fliEY REClVEf}rHE VVORD WITIi ALL RAOI-/lIESS OF NINO AAlO

SEARCh'EDTilE SCRIP-If/RES DAILY WHETHER

l7iOSETh'I/tCS WRSO tHEREFORE MANY OF Th'E::,!!-~LIV;frsfil/'

~a2dte nf tbe "<tnnhitinnal jJmmnrtalitu J\zzntiatinn. ~~

EDITED BY THE SEORETARY. " The Wages of Sin is Death; but the gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

No. 4. vei, IV.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

JANUARY,

1881.

PRICE

ONE

PENNY.

PAGE.

CONDITIONAL

IMMORTALITY

The Race and the Tru th ... Regeneration Immortality and Resurrection the Gift of God ... ...

58 58

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 Bolievers, 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. Aosxotss.c-Publications, ferences, and Colportage. Lectures, Bible 'I'ruths of The Lift. Bible-Readings, Con-

61 62 62 64 65

The Minister's Daughter Why Christians Purified by Fire Notes and News Correspondence Extracts Die ...

Addresses,

65 66 66
CORRESPONDENTS,

Church and Mission News Question and Answer

NOTICES TO

SUBSCRIPTIONs.-Lije Members a single subscription of Five Pounds. Members an annual subscription of Five Shillings, and Associates of Two 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) have 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 coiored 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 (or life) subscription. N.B.-All communications should 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 couvenient-c-kindly give only the name and address of the London Book-Agent-s-F. Southwell, 27, Ivy-lane, City. The Conference Report and Annual Statement, for 1880, will be supplied free to all new members, also a list of publications.

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58
THE
this-to

THE
RACE AND 'rHE TRUTH.

BIBLE

STANDARD.
REGENERATION A.ND RESURRECTION. By General H. Good.op), 1. AT the Conference of the "Conditionn.l Immortality Association," held in Maberley Chapel last year (1879) I was startled at hearing a tenet asserted to ths effect that " the true period of Regen sration is at the Resurrection of the dead." I made no remark at the time, imagining the assertion to be merely a "private interpretation" of some hitherto obscure Scripture, confined to him who uttered it. To my surprise, however, at the Conference, lately held at Liverpool, I found that the above tenet was held by others there present; I therefore deemed it right to examine its claim for acceptance. I have some reason to suppose that the above opinion is entertained in aid of the doctrine of the unconscious state of Believers who fall asleep; the impression, apparently, being that such cannot absolutely die, but ccntinue to exist in some spirit-form. For this opinion I can trace no Scriptural authority. Il. Now, it is evident that the question turns on the nature of the New Birth, its effect on the Believer, and the object for which it is conferred. In the course of our investigation, opportunity will be afforded for dispelling the illusion that the present state of a regenerated person concedes (as some suppose) any ground for belief that he must, after death, necessarily remain 111 a spirituallyconscious condition until the Resurrection. Ill. I say" present state," for I cannot but think thn.t the following Scriptures assert beyond question the fact of the Divine bestowal of the" New Birth" during this current age wherein the Gospel of Salvation is preached, which began by the ocular proof of the conversion of 3,000 souls by the power of the Pentecostal Spirit. This was followed . by that of SCUllthe Jew of Tarsus, and subsequently by that of the Gentile Centurion, ana others. What name can be given to the effect then produced on hearers of the Word, who are said to have received the Holy Spirit, to have repented, to have been conscious of the forgiveness of sins, and to have been baptised? Is it not Regeneration? If not, what is it ? Is it not written that, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born. nf God? "--1 John v. 1, in which verse we also perceive that being bum and being begotten of God, mean the same thing (11); moreover, that the Divine endow(a) I make this assertion on other grounds also, viz., that the Greek word gellll(lo is used to signify both being "born," and being "begotten." Moreover, to show that there is evidence in favour of the former being tbe word that should convey meaning to the latter, the word 9f'ILnaii is used in such passages as ]JIalt. ii. 1, 4; Luke i. 35 ; John iii. 3, 4, 5, 6, ix. 2, 32. and others, in no one of which instances would ., begotten" have been applicable. The word is also used in 1 Cor. iv. 15, and in 1 Peter i. 3 and 23, and in all the passages that fcllow the one to which this note refers, except Jamcs i. 18, when' the w.od " begat" is obtained from apokeueo, the propel' meaning of which is" to bring fortb," \Parkiw1"Sl) closely allied to being" born." The word IJ1"u((ltoiros is used to denote both "first-born," and "firstbr gotten." 'I'I.us in Porltlrurst: Lex. is found lJ1"iitolokos l)(l.es l.tisets, "fird-born," (,1' ,. First-begotten of the whole creation." Also piototokos ek tiin nehrsn;" Firstbom 01' firl't-befOUtll Ii om the dead."

To no other modern race than ours has such honour been granted as be the pioneers of colonisation and civilisation. France is great, but barren beyond her immediate limits, for" whilst her settlements the Angle-American Australia." in Lower Canada vortex. Cayenne is a prison; Algeria languishes; are being lost in and Coohin China along-side India and of Europe, element.

and Louisiana

and New Caledonia are mere notes of impotence Germany is a powerful of migrating

factor ou the Contiuent are lost in the English possessing

her thousands

Germans whilst

do not form new colonies, but, at home space and flowing tide of new Amongst Asiatics, is but a geographical this peculiarity, of the old home. of colonising life. is

landing

on the shores of America, Spain, and Italy, whilst all-powerful the bounds

Scandiuavia, life. China Russia,

means for great development, expression beyond

affect not the world's in the north, of ice and life abroad, the crowded snow.

also sends its teeming amidst

but, with masses pioneer

that it is not for purposes mere gain, to be spent

of settlement,

to fonnd new homes, but for

Thus, Britain alone appears as the modern She has founded a mighty Australasia; is bringing nation forth forming a second in the Dominion vided a governing class for India;

in the United States of America; of Canada; has created Africa; in Southern

a third in ha, pro-

a fourth

and is making

her influence felt in and of

every trading post the wide world o'er. Since, then, the Anglo.Saxon civilisation, we, as an Association, " Life only in Christ." tongue is the tongue of colonisation We hold a precious truth-that what a wide empire it opens up for the special work in which are engaged. We hold it, not as a merely personal blessing, but

as a blessing for, and which importantly concerns, the race as a whole. By means of the press, we can reach and speak in our own tongue to a hundred million of the same race, holding the keys of future empire. A grand truth, for a grand race, with a grand futnre. the race come together; future. Had we a thousand
t

Let the truth and

and thus let the truth prepare the race for its talents, a thousand fortunes, they should Life and Immortality as it is, it has

all be cast into the lap of the glorious truth that" are brougb to light through thp Gospel." the widow's mite; and, added to this, but been and is devoted immortality-that in our Saxon

Alas! we have but one talent, still, such More 10e cannot do. the name of life and Let the press speak, the wide word o'er.

to tlte service of the truth.

We entreat-in

More some of our readers can do.

it be done, and done speedily, tongue, to Saxon people scattered

Feed tbat press, to that end, with your liberal gifts, and it shall speak to millions "the un search able riches of Christ." Christian brethren, this message we mnst With send forth by our willing and liberal gifts, lest to love and serve, set us aside as unfaithful almost on the threshold of His near He, whom we profess stewards.

the Master

Return, let there be no holding back of what we can, and, therefore, ehould. give and do. We feel most keenly the importance of the trust committed to us, to fulfil which we have united that by union we might pecuniary means. ourselves a' an unsectarian. fuud Associatioll, and secure a common of influence

God has blessed our Union.

