The Watchtower, July 15, 1923
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THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SACRED MISSION
THIS journal la 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 ch a *:el of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the coming of its ..raveling 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., Verbi Dei Minister (V. D. M.)» which trans] ■ d into English is Minister of God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older students an 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] or all”. (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : G) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 : 1113; 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. . Jias b >en hid in God, ... to the i”ient that now might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God”—“which in other ages was not made known unto tl 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 i-ito finest subjection to the will of God in Chn&t, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldlv v\hat<oe\er the > >rd lmih spoken—according to the divine wisdom granted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, Inn co-inu. it; fur we know whereof we affirm, treading implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is hob] as a trust, to be m .-u o > in _hs service; hence our dciinons relative to wh..t may and what may not appear in its columns must be according to our ji i.i -nt of iia good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuilding of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge cur readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.
TO US TEE 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, wi a finished, Gods bles.ing shall come “to all people”, and they find access to him.—1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; Ephesians 2:20-22; Genesis 28:14; Galatians 3:29.
STha. ..uptime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progre^'s ; and when the of these “lixing stones”, “ ’oct and previous,” shall hare been made ready, the gro-'t Vaster Workman wdl bring all logclh r i.i the List resurrection: and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting ’place between God and men throughout t..e 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 love of God. t^-*:cl death fr-r every i n.” “a ransom for all,” and wi.l be 'the true light which lighteth every man that comclh into the icoila.’. “in due tune”.— J’obrev.'v 2:9; John 1: 9 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 5, G.
That Gie lup* cf the church is that she inav be like her Lord, “see him as he is,” be ‘partaker of the divine nature,’ and share his g.ory a-j jjoiiit-I.cir—I John 3:2; John 17:24; Romans 8:17; 2 I'cler 1:4.
That the present mi.^ion of the church is the perfecting of the saints for tin* future work of service; to develop in he -'f ove^y grace; to he God's wita.ivs to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.—Ephcsm-s 4:12, y.uiia'W 21: 14 ; Revelation 1:6; 20 : 6.
That Hie hope lor the wc'Id lies in the blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennu ' I n -Join, the re <■ *■’ p'I that w lost in Adam, to all the willing and Obedient.’ at the hands ol their Redeemer anc Ins giunucti ehuicjL
when all i. c w.. . ? vukul will lie destroyed. Acts 3:19-23; l.-.uah 35.
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SPECIAL COLPOIUEURS
il.e Ciaistian's appreciation increase toward the King and his kingdom, tl'.ere is :i greater desire Io have part in giving the wi.ness It is our desire to cooperate with every one who wishes to have a part in the work in tl.is behalf, well knowing that nothing is so good tor one’s spiritual health as to be busy in the Lord's service.
To encourage those who wish to spend their vacation in canvassing for the books we have arranged to give them special terms and territory wherever suitable for their con-veuie ice. All contemplating engaging in this special colporteur work during the period of location plea°e register with the Colporteur Ihpartment as soon as possible, requesting your territory, in order that He may get boohs to you in ample time. Be sure to make it plain in your letter that you wish to enter the special colporteur work during your vacation, advising us that you are employed the rest of the time at some secular work. This will insure you the special rate.
We wish for each and etery one of you the happiest vacation period that you Imve spent, and we feel sure that this will be the result in jour effort to advertise the King and his kingdom.
CONVENTION
The colored friends of the International Bible Students Association will have their general convention in New York city August 31 to September 3, inclusive. At this meeting will be Brother Banks, the manager of the Colored Department, and other able brethren, besides Brother K. II. Barber, of the Editorial Committee of The Watch Tower. For further information address communications to ?Ir. A. Benta, 234 West 63rd St., New York, N. Y.
Vol. XLIV
July 15, 1923
No. 14
VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER
“Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”—Luke 18: 8.
THE evidence is overwhelming proving the second presence of our Lord. He has been present since 1874, conducting his harvest work. From time to time since then, students of the Scriptures have observed the fulfilment of his words above quoted. From time to time The Watch Tower deems it proper to call attention to some of these fulfilments of prophecy, showing how the clergy and the principal men in the church nominal have departed from the faith once delivered to the saints.
When the League of Nations compact was formulated in 1919, the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America called upon the people of the earth to support it and hailed it as the savior of mankind, employing the statement: “It is the political expression of God’s kingdom on earth.” The American people repudiated the League of Nations at the polls; but the professional politicians, big business and big preachers are still trying to inveigle the people of this land into the League. A press despatch from Washington under date of May 31, 1923, says:
“A call to 125,000 congregations in America to rally to the support of President Harding’s proposal that the United States enter the Permanent Court of International Justice was issued here today by the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. With the Federal Council are affiliated thirty communions with an adult membership of more than 20,000,000 persons.”
This Council wholly ignores the Scriptures and the Lord’s kingdom as remedies for the ills of mankind. Another evidence of the rapid disintegration of Satan’s empire!
FUNDAMENTALISTS AND INFIDELS
There are yet a few men of the various nominal church organizations who believe the Bible. These are now seeing, all too late, that the wave of higher criticism and of evolution which has been sweeping over the church for a generation has brought rampant infidelity, modernism, into full control of church affairs. The Baptists have just been having evidence of this in their convention at Atlantic City.
President W. H. P. Faunce, of Brown University, Providence, R. I., one of the institutions where modern infidels are educated for the pulpit, was on the program to speak to the 3,200 delegates. Dr. John Roach Straton, of New York, arose and protested against his appearance on the ground that he was substantially an infidel. But the protest was without avail. The majority of the convention was overwhelmingly in favor of the modern infidel.
The Fundamentalists hold to four principles as essential; the virgin birth of Christ, the inspiration of the Scriptures, Christ’s vicarious atonement for sin, and his promise of a second advent. The Modernists (infidels) deny these propositions. The Fundamentalists had intended asking the convention to make some statement of its standing upon these four points, but gave it up when they saw’ that they were hopelessly outnumbered. The question that arises is, Why do Christian men continue to meet with an infidel organization, and to give it their support? Why not obey the Lord and come out?—Revelation 18:4.
