xt70rx937t9n_503 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt70rx937t9n/data/mets.xml https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt70rx937t9n/data/46m4.dao.xml unknown 13.63 Cubic Feet 34 boxes, 2 folders, 3 items In safe - drawer 3 archival material 46m4 English University of Kentucky The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.  Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Laura Clay papers Temperance. Women -- Political activity -- Kentucky. Women's rights -- Kentucky. Women's rights -- United States -- History. Women -- Suffrage -- Kentucky. Women -- Suffrage -- United States. Zion's Watchtower text Zion's Watchtower 2020 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt70rx937t9n/data/46m4/Box_18/Folder_4/Multipage21578.pdf 1907 1907 1907 section false xt70rx937t9n_503 xt70rx937t9n ”W.
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V SEMI-MONTHLY

{h j] , ' M, . ' ' ' Vomxxviil “1493}? .1 No. 7

.|-. ‘ . IIIiIII'Ié;,|'I."I . A.D. 1907 -A M. 8036

. ’1 "III“IIII I CONTENTS

- 1' g ’ Views from thefmjower . .. . . . . . . . . . 99

.. . 1. ‘ .1 _ Will Baptists and Christians Unite? . . . . . . . . 99

' Social System Doomed Unless it is Reformed . . 99

American Farmers Forming a Union . . . . . . 100

Berean Bible Studies on the Tabernacle. . . . . . . . 101

A Renovated Earth 101

ANew Name—Ood-Oiven 105

Confirmed by Better Promises . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

TheChurch's NewiName.. 105

Hatedoi’ I-lisBrethren......................106

God’s Word Superior to Dreams, . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Patient Endurance 1n Adversity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

“Abandon Us Not in Temptation" . . . . . . . . . . 109

Encouraging Words from FaithfulWorkers . ._.__1_1~1

.“3 will stano upon my want], anh wiil set my foot upon the
gown, anb will watch to see what it: will say unto me, anh
what answer 31 shall mph» to them that oppose m2." 355111;. Ml

 

Upon the earth distrex: of nations wr'fh perplexz'z‘y .' the sea and the waive: {the restless, discontented; roaring: men’s heart: faflmg the»: for fear and}?
looking/onuard to the things coming upon the earth {socr'efy/h'for ihefowers of the heaven: {eeriesiastiezlmz} shall be shaken. W'lzen ye see there thing: can)
to 19am, then know that the Kingdom zf God is nigh at hand. Look u}, 117'! upyour head:, rev'vz‘ce,foryour redemption draweth nzgh.—-Lulce 21: 25-26231.

 

 

 

  

THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SACRED MISSION

. HIS 'Joumal is one of the prime factors or instruments in the system of Bible Instruction, or “Seminary Extension,” now being presented in
all parts of the ~civilized world by the WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY, charteredA.D. 1881, “For the Promotion'of Christian
Knowledge. ” " It not only serves as a class‘ room where Bible Students may meet in the study of the divine Word, but also as a channel of com-
munication through which they may-be reached with announcements of the Society’s Conventions and of the coming of .its traveling representa—
tives styled “Pilgrims,” and refreshed with reports of its Conventions. . ' ,
' Our “Berean Lessons” are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published “Studies," most ‘entertainingly arranged,'and very helpful
to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Verbi Dez' Minister (V.D.M.). which translated into English
is, [Minister of Me Divine Word. Our treatment of the International S. S. Lessons is specially for the older Bible Students and Teachers. . By

 

 

some this feature is considered indispensable.

. This Journal stands firmly for the defence of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated,—Redemption
through the precious blood 'of “the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for all.” ’ (I Pet. 1:
219; I Tim. 2:6.) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Cor. 3:11—15; 2 Pet..1:5-—II) of the Word
of God, its further mission is to—-“Make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which . . . has been hid in God, . -. . to the intent
that now might be made known by the Church the manifold wisdom of ,God”——“ which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men

. as it is now'revealed.”-——Eph. ‘3 :5—9, IO.

