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JUNE
I,
1908
ZION'S
WATCH
TOWER
would
not
die,
and
the
fact
is
that
he
outlived
all
the
other
apostles.
Yet
he
himself
did
not
understand
the
Master's
words
to
mean
that
he
would
not
die,
for
he
so
calls
our
at
tention
to
the
matter
in
this
very
lesson.
There
is
a
sense
in
which
John
has
tarried
until
the
second
eoming
of
Christ,
namely,
in
that
he
was
made
a
representa
tive
of
the
whole
church
in
the
book
of
Revelation.
The
things
which
happened
to
John
are
the
things
which
have
hap
pened
or
will
happen
to
the
church.
The
angel
showed
John
-but
in
reality
it
was
for
the
John
class.
John
fell
down
to
worship
the
angel,
and
was
told
not
to
do
it,
and
this
is
in
reality
a
lesson
to
the
whole
church,
that
they
are
not
to
be
worshipers
of
God's
messengers
who
bear
to
them
the
divine
Word
of
truth
and
grace.
The
John
class
is,
therefore,
still
in
the
world
representatively,
and
we
trust
that
we
are
mem
bers
of
it;
it
has
tarried
until
the
second
presence
of
the
Lord.
Applying
this
lesson
to
ourselves
further,
we
suggest
that
Jl.ome
of
the
dear
friends
seem
disposed
to
query
as
to
how
long
they
must
wait
before
the
first
resurrection
change
shall
come
and
which
of
them
shall
remain
the
longer,
etc.
Let
us
leave
the
entire
matter
to
the
Lord;
we
should
be
glad
if
our
change
should
come
soon,
yet
fully
content
if
the
Lord
has
further
service
for
us
and
the
change
should
be
delayed.
Those
who
experience
the
change
the
earlier
will,
of
course,
have
in
many
respects
the
greater
blessing
for
the
time;
but
if
the
Lord
has
service
for
us
on
this
side
the
vail
let
us
be
glad
to
do
his
will;
let
us
be
assured
that
he
will
grant
sufficient
grace
for
every
experience
of
life.
"LO,
I
AM
WITH
THEE
ALWAY"
Our
Lord's
assurance
that
he
would
be
with
his
followers
until
the
end
of
the
age
was
a
consoling
message.
He
did
not
tell
us
how
long
the
age
would
last,
nor
all
the
trials
and
difficulties
which
would
intervene
between
the
time
of
his
as·
cension
and
his
return
for
the
harvest
work
and
the
exalta
tion
of
his
church
and
the
beginning
of
his
kingdom
reign.
It
has
been
to
our
advantage
that
he
left
us
in
ignorance
on
this
point;
but
we
are
assured,
however,
that
in
due
time
the
wise
shall
understand;
and
again
through
the
Apostle
we
are
assured,
"Ye,
brethren,
are
not
in
darkness
that
that
day
should
overtake
you
as
a
thief."
(1
Thess.
5
:4),
but
"as
a
snare
shall
it
come
upon
all
them
that
dwell
on
the
face
of
the
whole
earth."
(Luke
21
:35.)
Our
Lord
indicated
that
at
his
second
coming
he
would
give
such
a
knock
as
would
arouse
his
faithful
ones
and
lead
to
the
trimming
of
their
lamps,
that
they
might
know
of
the
presence
of
the
Bridegroom
and
be
prepared
to
enter
with
him
to
the
wed
ding
festival.
It
is
not
intended
that
this
prophetic
knock
should
be
heard
by
the
world;
it
is
intended
only
for
the
virgin
class,
wise
and
foolish.
Evidently
our
Lord
did
not
intend
that
we
should
under
stand
these
words
of
the
Golden
Text
to
mean
that
he
would
be
personally
present
in
the
world
throughout
the
age.
Rather
we
must
understand
him,
in
harmony
with
other
statements,
to
the
effect
that
the
holy
Spirit,
the
holy
power
of
God,
which
eame
at
Pentecost,
was
the
representative
of
the
Father
and
of
the
Son,
the
Spirit
of
both
with
the
enlightening
and
in
structing
power,
supervising
all
of
our
affairs
and
interests,
expedient
for
us,
beneficial
to
us.
How
glad
we
are
that
it
is
our
great
privilege
to
be
living
now
in
the
time
of
the
paro'U8ia,
the
presence
of
the
Lord,
and
to
have
his
special
supervision
in
the
same
manner
as
when
he
was
present
with
his
disciples
during
those
forty
days
before
he
ascended.
But
we
are
not
to
expect
any
materialization
or
manifestation
of
our
Lord's
presence,
such
as
was
appropriate
and
indeed
necessary
at
that
time.
We
have
seen
that
the
necessity
then
was
that
the
disciples
should
have
convincing
proof
that
our
Lord
was
risen
and
that
he
was
not
any
longer
human
but
capable
of
appearing
in
various
forms.
No
longer
are
these
lessons
needed,
for
we
know
he
is
a
spirit
being
and
is
present
with
us
in
this
harvest
time
supervising
all
the
work
of
the
harvest.
Indeed,
we
have
every
reason
to
be
on
guard
now
against
the
manifestations
of
the
adversary,
knowing
from
the
Scriptures
that
the
evil
spirits,
the
fallen
angels,
will
have
considerable
power
in
the
way
of
materializing,
and
that
it
will
be
part
of
their
deception
to
endeavor
to
ensnare
and
deceive
us
by
impersonating
the
Lord
and
the
holy
ones
as
well
as
earthly
friends.
Let
us
not
seek
to
walk
by
sight,
but
to
be
quite
content
to
walk
by
faith,
as
our
Lord
desires
us
to
do.
The
promise
to
us
now
is
that
we
shall
see
him
as
he
is-not
as
he
was-because
we
shall
be
changed
that
we
may
be
made
like
him.
VOL.
XXIX
ALLEGHENY,
P
A.,
JUNE
15,
1908
VIEWS
FROM
THE
WATCH
TOWER
No.
12
THE
POWER
OF
THE
PULPIT
The
Rev.
Johnston
Meyer,
of
Chicago,
is
reported
to
have
recently
told
the
theological
students
of
the
Chicago
Univer
sity
that
the
people
are
tiring
of
preaching,
that
the
power
of
the
pulpit
is
on
the
decline,
and
that
the
people
continue
going
to
church
only
from
force
of
habit,
to
hear
the
preacher.
A
Detroit
newspaper,
in
an
editorial,
asks
Dr.
Meyer
where
oratory
could
find
a
weightier
matter
for
discussion
than
in
the
redemption
of
mankind,
and
then
speaks
as
follows
about
the
great
preachers
of
the
past:
"These
people
knew
what
they
believed,
and
preached
what
they
believed,
without
apologies,
without
reservations,
and
without
dodging
inconvenient
facts.
Perhaps
they
were
sen
sationalists,
but
only
because
their
message
was
intensively
dramatic.
Their
confidence
in
their
mission
was
the
secret
of
their
strength.
Dr.
Meyer
would
have
been
more
correct
had
he
said
that
modern
preaching
is
losing
its
power
because
those
engaged
in
it
are
half-hearted
evolutionists
and
not
expositors
of
the
Scripture.
They
are
as
highly
educated
as
their
predecessors,
perhaps
just
as
polished
and
eloquent,
but
they
are
not
so
sure
of
the
ground
on
which
they
stand,
Dot
so
certain,
or
if
they
are
they
lack
the
courage
openly
to
state
what
they
secretly
believe.
The
ministers
are,
therefore,
de
generated
and
give,
in
place
of
a
sermon,
a
literary
treatise,
which
convinces
nobody.
It
is
the
sensationalism
of
the
melo
drama,
and
not
the
sensationalism
which
lends
to
the
tragedy
of
the
Master's
undying
power.
The
sooner
the
pulpit
is
no
longer
the
place
of
entertainment
in
competition
with
the
theater
and
the
lecture
stage,
that
much
sooner
will
it
regain
its
old
power
and
those
ministers
who
will
preach
without
fear
the
gospel
which
they
have
believed,
and
do
so
without
bending
their
necks
and
the
public
opinion
will
have
comparatively
little
reason
for
complaint."
SPIRIT
MANIFESTATIONS
IN
ITALY
Rome.-Ancona
has
a
peculiar
kind
of
haunted
house,
the
residence
of
Sig.
Maracini,
the
public
prosecutor.
Unique
in
the
annals
of
psychical
research
is
the
particular
kind
of
mani
festation
with
which
this
residence
has
been
visited.
The
extraordinary
happenings
are
thus
described
by
the
sons
of
Sig.
Maracini,
who
are
both
lawyers:
.
For
several
days
the
strangest
things
have
been
happening
ill
unoccupied
rooms.
Meanwhile
there
was
an
electrical
dis
~urbance,
and
all
the
bells
in
the
house
began
to
ring.
Noth.
mg,
however,
was
wrong
with
the
electric
installation.
But
the
most
remarkable
thing
was
the
discovery
of
jets
of
water
springing
from
the
walls
and
almost
flooding
the
floors.
In
the
dining
room
milk
welled
up
from
the
floor.
