Souvenir Notes — Bible Students Conventions (1914)

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SOUVENIR

NOTES

BIBLE STUDENTS' CONVENTIONS

SOUVENIR

NOTES

BIBLE STUDENTS' CONVENTIONS

Chicago I.B.S.A.

Temple

Dedicated by Pastor Russell

Photo-Drama Opened Sept. 6,'14

700 Wabash Avenue, Corner 7th Street

OPEN ALL DAY

This is a picture of the new home of the Chicago Class, I. B. S. A. It be open all day, and any of the friends passing through Chicago are invited make use of it as a place of rest, study and spiritual fellowship.

Program

6:30 to 7:30 p. m.Berean Study.Daily.

6:30 to 7:30 p. m. Prayer and Testimony. Wednesday.

SUNDAY

10:30 to 12 m. Preaching Service.

1:30 to 2:30 p.m, Berean International S.S.Lesson.

3:00 p.m. Photo-Drama.

6:30 to 7:30 p.m.Current Berean Lesson.

8:00 p.m. Photo-Drama.

THIS GOSPEL MUST BE

PREACHED IN ALL THE

WORLD

FOR A

WITNESS

Introduction

PREFACE

EVERY book, great or small, should have a preface.

It is the reader's right to be told in advance for what purpose the book was written, and what he may expect to find along the paths of print, if he will follow them to the end.

This book was compiled that some kind of a record might be preserved in the ages to come of this most momentous year, 1914, because it is a year to which many have looked with great interest -- looking, perhaps for too much, yet having their eyes centered upon it because it marks some important point in the history of the world and of the "harvest" of the Gospel Age.

A further purpose in its compilation is, that those who were unable to attend the three General Conventions held at Clinton, Iowa, Columbus, Ohio, and Asbury Park, N. J., might have the "cream," which we have tried to skim from those conventions, but also as a precious reminder to those who were in attendance. 'I he flesh is weak when it comes to remembering so many facts, details and scriptures as are touched upon in these conventions, and without some such a Report, much of the good of the conventions would be lost.

As the title suggests, however, the book only claims to be "Notes" -- some of it being verbatim reports of the discourses, some synopses of the discourses and some being manuscripts furnished by the speakers.

Nearly all the speakers are represented in at least one convention, some, however, in two and three. We regret that we are not able to give a more complete report of the Asbury Park convention, but our arrangements for securing the same fell through when too late to be remedied.

An attempt was also made to secure a report of the British Conventions, but on account of so many things taking place at about the same time,the time of all seemed too fully occupied to permit of the report.

We regret this very much as the reports of the proceedings of the friends from the two sides of the great ocean seem to be bringing us all into deeper fellowship and sympathetic interest in all that may be done on either side of the water.

I. B. S. A.

CLINTON, IOWA, JUNE 28-JULY 5,1914

Pastor Russell Presented "Photo Drama of Creation" During Convention in Coliseum

CLINTON

SITUATED in a picturesque valley, on the banks of the Mississippi, surrounded by beautiful hills and stately shade trees, lies the city of Clinton -- an ideal convention city.

On hundred and thirty-eight miles due west of Chicago and within 500 miles of the principal cities of the United States, it is central to many, being reached by the Chicago & Northwestern, Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, Rock Island, Illinois & Iowa, and all boat lines. Clinton is on the main line from Chicago to the Pacific coast and from Duluth to New Orleans.

The Coliseum is located in the heart of the city on a quiet corner fronting River Front park and a short distance from Clinton and DeWitt parks.

A fine new boat house with two large porches, facing the river, was open to the friends and provided an ideal place for the baptismal service. A view of this service was had by all from the promenade in River Front park.

(Clipping from Clinton Herald.) Fifteen Hundred in Seats When Convention Opens Sunday Morning in Clinton Coliseum With Welcome Address

More are Arriving on Every Train

Delegates Swarming Into City on Regular and Special Trains and in Autos -- Splendid Program Enjoyed by the visitors Sunday Morning and Afternoon -- Programs for Today and Tomorrow -- Announcements for the Week

About fifteen hundred delegates were in their places Sunday morning when Chairman Stephenson called the opening meeting of the International Bible Students' association convention to order promptly at 9:30 o'clock. Hundreds more were pouring in from all directions and it is estimated that by Friday morning there will be about 3,000 delegates. The Coliseum seats 2,200 and the difficult problem of seating and caring for that number is met by the fact that it would be a physical impossibility for every delegate to attend every session and thus the matter adjusts itself.

Frank T. North of Clinton, who has had charge of the local end of the convention as chairman of the arrangement committee, promptly at 9:30 o'clock walked to the end of the platform and raising his hand for silence said:

"As a citizen of Clinton and an interested member of the I. B. S. A., I take great pleasure in presenting to the delegates of this convention Secretary O. T. Roberts of the Clinton Commercial club, who has done much to make this convention a success."

Secretary Roberts in response said: "Mr. Horth and ladies and gentlemen of this convention: We were very sorry indeed that circumstances arose which prevented the completion of this Coliseum in time for this convention. Three years ago when the citizens of Clinton conceived the idea of such a building as this it was with the thought that we could invite just such an assemblage as is this one. We extend to you a most hearty welcome to our city and rest assured that every citizen here will do the utmost to make your stay pleasant. I now take great pleasure in introducing to you the chairman of this convention, Mr. John Stephenson of Washington, D.C."

The response to, Chairman Stephenson was as follows: "Secretary Roberts and delegates of this convention. I very much appreciate the kind words just spoken. Actions speak louder than words and we feel that we are made very welcome by the many kindnesses of all the citizens of Clinton. On behalf of the International Bible Students' association I desire to express our appreciation and pleasure with the hearty reception and fine arrangements and particularly with this beautiful building, which is a monument of the enterprise of your citizens.

"I wonder how many delegates of this convention would like to express their appreciation to the citizens of Clinton, the Commercial club, the Coliseum directors, the newspapers, the business men for their kindnesses. Please do so by a rising vote of thanks." The audience rose to their feet as one man.

