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EDITED
cc

OLnnbitillual Jmmnrtalit!l
THE SEORETARY.

J\.zzntiatinn. "

BY

The Wages of Sin is Death; but the gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Ohrist our Lord."

No. 3. vei, IV.

TABLE Notes and News... Responsibility Light of those OF CONTENTS.

DECEMBER, 1880.

PRICE

ONE

PENNY.

PAGE.

46 who have obtained Im49 50 53 54 54 55

CONDITIONAL IMMORTALITY ASSOCIATION,

HOME, COLONIAL, AND FOREIGN.
CONSTITUTION.-1st. An Individual Union of Christian Believers, who hold Immortality and Eternal Life to be received only through personal union with the Lord Jesus Christ. 2nd. A Collective Union of Christian Churches and Missions, whose teaching is in harmony with the above. Such Believers, Churches, &c., retaining their (otherwise) distinctive tenets and denominational customs and unions. PURPOSE.-To bear witness to the neglected and Advent, but especially of the former. AGENCIES.-Publications, ferences, and Colportage. Lectures, Bible Truths of The Lift. Con-

from the Lord on Conditional

morality and its kindred Truths A Great Theological Fiction Question and Answer Correspondence ... ... ...

Addresses,

Bible-Readings,

Church and Mission News Business Notes

SUBSCRIPTlONs.-Life Members a single subscription of Five Pounds. Members an annual subscription of Five Shillings, and Associates of 'I'wo Shillings and Sixpence. MISCELLANEous.-Cards of Membership are furnished annually on receipt of Subscription. Two copies of the official organ, The Bible Standard, are posted monthly to each Member, and one copy to each Associate. The Annual Meeting is held in some convenient centre, at which all Members (but not Associates) liave a vote. No proxies are allowed. The annual subscription is due twelvemonths from the date of the previous payment, of which notice will be given by sending the Bible Standard of that month in colored wrapper, when it is hoped an early remittance will be made to the Secretary. It is much to be desired that, wherever practicable, an occasional Donation should be given in addition to the annual (orlife) subscription. N.B.-All communications shonld be addressed to the Secretary, who will also supply orders for the Literature of the Association. In ordering through a local bookseller-which you are requested to do whenever convenient-kindly give only the name and address of the London Book-AgBnt-F. Souihwell, 27, Ivy-lane, City. The Conference Report and Annual Statement, for 1880, will be snpplied free to all new members, also a list of publications.

NOTICES

TO

CORRESPONDENTS, be addressed the publication to the Secretary, CYRUSE. of all classes of works

ALL COMMUNICATIONS should BROOKS,Cheltenham. THE ASSOCIATION undertakes touching the Life and Advent.

IN SENDINGCOPY,write on one side only. Do not roll, but fold it. If declined, send stamps for return. Communications for next issue cannot be received later than the following dates :-Articles, 3rd inst.; News 12th; Advertisements 15th. ADVERTISING CHARGES-Four lines and under (30 words) Is. Each additional line 3d. Displayed-Is. 6d. per inch, single column. Six insertions charged as five. RATES OF SUBSCRIPTION-One copy Is. 6d. per annum, post free. Jjwo copies 2s. 6d. Four copies, upwards, post free at Is. per annu4per copy.

CYRUS E. BROOKS, Secretary, 4, Oriel-place, Cheltenham.

46
NOTES
AND

THE
NEWS.

BIBLE

STANDARD.

Thursday

night of this week, and I expect, by God's grace and blessing, I have strong opposiwas Last week I was proposed as a member of the Association, but, of course, the opposition too dangerous a person I have given them to be admitted an opportunity, and, of

to see many come out boldly on the Lord's side. tion from all quarters.
THE EASTERN QUESTION.

Young Men's Christian

so strong, that I was considered " It appears not impossible that an identical fate awaits, and is about to befall at the same time, the two great Turkey. The condition of Western and Mohammedan brigandage Central monarchies. in Asiatic to What is a Kurdish invasion of Persia, is Kurdish become one of seething anarchy. ministers to a public discussion.

into that body of professed believers in Christ. but they will not appear. course, I get many I always give liberty

I cannot get any of the for questions,

Asia threatens

from all sorts of thinkers.

I shall be compelled to out from thei Tbe

Our correspondent,

whose interesting readers possess desci ibes in his is who are

form a Church here, on account people are asking soon as possible.

of some being thrust and I think I shall have

letters from Persia have thrown whatever verging telegrams frontiers of Persia and Russian which

light English Turkestan,

respective places of worship, on account of their change of views. for our literature, I hope that much of it if we had it.

upon the condition of affairs in the angle of country formed by the conthe preparations the Government of St. Petersburg

we could dispose of a parcel sent me as

making for the subjugation as dangerous to the north-east west. tumult

of those Akhal Tekke Turcomans of Persia as the Kurds this vast district,

are to the northand even in the in Asia as nations of this

" I am glad to say that my health seems to be doing me much good. for there are a great many places to leave in Auckland heavenly glorious Father tidings

is much I shall

improved.

The climate

There is every sign throughout and confusion has which

soon need some assistance, it, having no one I pray Jesus our the to proclaim

remoter regions where the confines of Russia and China converge, of a may involve such a revolution in some occurs only at intervals whose fortune conflict, of centuries. The two great European degree the umpires

I want to open out in the immediate there.

vicinity of Auckland, but, at present, I cannot attempt to look after the interest Life,' through will raise up some men of power of 'Eternal

made them

and the instruments

of something

like progress, ore confronted than in rancour

our Lord

Christ. A Mr. a few

with problems which it will be easier to settle in amity and suspicion."-Daily Surely students hope. such News, Oct. 27. secular press enquiry

There seems to have been but very little effort put forth, by anyone in the colonies, to set before the people the Cass, of Christchurch, has, I think, 'Forgotten enabled Truths.' to gather been

words from the merely

should and

stir

up

believers round him there. George A. Brown, Auckland,

Mr. Waiters is taking a very active part in New Zealand.

of the prophetic Only Christ, as the" Qnestion;"

word to increased and the"

quickened can settle

our meeting, and I find him a great help and blessing to me."-Rev.

stone cut out of the mouutain," signs of the times"

this" Eastern near co'ming.

speak of His
A WORD FROM CANADA.

LIGHT

ACROSS THE WATERS.

" I have not had leisure have read Mr. Strang's portant work. by the by settling with

to read the

whole (Conference) Report,

but

"We like the place exceedingly. pleasant, ourselves. years. and, what is better down in Church-fellowship You can imagine

It is amongst the hills, breezy and are several like-minded each

Paper, which is excellent.

I hope the brethren to go on with their imcold. upon the

still, we have been favoured where there ha, been a Rainbow is a brother

connected with the Association are encouraged ness and indifference of intelligent Association, Christinus

The more I see of the ignorance and stereotyped on the subjects the more I realize we have good reason all the the obligations for believing, indifference resting is moving and

Our nearest neighbour This stranger

reader for many other, far better

advocated The lever opposition to prevail."

our joy in recognising

than I can tell you. in this neighbourhood of Immortality Australia.

beloved now, for many A. Turner, South

_ believers, who know the truth, to make it known to others. of Divine Truth, religious world, notwithstanding

have partially,

and some fully, received the truth

only in the Lord, through him."-lIIrs.

which prevails, and Ly the blessing of God is sure ultimately James Less/ie, Esq., Canada.
THE TRUTH IN NEW ZEALAND.

" I should

80

much like to have been

with you during the last week, 1

0f

AN ABSURD FARCE.

at the Conference in Liverpool. it was.

How much I did think of you all! of what passed, and

hope the Conference was a grand success, and I hope you will send me all particulars the reported progress of the' past year. Father to let me, I trust that pri vilege of doing so. "I was glad to see by the Bible to Liverpool, gre it service I think him to the cause one for the work. Branch Association Standard

have no doubt but that

During

the

enforcement against

of the

"MtIl'ch

Dc'crees"

of the

French

Government,

the Monastic Orders, the superior members have and have publicly How the chief officers of the police;

If it should please our heavenly some of your

freely used their priestly power of excommunication, cut off from hope and heaven ago!

I shall be able to attend

future Conferences, I would come all the way from New Zealand for the

changed, however, are the times in which we dwell to those of a century Then, kings shrank from the dreaded ban of the Church, and the Now, it excites either ridicule or anger. at Toulouse and Paris. a wag-good-humoredly at the latter, that arrested the as showing In this we to and temporarily their dotage. thereof, we cite two cases occurring priestly curse was all-powerful.

that man,

Bro. Vasey had gone and also a very useful (D.V.) to establish a

In instance

a very worthy of truth.

