*rOncIlOJd[ jI ( LaIt  iriAiJ  
THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.
THE
CONTROVERSY
BETWEEN CHRIST AND SATAN.
THE DEATH, RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION
OF OUR
LOPRtD JES  US (CIIRIST.
BY ELLEN G. WHITE.
VOTI. IlI.
,   ~STEAM PRESS
OF TIIF SEVENTH-DAY ADI)YLNTIST PUBLISII[NG ASSOCIATION,
B\TTLE  CREEK,  MIICH.
GREAT
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0 
PREFAs \-E.
VOLUMES one and two of this work are before the public. This volume is the continuation of the same important theme. The subject of the great controversy between Christ and Satan will close with the coming of
Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the destruction of
Satan and of sin, and the glorious reign of Christ on the
Newv Earth.  Each volunme up to the present has been
more instructive and inlteresting thani the one that preceded it, and, judging fromn the triumphant theme of
the consummation when the glorious kingdom of Christ
and of God shall be established on the New Earth,
the fourth voliune will far exceed either of the first
three.
This. voltume is solewnly dedicated to the cause of God,
with the fervent prayer of author and publishers that it
may prove a great blessing to the cause anid people of
God, and be the means in his hands of opening the eyes
of nany who  tare blind to the things of thle Spirit of
Gold.
PUBLISHERS.
(v)
0 
0 
CO iN T E NTS.
CHAPTER I.
WEEPING OVER JERUSALEM,......................................
CHAPTER II.
CLEANSING THE TEMIPLE,........................................
CHAPTER III.
JESU8 AND THE PHARISEES,....................................
CHAPTER IV.
DENOUNCING THE PHARISEES...................................
CHAPTER V.
IN THE OUTER COURT,............................................
CHAPTER VI.
THE PASSOVER SUPPER..........................................
CHAPTER VII.
IN THE GARDEN,...................................................
CHAPTER  VIII.
IN THE JUDGMENT HALL,..........................................
CHAPTER IX.
CONDEMNATION OF JESUS.........................................
CItAPTER X.
CALVARY.............................................................
CHAPTER XI.
AT THE SEPULCHER...............................................
CHAPTER XII.
THE CONFLICT ENDED...........................................
*          CH CHAPTER XIII.
THE RESURRECTION,..............................................
CHAPTER XIV.
THzE WOMEN AT THE TOMB,.....................................
(T
PAGE.
~    9
. 20
.. 36
. 56
. 74
.. 81
.. 94
.. 107
.. 127
.. 148
.. 173
.. 183
.. 191
.. 198 
viii              CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XV.
JESUS AT EMMAUS.,.............................. 206
CHAPTER XVI.
IN THE UPPER CHAMBER,......................... 216
CHAPTER XVII.
JESUS AT GALILEE,........................... 223
CHAPTER XVIII.
MEETING OF THE BRETHREN.................................... 234
CHAPTER XIX.
ASCENSION OF CHRIST,......................... 249
CHAPTER XX.
THE PENTECOST,...................................................... 263
CHAPTER XXI.
THE CRIPPLE HEALED,........................ 275
CHAPTER XXII.
THE SEVEN DEACONS,.............................................. 291
CHAPTER XXIII.
COnVERSION OF SAUL............................................... 305
CHAPTER XXIV.
PAUL COMMENCES HIS MINISTRY............................... 317
CHAPTER XXV.
THE MINISTRY OF PETER,................................................... 323
CHAPTER XXVI.
DELIVERANCE OF PETER,....................... 334
CHAPTER XXVII.
ORDINATION OF PAUL AND BARNABA  S......................... 345
CHAPTER XXVIII.
PREACHING AMIONG THE HEATH EN,............................... 358
CHAPTER XXIX.
JEW AND GENTILES........................................ 368
CHAPTER XXX.
IMPRISONMENT OF PAUL AND SILAS,........................... 378
CHAPTER XXXI.
OPPOSITION AT THESSALONICA..................................387 
T'HE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
CHAPTER I.
WEEPING OVER JERUSALEM.
THE triumphal ride of Christ into Jerusalem,
just prior to his crucifixion, was the dim foreshadowing of his coming in the clouds of heaven
with power and glory amid the triumph of angels and rejoicing of the saints. Then will be
fulfilled the words of Christ: "Ye shall not see
me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He
that cometh in the name of the Lord." Zechariah, in prophetic vision, was shown the day
of final triumph, when Christ shall come in
glory; and also the condition of the Jews who
rejected him at his first advent: "And they shall
look upon me whom they have pierced, and they
shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his
only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as
one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."
The tears of Christ as he wept over Jerusalem
were for the sins of all time. The Jewish nation
was a symbol of the people of all ages who scorn
the pleadings of Infinite love.  Those who profess to be the representatives of Christ upon
earth, yet whose lives are a continual denial of
him, may read their own condemnation in Christ's
denunciation of the self-righteous Jews. The
Saviour came to the world bringing the light of
truth; but his counsel has ever been rejected 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
and his mercies despised by those who have allowed selfishness and the love of mammon and
worldly honor to possess the temple of the heart.
The sin of Jerusalem was in the rejection of
her then present mercies and warnings. As a
tender father pities a loved but erring and
rebellious son, so had Jesus compassion upon
Jerusalem.  He had sent prophets and wise men
with counsel, entreaties, and warnings of threatened judgments if she refused to forsake her sins.
Sacrificial blood had flowed continuously for
centuries, symbolizing the great atonement of the
Son of God, to be offered for the salvation of
man. But though the sacrifices of beasts had
been abundant, they could not supply the place
of true sorrow for sin and obedience to God.  A
broken heart and contrite spirit would have been
of far more value in the sight of God than multitudes of offerings without true repentance.
Jerusalem had not improved her privileges;
she had rejected the warnings of the prophets,
and slain the holy representatives of God. But
the generation that Jesus denounced was not responsible for the sins of their fathers, only so far
as they followed their evil practices, and thus
made themselves accountable for their course of
hatred and revenge in persecuting the ancient
messengers of God. It was the present mercies
and warnings which that generation were rejecting that fastened upon them guilt which the
blood of bulls and goats could not wash away.
Prloud, self-righteous, and independent, they had
separated farther and farther from Heaven until they had become willing subjects of Satan.
The Jewish nation for centuries had been forg
10 
WEEPING OVER JERUSALEM.
ing the fetters which that generation were irrevocably fastening upon themselves.
The tears of Christ expressed his anguish at
seeing his people bringing sure destruction upon
themselves.  Gladly would he have broken from
their necks the yoke of bondagre to a heathen
nation.  But, while the Pharisees bitterly complained of their humiliation and oppression, they
refused with hatred the only help that could
relieve them from captivity, and make them a
free and happy people. The voice of the Saviour had been heard for three years inviting the
weary and heavy-laden to come unto him and he
would give them rest.  He had scattered blessings wherever his feet had trod.  But, instead
of returning his love with gratitude, they thrust
Christ from them, and were now about to seal
their own doom by putting him to death.
The earthly Jerusalem represents a large majority of the professed Christians of this age of
the world.  The Saviour has dispensed his blessings to us at the infinite sacrifice of his own life.
This is our day of mercies and privileges. In
every age of the world there is given to men
their clay of light and privileges, a probationary
time in which they may become reconciled with
God.  But thlere is a limit to this grace.  Mercy
may plead for years and be rejected and slighted;
but there comes a time when mercy makes her
last plea.  The sweet, winning voice entreats the
sinner no longer, and reproofs and warnings
cease.*
That day had now come to Jerusalem. Jesus,
from the summit of Olivet, in a voice broken by
irrepressible sobs and tears, makes his last ap peal to the nation of his choice: "If thou hadst
11 
TTIlE GREAT  CON'TOVERSY.
known, even thout, at least in this thy day, the
things which belong unto thy peace- " A little
remnant of the day still remained, in which Jeru salem might see and repent of her fatal error, and
turn to Christ.' While the fast westering sun yet
lingered in the heavens there was time for her to
be saved. The angel of mercy had long pleaded
for the impenitent city; but now she prepared
to step down from the golden throne, while the
words of irrevocable justice were spoken: "But
now they are hid from thine eyes."
The words of Christ, spoken upon the mount,
reach to our time.  His tears were for our impenitence. He has sent great light to us, as he
(lid to the Jews.  There have been given to us
reproofs, entreaties, warnings, and the Saviour's
yearning love. As the temple courts were desecrated by unholy tratfe in the days of Christ, so
the temple of the heart where Christ should be
enshrined is defiled by selfishness, love of the
world, malice, envy, and unholy passions.  The
Saviour sends messages to warn the sinner of
danger and  rouse his heart to repentance, but
they are too often received as idle tales. Mlany
of those who profess godliness are as unsanctified
by the Spirit of God to-day as were the Pharisees in the days of Jesus.  The light of truth is
rejecte(l by thlousainds because it involves a cross;
it does not harrmonize with their practices, and
the natural inclinations of their hearts.
The prophets of God did not find favor with
apostate Israel because through them their hidden sins were brought to light.  Ahab regarded
Elijah as his enemy, because  the prophet was
faithful to ulnfold the monarch's secret iniquities.
So, to-day the s(m'vant of Chist, the reprover of
t 2 
WEEPING OVER JERUSALELI.
sin, meets with scorn and rebuffs. Bible truth,
the religion of Christ, struggles against a strong
current of moral impurity.
Prejudice is even stronger now in the hearts
of  men  than it was in  Christ's day.  Men,
prompted by Satan, raise doubts as to the truth
of God's Word, and exercise their independent
judgment. They choose darkness rather than
light at the peril of their souls; for God does
not propose to remove every objection against
his truth whichl the carnal heart can offer.  The
mysteries of the Word of God remain such forever to those who refuse to accept the precious
rays of light which would illuminate their darkness.  Divine love sheds tears of anguish over
men formed in the likeness of their Maker who
will not accept his love and receive the impress
of his divine image.
Christ overlooked the world and all ages from
the height of Olivet; and his words are applicable to every individual who slights the pleadings
of his divine mercy. Scorner of his love, he addresses you to-day. It is "thoer, even thou,"
who shotildst know the things which belong to
thy peace. The retribution of the sinner will be
proportionate to the light which he has received.
The most responsible period for the Jews was
when Jesus was in their midst.  And yet even
the disciples appreciated but lightly the presence
of God's Son until it was removed from them,
when Christ ascended to Heaven. The Redeeme;+ was unwilling to sever his connection
with the Jewish nation. He had borne with its
impenitencee and abuse for years.  He regarded
them with the same unselfish devotion which a
mother feels toward the child of her care. For
13 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
centuries he had stayed the bolts of God's wrath
from falling on Jerusalem.  But now she had
filled up the cup of her iniquity by persecution
of the Son of God, and divine vengeance was
to fall upon her. Jesus gazed with inexpressible anguish upon the city and the temple he
had loved.  "0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that
killest the prophets, and stonest them that are
sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered
thy children together, even as a hen gathereth
her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"
If the Jewish people would have thrown off
their bigotry and blind unbelief long, enough to
have looked into the depths of the loving, compassionate heart of Jesus, they could never have
crucified the Lord of glory. But they were perverse and self-righteous; and when the priests
and rulers heard the prophetic voice of the past
sounded in trumpet tones by the multitude, in
answer to the question, " Tho is this?" they did
not accept it as the voice of inspiration. The long
list of ancient authorities pointing forward to
Jesus as the Messiah, and which were quoted by
the disciples, brouoht no proof to their hearts.
But they were too much amazed and angered to
express their indignation in words. Just as they
were secretly and artfully laying their plans to
put Jesus to death, behold: the humble Galilean
is suddenly invested with honor that he had
never before claimed, and receives homage which
he had hitherto refused.
The dignitaries of the temple are dumb with
astonishment.  Where now is the boasted power
of priests and rulers over the people' The authorities had announced that whoever should acknowledge Jesus to be the Christ was to be put
14 
WEEPING OVER JERUSALEM.
out of the synagogue and deprived of its sacred
privileges. Yet here are the enthusiastic multitude shouting loud hosannas to the Son of
David, and recounting the titles given him by
the prophets.  As well might the priests and
rulers attempt to deprive the earth of the shining
face of the sun, as to shut from the world the
beams of glory from the Sun of Righteousness.
In spite of all opposition, the kingdom of Christ
was confessed by the people.
WThen the priests and rulers recovered their
voices, they murmured among themselves, "Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing?  Behold, the
world is gone after him."  But they soon shook
off the paralyzing effect of the strange exhibition which  they had witnessed, and tried to
intimidate the crowd by threatening to complain
of them to the civil authorities as raising an insurrection. Some of the Pharisees carried out
their threats, and angrily denounced Jesus to the
Roman officers present as the leader of a rebellion. Others joined them, accusing the Saviour
of setting himself up as king in defiance of the
Roman power. Annas the priest urged that he
was about to take possession of the temple, and
reign as king in Jerusalem.
But the calm voice of Jesus hushed for a moment the clamorous throng as hlie proclaimed that
his kingdom was not of this world; that he had
not come to establish a temporal rule; that he
should soon ascend to his Father, and his accusers
should see him no more until he should come
again in glory; and then, too late for their salvation, they  should  acknowledge  him,  saying,
"Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the
Lord."
15 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
Jesus spoke these words with sadness and with
singular power.  The Roman officers were silenced and subdued.  Their hearts, though strangers to divine influence, were moved as they had
never been moved before; and a sudden hush fell
upon the multitude.  JIe whlo could command
the elements, whose voice had stilled the angry
waters of the deep, could also quell t]:e excitement and apprehension of heathen men wio had
not rejected his light niior steeled their hlearts
against him by prejudice.  The Romian officers
read love, benevolence, and quiet dignity in the
calm and solemn face of Jesus.   They  were
stirred by a sympathy thley could not understand.
Before themi  was a man of hulnble mien, but of
Godlike bearing(.  Thev were niore inclined to
pay him homLage than to arrest him for insurrection.
They perceived that the priests and rulers were
the only persons who weie angry and creating a
disturbance.  Tlhey therefore turned upon them,
and charged them with being the occasion of all
the confusion.  The priests and Pharisees, chagrined and defeated by this, turned to the people
with their complaints, and wrangled among themselves with loud and angry disputation.  Thlere
was a division of opinion among the priesthood
regalrding Jesuts.  Annas vehelently accused him
of being an impostor.  (Caiaphas had publicly acknowledged him to be a piopliet, but considered
that his death was necessary to the fulfillmnent of
prophlecy.  These two lealders gathered parties to
tleir opinions.  The iajority of  the common
people were in favor of Jesus, declaring that no
man could do the works whlich hle had done.
16 
\WEEPIN(G OV\-ER  JERtiUSALEM.N
While these angry contentions were going. on,
Jesus, the subject of all this disputation, passed
unnoticed to the temple and looked about it with
sorrowful eyes. All was quiet there, for the scene
that had transpired upon Olivet had called all
the people away from the temple.  After looking
upon it for a short time with solemn countenance,
Jesus withdrew from the temple with his disciples, and passed on to Bethany. And when the
people would have placed him upon the throne
as king of Israel, he was nowhere to be found.
Jesus spent the entire night in prayer, and in
the morning, while returning again from Bethany,
he passed a fig-orchard.  He was hungry, "And
seeing a fig-tree afar off having leaves, he came,
if haply he might find any thing thereon; and
when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves;
for the time of figs was not yet.  And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee
hereafter forever. And his disciples heard it."
It was not the season for ripe figs, except in
certain localities; and on the elevated height of
Olivet it might truly be said, "the time of figs
was not yet." It is the nature of the fig-tree that
before the leaves open the growing fruit appears;
so it would follow that upon a tree covered with
leaves one would expect to find well matured
figs.  The tree which Jesus saw was beautiful to
look upon, butt upon a thorough searching of its
branches, he found that its appearance was deceitful, for it bore "nothing but leaves."  In order to leach his disciples an impressive lesson, he
used the fig-tree as a symbol, and invested it with
moral qualities and made it the medium by which
to teach a divine truth.
Great Controv-ersy, Vol. 3.
17
2 
TIlE  (.IRlAT  (0C-TtON'VERSY.
The Jews stood forth distinct from. all other
nations, professing perfect allegiance to the God
of Heaven. They had been specially favored by
him, and they claimed a greater piety than any
other people, while in reality they were sinful,
corrupted by the love of the world and the greed
of gain.  Boasting of their goodness and knowledge, yet full of hypocrisy and cruelty, and ignorant of the requirements of God, they were like
the barren fig-tree that spread its pretentious
branches aloft, luxuriant in appearance, and beautiful to the eye, but  upon which Jesus found
"nothing but leaves."
The Jewish religion with its magnificent display of temple, sacrIed altars, sacrificial pomp,
mitred priests and impressive ceremonies, was but
a superficial covering under which pride, oppression and iniquity held sway.  The leaves were
abundant and beautiful, but the tree bore no
goodly fruit.  The next morning as they passed
by the same orchard, the disciples saw that the
fig-tree which Jesus cursed was withered and
blasted from root to branch. Jesus presented to
his disciples the true condition of the Jews in
this striking figure of the barren fig-tree; and, as
the tree withered beneath the Saviour's blighting
curse, and stood forth sere and blasted, dried up
by the roots, so should all pretentious hypocrites
be brought low.
The other trees in the fig-orchard were also
destitute of fruit; but their boughs were leafless,
therefore they raised no expectations and caused
no disappointmlent.  These leafless trees represented the Gentiles, who made no boasts of superior piety. In them the words of the scripture
finds an application, "the time of figs was not
18 
THEEI'1 [N.  O'ERt JER[ lUSALEM..
yet." But while the Jews in proud self-confidence
stood forth assuming superiority to all others, the
Gentiles were in a measure feeling their want
and weakness, and longing for a better day, a
clearer and more certain light to guide their wandering footsteps.
The Jewish nation were outwardly religious,
priding theimselves upon their sacred temple, the
pomp of priests and the imposing ceremonies of
the morning and evening services, gorgeous synagogutes  and  sacrificial  ofiferings.  Here  were
abundant leaves, beautiful and bright, to cover
the hollow hypocrisy, malice, andl oppression at
the heart of all this vain display. The Jews
were privileged with the presence of Christ manifested in the flesh.  This inestimable blessing
which God bestowed upon them should have
called forth their devout acknowledgments.  But
in blind prejudice they refused the mercies offered
them by Jesus.  His love was lavished upon them
in vain, and they regarded not his wondrous
works. Sorrow fled at his approach; infirmity and
deformity were healed; injustice and oppression
shrunk ashamed from his rebuke; while death
and the grave humbled thenmselves in his presence and obeyed his commands. Yet the people
of his choice rejected him and his mighty miracles with scorn. The Majesty of Heaven came
uinto his own, and his own received him not.
The judgment pronounced upon the barren figtree not only symbolizes the sentence passed upon
the Jews, but is also applicable to the professed
Christians of our time, who have become formal,
selfish, boasting and hypocritical. Many who
profess godliness stand before the world like the
barren fig-tree, displaying pretentious leaves but
t 9 
THE GREAT ('ONTROVERSY.
utterly devoid of fruit.  They go through the
form of worship, yet have not repentance and
faith. In the doom of the fig-tree Christ demonstrated how hateful in his eyes are hypocrisy and
hollow pretense. Ever pitiful to the truly penitent, ever ready to receive them and to heal their
maladies, he thus evidenced that the open sinner
is in a more favorable condition before God than
the Christian who bears no fruit to his glory.
Important events clustered around the close of
Christ's ministry.  His triumphal entrance into
Jerusalem, his cleansing of the desecrated temple
and the blighting of the barren fig-tiee, all pointed
to the doom of Jerusalem.  The tears of Jesus
upon the mount, when he overlooked the city of
his love and care, while in the midst of the rejoicing and hosannas of thousands, were the last
pleadings of rejected love and compassion.
CHAPTER II.
CLEANSING  THE TEMPLE.
As Jesus entered the outer court of the temple
it was like entering a vast cattle-yard. Mingled
with the lowing of the oxen, the bleating of the
sheep and the cooing of the doves, were the sharp
clinking of coin and the sound of angry altercation between trafficers, some of whom were ministers of sacred rites. The holy precincts of the
temple presented a most unsanctified and painful
spectacle to those conscientious Jews who, while
deploring the desecration of God's holy place,
20 
('LEANSING THE TEMPLE.
were unable to prevent it; for the dignitaries of
the temple themselves engaged in buying and
selling, and the exchange of money. They were
artful and avaricious, and the greed of gain overbore all religious scruples, and they carried their
traffic to such extremes that they were no better
than thieves in the sight of God.
Three years before at the commencement of his
ministry, Jesus had driven from the temple those
who defiled it by their unholy traffic; and by
his stern and God-like demeanor had struck awe
to the hearts of the scheming traders. Now, at
the close of his earthly mission, he came again to
the temple of God and found it still desecrated
by the same abominable practices and the same
defilers. Little did the priests and rulers realize
the solemnn, sacred work which it was their office
to perform. At every passover and Feast of Tabernacles thousands of cattle were slain, and their
blood caught by the priests and poured upon the
altar.  The Jews had become familiar with blood
as a purifier from guilt, and they had almost lost
sight of the fact that sin made necessary all this
shedding of the blood of beasts, and that it prefigured the blood of God's dear Son which was to
be shed for the life of the world, and that by the
offering of sacrifices men were to be directed
toward a crucified Redeemer.
Jesus looked upon the innocent victims of sacrifice, symbolizing himself, and saw how the Jews
had made these great convocations scenes of
bloodshed and cruelty, thus in a great measure
destroying the solemnity of the institution of sacrifices.  The bringing together of such a vast
number of cattle and sheep made a noisy market of the temple court, and gave scope to that
21 
rTHE (GREAT CONTROVERSY.
spirit of avarice and sharp trading which charac terized the leaders of the people, who endeavored
to keep the business in their own hands. These
persons realized immense profits by their exorbitant prices and false dealing. The indignation of Jesus was stirred; he knew that his
blood, soon to be shed for the sins of the world,
would be as little appreciated by the priests and
elders as the blood of beasts which they kept incessantly flowing.
In place of humble repentance of sin the sacrifice of beasts was multiplied, as if God could be
conciliated by such heartless service. Samuel
said: "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt
offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of
the Lord?  Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice."  And Isaiah, seeing tlhrough prophetic vision the apostasy of the Jews, addressed them
as rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah: "Hear the
word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear
unto the law of'our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord. I am full of the
burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts;
and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of
lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear
before me, who bath required this at your hand, to
tread ily courts?"  "Wash you, make you clean;
put away the evil of your doings from before
mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well;
seek judgment, relieve the cppressed, judge the
fatherless, plead for the widow."
The Saviour witnessed the fulfillment of this
prophecy. Three years before he had cleansed
the temple, but all that defiled its courts at that
time existed uow in a much greater degree.  In
22 
('LEANSING THlE'I'EMPLE.
fiilfillment of ancient prophecy the people had
proclaimed Jesus to be the King of Israel; he had
accepted their homage and the office of king and
priest.  He knew that his efforts to reform a corrupted priesthood would be in vain; but nevertheless, his work must be done, the evidence of
his divine mission must be given to an unbelieving people.
As the piercing look of Jesus swept the desecrated court of the temple, all eyes were instinctivelyv. turned toward him. The voices of the people and the noise of the cattle were hushed.
Priest, ruler, Pharisee and Gentile all looked with
mute astonishment and indefinable awe upon the
Son of God, who stood before them with the
majesty of Heaven's King, divinity flashing
through humanity and investing him with a dignity and glory he had never before displayed. A
strange fear fell upon the people. Those nearest
Jesus instinctively drew as far from him as the
crowd would permit.  With the exception of a
few of his disciples the Saviour stood alone. All
sound was ihushed; the deep silence seemed unbearable, and when the firm, compressed lips of
Jesus parted, and his voice rang out in clarion
tones, there was an involuntary groan or sigh of
relief from all present.
He spoke in clear accents and with a power
that caused the people to sway as if moved by a
mighty tempest: "It is written, My house is
the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den
of thieves." He descended the steps, and, with
greater authority than he had there manifested three years before, with indignation that
q(uenched all opposition, in tones that rang like a
trumpet through the whole temple, commanded,
23 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
"Take these things hence." The displeasure of
his countenance seemed like a consuming fire;
there was no questioning his authority; all fled
in the greatest haste from his presence, taking
with them, and driving before them, the cattle
and merchandise that had desecrated the temple
of the Most High. Here Christ evidenced to the
world that, with all his infinite love and mercy,
he could execute stern justice.
Three years before the dignitaries of the temple had been ashamed of their precipitous flight
before the command of the youthful Jesus, and
had since wondered at their own fears and unquestioning obedience of a single humble man.
They had felt that it was impossible for such an
undignified surrender on their part to be repeated.
Yet a second time they were more terrified and
in greater haste than before to obey his command.
After the buyers and sellers had been expelled,
Jesus looked upon the flying crowd with the most
profound pity. Many remained anxiously hoping
that this man, who assumed such power and authority, was the longed for Messiah.
The crowd, rushing from the temple courts,
driving their cattle before them, met a throng
that came, bearing with them the sick and dying,
and inquiring for the great Healer. The flying
people gave the most exaggerated report of the
act of Christ in cleansing the temple. Upon
hearing this some of those who were hastening
to find Jesus turned back, fearing to meet one so
powerful, whose very glance had driven the
prests and rulers from his presence.  But a large
number pressed their passage through the hurrying throng, eager to reach Him who was their
only hope, and feeling that should he fail to re
2i 
C(LEANSING THE TEMPLE.
lieve them of their sorrows and maladies.they
might as well die at once, as his power was
greater than that of all others.
A wonderful spectacle is now presented before
the disciples; the court of the temple, cleansed
from its defilers, is filled with the sick and suffering, some of whom are brought in a dying condition before Jesus. These afflicted ones feel their
distressing need; they realize that they must
perish unless the great Physician takes pity upon
them. They fix their eyes imploringly upon the
face of Christ, expecting to see there that severitv of which they had heard from those whom
they met leaving the temple; but they read in
that dear face only love and tender pity.
Jesus kindly received the sick, and disease and
approaching death fled at a touch of his hand.
He gave hope to the sorrowing and despondent,
and lifted the burdens from the hearts of those
who sought him.  The dumb, blind and paralytic
went from his presence rejoicing in perfect soundness. He gathered little children in his arms as
tenderly as would a loving mother, soothed their
fretful cries, banished the fever and pain from
their little forms, and handed them back, smiling
and healthful, to their grateful parents.
That morning the court had been a scene of
trade and traffic, fulll of the noisy clamor of men
and of beasts; now, all was calm within that
sacred enclosure; and the eager multitude heard
the words of eternal life from the lips of the Saviour. Nothing  interrupted his discourse  save
new applications for mercy and freedom fiom disease, and the glad shouts of praise to the Healer
as he relieved them from their suffering.
The priests and rulers were involuntarily drawn
25 
TIIE GREAT  (ONT'ROVERSIY.
back to the temple. After the first panic of terror had abated they were seized with an anxiety
to know what would be the next movement of
Jesus. They expected him to take the throne of
David.  Quietly returning to the temp)le, they
heard the voices of men, women and children
praising God.  Upon entering, they stood transfixed before the strange scene being enacted before them. They saw the sick healed, the blind
restored to sight, the deaf receive their hearing
and the cripple leap for joy. The children were
foremost in rejoicing. They repeated the hosannas that were shouted the day before, and waved
palm-branches triumphantly before the Saviour.
The temple echoed and re-echoed with acclamations of "Blessed is he who cometh in the name
of the Lord'"  " Behold, thy King cometh unto
thee.  He is just and having salvation'"  " Hosanna to the son of David!"
As the dignitaries of the temple beheld all this
commotion, and heard the happy, unrestrained
voices of the children, their old intolerance returned and they set about putting a stop to such
demonstrations. They represented to the people
that the holy temple was polluted by the feet of
the children and by their noisy shouts and rejoicing.  They who had permitted and even engaged in angry altercations, and buying and selling within those sacred walls, who had heard unmoved the distracting noise of the various animals allowed within the precincts, were apparejtiy overwhelmed with indignation that the
innocent rejoicing of glad children should be tolerated within the temple court.
The priests and rulers, finding that they made
no impression upon the people who had felt and
26 
(-'IEANSIN(, THE   TENIMPLE..
witnessed the power of the divine Teacher, ventured to appeal to Christ himself, "And said unto
him, Hearest thou what these say?  And Jesus
saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out
of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast
perfected praise?" Had the voices of those happy
children been silenced, the very pillars of the temple would have sounded the Saviour's praise.
Jesus was ever a lover of children; he accepted
their childish sympathy and their open, unaffected
love. The grateful praise from their pure lips
was music in his ears, and refreshed his spirits
which were depressed by the hypocrisy of the
Jews. On this occasion he had healed the nmaladies of the children, clasped them in his arms, received their kisses of grateful affection, and they
had fallen asleep upon his breast while he was
teaching the people.  Wherever the Saviour went
the benignity of his countenance, and his gentle,
kindly manner wan the love and confidence of
children.
The Pharisees were utterly perplexed and disconcerted at the turn things had taken and the
failure of their attempt to quell the enthusiasm
of the people. One was in command whom
they could not intimidate with their assumption of authority.  Jesus had taken his position as guardian of the temple. Never before
had he assumed such kingly authority; never before had his words and acts possessed so great
power. He had done great and marvelous works
throuhout Jerusalem, but never in such a solemn
and impressive manner.
Jesus, in taking charge of the temple court,
had wrought there a wonderful change. He had
banished the buyers and sellers, the money
27 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
changers and the cattle; "and would not suffer
that any man should carry any vessel through
the temple." So sacred did the world's Redeemer
regard the building dedicated to the worship of
God. The priests and rulers dared not show open
hostility to Jesus in presence of the people who
had witnessed his wonderftiul works. Though enraged and confounded by his answer they were
unabile to accomplish anything farther that (-,ay.
On the following morning the Sanhedrim was
assembled for the purpose of deciding what should
be done with Jesus. His singular invasion of the
temple was so presumptuous and surpassingly
strange in their eyes, that they urged the propriety of calling him to account for the boldness of
his conduct in interfering with the authorized
keepers of the temple. Three years before they
had challenged him to give them a sign of his
Messiahship. Since that time he had wrought
mighty works in their midst.  He had healed the
sick, miraculously fed thousands of people, walked
upon the boisterous waves, and spoken peace unto
the troubled sea.  He had repeatedly read the
secrets of their hearts like an open book; he had
cast out demons, and raised the dead to life; yet
they still refused to see and acknowledge the evidences of his MAessiahship.
They now decided to demand no sign of
his authority for his bold action regarding the
temple, but to confront him with questions and
charges calculated to draw out some admissions
or declarations by which they might condemn
him. After carefully arranging their plan they
repaired to the temple where Jesus was preaching
the gospel to the people, and proceeded to question him as to what authority he hadl for his acts
28 
(C'LiEANSING THE TEMPLE.
in the temple. They expected him to reply that
God had invested him with the authority which
he had there manifested. This assertion they
were prepared to deny.  But instead of this Jesus
met them with a question apparently pertaining
to another subject:  "The baptism of John, was
it from  Heaven, or of mien?" His questioners
were at a loss how to reply. If they should deny
the mission of John and his baptism unto repentance, they would lose influence with the people-for John was acknowledged by them to be a
prophet of God. But if they should acknowledge
that John's mission was divine, then they would
be obliged to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah;
for John had repeatedly pointed him out to the
people as the Christ, saying, "Behold the Lanmb
of God that taketh away the sins of the world."
John had spoken of Jesus as one whose shoelatchet he was not worthy to unloose.
Jesus laid the burden of decision upon them as
to the true character of John's mission. "And
they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall
say fromi Heaven, he will say, Why believed ye
him not? But and if we say, Of men, all the
people will stone us; for they be persuaded that
John was a prophet." In their hearts they did
not accept the teachings of John. If they had
done so they could not have rejected Jesus, of
whom John prophesied. But they had deceived
the people by assuming to believe in the ministry
of John; and now they dared not, in answer to
the Savjour's question, declare that John's mission
was divine lest Jesus should demand their reason
for not receiving the prophet's testimony concerning him. He might have said, If John was from
Heaven, so am I; my ministry and work is so
29 
THE (GREAT ('ONTIITROVERSY.
closely connected with his that they cannot be
separated.
The people were listening with bated breath to
hear what answer the priests and rulers would
make to the direct question of Jesus, as to the
baptism of John, whether it was from Heaven or
of men. They expected them to acknowledge
that John was sent of God; but, after conferring
secretly among themselves, the priests decided to
be as wary as possible; "and they answered, that
they could not tell whence it was. And Jesus
said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authcrity I do these things." Scribes, priests and
rulers stood confused and disappointed before the
people, whose respect they had lost in a great degree by their cowardice and indecision.
All these sayings and doings of Christ were
important, and their influence was to be felt in
an ever increasing degree after the crucifixion,
the resurrection and the ascension. Many of
those who had anxiously awaited the result of
the questioning of Jesus, were finally to become
his disciples, first drawn towards him by his
words on that eventful day. The scene in the
temple court was never to fade from their minds.
The contrast between the appearance of Jesus
and the high priest, as they talked together, was
very marked.  The mighty dignitary of the temple was clothed in rich and gorgeous garments,
with a glittering tiara upon his head. His majestic bearing, and his hair and long flowing
beard silvered by age, gave him a strikingly venerable appearance, calculated to inspire the people
with profound awe.
The Majesty of Heaven stood before this august personage without ornament or display.
.30 
('I,EANSIN(.  Tni   TEM!'1LE.
Hiis garments were travel-stained; his face was
pale and expressed a touching sadness; yet there
was a dignity and benevolence written there
which contrasted strangely with the proud, selfconfident and angry air of the high priest. Many
of those who were witnesses of the marvelous
words and deeds of Jesus in the temple, enshrined
him in their hearts from that time as the prophet
of God. But the hatred of the priests toward
Jesus increased as the popular feeling turned in
his favor.  The wisdom by which he escaped the
nets set for his feet, added fresh fuel to their
hatred, being a new evidence of his divinity.
As they stood mortified and silent before the
Saviour, humiliated in presence of the great multitude, he improved his opportunity of presenting
before them their true characters, and the retribution sure to follow their evil deeds. He arranged the lesson in such a manner  that the
priests and elders should pronounce their own
condemnation: "But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first,
and said, Son, go work to-day in my vineyard.
He answered and said, I will not; but afterward
he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and
said, I go, sir; and went not. Whether of them
twain did the will of his father?" 
This abrupt question threw them off their
guard; they had followed the parable closely and
now immediately answered, "The first."  Fixing
his steady eye upon them, Jesus responded in
stern and solemn accents: "Verily I say unto
you, That the publicans and the harlots go into
the kingdomd of God before you.  For John came
unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye Le
.31 
T'HE  (GREAl.T ('O-NTRO\vERSY.
lieved him not; but the publicans and the harlots
believed him; and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him."
These terrible truths struck home to the hearts
of the hypocritical priests and rulers. The first
son in the parable represented the publicans and
harlots who at first refused obedience to the
teachings of John, but afterwards repented and
were converted. The second son represented the
Jews who professed obedience and superior virtue, but insulted God by rejecting the gift of his
Son. By their wicked works they forfeited the
favor of Heaven. They despised the mercies of
God. The most thoughtless and abandoned are
represented by Jesus as occupying a more favorable position before God than the haughty and
self-righteous priests and rulers.
They were unwilling to bear these searching
truths, but remained silent, hoping that Jesus
would say something which they could turn
against him; but they had still more to bear.
Jesus looked back upon the past, when his ministers, the prophets of God, were rejected and
their messages trampled upon by the ancestors of
the very men who stood before him. He saw
that the sons were following in the footsteps of
their fathers, and would fill up the cup of their
iniquity by putting to death the Lord of Life.
He drew from the past, present and future to
compose his parable:  "Hear another parable: There was a certain
hqouseholder, which planted a vineyard, and
hedged it round about, and digged a winepress
in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And
when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his
32) 
CLEANSING THE TEMPLE.
servants to the husbandmen, that they might
receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen
took his servants, and beat one, and killed
another, and stoned another.   Again, he sent
other servants more than the first; and they did
unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto
then3 his son, saying, They will reverence my
son. But when the husbandinen saw the son,
they said among themselves, This is the heir;
come, let us kill him, and let lus seize on his inhetitance. And they caught him, and cast him
out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the
lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will
he do unto those husbandmen? "
Jesus addressed all the people present; but
the priests and rulers, not anticipating that the
parable was to be applied to them, answered at
once, " He will miserably destroy those wicked
men, and will let out his vineyard unto other
husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits
in their seasons." Again they perceived that
they had pronounced their own condemnation in
presence of the people who were listening, with
rapt interest to Jesus. The Saviour referred to}
messenger after messenger that had been sent in
vain to Israel with reproofs, warnings and entreaties. These faithful bearers of truth had
been slain by those to whom they were sent,
even as the faithful servants were slain by the
wicked husbandmen. In the beloved son whom
the lord of the vineyard finally sent to his disobedient servants, and whom they seized and
slew, the priests and rulers suddenly saw unfolded before them, a distinct picture of Jesus
and his impending fate. Already they were
Crc.at Controversy, Vol, 3,  3
33 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
planning to slay Him whomi the Father had sent to
them as a last and only appeal. In the retribution
visited upon the ungrateful husbanldmen was portrayed the doom of those who should slay Christ.
In the parable of the vineyard Jesus broiught
before the Jews their real condition. The householder represented God, the vineyard the Jewish
nation he(ldged in by divine law which was calculated to preserve themi as a people separate
and distinct firol  all other nations of the earth.
The tower built in the vineyard represented
their temple. The Lord of the vineyard had
done all that was necessary for its p)rosperity.
So God had provided for Israel in such a manner
that it was in their p)ower to secure the highest
degree of prosperity. The lord of thie vineyard
required of his hutsbandnien a due proportion of
the fruit; so God required of the Jews a life correspondingc with the sacred privileges he  had
given them.  But as tihe servants who deliande(l
fruit in their niaster's name were put to death by
the unfaithful hustandiiien, so had the Jew-s slain
the prophets who had come to them with mrnessages from Godl. Not only were these rejected, b)ut
when he sent his only Son to them, the destined
Heir to the vineyard, thinking to preserve the
vineyard to themselves, and to secure the honor
and profit accruing therefrom, the haughty Jews,
the unfaithful servants, reasoned among, themselves, saying, "This is the heir; come, let us kill
him." Thus Jesus revealed in his parable the
dark purposes of the Jews against himself.
After Jesus had heard them pronounce sentence upon themselves in their condemnation of
the wicked husbandmen, he looked pityingly
upon them and continued:" Did ye never read in
34 
CLEANSING THE TEMPLE.
the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected the same has become the head of the corner; this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous
in our eyes?  Therefore say I unto you, The
kingdom of God shall be taken fromn you, and
g(riven to a nation bringing forth thie fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall
be broken; but on whomisoever it shall fall, it
will grind him to powder."
The Jews had often repeated tie words of this
prophecy while teaching the people in the synagogues, applying it to the coming Messiah.  But
Jesus connected the heir so cruelly slain with the
stone which the builders rejected, but which
eventually became the principal stone of the
whole building.  Christ himself was the originator of the Jewish system, the very foundation of
the costly temple, the antitype to whom all the
sacrificial  services  pointed.   The  Jews  had
watched with apparent anxietv for the coming
of Christ.  The scribes, who were learned in the
law and acquainted with the declarations of the
prophets regarding his coming, knew fromi  prophetic history that the time of looking and waiting for his advent to the world had expired.
Through the parables which Jesus spoke to the
Jews, he brought their minds to prophecies which
had foretold the very things which were then being enacted.  He sought by every means within
his power to awaken their consciences and to enlighten their understanding, that they migh-t consicder Vell the steps they were nieditating.
In these parables hle laid the purposes of the
Pharisees before them, together with the fearful
consequences resulting.  A solemn warning was
thus given to them.  And to leave the matter
35 
TIlE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
without a shadow of doubt, Jesus then. dropped
all figures and stated plainly that the kingdomn of
God should be taken from tlhemn and given to a
nation bringing forth fruit. At this the chief
priests and scribes were so enraged they could
scarcely restrain themselves from using violence
against him; but perceiving the love and reverence with which the people regarded him they
dared not follow out the malice of their he(arts.
CHAPTER III.
JESUS AND THE PIIARISEES.
T-N building the temple of Solomion the stones
were  entirely prepared at the quarriy, so that when
they were brought to the place of building the
workmen had only to place theni in position; the
hewving, squaring and polishing had all been done.
"And the king commanded, and they brought
great stones, costly stones, and h-ewed stones, to
lay the foundation of the house.  And Solomon's
builders and Hiramn's builders did hewr them, and
the stone-squarers.  So they prepared timber and
stones to build the house."  " And the house,
when it was in building, wvas built of stonie made
ready before it was brought thither; so that there
wa,s neither hanmnmer nor ax nor any tool of iron
ha,rd in the house, while it was in biilding."
Not an instrument was to be used upon the
stone when it was brought to the place of building.  One stone of irreg,ular shape was brought
36 
JESUS AND THE PHARISEES.
from the (quarry to be used in the foundation of
the temple. But the workmen could find no
place for it and would not accept it. There it
lay unused, and the laborers passed around it or
stumbled over it, greatly annoyed by its presence.
Long it remained a rejected stone.  But when the
builders came to the laying of the corner-stone,
for a long time they searched in vain for a stone
of sufficient size and strength, and of the proper
shape, to take that particular place and bear the
great weight which would rest upon it.  Should
they make an unwise selection of a stone for this
important place, the safety of the entire building
would be eiudangered; they must find a stone capable of resisting the influence of the sun, frost
and tempest.  Several stones had been chosen at
different times; but when subjected to the pressure of inmmense weights they had crumbled to
pieces.  Others would not bear the test of sudden
atmospheric changes, and were therefore pronounced unfit for the place.
But there lay the stone so long rejected by the
builders; it had endured exposure to the air and
to thie scorching rays of the sun without revealing a seam or the slightest crack.  Storms had
beaten upon it, yet it remained the same. The
attention of the builders was finally attracted to
this large stone, and they examined it closely.
It had already borne every test but one.  If it
could bear the test of severe pressure they decided to accept it for the corner-stone.  The trial
was made to the satisfaction of all.  The stone
was accepted, brought to its assigned position
and found to be an exact fit.
In prophetic vision Isaiah was shown that this
stone was a syllmbol of the Saviour of the world.
37 
THE GcREAT  ('ONrTROVAERSY.
He says: "Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself;
and let him be your fear, and let him  be your
dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for
a stone of stumblingo and for a rock of offense to
both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare
to the inhabit,nts  of Jerusalem.  And  manv
amnong them  shall  stuim)le,  and  fall, and  be
broken, and be snare(l, and be taken."  Carried
down in prophetic vision to the first advent, the
prophet is shown that Christ is to bear trials and
tests of which the treatment of the chief cornerstone in the temple of Solomon is a symbol:
"Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I
lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone,
a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation; he
that believeth shall not make haste."
God in infinite wvisdom chose the foundation
stone and laid it himself.  He called it a "sure
stone;" the entire world may lay upon it theirburdens and griefs, yet it can endure them all.
They may build upon this stone with perfect
safety. Christ is a "tried stone," and never disappoints those who trust in him. He has borne
every test imposed upon him.  He failed not in
the wilderness of temptation when he endured
the pressure of Adam's guilt and that of his posterity.  He came off more than conqueror of the
powers of evil. He has borne the burdens cast
upon him by those who, falling upon this rock,
have been broken.  In Christ their guilty hearts
have found relief.  Those who make Him their
foundation rest in perfect security.
Christ is represented by the chief corner-stone.
Jew and Gentile must build upon this foundation, and their connection with Christ, this "precious stone" makes them living stones. Peter in
38 
JESUS AND THE PHARISEES.
the following figure clearly shows to whom
Christ is a foundation stone and to whom a stone
of stumbling:
"If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.  To whom  coining, as unto a living stone,
disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and
precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a
spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus
(-Christ. WTherefore also it is contained in the
scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious; and he that believeth on
him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe, he is precious; but unto them
-which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the
corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of
offense, even to them which stumble at the word,
-eino disobedient; whereunto also they were appointe(l."
In revealing to the Jews their doomi  for reiceting the Son of GCo(l and making of him  a
stunn)licng-block, Jesus also addresses all those
who are impenitent and do not accept him as their
Red(leei'ier.  The fate of the unbelieving Jews will
l)e theirs. The only safety is to build upon the
right foundation.  Millions are to-day building
their hopes and prospects upon foundations that
have not been tested and proven; they will soon
totter and fall, bearing with  thenm  the flimsy
structures built upon them.
Jesus had passively borne the abuse of sinners,
just a. the rejected stone had borne the abuse of
the workmen wh'o stumbled over it.  But the
time was to come when they would see him ex alted, even as the despised and rejected stone was
39 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
made the head of the corner. Then the rejectors
of Christ were to be punished for their iniquity.
The city and temple of the Jews were to be destroyed.  The stone was to fall upon them by
which all their glory would be broken and scattered as the dust which the wind driveth away.
Jesus has set before us the only true foundation upon which we may securely build.  It is
broad enough for all and strong enough to sustain the weight and burden of the whole world.
To fall upon this stone and be broken is to give
up our self-righteousness and to go to Christ with
the humility of a child, repenting of our transgressions and believing in his forgiving love. All
who build upon this foundation, which is Christ,
become living stones by connection with Him, the
chief corner-stone. Many persons are hewn, polished and beautified by their own endeavors, but
they never will become "living stones" because
they are not connected with Christ. When the
rain falls, and the tempest rages, and the floods
come they will fall in ruin because they are not
riveted to the eternal rock, the chief corner-stone,
Christ Jesus.
The stones were not prepared for their respective places just as they were about to be laid in
the wall of the temple; all the fitting and planning was done previous to their being brought to
the place of building. So it is that all the hewing, fitting and polishing of character must be
done during man's probation. When Christ shall
come again to earth it will not be to purify and
refine the characters of men, and to fit them for
Heaven. His work then will only be to change
their corruptible bodies and fashion them like
unto Christ's most glorious body.  Only a synm
40 
JESUS AND THE PHARISEES.
metrical and perfect character will in that day
entitle men to the finishing touch of immortality.
Earth is the quarry and the work-shop where
men are to be fitted and refined for the courts of
Heaven. As the stones composing Solomon's
temple came together in the wall a perfect fit,
without the touch of ax or hammer or any other
instrument, so will the resurrected' saints, and
those who are alive at the time of his coming be
caught up together to meet the Lord in the air,
each one fitted for the great change and taking
his proper place in the temple of God's love.
But when  Christ shall visit the wicked, his
judgm,ents will fall not only upon the Jews but
upon all who have refused the heavenly benefits
of the grace of God. The stone that was passive,
bearing humbly all the abuse heaped upon it,
will then lift itself in life and power above those
who despised and rejected it.  They will see in
this their rock of offense, an avenging mountain
falling upon and crushing them.
Hoping to entrap him in his words, the chief
priests and rulers sent the most malicious enemies
of Jesus to him, who pretended to be interested in
his teachings and desiring to be profited by his
divine wisdom.  They expected Jesus would be
deceived by their pious pretensions, thrown off
his guard and led to speak that which they could
take advantage of to condemn  himn.  They were
mortified and angry that they had been compelled
to endure the penetrating address of Jesus, laying
bare their true condition and condemning their
wicke(iiess, yet were utterly unable to refute his
words.
Thley privately arranged with the Herodians to
accompany them  and hear the words of Jesus,
41 
TIlE GREAT (CONTROVERSY.
that they might be witnesses against him when
he should be arraigned on trial for his life. The
Pharisees had ever fretted and chafed under the
exaction of taxes or tribute by the Romans.  They
took the position that it was contrary to the law
of God.  Theey now laid a snare by which they
thou,ght Jesus would suiely b)ecome  entangled
and offend either the Jewish laws ori the Roman
authlority. The spies came to him in a most
courteous manner and expressed great confidence
in his teachings.  After plying him with flattery
as to his straightforward course, irrespective of
the favor or frowns of men, they, with an assuined( candor, aske(l as if for information, "Is it
lawful to give tribute unto C-esar, or not?"
But their  wicked device  was plain to the
SavTiour, and turning upon tlhei  he answered
thl(m, " Why temipt ye me, ye hypocrites? Sliow
Ime the tribute money."  Thrown off their guard
by the unexpected manner in which Jesus met
theii advances, and which plainly showed that he
was not deceived for a momlent lby their specious
flattery, his (luiestioners iiliunediately brougllt him
a coin l)eariing  the image and suiipersciiption of
the Roiiia1n i ulei. "And he saith unto  them,
\Whose is this iimage an(d superscription? They
say unto him, C,esar's. Then saithli he unto them,
Render therefore unto (C)sar the things which
are Cwsar's, and unto God the thinigs that are
God's."
The wily spies felt themselves baffled and( defeated.  The sumnmary way in which their q(luestitn had been settled left nothing farther for them
to say.  Their plans were  all disarranged.  They
had expected Jesus to answer their question direetly in one way or the other.  If he should say,
42 
.JFSUJS AND  TiHE  PHARISEES.
It is unlawful to give tribute unto Cvesar, there
were those present whose task it was to immiediately bear thie report to the Roman authorities,
and hlave Jesus arrested at once as one who was
creatingo rebellion among the Jews.  This they
hoped would instue his condemnation.  But in
case he should say, It is ]awful to give tribute
unto C(esar, they designed to call the attention of
the Jewish people to his decision, and accuse him
as one opposed to the divine law.
Jesus read their Inotives, and, holding in his
hand the Roiman coin, upon which was stamped
the name and iimage of Cwsar, declared that, as
they were living under the protection  of the
Romian power, they should render to that power
the support it claimed, so long as it did not conflict with their  duty to God.  But that they
should at all times render obedience to God, answering his claims, yet peaceably subject to the
laws of the land.  His interrogators, unprepared
for this response of Jesus, "marveled and left
hinm, and went their  ay.  Although the wrath
of the priests and rulers knew no bounds, and
they longed to seize Jesus and slay him with their
own hands to avenge themselves for the moirtification lihe had caused them, yet they dared not
attack him before the crowd. With a masterly
effort they maintained a fair exterior while they
went about laying plans to destroy him.
The Saviour knew just what answer would
meet the exigencies of the case. He gave no advantage to either the Roman or Jewish power.
His answer to the intriguing Jews, "Render unto
God the things which are God's," was a severe
rebuke to them. Had they answered the claims
of God and faithfully fulfilled their obligations
43 
THE GREAT CONTrROVERSY.
to him, they would not have become a broken
nation, subject to a foreign power. No Roman
ensign would  have waved over Jerusalem, no
Roman sentinel would have stood at her gates,
no Roman governor ruled within her walls.  The
Jewish nation was then paying the penalty of its
apostasy from God.
But no sooner were the Pharisees silenced than
the Sadducees came with their artful questions,
seeking to entrap the Saviour. The Sadducees
were a sect of the Jews that di-ffered materially
in faith from the Pharisees.  The only bond of
union between the two seemed their mutual opposition to the Saviour and his teachings, and
their desire to put him to death.  The Pharisees
placed their traditions on a level with the law of
God, and frequently made them take the place
of the law.  Jesus had declared that they made
void the law of God by their traditions, external
ceremonies, divers washings, fastings an(, long
prayers, ostentatious alms-giving and rigorous seclusion from the Gentiles.  These, constituted the
main features of their religion. In superstition
and formality they resembled the Roman Catholic church of the present time. But among them
were some of genuine piety who received the
teachings of Christ.
The Sadducees had no respect for the traditions of the Pharisees.  They professedly believed
the greater portion of the Scriptures and regarded
them as their rule of action; yet they denied the
existence of angels, and also the resurrection of
the body, in which the Pharisees firmly believed.
The Sadducees rejected the doctrine of a future
life, with its rewards and punishments.
They believed in God as the only being supe
44 
JESUS AND THE PHARISEES.
rior to man; but they claimed that, having created man, God left him to pursue his own course.
They argued that an overruling Providence sustaining the machinery of the universe, and a foreknowledge of events would deprive man of free
moral agency, and lower him to the position of a
slave. They therefore disconnected the Creator
from the creature, maintaining that man was independent of a higher influence; that his destinv was in his own hands.  Denying as they
did that the Spirit of God worked through human efforts, or natural means, they still held that
man, through the proper employment of his own
natural powers, could become elevated and enlightened, and that his life could be purified by
rigor'ous and austere exactions.
There was but little union among them; a
people who refused to acknowledge the influence
of the Spirit of God upon the actions of men,
would have but little respect for the opinions and
feelings of one another. They lived for themselves; their natural sympathies were brought
within a narrow compass; their hearts were not
touched by the sorrow and want of others; for in
their belief it was possible for all to secure the
comforts and blessings of life.
In coimmon with the rest of the Jews, the Sadducees boasted much  upon their birthright as
children of Abrahamn after the flesh, and upon the
strictness with which they observed the outward
requirements of the law; but their views were
inconsistent and heterogeneous.  They entirely
rejecte the doctrine of the resurrection of the
dead, and reasoned that if the same particles of
matter which constituted the mortal body must
also compose the fuxtutre immortal being, then that
45 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
body must have flesh and blood, and resume in
the eternal world the carnal life interrupted on
earth, all the frailties and passions of this life
being perpetuated in the life beyond.
In the days of Christ the Sad(ducees loved con troversy, and vehemently urged their objections
to the resurrection of the dead.  In their dis cussions with the Pharisees, the latter becaile
confused in their faithl concerning the future
state of the dead.  Death becaiue to them a dark
and unexplainabr)le  mystery.  They learned to
lookl upon it as the niost dreaded calamity which
could conme upon man.
But life and immortality were brought to light
throu,gh Jesus Christ.  Thlose who accepted him
as the world's IRedeemer saw more clearly than
before the future life of the resurrected dead.
Christ passing through death, comiing forthl froni
the grave, and appearing again to man in his own
person, and as such ascending  to  the Father,
forever settles the sacred facts of the iesuriection
and the future, immortal life of the just, in the
the minds of all who believe in Christ.
The Sadducees were very annoying  to the
Pharisees, because the latter could not prevail
over them in argumient.  The discussions between
the two parties usually resulted in angry disputation, and left themi further apart than before.
But many of the Sadducees, living, only for this
life, were  wealthy and infiuential; they were
therefore eligible to the office of high priest with
the express stipulation that their infidel views
should not be made prominen.t.  As the Plharisees were far muore numerous, tlhe Sadducees were
to concede to their doctrines outwardly when
holding any priestly office.  But the very fact pf
46 
JESUS AND THE PHARISEES.
their being eligible to such office gave influence
to their erratic views.  Had the Pharisees been
pure in life they might have  beeni able to enlighten the Sadllucees; but as it was they had
little influence over theiii.
Thle teaclings of Jesus were  utterly  refusedl
by the SadduLcees, as he wv,as aniiiiated by a spirit
which they refused to acknowledge as manifesting itself thus.  They conceived of God as a Suprenie  Being, exalted above   iau,  and  unal)proachabl  by himn.   laving   ci'ate  man, l   ie c    left
himi  to control his ownv life, and( shape the events
of the world.  The doctrine of ( Chiist directly
oppo(sed( the belief of the SaddLicees.  The word
and wortks of Cihrist testifie(L to a divine power
which accomiplishes nmiraculous results, of a future, eternal life exalted above  the finite  life, of
God as a Father to the chlildrenii of men, watchfutl of their true  interests, an({ guailliing them.
He talug,ht that God was a rewar(der of the igihteons, and  a punisher of  the transgressor.  He
was not an illtangible spirit, but a livinC) 1lilel
of the universe.  This gracious Father was coilstalntly workling for the good of mnan, and miindful of all that concerns hiini.  The very hairs of
his head are numbered.   Not  even a sparrow
falls to the ground  without the  notice of  tli(h
Heavenly  Father,  and  man  is miore  valuable
thlan many  sparrows.   Jesus presented before
theiu their ignorance of the Sciiptures in assigningc  to  huLnian  power  that  whlich  could  be
wroucgl4 only thirough the power of the Spirit of
God.   He declared that their confusion of faith
and darkness of miind  resulted uiaiiinly fromn this
cause, and that spiritual things niiust be spirituLally discerned,
47 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
All that blessed the life of man was. given by
his Heavenly Father. He gave the bright sunshine to warm the earth. He sent the showers
which caused vegetation to flourish. Angels of
God were continually ministering to the children
of men, keepicng up the  connection  between
Heaven and earth, uniting finite man with the
Infinite God.  Yet, while God had a care over
the temporal interests of man, Jesus expressly
taught that he had much greater care for his
eternal interests.
The Sadducees had arranged their questions so
that they felt confident of bringing Jesus into
disrepute by answering them, if they were not
the direct means of condemning him.  Shouli he
agree with them in regard to the resurrection of
the dead, he would be entirely cut off from any
fellowship with the Pharisees.  Should he differ
from them, they designed to present his faith to
the people in a ridiculous light, and turn their
influence against him  by showing the apparent
absurdity of the doctrine of the resurrection of
the body.  They were accustomed to dispute upon this point, and their arguments were greatly
dreaded by those who believed in the literal resurrection of the identical body which had moldered away in the grave.
The Sadducees reasoned that if the dead were
raised with bodies formed of the same particles
of matter of which they had formerly been composed, and were actuated by the same propensities, then the relationships of the earthly life
;ould be resumed, husband  and wife would be
united, marriage would  be consummated, and
all the affairs of life would go on the same as
before  death,  From  this belief they  shrank
48 
JESU-S AND  TIlE PIIARISEES.
with repugnance, and, in their efforts to grasp a
higher ideal, groped in thick darkness.
But, in answer to their questions on this point,
Jesus litted the veil from the future life and said
to tilere,  In the iresuri: ction they neither marry
nor are given in marLiab,C,'Lut are as the angels
of God in  IeaLven."  tie uinhesitatingly showed
that the Sacidctuces were wrong in their belief.
Hle pic)ve  their premises to be false and the
structure of their faith to be built upon a false
foundation.  "Ye do er'," said he, "not knowing
the Scriptures nor thie power of God."  Ile did
not charge  them  with  hypocrisy  as  I e hlad
charged the Pharisees, but with error of belief.
The Sadducees had flattered themselves that,
of all men living, they were strictly adherent to
the Scriptures; but Jesus declared that they had
not known their true interpretation. That knowledge must be brought home to the heart by the
enllghtening power of the grace of God. The
Saddiucees were seeking to bring the mysteries
of God to a level with their finite reasoning
instead of opening their minds to the reception
of those sacred truths by which  their understanding would have been expanded. Thousands become infidels because their finite minds
cannot fathom the hidden mysteries of God.
They cannot explain the wonderful exhibition
of divine power, as manifested in the providences of God, and they therefore reject the evidences of such power, and attribute all to some natural aceney which they can comprehend  still
less. Mian should accept God as the Creator of
the universe, One who commands and executes
all things. He should get broad views of the
Great Ct  oversy, Vul..  4
49 
THE  (TREAT (ONTROVERSY.
character of God and the mysteries of his agencies.
Christ would teach his questioners that if
there be no resurrection of the dead, the Scriptures which they profess to believe would be of
no avail. Said he, "But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which
was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the
God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the
God of Jacob? God is not the God of the d(ead,
but of the living." The precious dead, from Abel
down to the last saint who dies, will hear the
voice of the Son of God, and will come forth
from their graves and live again. God will be
their God and they shall be his people.  There
will be a close and tender relationship between
God and his resurrected saints. This is in accordance with the divine plan.
The dignity and power with which Jesus
opened to the darkened minds of his hearers the
truths of the Scriptures concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the divine power exercised in the temporal affairs of life, astonished
his audience and put the Sadducees to silence.
They had not a word to answer him. "But
when the Pharisees had heard that he had put
the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together." They thought it would not do for Jesus to take the field of contest in so victorious a
manner. In the dispute with the Sadducees
they had prevailed nothing against him, but
.ere themselves put to confusion, and their ignorance made manifest by the wisdom of his answers. Not a word had been spoken of which
the least advantage could be taken to use in the 
JESUS AND TIIE PHARISEES.
condemnation of Jesus.  His adversaries had
gained nothing but the contempt of the people.
But the Pharisees did not yet despair of driving him to speak that which they could use
against him. They prevailed upon a certain
learned scribe to question Jesus, as to which of
the ten precepts was of the greatest importance.
The Pharisees had exalted the first four commandments, which point out the duty of man to
his MAaker, as of fiar greater importance than the
other six, which point out the duty of manl to
his fellow-man. In consequence they greatly
failed of practical godliness, and in the relations
and duties of life. Jesus had been charged with
exalting the last six commandments above the
first four, because he showed the people their
great deficiency, and taught the necessity of
good works, deeds of mercey and benevolence,
and that a tree is known by its fiuits.
The learned lawyer approached Jesus with a
direct question:  " lMaster, which is the great
commandment in the law?" The answer of Jesus is as direct and foircible: "Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with
all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the
first and great commandment. And the second
is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself.  On these two commandments hang all
the law and the prophets."
Hie here explicitly shows the questioner the
two great principles of the law: Love to God
and love to man. Upon these two principles of
God's moral government hang all the law and
the prophets. The first four commandments indicate the duty of man to his Creator; and the
first and gieat commandment is, Thou shalt love
5 t 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
the Lord thy God with all thy heart.. This love
is not a passion, nor a fruitless faithi in the existence and power of God, a cold acknowledgment
of his boundless love; but it is a living, active
principle, manifested in willing obedience of all
his requirements.
Jesus taught his hearers that not one of the
precepts of Jehovah could be broken without
violatirngo one or both of the great principles upon
which rested the whole law and the prophets:
Love to God and love to man. Every precept is
so connected with the others in meaning and obligation that in breaking one, the whole is broken;
for they are all united in one symmetrical body.
It is impossible for man to love God with all his
heart and yet to have other gods before the Lord.
Tils supreme love to God does not consist in a
mere acknowledgment of his universal power,
and the otffering of a prescribed form of worship
to him, while the heart finds delight in serving
idols. Self-love, love of the world, or an undue
affection for any created thing, is idolatry in the
sight of God, and separates the afbfections from
him. God requires the heart's best and holiest
affections, and he will accept nothing less. He
must reign supreme in the mind and heart.
If the first commandments are loyally observed,
the other six, which define the duty of man to his
fellow-man, will be as faithfully observed. When
God has his rightful place on the throne of the
heart the duties assigned in the last six com mandments will be performed as there directed.
Love to God comprehends love for those who are
formed in his own image. "if a man say, I
love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar.
For he that loveth not his brother, whom he
52 
JESUS AND THE PHARISEES.
hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath
not seen?"  Thus Christ taught that the last
six commandments are like unto the first.  The
two commrnandments which he i.ndicated are two
great principles springing from one root.  The
first cannot be kept and the se(cond broken, nor
the second kept while the first is broken.
The scribe was well read in the law, and he
was astonished at the answer of Jesus; for he
had not expected to find him possessed of so
deep and thorough a knowledge of the Scriptures as was indicated by his answer. The learned
lawyer was much impresse(d by the wisdom of
the youthful Gaiilean; and before the assembled
priests and rulers hlie honestlyv acknowledged that
Jesus had given the right interpretation of the
law. This scribe had received a deeper and
broader view of the principles Lunderlying the
sacred precepts than he had ever before possessed,
and he responded to the words of Jesus with
unfeigned earnestness:  "Well, Master, thou hast said the truth; for
there is one God; and there is none other but he.
And to love him with all the heart, and with all
the understanding, and with all the soul, and
with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as
himself, is more than all whole burnt-offerings
and sacrifices." Here was a Pharisee who had
some idea )f what constitutes true religion;
that it is not in outward( ceremonies and vain
display, but in humble obedie'ce and love to God,
and  unselfish regard for others.  The readiness
of the scr'be to acknowle-dgYe the reasoning of
Jesus as correct, the decided and prompt response
to that reasoning which hlie made before the peo)le, manifested an entirely different spirit from
,5 3 
THE  (.IiEAT' (CONTrROVERSY.
that shown by the priests and rulers in their
questioning.
The wisdom of the Saviour's answers convicted
the scribe. He knew that the Jewish religion
consisted more in outward acts than inward piety.
He had some sense of the unworthiness of merely
ceremonial offerings, and the continual flowing of
blood in expiation of sin, while the object of the
offering was foreign from the mind.  The principles of love and true goodness of heart appeared
to himn of more value in the sight of God than all
these rites.  The heart, of Jesus went out in pity
to the honest scribe who dared to face the frowns
of the priests and threats of the rulers, and speak
the honest convictions of his heart.  "And when
Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said
unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of
God. And no man after that durst ask himn any
question."
What the scribe needed was the touch of divine
enlightenment which would enable him to feel
the need of repentance for sin and faith in the
Saviour; that no man can be saved through the
law but through repentance and faith toward
Christ, the sinner's Advocate with the Father.
The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in
that he recognized deeds of righteousness to be
more acceptable to God than burnt-offerii)gs and
sacrifices.  Yet he still needed to acknowledge
Jesus as the Son of God. All the religious service of the Jews was of no value whatever unless
connected with living faith in Christ Jesus, who
was the substance of which that service was the
shadow. Christ had repeatedly shown that his
Fathler's law contained something deeper than 
JES1-S AND THE PHARISEES.
mere authoritative commands. The moral law
contains the gospel in principle.
The Pharisees had gathered close about Jesus
as he answered the questions of the scribe. He
now turned to them and put them a question:
"What think ye of Christ?  Whose son is he?"
Jesus was evidently testing the faith of the Pharisees in his divinity, whether they regarded him
simply as a man, or the divine Son of God. A
,horus of voices answered simultaneously, "The
son of David."  This was the title which prophecy had given to the Mlessiah.  When Jesus had
revealed his divinity by his mighty  miiracles,
when the sick were healed and the dead restored
to life, the people had marveled and inquired
among themselves, "Is not this the son of David?" The Syrophenician woman, blind Bartimeus, and many others had cried aloud to him
for help, "Thou son of David, have mercy on
me!" Only a few hours before, while riding into
Jerusalem, he had been hailed with joyful "Hosannas to the son of David, Blessed is He who
cometh in the name of the Lord," and the little
children in the temple had that day echoed the
same glad shouts.
In reply to the answer of the people, that
C(hrist was the son of David, Jesus said: "David
in Spirit [the Spirit of inspiration from God,]
called( him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my
Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make
thine enemies thy footstool. If David then called
him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was
able te answer him a word, neither durst any
man from that day forth ask him any more questions."
