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🎥 TV's 25-hour party for the 250th David Muir climbs 162 stairs to the crown of the Statue of Liberty. Photo: ABC News Tonight at 10 p.m. ET, ABC News' David Muir, anchor of top-rated "World News Tonight," will begin 25 hours of live coverage of America's 250th birthday. It's the longest commercial broadcast in ABC history — even longer than his predecessor Peter Jennings' 23+ hours of millennium coverage on Dec. 31, 1999. "Getting the chance to travel the country for the 250th was a profound experience," Muir, who'll guide viewers on a journey through all 50 states, tells Axios. "After hiking the Grand Canyon, the Redwoods, and climbing to the top of the Statue of Liberty," Muir adds, "I'm reminded of the original stewards of these wonders, and you immediately think of the bravery of the people who came into New York Harbor on those ships, and thought, 'I'm getting a chance at a new life.'" Disney Entertainment Television's multiplatform coverage will be available across ABC, Disney+, ESPN, Hulu, National Geographic, Freeform, FX and ABC News Live. More on ABC. ⛵ Tomorrow on NBC, six hours of live coverage of Sail4th 250 — a massive maritime celebration in New York Harbor, including tall ships and naval vessels — begins at 7 a.m. ET on NBC, Telemundo, Peacock and NBC News NOW. The network will deploy six drones, a helicopter and a blimp. Fifty cameras will be stationed in the air, on the water and on land. Twenty-three anchors, reporters and correspondents are positioned around New York and New Jersey, including Governors Island. Production teams include NBC News, Telemundo, NBCU Local and NBC Sports. More on NBC. 🎆 Tomorrow night on CBS, "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil and "Entertainment Tonight" co-host Nischelle Turner host a primetime special, "The Great American Block Party 250," live from the Washington Monument. The show will feature celebratory moments from across the country, plus the Zac Brown Band, Jon Batiste, Goo Goo Dolls, The War and Treaty and more. (8 p.m. ET) More on CBS.

⚽ No World Cup jobs bump England fans at an Atlanta bar before the Democratic Republic of the Congo match. Photo: Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos via Getty Images With the U.S. hosting the World Cup, there have been plenty of anecdotes about a booming tourism economy in host cities — most prominently, Scottish fans drinking Boston bars out of beer. But no World Cup hiring bump is evident in the June employment data, Axios chief economic correspondent Neil Irwin reports. 📉 Leisure and hospitality employment fell by 61,000 jobs in June. That's the category that includes restaurant and hotel employment and is most sensitive to tourism trends. The intrigue: It's worth watching whether a World Cup bump shows up in the local economies in other ways, including retail sales and local tax receipts. Keep reading.

Dems plot subpoena storm Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Stock: Getty Images Democrats are preparing a hostile audit of President Trump and his inner circle, intent on exposing — and ultimately ending — the most lucrative presidency in American history, Axios' Zachary Basu writes. Why it matters: Since winning the 2024 election, Trump has operated in a Wild West of his own making — monetizing the office to the tune of billions, with family, friends and donors cashing in. The president and the White House have denied any conflicts of interest. Republicans, who spent years investigating the Biden family's business dealings, have shielded Trump from the same scrutiny. But Democrats see the presidential gold rush as corruption personified — and plan to bury Trump's orbit in subpoenas if they win the House in November's midterms. 💰 Zoom in: Trump's $2.2 billion financial disclosure is a 927-page roadmap for the coming investigations, itemizing every known venture that made 2025 the richest year of his life. A crypto business that barely existed when Trump took office minted him roughly $1.2 billion — eclipsing, in a single year, the real estate empire he spent decades building. His biggest single payday was $635 million in royalties from the $TRUMP meme coin, which has crashed roughly 95% from its inauguration-week launch — destroying billions for the small investors, including MAGA fans, who bought in. Trump also reported tens of millions from legal settlements with major media and tech companies, plus new income from branded watches, sneakers, Bibles, fragrances and foreign licensing deals. 🎯 Zoom out: For Democratic investigators, the ripest targets are the people around Trump — family, appointees and allies who, unlike the president, can be compelled to testify under oath. World Liberty Financial, the crypto venture launched by the Trump and Witkoff families, has become a magnet for foreign money, including a secret $500 million investment from a senior Emirati royal. A New York Times investigation found that Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and the sons of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have ties to at least 14 companies seeking $8.9 billion in federal support for critical-minerals deals. Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, has raised billions from Gulf governments while leading Middle East peace talks. In Albania, Kushner's firm won "strategic investor" status for a $1.4 billion luxury resort on a protected island — igniting mass protests dubbed the "flamingo revolution." Trump dismissed criticism of his financial disclosure on Wednesday, telling reporters his money is run by outside advisers in what he called a "blind account." "Everybody is profiting," Trump said, because "the stock market's going up." 📺 In an Oval Office sit-down with CNBC on Thursday night, Trump defended his family's business dealings: "I tell my kids, 'stay away,'" Trump said. "But they also have a life." White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement: "President Trump only acts in the best interests of the American public — which is why they overwhelmingly re-elected him to this office, despite years of lies and false accusations against him and his businesses from the fake news media. There are no conflicts of interest." 👀 The bottom line: It's no secret that Democrats intend to make life miserable for Trump and his inner circle if they win the midterms. "They will turn every committee of Congress into an investigative body, and they'll go after the president's family, the Cabinet, his donors and friends," House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said at the Faith & Freedom Coalition's annual summit last week. "Half of you in this room will be targeted. I run the protection program. I'll take care of you." Go deeper: "Trump Made $1 Billion on Crypto Deals While His Fans Lost a Fortune" (WSJ gift link). ps:Lets not waste the peoples time!!

