Messages of God's Love: 1914

O you sometimes feel that the times spoken of in the New Testament are unreal and far away? Or that it was easier to be a Christian then than now? Let me tell you about some of the Christians who lived not long after the Lord Jesus went back to heaven.

After Paul and the other apostles had been preaching the Gospel for twenty or thirty years, there came to be little companies of Christians living in a great many of the cities round the Mediterranean Set Some were rich men, some poor, some slaves, but whoever they were, how changed their lives had become! Their heathen neighbors wondered why they never went to the temples to sacrifice to the gods, nor to the theatres to see the shows, which often consisted of wild beasts fighting with each other or with men. They thought it was very wrong of the Christians not to keep the festivals of the gods when the .other citizens used to have long processions, feasts and sacrifices, and light up their houses at night. The Christians did not even care to go to feasts in their neighbors’ houses, where the food was all offered to idols first. So, their former heathen friends decided that they were very bad company, and called them “men-haters.” They used to mock at them and often treated them very badly.

How lonely those few, poor Christians often must have felt! They must have found it very hard to be mocked at and hated by their neighbors. Remember, they were real men and women and children just like us—often perplexed, worried and cast down. What made it worthwhile for them to give up their old hopes and pleasures and friends? It was because they were quite sure that Christ had died for them, and though they had not seen Him any more than we have, they believed in Him, and “rejoiced with joy unspeakable, and full of glory.”

They used to meet the first day of each week to remember the Lord’s death, in a quiet room, usually at night. The oldest accounts show us that those meetings often lasted all night. Of course, they did not have the Bible quite as we have it. There was the Old Testament, of which they might possess at least some of the books all written out by hand on a long scroll. Very little of the New Testament had been written, except, perhaps, the Gospel of Matthew, and some of Paul’s Epistles.

Sometimes the Christians would have a visit from Paul, or one of the other apostles, and then what rejoicing there would be! How they would gather round and eagerly listen to every word about the wonderful counsels of God, or to the story of what the Lord did on earth.

But the apostles were growing old, Some had already died, and terrible times were coming for the Church. In the year 64, the city of Rome was almost entirely burnt down, and the wicked emperor, Nero, was suspected of having set fire to it. To get rid of these suspicions, he put the blame on the Christians whom everyone hated, and began to persecute those Christians who lived in Rome in a most terrible manner. Numbers were seized and put to death, among them the apostles, Peter and Paul. Peter is said to have been crucified with his head downward; Paul was beheaded. The 2nd Epistle to Timothy was written a short time before his death. A heathen historian has told us what happened to many others. Some were covered with the skins of wild beasts, and then torn to pieces by dogs; others were covered with tar or wax, fastened upright, and burnt alive, to serve as torches during a midnight festival in Nero’s gardens.

Thank God we are not called to endure such tortures, but do you not think those Roman Christians, when in the presence of their Lord, felt that all had been well worth while?

Messages of God’s Love 1/4/1914

The Word As a Fire and a Hammer.

IS not My Word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? ( Jer. 23:29.) About ten years ago a corporal of the Bersaglieri (Alpine guards) named Favero, was crossing the court of the garrison hospital in Rome. Suddenly he felt a blow on his shoulder. Thinking a stone had struck him, he turned about and was surprised to see that it was a book that had been thrown out of the hospital window. A nurse had found a patient with the book, tore it from him and threw it out of the window. This poor nurse had no idea that the book — it was a New Testament in Italian — contained words of eternal life for her and all mankind — words through which man may become rich and happy. Corporal Favero picked the book up. He did not know what it was; he had never before had a Bible in his hands. He began to read, and soon his heart became deeply moved by God’s Word. Inside the cover of the Testament was written the name and address of a believing teacher, who was called Capellini. This man had the privilege through God of preaching the Gospel among the Italian soldiers, and God had acknowledged his labor by abundantly blessing it. Capellini has since fallen asleep in the peace of God. Favero sought him out, and Capellini instructed him in the Word of God. Thus the corporal found peace with God, became a true Christian, and through him many of his comrades, as well as his own aged father, were converted to Jesus. The Word of God had not only smitten him outwardly on the shoulder, but also sank deep into his heart, so that his whole life was altered. Up till then he had gone through life without God, and without hope; now he saw the mountain of his sin and guilt separating him from God; but he saw also that the Lord stood for him, to save him out of his lost state, and to give him eternal life. The Word of God shone as a clear light into his heart, and the love of God conquered him.

Messages of God’s Love 1/4/1914

Little Louisa's Last Wish

WHAT a sad picture we have before us! The poor doctor looks anxiously at the dear little girl — he feels he has done all within his power to save her life. What despair is written on the father’s face, and how the dear mother is grieving. This picture makes me think of a little girl, named Louisa, who died when she was yet but a little girl. Although a tiny child, she had learned to trust the Lord Jesus, and was happy because she knew that she belonged to Him. Her dear mother also loved the Lord, but her father seemed to have-no thought for anything, but the affairs of this life. Though he had no thought of God or of his own soul, he loved his dear little Louisa with the most tender affection; and bitter, indeed, was his sorrow when, after she had been ill for some time, he heard the doctor say that he could do no more for his little pet.

Little Louisa grew very weak and thin, and as her mother sat by her bedside one day, doint all she could to comfort her child, she found that though Louisa was suffering great pain, there was a grief she felt more than her bodily pain. What was her sorest trouble? Ah, it was not the thought that soon she was to leave her bed of pain and go to be at rest with Jesus, but it was the thought of leaving those she loved here. She knew her dear mother would meet her again in the presence of her precious Saviour; but her father! as Louisa thought of him, she cried out, “O, father, if I could hear you pray before I die, I should die happy!”

The sorrow-stricken father heard that cry, and it went to his heart. Could he refuse the last request of his dying child? At last he could bear it no longer, and, kneeling beside the little sufferer, the strong man bowed his head, and amid sobs and tears, prayed that God, who had saved his child, would save him, too, and would let him meet her in heaven.

Little Louisa listened to her father’s prayer, and in a few moments passed away to be with the Lord. Her poor father’s prayer was answered; he now trusted in Jesus, and could look forward with his wife to the day when they would see their child in the blessed place, “where Christ is gone.”

“MY SOUL, WAIT THOU ONLY UPON GOD: ... TRUST IN HIM AT ALL TIMES.” Psa. 62:5,8.

Messages of God’s Love 1/4/1914

What Shall I Give?

A WAY in the northwest, a Christian missionary was preaching the Gospel to a company of Indians. As he spoke of the love of God, an old Indian chief arose, walked forward, and laid his tomahawk at the missionary’s feet. “Indian chief give his tomahawk to Jesus Christ,” said he, and sat down.

Still the missionary went on speaking of the love of Him “who though He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich.” Presently the old chief rose again, and walked forward once more to the front. Unwrapping his blanket from his shoulders, he laid that at the preacher’s feet, saying, “Indian chief give his blanket to Jesus Christ.”

But still the preacher went on, telling how “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Again the old chief rose and disappeared from the meeting. By and by he came leading his pony to the tent door. He tied it to a stake and again walked up the aisle. Facing the missionary, he said, “Indian chief give his pony to Jesus Christ,” and sat down.

But now as the missionary continued to speak of the love of God, who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, tears began to stream down the dark cheeks of the old Indian. Rising for the last time, he walked forward to the front of the tent, and kneeled down before the missionary. With trembling lips, he said, “Indian chief give himself to Jesus Christ.”

Dear children, do you realize that Jesus wants you, not your works, or your things, or a part of your time, but you, yourselves. He loved you so much that He came from heaven to seek and save you when you were lost. He longs for you to come to Him, and He says, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.” (John. 6:37.)

Messages of God’s Love 1/4/1914

Wise Counsel

Francis Xavorias, counseled John the Third, King of Portugal, to meditate every day a quarter of an hour upon the text, “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” Such a practice might be profitably adopted by many who only care for the life that now is, and forget that after death is the judgment. (Heb. 9:27.)

Messages of God’s Love 1/4/1914

Anticipation Realized

THE looked for moment has come at last, and the dear boy has come home for his Now-Year holidays. The father had looked forward to it, but kept on faithfully at his work while he waited, and the joy was mutual, as the son quietly opened the door and sprang in upon his father. We can readily understand what followed; what embracing and talking together of all that transpired during the absence, and how they loved to look into each other’s face.

Let me ask you, dear reader, have you one whom you are absent from and long to see? Perhaps you will say, I am at home with all my friends. But let me ask again, Is there not One whom you have never seen, that you would like to see, and that loves you dearly? Do any of my little readers ask, Who is- it? Surely, you have heard of the Lord Jesus who loved us poor sinners so much, that He came down from the glory and died in our stead, and was forsaken of God on the cross, that we might never be forsaken. He bore for us what we deserved, and then said, “It is finished.” Then He was laid away in the grave, and then rose from the dead, and it now gone to heaven. I am sure some of you will say, I love to think of Him and His love in giving Himself for us. II Ah, then, dear reader, remember, He has not ceased to love us, but He is waiting for that mousiest when He will come to take all who believe in Him to be forever with Himself. Are you looking forward to that time when you will be able to look in the face of your blessed Saviour and talk with Him? Are you ready and glad to say, “Come, Lord Jesus”? Or, are you afraid as you think of that moment when “The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with they trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then “we which are alive and remain shall be, caught up together with them in t clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord” Ah, if that moment does not speak joy to your heart, there must be something wrong between you and the Lord Jesus.# It may be that you have not accepted Him as your Saviour, or if you have, you are not walking, pleasing to Him. Whatever the wrong may be, get it right, and be able to say with joy, “Come, Lord Jesus”. He says,

“BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY.” Rev. 22:12

Messages of God’s Love 1/11/1914

Stories of Christians of Old Part 2.

Ignatius, The Man Who Fought With Beasts

LAST week I told you about Christians who lived at the same time as the apostles. This week I am going to tell you about an old man called Ignatius, who had, when he was young, known some of the apostles, and had heard from them about the Lord Jesus; His life on earth, and His death on the cross for us. He died 107 years after the Lord Jesus was born.

For a long time he had been bishop or elder of the Church in Antioch, where you remember the disciples were first called Christians. Antioch was a very wicked city. and the Christians were very much disliked by their heathen neighbors. It was very easy for their neighbors to get them into trouble, because the emperor had made a law that all who confessed themselves Christians, and refused to sacrifice to idols, were to be killed.

Some of you think that it would be hard to be a Christian now, because you might have to give up some worldly pleasures, but what would you do, if you knew that you were likely to be killed as soon as you confessed Christ? And yet, in those days many people became Christians. Why? Because they saw that they were lost, unless their sins were forgiven for Jesus’ sake, and when once they knew the Lord Jesus, they felt as Paul said, “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed.”

But to go back to Ignatius. In the year 107, the Emperor Trajan came to Antioch, and the Christians were very much afraid that they would all be hunted out and killed according to that law I told you of. Ignatius was one of the most important of them, and he thought that if he let himself be taken and killed by the emperor, the poorer Christians would be left alone. So he was soon caught and brought before Trajan, who, was sitting in state dressed in purple robes’ and surrounded by his guards. Trajan was very angry with Ignatius, because through him many people had become Christians. He said, “What a devil art thou to disobey our commands, and lead others into the same folly to their ruin!”

But Ignatius answered that he should not be called a devil, for Christ dwelt in his heart.

Then Trajan said that their gods dwelt in them, too, and fought for them in battle.

“You make a mistake in calling the devils of the nations by the name of gods,” answered Ignatius boldly, “For there is only one God, who made heaven and. the earth and the sea and all that is in them, and one Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, whose kingdom be my portion!”

At the mention of Christ’s kingdom, the proud Roman Emperor sneered. “His kingdom, do you say, who was crucified under Pilate?”

“His,” replied Ignatius, “His, who crucified my sin with its author, and has put all the fraud and malice of Satan under the feet of those who carry Him in their heart.”

This was enough for Trajan. He condemned Ignatius to be carried to Rome, and there to be thrown to wild beasts for the entertainment of the people. It was a long voyage from Antioch to Rome. On board ship, Ignatius wrote several letters to his Christian friends; some of which we still have. Do you think they are sad letters? No, they are most happy letters, for Ignatius was full of joy at the thought of going to be with the Lord. During the voyage, the vessel stopped at Smyrna, and Ignatius was allowed to visit a friend of his, called Polycarp. They had together learned from the apostle John, when they were young, and they loved each other very dearly. How much they would have to say to each other, but Ignatius was soon hurried back to the ship, and taken to Rome. There he was led to the coliseum, an enormous round building, like a theatre, with tiers of seats all round it. On the ground beneath the seats were cages of wild beasts —lions and tigers and bulls—and sometimes the doors of the cages were opened and the wild beasts were allowed to come out into the central space, and fight with each other, or with men. The Romans used to come in crowds to see such fights.

So here was Ignatius, an old man, standing alone on the floor of that theatre, while crowds of gaily dressed men and women sat and watched. Presently the cage doors were opened, the wild beasts rushed out and quickly tore him in pieces. And so Ignatius went to be with the Lord whom he loved. Dear children, do you not want Christ to reign in your heart, as He reigned in Ignatius?

Messages of God’s Love 1/11/1914

The Best Guide

I WAS, a short time ago, on a steamboat which carries passengers from Neuhaus to Thoune in German Switzerland. As the boat was leaving, a young man, whom I recognized by his clothing to be a member of the Alpine Club, came to sit beside me. We know that the members of the Alpine Club glory in attempting perilous ascensions, and exploring regions in the mountains which no human foot had trodden before them.

As we were leaving the shore, the sharp, snowy peaks of the Jungfrau, the Moench and the Eiger, in the Alps, were showing clearly in their shining whiteness against the deep blue of the sky. My neighbor entered into conversation with me.

“Do you see” said he, “I am just returning from this,” as he pointed with his Alpen staff toward the top of the Jungfrau, which stood like an angle on the horizon. “For three hours, in order to reach the top, we had to walk between two precipices, my guide going ahead. We had just enough room to place one foot in front of the other. The path was nothing but a narrow edge of ice in which the guide must cut out steps with the axe he always carries with him.”

“What hard work,” I answered, gazing upon the top of the mountain. “What dangers! It is enough to make one shudder! Think of the abyss two or three thousand feet deep into which one false step might hurl one! Think of the dizziness that might come upon one at these heights; of the fatigue of such a long journey, hampered by the weight of the bag, the blanket and the ropes with which you must be provided! Truly, the more I think of it, the less I understand how any of those explorers should ever return alive from such an adventure.”

“The danger,” answered the young man, “is not as great as you imagine. Although, not given to dizziness, I am not sure-footed, and I am far from having endurance. You will hardly believe me, although it is strictly true, that all depends upon the guide, and upon my close watch upon his movements. I am careful to select the guide who has had the most experience, and the calmest, the strongest one that I can find; and to speak truthfully, I know of but one who answers to all of these qualities. His name is M. E. First; he carries all my luggage. In the numerous ascents I have made with him, he has always taken charge of everything that could impede my progress. Then, he goes ahead and clears the way for me with his axe. I know I have nothing to fear when I place my foot exactly in his footprint. But that is not all. He binds me securely to him with a strong rope impossible to break. When we climb a difficult passage, this rope is always tightly drawn between us.”

“But,” I interrupted, “if you should fall, would you not drag him into the abyss with you?”

“This might happen with another guide, but not with mine. Once, through carelessness I slipped, and remained hanging above the precipice.”

“What, a horrible position!”

“Horrible, truly, and I never think of it without shuddering, but my guide’s sure-footedness saved me.”

“How was that?”

“Here is the whole secret: The important point is that the rope remain -tightly drawn, and that my body be, as it were, one with his; then my ear must be opened to hear each word he utters. He takes a step forward, pulls the rope tight, clings strongly to the rock or ice, then calls: ‘Forward!’ If I should fall at the moment when the rope is loose, the swiftness of my fall would cause such a jerk that neither guide nor rope Could resist it. If, on the other hand, I should go forward before the word is given, my guide would not yet have found a support, and I would be sure to fall. Do you understand now why I never take a step without an order from my guide? His step, his voice lead me; he holds on for my sake; he Was holding firmly while I dangled over the precipice. Ah! if all travelers would do as I do, the sad accidents we hear about, would never happen.”

“I fully understand, and agree with you. I have been led by my Guide for twenty-one years, and have never been sorry. I have made ascents far more perilous than yours. I am less sure-footed than you are, and the least gap upon my path makes me dizzy. I have often, in blind self-confidence, refused to trust my burden to my Guide; often, busy With other things, I did not hear His orders, or else I would go ahead rashly, before He uttered the ‘Forward.’ O! dear sir, what a Guide mine is! What constant care is His, for the one who trusts Him!

What trouble He takes to cut out for me each step in difficult places. He has always drawn me, in spite of all, from each dangerous slip. He binds me to Him with bonds infinitely stronger, and better woven than your rope. With Him I have crossed endless obstacles. Like you, there is but one Guide that suits me; if you knew mine, you would never want another. He has my full confidence. Daily experience has taught me that everything depends upon Him. My Guide is the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Will you not take Him as your Guide?

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with Mine eye.” (Psa. 32:8.)

Messages of God’s Love 1/11/1914

Great Grace

Jesus, the Son of God,

Came from His home on high,

Suffered for sinners, suffered for sinners,

And on the tree did die.

The mighty work is done;

See! Christ is risen now!

Yes, it is finished! yes, it is finished!

Crowns are upon His brow.

Soon He will come again

To take His own above;

Welcomed to glory, welcomed to glory,

Ever to share His love.

Come to the Saviour, come,

Gently He calls for thee;

None are too sinful, none are too sinful,

All may to Jesus flee.

Messages of God’s Love 1/11/1914

Selling Oysters

WHAT an odd picture we have before us. You never saw anything like this, did you? The basket under the table is full of empty shells; these shells did have oysters in them. The old lady has been selling these fresh oysters rapidly—do you see the crabs on the table? She is selling those, too. How much the man in the picture seems to be enjoying the raw oysters he has bought. Did you ever eat any?

Isn’t it wonderful that God makes creatures to grow even in the water for us to eat—how thoughtful He is of us! Not only do we have vegetables, fruits, and meats from different animals, on the land, but even in the lakes, rivers and seas, He has formed things to feed us upon, you see. What thankful children we ought to be! People do not stop to think of the One who has given them all these good things; isn’t it sad?

How it hurts our feelings to be very kind and good to some one, and then to have them not pay one bit of attention to our kindness. Is this the way you are treating God? Do you love Him? Above all these earthly gifts, He has given His Son, Jesus, to die for us. There is no way of pleasing God in return for His kindness to us, unless we first accept. His Son, Jesus, as our own Saviour. This was God’s greatest gift to us. Let us thank Him truly for such a Saviour, and for all the other good things He has given us to enjoy while we live in this world.

“Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above.” (Jas. 1:17.)

Messages of God’s Love 1/18/1914

Stories of Christians of Old. Part 3.

The Child Cyril

TODAY I am going to tell you about a little boy no older than some of you. He lived over two hundred years after the Lord Jesus had gone back to heaven. There was no one alive then who had seen the Lord, or even who had known the apostles, but the Christians could read the books and letters in the New Testament which the apostles had written, and the Holy Spirit dwelling in their hearts, taught them about God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ; so that He was just as real to them as if they had seen Him on this earth. And so it should be with us. Though we live nearly 1900 years after the Lord Jesus went back to heaven, we know that He is still sitting at the right hand of God,

Cyril was only a little boy, but he knew this. We do not know who taught him. Perhaps his mother was a Christian, or he may have had a believing nurse, who secretly taught him the words of life, but his father was a heathen, and a bitter enemy to the Christian faith. Little Cyril was a true and earnest Christian. He openly prayed to the Saviour, and no threats or punishments would make him leave off.

At last his father grew very angry with him, turned him out of the house, and refused to treat him as his child any longer. The judge in that city, hearing of the circumstance, sent for him and spoke gently to him, telling him that all his faults should be forgiven, and that he should go home to his father again, if only he would behave like a sensible boy, and promise to be obedient for the future. The child answered that he must always obey Jesus Christ, and added, “I am not sorry because I am turned out of our house, for I have a much better mansion, and I am not afraid to die, because then I shall have a better house.”

The judge then ordered him to be bound and led away, just as if he were going to be put to death, but he only meant to frighten him into giving up his faith. Still, even the sight of the fire did not terrify him, and the judge, who pitied him very much, tried persuasion. But Cyril only replied: “I am going to a better home and greater pleasures; make haste and kill me that I may enjoy them.” When he saw some of the bystanders weeping, he said, “O, you do not know what a city I am going to live in, or what a hope I have!” So he was really put to death and went to his “Father’s house” where he so longed to be.

Messages of God’s Love 1/18/1914

My Sins are All Forgiven

ONE very hot summer day I was sitting by a patient in one of the wards of an Infirmary. All , the beds in the long room were occupied; and my attention was presently attracted by a woman stooping over a bed, and fondly kissing a pale-faced little girl.

When she was gone, I went over. “Fanny R., aged 14,” was written on the ticket at the bed’s head.

I found that she was ill of dropsy, and got but little better. The doctors, she told me, did not say whether she would recover.

I soon found that she did not know the Lord Jesus, or the forgiveness of sins; but she looked at me earnestly while I spoke of His love; and when I saw her again, in a week or two, she warmly welcomed me.

“O! no,” she said, “she could not say that she was saved; she wished to be; she prayed to be; but she was not happy; she should not like to die.”

Not long afterwards, I was surprised to meet her in the street. “O! Miss, I am so glad to see you.”

“Why, Fanny! are you so much better?”

“Yes, I am better,” she said; “but I am only out of the Infirmary now for an hour’s walk.”

“Well, and have you been thinking of Jesus since I saw you?”

“O! yes; and what is best, He has forgiven all my sins.”

“Has He?”

“Yes, I know He has; and I’m so happy now, and not afraid to die! I did ask Him to, ever since the first time you came to see E. K.”

Fanny soon left the Infirmary, and came to live at home, close to where I held a little class on a Sunday afternoon. She used to come in with her bright, beaming face, and sit and listen, amid all her pain, until she became too weak. “O! I am very happy,” she used to say. “I have Jesus, my precious Saviour, always with me.”

“Fanny,” I said, one day, before some of her neighbors, “you know that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin, don’t you?”

“O! yes,” she replied, with such a smile.

Her little Bible was always beside her. I never saw a cloud on her sweet face. “I do love Jesus, and I know He loves me,” would be often her joyful exclamation.

One Sunday afternoon as I was leaving her, she held my hand and said, “O! Miss, I can’t be afraid to die now, for my sins are all forgiven; and I would rather go to be with Jesus, than stay here. I long to see Him.”

“But He is with you now, Fanny, is He not?”

“O! yes; He is precious.”

Those were Fanny R.’s last words to me. I little thought so then, for she was not worse than usual.

Next Lord’s Day afternoon, after school, I tapped at her door. No answer. I lifted the latch, and peeped in. There lay little Fanny asleep. Her mother beckoned me in, but promising to call in a week, I would not disturb her.

My home was many miles away, so that my opportunities of seeing her were seldom more than weekly—often less.

Next Sunday I had hardly taken my place in the little school, and recognized Fanny’s brother opposite me, when E. K. said, “Do you know, ma’am, that little Fanny is gone?”

“Fanny! Fanny R.? No! When?”

“Last night, ma’am; and so happy.”

What a gloom fell upon the room! It was hard work that day, even with such a bright example, to teach the children, for Fanny was very dear to me; and I had no idea that her death was near; or even that she was in danger.

In all that wicked street, where oaths and curses dropped from even infant lips, Fanny’s little couch had been a bright spot, a ray from heaven; and surely heaven’s own light shone in her rejoicing smile. Could my readers ever have seen it, it would have witnessed far more to the preciousness of the love of Jesus, than any words of mine can do.

After the children were gone, I went over to see the poor mother, whose kisses had first drawn my attention to her child.

Besides all that remained of that child, she repeated Fanny’s dying words, “Mother, I’m going to Jesus! Won’t you come? O! mother; I should be quite happy if you would but come to Him. Precious Saviour! Jesus! my life, my light, my peace, my joy, my all!”

And on that young face, dear children, was an expression, a smile of glory even in death, the like of which I never yet saw on any face in life.

Fanny was gone; away from the body, and at home with the Lord.

The day before her death a lady called to see her, who did not know the peace which the blood of Jesus gives; and-she was surprised at Fanny’s joy in the prospect of death, and at her calm assurance of sins forgiven.

“My dear child,” said the lady, “are you sure you are not deceiving yourself?” “Jesus can’t deceive me, Mrs.—; oh, no.”

“I hear the accuser roar

Of ills that I have done;

I know them well, and thousands more;

Jehovah findeth none.”

“BE IT KNOWN UNTO YOU, THEREFORE, THAT THROUGH THIS MAN IS PREACHED UNTO YOU THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS: AND BY HIM ALL THAT BELIEVE ARE JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS.” Acts 13:38, 39.

Messages of God’s Love 1/18/1914

Small Things for Him

“I cannot do great things for Him

Who did so much for me;

But I would like to show my love,

Lord Jesus, unto Thee. Faithful in very little things,

O, Saviour, may I be.

There are small things in daily life

In which I may obey;

And thus may show my love to Thee

And always—every day—

There are some little, loving words

Which I for Thee may say.

I ask Thee, Lord, to give me grace,

My little place to fill;

That I may ever walk with Thee,

And ever do Thy will;

And in each duty; great or small,

I may be faithful still.”

Messages of God’s Love 1/18/1914

The Way Home

NOT FAR from the great city of Seattle there are beautiful farms on Lake Washington, and many of these farmers have their own little ferry boats, so that when they have to come to the city to buy what they need, they can do so, and then return home. This is the means they have of reaching their homes; They have other ways as well, but many use that way. Some way is needed though in order to cross the lake.

I wonder, dear children, if you have ever thought how you are going to get to heaven. I am sure you would all like to get there, at least when you have to leave this world. But what means have you of getting there? A boat of some kind was necessary to convey the farmers and their families from Seattle to their farms, but what means could be suitable to take us to heaven? Some perhaps will say, prayer; others, to do good. But the Lord Jesus says:

“I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME.” John 14:6.

He does not say, I am a way, but “I am the way.” There is no other. Have you, dear reader, come to the Father by the Lord Jesus, and thus been assured that your way into heaven is secured? Prayers and doing good are important things, but are by no means ways to heaven. O, how simple God has made it for us. Simply to take Jesus as our Saviour, the One who died for our sins, and He will take us safely there, If we believe this, we will delight to please Him while we are down here.

Messages of God’s Love 1/25/1914

The Book "Par Excellence"

SHOW me a book,” said a thinking man, “which will cause me to rejoice when I am sad; to feel strong when I am weak; which lightens the darkness; enables me to bear with meekness, the taunts and sneers of the world; to forgive my enemies and to love them; to live no more to myself, but for others—show me such a book, and I shall know it does not come from men, but from God.”

This book, we know is God’s Word. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

“The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

“More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honey comb.

“Moreover, by them is thy servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great reward.” (Psa. 19:7-11.)

Messages of God’s Love 1/25/1914

Stories of Christians of Old. Part 4.

Perpetua and Felieitas

FOR nearly 250 years, from 64 to 311 A. D., the Christians went on suffering almost continuous persecution. Is there anything you care enough about to die for? The Christians in those days had a joy, and a treasure, which they felt was well worth dying for. You know what it was—the love of Christ. But you can never understand their joy until you come to Christ yourself, and can say, “He loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

It was Christ’s unspeakable love which brought two weak women through all their pain and sorrow, and made them “more than conquerors.” These two women lived in Carthage, on the north coast of Africa, where there was a large assembly of Christians. About the year 200, there was a great persecution of the Christians, and in Carthage, some were seized, and carried off to prison. We have the account of five of them, written by one of themselves. They were young people who had lately been converted, and were receiving instruction in the faith, before being baptized. Three of them were men, one was a young slave girl called Felicitas, and the last was a lady of noble family called Perpetua. She was just twenty-two years old, was married, and had a little baby. Perpetua’s father was a heathen; and he felt very badly about his daughter’s being put in prison, He used to often go to her, and beg and pray her to give up her faith, and come home. Poor Perpetua used to feel sometimes as if her heart would break during these visits, but she would not say anything but the truth — that she was a Christian.

At first they were not guarded very strictly, and the five young converts were all baptized in the prison. After that, they were shut up in a dungeon, where it was perfectly dark and very hot. They all suffered very much, and Perpetua was very anxious about her baby, which seemed to be pining away. However, they afterwards obtained permission to spend a certain time each day in the outer prison, where there was light and air. The baby got better, and Perpetua’s spirits rose, too. “I am happier here in the prison,” she said, “than I could be anywhere else.”

One day while they were at dinner, a band of soldiers suddenly arrived, and they were all carried off for trial. Each was questioned, and each made a firm confession of faith, till the turn came for Perpetua. At that instant, her father stepped out from the crowd, drew her down the steps of the platform on which the prisoners were standing, and whispered, “Have pity on your baby.” The judge who had the power of life and death, added aloud, “Spare the grey hairs of your father, spare your infant, offer sacrifices to the Emperor. Are you a Christian?” She replied, much overcome, “I am a Christian.” While her father was still standing beside her, trying to urge her to recall her words, the judge ordered him to be pulled away and beaten with rods. This caused her great grief, for she felt the injury and insult done to her father, more than anything which was done to herself.

Sentence was then passed, and they were all condemned to be torn by wild beasts. Then they were taken back to the prison to wait till the great shows of the theatre should take place. Perpetua and Felicitas used to comfort and encourage each other as well as they could. Perpetua’s baby was given to its grandmother, who is believed to have been a Christian.

It is told of Felicitas, that one day being very ill, and in great pain, she groaned aloud. The guard, outside the door, said “As you feel this pain so badly, how will you bear to be torn by wild beasts?” She answered gently, “It is I who suffers now, but then there will be Another with me, who will suffer for me, because I shall be suffering for His sake.”

At last the day came, and the Christians were led in a procession to the theatre, all looking joyful, and Perpetua singing, as if the victory were already won. When they reached the theatre, loose robes were thrown round them, and Perpetua and Felicitas were furiously attacked by a wild cow. When Perpetua found that her robe was torn, she anxiously tried to pull it round her. Then seeing Felicitas lying on the ground a short way off, she went to her, and raised her in her arms, as she lay dying. She herself did not realize that she had been wounded, for she said, “When do you think it will come this way, and attack us?” At last, at the wish of the spectators, the executioner came, and put an end to their sufferings. So they departed to be “with Christ; which is far better.”

Messages of God’s Love 1/25/1914

Little Things

LITTLE foxes spoil the vines,” so little sins spoil noble lives. “No harm in this.” “No harm in that.” “Plenty of time.” These are Satan’s silent suggestions to simple souls. Do you remember the little verse?—

“Little drops of water,

Little grains of sand,

Make the mighty ocean

And the beauteous land.”

Little things accumulate to an alarming extent, and it may be true of most as it was of a speaker whom the writer heard say the following words “The thoughts of my life have been many, but the sins of my life have been more.” A lesson only learned in the light of God’s love, as revealed in the person of His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

How important a little thing may be! Two young women retired to rest one evening, leaving a gas stove burning in their room. During the night a little mouse gnawed a small hole in the rubber tubing through which the gas passed.

It was only a small mouse and a small hole, but the consequences were almost fatal to the sleepers, for the escape of gas was so rapid, that one of the girls quickly became unconscious, the other only awaking in time to raise an alarm. Both narrowly escaped with their lives. I wonder if they were ready if they had died. How important, children, that we should be ready, anyway.

God’s Word says, “Now is the accepted time.” Perhaps you have removed the last letter of that little word “now,” and made it “no” to many gospel appears and earnest entreaties to come to Christ. O 1 believe the gospel, even now. Then you may read the word backward, “won.”

Won for Christ; and removing the letter “w” may read the word “on.”

“On” the Lord’s side.

“On” your way to the better land.

“On” your way to meet the Lord, who says, “Behold, I come quickly.”

Messages of God’s Love 1/25/1914

Little Emily

LITTLE Emily had been a constant attendant at our Sunday school for more than a year before she was brought to a knowledge of the Saviour; and perhaps some of you would be interested to know how she first learned to love the Lord Jesus.

It was a bright Sunday afternoon on which I was leisurely pursuing my way to school, having a carefully prepared lesson in my mind. I intended speaking to the children from the old, old story of Noah and the ark; but as I neared the school I felt impressed that it was not to be my subject for that afternoon.

“Revelation 3! Revelation 3!” ran through my mind again and again, and on arriving at the school, I turned to the chapter and read, “Behold, I stand at the door and knack; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” (Verse 20.)

“That must be my text then,” I said to myself, as I took my seat among my scholars.

There were fifteen present, all under seven years of age, and among them, in her favorite seat by my side, was little Emily, aged five.

I spoke earnestly to them of the One who stood knocking at the door of their hearts, entreating them to let Him in before it was too late.

At length I asked, “Is there no one here who will open her heart to let Jesus come in this afternoon?”

