The Ezekiel 9 Seal of God
“The angel with the writer's ink horn is to place
a mark upon the foreheads of all who are separated from sin and sinners, and
the destroying angel follows this angel” (Letter 12, 1886). {4BC 1161.5}
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There are professing Seventh-day Adventists
who are teaching the diabolical lie that we will be within an apostate
Jerusalem and that the Ezekiel 9 destruction will come upon the entire church—bad
and good, but the good will be left standing and the bad will be slain. Is that
what occurred in the last literal fulfillment of Ezekiel 9, Matthew 22:1-10,
with verse 7 being the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9? Nay. All the good were gathered out into Christian
home churches while the dross was gathered into the midsts of Jerusalem for
burning and melting, Ezekiel 22:17-32.
Not one true Christian was sealed by or at the
apostate Jewish Temple. The disciples who gathered out the faithful into home
churches were told by Jesus that whomever they bound (sealed) on earth would be
bound (sealed) in heaven. It was the True Christian Jerusalem church in which
and by which all true Christians received the Ezekiel 9 sealed after the Daniel
9, 490 years probation of the Jews ended in A.D. 34.
Does Ellen White agree with this scenario? Yes
indeed. There was a separation from sin AND SINNERS.
“The
angel with the writer's ink horn is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all
who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel follows this
angel” (Letter 12, 1886). {4BC 1161.5}
Christ
left (Notice why He left)
"Christ was a protestant...The Reformers
date back to Christ and the apostles. They came out and separated
themselves from a religion of forms and ceremonies. Luther and his
followers did not invent the reformed religion. They simply accepted it as
presented by Christ and the apostles." E.G. White, Review and Herald, vol. 2, 48, col. 2.
Paul left After Three Months (Notice why he left)
"And as they persisted in their
rejection of the gospel the apostle (Paul) went into the synagogue,
and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the
things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed
not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them,
and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one
Tyrannus." Acts, 19:8, 9.
"Fearing that the faith of the believers
would be endangered by continued association with these opposers of the truth,
Paul separated from them, and gathered the disciples into a distinct
body." E.G. White, Acts of the Apostles, p. 286.
Did Paul fear Babylonian doctrine? Nay! He
feared that his followers would be corrupted by continued association with the opposers
of truth. Some say we can meet with the apostates but just don’t associate with
them. But would that preclude his followers hearing the sermons of the apostate
leaders? Did Paul miss something here? No! He knew the power of influence even
when meeting with apostates and hearing their leaders speak from the pulpit.
"If God has
any new light to communicate, He will let His chosen and beloved understand it,
without their going to have their minds enlightened by hearing those who are in
darkness and error. {EW 124.2}
“I was shown the
necessity of those who believe that we are having the last message of mercy,
being separate from those who are daily imbibing new errors. I saw that neither
young nor old should attend their meetings; for it is wrong to thus encourage
them while they teach error that is a deadly poison to the soul and teach for
doctrines the commandments of men. The influence of such gatherings is not
good. If God has delivered us from such darkness and error, we should stand
fast in the liberty wherewith He has set us free and rejoice in the truth. God
is displeased with us when we go to listen to error, without being obliged to
go; for unless He sends us to those meetings where error is forced home to the
people by the power of the will, He will not keep us. The angels cease their
watchful care over us, and we are left to the buffetings of the enemy, to be
darkened and weakened by him and the power of his evil angels; and the light
around us becomes contaminated with the darkness. {EW 124.3}
I saw that we have
no time to throw away in listening to fables. Our minds should not be thus
diverted, but should be occupied with the present truth,..."
EW p. 125.
"Even though
you may not be able to speak a word to those who are working on wrong
principles, leave them. Your withdrawal and silence may do more than words. Nehemiah refused to associate with those who were
untrue to principle, and he would not permit his
workmen to associate with them. The love and fear of God were his
safeguard-Dare to be a Daniel, Dare to stand alone. Thus as did Moses, you will endure the seeing of Him who is invisible.
