VOL. XXVI JULY 1943 NO. 7 Annual Report of the Institute "Why Speakest Thou unto Them in Parables?" The Four Freedoms"If the Son shall make you
free, ye shall be free indeed." - John 8:36. INDEPENDENCE
DAY, which is the annual memorial of the declaration by the colonies now constituting the
United States, of independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, is now, after one and
two-thirds centuries, celebrated with quite as much good will and amity in the mother
country as in this. The two countries now fight as one a war for human freedom. The two
great English-speaking allies are pledged as far as possible, by the declaration of their
leaders in the Atlantic Charter, to seek through the war they are waging and the peace
they hope to achieve, to guarantee the "Four Freedoms" to all mankind: Freedom
of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, Freedom from Fear. History does
not contain the record of any period in the past in which more than a small minority of
mankind enjoyed these freedoms. The American Declaration of Independence, after one
hundred and seventy-six years, has not accomplished such an ideal of human society, but
its proclamation to the world as the objective for which untold blood and treasure are
being poured out, stamps its authors as among the highest and noblest of the race. Yet from a
religious or philosophic standpoint, these four freedoms should be the assured heritage of
every man and woman. The fact that Adam's race, despite six thousand years of opportunity
and experience, has fallen so far short of this moderate ideal, but emphasizes man's
deplorable condition, and his utter need of extraneous assistance to accomplish his
uplift. For six thousand years he has been trying to raise himself by his bootstraps.
There is, no good reason to expect that he will be any more successful in this effort in
the future than in the past. THE GREATER FREEDOMSNevertheless,
there is hope; for man's Creator has promised the ultimate freeing of the race from all the disabilities, limitations, diseases, and
degradations under which it labors and suffers-certainly a far more comprehensive,
satisfying and glorious freedom than even that contemplated by the Atlantic Charter. This
freedom is referred to by the Apostle Paul as "the glorious liberty of the children
of God." The era. set apart in the Divine Program for its accomplishment is called by
the Apostle Peter, "Times of restitution of all things, spoken by the mouth of all
the holy prophets since the world began. This period is typified under the Mosaic law by
the observance of the "Year of Jubilee." The law provided: "Then shalt thou
send abroad the loud trumpet throughout all your land. And ye shall hallow the fiftieth
year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall
be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his [hereditary] possession, and
ye shall return every man unto his family." Man's hereditary possession is the
"image and likeness of God in which his first ancestor was created; his family is the
earthly family of God, the Father, for it is written: "For this cause I bow my knees
unto the, Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named." - Romans
8:21; Acts 3:21; Lev. 25:9,10; Eph. 3:15. Jesus added
His testimony to this universal prophetic topic in His conversation-with the Pharisees
recorded in John 8:31-36'. t' He said: "Every one that committeth sin is the slave'
of sin. . . . If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." "Free
indeed"! Jesus intimated that some who think they are free are really imprisoned,
confined, restrained from liberty; and He implied that there are degrees in the
attainment of the freedom which He had to offer. In fact, this freedom of Jesus, as it
applies to His Church in the Gospel Age, may also be divided into four stages or degrees,
to be attained before its beneficiaries finally become "free indeed." THE FIRST FREEDOMPaul, the
great attorney of Christ, writing to the Ephesians, declares: ". . . Ye were dead
through your trespasses and sins, wherein ye once walked according to the course of this
world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in
the sons of disobedience. . Ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the
commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope
and without God in the world." (Eph. 2:1, 2, 12.) Truly a condition of
condemnation, confinement and misery. Thus it is
seen, from the standpoint of the truly free, that all men who have not known Jesus Christ
as their Savior are "carnal, sold under sin"; clad in the "filthy rags of
their own righteousness; "captives" of death, "hid in prison houses"
of disease, of poverty, mental and physical; preyed upon by "that corruption that
is in the world through lust." Miserable prisoners in a filthy dungeon! And as for
many generations most men have been born in this dark and dismal dungeon, they do not
realize their condition; and in all sincerity reply to Him who speaks to them of possible
freedom as did the Jews of old: "We have never yet been in bondage to any man; how
sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?" Nevertheless,
some of "the people that walked in darkness
have seen a great light; they that dwelt in the earth, in the deep darkness of death, upon
them hath the light shined." (Isaiah 9.) A ray of sunshine has pierced into the
dungeon. "He is
the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world," declared John the
Baptist of Jesus. Accordingly, shortly after John had so hailed Him, Jesus in the
synagogue at Nazareth "opened the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, and found the place
where it was written,
And then He
said: "Today hath this Scripture been fulfilled in your ears." Those who
have come to this Light, and have heard the proclamation of "release to the
captives," and have qualified by faith for its benefits, feel that they have been
made "free, indeed." We hear them singing:
But sooner
or later, some of those who have been justified by faith, and so experienced the First
Freedom of Jesus, realize that they are not yet entirely free. Though released from the
dungeon, they are still confined to the house! Their condition is described by the
Apostle in his letter to the Galatians. He has been writing mainly to Jewish Christians,
but in the fourth chapter of the Epistle he seems to broaden his theme to embrace all
those who show by their conduct that they are still laboring under a certain restraint.