We
had
the
walls
examined,
the
flooring
broken
up
and
the
blocks
raised,
but
not
the
least
traces
of
milk,
water
or
any
other
liquid
was
found.
A
cup
filled
with
milk
suddenly
appeared
in
the
dining
room,
followed
by
a
cup
of
coffee
and
milk.
Our
father
cried
jokingly:
"Coffee
and
milk'
Bah
I
I
should
prefer
wine."
Shortly
afterward
we
saw
a
liquid
runing
from
the
walls;
it
was
wine.
Once
a
pear
appeared,
and
then
we
recalled
that
our
little
sister
had
asked
at
table
for
a
pear,
but
was
refused,
as
she
had
already
eaten
enough
fruit.
The
pear
was
on
a
dish
which
was
locked
away
in
the
sideboard.
When
the
latter
was
opened
the
pear
was
no
longer
there.
We
then
thought
that
some
mysterious
medium-like
force
might
be
exercised
by
our
sister,
so
we
watched
her
carefully
and
followed
the
child,
when
she
rose
from
the
table.
When
she
passed
close
to
a
book
shelf
where
there
were
two
volumes
on
Spiritualism
one
of
the
books
was
raised
in
the
air.
It
touched
the
girl
several
times
on
the
shoulders,
then
danced
for
a
few
moments
in
the
air,
and
then
was
clapped
against
the
wall
at
the
very
spot
whence
the
milk
had
issued.-Cincinnati
Enquirer.
*
*
*
We
keep
track
of
such
manifestations,
as
they
are
in
line
with
and
leading
up
to
greater
developments
and
manifesta
tions
by
the
demons
who
personate
the
dead.
It
will
be
noted
that
all
who
to
any
degree
meddle
with
spirits,
mediums,
seances,
etc.,
seem
to
make
themselves
the
more
liable
to
an
noyances
of
this
kind.
Note
the
reference
to
two
books
on
Spiritism
and
the
kindnesses
expressed.
We
know
of
at
least
two
cases
where
Millennial
Dawn
volumes
aroused
an
opposite
sentiment
in
the
spirits-the
demons.
"The
darkness
hateth
the
light!"
[4185]
June 1, 1908 would not die, and the fact is that he outlived all the other apostles. Yet he himself did not understand the Master’s words to mean that he would not die, for he so calls our attention to the matter in this very lesson. There is a sense in which John has tarried until the second coming of Christ, namely, in that he was made a representative of the whole church in the book of Revelation. The things which happened to John are the things which have happened or will happen to the church. The angel showed John —but in reality it was for the John class. John fell down to worship the angel, and was told not to do it, and this is in reality a lesson to the whole church, that they are not to be worshipers of God’s messengers who bear to them the divine Word of truth and grace. The John class is, therefore, still in the world representatively, and we trust that we are members of it; it has tarried until the second presence of the Lord. Applying this lesson to ourselves further, we suggest that some of the dear friends seem disposed to query as to how long they must wait before the first resurrection change shall come and which of them shall remain the longer, ete. Let us leave the entire matter to the Lord; we should be glad if our change should come soon, yet fully content if the Lord has further service for us and the change should be delayed. Those who experience the change the earlier will, of course, have in many respects the greater blessing for the time; but if the Lord has service for us on this side the vail let us be glad to do his will; let us be assured that he will grant sufficient grace for every experience of life. ‘LO, I AM WITH THEE ALWAY’’ Our Lord’s assurance that he would be with his followers until the end of the age was a consoling message. He did not tell us how long the age would last, nor all the trials and difficulties which would intervene between the time of his ascension and his return for the harvest work and the exaltation of his church and the beginning of his kingdom reign. It has been to our advantage that he left us in ignorance on this point; but we are assured, however, that in due time the wise shall understand; and again through the Apostle we are assured, ‘‘Ye, brethren, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief.’? (1 Thess. 5:4), but ‘‘as ZION’S WATCH TOWER (174-179) a snare shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.’’ (Luke 21:35.) Our Lord indicated that at his second coming he would give such a knock as would arouse his faithful ones and lead to the trimming of their lamps, that they might know of the presence of the Bridegroom and be prepared to enter with him to the wedding festival. It is not intended that this prophetic knock should be heard by the world; it is intended only for the virgin class, wise and foolish. Evidently our Lord did not intend that we should understand these words of the Golden Text to mean that he would be personally present in the world throughout the age. Rather we must understand him, in harmony with other statements, to the effect that the holy Spirit, the holy power of God, which came at Pentecost, was the representative of the Father and of the Son, the Spirit of both with the enlightening and instructing power, supervising all of our affairs and interests, expedient for us, beneficial to us. How glad we are that it is our great privilege to be living now in the time of the parousia, the presence of the Lord, and to have his special supervision in the same manner as when he was present with his disciples during those forty days before he ascended. But we are not to expect any materialization or manifestation of our Lord’s presence, such as was appropriate and indeed necessary at that time. We have