But a cowardly and
silent reserve before evil associates, while you listen to their devices makes
you one with them Come out from among them and be separate, saith the Lord, and
touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto
you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Review & Herald Vol. 4, p. 42.
Ezekiel
Glorious Revelations During Darkest Days.--All who serve God with purity
of soul will know that He is jealous that His honor should be preserved. Many
of the most glorious revelations recorded in the Bible were made by the Lord in
the darkest days of the church's history. The Lord has given these revelations
of His glory in order that men may be deeply impressed regarding the sacredness
of His service. Impressions have been made that should bear with solemn force
on the mind, showing that God is God, and that He has not lost His glory. He
requires the utmost fidelity in His service today. The impression must be left
on human minds that the Lord God is holy, and that He will vindicate His glory
(MS 81, 1906).
1161
{4BC 1160.9}
8 (ch. 10:8, 21). Divine Power
Gives Success.--In Ezekiel's vision, God had His hand beneath the wings of the
cherubim. This is to teach His servants that it is divine power that gives them
success. He will work with them if they will put away iniquity, and
become pure in heart and life. The heavenly messengers seen by Ezekiel, like a bright light
going among the living creatures with the swiftness of lightning, represent the
speed with which this work will finally go forward to completion. He who
slumbers not, who is continually at work for the accomplishment of His designs,
can carry forward His great work harmoniously. That which appears to finite
minds entangled and complicated, the Lord's hand can keep in perfect order. He can devise
ways and means to thwart the purposes of wicked counselors,
and those who plot out mischief. {4BC 1161.1}
Those who are called to responsible positions in the work of God often
feel that they are carrying heavy burdens, when they may have the satisfaction
of knowing that Jesus carries them all. We permit ourselves to feel altogether
too much care, trouble, and perplexity in the Lord's work. We need to trust
Him, believe in Him, and go forward. The tireless vigilance of the heavenly
messengers, their unceasing employment in their ministry in connection with the
beings of earth, show us how God's hand is guiding the
wheel within a wheel. The divine Instructor is saying to every actor in His
work, as He said to Cyrus of old, "I girded thee, though thou hast not
known me" (RH Jan. 11, 1887). {4BC 1161.2}
15-28. Individual Freedom, Yet Complete Harmony.--God is acquainted with
every man. Could our eyes be opened we would see that eternal justice is at
work in our world. A powerful influence, not under man's control, is working. Man may fancy
that he is directing matters, but there are higher than human influences at
work. The servants of God know that He is working to counteract Satan's plans.
Those who know not God cannot comprehend His movements. There is at work a
wheel within a wheel. Apparently the complication of machinery is so intricate that
man can see only a complete entanglement. But the divine hand, as seen by the
prophet Ezekiel, is placed upon the wheels, and every part moves in complete
harmony, each doing its specified work, yet with individual freedom of action
(MS 13, 1898). {4BC 1161.3}
Chapter 9
2-4 (Eph. 1:13; 4:30). A Mark Which Angels Read.--[Eph. 1:13
quoted.] What is the seal of the living God, which is placed in the foreheads
of His people? It is a mark which angels, but not human eyes, can read; for the
destroying angel must see this mark of redemption (Letter 126, 1898). {4BC
1161.4}
The angel with
the writer's ink horn is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who are
separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel follows this angel
(Letter 12, 1886). {4BC 1161.5}
(Rev. 7:2.) Seal Is a Settling Into
Truth.--Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads--it is
not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both
intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved--just as soon as God's
people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has
begun already; the judgments of God are now upon the land, to give us warning,
that we may know what is coming (MS 173, 1902). {4BC 1161.6}
Chapter 10
8, 21. See EGW on ch. 1:8. {4BC
1161.7}
Chapter 12
2.
See EGW on Jer. 17:25. {4BC 1161.8}
Chapter 16
49.
No Imitation.--The prophet Ezekiel describes a class whose example Christians
should not imitate [Eze. 16:49 quoted]. {4BC 1161.9}
We
are not ignorant of the fall of Sodom because of the corruption of its
inhabitants. The prophet has here specified the particular evils which led to
dissolute morals. We see the very sins now existing in the world which were in
Sodom, and which brought upon her the wrath of God, even to her utter
destruction (HR July, 1873).