He writes: "I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a
slave, though he is lord of all; but is under guardians and stewards until the day
appointed of the father. So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under
the rudiments of the world." To do justice to the Apostle's very idiomatic Greek,
the word rendered "rudiments" might be more freely translated
"goose-stepping." The Jewish converts were still ostentatiously and foolishly
trying to keep in step with the Jewish law and traditions; the Gentile converts were still
marching along to the "hep, hep," of their Gentile associates. The Apostle
continues: "Howbeit, at that time, not knowing God [well], ye were in bondage to
them that by nature are no gods: but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be
known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly [cringing] 'goose-stepping,'
whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again?" This marching along with the
world is not freedom for the Christian. It is bondage. The Apostle
James also has something to say of Christians who are still in bondage. "Whence wars
and fighting among you?" he demands. "Come they not from your pleasures that
war. [with your consciences] in your members? . . . Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the
friendship of the world is enmity with God?" This inward fighting is not freedom. "Ye
were called for freedom," continues Paul to the Galatians, "But . . . the flesh
lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the
one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would." So both the
world and the flesh crack the whip over us, and we continue on our "weak and
beggarly" course until our partially-freed spirits get tired of the miserable
performance and we turn again unto Jesus to hear Him say: "Take My yoke upon you
and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." The word
"yoke used by Jesus in this passage is not the same Greek word He used in the parable
in which He referred to "five yoke of oxen." It is the word used in Acts 15:10:
"A yoke upon the neck of the disciples"; in Galatians 5:1: "Be not
entangled again with the yoke of bondage"; in 1 Timothy 6:1: "As many servants
as are under the yoke of bondage"; and none of these suggest a partnership yoke. R
carries the same thought as the "yoke" of Jeremiah 27:6, 11: "The nation
-that shall bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve
him...." Jesus invites the justified believer to submit to Him -to His rule. And He
intimates: "Compared to the servitude you are under, My rule is freedom. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is
light." Some of the
dungeon-freed earthlings accept this further freedom; and of them Paul writes to the
Colossians (Col. 1:12, 13): -"Giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be
partakers of the [present] inheritance of the saints in light [by releasing us from the
dark dungeon of condemnation], and [further] translated us into the Kingdom [sovereignty]
of the Son of His love." These have now been released from the house-the house of
Adam-the house of humanmindedness. No longer
citizens of the world, their "citizenship is in heaven"; while properly
described as "aliens and strangers," they have been appointed "ambassadors
for Christ," hence are assured exterritorial privileges and protection in "this
present evil world." "For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot
of the righteous, that the righteous [be not forced to] put forth their hands unto
iniquity." Thus the Psalmist explains the matter in the 125th Psalm; and he
counsels those who have received the freedom of God's out-of-doors: "Forget thine own
people and thy father's [Adam's] house." - Psalm 45. Truly these
doubly-freed ones may say with the Psalmist (18:17, 19) "He delivered me from my
strong enemy [death, the dungeon] . . . He brought me forth also into a large
place"-out of the house, into the condition of the consecrated, the
spirit-begotten. A glorious
freedom -- but is their freedom yet complete? No! The
Apostle writes in the seventh chapter of Romans a vivid description of a condition of mind
experienced by every freedman who, released from the dungeon of the Adamic condemnation
and from the house of human-mindedness, has received a new mind, "which after God
hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth." The Apostle reminds us
that we are still obliged to carry around with us a "body of death"-it is the
only body "we," the New Creatures, have-a body that in many of the laws of its
being is contrary to the New Mind-the will to serve God, "For I delight," says
Paul, "in the law of God after the inward man: but I see a different law in my
members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the
law of sin which is in my members." Thus even in
the open air of God's outdoors the freedman finds that he is still infested with some of
the crawling things of his former prison cell: the habits, desires, appetites, passions,
entrenched in his fallen flesh-reckoned dead, indeed, but still actually alive and in
torment. The Apostle
is very sensitive to this condition. The "law" in his mind and the
"law" in his members are "warring" against each other, and he feels
himself a 'victim of this internal strife. He is "brought into captivity"-he
uses a word meaning a prisoner of war, literally, "spear-hedged" -- and is
pricked on every side by his tormentors as he seeks to escape. "O wretched
[literally, trial -enduring] man that I am," he cries; "who shall deliver me out
of this dead body? I thank God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord." Eagerly we
inquire: When, O Paul, shall this deliverance come? Is there some formula of immediate
escape that you have discovered, and of which we also may avail ourselves? Answer, we
pray; for we, too, long to be free indeed! Not here
does the Apostle directly answer this question; elsewhere he is explicit. "We wait
for a Savior," he writes the Philippians, "who shall fashion anew the body of
our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of His glory"-His risen,
spirit body. And to the Corinthians he writes: "We know 'that, it the earthly house
of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens. For verily in this we groan, . . . being burdened." Thus, to
the Romans, the Philippians, the Corinthians, the Great Apostle writes the same message:
"Indeed, we- that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not that we would
be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon; that what is mortal may be swallowed up
of life." - Rom. 7:22-25; Phil. 3:20,21; 2 Cor. 5:1-4. "Here
in the body pent, Absent from Him we roam; So those who
may be, said to have been successively released from the dungeon and the house, are
still traveling and travailing in an alien country; they are still "groaning"
and "seeking another country, even a better." But
meanwhile shall we be content with merely "groaning"? Is there nothing that we
can do about the "body of humiliation" with which we are still hampered? Cannot
we get rid of some, at least, of the dungeon-soil and crawling things? THE THIRD FREEDOMYes, indeed!
There is the cleansing by "washing of water by the Word" to be done, and we all
find plenty of scrubbing needed in the corners! The Apostle's exhortation is:
"Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilements of flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God." It is not difficult to define the
defilements of the flesh, but what of the defilements of spirit which we must seek to wash
away? What are they? The English
word "spirit" and the Greek word so rendered, both have the significance of
unseen power or force, ("like the wind," as Jesus explained) whether personal
or impersonal. The mind is the unseen power that controls the body; the motives and
intentions, often deeply hidden and disguised even from our own consciousness,
constitute the unseen power that dominates our minds. These motives and intentions are
often tainted with "spiritual" pride, or ambition, or vainglory, or insincerity.
These are defilements of the spirit. In Hebrews
4:12 it is written: "The word of God is living, and active ' . . . and quick to
discern the thoughts and intents of the heart." The Word both discerns and cleanses,
even the defilements of the spirit. But the process must be continuous. The fleshly
"tabernacle" is inherently weak, fundamental1y unsound, persistently vicious,
its reactions powerfully influence the deepest functions of the mind. The Prophet Jeremiah
realized this when he declared (Jer. 17:9): "The heart is deceitful above all
things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?" Even our motives, at best,
are obscure and mixed! However, the
longer the cleansing process through "washing by the word" continues, and the
greater the degree of freedom from defilements of flesh and spirit attained, the more
keenly conscious of the dead body still on his back, does the freedman in Christ become.
Often his voice is heard raised in plaintive song:
The gyves,
the fetters, that bind the free spirit, must still be struck off by the Great Armorer,
before the liberated prisoner is free indeed! THE FOURTH FREEDOMSo one who
has conceived a passionate desire for the ultimate and complete freedom: of which Jesus
spoke can never be satisfied as long as his thoughts and actions are in any degree
"subjected to vanity," to that "corruption that is in the world through
lust." This "corruption of blood" affects every man of Adam's condemned
race. So long as the judicially justified freedman's thoughts or actions ever wander, even
for a moment, from the objective of serving God to which he has pledged himself, he is to
that extent "subject to vanity" and to the corruption of carnal desire or
"lust," however innocent he may be of offense according to the standards of
the present, evil . world. So he increasingly longs for that new sphere of life to which
he has been invited by his Lord; but the desirability of the vast "change" which
this involves is purely a matter of faith. For, if he is a realist, or if he has learned
sufficient humility, he cannot feel that he is prepared, fitted, competent for the new
status and environment to which he aspires., He cannot with confidence assure himself that
mentally, morally, and physically lie is ready to meet so profound and sweeping a
change. All man's
conscious existence has been confined to crawling slowly about at the bottom of the sea of
air that surrounds the comparatively tiny earth upon which he lives. He cannot exist
outside the limits of a very narrow range of temperature; he must breathe constantly a
rare and exact mixture of gases under just the right amount of pressure, or he quickly
dies. His requirements of food and liquids are equally essential and specific in
recurrence. All his reactions, of mind and body, are keyed to these surroundings. Hence
he is by nature "at home in the body," but his new mind has. begun to cultivate
the relationships of a new sphere just to the extent that these relationships have become
a reality to him is he "absent from the body" and "at home with the Lord."
