Max I, 1901 the little company who were present on that memorable occasion centuries ago, when our Savior as a man celebrated the Passover with his disciples. We trust however, that Judas was not represented. Although few in number, each one seemed animated by the same Spirit, and I think all felt like saying with Paul, —"“God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world.” [I believe each one present was strengthened by that true Bread from heaven, and that all departed with a stronger determination, if possible, to “run with patience the race which is set before us,” and to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling.” The church here unite in expressing their Christian love to you. We all pray that the Father may strengthen and keep you, enabling you to give to his loved ones the “meat im due season.” With best wishes, I am your brother in Christ, E. F. Crist,—New York. Dear BrotnErR:—Sister Black and I partook of the emblems with Sister Hasson, at her home. We had a blessed season, entering into fellowship, in our thoughts and prayers, with the different groups and single celebrants all over the field. As a result we hope to take up our work with added zeal and courage. Your brother in the blessed hope, W. W. Biack,—Massachusetts. Dear Brotner RussELL:—Have just concluded Memorial service this evening. Myself and wife only. We have had a profitable hour and have been greatly blessed, as I hope many of the little circles of the household have been this evening: ZION’S WATCH TOWER (160 163) We purposed going to Clifton to meet the friends there for this occasion, but snow storm and muddy roads rendered it out of the question. Please accept our very kind regards and believe us to be yours in Christ. F. J. & E, CuapMan,—-Kansas Drak BroTHER:—The church at Portsmouth celebrated the Memorial Supper last night. There were present eight brethren and one sister, besides another lady who does not hold with us. Great solemnity and profound joy pervaded every heart. All agreed in saying it was “good to be there.” Yours in him, Wa. W. Murray,—Virginia. DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:—J write also to tell you of the great blessing which all received in the celebration of the Lord’s Memorial Supper last night. We met in a parlor and had the comfort of having with us many who live too far to attend our regular meetings. There were probably twentyfive in all present. All seemed fully consecrated to the Lord, and many were the moistened eyes, as all whom the time would permit gave testimony of their gratitude to the Master for his great gift of himself for us. Our thoughts were especially prepared for the Memorial by a good-sized meeting Sunday morning, when Brother Wyndeltz, in a marvelously clear manner, brought out the subject*of the ransom, the Passover; and how it is our blessed privilege to be joint participators in that one loaf. We had you and the Allegheny work in memory to the Lord in prayer that he may graciously guide and preserve you, and continue the blessings you have heretofore bestowed. All join me in love to you and the dear brethren at Alle gheny. Yours in our dear Redeemer, S. H. Hustron,—Teras Vou. XXIT “ALLEGHENY, FRESH ATTACKS “Wounded in the house of its friends,” is certainly true of the Bible today; for it has no outside foes one-half so antagonistic, so injuious. But it is not the Bible’s friends who thus attack it—but enemies, who under guise of being its friends have received honored positions in the household of faith,__who, from the vantage point of its pulpits and colleges and editorial chairs, insidiously stab the Bible, while professing to love and reverence it. Three volumes have just issued from the press, each one calculated to undermine, shake and overthrow the faith of many of God’s people, who could not be reached or shaken by the same testimony if it reached them from disreputable or infidel sources. The first of these is volume Ir. of the series being published by the higher critics. The second is by Rev. Lyman Abbott, D. D., successor to Henry Ward Beecher in Plymouth pulpit, but now editor of the Outlook. The third is by Judge Charles B, Waite. . It is not for us to judge that these essayists are dishonest; nor that they are seeking rewards of fame ag leaders of thought, in a direction toward which all but the very few will shortly follow them, “as sheep having no shepherd.” Rather, we will suppose these writers to be thoroughly honest—intent upon telling the truth as it appears to them. Indeed, we see in this movement a fulfilment. of the Bible’s predictions respecting our day, the ending of the present age. We may not state the matter too strongly when we declare that God is back of the many present-day movements which are ensnaring many and making shipwreck of their faith, in the sense that he designedly does not hinder such erroneous presentations, but, on the contrary, permits circumstances to foster and prosper them. Thus the Lord declares through the Apostle, “God shall send them strong delusions that they may believe a lie: that they all might be damned {condemned, as unworthy a place in the Bride of Christ] who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness ;— because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved.”—2 Thes. 2:10-12. The very men who are thus becoming blind leaders of the blind into the ditch of unbelief are men who have had firstclass opportunities as respects education and opportunities for Bible study; men who, had they loved the truth and sought it, would have found it clear, convincing, precious; but who, rejecting the Lord’s leading, and leaning to their own understandings, have become vain in their imaginations; have cut loose from their faith-anchorage, and are helplessly drifting— they know not whither. Does some one say,—It is strange that God should prosper Iv—s rather than oppose these strong delusions! Yes, and the Lord himself calls it “his strange work,” “his strange act.” (Isa 28:21) Describing this “strange” prospering of error and unbelief the Lord says:— “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch ag this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lip do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: therefore behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder [miracle]: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.”—Isa, 29:18, 14. This language was applicable to typical Israel at the first advent, and consequently is applicable to nominal, spiritual] Israel in the present “harvest” time of this Gospel age. The above is merely a rehearsal of what the Prophet explains more in detail in the previous chapter. (Iya 28) In verses 9 to 12 the Lord explains the preaching of his message through im perfect human lips, and that this message, rightly received. should have brought rest and refreshment for the weary and heavy laden: yet to the majority its blessed influences were lost, so that as a whole Christendom or churchianity is about to go backward and fall and be broken and snared and taken in the general unbelief that is even now sweeping over the civilized world.—Verse 13. The secret strength of this delusion, which has made the Word of God of no effect through human tradition, and prepares the way for this great falling away, is mentioned in verses 15 and 18. It is the covenant made by the great teach ers with death, and their agreemeht with hell (shkeol—the grave, the state of death). Under this agreement or covenant, which all the creeds of Christendom endorse, death, which God’s Word styles an “enemy,” is accepted as a friend; while the grave, the Bible teaches us, is the great prison-house of mankind, from which in due time the glorified Christ will deliver all of the prisoners who will accept his righteous terms— by restitution proecesses.—Luke 4:18-21; John 8:28, 29; Acts 3:19-21, “Hear the word of the Lord. ye scornful men [disdaining teachers] that rule this people.” You have thought it wise to teach the people that death and the tomb are not enemies— that the dead are more alive than ever they were, either in a place of bliss or of torment. You feared to tell the people the truth, that the dead are dead, lest this should decrease your superstitious hold over the minds of the people. You saidThe people will prefer to think of their friends going at once to glory, without waiting for the second coming of Christ. [2813]
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