However, I will not include anything more than a brief summary of the problems which occurred later in their marriage. For details regarding their later separation and divorce, please refer to the Proclaimers book, or other WT publications.

Here is an excerpt from the July 15, 1906 Zion's Watch Tower, in which CTR provides details not only about his marriage to Maria, but he also fills in some details about his preaching activities and business interests in 1878.

EXCERPT

THIRTEEN BLISSFUL YEARS

From 1871-1879, while engaged in mercantile business, I was also engaged in promulgating "Present Truth." My earliest efforts were in connection with Bible Classes in Pittsburgh and Allegheny. Later I published a paper in New York State, to whose columns others as well as myself were contributors. During 1877 and 1878 I travelled extensively throughout New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia and Kentucky, leaving my several stores in the hands of trusted representatives, visiting them for supervision occasionally.

In 1878 my associate who had been attending to the paper fell from faith in the redemptive work of Christ, which led to a controversy in the columns of the paper, he denying the ransom and I affirming it, until it became evident that a paper divided against itself could not stand. My associate seized and appropriated to himself the office outfit, type, etc., which I had paid for. This led me to project our present journal, ZION'S WATCH TOWER AND HERALD OF CHRIST'S PRESENCE, as a defense of the great foundation doctrine of the Ransom and in general promulgation of the "meat in due season." The starting of the paper was delayed until July, 1879, and this left me for several months continuously at Allegheny, where, in addition to the usual meetings, I conducted several series of meetings in the interest of the public in this vicinity.

INQUIRIES ANSWERED.

The following letter received recently was handed to Sister Russell for answering, and as the points might interest others, we publish.

DEAR SIR:--

Sent you a card which you will receive before you see this. Wished to ask several questions. I am interested in your paper, am a thinking Christian, but not settled in my views, seeking MORE LIGHT. Are we to expect revivals and the conversion of sinners now? Are we to labor for this result? Is the church coming up higher? Are we to come out of the church, take our name off church books, or remain in the church and labor to bring the rest upon the higher plain; or is each individual to be fully persuaded in his own mind and act according to his conscience? Shall I tell my sisters of like faith, better come out from among them nominally? In spirit, I am far from the majority --this I have called "coming out from among them. I want to be right. Will you take the trouble to answer "the thinking Christian's questions? Please be plain. Many are inquiring. What shall I tell them? I may read your letter (should you write one) to others.

My husband is a Methodist minister. Not preaching this year however. Tell me plain truth, fear not.

DEAR SISTER:--

Your letter is at hand, many such show us that there are very many hungry, thinking christians. Our love and sympathy reach out to all such though we have never met face to face, and we call them brother and sister because we see in them the family likeness --the spirit of Christ.

You ask if we may expect revivals of religion in the nominal church. No, we do not look for any evidence whatever of God's favor to this last phase of the nominal Gospel church which is spewed out of his mouth, because in her own estimation, she is rich and increased in goods (both spiritual and temporal) and has need of nothing. See how perfectly the picture of the church of to-day is drawn in Rev. 3:14,18. That mixed condition of worldliness and lukewarm christianity we believe to be the Babylon (confusion) of Rev. 18:2, out of which (vs. 4) the Lord calls the few of his own who still remain in that city doomed to destruction. There will probably be some accessions to their membership, but mainly from the Sunday Schools --the church is straining every effort to keep up appearances and urging immature childhood to join its ranks and swell its numbers. But this is not making christians as we understand the word. Christians are those who have consecrated themselves to the Lord-- agree to follow Jesus' footsteps in the crucifying of the flesh (the human privileges and honors, etc.)

All others than the true wheat brought in, help to swell the numbers of the tares. Tares are not wicked people necessarily (though some are wicked) but people who are out of place in the church-- imitating christians in some respects as tares imitate wheat. Those who get such into the church nominal, do an injury both to the person and to the church. The church is injured by getting a lifeless member to absorb its vitality, and who as a representative will serve to lower the standard of christianity.

The individual is injured by being told that he is a christian when he is not, and thus is worse off than if aware of his own position.

