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MARCH
I,
1906
ZION'S
WATCH
TOWER
generous.
How
can
we
cultivate
this
necessary
quality,
espe
cially
if
our
natural
dispositions
are
mean
and
selfish,
very
much
fallen
from
the
divine
likeness
in
this
respectf
We
reply
that
the
entire
course
of
instruction
in
the
school
of
Christ
is
in
this
direction.
To
make
us
compassionate
and
sympathetic
with
others,
we
are
shown
our
own
littleness
and
weakness
in
the
Lord's
sight;
to
teach
us
how
to
be
generous
and
forgiv.
ing
to
others,
we
have
the
illustration
of
God's
mercy
and
grace
and
forgiveness
toward
us;
to
impress
the
matter
upon
us
we
are
assured
that
our
forgiveness
and
standing
with
the
Lord
can
only
be
maintained
by
our
cultivating
this
spirit
and
mani
festing
it
toward
our
debtors
and
enemies.
We
are
to
be
generous
with
those
who
transgress
against
our
rights
and
interests,
our
enemies.
This
does
not
mean
that
the
Lord
recognizes
or
treats
his
enemies
with
the
same
degree
of
blessing
that
he
grants
to
his
friends
and
his
children,
no~
does
it
mean
that
we
are
to
love
our
enemies
in
exactly
the
same
sense
that
we
love
our
bosom
friends
and
companions.
The
Lord
gives
special
blessin~
to
those
who
are
especially
his,
and
we
also
may
properly
gIve
more
of
our
love
and
favor
to
those
who
are
in
accord
with
us.
The
lesson
here
again
is
large
heartedness
and
generosity.
"LOVE
THEM
THAT
LOVE
YOU"
Our
Lord
points
out
that
in
merely
reciprocating
the
love
of
others
we
would
come
far
short
of
the
standard
he
sets
us,
and
of
the
lesson
we
must
learn
if
we
would
be
his
joint-heirs
and
companions
in
the
glory,
honor
and
immortality
of
the
kingdom.
Publicans
and
sinners
even
love
those
who
love
them-he
must
be
a
very
mean
man
who
will
return
evil
for
good
and
hate
those
who
love
him.
Even
though
such
a
stand
ard
were
recognized
in
the
world,
of
loving
those
who
love
us,
it
would
not
be
appropriate
to
the
Lord's
followers;
they
must
rise
to
a
higher
plane
if
they
would
be
his
disciples.
Similarly
our
greeting,
our
salutations,
the
civilities
of
life
are
to
be
extended
not
merely
to
our
brethren
either
after
the
flesh
or
after
the
Spirit.
We
are
to
have
kind
intentione
toward
all,
and
to
enjoy
the
privilege
of
extending
these,
ex
pressing
them,
and
thus
comforting
and
refreshing
all
with
whom
we
come
in
contact.
Generosity
again
is
the
thought-
breadth
of
character
and
nobility
of
conduct.
PERFECT
AS
FATHEB
IN
BEAVEN'
The
last
verse
of
our
lesson
caps
the
climax
of
all
instruc
tion,
telling
us
that
the
copy
which
we
are
to
consider
and
follow
is
that
of
our
heavenly
Father-we
are
to
be
perfect
as
he
is
perfect.
Ah,
yes
I
It
would
have
been
impossible
for
the
great
Teacher
to
have
set
us
any
other
pattern
or
example
or
standard
than
the
perfect
one.
And
yet
he
knew
that
none
of
his
disciples
would
ever
be
able
in
the
present
life
and
under
present
conditions
of
sin
and
death
working
in
our
mortal
bodies
to
come
up
to
this
standard-to
follow
this
copy.
What
then
did
he
mean'
We
answer
that
he
there
set
before
us
the
perfect
copy,
with
instruction
that,
in
proportion
as
we
love
him
and
desire
to
have
his
approval,
we
should
endeavor
to
pattern
after
the
heavenly
Father's
character.
The
fact
that
this
endeavor
would
not
bring
perfect
results
eould
only
redound
in
blessings
upon
us,
by
bringing
us
to
a
realization
of
our
own
imperfections
and
of
our
need
of
the
covering
of
our
dear
Redeemer's
robe
of
righteousness,
until
the
time
shall
come
when
in
the
first
resurrection
change
we
shall
be
made
like
him,
see
him
as
he
is,
share
his
glory,
and
be
able
to
perfectlr
reflect,
as
he
does,
the
heavenly
Father's
perfection.
Meantime
all
of
our
shortcomings
that
are
unin·
tentional
are
graciously
covered
from
the
Father's
sight
with
the
merit
of
our
Redeemer,
who
stands
as
our
pledge
or
guar·
anty
that
our
endeavors
to
follow
the
copy
are
sincere,
of
the
heart.