But under his present limitations-physical, mental, moral--this severance from the earthly
and living in the heavenlies is incomplete and subject to frequent interruptions. His
sanctified reason tells him, as expressed by the Apostle, that the still better,
infinitely more to be desired condition is "to be clothed upon with our habitation
which is from heaven . . . that what is mortal may be swallowed up of [the] life."
Yet the instinctive human fear is that in losing the one, he may not be quite prepared
for the other-that, in the graphic metaphor of the Apostle, reiterated by the risen Lord
(Rev. 16:15) he might be "found naked." If he loses his earth-life, and is not
fully adjusted to the spirit world the Apostle feels that he would be
"unclothed," "naked" in the Universe-physically, mentally,
psychologically. With our
present equipment of perceptive organs, the thought of. existence in the intense cold of
interstellar space, or in the fierce heat of the sun-stars, is equally repugnant. Poor
humanity, in the effort at self-consolation, has invented (with some encouragement from
metaphorical Scriptures) a conception of a future "Heaven" very similar to
earth, only glorified. This, of course, is what Jesus taught His disciples to pray for
all mankind -- the return of God's sovereignty to earth --"even as in heaven."
This will be all that the best of mankind could possibly desire. But the freedmen of the
Gospel Age have a diverse and much higher destiny. Torn between
his aspirations and his limitations, each one in some form asks himself the question:
What can the seeker after the ultimate freedom of Jesus
do to complete his preparation for the great Change-a metamorphosis vastly greater than
would be the instantaneous transformation of an ant into a man? As a matter of fact -- nothing,
but trust. This the Apostles intimate. "Having done all [that you can do, or that is commanded], stand." God's spirit is working in the
freedman candidate. The trials and difficulties of his experience are producing
qualities in him suitable to his future sphere. He has "need of patience, that
having done the will of God, [he] may receive the promise." (Heb. 10:36.) Yet
patience is not a deliberate or voluntary acquisition. James says (James 1:3, 4) that
"the trial of our faith" produces patience,
and that it is our part to "let patience
have her perfect [complete] work, that ye may be perfect [complete] and entire, lacking
nothing." Does this mean perfection in the flesh, mental, moral, and physical? Ah,
no! It means that Christ's freedman must have certain educational and preparatory
experiences; and if he draw back, the process will not be complete, the education
unfinished. But since it
is admitted that perfection in the flesh is not to be expected nor attainable, there yet
remains a tremendous work to be accomplished to; prepare the freedman for his ultimate
destiny. This work requires the energies of the divine Creator Himself.
"Wherefore," says Peter, "let them also that suffer according to the will
of God, commit their souls [beings, conscious existence] in well-doing, to a faithful Creator." This is the only place in the New
Testament that God is called the "Creator." It is indeed a sovereign act of
creation that is now to be accomplished. In the
fourth and fifth chapters of Peter's First Epistle, the fact, conditions, and certain
details of this creative work are set forth. He says: "Beloved,
think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove
you . . . but inasmuch as ye are partakers of
[the] Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of His glory ye may rejoice
with exceeding joy. . . . And the God of all grace [giving], who hath called you unto His
eternal glory in [the] Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, Himself to complete you, He will establish [adjust
to surroundings, integrate], He will strengthen [mightily empower] you." This, be it
noted, is to take place "after that ye have
suffered a little while" -- after the "light afflictions, which are but for a
moment," are ended. This "establishing" and "strengthening" by
our God Himself, is just what, and all that is
then needed. The work that we had begun, but never could finish to our satisfaction, is
now to be completed, finished. Adjustments made easy for us, to our new and strange
surroundings; integrated in the position to which we are assigned, so that we shall
harmonize and cooperate with our surroundings as completely-ay, far more completely-than
we did with our earthly circumstances; finally, empowered for all requirements-of space,
time, wisdom, position. Does this
mean that the final and complete freedom will be miraculously given to those who truly
stiffer with Christ? Yes; such is the declaration of that Peter to whom were entrusted the
keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. His was the commission to first declare the Sovereignty
open to the Jews, which he discharged at Pentecost; and later to similarly open the door
to the Gentiles, when he received Cornelius into the Church. It is particularly fitting,
therefore, that he should be the one to conduct, in anticipation, both Jew and Gentile
overcomes through that open Door to full entry in the miracle of the First Resurrection,
into the Kingdom. So he adds a seal, as it were, to his declaration quoted above: "This is the true grace [gift] of God. Stand ye fast therein." And on this
same subject of our final freedom, the other great Apostle, Paul, writes to the Philippian
Church:, "For our citizenship is in heaven, whence also we wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall
fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of His
glory, according to the working whereby He is able even to subject all things unto
Himself." - Phil. 3:21. The
"body" to which the Apostle here refers is not merely the physical body, nor is
it the mystical Body of Christ, the Church. Paul is not here speaking metaphorically,
and the context forbids this understanding. Soma, which
is the Greek word here rendered body, Dr. Strong defines as literally meaning "a
sound whole." Liddell and Scott's Lexicon cites its use by classical Greek writers to
mean "one's life in the flesh, life; existence," and "a person, human
being." This comprehensive ego, or personality, is what both Peter and Paul are
referring to, and this is what must be "fashioned anew" and
"completed." And our late beloved Pastor Russell declared (R5789): "Soon
the resurrection 'change' will perfect the elect Church of Christ, and qualify them as
kings and priests and judges of the world." Amen!
"If the Son shall make you free,
ye shall be free indeed!" - H. E. Hollister. (NOTE: In
quoting from the sacred Text, the improved translations of the American Revised Version,
Rotherham's and other Critical translations, and the definitions of Dr. Strong's Greek
Dictionary, have been freely drawn upon.) Annual Report of the InstituteBECAUSE OF
its many blessings it is always a pleasure to look back over the activities of the
Institute year, though there is always the regret that there is not more that can be
looked back to as having glorified our Heavenly Father's name. With each year there comes
a deeper realization of the solemnity of dealing with things so sacred, and of the fact
that we are both nearer the end of our course and nearer the entrance into His blessed
presence. As the signs multiply about us of the closing of the Age, they speak to us
also of a shortening of our time of preparation. Since those who have done all that it is
their duty to do are permitted only to say that they are "unprofitable
servants," there is no room left for boasting regarding the little service that has
been rendered, for we cannot suppose we have done all our duty. Ill health
and changed business conditions and death itself have made inroads in our service -- our
dear Brothers Friese and Bennett having both been removed by death in the past year, the
former from Pilgrim service and the latter from the Directorate. These brethren have been
greatly missed in our service and fellowship, but we rejoice that we were for so long a
time granted the privilege of a spiritually profitable association. As required
by our charter, the Board as promptly as possible filled two vacancies occurring on the
Board of Directors as the result of the death of Brother Bennett and the resignation of
Brother Stiles, and we were glad to welcome to our councils two brethren, Brothers Essler
and Siekman, who were appreciative of finishing out with us the few months that remained
of our year of service. While
reporting as the Directors whom you have appointed to serve during this past year, we
trust that in a very real sense our Lord Himself has been the Director and we merely His representatives.