It has giv,'n, by His and brought many into

grace, an impetus to the witness of the truth,

light, whilst stimulating others. But what are these to the many yet in' darkness; what the wheat to the cbaff? The work is indeed great, the time is very short; the means wholly inadeqnate. In the interests of truth and humanity we ask for mor>. Our gifts, taken as an average, are but crumbs, where generous slices are essential. .Truth demand, such slices, and, if we have the courage of our convictions, will receive them; for, precious truth must not be permitted to shiver in cotton rags, whilst pernicious error is garbed softly and warmlyin flannel and furs. Of our readers we ask for Subscriptions as Members and Associates; of our Mr-mlx rs larger Subscriptions where- and only whff-puct;cahlc.-(E'.)

THE BIBLE
ment has a present purpose, viz., for overcoming _ (vel'. 4).

~-'-~-=--~-I~the world

STANDAHD.
event to which the Lord Jesus referred as reported

59

III

Matt. xix. 28.

Those who believe, and were dead in trespasses and sins, God hath quickened into the consciousness of a newness of life. (Eph. ii, 5.) They are" freed from sin" to which they have judicially died, with Christ; nor, though still in sinful flesh, can they sin unto condemnation, because they are born oj God. (Rom vi. 7, 11 ; viii. 1, with 1 John v. 18.) Here again a present purpose is declared for this condition; it is in order to the service of God (Rom. vi. 18, 22), and for a testimony to His love and grace iRom, viii). The Apostle Peter says that brotherly love should be engendered by the acknowledgment of the fact of all " beinq born again" by the same incorruptible seed, the Word of God." (1 Peter i. 22, 23). The Evangelist John says that s , as many as received" Jesus as the Son of God, to them gave He the 'right to become the sons of God; who we1'e born, not of the flesh or the will of man, but 0/ God." (John i. 12, 13.) The Apostle James asserts that God "of His own will begat 1IS with the Word of Truth;" testimony being again the object of present action, viz., to the dawn of a new Creation by the Resurrection of Christ, of which those begotten are" the first-fruits." (James i. 18.) The Lord Jesus, on the evening of His Resurrection, when He became" The Last Adam," or Head of a new Creation, breathed on His disciples the quickening power of that life which constituted them subjects of that new Creation; for the exercise of which He also bestowed on them the Holy Spirit as the fountain-head within them, whence their testimony should flow forth. (John xx. 2123; 2 Cor. v. 17, 18.) What was this but "the spirit of life in Christ Jesus" conveying to their souls the conscious- . ness of judicial freedom from" the principle of sin and death," expressed in that word "Peace," in connection with the action? (Rom. viii, 2.) I ask again whether this be not Regeneration? Much more might be adduced to the same effect, viz., to demonstrate that Regeneration and Conversion are Divine acts of the present dispensation. "Now are we the sons of God." (1 John iii. 2. Rom, viii, 14, 15.) IV. Before passing to the next topic, it may be well to state that the only instance, recorded in Scripture, of Regeneration being coincident with Resurrection, is that of the nation of Israel in the a.ge to come; when the repentant members of that nation who are living at the period of the Second Advent of the Messiah, will be regenerated, and those true Israelites who have died in faith will be raised from the dead. The two events are recorded in full detail in Ezek, xxxvi. 23~38, and xxxvii. See also Zech. xii.xiii, 6. This period of "The Regeneration" of Israel is the

V. I now proceed to show that the present possession of the coc New Birth," 01' " Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus," does not involve a conscious continuance of existence after death, in any form whatever. Apart from the unquestionable fact that the faculties of mind, will, or affections have no spiritual subsistence dissociated from the material organs of which they are the obvious phenomena, so that when these organs perish, all mental or intelligent action is at an end; apart, too, at present, from the abundant evidence from Scripture that confirms the above, I will produce the experience of Paul the Apostle, both as to the fact and effect of his Regeneration and Conversiou, and to his expectations at death; written by himself under inspiration of God. Regarding the former event, he says, that having been "before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy." ... "After that the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, not by works of righteousness that he had done, but according to His mercy He saved him, by the
t~(lshing oj Hcqeneration,
ltJul the reneicin q oj the Holy

Spirit."

(1 Tim, i. 13. Titu iii. 3, 5.) This plain statement, taken together with the well-known scene related in Acts ix., needs no comment to persuade men as to the fact of the Apostle's regeneration, the effect having been the conversion of a persecutor and blasphemer into "a chosen vessel to bear His Name before the Gentiles" in this present age. N or is this to be reckoned a peculiar case, for he says that " Jesus Christ first showed forth all long-suffering in him, for a pattern to them who should hereafter believe." VI. Let us now learn from this same Apostle's own writing, what his expectations were when the earthly house of his tabernacle (a) should be dissolved. 'I'hese are stated in 2 Cor. v. 1--10, which passage is to be connected with the preceding chapter, wherein, after adverting to his own and Timothy's perplexities and persecutions, he says to the Corinthians that they are not in despair, " though always delivered unto death, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise us up also by Jesus, and shall present us with you," (Corinthian saints), iv. 14. He then proceeds to strengthen their faith with the assurance that "if this tabernacle were dissolved, we have 11 building of God, an house not made with bands eternal in the heavens;" i.e., as in 1 Cor. xv. 38~53. God will give them a body that pleaseth Him, a spiritual, immortal body, that they may bear the image of the Heavenly (verse 48). Well he knew that the glorious body that is to clothe the spirits of the saved is the form and pattern of that of the Glorified
(a) That the word"

Tabernacle"

means

the human body.

See its

use in 2 Peter i. H.

60

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.
same thing." (Vel'. 5, which should be read in the light of chap. iv. 17, and John. xx. 22.)

Firstborn, in which they will surely" not be found naked " in the Father's eyes. We have just learnt how Paul knew that as an objective personal individual he would not be presented to the Father by Jesus at his dissolution, but together with the members of the entire body-" presented with you,"-as he writes to the Corinthians (iv, 14). Here then is an assurance that regenerated Believers do not, as they severally die, pass into the presence of the Lord in any disembodied form during any intermediate period, but remain in their graves till they hear the voice of the Archangel, when the entire body-the living members being changed simultaneously into the resurrection state-rise together "to meet the Lord (not ill heaven, but) in the firmament." (1 Thess, iv. 15-17.) If there was such an event as either the passing of Believers into glory, or remaining in a conscious state between death and resurrection, here surely was the opportunity for making the revelation. But the Apostle is silent on the subject; he knows it not. His mind was occupied solely with the surety of transition from the mortal to the immortal body; his faith, as "a substance of things hoped for," could bring the latter into immediate contact with the former. The Bible knows nothing of a natural immortality, nor can it of the traditional idea of the continued existence of soul as a pure spirit without a body. Moreover, if the Platonic idea popularly entertained be really credited, the pathos and force are altogether lost in such passages (and in many others of similar import) as the following :Isa. xxxviii. 18, 19, " The grave cannot praise Thee, death cannot celebrate Thee. . . . The living, the living, he shall praise Thee, as I do this day." Again, Job xiv. 7, "There is hope of a tree if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease." Vel'. 10, " But man dieth and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost (spirit), and where 'is he?" Vel'. 12, " So man lieth down and riseth not, till the heavens be no more; they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep." Psalm xxxix. 13, "0 spare me, that I may recover strength before I go hence, and be no more." We can therefore understand Paul's expectation that "mortality might be swallowed up of life;" no interval of consciousness being present to his mind between the moment of death and that of Resurrection, when mortality should put on immortality. YeI'. 4. (a)