.55 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
CHAPTER IV.
DENOUNCING THE PHARISEES.
THE common people heard Jesus gladly and
gathered about him in the temple to receive his
teachings.  Never before had  such a scene been
enacted.  There stood the young Galilean, bear ing no earthly honor nor royal badge. His dress
was coarse and travel-stained.  Surrounding him
were priests in their gorgeous apparel, rulers
with robes and badges significant of their exalted
position, and scribes with scrolls in their hands
to which they made repeated reference. Yet
Jesus stood calmly with the dignity of a king in vested with the authority of Heaven looking unflinchingly upon his adversaries, who had rejected
and despised his teachings and had long thirsted
for his life. On this occasion they had assailed
him in great numbers with a determination to
provoke him to utter words which would ensnare
him and serve as means by which they might
condemn him. But their questions only opened
the way for him to set before them their real condition, and the fearful retribution that awaited
themn if they continued to provoke God by their
many and grievous sins.
The interest of the people steadily increased
as Jesus loldly met challenge after challenge of
the Pharisees and  presented the pure, bright
truth in contrast with their darkness and error.
Tey were charmed with the doctrine he taught,
but were sadly perplexed. They had respected
their acknowledged teachers for their intelligence
and a)ppaent piety.  Thley had ever yielded im
56 
DENOUNCING THE PHARISEES.
plicit obedience to their authority in all religious
matters. Yet they now saw these very men trying to brino Jesus into disrepute, a teacher whose
virtue and knowledge shone forth brighter than
before from every assault of  his adversaries.
They looked upon the lowering countenances of
the priests and elders, and there saw discomfiture and confusion. They marveled that the rulers
would not believe on Jesus, when his teachings
were so plain and simple. They themselves knew
not what course to take, and watched with eager
anxiety the movements of those whose co(unsel
they had always followed.
The parables of Jesus were spoken to warn
and condemn the rulers, and also to instruct the
inquiring minds of those present. But, in order
to break the chain which bound the people to
customs and traditions, and unquestioning faith
in a corrupt priesthood, he exposed more fully
than ever before the character of the rulers and
elders.  It was his last day of teaching in the
temple, and his words were not only to reach the
audience before him, but were to go down through
ages to the close of time, in every tongue and
unto every people. 
The gems of truth that fell from his lips on
that eventful day were hidden in the hearts of
many who were present. For them a new history
commenced, new thoughts started into life, and
new aspirations were awakened. After the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ these persons
came to the front, and fulfilled their divine commission with a wisdom and zeal corresponding
with the greatness of the work. They bore a message that appealed to the hearts and minds of men,
~and weakened old superstitions that had long
57 
THE (GREA'I' CONTRO\'ERSY.
dwarfed the lives of thousands. Theories, philosophies, and human reasonings before their testimonies became as idle fables. Mighty were the
results springing from the words of the humble
Galilean to that wondering, awe-struck crowd,
in the great temple of Jerusalem.
Reading the conflicting emotions of the people,
and the anxietv with which they regarded their
leaders and teachers, Jesus proceeded to further
enlighten their minds, saying, "The scribes and
the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.  All therefore
whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe
and do; but do not ye after their works; for they
say, and do not." The scribes and Pharisees
claimed to be invested with divine authority similar to that of Mioses.  They assumed to take his
[place as expounders of the law and judges of the
people. As such they claimed all deference and
obedience from the people. But Jesus admonished his hearers to do that which the priests
taught according to the law; but not to follow
their example; for thev neglected the duties
which they taught others to observe.
Said he, "They bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them
with one of their fingers." The Pharisees enjoined a multitude of mintute regulations having
their foundation in tradition, and unreasonably
restraining personal  liberty of action.  They
strictly expounded certain portions of the law,
exacting from the people rigorous observances
and ceremonies, which they themselves secretly
ignored, and actually claimed exemption fiom if
detected in their omission.
The severest denunciations that ever fell from 
DENO-N(f'TN(; THE l'I ARISEES.
the Saviour's lips were directed against those
who, while making high pretensions to piety,
secretly practiced iniquity. The religion of the
priests, scribes, and rulers, like that of the modern Roman Church, consisted mainly in outward
ceremonies, and was destitute of spiritual and
practical godliness. God said unto Moses, Thou
shalt bind these commandments of the Lord for
a sign upon thy hand; and they shall be as
frontlets between thine eyes. The Jews construed these words into a command that the precepts of scripture should be worn upon the person. They were accordingly lettered on cloth in a
very conspicuous manner and bound about their
heads and wrists. But wearing these precepts
thus did not cause the law of God to take firmer
hold of their minds and hearts, as God had designed. The precepts which should have purified their lives, and prompted them to righteous
deeds, and acts of kindness and mercy, were
worn as badges to attract observation, and give
the wearers an air of piety and devotion which
would excite the veneration of all beholders.
Jesus struck a heavy blow at all this vain show
of religion in these words:
"But all their works they do for to be seen of
men; they make broad their phylacteries, and
enlarge the borders of their garments, and love
the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief
seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the
markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
But be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.  And
call no man your father upon the earth; for one
is your Father, which is in Heaven.  Neither be
ye called masters; for one is your Master, even
59) 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
Christ." In such plain words the Saviour revealed the selfish ambition of the Pharisees, ever
reaching for power and place, displaying a mock
humility, while their hearts were filled with
envy and avarice.  When persons were invited
to a feast the guests were seated according to
their rank and station; and those who were
given the most honorable places received the
first attention, and most special favors. The
Pharisees were ever eager and scheming to receive these honors.
Jesus also revealed their vanity in loving to
be called of men Rabbi, meaning itaster. He
declared thrat such a title did not belong to men,
but only to Christ. Priests, scribes and rulers,
expounders of the law and administrators of it,
were all brethren, children of one God. Jesus
would impress upon the mlinds of the people that
they were to give no man a title of honor, indicating that he had any control of their conscience
or faith.
If Christ were on earth to-day, surrounded by
the religious teachers of the age who bear the
titles of Reverend and Right Reverend, would he
not repeat his saying to the Pharisees: "Neither
be ye called master; for one is youri Master, even
Christ"?   Many  who  assume these  honorary
titles are utterly devoid of the wisdom and true
righteousness which they indicate. Too many
hide worldly ambition, despotism, and the basest
sins beneath the broidered garment of a high
and holy offi(e.  The Saviour co)ntinued:
But he that is greatest artlong you shall be
your servant.  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall h)e abased; and he that shall humble
himself shall  be exalted."   Tfue g(reatness is
60 
DENOUNCING THE PHARISEES.
measured by moral worth.  Greatness of character in the estimation of Heaven consists in living for the welfare of our fellow-men, in doing
works of love and benevolence. Christ was a
servant to fallen man; yet he was the King of
Glory. He still continued his denunciations of
the rich and powerful men before him:   But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for' ye  shut up  the kingdom of
Hleaven against inen; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither sufier ye themn that are entering to
go in." By perverting the meaning of the Scriptures the priests blinded the understanding of
those who would otherwise have seen the nature
of Christ's kingdom, and that inward, divine life
which is essential to true holiness.  By their endless round of forms they fastened the minds of
the people upon external services to the neglect
of true religion.
They not only rejected Christ themselves but
took the most unfair means to prejudice the people against him, deceiving them by false reports
and gross misrepresentations. In all ages of the
world truth has been unpopular; its doctrines
are not congenial to the natural mind; for it
searches the heart, and reproves its hidden sin.
Those who persecute the advocates of God's
truth have ever, like the Pharisees, misrepresented  their  words  and  motives.   Jesus resumed:  "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo
crite4! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a
pretense make long prayer; therefore ye shall
receive the greater damnation." The Pharisees so
wrought upon the minds of many conscientious
widows that they believed it a duty to devote
61 
rTHE (,'REAIT ('ONTRfONERSA-.
their entire property to religious purposes.  These
deluded women would trust the appropriation of
their money to the scribes and priests, in whom
they placed implicit confidence; and those wily
men would use it for their own benefit. To
cover their dishonesty they made long prayers
in public, and a great show of piety. Jesus declared that this hypocrisy would bring them the
greater damnation.  MAany professors of exalted
piety in our day come under the same ban.
Selfishness and avarice stain their lives; yet they
throw over all this a garment of seeming purity,
and deceive honest souls; but they cannot deceive God; he reads every purpose of the heart
and will mete out to every person according to
his works. The Saviour continued his denunciations
"Woe unto you, ye blind guides, who say,
Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of
the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind;
for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple
that sanctifieth the gold?  And, Whosoever shall
swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever
sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
Ye fools and blind; for whether is greater, the
gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?"  The
priests interpreted the requirements of God to
meet their false and narrow standard. They presumed to make nice distinctions between the
comparative guilt of various sins, passing over
some lightly, and treating others of perhaps less
consequence as unpardonable.   They accepted
money from persons in return for excusing them
fi'om their vows; and in some cases crimes of an
aggravated character were passed over in consid
(i -) 
1)ENOt'CI N(IN'1'fE  i'HARISE,s.
eration of large sums of money paid to the. authorities by the transgressor.  At the same time
these priests and rulers would pronounce severe
judgment against others for trivial offienses.
"Woe unto you, scribes ai,d Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and
cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters
of the law, judgment, mercy, and  faith; these
ought ye to have done, and not to leave  the
other undone." According to the requirements of
God the tithing systemi was obligatory upon the
Jews. But the priests did not leave the people
to carry out their convictions of duty in giving
to the Lord one-tenth of all the increase of the
marketable products of the land. They carried
the requirements of the tithing system to extremes,  making  them  embrace  such  trifling
things as anise, mint and other small herbs
which were cultivated to a limited extent. This
caused the tithing plan to be attended with such
care and perplexity that it was a wearisome burden.  While they were so exact in things which
God had never required of them, and were confusing their judgment and lessening the dignity
of the divine system of benevolence by  their
narrow views, they were making clean the outside of the platter while the inside was corrupt.
Exact in matters of little consequence, Jesus accuses them of having "omitted the weightier
matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith."
No outward service, even in that which is required by God, can be a substitute for an obedient life. The Creator desires heart service of his
creatures.
The Jews read in the requirements given to
Moses that nothing unclean should be eaten. God
f  ,
"I 
THE  GREAT CONTROVERSY.
specified the beasts that were unfit for.food, and
torbade the use of swine's flesh and the flesh of
certain other animals, as likely to fill the blood
with impurities and shorten lite. But the Phari sees did not leave these restrictions where God
had left them.  They carried them to unwarranted extremes; among other things the people
were required to strain all the water used, lest it
might contain the smallest insect, undiscernible
to the eye, which mighit be classed with the unclean animais. Jesus, in contrasting these trivial
exactions of external cleanliness with the magnituide of their actual sins, said to the Pharisees:
"Ye blind guides, who strain at a gnat and swallow a camel."
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers,
which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are
within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." All the pomp and ceremony of the
priests and rulers were but a cloak to conceal
their iniquity, as the white and beautifully decorated tomb covers the putrefying remains within
it. Jesus also compared the Pharisees to hidden
graves which, under a fair exterior conceal the
corruption of dead bodies: " Even so ye also
outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within
ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." All the
nigh pretensions of those who claimed to have
the law of God written in their hearts as well as
borne upon their persons, were thus shown to be
vain pretense.  Jesus continued: *" Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets,
and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous, and
say, It' we had been in the days o't our fathlers, we
64 
DENOUNCIN'G T'I'HE PHARISEES.
would not have been partakers with them in the
blood of the prophets.  Wherefore ye  be  witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children
of them who killed the prophets." The Jews
were very particular to beautify the tombs of the
dead prophets as evidence of their esteem for
themn; yet they did not profit by their teachings,
nor regard their reproofs and warnings.
In the days of Christ a superstitious regard
was cherished for the tombs of the dead. This
was frequently carried to the verge of idolatry,
and vast sums of money were lavished upon their
decoration.  The same species of idolatry is (ariied to great lengths to-day, and especially by
the Roman Clhuich.  But the Christian world at
laige are guilty of neglecting the widow and the
fatherless, the pooI andl afflicted, to erect exp)ensive monuments in honor of the  dead.  Time,
mnoney, and labor are not stinted for this I)puipose, while duties to the living aie neglected.
The Pharisees built the tombs of the prophets
and garnished their sepulcheris, and said one t()
another, If we had lived in those days we should
not have been pailtakers with those who shed thee
bl,oo  of God's servants.  Yet at the same time
they were planning to destroy the Son of God,
and would not have hesitated to imbrue their
hands in his blood if they had not feared the
people.
This condition of the Pharisees should be a
lesson to the Christian world of the present day;
it should open their eyes to the power of Satan
to dec'eive human minds when they once turn
from the precious light of truth], and( yield to tlhe
control of the enemy. Many follow in the track
l  i,rt  ('ontr(,ersy.  Vol.,.
_ 
THE  GRFAT  CONI'RO'VEI{SY.
of the Pharisees. They revere the martyrs who
died for their faith; and declare that, had they
lived in the days when Christ was upon earth,
they would have gladly received his teachings
and obeyed them; they would never have been
partakers of the guilt of those who rejected the
Saviour. But these very persons stifle their honest convictions at any cost rather than yield obedience to God when it involves self- denial and
humiliation.  In our day the light shines clearer
than in the time of the Pharisees.  Then  the
people were to accept Christ as revealed  in
prophecy, and to believe on himn through the evidences which attended his mission.  The Jews
saw in Jesus a young Galilean without worldly
honor, and, though he came as prophecy foretold
he would come, they refused to accept their MAessiah in poverty and humiliation, and crucified
him, as prophecy foretold they would do.
The Christian world now has a Saviour who
has fulfilled all the specifications of prophlecy in
regard to his life and death; yet many ireject his
teachings, they do not follow his precepts, they
crucify the Saviour every day.  Should they be
tested as were the Jews at the first advent of
Christ, they would not accept him in his humniliation and poverty.
From the time that the first innocent blood
was shed, when righteous Abel fell by the hand
of his brother, iniquity had increased upon the
earth.  From generation to generation the priests
and rulers had slighted the warnings  of the
prophets whom God had raised up and qualified
to reprove the sins of the,eol)le.  Therie hadi
been great need of these men, who, in every
66 
DENOUNCING THE PHIIARISEES.
age, had lifted their voices against the sins of
kings, rulers, and subjects, speaking the, words
God gave them to utter, and obeying the divine
will at the peril of their lives. From generation to generation there had been heaping up
a terrible punishment, which the enemies of
Christ were now drawing down upon their own
heads by their abuse and rejection of the Son of
God, whose voice was raised in condemnation of
the sin existing among the priests and rulers to
a  greater degree than at any  previous time.
They were filling to overflowing their cup of iniquity, which was to be emptied upon their own
heads in retributive justice, making their generation responsible for the blood of all the righteous men slain from Abel to Christ. Of this,
Jesus warned them:  "That upon you may come all the righteous
blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of
righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, son
of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple
and the altar. Verily I say unto you, all these
things shall come upon this generation." The
Saviour, with hand uplifted toward Heaven and
a divine light enshrouding his person, spoke in
the character of a judge of those before hint.
The listening crowd shuddered as his denunciations were spoken. The impression made upon
their minds by his words and looks was never
to be effaced in after years.
Israel had little heeded the commands of God.
While the words of warning which God had
given him to speak werie upon the lips of Zacharias, a satanic fury seized the apostate king, and
the command was given to slay the prophet of
God. The scribes and Pharisees who listened to
C) 7 
TIlE (-REAT  ('ONTI')vERSY.
the words of Jesus knew that they were true,
and that the blood of the slain prophet imprinted
itself on the very stones of the temple court and
could not be erased, but remained to beatr its
testimony to God, in witness against apostate
Israel. As long as the tenmple should stand,
there would remain the stain of that righteous
blood, crying to God to be avenged.   As Jesus
referred to these fearful crimes a thrill of horror
ran through the hearts of the multitude.
His voice had been heard upon earth in gentleness, entreaty, and affection; but now that the
occasion required it, he spoke as judge, and condlemned the guilt of the Jews. The Saviour,
looking forward, foretold that their fiuture impenitence, and intolerance of  God's  servants,
would be the same as it had been in the past:
"Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets,
and wise men, and scribes.  And some of them
ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall
ye scourge in your  synagogues, and  p)ersecute
themn fi'on city to city."
'Prophets and wise men full of faith and the
Holy  Ghost, represented  by  Stephen,  James,
laii 1I, and many others, scribes, men of learning,
who understood the Scriptures and could present
them in all their bearings as revealed by God,
would be scorned  and  persecuted, condemned
and put to death.
lThe Saviour spoke no words of retaliation for
tile abuse hlie had received at the hands of his
ememies.  No  unholy passion  stirred that divine soul;  but his  ind(ignation  was  directed
o,gainst the h.ll)ocrites whose gross sins were an
abomination in thle sight of God.  The conduct
of Christ upon this occasion reveals the fact that
C)  
DENOUN('IN(; THE PHARISEES.
thle Christian can dwell in perfect harmony.with
God, possess all the sweet attributes of love and
ieley, yet feel a righteous indignationt against
aggravating sin.
Divine pity marked the pale and  mournfil
countenance of the Son of God as he cast one
long lingering look ul)on the temple and then
upon his hearers, and with a voice choked by
deeip aguiisl' of heart and bitter tears exclaimed:
" 0 Jerusaleii, Jerusalem, thou  that killest the
1)Lto)hets, and stonest them whlich are sent unto
thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a henr gathereth her chickens utinder her wings, and ye would not!"
Phlarisees and Sadducees were alike silenced.
Jesus called his disciples and prepared to l](-ave(
the temple, not as one defeated and forced froi
the  presence of his  adversaries,  but  as  one
whose work was  accomplished.  He  retired a
vict.or firom the contest with liis bigoted an(l
hypocritical opponents.  Looking around ul oit
the inrterior of the tenmple for the last time, he
said with mournful pathos, " Behlold, yocur house
is left unto you desolate.  i'or I say unto you,
Ye shall no more see me henceforth till ye shall
say, Blessed is he that comnieth in the namte of
the Lord."  Hitherto he had called it his Far her's
house, but now, as the Son of God  passed ()ut
from those walls, G(od's presence was withitawii
forever fi'oii  the  temple  built to his gloi)y.
Henrceforthl its services were to be a mockery,
and its ceremonies nieaningless; for Jerusalem's
day of problation was at an end.
Jesus had spoken  clear and pointed words
that day, which cut his hearers to the heart.
Tli,eir efect iiliht not be seenl at once, but the
(; -I 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
seed of truth sown in the minds of the people
was to spring up and bear fruit to the glory of
God, and be the means of saving many souls.
After the crucifixion and resurrection of the Saviour, the lessons he had given that day would be
revived in the hearts of many attentive listeners,
who would in turn repeat the instruction which
they had heard, for the benefit of future generations to the close of time. The disciples were
astonished at the bold and authoritative manner in which their Master had denounced the
hypocritical Pharisees. And the priests, scribes,
and rulers were never to forget the last words
Jesus addressed to them in the temple: "Behold,
your house is left unto you desolate." The
words fell solemnly upon their ears, and struck
a nameless terror to their hearts. They affected
indifference; but the question kept rising in
their minds as to what was the import of those
words. An unseen danger seemed to be threatening them. Could it be possible that the magnificent temple, which was the nation's glory, was
soon to be a heap of ruins?
The disciples shared in the general foreboding
of evil, and anxiously waited for Jesus to make
a more definite statement in regard to the subject. As they passed out of the temple with
their Master, they called his attention to its
strength and beauty and the durability of the
material of which it was composed, saying,
"Mlaster, see what manner of stones and what
buildings are here." Jesus, to make his words
as'impressive as possible, also called attention to
the lofty structure: "See ye not all these things?
Verily, I say unto you, There shall not be left
7f) 
DENOUNCING  TIIE  I'HARISEES.
here one stone upon another that shall lot be
thrownir down."
This was a startling statement to the disciples.
The matter was now made plain:  The glorious
edifice, built at immense cost, which had been
thle pride of the Jewish nation, was to be destroyed  fiomc its very foundation, Not one of
those massve stones-sonme of which had borne
tile dev\astation of Nebuchadnezzar's armny, and
stood firml through the st,rnm  and tempest of
centuri( s was to be left upon another.  Tlhey did
not clearly comprehend the purpose of all this
ruin.  They did not discern  that in a few days
theist Sayioutr was to be offered up as a victim
f,rl tile sins of the world.  The temple and its
seIv;eAee  woulld tb.eni be of no more use.  The
birlo  of beasts would be of no vi'tue to expiate
s,ii, for type would  then have met antitype, in
the Lamb of Go(0  wlho) would have voluntarily
off(red 1,is liie to take away the sins of the
world.  Latei, when all had been accomplished,
the disciples un-de-stood fully thle words of Jesus,
anrd the reason of the calamity which he foretold.
Jesuis lingered near th:e court where the women
weere cde)ositing- their (,i.erings in the treasury.
tHe observed the larC doinations of many of the
rie}., but ma,de n(e cormmenit upon their liberal
oftireings. lHe looked sadly at the comers and
goers many of  whom presented lirge gifts in an
o.stentatious and self-satisfied moanner-.  Presently
his cou,unenarnee lighted as he saw a poor widow
appro.ach hesit(ltin~ly as though feartul of being
observed.  As the rich and haughty swept past
her to deposit their offerings, she shrank back as
if scarcely daring to venture farther. And yet
71 
THE  (;REAi' C(()NTR(-)OVERSY.
her heart yearned to do something, little though
it might be, for the cause she loved. She looked
at the mite in her hand; it was very small ill
comparison with the gifts of those around heir,
yet it was her all. WTatching her opportunity,
she hurriedly threw in her two mlites and turned
to beat a hasty retreat. But in doing so she
caught the eye of Jesus which was fastened earnlestly upon her.
The Saviour called his disciples to him and
bade them mark the widow's poverty; and as
they stood looking at her, words of commenedation from the Master's lips fell unexpectedly upon
her ear: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, that
this poor widow hath cast in more than they all."
Tears of joy filled the poor woman's eyes as she
felt that her act was understood and appreciated
by Jesus. Mlany would have advised her to appropriate her small pittance to her own use
rather than to give it into the hands of wellfed priests, to be lost among  the many  and
costly gifts donated to the temple; but Jesus
understood the motives of her heart. She believed in the service of the temple as appointed
by God, and she was anxious to do her utmost to
sustain it. She did what she could, and her act
was destined to be as a monument to her memory
through all time, and her joy in eternity.  Her
heart went with her gift, the amount of which
was estimated, not by its intrinsic value, but by
the love to God and interest in his work which
had prompted the.deed.
It is the motive which gives true value to our
acts, and stamps them with high moral worth oi
with ignomniny.  It is not the great things which
everIy en c can see and which every tongue praises
4- 2 
I)EN()UL-N('IN(I'I'HE   I'IARITEES.
that count to our eternal credit, but the little
duties cheerfully done, the little gifts which make
no show, and which human eyes regard as worthless. A heart of love and genuine faith in a
worthy object is more acceptable to God than
the most costly gift. The poor widow gave her
living to do the little that she did. She deprived
herself of food to give those two mites to the
cause she loved; and she did it in faith, believing
that her Heavenly Father would not overlook her
great necessity.  It was this unselfish s)irit and
unwavering faith that won the commendation of
Jesus.
Many humble souls feel under so great obligations for receiving the truth of God that they
greatly desire to share with their more prosperous brethren the burdens imposed by the service
of God. Let them lay up their mites in the bank
of Hleaven.   The  slender offerings of the pool'
s'hould not be rejected; for if given from a heart
burdened with love to God, those trifles in value
become consecrated gifts, priceless offerings, which
God smiles upon and blesses.
Jesus said of the poor widow, "She hath given
more than they all." fhe rich had bestowed
fi'rom their abundance, many of them merely to
be seen of others and to b)e honored of them for
their large donations.  They denied themselves
none of the comforts or luxuries of life in order
to make their gift, and therefore it was no sacri fice and could not be comipared in true value
with.tle widow's mite.
7 i 
TIE (TREAT C(')NTRO VERSY.
It 1APTEI'  \'.
IN THE OUTER COURT.
"AND there were certain Greeks among them
that came up to worship at the feast. The same
came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida
of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would
see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew,
and again And(rew and Philip tell Jesus."
These Gentiles were excluded from the teml)le
court where Jesus was sitting over against the
treasury. Thcey had heard much in favor of and
against Jesus, and were desirous to see and hear
him for themselves.  They could not come to
him, but were obliged to wait in the court of the
Gentiles. As the disciples bore the message of
the Greeks to Jesus and awaited his answer, he
seemed to be in a deep  study, and answered
thlem: "The hour is come that the Son of man
should be glorified.  Verily, verily, I say unto
you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground
and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much firuit."  The request oft the Greeks
to see Jesus brought the future before  him.
The Jews had rejected the only one who could
save themn. They were soon to imbrue their
hands in his blood, and place him with thieves
and robbers. The Saviour, rejected by the house
of Israel, was to be received by the Gentiles. He
looked forward with joy to the period when the
partition wall between Jew and Gentile would
be throwh down, and the broad harvest field
would be the worl]d.
Jesus regarded these Greeks as representatives
74 
fN- THIE OUTER  COURT.
of the Gentiles at large. In them he discerned
the first-fruits of an abundant harvest, when all
nations, tongues, and people upon the face of the
earth should heari the glad tidings of salvation
through Christ. He saw that the gathering of
the Gentiles was to follow his approaching death.
He therefore presented to his disciples and  to
the listening crowd the fi,gure of the wheat, to
represent how his death  would be productive
of a great harvest. If he should draw back
fi'om the sacrifice of his life, he would  abide
alone, like the kernel of wheat that did not die;
but if he should give up his life, he would, like
the kernel of wheat that fell into the ground,
rise again as the first-fruits of the great harvest;
and he, the Life-giver, would call the dead that
were united with h,im by faith from the graves,
and there would be a glorious harvest of ripe
grain for the heaveiiy garner.  In the gospel of
the death and resuriection of Christ, and the resuirrection of the dead, life and immortality are
brought to light, and the kingdom of Heaven is
thrown open to all believers.
After Jesus had spoken of his own sufferings
and death, he said, " He that loveth his life shall
lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world
shall keep it unto life eternal   If any man serve
me, let him follow me; and where I am, there
shall also my servant be. If any man serve me,
him will mv Father honor." The Saviour does
not require his followers to travel in a path
which he has not himself passed over. Jesus
endurea shame, insult, and privation from the
manger to Calvary. Yet he looked beyond his
agony in the garden, his betrayal, the buffeting
and scourging, the ignominy of being ranked
75 
TI'HE (GREAT  ('OTN'I'RONvESY.
with malefactors, and dying in anguish upon the
cioss, to the glorious object of his mnission, and
the honor he should receive at his Father's right
hand, where his true followers would finally be
elevated with him.  All who had cherished the
cross of Christ, and been sharers of his sufferings,
denying self and obeying God, should be partakers with him  of his glolry.  They who had for
Christ's sake lost their lives in this world would
preserve them unto life eternal.  It was the joy of
Christ in his humiliation and pain that all his
true disciples should  be glorified with him  ill
Heaven.
Among the chief rulers were many who were
convinced that Christ was indeed the Messiah;
but, in face of the angry- priests and PlIarisees,
they dared not confess their faith, lest they should
be turned out of the  synagogue.   They loved
the praise of men  more than the approval of
God; and to save themselves from reproach and
shame, denied Christ, and lost their only chance
of eternal life.  To this class the words of Christ
were specially applicable:  "He that loveth his
life shall lose it."
The message of thie Greeks, indicating as it did
the breaking down of the partition wall between
Jew and Gentile, brought before Jesus his entire
mission, fromr the time wlten it was first decided
in Heaven that he should come to earth as man's
Redeenmer, to the death that hlie knew awaited
him  in the immediate  future.  A  mysterious
cloud seemed to enshroud the Son of God. It
'vas a gloom that was felt by those who were in
close contact with  him.   He  sat wrapped  in
thought. At last the silence was broken by his
Tourniful voice: "No,w is iy soul troubled; and
7(; 
IN'HE OUTER ('OU-RT.
what shall I say?  Father, save me from this
hour; but for this cause came I unto this hour."
A  foreboding of his coming conflict with the
p)o,wers of darkness, by reason of the position he
had voluntarily taken in regard to beaiing the
guilt of fallen man and taking upon himself the
Fa.ther's wiratli because of sin, caused the spirit
of Jesus to faint, anud the pallor of death to overspread his countenance.
He riememrbered the p)ersistence and malice of
Satan, who had boldly contended with the angels in Heaven that his sentence was unjust,
maintaining that there was no self-denial with
God, and that Satan, in struggling to carry out
his purp)oses and have his own way, was only
imitating the example of God. If God followed
lhis own  will perfectly and  continually, why
stioul,l not the first sons created in his. image do
so? By this argument Satan deceived many (:f
the holy angels. He complained continually of
(God's sevierity, just as children sometimes comI)lain of their parents' severity in irestraining
them from carrying out plans destructive to the
family government.  Rather than submit to the
will of God he turned from the light of reason,
and set himself in op)-position to the divine plans.
In the warfare ensuing, Satan for a time
seemed to hold the advantage. He could lie;
Gi)d could not lie.  Hl, could move in a thousand
crooked and deceiving wavys to gain a desired
olject; God  must pursue the straightforwaird
course of truth and righteousness.  For a time
Satan triumphed in an apparent victory.  But
(God would unmask the enemy and reveal him in
his true character.  Christ, in taking the nature
of man, was divinity clothed in humanity. Hie
i' 7 
TIIE GREAT C'ONTROVERSY.
came as the light of the world, to shine upon and
scatter the thick darkness of Satan's deceptions
and reveal his workings to the children of men.
Christ practiced the most riigid self-denial in resisting the manifold temptations of the adversary. He conquered Satan in the long fast of
the wilderness, and when he came to him as an
angel of light, offering the dominion of the world
in exchange for his worship; he made sacrifices
that will never be required of man, as man can
never attain to his exalted character. His whole
earthly life was a demonstration of perfect submission to his Father's will.   The course of
Christ and that of Satan present the complete
contrast of the life of an obedient with that of a
disloyal son.
The final triumph of Christ over Satan could
only be perfected through the death of the
former. He thus opened free salvation to man,
taking upon himself the stigma of the curse, and,
in laying down his precious life, wrested from
Satan's hand the last weapon by which he could
gain the kingdoms of the world. Man might
then be fliee from the power of evil through his
Saviour Jesus Christ.
As the Son of God meditated upon these
things, and the whole burden of his mission
passed before his mind's eye, he lifted his head
and  said, "Father,  glorify  thy  name."   He
thought it not robbery to be equal with God,
and called upon him to glorify himself in his
oion.  A  response came from the cloud which
had hovered above the head of Jesus: "I have
both glorified it, and will glorify it again."
A light darted from the cloud, as the voice
was heard, and encircled Christ, as if the arms of
78 
IN TIlE OUTER COURT.
Infinite Power were thrown about him like a
wall of fire.  The people beheld this scene with
terrior and amazemnent.   No one ventured to utter a word.  Wiith silent lips and bated breath
they stood with eyes riveted upon Jesus.  The
testimony of Almighty God having been given,
the cloud lifted and scattered in the heavens.
The visible communion between the Father and
the Son was ended for that timie.
The  spfectators now began to breathe  more
freely and exchange opinions ul)on what they
had seen and  heard.  Sorme  solemnly declared
their faith in Jesus as the Son of God, while
others tried to explain  away  the remarkable
S,cene they had just witne,qsed.  "The people,
therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that
it thundered; others said, An  angel spoke to
him."  But the iniquirinlg Greeks saw the cloud,
heard the voice, comprehended its meaning, and
discerned Christ indeed; Jesus was revealed to
their under standing as the Alessiah.
The voice of God hadl been heard at the baptisim of Je.sus at the commirencement of his ministry,  and  again at his transfiguration on the
mount; and now, at the close of his ministry, it
was heard foir the third time, and on this occasion by a larger numnber of persons and under
peculiar circumstances.  He had j.itst uttered the
most soleimn truths regarding the condition of
the Jews. He had made his last appeal, and
)ro)nouInced their doom. The wall of partition
betwe(e   J w  ad Gentile  was  t(,t.ering and
easdy to tall at the death of Christ,.
TheL tlhu,h+ts of the Saviour now returne  fiorom
conlite lill',ting the past and future.  While the
people were endeavoring to explain what they
7.9 
THE  (GRE ( lAT ('ONTRO1VEISY.
had seen and heard according to the impressions
made upon their minds, and according to the
light they possessed, "Jesus answered and said,
This voice came not because of me, but for your
sakes."  It was the crowning evidence of his
Messiahship, the signal of the Father that Jesus
had uttered the truth, and was the Son of God.
Would the Jews  turn from this testimony of
high Heaven? They had once asked the Saviour, What sign shlowest thou that we may see and
believe? Innumerable signs had been given all
through the ministry of Christ; yet they had
closed their eyes and hardened their hearts lest
they should be convinced. The crowning miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus did not remove
their unbelief, but filled them with increased malice; and now that the Father had spoken, andi
they could ask for no further sign, their hearts
were not softened and they still refused to believe.
,Jesus now resumed his discourse where he had
left it: " Now is the judgment of this world;
now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
And I, if I be lifted utip from the earth, will draw
all men unto me. This he said, signifying what
death he should die."  In the act of Christ dying for the salvation of man, Heaven was not
only made accessible to man, but God and his
Son were justified before all Heaven in dealing
with the rebellion of Satan, and in his expulsion.
The blot which Satan had placed upon HIeaven
itself was thus to be washed away; and no sin
cnuld ever more enter there to all eternity.
The holy angels, and all created intelligences
of the worlds where sin had not entered, responded in hallelujahs to the judicial sentence
80 
THE PASSOVER SUPPER.
pronounced upon Satan, applauding the act of
Christ which removed the mortgage Satan held
upon the souls of mHen. The holy angels, as well
as those who are washed by the blood of Christ,
are drawn to him by his crowning act of giving
his life for the sins of the world. Christ, in being lifted up upon the cross to die, opened the
way of life to both Jews and Gentiles, to all nations, tongues, and people.
Alas for the haughty Jews who knew not the
day of their visitation! Slowly and regretfully,
Christ, with his disciples, left forever the precincts of the temple.
CHAPTER VI.
THE PASSOVER SUPPER.
THE scribes and priests now counseled together
how they might take Jesus without raising a tumult among the peop)le; for many of those who
witnessed his mighty works believed him to be
the prophet of the Most High, and would have
been greatly incensed at any attempt upon his
liberty. So the dignitaries decided that open
violence would not be good policy, but that
treachery must serve their purpose.
Judas, one of the twelve, proposed secretly to
betray Jesus into their hands, by leading them
to one of the Saviour's resorts for prayer and retirement. In this quiet place they could make
sure of their prey, for there would be no multi
Great Controversy, Vol. 3.
81
6 
TIlE GREAT ('CONTROVERSY.
tude to oppose them.   Judas, ever greedy for
gain, made a contract with the priests and rulers
to betray his Master into their hands for thirty
pieces of silver. The Lord of life and glory was
sold to ignominy and death by one of his disciples for a paltry sum of money.
The heart of Judas had not suddenly grown
thus base and  corrupt.  His love of mammon,
like any vice which is left unchecked, had daily
grown stronger, until it overbalanced his love for
the Saviour, and he had become an idolater.
His mind had become debased by covetousness;
and a man who is enslaved by avarice is in danger of going to any lengths in crime.
Judas, with the rest of the twelve, had been
privileged to listen to the teachings of Jesus,
and to witness his acts of sacrifice for the benefit
of men. He had noted his forbearance and patience; that when weary, hungry, and pressed
upon by the multitude of poor and afflicted, he
had pitied their cries and turned none away unrelieved. Judas had seen him perform miracles
in giving health to the dying and joy to the despairing. He himself had felt in his person the
evidences of his divine power. But when men
reject light, and blindly follow their natural inelinations, they are led into darkness, and the
plainest facts are unheeded. Judas was naturally avaricious, and he had fostered this evil
propensity until it had become the ruling motive
of his life.
We look with horror upon the treachery of
Judas; but his ease represents a large class who
file in under the banner of Christ, yet are really
his worst enemies. They worship only self and
money, and use the name of Christian as a cloak
82 
TIE PASSOVER SUPPER.
to hide their evil deeds.  They sell their integrity
for money, and their Saviour for a little worldly
advantage.
Aftel Judas had closed the contract by which
he agreed to betray his Master into the hands of
those who thirsted for his life, he mingled with
the other disciples as though innocent of wrong
and interested in the work of preparing for the
passover. The betrayer thought that his base
purposes were hidden from his Master, although
every day furnished fresh evidence that the
thoughts and intents of all hearts were open unto
him.
Jesus met his disciples in the upper chamber,
and they soon perceived that something weighed
heavily upon his mind. At length, in a voice of
touching sadness, he addressed them thus: "With
desire I have desired to eat this passover with
you before I suffer."   He  clearly foresaw  the
events which were to transpire in the near future.
His heart was wrung with grief as he contemplated the ingratitude and cruelty of those he
had come to save, and saw pictured before him
the terrible fate that awaited them in consequence.
The interviews between Jesus and his disciples
were usually seasons of calm joy, highly prized
by all of them. The passover suppers had been
scenes of special interest; but upon this occasion
Jesus was troubled in spirit, and his disciples
sympathized with his grief although they knew
not it*, cause. This was virtually the last passover that was ever to be celebrated; for type
was to meet antitype in the slaying of the Lamb
of God for the sins of the world. Christ was
soon to receive his full baptism of suffering; but
the few quiet hours between him and Geth
83 
TrHE GREAT  CONTROVERSY.
seaewr   ob   pnufrtebnfto  i
A contention had arisen among the disciples
of Jesus as to who should be most honored in his
kingdom; for notwithstanding the express instruction they had so often received to the con
84 
THE PASSOVER SUPPER.
trary, they had clung to the idea that Jesus
would establish a temporal kingdom in Jerusalem; and the late demonstrations upon his entering the city, and the manrner in which he had received them, revived this belief in their minds.
Jesus had checked their aspirations for honor,
and now strengthened the lesson by an act of
humility and love, calculated to impress them
with a sense of their obligations to one another,
and that instead of qualreling for place, each
should count the others better than himself.
As the disciples sat at the passover with their
beloved Master, they observed that he still appeared greatly troubled and depressed.  A cloud
settled over them all, a premonition of some
dreadful calamity, the character of which they
did not understand. As they ate in silence,
Jesus said, " Verily, I say unto you that one of
you shall betray me." Amazement and consternation seized them at these words.  They could
not comprehend how any one of them could
deal treacherously by their divine Teacher.  For
what cause could they betray him, and to whom?
Whose heart could give birth to such a design!
Surely not one of the favored twelve who had
been privileged above all others to hlear his teachings and who had experienced his marvelous love,
and for whom he had shown such great respect
by bringing them into close communion with
himself!
As they realized the full import of his words,
and rememnbered how true his sayings were, a
sudden fear and self-distrust seized them.  They
began to examine their own hearts to ascertain
if one thought against the Master found lodgnienit tlier.  Withl thie most [painihl feelirlngs, one
85 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
after another inquired, "Lord, is it I?" But
Judas sat silent. John, in deep distress, inquired
at last, Who is it, Lord? and Jesus answered,
"He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish,
the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth
as it is written of him, but woe unto that man by
whom the Son of man is betrayed; it had been
good for that man if he had not been born." The
disciples had searched one another's faces closely
as they asked, "Lord, is it I?" and now the si lence of Judas drew all eyes to himself. Amid
the confusion of questions and the expressions
of astonishment, Judas had not heard the words
of Jesus in answer to John's question. But now,
to escape the searching scrutiny of the disciples,
he asked as they had done, "Master, is it I?"
Jesus replied with solemn accents, "Thou hast
said." Confused and overcome by the unexpected
discovery of his crime, Judas hastily rose to leave
the room; butt as he went out, Jesus said, "What
thou doest, do quickly."
There was a touching forbearance manifested
in the dealing of Jesus with Judas. It evinced
an infinite mercy, giving him one more chance of
repentance, by showing him that all his thoughts
and purposes were fully known to the Son of
God. He deigned to give one final, convincing
proof of his divinity to Judas before the consum mation of his treachery, that he might turn from
his purpose before repentance was too late. But
Judas, although surpriised and alarmed, was not
moved to repentance.  He  only  became  more
'firmly settled in his plan as the discovery of his
guilt was made apparent. He went forth and pro ceeded to carry out the work he had engaged
to do.
86 
THE I'ASSOVER SUPI'ER.
The purpose of the Saviour in pronouncing the
woe upon Judas was twofold: First, to give the
false disciple a last opportunity to save himself
from the betrayer's doom; and, secondly, to give
the disciples a crowning evidence of his Messiahship, in revealing the hidden purpose of Judas.
Said Jesus: "I speak not of you all; I know
whom I have chosen; but that the scripture may
be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath
lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you
before it come, that when it is come to pass, ye
may believe that I am he."
Hlad Jesus remained silent, in apparent ignoiance of that which was to come upon him, an
impression might have been left on the minds of
his disciples that their Master had not divine
foresight, and had been deceived, surprised and
betrayed into the hands of a murderous mob. A
year before, Jesus had told the disciples that he
had chosen twelve, but that one was a devil;
and now his words to Judas on the occasion of
the passover, showing that his treachery was fully
known to his Master, would strengthen the faith
of his true followers during his humiliation. And
when Judas should have come to his dreadful end,
they would remember the woe which Jesus had
pronounced upon the betrayer.
The withdrawal of Judas was a relief to all
present. The Saviour's face lighted immediately,
and the oppressive shadow was lifted from the
disciples, as they saw the peace of Heaven return
to the pale, worn countenance of their Lord.
Jesus ltad much to say to his beloved disciples
that he did not wish to say in the presence of the
multitude, who could not understand the sacred
truths he was about to unfold. Even the disci
87 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
pies could not fully understand them till after the
resurrection should have taken place.
Looking upon his faithful followers, Jesus said,
"Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is
glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God
shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him." He then informed them of his
approaching separation from them. The ardent
Peter could not rest while the matter remained
in uncertainty.  He  inquired, "Lord,  whither
goest thou?"  Jesus answered, "Whither I go,
thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt
follow me afterward." But Peter's interest was
intensely roused, and he urged Jesus to explain
his full meaning, saying, "Lord, why cannot I
follow thee now? I will lay down my life for
thy sake." Jesus answered sorrowfully, "Wilt
thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow
till thou hast denied me thrice." Then, looking
with pitying love upon his little flock, so soon to
be left without a shepherd, he sought to draw their
minds from the perplexity into which his statements had thrown them, and said tenderly, "Let
not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God,
believe also in me. In my Father's house are
many mansions; if it were not so I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And
if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
again and receive you unto myself; that where I
am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye
know, and the way ye know."
*With the deepest interest Jesus poured forth the
burden of his soul in words of comfort, of counsel
and prayer, which would ever remain imprinted
on the minds and hearts of his disciples. These
88 
THE PASSOVER SUPPER.
words from the lips of the Saviour, traced by.the
inspired John in chapters fifteen, sixteen, and
seventeen, were repeated again and again by
the disciples to stay their sinking hearts in their
great disappointment and trial. Not until after
the resurrection, however, were the words spoken
upon this memorable occasion fully understood
and appreciated. But the truths uttered by the
Redeemer in that upper chamber have spread
from the testimony of the disciples over all
lands, and will live through all ages to comfort
the hearts of the desponding, and give peace and
hope to thousands who believe.
Jesus with his disciples now left the upper
chamber, and crossed the brook Kedron. Sorrow
and anguish again pressed heavily upon his heart.
With touching sadness he addressed his companions: "All ye shall be offended because of me
this night; for it is written, I will smite the
Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But
after that I am risen I will go before you into
Galilee."  Peter, again anxious to assure his Master of his fidelity, said, "Although all shall be
offended, yet will not I." Jesus, reproving his
confidence as before, said, "Verily, I say unto thee,
that this day, even in this night, before the cock
crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice." But
Peter only " spake the more vehemently, If I
should die with thee I will not deny thee in any
wise. Likewise also said they all."
Jesus now repaired with his disciples to the
garden of Gethsemane, at the foot of Mount Olivet, a retired place which he had often visited for
seasons of communion with his Father.
It was night; but the moon was shining
bright and revealed to him a flourishing grape
89 
THE  GREAT  ('ONTROVERSY.
vine. Drawing the attention of the disciples to
it, he said, "I am the true vine, and my Father
is the husbandman. Every branch in me that
beareth not fruit he taketh away; and every
branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it
may bring forth more fruit."
The Jewish nation was a fruitless branch, and
was therefore to be separated from the living
vine, which was Christ Jesus. The Gentiles
were to be engrafted upon the stalk, to become
a living branch, partaker of the life that nourished the true vine. This branch was to be
pruned that it might be fruitful. In view of his
separation from his disciples, Jesus now exhorted
them to connect themselves firmly to him by
faith, that they might become a part of the living vine, and bear a rich harvest of firuit. "Abide
in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear
fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no
more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the
vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth
in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth
much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing."
When the sinner has repented of his sins, and
is united with Christ, as the branch is engrafted
in the vine, the nature of the man is changed, and
he is a partaker of the divine nature. He loves
the things that Christ loves, and hates that which
he hates. His desires are in harmony with the
will of God. He treasures up the words of Christ,
and they abide in him.  The life-giving principle of the Saviour is communicated to the Christign. Just so the little scion, leafless and apparently lifeless, is engrafted into the living vine,
and, fiber by fiber, vein by vein, drinks life and
9(- 
THE PASSOVER STUPPER.
strength from it, till it becomes a flourishing
branch of the parent stalk.
He still impressed upon them the importance
of carrying forward the work which he had begun, and bearing fruit to the glory of God: "Ye
have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and
ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth
fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that
whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my
name, he may give it you." The disciples were
the chosen depositaries of the truth of God. They
were witnesses of the Father's acknowledgement
of Jesus as the Son of God. They had beheld
his miracles, heard his teachings, and it was
theirs to give the message of salvation to the
world, that through their evidence men might
lay hold of Christ by living faith. Thus would
the disciples bring forth fiuit to the glory of God.
Jesus assured his disciples that he would in no
case forsake them, but would be clothed with
power, and would become their Advocate at the
right hand of the Father, to present the petitions
they might ask in the name of his Son. The disciples did not then fully comprehend the words
of their Master, I ut later in their religious experience they cherished the.precious promise, and
presented their I)prayers to the Father in the
name of Jesus.
Jesus warned his disciples not to expect the
commendation of the world. Said he, "If the
world hate you, ye know that it hated me before
it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world
wouTd love his own; but because ye are not of
the world, but I have chosen you out of the
world, therefore the world hateth you." Those
who are of the same spirit with the world receive
91 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
its smiles and approbation; but the humble disciples of Jesus were to suffer scorn and persecution.  Jesus declared that they should be brought
before kings and rulers for his name's sake, and
whosoever should destroy their lives would be
so deceived by Satan. as to think they were doing
GCod service.  Every indignity and ciuelty that
the ingenuity of man could devise would be
visited upon the followers of Christ.  But in all
their tiials tley were to remember  that their
Master had endured like repr(:aeh and suflering.
They were to ienember his -words: "The servant is not greater than his L(;ird.  If they have
persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if
they have kept my saying, they will keep yours
also. But all these things will they do unto you
for my name's sake, because they know not:Him
that sent me."
The disciples were to go on valiantly in the
footsteps of the Saviour, keeping the prize of
eternal life in view, and wirJning souls to Christ.
Even the oppcsition they were to meet would
develop staunch elements of character and shining virtues. Faith, patience, and trust inr God,
are the perfect fruit that blossoms and matures
best in the shadow of adversity.
Jesus carefully opened before his disciples the
events which would follow his death, that when
persecution should overtake them they might be
prepared to endure it, and not be tempted to
apostatize fr(-mn their faith to avert suffering and
dishonor.  He led them gerntl,y on to understand
the'great subjects which theN were to deliver to
the world.  He impressed ul)on them the importance of their position as those who had witniicssed the wonderful iiaunife,tations of Cod to
.9.) 
THiE PASSOVER SUPPER.
his Son, who had beheld(l the miracles of Christ,
and received lhis words of wisdom. Said he,
"Ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been
with me from the beginning." The history of
those disciples, and the evidence which they were
to record, were to be the study of thinking minds
through all ages.
Jesus plainly stated to the disciples that he
had left the presence of his Father to come unto
the world, and that he was now about to leave
the world and return to his Father; but he refrained from crowding their minds and confusing their understanding. Said he, "I have many
things to say unto you; but ye cannot bear them
now." Jesus knew they were not strong enough
to hear all the wonderful truths relative to his
humiliation and death.  After his resurrection
they would be better able to understand and appreciate them.
Jesus now had but a short time in which to
comfort and instruct his little band of followers.
His farewell counsel was rich in sympathy and
truth.  Exceeding precious to his disciples were
those last moments  passed with their beloved
MIaster.  Like a consecrated high priest he now
poured forth the burden of his soul to his Father
in a petition for his church such as the angels
had never before heard. This prayer was deep
and full, broad as the earth, and reaching high
Heaven. With his human arm he encircled the
children of Adam in a firm embrace; and with
his strong divine arm he grasped the throne of
the Infinite, thus uniting earth to Heaven, and
finite man to the infinite God.
93 
TIlE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
CHAPTER VII.
IN THE (ARDEN.
THE Redeemei, in company with his disciples, slowly made his way to the garden of
G(ethsemane.   The  passover mrnoon, broad  and
full, shone fiom a cloudless sky. The city of
)ilgrims' tents was hushed into silence.
Jesus had been earnestly conversing with
and instructing his disciples; but as he neared
Gethsemane he became strangely silent. His
disciples were perplexed, and anxiously regarded his countenance, hoping there to read
an explanation of the change that had come
over their Master.  They had frequently seen
him depressed, but never before so utterly sad
and silent. As he proceeded, this strange sadness increased;  yet they  dared not question
him as to the cause. His form swayed as if he
was about to fall. His disciples looked anxiously for his usual place of retirement, that
their Mlaster might rest.
Upon entering the garden he said to his companions, "Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder." Selecting Peter, James, and John to accompany him, he proceeded farther into the
recesses of the garden. He had been accustomed to brace his spirit for trial and duty by
fervent prayer in this retreat, and had frequently
spent the entire night thus. On these occasions
his disciples, after a little season of watching
and prayer, would sleep undisturbed at a little
distance from their Malter until he awoke them
in the morning to go fobrth and labor anew, So
94 
IN TIlE GARDEN.
this act of Jesus called forth no remark from his
companions.
Every step that the Saviour now took was
with labored effort. He groaned aloud as though
suffering under the pressure of a terrible burden; yet he refrained from startling his three
chosen disciples by a full explanation of the agony which he was to suffer. Twice his companions prevented him firom falling to the ground.
Jesus felt that he must be still more alone, and
he said to the favored three, "M y soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; tarry ye
here, and watchli with me." His disciples had
never before heard him  utter such  mournful
tonies. His frame was convulsed with anguish,
and his pale countenance expressed a sorrow
past all description.
He went a short distance fioi his disciplesnot so far but that they could both see and hear
him- and fell prostrate with his face upon the
cold ground. He was overpowered by a terrible
fear that Ged was renoving his presence from him.
He felt himself being separated from his Father
by a gulf of sin, so broad, so black and deep
that his spirit shuddered before it.  He clung
convulsively to the cold, unfeeling ground as if
to prevent himself from being drawn still farther
from God. The chilling dews of night fell upon
his prostrate form, but the Redeemer heeded it
not. From his pale, convulsed lips wailed the
bitter cry, "0 my Father, if it be possible, let
this Cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I
will, but as thou wilt."
It was not a drtad of the physical suffering
he was soon to endure that brought this agony
upon the Son of God. He was enduring the
95 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
penalty of man's ansgression, and shuddering
beneath the Father's flown. He must not call
his divinity to his aid, but, as a man, he must
bear the consequences of man's sin and the Creator's displeasure toward his disobedient subjects. As he felt his unity with the Father
broken up, he feared that his human nature
would be unable to endure the coming conflict
with the prince of the power of dai'kness; and
in that case the human race would be irrecoverably lost, Satan would be victor, and the earth
would be his kingdom. Ti4e sins of the world
weighed heavily upon the Sviour and bowed
him to the earth; and the Father's anger in consequence of that in seemed crushing out his life.
In the conflict of Christ with Satan in the
wilderness of temptation the destiny of the human race was at stake. But Christ was conqueror, and the tempter left him for a season.
He had now returned for the last fearful conflict. Satan had been preparing for this final
trial during the three years of Christ's ministry.
Everything was at stake with him. If he failed
here his hope of mastery was lost; the kingdoms of the earth would finally become Christ's,
cast him out.
During this scene of the Saviour's anguish,
thle disciples were at first much troubled to see
their MAaster, usually so calm and dignified,
wrestling with a sorrow that exceeded all utterance; but they were tired, and finally dropped
&leep, leaving him to agonize alone. At the end
of an hour, Jesus, feeling the need of human
sympathy, rose with painful effort and staggered
to the place where he had left his companions.
96 
IN THE (GARDEN.
But no sympathizing countenance greeted him
after his long struggle; the disciples were
fast asleep. Ah! if. they had realized that this
was their last night with their beloved Master
while he lived a man upon earth, if they had
known what the morrow would bring him, they
would hardly have yielded to the power of
slutmber.
The voice of Jesus partially aroused them.
They discerned his form bending over them, his
expression and attitude indicating extreme exhaustion.   They  scarcely  recognized  in his
changed countenance the usually serene face of
their Mlaster. Singling out Simon Peter, he addressed him: "Simon, sleepest thou? couldest
not thou watch one hour?"  Oh! Simon, where
is now thy boasted devotion? Thou, who didst
but lately declare thou couldst go with thy Lord
to prison or to death, hast left him in the hour
of his agony and temptation, and sought repose
in sleep:
John, the loving disciple who had leaned on
the breast of Jesus, was also sleeping. Surely, the
love of John for his Master should have kept him
awake. His earnest prayers should have mingled
with those of his loved Saviour in the time of
his supreme sorrow.  The  self-sacrificing Redeemer had passed entire nights in the cold
mountains or in the groves, praying for his disciples, that their faith might not fail them in the
hour of their temptation. Should Jesus now
put to James and John the question he had once
asked them: "Can ye drink of the cup that I
drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that
I am baptized with?" they would not have ventured to answer, "We are able."
Great Controversy, Vol, 3.
97
7 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
The evidence of the weakness of his disciples
excited the pity and sympathy of the Son of
God. He questioned their.strength to endure
the test they must undergo in witnessing his
betrayal and death. He did not sternly upbraid
them for their weakness, but, in view of their
coming trial, exhorted them: "Watch and pray,
that ye enter not into temptation."  Then, his
spirit moving in sympathy with their frailty, he
framed an excuse for their failure in duty toward
him: "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh
is weak."
Again the Son of God was seized with superhuman agony, and, fainting and exhausted, staggered back to the place of his former struggle.
Again he was prostrated to the earth. His suffering was even greater than before. The cypress and palm trees were the silent witnesses of
his anguish. From their leafy branches dropped
heavy dew upon his stricken form, as if nature
wept over its Author wrestling alone with the
powers of darkness.
A few hours before, Jesus had stood like a
mighty cedar, withstanding the storm of opposition that spent its fury upon him. Stubborn
wills, and hearts filled with malice and subtlety
strove in vain to confuse and overpower him.
He stood forth in divine majesty as the Son of
God. But now he was like a bruised reed beaten
and bent by the angry storm A short time before, he had poured out his soul to his disciples
iD noble utterances, claiming unity with the Father, and giving his elect church into his arms in
the language of one who had divine authority.
Now his voice uttered suppressed wails of anguish, and he clung to the cold ground as if for
relief.
98 
/,- o ".'k -   - - -
lo,
I Oi
IN THE GARDEN.
The words of the Saviour were borne to the ears
of the drowsy disciples: "0 my Father, if this
cup may not pass away from me, except I drink
it, thy will be done."  The anguish of God's dear
Son forced drops of blood from his pores. Again
he staggered to his feet, his human heart yearning for the sympathy of his companions, and repaired to where his disciples were sleeping. His
presence roused them, and they looked upon his
face with fear, for it was stained with blood, and
expressed an agony of mind which was to them
unaccountable.
He did not again address them, but, turning
away, sought again his retreat and fell prostrate,
overcome by the horror of a great darkness.
The humanity of the Son of God trembled in
that trying hour. The awful moment had arrived which was to decide the destiny of the
world. The heavenly hosts waited the issue with
intense interest. The fate of humanity trembled
in the balance.  The Son of God might even
then refuse to drink the cup apportioned to
guilty men.  He  might wipe the bloody sweat
from his brow, and leave men to perish in their
iniquitv.  Will the Son of the Infinite God drink
the bitter potion of humiliation and agony?
Will the innocent suffer the consequence of Go(d's
curse, to save the guilty? The words fall treiiiblingly from the pale lips of Jesus: " 0 my Fathler, if this cup may not pass away fiom  me,
except I drink it, thy will be done."
Thrie times has he uttered that prayer. Three
tinmes has humanity shrunk from the last crowining sacrifice.  But now the history of the human
race comes up before the world's Redeemer. He
sees that the transgressors of the law, if left to
::.*.....-@ 
THE   GREAT   (CONTROVERSY.
themselves, must perish under the Father's displeasure. He sees the power of sin, and the utter
helplessness of man to save himself. The woes
and lamentations of a doomed world arise before
him. He beholds its impending fate, and his
decision is made.   He will save man at any cost
to himself. He accepts his baptism of blood,
that perishingo  millions through him may gain
everlasting life. He left the courts of Heaven,
where all was purity, happiness, and glory, to
save the one lost sheep, the one world that had
fallen by transgression, and he will not turn from
the mission he has chosen.  He will reach to the
very depths of misery to rescue a lost and ruined
race.
Having made the decision and  reached  the
final crisis, he fell in a dying condition to the
earth from which he had partially risen.  Where
now were his disciples, to pl-ace their hands tendeily beneath the head of their fainting Alaster,
and bathe that brow, marred indeed more than
the sons of men?  The Saviour trod the wine1ess alone, and of all the people there was none
with him.  And yet he was not alone.  He had
said, "I and my Father are one." God suffered
with his Son.  Alan cannot comprehend the sacritice made by the infinite God in giving up his
S(-n to reproach, agony, and death.  This is the
e vidence of the Father's boundless love to man.
The angoels who did Christ's will in Heaven
were anxious to comfort him; but it was beyqpd their power to alleviate his sorrow.  They
had nevei flt the sins of a ruined world, and
they beheld with  astonlishmrent  the object of
their adoration subject to a grief beyond all expression. Though the disciples had failed to
"'.-..
I (') () 
IN THE GARDEN.
sympathize with their Lord in the trying.houi
of his conflict, all Heaven was full of sympathy
and waiting the result with painful interest.
When it was finally determined, an angel was
sent fiom the throne of God to minister unto the
stricken Redeemer.
The  disciples were  suddenly aroused from
their slumber by a bright light shining upon and
around the Son of God.  They started up in
amazement, and beheld a heavenly being, clothed
in garments of light, bending over their prostrate
Mlaster. With his right hand he lifted the head
of the divine sufferer upon his bosom, and with
his left hand he pointed toward Heaven. His
voice was like the sweetest music, as he uttered
soothing words presenting to the mind of Christ
the grand results of the victory he had gained
over the strong and wily foe. Christ was victor
over Satan; and, as the result of his triumplh,
millions were to be victors with him in his glorified kingdom.
Well was it for the children of men that the
angel's errand was not to notify the Saviour that
his thrice-repeated prayer, Let this cup pass from
me, had been granted. Then indeed might the
disciples have slept on, locked in the slumber of
hopeless despair. But the angel was sent from
Heaven to support the Redeemer in drinking the
cup that was presented him. The language of
his prayer was now changed; in the spirit of submission he prayed: "If this cup may not pass
away. from me, except I drink it, thy will be
done."   A heavenly serenity now rested upon
the Saviour's pale and blood-stained face.
The glorious vision of the angel dazzled the
eyes of the disciples.  They  remembered  the
-I ()1 
THE GREAT ('ONTROVERSA'.
mount of transfiguration, the glory that encircled
Jesus in the temple, and the voice of God issuing firom the cloud. They saw the same glory
here revealed, and had no farther fear for their
Master, since God had taken him in charge and
an angel was present to protect him from his
foes. They were weary and heavy with sleep,
and again they dropped into unconsciousness.
The Saviour of the world arose and sought his
disciples, and, for the third timne, found  them
fast asleep. Ile looked sorrowfully upon them.
His words, however, aroused them: "Sleep on
now, and take your rest; behold, the hour is at
hand, and the Son of manr is betrayed into the
hands of sinners."
Even while these words were upon his lips,
the footsteps of the mob that was in search of
him were heard. Judas took the lead and was
closely followed by the high priest. Jesus
turned to his disciples, as his enemies apl1roached, and said, "Rise, let us be going; behold, he is at hand that doth betray me." The
countenance of the Saviour wore an expression
of calm dignity; no traces of his recent agony
were visible as he stepped forth to meet his betrayer.
He stood in advance of his disciples, and inq(uired, "Whom  seek  ye?"  They  answered,
"Jesus of Nazareth."  Jesus replied, "I am he."
As these words were uttered, the mob staggered
back; and the priests, elders, soldiers, and even
Judas, dropped powerless to the ground. This
gave Jesus ample opportunity to escape from
them if he had chosen to do so. But he stood
as one glorified amid that coarse and hardened
band. When Jesus answered, "I am he," the
[()2 
IN THE GARDEN.
angel who had lately ministered unto him moved
between him and the murderous mob, who saw
a divine light illuminating the Saviour's face,
and a dove-like form overshadowing him. Their
wicked hearts were filled with terror. They
could not for a moment stand upon their feet in
the presence of this divine glory, and they fell
as dead men to the ground.
The angel withdrew; the light faded away;
Jesus was left standing, calm and self-possessed,
with the bright beams of the moon upon his pale
face, and still surrounded by prostrate, helpless
men, while the disciples were too much amazed
to utter a word. When the angel departed, the
Roman soldiers started to their feet, and, with
the priests and Judas, gathered about Christ as
though ashamed of their weakness, and fearful
that he would yet escape from their hands.
Again the question was asked by the Redeemer,
"Whom seek ye?"  Again they answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." The Saviour then said, "I
have told you that I am he. If, therefore, ye
seek me, let these go their way "-pointing to
the  disciples.   In  this hour  of humiliation
Christ's thoughts were not for himself, but for
his beloved disciples. He wished to save them
from any farther trial of their strength.
Judas, the betrayer, did not forget his part, but
came close to Jesus, and took his hand as a familiar friend, and bestowed upon him the traitor's kiss. Jesus said to him, "Friend, wherefore
art thgu come?"  His voice trembled with sorrow as he addressed the deluded Judas: "Betrayest thou the Son of man  with a kiss?"
This most touching appeal should have roused
the conscience of the betrayer, and touched his
103 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
stubborn heart; but honor, fidelity, and human
tenderness had utterly forsaken him. He stood
bold and defiant, showing no disposition to relent. He had given himself up to the control of
Satan, and he had no power to resist him. Jesus did not reject the traitor's kiss. In this he
gives us an example of forbearance, love, and
pity, that is without a parallel.
Though the murderous throng were surprised
and awed by what they had seen and felt, their
assurance and hardihood returned as they saw
the boldness of Judas in touching the person of
Him whom they had so recently seen glorified.
They now laid violent hands upon Jesus, and
proceeded to bind those precious hands that had
ever been employed in doing good.
When the disciples saw that band of strong
men lying prostrate and helpless on the ground,
they thought surely their Master would not suffer himself to be taken; for the same power
that prostrated that hireling mob could cause
them to remain in a state of helplessness until
Jesus and his companions should pass unharmed
beyond their reach. They were disappointed
and indignant as they saw the cords brought
forward to bind the hands of Him whom they
loved. Peter in his vehement anger rashly cut
off, with his sword, an ear of the servant of the
high priest.
When Jesus saw what Peter had done, he released his hands, though held firmly by the
Roman soldiers, and saying, "Suffer ye thus far,"
he touched the wounded ear, and it was instantly
made whole.  He then said to Peter, "Put up
again thy sword into his place; for all they that
take the sword shall perish with the sword.
I(-)4 
IN THE GARDEN.
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my
Father, and he shall presently give me more
than twelve legions of angels? But how then
shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must
be?"  " The cup which my Father hath given
me, shall I not drink it?" Jesus then turned to
the chief priest, and captains of the temple, who
helped compose that murderous throng, "and
said, are ye come out as against a thief with
swords and with staves to take me? I was daily
with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me
not; but the Scriptures must be fulfilled."
When the disciples saw that Jesus did not deliver himself from  his enemies, but permitted
himself to be taken and bound, they were offended that he should suffer this humiliation to
himself and them. They had just witnessed an
exhibition of his power in prostrating to the
ground those who came to take him, and in healing the servant's ear, which Peter hbad cut off,
and they knew that if he chose he could deliver
himself from the murderous mob. They blamed
him for not doing so, and mortified and terrorstricken by his unaccountable conduct they forsook him and fled. Christ had foreseen this
desertion, and in the upper chamber had forewarned them of the course which they would
take at this time, saying, "Behold, the hour
cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered every man to his own, and shall leave me
alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me."
Judas was himself surprised that Jesus should
deliver himself into the hands of those who
sought to destroy him.   He  had  frequently
1).5 
THE GREAT CONTiROVERSY.
known the Saviour's enemies to lay plans to
take him, but Jesus would quietly depart and
defeat their murderous designs.  Now  the betrayer saw with astonishment that his Master
suffered himself to be bound and led away. The
false disciple flattered himself, however, that Jesus had only permitted himnself to be taken that
he might rmianifest his power by delivering himself fiomn his enemies in a miraculous manner.
He knew that nothing else could free him from
that armed band.  For three years the Jews had
been secretly planning to take him, and now
that they Lhad accomplished this they would not
let him escape death, if they could prevent it.
Jesus was hurried off by the hooting mob.