After a hymn George Draper, of Aberdeen, S. D., offered prayer, followed by the reading of "A Vow Unto the Lord," by Page Noll, of California.

William A. Baker, of Portland, read the daily Manna lesson.

John T. Read, of Chicago, rendered "Precious Name," selected by request from Poems of Dawns.

Telegrams and Resolutions

Columbus, Ohio, June 27, 1914.

I. B. S. A. Convention,

Care J. F. Stephenson Chairman, Clinton, Ia.

Representatives from thirty states, also Canada, Europe, Orient, assembled in convention here, send loving Christian greeting to fellow Christian co-workers convened at Clinton. Today's program included six powerful addresses by pastors, evangelists and noted Bible scholars, and presentation beautiful Creation Photo Drama; to-night one thousand attendance. Hope to hear from you.

CHAIRMAN BRENNEISEN.

(CLIPPING FROM CLINTON ADVERTISER.)

A telegram was received today from Pastor Russell, who is scheduled to speak at the Eastern I. B. S.A.convention, which is now being held at Asbury Park, N.J., as follows:

Signed: PASTOR RUSSELL."

"Asbury Park, N. J., June 28. -- I. B. S. A.convention, care Frank T. Horth: Greetings from Asbury Park convention, 1,200 delegates from twenty-two states. Drama of Creation showing in separate building to thousands daily. Hope to see you soon. I pray God's blessing on Clinton convention. Columbus also reports a soul-refreshing session.

In reply, Mr. Horth sent the following telegram :

"Clinton, June 29. -- Greetings from Clinton convention; 1,600 delegates here to-day. More coming; 2,200 at Photo Drama Sunday night, 1,000 turned away. Citizens enthusiastic. Weather cool."

The following telegram was received from Chairman Brenneisen of the Central Western I. B. S. A. convention, which is now in session at Columbus, by Chairman Stephen-son of the Clinton convention:

"Columbus, Ohio, June 29. -- We have telegraphed Asbury Park following resolution enthusiastically adopted: "We, the International Bible Students' association, in convention assembled at Memorial Hall Columbus, Ohio, do

"Resolve that, whereas Purity leagues, Temperance associations and Peace societies are endeavoring to establish and maintain a higher plan of living along physical, mental and moral lines, and

"Whereas, the Photo Drama of Creation is molding international public opinion to the same end, these noble movements are worthy of our unqualified approval. And we do by this resolution, endorse and pledge our support to the principles advocated by them, namely: righteousness, temperance and peace; and to crystallize public sentiment in these particulars, we commend the wearing of a pin emblematic of peace and identifying the wearer as a follower of the Prince of Peace."

When the delegates to the Clinton convention heard the above telegrams read, the same resolution was placed upon the records of the Clinton convention and enthusiastically and unanimously endorsed by passage.

(CLINTON HERALD.)

Thousand Unable to secure seats -- Two Thousand Accommodated in Coliseum Sunday Evening -- See Photo Drama -- First Exhibition of Part One of "Creation" -- in Condition to Show Splendid Pictures

Two thousand people jammed the Coliseum Sunday evening when part one of the Photo Drama of "Creation" was presented by the International Bible Students' association. It was estimated that one thousand more were turned away. Perfect order was maintained by the corps of white-robed ushers as the mighty throng poured in and out of the Coliseum.

One-half of the Coliseum had been reserved to care for the outside towns, Commercial club, Battery A, factories, newspapers and those holding season tickets. Sections were designated by cards, bearing the proper inscriptions and were reserved until 7:45 o'clock.After that time the markers were taken down and the reserved section thrown open to all.

In the rush of preparatory work to complete the Coliseum no time could be allowed to test the motion pictures beforehand, which was necessary owing to the long throw of 150 feet from machine to wall. When it came time for the motion picture part of the entertainment it was found that the current had become grounded through the fire-proof picture booth and the operator could not get sufficient power to throw the picture to the screen. This problem was remedied after the showing of stereopticon pictures, and everything will be in readiness when part two opens tonight.

Part one will be shown on July 1 and 6 and all will be afforded an opportunity to see it in its perfection.

Those desiring to secure season tickets can do so by clipping the coupon from the newspapers and presenting at the Fourth avenue entrance of the Coliseum. All seats are free and no seat will be reserved after 7:45.

PRELUDE TO PICTURES.

As a prelude to the pictures, John T. Read, of Chicago, the well known basso, sang "Precious Name."

The audience was delighted with the beautiful pictures and were greatly surprised to learn that the voice delivering the lectures from the phonograph could be heard in every nook and corner of the auditorium.

During the intermission Pax pins with a picture of Jesus were distributed. Pax means peace in Latin, and the pin means in symbol Son of Peace. All who attend the Drama and want to be a son of peace are to wear the pin as long as the Drama is in Clinton. Beautiful fans were also distributed. On the back of the fans was a completed program of events up to July 12.

Clinton June 28 Opening Remarks by Chairman J. F. Stephenson

I ASSURE you it is with great joy that I ex tend to you a hearty welcome to this convention in the name of the King of Kings, who made it possible for us to come together for a season of refreshment and comfort and edification in the spirit.

In looking forward to the time when we could assemble as a convention of the Lord's people, one of the thoughts which has been uppermost has been that of fellowship of kindred minds. St. Paul tells us that we are "called unto the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:9).

"What a fellowship, what a joy divine."

Fellowship carries with it the thought of unity of spirit, of purpose, a partnership. The world can and does enjoy fellowship with those they love. We can see the evidence of this in the way in which' they arrange their affairs in order that they may spend a certain amount of time together in lodges, societies, parties, or just a social evening. We are not finding any fault with them for so doing.In fact, we are glad they can have this pleasure, so long as the things in which they indulge are of an elevating character, which is not always the case.Sometimes fellowship of this nature is worse than wasted. Usually it is based upon selfishness, love those who love you, and frequently it has been demonstrated that when adversity overtakes a man of the world his friends flee. Why? Their appreciation of him was, to a large extent, not so much himself as what he had and to what extent he could be useful to them.

