the bible standard june 1907

7/31/2019 The Bible Standard June 1907

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VOL. 28. No. 6. TWOPENCE.UCKLAND, N.Z., JUNE, 1907.

H that mine adversary would write a

book! In the heat of discourse it may

be that more is said than is actually

intended, or the listener may, by reason

of unconscious bias, put more into the

words uttered than. the speaker con-

veyed, or memory may trick us, and lead

us to draw unfair deductions; but when an author writes

a book the conditions are changed. Then he can calmly

and judiciously weigh his words, and balance his sen-

tences, so that they exactly carry his meaning, and the

reader can as calmly read and re-

read to be sure he has caught the

author's intent. Then sound conclu-

sions can be drawn as to the value

and truthfulness of the teachings set forth. In view of

these well-known facts, we do not wonder that the an-

cient patriarch was led to wish that his adversary would

write a book. ] < - '0 1 ' some few months past we have had

before us the teachings that bear the general name of

"The New Theology," and the wish has been expressed

that Dr. Campbell would write a book! This he has

done, and now we can take it in hand and sit down to

quietly consider its value as a contribution to thought,and its worth a,; an exposition of man's true position

Gcdward, and of the real meaning of redemption. It is

a noteworthy thing that some of the sec'ular papers are

pointing out the weaknesses of the book, whilst many

professedly Christian teachers are saying nothing. When

the book was issued a representative o-f the London

"Daily Telegraph" interviewed a number of leading men

in Nonconformist circles, and "in almost every instance

the onlv reply was that the moment was not opportune

for a statement either in support of Mr. Campbell's be-

liefs or antagonistic to them." One exception only was

camobetrs1 B o o k .

met with, the Rev. Archibald Brown, who emphatically

said, "These are doctrines of demons, and are Satanic.

Behind the 'new theology' is the old Devil;" "There is

very great danger in this new abolition of the theory of

sin which encourages a man to think that if he is fol-

lowing his own instincts he is but pursuing the higher

development of himself. INhere, indeed, is this view

to end, for the man who drinks too mueh may be very

much in earnest indeed as to indulging himself?"

Says the Scotsman, "What, then, is Mr. Camp bell's

revised version of the Christian Faith? It is a Chris-

tianity that makes no profession of being a supernatural

revelation; the modern natural supernaturalism does

away with the distinction that ren-

ders such a conception possible. Nor

does it Jean on miracle; the only

Biblical miracles whieh are not ob-

viously mythical are those which the science of to-day

is rapidly becoming able to explain, and which, accord-

ingly, are not miraculous at all. N or, of course, does it

defer to the authority of Scripture. 'Paul's opinion is

simply Paul's opinion,' " and so on. The idea of Christi-

anity without miracles is no new discovery of Mr. Camp-

bell, or of the modems. J t is the common plea of all

who have sought to set aside the Bible supernaturalism.

No thoughtful person will deny that morality can be

taught, as a present thing, without miracle, but the mo-

ment it is viewed in relation to its future consequences,

that moment miracle becomes an absolute necessity to

gi vc those consequences effect. Onlv by miraculous

agency can man be rewarded for faithfulness, or pun-

ished for neglect of opportunities. This is putting the

matter on very low grounds indeed, but we carry theposition further when we have founcl out that the Bible

is not primarily a book of moral teaching, but that its

morality is connected with the progress of a great pur-

pose, which in the past progressed by miracle, and can be

consummated only by miracle, and that without this pur-

pose man is hopelessly lost, leading a life that must end

with the grave, his hopes of benefit in the present being

continually thwarted by the innate selfishness of the race.

1 \ I fT . Carnpbell gives no evidence that he has at all under-

stood the facts that 'are. As the Scotsman says, "How

is it that humanity still eats its apples of Sodom so

ID eniesOOt rac le.



l'HE BIBLE STANDARD. JUNE. 1907.

greedily, and, though it may know the better way, with

such lamentable persistence elects the worse?" If there

is no miracle in connection with Christianity, then, in-

deed, might we become deep-dyed pessimists, for there is

no ray of hope anywhere. But, blessed be God, miracle

belongs to this great purpose of God, and just such power

as then wrought, and in just such a manner, will operate

again, and the Divine purpose shall be completed.

Wlas itjforestgbt?

It would almost seem that the late Dr. Parker was

gifted with a measure of prescience, some of his sayings

so exactly forecasting present events, yet we know that

he was but presenting conclusions which history pro-

vided. The following passage from

a sermon of his, delivered in the

City Temple on November 29,

1900, has been unearthed by a Wes-

leyan minister: "The house in which we are now as-

sembled may one day be as a den of wild beasts. We

have had our opportunities of meeting God here, of read-

ing the Holy Word, and besieging, as an army mightbesiege a fortress, the altar, known by its crimson hue;

and yet some day a man may arise who will deny the

Lord that bought him, who will preach a Gospel without

a Saviour, a salvation without a cross; then write Icha-

bod upon the frontals of the place, and let it be forgotten

as a thing of shame, a memorial of unpardonable treason

against the throne of God." Truly, judged by the utter-

ances of the man who now preaches from the platform

in Oity Temple, we may say that .the time has come to

write "Ichabod" upon the place where these solemn

words of Dr. Parker were uttered but little more than

six years ago.

The real extent of the hold which the "New Theology"

has obtained upon the churches generally may be esti-

mated by the fact that at the National Free Church

Council recently held at Leeds Mr. Campbell was 're-

ceived with prolonged acclama-

tions. As Mr. Campbell rose to

second a resolution, the audience,

largely made up of ministers, burst

into a roar of applause, repeated again and again, and

when he closed his address the demonstration was re-

newed. The V l'01 'd s of Life adds: "At the close of Mr.

Campbell's address there was a solitary delegate who

dared to stand up and suggest that the Council's con-

stitution should contain two statements, namely, first,belief in the Divine Sonship of Jesus Christ; secondly,

belief in the substitutionary atonement made by the

Lord Jesus Christ. The meeting dissented violently."

This not only indicates that the sympathies of the Con-

gress were with Mr. Campbell and his teachings, but it

is also a pointer, showing to the student of Scripture

that the Church has entered upon the path which leads

to the Great Apostasy foretold as marking the end of

this dispensation. Posing as a "new" thing which pre-

sents truth from an intellectual and scientific stand-

point, it has captivated many who hold office in the

111 tbe Sbeep'UracJ;.

Church, and now sweeps them along toward a vortex of

destruction. Father Vaughan rightly says of this phase

of thought, "There is nothing new in 'the new theology,'

and nothing true in it. There is no Christianity, and

not much theology, in it. It is Campbellism, pure and

simple, and as religion it is only-well, good for no-

thing." Perfectly true; but there are solemn considera-

tions connected with its present manifestation whichdrive us afresh to the Word, where, in the pure light of

prophecy, we may read the significance of this modern

phase as a sign of the times. .

There have been many attempts to demonstrate the

existence of an immortal soul in man, but perhaps the

latest to gain wide publicity is reported from Boston,

going to show that in the act of death there is a percept-

ible loss of weight, which can only

be accounted for by the explana-

tion that a something, presumably

the soul, leaves a man in death. The

account first appeared in a Boston paper, which, accord-ing to another paper issued in the same city, "has a

well-established reputation for exaggeration, or for tell-

ing things which 'ain't so.''' However, the statement

is that this novel experiment was made in the Cullis

Consumptive Home. Several patients who were approach-

ing death were placed upon delicately poised scales, and

both patients and scales were watched carefully. A phy-

sician testifies that in onc case at the moment of death,

"instantly the beam of the scales clanged down so that

you could hear it all over the room. It took two sil vel'

half-dollars to balance the scale." So, in this case the

"soul" (!) weighed one ounce. To all which we say,

We are not careful to undertake a denial of this state-ment. All that concerns us is to ask, What does jt

prove? That a soul leaves the body at death? But

that is to put a great deal more in the conclusion than

lies in the premise. Would it not be in order to prove

that man has a soul during life which carries conscious-

ness, personality, etc., before it is so readily assumed that

such a thing weighs an ounce and leaves man at c1eath?

Besides, the whole contention hitherto has been that the

soul is immaterial, but this experiment, so j ubilantl v

spread abroad, completely subverts that opinion, for

weight implies materiality. If material, then it is sub-

ject to the laws of matter, and, note it, may be destroyed.

W leig billg tbe$OU(.

But these experimenters have discovered nothing

novel, as the following extract from the : : " 7 ew Y 01 'l.; Press,

March 13, shows :-Chicago, March 12.-"If the soul has

weight," said an eminent physiological chemist to-day,

"it becomes an object of physics.

Years ago a group of German stu-

dents settled this point. If a

mouse was permitted to die in a

hermetic ally (sealed by fusion, not merely stoppered)

sealed bottle, absolutely no loss of weight occurred, even

using a scale easily showing 1 milligram (1-4;46~000t~ Q f

1R ot a 1R o" el\test.



JUNE,1907. THE BIBLE STANDARD.

a pound). But if the mouse died in an open vessel a

loss within one-half a minute of death of 10 to 20 milli-

gmllll:> was noticeable. That proved clearly that a gas

was given off, no weightless substance. A human body

is too large to be put into a sealed glass bottle, and there-

rore repeats the mouse experiment with an open vessel.

This is furthermore proved by the amount in the Boston

experiment, said to be from one-half to one ounce.This tallies with that of the gases in the body. The

average body weighs 150 pounds, or 2400 ounces. The

loss therefore was about 1-3000th. A mouse weighs

~ O ,O O O to 40,000 milligrams. The loss was 1-3000th, or

the same ratio for the same phenomenon."

On this the II era ld o f L ife pithily comments as fol-

lows :-"We learn from this bit of news: First, that the

experiments of these Boston physicians were not original,

as was supposed; that experiments on a more scientific

basis were tried years ago, with

results much more satisfactory.

Second, we are forced to the con-clusion that if the experiments by

the Boston phvsicians provc the flight of a soul from the

human both bv the loss of weight at death, then a mouse

has a soul which takes its flight in the same manner.

Third, we learn further that if this loss of weight rep-

resents the soul, that by properly enclosing the body

• before death we can prevent the flight of that soul. This

is opposed to the common conception of the nature of

the soul. It has always been supposed by believers in

the natural immortality of the soul, that it would be

impossible to bottle IIp the soul in this manner. The net

results of these experiments thus far strengthen the

position of believers in conditional immortality. Letus hope that other scientific people will become inter-

ested and go on with these experiments."

a jfewIDet'lucttons.

\\'ith what perversity men will hold to that cherished

belief in the existence of an immortal soul, and build

upon it, as upon an assured foundation, their philosophic

and religious svstems. Yet, at the same time, thev are

ever in quest of some tittle of evi-

dence which will certify its exist-

ence. On the one hand are those

who claim that reason establishes

its ex istence, but no sooner are the reasons made public

than thcv are riddled with criticisms which rob them ofvalue. Then spiritism professes to be able to supply

.the testimony required, but raps and dubious manifesta-

tions, darkened rooms and credulous sitters, together

with the possibility admitted by many of the votaries

that there are deceiving spirits, make this a very doubt-

ful ally. Within our recollection there have been many

volumes issued to establish the popular idea, but that

not one hitherto has been satisfactory is evident from

the fact that it is followed by others. Almost everv

month wc notice some such attempt. This month we

note that two -books are issued endeavouring to prove

\tbe lElusi"e~roofs.

that the dead are alive. Both are costly volumes, and

no doubt involved much labour on the part of the

writers, but neither can be said to prove his point. Of

the more ponderous and costly book, the editor of the

Exposit01'Y T imes ~ays, "No one (we venture to say)

will be persuaded by this book that death does not end

all, if not persuaded already." There it is; there is no

evidence outside the Bi ble that is of any value on thisquestion, and its testimony is clear and strong, but it

knows nothing at all of the immortal soul. It tells of

what man is, and what he may become, and is clear and

severely logical in its teachings. Why is it not then

accepted? you ask. The answer is simple. Because

it takes from man all grounds of egotism, and throws

him entirely upon the mercy and the provision of God.