He moved painfully, for his hands were tightly
bound and( he was closely guarded. He was
firist conducted to the house of Annas, the father-in-law of the high priest, the man whose
counsel was sought and carried out by the Jewish people as the voice of God. Annas craved
the fearful satisfaction of first seeing Jesus of
Nazareth a bound captive.  Having once been
shown to Annas, he was hurried away; for the
priests and rulers had decided that if they once
had possession of his person, there should be no
delays in his trial and condemnation.  This was
because they feared that the people, rememberinog his acts of charity and mercy among them,
would rescue him out of their hands.
10-6
s 
IN THE  JUIDGMENT HALL.
CHIAPTER VIII.
IN TTE. JUDGMENT HALI,.
THE armed band, with their prisoner, threaded
the dark and narrow streets, guided by torches
and lanterns, for it was yet early morning and
very dark.  Amid in,sult and mockery, the Saviour was hurried to the palace of the officiating
high priest, Caiaphas.  Here he was coarsely accused by his persecutors, and sneeringly questioned by the priest, and reviled by the whole
assembly.  But while enduring this mockery of
an examination, the Saviour's heart was pierced
by a keener pang than it was in the power of
his enemies to inflict.  It was when lie heard his
beloved disciple deny  him  with  (-cuising and
swearing.
After deserting their Master in the garden,
two of the disciples regained their priesence of
mind and ventured to follow, at a distance, the
mnob that had Jesus in clarge.  These disciples
were Peter and John.  The  priest recognized
John as a well-known disciple of Jesus, and admrnitted him to the hlall where the Saviour was
being questioned because he hoped that John,
while witnessing the humiliation of his leader,
would become affected with the same spirit that
actuated his enemies, and scorn the idea of one
who could be subjected to such indignities, being
the Son- of God. John, having secured himself
an entrance, spoke in behalf of his companion,
Peter, and gained the same favor for him.
The coldest hour of the night was that preceding the dawn, and a fire had been lighted in
I ol 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
the ball. Around this a company were gathered;
and Peter presumptuously took his place with
the rest by the fire, and stood warming himself.
He did not wish to be recognized as one of the
disciples of Jesus, and he thought by mingling
carelessly with the people he would be taken for
one of those who had brought Jesus to the hall.
But, as the light flashed upon Peter's counte nance, the woman who  kept the door cast a
searching glance upon him; she had noticed that
he came in with John, and conjectured that he
was one of Christ's followers.  She interrogated
him in a taunting manner: "Art not thou also
one of this marn's disciples?"  Peter was startled
and confused; the eyes of the company instantly
fastened upon him.  He pretended not to understand her, but she was ppr-sistent, and said to
those arouind her that this man was with Jesus.
Peter, feeling compelled to answer, said angrily,
"Woman, I know him not,."  This was the first
denial, aid immediately the cock crew.  0 Peter!
So soon aeslamed of thy Me.steil  So soon to
cowardly  deny thy Lord'  The Saviour is dishonored and deserted in his humiliation by one
of his most zealous discil)itCs.
In the first place Peter lead not designed that
his real claracter should i e known; and, in assumling an air of indiffieence, he placed himself
on the enemy's ground, ajn(l b)ecame an easy subject to Satan's temptation. He appeared to be
disinterested in the trial of his Master, while in
reality his heart was wrung with sorrow as he
*heard the cruel taunts and saw the mockery and
abuse he was suffering. In addition to this he was
surprised and angry that Jesus should humiliate
himself and his followers by passively submit
I 01- 
IN TIlE JLD(GMIENT HALL.I
ting to such treatment.  Under these conflicting
emotions, it was difficult to preserve his character of indifference. His appearance was unnatural, as he endeavored to join with the persecutors of Jesus in their untimely jests, in order to
cover his true feelingys.
He was acting a lie, and while trying to talk
unconcernedly he could net restrain expressions
of indignation at the abuse heaped upon his
Master. Accordingly attention was called to him
the second time, and he was again charged with
being a follower of Jesus. He now denied the
accusation with an oath. The cock crew the
second time; but Peter heard it not, for he was
now  thoroughly intent upon  carrying out the
character which he had assumed.  One of the
servants of the high priest, being a near kinsman
to the man whose eatr the disciple had cut off,
asked him, "Did not I see thee in the gar(!.:'
with him?"  "Surely thou art one of them;
for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth
thereto."
At this, Peter flew into a rage, and to fully deceive his questioners, and to justify his assumed
character, he denied his MAaster with cursing and
swearing.  And iimmediately the cock crew the
third time. Peter heard it then; and while the
degrading oaths were fresh upon his lips, and the
shrill crowing of the cock was yet ringing in his
ears, the Saviour turned his face from the frowning judges, and looked full upon his poor disciple. Atthe same time Peter's eyes were involuntarily fixed upon his Master.  He read in that
gentle countenance deep pity and sorrow; but
there was no anger there.
Peter was  conscience-smitten;  his memory
109 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
was aroused; he recalled to mind his.promise of
a few short hours before, that he would go to
prison or to death for his Lord. He remembered
his grief when the Saviour told him in the upper chamber that he would deny his Master
thrice that same night. Peter had just declared
that he knew not Jesus, but he now realized
with bitter grief how well his Lord knew him,
and how accurately he had read his heart, the
falseness of which was unknown even to himself.  He groaned in spirit as he realized that
not only was his Master enduring the bitterest
humiliation at the hands of his enemies, but he
was suffering additional dishonor at the hands of
one of his disciples, who had forsaken and re
fused to acknowledge him in the hour of his
trial.
The look of Christ conveyed volumes to the
repentant Peter. He read in that glance sorrow,
love, and pardon. A tide of memories rushed
over him. He remembered the Saviour's tender
mercy, his kindness and long-suffering, the patience with which he dealt with his followers.
He remembered the caution of Jesus to him:
"Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you,
that he may sift you as wheat. But I have
)rayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." He reflected with horror upon his base ingratitude, his
falsehood and perjury. He looked once more at
his Master, and saw a sacrilegious hand raised to
smite him in the face. Unable to longer endure
the scene, he rushed, heart-broken, from the hall.
He pressed on in solitude and darkness, he
knew and cared not whither. At last he found
himself in the garden of Gethsemane, where a
short time before he had slept while the Saviour
110 
IN  THE,t'D(NMENT  IIAI,L.
wrestled with the powers of darkness. The suffering face of his Lord, stained with bloody
sweat and convulsed with anguish, rose before
him.  He remembered with bitter remorse that
Jesus had wept and agonized in prayer alone,
while those who should have sustained him in
that trying hour were sleeping.  He remembered
his solemn charge: "Watch and pray, that ye
enter not into temptation." The scene of a few
short hours before came vividly to his mind.
He witnessed again the tears and groans of Jesus.  It was torture to his bleeding heart to
know that he had added the heaviest burden to
the  Saviour's humiliation and grief.  lie fel]
prostrate upon the very spot where his Lord had
sunk beneath his inexpressible weight of woe.
Peter's first mistake was in sleeping when
Christ had bidden him to watch and pray. At
the most critical moment, when the Son of God
was in need of his sympathy and heartfelt
prayers, he was incapable of giving them  to
him. The disciples lost much by sleeping;
Jesus designed to fortify them for the severe
test of faith to which they were to be subjected.
If they had spent that mournful period in the
garden in watching with the dear Saviour, and
in prayer to God, Peter would not have been
left to depend upon his own feeble strength; he
would not have denied his Lord.
This important night-watch shoul(d have been
spent by the disciples in noble mental struggles
and prayers, which would have brought them
strength to witness the terrible agony of the Son
of God.  It would have prepared them, as they
should behold his sufferings upon the cross, to
understand in some degree the nature of the
III 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
overpowering anguish which he endured. They
would then have been better able to recall the
words he had spoken to them in' reference to his
sufferings, death, and resurrection; and amid the
gloom of that trying hour some rays of hope
would have lighted up the darkness, and sustained their faith. Christ had told them before
that these tlhings would take place. He knew
the power which the prince of darkness would
use to parialyze the senses of his disciples when
they should be watching and praying.
The disciple John, upon entering the judgment
hall, did not try to conceal the fact that he was
one of the followers of Jesus. He did not mingle with the rough company that were insulting
and mocking his Master.  He was not questioned, for he did not assume a false character
and thus lay himself liable to suspicion. He
sought a retired corner secure from observation
of the mnob, but as near Jesus as it was possible
for him to be. In this place he could hear and
see all that transpired at the trial of his Lord.
If Peter had been called to fight for his MAaster, he would have proved a bold and courageous
soldier; but he became a coward when the finger
of scorn was pointed at him.  Mlany who do not
hesitate to engage in active warfare for the
Lord, are driven to deny their faith through the
ridicule of their enemies. They place themselves in the way of temptation by associating
with those whom they should avoid. They thus
invite the enemy to tempt them, and are led to
and say that which they would never have
been guilty of under other circumstances. The
disciple of Christ, who, in our day, disguises his
faith through dread of suffering or reproach, de
112 
IN THE JUDGMENT HALL.
nies his Lord as virtually as did Peter in the
judgment hall. There are always those who
boast of their freedom of thought and action,
and laugh at the scruples of the conscientious
who fear to do wrong. Yet if those righteous
)ersons are persuaded to yield their faith, they
are despised by the very ones who were Satan's
agents to tempt them to their ruin.
Peter, however, as well as John, witnessed
much of the mock trial of Jesus.  It was necessary that there should be a pretense of legal trial; but great secresy was maintained lest the
people should obtain information of what was
being done, and come forward with their testimony in vindication of Jesus, bringing to light
the mighty works which he had done. This
would bring the indignation of the people upon
the Sanhedrim; their acts would be condemned
and brought to naught; and Jesus would be liberated and receive new honor at the hands of
the people.
While the members of the Sanhedrim council
were being called together, Annas and Caiaphas
the priest questioned Jesus, with the purpose of
provoking him to make some statement which
they could use to his disadvantage. They
brought two charges against him, by one or both
of which they meant to effect his condemnation.
One was that he was a disturber of the peace,
the leader of a rebellion. If this charge could
be verified he would be condemned by the Roman authorities. The other charge was that he
was a blasphemer. This, if proved true, would
secure his condemnation among the Jews.
The high priest questioned Jesus concerning
his doctrine, and the disciples who believed in
Great ('Controversy, Vol. 3.. 8
I 1 119, 
THE GREAT ('ONTROVERSY.
him.  Jesus answered briefly: "I spake openly
to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue,
and in the temple, whither the Jews always, iresort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why
askest thou  me? ask  them which  heard me,
what I have said unto them; behold, they know
what I said."
Jesus was well aware that his questioner designed to draw some statement from him wilict
should awaken the fears of the Roman autho)rities that he was seeking to establish a secret society with the purpose of finally setting up a
new kingdom. He therefore plainly stated to
Annas that he had no secrets in regard to his
purpose or doctrines. Turning upon his interrogator he said with startling emphasis, "Why askest thou mre?" Had not the priests and rulers
set spies to watch his movements and report his
every word? Had they not been present at every gathering of the people, and carried information of all his sayings and doings on these occasions to the priests? "Ask them that heard me,
what I have said," replied Jesus; and his words
were a rebuke to Annas, who had hunted him
for months, striving to entrap him, and to bring
him before a secret tribunal, in which the people could have no voice, that he might obtain
by perjury what it was impossible to gain by
fair means.
The words of Jesus were so close and pointed
that the high priest felt that his very soul was
being read by his prisoner. Though Annas was
filled with hatred against Jesus at these words,
he disguised it until a more fitting opportunity
presented itself of giving vent to his malice and
jealousy. But one of the servants of the high
I t 4 
IN THE JUDGMIENT  HALL.
priest,. assuming that his master was not treated
with due respect, struck Jesus in the face, sayinLg, "Answerest thou the high priest so?"  To
this insultino question and blow, Jesus mildly
returned, "IfI have spoken evil, bear witness of
the evil; but if well, why smitest thou me?"
The Majesty of Heaven might have summoned
to his aid legions of loyal aiJgels to protect him
against the malignity of his enremies; but it was
his mrission, in the character of humanity, meekly
to endure taunts and stripes, leaving an example
of patient forbearance to the children of men.
Those into whose power Jesus had fallen had no
respect for this sublime forbearance. The fact
that he was a passive captive in their hands was
the signal for them to wreak upon him the basest
insults which their corrupt hearts could invent.
When the council was fully assembled in the
judgment hall, Caiaphas took his position as
presiding officer.  This man had ever regarded
Jesus as his rival. The combined simplicity and
eloquence of the Saviour had attracted large
crowds to listen to his teachings, which contained
wisdom such as they had never heard firom the
lips of priests or scriibes. The anxiety of the
people to hear Jesus, and their readiness to accept his doctrines, had roused the bitter jealousy,
of the high priest.
Jesus stood calm and serene before the high
priest, while the eyes of the multitude were upon
him, and the wildest excitement prevailed around.
For a ioment Caiapiias looked upon the captive,
struck with a sudden admiration for his dignified
bearing. A conviction came over him that this
man was akin to God. The next instant he banished the thought, scorning the suggestions of his
II,") 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
own mind.  Immediately, his voice was heard in
sneering, haughty tones, requesting Jesus to work
before him one of those mighty miracles which
had given him such fame among the people; h)ut
his words fell upon the ears of the Saviour as
though he heard them not.
The people involuntarily compared the excited
and malignant deportment of Annas and Caiaphas
with the calmn, majestic bearing of Jesus. A holy
influence seemed to emanate from the Saviour
and pervade the atmosphere surrounding him.
The question arose even in the minds of the
hardened multitude present, Is this man of Godlike presence to be sentenced as a common criminal? Caiaphas, perceiving the influence that
-was obtaining, hastened the trial. He took his
position on the throne of judgment, while Jesus
stood at its foot. On either side were the judges
and those specially interested in the trial. The
Roman soldiers were ranged on the platform,
below the throne.
The high priest arose in his gorgeous robe,
with glittering tiara and costly breastplate, upon
which, in former days, the light of God's glory
had often flashed. In strong contrast with this
display were the coarse habiliments of Jesus.
And yet he who was clad in homely garb had
reigned in the courts of Heaven, crowned, and
with garments of brightness, attended by holy
angels. Yet there he stood at the foot of an
earthly throne to be tried for his life.
. The priests and rulers had decided in counsel
together that Jesus must be condemned, whether
or not they could furnish evidence of his guilt.
It was necessary to bring charges against him
which would be regarded as criminal by the
116 
IN THE JUDGMIENT HALL.
Roman power or they could legally effect nothing against him. His accusers could find plenty
who would testify that he had denounced the
priests and scribes; that he had called them hypocrites and murderers; but this would weigh
nothing with the Romans, who were themselves
disgusted with the pretension of the Pharisees.
Such testimony would also weigh nothing with
the Sadducees; for in their sharp contentions
with the Pharisees, they had used to them lan(guae of the same import.  His accusers were
anxious to avoid raising the opposition of the
Sadducees against the Pharisees; for if the two
parties fell to contending among  themselves,
Jesus would be likely to escape from their hands.
They could secure abundant evidence that
Jesus had disregarded their traditions, and spoken irreverently of many of their ordinances; but
such evidence was of no value, as it would have
no weight with either the Romans or Sadducees.
They dared not accuse him of Sabbath-breaking
for fear an examination would reveal what had
been the character of his work upon that day.
In that event his miracles wrought to heal the
afflicted would be brought to light, and defeat
the very object they wished to gain.
Christ had said, concerning the temple of his
body, that he could destroy it, and raise it again
in three days. These words were understood by
his hearers to refer to the Jewish temple. Of
all that Jesus had said, the priests could find
nothing which they could use against him save
this.  The Romans had engaged in rebuilding andl
embellishing the temple.  They took great pride
in it as a work of science and art; and the priests
counted upl)on their indignation when it wa,
117 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
proven that Jesus, a humble man, had declared
himself able to build it in three days if it should
be destroyed.  On this ground, Romans and Jews,
Pharisees and  Sadduces, coild  meet; for all
held the temple in great venetation.
In addition to this they had bribed false witnesses to testify that Jesus was guilty of inciting
rebellion and seelkingr to este.blish a:epaiate grovernmenrt.  This they hoped would farther excite
the apprehensions of tle Ron)ans and accomplish
the desired object. But when these witnesses
were called, their testimony was so vague and
contradictory that it was worth'less.  Upon crossquestioning, they were led to falsify their own
statements.  It was becoming(  a)parent to the
people that the charges ag.inst Jesus could not
be maintained.  Th'e life of the Saviour had been
so faultless, and his doctrine so pure, that envy
and malice could hfindt little in either capable of
being misrepresented.
Two witnesses were at last found whose evidence was not so contradictory as the  others
had  been.  One of them, a corrupt man who
had sold hi4 honor for a sum  of mloney, spoke
of Christ as on a level with himiself.  Said he,
"This fellow said, I am  able  to destroy  the
temple of God, andl to build it in three days."
Inr the figurative language of prophecy, Jesus
ha!-  th.'us foretold  htis owvn death  and  resuireeti,na, lis contli,-ct and victory; but  his enemies had misconstrued his words  to suit their
owli purposes. The words of Jesus were truth
an! verity; the evidence was false and malicious.
If the words of Jesus had been reported exactly
as he uttered them, there wvciuld have been nothjn' offensive in them.  If he had been a mere
118 
IN THE JUD(MIENT HALL.
man, as they assumed him to be, his declaration
would only have indicated an unreasonable, boastful spirit, but could not have been construed into
blasphemy.
Caiaphas urged Jesus to answer to the charge
made against him; but the Saviour, knowing that
his sentence was already determined, answered
him nothing.  The evidence gained from the last
two witnesses proved nothing against him worthy
of death; and Jesus himself remained calm and
silent. The priests and rulers began to fear that
they would fail to gain their object after all.
They were disappointed and perplexed that they
had failed to gain anything from the false witnesses upon which to condemn their prisoner.
Their only hope now was to make Jesus speak
out and say something which would condemn
him before the people.
The silence of Christ upon this occasion had
already been described by Isaiah in prophetic
vision: "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth. He is brought as a
lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before her
shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."
The high priest now raised his right hand toward Heaven in a most imposing manner, and
with a solemn voice addressed Jesus: "I adjure
thee by the living God that thou tell us whether
thou be the Christ, the Son of God." Thus appealed to by the highest acknowledged authority
in the nation, and in the name of the Most High,
Jesus, o show proper respect for the law, answered, "Thou hast said." Every ear was bent
to listen, and every eye was fixed upon his face,
as with calm voice and dignified manner, he made
this reply. A heavenly light seemed to illuminate
119 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
his pale countenance as he added, "Nevertheless
I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of
man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."
For a moment the divinity of Christ flashed
through his guise of humanity; and the high
priest quailed before the penetrating eyes of the
Saviour.  That look seemed to read his hidden
thoughts, and burn into his heart; and never in
after-life did he forget that searching glance of
the persecuted Son of God. This voluntary confession of Jesus, claiming his Sonship with God,
was made in the most public manner, and under
the most solemn oath. In it he presented to the
minds of those present a reversal of the scene
then being enacted before them, when he, the
Lord of life and glory, would be seated at the
right hand of God, the supreme Judge of Heaven
and earth, from whose decision there could be no
appeal. He brought before them a view of that
day, when, instead of being surrounded and
abused by a riotous mob, headed by the priests
and-judges of the land, he would come in the
clouds of heaven, with power and great glory,
escorted by legions of angels, to pronounce the
sentence of his enemies.
Jesus knew what would be the result of this
announcement; that it would secure his condemnation. The object of the designing priests was
now gained. Jesus had declared himself to be
the Christ. The high priest, in order to give
those present the impression that he was jealous
fo'r the insulted majesty of Heaven, rent his garments, and, lifting his hands toward heaven as if
in holy horror, said, in a voice calculated to rouse
the excited people to violence, "He hath spoken
120 
IN THIE J"TDGIMENT IHALL.
blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.  What think ye?"   The answer of the
judges was, "He is guilty of death."
The priests and judges, exulting in the advantage they had gained through the words of
Jesus, but anxious to hide their malicious satisfaction, now pressed close to him, and, as if they
could not believe that they had heard aright, simultaneously inquired, "Art thou the Christ? tell
us." Jesus looked calmly at his hypocritical
questioners, and answered, "If I tell you, ye will
not believe. And if I ask you, ye will not answer
me, nor let me go." Jesus could have traced
down the prophecies, and given his accusers evidence that the very things were then taking
place which had been predicted in regard to
Messiah.  He could have silenced them thus; but
they would not then have believed. He could
have pointed them to his mighty miracles; but
they had set their hearts against the light of
Heaven, and no power could change them.
There were some in that assembly who heeded
the words of Jesus and noted his Godlike bearing as he stood serenely before the infuriated
judges. The gospel seed found lodgment that
day in hearts where it was eventually to spring
up and yield an abundant harvest. The reverence and awe which his words inspired in the
hearts of many who heard them were to increase
and develop into perfect faith in Jesus as the
world's, Redeemer. Some of the witnesses of that
scene were themselves afterward placed in a simnilar position to that of Jesus in the judgment
hall; and were tried for their lives because they
were the disciples of Christ.
121 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
When the condemnation of Jesus was pronounced by the judges, a satanic fury took possession of the people. The roar of voices was
like that of wild beasts. They made a rush toward Jesus, crying, He is guilty, put him to
death' and had it not been for the Roman soldiers, Jesus would not have lived to be hanged
upon the cross of Calvairy.  He would have been
torn in pieces before his judges, had not Roman
authority interfered, and by force of arms withheld the violence of the mob.
Although Jesus was bound, yet he was also
guarded, and held by two men lest he should escape firom the hands of his persecutors. The
judges and rulers now entirely forgot the dignity
of their office, and abused the Son of God with
foul epithets, railing upon him in regard to his
parentage, and deelcring that his presumption in
proclaiming himself the MAessiah, notwithstanding his low birth, made him deserving of the most
ignominious death.  Most dissolute men engaged
in this infamous abuse of the Saviour. An old
garment was thrown over his head, and his jeering persecutors struck him in the face, crying,
"Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that
smonte thee?"  Ut)on the garment being removed,
one poor wretch spat in his face. But the Saviour directed no word or look of retaliation
against the deluded souls around him, who had
cast off all restraint because they perceived that
the priests and rulers sanctioned their acts.
Jesus realized that the hosts of Heaven were
witnessing his humiliation, and that the least
angel, if summoned to his aid, could have  instantly dispersed ttiat insulting throng, and delivered him figurm  their power.  Jesus  himself
122 
IN THE JUDGMENT HALL.
could have stricken down the excited multitude
like dead men, by a look or word of his divinity,
or driven them frightened fiom his presence, as
he had the defilers of the temple. But it was in
the plan of redemption that he should suffer the
scorn and abuse of wicked men, and he consented
to all this when he becamne the Redeemer of
man. The angels of God faithfully recorded every insulting look, word, and act directed against
their beloved Coimmander; and the base men
who scorned and sp)at upon the calim, pale face
of Christ, were one day to look upon it in its
g,lor-y, shining brighter than the sun.  In that
awful time they would pray'to the rocks and the
mnountainis: "Hide us firom the face of Him who
sitteth upon the throne, and fi'om the wrath of
the Lamb."
Jesus was pushed hither and thither, and so
insulted and abused that at last the Roman officers were ashamed and angry that a man against
whom  nothing had yet been proven should be
subject to the brutal treatment of the worst class
ot persons   Accordingly they accused the Jewish authorities of assuming to exercise a power
that did not bel-uil to them, in trying a man for
his  life, and,) —onounrcing  his  condemnation.
They declared that in doing this they infringed
upon the Rotman power, and that it was even
against the Jewish law to condemn any man to
death on his own test.rumony.  This intervention
of Roman authority caused a lull in the rude excitemenk
Just then a hoarise voice rang; through the
hall, which sent a thrill of terror through the
hearts otf all present: He is innocent. Spare
him, 0) Caiaphas  ni  has done tohirg' worthy
123 
TIIE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
of death! The tall form of Judas was now
seen pressing his way through the startled
crowd. His face was pale and haggard, and
large drops of perspiration stood upon his forehead.  He rushed to the throne of judgment,
and threw down before the high priest the pieces
of silver he had received as the price of his
Lord's betrayal. He eagerly grasped the robe of
Caiaphas, and implored him to release Jesus, declaring that he was innocent of all crime. Caiaphas angrily shook him off, but he was confused
and knew not what to say. The perfidy of the
priests was revealed before the people. it was
evident to all that Judas had been bribed to deliver Jesus into the hands of those who sought
his life.
Judas continued to beseech Caiaphas to do
nothing against Jesus, declaring that he was indeed the Son of God, and cursing himself that he
had betrayed innocent blood. But the high
priest, having recovered his self-possession, answered with chilling scorn, "What is that to us?
see thou to that." He then represented to the
people that Judas was some poor maniac, one of
the mad followers of Jesus, and charged them
not to let any influence p)revail to release the
prisoner, who was a base deceiver.
Finding his prayers were in vain, Judas fell at
the feet of Jesus, acknowledging him to be the
Son of God, begging forgiveness for his sin, and
imploring him to exercise his God-like power
and deliver himself from his enemies.  The Saviour did not reproach his betrayer either by look
or word.  He knew that h,3 was suffering the
bitterest rci:uoise for his criieic.  He gazed com
I.-) 4 
IN THE JUDGMENT HALL.
passionately upon Judas, and declared that for
that hour he had come into the world.
A murmur of surprise ran through the assembly at the heavenly forbearance manifested by
Jesus.  Again a conviction swept over their
minds that this man was more than mortal. But
the question then arose, If he was indeed the
Son of God, why did he not free himself from
his bonds and ise triumphant above his accusers?
The love of money had perverted the nobler
nature of Judas, making him a fit agent for Satan to use in the betrayal of Christ. When Judas had become annoyed at the implied rebuke
of Jesus because of his covetous spirit upon the
occasion of MarIy anointing her Lord with costly
ointment, he yielded to the tempter, anrid gave
Satan easy access to his mind.  But when he decided to sell his Master to the murderous priests
and rulers, he had no thought that Jesus would
permit himself to be taken. He thought the
priests would be cheated of their bribe, and he,
the betrayer, would secure the money to use for
some purpose of his own, and( J-ecus would have
a new opportunity to display his divine power in
delivering himself from the wiles of his enemies.
From the time of his betrayal in the garden,
Judas had not lost sight of the Saviour. He
eagerly looked for him to surprise his enemies
by appearing before them in the character of the
Son of God, setting at naught all their plots and
power. But when he saw him meekly submitting tq their abuse, suffering himself to be tried
and condemned to death, his heart smote him,
and he realized the full extent of his own crime
-he had sold his divine Master to shame and
death. He remembered how kind and consider
1,25 
THE GREATi ('ONTROVERSY.
ate Jesus had ever been to him, and.his heart
filled with remorse and anguish. He now despised the covetousness which  Jesus had  reproved, and which had tempted him to sell the
Saviour for a few pieces of silver.
Perceiving that his entreaties to spare the life
of Jesus availed nothing with the high priest, he
rushed from the hall in desp)air, crying, It is too
late! It is too late'! ie felt unable to live to
see Jesus crucified, and, in an agony of remorse,
went out and hanged himself.
Afterward the money which Judas had cast
down before the priest was used for the purchase
of a public burial ground. "And the chief priests
took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful
for to put them into the treasury, because it is
the price of blood. And they took counsel, and
bought with them the potter's field, to bury
strangers in. Wherefore that field was called,
The field of blood, unto this day."
If any testimony had been needed to prove
the innocence of Jesus, it was given in the confession of Judas. Not only was it an evidence
of the innocence of the Saviour, but the event
was a direct fulfillment of prophecy. In prophetic vision Zechariah had looked down the
ages and seen the trial of God's dear Son. The
act of Judas is thus described: "And I said unto
themn, If ye think good, give me my price; and
if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price
thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto
me, Cast it unto the potter; a goodly price that
I'was prized at of them. And I took the thirty
pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in
the house of the Lord."
I -) 6 
CONDEMN-ATION OF.JESIUS.
C H-APTEI"  IX.
('ONl)EMNAT-ON   )F.J SFUS.
WHEN Jesus was asked the question, Art thou
the Son of God? he knew that to answer in the
affirmative would make his death certain; a denial would leave a stain upon his humanity.
There was a time to be silent, and a time to
speak. He had not spoken until plainly interrogated. In his lessons to his disciples he had declared: "Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me
before men, him will I confess also before my
Father who is in Heaven." When challenged,
Jesus did not deny his relationship with God.
In that solemn moment his chanc,,cer was at
stake and must be vindicated. He left on that
occasion an example for man  to follow under
similar circumstances. He would teach him not
to apostatize from his faith to escape suffering or
even death.
Had the Jews possessed the authority to do so,
they would have executed Jesus at once upon
the hasty condemnation of their judges; but
such power had passed from them into the hands
of the Romans, and it was necessary that the case
be referred to the proper authorities of that government for final decision. The Jews were anxious to hasten the trial and execution of Jesus,
because if it were not brought about at once there
wouldbe a delay of a week on account of the
immediate celebration of the passover. In that
case Jesus would be kept in bonds, and the intense excitement of the mob that was c]amoring
for his life, would have been allayed, and a natural
127 
THE GREAT ('ONTROVERSY.
reaction would have set in.  The better part of
the people would have become aroused in his behalf, and in all probability his release would be
accomplished. The priests and rulers felt that
there was no time to lose.
The whole Sanhedrim, followed by the multitude, escorted Jesus to the judgment hall of Pilate, the Roman governor, to secure a confirmation of the sentence they had just pronounced.
The Jewish priests and rulers could not themselves enter Pilate's hall for fear of ceremonial
defilement, which  would  disqualify them  for
taking part in the paschal feast. in order to
condemn  the spotless Son of God, they were compelied to appeal for judgment  to one whose
threshold they dared not cross for fear of defilement. Blinded by prejudice and cruelty, they
could not discern that their passover festival was
of no value, since they had defiled their souls by
the rejection of Christ. The great salvation that
he brought was typified by the deliverance of the
children of Israel, which event was commemorated by the feast of the passover. The innocent
lamb slain in Egypt, the blood of which sprinkled
upon the door-posts caused the destroying angel to
pass over the homes of Israel, prefigured the sinless
Lamb of God, whose merits can alone avert the
judgment and condemnation of fallen man. Tile
Saviour had been obedient to the Jewish law,
and observed all its divinely appointed ordinances. He had just identified himself with the
paschal lamb as its great antitype, by connecting
tlte Lord's supper with the passover. What a
bitter mockery then was the ceremony about to
be observed by the priestly persecutors of Jesus!
12.8 
C'ONDEMNATION  OF JESUS.
Pilate beheld, in the accused, a man bearing the
marks of violence, but with a serene and noble
countenance and dignified bearing. Many cases
had been tried before the Roman governor, but
never before had there stood in his presence a man
like this. He discovered no trace of crime in his
face; and something in the prisoner's appearance
excited his sympathy and respect. He turned to
the priests, who stood just without the door, and
asked, "What accusation bring ye against this
man?'
They were not prepared for this question.
They had not designed to state the particulars of
the alleged crime of Jesus. They had expected
that Pilate would, without delay, confirm their
decision against the Saviour. However they answered him that they had tried the prisoner according to their law and found him deserving of
death.  Said they, " If he were not a malefactor
we would not have delivered him up unto thee."
Butt Pilate was not satisfied with the explanation
of the Jews, and reminded them of their inability to execute the law. He intimated that if
their judgment only was necessary to procure
his condemnation, it was useless to bring the
prisoner to him.  Sid he, "Take ye him, and
judge him according to your law."
The treacherous priests felt that they were
outwitted; they saw that it would not do to
specify the grounds for their condemnation of
Jesus. The charge of blasphemy would be regarded by Pilate as the expression of religious bigotry ant priestly jealousy; and the case would be
at once dismissed. But if they could excite the
apprehensions of the Roman governor that Jesus
G;reat Colltroversy, Vol. 3.
129
9: 
THIE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
was a leader of sedition, their purpose would be
accomplished. Tumults and insurrections were
constantly arising among the Jews against the
Roman government, for many affirmed that it
was against the Jewish law to pay tribute to a
foreign power. The authorities had found it
necessary to deal very rigorously with these revolts among the people, and were constantly on
the watch for developments of that character,
in order to suppress them at once. But Jesus
had always been obedient to the reigning power.
When the scheming priests sought to entrap him
by sending spies to him with the question, " Is
it lawful to render tribute to Cesar?" he had
directed their attention to the image and superscription of Coesar upon the tribute money, and
answered, "Render unto Cesar the things which
are Cesar's." Jesus himself had paid tribute, and
had taught his disciples to do so.
In their extremity the priests called the false
witnesses to their aid. "And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting
the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to
Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ, a king."
Pilate was not deceived by this testimony.
He now became confident that a deep plot had
been laid to destroy an innocent man, who stood
in the way of the Jewish dignitaries.  He turned
to the prisoner and "asked him, saying, Art thou
the King of the Jews? And he answered him
and said, Thou sayest it." Jesus stood before
Pilate, pale, bruised, and faint from loss of sleep
ind food. IHIe had been hurried from place to
place, and subjected to insult and violence; yet
his bearing was noble, and his countenance was
lighted as though a sunbeam were shining upon it.
130 
CONDEMNATIOX OF JESUS.
When his answer was heard by Caiaphas, who
stood at the threshold of the judgment hall, the
high priest joined with others in calling Pilate to
witness that Jesus had admitted his crime by
this answer, which was a virtual acknowled(gment that he was seeking to establish a throne
in Judah in opposition to the power of Cesar.
Priests, scribes, and rulers, all united in noisy
denunciations of Jesus, and in importuning Pilate
to pronounce sentence of death upon him. The
lawless uproar of the infuriated priests and dignitaries of the temple confised the senses of the
Roman governor. Finally, when some measure
of quiet was secured, he again addressed Jesus,
saying, "Answerest thou nothing? behold how
miany things they witness against thee. But
Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marveled." The silence of the Saviour perplexed
him. He saw in the prisoner no marks of a seditious character, and he had no confidence in the
accusations of the priests. Hoping to gain the
truth from him, and to escape from the clanor
of the excited crowd, he requested Jesus to stepl)
with him into his house. When he had done so,
and the two were alone, Pilate turned to Jesus,
and in a respectfill voice asked him, "Art thou
the King of the Jews?"
Jesus did not di-reetly answer this question.
He knew that conviction was awakened in the
heart of Pilate, and he wished to give him an
opportunity to acknowledge how far his mind
hlad been influenced in the right direction.
He therefore answered, "Sayest thou this thing
of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?"  The
Saviour wished a statement from Pilate whether
his question arose from the accusations just made
131 
THE GREAT (ONTI'ROVERSY.
by the Jews, or from his desire to receive light
firom Christ. Pilate longed for a more intelligent
faith.  The  dignified bearing of Jesus, and his
calm self-possession when placed in a position
where there would naturally be developed a
spirit of hate and revenge, astonished Pilate and
won his deep respect. The direct question just
asked him by Jesus was immediate]y understood
by him, which evidenced that his soul was stirted
by conviction.  But pride rose in the heart of the
RA)aman judge and overpowered the Spirit of God.
"Pilate answered, Amn  I a Jew?  Thline own
nation and the chief priests have delivered thee
unto me; what hast thou done?"
Pilate's golden opportunity had p)assed. Jesus,
however, did not leave him without farther light.
At his desire God sent an angel to Pilate's wife;
and, in a dream, she was shown the pure life and
lioly character of the man who was about to be
consigned to a cruel death.  Jesus did not directly answer the question of Pilate as to what
le had done; but he plainly stated to him his
mi s.qion:  " Iy kingdom is not of this world; if my
kingdom were of this world, then would my
servants fight, that I should not be delivered to
the Jews;  but now is my  kingdom not from
hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou
a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that
I ani a king. To this end was I born, and for
this cause came I into the world, that I should
bear witness into the truth.  Every one that is
of the truth heareth my voice."
Jesus thus sought to convince Pilate that he
was innocent of aspiring to kingly honors upon
earth. Pilate had been confused by the dis
1'0'2 
('ONDEMNATION OF JESUS.
turbed and divided elements of the religious
world, and his mind grasped eagerly at the
words of Jesus declaring that he had come into
the world to bear witness to the truth. Pilate
had heard many voices cry, Here is the truth!
I have the truth! But this man, arraigned as a
criminal, who claimed to have the truth, stirred
his heart with a great longing to know what it
was, and how it could be obtained.  He inquired
of Jesus, "Wh \at is truth?"  But he did not
wait for a reply; the tumult of the excited crowd
was continually increasing; their impatient cries
jarred upon his ears, and recalled him to his
judicial position. He went out to the Jews,
who stood beyond the door of the hall, and declared in an emphatic voice, "I find in him no
fault at all."
Those words, traced by the pen of inspiration,
will forever stand as a proof to the world of the
base perfidy and falsehood of the Jews in their
charges against Jesus.  Even the heathen magistrate pronounced him innocent. As Pilate thus
spoke, the rage and disappointment of the priests
and elders knew no bounds. They had made
great efforts to accomplish the death of Jesus, and
now that there appeared to be a prospect of his
release they seemed ready to tear him in pieces.
They lost all reason and self-control, and gave
vent to curses and maledictions against him, behaving more like demons than men. They were
loud in their censures of Pilate, and threatened
the vengeance of the Roman law against him if
he refused to condemn one who, they affirmed,
had set himself up against Ctesar.
During all this uproar, Jesus stood unmoved,
uttering no word in answer to the abuse that
133 
THE GREAT (CONTROVERSY.
wab iueaped upon hill.  He had spoken freely to
Pilate when alone with him, that the light of
his truth might illuminate the darkened understanding of the Roman governor; and now he
could say nothing more  to prevent him from
committing the fearful act of condemning to
death the Son of God. Pilate turned again to
Jesus and inquired, " Hearest thou not how many
things they witness against thee?  And hlie answered him to never a word; insomuch that the
governor marveled greatly."
Angry voices were now heard, declaring that
the seditious influence of Jesus was well known
throughout all the country. Said they, "He
stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all
Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place." Pilate at this time had no thought of condemning
Jesus, because he was certain that he was the
victim of the envious and designing priests. As
he afterward stated to Jesus, he had the poweI
to condemn or to release him; but he dreaded
the ill-will of the people; so when he heard that
Jesus was a Galilean and was under the jurisdiction of Herod, he embraced the opportunity
to spare himself from farther difficulty, and refused to decide the case, sending him to Herod,
who was then in Jerusalem.
Jesus was faint and weary from loss of sleep
and food, and the ill-treatment he had received;
yet his suffering condition awakened no pity in
the hearts of his persecutors. He was dragged
away to the judgment hall of Herod amid the
hooting and insults of the merciless mob. Besides escaping responsibility in regard to the
trial of Jesus, Pilate thought this would be a
good opportunity to heal an old quarrel between
134 
CONDEMNATION OF JESUS.
himself and Herod.  He thought that this act
on his part would be regarded by Herod as an
acknowledgment of his superior authority, and
would thus bring about a reconciliation. In this
he was not wrong, for the two magistrates made
friends over the trial of the Saviour.
When Herod had first heard of Jesus and the
mighty works wrought by him, he was terrors
stricken, and said, " It is John whom I beheaded;
he is risen from the dead;" "therefore mighty
works do show forth themselves in him." Herod
had never before met Jesus, but he had long desired to see him, and witness his marvelous
power. He was pleased that he was brought to
him a prisoner, for he made no doubt that he
could force him to work a miracle as a condition
of saving his life. Herod's conscience was far
less sensitive than when he had trembled with
horror at the request of Herodias for the head of
John the Baptist. For a time he had felt the
keen stings of remorse for the terrible act he
had committed to gratify the revenge of a cruel
woman; but his moral perceptions had become
more and more degraded by his licentious life,
till his sins appeared but trifles in his eyes.  The
men who are capable of the worst crimes are
those who have once been convicted by the
Spirit of truth, and have turned away from the
light into the darkness of iniquity. Herod had
very nearly become a disciple of John; but at
the very point of decision, he had fallen into the
snare 4 Satan and put to death one whom he
knew to be a true prophet.
As the Saviour was brought before Herod, the
rabble surged and pressed about, crying out
against the prisoner, some charging him with
13.5 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
one crime and some with another. Herod coInmanded silence and directed that Jesus be unbound, for he wished to interrogate  him.  He
looked with curiosity, mingled with an impulse
of pity, upon the pale, sad face of the Saviour,
which was marked with deep wisdom and purity,
but showed  extreme weariness and  suffering.
Herod, as well as Pilate, knew from his acquaintance with the character of the Jews, that malice
and envy had caused them to condemn this innocent man.
Herod urged Jesus to save his life by working a miracle that would give evidence of his
divine power. But the Saviour had no such
work to do. He had taken upon himself the
nature of man, and was not to perform a miracle
to gratify the curiosity of wicked men, nor to
save himself one jot of the pain and humiliation
that man would suffer under similar circumstances. Herod urged him to prove that he was
not an impostor by demonstrating his power before the crowd. He summoned for the purpose
maimed, crippled, and debformed persons, and, in
an authoritative manner, commanded Jesus to
heal these subjects in his presence, urging that
if he had really worked such remarkable cures as
were reported of him, he still had power to do
like wonders, and could now turn it to his own
profit by procuring his release.
But Jesus stood calmly before the haughty
ruler as one who neither saw nor heard. Herod
repeatedly urged his proposition upon Jesus, and
reiterated the fact that he had the power to release or to condemn him. He even dared to
boast of the punishment he had inflicted upon
the prophet John for presuming to reprove him.
1.11) 6 
CONDEMINATION OF JESIJS.
To all this, Jesus made no answer either by wotid
or look. Herod was irritated by the profound
silence of the prisoner, which indicated an utter
indifference to the royal personage before whom
he had been summoned. Open rebuke would
have been more palatable to the vain and pompous ruler than to be thus silently ignored.
Had Jesus desired to do so, he could have
spoken words which would have pierced the ears
of the hardened king. He could have stricken
him with fear and trembling by laying before him
the full iniquity of his life, and the horror of his.
approaching doom. But Jcsus had no light to
give one who had gone directly contrary to the
knowledge he had received from the greatest of
prophets. The ears of Christ had ever been open
to the earnest plea of even the worst sinners;
but he had no ear for the commands of Herod.
Those eyes, that had ever rested with pity and
forgiveness upon the penitent sinner, however
defiled and lowly, had no look to bestow upon
Herod. Those lips, that had dropped precious
words of instruction, and were ever ready to
answer the questions of those who sought knowledge, and to speak comfort and pardon to the
sinful and desponding, had no words for proud
and cruel Herod. That heart, ever touched by
the presence of human woe, was closed to the
haughty king who felt no need of a Saviour.
The silence of Jesus could no longer be borne
by Herod; his face grew dark with passion, and
he angily threatened Jesus; but the captive
still remained unmoved. Herod then turned to
the multitude and denounced him as an impostor.
His accusers well knew that he was no impostor;
they had seen too many evidences of his power
137 
THE (GREAT CONTROPVERSY.
t,o be thus misled. They knew that even.the grave
had opened at his command, and the dead had
walked forth, clothed again with life. They had
been greatly terrified when Herod commanded
him to work a miracle; for of all things they
dreaded an exhibition of his divine power, which
would prove a death-blow to their plans, and
would perhaps cost them their lives.  Therefore
the priests and rulers began to cry out vehemently
against him, accusing him of working miracles
through the power given him of Beelzebub, the
prince of devils.
Some cried out that he claimed to be the Son
of God, the King of Israel. Herod, hearing this,
said, in derision, A king, is he? Then crown him,
and put upon him a royal robe, and worship your
king. Then turning to Jesus he angrily declared
that if he refused to speak, he should be delivered
into the hands of the soldiers, who would have
little respect for his claims or his person; if he was
an impostor it would be no more than he deserved;
but if he was the Son of God he could save himse]f by working a miracle.  No sooner were these
words uttered than the mob, at the instigation of
the priests, made a rush toward Jesus. Had not
the Roman soldiers forced them back, the Saviour
would have been torn in pieces.
At the suggestion of Herod, a crown was now
plaited from a vine bearing sharp thorns, and this
was placed upon the sacred brow of Jesus; and
an old tattered purple robe, once the garment of
asking, was placed upon his noble form, while
Herod and the Jewish priests encouraged the insults and cruelty of the mob. Jesus was then
placed upon a large block, which was derisively
called a throne, an old reed was placed in his
138 
CONDEMNATION  OF JESUS.
hand as a scepter, and, amid satanic laughter,
curses, and jeers, the rude throng bowed to him
mockingly as to a king. Occasionally some murderous hand snatched the reed that had been
placed in his hand, and struck him on the head
with it, forcing the thorns into his temples, and
causing the blood to flow down his face and beard.
Satan instigated the cruel abuse of the debased
mob, led on by the priests and rulers, to provoke,
if possible, retaliation from the world's Redeemer,
or lo drive him to deliver himself by a miracle
from the hands of his persecutors, and thus break
up the plan of salvation. One stain upon his
human life, one failure of his humanity to bear
the terrible test imposed upon it, would make the
Lamb of God an imperfect offering, and the redemption of man would be a failure. But he
who could command the heavenly hosts, and in
an instant call to his aid legions of holy angels,
one of whom could have immediately overpowered that cruel mob,-he who could have stricken
down his tormentors by the flashing forth of his
divine majesty,-submitted to the coarsest insult  and  outrage  with  dignified  composure.
As  the acts of his torturers degraded them
below humanity, into the likeness of Satan, so
did the meekness and patience of Jesus exalt
him above the level of humanity.
When Herod saw that Jesus submitted passively to all the indignity that was heaped upon
him, preserving an unparalleled serenity through
it all, he was moved by a sudden fear that after
all this might not be a common man who stood
before him. He was greatly perplexed when he
looked upon the pure, pale face of the prisoner,
and questioned if he might not be a god come
139 
TIlE  GREAT  CONTROVERSY.
down to earth.  The very siience of Jesus spoke
conviction to the heart of the king, such as no
words could have done. Herod noticed that while
some bowed before Jesus in mockery, others, who
came forward for the same purpose, looked into
the sufferer's face and saw expressed there a look
so like a king that they turned back, ashamed of
their own audacity. Herod was ill at ease, and,
hardened as he was, dared not ratify the conrdemnation of the Jews; and he therefore sent Jesus
back to Pilate.
The Saviour, tottering with weariness, pale and
wounded, wearing a robe of mockery and a crown
of thorns, was mercilessly hurried back to the
court of the Roman governor. Pilate was very
much irritated; for he had congratulated himself
on being rid of a fearful responsibility when he
referred the accusers of Jesus to Herod. He now
impatiently inquired of the Jews what they would
have him do.  He reminded them that he had
already examined the prisoner and found no blame
in him; that his accusers had failed to sustain a
single charge against him; that he had sent Jesus
to Herod, a tetrarch of Ga.lilee, and one of their
own nation, who also found nothing worthy of
death against the prisoner.  Said Pilate, "I will
therefore chastise him and release him."
Here Pilate exposed his weakness. He had
declared that Jesus was innocent of the crimes of
which he was accused, yet he was willing to make
a partial sacrifice of justice and principle in order
to compromise with an unfeeling mob; he was
willing to suffer an innocent man to be scourged,
that their inhuman wrath might be appeased.
But the fact that he proposed to make terms
with them placed Pilate at a disadvantage with
140 
(ONDEMNATION OF JESUS.
the ungovernable crowd, who now presumed upon
his indecision, and clamored the more for the life
of the prisoner. Pilate turned to the people, and
represented to them that the priests and elders
had not substantiated in any degree the charges
brought against Jesus. He hoped by this means
to raise their sympathy for him, so they would be
willing to release him.  Meanwhile Jesus had
fallen through exhaustion upon the marble pavement. Just then a messenger pressed through
the crowd, and placed in Pilate's hand a letter
from his wife, which ran thus:
"Have thou nothing to do with that just man;
for I have suffered many things this day in a
dream because of himn."  Pilate's wife was not a
Jew; but the angel of God had sent this warning to her, that, through her, Pilate might be prevented from committing the terrible crime of delivering up to death the divine Son of God.
Pilate turned pale when he read the message;
but the priests and rulers had occupied the interval in farther inflaming the minds of the people,
till they were wrought up to a state of insane
fury. The governor was forced to action; he
turned to the crowd and spoke with great earnestness: "Whom will ye that I release unto you?
Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"  It
was customary at this feast for the governor to
release one prisoner, whomsoever the people desired to be set at liberty. Pilate seized this as
an opportunity to save Jesus; and by giving
them a choice between the innocent Saviour and
the notable robber and murderer, Barabbas,
he hoped to rouse them to a sense of justice.
But great was his astonishment when  the cly,
"Away with this man, and release unto us Ba
141 
TilLE  GRiEAT  ('ONTROVERSY.
rabbas!" was started by the priests, and taken up
by the mob, resounding through the hall like the
hoarse cry of demons.
Pilate was dumb with surprise and disappointment; but by appealing to the people, and
yielding his own judgment, he had compromised
his dignity, and lost control of the crowd. The
priests saw that though he was convinced of the
innocence of Jesus, he could be intimidated by
them, and they determined to carry their point.
So when Pilate inquired, "What shall I do then
with Jesus, who is called Christ?" they with one
accord cried out, "Let him be crucified!"
"And the governor said, Why, what evil hath
he done? But they cried out the more, saying,
Let him be crucified." Here Pilate again revealed
his weakness, in submitting the sentence of Jesus
to a lawless and infuriated mob. How true were
the words of the prophet: "Judgment is turned
away backward, and justice standeth afar off; for
truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot
enter." The governor's cheek paled as he heard
the terrible cry: "Crucify him!"  He had not
thought it would come to that-a man whom he
had repeatedly pronounced innocent, to be consigned to the most dreaded of deaths. He now
saw what a terrible thing he had done in placing
the life of a just man in the balance against the
decision of those, who, from envy and malice,'had
delivered him up to trial.  Pilate had taken step
after step in the violation of his conscience, and
in excusing himself from judging with equity and
fairness, as his position demanded he should do,
until now he found himself almost helpless in
the hands of the Jews.
Again he asked the question, "Why, what evil
14-2 
CONDE'.NATION OF J          ESUS.
hath he done?" and again they cried out, " Crucify
him!" Once more Pilate expostulated with them
against putting to death one against whom they
could prove nothing. Again, to conciliate them,
he proposed to chastise him and let him go. It
was not enough that the Saviour of the world,
faint with weariness and covered with wounds,
must be subjected to the shameful humiliation of
such a trial; but his sacred flesh must be bruised
and mangled to gratify the satanic fury of the
priests and rulers. Satan, with his hellish army
had gained possession of them.
Pilate, in the vain hope of exraiting their pity,
that they might decide this was sufficient punishment, now caused Jesus to be scourged in the
presence of the multitude. The pale sufferer,
with a crown of thorns upon his head, and stripped to the waist, revealing the long, cruel stripes,
from which the blood flowed frieely, was then
placed side by side with Barabbas. Although
the face of Jesus was stained with blood, and
bore marks of exhaustion and pain, yet his noble character could not be hidden, but stood out
in marked contrast with that of the robber chief,
whose every feature proclaimed him to be a debased and hardened desperado.
Pilate was filled with sympathy and amazement as be beheld the uncomplaining patience
of Jesus. Gentleness and resignation were expressed in every feature; there was no cowardly
weakness in his manner, but the strength and
dignity of long-suffering. Pilate di(l not doubt
that thfe sight of this man, who had borne insult
and abuse in such a manner, when contrasted
with the repulsive criminal by his side, would
move the people to sympathy, and they would
143 
THE (GREAT CONTROVERSY.
decide that Jesus had already suffeibred enough.
But he did not understand the fanatical hatred
of the priests for Christ, who, as the Light of the
world, had made apparent their darkness and
error.
Pilate, pointing to the Saviour, in a voice of
solemn entreaty said to priests, rulers, and people, "Behold the man."  "I bring him forth to
you that ye may know that I find no fault in
him."  But the priests had moved the mob to
mad fury; and, instead of pitying Jesus in his
suffering and forbearance, they eied, "Crucify
him, crucify him! " and their hoarse voices were
like the roaring of wild beasts. Pilate, losing
all patience with their unreasoning cruelty, cried
out despairingly, "Take ye him, and crucify him;
for I find no fault in him."
The Roman governor, familiarized with cruel
scenes, educated amid the din of battle, was
moved with sympathy for the suffering prisoner,
who, contemned and scourged, witlh bleeding brow
and lacerated back, still had more the bearing
of a king upon his throne than that of a condemnled criminal. But the hearts of his own
people were hardened against him. The priests
declared, "We have a law, and by our law he
ought to die, because he made himself the Son
of God."
Pilate was startled by these words; he had no
correct idea of Christ and his mission; but he
had an indistinct faith in God and in beings superior to hunmanity. The thought that had once
bfore passed through his mind now took more
definite shape, and he questioned if it might not
be a divine personage who stood before him,
clad in the purple robe of mnockeiy, and crowned
144 
CONDEMNATION OF JESUS.
with thorns, yet with such a noble bearing that
the stanch Roman trembled with awe as he
gazed upon him.
"When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he
was the more afraid; and went again into the
judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art
thou?  But Jesus gave him no answer."  Jesus
had already told Pilate that he was the Messiah,
that his kingdom was not of this world; and he
had no farther words for a man who so abused
the high office of judge as to yield his principles
and authority to the demands of a blood-thirsty
rabble. Pilate was vexed at the silence of Jesus,
and haughtily addressed him:
"Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou
not that I have power to crucify thee, and have
power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou
couldest have no power at all against me, except
it were given thee from above; therefore he that
delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin."
Jesus here laid the heaviest burden of guilt upon
the Jewish judges, who had received unmistakable evidence of the divinity of Him whom they
had condemned to death, both from the prophecies and his own teachings and miracles. What
a scene was this to hand down to the world
through all time! The pitying Saviour, in the
midst of his intense suffering and grief, excuses
as far as possible the act of Pilate, who might
have released him from the power of his enemies.
Pilate was now more convinced than before of
the superiority of the man before him, and tried
again and again to save him.  "But the Jews cried
out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not
Cesar's friend; whosoever maketh himself a
king speaketh against Caesar." This was touch  Great Controversy, Tol. 3.  10
145 
THIE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
ing Pilate in a weak point.  He had been looked
upon with some suspicion by the government;
and he knew that a report of unfaithfulness on
his part would be likely to cost him his position.
He knew that if the Jews becamue his enemies
he could hope tor no mercy at their hands; foir
he had before him an example of the perseverance with which they sought to destroy one
whom they hated without reason.
The implied threat in the declaration of the
priests, regarding his allegiance to Cesar, intimidated Pilate, so that he yielded to the demands
of the mob, and delivered Jesus up to the crucifixion rather than risk losing his position. But
the very thing he dreaded came upon him afterward in spite of his precautions. His honors
were stripped from him; he was cast down from
his high office; and, stung by remorse and
wounded pride, he committed suicide not long
after the crucifixion.
"When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took
water, and washed his hands before the multitude,
saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just
person; see ye to it." Caiaphas answered defiantly, "His blood be on us, and on our children;" and his words were echoed by the priests
and rulers, and taken up by the crowd in an inhuman roar of voices. "Then answered all the
people and said, His blood be on us, and on our
children."
At this exhibition of satanic madness, the
ligh t of conviction shone more clearly upon the
mind of Pilate. He had never before witnessed
such rash presumption and heartless cruelty.
And in strong contrast with the ungovernable
146 
CONDEMNATION OF JESUS.
passion of his persecutors was the dignified iepose of Jesus. In his own mind Pilate said, He
is a god, and thought he could discern a soft light
sbining about his head.   Looking  thus  upon
Christ he turned pale with fear and self-condenmnation; then, confironting the people with a troubled countenance, he saia, I am clear of his blood.
Take ye him and crucify him; but mark ye,
priests and rulers, I pronounce him a just man,
and may He whom he claims as his Father judge
you for this day's work, and not me. Then turning to Jesus he continued, Forgive me for this
act; I am not able to save you.
Only a short time betore, the governor had declared to his prisoner that he had power to
release or to condemn him; but he now thought
that he could not save him, and also his own position and honor; and he preferred to sacrifice an
innocent life rather than his own worldly power.
Had he acted promptly and firmly at the first,
carrying out his convictions of right, his will
would not have been overborne by the mob;
they would not have presumed to dictate to him.
His wavering and indecision proved his irredeemable ruin. How many, like Pilate, sacrifice
principle and integrity, in order to shun disagreeable consequences. Conscience and duty point one
way, and self-interest points another; and the
current, setting strongly in the wrong direction,
sweeps away into the thick darkness of guilt
him who compromises with evil.
Satan's rage was great as he saw that all the
cruelty which he had led the Jews to inflict upon
Jesus had not forced the least murmur from his
lips. Although he had taken upon himself the
nature of man, he was sustained by a Godlike
14 i 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
fortitude, and departed in no particular from the
will of his Father.
Wonder, O  Heavens! and be astonished, O
eaith! Behold the oppressor and the oppressed.
A vast multitude inclose the Saviour of the w(,1 ld.
Mocking and jeering are mingled with the coarse
oaths of blasphemy. His lowly birth and his
humble life are commented upon by unfeeling
wretches. His claim to be the Son of God is ridiculed by the chief priests and elders, and the
vulgar jest and insulting sneer are passed from
lip  to  lip.   Satan  has  full control  of  the
minds of his servants. In order to do this
effiectually, he had commenced with the chief
priests and the elders, and imbued them with a
religious frenzy. This they had communicated
to the rude and uncultivated mob, until there was
a corrupt harmony in the feelings of all, from the
hypocritical priests and elders down to the most
debased. Christ, the precious Son of God, was led
forth and delivered to the people to be crucified.
CHAPTER X.
CALVARY.
THEY hurried Jesus away with loud shouts of
triumph; but their noise ceased for a time when
they passed a retired place, and saw at the foot
of a lifeless tree the dead body of Judas, who
had betrayed Christ. It was a most revolting
spectacle; his weight had broken the cord by
which he had hung himself to the tree, and, in
148 
CALVARY.
falling, his body had become horribly mangled,
and was then being devoured by dogs. The mutilated remains were ordered to be buried at once,
and the crowd passed on; but there was less
noisy mockery, and many a pale face revealed the
fearful thoughts within. Retribution seemed already to be visiting those who were guilty of the
blood of Jesus.
By this time the news of the condemnation of
Jesus had spread through all Jerusalem, striking
terror and anguish to thousands of hearts, but
bringing a, malicious joy to many who had been
reproved by the teachings of the Saviour. The
priests had been bound by a promise not to molest any of his disciples if Jesus were delivered
up to them; so all classes of people flocked to the
scene of outrage, and Jerusalem was left almost
empty. Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea,
had not been summoned to the Sanhedrim council, and their voices had nothing to do with
condemning Jesus. They were present at his
crucifixion, but unable to change or modify his
terrible sentence.
The disciples and believers from the region
round about joined the throng that followed Jesus
to Ca,lvary.  The mother of Jesus was also there,
supported by John, the beloved disciple.  Her
heart was stricken with unutterable anguish;
yet she, with the disciples, honed that the painfull scene would change. and Jesus would assert
his power, and appear before his enemies as the
Son pf God.  Then again her mother's heart
would sink as she remnembered words in which lie
had briefly referred to the things which were
that day being enacted.
149 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
Jesus had scarcely passed the gate of.Pilate's
house when the cross which had been prepared
for Barabbas was brought out and laid upon his
bruised and bleeding shoulders.  Crosses were
also placed upon the companions of Barabbas,
who were to suffer death at the same time with
Jesus. The Saviour had borne his burden but a
few rods, when, from loss of blood and excessive
weariness and pain, he fell fainting to the ground.
As he lay beneath the heavy burden of the cross,
how the heart of the mother of Christ longed to
place a supporting hand beneath his wounded
head, and bathe that brow that had once been
pillowed upon her bosom. But, alas, that mournful privilege was denied her.
When Jesus revived, the cross was again placed
upon his shoulders and he was forced forward.
He staggered on for a few steps, bearing his heavy
load, then fell as one lifeless to the ground. He
was at first pronounced to be dead, but finally he
again revived.  The priests and rulers felt no
compassion for their suffering victim; but they
saw that it was impossible for him to carry the
instrument of torture farther.  They were puzzled to find any one who would humiliate himself to bear the cross to the place of execution.
The Jews could not do it because of defilement,
and their consequent inability to keep the coming passover festival.
While they were considering what to do, Simon,
a Cyrenian, coming fi'om an opposite direction,
met the crowd, was seized at the instigation of
the priests, and compelled to carry the cross of
Christ.  The sons of Simon were disciples of
Jesus, but he himself had nevier been connected
with him.  This occasion was a profitable one for
150 
(CALVARY.
him. The cross he was forced to bear became
the means of his conversion. His sympathies
were deeply stirred in favor of Jesus; and the
events of Calvary, and the words uttered by
Jesus, caused him to acknowledge that he was
the Son of God. Simon ever after felt grateful
to God for the singular providence which placed
him in a position to receive evidence for himself
that Jesus was the world's Redeemer.
When Jesus was thought to be dying beneath
the burden of the cross, many women, who,
though not believers in Christ, were touched with
pity for his sufferings, broke forth into a mournful wailing. When Jesus revived, he looked upon
them with tender compassion. He knew they
were not lamenting him because he was a teacher
sent from God, but from motives of common humanity. He looked upon the weeping women
and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for
me, but for yourselves, and for your children."
Jesus did not despise their tears, but the sym])athy which they expressed wakened a deeper
chord of sympathy in his own heart for them.
He forgot his own grief in contemplating the futire fate of Jerusalem.  Only a short time ago the
people had cried out, "His blood be on us and
on our children." How blindly had they invoked
the doom they were soon to realize!'Aany of
the very women who were weeping about Jesus
were to perish with their children in the siege of
Jerusalem.
Jests referred not only to the destruction of
Jerusalem, but to the end of the world. Said he,
'Then shall they begin to say to the mountains,
Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if
they do these things in a green tree, what shall
151 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
be done in the dry?"  The innocent were represented by the green tree. If God suffered his
wrath because of the sins of the world to fall
upon the Redeemer, in that he was permitted to
suffer death by crucifixion, what might be expected to come upon the impenitent and unbelieving, who had slighted the mercies of God,
purchased for them by the death of his Son?
The mind of Jesus wandered firom the destruction of Jerusalem to a wider judgment, when
all the impenitent would suffer condemnation
for their sins; when the Son of man should come,
attended not by a murderous mob, but by the
mighty hosts of God.
A great multitude followed the Saviour to Calvary, many mocking and deriding; but some
were weeping and recounting his praise. Those
whom he had healed of various infirmities, and
those whom he had raised from the dead, declared
his marvelous works with earnest voice, and demanded to know what Jesus had done that he
should be treated as a malefactor.  Only a few
days before, they had attended him with joyful
hosannas, and the waving of palm-branches, as he
rode triumphantly to Jerusalem But many who
had then shouted his praise, because it was popular to do so, now swelled the cry of "Crucify
him! Crucify him!"
Upon the occasion of Christ riding into Jerusalem, the disciples had been raised to the highest
pitch of exp)ectation. They had pressed close
about their Master, and had felt that they were
h'ighly honored to be connected with him. Now
they followed him in his humiliation at a distance.
They were filled with inexpressible grief, and
disappointed hopes. How were the words of
1.52 
CALVARY.
Jesus verified: "All ye will be offended because
of me this night; for it is written, I will smite
the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be
scattered abroad." Yet the disciples still had
faint hope that their Master would manifest his
power at the last moment, and deliver himself
firom his enemies.
Upon arriving at the place of execution, the
condemned were bound to the instruments of
torture. While the two thieves wrestled in the
hands of those who stretched them upon the
cross, Jesus made no resistance. The mother of
Jesus looked on with agonizing suspense, hoping
that he would work a miracle to save himself.
Surely He who had given life to the dead would
not suffer himself to be crucified. What torture
must this woman have endured as she witnessed
the shame and suffering of her son, yet was not
able to minister to him in his distress! Bitter
grief and disappointment filled her heart. Must
she give up her faith that he was the true Messiah? Would the Son of God allow himself to
be thus cruelly slain? She saw his hands
stretched upon the cross-those dear hands that
had ever dispensed blessings, and had been
reached forth so many times to heal the suffering.   And now  the hammer  and nails were
brought, and as the spikes were driven through
the tender flesh and fastened to the cross, the
heart-stricken disciples bore away from the cruel
scene the fainting form of the mother of Christ.
Jesus made no murmur of complaint; his face
remained pale and serene, but great drops of
sweat stood upon his brow. There was no pitying hand to wipe the death-dew from his face,
nor words of sympathy and unchanging fidelity
153 
TIlE GREAT' (ONTROVERSY.
to stay his human heart. He was treading the
wine-press all alone; and of all the people there
was none with him. While the soldiers were
doing their fearful work, and he was enduring
the most acute agony, Jesus prayed for his ene mies-" Father, forgive them; for they know not
what they do."  His mind was borne from his
own suffering to the crime of his persecutors,
and the terrible but just retribution that would
be theirs. He pitied them in their ignorance
and guilt. No curses were called down upon the
soldiers who were handling him so roughly, no
vengeance was invoked upon the priests and rulers
who were the cause of all his suffering, and were
then gloating over the accomplishment of their
purpose, but only a plea for their forgiveness"for they know not what they do."
Had they known that they were putting to
exquisite torture one who had come to save the
sinful race from eternal ruin, they would have
been seized with horror and remorse. But their
ignorance did not remove their guilt; for it was
their privilege to know and accept Jesus as their
Saviour.  They  rejectfd all evidence, and not
only sinned against Heaven in crucifying the
King of Glory, but against the commonest feelings of humanity in putting to a torturous death
an innocent man. Jesus was earning the right
to become the Advocate for man in the Father's
presence.  That prayer of Christ for his enemies
embraced the w-)rld, taking in every sinner who
should live, until the end of time.
' After Jesus wes nailed to the cross, it was
lifted by several powerfuil men, and thrust with
great violence int,-, the place prepared for it,
causing the nmost excrluc(iatirn( agony to thie Son
154 
(CALVARY.
of God. Pilate then wrote an inscription in
three different languages and placed it upon the
cross, above the head of Jesus. It ran thus:
" This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." This inscription, placed so conspicuously upon the cross,
irritated the Jews.  In Pilate's court they had
cried, Crucify him! We have no king but Cesar!
They declared that whoever claimed other than
Caesar for a king was a traitor. But they had
overreached themselves in disclaiming any desire
to have a king of their own nation. Pilate, in
his inscription, wrote out the sentiments which
they had expressed. It was a virtual declaration,
and so understood by all, that the Jews acknowledged that on account of their allegiance to the
Roman power, any man who aspired to be king
of the Jews, however innocent in other respects,
should be judged by them worthy of death.