Under these circumstances the Apostle was "confident" that he would, "'and willing rather: to be absent from the (mortal) body, and to be present with the Lord" in His "house from heaven." It is to be noted that being " present with the Lord:' implies a personal actual presence, never promised until His Second Advent. Moreover, to be absent from the body and present" with the Lord, literally and immediately, would prove too much, as He is now seated at the right hand of God on His Father's throne (Rev. iii. 21); therefore, to be personally present with the Lord Jesus, in an immediate sense, would involve a premature participation in the glorious majesty of the Godhead, and contradict 1 Thess, iii. 13. The body complete is first of all to " appear before the Judgment-seat of Christ" at the Resurrection. But, in addition to the above, there is not the shadow of authority for the supposition that some members of the body of Christ should be blessed in the heavens before the whole, even in spirit-form. This were to render the ways of God unequal and partial, and to destroy the unity taught in 1 Cor. xii. 12-20. Already is the enth"e body "blessed with all spiritual blessings in Heaven in Christ;" and this truth: is now presented to the faith of the regenerated soul, " sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise," as an earnest of the riches of the grace of God that await the spiritual bodies in resurrection. (Eph. i. 3, 13, 14.) Can more be expected previous to that event? Our Apostle, of whose hope I have written above, had no expectation of any glory or reward till he should receive his crown" at that day," when, " together with all them that love the appearing of the Righteous Judge," they should receive theirs. (2 Tim, iv. 8; also 1 Peter i. 3, 7.) VII. A passage in Phil. i. 21-24, has occasioned some difficulty with commentators, and as it seems to favour a priority of blessing for the Apostle, I allude to it, aided by a high authority (a) in Scriptural Psychological matters. Paul says, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better." The noble Apostle hesitates between these two -life and death; for the sake of his Master he would live; for his own sake he would prefer death. He decides, however, in the purity of an unselfish spirit, for life. "To abide in the flesh is more needful for you." Mr. Forster here affords an explanation that renders the desire of Paul consistent with the hope expressed in the passage I have already commented on-2 Cor. v. He says,
(a) Forster's Biblical Psychology.

For this elevated destiny God had already prepared Paul by his regeneration, and given him therewith "the earnest" of the resurrection body by the bestowal of "the Holy Spirit." God Himself had thus" wrought him for that self(a) "Consciousness is an attribute of the spirit of life, ... this marvellous agency is manifested in living organisms, and does not operate beyond, 01' independent of organic faculties,"-(Forster, Biblical Psychology.)

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

61

" The 23rd verse of this 1st chapter of Epistle to Philippians depends for its explanation upon whether the Greek words eis to analusai should be translated with reference to the Apostle returning to dust, or to the returning of Christ. The present translation is not accurate; the Platonic theory has evidently guided it. The word analusai, from ana and luo , means 'to loose back again,' that is, to return, as a ship to port, or, as used by the Lord to express His return from the wedding, where the word is used. (Loke xii, 36.) Hence the word aualusai should have its proper meaning of 'returning.' But what 'Returning?' The original words are to analusai, 'The Returning; , to which the Apostle affixes the result, viz., 'and to be with Christ.' This dissipates all doubt, and, as before remarked, renders Paul's desire consistent with the hope expressed in all his Epistles." I cannot avoid a remark before closing this paper, that the intermediate disembodied state is one of woe or bliss, and affects the unbeliever as well as the believer, and consequently anticipates both the Day of Judgment and the Resurrection, a circumstance that cannot have the sanction of Him whose attributes are equity and justice. Instead, therefore,of Regeneration in this age being in opposition to the Scriptural teaching of the unconscious state of the dead, it is on the contrary a gracious preparatory work of God, which, whilst it conveys assurance of a total oblivion of intermediate time, becomes a Divine solace for "present afflictions," causing them to appear " light and momentary" in view ofthe imminent approach of the Resurrection. For" though our outward man perish, the inward man is renewed day by day" in this very expectation that "worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!" Therefore," We faint not! "

and are believing it to-day. Do not call us evil names and thus avoid investigation. Walk up to the matter like a man. Prove that all men have immortality when Paul says God , only hath it,' and we will hear with candour what you have to say. Let your arguments be manly and Christian in their character, let them be positive declarations of God's Holy Word, and you need not fear that the truth will be manifest. We want the facts. Shall we have them J" Setting aside all human opiuion on this subject, the facts are these ennumerated below, and they sap the foundations of the errors and delusions of Romanism and Spiritualiem, and remove some of the greatest barriers to the spread of "the glorious Gospel of the blessed God."
IMMORTALITY AS TAUGHT IN THE BIBLE

is the exclusive possession or inheritance of all men. The Apostle Paul, pre-eminently who makes use of the word

of the faithful

Christian-not of

fitted to make known the truth the writers or 'immortality.'

God upon this subject, is the only one among 'immortal,' every friend of Bible truth remark, that-

of the Bible And let

1st. He never applies it to sinners; 2nd. He never applies it to the righteous or wicked in this world. 3rd. He never applies it to men's souls death. 4th. He speaks of it as an attribute 5th. He only is the possessor of it continuance 7th. in well-doing. at all, either before or after (1 'Eim. i. 17).

of the Ring eternal.

(1 Tim. vi. 16).

6th. He presents it as an object which men are to seek after by patient (Rom. ii. 7). (2 Tim. i. 10). of Christ who is our life remarks, and He speaks of it as revealed or brought to light not in the heathen when it shall be put on by the Saints 'When

philosophy but in the Gospel of the Son of God. Sth. He defines the period God, and fixes it at the resurrection, shall appear.' ( 1 Cor. xv. 51, 54). 9th he never taught the immortality

Therefore, as the able author of "Pauline that sinners

Theology"

of the soul as it is now taught,

hence when he declared

should be destroyed, or perish, or any mental "that he said words,

I'

IMMORTALI'rY TRUE

THE GIFT BELIEVER

iv. 16.

OF GOD ONLY TO THE IN CHRIST JESUS.

die, or be burned up, or devoured by fire, he did so without reservation, or theological definition; in other what be meant, and meant what he said." There are two undeniable The first is 'that facts which render

" Am I therefore become your enemy Paul to the Galatians

because I tell you the truth?"

the natural

immortality

of man impossible, and necessarily also, the eternity of evil and suffering. God, by a positive act of His love and mercy, prevented immortal while in his sinful state.' Read the sinner from becoming carefully Gen. iii. 22 -24. The second is 'that ing, terminated die; but Jesus our Redeemer did not suffer eternal torment-the His suffering, however agonizThe sinner "The all." deserved thus to He might sin is This penaltyfor theological but fictitious penalty of sin.' in death in a few hours. 'suffered

Mr. H. L. Hastings, the Editor and Publisher of 'The Christian," addressing the reader of his work, '<Pauline Theology," says,-" You may have looked long and carefully for such words as 'immortal soul,' 'deathless spirit,' and 'never dying soul,' you may have sought for them in the Bible, in Hebrew, Greek, or English: you may have searched from Genesis to Revelations, and yet you have 11everfound such words there. Still you may have found something which to your mind is conclusive. If so, let us have it. But remember and be kind. Do not call us infidels for not believing that all men have immortality when you cannot produce one passage that declares it in the whole Bible; and do not lay claim to Christianity on the ground of your believing in the doctrine, for many infidels as well as heathen believed

for us, the just for the unjust, that died jar

bring us to God," from whom we had strayed. death, and our Redeemer therefore the language of Jesus, lay down My life, that (Heb. ii. 9,) and 'hath (Phil. ii. 9.) "rherefore I might given

(2 Cor. v. 15.)

mystery of the compassion and mercy of God our Saviour is unfolded in doth My Father take it again. Him love Me, because I For this (John x. 17.)

wondrous sacrifice, God hath

'crowned

with glory and honour,'

Him a name which is above every name.'

, As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.' (Num. xiv. 21.)

62
'He ment: is the Rock, His work is perfect: a God of truth and without

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.
To what grim and dreadful idol Had he lent the holiest nams ? Did his own heart, loving and human, The God of his worship shame? And lo! from the bloom and greenness, From the tender skies above, And t.he face of his little daughter He read a lesson of love. No more as the cloudy terror Of Sinai's mount of I9.w, But as Christ in the Syrian lilies The vision of God saw.

for all His ways are judgjust and right is He.'

iniquity,

(Dent. xxxii. 3-4.) 'Shalt not the judge of all the earth do right?' While we rely wholly upon the testimony Word, it is pleasing of earnest intelhgent

(Gen. xviii. 25.)

of God as given in His Holy The celebrated referring immortality in one is the the

to be able to refer to the experience and testimony believers on the side of truth. minister of Birmingham, truth that declared:

Mr. Dale, the Congregational

of his public speeches to the important gift of God only to the faithful Christian, greatest reception Evangelical possible emphasis, of this doctrine to state that has

"I wish with the doctrines of the

he

in my own experience,

given all the great

faith a firmer hold on my intellect, my conscience, and my by Jas. Leeslie, Esq., Canada.