At the furmer, the Police Commissary-evidently gave a stamped. receipt fuuctionary excommunicator. got angry, said he was insulted, are passing

He is a good lecturer, and I think that he will be of I expect in New Zealand, including Australia as well. The

for the excommunication;

In either case, the incident is suggestive, into

harvest is truly great here.

I do not know that I ever saw people more Our hall is crowded every for the Sunday Class on the able to find seat room for all who come. Hall for twelve months, I commence a Theological

how rapidly priestly claims

anxious to hear than they are in Auckland. S mday night, and we are not I have taken tile Temperauce and one night per week.

rejoice, yea, and we will rejoice, for we know no greater the spread of truth, no greater claims, the priestly assumptions injury to religion, than

hindrance

the sacerdotal Amongst

of so many religious teachers.

such, Rome has ever been the chief sinner.

,
THE BIBLE
THOUGHTS FOR THINKERS.

STANDARD.
Our teaching is neatly summarised immortality, but that life everlasting by him as, The broad

47
principle inherits

I.-Is 2.-If a.-If 4.-Is 5.-As 6.-If

the soul a part of God or a part of man z it is a part of God, can it sin? it is a part of man, is it not mortal and subject to death? there any intimation in the Bible that God put (what is technically called) an imm01tal soul into the first man at his creation? Adam was made of the dust, is it not said that this man of dust became a liv'ing soul, and not an immortal. soul? the soul is an immortal spiritual death, seeing sinneth it shall die" ? or spiritual that thing, must say, it not die a soul that the Scriptures 'The

on which the society bases its teaching is that no one naturally only upon such 'as may desire and seek it, the lives 01 the

is a special gift bestowed by God indifferent career.' This latter and unbelieving terthe .esuran awake to life i

and unbelieving terminating with their earthly clause should read,-The lives of the indifferent minating at the judgment rection, interest of the great wicked are totally unconscious die, so in Christ shall during death, but

day, our belief being that

through the merits of Christ's sacrifice; all be made alive.' in Christ will perish

thus, ' As in Adam all perish in the

All who wake without

everlastingly-literally to thank you

7.-As S.-If 9.-If

nothing

can die except what is mortal, if the soul dies a spiritual mortal? death? not spiritual death thing and immortal, it must have a spiritual thing, must

Gehenna of the Judgment. Allow me, as an old Plymothian, for your just and respectfully subject.-Ed. courteous notice of our society, and to apologise for the lateness of my reply, not having seen the notice until last evening.-Yours Cyrus cannot E. Brooks. 15, Belgrave-terrace, Torquay, permit any controversy in our columns on this
AT LEAST.
!I

death, must it not be spiritually the soul is a spiritual immortality. literal death

How, then, can it die a spiritual destroys a literal

October 27." [" We

destroy a spiritual thing? 10.-How n.-If 12.-If 13.-But could David say, "God will redeem my soul from the power the serpent speak the truth? of the grave," if the grave has no dominion over the soul? men live in death, (Gen. iii. 4.) God spake the truth, return to dllst? if that (which man calls the soul) does not surely die, did not a Tract by J. C. Akester, Hull, the serpent speak the truth ?-From
"ETERNAL

W. M. News.]"
LOGICAL

did not

"During student

the late vacations

one of our city pulpits was occupied by asserted that

from the Presbyterian then, in a flight

college, who took for his text Matt. xvi, the soul of man was 'Some
I

does not that

(which He calls the soul)

26, and in laying out his premises immortal;

of oratory, he said:
IMPOSSIBILITY,

will ask you to the annihila-

believe in the doctrine of annihilation, tion of the human is immortal;' this soul is AN is almost

but it is not true; for AS

HAVE TOLD YOU, it

TORTURE."

equal to the learned principal himself, at the young man was not aware of 'For what translated would read thus:

We have pleasure man an immortal

in recommending

this

stirring

pamphlet

by our

least it is a fair imitation.

Perhaps

friend Mr. J. C. Akester, of Hull, and also its companion soul?" The two are moss excellent enquiry. columns.
AT TORQUAY.

lecture, "Hns for purpose of

the fact that the text properly

is a man profited if he should gain the whole world and forfeit his life, or what will a man give in ransom for his life.' strong grounds against the common rendering.""THE GATES OF HELL."

gift or loan, to stimulate

We shall be happy to supply them

Dr. Adam Clarke takes Canadian Inuestiqator,

as per notice in our advertising " In Torquay Association' the Society

LIFELIGHT

known

as the

'Conditional branch, on 'which

Immortality which already but that terthe society

In the Christian road Chapel," the

World report of the" Rev. A. McAulay prominence

Methodist

Convention at Cityas saying-" To

have started

a rapidly-growing The broad principle

is represented must

numbers many members.

achieve success continual -death, judgment,

he given to the saving and must be preached emotion, man must be told that it is With the tenderest

bases its teaching is that no one naturally desire and

inherits

immortality,

solemn truths of the Gospel.

The four last things' Every

life everlasting is a special gift bestowed by God only upon such as may seek it, the lives of the indifferent translate literally the expression' and unbelieving minating association irreconcilable Scriptures. with their earthly career, in other words, the members of the death eternal' the torments as opposed of hell are in the Bible, and argue that

hell, heaven.

his privilege to know his sins forgiven.

yet with solemn conviclion, men must be taken to the very gates of hell, and made to look into the invisible world." We have italicised the words to which was thinking and the student, world" margin therefore, gates we wish to raise objection. of hell shall not prevail The speaker, we presume, against it." As a Biblical invisible and If, of Matt. xvi. 1S,''' Upon this rock I will build My Church, know that the Greek whatever Our English word here rendered with that" Bible in text of Hades.

to ' life eternal'

with the character Frequent

of God as otherwise

set forth in the with the associais

meetings are held in connection

tion in St. George's Hall, Torquay, and the Secretary of the association, Mr. Cyrus E. Brooks, of Cheltenham at present brotherhood expected. to the preaching and working converts from nearly all persuasions. love on the part of certain ministers Rev. H. G. Button, as that' there (formerly a Wesleyan minister), in the town, and gaining not a few The members of this unorthodox treated with that brotherly in Torquay which might have been at the Ellacombe with imputing for man.' in the Tabernacle,

Mr. Mcaulay must

hell is I-Iades, and has no connection of which he was speaking. repeatedly gives "grave" he takes as a preacher,

as the interpretation his hearers

are not, however, apparently

in spirit to the invisible nothing but the the blessed

world of which Christ was speaking, they will behold common lot of all men-from darkness, the silence of death. which Christ, however, "The

However this may be, 1\1r. Brooks has just addressed a letter minister to the associaalso

there is no escape-corruption, teaches which is indeed the lesson He gates" for" simply refer to of death and can they to subrefuse the neither Thus, the dominion

Torquay, in which he charges Mr. Button tion such teachings or a pig,' challenges ",Sir,-In and that' Mr. Button is no future

truth of an open grave in resurrection, would have us learn power, dominion from His words. (see Gen. xxiv. 60). xx, 36.)

man is an animal no better than a donkey Mr. Brooks Bath Saloon."-

to public controversy

the grave shall not prevail against die any more."-(L1ke stantiate their theories of a present

His Church, Men must

Western Morning News, Oct. 25. 'Notes in,the West,' in your issue of October 25th, occurs a Association in its work at Torquay. on the general correctness of one error which is of importyour correspondent notice of the Conditional Immortality Whilst complimenting his information, ance.

be hard pressed

hell, when they persistently

to distinguish future

between the Scripture words Hades (grave) and Gehenna from among the just.

(a place of fire), the former the common lot of all men, the latter end of the wicked only, when severed our English Unhappily Bible does not distinguish

kindly allow me to correct

sufficiently between

48
the two words (this is no excuse which misleads for teachers those

THE BIBLE
who can turn to their

STANDARD.
my having made such a reply. Maude, and asked text. had three said that days him what He said it was 'nephesh.' if we believed nights, that then and three I spoke on that occasion till after only to Mr. ~lr. Maude for of the Deity I replied 'poured and a un-

Greek Testaments)

who have no works of refer-

the word for 'soul' I said no more the Lord

was in Hebrew in the in the grave

ence. To such, however, we would recommend a careful study of the context, which will often show the sense given to the word by the Spirit.
OUR CONFERENCE NUMBER.

lay dead

there was a separation

We desire appreciation distributing

heartily

to thank to thank

our Report,

kind

friends

for

their

generous iu

from the humanity, generally that

and that was a dangerous but that hath

thing to teach. as having again

of the Conference the same.

as it appeared

in October Bible so nobly helped invidious, we canand 5,000

the word spoke of the Lord as dead, He was raised

Standard, and especially not avoid naming distribution,-our

those who have

out His soul unto death,' we were therefore belief in the

by the mighty over Him,' 'The dead implies ascribed

Even at the risk of seeming two, each taking Henry J. Ward,

power of God, and now death personality

no more dominion l\ly article,

at least President,

500 copies that

for personal near

and thus safe in Him. of the Rainbow, Report." Christ.