If we are to enjoy fellowship with the Lord it must be upon a higher plane than this. The Apostle says that it was because our Lord loved righteousness and hated iniquity that He was anointed with the oil of gladness above His companions and again that God predestinated that all of the Lord's companions must be conformed to His image they must have the same kind of characters as He had, a love of righteousness and hatred of iniquity. The only reliable standard we have of right and wrong is the Bible, and in proportion as we let the principles of the Holy Word influence our hearts and lives in that proportion we are able to enjoy fellowship of the spirit with those who naturally might be of an entirely different disposition than our own. The spirit of the Lord will enable us to overlook our old way of reasoning, our old way of viewing the things around us and to look at them from God's standpoint. As we grow in grace and are developing in all of the fruits of the spirit, we can appreciate the wisdom of God's view of present conditions more and more, and as we do this we are daily coming into closer fellowship, closer harmony with Him and all those who have His spirit or disposition.

God does not grant to every one the privilege of fellow-ship with him. Even those grand and noble Old Testament characters had only a limited fellowship with the Al-mighty. God treated them as servants. St. Paul calls this to our attention in his Epistle to the Hebrews: "Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant." Our Lord, in speaking of His disciples, treated them as His friends. "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father, I have made known unto you." Still closer can we walk with God since the great transaction has been completed at Calvary and our dear Redeemer has appeared in the presence of God to stand as our advocate with the Father.

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us (not the holy prophets of the Old Testament times) that we should be called the SONS of God."

The opportunity of becoming the sons of God was opened up at Pentecost and not before. St. John says concerning our Lord: "He came unto His own and His own received Him not; but to as many as did receive Him, to them gave He the right (the privilege) to BECOME the sons of God." This privilege of being recognized by God as His children places us in the position where we may know something of His plans and purposes. A knowledge of God and His secrets is an evidence of our acceptance with Him. "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the Truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another."

I sincerely trust that the Lord's blessing may abide with us richly during the little season we are privileged to be together, to the end that we may cultivate a deeper appreciation of our opportunities of entering into such a close sympathy, such a close unity of spirit with the God of all grace and with all those who are in harmony with Him. Amen.

Clinton Convention -- Praise Day, June 28. Discourse by J. H. Gillespie Subject: "THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW CREATURE"

IT'S ARITHMETIC.

2 Peter 1:2. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

IN this verse we have our problem in multiplication. We see that grace and peace come to us through knowledge of God, and of our Lord. In the third verse, we have a thought of the same kind. "According as the Divine Power has given unto us all things that pertain to life and Godliness through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue. And in the fourth verse, we have these wonderful words, "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these we might be partakers of the Divine Nature.

Then comes our next problem. That in addition. Add to faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, Godliness, brotherly kindness, charity, love."For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ."

These scriptures indicate to us that it is through the knowledge of God, our Lord, that we have access to these wonderful promises of divine nature.

How, then, shall we get this knowledge? One may say by reading, by observation, by hearing, by experience. All good. But we understand that it is by thinking that we obtain the knowledge which develops, and fits us for this divine nature, or which makes a Christian, a real Christian.

In Romans, 12:1, Paul tells us what to do. In verse 2 he tells us how to do it. In this verse he says, "be not . conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

How do we renew the mind? By thinking. Trans-formed by renewing the mind. Trans, meaning across, or over. Then, "forming over? would be the thought, or coming across from the side of this world, to God's side. This being done by renewing the mind -- by thinking, until we know that perfect will of God. Then do it. We have but a condemned human life to present. We do this with all that we have, and are, with all we hope for in the resurrection. Our will, too.

We understand the will to be the majority of the qualities of our mind, but we must not forget that the minority of these qualities is not dead. To our own grief, we all know that it is alive -- though under. This majority -- our will -- we submerge, or bury, into the will of God. From henceforth, we are to be governed by this wonderful new will, our majority buried into the will of God. But are we?

This is the question. Here we are on the firing line. There is where the battle rages. What is this new will for? Suppose that I hold in my hand a cup full of water. For the sake of illustrating, I will call this cup of water my thought power, which God has given me for today, for the purpose of renewing the mind. When this mind is renewed, term it the new creature. We have, then, this cup of thought power, or force, which the Father has given for the single purpose of the developing of the new creature. Also, we have this new will -- our majority of mind qualities submerged into God's will to command this thought force, to manage it.

Is this the case with each and every one of us, or do we allow the minority to have too much freedom occasionally? I fear this is our trouble. How do we do it? By lack of zeal -- by lack of thinking upon the lines of the development of the new creature, and wasting our cup of force on the things of the past, or yesterday, which are none of our business. Thinking of our past -- trying to live it over again, which we cannot do -- allowing our minds to be filled with fear and doubt and discouragement, all of which thoughts are from the adversary.

There are only the two sources from which we receive our thoughts -- God and Satan. Now, after this has been the condition of our mind for a while, let us examine our cup of thought force. We find our cup half empty, or half gone -- wasted. Then, what shall we do with the half that is left? As the custom of some is, begin to worry and fret about tomorrow, another of God's days, and which is none of our affair. The Lord said, "Take no thought of the morrow." Matthew 6:34, which we would understand to mean that if we would act as we ought to act, do as we ought to do today, it would pave the way for the morrow, and we would not waste our thought force on what is none of our business. We have all found the latter part of the same verse true. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil there-of." So let us take an inventory of our cup of thought power that we have had for the renewing of the mind -- the development of the new creature -- and what do we find? That we have squandered three-fourths of our cupful. We have just one-fourth left. Then we wonder why the development of the new creature is so slow. No wonder at all about it.