Immortality may be had on God's terms-man wants it

on his own; and because he wants it apart from God, he

has accepted the Devil's lie, and in the form of "soul-

immortality" has even thrust it into the creeds of the

Church, to their certain confusion ani disintegration.

George VV. Deffenbaugh, of Kokomo, lnd., died re-

cently, and left a will which gives $50,000 to the Swe-

denborgian Church of that place "on condition that his

spirit be elected a member of the Board of Trustees of

the Church, and consulted at every

meeting regarding all things relat-

ing to the Church." The de-

claration of faith as given out by

the Church says, "Man is an immortal spirit, having an

earthly body which is laid aside at death; after which

he awakes to consciousness in the spiritual world, and

dwells in heaven as an angel, or seeks an abode with his

like in hell." The children of Mr. Deffenbaugh are con-

testing the will, claiming that the father was insane,although he provided liberally for his wife and children.

In view of the fact that millions of people believe as Mr.

Deffenbaugh did, that the spirit is the real man, and

lives after the body is dead and is fully conscious and

active, what is there that can be classed as unreasonable

in Mr. D.'s will? He has simply carried his belief into

practice. If this proves that he was insane, then what

about the millions who hold the same faith, but who have

not the courage to give a practical exhibition of it as

he has? Of course, we are not in agreement with him,

nor with the millions either, on this question. We hold

to the faith that death is man's inheritance from Adam,

and none but the second Adam can restore to life. The

resurrection from the dead by Christ is the only hope of

Mr. Deffenbaugh ever being able to engage in earth's

affairs again. Meanwhile, he is so dead that he "knows

not anything," and is utterly incapable of transacting

any business in conjunction with the trustees of the

Swedenborgian Church in Kokomo or anywhere else.-

The Last Times.

a Spirit\trustee.

"Westward the tide of empires takes its way." For

long this has expressed the outgoings of mankind, but

now there are not a few indicatious that the East, from



THE i BIBLE. STANDARD. JUNE,1907.

which men migrated in the past, leaving it almost ten-

antless, is again becoming the place

of human habitation and enter-

prise. So much so, that already

is mooted a scheme for a new rail-

way to Bagdad. At a meeting of the Royal Geographi-

cal Society Captain Sykes gave a paper on his "J ournevs

in North Mesopotamia," anci, referring to the possibili-ties of the Bagdad railway, the report states: "Anyone

riding over the road between Aleppo and Meskene some

ten years ago would have found what was tantamount to

a desert ; a few ruins, or some scatter ell encampments,

and half a dozen villages would have been all that would

have met the eve. Last March he passed over the road,

and never left 'cultivated land until he was within three

hours' ride of the Euphrates; again, he passed over the

road in October last, and the culti vated land had been

extended to within two hours' ride of the Euphrates."

This little item may be remembered as in some slight

degree showing that the Holy Scriptures, which so em-

phaticallv declare that the ancient lands of Babylorriaand Assyria shall be revived, and be the lands where the

dominion of evil shall lift itself up for the last time

against God and His purposes, are now receiving a mea-

sure of confirmationj n the awakening vitality in those

lands, and the interest, commercial and other, taken in

them by inhabitants of other nations.

Ube HwaRinglEast.

• • •Ube 3-nspiration of tbe Scriptures.

THE modern theories of some professed Christian writers

leave us wholly 'at a loss to decide where Christianity

ends and infidelity begins. They forget one great and

important distinction between the works of any writers

who do not pretend to Divine revelation and the books

of the sacred writers. We may hold such works, for

instance, as those of Aristotle, or Cicero, or Bacon, in

great esteem, without believing what we find in them any

further than our own reason approves, and even if :we

reject, without sufficient reason, some part of what these

authors teach, and thus lose a part of the truths they

inculcate, we may yet profit by another part, and he in no

danger of continually rejecting more and more. But it if'

not so with a writer who professes (as the apostles do)

to be communicating a Divine revelation imparted to him

through the means of miracles. In matters, indeed, un-

connected with religion, such as points 01 historv ornatural philosophy, he may be as liable to error as other

men, without any disparagement to his pretensions: but

if we reject as false any part o f the reli qio« which he

professes himself Divinely sent to teach, we cannot con-

sistently believe but that his pretensions are either an

imposture or a delusion, and that he is w l/OUy nnworthv

of credit. So difficult is it to stop short of a rejection

of Scripture, if we once begin, by making 0111' own (011-

[eciures th e s tandard by w hich to try Scripture. instead

01' takin~ Scripture as the standard for ourselves.-

WHATELY.

~elltile 1btgb",,®tll~e~lleaa.

THE suprema(;) 0f the nations over Israel, gi vcn first

to the Babylonian monarch, was God-ordained. That

supremacy the Times' of the Gentiles, has continued to" ,

the present. But the goodness of God to the nations

has been grossly abused. 'I'his predominance has pro-

duced an arrogance quite opposed to J ehovah's purposes.

Taking advantage of their exalted position, the Gentiles

have pressed the heel of oppression deep and cruel into

the neck of Jewry, even the enlightened nations in their

vaunting conceit meting out injustice and barbarity to

the chosen people. However, it. is not to this phase

of Gentilism that attention is just now desired ; the Iul-

ness of the Gentiles is fast coming in.

It is the high-mindedness, or conceit, so pronounced

in Christianity, that particularly cans for remark. Aswe survey the claims and pretensions of Christendom,

professing Gentile Christians, and compare them with

the testimony of Seer and Apostle, we can assuredlv sav

that they are wise in their own conceits. Widely held

is the opinion that Israel is cast aside for ever, some be-

lieving this on account of .Iudah crucifying their Mes-

si.ah. Moreover, the great body of Christians believe

that to the Church has been entrusted the conversion

of the worlc1, and that such will be attained by Christian

Gentile effort. In short, everything that the Millennial

Era will bring to Mankind, will be accomplished bvChristianity. ,rT;"

The great sect of Christendom, the Roman Catholic,

the Greek Catholic, and largelv the Reformed Faith also.

have nothing but loathing for the Jew. They rob Israel

of the glorious promises as to the future; in doing this

they have also closecl their eyes to Apostolic warning

and injunction. Owing to I srael's failure, the ministrv

of reconciliation, that is. the call to men to repent ancl

hecome reconciled to God through Him who is the

Mediator, was given to the Church. Become proud,

lusting after the pomp and power of the world, sadlv

indeed has Christian Gentilism proclaimed its message.

Worldly Gentilism has not continued in God's goodneRs:

neither, alas, has the professing Church of God. The

Founcler of the Gentile Faith was "meek and lowly in

heart." The Ephesians were besought to walk in all

lowliness and meekness, the Philippians to do nothing

through vainglory. So far as the Church itself is con-

cerned, its puffed-up conceit arises larzolv from its fail-

ure to grasp aright the Dispensational character of the

Sacred Writings. So. unfor+unatelv. its horizon iR ri1'-

eumscribed, and this has led to much haughty presump-

tion. H Christian Gentiles had a wider vision, and

noted their peculiar calling and place (most honoured

and blessed as it is), they would not nroclaim themselves

as The Kingclom of Gml. nor would they assume that

the final purposes of J ehovah were zathered np jn the

Church. Wise in their own conceits, manv spurn and .

despise the Lord's brethren according to the flesh.



JUNE , 19 07. THE BIBLE STANDARD. 8S

Truly, indeed, the Ohurch needs to learn from the

Older Testimony more fully how the Almighty is work-

ing out His predetermined designs. With a mind thus

tutored, it can then the more easily comprehend the

"mystery" of Apostolic teaching. The first Gentile con-

verts had a divinely illumincd teacher to explain to

thew this "mystery" 01 the calling of the Church, and

of the setting aside of the Israel nation. Particularly

were they warned against vaunting pride, and we may

contrast the humility of Ohristians of the first tiro cen-

turies with the self-glorification of the Gentile Church

of to-day. It was this very misapprehension that the

grcat Apostle desired his hearers to bc free from. "You

that are Gentiles," said he to those at Home, as he ex-

pressly called to their notice the mystery of God's deal-

ings with Israel, "For 1would not, brethren, have you

ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own con-

ceits." That very thing which Paul dreaded has indeed

come to pass. The Apostle disclosed to the Roman Gen-

tiles how that some of the natural branches, Israel, were

broken off, and they were grafted on to the Israel stock.If there was to be any glorying, it was not in the cast-

away state' of Israel, but that they were joined on to the

Abrahamic Seed. "It is not thou that bearest the Root,

but the Root thee." A remembrance of this would keep

them from boastful conceit. "Be not high-minded, but

fear." Why? Because the natural branches were cast

aside through proudness of heart, and excision awaits

a presumptuous Christianism. Israel's casting away is

but temporary; when purged and cleansed, Israel shall

enjoy once more J ehovah's peculiar favour. Then shall

the happy sons of J acob corne with singing unto Zion.

They shall be the channel whereby blessings both spiri-

tual and temporal shall come to all families of the

earth. Their city, Jerusalem, shall be called 'I'hc

Throne of the Lord, their temple the House ,)[ Prayer

for all Nations. 'I'hrough Israel's disobedience grace

and mercy have come to us, and their reception by

God again will bring to creation abundant blessing ami

felicity (Rom. xi. 15).

Mindful of a boastful Christendom, acknowledging

that for Apostate Gentile Christianity judgment is at

the door even as there was for Apostate J udaism, and,

viewing the bright and elevated future Goel has ap-pointed for Israel, should we not go s. if'tly ? May our

hearts be deeply grateful to Him who has wrought

out our salvation, and as we trace out His wondrous

workings our hearts shall burst into praise. "For toHim be the .3"loryunto the ages." Amen.

T. O. JENKINS.

•• •

The ladder of fame has many rotten rounds in it.

"The biggest heretic of all is the man who excuses

himself from duty by talking about the hvpocrites."

"Do not dally with temptation. As quaint Thomas

Fuller says: 'If you do not wish to trade with the devil,

keep out of his shop.' "

Any man of honesty and candour and common sense

is competent clearly to perceive two things-first, that

Jesus did not accommodate Himself to the religious pre-

judices of His time and country; else He would not have

been rejected and crucified by his countrymen, who

would bave received Him gladly iI Hc would have CO~l-

sented to fall in with their notions, and to become such

a king as their expectations were fixed on. And, sec-

ondly, that His followers would never have knowingly

exposed themselves, as they did, to ~corn and persecution

and violent death, bu t in. the cause of a religion wh ieh

they believed true, and ill attestation of what they had

plainly seen and heard; and that consequently we must,

jf we would be Christians indeed, and fellow-disciples

with them, receive their words (in all that relates to

religion) as true, and true in the sense in which they

themselves knew that they were understood. What is

revealed to us, therefore, in Scripture on various points,

is to be received (however different it may be from wha t

we might have conjectured) with humble faith and reve-

rent docility.-WHATELY.

