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2
dinate soul to body, and thus re
verse the ends of human existence.
Let the young man be prepared
for life’s practical side. It would be
cruel to neglect this. But at the
same time, let him be taught to live
without trailing his manhood in the
furrows of life’s toil by subordinat
ing soul to body. Our schools and
colleges should give more attention
to the perfection of man as an intel
lectual, aesthotioe and moral being
They should have for their first aim
the development and training of
man as man, and his elevation to
ward the highest and best ideal of
human existence. The pupil, wheth
er ho is to become a legislator or an
artezan, should know how to make
an honest living. But he should
know more than this. He should be
equipped for his duties as the guide
of the family, as a member of society
as a citizen of the state, as an elec
tor charged with the guardianship
of civil and religious liberty, and
above all, as a dutiful subject of di
vine government.
William L. Scruggs.
Caracas, Vcnozuela.
ASKED AND ANSWERED.
BY C. B. W. DOBBS.
1. When and by ■whom was Eas
ter service brought into the Chris
tian church? I have been informed
that Baptist churches North observe
it quite generally. Is this true?
Should Baptist churches observe it
at all? If so, how?
2. Ought Baptist churches over
meet their current expenses by hav
ing oyster suppers, ice cream sup
pers etc.? or ought they to pay the
money direct from their pockets?
PERKY.
1. We have in a previous issue
substantially answered this first
question—that is, the first part of it.
Still, as new readers and new in
quirers come into the Index circle,
it [is necessary [occasionally to r .
peat. In our former article we said J
There can be no question that “Eas
ter” is derived from Eostre, the name
of a goddess worshipped of old in
Britian. So the eminent Church of
England authority, John Henry
Blunt, informs us. The Venerable
Bede so declares, and he lived suffi
ciently near the time of idolatry to
be able to speak with certainty, and
no writer has given greater diligence
to insqro Blunt «ays.
“Our Easter, therefore, may be con
sidered to have displaced the British
festival of Eostre, on the well-known
principle of Christian antiquity,
whereby the material structure of
God's House was built upon the site
and often with the materials of idol
temples, and popular festivals wore
adapted to the Christian calendar.
Even pagan customs, so that they
were innocent, wore allowed to con
tinue.” This is true of “Easter” as
a name for the season, but long be
fore Britian gave the name, the sea
son was annually observed in cele
bration of the resurrection of Jesus.
The custom can bo traced back to
the second century. It is specially
mentioned as a custom as early as
A. D. 154, but the date of celebrat
ing was not uniform. The Council
of Nicaett (A. I). 826) fixed it on the
Bunday following the full moon
which happens on dr first after the
vernal equinox. This period coin
cides with the Jewish Passover
9
which we know to have been the
season of our Lord's death and res
urrection. As the vernal equinox
invariably falls on March 21, it is
comparatively easy to tell when “Eas
ter” comes.
There is no New Testament au
thority either for or against the cus
tom of annually celebrating by spe
cial services the Lord's resurrection
though every Lord’s-day commemo
rates that glorious fundamental fact
of Christianity. It is true that many
Baptist churches both North and
South have “Easter service,” because
they see no impropriety in thus spe
cially emphasizing the Lord's resur
rection. Such observance did not
come from the Catholics, for it wus
common for Christians, before the
so-called “Catholic church,” as we
now know it, had come into being.
In such a matter lot every one be
persuaded in his own mind.” Cer
tainly it is neither just nor reasona
ble to denounce such observance by
Baptists, when reverently and intel
ligently held. Os course, our remark
does not apply when “Easter” is cel
ebrated superstitiously as “a holy
day” binding upon the churches.
“As a privilege to be enjoyed, yes ;
as a burden imposed, never!’’ This
is the true principle by which all
such questions must bo determined
in “the liberty of Christ.” If ob
served, it should be a simple, ordina
ry gospeLsorvice, in which mind and
heart contemplate the resurrection
of Jesus.
2. We do not think such methods
should be resorted to to raise money
for current expenses. All church
members should cheerfully contrib
ute, as God has prospered them, for
the maintenance of the church and
the ministry of the word. Still we
see no very serious objection to
“oyster suppers,” etc., as occasions
for social gathering under Christian
auspices and influences. Such oc
casions can be so managed as to do
great good. Mind you, we • say
“can,” unfortunately they are not al
ways so managed.
To whom does Paul refer in 2
Cor. 12: 2? If to himself how can
verse five be reconciled ? m. s.
