The Watchtower, March 15, 1920

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Upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves (the restless, discontented) roaring, men's hearts falling them for fear and for looking to the things coming upon the earth (society): for the powers of the heavens (eeclpslasticism) shall lie shaken . When y e see these things begin to come to pan.

then know that the Kingdom of God Is at hand Look up, lift up your beads, rejoice, for your redemption draweth nigh.—Matthew 24.33; Mark 13:29: Luke 21:25-31

THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SACRED MISSION

THIS journal is one of the prime factors or instruments in the system of Bible instruction, or “Seminary Extension”, now being presented in all parts of the civilized world by the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, chartered A. D. 1884, “For the Promotion of Christian Knowledge”. It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word but also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the coming of its traveling representatives, styled “Pilgrims”, and refreshed with reports of its conventions.

Our “Berean Lessons” are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published Studies most entertainingly arranged, and very helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Vcibi Dei Minister (V. D. M.)» which translated into English is Minister of God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible students and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.

This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian's hope now being so generally repudiated — redemption through the precious blood of “the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for all", tl Peter Ij 19 ; 1 Timothy 2:6) Building upon this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3: 1115; 2 Peter 1:5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to “make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which. . .has been hid in God, ... to the intent that now might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God”—“which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed”.— Ephesians 3:5-9,10.

it stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men. while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the holj’ Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord hath spoken—according to the divine wisdom granted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but confident; for we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his service; hence our decisions relative to what may and what may not appear in its columns must be according to our judgment of his good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuilding of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge our readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.

TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH

That the church is “the temple of the living God”, peculiarly "his workmanship” ; that its construction has been in progress throughout the gospel age—ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, when finished, God's blessing shall come “to all people”, and they find access to him.—1 Corinthians 3 : 1G, 17 ; Ephesians 2 : 20-22 ; Genesis 28 :14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.

That meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when the last of these “living stones”, “elect and precious,” shall have been made ready, the great Master Workman will bring all together in the first resurrection ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughout the Millennium.—Revelation 15 : 5-8.

That the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that “Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man,” “a ransom for all,” and will be “the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world”, “in due time”.— Hebrews 2:9; John 1: 9 ; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6.

That the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, “see him as he is,” be “partakers of the divine nature’,’ and share his glory as his joint-heir.—1 John 3 :2 ; John 17 : 24 ; Romans 8 :17 ; 2 Peter 1: 4.

That the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service: to develop in herself every grace; to be God's witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.—Ephesians 4 : 12 ; Matthew 24 : 14 ; Revelation 1: 6 ; 20 : 6.

That the hope for the world lies in the blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kingdom, the restitution of all that was lost in Adam, to all the willing and obedient, at the hands of their Redeemer and his glorified church, when all the wilfully wicked will be destroyed.—Acts 3:19-23 ; Isaiah 35.

pUBLISH&D By

WATCH TOWER. BIBLE &-TRACT SOCIETY

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Editorial Committee: This journal is published under the supervision of an editorial committee, at least three of whom have read and approved as truth each and every article appearing in these columns. Irie names of the editorial committee are: J. F. Rutherford, W, E. Van Amburgh, F. H. Robison, G. H. Fisher, W. E, Page.

Terms to the Lord*a Poor: All Bible students who, by reason of old age or other In-firoiity or adversity, are unable to pay for this journal, will be supplied free If they send a postal card each May stating their case and requesting such provision. We are not only willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list continually and in touch with the Berean studies.

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Kntered at Second Clatt Matter at Brooklyn, NY , Potto thee under the Aet of March 3rd, 1878.

NEW YORK MEMORIAL CONVENTION

A three-day convention, April 2. 3, and 4, will be held in the Sixty-third Street Music Hall. This building was formerly the New York City Temple, where the Photo-Drama of Creation was first shown to the public. Brother Rutherford and several Pilgrim brethren are expected to address the convention.

The Music Hall is reached by taking the West Side subway (commonly called Seventh Avenue subway) local train to Columbus Circle, then by walking a short distance north to Sixty-third Street, then west on that street a very short distance to the convention place.

The convention Auditorium will be open at 9 a. m., Friday April 2. All visiting friends will kindly come direct to the convention building, where they will receive assignment of rooms.

Memorial service will be held on Friday evening. The Sunday afternoon meeting will be for the public.

AU correspondence regarding the convention should be addressed to the Convention Committee, T. M. Bedwin, Sec’y, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N. Y.

N. B. Do not confuse this convention with the public meeting to be held in the New York Hippodrome on March £1.

BOOKLET ON “TALKING WITH THE DEAD ? ? ? ”

Contains just the information needed at this time. It is presented in fairness to those who do not accept the Bible view on this subject; but it is at the same time convincing for the Bible view. Mandarin Sunburst, embossed, overhanging cover, very attractive; 160 pages; single copies 50c each, postpaid; lots of 60 at 25c each, carriage collect.

STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES

These Studies are recommended to students as veritable Bible keys, discussing topically every vital doctrine of the Bible. More than eleven million copies are in circulation, in nineteen languages. Prices are net, postpaid, and barely cover cost of production and handling. Two sizes are issued (in English only) : the regular maroon cloth, gold stamped edition on dull finish paper (size 5"x 7g"), and the maroon cloth pocket edition on thin paper (size 4* x 6}") ; both sizes are printed from the same plates, the difference being in the margins; both sizes are provided with an appendix of catechlstic questions for convenient class use. Prices for both editions are uniform. The leather bound and fine India paper editions formerly issued are permanently out of stock.