Heb. x. 34, 39: "There are, however, two allusions

therein to the primitive teaching of endless life in Christ

only which should not be missed. 'I'he one is couched

under a 'reading' now generally accepted by textual

critics, according to which we 'ourselves' are the better

and abiding possession-which seems indeed to be but

an echo of our Lord's own well-known teaching (Matt.

xvi. 26, and parallels), to the effect that, no matter what

we gain, if we lose ourselves, we lose all. The other

allusion springs out of the closing verse of the chapter,

when rendered with resolute fidelity. 'We are not of a

drawing back unto destruction ; but' (of the opposite)'of faith unto an acquisition of life' (or 'soul' or 'per-

sonal ity'), of a something, therefore, which is not ours

naturally and inevitably, but only if we win it in the

only way in which it can be acquired. 'The New Testa-

rncnt in Modern Speech' is the only known version which

can be named with satisfaction as confirming the above

rendering and the explanation based upon it: 'But are

among those who believe and gain possession of their

souls.' Even this, however, is not entirely satisfactory:

since the original for soul (psyche) is in the singular

number, and withou t either article or pronoun; and so

precisely and naturally suggests that the thing gained

is ,'solll,' which, as is well known, is the great Biblicalword f'or conveying the idea of 'self' or 'personality.'

There ought to be no hesitation to accept the passagc

before us in this sense, especially in view of Luke xvii.

:3~: 'Whosoever shall saye his life' (or 'soul') 'shall pre-

serve it' (Greek, save it alive}. ~ 0\\', if faith is the

grand instrument on our part for winning the abiding

acquisition of personality, no wonder that the nature

and trinmphs of: faith should be celebrated at large-

which is exactly what awaits us in our next study."-

.T. B. R01'HERHAJIf in "Siudie» in the Epistle to the

Hebrews."



8 6 THE BIBLE STANDARD. JUNE, 1907.

THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS.

(Continued.)

That the Lord is not teaching anything new regard-

ing the doom of the faithless, callous Jew, is clear from

the language put into the mouth of Abraham, who,

twice over, points the sufferer to his own Scriptures as

affording all needed information on present conduct and

future consequences. "'1'hey have Moses and the Pro-

phets; let them hear them; if they hear not Moses and

the Prophets. neither will they be persuaded, if one rise

from the dead." What is the teaching of Moses and the

Prophets? Have they anywhere taught anything ofsuffering in an intermediate state; or, indeed, have they

taught anything of a conscious intermediate state at all?

Who in these has ever been able to find any mention of,

or allusion to, the doctrine of soul-immortality? Where

in them is there the slightest hint of that frightful doc-

trine of eternal misery, or endless suffering? Yet the lan-

guage here given implies that Moses and the Prophets

had clearly, unmistakeably, adequately told all that was

needful to warn men of the exact and full issues of pre-

sent neglect of Divine commands. What did they say?

Moses sets before his hearers and readers, "life and

death," with never an allusion to suffering in an inter-

mediate state, or to endless misery. And the prophets?

'I'heir writings contain many warnings, but they never

warn men of these things. 'I'hey say that:-

The DESTRUCTION of the transgressors and sinners shall

be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be CON-

SUMlW (Isa. i. 28).

And the strong shall be as TOW, and his work as a

SPARK; and they shall both BURN TOGETHER, and none

shall quench them (vel'. 31).

But the wicked shall PERISH.

And the enemies of the Lord shall be as the excellency of the

pastures;

They shall CONSUME; in smoke shall they CONSUME

AWAY (Ps. xxx ).

For, behold, the day cometh, IT BURNETH AS A FUR-

NACE; and all the PROUD, and ALL that work WICKED-

NESS, shall be STUBBLE; and the day that cometh shall

BURN THEM UP, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leavethem neither root nor branch. And they shall be

ASHES under the soles of your feet in the day that I do make,

saith the Lord of Hosts (Mal. iv. 1-3).

Such are some of the characteristic statements of the

authorities to whom Abraham refers as the clear and

true guides on the subject. They use no contradictory

. language. Every utterance of theirs agrees with these

selected verses. If, however, the rich man actually

woke to a suffering in soul-state, and to be continued

for ever, he could justly claim that he had never been

warned of such a doom. Would not the rightful prayer

be, "Father Abraham, send someone to warn them that

Moses and the Prophets said 'death,' 'perishing,' 'con-

suming,' 'burning up,' but tell them that these words

do not mean these things, but are figurative terms mean-

ing suffering in soul-state, and for ever, the frightful

penalty of unending life in misery!" No such plea is

recorded. No such plea is required, for no such inter-

pretation has any right whatever to a place in this

story, or in any part of the Scriptures. "The wages of

sin is death," and he who to uphold the heathenish con-

ception of immortal-soulism would interpret these terms

to convey their exact opposite, is to that extent misrepre-

senting God, and unwarrantably changing His Word.

The Pharisees had read, "The soul that sinneth it shall

die." And the teaching of the Saviour here would not

convey to them that this was figurative speech, but a

dread reality. His teaching enforced and rested upon

the doctrines set forth by the Old Testament Scriptures.

Thus the story, if read in harmony with all that is

elsewhere taught in the Word on the dread subject of

future punishment, is in perfect accord. It has a vivid-ness all its own, in that it presents the life of callous

neglect and its future consequences side by side, so that

the contrast may strike the mind more strongly. Dr.

Dods, commenting on this parable, has said :-"There

are some pictures so constructed that when the spectator

is well impressed with the scene before him, a spring is

touched, the picture turns upon a pi vot, and exposes

its reverse side, that which completes the intended im-

prcssion. This picture is constructed on similar prin-

ciples. The feasting Pharisee, and the diseased beggar,

filling the eye, the picture is in a moment reversed, and

the Pharisee is seen dropped out of all comfort and

affluence, craving a drop of water as a boon he has no

means of procuring. Whilst Lazarus is lifted to the

pinnacle of human sufficiency and glory above all earthly

magnificence. There is something intentionally horri-

fying in the suddenness of the contrast."

That is an approach to the true idea of the parable.

'I'he present life of the two men is seen; .their death

is recorded; that ends the present. When next seen,

they are pictured in that state where the issues of the

present life are experienced. This life volume is closed

by death for both. The next volume opens, where it

will open for all, at the resurrection, and the judgment.

So understood, the difficulties of the parable become

fewer, and those that remain are those only which belong

to the mere drapery of the parable, and do not call

for exposition. Let it be recognised that Christ has

set in a picture of flame the plain emphatic teachings of

Moses and the Prophets, and the lesson will be learnt

by us which He sought to impress upon His listeners.

But having dealt so far with the parable to rescue It

from modern misinterpretation, and to give it its true

place and teaching, there yet remains another feature

which we may well take note of. Those who put for-

ward this story as affording warrant for their beliefs in

a conscious intermediate state and in eternal sufferings,



JUNE, 1907. THE BIBLE STANDARD.

advance from the parable only inferences, which they

think can be legitimately drawn from it. As we have

put forward an exposition, based not upon infer-

ence, but upon fact, we may now invade the orthodox

field and inquire, What are the legitimate inferences to

be drawn from this narrative?

Observe, we say, "legitimate" inferences, and we mean

such as shall not contradict or offend any other passage

of Scripture. Those which are usually drawn do mostcertainly oppose clear and positive Bible testimony on

the state of death and the punishment of the ungodly.

\re are certain that God's Word does not thus contradict

itself, and therefore urge that any inferences drawn

from this story must agree with its scene and language,

and with all other Scripture passages relating to the

future.

(1) The silence of the parable on either Natural Im-

mortality or Eternal Torment, when linked with the

positive statements of Scripture on man's mortality, and

the numerous texts which define the nature of future

punishment, warrants the inference that man is not im-

mortal and that Torment is not eternal.

(2) As corporeal men are pictured before and after

death, the resurrection is implied for the second scene,

and, further, that neither "soul" nor "spirit" carries

personality without the body. Both terms are unneces-

sary to the story, and need not, therefore, be imported

to explain it.

(3) That this is a "kingdom" parable, and has to do

with the fulfilment of God's purposes to Israel, for the

highest state of bliss pictured, is that of reclining on

the "bosom of Abraham," to whom the promises were

given. This gives it a special bearing to the Jew, and

prepares for the next inference:

(4) That the respective places of bliss and woe are in

close proximity. The rich man in torment can "see"

Lazarus in happiness, and we may conclude that Laza-

rus, as well as Abraham, can "see" the rich man. How

can this be? The following passages will explain:

"Behold the righteous shall be recompensed IN THE EARTH:How much more the wicked and the sinner 1" (Prov. xi. 31).

"Wait 011 the Lord, and keep His way,And He shall exalt thee to INHERIT THE LAND:When the wicked are cut off THOU SHALT SEE IT'' (Ps,

xxxvii. 34).

"Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold,And SEE the reward of the wicked" (Ps, xci. 8).

"And they shall go forth and LOOKUPON the carcases of themen that have transgressed against Me" (Isa. lxvi. 24).

If the inference were true that the unsaved will Buffer

eternal misery, then they will suffer in sight of the saved,

and the sweets of Heaven will be for ever marred by the

view of the torments of the lost. We forbear to enlarge

upon this. What it would be to see those whom we have

loved, and for whom we have suffered and .toiled, in that

frightful state, can well be left to the imagination. The

true inference will not permit this idea to be taught

from the story.

(5) That beyond resurrection natural sympathies

exist. In the bosom of the rich man is first a desire for

personal relief, and, that denied, he thinks of others,

"lest they also come to this place of torment." On the

part of the saved there is also sympathy, for, says Abra-

ham, "they which would pass from hence to you maynot be able." In the light of the foregoing texts from

the Old Testament Scriptures this is understandable.

'I'he feelings of sorrow and sympathy for those who, spite

of the warnings, refused the offer of God's mercy, abide,

and would, if that were possible, snatch them from the

doom their own persistent rejection of Divine provision

had brought upon them. That hint of sympathy has

its own lesson to teach. Suffering causes sadness to

those who witness it, but sadness shall not continue;

therefore the lost shall cease to suffer. How? By

release? Nay, "none may cross over from thence to us."

( 6) This is a thought to be again and again insisted

upon, that Moses and the Prophets revealed truly and

fully the Nature and Duration of the penalty for sin.

This is important,' for we can search carefully these

writings, and find abundant testimony regarding this

theme, but there is never so much as a whisper of an

eternal conscious suffering. Every noun and every verb

employed has in it the idea of final destruction, affirm-

ing in all possible ways that "the soul that sinneth it

shall die."

(7) And, lastly, the fact that the man suffers ill)

flames suggests extermination. Fire is always the sym-

bol of destruction, and a careful collation of the Bible

words dealing with future destruction which convey the

thought of fire as the agent would be an education for

the reader. From the destruction of Sodom and Gomor-

rah by "fire from heaven" to the closing chapter of

Malachi, which affirms that the day that cometh "burn-

eth as a furnace," and that it shall "BURN UP" the

wicked, fire is God's cleansing agent by'which "all things

that cause stumbling, and THEM THAT DO

11 IQUITY" shall be destroyed. Add to this the

thought that, according to this story, the fire acts upon

material men, and you have the inference complete that

the wicked shall be destroyed by fire.