1162
{4BC 1161.10}
Chapter 20
12.
See EGW on Dan. 7:25. {4BC 1162.1}
12, 13. Contempt for Law Shows Contempt for Lawgiver.--Those
who trample upon God's authority, and show open contempt to the law given in
such grandeur at Sinai, virtually despise the Lawgiver, the great Jehovah. . .
. {4BC 1162.2}
By
transgressing the law which God had given in such majesty, and amid glory which
was unapproachable, the people showed open contempt of the great Lawgiver, and
death was the penalty (3SG 294, 300). {4BC 1162.3}
Chapter 28
1-26. This History a Perpetual Safeguard.--[Eze.
28:1-26 quoted.] The first sinner was one whom God had greatly exalted. He is
represented under the figure of the prince of Tyrus
flourishing in might and magnificence. Little by little Satan came to indulge
the desire for self-exaltation. The Scripture says: "Thine heart was
lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted
thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness." "Thou hast said in thine heart, . . . I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
. . . I will be like the Most High." Though all his glory was from God,
this mighty angel came to regard it as pertaining to himself. Not content with
his position, though honored above the heavenly host,
he ventured to covet homage due alone to the Creator. Instead of seeking to
make God supreme in the affections and allegiance of all created beings, it was
his endeavor to secure their service and loyalty to
himself. And coveting the glory with which the infinite Father has invested His
Son, this prince of angels aspired to power that was the prerogative of Christ
alone. {4BC 1162.4}
To
the very close of the controversy in heaven, the great usurper continued to
justify himself. When it was announced that with all his sympathizers he must
be expelled from the abodes of bliss, then the rebel leader boldly avowed his
contempt for the Creator's law. He denounced the divine statutes as a
restriction of their liberty, and declared that it was his purpose to secure
the abolition of law. With one accord, Satan and his host threw the blame of
their rebellion wholly upon Christ, declaring that if they had not been
reproved, they would never have rebelled. {4BC 1162.5}
Satan's rebellion was to be a lesson to the universe through all coming
ages, a perpetual testimony to the nature and terrible results of sin. The
working out of Satan's rule, its effects upon both men and angels, would show
what must be the fruit of setting aside the divine authority. It would testify
that with the existence of God's government and His law is bound up the
well-being of all the creatures He has made. Thus the history of this terrible
experiment of rebellion was to be a perpetual safeguard to all holy
intelligences, to prevent them from being deceived as to the nature of transgression,
to save them from committing sin, and suffering its punishment. {4BC 1162.6}
At
any moment God can withdraw from the impenitent the tokens of His wonderful
mercy and love. Oh, that human agencies might consider
what will be the sure result of their ingratitude to Him and of their disregard
of the infinite Gift of Christ to our world! If they continue to love
transgression more than obedience, the present blessings and the great mercy of
God that they now enjoy, but do not appreciate, will finally become the
occasion of their eternal ruin. When it is too late for them to see and to
understand that which they have slighted as a thing of naught, they will know
what it means to be without God, without hope. Then they will realize what they
have lost by choosing to be disloyal to God and to stand in rebellion to His
commandments (MS 125, 1907). {4BC 1162.7}
A General
Movement Represented.--I ask our people to study the twenty-eighth chapter of
Ezekiel. The representation here made, while it refers primarily to
Lucifer, the fallen angel, has yet a broader significance. Not one being, but a
general movement, is described, and one that we shall witness. A faithful study
of this chapter should lead those who are seeking for truth to walk in all the
light that God has given to His people, lest they be deceived by the deceptions
of these last days (Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 17, p. 30). {4BC 1162.8}
2,
6-10. Soon to Be Fulfilled.--[2 Thess.
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2:7, 8; Eze. 28:2, 6-10 quoted.] The time is fast
approaching when this scripture will be fulfilled. The world and the
professedly Protestant churches are in this our day taking sides with the man
of sin. . . . The great issue that is coming will be on the seventh-day Sabbath
(RH April 19, 1898). {4BC 1162.9}
12.
