The Watchtower, September 1, 1885

VOL. VII. PITTSBURGH, PA., SEPTEMBER, 1885. NO. 1.

ZION'S

Watch Tower

AND

HERALD OF CHRIST'S PRESENCE.

PUBLISHED MONTHLY.

C. T. RUSSELL, Editor and Publisher.

BUSINESS OFFICE:

NO. 40 FEDERAL ST. ALLEGHENY, PA.

The Editor recognizes a responsibility to the Master, relative to what shall appear in these columns, which he cannot and does not cast aside; yet he should not be understood as endorsing every expression of correspondents, or of articles selected from other periodicals.

TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.

TERMS:--Fifty cents a year, postage prepaid. You may send by Draft, P.O. Money Order, or Registered Letter, payable to C. T. RUSSELL.

FOREIGN TERMS.

Three shillings per year. Remit by Foreign Postal Money Order.

TAKE NOTICE.

This paper will be sent free to any of the Lord's poor who will send a card yearly requesting it. Freely we have received and freely we would give the truth. "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat--yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." And you that have it-- "Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently--and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness."-- `ISAIAH 55:1,2`.

A SUGGESTION TO THE CONSECRATED.

We have a plan in view which will enable those who have some time to invest, to bring forth fruit to the glory and praise of our Master. Those anxious for greater service in the Vineyard even at the eleventh hour may send a Postal Card to this office stating the fact, at once. What an honor is the privilege of being co-workers together with God.

A NUMBER of letters lately received give no post office address. This has wasted valuable time in searching them out, and some we could not find after all. The address should be FULL and very distinctly written, the first thing, at the top of your note. When an address is changed, state where from, as well as where to. When renewing a subscription remember to give the same initials as those given at first, in which you have been receiving it, if they are right. We cannot know that Mrs. Amelia B. Smith is the same we formerly addressed as Mrs. Charles D. Smith.

VIEW FROM THE TOWER.

"Gird thy sword upon thy thigh O mighty one! (it is) thy glory and thy majesty; yea it is thy majesty. Be prosperous; ride along for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; and fearful things shall thy right hand teach thee.

Thy sharpened arrows (people will fall down beneath thee) will enter into the heart of the King's enemies. Thy throne, given of God endureth forever and ever: the scepter of equity is the scepter of thy kingdom." `Psa. 45:4-7`.-- Leeser.

We are living in the grandly awful time when this Scripture is being fulfilled. These words were uttered by the prophet as Jehovah's mouth piece, foretelling not the suffering and death of the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world, but declaring the majesty of him who gave himself a ransom for all, when he shall come to reap the fruits; of the victory which he then won, when he shall come to be glorified in his saints and admired [respected, obeyed, worshiped] in all them that believe in that day; when he shall take his great power and reign in equity, putting down all unrighteousness and subduing all things to the will of Jehovah.

Would that more could see the fulfillment of this prophecy now in progress; it would inspire confidence to the meek lovers of right and truth, and inspire with awe those who practice unrighteousness and who receive not the truth in the love of it.

The sword of Messiah is the truth, and with it he shall smite the nations. The smitings of the truth come upon all who come into conflict with it. It will smite and severely wound the unjust whether he be master or slave; whether workman, laborer, clerk, or master, employer, or capitalist; whether professed saint or sinner. The sword in the hands of him who now takes his great power to establish righteousness is the truth, and is to fulfill the prayer, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth." It is no respecter of persons and opinions, and he only that doeth righteousness shall go unrebuked.

In which ever direction we look, we see the smitings of the sword of truth. The lesson of "RIGHT" [righteousness] is being forced upon every one; upon nations and individuals--all are gradually being forced to a clearer recognition of the advisability, yea, the necessity of EQUITY and fairness in their dealings one with another; and it is the smitings of the sword of truth that is causing them to learn the lesson. There are, and will still be for quite a while, and even increasingly so, wide differences between governments and people, and between employers and employed, between truth and error. On every subject conflicts will come, and the final victory will be for right and truth.

He who most clearly apprehends the situation and most quickly yields to laws of the new King, will be first and most blessed. They who fall before him in obedience, and reverence to his scepter of righteousness, will the soonest be blessed and exalted by the King of glory, while they who oppose his scepter of righteousness are counted his enemies, and shall fall before his sharp arrows. In HIS DAY the righteous shall flourish and the evil doer [unjust] shall be cut off. `Psa. 72:7` and `37:9`.

Many have claimed that this rule has always obtained, but such is not the case. The just and those who served the Lord have, suffered in so doing, because Satan, hitherto the "prince of this world," had no friendship for either the Head or members of Christ; and through all to whom he could communicate his spirit he has crucified and persecuted and maligned the Lord's anointed, and made the path of equity an uphill road for all who sought it. The meek and peaceably disposed he disdained and ignored and took advantage of. The bold, rapacious and grasping who exalted themselves by abasing and oppressing and sacrificing their fellow mortals, these he favored, and their deeds of violence he published as virtues and graces.

But now we are in the transition time; Satan's power must grow less, and right, justice--truth--must become more respected and appreciated because the King of righteousness and peace now takes it as his sword and is wielding it. But though assured of the final outcome, that right and its Lord will conquer, and that he must reign, not only until he hath put all enemies under his feet, and brought the whole creation into entire submission to the will of Jehovah, whose will shall be done in earth even as in heaven, yet we must remember that the conflict will be sharp; every inch of the way will be contested. Between government and people we see more and more a disposition on the part of the people to see their rights and to demand them; and on the part of the governments exercised by the largest measure of liberality a disposition gradually to see and to concede these rights, though slowly and with reluctance. Between capital and labor also the struggle progresses; labor is awakening to its rights and to the necessity of vigorously demanding them; and some of the more liberal and fair minded capitalists conceding some of the rights claimed, are aiming as they can see the way, to grant to labor its proper reward and respect. But among nations, not all, but the few are wise and liberal; and among the people, not all are just in their demands or prudent in their expectations: capitalists in general are not liberal or disposed to be just toward their less favorably circumstanced fellow beings, and among laborers and workmen only a small minority are calm and wise and intelligent enough to be able to see both sides of the vexed problem so as to act reasonably and prudently.

As a consequence of these obstacles, and further, because the present order and arrangement of society, is such that the conduct of employers and the wages paid for service, etc., must to a large extent depend upon the course of others, therefore the way to an open and complete rupture, the civilized world over is gradually but surely being forced. The end of this will be the victory of RIGHT and the overthrow of injustice, as well as of the misconceptions upon which they are built, and by which at present they are fortified. One result of that time of trouble will be the greater sympathy with which each class will look back upon the course of the other, in the present time. The bringing of all to a common level (the grand level of human brotherhood, with equality of rights, whose variety of talents shall minister to the blessing of all) is the first lesson of the Great Teacher and will prepare for further though less severe lessons in the theory and practice of the will of God--"as it is done in heaven."

Every one who in any way assists in the advancement of TRUTH and the establishment of RIGHT is a laborer in a good cause, whether saint or sinner. Such are fighting in this battle on the side of the Mighty One, and are helping to draw the bow of truth which sends the arrows of conviction into the hearts of the enemies of the King of Righteousness; and though as shown above the conflict cannot be averted--the crash must come--yet to such we say Press on! your labor will hasten the conflict to its glorious end. It is noble; It is right. Seek to serve the cause of TRUTH from the love of truth, not for faction or party policy.

Yet the saints should not be found battling thus, though they may sympathize with the RIGHT and TRUTH on every issue: they have a still higher and still more important position, in the same "battle of the great day of God Almighty." They stand closer to the conquering King; they are armed with the same sword of the spirit, the word of God. They also ride upon white horses [pure doctrine]. They that are thus with him are "called and chosen and FAITHFUL," (`Rev. 17:14`; `19:11-16`) and their part in the fray is to oppose false doctrines, and to slay with the SWORD of the truth.

Great is the multitude of Babylon, grand and imposing their appearance, yet fear not little flock, the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong and mighty, for greater is he that is on our part than all they that be against us.

His word assures us that "the slain of the Lord shall be many" (`Isa. 66:14-16`), but he smites to bless; he wounds to heal. When the conflict is ended Great Babylon with all its legions will be no more. The Presbyterian legions, with its staunch veterans and their well-worn battle flags of "Predestination" and "Decrees," will be no more. The arrows of scepticism and unbelief will smite down many, and the sword of the conqueror shall prevail against them, until they shall SEE him and surrender themselves and their banners to him and take a place in his army. The Methodist legion, with their popular banner-- "Free Grace," will be no more; many of her defenders will fall, and some will find in the ranks of the Conqueror a larger and a grander banner of Free Grace and full salvation than they had ever dreamed of. The Episcopal, and the Lutheran, and the Roman legions and others shall be no more. Those of each of these, who were once blinded and deceived, shall join the Legion of "The King's Own" so soon as they see

the truth. But woe then to those who now see and obey not the truth; woe will then be upon all who knew the Master's will and did it not--who knew that they were among those opposing the TRUTH, and who gave their time, influence and voice against it from policy, or other considerations. Such shall be beaten with MANY STRIPES.

Let all who would serve the King, and who would be seen under no other banner than His, and be known by none other name nor wield another sword, than his, put on the whole armor of defence and take and use the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The message to every faithful member through the Head is "Gird on the sword.... Be prosperous, ride along for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness." "I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." `Luke 21:15`.

EXTRACTS FROM INTERESTING LETTERS.

Hucknall Torkard, England.

MY DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL.--I forward another small sum towards whatever fund most needs help. I have great reason to be thankful for the glorious light which shines upon the Word of God, but I am distressed at my small amount of service. I long to be able to preach the glad tidings, but it seems sometimes as though I had to keep all the good things to myself. I don't know what member I am, but I'm thankful God gives me some little to do. A word here a line there. A copy of "Food" loaned here with a request to have the reader's opinion after going through it; a copy of WATCH TOWER there, and a conversation wherever I feel it will be for the edifying of saints or the pulling down of the strongholds of Satan. These I feel assured are not fruitless ways of proclaiming the gospel of peace.

Since I last wrote to you, my brother who was in the Methodist ministry, has "come out of her," not being able to hold the traditions and dogmas of the deceived elders. He will not accept all my views, but is very much more in favor of ZION'S WATCH TOWER, "Food" and "Tabernacle" teachings than he was some time ago.

My position is a most peculiar one. I have had my name taken off the books and refuse to subscribe towards the connectional funds, but the people with whom I have labored so long are not willing that I should leave them. They know my views, in some measure at any rate, and are willing for me to teach them, saying we are Christians, brethren in Christ, and on that ground we claim your fellowship; we don't care what you believe; we know you are a Christian and that is enough for us. It is the fellowship we desire not the name.

They are a most loving little band of people, and you may rest assured that the grains of truth let fall and those scattered, are not lost. If I am doing wrongly I only want the Lord of the vineyard to show me and give me something to do somewhere else. I cannot live without working for the Master, but it seems very slow work.

I have to preach for these people next Wednesday, and intend taking "The Lord's Coming" (discourse) from the TOWER, with additions. May the Lord of the harvest separate the wheat.

I have had some severe conversations with one of the ministers here which only confirms my faith in God's word and the WATCH TOWER'S interpretation; it is by such things we are made strong.

I do long for the manifestation of the Son of God, though I am by no means certain of being amongst specially favored ones. I was only a very nominal Christian until after 1881. I am totally unworthy and unfit for such a glorious high calling, but I know my joy will be full if I'm only a meek inheritor of the earth.

It is a great trial for the members to be separate. I don't know how others feel, but I do long for the fellowship, face to face with another who holds ZION'S WATCH TOWERS' teachings as fully as myself; but organizations are not to be desired, therefore, we must wait patiently and if the Lord will, I'll praise him in company with the other brethren in his kingdom.

I would not part with my TOWERS for their weight in gold. I am reading all carefully through again and making notes. May the Lord bless you ever more and more abundantly. Will try to send again in a short time. With heartiest Christian brotherly love. I am dear brother, very faithfully yours. __________.

DEAR BROTHER:--You seem to have a hopeful field. If they "have an ear to hear" let them hear the good tidings. Preach the whole truth, exposing popular errors fearlessly but kindly, withdrawing all your influence from sectarianism, and very shortly you will find the truth doing a separating work; more than likely too, some of the reproaches which fell upon our Lord will fall upon you.

Regarding your hopes of membership in the Christ only yourself and the Head can fully decide. Let me say, however, that the fact of your discernment of spiritual things (`1 Cor. 2:9-12,14,15`) and that discerned they awaken a love which leads you to willing self-sacrifice in the service of truth, seems to indicate that you are begotten of the spirit of the truth to "the high calling of God which is in Christ Jesus." We presume that like thousands of others you covenanted with, and consecrated yourself to the Lord, long before you realized all that it implied. In fact all have done so, to a greater or less extent. We esteem you a brother in Christ: grow up unto him in all things, who is the Head of the body, even Christ. EDITOR.

Dyersburg, Tenn.

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER IN CHRIST. --Inclosed please find P.O. for $5.00 which you will please place to the credit of the Tract Fund. I am very sorry I have not been able to do more for the Lord's cause, but he has seen fit to permit me to be sorely tried. I have done very little work for ten months previous to May 1st, since which time I have been here under severe and trying circumstances. Of course having no work for so long, I was obliged to go in debt, and now I have to work very hard for very small pay. Last week I worked overtime and made a few dollars extra, so I send the above hoping the Master will accept the sacrifice.

God bless you is my daily prayer. Yours in hope of the First resurrection.

Passaic Co. N.J.

DEAR FRIENDS:--I promised last year to send the price of my subscription but was unable to do so because we got in debt, and I had to pay it by washing. I am now teaching to finish a term left vacant before the close of the school year. I enclose money to pay for the past year and the present, to renew my mother's subscription, and to send the paper to a poor brother who is searching after the truth. I think some copies of previous papers would be beneficial to him. I want to tell you, for encouragement, that there is no reading matter that presents to me such good doctrine; that affords so much meat in season as the TOWER. I look for them eagerly. I am trusting in God, but it seems I am almost overcome with the cares of this life. Since I have been teaching I have done the work for my family of seven except washing, with the little assistance my boys could give me, taking my one year and a half baby to my sister-in-law next door, and walking a mile to school. I am so tired and so unreasonably irritable sometimes, I am discouraged, I thought I might have taken too much upon myself, but the matter was in the Lord's hands entirely. I was willing to live in debt and want if it was best for my discipline, and, not five minutes before the trustee came to inform me of my acceptance I had said "Father if it is best for me to have the school and the money, I am ready; if not, it is all right." And now all glory be to him, he has enabled me to accomplish the work successfully, to purchase a cow and implements to make butter, and to supply some of the most pressing needs in the family, beside paying my subscription and furnishing more food for mother and brother. I visited him last Sunday and he eagerly asked for proof of some truths I opened to him. He could not understand how I could stay away from church and be justified, while I had an "influence for good" among them, but I cannot go to church, and you cannot know how alone I am, and set aside as evil. I could not bear it but for God. I am willing, however, and find much comfort in a clear conscience and the Word of God. Yours in our Lord. __________.

A Brother who is laboring privately in the vineyard has been privileged to see some fruit to his labor; he received the following letter which explains itself. He sent it to us and we give some extracts to you. All may not so soon see precious fruit rewarding labor but every effort pays and bears fruit, upon ourselves, if not always in those we endeavor to help. EDITOR.

York County, Pa.

DEAR SIR.--I suppose you do not know that I owe you a large amount, not of money, but of thanks, for something. You could hardly guess what, but I will tell you what; it is for certain instructions, or a start to that instruction or knowledge which I have since learned. Do you recollect last fall at the York Fair we were talking about the Bible and its teachings? You told me that you learned a great deal, I think you said in the last year or so; and you told me different things about the Bible, etc. But just at that time the Bible was not of much weight to me, because I found too many faults and errors in it at that time, and about one-half contradicted the other half of it. And, in fact, I thought Ingersoll was more right than the Bible; and he is, just as correct as the doctrine our ministers are preaching from the pulpits. I am altogether astonished at myself that I did not see and understand more than I did. I thought when I read something I could understand, too, but I did not.

You probably remember that you told me to subscribe for ZION'S WATCH TOWER, I at once did so, and got a few numbers, and also the tracts entitled "Food for Thinking Christians" and "The Tabernacle Teachings," and I commenced to read these papers and books through, and pretty soon I got to studying these papers and books and am to-day not half done studying them, because the more I read them, the more I have to refer to the Bible, and now I find that the Bible is a most wonderful book. Everything is right; there are no contradictions in it; it supports its own teachings perfectly throughout. I am a great friend and lover of it. Indeed, everything is plain if a person can just get to see it once. How simple and how easy and beautiful it is. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God. What astonishes me, is the ignorance of our ministers. In every sermon that I hear preached, I hear many mistakes, but these mistakes in themselves would of course be of not much account, but they in this way teach and instruct the people wrongly, telling them things which are not so. I think it is dreadful. But I must also tell you that it is very hard to get people to believe the Bible as it is. May be you are more successful, but I find it hard to convince them. O, to be sure, there are some who take no special interest in it--who listen, but when all is said, are dull and know nothing. Those who want to understand something are not so quick turned.