Much more might be added to this exposition, but

we deem it wise not to overlay the evidence with

too much weight. Let this testimony be carefully read,

and compared with the story itself, and with the Scrip-

tures generally, and we have no doubt that the reader

will never be satisfied with the current expositions, which,

to establish a case at all, ignore the plain writings of

Moses and the Prophets, and the equally plain language

of Christ and His apostles, and ask us to accept assump-

tions for which there is nowhere to be found the slightest

Bible warrant.

(Concluded. )



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THEMON~'H ..THEINSPIRATIONFTHESCRIPTURESGENTILEHIGH-MINDEDNESSECHOESROM·WEST::i"J"REETASSOCIATIONO·l'ES.THEMOSAICCCOUNTFTHEFALLOFMANTHE RiGH'l' VI~DICA'l'ED

VVONDERFULURPOSETHEBLACKSMITH'SESTTHEHOMECIRCLE-TALKSNETERNALI>'E.. "LETTERSOAYOUNGRIENDONrHESTUDYOFPROPHECYCHURCH AND MISSION NF.W&

CHRIS'I'IANANDMISCELLANEOUS

~tb~6ibl~ S tan dard . ~/ , - < -- < V \ .Y

MONTHTLY ORGAN

OF THE

ntw Ztaland €l1angdlstlt and Publltatlon Jlss~tlatlon.

EDITED BY GEORGE ALDRIDGE.

ASSISTEDBYSPECIALCONTRrBUTlONR,

The. Editor wishes it to be understood that, while he exer-ciaee a geuerul super-

vision over the articles and Correspondence appearing in the STANDARDtresponsi-

bility for sentiments expr esaed rests upon- the individual writer.

Ehh30ciatton lRotea.

We acknowledge with thanks receipt of donations to

the Edgehill Fund, from J.M.M. 10s., E.W. 58 .

At the West Street Church a series of addresses on

"The Bible and the Monuments" is being delivered on

Wednesday evenings. 'I'hese are illustrated by photo-graphs of slabs, cylinders, tablets, statues, etc. The

attendances at these addresses have been encouraging.

The following inset appears in the last issue to hand

of the Faith Library: "In future thel/Zbrary will be

published quarterly (in place of monthly), as the N urn-

bers on .Sale are multiplying too rapidly for the demand.

The price per Number will run from One Penny to Two

Shillings. The Annual Subscription will remain as

before) 3s. Bd. Three Numbers are in preparation for

publication during this year at 2d., Is. Gd. , and 28.,

respectively."

N C ! . 122 of the Faith Library bears the suggestive title,

"The 'Platonic Torch; or the Superiority of Revelation

over Science in Relation to Man." It contains many

quotations from eminent scientists and thinkers, show-

ing'that "science breaks down where knowledge if; sr ,

intensely desired by man," but that Revelation step., in

and fills the void. "Let us then boldly fling down the

Platonic torch that we may more fully bask in the glori-

011S sunshine of Christ's revelation." This tractate

can be ha'(1 from theF'aith Office. Price, One Penny.. ,We hear of another spasmodic revival of .interest in

Alexander Campbell's pamphlet.> entitled, . "Life ana

Death," and quite recently w e ' were asked to review it.

JUNE, 1907.

We have known this tractate for many years, but have

not as yet "found in its verbose paragraphs an argument

really 'worthy .of review. This, it may be said, is merely

an opinion, to which we reply, If any friend will kindly

draw out the propositions he thinks are worthy, together

with the direct reasoning in support, we will give our

attention to them and review 'them; but it is a little toomuch' to ask us to follow the tortuous pathway trod by

Mr. Campbell to reach the ends he desired. He succeeds

only by. blinding his readers.

'1'11eExecutive desires to 'inform our readers that Bro.

T. '0'. J enkins has been engaged for a period of three

months as Colporteur- Evangeli s t. Bro. J en kins is well-

known to the Auckland church, and his "Upoilltment

will be recei ved with approbation. We are glad that he

has felt it laid upon him to accede to the wish of the

l";xecutive, and-although he is not able to accept E . longer

appointment we trust he will do such work, and gather

such ex·perience, as will afford stimulus and encourage-

merit for further effort by future workers. He corn-menceshis labours at the beginning of this month, and

for the present will be located at Drurv, workiug this

and the surrounding districts. Subscribers to the

ST1~NDARDn the neighbourhood are invited to co-oper-

ate with hint, assisting him in whatever way possible, to

introduce him to sympathisers, to arrange cottage or

other meetings, where he may have opportunities of

preaching the Word. He will have with him copies of

the STANDARDand samples of our literature.

vVe r~gret to learn that our respected brother, George

Blakeby, of Adelaide, is dead. He was a well-known

and highly-respected old colonist. The cutting announc-

ing' his death states: "He was a native of Stoke N ewing-

ton, near London, and arrived in the State by the ship

Ascendant in 1849. Shortly after his arrival he went

to the Victorian goldfields, and after varying success he

returned to South Australia, and was in the employ for

l~l years of Mr. Alexander Dowie, Rundle Street, before

starting in business on his own account. He was the

first to introduce improved machinery in the manufac-

ture of boots and shoes. For over 40 years he was a

member of the Bentham Street Chapel, and had recently

been connected with the church meeting at the Druids'

Hall, Beulah Tioad, N orwood. He left a widow, five

daughters, and one grand-daughter." We may add that

he left the Bentham Street Church because he had ac-cepted Life in Christ teaching, and there was no freedom

in that meeting. He and others founded the meeting at

Druids' Hall, awl he was from the first one of its elders.

On' our visit to Adelaide five years ago we enjoyed our

fellowship; with Bro. Blakeby, and listened to his

stronglv-stated prophetical views. No one could be long

in his company without feeling assured that he held

strong convictions on man's nature and destiny, and on

God's Word ? f prophecy, and would fearlessly state them .

We desire; to express. our sympathy with the bereaved

family, and with the Church, which will miss himgreatly. " ,



8 9JUNE, 1907. THE BIBLE S'YANDARD.

\tbe !IDosaic accouur of tb e fall of

!IDan.

THERE is a breeze in the theological atmosphere, which

some think is the commencement of a storm. At the

invitation of the Rev. R. J. Camp bell, J\iI.A., a number

of ministers recently assem bled in conference at the

City Temple, London, and, after considerable discussion,

it was agreed to form a society, to bear the name of "The

New Theology lJnion," with .iIl r. Campbell as Presi-

dent, and with the object of encouraging, by fraternal

discu sion, progressi ye religious thought. Mr. Uampbell

claims that this is a movement "which will affect every

Church in Christendom, and sooner or later it will call

the whole of the civilised world back to God. It will

put an end to the alienation of the masses, on the one

hand, and the intellectual classes on the other, from

religion. It is the gospel of the humanity of God and

of the divinity of Man."

Whether or no this new movement will prove to be astorm in a teacup, or, on the other hand, it foreshadows

a great theological reconstruction, who can say? But,

whatever its outcome, we who take the Bible as our

Standard utterly refuse to give it countenance; indeed,

we present to it a front of utmost hostility. How can

we do otherwise toward a movement which denies the

Virgin Birth, the Deity of our Lord, the bodily resur-

rection of Him who died on Calvary, the inspiration

of Prophets and Apostles, the credibility of the Scrip-

tures?What we desire in this article specially to call atten-

tion to is Mr. Campbell's utterance concerning "The

Fall of Man," as recorded in the third chapter of Gene-

sis. The narrative of Eden occurs in the very opening

pages of the Bible, and is the root and basis of all that

follows. Yet concerning this M1'. Campbell says: "The

Fall, in literal sense, is untrue. 'I'he theory of the Fall

is in direct conflict with the finding of modern science,

or with a true historical method. The truth is that the

unideal character of the world is not due to man's fault,

but God's will. The Genesis story was taken over into

popular thought through St. Paul's rabbinical thought-

forms."Not only is the writing of Moses treated by Mr. Camp-

bell with scant respect, but the comments of the Apostle

Paul thereupon are dismissed as utterly irrelevant. At

a recent service at the Citv Temple, amid thunders ofapplause from the crowded audience, Mr. Campbell re-

pudiated the authority of Paul. Said he: "You need

no longer be in agreement with Paul about everything.

Paul's opinion is simply Paul's opinion, and not neces-

sarilv infallible."

'1 '0 us the words of Moses and of Paul are inspired

words. \Y o believe they wrote "according to the wisdom

giyen to them" (2 Peter iii. 15, 16). And if we have

to choose between City Temple Theology and Pauline

Theo.logy-which are as opposite as light and darkness

-we have no hesitation in rejecting that of Campbell,

of London, and holding fast to the teaching of Paul, of

Tarsus.The story of Eden is told in the Book of Genesis in

as matter-of-fact form as are the travels of Abraham.

The account of the trial in Paradise passes on into the

history of the Antediluvians without any break in the

narrati ve. Seth, Cain, and. Abel seem to. be as real

persons as Enoch 0 .1 ' Methusaleh, and their biographiesare closely annexed to the narrati ye of Adam and

Eve, and their loss in Paradise. Whether the earlier

chapters of Genesis be true or not, most certainly the

writer of those chapters delivers them as if" he believed

them to be true, asui Lrue in tliei: literal sense. The

first chapter relates to a very recent action of God in

refitting the earth, and in creating the first pair of the

Adamic race, together with certain animals; the second

and. third recount the moral trial of the newly-made

beings, in order to decide the question of obedience to

their Maker, with the result that they lost their life

through sin, as well as the prospect of immortality.

This narrative of the ancestors of our race, Adam andEve, has through all ages been the object of unmeasured

ridicule to an unbelieving world. The attack of Mr.

Campbell and others is nothing new. Long years ago

men sneered at the notion of "a miraculously talking

reptile persuading an inconceivably constituted woman

(made out of Adam's rib) to eat an actual apple, by

which act men, women and children of alJ generations

are accursed." But let us here say that we repudiate

the glosses with which this story is adorned, and the

conclusions derived therefrom. Read. seriously the

narrative and note the dignity of its tone and. the lofti-

ness of its purpose. An "apple" is not mentioned, and

not a word concerning Adam's descendants is uttered-

there is not a word of Adam and his children having to

suffer death in three senses, death spiritual, death tem-

poral, and death eternal (by which is meant eternal

misery in hell). This is simply a human addition, part

of a huge theological system, which is as cruel as false,

no hint of which is found in the guarded Mosaic narra-

tive. The Devil, who was so active in the temptation

of Eve, seems to have been equally active in suggesting

false comments upon the record of the temptation. The

old falsehood has been steadily repeated age after age,

"Ye shall not surely die," for man is deathless, quite

apart from his conduct to his Maker. It is these tradi-

tions, widely-almost uniyersally-heJd in Christendom,

which now in their results are making void the revela-tion of God in Christ for the modern world. We are

not altogether surprised if men reject the Mosaic ac-

count of the Fall if the Church will persist in propa-

gating the Devil's declaration that we are all immortal

beings, and as a consequence that an eternal hell is being

filled with untold millions of Adam's children as the

result of his sin. And, moreover, that "little ones,

dying without baptism, shall be consigned to everlasting

damnation." No wonder that under the influence of

this teaching Christianity has ceased to possess the joy-

ful power need ful for the conquest of heathenism, and



90 THE BIBLE STANDARD. JUNE, 1907.

became in priestly hands a power of darkness and terror

until at length the modern intellectual world is revolt-

ing from its sway.