Series I, “The Divine Plan of the Ages," giving outline of the divine plan revealed in the Bible, relating to man's redemption and restitution : 350 pages, plus indexes and appendixes. 75c. Magazine edition 15c. Also procurable in Arabic, Armenian, Dano-Norwegian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hollandish, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Roumanian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, and Ukrainian; regular cloth style, price uniform with English.

Series II, “The Time is at Hand," treats of the manner and time of the Lord’s second coming, considering the Bible testimony on tills subject: 360 pages, 75c. Obtainable in Dano-Norwegian, Finnish, German, Polish, and Swedish.

Series HI, “Thy Kingdom Come," considers prophecies which mark events eonnected with “the time of the end”, the glorification of the church and the establishment of the Millennial kingdom ; it also contains a chapter on the Great Pyramid of Egypt, showing its corroboration of certain Bible teachings : 380 pages, 75c. Furnished also in Dano-Norwegian, Finnish, German, Polish, and Swedish.

Series IV, “The Battle of Armageddon," shows that the dissolution of the present order of things is in progress and that all of the human panaceas offered are valueless to avert the end predicted by the Bible. It contains a special and extended treatise on our Lord's great prophecy of Matthew 24 and also that of Zechariah 14 :1-9 : 656 pages, 85c. Also in Dano-Norwegian, Finnish, Greek, German, and Swedish.

Series V, “The Atonement Between God and Man," treats an all important subject, the center around which all features of divine grace revolve. This topic deserves the most careful consideration on the part of all true Christians: 618 pages, 85c. Procurable likewise in Dano-Norwegian, Finnish, German, Greek, and Swedish.

Series VI, “The New Creation,” deals with the creative week (Genesis 1,2), and vith the church, God’s new creation. It examines the personnel, organization, rites, ceremonies, obligations, and hopes appertaining to those called and accepted as members of the body of Christ: 730 pages, 85c. Supplied also in Dano-Norwegian, Finnish, German, and Swedish.

Ao foreign editions in the pocket site.

THE USES OF ADVERSITY

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted"—Psalm 119 71.

JESUS, our Savior, declared to his disciples: “It must needs be that offenses come” (Matthew 18: 7) ; and experience adds her own confirmatory word. Some one else has appropriately remarked: “Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament; adversity is the blessing of the New”. Certain it is that the New Testament writings are full of references to the sufferings of Christ’s followers, and even of himself it is written that “he learned obedience by the things which he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8), and that he was made “perfect through sufferings”. (Hebrews 2: 10) In fact the whole tenor of the New Testament inculcates the principle of resignation under adverse conditions, and more. For the follower of the Lord Jesus must not be merely a passive sufferer, but a strenuous and persevering combatant against opposing forces.

We see how a certain beneficial operation of adversity is traceable even in other than Christian realms. Tourists who travel the shores of the Mediterranean Sea often express surprise at the tastelessness of the fishes served up for food. This flavorless quality is easily accounted for when one learns that the fish around the coast of Spain, Italy, Greece, and Asia Minor are for the most part caught in quiet lagoons or calm waters of protected bays and gulfs, where the demands on their energy are few and where the days pass in indolent quietude. How different is the life of battling with storm and tempest and chilly waves on the part of the creatures that live in the rough waters around the Orkneys, the Shetlands, and the Hebrides of Scotland ! Fish caught there is ah'avs delicious.

FIRE ADDS TEXTURE AND CHARM

A very common looking brownish clay is taken as a basis for some of the finer pottery wares. It is fashioned into vases and painted by the artist, but it still looks lifeless and the colors crude and dead, if not really inharmonious. But it is then subjected to the fire until it rivals e\en the loveliest Howers in delicacy and beauty. The outline, the form, the elements, were all there; but the fire gave texture, durability, and charm. The best •of pieces are more than once put in the fire and the value increases with each firing. So the Lord sends his children through repeated furnaces of affliction in order that their characters may attain a rare, a priceless perfection.

Troubles and afflictions are intended under the dispensation of divine grace to bring out the deeper capacities of the heart. Experiences which would deaden the calloused mind will develop consecration, richness, and devotion in the thoughtful. A cellist once came into possession of a very fine instrument, but its tone lacked the depth necessary to make it heard in a music hall. When entering the stag,' for a performance he accidently hit his instrument against a sharp corner, stoving in a part of the cover. Having no time to procure another one. he began his part and to his pleased surprise the cello gave forth the clear and resonant tone which he had longed for and all possibility of which he was sure he had destroyed by the unintended blow. Often it is so with the Lord's people, that, though they encounter unexpected experiences which threaten to be catastrophes, that which they thought would surely be their death has but made them more meet for the Master’s use.

SELF-OPPOSITION REQUISITE

When we reflect on the conditions of discipleship laid down by our Lord we need not be surprised if certain adverse or unpleasant things be our portion. He said: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me”. (Matthew 16: 24) The very first step of the way is thus seen to be a self-imposed adversity against ourselves, and the narrow way never grows broad and easy. The Apostle Paul, who himself suffered so much of opposition, was comforting instead of discouraging the early church when he told them: “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God”. (Acts 14:22) A Christian without trouble is like a ship that has never weathered a storm; evidence of her seaworthiness is lacking. It has not been demonstrated just how much ballast is necessarv to steady her.

