you, andbe not concerned about the way of deliverance. He cangive you strength to climb it, 01' cast it altogether into thedepths of the sea. He can do either. Let faith but seeGod, and it shall lose sight of the mountain; nor sufferyourselves to be tempted to think that your mountain issome particular mountain such as never yet stood in theway of any poor, tried, afflicted, tempest-tossed one. Itmay be new to you, and suppose it would be new to anybody else, it is not new to God.4th. "Before our Zerubbabel it shall become a plain."

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    136 THE BIBLE STANDARD.

    This name Zerubbabel means" a banished one." God oftenuses" banished ones," men under the ban of their fellow-men, to do His greatest work. The stone which the buildersdisallowed He made the head of the corner. When thedoing is the Lord's it is marvellous in our eyes. But letnot God be 'a banished One' to His people. Bring Himupon the scene in the presence of every Goliath that defiesHim. Nor let His people forget that the defiance set up isnot so much against them as against Him. Oh, it is a greatthing to see the battle more God's than ours, and then tomake it altogether His! Not the sling or the stone, or theskill to use them, was the secret of David's strength, or ofGoliath's weakness. What then? "I come to thee in thename of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel,whom thou hast defied, this day will the Lord deliver theeinto mine hand."And so every enemy shall be vanquished, every difficulty

    shall be overcome, every work shall be done, if in the nameof our Zerubbabel we go forth conquering and to conquer.

    " The feeble saint shall win the day,Thongh death and hell obstruct the way."

    Nthaniel Starkes],

    A GIGANTIC ERROR." THE common theory of eternal misery involves God, Hiswhole administration, and his eternal kingdom, in thedeepest dishonour that the mind of man or angel canconceive. The human mind cannot be held back fromabhorring such a theory, except by the most unnaturalviolence to its divinely-inspired convictions of honour andright." So tenaciously however has the theory of eternalmisery laid hold on the minds of many religious teachers,under the power of early education and prejudice, the fettersof their creeds, and the dread of losing official caste, thatthey often fail to realize the impress of the plainest truthsupon this subject. It is not therefore surprising that aspirit of intolerance prevails among them similar to that ofthe dark ages, leading multitudes who witness it to slight orabhor the religion of which they profess to be the ex-pounders and representatives. This dark unscriptural theoryhas been permeating society everywhere as if it were ofDivine origin. Yet it rests entirely upon a fiction-theassumed immortality or deathless nature of all men. TheBible uniformly teaches that all men are mortal, and thatimmortality is the gift of God to those alone who are unitedto Christ by a living faith. The pulpit phrases, "the im-mortal soul" or " the never-dying soul," cannot be found inthe Word of God, but may be found in the writings of theheathen philosophers. Upon this false assumption reststhe gigantic errors of the Romanists and Spiritualists; and~o our dishonour and shame, those errors are largely urheld

    by Protestants! The extent to which they go in this pathis almost incredible. The foundation truth of the gospel isthat belief in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus the Son of God,with a life in harmony with that faith, constitutes the in-dividual a member of the body of Christ, and entitles him toall the privileges of church-fellowship. Yet in violation ofthis principle, pious students ready for and desiring to enterthe ministry; aged and consistent members of churches;and even pastors of congregations whose best days havebeen spent in winning souls to Christ, have been ignomini-ously expelled from religious communities for ceasing tobelieve in the eternity of sin and misery! The individualsconstituting such Church Courts may justly be charged withtheological insanity, are objects of pity, and a dishonour tothe Christian name. But the evil among them is greatlyintensified by the denominational press, which will admit ofno communication in defence of the truth; while their bookstores plainly intimate that no books are allowed to appear ontheir shelves opposed to the heathen dogma oj eternal torments!Yet the idea is fostered, that morally and religiously we areprogressing towards perfection before the second coming ofthe Lord!There are few persons in the community who have anyconception of the depths of iniquity or ignorance to whichthe advocates of eternal misery go, to rivet that horribledogma on the minds of others,-especially the young.Below are a few extracts from authentic documents, whichmay well shock the moral sense of every intelligent reader,and lead them to value more highly the light of the Word ofGod, and to set aside the traditions of men. These extractsare from Roman Roman Catholic, Wesleyan, Presbyterian,Baptist, and other denominational sources.-James Lesslie,Introduction. to his Pamphlet, " What is lilan? "