The Books of the Old Testament and, emphatically,

the Books of thc New Testament, with one consent, treat

the narrative of the Creation and Fall of Man as his-

torical, and make it the basis of the whole system ofDivine dispensation toward our race. And in the teach-

ing of Christ and His Apostles the narrative of Eden is

not only taken for historic truth, but is made the basis

of Christianity itself-as a religion of redemption. Our

Lore! established the sanctity of marriage on the au-

thority of the words of Goel when Adam and Eve first

came together (Comp. Matt. xix. 3-6, Gen. ii. 24).

Addressing the Pharisees, our Lord again referred to

the Edenic narrative when He said: "Ye are of your

father the devil. He was a murderer from the begin-

ning. He is a liar" (John viii. 44). If Jesus Christ

did not rightly understand the origin of the human race

He came to sa ve, and mistook an allegorv-a poetical

fancy-for history, and believed the story of Eve and

the Serpent, who had no real existence, we cannot seri-

ouslv attach anv importance to His teaching and doc-

trine.

The Apostle John, in his first epistle (iii. 12), speaks

of Cain, who murdered Abel, and says he belonged to

"the evil one" (evidentlv referring to the Adversary in

the garden), beca use he "slew his In-other." Also, hi'

says (iii. 8): "For this purpose was the Son of God

manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil,

i.e., to undo the murderous work of the Serpent, by the

gift of eternal life. The Evangelist Luke, in recording

the genealogv of Jesus, places "Adam, the son of God,'

at the head of the table (ii i. 38), evidentlv with a firmpersuasion that Adam was as real a person as uny other

of Christ's progenitors.

No less than nine times in his epistle to the Romans

does the Apostle Paul assume and affirm in the most

distinct manner the truths of the narration in Genesis

respecting the entrance of death by the offence of the

one man Adam. He says: (1) Through one man sin

entered into the world. (2) Death reigned from Adam

until Moses. (3) 'I'he likeness of Adam's transgression.

(4) By the trespass of the one the many died. ( 5)

Through one that sinned. (6) The judgment came of

one. (7) Death reigned through the one. (8) Through

one trespass the judgment came unto all men. (9)Through the one man's disobedience the many were

made sinners. (Romans v. 14-21.) Nine times in

eight verses does Paul affirm the literal truth of the

Edenic history. If Paul erred in his belief concerning

the Fall, it is qui.te certain that there is nothing left in

his doctrinal teaching respecting the Redemption to

which any Divine authority can be attached. Paul, as

a teacher, is utterly discredited.

Again, in Rom. xvi. 20, Paul says: "The God of peace

shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." Is not

this a manifest allusion to Gen. iii. 15, "The seed of the

woman shall bruise the serpent's head?" In 1 Cor. xv.

he tells us, "In Adam all die the first Adam was

made a living soul the first man is of the earth"

(ver. 15, 45, 49). In 1 Cor. xi. 8 he gives as a reason

why women should be subject to men, "The man is not

of the woman, but the woman of the man." Is he not

referring to Gen. ii. 23, and reasoning from this as true

history? In 2 Cor. xi. 3 the Apostle holds up the weak-ness of EYe as a warning to the philosophic Corinthians,

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled

Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted."

In 1 'I'im, ii. 13 we read, "For Adam was first formed,

then Eve; and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman

...... but she shall be saved through the child-bearing"

(that is, of the promised "seed of the woman," the

Christ) . And the writer to the Hebrews (chap. xi.)

speaks of the old fathers from Abel downwards as not

"poetical imaginations," but as characters of history.

And, lastly, in the Book of Revelation, the Devil and

Satan is twice pointed out as "the deceiver of the whole

world" (xii. 9, xx. 3), and to fix beyond dispute his

identity with the Tempter of Eden, he is further called

"the old (ancient) serpent" (xx. 2).

If Mr. Campbell and his followers are right, not only

Moses was mistaken, but Christ and His Apostles were

mistaken also. 'I'hen the Christian Faith is a huge mis-

take, for the doctrine of redemption by Christ on Cal-

vary is founded on the Fall of Adam in Eden; and if

Adam and Eve never existed, or the story of the Fall in

Eden is false, it follows that Jesus was never sent by

God, and His death was simply that of a good man un-

justly condemned.

That the temptation of Eve was by means of a serpent

is a difficulty to many. Even some good Christians who

are perfectly loyal to the Scriptures prefer to thinkthat there was no serpent at all concerned in the trans-

action, just as they hold that no personal devil tempted

Christ in the wilderness. They say that this reptile-

name "serpent" was assigned allegorically to an invis-

ible spirit, who suggested to their minds the evil

thoughts as to the hard nature of the command of their

Creator.

Let us remember (1) that it is a Scriptural doctrine

that there is a host of fallen angels, with one called

Satan at their head (Matt. xxv. 41, Eph. vi. 10-16,

H. Peter ii. 4). (2) That in the New Testament we

have a wonderful account given of the expulsion of evil

spirits from the bodies of men, and on one occasion theywere permitted "to enter into the swine." That they

were "evil spirits" is clear from their awful question to

the Son of God, "Art Thou come to torment us before

the time" (Matt. viii. 29)? (3) We read, "After the

sop Satan entered into Judas,' which is something

added to the earlier words, "Satan put it into the heart

of Judas" (John xiii. 27, camp. vel'. 2). With these

facts in mind, we do not experience the difficulty that

some do in believing that the action and speech of the

serpent in Genesis was real, supernatural and diabolical

Does not Peter tell us in reference to Balaam that "he

was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass



JUNE, HJ7. THE BIBLE STANDARD. 91

spake with man's voice, and stayed the madness of the

prophet?" (Did the angel speak through the ass, as

the devil did through the serpent?) And when the

Supreme Judge cursed the serpent, there was a covert

meaning in the words well understood by the Devil him-

self., i.e., that he should "lick the dust like a serpent"

(Micah vii. 17), with all the enemies of truth and right-

eousness, and crouch and grovel in the presence of the"woman's seed" when God shall bruise him and his seed

under the feet of redeemed mankind.

And we may here remark that the truth of this story

of Eden is confirmed also by "the sense of shame" pos-

sessed by all human beings. Can anyone explain, apart

from Genesis iii., why mankind is ashamed of being

nalced? Man and woman were created in a state of

nakedness, and were not ashamed (Gen. ii. 25), the

sense of need of clothing began only with a sense of

transgression. The whole world of living creatures is

unclothed, or, if dressed in plumage or fur, it is as

protection from the weather, or for flight, or for beauty,

and not as a need for covering from sense of shame.Clothing is not merely for warmth. In the hottest

countries the wildest savages (with but few exceptions

of those who have hardly any moral sense) clothe them-

selves, however slightly it may be. When the ancestors

of our race had sinned the impulse came to them to hide

and cover themsel ves, and this sense of shame is the

perpetual mark of the truth of this Mosaic narrative.

H behoves those who hold an unchanged loyalty to

Him who is Son of God, as well as Son of Mary, to

remember that H~ put His own sign manual to the

writings of Moses and the Prophets, and the sanction

He thus gave warrants U$ in accepting as true the ac-

count that Moses gives us concerning the unhappy Fallof Man through the temptation of the Serpent in the

Garden of Eden.

Rotorua. C. cnrsr B:ROWN.

• • •\tbe 1R igbt ID in~icate~ .

WHEN wrong and injustice, strong, defiant, and amply

fortified, are on the throne, and when justice and inno-

cence are trampled in the dust, it sometimes requires a

strong faith to hold that the former shall be dethroned,

and that the latter shall be enthroned in its place. Sucha faith, however, has the Word of God and much in

human experience for its backing,

The decision recently by the Supreme Court of

France declaring Captain Dreyfus innocent of the

charges under which he has suffered for twelve years,

is one of the most notable examples of all history in

support of the contention that right shall triumph.

Dreyfus, a Jew, was an officer in the French Army.

Some one had been selling State secrets to representa-

tives of a foreign power, and the guilt for the offence

was narrowed down to a group of officers, some high in

the councils of France. '1'0 shield the guilty a fiendish

conspiracy was formed, for there must be a "scapegoat."

Dreyfus was accused, and on evidence now known to be

the basest forgeries, was degraded from the army and

banished from his family and from France to Devil's

Island, a desolate, barren isle off the northern coast of

South America. Here he remained five cruel years,while his wife and a few other faithful friends kept up

an agitation that "would not down."

So powerful became the tempest of agitation that

Prance was well-nigh rent by the terrible accusations

of scandal and intrigue in high army circles. '1'h8 vari-

ous ramifications of the strange case, and the involved

tragedies, read like the most exaggerated romance. 'I'he

dispatch sums it up thus:-

"And so ends a war office scandal that has raged for

twelve years, that has brought France al most to the

verge of rebellion, that has made the army a by-word

in every country of the world, that kept Dreyfus aprisoner for five years on Devil's Island, made Zola a

criminal before the law, forced him into exile after his

name had been erased from the Legion of Honour, led

to the retiring of four Ministers of IVar and a dozen

generals, as well as a full Cabinet, caused two suicides

after confessions had been made, and divided the army

and all France into two factions, the Jcwish and the

anti-Jewish, that will keep up a partizan fight for

years."

The vindication, however, is complete. The pardon

granted some years ago was not acceptable to Dreyfus,

nor creditable to Prance, as it left him a pardoned crim-

.inal. The recent decision establishes his honour, rein-

states him in the army as an honourable officer, and, by

implication at least, brands the wholc brood of his ac-

cusers as falsifiers and high criminals. 'I'he decision is

to be published in fifty papers of Dreyfus' choosing at

the Government expense. And steps are now being

taken to give Emile Zola, who was compelled to leave

France by reason of his friendship for Dreyfus, a public

burial in the Pantheon.

The famous Dreyfus case may well be a warning to

all unrighteousness, and may well be an encouragement

for crushed innocence to hope for vindicatiol1.--Wm·7d·s

Crisis.

• • •

There are times when, if condemnation and judg-

ment were received at the hands of man, it might be

severe, and even unjust; but we have a righteous Judge,

who doeth all things right.-H. A. Mitchell.

The Jeurish . Chronicle says that Damascus enjoys the

distinction of being the :first city in the Turkish Empire

which is lit by electricity, and has electric tramcars run-

ning in its streets. The inauguration of both systems

was made the occasion for a public ceremony recently.



92

mnon~e r fu l )purpose .

"Thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever

BEFORE THEE" (2 Sam. vii. 16).

OF the importance thatlllay

attach to the use of onelittle preposition rather than another, the passage above

quoted is a good instance. 'I'he words occur in the great

promise made to David, of the establishment of his

throne and kingdom. But whereas, in verse 12, it was

said: "When thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep

with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee,

and 1 will establish his kingdom," here in verse 16,

the words are: "Thy kingdom shall be established before

thee." The word rendered "before" here undoubtedly

means "in presence of" or "before the eyes of." I t is

clear therefore that the 16th verse contains a promise

quite distinct in some respects from that of verse 12.

In the former, David was to be dead and buried when

the fulfilment should take place; in the latter he was

to be alive and see it with his own eyes. Such is the

true force of the variation in the prepositions used.

The Septuagint and Syriac versions, however, and

some Hebrew manuscripts, read "before Me" in verse

16 instead of "before thee;" and this reading is pre-

ferred by some scholars on the ground that the reading

"before thee" gives an unparalleled sense. Perhaps it

does. But may not the difficulty of accepting that un-

usual sense have been the very reason why some versions

have altered the pronoun? It is worthy of note that the

authors of the Revised Version, with all their inclina-

tion to alter the text, have not ventured to do so in this

passage, nor given any hint of its doubtfulness. Wemay therefore adhere to it with some confidence ..