The Wise Man says: “Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better”. (Ecclesiastes 7:3) There is a depth and mellowness to the character produced by sorrow and suffering which can be produced in no other way. True, if troubles be brooded over unduly they tarnish and darken the life, but if. like a cleansing acid, the destructive influence be quickly removed and counteracted by the oil of the holy spirit, their uses are sweet and purifying and the sufferer emerges brighter than ever before.

The squash grows rapidly under the influence of sun and warm rain, but its texture is unable to withstand the rigors of frost and snow. On the other hand, the oak grows much more slowly but has a fiber which if imparted to it in large measure by the adversity of wine and cold. In making our consecration we have choser the way which calls for the rugged and enduring grain

Some kinds of adversity are chiefly of the character of trial and others of discipline. By discipline is to be understood that which has a direct tendency to produce improvement or to create some quality that did not exist before; and by trial, anything which tends to ascertain what improvement has been made or what qualities exist. Both purposes may be served at once.

ADVERSITY FROM VARIOUS SOURCES

The adversity, opposition, hindrance, or resistance brought to bear against our Christian progress would seem to derive from five main sources: the devil, the world, the flesh, the brethren, and from the Lord Jehovah.

That from the devil is calculated to be antagonistic in both purpose and effect; opposite, hostile, and inimical to our best interests. The Apostle Peter describes him in these words: “Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour : whom resist steadfast in the faith”. (1 Peter 5: 8, 9) His resistance to our Christian walk is to be met with a still stronger resistance on our part, and that not in our own strength and power, but by the power of faith, instructed, inspired, and sustained by God’s Word.

His method of opposing does not always consist in direct endeavor to hinder our progress; but, since he is a deceiver, he attempts to cause delay by getting us interested in various other schemes and subjects than that most vital to us. In one place he is referred to as the “accuser of our brethren”. (Revelation 12:10) False accusations made against the brethren tend to hinder them by arousing their sense of justice. They are obliged to spend time and energy in resisting the desire to recompense the evil with evil, instead of committing their cause to him who judges righteously.—1 Pet. 2:23.

We may safely assume that since the Lord has seen fit to allow us to be confronted with opposition from so malignant and crafty a foe as Satan he sees some good in it for us, and just that good it is which we wish to experience. There are several things which we can learn: by force of reverse example we may learn humility. Often it is that a child learns how disgusting it looks to be naughty by seeing the misbehavior of another; and such a lesson is more deeply impressed and more effective than all the oral precepts given by the parents —or rather the precepts previously given there have their first beneficial influence.

LESSONS IN SELF-CONTROL

With Satan as a foe we learn also self-control. It is written that Michael, great though he was, “when contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee”. (Jude 9) If we sometimes feel inclined to lambaste everybody and everything and to set everything right in the world, we can remember that God is still in heaven and that he will recompense every act in righteousness, regardless of whether the righteous way correspond with our present views or not. How often we would be filled with bitterest regret if the Lord always recompensed our opposers according to the mood in which we happened to be at the time of their offense.

Again, Satan’s antagonism drives us to closer fellowship with God; for we realize that the devil is wiser and stronger than we. But abiding under the shadow of the Almighty we can say: “If God be for us, who can be against us?”—Romans 8: 31.

One of the devil’s chief methods is to dishearten and discourage us. He calls to our attention how many ideals, hopes, and wishes we have had in years past, only to awaken and find them wrong or false. He sets us wondering as to whether we could not be mistaken in this also. Is there a God at all? Has he interest in me?—But even experience battling such suggestions will be helpful in the next age when we are dealing with some who are inclined to doubt what they cannot see.

So even Satan who so persistently dogs the steps of the toiling saint, may be a means to a noble end, if we are rightly exercised by his antagonism.

OPPOSITION FROM THE WORLD

The resistance which the world offers to our progress is twofold: it may come from the secular world or from the religious world. Opposition from the world in a general sense consists in its being or acting in a contrary direction; opposed or opposing in position or course to the new creature.

From the secular wing of the world comes a passive opposition, as that of a fixed body which interrupts the passage of a moving body. The world has its ideas and ideals of life and these are said by the Scriptures to lie “in the wicked one”. (1 John 5:19) That is to say, Satan, the wicked one, rules in the hearts of men by pandering to and nourishing the spirit of selfishness. This spirit of self and the ideals and institutions it has gendered are all firmly set and established in both the mind and the heart of the world. When the Lord’s people, therefore, travel in an opposite direction they but naturally encounter the inertia represented in the world.

The Apostle James tells us that the “friendship of the world is enmity with God” (James 4: 4), and St. Pau) warns us of the danger of being conformed to this world. (Romans 12:2) The less we are conformed to the world the more will we be objects of the world’s wonderment and disesteem. Oftentimes we learn our defects from adverse criticism which the world favors us with. The Lord has seen it to be not generally good for us to be too much with those who think just as we do. We mutually incline to overlook our own errors; though the brethren have enough of the world yet in their flesh to minimize this danger considerably. It must have been because he saw it to be the best way that the Master prayed the Father: “Not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil”. (John 17: 15) The rolling, rubbing, scratching, battering received from the world were all foreseen by the wisest of fathers to be the best for his children—though that very process would at the same time sort out and shift to one side many who could not stand the rough treatment.