Though appreciative of the privileges granted us by our position, we recognize that there
is a similar responsibility placed upon every individual whom the Lord has accepted as a
prospective member of His Body. However much or little each may serve, he is expected to
faithfully use the talents that are his The past
year has brought into association with us a number who are new to our fellowship, and some
of them new to the truths that are so precious to us. For the benefit of these we would
remark, as on former occasions, that ours is not a church organization and that it does
not have for its purpose a separation from others, but on the contrary was instituted
that we might have a larger fellowship with those who are desirous of standing free in the
liberty that our Lord provided for us. It is a voluntary association of Christian
believers for mutual edification and comfort, having no creed, written or otherwise, but
associated upon the one foundation of faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice and full
consecration to the Heavenly Father's will. This association' has continued with great
profit for twenty-five years, and as from the beginning, still seeks to stress the
importance of putting away the spirit of sectarianism and intolerance and of recognizing
the one foundation upon which all should be united. SERVICE TO THE PUBLICAlways
having in mind that the chief ministry of the Institute is for the spiritual development
of those intimately associated with it, there has also been in mind throughout the years
the importance and necessity of a proper witness to the public. Three editions of
"The Divine Plan of the Ages" have been exhausted and a fourth has gone on the
press at the time of the preparing of this report. There is always on hand a supply of
tracts for general distribution as well as the special "Herald" reprinting
Brother Russell's treatment of the two subjects: "What Say the Scriptures about
Hell?" and "What Say the Scriptures about Our Lord's Return?" These are
not merely for those who are able to pay for them, in fact no price is set on the
tracts, but a special fund provides them for all to whom the Lord gives the opportunity
of distributing them. There are on hand also copies of the "First Volume" for
lending. None, therefore, need be idle when the fields are whitened to the harvest. SUGGESTIONS APPRECIATEDThe
Directors are elected for the purpose of carrying out the wishes of the friends. While
it is not possible to comply with conflicting suggestions, we. are always pleased to know
the thoughts of the different individuals, and pleased to follow their proposals; as
nearly as possible in harmony with what we understand to be the Lord's will. It is not
and never has been our thought that it is our province to tell the brethren what they
shall believe, or that the Institute is a divinely appointed channel through which all
truth must come. The Prophets and Apostles, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as
represented in the "Word, of Truth," are still the only channels of truth. The
Lord does continue, however, to use uninspired humans to help each other to a clearer
understanding of the inspired Word. We trust that our effort to serve along this line has been blessed of the Lord. MINISTRY OF THE "HERALD" PAGESOur most
general contact with the brethren is through the means of the 'Herald of Christ's
Kingdom." That the Lord has been directing in its service, there can be no doubt,
for we continually receive word from the friends that it is being used to answer their
various questions and meet their different problems-questions and problems of which the
Editors could know nothing. It is not probable that any issue has been prepared that was
satisfactory to every reader. In this we ask the brethren to be patient with us,
realizing that there are many types of minds to be satisfied. If, in endeavoring to assist
the Bride to make herself ready, we are used to test the patience and charity of some of
the friends, that will doubtless be a well worth-while service, though not the one we
prefer. During
recent months the innovation of signing articles has been instituted as an experiment, at
the suggestion of some of our readers, and the expressions of appreciation indicate a very
general approval of the change. Since those
who are receiving this report are on our subscription list, we infer that they have found
the "Herald" a blessing. We suggest that this places upon them the
responsibility of sharing their blessings with others. Two arrangements make this
possible. Those who wish may have one or more extra copies of each issue to use as
samples for- distribution among their acquaintances, or they may send us lists, as long
as they please and as frequently as convenient, of those to whom they wish us to send free
a three-months' trial subscription. There is
perhaps a still more important form of service which those with tact can perform. There
are without doubt many brethren who would like to have the "Herald" and would be
benefited by it, but are depriving themselves of it because unable to pay for it and too
modest to ask for it free. In view of the fact that none of us has ever repaid our
Heavenly Father for any of His bounties, the acceptance of this one additional item is
but a small matter. The prime consideration should be the spiritual advancement of the
brethren, and those who cannot pay for the "Herald" should be made to realize
that it is for the very purpose of serving them that a special fund has been provided. We
believe the Lord will be as appreciative of any service you can render along this line as
we ourselves are. THE MINISTRY OF THE PILGRIMSNeither we
nor our Pilgrim brethren have any desire to intrude our ministry where it would not be
welcome. However, we do wish to serve all who desire Pilgrim visits, and while during
the past year our brethren have served many Classes throughout the United States and
Canada, we judge from advices which reach us, that it is probable this, service could be
considerably expanded if all would request the visits who
would be benefited by them. The traveling brethren find great profit in serving the ones
and twos as well as the larger groups. Even brethren who feel- that they are located in
some inaccessible quarter should not hesitate to make requests for Pilgrim ser vice, for
serving them might make possible the reaching of some other equally inaccessible
brother. In case of such appointments it will be a great help to the Pilgrim brothers if
these isolated brethren will write them fully of the various ways by which their location
can be reached.
DANIEL AND THE REVELATION VOLUMESIt is
encouraging to find the brethren placing the Daniel and Revelation Volumes among their
acquaintances n this time of distress, for there is no way of giving comfort to our
friends equal to that of opening their eyes to the divine supervision of the ages past,
that they may have confidence in His present supervision of world events. MINISTRY OF CORRESPONDENCEOur
blessings are manifold and in a large measure contributed to by the helpful and
encouraging letters that come to us regularly. Without these we should be able to serve
with only the realization that we are honestly endeavoring to comfort and encourage the
brethren; but the labor is much lightened by the many reports that come to us of blessings
received through our efforts. Of course there are criticisms also, but these are likewise
appreciated when manifestly given in the spirit of love and helpfulness. It has not
been in the Lord's purpose to supply us with sufficient time and strength for the writing
of all the letters we would like to have sent out, and very frequently we have been forced
to content ourselves with a mere post-card. We trust the friends realize cur situation.