This is not a fair deal with our Heavenly Father, who has given us this invitation to divine nature which we will receive when the new creature is ready for the spirit body which awaits it. Let us remember that we are in the narrow way. That the adversary has no power -- no influence -- in it. That if we find these thoughts of fear and doubt and discouragement in our minds, let us see how they came there. Aye, there is the trouble. By lack of zeal -- by allowing our minds to drift. By lack of thinking on these things -- by lack of prayer, we find ourselves down at the very edge of the narrow way, and there is the adversary, just along the outside, like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, watching for those in the Lord's way. The people of the world are going his way, and he need not waste effort on them.

Then is the time for us to take an inventory, and see where the trouble lies. We will find that it is not Satan that is getting into the narrow way, but we are getting out of it. Or by lack of zeal and thought on the part of our majority of mind qualities, we are allowing the minority too much freedom.

We need to have around us the wonderful chain -- God's plan of redemption -- the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand in the near day, when our test shall come, for surely it is near, or we do not read the signs of the times aright.

Think on these things. God be with you till we meet again..

Clinton Convention -- Praise Day, June 28, 1914. Discourse by C. E. Heard. Subject: "REASONS FOR PRAISE"

NOW smile! There are miles of smiles

You remember the statement about the power of our first parent, Adam. You remember one of his powers was that he should have dominion over the fowls of the air. Don't you wish we could get it back for about an hour and a half this afternoon? (Laughter. A number of sparrows caused considerable disturbance by their chirping, and it was impossible to keep them out of the building.) But we can't get it back for a few days, so they will have to twitter, and I will have to talk louder.

Last night when I came in town, I asked the brother, who belonged to the state of Iowa, Suppose you came in Saturday night, convention was to start Sunday morning, that you had not been told of the arrangements, thought you were to talk on Thursday, but found you were to speak Sunday morning, what would you do? I would take the first train to Chicago. And I would not blame him.

I suppose that brother was like that proverbial Pat that we hear so much about. Pat was afraid to die. He said to his friend Mike, I would give everything in the whole world if I could tell the very spot in which I was to die. Mike, what good would that do? I would steer clear of that spot all me loif. I am inclined to think you would not have seen me today had I known about the program.

Nevertheless, our hearts are all filled with praise today. This is one of the grandest of all the conventions since the Gospel Age began. and we believe that possibly it will be the last one that will he held this side the veil. We don't know, but we believe it might be, and so it would be of double interest to all who are here, and a double cause for praise. I am sure, as we look back at the past, and at the present, and the future, each heart swells and wells over with praise, because of the things to which He has brought us, from what He has brought us and to what, by His Divine favor, He is bringing us. Surely our hearts are filled with praise to our Heavenly Father for all these mighty blessings.

I will take my text from the Old Testament; I will quote it slightly different from the common version. Pay particular attention to my texts, because they are the chief part of my discourses. It is this: "How happy art thou, O Israel! Who is like unto thee, O people saved by Jehovah! Who is the shield of thy help and the sword of thy light? Thy enemies shall be subdued under thee, and thou shalt tread upon their high places."

You will notice, dear friends, there are six things about this wonderful people our text speaks about:

(1) They are a happy people -- "Happy art thou, O Israel."

(2) "Who is like unto them?" Compare the whole of God's intelligent beings and nothing is like them.

(3) "O people saved by Jehovah" -- a special salvation.

(4) "Jehovah who is the shield of thy help."

(5) "Is the sword of thy light."

(6) "Thine enemies shall be subdued under thee."

The reason we are taking this text this afternoon is that every one must have a basis for everything, your faith, your hope, and your praise, and if you have no basis for your praise, then you cannot praise our Heavenly Father in an acceptable way.

Six thousand years ago the first pang struck through the heart of the human family Adam, bringing the sentence which the Heavenly Father placed upon that man and woman, "Dying thou shalt die." And, sure enough, the whole family has been turning, turning, turning toward the grave -- sorrow, sighing, fears, groans and dying has filled the earth for six thousand years.

Time went on, and four thousand years had rolled away, before the first thought of a proposition of life. True, the Law Covenant had been given, but as Paul said, that covenant which was thought to be unto life was unto death. God knew that not one soul from father Adam was capable of doing those things; therefore, the Law Covenant was not unto life, but unto death. So, there was not one solitary proposition offered to the human family whereby they could get back into harmony with God, until Jesus came and made His proposition. The whole human family were down in death, and nothing could revive them. As an illustration, take a man who is condemned to die, to be hung at a certain time next month. I go to him and say, I have plenty of money, and I have decided upon something for you. His face brightens some, and he says, What are you going to do? I have decided to give you the grandest food for the next thirty days. No hope in that. What would he care for the finest food?

Or, I come to him and say, I have decided to take those stripes and treat you as a friend for the next thirty days. He would not care for all the cloth on earth. You might offer him anything, but it would not change him. Why? Because he is doomed to death. Everything offered to the human family has not been able to save them during the past six thousand years, but when Jesus came, He offered us a proposition of life. Oh, it is no wonder these are a happy people, and that their hearts are full of praise! I have it, and you have it -- a proposition of life. Nothing else is worth anything to us except life. Jesus said, "What shall it profiteth a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?" Jesus said that the devil comes as a thief to steal, and he has robbed us of our life. But Jesus as the good Shepherd came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Oh, that is what makes my heart leap with joy -- He came that I might have life m abundantly -- He came to give back that which our greedy enemy robbed us of. Only a few have received it as yet. Is it any wonder the Apostle said, "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." What is that? Life. There no tongue that can utter praise sufficient for life. Praise His glorious name! "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

This is the thing, then, dear friends, that satisfies our longings as nothing else can do. "I have come that they might have life, and more abundantly" -- yea, a hundred percent more.

Now, in order to have a basis for this praise, we muse be certain that we have come into harmony with our Heavenly Father. Many people are going up and down saying I am saved, but they have no basis for their hope of salvation, because they have not come into the condition which the Father laid down. Have we something that we can lay hold upon? Let us notice Hebrews 6:17, 18, "Wherefore God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His promise, confirmed it by an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us."

I used to think that this promise was all for Abraham, but now see that it reads that "we" might have strong consolation, etc. It is for the Church, that we might have strong consolation. We are dealing with somebody who never knew how to change. We have His oath and His promise. Our attitude toward the Heavenly Father may not be two hours alike, but God's attitude toward us never changes. Why should we ever get discouraged? We have His promise and His oath, and there is not a shadow of turning with Him. Now we must have something that will draw out praise to the Lord, but bye and bye it will come easier than anything else. The first great cause for my praise today is that Jesus has come and offered to me a proposition of life. We have heard that joyful sound, but out of all the Christians in the world, only a few have heard it. When I have life from Jesus, that is grand, but now you come to me and allow me to hear that great and typical silver trumpet. I could hardly believe it, the jubilee trumpet, the joyful sound. Only a few have heard it, they are called the "happy people." In my case that trumpet was blown for over thirty-three years, and I never caught one single sound of it until six years ago. Then it came the form of four little theological tracts, put in my letter box. That was the grandest sound I ever heard since the days when I was a boy and learned of Jesus Christ. I traveled around in the Court condition for twenty-five years before I saw that there was a door to the Tabernacle. Think of a man living thirty-three years while that trumpet was blowing, trying to hear all that the Lord had to say, and never hearing anything.

This reminds me of years ago when I was in love; I wanted to go to see my girl, but had to take an early train. I said to my partner, Bill, how will I do it? He said, wind the old clock and put it on a dish-pan. Well, we set it up and went to bed and went to sleep -- we surely did, for when I awoke it was nine o'clock (laughter) in the morning, and the clock and dish-pan were in the middle of the floor. Spiritually I had been asleep and did not awake until late in the morning, and the Lord had to bump me. My ears were dulled or I would have heard the truth twenty years before I did. Oh, but there are others. Thank God, the day is coming when every soul that was ever born, no matter whether dead or alive, must hear that trumpet. If you have heard that trumpet you have the grandest basis of praise to your Heavenly Father. Paul calls it a shout, and says, He shall descend with a shout of encouragement. You have caught it and you have started off toward that prize for the High Calling in Christ Jesus -- you got renewed hope when you heard that shout.

One day a man told me that he had been wrecked on a steamer; when he found himself in the water he grabbed hold of a spar. The water was icy-cold, and he had hung on until he was becoming numb, and he thought he could not hold on another second, but would have to sink into that icy water, when a line of light passed over his head, and he heard a shout; it said, Hold on another minute and we will be there. He told me of the thrill that went through him when he heard it, and sure enough, that life boat took him in and he is alive today -- thank God! He said, nobody will ever know the feeling that came over me when I heard that shout of encouragement; I just grasped with renewed energy and held on.

So it was with me and the Bible, I was about ready to throw it overboard, when the shout came Hold on another minute, and I caught hold with one more grasp upon the old Book, and I have it today, and I want to tell any person in this audience today that has not heard that shout, Hold on another minute, don't give tip your Bible. Thou-sands of people are turning over into infidelity higher criticism, evolution, so don't throw away your Bible. Hold on another minute, for the time is almost here when you will hear that shout -- don't turn over to higher criticism.

Our dear ministers are turning over to higher criticism by the thousands, and our colleges are turning out higher critics like a mill turns out flour. I hear many ministers say they are losing faith in the Bible. It makes my heart ache; they have nothing to hold to; everything slips when they give up the Bible--nothing is left.

This reminds me of an old brother traveling who had to change trains, and while waiting for his train he stood on the platform of the station. He saw some men watching something, so he went over, and soon saw they were watching a goat in a crate. He thought it was going to some museum or some such a place. but there was nothing to show, so he asked the agent what the people were all looking at it for. He said, the blamed goat has eaten his tag, and we don't know where he came from, or where to ship him.

We thought, that is the way with these higher critics -- they've eaten their tag. They cannot tell where they came from; think they came from protoplasm, monkeys, etc., and they don't know where they are going -- they've eaten their tag. But like Bel Babylon, judgments are coming upon them and they must disgorge that which they have swallowed -- they will get back their tag.

Oh, are you not glad that you are still standing by that Word of God! You see men of splendid intelligence who are slipping from that anchorage. Are you not glad that the Heavenly Father sent that glad sound for your ears? I am, dear friends. So, then, you see the basis for our Praise: first, that Jesus has given His life, and second, that He has given us the joyful message.

(3) "Who is like unto thee. O Israel?" I recognize the fact that while the Heavenly Father is talking to Fleshly Israel, this has a special application to you and me, the Church. as Spiritual Israel. and it is this Spiritual House of Israel that is spoken of all through the Bible as so glorious, in anticipation of her future. Who is like unto her! Some passages of the Bible seem almost contradictory in describing Spiritual Israel. They are not, for God does not use such statements, but they seem so. For instance, "I have graven thee upon the palm of my hand." What does it mean? To have anyone graven upon the palm of your hand would mean that you would he continually reminded of them. "Who is like unto thee, O Israel?" But, go a step further; I think I will read a verse or two from Isaiah 62:2-3: "And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God." That is what the Church shall have. Gentiles shall see thy righteousness. What kind of righteousness is that? O, dear friends, do you know what the new name is that Jehovah has decided to call you? What is this name? "The Righteousness of Jehovah is her name." Think of this! Is there any wonder that Gentiles and kings shall come to see thy righteousness! Is there any wonder that the Bible says all nations shall flow into Zion, when her righteousness is the righteousness of Jehovah! Is not that almost enough to stagger and shake you. to think that Jehovah, God Almighty, is naming you with Jesus, the Righteousness of Jehovah! "Thou shalt also be for a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of God." You Americans don't know much about this, but I live on the other side, in Canada, where we have a king over us; I am going to tell you: When he speaks of a crown in the hand of Jehovah, and a royal diadem in the hand of our God, it looks as if he was making two statements about the same thing. A crown does not need to have a diadem attached to it; therefore, there is no superfluous word here. It means that the crown is separate from the diadem, and that the diadem is the thing that contains the jewels, and sets upon the crown.