If we ask how this strange promise was to be fulfilled

to David, there seems but one possible answer. We are

not of those who believe that there were really two

Davids, and when one "slept with his fathers," the other

was alive in the realms of bliss. "David is not ascended

into the heavens" (Acts ii. 29, 34; xiii. 36). If, then,

he is to be an eye-witness of the establishment of his

throne for ever, it must be by resurrection from the

dead. Our Lord has taught us that this doctrine of

resurrection may lie hid in germ in some very simple

phrase (Luke xx. 37), which the careless or unbelieving

reader may overlook or undervalue. And it does appear

that in this phrase "before thee," we have another in-

stance of the kind.

Besides this general reason for so understanding the

words, it seems impossible to explain subsequent refer-

ences to this great covenant on any other theory.

David, in his last words (2 Sam. xxiii. 5), says of this

everlasting covenant: "This is all my salvation and all

my desire:" Can we imagine the spiritually-minded

David, whose aspirations after personal fellowship with

the living God stand as the model for God's people in

all ages, being content in his dying hours with the as-

surance that after he was dead and gone, his sons and

sons' sons would reign in his stead? N or could it be a

matter of such exultation of spirit in him to think of

the coming of his "greater Son" in an everlasting King-

dom, unless he himself was to be there, to see and share

in that glory.

We have the apostolic authority also for finding the

resurrection in the promise. In Acts xiii. ;)4 Paul says,

of the resurrection of our Lord: "As concerning that lie

raised Him up from the dead, now no more to return to

corru.ption, He said in this wise: I will give you the sure

mercies of Doo id :" 'I'his phrase is from Isaiah lv. :3 ,

and is there used to summarise the promises which glad-

dened David's heart, and whose fulfilment is sure (coin-

pare Psalm lxxxix. 34-37). Now, if the giving of these

sure mercies to the essiah involved His being raised

from the dead to dless life, as Paul informs us,

surely it can mean less to David himself in God's

good time. Nay, m ~,the use of the phrase in Isa.

lv. 3, goes the length of offering this same blessing to

"everyone that thirsteth." 'I'o all such the gracious

message is: "Hear, and your soul shall LIVE,and I shallmake an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure

mercies of David." May we not truly say: "Life from

the dead is in that word; 'tis Immortality?"

Now, all this wonderful depth and breadth of Divine

purpose seems to lie involved in that simple preposition

used to David-"before thee."

Bearsden. M. W. STRANG.

• • •Ube J J3 1a ck sm itb's \tes t.

"Blessed are they that have been persecuted for right-

eousness' sake."

TI-lE Rev. H. W. Pope tells the story of a Christian

blacksmith who had a good deal of affliction, and was

challenged by an unbeliever to account for it. This

was his explanation:-

"You know 1 am a·blacksmith, and often take a piece

of iron and put it into the fire, and bring it to a white

heat. 'I'hen I put it on the anvil, and strike it once or

twice to see if it will take a temper. If I think it will,

I plunge it into the water, and suddenly change the

temperature. Then I put it into the fire again, and

again plunge it into the water. This I repeat several

times. Then I put it on the anvil, and hammer it, and

bend it, and rasp it, and file it, and it makes some useful

article, which I put into a carriage, where it will do good

service for twenty-five years. If, however, when I first

strike it on the anvil I think it will not take temper, I

throw it into the scrap heap, and sell it at half a penny

a pounel. Now, I believe that my Heavenly Father has

been testing me, to see if I will take a temper. He has

put me into the fire and into the water. I have tried to

bear it just as patiently as 1 could, and my daily prayer

has been: 'Lord, put me into the fire, if you will; put me

into the watef if you think I nced it; do anything yon

please, 0 Lord, only don't throw me into the scrap

heap:' "--Selected. .



,THE JHBLE STANDARD.

. . . . . . . . . . . ..,

93

TTTTT~TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

(b~H o m ~ £ird~.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• e ••••••••••••••••••• ,

Talks on E ternal L ife .

No. VI.

ITHINK that our "Talk" on this occa-

sion ca n be profitably given to the con-

sideration of the, conditions upon ac-

ceptance of which Et mal Life may bc

obtained. .

That - is a very requisite thing, and

seems to follow logically upon what we

have already seen. But it is a question

which seems to be somewhat' compli-

cated, as there have been successive dis-

pensa tions in which God has dealt withman; and any consideration of. the sub-

ject must give these their due place.

Well, 'suppose we deal first with that

which is present; and in which we are

personally interested?

I am agreeable. Indeed, T think it

wis=, because then we can note that the

conditions are in perfect harmony with

the provision. Vile shall appreciate

that fact much better if we view it in

relation to ourselves, than if it were

considered in its application to others

of another age. and under other condi-

tions.

In the "Gospel-epitome" t-xt it is

thus put: "GOD SO LOVED THE WORLn

THAT HE GAYEHIS ONLYBEGOTTENSOli'.

TITAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH Ill' HIM

SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVEETERNAL

LIFE" (Jo. iii. 16). That was the Lord's

testimonv to the men of His dav hut.

if I may' so say, we have a much 'cleare~

statement in its application to the pre-

sent in the epistle of salvation in the

passage already cited. '''rhe word is nigh

thee. in thy mouth, and in thy hea ~t:

that is the word of faith. which we

preach: because IF THOU SHALT CONFESS

WITH THY MOUTH JESUS' A'S I,ORD, AND

SHALT BELIEVEIN THY HEART''THAT GOD

HATH BAISEDHIlIr FROMTilE PEAn, THOU

SHALTBE SAVED" (Rom. x. 'S-lO).

T'hos- conditions are very clearly

stated. but how do they speciallv ha r-

monise with our findings upon the na-

ture of the "gift of God?"

A very brief meditation will show.

first. that confession of Christ's Lord-

shin is demanded. Tn no nlace ' is tho re

a hint that His authority thus to he

owned is oxercised OVPl' "inllllor1"n 1

souls." but it is definitelv stated to 110

over "dead and Iivirur." 'To 'r aeh th is

position' He nassed thr011!!h' death. ;1S

tho fol:owing verso declares :-"FOR TO

THIS END CHRtS'I' IlIED ANn LIVEn AGAIN.

THAT HE MIGHT BE T,ORn OF BOTH DEAn

A1\TT)LIVINO" {Rom. xiv. 9). T'hus He

became the Head of the r~rp, vif""pd in

its entiretv. At the point whe re man's

llPpd 'i~ !!r"ntpBt. i,e.. at thf' point of

ll{'lnlpssnp~s. hpC'111SPof his mortal nu-

1-11I'P1'hr Lo rrl=hin of Christ is nrf'sentr(l

", th-i t wh ioh can reverse tho power of

death nnrl the QTaVf>. The second point

to notice is that GOD RAISED Hrxr FROM

THE nEAD. Faith must link itself to a

fact, 'hiatorie- and tangible. There is no

demand that at its earliest effort it

must lay hold of the unseen and the

intangible. It must be grounded upon

the real and the palpable. In a word,

it must believe in a Living Lord, pos·

sessing an "endless life," because He

was raised from the grave.

I see. Certainly, thus put, there is

a harmony between the facts for faith

to hinge upon, and the gift to be be-stowed. Being satisfied on thr.t point,

there is another phase of the subject

that comes before me, on which I crave

light. I will put it thus: This Gospel

dispensation, in which these terms run,

had a commencement. From the very

beginning its actual sphere of opera-

tions has been limited, though growing.

Centuries passed before it could be said

to have covered Europe, and it is not

until the last century that it passed

over to bring its influence to bear upon

the "nations that sit in darkness." ~That

about the great world of men and their

relationship to this question of eternal

life?

That is a very grave subject, one

which must not be treated flippantlyor hurriedly. I am not of those who

can summarily dismiss the matter by

assertlng that the "nations" outside the

operations of the pr=sent Gospel are lost.

On the one hand, the orthodox believer

pitilessly consigns them to eternal woe.

and, on the other. there are life-believers

who affirm that thev have had their life,

they die. and are never to he raised from

the dead. There is a third .party of

various persuasions, claiming that IlS

th-se of the past. and many of the pre-

sent, never have heard the Gospel method

of salvation throuzh Christ, they must

vet hear it, some sav in an intermediate

state: others affirm that it will be in

the future, af ter the resurrection from

the dead.

Well. what ne we to do in face of

these diverginz views? 4

Just as IVe have done hitherto-try

to find an a 11wer in the Scripture. Tt

is the Bible whir." compels this question.

and ·it is the Bible alon" which can sup'

ply the needed light. So far as it goes,

we may travel with safety, but beyond

its Iight we must not pass, else we may

follow" mere wilI-o'-the·wisp. and even-

tuallv lnnd ourselves in confusion and

loss.

How shall we find the clue to guide

our quest.?

There is one fact which must be borne

in mind as we enter upon this theme.

and that is. that Bible historv is "selec-

t.iv=." I mean by that. it do~s not deal

h istorioa llv with all. Its commence-

ment has' a universal reference. but no

sooner does the history commence to

move forward than it narrows, and in

selective fashion progresses. leaving out

of mention those peoples outside its ac-

tive operations. This does not mean

thn t the great mass of ma nk ind are

actua Ilv shut out from its provisions.

for it i~ just as elea rlv taught that th('

~plf>ctive work is opsignpd j-() hnvo fl uni-

v rsa l bearing.

Thn t is a helpful thoueht if it can hp

established from the RcrintureR. an (1

will probably open the way 'for a' better

"understanding on this ,grea;t. theme.' :

Let me, ask you to note that when our

first parents sinned, and were banished

from Pa-radise, one of the consequences

which fell beca use of transgression was

a multiplicity of offspring: "I WILL

GREA'.fLYMULTIPLY thy sorrow and thy

cone ption" (Gen. iii. 16). Although

man had sinned, and had thus destroyed

the immediate prospect of a holy, happy

race, yet that end is to be reached, andto secure the adequate number, concep-

tion is increased to allow for the waste

which would follow because of the do-

minion of sin. Let me add, in view of

the widely-scatter-d human race, that

that multiplicity is distributed, and is

not confined to any one branch of

peoples.

I am not sure that I catch the full

significance of that idea, but the provi-

sion for possible waste strikes' me as

being consonant with natural facts: At

any rate; it deserves attention.

Now, let me ask a 'close appreciation

of a significant utterance. In the first

promise made to Abraham is found

the statement: "IN THEE SHALL ALL'THE

FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED"

(Gen. xi i. 3). The full meaning of

tha t sentence' is yet to be understood,

but. meanwhile, let 'me sav a blessing'

to "all families" is promised. It is not

to be immediately conferred, but it is to

come when the plan here begun is fully

developed. On the way to its realisa-

tion the plan involves selection, first, of

a man, then of his family, then of the

nation, and now of a people "called

out." It has been "selection" all the

way, and that principle still operates.

and till that selective process is accom-

plished the blessing to all families can-

not come.

Meanwhile the generations the world

over die without knowing of this, and,

indeed, without being called into it, so

the question stilI press=s, "What of

their individual relation to eternal life

whilst the plan is beingwrought out?"

(To be continued.)

•

•• •THE PROMISES OF GOD.

Does your spirit faint? The promises

of Cod are a dropping honeycomb, bet-

ter than .Ton a thn.n's. Dip your pilgrim

staff into their richness, and put your

hand to yonr mouth, like him and your

faintness shall pass awav. ' Artl' you

thirsty? They are the flowing stream

of. the water of life, of which YOll may

drink by the way, and lift your head.

