ing the sacred word, we can see that hu¬man works cannot save the sinner. Nor can self-righteousness: the perfection or obedience we achieve on our own. Yes, not one of these things are bridges that can help us cross the abyss between God and man, so the question remains: what then is the bridge of salvation? "This was the stone that was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we mustbe saved." Acts 4:11-12.
Jesus also said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man commeth

But what can bridge the abyss that exists between the road to death and the road to life?

unto the father but my me." John 14:6 (Proverbs 12:28).
A story is told about a building that was on fi re. From a window up on high, three people were crying for help. The fi remen came and set up their ladder, but it wasn't long enough to reach the people since three more metres were necessary to reach the window. So the fi reman that was on the end of the ladder, in an act of heroism, climbed the last step and made a bridge with his own body, giving the command that they should climb over him. The fi rst person did so, the second one did the same, and finally the third one was also able to get across, unfortu-nately the fireman was not able to hold on any longer and he fell into the abyss. Safe and sound in the ground were the three people he had rescued. They cried a lot and although they did not know him, they loved him, because he had

The wise Solomon's description of the virtuous woman re¬veals the depth and breadth of possibilities open not only to women in Jewish society at that time but in every society down to our own day. It depicts a woman who is very active in her family and society. She dedicates her efforts and abilities to tenefiting those within her circle of influence. One can say that

Her children arise up, and call her blessed

she knows by experience the principie that in living for others, iiot only are her own needs met but she finds the greatest ful-fi llment and happiness.
Her husband trusts her and her judgment. Her children bless her. And notice that the description is almost entirely of practical activities! In addition to being a wife and mother, she manages

a household staff, conducts business enterprises,
cares for the poor, and is ready to give counsel and comfort. Where does she fi nd the strength and
energy for all of this? There is a spiritual
underpinning to her every activity. She
has a clear sense of her purpose in life
and humbly goes about her mission. Is
she demanding of her husband, children,
and servants? No. She has a partnership
with them. How does she achieve this?

She loves them, and they love her,
because she fears the Lord in the Biblical sense: “The fear of the Lord
is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” Proverbs 8:13.

Are you tempted to think that God doesn’t care about small,
everyday things...?

Perhaps you know a woman who is
always uptight, never has enough time to do what she thinks she should, is impatient with her children and husband,
and is rarely at peace in her soul. She may even complain of accomplishing
little, and that little is tainted with self.
Or perhaps you know another whose
primary subject of conversation is her
personal troubles–past, present, and/

True religion–true Christianity–constitutes a living connection
with the God who is infi nite.

or future. There are, of course, reasons
for such behavior. But negative things lose their power when one comes to know God; af- after
all, He is all knowing, all
ter powerful, and present ev- everywhere.
Tru e religio n–tr ue Tr u r elig io n – u e
Christianity–consti- constitutes
a living connec- tutes connect
i o n with the God
t who is infinite. He
is interested in and
ready to impart ev- everything
necessary erything for every woman to become the virtuous
woman of Proverbs
31, not to mention for every man to become
a m a n o f G o d . H o w ?
As a little child does with

Every person who has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord is in cooperation with the Lord of glory...

be the greatest possible blessing to them.
He’ll tell you what to say to your husband,
so you demonstrate respect and
care. The Holy Spirit will even give you
thoughts about what to fix for meals,
where to go shopping,
how to spend money, and how to do your daily tasks.
He will guide your every
action!
A r e y o u t e m p t e d t o think that God doesn’t
care about small, every- everyday
things, that He is only
day interested in matters of sin
and salvation? If so, this is a mistake and the reason for weakness, for He who made the smallest, most
microscopic flower knows
that without Him we can
do absolutely nothing and

that we need Him to ac- accomplish
the most mun- complish mundane
task in the right spir- dane spirit–
in His Spirit.
No task is so unimport- unimportant
that it can be done

well without His aid. Indeed, to Him,
the smallest task is just as important
as the largest; and every
task has a spiritual el- element.
T h e w o m a n
Solomon de- described
has a
scribed clear sense of
her purpose
i n l i f e – h e r
mission. She
k n o w s t h a t
that mission
has been en- entrusted
to her
trusted by the infinite
G o d . S h e a l s o
knows that He is beside her and supplying
her with all the supernatural assistance
she needs to carry out that mission
in a manner that will honor Him–every
moment and in the smallest detail.

She knows that that mission has been entrusted
to her by the infi nite God.

a doctor? Are you a musician? Are you
a housekeeper?
Whatever you are, whatever your responsibilities,
wherever you are at this
moment, remember this: Every person
who has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ
as Saviour and Lord is “in cooperation
with the Lord of glory. This thought
sweetens all toil, it braces the will, it
nerves the spirit for whatever may befall.
Working with unselfish heart, ennobled
by being partakers of Christ’s sufferings,
sharing His sympathies, and cooperating
with Him in His labor, they help to
swell the tide of His joy and bring honor
and praise to His exalted name.” Ellen G.
White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 403.
You are the virtuous woman of Proverbs
31, if you want to be.
Barbara Watts, U.S.A. SW