This very statement to the statement

Esq .. of Liverpool;

James Lesslie, Esq., of Canada. Colonies. siderable, still As the expense we were anxious provided to circulate that

We are glad to state at home, in India,

copies have been put into circulation of setting to secure which

and the British was conas possible, We will post price

conscious,' in November to me in the Conference

is contrary

type for so much matter as large a circulation Somewhat assistance.

CURRENT

EVENTS.

and therefore on hand,

a good reserve.

over 1,000 copies are

The past month home and abroad. violent floods. Britain,

has been pregnant In Buenos storms, severe much storms lives. floods Ayres, horses,

with disaster,

by land and sea, at snow-storm, In Italy and very and by In France, loss of crops loss of property

we crave

an unprecedented sheep, and cattle. destroyed, immense enormous high. both storm,

them to any addresses of twopence require evidence a copy would

may bo snp plied us, at the published to foreign countries, or more subjects. All our readers these have friends valuable

with the loss of over a million Denmark, serious property. land floods. Brazil, great

per copy (except be nsefnl,

for which we shall to whom body of

property with

the difference in postage). could be sent them upon

inucdations,

ani! no cheaper is all we need.

OFFER

A list of addresses

and sea, and several Germany, States, whilst storm, serious

Sicily, great and storms,

15 lives lost, the severe north and south. The Levant, material

with stamps in payment

debris of the waters United damaged, a terrible have damage, Vesuvius

lying in heaps 40 feet in which

Switzerland,

OF SERVICE.

We wonld direct advertising many open to precious acceptable ;, neglected columns pnlpits truth. speaker, truths"

the attention

of London

friends to the notice in our and trust he will find witness and an

a lake storm inflicting smart

17 vessels were wrecked, and 66 great storm. happily Burmah, In addition British to the above, there without and Switzerland.

93 lives were lost.

Cyprus,

from Mr. H. H. Horsman, Mr. H. is a member of the Word of God.

IT MOVES.

severe loss. earthquake-shocks,

in which he may be able to bear acceptable of our Association, in the one also who is well versed

been some

in Burmab, is reported

Spain, Portugal, "very active,"

too commonly

two streams nigh." that

of lava are flowing unusual on Oct.

from its cone. up, for your truth of "Life -that only in still, in

Our only consolation redemption draweth

in such a gloomy record is "Look As a proof of the iu St. Petersburg

We speak Christ." Methodism its "lay

of lliethodisrn however,

in relation Methodism

to the

severity of the season, we may mention 26th, there were 30 degrees of frost, Fah.J
THE LAND AND THE

Not,

denominationally, the truth experience

all its sections,

sets its face as firmly against We speak of our personal extended and natural If Methodist tour. was the disbelief

as ever,-but mighty arm, to A suggestive " Palestine step nearer, a separate scheme in the West, dogmas of instance and by true

PEOPLE.

in its units, and especially

in the units of that We were surprised

item

of news

comes

to us from vilayet."

Turkey,

viz.,

that as The
On

ministry."

has been constituted probably, kingdom, under the

a separate protectorate and

This brings us a

dnring a somewhat find how general eternal suffering

and gratified

to the return

of its people, and its constitution of some other power. populous the sea, is still waiting be indeed obtained, the future Jews,

in the commonly in another

accepted

immortality.

No more striking column upon enquiry

for running

a railway to connect the with each other of the Porte. powerful under the

towns of Aleppo, it

of this can be found than is supplied Mission News.") longest creed John teaching in Christendom,"

(" Church the Gospel

Horns, and Damascus the good pleasure will prove a most interesting purpose The German land returning,

leaders will persist and in insisting all independent the whirlwind. not discipline

in abiding by "the as to the

If the concession sun. The numbers,

factor in developing

of the most it seems,

Wesley, and in stifling

Roumanian persecution.

of the Holy Word, they will soon be in the position will be on doctrine, as heretofore.

of men

in considerable features

to the land of their fathers. We look for

who, having sown the wind, reap next convulsion

In other words, their

Jews are receiving considerable

some early and important Question." of for

of the Syrian part of the "Eastern

A CORRECTION.

We regret that there should have been an one of the the Reporter's really issue, Report, meaning whether saying said was we here these Question services Meetings of the from our having to trust Rev. H. Constable to our personal

inaccuracy

in our report arranged

IT is our folly to betray our duties by our wishes; is no condition advantage if it were thus ana thus with us, we could serve God readily and cheerfully. of some duty or other; it is thy laziness, Thon fool, there use, for the the, blame of and but grace can improve it to some religious

Conference.

It arose,

however,

notes, not having

at those two meetings. As we inserted of a similar R. Killip

At page 2, line 31, the entity;" letter what he last from his column asked in our received

is represented "identity." an extract appear, words, could

as using the word"

thine own neglect must not be charged upon Providence.-Manto1l. THE VALUE OE LITTLES.-A is not to be trusted. the amonnt chain with all its links sound, except one, with all its rooms disinfected, A payment in full, him, perishes He who sinks as surely except one he which lacks one dollar of within as though A pest-house,

insert :-" words

nature the

l\1ajor van Someren

On page 2, second 'Mr.

of the Conference grammatical as

one, is not a safe place to stay in. owed, is not a payment inch of the rope which is thrown were in mid-ocean.

of the original they conveyed 'that personality

(' Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell,') when I am reported therein.' I cannot not be found recall

the idea of personality?'

THE
RESPONSIBILITY LIGHT FROM

BIBLE

STANDARD.

49

OF THOSE WHO HAVE OBTAINED THE LORD ON CONDITIONAL

IMMORTALITY AND ITS KINDRED TRUTHS. By

FELLOW THOMAS VASEY.

believers in Christ, all "who have obtained like precious faith with us," "suffer the word of exhortation," "not that we would have dominion over your faith, but be helpers together of your joy." Consider the exalted honour and privilege the Lord has conferred upon us. He has made us the custodians of truths delivered from long captivity,of recovered family treasure that is greatly ~eeded for the impoverished household of faith,-we are stewards of these precious things of God, the very knowledge of which has perished from a large portion of the redeemed family; the enemies of truth have prejudiced the saints [against these precious doctrines of His Word, and our Father has given us light for their benefit, and also for the world. Are we prepared to accept and use this sacred trust ?-to honour our gracious God by doing His will? I ask, do we realize the solemnity of the privilege, and what it involves? Let us not be turned aside by irrelevant questions, and spend our force on side issues. We have avowed our firm belief that eternal life is not the natural possession of mankind, but the great gift of God in Christ, to those who believe in His name,-that the doom of the finally impenitent is to perish in the Second Death, not to be tormented through eternal ages, as is popularly taught,-that such teaching has wronged the glorious character of God, and made Him appear all Almighty tyrant rather than the just, and gracious -the merciful, and righteous Jehovah. We have professed our belief in J esu s as the sole Giver of eternal life, in virtue of His sacrificial death and resurrection, and shall we pander to those who would rob His cross, and rifle His crown, of this precious gem, and tell us that immortality belongs to creation, rather than redemption, to the first Adam, rather than the second? Nay, we glory in Him who is the Life, as well as the Truth and the Way. We also further believe in our Lord's return, as God's Anointed King, to set up His Kingdom on earth, to raise and glorify His saints, to reign with Him in His Kingdom for a thousand years in this very earth; that He will restore lost and wandering Israel, fulfil to them the Father's ancient promises, and bring back peace and blessing, to a groaning creation, and a sin-cursed world. Now, brethren, these are truths, eternal oerlties God Himself has given us to see, and believe; they are not to us mere opinions or theories, but revealed promises that involve the divine veracity and faithfulness. Have we, I ask, grasped them as being put in trust of God with them, for the glory of His name and the benefit of His ransomed Church? Or do we falter, and shrink back, afraid to commit