Lucifer as Near as Possible Like God. Evil originated with Lucifer, who
rebelled against the government of God. Before his fall he was a covering
cherub, distinguished by his excellence. God made him good and beautiful, as
near as possible like Himself (RH Sept. 24, 1901). {4BC 1163.1}
12-15 (Isa. 14:12-14). Why God Could Do No More.--Satan, the
chief of the fallen angels, once had an exalted position in heaven. He was next
in honor to Christ. The knowledge which he, as well as the angels who fell with
him, had of the character of God, of His goodness, His mercy, wisdom, and
excellent glory, made their guilt unpardonable. {4BC 1163.2}
There was no possible hope for the redemption of those who had witnessed
and enjoyed the inexpressible glory of heaven, and had seen the terrible
majesty of God, and, in presence of all this glory, had rebelled against Him.
There were no new and wonderful exhibitions of God's exalted power that could
impress them so deeply as those they had already
experienced. If they could rebel in the very presence of glory inexpressible,
they could not be placed in a more favorable
condition to be proved. There was no reserve force of power, nor were there any
greater heights and depths of infinite glory to overpower their jealous doubts
and rebellious murmuring (Redemption: The Temptation of Christ, pp. 18, 19).
{4BC 1163.3}
15-19 (Isa. 14:12-15; Rev. 12:7-9). Satan's Corrupt Working.-- There is a grand rebellion in the earthly universe. Is
there not a great leader of that rebellion? Is not Satan the life and soul of
every species of rebellion which he himself has instigated? Is he not the first
great apostate from God? A rebellion exists. Lucifer revolted from his
allegiance and makes war on the divine government. Christ is appointed to put
down the rebellion. He makes this world His battlefield. He stands at the head
of the human family. He clothes His divinity with humanity and He passes over
the ground where Adam fell and endures all the assaults of Satan's temptations,
but He does not yield in a single instance. {4BC 1163.4}
The
salvation of a world is at stake. He resisted the archdeceiver.
In behalf of man He must conquer as a man, and in the very same manner man must
conquer by "It is written." His own words
under the guise of humanity would be misjudged, misinterpreted, falsified. His
own words spoken as the divine Son of God could not be falsified. {4BC 1163.5}
It
will be in the last great day when every case receives as his works have been;
it will be the final and eternal condemnation of the devil and all his
sympathizers and all who have served under his jurisdiction and have identified
themselves with him. Will he have a reason to assign for his rebellion? When
the Judge of all the world demands, Why have ye done
thus? what reason can he assign, what cause can he
plead? Bear in mind every tongue is silent, every mouth that has been so ready
to speak evil, so ready to accuse, so ready to utter words of recrimination and
falsehood is stopped, and the whole world of rebellion stands speechless before
God; their tongues cleave to the roof of their mouth. The place where sin
entered can be specified. {4BC 1163.6}
"Thou wast perfect in thy ways . . . till
iniquity was found in thee." "Thine heart was lifted up because of
thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason
of thy brightness." All this was the gift of God. God was not chargeable
with this--making the covering cherub beautiful, noble and good. "By the
multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence,
and thou hast sinned: . . . thou has defiled thy
sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick." In this place "traffick"
is the emblem of corrupt administration. It denotes the bringing of
self-seeking into spiritual offices. Nothing in spiritual service is acceptable
to God except the purposes and works that are for the good of the universe. To
do good to others will redound to the glory of God. {4BC 1163.7}
The
principles of Satan's working in heaven are the same principles by which
1164
he works through human
agents in this world. It is through these corrupting principles that every
earthly empire and the churches have been increasingly corrupted. It is by the
working out of these principles that Satan deceives and corrupts the whole
world from the beginning to the ending. He is continuing this same
policy-working, originally begun in the heavenly universe. He is energizing the
whole world with his violence with which he corrupted the world in the days of
Noah (Letter 156, 1897). {4BC 1163.8}
Chapter 31
See
EGW on Ps. 92:12. {4BC 1164.1}
Chapter 33
Personal Responsibility.--The thirty-third chapter of Ezekiel shows that
God's government is a government of personal responsibility. Each one must
stand for himself. No one can obey for his neighbor.