THIS DAY IN HISTORY July 3 1863 Battle of Gettysburg ends On the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s last attempt at breaking the Union line ends in disastrous failure, bringing the most decisive battle of the American Civil War to an end. read more Sponsored Content by REVCONTENT 19th Century 1887 Gunfighter Clay Allison killed 1890 Idaho becomes 43rd state 1980s 1988 U.S. warship downs Iranian passenger jet American Revolution 1775 George Washington takes command of Continental Army Arts & Entertainment 1969 Brian Jones and Jim Morrison die, two years apart to the day Crime 1989 Mother, suspected in the deaths of her four children, admits killing two U.S. Presidents 1958 President Eisenhower initiates federal flood-control program World War I 1918 Mohammed V, sultan of Turkey, dies

The Onion’s new parody of Alex Jones’ Infowars starts with $100,000 to Sandy Hook families The satirical news site The Onion isn’t waiting to take possession of Infowars to launch a parody of Alex Jones ’ conspiracy platform. https://apnews.com/article/infowars-alex-jones-newtown-shooting-onion-e38e5447435e6dc117e1ce996a58ac5c? U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn charged with damaging Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Several people have been arrested and cited after President Donald Trump, without evidence, blamed vandals for destroying the pool. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/us-olympian-david-hearn-charged-reflecting-pool-vandalism-rcna352788?

Iran set to bury Supreme Leader Khamenei after days of funeral ceremonies Millions of mourners are expected to turn out for the week-long funeral ceremonies recognizing Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. https://thehill.com/policy/international/5951099-khamenei-funeral-massive-crowds/?

Russian attack on Kyiv kills at least 27, injures scores Ballistic and cruise missiles and drones were used in what Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said was the largest attack on the city since the war began. https://www.dw.com/en/russia-launches-attacks-on-kyiv-killing-at-least-27-and-injuring-scores/a-77794194? 💥 Ukraine's long reach A man launches a Ukrainian Raybird drone during a reconnaissance mission in June. Photo: Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images The Ukrainian military is proving it can blow up pretty much whatever it wants, Axios' Colin Demarest writes. Why it matters: Fewer and fewer places feel safe inside Russia, as oil facilities, weapons factories, convoys and bombers burn. 🔭 The big picture: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly touted "long-range sanctions" — a tongue-in-cheek reference to attacks on Russian assets hundreds of miles deep into the country. Ukraine's tools and tactics have grown increasingly sophisticated over years of war.

> US stock markets close mixed (S&P 500 +0.0%, Dow +1.1%, Nasdaq -0.8%) | US economy added 57,000 jobs in June, below the 115,000 jobs economists expected and the downwardly revised 129,000 jobs added in May (More) > Tesla deliveries rise 25% year over year to more than 480,000 vehicles sent, exceeding Wall Street expectations (More) | Amazon says it has launched enough satellites to offer internet service this year, challenging SpaceX's Starlink > Jersey Mike's, the second largest US sandwich chain behind Subway, files for an initial public offering; private equity firm Blackstone bought an $8B majority stake in the roughly 3,300-store chain in January 2025 (More)

> First-of-its-kind NASA mission to prevent a space telescope from falling back to Earth is delayed for second time this week after a last-minute launch issue (More) | Read a 1440 summary of the plan (More) > Honeybee queens exposed to pesticides off-load the toxins into their eggs to protect themselves (More) | How honeybees and other pollinators contribute over $200B to the global economy (More, w/video) > Human red blood cells mature in nurseries structured differently than those found in mice; discovery upends longstanding assumptions and may shift understandings of disease progression and recovery (More)

> Honeybee queens exposed to pesticides off-load the toxins into their eggs to protect themselves (More) | How honeybees and other pollinators contribute over $200B to the global economy (More, w/video)

> Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are reportedly getting married in Madison Square Garden tonight (More, w/live updates) | Poll finds 70% of Americans care "not at all" about the wedding while more than 20% care at least "a little" (More) > Ex-pop star Gary Glitter is charged with sexual offenses that allegedly occurred from 1978 to 1981; he is serving a 16-year sentence for 2015 convictions (More) | Prosecutors can access Tiger Woods' hospital records in Florida DUI case (More) > Mikel Oyarzabal scores twice as Spain beats Austria 3-0, advancing to the Round of 16 (More) | Australia takes on Egypt at 2 pm ET, Argentina clashes with Cape Verde at 6 pm ET, and Colombia plays Ghana at 9:30 pm ET (More, w/schedule)

Church Rift Deepens The Vatican declared yesterday the Society of St. Pius X has formally split from the Catholic Church after the traditionalist group appointed four new bishops without Pope Leo XIV’s approval—despite the pope's direct appeal not to proceed. The move excommunicates the bishops involved and the society's members. Marriages and confessions performed by its clergy are also no longer considered valid. Founded in 1970 by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, SSPX emerged in opposition to the Second Vatican Council reforms of the 1960s, which allowed Mass in local languages rather than Latin and encouraged greater engagement with other faiths. SSPX has 751 priests and claims about half a million followers. The dispute echoes 1988, when Lefebvre was excommunicated for the same offense. The Vatican lifted those penalties in 2009 in a bid to reconcile. SSPX's latest decision complicates future reconciliation, presenting an early challenge for Pope Leo's papacy. Visualize the 56-year battle between Rome and SSPX.

Sorry Bonnie

A.M. stands for “Ante Meridiem,” which is Latin for “Before Midday”; P.M. stands for “Post Meridiem,” which is Latin for “After Midday.” James

📸 Pic to go! Photo: Jeffrey Phelps/Getty Images An American flag adorns the roof of an old barn in Princeton, Wisconsin.

I switched to Linux Mint years ago. My background is computers. I have recommended this to many people. They think it's a crazy idea. People don't like to change. Okay fine. Then live with your windows problems. But sooner or later, you are going to be using Linix. It's the number one OS in the world. Over 90% of all internet servers are Linux. All routers, cable modems, and most cell phones (Except Apple) are Linux. Google Chromebook's are Linux. Android is Linux. Microsoft is working on their own version of Linus. All those data centers they are building are Linux.