PRESBYTERIANS IN TROUBLE, TOO
The same issue which has ruined the Baptist denomination is destroying Presbyterianism also. In 1910 the Presbyterians at their annual assembly agreed that the literal inspiration of the Scriptures, the virgin birth, the vicarious sacrifice, the resurrection of Jesus, and the performance of miracles are essential doctrines of the Presbyterian church.
Now’ it happens that the Reverend Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick, who is a Baptist and a professor in the infidel Union Theological Seminary of New York, is also a special preacher in the First Presbyterian church of New York. A year ago he delivered a sermon in New York in which he expressed his unbelief in the virgin birth of the Savior, the inspiration of the Scriptures, the atonement, and the second coming of Christ. New York was satisfied; but Philadelphia Presbyterians objected and took the case to the Presbyterian Assembly, which met at Indianapolis, May 17.
At the Assembly William Jennings Bryan, through the power which he has of swaying audiences, succeeded by a vote of 439 to 359 in the attempt to have Dr. Fosdick reproved; but his own attempt to have the Assembly agree that no part of the educational fund should to be paid to any school that teaches or permits to be taught as a proved fact either Darwinism, or any other evolutionary hypothesis that links man in blood relationship with any other form of life, went down into defeat. It is apparent that the general sympathy of this Assembly was with the infidel view, and only the oratory of a layman prevented a scene like that at Atlantic City. Even as it was, sixty-six of the leaders at Indianapolis filed a protest against the Assembly’s action in condemning the doctrines of Dr. Fosdick. It is claimed in the newspapers that at Indianapolis there were two evolutionists to every believer in the Scriptural origin of man. At the conclusion of the session Will H. Hays, president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, made an eloquent plea that the preachers should have more money, claiming that they were paid about the same as garbage collectors. Our own opinion is that as a choice between garbage collectors and exponents of Evolution versus the Bible, the garbage collectors are many times more beneficial to mankind. One is collecting garbage, and the other distributing it.
3U
The South wakes more slowly than the West. In some sections it is still at the hell-fire stage, not having learned as yet that it is in the effort to escape this very dilemma that the denial of the Bible has come about. Thus on May 19, at Montreat, N. C., the Reverend It. C. Reed, of the Columbia, S. C., Presbyterian Theological Seminary, delivered a red-hot sermon on the text, “I am tormented in this flame.” (Luke 1G: 21) If the Reverend Reed will send to us, we will supply him with a clear and convincing explanation of this parable, in which he will see that his torment is unnecessary. It is the Jew that has been tormented.
EPISCOPALIANS AND THE FEDERAL COUNCIL
The Protestant Episcopal church has been in session at Garden City, and has before it the proposition whether, at the World Conference on church union, to be held in Washington in 1925, the primary question should be whether the church should have a creed at all; and, secondly, whether the Nicene Creed should be the expression of its faith. Very evidently the drift of most clergymen is toward having no creed at all; for the good and sufficient reason that most of them now know and are constantly admitting in their discourses that they have no faith at all, and are not Christians at all.
At the Garden City conference it was agreed that during the next twelve months the clergy will press forward a series of regional conferences whereby the American public shall become more favorable to church unity; and the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America is to be approached with a view to cooperation in the program.
The Federal Council adds a touch of the ridiculous to the church situation when it boasts, as it has recently done, that America is getting more religious because the last year has witnessed an increase of 1,220,428 members over the previous year. If the ministers that serve these church members are infidels, what are the church members themselves? And does it surely mean that the United States is becoming more religious because it has more people who pretend to believe what they do not at all believe? The Federal Council claims a Roman Catholic baptized profession of 18.104,804; a Protestant membership of 21,451,080, of which about eighty percent are affiliated with the Council; and then it makes the whole country over into a community of saints by saying that in the supreme hours of life or death the facts will show that there are in the United States:
Protestants ................. .......................78,113,481
Itoman Catholics _________________________ _______________________18.104 804
Jews ____________________________________________________________________________ 1,600.000
Mormons ___________________________________________________________________ 604,082
Greek Catholics ............... 456,051
SUNDAY SCHOOLS COLLAPSING
Charles A. Selden, in the Ladies Home Journal for May, calls attention to the fact that millions who are enrolled in the Sunday schools are learning practically nothing; that the Sunday school “is a failure as a feeder of the church, primarily because it is even more of a failure as a school”; that it “has kept America in a state of ignorance so far as religion is concerned, and has reduced its religious education to a condition far worse than that of the public secular schools.” He calls attention to “'the persisting absurdity of the uniform lessons, not only giving no religious education worthy of the name, but responsible for the indifivrcnce to religion and the church itself with which millions of young people quit the Sunday school”; and that “'as soon as they possibly can do it after eleven years of age, three out of every four leave the Sunday school and the church for the rest of their days.” As far as the finished product is concerned we get “the result that for fifty years American church members have grown up in complete ignorance of by far the larger part of the Bible, and of many of its best parts.” When it comes to the teachers, “our teachers are lazy and careless. Four-fifths of them arc young women of no training for the work of teaching.”
The Omaha Episcopalians have also condemned the Sunday school, declaring that it has outlived its usefulness, and urging that a plan be adopted by which the pupils in the public schools, with the written consent of the parents, be dismissed on designated days of the week, for an hour a day, and “under proper guidance” be taken to the church school of their parents’ choice, where they will be indoctrinated. Why take the school children apart to drill infidelity into them in another building ?
IN RE CONVENTIONS
ONE of the precious things to the Christian is the joy of fellowship with others of like precious faith. The meeting together, the exchange of thoughts upon the Word of God, the singing of songs to his praise, the uniting of their petitions to the throne of heavenly grace, and the hearing some among them discourse on features of the divine plan, is really meat and drink for the new creature in Christ Jesus. The natural man requires food to sustain his physical body. Even so food for the now creature in Christ Jesus is equally necessary. The transformation of the new creature result' from the building up of the mind: and spiritual food provided by the Lord is necessary for this sustenance and renewing of the mind.
To enable on? another thu< to develop and to encourage each < th'1!' to remwed energy and zeal, and to increase their yiv in the Lord, conventions are held from time to time. As we come nearer to the end of the journey of the ch’ireh these ass -mblies seem to be more mem at-.. St. I Ar I fore-aw that ,-ueh would be the case, and he urged upon the brethren the necessity of assembling themselves together. (Hebrews 10:25) It is not convenient, or in fact reasonably possible, to have a coment'on every year like unto that ot Cedar Point m 1922; but to make up for this smaller conventions are held in dmerent parts of the country, and the-.' lune always re-ulted in great blessing to the brethren v.bo attend for th? purpose of receiving a blessing ami being a blessing to other.-.