It 'stands free from all parties, seéts and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest subjeétion to
the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the Holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord hath spoken ;— according to
the divine wisdom granted unto us, to understand. Its attitude is not dogmatical, but confident; for we know whereof we affirm, treading with

implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his service; hence our decisions relative to what may and
What may not appear in its columns must be according to our judgment of his good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuilding of his
people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge our readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference

is constantly made, to facilitate such testing.

TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH

That the Church is “the Temple of the Living God”—peculiarly “ His workmanship; ” that its construétion has been in progress throughout the
Gospel age—ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the chief corner stone of his Temple, through which, when finished,
. God’s blessing shall come “to all people,” and they find access to him‘.—-I Cor. 3 : I6, .17; Eph. 2 :20—22; Gen. 28 :14; Gal. 3:29. '
.That meantime the'chiseling. shaping and polishing, of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses; and when the last of these
‘ ‘living stones,” “elect and precious,’ ’ shallhave been made ready, the great Master Workman will bring all together in the First Resurrection;
and the Temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughout the Millennium.—Rev. 15: 5—8.
That the Basis of Hope, for the Church and the World, lies in the fact that “Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man,” ,‘_‘ a ran-
som for all,” and will be “the true"light which lighteth every man t/zat camel/z into the world,” “in due time.”—Heb. 2:9;Jno.1:9;ITim.2:5,6.
That the Hope of the Church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him as he is,” be “partaker of the divine nature,”gand share his glory as

his joint-heir.—I John 3:2; John 17:24; Rom. 8:17; 2 Pet. 1 :4.

That the present mission of the Church isthe perfecting of the saints for the future work of service; to develop in herseflevew grace; to be Grid’s

witness to the world; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.—Eph. 4:12; Matt. 24:41; Rev. 1:6; 20:6. .

I

That. the hope for the World lies in the blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial Kingdom—the restitu-
tion of all that was lost in Adam. to all the willing and obedient, at the hands of their Redeemer and his glorified .Chhr'ch—when all , the

Wilfully wicked will be destroyed—Acts 3:19—23; Isa. 35.

CHARLES TH'RUSSELL, Editor. ,

 

 

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(Editable to pay for this Journal, will be supplied FREE if they send 3. Postal Card
each June stating their case and requesting its continuance. We are not only
willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list continually and in touch with the
Studies, etc.

 

 

 

 

ENTERED AS SECOND CLASS MAIL MATTER AT ALLEGHENY, PA., POST OFFICE.

 

 

THIS JOURNAL IS PUBLISHED IN THE
FRENCH, GERMAN, SWEDISH, DANISH AND ITALIAN LANGUAGES.
SAMPLE COPIES FREE.

PILGRIM MEETING EXPENSES .

We have decided that it will be proper and advisable to
credit each little congregation, on the Tract F and, the amount
expended on Pilgrim meetings. Please have your scribe re-
port to us. As our financial year began December lst, 1906,
we will be glad to have reports that far back. _,

TABERNACLEJLLUSTRATIONS DELAYED

The pictures of the Tabernacle are all ready, but the illus-
trations of the Priests required some alterations, which have
caused delay. We'hope to begin sending these out before May
1. We find that we can make a still closer price. viz., 300 for
one of each and $1.00 for four of each. Hence those whohave’
already sent $1.00 for three will receive four, and those who
have sent 350 for one set will receive in addition one copy of
the Taéemae/e pamphlet

D\ILY HEAVENLY MANNA

Our new edition of the “Manna" will contain the same
texts and comments as the former one; but it will have twice

 

as many pages. Every alternate leafiéflbe blank ruled, for
use as an Autograph and Birthday Record. .It will be printed
on fine bond paper and bound in handsome dark blue clOth.

It would be well worth $1 or more, in any bookstore. . ' ‘
NEW ‘PRICES, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL

"W
The new “Manna" will be sold byiManna CoZparleurs and
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express). The wholesale rates, open to any TOWER reader,
are as follows—cash With order :

1 copy. postpaid. each .................... 35 cents
10 copies or more, by express, prepaid ...... 30 ”
10 " ” ” at your charges 20 ”

_ 30 l’ ” by freight .............. 20 ”

We of course prefer the DAWNsor STUDIES to be colpor-
teured ; but a good follow-up work can be done with “Manna”
by those Who cannot do the regular work with DAWN-STUDIES.