250 years, 47 presidencies Portraits: Salvatore Catalano America's 250 years have been divided into 47 presidencies, served by 45 men. A new exhibit in the lobby of Goldman Sachs' global headquarters in Manhattan brings each presidency to life. Salvatore Catalano — who calls himself an artist, illustrator and educator — pairs a portrait of each president with a hand-lettered quote that captures the man or era. 🖌️ Why it matters: "Most Americans can't name the presidents, much less tell you what they look like," Catalano tells Axios' Erica Pandey. "This was a labor of love." "Portraits are very important to me," adds Catalano, who has spent decades developing a distinctive style of color, shadow and light in portraiture. "We look at a list of names, but there's no color there. There's no brilliance, no blood." 💬 Zoom in: Sal, as he's known, used quotes from each president to inspire the style of the portrait. Here's a sampling from the first three and latest three presidents, shown above: George Washington: "Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism." —From the first president's farewell address on Sept. 19, 1796. John Adams: "To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do." —From a letter Adams wrote to his daughter, Abigail, on March 17, 1777. Thomas Jefferson: "Where the press is free ... all is safe." —From a letter to close friend and political ally Charles Yancey on Jan. 6, 1816. Barack Obama: "We are the change that we seek." —From his speech after Super Tuesday on Feb. 5, 2008. Joe Biden: "The art of living is simply getting up after you've been knocked down." —From an event at the National Press Club on Aug. 1, 2007, during his 2008 candidacy. Donald Trump: "Our golden age has just begun." —From his second inaugural address. 🎨 "My job is to find things that nobody else knows about these people," Catalano tells us. "For Washington, I could have chosen something more recognizable, but this one struck me." Photo: Goldman Sachs 🖼️ The exhibit, featuring all 47 presidential portraits, flanked by two American flags — the 13-star Betsy Ross flag on the left and today's 50-star flag on the right — will remain on display in Goldman Sachs' lobby through August. After that, the portfolio will move to D.C.

Supreme Court upholds state laws banning transgender girls and women from school athletic teams WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams, in another setback for transgender people. https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-transgender-athletes-school-teams-e01548be1fc0f574d9c274e077414075?

Well this is interesting... "Ten days ago, the LA City Council voted to start moving noncitizen voting toward the ballot. This week, the council ran away from it unanimously. What happened in between? The proposal had to be written down. Supporters said critics were overreacting. This was just the beginning of a conversation, they argued. The details would come later. Well, the details came later. And the details killed it. Last week, city staff returned with the actual language needed to move the measure forward. That is when the wheels came off the car. On Tuesday afternoon, the City Council unanimously voted to pull the proposal from the 2026 ballot and send it back for further study. This is how bad policy gets laundered through City Hall. Politicians vote for a vague concept wrapped in moral language. They tell voters not to worry because the details will be worked out later. Then, once the authority has been granted, the real policy is written by the same politicians and activists who avoided spelling it out before the election. That was the plan. It just did not survive contact with paper. The original council vote did not create noncitizen voting in LA, and it did not put noncitizen voting itself before voters. It started a process requiring city staff to come back with ballot language and a clearer explanation of what voters would be asked to approve. Once that happened, the obvious questions became impossible to dodge. Who exactly would qualify to vote — green card holders, DACA recipients, temporary visa holders, illegal aliens? How would voter registration work? How would voter information be protected? Would LA have to create an entirely separate election system at taxpayer expense? Those were not loose ends. They were the parts City Hall hoped voters would approve before anyone had to explain them. Who gets to vote is not a detail. Whether illegal aliens are eligible is not a detail. Whether LA must build a separate election system is not a detail. Whether voter registration data could become accessible to immigration authorities is not a detail. Those are the questions responsible lawmakers answer before they vote, not after. The council voted first and asked questions later — an outrageous way to handle something as fundamental as voting rights. Councilwoman Traci Park, who voted for the measure just two weeks earlier, eventually acknowledged the problem. Voters would not know what they were being asked to approve because the council itself did not yet know the answers. That admission should be stapled to every future attempt to revive this idea. Councilman John Lee raised a concern that should matter especially to the left. San Francisco, the only California city that has implemented a noncitizen voting program, warns noncitizen voters that information provided during registration could potentially become available to immigration authorities. In other words, the same activists who frame this as pro-immigrant could be encouraging noncitizens to place their personal information into a government voting database with consequences they may not fully understand. Supporters of the LA proposal wanted to rush ahead before answering even that basic question. Even the proposal’s author, Councilman Hugo Soto-Martínez, appeared to recognize the political reality — acknowledging the need for more outreach and coalition building before bringing it back. Translation: The votes, the details and the coalition were not ready. That does not mean the idea is dead — supporters may come back in 2028 if they think the environment is friendlier. But this week’s unanimous retreat proves the original criticism was right. LA voters were being asked to sign a blank check. The controversial parts were being pushed past the election, where future councilmembers could decide later who would vote, how broad eligibility would be and how the system would operate. That is not transparency. That is government by bait-and-switch. Two weeks ago, the measure appeared headed toward the ballot. Today, it is not. The difference was not some sweeping new public debate or sudden discovery of principle inside City Hall. The difference was that the proposal finally had to be written down. And once it was, even the LA City Council could not defend it. If city leaders eventually bring noncitizen voting back, they should have the courage to tell the public exactly who would be eligible before the election takes place, not after. If they want illegal aliens voting in local elections, say so plainly and let voters decide that question directly. For now, the measure is off the 2026 ballot. The scheme is not dead. But LA City Hall just proved the critics right: Once the public could see what was actually being proposed, even the council could not stomach sending it to voters....." LA City Council tried to hide details of noncitizen voting — and failed

