This being the first number of the “Bible Student” in its new and enlarged form, it may be well to give a short account of its history, and of what is proposed for the coming year.
Last April there appeared in the pages or the “Young Believer” (W. B. Homer) the following letter from a well-known writer “Dear Friends,—I do not know whether any of you have ever felt as I have, that it is a difficult thing to make the most of occasional spare hours over the Bible. No doubt there are many ways of doing this, but the thing I would suggest is in reference to only one of these ways, namely, the study of special subjects, looking out through the Scriptures, from beginning to end, all that we can find in reference to them ... By uniting together in this search, the result of the labors of each would be helpful to all. Many passages may be overlooked by one student, but discovered by others, and thus by communication with one another, much more might be brought to light than by solitary labor. It may, perhaps, have occurred to you how much evidence is given of the verbal inspiration of Scripture, by the constant recurrence, in so many different forms, of a thought or principle, not expressed, but left to the discovery of those who are willing to bestow patient labor in the searching out of the thoughts of God. Should any be willing to help one another in these studies, by written or personal communication, they will find a double blessing.
To your prayerful consideration I commend the subject.
Yours affectionately in Christ,
“One Who Desires To Learn More.”
The result of this letter was the formation of a Bible Class, and the commencement in July of the “Bible Student.” Each month some subject was subdivided among the class (now numbering considerably over too), and the result of the search was published in the magazine. The subjects already worked out are as follows:—The names and titles of Christ used throughout the Old and New Testament, classified according to the books in which they are found; types direct and indirect of Christ throughout the Old Testament; the allusions throughout Scripture to the contents of the book of Genesis; pride and humility as spoken of in Scripture by precept and example; a list of all the children of God (that can be proved to be such by their faith or walk) in Scripture. It will thus be seen that the Bible Class forms the nucleus of the magazine. The sole condition imposed on any who wish to join the Class, is that they should send a paper regularly on the part allotted of the monthly subject, as occasional contributions would only be a hindrance. Any therefore wishing to join have only to send a paper on any part of the subject for the current month, together with their full name and address, and a line saying they are able and willing to contribute a paper monthly. A reference number will then be given in the same month’s magazine in which the subject on which they have worked appears, and a division will be allotted to them in future.
Another important feature of the magazine are the Bible Queries. Reference to these in the present number will show how they are conducted. Bible Notes form a third special feature, which we desire greatly to extend, with the help of our correspondents, and we beg they will consider the request made under this head. Under the head of Expository, will appear consecutive Notes on some book of the Bible, original anecdotes and sketches from the East illustrative of Scripture, and other articles. We need not enumerate the other papers, suffice it to say that the magazine has been enlarged, and its contents arranged with a view to making it of real practical help to Bible students, more particularly to those who may be yet young in the faith. Other ways of attaining this object and increasing the usefulness of this paper may suggest themselves from time to time, and they will be adopted if space should allow, which, however, largely depends on the efforts of our readers. If they find the magazine helpful, and by making it widely known, increase its circulation, we may be able still further to increase its size without adding to the price. This first number can be had free from the publisher on application, for the purpose of distribution. We earnestly ask those more advanced in the faith to help in the work both by their prayers, and if possible by their writings.
Notes on last month’s Subject. 6—The Children Of God Mentioned In The Bible.
From the note prefixed to this subject it is plain we must not expect to find here a complete list of all the children of God mentioned in Scripture, but only of those of whom it is judged that satisfactory evidence is recorded entitling them to be considered as suchapter The list is certainly an interesting one to look through, and bearing in mind what is recorded of the lives of each, to remember that these will form a prominent part of our companions in eternity. Certainly they do not constitute what would be esteemed on earth either select or desirable society, including as they do a group of poor fishermen, a thief, three blind beggars and one lame one, a Roman jailor, a runaway servant, a black slave, two lepers, a demoniac, and at least two women of bad character. All these, however, washed in the blood of the Lamb, now stand in heaven without spot or stain in the holy presence of God. Not that we by nature are any better than the vilest, even as the apostle says, after giving a black list of sinners, “And such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
As one ponders over the list of Old Testament saints and finds all classes, grades, and characters associated together in one company, one wonders what bond there is that links them so closely. They knew nothing clearly at any rate of the value of the blood of Christ, but they had this in common,—they were all the children of faith. They all believed God; not about Him, but believed in Him as a person, and what He said to them. Faith is the bridge over which they all passed from time to a glorious eternity. Faith in God caused Noah to build his ark, Abraham to leave his home, Amram to disobey the king’s command, Elijah to call down fire on Mount Carmel, Daniel to brave the king’s wrath. And faith is the same at all times, though the object of belief may differ. In the brighter light of our gospel day, we are somewhat inclined to look down upon the twilight of ante-Christian times; but should we not rather admire and seek more earnestly to copy the devoted faith and trust in the living God that still shines across four thousand years, telling us to trust and not be afraid? It seems as if the lives of such as Abraham, Moses, or Daniel, and all this mighty cloud of witnesses, have a wonderful Voice to us in our timid moments, when we shrink from trusting wholly the God who has saved us, seeming to say in the words of our Lord, “O ye of little faith, wherefore do ye doubt?”
We would suggest as a very interesting exercise in connection with this subject, that the grounds on which each is admitted into the list be searched out and classified. Those whose faith only is recorded might be placed in one division, while those whose works or lives are given might be arranged according to the character of action that is supposed to indicate the new life. Such a study would give a great insight into the fundamental principles of godly character which ever remain the same at all times.
Included in the lists are forty-nine women. Five only of these are placed in the first list—Sarah, Jochebed, Rahab, Hannah, Huldah. The first three on the grounds of faith, the next for her personal piety, and Huldah for her sacred gift. There are twelve considered somewhat doubtful, and therefore placed in the second list—Eve, Hagar, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Shiphrah, Puah, Miriam, Ruth, the wife of Phinehas, Abigail, and Esther.
In the New Testament we have a wonderfully interesting list, well worthy the close study of all Christian women. The first contains twenty-eight names, which we will enumerate, specially to point out who are women in Romans 16. We get five Marys, Salome, Elizabeth, Anna, Joanna, Susanna, Martha, Dorcas (famous as the only woman ever raised from the dead), Lydia, Damaris, Priscilla, Phoebe, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, Julia, Euodias, Syntyche, Lois, Eunice, Claudia, Apphia, the elect lady, (supposed by some to be identical with the mother of our Lord, who was committed to the special care of the beloved apostle,) and one woman whose name is unknown on earth, that was saved at Samaria’s well. The list closes with four others; Rhoda and Chloe and two who are nameless, of whose faith not much is said.
Before closing this short review, we may mention that there is some ground for believing that we know somewhat more of the history of Pudens and Claudia than is contained in the brief notice in 2 Timothy We find from history that the daughter of a British king, Cogidubnus, took the name of Claudia, and married Pudens (who is mentioned in the same verse). This Pudens, according to an inscription found at Chichester, and now in the possession of the Duke of Richmond, was at one time closely connected with this British king. Recent researches in Rome have shown that Pudens was a servant of Claudius, who was then reigning. The only link that seems to connect Christianity with this interesting couple, however, is that Pomponia, the wife of the Roman commander in Britain at that time, was herself one of the family of Rufus (Romans 16:1313Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. (Romans 16:13)) and was publicly tried for believing a foreign superstition, A.D. 57. Claudia is also called one of the family of Rufus, which might well be explained if she were a protégée of this lady’s. These facts are interesting, and must be taken for what they are worth. Further investigations are tending to throw still more light on Paul’s Christian companions at Rome.