At Ui. Paul. Minnesota, a conxeniion of the Bible Students was held May 4-6. The convention was addle -nd by Brother Boyd, Brother Stewart, and oth.rs. On Sunday morning Brother Rutherford was pres.u.t and adiTe- cd the convention. About five bundled friends all, ded, and all ; are t-'-lmimiy to the great strength and ble-smg derived fr, in the fellowhip in the biier p.r.od of time they attended the convention. It has always been difficult to get a large public attendance at St. Paul. The city is strongly Catholic, and has not heretofore been much inclined to attend our meetings provided for the public. On this occasion, however, the attendance was unusual. The brethren had taken a large aiuhtorium with a seating capacity of 4,000; and several minutes before the time for the lecture io begin the house was packed out, and the ushers estimated that between 2,000 and 3,000 people were turned away. More than 800 volumes of books were sold at this meeting. Brother Boyd addressed another public meeting in the same auditorium at night with a splendid attendance. The attention was unusually good. All the brethren wont away much encouraged in their efforts to advertise the King and the kingdom.
A convention was held at Chicago May 11-13, This convention was addressed by Brothers Rico, Pollock, Horth, Nash, and other brothers of ability. Brother Rutherford served the convention Saturday evening. About 900 friends attended. On Sunday morning Brother Rutherford conducted a question meeting, following which there was a consecration of children. A great many children were on this occasion publicly presented by their parents to the Lord. It was an impressive and interesting service. At this service the speaker said in part:
There is nothing dearer on earth than a child. The Lord shoved his great love for children, and it is reasonable that his followers would be likewise much interested in the little ones. A per-on who does not love a child seems to be quite out of the usual. There is something lacking in that person somewhere, particularly if he chums to be a Christian. If we love children generally, with stronger reasoning should we love the children of the consecrated. The apostle Paul speaks of their special relationship to the Lord because of the consecration of fheir parents. We should take a special iiiteiv'st in such children.
The King is now present, and his kingdom is beginning. Many of the children now living will never die. What a v,ond"i'tul prospect before them! And about till- tii,y should be inlormed. If properly instructed and Mailed on the right course they may readily pass over the highway of holiness. The responsibility of prnp rlv teaching' children cannot be overstated, 'the priw! ge of .-tartmg a child aright is a blessed one. “Train up a child in the way he should go; and . . . he will net depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) There never was such an important time to train children in the right way as now.
Some of the brethren from time to time have criti-eiz d their brethren for l-ringing children into the world, and from the. e words of criticism some have been much discouraged. We believe that this is not the proper course. While the chief purpose of each consecrated one is to glorify the Lord and to make his own calling and election sure, yet the bearing of children by the consecrated is not an improper thing. The apostle Paul commends the bearing of children by the consecrated. (1 Turn thy 5: 14) It should not be the chief purpose of the begotten ones to rear large families; but if, in pur.ming the natural course of the marital relationship, children are brought into the world, the parents should not be discouraged, but rather should rejoice. It means now the starting of a new life which may never go out. This is really a privilege, carrying with it of course a responsibility. If the child is properly trained from the beginning, it may early be of much use under the supervision of the princes of the earth in aiding others to be brought to a knowledge of the truth. Parents of the world look Ln ard to giving their children a reasonable competence, a good education, and therefore a fair start in the world. Parents who are Christians should now look fci".....d to giving their children a good education concernin" the divine plan and therefore an advantageous start in the new order of things, that they ma be useful and that their course in life may be a glory to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Let not the parents of children at this time be discouraged, but rather feel keenly their privilege and responsibility concerning the children and start them on the right course.
At once there is impressed upon the mind of a parent the responsibility of making provision for his children. 11'11011 the Apostle states that the one who provides not for his own is worse than an unbeliever his statement is not limited to material provision, but also includes provision for the education and spiritual welfare of the child. One of the most important parts of this education is a knowledge of the divine plan.
The new creature in Christ is a child of God. All that he possesses belongs to the Lord by reason of his covenant. The child is a part of the parent. It therefore becomes the duty as well as the privilege of the parent to devote the child to the Lord. Of course this does not mean that the child can be taken into the fchurch. It merely means that the parent in effect says to the Lord: You have given me this child. I now pre«'nt it to you and ask that you grant unto it blessings according to your perfect wisdom, and to grant unto me wisdom and grace to properly train it insofar as I can, that it may be a glory to your name. The parent then feels a keener responsibility to see that the child is properly 1 rained and, particularly, properly taught concerning God’s great plan of salvation.
It is gratifying to see that the consecrated are giving more attention to their children in training them at home and providing for them class studies whereby they may understand the Bible. A great contrast between these and the children of the nominal church is noted. Some of the states have recently provided questionnaires for the school children, requiring them to give answers to Bible questions. This examination has disclosed the great ignorance of the children generally concerning the Bible and, in marked contrast, the clear understanding that many of the children of the consecrated have concerning God’s plan. This of itself is a witness to the truth and has induced parents who are not consecrated to inquire of brethren in the truth concerning the knowledge of their children on Bible matters; and thus some have been led to investigate the divine plan.
The parents should feel the responsibility now of training their children and teaching them concerning the kingdom. The young mind is open to learning these important things, and they will stay with it forever. Children should be taught that they were born imperfect because of sin; that God provided redemption through Christ Jesus; that Jesus long ago died to provide the ransom or redemptive price; that he rose from the dead; that his resurrection is a guarantee that all the dead in their graves shall come forth and have a trial for life; that for many centuries pad God has been selecting his church; that this work is almost complete; that the Lord Jesus promised to return for his church, the menders of his body; that he has returned; that he is now present and is setting up his kingdom; that soon the faithful men of old, from Abel to John the Baptist, will be resurrected and will be rulers in the earth; that it will be the privilege of the children to heed the teachings of these holy men, and without doubt they will have many positions for the children to occupy in the way of helping others on the highway of holiness, as well as passing themselves thereupon; and that these children will have a special advantage if they have been taught concerning God’s arrangement before the time of restoration really begins.