The
Lord
will
judge
us
worthy
or
unworthy
of
the
resurrection-not
according
to
the"
flesh,
but-according
to
the
endeavors
of
our
hearts
as
New
Creatures.
THE
OLD
COPY-BOOK:
Years
ago
it
was
the
custom
in
the
public
schools
to
fur
nish
the
children
with
ruled
copy-books,
with
copper-plate
en
graved
lessons
at
the
top
of
each
page.
The
lesson
to
the
pupil
was
the
copying
of
those
perfect
characters.
Every
modest
child
must
certainly
have
felt
abashed,
timid,
when
receiving
one
of
those
lessons,
from
the
realization
that
it
could
not
pro
duce
characters
that
could
at
all
compare
with
the
copy.
It
was,
however,
explained
that
it
was
not
expected
that
the
child
could
duplicate
the
perfect
copy,
but
that
following
the
lines
of
the
copy
it
would
become
more
and
more
expert.
How
well
this
illustrates
the
Master's
words,
"Be
ye
perfect,
even
as
your
Father
in
heaven
is
perfect,"
and
the
way
in
which
he
intends
that
we
should
profit
by
the
instruction.
Another
lesson:
It
was
the
duty
of
the
teacher
to
exam
ine
the
work
of
the
pupil,
and
surely
in
a
majority
of
cases
it
was
found
that
the
best
copy
of
the
original
was
found
on
the
first
line,
and
that
the
work
became
poorer
and
poorer
toward
the
end
of
the
page.
So
it
is
with
many
in
the
school
of
Christ
-the
great
Teacher
perceives
that
their
first
endeavors
to
copy
God-likeness
at
the
beginning
of
their
Christian
experience
was
more
successful
than
their
subsequent
attempts.
Why'
The
answer
is
the
same
in
both
cases.
The
child
neglected
to
look
at
the
copy
and
merely
looked
at
its
own
imperfect
efforts,
and
hence
the
poor
results.
So
with
the
pupils
in
the
school
of
Christ-their
poor
results
come
from
comparing
them
selves
with
themselves,
and
neglecting
to
keep
constantly
before
their
minds
the
perfect
copy-"
Be
ye
perfect,
even
as
your
Father
in
heaven
is
perfect."
As
the
earthly
teacher
reproved
and
corrected
the
pupil,
so
with
much
long-suffering
and
patience
the
Lord
reproves
and
corrects
the
pupils
in
the
school
of
Christ.
Will
not
this
ex·
plain
many
chastisements
which
are
necessary
for
every
son
whom
the
Father
would
ultimately
receive
to
home
and
glory,
every
one
of
whom
must
be
conformed
to
the
image
of
his
Son,
who
is
the
express
image
of
the
Father's
person'
Let
us,
then,
begin
afresh,
on
a
new
page
as
it
were,
to
copy
the
character·
likeness
of
our
perfect
Father
in
heaven.
Let
us
no
longer
look
at
ourselves
and
our
past
attainments,
but,
as
the
Apostle
says,
"Forgetting
the
things
that
are
behind
and
pressing
on
toward
the
things
that
are
before,"
let
us
labor
with
patience
to
learn
the
all-important
lessons
connected
with
our
disciple
ship
and
the
gracious
hopes
set
before
us
in
the
promises
of
Our
Father's
Word.
"KEEP
THE
DOOB
OF
MY
LIPS"
Our
Golden
text
presents
an
important
thought.
The
Lord's
people
find
the
tongue
the
most
difficult
member
to
bring
into
subjection,
and
therefore
may
well
pray,
"Keep
thou
the
door
of
mr
lips."
And
if
the
prayer
be
sincere,
from
the
heart,
it
will
Imply
that
the
petitioner
is
doing
all
in
his
power
in
this
direction
himself
while
seeking
the
divine
aid.
And
the
divine
aid
comes
in
line
with
this
lesson,
and
assures
us
that
the
lips
are
not
at
fault,
that
it
is
the
heart
that
needs
a
completion
of
the
regenerative
work
of
the
holy
Spirit,
for
"Out
of
the
abundance
of
the
heart
the
mouth
speaketh."
The
lesson
here
is
that
whatever
difficulty
we
have
through
our
lips
needs
cor
rection
at
the
heart.
We
need
to
get
our
hearts
more
in
accord
with
the
heart
of
the
Almighty-more
in
tune
with
the
graci
ous
elements
of
the
divine
character
represented
not
only
in
justice
toward
others,
but
additionally
in
mercy,
love,
kind
ness
and
benevolence
towards
all.