Are vou overcome bv the sultry burden

of the day? They are ns 'thc cool

shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

Have vour steps well-nigh slipped'? Thev

are a staff in your hand, on top of

which, betimes. Iiko -Iacob, you may

lean, and worship God. Are YOU sad?"

There are no such songs to be'guile the

road. and to bear you' on with gladness

of heart, HS when one goeth with a pipe

to come into the mountain of the Lord.

P1It but a promise under your head by

night, and were vo nr pi llow a stone

like tnat of Bethel, you shall have

.Tacob's vision. 'I'lle thirstiest wilder-

ness will become an Elirn with palm

trees and wells of wat,er,-Sel.



94 THE BIBLE STANDARD. JUNE, 11107.

Letters to a Y oung F riend on

th e S tudy of Prop~ ecr .

LETTER IV.-A PROPHETIC

OUTLINE.

My DEAR FRIEND,-Praphecy is one

connected whole, but the times of the

giving of prophecy are mun y. We may

with propriety divide the prophetic

word into seven sections, which COlT-

spond with the commencement of a

series of fresh events in human history.

And this sevenfald division is cannected

with seven memorable names-Adam,

Naah, Abraham, Moses, David, Nebu-

chadnezzar, and the Lard -Iesus Christ.

Adam was the father of our race.

Seventa=n hundred years later. the ante-

diluvian age ended, Noah became the

head of the human family. Three hun-

dred veal'S elapse, and Abraham was

chosen to be the father of the Hebrew

race. Five hundred years passed. andMoses WH~ horn, the founder and l'gis-

Ia.tor of the Hebrew na tion. Five hun-

dred more veal'S bring ns to tl1(>time of

David. wh~m God appointed to be th-

founder of the Hebrew mona rehv, For

four hundred and fiftv years the family

of David occupied hi~ thrall", r.nd the~

both king and peaple went captive to

Babylon. The fallen Hebrew monarchy

was superseded hy Nebuchadnezzar. the

first and greatest of all the following

Gentile monarchs-the head of gold in

the wondrous in1ft!!" as described in thp

second chapter of Daniel. Six hundred

years went by, and the Lord -Iesus was

born at Bethlehem, even Hp who camp

to establish th» Kingdom of God and to

became the Head of redeemed humanitv,The establishment of this kingdam was

postponed because Jew and Gentile alike

rejected the heaven-sent King. He there-

fare returned to His ce les t.ia 1 abode.

During His absence and the int-rrup-

tion of the flow of prophecy, God, during

the last two thousand years. has been

gathering out. from mankind-.lew and

Gentile-n certain number of persons

who, collectively, hereafter will form

"The Church," the body of Christ.

When this "body" is complete. Christ

will rr-turn and resume His int-rruptcd

dealings with the world. ncting no

longer as the Lamb of God. gentle and

mild, but as the Lion of the tribe of

Judah (Rev. v. 5) will He exercise His

au thoritv and power until God's King-dom shall be established. and His will

done On earth as in heaven. There are

edditionnt nrophecies that treat of

nyents after the millennial age is ended.

but they do not come under ou r view

just now.

The general histary of the world

through these seven stages has been fore-

seen and foretold, And mark, the pre-

dictions of each age are 'singularly defi-

nite and simple, so that no one can mis-

understand their plain meaning. The

prophetic revelation is a gradual one ,

clear, and still clearer became the light

as the ages rolled by. To Adam, only

the glorious end was revealed-the

Tempter should be crushed by a child

of Eve. The prediction to Noah imme-

diately fallowing the flood WlOoS of a

cheerful and merciful nature. Never

again would God drown the world by

wa ter. But it was towards tbe close of

his life that God endowed Noah with W e

spirit of prophecy, and enabled him in

some measure to disclose the purpose ofHis providence in His dealings with t.he

future races of mankind, giving the pre-

ference to the family of his son Shem,

who was the progenitor of Abraham,

f.nd so aneestnr of the Hebrews. The

prophetic revelation to Abraham was

that Gad would make of him a great

nation, and through one of his descend-

ants all the world should be blessed. To

the miracle-working Moses was commit-

ted the exodus of Israel from Egypt,

which was their beginning as a nation,

s nd towards the end of his eventful life

Gad granted a view of the future his-

tory of the people. With what yearning

anxiety the leader of Israel must have

peered into that page of future history

which God unrolled to his gaze. Sad

and sorrowful is the Mosaic prediction

of Israel's apostasy, and terrible the

prophecy of the judgment which would

follow. (Read Leviticus xxvi. and

Deut, xxviii.) He even foretold the

Raman invasion, w h ich did not take

place till 1,500 years after his

death (Deut. xxviii. 49), which

should be followed by their being

"plucked off their awn land and re-

moved into all the kingdams of the

earth, scattered among all people," and

yet should preserve their distinct na-tianality. Hp also predicted that God

would raise up a prophet like unto him-

self (Deut. xvii i. 18. I D ) . For the ful-

filment of this the Jews anxiausly

waited, and when Christ appeared ex-

claimer], "This is of a truth that prophet

that should came into the world" (John

vi. 14). We now come to Dav id, That

the writings of this remarkable man

were largely prophetic no Christia n b .

Iiever denies. Peter calls him "a pra-

phet." Our Lord asserted that "David

wrote in the Psalms concerning Him"

(Luke xx iv. 44). David was a king as

well as a prophet, and to him the reve-

lation came that it was one of his de-

scendants who should be the everIast ing

Ruler of an eternal kingdom-a king-

dam not merely Jewish. but universal.

Furthermore. it was revealed to him

that the King would be Divine as well

as human; He would be God and man

in one person-David's son, and yet

David's Lord. A conception almost im-passible to a Jew of David's day, and

esteemed blasphemous bv the Jew of our

own day. Moreover, to "David was made

known that the august King of his line

would, before His exaltation, underga a

preliminary exp'rience of rejection and

suffering, of death and resurrection.

David also made known tha t his ilus-trious San would be called to occupy a

heavenly throne, and rule from the right

hand of God in heaven. And, besides

this. the future ICing was to exercise

a priestly as well as a kingly sway.

And David forewarned that the earthly

kingdom of his Son would not be estab-

lished till He should return from hea-

ven to earth (Psalms ii., cii.).

But Gad would have the Jews know

that He is God of Gentiles as well as

of Jews-the Supreme Ruler over all the

earth. Temporal power was taken from

the Jews and given to the Gentiles, just

as later on .the religious supremacy

called "the Kingdom of Gad" (iMatt. xxi.

43) was similarly taken away and givento a people (the Church) bringing forth

the fruits thereof. God raised Nebu-

chadnezzar to be the unchallenged

monarch of the world. And by means

of a dream, God made known to him

that there should be four great Gentile

empires succeeding each other, which

should be followed by a fifth-"a king-

dom set up by the God of heaven" (Dan.

ii. 44).

Nineteen hundred years ago all the

faregoing prophecies had been fulfilled

so far as the caming of the Promised

One was concerned. The "fifth mon-

archy" King, the Son of David, the Pro-

phet like Moses, of the seed of Abra-

ham, the descendant of Seth, the off-

spring of Adarn, was born into theworld. With His rejection came the

final burst of prophetic light. Through

Him and His apostles was revealed the

closing scenes of God's dealings with

mankind. First, our Lord warned His

disciples that the Kingdam of God was

not immediately to appear (Luke xix.

11) . Then He revealed an intermediate

prospect. Rejected by earth, He would

return to heaven, and after a long ab-

senee would again visit this world. He

predicted the fall of Judaism and rise

of Christianity. He then indicated what

would follow-tribulatian for Israel till

they repented and were ready to wel.

come their King. He snake also of th.

coming oi the Holy Spirit. After his

departure the apastles-'-divinely in-

spired-explained and amplified these

predictions of Christ. Indeed, Paul

made known a distinctly new revela tion

which Gad had kept secret till then-

the mystery concerning the Church(Eph. iii. 1-12).

The prophetic utterances are closed by

John in the marvellaus book called "The

Revelation," in which the apostasy of

Christendom IS shown to culminate in

the rise and progress of Anti-Christ, to

whom Satan gives his power and all'

thority. It is a book written in Eastern

hieroglyphics which need interpreting.

But however students may differ as to

the exact meaning o f the symbols used,

upon one thing they are all agreed, i.e ..that the book is canfirmatory of the

plain prophecies of the Apostle Paul

eonc-r ninp the latter and closino daysof this dispensation. <> .

In my next communication I hope to

explain the two systems of prophetic in-

terpretation-the futurist and the his-

torical (the literal interpretation nnd

the year-day system) -and give reasons

why we accept the one and reject theother+-Your friend,

CARPUS.

"Lave is the wondrous angel of life

that rolls away all stones or sorrow and

suffering 'from the pa.~l.rwlt~ of duty.":



JUNE, 1907. THE BIBLE ·STANDARD.

~

C h u r e h a n d M i s s i o n N e w s .

'" ....illIL-""'L..~...uIlcA4. '11

• • • * * * * * * * * * * * * . * * * * • • • • •

AUCKLAND.-Large audiences assembleon Sunday evenings, a great number be-

ing visitors, to listen to the lectures on

the Book of Daniel, especially those

lectures which are illustrated by chart.

Accounts of recent finds and discoveries

in Babylon, substantiating the truthful-

ness of the Bible record, are introduced

into these lectures, making them speci-

aJly instructive to Bible students.

Sunday, April 28: Bro. Aldridge pre-

sided, basing his subject on second chap-

ter of Joshua. With us in fellowship

were Bro. and Sis. Battson, of the

Thames. In the evening the third lec-

ture on the Book of Daniel was de-

livered, entitled, "Idolatry in the Plain

of Dura."

Sunday, May 5: Bro. Wild presided,

and spoke from John xxxiii. With us

in fellowship, Sis. Wood, of the Thames,

Tn the evening the fourth lecture was

given on "The King's Insanity."

Sunday, May 12: Bro. Wilcock in the

morning; subject, 2 Cor. i. In the

evening the subject of the fifth lecture

was "Belshazza:r's Feast."

Sunday, May 19: Bro. C. B. King

presided, and Bro. E. Aldridge gave an

address, touching upon the New The-

ology, and showed that the Bible with-

stands all attacks (2 Tim. ii. 19). In

the evening the sixth lecture on Daniel

was given, entitled "The Lion's Den."

Since our last issue the Bible Classhas been held only once, May Ist, the

subject for the evening being "The Par-

able of the Sheep and the Goats." In-

stead of the weekly class, a short course

of lectures was commenced on "The

Bible and the Monuments." The first

one was delivered on Wednesday even-

ing, May 8, entitled "The Creation and

the Deluge: How the Records were

Read." The second, on Wednesday even-

ing, May 15, "The Days of the Patri-

aehs and the Story of a Forgotten Em-

pire;" and on Wednesday, 22nd, the

topic was "Israelites in Bondage and a

Romance of Egypt." The lucid manner

in which these lectures were delivered,

together with the beautiful pictures

thrown upon the screen. called forthwell-merited applause. W.G.

THAMEs.-During the month past we

have been favoured with visits from 131'0.