A soft little hand stole into mine, and a sweet voice whispered, “Teacher, I will let Him in.”

It was little Emily who spoke, and raised her blue eyes, now filled with tears, to my face.

“You will, Emily?” I said, “and why will you let the Saviour in?”

“O, because I love Him so!”

I had a little talk with her after school, and since that day she has been happily trusting in the Lord Jesus as her own Saviour, whose precious blood has washed her sins away.

Dear reader, will you let the Saviour in? Or, will you keep the door of your heart, at which He waits and knocks so patiently, bolted and barred against Him?

O, throw open the door! No longer turn a deaf ear to His knocking, so oft repeated, so gentle, so loving. Give the Lord of heaven and earth an abiding place in your heart, and prove, as dear little Emily does, what a kind and loving Friend He is.

“We love Him because He first loved us.”

Messages of God’s Love 1/25/1914

Bible Questions for February

Answers to Bible Questions for December

“What is my reward then?” etc. 1 Cor. 9:18.

“ For ye are bought with a price,” etc. “ 6:20.

“ Whether therefore ye eat,” etc. “ 10:31.

“But unto them which are called,” etc. “ 1:24.

“ Watch ye, stand fast,” etc. “ 16:13.

“Every man’s work shall be,” etc. “ 3:13.

“The last enemy that shall be,” etc. “ 15:26.

Bible Questions for February

The answers are to be found in Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians.

Write the verse containing the words: “ Visible.” “Invisible.”

Write the verse containing the’ words: “Unto good works.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Head over all things.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Any other gospel.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Head of the body.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Gave Himself for me.”

Write the verse containing the words: “The form of God.”

Messages of God’s Love 2/1/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 120. 1 Samuel 17.

DAVID AND GOLIATH

The Israelites’ old enemies, the Philistines, came again to fight against them. So the Philistines gathered themselves on Israel’s ground. Then Saul and his men set their army in battle array. Both armies were each on a mountain, with a valley between them.

In the Philistine army, there was a great giant, called Goliath of Gath. He was eight and a half feet tall, and was a great warrior, being clothed from, head will in armor. On his head was a (Verse 20) brass, and he wore a coat of “That must brass; his arms and legs myself, as I took by the same metal, so?? possible to hurt him; spear alone weighed something like twenty pounds: its staff was like a weaver’s beam. A shield-bearer went before him. How fierce and wicked he must have looked as he stood between the two armies and defied the Israelites, shouting to them, “Why are ye come out to set your battle in array?” He said further, “Am I not a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? Choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then shall ye be our servants and serve us. I defy the armies of Israel this day.”

Saul and all Israel were much frightened. Not even Jonathan, who had shown so much faith before, and who had said: “There is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few,” not even he came forward to answer that wicked Philistine.

Every morning and every evening, for forty days, Goliath came up and defied the people of God in the same way, and no one dared answer him.

David, Jesse’s son, whom Samuel had anointed king after Saul’s rejection, had returned to take care of his father’s sheep, but his three elder brothers were in Saul’s army. One day Jesse, who had become very old, told David he must take some food to his brothers who were in the army, and he might also take a present of ten cheeses to the captain of their company, who were fighting in the valley of Elah. So David arose early, left the sheep in the hands of a keeper, and taking the food, he went, as his father had commanded him, and came to the enclosure where the wagons were stationed. From there he could see the army forming into line and facing the Philistines. He also could hear their war cry. Leaving his bundle with the baggage-keeper, David ran toward the army and inquired of his brothers how they were. As he was speaking with them, the giant came forward and shouted his defiant cry, and David heard him. When the men of Israel heard it, they fled from him and said to David, “Have ye seen this man that is come up? Surely to defy Israel is he come up: and the man who killeth him, the king will enrich with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel.” But David thought of the reproach to Israel and said, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

(To be continued.)

Messages of God’s Love 2/1/1914

Why Do You Insult My Father?

IN a train sat two sailors in eager conversation. The talk between them was not evil, but through a bad, inherited’ custom, they continually misused the name of God, till an unknown fellow-traveler, an old man, turned to one of them with the words, “Please, my friend, do not insult my Father any longer!”

“Insult your father!” said the astonished sailor, “I don’t know him and have never spoken of him. Perhaps you know ‘him, Johnny?”

“No,” replied his comrade.

“All the sadder for you!” said the unknown man. “If you knew my Father, you would love Him; I ask you kindly not to misuse His name any longer.” Thereupon the old man took the sailor’s hand and began to tell him of God’s love and mercy. ‘[‘hat went to the sailor’s heart, and he told that six, months before, he had stood at his mother’s death-bed. She had put her hands on his head and prayed God to bless him. With this remembrance came suddenly the question from the lips of the sailor, “Do you believe that God will still save me, a poor sinner?”

Then followed a long and blessed conversation. Through the faithful witness of this servant of God, the two sailors found peace with God through Christ that day—peace, forgiveness, eternal life.’ They turned from darkness to light. Their life before had been towards the sunsetting—towards eternal destruction; now, it had altered—it was towards the sunrising, and they were on their way to the Father’s house.

“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7,)

The man who spoke for the honor of the name of God, whose heart could not bear to hear that name spoken “in vain,” is a simple man of the people. His hands are hard from using the pick and shovel, but God has equipped him to work on the heart, and to break through the hard stones of unbelief, indifference and enmity to God that lodge there.

“That men may know that Thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.” (Psa. 83:18.)

Messages of God’s Love 2/1/1914

Teddie and the Frog

HOW kind and thoughtful, as well as amused, is the expression on the little boy’s face as he watches the frog. God would have us consider all His works, and, surely, we cannot help but see a vast difference between what God has made and what man has made. All creation tells us of God’s wondrous wisdom as a creator, and the Lord Jesus said, “ Consider the lilies how they grow; they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Luke 12:27. Solomon was one who had every grand thing on earth that man could get, and for all that his grandeur was nothing to be compared with even a lily: It is an easy matter for man to destroy what God has made, but he can never replace it; and yet how often we find people thinking a great deal more of some little thing that man, has made, than of praising God for all His wonderful works.

God’s name would surely be above all that He has created, and the psalmist could say under the guidance of the Spirit of God,

“THOU HAST MAGNIFIED THY WORD ABOVE ALL THY NAME.” Psa. 138:2.

So, dear children, seeing that God has put such value to His Word, then we too should value it and seek to learn all we can of it. It is in His Word alone we learn anything about the heart of God, that is, His love; also His character as a holy and a righteous God. We cannot learn these three attributes of His in creation; how needful then that we should read His Word at every opportunity.

It tells us how God dislikes sin and that He punishes man for sin; it tells us also of His love for man, which was so great that He gave His only Son to bear the final punishment for whosoever would believe in Him. It tells us that “after death comes the judgment”. Now I leave you with this one verse, trusting you will search the Word of God more than ever: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

Messages of God’s Love 2/1/1914

A Good Conscience

AN Indian once begged some tobacco from a white man to fill his pipe. The white man put his hand into his pocket and gave him a handful. The next day the red skin was searching everywhere for the white man.

“What do you want?” some asked him. “I found money in the tobacco,” said the Indian.

“Well, keep it—it was given to you,” advised the standers-by.

But the Indian shook his head and said, “I have here (striking his breast) good man and bad man. Good say, ‘Money not yours, give it back.’ Bad say, ‘Money yours, given-to you.’ Good say, ‘Not true, tobacco yours; money not yours.’ Bad say, `Don’t trouble, nobody knows; buy rum.’ Good say, ‘Nothing of the kind.’ Poor Indian not know what to do; lies down to sleep, but no sleep. Good man and bad man talk all, night, and make much trouble; so, now, money bring back. Poor Indian happy again.”

The Indian’s conscience troubled him, when he was tempted to keep what did not belong to him, and he was not happy, till he did that which was right.

It is well for us, dear children, to cultivate a tender conscience, in accordance with the Word of God.

If we do that which is wrong in little things, soon our conscience becomes hardened, and we do not feel as we should about greater evils, when they are put before us; and we have a bad conscience, and end with sad results.

“Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.” (Prow. 23:17.)

“Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” (Rom. 14:22.)

Messages of God’s Love 2/1/1914

Come Unto Me

Let the little children come,

Let them come to Me!

There is room for everyone, .

There is room for, thee.

I have died for little ones,

Sinners though they be;

God will call them His own sons,

If they come to Me.

God has loved the children dear,

So He gave His Son;

To Himself to bring them near,

Come then little one!

Soon I will return again,

All Mine own to take;

Where no sorrow is, nor pain;

E’en the dead I’ll wake.

With Myself and like Me, too,

Beautiful and glad;

All My glory they shall view—

None shall e’er be sad.

Messages of God’s Love 2/1/1914

Industry

WHAT a needful lesson we may learn from the picture we have before us this week! The woman spinning reminds us of the words in Prov. 31:19, “She layeth her hands to the spindle, And her hands hold the distaff.” From verse ten to the end of that chapter we get God’s commendation of a good and industrious woman. God does not want us to be idle. He has made us to be occupied, and we may be sure that if we have nothing to do for ourselves, we can always find enough to do for others.

“LET HIM LABOR, WORKING WITH HIS HANDS THE THING WHICH IS GOOD, THAT HE MAY HAVE TO GIVE TO HIM THAT NEEDETH.” Eph. 4:28.

We get the lesson of doing for others taught perfectly in the Lord Jesus Christ. He saw us in our great need and gave up the glory he had with the Father in order to meet us in that need, and to lift us up out of our ruin and sin by giving His life in our stead on the cross: There it is where He met God’s holy and righteous claims which stood against us for all our sins, and He will take all who believe in Him to be with Himself, to share with Him in that glory He has entered.

The Lord was not idle, nor thinking of Himself, but all the time He was down here He was seeking the good of others, and not only their temporal needs, but what we have just mentioned, which was for eternal benefit.

I trust, dear children, you may know what it is to have Him as your own Saviour, and then to be occupied in doing good to others, and particularly seeking to bring them to the Lord, that they too may know Him as their Saviour.

Messages of God’s Love 2/8/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 120. 1 Samuel 17.

DAVID AND GOLIATH

(Continued.)

David felt it a dishonor to God and a reproach to His people. But David’s eldest brother was much displeased when he heard David speak. He asked him why he had come, and with /whom he had left the few sheep in the wilderness? He said, “I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.” But David answered: “What have I now done, is there not a cause?” Then he turned away and spoke to someone else. Now, one who heard him speak went and told Saul, who sent for the youth.

When David stood before the king, he told him he should not let any man’s heart fail because of him; He would go and fight with the Philistine. But Saul answered him that he was not able, for he was but a youth and the giant was a man of war from his youth. But David was full of childlike faith and, taking no credit to himself, just as if he had done nothing out of the ordinary, told him how he had kept his father’s sheep, and a lion and a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, and he went after him and smote him, and delivered the lamb out of his mouth, and caught him by the beard and slew him. So hg did with both the lion and the bear, and the Philistine would be like one of them, because he defied the armies of the living God. He knew that the Lord had delivered him out of the paw of the lion and the bear, and he would deliver him out of the hands of that Philistine. He had proved that power belongs to God, and that it was God’s own cause Goliath was defying.

Saul then told David he should go and the Lord would be with him. Seeing that the boy had only his shepherd bag and a sling, the king put his own armor on David, because he did not like to see him face the giant who had a helmet of brass and .a coat-of-mail, without anything to protect him. So, with the king’s armor upon him and the king’s sword in his hand, David tried to go, but he could not. Wherefore he told Saul he could not go with them, for he had not proved them, and he took them off. He had never tried the king’s armor, but he had fully proved the power of God. Then David took five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in his shepherd’s bag, and with his staff and his sling in his hand he went to meet the Philistine.

Goliath came towards David, and a soldier carried his shield before him. When the giant saw David, who was but a rosy-cheeked boy, he despised him and said, “Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?” And he cursed him by his gods. Then he continued and said to David, “Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.” But David answered, “ Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of host, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite, thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that Were is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.”

(To be continued.)

Messages of God’s Love 2/8/1914

Crown the Conqueror

Crown the mighty Conqueror, crown Him,

Wbo His people’s foes o’ercame

In the highest heaven enthrone Him,

Men and angels, sound His fame!

Great His glory! great His glory!

Jesus bears a matchless name.

Messages of God’s Love 2/8/1914

Story of a French Nobleman

A FEW years ago a French nobleman came to this country laboring under an extraordinary depression of spirits, which he could not get rid of. He came to consult an eminent physician, who devoted himself especially to treatment of diseases of the mind.

The Count was a man of wealth as well as of rank, surrounded by everything that could make life enjoyable. Beloved in his family, and esteemed by his friends, his cup, seemed to run over. But was he happy? No, for, strange as it may appear, a deep gloom hung over his spirits, which neither the charms of a happy family circle, nor the important duties of public life, could dispel.

His friends became much alarmed on his account, and by their advice he consulted various medical men. They recommended him change of air and scene, baths, music, company. He tried all, but in vain. His melancholy increased rather than diminished, and serious fears were entertained that his reason would give way, and that he would have to exchange his home for a lunatic asylum.

Just at this juncture an intimate friend advised him to consult the above-mentioned physician. To this he willingly assented, and before many days had passed he was seated with the doctor in his study. Having put the usual questions to him, the doctor, after a most careful and patient examination, said, “There is nothing wrong with you, sir. I can find nothing in the state of your system to account for the melancholy of which you complain.”

“That is strange,” said the patient. “This depression of spirits endangers my reason. Do, doctor, help me if you can.”

“Perhaps an inordinate ambition may have something to do with it?”

“No, I have no desire for great things. I am in the position just suited to my taste and wishes.”

“Some family trouble or bereavement?” “No, doctor; peace and love reign in my family, and my circle is unbroken.”

“Have you any enemies?”

“Not that I am aware of.”

“What subject most frequently occupies your thoughts?”

“You are approaching a matter which I hardly like to speak of, doctor. I am a sceptic, and the ceremonies of religion are in my view as repugnant to common-sense as its mysteries are to reason. I do not believe in revelation, and yet, I must confess, one of its dogmas haunts me like a spectre. I try to persuade myself that it is the result of a disordered state of the brain; but yet my mind is continually occupied with it.” .

“Will you tell me what it is?”

“A vision of the last judgment is constantly present to my mind. The end of all things seems to have come, and the great white throne is set up. There is One seated on the throne whose look of stern justice and majesty terrifies me. I hear Him call me in a voice like thunder. I try to escape from His penetrating glance, but heaven and earth have disappeared, and I am left alone. Doctor, can you understand what that means—alone—alone in the presence of perfect purity—alone under the scrutinizing eye of One who reads me through and through? Every moment I expect to hear the awful words, ‘Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.’ “

“What makes you fear such a sentence?”

“Well, in the eyes of men my life is deemed irreproachable, and not without reason. I have less to accuse myself of than most of my acquaintances; but in the presence of such dazzling glory—such spotless purity—my very best actions appear black and hideous. That eye searches out the thoughts and intents of my heart; so that not a single act of my life is pure in His sight. I feel guilty and condemned, and long to find some spot where I can hide from His presence.”

Is that what causes the melancholy of which you complain?”

“I suppose so. This terrible vision is always before me. I cannot get rid of it. Sometimes I think it is only imagination, the effect of a depressed state of the nervous system, and that when get strong it will pass away. But then again the thought forces itself upon me,—What if, after all, it should be a Divine truth—a scene in which I must’ in reality someday appear? My mind gets bewildered with these conflicting thoughts, and I look and long in vain for deliverance. This is a humbling confession for a man of my views, doctor.”

“I have by me an old book which contains a remedy for your disease,” said the doctor with confidence, as he turned to his bookcase and took down a book, which bore the marks of frequent use. He turned over a few pages, and then handing the book to his patient, he requested him to read aloud the lines to which he pointed.

He read as follows:—

“ ‘Who hath believed our report? and to whom, is the arm of the Lord revealed?’

Doctor—”The unbelief, which the prophet complained of two thousand six hundred years ago, exists in our own day. Who among the millions in our so-called Christian countries believes this report?”

“For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we shall desire Him.’

“Of whom do these verses speak?”

“Of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, whom He sent into the world, that by His propitiatory death He might make atonement for sin.”

“‘He is despised and rejected of men; a wan of sorrows and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.”

“This is indeed true: we have not esteemed Him.”

‘Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and affiicted: “

“Here again the prophecy has been fulfilled.”

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we, like sheep,’ have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.’

“What does that mean, doctor?”

“That the Son of God took the sinner’s place and bore the punishment due to the sinner. He became the willing victim, and God laid upon Him the iniquity of us all, and with His stripes we are healed.”

“What! did the Son of God take my place and die for me?”

“‘The Lord laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.’“

“If that is so, there is no punishment for me.”

(To be continued.)

“ Stricken, smitten, and afflicted,”

See Him dying on the tree!

‘Tis the Christ by man rejected!

Yes, my soul, ‘tis He! ‘tis He!

Mark the Sacrifice appointed!

See who bears the awful load!

‘Tis the Word, ‘tis God’s Anointed—

Son of Man and Son of God.

Here we have a firm foundation;

Here’s the refuge, of the lost;

Christ’s the Rock of our Salvation—

His the name of which we boast.

Lamb of God, for sinners wounded—

Sacrifice to cancel guilt,

None shall ever be confounded

Who on Thee their hope have built.

Messages of God’s Love 2/8/1914

As Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing

THE old lady in our picture does not have a very happy look on her face, does she? She probably lives all alone, and so has become discouraged; it may be she feels no one loves her. The big cat sitting beside her seems friendly to her, and then some kind lady is coming through the doorway to see this lonely one. What a sweet cheery face she has! Evidently she has had sorrow too, for her long black wail is hanging nearly to the floor, and she is dressed in mourning. What has she in her hand bag? Perhaps something good to read for the old lady, and may be some dainty for her to eat. I think this lady must be a Christian, for it is only Christ who can make us happy when we are in deep sorrow, and He can give us cheering, loving messages for others, even when we are having great troubles ourselves. This lady may read some sweet verses from God’s precious Word to the old lady, so she may become happy too.

In the Bible we find that the apostle Paul passed through terrible things, such as hard whippings, being stoned, and shipwrecked, because He loved Jesus, and was faithful in preaching about Him to people. But this man, Paul, who suffered so much, could say that he was always rejoicing — wasn’t that wonderful? Look at 2 Cor. 6:10. “As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.” The Holy Spirit led the apostle Paul to write these beautiful words.

So, if you are lonely and sad, God is able to make you happy in Christ; if you are poor, He can make you feel rich—providing you are His child, for Christ is coming very soon to take all His own saved ones home to heaven to possess all things with himself.

“I WILL GREATLY REJOICE IN THE LORD, MY SOUL SHALL BE JOYFUL IN MY GOD; FOR HE HATH CLOTHED ME WITH THE GARMENTS OF SALVATION.” Isa. 61:10.

“In the heart of London City,

‘Mid the dwellings of the poor,

These bright, golden words were uttered,

`I have Christ what want I more?’

O, my dear, my fellow sinner,

High, or low, or rich, or poor,

Can you say with deep thanksgiving,

`I have Christ! what want I more?’

Look away from earth’s attractions,

All earth’s joys will soon be o’er;

Rest not till your heart exclaimeth,

I have Christ! what want I more?’ “

Messages of God’s Love 2/15/1914

Bible History

Chapter 120. 1 Samuel 17

David and Goliath

(Continued)

When Goliath came towards David, he ran meet him and took one of the smooth stones out of his bag, and slung it, and the stone sank into the forehead of Goliath, this great giant, so he fell upon his face to the ground. Then David ran and stood upon him and drew his great sword out of its sheath; he then cut off his head with it.

When the Philistines saw their champion lying dead upon the ground, they fled, and the Israelites arose with shouts and pursued the Philistines and wounded and scattered them. And when they returned from chasing them, they spoiled their tents. And David took Goliath’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but carried his armor into his tent.

Saul had entirely forgotten the David who used to play upon his harp to amuse the king, for when he saw David going out against Goliath, he asked Abner, the captain of the army, “Whose son is this youth?” Abner did not know either. As David returned from the fight, with the giant’s head in his hand, Abner led him to the king who asked him, “Whose son art thou, young man?” David answered, “I am. the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”

In this beautiful story of David and Goliath we have a remarkable picture of the Lord Jesus delivering us from the power of Satan.

Like a mighty Goliath, Satan, our great enemy, held us in slavery. No human power could deliver us from him. We were like the poor Israelites who were trembling at the voice of Goliath. We knew that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,” and therefore were in fear of death. But, O, thanks be to God! a great deliverer appeared, and far more than David., volunteered to save us, poor sinners, from the power of death and Satan. And this Deliverer, this One who alone could save us, is the Lord Jesus, our Saviour, the Son of God, the true David. By His death on the cross He destroyed Him that had the power of death, that is the devil. It was there, in those terrible hours that He fought the fight alone and won the victory.

And now, dear reader, if you are one who is trembling at the thought of death, look at Jesus on the cross; see how He has done it all, vanquished Satan, paid the mighty debt and is ready to set you free. Only believe, and accept Him as your Substitute,—with a heart full of thankfulness and praise for His great love to you.

Messages of God’s Love 2/15/1914

Story of a French Nobleman

(Continued.)

“‘The chastisement of our peace was upon Him.’“

“Is it possible, doctor? What Divine beauty and simplicity! The guiltless dies for the guilty!”

“Read on a little farther.”

“ `He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth.’

“Because He stood there as the willing substitute.”

“ `He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.’

“He gave up His life as a ransom for me.”

“‘He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was He stricken.’ “

“Praise the Lord. He took the sinner’s place.”

“ ‘And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief.’ “

“O! what great love to sinners!”

“‘When thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.’

“There it is again, doctor. I see it as clearly as possible! justified by the death of another! O, why did I never know this before? `Justified’—what a word for a guilty sinner!”

“‘Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He ‘hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.’“ (Isa. 53.)

“Doctor such a salvation could never have originated in the heart of man; none but God could plan such a salvation; none but God could carry it out. What love in God! what love in His Son! What grandeur! what beauty! Doctor, my load is gone. I no longer fear the judgment. Christ has been judged for me. I believe in Him; I trust in the value of His death on the cross.”

“`If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, He Himself tells you, you have everlasting life. Read it for yourself.”

“ ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.’ “ (John 5:24.)

The Count received this glorious truth then and there, and left the doctor’s study a different man — his dreadful forebodings were gone. The future he no longer feared; but, like the Ethiopian of old (see Acts 8), to whom Philip, the evangelist, opened out the same scripture, he received Jesus as his Saviour, and “went on his way rejoicing.” Returning home with a heart filled with gratitude and praise, he desired henceforth to live to the glory of Him who loved him, and gave Himself for him.

Dear young reader, that which troubled this ‘nobleman was no mere illusion of a fevered brain. No, the judgment of the great white throne is declared in God’s Word to be a solemn reality. It lies in the future of everyone who does not receive the salvation which is provided for him by the• death of Christ upon the cross. Our sins deserved the judgment of God; Christ bore that dreadful judgment for sinners. If we receive Him as our Substitute and Saviour, the judgment which has fallen upon Him will never be repeated. It has fallen upon our Substitute, and ,theref ore cannot fall on us. We are thereby free—eternally free. O, what a glorious salvation! and all are welcome to receive it, without money and without price.

Come, then, dear youthful reader, to this Saviour. Come now while still there is time. He will save you and take away all fear of future judgment, and by and by He will present you faultless before the throne of His glory with exceeding joy. Come then and accept Him as your Saviour, and God will make you His child, and by His Spirit He will teach you and help you on your journey through life, until you reach that happy land where sickness and sorrow are unknown.

O Christ, what burdens bowed Thy head,

Our load was laid on Thee;

Thou stoodest in the sinner’s stead—

Barest all my ill for me.

A victim led, Thy blood was shed;

Now there’s no load for me.

Death and the curse were in the cup

O Christ! ‘twas full for Thee.

But Thou hast drained the last dark drop

‘Tis empty now for me.

That bitter cup—love drank it up;

Now blessing’s draught for me.

Jehovah bade His sword awake

O Christ! it woke ‘gainst Thee:

Thy blood the flaming blade must slake;

Thy heart its sheath must be—

All for my sake, my peace to make;

Now sleeps that sword for me;

The Holy One did hide His face

() Christ! ‘twas hid from Thee,

Dumb darkness wrapt Thy soul a space—

The darkness due to me:

But now that face of radiant grace

Shines forth in light on me.

For me, Lord Jesus, Thou hast died,

And I have died in Thee;

Thou’rt risen; my bands are all untied;

And now Thou liv’st in me.

And when Thou com’st to take Thy bride,

Thy glory then for me.

Messages of God’s Love 2/15/1914

The Story

Here in this beautiful picture

Dear little Alice we see,

‘Tending the children for mother

While she is busy at tea.

Sewing a doll dress for Mary,

Dainty with tucking and frill,

Telling a story to Baby,

Sitting so quiet and still.

Off on her stool in the corner,

Holding her doll on her knee,

There sits the third little sister,

Listening as hard as can be.

What is this beautiful story,

Alice is telling so well?

O! ‘tis a tale full of glory,

Holding the heart in its spell.

For ‘tis the tale of the Saviour,

Dying on Calvary’s tree,

Paying the debt of the sinner.

That you and I might go free.

Children, have you heard the story?

Are you washed whiter than snow?

Tell of the Lord and His glory,

Tell it wherever you go.

Live every day for the Saviour,

Show forth His grace and His love,

Shining for Him ever brighter,

Until you meet Him above.

Precious to her is the Saviour,

Who on the cross shed His blood.

For His dear sake, she is tender,

Kind to her sisters and good.

Letting the light shine for Jesus,

Living for Him day by day,

Feeling His aid and His presence,

Guiding each step of the way.

How He keeps watch o’er the children,

Looks on the world from above,

Leads His redeemed ones to heaven,

Where they may rest in His love.

Could any story be sweeter,

Or one even half so sweet

As the one this little sister

Loves o’er and o’er to repeat?

Messages of God’s Love 2/22/1914

Too Good to be True

A PLUM tree, laden with ripe, golden fruit, threw out its branches temptingly over the high garden fence of a widow’s cottage. Needless to say, the spot became at once a center of attraction for all the small folks of the village, and many were the attempts made by throwing sticks and stones, to bring some of the fruit to the ground. Of course, it was no uncommon thing for such a missile, wandering wide of the mark, to descend with all violence on the cottage roof, or even smash a pane of glass in the windows, to the very natural discontent of the good lady within, whose peace of mind and property were thus constantly assailed.

Persuasion and remonstrance proving alike useless, Mrs. T. had at length to threaten with imprisonment the next offender who should come within her reach. It might be added that there seemed to be very little chance of this threat ever being carried out; for the little cottage being set on slightly elevated ground, the nearest way of reaching the roadside was by a rather steep flight of steps in front, and moreover, the widow herself was getting on in years, and somewhat feeble. Indeed, no one was less likely to appeal to the law than she.

One morning, however, at an unusually early hour, a good deal of disturbance was heard outside, and soon after, on looking out, Mrs. T. and her daughter saw a little ragged boy in the strong grasp of a man being dragged round to the doorstep. He had been caught in the very act, and all his begging, and crying were now in vain.

Meanwhile a small crowd had gathered, and it was no slight addition to the discomfort of good Mrs. T. to find that she was expected to keep her word, and to make an example of the boy. This course was farthest from her intention.

As she proceeded to speak gently, though seriously, to the trembling little culprit from the safe distance of her window, it became gradually evident to the waiting company of lookers-on, that no further fun was to be afforded them; in other words, they saw at once that the little fellow would not be sent to the Reform School, and so one by one they moved away, till at last only the boy was left on the spot, where he remained kicking the dust idly with his bare feet, and glancing slyly at the window, half in fear, half in defiance. His captor had long relinquished his hold, rightly judging that grace was more likely to triumph.

For a minute or so, Mrs. T. and her daughter stood looking down at the boy in pity. His clothes were in rags, and he was very dirty, and appeared to be utterly uncared for.

Perhaps it was just for these very reasons the womanly sympathies of kind Mrs. T. and her daughter were so easily enlisted. However that may be, it was only a short while before both relented towards the boy completely, and longed to do him good, instead of punishing him.

“Poor child,” murmured the daughter compassionately, “he may have been starving. Mother, would you mind if I called him now and gave him a few plums?”

“No, indeed, dear, I should not mind,” replied the widow. “Give him some if you like, and anything else that’s handy. The poor little boy looks dreadfully in need of someone to take care of him.”

The girl sped away at once, and soon returned with a handful of the lovely fruit. Throwing the cottage door wide open, she, called eagerly to the little fellow, at the same time holding up her gift.

“Here, little one, come and take these. Yes, I mean it,” she added reassuringly, as the boy stared in surprise, but made no attempt to draw near; “indeed, they are for you.”

Her mother beckoned him at the same time from the window; but to all their kind advances, the little street Arab returned Only the same incredulous stare, and rather retreated a step or two.

Unwilling to be thus misunderstood, the girl stepped impulsively towards him with her hand stretched out; but what was her dismay when the boy with a sudden dart sprang away from her, never stopping till he reached what he evidently considered a place of safety on the opposite side of the road. There he stood wagging his head knowingly, and looking back in triumph at, probably, the only two people in the world who sought to do him good.

“They wanted to get me in there to beat me,” he explained to a passer-by, “but I knew better.”

Mrs. T.’s daughter, however, was sorely disappointed.

“What a pity!” she exclaimed warmly. “Mother, what could have made the child take up such an idea?”

“His conscience,” was the calm reply. And then after a moment’s reflection, the mother added, “Yet, perhaps, more than anything else it was the open door.”

“O, but mother, surely that should have assured him!”

“No,” responded the mother; “no, dear, I think I understand the case better than you do. The poor little boy, knowing himself to be guilty and deserving of punishment and nothing more, cannot understand an act of grace, and so the door opened suddenly presents to his untaught mind. simply a swift approaching of what he really deserved.”

“But the plums—surely he might have seen by the plums that I was in earnest,” persisted the girl. “See here, I will place them on the window sill, and sit near with my work; maybe he may take courage later on and come for them; then I’ll ask him why he was so afraid.”

Her mother, let her do as she wished, and so all the morning the plums stayed at the open window in full sight of the boy, who for some reason loitered about near, and yet could not be induced to go up to the cottage and take what was offered to him. He was heard to boast as he finally took himself off, he didn’t care about baying the plums, not he; knew where he could get finer,, and, as many as he wanted.

Too truly does conscience make, cowards of us all. I really believe that Mrs. T. was in the right when she attributed the boy’s action. to a guilty conscience, and, consequent on that, the fear of punishment. But surely the great evil, underlying, all was unbelief. God joins two things together at the very head of that terrible list in Rev. 21:8, of people who will go to the lake of fire, “the fearful and the unbelieving.” O, how sad to think of! That souls should willfully turn their backs upon an offer of mercy and find, when too late, their mistake, and how different it might have been.

Are there any among my readers, I wonder, who are in this way refusing God’s gracious offer of mercy and reconciliation? Doubting His Word, it may be, which tells of the free forgiveness of sins through Jesus, and of rich eternal blessing, which saved ones shall enjoy in His presence,?

If there be one such among my readers,, it is for you I have told this little incident. Will you not let it lead you to trustingly take God at His word, receive the pardon and the gift which He holds out for your acceptance, and be at perfect peace with Him? I do pray that it may be so, for His Name’s sake.

To persist in an evil way, is rebellion, is it not? and which must surely accomplish your doom.

“The Lord is . . . long-suffering, . . . not willing that any should perish;, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9.)

Messages of God’s Love 2/22/1914

The Entrance of Thy Word Giveth Light

IN the year 1857, the well-known preacher and evangelist, Spurgeon, had been announced to preach in the Crystal Palace, London. He went to the building a few days before to arrange the most suitable place where the platform, from which he was to speak, should be placed. In order to test the stretch of his voice in that huge place of gathering, he stood in a certain spot, and cried with a loud voice: “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John l:29.) In one of the galleries, a workman was working. He knew nothing of what was going on below, and suddenly his ears were struck with these words. They were driven like a message direct from God into his soul, and convicted him so deeply of his sin, that he began to tremble, and became quite incapable of going on with his work. He went to his home, as a man to whom God had spoken, and after an agonizing inward conflict, found peace. Spurgeon himself did not know of this wonderful story of conversion, till some years later, when the man, on his death-bed, related it to him.

Messages of God’s Love 2/22/1914

Substitution

SOME of the children who read this little paper, may remember being present at a children’s meeting, held while a conference was going on in one of our large cities. The subject of the meeting was “Substitution,” and several of the speakers explained the meaning of that word. A substitute, it was said, is one who takes the place of another, and it was especially brought before the children that our Lord Jesus Christ had died upon the cross as a substitute for those who believe in Him, as that beautiful verse in Isaiah 53 tells us, “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.”

Perhaps if I tell you a story which I heard lately, it may make all this clearer to you. The story is true, and the father of the little girl, of whom I am going to tell you, related it. .

It was playtime at the school, and everybody in the neighborhood knew the hour by the noise the children were making.