Those expecting to be of the church class do not expect to be long with their children in the flesh. Happy, then, is the thought that they can start the child aright here. The most reasonable thing, then, is to consecrate the child to the Lord.
The Society expects in a short time to have some lessons prepared for the children in simple language, particularly for those who arc too young to study the Haup or Volume I of Studies in the Sciuptukes. The intention is to have this small book of simple lessons furnished in connection with some hymns particularly adapted for the children, the purpose being to enable the parents at home, as well as the juvenile classes, to make progress in an understanding of the divine plan. Let us give more attention, then, to training the children; and doubtless through them other children will be brought to a knowledge of the truth and through them their parents, and the good work of advertising the King and the kingdom will progress.
For the public meeting at Chicago the brethren had taken the Auditorium, which is the largest in Chicago. The Chicago Class is to be commended for its zeal and love in the advertising for this public meeting, and the Lord greatly blessed their efforts. In addition to the newspaper advertisement, many house-to-house calls were made and cards presented to the people, besides advertising with a “preferred seat” ticket. The Lord greatly rewarded their faithful efforts. For some minutes before the beginning of the meeting, the Auditorium, with an approximate capacity of 4.500, including the stage, was packed out, with many hundreds in the street vainly striving to gain admittance. Two overflow meetings were provided. It was estimated that fully 6,500 people came to hear the lecture as a result of the advertising. Upwards of 2,000 volumes of books were sold to them. This public meeting was a great success in the proclamation of the message. The audience was unusually attentive.
The convention concluded Sunday night with an address by Brother Horth; and from the lips of all the friends were heard expressions of thanksgiving to the Lord for his manifold blessings bestowed upon them during this gathering. Quite a number of visiting
brethren were present, and they together with the Chicago Class went to their homes happy, rejoicing in the manifestation of God’s lavor toward them. We are glad to note that the class in Chicago is in splendid spiritual condition, well organized for the Lord’s work, and going forth with a renewed determination to advertise the King and his kingdom and to glorify his name.
OTHER CONVENTIONS
During the summer months other conventions will be held. There will be a convention at Toronto. Ontario, July 27-29; one at Winnipeg, Manitoba, August 3-5; at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, August 8-10; and at Edmonton, Alberta, August 10-12. 'These conventions will be attended by a number of the 1’pilgrim brethren; and it is anticipated that each \\ ill lie a lime of gruit relresiling among't the Lord's child rem Special service days will be arranged for some of i'i'-e conventions, to be announced later, on which days the brethren will si'.end at lea t a part of the day cunv a'-sing for the books
AT TACOMA
Unusual efforts are being put forth for a convention at Tacoma, Washington. This will be a six-day convention. beginning on August 1-1, and eoncludmg Sunday night. August 19, with a great pubLc meeting in the Stadium. This will bo the convention of the Northwest; and the classes in that section of the coumry are uu.ung in a special effort to advertise particularly the Ntauium meeting. It is expected that the Tacoma Convention will be served by the following speakers; Brothers Pickering, Herr, Van Amburgh, Wise. Salter, Graham, Horth, Rutherford, and others. One day will be given over to field service. It is expected that all the' cla ses in the Northwest v ill cooperate m this convention and we anticipate a time of great refreshment and blessing.
LOS ANGELES
Arrangements are now practically completed for a nine-day convention of the International Bible Students at Los Angeles, California. 'The convention will begin August 18 and conclude August 26 with a public meeting in California’s new Stadium. This meeting will be widely advertised throughout all Southern California, and the intention is to give a large witness to the truth. All other sessions of the convention will be held in the Trinity Auditorium. It is expected that all the ecclesias of California will unite m making this convention the best that has ever been held in that part of the country. The speakers at this convention will include Brothers Van Amburgh, Salter, Wise, Howlett, Pollock, Horth, Sexton, Rutherford, and others.
There will be one day devoted to service, in which all of the visiting brethren will be invited to participate, in the same way that the service day was conducted at Cedar Point last year.
Friends desiring accommodations at these conventions of other information relating thereto should address the local committee. All communications relating to the Tacoma Convention should be addressed to C. F. W. Lundberg, P. 0. Box 1212, Tacoma, Washington; and for the Los Angeles Convention, E. D. Sexton, 200 Trinity Auditorium, Los Angeles. California.
RAILROAD FARES
The railroads have granted a fare for the Tacoma Convention for all points in Montana and west thereof on the certificate plan. Railroad ticket agents will furnish the passengers with a one-way ticket to Tacoma, giving them a regular form of receipt which will show the torn; and number of the ticket issued and the price of same. These receipts are presented to the validating agent at Tacoma. 'The return tickets are issued at one-half of the regular fare. The railroads have waive.] the minimum at lemlance requirement.
For all points east of Monl.r a the rate vv ill be an-urmiL.ii. Iv one and one-tenth fare for the summer tourur 1.:ck<L and will be cheaper than the convention rate. These tickets are good until October 31. Inquire of your local ticket agent for further infoi motion.
SPECIAL TRAIN
Learning of these conventions as above amioum?' I, a number of friends have inquired concerning a qmmil tt.i-n from the East. The Society will not undertake to update a special train itself, but it a ,11 be pha-ed to cooperate with any friends who arrange for <uch a special tram. Brother Frank T. Horth is arranging with flu' railways to operate a sp"c.,:l train from Chicago. Profiler Horth’s letter, v 1 ah in insert below, is self-explanatory.
Dhvii Biiothih Rltherfokd:
Fei' rr; that tho friends might desire lo visit the six-day convent.on at Tacoma, Wash, August 11-19, and Ilie Los Allots. Calif., convention, August 18-2G, especially if a spe<-i il train was arranged for, I took it upon mvself to look into the matter and find:
1 . That the railroads have made a greatly reduced rate —alioul one and one-tenth tare for the round trip -from all points North. East, and South.
2 By chartering standard Pullman sleepers, which could be u-ed as slot ping quarters during the entire tourney of twenlv-mne davs without being overcrowded, and standard Pullman dining car service for the tnit-ehny flute only, a charge of .$114.00 would be necessary. The railroad ticket would be an additional charge. Meals would not be served while in Tacoma or Los Angeles, but would be at all other stopovers.