While
contacts with foreign lands are increasingly difficult, we still have some little
information as to the condition of our brethren in the war zone, having heard even from
Greece early in this fiscal year that all of our brethren there were safe. We regret that
there has been no recent word. We' rejoice with our brethren in Great Britain that they
have been favored by Divine Providence with less trying conditions than formerly. Our
prayers still go out for them, however, that whatever the trials, they may be faithful to
the end. "WE KNOW NOT WHAT AWAITS US"The divine
record is not burdened with details; but enough has been given us that we may "look
up, and lift up our heads, knowing that our deliverance draweth nigh." How short our
privilege of service and the time for being "prepared unto every good work" may
be, we cannot know. God has wisely veiled our eyes, perhaps that we may be the more
diligent in doing with our might what our hands find to do. May this be for each of us a
service of "doing good unto all men as we have opportunity," especially in the
"preaching of the Word, instant in season and out of season," each seeking not
his own comfort but rather the "pleasing his neighbor unto his edification." The greatest
of our privileges has not yet been mentioned that ours is a prayer circle in which each
member is daily borne to the Throne of Grace that divine guidance and assistance may work
out our Heavenly Father's eternal purpose and finally gather the faithful into His
Heavenly fold. Treasurer's Report
Statement of AuditorsThe
undersigned auditors have examined the books of account of the Pastoral Bible Institute
for the year ending April 30, 1943, and have found them correct and in good order. Respectfully
submitted, GEORGE W. JEFFREY Report of Annual MeetingThe Annual
Meeting,, held the first Saturday in June, marked a quarter of a century of our
association. We trust that long before the century is complete, or even before the second
quarter is well begun, it will be the privilege of all the Lord's little ones,, within
sand outside our association, to experience the joys of the General Assembly of the
saints. Following
the usual devotional service and the election of servants for the meeting, the minutes of
the previous Annual Meeting and the report of the Directors for the fiscal year just
ended, were read and approved. The latter appears elsewhere in this issue. Our Treasurer,
while dwelling upon our blessings, called attention to the certainties of a future that
to the human mind could not but appear very uncertain. He mentioned appreciatively the
improved financial showing, emphasizing the fact that the funds on hand are a minor asset
as compared with the good will of the Lord and the brethren. The lists of
new and of deceased members were next read. The latter brought a note of sadness into the
meeting, but we have the assurance that while some are completing their course the
Lord will not be without laborers here for whatever work there is to be done. Questions
after the meeting indicated that there are still some who do not understand the
requirements for membership in the Pastoral Bible Institute. For the benefit of our
newly interested readers we state that to become a member, one must be in sympathy with
the purpose and object of our ministry, and, as an' evidence of this, be a reader of the
"Herald of Christ's Kingdom" and a contributor to the amount of five dollars at
any one time to our work. A season of
fellowship followed the casting of ballots for the directors of the Institute for the
coming year, the principal business for which these meetings are called. In due time the
Tellers returned to announce that in the Lord's providence the Directorate for the coming
year would be Brothers J. J. Blackburn, B. Boulter, J. C. Jordan, J. T. Read, P. L. Read,
W. J. Siekman, and P. E. Thomson. Following
the adjournment of this meeting the new Board assembled, and among other actions taken,
appointed for the coming year, J. C. Jordan, chairman; P. E. Thomson, secretary; J. J.
Blackburn, vice-chairman; P. L. Read, treasurer. Editorial Committee: H. E. Hollister, J.
T. Read, P. L. Read, W. J. Siekman, P. E. Thomson. Full time Pilgrims: J. J. Blackburn and
P. E. Thomson. Part time Pilgrims: J. A. Bell, L. L. Benedict, B. Boulter, J. E. Dawson,
F. A. Essler, H. E. Hollister, J. C. Jordan, O. R. Moyle, J. T. Read, P. L. Read, and W.
J. Siekman. The Brooklyn ConventionTHE CLASS
meeting at 177 Prospect Place, Brooklyn, N. Y., report another season of happy and
profitable Christian fellowship at their Annual Convention, June 5 and 6, which was held
as usual at the Y. M. C. A. Building, 55 Hanson Place. Notwithstanding
gasoline and other travel restrictions, representatives from distant classes were present,
while friends from nearby classes, including a few from other Brooklyn fellowships,
brought the total attendance to well above a hundred. The
Convention really opened at 6 p.m. when a dinner was served in the Y.M.C.A. dining room to
which all in attendance were invited as guests of the local Class. This, which gave
opportunity for fellowship before the convention proper, was very much appreciated. The
Convention then opened with an address by Brother J. E. Dawson, who welcomed us in the
name of the Lord. This was followed by a "favorite hymn" song service led by
Brother B. Boulter. The discourse that evening, given by Brother J. H. Sonntag, was on
"The Epistles of Christ" based on 2 Cor. 3:3. With many helpful illustrations
Brother Sonntag brought home to us, as we listened, the great importance of that gospel
written, not according to Matthew, Mark, Luke or John but "according to you."
The services
next morning began with congregational singing conducted by Brother P. E. Thomson. This
was followed by two discourses, contributed by Brothers J. J. Blackburn and P. L. Read.
Brother Blackburn's discourse was based on three Scriptures, Luke 9:23, 1 John 2:6, and
Rev. 14:4, his subject being "Where He leads me I will follow." His words were
heart-searching, but not lacking it encouragement to the truly consecrated. Brother Read's
remarks were in exposition of the first few verses of the Epistle of James. The morning
sessions closed with the Convention theme song, "It is well with my soul."
Following
luncheon the brethren convened for the afternoon sessions. These began with a discourse
by Brother J. C. Jordan on "Faith," based on Luke 18:8. Among many other good
things he mentioned the "Three R's" of Faith -- Read, Remember, and Rely on the
promises of God. After
Brother Jordan's discourse the friends engaged in a Praise, Prayer, and Testimony Meeting,
led by, Brother J. R. Hughes. The keynote of this meeting was the familiar text, Rom.
8:28. Many of the friends took advantage of the opportunity thus afforded them of
telling "what great things the Lord hath done for me." Several numbers of
special music were given during this happy hour. At this time also were read several
messages received in the form of telegrams and letters from absent friends, one from
Richmond, Va., another from Newport, Del., one from a brother serving in the Medical Corps
of the U. S. Army, and one even from far-off Australia. These remembrances were gladly
received and heartily reciprocated by the conventioners, who did not fail in their united
prayers to remember the message-senders, and indeed, all the brethren everywhere,
especially those iii the war-zones and 'in other circumstances of special trial and
affliction. Be strong, brethren, stablish your hearts, the Lord is near, the end of all
things is at hand. A little while, and we shall see His face. The next
speaker, Brother W. J. Siekman, although well-known in the Middle West, had not addressed
a Brooklyn convention previously. He took occasion, therefore, to state his own position
and the principles by which he sought to be guided in his ministry, particularly in
reference to the separations which continue amongst the Lord's professing people. His
subject, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" contained a question, he freely
confessed, the answer to which, :in its personal application to himself, he did not
always readily find; he had, however, a satisfying, guiding principle to follow-for those
who differed with him, and who separated themselves from him, he endeavored to maintain an
attitude of love. Just before addressing the
Convention Brother Siekman had served the local Polish friends, much to their spiritual
profit, judging by the reports which reached us. Brother
Siekman's discourse brought the afternoon sessions to a close, when we adjourned for the
evening meal and table conversation. The effect of food rationing was, of course, in
evidence, but there was enough for all, and no rationing whatever on the exchange of
fellowship in those things which are closest to our hearts -- the spiritual welfare of
each other; Christ, and the Kingdom soon to be established under His rule. In the
evening we gathered once more for a further season of spiritual refreshment. First came a
song service, interspersed with several numbers of special music, then a discourse, this
time by Brother F. A. Essler on the subject, "Christian fellowship." Brother
Essler's remarks were based. on the well-known passage, 1 John 1:3, "Truly our
fellowship, is with the Father and with His Son 'Jesus Christ," words which never
fail to awaken a sense of gratitude in the consecrated believer's heart. At the conclusion
of Brother Essler's discourse, Brother Thomson, who had shared with Brother Dawson the
chairmanship of the convention, offered a few closing remarks. It is never
easy for Christian friends to part, and as on many another similar occasion, the
conventioners were loath to do so. However, like all conventions, even this "best one
yet" came -to an end. We sang "Blest be the tie that binds" and "God
be with you till we meet again" and dispersed, feeling in our hearts, and doubtless
in the case of some, saying with our lips, "It was good to be there." -P. L. Read. "Our Glorious Hope"
"As Always, So Now"PART III - "TO DIE IS GAIN""According to my earnest
expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness,
as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by
death." - Phil. 1:20. IS no light
thing to be brought face to face with IT the prospect of an early death. Repellant as it
is, at all times, it would become much more so when death would be caused by violence. It
requires cool, sober courage to face this last issue of life, and meet it unflinchingly.