Presently there was a cry and then a hush, for a boy had thrown a stone which had struck a little girl over the eye, cutting her forehead.

As soon as the teacher knew of the accident, she came and doctored the wound, and then, finding out the thrower of the stone, she insisted that he should be punished. The little girl mercifully tried to beg him off, but justice knew no mercy; so he was brought before the head master, and a good beating was ordered him.

Do we not all think it was right and just he should be punished? He had transgressed; he was guilty, and he must receive the due reward of his deeds.

As he was guilty before the schoolmaster, so we are guilty before God. We have sinned. and we must be punished. God’s rod must fall upon us; not because He wishes to make us suffer, but because we are guilty, and guilt must meet its punishment.

Now this boy had a brother in the school, and as he saw that the younger one was in for a beating, he stepped forward and said: “If you please, sir, my brother is very delicate, and the beating will about kill him; may I be beaten in his stead? “

The little fellow looked at his kind big brother; did he really mean to take his place? The schoolmaster accepted the little culprit’s brother, who willingly offered himself as a substitute. Now, God has accepted Jesus as our Substitute.

After the big boy had been beaten, the master did not beat the little one. Nor can we be punished if we believe that Jesus has been punished in our stead. We escape—not because we are not guilty—but because our punishment has fallen upon another One.

After all, in our story, the one who bore the penalty was not the injured one, for it would have been yet more wonderful if the little girl had come forward to be wounded in place of the boy who had wounded her. Yet this is what Jesus has done. Do you wonder that all the children in the village talked about the brave substitute brother and admired him? I do not; but I do wonder how boys and girls can hear what Jesus has done for them, and not believe in Him, and love Him.

“WHO HIS OWN SELF BARE OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BODY ON THE TREE.” I Pet. 2:24.

Messages of God’s Love 2/22/1914

Bible Questions for March

Answers to Bible Questions for January

“Therefore come out,” etc. 2 Cor. 6:17.

“But he that glorieth,” etc. “ 10:17.

“In whom the god of this world,” etc. “ 4:4.

“Finally, brethren,” etc. “ 13:11.

“We are confident,” etc. “ 5:8.

“For ye know the grace,” etc. “ 8:9.

“Every man according,” etc. “ 9:7.

Bible Questions for March

The answers are to be found in l and 2 Thess., 1 and 2 Tim., Titus, Philemon and Hebrews.

Write the verse containing the words: “ Endured.” “Despising.”

Write the verse containing the words: “.Servant.” “Brother.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Reproof.” “Instruction.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ Evil.” “Good.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Obey not.” “In flaming fire.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ Gold.” “Pearls.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Mind.” “Conscience.”

Messages of God’s Love 3/1/1914

He Knows and Loves Us Still

HOW many little ones, yes„ and bigger ones too, can enter into the feelings, of a little girl I want to speak of?

She had been sent, at her own request, to a boarding school, and, having a willful and naughty temper, was soon in disgrace with all there.

One day, having been unusually rebellious, she was banished from her schoolfellows for the rest of the day, The following morning she was utterly ashamed to meet anyone, and remained in her room as long as she dared. Reaching the dining-room, however, she was greatly surprised to be greeted with a kind “Good morning” from someone seated there.

“Ah,” she thought, “he does not know about me, how naughty I have been, or he would not speak to me.”

She afterwards found he did know, and he held a warm place in her heart after that.

Children, are you afraid to meet God because He knows all about you? Do you wish He did not know? Listen, then: He knows and loves you still! No sinful thought or deed is unknown to God, but He sent His own dear Son for the naughty ones, like you and me, and Jesus bore the punishment for us.

“O, ‘twas love, ‘twas wondrous love!

The love of God to me;

It brought my Saviour from above,

To die on Calvary.”

If we can sing these lines with our hearts; then we can -thank Him’ that He knows all about us, and loves us still.

Messages of God’s Love 3/1/1914

Saved Nellie on the Unsafe Rock

ALL the little children I know are fond of stories, and so I am going to write one down that I heard not long ago, which I think you will like very much.

Far away from here in a beautiful country, there are some very high mountains; they are so high that the tops-of them are often hidden from sight in the clouds, and covered with snow, even when it is quite warm down below.

On the sides of these mountains there are many precipices, that is to say, steep rugged rocks. If you were walking at the top and slipped down, you would fall some hundreds of feet, and be smashed to pieces at the bottom.

Now I want you to place two books of the- same size, upright upon the table a very little way apart and then you will under7 stand how two precipices were close together, leaving a dreadful space between. If you were standing on top of one you could not cross to the other without bridge; and this is what I am going to tell you about.

There was no bridge for the people to cross over by, until one day a great piece of rock broke off from the mountain above, and, after crashing down, lodged between the two precipices, just as you might place a little book on the top of the two others. Now the people could cross over; and for some weeks after this happened they used to pass from one precipice to the other.

Just on the side of the mountain stood a little cottage, and in it there lived with her father a little girl only six years old.

One day when she was running about, gathering flowers perhaps, or climbing the sides of the mountain, she heard the neighbors say that the bridge of rock I told you about had been shaken by a tremendous storm of the night before, and was no longer safe.

Little Nellie ran home quickly, and when her father returned from work, said to him, “Don’t go by the rock again, father; the people say it is very shaky, and will fall if any one treads upon it.”

“Stuff and nonsense,” said he; “it is safe enough, I must go that way this very night, Nellie; I don’t listen to what people say.”

“Please, father, don’t,” said little Nellie; “it may fall in, and you’ll be killed.”

“I tell you I shall go over it this evening,” he said; it is all right, don’t you be afraid.”

His little girl was silent a few minutes busy thinking, then she said, “Father, I wish you would let me go with you tonight where you are going. Please do.”

Now her father was very fond of Nellie, and liked to have her with him, so he said, “Yes, you can go if you like, though it will be rather late for such a little girl to be out.”

So she trotted along by his side, and at last said timidly, “Father, if you were to die tonight, where would you go?”

“I am sure I don’t know,” he said feeling rather surprised at her asking such a question.

“Well, but father, if you die tonight, would you go to heaven?”

“Yes, I suppose I should,” he said, wishing to quiet her.

“Because I know I should go there if I died,” she said. “God’s Bible tells me so. Jesus died for me, and put away my sins. and I should go and live with Him in heaven.”

They walked on a little way, and soon the rocky bridge came in sight.

“Now, father, will you promise me one thing? I want you to stand still here a few minutes, while I go on a little further. Will you?”

“Yes, Nellie, if you like,” he said, waiting to see what she was going to do.

She ran on some little way until she came to the great rock. There it still hung, looking very dangerous; but her little heart was filled with a brave, fond love and she set first one foot and then another upon it. It shook, it swayed, and then went down, with a great crash, down into the deep gulf beneath. Little Nellie’s body went, too, but in a moment her spirit was safe with the dear. Lord Jesus whom she loved. She trusted in Him, and knew that He who died on the cross for her would take her directly to be with Himself forever. Happy, brave little Nellie! When she heard her father say that he would go over the rock that night, she was afraid it might give way, and she knew that if he were killed, his soul would be lost; that he would go down to hell forever, for he did not love and trust the Saviour. No, Nellie made him wait behind, whilst she tried the great rock to see if it was safe. She willingly died instead of her father; she gave her life for his.

I expect as she walked along she, prayed that God would touch his heart and bring him to Jesus, and I am sure her prayer was answered.

What would you think of him if I told you that he just looked down and saw her little dead body at the bottom of the precipice, and yet walked home and forgot all about it? You would think him an ungrateful, hard hearted, wicked man, and yet some little children I know are worse than that. There is one who came down from a bright beautiful home to this dark sinful world; One who loved little children and took them in His arms and blessed them, and at last He took the place and punishment they deserved, and suffered a much more painful death, than little Nellie. did; and bore sin, in His, own body on the tree, put it all away, rose from the dead, and went back to His Father in heaven; and now from the bright glory He looks down, and invites all the children to come to Him. He tells them in His word that His precious blood can wash them from all their sins, and that though they have naughty hearts, and do not deserve to go to heaven, He will pardon them and take them there if they believe what He says, that He has finished the work for them; that it was all done—done long ago. And yet many have heard the beautiful story of Jesus’ love, and have never once really thanked Him from the bottom of their hearts when quite alone.

He is spoken of in the Bible as a rock. The rock I have told you about was unsafe, but Jesus, the Rock of Ages, cannot be moved. If your little feet are safely planted on this Rock, all the storms of life cannot move you.

I expect Nellie’s father cried when he saw her little body, and thought of her great love for him. He can never see her here again, but one day he will meet her up above, where there is no parting and no sin, if he is washed from his sins in the blood of Jesus.

Nellie died for someone who loved her. Jesus died for us when we did not love Him. He died for His enemies. Can you turn away from Him any longer, when He so lovingly invites you? Today, whilst you are hearing this little story read, Jesus knocks at the door of your heart. Will you let Him in? If you do, He will dwell there, and never; never forsake you. “He will guide you by His counsel, and afterwards receive you to glory.” If you do not let Him in, but turn away, one day when it is too late you will cry to Him to open to you, but His ear, which is open now, will be closed. He will not own you then as one of His little lambs, and shelter you safely in His fold. So come to Him now, owning all your sins, and simply believe what God says, that “the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.”

“O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER.” Psa. 107:1.

Messages of God’s Love 3/1/1914

Katie and Her Friends

THE sheep in the barn, the geese and the pigeons outside, all make us think of the finger of God. All seem so tame, too, and the kind and gentle looking girl seems to enjoy having them all around her, while she keeps on busy at her knitting.

Where sheep are shut up in a barn, they look to man to feed them. So it seems here, they are all wanting to get something to eat, and they are trying in their way to let the girl know it. No doubt, my little readers go to their mamma when they want something to eat; but do you think who it is that is watching over all and supplying all with food? I expect most of you would answer, It is God. Yes, God gives us everything.

Sometimes we read of a famine in some part of the world. That is the time when God is withholding His blessing and men cannot get food to eat. When God does so, He has something to say to men. They may have been forgetful of God and unthankful, and perhaps even using God’s name in vain, and many other bad things; but God would have them to know who they are dependent upon, and then by withholding the food, it would make them get on their knees before Him, that there they might learn, not only their need of temporal things and dependence upon God, but that they need their souls saved, and that they must come to God through Jesus Christ as their Saviour. So, in this way, God would have their sorrow to turn for their eternal blessing. Most of my readers, I expect, have ‘both food and clothing. Let me ask you, do you constantly thank God for all He gives you day by day? May each one have a grateful heart and thank God for all His goodness.

Messages of God’s Love 3/1/1914

Calling the Ferryman

CAN you see a man way across the water, coming toward his boat? He is called the ferryman, because he comes in his ferry boat to take people across the river to the opposite shore. One woman is calling, and the other woman is beckoning to this man, you see. He hears them, for his body is bent forward as he is hurrying toward his boat.

These women must be needing something, or they would not be so anxious to get across to the other bank. They have empty baskets, and must want to get them filled with food, or some other provisions. You see they are dressed very poorly, so must be needy ones.

Have you ever felt very much in need of anything that your parents could not afford to get you? You ask them,, when there is anything you want very much to get, don’t you? Did you ever get down on your knees, and ask the Lord Jesus for anything? There is a verse in your Bible that says our Heavenly Father is far more ready than our earthly parents are, to give good things to them that ask Him. (Math. 7:11.)

You have many needs now, for your body, and for your comfort, but do you know your greatest need, dear child? It i3 to have your soul saved.’’ You are born into this world a lost child, and you cannot call God- your “Father,” until you come to Him about this awful need of yours.. Sin has put you far from Him—do come to Him for forgiveness through the blood of Jesus., He wants every child and every person to accept Jesus—do not wait till it is too late.

Messages of God’s Love 3/8/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 121. 1 Samuel 18

David and Jonathan

AS David returned from his encounter with Goliath, the giant of Gath, Abner, the captain of the army led him to the king. In one of the lad’s hands, was Goliath’s head, and in the other, the giant’s own sword. Saul had forgotten all about David. although the youth had many times played the harp for his master, the king, when the evil spirit was upon him, and apparently Saul had loved him greatly, but with a selfish love, because David was useful to him.

But there was one who, when he saw David coming with the trophies of his victory, was truly attracted to the brave youth. Jonathan, the king’s son, had seen him fight the giant. He realized that the terrible foe who, for forty days, had threatened them, was forever destroyed, Israel was delivered, and instead of becoming the prey of the Philistines, they fled, and their tents and all tfle spoil passed into the hands of the children of Israel. All this Jonathan realized, and, as David stood before Saul, Jonathan’s heart was so drawn to him that he loved him as his own soul.

When we think of Jesus, whom David pictures here, of our deliverance through His death, are our hearts attracted to Him, and do we love him as our own soul? David’s love for his people had led him to the fight, and in return, Jonathan’s heart was won. And it was Jesus’ love for us that led Him to the cross, and “we love Him because He first loved us.” If our hearts are attracted by His love, we can’t help loving Him in return. The apostle Paul could say, “He loved me, and gave Himself for me,” and this thought made him count everything else in this world as nothing, compared to Him, and he lived with but one thought in his heart—to please the Lord Jesus. How many of us live thus?

Jonathan, to show his love to David, stripped himself of the princely robe, that he wore as the king’s son, and his sword, his bow, and his girdle—everything he had — and put them upon David. Perhaps Abner and all his servants thought Jonathan was very foolish to give away all his own things to David, but was it not nice to see the king’s son step up, in sight of all Israel, to the shepherd boy, and show him how he loved him. He was not ashamed that anyone should know. Is any believer ashamed to show his or her love for the Lord Jesus before the world? Think how pleased David must have been, and how pleased, too, is the Lord Jesus, when one for whom He has died, owns Him as his or her Lord and Saviour, and shows by a constant desire to please Him, that the heart is true to him.

David then made a covenant with Jonathan; from that time they became fast friends. If we show the Lord that we love Him, He will make a covenant with us, too, as it were, so that we shall, like Jonathan, have a rich reward; we shall have joy in our hearts in the satisfaction of loving One who is so worthy to be loved.

King Saul did not allow David to return to his home, but David went wherever Saul sent him, and he behaved himself so wisely that everyone praised him, and Saul set him over his men of war.

When the people came back from pursuing the Philistines, women came out of the different cities. to meet King Saul. They were full of joy, and singing and dancing. As they were singing, they would call to one another, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”

Saul was very angry when he heard what they sang, because they said David had done greater things than he, and he said: “They ascribe to David ten thousand, and to me only thousand, what more can he have but the kingdom?” Probably, Saul began to feel that David was the man God had chosen, and the one of whom Samuel had said that God would give the kingdom to his neighbor, who was better than he. From that time, Saul envied David, and hated him.

The next day, the evil spirit that God had allowed to trouble Saul, came upon him, and David played on h’s harp as he used to do. But it did not soothe Saul as it did formerly. The king’s hatred was too great. All at once he took the spear which was in his hand and threw it at David, thinking to pin him to the wall, but David jumped aside, and the spear passed without hurting him. Twice this happened, and Saul was afraid of David, because he saw that the Lord was with him, and the king made him captain over the soldiers, and sent him away with the army. David’s men all loved him, and so did the people. He was very wise, and right in all his ways. The Lord was with h’m, and kept him wherever he went. But Saul hated him more and more, and though he was afraid to kill him, himself, he thought that he would send him to battle that the Philistines might kill him, foolishly forgetting that God could keep his anointed from them as well as from 11:ni. After this, Saul \pretended to be very kind to David, and offered him his eldest daughter in marriage, but David answered he was only a poor man, why should he become the king’s son-in-law? But when the time came, she married someone else. It was told Saul that his younger daughter, Michal, loved David, and Saul, quite pleased, told him that instead of riches he would ask in exchange for his daughter a hundred dead Philistines, for he supposed that David could not fight so many without being killed. But David was glad, and went off, and killed two hundred Philistines; then Saul gave him his daughter, and she became his wife. Saul became more and more afraid of David, as he saw that God prospered him, and was with him, and with it his hatred and envy became also stronger, and he was David’s confirmed enemy. As to the people, when they saw how wisely the young man behaved himself, their esteem and love grew for him.

Messages of God’s Love 3/8/1914

God's Protecting Care

A NOBLEMAN relates the following story:
In December 1855 my wife and I made a sledge journey to my parents-in-law, in order to spend the following day in honor of my father-in-law’s birthday. We left our half-year old twins at home under the care of an old nurse, whom we could fully trust.

We spent a very happy day with each other. Towards evening, however, my wife expressed the wish to return home, as she felt anxious about the children. I was also seized with the same wish, and as the frost had become less severe, making us fear that thaw would set in, which would have hindered us very much with our sleighing, we decided to return home that same evening.

It was a splendid journey. The horses just flew over the frozen ground, so that we advanced very rapidly. About nine o’clock we reached the outskirts of a large wood. Our horses, in entering the wood, began to show unmistakable signs of restlessness. They would rear high up, and then suddenly fly off at a tremendous rate. We could not understand the cause. There was nothing round about to account for this strange behavior. In the distance we heard sharp howls of dogs. Apart from that, nothing was to be seen or heard.

With astonishing speed the horses raced on. Franz, our old coachman, did all he could to quiet them, but in vain. Meantime the howls came nearer. I looked around and saw two great hungry dogs running behind our sleigh. “Let them come near,” I cried to Franz, “and give them a dose of the whip.” The old man turned around. “O, master,” he cried in terror, “they are wolves!”

I had never seen a wolf, as they had long ceased to visit that neighborhood. But Franz, who had spent all his life there, knew them of old. The intense frost of that winter must have driven the animals from their usual haunts into the neighboring districts, which they formerly avoided, and hunger had made them bloodthirsty.

As we were unarmed, our safety lay in the speed of our horses. We urged them on with the whip, but our pursuers followed close on our heels. My wife sat next to me, stiff with horror and white with fear. Both of us seemed to feel already the hot breath of these terrible beasts.

When they drew nearer to us, Franz threw his fur cloak to them. Furiously they threw themselves on this prey, so that we gained a little on them.

But this trick did not help us much, for soon they were on us again. What would become of us? Would we finally become their victims? O, how we cried to God in our anguish!

And God helped us. We succeeded in reaching our home. Fortunately the gate in the high hedge that surrounded the ground, stood open. In a flash we were in the courtyard; the wolves hesitated a moment, and before they could follow us, Franz had closed the gate. We were saved.

Immediately we went to the room where our children slept. But how shall I describe our new terror, when thick, heavy smoke met us. I sprang to the door and opened it. My wife shrieked aloud. The nurse lay in her bed insensible, the children looked pale in the cradle. We carried all three into our bedroom, and to our unspeakable joy succeeded after some time in bringing them to consciousness. We then discovered how the fire occurred. A piece of burning peat must have fallen out of the fire when they were already sleeping. The dry wooden floor had caught fire and the thick smoke resulted. Had we arrived a quarter of an hour later, we would have found our two darlings, as well as their nurse, corpses. That night I learned what true thanksgiving is. Such anguish the pursuit of the wolves had given us, yet these very bloodthirsty brutes had served in the wonderful counsel of God to spur on our horses to greater speed, so that we might not come to our children too late.

Yes, God reigns. Even the wild animals of the woods must obey Him when He protects His own.

“O, THAT MEN WOULD PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN.” Psa. 107:8.

Messages of God’s Love 3/8/1914

The Child That Died

WHERE is he now? He is yet living somewhere, but Where? Is he now in heaven? .

I know a father who is a professed Christian. He had one child that he loved more than the rest, and that child died.’ And now, though years have passed, the thought of that lost child is a source of bitter anguish to that father’s heart. He fears his boy is not in heaven. He remembers his child was a sinner, but he does not remember that he ever repented. He knows that business kept bin, from teaching his boy the way to heaven and God. He cries, “O, that I could believe otherwise. My boy! O, my boy! Is, my child in heaven?”

That father neglected the soul of his boy, that he might heap up gold for him; but the boy is gone, and now the father would gladly give all his gold could be bring him back for one week, but it is too late now.

O, that those parents who are striving so earnestly for the present welfare of their children, and are so ‘careless about their eternal good, could look on the anguish of this father. To him the thought of meeting that neglected child in .the judgment is agony; and would not .the same thought cause them like pain, had they .as clear a view of truth as he?

Messages of God’s Love 3/8/1914

Timothy

THE aged apostle Paul, in the very last letter he wrote before he went home to be with Christ, said to Timothy, “ From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:15.

Timothy had a godly mother and grandmother, and they had, taught him to love the Word of God, but you see it was not being their child that saved him. They were persons of faith, but it was not because they had faith in Christ that could save Timothy, but it was his own faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that saved him.

He was a very useful man in the work of the Lord, and much beloved and valued by Paul, as we see almost every time Paul speaks of him. (Rom. 16:21; 1 Cor. 16:10; Phil. 1:1; Phil. 2:19-22; 1 Tim, 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:5.)

Paul tells him that the man of God could find all the instruction he would need for his work in the service of God in those very same Scriptures that he had known from a child.

The Lord wants to have. a people in this world who will confess Him before men, and prove that they are not their own, but His, for He has bought them with His precious blood— that He has died for them, that they should-not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him, their living Lord and Master in heaven.

“YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN, FOR YE ARE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE: THEREFORE GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY AND IN YOUR SPIRIT WHICH ARE GOD’S.” 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.

Messages of God’s Love 3/15/1914

The Borrowed Pledge

ONE of the first colonists in the Western States was a judge named White. He was a God-fearing man, cheerful, brave and decided in all his actions.

The place where he had settled was in the primeval forest; round about him roamed the first inhabitants of America, the wild, Indian races. In the judge’s family also lived his daughter, a young widow, who, since the death of her husband, had gone to dwell in her father’s home, along with her little four-year-old son, a happy, beautiful child.

This kind colonist considered it his first duty, as far as possible, to win the confidence of the surrounding Indians. With this object he sought to enter into a treaty with their chiefs, which would lead to lasting friendship. He did everything he could think of, to prove his honest intentions. Most of the chiefs, through curiosity and partly through selfishness, were drawn into good will towards the unknown white man, for White did not fail to give them many presents. Thus he succeeded gradually in fastening himself in the confidence of these savages, and in moving them to make a bond of friendship with-him. But one, and he, the most powerful and influential of the chiefs, on whose friendship the safety of White mostly depended, still kept himself aloof. He was called Sachem. Our friend did not abandon the hope of winning him over, too. He sent often to him, and one day a messenger brought the joyful news that the mighty chief would appear next day in all his exalted dignity to confer with the white stranger.

The next day, at the appointed time, the great man really appeared adorned with all the trappings of his chieftain’s office.

On his head, he wore the well-known crown of eagle feathers; round his neck a chain of bear’s claws; coat and leggings of leather, and on his feet, moccasins. A wide mantle completed the picturesque costume. Sachem was received with the honors suited to his rank and led into the house.

“What is the wish of my brother?” asked the chief with dignity, after all had been seated.

“We wish to dwell in peace among our red brothers,” answered White quietly, “and to bring them the rich blessings of Christian teaching and civilization. We only ask for your respect and friendship.” The chief listened with unmoved face. After a pause he replied in dignified tones:

“The words of my white brother sound very beautiful; but he promises more than he demands. What pledge can he give that his words are true and not false?”

“Have I not trusted my life and the lives of my children to the hands of my red brothers, and thus proved how much I depend on their friendship?” said the judge,

“This will I say to my brother,” answered the chief with expression. “Such a general proof of confidence is not enough for me. I wish to have from my brother a personal proof of his confidence.” With these words he clasped little four-year-old Alfred, who, for a long time, had been sitting lost in wonder at the beautifully adorned strange man, the shining pearls and eagle feathers, and continued:

“My brother will show his trust in me if he gives me this boy with the golden hair for three days. I give my brother my word to bring him back again unhurt.”

The mother of the boy, who had noticed with horror the movements of the Indian, on hearing his words became deadly pale. As she saw the dark sunken eyes of the chief fixed on her, she could no longer control her feelings. With a terrified cry, she rushed to the little one, took him in her arms from the Indian, and started to go outside, but her father, who was no less horrified than she at the chief’s proposal, but who knew well, that much depended at that moment on how they acted, held her back and said to her in English:

“Margaret, do listen to me a moment. Your little one is as much my son as yours.

Therefore, I would not have a hair of his little head harmed, as you can believe. But we must not show this chief our mistrust in him, or all is lost. God, who has protected our dear child up till now, will be his protector and preserver in the wigwam of the chief. And if we have trusted each of our lives into the hands of the Indians, should we not give our little Alfred to their protection for three days?”

The father’s—Sensible words did not fail to have their right effect. The young mother saw that if they did not wish to mortally offend the Indian and make him their enemy for life, she must consent to his wish, and part with her boy.

Then, with her lips tightly pressed together to conceal her pain and anguish, she stepped up to the chief, sat the boy on his knees, then overpowered by her inner feelings, burst out into bitter tears.

It seemed as though a trace of sympathy and pity swept over the noble countenance of the Indian, as he looked for a brief moment at the weeping mother. Then he took the boy, who did not betray any unwillingness to go with the strange red man, and leading him by the hand, in a moment had disappeared into the forest.

Hours of anxious waiting slowly passed in the colonists’ home. The poor mother gave herself over to the most dismal thoughts as to the fate of her poor Alfred. What would they be doing with him? Would he be nursed and caressed as he was accustomed to; or would he be roughly handled, receive blows, or perhaps tortured? Would these dreadful men not try to make a savage of him, and tattoo and paint his white, pure skin? With such thoughts, the poor mother grieved and tormented, herself unceasingly. The restless, torn heart was not in a condition to look up in faith to Him who is enthroned above all, and can turn the hearts of men,, even .heathen hearts, like streams of water.

The grandfather tried to comfort his poor daughter, but though he succeeded to show no anxiety outwardly, yet he was not entirely free from sorrow. Well he believed in the protecting Hand of God, who protected a Joseph among the Ishmaelites, and was near him in the prison, who saved Daniel out of the jaws of the lions, and out of the burning fiery furnace brought the three Hebrew children, unhurt. He called back to memory these and many other examples of God’s power to protect and save; yet, in spite of that, there came into his heart the painful thought, whether it was not a mad and foolish thing to hand over this little innocent boy into the hands of the cruel Indian.

In this way passed two days and three nights. At last the third day dawned. But how unspeakably slow the sun in the heavens seemed to travel. The poor mother trembled and shook in anxious expectation. Midday drew on, yet nothing was to be seen of the eagerly expected one. Afternoon passed—of the chief and the child there was still no trace! Lost in tears, the almost desperate mother was on her knees on the spot where she had handed over her child to the Indian. The judge was tormented by deep restlessness and bitter self-accusations. Not a moment did he remain in one place; one minute he was in the room; the next, in the stable; then again on the road on which Sachem had gone three days ago with the boy. But, however much he strained his eyes, nothing could he see. Black and impenetrable lay the silent forest before him.

The sun was dipping below the horizon and now White was considering the question, whether he should not go himself and get his boy back from the chief, when suddenly his sharp eyes saw between the trees the nodding eagle feathers, which adorned the head of the chief. With a loud cry, he hurried into the house to give his daughter the good news. With what feelings of joy his message was received, may be left to the lively imagination of my little readers. The joy was almost too much for the heart of the mother. With a shriek of joy, she dashed out, and in another moment little Alfred, entirely clothed like an Indian, with a bunch of feathers on his head and brilliant-colored ornaments on his arms and legs, was in the arms of his overjoyed mother.

“My white brother has won,” said the chief quietly. “Peace and friendship shall be between him and his red brothers.” With that, he turned about and disappeared in the shadows of the trees. Our colonist and his family from thenceforth lived in peace and quietness among the wild Indian tribes.

This is a simple but yet striking story, is it not, my dear young readers? Do you not remember another one, still more striking, and above all, with deeper results? You know well what I mean. In this one, mother and grandfather gave up their beloved child to a savage in order to secure for themselves a peaceful life in the dangerous forest. God, however, gave up His only begotten, well-beloved Son into the hands of wicked men, more real savages, although He knew beforehand that they would illtreat and murder Him, Why did He do that? For His own sake? No, but for your sakes; for love to you, that you, through faith in the shed blood of Jesus, might have a quiet, happy life. Yes, and happy for eternity.

Ah, my dear friends, have you thanked God that He gave up His dearly beloved Son into the hands of evil men, that you might be saved from everlasting death? And have you accepted Him, the Lamb of God, as your Saviour? On the answer of this question depends your eternal happiness. “He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” That is a glorious and at the same time a very solemn word. Which will you choose, “Everlasting Life,” or “The Wrath of God”? O, decide now for the first, so that sudden destruction may not come upon you, and you perish forever.

Messages of God’s Love 3/15/1914

The City of Venice

CAN you imagine living in , a city built on little islands, and having streets of water? That is the kind of city we have in our picture—the narrow strip of water you see, is called a canal, and there are one, hundred and fifty canals like this in the city, and the people have to use boats on these canals, to go from one building to another, or one of the many bridges. There are over three hundred bridges there.

This city is called Venice, and is noted for its beauty; it has wonderful buildings, and grand works of art. This city is far from us—away across the ocean on the coast of Italy. Do you ever expect to see it?

There is a place, however, far, far more wonderful in beauty than this city of Venice, and, dear children, every one of you may go there some day, if you just will. Do you know where this place is? There is only one way of getting there. Look in your Bibles at John 14:2. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you,” and that place is in heaven.

Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions,” but you can never get to those beautiful mansions, unless you find Him as your Saviour now, while you are down here. He said again, in verse six, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” So believing in Jesus now, is the only way to get to that beautiful place, where all children want to go. But you would be very, very unhappy there, if you had not learned to love Jesus while on earth, and had not been cleansed from your sins. People only will be there who can say that they were lost, and then were “redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.”

Messages of God’s Love 3/22/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 122. Samuel 19.

David Persecuted

PAUL was not satisfied merely to try to kill David himself, but he ordered Jonathan and all of his servants to attempt to take the life of the youth.

But Jonathan loved David greatly, and went to him and told him that his father sought to kill him, but he advised him to hide himself in a secret place until the morning, and he would go and speak with his father about David and let him know all about it.

Jonathan then went, to the king, his father, and reminded him of all the good which David had done them, and of what a sin it would be to put to death one who had taken his life in his hands to, deliver them from their enemy, Goliath the Philistine, and how glad Saul was at the time when David accomplished this great salvation, and should he now shed innocent blood without a cause? It was nice to see Jonathan stand up so faithfully for his friend in the presence of one who hated him.

How beautiful, too, to see young Christian boys and girls stand up for their Saviour before the world who does not want Him! How pleased the Lord is when He sees us loyal to Him in this day of His rejection! Jonathan’s words had some influence over Saul, and for a while the king was repentant, and declared that David should not be killed. Jonathan, therefore, called David, and told him what his father had said, and brought him back again to the king’s house, as in times past.

But Saul’s hatred and jealousy were only quieted for a short time. In another battle against the Philistines, David killed many of them. He defeated them, and they fled from him. Saul, of course, found in that another reason for desiring to kill him. He tried to do so while David Was playing on his harp before him. The spear Saul threw at him struck the wall, and David escaped from the house that night. Saul sent men to watch David’s house, with orders to kill him in the morning. But during the night, his wife, Michal, told him to escape, and she let him down through a window. When he had gone, she took an image, and covered it with a sheet, put a pillow for its head, and laid it in bed in the place of David. When the men came in the morning and asked for David, she told them he was sick. The messengers came a second time from Saul, with orders to bring him in his bed, that he might kill him. Of course, he soon found out the deception, and was angry with his daughter, but she said David had threatened to kill her if she did not help him to escape.

David had gone to Ramah, where Samuel, the prophet, lived, and he told the godly old man all his troubles, and stayed with him for a while. But it was not long before Saul heard where David was, and he sent men to take him from there, but when the messengers came, they saw a company of prophets prophesying, Samuel standing as appointed over them. The Spirit of God came upon the messengers,, and they also prophesied. Three times Saul sent men, and every time the same thing happened—all the messengers stayed with the prophets, and all came under the power of the Spirit of God, and prophesied also. At last, Saul himself went to Ramah, and when he came up to a well near Ramah, he inquired where Samuel and David were. As he went the Spirit of God come also upon him, and he prophesied until he reached the place where the prophets were; then he stripped himself of his clothes and laid prostrated all that day and night. God took from him the power to hurt David; but although he was made to prophesy, his heart was not changed, for he did not repent of his evil ways, for which God had to forsake him. It was the power of God upon him, forcing him to do His will. Someday, this same power shall force everyone—angels, men and demons—to bow the knee to the Lord Jesus, and acknowledge Him to be Lord, to the glory of God.

But, now, the Spirit of God dwells not upon, but in everyone who has been washed in the precious blood of Jesus. That precious blood, shed upon the cross, has cleansed every heart that receives Jesus as his Saviour, and the moment we can say that Jesus has washed us from our sins in His blood, the Holy Spirit comes and makes His dwelling place within us, never to leave us, but to abide with us forever.