And as when, in the clefts of Horeb OI old was His presence known, The dread Ineffable Glory Was Infiuite Goodness alone. Thereafter his hearers noted In his prayers a tenderer strain, And never the gospel of hatred Burned on his lips again. And the scoffing tongue was pra: erful, And the blinded eyes found ight, And hearts, as flint aforet.ime, Grew soft in his warmth and light. -Atlantic lJJonthly.

heart."-Co11l11l1tnicated

THE

MINISTER'S By JOHN GREENLEAF

DAUGHTER.
WHITTIER.

In the minister's morning sermon He had told of the primal fall, And how henceforth the wrath of God Rested on each and all. And how, of His will and pleasure, All souls, save a chosen few, Were doomed to the quenchless burning, And held in the way thereto. Yet never by faith's unreason A saintlier soul was tried, And never the harsh old lesson A tenderer heart belied. And, after On that He walked Through the painfnl service pleasant Sabbath day, with his little daughter the apple-bloom of May.

WHY By
untlerqo that curse

CHRISTIANS
MAJOR

DIE.
SmmREN.

G. J.

VAN

If Jesus bore our punishment;

"U:h!J do 11is people still die, and

Sweet in the fresh green meadows Sparrow and blackbird sung; Above him their tinted petals The blossoming orchards hung. Around on the wonderful glory The minister looked and smiled: " How good is the Lord who gives us These gifts from His hand, my child! " Behold in the bloom of apples, And the violets in the sward A hint of the old, lost beanty Of tbe Garden of the Lord! " Then up spake the little maiden, Treading on snow and pink: '0 Father! these prettv blossoms Are very wicked, I think. " Had there been no Garden of Eden There never had been a fall ; And if never a tree had blossomed God would have loved us all." "Hush, child! " the father answered, " By His decree man fell ; His ways are in clouds and darkness, But He doeth all things well. "And whether by His ordaining To us cometh good or ill, Jov or pain, or light or shadow, 'Ve must fear and love Him still." " Oh, I fear Him! " said the daughter, " And I try to love Him too; But I wish He was good aud gentle, Kind and loving as you.' The minister groaned in spirit As the tremulous lips of pain And wide, wet eyes uplifted Questioned his own in vain. Bowing his head he pondered The words of the little one; Had he erred in his life-long teaching? Had he wrong to his Muster done?

1. The Lord tells us that He is "the Hesurrection and the life." We are not told anywhere that He is the staver off of death, as if death were a foe that never can be slain, requiring always to be held at arm's length, but we are told that" He hath abolished the death." 2. The Lord tells us that those who are "accounted worthy to obtain that world" (or more exactly, as the Gree.k puts it, that age), "and the Tesnrrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage." Luke xx. 35. He tells us that " that which is born of flesh is flesh; and that which is born of Spirit is spirit." Jolni iii. 6. The Word also tells us that" the wages of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life." 3. It requires a Divine One to grant life. That He IS "the Prince and Au'ihor of Life", and the Conferrer of Immortality, is the first proof of the Divinity of our blessed Lord. 4. By nature we are born of Adam , who had in himself no immortality which he could impart to us. Innocent before he fell, and kept in life by the fruit of the tree of life, he sinned, ate of the fruit of the forbidden tree, introduced the poison into his nature and was, by the mercy of God, at once turned out of the garden, "lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever." From the soulish Adam, corrupted by sin, we are in direct descent. If, therefore, Christians were not to die it would come to pass that soulish men with sin on them, with the fruits of that sin visible in their bodies, would have eaten of the tree of life, and would therefore live on for ever in their present state. Immortality would have been grafted

TH:8 BIBLE SrANDARD.

on to a stock in which death was innate, on to an evil stock. It would not be a total putting off of the old man and a putting on of the new man; the root would be still the impure flesh, but bearing a pure spirit; it would be a bad tree bearing good fruit, a thing impossible. It would also involve Christians in being bastards, as it were, of flesh and spirit. They would be men with immortal bodies living among mortal men. It would then also appeal' that life was to be derived from Adam which should last for ever, for their life would be merely nniural. life continued by food from on high. But" in the wilderness our fathers ate manna and died." 5. Christians are among those "accounted worthy to obtain that age," being" saved from this present evil age." 6. Our Saviour came to earth" made of a woman," " the Son of man." He, the pure child, the holy man, the sinless second man, fulfilled all righteousness and being, as man, " a living soul" died. This fact, that He died of His own will, testifies to His wondrous love for us, and also shows how thoroughly He had associated Himself with us in the flesh. But He is also" a quickening Spirit." The Son of man" had died. But He was holy, just, pure, and so He was raised again" by the mighty power of God." He tells us Himself that He had power to lay down His life and to take it again, having received that power of the Father. That life He had won, for He kept the whole law, and the reward oj so doing is life. So He rose again. 7. By that rising the" Son of man" is " declared to be the Son of God with power;" and now" the Son quickeneth whom He will." He tells us that" whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life; " that" the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost." His words are" him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out." We are told by His Apostles that "Christ died for all;" that "He tasted death for every man." Thus the invitation is to all who will. God's Lamb is slain, "the propitiation for the sins of the whole world." Now therefore let each come and" lay his hand on the head of the offering" (Leviticus, opening chapters). Thus will he show that he confesses himself a sinner, that he hates sin and repents, that he consents to the terms of reconciliation offered him by God who is reconciled to him. By thus owning himself a sinner condemned to death, by surrendering all hope of life in any other name or way, by doing all this, which is believing in Jesus and so trusting God, he will as a child of Adam, be associated in death with "the Son of man;" but, 0 glorious truth and "unexampled love, Love nowhere to be found less than divine," he will be raised again to life and immortality with" the Son of God." In Him he is made a child of God and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven. His Adamic body put off he shall be raised a spiritual body, no longer flesh of flesh, but

63

spirit of spirit, "for if the spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies because of His Spirit," that dweileth in you. * "Immortality shall then be ours for ever, for it will be founded on our having been begotten" children of God," and born in resurrection into the life which is now" hid with Christ in God," but which shall then be set forth, manifested in us when He shall appear. Then the living root too being good, the fruit shall abide. "When He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." No more sin, no more death: the holiness of Christ being ours, His life too is ours. "Because I live, ye shall live also."
What about those who will ue 'in the body ichen. the Lord comes J

i
I

8. We are told in the Word, (1 Cor. xv. 51.), "Behold, I show 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: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." The living shall be changed. The dead shall be raised incorruptible. As far as this teaches us, the living shall go through the same process of putting off the Adamic body that their brethren had gone through before them, the only difference being that they do not lie asleep, for the morning is upon them. But death of the Adamic body is the change, whether the resurrection follows, as in their case, immediate7y, or as in the case of those that have gone before, some time afterwards. The following words, written by an aged and honoured disciple of the Lord, will doubtless be useful to many. I therefore venture to copy them, so that others may share the advantage of them. " The' glorious body' of the Divine Saviour is the prototype of the spiritual body, in which everyone of His own shall be immortalized at His return in glory. "When the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, His body had not undergone any kind of change; and it must needs have been so, for otherwise His disciples could not have identified Him, and consequently could not have been the witnesses of His resurrection. But when He ascended, and they could not any longer behold Him, His body of humiliation was changed into' His glorious body,' He was received up in glory t (en doxee). At His return the bodies of His 15 tints shall be changed and fashioned like unto His glorious body. Yea, moreover, the redeemed and saved and regenrate shall be wholly conformed to the likeness of their immortal and g~orified Head; for they are predestinated of God' to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren.'
Note where "Jesus" is used and where" Christ."