“METHOD" OF. SELLING DAILY HEAVENL'Y MANNA

“Good morning! If you are at all interested in religious
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“Heavenly Breakfast Food." It will cost you nothing to see
it, and only take a few moments of your time, for I am in
haste myself. (If now asked into the house, take from your
pocket your sample MANNA and continue.) This volume
contains a Scripture text on a practical topic for every day
in the year, with a very brief remark on its salient features
—entire‘ly unsectarian. T 0 start each day in the year under

such helpful influences results in untellable blessings. It is '

good for ten years, and all that blessing you may enjoy for
50c, or only 5c per year. The Bible and Tract Society be-
lieves that in circulating this “Heavenly Manna” it is help-
ing people to both physical and spiritual health : food di-
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“Another feature is this (pointing to lined pages): An
Autograph and Birthday Record of your friends, which by
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take yOur‘ order? I will deliver next day: you pay
then. Perhaps you would want more than one copy—for
friends near or afar. You could scarcely present a more
suitable gift, nor one which they would more appreciate.”

 

 

 

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VOL. xxvm

“APRIL I , 1907

 

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,VI'EWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER.

WILL' BAPTISTS AND CHRISTIANS UNITE ?

._ ITH .a proposition before it looking towards the
merger of two great religious denominations,

_ the ninth annual congress of the Disciples of
Christ, which will meet at "the Central Christian Church.
in Cincinnati the firs-t week of April, will be of national
importance and 0f great significance» in the religiOus
world. At the 1906 congress, held in Indianapolis, a
committee of ten was appointed to make overtures and
formulate a plan 'for 'l‘JcIas‘errelations between the Bap-
tists and the Disciples of Christ.” This committee
will report at the conclusion of the three-days’ sesSion
of the congress in Cincinnati.
the merger of the twee/churches; and it is probable that

an agreement will follow, which, within the next few'

years, will bring about consolidation—5Cincinnati

Times-Sign
. 1* * . * '

These two great denominations claim to have “no
They, however, advocate very.

creed but the Bible.”
different views of baptism, which is one of the cardinal
doctrinal tests of both. Nevertheless, if the preachers
can unite, undoubtedly their flocks will follow-them,
for they generally do not comprehend the doctrinal
difference. The people of both would be quite ready
for the clearer Bible teachings presented in ZION’S
WATCH TOWER were it not for the power of their preach-

ers, exercised to suppress thought and Bible study and.

liberty.
SOCIAL SYSTEM DOOMED UNLESS IT IS REFORMED

Dr. Jacob Gould Schurman, president of Cornell
University, .in an address delivered recently in Old
Trinity Church, New York, attacked the present indus-
trial system and declared that, unless something was
done for the wage-earner by the big capitalists, the
end would be social revolution. Dr. Schurman’s res
marks created a sensation. He said in part:

“Steam, electricity and consolidated capital are, in

our own days eliminating the small producer and the.

small trader. The chance of young men becoming :i-n-
dependent producers and traders, when business is con-

Its report will advocate '

99

ductedvon the scale of millions, instead of thousands
or hundredsof' dollars, is vastly less than it was in the
timevof our fathers. ‘

j “The twagesearner, .feeling himself and . his Chile
dren doomed to poverty, rises in rebellion against . the
economicsystem which makes such things possible.
He protests that capital gets too large‘ a share of the
product which laboring men create. Hisreme'dy, when
he'has a remedy,’is‘~confiSCati0n of private capital in
the public interests and the establishment‘of a social-'
iStic State, in which all such workers shall receive com-
pensation in proportion to their deserts.

“SomehOw—l know not' how, but somehow—the
organizers and financiers and managers of our modern
establishments of production and transportation must
devise a method whereby the men whose labor builds
them up shall'becomé‘sh‘aseholders in the enterprises.
The present discontent and rankling sense of injustice
must be got rid of, if our economic and industrial sys-
tem is to survive.”