i combined running a antivirus to clean out the viruses (Avast), and a malware software (Malwarebytes)) to stop even non-viruses and was even running Norton Antivirus to compare and see what was coming up, as Norton seems to be the most effective, at least in comparisons. But lets see what everyone has..

I know what rejection of SOP looks like, we shall see at the end whether she was giving what was from God or what was from man.

Hobie, I understand EGW in light of what the Bible plainly says. I don't try to interpret Scripture in light of what EGW says. It is not unusual for people to do that, hence the confusion over issues such as this. If you read and thought about the Biblical evidence I presented in the above post and still prefer what you think Sr. White said, I'm sorry for that. The Bible is much easier to understand than what she said on this topic. I wish you well in your journey.

And there is more, but this should suffice to make the point..

Well lets read on in SOP, here is more from her writings.. "In describing the time when Jesus made the announcement of the plan of redemption to the unfallen angels, she writes that He told them that - He would leave all His glory in heaven, appear on earth as a man, humble Himself as a man, become acquainted in His own experience with the various temptations with which men would be beset, that He might know how to succour those who should be tempted. (Spiritual Gifts, Vol 1., p. 24.). This was difficult for the angels to accept, and they offered themselves as substitutes; but Jesus informed them that the life of an angel could not pay the debt for sin. He, however, assured them that they would have a part to play in the plan for man's redemption. Note carefully the words what Jesus Himself said would take place: Jesus also told them that they should have a part to act, to be with Him, and at different times strengthen Him. That He should take man's fallen nature, and His strength would not be even equal with theirs (ibid, p. 25; ). In the 1870s as Ellen White began to write more fully on the life and mission of Jesus Christ, comprehensive statements on the Incarnation appeared. Except for two articles on the subject of tithing, all the written material from her pen in the Review for the year 1874 was on the subject of the plan of redemption and the temptations of Christ. In these articles the following specific statements are to be found which define the nature of the humanity Christ took upon Himself in becoming man. The great work of redemption could be carried out only by the Redeemer taking the place of fallen Adam.... What love! What amazing condescension! The King of glory proposed to humble Himself to fallen humanity! He would place His feet in Adam's steps. He would take man's fallen nature and engage to cope with the strong foe who (had) triumphed over Adam (R & H, Feb. 24, 1874). The Son of God humbled Himself and took man's nature after the race had wondered four thousand years from Eden and from the original state of purity and uprightness. Sin had been making its terrible marks upon the race for ages; and physical, mental, and moral degeneracy prevailed throughout the human family. When Adam was assailed by the tempter in Eden he was without the taint of sin. He stood in the strength of his perfection before God. All the organs and faculties of his being were equally developed, and harmoniously balanced. Christ, in the wilderness of temptation, stood in Adam's place to bear the test he failed to endure. Here Christ overcame in the sinner's behalf, four thousand years after Adam turned his back upon the light of his home. Separated from the presence of God, the human family had been departing every successive generation farther from the original purity, wisdom, and knowledge which Adam possessed in Eden. Christ bore the sins and infirmities of the race as they existed when He came to earth to help man. In behalf of the race, with the weaknesses of fallen man upon him, He was to stand the temptations of Satan upon all points wherewith man would be assailed. . . . In what contrast is the second Adam as He entered the gloomy wilderness to cope with Satan single-handed. Since the fall the race had been decreasing in size and physical strength, and sinking lower in the scale of moral worth, up to the period of Christ's advent to earth. And in order to elevate fallen man, Christ must reach him where he was. He took human nature, and bore the infirmities and degeneracy of the race. He, who knew no sin, became sin for us. He humiliated himself to the lowest depths of human woe, that he might be qualified to reach man, and bring him up from the degradation in which sin had plunged him (ibid., Jul), 28, 1874). The humanity of Christ reached to the very depths of human wretchedness, and, identified itself with the weaknesses and necessities of fallen man, while His divine nature grasped the Eternal. . Christ's work was to reconcile man to God through His human nature, and God to man through His divine nature (ibid., August 4, 1874). Because man fallen