Surely, then, many people who engage in this improper work, some of whom, if not all, think they are doing God service, must be mistaken. And this work has been going on for years so that much of the wheat has been almost choked with tares. It is not God's work but Satan's. The tares do an injury to the church, and Satan was instrumental (using God's children as his instruments) in getting them into the church to work the havoc they have. "He that sowed the tares is the devil," (Matt. 13,) no matter who was willing or unwittingly the instrument, (vs. 21). With this, I will mail a June No. of ZION'S WATCH TOWER, the first article of which ("He on the housetop") will more thoroughly answer your question with reference to coming out of Babylon. It is of no use, to remain there trying to prop an organization which God has doomed to destruction: Better far, to trust his judgment with reference to expediency and promptly obey his command as soon as he makes it clear. The Lord loves prompt obedience, and then it is a great advantage, as it gives no opportunity to confer with flesh and blood.

Since we are in the "harvest" of the age, the work to be done is harvest work: The great work of the present is to help to ripen and gather into the barn- condition of safety, the true wheat. We would "do good to all men especially to the household of faith" --But if we find enough of this special work to keep our time fully occupied, we have no occasion whatever to worry about the rest of the world; for in God's "due time," they shall all be brought to a knowledge of the truth "and a full, fair opportunity to gain eternal life, and though they may first die (in Adam) the ransom price entitles them to a restoration from the Adamic death, and an opportunity to escape the second death by obedience to the law of God written in their hearts, no more stony but fleshly. (Jer. 31:33.) Then, instead of being prone to do evil as the sparks to fly upward, it will be the reverse --easy and natural to obey when the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the whole earth, and when the Lord rules instead of Satan.

Knowing God's glorious purposes for the world, Jesus let the Gentiles alone and devoted his time entirely to the harvesting of the Jewish church. Though Gentiles as well as Jews were constantly going down in death, he did not try to save them then, knowing it was not yet God's due time.

I am glad to know that in spirit you are separate from the nominal church; I think all of God's true children are. They see the effects, but they do not understand the cause of the loss of God's favor to her. "Woe to those who are at ease in Zion;" but the Lord will "comfort all that mourn in Zion." When? Isaiah says her condition shall be a vexation to such, only till he makes them to understand the doctrine --or the plan of God. And his plan is now being made clear to those who can rest their faith on a "thus saith the Lord," ignoring entirely the traditions of men.

In coming out there are many sacrifices to be made, and you especially will find it so. A minister in our city said: Bro. R., I believe these things are true, but it would not be prudent to preach them. Husband replied, I would fear to be too prudent in this matter since the Lord "hides things from the wise and prudent." That minister had a large family well supported by a fashionable, worldly congregation who did not want to be disturbed in their sleep. He ventured to preach a little of what he believed and they told him it would not do; and to-day he is hiding his light under a bushel, or rather, it has gone out and he is walking on, hand in hand with the world, flourishing in worldly affairs; yet who can estimate that poverty in spiritual things? You may be called upon to sacrifice your present means of living, but fear not, the Lord will provide another. No man hath forsaken all to follow Jesus, who did not receive a hundred-fold in return. It was refreshing to read that sentence in your letter-- "Tell me plain truth, fear not." I could tell you much more than I have time to write at present. The Lord has so wonderfully led me from darkness to light, and from husks to corn, that my heart is filled with his praise.

The great sacrifice necessary, has kept the majority of ministers from the truth, but thank God, there is some ripe wheat among them, not choked by the tares. May God's grace be sufficient for you and your dear husband.

Your Sister in hope,

TAUGHT OF GOD.

Jesus said, "No man can come unto me except the Father draw him." (John 6:44.) And the Prophet Isaiah replies, "They shall be all taught of God." Yes, says Jesus, "And every man (so taught) cometh unto me." (John 6:45.)

God, however, does not teach all in the same time, and way. For 6,000 years he has been teaching the world the exceeding sinfulness of sin and its bitter results, permitting them to remain in ignorance of his love. By and by, he will teach them the blessedness of virtue and holiness, and reveal to them his loving character. When? we enquire; and Isaiah replies, When "the glory of the Lord (through the Christ --Rom. 16:27) shall be revealed ...all flesh shall see it together." (Isa. 40:5.) Before the glory of the Lord can be revealed in the Christ, a special course of training is necessary to develop that body. It is to be composed of a little flock of human beings who sacrifice their humanity and are exalted to divinity. These, all of whom except the head, (Jesus) were found under the curse of a broken law, to be finally lifted to that amazing height, require a special course of training.