Messages of God’s Love 3/22/1914

The Water Seller

IN the East, that is, the Holy Land and Egypt, the sun shines far more than it does here, sometimes for many months it does not rain at all.

It is very hot all the time. The people want water to drink, very much, and they prize it far more than we do. Men go about the streets—they call them “bazaars” there—selling water. They have a large earthen jar, cased in wickerwork, slung over their shoulders by straPsa. This jar has a long, neck. In their right hand they carry two small brass cups, which they knock together, making a clicking noise as they wall, about. They have a sort of song or cry; the words are, “Water! water! O, come and drink, ye thirsty ones.” And when people come to buy, they tip the jar so that the spout comes over the shoulder, and with great skill, they fill the little cups with water. For a cupful, they get a very small bit of copper money, not as much as half a cent.

Up and down the streets the water seller goes, calling out his little song, and when he meets anyone, he will cry, “Ho, gentleman,” or “Here pilgrim, come and buy.”

If you look at the fifty-fifth chapter of Isaiah, you will find that this custom of the water carrier is a very old one. We read in the first verse, “Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” What a blessed invitation; why should anyone refuse? And not even that tiny copper coin to pay. When God gives He gives freely; as He tells us again in Rev. 22:17. “Let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Do you know, I believe the great thing is to be thirsty? Are you thirsty? Are you longing to know your sins forgiven, and Jesus as your Saviour? Then you are the very one Jesus is offering the water to.

Sometimes in the East, travelers are very thirsty. One gentleman tells us that he was coming from the wilderness of Engedi, which is a very hot place, and he had two natives, or Bedouin, with him. They had walked a long way, and had drunk up all the water they had; in little skin bags, on their backs. They we re so tired and weary, they did not. know what to do. One of the men said he knew of a good well, and though it was a long way out of the road, they were so thirsty they went to it. Well, when they got to the well, they could not get a drop of water out of it; some wicked people had thrown large rocks down the opening, and choked the well.

Far below, through the little crevices in the rocks, they could see the water, but they could not get the smallest cup through.

Weary and sad, they sat down, and they might have died of thirst right there by the well, had not another Bedouin come by with a skin full of water, and given them each a drink. The traveler was so grateful to this kind man, that he gave him a large piece of silver money. And if we have been very thirsty, and have not been able to find anything down here to satisfy us, and if the blessed Lord Jesus has come by, and freely given us all we need—forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and the promise of a home above with Himself—shall not we feel grateful, too, and long to give all we have to Him.

It was because bad men had stopped up the well that the poor traveler so nearly lost his life. We read in Gen. 26, about the same kind of thing. The patriarch, Isaac, had great numbers of sheep and cattle; and the Philistines, who lived in the land beside him, were so envious of him, that they filled up all the wells, which his father, Abraham, had dug. But Isaac took this patiently, and set his servants to work to dig the wells over again. I could tell you a great deal more about this subject, but I am afraid there is only time today to describe to you the skin bottles in which the people in the East still carry water when going a long distance. The skin is either a goat or sheep skin. It is sewed up in the middle, the legs are ‘sewed up too, and the water is poured in at the neck, which is then tied by a piece of leather or string.

However, when the women are bringing, water from the well, they use an earthen jar with two handles, which they carry on their heads, and they also have large waterpots, which stand in the houses, and hold a supply of water.

The first of these reminds us of that poor Samaritan woman who, when she found out that it was really the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ she had been talking to at the well, left her waterpot, and ran to bring all she knew to the Saviour. And the large jars which stand in the house, do they not make us think of that wonderful miracle in Canna of Galilee, when, at the wedding feast, Jesus turned those six waterpots of water into wine? (John 2.)

Messages of God’s Love 3/22/1914

Do I Love Jesus?

I WANT you, my dear young readers, to make .this a personal question, and do answer it’ thoughtfully. I am very emphatic, and I will tell you why.

A gentleman was speaking in a gospel meeting some time ago, and there was One very attentive listener present every evening, whose name was Lottie, and she used to walk home with him every evening after the meeting; so one night as he was wishing her “Good by,” he said, “Lottie, do you love Jesus?” She said that she did.

“Have you ever thanked Him for loving you?” he asked.

“‘No,” she replied. He told her to thank Jesus for loving her before she went to sleep that night, and she promised to do so. As she knelt in prayer that night, she felt that she had not told the truth, and she wept tears of repentance. The next night she came with a bright face, beaming with joy, and said, “O, Mr. H., I told you a story last night. I said I loved Jesus, and I really did not; but I do now, and I have thanked Him for His love.”

Before the meetings closed, she brought her sister to Jesus, and they are both happy in His love.

So, my dear young friends, Do you love Jesus? If so, have you ever–thanked Him for loving you? “We love Him because He first loved us.”

I am Jesus’ little lamb,

Washed in Jesus’ blood I am;

Now I’m sheltered from all harm,

Hallelujah.!

“NOW, THEREFORE, OUR GOD; WE THANK THEE, AND PRAISE THY GLORIOUS NAME.” 2 Chron. 29:13.

Messages of God’s Love 3/22/1914

Hardships

HOW many of our dear readers have comforts in this life and yet are dissatisfied, not thinking how they may be helping others who are in worse circumstances, or rather those who have nothing?

Here we have before us the picture of a poor boy who is trying to earn a little money by sweeping the crossing for some who may be well dressed and would not want to get their shoes soiled.

We may not find any boys in this country doing work of that kind, but we will find plenty who are just as poor, seeking to earn a few cents in some other way in every city. Have you ever thought, dear child, how you might be able to help such, and use that as a means to get them to know Jesus as their Saviour? I, Perhaps some who read these lines have not found the Lord Jesus as their own Saviour as yet, and they may be living in all the selfishness of this life, getting every good thing they can for themselves, and not even thinking of where they are going to spend their eternity: If it is so with you, dear reader, I beg of you to stop and consider where you are going, and take your place as a poor needy sinner, accept the Saviour who died for sinners as your own; elf you do this you will think of His love to you in giving His life for you; then it will be an easy matter to seek the good of others, doing to them the good you can, and telling them too of Jesus as their Saviour.

May all my readers get a helpful lesson from this picture before us.

“HE THAT HATH PITY UPON THE POOR LENDETH UNTO THE LORD; AND THAT WHICH HE HATH GIVEN WILL HE PAY HIM AGAIN.” Prov. 19:17,

Messages of God’s Love 3/29/1914

A Millionaire's Daughter

IN one of the fashionable Squares of New York City, the young and beautiful daughter of one of America’s merchant princes, lay dying. She had been brought up for the world, educated to move in the highest society, and nothing that money could buy or give was spared upon her. Talented, and lovable, she was the idol of her parents and the charm of the circle in which she moved. But wealth and greatness do not always give happiness, nor can they for one hour ward off the stroke of death or postpone that moment of moments in a human life, when the soul, dissevered from the body, appears before a high and holy God, to give to Him its account.

Lying on the confines of the eternal world, surrounded by skilled but baffled physicians, the dying girl turned to her mother, and, in a voice quivering with intense agony, said: “Mother, dear, I am dying. I know it; I feel it. Very soon I shall be gone from this gay world, with all it hollow pleasures, into which you led me, to shine in which you taught me, but you never told me of an Eternity beyond. Now my feet are on its brink, and to me it is dark and all unknown. I was never told about it, or allowed to go where I might hear how to be prepared to enter upon it. Take my jewels and bury them with me; let my name and memory be forgotten, for I have lived only for the world, and I know I have lost my soul!: Then fixing her dying eyes upon both her parents, who stood, in tears, by her side,. she cried in anguish, “Yes, 1 am going, going into an unknown Eternity, and you have been the means of my damnation.” And thus she died. Terrible end of a wasted life! Awful foretaste of the remorse and the agony of hell. Reader, are you a worldling, living only for the present, neglecting your soul, rejecting God’s salvation? Beware! The hour will come in which you must leave the world and all its pleasures. Where will you be then? To what destiny does time bear you on? To heaven or to hell?

Messages of God’s Love 3/29/1914

Glory, Glory, Glory

(The following hymn was composed by a poor Indian woman.)

I’m glad I ever saw the day,

Sing glory, glory, glory,

When first I learned to sing and pray

Of glory, glory, glory.

‘Tis glory’s foretaste makes me sing

Of glory, glory, glory,

And praise my Saviour who is King,

Like those who dwell in glory.

A few more rising suns at most,

Sing glory, glory, glory,

And we shall join the ransomed host,

In glory, glory, glory.

And in the air we soon shall meet,

In glory, glory, glory,

Then cast our crowns down at His feet,

In glory, glory, glory.

Come, sinners, come along with us,

To glory, glory, glory,

There’s room enough in that blest place

Where Jesus dwells in glory.

Believe, repent, seek holiness

And glory, glory, glory,

For God does freely give us grace

And glory, glory, glory.

More than fifty years ago a young man, who was a clerk in a large mercantile house, was sent by his employer to settle some business with a gentleman who lived in the same town. The young man arrived at the house just as the family were at dinner, and was shown into a room to wait for a little while.

He had not been there long before he heard a little step in the passage, and presently the door was opened and a rosy face peeped in. The young man was very fond of children, so he smiled and beckoned, and then a little girl of about three years old came shyly into the room. She was a lovely little child with bright, fair hair, which hung down her neck in long, natural curls.

She soon became friends with her father’s visitor, who took her on his knee, and began to talk to her. He was, as I said, very fond of . children, but he remembered that there was another who loved them even better than he did, and he thought of Christ’s love, and how, if He had been there. He would have taken the dear child up in His arms, and blessed her. He wished to know if this little girl had heard of the love of Jesus, but he soon found that she had not, nor had she learned any hymns or verses of Scripture.

Perhaps you think that she was too young to be taught much. But even young children can understand that God loves them, and wishes them to be happy; and that they have bad hearts, and love what is wrong more than what is right; and that because God must punish sin, Jesus died to save them from the punishment of sin.

The young man told the little girl of Jesus and how He loves children, and what He did and suffered to save them, and bring them to heaven; and then he taught her the following verse:

“I’m glad I ever saw the clay,

Sing glory, glory, glory,

When first I learned to sing and pray

Of glory, glory, glory.

‘Tis glory’s foretaste makes me sing

Of glory, glory, glory,

And praise my Saviour who is King,

Like those who dwell in glory.”

He made her repeat these lines once or twice, and sang them for her, and as she was quite delighted, he went on to teach her two verses of the Bible. ‘they were these: “Jesus said, Suffer little children to come unto Me;” and, “He shall carry the lambs in His bosom.”

At last the gentleman came in, and, smiling, told his little girl to run away, and then he and the young man went on with their business, but as there was not time to finish it, he was asked to call again in a few days.

When he came again the gentleman was once more engaged, and once more he was asked to wait in the same room as before. He had not been there many minutes when the door was thrown open, and the little girl came running in. She put her hands before her laughing face, and, resting them on his knees, repeated in eager tones the two texts and the verse of the hymn.

You can think how pleased her friend was to hear how well his lesson was remembered; and when the child said, “Tell me more pretty verses about Jesus,” he took out from his pocket a little book of hymns, which he gave her, and told her to ask her mamma to teach her some of them, and to read to her about Jesus.

Some weeks later the young man had to go to the house again with a message, and as the gentleman was out of town, the lady of the house came down to speak to him, bringing her little girl with her, She instantly ran to her friend, and jumping round him, began to repeat her verses.

He was not quite sure whether the mother would be pleased, with what he had done for her child; but she thanked him kindly for his attention to her, saying that she was continually begging her to read tie verses and hymns she had learned, and to teach her others, and that she would be much obliged if he would shoe her what the child meant.

The young man drew out his Bible, and showed the lady the passages, and spoke a few words to her; and then, kissing the lovely child, he went away, and for about six months saw nothing of her.

He did not, however, forget her, and often wished his business would again take him to the house. At last he became so anxious to see his little friend that, being in the same street, he rang the bell, and asked if he might speak to the lady. The servant asked him in, and in a short time the mother came downstairs. As soon as she saw him she burst into tears. “Oh! sir,” she cried, “my child, will you come and see her?”

The young man, dreading to hear what had happened, followed the mother upstairs into a room where the little girl was sitting up in bed. She was in a high fever, and her beautiful hair was all tossed about. She was quite delirious, and knew no one, but she continued unconsciously to say or sing her hymns and verses of the Bible. Sometimes she would sing nearly a whole verse correctly, and then only the words, “Glory, Glory,” and then throw herself down, and murmur a text.

The young man looked at the weeping mother. “Dear madam,” he began, but could say ‘no more until he had looked up in his sorrow to the kind Saviour whom the little sufferer had learned to love, and prayed Him to heal the broken in heart. He then said a few words of comfort to the lady, who told him how good and patient the little child had been during her illness. “And now,” she cried, “I shall lose her; oh, it breaks my heart!”

Next morning early, the young man was sent by his employer to a distant town on business, and did not return till the next evening, when he went at once to inquire for the little girl.

“Oh! sir,” said the servant who opened the door, “my mistress thought you would have come sooner.”

He said, “I could not; may I go up:”

“Yes,” she replied, and be went quickly to the sick room. The father and mother were sitting by the bed on which the little child was quietly lying. The fever was gone, and as the young man bent over her, she put her little hand into his and said, “You are the gentleman who taught me about Jesus.”

“I’m glad I ever saw the day, Sing glory, glory,”—

She stopped, and, closing her eyes, she lay very still for a few minutes; then opening them again, she looked at the young man, who had put his hand under her head, and said, “Jesus said, ‘Suffer the little children to come unto Me,’ He will carry the lambs in His bosom.”‘ The eyelids dropped again, the little hand fell powerless, and the child was gone. The bosom of Jesus had received her forever.

This is a true story. Do not say, “It is very pretty,” and think no more of it. Do you think it was by accident that the young man was left so long alone with the little child, and taught her to love Jesus? Do you think it is by accident that you have godly friends or good books, or the Bible, or even this little story put into your hands? Oh! no, God has given you the means of grace that He may also give you the hope of glory. Would you rather be like that dear child singing of glory until her happy spirit flew away to glory, or like a boy I have heard of whose bad words to his nurse shocked everyone who heard him on his dying bed? If you would like to die as this child to the glory of God, or live like the young man to the glory of God, listen now to the voice of Jesus, the good Shepherd, calling the lambs to His bosom, and then you will be able to sing—

“I’m glad I ever saw the day.

Sing glory, glory, glory,

When first I learned to sing and pray

Of glory, glory, glory.”

Messages of God’s Love 3/29/1914

Bible Questions for April

Answers to Bible Questions for February

“For by Him were all things,” etc. Col. 1:16.

“For we are His workmanship,” etc. Eph. 2:10.

“And hath put all things,” etc. Eph. 1:22.

“But though we, or an angel,” etc. Gal. 1:8.

“And He is head of the body,” etc. Col. 1:18.

“I am crucified with Christ,” etc. Gal. 2:20.

“Who, being in the form of God,” etc. Phil. 2:6.

Bible Questions for April

The answers are to be found in James, 1St and 2nd Peter, 1St, 2nd and 3rd John and Jude.

Write the verse containing the words: “ Draweth nigh.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Corruptible.” “Incorruptible.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Deceiver.” “Antichrist.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Love of God.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Walk in truth.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Thief in the night.”

Write the verse containing the words: “An advocate.”

Messages of God’s Love 4/5/1914

The Blood of Christ

AN old herdsman in England was taken to a London .hospital. He was very ill, and the doctors gave no hope of his recovery. His little grandchild used often to come and see him, and she would then read to him out of the Bible. One day she was reading the first chapter of. the first Epistle of John, and came to the words “And the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. The old man raised himself up and stopped the little girl, saying with great earnestness:

“Is that there, my dear?”

“Yes, grandpa,” she replied, “it is.”

“Then,” said he, “read it to me again I have never heard it before.”

She read it again.

“You are quite sure it is written there?” he said again.

“Yes, quite sure, grandpa,” was the child’s answer.

“Then take my hand, and lay my finger on the passage, for I want to feel it.”

She took the old blind man’s hand and placed his bony finger on the verse, when he said, “Now, read it to me again.”

With a soft, sweet voice, she read, “And the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.”

Again he asked eagerly, “And you are not making a mistake; you are perfectly sure that is in the Bible?”

“Yes, perfectly certain, grandpa.”

“Then,” said the old man, sinking back on his pillow, “if anyone should ask how I died, tell them I died in the faith of those words, ‘The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” Soon after, he passed away, peaceful and happy in the sense of all his sin being put away by that one perfect sacrifice.

Messages of God’s Love 4/5/1914

The Three Brothers

I’LL have Christ tonight, Doctor, I’ll trust Him now. I do trust Him. Thank God, I see it all. I believe in Him and I am saved.”

This confession of faith came rapidly from the lips of a young man, as tears fell fast from his eyes, one Sunday evening, some years ago, in the Free-masons’ hall, Edinburgh. A crowded Gospel meeting was followed by an after meeting, to which some hundreds remained. At the far end of the hall, I noticed three young men, aged between twenty to thirty, sitting together, who were strangers to me.

Getting into conversation with one of them, whose name was J., I said, “May I ask you if you are a Christian, sir?”

“I am sorry to say I am not, but I wish I were,” was his reply. By his side sat a younger man named T., to whom I put a similar question.

“No, but I wish I were,” he immediately replied, as he burst into tears.

“Are you on the Lord’s side?” I then said to the eldest of the three, whose name was S.

“I wish I was a Christian, with all my heart, but I am sorry to say I am not one yet,” was his answer.

“I suppose you three young fellows are companions?” was my next query.

“We are brothers,” was the answer.

“So you are brothers, are you, and each anxious to be saved?

“Yes, very anxious, if only we knew how to be.”

“I don’t remember your faces; have you been in this hall before?”

“O, yes; we have been coming here for two- months to hear you preach.”

“And now, you are really anxious to be the Lord’s, and to be saved by His grace.”

`’That is just it, if we only knew how,” was their joint reply, acutely emphasized by the emotion and tears of the youngest brother, T.

“Well, God’s salvation is a very simple matter. ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, was what the Philippian jailer was told. He believed and was saved that same night. You must do as he did, each of you. Just trust the Lord Jesus. You have found out that you are guilty lost sinners, which is a fact, and a most serious one, too! I would urge each of you, before you leave this hall, to have this matter of your soul’s salvation settled. You have but to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, receive Him by simple faith in His name, and the matter will be settled.”

At this point, as there were many other anxious inquirers in the hall, with whom I wished to speak, I asked another servant of the Lord to converse with the three brothers, which he did, while, for nearly an hour, I was dealing with other inquirers. By this time the second meeting had closed and all had gone away, but a doctor and a railway guard, who joined me as I drew near again to the young men. I found them as I had left them, still undecided, and then asked them:

“Do you each really wish this matter settled tonight?”

“We do, we do,” was the immediate answer.

“Then get down on your knees before God and in His holy presence, believe His Word, trust His dear Son, and He will save you on the spot. We will pray for you.”

Acting on this advice, they fell down on their knees, as also did I and my two friends. I prayed first, beseeching the Lord to enable them simply to believe in Him, and boldly confess His name. The doctor followed in similar earliest entreaty, when T., the youngest of the three, still weeping, suddenly burst out:

“I’ll have Christ tonight, doctor; I’ll trust Him now. I do trust Him. Thank God, I see it all. I believe in Him, and I am saved!”

This blessed confession of Christ naturally stopped the doctor in the middle of his prayer, so I suggested to him to finish it, as there were still two unsaved. He then continued his prayer to the Lord, mingled with hearty thanksgiving for T.’s salvation.

Then the railway guard, whose voice I had never- before heard in prayer—greatly moved in his spirit—plead most fervently with God for the other two. He had not, however, been long so engaged when the eldest brother S., with tears of joy exclaimed:

“I’ll have Him, too! I will! I will! Christ for me, too! I’ll trust Him also! I believe Him! Christ is mine I Thank God!”

Dead silence, only broken by sobs, now reigned, for the guard was stopped in his prayer. At length I suggested:

“You might finish your prayer, dear brother. There is still one to be saved. The Lord will forgive the interruption I am sure. I fear that prayer to Him is not often thus interrupted.”

The guard finished his prayer, as best he could, through his tears. Then J.’s voice was heard,

“If I only knew what it was to believe in my heart, and confess with my mouth, I would do it.”

“That is easily explained,” said I to him. “Let us turn to the Scripture which refers to this.” So we opened our Bibles and read:

“The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith, whosoever believeth in Him shall not be ashamed.” (Rom. 10.)

“That is a very plain Gospel for simple souls, and shows how you get right with God and with man. You get right with God in your heart, and you get right with man by your mouth. Are you prepared, J., to confess Christ before men?”

“I would not be ashamed to do so now,” was his immediate reply.

“Very good. Do you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead?” “Most certainly, I do.”

“Would God have raised Him from the dead if He had not effected the work of atonement for which He died?”

“I don’t think He would.”

“You may be absolutely certain that He would not have done so. But the question is, for whom did He die?”

“He died for sinners.”

“Can you tell me one sinner that you are sure He died for?”

“He died for me. I am sure now that He died for me.”

“You believe that Jesus died for you, bearing you sins, and God’s judgment of them?”

“I do believe that, with all my heart.”

“Thank God for that; and do you further believe that God raised Him from the dead?”

“Yes, I truly believe that also,” was J.’s fervent reply.

“Now then, if Christ died for your sins, and God has raised Him from the dead, what does that prove? That the sins remain unatoned for, or that they are blotted out from God’s sight forever?”

“O, it proves that God is satisfied, and that my sins are blotted out by Jesus’ blood.”

“Quite true, and you may surely now know that you are saved. Observe the two conditions, and the conclusion of the verse you partly quoted just now, ‘If thou shalt (1) confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and (2) believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, (3) thou shalt be saved. Could anything be plainer or simpler?”

“I see it, I am saved, too, thank God!” quietly responded J., as his soul slipped into the peace and rest of God’s salvation, and joy beamed in his face.

(To be continued.)

Messages of God’s Love 4/5/1914

Giving of Thanks

MANY of our young readers, from their early days, have been taught to give thanks to the Lord for everything they receive, and how good it is to know while young that God is the One who gives us all things. We know that we brought nothing into this world, and that we can carry nothing out of it, so it is evident that God has given us all things. Our place is, according to His Word, to be

“GIVING THANKS ALWAYS FOR ALL THINGS UNTO GOD AND THE FATHER IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” Eph. 5:20.

So, whether it is little or much, it becomes us all to give thanks to God.

There is one gift God has given us above all else, and that is His only begotten Son. He gave Him as a Saviour for us. Have you ever thanked God for such a Saviour? He is the only and competent Saviour and the One who saves to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him. So we can truly say, God hath done great things for us, and we should ever give Him praise and thanks for all things, even for the scanty meal; but above all for His unspeakable gift.

Messages of God’s Love 4/5/1914

Protection

O YOU naughty dog, for hurting my kitty! I will not let you get near her again.” So she took kitty in her arms and on her lap for protection, as she looked at the dog with an expression of “I don’t like you.”

It seems as if nearly every creature has a torment. Dogs torment cats and cats torment birds, etc.; but who do you think is the enemy of man? I expect that many of you can readily answer that it is Satan. That is true, and there is a place of safety provided for us, where Satan cannot reach us, and where is that? I believe some will be able to tell me where that is—”Safe in the arms of Jesus”.

Have you, dear reader, gone to the Lord Jesus Christ and put your trust in Him? If you have, you may trust Him for everything, and rejoice in His readiness and ability to save you from sin and Satan and to lead you in the paths of righteousness.

“IT IS BETTER TO TRUST IN THE LORD THAN TO PUT CONFIDENCE IN MAN. IT IS BETTER TO TRUST IN THE LORD THAN TO PUT CONFIDENCE IN PRINCES.” Psa. 118:8, 9.

Messages of God’s Love 4/12/1914

Books of the Bible

EVERY boy and girl ought to know the order of the books of the Bible, and be able to find quickly any passage referred to. This poem may help some to remember them:

In Genesis the world was made

By God’s creative hand;

In Exodus the Hebrews marched

To gain the promised land.

Leviticus contains the law,

Holy and just and good.

Numbers records the tribes enrolled,

All sons of Abraham’s blood.

Moses in Deuteronomy

Records God’s mighty deeds.

Brave Joshua to Canaan’s land

The host of Israel leads;

In Judges their rebellion oft

Provokes the Lord to smite,

But Ruth records the faith of one

Well pleasing in His sight.

In First and Second Samuel

Of Jesse’s son we read.

Ten tribes in First and Second Kings

Revolted from his seed.

The First and Second Chronicles

See Judah captive made,

But Ezra leads a remnant back

By princely Cyrus’ aid.

The city walls of Zion built

By Nehemiah’s men,

While Esther saves her people from

Plots of a wicked man.

In Job we read how faith will live

Beneath affliction’s rod,

And David’s Psalms are precious songs

To every child of God.

The Proverbs like a goodly string

Of choicest pearls appear.

Ecclesiastes teaches man

How vain all things are here.

The mystic Song of Solomon

Exalts sweet Sharon’s rose,

While Christ, the Saviour and the King,

The rapt Isaiah shows.

The warnings Jeremiah give

Apostate Israel scorns;

His plaintive Lamentations o’er

Their awful downfall mourns.

Ezekiel tells in wondrous words

Of dazzling mysteries,

While kings and empires yet to come

Daniel in vision sees.

Of judgment and of mercy rife

Hosea loves to tell.

Joel describes the blessed days

When God with men shall dwell.

Among Tekoa’s herdsmen all

Amos received his call,

While Obadiah prophesies

Of Edom’s final fall.

Jonah enshrines a wondrous type

Of Christ, our risen Lord;

Micah pronounces Israel lost—

Lost, but again restored.

Nahum declares on Nineveh

Just judgment shall be poured.

A view of Chaldea’s coming doom

Habakkuk’s visions give;

Net Zephaniah warns the Jews

To turn, repent and live.

Haggai wrote to those who saw

The temple built again,

And Zechariah prophesied

Of Christ’s triumphant reign.

Malachi, the last who touched

The high prophetic chord;

Its final notes sublimely show

The coming of the Lord.

Matthew and Mark and Luke and John

The holy gospel wrote,

Describing how the Saviour died,

His life and all He taught.

Acts proved how God the apostles owned

With signs in every place;

St. Paul in Romans teaches us

How man is saved by grace.

The apostle in Corinthians

Instructs, exhorts, reproves;

Galatians shows that faith in Christ

Alone the Father loves.

Ephesians and Philippians

Tell what we ought to be.

Colossians bids live to God

And for eternity.

In Thessalonians we are taught

The Lord will come from heaven.

In Timothy and Titus, too,

A bishop’s rule is given.

Philemon marks a Christian’s love,

Which only Christians know.

Hebrews reveals the gospel true

Prefigured by the law.

James teaches without holiness

Faith is but vain and dead;

St. Peter points the narrow way

In which the saints are led;

John, in his three epistles small,

On love delights to dwell.

Jude gives his awful warning notes

Of judgment, wrath and hell.

The Revelation prophesies

Of that tremendous day

When Christ—and Christ alone—shall be

The trembling sinner’s stay.

Messages of God’s Love 4/12/1914

The Three Brothers

(Continued.)

Deeply thankful that the three brothers had now really found Christ as their own Saviour, we all dropped on our knees again and rendered unfeigned thanks to God for His mercy and grace thus so signally manifested.

As soon as we arose, J. asked if I would speak to him privately. Getting alone he said, “Doctor, my wife is as anxious to be saved as I have been—you will call and see her tomorrow, won’t you?”

“I have a very full day of work tomorrow, and I have to go off to London before daylight on Tuesday morning. I scarcely see how I can manage to do as you wish.”

“O, you must come, you really must. She is terribly anxious,” plead he, with tears in his eyes. Seeing his deep earnestness, I promised I would call next day at 5:30 p.m., and satisfied with this assurance, he left the hall with his two brothers—all rejoicing in their newly found Saviour.

Precisely at 5:30 p. in., on Monday, I called at J.’s house, where his brother’s also resided with him and his wife. Ringing the bell, the door was opened by a pleasant looking young lady, who, without delay said, “O, doctor, why have you been so long in coming? I have been expecting you all day.”

“I told your husband that I would be here at 5:30, and here I am. What is the matter?”

Ushering me into the dining room, where a bright fire awaited me, she replied, “O, we are all so anxious about our souls.”

“All anxious? Why, I thought your husband got saved last night, did he not?”

“Yes, I am afraid he did, and I am not,” was her sad rejoinder, as she burst into tears. How wife-like this reply, but it let me see how really anxious she was.

“What did he and his brothers say when they came home last night?”

`O, they all came home, rejoicing, saying they had found the Lord, and were saved. They then sat down at once, each of them, and wrote to their Christian parents, who live thirty miles away, telling them the good news of their conversion,. and today they have been telephoning to each other, at their respective places of business, saying how happy they are in the Lord. I wish I could only say the same.”

As she told me this I could only praise God, and hoped these telephone messages had been heard by some others than the senders and receivers—which is oft-times the case. Finding that for some months she had been in real exercise of soul, I then put the Gospel simply before her. Hungry and thirsty for the bread and water of life, she eagerly grasped the truth that “God is love„ 1 John 4:8, 13, that “Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures,” 1 Cor. 15:3, that “the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us, . . . their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Heb. 10:15, 17.

The climax was reached when we read, “To Him gave all the prophets witness that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 4:43. She found herself among those “who so-evers,” believed in the Lord then and there, surrendered herself fully to Him, and found herself filled “with all joy and peace in believing,” Rom. 15:13.

The clock was striking six as her husband J., just home from his work, entered the room. With face grave and serious lest he might not find what he wished, he drew near and said,”

“Mary, dearest, are you saved?”

Her answer, bright, true, and joyous was delightful to hear.

“Yes, J., thank God, I am saved, too.”

They fell into each other’s arms, and saluted each other with a holy kiss of affection in the new and heavenly relationship which they felt now existed between them as children of God, while tears of joy rolled down their cheeks, and, I am not ashamed to say, down mine also. It was a sight never to be forgotten, and a lovely finale to the night before scene in the after meeting.

I have often seen these young people since. They have confessed Christ boldly, identified themselves with God’s people, and the last time I saw them, they, said, “We have never had a doubt since that night, and get happier and happier as each year rolls along.”

This is a good testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ. Can you give a similiar one, dear reader? If not, would you not be wise to imitate these young people? Surely the time past of your life may suffice to have wrought the will of the Gentiles. 1 Pet.4:3.

Read this absolutely true tale over again, and as you read it let the counterpart be found in your history, as you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus. Thus are you SAVED.

Messages of God’s Love 4/12/1914

What M. Found Out

IT was near school time, and quite a number of boys and girls were around the school‘ house door discussing last night’s children’s meeting. Various were the opinions expressed, when M. stood on the steps and said:

“Look here, boys, I have found out something this morning—you can be saved just anywhere. All you have to do is to believe the gospel—believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. You have to look to Him and live, which just means the same thing. I knelt down at the bedside this morning, and I looked to Jesus, and now I can say I am saved.”

All eyes were on him as he finished this little confession of his faith, and there was a general approval of it, which was cut short by the school bell ringing, calling them to form into line, ready to march into school.

Have you, dear young readers, discovered this blessed fact—that if, as sinners. you come to Jesus, He will save you there and then, and will surely bring you to His eternal home?

If you have, do not be ashamed to own His blessed name.

Do any ask the heavenly road, The shining way that leads to God? Then hear the voice of Jesus say, Believe on Me, “I am the Way.”

Do any wish the truth to learn. The good from evil to discern; To shun the tempter in their youth? The Saviour says, “I am the Truth.”

Do any feel the plague of sin, Satan and death at work within? Jesus can quell the mortal strife, For He can say, “I am the Life.”

Messages of God’s Love 4/12/1914

The Holy Scriptures

HOW needful it is that we should seek to know what God has revealed to us in His Word, seeing that, first of all, it can make us wise unto salvation. It lets us know about the blessed Saviour that God has given to die for us, and if we have accepted Christ, then we need not stop there, but take that blessed book to guide us in all our ways. if “It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

How good of God to provide a Saviour for us, and to give us His Word to let us know about Him, and to tell us how we should act.’4 May you, dear reader, prize the Word of God highly, meditate upon what it says, and have it as a lamp unto your feet, and a light unto your path.

“BLESSED ARE THEY THAT KEEP HIS TESTIMONIES, AND THAT SEEK HIM WITH A WHOLE HEART.” Psa. 119:2.

Messages of God’s Love 4/19/1914

He Died for Me

AT the close of a children’s meeting during which the preacher had spoken much of the love of Jesus, and what He had done out of love for sinners little boy was asked, “Can you tell me what Jesus has done?”

With a bright smile, the little fellow looked up into the questioner’s face and said, “He died for me!” Happy child! In the simplicity of faith he had believed the glad tidings concerning Jesus, the mighty Saviour; and the value of that wonderful work Jesus finished on Calvary’s cross was for him.

Dear boys and girls, can you say the same in truth? Can you say, like the beloved Apostle Paul, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me?” How precious this makes Jesus to us, and how worthy He is of our confiding trust!