To determine the Lord's will in the matter will require three tilings:
(a) That you publish this notice in the Watch Tower; (&) Unit at least 125 friends (the minimum full-fares allowed by the railroads for a special train) notify me before July 23 of their intention of going; and (c) send me $114.00 to cover cost of sleeping and dining car service, before August 1
’1 he train would leave Chicago August 10, C., P>. & Q. R. It. .<1 p i.i.. and arrive in Tacoma on the morning of August 14, stops being mncle for meetings at Fargo, N. I>ak., and Spokane, Wash. Leaving Tacoma about 10:30 p. m. August 19, after Ilie public meeting, a stopover of twelve hours will be made in Oakland, Calif., leaving there about 10:30 p. m., and arriving in Los Angeles the morning of August 22. Leaving Los Angeles August 31, a day will be allowed in Salt Lake City, through the Royal Gorge by daylight, and two days at the convention at Pueblo. A brief stop of a few hours will be made in Denver, and arriving in Chicago September 7.
I hope the point is clear that the 9114.00 does not pay the railroad fare. Each one should purchase railroad ticket for the entire round trip from his home passenger ag"'t. No doubt extra cars would be added at Tacoma and Oakland for Los Angeles. Friends of the Northwest would be picked up on the way to Tacoma.
Your co-laborer in the service, Frank T. Horth.
Since receiving the above letter Brother Horth writes as follows:
Dear Brother Rutherford-
The cost of the Chicago-Taeoma-Los Angeles convention tour with route schedule is as follows:
BAILROAD TICKET
Purchase a round-trip summer rate railroad ticket from your home starling point. The cost you can ascertain from your station agent. This can be over any railroad to Chicago.
Important.—Your ticket from Chicago must read :
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R. to St. Paul.
Northern Pacific R. R. to Tacoma.
Northern Pacific R. R. to Portland, Ore.
Southern Pacific R. R. to Los Angeles.
Union Pacific R. R. to Salt Lake City.
Denver & Rio Grande R. R. to Denver.
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R. to Chicago.
STANDARD SLEEP ING-CAB BEBTH AND PULLMAN DINING-CAR MEALS
For each full railroad ticket one berth will be assigned. The berth can be used for the entire journey.
First-class meals to be served while en route only. Berth and meals, 9114.0(1.
Additional charge for drawing-room or compartments.
While at conventions no meals will be served in the di.ling-ear.
For example, if one should start the journey from Chicago the cost would be:
Railroad ticket ............................... ..... ....................$104.00
Berth entire journey, meals en route.................... 114.00
Total $218.00
For reasons over which we have no control railroad passes cannot be honored on the special train. There will be no half fare and babes in arms cannot be taken. No provision can be made for one to work their passage either for all or part of the tour.
In order that definite arrangements may be perfected for Pullman sleepers and di.iii g cars we would like to know as soon as possible the number to provide for. The friends should let me know as soon as possible if they are going and send me not later Ilian August 1 the $114.00 to cover the cost of the berth and meals, stating age, sex, and nationality of each one in the party.
Do not send money for your railroad ticket. This can be secured at the home station the day before the journey starts.
The railroad schedule follows:
Leaving Chicago August 10, at 3 p. ni., the train goes to St. Paul via the C., B. & Q. R. R., arriving at 3 a. m., and leaving immediately over the Northern Pacific R. R. lor Fargo, N. Dak., arriving there at 10 a. in. August 11; leave Fargo 10:30 p. m. August 11 via Northern Pacific, arrive Spokane. Wash., August 13, 10 a. m.; leave Spokane August 13. 10: 30 p. m., via Northern Pacific, arrive Tacoma August 14, noon ; leave Tacoma August 19, 10: 30 p. m., via Northern Pacific to Portland and from Portland via Southern Pacific to Oakland, arrive 9 a. m. August 21; leave Oakland August 21, 10:30 p. m.. via Southern Pacific to Los Angeles, arriving August 22; leave Los Angeles August 31, 10:30 p. m.. via Union Pacific to Salt Lake City, arriving 10 a. m. September 2; leave Salt Lake City September 2, 4 p. m., via Denver & Rio Grande R. R., arrive Pueblo September 3; leave Pueblo September 4 via Denver & Rio Grande, arrive Denver 7 a. m. September 5; leave Denver September 5, 10: 30 p. m., via C., B. & Q , arrive Chicago September 7, 7 a. m.
As this tour is for the purpose of advertising the King and the kingdom it would be fine if every class had a representative on the train. The representative chosen would lose the time and the class would pay the expenses. It would give each one an opportunity of having a share in furthering this movement for the interests of the King. Just a suggestion, however.
Your brother in the one hope, Frank T. Horth,
418 Second Ave., Clinton Iowa.
The above communications are self-explanatory and any one contemplating going should let Brother Horth know at once. Address all communications direct to Brother Horth that in any way pertain to the special train.
WORLD WITNESS
Sunday, August 26. the date of the Los Angeles public discourse in the Stadium, is the day fixed for the next world-wide witness. Where it is not convenient for all the classes to have many meetings we sugge-t that they concentrate their force on one meeting, and then devote the rest of their energy to the canvassing for the books. Friends from all over the world wr te that it is a great stimulus to know that all the brethren are engaged on the same day in proclaiming the same message, their prayers and hands united together in the great cause of the King and his kingdom.
“With lowly hearts we come to thee, our God, Through Christ our Lord, who shed for us his blood, Earth’s sorrows now should bring thy saved ones near, Nearer to thee m conscious filial fear.
“With lowly hearts we come before thy throne, Acknowledge thee, and all thy goodness own, We would look up, in these our pilgrim days. And sing to thee our songs of heartfelt praise.
“With lowly hearts we seek thy constant aid, That we may rest in thee, nor be dismayed : ’Mid all the sin, and cnrole snesg of thee, May those redeemed by blood more godly be.
“With lowly hearts and minds on things above, We would adore and nralho thee for thy hne, Walk as our Lord while pilgrims on this earth. And seek by grace to show our heavenly birth.’’
PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS
TEXT FOR AUGUST 15
"The fruit of the spirit is . . . goodness and faith.” ^Galatians 3: 2‘.