VOL.
XXVII
ALLEGHENY,
PA.,
MARCH
15,
1906
No.6
VIEWS
FROM
THE
WATCH
TOWER
IS
THE
MOBAL
SUPREMACY
OF
C!mISTEN'DOM
IN
DAN'GEB'1
selves
Christians,
it
has
been
yet
deeper
with
the
multi·
FROM
THE
"HIBBERT
JOURNAL"
tudes
who
have
turned
their
backs
on
the
Church.
I
rate
this
feeling
among
the
greatest
of
the
forces
now
mov-
It
has
become
the
plain
duty
of
Christendom
to
realize
ing
the
minds
of
men.
Other
things
may
create
a
louder
that
her
hold
on
the
moral
supremacy
of
the
world
is
not
noise,
but
this
works
revolutions.
The
question
of
theo
so
secure
as
many
of
us
imagine.
The're
is
room,
nay,
op-
logical
standards
is
being
merged
into
that
of
the
moral,
portunity,
for
a
rival
candidatt'.
That
the
Christian
ideal
and
we
are
being
summoned,
as
never
before,
to
find
the
of
moral
excellence
is
splendid,
even
unsurpassed,
no
one
correspondence
between
our
professions
and
our
lives.
Such
doubts.
But
no
less
certain,
no
less
striking,
is
the
failure
a
state
of
things
exposes
Christendom
to
a
rival
challenge,
of
the
West
to
justify
that
ideal,
both
in
national
and
pri-
and
marks
the
fitting
moment
for
another
claimant
to
ap
vate
life.
The
sense
of
dissatisfaction
which
this
failure
pear
on
the
scene.
If
outside
the
pale
of
Christendom
there
has
produced
has
entered
deep
into
the
moral
consciousness
should
arise
the
example
of
a
saner,
nobler,
more
rational,
of
Christians
all
the
world
over;
and
if
the
impression
haa
more
joyOU!!,
more
humane,
more
self-controlled
way
of
been
deep
in
the
case
of
those
who
profess
and
call
them-
life
than
the
West
has
so
far
achieved,
the
minds
of
men
[8739]
MARcH 1, 1906 generous. How can we cultivate this necessary quality, especially if our natural dispositions are mean and selfish, very much fallen from the divine likeness in this respect? We reply that the entire course of instruction in the school of Christ is in this direction. To make us compassionate and sympathetic with others, we are shown our own littleness and weakness in the Lord’s sight; to teach us how to be generous and forgiving to others, we have the illustration of God’s mercy and grace and forgiveness toward us; to impress the matter upon us we are assured that our forgiveness and standing with the Lord can only be maintained by our cultivating this spirit and manifesting it toward our debtors and enemies. We are to be generous with those who transgress against our rights and interests, our enemies. This does not mean that the Lord recognizes or treats his enemies with the same degree of blessing that he grants to his friends and his children, nor does it mean that we are to love our enemies in exactly the same sense that we love our bosom friends and companions. The Lord gives special blessing to those who are especially his, and we also may properly give more of our love and favor to those who are in accord with us. The lesson here again is large heartedness and generosity. ‘LOVE THEM THAT LOVE YOU’’ Our Lord points out that in merely reciprocating the love of others we would come far short of the standard he sets us, and of the Jesson we must learn if we would be his joint-heirs and companions in the glory, honor and immortality of the kingdom. Publicans and sinners even love those who love them—he must be a very mean man who will return evil for good and hate those who love him. Even though such a standard were recognized in the world, of loving those who love us, it would not be appropriate to the Lord’s followers; they must rise to a higher plane if they would be his disciples. Similarly our greeting, our salutations, the civilities of life are to be extended not merely to our brethren either after the flesh or after the Spirit. We are to have kind intentions toward all, and to enjoy the privilege of extending these, expressing them, and thus comforting and refreshing all with whom we come in contact. Generosity again is the thought— breadth of character and nobility of conduct. PERFECT AS FATHER IN HEAVEN The last verse of our lesson caps the climax of all instruction, telling us that the copy which we are to consider and follow is that of our heavenly Father—we are to be perfect as he is perfect. Ah, yes! It would have been impossible for the great Teacher to have set us any other pattern or example or standard than the perfect one. And yet he knew that none of his disciples would ever be able in the present life and under present conditions of sin and death working in our mortal bodies to come up to this standard—to follow this copy. What then did he mean? We answer that he there set before us the perfect copy, with instruction that, in proportion as we love him and desire to have his approval, we should endeavor to pattern after the heavenly Father’s character. The fact that this endeavor would not bring perfect results could only redound in blessings upon us, by bringing us to a realization of our own imperfections and of our need of the covering of our dear Redeemer’s robe of righteousness, until the time shall come when in the first resurrection change we shall be made like him, see him as he is, share his glory, and be able to perfectly reflect, as he does, the heavenly Father’s perfection. Meantime all of our shortcomings that are unintentional are graciously covered from the Father’s sight with the merit of our Redeemer, who stands as our pledge or guar Vou. XXVII ALLEGHENY, PA., MARCH 15, 1906 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (79-83) anty