Messages of God’s Love 4/19/1914

Hold on to the Rock, Sammy

THE storm is coming back over the mountains again, children,” said the old gray. haired superintendent of the Sunday school, in the little red school house; “and I think,”—here Uncle John Graham—for that was his title among all the children, glanced nervously out of one of the broad windows. “And I think,” continued Uncle John, “we ‘had better close as soon as possible. Some of you have a long way to go. We will sing, children, and then close with prayer.” A few minutes afterwards, as the superintendent was turning the key in the old school house door, he heard a little voice beside him. “May I go along with you?” it said. “Yes, come along Sammy,” said Uncle John kindly, “give me your hand, and we will trudge home together.”

For a few moments they followed the rough path down the mountain side in silence, then Uncle John exclaimed anxiously, “Hark, what is that?”

“Just the rain again,” laughed merry little Sammy, “let us take the short way home, through the valley.”

The old man hesitated. “The country is full of water,” he said, “The streams are all swollen, and what we are afraid of is that the big dam hack in the hills may give way. Still,” he added, “it would shorten the way, and I think we can easily cross Swift Stream.” Down into the shadowy valley they went, careless of the wind which blew harder every minute; of the rain which fell faster, and of the increasing roar of the swollen stream in the bottom of the valley.

Safely they crossed the old plank bridge, though the water was almost up to it, and began to climb the rocky, half-wooded hill on the other side of the bridge.

Suddenly Uncle John heard the sound of a tumult that was something more than the rage of Swift Stream. In the distance he caught the sight of foaming, driving waters.

“The dam, Sammy, it has given way,” he shouted, and caught the little boy up in his arms.

Then came a terrible struggle amid rocks and trees, up the side of the valley. Sammy clung to his strong protector, but he could not take his eyes off the boiling, dashing whirlpool, ever rising higher and higher, and coming nearer and nearer. Still Uncle John pressed on; now the water was round his feet. He saw ahead a crevice in the rock, near to it a tree, with a strength that seemed to belong to his younger days, he struggled towards it, pressed Sammy into the crevice of the rock, and swung himself up into the tree. The water rose higher and higher, dashing against the rock, but Sammy was safe, and before very long the water subsided as it reached the more open country beyond, and spread out over the level fields. Uncle John and his little charge were able to leave their places of safety, and late in the evening arrived at their homes.

A few weeks later, one evening, Uncle John was hurriedly summoned to the door of his home by a loud knock.

It was Ephraim, Sammy’s elder brother. “O, Uncle John, Sammy is dreadfully sick, and he is calling for you; can you come?” pleaded the child.

“Why, yes; I’ll come, but is this not very sudden?”

“Yes,” replied Ephraim; “but he has been sick before, and now he has taken a bad turn, and the doctor says there is no hope.”

“My poor little Sammy,” said the superintendent; “I seem to hear his sweet voice singing in Sunday school, as he did the day the dam gave way.”

“Well, sir; his mind is on the flood. He seems to talk of nothing but the great water coming.”

“My poor little Sammy,” said the kind man again, as he entered the house, and saw the child lying very still on his bed.

“Sammy,” he said softly, leaning over him.

“O, Uncle John, is that you?” whispered the dying child, “the water is coming round me, I am frightened, it will cover me.”

“Sammy,” said the old man again softly, “there is a Rock in the valley—a great, high rock—and it is Jesus. He will keep you safe, only hold on to Him, He will never let you go.”

The boy opened his eyes and spoke.

“Jesus, yes He is the Rock in the valley. I am quite safe holding on to Him.”

He did not speak again, but a great look of peace came over his face, the peace which fills the heart of one who has found a shelter from the storm in that great Rock, in the weary land.

“Rock of Ages cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee,

Where the water and the blood,

From Thy riven side which flowed,

Are of sin the double cure,

Cleansing from its guilt and power.”

“And a Man shall be as an hiding “place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” Isa. 32:2.

Messages of God’s Love 4/19/1914

Little Johnny

WHILE visiting in a country district, a friend of the writer’s came to a cottage, the only occupant of which was a boy about twelve years old, just recovering from a severe attack of fever. In the course of conversation the gentleman asked if he attended Sunday school when well.

“Yes, sir;” was the reply.

“What do you read at school, Johnnie?” “The Testament, sir.”

“What does the Testament speak about?” “About Jesus, sir.”

“What did Jesus come into the world to do?”

“To die, sir.”

“For whom did Jesus die?”

“For good people, sir.”

“For good people, Johnny?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And are you good?”

Shaking his head, the little fellow replied, “No, sir.”

Opening his Bible at 1 Tim. 1:15, my friend asked him to read it. Taking, the book in his hand, the boy slowly read the grand old verse, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save”—:then, pausing, he looked more closely at the Scripture, and then gazed in astonishment in my friend’s face.

“Well, Johnnie, was it good people that Jesus came to save?” The tears started in the boy’s eyes, his face brightened up, and he replied, “No, sir; sinners, sir.”

“Yes,” said the servant of God, “The Good One died for us, the bad ones.” Thus Johnnie was led to see that it was for his sins that Jesus had bled and died; and by believing on Him, he had everlasting life. (John 3:16, 36.)

Dear young reader, have you been under the impression that God only loves good people? Perhaps you have been told that God would not love you if you were bad, and that it was only “good people” He loved. As you have grown older you have not got rid of the thought, and even now, it may be, you believe that it is only “good people” who are the objects of His love. If so, dear young friend, be undeceived. God loves you as you are, and where you are. While hating your sins with a perfect hatred, He loves your soul. Does a mother not love her boy when he is disobedient and naughty? Assuredly she does. Notwithstanding God loved you so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for you. The Lord Jesus loved you so much that He gave Himself a ransom for your soul’s deliverance (1 Tim. 2:4-6). It was not for “good people” Jesus died. It was for sinners.

“Are you a sinner?” “Yes, I am a guilty sinner.”

Then it was for you He died, my dear young friend. He wishes to save you now. Are you willing to be saved? Do you answer “There is nothing, I desire so much as to be saved”?

If such is the case, the Word shows very clearly how you can be saved, and saved now. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, Thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:9). Could anything be simpler? If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Take God at His word. O, believe Him, and rejoice in the liberty which can only be found in knowing Him whom to know is life eternal.

Happy children who are waiting For the bright and joyful day, Knowing Jesus as their Saviour, They can watch for Him and say,

“ Come, Lord Jesus!

Take Thy little ones away.”

Messages of God’s Love 4/19/1914

The Forge

CLING! clang! goes the hammer on the anvil, then down on the hot iron, and sparks fly in all directions; thus the hard iron is formed into different shapes, as the blacksmith desires. But how does he form that hard iron into shoes and make them just the size that he wants them? He first puts it into the fire, and the man at the bellows blows up the fire, and that makes the iron soft and pliable, so that when the hammer is brought down on it, it yields and is formed into the shape required.

This is the way God has to do with. His people sometimes. He has to put them into the furnace of trial, and that softens and breaks their wills, and then he can fit them for the service He has for them to do.

Are you one of His people, dear reader? If you are, be not surprised then, if He puts you into difficulties, for He loves His own too much to allow them to go on according to their own thoughts, and be like the people of the world. He has a different place for His own to fill, and they have to he formed in all their ways, so as to fill that place, and in the furnace of trial He softens them, and with the hammer of His Word He bends and forms the will to be subject to Him and to become more like our blessed Lord who could say, “I do always those things that please Him.” John 8:29.

“WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM.” Heb. 11:6.

Messages of God’s Love 4/26/1914

How Spurgeon Found Christ

Born Twice—Died Once

I HAD been about five years in the most fearful distress of mind, as a lad. If any human being felt more of the terror of God’s law, I can indeed pity and sympathize with him. Bunyan’s “Grace Abounding” contains, in the main, my history. Some abysses he went into I never trod; but some into which I plunged he seems to have never known.

I thought the sun was blotted out of my sky—that I had sinned so against God that there was no hope for me. I prayed—the Lord knoweth how I prayed; but I never had a glimpse of an answer that I knew of. I searched the Word of God; the promises were more alarming than the threatenings. I read the privileges of the people of God, but with the fullest persuasion that they were not for me. The secret of my distress was this: I did not know the Gospel. I was in a Christian land, I had Christian parents, but I did not fully understand the freeness and simplicity of the Gospel.

I attended all the places of worship in the town where I lived, but I honestly believe that I did not hear the Gospel fully preached. I do not blame the men, however. One man preached the divine sovereignty. I could hear him with pleasure; but what was that to a poor sinner who wished to know what he should, do to be saved? There was another admirable man who always preached about the law; but what was the use of plowing up ground planted to be sown? Another was a practical teacher. I heard him, but much like a commanding officer teaching the maneuvers of war to a set of men without feet. What could I do? All his exhortations were lost to me. I knew it was said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,” but I did not know what it was to believe in Christ.

I sometimes think I might have been in darkness and despair now had it not been for the goodness of God in sending a snowstorm one Sunday morning, when I was going to a place to worship. When I could go no further, I turned down a court and came to a little Primitive Methodist chapel. In that chapel there might be a dozen or fifteen people. The minister did not come that morning; snowed up, I suppose. A poor man, a shoemaker, a tailor, or something of that sort, went up into the pulpit to preach.

Now, it is well that ministers should be instructed, but this man was really stupid, as you would say. He was obliged to stick to his text, for the simple reason he had nothing else to say. The text was, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” He did not even pronounce the words rightly, but that did not matter.

There was, I thought, a glimpse of hope for me in that text. He began thus: “MY dear friends, this is a very simple text indeed. It says, ‘Look.’ Now, that does not take a great deal of effort. It ain’t lifting your foot or your finger. It is just `look.’ Well, a man need not go to college to learn to look. A man need not be worth a thousand a year to look. Anyone can look; a child can look. But this is what the text says. Then it says, ‘Look unto Me.’

“Aye,” said he, in broad Essex, “many of ye are looking to yourselves. No use looking there. You’ll never find comfort in yourselves. Some look to God the Father. No; look to Him by and by. Jesus Christ says, ‘Look unto Me.’ Some of you say, ‘I must wait the Spirit’s working.’ You have no business with that just now. Look to CHRIST. It runs: ‘Look unto Me.’ “

Then the good man followed up his text in this way: “Look unto Me; I am sweat-

Rest of the issue is missing.

Messages of God’s Love 4/26/1914

Bible Questions for May

Answers to Bible Questions for March

“ Looking unto Jesus,” etc. Heb. 12:2.

“ Not now as a servant,” etc. Philemon 16.

“ All Scripture is given by,” etc. 2 Tim. 3:16.

“ See that none render evil,” etc. 1 Thess. 5:15 .

“ In flaming fire,” etc. 2 Thess. 1:8.

“ In like manner also,” etc. 1 Tim. 2:9.

“ Unto the pure all things are,” etc. Titus 1:15.

Bible Questions for May

The answers are to be found in Revelation.

Write the verse containing the words: “ The Lamb’s book of life.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Worthy is the Lamb.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ Faithful unto death.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ Blessed are the dead.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ Lived not again.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ I have loved thee.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ Palms in their hands.”

Messages of God’s Love 5/3/1914

The One Who So Loved Me.

Jesus, I know that Thy blood can save,

For I know it has saved me;

I once feared death, and the dark, dark grave,

And the darker eternity.

I felt my sins were a fearful load;

No language my sorrow could tell;

And ah! as I walked the broad, broad road,

I knew ‘twas a journey to hell.

But I heard of One who loved me so,

That He came from His throne on high,

To bear the weight of my sin and woe,

And to bleed on the cross, and die.

He washed my sins in the crimson flood

That flowed from His open side,

And I knew I was saved by the precious blood

Of the Lord who was crucified.

So, now, a sinner redeemed by blood,

In Christ accepted I stand,

And wait, as a blood-bought child of God,

For my home in the heavenly land.

And this is the joy I seek below,

As I sing of His love so free,

That others the wondrous love may know

Of the One who so loved me.

Messages of God’s Love 5/3/1914

The Master's Little Lady

IN a beautiful part of the country lived a rich old farmer named F_____.

He was a man endowed with much energy, and though unable to read or write, he had for many years cultivated an extensive tract of land with considerable success.

Often would he gaze with delighted eyes upon his wide possessions; but the book of nature, as well as the Bible, was closed for him, and the lovely springtime, with the song of the birds, the golden summer with its abundant harvests, led him to no thoughts of the goodness of God, and brought no effective lesson to his conscience and heart.

Thus forgetful of God and eternity, ignorant of his soul’s danger, the farmer lived only for this world, and had already reached the age of seventy y ears, when some Christians who had come into his neighborhood were led to speak to him of the Lord Jesus.

He answered them mockingly, deliberately closing his door in the face of those who would have spoken to him of the cross of Christ, a subject which he detested. He would not see in them the messengers of a God of whose existence or of whose love he desired to have no thought.

But the God of mercy did not forget the poor hardened sinner, and one fine summer, a lady seeking the pleasures of a country life arrived as a boarder at the farm. She was accompanied by her little daughter, six years of age.

The farmer himself received his guests at the door. Bowing respectfully to the strangers, and taking the little hand of the child in his own, he conducted them to the most attractive part of the house. The polished oak floor, the paneled ceiling, the huge clock, the antique chairs, made a great impression on little Martha, and her eyes sparkled with surprise.

Gazing curiously at her guide, who wore big boots and a smock frock, she said, “What a funny house yours is, my good old man! You are not a bit like papa,” she continued, taking away her hand. “Where is the master of the house?”

“I am the master of the house, my little lady,” the farmer replied.

It did not take more than two or three days to make Martha and the old farmer inseparable friends.

He had various things to show and explain to the child by his side, whose intelligent curiosity was always leading her to ply him with questions.

The marvels of the country seemed inexhaustible to Martha, who quickly forgot the coarse clothing of her companion, and began to be charmed with the “funny house,” and she willingly allowed herself to be called “the master’s little lady,” a name that stuck to her all the time she was there.

One morning, when everybody was very busy, the farmer found Martha alone in the little dining-room. She was trying to grasp an object placed beyond the reach of her little arms.

“What are you doing, my child?” asked farmer F—.

“I want to have that big book; I like to read.

The farmer looked at her with astonishment:

“But you can’t read.”

“Certainly I can,” replied the child. “Impossible, my dear; I cannot read myself.”

“Well, do listen, if you please.”

The farmer, having taken down the desired volume, soon heard Martha begin to read very loudly. She was quite proud to have a listener, and was far from suspecting that God would make use of her infant lips to accomplish His Work of grace in farmer F_____, who had never before wished to hear His word from the mouth of anyone.

I forget what part of the sacred book she had taken. Many years have passed away since that time, and Martha herself does not remember it; but the Spirit of God blessed the reading of the verses to which He had, without doubt, guided her choice.

Assisting his hearing by putting his hand to his ear, the farmer marveled at the talent of the little girl; but whilst he listened, a divine ray pierced his dark soul, and awakened his sleeping conscience.

In a minute or two he got up and went toward the open window, and began to contemplate the blue sky, across which the small, white clouds were floating, and finally he left the room without saying a word.

Martha stopped her reading, rather mortified at not having received the compliments for which she had waited. But her happy disposition did not allow her to remember her disappointment long.

The next day, F ____, having expressed a desire to hear her read some more, Martha did so with great delight. Once again he placed himself near the window, and again was moved at hearing the Word, and a lump came to his throat as he hastened out of the room, wiping his eyes.

Martha, greatly surprised, climbed up to the window to try to see what he was doing outside. He was leaning on a fence, seemingly occupied with the sight of his beautiful fields of corn.

The child was on the point of rejoining him, to ask him the cause of his tears, when she saw him leave the spot where he had stood.

The same evening he asked her in a low voice not to tell anyone of their reading, but to repeat it whenever they found themselves alone.

Martha continued it the whole time of her stay at the farm But when she left, what became of the farmer?

Like Nicodemus, who went by night to Jesus, not daring to let himself be known as His disciple, F____ learned in silence to know his Saviour. The good seed sown by the little messenger received the blessing o F____ Him who had sent it! and when F____ lay on his deathbed, and his afflicted family begged him to send for a clergyman, he cried, “No, no,” with all his strength, “I have no need of anybody; my little lady has pointed me to Jesus.”

Surprised and silenced, those who watched by his bedside looked at him with astonishment, when suddenly, with an upward gaze, the dying man exclaimed: “There are the angels,” and immediately his spirit was borne by the celestial messengers right into the glorious presence of Him, whose work of redemption for the vilest of sinners had been made known to the aged farmer by “little lady” Martha.

Happy old man! Happy Martha! The thought of the last words of old farmer F___ has often gladdened her heart sine: she herself has “learned Jesus,” and known His love “which passeth knowledge.” (Eph. 3:19.)

Messages of God’s Love 5/3/1914

The Tomb in the Forest

JUST on the edge of the woods has the loved one been buried, and the monument set up with its inscriptions, in kind remembrance, and to mark well the spot where the remains have been placed till the resurrection morning. There the young girl has resorted with heart affection for the departed one, and now kneels in prayer.

We trust it is not with any thought of benefit for the one who has died, but simply the pouring out of a bereaved heart to the Lord, who has been in this world of sorrow, and knows how to sympathize and comfort the broken-hearted.

Do you know, dear reader, what it is to go to the Lord Jesus about everything? If you know that He died for you and bore your sins in His own body on the tree, you may well tell Him all things, for He still loves us with the same measure of love that caused Him to give His life for us.

Go tell Him all thy sorrow,

Thy griefs and pain unfold;

Soon on the blessed morrow

His love will then be told;

Full patience now in every step

Is called from us to-day,

Till we shall be in glory

And all His ways survey.

May we ever remember that Jesus is our friend as well as our Saviour, and He wants us to confide in Him about everything. There is nothing too small to tell Him, for

“EVEN THE VERY HAIRS OF YOUR HEAD ARE ALL NUMBERED. FEAR NOT THEREFORE: YE ARE OF MORE VALUE THAN MANY SPARROWS.” Luke 12:7.

Messages of God’s Love 5/3/1914

Who Made the Flowers?

‘Twas God who formed the lovely flowers

So exquisitely fair;

And they, with all His wondrous works,

His kind protection share.

He forms each leaf and opening bud

With skill so nice and true,

And gives to some a golden tint,

To some a violet hue.

He sends the soft, refreshing rain,

he gentle summer showers,

And light and air and falling dew

He giveth to the flowers.

And the same God who forms the flowers

Makes every child His care;

Then seek to raise thy youthful heart

To Him in humble prayer.

Messages of God’s Love 5/3/1914

That Letter is D

LITTLE sister knows her letters, and how glad she is to teach her little brother what she knows.

It may he with the desire to show off her knowledge; or it may be with the desire that he may soon catch up with her in her lessons.

If it is the latter, it is a good trait in her, but if the former, it would be a display of pride and boastfulness which God dislikes.

In Prov. 6:16-19 there are seven things mentioned which the Lord hates, and are an abomination to Him; and pride is one of these.

But no matter if one’s ways are good, they would not be acceptable to God, if the Lord Jesus Christ—God’s Son—was refused as Saviour, because God gave Him to die for us, and that was wonderful love. How could God accept any good act from one who would refuse His wonderful gift?

If we would honor God, we must honor the One whom He sent, and that is His Son.

“HE THAT HONORETH NOT THE SON HONORETH NOT THE FATHER WHICH HATH SENT HIM.” John 5:23.

The first way to honor God is to accept Christ as your Saviour, and then see to the good works which will please God; ask also for grace that you may be preserved from those things which He hates and are abominable to Him.

Messages of God’s Love 5/10/1914

Present Forgiveness

WHILE speaking the other day to one about a man with whom we were• both acquainted, he sneeringly remarked, “He says he is saved!”

“Well,” I said, “I can say the same.”

He was greatly astonished, for he believed, like many others, that it is presumption to speak with any degree of assurance upon this most important matter.

For many years I had the same thoughts. I had no desire for Christ, and though I knew I was a sinner I never could believe I was worthy of eternal judgment. However, when about 50 years of age, I came under deep conviction of sin and then longed for peace.

One night I was walking down F______ road while a band of young men were preaching there. One after another gave testimony to the all-sufficiency of Christ, and urged decision there and then for the Saviour. An elderly man said he was converted after he was 50, and spoke of the joy and rest he had known ever since. Then a young man followed, and stated—the well-known fact—that only one in a vast number are converted after they have passed the age mentioned.

As I stood a voice seemed distinctly to say, “Be that one.” I went home with these words constantly in my mind, and in the night; during sleepless hours, I thought I heard the question, “Cannot you trust Ale?” These words seemed to be repeated, and with all my soul I replied, “Yes, blessed Saviour, I will trust Thee.” From that time I have no doubt as to my soul’s salvation.

The above is the substance of the story told me by a Christian in the town where I live, and I give it as another testimony to the saving grace of God.

Many think that no one is entitled to speak with assurance upon the all-important matter of the soul’s salvation. But if the Word of God is to be our guide, it is clear from 1 John 2:12 That the writer of the Epistle believed and taught by the Holy Spirit that

THE PRESENT FORGIVENESS OF SINS

is to be known and enjoyed by believers. This is the constant witness of Scripture.

The Lord Jesus declared to the unbelieving Jews that to “die in their sins,” that is, without forgiveness, was to be LOST FOREVER. (John 8:24.) Forgiveness of sins is preached “through His name” (Acts 10:43), and God is “just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Rom. 3:26.)

No! Depend upon it, the presumptuous ones are those who go on supremely indifferent to all that God has revealed in the Scriptures concerning the glory of His Son and His atoning sufferings and His present place at His right hand.

If He gave his well-beloved Son, and by so doing commends His love to you (Rom. 5:8); if He offers through Him, absolutely free, the forgiveness of your sins, then it is presumption — terrible presumption — for you to refuse to give heed to His message.

You will never need it more than you do NOW, and if you are wise you will do what my friend did—

TRUST THE LORD JESUS,

and upon the authority of the Scriptures you will be able to say your sins are forgiven for HIS NAME’S SAKE.

Messages of God’s Love 5/10/1914

The House Kept by God

EXCEPT the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” (Psa. 128:1.)

“Whenever I hear that Psalm read, I always think of the first night I came here to work,” said an old servant, as the children followed her into the kitchen after morning reading.

“How is that?” asked one.

“Tell us about it!” exclaimed another.

“Well,” she answered, “it was just bedtime, and your father called me, saying, `Come, Ann, and I will show you how to lock up.’

“I quickly took the lamp and went around with him from door to door. When we came to the last one, he said: ‘This house has bolts and bars, and we fasten them, but the Scripture ways, “Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain;” so except the Lord guard this house, we shall not be safe.’ “

How comforting it is to timid, nervous children to know that God guards His own, and the darkness and the light are both alike to Him. You must remember He never slumbers nor sleeps, so, if you wake up at night, and find all dark, or if you are lying awake and suffering pain and feel lonely, because everyone else is asleep, it will be a comfort to you to know God is not asleep and He sees you.

This brings to mind one of our favorite Bible stories which tells how God preserved a certain people from the danger which was all around them, when neither bolts nor bars could have saved them.

I believe you know which one I mean: on that dreadful night when the destroying angel went through Egypt, how safe the Israelites were, on account of the blood which God had ordered to be placed on the door-posts and lintels. The blood was their safety, not bolts nor bars!

This should make us think of those who will be safe from coming judgment, because they are sheltered by the precious blood of Christ.

Whenever I think of the scene in Egypt, I imagine how anxious the firstborn boys would feel—too anxious about their safety to be able to go on with their play, till they knew God’s word had been obeyed.

And you, dear children, are you too anxious about your soul’s salvation to be able to go on with your play? Or, have you, by taking the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, escaped the judgment that God says is coming on all those who obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ? “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners:” (1 Tim. 1:15.)

“God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8.)

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31.)

“Redeemed . . . with the precious blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:19.)

Messages of God’s Love 5/10/1914

Bible Searcher Rewards for Term Ending April, 1914

The coming of the Lord is very near, and when He does come, it means to have His people with Him in the twinkling of an eye, and on the other hand to close the door of mercy against all who have neglected His great salvation, and then,

Never to be invited more

To enter by the open door,

Never to see the Saviour’s face,

Never to prove His saving grace,

Never to feel the Father’s kiss

reader! Hast thou thought of this?

Never to thank Him for His love,

Never to dwell with Him above,

Never His likeness true to bear,

Never His glory bright to share,

And joy at His right hand to miss-

reader! Hast thou thought of this?

Never to hear His praises ring,

Never with saints above to sing;

But Christless in that awful throng

Who to the realms of woe belong;

Never to taste of endless bliss

O reader! Hast thou thought of this?

Unto the depths of endless woe

Rejectors of the Saviour go;

Forbid the thought that you who read,

Should longer have no sense of need

Of the only way to realms of bliss—

O reader! Hast thou thought of this?

As we start a fresh term for the Bible questions, our prayer is that many more will take an interest in them, and that rich blessing will attend each one as they read and write the Holy Scriptures, and if at any time we can be a help to any by way of correspondence, we will be happy to do what we can.

Messages of God’s Love 5/10/1914

The Home of the Deer

WHEREVER we may look in God’s wonderful creation, we can see that He cares and provides for all of His creatures.

He has given the beautiful trees for a home for the birds, the deer, and many other animals, and such a scene presents a beautiful picture, like this one we have before us.

But however beautiful the scene may be, and however wonderful the display of God’s power in creation may be, in it all we see suffering and distress. You may ask how did that come? Did God create things in that condition? An enemy hath done this. Satan sinned, and then he tempted Eve, and Adam and Eve both disobeyed God, and the result was, Satan got power in this world, and he became the prince and power of the air, and the spirit that works in the children of disobedience.

Some animals are under his power, so that man cannot fully tame them, but the time is coming when the Lord Jesus will put Satan in the bottomless pit, and will not allow him to exercise his power, as he is doing now. The lamb and the lion will be able to lie down peacefully together, and suffering and distress shall cease. Jesus died not only to redeem us from this present evil world and take us to glory, but by His death He redeemed this world. He bought it back to God out of Satan’s hands, and the time will soon be here when He will have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. Then

“HE SHALL DELIVER THE NEEDY WHEN HE CRIETH; THE POOR ALSO, AND HIM THAT HATH NO HELPER.” Psa. 72:12.

Messages of God’s Love 5/17/1914

Regina

I WISH to tell you this story of a little girl who, during nine long years, kept the Word of God in her heart, and in her memory, though she was without a mother to teach her, or without a Bible to read.

She was named Regina; her father and her mother were born in Germany, but long before the birth of Regina, they settled in Canada, in one of the most solitary parts of that country. Very lonely, indeed, it seemed to the poor mother when she found herself in the midst of strangers, scattered here and there, at great distances, and speaking a language different from hers; but she had in the house a treasure, the Divine Book; and when her husband had gone to his work she gathered often around her four children and read to them some part of the precious volume.

Regina thus learned from the lips of her mother several little verses of the Holy Word. Before being old enough to learn to read she was able to understand much of what she heard; and her ears were often struck by a little verse of a hymn which her mother sang constantly while about her daily home duties:

“Though isolated on this earth,

How can I lonely be,

When I know Thee, my Saviour, near?

Thou livest still for me.”

Not a day scarcely passed in these first years in the life of this little girl without bearing, at least once, these words from her mother’s lips, so that little by little they engraved themselves on her memory. She understood them, perhaps, vaguely, but she knew that they were about the Lord Jesus, of whom the Bible spoke, and which her mother read. She saw that these words consoled and sustained her; and thus the love of Christ and the knowledge that He is near us, became realities in the heart of the child.

Some years flowed peaceably on in this family, and the poor emigrants began to grow accustomed to their new country; when suddenly a terrible war broke out between England and France, and both had possessions in Canada. The Indians (Redskins as they are named) took sides with the French, and as the parents of. Regina were living in the English part, and considered to be British subjects, the Indians were against them. One day when the mother had gone away from home on business, a band of Redskins came, set fire to the house, and took the children away.

I need not tell you how sad the poor mother was to find the house in flames and the children gone. She knew well that the Indians had done this and had led away their children. It was a terrible thought!

The poor Regina was taken far away with a number of other unhappy children, and she, with another little captive girl was given to an old Indian woman. These two poor children led a very miserable life amongst the savage Indians. They were rarely given food. The Redskins are great and clever hunters, and the old woman was constantly eating the product of the chase, but Regina and her little companion had to content themselves with fruits which they found in the woods. When the hunters brought nothing home, or neglected to supply the wants of the old woman, the children were obliged to seek fruits for her, and they were cruelly beaten if they did not return as soon as she needed them.

But in the midst of the lonely forests of these cruel robbers, and during these sad days a bright ray beamed on the heart of poor Regina; it was the remembrance of what she had heard at home—the stories and talks by the fireside. Each day under the tall trees of the vast forest, the children were fed, not only by the wild fruits, but by verses of Scripture which Regina remembered and which she taught her little companion; each day, also, often and often, the well-known verse was sung, and what deep meaning it had in these times of grief which the children knew well:

“Though isolated on this earth,

How can I lonely be,

When I know Thee, my Saviour, near?

Thou livest still for me!”

The mother little thought in her loneliness how much these consoling words sustained the heart of her poor child who was in deeper solitude! Not only the verses of Scripture, the hymns and the instruction which she gave to her little companion, were a consolation to Regina, but she was thus guarded from evil which surrounded her.

As well as being dressed like an Indian girl, her face had become dark and sunburnt as that of the Redskins, and she had learned the language and habits of those amongst whom she lived, but she had always a bright corner in her heart.

God in His mercy had not forgotten these two poor children, nor the other children who shared their lot. After nine long years of war peace was re-established in the country, and the English, who had become possessors, promised pardon to the Indians on condition that they returned all their prisoners; so that, from one place and another, troups of children who had been stolen set out from forests and Indian wigwams to the town where the English commandant was stationed. Then messages were sent to the different parts of Canada, asking the parents who had lost their children to come and find them.

Regina and her little friend found themselves there. The little one scarcely understood why she was there, but Regina could not keep back tears of joy when she saw once more all the white faces. Suddenly a ray entered her heart, shining with brilliant clearness. “Have you the Book that God has given?” Such was her first question, A Bible was brought to her and her joy was great when she saw it and found she could still read one of the texts which she had so often repeated in the solitary forest.

Soon some of the relatives arrived in the town and were trembling with anxiety and hope, for there were at least four hundred children who had been stolen. Regina’s mother also came; the father and brothers were dead. How the poor afflicted mother sighed for her child! Should she find her? Alas! After such a long time how could they be recognized in these poor prisoners with a wild and miserable look, dressed in ragged Indian clothes? Regina’s mother saw no one in that strange crowd who recalled to her the dear little daughter. She was going away in tears when one of the officers who had helped to recover the captives, came to her relief. The poor mother said to him that she could not recognize her child who had been taken too young to remember her after so many years.

“Is there nothing you recollect that would help your child to recognize you?” asked the officer. Yes, there was one thing. The mother recalled suddenly the little song which she often had sung with her child; and in a trembling voice she commenced the first line:

“Though isolated on this earth.”

Regina heard it; the words and tune so well known struck her ears; then she remembered the dear voice, and, with a loud cry, she sprang through the crowd, and fell in tears in the arms of her mother. Regina was happy; she had found her mother. But her little companion? No mother came to reclaim her; in tears she joined Regina who, in the forest, had been her young teacher, and the only mother whom she was able to remember: Regina and her mother led her away with them. It would have been sad to leave her amongst strangers. She had taught Regina nothing, but she had at least been a great help; for all alone Regina would not have had the courage to repeat verses and lessons as she was able in teaching them to her little friend.

I know nothing more of Regina, but I hope that from this true history you will be able to draw for yourself some precious lessons. First, the marvelous care of God, who never ceased to have His eyes on these poor, feeble children in their miserable condition; then, the priceless Word which came to illuminate their solitude. Do not neglect, my children, that Holy Word of God. Keep the precious teachings in your memory and your heart, and the day will come when this treasure will be to you consolation, encouragement and strength, just when you need it.

Messages of God’s Love 5/17/1914

Abraham and Isaac.

By the author of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

Children, will you hear the story?

Will you quietly attend?

Hear what once the God of glory

Said to Abraham, his friend?

Children, did not sorrow fill him

When the Lord told him to go,

Take the son he loved, and kill him

In the place that He should show?

But the friend of God obeyed Him;

With his son he journeyed on;

Tied him, on the altar laid him,

Took the knife to kill his son!

But the Lord did not afflict him,

Though He tried his faith so far;

God had found another victim;

O, how great His mercies are!

And He always will deliver

All who put their trust in Him.

God is love, and loves forever,

Like a light that can’t grow dim!

But there once was One forsaken,

Though He did His Father’s will;

Jesus to the cross was taken,

There the sinner’s place to fill.

Think, O think, what Christ has suffered;

Think, the love that God has shown—

Spared the son that Abraham offered;

But He did not spare His Own.