could not overcome Satan with his human strength, Christ came from the royal courts of Heaven to help him with His human and divine strength combined. Christ knew that Adam in Eden, with his superior advantages, might have withstood the temptations of Satan, and conquered him. He also knew that it is not possible for man, out of Eden, separated from the light and love of God since the Fall, to resist the temptations of Satan in his own strength. In order to bring hope to man, and save him from complete ruin, He humbled Himself to take man's nature, that, with His divine power combined with the human, He might reach man where he is. He obtains for the fallen sons and daughters of Adam that strength which it is impossible for them to obtain for themselves, that in His name they may overcome the temptations of Satan (ibid., August 18, 1874). How few can understand the love of God for the fallen race in that He withheld not His divine Son from taking upon Him the humiliation of humanity" (ibid., March 18, 1875). The victory gained was designed, not only to set an example to those who have fallen under the power of appetite, but to qualify the Redeemer for His special work of reaching to the very depths of human woe. By experiencing in Himself the strength of Satan's temptation, and of human sufferings and infirmities, He would know better how to succour those who should put forth efforts to help themselves (ibid.). In 1878, Ellen White wrote a letter to a young man setting Christ before him as the "great Exemplar." She quoted Hebrews 2:17 that "Christ was made like unto His brethren." Then she commented: “He felt both joy and grief as they feel. His body was susceptible to weariness, as yours. His mind, like yours, could be harassed and perplexed. If you have hardships, so did He. Satan could tempt Him. His enemies could annoy Him. . . . Jesus was sinless and had no dread of the consequences of sin. With this exception His condition was as yours. You have not a difficulty that did not press with equal weight upon Him, not a sorrow that His heart has not experienced. His feelings could be hurt with neglect, with indifferences of professed friends, as easily as yours. Is your pathway thorny? Christ's was so in a tenfold sense. Are you distressed? So was He. How well fitted was Christ to be an example.” (Letter 17, 1878) About this time, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, was published. In this volume a specific contrast between man's fallen nature and Christ's humanity is made. Ellen G. White wrote: Our Saviour identifies Himself with our needs and weaknesses, in that He became a suppliant, a mighty petitioner, seeking from His Father fresh supplies of strength, to come forth invigorated and refreshed, braced for duty and trial. He is our example in all things. He is a brother in our infirmities, but not in possessing like passions. As the sinless One, His nature recoiled from evil. His humanity made prayer a necessity and privilege (pp. 201-202; ). Commenting further on the prayer life of Jesus, she penned the following: He prayed for His disciples and for Himself, thus identifying Himself with our needs, our weaknesses, and our failings, which are so common with humanity. He was a mighty petitioner, not possessing the passions of our human fallen natures, but compassed with like infirmities, tempted in all points even as we are. Jesus endured agony which required help and support from His Father (ibid., pp. 508-509). As one reads the last two references, it would appear these statements are at variance with what had been written prior to, and contemporary, with these statements. There is neither conflict nor a contradiction when one understands how Ellen White understood and used the word "passion." The following paragraph illustrates her use and understanding of the word as well as the phrase - "the inclinations of the natural heart." It reads: No man can be forced to transgress. His own consent must first be gained; the soul must purpose the sinful act, before passion can dominate over reason, or iniquity triumph over conscience. Temptation, however strong, is never an excuse for sin. ... Cast yourself, helpless, unworthy, upon Jesus, and claim His very promise. The Lord will hear. He knows how strong are the inclinations of the natural heart, and He will help in every time of need (op. cit., Vol. 5, p. 177; }. Another statement defining the nature of the humanity Christ assumed appeared in 1877. In this statement a clear distinction is made between "form" and "nature" as pertaining to fallen man, and what Christ accepted as a part of the plan devised by the Godhead for man's redemption. Christ accepted both the "form" and "nature" of fallen man. It reads: It was in the order of God that Christ should take upon Himself the form and nature of fallen man, that He might be made perfect through suffering, and Himself endure the strength of Satan's fierce temptation, that He might understand how to succour those that should be tempted (Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 2, p. 39;).