ourselves to the full avowal, because of consequences? Let us examine our standing. Are we sure of our ground? Dare we to be Daniels, having a true purpose, and daring to make it known? Do we speak with the accent of conviction, as those who know both who and what they have believed,-as saints and confessors of Christ, who in His strength are prepared to do and die for His truth? Half-heartedness is worthless in these sifting, winnowing days of trial. God has infinite resources at His command, numerous agents to do His will if we decline the post of honour and danger assigned to us. The battle is not ours, but God's, and it is nothing to Him to save by many or by few; He has Gideons and Daniels yet in store. But be not deceived, it is not mere parade, no sham battle we are called upon to fight. The grand crisis of the ages is at hand. Christ will come in with the Kingdom, whether men will believe it or not. The midnight cry will go forth, and the ready ones only will enter with the Bridegroom. Fidelity to Christ, gratitude to God for light given, call us to witness for His glorious truth. Faith, then, is what He now demands,-the conviction. of things not seen. We profess to have this,-is it real? Will it bear the strain, the demand made upon it? Enduring as seeing Him who is yet invisible, can we dare to risk the loss of our orthodox position, the scoff of friends, the taunt of being fanatics, the grim charge of uncharitableness to others, the cry of being disturbers of settled beliefs? Are we in the strength of this faith prepared to suffer loss, and endure persecution, for these precious truths of Christ? Or, to escape these things, shall we still hide in Christian fellowships where these truths are not only denied, but ridiculed and denounced as rank heresies? Is it right to countenance with our presence, and support with our substance, what we know to be derogatory to the character of God, and contrary to the testimony of His Word? Do we speak strongly? Integrity demands it. I say again, have we the divine courage of our convictions, and the daring to make them known by every Scriptural means, for the glory of Christ, and the good of His Church? 0 companions in the faith and patience of Christ, there are yet crowns to be won, positions to be gained, in the coming Kingdom and administration of our Royal Lord. "If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign." But, on the other hand, let us ponder those solemn words of His, "Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me, and of My words, of Him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels." (Luke ix. 26.) Let us seek direction by waiting upon the Lord; carry it out when given, whatever it costs; God's truth must abide,-shall prevail; fear not fewness of numbers, (as Dr. Leask has well said,) "God has ever worked with small minorities." Our cause is God's, and must prevail.

50
A GREAT THEOLOGICAL By J.

THE

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STANDARD.

FICTION.

human nature is based upon the exceptions rather than upon

;r. Honns.
CHRIST;

Having a desire to depart, and to be with is far better."-Phil. i. 23.

which

IN what manner is this expression to be understood? The usual meaning attached to it we assume to be, is that at death the apostle expected to escape from the body in which he dwelt, and in a moment be translated into the presence of Christ.-That the body itself was no veryessential part of his personality, whether dead or living. Indeed, he would be far better without it, as remaining in it necessitated absence from Christ, whilst deliverance was an instantaneous flight to glory, and in conscious blessedness to be "for ever with the Lord." That no sooner would the body of humiliation be dropt, then he would be clothed upon with the spiritual house which is from Heaven. Such we believe to be the prevailing interpretation of the Apostle's words. Our object is to enquire how far such a theory agrees with the general teaching of Scripture. Man, what is he? Is he a unit, or dual-one person or two? Is he a compound being, consisting of body, soul, and spirit; or is he two or three persons now joined together, but divisible into two or three distinct entities? That, as a compound being, he is capable of dividing asunder, we cannot dispute; inasmuch as we find it plainly written that God's Word pierces even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit. (I-Ieb. iv. 12.) Again, we are told that man is able to destroy the body, but not the soul. (Matt. x. 28.) Which of these is the true man? Is it the body, or is it the soul, or both when separate and apart? Is man whilst living, one person, intelligent and responsible, but in death two or three, and each the responsible agent? The very question is absurd; is it not? Again we ask, which is man? Is the disembodied soul or spirit the true personality, the responsible being with whom God will deal? The almost universal answer is, Yes. The almost universal answer the Bible gives is, No. We say almost, because there are one or two Scriptures that do not so seem to speak. With these exceptions it may safely be affirmed that throughout the Bible man is regarded and dealt with simply and distinctly as a physical being such as we know ourselves to be, "of the earth earthy; in life possessing spirit or soul, in death, man still, whose breath, soul, or spirit is gone from him; and whilst this is the condition, all responsibility ceases, and all ,thought, emotions, instincts, knowledge, &c., are suspended until the soul or spirit reanimates the body and the man comes forth in life again. This will not be believed. Notwithstanding, we reaffirm that this is the normal teaching of the Bible from Genesis to the Revelations, whilst the exceptions are but few. And strange to say, the prevailing and long established theory of
JJ

the rule. It will be allowed by most, that Moses and the Prophets taught nothing more concerning human nature than that we now affirm. Their whole system, or rather God's, too cognizance only of the living, physical being. All t e threatenings of punishment, and promises of reward, applied alone to the living material persons, and will it be believed, never once to the spirit, or soul that dwelt therein. The "living soul with Moses, David, Solomon, and Ezekiel, that was either to live or die, was usually the physical person, which according to the Scriptures was made out of the "dust of the earth," inbreathed by God, and even indeath was still a soul. The notion of an immortal conscious and responsible entity dwelling in the body, was altogether foreign to them. They knew man as we know ourselves to be, nor did they know of any other man dwelling within. But, it will be said, granted it was so in the early history of the race, but this time of ignorance is past, and "life and immortality are now" brought to light by the Gospel."
JJ JJ

True, life and immortality are brought to light by the Gospel. But by this are we to understand that Moses and the Prophets were altogether at fault, and taught the people that which we know to be utterly false? The light subsequently given, surely does not deny the veracity of the "holy men of old." "If they hear not Moses or the Prophets, &c." For Christ to contradict Moses, or for Paul to do it, would be to impeach themselves. Moses, Christ, and Paul stand or fall together. Our enquiry then must be -Does the teaching of Christ and the Apostles, concerning the nature of man and his future, agree with that of Moses and the Prophets? Of course it does; abundant evidence unquestionably proves this. But whilst affirming this, two or three Scriptures that seem to teach a psychology of a different order demand our notice. In Matt. x. 28, already quoted, Christ tells us we need not fear them who are only able to kill the body and are not able to kill the soul: a proof, as many suppose, of the soul being itself a personal and immortal entity, and, in consciousness and capacity, perfectly independent of the body in which it dwells. Evidence of this is entirely wanting; all such a statement proves, is that the soul of man, whatever that may be, is in the keeping of Him who gave it, and that He only can restore or destroy it. The popular belief respecting the soul as an immortal entity tenanting the prison house of clay, must be re-examined and brought to the test of the Bible as a whole. The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, is considered by most as affording indubitable evidence of the soul of man being in itself the true man, and capable of an independent conscious existence in separation from the body. Then the apparently absurd theory of man's nature is

),

--

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THE BIBLE STANDARD.

true, notwithstanding the Bible, as a whole, is diametrically opposed to it. Nowhere does it teach that the spirit or soul is to be punished or rewarded in separation from the body, and that the one personality of the man becomes two in death. Parables must be interpreted in accordance with the plain teaching of the Scripture, and not the plain Scripture be made to bend so as to harmonize with the literal statements of the parables. The Pharisees to whom our Lord was then speaking held such views amongst many others, and these might have been used at the time by Christ for the purpose of enforcing the lessons He was teaching them. The" brethren" of the Rich Man might listen in vain for any such faithful word of warning" by Moses and the Prophets." They certainly did warn transgressors of various plagues and spoiliation " till they should be destroyed;" but never hinted 8.t such a thing as any soul -torment in Hades or sheol after they should be destroyed as people living in the world. When people quote the well known words of our Lord about gaining 'the whole world and losing their souls, they forget too often the parallel verse when, instead of the word soul, life is employed. In the original the word is the same. No more can be made of the warning than the other familiar one, " He that loveth his life shall lose it," shall die utterly body and soul in Gehenna. Mark ix. 43, &c., says not a word about soul punishment after bodily death, it is bodily -punishment if it is anything-hands, eyes, feet, &c. Nor does the solemn scene of the xxv of Matthew teach anything else. Those driven away into the "everlasting fire," are not separate souls as popularly understood, but living people of the Nations. With heads full ofthe popular psychology, people, when they read of future rewards or punishments, jump at the conclusion that they must necessarily relate to the soul in a separate :state of being, when, if they could divest their minds of all such traditions, they would find the words contained no such doctrine, but that all punishments and rewards were given to people in their proper personalities, either in this life, or a resurrected one. Proofs of this abound, and when considered, plainly shew what man is, and how everything is made to depend uponTHE RESURRECTION.

First. Whai;. does Christ reveal respecting the Resurrection? John v. 29-" They that have done good unto the resurrection of life." They, not the body merely as something the man has, but the responsible person. There is no thought here of the person being in heaven, and now to come down and reinhabit the newly-formed body. In chap. vi. 40, promise is given, as distinct as words could make it, that believers will be raised up out of their graves. Just as clearly did David declare it, "Thou wilt redeem my soul from the power of the grave." Psalm xlix. 15, and Daniel, " Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth," &c. Dan, xii. 2.