There can be no dohbt but that
the apostle refers to himself as the
“man in Christ.” The whole con
text shows that he it was who was
“caught up even to the third heav
en,” and who “heard unspeakable
words.” Verse 7 clearly identifies
th<“man” with himself. We must,
therefore, explain verse 5 in accord
with this certainty. Dr. Plumptre,
in dWicott, says on this verse :
“'ltoto is, if we rightly understand
it, an almost exquisite sadness in the
distinction which is thus drawn by
the apostle between the old self of
fourteen years ago, with this abun
dance of revelations, and the new
self of the present, feebler and sad
der than the old, worn -with cares
and sorrows, the daily rush of life
and its evergrowing anxieties. Then
ho saw with open vision, now he
walks by faith and not by the thing
seen. He can hardly recognize his
own identity, and can speak of the
man who had then this capacity for
the beatific vision as though he were
another—almost as if he were dead
and gone.” Dr. Gould, in American
Commentary, gives another view:
“The apostle makes a contrast here
between ‘such a one’ and himself.
And yet such a one was himself, but
so rapt out of himself and made the
subject of a strange experience, in
which he was simply passive under
the hand of another, that he seems to
himself a stranger.” There is no
recorded event in Paul’s life, in the
acts, which can bo positively identi
fied with this remarkable vision.
Reckoning back fourteen years from
the accepted date of the epistle (A.
D. 57), we ooino to his stay at An
tioch. Some think the vision oc
curred during the stoning at Lys
tra, when he was supposed to be
dead.
How many negroes are there m
the United States? Are they in
creasing at a greater rate than the
white population? Alexander.
According to the official figures of
the United States census for 1890
the total colored population was 7,-
008, 370. Os this nunihei 0,996,166
were found in what is called the
“South,” including the District of
Columbia, and Dele ware. Concern
ing this matter Superintendent Por
ter remarks: “The colored element
increased during the decade [from
1880 to 1890] at the rate of 13.90
per cent. The white population of
these States in 1890 numbered 16,-
868,205, and 13,530,408 in 1880
They increased during the decade at
the rate of 24.67 per cent., or nearly
twice as rapidly as the colored ele.
ment. • * • During the past
decade the colored race has not held
its own against the white in a region
where the climate and conditions are,
of all those which the country affords,
the best suited to its development.”
Superintendent Porter also says
that “the abnormal increase of the
colored population in what is known
as the black belt during the decade
ending in 1880 led to the popular be
lief that the negroes were increasing
at a much greater rate than the white
population. The error was a natur
al one, and arose from the difficulty
of ascertaining how much of the in
crease shown by the tenth (1880)
census was real and how much was
duo to the omissions of the census of
1870.” In another bulletin it is
said : “It is well known, the fact hav
ing been demonstrated by extensive
and thorough investigation, that the
census of 1870 was grossly deficient
in the Southern States.” Careful
figuring by the census statiticians
show that the South in 1880 had
747,915 more white population than
was returned by the enumerators,
and 512,164 more colored—a total
deficiency of 1,260,078 in our report
ed population. By this shrewd man
ipulation of figures the dominant
political party of that date cheated
the South out of eight congress men,
and made possible the great steal of
the presidency in 1876.
Subscribe for Tub Indkx.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX: THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 1892.
Gftic ghtnxlaxwchotfX*,
RETURNING FROM THE CAPTIVITY
Lesson for Jan. Ist, 1893,
Scripture Lesson: Ezra 1:1-11
Motto Text :—“The Lord thy God
will turn thy captivity, and have com
passion upon thee.” Dout., 30 :3.
introduction.
Our Sunday School' studies enter
now upon a part of the Old Testa
ment that is comparativly unfamiliar.
This fact furnishes a strong reason
for more diligent work. If we take
hold of these lessons aright, we shall
find them full of interest and profit.
In order to appreciate the meaning
of the event of this lesson, the return
from captivity, we need to take a
backward glance, to recall some
points connected with the captivity.
And then we need to look somewhat
beneath the surface of the simple nar
rative to discern that the force be
hind and beneath the movement is
none other than the hand of God.
EXPOSITION.
So first let us take a glance back
ward at
THE CAPTIVITY.
In order to recall the circumstan
ces of the captivity, it will be well to
read the 24th and 25th chapters of
2 Kings,and the first four chapters of
Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar is the
mighty king of Babylon, and is am
bitious to extend his dominions. lie
sets himself especialy against any in
cursion from Pharaoh, of Egypt.