The Scriptures tell us that the holy Spirit specially guides, instructs and comforts this special class in their narrow and difficult way.

Since we are of those called to walk that pathway, it becomes a matter of intense interest to understand what is the holy Spirit, and what the object and manner of our training? The Scriptures reveal the holy Spirit as the influence or power of Jehovah. And, since the Christ also partakes of the Divine nature, it is called the Spirit of Christ. The holy Spirit of the Father will dwell richly in the Son and daughter --Jesus and his bride. Nor should we, as the prospective bride of Christ, fear to claim our title as the daughter of the King. (Psa. 45:13.) Is Jesus "the express image of the Father's person?" (Heb. 1:3.) --We shall be like unto his glorious body. But though we shall be thus highly exalted to the same nature, the superiority of relationship --the headship of Father over Son, and of the Son over his bride, will always exist. (1 Cor. 11:3.)

A being may be controlled by the holy Spirit willingly or unwillingly, known or unknown to himself, yet not partake of the Divine life --not be begotten of the Divine spirit. All beings are so controlled; even Satan and his host, though unwillingly. Prophets and holy men of old were willing subjects who spoke as they were moved by the holy spirit. Angels are the willing subjects of the holy Spirit, yet unto which of the Angels said God at any time, "Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee!" But "when he bringeth the first born (the Christ complete, head and body glorified into the world,) he saith, 'And let all the angels of God worship him.'" Why? Because he has become a partaker of the Divine nature. It is fitting that all other forms of life should worship Divinity.

The holy Spirit is exercised in the creation of various orders of intelligent beings, each perfectly adapted to the end of its existence; but one small class only, the "little flock," will be given that form which will be "the brightness of (God's own) glory, and the express image of His (own) person," and "filled with all the fulness of God." (Heb. 1:3; Eph. 3:19.)

The Divine power or holy Spirit of God is not only exerted in creating, but also in upholding, directing and controlling all things which he has created, whether animate or inanimate. But the holy Spirit is exercised in a marked degree, in behalf of those now begotten, and finally to be born into the Father's express image. It directs the newly begotten creatures through the pathway of the suffering and death of their humanity, and upholds them by becoming their "comforter," by unfolding the exceeding great and precious promises of God's Word-- "For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Rom. 15:4.) It shapes and controls all circumstances, so that they all work together for their good.

Now with this idea of the holy Spirit--that it is not a separate person from God, but rather that it is the mind, influence, or power of Jehovah, let us notice its object, and means, of preparing those who shall be of the anointed body. In Eph. 4:12, we learn that the object is, the complete qualification of the saints --the body of the anointed --for the work of service. (Diaglott.) From other Scriptures we learn that this service is to consist in redeeming, restoring, ruling, and blessing all the families of the earth, during the incoming age of a thousand years. In what further developments of God's plans, they may be afterward engaged, we are not yet informed. But the Divine family will always be gloriously engaged in carrying out the will of its Head --Jehovah-- our Father.

With such an object in view, what means are being employed for its accomplishment. We have seen that it is a little flock of human beings who are being chosen for the high office. Though not all, yet many of the human race were called, yet few of those called, will be chosen, because not obedient to the call. Are we of those called? Yes. Our calling was made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who brought immortality to light through the Gospel. (2 Tim. 1:10.) And the holy Spirit was given as a guide and comforter of the heirs of immortality, ever since Jesus was glorified. (John 7:39.)

Though the little flock is now human, when they become Divine, like God, they cannot longer retain their humanity, for God is not a combination of Divinity and humanity-- different natures are necessarily separate and distinct. Human nature is all we have, and when we consecrate that to death nothing remains. But the instant we completely consecrate ourselves to death, we are begotten by the spirit of God to the new, divine nature. Since that time, old things (human hopes, ambitions, desires etc.) have passed away; behold all things are become new. We are now embryo "new creatures."