I cannot express my thanks to you in giving me the start in so noble a study.

Very truly yours, __________.

New Orleans, La.

DEAR BRO. RUSSELL: I am glad that the "Plan of Redemption" has met with a joyful reception in my Norway home. I heard from my father a week ago. He sends his thanks and warm greetings to you all. He says that it is not entirely new to him, he having discerned from the Word the outlines of the plan; but he rejoices now with joy unspeakable in being more fully able to see the plan clearly, being aided by my translations from the WATCH TOWER and FOOD, together with the long letters that I write to him, making it as plain as I can. Others besides himself are also getting interested, to whom these translations and letters are read, as the epistles of old, to different little congregations.

I have had a chance for about a month past to tell these wonderful tidings in a public way--the best way I can. The chaplain of the "Seamen's Bethel" has gone North for the summer, and left his place in charge of a man who is good enough to let me speak at their Sunday evening and Thursday evening meetings. There are not many ships and sailors in port at present, but a good many city people go to these meetings. Some are getting interested. I will, with God's help, continue till I am put a stop to, which will be when the old orthodox chaplain comes back. I give away many WATCH TOWERS to Christian seamen going to foreign countries, no telling what soil they may strike root in.

By the way, I experienced last night that when a natural or non-begotten person gets sick, and repents of his sins believing in Christ, his body is also restored to soundness in answer to prayer. I could not help thinking about the passage in `Mark 4:11,12`. The time is coming that those without should also understand and believe and be converted that they might be healed. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Yours as ever,

"THERE is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." --`1 Tim. 2:5`.

"MASTER, SAY ON!"

"Master, speak! Thy servant heareth,

Longing for Thy gracious word,

Longing for Thy voice that cheereth;

Master, let it now be heard,

I am listening, Lord, for Thee;

What hast thou to say to me?

"Often through my heart is pealing

Many another voice than Thine,

Many an unwilled echo stealing

From the walls of this Thy shrine.

Let thy longed-for accents fall;

Master, speak! and silence all.

"Master, speak! I cannot doubt Thee,

Thou wilt through life's pathway lead;

Saviour, Shepherd, oh, without Thee

Life would be a blank indeed.

Yet I seek still fuller light,

Deeper love, and clearer sight,

"Resting on the 'faithful saying,'

Trusting what Thy gospel saith,

On Thy written promise staying

All my hope in life and death;--

Yet I ask for more and more

From Thy love's exhaustless store.

"Master, speak! and make me ready,

As thy voice is daily heard,

With obedience glad and steady

Still to follow every word.

I am listening, Lord, for Thee:

Master, speak, speak on, to me!"--Sel.

THE UNDEFILED ONE.

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.--`JOB 14:4`.

That the pre-existent Son of God "was made flesh and dwelt among us," is clearly stated in the Scriptures (`John 1:14`); that he was "holy," "undefiled" and separate from sinners is plainly stated (`Heb. 7:26` and `Luke 1:35`); and that he knew no sin, while all other men are sinners by nature, is also stated (`2 Cor. 5:21`; `Rom. 5:18`; and `1 Pet. 2:22`). The Apostle's argument that he was able to, and did give himself a ransom or corresponding price for the forfeited life and rights of Adam `Rom. 5:17-19`; `1 Tim. 2:6`) proves the same; because the first Adam was perfect until he sinned; hence one who could give a corresponding price must have been likewise perfect, without sin, and free from its condemnation. The same thought is logically deduced from the statement that Jesus kept, fulfilled all the requirements of the Law; for we know that it was the measure of a perfect man's ability. Hence the conclusion is irresistible that he must have been a perfect man when able to do what no imperfect man had done or could do. (`Psa. 49:7`; `Heb. 1:3`; `4:15`; `9:28`; `10:5-10`; `Isa. 53:10-12`; `John 1:29`.)

But notwithstanding the mass of Bible testimony as to his human perfection, many inquire, Can the possibility of this be scientifically shown? Others assert that it is an impossibility, and that the laws of nature are in direct opposition. They give unbounded weight to their imperfect understanding of nature's laws, and lightly cast aside the weight of Bible testimony.

The question, however, is well worthy of an examination from a scientific as well as from a scriptural standpoint: and Science and Scripture will be found to agree when properly understood. There is no law against our seeking evidence from every good source, but only egotism, or blindness, or both, will exalt human reasonings above the divine testimony.

We raise the query then: How came it that Jesus was perfect while his mother was imperfect? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Seeking to answer this query, the Church of Rome promulgated the doctrine of the "Immaculate Conception": Not the doctrine that Jesus was miraculously conceived by the holy power of God, as recorded by the Evangelists; but that Mary, the mother of Jesus, had a miraculous conception, and hence that she was pure, holy, and free from Adamic sin and imperfection. But the originators of this doctrine could not have been far-seeing, or they would have known that by the same reasoning it must be proved that Mary's mother had an immaculate conception, and so all the way back; when they would meet the same objection in Eve, "the mother of all living." She certainly was not sinless, for her transgression is recorded. `1 Tim. 2:14`.

However, this subject is perfectly clear and plain now, from a scientific as well as from a Bible standpoint; but because of its intricacy and delicacy, special attention must be given in order to grasp its force.

For this reason we have not heretofore presented this subject, but recent inquiries seem to indicate the necessity for its presentation in order to confirm the faith of some.

The Scriptures hold out the thought that all EXISTENCE, LIVING ENERGY; or BEING, comes from the father and not from the mother. The mother receives and nourishes that germ of being until it is able to maintain an independent existence; i.e., until it is able to appropriate to its maintenance the life-sustaining elements which the earth and air supply: but the living organism which she nourishes came entirely and exclusively from the father. The word father has the significance of life-giver.