You are both of these in the hand of Jehovah.

Is it any wonder that we read in Malachi 3:16, the statement that, "They that feared the Lord, spake often one to another, and the Lord heard it (all the convention at Clinton. Oh, I am going too far, but I mean it) and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they shall he Mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels." What for? For His diadem. It means that of all things Jehovah has created, nothing will shine with the same splendor as the Christ. Are you not longing for that day when we shall shine forth as the son in the Kingdom of the Father? I am longing for it.

Now, in order to have a share in that, dear friends, and to have a basis for our praise and hope, we must fulfill the conditions -- you must become like the Great Pattern, Jesus Christ. God has arranged that He shall he the chief of all the precious stones of that diadem. He is already set, placed there over eighteen hundred years ago, set down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Who is like unto her, the Church? Nobody; because she is to be identically like Jesus. "Beloved, it doth not appear what we shall he, but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." We know that. Who else is to he clothed with immortality, glory and honor? Nobody. If the Bible tells the truth, there is to he but one "little flock," and they are the ones who are styled holy ones. There is nobody like her.

(4) O people saved by Jehovah." What does this mean? Did not Jesus lay Iris life down for the Church, did not Ile shed His blood for His bride, and thereby purchase us by His blood? Then why saved by Jehovah -- you "happy people?" Who is like unto you? Is there any special significance here? Yes. While the whole world was bought by Jesus Christ, for, without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sin, etc., yet listen! There is a special significance in the statement, "O people saved by Jehovah." Jehovah is the Author and Inventor of that great Plan; therefore, it is Jehovah that saves us. It was Jehovah that sent His only begotten Son. Jehovah sent Him into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save it. Therefore. it is Jehovah that is the Author of this Plan.

But, there is a further significance, for Jesus said, "No man cometh unto Me except the Father which sent Me, draw him." He gave a further significance to it when He said, "All that the Father bath given to Me shall come to Me. and he that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." Again He says, "Thine they were, and Thou gayest them Me, and they have kept Thy Word."

What under the sun does this mean, did not Jesus buy us? Yes. Then how give us to Jesus if Jesus bought us? There is a glorious thought here. Yes, Jesus bought us with His precious blood, rescued us from the condition of sin and death. and there we are invited to place our all upon the altar, with Jesus, in sacrifice; and, as soon as we do it, the Father begets us as New Creatures. The bride is not made tin of these old miserable bodies, hilt of New Creatures. Jesus bought us. and then we voluntarily lay down our lives in sacrifice. Did we do that? Yes. Then we have lost out, have we not? No, for Jesus brought us up out of death into life, and we would have lost out, but God does for us as He did for Jesus -- begets us with life, and then what the Father takes and hands over to Jesus is His bride. Now we can understand what Jesus meant when He said, "Thine they were, and Thou hast given them Me." I also understand what it means when we read, "The Father himself loveth you.

Now I can also understand what it means when it reads, He will guide thee with His counsel, as New Creatures.

(5) "The shield of thy help is Jehovah." This means that this little flock has special protection over the world. But, do they not get sick just like the rest of the world? Yes. I remember one in Chicago (our dear brother Max Olson) unable to move hand or foot, and has been that way for many years, and blind also. Are we specially protected from the ills common to the human family? No. He will guide thee as New Creatures with His counsel. Surely as New Creatures we are protected. How often we go to the 91st Psalm, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." God pictures His care of us as a hen with her brood. Here we have special protection. Whenever there is the slightest sign of danger the hen will cluck and the little chicks rush to get under her feathers. So the Father comes to us, and here in the Bible we find the clucks, "Come unto Me, and I will protect you." It is to this class, dear friends, that He says, "He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of My eye." What a statement this is! If any man causes you to stumble, he is putting his finger upon the apple of God's eye. You know what it would mean for anyone to walk up and put his finger upon the apple of your eye. God says, I think so much of these dear ones that any one who touches them, touches the apple of My eye. Not only so, but He has given His mighty angels charge of us; He has told His angels to camp around us. The adversary can come only so far. You are heirs of salvation as New Creatures, and He says, Look out now how you offend one of these little ones. How careful it ought to make us! Jesus Christ held His finger up in this matter and said, "Take heed how you offend one of these little ones, etc." Why? Those angels, those protecting spirits, those mighty beings always have access to the face and favor of my Heavenly Father. They are ministering spirits. sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation. If you are one of these heirs, then you have this special protection.

Now we come to the main point of our lesson, "The sword of Thy light." Did you ever hear of such a peculiar statement? A sword, a killing instrument. Oh, the meat of it is here; only a few can apply what we are about to say; only those who have received of the Heavenly Father the holy Spirit; only those can understand why Jehovah is the Sword of their life. Those who are wearing the cross and crown pin are wearing it because it is suggestive of some-thing; two things: (1) You have got to die. (2) After you have died, after that cross has taken your life, then there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness. A word of two letters stands between you and the crown of righteousness - "if." What does it mean? It means, if we be dead with Him we shall surely live with Him, we shall also reign with Him. Those who fear and drop hack, the Lord says of such that they cannot have crowns. What is the matter? Afraid to die -- afraid of the sword of the Lord. the sword of thy life. In verse 17 of Romans 8. we read, "Heirs of God joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, if so be we suffer with Him." Have you drawn back? Oh, walk up to the sword of the Lord.

In Psalm 17:13 we read, "Arise, O Lord, disappoint him, cast him down; deliver my soul from the wicked, which Thy sword." I don't think the Psalmist made any mistake. What does it mean? It means that the wicked men are the Lord's sword. All wicked men who say and do false things against us are the Lord's sword. Are you standing it? Are you patient when the sword of the Lord thirsts you? If so, it is helping you into the Kingdom. Sometimes it is someone in the class who is doing it. If so, do you cringe back and say, I could have stood it if it had been somebody in the world. The sword of the Lord is being used and the suffering you are receiving is allowed of the Lord for you. Are you going to stand it? Can you say, Yes, if it is the sword of the Lord. No matter if it looks like the sword of the devil.