The King of kings was nailed to a cross for the sins of the whole world

was condemned to death on the cross by
an excited mob that shouted: “Crucify
Him, crucify Him.” (Luke 23:21)
The King of kings was nailed to a
cross for the sins of the whole world and
while all sorts of people surrounded the cross to mock Him and the soldiers at its feet were casting lots over His garments,
He uttered these words full
of compassion: “Father, forgive
them, for they do not
know what they do.”
Jesus spoke seven times as He hang on the cross, three times He showed His concern and interest in others, once he dared ask something
for Himself, He made
two appeals to His Father and finally He announced
the end of His mission on
the earth: to give His life for the sinner, to pay the enormous
debt man has with His Creator.
Were the first words immediately
after He willinging
lay on the cross. Did
those “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Men know what they did? Did they have an

idea whom they were crucifying? Did
they have the slightest idea that what
they were doing to Jesus, for the sake
of righteousness, if the infi nite mercy of
God had not interceded, should have
happened to them? Did they understand
that the cross was the ladder that joined
the earth with heaven and that through
it one could ascend to the Father? Did
they have the slightest idea that before
their own eyes prophecies fortold centuries
before were being fulfi lled? Did they
realize that at that moment heaven was
opening up to hold all of humanity?
If they had known what they were

In the beginning, man enjoyed the
privilege of direct communion with
his Creator. However, because of sin,
this face-to-face communion was no
longer possible. Since the fall and until
paradise will be restored on the new
earth, the communion between God and
our soul can take place only in indirect
ways.[Originally, I wrote: “in indirect
ways, primarily through our mind.” But
then I took it out because I wasn’t sure
if perhaps it would remind too much
about spiritualism where you communicate
with spirits through your mind.
In the second paragraph it still says “the
faculties …”, which was originally referring
to the phrase “through our mind”
in the fi rst paragraph. Do you think it is
OK not to have that reference? If so, we
can leave it as it is now, without the extra
phrase “primarily through our mind.”
Or perhaps there is some other way of
saying what needs to be said.]
The enemy of our souls has made
it his studied effort to disturb and, if

Our need of a safe guide

One advantage the enemy has with
young people is their relative ignorance
and inexperience, especially when combined
with self-confidence and self-sufficiency.
Therefore, let us heed the following
words: “Trust in the Lord with
all thine heart; and lean not unto thine
own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge
Him, and He shall direct thy
paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes:
fear the Lord, and depart from evil.”
Proverbs 3:5-7.
“The Lord has uttered His voice in
His Holy Word. Those blessed pages
are full of instruction and life, harmonious
with truth. They are a perfect rule of
conduct. Instructions are given, principles
are laid down, which apply to every
ples circumstance in life, even though some

particular case may not be stated. Noth- Nothing
is left unrevealed which is essential to a complete system of faith and a correct line of practice. Every duty that God
requires at our hands is made plain.… None will err from the right path who
meekly and honestly take the Bible as their guide, making it the man of their
counsel.” –Ellen G. White, Our High Calling, p. 36.
Let us look at some principles that are essential for our spiritual well being and for maintaining our communion with God.
Protect your mind
“Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices must guard well the
avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind
should not be left to wander at random
upon every subject that the adversary of souls may suggest.” –Ellen G. White, Messages to Young People, p. 285. The
Bible expresses it this way: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23.
We need to be aware of the far-reaching
influence of what our minds take
in and dwell on. Our choice in these matters will be revealed in all areas of
life–including our thoughts, words, and actions, our outward appearance,
our choice of companions, our attitude toward sin and temptation, and our attitude toward God and His word. In Philippians 4:8 we are encouraged
to let our minds dwell on that which is good, ennobling, and uplifting. “Fi-

against an evil work is not executed
speedily, therefore the heart of the sons
of men is fully set in them to do evil.”
Ecclesiastes 8:11. But it is good for us to
remember: “Be not deceived; God is not
mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth,
that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7.
The principle of sowing and reaping,
or cause and effect, applies equally to
good and evil. “Dear young friends, that
which you sow you will also reap. Now
is the sowing time for you. What will the
harvest be? What are you sowing? Every
word you utter, every act you perform,
is a seed which will bear good or evil
fruit, and will result in joy or sorrow to
the sower. As is the seed sown, so will be
the crop. God has given you great light
and many privileges. After this light
has been given, after your dangers have
been plainly presented before you, the
responsibility becomes yours.
The manner in
which you
14 THE SABBATH WATCHMAN

The Bible describes the path of a truly God-fearing person as follows: "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18. However, walking with God does not mean there will always be sunshine. True, our first experience with God may make us thrill with joy. But the feeling of joy will not always be there. On the contrary, we may have to go through some severe strug-gles as God works with us, cleanses us,
Suffering can bring us closer to God

word into the heart and obey it in the life. He is con-stantly seeking to attract them to Him-self, the Source of all wisdom, the Foun-tain of goodness, purity, and truth." -Messages to Young People, p. 66.
What has been your experience with God so far? Have you heard Him speak to you? Have you listened for His voice? Did you follow?
God spoke to the child Samuel. "And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was pre-cious in those days; there was no open visión.... The Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran