ApriL 1, 1912 some mistake, that if Jesus were the Messiah he should have begun a work of restitution, a work of social, moral, intellectual and physical uplift for mankind, using Israel as his channel, his agency. The Jew points to the eighteen centuries of Christian preaching, and says if Christians are right it make void all of the prophecies of the past. What is the answer to this? Jesus gives the answer, saying that the prophecies are being fulfilled. ‘The prophecies tell not only of Jesus but also of his brethren, the “little flock,” the bride class; and that class must be selected before other features of the prophecies can be fulfilled. ‘I will declare thy name unto my brethren.”— (Psa. 22:22; Heb. 2:12.) This is the present work—the work of selecting the class mentioned by the Psalmist, saying, “I have said ye are gods, all of you sons of the Highest; but ye shall all die like men.”—Psa. 82:6, The law and prophets point out the necessity of a priestly class under the High Priest—of a sacrificing class which would become a royal priesthood. These prophecies are in process of fulfillment; neither the law nor the prophets are being ignored. Soon this feature of the divine plan will have been accomplished; the church will be glorified with her Lord, and then those features of the Jaw and prophets which dazzle the eyes of Israel will begin to be fulfilled, and will bring them blessings, and through them blessings to the world far beyond their highest conceptions, If therefore any of the followers of Jesus should violate the Ten Commandments and teach men so to do, it would manifestly be done through ignorance and misunderstanding, and would thus mark himself as a follower of Jesus on a low plane —one of the least in the kingdom. This would apply amongst the Lord’s followers at the present time: the church is the kingdom in embryo, and any brother in such an attitude should be considered by the brethren as weak and should not be given a position of prominence in the service of the church. THE PHARISEES’ STANDARD LOWER In Jesus’ day the Pharisees prided themselves on their zeal for the law and found fault with Jesus’ disciples and with himself for healing the sick on the Sabbath. Instead of admitting their claims Jesus repeatedly showed them to be fal THE WATCH TOWER (118-123) lacious. They were particular respecting the little requirements of the law, but were careless respecting its spirit of love. This Jesus termed hypocrisy; He declared that unless his followers would be nearer right in heart than were the Pharisees they would not get into the kingdom at all. (We must remember the difference between the embryo kingdom which was inaugurated at Pentecost and the glorious kingdom into which the faithful will be ushered by the first resurrection change.) Unless his followers would have more of the spirit of the divine law than the Pharisees they would not be fit for the begetting at Pentecost—none but those who love righteousness and who thus have the spirit of the divine law are acceptabie at all in the church—‘‘the church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven.” The Pharisees held the letter of the law and said, Beware lest you kill a man, for that would subject you to judgment or trial before the council, or local court of your town; but Jesus taught that hatred is murder, even if it do not go to the length of killing. So high is this standard amongst the Lord’s consecrated people that for one of them to be even slightly angry would be a serious matter; and if he were angry enough to call a brother Christian “a fool” it would imply that he were in serious danger of the second death— Gehanna. All Christ’s followers, therefore, must not only guard their actions but also their lips and the very thoughts of their hearts, that even in thoughts they shall be in fullest accord with the very spirit of the divine law of love; and if on approaching the throne of grace they find any other spirit in their hearts they should go no further toward God, but first be reconciled to their brother. Under a parable of arrest, condemnation and imprisonment our Lord teaches his disciples that if they have a wrong feeling toward a brother they should make great haste to settle the matter. Every moment of delay endangers their spiritual standing with the Lord and makes it more difficult for themselves in their relationship with God. The intimation is that if we have wronged a brother and delay to make the matter right and the case come before the Lord for settlement, we will be obliged to suffer the full penalty of our neglect, “the uttermost farthing” before we will be fully restored to divine favor and fellowship. GOD’S INHERITANCE EPHESIANS 1:18. And can it be That God designs with you and me Forevermore to dwell? Can his great might Secure for us the right To be his Israel? A people chosen to proclaim his worth, To sound the praises of his glory forth, To lead the van of an adoring earth? This poor, weak clay Can he transform it in such a way That it shall yield divinity? This sin-stained mind So cleanse that he in us shall find Affinity ? Th’ abode of his eternal rest, That habitation which he loveth best, His chosen Zion? City ever blest? If this be so, Not all the wealth this world can know Will me suffice; Vou. XNATIT THE WORLD’S REPORT OF MISSIONS INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE. At its convention held September 1-10, 1911, the International Bible Students Association appointed a Committee to tour the world and supply an unvarnished report of the true condition of affairs in Oriental lands amongst the peoples usually termed “heathens.” The proposition of a certain Laymen’s Missionary Movement to promptly collect $30,000,000 and immediately convert the world naturally aroused the query respecting the possibility of attaining such desirable results. No doubt existed that benevolent people would willingly expend thirty million dollars, and much more, if the results aimed at could be attained. On the other hand, many rumors had been reaching Europe and Amer BROOKLYN, N. Y.. APRIL 15, 1912 Nor name, nor fame, nor power, nor pleasure here below My soul entice. How poor these transitory things of earth Beside this treasure of unending worth, This heavenly followship, this royal birth! And can it be That down throughout succeeding ages he With ardent longing waits Th’ eventful day When—sin all purged away— We'll sit within his gates? Can we be subjects of our God’s desire? Doth he our loving fellowship require? And to this height may such as we aspire? How good to know His never-failing Word proclaims it so! Here, Lord, I give myself to thee, Work out thy gracious purposes in me Until in heaven thy blessed face I see, And dwell with thee through all eternity. WM. W. JOHNSTON—Africa. No. 8 CONVERSION INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION ica respecting the inefficiency of the Missions and Missionaries already in the Oriental lands. These tales possibly had something to do with the falling off of contributions to Missionary Societies. It is the thought of many, however, that the secret of the curtailment of donations to various propaganda is the same as applies to the home work of all Christian denominations. The secret is that the masses of the people, as well as the wealthy, are rapidly losing faith in revealed religion—in the Bible. The higher critics in all of our colleges and seminaries, and in the chief pulpits of Christendom, have for fifty years been carrying on a subtle warfare against the Bible. Are we not [5007]
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