This new nature, begun at the time of consecration, must continually develop until born into the perfection of the divine nature. As the new continues to develop, the human gradually dies, until the death of the one, and the perfection of the other is complete. As "new creatures," we have a measure of the life, spirit, mind of our Heavenly Father. This energizing spirit enables us to carry out that which we covenanted to do-- viz. to make subject, and keep under, our mortal (human) body-- crucifying its desires daily, so that its will shall not rule, and these bodies reckoned dead indeed unto their own desires, are made alive unto God-- compelled to do the will of the "new creature." Thus while the old mind is treated as if dead, the effect of the new mind is to quicken these mortal bodies, counted dead, making them the living active servants of the new mind. Thus, Paul explained that if Christ (the Christ spirit) be in you, the body is dead to sin, but the dead body is quickened into life (made active in the divine service) by his spirit which dwelleth in you. (See Rom. 8:10,11, Diaglott.)

The results of this new sap (the new mind, the spirit, power, or will of God, dwelling within) introduced into the dead tree, is seen in the fruits. Now the fruits of the spirit are love, faith, diligence, patience, humility, etc.; in short, Godliness (God-likeness) and "if these things be in you and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren, nor unfruitful in the KNOWLEDGE of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Pet. 1:5-8.) Such a spirit we are told (John 16:13) will guide us into an understanding of all truth due. It will guide the body as a whole, into all truth.

If we are thus led of the Spirit, we will take God's standpoint of view in every matter. Our love, will beget a desire to know that we may do his will; our diligence and patience, will leave no means unemployed to gain that knowledge; our faith in God, will lead us to place implicit confidence in his word regardless of all the traditions of men to the contrary; our meek humility, will cast out pride and love of self exaltation; enabling us to accept of truth through whatever channel it may flow. Such will cherish no preconceived ideas of their own, when found inharmonious with God's word though their names are connected with them. No, the Spirit of God in us enables us to take his standpoint and to desire TRUTH, for the upbuilding of the "new creature."

This is the sole object of truth. It is not given merely to gratify curiosity, nor simply to reveal God's character, but by that revelation to transform us into his likeness. Therefore God has so carefully provided us with means for ascertaining truth when due, with such certainty that not the shadow of doubt may linger about it. He has given us the holy Spirit (spirit or mind of Christ) as our infallible guide, in the understanding of his written word. The measure of the Spirit first received, leads us into some knowledge of God, and that knowledge enables us to drink more and more into his Spirit. Thus we continue to grow in knowledge and favor with God.

For all so led of the Spirit, God has expressed his truth, and only such will understand it.

While the exceeding great and precious promises revealed by the Spirit inspire with joyful hope, we find it to be God's will, that for the present we must tread the thorny path of suffering, even unto death. But in this, the Spirit of God becomes our "comforter," not by removing our distresses and trials, but by unfolding the glory, honor and immortality promised in God's Word. Thus we are indeed comforted and enabled to esteem them light afflictions, not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." (Rom. 8:18.) And again, who possessing the Christ spirit has not found wonderful comfort in the blessed rest from pride, envy, strife, and vain glory? While enabling us to take God's standpoint --with him viewing the necessity of present evil, and the all-sufficient remedy to be developed and manifested in due time --we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Truly we have "meat to eat that the world knows not of," and a peace and joy which the world cannot give nor take away.

The indwelling of the Spirit of God then, we see to be the first, and all important agency, in acquainting the body of Christ with the revelation which God has given relative to his plans and purposes, and in building up the "new creature." It is not God's plan however, to build each member up in the knowledge of the truth independent of every other member. No, each member of the body must perform its part toward the building up of the whole body; and no one member can say to any other member, I have no need of thee. Some members of the body may be able to do greater service than others, but the least is necessary. Paul tells us that God appointed some of the members as Apostles, (the specially sent founders of the faith,) and some Prophets, (Interpreters of his Word) and some Evangelists, (Proclaimers of the good news) and some Pastors and Teachers. (Feeders, care-takers, teachers of truths learned, to the sheep and lambs.) All these, he tells us, are chosen for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, (a ministry to the world, in the coming age) for the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ.