    SHARED.I SAID it in the meadow-path,-I say it on the mountain-stairs ;-The best things any mortal hathAre those which every mortal shares.The air we breathe-the sky-the breeze-The light without us and within-Life, with its unlocked treasuries -God's riches,-are for all to win.The grass is softer to my treadFor rest it yields unnumbered feet;Sweeter to me the wild rose red,Because she makes the whole world sweet.Into your heavenly lonelinessYe welcomed me, 0 solemn peaks;And me in every guest you blessWho reverently your mystery seeks.

    And up the radiant peopled wayThat opens into worlds unknown,-It will be life's delight to say," Heaven is not heaven for me alone."Rich through my brethren's poverty!Such wealth were hideous! I am blestOnly in what they share with me,In what I share with all the rest.Luer Larcom, in " Good Companr."

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    THE BIBLE STANDARD. 137

    "ALL THINGS ARE YOURS."IF all things are ours, how is it that we are afraid to trustin Him who hath asserted that fact?Doubt is" devil-born; " and therefore to doubt the Word

    of God is to discredit Him, and to discredit God is to makeHim a liar. Thus John says, " He that believeth not God,hath made Him a liar." (1 John v. 10.)These words are very plain, and the statement simple.

    Mauy people would be grossly insulted if they were told thattheir word was false, and yet they themselves have no hesita-tion in doubting the word of God.Men would probably be offended if they were called un-

    believers or infidels, yet infidel is, or means, "not in thefaith." They do not see beyond the platform of the educa-tion, or the A B C of the Christian profession. Scriptureteaches us that unbelief is the greatest of all sins: thusJesus speaks of the ministry of or through the Holy Ghost:" When He (the Comforter) is come, He will reprove theworld of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. Ofsin, because they believe not on Me." He does not say Hereproves the world of its drunkenness, or badness, ofblasphemy, but of sin, because they believe not in Me. Thehead-spout of all sin is unbelief. See the examples left forour admonition." In the days of the flood, when thepreacher of righteousness waited and preached for 120years, "until the day that Noah entered into the ark, andthe flood came and destroyed them all." The people beforethe flood were a well-to-do, intelligent, and industriouspeople. Civilisation was the normal condition of man inthe days of Noah. The flood swept away civilized men, notsavages. Shinar was the centre of civilization. Here wasa busy community, one man leaning upon another, onemind working on another, each individual impulse thrillingthrough all, a mighty corporation linked together, all benton progress and development, all animated with the desireof raising a work which would defy time. They were offeredrefuge in the ark, but they did not believe in the preacher orhis prognostication. They were content with their thencondition oflife, and would not believe in Noah's idle tale,and while thus in unbelief the flood came and destroyedthem all. It was the sin of unbelief." I am afraid to die," said a young woman of 21, in con-

    sumption. Why, dear girl? "all things are yours!"Ah! "But"- she said. Well, there's no but in the text--"Whether life or death, all are yours." There is nophilosophy about simply trusting God's word. Not tobelieve God is to make Him a liar! She would not dare tosay that, " But, dear child, you dare to act it !" The fearof something after death puzzled her will. It was evidenther anxiety arose from anticipated punishment. Thousandsf~el the same war The ranting preacherthreatens hell in

    his congregation, and they called him "hell-fire Jim;"his brother, the popish priest, preaches hell-fire, and theycall him "hell-fire Tom." There is no difference betweenthe two preachers. They don't know, I suppose, for theydo not preach the gospel of salvation." I cannot feel as I want to," said the poor dying girl,