THE creature transformed by the holy spirit grows up into Christ Jesus. The outward growth of character is symbolized by ripe, perfect, luscious fruit. The Apostle says: “'The fruit of the spirit is love.” "While stating this in the singular, he then adds other elements which go to make up the character likeness of our Lord, and which are a part of the outgrowth of one who is growing iu the likeness of tin* Lord. Among the other elements mentioned is goodness, which is defined as virtue, or beneficence; as the possession of moral excellence, kindness, benevolence, and mercy. Another has defined it as "love in action.”
When one reaches the mark of perfect love he secs to it that his actions are in harmony with love. He is merciful unto his pen-editors, kind to the unthankful and to those who misunderstand, and benevolent toward all, having a sincere de.-ire to promote the welfare and happiness of all of the human race who desire righteousness. He specially desires to do good unto those of like precious faith. Thus in the likeness of the Lord, he is developing the quality of goodness.
Another element that forms a part of character is faith. Here the word as used means constancy in profession, or fidelity. It has been described by another as ‘Tove upon the battlefield.” The true followers of Christ Jesus are now upon the battlefield and are engaged in the final conflict against the forces of evil before their change takes place. He, therefore, who is being transformed by the holy spirit is constant, loyal, and faithful to his brethren. He appreciates the fact that the enemy is striving to destroy his brother as well as himself; and with that fideldv peculiar to the Lord he looks out for the av elf are of his brother as a new creature in Christ. He counts it a joyful privilege to show his fidelity io his brethren in the conflict and thus prove his loyalty and faithfulness to the Lord, the Head of the new creation. This leads him to a fuller appreciation of the necessity of thinking and working together with others of like precious faith, dwelling in peace and unity, looking for that blessed day when the transformation will be complete and each member of the body will enjoy the unspeakable blessings of being forever with the Lord.
TEXT FOR AUGUST 22
"The fruit of the spirit is .. . meekness, temperance.”—Galatians 5: 22, 23.
WITHIN the meaning of the Scriptures meekness is that condition of mind which causes one to think of himself soberly, as he ought to think, and not be exalted in his own mind. Jesus said: “I am meek and lowly in heart.” (Matthew 11:29) To the new creature St. Paul says: “I say, ... to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”—Homans 12:3.
To be exalted in one’s own mind is the fruit of the evil spirit. Lucifer being thus exalted became Satan, the devil. One of his strong weapons against the new creature is to induce in the mind of that one selfexaltation. He who is transformed into the likeness of his Master Christ Jesus fully realizes that all he is, has. or hopes to be is a gracious gift from the Lord. He rejoices to be submissive to the will of God. Whatsoever the Lord has provided for him, therewith he is content. Therefore meekness may be properly defined as 'Tove in resignation.” The new creature is led to this condition of mind by his love for the Lord and by developing the likeness of the Lord Jesus.
Temperance means self-control or moderation. The spirit of the Lord operating upon the mind of the new creature, and the new creature cooperating therewith, develops in him the disposition of self-control. He learns to be moderate in all things. His trust is in the Lord and hone;' ho is not taken off his foot by the happening of unusual events. When persecuted, he remembers that the Lord has permitted it for some good purpose. Hence he refuses to yield to excessive sorrow or grief. If exalted, he remembers that all true promotion comes from the Lord; hence he calmly and serenely rests in the Lord’s love and is not swerved from a right course by the flattery of men. He appreciates that whatsoever he receives of good is from the Lord, and shows this appreciation by inward joy and thankfulness of heart and fidelity in action, and not by hilarious outward demonstration.
The ripe, complete fruit of the spirit is love, made up of the elements of joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. These combined and ripened into perfect love constitute, the fruits of the spirit. Love is the perfect expression of the Lord’s likeness. Therefore love is the greatest of all things.
TEXT FOR AUGUST 29
"Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”—Ephesians 4: 23.
THE proper tendency of the spirit or disposition of the mind of the new creature is toward Christ Jesus, that the creature may bo made into his likeness. To be renewed in the spirit or disposition of the mind means to be renovated, reformed and up-builded. There is but one way for thus renewing the mind, and that is by feeding the mind upon the things which the Lord has provided. It means to think on those things which pertain to the Lord and his gracious provision for mankind. This means that such a one must study the Word of God and the helps divinely provided. Thinking and meditating upon the things pertaining to the Lord’s kingdom will lead one to put forth his hands to do whatsoever he finds to do to further the interests of that kingdom.
The Christian developing character must reach the point of fortitude. We have come to that time when we must no longer be tossed about by every wind of doctrine that may be advanced, but stand firm in the Lord and in the things that he has taught us. Having once been brought to a knowledge of the truth, we should appreciate God’s provision for us. To become indifferent to this provision and to push it aside would mean the spirit of disloyalty to the truth which the Lord has provided for the mind to feed upon. It is impossible for such a one continuing in this course to remain in the truth, but he will be quickly taken into darkness. God graciously draws men to Christ Jesus, and hence to the truth; but by indifference, lack of appreciation, or disloyalty the creature draws himself away from the truth and from the Lord. There is but one safe course for the Christian; and that is, to constantly feed his mind upon the precious things which the Lord has provided at his table, and to keep his hands busy in things pertaining to the King’s business and to do that with haste. Proper thinking, which renovates or renews the spirit of the mind, will lead to proper action, in harmony with the Lord’s will.
MEMORIAL REPORT
IN CONFORMITY with our custom, we publish herewith a list of the classes who have reported as celebrating on Marell 30, the Memorial of our Lord’s death. At the lime of going to pi ess the reports show upward of 42,OJO partaking of the Memorial on that date. Many desses from different parts have not yet reported. We publish the names of the oedasias reporting twenty and upwards, as follows:
London, England
New York, N. Y
Los Angeles, Calif
Chicago, Ill. (Polish)
Helsinglois, 1 'inland
Chicago, JU
Boston, Mas>. .
Glasgow, Scotland
Pittsburgh, Pa
Toronto. Ont
Cleveland, Ohio
Detroit, Mith
Hambuig, Germany
Vancouver. B. C
Detroit, Mich. (Polish)
St. Louis, Mo. . ..
Liverpool, England
Winnipeg, Man
Philadelphia. Pa
Warsaw, Poland
Columbus, Ohio . .
