Christian Nation Vol. 18 1893 - Rparchives.org

Jan. 11, 1893.A FAMILY PAPEE.means power. We have a good many Englishwords from this. Dynamies, dynamo, dynamite.These are familiar words to us all.They connect themselves with things useful,and things that are also destructive. But inevery case, we connect with them the intelligentmind that directs all Power is a bad thing ifnot controlled, or if it be directed in the wayof evil. 'The vision set before the eyes of theprophet began with the light, the candlestick,then it led on to the power. And here he correctsthe wrong impression which had been rootingitself in the mind of the prophet, and also ofthe people. They were deploring, no doubt,the weaknesses of Zerubbabel, and the fewnessof the people, and the insufficiency of tbemeans. Then comes tha word of the Lord," Not by might nor by power," that is, you arenot to expect the success of this enterprise bythe agency of mere human power.God directs the wbole matter in his own way.You see the ligbt, you see the work going ou,but you see means that look to you wholly inadequate.The end is not • gained by thesemeans, but behind all these, there is the irresistiblepower of God's Spirit. And this is thepower in the churcb of Christ today. " Notby might, nor by power." It is not numbersnor wealth' nor wbat men of tbe world call infiuence,but the secret hidden power of the Spiritof God, coming down in tbe golden oil throughthe secret golden pipes, by means of the twoolive trees—the two anointed ones—the twosons of oil, tbat accomplishes the work of thechurcb of God today. And for this, Christ toldhis disciples to tarry at Jerusalem. Luke 24:-49. " But tarry ye in tbe city of J erusalem,until ye be endued with power from on high."The " power from on high" has fallen uponthe church. Oae reason we lack success is becausewe do not get within the influence of thispower. If we let our light shine, the powerwill manifest itself.IV. ''his Powee Oveecomes all Obstacles."Who art thou, O great mountam?Before Z-^rrubbabel tbou shalt become a plain;and he shall bring forth the head stonethereof, with shoutings, crying grace, graceunto it." Probably the one great difficultythat tbe builders feared, was some interferencefrom the court at Babylon. The past hadbrought them several efforts of that kind, oneat least, succeeding for a period of fifteenyears, during wbich time the work lay idle.Jer. si: 24, 25, reads, "I will render untoBabylon aud lo all the inhabitants of Chaldea,all tbeir evil they have done in Zion m yoursight,'' saith the Lord. "Behold I am againstthee, O, destroying mountain," saith tbe Lord,which destroy eth all tbe earth. While thismay have been the great mountain that wastroubling the chnrcb then, we may apply thelesson to any difficulty that exalts itself in theway of building up the kingdom of our LordJesus Christ. The work of the Lo.rd will becompleted, and that under conditions that willbe elevating. The ston© that builders rejectedshall be brought forth with shoutings, cryinggrace, graco unto it, as it becomes the head ofthe corner. Zerubbabel laid the foundation,and he bas the promise that he shall completethe structure. He was a type of Christ, and tohim we cau look with confidence and say, belaid the foundation, the plummit it is bishand, he is today erecting the walls of his temple,and he will complete it.Lessons in brief.1. God uses means.2. God connects things seen with things unseen.3. The Spirit is the efficient agency in thechurch's work.PRAYERMEETING TOPIC.should not debate with conscience, and try to convinceRev. T, H. Acheson.ourselves that our convictions are wrong, after we feelThe prayer meeting topic for January 25th,sure1893,that a certain course is required of us. Again,Obedience. "Thus did Noah; according toall thatobey exactly; not modifying God's requirements to suitGod commanded him, so did he "—Gen, 6: 22.ourselves. We should keep the Sabbath, not as custom1. The nature of true obedience.and church say, but as (iod's Word says. Then, obey2. The motive of it.completely; not obeying in one line and forgetting inanother; being orthodox in both faith and love; rememberingthat it is just as certainly binding on us to3. The manner of it.4. Results of it.Parallel passages:—Gtn. 7: 5, 9, 16; 22: 12; 22; 18;keep the Sabbath and send out missionaries, as it is26: 4, 5. Ex. 12: 50; 39: 43. Num. 9: 28; 14: 24; 14:not to kill or steal Obey cheerfuUyj not as though4i. Deut. 11: 26-28; 11: 82; 12: 28; 12:32. 1 Sam.compelled, as simply resigned to God's will. "I delightto do thy will, O my Qod." And obey constantly;not keeping near God for a time, and feeling15: 22, 23. Is. I: 19, 20. Jer. 7: 23,24. Mat. 7: 21.Luke 6: 46. Acts 5; 29. Jas. 1: 22.very spiritual, and then relaxing for a while to walkSuitable Psalms:—iO: 8; 103:17; 119:83; 119:44;with the world.119; 100; 25: 12; (S. M.) 26: 1.Obedience brings many results. It brings resultsThis passage records the obedience of Noah to the in connection with God, glorifies His name, helps tocommand of God concerning the making and the filling build up his church in the world, and to add stars toof the ark. God tells him how to make the ark; and His heavenly firmament. It causes results to our fellowmen.We can't obey God without being a sowerwhat persons, animals and food are to be taken into it.As God commands, so Noah acts. He illustrates to us of blessings to others. We will lead them up, nothere the idea of our topic, Obedience.down; will help them in many ways. It brings benefitFirst, let us