    "so I am afraid to die." Well, Jesus is the Saviour!you want to make a Saviour of your feelings!When St. Paul was preaching to the Philippian jailer, he

    said, " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt besaved." There is no other name given among men wherebywe can be saved. He did not appeal to the jailer's feelings;he pointed him to Christ. Jesus Himself said, " As Moseslifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must theSon of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Himshall not perish, but have everlasting life." If the Israelitessaid, "What is the use of looking at the pole? I ambitten, and I must have some tangible help. I feel I wanthelp, but the pole cannot help me," he would perishthrough the feelings and want of faith in the word of God.So it is with Christ the Saviour; and He is willing and

    ready to save to the uttermost all who come unto God byHim. If a man is lost, it is because he will not come to theSaviour. If a sinner is lost, he is to all intents and purposesa suicide. There are many who profess and call themselvesChristians who have the form of godliness, but deny thepower thereof; well, "from such," says the apostle, " turnaway."But let the true believer read this passage-

    "Let no man glory in men. For all things are yours,whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, ordeath, or things present, 01' things to come; all are yours;and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's."-George Lloyd.

    THE ADVENT.-Psalm xcviii.Sing to the Lord a song of praise;Marvellous He in all His ways:His right hand hath the battle wonIn every land beneath the sun.The Lord hath made His glory known,His justice to the heathen shown;The faithful God hath Israel blest,And called the nations to His rest.Ye nations, sound His praise abroad;The Lord is King! the Lord is God!With harp, with harp, the anthem raise;With psalms the King of Glory praise.Let earth and see unite their voice,Let hills and mountain-streams rejoiceBefore the Judge, who comes in might,His sin-perverted world to right.

    CHORUS.Jesus, come! Thy bride expects Thee!Jesus, come! the world rejects Thee!Nature groans; a world undoneJoins the saints in crying, " Come I"

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    138 THE BIBLE STANDARD.

    WHAT IS fTRUTH?THEREis no subject which so often arrests the human mindas this question, What is Truth? In the highest sense ofthe expression, the answer is given when Christ says, " Iam the Way, the Truth, and the Life." He is indeed theembodiment of that principle, for "In Him was no deceit,neither was guile found in His mouth." In receiving Himinto our hearts by faith, we receive the Truth, the knowledgeof Christ as our Saviour and .Redeemer. But there isanother and a very general application in which we mustview this subject. From the earliest ages, indeed we mightgo so far back as to the time of Adam in order to trace thisquestion in a wider sense with reference to man, when therewas a controversy in the Garden of Eden on the nature ofwhat was really the mind of God on what was Truth, whenatan beg u iled our first parents through a misinterpretationof God's command (Gen. ii. 17), and they by yielding to theTempter, lost their high standing and position before God.It would appear as if that same cause and effect have beengoing on through the different phases of the world's historyever since. Had the Jews known and believed the Truth,they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory. It was thelove of Truth that made the Apostles forsake all to followChrist, and after His resurrection to carry the glad tidingsof the Saviour to other lands. Had the Roman Emperors,Nero, Domitian, and Dioclesian, known what was the

    , Truth, they would not have gloried in persecuting theChristians. Let us pass on to later times, when we may seethe noble martyrs suffering all the excruciating torturesending at the stake, which the malice of man could invent,whose minds were so blinded through the power of Satanthat they could not define what was Truth; nor shall wesay the Romanist, bigoted through ignorance, leaves thisquestion exhausted. No! even Protestant Christians, whoseminds God's Spirit is working in, are searching that Bookof His revealed will day after day, to see and try to knowwhat is the mind of Infinite Wisdom and Truth towards Hisfinite creatures. Sects and parties have arisen too numerousto mention, each maintaining that it alone holds the Truth;and this often makes the infidel scorn and scoff at that faithwithout which no one shall see the Lord. But Christianslook around and see this maze of human intellects all soar-ing upwards, and longing for that period when they shallknow, even as they are known. "To the law and to thetestimony" is now their focus, yet they look forward to thattime when God shall give back unto His own believing peoplethat immortal life, truth, and knowledge which by Adam'stransgression they had lost. "Then shall many crookedplaces be made straight, and rough places plain," and God'sattributes be fully known. Then sin and the sinner will nomore sully His fair creation, nor mar the beauty of Hishandywork. Science in all its branches shows how man is