When criticized by the world we are not to take it for granted that they are always wrong, but wre can well ascertain to what extent we are really at fault, and if we are convinced that it is not our fault then we should watch to see what lessons the Lord would have us learn in connection with our difficulties.

The lofty and superior attitude of the secular world should ripen humility and submissiveness in us and help us to look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are eternal.

There are certain noble things in the world which may tr ■ onie hindrances to us. Friendships sometimes fall into this class.

“But can I love earth's ties so well, As not to long with thee to dwell?"

In proportion to our faithfulness in the narrow way we are bound to drift further and further away from worldly friends and attachments. If we are faithfully walking after the spirit they will sooner or later drop us from intimate fellowship, as there will be small ground for intercourse. That some have had experiences of this kind is shown by the blood drops they have left behind them on the narrow way:

“Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer;

In his arms he’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there."

FROM THE RELIGIOUS QUARTER

Strange as it may seem, from the religious quarter of the world comes a more actively adverse influence. It is active as in the exertion of force to stop, repel, or defeat both our progress and our design. Concerning this adversity the Master, in conjunction with the Beloved Disciple, said : “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you”. . . . “Ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” (1 John 3 : 13 ; John 15 : 18, 19) It was the Jewish religious world which was especially set against the work of the Master. The Homans anil Greeks eared little one way or the other.

Rut though opposition be our portion from the religious world; though “affliction or persecution ariseth for the Word’s sake” (Mark 4:17); though “bonds and afflictions await” us (Acts 20: 23) ; though we be sent forth “as sheep among wolves”; though “all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12); still we learn by that very method God’s protecting care and how that “underneath are the everlasting arms”. (Deuteronomy 33:27) “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me.” (Psalm 138: 7) May it not be true in our case as with the Israelites of old? “The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew.”—Exodus 1: 12.

“Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake,” because (1) such experiences place us in the class of the faithful prophets of old and of the apostles, who “rejoiced that they were accounted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5 : 41), and (2) they constitute a proof of our faithfulness up to that point; (3) we learn long-suffering, patience, tolerance, gentleness, and meekness by negative example; (4) we learn brotherly love by being drawn together toward those who are similarly used; (5) we are taught love even for our enemies, because we sec how perverted are their minds and how thoroughly they are held in the toils of the great adversary.

“HEREUNTO WERE YE CALLED”

We learn meekness and fellowship with Christ from opposition from the world, as the Apostle Peter teaclres us: “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle', but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called-, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.”--l Peter 2 : 18-23.

The opposition from the world whets our desire for eternal peace- “where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary be at rest”.—Job 3:17.

Ornithologists assure us that the eagle, the condor, the albatross, and even the little dove, like many other birds that are strong on the wing, can fly more swiftly against the wind than in a gentle breeze. It may be that this is because they are stimulated to exert the muscular strength of their pinions. But, however this be, it is a fact that the fires of a steamship burn much more fiercely under the boilers when the vessel is going against a head-wind. The Christian’s effort of the right kind is at its best when opposition is faced, for this very condition brings us into contact with the divine resources which are pledged to the help of the Lord’s people. “Woe unto von when all men shall speak well of you.”—Luke 6:26; John 17:14.

Adversity has attended every advance of the truth. All the various forward religious movements throughout this gospel age have been born and nurtured in opposition; and when the opposition stopped the progress stopped. It was not merely: ‘Well, brethren, we have been making a mistake, now that we see it more chariv let us change our ways’. No, it has never been so simper as that; it meant contending for the faith against almost all odds, from the human standpoint. But “no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves Know that we are appointed thereunto”.--1 Thessalonians 3; 3.

RESISTANCE FROM THE FLESH

The resistance which the flesh offers is in the shape of opposing desires, which are contrary to the wishes or to the good of the new creature. “The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other.” (Galatians 5:17) The electric wire is necessary to conduct the current to the point of use, but even the best of wires offers resistance to the current and mitigates its force and thus to a certain extent thwarts the very purpose for which it is intended. But this is not an unmixed evil, because the very principle of resistance can be so applied as to modulate or control the force of the current and thus bring it down to a point where it can be easily managed. So the divine energy of the holy spirit meets with resistance in our poor fleshly conductors. But here, too. it will serve the Lord’s present purposes best, for if that holv power of truth found no modulating influence in us we would give a well-nigh deadly shock upon first contact. But our poor rambling minds and our poor stammering lips proclaim God’s message in such a way that whoever accepts it does so because of the message alone and not because of the wonderful power of the speaker. If angels came in shining garb to minister the truth, thousands might be attracted who would be unable to stand the subsequent tests necessary to prove them worthy for a place with Christ.

Through circumstances affecting the flesh we are at times “cast down—but not destroyed”. Even such disheartened feeling, which arises as likely as not from an insufficient nervous vitality, is not without its uses. We are not likely to be proud or unsympathetic while in that condition. As the Apostle said of himself: “I take pleasure in infirmities ... for when I am weak, then am I strong”. (2 Corinthians 12: 10) Trust and submission are thus learned to a degree otherwise impossible.

The flesh constitutes a means of testing our love of the truth, for in our brains are many natural and grievous prejudices. We must not allow our own preconceptions or prejudices to stand in the way of the truth, whatever it costs or however it hurts.

BRUNTS FROM THE BRETHREN

Yes, our closest friends and associates sometimes hinder us and the courage necessary to oppose these influences is greater than that required against outside forces, in that one’s own feelings and the feelings of those held dear are involved. Nor does such courage often if ever call forth praise from any one. Even our Master found it necessary to say to Peter: “Thou art an offense unto me, for thou savorest not of the things that be of God, but those that be of men”.—Matthew 16: 23.