How beautiful and how necessary is such an arrangement, that the whole body may be "knit together in love," and fellowship of spirit.

Paul says we should all earnestly desire, or seek to cultivate, the best gifts of the Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:31.) But in vs. 29 he intimates that all may not obtain the same gifts-- "Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers, etc.?" But though some of us may possess none of these gifts, yet as the Lord's sheep we may all be full of love ("charity") and love is the greatest gift of all. Without it the others prove worthless. Therefore let us follow after love; and desire (seek to cultivate) the other gifts that thereby we may render greater service. Even the different sheep promptly and lovingly obeying the voice of the great shepherd, now present, and feeding in the rich green pastures to which he has led them, by their example invite other sheep to do the same.

But some inquire, How shall we know what is truth when different members differently interpret the Word? We answer that just here is where we must apply the test. -- Which interpretation brings harmony --which confusion? If we have been careful students, walking in the shining pathway, we need not long hesitate in discerning truth. We should avoid following human teachers as leaders. Their teachings should be received only so far as they harmonize with the word of truth. Who can tell but that an able teacher might become puffed up with a fleshly mind, and thus losing the spirit of truth, soon get far out of harmony with the Word.

The Spirit of God in us, will enable us to discover that such are permitting the old nature to come to life; and to such extent as that old nature triumphs, will the light of the new nature become darkness. If the old nature is not speedily subdued, more and more of error will come in, until the light that was in them becomes total darkness --and "How great is that darkness." No increase of light through such, should be expected, until the old nature has again been crucified. Nor will the indwelling Spirit of truth permit us to follow such, though they may have been right-hand members. We will not love a right hand more than the Head. Therefore we should always look to God as our Teacher while making use of all the helps and agencies through whom he is pleased to bless us. Thus the members of the "one body of Christ," all "taught of God," "called in the one hope of their calling," being "knit together in love" and "holding the Head" in supreme reverence, shall "all come in the ("full assurance" and) "unity of the faith" and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man (the Christ complete) unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Thus complete, they will be perfectly prepared "for the work of the ministry" --restoring, ruling, and blessing the world in the incoming age.

LIFE AND DEATH.

"See, I have set before thee this day life and death." Deut. 30:19.

These were the words of Moses to Israel when he had delivered to them the law of God, promising life to the obedient, and threatening certain death to the disobedient. Accompanying these solemn words through Moses, we have also the affirmation and exhortation of Jehovah through the prophet Ezekiel (33:11), "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live: Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"

The same alternative had been placed before Adam in Eden, and through his transgression, the sentence of death had already passed upon all the race; and there could be no release from that sentence until a ransom or substitute had been given, and no redeemer had yet appeared.

The above words follow the giving of the law to Israel; But, God knew that his law was the full measure of a perfect man's ability, and that therefore, it was impossible for Israel to keep it. Was it then mere mockery for God to set before them life, when he knew they could not attain it? and to present death as a possibility, when he knew it was certain?

In view of the fact that not one gained life under that law, it would certainly appear to be mockery, were it not for the fact that further enlightenment through New Testament teachings, proves Israel to be a typical people [See "Tabernacle Teachings."] Israel is seen to typify the world of mankind; and the sin-offerings, sacrifices, atonement, etc., made typically for them, prefigured the real and effectual sacrifices and atonement made for the whole world.

So we must regard this promise of life, and this warning of possible death, as given to the whole world through Israel their type. When? when the law in full, is given and expounded to the whole world, by that "Great Prophet of whom Moses was a type, (Acts 3:22; Deut. 18:15.) --the Christ, head and body --in the in-coming Millennial Age. When they thus receive that law, the first death will have been passed, and because of the ransom given they will have been awakened from it, to have the privilege of running for life as individuals; released from the former sentence or condemnation which came on them through Adam. They may then run for life with the full assurance of obtaining it, if they run lawfully. Yet that there is a possibility of failure is proved positively by the words of Ezek. 33:11-16, to all those who believe God true, and not a mocker.

We see then that the Millennial Age is the world's appointed Judgment Day. Then the final issue of life and death will be before the world. But we have learned further, that not only is Israel a type of the whole world, and God's dealings with them typical of his dealings with the world in its day of Judgment, but we learn that Israel is also typical of the Gospel Church in this day of Judgment. (See "Tabernacle Teachings.")