Some there are whose lives have been disappointments, who seek death as the way out of
their troubles. The suicide's end is generally attributed
to mental unbalance, or is accounted the coward's way out. It is not considered natural to
take one's own life, for generally speaking man longs to live, and resigns himself to die
only when he must. Most often it is faced from the standpoint of necessity. Paul had
reached a juncture in his life when he must choose death rather than disobey the voice of
his conscience. At least he had to face that possibility. The supreme Roman Court was
not noted for its impartial decisions. The Imperial judge was a man of loose morals, and
licentious habits, and dispensed verdicts according to his moods. Judgment could be bought
at its price, or obtained by the influence of friendly courtiers and favorites. And though
Paul had a righteous cause, it did not follow that evenhanded justice would be done. If
then, God should permit a miscarriage of justice to take place, and the verdict should go
against him, not even death could rob him of victory. Indeed "to die" would be
"gain." "Gain" means the "profit" or "'increase"
which comes from trade. Hence even death should yield him "profit" and bring
"increase." TO DIE
IS GAIN
It is
interesting to note that Paul does not say "to sleep is gain," or "to rest
is gain," or even "to be beyond suffering is gain"! Paul: fully
understood the distinction between "sleeping" and "dying," and makes
proper use of that knowledge in its appropriate place. In that estate, when the earthly
conflict is over, and the "weary are at rest," there is no "gain" no
acquisition-no increase at all. There it is rest and sleep; it is the unbroken hush of
slumber "until the day dawns and the shadows flee away," during which time
all life's gains and increase are committed into the care of the Lord Jesus till the
hour of awakening. Paul knew that
Jesus would be able to keep all his "gains"-all that he had "committed unto
Him against that day." It was "to die" that would bring the
"gain." For none but the "called and chosen and faithful" follower of
the Lamb could this be true; and for them it is true, only if their "faith fail
not." Paul anticipated this "gain," because "now," "as
always" he prayed (and backed his prayer with firm resolve) that Christ should be
magnified in him, come what may. He must be faithful unto death to win its increase. To
shirk the issue, or waver from his steadfastness would deprive him of that
"gain." His own lips
and pen had taught the Christian Church that baptism into Christ was in very truth a
baptism into death, and this, while primarily a death of the surrendered will, also
required the full consumption of the bodily powers. Paul knew and realized that the grip
of that dread thing (which to others was the king of terrors) would bring to him the last
contribution of that Christlike character, that holy treasure which he had set his heart
upon to apprehend. In the very travail of death as he crossed the borderland from this
to that, the intense desire, and the resolute determination to magnify Christ, aided by
the grace sufficient for his need, would acquire for him all that he had lacked to make
up his full "apprehending." Thus the closing scene of his "living
sacrifice" as the king of terrors smote home his last blow, should not only have no
terrors for him, but bear him triumphantly to the "goal" of his most ardent
desires, and present him with a completed account wherein every entry in the Book of
Life was to his credit, with no single lack outstanding as deficit against him. The
things he had followed after, which had not to that moment been -"apprehended,"
would then and there in that moment of supreme faithfulness come into his grasp; for
there, the last addition to his heavenly wealth would be won, making his treasure, laid
up in heaven, full and complete. All that had hitherto been lacking in Christlikeness up
to that auspicious moment, should then be acquired and gathered up, for all eternity;
and death doing its dread worst, in its hour of seeming triumph, would present -him with
the occasion of his greatest and final victory. If. therefore "to die" should
bring him "gain," and cause him to know the grace of his beloved Lord as never
before, why then should Paul fear death, come when and how it may? In all this
meditation, we have tried to view this matter as Paul would view it, and as every faithful
martyr since that day would experience it in his "passing." Believing as we most
ardently do, that we have come, in this our day, to the time when "we shall not all
sleep," and that the faithful follower of the Lord, as he reaches the last moment of
his earthly pilgrimage is "changed" in that moment, "in the twinkling of
an- eye," we think we might each one profit by keeping that final moment in view. We
may or may not end our days as our Brother Paul did by a violent exit, but
notwithstanding, it will require not only faithfulness "until death" but
faithfulness "unto death. Should our Father see fit to allow the flames of
persecution to envelop us, while taking no steps on our behalf to mitigate their
severity, at no stage before death is reached may we draw back. "Unto death"
does not mean until a long life is finished in quietness and peace, but until any
experience, however crucial, unchecked and unmitigated by God, shall have done its work. Keeping that
moment ever, in view, our days will then seem too precious to fritter away in anything
save the intensest service to the Lord, and then, as its concluding work, the final moment
will not only bring us "gain," but will usher us into the presence of the
"King in His beauty." We shall anticipate that unalloyed joy in proportion as we
are seeking here and now "to know Him, and the power of His Resurrection." The
half-hearted or uncertain follower, nursing too many cares of this world, might not feel
"1 at home" in the presence of the Lord. To them the final moment may not be one
of inexpressible delight; but for those who can truly say, as in the sight of God, that
their hope "as always, so now" -- whenever that "so now" shall be-is
that Christ shall be magnified in them, whether by life or death. To these, as to Paul,
the very pangs of death shall bring great gain. Surely there could be nothing improper in
focusing our minds from time to time on that prime moment which our fellow's will describe
as death, but which for us will be an experience of rapture. We have,
however, no thought akin to the sentimentalism of the orthodox evangelist, who warns his
unrepentant hearer that life is brief, and bids him think upon his prospects after death.
No morbid thought can possibly be associated with an overcomer's death -- for to him 'the
last moment of earthly strife is the moment of his crowning victory, and as the scenes of
earth recede, the gates of life swing open for him to enter into the presence of the King.