In harmony with this principle, God was the "FATHER," or life-giver, while the earth was the Mother of Adam, and hence of the human race (`Luke 3:38`). In harmony with this principle, the children are spoken of, as of, or from their fathers and borne by their mothers. (`Gen. 24:47`.) Thus the children of Jacob, counted through his sons, were seventy when he came out of Egypt; but if he or the twelve Patriarchs had daughters, which we cannot doubt, the children of those daughters were not counted as Jacob's children, they being counted to their fathers. And all of these seventy souls or beings are expressly said to have come out of the loins of Jacob. (`Gen. 46:26,27`, and `Ex. 1:5`.) So of Solomon it is said, that he came out of the loins of David. (`1 Kings 8:19`, and `2 Chron. 6:9`.) So also the Apostle Paul and Israelites in general claimed that they all came out of the loins of Abraham; and of Levi it is written that "he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedec met him." `Heb. 7:5,10`.

Thus also the whole race was in and sprang from Adam their father, but were not from Eve. And thus it is written that in (through) ADAM all die, but not in (through) Eve. Because the race came of Adam it was, therefore, tried in him.

This which the Scriptures teach, is the latest deduction of science on this subject of Progeneration, as applied to life in all its forms. Scientists find abundant and conclusive proof in nature that life or being comes always from the male. The simplest form of illustration is a hen's egg: Of itself it contains no life; no living organism could under any circumstance come of it, unless it be impregnated with a living organism by the male. The egg consists of the proper elements, and in proper proportion, adapted to the minute organism received into it; and under proper conditions that organism develops: The yolk becomes wholly the bird, while the clear liquid albumen serves as its earliest nourishment until it breaks the shell and is able to sustain itself by appropriating cruder elements of nutrition. The principles here involved are the same in human and other animals.

In view of these testimonies of the Bible and Science it is a reasonable deduction that if the father be perfect, the child will be so: the perfect progeny would absorb and appropriate only such elements of nutrition as were suitable and beneficial to its perfect development-- throwing off through the operation of its perfect organism any other elements. On the contrary, if the germ of being be imperfect, it will appropriate whatever qualities its mother furnishes--good or bad; being imperfect, it would be unable to reject wholly the poisonous elements of disease. This is on the same principle that if two persons eat of strong food, the one with good digestive powers can appropriate its nutriment and pass off its unwholesome qualities, while the other with weak digestion could appropriate little nutriment from the same food and would be injured by its evil qualities.

It follows then, that had mother Eve alone sinned, the race would not have died: had Adam remained perfect, his life unforfeited and unimpaired, his offspring would have been the same, the imperfections of Eve would not have affected them; being perfect they would have appropriated good elements and have passed off naturally any elements of decay without injury. On the other

hand, suppose that Adam had sinned and Eve had remained sinless, Adam's condemnation and death would have affected the entire posterity just the same; the most perfect nourishment given to imperfect and dying germs would never make of them perfect beings. Hence the appropriateness of the Scriptural statement, that "In Adam all die," and "By one man's disobedience...death passed upon all." (`1 Cor. 15:22`; `Rom. 5:12,19`.) How wonderful the correspondency here between the first and second Adams and their Brides. As the death of the race depended not upon Eve but wholly upon Adam, and yet she shared in the bringing of it, so the restored life of the race redeemed, depends not at all upon the Bride of Christ, but upon Jesus, though by divine favor it is arranged that she shall share in the work of RESTITUTION of "that which was lost."

The fountain Adam having become contaminated by sin and death, none of his posterity can be free from contamination, for, "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one." The reference here must be understood as applying to the man and not to the woman: none coming from or out of the contaminated fountain can be clean: hence, "There is none righteous, no, not one;" none can redeem his own life nor give to God a ransom for his brother. `Rom. 3:10`; `Psa. 49:7`.

It follows then that the only obstacle to the generation of a perfect man is the lack of a perfect father to give a perfect life-germ; and hence the teaching of Scripture, that in the case of Jesus a perfect LIFE-GERM transferred by divine power from a pre-existent condition to the embryo human condition, was born "holy" and perfect, though of an imperfect mother (`Luke 1:35`). That he was free from sin and from every contamination which his mother in common with the entire human race shared, is entirely reasonable, and in perfect accord both with Scripture and with the latest scientific findings and deductions.

Another fact which scientists are demonstrating to themselves which seems to concur with Scriptural testimony is, that though life or being comes from the father, FORM and NATURE comes from the mother. The scientific proofs of this are more abstruse and less easily grasped by the ordinary mind; and this because in wisdom God has not only separated the various kinds, or natures, but in great measure limited them, so that they cannot mix or blend beyond certain limits.

The clearest illustrations of this principle that kind or nature comes from the mother, scientists have yet to learn, is found in the Scriptures: They furnish the principal and clearest illustration of the effect or result of miscegenation or the blending of distinct natures and prove more conclusively than science has yet been able to do, that NATURE comes of the mother though the father's characteristics attach. Take as an illustration, the offspring of the improper union between "the daughters of men" and those angels who kept not their proper estate, but degraded their nature: the progeny had the vitality of the fathers but the nature of the mothers--they were renowned MEN. [Superior to the then decaying race, it would have had hard masters in those Nephelim, had not God in goodness not only swept away the new race [new, because not of the same father] in the Flood, but restrained "those angels" who caused this trouble, depriving them of their former liberties, see articles in issues of June and December, 1884, and January, 1885, treating of these.] So great was the renown of these that it is to be found with more or less distinctness in heathen mythologies to this day, and hundreds of years after their destruction in the flood the false report that some of these were yet alive caused a panic among the victorious Israelites flushed with the victory of recent battles. See `Num. 13:33`.