By seeing certain weaknesses in the flesh of others of like precious faith we learn consideration, lest, as they offend us, we might also be unconscious causes of offense to them. Sometimes hindering influences from the brethren come from underdevelopment or overdevelopment in some direction. They may come from a lack of sympathy or from too much sympathy or from sympathy unwisely applied. That there are differences which tend to bother us is made clear by the statement: “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak” (Romans 15:1): and again: “In meekness instructing those that set themselves in opposition”. (2 Timothy 2: 25) One brother talks too much, another brother has this or that fault—but we must bear in mind that this opposition from the brethren comes from their flesh and not really from their hearts.

We are admonished “lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [us] and thereby many be defiled”. (Hebrews 12: 15) Thore must, therefore, be some way for us to draw benefit from those things which tend of themselves to engender roots of bitterness. In the first place we may learn humility of an extremely rare quality, when we try to make something right and our motives are misunderstood or misapplied. We go to a brother or a sister with whom we have had words and wish to apologize for our part, and they are thereby only confirmed in their belief that we were wholly wrong and they were wholly right. Otherwise why should we be coming there to explain anything if we did not now see that thin were right. The rebuff to our noble aims thus gained will pretty surely burn out anything of pride that might have been left.

From the brethren we learn the futility of leaking to one another’s faults to grow better. ‘Comparing ourselves with ourselves we are not wise.’ (2 Corinthians 10:12) No, it is not by looking, even with sympathetic eye, at the weaknesses of our brethren that we are changed from glory to glory but rather by “beholding as in a mirror the glory «f the Lord”.—2 Cor. 3: 18.

PATIENCE AND GENEROSITY

Suppose a brother assumes a self-righteous attitude and saysNo sir, I never did a thing like that and never would do it! We incline at once to say, Such a person is either a hypocrite or else has very poor judgment, for who knows exactly what he would do until confronted with all the circumstances. It seems that there is no good which we can got from such a brother. But wait and see: It is an adverse spirit first engendered in us by cock-sure righteousness, because it grates so upon our feelings of smoothness and truth. But by that very experience we can learn patience and generosity of thought which would never be possible under sweeter and more gentle influences. By reflection it teaches us lowliness of mind, because we wonder if we would do any better under all the same influences of birth, former experience, etc. Or it causes us to wonder if we have not some fault which is just as readily discernible to others and as little seen by us and to wonder amid it all how the Lord may view us and our efforts to please him.

Those people who are the most pleasant to us may not in the end prove to be those who have helped or developed us the most. We therefore should not be too assiduous in cither seeking or rejecting the fellowship of those whom divine providence has thrown in our path. The direct result of some experiences may not be soothing, but in time it will be seen that strength has been imparted by them.

Woll then, if offenses are of such good to the Lord’s people why not turn to and cause all the difficulties we can? But no: “It must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh I” (Matthew 18:7) Not, however, a woe from us; it is not our affair to recompense evil with evil or hindrance with hindrance. The woes or difficulties upon those who offend us, as wel-1 as upon us if we offend others to their injury, will come from the Lord, who can judge and recompense wiser than we know how.

CHASTISEMENT FROM GOD

How rich a dowry sorrow gives the soul!

God, the great husbandman, sees sometimes best toplow the soil of our hearts with trouble that he may plant the seeds of a richer harvest in the fruits of the holy spirit. Ye “received the word in much affliction”. —1 Thessalonians 1: 6.

‘Spare the rod and spoil the child’ (Proverbs 13: 24) is the principle on which the heavenly Parent deals with his children, though “in love, and not in anger, all his chastening doth come”. The slight hindrances put in our way by our loving Father are, though betimes painful, as surely for our good as the cauterizing stick is for the poisoned finger. “Before I was afflicted I went astray.”—Psalm 119: 67.

“In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider." (Ecclesiastes 7 : 14) How often a spiritual stock-taking, revealing to us our real condition of heart, is the sequel brought on by adversity. Of course, in one sense, all adversity is from the Lord in that he allows it to transpire; but some is more directly so than others and in some his hand is more than generally seen. The purpose of such difficulty is never to drive us away from him but to draw us nearer by showing us our weak points and our need of his grace and fellowship. “In the world ye shall have tribulation”— “in me ye [shall] have peace”.—John 16:33.

“Though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers" (Isaiah 30: 20). shall recognize thine instruction. We were perhaps blinded to the instructive providences of the Lord or yet to the real meaning of his Word until the hand of adversity was upon us. Even of our Lord it is w ritten: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted . . . the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all." - Isaiah 53: 7. 6.

When affliction is heavy’ and no one else seems fully to understand, we may be sure of a full appreciation of our little difficulties by Jehovah God, for it is written concerning his people of old: “In all their afflictions he was afflicted".- Isaiah 63: 9.

ADVERSITY A BITTER HERB

The world grills and bear.- it, but there is a finer kind of courage yet than this: it recognizes and appreciates the divine wisdom in permitting such tragic mistakes as we make, and is broad enough to see, in spite of one's own heart agonv, that the present evil world is correctly heated as a furnace to draw and to temper the metal from which saints are made.