Palistine being between Egypt and
Babylon is naturally overrun, and be
comes a prey to the stronger force.
In this way the Jews become subject
to Babylon, and are carried thither
as captives. They were too weak at
the time to make any effectual resis
tance, and the desolation of their
land was complete. Great was their
humiliation at the destruction of their
city and their temple, and at their
own enslavement.
But in all this God was working.
The Jews had fallen into evil ways,
into idolatry. As a just retribution*
God had suffered division and calami
ty to come upon them, and when
they will not submit and mend their
ways, God permits them to bo led in
to captivity, that this may be for
them a school for chastisement and
instruction.
In a large measure this discipline
proved effectual. It would be dif
ficult to describe all the good results
of it. The Jews were certainly cured
of idolatry. They were brought to a
higher appreciation of the scriptures
ami of the sanctuary. They were
knit closer together in their common
misfortunes. Their faithfulness was
tested and worthless ones were left
behind.
The time of their captivity as pro
phesied is ended, and the Lord comes
to deliver.
PROCLAMATION OF CYRUS.
Cyrus seems to - act, does act ac
cording to human impulses and am
bitions in adding to his Persian em
pire the kingdom of Babylon. Then
in planning to build up the waste
places of his new dominion, he finds
none so well suited to this work in
Palestine as the Jews. Hence he
issues the proclamation for their re
turn. It is clear that ho acts in this
freely, and in away to promote his
own interest.
Yet the Lords hand is guiding.
This proclamation had been predicted
ndarly 200 years before. The very
name of Cyrus is given. See Isa.
44: 24 28. Jeremiah had also foretold
this same event. See Jcr. 29: 10.
The king’s heart is in the hands of the
Lord as rivers of water; he turueth
it whithersoever he will. Prov. 21:1.
It may have been through Daniel,
making known these prophesies unto
Cyrus that the Lord’s purposes were
accepted and wrought out by him.
THE RETURN TO JERUSALEM.
The journey back to Jerusalem is
one of more than a thousand miles.
It will require some four months.
The lands of Palistine will present a
scene of sad desolation. Bravo
hearts are needed. And they are not
lacking, for about fifty thousand take
up the march. The vessels restored
by Cyrus will be the only tie linking
them to the past. But the memories
associated with these will give much
cheer and strength. Groat are the
difficulties they face, but with prayer
and hope they go forward to moot
them. The 126th Psalm is herhaps
one of their songs on the way.
Wondrous ore the Lord’s ways of
working. Wondrous are bis mercies,
and to bis great name shall be all the
praise. -a )
REBUILDING THE TEMPLE.
Lesson for Jan. Bth, 1893.
Scripture Lesson.—Ezra 3:1-13.
Motto Text:—“They praised the
Lord, because the foundation of the
house of the Lord was laid.” v. 11.
introduction.
A sadder picture one could scarce
behold than met the eyes of the re
turning captives as they looked upon
the desohtfiuns of Jerusalem and
their holy temple. On every side
was a mass of ruins. Round about
them were hostile tribes ready to
hinder them in any effort at re-estab
lishment. Stout and brave must be
the hearts to look all these difficul
ties in the face, and not falter. Such
are these who have come up from
their school of discipline. They have
been chastened and are strengthened
for any work.
The journey occupied about four
months, making their arrival in the
Spring of 536 B. C. They seem
first to come to Jerusalem to make
provision for their worship, and to
gether they day down their gifts.
Ch 2, vs. 68,6 9. After making
this offering they repaired to their
own homes. ’
EXPOSITION.
I The Altar Rebuilt, vs. 1-6.
The seventh month.—Corres
ponds to our October, the most sa
cred month of the Jewish year. They
had not remained long in their sever
al cities, only-from Spring till Octo
ber. As one man.—Here is the
secret of doing great things for God.
The History of Ben Hur and Rudder Grange in - ~
TteYoIJWS@™ON
For 1893 by ->
The Youth s Companion New Building.
Gdn. Lew Wallace - Frank R. Stockton.
How I wrote Ben Hur by Gen. Lew Wallace. The Origin of Rudder Grange by its author, Frank R. Stockton.
• The Bravest Deed I Ever Saw. Four papers, abounding in thrilling incidents, by U. s. Generals Gibbon and Merritt, Cant. King and Archibald Forbes.
In Foreign Lands. Articles by the Deans of St. Paul’s and Westminster, The Marquis of Lome, Sir Edwin Arnold, Charles Dickens, and others.