But the chief illustration of this principle, is found in the fact that Jehovah, himself of the divine nature, has begotten sons of the same as well as other natures. He is the father of those of the angelic nature (`Job 2:1`; `38:7`; `Heb. 2:9`), and of the human nature (`Luke 3:38`), as well as of the "NEW CREATURES" who shall be made partakers of his own divine nature. (`2 Pet. 1:4`). The will or ENERGY of Jehovah operating upon spirit-substances produced and developed angels; operating upon earthly substances (`Gen. 2:7`; `1 Cor. 15:47`.) man was produced out of them, and when He would give us a clear conception of the generation of the new creatures to the divine nature, He represents us as begotten of him in the womb of the Covenant which he made with Abraham, which he symbolizes in a woman --Sarah, telling us that as Isaac was the heir of Abraham and child of promise (by Sarah), so we as or like Isaac are children of God, being children of the promise or Sarah covenant. `Gal. 4:23-31`, and `1 Pet. 1:3,5,23`; and `2 Pet. 1:4`.

The same principle is illustrated in the fact that in the typical dispensation, prior to the Christian Age, a child inherited blessings and privileges of its father, according to the favor and standing of its mother; thus again declaring that the mother's nature, rights, privileges and liberties attached to the child, though not of necessity the father's. See `Gen. 21:10`; `Ex. 21:4`; `Gal. 4:30`.

Again, Jesus' birth of a woman proves the same thing. The "holy thing" born

of a woman partook of the woman's nature, i.e., human nature--"of the earth earthy." Though retaining all the purity and perfection of the pre-existent (spirit) state, the transferred germ of being (in harmony with this law we are examining) partook of the nature of the mother and was "made flesh" by being "born of a woman."

It is yet further in harmony with this same law or principle that though Christ has been highly exalted to the divine nature, and is no longer human, yet it is declared of Him that he shall be the life-giver or father of the whole human race, while it is also shown that his work for the race is to restore the perfection of human nature which was lost for all through Adam's sin, thus showing that He as father will be on the divine plane, while the restored race as children of God through Christ will be on the human plane as represented in the New Covenant, illustrated by Keturah, Abraham's third wife, in the type. See "Food," page 153.

OVERCOMING FAITH.

"This is the victory that overcometh the world," says the Apostle St. John, "even our faith." Even so, faith is our victory whereby we overcome the prince of this world. Faith sets the stronger Lion of the Tribe of Judah against this roaring lion of the bottomless pit; that delivering lion against this devouring lion. When the soul is surrounded with enemies on all hands, so that there is no way of escape, faith flies above them and carries up the soul to take refuge in Christ, and it is there safe.

That is the power of faith; it sets a soul in Christ, and there it looks down upon all temptations as waves at the bottom of the rock, breaking themselves into foam. When the floods of temptation rise and gather, so great and so many that the soul is even ready to be swallowed up, then it says, "Lord Jesus, thou art my strength, I look to thee for deliverance; now appear for my deliverance"; and thus it overcomes; the guilt of sin is answered by his blood, the power of sin is conquered by his Spirit, and afflictions that arise are nothing compared to these; his love and gracious presence make them sweet and easy.

Although, then, thou seest thyself the most witless and weak, and findest thyself nothing but a prey to the powers of darkness, yet know, that by believing, the wisdom and strength of Christ are thine; thou art and oughtest to find thyself all weakness, but he is all strength --mightiness itself. Learn to apply this victory, and so it is thine; be strong in him and the power of his might. But thou wilt say, "I am often foiled, yea, I cannot find that I prevail at all against mine enemies; but they still prevail against me." Yet rely on him; he can turn the chase in an instant. Still cleave to him. When the whole powers of thy soul are as it were scattered and routed, rally them by believing. Draw thou but into the standard of Jesus Christ, and the day shall be thine, for victory follows that standard, and cannot be severed from it. Yea, though thou find the smart of divers strokes, yet think that often a wounded soldier hath won the day; believe, and it shall be so with thee. And remember, that thy defeat, through the wisdom and love of thy God, may be ordered to advance the victory--to put courage and noble energy into thee against thine enemies --to humble thee, and drive thee from thine own imagined strength to make use of his strength. And be not hasty; think not at the very first to conquer. Many a hard conflict must thou resolve upon, and often shalt thou be brought very low, almost to a desperate point, to thy sense past recovery; then it is time to step in, even in the midst of their prevailing. Let God but arise, and his enemies shall be scattered. Thus the Church hath found it in her greatest extremities; and thus likewise the believing soul.--Selected.

TO BE CAST OUT.

If the salt have lost its savor,...it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden underfoot of men.--`MATT. 5:13`.

The careful student of Jesus' words will find in them convincing evidence that he foreknew the history of the Christian Church from its inception to its close. It was through him, beyond doubt, that Paul was enabled to point out, for the guidance of the faithful, the great apostasy which was to extend through centuries of her history, and the final revelation of the man of sin. `2 Thess. 2`.

In the epistle to the `Romans (chap. 15`), Paul alludes to and explains something of God's plan relative to the casting away, and subsequent restoration of the Jews; and hints at the casting away of the Gentile Church for the same cause, viz., unbelief. That this was more than a surmise on the Apostle's part, events have clearly demonstrated.

From our standpoint we can readily discern that what was apparently but an admonition was really a prophecy as well.

We cannot estimate the value this fore-knowledge of our Lord has been to his Church. Amid all the persecutions that have befallen his followers, they could "rejoice and be exceeding glad," assured of "great reward in heaven." How else could they have remained faithful among the faithless?

That the words quoted as our text are also prophetic and descriptive of the final unsavory condition of the Church (nominal) is more than a presumption.

Has this condition already been reached? This is an inquiry from which no Christian should shrink, and in the solution of which every Christian should be interested.

It is but fair to say that opinion is divided on the subject. While many mourn over the waste places in Zion-- while they recognize and deplore the absence of spiritual life and power, the great majority see in the interest displayed in the erection of fine churches, in a highly-cultured ministry, the large sums annually expended in sustaining these, and in multiplying their member, sure evidences of prosperity.

Add to this the cordiality which the world displays in furthering her enterprises, and there seems little more to be desired.