1 Peter 3:17, "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing than for evil doing." It means that Christ laid down His perfect human life for the sin of the world, so you are called upon to do the same, to suffer with him. We lay down our justified life alongside of His. The Apostle made no mistake, it is for the same purpose for you that it was for Jesus. We read, "It became Him for whom are all things, of whom are all things, to make the Captain of our salvation perfect through suffering. Now what? Listen! "In that He himself suffered, being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted." Was He not able before? No, we believe that it was absolutely necessary for Him, otherwise the Lord would not have permitted Him to suffer. Do you expect to get off any lighter than He did? As He was, so are we in this world. If He was made a sympathetic High Priest through the things which He suffered, are you and I going to get off any lighter? No, no.

"Must I be born to Paradise,

On flowery beds of ease,

And sailed through bloody seas?"

While others fought to win the prize,

(6) "Thine enemies shall be subdued under thee." First and foremost, the enemies of the New Creature are threefold -- you know them all, the world, the flesh and the adversary the devil. If you cannot conquer these, then you are not going to be of this class of whom it is said, Thine enemies shall be subdued under you. The world is your enemies because the great adversary has blinded their minds! 2 Corinthians 4:4. As to the devil, I want to say, dear friends, that he is not injuring the true Church and cannot, but the devil has been used of the Father to do a work for the Church that no other being in the universe could do, and that is the reason he has been allowed to run around loose. What is he doing? He is helping you to become an overcomer. I would like to know how you could overcome, if there was nothing to overcome. He is allowed to place stumbling-blocks in our way, but he cannot injure the true Church. Our Heavenly Father cannot tempt any man, therefore, He must have a devil whom He permits to tempt us.

The things in the world are for the purpose of polishing the Church. I am longing for the time when the Church will he finished and the Lord will suppress evil. In all these experiences the Lord will not allow one more trouble to come to you than you will be able to bear, but He is getting you ready for the Kingdom. Your enemies will be subdued under you, after you have subdued the world, the flesh and the adversary. There are two ways of getting rid of an enemy.! One is to kill him. But there is another, a beautiful way, make them into friends. I like that story of Joseph how he killed his enemies by making friends of them. The Heavenly Father is to be known from the rivers to the ends of the earth, and His enemies will come to the knowledge of the truth and bow at the feet of Jesus, because He was obedient, and the Father has highly exalted Him, that, at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow. Then the waters will break forth in the wilderness and the ransomed of the Lord will return with songs of everlasting joy upon their lips, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Therefore, dear friends, let your whole being go out in praise to your Heavenly Father, because you belong to the "happy people."

Clinton Spirit Begetting Day -- June 29 Synopsis of Discourse by Frank Draper. Subject: "BAPTISM"

TEXT: James 1:18. "Of His own will begat He us, with the Word of Truth."

THIS is one of several texts to the effect that God's Holy Spirit, through His Holy Word, begets to the Divine nature those who make full consecration to Him, in the present age.

Such, the Divine Record shows, become new creatures in Christ Jesus, and members of that highly favored class, called with a Heavenly calling, to become heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.

The begetting to the Divine nature, and, in consequence thereof, becoming joint heirs with Christ, is one of the most wonderful features of our Heavenly Father's great plan of salvation.

In Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:7, and 3:10, 20-21, the inspired apostle makes it very plain that this spirit begotten class will occupy a very prominent position in God's plans, throughout eternity; and other texts show that even while this class is in the flesh, God regards its members as possessing the Divine nature. Then, too, the gold in the holy represented the Divine nature, as possessed by the Christ class, head and body, while in the flesh. And we now can plainly see the wonderful logic of this feature of the Divine Plan, thus: Jesus, the Head of the church, is a glorious Divine Being, and the church is His Body, and as the body is always of the same nature as the head, God regards the church, the Body of Christ, as possessing the Divine nature, while in the flesh. In full accord with this thought, the Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:16-17, makes it very plain that Christ Jesus, the Head of the church, is not a human being, and that God does not regard the members of His Body as human beings; and in Romans 6:3-4, and Colossians 3:1-3, the same writer shows that God regards these Spirit begotten ones as having already been resurrected from the dead.

While a consecrated, Spirit-begotten person still has a human body, God regards the humanity of such a person as having died sacrificially with Christ, and that person raised up as a new creature, to walk in the new (the Divine) life. How very plain this is made in Romans 8:1-7.

As the editor of the Watch Tower has so plainly set forth, from time to time, God regarded Jesus dead as a human being, from Jordan to the Cross, and alive as a Divine being -- a spiritual high priest, and that this was typified by the slaying of the bullock, before the high priest took its blood into the most holy; and that the Lord's goat was killed before its blood was taken into the tabernacle -- representing the death of Christ's followers, as human beings, before they become members of Him, and, as such, enter the tabernacle.

In 1 Corinthians 6:15 the apostle wrote: "Know ye not that your bodies are members of Christ?" While the mind, will, intelligence, etc., constitute the new creature, there could not be such without a body. Therefore, Jehovah seems to regard the entire being as having died with Christ, and the entire being as having been raised to walk with Him in the Divine life. In this connection, Romans 8:11 has a wonderful significance: "He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (make alive) your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you." Of course, in reality, a spirit-begotten person is a dual being, having a Heavenly, spiritual mind, in a fleshly body, but as God views the matter, he is a new creature only. We might, therefore, say that there are two viewpoints to the new creature. As God sees the matter, the person dies as a human being when his baptism into Christ's death occurred, when the "old man was crucified with Christ," but in reality, the human nature is not dead, and it is the constant work of the consecrated person to mortify (put to death) his fallen flesh, as much as he possibly can.