Where was Lazarus when Christ cried with a loud voice bidding him to life again? Was he in heaven and the body only in the open tomb? Why did not Christ bid him come down and repossess his dead body? In several. instances Christ seemed to imply that those believing in Him should " never die." That they should never die as unbelievers will is very true; but the original shows such expressions should be as Rotherham makes them, not die for ever, that is, (as elsewhere promised) they should be raised again and made immortal, equal to the angels, and "neither shall they die any more." Then, and not before, do they receive their reward. Such is the uniform teaching of Christ! Neither does the promise given to the dying thief overthrow the view maintained. Is it possible to believe that the promised paradise was in the heart of the earth? Because it was there Christ went. Matt. xii. 40. Just take the liberty we have a perfect right to use, of altering the punctuation of Christ's words, and the difficulty is overcome at once. "Verily I say unto thee to-day, thou shalt be with Me in Paradise;" or, perhaps better still, let it be read as given by Rotherham, "Verily! to thee, I say, To-day, with Me shalt thou be in the paradise." Thus we have an appropriate answer to the thief's request, that he might be remembered when Christ came in His kingdom. Let the stop come after "To-day," and not mar the words by beginning with, to-day. Second. What did the apostle Paul declare concerning the resurrection? He certainly gave no uncertain sound upon the doctrine, It was indeed as he confessed, the great theme of his preaching. He went everywhere preaching "Jesus, and the resurrection." See specially, Acts xxiii. 6; xxiv. 15; xxvi, 8, &c. In his writings he was more explicit if possible than Christ Himself. In fact, eVe1'ything is staked upon it. With him it is God's grand method of showing grace to fallen sons of Adam. " For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." " What advantageth it me if the dead rise not?" 1 Cor. xv. How would the apostle comfort the hearts of the bereaved and sorrowing; by speaking of the departed as being in Abraham's bosom, or in paradise? Not so. Read his words in 1 Thes, iv. With him, those sleeping in Jesus were in the dust of death, and when Jesus comes, they are to be raised up, quickened, made incorruptible, made in the image of the Heavenly. Until then, in common with a groaning creation, "we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of the body." Peter also in his Epistles directs attention to the same hope, and exhorts us to be " looking for, and hasting unto the coming of the day of God." "To hope to the end for the grace that- is to be brought unto you at the revelation. of Jesus Christ." So also 1. E1Jis John iii. "When He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." The scene presented in the Apocalypse, of the souls under

52

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if perchance our earthly house of the tent should be taken down, a building of God we have, a house not hand made, everlasting, in the heavens. For in this are we even sighing, strongly desiring with our habitation which is from heaven to clothe ourselves over: if indeed having also clothed ourselves we shall not be found naked. For we who are in the tent are even sighing, being weighed down, on which account we are not wishing to unclothe ourselves, but to clothe ourselves over, in order that the mortal may be swallowed up by the life ..... Having good courage therefore at all times, and knowing that remaining at home in the body, we are away from home from the Lord .... we have good courage nevertheless, and are well pleased ratherto go from home out of the body and to come home unto the Lord." This then we learn from these words. 1st. That the apostle earnestly desired a change of bodies, so that the mortal should be swallowed up of life. 2nd. He plainly declares his desire was not an intermediate state in separation from the body, "on which account we are not u'ishing to
unclothe ourselues,"

the Altar, is relied on by many as proving the consciousness and capabilities of souls in the separate state. Had the same vision been found in any less mysterious book than that of the Revelations, more difficulty would perhaps be found in accommodating it to the general teaching of Scripture. But, being found as it is in the midst of such a variety of scenic and allegorical representations, which it is utterly impossible to accept in any literal sense, it is doing no violence to the view presented in regarding it as we do the trees of the field and dead ones in their graves made vocal by Prophets of old, (see for example Isaiah xiv.) or of the personification of Death and Hell in the verse preceding the scene in question. If one is literal, why not a literal skeleton riding on a literal horse? With such explicit and unmistakable Scriptures before us, we are perfectly warranted in asserting that the Bible plainly teaches man to be a living organism, also an intelligent and moral agent, and as such, a responsible being. ,'le are also perfectly safe in asserting, ~hat when he dies he returns to the earth from whence he was taken, whilst the vital principle that he possessed in life returns to God who gave it, Also that he remains "in the dust of the earth" until Jesus comes to restore him to life ;-that he does not live, nor
receioe either punishment
01'

reuiard until

the day of judgment!

With such undeniable facts as these before us, let us bring forward the popular and generally received theory of dying and going to heaven before the resurrection, and what is the result? Why, if the Bible is true, such a view falls like Dagon before the ark. If the received creed be the true one, then the Bible is Dagon, and it is shattered to atoms without hope of recovery. vVe are bound to make our choice; which shall we stand by? On the one hand, we have a foundation broad and firm as the Bible itself; on the other, two or three exceptional Scriptures which, compared with the opposite theory, are but as the point of the pyramid in relation to its base. But inasmuch as the topmost point of a pyramid is essential to its perfection, we cannot afford to dispense with it, therefore we must not pass by a single line of inspiration as though it were out of joint. Let us for a moment turn to these exceptional expressions of the apostles, and see if we can find their true place in the system of divine revelation. It will be permitted us to take Rotherham's version of the passages in preference to our common one, as being more exact. 2 Cor. iv. 14. Here the apostle expresses the firm hope that "He that raised the Lord Jesus, us also jointly with Jesus will raise;" he doubtless refers to a bodily resurrection, apart from any other hope whatever. This is in strict accordance with all previously preached or written. In the 5th chapter, he thus writes,-" For we know that

In immediate connection with such statements, to affirm it would be better to enter upon the disembodied state, would be a direct contradiction of his own words. The desire expressed was that the corruptible body in which he was then found, should be exchanged for that incorruptible one which God had promised to give. "For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality, .... then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written. Death is swallowed up in victory." 1 Cor. xv. But the vital point in our enquiry is, when will this exchange be made? The answer is found in verses 51 and 52. "Behold I shew you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump," &c. "For the Lord Himself shall, descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of tM Archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, .... SO shall we ever be with the Lord." This was no far off hope with the apostle, it was an event nigh at hand with him: so near that he could say, " we shall not all sleep;" "a little while, and He that shall come, will come and will not tarry." We turn for a moment to Paul's epistle to the Philippians, i. 21-23, " For to me, living is Christ, and dying gain. But if living in flesh is Christ, this to me is a fruit of work, and what I shall choose I am not making known: but I am being constrained by the two, since I have the longing for the setting loose and being together with Christ, for this were far, far better, but the abiding still in the flesh is more needful for your sake." (Rotherham's translation.) In these words we certainly find an appearance of a longing desire for the intermediate state. Can it. be that now, if never before, the apostle is found advancing a new

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theory of psychology, one that appears not only novel, but altogether out of harmony with his and other's system of truth? Is it to be Paul versus Paul, or Paul in antagonism to all others? Surely there must be some way of escape from such a fatality. There must be something radically wrong in all that had been previously written on the subject of man's nature, of death, and resurrection, if after all Paul meant to say that people are alive when they are dead; and in heaven when in the dust of the earth; with Christ previous to His coming to raise them up. If he cherished the hope that in any sense he should be with Christ as soon as the body died, it must have been in some such sense as Stephen was when he committed his spirit, or life-principle, into the hands of Jesus: or of Christ Himself, when He gave up the ghost. That is in spirit only; but let it be remarked that notwithstanding the spirits were in heaven, the personalities were elsewhere. Devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and Christ was for three days and nights following, "in the heart of the earth." In whatever sense dying was to be gain, or whatever our idea may be of departing and being with Christ, we are bound to accept Paul's own explanation of his meaning, when he plainly states, that it would be no advantage whatever to him if there was to be no resurrection: and that when caught up to meet the L01'd in the air, he would be with Him. Here we find Paul so entirely in the Lord's hands that it was a matter of indifference to him whether he lived or died, but something else he truly and heartily did desire, that was to be with Christ. This he knew would be when He, who was his life, did appear, then, and not till then, would he " appear with Him in glory," and be made like Him. See also chap. iii. 10, 11. But these Scriptures in Philippians should be read in their connection. No greater mischief is done than when isolated passages are read and explained apart from the context. What does the connection show in the chapter before us? Why, this, that the letter was written when the apostle was in "bonds" for the Gospel's sake. At the end of the Epistle we read he was at the time in Rome. We also find that this persecution had fallen out unto the furtherance of the Gospel, that through it Christ was preached more boldly. This fact inspired the apostle with unwonted joy, and in the midst of his troubles he could forget himself in witnessing the success of the Gospel. He cared nothing for himself so long as Christ could be magnified. Whether this was advanced by his own life or death, it was a small matter to him. If he continued to li ve or die Christ would be magnified, and so with the utmost assurance he could say, " for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." In whole-hearted consecration to his Divine Master he welllmew whether living or dying, Christ iooul d be the gain er, and it was that which gave him joy. That death would be gain to him personally, is not only out of harmony with what he teaches elsewhere, but even in this same letter he tells us that his brother Epaphroditus had been sick, nigh unto death, but God had merc!J on him. In what way: by taking him to Himself in death? No. hut by raisinq him lip again, and restoring him to the Church. This was mercy to Paul also and awakened rejoicing of heart in him. Death, with the Apostle, as well as with all others, was Dot a friend, but an enemy, an enemy ultimately to be destroyed. It was death, that wrung tears from the eyes of Jesus at Bethany, with the sorrowing sisters, and that prompted him to wrest the dead one from the grip of the foe. It was the presence of death that made the godly Hezekiah weep sore, and God in answer to his prayer graciously added fifteen years to his life: and in his song of thanksgiving he could SfLY, "The grave cannot praise