1 Tim. iii. 16: not as in A.V. " received up into glory."

64

THE BIBLE

STANDARD.

" All the fulness of the Godhead dwells in Him; and that fulness shall permeate the whole multitude of His brethren, in everlasting union and communion with Himself, the Firstborn. 'I'hey all shall be one, in God the Father and in the Son; the Holy Spirit being the bond of that immortal oneness. Dwelling in God, and God dwelling III them, all shall be filled with all the fulness of God."

PURIFIED

BY

FIRE.

By H. B. Murmy. A SHORT time ago I was travelling on the Midland Railway from Cheltenham to Chester. I had in my hand reading, a volume of Joseph Cook's Lectures. At one of the stations we stopped at, a young man entered the compartment. He was a rather short, but broad shouldered, stiffly built young fellow of about six and twenty. . He was dressed in a light grey suit, had a straw boating hat on, and carried a brown leather portmanteau and hat-box. I should never have taken him for a minister, by his appearance. He evidently agreed with "Parson Dunce," who wrote in the Christian World last summer, as to ministers dressing like other men. He might have passed for a commercial traveller, or a banker's clerk going for his holiday, He was very sociable, and as soon as he had stowed away his luggage, he entered into conversation. Catching the title of the book I was reading (" Lectures on Biology,") he asked if I would allow him to look at it. Upon my handing it to him, he said, " Excuse me asking to see your book; it's so unusual to find a work like this being read in a railway .carriage. I have been reading some lectures on the same subject, and I wanted to see if these were the same. You are a ministerial student, I presume?" " Yes," I replied, "I am; are you?" "Oh, no (with an evident air of superiority), I am a minister." " Well, I am a minister, too," said I; "but when you asked me if I was a ministerial student, of course I said 'Yes,' as I supposed every minister was a ministerial student." "0, yes, (laughing) quite so. Are you going for your holidays? " " Yes," I replied. "Ah I so am 1. Isn't yours rather heavy reading for holiday-time. I always leave such books as those at home when I go holiday-making. I like to have a complete change. This is the sort of thing I take with me;" so saying, the parson in grey reached down his hat-box, and took out of the inside of his chimney-pot a book of " Screamers " (a book of jokes and crackers, such as one generally sees displayed on railway book-stalls). "Well," I replied, "the fact is, I have to give an address on 'Resurrection' before my holiday is over, and I just wanted to see what Mr. Cook has to say about the ~atter." I had no sooner mentioned "Resurrection" than we were into a lively discussion on the subject, and from thence we glided into a conversation on the final destiny of the wicked, the following dialogue taking place. He (of the hat-box) to me: "What do you believe about the end of the wicked? "

" Well, I believe in what is callel ' Conditional Immortality;' that all men will be raised for judgment, and those who have proved themselves unworthy of Eternal Life, will, after receiving few or many stripes, according to their degree of guilt, be finally destroyed in the Lake of Fire. What do you believe?" "Oh! I go in for the Restitution of all thingsUniversal Salvation." "Do you mean by that, that every living creature will ultimately be brought to God?" "Yes, I do." "Indeed! then how do you get on when you are preaching the Gospel? Do you tell your hearers that they are all certain to be saved?" "Oh! I talk to them this way-Look here, God means sooner or later to have you all for Himself, and your sins must be got rid of; now, fling your sins away; if you will 'not, God will bum them out oj you." "Indeed!" said I, "and how do the people receive this teaching?" "v cry well; in fact, I was as tonished when I first broached the subject to find how many of them had been thinking about these things, and how many of them were prepared for what I had to say on the subject." "And what do you understand by the Lake of Fire?" " Oh ! I believe it's a purifying fire, Its purpose is not to destroy the sinner, but to purify and purge him. Why, it's as plain as possible. Does it not say, ' E very sacrifice shall be salted with fire,' that means, purified by fire? Salt was offered with the Jewish sacrifices to render them pure and acceptable to God; and so the sinner is to be purified and made acceptable to God by fire. The passage reads, ' If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into Gehenna fire, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. For everyone shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.' (Mark ix. 49) What can this mean, but that everyone shall be purified by fire?" I told my friend that I did not agree with him, and did not understand that to be the sense of the passage; but here, unfortunately, our interesting conversation was interrupted, for suddenly the train stopped, and we heard the voice of the guard, ringing out "All change here" (the truth of which statement as applicable to our daily lives nobody can deny). My friend and I stepped on to the platform, and as we were going to travel on different lines, we wished each other a safe and happy journey, and separated. Now, sir, if I might be permitted to offer a suggestion, I would propose that correspondence be invited on Mark ix. 49. No doubt the passage is simple enough to some, but it is difficult to others, and I think if some of the readers of the Bible Standard were to send their thoughts on these verses, it would be interesting and profitable to many. I have my own idea as to its teaching, but should like to see an expression of opinion from others of our brethren in the truth. As an instance of how different minds sometimes draw different conclusions from the same verse of Scripture, I may mention that I have heard this same text (Mark ix. 49) used as an argument for eternal torments. I once heard a well-known preacher, in London, commenting on it, say: "What does this passage mean? Why, we apply salt to an object to preserve it, now the flame of hell is It salt flame, and the meaning of this passage is, that the flames of hell are of such a nature, that they will preserve alive those who are cast into them." From my friend of the railway carriage (who by the bye was a Baptist Minister), and from the London Preacher, we get the two extremes, no doubt some of our brethren may be able to show us the happy medium, where truth is mostly to be found. [Short, seasonable replies, if to hand by 12th inst., shall appear in our next issue.v=En.]

THE
NOTES AND
ZADKIEL'S

BIBLE

STANDARD.

65

NEWS.

ALMANAC.

We know of but one" sure word of prophecy," still we regard with interest the following, taken from the above Almanac for next year, (page 49,) as an indication of the outlook of thoughtful minds: Ramesey says that a great conjunction happening in Tourus foreshadows 'ruin of houses and ancient buildings, divisions, and hatred among the clergy, and they shall excite tumults.' We have already seen the dreadful effects of the second crusade which was organised under the excitinz influence of the eloquence of St. Bernard. The approaching conjunotion falls, as already stated, in the ninth house of the heavens-that house which rules religion and religious persons, more particularly the clergy. What, then, can be its effects upon the Church? Manifestly, they will be great, revolutionising, and exciting. 'Within the period over which the influence of this great conjunction extends, (twenty years,) the Church of Englancl, as by law established, will be shorn of most of her privileges, and will cease to be a State Church. [The Christian religion itself will undergo the most fundamental changes, and will ally itself more closely to the teaching of Christ. The anathema of the Church will then no longer be allowed to be uttered azainst those 'heretics' who cannot believe in the mysteries and perplexities of the Athanasiau Creed, and who cannot believe that a God of love and mercy can condemn His creatures to eternal. punishment."] We have bracketed the part to which we wish to direct attention, not that we place the least value upon it as a prophetic statement, but simply as a straw upon the stream, to indicate the direction of the current.
THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE.

A writer in the Contempomry Review thus summarises the teaching of some leading orthodox divines on the subject of future punishment ;" Allow us to keep the name and idea of hell, and we will no longer insist on church-membership, or orthodoxy, or even common morality, as indispensable [to salvation]. We will guarantee that the majority. at all events, shall escape, and, indeed, we see no reason why, with our system of death-bed repentance and protracted purgatory, anyone sinner should be finally lost."
REVIEWS.

In Germany, a long and heated debate has resulted in the defeat of the pro-J ewish party, and has revealed a very strong anti-J ewish feeling npon the part of the majority of the German people. This is led by the Court Chaplain, and is thought to be favoured by the Emperor and Prince Bismarck. The London papers of December 11, contain the advertisement of "The Land and Mortgage Company of Syria," with a capital of half-amillion sterling. The Governor-General, Raouf Pasha, has sanctioned and promised his support to the undertaking, whilst many Syrian residents have expressed their desire to become shareholders. This marks a step nearer that rapidly-nearing day when" the desolate land shall be tilled."
CURRENT EVENTS.