Manchester, Engia.nl
Copenhagen, Denmark
Birmingham, England
Baltimore, Md
Seattle, Wash
San Francisco. (’alii
New York. X Y. (< doted) 221
Oakland. Calif .. ...218
Cleveland, Ohio (1’ohJi)
Cincinnati, Oliio
San Antonio, Texas
Minneapolis, 51 inn
Portland, Ore
Dayton, Ohio
Anmoasa. Roumania
Washington, D. C
Indianapolis, Ind
Denver, Colo
Vulcan, Roumania
Buffalo. N. Y
Roseland, Ill
Georgetown, Demerara, B. G. 158
Manor Park, England
Milwaukee. Wis. (Polish)
Philadelphia. l’a. (Polish)....150
Edinburgh, Scotland
San Diego. Calif
Tacoma, Wash
Sheffield, England
Kansas City. Mo. . .
Buffalo, N. Y. (Italian)
Spokane, Wash. .. .
Stockholm, Sweden
Allentown, l’a
Milwaukee, Wis
Toledo, Ohio . . ...
Kingston, Jamaica, B. W. I. 125
Bristol, England . . .
Leeds, England
Leicester, England
Chicago, III. (Lithuanian)....116
Gothenburg, S.veden
Wilkes-Barre, 1’n. (P^lL'h) 114
Victoria, B. C
Hull, England ...
Reading, l'a
lapa. Roumania
Pori, Finland
Louisx ille, K\
Exerett Wash
Eno. Pa ...............
Grand Ram 1-., 'licit
Saskatoon. S.,
Richmond, V.i
Edmonton, Alia
Jacksonx ille, 1 i i
Lam-aster. I'.i .
Lincoln, Engluml
Worcest ei. I'm-id
Kristiani.i, Xmw >r
Belfast, Iielam!
Rochester, X Y. (Italian)
St Paul ]\]r ... .........
S-'i'inglmld, ]\r tss . . .. .
Binghamton, N, Y
Briugeio'a n, L;: i f>.:d ><. B.W.L 87 Cluj. Roumama .
Detroit, .Mich, i Hur .arian) ....85
Newcastle, England
Winnipeg. Man. (Ukrainian) 84
Orubro, Sweden .
Rodna Veche, Ron uma
Targu Mures, Rounmnia
Wichita, Kansas
Pasadena, Caln. .
Portsmouth, E.rgla”]
La Salle, Ill. iPoliMi)
Panama, Canal Zone
Paterson, X. J
Cox entry, England .
Johannesburg, So 3 frica
Port of Spain, Trinidad,
B. W. I.........
Dallas, Toxas
London, Ont
East Kirkby, England
Minneapolis. Minn. (Polish) 70
Krakow, Poland . .
.Montreal, Quebec
San Jose. Caln
Turke, Finland
Youngstown. Ohio
Hartford, Conn .
Nottingham, England
Santa Ana. Cabf
Binning ham. Ala
Gloucester, England
Chicago, Ill. (Ukrainian)
Fresno, Calif
Gary, Ind. (Polish)
Tunapuna, Trinidad, B. W. I. 63
New Brighton, l’a
York. Pa
Wallasey, England
Baia Mare. Roumania
Birkenhead, England
Oklahoma City. Okla
Toledo. Ohio (Polish)
Topeka, Kans
Detroit, Mich. (Colored)
Mahno, Sweden
South Bend, Ind
Watertown, N. Y
Atlanta. Ga
Auckland, New Zealand
Lynn, Mass........
Buffalo, X. Y. (Polish)
E.rnt St. Louis, Ill
Grnnsbj, England
Xo'-lolk, Vn
Clvdach, Wales
Dubuque, Iowa
Fairport Harboi. Ohio (Hungarian) ....
Flint, Mich. .. ... .
Fort Worth, Te\n-
Gillingham, England
Rochester, N. Y
Altrincham, England
Terre Haute, Ind
Tulsa, Okla
Wilmington, Dol
Long Beach, Calif ..
Petersburg. Va. ...
Skien-Porsgrund, ?<orway .. 51
Syracuse, X. Y. .. . .. 54
Wolverhampton, Em 'and .. 54
Cardiff, Wales ...
Rocklord, III. ... .
Schenectadj, X. Y
Tampa. Fla. . .
Croyden, England
Lupeni, Roumania ....
Norrkoping, Sweden
Scranton, l’a
Surrey, England .. ..
East Liverpool, Ohm
Barnoldswick, England
Hanley, England
Manasturul ung, Roumania....50
Newark, N. J
St. Petersburg. Fla
Southend-on-Sea, England
Nuneaton, England
Oxford, England
Washington. L>. (’. (Colored)
Elizabeth. N. J
Passaic, N J
Stockton. Calif
W. Brownsxille. Pa
Wheeling, W. Va..........
Duquesne, l’a................„
Jackson, Mich
Mattoon. Ill
Miami, Fla
Springfield, Mo
Brebi, Roumania
Bromerton, Wash
Capetown, So. Africa
Des Moines, Iowa ..
Dundee, Scotland
Calgary, Alta
Jimbor, Roumania
Utica, N. Y
Kalamazoo, Mich
Newburgh, X. Y
Warren, Ohio .............
Champaign-Urbana, 111.....'
Easton, l’a. ...
Fall Rix er, Mass
Manchester, X II (Greek) .43
Old Hill, England .. ....
Bay City, Mich
Chicago, Ill. (Greek) .. .
Clexeland, Ohio (Colored)... .42
Clinton. Iowa ... .. . .... . .. 12
Lima, Ohio ..... . ..
Ocna de Sus, Roumania......
Pawtucket, R 1
Portsmouth. Ohio
Altoona, Pa. .....
Bellingham Wash
Bramley, Englan 1 ..
Riverside, Calif, ..
Uioara, Roiu.iania
Vot 1 no], Roumania
Vad. Roumania
Akron, Ohio (Polish)......... .10
Bartow in-Furness, England .. 40
Brazil, J nd................. .
Durban, So. Africa
Petroseni, Roumania ....