T. L. Wilcock (March 31), 131'0. L.

Falkner (April 7), Bro. A. Page (April

14), all of whom we have been glad to

see and hear, and appreciate much the

helpful spirit which animates these

brethren in coming here at some sacri-

fice. May they be richly blessed in this

interchange of fellowship and work. On

April 19 Bro. J£ . H. Taylor arrived home

again, and on April 21 took as his sub-

ject Jno. v. 26-28: "Life possessed (by

God), Life given (to Christ), Life offered

(to man)."

Since our last report we ha ve lost by

removal Mrs. Kirby and family, who have

gone to Turua. \re miss them from our

Sunday School and choir. We are also

sorry to know that our Sister Wood and

family are about to remove to Auckland.

Sti ll, we wish them every blessing andsuccess in their new home. I'Ve trust

our sister and sons will enjoy the wor-

ship and fellowship of the brethren in

Auckland. What higher commendation

can we give for long years of f'aith ful

association and work than by saying,

"She hath done what she could?"

As visitors we have had the presence

of Bro. Pearson, of 'I'imaru, and Bro.

Fuulk, who we hope may remain here

some time. 131 '0. Taylor wishes to thank

the brethren who have enabled him to

attend the Grand Lodge Session of the

International Order of Good Templars

at Cluistchurch. 13 ]'0. and Sis. Taylor

have richly enjoyed the change and rest.

E.C.M.

[Received too late for May issue.]

who did come spent a very happy time to-

gether. After the President's opening

address a recitation and sevr-rn 1 .on,,!~

were. rendered by members of thp 'Rond:

then 131'0. Morfimer, of Mount 'Ro.l,ill.

gave a helpful address on "The Ta lr-nts."

exhorting us not to miss opportunities of

workin-r for the Mnster. The address

was mn=h "D])rp('int"n bv the Band. ann

wp feel ""1'" will hel])' us to go forthwith !!T!'nt!'r zen l in davs to come. Rpv-

(1'01 of the Ba.nd also gqve words of tps-

timonv n.nd p'H'0111·qgement. Light rr--

freshmen ts were then handed round. Tn

nortina we ,, -11 felt we had spent a verv

en iovablc evening.

REMEDY FOR SUNDAY SICKNESR.

On Sundav morning rise at six; use

nlentv of cold water on the face; eat n

nln.in~hea.rtv breakfast. Then mix up and

take internallv a nose composed of equa 1

narts of the following ingredients,

namely:-

Will.

'Push.

l1:nergy.

Relf-restraint.

Determinat.ion.

'Rpsnp.d. ~or God's day.

Respect for Gon's Book.

Resner-t for God's house,

A desire to hp somebody.

Rtir well: add a little love. just to

I11np it. swept. Rpnpat the dosr- evorv

thrpp 'minu tes until Bible school time.

11nless relief comes sooner. Tf the day

is stormy. an external apnlication of

overshoes, rubber coats and umbrellas

mnv he beneficial.

Also the abow' 111av 1)(' helpful to

.nme of the disnosed-to-be late ones in

chu rch at the morn inv meeting.

Read this naracra nh over a few timos.

ann think abont it to impress it on the

memory.-Sel.

BALLAD OF TI-lE HOLY WAR

(By Rollin O. Everhart.)

What is it worth to live. man,

What-is it worth to fight,

To toil and wait

And buffet fate

Manfully for the right?

Fighting? It made them men, lad,

Lifted them from the dust;For he that's mute

Becomes a brute.

To. be men, fight we must.

Many's the arm that's stilled, man,

- : 1 I J any's the soldier dead;

But wrong lives on

While they are gone,

Wha t of the fight they led?

And never a soldier dead, lad,

But struck an eternal blow

That wrong will feel

Until it reel

And fall, and for ever go.

· = =___:7:~_ZZ !%

., .~ C H R IS T IA N B A N D . ~

~~~

On Monday, April 22, a Praise, Prayer

and Testimony Meeting was held, Bro.

Wilcock presiding. Our brother cited the

goodness of our Heavenly Father to His

children in things pertaining to this life,

with the hope of eternal life in the age

to come. These things, being ours,

should cause our hearts to thrill with

praise and gratitude to the Giver. Healso showed us the necessity f6r prayer

so that we might be strong in the hour

of need, and also be able to help others

in their distress. To these was added

his own personal testimony, showing

what a privilege the believer has in mak-

ing known to others his faith in a Risen

Christ. Some of the Band then gave

their testimony to God's goodness in

bringing them from darkness into light.

On April 29 the half-yearly business

meeting was held, when a revision of the

Band rules was put before the meeting

for consideration and approval. After

some slight alteration the rules were

adopted. The meeting was then ad-

journed till May 6, when the election of

officers was proceeded with. The fol-lowing were chosen:-President, Bro. C.

B. King; Vice-Presidents, Bros. F. Firth

and J. Green; secretary, Bro. J. Wood-

ward ; treasurer, Sister E. Phipps; cor-

responding secretary, Sister M. Green_

(present address, No. 11, Bank of N.Z.

Buildings); reporter, Bro. C. Cates. The

following committees were then elected:

Meetings, Look-out, BIBLE STANDARD,

and Sunshine. May 13 the Band held Iits 14th Anniversary. This was in the

form of a social. The weather being wet

and stormy, many who lived at a dis-

tance were preven ted from attending.

The members of the Band and the friends



'tHE BIBLE STANDARD. JUNE, 1907.

And yet there are men-men, too, claiming to be in-

telligent and philosophical-who will deliberately put

these wondrous writings on a par with Chinese and

Hindoo oracles. They have never studied them, to be

sure-they know as little of the Scriptures as they do of

the Vedas and Shasters of which they talk so flippantly

-and yet they not only name them together as belong-

ing. to one general class of "sacred books," but seem even

to take a strange delight in giving the Bible a secondary

place as compared with these "venerable authorities."

They do this, too, in the face of the clearest proof, if

they will but study it, that what is most "venerable" and

most remarkable in these compositions is but the ob-

scured image of one ancient revelation, a deeply-fouled

copy from that one antique original now in our posses-

sion. But no such plea can he made for

those who. are evidently fond of these odious parallels,

not more profane religiously than they are revolting to

all pure and elevated thought. It is hiifd to be friends

with men who can, without compunction, put Jesus and

Confucius together, to say nothing of Jesus and Shake-speare; it is hard to feel respect for minds that can see

no difference between the Christian Scriptures and the

Hindoo books; it is not easy to entertain a sentiment of

tolerance for hearts that will place the representations

of ineffable holiness, and righteous moral government,

and fearful, yet loving personality, such as we find

everywhere in the one, on the same level with the pan-

theistic commonpIaces, the vulgar gnosis, the foul

nature-worship, and impure symbolism of the other. Is

this done knowingly? What must be thought of their

appreciation of the .pure and the sublime? Is it done,

as is most probable, in utter personal ignorance of these

books, and of the grossness of their spiritually disguisedsensualism? What must be thought of the anti-Christian

hatred that could alone have prompted a parallel as

false as it is revolting, as absurd as it is unholy?- The

Dioime Human in the Scriptures, TAYLOR LEWIS.

• • •

Ureasurer'B Bcftnowleb~ntelltB.To 27TH MAY, 1907.

Sta'R,dardSubs.-Messrs. W. W. Strang, Le Roy (Bar-rier), J 1\1 Miller, C. J. Christey, .Tas. Aile, E x-n, A·

W. Thompson, H. E;tton, H. H. King, Mrs. Broadhead,

Mrs. Cox.

A.~sociation S1/,bs.-Mesdames Knott, Clarkson, 1\1r. H.H. King.

Donatio'II.~.-Mr~. Cox, Mr. W. Husband.

ALEX. PAGE, TREASlIRER.

•• •

\preacbers' \plan.

_ M O N ~ I_ _ B~KDALE. _ HELENSVJI.LE..

I

l~ I L. E. FAULKNER

W. J. WILD

~be :n3ible Stanbarb.

The' Bible Standard can be ordered direct from the Treasurer

MR. ALEX. PAGffi,Murdoch Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland.s, d.

Price per annum, post free .. 2 6Single copies .. 0 2

BOOKSTEWARD-E. H. FALKNER,Queen Street.

AGENTS FOR THE BIBLE STANDARD:

NEW ZEALAND.Auckland-Mr. Bancock, Bookseller, Queen Street.

Wellington-H. J. Barraclough, Myrtle Crescent.

Dunedin-Mr. Lawrence, Hope Street.

Kaiapoi-Mr. James Holland.

Rangiora-Mr. Wm. Smith, South BrOOk:.

New Plymouth-Mr. Fred Goodacre, Courtney Road.

East Oxford-Mr. A. England.

Thames-Mr. C. Sanders, Macky Street.

Timaru--Mr. H. H. King, Stafford Street.

Tinwald, Ashburton-Mr, Shearer.

Waihi-Mr. Joseph Foster.

SOUTH AUS'l'RALIA.

Adelaide-Mr. C.Gamble, Magill Road, Stepney.

NEW SOUTHWALES.

Sydney-Mr. H. Cropp, Mitchell Street, Kogarah.

OommuniClttions to the Editor to be addressed: GEO. ALDRIDGE

Brentwood Avenue, Mount Eden. Telegraphic Addres •..• RockyNook."All communications to the Association and orders for Bible Standard

to be addressed to the Secretary and Treasurer MR. ALEX. PAGE,Murdoch Road, Grey Lynn. Auckland.

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Huld ServIces as under:

A .UCKLAND-West Street.Sunday, at 11 o'clock a.m., FellowshIp Meetln~6.45 p.m., Preaching Service.t!unday School at 2.45.Wednesday evening, Bible Class at 7.4 r..

IDvangelist's address=Geo. Aldridge. Brentwood AvenueMount Eden.

Secretary-Wo Oibson, Ponsonby Road.

ROSKILL HALL-Sunday at 11a.m., Fellowship Meeting.

DUNEDIN-Oddfellows' Hall. Stuart Street.Suudayat 11a.m .. Fellowship and Meeting.Evening Preaching Servlcl', 6.30.

Secretary's Address- S. Laurence, Hope Street .•Dunedin.

E l ffiLENSVILLE-Foresters' Hall.Sunday Morning, Fellowship Meeting.Sunday Afternoon, Sunday Scbool.Sunday EVl'nlng, Preaching.

Church Secretary. R. M. Cameron.

l'HAMF,l"-Pollpn Street Lectnre Hall.sundav at 11 a.m.• Fellowship Mpptlnl(.EvenIng Service at 6.30.I'\unday School at 2.30.Blbte CIsse every Wednesrl"y evel'lnl( at 7.:10

Evangelist--E. H. Taylor, Bowen Street. Par-a.wai.Secretary-ehas. Sanders. Mackay Street, Thames.

WAl HI-The Mtners' Union Hall.Sunday 11a.m. Fellowshin Meetinc :

.. 2.30 p.m. Sunday School.Sunday Evening. at 7. A Public Bible Address.Church Recretary-D. Donalrlson.F:vILnge1ist--JosephFoster, Waihi.

l'IMARU-SoDhla Street Hall.Sunday. at 11 a.m.. Fellowship Meettna.

Recretary's Address-H. H. King. StatTord Street. Tfmarn

ADELAIDE. S.A.-Druids' Hall. BeuIah Road. Norwood.Secretary's Address-F. B. Hughes. Woodvl11e.

Printed by THE BRE'f~'PRINTINGANDPUBLISHINGCOMPANY.hort-land Street, for the New Zealand Evangelistic and PublicationAssociation. and published bv W. A. SMITH.Selwyn Road, Mt.AIbert, JUNE. 1'907 .

the bible standard june 1907

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