THE RaINBOW for December more than maintains its reputation and usefulness. We are glad to note that the Rev. H. Constable, M.A., is contributing a series of articles on "Revelation and its Evidences." We would remind our readers that the 18th vol. of the Rainbow commences with the new year, and would urge upon them the importance of subscribing thereto, as the oldest and chief exponent of the Truths touching the Life. It can be had through our own office, or of the pnblisher (E. Stuck, 62, Paternoster-row, London), post-free at 6s. per annum, prepaid; or may be ordered through any bookseller or newsagent. THE MESSENGER.-We are glad to see a note from the Editor in the December issue, to the following effect :-" Since last month several new subscriptions have been received, which encourage us to hope that, before January, the requisite number may be obtained to make an increase of size to 20 pages monthly, certain and enduring." Our friends can obtain the paper for 1881 by remitting 2s. tld, in stamps to Mr. R. K. Strang, 4;), Gibson-strcet, Hill-head, Glasgow; or through ourselves on same terms. MAN'S ONLYHOPE OF IMMORTA.LITY.-We put this Canadian work of 110 pages, by W. G. Moncrieff, into the hands of one of our friends, who, with great modesty, combines great force of intellect and clearness of perception. At the same time asking for a candid opinion for our review column. We give that opinion in his own words :-" You will secure a parcel of this pamphlet, for there is sure to be a demand for it. It is the best work upon the subject that I have read. With great force of reason and clearness of statement, the author proves his position (as to the unconsciousness of the death-state, and the absolute necessity of Besurrection), whilst doing the fullest possible justice to his opponents' arguments."
TO OUR READEHS.

I
~

The notable event amongst natural phenomena of the past few weeks has been the earthquake at Agram, in Hungary. The loss of life has not been great, whilst the destruction of property has been most serious. Of 1,600 houses forming the town, not one is uninjured, whilst a convent, eight churches, and twenty-two large castles (one of these latter containing 80 rooms) have been destroyed, and for weeks the people have been kept in a perfect agony of fear. Amongst lesser events we have :-Disastrous floods in Italy. Collision in the Mediterranean, with the foundering of a steamship and 108s of 264 lives. In the United States and Canada, severe cold, two large Transatlantic steamers being ice- bound in the St. Lawrence, and SOO boats in the Erie Canal. British Burmah, 300 deaths at Prome, from cholera, in three weeks. Jamaica, terrible distress, which has caused many deaths. Shocks of earthquake have been felt in Dortmend, Wiesbaden, and Saxony, Germany; also in Scotland, Ireland, Sicily, Switzerland, and Vienna. MontaJembert, a village in Savoy, has been almost destroyed by fire. On the coasts of Canada and Cape Colony, several shipwrecks have occurred. At the Solomon Islands there have been repeated mm-del'S of the crews of vessels. On the West Coast of Africa, a native war. On the Volga, in Russia, by a sudden thaw, 55 vessels and 30 barges, with large quantities of stores, were destroyed. Mount Vesuvius is still in active eruption, a fresh stream of lava having forced its way. The Atlantic has been unusually stormy. At home, we have had a severe colliery accident, with a loss of 101 lives; also considerable loss by storm and flood. Science has made a further stride in the Photophone of Prof. Bell, which produces sounds and articulate speech, through the agency of a beam of light.
CURRENT THOUGHT.

It is with exceeding pleasure we thank our numerous friends for their successful efforts on behalf of our circulation, and especially our Lincoln frieuds for their noble help. We begin 1881 with a circulation of 3,000 copies monthly, an increase of above 1,200 since last January. 'I'o ~ur Literary Contributors we are bound to cry "Hold! enough!" having sufficient matter in hand for the next two numbers. 'Our friends, whose contributions have been accepted, must kindly bear with us in the unavoidable delay in the appearance thereof.
"NI DIEU, NI MAtTRE."

The new French journal of M. Blanqui, with the above title ( "Neither God nor master,") is a painfully significant sign of the temper of a certain section of the French people. A part only of the harvest resulting from the seed sown by Popery.

CORRESPONDENCE

EXTRACTS.

[As we receive in our General Correspondence much informa.tion that (though not in .. tended for publication) would be useful and appreciated by many 01 OUf readers, we purpose making a judicious selection monthly, under this heading.-EditorJ

" Election, Election, and Reprobation-it's all very well, But I go to-night to my boy, and I shall not find him in hell. For I cared so much for my boy that the Lord has looked into my care, And Hemeans me, I'm sure, to be happy with Willy, I know not where. And if he be lost-but to save my soul, that is all your desire: Do you think that I care for my soul if my boy be gone to the fire? I have been with God in the dark-go, go, you may leave me aloneYou never have borne a child-you are just as hard as a stone." So writes Alfred 'I'ennyson in his recent volume of poems. He does but make a mad mother say what many a sane one has thought in the modem revolt from traditional. theology.

Aucklosul, New Zealand, October 11th, 1880.-" I hope that you will have strength given you for the extra work falling to your lot the coming year. 1 suppose by this time you will have taken the Editor's chair. I arn glad to hear that the work is progressing in Cheltenham under the labours of Bro, Murray. Hope the seed which has been sown there by other hands may yield a rich and abundant harvest. '.' I am greatly in need of some literature, the people are always asking me for something to read on the great subject of Conditional Immortality. * The interest here is largely on the increase. I am sure that I have taken the proper course in coming, for I never saw a people more hungry for the truth, The Temperance Hall, which I have taken for twelve months, is not large enough. I may say that hundreds have to go away nearly every Sunday night. Last night we crowded into the Hall between seven and eight hundred people. There is only one larger Hall in the place, and I am not sure but what we shall have to take that for Sunday nights, for awhile at all events. I have started a morning service, also a public Bible Class. The class is well attended. I shall be compelled to form a Church in Auckland, on account of many people not being able to return to their respective Churches. Persecution is beginning in right good earnest, but this will do us more good than harm. Next Sunday we begin a Sunday School (D.V.), for the afternoon only. This we find is a necessary step. I am glad to say that many who are now attentive listeners, are from the ranks of the 'Secularists,' men who had about made up their minds that the

.THE

BIBLE

STANDAR[) .
place, aud the Rev. Cyrus E. Brooks, and Messes. H. Cliff, H. Leonard, H. Matthews, and the chairman (Mr. H. Pitwood}, delivered addresses. The Rev. C. E. Brooks, in the course of his address, said that they were teaching what had been the Faith of the Church for three centuries; they were teaching what St. Paul and what St. Peter and all the disciples taught. They obtained immortal life ouly by virtue of their union with Christ. The teaching uf life in Christ, whilst it did not destroy hell, limited it.-Mr. Matthews said they had formed a building committee, which committee was prepared to take all the responsibility of the work."-Torquay Times, Nov. 'JOth, ]880.
BRADFORD.

