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JULY
15.
1905
ZION'S
WATCH
TOWER
(221-227)
THB
DIVINB
STANDPOINT
Question.-Please
explain
Rom.
4:
17
-"God
who...
calleth
those
things
which
be
not
as
though
they
were."
Answer.-The
Apostle
is
discussing
Abraham
and
God's
promises
to
him,
one
of
which
is,
"I
have
made
thee
a
father
of
many
nations."
The
Apostle
calls
attention
to
the
fact
that
Abraham,
in
this
matter,
was
a
type
of
God,
and
that
these
words,
therefore,
imply
that
many
nations
would
be
come
children
of
God.
'l'he
thought
is
somewhat
beclouded
by
the
translation,
"before
him
whom
he
believed."
If
this
were
rendered,
"foreshadowing
him
whom
he
believed,"
or
"typifying
him
whom
he
believed,"
the
thought
would
be
clearer
to
many.
The
words
concerning
WhICh
you
particularly
enquire
signify
that
God
here
as
frequently
in
other
places,
speaks
of
things
not
yet
accomplished
as
though
they
were
accom
plished.
Abraham
was
not
a
father
of
many
nations
at
the
time,
and
God
did
not
even
refer
to
his
natural
seed,
through
Ishmael
and
Isaac,
and
the
sons
of
Keturah,
but
referred
to
the
seed,
the
antitypical
son
of
Abraham,
which
is
Christ,
the
antitypical
Isaac,
and
the
church,
the
anti
typical
Rebecca,
through
whom
during
the
Millennial
age
all
the
families
of
the
earth
will
l'e
blessed,
and
be
granted
opportunity
for
regeneration,
as
children
of
God.
HOW
ARB
WE
UNDBR
GOD'S
PBOTBCTION'l
Question.-How
are
we
under
divine
care?
How
does
the
Lord's
protection
come
to
us,
his
followers?
Answer.-It
is
as
new
creatures
and
not
as
old
creatures,
according
to
the
flesh,
that
we
are
reckoned
members
of
the
body
of
ChrIst,
and
under
control
and
supervision
of
our
Head.
It
follows,
then,
that
the
interests
of
the
new
creature
are
those
which
will
have
the
Lord's
special
care
and
protec
tion-even
though
this
be
at
the
expense
of
his
earthly,
tem
poral,
physical
interests.
The
flesh
is
consecrated
to
death
anyway,
and
our
desire
and
the
Lord's
promise
is
that
the
faithful
consummation
of
that
earthly
sacrifice
shall
work
out
the
far
more
exceeding
and
abundant
honor
and
blessing
to
the
new
creature.
In
a
word,
then,
the
Lord's
special
care
toward
us
is
in
respect
to
our
spiritual
interests,
as
members
of
the
royal
priesthood.
THE
TEMPLE
GOD
IS
BUILDING
"And
when
all
were
brought
together,
The
stones
of
every
size,
The
columns,
so
strong
and
graceful,
Each
in
its
place
to
rise-
They
formed
so
grand
a
temple
As
never
before
was
seen;
So
true
in
its
great
proportions,
So
bright
in
its
glittermg
sheen.
"Yet
there
is
a
greater
temple,
And
God
is
he
who
plans;
Now
gath'ring
his
stones
together
For
his
'house
not
made
with
hands,'
And
each
'living
stone'
will
be
there,
Which
evermore,
day
by
day,
He's
fitting
for
this
great
temple,
Which
will
last
for
ever
and
aye.
"Our
pains.
temptations
and
perils,
Our
sufferings,
sighs
and
tears,
Are
God's
chisels,
tools
and
hammers,
Until
the
Master
appears.
Let
no
one
shrink
from
the
process,
Let
none
of
the
Lord's
complain;
But
wait
with
meek
submission,
'Twill
not
be
long
nor
in
vain."
"Of
all
the
beautiful
lessons
With
which
God's
book
is
filled,
This
one,
of
wonderful
sweetness,
Hath
most
my
being
thrilled.
Oh,
wonderful
care
of
the
Father!
Oh,
wonderful
love
so
free!
To
know
that
the
Maker
of
all
things
Careth
so
much
for
me!
..
'Tis
said
that
the
temple,
so
stately,
That
crowned
Moriah's
hill,
Was
built
without
sound
of
hammer,
The
toilers
working
so
still.
Far
off
from
the
grand
foundation
Was
all
the
noise
and
strain
Of
fitting
one
stone
to
another,
From
base
to
turret's
fane.
VOL.
XXVI
ALLEGHENY,
PA.,
AUGUST
1,
1905
No.
15
VIEWS
FROM
THE
WATCH
TOWER
UNION
OF
CHURCHBS
have
the
chief
executive
of
the
nation
preside
at
the
meetin~
A
move
toward
the
formation
of
a
federation
of
the
Protes-
for
proposed
federation
is
significant
of
the
close
political
alIi
tant
churches
of
Cleveland,
0.,
was
taken
yesterday
morning
at
ance
which
will
result.
the
Ministers'
union
meeting.