In the type it was one thing for a beast to be killed, and quite another thing to, thereafter, be burned on the altar. So it is one thing for a spirit begotten person to have died, sacrificially, with Christ, when he made full consecration, and to be thereafter dead, as a human being, from the Divine viewpoint, and quite another thing for the body to be consumed on the altar of sacrifice.

In the type, the beast was dead when the burning on the altar took place, so in the antitype, God regards the body of the spirit begotten one as dead, when the burning on the altar begins. The body is not really dead; therefore it has to be bound to the horns of the altar. Here, we understand, is where the "dying daily" comes in -- burning the human body on the altar -- the body already dead, as a human body, from the Divine viewpoint.

And now comes in one of the most sublime features of the subject, viz: that God regards these spirit begotten ones as being sacrificed for sin, with and by the great Head of the Church, Christ Jesus. This is made very plain in Romans 6:1-11, where the apostle discusses sacrificial death -- Christ's death. In the 10th verse he declares that "Christ died by -- for -- (not "unto") sin once." He died for sin -- as an offering for sin. He never would have died had He not died for sin, sacrificially. How wonderfully significant the 11th verse: "Likewise (in like manner) reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed by -- for -- (not "unto") sin." Wonderful, is it not? Jesus died as a sin offering, and His Body members share His death. Jesus never would have died had He not died as an offering for sin, and His disciples never could have shared His death without dying with Him, for sin. Ah, yes! all the Christ class die for sin, sacrificially, whether we can comprehend the philosophy of it or not. But it is evident that this favored class has nothing to do with providing the ransom. Jesus alone did that! The ransom is a man's life for a man's life, and that had to be, and was, provided, before even one member of the church got free from the guilt of original sin.

The ransom is the redemption price, for the church and the world, and the sin offering is God's arrangement for the deliverance of the world, after having been redeemed by the "precious blood of Christ." It is one thing to redeem -- to purchase -- but' quite another thing to deliver the re-deemed.

Mr. A. deposits $1,000 in a bank, to be applied, in due time, to the liquidation of the debt of Mr.B., a very poor man. Mr.A.alone provides the necessary thousand dollars,and then authorizes a friend to draw it from the bank, and apply it to the payment of Mr. B's debt.Jesus alone provided the ransom price, but God has arranged that man-kind shall receive the uplift from sin and death, that the ransom makes possible, through the sin offering feature of His Plan, participated in by Jesus, the Head, and the Church, His Body.

To be associated priests, as well as kings, for a thousand years, teaching and uplifting the human race, they first die together, sacrificially; and God regards the followers of Jesus, represented by the Lord's Goat, as being sacrificed for the sin of the world. But not in any way providing the ransom. The ransom purchased the church and the world;-the sin offering is God's medium of deliverance. Evidently, the "day of atonement" sacrifices illustrated only the sin offering feature, and not the ransom. The bullock could not have typified the ransom, be-cause it was offered only for the high priest, and his house-hold, while the ransom is for the whole world. The "Passover lamb" evidently typified the ransom."Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world."

The Lamb was slain before the first borns were passed over, and the Israelites delivered. So in the antitype, Jesus, the antitypical lamb, was slain before the church of the first borns began to he passed over, as well as before the deliverance of mankind can take place. The Israelites were delivered because they were God's people. But the Lamb had to be slain and eaten, and the blood sprinkled for the first borns first. Then they entered the wilderness, and God made a covenant with them, through Moses, and after they came into covenant relationship with Him, the tabernacle was set up, and the "day of atonement" sacrifices were offered, and for the year that day began, the priests, and Levites served the congregation, in holy things, by virtue of the sacrifices offered on that day.

They were first ransomed, then delivered, then a covenant was made with them, and then the day of atonement sacrifices were offered for them, after which the priests and Levites served them, through the tabernacle and court. If the Passover lamb had not been killed and the firstborns passed over, and the deliverance effected, if no covenant had been made, then the tabernacle never would have been set up, and no day of atonement sacrifices would have been offered. Those sacrifices were for their benefit after they were redeemed, delivered, and came into covenant relationship with God. By virtue of those sacrifices, God could deal with them, and show them mercy, while they were fallen, and imperfect. Now, see the beautiful anti-type. First, Jesus redeems the Church and the world, then the first borns are passed over, then the world of mankind will be delivered (first the Israelites); then the new covenant will be made, after which the congregation (all mankind who will be in harmony with God's arrangement) will be served by the priests and Levites, through the antitypical tabernacle and court, for a thousand years, by virtue of the "better sacrifices," offered on the anti-typical day of atonement. This is the Divine arrangement to show mankind favor, during the millennium, while they will still be imperfect, and will need mercy, and forgiveness for sins of ignorance.

Praise God! The ransom feature of the Divine plan releases the church and the world from the guilt of original sin, and the sin offering feature is for the deliverance from all the effects of the fall, all who will believe and obey.

Clinton Convention -- Spirit-Begetting Day, June 29. Discourse by Brother Geo. Draper. Subject: "EVIDENCES OF OUR BEGETTING"

AS this is Spirit-Begetting Day, we concluded to take for our subject this afternoon the evidences of our begetting. We thought the evidences of our begetting would be a good subject for this afternoon.

I think one of the best evidences we have on the surface is the fact that we are here, because I am sure that we would not be here if we were not begotten of the Holy Spirit. I have noticed several people of this city come to look in at the door and they decided there was no excitement in here and they did not come in. Why did they not come in? Because they did not comprehend what we were in for; but we know what we are in here for. We are not like the people of California -- and they are not all alike in California, either. There are some here from California. I heard of a large delegation of people from California -- they were not I. B. S. A. people, though -- and they had a song they were singing. What do you think it was?"We're Here Because We're Here." I am sure, dear friends, that is not why we are here. We are here because the Lord is here, and has invited us here. He has invited only those who are of His Spirit and have a desire to be like Him and to see Him as He is. That is the only class the Lord has invited to our understanding at this time.

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