There was no other offense named in the inscription; it simply stated that Jesus was the king of
the Jews.
The Jews saw this, and asked Pilate to change
the inscription. Said the chief priests, " Write
not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I
am King of the Jews."  But Pilate, angry with
himself because of his former weakness, and
thoroughly despising the jealous and artful
priests and rulers, coldly replied, "What I have
written I have written."
And now a terrible scene was enacted. Priests,
rulers, and scribes forgot the dignity of their sacred offices, and joined with the rabble in mocking and jeering the dying Son of God, saying,
"If thou be the King of the Jews, save thyself."
And some deridingly rXpeated among thenmselves:
"He saved others; himself he cannot save.  If
155 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
he be the King of Israel, let him now come down
from the cross, and we will believe him. He
trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he
will have him; for he said, I am the Son of God."
"And they that passed by railed on him, wagging
their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroy est the temple, and buildest it in three days,
save thyself, and come down from the cross."
These men, who professed to be the expound ers of prophecy, were themselves repeating the
very words which inspiration had foretold they
would utter upon this occasion; yet, in their
blindness, they did not perceive that they were
fulfilling prophecy. The dignitaries of the tem ple, the hardened soldiers, the vile thief upon
the cross, and the base and cruel among the
multitude, all united in their abuse of Christ.
The thieves who were crucified with Jesus
suffered like physical torture with him; but one
was only hardened and rendered desperate and
defiant by his pain. He took ulp the mocking of
the priests, and railed upon Jesus, saving, "If
thou be Christ, save thyself and us." The other
malefactor was not a hardened criminal; his
morals had been corrupted by association with
the base, but his crimes were not so great as
were those of many who stood beneath the cross
reviling thl)e Saviour.
In common with the rest of the Jews, he had
believed that Messiah was soon to come.  He
had heard Jesus, and been convicted  by his
teachings; but through the influence of the
priests and rulers he had turned away from him.
He had soltglt to drown his convictions in the
fascinations of pleasure.   CO)rirupt associations
had led him farther and farther into wickedness,
156 
CALVARY.
until hie was arrested fI): open crime and condemned to die upon the cross. During that day
of trial he had been in company with Jesus in
the judgment hall and on the way to Calvary.
He had heard Pilate declare him to be a just
man; he had marked his Godlike  deportment
and his pitying forgiveness of his tormentors.
In his heart he acknowledged Jesus to be the
Son of God.
WVhen he heard the sneering words of his companion in crime, he "rebukect him, saying, Dost
thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same
condemnation?  And we indeed justly; for we
receive the due reward ot our deeds; but this
man hlath done nothing amiss." Then, as his
heart went out to Christ, heavenly illumination
flooded his mind. In Jesus, bruised, mocked,
and hanging upon the cross, he saw his Redeemer, his only hope, and appealed to him in
humble tfaith: "Lord, remember me when thou
comest into thy kingdom! And Jesus said unto
him, Verily I say unto thee to-day,* shalt thou
be with me in Paradise."
Jesus did not promise the penitent thief that
he should go with him, upon the day of their
crucifixion, to Paradise; for he himself did not
ascend to his Father until three days afterward.
See John 20: 17.  But he declared unto him, "I
say unto thee to-day-" meaning to impress the
fact upon his mind, that at that time, white enduring ignominy and persecution, he had the power
to save snners. lHe was man's Advocate with
*By placing the comma after the word to-day, instead of
after the word thee, as in the common versions, the true meaning of the text is more apparent.
157 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
the Father, having the same power as when he
healed the sick and raised the dead to life; it was
his divine right to promise that day to the re pentant, believing malefactor, "Thou shalt be with
me in Paradise."
The criminal upon the cross, notwithstanding
his physical sufiering,' felt in his soul the peace
and comfort of acceptance with God.  The Sav iour, lifted upon the cross, enduring pain and
mockery, rejected by the priests and elders, is
sought by a guilty, dying soul with a faith discerning the world's Redeemer in Him who is crucified like a malefactor. For such an object did
the Son of God leave Heaven, to save lost and
perishing sinners. While the priests and rulers,
in their self-righteous scorn, fail to see his divine
character, he reveals himself to the penitent thief
as the sinner's Friend and Saviour. He thus
teaches that the vilest sinner may find pardon
and salvation through the merits of the blood of
Christ.
The Spirit of God illuminated the mind of this
criminal, who took hold of Christ by faith, and,
link after link, the chain of evidence that Jesus
was the Messiah was joined together, until the suffering victim, in like condemnation with himself,
stood forth before him as the Son of God. While
the leading Jews deny him, and even the disciples doubt his divinity, the poor thief; upon
the brink of eternity, at the close of his probation, calls Jesus his Lord! Many were ready to
call him Lord when he wrought miracles, and
lalso after he had risen from the grave; but none
called him Lord as he hung dying upon the
cross, save the penitent thief; who was saved at
the eleventh hour,
158 
(A AL VARY.
This was a genuine conversiion under peculiar
circumstances, foi a special and peculiar purpose.
It testified to all beholders that Jesus was not an
impostor, but sustained his character, and carried
out his mission to the closing scene of his earthly
life. Never in his entire ministry were words
more grateful to his ears than the utterance of
faith from the lips of the dying thief; amid the
blasphemy and taunts of the mob. But let no
one neglect present opportunities and delay repentance, presuming on the eleventh-hour conversion of the thief; and trusting to a death-bed
repentance. Every ray of light neglected leaves
the sinner in greater darkness than before, till
some fearful deception may take possession of his
mind, and his case may become hopeless. Yet
there are instances, like that of the poor thief;
where enlightenment comes at the last moment,
and is accepted with an intelligent faith. Such
penitents find favor with Christ.
WTith amazement the angels beheld the infinite
love of Jesus, who, suffering the most excruciating agony of mind and body, thought only of
others, and encouraged the penitent soul to believe. While pouring out his life in death, he exercised a love for man stronger than death. In
Christ's humiliation, he, as a prophet, had addressed the daughters of Jerusalem; as priest
and Advocate, he had pleaded with the Father to
forgive the sins of his destroyers; as a loving
Saviour, he had forgiven the iniquity of the penitent thief who called upon him. Many who witnessed those scenes upon Calvary were afterward
established by them in the faith of Christ.
The serpent lifted up in the wilderness represented the Son of man lifted upon tne cross,
159 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
Christ said to Nicodemus, "As Mloses lifted up
the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the
Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
In the wilderness all who looked upon the
elevated brazen serpent lived, while those who
refused to look died. The two thieves upon the
cross represent the two great classes of mankind.
All have felt the poison of sin, represented by
the sting of the fiery serpent in the wilderness.
Those who look upon and believe in Jesus Christ,
as the thief looked upon hinv when lifted upon
the cross, shall live forever; but those who refuse to look upon him and believe in him, as the
hardened thief refused to look upon and believe
in the crucified Redeemer, shall die without hope.
The enemies of Jesus now awaited his death
with impatient hope.  That event they imagined
would torever hush the rumors  of his divine
power, and the wonders of his miracles. They flattered themselves that they should then no longer
tremble because of his influence. The unfeeling
soldiers who had stretched the body of Jesus
upon the cross, divided his clothing among themselves, contending over one garment, which was
woven without seam. They finally decided the
matter  by casting lots for  it.  The  pen  of
inspiration had accurately described this scene
hundreds of years before it took place:  "For
dogs  have  compassed  me;  the  assembly  of
the wicked have inclosed me; they pierced my
hands and my feet."  "They parted my raiment
Among them, and for my vesture they did cast
lots."
The eyes of Jesus wandered over the multitude that had collected together to witness his
160 
t',\ALVAP Y.
death, and he saw at the foot of the cross John
supporting Marvy, the mother of Christ.  She had
returned to the terrible scene, not being able to
longer remain away fiom her son.  The last lesson of Jesus was one of filial love.  He looked
upon the grief-stiiken face of his mother, and
tLen upon Jon-u'  said lie, addressing the former:
"Wonian, behold thy  on."  Then, to the disciple: "Behold, thy mnother,"  John well understood the worlds of Jesus, and the sacred trust
which was cowmmitted to him.  He immediately
removed- the mother of Christ fiom the fearful
scene of Calva.ry.  From that hour he cared for
her as would a dutiful son, ta.kinr_; her to his own
home.  0 pitiful, lJoving Saviour'  Amid all his
physical p)ain, and  mental anguish, he had  a
tender, though'tful care fibr the mother who had
borne h,i-l. HI, had no money to leave her, by
whvich to,nsure her ftuture comfort, but he was
enshrined in the heart of John, and he gave his
nmother unto  the beloved disciple as a sacred
lega,cy.  This trust was to prove a great blessing
to JoIhn, a. constru;-t reminder of his beloved Meas
ter.
The perfect example  of  Christ's  filial love
shirles ob'ith with undimmred luster from the mist
of ages.  WTj,ilo enPduring, the keenest torture, he
was not forgetful of his mother, but made  all
p)rovisio-n necessary f')r her future.   The followers of Clrist should feel that it is a part of their
religion to respect, and provide for their parents.
No pretext of rieligious devotion can excuse a son
or daughter fromD fulfilling the obligations due to
a parent.
The mission of Christ's earthly life was now
(Grleat Controversy, Vol.   11*
161 
TIlE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
nearly accomplished. His tongue was parched,
and he said, "I thirst."  Thev saturated a sponge
with viinegar and gall and offered it him to d ink;
and wh.n he had tasted it, he refused it.  And
now the Lord of life and glory was dying, a ransom for the race.  It was the sense of sin, blin(ring the Fathler's wrath upon him as mian's substitute, tha.t made the cup he drank so bitter, and
broke the heart of the Son of God. D)eath is
not to be regarded as an angel of merev.  Nature recoils firomn the thought of d(issolutio-;i, which
is the consequence of sin.
But it was not the dread of death which caused
the inexl-ressib'e agony of Jesus.  To believe
this would be to place him beneath the mtartlyirs in
courage and endurance; for many of those wlo
have died for their faith, yielde(,] to toi,ture and
death, rejoicing that they were acc,)inted wo,'thy
to suffer i-obr Christ's sake.  Christ was the pi:tce
cof sufferers; but it was not bo(llyl anguish tlat
filled )iiii with horror and despair; it was a s(-nse
of the malignity of sin, a knowle,dge tiat man ha,-t
become so familiar with sin that he did not iealize its enormity, that it was so deeply rooted in
the human heart as to be difficult to eradicate.
As man's substitute and surety, the iniquity
of men was laid upon Christ; he was counted
a transgressor that he might redeem themi froum
the curse of the law.  The guilt of every descendant of A(lam of every age was pres.sing uipon his
heart; ai.d the wrath of Godl, and( the terrible
..,anifestation of his displ, asure because of iniquity, filled the soul of his Soni with consterination.  Tile withdrawal of the divine countenance
from the Saviour, in this hour of su)reine anguish, pierced his heart with a sorrow that can
162 
('A IVARY.
never be fully understood by man.  Every pang
endured by the Son of God upon the cross, the
blood drops that flowed from his head, his hands,
and feet, the convulsions of agony which racked
his frame, and the unutterable anguish that filled
his soul at the hiding of his Father's face from
him, speak to man, saying, It is for love of thee
that the Son of God consents to have these
heinous crimes laid upon him; for thee he spoils
the domain of death, and opens the gates of Paradise and immortal life. He who stilled the angry
waves by his word, and walked the foam-capped
billows, who made devils tremble, and disease flee
from his touch, who raised the dead to life and
opened the eyes of the blind,-offers himself upon
the cross as the last sacrifice for man. He, the
sin-bearer, endures judicial punishment  for iniquity, and becomes sin itself for man.
Satan, with his fierce temptations, wrung the
heart of Jesus.  Sin: so hateful to his sight, was
heaped upon hiim till he groaned beneath its
weight. No wonder that his humanity trembled
in thl)at fearful hour. Angels witn(-ssed witlI
amazement the despairing agony of the Son of
God, so much greater than his physical pain that
the latter was hardly felt by him. The hosts of
Heaven veiled their faces from the fearful sight.
Inanimate nature expressed a sympathy with
its insulted and dying Author. The sun refused to
look upon the awful scene.  Its full, bright rays
were illuminating the earth at midday, when
suddenly it seemed  to be blotted out.  Coniplete darkness enveloped the cross, and all the
vicinity about, like a funeral pall.  There was
no eclipse off otihe  nat4,-i-al cause for this darkness, which was deep as midnight without moon
1 6:" 
THE GREAT CONT-''-ROVEIRSY.
or stars. The dense blackness was an emblem of
the soul-agony and horror that encompassed the
Son of God. He had felt it in the garden of
Gethsemane, when from his pores were forced
drops of blood, and where he would have died had
not an angel been sent from the courts of Heaven
to invigorate the divine sufferer, that he might
tread his blood-stained path to Calvary.
The darkness lasted three full hours.  No  eye
could pierce the gloom that enshrouded the cross,
and none could penetrate the deeper gloom that
flooded the suffering soul of Christ. A nameless
terror took possession of all who were collected
about the cross. The silence of the grave seemed
to have fallen upon Calvary.  The cursing and
reviling ceased in the midst of half-uttered sentences.   Men, women, and  children prostrated
themselves  upon  the earth  in  abject  terror.
AVi\ id lightnings, unaccompanied by thunder,
occasionally flashed forth from the cloud, and revealed the cross and the crucified JRedeemer.
Priests, rulers, scribes, executioners, and the
mob, all thought their time of retribution had
come.  After a while, some whispered to others
that Jesus would now come down from the cross.
Some attempted to grope their way back to the
city, beating their breasts and wailing in fear.
At the ninth hour the terrible darkness lifted
pim the people, but still wrapt the Saviour as
in a- mantle.  The angry lightnings seemed to be
hurled at him as hlie hung upon the cross. Then
' Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, eloi,
lama sabactl..ani? which is, being interpreted, My
(od, may God, whly hast thou forsaken me?"  As
the outer gloom settled about Christ, many voices
exclaimed, The vengeance of God is upon him'
]('14 
('ALV\ARY.
'lThe bolts of God's wrath are hurled upon him
because he claimed to be the Son of God! When
the Saviour's despairing cry rang out, many who
had believed on him were filled with terror; hope
left them; if God had forsaken Jesus, what was
to become of his followers, and the doctrine they
had cherished?
The darkness now lifted itself from the oppressed spirit,:f C(hrist, and he revived to a sense of
physical sutr't'ng, and said, "I thirst."  Here
was a last opportunity for his persecutors to sympathize with and, relieve him; but when the gloom
was removed their terror abated, and the old dread
returned that Jesus might even yet escape them;
"and one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar,
and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, sayingi, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come
to take hini down."
In yielding up his precious life, Christ was not
cheered by triumphant joy; all was oppressive
gloom.  There hung upon the cross the spotless
Lamb of God, his flesh lacerated with stripes and
wounds; those precious hands, that had ever been
ready to relieve the oppressed and suffering, extended upon the cross, and fastened by the cruel
nails; those patient feet, that had traversed
weary leagues in the dispensing of blessings and
in teaching the doctrine of salvation to the
world, bruised and spiked to the cross; his royal
head wounded by a crown of thorns; those pale
and quivering lips, that had ever been ready
to resplond to the plea of suffering humanity,
shaped to the mournful words, "My God, my God,
why hast thou forsaken me?"
In silence the people watch for the end of this
fearfuil scene.  Again the sun shines forth; but
i (1) I 
THE GREAT (ONTROVERSY.
tbe cross is enveloped in darkness.  Pniests and
rulers look toward Jerusalem; and lo, the dense
cloud has settled upon the city, and over Judah's
plains, and the fierce lightnings of God's wrath
are directed against the fated city. Suddenly
the gloom is lifted from  the cross, and in clear
trumpet tones, that seem to resound throughout
creation, Jesus cries, "It is finished;" "Father,
into thy hands I commend my spirit."  A light
encircled the cross, and the face of the Saviour
shone with a glory like unto the sun. He then
bowed his head upon his breast, and died.
All the spectators stood paralyzed, and with
bated breath gazed upon the Saviour. Again
darkness settled upon the face of the earth, and
a hoarse rumbling like heavy thunder was heard.
This was accompanied by a violent trembling of
the earth. The multitude were shaken together
in heaps, and the wildest confusion and consternation ensued.  In the surrounding mountains, rocks burst asunder with loud crashing,
and many of them came tumbling down the
heights to the plains below. The sepulchers
were broken open, and the dead were cast out of
their tombs.  Creation seemed to be shivering to
atoms. Priests, rulers, soldiers, and executioners
were mute with terror, and prostrate upon tile
ground.
The darkness was again lifted from Calvary,
and hung like a pall over Jerusalem. At the
moment in which Christ died, there were priests
ministering in the temple before the vail which
separated the holy friom the most holy place.
Suddenly they felt the earth tremble beneath
them, and the vail of the temple, a strong, rich
drapery that had been renewed yearly, was rent
166 
CALVARY.
in twain from top to bottom by the same bloodless hand that wrote the words of doom upon the
;vawlls of Belsbazzar's palace. The most holy place,
that h1ad been sacredly entered by human feet only
onice a year, wa,s revealed to the common gaze.
G:}e had ever before protected his temple in a
w(tndterful nmanner; but now its sacred mysteries
lure exposed to curiotus eyes.  No longer would
the 1,resere (-f God overshadow the earthly
mer.y-:.eait  ANo lo.ng,er would the light of his
glory flashn,))t uponr, nor the cloud of his disaplo,oval shadowv, the  ) precious stones in the breastl)la,te of the  hill  )iriest.
Wain'        Ch'i.et  (ied upon the cross of Calvary,
a new anId living way was opened to both Jew
and Geniitile. The Sa aviour was henceforth to
officiate as Priest and Advocate in the Heaven
of heavens.  From henceforth the blood of beasts
offered fo)r sin was valueless; for the Lamb of
GC)k  had  died for the sins of the world.  The
dalrkness upon the face of nature expressed her
symrnpathy with Christ in his expiring ag,ony.  It
evi(eniiced to humanity that the Sun of Righte,ousness, the Light of tile world, was withdrawing, hi beatns fiomrn the once favored city of Jerusalem, and from the world.  It was a miraculous
testimony given of God, that the faith of after
generati(,ns miight be confirmed.
JesuLs did not yield up his life till he had acc)ml lished the work which he came' to do; and
he exclaimed l with his parting breath, " It is finished:",  Angels rejoiced as the words were uttered; for the great plan of redemption was
being triumphantly carried out.  There was joy
in Heaven that the sons of Adam could now,
through a life of obedience, be exalted finally to
167 
THE GREATR CONTRO\ERSY.
the presence of God. Satan was defeated, and
knew that his kingdom was lost.
When  the Christian fully comprehends the
magnitude of the great sacrifice made by the
Majesty of Heaven, then will the plan of salvation be magnified before him!, and to meditate
upon Calvary will awaken the deepest and most
sacred emotions of his heart.  Ccintemplation of
the Saviour's matchless lcve  bho-uld absorb the
mind, touch and melt the heirt, refine and elevate the affections, and conmpletely.transform the
whole character.  The laniguage of the apostle is,
I determined no~ to kino)w anything among you,
save Jesus Christ, and hil,f crucified."  And we
may look toward Calvairy and exclaim, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
With the death of Christ: the hopes of his disciples seemed to perish.  They looked upon his
closed eyelids and drooping head, his hair matted
with blood, his pierce.( hands and feet, and their
anguish was indescrilbable. They had not believed until the last that hie would die, and they
could hardly credit their senses that he was
really dead.  The Maje sty of Heaven had yielded
up his life, forsaken of the believers, unattended
by one act of relief or word of sympathy; for even
the pitying angels had not been permitted to
minister to their beIlov-ed Commander.
Evening drew on, and an unearthly stillness
hung over Calvary.  The crowd dispersed, and
many returned to Jerusalenm greatly changed in
spirit from what they had been in the morning.
Mlany of them had then collected at the crucifixion fiom curiosity, and not from hatred toward
I( 8 
('ALVARt V.
(Christ. Still they accepted the fabricated.reports of the priests concerning him, and looked
upon him as a malefactor. At the execution
they had imbibed the spirit of the leading Jews,
and, under an unnatural excitement, had united
with the mob in mocking and railing against him.
But when the earth was draped with blackness, and they stood accused by their own consciences, reason again resumed her sway, and
they felt guilty of doing a great wrong.  No jest
nor mlocking laughter was heard in the midst of
that fearful gloom; and when it was lifted, they
solemnly made their way to their homes, awestruck and conscience-smitten. They were cornvinced that the accusations of the priests were
false, that Jesus was no pretender; and a few
weeks later they were among the thousands who
became thorough converts to Christ, when Peter
preached upon the day of Pentecost, and the
great mystery of the cross was explained with
other mysteries in regard to MIessiah.
The Roman officers in charge were standing
about the cross when Jesus cried out, "It is finished," in a voice of startling power, and then instantly died with that cry of victory upon his
lips. They had never before witnessed a death
like that upon the cross. It was an unheard-of
thing focr one to die  thus within six  hours
after crucifixion.  Death by crucifixion was  a
slow and lingering process; nrature became more
and more exhausted until it was difficult to determinq, when life had become extinct.  But for
a man dying thus to summon such power of voice
and clearness of utterance as Jesus had done, immediately before his death, was such an astonishing event that the Romuan officers, experienced in
I (;!) 
T E  (GREAT CONTIPOVERSY.
such scenes, marveled greatly; and the centurion
who commandedl the detachment of soldiers on
duty there, immediately  declared, "Truly this
was the Son of Ged."  Thus three men, differing
wvidely froame one another, openly declared their
belief in Christ up(on the very day of his death
-he who, cor)mjan(led the Roman guard, he who
bore the croes of his Saviour, and hle who died
u-)on the eooss by his side.
The spectatoirs and the soldiers who guarded
the cross, wer"e c,nviniced, so far as their minds
were capable of graspin g the idea, that Jesus was
tlie Redeeniee fod whomni Israel had so long looked.
BtIBut the darkness that rmantled the earth could
not be more dense than that which enveloped the
minds of the priests and rulers.  They were unchanged by the events they had witnessed, and
their hatred of Jesus had not abated with his
death.
At his'ilth the airngel star in the hlieavens had
known Cyi.st, a'al had conducted the seers to
the mangier w-here he lay.  The heavenrly hosts
had knov,-n himn, and sting lhis lraise over the
p)lains of Bethllehem.  The sea had acknowledged
his voice, and was  obedient to his command.
D)isease an d death had recognizec.' his authority,
aird viekldd their prey to his demarnd.  The sun
had klo  n him, and lhiddenr its face of light from
the s;g,ht of lis dying anguish.  The rocks had
knoiwn hiui, andl shivered into fiagmients at his
dyi.n,g crv.  A.lthloghJ inanimate nature  recog n,d, ants bore testimony of Christ, that he was
the Soil ofe God, yet the priests and rulers knew
not the Saviour, rejected the evidence of his divinity, and steeled their hearts against his truths.
1 7(-) 
CA,VA-ARY. 
They were not so susceptible as the granite rocks
of the mountains.
The Jews were unwilling that the bodies of
those who had been executed should remain that
night upon the cross.  They dreaded to have
the attention of the people directed any farther
to the events attending the death of Jesus.
They feared the results of that day's work upon
the minds of the public.  So, under pretext that
they did not wish the sanctity of the Sabbath to
be defiled by the bodies remaining upon the cross
during that holy day, which was the one following the crucifixion, the leading Jews sent a request to Pilate that he would permit them to
hasten the death o(f the victims, so that their
bodies might be removed before the setting of the
sun.
Pilate was as unwilling as they were that the
spectacle of Jesus uplon the cross should remain
a moment longer thian was necessar-y.  The consent of the governor having been obtained, the
legs of the two that were crucified with Jesus
were broken to hasten their death; but Jesus
was already dead, and they bl(,ke inot his legs.
The rude soldiers, who had witnessed the looks
and words of Jesus upon his way to Calvary,
and while dying upon the cross, were softened
by what they had witnessed, and wecie restrained
from marring him by breaking his limbs. Thus
was  prophecy fulfilled, which declared that a
bone of him shoul-d not be broken; and the law
of the Passover, requiring the sacrifice to be perfect and whole, was also fulfilled in the offering
of the Lamb of God. "They shall leave none of
it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it;
1 7 l 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
according to all the ordinances of the passover
they shall keep it."
A soldier, at the suggestion of the p)riests who
wished to make the death of Jesus sure, thrust
his spear into the  Saviour's side, inflicting a
wound which would have caused instant death
if he had not already been dead.  From the wide
incision made by the spear there flowed two copious and  distinct streamns, one  of blood, the
other of water. This remarkable fact was noted
by all the beholders, anid JolIn states the occurrence very definitely; he says: "One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith
came there out blood and water.  And he that
saw it bare record, and his record is true; and
he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.   For these things were  done  that the
scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall
not be broken.  And a' -tin another  scripture
saith, T'hey  shall  look 1in  himn  whom  they
pierced."
After the resurrection, the prieCsts and rulers
caused the report to be c'iculated that Jesus did
not die upon the cross, ta-tt hle merely fainted
and was af-erward resuiisc;iatcd.  Another lying
report afirmed that it vas not a real body of
flesh and bonre but the likeness of a body that
was laid in the tomb.   But  the testimony of
John concerning the pierced side of the Saviour,
and the blood and water that flowed from the
wound, refutes these falsehoods that were brought
into existence by the unscrupulous Jews.
172 
.T TIlE SEPULCHER.
CHAPTIrTER NI.
A     T''i       P 1   L C U LC Et.
TRiEASONN against the Roman governmient was
the all.eged crimne for which Jesus was executecd,
and persons put to deathl for this offenrise weie
taken down  by th-e cnomon soldiers and consignedC to a burial giound reserved exclusively
for that class of cliinals who had suffered the
extreme pnait, of it.e law.
John was at  ]9os, to know what measures he
should take in regpar-d to the body of his beloved
ztas,ter..  He shuddered at the thought of its being hazndiled by rout;h and unfeeling soldliers, and
pi      d in a dishonoled  burial pace.  He  knew
he,M    obtain 1d, ni.tvors fcirom the Jewish authoiities, nnd he couldi hope little from  Pila!.
B,t Joseph aid Nicodclemus came to the front in
this emergenc,T.  Botit of these men were members oi the Sanhedri,i, and acquainted with Pilate.  Both  were ren of wealth and influence.
They were  deterin,,irt- -( that the body of Jesus
should have an hoi o,able burial.
Joseph went bol(ly to Pllate, and begfged fromr
him the body of Jss for burial.  His  prayer
was speedily granted by Pilate, who firmly believed Jesus to have  een innocent.   Pilate now
for the first time hea.rd fromr Joseph thlat Jesus
was 1  ily dead.    hiowe_ Knowled ge had been purl-,osely,.<ept tI m  ili1' alt,iough varilou"s conflictinug Iepc+,s had renebhe(  his ears concerning the
st,range events attenidng the crucifixion.  No
le learned that the Saviour died at the very momuent when the  m)y-terious  da.rkness  that en
173 
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AT  THE,EPTIT,CTER.
disciples were plunged in sorrow; they were so
overwhelmed by the events which had transpired
that they were unable  to recall the words  of
Jesus stating that just such things would take
place concerning hin.  The women were aston.
ished to see Joseph and Nico(lemus, both honored and wealthy councilors, ac anxious and interested as thesclvles for the proper (isposal of
the body of Jesus.
Neitlier of these  men  had ol)ernl3 attached
himself to the Saviour whil(  he  \w'as liviing,
although both believed  oli him.   They  knew
that if they dcltared tlieir faith they wouldl  be
excluded fi'om the Sanhedrimi council oii occouint
of the prejudice of the l)riests and elders toward
Jesus.  This wioud have cut thcni cff firom  all
povei to aId ci p      rotect hi   b  using their influence in t,lie c(uncil.  S \-ei-al times, they had
shown the fallacy of tlhe grounds of his conidemnation, and  ar(,tsted  gaainst his aiie,st, and the
council  had hrl kep  up without  accolili ihin
that for which) it had been called togetl-(,r; for it
was imli,)ossibl  to pr()cure the con(.ei,nation of
Jesus wilthl-)ut tl-e urnalnimous consent,,f the Sanhedrim.  The ol-):et cof the priests hlad finally
been  obt -ine by h   calli n   a secret  council, to
which  Jos,l:  ad Nico(lemus weie  not summoned.
The two Co11il!,,rs now came hioldy foith to
the aid of the disci[,les.  The help of tltese rell
and honored  men was greatlly leed,l at tlat
time.  They could do for the slain Saviour wh-,at
it was impos.:ihle for the I)oor' discci|les to do);
and their infliuentiial pIitions prot(;ctd them), in
a great measure, fiorin cersure and remonstrance.
While the acknowledged disciplies of Christ were
175 
'I'HE (REAT (~'ONTROVERSY.
too thoroughly disheartened and intimidated to
show themselves openly to be his followers, these
men came boldly to the front and acted their
noble part.
Gently and  reverently they removed with
their own hands the body of Jesus from the instrument of torture, their sympathetic tears falling fast as they looked  upon his bruised and
lacerated form, which they carefully bathed and
cleansed from the stain of blood.  Joseph owned a
new tomnb, hewn from stone, which he was reserving for himself.; it was near Calvary, and he now
prepared this sepulcher for Jesus. The body,
together wi th the sp)ices brought by Nicodemus,
was carefully wrapped in a linen sheet, and
the three disciple,; bore their precious burden to
the new sepulcher, wbheJe.n man had never before
lain.  There thev straightened those mangled
limbs, and folded the Ibrui:sed hands upon the
pulseless  breast.  The Galilean  womren  drew
near, to see that all had been done that could be
done for the lifeless fborm of their beloved Teacher.
Then they saw the heavy stone rolled against
the entrance of the sepulcher, and the Son of
God was left at rest.  The women were last at
the cross, and last at the tomb of Christ. While
the evening shades were gathering,  Mar-  Magdalene and the other Ai,arys lingered about the
sacred resting-place of their Lord, shedding tears
of sorrow over the fate of lHim whom they loved.
Although  the Jewish rulers had carried out
their fiendish purpose in putting to death the Son
o(f God, their apprehensions were not quieted,
no,- was their jealousy of Christ dead.  Mlingled
with the joy of gratified revenge, there was an
ever-present fear that his dead body lying in
I i- 6 
AT THE SEPULCHER.
Joseph's tomb would come forth to life. They
had labored to believe that he was a deceiver;
but it was in vain. They everywhere heard inquiries for Jesus of Nezareth from those who
had not heard of his death, and had brought
their sick and dying friends to the passover to
be( healed by the great Physician. The priests
kncw in their hearts that Jesus had been allpowerful; they had witnessed his miracle at the
grave of Lazarus; they knew that he had there
iaised the dead to life, and they trembled for
fear he would himself rise from the dead.
They had heard him declare that he had
power to lay down his life and to take it up
again; they remembered that he had said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise
it up;" they put this and that together, and
were afraid.   When Judas had betrayed his
Milaster to the priests, he had repeated to them
the declaration which Jesus had privately made
to his disciples while on their way to the city.
He had said, "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem;
and the Son of loan shall be betrayed unto the
chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall
condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to
the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him; and the third day he shall rise again."
They remembered many things which he had
said, that they now recognized as plain prophecies of the events which had taken place.
They did not desire to think of these things, but
they could not shut them from their understanding. Like their father, the devil, they believed
and trembled.
Now that the frenzy of excitement was
Great Controversy, Vol. 3.  12
177 
THE GREAT (CONTROVERSY.
passed, the image of Christ would intrude upon
their minds, as he stood serene and uncomptlaining before his enemies, suffering their taunts and
abuse without a murmuru.  They  remembered
the prayer foir forgiveness, offered in behalf of
those who nrailcd hiim to the cross, his forgetfulness of his own sufiring, iand his merciful response to the p)rayer of the dying thiet; the
darkness which  covered  the earth, its sudden
lifting, and his triumphant cry, " It is fini.;hed,"
which seemed to resound through the uiiverse,
his immediate death, the quaking, of the earth
and  the shivering of  the rocks, the opening
of the graves and the renrding of the vail of the
temple.   All  these  remarika.ble  circumstances
pressed upon their minds the overpowering evidence that Jesus was the Son of God.
When Judas had reported to tile priests the
words of Jesus in regard to his approaching
death, they had ridiculed the idea of his foreknowledge of events. All his predictions had
been so far fulfilled, and they felt no surety that
his entire prediction would not come to pass.
If Jesus rose from the dead, they feared that
their lives would pay the penalty of their crime.
They could not sieep, fibr they were more troubled about Jesus in death than they had been
during his life.  They  had then  thiought that
their only hope of prosperity and influence was
in silencing his reproving voice; now they trembled in view of the miraculous power he had
?ossessed.
They rested but little upon the Sabbath.
Though they would not step over a Gentile's
threshold for fear of defilement, yet they held a
council concerning the body of Christ. They
I  
i 
AT THE SEPUI,CHER.
knew that tlhe disciples would not attempt to ieiiove himn  until after the Sabbath; but they
were anxious that all precautions should be
taken at its close. Therefore "the chief priests
and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying,
Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while
he was yet alive, After three days I will rise
again. Command, therefore, that the sepulcher
be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say
unto the people, He is risen from the dead; so
the last error shall be worse than the first." Pilate was as unwilling as were the Jews that Jesus should rise with power to punish the guilt
of those who had destroyed him, and he placed
a band of Roman soldiers at the command of
the priests.  Said he, "Ye  have a watch;  go
your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they
went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the
stone and setting a watch."
The discipline of the Roman army was very
severe. A sentinel found sleeping at his post
was punishable with death. The Jews realized
the advantage of having such a guard about the
tomb of Jesus. They placed a seal upon the
stone that closed the sepulcher, that it might not
be disturbed without the fact being known, and
took every precaution against the disciples practicing any deception in regard to the body of
Jesus. But all their plans and precautions only
served to make the triumph of the resurrection
more Complete, and to more fully establish its
truth.
How must God and his holy angels have looked
upon all those preparations to guard the body of
the world's Redeemer.l How weak and foolish
I il) 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
must those efforts have seemed   The words of
the psalmist picture this scene:  "Why do the
heathen rage, and the people imagine  a vain
thing? The kings of the earth set themselves. arid
the rulers take counsel together against the Lord,
and against his Anointed, saying, Let us break
their bands asunder, and cast away their cords
from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall
laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision."
Roman guards and Roman arms were powerless
to confine the Lord of life within the narrow in closure of the sepulcher. Christ had declared that
he had power to lay down his life and to take it
up again. The hour of his victory was near.
God had ruled the events clustering around the
birth of Christ. There was an appointed time
* for him to appealr in the form of humanity. A
long line of inspired prophecy pointed to the
coming of Christ to our world, and minutely de scribed the manner of his reception. Had the
Saviour appeared at an earlier period in the
world's history, the advantages gained to Chris tians would not have been so great, as their faith
would not have been developed and strengthened
by dwelling upon the prophecies which stretched
into the far future, and recounted the events
which were to transpire.
Because of the wicked departure of the Jews
froom God, he had allowed them to come under
the power of a heathen nation.  Only a certain
limited power was granted the Jews; even the
Sanhedrimr  was not allowed to pronounce final
j'ldgment uponI any important case which in volved the infliction of capital punishment.  A
people controlled, as were the Jews, by bigotry
and superstition, are most cruel and unrelenting.
I so 
AT THE SEPUILCHER.
The wisdom of God was displayed in sending his
Son to the world at a time when the Roman
power held sway. Had the Jewish economy
possessed full authority, we should not now have
a history of the life and ministry of Christ
among  men.  The  jealous priests and  rulers
would have quickly made away with so formidable a rival. He would have been stoned to death
on the false accusation of breaking the law of
God. The Jews put no one to death by crucifixion; that was a Roman method of punishment;
there would therefore have been no cross upon
Calvary. Prophecy would not then have been
fulfilled; for Christ was to be lifted up in the
most public manner on the cross, as the serpent
was lifted up in the wilderness.
The Roman power was the instrument in God's
hand to prevent the Light of the world from
going out in darkness. The cross was lifted,
according to the plan of God, in the sight of
all nations, tongues, and people, calling their
attention to the Lamb of God that taketh away
the sins of the world.
Had the coming of Christ been deferred many
years later, until the Jewish power had become
still less, prophecy would have failed of its fulfillirient; for it would not have been possible for
the Jews, with their waning power, to have influenced the Roman authorities to sign the deathwrarrant of Jesus upon the lying charges pre,ented, and there would have been no cross of
Christ erected upon Calvary. Soon after the
Saviour's execution the method of death by crucifixion was abolished. The scenes which took
place at the death of Jesus, the inhuman conduct
of the people, the supernatural darkness which
181 
THE  G(REAT  ('ONT'I'ROAVERSY.
veiled the earth, and the agony of nature displayed in the rending of the rocks and the flashing of the lightning, struck them with such remorse and terror, that the cross, as an instrument
of death, soon fell into disuse. At the destruction of Jerusalem, when mob power again obtained control, crucifixion was again revived for
a time, and many crosses stood upon Calvary.
Christ coming at the time and in the manner
which he did was a direct and complete fulfillment of prophecy. The evidence of this, given
to the world through the testimony of the apostles and that of their cotemporaries, is among
the strongest proofs of the Christian faith. TWe
were not eye-witnesses of the miracles of Jesus,
which attest his divinity; but we have the statements of his disciples who were eye-witnesses of
them, and we see by faith through their eyes,
and hear through their ears; and our faith with
theirs grasps the evidence given.
The apostles accepted Jesus upon the testimony of prophets and righteous mren, stretciing,
over a period of many centuries. The Christian
world have a full and complete chain of evidence
running through both the Old and the New Testament; in the one pointing to a Saviour to come,
and in the other fulfilling the conditions of that
prophecy.  All this is sufficient to establish the
faith of those who are willing to believe.  The
design of God was to leave the race a fair opportunity to develop faith in the power of God
Ed of his Son and in the work of the Holy Spirit.
18-) 
THE CONFLICT ENDED.
CHAPTER XII.
WHEN Christ cried out, "It is finished," all
Heaven triumphed.   The controversy between
Christ and Satan in regard to the execution of
the plan of salvation was ended. The spirit of
S,tan and his works had taken deep root in the
affections of the children of men. For Satan to
have come into power would have been death to
the world. The implacable hatred he felt toward
the Son of God was revealed in his manner of
treating him while he was in the world.  Christ's
betrayal, trial, and crucifixion were all planned
by the fallen foe. His hatred, carried out in the
death of the Son of God, placed Satan where his
true diabolical character was revealed to all created intelligences that had not fallen through sin.
The holy angels were horror- stricken that one
who had been of their number could fall so far
as to be capable of such cruelty. Every sentiment of sympathy or pity which they had ever
felt for Satan in his exile, was quenched in their
hearts. That his envy should be exercised in
such a revenge upon an innocent person was
enough to strip him of his assumed robe of celestial light, and to reveal the hideous deformity
beneath; but to manifest such malignity toward
the divine Son of God, who had, with unprecedentel self-denial, and love for the creatures
formed in his image, come from Heaven and assumned their fallen nature, was such a heinous
crime against Heaven that it caused the angels to
shudder with horror, and severed forever the
183
THE: CO-N-FL,ICT  ENDED. 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
last tie of sympathy existing between Satan
and the heavenly world. Satan had put forth
extraordinary efforts against Jesus from the time
he appeared as a babe in Bethlehem. He had
sought in every possible manner to prevent him
friom developing a perfect childhood, a faultless
manhood, a holy ministry, and an infinite sacrifice in yielding up his life without a murmur for
the sins of men.  But Satan had been una.tble to
discourage him, or to drive him  from  the work
he had come on earth to do. The stoirm of Satan's wrath beat upon himrn from the desert to
Calvary; but the more mercilessly it fell, the
more firmly did the Son of God cling to the
hand of his Father, and press on in the bloodstained l)ath before him.  All the efforts of Satan to oppress and overwhelm him, only brought
out in a purer light the spotless character of
Christ.
In the controversy between Christ and Satan,
the character of God was now fully vindicated
in his act of banishing from Heaven the fallen
angel, who had once been exalted next to Christ.
All Heaven, and the worlds that had not fallen
through sin, had been witnesses to the controversy between Christ and Satan.  With what
intense interest had they followed the closing
scenes of the conflict! They had beheld the
Saviour enter the garden of Gethsemane, his
soul bowed down by a horror of darkness that
he had never before experienced.  An overmastering agony had wrenched fiomn his lips the bitte' cry for that cup, if possible, to pass from
him.  A terrible amazement, as he felt his Father's presence withdrawn from him, had filled
his divine spirit with a shuddering dread. He
184 
THE CONFLICT ENDED.
was sorrowful, with a bitterness of sorrow exceeding that of the last great struggle with death;
the sweat of blood was forced from his pores,
and fell in drops upon the ground. Thrice the
same prayer for deliverance had been wrung
from his lips.   Heaven  had been unable  to
longer endure the sight, and had sent a messengerof consolation to the prostrate Son of God,
fainting and dying under the accumulated guilt
of the world.
Heaven had beheld the victim betrayed and
hurried from one earthly tribunal to another
with mockery and violence. It had heard the
sneers of his persecutors because of his lowly
birth, and his denial with cursing and swearing
by one of his best-loved disciples. It had seen
the frenzied work of Satan, and his power over
the hearts of men. Oh, fearful scene! the Saviour seized at midnight in Gethsemane as a murderer, dragged to and fro from palace to judgment hall, arraigned twice before the priests,
twice before the Sanhedrim, twice before Pilate,
and once before Herod, mocked, scourged, and
condemned, led out to be crucified, bearing the
heavy burden of the cross amid the wailing of
the daughters of Jerusalem and the jeering of
the crowd!
Heaven had viewed with grief and amazement
Christ hanging upon the cross, blood flowing
from his wounded temples, and sweat tinged with
blood standing upon his brow. From his hands
and feet the blood had fallen, drop by drop, upon
the rock drilled for the foot of the cross. The
wounds made by the nails had gaped as the
weight of his body dragged upon his hands.
His labored breath had grown quick and deep,
185 
THE GREAT ('ONTROVERSY.
as his soul panted under the burden of the sins
of the world. All Heaven had been filled with
admiration when the prayer of Christ was offered
in the midst of his terrible suffering-" Father,
forgive them; for they know not what they do."
Yet there stood men, formed in the image of God,
joining with Satan to crush out the last spark of
life from the heart of the Son of God.
In Christ was the embodiment of God himsel'.  The plan and execution of manr's salvation
is a demonstration of divine wisdom and power
mysterious to finite minds. The unfathomable
love of God for the human race, in giving his Son
to die for them, was made manifest. Christ was
revealed in all his self-sacrificing love and purity;
man could now obtain immortal life through his
merits. When the justice of God was expressed
in judicial sentence, declaring the final disposition
of Satan, that he should be utterly consumed
with all those who ranked under his banner, all
Heaven rang with hallelujahs, and "Worthy is
the Lamb that was slain to have all authority
and power, and dominion, and glory."
When we dwell upon the justice of God, we
look upon only one side of his character; for in
his greatness and might he has condescended to
our feebleness in sending his Son to the world
that man  may  not perish.  In  the cross we
may read his tender mercy and forgiveness, harmoniously combined with his stern, unwavering
justice. The severity of God is felt when we are
separated from himn; but when we repent of our
sins, and make our peace with him through the
virtue of the cross, we find him a merciful Father, reconciled to mren through his Son.
The body of J-(,l,s was hastily placed in the
186 
THE CONFL[(,T ENDED.
tomb because of the near approach of the Sabbath, that the disciples might keep the day according to the commandment. The two Marys
were the last at the sepulcher. This was a neverto-be-forgotten Sabbath to the sorrowing disciples, and also to the priests, rulers, scribes, and
people. The passover was observed as it had
been for centuries, while the antitypical Lamb,
which it prefigured, had been slain by wicked
hands, and lay in Joseph's tomb. Crowds of
worshipers filled the courts of the temple and
presented their morning and evening sacrifices
as heretofore.   Many minds  were busy with
thoughts started by the scenes of Calvary.
Many sleepless eyes, from the crucifixion to the
resurrection, were constantly searching the prophecies; some to learn the full meaning of the
feast they were then celebrating; some to find
evidence that Jesus was not what he claimed to
be; and others, with disappointed hopes and sorrowful hearts, searched for convincing proof that
he was the Messiah.  Though searching with
different objects in view, they were all convicted
of the same truth-tha.t prophecy had been fulfilled in the events of tbie past few days, and that
the crucified one was indeed the world's Redeemer.
The priests who ministered before the altar
had gloomy presentiments as they looked upon
the vail, rent by unseen hands from top to bottom, and which there had not been time to replace or to fully repair.  The uncovering of the
sacred mysteries of the most holy place brought
to them a shuddering dread of coming calamity.
Many of the offeiatin    priests were deeply convicted of the true ch.Ia(^ter of Jesus; their sear,ch
187 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
ing of the prophecies had not been in-vain, and
after he was raised from the dead they acknowl edged him as the Son of God.
The faith of the disciples was clouded with
doubt.   They were  too thoroughly perplexed
and uncertain to recall the words of Jesus, warn ing them beforehand of the things which would
take place. They were indeed as sheep scattered
without a shepherd. But they had never loved
their Lord as now. They had never felt his
worth and their need of him as when they were
deprived of his society.
Nicodeinus, when he saw Jesus lifted upon the
cross, remembered his words in that private interview at night in the mountains. On that
Sabbath, while Christ lay silent in the grave, he
had a favorable opportunity for reflection. A
clearer light now illuminated his mind and
the words which Jesus had addressed to him
were no longer mysterious. He felt that he
had lost much by not connecting himself with
Jesus while he was upon earth. When the Saviour was lifted upon the cross, Nicodemus remembered that he had told him that the Son of
man should be lifted up as the serpent was lifted
up in the wilderness. The prayer of Christ for
his murderers, and his answer  to the petition of
the dying thief, while he himself was suffering the
excruciating tortures of a death upon the cross,
spoke with powerful distinctness to the heart of
the learned councilor. And that last cry: "It is
finished," spoken like the words of a conqueror,
together with the reeling earth, the darkened
heavens, the rent vail, the shivered rocks, forever
settled the faith of Nicodemus.
Joseph had believed on Jesus, though he had
188 
THE ('ONFLIC'T ENDED.
kept silent. Now all the fears of both these
men were overcome by the courage of a firm and
unwavering faith. During that memorable passover the scenes of the crucifixion were the theme
of thought, and the topic of conversation.  Hundreds had biought with them to the passover
their afflicted relatives and friends, expecting to
see Jesus and prevail upon him to heal and save
them. Great was their disappointment to find
that he was not at the feast; and when they
were told that he had been executed as a criminal, their indignation and grief knew no bounds.
No hope of their ever meeting him again, of
hearing his words of reproof and warning, of
comfort and hope in the streets of Jerusalem, by
the lake, in the synagogues, and in the groves.
The events of his death were recounted to these
strangers by two parties. Those who helped put
him to death made their false statements; and
those who loved him, those whom he had healed
and comforted, related the terrible truth, together
with their own experience, and the wonders he
had done for them. The sufferers who had come
with the expectation of being healed by the Saviour sank under  their disappointment.   The
streets and the temple courts were filled with
mourning. The sick were dying for want of the
healing touch of Jesus of Nazareth. Physicians
were consulted in vain; there was no skill like
that of Him who lay in state in Joseph's tomb.
The afflicted, who had long looked forward to
this time as their only hope of relief, asked in
vain for the Healer they had sought.
MIany whose voices had swelled the cry of
"Crucify him, crucify him." now realized the
calamity that had fallen upon them, and would
189 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
have as eagerly cried, "Give us Jesus  " had he
still been alive.  The mourning cries of the sick
and dying, who now had no one to save them,
brought home the truth to thousands of minds,
that a great light had gone out of the world.
The death of Jesus left a blank which could not
be supplied. The priests and rulers were ill at
case; they heard the people calling for Jesus of
* Nazareth, and they avoided them  as much as
possible.
Upon this occasion those who were suspected
of being attacked by the leprosy were examined
by the priests. MAany were forced to hear their
husbands, wives, or children pronounced unclean,
and doomed to go forth from the shelter of their
homes and the care of their friends, and to wairn
off the stranger with the mournful cry, "Unclean, unclean!" The fiiendly hands of Jesus of
Nazareth, that never refused to touch with Lealing the loathsome leper, were folded silently upon
his breast, bearing the marks of the cruel nails.
Those lips, that had answered his petition of relief with the comforting words: " 1 will; be thou
clean," were silent now in death. Mlen never
knew how much Christ was to the world, till his
light was quenched in the darkness of the tomb.
They heard the sufferers helplessly calling for
Jesus until their voices were lost in death.
The revenge which the priests thought would
be so sweet had already become bitterness to
them. They knew that they were meeting the
severe censure of the people; they knew that
tte very persons whom they had influenced
against Jesus were now horrified by their own
shameful woik.  As  they  witnessed all these
proofs of the divine influence of Jesus, they were
190 
THlE RESURRECTION. 
more af'aid of his dead body in the tomb than
they had been of hii  when ie was living and
among them. The possibility of his coming forth
from the sepulcher filled their guilty souls with
indescribable terror. They felt that Jesus might
at any time stand before them, the accused to become the accuser, the condemned to in tuin condemn, the slain to demand justice in the death of
his murderers.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE RESURRECTION.
EVERY preparation had been made at the sepulcher to prevent any surprise or fraud being
perpetrated by the disciples. The night had
worn slowly away, and the darkest hour before
daybreak had come.  The Romnan guards were
keeping their weary watch, the sentinels pacing
to and fro before the sepulcher, while the remainder of the detachment of one hundred soldiers were reclining upon the ground in different
positions, taking what rest they could. But angels were also guarding the sepulcher, one of
whom could have stricken down the whole Roman anrmy by the putting forth of his power.
One of the most exalted order of angels is sent
from Heaven; his countenance is like the lightning, End his garments white as snow. He parts
the darkness fiom his track, and the whole heavens are lit with his resplendent glory. The
sleeping soldiers start simultaneously to their
191
0: 
THlE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
feet, and gaze with awe and wonder at the open,
lighted heavens, and the vision of brightness
which approaches. The earth trembles and
heaves; soldiers, officers, and sentinels all fall
as dead men prostrate upon the earth. The
evil angels, who have triumphantly claimed
the body of Christ, flee in terror from the place.
One of the nmighty, commranding angels who has,
with his company, been keeping watch over the
tomb of his Mlaster, joins the powerful angel who
comes firom Heaven; and together they advance
directly to the sepulcher.
The angelic commander laid hold of the great
stone which had required many strong men to
place it in position, rolled it away, and took his
seat upon it, while his companion entered the
sepulcher and unwound the wrappings firom the
face and head of Jesus.  Then the mighty angel,
with a voice that caused the earth to quake, was
heard: Jesus, thou Son of God, thy Father calls
thee'  Then he who had earned the power to
conquer death and the grave camne forth, with the
tread of a conqueror, from the sepulcher, amid
the reeling of the earth, the flashing of lightning,
and the roaring of thunder. An earthquake
marked the hour when Christ laid down his life;
and another earthquake signaled the moment
when he took it up again in triumph.
Jesus was the first-fi'uits of them that slept.
WVhen he came forth from the tomb he called a
multitude firom the dead, thus settling forever the
long-disputed question of the resurrection. In
rising this multitude of captives from the dead,
he gives evidence that there will be a final res   urrection of those who sleep in Jesus. The be   lievers in Christ thus receive the very light they
192 
THE RESURRECTION.
want in regard to the future life of the pious
dead.
Satan was bitterly incensed that his angels
had fled from the presence of the heavenly angels, and that Christ had conquered death, and
lshown by this act what his future power was to
be.  All the triumph that Satan had experienced
in witnessing his own power over men, which
had urged them on to insult and murder the Son
of God, fled before this exhibition of the divine
power of Christ.  He had dared to hope that Jesus would not take up his life again; but his
courage failed him when the Saviour came forth,
having paid the full ransom of man, and enabled
him to overcome Satan in his own behalf in the
name of Christ, the Conqueror.  The arch-enemy
now knew that he must eventually die, and that
his kingdom would have an end.
In this scene of the resurrection of the Son of
God is given a lively image of the glory that will
be revealed at the general resurrection of the
just at the second appearing of Christ in the
clouds of heaven.  Then  the dead that are in
their graves shall hear his voice and come forth
to life; and not only the earth, but the heavens
themselves, shall be shaken.  A few graves were
oi)ened at the resurrection of Christ; but at his
second coming all the precious dead, from righteous Abel to the last saint that dies, shall awake
to glorious, immortal life.
If the soldiers at the sepulcher were so filled
with tarior at the appearance of one angel clothed
with heavenly light and strength, that they fell
as dead men to the ground, how will his enemies
stand before the Son of God, when he comes in
Gratt Controversy, Vol. 3.  ] 3
193 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
power and gr'eat glory, accompanied by ten
thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of
thousands of angels from the courts of Heaven?
Then the earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and be removed as a cottage. The elements
shall be in flames, and the heavens shall be rolled
together as a scroll.
At the death of Jesus the soldiers had beheld
the earth wrapped in profound darkness at midday; but at the resurrection they saw the brightness of the angels illuminate the night, and heard
the inhabitants of Heaven singing with great
joy and triumph: Thou hast vanquished Satan
and the powers of darkness! Thou hast swallowed up death in victorvy! "And I heard a loud
voice saying in Heaven, Now is come salvation
and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and
the power of his Christ; for the accuser of our
brethren is cast down, who accused them before
our God day and night."
The casting down of Satan as an accuser of
the brethren in Heaven was accomplished by the
great work of Christ in giving up his life. Notwithstanding Satan's persistent opposition, the
plan of redemption was being carried out.  Man
was esteemed of sufficient value for Christ to
sacrifice his life for him. Satan, knowing that
the empire he had usurped would in the end be
wrested from him, determined to spare no pains
to destroy as many as possible of the creatures
whom God had created in his image. He hated
&aan because Christ had manifested for him such
forgiving love and pity, and he now prepared to
practice upon him every species of deception by
which he might be lost; he pursued his course
194 
THIE RESURRECTION.
with more energy because of his own hopeless
condition.
Christ came to earth to vindicate the claims
of his Father's law, and his death shows the
immutability of that law. But Satan thrusts
upon man the fallacy, that the law of God was
abolished by the death of Christ, and he thus
leads many professed Christians to transgress the
Father's commandments, while they assume devotion to his Son.
The Christian world is not sufficiently acquainted with the history of Satan, and the terrible power that he wields. Many look upon him
as a mere imaginary being.  Meanwhile he has
crept into the popular mind; he sways the people-he assumes the character of an angel of
light-he marshals his trained forces like a skilled
general-he has gained profound knowledge of
human nature, and can be logical, philosophical,
or hypocritically religious.
He now prepared to work upon the minds of
the priests in regard to the event of the resurrection of Christ.  He knew that, having already
fallen into his trap, and committed the horrible
crime of slaying, the Son of God, they were entirely in his power, and their only course to
escape the wrath of the people was to persist in
denouncing Jesus as an impostor, and to accuse
his disciples of stealing away his body that they
might declare him to be risen from the dead.
After the exceeding glory of the angelic rnessenger. had faded from the heavens and from the
sepulcher, the Roman guards ventured to raise
their heads and to look about them.  They saw
that the great stone at the door of the sepulcher
1 9.5 
TIIE GREAT CONTROt(VERSY.
was removed, and they arose in consternation to
find the body of Jesus gone and the tonmb empty.
They turned from the sepulcher, overwhelmed
by what they had seen and heard, and made their
way with all haste to the city, relating to those
wlhomn ttiev imet thle'narvelous scenes they had
witnessed.    $ome of  the  disciples, who had
passed a sleepless night, heard  the wonderful
stolry witih imingiled hope  and fbar.  MAleanwhile
a  nessenger  was ds[)atched to the priests and
ule.rs, announcing to them: Christ  whom  ye
crucified is risen fiom the dead!
A servan t -was imniyediately, sent with a private
imess-age sumyioiin tthe Roman  guard to the
1alace of the highl priest.  There they were closely
(questionied  they gave a full statement of what
they had witnessed at the sepullcher:  That an
awf'tli Iesse Pger had comne firom  Heaven  with
tace like the liohtning for brightness,,n(d with
garm,ents white as snow; that the earth shook
and trembled, and they were stricken powerless;
that the an,el had laid hold of the immense stone
at the door of the sepulcher, and had rolled it
away as if it had been a pebble; that a form of
great glory had emuerged firom  the sepulcher;
that a chorus of voices had made the heavens
and earth vocal with songs of victory and joy;
that whlien the light had faided out, and thlle music
had ceased, they had recovered their strength,
found the tonrib empty, and the body of Jesus
nowhere to be found.
. Wvhen tlhe priests, scribes, and rulers heard this
accournt, their faces were blanchlied to a deadly pallor.  They couldl not utter a word. With horror
they  )erceive(d that two-thirds of the proph
I!) 6 
TIHE RESURRE(-'TION.
ecy concerning Atessiah had now been fulfilled,
and their hlearts failed them  withli fear of what
milght  )e about to take place.  They could not
q(uestior. the evidence of the witnesses before
them.  Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified one, hadl
indeed risen from the dead.
WNhen they had recovered from their first shock
at  ieainpcr this new's, they began to consider
wlvat course they w-culd best pursue, and Satan
was present to suggest ways andimeans.  They
felt tha.t they had placed themselves where they
had no alternative but to brave it out, and deny
Christ to the very last. They reasoned that if
this report should be circulated among the peo)ple, they would not only be stripped of their
honor and authority, but would  probably lose
their lives. Jesus had said that he would rise
fromi the dead and ascend to Heaven; they deterinined to keep the people in ignorance of the
fulfillment of his word.  They theought this could
l-e done if the Roman guoad  could be bought
with mnoney.
They foundi up)(n trial that the guard could be
induced by large bribes to deny their former repoit, and to testify that the disciples had stolen
the body of Jesus in the night, while the sentinels slept.  It was a, crime )punishable by death
for a sentinel to sleep at his post; and, in order
to secu,e the evidence they wished, the priests
promised to insure the safety of the guard.  The
Roman soldiers sold their integrity to the false
Jews oir money.  They camne in before the priests
burdened with a most startling message of truth,
and went out with a burden of money, and with
a lying report upon  their tongues which had
been framed for them by the priests.
1 9 il 
TIlE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
Meanwhlile a mrnessengeri ha.d been sent, b)eaiing
th,le news to Pilate.  When lie hieaid what ha(l
occurred, his soutl was filled with terrr.   te shut
himself within his home, isot wishnr to see ally
one; but the priests found  thei' way  into his
lrilesenee, and iure(d him to-) rrake no investigation
of the affirmed negle. t of the sentinels, but to let
the matter pass.  Pilate at length consented to
this, after having a  i-)rivate interview withl the
guard, and leaing all the particeulars friom them.
They dared not conceal anythting friom  the governor for fear of losing their lives.  Pilate did
not prosecute the matter farther, but froml that
time there was no more peace or comfort for hinm.
CHAPTER XIV.
THIE AWOMIEN AT  rTHE TOMB.
THTrE spices with which the body of Jesus was
to be anointed had been prepared on the day )preceding the Sabbath.   Ea,ly in the morning of
the first dlay of the week, the Marys, with certain
other women, went to the sepulchler to proceed
with the wolrk of embalming the body of the
Savionii.  As they  neared  the garden,  they
were surprised to see the heavens beautifully
lighted up, and the  earth trembling beneath
their feet.  They hastened to the sepulcher, and
were astonished to find that the stone was rolled
away from the door, and that the Romnan guard
were not there. They noticed a light shining
about the tomb, and, looking in, saw that it was
empty.
198 
THiE WO0IEN AT THE TOME'B.
MAary then hastened with all speed to the disciples, and informed them that Jesus was not in
the sepulcher where they had laid him.  While
she was upon this errand, the other women, who
wasted for her at the sepulcher, made a more
thorough examination of the interior, to satisfy
themselves that their Lord was indeed gone.
Suddenly they beheld a beautiful young man,
clothed in shining garments, sitting by the sepulcher. It was the angel who had rolled away the
stone, and who now assumed a character that
would not terrify the women who had been the
firiends of Christ, and assisted him in his public
ministry. But notwithstanding the veiling of the
brightness of the angel, the women were greatly
amazed and terrified at the glory of the Lord
which encircled him. They turned to flee from the
sepulcher, but the heavenly messenger addressed
them with soothing and comforting words: "Fear
not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, who was
crucified. He is not here, for he is risen, as he
said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is
risen from the dead; and behold, he goeth before
you into Galilee; there shall ye see him; lo, I
have told you."
As the women responded to the invitation of
the angel, and looked again into the sepulcher,
they saw another angel of shining brightness,
who  addressed them with the inquiry: "Why
seek ye the living among the dead? He is not
here, but is risen; remember how he spake unto
you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son
of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise
again."  These angels were well acquainted with
1 9 ) 
THE GREAT CONrROVER1SY.
the words of Jesus to his disciples, for they had
been with him in the capacity of guardian angels,
through all the scenes of his life, and had witnessed his trial and crucifixion.
With combined  wisdom and tenderness, the
angels reminded the women  of the words  of
Jesus, warning them beforehand of his crucifixion
and resurrection. The women now fully comprehended the words of their Master, which at the
time were veiled in mystery to them. They gathered fresh hope and courage. Jesus had declared
that he would rise from the dead, and had rested
his claims as the Son of God, the Redeemer of
the world, upon his future resurrection from the
dead.
Mary, who had first discovered that the tomb
was empty, hurried to Peter and John, and announced that the Lord had been taken out of the
sepulcher, and she knew not where they had laid
him. At these words the disciples both hastened
to the sepulcher, and found it as Mary had said.
The body of their Mlaster was not there, and the
linen clothes lay by themselves. Peter was perplexed; but John believed that Jesus had risen
from the dead, as he had told them he should do.
They did not understand the scripture of the Old
Testament, which taught that Christ should rise
fromethe dead; but the belief of John was based
upon the words of Jesus himself while he was
yet with them.
The disciples left the sepulcher, and returned
to their homes; but Mlary could not bear to leave
while all was uncertainty as to what had become
of the body of her Lord.  As she stood weeping,
she stooped down to once more look into the
sepulcher; and lo, there were two angels, clothed
2()() 
THE  IWOMEN ATr TIIE TOMTB.
in garments of white. They were disguised by
an appearance of humanity, and Maary did not
recognize them as celestial beings. One sat
where the head of Jesus had rested, and the other
where his feet had been. They addressed Mary
with the words: "Woman, why weepest thou?
She saith unto them, Because they have taken
away my Lord, and I know not where they have
laid him."  In view of the open sepulcher, and
the disappearance of her Master's body, Mary
was not easily comforted.
In her abandonment of grief she did not notice the heavenly appearance of those who addressed her. As she turned aside to weep, another voice inquired,  "Woman, why  weepest
thou?  Whom seekest thou?"  Her eyes were
so blinded by tears that she did not observe the
person who spoke to her, but she immediately
grasped the idea of obtaining from her interrogator some information concerning the whereabouts
of her  Master's body.  She thought that the
speaker might be the one who had charge of the
garden, and she addressed him pleadingly: "Sir,
if thou have borne him hence, tell me where
thou hast laid him, and I will take him away."
She felt that if she could only gain possession
of the precious cLrucified body of her Saviour, it
would be a great consolation to her grief. She
thought that if this rich man's tomb was considered too honorable a place for her Lord, she would
herself provide a place for him. Her great anxiety vas to find him, that she might give himn
honorable burial.  But now the voice of Jesus
himself fell upon her astonished ears. HIe said
to her, "M lary." Instantly her tears were brushed
away; and he whom she supposed was the gar
201 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
dener stood revealed before her-it was Jesus!
F'or a moment she foirgot in her joy that he had
been crucified; shie stretched forthI her hands to
himr, saying,' Rabboni!" Jesus then said, "Touch
me not, for I am niot yet ascended to my Father;
but go to my ibrethren, and say unto them, I
ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to
my God, and your God."
Jesus refused to receive the homage of his
people until he knew that his sacrifice had been
accepted by the Father, and until he had received the assurance from God himself that his
atonement for the sins of his people had been
full and ample, that through his blood they might
gain eternal life.  Jesus immLediately ascended to
Heaven and presented himself before the throne
of God, showing the marks of shame and cruelty
upon his brow, his hands and feet.  But he refused to receive the coronet of glory, and the royal
iobe, and he also recused the adoration of the
angfels as he had refused the homage of Mary,
Iuntil the Father sig,nified that his offering was
accepted.
He also had a request to prefer concerning his
chosen ones uonr earth.  He  wished  to have
the relation clearly defined that his redeemed
should hereafter sustain to Heaven, and to his
Father.  His church must be justified and accepted before he could accept heavenly honor.
He declared it to be his will that where he was,
there his church should be; if he was to have
glory, his people must share it with him. They
w'o suffer with him on earth must finally reign
with him in his kingdom.  In the most explicit
manner Christ pleaded for his church, identifying
his interest withl theirs, and advocating, with a
202 
THE A}OMtEN AT THE'tOMnB.
1o\v- anad constancy stronger than  death, their
right', and titlies (rainred throughi him.
(odl's arse  to this appel1 goes forth in tihe
i-,oclaman,+ion:  " Let all the a,ngels of God worshlip) himi."  Every an,gel,e commander obeys the
ioyal maildte, and Wo-r'thiy, worthy is the Lamb
that was slain; and that lives again a triumphant
conqLuelo la  echoes  and re-echoes through  all
Heaven.  The innumerable company  of angels
prostrate themselves before the Redeemer.  The
request of Christ is granted; the church is justified through himr, its representative  and  head.
Here the Father ratifies the contract with his Son,
that, he will be reconcidedl to repentant and obedient Amen, and  take them  into  divine favor
thirough the merits of Christ.  Christ guarantees
that he will make a man "more precious than
fine gold, even a man than the golden wedge of
Ophir."  All power in Heaven and on earth is
now given to the Prince of life; yet he does not
tof a mioment forget his poor disciples in a sinful
world, but prepares to return to them, that he
may impart to them his power and glory.  Thus
did the Redeemer of mnankind, by the sacrifice of
himself, connect earth with Heaven,  and finite
man with the infinite God.
