The battle between truth and error still rages fiercely. Time-honored errors are worshiped, and earnestly defended, while new unfoldings of truth, as well as the old foundation principles of true faith, are being attacked on every hand, not only by the enemies of God, but by those who verily think they are doing God service. Surely we are in the "evil day," of which we were forewarned that it would be very difficult to withstand the assaults of error. (Read Eph. 6:11-18.) This should forearm and prepare us. The prophet Malachi says (chap. 3:2) of this "Day of the Lord" in which we are living—"But who may abide the day of his coming (presence, after arrival), and who shall stand when he appeareth (a presence made known, but not necessarily by natural sight. Thus, Jehovah appeared to Abram; i.e., made known his presence, the same Heb. word, raah, Gen. 17:1), for he is like a refiner's fire and like fuller's soap. And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver (symbol of truth—he shall purge out error from truth dross from silver) and he shall purify the sons of Levi" (typical of believers).
Seeing from the TOWER how the enemy endeavors to lull some to sleep with ease, comfort, and prosperity, in the matters of this life; how he perplexes and overcharges others in this world's busy cares; and how he seeks to draw others from the truth by error, we lift up the voice and cry aloud to those who have an ear to hear, saying: "We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." Let us renew our vigilance, lest even now, when the "goal" is almost won, we should be deceived and allured from our racecourse. Let us, dear brethren, lay aside every weight and hindrance of earthly kind, and run with patience for the heavenly prize—unseen but eternal. What manner of persons ought we to be who have so much light on God's Word and plan, and such grand anticipations for the future; how separate from the world and its aims and ambitions?
To stand—to maintain our standing—to keep on the armor of God—we need to have much and close communion with God, not only in the way of talking to him (prayer), but also and especially by listening to what he says to us (through his Word).
We would suggest the following plan to you all, viz: that during the next six weeks you take up the following important subjects, both for your private study and more public discussion at your meetings:—
(1) Was a "sin offering" or sacrifice necessary to man's reconciliation to God?
(2) Did Jesus the Lamb of God put away sin by the sacrifice of himself?
(3) If a sacrifice was necessary and was given and accepted, are we pardoned or are we ransomed?
(4) Justification—are we not justified, old creatures (human), before we become sanctified, new creatures (spiritual)?
(5) "You know your calling; brethren"—"What is the hope of our calling"?
(6) Who had this, our hope, before Pentecost? Who, walked this narrow way to life before Jesus our Leader and Forerunner?
Our view of the Scripture teaching on the above subjects you will find in your back numbers of ZION'S WATCH TOWER. "The Lord will bless each in proportion as he earnestly and candidly seeks to know what saith the Scriptures. "He that seeketh findeth."
Bro. Sunderlin, you will be glad to know, is gradually improving, though still quite weak and unable to write or preach.
We are obliged to omit samples of interesting letters this month for lack of room.