Thus we note from time to time that some see what
is coming, even though they follow not with us and are
ignorant of the Bible’s teaching on this subject. They
“fear for looking after those things coming upon the
earth.” Our Lord says that his followers, better in-
structed, may lift up their heads and rejoice, knowing
that their redemption draweth nigh. ‘

INSANITY IN CHICAGO

A newspaper dispatch from Chicago says :—“The
State Board of Charities, in an official report to the
Governor, declares one in every ninety Chicagoans is in-
sane and needs watching, and that 58,000 persons in

the State are unfit to be at large.”
96 'X-

 

.X.

Insanity is greatly on the increase, proving that
this is not the “brain age,” in a good sense of the term.
New York State statistics show 25,000 insane, or one
out of every 300 population. Worse still, if applied
to adults, these figures show one out of every 150 of the
population so badly gone as to be in an asylum. The
“fall” has wounded some worst physically, others

 

 

  

 

100 . ZION’S WATCH To WER AND

worst morally and others worst mentally. Oh, how the
poor world deserves the Apostle’s term, “the groaning
creation.” Oh, how much it needs the great Restorer
and his work during the “times of restitution.”-—Acts
3:19—21.

AVERAGE HUMAN BRAIN SHOWS NO IMPROVEMENT

The average human brain is not only no better
than it was thousands of years ago, but it is really de-
teriorating, according to Professor William I. Thomas
of the University of Chicago, in an article in the J anu-
uary number of the Journal of Sociology, issued by the
University.

“Nature is not producing a better average brain
than in the time of Aristotle and the Greeks,” says the
. professor. “The brain is less likely to improve now
than in earlier time, because the struggle for existence
has been mitigated so that the unfit survive along with
the fit. Indeed, the rapid increase in idiocy and insan-
ity shown by statistics indicates that the brain is dete-
riorating slightly on the average as compared with
earlier times.”

 

A KANSAS BOAST

“The Kansas press is just now boasting of the ‘su-
perior moral conditions of their State, and they have
good reason for the boast, for 85 out of its 105 counties
have not a single ofiicially reported pauper, and 25 of
these counties have no almshouses and 35 are without
a criminal case on the docket. Something more than
twenty years have passed since Kansas adopted prohi-
bition. The present condition of the State is a splen-
did object-lesson to the rest of the country ; and yet we
still hear the cry “prohibition takes away the people’s
lbierty’ and ‘you can’t make people moral by law.’ ”—
Homiletz‘c Review.

AMERICAN FARMERS FORMING A UNION

DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:—

I enclose a farm paper which I am sure will inter-
est you. The farmers are joiningforces with the labor
unions. This paper is the official organ of the “Amer-
ican Society of Equity,” published weekly.

I am a reader of MILLENNIAL DAWN; was formerly
a member of “Dr. Dowie’ 5 Church” , excommunicated
because of the enclosed letter.

May God our Father continue to bless your work.

Yours in the Christ, CHARLES C. STEWART. .1

Following is the letter above referred to :—

Overseer W. G. Voliva, Zion City, Ill:

Dear Brother,—I want to make a gentlemanly,
Christian protest. I love the work of the Kingdom—I
want to see its servants honored. I desire what Solo-
mon did—Wisdom—the kind that cometh down from
above. I invoke the Father for his guidance in writing
this letter.

In looking over the Leaves (Oct. 30, 1906) I find a
reference to MILLENNIAL DAWN, in which you say that
certain, or rather many, of its statements are “gross
misinterpretations 0f the plain Word of God,” that it is
largely “Seventh Day Adventism spiritualized,” etc.

I know not how far you have read into Mr. Rus-
sell’s works (now in six volumes), but you could not
have followed his plain directions : “to prove by Scrip
ture each statement he makes.” If you had you would
never say that he “grossly misinterpreted” God’s Word.
There is not a man in the Christian Catholic Apostolic
Church (that I have heard) who knows one-twentieth
of God’s plan as Mr. Russell. Our Church is almost
as barren of true exposition as the apostatized denom-

 

 

Wm. PA.

inations. My soul longs for some true bread. Elder
Cossum is the only man who really does expound—a
grand, good, noble Christian gentleman.