Jesus said to Miary, "Touch me not; for I am
not vet ascended to my Father."  When he closed
his eyes in death upon the cross, the soul of Christ
did not go at once to Heaven, as many believe, or
howNv could his words be true-" I am not yet
ascencded to my  Father"?  The spirit of Jesus
slept in the tomab with his body, and did not
wilig its way to Heaven, there to maintain a
separate existence, and to look down upon the
mourning disciples embalming  the body  firom
2(-):)' 
TIlE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
which it had taken flight.  All that.comprised
the life and intelligence of Jesus remained with
}iis body in the sepulcher; and when he came
forthl it was as a whole being; he did not have to
summon his spirit from Heaven. He had power
to lay down his life and-l to take it tip again.
The brightest morning that ever dawned upon
a fallen world, was that in which the Saviour rose
firom the dead; but it was of no greater impor tance to man than the day upon which his trial
and crucifixion took place. It was no marvel to
the heavenly host that He who controlled the
power of death, and had life in himself, should
awaken firom the sleep of the grave. But it was
a marvel to them that their loved Commander
should die for rebellious men.
Christ rested in the tomb on the Sabbath day,
and when holy beings of both Heaven and earth
were astir on the mnorning of the first day of the
week, he rose firom the grave to renew his wolrk
of teaching his disciples.  But this fact does not
consecrate the first day of the week, and make it
a Sabbath. Jesus, prior to his death, established
a memorial of the breaking of his body and the
spilling of his blood for the sins of the world, in
the ordinance of the Lord's supper, saying "'For as
often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye
do show the Lord's death till he come."  And the
repentant believer, who takes the steps required
in conversion, commemnorates in his baptism  the
death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. He
goes down into the water in the likeness of
Clrist's death and burial, and he is raised out of
the water in the likeness of his resurrection-not
to take up the old life of sin, but to live a new
life in Clrist Jesuts.
2(-)4 
THE WO0[EN AT THE TOMIB.
The other women who had seen and been addressed by the angels, left the sepulcher with
mingled feelings of fear and great joy.   They
hastened to the disciples, as the angels had directed, and related to them the things which they
had seen and heard.  Peter was expressly mentioned by the angel as one to whom the women
were to communicate their news. This disciple
had been the most despondent of all the little
company of Christ's  follwers, because of his
shameful denial of the Lord.  Peter's remorse for
his crime was well understood by the holy angels,
and their tender compassion for the wayward and
sorrowing is revealed in the solicitude they manifested for the unhappy disciple, and which evidenced to him that his repentance was accepted
and his sin forgiven.
AVhen the disciples heard the account which
the women brought, they were astonished.  They
began to recall the words of their Lord which
foretold his resurrection.  Still, this event, which
should have filled thleir hearts with joy, was a
great perplexity to them.  After their great disal)pointment in the death of Christ, their faith
was not strong enough to accept the fact of the
resurrection.  Their hopes had been so blighted
that they could not believe the statement of the
women, but thought that they were the subjects
of an illusion.  Even when Mary Magdalene testified that she had seen and spoken with her
Lod(, they still refused to believe that he had
risen..
They were terribly depressed by the events
that had crowded upon them.  On the sixth day
they had seen their Master die; upon the first
day of the succeeding week they found them
205 
TIlE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
selves deprived of his body, and the stigma resting upon them of having stolen it away for the
purpose of practicing a deception upon the people.
They despaired of ever correcting the false impressions that had gained ground against them;
and now they were newly perplexed by the reports of the believing women.  In their trouble
their hearts yearned for their beloved Mlaster,
who had always been ready to explainii the mysteries that perplexed them  and to smooth their
difficulties.
CHAPTER XV.
JESUIS AT EM'MAUS.
ON this same day Jesus met several of his disciples, and greeted them with "All hail," upon
which they approached him and held  him  by
the feet and worshiped himnt. He permitted this
homage, for he had then ascended to his Father,
and had received his approval, and the worship
of the holy angels.  Late in the afternoon of thie
same day, two of the di,,ciples were on their way
to Emmaus, eight miles from Jerusalem.  They
had come to the city to keep the passover, and
the news of the moroning in regard to the removal
of the body of Jesus fiom the sepulcher hlad
greatly perplexed them.  This perplexity  had
been increased by the reports of the women concerning the heavenly messengers, and the appearance of Jesus himself. They were now returning to their home to meditate and pray, in hope
206 
JESUS AT EIMMAUS.
of gaining some light in reference to these matters which so confused their understanding.
These two disciples had not held a prominent
position beside Jesus in his ministry, but they
were earnest believers in him. Soon after they
began their journey, they observed a stranger
coming up behind them, who presently joined
their company; but they were so busy with perplexing thoughts, which they were communicating to each other, that they scarcely noticed
they were not alone. Those strong men were so
burdened with grief that they wept as they
traveled on.  Christ's pitying heart of love saw
here a sorrow which he could relieve.  The disciples were reasoning with each other concerning
the events of the past few days, and marveling
how the fact of Jesus yielding himself up to a
shameful death could be reconciled with his
claims as the Son of God.
One maintained that he could be no pretender,
but had been himself deceived in regard to his
mission and his future glory. They both feared
that what his enemies had flung in his teeth was
too true-" He saved others; himself hle cannot
save." Yet they wondered how he could be
so mistaken in himself, when he had given them
such repeated evidence that he could read the
hearts of others. And the strange reports of the
women threw them into still greater uncertainty.
Long might these disciples have perplexed
themselves over the mysteries of the past few
days, if they had not received enlightenment
from Jesus. He, disguised as a stranger, entered
into conversation with them.  "But their eyes
were holden that they should not know him.
And he said unto them, What manner of com
207 
TIE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
munications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of
them whose name was Cleopas, answering said
unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem,
anrid hast not known the things which are come
to pass there in these days?  And he said unto
them, What things?  And they said unto him,
Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a
prophet mighty in deed and word before God
and all the people."
They then recounted to him the facts of the
trial and crucifixion of their Mlaster, together
with the testimrony of the women in regard to
the removal of his body, the vision of angels
which they had seen, thie news of the resurrection, and the report of those disciples who had
gone to the sepulcher.   "Then  hle said unto
them, 0 fools, and slow of heart to believe all
that the prophets have spoken; ought not Christ
to have suffered these things, and to enter into
his glory?  And beginning at Moses and all the
p)rophets, he expounded unto them in all the
Secriptures the things concerning himself."
The disciples were silent from amazement and
delight. They did not venture to ask the stranger who hle was. They listened to him intently,
charmed by his intelligence, and drawn toward
him by his gracious words and maniner, as he
opened the Scriptures to their understanding,
showing them firom prophecy how Christ must
suffer, and after suffering enter into his glory.
Jesus began with the first book written by
Aloses, and traced down through all the prophets
the inspired proof in regard to his life, his mission, his suffering, death, and resurrection. He
did not deem it necessary to work a miracle to
208 
.; T  AT  ErMAlIHT,.
evidence that he was the risen RPedeemner of the
w7(id; but he went back to the prophecies, and
gave a full and clear explanation of them to settle the question of his identity, and the fact that
all vwhich had occurred to him was foretold by
the inspired writers.  Jesus ever carried the
misnds of his hearers back to the precious mine
of truth found in the Old-Testament Scriptures.
The esteem in which he held those sacred records
is exemplified in the parable of the rich man and
Laz:aus, where he says, "If they hear not Moses
and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded
though one rose from the dead."  The apostles
also all testify to the importance of the OldTestament Scriptures.  Peter says: "For  the
prophecy camne not in old time by the will of
man; but holy men of God spake as they were
moved by the Holy Ghost."  Luke thus speaks
of the prophets who predicted the coming of
Christ: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for
he hath visited and redeemed his people; and
hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the
house of his servant David, as he spake by the
mouth of his hloly prophets, which have been
since the world began."
It is the voice of Christ that speaks through
the prophets and patriarchs, from the days of
Adamr even down to the closing scenes of time.
This truth was not discerned by the Jews who
rejected Jesus, and it is not discerned by many
professing Christians to-day. A beautiful harmony runs through the Old and New Testaments; passages which may seem dark at a first
reading, present clear interpretations when diligently studied, and compared with other script  Great Controversy, Vol. 3.  14
'I), 0 t) 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
ure referring to the same subject. A careful
search of the prophecies would have so enlight ened the understanding of the Jews that they
would have recognized Jesus as the predicted
Messiah.  But they had interpreted those predictions to meet their own perverted ideas and
ambitious aspirations.
The disciples had been confused by the interpretations and traditions of the priests, and
hence their darkness and unbelief in regard to
the trial, death, and resurrection of their Master.
These misinterpreted prophecies were now made
plain to the understanding of the two disciples,
by Him who, through his Holy Spirit, inspired
men to write them. Jesus showed his disciples
that every specification of prophecy regarding
Mlessiah had found an exact fulfillment in the
life and death of their Master. He addressed
them as a stranger, and as one who was astonished that they had not interpreted the Scriptures correctly, which would have relieved them
from all their difficulties.
Although Jesus had previously taught them
in regard to the prophecies, yet they had been
unable to entirely relinquish the idea of the temporal kingdom of Christ at his first coming.
Their preconceived views led them to look upon
his crucifixion as the final destruction of all their
hopes. But when, in the midst of their discouragement, they were shown that the very things
which had caused them to despair formed the
climax of proof that their belief had been correct,
their faith returned with increased strength.
They now comprehended many things which
their Master had said before his trial, and which
they could not at that time understand. Every
210 
JESUS AT E.MMIAUS.
thing was clear and plain to their minds.  In the
life and death of Jesus they saw the fulfillment
of prophecy, and their hearts burned with love
for their Saviour.
Many  professed Christians throw aside the
Old Testament, and shut themselves up to the
New.  The cry now is," Away with the law and
the prophets, and give us the gospel of Christ."
If the life of Christ and the teachings of the NewTestament Scriptures were all that was necessary
to establish belief, why did not Jesus upon this
occasion merely refer to the doctrines he had
taught, the wisdom and purity of his character,
and the miracles he had performed, as sufficient
evidence of his Mlessiahship?
The history of the life, death, and resurrection
of Jesus, as that of the Son of God, cannot be
fully demonstrated without the evidence contained in the Old Testament. Christ is revealed
in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New.
The one testifies of a Saviour to come, while the
other testifies of a Saviour that has come in the
manner predicted by the prophets. In order to
appreciate the plan of redemption, the Scripture of the Old Testament must be thoroughly understood.  It is the glorified light from the prophetic past that brings out the life of Christ and
the teachings of the New Testament with clearness and beauty. The miracles of Jesus are a
proof of his divinity; but the strongest proofs
that he is the world's Redeemer are found in the
prophecies of the Old Testament compared with
the history of the New. Jesus said to the Jews
"Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think
ye have eternal life, and they are they which
testify of me." At that time there was no other
2-11 
TIlE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
scripture in existence save that of the.Old Testament;  so the injunction of the Saviour is
plain.
As the disciples walked on with Jesus, listening intently to his gracious words, nothing in his
bearing suggested to themn that they were listening to other than a casual pilgrim, returning
from the feast, but one who thoroughly understood the prophecies.  He walked as carefully
as they over the rough stones, halting with them
for a little rest after climbing some unusually
steep place. Thus the two disciples made their
way along the mountainous road in company
with the divine Saviour, who could say, "All
p)ower is given unto me in Heaven and on earth."
This mighty conqueror of death, who had
reached to the very depths of human misery to
rescue a lost world, assumed the humble task of
walking with the two disciples to Emmaus, to
teach and comfort them. Thus le ever identifies
himself with his suffering and perplexed people.
In our hardest and most trying paths, lo, Jesus
is with us to smooth the way.  He is the same
Son of man, with the same sympathies and love
which he had before he passed through the tomb
and ascended to his Father.
At length, as the sun was going down, the disciples with their companion arrived at their
home. The way had never before seemed so
short to them, nor ha,d time ever passed so quickly. The stranger nmade no sign of halting; but
t!e disciples could not endure the thought of
parting so soon from one who had inspired their
hearts with new hope and joy, and they urged
him to remain with them over night.  Jesus did
not at once yield to their invitation, but seemed
212 
JESUTS AT EM.MAUS.
disposed to pursue his journey. Thereupon the
disciples, in their affection for the stranger, importuned him earnestly to tarry with them, urging as a reason that "the day was far spent."
Jesus yielded to their entreaties and entered
their humble abode.
The Saviour never forces his presence upon us.
He seeks the company of those whom he knows
need his care, and gives them an opportunity to
urge his continuance with them. If they, with
longing desire, entreat him to abide with them
he will enter the humblest homes, and brighten
the lowliest hearts. While waiting for the evening meal, Jesus continued to open the Scriptures
to his hosts, bringing forward the evidence of his
divinity, and unfolding to them the plan of salvation. The simple fare was soon readv, and the
three took their position at the table, Jesus taking his place at the head as was his custom.
The duty of asking a blessing upon the food
usually devolved upon the head of the family;
but Jesus placed his hands upon the bread and
blessed it. At the first word of his petition the
disciples looked up in amazement.  Surely none
other than their Lord had ever done in this manner. IHis voice strikes upon their ear as the
voice of their Mlaster, and, behold, there are the
wounds  in his hands!  It is indeed the wellknown form of their beloved Mlaster! For a
moment they are spell-bound; then they arise
to fall at his feet and worshipr) him; but he suddenly.disappears fiom their midst.
Now they know that they have been walking
and talking with the risen Redeemer.  Their
eyes had been clouded so that they had not before discerned him, although the truths he uti
213 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
tered had sunk deep in their discouraged hearts.
He who had endured the conflict of the garden,
the shame of the cross, and who had gained the
victory over death and the tomb-He, before
whom angels had fallen prostrate, worshiping
with thanksgiving and praise, had sought the
two lonely and desponding disciples, and been in
their presence for hours, teaching and comforting
them, yet they had not known him.
Jesus did not first reveal himself in his true
character to them, and then open the Scriptures
to their minds; for he knew that they would be
so overjoyed to see him again, risen from the
dead, that their souls would be satisfied. They
would not hunger for the sacred truths which he
wished to indelibly impress upon  their minds,
that they might impart them to others, who
should in their turn spread the precious knowledge, until thousands of people should receive
the light given that day to the despairing disciples as they journeyed to Emmaus.
He maintained his disguise till he had interpreted the Scriptures, and had led them to an intelligent faith in his life, his character, his mission
to earth, and his death and resurrection. He
wished the truth to take firm root in their mlinds,
not because it was supported by his personal
testimony, but because the typical law, and the
prophets of the Old Testament, agreeing with
the facts of his life and death, presented unquestionable evidence of that truth. When the object of his labors with the two disciples  was
gained, he revealed himself to them that their
joy might be full, and then vanished from their
sight.
214 
JESUS AT EMMAUS.
When these disciples left Jerusalem, to return
to their homes, they intended to take up their
old employment again, and conceal their blighted
hopes as best they could. But now their joy exceeded their former despair. "And they said
one to another, Did not our heart burn within
us, while he talked with us by the way, and
while he opened to us the Scriptures?"
They forgot their hunger and fatigue, and left
the prepared repast, for they could not tarry in
their homes and hold their newly found knowledge from the other disciples. They longed to
impart their own joy to their companions, that
they might rejoice together in a living Saviour
risen from the dead. Late as it was, they set
about retracing their way to Jerusalem; but
how different were their feelings now from those
which depressed them when they set out upon
their way to Emmaus. Jesus was by their side,
but they knew it not. He heard with gladness
their expressions of joy and gratitude as they
talked with each other by the way.
They were too happy to notice the difficulties
of the rough, uncertain road. There was no moon
to light them, but their hearts were light with
the joy of a new revelation. They picked their
way over the rough stones, and the dangerous
ledges, sometimes stumbling and falling in their
haste. But not at all disconcerted by this, they
pressed resolutely on. Occasionally they lost
their path in the darkness, and were obliged to
retrace their steps until they found the track,
when they renewed their journey with fresh
speed. They longed to deliver their precious
message to their friends.  Never before had hu
215 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
man lips such tidings to proclaim; for the fact
of Christ's resurrection was to be the great truth
around which all the faith and hope of the church
would center.
CHAPTER XVI.
IN THE UPPER CHAMIBER.
WHEN the disciples arrived at Jerusalem they
entered the eastern gate, which was open on festal
occasions.  The houses were dark and silent, but
they made their way through the narrow streets
by the light of the rising moon. They knew
that they would find their brethren in the niemorable upper chamber where Jesus had sl)enrt the
last night before his death.  Here the disciples
had passed the Sabbath in mouirning, for their
Lord. And now they had no disposition to
sleep, for exciting events were being related
among thenm.  Cautious hands unbarred the (Tool
to the repeated demand of the two travelers;
they entered, and with them also entered Jesus,
who had been their unseen comipanion all the
way.
They found the disciples assembled, and in a
state of excitenment. Hope and faith were struggling for ascendency in their mninds.  The report
of Mary Magdalene, and that of the other womei, had been heard by all; but some were too
hopeless to believe their testimony. Thie evidence of Peter, concerning his interview with the
risen Lord, was borne with great ardor and asstur
'-) 1 6 
1N THE UPPER CHAMSB.ER.
ance, and had more weight with the brethren, and
their faith began to revive. When the disciples
from Ermmaus entered with their joyful tidings,
they were met by the exclanmatlion from many
voices: "The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon."
The two from Emmaus told their story of how
the Lord had opened their eyes, and revealed to
them the strai,ght chain of prophecy which reached
firom the days of the patriarchs to that time, and
foreshadowed all that had transpired regarding
their Saviour.  The company heard this report
in breathless silence.  Some were inspired with
new faith; others were incredulous. Suddenly
Jesus hi)iniself -was in their midst.  His hands
were -raised in blessing, and he said unto them,
"Peace be unto you."
"But they were terrified and afliighlited, and
supposed that they had seen a spirit.  Anrd he
said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why
do -thlioughts arise in your hearts? Behold nay
lIaiids and mnv febet, that it is I myself; handle
me, and see; for a sifirit latlh lot flesh and bones,
as ye se-e me have.  And  when he had thus
s)oken, he showed thenm his hands and his feet."
There they beheld the feet and hands mnarred
by the cruel nails; and they recognized his melodious voice, like none other they had ever heard.
"And while they yet believed not for joy, and
wondered, hlie said unto them, Have ye here any
mieat?  And they gave him a piece of a broiled
fish, apd of an honeycomb. And he took it, and
did eat before them."  Faith and joy now took
the place of doubt and unbelief, and they acknowledged their risen Saviour with feelings
which iio \ords could express.
217 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
Jesus now expounded the Scriptures to the
entire company, commencing with the first book
of Moses, and dwelling particularly on the prophecy pointing to the time then present, and foretelling the sufferings of Christ and his resurrection. "And he said unto them, These are the
words which I spake unto you, while I was yet
with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which
were written in the law of Moses, and in the
prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me.
Then opened he their understanding, that they
might understand the Scriptures. And said unto
them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved
Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the
third day; and that repentance and remission of
sins should be preached in his name among all
nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are
witnesses of these things."
The disciples now began to realize the nature
and extent of their commission. They were to
proclaim to the world the wonderful truths which
Christ had intrusted to them. The events of
his life, his death, and resurrection, the harmony
of prophecy with those events, the sacredness of
the law of God, the mysteries of the plan of salvation, the power of Jesus for the remission of
sins-to all these things were they witnesses,
and it was their work to make them known to
all men, beginning at Jerusalem. They were to
proclaim a gospel of peace and salvation through
repentance and the power of the Saviour. At
the first advent of Jesus to the world, the angel
announced: Peace on earth, and good will to
men. After his earthly life was completed, he
came forth fiom the dead, and, appearing for the
first time to his assembled disciples, addressed
218 
IN THE UPPER CHAMBER.
them with the blessed words, "Peace be unto
you.
Jesus is ever ready to speak peace to souls
that are troubled with doubts and fear. This
p)recious Saviour waits for us to open the door
of our heart to him, and say, Abide with us. He
says, "Bellold, I stand at the door, and knock;
if any man healr my voice, and open the door, I
will come in to him, and will sup with him, and
he with me." Our life is a continual strife; we
must war against principalities and powers,
against spiritual wickedness, and foes that never
sleep; we must resist temptations, and overcome
as Christ overcame.  When the peace of Jesus
enters our heart we are calm and patient under
the severest trials.
The resurrection of Jesus was a sample of
the final resurrection of all who sleep in him.
The risen body of the Saviour, his deportment,
the accents of his speech, were all familiar to his
followers. In like manner will those who sleep)
in Jesus rise again. We shall know our friends
even as the disciples knew Jesus. Though they
may have been deformed, diseased, or disfigured
in this mortal life, yet in their resurrected and
glorified body their individual identity will be
)erfectly preserved, and wve shall recognize, in
the face radiant with the light shining from the
face of Jesus, the lineaments of those we love.
The death of Jesus had left Thomas in blank
despair.  His faith seemed to have gone out in
utter 4arkness.  He was not present in the upper chamber when Jesus appeared to his disciples.  He had heard the reports of the others,
and had received copious proof that Jesus had
risen, but stolid gloom and stubborn unbelief
219 
TIlE GREAT CONrROVERSY.
closed his heart against all cheering testimony.
As he heard the disciples repeat their account of
the wonderful manifestation of the resurrected
Saviour, it only served to plunge him in deeper
despair; for if Jesus had really risen fiom the
dead there could be no farther hope of his literal
earthly kingdom. It also wounded his vanity
to think that his Master would reveal himself to
all his disciples but him; so he was determined
not to believe, and for an entire week he brooded
over his wretchedness, which seemed all the darker as contrasted with  the reviving  hope and
faith of his brethren.
During this time he frequently, when in company with his brethren, reiterated  the  words,
"'Except I shall see in his hands the print of the
nails, and put my finger into the print of the
nails, and thrust my  hand into his side, I will
not believe." He would not see through the
eyes of his brethren, nor exercise faith which
was dependent  upon their testimony.  He ardently loved his Lord, but jealousy and unbelief
took possession of his mind and heart.
The upper chamber was the home of a number of the disciples, and every evening they all
assembled in this place. On a certain evening
Thomas decided to meet with his brethren; for
notwithstanding his unbelief, he cherished a faint
hope, unacknowledged to himself, that the good
news was true. While the disciples were partaking of their usual meal, and meanwhile canvassing the evidences of the truth of their faith
which Christ had given them in the prophecies,
"then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and
stood in the muidst, and said, Peace be unto you."
220 
iN TIHE  UPIPER, CHIA5P,ER..
lTe then reproved the unbelieving who had
cot received the testimony of those who had
seen him, and, turning to Thomas, said, "Reach
hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and
reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my
side; and be not faithless, but believing." These
words showed that he had read the thoughts and
words of Thomas. The doubting disciple knew
that none of his companions had seen Jesus for a
week, and therefore could not have told the
IMamter of his stubborn unbelief He recognized
the person before him as his Lord who had
been crucified; he had no desire for farther
proof; his heart leaped for joy as he realized
that Jesus was indeed risen from the dead.
He cast himself at the feet of his Master in deep
affection and devotion, crying, "M ly Lord and my
God."
Jesus accepted his acknowledgment, but
mildly rebuked him for his unbelief: "Thomas,
because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed;
blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have
believed." Jesus here showed Thomas that his
faith would have been more acceptable to him if
he had believed the evidence of his brethren,
and had not refused to believe until he had seen
Jesus with his own eyes. If the world should
follow this example of Thomas, no one would believe unto salvation; for all who now receive
Christ do so through the testimony of others.
lIany who have a weak and wavering faith,
reason. that if they had the evidence which
Thomas had from his companions they would
not doubt as he did. They do not realize that
they have not only that evidence, but additional
221 
THE GREAT CONTROAERSPY.
testimony piled up about them  on every side.
Many who, like Thomas, wait for all cause of
doubt to be removed, may  never realize their
desire as he did, but gradually become entrenched
in their unbelief, until they cannot perceive the
weight of evidence in favor of Jesus, and, like
the skeptical Jews, what little light they have
will go out in the darkness which closes around
their minds. To reject the plain and conclusive
evidences of divine truth hardens the heart, and
blinds the understanding. The precious light,
being neglected, fades utterly from the mind
that is unwilling to receive it.
Jesus, in his treatment of Thomas, gave his
followers a lesson regarding the manner in which
they should treat those who have doubts upon
religious truth, and who make those doubts
prominent.   He  did not  overwhelm  Thomas
with words of reproach, nor did he enter into a
controversy with him; but, with marked condescension and tenderness, he revealed himself unto
the doubting one.  Thomas  had taken a most
unreasonable position, in dictating the only conditions of his faith; but Jesus, by his generous
love and consideration, broke down all the barriers he had raised. Persistent controversy will
seldom weaken unbelief, but rather put it upon
self-defense, where it will find new support and
excuse. Jesus, revealed in his love and mercy
as the crucified Saviour, will wring from many
once unwilling lips the acknowledgment of
Thomas, "My Lord, and my God."
2'22 
JESUS AT GALILEE.
CHIAPTER XVII.
JESUS AT GALILEE.
THE captives brought up from the graves at
the time of the resurrection of Jesus were his
trophies as a conquering Prince. Thus he attested his victory over death and the grave; thus
he gave a pledge and an earnest of the resurrection of all the righteous dead. Those who were
called from their graves went into the city, and
appeared unto many in their resurrected forms,
and testified that Jesus had indeed risen from
the dead, and that they had risen with him.
The voice that cried, " It is finished," was heard
among the dead. It pierced the walls of sepulchers, and summoned the sleepers to arise. Thus
shall it be when God's voice shall be heard shaking the heavens and earth. That voice will penetrate the graves and unbar the tombs.   A
mighty earthquake will then cause the world to
reel to and fro like a drunkard. Then Christ,
the King of Glory, shall appear, attended by all
the heavenly angels. The trumpet shall sound,
and the Life-giver shall call forth the righteous
dead to immortal life.
It was well known to the priests and rulers
that certain persons who were dead had risen at
the resurrection of Jesus. Authentic reports
were brought to them of different ones who had
seen aqd conversed with these resurrected ones,
and heard their testimony that Jesus, the Prince
of life, whom the priests and rulers had slain, was
risen from the dead. The false report that the
disciples had robbed the sepulcher of the body
223 
TIE, CGIEAT (ONTROVEEASY.
of thle,ir Afater was, so diigentlyv circulated(l that
very many  believed it.  But  the  priests, in
manufacturing their false report, overreached
themselves, and all thinking persons, not blinded
by bigotry, detected the falsehood.
If the soldiers had been asleep, they could not
know how the sepullcher became empty.  If one
sentinel had been  awake, he  would  assm'redly
have wakened others.  If they had really slept,
as they aflirmed they had, the consequence was
well known to all.  The penalty for such neglect
of duty was death, and there could be no hope
of pardon; so the offenders would not be likely
to proclaim their fault.  If the Jewish priests
and rulers had discovered the sentinels asleep at
their post, they would not have passed the mnatter over so lightly, but would have deimanded a
thorough investigation of the matter, and the full
penalty of the law upon the unfaithful soldiers.
Had they had the least faith in the truthfulness
of their statements, they would have called the
disciples to account, and visited upon them the
most unrelenting punishment.   That  they did
not do this was a thorough proof of the innocence of the disciples, and of the fact that the
priests Were driven to the dire necessity of fabrieating and eirculating a lie to meet the evidence
accumulating against them, and establishing the
truth of the resurrection of Jesus, and his claims
as the divine Son of God. The oft-repeated appearance of Jesus to his disciples, and the persons of the dead who were resurrected with him,
also did much to plant the truth in the minds of
those who were willing to believe.
This fabrication of the Jews has a parallel in
our time; the proud persecutors of righteousness
224 
JESUS AT GALILEE.
explend their time, influence, and money to silence
or controvert the evidence of truth; and the
nmost inconsistent measures are taken to accom )lish this object. And there are not wanting
p-)ersons of intelligence who will greedily swallow
the most ridiculous falsehoods because they accord with the sentiments of their hearts. This
reveals the sad fact that God has given them up
to blindness of nlind, and  hardness of heart.
There are innocent persons, who may be deceived
for a time because of the confidence they place
in their deceivers; but if they are teachable, and
really desire a knowledge of the truth, they will
have opportunity to perceive it.  Doubts and
I)erl)]exities will vanish; they will discover the
inconsistencies of their false guides; for error itself bears a constrained testimony for the truth.
The priests and rulers were in continual dread
lest, in walking the streets, or within the privacy
of their own homes, they should meet face  to
face with the resurrected Christ. They felt that
there was no safety for them; bolts and bars
seemed but poor protection against the risen Son
of God.
Before his death Jesus had, in the upper chamber, told his disciples that after he was risen he
would go before them into Galilee; and on the
morning of the resurrection the angel at the
sepulchler had said unto the women, "Go your
way; tell his disciples, and Peter, that he goeth
before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him,
as he said unto you." The disciples were detained
at Jerusalem during the passover week, for their
absence would have been interpreted as disaffection and heresy.  During that time they assem  Great (ontro(vers)y, Vol.  15
225 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
bled together at evening in the upper. chamber,
where some of them had their home; here Jesus
twice revealed himself to them, and bade them
tarry for a time at Jerusalem.
As soon as the passover was finished, the brethren left Jerusalem, and went to Galilee as they
had been directed. Seven of the disciples were
in company; they were clad in the humble garb
of fishermen; they were poor in worldly goods,
but rich in the knowledge and practice of the
truth, which gave them, in the sight of Heaven,
the highest rank as teachers. They had not
been students in the school of the prophets, but
for three years they had taken lessons from the
greatest educator the world has ever known.
Under his tuition they had become elevated, intelligent, and refined, fit mediums through which
the souls of men might be led to a knowledge of
the truth.
Much of the time of the Saviour's ministry
was spent on the shores of Galilee, and there
many of his most wonderful miracles were performed. As the disciples gathered together in
a place where they were not likely to be disturbed, their minds were full of Jesus and his
mighty works. On this sea, when their hearts
were filled with terror, and the fierce storm was
hurrying them on to destruction, Jesus had
walked upon the crested billows to their rescue.
Here the wildest storm was hushed by his voice,
which said to the raging deep, "Peace, be still."
Vithin sight was the beach, where, by a mighty
miracle, he had fed above ten thousand persons
from a few small loaves and fishes. Not far distant was Capernaum, the scene of his most wonderful manifestations, in healing the sick and in
2 -'-) 6 
JESUS AT (ALILEE.
raising the dead. As the disciples looked again
upon Galilee, their minds were full of the words
and deeds of their Saviour.
The evening was pleasant, and Peter, who retained much of his old love for boats and fishing, proposed that they should go out upon
the sea and cast their nets. This proposition
met with the approval of all, for they were poor
and in need of food and clothing, which they
would be able to procure with the proceeds of a
successful night's fishing. So they went out upon
the sea in their boat, to pursue their old employment. But they toiled through the entire night
with no success.  Through the long, weary hours
they talked of their absent Lord, and recalled
the scenes and events of thrilling interest which
had been enacted in that vicinity, and of which
they had been witnesses. They speculated upon
what their own future would be, and grew sad
at the prospect before them.
All the while a lone watcher upon the shore
followed them with his eye, while he himself was
unseen. At length the morning dawned. The
boat was but a little distance from the shore, and
the disciples saw a stranger standing upon the
beach, who accosted them with the question,
"Children, have ye any meat?"  Not recognizing Jesus, they answered, " No."  "And he said
unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the
ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and
now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of afishes."
The disciples were filled with wonder at the
result of their trial; but John now discerned
who the stranger was, and exclaimed to Peter,
"It is the Lord." Joy now took the place of
227 
THE GREAT CONTROVERISY.
disappointment. Peter immediately girt about
him his fisher's coat, and, throwing himself into
the water, was soon standing by the side of his
Lord. The other disciples came in their boat,
dragging the net wvith fishes.  "As soon then as
they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals
there, and fish laid thereon, and bread."
They were too much amazed to question whence
ca.le the fire and the repast. "Jesus saith unto
them, Bring of the fish wliich ye have now
caught."  Peter, obeying the command, rushed
for the net which he had so unceremoniously
dropped, and helped his brethren drag it to the
shore. After the work was all done, and the
preparation made, Jesus bade the disciples come
and dine. He broke the bread and the fish, and
divided it among them, and in so doing he was
known and acknowledged of all the seven. The
miracle of feeding the five thousand upon the
mountain-side was now brought distinctly to
their minds;  but a mysterious awe was upon
them, and they kept silent as they looked upon
their resurrected Saviour.
They remembered that at the commencement
of his ministry a similar scene had been enacted
to that which had just taken place.  Jesus had
then bade them launch out into the deep, and let
down their nets for a draught, and the net had
broken because of the amount of fishes taken.
Then lie had bade them leave their nets and follow him, and he would make them fishers of men.
this last miracle that Jesus had just wrought was
for the purpose of making the former miracle
more impressive; that the disciples might perceive that, notwithstanding they were to be deprived of the personal comnipanionship of their
228 
JESUS AT GALILEE.
AIaster, and of the means of sustenance by the
pursuit of their favorite employment, yet a resurrected Saviour had a care over them, and would
provide foi themn while they were doing his work.
Jesus also had a purpose in bididinig them cast
their net upon the right side of the ship.  On
tlhat side stood Christ upon the shore.  If they
labored in conn.ection with him- lo-is divine power uniting with their human effbrt-they would
not tfail of success.
The repetition of the miraculous draught  of
fishes was a renewal of Christ's commission to
his disciples.  It showed them that the death of
their AMaster did not remove their obligation to
do the work which he had assigned themn.  To
Peter, who had acted on many occasions as representative of the twelve, a special lesson was
given.  The IPart which he had acted on the night
of his Lord's betrayal was so shameful and inconsistet,t with his former assertions of loyalty
and( devotion, that it was necessary for him to
give evidence to all the disciples that he sincerely
rep-ented of his sin before he could resume his
apostolic work.  The Saviour designed to place
him where he could regain the entire confidence
of his brethren, lest, in the time of emergency,
their distrust because of his former failure miglt
cripple his usefulness.
The disciples expected that Peter would no
longer be allowed to occupy the prominent position in the work which he had hitherto held, and
he Ihimslf had lost his customary self-confidence.
But Jesus, while dining by the sea-side, singled.
out Peter, saying, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest
thout  me  more  than these?" referring  to  his
brethren.  Peter had once said, "Though all men
2 2!) 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never
be offended," and had expressed himself ready to
go to prison and to death with his Master.  But
now he puts a true estimate upon himself in the
presence of the disciples: "Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." In this response of Peter
there is no vehement assurance that his affection
is greater than that of his companions; he does
not even express his own opinion of his devotion
to his Saviour, but appeals to that Saviour, who
can read all the motives of the human heart, to
himself judge as to his sincerity,-" Thou knowest that I love thee."
The reply of Jesus was positively favorable to
the repentant disciple, and placed him in a position of trust. It was, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus applied the test to Peter, repeating his former
words: "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?"
This time he did not ask the disciple whether he
loved him better than did his brethren. The second response of Peter was like the first, free from
all extravagant assurance: "Yea, Lord, thou
knowest that I love thee." Jesus said unto him,
"Feed my sheep." Once more the Saviour put
the trying question: "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest
thou me?" Peter was grieved, for he thought
the repetition of this question indicated that Jesus
did not believe his statement. He knew that his
Lord had cause to doubt him, and with an aching
heart he answered,  "Lord, thou  knowest all
things; thou knowest that I love thee." Jesus
Maid to him, "Feed my sheep."
Three times had Peter openly denied his Lord,
and three times did Jesus draw from him the assurance of his love and loyalty, by pressing home
that pointed question, like a barbed arrow, to his
23(-) 
JESUS AT GALILEE.
wounded heart. Jesus, before the assembled disciples, brought out the depth of Peter's penitence,
and showed howthoroughly humbled was the once
boasting disciple. He was now intrusted with
the important commission of caring for the flock
of Christ. Though every other qualification
might be unexceptionable, yet without the love
of Christ he could not be a faithful shepherd over
the Christian flock. Knowledge, eloquence, benevolence, gratitude, and zeal are all aids in the
good work, but without an inflowing of the love
of Jesus in the heart, the work of the Christian
minister is a failure.
Peter was naturally forward and impulsive,
and Satan had taken advantage of these characteristics to lead him astray.  When  Jesus had
opened before his disciples the fact that he must
go to Jerusalem to suffer and die at the hands of
the chief priests and scribes, Petelr had presumptuously contradicted his Master, saying,' Be it far
from thee, Lord; this shall not be unto thee." He
could not conceive it possible that the Son of God
should be put to death. Satan suggested to his
mind that if Jesus was the Son of God he could
not die. Just prior to the fall of Peter, Jesus had
said to himn, "Satan hath desired to have you,
that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed
for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou
art converted, strengthen thy brethren." That
period had now  come, and the transformation
wrought in Peter was evident.  The close, testing
questions of the Lord had not provoked( one forward, self-sufficient reply; and because of his
humiliation and repentance he was better prepared than ever before to fill the office of shepherd to the flock.
I-) 31 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
The lesson which he had received from the chief
Shepherd, in the treatment of his case, was a most
important one to Peter, and also to the other disciples. It taught them to deal with the transgressor with patience, sympathy, and forgiving
love.  During the time in which Peter denied
his Lord, the love which Jesus bore him never
faltered. Just such love should the under-shepherd feel for the sheep and lambs committed to
his care.  Remembering his own weakness and
failure, Peter was to deal with his flock as tenderly as Christ had dealt with him.
Jesus walked alone with Peter, for there was
something which he wished to communicate to
him only. In that memorable upper chamber,
previous to his death, Jesus had said to his disciple, "Whither I go thou canst not follow me
now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards;" Peter
had replied to this: "Lord, why cannot I follow
thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake."
Jesus now, in sympathy for him, and that he
might be strengthened for the final test of his
faith in Christ, opened before him his future. He
told him that after living a life of usefulness,
when age was telling upon his strength, he should
indeed follow his Lord. Said Jesus, "When
thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself and walkedst whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt
be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and
another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither
thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by
hat death he should glorify God."
Jesus here explicitly stated to Peter the fact
and manner of his death; he even referred to the
stretching forth of his hands upon the cross; and
after he had thus spoken he repeated his former
232 
JESUS A''T (ALILEE.
injunction: "Follow me." The disciple wa,a not
disconcerted by the revelation of his Master.  He
felt willing to suffer any death for his Lord.
Peter saw that John was following, and a desire
came over him to know his future, and he "saith
to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till
I come, what is that to thee? follow thou mrie."
Peter should have considered that his Lord would
reveal to him all that it was best for him to know,
without inquiry on his part. It is the duty of
every one to follow Christ, without undue anxiety
as to the duty assigned to others.  In saying of
John, "If I will that he tarry till I come," Jesus
gave no assurance that this disciple should live
until the second coming of Christ; he merely asserted his own supreme power, and that even if
he should will this to be so, it would in no way
affect the work of Peter. The future of both
John and Peter was in the hands of their Lord,
and obedience in following him was the duty required of each.
John lived to be very aged; he witnessed the
fulfillment of the words of Christ in regard to
the desolation of Jerusalem. He saw the stately
temple of the Jews in ruins, and not one stone
left upon another that was not thrown down.
Peter was now an entirely converted man; but
the honor and authority received from Christ
did not give him supremacy over his brethren.
He was venerated, and had much influence in
the church because of the favor of God in forigiving him his apostasy, and intrusting to him the
feeding of his flock, and because he ever remained
one of the closest followers of Christ in his daily
life.
23:", 
TtIE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
CHAPTER XVIII.
MAEETING(  OF  THE  iBRETHREN.
THEN the eleven disciples went away into
Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they
worshiped him; but some doubted." There
were others besides the eleven who assembled on
the mountain-side.  After he had revealed himself to them, certain followers of Jesus were only
partially convinced of his identity with the crucified One.  But none of the eleven had any
doubt upon the subject. They had listened to
his words; revealing the straight chain of prophecy in regard to himself. He had eaten with them,
and shown them his wounded side and his pierced
hands and feet, and they had handled him, so
there was no room for unbelief in their minds.
This meeting at Galilee had been appointed
by the Saviour; the angel from Heaven had annouiinced it to several of the disciples; and Jesus
himself had given them special directions in regard to it, saying, "After I am risen again, I will
go before you into Galilee." The place upon the
mountain-side was selected by Jesus, because of
its accommodation for a large company.  This
meeting was of the utmost importance to the
church, which was soon to be left to carry on
the work without the personal presence of the
Saviour. Jesus here designed to manifest himself to all the brethren that should assemble, in
order that all their doubt and unbelief might be
swept away.
The appointment of Jesus was repeated to
2:34 
RIEETING OF THE BRETHREN.
those who believed on him, while they were
yet lingering at Jerusalem, attending the festal
occasions which followed the passover. The tidings reached many lonely ones who were mourning the death of their Lord;  and they made
their way to the place of meeting by circuitous
routes, coming ill from every direction, that they
might not excite the suspicion of the jealous
Jews.  With the most intense interest they assembled together.  Those who had been favored
with a sight of the resurrected Saviour recounted
to the doubting ones the messages of the angels,
and their interviews with their MAaster.  They
rleasoned  from  scripture, as Jesus had done
with them, showing how every specification of
prophecy relating to the first advent of Christ
had been fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Thus the favored disciples passed from group
to group, encouraging and strengthening  the
faith of their brethren.  Mlany of those assembled heard these commiunications with amazement.  A new train of thought was started in
their mninds regarding the crucified One.   If
what they had just heard was true, then Jesus
was more than a prophet.  No  one could triumplh over death, and burst the fetters of the
tomb, but Messiah.  Their ideas of Messiah and
his mission had been so confused by the false
teachings of the priests that it was necessary for
them to unlearn what had been taught them, in
order to be able to accept the truth, that Christ,
through ignominy, suffering, and death, should
finally take his throne.
With mingled anxiety, fear, and hope, they
waited to see if Jesus would indeed appear to
235 
TiIE  (RE,TA'J' C(ONTP,,O'ERSY.
fulfill his appointment. Thomas recounted to an
eager, listening crowd his former unbelief; and
his refusal to believe unless he saw the wounded
hands, feet, and side of his Lord, and put his
finger in the prints of the nails. He told them
how his doubts were swept away forever by the
sight of his Saviour, bearing the cruel marks of
the crucifixion, and that he wished for no farther
evidence.
While the people were watching and waiting,
suddenly Jesus stood in their midst.  No one
could tell from whence or how he came. The disciples recognized him at once, and hastened to pay
him homage.  Many who were present had never
before seen him, but when they looked upon his
divine countenance, and then upon his wounded
hands and feet, pierced by the nails of the crucifixion, they knew it was the Saviour, and worship)ed him.
But there were some who still doubted; they
could not believe the joyous truth.  "And Jesus
came and spake unto them, saying, All power is
given unto me in Heaven and in earth."  This
assurance of Jesus exceeded all their expectations.  They knew of his power, while he was
one among them, over disease of every type, and
over Satan and his angels; but they could not
at first grasp) the grand reality that all power in
Heaven and on earth had been given to Him who
had walked their streets, and sat at their tables,
and taught in their midst.
.Jesus sought to draw their minds away firom
himself personally, to the importance of his position as the heir of all things, an equal with God
himself; that thro,ugh suffering and conflict he
had gained his great inheritance; the kingdoms of
2 3 (-)' 
MEETING OF THE BRETHREN.
Heaven and of earith.  He wished them  to. unlderstand at once how ample was his authority,
and, as one above all powers and principalities,
he issued the great commission to his chosen discil)les:
"Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, ba1)tizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you; and lo, I am with you alway, even unto
the end of the world.  Amuen."
A wide door was thus thrown open before his
amazed listeners, who had heretofore been taught
the itiost iigid seclusion firom all save their own
nation.  A new and fuller interpretation of the
)rophecies dawned upon their minds; they labored to comprehend the work that was assigned
tlhem. The world regarded Jesus as an impostoi; only a few htunrdreds ranked under his banner, and the faith of these had been fearfully
shaken by the fact of his death, and they had
not been able to settle upon any definite p)lan of
action.  Now  Christ had  revealed himself  to
them in his resurrected form, and had given them
a mission so extensive that, with their limited
views, they could scarcely comprehend it.  It
was difficult for them to realize that the faith
which had bound them  to the side of Jesus
should not only be the religion of the Jews, but
of all nations.
Superstition, tradition, bigotry, and idolatry
ruled the world. The Jews alone claimed to
have a certain knowledge of God, and they were
so exclusive, both socially and religiously, that
they were despised bv evely other people.  The
high, wall of separation which they had raised
237 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
mnade the Jews a little world to themselves, and
they called all other classes heathen and dogs.
But Jesus committed to his disciples the schenie
of making known their religion to all nations,
tongues, and people. It was the most sublime
enterpri)se ever intrusted to man-to preach a
crucified and risen Saviour, and a full and free
salvation to all men, both rich and pool, learned
and ignorant-to teach that Christ came to the
world to pardon the repentant, and to offer them
a love high as heaven, broad as the world, and
enduring as eternity.
They were to teach the observance of all things
whatsoever Jesus had commanded them, and
were to baptize in the name of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost. Jesus was about to
be removed from his disciples; but hlie assured
them that although he should ascend to his Father, his Spirit and influence would be with them
always, and with their sucessors even unto the end
of the world. Christ could not have left his followers a more precious legacy than the assurance that his presence would be with  them
through all the dark and trying hours of life.
When Satan seems ready to destroy the church
of God, and bring his people to confusion, they
should remember that One has promised to be
with them who has said, "All power is given
unto me in Heaven and on earth."
Persecution and reproach have ever been the
lot of the true followers of Christ. The world
h4cd the Master, and it has ever hated his servants; but the Holy Spirit, the Comforter which
Christ sent unto his disciples, cheers and strengthens them to do his work with fidelity during his
personal absence.  The Comforter, the Spirit of
238 
MEETING OF THE BRETHREN.
truth, was to abide with them forever, and Christ
assured them that the union existing between
himself and the Father, now also embraced them.
The understanding of the disciples, which had
been clouded by misinterpretation of the prophecies, was now fully opened by Jesus, who shed a
clear light upon those scriptures referring to himself. He showed them tile true character of his
kingdom; and they now began to see that it
was not the mission of Christ to establish a
temporal power, but that his kingdom of divine
grace was to be manifested in the hearts of his
people, and that only through his humiliation,
suffering, and death, could the kingdom of his
glory finally be established.
The power of death was held by the devil;
but Jesus had removed its stinging despair, by
meeting the enemy upon his own territory and
there conquering, him.  Henceforth death would
be robbed of its terror for the Christian, since
Christ himself had felt its pangs, and risen from
the grave to sit at the right hand of the Father
in Heaven, having all power in Heaven and on
earth. The conflict between Christ and Satan
was determined when the Lord arose fiom the
dead, shaking the prison-house of his enemy to
its foundations, and robbing him of his spoils by
bringing up a company of the sleeping dead, as
a fresh trophy of the victory achieved by the
second Adam. This resurrection was a sample,
and an assurance, of the final resurrection of the
ri ghters dead at Christ's second coming.
Jerusalem had been the scene of Christ's amazing condescension for the human race.  There
had he suffered, been rejected, and condemned.
The land of Judea, of which Jerusalem was the
239 
TIIE CGREAT CONTROVERSY.
metropolis, was his birthplace.  There, clad in
the garb of humanity, he had walked with men,
and few had discerned how near Heaven camne
to earth when Jesus dwelt among them.  It was,
therefore, very appropriate that the work of the
disciples should begin at Jerusalem.  While all
minds were agitated by the thrilling scenes of
the past few weeks, it was a most fitting opportunity for the message to be borne to that city.
As the instruction of Jesus to the apostles was
drawing to a close, and as the hour of his separation firom them approached, he directed their
minds more definitely to the work of the Spirit
of God in fitting them for their mission, Through
thle medium  of a familiar intercourse, he illumninated their minds to understand the sublime
truths which they were to reveal to the world.
But their work was not to be entered upon till
they should know of a surety, by the baptism of
the Holy Ghost, that they were connected with
Heaven.  Thev were promised new courage and
joy from the heavenly illumination they should
then experience, and which would enable them
to comprehend the depth and breadth and fullness of God's love.
After being fitted for their mission by the
descent of the Holy Ghost, the disciples were to
proclaim pardon for sin, and salvation through
repentance, and the merits of a crucified and risen
Saviour, and to reveal the principles of the kingdomn of Christ, beginning at Jerusalem, and fiom
thence extending, their labors throughout Judea,
aild into Samaria, and finally to the uttermost
parts of the earth. Here is a lesson to all who
have a message of truth to give to the world:
Their own hearts must first be imbued with the
240 
MIEETING OF TIHE BRETHREN.
Spirit of God, and their labors should commence
at home; their families should have the benefit
of their influence; and the transforming power
of the Spirit of God should be demonstrated in
their own homes by a well-disciplined family.
Then the circle should widen; the whole neigh borhlood should perceive the interest felt for their
salvation, and the light of truth should be faith fully presented to them; for their salvation is of
as much importance as that of persons at a dis tance. From the immediate neighborhood, and
adjoining cities and towns, the circle of the labors
of God's servants should widen, till the message
of truth is given to the uttermost parts of the
earth.
This was the order which Christ instituted for
the labors of his disciples; but it is frequently
reversed by the evangelical workers of this time.
They neglect the inner circle; it is not felt to be
a necessity that the quickening influence of the
Spirit of God should first operate upon their own
hearts, and sanctify and ennoble their lives. The
simplest duties, lying directly in their path, are
neglected for some wider and more distant field,
where their labors are frequently expended in
vain. Whereas in a field easier of access they
would have labored with success, and encountered
fewer trials, gaining influence and new courage
as the way opened and broadened before them.
The apostles might have entreated the Lord
that, in view of the unappreciated efforts which
had beep put forth in Jerusalem, and the insult
and cruel death to which Christ had been subjected, they might be permitted to seek some
more promising field, where they would find
Great Controversy, Vol. 3.  16
241 
THIE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
hearts more ready to hear and receive their message. But no such plea was made. Jesus was
the sole director of the work. The very ground
where the greatest of all teachers had scattered
the seeds of truth, was to be thoroughly cultivated by the apostles until those seeds should
spring up and yield an abundant harvest. In
their labors the disciples were to endure the hatred, oppression, and jealousy of the Jews; but
this had been experienced by their Master before
them, and they were not to fly from it.
Before his death, Jesus had said to his disciples, while comforting them in view of his approaching humiliation and death, "Peace I leave
with you; my peace I give unto you." Now, after the conflict and the victcory, after triumphing
over death, and receiving his reward, in a more
emphatic manner he bestowed upon them that
peace which passeth all understanding. lie
qualified them to enter upon the work which he
had commenced. As he had been sent by his
Father, so he sent forth the disciples. He
breathed upon them, and said, "Receive ye the
Holy Ghost."
The apostles were not sent forth to be witnesses for Christ until they had received that
spiritual endowment necessary to fit them for
the execution of their great commission. All
professions of Christianity are but lifeless expressions of faith until Jesus imbues the believer with his spiritual life, which is the Holy
Ghost. The evangelist is not prepared to teach
the truth, and to be the representative of Christ,
till he has received this heavenly gift.
Men in responsible positions, who are proclaiming the truth of God in the name of Jesus
242 
MTEETING OF THE BRETHREN.
witlhouti the spiritual energy given by the quickening power of God, are doing an unreal work,
and cannot be certain whether success or defeat
will attend their labors.  Mlany forget that religion and duty are not dreary sentimentalisms,
but earnest action. It is not the great services
and lofty aspirations which receive the approval
of God, but the love and consecration through
which the service is perfoirned, be it great or little.  Storms of opposition and rebutis are God's
l)providences to drive us under the shelter of his
wing. When the cloud envelops us, his voice
is heard: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I
give unto you; not as the world givcth, give I
unto you." 
The act of Christ in breathing upon his disciples the Holy Ghost, and in imparting his peace
to them, was as a few  drops before the plentiful
shower to be given on the day c,f Pentecost. Jesus impressed this fact upon his disciples, that as
they should proceed in the work intrusted to
them, they would the more fully comprehend the
nature of that work, and the manner in which
the kingdom of Christ was to be set up on earth.
They were appointed to be witnesses for the Saviour; they were to testify what they had seen
and heard of his resurrection; they were to repeat the gracious words which proceeded from
his lips. They were acquainted with his holy
character; he was as an angel standing in the
sun, yet casting no shadow. It was the sacred
work of the apostles to present the spotless
character of Christ to men, as the standard for
their lives. The disciples had been so intimately
associated with this Pattern of holiness that they
were in some degree assimilated to him in char
24"4 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
acter, and were specially fitted to make known
to the world his precepts and example.
The more that the minister of Christ associates with his Master, through contemplation of
his life and character, the more closely will he
resemble him, and the better qualified will he be
to teach his truths. Every feature in the life of
the great Example should be Studied with care,
and close converse should be held with him
through the prayer of living faith. Thus will
the defective human character be transformed
into the image of his glorious character. Thus
will the teacher of the truth be prepared to lead
souls to Christ.
Jesus, in giving the disciples their first commission, had said, "I will give unto thee the
keys of the kingdom of Heaven, and whatsoever
thou [referring to responsible men who should
represent his church] shalt bind upon earth shall
be bound in Heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt
loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven." In
renewing the commission of those to whom he
had imparted the Holy Ghost, he said, "Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto
them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are
retained." These words conveyed to the disciples a sense of the sacredness of their work, and
its tremendous results. Imbued with the Spirit of
God, they were to go forth preaching the merits
of a sin-pardoning Saviour; and they had the
assurance that all Heaven was interested in
their labors, and that what they did on earth, in
the spirit and power of Christ, should be ratified
in Heaven.
Jesus did not, by this assurance, give the apostles or their successors power to forgive sins, as
244 
MEETING OF THE BRETHREN.
his representatives. The Roman Catholic Church
directs its people to confess the secrets of their
lives to the priest, and from him, acting in the place
of Christ, to receive absolution fi'om their sins.
The Saviour taught that his is the only name
given under Heaven whereby men shall be saved.
Jesus, however, delegated to his church upon
earth, in her organized capacity, the power to
censure and to remove censure according to the
rules prescribed by inspiration; but these acts
were only to be done by men of good repute,
who were consecrated by the great Head of the
church, and who showed by their lives that they
were earnestly seeking to follow the guidance of
the Spirit of God.
No man was to exercise an arbitrary power
over another man's conscience. Christ gave no
ecclesiastical right to forgive sin, nor to sell indulgences, that men may sin without incurring
the displeasure of God, nor did he give his servants liberty to accept a.gift or bribe for cloaking
sin, that it may escape merited censure. Jesus
charged his disciples to preach the remission of sin
it  his name among all nations; but they themselves were not empowered to remove one stain of
sin from the children of Adam. Nor were they
to execute judgment  against the guilty;  the
wrath of an offended God was to be proclaimed
against the sinner; but the power which the
Roman Church assumes to visit that wrath upon
the offender is not established by any direction
of Chrst; he himself will execute the sentence
pronounced against the impenitent. Whoever
would attract the people to himself as one in
whom is invested power to forgive sins, incurs
the wrath of God, for he turns souls away from
245 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
the heavenly Pardoner to a weak and erring
mortal.
Jesus showed his disciples that only as they
should partake of his Spirit, and be assimilated
to his mercifuil character, would they be endowed
with spiritual discernment and miraculous power.
All their strength and wisdom must come from
him. When dealing with obstinately offending
members, the holy men of the church were to follow the directions laid down by Christ; this, the
only course of safety for the church, has been
traced step by step by the apostles with the pen
of inspiration.
When the church takes up the case of an offender, the prayer of faith will bring Christ into
the midst as an all-wise counselor. Mlen are in
danger of being controlled by prejudice or the
reports and opinions of others. Their own unsanctified judgment may balance their decisions.
Therefore, where important decisions are to be
made in reference to individuals in the church,
the judgment of one man, however wise and experienced he may be, is not to be regarded as
sufficient to act upon.
Jesus has said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my  name, there am  I in the
midst."  With Christ to preside over the council
of the church, how cautiously should each man
speak and act.  Prayer should be offered for the
erring, and everv means be used to restore him
to the favor of God and the church; but if the
voice of the church is disregarded, and his individutal will is set up above it, then the offender
must be promptly dealt with, and the decision of
the brethren, mrade wit) prayer  and faith, and
acc,,(li1ri~  to t  the w\isd'n (ivCen tlihem of G(od, is
ratified by Heaven,
246 
MEETING OF THIE BRETHREN.
The repentance of the sinner is to be accepted
by the church with grateful hearts. The church
is empowered to absolve sins only in the sense
of assuring the repenting sinner of the forgiving
mercy of the Saviour, and in leading him out
from the darkness of unbelief and guilt, to the
light of faith and righteousness. It may place
his trembling hand in the loving hand of Jesus.
Such a remission is ratified by Heaven. The directions of the apostles in regard to condemnation
or acquittal in case of church trials are to remain
valid till the end of time. And the promise of
Christ's presence in answer to prayer should
comfort and encourage his church to-day as much
as it comforted and encouraged the apostles whom
Christ directly addressed. Those who despise
the authority of the church despise the authority of Christ himself.
Notwithstanding the refusal of Heaven's best
gift by Jerusalem, the work of the apostles was
to commence there. The first overtures of mercy
were to be made to the murderers of the Son of
God. There were also many there who had secretly believed on Jesus, and many who had
been deceived by the priests and rulers, but were
ready to accept him, if it could be proven that
he was indeed the Christ. The apostles, as eyewitnesses, were to testify of Jesus and his resurrection. They were to open to the people the
prophecies relating to him, and to show how perfectly they had been fulfilled. They were to
bring before the people the most convincing evidence of the truths which they taught, and they
were to proclaim the joyful tidings of salvation
to the world.
As all minds were interested in the history
247 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
and mission of Jesus, because of the events
which had just transpired at Jerusalem, this was
a time when the preaching of his gospel would
make the most decided impression upon the public mind. At the commencement of their work
the disciples were to receive a marvelous power.
Their testimony of Christ was to be confirmed
by signs and wonders, and the performance of
miracles by the apostles, and those who received
their message.  Said Jesus, "They shall cast out
devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they
shall take up serpents, [as in the case of Paul]
and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not
hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and
they shall recover."
At that time, poisoning was practiced to quite
an extent. Unscrupulous men did not hesitate
to remove by this means those who stood in the
way of their ambition. Jesus knew that his
apostles would be subject to this danger, if not
specially protected firom it. He knew that there
would be many who would be so deluded as to
think it would be doing God service to put these
witnesses to death by any means. He therefore
guarded them against this insidious evil. Thus
the Lord assured his servants that they were not
to labor in their own strength, but in the strength
of the Holy Ghost.   Though  the disciples received their commission to preach the gospel to
all nations, they did not at the timne comprehend
the vast extent, and wonderful character of the
work that was before them-a work that was to
descend to their successors, and to be carried on
to the end of time.
248 
ASCENSION OF CHRIST.
CHAPTER XIX.
ASCENSION OF CHRIST.
AFTER the meeting of Jesus with the brethren,
at Galilee, the disciples returned to Jeruisa.lenm;
and while the eleven were gathered together in
the city Jesus met with them, and again led their
minds out into the prophecies concerning himself. He deeply impressed upon their understanding the necessity of thoroughly studying
the ancient prophecies regarding Messiah, and of
comparing them with the facts of his life, death,
and resurrection, in order to establish their fulfillment in himself. They were to diligently
trace link after link of sacred truth revealed by
the prophets, in types and figures representing
the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
He lifted the vail from their understanding,
concerning the typical system of the Jews, and
they now saw clearly the meaning of the forms
and symbols which were virtually abolished by
the death of Christ.
The Saviour of the world, as a divine Conqueror, was about to ascend to his Father's
throne. He selected the MAlount of Olives as the
scene of this last display of his glory. Accompanied by the eleven, he made his way to the
mountain. The disciples were not aware that
this was to be their last season with their Master. Mle employed the time in sacred converse
with them, reiterating his former instructions.
As they passed through the gates of Jerusalem,
many wondering eyes looked upon the little
company, led by one whomi a few weeks before
249 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
the priests and rulers had condemned and crucified.
They crossed the Kedron, and approached
Gethsemane. Here Jesus paused, that his disciples might call to mind the lessons he had given
themr while on his way to the garden on the
night of his great agony.  He looked again upon
the vine which he had then used as a symbol to
represent the union of his church with himself
and his Father; and he refreshed the memory of
his followers by repeating the impressive truths
which he had then illustrated to them. Reminders of the unrequited love of Jesus were all
around him; even the disciples walking by his
side, who were so dear to his heart, had, in the
hour of his humiliation, when he most needed
their sympathy and comfort, reproached and forsaken him.
Christ had sojourned in the world for thirtythree years; he had endured its scorn, insult, and
mockery; he had been rejected and crucified.
Now, when about to ascend to his throne of
glory-as he reviews the ingratitude of the peo11le he came to save-will he not withdraw his
sympathy and love from them? Will not his
affections be centered on that world where he is
appreciated, and where sinless angels adore him,
and wait to do his bidding?  No; his promise
to those loved ones whom he leaves on earth is
"Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of
the world." Befbre his conflict, he had prayed
the Father that they might not be taken out of
the world, but should be kept from the evil which
is in the world.
At length the little company reach the AMount of
()lives.  This p)lace had been peculiarly hallowed
250 
ASCENSION OF CHRIST.
by the presence of Jesus while he bore the nature of
man. It was consecrated by his prayers and tears.
When he had ridden into Jerusalem, just prior
to his trial, the steeps of Olivet had echoed the
j,-)yous shouts of the triumphant multitude. On
its sloping descent was Bethany, where he had
often found repose at the house of Lazarus.  At
the foot of the mount was the garden of Gethsemane, where he had agonized alode, and moistened the scd with his blood.
Jesus led the way across the summit, to the vicinity of Bethany. He then paused, and they
all gathered about him.  Beams of light seemed
to iradiate from his countenance, as he looked
with deep love upon his disciples.  He upbraided
them not for their faults and failures; but words
of unutterable tenderness were the last which
fell upon their ears friom the lips of their Lord.
With hands outstretched in blessing them, and
as if in assurance of his protecting care, he slowly
ascended from among them, drawn heavenward
by a )ower stronger than any earthly attraction.
As hlie passed upward, the awe-struck disciples
looked with straining eyes for the last glimpse of
their ascending Lord. A cloud of glory received
him out of their sight, and at the same moment
there floated down to their charmed senses the
sweetest and most joyous music from the angel
choir.
While their gaze was still riveted upward, voices
addressed them  which sounded like the music
which.had just charmed them.  They turned,
and saw two beings in the form of men; yet
their heavenly chlaracter was immnediately dis(erned by the discile), wl,o, t they addressed(l in
,',,~lrtin~ atl ceits, 5saying, "Ye ii(Hn of Ga,lilee,
251 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
why stand ye gazing up into heaven?. this same
Jesus, which is taken up from you into Heaven,
shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him
go into Heaven." These angels were of the company that had been waiting in a shining cloud
to escort Jesus to his throne; and in sympathy
and love for those whom the Saviour had left,
they came to remove all uncertainty from their
minds, and to give them the assurance that he
would come to earth again.
All Heaven was waiting to welcome the Saviour to the celestial courts. As he ascended he
led the way, and the multitude of captives whom
he had raised from the dead at the time when he
came forth from the tomb, followed him. The
heavenly host, with songs of joy and triumph,
escorted him upward. At the portals of the city
of God an innumerable company of angels awaited
his coming. As they approached the gates of
the city, the angels who were escorting the Majesty of Heaven, in triumphant tones addressed the
company at the portals: "Lift up your heads,
O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting
doors, and the King, of Glory shall come in!"
The waiting angels at the gates of the city inquire in rapturous strains, "Who is this King of
Glory?" The escorting angels joyously reply
in songs of triumph, "The Lord, strong and
mighty! The Lord, mighty in battle! Lift up
your heads, 0 ye gates, even lift them up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come
in " Again the waiting angels ask, "Who is
tlis King of Glory?" and the escorting angels
respond in melodious strains, "The Lord of hosts!
He is the King of Glory!" Then the portals of
the city of God arc widely opened, and the heav
252 
ASCENSION OF CHRIST.
enly train pass in amid a burst of angelic music.
All the heavenly host surround their majestic
Commander as he takes his position upon the
throne of the Father.
With the deepest adoration and joy, the hosts
of angels bow before him, while the glad shout.
rings through the courts of Heaven: "Worthy is
the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and
riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and
glory, and blessing!"  Songs of triumph mingle
with music from angelic harps, till Heaven seems
to overflow with delightful harmony, and inconceivable joy and praise. The Son of God has
triumphed over the prince of darkness, and conquered death and the grave. Heaven rings with
voices in lofty strains proclaiming: "Blessing,
and honor, and glory, and power be unto Him
that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb
forever and ever!"
He is seated by the side of his Father on his
throne. The Saviour presents the captives he
has rescued from the bonds of death, at the price
of his own life. His hands place immortal crowns
upon their brows; for they are the representatives, and samples, of those who shall be redeemed, by the blood of Christ, from all nations,
tongues, and people, and come forth from the
dead, when he shall call the just from their graves
at his second coming. Then shall they see the
marks of Calvary in the glorified body of the
Son of God. Their greatest joy will be found in
the presence of Him who sitteth on the throne;
and the enraptured saints will exclaim, My Beloved is mine, and I am his! He is the chief
among ten thousand, and altogether lovely!
The disciples returned to Jerusalem, not mourn
253 
TItE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
ing, but lull of joy. \When last they looked upon
their Lord, his countenance shone with heavenly
brightness, and he smiled lovingly upon them.
Those hands that had so often been stretched
forth in the act of blessing the sick and the afflicted, and in rebuking  demons-those hands
which had been bruised by the cruel nails, were
mercifully extended, as though in the disciples
they embraced the whole world, and called down
a blessing upon all the followers of Christ.
Beams of light seemed to emanate fiom  those
dear hands and to fall upon the watching, waiting
ones.
The most precious fact to the disciples in the
ascension of Jesus was that he went from them
into Heaven in the tangible form of their divine
Teacher. The very same Jesus, who had walked,
and talked, and prayed with them; who had
broken br(ad with them; who had been with
them in their boats on the lake; who had sought
retirement with them in the groves; and who had
that very day toiled with them up the steep ascent of Olivet,-had ascended to Heaven in the
form of humanity. And the heavenly messengers had assured them that the very same Jesus
whom they had seen go up into Heaven, should
come again in like manner as he had ascended.