that our endeavors to follow the copy are sincere, of the heart. The Lord will judge us worthy or unworthy of the resurrection—not according to the flesh, but—according to the endeavors of our hearts as New Creatures. THE OLD COPY-BOOK Years ago it was the custom in the public schools to furnish the children with ruled copy-books, with copper-plate engraved lessons at the top of each page. The lesson to the pupil was the copying of those perfect characters. Every modest child must certainly have felt abashed, timid, when receiving one of those lessons, from the realization that it could not produce characters that could at all compare with the copy. It was, however, explained that it was not expected that the child could duplicate the perfect copy, but that following the lines of the copy it would become more and more expert. How well this illustrates the Master’s words, ‘‘Be ye perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect,’’ and the way in which he intends that we should profit by the instruction. Another lesson: It was the duty of the teacher to examine the work of the pupil, and surely in a majority of cases it was found that the best copy of the original was found on the first line, and that the work became poorer and poorer toward the end of the page. So it is with many in the school of Christ —the great Teacher perceives that their first endeavors to copy God-likeness at the beginning of their Christian experience was more successful than their subsequent attempts. Why? The answer is the same in both cases. The child neglected to look at the copy and merely looked at its own imperfect efforts, and hence the poor results. So with the pupils in the school of Christ—their poor results come from comparing themselves with themselves, and neglecting to keep constantly before their minds the perfect copy—‘‘Be ye perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.’’ As the earthly teacher reproved and corrected the pupil, so with much long-suffering and patience the Lord reproves and corrects the pupils in the school of Christ. Will not this explain many chastisements which are necessary for every son whom the Father would ultimately receive to home and glory, every one of whom must be conformed to the image of his Son, who is the express image of the Father’s person? Let us, then, begin afresh, on a new page as it were, to copy the characterlikeness of our perfect Father in heaven. Let us no longer look at ourselves and our past attainments, but, as the Apostle says, ‘‘Forgetting the things that are behind and pressing on toward the things that are before,’’ let us labor with patience to learn the all-important lessons connected with our discipleship and the gracious hopes set before us in the promises of our Father’s Word. “KEEP THE DOOR OF MY LIPS’’ Our Golden text presents an important thought. The Lord’s people find the tongue the most difficult member to bring into subjection, and therefore may well pray, ‘‘ Keep thou the door of my lips.’’ And if the prayer be sincere, from the heart, it will imply that the petitioner is doing all in his power in this direction himself while seeking the divine aid. And the divine aid comes in line with this lesson, and assures us that the lips are not at fault, that it is the heart that needs a completion of the regenerative work of the holy Spirit, for ‘‘Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.’’ The lesson here is that whatever difficulty we have through our lips needs correction at the heart. We need to get our hearts more in accord with the heart of the Almighty—more in tune with the gracious elements of the divine character, represented not only in justice toward others, but additionally in mercy, love, kindness and benevolence towards all, No. 6 VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER IS THE MORAL SUPREMACY OF CHRISTENDOM IN DANGER? FROM THE ‘‘ HIBBERT JOURNAL’? It has become the plain duty of Christendom to realize that her hold on the moral supremacy of the world is not so secure as many of us imagine. There is room, nay, opportunity, for a rival candidate. That the Christian ideal of moral excellence is splendid, even unsurpassed, no one doubts. But no less certain, no less striking, is the failure of the West to justify that ideal, both in national and private life. The sense of dissatisfaction which this failure has produced has entered deep into the moral consciousness of Christians all the world over; and if the impression has been deep in the ease of those who profess and call them selves Christians, it has been yet deeper with the multitudes who have turned their backs on the Church. I rate this feeling among the greatest of the forces now moving the minds of men. Other things may create a louder noise, but this works revolutions. The question of theological standards is being merged into that of the moral, and we are being summoned, as never before, to find the correspondence between our professions and our lives. Such a state of things exposes Christendom to a rival challenge, and marks the fitting moment for another claimant to appear on the scene. If outside the pale of Christendom there should arise the example of a saner, nobler, more rational, more joyous, more humane, more self-controlled way of life than the West has so far achieved, the minds of men [8739]
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