religious world was a world of shams and follies, but now, thank God, they are coming back to the good old Book, and rejoicing in its light and power. I tell you, Brother, there is a mighty power in the Word of the Living God, its truths win their way into many dark hearts bringing peace, joy, and rest to the weary and heavy-laden. I must also inform yon that I find it almost absolutely necessary to commence a monthly paper .here, in fact I have got as fur as the estimates, which are, I am sorry to say, nearly double what our English prices are. If I undertake this I shall print 2,000 copies, for I see the need of something to circulate amongst the people, and if we can get subscribers for 1,000 copies, we shall then be in H, position to distribute the other 1,000 freely; it will be spreading the light in as cheap a way as possible. The people, I feel sure. will support it, and if it meets the approval of my Heavenly Father, 1 know it will be a success. With the amount and kind of opposition we get here, it is needful to get hold of the press. Local matters need notice. Lectures and sermons need answering; and the people will be, and are, glad to know that such a paper is to be .started. You know my object is to work not only New Zealand but Australia, and a paper will pave the way in both places. We shall take the old name of 'Bible Standard.' I know of no better, and it will not interfere with the dear old 'Standard' in England. I know that I shall have your prayers and sympathy. Don't forget to write me often. I shall keep you posted from this side, and I hope you will do the same from the other."-George A. Brown, Corresponding Member. [We shall be happy to receive and forward subscriptions for the :-< ew Zealand and Australian" Bible Standard," on behalf of our dear friend, its Editor and Publisher. The price is 3d. per copy, per month, postage one penny. Total 4s. per annum. 'Ve can only accept prepaid orders. Editor B.S.] Lincoln, November 29th, 1880.-" Allow me to congratulate you on the improved appearance of the' Bible Standard.' With the new heading, and the stitching and the leaves cut, its external appearance is greatly more attractive. To-night we are going to talk over the scheme for a free distribution of a number of copies monthly. I feel sure it can be worked, and it will give me great pleasure to do all in my power to further the matter. I am delighted to hear of the good work that is going on at 'I'orquay, and also share with you the pleasure of knowing that things are now better and brighter with our old friend and brothel' in New Zealand, (Referring to the long and trying illness of the Rev. G. A. Brown.] That God may continue to bless all heralds of the truth is my earnest prayer. Our Sunday evening services are still largely attended. Last night the Chapel was crowded, and seven made public eonfesssion by Baptism of their faith in Jesus, the Prince of life." G. P. M., Lincoln. [Lincoln, Mint Lane Baptist Church, has since decided to increase its parcel of Bible Standards to 1,000 monthly, instead of 325, as before. Editor B.S.l Scotland, December 2nd, 1880.-'" Bible Standards' to hand, all right. 1 think they are the cheapest publication (for the information one gets out of them) to. be got anywhere, for advocating Eternal Life only in Christ."-A. B. Neuicastle-on-Tsjne, December 7th, 1880.-" I wish you' God-speed' in your noble work of rescuing the Word of God, and God Himself, (as to character), from the foul misrepresentations of the many who are in gross ignorance of His ways and truth, and they need such as the , Bible Standard' to put them right."-l'II. S. Manchester, December 2nd, 1880. --" Since I wrote you last I consider that I have made some progress in the right conception of our glorious truths, and in open avowal of my acceptance of these truths, as opposed to Methodist orthodoxy. My uncle, with whom I am in constant communication, writes me that I have gone too far for me ever to return to, and be accepted by, Methodism ; as the more I should begin to make it square with the Bible-teaching, the more I should be at sea. They reject me from their' Mutual Improvement Society,' fearing (as admitted to me) that I would seek every means to promulgate my views, and thus contaminate the young people."-J. G.

" On November 6th, we had the pleasure of gathering at the house of Bra. Smith, to witness the immersion of J. Horsfield and M. A. Rawnsley. After making the good confession that Jesus is the Christ, and their only hope of a Iurure life as in the great work of redemption wrought out by Him, they were baptized iuto His name. Also on December 4th, two more, M. Proctor and F. Sunderland. Last month we admitted to our fellowship the wife of Bro. Clark, who was formerly a member of the Baptist Church from whence most of us were turned out, for the truth's sake. Our Church roll now stands at 50, just five times as many as when WQ first formed ourselves into a Church, two-and-a-half-years ago. Our Sunday evening meetings are wellattended now. Our hopes and expectations are great. We desire the prayers of the Lord's children everywbere."Charles J. Paul. [By error, of our informant, the number of members was understated in November issue.-Edit01" B.S.1
BACUP.

On Sunday, November 7th, a Memorial Sermon, for the late Rev. Jonas Smith, was delivered in the Co-Operative Hall, by the Rev. Thos. Vasey, of Birkenhead. There was a large and sympathetic audience. The sermons has, by request, been published, and may be had from the author, or from our office. See advertisement,

QUESTION AND ANSWER.

L This column is atatedly devoted to replies to such questions, objections, and auggestious as may be of 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. We are personally responsible for the answers given.-EDITOR.]

OHUROH

AND

MISSION
GRAVESEND.

'.

NEWS.

A month's special services have been held here, in the Assembly Rooms, Harmer Street, conducted by Mr. H. H. Horsman, of London. We go to press too early to state results.
LINCOLN.

On Wednesday, December 15th, the second of the Winter Series of Lectures, was given by the Rev. 'I'hos. Vasey, of Birkenhead, in Mint Lane Baptist Chapel. An excellent lecture was delivered on "Will all men, of necessity, live for ever?"
TORQUAY.

"For some time past services in reference to the faith in Conditional Immortality have been held in St. George's Hall on Sundays, and it Church formed. Last ' night a public meeting was held in the same

Q .._" I was bronght up a U. P., my father being an Elder in the Church, and until the last two or three years I never had any doubt as to the Immortality of the Soul, although I had many a strange thought about the doctrine of never-ending torment. 'I'he first thing tilat caused me to waver was reading R. Roberts' Twelve Lectures, since then my faith in orthodox ideas has been greatly shaken. Now, after reading (the Rainbow, pjo. and con. in reference to the conscious survival of the dead), I am again in doubt, and don't know what to believe. There are numerous passages of Scripture that appear to favour both ideas. Now, what am I, a poor unlearned man, to do? I nm laughed at, called an infidel, &c." A.-The intermediate state, whether of life or death, conscious or unconscious, does not necessarily affect tLe question of "Life only in Christ." On that major, all holding the destruction of the wicked, are agreed. 00 the minor point, concerning the state of the Christian. dead, (for our differences are only as touching the godly and not the ungodly dead. That the latter know 1I0t anything is very generally conceded] we agree-in love-to differ. We advise you to "nest your judgment, until you can honestly, with confidence, form an opinion. Meantime, prayerfully study such a work as " Man's only hope of Immortality," by W. G. Moncrieft, of Canada. [\\"e can obtain a copy for you for thirteen penny stamps.] As for those who laugh, let them,-'l'ruth is worth a little ridicule. Granted, it is hard to be called an infidel, but it's harder to be one. Remember, our Saviour had harder words than this; the servant may nut be above Lis Lord. Q.-" I felt strongly tempted to write a letter for Bible Standard, on the phrase 'lay-preachers,' IV hieh occurs more than once in this month's (Dec.) issue; but second thoughts said 'Forbear! these 'I'orquay brethren still speak the language of the people they have lived among; by and bye their eyes will be opened.' It is high time these rags of Popish ecclesiasticism, were sent to the rag-store, WHERE in the New 'l'estament, do we find mention of' lay and clerical' distinctions among the disciples of the One Master? Let our' Standard' be a Bible one in all things. We should resp. ct the convictions, and prejudices of others, but yet have respect to Apostolic doctrines and pructices ; and, with due wisdom, demolish all shams,-clerical ones amongst the rest." A.--Onr correspondent has hit the right nail upon the head, our 'I'orquay friends simply used the vernacular of Methcdism, dissenting as strongly as their stout Scotch critic, from the ideas associated with it. We insert the paragraph as a bit of wholesome writing.

THE
BUSINESS NOTES.

BIBLE

STANDARD.

67

THE

RAINBOW,

(All communicat.ions to be addressed to the Secretary, Cyrus E. Brooks, Cheltenham.) A CATALOGUE the Publications of of tbe Association forwarded, gratis and post-free, to any country in the Postal Unio, A SPECIMEN TRACT PARCELof all Tracts published by the Association, forwarded, post-free, on receipt of two penny stamps; and of all Tracts and Tract-Books, on receipt of six penny stamps; to any country in the Postal Union. DO~ATIONS, in aid of tbe work of the Association, are earnestly and respectfully solicited. LOCALISING THE "BIBLE STANDARD."-Churehes williug 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.