Messages of God’s Love 5/17/1914

Rebuke a Wise Man and He Will Love Thee

Prov. 9:8

THIS young man does not act exactly pleased with what this old lady has been saying to him. It may be she has reproved him for something that he has done or said. Do you like to be reproved and told how naughty you are? I’m sure you do not; we naturally like to have our own way, don’t we? Look at God’s Word—we are told there plainly to listen and to submit to those who are older than ourselves. A special scripture is given to children in Ephesians, the sixth chapter: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” We each much pay attention to what God says.

Do you read your Bible each day? You will find these verses of Scripture which will surely reprove and correct you if you will but heed them. David, the Psalmist, said of God’s Word, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Can you possibly tell what a little friend of yours is thinking about, unless he tells you? God can tell every thought of every person: He can read minds and hearts. As you open your Bible, ask the Lord to bring His Word home to your mind and your heart. God is pleased to have you “from a child” know the “Holy Scriptures.” (See 2 Timothy, Chapter 3:15.)

“ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION.”

Messages of God’s Love 5/24/1914

The Last Ball; or, "Only One More"

NELLIE was very fair! I had often watched her with admiration as she rode up and down the promenade; her golden hair floating in the wind, and her sweet face radiant with smiles; she had much natural amiability and sweetness of temper and was loved by many.

Her days passed in a whirl of gaiety, in which she was the center of attraction. Young, lovely, and wealthy, her company was sought after and courted; her silvery voice echoed through many a mansion, and her graceful form was constantly to be seen in the many ball-rooms and fashionable circles of the very gay town in which she lived.

To the eye of the inexperienced, Nellie’s fair face was blooming and healthy-looking, but there were some who watched her with anxious care, and knew well that the hectic tinge on her cheeks, and the diamond luster of her brilliant eye, gave warning of an early tomb. Her kind physician had oft-times warned and pleaded with her to give up a life of gaiety and late hours, which was feeding a disease that human skill had failed to arrest; but she laughingly put away such fears, saying, “Let me have one ball more, and then I shall become religious.” But the one ball was followed by many; and night after night, Nellie, radiant as ever, was in crowded, heated rooms, as it determined to live in a whirl of pleasure as long as she possibly could.

Poor girl! there were few, if any, in the circle in which she moved to speak to her of Christ; few to tell her of the only One who could give her real joy and satisfaction, and who could, in place of the passing pleasures of a poor fleeting world, give her pleasures that would last forever, and would not pass away. To one who did speak to her of an eternity which might not be very far off, she answered, “O, but I’m not so ill as some people think I am, and I do mean to be religious someday.”

It was a night of intense cold; Nellie’s elegant dressing room in L. Crescent was brilliantly lighted, everything in it showing the exquisite taste and refinement of its fair occupant; she lay in her dressing gown on the sofa, resting from the fatigue of her half-finished toilet; she looked pensive and a shade of sadness was over her large eyes, as she repeated again and again to the companion who was going with her, “And this is to be my last ball; I have made up my mind to have only one more, and than I shall retire into private life, and become religious.” “Are you sure you are able to go tonight?” said her friend, “you don’t look quite well.” “Not quite well,” said Nellie; “but I’m only to have one more:” and so saying she rang the bell for her maid.

Soon the lovely one was dressed in her snowy satin with its rich lace; it had been made on purpose for “Nellie’s last ball.” The freshly-gathered hot-house roses were twined through her golden tresses. The white gloves and boots drawn on those tiny hands and feet, and she was ready. The carriage was at the door, Nellie’s friend had taken her place in it, and she, wrapped in her white cloak, was descending the staircase. The keen blast of a severe winter night had to be faced by that fragile form; the little foot was on the carriage step, she shuddered and drew back, quickly retraced her steps into the hall, and fell backward at the foot of the staircase.

Awe-stricken, yet not realizing the fact that this was more than a faint, her friends carried her to her room, and her doctor who lived very near was present in a minute; but no power of man could recall life, and horror-stricken friends gathered round to hear that the heart of that gay worldly one had ceased to beat forever.

She was dead!

This is a true story; many details I refrain from giving. I have told it simply as I got it from one who knew her. I was myself living but a few doors from the house in which she lived, at the time she was thus called to meet God in a moment. And for you who are unsaved, I write it as a word of warning. Take heed lest ye too be cut off in your sins!

‘Where is Nellie now? Her silvery laugh will never ring again. She had “the pleasures of sin for a season” here without Christ, but let a veil be drawn over her eternity of woe. It is for me now to cry aloud to you, Escape, escape lest ye perish like her! Hearken, ye gay ones! Stop and think! Tomorrow you may be in eternity! Your laughter may be turned into weeping and wailing; your mirth into anguish and woe! I would reason with you, I would plead with you, I would beseech you to come to Jesus now! “He ready stands to bless you.” Flee to Him now! Surely you are not going to wait for “only one ball more.” The risk is too great. Your whole eternity may depend upon it. Cast yourselves into those loving arms now, ere it be too late.

He offered Himself a sacrifice for sin that He might give eternal life without money and without price. Did it cost Him little to purchase salvation for guilty rebels? to leave the brightness of the glory and come down here to die? “Ah,” you say, “but I shall not die like Nellie: I am not likely to be cut off in a moment. I shall have time to repent and turn to God ere I die!”

And who has given you this promise, may I ask? I find none such in God’s word. “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’’ (Matt. 18:3.) There is time, now this moment for you to turn to God. “Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.” I have no promise for tomorrow. There is salvation for everyone who believes in Jesus now, but I dare not say, You may have one ball more and then come to Christ: the risk is too great: come now, just as you are, delay not a moment. I was asked lately by one who had heard the gospel, and had been pressed to accept Christ, “but could I not put it off for a year, I am not likely to die?” O horrible thought! Put off the salvation of your precious soul for twelve months more! Thousands of souls go down into hell every year, and why not yours, ye rejecters of Christ? God is not mocked: if ye live to the world and refuse Christ ye shall die in your sins. You may be very attractive and very amiable in the world’s eyes, and you may even have a profession of being Christ’s; but if you have never been converted, your mask will be torn off some day and you will have to stand before God an unveiled liar. How, O how, will you stand the gaze of His eyes, who “knew no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth”?

O reader, that would be an evil day for thee, to be found like one, who when called to die, cried out, “I would give millions for one moment of time.” But too late, too late then! Your season of grace is past, and you have lost Christ forever, for the sake of the shadowy unreality of this world’s fleeting joys.

Reader, it is of the Lord’s mercy you are still alive: do not trifle with the grace that still pleads with you. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18.)

Do you wish to spend eternity with Christ, with Christ forever? Look unto Him now. Or do you wish to have only one ball more? one more! one more! It matters not what: only one more of anything that keeps you away from Christ; one more grain of sand it may be from the sirocco of sin; one more breath from the poisoned simoon of pleasure; one more wave from the sea of sunny enjoyments here, bearing you onward, poor victim, upon its deceitful tide to your eternal doom! “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip. the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.” (Luke 16:23, 24.)

Messages of God’s Love 5/24/1914

A Miracle of God

TWO Christian ladies were motoring from Versailles to Paris. The automobile was racing on, but the chauffeur knew his business. Everything was going splendidly. They were approaching a place where the road descends a steep hill. At the foot of this road where it becomes level again, there was a railway crossing. Here caution was necessary. But why does the chauffeur make no movement to slow down? He sits at the steering wheel immovable. The ladies shout to him. No answer. They bend forward. What do they see? The man is dead. A heartstroke must have suddenly taken his life away. The car dashes along faster—ever faster—for the descent is steep. Only a little bit of road now separates them from the railway track. The crossing-barriers are down, making a halt necessary, for the express train is due. Terror seizes the two ladies. A fearful accident, as much for them as for the passengers on the express train, seems certain. A cry from the depths of their souls rises up to God. There—what has happened? A short distance from the railway crossing the car swings round from the road suddenly as though an invisible hand is at the steering wheel, and plunges across a field, right through a hedge that bordered the railway embankment for a little space, crosses it and the rails, and comes to a standstill on the other side, in front of a telegraph pole. An instant later the express thundered past.

The two ladies are saved. Neither of them has been hurt in the least; not even a skin-wound has resulted.

In October, 1912, this incident occurred. Yet man says there is no living God, who orders everything according to His own counsel and will and listens to the cry of His children.

“The fool hath said in his heart: There is no God.” (Psa. 14:1.)

“The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them. The Lord preserveth all them that love Him.” (Psa. 145:18-20.)

Messages of God’s Love 5/24/1914

The Way of Life and Peace

Not by works or tears of mine

Comes my peace with God;

Not by ceaseless legal toil

Do I lose my load.

But, by looking to the Cross,

Where the work was done,

Done as God Himself desired it,

By His blessed Son.

Not by TRYING, not in SEEKING,

Do I find release;

Simply trusting, just believing,

Is God’s way of peace.

Resting on the mighty Saviour,

Jesus Christ, the Lord,

Well assured I cannot perish—

By His written word.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”—Acts 16:31.

Messages of God’s Love 5/24/1914

Watching the Birds

W’HAT a pleasant time these girls are having in the woods. They seem to be enjoying this nice, quiet spot. The lovely trees are shading them from the hot rays of the sun as they watch the birds hopping from tree to tree, or perhaps building their little nests and singing their songs of gladness.

If these girls love the Lord Jesus, they, too, will be thankful and sing songs of praise to Him for all the blessings they enjoy—both for the food they have to eat, the clothing they have to wear, the house they live in and for their kind parents and friends, as well as every eternal blessing which is theirs through Christ.

When we meditate upon His great love for us—”In that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for Us,” we cannot help having our hearts go up to Him in praise and thankfulness, and then, surely, we have the desire to live for Him for the little while He may leave us here.

“SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS; COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE WITH SINGING.”

Messages of God’s Love 5/31/1914

Hans Tausen

The Danish Reformer

EVERY child in Denmark knows the name of this noble and faithful man of God, and he is called the “Danish Luther.”

Tausen was born in the year 1494, and was the son of a poor farmer. in the village of—, on the island of Funen. His life and characteristics are similar to that of the great German reformer.

While at school in Odense he had to earn his own living by singing in the choir or on the street, but was afterwards supported by an offical of Odense, who had taken notice of the remarkable talents of the young man, and engaged him as family teacher. During the following years, Tausen enjoyed the tutorship of a renowned teacher of Norway, and then entered the celebrated cloister of Antworskow on the island of Zealand.

Here he gained the favor of the prior, who gave him permission to go abroad to hear the learned doctors of famous universities, also supplying him with the needed funds. One restriction was laid upon him —not to visit Wittenberg, Germany, where the “arch-heretic” Luther lived. This tour decided the future life of Tausen. Through God’s sovereign mercy, his soul’s thirst for truth and assurance of salvation was fully satisfied. At Cologne he came into possession of Luther’s writings. They made such deep impression upon his soul, that, contrary to the promise given to his benefactor and superior, he could not refrain from visiting Wittenberg to get acquainted with the author of these writings. Here he remained for nearly two years. That which knowledge and science had not been able to give him, he now found—the forgiveness of his sins through simple faith in the accomplished work of redemption of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, as well as rest and peace for his soul, and a living Christ as an object for his heart to rejoice in.

Tausen, now a new man in Christ, returned to Denmark, where, during his absence, things had changed considerably. German merchants had brought the Gospel into that country. The fact that the despotic and cruel King Christian of Denmark had (although only for political reasons) declared himself for Luther’s cause, helped greatly to open the door for the entrance of the gospel of God’s grace.

After a short stay at Antworskow, Tausen went to Copenhagen to lecture in the university. These lectures aroused the suspicion of the papists, and on account of them, he was called back by his superior to the cloister. He returned and for two years he remained quiet, during which time God was training His servant for his difficult and important work. Nor did he hold back the truth, but taught with caution, until at last he came out boldly with the testimony that a repentant sinner receives the forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation through the grace of God, in consequence of the finished work of the Lord Jesus: without one’s own efforts, or so-called “good works.”

This open and clear confession of faith could not be without serious consequences to him. His prior, deeply disappointed, put him in a safe place as prisoner. He was, however, delivered from the dungeon through the intervention of sympathizing men of high standing, but under condition that he was to vacate the islands of Zealand and Funen immediately and never to return.

After this we find Tausen in Jutland, at the City of Viborg, which became one of the most important openings for the gospel and work of reformation.

At this time he found a home among the “Brethren of the Cross” at that place. The prior who received the newcomer with great suspicion, because of his “heretic” views, was soon won by the noble, frank and modest way of the young man. God was with His servant and showed him mercy and gave him favor in the sight of the prior.

Very soon lie enjoyed the fullest confidence and love of the prior, so that he was appointed “reader,” or teacher of the Scriptures in the cloister. This favorable change of circumstances might have brought serious consequences for the faithful young- man. Satan did not allow this opportunity to pass without suggesting b the young preacher to keep back his convictions of the truth, so as not to offend the kind prior, nor be the cause of needles persecutions. But-the subtlety of the enemy was brought to naught, for he remembered the words of the Apostle Paul to Timothy, “Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season: reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Tim. 4:2.) So he began the same work, on account of which he had been compelled to leave Antworskow.

The word spoken with such liberty and power began to take effect in the hearts of one and another, but by the majority it was rejected. A tremendous storm broke out within the quiet walls of the cloister. The prior saw very well what was going on, but closed his eyes to it; perhaps he was almost persuaded, but lacked decision and courage. Meanwhile the Lord gave opportunity for the gospel of God’s grace to be openly and faithfully preached.

Amidst the darkness and superstition, a number became convinced of the correctness of Tausen’s teaching. according to the Scriptures, and many hearts were decidedly for the Lord, but with others the storm continued.

The Lord gave His servant at this time a special encouragement by raising up a faithful friend and partner. This man, whose name was Thoeger, came secretly to Tausen, confessing to have found Christ, and begging him to tell him more about the One who was now so precious to them both. Many profitable hours they spent tog-ether from this time on. Thoeger worked faithfully for the Lord, together with Tausen, as well as alone in later years.

The liberty and boldness with which Tausen labored, both in the city and in the cloister, became the occasion for another outbreak of persecution.

When the Bishop heard of the powerful preaching of the young monk, and how the minds and hearts of the people had been touched by it, he became very angry and resolved to immediately put a stop to it.

In spite of the objections of the prior, he had Tausen brought before a tribunal to be judged for his “heretic” course, and rested not till Tausen was condemned to imprisonment and put into a dark dungeon situated under a lonely tower outside the city.

Satan seemingly had triumphed. The almost solitary voice which had begun to declare God’s sovereign grace, and to hold forth the Word of Life in Denmark, was brought to silence. The zealous endeavors of the young reformer had been smothered. for the deep silence of death reigned within the walls of this dark dungeon.

But it is not written in vain, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” and He who was for Tausen, was most surely stronger than all his enemies. Not even the prison walls were able to stop the work of God, nor could His work of grace be hindered from going on, though His servant were thus silenced. A small opening in the wall allowed the daylight a scanty entrance into the cell of the lonely prisoner, and from this place the Word was to be given to the outside world: Several persons who through the faithful preaching of the pious monk, had been brought to see their lost condition before God, now hastened to the tower-prison to hear more from the man who had spoken so powerfully to them of the Water of Life which would satisfy their thirst for all eternity. They came with a meager hope that they might be able to talk with him. In the twilight of the evening, or the dawn of the early morning, they would be seen secretly wending their way to the old tower, and soon discovered the small opening in the wall, and cautiously called their beloved friend and teacher. Behold, to their great joy, they heard distinctly his well-known voice. Thus God gave His servant the privilege to speak forth the words of life and truth from this very place where he had been confined in order to put a stop to his preaching, and these secret visitors were able to have conversations regularly with Tausen, and under these peculiar circumstances the preaching of the glad tidings was now resumed.

What joy it must have been for this faithful man of God to see that God had found a way to glorify Himself in this manner, though Satan and man had done all in their power to silence this voice witnessing for God, yet He had triumphed gloriously over all their hatred and schemes.

Others being concerned about their soul’s salvation, also came to these secret gatherings, and in this way, day after day, the precious gospel was preached to an anxious multitude which increased in numbers from day to day. The place which the enemies of Tausen had intended to be his grave God chose to be the birthplace of many precious souls, and from whence His Word was to be proclaimed with far greater results than had hitherto been clone in Denmark, for those who accepted the truth of God’s salvation in these trying clays went forth filled with the power and joy of the Holy Spirit as ambassadors for Christ, proclaiming His message far and wide.

This noble work was not confined to the few of low station, but the nobility were soon embraced in the number of those who received blessing to their souls. Reports of this wonderful work reached even to the Court of King Frederick I. He had succeeded his father, whom the people had dethroned on account of his many dreadful acts of violence. His son was kind and noble, and a decided supporter of the gospel.

“The King’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water; He turneth it whithersoever He will.” (Prov. 21:1.)

God caused the king to visit Jutland, where he heard the account of the imprisoned monk, who never grew tired of preaching the gospel from his cell. His heart was touched at this report, and, more decidedly than ever, declared that in his realm there should be liberty of conscience for every man in things pertaining to their soul’s salvation. He commanded that Tausen be immediately released, and he appointed him to be his chaplain. Tausen then had the privilege of preaching the gospel in Viborg.

Satan was utterly defeated. A large congregation gathered around him to hear the Word. Later he was called to Copenhagen.

The work of the reformation spread gradually all over Denmark, and Tausen was busy with pen and mouth. Other faithful men God raised up who helped in the work. The New Testament was published in the Danish language, also the Psalms and the Pentateuch.

After the death of Frederick I., the enemy once more made desperate effort to destroy the good work, but it was too late. There were too many sincere followers of the Lord. The gospel spread with power.

The new King, Christian III., was also a faithful man, and under his protection Tausen was privileged to work on for many years with rich blessing to souls.

In November, 1561, the much-tried servant of the Lord went home to be with the One who had loved him and given Himself for Him.

And O, what delight,

In heaven so bright,

To see the blest Saviour’s own face!

On His beauty to gaze,

And sing to His praise,

Forever in that happy place!

Messages of God’s Love 5/31/1914

Bible Questions for June

Answers to Bible Questions for April

“ Be ye also patient,” etc. James 5:8.

“ Being born again,” etc. 1 Peter 1:23

“ For many deceivers,” etc. 2 John 7.

“ Keep yourselves,” etc. Jude 21.

“I have no greater joy,” etc. 3 John 4.

“ But the day of the Lord,” etc. 2 Peter 3:10.

“ My little children,” etc. 1 John 2:1.

Bible Questions for June

The Answers are to be found in Matthew.

Write the verse containing the words: “ Bear our sicknesses.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ He shall in no wise lose his reward.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ The good seed.” “ The tares.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ The Son of Man cometh.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Children crying in the temple.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ My beloved Son.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ Love your enemies.”

Messages of God’s Love 5/31/1914

Mary Lyon

Among the Christian women of America, perhaps few names have been more widely known than that of Mary Lyon.

To tell the story of her useful life, much of which was spent in loving service for the Lord, would fill a volume, but a few lessons from her early life as to the value of thoroughness, and habit of doing things well, will, I think, be of some use to the girls who may read this brief sketch of her school days.

Mary Lyon was born in the year 1797. Her home was a New England farmhouse, where from early morning till evening busy work of some kind was always going on. Both Mary’s parents were true Christians. Her mother was a woman of strong faith and one who prayed much that all her children might early know and love Christ.

As soon as Mary was old enough to understand, her mother used to tell her of the Saviour’s love for little children. And Mary would listen, and say when the “Sweet story of old” was ended, “Tell me about my little brother Ezra who has gone to live with Jesus, above, the bright blue sky.”

As the schoolhouse was some distance from Mary’s home she did not go to school very early, but her mother taught her at home to obey promptly and cheerfully, and in many ways suited to a child’s strength, to be helpful to others.

When Mary was six years old an event took place which was never to be forgotten by her—the death of her dear father. His family were gathered ‘round his sick bed. Mary did not sob or cry aloud, but looked on, strange new feelings of sorrow and wonder filling the young heart as the dying father prayed, “God bless my children. My Father, be Thou the Guide of their youth. Now, Lord Jesus, come quickly.” And then he went to be with Christ which is far better.

Dark, cold winter days followed, but the widow and the fatherless learned much of the loving kindness of the Lord. Sometimes provisions were scarce and there was no money in the house to buy more. Mrs. Lyon did not tell her neighbors, but just took her need to God in prayer. Some friend would call with a basket of apples, or a cake for the children; or some farmer on his way to market would stop his wagon at their gate to say his wife had put up a few things she thought might be of use to Mrs. Lyon.

Mary soon began to help her mother in spinning. Sometimes the work would go on smoothly enough, but at others the flax tangled up and the thread broke or got in knots. And if the face of the little worker grew clouded, and she was tempted to say, “This tiresome old spinning wheel won’t work right today,” her mother would look up with a cheering smile and begin singing,

“It is not in the wheel,

It is not in the band,

But it is in the little girl

Who takes it in her hand.”

And so the girl who took it in hand kept bravely on with her work, till in time she was able to spin a thread as fine and even as that of her mother. Having a new dress was an event to Mary and her sisters; so many things had to be done before the dress could be made. Sometimes a woolen dress for winter wear was needed, and Mary would watch the sheep-shearing with great interest; then came the wool picking and washing, then the wool must be sent to the carding mill. Spinning and weaving at the old hand-loom followed, Mary taking part in all these occupations.

During the winter months she attended school, and made rapid progress in her studies. In the summer her widowed mother needed her help in household cares, and it was gladly, cheerfully given.

When Mary was fifteen years of age, her eldest brother took entire charge of the little farm, and while her mother and younger sisters went to a new home, Mary remained with him as his housekeeper. Busy days they were for her; milking the cows, churning butter, cooking, spinning, and many other duties took up much of her time; but by early rising and constant industry she was able to improve her education.

About this time Mary Lyon gave herself to Christ. From quite a little girl she had felt a great desire to be a true Christian, and had often been deeply anxious about her soul: perhaps the gospel she had listened to had not shown her quite simply how she might be saved by faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It was the afternoon of a bright and beautiful Lord’s day in May, 1816, when she first said from her heart, “Lord Jesus, Thou art my Saviour.”

She left the little brown meeting house with a heavy heart. An aged servant of the Lord had been speaking of the goodness of God. In closing, the silver-haired man, looking round with almost a father’s affection, exclaimed, “And now, my children, what more can I say to you? Remember, it is a very solemn thing, and very wicked, too, not to love so good a God as I have been telling you of.”

Alone, and in deep trouble, Mary took a winding path along the hill-side. She had long been looking into her own heart to find some love to God, but she had not really believed the love of God to sinners (John 3:16), so of course none was to be found there.

But then and there the memory of her dying father’s prayer for his children came to her mind. Why should not the answer be given that day? and turning from the footpath into a hollow near the brow of the hill, she knelt and prayed, “O God, Thy way is perfect: be Thou my Father, and the Guide of my youth. Lead me into Thy way of peace, show me Thy dear Son as my Saviour.”

And her prayer was heard; joy and peace in believing filled her soul. New hopes, new affections, made her very happy, as she said with David, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name.” (Psa. 103:1.)

And new desires, too, sprang up in her heart; one of these desires was to be allowed to show her love to Christ by doing something that would please Him, and He gave her the desire of her heart.

She was just beginning to keep school, only a village school, and many of her pupils were very young. But Miss Lyon put her whole heart into her work, and the girls who attended her school soon began to love their kind, patient teacher. After a few years of study, Miss Lyon began her life-work as head mistress or principal of a large boarding-school for young ladies, most of whom were being trained to become teachers of others. Miss Lyon was anxious that all her pupils should get on well with their lessons, but still more so that they might all early know and love the Lord Jesus.

And year by year the Lord gave her the joy of seeing many of her dear girls converted. Some of her scholars became teachers in mission schools, others just let their light shine for Christ in their own homes.

After about thirty years spent in teaching, Miss Lyon fell asleep in Christ on March 2, 1848.

Messages of God’s Love 6/7/1914

A Visitor

HOW excited this lady in our picture seems. She has rushed into the room to tell this man that someone has arrived at his home, and she wonders if he knows it—-she acts as though it is a great surprise to her.

Do you like to be surprised? I’m sure you do, if it is with something that please; you. Parents like to surprise their children by giving them nice things, and then you like to be surprised, too, by having some dear friend come to see you that you have not been looking for.

This picture made me think of the One that is coming from heaven to this world very, very soon, and what an awful surprise His coming will be to most people. Yes, Jesus is coming, and to the unsaved, it will be as a “thief in the night.” You know how you dread thieves—if you do not love Jesus, you will greatly dread to meet Him; for He is a stranger to you, and you know He will judge you for your sins. Look at Luke 12:40.. “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”

There are many, many saved people though that are looking and longing for the coming of Jesus. They know Him as their Saviour, and their very best Friend, and will be so happy to see Him. What a difference it makes. dear child, whether you belong to Jesus or not. His coming will be a dreadful surprise to you if you have not gone to Him for the forgiveness of your sins—He will come so quickly that you will not realize what has happened till all the saved ones are gone. It is to happen in a moment in the twinkling of an eye.” (1 Cor. 15:52.)

Make sure now that you are ready to meet Jesus—-do not be left behind! “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.”

“THE COMING OF THE LORD DRAWETH NIGH.” James 5:8.

Messages of God’s Love 6/7/1914

My Precious Bible

While in the house of a friend, 1 went one day to my room and found the baby of the house playing with my Bible. 1 quite startled the little fellow by exclaiming, “O Andrew! give it to me, my precious Bible!” He handed it to me at once, for he knew that he ought not to have it, and later on he begged of his mother an old coverless book which he showed to me, saving triumphantly, “See my precious Bible.”

I hope as he grows elder that Andrew will find the Bible a precious book indeed. it is my earnest prayer for all my young friends that they may believe its precious truths, trust in the Saviour revealed there, and be faithful to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, sent by God to teach us all things.

We read much in the 119th Psalm of the Word of God and what it was to the writer. We are told in the New Testament of the life, death and resurrection of the Saviour Jesus.

Will you not add to your prayers this petition, that you may always love and honor God’s Word?

Messages of God’s Love 6/7/1914

The Flower Garden

OUR little friend is busy taking care of her garden of flowers. What do you think was necessary for her to do before she could get such a profusion of blossoms?

First, the ground must be properly prepared—spaded up, and all stones and weeds taken out, and then the tiny seeds must be planted. In a few days the green leaves appear and each day they increase in size. Then they must be carefully watered and weeded, and now she sees the result of all her work.

In Matthew 13 we read of sowing of seed. The seed there is God’s Word, and the garden is your heart and mine. Whenever we read God’s Word, either alone, or with our parents and teachers, whenever we hear the gospel preached, seed has been sown in our hearts.

Satan is always watching to take away the Word, by filling our minds with something else, just as the birds watch to pick up a grain of corn or a bean, that has been dropped on the path. He does not care what we are thinking about, as long as we are not listening to God’s voice in His Word.

The ground of our hearts needs to be broken up, before the seed can grow there. We must know ourselves to be sinners, before we shall really receive Christ as our Saviour.

How disappointed we would be, if, after we had sown quantities of seed, nothing should come up! So, after God has told us all about His love in giving His blessed Son to die for us, that we might be saved through Him, how grieved must be His heart to have any turn away from Him, and prefer to have the things of this world, which we know is so soon to receive His terrible judgment for having rejected His unspeakable gift.

He desires to have the seed take root and grow in our hearts and ways, and bring forth fruit in us to His praise and glory. God looks for fruit when He sows seed. May He find it in many of our young friends.

“HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I IN HIM, THE SAME BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT: FOR WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING.” John 15:5.

Messages of God’s Love 6/14/1914

Six Twenty-Pound Notes

THE sun shone gaily, and the farmer sat on a low wall overlooking the quarry where a man was working. He was no doubt thinking over his last sale of farm produce, for he had not been there long before he drew out a roll of notes and examined them. They were six in number, and for £20 each.

How far in thought the farmer traveled we know not, or whether he was meditating how best to lay out his funds in seeds or stock; but he shortly turned his steps homeward. Not long had he been at his farm before he thought again of his notes, and, to his chagrin, discovered they were not in his possession.

Trying to recollect himself, he speedily concluded he must have forgotten to take them from the wall, where they would still be found. But he was mistaken. Not a sign of any one of them rewarded his resolute, anxious search. The notes were gone. Who could have found them? Reflecting again, he remembered whom he had seen in the quarry; and, suspecting the man, he accused him of having them. But the quarryman, instead of confessing the truth, denied the charge with indignation!

All the while the £120 was in his possession, for he had found and appropriated the notes. And, dear reader, though the poor farmer was nonplused, and could do nothing but stop payment of the notes, which he did, yet did not God know? Oh, how terrible it is that men—many, at least —are practically infidel as to the very existence of God, or surely they would remember that He knoweth, and that no denial of the truth blinds His eyes to their sin!

And now what did God do with this grievous transgressor, this liar, this thief? Man could do nothing, for no human eye had beheld the evil act. Satan was doubtless busy enough with the man, persuading him to stick to the lie, to face it out, and hold fast the money; hadn’t he found it, and didn’t he want it far more than the farmer, who had ten times the comforts he had, and perhaps, after all, would never miss it? But what did God do with this man? Well. first of all He gave him ample space for repentance. For two long years He gave Lim this and constant mercies withal. Week after week He gave him strength to earn his bread and health to enjoy it. And all this time the man kept up his character among men, and went to chapel or church, it may be, and heard the Word of God preached, and the way of salvation presented. We say it may have been so; but one thing is clear: that all the while, yea, for a hundred weeks, he hugged his sin and his ill-gotten treasure!

And then God’s hand was uplifted! The quarryman rose from his bed and went to his work as usual that day, but it was for the last time. The finger of God, as it were just touched the ground under the shadow of which he was working, and in an instant 200 tons of rock and earth engulfed him, and the poor fellow was BURIED ALIVE! A number of workmen set on to recover his body, working late and early for two whole days before he could be reached. At length the mangled corpse was disinterred, and reverent hands conveyed him to his cottage. But, alas, when friends examined his pockets, there was produced in the light of day the fearful disclosure of his guilt!

Carefully folded up and enwrapped with a piece of rag, within a steel box, were the missing notes, the whole £120, just as they had left the farmer’s hands when he sat on the wall two years before! Sad, sad revelation of unconfessed guilt! And what had he gained by it? Had he not sowed the wind and reaped the whirlwind? What, O, “what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world” (righteously even, and surely worse if unrighteously) “and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

And do you tell me, my dear young reader, that you are guiltless of such a transgression as that of the wretched quarryman, and would not condescend to so base an act? I freely accept your assertion; but doth not God ask for more? Doth not He look down somewhat deeper than even the steel box; ah, deeper than human eyes ever penetrated? Two hundred tons of earth did not suffice to prevent the sad evidence that box contained from being exposed to human eyes; nor can aught else than the blood of Christ prevent your sins being, as it were, proclaimed on the housetops before an assembled universe. This very moment doth not Conscience whisper to you of many and many a sin in which you stand uncleared before those eyes which are as a flame of fire, the piercing gaze of a thrice-holy God? “BE SURE YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT”—not, perhaps, in this world, but how surely by and by! It is only now and again that God acts in the striking way our little narrative illustrates; but ere long how swift and terrible a judgment will fall upon all who were afforded space for repentance, but only hardened themselves in their sins until the day of grace closed, and judgment, like a mighty avalanche, descended to their eternal destruction!

Dear reader, escape for thy life! “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” Has He not said: “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at naught all My counsel, and would none of My reproof; I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you!” (Prov. 1:24-27.) Not yet, however, are fulfilled those terrible words which have gone forth from His lips because of His righteous character; but THE GOODNESS OF GOD IS LEADING THEE TO REPENTANCE to learn the efficacy of the blood of Christ for thy sins. And if thy heart be drawn by faith to that precious Saviour as thy Saviour, His own blessed Word to thee for thy present peace, and for thy eternal joy, is, “I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”, (2 Cor. 6:2.)

Messages of God’s Love 6/14/1914

Little Lizzie

OME time ago, I was reading the story of little Lizzie, and I think my young readers will be interested in hearing it too.

A gentleman was walking through one of the poorer streets of a large city, when he observed a man selling vegetables standing by his barrow, and at the same time giving away picture leaflets to a number of children who were gathered round him.

These leaflets contained gospel stories, and he seemed so fond of the little ones that the gentleman went up to him, and asked the reason of this.

The man told him it was because he owed almost everything to a little girl, his own little daughter, Lizzie. She had attended a Sunday school, and there had heard of the love of Jesus, and had found a Friend in Him. Having this happiness herself, she wanted her father and mother to hear the “old, old story.”

It was very difficult for Lizzie to persuade her parents to attend a gospel meeting. Her mother was deaf, and her father made repeated excuses about the shabbiness of his clothes. But at last, after Lizzie and her brothers and sisters had been pleading with them for a long time, her father went, and was converted.

Perhaps some of you do not know the meaning of this long world. It means there was a great change in the man. He learned he was a sinner; but he learned, too, that God had given His Son to die for sinners. And so the poor man believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, got the forgiveness of his sins, and became a happy child of God. From that time he sought to do only what was pleasing to God his Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ his Saviour.