The few who recognize the loss of the real essentials of a true Church, hope for their recovery and a new lease of spiritual power. Vain hope! The student of the Word need not be misled by any such deception. Either this hope is delusive, or many scriptures must be false. Jesus says that at the time of his coming (presence) the Church will be made up of both wheat and tares. He teaches us that many who profess to be his followers were never recognized as such, and will be rejected. They may have taught in his name, they may claim to have cast out devils in his name, they

may have done many wonderful works in his name, but all this will avail them nothing. Many "wonderful works" that are highly esteemed among men are an abomination in God's sight.

While the world may have applauded these claimants, Jesus never recognized them as his followers, nor their works as contributing to the success of his cause. Much that is done in Jesus' name is really done to gratify pride and selfishness. Millions of dollars are expended with no higher motive than that of having the finest church edifice, the largest and "best-equipped" Sunday school, or the most eloquent minister.

Jesus made no attempt at a reformation of the apostate Jewish Church. His work was to inaugurate and carry forward the harvest; and with fan in hand he separated the wheat from the chaff. He accepted the faithful--the unfaithful he rejected.

Like all former dispensations, the present will give place to another when its allotted time has expired. The nominal Church having become a great worldly institution, has signally failed to bear witness to the truth, and is unfit for the greater work now becoming due.

Seeming conscious of her impending doom, she eagerly attempts whatever promises to save her from destruction. But Ichabod is plainly written over her portals. On her walls is the inscription, "Weighed in the balance and found wanting." Like her type, she compasses sea and land to make one proselyte, and with like result.

The world, quick to discern the condition of affairs, has already withdrawn a large portion of its respect, and accords her a much lower place than she formerly occupied. Her influence is sought more for worldly advantage than for spiritual aid. Her ministers no longer wield the moral power that was once theirs by almost universal consent; and it seems beyond dispute that the Saviour's prediction is about to be realized, and the aptitude of the comparison admitted by all, "Good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden underfoot of men." S. T. TACKABURY.

FRUITS OF THE RANSOM.

DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:--I send you a brief synopsis of some discourses I recently delivered at Paris, Ills., hoping that it will not be uninteresting to yourself and the readers of the TOWER.

Yours in the blessed hope,

ALFRED MALONE.

"Because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men." `1 Tim. 4:10`.

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." `Luke 12:32`.

"And behold! a great crowd, which no one could have numbered, out of every nation, and of all tribes, and peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and in the presence of the Lamb, invested with white robes and palm branches in their hands." `Rev. 7:9`.

"These are those coming out of the great affliction, and they washed their robes and whitened them in the blood of the Lamb. On this account they are before the throne of God." `Rev. 7:14,15`.

From these Scriptures and others of their class I deduced that:--

(1) God is the Saviour of all men from the Adamic sin and death. (2) To accomplish this, he is the Saviour at first of a very few, a "little flock." (3) And in the work of this salvation he is the Saviour of a great crowd.

In the first, salvation from Adamic sin and death, is the great aim to be attained and is builded upon God's philanthropy and the eternal fitness of things. And it is necessarily now held in abeyance until the accomplishment of the second salvation; because the little flock is destined to be kings and priests, with Christ, to bring about both the first and third of these salvations. He is not now the Saviour, in fact, of all men, nor indeed of any as generally taught--a Saviour from famines, pestilences, earthquakes, cyclones, etc., etc. But he will be "the Saviour of all" from the effects of the Adamic sin and death.

Adam and Eve wrecked themselves and the race in the loss of innocence, in the loss of God's image, and in a gain of sin and death. Innocence, a God-like intelligence and moral grandeur, equal to the very perfectness of a God-made and God-endued manhood were lost by disobedience and death gained; yet so perfect in his organization, so God-like in intellectual and moral grandeur, that it took nearly a thousand years to so efface this image as to become totally dead.

The threats that met the sinning pair were, "In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die;" "Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in pain shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;" "and in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return unto the ground, for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou return."

Animals as well as man felt the influence of the curse; when Adam sinned, they changed, revolted, and became abnormally offensive to mankind as perfection and dominion passed away from their ruler. And they all, as well as mankind are to feel the influence of the Son of Man in "the times of the restitution."

While obedient in Eden's Garden the pair were so gifted with the beauty, perfection and glory of a perfect manhood; so filled the grand niche in God's creation, that they only fell a little short of the angels of God. And all intelligences were put under contribution to administer to their necessities and happiness. His sight was flooded with glory, his taste was satisfied with richest viands, and his ears were thrilled with grandest melodies, his lungs were filled and bathed in the life-inspiring atmosphere, and his blood was made to leap and dance with a perfect manhood--God's inexpressible gifts for the perpetuation of a glorified manhood.

And this perfect state of manhood might have been continued forever, as the means to this end were placed within their reach. But with the entrance of sin, Eden was lost, lordship was lost, innocence was lost, happiness and a glorified humanity were lost, and pain and

woe and misery were gained!

"In Adam all die." "By man came death." "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into our world, and death by sin." "By the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation" of death. Through the disobedience of one man the world was flooded with sin and woe and death; and these could never have been lifted had not another perfect and obedient Man Redeemed-Ransomed the race. And so the revealing Spirit has said, "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (`1 Tim. 2:3-6`.) And when "the little flock" shall have been glorified, that due time shall have arrived, and not till then.

This salvation is universal, and "God

will have" it, no matter who may oppose; for "He works all things after the counsels of his own will."

"But we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." `Heb. 2:9`. Taste death for what? That man might not die? No! That was God's inexorable arrangement--the condemnation was just and unalterable. Man, therefore, must die; but thank God! a Ransom was prepared to take him out of this death. "As by Adam all die, even so by Christ shall all be made alive!"