No one is excused for neglecting his duty because of a similar neglect on the
part of his neighbor (Letter 162, 1900). {4BC 1164.2}
A
Voice of Warning Needed.--The thirty-third chapter of Ezekiel is an outline of
the work that God approves. Those in positions of sacred trust, those honored of God by being appointed to stand as watchmen on
the walls of Zion, are in every respect to be all that is embraced in the
meaning of the word "watchmen." They are to be ever on guard against
the dangers threatening the spiritual life and health and prosperity of God's
heritage. {4BC 1164.3}
Upon us as ministers God has placed a burden of solemn responsibility. .
. . {4BC 1164.4}
God
has declared to us, "Ye are the salt of the earth." The preserving
influence that we may exert in the world, is bestowed
upon us by the Lord. The bounties that we constantly receive from Him are to
flow through hand and heart to those around us who have not yet become
connected with the Fountainhead. {4BC 1164.5}
When we see God dishonored, we ought not to remain quiet, but should do
and say all that we can to lead others to see that the God of heaven is not to
be thought of as a common man, but as the Infinite One, the One
worthy of man's highest reverence. Let us present God's Word in its purity, and
lift up the voice in warning against everything that would dishonor
our heavenly Father (MS 165, 1902). {4BC 1164.6}
Chapter 34
2.
A Charge to Ministers.--Upon the ministers of God rests a solemn, serious
charge. They will be called to a strict account for the manner in which they
have discharged their responsibility. If they do not tell the people of the
binding claims of God's law, if they do not preach the Word with clearness, but
confuse the minds of the people by their own interpretations, they are
shepherds who feed themselves, but neglect to feed the flock. They make of none
effect the law of Jehovah, and souls perish because of their unfaithfulness.
The blood of these souls will be upon their heads. God will call them to
account for their unfaithfulness. But this will in no
wise excuse those who listened to the sophistry of men, discarding the Word of
God. God's law is a transcript of His character. And His word is not Yea and Nay, but Yea and Amen (Letter 162, 1900). {4BC
1164.7}
Chapter 36
25, 26 (John 3:3-7). The Sign of a New Heart.--[Eze. 36:26 quoted.] . . . The youth especially stumble over
this phrase, "a new heart." They do not know what it means. They look
for a special change to take place in their feelings. This they term conversion.
Over this error thousands have stumbled to ruin, not understanding the
expression, "Ye must be born again." {4BC 1164.8}
Satan leads people to think that because they have felt a rapture of
feeling, they are converted. But their experience does not change. Their
actions are the same as before. Their lives show no good fruit. They pray often
and long, and are constantly referring to the feelings they had at such and
such a time. But they do not live the new life. They are deceived. Their experience
goes no deeper than feeling. They build upon the sand, and when adverse winds
come, their house is swept away. . . . {4BC 1164.9}
When Jesus speaks of the new heart, He means the mind, the life, the
whole being. To have a change of heart is to withdraw the affections from the
world, and fasten them upon Christ. To have a new
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heart is to have a
new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?--a changed
life. There is a daily, hourly dying to selfishness and pride (YI Sept. 26,
1901). {4BC 1164.10}
26
(Ps. 51:10). How the New Heart Is Kept.--One of the most earnest prayers
recorded in the Word of God is that of David when he plead, "Create in me
a clean heart, O God." God's response to such a prayer is, A new heart will I give you. This is a work that no finite
man can do. Men and women are to begin at the beginning, seeking God most
earnestly for a true Christian experience. They are to feel the creative power
of the Holy Spirit. They are to receive the new heart, that
is kept soft and tender by the grace of heaven. The selfish spirit is to be
cleansed from the soul. They are to labor earnestly
and with humility of heart, each one looking to Jesus for guidance and
encouragement. Then the building, fitly framed together, will grow into a holy
temple in the Lord (Letter 224, 1907). {4BC 1165.1}
Chapter 37
1-10. What Can Man's Power Do?--At one time the prophet Ezekiel was in
vision set down in the midst of a large valley. Before him
lay a dismal scene. Throughout its whole extent the valley was covered
with the bones of the dead. The question was asked, "Son of man, can these
bones live?" The prophet replied, "O Lord God, Thou knowest." What could the might and power of man accomplish with these dead bones?