If we incline to think that the Lord does not actually send or arrange for offenses let us read how that Jesus was definitely foretold as being of such a character that he would be an "offense to both the houses of Israel". (1 Peter 2:8) Divine wisdom is capable of baling arranged such a course' for our Redeemer that he could have appeared popular and suave and attractive to all ; but this was not doin'.

Adversity is the bitter herb with which we eat the message of his grace, lest \\e become surfeited and vomit forth the whole. The Master says: “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in mo. In my Father's house are many mansions". (John 14: 1.2) He did not. say : Let not your heart be troubled, for you will have a nice. easy, and respectable time in the present life. Rather is the basL for our peace put not in the present but in the future, and this is the word of the Lord through the Prophet Isaiah : “0 thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay’ thy foundations with sapphires”. - -Isaiah 54: 11.

Therefore we can confidently pray with the Psalmist: “Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us and the years wherein we have seen evil”. (Psalm 90: 15) “O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. For thou, 0 God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidest affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: hit thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place." —Psalm 66: 8 -12.

Only the experienced child of God can say: “ I know, 0 Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me”.-- Psalm 119: 75.

DIVINE COMFORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT

The Scriptures tell u» of a time when there shall be no more pain. Pain shall have done its work; the permission of evil shall have taught its lesson. Even for ue the suffering is not long. As the Apo.stle says: “The God of all grace, who hath called you unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while. make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you”. (1 Peter 5 : 10) But if this light affliction, which endureth but a moment, be not only instrumental in preparing us for the eternal weight of glory, but also in qualifying us to heal poor humanity of its head-aches, heart-aches, and body-aches of every kind, is it not w’orth while?

All the philosophizing imaginable will not make hard things easy, will not make adversity pleasurable in itself. But a proper philosophy on the subject, guided by and based upon God’s word, will enable us to avoid despair and enable us in saintly suffering to be calm during the trouble and thus minimize as much as possible, and some times entirely counteract the injurious effects thereof.

Trouble, without the aid of the holy spirit, means anything but benefit, as is shown by the Prophet: “Trouble and anguish shall make, him [the wicked] afraid ; they shall prevail against him as a king ready to the battle”.

Job 15:24.

“Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of?” the Master inquires. Yes, Lord, though it be through symbolic fire and blood; by thy grace we will. But the natural man is not able to drink the cup and it would be futile for him to try. The natural man wants hu rights and cries loudly at every infringement of them. If our cup of trial seems to be of a peculiar nature or seem.- more intense than we can bear, it is well to consider whether or not we are trying to meet it in our own strength.

Yes, it is good for the Hew creature to be afflicted, for the winds of adversity fan to greater heat and brighter flame the fire of love already kindled in his lieart. Affliction proves and tests our earnestness and burns a-way hvpocrisv and shallow-heartedness. Therefore “count it all joy" and “think it not strange concerning the fiery I rial which is to try you”.—Tames 1: 12; 1 Peter 4: 12.

We are forewarned and forearmed more than the worldly, who say: “I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity”.- Psalm 10:6.

If affairs in our owm lives or in the church generally seem to be incompatible with our understanding of harmony, perhaps these affairs will be all right when we understand the main theme of God’s purposes better; and perhaps we cannot understand the main theme better until we have had affliction. If others seem to be having an easier time than we and to be missing the continuous kaleidoscope of perplexities which are our portion, we can know that either they are being prepared for another place, or have had more time, or are not making so much progress, or are adept in hiding their troubles; for every follower of Jesus must walk the way of him who was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.—Isa. 53: 3.

There is a proverb which says: “Disaster lends to the just a charm, as night a beauty to the stars”.

Tenderer and purer than a mother’s kiss come the words of the Master: “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”. (John 14:27) Adversity will trouble the mind, will cause perplexities, but if our heart is set on Jehovah, on the Lord Jesus, on his Word and the best interests of his people it need not be moved.

“He kindles for my profit, purely, Affliction’s glowing, fiery brand: For all his heaviest blows are surely Inflicted by a Master hand.

And so I whisper, ‘As God will,’

And in his hottest fire hold still.”

“REJOICE EVERMORE”

1 Thessalonians 5:16

JOY is the most vivid sensation of the soul; the habitual temper and the inalienable right of the heart in harmony with God. It is various in its moods; cheerful under stress or anguish; pleased by lesser and more ordinary favors; glad at relief from want and pain; and joyful at the gratifying things of greatest moment.

The gladness of the angelic hosts was voiced in song when they “shouted aloud for joy”. (Job 38: 7) The Christian message itself opens with the declaration of “good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10), while part of man’s blessing for the time to come is in that joy which “cometh in the morning”. (Psalm 30:5) And of a now sorrowing and needy world it is said that, finally, “they shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads”. (Isaiah 35:10) Now such joy is largely wanting in the world. Power to rejoice, like all other powers, has suffered loss since sin has come and disturbed the sensitive magnetic pole of human feelings, causing them to be untrue.

But while the world is not now in the most gladdening circumstances, the church of the called-out ones may have much blessing in joy. Concerning our Lord Jesus, the Head of the church, we read in Psalm 45: 7 that he was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows, and that a part of the office to which he was anointed was “to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”. —Isaiah 61:3.

The ideal Christian is not an embodiment of unimpassioned propriety. His life is rich in varied emotions, and is marked by trials severe and joys sublime. Grief and gladness alternate in his experiences like lights and shadows upon a landscape. Though he becomes sorrowful, he is always rejoicing.

Seeing, doubtless, by prophetic vision the sufferings which the Lord’s children would have to endure throughout this gospel age, and knowing the discouraging influences which would be brought to bear against them by the world, the flesh, and the devil, the Apostle evidently sought to counteract these influences by words of cheer: hence our text, which should be considered in the light of an admonition.

Christian joy is a thing which can be excited by several causes, and they are all different from the things which cause delight to the worldly. Their pleasure arises chiefly from things which they are able to accomplish, oftentimes to the disadvantage of others. Our joy arises principally from things which God himself has done on our behalf, and which are traceable to our relations with him.

“REJOICE IN THE LORD”

First comes the exhortation to “rejoice in the Lord”. (Philippians 4:4) This statement must be carefully read or we shall be making something out of it w'hich is not there. The suggestion is not that we rejoice in our environment, or rejoice in our feeling at all times, but it is to the effect that we should have an abiding joy, which finds its fountain head in the Lord himself. In the measure that we have come to know the Lord Jehovah he inspires us with gladness, because of the beauty of his character and of the harmony with which all his cardinal principles work together. We see how his love is so great as to prompt his wisdom to devise a scheme, whereby his justice can remain inviolate and his power at the same time perform the liberation of those who were justly condemned.

“We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:11) God’s character of love is shown for us and for the world most vividly in the person and in the doings of his beloved Son; and the joy which is inspired by him was mentioned in particular by the Apostle Peter: “Whom having not seen we love; in whom, though now we see him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory”. (1 Peter 1:8) The salvation which God provides us through Christ becomes another source of gladness. As the Psalmist says: “My soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in his salvation”.—Psalm 35: 9.

God has so arranged it that joy in him is now only for the humble of heart. The proud of the world know him not, for the god of this world has blinded their minds. But the attitude of the Lord’s people is this: “My soul shall make her boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad”. (Psalm 34:2) That is, we come to realize our condemned state and learn that forgiveness has been vouchsafed through Jesus Christ. We take the steps of obedience necessary to make forgiveness accessible to us. And when secured, pardon brings gladness, and gladness tends to break forth in song. “My mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.” ■—Psalm 63: 5.

This joy which we have in the Lord is not dependent •upon outward circumstances or environment; hence, no change in our surroundings can alter that joy. Our happiness is inspired by the fact that God is good instead of evil, and since with him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, there is no possibility of losing that joy as long as we are in relationship with him and we do not lose sight of the facts. As it was prophetically spoken of our Lord Jesus: “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” —Psalm 16: 9.

That our rejoicing in the Lord is inspired by the very nature of his being, and not merely by his tangible beneficences, is shown by the prophecy which expresses implicit trust in him, even in trouble: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vine; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation”. —Habakkuk 3 :17, 18.

“Every human tie may perish, Friend to friend unfaithful prove, Mothers cease their own to cherish;

Heaven and earth at last remove;

But no changes

Can attend Jehovah’s love.”

Our joy is still further inspired by God’s message, by its gladness. He who is filled with love “rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth”. (1 Corinthians 13: €) The truth gives him appreciation, a kind of pleasure which cannot be duplicated by anything else in the world. “Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, 0 Lord, in the light of thy countenance.”—Psalm 89:15.

In a parable our Lord portrayed the zeal and delight with whicl; the called and chosen class would accept the truth and its requirements. A certain man for joy went and sold all that he had in order to obtain the pearl of great price. (Matthew 13:44) Again the Master tells us that one purpose of his instructing the disciples was that they thus might have a more reasonable and intelligent basis for joy. “These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” . . . “Your joy no man taketh from you.” (John 16: 30 - 22) He was speaking of the happiness which they would experience when they had learned that he was risen from the dead.

Our Lord remains risen and no man is able to remove this knowledge from the true believer, thus robbing him of his joy. If anything occurs to obscure his faith in this fact, then he is pitiable indeed, for if Christ be not raised, our faith is vain, and we are yet in our sins, and are of all men the most miserable.

Our pleasure in the truth leads us to be happified at a knowledge of its publication. As the Apostle expressed it: “We rejoice that Christ is preached”. (Philippians 1: 18) We are glad because we know how good God is, and we know that his message if received, will make others happy. Where there is spiritual vision, the people are joyful; but “where there is no vision, the people perish”.—Proverbs 29 : 18.

REJOICE IN PROVIDENCE

The third mainspring of our joy we find in the divine providences on our behalf. We are made glad at God’s dealings with us because they show the divine interest in our welfare; and we are made glad in God’s kindly dealings with others. The Psalmist said: “The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad”. (Psalm 126:3) If we are loyal to him, God defends us by his providences from vital harm to the new man; and, though the outward man is made to perish, the inward man is renewed, refreshed and strengthened by those same experiences. “Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them.”—Psalm 5 : 11.

The captive daughters of Zion were requested by their wardens to sing some of their noble songs in Babylon, but they replied: “How can we sing the songs of Zion in a strange land?” But when they had been delivered from Babylon and returned to the ancient landmarks so prominently identified with God’s providences for them, we read that “many . . . wept . . . many shouted aloud for joy”. (Ezra 3: 12) How much more joy should be in the hearts of those who have been delivered from the still more enthralling bondage of Babylon the Great, and have been led to see and to trust in the promises once delivered to the saints.

“When all thy mercies, O my God, My rising soul surveys,

Transported with the view, I’m lost In wonder, love and praise.”

