SUPPORT GSPS |
The Gold, Silver, Precious Stones team appreciates your contributions in support of this work. Please send your correspondence to:
Gold, Silver, Precious Stones
P.O. Box 240
Harvest, AL 35749
|
|
|
|
Questions and Answers
AUTHOR(S): | Hassell, Sylvester
Pittman, R. H. |
|
Preface
One method of gaining knowledge is by asking questions. When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame and wisdom of Solomon "she came to prove him with many questions" (I Kings 10:1). How many questions she asked, and what the questions were, is not stated. But we may infer that she asked many, and that she learned much, for she was astounded and said: "It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom: ... but the half was not told me."
Then in the fullness of time Jesus came. He was a greater than Solomon, as much superior to him as is the sun to a bright and glowing star. And as Jesus walked among men, teaching them by precept and example His eternal and glorious truth, many were they who asked Him questions. Sometimes He answered plainly, sometimes in parables, and at other times He rebuked the questioners - for He well knew the motives of all men. But He always gave the correct and needed answer, for He possessed all knowledge.
But the Perfect Teacher is no longer on earth. He finished the work He came to do and has gone back to heaven where He "sitteth on the right hand of God" (Col. 3:1). We cannot ask Him questions as others did when He lived in the flesh. But He did not leave us comfortless - He sent the blessed Holy Spirit to comfort and teach. And He also called and qualified men as undershepherds and sent them forth as pastors and teachers. This He continues to do, and will, until the end of time. And we believe with all our heart that the late Elder Sylvester Hassell was such a teacher - God-called, God-qualified, and God-sent. Blessed with spiritual understanding, abiding faith, abounding love, and a giant intellect, he became a prodigy in learning. No other
evidence of this fact need be cited other than Hassell's Church History, though his editorial work on the "Gospel Messenger," and also his work as Associate Editor of the "Advocate and Messenger," showed an unusual knowledge of the Bible and of various languages. And it was while doing editorial work that the most of the questions in this book were answered by Elder Hassell, the present editor and compiler answered only about ten percent of them.
These answers by Elder Hassell give so much information and are so authoritative that I have for years felt deeply impressed to put them in book form. "Not many wise men after the flesh are called" (I Cor. 1:26), and when God does call and send one among us we should appreciate the gift and seek to profit by his teaching. I pray God's blessings upon this work, that it may be a source of information and of comfort to many thousands of God's people now living and to those of future generations. And, if so, dear Lord, all the glory shall be Thine.
R.H. Pittman
The Way, The Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)
"Without the Way, there is no Going.
Without the Truth, there is no Knowing.
Without the Life, there is no Living.
Without the Gift, there is no Giving.
Without the Hope, there is no Hoping.
Without the Faith, there is but Groping.
Without the Love, all love Defying.
Without the Death, all dead, all dying.
Without the Christ, how dark my way would be.
Without Jesus, how could His Truth make free?
Without a Saviour, no Life redeemed could be,
Without God's Gift, The Christ of Calvary!"
Remarks: From Earth to Heaven there are not many ways, but just one way, and Jesus is that way. He did not say I am a way, but "I am the way ... No man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (R.H.P.)
|
|