    ever searching after Truth, and how often he fails in hisfeeble efforts, and civilisation is making progress in differentways, yet we find many asking the question, "Is the worldimproving?" No! not till Christ Himself is manifested.All who love the Lord Jesus Christ should pause and con-sider well before they censure the opinions of brethren whoare making the Bible their study. We read of BishopFisher, when he was eighty years of age, on his way to thescaffold, gazing on the closed Gospel in his hand, andpraying to find some special strength for his hour of need,when, opening the Book, his eye fell on the Truth, " This islife eternal to know Thee, the only true God and JesusChrist whom Thou has sent.'; He laid his white head uponthe block, repeating again the words, "This is life eternal."We must ever open the Bible in a like spirit, rememberingthat God can give, to those who seek it in prayer, a greatermeasure of His divine Spirit to understand His Word.Let us pray earnestly for an increase of that Spirit, and tohasten the time when all shall know Him, from the leastunto the greatest, and when Righteousness, Peace, andTruth shall cover the earth.-J.G.D.

    THE CONFERENCE.FULLY committed to a great work, the members of ourAssociation will realize the fact that the success of an enter-prise depends upon individual zeal. If each individual feelsthe responsibility of belonging to a Christian brotherhoodwhose professed aim is the high and holy one of restoringapostolic truth on the great subjects of LIFE and DEATH,there cannot be a doubt of success. It is taken for grantednow, without the necessity of further argument, so far as themembers of the Society are concerned, that the DIVINEWORD-the only authority on life and death-teaches thatman is wholly mortal, and that immortality can be obtainedonly in Christ. These, with kindred truths, we have toteach zealously, habitually, with the pen and the livingvoice, pointing our readers and hearers to that Divine Wordfrom which we have derived our information. We are to beready, in a meek Christian spirit, to give Scriptural reasonsfor our belief; and we are under moral obligation, as honestmen, to tell our countrymen why we have surrendered-notan item of "the faith," blessed be God! but-some of theopinions which are held by the great majority of Christianpersons in these lands. We are not at liberty to keepsilence, for the truths to which we bear testimony are notours but God's. He has called us, in His providence, tothis work, and we must look to Him for strength and graceto do it with simplicity and godly sincerity. The characterof our mission is such that we must be faithful and true.If the Lord approve the spirit in which we bear witness, Hewill send the silver and the gold without which it is im-possible to secure labour, or anticipate success,

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    THE 13IBLE STANDARD.

    COLD WATER SONG.LET others sing the ruby brightIn the red wine's sparkling glow;

    Dearer tome is the diamond lightIn the fountain's purer flow.

    The feet of earthly men have trodThe juice from the bleeding vine,

    But the stream comes pure from the hand of God,To fill this cup of mine.

    Then give me the cup of cold water,The pure, sweet cup of cold water;

    His arm is strong, though his toil be long,Who drinks but the clear cold water.

    The dewdrop lies in the floweret's cup,How rich is its perfume now!

    And the thirsty earth with joy looks up,When Heaven sheds rain on her brow.

    The brook goes forth with a cheerful voice,To gladden the vale along;And the bending trees on her banks rejoiceTo listen her quiet song.

    Then give me the cup of cold water,The pure, sweet cup of cold water,

    For bright is his eye, and his spirit high,Who drinks but theclear cold water.

    The lark springs up with a lighter strain,When the wave has washed her wing;

    And the steed flings back his thundering maneIn the might of the crystal spring.

    This was the drink of Paradise,Ere blight on its beauty fell ;

    And the buried streams of gladness riseIn every moss-grown well.

    And here's for the cup of cold water,The pure sweet cup of cold water;

    Unto all that live will nature giveBut a drink of clear cold water.