Since the Gospel Church enters upon its reward before the world's judgment begins, it is quite clear that our judgment must be finished before that time. In other words, our judgment must be finished within the limits of this present life. Death ends all opportunity for those who have during this age, consecrated themselves entirely to God. Solemn thought, that every moment we stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Before us, are now placed the FINAL ISSUES of life and death, which will in the future be placed before the world.

"See, I have set before thee THIS DAY, life and death."

True to his diabolical character, the great deceiver is specially busy now among the consecrated, as he will be with the world when loosed for a little season in the end of their judgment day (Rev. 20:3). His object now, as it then will be, is to deceive those running for life, and if possible, to deprive them of it. He cannot then, nor now, deceive those trusting implicitly in the word of the Lord, with full purpose of heart to serve and obey him; but those not so trusting and not fully so disposed, he will deceive, not as to what is truth, but as to what the result of such a course will be. He will repeat the lie given in Eden, "Ye shall not surely die" (Gen. 3:4), reasoning variously as emergencies may require: --with some, that God is too good to pass the sentence of death again, and that even if he should, he would rescue them from it as he did from the Adamic death. And as an angel of light he will praise the goodness and love of God and attempt to prove how it will overleap and overpower his justice. Others, he will deceive as to the nature of death, attempting to prove it a blessing in disguise, or a necessary step in an evolution to a higher nature, or a symbolic expression to imply the destruction of evil, or what not? Anything but the dread penalty of wilful sin as set forth in the Scriptures to be total extinction of existence. He will also attempt to deceive as to the merit and efficacy of the ransom, without full recognition of which, God has declared that none may have life. Acts 4:12.

All these various deceptive devices which will be brought to bear upon the world in the end of their judgment day, after they have been fully enlightened, tasted of the good word of God, and the powers (opportunities and advantages) of the world to come, are now being advanced among those now on trial-- consecrated believers. Are such able to meet them? If not, we must charge God with unfaithfulness in leaving his sheep unprotected among the wolves. But no, God is true, and it is not possible to deceive his elect --those who still maintain a full purpose of heart to trust and obey him. His truth, our "shield and buckler" is made so plain now that no such child of God can fail to see it, and therefore to rest in it.

Hear further the words of the Prophet: "I command thee [spiritual Israel now-- the world in the age to come] this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, that thou mayest live ...But if thine HEART turn away, so that thou WILT NOT hear, but shalt be drawn away [deceived or allured] and worship other Gods and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish ....I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing, therefore choose life." Deut. 30:15-19.

Not from such earnest words of warning would any reasonable mind gain the idea that death, from which Jehovah says "Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die" and again "As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth" --is a blessing, a death to sin, or a necessary step by which to gain a higher nature. Could any of the elect (those in the right condition of heart) be so deceived? Nay, if any are deceived, the fault is chargeable to themselves, and not to God.

It is a duty imperatively demanded of the watchmen on the Tower of Zion today, not only to point out to Spiritual Israel the blessed and inspiring promises now nearing fulfillment, but also to warn of present and approaching danger. If any of those whom God hath placed in such positions of trust, fail to watch or to warn, their blood shall be required of his hand. True, none will be lost solely on account of the watchman's unfaithfulness, but on account of their own unfaithfulness. The watchmen nevertheless will be held to account as though all depended on his warning.

In obedience to his high trust, Paul thus faithfully warned the church, and pointed out in language that cannot be mistaken by unbiased minds, the blessing and cursing, life and death, set before us. Heb. 10:25-31.

Another device of the adversary in this critical hour, is to endeavor by sophistry and deception, to diminish the incentive for which we run the "Narrow Way" --making it appear that there is little advantage to be gained by such sacrifices as we are required to make-- representing that only mere selfishness can see in the word of God a prize (the divine nature) for the Gospel Church above what the world shall share. Of course the inference is, that it is folly to thus run for what the world will in due time get without such exertion.

"Christian be on thy guard,

Ten thousand foes arise;

The hosts of death are pressing hard

To draw thee from the prize."