I have studied the Scriptures with MILLENNIAL
DAWN and the tracts since 1899—seven years. I read
the WATCH TOWER—glad, happy, to see it come into
the house. The WATCH TOWER reflects a kindly,
Christlike power that edifies and draws one toward
the great Father. I understand Greek and Latin and
can translate. I have compared many of Mr. Russell’s
claims with the original. He is right. He has a.
sound mind, given by the Spirit of Jehovah. He is
Scriptural, reasonable, consistent. He has no vituper-
ative, striving spirit in any of his writings nor in his
addresses.

Here are some of the points that I have studied
and am convinced that the Scriptures endorse them as
Mr. Russell expounds: —

The pre- -existence, birth and resurrection of JeSus.

The impersonality of Jehovah’s Spirit. .

The difference between the Christ’s trial, the
Church’s trial, the world’s trial.

The doctrine of Sheol (and Hades), Gehenna and
Tartarus, in that the dead are waiting for the call of
Jesus, that they are not in heaven or hell (so-called
place of torture).

The difierence between mortality and immortality.

These are only a few of those I might mention.

As you will see by this enclosed postal I have in-
terest in this work (the Lord’s). I inquired for these
tracts to give to Overseer Piper and Elder Hammond
that they might get right on the subject of the “Holy
Spirit.”

I am not a Russellite, Dowieite, Volivaite. I am
truly striving to grasp the knowledge of the Plan of
God and run for the prize—patiently, intelligently, dil-
igently.

This study has helped me greatly in my junior
work. I have charts that I have used and will soon
plan another to explain to th6‘2?:¥j-—itdren what God ex-
pects to do with them. I study the Scriptures and then
teach what I find. .

The people don’t need scolding—they need system-
atic teaching. They need to get the “mark in their
foreheads.”

I have a full new set of “Millennial Dawns” at home
waiting for some consecrated follower of the Lord
Jesus. I should be glad to send them (or lend them)
free if you would like to read them. I am sure your
opinion would change. May I send them?

Your brother in the Kingdom,

CHARLES C. STEWART.
-X- * *

We are glad to know of Brother Stewart’s progress
in the knowledge of the Truth and thank him for the
paper referred to in his letter. On its margin he wrote,
“James 5 in process of fulfilment.” From the paper we
clip the below items:—

“Better farming has had the attention of colleges,
institutes and the press, increased production has been
the slogan, and several increased crops, with dimin-
ished value, proved that doctrine’s fallacy, when
taught alone, until the bumper crops of some of our
most important products compelled the Secretary of
Agriculture to figure on them a money loss to the farm-
ers of $120,000,000.

“Up-to-Date Farming says again, as it has so many
times said before, raise big crops, they are all right,
we are glad to hear of them, but learn to so market the
crops, big or little, that they will yield commensurate
reward to those who produce them.

 

P. ..\i' 3‘

 Pt...\i'a‘

APRIL 1. 1907

\ “ABANDON US NOT IN TEMPTATION"
The great Spurgeon once remarked, “In contend-
ing with certain sins there remains no mode of victory
but by flight. The ancient naturalists wrote much of

basilisks, whose eyes fascinated their victims and ren-'

dered them easy victims; so the moral gaze of wicked-
ness puts us in solemn danger.” In harmony with this
thought the Apostle wrote to Timothy, “Flee youthful
lusts.” (2 Tim. 2:22.) Jesus’ example in this matter is
a wonderful lesson to us all respecting loyalty to the
principles of righteousness even to the extent of
hazarding the brightest hopes and prospects of an
earthly kind. And if we may well copy this lesson of
fleeing from temptation, we may also note with the
Prophet another lesson in this connection, for when
Joseph’s master Potiphar was very angry with him, so
far as the evidence shows, Joseph contented himself
with merely denying the allegation without attempting
to demean Potiphar’s wife by relating the facts of the
case. What a noble example is here given us of avoid-
ing evil speaking, even when that would be the truth!