But he that knows that he has not yet apprehended all that for which he has been
apprehended, will not forget that when he passes out at the nether gate, his opportunities
for "apprehending" terminate with the swing of that gate. God grant us
all to look calmly and soberly to that moment of triumph when death shall bring us gain,
and make our treasure complete. - Contributed. Your Conversation"Only let your conversation be as it becometh
the Gospel of Christ." The word
"conversation" does not merely mean our talk and converse, but the whole course
of our life and behavior in the world. The Greek word signifies the actions and the
privileges of citizenship: and thus we are commanded to let our actions, as citizens of
the New Jerusalem, be such as becometh the Gospel of Christ. What sort of conversation
is this? In the first place, the Gospel is very
simple. So Christians should be simple and plain in their habits. There should be
about our manner, our speech, our dress, -our whole behavior, that simplicity which is the
very soul of beauty. The Gospel is pre-eminently
true. It is gold without dross; and the Christian's life will be lustreless and
valueless without the jewel of truth. The Gospel is a very fearless Gospel. It boldly proclaims the truth,
whether men like it or not: we must be equally faithful and unflinching. But the Gospel is
also very gentle. Mark this spirit in its
Founder: "A bruised reed He will not break." Let us seek to win others by the
gentleness of our words and acts. The Gospel. is very
loving. It is the message of the God of love to a lost and fallen race. Christ's last
command to His disciples was, "Love one another." O for more real, hearty union
and love to all the saints; for more tender compassion towards the souls of the worst and
vilest of men! We must not forget that the Gospel of Christ is holy. It never excuses sin: it pardons it, but only
through an atonement. If our life is to resemble the Gospel, we must shun, not merely the
grosser vices, but everything that would hinder our perfect conformity to Christ. For His
sake, for our own sakes, and for the sake of others, we must strive day by day to let our
conversation be more in accordance with His Gospel.
- Selected. "Why Speakest Thou unto Them in Parables?""I will open my mouth in a
parable; I will utter dark sayings of old." ONE OF our
readers writes us as follows: "Dear
Brethren: "Here
is a question that comes up at our meetings now and then on which we are not all agreed,
and we would appreciate your answer to this question, which may also be helpful to others
who would like the matter clarified: Did our Lord speak in parables to teach the multitudes, or did He speak in parables
so that they might not understand? - Matt. 13:1,
2, 3, 10, 11, 34-36; Mark 4:1, 2, 11, 12, 30, 33, 34; Luke 8:4." This
question is a most interesting one and has been the subject of reverent study on the part
of many able Bible scholars. Their conclusions, however, have not been identical, some
believing that the purpose of our Lord in employing the parabolic method in His teaching
was to reveal the truth, while others have been
convinced that His purpose was to conceal it. In
view of these differences of opinion we can scarcely hope to "settle" the
question. However, we trust the following discussion may contribute in part to its
solution and prove to be not without some profit to our readers. THE GOOD SAMARITANIn the first
place, whatever truth there may be in the view that some parables were meant to conceal the truth rather than to reveal it, it seems "clear that this position
is untenable if maintained as applicable to all the parables. How, for example, can any
one suppose that in the parable of the Good Samaritan, by which our Lord so strikingly
illustrated the true meaning of the command to love one's neighbor (Lev. 19:18, 34), His
purpose was to conceal that meaning? Certainly His meaning was not concealed from that
"certain lawyer" who had sought to put Jesus to the test, for when, at the
conclusion, our Lord put to him the question, "Which, now, of these three, thinkest
thou, wast neighbor unto him that fell amongst the thieves?" he correctly replied,
"He that showed mercy on him." - Luke 10:25, 36 37 Many
expositors have noted another, a second, meaning to this parable. Taking it not merely as
typical or by way of an example, they regard it also as prophetical or historical of
Christ Himself, as the Good Samaritan, rescuing humanity from the misery of sin and death. Against this
view it is sufficient to remark that neither the wording of the narrative nor the context
in which it stands gives the slightest justification for the notion of such a double
meaning. On the other hand it must, of course,
be acknowledged to be quite within the limits of a legitimate application of the narrative
to point out how, in the person of the Samaritan, Jesus not merely pictured a striking
example of true fulfillment of the command to love one's neighbor, but also, in His own
person, gave us a corresponding example in act, when He, the Son of God, became
neighbor to us men, by the pitying; self-sacrificing love with which He came to relieve
our wretchedness. But it is obvious that such a thought has its powerful influence only
when it is received as an independent application of the parable, instead of being made
part and parcel of the parable itself as a supposed deeper, hidden meaning. All the
parables may be broadly classified either as
The parable
of the Good Samaritan is the first of the typical parables. Its purpose, we have seen, is
to reveal, not to conceal, the truth. The same intention will be found in all the other
typical parables of our Lord. SYMBOLIC PARABLES SPOKEN TO THE DISCIPLESTurning now
to the symbolic parables which actually clothe the truths taught in a figurative dress,
so that, along with the purpose of illustration (present
in all parables) an intention of concealment is also possible,
there are a number in which, as a matter of fact no intention of concealment is
present, but only the purpose of illustration. Such is the case with all the symbolic
parables which Jesus uttered, not before a mixed group of hearers, but before the
narrower circle' of His disciples, as for example, that of the Treasure hidden in the
Field, the Pearl of great Price, and the Fishing Net. - Matt. 13:44; 45, 46; 47-50. In these
parables symbols are employed which might (on
occasion) serve to conceal; but this intention cannot be present, as none of the
"multitude" are in the audience. 'The hearers are all His disciples to whom the
purpose of concealment could not apply. Moreover when, on concluding these parables Jesus
asked them, "Have ye understood all these things? they said unto Him, Yea,
Lord." Evidently His purpose had been to reveal, not to conceal; a purpose, moreover,
which had been achieved. SYMBOLIC PARABLES SPOKEN TO HIS OPPONENTSWe have
shown that our Lord's purpose in typical parables can be only that of revealing. We have
also noted that when spoken to His disciples only, apart from the multitude, even the
symbolic parables were not spoken with the intent to conceal. Let us next examine a sample
of His symbolic parables addressed not to His disciples, but to His opponents. 'To them it
was that He spake the parable of the wicked husbandmen who ill-treated every servant the
householder sent them and finally killed his son. Was this parable intended to obscure
His message to them? Was it not rather to strike at their conscience and awaken them, if
possible, to their sinful condition? According to the record "When the chief priests
and Pharisees had heard His parables, they
perceived that He spake of them." (Matt. 21:45.) Evidently His meaning was not
obscure to them. SYMBOLIC PARABLES OFTEN EXPLAINEDAgain, in
many symbolic parables the figurative veil is so transparent, or it is so directly drawn
aside by an added explanatory statement that for this reason there can be no question of
an intent to conceal anything by them. An example of the latter may be found in the
parable of the Importunate Friend, where the meaning of the parable is expressly given,
and where, for that reason, an intent to conceal cannot be supposed. (Luke 11:5-10.) As
a sample of the former we may take the case of the Prodigal Son. Surely this parable does
not hide from us the love of our Father who is in heaven! Rather it discloses that love
with a pathos and a power so divine that, beyond all other forms of speech, it is
calculated to touch and melt our hearts. - Luke 15:11-32. A DIFFICULT TEXTThus far in