"Forasmuch, then, as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had power of death, that is, the devil." `Heb. 2:14`. "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust." `1 Pet. 3:18`. "Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." `John 1:29`. That is, Jesus as the sacrifice for the sin of the world, released all from that condemnation and opened the way for restoring all to perfection--thus removing sin and its penalty--death.

With these and other Scriptures of like import, which I cannot quote here, it is unchangeably fixed and unalterably true, that all men shall be restored to the Adamic life through the Ransom. And as all sinned and died in or by Adam, so God being just, after the ransom was paid, the Redeemer controls all and may restore all to Adamic life and perfection; and then put them upon trial for themselves, not Adam for them; they will live for, or in, their own obedience; or die for their own sins.

2. To accomplish this, He is the Saviour of a very few--a "little flock."

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." If to "the little flock" he gives the kingdom, makes them rulers with him in the kingdom, and "partakers of the Divine nature," this is a special salvation he does not give to all.

"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth to life, and few there be that find it." `Matt. 7:14`. This life is immortality, and the relationship corresponds. They were living--justified before, but the strait gate and narrow way led to another--a different life. This salvation is only for "the little flock."

"For many be called, but few chosen." `Matt. 20:16`. This does not make God partial. He was under no kind of obligation to make any of the race immortal rulers. But this is a striking glory conferred upon the "little flock"; those that "suffer with Christ that they may reign with him." It is an election by grace for kingship and priesthood in the kingdom. This salvation is only for "the little flock," for the Bride of Christ, for members of his Body; and here there can be only so many. Christ's Body is not to be a monstrosity, but perfect and complete. And though "many" may run for this honor, it is only the "few," the approved, who shall be crowned. Paul therefore urges these "to so run," that ye may receive the crown, lest, if we do not so run, others shall receive our crown!

Now in this day many have lost sight of this great truth. We are not generally taught that if we do not die to the world, consecrate, be "a peculiar people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, zealous of good works," we shall lose the crown, or be excluded from "the marriage supper of the Lamb."

Now it is popular, honorable, and leads to wealth and fame to belong to some so-called orthodox church, but in Paul's day, it meant the loss of caste, of riches and honor, and even life itself to be a member of the true Church. Pure Christianity is unchanged; now, as then, "they that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." And, if we are not partakers of this persecution, of this dishonor, we "are bastards and not sons." That is, many claim to be children of God, to belong to "the little flock," to the consecrating ones, whereas they only have "a name to live while they are dead" to this life of toil and labor and entire obedience to God!

Now, as in Paul's day, true believers must continue to "fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in their "flesh for his body's sake, which is the Church." The Head consecrated, suffered and died for the great honor of being King and Priest; and so must all the members of his Body partake of the sufferings in order to be partakers of his glory. Every vestige of sin and uncleanness must be covered by the blood of the mercy-seat, the Christian "reckoned" holy by the atonement, or there can be no such acceptable sacrificing, and without the sacrifice no reign with Christ.

They must be "killed all the day long, and accounted as sheep for the slaughter"--"must endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."

As yet the world is not fully ready for restitution to Adamic life and perfection, as the Body of Christ is not yet complete. But so soon as the last member shall have finished his sacrifice, so soon shall the full work of restitution begin.

3. And, in the work of this salvation, he is the Saviour of a great crowd. It could not be otherwise. If the gospel call to the "many" is not compulsory to an entire consecration, then many who start and are honest will not obtain the prize; and these, though losing the crown, may be "saved in the day of Christ."

Having failed to make an entire consecration, they, in the great time of trouble that shall come upon all the world, may then and there come "up through great afflictions, washing their robes and making them white in the blood of the Lamb."

Forgiveness of sins or their punishment, or both, not only take place in this age, but will be continued in the age to come. "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." `Matt. 12:31,32`.

The age to come is to be an age of mercy and forgiveness, as well as this. All sins may be forgiven there except the sin against the Holy Ghost. Those who have utterly apostatized here cannot be forgiven there; but the honest, though weak ones, who have failed of the crown now through the weaknesses of the flesh, may be forgiven there, or suffer "many stripes" for the wrong doings of this age, and finally get "near the throne" and live forever!

This is not the leading feature of that Restitution age, but grows out of the higher life and rulership offered "the little flock." So that, thank God! they who fail to win the crown may obtain eternal life "near the throne"!

"And that servant, who knew the will of his master, and was not prepared, nor did according to his will, he shall be beaten with many stripes." `Luke 12:47`. This, with other scriptures, teaches that Christians, servants of the Lord, they that knew and did not the will of God, shall in the age to come suffer therefor. This is not eternal misery, but "many stripes"; and these "stripes" are corrective, and not vindictive nor eternal. It is not "the second death" either; for "stripes" are not used to kill or destroy, but to correct.

The "few stripes" to those who did things worthy of them, because they knew not their Master's will, will be administered to those who have never heard of the Ransom; these are not even professed Christians, but belong to that larger class--the world--all men-- that God will have come unto the knowledge of truth. First saved from the Adamic death, through the ransom, then brought where truth is, and placed on trial, to live for his own obedience, or to die for his own sins.

The world is not now on trial, nor has it ever yet been. Adam was tried and failed, and all men in him. The new trial of the world cannot take place until the Head and Body of Christ are prepared to offer it. The Head of the Christ has been tried and triumphed. "The little flock" is now on trial, and when it shall have triumphed and been joined to the Head, then the trial of the world shall commence. When the King and Queen --the Christ and his Bride--shall have been married, then, and not until then, shall "the times of restitution" bear their perfected fruits. The "little flock" are not to be restored; they are to stand out as bright stars, and shine as the sun over a restored earth. The restored earth and its restored lord--mankind--will be indeed grand, but the "little flock," the Body of Christ, his Bride with the Head is the grandest of all! far above angels as well as men.

The pure wife is the glory of a pure husband; the redeemed, glorified Bride is the glory of Christ, and Christ is the glory of God! Everything in its own proper place and time; but "God over all blessed forever"!

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