The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-12-09
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical DatIes Taught BIZ a Study OF the Inter-
national Sundsy-school Lesson Appointed for
Dee. 10. Rev., 22:S-lI

national Sunday school Lesson Appointed for
Dec. 10. Rev., 22:S-11.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
indicated above.l
We now reach our last lesson in the Revela-
ton of st. John. Surely he found the Island Of
Patmos not so lonely as Domitian intended it
should be to the Apostle. Even Roman En-
perors erred. Later on Emperor Yalerian fol-
lowed in the prosecuting footsteps of Domitian.
By his order the Proconsul then of Africa,
Paternus, threatened Cyprian, Bishop of Car
thage, with Punishment il he refused to worship
the heather gods of Rome. Cyprian took
bold stand for the true God and utterly but in
kindly spirit declined to compromise his faith
single iota Then Paternus cried out: I" 1t
is the will of the Princes (Valerian and his son
Gallienus, joint Emperors) that for the present
you should be exiled." Cyprian replied d" He
who has God in his heart is no exile, for the
earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof"
As no one can hide from God, so nobody is able
to secrete another out of sight of Deity. Christ
has promised to be with his followers always
and everywhere. This promise was put to
fearful test in the case Of st. John, but found
to be true.
The lesson is the last words of the Bible.
We always attach great value TO final express
sons of the dying. The last words of the great
are treasured up; serve as notices and watch
words; are quoted with authority to the liy-
ing. There Is something Of real interest in
the last lords Of Gods revelations to man.
May we all find profit in our study of this
climax of inspired revelationl
Author of the Revelation, God Il ~; mes
senger from God bringing the Revelation, an
angel Q:1l unknown by name and possibly
Gabriel Uu, 1 :26l; amanuensis, st. John
Q:11); object, " to show unto his Gods serv-
ants things which must shortly come 10 pass" |;
time of writing, about A. ID. o. place, most
likely the Island of PatmOs
The Bible opens looking back it closes
locking forward. 1t opens as a history; it ends
as prophecy. 1t begins by telling us of the
creation of the material earth and heavens; its
last pages give account of the new earth and
heavens destined to be our home after death.
An opening chapter Of the Bible describes the
Paradise of Adam aud Eve; the final chapter
gives an insight into Paradise regained
For 1858 years there was no Bible, namely,
from creation to the Exodus led by Moses.
From then on to A. ID. 90 additions were made
until the world had the Bible completed as
now. For 1,790 years, or from A. ID. SO to 1856,
there has been no new revelation intended of
God to constitute part of his Word or Bible
1t will be 763 years before the world waits so
long again as 10 did at first for any biblical
revelation. But no additions arc to be made
(V. 49, We have Gods Word finished Article
vi of the Church of England is correct in stat
Article shows the Bible as it now stands) soon
taineth all things (directions) necessary to
salvation: SO that whatsoever is not read there
in, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be re-
quired of any man that it should be believed
rs an Article of the Faith. or be thought requi-
site or necessary to salvation" To demand any
further is an unwarranted addition to Gods
Word strictly forbidden by v. IS of the lesson,
and the guilty parties threatened with plaques.
We see much of evil in the practice Of forcing
persons into the acceptance Of hosts of ideas
(called dOctrinesl difficult TO find in the Bible,
and more difficult still to prove. The animosi-
ties, suspicious criticisms sometimes sneering5
and jeerings. among the thousand denOmina-
tiOns built up largely on ideas exclusive, one
sided, found in the Bible only because first
invented In the bigoted or mistaken head in
capable Of proof from the Scriptures save by
the distortion of Bible references, seem to be
quite like the plaques threatened in " Is.
But, while extravagant, far-fetched, micro
seopic, dOgmatic, schismatie ultra biblical and
in some cases anti-scriptural conditions of SAL
walton are not to be demanded of candidates
| for church membership, neither are seekers for
salvation and union with the Church to be
taught that there are no conditions demanded,
no preparation requisite, no creed necessary
that Gods methods of salvation are slip-shod
and of Indifferent importance. While we are
forbidden to add to Bible requirements we are
also prohibited from reducing the conditions,
from taking away from the words of the
Book" ". 49, To be Christians means some
thing, something clear and positive Letting
down bars is often as harmful as building walls.
Too little may be injurious as too much. 1t
makes trifing difference whether one die of
examining or fasting.
As no one knows just how long St. John was
on PatmOs, so nobody can tell how long time
was spent by the Angel u:D in revealing the
future TO the Church through the Apostle. The
Angel was creature, and so not worthy Of
human worship. And the Angel knew this
fact refusing TO accept from the Apostle any
divine alteration. 1t Is noticeable that when
st. John rendered worship to Jesus it was not
declined, nor the Apostle rebuked. 1:l7)
Angels and saints are fellow-servants, as being
both creatures and subject to orders from God
for service. (V.9) In this sense an Angel is
one of Us.
Ordinarily Prophets were hidden to seal their
records OF the future. lsa., g: 16; 80: 3: Dan,
1926; IL: 4, 81 But st. John was ordered not
to seal the Revelation. (Y. lO.) We are TO
understand that the facts prophecied in the
cases of Isaiah and Daniel were not TO begin
| till the lapse of period making quite an era !;
but, in the instance OF the facts revealed in St.
Johns Visions the drama was to begin unfold
/ ing ut once; the seal, if fixed, would be broken
| Immediately. Let the world know the Reve-
lation. Its purpose was to comfort and encour-
age the persons fated to pass through the strug-
giles it foretOld, and those terrors were right at
hand. Keep off seals. Make known the
| promises of God to his Church. The begin
ming time of the perils is at hand. (Y 1O) The
| Revelation was to have much to do in deter
mining the lives character, religion, develop
ment of Christians. Human life is a plastic
| period, to be followed by fxedness of character
/ through the permauence of habit. Let every
thing be brought to bear which may give sta
| bility in holiness.
Practical suggestions:
| i. Cultivate reverence. Certain attitudes
are becoming wOrshipers. VS. Knceling in
| prayer, humbleness of manner in devotion, con-
| seriousness of Gods greatness-these are ele-
ments TO be considered in the sanctuary. So
lemnity is not inconsistent with happiness OF
| mind.
2. We should worship God. 1t was the almost
uncomfortable impulse of st. John to render
homage to him whom he supposed to be Christ
| Worship is suitable even i'll the righteous
Angels adore God. (Y.9)
| 3. III We notice any one inclined to worship
anything or being save God it is very right to
caution him against such impiety. (V.9)
4. Act every day as you would want TO do in
| eternity. Cultivate such an air of purity as
you want TO live in forever. Habits become al
| length fixed, and n person becomes what he
made himself, bad or good. (Y. H. It seems
there comes time when q man who is unjust
can be nothing else-when person who is holy
! is sure to maintain such state
.. Keep in mind the doctrine of rewards and
punishmen.5. Rewards are, {. g., right to the
tree of life, entry into Heaven, enjoyment Of
good society. Tvs. Ia, Isl Punishments are