The prophet could see no hope of life being imparted to them. But as he looked,
the power of God began to work. The scattered bones were shaken, and began to
come together, "bone to his bone," and were bound together by sinews.
They were covered with flesh, and as the Lord breathed upon the bodies thus
formed, "the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon
their feet, an exceeding great army" (MS 85, 1903). {4BC 1165.2}
A
Vision of Our Work.--The souls of those whom we desire to save are like the
representation which Ezekiel saw in vision,--a valley of dry bones. They are
dead in trespasses and sins, but God would have us deal with them as though
they were living. Were the question put to us, "Son of man, can these
bones live?" our answer would be only the confession of ignorance, "O
Lord, Thou knowest." To all appearance there is
nothing to lead us to hope for their restoration. Yet nevertheless the word of
the prophecy must be spoken even to those who are like the dry bones in the
valley. We are in no wise to be deterred from fulfilling our commission by the
listlessness, the dullness, the lack of spiritual perception, in those upon whom
the Word of God is brought to bear. We are to preach the word of life to those
whom we may judge to be as hopeless subjects as though they were in their
graves. {4BC 1165.3}
Though they may seem unwilling to hear or to receive the light of truth,
without questioning or wavering we are to do our part. We are to repeat to them
the message. "Awake thou that sleepest, and
arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." {4BC 1165.4}
It
is not the human agent that is to inspire with life. The Lord God of Israel
will do that part, quickening the lifeless spiritual nature into activity. The
breath of the Lord of hosts must enter into the lifeless bodies. In the judgment, when
all secrets are laid bare, it will be known that the voice of God spoke through
the human agent, and aroused the torpid conscience, and stirred the lifeless
faculties, and moved sinners to repentance and contrition, and forsaking of
sins. It will then be clearly seen that through the human agent faith in Jesus
Christ was imparted to the soul, and spiritual life from heaven was breathed
upon one who was dead in trespasses and sins, and he was quickened with
spiritual life. {4BC 1165.5}
But
not only does this simile of the dry bones apply to the world, but also to
those who have been blessed with great light; for they also are like the
skeletons of the valley. They have the form of men, the framework of the body;
but they have not spiritual life. But the parable does not leave the dry bones
merely knit together into the forms of men; for it is not enough that there is
symmetry of limb and feature. The breath of life must vivify the bodies, that they may stand upright, and spring into
activity. These bones represent the
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house of Israel, the
church of God, and the hope of the church is the vivifying influence of the
Holy Spirit. The Lord must breathe upon the dry bones, that they may live. {4BC
1165.6}
The
Spirit of God, with its vivifying power, must be in every human agent, that
every spiritual muscle and sinew may be in exercise. Without the Holy Spirit,
without the breath of God, there is torpidity of conscience, loss of spiritual
life. Many who are without spiritual life have their names on the church
records, but they are not written in the Lamb's book of life. They may be
joined to the church, but they are not united to the Lord. They may be diligent
in the performance of a certain set of duties, and may be regarded as living
men; but many are among those who have "a name that thou livest, and art dead." {4BC 1166.1}
Unless there is genuine conversion of the soul to God; unless the vital
breath of God quickens the soul to spiritual life; unless the professors of
truth are actuated by heaven-born principle, they are not born of the
incorruptible seed which liveth and abideth forever.
Unless they trust in the righteousness of Christ as their only security; unless
they copy His character, labor in His spirit, they
are naked, they have not on the robe of His
righteousness. The dead are often made to pass for the living; for those who
are working out what they term salvation after their own ideas, have not God
working in them to will and to do of His good pleasure. {4BC 1166.2}
This class is well represented by the valley of dry bones Ezekiel saw in
vision (RH Jan. 17, 1893).
-
{4BC 1166.3}