seen that the necessity then was that the disciples should have convincing proof that our Lord was risen and that he was not any longer human but capable of appearing in various forms. No longer are these lessons needed, for we know he is a spirit being and is present with us in this harvest time supervising all the work of the harvest. Indeed, we have every reason to be on guard now against the manifestations of the adversary, knowing from the Scriptures that the evil spirits, the fallen angels, will have considerable power in the way of materializing, and that it will be part of their deception to endeavor to ensnare and deceive us by impersonating the Lord and the holy ones as well as earthly friends. Let us not seek to walk by sight, but to be quite content to walk by faith, as our Lord desires us to do. The promise to us now is that we shall see him as he is—not as he was—because we shall be changed that we may be made like him. Vou. XXIX ALLEGHENY, PA., JUNE 15, 1908 No. 12 VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER THE POWER OF THE PULPIT The Rev. Johnston Meyer, of Chicago, is reported to have recently told the theological students of the Chicago University that the people are tiring of preaching, that the power of the pulpit is on the decline, and that the people continue going to church only from force of habit, to hear the preacher. A Detroit newspaper, in an editorial, asks Dr. Meyer where oratory could find a weightier matter for discussion than in the redemption of mankind, and then speaks as follows about the great preachers of the past: ‘These people knew what they believed, and preached what they believed, without apologies, without reservations, and without dodging inconvenient facts. Perhaps they were sensationalists, but only because their message was intensively dramatic. Their confidence in their mission was the secret of their strength. Dr. Meyer would have been more correct had he said that modern preaching is losing its power because those engaged in it are half-hearted evolutionists and not expositors of the Scripture. They are as highly educated as their predecessors, perhaps just as polished and eloquent, but they are not so sure of the ground on which they stand, not so certain, or if they are they lack the courage openly to state what they secretly believe. The ministers are, therefore, degenerated and give, in place of a sermon, a literary treatise, which convinces nobody. It is the sensationalism of the melodrama, and not the sensationalism which lends to the tragedy of the Master’s undying power. The sooner the pulpit is no longer the place of entertainment in competition with the theater and the lecture stage, that much sooner will it regain its old power and those ministers who will preach without fear the gospel which they have believed, and do so without bending their necks and the public opinion will have comparatively little reason for complaint.’’ SPIRIT MANIFESTATIONS IN ITALY Rome.—Ancona has a peculiar kind of haunted house, the residence of Sig. Maracini, the public prosecutor, Unique in the annals of psychical research is the particular kind of manifestation with which this residence has been visited. The extraordinary happenings are thus described by the sons of Sig. Maracini, who are both lawyers: _ For several days the strangest things have been happening in unoceupied rooms. Meanwhile there was an electrical disturbance, and all the bells in the house began to ring. Nothing, however, was wrong with the electrie installation. But the most remarkable thing was the discovery of jets of water springing from the walls and almost flooding the floors. In the dining room milk welled up from the floor. We had the walls examined, the flooring broken up and the blocks raised, but not the least traces of milk, water or any other liquid was found. A cup filled with milk suddenly appeared in the dining room, followed by a cup of coffee and milk. Our father cried jokingly: “*Coffee and milk? Bah! I should prefer wine.’’ Shortly afterward we saw a liquid runing from the walls; it was wine. Once a pear appeared, and then we recalled that our little sister had asked at table for a pear, but was refused, as she had already eaten enough fruit. The pear was on a dish which was locked away in the sideboard. When the latter was opened the pear was no longer there. We then thought that some mysterious medium-like force might be exercised by our sister, so we watched her carefully and followed the child, when she rose from the table. When she passed close to a book shelf where there were two volumes on Spiritualism one of the books was raised in the air. It touched the girl several times on the shoulders, then danced for a few moments in the air, and then was clapped against the wall at the very spot whence the milk had issued.—Cincinnati Enquirer. * * * We keep track of such manifestations, as they are in line with and leading up to greater developments and manifestations by the demons who personate the dead. It will be noted that all who to any degree meddle with spirits, mediums, seances, etc., seem to make themselves the more liable to annoyances of this kind. Note the reference to two books on Spiritism and the kindnesses expressed. We know of at least two cases where Millennial Dawn volumes aroused an opposite sentiment in the spirits—the demons. ‘‘The darkness hateth the light!’’ [4185]
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