Thee, death cannot celebrate Thee, they that go down into the pit cannot hope for Thy truth; the living, the living, he shall praise Thee as I do this day." Death has passed upon all men because of sin. Moses was punished with it because of his sin. It was no gain to him, nor to any other we ever read of. Never do we find in the Scriptures the language prevailing amongst us, in reference to the enemy of God and man. How strangely is the normal teaching of the Scriptures on the subject in question ignored and denied. On the basis of two or three exceptional texts taken from their connexion, and a misunderstood parable, truth has been turned upside down, and man has been robbed of his very personality; whilst the life that man possesses has been transformed into his identical self, and that self, in death, crowned in glory, or cursed in hell! By so doing, the resurrection is little more than a work of supererogation, if not as good as past already; and the grand and essential hope of the Gospelthe theme of Christ and the apostles, even the Glorious Appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is coming to awaken His sleeping saints and to take all His people to Himself, is but little thought of, if not entirely abandoned. These are grave charges to bring against prevailing theology. Are these charges just? Can they be denied? How imperative that we should make sure we are not " teaching for doctrine, the traditions of men."

QUESTION

AND

ANSWER.

[This column is stntedly devoted to replies to such questions, objections, and suggeations as may be 01 general interest. We only undertake, however, to reply to such communications as may commend themselves to our own judgment, simply acknowledging the receipt. of others, 'Ye are personally responaible for the answers given.-EDITOR.]

Q.-" I cannot but think that did the Association confine itself to the single subject that 'the wages of sin is death,' but 'the gift of God is eternal life' through Jesus Christ our Lord, it would be much, very much, more successful."
A.-We heartily agree with you as to the superior importance of the simple Life 1'estimony,-still, if you but saw the evils arising from the common teaching of an active, conscious intermediate state, as most of our members see it. you would not wonder that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." To us the entire unconsdousness of the dead seems the Scriptural and only efficacious weapon with which to meet and destroy the deadly evils of Mariolatry, Purgatory, Spiritualism, and Priestcraft, But for the traditional view of death, the fatal and pernicious hold which is by these had upon the minds and consciences of millions, would have been impossihle, Iu reference to the first, an esteemed friend was once interrogated in public meeting, hy one who claimed the fullest pretensions of the disciples of the" Virgin Mary, the Holy Mother of God t t : He replied, "My deal' brother, let the good woman alone; why, she is not even in heaven yet, but is sleeping in her grave." An effectual way of disposing of the arrogant claims put forward on her behalf, and which, were she conscious of them, would fill her with horror and amaze.

Q.-" Many whom I know have renounced the dogma of eternal torment, and with myself believe in a lost immortality, who turn with aversion from the decided assertion that God created man a mortal being, for how then could death be said to be ' the wages of sin? ' "
A.-Suffer us to meet your difficulty by suggesting a greater. If man was immortal (incorruptible) in his original nature, how could he return to the dust? " Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return,"-so ran the sentence of the unerring Judge. In this there is no mention of some surviving and separable entity, whilst the outer shell only perished. The personal pronoun covers the man and he returned to dust, the spirit of lives only returning to God. We therefore suppose that Immortality was not the possession of the probationer, but the promised ?'elVard of successful probation.

Q.-" Is not the assertion that man is a soulless being, in contradiction to such Scriptures as ' He is not the GOd of the dead, but of the Iiving i '

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STANDARD.

Of the appearance of Moses and Elijah at our Lord's transfiguration; and the words of the angel to John, 'I am of thy brethren the prophets? ' " A .-Are you not in error in attributing to any of the writers of the Bible Standard the belief that man is a "soulless being?" With your. se~f,.we all believe that man consists of body (soma), soul (psyche), and spirit (pneu.ma). But, teaching that this union is destroyed in death, when the body returns to the dust, and the spirit to God who gave it. As f?r the living soul, is it not something which we can only truly predicate of the living man? An effect of the union of body and spirit, (producing animal and mental life,) which temporarily ceases in the first death, and wholly ceases in the second! Soul is a word of so rnanv meanings, and shades thereof, in the sacred Scriptures, that it i~ extremely difficult to fix upon it its several meanings, and indeed impossible, except by a careful study of the context of the various passages. But nowhere does it seem to us to be treated as a living entity in death. At creation man was a soul, but not a living one. By the breath of the spirit of lives he became a "living soul." Surely when that" breath of lives" was again withdrawn, he relapsed once more into the condition of a dead soul, which could return to dust? And all known future life must, for him, be dependent on ,esuITect'iol1. As regards the Saviour's answer to His Jewish interrogators, touchinz the resurrection of the dead, it must be distinctly remembered that H~ spal.,e to the" sect of the Sadducees," (see Matt. xxii. 23-34,) who denied the "resurrection of the dead," His purpose being to convince them thereof. Thus, from the fact that, though the patriarchs were dead and buried, God calls Himself the" God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob," Christ deduces the grand truth that these lived in the mind, purpose, and plans of God; thus, that there was a resurrection of the dead, for "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." We fail to see how this answer could have so effectually silenced these clever sceptics, if it only went to prove that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were not dead, but alive; but, as they were known to be dead, whilst regarded by God as alive, it conclusively proved their return to life by resurrection from the dead. In reference to Moses and Elijah, (lllatt. xvii. 1-9,) Christ distinctly d~clared that. ~cene to be a vision. If real, however, it presents no difficulty. Elijah had never seen death, therefore was alive in the flesh. Mo~es ha.d not (probably) seen corruption, for the Lord had personally buned hIS body, and jealously guarded it. Personally, we think it was kept intact, that, reunited with the spirit, the living Moses might witness with the living Elijah, at the court of the Anti-Christ of the last days (see Re'~. xi.) If so.what was declared by the Psalmist (Psalm xvi. 10) concermng the SaVIOur" would also be true of Moses. Touching the angel's language to John, (Rev. xxii. 9,) you have scarcely quoted it correctly; it reads, "I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book." It seems to us that simply [elloio-seroice and obedienee are implied here.

suggestions, this: "That those of us who know of any brother who really cannot afford to take the Bible Standal'd in, give such a copy monthly, upon the understanding that he will use his best efforts to obtain subscribers for the paper. And now, Mr. Editor, alluw me to put the question,- Is it just possible that in one point we are wasting our power? I refer to giving away Bible Standards at Lectures, &c. If at the same time the audience are told that a copy of the paper may be had at the door as they leave, they were also told that subscriptions for the paper would be taken from those who would like to take it in, I think the probability is that we should secure many subscribers in that way. Will our friends act upon the hint ?-I am, yours faithfully, An Old Subscriber, Kent, Nov. 9.

CHURCH AND MISSION NEWS.