Can you say, The Lord Jesus is my, Saviour?

Soon after her father’s conversion, little Lizzie was attacked by a serious disease. and became very ill.

When the doctor was called, he said she could not live very long, possibly only an hour or two.

It was Sunday evening, just before the time for the gospel meeting, and Lizzie was very anxious that her father should not stay away because of her low state.

To please her, he went, and on his return had just time to give her one kiss before she passed away to be with the Lord, who had loved her, and given Himself for her.

“Ah!” said her father, “she led me to God!”

Dear children, if the Lord should call you away while you are still young would you be ready to go?

He has said, “Surely I come quickly.” (Rev. 22.)

O! I beseech you, come to Jesus; and those who have come, can do as Lizzie did, lead others to Jesus.

Messages of God’s Love 6/14/1914

My Saviour Was a Child

“He came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them.” Luke 2:51.

I love to think, though I am young,

My Saviour was a child;

That Jesus walked the earth along,

With feet all undefiled.

He kept His father’s word of truth

As I am taught to do,

And while He walked the paths of youth,

He walked in wisdom, too.

I love to think that He who spake,

And made the blind to see,

And called the sleeping dead to wake,

Was once a child like me.

That He who wore the thorny crown,

And tasted death’s despair,

Had a kind mother like my own,

And knew her love and care.

I know ‘twas all for love to me

That He became a child,

And left the heavens so fair to see,

And trod earth’s pathway wild.

Then, Saviour, who was once a child,

A child may come to Thee;

And, O! in all thy mercy mild,

Blest Saviour, come to me.

Messages of God’s Love 6/14/1914

Discordant Sounds

WHAT a pitiful yell poor Rover has set up, to the astonishment of his little playmate. It is evident God did not intend music for the ear of dogs, although these notes may sound beautiful and are pleasing to the ear of man. God has made each creature just as it pleased Him, and each has his place to fill.

There is this sad thing with many in connection with music, that they leave God out and seek to please themselves, and forget that God gave them their ears and voice, and they use them for their own glory, play beautiful things to please themselves, and sing to have people look at them and admire their voice, and thus take the glory to themselves instead of using all for God’s glory.

Scripture tells the believer in the Lord Jesus,

“WHATSOEVER YE DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.” 1 Cor. 10:31.

If you, dear child, are a believer in the Lord Jesus, may you seek for grace from the Lord to bring Him into all you do.

Messages of God’s Love 6/21/1914

In the Raven's Crop

HAVE any of you seen the Schmidt children to-day?” The teacher in a little German village school looked up as she spoke.

“Nay, Fraulein,” answered some of her scholars at once; “Isa and Elsa were not along the road this morning, nor in the church yesterday.”

“Can they, then, the poor little ones, be ill?” went on Fraulein Werner, in rather a distressed fashion. “I fear absence from school just now will affect Isa’s chance of a prize. That is a pity. For, up to this, no more regular attendants have I had than the Schmidt children.”

“They are quite well, Fraulein,” volunteered big Johann Faber; “I met them in the woods as I came across. But they say that Herr Schmidt himself is out of work. He has been dismissed from the factory, and has not wherewith to pay thy fees, my Fraulein.”

The schoolmistress made no comment. Only, when class was over for the day, she went towards a little cottage rented by the Schmidt family. Her missing scholars ran out at sight of her with cries of welcome. No, they were not ill, but their father was in trouble, and they could not be spared from home.

“The manager has dismissed several of his best hands,” explained Madame Schmidt to her interested and sympathetic visitor. “Wilhelm is one of many, but Wilhelm is the only father of a family, which makes us feel it doubly hard.”

“But,” said Fraulein Werner, “have you not implored the manager to relent?”

“Wilhelm is there—at his house—at this moment,” answered the mother tearfully. “But better than expecting assistance from Herr Bohn, we have told the dear heavenly Father all about our trouble. We know He will provide somehow!”

“Assuredly,” assented the teacher. “We have a very present help always, dear Madame Schmidt. And in the meanwhile, I ask as a favor that Isa and Elsa may continue coming to school as usual. They are a help to me. If Isa will arrive early enough to help put the schoolhouse in order, I shall be in her debt.”

Then for a bit of the way through the woods the two little girls accompanied their beloved teacher. As they went she drew their attention to the flowers of the field and the birds of the air. “If God so clothes the grass of the field, and if He so feeds the sparrows, shall your food and your dress be unthought of?” she argued, and finally the two children went home with much lightened hearts.

Alas! their faith was sorely tried to find their father himself returned with his dismissal confirmed.

“All the manager said in reply to my plea was a chilling smile, and the words, Bad times for all of us, Schmidt. Yet he has his house and raiment and food, whilst we . . . .”

During the next few weeks things seemed to go from bad to worse. At last it was known that the family were really hungry. Then, in cruel thoughtlessness, some boys threw against the wall of Herr Schmidt’s little cottage a dead raven. He picked it up. Hungry as they were, the family could not attempt to eat such a bird, but to pass the weary hours the father proposed to teach Johann how to stuff it. He had been something of a taxidermist in his early days, and no knowledge ever comes amiss.

The first thing to do in beginning to stuff a winged creature is to open its crop.

This Herr Schmidt did very skillfully, until his knife struck against something harder than the usual stones and gravel found therein. The weaver proceeded carefully until his practiced fingers drew out a slender golden necklace!

“Mathilde! Mathilde! come here!” he shouted. “God once commanded ravens to feed His servant Elijah. He has done the same for us. Go out, good woman, sell the necklace, and buy food for the little ones.”

It did, indeed, seem a marvelous providence. But in another moment both he and the mother paused. The necklace was not theirs. What were they to do with it?

“Ah! Herr Schmidt,” exclaimed the jeweler to whom the weaver took his treasure trove, “this is real gold, and I sold it not so long ago to a customer of mine. He wanted to give a wedding present. I will write you his address, and you can make enquiries.”

The result of these enquiries was that the finder learned a strange fact. The manager of the factory from which Herr Schmidt had been dismissed had recently been married, and this necklace was one which had been given to his bride. They had missed the chain, but how the raven had got hold of it was a mystery.

When Schmidt stood again in the little counting house the manager’s manner was very different. He first of all slipped a gold piece into his hand.

“That will relieve your immediate need,” he said, quite kindly, “and further, I will see what I can do for you.”

From that moment the weaver was not allowed to want. The Lord having placed the rich man under obligation to the poor man, he was restored to more than his old position in the factory at the first opportunity.

Needless to add, the Schmidt children were ever afterwards taught to reverence and love every one of God’s creatures. As they listened to the singing birds in their woods, they were reminded of their heavenly Father’s continual care of them. Aye! even every leaf and blossom spoke to them of the faithfulness of their unchanging God. What He had done in the past for Elijah, He had done for them, for He had verily commanded His raven to feed His people!

Will not this true story help you to call upon Him in every time of trouble? Do this, and you will ever find Him a very present Helper and Deliverer.

Messages of God’s Love 6/21/1914

Only Think!

MRS.____, a Christian woman of nearly eighty years, had for a long time been able to do but little for herself, on account of her infirmity. The duty and privilege of caring for her fell upon a daughter, assisted by a grand-daughter. It was their custom to take up her breakfast and then for her to remain in bed a short time, afterwards being helped to dress herself.

One morning, having finished her breakfast, the old lady felt stronger than she had for some time, thought she would attempt to get up without assistance, which she accomplished, and was highly pleased. Her daughter, ongoing upstairs, was astonished to find her mother dressed, ready to go down.

She expressed her pleasure and surprise, as did also her mother, at the strength given her. Mrs.____ was
about to make a further remark. She said: “Only think!” There was a sudden pause—a change was observed in her features. She was spoken to, but no other words escaped her lips—they were closed forever, her happy spirit having gone to be with the One who loved her and gave Himself for her. Her friends did “think” —they thought of what unexpected things had occurred that morning.

Little had they expected her to dress herself without assistance, and much less had they expected she would never require their assistance again.

Yet more did they “think.” They thought of how uncertain life was, and how blessed it was that the one who had thus been suddenly called away was ready.

Young reader, are you ready? If not, only think!” “Thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” “Only think!”

“After death the judgment.” Surely, if
you do “think” of these things you will speedily ask, “What must I do to be saved?” Then you will receive the blessed answer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”

Messages of God’s Love 6/21/1914

Little Lambs

Little lambs, why all the day,

Do you near your mother play?

When she calls, why skip for glee?

And yet from all others flee?

“Why,” the little lambs reply,

“She’s our mother, that is why!”

Little child, why all the day

Does your mother near you stay?

When you call, how quick to see

What your little want may be?

“Why,” the dear one doth reply,

“I’m her child, and that is why.”

True, dear child, now hark to me,

And another answer see—

God has made her love you so,

That you might His own love know.

God so loved you, little one,

That He gave His only Son

Once to die, on Calvary’s tree,

That you might quite happy be:

That your sins might be forgiven,

And that you might dwell in heaven.

“Why,” you ask, “did Jesus die?”

Ah! He loved you, that is why.

Messages of God’s Love 6/21/1914

Poverty

WHAT a sad picture we get here of two poor children. They seem so sad and discouraged. They may have been looking for work, and could not get anything to do, and now, tired and hungry, they have sat down to beg.

“What a world this is of suffering! How much we might be doing to help our fellow creatures—giving to the poor for immediate help, and seeking to help them to get work, so they may earn their own living; and above all, to point them to the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for sinners, to redeem them from this world and all its consequences.

If you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, as the One who died for you, then you are told to “Make to yourselves friends with the mammon of unrighteousness.” That is, to use what temporal

things you have, and give to the poor, and help them in that way, and they will become your friend, and you will then have their ear, and they will listen to what you bring before them of God’s Word. You could read to them that beautiful verse,

“GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.” John 3:16.

There are many other such beautiful verses that might be given to the unsaved, and the Scripture is full of words of comfort for the believer in the Lord Jesus.

Messages of God’s Love 6/28/1914

The Conversion of Frances Ridley Havergal

Till I was six years old I have no remembrance of any religious ideas whatever. Even when taken to see the corpse of a little boy of my own age, 4 years, lying in a coffin strewn with flowers, I did. not think about it otherwise than a sad and curious thing that that little child should lie so still and cold. From 6 to 8 I recall a different state of things. The beginning of it was a sermon preached one Sunday. Of this I even now retain a distinct impression. No one ever knew it, but this sermon haunted me, and day and night it crossed me.

I think I had a far more vivid sense of the beauty of nature as a little child than I have even now. The shade of a tree under. a clear, blue sky, with a sunbeam glancing through the boughs, was beautiful to me then. But I did not feel happy in my very enjoyment; I wanted more. I do not think I was eight when I hit upon Cowper’s lines, ending, “My Father made them all.”

That was what I wanted to be able to say, and after once seeing the words I never saw a lovely scene again without being teased by them. One spring I kept thinking of them, and a dozen times a day said to myself

“O, if God would make me a Christian before the summer comes!” because I longed so to enjoy His works, as I felt they could be enjoyed.

I knew I did not love God or understand His love to me; the very thought of Him frightened me; but sometimes a feeling not unlike love would make me go to sleep with a wet pillow.

Going to bed I would determine I would try to think about God, hard as it was, and after I lay down, as my thoughts did not flow at all naturally heavenward, I forced them into a definite channel by a half whisper.

“How good it was of God to send Jesus to die!” was my usual beginning, while I by no means felt or believed that wonderful goodness. Nevertheless, it usually ended in my crying most heartily, because I was so bad and He was so good, and because I didn’t and couldn’t love Him when He even died for sinners.

Then came the great break in the current of my outer life, and with it a development of the inner. When I was thirteen, to my great delight, I went to boarding school. My sister Maria took me, and we reached Belmont in the evening. The girls were singing their evening hymn before the weekly address of their chaplain. It sounded very sweet and soothing. The text was in Samuel, which I forget; but the two leading ideas were that we should begin the new half-year with the Saviour who loved us and gave Himself for us, and in a spirit of helpful love one toward another. It was rather a long address, but it was the keynote of my prayer that evening as I knelt for the first time beside my little bed, so white and curtainless.

It was not. long before I felt that our Principal, Mrs. T.’s teaching was something more than common. She longed and prayed that none might leave her roof unimpressed by the love of God, and it was to a great extent fulfilled.

She prayed and spoke with us, together and individually, with a fervor which I have never since seen equaled. The result was what might be called a revival among her young charges.

The climax came in about the first or second week in December. Diana was the sunbeam of the school, and a most particular friend of mine. She was as faultless as a child could be. For some days previously she had mixed as little as possible with others, though apparently unintentionally, and there had been a slight depression about her which, though probably unnoticed by others, struck me. That evening, as I sat nearly opposite her at tea, I could not help seeing, nobody could, a new and remarkable radiance about her countenance. It seemed literally lighted up from within, while her voice—I wondered whether it was as musical to others as it was to me—even in the commonest necessary remarks, sounded like a song of gladness. Something was coming I was sure. Diana was not the same.

As soon as tea was over she came to my side of the table, sat down by me on the form, threw her arms around me, and said:

“O Fanny, dearest Fanny, the blessing has come at last. Jesus has forgiven me, I know. He is my Saviour, and I am so happy! Only come to Him and He will receive you.”

Yes, she had found peace, and more than peace—overflowing, unspeakable joy; yet, even in the very gush of its shining waters, she thought of those around. She told me how, while everyone had supposed her to be a Christian, she had not been seeking and praying for a long time, and how, that day, the words, “Thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5), had struck her suddenly, and she had thought over them all day till the time came when she could be alone with Him who spoke them, and then came the joyful power of believing in the love and might of the gracious Saviour and His death bought pardon. My time was to come.

One evening at twilight I sat on the drawing-room sofa alone with Miss C., and told her how I longed to know I was forgiven. She asked me a question which led to the hearty answer that I was sure I desired it above everything on earth, that even my precious papa was nothing in comparison.

She paused, and then said slowly, “Then, Fanny, why cannot you trust yourself to your Saviour at once? Supposing that now, at this moment, Christ were to come and take up His redeemed, would not His call, His promise, be enough for you?”

Then came a flash of hope across me, which made me feel literally breathless. I remember how my heart beat.

“I could surely, “ was my response, and I left her suddenly and ran away upstairs, and I flung myself on my knees in my little room. I was very happy at last. The Son of God had loved me and given Himself for me! (Gal. 2:20.) Surely I could rest in His love. I did trust the Lord Jesus then and there as my Saviour. For days my happiness continued. For the first time my Bible was sweet to me, and the first passages I distinctly remember reading in a new and glad light was the fourteenth and following chapters of John’s Gospel.

Reader, if unsaved, may you be led to know Jesus as your own Saviour. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”

Messages of God’s Love 6/28/1914

A Foe in Disguise

YEARS ago, when the British in North America were at war with the Indians, they had in their ranks a brave young soldier, named Hugh Saunderson. He offered to act as sentry for the night on one of the outposts, although he knew his position would be one of great danger. Four of his comrades had been found dead, stabbed to the heart by some mysterious foe, at the very same post, on the four nights previous. He had orders to fire if so much as a bird moved its wing, and we shall see what he gained by strict obedience to his commanding officer.

For the first few hours of his watch, all was so still and quiet that his spirit of adventure was almost disappointed; he began to forget his peril, nor did he awaken to a sense of danger even when he saw a wild hog coming towards him, apparently bent on picking up food.

However, as it still came nearer and nearer, he remembered his orders to fire if anything moved, and although a wild hog seemed scarcely worth the expenditure of his powder, he took aim and fired.

The next moment a sharp cry of human anguish fell on his ear, and the alarm being heard by two or three of the neighboring sentries they ran to the spot just in time to witness the death-struggles of a Red Indian, who had disguised himself in the skin of a hog, and was about to add a fifth to the list of his victims.

How thankful Hugh Saunderson must have been for his preservation! and he learned a fresh lesson too of the wisdom of keeping closely to the order of his superior, for his own impulse would have led him to take no notice of a harmless-looking wild hog.

Dear young readers, you who know your Bibles well will surely be reminded of the great enemy of mankind who would like to destroy all of us, body and soul.

First of all, as we find in Genesis 3, his aim was to ruin the beautiful world that God had created, and to incite to rebellion the man whom God had made in His own image, to be His special delight. Alas!
what a triumph was gained by that “foe in disguise”! He came in the form of a serpent, feigning a deep interest in the welfare of Adam and Eve, and succeeded in making them wish for the only fruit in the garden that God had forbidden to them.

God knew well what they did, and how they suffered for it; and, since. then, every man and woman born into the world has a heart naturally “at enmity with God.” (James 4:4.)

You know, too, that everyone must have gone to the place “prepared for the devil and his angels,” had not God in His rich mercy sent His Son to redeem the souls that were under Satan’s power. Natural death, indeed, is the lot of all, excepting those believers who are on earth when the Lord comes again (see 1 Thess. 4:15-18), but from eternal death, the death of the soul, all can be saved who trust in the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. He, at the cost of His own life conquered our dreadful enemy, and opened to us the gate of heaven.

“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:22.)

Many of you, dear young readers, I trust, are believers in Him, and safe for eternity. But even you have need to watch against this wily foe, who may come to you in disguise, perhaps by making wrong appear right, or tempting you to do what seems harmless in itself, but yet is contrary to God’s word.

Yes, my dear young friends, we have a foe both strong and wily, but we have also a Friend who is infinitely wiser and stronger, so that we need never be discouraged. In his strength we are always sure of victory. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31.)

We have indeed, great need to pray, “Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe.” (Psalm 119:17.)

Messages of God’s Love 6/28/1914

Our Lord Jesus Christ

OUR Lord Jesus Christ,” spelled out a little boy who had not learned yet to read properly, but he knew the meaning of those blessed names, for he quickly added: “Oh, that does sound nice!—-I do like that so much—it sounds as if `our’ meant like having the Lord Jesus Christ for our very own to keep.”

Yes, that is indeed a beautiful truth. Where the Lord. Jesus Christ takes possession of the heart of any little girl or boy by His Holy Spirit, having washed away their sins by His own blood, He will never leave them again. He is indeed their own to keep forever, and they are His for Him to keep forever.

What a sweet thought, is it not, dear little ones? Christ says to His own, “I will never leave thee;” and “They shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand.” (John 10:28.) So He is grasping His own loved ones so tightly, so closely, in His almighty, loving hand.

Messages of God’s Love 6/28/1914

Bible Questions for July

Answers to Bible Questions for May

“And there shall in no wise,” etc. Rev. 21:27,

“Saying with a loud voice,” etc. “ 5:12.

“Fear none of those things,” etc. “ 2:10.

“And I heard a voice,” etc. “ 14:13.

“But the rest of the dead,” etc. “ 20:5.

“Behold, I will make,” etc. “ 3:9.

“After this I beheld,” etc. “ 7:9.

Bible Questions for July

The Answers are to be found in Mark.

Write the verse containing the words: “Thou art the Christ.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Tarry ye here and watch.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Because ye belong to Christ.”

Write the verse containing the words: “The wind and sea obey Him.-

Write the verse containing the words: “Preach the gospel to every creature.”

Write the verse containing the words: “He hath done all things well.”

Write the verse containing the words: “He was much displeased.”

Messages of God’s Love 7/5/1914

The Two Millionaires

WE had not seen each other for many long years, my old school chum, Arthur, and I, and he was as good as forgotten to me. But one day, I received a card from him, saying he was stopping at the hotel and would I come to see him?

Gladly I accepted the invitation, for we had been great friends in former days. We had an animated conversation. It had gone well with him in the world. In his youth he had found it hard to get along, so emigrated to California to seek his fortune in gold washing. As he said, he found it. With his first earnings he bought land, and when it was discovered that it contained gold, he sold it again at a high price. And thus he went on increasing in riches. Finally he retired from business life, sold all he had and invested in government stocks.

“That is the most secure investment,” he said, showing me a bundle of documents. “I have neither house nor land, but I have my stock certificates. When I want money, I have only to cut off an interest warrant.”

“But,” I objected, “your certificates have no real worth. They are nothing but paper and contain only promises. What if the promisees become bankrupt?”

“That is impossible,” returned Arthur, “as you know quite well yourself. The State cannot become bankrupt!”

“Still,” I persisted, “you must admit you are a millionaire only in virtue of your belief. Your possessions in themselves Wave no value, but you believe that those who promise payment (in this case the State) will pay at the proper time.”

“Right,” replied my friend laughing. “I am rich, because I believe. And as long as the State guarantees its wealth and its honors, I need not doubt my riches.”

“I am also rich, because I believe;” answered; “do you understand what I mean?”

But it turned out that he did not understand. With all his riches, he had not found the true riches.

The same day, I visited a second millionaire, likewise a former school chum. But to do so I had to go, not into a splendid hotel, but into the poorhouse. George had been one of the best of scholars, and had grown up to be a capable man. But “whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth.” The truth of these words George had richly proved in his experience. Many difficulties had met him on the way, and now he lay in the poorhouse, his health completely shattered.

Where were his riches, then? Like Arthur, he possessed neither house nor land, but he possessed, like him, a bundle of promises—certificates. When I told him of my visit to our mutual schoolfellow, he brought from beneath his pillow a much used Bible and laid it before him.

“Friend,” said he to me, “I also am a millionaire. Men, it is true, call me poor, but I possess more than millions. It often seems to me as if the Bible had been written for myself alone. I find there more than three thousand of the most precious promises, which, for all the gold in the world, I would not miss. For this gold, I would soon have to leave behind, but the promises I possess, my property, go with me beyond the grave. Thev can never lose their value, for they were given to me by Him who possesses the earth; yes, the whole universe!”

Two millionaires and both rich through their belief. The one, because he trusts in the government of his country; the other because his confidence rests in the living God. The one, rich in things which he may lose any day—the other rich in an inheritance which is indestructible and eternal. The one, rich for a brief time—his very days perhaps numbered—the other, rich in wealth which remains his throughout eternity. Who is the richer of the two? You say perhaps, “The second man will be some (lay.” I answer, “No, he is the richer now. For through faith in the promises of God, the glory of heaven, yes, even the Lord of glory Himself, is his present portion and in Him he joys with unspeakable joy!”

The silver moon, the golden sun,

And all the stars that shine,

Belong to Christ, God’s Son and Heir,

And He’s a Friend of mine.

Yes, He’s a Friend of mine,

And He with me cloth all things share,

Since all is Christ’s and Christ is mine,

Why need I have’a care?

For Jesus is a Friend of mine.

Messages of God’s Love 7/5/1914

God Sees Us Always

“No one will see us, Maudie;

I think we need not fear”—

And Reggie opened the cupboard,

And gazed at some apples there,

By his side was his little sister,

A child of six years old,

Her face like the summer sunshine—

Her features of gentle mould.

The children looked at each other—

The apples were fair to see,

“How nice they would be” said Maudie.

“Just look at them, one, two, three!

How rosy and fresh and juicy,

They look on this sultry day; I

‘m so tired and hot with playing;

Let us take one while we may.”

“Yes, we’ll take the largest,” said Reggie,

As he gazed at its rosy hue;

“It will not be much between us;

But we’d better not take two.”

Then he laid his hand upon it,

And turned it o’er and o’er;

How easy ‘twould be to take it,

And fasten the cupboard door!

Now, just at this very moment,

The sunlight bright and fair,

Stole in at the open window,

In all its beauty rare;

It shone on the rosy apples,

It shone on the painted floor,

It shone on the tempted children,

By the open cupboard door.

Then it seemed to say to Maudie,

As its lovely radiance grew,

“There is One who sees you always,

Whatever you may do.

His holy eye looks on you;

Nothing can you hide from Him,

So if no one else had seen you,

He would have known your sin.

He sees in both light and darkness;

He knows every word you say;

He’s looking at you and Reggie

By the cupboard door today.

He knows you are sorely tempted,

Yet there is no need to fall;

Run away from the rosy apple,

And tell your dear mother all.”

Then sweet little Maudie trembled—

Her breath now came thick and fast,

While tears to her blue eyes started;

And she saw her sin at last.

Then she drew away her brother,

And firmly closed the door.

“Reggie,” she said, “God sees us;

We will look at them no more.

We will go and find dear mother,

And tell her what we have done;

She’ll pray with us, Reggie, darling,

When we tell her why, we’ve come

We’ll tell her how we were tempted;

So together now we’ll run,

And she’ll ask that God may pardon

For the sake of His dear Son.”

How full was the mother’s bosom,

As they knelt down by her side,

How happy were Maudie and Reggie,

As she told of Him who died—

Told them of One who could wash them

Whiter than the pure, white snow,

And He is waiting to bless them,

Because He does love them so.

“My darlings,” she said, as she kissed them,

Before they started away,

“I hope you will try to remember

The lesson you’ve learned today;

We are open to temptation,

And our hearts are prone to sin,

But the Lord will keep you safely,

If you only look to Him.

And now, you may have the apples;

I intended them all for you.

Go, sit on the lawn and eat them,

And soon I will come there, too;

When father comes home this evening,

And we have our usual prayer,

We’ll read of Nathaniel’s fig tree,

And how Jesus saw him there.”

Messages of God’s Love 7/5/1914

Making Hay

WHAT a busy time harvest is with all its hard work! Many are so tired when night comes that they can hardly sleep. Have you thought, dear children, why it is that man should have to w3rk so hard? Do you think it was God’s intention that man should need to do so? If we turn to God’s Word, we see there that God told Adam, after he sinned, that “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground.” Gen. 3:19.

This was the result of sin, and we all share in this result and need not expect to escape it. If we do not get difficulties in one way, they will come in another, to remind us what a ruined creation this is, and that we are a part of it. But, dear children, you can be happy in the midst of it, because God has sent His Son to bear the awful penalty of our sins, so that we may not have to be banished from His presence, but that we may come to Him, and call Him our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. Then we know that when we leave this world we shall go to be with Him who has so loved us. Then there will be no more of the present condition—sorrow, pain and death—but we shall be perfect and like the Lord Jesus.

Is not that enough to make us happy, and sing while we are in this world? But some of you may say, “I like to get into the hay fields, for I have lots of fun there.” That may be so, and then when night comes you get so tired, and even get to crying before going to bed, so after all, it is not as nice as you might think it is, but when we get to be with the Lord Jesus, there will be no crying, and everyone will be filled with joy that will be there; and the Lord Jesus can make you happy in this world, but not with the things that are here, but by thinking of Him.

“REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAY; AND AGAIN I SAY, REJOICE.” Phil. 4:4.

Messages of God’s Love 7/5/1914

Mischief

WHAT has happened do you think? The poor boy is sad, and instead of the rest feeling sorry for him, and trying to help him out of his difficulty, they are taunting and teasing him, as they are going out of the school room. How many times this has been done. They forget by such acts they can make one miserable, and by a kind act they can make one happy.

The Lord Jesus was different than others. He ever entered into the sorrows of others, and thought of their needs, and indeed, was the only One who ever loved His neighbor as Himself. He loved us so much that He left the bright glory above and came down to this world and went to Calvary’s cross and died for us, and was there under the awful judgment of God, which we deserved for our sins. Dear child, have you taken that blessed Saviour as yours? If you have, then seek to show the same love to others that He has shown to you.

“BELOVED, IF GOD SO LOVED US, WE OUGHT ALSO TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.” 1 John 4:11.

Messages of God’s Love 7/12/1914

The Scripture Reader

IT may well be questioned whether any two things, ostensibly the same, could be more thoroughly and essentially different than human religiousness and Christianity according to God. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa. 55:8, 9.)

A striking illustration of this came before me last summer, as I was walking with an aged brother in the Lord through the public park at D—. The authorities had forbidden any preaching of the gospel within the park; but, as we were crossing it, we came upon a man in black cloth, with white neckerchief, who was diligently reading aloud the so-called “sermon on the mount,” in the fifth, sixth and seventh chapters of Matthew. We listened for a considerable time, and at length, when he paused and seemed irresolute as to what he should do next, my companion asked him his object in reading. He gave a rambling reply, chiefly inculcating the duty of reading the Bible. I then asked him if he would tell me how I must be saved. As he hesitated for some time, a bystander replied that I must fast and pray.

Hearing that reply, the Scripture reader said that praying without fasting would do, provided we made sacrifices. I then Inquired if he would kindly tell me how many prayers I must make, and how much I must sacrifice.

But he was sure he didn’t know. Of one thing, however, he was certain — he could tell me that God was always merciful to those who deserved it! So I told him there was really no comfort whatever in that to me, for if there was one thing that I was more certain about than another, it was that I didn’t deserve it: what, then, must I do to get saved? He replied, there was no way but prayer and sacrifices. Then I asked him if he were saved, when he said he was trying to be. “Oh,” said I, “I am afraid you’re not able then to tell me!”

So I asked the same question of one or two others in the group, and none of them could tell me. Here the Scripture reader said, “You must try.” “Does God say so?” I asked. “Oh, yes,” he replied. “Well,” said I, “you appear to have the advantage of me, for you have the Word of God in your hand; but if you’ll just kindly show me where it says what you’ve been telling me, that if I pray I shall be saved, or if I make sacrifices I shall be saved, or if I try I shall be saved, I’m so anxious I should be right that I will positively give you a five-pound note.” He looked at me with astonishment, as though my offer indicated that I was an escaped lunatic, especially as I added that I would equally pay the reward if he would only find me the place where God said that He would be merciful to people now if they deserved it.

In a short time he turned to Math. 5:25, 26, being part of what he had been reading, and said that was the way to be saved. So I asked how much he thought I owed to God, if my account were all cast up; but he confessed he could not tell me. “And must it every bit be paid by me?” I inquired. “Yes,” he said, “to the last farthing!” “And what then?” said I. “Well,” he said, “God would then show you mercy!” “Oh, dear! oh, dear!” I said, “and not until I have paid the last farthing?” “No,” he answered, “for He only showed mercy to those who deserved it.” “Well,” said I, “if I owed you just five shillings, and only paid you four and eleven pence three farthings, you wouldn’t be quite satisfied then?” “No,” he said, “you ought to pay the other farthing.”

“Well,” I replied, “that is quite true; and when you had compelled me to pay the last, the uttermost farthing, you would consider you were showing me mercy! So,” I said, “it’s as clear as possible, then, that we shall all go to hell, every one of us; for my own part, so far from being able to pay the last farthing, I have not managed yet to raise the first!”

By this time the attention of those around had become very marked, and I stood forth then plainly with the Gospel—not being aware at the time that preaching in the park was forbidden. I said I had asked one and another the solemn question how I was to be saved, and not one there could tell me. But I could assure them that by grace I was saved, and through mercy I could tell them, too, how they must be saved. I pointed to the black thundercloud approaching, and told them that, if struck by lightning as I talked to them, to breathe no more on earth, it would only be to me God’s chariot of fire to take me into the presence of the Lord who loved me, and had washed me from my sins in His own blood! For a few minutes I sought to arouse their consciences to a sense of their guilt, and then presented the way of salvation according to the Word of God, so contrary to the poor, wretched thoughts of men, which so belie His character and rob Him of His glory as a Saviour-God.

Nothing could more forcibly have brought out the contrast between man’s religiousness and the salvation of God. Those around listened in amazement at the turn things had taken, one man striking his stick on the ground and exclaiming aloud, “That’s faith.” All seemed intensely interested, and the day will declare what blessing there was to souls.

May the readers of this little incident be preserved from Satan’s terrible snare of human righteousness and a righteousness of works! “To him that WORKETII NOT, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” “The righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise: The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH TI1E LORD JESUS, and shalt BELIEVE IN THINE HEART that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Rom. 4:5; 10:6, 8, 9.) “And when they had nothing to pay, He frankly forgave them both.” (Luke 7:42.) Precious Saviour, now and eternally be Thy name praised!

Messages of God’s Love 7/12/1914

A Faithful Testimony

‘I the neighborhood of Halle in Germany, many years ago, lived an old Jew. He trafficked in hides and was in the habit of traveling back and forth between Halle and Naumburg. But on no occasion did he handle whip or reins. To prevent accidents, he kept a servant. He himself sat behind in the wagon on his hides. The servant, whom he had for a long time, was named Christian. He was, moreover, a real Christian, and his dearest book was the Bible. He took it always with him, and as the horse finally got to know the road so well that he could travel without being guided, the servant had a fine opportunity presented to him to take out his Bible and read it. But he read aloud, and the Jew had to listen, whether he wanted to or not. For a long time he said nothing, but at last he could not endure it any more.

One day, when the servant was about to read, he said, “Christian, quit that reading!”

“I can’t,” came the answer.

“Then read softly.”

“I can’t do that either. If I read, I must read out loud or I don’t understand.”

Then the Jew answered shortly: “Then you will get your wages and can go.”

Christian answered nothing. As soon as the journey was ended, he took his Bible under his arm, received his wages and left. He could not and would not forsake God’s Word. The Jew had to employ another servant. This one did not read the Bible. either loud or soft, but his master soon found by experience that it was much better to have a Christian servant, than one who was neither Christian nor Jew. His business did not get along as well as before. He therefore sought out Christian again and asked him, “Christian, will you drive for me again?”