A Sixpenny Monthly Magazine, devoted to the Exposition of Revealed Truth. Edited by Rev. W. LEASK, D.D, Puhlisbed by E. STOCK, 62, Paternoster How, London, E.C. All believers in THE LIFE and ADVENT should subscribe thereto. Post-free to any countrv in the Postal Union, for Six Shillings per annum, ft'om 'CYR'US E. 'BROOKS, Cheltenham.

NOW

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THE LATE

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JONAS

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~ DUE

Of Bacup; delivered by the Rev. THOMAS VASEY, In the Co-Operative Hall, Bacup.
Published by the " Conditional Iinmortaliu] Association;"

Just Publ'ished, Price Foul' Shillings,

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HEAVEN
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ONE PENNY.
Post-free for 1td. from C. E. Brooks, Cheltenham.

Earth the Eternal Abode of the Redeemed Saints.

LIFE

AND

ADVENT

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HIS Work demonstrates from Scripture testimony the perpetuity of tbe Earth, iu a restored and renovated state, and the continuauce of the human race upon it during tbe countless ages of eternity. It also shows that, according to the Inspired Volumn, the Earth, which was the place of Christ's suffering and death, will be the scene of His future triumph, and of His everlasting kingdom; and that there also the saints shall find their eternal rest. OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
A very readable book of about BOOpages, designed to prove by the Scriptures the doctrine set forth in the title. Some of the arguments are very ingenious, and much in the book will repay careful reading. If we do not clearly see with the eyes of the author, nor accept his conclusions at all times, nor even his general conclusion, we nevertheless thank hIm for a book that will be read with pleasure by many.-Pen'uel. To readers in quest of a queer book, altogether out of the ordinary grooves, this volume will be welcome. . . We muet in fairness to the author say, that his reasoning is often striking. He has a complete mastery of the Scriptures, and he is always chaste and reverent in his treatment of his difficult and mysterions subject.Dundee Adoertieer.

GOSPEL LEAFLErrS, at 9d. per 100. LIFE TRACTS, at 1s. and Ls, 6([. per 100. " RAINBOW" TRACTS, 16 to 30 pages, 18. per doz.
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CYRUS E. BROOKS, Cheltenham,

A reduction see Cataloque, gratis

"HAS
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The anthor exercises some ingenuity in producing his proofs,-Nonconjormist. He certainly, in a very ingenious manner, makes out a case.-ChTisthm Farnily. Tl~ecalm thoughtfulness of the writer, the dearness of h is style, and the appositeness of his quotations from Scripture, are among the attractive features of the work, which we hope will have, as it deserves, a host of readers.-Ra'inbo1lJ. Will amply repay perusal by all serious and thoughtful Illinds.-Dundee Courier and Arcus. We pass no opinion on the theory, but the book will repay the reading, 'I'he author is intelligent and reverent, and such cannot go dangerously Mtray.-Jllethod'ist Recorder. 'I'hia is a curious little book, the reading of which may interest. if it. does DOt. instruct or profit.-Edinbu1'gh Cou1'ant. ' Whatever may be the objection to the theory, the argumeut is certainly conducted with reverence and ability.-The Otcrietiam: Anyone wishing to learn how much may be said in favour of theChristian's hopedfor heaven being found on the renovated earth, may do worse than peruse this volume.Baptist.

Tlie Two, post-free,

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ADDRESSES on "The Coming of the Lord, and the Gift of Eternal Life."
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WE the Lay Preuchers of tbe DEVON AUXILIARY of the Conditional Im/nortality Association, having been prohibited from preaching in our various Churches, because we no longer hold the Un scriptural Doctrines of the Natural Immortality of the Soul, ancl the HORRIBLEDOGMA tbe of Eternal Torment of the Lost, and believing it to be our duty to expose these dreadful errors that are so DISHONOURING GOD,80 painful and TO perplexing to the minds of thou.ghTful Cbl:isti"'~lS, and also a stumb.li~g, block in the way of a multitude of intelligent pe.r~ons recBlvlDg cbristianity as well as the cause of endless superstition ; and also believing it 'our solemn duty, as well as our happy priv~lege, to preach the GLOlUOUS DOC'l'lUNE o~' LIFE O~I,Y IN CHlUS'I', WIth many other important Bible truths that h~ve.loDg been o~sc.ured fl;nd corrupted by l.eurhen superstitions, and claiming our Christian LIberty, we have (D,V.) determined, for tbis purpose, to bold REGULAlt ~UND_n:,SE~VIC~S in Si, George's Hall, Union-street, Torquay, and occasional Services III the adjacent towns of South Devon. For tbis purpose we shall do our utmost, personally, but .a~ the expense is at present beyond our lI1ea?~ to meet, we \espec~fnll.l' solicit DONATI.ONS (however small] from the fne~ds of tb~ Truth III other places, hoping, 0Ilr8el\'88, to in like manner assist them 111the future. 'I'roasurer=-Mr. H. LEO~ARD, St. Mary Church, 'I'orquay, of the "I s hall be hal']JY to l'e1'Sonally receive above."'-CYRUS E, BROOKS, Association donations on behalf SecTCtaTY.

CYRUS

E. BROOKS,

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From whom it can be obtained, for gratuitous distribution. at 28. pill' dozen, post-Iree, either in one parcel, 01' posted to several addresses.

68 THE EMPHATIO
York.

THE DIAGLOTT.
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LIFE
Original

AND
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ADVENT
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By B. WILSON, of New

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,

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HADES:
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State

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RESTITUTION

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BY
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MILES
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G RA N T.
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Being No. 1 of " Life and Advent Lecture Tracts." Published by the" Conditional Immortality Association." London: F. Southwell, 19, Paternoster Row, E.C. Notes

OF MAN: Is he Mortal UNVEILED,

Second Edition. Price 6d.

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A valuable tract, of 16 pages, on " The Unconsciousness of the Intermediate State." Post-free from C. E. Brooks, Cheltenham.

SPIRIT IN MAN: What is it? Price 4d. THE SOUL: a Bible View of its Meaning. Price 4d. RICH MAN AND LAZARUS; THIEF ON THE CROSS;
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A Lecture.-" The rich man and Lazarus,-every item, from the great gulph, to the tip of the finger."

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THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS. Price sa. FUTURE PUNISHMENT. By same Author. Price 1s., '

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CHAPEL

JUST

PUBLISHED.

THE THE THE THE THE

OOMING

OF OHRIST! TIME OF HIS

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 ACTUAL XPENSEincurred. E Address-H. l\i., care of the Secretary.

SIGNS AND OOMING! BATTLE FALL END

WANTED.
TO MERCHANTS.-A Member of the Association, with thorough business habits, desires an Engagement as Confidential Clerk, Cashier, or 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.
The Young Men's Christian Association of the above, have pleasure in announcing the following series of

OF ARMAGEDDON WORLD!

OF ENGLAND! OF THE
BY

Thos.
London:

W ALLlS.
Row, E.C_

Published by the" Conditiouai Immortality Association." F. Southwell, 19, Paternoster

Public Meetings for the balance of the Winter Session, 1881. Jan. 26.-LECTURE by the Rev. H. B. MURRAY,of Cheltenham.
Coming King." MEETING in connection with the Spring Session of the "Executive Committee" of the "Conditional Immortality Association." March 30.-LECTURE by Mr. CYRUS E. BROOKS, Editor of the Bible Standard. Subject:" Shams-Religious and Otherwise." SECRETARy-T. J. \YITHEBS, St. Swithin's-square, Lincoln. Subject: "The

March e.-PUBLIC

PRICE

SIXPENCE.

Post-free for Six Stamps from Cyrus E. Brooks, Cheltenham. Copies have been sent to H.M. the Queen; H.R.H. the Prince of Wales; the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone; the Earl of Beaconsfield, KG.; and to the various members of the present and late Government.

Printed by CHARLES AKRILL, Silver Street, Lincoln; and published monthly by "THE CONDITIONAL IMMORTALITY ASSOCIATION." London Agent: F. SOUTHWELL, 19, Paternoster Row, and 27, Ivy Lane, City.