LIVERPOOL,

The Granville Hall, off Great George-street, has been taken for stated Sunday Evening Services. It was opened on Oct. 17, by the Rev. 'I'hos. Vasey, with a serrrion on "Jesus and the Resurrection."
TORQUAY,

The work here has been a truly providential one. Some time ago a few copies of Hastings' "Pauline Theology" were received by post by a few Methodist lay-ministers. Some of the recipients were set thinking thereby, which thought led to their acceptance of The Life. Matters were thus ripening, when Mr. E. H. 'I'aylor, a Wesleyan lay-minister, who had received the truth in Cheltenham, removed to 'I'eignmoutu, near Torqnay, and was thrown into familiar relations with those whose minds had been similarly enlightened. Mutual knowledge of the truth and each other leading to mutual confidence, a Branch or Auxiliary of the Association was formed. At this time, the Treasurer of the latter, R. J. Hammond, Esq., of London, advertised in the Bible Standard his wish to spend his summer holiday at some sea-side town where he could preach and lecture on the Life and Advent. The result was an earnest request from Torquay, to which a willing response was given. A month's earnest and energetic testimony followed, for which purpose St. George's Hall was engaged, the meetings being exceedingly well attended, especially the public discussions. This step, however, led to the prohibition of their ministry in then' respective churches, As they could not hide their light under the" bushel" of conformity, or keep to themselves the good things they had received, they decided to take the St. George's Hall, for Sunday morning and afternoon services (it not being available at night). Matters stood thus when the Secretary of the Association paid a longpromised visit, and, at their earnest request, agreed to spend a few wecks in helping the good cause. It was felt that no other course was open than to form It Church, and thus provide a religious home for those receiving the truth, Accordingly, the" Life and Advent Free Church" was formed by 22 believers from the Wesleyan Methodist, Baptist, Episcopalian, Bible Christian, Primitive Methodist, and Roman Catholic Churches, six of these being acceptable and useful lay-ministers and office-bearers of their previous Churches. Owing to the inability of the Church to procure a suitable room for Sunday Evening Services (without whichTittle permanent evangelistic good can be effected), it was resolved to appoint Trustees and a Building Committee, and "arise and build." These are in treaty for a suitable site (central, and in a main thoroughfare), whilst a Ladies' Committee has been formed to prepare for a Sale of Work, in aid of the Building Fund. As soon, also, as funds permit, it is intended to engage a suitable Evangelist, for labour in the district of South Devon, lying between Exeter and Plymouth (52 miles), which offers a fertile field to an earnest worker. Our advertisement will be found in another column. Help-s-in money or goods-is earnestly desired. Mrs. H. Matthews, 15, Belgraveterrace, will thankfully receive the latter. The Church has been formed upon a liberal basis, which will command the sympathy of all catholicminded Christians. The local secretary, M1'. E. H. 'I'aylor, of 'I'eignmouth, Devon, will gladly send a copy of the rules to any address 011 receipt of three halfpenny stamps. Meantime, the friends are not idle, but are vigorously ploughing and seed-sowing in the adjacent townships of Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Paignton, and Dartmouth, where disciples are being won, and where it is hoped to form branches of the motherchurch at Torquay.
LINCOLN.

CORRE SPONDEN CE.

WORDS OF CHEER.

Sir,-You will be glad to heal', and so will your readers, that the Conference Report has done not a little in these parts to stir up an interest in the great truth of Immortality in Christ alone, I had the privilege of giving away some copies. One man to whom I had given a copy wrote for some himself and distributed them with the result that another man, in his turn, asked for three more copies for distribution. Three Christians have to my knowledge received this truth within the last three months, two from the papers in the Conference Report, and I am told of other cases. Many are considering the matter and searching the Word. May they be led of God.-Yours truly,-G. J. v S.-Broadstairs, Nov. 8.
scmNCE AND THE BIBLE.

Sir,-It is a sad fact that some of our cleverest men are Atheists; but this need not surprise us, for is it not true, that man in his too eager pursuit after earthly lore, often loses sight of the heavenly treasure? having no time for the study of Revelation and Prophecy. What a pity when even Science itself helps to throw light on the Sacred Page.-Dr. Lardner in his" Museum of Art and Science," informs us that the Sun is not a self-luminating body; but it receives its light from the great photosphere which surrounds it at a distance of some millions of miles. This theory seems to be in perfect harmony with the 1st chapter of Genesis, where we learn that Light and the Sun are distinct. The former having been created first, Gen. 1. 3 to 16v.-R. P.
OUR CIRCULATION.

Dear Mr. Editor,-Your suggestions in the Bible Standard for November, about ordering copies of our paper through the local Booksellers and Railway Bookstalls, and introducing same to our friends, and trying to obtain them as subscribers to it, are both excellent; and as one who has followed them for some time past with a fair amount of success, I can guarantee that if they are generally acted upon, the circulation of the Bible St(l,ndaTlI would soon be trebled, I would add, however, to your

The Young Men's Christian Association of Mint-lane Baptist Chapel are arranging for !I. series of Lectures, to bring before the public the great truths of the Life, Advent, and Kingdom. A tea and public meeting were held on Wednesday, Oct. 27, to rejoice over the extinction of the chapel debt, and to celebrate the first anniversary of the Rev. G. P. Mackay's pastorate. During the evening a very elegant time-piece was presented to Mr. Wm. Bausor, deacon and church treasurer, in token of the high esteem in which he is held by members and friends.

THE
BUSINESS
(All communications FOR SALE: -Six Rainbow,

BIBLE

STANDARD.

55

NOTES.
to the Secretary, numbers G. E. gratis forwarded, of the

THE
Address

RAINBOW,

to be addressed

Cyrus E. Brooks, Cheltenham.) bound volumes, and five years' unbound Offered for 2. of the Association

1869 to 1879 inclusive. to any country

A CATALOGUE the Publications of and post-free, forwarded, the Postal respectfully

A Sixpenny Monthly Magazine, devoted to the Exposition of Revealed Truth. Edited by Rev. W. LE ASK, D.D. Published by E. STOCK, 62, Paternoster How, London, E.C. All believers in THE LHE and ADVENT should subscribe thereto. Post-free, to any country in the Postal Union, for Six Shillings per annum, from CYRUS E. BROOKS, Cheltenham.

in the Postal Union. by the Association, and of all Tracts to any country in and

A SPECIMEN TRACT PARCELof all Tracts published post-free, Union. on receipt of two penny stamps; on receipt of six: penny stamps; and Tract-Books,

BIBLE

STANDARD CARRIAGE.

DO~l.\.TIONS,in aid of the work of the Association, solicited.

lire earnestly

Donations will be gladly received by the SECRE'l'ARY,for the purpose of providing qualified agents with small Hand-carriages, for the street sale of our Association Literature. The first to be supplied to a. London Colporteur-Evangelist, who is willing to devote his whole time to this work, his only salary being the profits on sales, with a commission added.

LOCALISING THE "BIBLE STANDARD."-Churches willing to take (statedly) not less than 500 copies, can have their separate local matter printed in the two short columns of the front page thereof. For terms apply to the Secretary.

LIFE

AND APVENT

TRACTS.

r.:2? DUE SUBSCRIPTIONS.-Those Members, Associates, and Subscribers who 1'eceive the present number in a COLORED w1'Clpper, will kindly regard it as an intimation that their Annual Subscriptions are now due; they will greatly oblige bf foruiardinq, as early as convenient, to the SECRETARY.
AMOUNTSRECEIVED from August 12th to November 13th, 1880:Subscriptions : Mrs. B., 1 Ls.; Mr. & Mrs. C. A, 1; A. A. W., 3s. 6d.; G. E., 3s. Od.; Miss P., 2s. 6d; A. M. K., 3s. 6d.; A. J. C. B., 3s. 6d.; J. B., 3s. od.; J. G., 3s. 6d.; Miss M., 5s.; J. W. D., 10s.; J. M., 3s. (id.; J. D., 4s. 7d.; W. R G., 2 2s.; Miss M., 1 l s.: D. T., 3s. 6d.; G. N., 3s. G.; R G., 3s. 6d.; Mrs. R, 11s.; H. A., 108.; Miss S., 5s.; R IL, 58.; J. G., 5s.; Mr. & Mrs. G. W., 10s.; Mrs. L., 10s.; A. W., 2s. 6d.; W. W., 5s.: Mr. & Mrs. C. H., 5s.; M. W., 5s.; Miss W., 5s.; Mrs. A. W. M., 5s.; J. R. N., 5s.; G. E. 0., 5s.; J. W., 5s.; W. L., 5s.; O. B., 2". Gd.; G. J. V. S., 5s.; J. S, 5s.; T. A., 5s.; Miss E. S., 5s.; A. B. M., 5s.; C. J. B., 5s.; J. D., 5s.; S. N., 5s.; W. J. J., 5s.; R W. B., 58.; L. B., 5s., E. A., 10s.; W. R, 5s.; T. D. S., 5s.; G. H., 5s.; G. S., 5s.; Mrs. A. T., 5s.; N. S., 5s.; J. C., 5.; T. C., 2s. 6d.; W. J. W., 2s. ea., W. D. R, 5s.; 1111'S. ., 2s. 6d.; Mrs. E. M. H., 2s. 6d.; L. B. (Life Member), 5. G Donations: C. A., 1; Miss L., 1; Mrs. E. M. H., 5s.; J. L., 5; S. N., 2s. 6d.; J. W., 5s; W. R G., 5 5s.; C., 28.; W. J., 10s.; H. G., 1; Mrs. IL, 4s.; Mrs. H., 10s. 6d.; A Friend, 5s.; Miss C., 5s.; J. W. L., 1; An Enquirer, 4s.; Mrs. B., 1; G. W., lOs.; J. M., 2s. 6d.; W. J. J., 1; E. A., 5; J. J. H., 10s.; A Poor Reader, 2s.; Mrs. A. T., 14s.; N. S., 1 Is.; J. L., 10~.; H. J. W., 1 3s. Collections: Mission, 1; Maberley Glasgow Congregational Meeting, 12s.; TOTAL-57 Church, 11 2s. 6d.; Skip ton Bradford Meeting, 1. 7s. Id.