“Your Work in Life.’’ Thirteen Articles by successful men and women in various Professions and Trades, written with special reference to aiding young
men and women in choosing w hat to do.
__ Now Subscribers who send $1.75 at once will receive The Companion Free to Jan. 1, 1893, and .
ri ’ y IJ) lor a full year from that dale, including the Double Numbers for Christinas and New Year. With
• | | I The Souvenir of The Companion, describing the New Building, 42 pages, In colors, will he sent ,
f FREE to any one requesting It who sends a subscription. (Check, )I<mey-Ordcr or Registered Letter.) dl 11*. /
Mention this Paper. The Youth’S COMPANION, 201 Columbus Avenue, Boston, Mass.
THE FRANKLIN,
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The disciples were “with one accofd
in one place” when Pentecost came.
The work was not constrained but
spontaneous, and so joyful. Jeshua,
another form for Joshua. He holds
the office of high priest. Zerubba
bel is the general leader of the enter
prise. For FEAR WAS UPON THEM.
Threfore they do the works of the
Lord and gain an assurance of the
Lord’s protection. The new altar
was set upon the foundations of the
old. Feast Os Tabernacles. See
Lev. 23: 23-43; Num. 29:13-38; Deut
16: 13-15. This feast is in celebra
tion of the harvest and they now
observe it according to direction
though there had been no harvests
that year. Following this in regular
order are (1) daily sacrifices, repre
senting the Atonement: (2) Celebra
tion of the new moons, etc., repre
senting public thanksgiving: and (3)
freewill offerings expressing private
devotion, payment of vows, etc. In
all their arrangements they follow
strictly the rules observed of old.
The new is upon the foundations
and after the pattern of the old.
There is an eminent fitness and
profound meaning in the fact that
the altar was the first thing to re
ceive attention. The altar is the
center and heart of the Jewish reli
gion as the cross is of ours. Other
things may wait, but this must come
first. Some teachings may be post
poned but faith in Christ and him
crucified is the great essential to sal
vation.
11. Preparations for and Be
ginning of hie New Temple, vs 7-
13. While the altar is regarded as
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of the highest importance, the build
ing of the temple is by no means
unimportant. While the altar is
erected forthwith there is no delay
. in building the temple. They kindle
the altar fires and keep them burning
while they begin the extensive prep
arations for so great an enterprise.
From Tyre and Zidon and the
forests of Lebanon materials are to
be gathered. Skilled workmen are
needed, and the occupations of the
Jews in Babylon had doubtless fitted
many of them for this service. Mon
ey must be had for wages and mate
rials. The first thing done had been
a collection of about $500,000, an
average of ten dollars for every man,
woman and child. ’Tie about May,
one year from the time of their arri.
val, that they are ready to have a
great gathering for the laying of the
foundation stones.
The occasion is one of rejoicing.
Instruments and voices are tuned to
join together in swelling the glad
song of praise. It is well that they
do not see all the trials that await
i them in the progress of the work. It
is enough that they set themselves to
■ the work of the Lord according to his
1 command and trusting to his help.
According to the day and the need
; will his grace be.
s Some Ancient men there are to
whom the occasion brings tears. With
them perhaps there is sense ot com
ing dangers associated with the mem-
I ory of past glories, by which they are
made sad. Blessed is the faith of
the aged when it keeps them in touch
with God’s new unfoldings and the
advances of his work, and which
grows not too fearful at apprehen*
sions of evil which are not real.
anYtlantYman.
A. D. Adair & McCarty Bros.,
(Successors to Adair Bros. & C 0,,) Fertilizers.
Atlanta, Ga., January 26th, 1892.
Mr. W. H. Witherspoon, President Atlantic
Electropoise Company. Atlanta, Ga.
Dear Sir:—The Electropoise I bought from
you in October last has given entire
i satisfaction. The use of it has affected. I
I think, a Permanent cure on me. I had tried
man v remedies for years for dyspepsia or in-
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I relief until 1 tried the Eleetropolso. As I have
‘ said before. I would not sell mine for One
Thousand Dollars unless I could replace it for
Respectfully,
A. D. ADAIR,
Rev. Mr. Newcomb who has been
a missionary seven years among the
Telugus,now a student in the Theol
ogical Seminary Louisville, Ky., re
cently delivered two interesting lec
tures at the Walnut Street church
on his work among the Telugus.
A few days ago The University
Jackson,Tenn.,received a gift of twen
ty valuable volumes to its library.
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