SBVBNTBBN
MILLION
CHURCH
MEMBBRS
TO
FBDBRATB
A
paper
was
read
by
Dr.
Paul
F.
Sutphen
of
the
Second
We
clip
the
following
from
the
North
American:-
Presbyterian
church,
in
which
he
presented
an
argument
in
be-
Long
strides
have
been
taken
towards
the
practical
federa-
half
of
unity
among
the
churches
on
the
basis
of
a
federation
tion
of
the
Protestant
churches
of
the
United
States.
Fourteen
similar
to
the
relationship
between
the
United
States
govern-
denominations
have
already
agreed
to
participate
in
the
great
ment
and
the
States,
the
denominations
to
retain
their
names,
conference
to
be
held
in
New
York
City
during
November
of
but
be
members
of
a
federation.
Dr.
Sutphen
said
that
he
this
year.
It
is
understood
that
the
synods
of
the
Lutheran
thought
the
time
was
now
ripe
for
the
organization
of
such
church
will
vote
to
participate,
and
the
Protestant
Episcopal
a
federation.
church,
through
its
Committee
on
Unity,
will
do
likewise.
The
paper
was
followed
by
a
discussion.
The
views
ex-
If
these
two
denominations
assent,
seventeen
millions
of
pressed
by
Dr.
Sutphen
met
with
approval
and
the
ministers
communicants
will
be
represented.
It
will
be
the
first
time
in
selected
a
committee
of
five,
of
which
Dr.
Sutphen
is
chairman,
the
history
of
Christianity
since
the
Reformation
that
such
a
to
look
over
the
situation
in
Cleveland
and
ascertain
whether
unity
has
been
realized.
or
not
an
organization
can
be
formed.
There
will
be
no
union
along
the
lines
of
rules
of
faith
or
The
movement
in
Cleveland
is
similar
to
the
movement
which
church
organization,
but
there
will
be
consolidation
of
effort
has
been
started
to
form
an
organization
including
all
the
in
all
the
matters
pertaining
to
the
broad
moral
and
national
Protestant
denominations
in
the
United
States.
At
a
meeting
questions
upon
which
all
sects
can
meet
on
a
common
basis.
in
New
York
next
November
delegates
will
meet
to
discuss
It
will
be
a
great
church
"trust,"
in
fact,
if
not
in
name.
the
situation.
It
is
expected
that
there
will
be
600
or
700
dele-
The
leaders
of
the
movement
prefer
to
say
they
are
adopting
gates
at
the
meeting,
over
which
President
Roosevelt
has
been
the
national
spirit;
forming
a
union
of
denominations
similar
invited
to
preside.-Glelleland
Plaindealer.
to
the
union
of
the
States.
But
the
spirit
of
consolidation
of
*
*
*
energy
is
predominant.
This
is
precisely
what
we
suggested
as
the
probable
outcome
One
of
them
said
yesterday:
of
the
"Union"
movement,-a
federation
on
the
plan
of
the
"In
many
of
the
general
charities,
and
in
scores
of
other
union
of
the
several
States
in
the
United
States
of
America.
ways,
we
are
dividing
our
energies;
we
are
accomplishing
a
Denominations
of
kindred
creeds
and
spirit
may
indeed
unite
minimum
of
good
with
a
maximum
of
energy.
It
is
clear
that
absolutelv,
but
fedpration
alone
will
brim~
oppoRing-
creeds
lllto
by
such
a
federation
as
is
proposed
we
can
reverse
the
propo
accord.
This
is
really
a
revival
of
"The
Evangelical
Alliance,"
sition."
but
it
will
include
the
Episcopal
church
and
thus
get
the
"life"
An
eminent
clergyman,
who
has
done
more,
perhaps,
than
mentioned
by
the
Revelator.
(Rev.