GOSPEL LEAFLETS, at 9d. per 100. LIFE TRACTS, at Is. and Is. Gd. per 100. " RAINBOW" TRACTS, 16 to 30 pages, Is. per doz.
The above, single or assorted, at published For p articulars price. post-free from on quantities. and post-free.

CYRUS E. BROOKS, Cheltenham,

A reduction see Catalogue, gratis

"HAS
Two

MA N AN "ETERN
LECTURES by

IMMORTAL
AND

SOUL?"
Twopence each.

AL
CYRUS

TORTURE,"
stamps, E. from Cheltenham. BROOKS,

J. C. AKESTER.

The Two, post-free,

for four penny

ADDRESSES on "The Coming of the Lord, and the Gift of Eternal Life."
HERBERT H. HORSMAN will be pleased to give his services anywhere in or near London, for the dissemination of these glorious truths, Address-IO, LORRIMORE.ROAD, S.E.

CHRISTIAN
WE, the Lay Preachers Immortality Association, Immortality errors way of vari~us Churches, of the Natural Eternal these dreadful Torment of the DEVON

LIBERTY.
AUXILIARY of the Conditional in our Doctrines from preaching

having been prohibited

BIBLE STANDARD, VOL. Ill, now ready, neatly bound in Cloth, Is. 6d. Post-free from the Secretary for eighteen penny stamps.

because we no longer hold the Unscriptural of the Lost, and believing

of the Soul, and the HORRIBLEDOGMA the of it to be our duty to expose and and also a stumbling, persons receiving and also to preach many other by superstition;

LIFE
THE

ONLY
FULL REPORT

IN CHRIs'r
OF THE RECENT

that are so DISHONOURING GOD,so painful TO Christians, of intelligent of endless a multitude cause

perplexing Christianity, believing the important heathen LO~DON AGENT:

to the minds of thoughtful as well as the

block in the

LIVERPOOL
Now ready. 04 Columns, Bookseller

CONFERENOE,
price Twopence. or Newsagent. Order through any

it our solemn duty, as well as our happy privilege, Bible truths superstitions, that have long been obscured our Christian

GLORIOUS DOCTRINE OF LIFE OllLY IN CHRIST, with and claiming Liberty,

and corrupted

we have Services in

(D. V.) determined,

for this purpose,

to hold REGULAR SUNDAY SERVICES Torquay, and occasional personally,

F. SOUTHWELL, 19, Paternoster 27, Ivy Lane, E.C.

Post-free for Three Penny Stamps,

Row, and

in St. George's the adjacent is at present

Hall, Union-street,

towns of South Devon. but as the expense solicit DOllATION8 beyond our means to meet, we respectfully from the friends of the Truth assist them in the future. Torquay. on behalf of the receiue donation~ Secreiomj,

For this purpose we shall do our utmost, from (however ourselves, "I shall small)

in other places, hoping'

CY R USE.
per dozen, post-free,

B R 0 0 K S,
for gratuitous

Cheltenham.
distribution, at 2s. addresses.

to ill like manner be happy

Treasurer-v-Mr. above."-CYRUS

H. LEOl'ARD, St. Mary Church, to personally E. BROOKS, Association

From whom it can be obtained,

either in one parcel, or posted to several

56 THE EMPHATIC

THE DIAGLOTT.

BIBLE

STANDARD.

LIFE
55
Dr. W.

AND
LEASK, CYRUS

ADVENT
OF

HYMNS,
by
PHILLIPS, R. others.

By B. WILSON,of New York.

Containing the Original

A COLLECTION

Greek Text of the New Testament, (according to the Recension of Dr. J. J. Griesbach,) with an interlineary Word-for- Word English Translation and a New Emphatic Version, based on the renderings of eminent critics, and on the various readings of the Vatican Manuscript. Published at Four Dollars. Sent Post-free for 16s. A most valuable work.

ORIGINAL
G. P.
E. BROOKS,

HYMNS,
MACKAY, and

ONE

PENNY.

BY
MENT.

H.

CONSTABLE,
of Cork, Ireland). 340 pp., Price 3s. 6d.

M.A.,
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F. SOUTH
Direct

PUBLISHEDBY THE

(Late Prebendary 5th Edition,

IMMORTALITY
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ASSOCIATION.
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DURATION AND NATURE OF FUTURE HADES:

8vo.

or, The Intermediate

Price 3s. 6d.

State of Man. Sd.

from CYRUS E. BROOKS, Carriaqe unpaid, Single

Cheltenham, at 8~d. per dozen, copy, poet-free, lid.

RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS-Price

A NEW
Notes

HYMN
R.

BOOK,
16, Albert

BY
and Queries.

MILES
Thoughts

GRANT.
Price Is.

NATURE OF MAN: Is he Mortal or Immortal?

on the Soul, &c. Price 6d. of Demons : Second Edition.

Containing some of the choicest known hymns, with a few original ones added; compiled for the use of Believers in Life in Christ only, and the coming Kiogdom of God, &c. , Post-free for 2'4 Stamps, from Villas, Cotham, Bristol. PHILLIPS,

SPIRITUALISM UNVEILED, and shown to be the Work SPIRIT IN M~N: What is it? Price 4d. THE SOUL: a Bible View of its Meaning. Price 4d. RICH MAN AND LAZARUS; THIEF ON THE CROSS;
with other interesting matter. Price 3d.

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A Twopenny Monthly Magazine, advocating the Coming Kingdom of God, the Return of the Lord Jesus, and the Hope of Eternal Life. 2/6 per Annum, post-free, from CYRUS

BY
THE

J.

H.

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CHAPEL

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DOCTRINE

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BY

GEORGE BY W. A.

A.

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Price Is.

FORGOTTEN THEMES:

or, Facts for Faith.

One who wishes to be of service to those holding the precious truth of "Life only in Christ," will gladly give his services in preparing Plans and Specifications. together with quantities, to Churches wishing to "arise and build," but who object to costly and elaborate structures. Only a nominal charge will be made, to cover ACTUALXPENSIli E incurred. Address -H. M., care of the Secretary:

HOBBS.

.THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS. Price 3d. FUTURE PUNISHMENT. By same Author. Price Ls.,
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WANTED

BY

GENERAL

H.

GOODWYN.
or, the Kingdom of Israel

ANTITYPICAL PARALLELS;

TO MERCHANTS.-A Member of the Association, with thorough business habits, desires an Engagement as Confidential Clerk, Cashier, 01' Manager. Fifteen Years' experience as Bookkeeper, Correspondent, Cashier, &c. Good Testimonials and References.-Address, H. S., care of the Editor. MINT-LANE BAPTIST CHURCH, LINCOLN.

and Heaven. Royal 8vo, price 8s., with Notes, Illustrations, and specially-prepared Maps of the original occupation of the Land of Canaan and the Millennial Kingdom.

THE LAST ADAM. Crown 8vo., 250 pages, price 2s. TRUTH AND TRADITION: SecondEdition enlarged.ls.6d. THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR. Price Is. THE "GERSHOM" TRACTS. Packets of 3, Threepence. THE WHOLE ARMOUR 0Ji' GOD. Price Is. ed, THE COMFORTER IS COME. Price Is. 6d. THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION,
Price 6s.

The Young Men's Christian Association of the above, have pleasure in announcing the following series of Public Meetings for the Winter Session, 1880-81.

with Diagram

.THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS. Price sa, THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD OF THE SON OF GOD.
Price 4d.

Nov. 24.-LECTURE by the Rev, G. P. MACKAY. Subject: "A Tour in Scotland by Lantern Light." Dec. 14.-LECTURE by the Rev. THOMAS VASEY,of Birkenhead. Subject: "Is Immortality the Natural Birthright of Humanity? or will all men of necessitv live for ever?" Jan. 26.-LECTURE by the Rev. H. B. MURRAY,of Cheltenham. Subject: "The Coming King." March 9.-PUBLIC MEETING in connection with the Spring Session of the "Executive Committee" of the "Conditional Irnmortalitv Association." March 30,--LEC'URE by Mr. CYRUS E. BROOKS, Editor of the Bible Standard. Subject:" Shams-Religious and Otherwise." SECRETARy-T. J. WITHERS, St. Swithin's-square, Lincoln.

HOLOKLERIA;
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01',

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