During our fjord’s ministry the disciples were glad that even the demons were subject to their pow’er, and were obliged to obey their behests to cease troubling certain poor afflicted humans. He told them, however, that they would have still greater cause for joy than that: “But rather rejoice that your names have been written in heaven”. (Luke 10: 20) To be so honored as to have the prospect of joint-heirship with Christ and of participation in all the glories which attach to an exaltation like that which our Lord Jesus has undergone, ought to fill us with continuous rejoicing.

Again the Apostle James says: “Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted”. (James 1:9) Exalted not in his own estimation, nor necessarily in the view of others, but exalted in fact—lifted from the miry clay and placed with his 'feet upon the solid rock, Christ Jesus. No more than this has been done for the wealthy brother or for him whose worldly advantages have been greater.

Further, we have cause, under divine providence, for rejoicing in the joy of others. One of the essential things of the Christian’s life is true sympathy. “Rejoice with them that rejoice and weep with them that weep.”

Romans 12 : 15.

REJOICE IN VIRTUE

Another field where joy springs up, though small, must not be overlooked. It is the field of virtue. It has been often said that “virtue is its own reward”. One of the rewards of virtue even at the present time is joy. “To the counsellors of peace is joy.” (Proverbs 12: 20) Those whose influence makes for peace have the satisfying consciousness of knowing that they are thus standing for the principles of the Prince of Peace; and whether they succeed or not in promoting and maintaining peace the reward of such virtuous influence is theirs. They are happy to know that they have done their best and have not added to the strife.

Again: “It is a joy to the just to do judgment”. (Proverbs 21:15) Our judging opportunities now are limited principally to ourselves. But even here we have pleasure in comparing our lives and sentiments with the standards set forth in God’s Word, and though the needed corrections are not joyous to the flesh, but grievous, the new man takes a genuine delight in correcting to the extent of his ability every fault which is discovered. If he allowed personal pride to hinder him in the work of self-judgment, he will be robbing himself of that pure enjoyment of knowing himself to be engaged in a righteous task. It requires meekness to delight in finding one’s own faults, that they may be corrected, and that the fruits of the holy spirit may be substituted therefor, Thus, “the meek shall increase their joy in the Lord”.—L-aiah 29:19.

The ’’lore of the holy spirit we have, the greater will he our rejoicing, for we “joy in the holy spirit”. (Romans 14:17) .loy comes second m a list of the fruits of the holy spirit. (Galatians 5:22) Furthermore the Apostle had a keen delight in knowing that his personal influence had been employed in the most blessed and sanctifying of all labors, the spreading of God’s gracious message. “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”—2 Corinthians 1:12.

REJOICE IN TRIBULATION

Strange as it may seem, the New Testament Scriptures closely identify the tribulations of the church with joy. That there is a close connection between these seemingly paradoxical points is shown by the Master in John 16: 19-24. He knew that his disciples were about to be engulfed by the greatest tribulation bf their lives. He was to be taken from them and made to endure such ignominy and shame as to cast reproach upon them for years to come. He told them, however, that their sorrow should be turned to joy, as with a woman who is delivered of her child.

It would hardly be true to say that suffering is always a prerequisite to joy. for if that were true the holy angels would be precluded from joy. But it is evidently the Lord’s purpose for the church in embryo to have a degree of pain, in order to heighten her appreciation and to call her attention to the possibilities of real joy. This is everywhere the thought held forth by the New Testament Scriptures. The Apostle James tells us: “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2), knowing that the trying influence thus brought to bear against your faith will call into service, and even call into existence, qualities hitherto unknown. The Apostle Peter also says: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you. as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings ; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy”.—-1 Peter 4: 12, 13.

Here is emphasized the intimacy existing between Christian tribulation and Christian joy. Analyzed it would seem to be about as follows: The world is dominated by the spirit of selfishness and “lieth in the wicked one”; his spirit inspires or directs in a greater or less degree the actions and the thoughts of the inhabitants of the earth; the tide moves in that direction and when the fjord’s people by virtue of faith in the message which God has given them, recognize the iniquity of the course in which they are and turn round to go in the opposite direction, they but naturally incur either the studied or the unstudied opposition of the worldly— those who have small appreciation of God’s will and who are making no efforts to do that will.

If the Lord’s people were to lack' experiences of this sort, if there were no opposition from the world, it would be one good indication that they were either standing still or that they were drifting with the tide: their lives would not be such as to attract the attention in any manner of the religious worldly class. As long, however, as tribulation arises from this source, it is a fair indication of itself, that the individual is making progress against the preferences of the world and against its ideals. Our Master implied as much when he said: “Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven”.—Matthew 5:12.

The earliest disciples of the Lord, we are told, “took joyfully the spoiling of their goods”. (Hebrews 10: 34) The spoiling of their goods would not call forth their admiration for the spoilers; nor would they have thought it proper to destroy their own belongings merely to make a demonstration. It was not to be in the limelight that they were seeking. Their joy sprang not from the destruction of property itself, but from the fact that persecution was an evidence to them that they were walking not with the world but were following the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. Concerning two of the apostles, we read that they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for his name’s sake. (Acts 5: 41) The same apostles who had formerly told the Lord they were willing to drink of his cup were now happy because an opportunity was granted them under trying and unfavorable circumstances to prove the truth of their statements.

Those sayings which are usually referred to as the “beatitudes” all contain a kernel of this same thought.

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