13:
15)
The
proposal
to
any
other
person
to
bring
this
church
unity,
for
which
all
sects
[3601]
Jury 15, 1905 THE DIVINE STANDPOINT Question—Please explain Rom. 4:17-—“God who... calleth those things which be not as though they were.” Answer.—The Apostle is discussing Abraham and God’s promises to him, one of which is, “I have made thee a father of many nations.” ‘The Apostle calls attention to the fact that Abraham, in this matter, was a type of God, and that these words, therefore, imply that many nations would hecome children of God. The thought is somewhat beclouded by the translation, “before him whom he believed.” If this were rendered, “foreshadowing him whom he believed,” or “typifying him whom he believed,” the thought would be clearer to many. The words concerning which you particularly enquire signify that God here as frequently in other places, speaks of things not yet accomplished as though they were accomplished. Abraham was not a father of many nations at the time, and God did not even refer to his natural seed, through Ishmael and Isaac, and the sons of Keturah, but referred to the seed, the antitypical son of Abraham, which ig Christ, ZION’S WATCH TOWER (221-227) the antitypical Isaac, and the church, the antitypical Rebecca, through whom during the Millennial age all the families of the earth will Fe blessed, and be granted opportunity for regeneration, as children of God. HOW ARE WE UNDER GOD’S PROTECTION? Question—How are we under divine care? How does the Lord’s protection come to us, his followers? Answer.—lIt is as new creatures and not as old creatures, according to the flesh, that we are reckoned members of the body of Christ, and under control and supervision of our Head. It follows, then, that the interests of the new creature are those which will have the Lord’s special care and protection—even though this be at the expense of his earthly, temporal, physical interests. The flesh is consecrated to death anyway, and our desire and the Lord’s promise is that the faithful consummation of that earthly sacrifice shall work out the far more exceeding and abundant honor and blessing to the new creature. In a word, then, the Lord’s special care toward us is in respect to our spiritual] interests, as members of the royal priesthood. THE TEMPLE GOD IS BUILDING “Of all the beautiful lessons With which God’s book is filled, This one, of wonderful sweetness, Hath most my being thrilled. Oh, wonderful care of the Father! Oh, wonderful love so free! To know that the Maker of all things Careth so much for me! “Tis said that the temple, so stately, That crowned Moriah’s hill, Was built without sound of hammer, The toilers working so still. Far off from the grand foundation Was all the noise and strain Of fitting one stone to another, From base to turret’s fane. “And when all were brought together, The stones of every size, The columns, so strong and graceful, Each in its place to rise— They formed so grand a temple As never before was seen; So true in its great proportions, So bright in its glittering sheen. “Yet there is a greater temple, And God is he who plans; Now gath’ring his stones together For his ‘house not made with hands,’ And each ‘living stone’ will be there, Which evermore, day by day, He’s fitting for this great temple, Which will last for ever and aye. “Our pains. temptations and perils, Our sufferings, sighs and tears, Are God’s chisels, tools and hammers, Until the Master appears. Let no one shrink from the process, Let none of the Lord’s complain; But wait with meek submission, "Twill not be long nor in vain.” Vout. XXVI ALLEGHENY, PA., AUGUST 1, 1905 No. 15 VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER UNION OF CHURCHES A move toward the formation of a federation of the Protestant churches of Cleveland, O., was taken yesterday morning at the Ministers’ union meeting, A paper was read by Dr, Paul F. Sutphen of the Second Presbyterian church, in which he presented an argument in behalf of unity among the churches on the basis of a federation similar to the relationship between the United States government and the States, the denominations to retain their names, but be members of a federation. Dr. Sutphen said that he thought the time was now ripe for the organization of such a federation. The paper was followed by a discussion. The views expressed by Dr. Sutphen met with approval and the ministers selected a committee of five, of which Dr. Sutphen is chairman, to look over the situation in Cleveland and ascertain whether or not an organization can be formed. The movement in Cleveland is similar to the movement which has been started to form an organization including all the Protestant denominations in the United States. At a meeting in New York next November delegates will meet to discuss the situation. It is expected that there will be 600 or 700 delegates at the meeting, over which President Roosevelt has been invited to preside.—Cleveland Plaindealer. * * * This is precisely what we suggested as the probable outcome of the “Union” movement,—a federation on the plan of the union of the several States in the United States of America. Denominations of kindred creeds and spirit may indeed unite absolutely, but federation alone will bring opposing creeds into accord. This is really a revival of “The Evangelical Alliance,” but it will include the Episcopal church and thus get the “life” mentioned by the Revelator. (Rev. 13:15) The proposal to have the chief executive of the nation preside at the meeting for proposed federation is significant of the close political alliance which will result. SEVENTEEN MILLION CHURCH MEMBERS TO FEDERATE We clip the following from the North American:— Long strides have been taken towards the practical federation of the Protestant churches of the United States. Fourteen denominations have already agreed to participate in the great conference to be held in New York City during November of this year. It is understood that the synods of the Lutheran church will vote to participate, and the Protestant Episcopal church, through its Committee on Unity, will do likewise. If these two denominations assent, seventeen millions of communicants will be represented. It will be the first time in the history of Christianity since the Reformation that such a unity has been realized. There will be no union along the lines of rules of faith or church organization, but there will be consolidation of effort in all the matters pertaining to the broad moral and national questions wpon which all sects can meet on a common basis. It will be a great church “trust,” in fact, if not in name. The leaders of the movement prefer to say they are adopting the national spirit; forming a union of denominations similar to the union of the States. But the spirit of consolidation of energy is predominant. One of them said yesterday: “In many of the general charities, and in scores of other ways, we are dividing our energies; we are accomplishing a minimum of good with a maximum of energy. It is clear that by such a federation as is proposed we can reverse the proposition.” An eminent clergyman, who has done more, perhaps, than any other person to bring this church unity, for which all sects [3601]
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