ask what obedience is. It is the act of to ourselves. Obedience will not take us to heaven,an inferior towards a superior. Isit performing theexpressed wish of a higher power or authority. Thehorse obeys the voice, motion, touch, and check of thedriver. The child obeys the parent. The pupil obeysthe teacher; the servant, his master; the clerk, his employer;the subject, his king.Webster defines "obedience" as " The act of obeyingor the state of being obedient; compliance with thatwhich is required by authority; subjection to rightfulrestraint or control " He defines "obedient," as "Subjectin will or act to authority; willing to obey submissiveto restraint, control, or command." Obedience toGod is the performance of his will by the consciouseffort of an intelligent, free, spiritual being. Noahobeys God by doing God's will. Angels and men canbe obedient to God. Man's obedience to God is doingthe will of God, as God reveals that will unto man bythe Spirit and the Word.And what should be our motive, or motives, in obeyingGod ? Fear of punishment is often one actual impellingpower. This is, frequently, the motive that rulesthe lower animals, the horse, or the dog, asthey obeytheir master. This was often the principal motive inthe mind of the slave. It is one of the lower motives.Yet God repeatedly and earnestly warned Israel, andset before them His coming judgments, to deter fromevil. The Bible has very much warning. And obediencefrom fear of punishment does not seem wrong, asfresh expansion from a consideration of the Japanese.a subordinate motive, unless in this, thatit should besuperseded and dispelled by higher motives. Again,the sense of duty urges men on to obey; the feeling "Jought." Aud obedience is endeavored to satisfy theirconsciousness of duty; or to quiet the wrankling of areprovingconscience. This motive does not seem wrongwhen in its place; forit apparently has a pla e, thougha subordinate one. Also personal benefit is anotherinducement to obey; the prospect of favor to ourselveshere, or hereafter. God makes promises in His Wordthat He will reward. It does not seem derogatory toour Saviour to say that one reason why He came intothis world was, to receive afterwards exaltation as Lordof all. The motive of personal reward is wrong,if itbe the special motive.. It is rightif kept properly subordinate.The benefit of others is another proper motive.But the chief motive that should actuate theheart and mind of the obedient one, is because such actionis God's will, because we love Him, because this isfor His glory. The pole star that should guide everytraveler on the pathway of obedience is the glory ofGod. "Father, glorify thy name."Also, how should we obey God.' Promptly; notwaiting our own time, but acting if the duty requires it,as soon as we know what we ought to do. Philiparose and went; evidently at once. Acts 8: 37. Wethough we will not get there without it. It gives a feelingof satisfaction, from duty done; peace, from havingsubmitted to God's will; removes evil from us; cultivatesChiistian graces, thus developing charatcter;furnishes, when we see we have been abie to be obedient,evidence of Christian character; and, finally,obedienceis a great means to prepare us for heaven.Y. P. S. C. E.Authorized subject for the week beginning Jan, 22,1893. " God's covenant. If thon wilt—then," Zech.3 : 7. John 15 : 7-8,Topics for Remarks.1, There are conditions to be fulfilled by us thatcovenant blessings may be enjoyed.2, Some blessings promised to those who fulfil theODnditions.3, The foundation of these covenant promises.4. The assurance we have that these promises willbe fulfilled.[ EDITOEIAL. JAu interesting article appears in the Advertiser,Dec. 26, on Civilization. We have been inclined inthe past to draw the line of separation between civilizedand uncivilized, upon the basis of Christianity.To us nobody but Christians can be anything butbarbarous or unintelligent. It is interesting to not*that our views upon catholicity of thought receiveThis has been brought before our miods by the workof a French artist, and reciit y given to the publie.We are pleased to note that every artisan is an artist,and every artist an artisan ; that the people are remarkablefor geniality and cheerfulness ; and thattlieir art as well as their weaving date back 2000years. We learn also that in the National Library atTokio there are 100,000 volumes in Japanese andChinese, and 25,000 in European laiiguages. Duringthe year 1000 volumes are consulted every day, chieflyworks upon history, geography, literature, scii neeand medicine. This is qnite a revelation when w«consider that more than sixty-six per cent of the literatureof civilized countries is to be fouud in pennydreadfuls and trashy novels, while in Japan 365,-000 volumes are called for in one year, from otje library,not a single novel amovg them. Undoubtedly theseinhabitants of the far off .Jfipfinese Empire are workingont in their own way tbe problem of civilization andaddii g their qvtota to the progress of humanity. Likethe older nations and races, they are budding up th^frturret of the tower of manhoi d to which eve" nationand kin dred under heaven muBt eontribute. When wesee such evidences of mai vel hus progress in a peoplethat hnve not yet heard of Christ, what a call comeeto Christianity in the C/.ristloviug lands, to send thecandles of Christian light to these nations, that in tneedifice of progressive mHuhood they may put theChr gt Savior «nd Lord, and so oonjplete the workof their Christian civilization.