    Geo. W, Bethune.MOTIVES.

    AN honest examination of the motives which influence us inreligious matters is a moral duty. It has a healthytendency. Hap-hazard in commercial matters is eschewedby the intelligent merchant; and those who feel that theyhave a stewardship for God, the !:teart Searcher, shouldsearch their own hearts respecting the reasons of theirconduct. We cannot lose by self-consciousness. Thepersonal query, "Why?" can hardly fail to receive ananswer that shall be of personal service. If we would judgeourselves-impartially, if possible-we shouid escape many

    shortcomings and mistakes, I'and, of course, be wiser andstronger men.Of course it is natural and proper that the desire of safety

    should be the ruling motive when one is in danger. Perilappeals to selfishness, and in such circumstances selfishnessis right. No one despises the cry, "What shall I do to besaved? " On the contrary, every good man, especiallyevery true shepherd whom the Chief Shepherd has electedinto the ministry, rejoices to hear it, as an intimation that anew life is about to be added to the company of those whoshall live hereafter, a new member to the brotherhood ofpeers whose divine nobility shall prove their heavenly call-ing. But the initial cry of the new life is quite out of placein Christian manhood. Selfishness then is reprehensible.Safety secured, the glory of the Saviour should henceforthbe the motive of all Christian activity. "What shall Irender to the Lord for what He has done for me?" is nowthe proper question. Let this question bring a great numberto our Conference with hearts, minds, and purses open to do C lgreat work FOR THE TRUTH AND HONOUR OF OUR GLORIOUSLIFE-GIVER AND HEAD!

    A SOLILOQUY.ANDwere we in this world placed by God,To live' a life of holy loyalty?Or, failing that, be mercilessly castInto a dungeon deep, of dark despair,Where monsters horrible blaspheme the Lord,-'Where flaming fires torment but not consume?While He, that made us all, will but look on,And joyful feel to hear the piercing shriekBurst forth from those, whom once with tender love,He fondly nurtured while they lived on earth;And stand unmoved at every bitter cry,And only mock and make the torture more?And by them hears His holy Name blasphemedWhile he exists and endless ages roll ?It can't be so; that He who loved the worldWith such a tender condescending loveAs to give up His only Son to die,And suffer shame for sake of sinful man,And thus to light bring immortality.Which truth before lay hidden in the mind of GodTill the triumphant Saviour burst the tomb,And proved Himself the glorious Life for man.Himce, all who live by faith in Jesus Christ,When they have run their race, are simply laid,To peaceful sleep, from which the Christian wakes,When He who bought them comes into the air.The trumpet sounds! the dead in Christ awake!And rise with Him to dwell in mansions fair.But those who have not loved the Master's voice,But wilfully have scorned redeeming love,Shall sleep the sleep that never more awakes.

    Alfred Morris, Liverpool.

  • 8/3/2019 Bible Standard September 1880

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    i 4 d 'rltE BIBLE STANDARD .

    LIVES OF BEAUTY.'I'aa longer I live, the more fully do I appreciate a certain"Style of life that is quiet, but full of self-sacrifice, retiringbut patient peaceable, and steadfast. Such lives make solittle stir by the noisy, demonstrative goodness of others,that they are not apt to be properly valued until they aregone. When you stand above the dead hands so thin andwhite, closed for ever on some little bud put into them, then-how you miss something, not a noise, not a bustle, but agreat work, a useful life. It is one silence that makesanother silence appreciated. It is in the hush of deaththat you miss and value that life that went about with suchnoiseless and yet with such beneficent step.Looking back from the darkness of such an hour, one can