This assurance has ever been, and will be till the
close of time, the hope and joy of all true lovers
of Christ.
The disciples not only saw the Lord ascend, but
they had the testimony of the angels that he had
gtne to occupy his Father's throne in Heaven.
The last remembrance that the disciples were to
have of their Lord was as the sympathizing
Fritnd, the glorified Redeemrer.  Moses veiled his
2.,-) 4 
ASCENSION OF CHRIIST.
face to hide the glory of the law which was reflected upon it, and the glory of Christ's ascension was veiled from human sight. The brightness of the heavenly escort, and the opening of
the glorious gates of God to welcome him, were
not to be discerned by mortal eyes.
Had the track of Christ to Heaven been revealed to the disciples in all its inexpressible
glory, they could not have endured the sight.
Had they beheld the myriads of angels, and
heard the bursts of triumph from the battlements
of Heaven, as the everlasting doors were lifted
up, ihe contrast between that glory and their
own lives in a world of trial, would have been
so great that they would hardly have been able
to again take up the burden of their earthly
lives, priepared to execute with courage  and
faithfulness the commission given them by the
Saviour.  Even the Comforter, the Holy Ghost
which was sent to them, would not have been
properly appreciated, nor would it have strengthened their hearts sufficiently to bear reproach,
contumely, imprisonment, and death if need be.
Their senses were not to become so infatuated
with the glories of Heaven that they would lose
sight of the character of Christ on earth, which
they were to copy in themselves. They were
to keep distinctly before their minds the beauty
and majesty of his life, the perfect harmony (of
all his attributes, and the mysterious union of
the divine and humnan in his nature. It was
better that the earth-ly acquaintance of th)e disciples'with their Saviour should end in the solemn, quiet, and sublime manner in which it did.
His visible ascent from the world was in harmony
with the meekness and quiet of his life.
2 5'-i 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
The disciples returned to Jerusalem rejoicing,
not that they were deprived of their Master and
Teaches; for this was to them a cause for personal
mourning rather than joy.  But Jesus  had assured them that he would send the Comforter, as
an equivalent for his visible presence. He had
said, "if ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I
said, I go unto the Father."  They rejoiced because Jesus had wrought out salvation for man;
he had answered the claims of the law, and had
become a perfect ofiering for man; he had ascended
to Heaven to carry forward the work of atonement begun on earth. He was the Advocate of
man, his Intercessor with the Father.
Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem; who worked with his earthly father at the carpenter's
trade; who sat in weariness by Jacob's well; who
slept in weariness in Peter's fishing-boat; who
hungered and thirsted; who took little children in
his arms and blessed them; who was rejected,
scourged, and criucified,-ascended in the iorm of
a man to Heaven, and took his place at the right
hand of God. Having felt our infirmities, our
sorrows, and temptations, he is amply fitted to
plead for man as his representative. Jesus, when
upon earth, was the most perfect type of man;
and it is the Christian's joy and comfort that
this patient, loving Saviour is to be his King
and Judge; for " the Father judgeth no man,
but hath committed all judgment unto the Son."
We are not inclined to associate kingly glory
and judicial authority with the self-denial, pati'ence, love, and forgiveness shown in the life of
Christ; yet these attributes qualified the Saviour
for his exalted position.  Tihe qualities of cliaI'acter which he developed on earth constitute his
256 
ASCENSION OF CHRIST.
exaltation in glory. His triumphs were gained
by love, not by force. In coming to Christ the
sinner consents to be elevated to the noblest ideal
of man.
"Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the
world?" The attributes which exalted Christ,
if obtained by his followers, will place the scepter in their hands, and they shall be kings and
priests with God. Christ pledged himself to
keep the law which Adam transgressed, and to
magnify that law and make it honorable by demonstrating that it was not arbitrary, and could
be kept inviolate by man. Christ showed by his
life that the law of God is faultless, and that
man, by disobeying it, brings upon himself the
evils which its restrictions seek to avert from
him.
When the disciples returned to Jerusalem
alone, people looked at them, expecting to see in
their faces expressions of sorrow, confusion, and
defeat; but they saw there gladness and triumph.
They did not wail over disappointed hopes, but
were continually in the temple, praising and
blessing God. The priests and rulers were at a
loss to understand this mystery. After the discouraging events connected with the trial, condemnation, and ignominious death of their Master, the disciples were supposed to be defeated
and ashamed; but they now came forth with
buoyant spirits, and countenances beaming with
a joy not born of earth.
They told the wonderful story of Christ's glorious resurrection, and ascension to Heaven, and
many believed their testimony. The disciples
had no longer a vague distrust of the future;
Great Controversy, Vol. 3.  17*
257 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
they knew that Jesus was in Heaven; that his
sympathies were unchanged; that he was identifying himself with suffering humanity, receiving the prayers of his people; that he was
pleading with God the merits of his own precious blood, showing his wounded hands  and
feet, as a remembrance of the price he had paid
for his redeemed. They knew that he would
come again escorted by the heavenly host, and
they looked upon this event, not as a dreaded
calamity, but as an occasion for great joy and
longing anticipation. They knew that he would
stand again upon the Mount of Olives, while the
Hebrew hallelujahs should mningle with Gentile
hosannas, and myriads of voices should unite in
the glad acclamation of "Crown him  Lord of
all! " They knew that he had ascended to
Heaven to prepare mansions for his obedient
children, and that he would return and take them
unto himself.
With joy the disciples related to their brethren the news of their Lord's ascension. They
now felt that they had a Friend at the throne of
God, and were eager to prefer their requests to
the Father in the name of Jesus. They gathered together in solemn awe and bowed in prayer,
repeating to each other the assurance of the Saviour, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my
name he will give it you.  Hitherto have ye asked
nothing in my name; ask, and ye shall receive,
that your joy may be full." During the ten days
following the ascension, they, with one accord,
devoted the time to prayer and praise, waiting
for the descent of the Holy Ghost. They extended the hand of faith higher and higher, with
the mighty argument, "It is Christ that died,
2.5 8 
ASCENSION  OF CHR1IST.
yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at thfie
right hand of God, who also nmaketh intercession
for us."
"Great is the mystery of godliness: God was
manifest in the filsh, justified in the Spirit, seen
of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed
on in the world, received up into glory." The
Saviour came into the world, outwardly the son
of I)David, not manifesting the full significance
of his character. His spirit was subject to that
discipline and experience through which humanity must in some measure pass. His divinity
was veiled beneath humanity. He hid within
himself those all-powerful attributes which belonged to him as one equal with God. At times
his divine character flashed forth with such wonderful power that all who were capable of discerning spiritual things pronounced him the Son
of God.
Christ exiled himself to the world that he
might bring heavenly light within the reach of
humanity. The Jews did not comprehend the
twofold character of Christ; and as he did not
assume temporal, kingly power, and establish his
reign on David's throne, bringing into subjection
every foreign authority, the Jewish dignitaries
refused to accept him.  They could not connect
man's suffering, grief, and poverty with their idea
of the Messiah. Yet this was the only Saviour
the Word of God through his prophets had ever
predicted.
The Jews utterly failed to understand the spir —
itual connection which identified Christ with both
the human and the divine, and gave fallen man
a presentation of what he should strive to be —
come. Christ was God in the flesh. As the son
259, 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
of David, lhe stood forth a perfect type of true
manhood, bold in doing his duty, and of the
strictest integrity, yet full of love, compassion,
and tender sympathy. In his miracles he r,.vealed himself as Lord. When he was asked by
Philip to show him the Father, he answered,
"Have I been so long time with you, and yet
hast thou not known me, Philip? Hle that hath
seen me, hath seen the Father."
The Jews were continually seeking for and
expecting a Divinity among them that would be
revealed in outward show, and by one flash of overmastering will would change the current of all
minds, force from them an acknowledgment of
his superiority, elevate himself, and gratify the
ambition of his people. This being the case,
when Christ was treated with contempt, there
was a powerful temptation before him to reveal
his heavenly character, and to compel his persecutors to admit that he was Lord above kings
and potentates, priests and temple. But it was
his difficult task to maintain the level of humanity
In the intercessory prayer of Jesus with his
Father, he claimed that he had fulfilled the conditions which made it obligatory upon the Father
to fulfill his part of the contract made in Heaven,
with regard to fallen man.  He prayed: "I have
finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
[That is, he had wrought out a righteous character on earth as an example for men to follow.]
knd now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine
own self, with the glory which I had with thee
before the world was." In this prayer he farther goes on to state what is comprehended by
the work which he has accomplished, and which
260 
ASCENSION OF CHRIST.
has given him all those who believe on his name.
He values this recompense so highly that he
forgets the anguish it has cost him to redeem
fallen man. He declares himself glorified in
those who believe on him. The church, in his
name, is to carry to glorious perfection the work
which he has commenced; and when that church
shall be finally ransomed in the Paradise'of God,
he will look upon the travail of his soul and be
satisfied. Through all eternity the ransomed
host will be his chief glory.
Jesus, the Majesty of Heaven, humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross; "wherefore God also hath
highly exalted him, and given him a name which
is above every name." This mighty Saviour has
promised to come again, and to take his church
to the mansions he has prepared for them.
While he is in Heaven carrying on the work of
intercession and atonement commenced on earth,
his life and character are to be exemplified by
his church upon earth.  He has promised that,
"He that believeth on me the works that I
do shall he do also; and greater works than
theso shall he do, because I go unto my Father." And again, "Hitherto have ye asked
nothing in my name." "Whatsoever ye shall
ask the Father in my name, he will give it
you."
He who considered it not robbery to be equal
with God, once trod the earth, bearing our suffering aind sorrowing nature, and tempted in all
points like as we are; and now he appears in
the presence of God as our great High Priest,
ready to accept the repentance, and to answer
the prayers of his people, and, through the merits
?, 6 1 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
of his own righteousness, to present them to the
Father.  He raises his wounded hands to God,
.and claims their blood-boii,ght pardon. I have
graven them on the palms of my hands, he
pleads. Those memorial wounds of my humiliation and anguish secure to my church the best
gifts of Omnipotence.
What a source of joy to the disciples, to know
that they had such a Friend in Heaven to plead
in their behalf! Through the visible ascension
of Christ all their views and contemplation of
Heaven are changed Their minds hadi formerly
dwelt upon it as a region of unlimited space, tenanted by spirits without substance. Now Heaven
was connected with the thought of Jesus, whom
they had loved and reverenced above all others,
with whom they had conversed and journeyed,
whom they had handled, even in his resurrected
body, who had spoken hope and comfort to their
hearts, and who, while the words were upon his
lips, had been taken up before their eyes, the
tones of his voice coming back to them as the
cloudy chariot of angels received him: "Lo, I
am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world."
Heaven could no longer appear to them as an
indefinite, incomprehensible space, filled with
-intangible spirits. They now looked upon it as
their future home, where mansions were being
prepared for them by their loving Redeemer.
Prayer was clothed with a new interest, since it
ws  a communion  with  their Saviour.  With
new and thrilling emotions and a firm confidence
that their prayer would be answered, they gathered in the upper chamber to offer their petitions, and to claim the promise of the Saviour,
25A2 
TIIE P'ENTECOSrT.
who had said, "Ask, and ye shall receive, that
your joy may be full." They prayed in the
name of Jesus.
They had a gospel to preach-Christ in human form, a man of sorrows; Christ in humiliation, taken by wicked hands and crucified;
Christ resurrected, and ascended to Heaven, into
the presence of God, to be man's Advocate; Christ
to come again with power and great glory in the
clouds of heaven, and to receive the obedient
and loyal to himself.
The apostles went forth with courage and hope,
to do their Ai[aster's work with fidelity.  They
knew that the most acceptable way of waiting
for Christ was to work for him. It was theirs
to direct others to the coming Lord, and to teach
them to wait patiently for his appearing. This
work was given to every disciple of Christ.
.
CHAPTER XX.
TIlE PENTECOST.
WHEN Jesus opened the understanding of the
disciples to the meaning of the prophecies concerning himself, he assured them that all power
was given him in Heaven and on earth, and
bade them go preach the gospel to every creature.
The disciples, with a sudden revival (of their old
hope that Jesus would take his place upon the
throne of David at Jerusalem, inquired, "Wilt
thou at this time restore again the kingdom to
Israel?"  The Savicur threw an uncertainty over
2 i)') 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
their minds in regard to the subject by replying
that it was not for them "to know the times or
the seasons, which the Father hath put in his
own power."
The disciples began to hope that the wonderful descent of the Holy Ghost would influence
the Jewish people to accept Jesus. The Saviour
forbore to farther explain, for he knew that
when the Holy Spirit should come upon them in
full measure their minds would be illuminated
and they would fully understand the work before them, and take it up just where he had
left it.
The disciples assembled in the upper chamber,
uniting in supplications with the believing women, with Mary the mother of Jesus, and with
his brethren. These brethren, who had been
unbelieving, were now fully established in their
faith by the scenes atending the crucifixion,
and by the resurrection and- ascension of the
Lord. The number assembled was about one
hundred and twenty. While they were awaiting
the descent of the Holy Ghost, they supplied the
office left vacant by Judas. Two men were
selected, who, in the careful judgment of the
believers, were best qualified for the place.
But the disciples, distrusting their ability to decide the question farther, referred it to One
that knew all hearts. They sought the Lord in
prayer to ascertain which of the two men was
more suitable for the important position of
trust, as an apostle of Christ. The Spirit of God
selected Mlatthias for the office.
Both men who had been selected were considered to be persons of stern integrity, and in every
way worthy of the vacant position; but notwith
264 
THE PENTECOST.
standing the disciples were intimately acquainted
with them, they felt that their own judgment
was imperfect, and trusted the selection only to
the Lord, whose eyes could read the hidden secrets of the heart. There is a lesson for our
time in this occurrence. Many who are apparently well qualified to labor for God, are urged
into the ministry, without a proper consideration
of their case, and at length become a grievous
burden to the church instead of burden-bearers.
If the church of the present time would act as
cautiously and wisely as did the apostles in filling the vacancy among them, much perplexity
and serious injury might be saved the cause of
God. The work has often suffered much by putting persons forward to do that which they were
not capable of doing.
After filling the vacancy in the apostolic number, the disciples gave their time to meditation
and prayer, being often in the temple, testifying
of Christ, and praising God. The Pentecost was
a feast celebrated seven weeks after the passover. Upon these occasions the Jews were required to repair to the temple and to present the
first-fruits of all the harvest, thus acknowledging
their dependence on the great Giver of all good,
and their obligation to render back to God, in
gifts and  offerings to sustain his cause, that
which he had intrusted to them. On this day
of divine appointment, the Lord graciously
poured out his Spirit on the little company of
believers, who were the first-fruits of the Christian church.
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully
come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven
265 
Tirll" (REAT  CON-'rRo)VFRVY.
as of a lushing mighty wind, and it. filled all
the house where they were sitting. And there
appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of
fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they
were all filled with the Holy Ghost', and began
to speak with other tongue<, as the Spirit gave
them utterance." The Holy Ghost assuming the
form of tongues of fire divided at the tips, and
resting upon those assembled, was an emblem of
the gift which was bestowed upon them of speaking with fluency several different languages,
with which they had formerly been unacquainted.
And the appearance of fire signified the fervent
zeal with which they would labor, and the power
which would attend their words.
Under this heavenly illumination, the scriptures which Christ had explained to them, stood
foith in their minds with the vivid luster and
loveliness of clear and powerful truth.  The vail
which had prevented them from seeing the end
of that which was abolished was now removed,
and the object of Christ's mission and the nature
of his kingdom were comprehended with 1)erfect
clearness.
The Jews had been scattered to almost every
nation, and spoke various languages. They had
come long distances to Jerusalem, and had temporarily taken up their abode there, to remain
through the religious festivals then in progress,
and to observe their requirements. When assemble(l, they were of every known tongue.
Tbis diversity of languages was a great obstacle
to the labors of God's servants in publishing the
doctrine of Christ to the uttermost parts of the
earth.  That God should suTpply the deficiency
of the apostles in a miacultis manner was to
2 C) C) 
THE PENTECOST.
the people the most perfect confirmation of the
testimony of these witnesses for Christ. The
Holy Spirit had done for them that which they
could not have accomplished for themselves in a
lifetime; they could now spread the truth of the
gospel abroad, speaking with accuracy the lanutag'e of those for whom  they were laboring.
This miraculous gift was the highest evidence
they could present to the world that their commission bore the si;tnet of Heaven.
"And  there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews,
devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude
came together, and were confounded, because
that every man heard them speak in his own
language. And they were all amazed, and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all
these which speak Galileans?  And how hear
we every man in our own tongue, wherein we
were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites,
and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea,
and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and
Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya
about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and
proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them
speak in our tongues the wonderful works of
God.  And they were all amazed, and were in
doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth
this? Others mocking said, These men are full
of new wine.
The priests and rulers were greatly enraged
at this wonderful manifestation, which was reported throughout all Jerusalem and the vicinity; but they dared not give way to their malice, for fear of exposing themselves to the hatred(
of the people.  They had put the Master to
267 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
death, but here were his servants, unlearned men
of Galilee, tracing out the wonderful fulfillment
of prophecy, and teaching the doctrine of Jesus
in all the languages then spoken. They spoke
with power of the wonderful works of the Saviour, and unfolded to their hearers the plan of
salvation in the mercy and sacrifice of the Son
of God. Their words convicted and converted
thousands who listened. The traditions and superstitions inculcated by the priests were swept
away from their minds, and they accepted the
pure teachings of the Word of God.
The priests and rulers, determined to account
for the miraculous power of the disciples in some
natural way, declared that they were simply
drunken from partaking largely of the new wine
prepared for the feast. Some of the most ignorant seized this suggestion as the truth; but
the more intelligent knew that it was false; and
those speaking the different languages testified
to the accuracy withl which they were used by
the disciples. And Peter, in answer to the vile
accusation of the priests, addressed the assembly
in these words:  "Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at
Jerusalem, be this known unto you, a:,I hearken
to my words; for these are not drunken, as ye
suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the
day. But this is that which was spoken by the
prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the
last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit
upon all flesh; and your sons and your daugl)ters shall prophesy, and your young men shall
see visions, and your old men shall dream
dreams."
The effect of Peter's words was very marked;
268 
THI  PENTECOST.
and many who had ridiculed the religion of
Jesus were now convinced of its truth. It was
certainly unreasonable to suppose that more than
one hundred persons should become intoxicated
at that unseasonable hour of the day, and on the
occasion of a solemn religious festival. This
wonderful demonstration was before the customary meal at which wine was taken. Peter
showed them that this manifestation was the
direct fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel, wherein he foretold that such power would come upon
men of God to fit them for a special work.
Peter traced back the lineage of Christ in a
direct line to the honorable house of David. He
did not use any of the teachings of Jesus to
prove his true position, because he knew their
prejudices were so great that it would be of no
effect.  But he referred them to David, whom
the Jews regarded as a venerable patriarch of
their nation. Said Peter:  "For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face; for he is
on my right hand) that I should not be moved.
Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue
was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in
hope; because thou wilt not leave my soul in
hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to
see corruption. Thou hast made known to me
the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy
with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let
me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his
sepulcher is with us unto this day. Therefore
being a prophet, and knowing that God had
sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of
his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise
269 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY
up Christ to sit on his throne; he, seeing this
before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, that
his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did
see corruption.  This Jesus bath God raised up,
whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being
by the right hand of God exalted, and having
received of the Father the promise of the Holy
Ghost, he bath shed forth this, which ye now
see and hear. For David is not ascended into
thie heavens; but he saith himself, The Lord said
unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until
I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all
the house of Israel know assuredly, that God
hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
Peter here shows that David could not have
spoken in reference to himself, but definitely of
Jesus Christ. David died a natural death like
other men; his sepulcher, with the honored
dust it contained, had been preserved with great
care until that time. David, as king of Israel,
and also as a prophet, had been specially honored by God. In prophetic vision he was shown
the future life and ministry of Christ. He saw
his rejection, his trial, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
David testified that the soul of Christ was not
to be left in hell (the grave), nor was his flesh to
see corruption. Peter shows the fulfillment of this
prophecy in Jesus of Nazareth. God had actually raised him up from the tomb before his body
saw corruption. He was now the exalted One
in the Heaven of heavens.
The surprising demonstrations on the occasion
of the Feast of Pentecost could only be accounted
for in this way: The promise which Christ had
-) 7 6 
THE PENTECOST,.
given tihe disciples of the descent of the Holy
Ghost fi'om the Father was in this manner fulfi.led.  " He hath shed forth this which ye now
see and hear."  Peter assures them that David's
prophtecy could not refer to himself, for he had
not ascended into the heavens; he was resting
in his sepulcher. If the soul of David had gone
to Heaven, Peter could not have been so positive
in his assurances to his brethren. He testified
to the sleep of the dead in their graves till the
resurrection.
In the words of David referred to by Peter"The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my
right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstojl," the Father is called Lo)rd, who said unto
Christ, who is also Lord, and equal with the Father, "Sit thou on my  right hand."  "Therefore," said Peter, "let all the house of Israel know
assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus,
whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
)David called the Messiah, in his divine character, Lvrd, although, after the flesh, he was the
son of David by direct descent. David, by prophetic foresight, saw Christ enter into the heavens, and take his position at the right hand of
God. The demonstration witnessed by the Jews
at the Pentecost was an exhibition of the power of
that very Jesus whom the priests and rulers had
contemptuously rejected and crucified. According, to his promise he had sent the Holy Spirit
from Heaven to his followers, as a token that he
ha-l, as priest and king, received all authority in
lHeave and on earth, and was the Anointed One
over his people.
On that memnorable occasion, large numbers
who had heretofore ridiculed the idea of so un
!71 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
pretending a person as Jesus being the Son of
God, became thoroughly convinced of the truth,
and acknowledged him as their Saviour. Three
thousand souls were added to the church. The
apostles spoke by the power of the Holy Ghost;
and their words could not be controverted, for
they were confirmed by mighty miracles, wrought
by them through the outpouring of the Spirit of
God. The disciples were themselves astonished
at the results of this visitation, and the quick
and abundant harvest of souls. All the people
were filled with amazement. Those who did not
yield their prejudice and bigotry were so overawed that they dared not by voice or violence
attempt to stay the mighty work, and, for the
time being, their opposition ceased.
This testimony in regard to the establishment
of the Christian church is given us, not only as
an important portion of sacred history, but also
as a lesson. All who profess the name of Christ
should be waiting, watching, and praying with
one heart. All differences should be put away,
and unity and tender love one for another pervade the whole. Then our prayers may go up
together to our Heavenly Father with strong,
earnest faith. Then we may wait with patience
and hope the fulfillment of the promise.
The answer may come with sudden velocity
and overpowering might; or it may be delayed
for days and weeks, and our faith receive a trial.
But God knows how and when to answer our
prayer. It is our part of the work to put ourelves in connection with the divine channel.
God is responsible for his part of the work. He
is faithful who hath promised. The great and
important matter with us is to be of one heart
272 
TiHiE  PENITE('OS'.
and  mind, putting aside all envy and  malice,
and, as hmnble supplicants, to watch and wait.
Jesus, our Representative and Head, is ready to
do for us what he did for the praying, watching
ones on the day of Pentecost.
Jesus is as willing to impai t, courage and grace
to his followers to-day as he was to the disciples
of the early church.  None should rashly invite
an opportunitv to battle with the principalities
and powers of darkness. When God bids them
engage in the conflict it will be time enough; he
will then give the weak and hesitating boldness
and utterance beyond their hope or expectation.
The same scorn and hatred that was manifested
against Christ may be seen Dow to exist against
those whom he has evidently chosen to be his
co-workers.  Those whose spirits rise up against
the doctrines of truth mnake hard work for the
servants of Christ.  But God will make their
wrath to praise him; they accomplish hiis purpose
by stirrirog up minds to investigate the truth. God
may allow men to follow their own wicked inclinations fA  a time, in opposing him; but when
he sees it is for his glory, and the good of his
people, he will arrest the scorners, expose their
presum'ptive course, and give triumph to his truth.
The arguments of the apostles alone, although
clear and convincing, would not have removed
the prejudice of the Jews which had withstood
so much evidence.  But the Holy Ghost sent
th,se arguments home with divine power to their
hearts. They were as sharp arrows of the Aliightt, cnvic(ting then-. of their terrible guilt in
iejectiig and crucifying the Lord of glory.  "Now
wi    (:,y 1. a"rd tliis, they were pricked in their
(reat Controversy, Vol. 3.  18
)73 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the
apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
The disciples and apostles of Christ had a deep
sense of their own inefficiency, and with humiliation and prayer they joined their weakness to
his strength, their ignorance to his wisdom, their
unworthiness to his righteousness, their poverty
to his inexhaustible wealth. Thus strengthened
and equipped they hesitated not in the service of
their Master.
Peter urged home upon the convicted people
the fact that they had rejected Christ because
they had been deceived by the priests and rulers;
and if they continued to look to them for counsel, and waited for those leaders to acknowledge
Christ before they dared to do so, they would
never accept him. Those powerful men, although
they made a profession of sanctity, were ambitious, and zealous for riches and earthly glory.
They would never come to Christ to receiv( light.
Jesus had foretold a terrible retribution to come
upon that people for their obstinate unbelief,
notwithstanding the most powerful evidences
given them that Jesus was the Son of God.
"Then they that gladly received his word were
baptized; and the same day there were. added
unto them about three thousand souls. And they
continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine
afid fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in
prayers.  And fear came upon every soul; and
many wonders and signs were done by the apos
tles."
_74 
THE CRIPPLE HEALED.
From this time forth the language of the disciples was pure, simple, and accurate in word and
accent, whether they spoke their native tongue
or a foreign language. These humble men, who
had never learned in the school of the prophets,
presented truths so elevated and pure as to astonish those who heard them. They could not go
personally to the uttermost parts of the earth;
but there were men at the feast fiom every quarter of the world, and the truths received by them
were carri,d to their various homes, and published among their people, winning souls to
Christ.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE CRIPPLE HEALED.
A SHORT time after the descent of the Holy
Spirit, and immediately after a season of fervent
prayer, Peter and John, going up to the temple
to worship, saw a distressed and poverty-stricken
cripple, forty years of age, who had known no
other life than one of pain and infirmity. This
unfortunate man had long desired to go to Jesus
and be healed; but he was almost helpless, and
was removed far from the scene of the great
Physician's labors. Finally his earnest pleadings
induced some kind persons to bear him to the
gate of the temple.  But upon arriving there he
discovered that the Healer, upon whom his hopes
were centered, had been put to a cruel death.
His disappointueit excited the pity of those
2,7.5 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
who knew how long he had eagerly hoped and
exUccted to be healed by Jesu',t and they daily
brought him to the temple, that the passersby
might be moved to give him a trifle to relieve
his present wants.  As Peter and John passed, he
begged charitv from themn. Thie disciples re,arded him with compassion.  "And Peter, fastening his eyes UpOn him with John, said, Look
on us.  ( Silver and sollo have I none; but such
as I have give I thee.  Inr the name of Jesus
Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."
The poor man's countenance had fallen when
Peter declared his own poverty, but grew bright
with hope and faith as the disciple continued.
' And he took him by the right hand, and lifted
him up; and imnmediately his feet and ankle
bones received strength.  And  he leaping up
stood, and walked, and entered with them into
the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising
God. And all the people saw him walking and
praising, God.  And they knew that it was he
which sat for alims at the Beautiful gate of the
temple; and they were filled with wonder and
mnazemint at that which had happened unto
Eli in.''- 
The Jexs were astonished that the disciples
Would p(arform miracles similar to those of Jesus.
H[e, they supposed, was dead, and they had expected all such wonderful manifestations to cease
wNitli hi.  Yet, here was this nian who had been
i help)less ciipplle tor forty years, now rejoicing
id the full uc-,e of his limbs, free firom pain, and
hll)py in believing, Ul)ot Jesis.
The apostles saw the amrnazemeniet of the people,
and questioned them why they should be astonibhed at the miracle which tley had witnessed,
—'7 6 
'rHE CRIPPLE HEALED.
and regard them with awe as though it. were
through their own power they had done this
thing. Peter assured them it was done through
the merits of Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had
rejected and crucified, but whom God had raised
from the dead the third day.  "And his name
through faith in his name hath made this man
strong, whom ye see and know; yea, the faithl
which is by him hath given him this perfect
soundness in the presence of you all. And now
brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it,
as did also your rulers.  But those things which
God before had showed by the mouth of all his
prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so
fulfilled."'
The manner of Jesus in working his miracles
was very different from that of his apostles.
His lantguage, was that of one who possessed power in himself. " Be thou clean." "Peace, be still."
Neither did he hesitate to accept the honor offered him on these occasions, nor seek to divert
the minds of the p)eople from himself, as though
his miiracles were not wra\.;ht by his own power,
for his own (,lory.  But the apostles wrought miiracles only in the name of Jesus, and refused to receive the least honor to themnselves. They claimed
to t)e only instruments of that Jesus whom
thie Jews had crucified, but whom God had raised
and elevated to his right hand.  He was to receive all the honor and praise.
After the performance of this miracle, the people ipcked together in the temple, and Peter addressed them in one part of the temple, while
John spoke to them in another part. The apostles, having spoken plainly of the great crime of
the Jews, in rejecting and putting to death the
27 i' 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
Prince of Life, were careful not to drive them to
madness or despair. Peter was willing to lessen
the atrocity of their guilt as much as possible, by
presuming that they did the deed ignorantly.
He declared to them that the Holy Ghost was
calling for them to repent of their sins and to be
converted; that there was no hope for them except through the mercy of that Christ whom
they had crucified; through faith in him only
could their sins be canceled by his blood.
This preaching the resurrection of Christ, and
that through his death and resurrection he would
finally bring up all the dead fiom their graves,
deeply stirred the Sadducees. They felt that
their favorite doctrine was in danger, and their
reputation at stake. Some of the officials of the
temple, and the captain of the temple, were Sadducees. The captain, with the help of a number of Sadducees, arrested the two apostles, and
put them in prison, as it was too late for their
cases to be examined that night.
These opponents of Christ and (,f the doctrines
of the apostles, could but believe, although they
refused to acknowledge, that Jesus had risen from
the dead and remained on the earth for forty days
afterward; the evidence was too convincing for
them to doubt it. Yet, nevertheless, their hearts
did not soften, nor their consciences snite them
for the terrible deed they had committed in putting him to death. When the power from Heaven
came upon the apostles in so remarkable a manner, fear held them from violence, but tlheir bitterness and malice were unchanged. Five thousand had already embraced the new doctrine
taught by the apostles, and both Pharisees and
Sadducees decided among themselves that if those
278 
THE CRIPPLE HEALED.
teachers were suffered to go unchecked, their own
influence would be in greater danger than when
Jesus was upon earth. If one or two discourses
friom the disciples could accomplish such marvelous results, the world would soon believe on Christ
if they were left free, and the influence of priests
and potentates would be lost.
The following day Annas and Caiaphas, with
the other dignitaries of the temple, met together
for the trial of the prisoners, who were then
brought before them. In that very room, and
before those very men, Peter had shamefully denied his Lord. All this came distinctly before
the mind of the disciple, as he now appeared for
his own trial. He had now an opportunity of
redeeming his former wicked cowardice.
The company present remembered the part
Peter had acted at the trial of his Master, and
they flattered themselves that he could be intimidated by the threat of imprisonment and
death. But the Peter who denied Christ in the
hour of his greatest need, was the impulsive,
self-confident disciple, differing widely from the
Peter who was before the Sanhedrim for examination that day. He had been converted; he
was distrustful of self, and no longer a proud
boaster. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and
through its power he had become firm as a rock,
courageous, yet modest, in magnifying Christ.
He was ready to remove the stain of his apostasy
by honoring the name he had once disowned.
Hi,herto the priests had avoided having the
crucifixion or resurrection of Jesus mentioned;
but now, in fulfillment of their purpose, they were
forced to inquire of the accused by what power
they had accomplished the remarkable cure of
279
z 
TIIE GREAT' CONTrROVERSY.
the impotent man. Then Peter, filled with the
Holy Ghost, addressed the priests and elders respectfully, and declared: "Be it known unto you
all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whomn ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him
doth this man stand here before you whole.  This
is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the cornet.
Neither is there salvation in any other; foibr there
is none other name under heaven given amnong
men, whereby we may be saved."
The seal of Christ was on the words of Petel,
and his countenance was illuminated by the
Holy Spirit.  Close beside him, as a convincing
witness, stood the man who had been so miraculously cured.  The appearance of this nlan, who
but a few hours before was a helpless cripple, now
restored to soundness of body, and being enlightened concerning Jesus of Nazareth, added a
weight of testimony  to tie wor(lts of  Peter.
Priests, rulers, and people were silent. The rulers
had no power to reftite his statement. They had,(
been obliged to healr that which they most d(esired not to hear: the fact of tl)e resuriecti(.oii of
Jesus ChrIist, and his power in Heaven to pertfotrn
miracles through the niediuntrL of his apffiostles on
earth.
The crowning miracle of raising Lazarus fioit
the dead had sealed the determination of the
priests to rid the world of Jesus and diis wondlerfo works, which were fast destioyinr their own
influence with the people.  But liete was a convincing proof that the death of Jesus had not
put a stop to the working of miiracles in his
name, nor to the promulgation of the dcjetrinre he
2,s()
ol 
THE CRIPPLE HEALED.
had taught. Already the news of the miracle, and
the preaching of the apostles, had filled all Jerusaleni with excitement.
Thile defense of Peter, in which he boldly
avowed from whence his strength was obtained,
appalled them.  Ate -iad( referred to the stone set
at naught by the builders,-meaning the authorities of the church, who should have perceived the
value of Hil wihomn they rejected,-but which
had nevertheless become the head of the corner.
In those words  he directly referred to Christ,
who was the founidation-stone of the church.
The people were amazed at the boldness of the
disciples. They supposed, because they were ignorant fishermen, they would be overcome with
emibarrassmrent whenr confronted by the priests,
scribes, and eldiers.  But they took knowledge
that thev  haX    b eet  with Jesus.  The apostles
spoke as he had spoken, with a convincing power
that silenced their adversaries.  In order to conceal their perplexity, the p)riests and rulers ordered
the apostles to bef taken away, that they might
c(uiisel arnon, thiers,elves.
Thev all agre thatt it would be useless to
deny -t,lat tle 0ean hlad been healed through power
giveni the apo.t'es in t'e namae of the crucified
Jesus.  They would gladly have covered up the
mliracle by faluteho(s  bu, the work was done in
the full light of ca, and before a crowd of people, and had already conie to the knowledge of
thotisanrids.  Tley felt that the work must be imwmediately stopped, oL Jesus would gain many
believers, thlei OWwi disgrace would follow, and
they would be held guilty of the murder of the
Son of Ge)d.
But notwithstanding, their disposition to de
28'1 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
stroy the disciples, they dared not do worse than
threaten them with the severest punishment if
they continued to teach or work in the name of
Jesus. Thereupon Peter and John boldly declared that their work had been given them of
God, and they could not but speak the things
which they had seen and heard. The priests
would gladly have punished these noble men for
their unswerving fidelity to their sacred calling,
but they feared the people, "for all men glorified
God for that which was done." So, with repeated
threats and injunctions, the apostles were set at
liberty.
While Peter and John were prisoners, the other
disciples, knowing the malignity of the Jews, had
prayed for them unceasingly, fearing that the
cruelty exercised upon Christ would be repeated
upon their brethren. As soon as the apostles
were released they sought their anxious brethren
and reported to them the result of the examination. Great was the joy of the believers, and
they again betook themselves to prayer, that
greater strengthi mig,ht be imparted to them in
their work of the ministry, which they saw would
meet the same determined opposition which
Christ encountered when upon earth. The disciples had no desire to glorify themselves, but
sought to exalt Jesus, and to rescue souls through
his saving message.
While their united prayers were ascending in
faith to Heaven, the answer came. The place
~here they were assembled was shaken, and they
were filled with the Holy Ghost. They went
forth to their work, speaking the Word of God
with convincing power, and there were daily
large additions to the church. Great numbers
282 
THE CRIPPLE HEALED.
had collected at Jerusalem to observe the sacred
feast. The exciting scenes of the crucifixion and
resurrection had called out a much lairger number than usual.  When  the  truth taught by
the apostles was brought suddenly and with
convincing power before them, thousands were
converted in a dav.
These early believers were most of them immediatelv cut oft' from famiily and friends by the
zealous bigotry of the Jews.  Many of the converts were thrown out of business, and exiled from
their homies because they followed the  convictions of their consciences, and espoused the cause
of Christ.  It was necessary to provide this large
number, congregated at Jerusalem, with homes
and sustenance. Those having money and possessions cheerfullv sacrificed them to the existing
emei'gency. Their means were laid at the feet
of the apostles, who made distribution to every
man according as he had need; and there were
none among them who lacked.
One example of noble benevolence is particularly mentioned in the Scriptures: "And Joses,
who by the apostles was  surnamed  Barnabas
(which is, beiing interpreted, the son of consolation), a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
having land, sold it, and brought the money, and
laid it at the apostles' feet." This was the effect
of the pouring out of the Spirit of God upon the
believers. It made them of one heart and soul.
They had one common interest-the success of
the mission intrusted to them. Their love for
their brethren, and the cause which they had espoused, was far greater than their love for money
and possessions. They acted out their faith, and
by their works testified that they accounted the
283 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
souls of men of far greater value than.any earthly heritage.
When selfish love of the world enters thar!,-art,
spirituality dies.   The very best ant,iobe for
love of the world is the outpouring of the Spirit
of God. When the love of Christ takes full possession of the heart, we shall strive to follow
the example of Him who foir our sakes became
poor, that through his poverty we might be
made rich. When it becomes apparent that the
Spirit of truth weakens the affections of its disciples from the world, and renders them selfsacrificing and benevolent, in order to save their
fellow-men, the advocates of the truth will have
a powerful influence upon their hearers.
As a contrast to the example which has been
cited, another case has been recorded by the inspired pen which leaves a dark stain upon the
first church:  "But a certain man named Ananias.
with  Sapphira his wite, sold a possession, and
kept back part of the price, his wife also being
privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid
it at the apostles' feet."  This couple had noted
the fact that those who had parted with their
possessions to supply the wants of their poorer
brethren were held in high esteem  among the
believers. They therefore, upon consulting together, decided to sell their property, and affect
to give all the proceeds into the general fund.
but really to retain a large share for themselves.
They thus designed to receive their living, which
they intended to estimate much higher than it
really was, from the common stock, and to secure
the high esteem of theit brethren.
But a holy God hates hypocrisy and falselhood.
The apostles were impressed by a sense of the
284 
THE CRIPPLE HEALED.
true state of the case, and when Ananias presented himself with his offering, representing it
as the entire proceeds of the sale of his property,
Peter said to him, "Ananias, why hath Satan
filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and
to keep back part of the price of the land?
While it remained, was it not thine own? and
after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?
Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine
heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto
God. And Ananias, hearing these words, fell
down, and gave up the ghost; and great fear
came on all them that heard these things."
Peter asked, "Was it not thine own?"  thus
showing that no undue influence had been brought
to bear upon Ananias and Sapphira to compel
them to sacrifice their possessions to the general
good. They had acted from choice. But in pretending to be wrought upon by the Holy Ghost,
and attempting to deceive the apostles, they had
lied to the Almighty.
"And it was about the space of three hours
after, when his wife, not knowing what was done,
came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me
whether ve sold the land for so much? And she
said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto
her, How is it that ye have agreed together to
tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of
Thern which have buried thy husband are at the
door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she
down straiclitway at his feet, and yielded up the
ghost; and the young men came in, and found
her dead, and, carlying her forth, buried her by
her husband. And great fear came upon all the
church, and upon as many as hea,:l these thlings."
This signal manifestation of the wrath of God
285 
rTHE GREAT' CONTROVERSY.
upon the dissemblers was a check which Infinite
Wisdom knew was needed. The church would
have been disgraced, if, in the rapid increase of
professed Christians, there were persons professing to serve  God, but worshiping mammon.
There are many Ananiases and Sapphiras in our
day, whom Satan tempts to dissemble, because of
their love of money. By various plans and excuses they withhold from the treasury of God
the means intrusted to themn for the advancement of the cause of God. Should the punishment of Ananias and Sapphira be visited upon
this class, there would be many dead bodies in
our churches requiring burial.
This marked judgment upon two avaricious
hypocrites, whose sin had been detected by the
evidence of the Spirit of God to the apostles,
excited the reverential awe of all the new converts. From that time there was greater caution
manifested by them, and a more thorough selfexamination, testing the motives of their actions.
In any great religious movement there is always
a class who are carried away by the current of
feeling, but who soon reveal selfishness and vainglory.  Such persons can never be an honor to
the cause they advocate.
The discernment of the apostles in detecting hidden sin added to the confidence of their
brethren in them and the miessa?oe which they
preached. The apostles continued their wocrk of
mercy, in healing the afflicte,d and in proclaiming
a crucified and risen Saviour, with great power.
Numbers were continually added to the church
by baptism, but none dared join them who were
not united heart and mind with the believers in
Christ. Multitudes flocked to Jerusalem, bringing
286 
TfHE (,R1PPLE HEALED.
their sick, and those who were vexed by unclean
spirits. Mlany sufferers were laid in the streets
as Peter and John passed by, that their shadows
might fall upon and heal them. The power of
the risen Saviour had indeed fallen upon the
apostles, and they worked signs and miracles
that daily increased the number of believers.
These things greatly perplexed the priests and
rulers, especially those among them who were
Sa.dducees. They saw that if the apostles were
allowed to preach a resurrected Saviour, and to
do miracles in his name, their doctrine that there
was no resurrection of the dead would be rejected
by all, and their sect would soon become extinct.
The Pharisees saw that the tendency of their
preaching would l-e to undermine the Jewish
ceremonies, and make the sacrificial offerings of
none effect.  Their iornier efforts to suppress
these preachers had been in vain; but they now
felt determined to put down the excitement.
The apostles were accordingly arrested and
imprisoned, and the Sanhedrim was called to try
their case. A large number of learned men, in
addition to the council, were summoned, and
they counseled together what should be done
with these disturbers of the peace. "But the
angel of the Lord by night opened the prison
doors, and  brought them  forth, and said, Go,
stand and speak in the temple to the people all
the worids of this Wife. And when they heard
that, they entered into the temple early in the
morning, and taught."
\WThdh the apostles appeared among the believers, and recounted how the angel had led them
directly through the band of soldiers guardincr
thc prison, and bade them resume the work
2,'k 7 
TrHE GREAT (,ONT'ROVERSY.
which had been interrupted by the priests and
rulers, the brethren were filled with joy and
amazement.
The priests and rulers in council had decided
to fix upon them the charge of' insurrection, and
accuse them of murdering Ananias and Sapphira,
and of conspiring to deprive the priests of their
authority and put them to death.  Thley trusted
that the mob would then be excited to take the
matter in hand, and to deal by the apostles as
they had dealt by Jesus.  They weie aware that
many who did not accept the d,,ctrine of Christ
were weary of the arloitrary rule of the Jewish
authorities, and were anxious for somie decided
change.  If these persons became interested in
and embraced the belief of the apo)stles, acknowledging Jesus as the Mlessiah, thev feared the
anger of the entire  people would be  raised
against the priests, who would be rad(le to answer for the murder of Christ.  They decided(l to
take strong measures to prevent this. They
finally sent for the supposed prisoners to be
brought before them.  Great was their amazement when the report was brought back that
the prison doors were found securely bolted, and
the guard stationed before them, but that the
prisoners were nowhere to be found.
Soon the report was brought: "Behold, the
men whom ye put in prison are standing in the
temple, and teaching the people." Although the
apostles were miraculously delivered from prison,
they were not saved from examination and puntshment.  Christ had said when  he was with
them, "Take heed to yourselves, for they shall
deliver you up to council;."  God had given
them a token of his care, and an assurance of his
288 
THE CRIPPLE HEALED.
presence, by sending the angel to them; it was
now their part to suffer for the sake of that Jesus whom they preached. The people were so
wrought upon by what they had seen and heard
that the priests and rulers knew it would be impossible to excite them against the apostles.
"Then went the captain with the officers, and
broughlt them without violence; for' they feared
the peoplei, lest they should have been stoned.
And when they had brought theiu, they set them
before the council; and the high priest asked
them, sayirng, Did not we straitly command you
that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine,
and intend to bring this mrnan's blood upon us."
They were not as willinrg to bear the blame of
slaying Jesus as when they swelled the cry with
the debased mob:'" His blood be on us and on
our children.!"
Peter, with the other apostles, took up the
same line of defense he had followed at his former trial: "Then Peter and the other apostles
answered and said, We ougcht to obey God rather
than men."  It was the angel sent by God who
delivered them fi'om prison, and who commanded
them to tench in tlhe temple. In following his
directions they were obeying the divine  comnaiid, which they must continue to do at any
cost to themselves.  Peter continued: "The God
of our fathers iaised up Jesus, whom ye slew
and hangced on a tree.  Him hath God exalted
with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of
these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost,
whom God hath given to them that obey him."
Great Controversy, Vol. 3.  19*
2s9 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
The spirit of inspiration was upon the apostles,
and the accused became the accusers, clhargin
the murder of Christ upon the priests and rulers
who composed the council. The Jews were so
enraged at this that they decided, without any
further trial, and without auLthoritv from the Roman officers, to take the law into their own hands,
and put the prisoners to death. Already guilty
of the blood of Christ, they were now easer to
imbrue their hands in the blood of his ap.ostles.
But there was one man of learning and high position whose clear intellect saw that this violent
step would lead to terrible consequences.  God
raised up a. man of their own council to stay the
violence of the priests and rulers.
Gamaliel, the learned Pharisee and doctor, a
man of great reputation, was a person of extreme
caution, who, before speaking in behalf of the
prisoners, requested them to be removed.  He
then spoke with great deliberation and calmness: "Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves
what, ye intend to do as touching these men.
For before these davs rose up Theudas, boastin?
himself to be somebody; to whom a number of
men, about four hundred, joined themselves; who
was slain; and all, as many as obeved him, were
scattered, and brought to naught.  After this
man rose up Judas of Galilee in the davs of the
taxing, and drew away much people after him;
he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed
him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you,
Refrain from these mnen, and let them alone; for
if this counsel or this work be of men, it will
come to naught.  But if it be of God, ye cannot
overthrow it: lest haply ye be found even to
fight against God."
290 
THE SEVEN DEACONS.
The priests could not but see the reasonableness of his views; they were obliged to agree
with him, and very reluctantly released the prisoners, after beating them with rods, and charging them again and ac-gain to preach no more in
the name of Jesus, or their lives would pay the
penalty of their boldness.  "And they departed
from the presence of the council, rejoicing that
they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his
name.  And daily in the temple, and in every
house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus
Christ."  WTell  might the  persecutors of  the
apostles be troubled when they saw their inability to overthrow thes.e witnesses for Christ,
who ha(- faith and courage to turn their shame
into gloiy,, and t}leir pain into joy for the sake of
their Msste-', who had borne humiliation and
agony before them.  Thils these brave disciples
continued to teach in public, and secretly in private houses, by the request of the occupants who
dared not openly confess their faith, for fear of
the Jews.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE SEVEN DEACONS.
"AND in tho;e days  when the number of the
disciples was multiplied, there arose a niurmuring of nle Grecians a,ainst the Hebrews, because
their widows were ne(lected in thl)e daily ministration."  These Grecians were residents of other
counltries, where the Gireek language was spoken.
By far the larger'number of converts were Jews
291 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
who spoke Hebrew; but these had lived in the
Roman Empire, and spoke only Greek. Murmurings began to rise among them that the Grecian widows were not so liberally supplied as the
needy among the Hebrews.  Any partiality of
this kind would have been grievous to God; and
promnpt measure:s were taken to restore peace and
harmony to the believers.
The Holy Spirit slgg,ested a method whereby
the apostles mnight be relieved from the task of
apportioning to the poor, and similar burdens, so
that they could be left free to preach Christ.
"Then the twelve called the mulfit,ucue of the
disciples unto them, and sa,id, It is not reason
that we should leave the word of God, and serve
tables. Wberefoire, brethren, look ye out among
you seven mlen of h,nest report, ful[ of the Holy
Ghost and wisdom, whomr we may appoint over
this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the
word."
The church accordingly selected seven men full
of faith and the wisdom cf the Spirit of God, to
attend to the business pertaining to the cause.
Stephen was chosen first; he was a Jew by birth
and religion, but spoke the Greek language, and
was conversant with the customs and manners
of thle Greeks.  Ife was tlherefore considered the
most proper -'?erson to stand at the head, and
have su -,,ervision of the disbursemenit of the funds
appropriated to the wvidows, orphans, and the
,Rorthy poor.  This selection nmet the minds of
all, and the dissatisfaction and murmuring were
*quieted.
The- seven chosen men were solemnly set apart
ftr their duties by prayer, anlid the laying on of
-' 9 2 
THE SEVEN DEACONS.
hands.  Those who were thus ordained, were not
thereby excluded from teaching the faith.  (O)n
the contrary, it is recorded that "Stephen, full of
faith and power, did great wonders and miracles
among the people."  T1ley were fully qualified
to instruct in the truth.  They were also men of
calm judgment an-  (discetion, well calculated to
deal with difficult cases of tril, of murmuring or
jealousy.
This choosing of men to transact the business
of the chuirch, so that the apostles could be left
free for their speci;al work of teaching the truth,
was greatly blesse ofc God.  The church advanced
in nurnbers arnd strength.  "And the word of
God inc reased; and the number of the disciples
multiplied in Jerus-a.lem  greatly; and a great
company of the priests were obedient to the
faith."
It is necessary that the se-,me order and system
should be maintal-ed in tle church now as in
the days of the apostlIes. The prosperity of the
cause dlepenTds very largely upon its various departrlents being conducted by men of ability,
who are qualified for their positions. Those who
arts chosen o' God to be leaders in the cause of
God, having the general oversight of the spiritual interest of the church, should be relieved, as
far as possible, from cares and perplexities of a
temporal nature. Those whom God has called
to minister in word and  doctrine should have
time for meditation  prayer, and study of the
Scriptures.  Their  clear spiritual discernment is
dimmed by entering into the lesser details of business, and dealing with the various temperaments
of those who meet together in church capacity.
It is proper for all matters of a temporal nature
293 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
to come before the proper officers, and be by
them adjusted. But if they are of so difficult a
character as to baffle their wisdom, they should
be carried into the council of those who have
the oversight of the entire church.
Stephen was very active in the cause of God,
and declared his faith boldly.  "Then there arose
certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogyue of the Libertines, andr  Cyrenians, and
Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia,
disputing with Stephen. And they were not
able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which
he spake."  These students of the great Rabbis
had felt confident that in a public discussion they
could obtain a complete victory over Stephen, because of his supposed ignorance. But he not
only spoke with the power of the Holy Ghost,
but it was plain to all the vast assembly that he
was also a student of the prophecies, anrid learned
in all matters of the law.  He ably defended the
truths he advocated, and utterly acfeated his opponents.
The priests and rulers who witnessed the wonderful manifestation of the power that attended
the ministration of S-ephen, weHr,; fil' d with
bitter hatred.  Instead of yielding to thie weight
of evidence he presented, they determined to silence his voice by putting him to (lea(h.  They
had on several occasions bribed the Roman authorities to pass over without comment instances
where the Jews had taken the law into their own
haitts, and tried, condemned, and executed prisoeers according to their national custom.  The
enemies of Stephen did not doubt that they
could pursue such a course without danger to
themselves. They determined to risk the conse
294 
THE SEVEN DEACONS.
quences at all events, and they therefore seized
Stephen and brought him betore the Sanhedrim
council fo trial.
Learned Jews from the surrounding countries
were summoned for the purpose of refuting the
arguments of the accused.  Saul, who had distinguished himself as a zealous opponent of the
doctrine of Christ, and a persecutor of all who
believed on him, was also present. This learned
man took a leading part against Stephen.  He
brought the weight ot eloquence and the logic of
the R1abbis to bear upon the case, and convince
the people that Stephen was preaching delusive
and dlang,erous doctrines.
But Saul met in Stephen one as highly educated as himself; and one who had a full understanding of the purpose of God in the spreading
of the gospel to other nations. He believed in
the Godt ot Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and was
fully established in regard to the privileges of
the Jews; but his faith was broad, and he knew
the time hlad come when the true believers should
worship not alone in temples made with hands;
but, throughout the world, men might worship
God ill Spirit and in truth.  The vall had dropped from the eyes of Stephen, and he discerned
to the end of that which was abolished by the
death of Christ.
The priests and rulers prevailed nothing against
his clear, calm wisdom, though they were vehement in their opposition.  They determined to
make an example of Stephen, and, while they
thus *satisied their revengeful hatred, prevent
others, through tfear, from adopting his belief.
Charges were preferred against him in a most
imposing manner. False witnesses were hired
295 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
to testify that they had heard him speak blas phemous words against the temple and the
law.  Said they, "For we have heard him say,
that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this
place, and shall change the customs which Moses
delivered us."
As Stephen stood face to face with his judges,
to answer to the crime of blasphemy, a holy radiance shone upon his countenance. "And all that
sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw
his face as it had been the face of an angel." Those
who exalted Mloses might have seen in the iace
of the prisoner the same holy light which radiated the face of that ancient prophet.  The shekinah was a spectacle which they would never
again witness in the temple whose glory had
departed forever.  Many who beheld the lighted
countenance of Stephen trembled and veiled their
faces; but stubborn unbelief and prejudice never
faltered.
Stephen was questioned as to the truth of the
charges against him, and took up his defense in a
clear, thrilling voice that rang through the courlncil hall.  He proceeded to rehearse the history of
the chosen people of God, in words that held the
assembly spell-bound.  He showed a thorough
knowledge of the Jewish economry, and the spii'itual interpretation of it sow made mainifest
through Christ.  He began with Abtaham, and
traced down through history from generation to
generation, going ti)ieouoh all the nationa,l ri  co(1 S
o, Israe] to Solomon, taking up ti,e  iost impressive points to vindicate his cause.
He showed that, God commended the faith of
Abraham, which claimed the land of promise,
though he owned no foot of land. He dwelt
296 
THE SEVEN DEACONS.
especially upon Mloses, whlo received the law by
the dispensation  of angels.  He  repeated  the
words of Mloses which foretold of Christ: "A
prophet  shalt the  Lord  your God  raise  up
unto you of your brethren, like unto me;  him
shall ye head."  He -resen+ed distinctly before
them that the sin of Israel was in not  heeding the voice of the angel, who was Christ himself.  Said he, " This is he that was in the church
in the wild(erness with the angel which spake to
him in t.he mount. Sin.a,  andcl with  our fathers,
who received the li ively oracles to give unto us."
He made  i)lpa,in  )is own loyalty to God and
to the Jewish ftiti  while he showed that the
law in which the% tulusted for salvation had not
been able to pCesui-ve Israel fioiu idolatry.  He
connected Jesus Chi-r;"st with i1l the Jewish history.  He reierred to the building of the temple
by Solomon, andl to t',he words of both Solomon
and Isaiahl:' Ho-beit, the Aost High dwelleth
not in templles m-ade x.ith lihads." "HLeaven is my
throner, and eaiti as my iioocsol   What house
will ye buiid me?,aitlh the Lord; or what is the
place of m-y ret? 2 -ia,th oot my hand made all
the th4.iings?"    T   place of God's highest worstlip   as in Heaven.
liheni Stephen had reached this point there
was a rttmult am(:,n  t,he people.  The prisoner
h-ad  is fate in the counrieia,nces before him.
He perceiv'e.- the lo i-;+ance that met his words,
whiL_, w ere so1,e;en -.:~ tee,i~atict1in of the Holy
G(lo's   He klwh —e Bla      as givi-g his last testim-ony. CAN  wi,  I,'e,.d this address of Stephen
prop,e] iy a1ppreciate it.  T'.e occasion, the time
and place should be borne in mind to make his
wodsI-' convey theii full significance.
297 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
When  he connected  Jesus Christ with  the
prophLcies, and spoke of tihe temple as he did,
the priest, ailecting, to be holror-stricken, rent his
robe.  T'fhis act was to Stephen a signal that his
voice would soon be silenced forevei.  Although
he was just in thie midst of his seirmon, hlie abruptly concluded it by suddenly breakiing away
from the cnain of history, and, turning upon his
infuriated judgcs, said, Y"e stfil-necked and uncircumcised inl heart and ears, ye do always resist
the Holy Ghost; as your lathers did, so do ye.
Which of the prophets hiave not your  fathers
persecuted? and they have slain them  which
showed before o- the comning of' the Just One; of
whom ye ilave been now the betrayers and murdereis; who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it."
At this the piicsts and( rulers were beside themselves with aigei.  Thiey were  more  like wild
beasts of pley than iike human  beings.  They
rushled upon S ephlen, giashling their teeth.  But
he was not intinidated; hie iad expected this.
His iace wa.s calm, aid shione with an angeiic light.
The infuriated priests acL the excited mob nad no
terrors or him.  "But he, being uill of the Holy
Ghost, looked up steadilas,iy into Heaven, and
saw the gloly of God, and Jesus standing on the
ri,ght haud of God, and said, Behold, I see the
heavens openea, ailnd the Son of man standing on
the ri,ght hand of God."
The scene about hiiii faded from his vision; the
gates of Heaven were ajar, and Stephen, looking
in, saw the gloi-y ot' the courts of God, and Christ,
as if just ri-en t'rom his thlronre, standing, ready to
sustain his servant, who was about to suffer niartyrdom for his name.  When Stephen proclaimed
298 
THE SEVEN DEACONS.
the glorious scene opened beft.re him, it was more
than his persecutors could endure.  They stopped
their ears, tiat they inight not hear his words,
and uttering loud crlies ran furiously upon him
with one accord.  "And  lhcy stoned Stephen,
calling upon God, anct saying, Lord Jesus, receive
my spirit.  And he kneeied tdown, ani cried with
a Loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.
And when he hlad said this he,el asleep."
Amid the agonies 0f this most cruel death, the
faitnui mniartyr, iike his civine Mlaster, prayed for
his murderers.   Ile winesses wiho had accused
Stephen were reCquirid to casbt the  first stones.
These perlsons laid down their clothes at the feet
of 6aui, who hai taken an active part in the disputation, and had consented to the prisoner's
death.
'ne martyrdom of Stephen made a deep impression upon all whio witnessed it.  It was a
sore trial to the church, but resulted in the conversion of Saui.  Tihe iaithi, constancy, and glorification of the martyr couid not oe effaced from
his memory.  The signet of God upon his face,
his words, that reached to tile very soul of all
who heard thlem, except those who were hardened
by resistiing the light, reiained in the memory of
thte bu.oiieris, anlt testiL-ied to tie truth of that
which he I:act piroclaired.
T heire had been no iegal sentence passed upon
Stephen; but the Roman authorities were bribed
biy large sums oft money to make no investigation
of the case. Saul seemed to be imbued with a
frenzied zeal at the scene ot Stephen's trial and
death.  He seemnied to be angered at his own secret
convictions that Stephen was honored of God, at
the very period when he was dishonored of men.
299 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
He  continued to persecute the church,L God,
hunting them down, seizing them in their houses,
and delivering them up to the priests and rulers
for imprisonment and death. His zeal in carrying
forward the persecution was a terror to the Christians in Jerusalem.  The Roman authorities made
no special effort to stay the cruel work, and secretly aided the Jews, in order to conciliate them,
and to secure their favor.
The learned Saul was a-mighty instrument in
the hands of Satan to carry out his rebellion
against the Son of God; but a mightier than Satan
had selected Saul to take the place of the martyred
Stephen, and to labor and suffer for his name.
Saul was a man of much esteem among the Jews,
for both his learning and his zeal in persecuting
the believers.  He was not a member of the Sanhedrim council until after the death of Stephen,
when he was elected to that body in consideration of the part he had acted on that occasion.
After the death of Stephen the disciples were
restrained in their active ministry, and many of
the believers who had temporarily resided in
Jerusalem now retired to their distant homes because of the violent persecution against them.
But the apostles dared not leave Jerusalem till
the Spirit of God indicated it to be their duty to
do so; for Christ had bidden them to first work in
that field.  Although the priests and rulers bitterly persecuted thie new converts, they did not
venture for a time to arrest the apostles, being
overawed by the dying testimony of Stephen,
and realizing that their course with him had injured their own cause in the minds of the people.
Christ had commanded his disciples to go and
teach all nations; but the previous teachings
300 
THE SEVEN DEACONS.
which they had received from the Jews made it
difficult for them to fully comprehend the words
of their Master, and therefore they were slow to
act upon them.   They  called themselves the
children of Abraham, and regarded themselves as
the heirs of divine 1)romise.  It was not until
several years after the Lord's ascension that their
minds were sufficiently expanded to clearly understand the intent of Christ's words, that they
were to labor for the conversion of the Gentiles
as well as that of the Jews.
Their minds were particularly called out to
this part of the work by the Gentiles themselves,
many of whom embraced the doctrine of Christ.
Closely following the death of Stephen, and the
consequent scattering of the believers throughout
Palestine,  Samaria was greatly stirred.  The
Samaritans received the believers kindly, and
manifested a willingness to hear concerning Jesus,
who, in his first public labors, had preached to
them with great power. Anything in regard to
Christ was heard by them with intense interest.
Here the disciples began to more fully understand
that the gospel was net in any wise to be confined to the Jews; for conversions occurred among
all classes, without any definite, special effort on
the part of the Christian teachers.   Many converts to Christ among the Gentiles demonstrated
to the Jewish believers that they were not the
only ones embraced in the message of Christ.
The animosity existing between the Jews and
Samaritans decreased, and it could no longer
be said that they had no dealing with each other.
Philip left Jerusalem, and preached a risen PRedeemer in Samaria.  Many  believed, and  received Christian baptism. Philip's preaching was
301 
TiE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
marked with so great success, and so many
were gathered into the fold of Christ, that he
finally sent to Jerusalem for help.  In answer to
this petition, the clhuich sent Peter and John to
his assistance, who laboired in Samaria with wonderful results.  They now n,erceived the meaning
of Christ, when he said, "Ye shall be witnesses
unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and
in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the
earth."
Among the converts in Samaria was one Simon,
who, by the power of Satan through sorcerers,
had gained great fame among the people. "To
whom they all gave heed, firom the least to the
greatest, sayin(g, This man is the great power of
God.  And to him they 1-had re(ardl, because that of
long time he had bewitched them wit h sorceries."
But when he saw a greater power manifested
by the apostles in healing the sick and in converting souis to the truth, he thought that by
uniting with the believers in Christ he might do
wonders equal to those accomplished by the apostles.  He honed thus to add greatly to his fame
and wealth, for he made merchandise of his sorceries and Satanic arts, pretending to impart their
secrets to others.
His darkened mind could lot distinguish between the power of the Holy Ghb(st and that of
Satan. He went to Peter and offered him money
if he would cive him nower to heal the sick, and
impart to men the Holy Ghost,, by laying his
hands upon them.  Peter was filled with horror
at such a proposal, and severely rebuked  the
presumption of Simon.  Said he, "Thy money
perish with thee, because thou hast thought that
the gift of God may be purchased. with money.
302 
THE SEVEN DEACONS.
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, for
thy heart is not right in the sight of God.   Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray
God. if perhaps tbhe tlought of thine heart may.v
be forgiven thee.  For I perceive that thou art in
the aall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniqiity."
The magician trembled with fear as his sin was
presented before him in this vivid manner.  He
began to pereive his own wicked audacity, and
entreated Peter to pr)ay that, the wrath of God
might not come upon him foi- his presumptuous
sin.  Peter  had, with  starthing force,  st!own
Simnon that he wais vet un;ouchecd by the grace of
God; f,A] if his raind had b:en thus enlightened,
he w-culd hav,- known that the sacred plower of
the Holy Spi-it could not he bou{.ht or sold for
money.   hit, at the insti t,ice of himself,
blead o+tained for!,: people the power of the
Holy Spirit, to he iven only to his chosen instruments, whose lives must be fiee from selfishness
and sin.
The Lord now sent his angel to Phlilip, directing him to cross the desert and -go to Gaza.  "And
he arose and went.  And, behold, a mran of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace,
quoeen of                         had  the,o  charge
of all her treasure, anld had come to Jerusalem
for to worshi,), was  returning, and sitting in
his  chariot, read  Es.ias  tUle prophet."  The
eunuch,  in  his blindness, had  been  groping
for light.  HTe believed the Sr:i'nture,, but could
not. fully undeistyi,.l them.  He therefore went
a journey to Jerusalem to the temple.  Hungering  and  thirsting  for knowledge, he laid
his perplexities.before the priests and scribes;
303 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
but he was still more mystified than before by
their interpretations of scripture.  He  prayed
fervently for light and knowledge, and God heard
his prayer, and sent his angel to Philip, bidding
him go to Gaza for thie purpose of preaching
Christ to a single soul t!hat hungei'ed and thirsted
for the truth.
The eunuch had heard at Jeiusalem various
conflicting reports in regard to Tesus of Nazareth.
His mind was troubled upton tle suoljct.  He
had a copy of the Scriptures wit! i:il, and was
diligently studying the proph-ecLies'i  crerence
to the Messiah, when Philip met him.  They
were strangers; but the mii d of Philip was impressed that this was the mn t whlo needed his
help.  Philip, walkinD by the side of the chariot,
inquired of the euLiueh if hc undlerstood the
prophecies he was reading.  He answered that
he needed instruction, and invited Phlilip to take
a seat beside him.
The scripture he was stiudyiicg was Isa. 53: 7.
Philip understood the desi'e of his heart, and
preached unto him Jesus Clhrist revealed in prophecy, and his mission to the earth to save sinners.
He showed him the steps necessa'v to take in
conversion  repentanrce towad God because of
transgression of tile lathei's law, faith in Christ
as the Saviour of men, and baptism in tie likeness of his death. The eunruch's heart was all
ready to receive the light and truth, and he accepted with gladness the gospel preached  by
Philip.
"And as they went on their way, they came
unto a certain water; and the eunuch said, See,
here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with
304 
CONVERSION OF SAUL.
all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered
and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God." The answer of the eunuch was prompt
and decided. lie commanded the chariot to be
stopped, "and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized
him. And whien they were come up out of the
water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip,
that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went
on his way rejoicing."