Josep‘h’s noble heart probably reasoned that while
it would have been no more than justice to have reveal-
ed the wickedness of the woman, such a course would
not only have damaged the wife but have dealt an
irreparable blow to Potiphar’s affection for her, thus
destroying his master’s confidence and breaking up
his home. Willingness to endure under such conditions
is a marvelous illustration of high and noble integrity
—character. Such a man was indeed fit for a throne—

but not yet ; God had other experiences for him before.

he would be ready for the exaltation intended. So with
us: God has called us to the throne of the Millennial
Kingdom to be associated with our Lord and Redeemer
in his great work; but first we must be made meet for
the inheritance of the saints in light, and trials and
buffetings and testings of patient endurance are essen-
tial to the development of such character as the Lord
seeks.
THE STRENGTHENING OF CHARACTER

A lump of rock candy is pure carbon and a dia-
mond is pure carbon, yet there is a difference between
them which consists mainly,in the fact that the dia-
mond has been crystallized to an extreme degree of
hardness, firmness, solidity. So there is a difference
between the states and conditions of the New Creatures
in Christ. At one time we are mere “babes in Christ,”
but if faithful through patient endurance and the
Lord’s instructions and disciplines of providence we
are to become strong in the Lord and in the power of
his might—the “babe in Christ” corresponds then to
the pure carbon in the form of rock candy, while the
mature Christian, developed in the furnace of affliction,
etc., corresponds to the diamond. We remember in this
connection the Lord’s assurance that at the close of
our trial time in the end of the Gospel age, at his sec-
ond coming, he will make up his “jewels.”

At that time undoubtedly an official of Potiphar’s
rank would have been permitted to kill his slave under
such a charge, and the fact that, instead, Joseph was

HERALD 0F CHRIST’S PRESENCE. 103

imprisoned, may therefore be taken as an intimation
that Potiphar was not fully convinced of the treachery.
of the man who had served him faithfully for ten years.
But a prison in olden times differed greatly from a
modern prison in civilized lands. Joseph, in mention:
ing the prison, “dungeon” (v. 15) in the Hebrew calls I
it a “hole,” and a minister familiar with oriental pris-
ons of today says :—

“We have visited many a prison in the Levant ; we
have seen . . . intolerable filth and want of ventila-
tion, the excess of vermin, the unmerciful stocks in
which the feet are made fast. We may well pity virtu-
ous Joseph, whewas indeed, as claimed by tradition,
put into the prison dungeon of the present city of
Cairo, which is composed of dark, loathsome and pes-
tilential passages where the prisoners are chained to
the wall.”

Joseph’s experiences in prison are referred to by
the Psalmist (Psa. 105:I8), saying, “Whose feet they
hurt with fetters ; he was laid in irons.”

What was the effect ‘of this new experience upon
Joseph? Was hediscouraged, cast down, embittered
in soul? Did he say to himself or to others, If this be
the reward of virtue, give me vice? Did he repine
against the Lord’s providences in permitting this ex-
perience, or was he patiently submissive, trustful ?‘
Joseph was in all these experiences the most wonder-
ful, model example of the proper course of a true
Christian and saint. And again we suggest that if he
could be faithful with as little light as he enjoyed re-
specting the Lord’s permission of this evil, what might
not the Lord reasonably expect of us who have been blest~
with so much greater light and instruction. and with-
the noble example of Joseph and scores of others in
the Scripturesgnd in our own experiences—what man-
ner of persons ought we to be in all holy living and1
godliness and faith in God?

For very shame’s sake we should strive at least to
come up to the standard of J oseph—we who have the
exceeding great and precious promises—we who have
the explanation of why our trials and difficulties are
permitted and how they are to prepare us for the King-
dom and its glorious work. Can we not readily see.
how Joseph’s trials and difficulties developed charac-
ter in him? and how, as he overcame in one instance
after another, he was becoming stronger—his charac-
ter was crystallizing? Ah! no wonder he will be
amongst the “ancient worthies” who, in the future,
after the glorification of the Church, will be made
princes in all the earth for the ruling and blessing and.
uplifting of the entire human family, under the guid-
ance and direction of the Christ, Head and body.
Most evidently the Lord knows how, not only to-
seléct the wonderful characters for his service, but
also to develop these characters and prove and test
them, and make them strong for his service and their
blessing.