our discussion we have found nothing to support the view that a purpose to conceal was
present in the parables considered, but in every case have noted only an intention to
reveal. However, we have yet to examine what has long been recognized as one of the most
difficult passages in the New Testament. It is our Lord's reply to the question,
"Why speakest Thou unto them in parables?" According to St. Mark He replied:
"Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God; but unto them that
are without, all these things are done in parables; that seeing they may see and not
perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be
converted, and their sins should be forgiven them." - Mark 4:11, 12. St. Luke
reports our Lord's answer in briefer, yet almost identical terms: "Unto you it is
given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; but to others in parables; that seeing
they might not see, and hearing they might not understand." - Luke 8:10. Now, if we
take these words as they stand, and read them in a plain, honest, way, they teach us that,
in speaking to the multitude as distinguished from His disciples, the Lord selected the
parabolic form of instruction, not only to conceal the truth from them, but for the further purpose of preventing them from
turning from their sins and receiving forgiveness. We have
already noted that, in the case of some, though not all of the symbolic parables, there might be an intention to conceal, as well as to
reveal. However, we could not accept the additional thought which seems to be contained
in both St. Mark's and St. Luke's report of our Lord's answer. On the contrary we know
that He came to call sinners to repentance, not to frustrate that repentance. Had we only
St. Mark's and St. Luke's condensed reports we would be puzzled to understand the
meaning of our Lord fortunately, however, St. Matthews account is more complete. e e s us at length what Jesus said when His disciples
asked Him if He spake to the multitude- in parables. He says it was "Because it is
given unto you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not
given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance; but
whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to
them in parables, because [not "in order that" but "because"] they
seeing, see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is
fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not
understand, and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive; for this people's heart is
waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed: lest at
any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand
with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." - Matt. 13:10-15. Here, in St.
Matthew's fuller account, the difficulty suggested by the more condensed report of St.
Mark and St. Luke is removed. For here it appears that it is the people who have closed their eyes, not
Christ who has closed them; 'it is they who will
not perceive and understand, because they do not want to be converted and healed. Nor need any
suppose that Matthew's account can be accepted only by rejecting those of Mark and Luke.
If we carefully compare the three reports, we find that the reports by Mark and Luke do
not misrepresent but merely condense the answer of our Lord which Matthew reports in
full. Matthew's six verses are compressed into two verses by Mark and into only one by
Luke. In Matthew's fuller account it may be seen that there is authority for every word in
the briefer reports, and that there is no real conflict between them. ISAIAH'S VISIONTo fully
understand our Lord's words we must go back to the prophecy of Isaiah to which He refers.
That prophecy is found in Isaiah's sixth chapter, which we considered in some detail in
this Journal in the issue of September, 1940.* There we said in part: "Many
have supposed that Isaiah was himself so to preach that the people's hearts would become
hardened as a result; that he should deliberately seek to close their eyes and stop
their ears so that they would be unable to see God's gracious character and purposes and
could listen, no longer to His voice of compassion and tenderness. Some have gone even
further than this. By an extension of this selfsame doctrine beyond the confines of the
one nation of Israel to the whole world of mankind, they have even charged God Himself
with inflicting what they term a 'judicial blindness' upon the great mass of our race
which left them no chance of repentance-no hope of salvation. Such a gospel (?) we could
not but reject, no matter whence it came, so utterly is it opposed to all we have
learned of the character and Word of God. -------------------------------------------- *Copies still available on request. "But
what do these remarkable words signify? What is the meaning of the message Isaiah is
commissioned to proclaim? We answer: God saw that their own stubborn and rebellious
attitude had at last brought them into a condition in which they would no longer be able
to return to God. Once they had had the capacity to listen and repent, and as God, in
mercy and kindness, had dealt with them, rewarding them for right-doing and chastising
them for wrong, they had been able to profit by His instructions.' But now they had lost
that capacity. They had been so persistent in their backslidings; they had been so
rebellious in heart; they had so resisted the pleadings, the warnings, the invitations of
His grace; they had so hardened themselves against Him, that they had brought themselves
into a state in which they would be insensible to any further influence by which God
might seek to cleanse and reclaim them. . . . Through long and continued neglect of their
God-given powers of right-thinking and right-doing, these powers have become atrophied,
they cannot now function." - "Herald," September 1940, pages 134, 135. Exactly the
same conditions obtained at the time of our Lord's first advent, and accordingly, He (at
times) addressed the people in special symbolic parables. To whom did He really speak
when He addressed a mixed audience? To whom has the Gospel ever been spoken by His
faithful messengers since? And with what intent? Surely it was and even now is preached,
not to hinder any, God forbid, but certainly with no thought of converting every hearer --
merely to reach those who have hearing ears. "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear," saith our Lord. (Matt. 13:9.) "Whosoever
hath [already improved - what light, grace, opportunities, have come his way] shall have
them increased." Yet, while speaking (in the presence of others) to those with
hearing ears, our Lord is careful to so speak that those whose ears are dull of hearing
shall not be aroused to still greater prejudice, as they would be if the truth were
spoken plainly. Hence He veils the Kingdom message that they shall not have their bitter
enmity made more bitter. He puts His teaching in a form in which it can be apprehended by
such as are willing to do the will of His Father (and by these only as they themselves
prove more and more worthy of it and continue therein) but which would hide it from those
whose persistent disobedience to known truth has deprived them of spiritual insight, and
who are therefore in a condition in which they could derive no profit from a plainly
stated message, and who might (strange perversity of fallen human nature) be still more
hardened by it, if it were permitted to reach them. CONCLUSIONWe conclude,
then, that in all of the typical and in most of the symbolic' parables there is clearly no
intent to conceal but only to reveal. However, we have seen also that in special
circumstances, speaking before a mixed audience, Jesus did choose the; parabolic form of
teaching, not to hinder from repentance, any so disposed, but for the double purpose of
concealing from unreceptive and impenitent hearts those disclosures concerning the Kingdom
of heaven which were suited only to receptive and earnest hearers. In this He did but act
in accordance with His own wise saying: "Give not that which is holy to the dogs,
neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and
turn again and rend you." (Matt. 7:6.) These special cases, however, are the
exception, rather than the rule-the rule being prophetically stated by Asaph, of the
Messiah who was to come, in the text stated at the head of this article, a free
translation of which reads: "I will open my mouth in parables, that I may utter [not
that I may conceal] things that have been kept secret from the foundation of the
world." - Psa. 78:2. - P. L. Read. |