In this instance we have an illustration of the
care of God for his children. He called Philip
from his successful ministry in Samaria, to cross
the desert and go to Gaza to labor for a single
inquiring soul. The promptness with which the
eunuch accepted the gospel and acted upon its
belief should be a lesson to us. God designs that
we should be prompt in accepting and confessing
Christ, prompt in obeying him, and in answering
the call of duty. The eunuch was a man of good
repute, and occupied a high and responsible position. Through his conversion the gospel was carried to Ethiopia, and many there accepted Christ,
and came out from the darkness of heathenism
into the clear light of Christianity.
CHAPTER  XXIII.
CONVERSION OF SAUL.
THE mind of Saul was greatly stirred by the
triumphant death of Stephen. He was shaken
in his prejudice; but the opinions and arguments
of the priests and rulers finally convinced him
Great Controversy, Vol. 3.    20
30b
a 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
that Stephen was a blasphemer; that Jesus
Christ whom he preached was an impostor, and
that those ministering in holy offices must be
right. Being a man of decided mind, and strong
purpose, he became very bitter in his opposition to Christianity, after having once entirely
settled in his mind that the views of the priests
and scribes were right. His zeal led him to
voluntarily engage in persecuting  the believers. He caused holy men to be dragged before
the councils, and to be imprisoned or condemned
to death without evidence of any offense, save
their faith in Jesus. Of a similar character,
though in a difierent direction, was the zeal of
James and John, when they would have called
down fire from heaven to consume those who
slighted and scorned their Master.
Saul was about to journey to Damascus upon
his own business; but he was determined to accomplish a double purpose, by searching out, as
he went, all the believers in Christ. For this
purpose he obtained letters from the high priest
to read in the synagogues, which authorized him
to seize all those who were suspected of being
believers in Jesus, and to send them by messengers to Jerusalem, there to be tried and punished.
He set out upon his way, full of the strength
and vigor of manhood, and the fire of a mistaken
zeal.
As the weary travelers neared Damascus, the
eyes of Saul rested with pleasure upon the fertile
land, the beautiful gardens, the fruitful orchards,
and the cool streams that ran murmuring amid
the fresh, green shrubbery. It was very refreshing to look upon such a scene after a long, wearisome journey over a desolate waste. While Saul,
306 
CONVERSION OF SAUL.
with his companions, was gazing and admiring,
suddenly a light above the brightness of the sun
shone round about him, "and he fell to the earth,
and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul,
why persecutest thou me?  And he said, Who
art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus
whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee to
kick against the pricks."
The scune was one of the greatest confusion.
The companions of Saul were stricken with terror, and almost blinded by the intensity of the
light. They heard the voice, but saw no one,
and to them all was unintelligible and mysterious. But Saul, lying prostrate upon the ground,
understood the words that were spoken, and saw
clearly before him the Son of God. One look
upon that glorious Being, imprinted his image
forever upon the soul of the stricken Jew. The
words struck home to his heart with appalling
force.  A flood of light poured in upon the darkened chambers of ils mind, revealing his ignorance and error.  He saw that, while imagining
himself to be zealously serving God in persecuting the followers of Christ, he had in reality been
doing the work of Satan.
He saw his folly in resting his faith upon the
assurances of the priests and rulers, whose sacred
office had given them great influence over his
mind, and caused him to believe that the story of
the resurrection was an artful fabrication of
the disciples of Jesus. Now that Christ was
revealed to Saul, the sermon of Stephen was
brought forcibly to his mind. Those words
which the priests had pronounced blasphemy,
now appeared to him as truth and verity. In
that time of wonderful illumination, his mind
307 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
acted with remarkable rapidity. Ile traced down
through prophetic history, and saw that the rejection of Jesus by the Jews, his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension had been foretold by the
prophets, and proved him to be the promised
Messiah.  Hle remembered the words of Stephen:
"I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man
standing on the right hand of God;" and he knew
that the dying saint hadc looked upon the kingdom of Glory.
Wht a revelation was all this to the persecutor of the believers. Clear, but terrible light
had broken in upon his soul. Christ was revealed to him as having come to earth in fulfillment of his mission, being rejected, abused,
condemned, and crucified by those whom he came
to save, and as having risen from the dead, and
ascended into the heavens. In that terrible mnoment he remembered that the holy Stephen had
been sacrificed by his consent; and that through
his instrumentality many worthy saints had
met their death by cruel persecution.
"And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord,
what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord
said unto him, Arise and go into the city, and it
shall be told thee what thou must do." No doubt
entered the mind of Saul that this was the veritable Jesus of Nazareth who spoke to him, and that
he was indeed the long-looked-for Messiah, the
Consolation and Redeemer of Israel. And now
this Jesus, who had, while teaching upon earth,
spoken in parables to his hearers, using familiar
objects to illustrate his meaning, likened the
work of Saul, in persecuting the followers of
Christ, to kicking against the pricks.  Those forcible words illustrated the tfact that it would be
308 
CONVERSION OF SAUL.
impossible for any man to stay the onward progress of the truth of Christ. It would march on
to triumph and victory, while every eflort to
stay it would result in injury to the opposer.
The persecutor, in the end, would suffer a thousand-fold more than those whom he had persecuted. Sooner or later his own mind and heart
would condemn him; he would find that he had,
indeed, been kickling against the pricks.
The Saviour had spoken to Saul through
Stephen, whose clear reasoning from the Scriptures could not be  controverted.  The learned
Jew had seen the face of the martyr reflecting
the light of Christ's glory, and looking like the
face of an angel. He had witnessed his forbearance toward his enemies, and his forgiveness of
them. He had further witnessed the fortitude
and cheerful resignation of other believers in
Jesus while tormented and afflicted, some of
whom had yielded up their lives with rejoicing
for their faith's sake.
All this testimrony had appealed loudly to Saul,
and thrust conviction upon  his mind; but his
education and prejudices, his respect for priests
and rulers, and his pride of popularity, braced
him to rebel against the voice of conscience, and
the grace of God.  He had s(eu;ziled entire nights
against conviction, and badc always ended the
matter by avowing his belief that Jesus was not
the Messiah, that he was an impostor, and his
followers were deluded fanatics.
Nxw Christ had spoken to Saul with his own
voice: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"
And the question, "Who art thou, Lord?" was
answered by the same voice, "I am Jesus, whom
thou persecutest." Here Christ identifies him
309 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
self with his suffering people. Saul, in persecuting the followers of Jesus, had struck directly
against the Lord of Heaven.  Jesus declares that
in afflicting his brethren upon earth, Saul had
struck against their Head and Representative
in Heaven. In falsely accusing and testifying
against them, he had falsely accused and testified
against the Saviour of thie world.  Here it is
plainly seen, that Christ suffers in the person of
his saints.
When the effulgent glory was withdrawn, and
Saul arose from the earth, he found himself
totally deprived of sight. The brightness of
Christ's glory had been too intense for his mortal
sight, and when it was removed the blackness of
night settled upon his vision. He believed that
his blindness was the punishment of God for his
cruel persecution of the followers of Jesus. He
groped about in terrible darkness, and his companions, in fear and amazement, led him by the
hand into Damascus.
How different from what he had anticipated
was his entrance into that city! In proud satisfaction he had neared Damascus, expecting on
his arrival to be greeted with ostentation and applause because of the honor conferred upon him
by the high priest, a.nd the great zeal and penetration he had manifested in searching out the
believers, to carry them as captives to Jerusalem,
there to be condemned, and punished without
mercy.  He had determined  that his journey
slould be crowned with success; and his courageous and persevering spirit quailed at no difficulties nor dangers in the pursuance of his object.
He had determined that no Christian should escape his vigilance; he would inquire of men,
310 
CONVERSION  OF SAUL.
women, and children concerning their faith, and
that of those with whom they were connected;
he would enter houses, with power to seize their
inmates, and to send them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
But how changed was the scene from that
which he ha(l anticipated  Instead of wielding
power, and receiving honor, he was himself virtually a prisoner, being deprived of sight, and dependent upon the guidance of his companions.
Helpless, and tortured by remorse, he felt himself to be under sentence of death, and knew not
what farther disposition the Lord would make of
him.
He was taken to the house of the disciple
Judas, and there he remained, solitary and alone,
studying upon the strange revelation, that had
broken up all his plans, and changed the entire
current of his life. He passed three days in perfect blindness, occupying that terrible time with
reflection, repentance, and earnest prayer, neither
eating nor drinking during that entire period.
With bitterness he remembered Stephen, and
the evidence he had given of being sustained in
his martyrdom, by a power higher than that of
earthb. He thought with horror of his own guilt
in being carried away by the malice and prejudice
of the priests and rulers, closing his eyes and
ears against the most striking evidence, and relentlessly leading the van in the persecution of
the believers in Christ.
He. was in lonely seclusion; he had no communication with the church, for they had been
warned of the purpose of his journey to Damascus by the believers in Jerusalem; and they believed that he was acting a part the better to
311 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
carry out his design of persecuting them. He
had no desire to appeal to the unconverted Jews;
for he knew they would not listen to or heed his
statements. He seemed to be utterly shut out
from human sympathy; and he reflected, and
prayed with a thoroughly broken and repentant
spirit.
Those three days were like three years to the
blind and conscience-smitten Jew. He was no
novice in the Scriptures, and in his darkness and
solitude he recalled the passages which referred
to the Messiah, and traced down the prophecies, with a memory sharpened by the convic-'
tion that had taken possession of his mind. He
became astonished at his former blindness of understanding, and at the blindness of the Jews in
general, in rejecting Jesus as the promised Messiah. All now seemed plain to him, and he knew
that it was prejudice and unbelief which had
clouded his perceptions, and prevented him from
discerning in Jesus of Nazareth the Messiah of
prophecy.
This wonderful conversion of Saul demonstrates
in a startling manner the miraculous power of
Christ in convicting the mind and heart of man.
Saul had verily believed that to have faith in
Jesus was virtually to repudiate the law of God,
and the service of sacrificial offerings. He had
believed that Jesus had himself disregarded the
law, and had taught his disciples that it was now
of no effect. He believed it to be his duty to
strive with his utmost power to exterminate the
afarming doctrine that Jesus was the Prince of
life; and with conscientious zeal he had become
a persevering persecutor of the church of Christ.
But Jesus, whose name of all others he most
312 
CONVERSION OF SAUL.
hated and despised, had revealed himself to Saul,
for the purpose of arresting him in his mad career, and of making, from this most unpromising
subject, an instrument by which to bear the gospel to the Gentiles. Saul was overwhelmed by
f.his revelation, and perceived that in opposing
Jesus of Nazareth. he had arraved himself against
the Redeemer of the world. Overcome by a sense
of his guilt he cried out, "Lord, what wilt thou
have me to do?" Jesus did not then and there
inform him of the work he had assigned him,
but sent him for instruction to the very disciples whom he had so bitterly persecuted.
The marvelous light that illuminated the darkness of Saul was the work of the Lord; but there
was also a work that was fto be done for him by
the disciples of Christ.  The answer to Saul's
question is, "Arise, and go into the city, and it
shall be told thee what thou must do." Jesus
sends the inquiring Jew to his church, to obtain
from them a knowledge of his duty. Christ performed the work of revelation and conviction;
and now the penitent was in a condition to learn
of those whomn God had ordained to teach his
truth. Thus Jesus gave sanction to the authority of his organized church, and placed Saul in
connpction with his representatives on earth.
The light of heavenly illumination deprived Saul
of sight; but Jesus, the great Healer, did not at
once restore it.  All blessings flow from Christ,
but he had now established a church as his representative on earth, and to it belonged the work
of directing the repentant sinner in the way of
life. The very men whom Saul had purposed to
destroy were to be his instructors in the religion
he had despised and persecuted
313 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
The faith of Saul was severely tested during
the three days of fasting and prayer at the house
of Judas, in Damascus. He was totally blind,
and in utter. darkness of mind as to what was
required of himn.  He had been directed to go to
Damascus, where it would be told him what he
was to do. In his uncertainty and distress he
cried earnestly to God. "And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and
to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And
he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.  And the Lord
said unto him, Arise, and go into'the street which
is called Straight, and inquire in the house of
Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus; for, behold,
he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man
named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand
on him, that he might receive his sight."
Ananias could hardly credit the words of the
angel messenger, for Saul's bitter persecution of
the saints at Jerusalem had spread far and near.
He presumed to expostulate; said he, "Lord, I
have heard by many of this mran, how much evil
he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem. And
here he hath authority from the chief priests to
bind all that call on thy name." But the command to Ananias was imperative: "Go thy way,
for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my
name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel."
The disciple, obedient to the direction of the
angel, sought out the man who had but recently
breathed out threat'niings against all whio believed on the name of Jesus. He addressed himu:
"Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the was as thobu camtest, lath
sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight
314 
CONVERSION OF SAUL.
and be filled with the Holy Ghost; and immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales,
and he received sight forthwith, and arose and
was baptized."
Christ here gives an example of his manner of
working for the salvation of men. He might
have done all this work directly for Saul; but
this was not in accordance with his plan. His
blessings were to come through the agencies
which he had ordained. Saul had something to
do in the line of confession to those whose destruction he had meditated; and God had a responsible work for the men to do whom he had
authorized to act in his stead.
Saul becomes a learner of the disciples. In
the light of the law he sees himself a sinner.
He sees that Jesus, whom in his ignorance he
had considered an impostor, is the author and
foundation of the religion of God's people from
the days of Adam, and the finisher of the faith
now so clear to his enlightened vision; the vindicator of the truth, and the fulfiller of the
prophecies. He had regarded Jesus as making
of none effect the law of God; but when his
spiritual vision was touched by the finger of
God, he learned that Christ was the originator of
the entire Jewish system of sacrifices; that he
came into the world for the express purpose of
vindicating his Father's law; and that in his
death the typical law had met its antitype. By
the light of the moral law, which he had believedchimself to be zealously keeping, Saul saw
himself a sinner of sinners. He repented, that is,
died to sin, became obedient to the law of God,
had faith in Jesus Christ as'his Saviour, was bap
315 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
tized, and preached Jesus as earnestly and zealously as he had once denounced him.
The Redeemer of the world does not sanction
experience and exercise in religious matters independent of his organized and acknowledged
church. Many have an idea that they are responsible to Christ alone for their light and experience, independent of his recognized followers
on earth. But in the history of the conversion
of Saul, important principles are given us, which
we should ever bear in mind. He was brought
directly into the presence of Christ. He was one
whom Christ intended for a most impo.ttant work,
one who was to be "a chosen vessel" unto him;
yet he does not y;ersoially ilmpart to him the lessons of truth. He airrests his course and convicts him; but when asked by him, "What wilt
thou have me to do?" the Saviour places him
in connection with his church, and lets them direct him what to do.
Jesus is the Friend of sinners; his heart is
touched by their woe; he has all power, both in
Heaven  and upon  earth; but he respects the
means which bo b9 ordclained for the enlightenment and salvation of men; he directs sinners to
the church, which he has made a channel of light
to t,he wnrld.
Saul was a learned teacher in Israel; but, while
in the midst of his blind error an(, prejudice,
Christ reveals himself to him, and then places
him in communication with his cbl, lch, which is
the light of the world. In this ease Ananias
represents Christ, and  also represents Cbvist's
ministers upon earth, who are appointed to a&('t in
his stead.  In Chliist's stead, Ananias touches the
eyes of Saul that they may receive sight.  Ii[
316 
PAUL COMMENCES HIS MINISTRY.
Christ's stead, he places hi.s hands upo(n  liim, and,
praying in Christ's name, Saul receives the Holy
Ghost. All is done in the name and by the authoritv of Christ; but the church is the channel
of communication.
CHAPTER XXIV.
PAUL COMMNIENCES HIS MINISTRY.
PAUL was baptized by Ananias in tle river of
Damascus. He was then strengthened by food,
and immediately began to preach Jesus to the
believers in the city, the very ones whom he had
set out from Jerusalem with the purpose of destroying. He also taught in the synagogues that
Jesus who had been put to death was indeed
the Son of God. His arguments from prophecy
were so conclusive, and his efforts were so attended by the power of God, that the opposing
Jews were confounded and unable to answer him.
Paul's Rabbinical and Pharisaic education was
now to be used to good account in preaching the
gospel, and in sustaining the cause he had once
used every effort to destroy.
The Jews were thoroughly surprised and confounded by the conversion of Paul. They were
aware of his position at Jerusalem, and knew
what was his principal errand to Damascus, and
that he was armed with a commission from the
high priest that authorized him to take the believers in Jesus, and to send them as prisoners to
Jerusalem; yet now they beheld him preaching
317 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
the gospel of Jesus, strengthening those who
were already its disciples, and continually making new converts to the faith he had once so
zealously opposed.   Paul demonstrated  to all
who heard him that his change of faith was not
from impulse nor fanaticism, but was brought
about by overwhelming evidence.
As he labored in the synagogues his faith grew
stronger; his zeal in maintaining that Jesus was
the Son of God increased, in the face of the fierce
opposition of the Jews. He could not remain
long in Damascus, for after the Jews had recovered from their surprise at his wonderful conversion, and subsequent labors, they turned resolutely from the overwhelming evidence thus
brought to bear in favor of the doctrine of Christ.
Their astonishment at the conversion of Paul was
changed into an intense hatred of him like unto
that which they had manifested against Jesus.
Paul's life was in peril, and he received a commission from God to leave Damascus for a time.
He went into Arabia; and there, in comparative solitude, he had ample opportunity for communion with God, and for contemplation. He
wished to be alone with God, to search his own
heart, to deepen his repentance, and to prepare
himself by prayer and study to engage in a work
which appeared to him too great and too important for him to undertake. He was an apostle,
not chosen of men, but chosen of God, and his
work was plainly stated to be among the Gentiles.
' While in Arabia he did not communicate with
the apostles; he sought God earnestly with all
his heart, determining not to rest till he knew
for a certainty that his repentance was accepted,
318 
PAUL COMMENCES HIS MINISTRY.
and his great sin pardoned. He would not give
up the conflict until he had the assurance that
Jesus would be with him in his coming ministry.
He was ever to carry about with him in the
body the marks of Christ's glory, in his eyes,
which had been blinded by tile heavenly light,
and he desired also to bt)ear with him constantly
the assurance of Christ's sustaining grace.  Paul
came in close connection with Heaven, and Jesus
communed with him, and established him in his
faith, bestowing upon hiim his wisdom and grace.
Paul now returned to Damascus, and preached
boldly in the name of Jesus. The Jews could
not withstand tile wisdom of his arguments, and
they therefore counseled together to silence his
voice by iforce-the only argument left to a sinking cause. They decided to assassinate him.
The apostle was made acquainted with their purpose. The gates of the city were vigilantly
guarded, day and night, to cut oilff his escape.
The anxiety of the disciples drew them to God
in prayer; there was little sleeping among them,
as they were busy in devising ways and means
for the escape oi the chosen apostle. Finally
they conceived a plan by which he was let down
from a window, and lowered over the wall in a
basket at night. In this humiliating manner
Paul made his escape fi'om Damascus.
He now proceeded to Jerusalem, wishing to
become acquainted with the apostles there, and
especially with Peter. He was very anxious to
meet the Galilean fishermen who had lived, and
prayed, and conversed with Christ upon earth.
It was with a yearning heart that he desired to
meet the chief of apostles. As Paul entered
Jerusalem, he regarded with changed views the
319 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
city and the temple. Hlie now knew. that the
retributive judgment of God was hanging over
them.
The grief and anger of the Jews because of the
conversion of Paul knew no bounds. But he was
firm as a rock, and flattered himself that when he
related his wonderful experience to his friends,
they would change their faith as he had done,
and believe on Jesus.  He had  been strictly
conscientious in his opposition of Christ and his
followers, and when he was arrested and convicted of his sin, he immediately forsook his evil
ways, and professed the faith of Jesus. Hie
now fully believed that when his friends and
former associates heard the circumstances of his
marvelous conversion, and saw how changed he
was from the proud Pharisee who persecuted and
delivered unto death those who believed in Jesus
as the Son of God, they would also become convicted of their error, and join the ranks of the
believers.
He attempted to join himself to his brethren, the
disciples; but grceat was his grief and disappointment when he found that they would not receive
him as one of their number. They remembered
his former persecutions, and suspected him of acting a part to deceive and destroy them. True,
they had heard of his wonderful conversion, but
as he had immediately retired into Arabia, and
they had heard nothing definite of him farther,
they had not credited the rumor of his great
change.
Barnabas, who had liberally contributed his
money to sustain the cause of Christ, and to relieve the necessities of the poor, had been acquainted with Paul when he opposed the be
320 
PAUL COMMENCES HIS MINISTRY.
lievers.  He now came forward and renewed that
acquaintance, heard the testimony of Paul in
regard to his mliraculous conversion, and his experience from that time.  He fully believed and
received Paul, took him by the hand and led
him into the presence of the apostles. He related his experience which he had just heardthat Jesus had personally appeared ta Paul while
onI his way to i)amascus; that he had talked
with him; that Paul had recovered his sight in
answer to the prayers of Ananias, and had afterward maintained that Jesus was the Son of God
in the synagogues of the city.
The apostles no longer hesitated; they could
not withstand God.  Peter and James, who at
that time were the only apostles in Jerusalem,
gave the right hand of fellowship to the once
fierce persecutor of their faith; and he was now
as much beloved and respected as he had formerly
been feared and avoided. Here the two gland
characters of the new faith met-Peter, one of
the chosen companions of Christ while he was
upon earth, and Paul, a Pharisee, who, since the
ascension of Jesus, had met him face to face, and
had talked with him, and had also seen him in
vision, and the nature of his work in Heaven.
This first interview was of great consequence
to both these apostles, but it was of short duration, for Paul was eager to get about his Mlaster's
business. Soon the voice which had so earnestly
disputed with Stephen was heard in the same
synag(,)ue fearlessly proclaiming that Jesus was
the Scon of God-advocating the same cause
that Stephen had died to vindicate. He related
his own wonderful experience, and with a heart
Great Controversy, Vol. 3.  21
321 
THE GTEAT CONTI OVEIRSY.
filled with yearning fori his brethren and former
associates, presented the evidences from prophecy, as Stephen had done, that Jesus, who had
been crucified, was the Sonr of God.
But Paul had miscalculated the spirit of his
Jewish brethren.  The samne fury that had burst
forth upon Stepheen was visited upon himself.
He saw that he must separat,e from his brethren,
and sorrow filled his heart.  He would vwillingly
have yielded up his life, if by that means they
might have been brought to a knowledge of
the truth. The Jews began to lay plans to take
his life, and the disciples urged him to leave
Jerusalem; but he lingered, unwilling to leave
the place, and anxious to labbor a little longer for
his Jewish brethren. He had taken so active a
part in the martyrdom of Stephen that he was
deeply anxious to wipe out the stain by boldly
vindicating the truth which had cost Stephen his
life. It looked to him like cowardice to flee from
Jerusalem.
While Paul, braving all the consequences of
such a step, was praying earnestly to God in the
temple, the Saviour appeared to him in vision,
saying, "Make haste, and get thee quickly out of
Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testimony
concerning me."  Paul even then hesitated to
leave Jerusalem without convincing the obstinate
Jews of the truth of his faith; he thought that,
even if his life should be sacrificed for the truth,
it would not more than settle the fearful account
wvhich he held against himself for the death of
Stephen.  He answered, "Lord, they know that
I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them
that believed on thee. And when the blood of
thy martyr Stephen was shed, I ~t)s:  was stand
3 2 — ) 
MIN'ISTRY OF PETER..
ing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept
the raiment of them  that slew him."  But the
reply was mote decilded than before: " Depart;
for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles."
WVhen the brethren learnedtl )' thoe vision of
Paul, and the care which God  had over him,
their anxiety on his behalf vwa  incieased; for
they realized that he was indeed a chosen vessel
of the Lord, to beat the truth to thie Gentiles.
They hastene(l his secret escapee firom Jerusalem,
for fear of his assassination by the Jews.  The
departure of Paul suspended for a time the violent opposition of the Jews, and the church had
a period of rest, in which manv were added to
the number of believers.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE  MINISTRY  OF  PETER.
PETER, in pursuailee of his woik, visited the
saints at Ly(dai. Tlei-e he healed AEneas, who
had been confin{,_ to li bed fo-r eight years with
the palsy.  "Ai d Peter said unto him, zEneas,
Jesus Christ mlketLh thee whole; arise, and make
thy bed.  Aud he arose mimLmedi.'ately.  And all
that dwelt at, Ly(!da and Saron saw him, and
turned to the Lord."
Joppa was near Lydida; and at that time Tabitha-called Doicas by interpretation-lay there
dead. She had been a worthy disciple of'Jesus
Christ, and her life had been characterized by
deeds of charity and kindness to the poor and
323 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
sorrowful, and by zeal in the cause of truth. Her
death was a great loss; the infant church could
not well sparie her noble effoirts. When the believers heard of the marivelous cures which Peter
had  performed in Lydda, they greatly desired
him to come to Joppa.  Mecssengeis were sent to
him to solicit his presence tlere.
"Then Petel arose and went with them.  When
he was come, they brought him into the upper
cham}:er; and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which
Dorcas made while she was with them." Peter
had the weeping and wailing friends sent f[om
the room.  He then kneeled down, and prayed
fervently to God to restore life and health to the
pulseless body of Doreas  "and turning him to
the body said, Tabitba, aliie. Anid she opened her
eyes; and when she saw Peter, lhe s,t up.  Arnd
he gave her his hatd, and lilted her up; and
when he had called the saints aid widows, he
presented heri alive."  Ti-is gieat work of aising
the dead to life was the means of converting many
in Jc(ppa to the faith of Jesus.
"There was a certain men in Cesarea called
Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the
Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared
God with all his house, which gave much
alms to the people, and prayed to God always."
Though  Cor elius was a RJnman, he had become acquainted with the true God, and had renounced idolatry.  He was obedienrt to the will
qf God, and worshiped hiri with a true heart.
He had-not connected himself with the Jews, but
was acquainted with, and obedient to, the moral
law.  He had not been circumcised, nor did he
take part in the sacrificial offerings; he was there
3 — ) 4 
MINISTRY OF PETER.
fore accounted by the Jews as unclean. He,
however, sustained the Jewish cause by liberal
donations, and was known far and near for his
(leeds of charity and benevolence.  His righteous
life made him of good repute, among both Jews
and Gentiles.
Cornelius had not an understanding faith in
Christ, although, he believed the prophecies, and
was looking for MAessiah to come.  Through his
love and obedience to God, he was brought nigh
unto him, and was prepared to receive the Saviour when he should be revealed to him.  Condemnation comes by rejecting the light given.
The centurion was a man of noble family, and
held a position of high trust and honor; but
these circumstances had not tended to subvert
the noble attributes of his character. True goodness and greatness united to make him a man of
moral worth. His influence was beneficial to all
with whom he was brought in contact.
He believed in the one God, the Creator of
Heaven and earth.  He revered him, acknowledged his authority, and sought counsel of him
in all the business of his life.  He was faithful in his home duties as well as in his (ifiicial
responsibilities, and had erected the altar of God
in his family. He dared not venture to carry
out his plane, and bear the burden of his weighty
responsibilities, without the help of God; thierefore he prayed much and earnestly for that hell).
Faith marked a1l his works, and God regarded
him fqv the purity of his actions, arid his liberalities, and came near to him in word and Spirit.
While Cornelius was  praying,  God  sent a
celestial messenger to him, who  addressed himby name. The centurion was afraid, yet knew
325 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
that the angel was sent of God to. instruct
him, and said, "What is it, Lord?  And he said
unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come
up for a memorial before God.  And now send
men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Petel.  He lodgeth with one Simon, a
tanner, whose house is by tare sea side.  He shall
tell thee what thou oughtest to do."
Here again God showed his regard for the gospel ministry, and for his organized church. His
angel was not the one to tell the story of the
cross to Cornelius.   A  man, subject as himself to human i'ailties and temptation, was to
instruct him  concerning the crucified, uisen, and
ascended Saviouri. The lheavenly messenger was
sent for the express purpose of putting Cornelius
in connection with tl)e minister of God, who
would teach him how he and his houee could be
saved.
Cornelius was gladly obedient to the message,
and sent messengers at ornce to seek out Peter,
according to the directions of the angel. The
explicitness of these directions, in which  was
even named  the occupl)ation of the man with
whom Peter was then b. in'g his some, evidences
that Heaven is wevl acquainted with the history
and business of men in every giade of life.  God
is cognizant of the daily  employment of the
hi,mble laborei, as wvell as of that of the king
upon his throne.  And the a,vaiice, cruelty, secret
crimes, and selfishness of men are known to him,
as well as their good deeds, charity, liberality,
and kindness. Nothing is hiddden from God.
Immediately after this interview with Cornelius, the angel went to Peter, who, very weary
and hungriy fiom journeying, was praying upon
326 
MIINISTRY OF PETER.
the housetop. While praying he was shown a
vision, "and saw heaven opened, and a certain
vessel descending unto him, as it had been a
great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down
to the earth; wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, anid wild beasts, and
creeping things, and fowls of the air.  And there
came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never
eaten anything that is common or unclean.  And
the voice spake unto him again the second time,
Whlat God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.  This was done thrice; and the vessel was
received up) again into heaven."
Here we may perceive the workings of God's
plan to set the machinery in motion, whereby
his will may be done on earth as it is done in
Heaven.  Peter had not yet preached the gospel
to the Gentiles.  Alany of them had been interested listeners to the truthis which he taught;
but the middle wall of partition, which the death
of Christ had broken down, still existed in the
minds of the apostles, and excluded the Gentiles
firom  the privileges of the gospel.  The Greek
Jews had received the labors of tile apostles, and
many of then had responded to those efforts by
embracing thle failth of Jesus; but the conversion
ot' Coirnelius was to be the first one of importance
amonig the Gantles.
By the vision of the sheet and its contents, let
down fi om heaven, Peter was to be divested of
his sattied prejudices against the Gentiles; to
understand that, throughl Chiiist, heathen nations
were made partakers of the blessings and privileges of the Jews, and were to be thus benefited
:tqually with them, SoIne  Iave urged that this
327 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
vision was to signify that God had removed his
prohibition from the use of the flesh of animals
which hie had formerly pronounced unclean; and
that  therefore swines' flesh was  fit for food.
This is a very narrow, and altogether erroneous
interpretation, and is plainly contradicted in the
scriptural account of the vision and its conse
quences.
, The vision of all manner of live beasts, which
the sheet contained, and of which Peter was
commanded to kill and eat, being assured that
what God had cleansed should not he called common or unclean by him, was simply an illustration presenting to his mind the true position of
the Gentiles; that by the death of Christ they
were made fellow-heirs with the Israel of God.
It conveyed to Peter both reproof and instruction. His labors had heretofore been confined
entirely to the Jews; and he had looked upon
the Gentiles as an unclean race, and excluded
from the promises of God. His mind was now
being led to comprehend the world-wide extent
of the plan of God.
Even while he pondered over the vision, it
was explained to him. "Now while Peter
doubted in himself what this vision which he
had seen should mean, behold, the men which
were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for
Simon's house, and stood before the gate, and
called, and asked whether Simon, wlhi(h was surnamed  Peter, were lodged there. While Peter
thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him,
Behold, three men seek thee.  Arise therefore,
and get thee down, and go with them, doubting
nothing; f,Jr I have sent them."
It was a trying command to Peter; but he
328 
MINISTRY OF PETER.
dared not act according to his own feelings, and
therefore went down from his chamber, and received the messengers sent to him from Cornelius.
They communicated their singular errand to the
apostle, and, acc-,ording, to the direction he had
just received from God, he at once agreed to
accompany them on the morrow.  He  courteously entertained them that night, and in the
morning set out with them for Cesarea, accompanied by six of his brethren, who were to be
witnesses of all he should say or do while visiting the Gentiles; for lie knew that he should
be called to account for so direct an opposition
to the Jewish faith and teachings.
It was nearly two days before the journey was
ended and Coi-nelius had the glad privilege of
opening his doors to a gospel minister, who, according to the assurance of God, should teach
him and his house how they might be saved.
While the messengers were upon their errand
the centurion had gathered together as many of
his relatives as were accessible, that they, as well
as he, might be instructed in the truth. When
Peter arrived, a large company were gathered,
eagerly waiting to listen to his words.
As Peter entered the house of the Gentile,
Cornelius did not salute him as an ordinary visitor, but as one honored of Heaven, and sent to
hil by God. It is an Eastern custom to bow
before a prince or other high dignitary, and for
children to bow before their parents who are
honored  with positions of trust.  But Cornelius,
overwhelmed with reverence for the apostle who
had been delegated by G)d, fell at his feet and
worshiped him.  Peter shrank with horror fiom
this act of the centurion, and lifted him to his
329 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
feet, saying, "Stand up; I myself also am a
man."  He  tbcen commienced to converse with
him familiafly, in order to remove the sense of
awe and extreme reverence with which the centurion iregarded him.
Had Peter been invested withl the authority
and  position accorded to limn  by the Roman
Catholic  Chuirch, he would have  encouraged,
rather than lhave checked, thile veneration of Cornelius.  The so-callei sUCCc(s)so of Peter require
kings and emperors to bow at tiheir feet; but
Peter himself claimed to be only an erring and
fallible man.
Peter spoke with Coinelius and those assembled in Itis house, co)ncerning tlhe custom of the
Jews; that it was considered unlatwful for them
to mingle socially with G-enti;les, and involved ceremonial defileiieti-. It was n-t p1rolhibited by the
law of God, but, the tadit,in of' men lhad mnade it
a binding custo      Saiid he, " Ye know how that
it is an unlaiwful tit-g tfor a iman that is a Jew
to keep company, or come unt) one of another
nation.; but God hath showed me that I shlould
not call ainy mran coninonh or unclean.  Therefore
caime I lnito y  ou)u without gaiisaying, as soon as
I was sent for; I ak theliiefoe foir whlat intent
ye have sent for ine."
C)rnelius  teeuj:               his ex.)erience,
and the wo:'s of tlie an(el tlJat had al peared to
him in vision. In  cnclsin he said,'.Imm:ediately theiefoie I sent  o thee; antd t.hou hast
well done tlat tIhou ait comie. Nowv therefore
aie we all   here Iiesent hefie G)(1,ro llear all
things that ai  coimman-ded thee of G-.).  Th'en
Peter op)ered hlis Iio,utb, aln(d saiid, Of a truth  I
perceive that God is no oeClecter of peirsons; but
330 
MINISTRY OF PETER.
in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh
righteousness, is accepted with him."  Although
God had favored the Jews abovo all other nations, yet if they rejected lighlt, and did not live
up to their profession, they were no more exalted
in his esteem than other nations.  Those among
the Gentiles who, like Corneliuts, feared God, and
worked  righteousness, living up to) what light
they had, were kindly regardeld by G od, and thleir
sincere service was accepted.
But the faith and righteousness of Cornelius
could not be  )erfect without a knowledge of
Christ; therefore God sent thliat light and knowledge to him for the farther development of his
righteous character.  Mlany refuse to receive the
light which the )rovidenCice of God sends them,
and, as an excuse fc, so doing, quote the words
of Peter to Cornelus and I,is frienlds: " But in
every nation he that fearteth HIim, and worketh
righteousness,  is accepted  with   im."  They
maintain that it is of nio conysequence what mten
believe, so long as their works are good.  Such
ones are wrong;  faith imust unite with  their
works.  They  should advanyce  with  the light
that is given them.  If God brings them in connection with his servants who have  received
new truth, substantiated by the Word  of God,
they should accept it with joy.'Jl'utl is onward.
Truth is upward.  On thie otiher hand, those whtio
claim that their faith al  ne w-ill save them, are
trusting to a rope of sand; fo' faith is stiengthened and made perfect by wojks only.
Peter preached Jesus -o tha.t coliil)aTiy of attentive hearers; his ife, I'f i:.try, miracles, betiayal, crucifixion -.       i(-Clur'iu, and ascension,
and his woj'k inri Heavei, as  n's Re-presenrtative
331 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
and Advocate, to plead in the sinner's behalf. As
the apostle spoke, his heart glowed with the Spirit
of God's truth which he was presentirg to the people.  His heaiers were charmed by the doctrine
they heard, for their hearts had been prepared to
receive the trut].  The apostle was interrupted
by the descent of the Holy Ghost, as was manifested on the day of Pentecost. "And they of
the circumcision which believed were astonished,
as many as came with Peter, because that on the
Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy
Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues,
and magnifvy God.  Then answeied Peter, Can
any manr forbid water, that these should not be
baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as
well as we? And he commanded them to be
baptized in the name of the Lord.  Then prayed
they him to tarry certain days."
The descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Gentiles was not an equivalent for baptism.  The
requisite steps in conversion, in all cases, are
faith, repentance, and baptism.  Thus the true
Christian churich are united in one Lard, one
faith, one baptism.   Diverse temperaments  are
modified by sanctifying gra,ce, and the same distinguishing principles regulate the lives of all.
Peter yielded to the entreaties of the believing
Gentiles, and remained with them for a time,
preaching Jesus to all the Gentiles thereabout..
'W\hen the brethren in Judea heard that Peter
had preached to the Gentiles, and had met with
them, and eaten with them in their houses, they
w;ere surprised and offended by such strange
movements on his part. They feared that such
a course, which looked presumnptuous to them,
would tend to contradict his own teachings. As
332 
MINISTRY OF PETER.
soon as Peter visited them, they met him with
severe censure, saying, "Thou wentest in to men
uncircumcised, and didst eat with them."
Then Petel candidly laid the whole matter befoire them.  He  related his experience  in regard to the vision, and pleaded that it admonished him no lcnger to keep up the ceremonial
distinction of circumcisien and uncircurncision,
nor to look upon the Gentiles as unclean, for God
was not a respecter of persons.  He informed
them of the command of God to go to the Gentiles, the coming of the messengers, his joulney to
Cesarea, and the meeting with Cornelius and the
company collected at his house.  His caution was
made manifest to his bretlren from the fact that,
although commanded by God to go to the Gentile's house, he had taken with him six of the disciples then present, as witnesses of all he should
say or do while there. He recounted the substance of his interview with Cornelius, in which
the latter had told him of his vision, wherein
he had been directed to send messengers to Joppa
to bring Peter to him, whro would tell him words
whereby hle, and all his house, might be saved.
He recounted the events of this first meeting
with the Gentiles, saying, "And as I began to
speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at
the beginning.  Tlhen remembered I the word of
the Lord, how that he said, J(,hn indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with
the Holy Ghost.  Forasmuch then as God gave
them tlhe like gift as he did unto us, who believed
on the Lord Jesus Christ, what was I, tbat I could
withstand God?"
The disciples, upon hearing this account, were
silenced, and convinced that Peter's course was in
333 
TrlE (REAT CONTROVERSY.
direct fulfillment of the plan of God, and that
their old preju(lices and exclusiveness were to be
utterly destroyed'iy the gospel of Christ. "When
they heard thene thlirigs, they held their peace,
and  lc,rlificd God, saying, rT[h(en hath God also to
the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."
CHAPTER XXVI.
DELIVERAN(CE OF PETER.
HEROD was professedly a proselyte to the Jew.
ish faith, and apparently very zealous in perpetuating the ceremonies of the law. The government
of Judea was in his hands, subject to Claudius,
the Roman emperor; he also held the position of
tetrarch of Galiiee.  Herod was anxious to obtain
the favor of the Jews, hoping th.us to make secure his offices and hn(-ois.  He  therefore proceecled( to carry outl. thie desires of the Jews in
persecuting the church of Christ.  He began his
work by spoiling the houses and goods of the
believers; he then began to impl)rison the leading
ones.  He seized upon James and cast him into
prison, and there sent an executioner to kill him
with a sword, as another Herod had caused the
prophet John to be beheaded. He then became
bolder, seeing that the Jews were well pleased
with his acts, and imprisoned Peter. These cruelties were performed during the sacred occasion
of the passover.
James was one of the three favored disciples
who had been brought into the closest relation
334 
D FLTIlERANCEA OF' PETrE R.
ship with Ch"rist.  Jam-tes, John, and Peter were
his chief witnesses after his death.  They  saw
the tiansfiguration. of the Savioutr, and  beheld
him  glorified..  They  weree in the  garden with
him duin-  thie night of his agony.  James and
John were the sons of Zebedee, the ones whom
Jesuis had asked, " Are ye able to diinik of the
cup that f shall drinik of, and to be baptized with
the baptism that I aimn baptize(1 with?" When
James was rudlely thrlust into prison, and unceremoniously summnione(i to execution he understood
more fully than ever before, the words of his Lord
upon that occasion.
There was great gri;ef and consternation at the
death of James. Wh\ren Peter was also imprisoned, the entire'Ciuchl engaged in fasting and
prayer.  While tkie Jew-s  weie celebrating the
memorial of their deliverance  from Egypt, and
pretending great zeal for the law, they were at
the same time persecuting alnd  iurldejing the
believers in Christ, thus transgressing every principle of that jaw.  At these great religious gathelings they stirted Ct one another up against the
Christian%, till they.we'e united in a bitter hatred
of tihem.
The people ap)plauded the act of Herod in
causing the death of James, though sonme of
them complained of t+he private manner in which
it was accomplishedl, maintaining that a public
execution would have had the effect to more
thoroughly intimidate all believers and sympathizers.  Herod therefore held Peter in custody
for the purpose of gratifying the Jews by
the public spectacle of his death. But it was
suggested to the ruler that it would  not be
safe to bring the veteran apostle out for execu
,13 5 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
tion before all the people who were assembled
in Jerusalem for the passover. It was feared
that his venerable appearance might excite
their pity and respect; they also dreaded lest he
should make one of those powerful appeals which
had fiequently roused the people to investigate
the life and character of Jesus Christ, and which
they, with all their artifice, were totally unable
to controvert. In such a case, the Jews apprehended that his release would be demanded at
the hands of the king.
Peter's ardent zeal in vindicating limself, and
in advocating the cause of Christ, had lost to the
Jews many of their brethren, and they stood in
great dread of his having an opportunity to lift
up his voice in the presence of all the nations
and people that had come to the city to worship.
Therefore the apostle was placed under charge of
sixteen soldiers, who alternated in guarding him
day and night.  But it was in vain that the puny
arm of man was lifted against the Lord. He,
by the putting forth of his might, was about to
stay the precious blood which the Jews, would
have been emboldened to shed, had not divine
power interposed.
While the execution of Peter was being delayed, upon various pretexts, until after the passover, the church of Chist had time for deep
searching of heart, and earnest prayer. Strong
petitions, tears, and  fasting were mingled together.  They prayed without ceasing for Peter;
they felt that he could not be spared from the
Clristian work; and they felt that they had arrived at a point, where, without the special help
of God, the church of Christ would become extinct.
336 
DELIVERANCE OF PETER.,
Meanwhile worshipers of every nation sought
the temple which had been dedicated to the service of God, and which remained, to all appearance, the same as when the shekinah had glorified it, with the exception of additional embellishment.  But God was no longer to be found
in that p)alace of loveliness, glittering with gold
and precious stones, and presenting a spectacle of
grandeur and beauty to all beholders.
The dlay of Peter's execution was at last appointed(; but still the prayers of the believers
ascend(ed to Heaven. And while all their energies and sympathies were called out in fervent
appeals, angels of God were guarding the imprisoned apostle. Man's extremity is God's opportunity. Peter was placed between two soldiers, and was bound by two chains, each chain
being fastened to the wrist of one of his guard.
He was therefore unable to move without their
knowledge.  The  prison doors  were  securely
fastened, and a strong guard was placed before
them. All chance of rescue or escape, by human
means, was thus cut off.
The apostle was not intimidated bv his situation.  Since his re-instatement after his denial of
Christ, he had unflinchingly braved danger, and
manifested  a noble courage and  boldness  in
)reachling, a crucified, risen, and ascended Saviour.
He now called to mind the words of Jesus addressed to himn: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and
walkedst whither thou wouldest; but when thou
shalt be old, thou sbalt stretch forth thy hands,
and another shall gird thee, and carry thee
whither thou wouldest not." He believed the
Great Coatroverlsy, Vol. 3-  22
33,i' 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
time had now come when he was to yield up his
life for Christ's sake.
The night before his appointed execution, Peter, bound with chains, slept between the two
soldiers, as usual. Herod, remembering the escape of Peter and John from prison, where they
had been confined because of their faith, took
double precautions on this occasion. The soldiers
on guard, in order to secure their extra vigilance,
were made answerable for the safe-keeping of
the prisoner. He was bound, as has been described, in a ceil of massive rock, the doors of
which were bolted and barred. Sixteen men
were detailed to guard this cell, relieving each
other at regular intervals. Four comprised the
watch at one time. But the bolts and bars, and
Roman guard, which effectually cut off from the
prisoner a possibility of human aid, were only to
result in making the triumph of God more complete in Peter's deliverance from prison. Herod
was lifting his hand against Omnipotence, and
he was to be utterly humiliated and defeated in
his attempt upon the life of the servant of God.
On this last night before the execution, a
mighty angel, commissioned from Heaven, descended to rescue him. The strong gates which
shut in the saint of God, open without the aid of
human hands; the angel of the Most High enters,
and they close again noiselessly behind him. He
enters the cell, hewn from the solid rock, and
there lies Peter, sleeping the blessed, peaceful
sleep of innocence and perfect trust in God, while
chained to a powerful guard on either side of
him. The light which enveloped the angel illuminated the prison, but did not waken the sleeping apostle. His was the sound repose that
338 
DELIVERANCE OF PETER.
invigorates and renews, and that comes of a good
conscience.
Peter is not awakened until he feels the
stroke of the angel's hand, and hears his voice
saying, "Arise up quickly."  He sees his cell,
which had never been blessed by a ray of sunshine, illuminated by the light of Heaven, and
an angel of great glory standing before him.
He mechanically obeys the voice of the angel;
and in rising lifts his hands, and finds that the
chains have been broken from his wrists. Again
the voice of the angel is heard: "Gird thyself,
and bind on thy sandals."
Again Peter mechanically obeys, keeping his
wondering gaze riveted upon his heavenly visitant, and believing himself to be dreaming, or in
a vision. The armed soldiers are passive as if
chiseled from marble, as the angel again commands, "Cast thy garment about thee, and follow
me." Thereupon the heavenly being moves
toward the door, and the usually talkative Peter
follows, dumb from amazement. They step over
the motionless guard, and reach the heavily
bolted and barred door, which swings open of
its own accord, and closes again immediately;
while the guard within and outside the door are
motionless at their posts.
The second gate, which is also guarded within
and without, is reached; it opens as did the first,
with no creaking of hinges, or rattling of iron
bolts; they pass without, and it closes again as
noiselessly. They pass through the third gateway in the same manner, and at last find themselves in the open street. No word is spoken;
there is no sound of footstep; the angel glides
on before, encircled by a light of dazzling bright
339 
TilE GRIEAT ('ONTROVEBSY.
ness, and Peter follows his deliverer, bewildered,
and believing himself to be in a dream. Street
after street is threaded thus, and then, the mission of the angel being, completed, he suddenly
disappears.
As the heavenly light faded away, Peter felt
himself to be in profound darkness; but gradually
the darkness seemed to decrease, as hlie became
accustomed to it, and he found himself alone in
t'he silent stre'et, with the c)ol night air upon his
brow.  He ilow realized that it was no dream or
vision that had visited Itim. lie was free, in a
familiar part of the city; he recognized the place
as one which he had often fi'equented, and had
expec'ed to pass for the last, time on the moiTow,
when upon the way to the scene of his prospective death. He tried to recall tlhe events of the
last few moments. He remnembe-ed fallirngr asleep,
bound between the two soldiers, with his sandals
and  liter garment removed.  He examined his
person, and found himself fully dressed, and
gYirded.
His wrists, swollen from wearing the cruel
irons, were now free from the manacles, and he
realized that his freedom was no delusion, but a
blessed reality.  On the mrorrow he was to have
been led forth to die; but lo, an angel had delivered him fromt prison and from death.  "And
when Peter was come to hiimstelf, hie said, Now I
know of a surety that the Lord hath sent his
range!, and hath delivered me out of the hand of
Tierod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews."
The apostle made his way direct to the house
where his brethren werei  assembled together for
prayer;  he found  thlim  engaged  in  earnest
34(-) 
DELIVERANCE OF PETER.
prayer for him at that moment. "And as Petelr
knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came
to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew
Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before
the gate.  And they said unto her, Thou art mad.
But she constantly affirmed that it was even so.
Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the
door, and saw him, they were astonished. But
he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold
their peace, declared unto them how the Lord
had brought him out of the prison. And he said
Go show these things unto James, and to the
brethren.  And  he  departed,  and went  into
another place."
Joy and praise filled the hearts of the fasting
praying believers, that God had heard and answered their prayers, and delivered Peter from
the hand of Herod.  In the morning the people
gathered together to witness the execution of the
apostle.  Herod sent officers to bring Peter froi
prison with great display of arms and guard, in
order to insure against his escape, to intimidate
all sympathizers, and to exhibit his own power
Meanwhile terror and mortification had seized
the Roman guard at the prison, when they found
that the prisoner was gone. It had been expressly stated to them that their lives would be
answerable for the life of their charge, and fox
that reason they had been specially vigilant. But
the Gad of Heaven had thwarted the purpose oi
wicked Herod.  There  was the guard at the
door of the prison, the bolts and bars of the door
still fast and strong, the guard inside, the chain,
3,41 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
attached to the wrists of the two soldiers; but
the prisoner was gone.
When the report of these things was brought
to Herod, he was exasperated, and charged the
keepers of the prison with unfaithfulness. They
were accordingly put to death for the alleged
crime of sleeping at their post. At the same
time, Herod knew that no human power had rescued Peter. But he was determined not to acknowledge that a divine power had been at work
to thwart his base designs. He would not humiliate himself thus, but set himself boldly in
defiance of God.
Herod, not long after Peter's deliverance from
prison, went down from Judea to Cesarea, and
there abode. He there made a grand festival, designed to excite the admiration and applause of the people. Pleasure-lovers from all
quarters were assembled together, and there was
much feasting and wine-drinking. Herod made
a most gorgeous appearance before the people.
He was clad in a robe, sparkling with silver and
gold, that caught the rays of the sun in its glittering folds, and dazzled the eyes of the beholders. With great pomp and ceremony he stood
before the multitude, and addressed them in an
eloquent oration.
The majesty of his appearance, and the power
of his well-chosen language, swayed the assembly with a mighty influence. Their senses were
already perverted by feasting and wine; they
rere dazzled by his glittering decorations, and
charmed by his grand deportment and eloquent
words; and, wild with enthusiasm, they showered
upon him adulation, and proclaimed him a god,
declaring that mortal man could not present such
342 
DELIVERANCE OF PETER.
an appearance, or command such startling eloquence of language. They farther declared that
they had ever respected him as a ruler, but from
henceforth they should worship him as a god.
These people had refused to acknowledge Christ,
whose coarse and often travel-stained garments
were worn over a heart of divine love, rich with
that inward adorning, a meek and gentle spirit.
Their eyes, blinded by sin, refused to see, beneath
that humble exterior, the Lord of life and glory,
though his mercy and divine power were revealed
before them in works that no man could do.
But they were ready to bow down and worship,
as a god, the haughty king, whose splendid garments of silver and gold were worn over a corrupt and cruel heart. They did not attempt to
penetrate his vain display, and read the depravity
and deceit of his character, and the wickedness of
his daily life.
Herodl knew that he deserved none of this
praise and homage; yet he did not rebuke the
idolatry of the people, but accepted it as his due.
The glow of gratified pride was on his countenance as he heard the shout ascend: It is the
voice of a god, and not of man! The same voices
which now glorified a vile sinner, had, but a few
years before, raised the frenzied cry of, Away
with Jesus!  Crucify him, crucify him! Herod
received this flattery and homage with great pleasure, and his heart bounded with triumph; but
suddenly a swift and terrible change came over
him. His countenance became pallid as death,
and distorted with agony; great drops of sweat
started from his pores. He stood a moment as if
transfixed with pain and terror, then, turning his
blanched and livid face to his horror-stricken
343 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
friends, he cried in hollow, despairing tones, He
whom you have exalted as a god is struck with
death!
He was borne in a state of the most excruciat ing anguish from the scene of wicked revelry,
the mirth, and pomp, and display of which he
now loathed in his soul. A moment before, he had
been the proud recipient of the praise and wor ship of that vast throng-now he felt himself in
the hands of a Ruler mightier than himself.
Remorse seized him; he remembered his cruel
command to slay the innocent James; he remenmbered his relentless persecution of the followers
of Christ, and his design to put to death the
apostle Peter, whom God had delivered out of
his hand; he remembered how, in his mortification and disappointed rage, he had wreaked his
unreasoning revenge upon the keepers of the prisoner, and executed them without mercy. He felt
that God, who had rescued the apostle from death,
was now dealing with him, the relentless persecutor.  He found no relief from pain of body or
anguish- of mind, and he expected none.  Herod
was acquainted with the law of God, which says,
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me," and
he knew that in accepting the worship of the
people he had filled up the measure of his iniquity, and had brought upon him the just wrath
of God.
The same angel who had left the royal courts
of Heaven to rescue Peter from the power of his
persecutor, had been the messenger of wrath and
jud]gment to Herod. The angel smote Peter to
arouse him from slumber; but it was with a different stroke that he smote the wicked king, bringing mortal disease upon him. God poured con
344 
PAUL AND BARNABAS ORDAINEDl).
tempt upon Herod's pride, and his person, which
he had exhibited decked in shining apparel before the admiring gaza of the people, was eaten
by wormsn, and putrefied while yet alive.  Herod
died in great agony of mind and body, under the
retributive justice of God.
This demonstration of divine judgment had a
mighty influence upon the people.: While the
apostle of Christ had been miraculously delivered
from prison and death, his persecutor had been
stricken down by the curse of God. The news
was borne to all lands, and was the means of
bringing many to believe on Christ.
CHAPTER XXVII.
ORDINATION OF PAUL AND BARNABAS.
THE apostles and( disciples who left Jerusalem
during the n'erce pers-ecution that raged there after
the martyrdom of Stephen, preached Christ in
the cities round ab.)out, confining their labors to
the Hebrew andi Gieek Jews.  "And the hand of
the Loid was with themn; and a great number
believed, and turned unto the Lcrd."  When the
believers  in Jeitusalei heard the good  tidings
they rejoiced; and Barnabfs, "a good man, and
full cf the Holy Ghost and of faith," was sent to
Antioch, the metropolis of Syria, to help  the
churell there. He labored there with great success. As the work increased, he solicited and obtained the help of Paul; and the two disciples
labored together in that city for a year, teaching
345 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
the people, and adding to the numbers of the
church of Christ.
Antioch had both a large Jewish and Gentile
population; it was a great resort for lovers of ease
and pleasure, because of the healthfulness of its
situation, its beautiful scenery, and the wealth,
culture, and refinement that centered there. Its
extensive commerce made it a place of great importance, where people of all nationalities were
found. It was therefore a city of luxury and
vice. The retribution of God finally came upon
Antioch, because of the wickedness of its inhabitants.
It was here that the disciples were first called
Christians. This name was given them because
Christ was the main theme of their preaching,
teaching, and conversation. They were continually recounting the incidents of his life, during the
time in which his disciples were blessed with his
personal company. They dwelt untiringly upon
his teachings, his miracles of healing the sick,
casting out devils and raising the dead to life.
With quivering lips and tearfuil eyes they spoke
of his agony in the garden, his betrayal, trial, and
execution, the forbearance and humility with
which he endured the contumely and torture imposed upon him by his enemies, aud the Godlike
pity with which he prayed for those who persecuted him.  His resurrection and ascension, and
his work in Heaven as a Mediator for fallen
man, were joyful topics with them. The heathen might well call them Christians, since they
Iteached of Christ, and addressed their prayers
to God through him.
Paul found, in the populous city of Antioch, an
excellent field of labor, where his great learning,
346 
PAUL AND BARNABAS ORDAINED.
wisdom, and zeal, combined, wielded a powerful
influence over the inhabitants and frequenters of
that city of culture.
Meanwhile the work of the apostles was centered at Jerusalem, where Jews of all tongues
and countries came to worship at the temple during the stated festivals. At such times the apostles preached Christ with unflinching courage,
though they knew that in so doing their lives
were in constant jeopardy. MAany converts to
the faith were made, and these, scattering to their
homes in different parts of the country, dispersed
the seeds of truth throughout all nations, and
among all classes of society.
Peter, James, and John felt confident that God
had appointed them to preach Christ among their
own countrymen at home. But Paul had received his commission from God, while praying
in the temple, and his broad missionary field had
been presented before him with remarkable distinctness. To prepare him for his extensive and
important work, God had brought him into close
connection with himself, and had opened before
his enraptured vision a glimpse of the b3auty and
glory of Heaven.
God communicated with the devout prophets
and teachers in the church at Antioch. "As they
ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Hloly
Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for
the work whereunto I have called them." These
apostles were therefore dedicated to God in a most
solenn manner by fasting and prayer and the
laying on of hands; and they were sent forth to
their field of labor among the Gentiles.
Both Paul and Barnabas had been laboring as
ministers of Christ, and God had abundantly
347 
TIFE GREAT CONTR'iOAERSY,
blessed their efforts; but neither of them had
previously been formally ordained to the gospel
ministry by prayer and the laying on of hands.
They were novr authorized by the church, not
only to teach t}he truth, but to baptize, and to or ganize churches, being invested with full ecclesi astical authority.  This was an important era for
the church.  Though the nmiddle wall of parti tion between Jew and Gentile had been broken
down by the de(ath of Christ, letting the Gentiles
into the full privileges of the gospel, yet the vail
had not yet been torn away from the eyes of
many of the believing Jews, and they could not
clearly discern to the end of that which  was
abolished by the So)n of God.   The work was
now to be prosecuted with vigor among the Gentiles, and was to result in strengthening the church
by a great ingar,hering of souls.
The aplostles, in this, their special work, were
to be exposed to suspicion, prejudice, and jealousy.  As a na!ural consequence of their departure from the (Exclusiveness of the Jews, their
doctrine  andl views  -would be subject to the
charge of heresy; and their credentials as ministers of the grospel would be questioned by many
zealous, believin-  Jews.  God foresaw all these
difictlities whih hhis servants would  undergo,
and, in his wie providence, caused them to be
invested waiith unquestionable  authority  from
the established church of God, that their work
should be abov challenge.
The  breth-Ire  in Jerusalem  and in Antioch
mere miade thotoughly acquainted with all the
partic.ulars of this divine appointment, and the
specific work of teaching the Gentiles, which the
Lord had given to these apostles. Their ordina
3 4, 
PAUL AND BARNABAS ORDAINED.
tion was an open recognition of their divine mission, as messengels specially chosen by the Holy
Ghost for a special woik.  Paul witnesses, in his
Epistle to the Romians, that ihe considered this
sacred appointment  as a new  and important
epoch in his life; he names himself, "a servant
of Jesus Christ, called to be an al)ostle, separated
unto the gospel of God."
The ordination by the layinrg  o-l of hands, was,
at a later date, greatly  abused;  -nwarrantable
importance was attaclhed t,o) the act,, as though a
power came at once  ul),jn tthos, who  received
such  ordiniatio)n, whichi  immediiately qualified
them for any and all ministecial wo (k, as though
viirtue lay in the act of layino oni of hands.  We
have, in the history of these two ap)st,les, only a
simple record of the laving, on of 1hands, and its
bearing upon their work.  B,tli Paul and Barnahas had  already  received their  commiission
fiomn God himself; and the cereniony of the laying on of hlands added lro neow.raee or virtua]
qualification.  It w as mnerely setting the seal of
the church upon the wolk of God-an acknowledged forli of designation to an e,.ppointed office.
This foIrm was a significant onle to the Jews.
When a Jewish father blessed his children, he
laid his hands reverl:ntly upoii thleir heads.  When
an animal was devoted to sacrifice, the hland of
the one invested withi priestly authority was laid
upon the head of t'e victim.  Tiereefre, when
the ministers of Antioch laid their hands upon
the agostLes, they, by that action, asked God to
bestow his blessing upon them, in their devotion
to the specific work which God had chosen them
to do.
The apostles started out upon their mission,
349 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
taking with them Mark. They went into Seleucia, and from thence sailed to Cyprus. At Salamis they preached in the synagogues of the
Jews. "And when they had gone through the
isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer,
a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus; which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called
for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the
word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so
is his name by interpretation) withstood them,
seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith."
The deputy being a man of repute and influence, the sorcerer Elymas, who was under the
control of Satan, sought by false reports, and
various specious deceptions, to turn him against
the apostles and destroy their influence over him.
As the magicians in Pharaoh's court withstood
Moses and Aaron, so did this sorcerer withstand
the apostles. When the deputy sent for the
apostles, that he might be instructed in the truth,
Satan was on hand with his servant, seeking to
thwart the purpose of God, and prevent this influential man from embracing the faith of Christ.
This agent of Satan greatly hindered the work
of the apostles. Thus does the fallen foe ever
work in a special manner to prevent persons of
influence, who could be of great service to the
cause, from embracing the truth of God.
But Paul, in the Spirit and power of the Holy
Ghost, rebuked the wicked deceiver.  He  "set
his eyes upon him, and said, 0 full of all subtilty
and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou
enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease
to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And
now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee,
350 
PAUL AND BARNABAS ORDAINED.
and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a
season. And immediately there fell on him a
mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking
some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being
astonished at the doctrine of the Lord."
The sorcerer had closed his eyes to the evidences of truth, and the light of the gospel, therefore the Lord, in his righteous anger, caused his
natural eyes to be closed, shutting out from him
the light of day. This blindness was not permanent, but only for a season, to warn him to repent, and to seek pardon of God whom he had
so offended. The confusion into which this man
was brought, with all his boasted power, made
all his subtle arts against the doctrine of Christ
of none effect. The fact of his being obliged to
grope about in blndness, proved to all beholders
that the miracles which the apostles had performed, and which Elymas had denounced as being produced by sleight of hand, were in truth
wrought by the power of God. The deputy was
convinced of the truth of the doctrine taught by
the apostles, and embraced the gospel of Christ.
Elymas was not a man of education, yet he
was peculiarly fitted to do the work of Satan.
Those who preach the truth of God will be
obliged to meet the wily foe in many different
shapes. Sometimes it is in the person of learned,
and often in the person of ignorant, men, whom
Satan has educated to be his successful instrument,in deceiving souls, and in working iniquity.
It is the duty of the minister of Christ to stand
faithfully at his post, in the fear of God, and in
the power of his strength. Thus he may put to
351 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
confusion the hosts of Satan, and triumph in the
name of the Lord.
Paul and his company now continued their
journey, going into Perga, in Pamphylia.  Their
way was toilsome, they encountered hardships
and privations, and were beset by dangers on
every side, which intimidated Aairk; who was
unused to hardships.  As still greater difficulties
were apprehended, he became disheartened, and
refused to go farther, just at the time when his
services were most needed.  He accordingly returned to Jerusalem, and to the peace and comfort of his home.
Alark did not apostatize fromn the faith of
Christianity; but, like many young  ministers,
he shrank fiom hardships, and preferred the
comfort and safety of home to-) the travels, labors,
and dangers of the missionary ield.  This desertion caused Paul to judge himn unfavorably and
severely for a long time.  Hie distrusted his steadiness of character, and his devotion to the cause
of Christ.  The mnothier of Mark was a convert to
the Christian religion; and her home was an
asylum for the disciples.  There they were always
sure of a welcome, and a season of rest, in which
they could rally firom the effect of the fierce persecutions that everywhere assailed them in their
labors.
It was during one of these visits of the apostles to his muother's that Mark proposed to Paul
and Barnabas that he should accompany them on
their missionary tour.  He had witnessed the
wonderful power attending their ministry; he
had felt the favor of God in his own heart; he
had seen the faith of his mother tested and tried
without wavering; he had witnessed the mir
352 
PAUL AND BARNABAS ORDAINED.
acles performed by the apostles, and which set
the seal of God upon their work; he had himself
preached the Christian faith, and had longed to
enter more fully into the woik, and entirely devote himself to it.  He had, as the companion of
the apostles, rejoiced in the success of their mission; but fear and discouragement overwhelmed
him in thie face of privation, persecution, and
danger; and he sought the attractions of home at
a time when his services were most needful to
the apostles.
At a future period there was a sharp contention between Paul and Barnabas concerning
Mark, who was still anxious to devote himself to
the woik of the ministry. Paul could not, at
that time, excuse in any degree the weakness of
Mlark in desertirng them  and the  work upon
which they had entered, for the ease and quiet
of home; and he urged that one with so little
stamina was unfit for the gospel ministry, which
required patience, self-denial, bravery, and faith,
with a willingness to sacrifice even life if need be.
Barna,bas, on the other hand, was inclined to
excuse Mlark, wlo was his nephew, because of his
inexperience. He felt anxious that he should
not abando)n the ministry, for he saw in him qualifications for a useful laboier in the field of Christ.
This contention caused Paul and Barnabas to
separate, the latter following out his convictions,
and taking Mit-k with him in his work.
MaIr k, therefore, accompanied  Barnabas  to
Cyprus, and assisted him there. Paul was afterwaid iecoieciled to Mark, and received him as
a fello(w-laboier.  He also recommetnded him to
the Colossians as one who was a" fellow-worker
Great Controversy, Vol. 2.  23
353 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
unto the kingdom of God," and a personal comfort to him, Paul. Again, not long prior to his
death, he spoke of him as profitable to him in the
ministry.
Paul and Barnabas next visited Antioch in
Pisidia, and on the Sabbath went into the synagogue, and sat down; "and after the reading of
the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the
people, say on." Being thus invited to speak,
"Paul stood up, and beckoning witti his hand
said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give
audience." He then proceeded to give a history
of the manner in which the Lord had dealt with
the Jews firom the time of their deliverance from
Egyptian bondage, and how a Saviour had been
promised of the seed of David.  tie then preached
Jesus as the Saviour of men, the Messiah of
prophecy.
When he had finished, and the Jews had left
the synagogue, the Gentiles still lingered, and
entreated that the same words might be spoken
unto them the next Sabbath day. The apostles
created a great interest in the place, among both
Jews and Gentiles. They encouraged the believers and converts to stand fast in their faith, and
to continue in the grace of God. The interest to
hear the words of the apostles was so great that
the whole city came together on the next Sabbath day. But now, as in the days of Christ,
when the Jewish priests and rulers saw the
multitudes that had assembled to hear the new
doctrine, they were moved by envy and jealousy,
and contradicted the words of the apostles with
blasphemy.   Their old bigotry and prejudice
354 
PAUL AND BARNABAS ORDAINED.
were also aroused, when they perceived great
numbers of Gentiles mingling with the Jews in
the congregation. They could not endure that
the Gentiles should enjoy religious privileges on
an equality with themselves, but clung tenaciously to the idea that the blessing of God was
reserved exclusively for them.  This  had ever
been the great sin of the Jews, which Christ, on
several occasions, had rebuked.