“THE LORD WAS WITH HIM”

Joseph’s experience in the stocks was a limited
one. Evidently the prison-keeper discerned that he
had aprisoner of no ordinary character and ability,

 

  

110 ZZONZSi-‘é WA TCH TOTWER AND-l ‘

whatever might‘be'cha‘rged against him. His rever-
ence for the Lord and his faithfulness to duty made
him a marked man,” and the keeper of the prison was
glad to give over one responsibility after another into
Joseph’s hands. According to the story, Joseph’s own
experiences made him tender hearted :t0ward the other
prisoners, Whose degradations and sorrows he was en-
abled to enter into by reason of his own experiences.
He was learning noble lessons, which would fit and
preparehim for higher usefulness as the governor of
Egypt. The secret of the whole matter is told in the
lesson in 'a few w0rds, “The Lord was with him, and
that which he did the Lord made to prosper.”

Whoever has reverence for the Lord in anygdegree
will be proportionately blessed : much faith, much rev-
erence, much obedience will surely lead to much bless-
ing in heart and life—to much supporting and _ steady-
ing of character, whatever it may have been by nature.
-—-to much of the spirit of a sound mind, however
erratic the person may have been naturally to begin
with. In all these respects we who have the instruc-
tions of the Lord’s Word or the encouragement of his
promises and the guidance of the spirit of a sound
mind are greatly blessed. In proportion as we make
use of them and develop the proper character we
shall have the ultimate reward and hear the Master’s

voice, saying, It is enough, come up higher. Thou_

hast been faithful over a few things, I will make ,thee
ruler over many things ; enter thou into the joy of thy
Lord.

We should never forget, as “New Creatures in:

Christ Jesus,” the exhortation‘ of the Golden Text to
faithfulness—to the Lord (which includes faithfulness
to the brethren, t0 the truth, to righteousness in every
sense of'the word). This faithfulness/must be tried,
tested, proven, clear down to the end of life’s journey
——until we go into the prison-house of death. “Be
thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown

of life.” The Lord whom we serve is able and willing.

to open the prison-doors and bring us forth in the First
Resurrection to a share in the glory, honor and immor-
tality of his own Kingdom. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
what a salvation! and for what a peculiar people these
are intended ! Such thoughts incite us—as was the
divine intention—to strive to make our calling and
election sure.
PROSPERING IN PRISON

Well might the chief jailor be content to leave the
care of the prison in Joseph’s hands. We may well
imagine the cleaning up of the dungeon effected under
his direction. and that a measure of peace would reign
within those dark walls quite in contrast with the bed-
lam that had previously prevailed. Wisdom, mercy,
gentleness, patience, were all, we may be sure, needed
and exercised ; and the model prison not only effected a
blessing upon those whowere incarcerated, but brought
a blessing also to Joseph in his own‘ heart-develop-
ment, and additionally in that our own joy and peace
are always ministered to when we endeavor to solace
the woes of others. "(Wgfi
[llMyli‘A picture of how Joseph dealt with the prisoners is
given in the lesson: instead of treating them rudely
and roughly, he looked after their interests to such an
extent that he noticed one morning that two of the

 

ALLEGHENY; PA;

prisoners were of peculiarly sad countenance, and he
tenderly inquired, “Wherefore look ye so sadly today ?”
Theyhad dreamed, and they were in trouble lest their

dreams boded further adversity. Joseph said unto._

them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell
me them, I pray you.” How evidently the secret of
Joseph’s faithfulness and strength of character lay in
the fact that he had faith in God—that he believed in
the great Oath-Bound Covenant that God had made
with his great-grandfather Abraham, confirmed to his
grandfather Isaac, and again to his father Jacob, and
of which he was an heir. What a power faith has in
life to hold it steady in every storm and cloudy trou-
ble ! .

One of the dreams bore a mos