Pittsburgh l’a. (Greek)
Aalboig. Denmark
Aarhus, Denmark
Bistnta, Roumania
Duluth, Minn
Fort Wax ne, Ind
Hammond. 1ml. (Polish)
Sova rad, Roumania
Auburn, Ind
Aurora. Ill . No. 2
Bergen, Norway
Burling ton, Wash
Cleveland, Ohm (Hungarian) 38
Cromwell, Conn
Masslion, Ohm
Nashville, Tenn
Sharon, Pa
Tiffin, Ohio
Bayonne, N. J
Bloomfield, N. J
Crooksville, Ohio
Hammond, Ind
Marion, Ohio
Sacramento. Calif
Sault Ste. Marie, Ont
Tunbridge Wells, England
Alliance, Ohio
Brandon, Alan
Brighton, England
El Paso, Texas
Eskilstuna-Bjorsund, Sweden 36
Fratautul Vechi, Bucovina ....36
Mobile, Ala
Saginaw, Mich
Boise, Idaho ............ . .
Cehul Silvaniei, Roumania .35
(Continued on Page 223)
STEPHEN THE MARTYR
---August 19---Acts 6:1-7: 60---
STEPHEN declares THE Till in
IN THE SYNAGOGUE—REHEARS \ I. ANGERS LEADERS—PERSECUTION
SCATTERS BELIEVERS AFTER
STEPHEN'S MARTYRDOM.
“ll'/io shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”—Romans 8:35.
STEPHEN has the honor of being the first Christian martyr, the first to follow his Master unto death. Like his Master he was slain as a blasphemer of God. Excepting the apostles, Stephen was the most prominent man in those earliest days of the church. All the references to him show that he was a Hellenist, a Jew of the dispersion We do not know how long he had resided in Jerusalem when lie saw the truth concerning Jesus and aeeepied it. Probably lie had gone up at a feast time and had hoard the apostles, and had become convinced of the truths they taught. He was a man of ability, of much force of character, a good man seeking the honor of the God of Israel. It was ids filial fear of God winch enabled him to receive the trulli. Indeed, when the Word of God was heard, any honest man in Israel must have been convinced; only prejudice could prevent the truth from entering the heart. If the heart be honest a message from God will enter as readily as light or air will enter a room even if there be only a crevice.
2Stephen was first brought into prominence in the church when its arrangements for the distribution of alms were pro. ing unsatisfactory. The early church had its ideals. Tlie brethren, forced into union by untoward circumstances, as well as drawn together by love, desired to help each other in every possible way. They realized their separation from all others; they were a people apart. They did not know how long a time would elapse before the Lord would return and bring affairs in Israel (and all the earth) under his control; but they thought the time of waiting would be short, and that very probably they would do well if while waiting they lived together as much as possible. How the movement started we do not know; but it came about that those who had lands and property sold out, and placed the money to a common fund which was used for the support of the poorer members of the church. Murmur-ings and dispulings arose, as they always have done when materials tilings are in question. Those who were Grecians complained that in the daily ministration their widows wore neglected in favor of the Hebrews or Jerusalem Jews. The apostles, realizing that their special work was increasing, saw that if they were to give personal attention to this matter, their time would be taken up in “serving tables” ; and that they would be hindered in the proclamation of the gospel.
STEPHEN DECLARES TRUTH IN SYNAGOGUE
3The church was assembled and told that they should look out seven men of good report, full of the holy spirit and wisdom, and that the apostles would appoint them over this business. Seven men were chosen by the church; and Stephen, “a man full of faith and of the holy spirit," was the first mentioned. The apostles then laid hands on the seven. Krom this time the word of God Increased, the number of disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, and a great company of the priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7) Stephen at once came into prominence, not because he was a great mlnlstrator, but because he was “full of faith and power, and did great wonders and miracles among the people."—Acts 6: 8.
iAt that time there was in Jerusalem a synagogue specially used by the Jews of the dispersion, the place where Stephen had been accustomed to worship. His notable service for his Master, and his declaration that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, brought him into conflict with the leaders of the synagogue. Probably Saul of Tarsus was amongst those who worshiped there. These disputed with Stephen, but “were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” (Acts 6:10) Being unable to refute his arguments, they showed their wickedness of heart, and that they were exactly of the same spirit as those who a little while before had brought false witnesses against Jesus. They suborned men to state untruths, to bear false witness against Stephen. His words were perverted, were made to convey statements apart from their meaning. It seems as if the leaders of ecclesiasticlsm when assailed with truth very easily lend themselves to Satan. Hypocrisy in professed servants of God gives Satan a master-key to every chamber of the heart. Such become his ready dupes and agents; and such have ever been numbered amongst the world’s evil men.
5The Sanhedrin was moved to take action against Stephen, and apparently was very ready to do so; for the sect of Jesus of Nazareth was Increasing, and the rulers’ position was threatened. The council was set, and Stephen was brought before it. The witnesses came and laid charge. They said: “This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law.” (Acts 6:13) The eyes of all In the council were drawn to Stephen and hold ; for they saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel (v. 15)—a wondrous contrast from theirs. His was radiant with the love of God, the privilege of serving his Master; theirs were malignant with venom because their hearts were evil.
cTlie charges made against Stephen were: (1) “This Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and (2) shall change the customs [or rites] which Moses delivered us.” (Acts 6:14) The indictment presumes that the temple worship was a permanent part of the plan of God for Israel, and also that the laws and ceremonies of Moses were established forever. The high priest asked Stephen: “Are these things so?” The question could not be answered by either Yes or No; for the indictment was based upon truth perverted. Stephen entered into an explanation not intended strictly as a defense; but, while defending himself, he set forth the purpose of God, whom they professed to serve. He gave a review of God’s purposes as revealed in the history of Israel. This was wise; for only in this way can one get lifted to the place of understanding, even as no one gets present truth save by a knowledge of the divine plan. He desired to show these men that God was consistently working out a plan of which both the Mosaic law and the temple service were merely features which, when they had fulfilled their purpose, must be put away even as a garment that has served its purpose. He reminded them of their father Abraham’s call out of Mesopotamia, and that he was brought “into this land wherein ye now dwell”; but was given no inheritance in it, not so much as to set his foot on. The covenant God made with Abraham was one of promise to be entered into fully on a future date. God had said that Abraham’s seed should dwell in a strange land and be evilly treated four hundred years; and that he would deliver them and bring into judgment the nation which held them In bondage; that his seed should then serve God in the land of promise.
…