They listened, on one Sabbath day, with intense interest to the teachings of Paul and Barnabas, who preached Jesus as the promised Messiah; and upon the next Sabbath day, because
of the multitude of Gentiles who assembled also
to hear them, they were excited to a frenzy of
indignation, the words of the apostles were distorted in their minds, and they were unfitted to
weigh the evidence presented by them. When
they learned that the Messiah preached by the
apostles was to be a light to the Gentiles, as well
as the glory of his people Israel, they were beside themselves with rage, and used the most insulting language to the apostles.
The Gentiles, on the other hand, rejoiced exceedingly that Christ recognized them as the children
of God, and with grateful hearts they listened
to the word preached. The apostles now clearly
discerned their duty, and the work which God
would have them do. They turned without hesitation to the Gentiles, preaching Christ to them,
and leaving the Jews to their bigotry, blindness
of miud, and hardness of heart. The mind of
Paul had been well prepared to make this decision, by the circumstances attending his conversion, his vision in the temple at Jerusalem,
his appointment by God to preach to the Gen
355 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
tiles, and the success which had already crowned
his efforts among them.
When Paul and Barnabas turned from the
Jews who derided them, they addressed them
boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the Word
of God should first have been spoken t.) you; but
seeing ye put it fiom you, and judge yourselves
unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the
Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us,
saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto
the ends of the earth."
This gathering in of the Gentiles to the church
of God had been traced by the pen of inspiration,
but hadl been but faintly understood.  Hosea had
said, "Yet the number of the children of Israel
shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be
measured nor numbered; and it shall come  to
pass that in the place where it was said unto
them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be
said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living
God." And again, "I will sow her unto me in
the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that
had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them
which were not my people, Thou art my people;
and they shall say, Thou art my God."
During the lite of Christ on earth he had
sought to lead the Jews out of their exclusiveness. The conversion of the centurion, and that
of the Syrophenician woman, were instances of
his direct work outside of the acknowledged people of Israel.  The time had now come for active
and continued work among the Gentiles, of whom
whole communities received the gospel gladly,
and glorified God for the light of an intelligent
faith. The unbelief and malice of the Jews did
356 
PAUL AND BARNABAS ORDAINED.
not turn aside the purpose of God; for a new
Israel was being grafted into the old olivc-tree.
The synagogues were closed against the apostles;
but private houses were thrown open for their
use, and public buildings of the Gentiles were
also used in which to preach the Word of God.
The Jews, however, were not satisfied with
closing their synagogues against the apostles, but
desired to banish them from that region. To
effect this purpose they sought to prejudice certain devout and honorable women, who had great
influence with the government, and also men of
influence.   This they accomplished  by subtle
arts, and false reports. These persons of good
repute complained to the authorities against the
apostles, and they were accordingly expelled from
those coasts.
On this occasion the apostles followed the instruction of Christ: "Whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence,
shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them.  Verily, I say unto you, it
shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah
in the day of Judgment than for that city." The
ap( sties were not discouraged by this exf)pulsion;
they remembered the words of their Mfaster:
"Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil
against you falsely, for mny sake. Rejoice, and be
exceeding glad; for great is your reward in
Heaven;  for so persecuted they the prophets
which.were before you."
357 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
PREACHING AMONG THE HEATHEN.
THE apostles next visited Iconium. This place
was a great resort for pleasure-seekers, and persons who had no particular object in life. The
population was composed of Romans, Greeks, and
Jews. The apostles here, as at Antioch, first
commenced their labors in the synagogues for
their own people, the Jews. They met with
marked success; numbers of both Jews and
Greeks accepted the gospel of Christ. But here,
as in former places where the apostles had labored,
the unbelieving Jews commenced an unreasonable opposition of those who accepted the true
faith, and, as far as lay in their power, influenced
the Gentiles against them.
The apostles, however, were not easily turned
from their work, for many were daily embracing
the doctrine of Christ. They went on faithfully
in the face of opposition, envy, and prejudice.
Miracles were daily wrought by the disciples
through the power of God; and all whose minds
were open to evidence were affected by the convincing power of these things.
This increasing popularity of the doctrine of
Christ stirred the unbelieving Jews to fresh opposition. They were filled with envy and hatred, and determined to stop the labors of the
Apostles at once. They went to the authorities,
and represented their work in the most false and
exaggerated light, leading the officers to fear that
the entire city was in danger of being incited to
insurrection. They stated that great numbers
358 
AMONG THE HEATHEN.
were attaching themselves to the apostles,. and
suggested that it was for secret and dangerous
designs.
In consequence of these charges, the disciples
were repeatedly brought before the authorities;
but in every case they so ably defended themselves before the people, that, although the magistrates were prejudiced against them by the
false statements they had heard, they dared not
condemn them. They could but acknowledge
that the teachings of the apostles were calculated
to make men virtuous, law-abiding citizens.
The unprejudiced Jews and Greeks took the
position that the morals and good order of the
city would be improved, if the apostles were allowed to remain and work there. Upon the occasions when the apostles were brought before
the authorities, their defense was so clear and
sensible, and the statement which they gave of
their doctrine was so calm and comprehensive,
that a considerable influence was raised in their
favor. The doctrine they preached gained great
publicity, and was brought before a much larger
number of unprejudiced hearers than ever before
in that place.
The Jews perceived that their efforts to thwart
the work of the apostles were unavailing, and
only resulted in adding greater numbers to the
new faith. The rage of the Jews was worked
up to such a pitch on this account that they determined to compass their ends in some manner.
They,tirred up the worst passions of the ignorant, noisy mob, creating a tumult which they
attributed to the efforts of the apostles. They
then prepared to make a false charge of telling
force, and to gain the help of the magistrates in
359 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
carrying out their purpose. They determined
that the apostles should have no opportunity to
vindicate themselves; but that,nob power should
interfere, and put a stop to their labors by stoning them to death.
Friends of the apostles, although urnbelievers,
warned them of the de,igns of the malicious Jews,
and urged them not uselessly to expose themselves to their fury, but to escape for their lives.
They acc-)rrdingly departed from Iconium  in secret, and left the faithful and opposing parties to
battle for themselves, trusting God to give victory to the doctrine of Christ. But they by no
means took a final leave of Iconium; they purposed to return, after the excitement then raging had abated, and complete the work they had
begun.
Those who observe and teach the binding claims
of God's law frequently receive, in a degree, similar treatment to that of the apostles at Iconium.
They often meet a bitter opposition from ministers and people who persistently refuse the light
of God, and, by misrepresentation and falsehood,
close every door by which the messenger of truth
might have access to the people.
The apostles next went to Lystra and Derbe,
cities of Lycaonia. These were populated by a
heathen, superstitious people; but among them
were souls that would hear and accept the doctrine of Christ. - The apostles chose to labor in
those cities because they would not there meet
Jewish prejudice and persecution. They now
caine in contact with an entirely new element,heathen superstition and idolatry.
The apostles, in their work, met all grades of
people, and all kinds of faith and religions. They
360 
AMONG THE HEATHEN.
were brought in opposition with Jewish bigotry
and intolerance, sorcery, blasphemy, unjust magistrates who loved to exercise their power, false
shepherds, superstition, and idolatry. While persecution and opposition met them on every hand,
victory still crowned their efforts, and converts
were daily added to the faith.
In Lystra there was no  Jewish  synagogue,
though there were a few Jews in the place.  The
temple of Jupiter occupied a conspicuous position there. Paul and Barnabas appeared in the
city together, teaching the doctrine of Christ
with great power and eloquence. The credulous
people believed them to be gods come down from
Heaven. As the apostles gathered the people
about them, and explained their strange belief,
the worship.-rs of Jupiter sought to connect these
doctrines, as far as they were able, with their own
silperstitious faith.
Paul addressed them in the Greek language,
presenting for their consideration such subjects
as would lead thenm to a correct knowledge of
Him who should be the object of their adoration.
He directed their attention to the firmament of
the heavens-the sun, moon, and stars-the beautiful order of the recurring seasons, the mighty
mountains whose peaks were capped with snow,
the lofty trees, and the varied wonders of nature,
which showed a skill and exactitude almost beyond finite compr(ehension.  Through these visible
works of the Almighty, the apostle led the minds
of the heathen. to the contemplation of the great
Mlind of the universe.
He then told them of the Son of God, who
came fi'om Heaven to our world because he loved
the children of men. His life and ministry were
361 
T HE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
presented before them; his rejection by those
whom he came to save; his trial and crucifixion
by wicked men; his resurrection from the dead
to finish his work on earth; and his ascension to
Heaven to be man's Advocate in the presence of
the Maker of the world. With the Spirit and
power of God, Paul and Barnabas declared the
gospel of Christ.
As Paul recounted the works of Christ in heal ing the afflicted, he perceived a cripple whose
eyes were fastened upon him, and who received
and believed his words. Paul's heart went out
in sympathy toward the afflicted man, whose
faith he discerned; and he eagerly grasped the
hope that he might be healed by that Saviour,
who, although he had ascended to Heaven, was
still man's Friend and Physician, having more
power even than when he was upon earth.
In the presence of that idolatrous assembly,
Paul commanded the cripple to stand upright
upon his feet. Hitherto he had only been able
to take a sitting posture; but he now grasped
with faith the words of Paul, and instantly obeyed
his command, and stood on his feet for the first
time in his life. Strength came with this effort
of faith; and he who had been a cripple walked
and leaped as though he had never experienced
an infirmity.
This work performed on the cripple was a marvel to all beholders. The subject was so well
known, and the cure was so complete, that there
was no room for skepticism on their part. The
Ly'caonians were all convinced that supernatural
power attended the labors of the apostles, and
cried out with great enthusiasm that the gods
had come down to them from Heaven in the
362 
AMONG THE HEATHEN.
likeness of men.  This belief was in harmony
with their traditions that gods visited the earth.
They conceived the idea that the great heathen
deities, Jupiter and Mercury, were in their midst
in the persons of Paul and Barnabas. The former
they believed to be Mercury; for Paul was active,
earnest, quick, and eloquent with words of warning and exhortation. Barnabas was believed to
be Jupiter, the father of gods, because of his venerable appearance, his dignified bearing, and the
mildness and benevolence which was expressed
in his countenance.
The news of the miraculous cure of the cripple
was soon noised throughout all that region, until
a general excitement was aroused, and priests
from the temple of the gods prepared to do the
apostles honor, as visitants from the courts of
Heaven, to sacrifice beasts to them, and to bring
offerings of garlands and precious things. The
apostles had sought retirement and rest in a private dwelling, when their attention was attracted
by the sound of music, and the enthusiastic
shouting of a vast assembly, who had come to
the gate of the house where they were abiding.
When these ministers of God ascertained the
cause of this visit and its attendant excitement,
they were filled with indignation and horror.
They rent their clothing, and rushed in among
the multitude to prevent farther proceedings.
Paul, in a loud, ringing voice that rose above the
noise of the multitude, demanded their attention;
and, as the tumult was suddenly quelled, he inquired,   "Sirs, why  do ye these things?  We  also
are men of like passions with you, and preach
unto you that ye should turn from these vanities
363 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
unto the living God, which made heaven, and
earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein;
who in times past suffered all nations to walk in
their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave
us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling
our hearts with food and gladness."
The people listened to the words of Paul with
manifest impatience. Their superstition and enthusiasm had been so great in regard to the apostles that they were loth to acknowledge their
error, and have their expectations and purposes
thwarted. Notwithstanding the apostles positively denied the divinity attributed to them by
the heathen, and Paul made a masterly effort to
direct their minds to the true God as the oJily
object worthy of worship, it was still most difficult to turn them from their purpose.
They reasoned that they had with their own
eyes beheld the miraculous power exercised by
the apostles; that they had seen a cripple who
had never before used his limbs, made to leap and
rejoice in perfect health and strength through the
exercise of the marvelous power possessed by
these strangers. But, after much persuasion on
the part of Paul, and explanation as to the true
mission of the apostles, the people were reluctantly led to give up their purpose. They were
not satisfied, however, and led the sacrificial beasts
away in great disappointment, that their traditions of divine beings visiting the earth could
not be strengthened by this example of their favor
in'coming to confer special blessings upon them,
which would exalt them and their religion in the
estimation of the world.
And now a strange change came upon the fickle,
364 
AMONG THE HEATHEN.
excitable people, because their faith was not anchored in the true God. The opposing Jews of
Antioch, through whose influence the apostles
were driven from that coast, united with certain
Jews of Iconium, and followed upon the track of
the apostles. The miracle wrought upon the cripple, and its effect upon those who witnessed it,
stirred up their envy and led them to go to the
scene of the apostles' labor, and put their false
version upon the work. They denied that God
had any part in it, and claimed that it was accomplished through the demons whom these men
served.
The same class had formerly accused the Saviour of casting out devils through the power of
the prince of devils; they had denounced him as
a deceiver; and they now visited the same unreasoning wrath upon his apostles. By means of
falsehoods they inspired the people of Lystra with
the bitterness of spirit by which they were themselves actuated. They claimed to be thoroughly
acquainted with the history and faith of Paul and
Barnabas, and so misrepresented their characters
and work that the heathen idolaters, who had
been readly to worship the apostles as divine beings, now considered them as worse than murderers, and that whoever should put them out of the
world would do God and mankind good service.
Those who believe and teach the truths of
God's Word in these days meet with similar opposition from unprincipled persons who will not
accept the truth, and who do not hesitate to prevaricate, and even to circulate the most glaring
falsehoods in order to destroy the influence and
hedge up the way of those whom God has sent
with a message of warning to the world. While
:"'"'"
365 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
one class make the falsehoods and circulate them,
another class are so blinded by the delusions of
Satan as to receive them as the words of truth.
They are in the toils of the arch-enemy, while
they flatter themselves that they are the children
of God.  "For this cause, God shall send them
strong delusion, that they should believe a lie;
that they all might be damned who believed not
the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
The disappointment experienced by the ido]a ters in being refused the privilege of offering sac rifices to the apostles, prepared them to turn
against these ministers of God with a zeal which
approached that of the enthusiasm with which
they had hailed them as gods. The malicious
Jews did not hesitate to take full advantage of
the superstition and credulity of this heathen
people to carry out their cruel designs. They in cited them to attack the apostles by force; and
they charged them not to allow Paul an oppor tunity to speak, alleging that if they did so he
would bewitch the people.
The Lystrians rushed upon the apostles with
great rage and fury. They hurled stones vio lently; and Paul, bruised, battered, and fainting,
felt that his end had come. The martyrdom of
Stephen was brought vividly to his mind, and the
ciluel part he had acted on that occasion. He fell
to the ground apparently dead, and the infuriated
mob dragged his insensible body through the
gates of the city, and threw it beneath the walls.
'The apostle mentions this occurrence in the sub sequent enumeration of his sufferings for the
truth's sake: "Thrice was I beaten with rods;
once was I stoned; thrice I suffered shipwreck;
a night and a day I have been in the deep; in
* ~*. *ee.
366 
ASIONG TIIE IIEATHEN.
journeyings often; in perils of waters; in perils
of robbers; in perils by mine own countrymen;
in perils by the heathen; in perils in the city;
in perils in the wilderness; in perils in the sea;
in perils among false brethren."
The disciples stood around the body of Paul,
lamenting over him whom they supposed was
dead, when he suddenly lifted his head, and arose
to his feet with the praise of God upon his lips.
To the disciples this seemed like a resurrection
from the dead, a miracle of God to preserve the
life of his faithful servant They rejoiced with
inexpressible gladness over his restoration, and
praised God with renewed faith in the doctrine
preached by the apostles.
These disciples had been newly converted to
the faith through the teachings of Paul, and had
stood steadfast notwithstanding the misrepresentation and malignant persecution of the Jews.
In fact, the unreasoning opposition of those
wicked men had only confirmed these devoted
brethren in the faith of Christ; and the restoration to life of Paul seemed to set the signet of
God upon their belief.
Timothy had been converted through the ministration of Paul, and was an eye-witness of the
sufferings of the apostle upon this occasion. He
stood by his apparently dead body, and saw him
arise, bruised and covered with blood, not with
groans nor murmurings upon his lips, but with
praises to Jesus Christ, that he was permitted to
suffer for his name. In one of the epistles of
Paul to Timothy he refers to his personal knowledge of this occurrence. Timothy became the
most important help to Paul and to the church.
He.was the faithful companion of the apostle in
367 
T HE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
his trials and in his joys. The father of Timothy was a Greek; but his mother was a Jewess,
and he had been thoroughly educated in the Jewish religion.
CHAPTER XXIX.
JEW AND GENTILE.
THE next day after the stoning of Paul, the
apostles left the city, according to the direction
of Christ: " When they persecute you in this city,
flee ye into another."  They depairted for Derbe,
where their labors were blessed by leading many
souls to embrace the truth. But both Paul and
Barnabas returned again to visit Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, the fields of labor where they
had met such opposition and persecution. In all
those places were many souls that believed the
truth; and the apostles felt it their duty to
strengthen and encourage their brethren who
were exposed to reproach and bitter opposition.
They were determined to securely bind offl' the
work which they had done, that it might not
ravel out.
Churches were duly organized in the places before mentioned, elders appointed in each church,
and the proper order and system established
there. Paul and Barnabas labored in Antioch
same time; and many Gentiles there enmbraced
the doctrine of Christ.  B.lt certain Jews from
Judea raised a general consternation among the
believing Gentiles by agitating the question of
368 
JEW AND GENTILE.
circumcision. They asserted, with great assurance, that none could be saved without being circumcised, and keeping the entire ceremonial law.
This was an important question, and one which
affected the church in a very great degree. Paul
and Barnabas met it with promptness, and opposed introducing the subject to the Gentiles.
They were opposed in this by the believing Jews
of Antioch, who favored the position of those
from Judea. The matter resulted in much discussion and want of harmony in the church, until finally the church at Antioch, apprehending
that a division among, them would occur from
any further discussion of thie question, decided
to send Paul and Barnabas, together with some
responsible men of Antioch, to Jerusalem, and
lay the matter before the apostles and elders.
There they were to meet delegates from the different churches, and those who had come to attend
the approaching annual festivals. Meanwhile all
controversy was to cease, until a final decision
should be made by the responsible men of the
church. This decision was then to be universally
accepted by the various churches throughout the
country.
The apostles, in making their way to Jerusalem, called upon the brethren of the cities through
which they passed, and encouraged them by relating their experience in the work of God, and
the conversion of the Gentiles to the faith.
Upon arriving at Jerusalem, the delegates from
Antioch related before the assembly of the
churches the success that had attended the min-istry with them, and the confusion that had resulted from the fact that certain converted Phari   Great Controversy, Vol. 3.  24
369 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
sees declared that the Gentile converts must be
circumcised and keep the law of Moses in order
to be saved.
The Jews were not generally prepared to move
as fast as the providence of God opened the
way.  It was evident to them from the result of
the apostles' labors among the Gentiles that the
converts among the latter people would far exceed the Jewish converts; and that if the restrictions and ceremonies of the Jewish law were not
made obligatory upon their accepting the faith of
Christ, the national peculiarities of the Jews,
which kept them distinct firom all other people,
would finally disappear from among those who
embraced the gospel truths.
The Jews had prided themselves upon their
divinely appointed services; and they concluded
that as God once specified the Hebrew manner of
worship, it was impossible that he should ever
authorize a change in any of its specifications.
They decided that Christianity must connect
itself with the Jewish laws and ceremonies.
They were slow to discern to the end of that
which had been abolished by the death of Christ,
and to perceive that all their sacrificial oflerings
had but prefigured the death of the Son of God,
in which type had met its antitype, rendering
valueless the divinely appointed ceremonies and
sacrifices of the Jewish religion.
Paul had prided himself upon his'Pharisaical
strictness; but after the revelation of Christ to
him on the road to Damascus, the mission of
tte Saviour, and his own work in the conversion
of the Gentiles, were plain to his mind; and he
fully comprehended the ditfference between a living faith.and a dead formalism. Paul still claimed
370 
JEW AND GENTILE.
to be one of the children of Abraham, and kept
the ten commandments in letter and in spirit as
faithfully as he had ever done before his conversion to Christianity. But he knew that the typical ceremonies must soon altogether cease, since
that which they had shadowed forth had come
to pass, and the light of the gospel was sheddinc, its glory upon the Jewish religion, giving a
new significance to its ancient rites.
The question of circumcision was warmly discussed in the assembly. The Gentile converts
lived in a community of idolaters. Sacrifices
and offerings were made to senseless idols by
these ignorant and superstitious people.   The
priests of these gods carried on an extensive merchandise with  the offerings brought to them;
and the Jews feared that the Gentile converts
would bring Christianity into disrepute by purchasing those things which had been offered to
idols, and thereby sanctioning, in some measure,
an idolatrous worship.
Also the Gentiles were accustomed to eat the
flesh of animals that had been strangled; while
the Jews lhad been divinely instructed with regard
to the food they should use. They were particu]ar, in killing beasts, that the blood should flow
from the body, else it was not regarded as healthful meat.  God had given these injunctions to
the Jews for the purpose of preserving their
health and strengthl. The Jews considered it
sinful to use blood as an article of diet. They
considered that the blood was the life; that the
shedding of blood was in consequence of sin, and
was a sacred emblem of the Son of God.
The Gentiles, on the contrary, practiced catching the blood which flowed from the victim of
371 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
sa crifice, and drinking it, or using it in the preparation of their food. The Jews could not change
the customs which they had so long observed,
and which they had adopted under the special
direction of God.   Therefore, as  things then
stood, if Jew and Gentile came to eat at the same
table, the former would be shocked and outraged
by the habits and manners of the latter.
The Gentiles, and especially the Greeks, were
extremely licentious; and many, in accepting
Christianity, had united the truth to their unsanctified natures, and continued to practice fornication. The Jewish Christians could not tolerate such immorality, which was not even regarded
as criminal by the Greeks. The Jews, therefore,
held it highly proper that circumcision, and the
observance of the ceremonial law, should be
brought to the Gentile converts as a test of their
sincerity and devotion. This they believed would
prevent the accession to the church of those who
were carried away by mere feeling, or who adopted the faith without a true conversion of heart,
and who might afterward disgrace the cause by
immorality and excesses.
The questions thus brought under the consideration of the council seemed to present insurmountable difficulties, viewed in whatever light.
But the Holy Ghost had, in reality, already settled this problem, upon the decision of which depended the prosperity, and even the existence, of
the Christian church. Grace, wisdom, and sanctired judgment were given to the apostles to decide the vexed question.
Peter reasoned that the Holy Ghost had decided the matter by descending with equal power
uponl the uncircumcised Gentiles and the circuni
372 
JEW AND GENTILE.
cised Jews. He recounted his vision, in which
God had presented before him a sheet filled with
all manner of four-footed beasts, and had bidden
him kill and eat; that when he had refused, affirming that he had never eaten that which was
common or unclean, God had said, "What God
hath cleansed, that call not thou common."
He related the plain interpretation of these
words, which was given to him almost immediately in his summons to go to the Gentile centturion, and instruct him in the faith of Christ.
This message showed that God was no respecter
of persons, but accepted and acknowledged those
who feared him, and worked righteousness. Peter told of his astonishment, when, in speaking
the words of truth to the Gentiles, he witnessed
the Holy Spirit take possession of his hearers,
both Jews and Gentiles. The same light and
glory that was reflected upon the circumcised
Jews, shone also upon the countenances of the
uncircumcised Gentiles.  This was the warning
of God that he should not regard the one as inferior to the other; for the blood of Jesus Christ
could cleanse firom all uncleanness.
Peter had reasoned once before, in like manner, with his brethren, concerning the conversion
of Cornelius and his friends, and his fellowship
with them.  ()n that occasion he had related how
the Holy Gh,.t fell on them, and had said, "Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as
he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus
Christ, what was I that I could resist God?"
Now, with equal fervor and force, he said, "God,
which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness,
giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto
us, and put no difference between us and them,
373 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
purifying their hearts by faith. Now, therefore,
why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck
of the disciples, which nieither our fathers nor
we wvere able to bear?"
This yoke was not the law of the ten commandments, as those who oppose the binding
claim of the law assert; but Peter referred to
the law of ceremonies, which was made null and
void by the crucifixion of Christ.  This address
of Peter broulght the assemnbly to a point where
they could listen with reason to Paul and Barnabas, who related their experience in working
among the Gentiles.  "Then all the multitude
kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and
Paul, declaringc what miracles and wonders God
had wrought among the Gentiles by them."
James bore his testimony with decision-that
God designed to bring in the Gentiles to enjoy all
the privileges of the Jews. The Holy Ghost saw
good not to impose the ceremonial law on the
Gentile converts; and the apostles and elders,
after careful investilat-ion of the subject, saw the
matter in the same ligTt, and their mind was as
the mind of the Spirit of God.  James presided
at the council, and his final (lecision was, " Wherefore my sentence is that we trouble not them
which from among the Gentiles are turned to God."
This ended the discussion.  In this instance we
have a refutation of the doctrine held by the
Roman Cathi'lic Churclh-that  Peter was the
head of the chturch.  Those who, as popes, have
claimed to be his successors, have no foundation
for their pretensions.  Nothing in the life of Peter gives sanction to those pretended claims.  If
the professed successors of Peter had imitated
his example, they would have taken no authori
374 
JEW AND GENTILE.
tative position, but one on an equality with that
of their brethren.
James, in this instance, seems to have been
chosen to decide the matter which was brought
before the council. It was his sentence that the
ceremonial law, and especially the ordinance of
circumcision, be not in any wise urged upon the
Gentiles, or even recommended to them.   James
sought to impress the fact upon  his brethren
that the Gentiles, in turning to God from idolatry,
made a great change in their faith; and that
much caution should be used not to trouble their
minds with perplexing and doubtful questions,
lest they be discouraged in following Christ.
The Gentiles, however, were to take no course
which should materially conflict with the views
of their Jewish brethren, or which would create
prejudice in their minds against them. The apostles and elders therefore agreed to instruct the
Gentiles by letter to abstain from meats offered
to idols, from fo irnication, 1rom things strangled,
and from blood.  They were required to keep the
commandments, and to lead holy lives. The Gentiles were assured that the men who had urged
circumcision upon them were not authorized to
do so by the apostles.
Paul and Barnabas were recommended to them
as men who had hazarded their lives for the Lord.
Judas and Silas were sent with these apostles to
declare to the Gentiles, by word of mouth, the
decision of the council:' For it seemed good to
the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no
greater burdens than these necessary things: that
ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from
blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication, from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall
375 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
do well." The four servants of God were sent to
Antioch with the epistle and message, which put
an end to all controversy; for it was the voice of
the highest authority upon earth.
The council which decided this case was com posed of the founders of the Jewish and Gentile
Christian churches. Elders from Jerusalem, and
deputies from Antioch, were present; and the
most influential churches were represented. The
council did not claim infallibility in their deliberations, but moved from the dictates of enlightened judgment, and with the dignity of a church
established by the divine will. They saw that
God himself had decided this question by favoring the Gentiles with the Holy Ghost; and it was
left for them to follow the guidance of the Spirit.
The entire body of Christians were not called
to vote upon the question. The apostles and
elders-men of influence and judgment-framed
and issued the decree, which was thereupon
generally accepted by the Christian churches.
All were not pleased, however, with this decision; there was a faction of false brethren
who assumed to engage in a work on their
own responsibility. They indulged in murmuring and fault-finding, proposing new plans,
and seeking to pull down the work of the experienced men whom God had ordained to teach the
doctrine of Christ. The church has had such
obstacles to meet from the first, and will ever
have them to the close of time.
Jerusalem was the metropolis of the Jews, and
there were found the greatest exclusiveness and
bigotry. The Jewish Christians who lived in
sight of the temple would naturally allow their
minds to revert to the peculiar privileges of the
376 
JEW AND GENTILE.
Jews as a nation. As they saw Christianity departing from the ceremonies and traditions of
Judaism, and perceived that the peculiar sacredness with which the Jewish customs had been
invested would soon be lost sight of in the light
of the new faith, many grew indignant against
Paul, as one who had, in a great measure, caused
this change. Even the disciples were not all prepared to willingly accept the decision of the council. Some were zealous for the ceremonial law,
and regarded Paul with jealousy, because they
thought his principles were lax in regard to the
obligation of the Jewish law.
When Peter, at a later date, visited Antioch,
he acted in accordance with the light given him
from Heaven, and the decision of the council.
He overcame his natural prejudice so far as to sit
at table with the Gentile converts. But when
certain Jews who were most zealous for the ceremonial law came from Jerusalem, he changed his
deportment toward the converts from paganism
in so marked a degree that it left a most painful
impression upon their minds. Quite a number
followed Peter's example. Even Barnabas was
influenced by the injudicious course of the apostle; and a division was threatened in the church.
But Paul, who saw the wrong done the church
through the double part acted by Peter, openly rebuked him for thus disguising his true sentiments.
Peter saw the error into which he had fallen,
and immediately set about repairing it as far as
possible. God, who knoweth the end from the
beginning, permitted Peter to exhibit this weakness of character, in order that he might see that
there was nothing in himself whereof he might
boast. God also saw that, in time to come, sonme
377 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
would be so deluded as to claim for Peter and his
pretend,-d successors, exalted prerogatives which
belong onI-ly to G(,d; and this history of the apostle's weakness was to remain as a proof of his
human fallibility, at,,d of the fact that he stood in
no way above the level of the other apostles.
CHAPTER XXX.
IMPRISONMENT OF PAUL AND SILAS.
AFTER a time Paul again visited Lystra, where
he had been greeted as a god by the heathen;
where the opposing Jews had followed on his
track, and by falsehood and misrepresentation
had turned the reverence of the people into insult, abuse, and a determination to kill him.
Yet we find himi again on the scene of his for'mer
danger, looking after the fruit of his labors there.
He found that the converts to Christ had not
been intimiidated by the violent persecution of
the apostles; but, on the contrary, were confirmned
in the faith, b)elieving that through trial and suffering, the kingdom of Christ would be reacl)ed.
Paul foiund that Timothy was closely bound to
him by the ties of Christian union.  This man
had been instructed in the Holy Scriptures from
his childhood, and educated for a strictly religious
life.  He had witnessed the sufferings of Paul
upon his former visit to Lystra, and the bonds of
Christian sympathy had knit his heart firmly to
that of the apostle. Paul accordingly thought best
to take Timothy with him to assist in his labors.
378 
PAUL AND SILAS IMPRISONED.
The extreme caution of Paul is manifested
in this act. He had refused the companionship
of Mark, because he d.ared not trust him in an
emergency. But in Timothy he saw one who
fully appreciated the ministerial work, who respected his position, and was not appalled at the
prospect of suffering and persecution. Yet he
did not venture to accept Timothy, an untried
youth, without diligent inquiry with regard to
his life and character. After fully satisfying himself on those points, Paul received Timothy as his
fellow-laborer and son in the gospel.
Paul, with his usual good judgment, caused
Timothy to be circumcised; not that God required
it, but in order to remove from the minds of the
Jews an obstacle to Timothy's ministration.  Paul
was to labor flom place to place in the synagogues, and there to preach Christ.  If his'companion should be known as an uncircumcised
heathen, the work of both would be greatly hindered by the prejudice and bigotry of the people.
The apostle everywhere met a storm of persecution.  He desired to bring the Jews to Christianity, and soug,ht, as far as was consistent with
the faith, to remove every pretext for opposition.
Yet while he conceded this much to Jewish
prejudice, his faith and teaching,i declared that
circumcision or uncircumeision was nothing, but
the gospel of Christ was everything.
At Philippi, Lydia, of the city of Thyatira,
heard the apostles, and her heart was open to receive,he truth. She and her household were
converted and baptized, and she entreated the
apostles to make her house their home.
Day after day, as they went to their devotions,
a woman with the spirit of divination followed
379 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
them, crying, "These men are the servants of the
most high God, which show unto us the way of
salvation." This woman was a special agent of
Satan; and, as the devils were troubled by the
presence of Christ, so the evil spirit which possessed her was ill at ease in the presence of the
apostles. Satan knew that his kingdom was invaded, and took this way of opposing the work
of the ministers of God.  The words of recommendation uttered by this woman were an injury
to the cause, distracting the minds of the people
firom the truths presented to them, and throwing disrepute upon the work by causing people
to believe that the men who spoke with the
Spirit and power of God were actuated by the
same spirit as this emissary of Satan.
The apostles endured this opposition for several
days; then Paul, under inspiration of the Spirit
of God, commanded the evil spirit to leave the
woman. Satan was thus met and rebuked. The
immediate and continued silence of the woman
testified that the apostles were the servants of
God, and that the demon had acknowledged them
to be such, and had obeyed their command.
When the woman was dispossessed of the spirit
of the devil, and restored to herself, her masters
were alarmed for their craft. They saw that all
hope of receiving money from her divinations
and soothsayings was at an end, and perceived
that, if the apostles were allowed to continue
their work, their own source of income would
soon be entirely cut off.
A mighty cry was therefore raised against the
servants of God, for many were interested in
gaining money by Satanic delusions. They
brought the apostles before the magistrates with
380 
PAUL AND SILAS IMPRISONED.
the charge that "these men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, and teach customs
which are not lawful for us to receive, being
Romans."
Satan stirred up a frenzy among the people.
Mob spirit prevailed, and was sanctioned by the
authorities, who, with their official hands, tore
the clothes from the apostles, and commanded
them to be scourged.  "And when they had laid
many stripes upon them, they cast them into
prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely;
who, having received such a charge, thrust them
into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in
the stocks."
The apostles were left in a very painful condition. Their lacerated and bleeding backs were
in contact with the rough stone floor, while their
feet were elevated and bound fast in the stocks.
In this unnatural position they suffered extreme
torture; yet they did not groan nor complain,
but conversed with and encouraged each other,
and praised God with grateful hearts that they
were found worthy to suffer shame for his dear
name. Paul was reminded of the persecution he
had been instrumental in heaping upon the disciples of Christ, and he was devoutly thankful
that his eyes had been opened to see, and his
heart to fee], the glorious truths of the gospel of
the Son of God, and that he had been privileged
to preach the doctrine which he had once despised.
There, in the pitchy darkness and desolation
of the~dungeon, Paul and Silas prayed, and sung
songs of praise to God. The other prisoners
heard with astonishment the voice of prayer and
praise issuing from the inner prison. They had
been accustomed to hear  shrieks and  moans,
381 
THtE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
cursing and swearing, breaking at night upon the
silence of the prison; but they had never before
heard the words of prayer and praise ascending
from that gloomy cell. The guards and prisoners marveled who were these men, who, cold,
hungry, and tortured, could still rejoice and converse cheerfully with each other.
Meanwhile the magistrates had returned to
their homes congratulating themselves upon having quelled a tumult, by their prompt and decisive measures. But upon their way home they
heard more fully concerning the character and
work of the men whom thev had sentenced to
scourging and imprisonment.   They also saw
the woman who had been freed from Satanic influence, and who had been a very troublesome
subject to them.  They were sensibly struck by
the change in her countenance and demeanor.
She had become quiet, peaceful, and possessed of
he' right mind. They were indignant with themselves when they discovered that, in all probability, they had visited upon two innocent men
the rigorous penalty of the Roman law against
the worst criminals. They decided that in the
morning they would command them to be privately released, and escoiLted in safety from the
city beyond the danger of violence from the mob.
But while men were cruel and vindictive, or
criminally negligent of the solemn responsibilities devolving upon them, God had not forgotten
to be gracious to his suffering servants.  An
angel was sent from Heaven to release the apostles.  As he neared the Roman prison) the earth
trembled beneath his feet, the whole city was
shaken by the earthquake, and the prison walls
reeled like a reed in the wind. The heavily
382 
PAUL AND SILAS IMPRISONED.
bolted doors flew open; the chains and fetters fell
from the hands and feet of every prisoner.
The keeper of the jail had heard with amazement the prayers and singing of the imprisoned
apostles. When they were led in, hlie had seen
their swollen and bleeding wounds, and he had
himself caused their feet to be fastened in the
instruments of torture. He had expected to
hear hitter wailing, groans, and imprecations;
but lo! his ears were greeted with joyful praise.
He fell asleep witli these sounds in his ears; but
was awakened by the earthquake, and the'shakinog of the prison walls.
UJpon awakening he saw all the prison doors
open, and his first thought was that the prisoners had escaped. He remembered with what an
explicit charge the prisoners of the night before
had been intrusted to his caie, and he felt sure
that death would be the penalty of his apparent
unfaithfulness. He cried out in the bitterness of
his spirit that it was better for him to die by his
own hand than to submit to a disgraceful execution. He was about to kill himself, when Paul
cried out with a loud voice, "Do thyself no harm;
for we are all here."
The severity with which the jailer had treated
the apostles had not roused their resentment, or
they would have allowed him to commit suicide.
But their hearts were filled with the love of
Christ, and they held no malice against their
persecutors.  The jailer dropped his sword, and
called for a light. He hastened into the inner
dungeon, and f1ll down before Paul and Silas,
begging their forgiveness.   He  then  brought
them up into the open court, and inquired of
them, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
383 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
He had trembled because of the wrath of God
expressed in the earthquake; he had been ready
to die by his own hand for fear of the penalty of
the Roman law, when he thought the prisoners
had escaped; but now all these things were of
little consequence to him compared with the new
and strange dread that agitated his mind, and
his desire to possess that tranquility and cheerfulness manifested by the apostles under their
extreme suffering and abuse.  He saw the light
of Heaven mirrored in their countenances; he
knew that God had interposed in a miraculous
manner to save their lives; and the words of the
woman possessed by the power of divination
came to his mind with peculiar force: "These
men are the servants of the most high God,
which show unto us the way of salvation."
He saw his own deplorable condition in contrast with that of the disciples, and with deep
humility and reverence asked them to show him
the way of life. "And they said, Believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and
thy house. And they spake unto him the word
of the Lord, and to all that were in his house."
The jailer then washed the wounds of the apostles, and ministered unto them; and was baptized
by them. A sanctifying influence spread among
the inmates of the prison, and the hearts of all
were opened to receive the truths uttered by the
apostles. They were convinced also that the living God, whom these men served, had miraculously released them from bondage.
The citizens had been greatly terrified by the
earthquake. When the officers informed the
magistrates in the morning of what had occurred
at the prison, they were alarmed, and sent the
384 
PAUL AND SILAS IMPRISONED.
sergeants to liberate the apostles from prison.
"But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us
openly, uncondemned, being Romans, and have
cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us
out privily? nay, verily; but let them  come
themselves and fetch us out."
Paul and Silas felt that to maintain the dignity
of Christ's church, they must not submit to the
illegal course proposed by the Roman magistrates.
The apostles were Roman citizens, and it was unlawful to scourge a Roman, save for the most
flagrant crime, or to deprive him of his liberty
without a fair trial and condemnation. They had
been publicly thrust into prison, and now refused to be privately released, without proper acknowledg,ments on the part of the magistrates.
When this word was brought to the authorities they were alarmed for fear the apostles would
make complaint of their unlawful treatment to
the emperor, and cause the magistrates to lose
their positions. They accordingly visited the
prison, apologized to the apostles for their injustice and cruelty, and themselves conducted them
out of the prison, and entreated them to depart
out of the city. Thus the Lord wrought for his
servants in their extremity.
The magistrates entreated them to depart, because they feared their influence over the people,
and the power of Heaven that had interposed in
behalf of those innocent men who had been unlawfully scourged and imprisoned.  Acting ul)(n
the principles given them by C'lrist, the aC,(ostles
would not urge their presence wlherle it was L(.ot
desired.  They complied withi the request of the
magistrates, but did not hasten their departure
Great Controveisy, Vol. 3.  25
385 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
precipitously. They went rejoicing from the prison to the house of Lydia, where they met the new
converts to the faith of Christ, and related all the
wonderful dealings of God with them.  They related their night's experience, and the conversion
of the keeper of the prison, and of the prisoners.
The apostles viewed their labors in Philippi as
not in vain. They there met much opposition
and persecution; but the intervention of Providence in their behalf, and the conversion of the
jailer and all his house, more than atoned for the
dis,grace and sufiering they had endured. The
Philippians saw represented in the deportment
and p)resence of mind of the apostles the spirit of
th  reliciion of Jesus Christ.  The apostles might
have fled when the earthquake opened their
prison doors, and loosened their fetters; but that
would have been an acknowledgmcrent that they
were criminals, which would have been a disgrace
to the gospel of Christ; the jailer would have
been exposed to the penalty of death, and the
general influence would have been bad. As it
was, Paul controlled thle liberated prisoners so
perfectly that not one attempted to escape.
The Philippians could but acknowledge the
nobility and generosity of the apostles in their
course of action, especially in forbearing to appeal to a higher power against the magistrates
who had persecuted them. The news of their
unjust imprisonment, and miraculous deliverance,
was noised about through all that region, and
brought the apostles and their ministry before
the notice of a large number who would not otherwise have  been reached.   Christianity  was
placed upon a high plane, and the converts to
the faith were gr(eatly strengthened.
386 
OPPOSITION AT THESSALONICA.
Thus we have the establishment of the church
at Philippi under peculiar circumstances, and its
numbers steadily increased. Among them were
men of wealth and influence, whose noble generosity and ready sympathy were ever on the side
of right. They often came to the aid of the apostles in their affliction and pecuniary necessity.
Paul said of these brethren, "Now ye Philippians, know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church
communicated with me as concerning giving and
receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica
ye sent once and again unto my necessity."
He sends also salutations from the brethren to
Cwsar's household; for officers in the employment
of the emperor had been converted under the
labors of the apostles, and through the wonderful
manifestation of God in their deliverance from
prison.
CHAPTER XXXI.
OPPOSITION AT THESSALONICA.
AFTER leaving Philippi, Paul and Silas made
their way to Thessalonica. They were there
privileged to address a large concourse of people
in the synagogue, with good effect. Their appearance bore evidence of their recent shameful
treatment, and necessitated an explanation of
what they had endured. This they made without exalting themselves, but magnified the grace
of God, which had wrought their deliverance.
The apostles, however, felt that they had no time
387 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
to dwell upon their own afflictions. They were
burdened with the message of Christ, and deeply
in earnest in his work.
Paul made the prophecies in the Old Testament
relating to the Messiah, and  the agreement of
those prophecies with the life and teachings of
Christ, clear in the minds of all among his hearers
who would accept evidence upon the subject.
Christ in his ministry had opened the minds of
his disciples to the Old-Testament scriptures;
"beginning with Moses and the prophets, hlie expounded unto them, in all the Scriptures, the
things concerning himself." Peter, in preaching
Christ, produced his evidence from the Old-Testament scriptures, beginning with Moses and the
prophets.  Stephen pursued the same course, and
Paul followed these examples, giving inspired
proof in regard to the mission, suflering, death,
resurrection, and ascension of Christ.  He clearly
proved his identity with the Messiah, through
the testimony of Moses and the prophets; and
showed that it was the voice of Christ which
spoke through the prophets and patriarchs from
the days of Adam to that time.
He showed how impossible it was for them to
explain the passover without Christ, as revealed
in the Old Testament; and that the brazen serpent lifted up in the wilderness symbolized Jesus
Christ, who was lifted up upon the cross.  He
taught them that all their religious services and
ceremonies would have been valueless if they
should now reject the Saviour, who  was  revealed to them, and who was represented in
those ceremonies. Hle showed them that Christ
was the key which unlocked the Old Testament,
and gave access to its rich treasures.
388 
OPPOSITION AT THESSALONICA.
Thus Paul preached to the Thessalonians three
successive Sabbaths, reasoning with them from
the Scriptures, upon the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. He showed them that the expectation of the Jews with regard to the Messiah
was not according to prophecy, which had foretold a Saviour to come in humility and poverty,
to be rejected, despised, and slain.
He declared that Christ would come a second
time in power and great glory, and establish his
kingdom upon the earth, subduing all authority,
and ruling over all nations. Paul was an Adventist; he presented the important event of the
second coming of Christ with such power and
reasoning that a deep impression, which never
wore away, was made upon the minds of the
Thessalonians.
They had strong faith in the second coming
of Christ, and greatly feared that they might not
live to witness the event. Paul, however, did
not leave them with the impression that Christ
would come in their day.  He referred them to
coming events which must transpire before that
time should arrive. He warned them that they
should "be not shaken in mind, or be troubled,
neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as
from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Let no man deceive you by any means; for that
day shall not come, except there come a falling
away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the
son of perdition."
Paul foresaw that there was danger of his
words being misinterpreted, and that some would
claim that he, by special revelation, warned the
people of the immediate coming of Christ. This
he knew would cause confusion of faith; for dis
389 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
appointment usually brings unbelief He therefore cautioned the brethren to receive no such
message as coming from him.
In his Epistle to the Thessalonians, Paul reminds them of his manner of laboring among
them. 1 Thess. 2: 1-4. He declares that he did
not seek to win souls through flattery, deception,
or guile. "But as we were allowed of God to
be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak;
not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our
hearts." Paul rebuked and warned his converts
with the faithfulness of a father to his children,
while, at the same time, he cherished them as
tenderly as a fond mother would her child.
When the Jews saw that the apostles were
successful in obtaining large congregations; that
many were accepting their doctrines-among them
the leading women of the city, and multitudes of
Gentiles-they were filled with envy and jealousy.
These Jews were not then in favor with the Roman
power, because they had raised an insurrection in
the metropolis not long previous to this time.
They were regarded with suspicion, and their
liberty was, in a measure, restricted. They now
saw an opportunity to take advantage of circumstances to re-establish themselves in favor, and,
at the same time, to throw reproach upon the
apostles, and the converts to Christianity.
This they set about doing by representing that
the leaders in the new doctrine were raising a
tumult among the people. They accordingly excitd the passions of the worthless mob by cunningly devised falsehoods, and incited them to
make an uproarious assault upon the house of
Jason, the temporary home of the apostles. This
they did with a fury more like that of wild beasts
390 
OPPOSITION AT THESSALONICA.
than of men. They had been instructed by the
Jews to bring out Paul and Silas, and drag them
to the authorities, accusing them of creating all
this uproar, and of raising an insurrection.
When they had broken intio the house, however, they found that the apostles were not there.
Friends who had apprehended what was about
to occur, had hastened them out of the city, and
they had departed for Berea. In their mad disappointment at not finding  Paul and Silas, the
mob seized Ja.son and his brother, and dragged
them before the authorities with the complaint:
"These that have turned the world upside down
are come hither also; whom Jason bath received;
and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cesar,
saying that there is another king, one Jesus."
The Jews interpreted the words of Paul to
mean that Christ would come the second time in
that generation, and reign upon  the earth  as
king over all nations.  The ch-arge was brought
against the apostles with so much determination
that the magistrates credited it, and put Jason
under bonds to keep the peace, as Paul and Silas
were not to be found. The persecuting Jews
flattered themselves that by their course toward
the Christians they had regained the confidence
of the magistrates, and had established their
reputation as loyal citizens, while they had, at
the same time, gratified their malice toward the
apostles, and transferred the suspicion which had
heretofore rested upon themselves to the converts
to Christianity.
In his first Epistle to the Thessalonians, Paul
says, " For our gospel came not unto you in word
only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost,
and in much assurance; as ye know what man
391 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
ner of men we were among you for your sake.
Aiin ye became followers of us, and of the Lord,
having received the word in much affliction, with
joy of the Holy Ghost; so that ye were ensamples
to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia."
Those who preach unpopular truth in our day
meet with determined resistance, as did the apostles.  They need expect no more favorable receptioni from a large majority of professed Christians
thr i  did Paul from his Jewish brethren.  There
wi l be a union of opposing elements against
them; for however diverse from each other differeut organizations may be in their sentiments
and religious faith, their forces are united in
trampling under foot the fourth commandment in
the law of God.
Those who will not themselves accept the
truth are most zealous that others shall not receiv- it; and those are not wanting who perseveiingly manufacture falsehoods, and stir up the
base passions of the people to make the truth
of God of none effect. But the messengers of
Christ must arm themselves with watchfulness
and prayer, and move forward with faith, firmness, and courage, and, in the name of Jesus,
keep at their work as did the apostles. They
must sound the note of warning to the world,
tenching the transgressors of the law what is sin,
anr l pointing them to Jesus Christ as its great
ants only remedy.
392 
0,t,1o,t4e of  ulbli tio ll
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History of the Sabbath and of the First
Day of the WVeek, by ELDER J. N.
ANDREWS. This work contains an
outline of the history of the Sabbath
for the period of Six Thousand years.
Part First is the Biblical history of
the Sabbath and of the first day of
the week.  Part Second is the secu      lar history of these two days since
the time of the apostles. The sev      eral steps by which Sunday observ      ance was introduced are carefully
traced, and the acts by which the
observance of the Sabbath of the
Lord was abandoned are distinctly
stated. The true reasons why the
Sabbath is of priceless value are
given, and the ultimate triumph of
this divine institution is shown in
prophecy, when all flesh shall keep
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This volume has been prepared
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The Sanctuary and the 23oo Days of Dan.
8: I 4, by ELDER U. SMITH. This
question  has  developed  the  peo      ple known as Seventh-day Advent      ists, and is the pivotal doctrine
upon which their applications of
prophecy largely depend. It ex      plains the past Advent movement,
shows why those who looked for the
Lord in 1844 were disappointed, re      veals the fact so essential to be un      derstood, that no prophetic period
reaches to the second coming of
Christ, and shows where we are,
and what we are to expect in the
future.  But the greatest beauty of
the subject is seen in the light it
throws upon the progressive steps of
the remedial system, the types and
shadows of the former dispensation,
and the position and work of our
Lord in the present. It determines
absolutely the question of the near      ness of the second coming of Christ,
the perpetuity of the law of God, the
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Thoughts on Daniel, Critical and Prac       tical,by   ELDER  U.  SMITH.  An
exposition of the book of Daniel,
verse by verse.   We are now liv      ing in times plainly pointed out in
this prophecy, and it is important
to understand it; for Daniel himself
says that in the time of the end the
wise shall understand; while, if we
fail, we are equally guilty with the
Jews, who knew not the time of
their visitation, Lluke I9: 42-44, and
shall meet a similar fate.............384 I oo00
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Thoughts on Revelation, Critical and Prac      tical, by  ELDER U.  SMITH.  This
work presents every  verse in the
book  of Revelation with such re      marks as serve to illustrate or ex      plain the meaning of the text. It
is a new and harmonious exposi      tion of that important book, and is
designed to create an interest in its
study.............................3D2  I 00
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Ihe Nature and Destiny of Man, by ELDER
U. SMITH.  This  work, as its title
implies, treats upon the constitution
of man, his consequent condition
in death, and destiny beyond the
resurrection.   All the passages in
the Bible which have a bearing upon
these questions are taken up and ex      plained in full, thus giving the most
comprehensive  view of this whole
question that has yet been presented.
The object has been to find a definite
and satisfactory answer to the ques
3 
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tion, "I WThat saith the Scriptures?"
as they are the only source of authority upon this subject.   The result is
a harmonious and consistent presentation of their testimony.  Of the
importance of being well informed
upon th-is question it is not necessary
to speak while spiritualism is making
such havoc in thie land.   This is the
only safeguard against that great delusion; but it is an effectual one;
for before the true light on the intermediate state,  spiritualism  with
its foul brood flees away, and purgatory, saint worship, universalism, and
a host of other errors, all go down.
There is a daily-increasing agitation
on this question, and it is a hopeful
sign that this doctrine is making
rapid progress among people of the
best minds and hlearts............3.
Life  of W*illiami  Miller,  with  portrait.
This work comprises sketches of
the Christian Experience and Public
Labors of this remarkable man, gath      ered from his Memoir by the late
Sylvester Bliss, many years editor of
the  4,devit Herala/, published at
Boston, Mass., with Introduction
and Notes by ELDER JAMES WHITE.
This book sets forth the true prin      ciples and real character of the
man who was the leading spirit in
the great American Second-Advent
Movement of I840-I844. It main      tains that Mr. Miller was correct on
the nature and object of the Second
4
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Advent, in his application of the
prophetic symbols of Daniel and
John, and in his calculations of the
prophetic periods; and that he was
mistaken only in the event to occur
at the close of the great period of
2300 prophetic days. For a full explanation of the nature of the disappointment in I844, see the works
entitled, The Sanctuary and 2300
Days, and The Three Messages of
Rev. I4......................... 4   08    I 00
Life of Elder Joseph Bates, with portrait.
This is a reprint of his Autobiography,
with introduction, and closing chap      ters relative to his public ministry,
and last sickness, by ELDER JAMES
WHITE. The closing chapters re      late to his labors in the ministry,
and in moral reforms, and the tri      imphant close of his long and useful
life. This book should be in every
family library.  Finetintedpaper,.. 352  I 00
Plain white paper,..........." 85
The Spirit of Prophecy; or, the Great Con      troversy between Christ and his An      gels, and Satan and his Angels, in
four volumes, by MRS. ELLEN G.
WVHITE. These volumes cover the
time from the fall of Satan to the
destruction of sin at the close of the
, one thousand years of Rev. 20:
Vol. I. The first of these volumes contains,
first, a Biblical argument in defense
of the doctrine that Spiritual Gifts
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are to be perpetuated in the Christian
church till the end of probation.
The work proper commences with
the fall of Satan, upon which it
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the creation of the earth; the temptation and fall of our first parents;
and then opens the plan of salvation
in a most instructive and deeply-interesting manner.   Thence it traces
the history of redemption as illustrated by the lives of good and evil
men down to the time of the flood,
which event it narrates in a most interesting and instructive chapter.
Thence it pursues the history of redemption till the wanderings in the
wilderness, which it dwells upon very
fully, and then continues this record
till the time of Solomon.......... 416  I oo
Vol. II. In her second volume, Mrs. White
with increasing interest treats upon
the Life, Ministry, Miracles, and
Teachings of Christ.  The  reader
will find that this volume furnishes
invaluable aid in studying the lessons
of Christ as set forth in the Gospels. 400 f 00oo
Vol. III. The teachings of Christ are con      tinued in the third volume. Mrs.
AVWhite dwells very fully upon the suf      ferings and death of Christ, his resur      rection and his ascension to Heaven,
and closes with the lives, teachings,
and persecutions of the Apostles.
Being aided in the study of the
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ligious teacher, by the special en      lightenment of the Spirit of God,
she is peculiarly qualified to present
the great facts of the New Testament
connected with the divine plan of
human redemption............... 400  I 00
The Biblical Institute. This is the title of
a work containing a synopsis of the
lectures given at the Institute held
in Oakland, Cal., April I-I7, i877.
These cover all the main points of
our faith, giving facts and dates, and
the heads of the arguments. Review
questions are appended to each les      son, adapting it to the use of Sabbath      schools and Bible Classes. It is
nicely bound in muslin, and makes
an elegant volume............... 352 I 00
Hymn Book. "Hymns and Tunes for
those who keep the Commandments
of God and the Faith of Jesus," is
the title of our new book. It has
537 hymns and 147 tunes........... 41 6  I 0oo
Constitutional Amendment; or, the Sunday,
the Sabbath, the Change, and the
Restitution. A discussion between
W. H. Littlejohn and the editor of
the Christian Statesman. This work
discusses the proposed religious
amendmenti to the Constitution, es      pecially in its bearing upon the sub      ject of the Sabbath and first day of
the week. This involves an exami      nation of the alleged change of the
Sabbath........................384  I oO
In paper covers.............. 336    40
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Sabbath Readings for the Home Circle.
In two volumes, containing moral
and religious reading carefully com      piled for the use of Sabbath-schools
and family libraries. Extra binding.
Each volume,................. -..400   60
The United States in the Light of Prophecy;
or, an Exposition of Rev. 13: 1 -I 7,
by ELDER U. SMITH. Dealing with
our own land and applying to our
time, this is a portion of prophecy
which should possess surpassing in      terest for every American reader.
This work shows by conclusive argu      ments the position which the United
States government holds in proph      ecy, and the important part it is to
act in the closing scenes of time.
Issues are even now arising which it
is of the greatest importance that all
be prepared to meet.......         6o....  6
In paper covers,........
The Bible from Heaven, by ELDER D. M.
CANRIGHT. This work is what its
name implies, an argument to show
that the Bible is not the work of men,
but is in deed and in truth the word
of God. It is a candid, forcible,
conclusive argument, sustained by a
large array of facts and such deduc      tions of science as rest upon any toler      able certainty. Just the work to put
into the hands of honest skeptics,
and those who are exposed to infidel
influences. Adapted to the use of
any and all persons who believe in
the Bible....................... 300
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A Word for the Sabbath; or, False Theories
Exposed.  A  Poem, by ELDER U.
SMITH.  IThe principal points of the
Sabbath argument are set forth in this
work in verse, in order to secure the
attention of some, who perhaps would
not at first peruse a prose work
upon this subject.  No strength of
argument is sacrificed to the style,
and whoever will peruse it will get a
general idea of the weakness and ab      surdities of the Sunday argument.
Handsomely bound in colored mus      lin, stamped in black, with gilt
title,........................... 60
In glazed paper covers,.........
Bible Lessons for Little Ones.  This is a
Sabbath-school book dlesigned for
the use of beginners, andc prepared
with spl)ecial regard for the wants of
very young children.  Tlhe language
is simple and direct, and such as
children can most easily understand.
It contains directions to the teacher,
and questions to help in bringing out
and impressing upon the mind the
main points in the lesson. Without
the questions the lessons form a con      tinuous story, commencing at crea      tion and extending to the time of
Moses.  Bound in flexible cloth,.... 84
In paper covers,.............. "
(i.ems'of Song.   This is the title of a vest      pocket song book containing hymns
only. A choice collection. 96 pp.
II 19 hylmns.  Boun(i in flexible c]ottli,
I il )aper covers,..............
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Facts for the Times: a Collection of Valua      ble Extracts from Eminent Authors.. 224    25
Eleven Sermons on the Sabbath and Law,
by ELDER J. N. ANDREWS.......... 226
Histoly of the Immortality of the Soul, by
ELDER D. M. CANRIGHT........... 200
Modern Spiritualism. Nature and Tend      ency of Modern Spiritualism, by
ELDER J. H. WAGGONER. This is a
thorough exposure of the system
of spiritualism.   The  author  has
carefully studied the subject, and
has given such copious extracts
from a large library of spirit      ualist publications as to fully con      demn them in their teachings and
their practices by their own testi      mony. It is also shown from the
prophetic scriptures that spiritualism
is one of the most impressive signs
of the times..................... I84
Refutation of the Age to Come, by ELDER
J. H. WAGGONER. This is a most
decisive refutation of the view that
men may find forgiveness of sins after
the Saviour has closed his work in
the Sanctuary above.   No  age-to      come writer has ever attempted a
reply to it...................... i68
The Atonement, by ELDER J. H. WAGGON      ER. An examination of a remedial
system in the light of Nature and
10
25
25
20
20 
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Pages Price.
Revelation.  It fully refutes the idea
so extensively held, that an atonement is inconsistent with reason;
it shows the principles involved in
the subject of the atonement, the
nature of the work and the manner
of its accomplishment, and the harmony of the Law and the Gospel;
and sheds great light upon the work
of Christ as our High Priest......... i68
The Ministration of Angels, and the Origin,
History, and Destiny of Satan. By
ELDER D. M. CANRIGHT............ I44
Our Fiaith  and Hope.  Sermons on the
Coming and Kingdom of Christ. By
ELDER JANIES WVHITE................. I98
Miraculous Powers.  The Scripture Testi      mony on the Perpetuity of Spiritual
Gifts, with Narratives of Incidents
and Sentiments carefully compiled
from the Eminently Pious and
ILearned of various denominations...I28
Resurrection of the Unjust. A vindication
of the doctrine, by ELDER J. H. WAG      (ONER......................... 100 OO
The Spirit of God, its Gifts and Mani      festations to the end of the Christian
Age, by ELDER J. H. WAGGONER.
This is a brief but comprehensive
argument on the solemn and im      portant subject of the Spirit of Godl,
and its gifts and manifestations.....       144
The Three Messages of Revelation I14: 6-I 2,
particularly the Third Angel's Mes      sage and the Two-Horned Beast, l)y
11
20
20
20
X5
I5
I5 
Catatogue.
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ELDER J. N. ANDREWS. This work
is designed to show that these proclamations are a prophetic representation of the great Advent movement. 144   i5
The Two Laws, as set forth in the Script      ures of the Old and New Testa      ments, by ELDER D. M. CANRIG;HT..104
The Morality of the Sabbath, by ELDER D.
M. CANRIG';HT................... 96
The Complete l'estimony of the Fathers of
the First Three Centuries Concern      ing the Sabbath and First Day of the
week, by ELDER J. N. ANDREWS. 1I12
l,ife of Christ, in six Pamphlets. By MRS.
ELLEN G. WHITE:NO. I. His First Advent and Ministry.... Io4    0
No. 2.  His Temptation in the Wilderness. 96
No. 3.  His Teachings and Parables...... I126
No. 4.  His Mighty Miracles............. I28
No. 5.  His Sufferings and Crucifixion.... 96
No. 6.  His Resurrection and Ascension.. 8o
Life of the Apostles, in two Pamphlets:No. I. The Ministry of Peter.......... 8o
No. 2.  The Teachings of Paul.......... 8o
Christ and the Sabbath; or, Christ in the
Old Testament and the Sabbath in
the New, by ELDER JAMES WHIT1E.
This is a new and carefully-written
work, very important to those who
hold that the Sabbath belongs exclu      sively to the Old T'restamnent, and
a Christ to the New Testament.......   56
Redeemer ani(I Redeemned(, by ELDER JAIMES
WHITE.  This is a new work; in
12
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I5
I5
IO
IO
I 5
I5
IO
Io
I0
IO
IQ 
Pamphlets.
Pages.  Pric.
which the plan of human redemption in its three stages is set forth. 48
Matthew Twenty-Four. A clear, concise,
and forcible exposition of our Lord's
discourse upon the Mount of Olives,
by ELDER JAMES WHITE.............. 64
Appeal to the Baptists for the Restoration
of the Bible Sabbath. An Address
to the Baptists from the Seventh-day
Baptist General Conference....... 46
T'he Sunday —Seventh  Day  Examined.  A
Refutation of the Teachings of
Mede, Jennings, Akers, and Fuller,
by ELDER J. N. ANDREWS. It most
effectually demolishes the theory that
Sunday is the original seventh day,
and shows what absurdities and con      tradictions men involve themselves
in, in laboring to prove that Sunday
is the true Sabbath................. 88
Review of Gilfillan; or, Thoughts Suggest      ed by the Perusal of Gilfillan and
other authors on the Sabbath, by
THOMAS B. BROWN, Pastor of the
Seventh-day Baptist church at Little
Genesee, N. Y................. 64
The Seven Trumpets.  An Exposition of
the subject, as set forth in the eighth
and ninth chapters of the Revelation. 96
The 1)ate of the Seventv Weeks of Dan.
, 9 Established;  or, A  Treatise on
the Comimandment to Restore and
Build  Jerusalemn,  )by ELDER J. N.
ANDREWS.   This  work gives the
date from which the 70 weeks and
13
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10
10
10
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Catalogue.
Pages. Prie.
23oo00 days are to be reckoned, and
shows what constitutes the command       ment of the prophecy...................56
Review of Baird. A Review of Two Ser       inons against the Sabbath, and Sev       enth-day Adventists, by ELDER J.
H. WAGGONER..................64
The'Iruth Found.  The Nature and Obli      gation of the Sabbath of the Fourth
Commandment.  By ELDER J. H.
\VAGGONER..................... 64
Vindication of the True Sabbath, in two
parts, by ELDER J. W. MORTON,
formerly missionary of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church, to Hayti.....  68
The Ancient Sabbath.  Forty-four Objec      tions Considered................... 88
Sermio) on the Two Covenants, by ELDER
J. N. ANDREWS................. 48
Hope of the Gospel, by ELDER J. N. LOUGH      BOROUGH.........................   80
Saints' Inheritance; or, The Earth Made
New, by ELDER J. N. LOUGHBORO', 80
The State of the Dead. By JOHN MILTON,
author of "Paradise Lost."  This
work shows that Milton was a decid      cd believer in, and an able defender
of, the doctrine that in death man is
unconscious..................... 3 2
14
10
10
10
To
10
10
10
10
5 
Tract8.s
TRACTS.
Pages.
Redemption.........................    32
The Second Advent.................... 32
The Sufferings of Christ.................. 32
The Present Truth........................32
Origin and Progress of S. D. Adventists.... 32
The Two Thrones........................ 32
The Reiected C)r(-inan(e.............. 32
The Seventh Part of Time............... 32
The Ten Comimandments not Abolished... 32
The Two Coveinants......................  32
Address to the Baptists.................  32
Systematic Benevolence................... 32
Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion........... 32
Samuel and the Witch of Enidor............ 32
The First Message of Rev. I4............. i 6
The Second Message of Rev. I4........... 20
The Third Message of Rev. 14.......... 36
Who Chlaged(-l the Sabbath?.............  24
The Lost-Timie Question.................. 24
Scripture References......................24
The End of the Wicked................... 24
Infidel Cavils Considered.................. 24
Sabbaton: An Exposition of Matt. 28: I.. 24
Christ in the Old T'estament............... i6
Tbe Sabbath in the New Testament....... i6
The Spirit of Prop    hecy..................i6
The Old Moral Code Not Revised........i 6
'The Sanctuary of the Bible....  6......... 
115
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Tlhe Judgment............................
Much in Little.............................
The Millennium........................
Thie Two Laws........................
Sieven Reasons for Sunday-Keeping Exam      ined............................
The Definite Seventhl Day..................
Departing and Being with Christ.........
The Rich Man and Lazarus..............
Elihu on the Sabbath...................
The Coming of the Lord.................
Perfection of the T'en Commandments....
Without Excuse.........................
Thoughts for the Candid................
Appeal on Immortality...................
Which Day Do You Keep? and Why?.....
Is the End Near?........................
Can WVe Know?...........................
The Sleep of the Dead......................
The Sinner's Fate........................ 
Is Man Immortal?.....................
One Hundred Bible Facts upon the Sabbath
WNhat the Gospel Abrogated.............  
Sunday not the Sabbath.................
The Christian Sabbath..................
WVhy not Fouind out Before..............
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