    see that this life was like the shining of a star, withoutsound; but there was the light. Are not such quiet, butstrong, conservative forces in the world worthy of muchpraise? They are blessed elements in the home-life. Theybear the burdens, make the sacrifices, say the charitablewords. They are the rallying-centres around which diversecharacters group themselves, united to one another becauseunited to that centre. They are the nurses in sickness andthe comforters in sorrow. They bring back the wanderingson, they wait on the querulous old father. If daughters,they are like mothers in that care which rises up till it over-spreads all need. If mothers, they are like daughters inthat ministry which stoops to the notice of the smallestwant. These lives are such healthy contributions to thatwhich is beneficent in society. They may not be knownyery much beyond their neighbourhood. They do not makea bustle and go about with a conspicuous and flaring torch,dazzling the town from one end to the other. They stay intheir places and quietly shine. Light, though, is the strongestwhen concentrated. In their neighbourhood, these liveshave an influence that they themselves are little consciousof. 'I'hey.are the peace-makers, the comforters, the doers oflittle neighbourly services, the strong bonds of charity andlove that give a neighbourhood the character of a family.-Rev. E. A. Rand, in " Christian. Intelligencer."

    Some years ago a visitor said to a poor wounded soldier,who lay dying in the hospital, "What Church are you of? "c Of the Church of Christ," he replied. "I mean, what,persuasion are you of?" "Persuasion," said the dyingman, as he looked heavenward, beaming with love to theSaviour, " I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, norangels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things tocome, shall be able to separate me from the love of God,which is in Christ Jesus." None should rest contentedwith any hope less sure or bright.

    STRANGE BUT TRUE THEOLOGY.MEETINGa little boy of 7 in our rambles on Leckhampton,a friend says, we fell into conversation :

    c. How many brothers have you?" " Two." " And homany sisters?" " I had one, but she's dead and gonedust." "How do you know she's gone to dnst ?" "Becauseshe was made of dust, and she's gone back to it again."Will she ever come up again?" "Yes, in the Resurrection." "When will that be?" "Don't know." "Whtold you she was gone to dust?" "My mother." "Diyou never hear that when little girls die they go to heaven?"Yes, once, at Gloucester." "Well, which are you goingbelieve ?-the preacher who said little girls when they dieto heaven, or your mother, who says they go to dust?"" My mother." That little boy had a wiser teacher, whoevhis mother was, than many who sit under a popular ministeand pride themselves on their orthodoxy. She taught tha human soul cannot manifest . life when severed fromorganised medium, but must wait for wisdom, device, aknowledge, until its resurrection body shall be broughtfrom the womb of mother earth. They teach that somethinsevered from the body, which has neither shape, palpabilityparts, or passions, can fulfil all the relations of life in whithose organs enable it to engage whilst united with the bodWise teachers! wise above that which is written.WE CLIP A REMARKrom a recent utterance of a LondoBap,tis,t Minister? a:t the May meeting of the Young MeChristian Association, Aldersgate-street :-" They livedtabernacles, and it was the tabernacle that they left behinnot the immortal soul; that had gone to fresh life a

    vigour in heaven. If they wanted to see father or mothethey must not go to the cemetery, where the poor body wburied, but look above." This good man believed himsto be saying something very wise and scriptural, in thlocating the souls of the departed in heaven. Strange, ththe Bible, of which he professes to be a teacher, never besuch testimony, but locates the soul in Hades, and declaits state to be a sleep. As, too, it teaches Hades to becommon sleeping chamber of all who have died, good,different, and bad alike, it cannot be the heaven of God, aChrist, and the Angels, unless the wicked are there also.

    In tbe early A.nti-Slavery days a you.ng minister andelderly Quaker went out lecturing together. WhenQuaker spoke everybody was quiet; but when the youminister spoke there was a disturbance. The latter asthe former the reason of it and got this reply: "Thee sa, If you do so and so you shall be punished: I say, cfriends, if you will not do so and so, you will notpunished:" Both said the same thing; but one challengopposition by his manner of saying it, while the other cciliated his antagonist by his way of stating the case. His a broad hint to clerical Hotspurs.Printed by CHARLES AKRILL. Silver Street, Lincoln; and publish

    monthly by "THE CONDITIONAL IMMORTALITYSOCIATION." London Agent: F. SOU THWELL ,Paternoster Bow.