“Why not?” was the answer. “But may I read, also?”

“Yes, you may read if you like.”

“And aloud?”

“Yes, you can read aloud.”

Christian entered again on his old job and read his Bible, and the Jew had to listen, while he gradually read through Old and New Testament. Thus the two journeyed together for many a year.

Then it came to pass that the Jew fell sick. The sickness increased daily and it became evident that his end was not far off.

The last day of his earthly career had come. Sorrowing friends stood round his bed. He was troubled and afraid and often sighed. “My sins! Lord, Thou just God, my sins!” His friends tried to comfort him. They said he had always been an honest man, and if he had deceived any one, it was only a Christian, and that God had prospered him, and such like things.

Then after a pause, he said suddenly: “Christian must come.” The old servant was brought.

“Christian, pray!”

The faithful servant kneeled down there at the bedside of the dying man, and amid the hostile enemies of the Nazarene, he lifted his voice loud and earnestly to Jesus Christ, his Saviour, that He, who had granted mercy to the thief on the cross at the eleventh hour, might also grant mercy to his poor old master.

The old man on the bed became quiet again. The anxious features settled in quietness and an expression When Christian rose from his knees, he clasped his hand, directed his eyes upward and cried with his last breath:

“O Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The Jews, who were standing by, stopped their ears and rushed shrieking from the room.

Old Christian closed the eyes of his dead master. He had the firm conviction that the Lord had heard the cry of this son of Israel, and like the thief on the cross, had taken him home to His eternal glory. And what had brought the old Jew to accept Jesus in his latest hour? It was the faithful testimony of old Christian.

Messages of God’s Love 7/12/1914

The Power of a Smile

ONE day, recently, a lady was crossing a certain station, when an old man stopped her and said:

“Excuse me, ma’am, but I want to thank you for something.”

“Thank me,” exclaimed the lady.

“Yes, ma’am. I used to be ticket collector at B., and whenever you used to go by you always gave me a cheerful smile and a good morning, and you do not know what a difference it made to me. Wet or fine it was always the same, and I thought to myself, wonder where she gets that smile from; one cannot be always happy, yet she seems to be, and I knew that smile came from inside.

“Then one morning you came by, and you had a little Bible in your hand, and I said to myself, perhaps that is where she gets her smile from. As I went home that night I bought a Bible, and have been reading it, and have found Christ, and now I can smile, too, and I want to thank you.”

“Who so trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.” (Prov. 16:20.)

For Thou exceedest all the fame

Our ears have ever heard;

How happy we who know Thy name,

And trust Thy faithful Word.

Messages of God’s Love 7/12/1914

By the Old Mill Stream

WHAT a beautiful place for the children to play under the shady tree and beside the gentle stream, with the old mill in the distance. The duck and the ducklings have come close, to get what food the children have for them.

Papa and Mamma may not be far off, but as far as we see, there is no one watching, to protect them from harm; yet we know from God’s Word that the angels of God are watching over them and taking care of them. The Lord Jesus said to His disciples while here upon earth, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.”

If it were not for God’s Word, we would not know His protecting care. We might, as many do, just put it down to luck that our children were preserved from harm at this and that time, but as we have the Word, we can rejoice that God has His way of, not only supplying the beautiful places where the children may play and enjoy the fresh air, but is watching over them as well.

That verse also lets us know that the Son of man (that is the Lord Jesus) came to save them.

Praise Him, praise Him for all His ways,

Trust Him, trust Him through all our days.

For He doth care and He doth save,

And even triumphs o’er the grave.

“THE LORD LOOKETH FROM HEAVEN; HE BEHOLDETH ALL THE SONS OF MEN.” Psa. 33:13.

Messages of God’s Love 7/19/1914

The Tavern Keeper and the Fly

WE read in the Bible, in several places, of God using animals to carry out His purposes. You all remember how He opened the mouth of the dumb ass and reproved the wicked prophet, Balaam, and on another occasion we read of a lion being sent to kill one of God’s servants, who was disobedient. This interesting story you will find in 1 Kings 13. Then, going on from animals to fishes, there was the great fish, or whale, .by which Jonah was swallowed, and many, many years afterwards, the much smaller fish in whose mouth Peter found the piece of money (Math. 17:24) required for the tribute. Did you ever think of the wonderful power of God, in these miracles? Who, but God, could speak to a fish, either great or small, and command it to do His bidding? And do we not also see how truly the “Man Christ Jesus” was God, in that He also could require the services of the fish of the sea? David, long before either of those miracles took place, wrote in Psa. 8, speaking without doubt of the Lord Jesus, “Thou hast put all things under His feet. . . . Thou madest Him to have dominion over the works of thy hands. All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea.”

I lately heard a story of how, even in these days, God used a little insect to carry out His plans, and I think perhaps you would like to hear it, too.

There was, in a certain village in England, a very Godless man, who made his living by keeping a tavern. He was much given to drinking and swearing, and made it his boast that he never entered a church or read the Bible. But it so happened that someone presented the little village church with a new and very superior organ. It was a great event in this small place, and everyone was anxious to be present on the first Sunday and hear it played. Now our friend, the tavern keeper, was exceedingly fond of music and when he heard of these fine doings, he began to wonder if he, too, could not hear the music everyone was talking about.

“If I could go to the church and just hear the music,” he remarked, “it would be all very well, but I have no intention of sitting there listening to prayers and Bible reading.”

After thinking the matter over for some time, he came to the conclusion that he would go, and that while the organ was silent, he would keep his fingers in his ears, to avoid hearing anything else. This plan seemed an excellent one, and for a while it worked very well. He enjoyed the music at the commencement of the service immensely; then in went his fingers into his ears, and he heard not a single word of the prayer which followed. Now came another hymn, that was delightful, and when the Bible was opened by the minister, who was a godly man, the fingers quickly went in again. It was a hot summer day, the man was hot, and his face moist with perspiration, when suddenly a fly alighted on his nose. It did not remain quietly there, but walked slowly around, tickling him terribly with its little threadlike legs. First he shook his head gently, and then violently, but the fly went on tickling his face. Then he tried blowing. It was of no use. He could and would stand it no longer. Out came his fingers, and he raised his hand to drive away his tormenting little enemy. But God used that one moment to drive an arrow into the conscience of this wicked man. What do you think he heard as his ears became unstopped? This is what the minister was reading, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Math. 11:15.)

The tavern keeper, for almost the first time in his life, heard God’s Word; and he felt it was God speaking directly to him, warning him against the evil of his ways. He dared not close his ears again, but when the service was over came to the minister a convicted sinner, to ask as the Philippian jailer did long ago, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30.)

You may be sure, the good minister was not slow in pointing him to Jesus, the one name by which we can be saved. It was some time before he could grasp the wonderful fact that Jesus had really died upon the cross, as a sacrifice to God, for sin, and that now He is offering salvation, eternal life, and full forgiveness of sins to all who are willing to accept it as a free gift. But at last, through’ God’s infinite grace, the onetime drinking, swearing tavern keeper became a happy, consistent Christian man.

And who can venture to deny that it was the Lord who used that little fly to help in carrying out His purposes of love and grace towards that poor man?

Messages of God’s Love 7/19/1914

The Finger of God

IT was summer, and the rain was pattering down, and little Arthur stood watching the rain-drops glistening in the sunshine. He was looking, too, at the flowers, and a particular rose took his fancy, though he had been forbidden to touch the blossoms in his papa’s garden. The rain ceased, and a beautiful bow appeared in the heavens. Arthur watched his opportunity, and presently crept out to the rose-bed, where, seizing his prize, he was about to pluck it, when, casting his eyes up towards the blue, he saw the varicolored rainbow. At once he dropped the flower from between his fingers, and, rushing in to his mamma, he breathlessly exclaimed:

“O, mamma, such a lovely painting in heaven! God has drawn His finger right across the sky because He was angry with me.”

Then he explained about his contemplated theft of the rose, and his fear of God’s anger when he saw the sudden light above him.

“My son,” said his mother, “God’s love and not His anger set that bow in the cloud, but I would have you see the finger of God ever before you, pointing to the true way, and directing you from the way of sin.”

Arthur often thought of the finger of God after this, and it was a help to him, when he felt inclined to depend on his own will, to look to Jesus for strength, against the evil of his own heart.

We read in Exodus 8:19, that the magicians of king Pharaoh saw, in the plagues sent upon Egypt, the finger of God. They knew in their hearts that their vile enchantments were of the evil one, and that they had no power over the works of the true God. It is usual when a foe finds himself overcome by his opponent, and he sees that there is no use in fighting against him, to submit. When Pharaoh is told that it is the true God with whom he has to deal, he does not yield—he wickedly and blindly hardens his heart, and will not listen when he is told how powerless is he now under God’s finger.

Ought we not to learn a lesson from this? God desires to teach us one, and it is this, that the more we harden our hearts to the voice of Jesus, the greater will be the plague of sin therein. The longer Jesus is shut outside, the longer Satan will have the inside to himself. The finger of God points to His Son as the Saviour from sin. Have you followed with your whole soul the course to which it directs? Is Jesus yours as Saviour and Friend?

The finger of God wrote on the wall of Belshazzar’s palace the doom of that impious king (Dan. 5:5). So you will see that this, of which the astrologers spoke, was not to be lightly regarded. The same finger is pointing now to other words—read them: “This is My beloved Son: hear Him.” (Mark 9:7.) “He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.” (John 6:47.)

Messages of God’s Love 7/19/1914

The Ark

Little children! do you know,

Many, many years ago,

God, to punish wicked men,

Caused it on the earth to rain?

Forty days, and forty nights,

In the valleys, on the heights,

There the flood was all the same,

To the mountain-tops it came.

All that lived above the ground

Died—and children, too, were drowned—

All but Noah, and a few

People, birds, and cattle, too,

Beasts and other living things:

Sin—what punishment it brings!

Little children, do you know

What’s the meaning of the bow

Called the rainbow, in the sky,

Beautiful and round and high?

It is there to show that God

Never more will send a flood

Such as drowned the people then,

Never on the earth again.

But the earth will all be burned,

And the wicked will be turned

Into burning fire in hell;

Children! O remember well,

O remember how the Lord

Guided Noah, by His word,

To prepare an ark of wood

That he might escape the flood.

Jesus is the ark for you—

Little children, this is true—

Jesus is an open door:

Come and enter in before

Yes—before the door is shut;

Come or you will be shut out.

Messages of God’s Love 7/19/1914

Gathering Wild Flowers

IN THE happy days of childhood the beautiful wild flowers are so attractive, yet it is seldom that the thoughts of men turn to God as the Giver of them, much less in thanksgiving for the goodness of God to supply His creatures with such a variety, and that for the purpose of pleasing the eye.

We do not wonder so much that God should have supplied all with food, yet there too we see what a large variety He has seen fit to give. All proves to us what a bountiful Giver God is.

There is One Gift that is above all that God has given for man, and I expect many of my young readers could answer right away that it is His Son whom He gave, to save us from everlasting woe.

What a wonderful expression of the goodness of God we see in this. It is not only that He cares for His creatures so that He has supplied them with all they need for this life, but when they turned away from Him and were His enemies by their wicked works, no thought or desire in their hearts for Him, He then gave His Son to die in their stead and bear their punishment, that He might righteously save them, and take them to Himself.

May you, dear reader, not only thank Him for all the temporal blessings that He has bestowed upon us, but above all, thank and praise Him for His matchless gift—His beloved Son—whom He has given to die for us that we might be saved.

“THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT.” 2 Cor. 9:15.

Messages of God’s Love 7/26/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 123. I. SAMUEL 20.

DAVID’S ESCAPE

DAVID fled from Ramah where Saul had pursued him and came to see Jonathan and to tell him his trouble. “What have I done,” he said, “that thy father seeks to kill me?” Jonathan could not believe such was the case, and thought if it were so the king would have told him. But David knew, better, and told Jonathan that Saul knew of their friendship, and for this reason would hide his design from his son for fear of grieving him. “And truly,” he said, “there is but a step between me and death.” Jonathan was very sorry, and asked what he could do to save David. David said that on the morrow, which was the feast of the new moon, when burnt sacrifices and drink offerings were offered, the king would expect him to sit at his table with him. David requested Jonathan to allow him to go away to his father, Jesse, who was to offer the great yearly sacrifices for his family in Bethlehem. Should the king miss his presence, Jonathan would answer, “David earnestly asked leave to go to Bethlehem, his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for his family.” If Saul answered, “It is well,” David would know he was not in danger, but if the king became angry, it would be a proof that evil was devised against him. David asked Jonathan to slay him himself if he had done any wrong.

Jonathan said, “Let us go out into the field, and we will think over what we must do.”

So they both went out, and walked in the field, and Jonathan said, “Tomorrow I will talk to my father, and if I see that he is kindly and friendly disposed toward thee, I will tell thee, or if he is angry and wishes to harm thee, that will I also show thee, and send thee away safely, and may the Lord be with thee, as He has been with my father. And when the Lord has cut off thine enemies, show kindness to me and my children forever.” Jonathan knew that David was God’s anointed and that someday he must reign in the place of Saul, his father, when God would have cut off the enemies of David from the face of the earth, and so he claimed the sure mercies of David for his children after him. And Jonathan made him swear to him about this covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. But David and Jonathan could not stay long to talk; David must hide himself quickly, and so Jonathan said, “Go, now, and after three days come again to the place where thou didst hide before. Then I will come, and bring a lad with me; and I will shoot arrows, and tell the lad to go and bring them to me. If I tell him that the arrows are near him, know that all is safe; but if I tell him that the arrows are far off beyond him, then know that there is danger and make haste to escape. And now as to our promise, the Lord is between thee and me forever.”

So David went away and Jonathan returned home. Next day was Saul’s feast to which he and his people sat down. Saul missed David, but he did not say anything; he thought something had happened to the young man, or that he had not sanctified himself for the feast. But when the second day came and David’s seat was empty, Saul asked Jonathan, “Why has not the son of Jesse come to eat yesterday and today?” Jonathan answered, “He asked me to let him go to his father in Bethlehem for their yearly family sacrifice.” Saul was very angry with Jonathan, and told him he had chosen David for his friend to his own hurt, “For,” he said, “do you not know that as long as he lives, you shall not be established on the throne? Send and fetch him to me, for he shall surely die.” But Jonathan said, “Why should he die? He has done no wrong.” Saul grew still more angry and threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him, because of his faithfulness to David. Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and fasted all that day, being very much grieved by the way Saul was treating his dear friend.

How much this reminds us of the way the world treats those who seek to be faithful to their Lord and Saviour while He is absent from them. The Lord Jesus told His disciples it would be so, and says, “Remember the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” ( John 15:20.) But He also told them, “Happy are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake; Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” If we truly love our Lord and Saviour, we shall be glad to bear a little for Him who bore such suffering for us.

The third day Jonathan went to keep his appointment with David in the field, and he took a boy with him. Jonathan had his bow and arrows. He shot an arrow a long way off and said to the boy, “Run and bring me the arrow,” and as the lad went, he cried after him, “Is it not beyond thee?” The boy brought the arrow to his master, who sent him home, but he knew nothing about David. When he was gone, David came out of his hiding place and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three

times. He and Jonathan embraced each other and wept together until David exceeded. But Jonathan told him to go in peace because they had made a covenant together in the name of the Lord, and the Lord would be between them forever, and between their children forever, so they separated.

Messages of God’s Love 7/26/1914

Twenty-Four Hours Yet to Live

ABOUT seventy years ago there lived in Switzerland a young student, who had reached the age of nineteen years, without having seriously thought on the salvation of his soul. Like many others, he thought he had time enough to prepare for death, which he thought afar off. But suddenly he fell sick. The doctor who was called did his best, but he was unable to arrest the progress of the illness. Our young friend saw himself on the threshold of eternity unprepared. Who could picture his despair when the doctor in answer to his anxious question, replied with hesitation that he had at the utmost scarcely twenty-four hours to live!

When the doctor had departed, two God-fearing fellow students entered, to inquire about the state of his health. They found him much disheartened.

“Shall I read you something?” asked one of them.

“Yes.”

“What shall I read?”

“Something that is suitable for one who has only twenty-four hours to live.”

The friend thereupon took out his Bible and read the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah to the verse, “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Here the reader stopped and from that verse he preached the glad tidings to the eagerly listening sick man. The sown seed produced precious fruit. God’s grace worked in a wonderful manner in the heart of that one so near the gateway of death. Yet ere the friends had left him, the eyes of the sick man were opened; he was brought from darkness to light, and with joyful heart, he accepted Jesus as his Saviour.

When the doctor appeared next morning, in the thought that his patient’s end was near, he was astonished to find him sitting upright in bed, overjoyed in the possession of his new found treasure. He was decidedly on the way to improvement. The Lord had brought salvation to his soul and now was giving health to his body.

After a complete recovery, our young friend resolved, to the joy of his God-fearing mother, to devote his talents and strength to the preaching of the Gospel. His whole life, from then on was devoted to his Lord and Saviour, till his seventy-third year, when he entered the rest eternal.

Messages of God’s Love 7/26/1914

A Little Girl Who Could Not Sleep

WHAT a great difference there often is between those who can at all times trust themselves to the care of that God, who has “so loved the world,” and those, on the other hand, who have never tasted His love.

Little Louie, of whom I am now going to tell you, was one of the latter class; and, having heard that Jesus is coming one day to take all His own people to heaven, she often felt very uncomfortable if she awoke in the night, and found the house all quiet and still, thinking that Jesus had really come and taken her friends away.

One night in particular she will never forget. She had gone away on a short visit with her mother to a friend’s house. On this night her mamma came and gave Louie a good-night kiss, and saw her tucked up snugly in bed. She also told Louie not to cry out in the night if she woke up, but if she wanted anyone, to pull the bellrope which hung by her bedside. Louie tried hard to go to sleep, but being in a strange, room she found it more difficult than usual, so she lay listening to the various sounds that reached her ears from the distant parts of the house. As the hour got later, her friends retired to rest and gradually all became quite still. This was what Louie found more alarming than any noise would have made her.

Perhaps Jesus had come this time, and left her alone in the house. Unable to bear it any longer, she seized the rope and pulled it as hard as she could. Then she eagerly listened for the sound of a footstep, but nobody came; so she felt sure her worst fears were true, and, springing from the bed, she ran, with a loud cry, to the door but found it firmly fastened and with all her strength she could not move it. But at last the silence was broken, not only by Louie’s own cries, but by the sound of many feet hastening along the passage to her room. At first she could hardly hear or understand, so great was her distress; but she soon recognized well-known voices, and her terror was gone. The Lord had not come yet, the hour of judgment was still future. It appears that in her hurry she had pulled the wrong rope, which did not ring a bell, but moved the bolt of her door and fastened it, thus no bell had been heard by the servants below.

Louie opened the door, and after a bit felt a good deal ashamed at the confusion she had caused. Everyone thought she must have awaked suddenly from a dreadful dream, but no one really knew the true cause of her fright; only Louie herself knew well enough that it was no dream, but a truth—a most blessed truth for the children of God, but awful indeed for the unprepared.

I am happy to be able to add that, in after years, Louie learned to know Christ as her Saviour, so that now she is no longer afraid of His coming, but is waiting to see and welcome Him.

Messages of God’s Love 7/26/1914

Bible Questions for August

Answers to Bible Questions for June

“That it might be fulfilled,” etc, Math. 8:17.

“And whosoever shall give,” etc. “ 10:42.

“The field is the world,” etc. “ 13:38.

“ Watch therefore,” etc. “ 25:13.

“And when the chief priests,” etc. “ 21:15.

“While He yet spake,” etc. “ 17:5.

But I say unto you,” etc. “ 5:44.

Bible Questions for August

The Answers are to be found in the Gospel of Luke.

Write the verse containing the words: “Ashamed of Me.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Come forth and serve them.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Dove.” “Well pleased.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Hate you.” “Separate you.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Fear Him.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Shall not pass away.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Preach the gospel.”

Messages of God’s Love 8/2/1914

Snapshots

Such a motely group on the top of that high house—masons, slaters, painters, joiners. They are; supposed to be repairing the roof, yet there they are—the best part of the day—some smoking, others reading the latest war news, and the majority lying flat on their backs in the sun doing literally nothing at all! They may take it easily, they think. No chance of their master climbing the steep ladder to inspect them. After a week, certainly, the roof is complete, but it could have been easily done in a couple of days.

Presently the master-builder sends in his account, and it is rather a heavy one.

The occupier of the house, who happens to be a skilled photographer, complains. “My men must be paid for their time, sir,” insists the master; “they have spent several days over the job.”

“No wonder!” replied the gentleman, and, producing a number of snapshot photographs, adds, “Look at these, will you?”

Putting his spectacles on, the old builder examines the pictures.

“Why!” he exclaims, in utter amazement, “these are my men, sir!”

“Exactly so, and they are earning my money! I took these snapshots myself,” the gentleman explains, “from the attic window of a neighbor’s house—a very nice, busy lot, aren’t they?—smoking, reading, napping—you see how the time went. I should advise the sooner you dismiss them the better!”

These men were nothing better than thieves. They were taking their wages at the end of the week for time they had not worked and they were not fearing God who sees all things, and to whom they will answer for all they do. “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.” (Col. 3:22.)

Messages of God’s Love 8/2/1914

The Bible That Was Chopped in Two

FAR away in one of the. Western States a man used to go about selling Bibles and Testaments. Sometimes he was warmly welcomed at the lonely farms and homesteads; at others he was told that books of his sort were not wanted there.

One day a farmer asked him if he knew a settler nearby who delighted to talk against the Bible, and those who believed in it. The colporteur took down the name and address, and before long called at the settlement. He found the wife busy hanging out clothes, and she seemed pleased to chat with him. After a little conversation he offered her a nicely-bound Bible, telling her not to trouble about paying for it, if she would like to have it. She received it with pleasure, saying if her husband would allow her; she would be delighted to keep it. At this moment her husband came from the back of the log house, carrying a large axe over his shoulder, and seeing the Bible in his wife’s hand, asked roughly—

“Whatever do you mean by bringing such rubbish here?”

God’s servant answered gently, and though John Mason became very angry, he spoke in such a frank and manly way that the settler did not return the book, and let him go off with a scowl.

Directly his back was turned John seized the Bible from his wife’s hand, saying—

“Up to now we’ve had everything in common, so we’ll share this, too.” And opening the Bible, and placing it on a block, he chopped it into two parts with one blow of his axe. Giving one piece to his wife, and putting the other part into his pocket, he walked off.

Several days afterwards he was in the forest hewing timber. At noon he sat on a log to eat his dinner, and feeling for a knife in one of his large pockets his hand struck on the Book. He took it out, and before he knew what he was doing, he was deep in the fifteenth chapter of St. Luke, and in the parable of the prodigal son.

“What a wonderful account it is!” he said to himself. He read of the father’s home; of the son turning his back on all the love, peace, and plenty of that home; of his wandering off to the far-off land. Then of his losing his money by wrong living, and being actually in want, and near starvation. And how he thought of his home and of his father, and how then went up his cry, “I will arise and go to my father,” and then

Ah, he couldn’t tell what happened then, though he longed to know, for just at that point the story had been cut into by the angry blow of his axe, and he could read no further.

He returned to his work, but those eight words rang on and on in his ears, and he found himself murmuring, “Bother that axe; if it hadn’t been for it I should have known what happened next.” You see, it was the axe, not himself he blamed!

When he returned home he determined not to let his wife know how he was longing for her portion of the Bible. They had supper, and while she was washing up the dishes, he said, carelessly—

“I say, wife, if you’ve got your part of that there Bible handy I shouldn’t mind having a look at it; I’ve nothing to read.”

Mrs. Mason was a wise woman, so said nothing, but quietly handed him her portion, and went to bed early. Far on into the night John Mason read. And next morning his wife saw that he had in a rough way joined the two parts together. Through that day and the next, in every leisure moment, he was reading, reading. But still Mrs. Mason wisely made no remark. The next evening he said, suddenly—

“Wife, I think that’s the best book I ever read.”

Day after day passed, and still John seemed to be reading as for his life. At last, one evening, he put down the patched Bible, and said—

“I give in at last! By God’s help I’m going to try to live by that Book. I’ve despised it. I’ve sworn at it. I’ve insulted it; but now the sword of God’s word has pierced to my very heart. It has taught me what a sinner I am. But it has also given me a hope that there is pardon even for me.”

His wife quietly clasped his hand, whispering, “I, too, long to know more about it all.”

Her husband smiled at her as he had rarely done even in their courting days, as he said, “We’ll take it, won’t we, Kitty, both of us together, from this day forward, as the guide of our lives? And, pray, God to help us, we’ll live by it.”

“We will,” answered his wife. “Oh, John, this is a glad night!”

“Aye, it is,” he said, “and I believe it will be the beginning of brighter days to us. I’ve read things the last three weeks in that Book that have fair amazed me.”

“What about?” asked his wife.

“About all that the Lord says He will do for those who serve Him. I couldn’t ever believe such things could ever be for the likes of me, till He seemed to keep pointing me to the bits that told so plain that He began it all by giving us the Lord Jesus as our own Saviour and forgiving our sins.”

“And to think you found it all in the book you chopped in two I” said his wife.

“O, but shame I ever did such a thing,” replied her husband. “The very first day I can rightly leave, I’ll ride over to the town and get it mended the best way money can do.”

“Would you like a new one better?” suggested his wife.

“No, let’s keep to this, Kitty, if you don’t mind. No other could be to me what this has already become, and it will help to keep me humble to remember what I dared to do to it with my axe.”

“And I’d rather keep to it, too,” said his wife. “But I’ll tell you what, John, when you go to town, you get us two nice strong little Testaments, that we can carry in our pockets, just to read out of at odd times; you, while you’re in the woods, and I, while I’m about my work.”

“Grand idea, Kitty,” said her husband. “And I must bring a few bits of ribbon for markers. That there Bible has got at least twenty pages turned down at the corners, where I’ve found verses to study out again.”

Mrs. Mason said thoughtfully, “The good man who brought it here, said that he should ask God the Holy Spirit to make it a blessing to us.”

“So he did,” answered her husband. “But I was too angry to remember much that he said; but I’m sure God has answered his prayer.”

For many years John and Katherine Mason’s lives and the lives of those about them, were richly blessed by the truths learned out of the Bible that was chopped in two by an axe.

“All things are ready,” Come,

To-morrow may not be;

O sinner, come; the Saviour waits

This hour to welcome thee!

Messages of God’s Love 8/2/1914

Preparing for the Future

LOVELY is the scene before us this week. We see the two birds building their nest where they may raise their young. They are preparing ahead of time, and considering what is needed. God says of the ants that they are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer. They are one of four whom God terms exceeding wise.

God would have man to be prepared for the everlasting future, and He has said, “Prepare to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12. But one may say, What shall I do to prepare for such a moment? The Lord Jesus says, “No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

Again he says:

“HIM THAT COMETH TO ME I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT.” John 6:37.

All that is needed then, is simply to come to God through the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour—He will not refuse you, and thus you will be prepared to meet God. If you attempt to come to God in any other way, then God must refuse you, and will assign you to what you deserve, and that is everlasting banishment from His holy presence.

Dear reader! prepare now, if not yet prepared, for that everlasting future, by simply taking Christ as your Saviour. This is true wisdom, and the result is everlasting salvation.

Messages of God’s Love 8/2/1914

Protected From the Showers

THE big umbrella does fairly well to protect brother and sister from the shower, and the dear boy and girl are wise in using this means of protection; and we may say, How stupid they would be if they were not to use the means of shelter they had.

This brings before us a little illustration of another storm of a different character, and terribly severe, that is coming on all the unsaved, and a means that God has given to protect man from it. It is given to us in these words, “As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many,” There is everlasting judgment appointed after death, but the means of protection, yea, of escaping it, is, that Christ has been offered in our stead, or for the “many”. But you say, Who are the “many”? The answer can only be, “Those who believe,” for the Scripture says:

“VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, HE THAT HEARETH MY WORD, AND BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT SENT ME, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, AND SHALL NOT COME INTO CONDEMNATION; BUT IS PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE.” John 5:25.

If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as the One whom God has sent to die for poor sinners, and you own that you are one of these, then you have taken the shelter from that awful judgment that comes after death which will surely overtake all who have not believed in Him.

Which are you, dear reader, a rejector of God’s means of escape, or an acceptor?

Messages of God’s Love 8/9/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 124. I. SAMUEL 21.

DAVID AND AHIMELECH

THEN David left Jonathan, having to flee for his life from before King Saul, he came to Nob, a city in the tribe of Benjamin, where the tabernacle was. Ahimelech, the priest, was afraid when he saw David come alone, and did not wish to have anything to do with him; but David pretended to have come on the king’s business about which no one was to know anything. Then he asked the priest for some food, but all Ahimelech had was the shew-bread, and the priest did not like to give it to him, because it was only lawful for the priests to eat it. But David insisted and Ahimelech gave him the old bread that had been taken away that morning from the table in the holy place, when it had been replaced by the new. Although this was against the law, David did it in faith, knowing that God had chosen him to be in his own person the only means of blessing to his people. David had confidence in God that He would permit him to eat of the holy bread, that he might not die of hunger. Then David asked the priest to give him a sword, and was told that the only one to be had was the sword of Goliath, whom David had slain. It was wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. David said, “There is none like it, give it to me.”

While David was talking with the priest, a servant of Saul, named Doeg, an Edomite and an enemy of God’s people, stood by and heard everything. David saw him and felt uneasy about him, but said nothing, but fled when he had obtained the bread and the sword, and in his fear of Saul went out of the country to the land of the Philistines, to Achish, king of Gath.

He forgot that God could keep him wherever he was. The king’s servants recognized him and said, “Is not this David, the king of the land? And did they not sing in Israel that Saul had slain thousands and David ten thousands?” This made David afraid, and he pretended to be mad, scratched at the doors of the gates and did all sorts of foolish things, so that the king ordered him taken away from his presence. We wonder that the Philistines did not kill him to punish him for slaying Goliath, but it shows how powerless man is, unless God allows him, to touch His people. God was preserving David even though he had left the right path, the path of faith. That was because God is patient and long suffering toward us. He does not give us according to what we deserve, but uses love and grace. Oh! but for that where would we be, we, who are so constantly forgetting Him?

May His love touch our hearts, and give us a real desire to please Him in all our ways.

Messages of God’s Love 8/9/1914

My Word Shall Not Return Unto Me Void

ABOUT thirty years ago, a young rabbi was on a visit to a friend, who was an out-and-out unbeliever. While he was in the library of his friend, his eye alighted on a small book lying on the writing table.

“What is this?” he inquired, picking up the volume.

“Oh, that is the Christians’ book,” came the answer in disparaging tones, “don’t trouble yourself with it.”

But the young man had already glanced at the book, and had read the opening words of Matthew’s gospel.

“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.” These few words had made this unattractive book interesting. What? he thought, Jesus Christ, the despised Nazarene, a son of David, and a son of Abraham? As his friend noticed him still regarding it thoughtfully, he repeated, “Don’t read it, it is the Christians’ book, and is of no account.”

“But I would like very much to read it,” replied the young rabbi.

“Very well,” replied the unbeliever, smiling mockingly, “take it. I give it to you as a birthday present.”

The young rabbi was not put off by the scornful remarks of his friend. He put the abused book in his pocket quietly and went home.

As he still feared he would be hindered in the reading of this forbidden book in his own home, he took it with him to the synagogue. There in that quiet sanctum, where lie could not be disturbed by anyone, he devoted himself to the study of the remarkable book.

He read the whole New Testament to the end. Then he resolved to compare it with the Old Testament and with that object he once more read through the Old Testament, but this time without the explanations and additions which the rabbis have added to it. This he did with increasing unrest. When at last he came to the ninth chapter of Daniel, and there in the twenty-sixth verse, read the words: “Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself,” he reached absolute certainty: the despised, crucified Jesus of Nazareth is none other than the promised Messiah. When he again read the New Testament from beginning to end, it became clear to.him that not only did he in his heart believe in this Christ, but that he must confess Him with his mouth. Well he knew what was in store for him. But he did not hesitate to obey the voice within., Unterrified, he went to his friends and announced to them that the rejected Nazarene was indeed the Saviour, whom Jehovah had promised to His people in the Holy Scriptures.

The way of this young witness for Jesus was henceforth a very thorny one. There remained nothing else for him but to forsake, like Abraham, his home and friends. The hatred of the Jew against the name of Jesus is even in this day as great as it was when the Lord Himself walked this earth. The friends of the young rabbi, in their enmity, left nothing unsought in their endeavors to get him out of the way. In order to escape their snares he finally went to Berlin, Paris and other large cities and there preached the crucified Christ to his Jewish brethren. Streams of blessing have resulted from that little Testament. Hundreds of Jews have thereby heard the glad tidings of Jesus, the Saviour from sin for Jews and Gentiles and many of them, as a result of the preaching of this young rabbi, have departed from this life with the precious name of Jesus on their lips.

How encouraging this short story should be to all who know Jesus as their Saviour, not to be weary in the spreading of God’s Word to right and left. We know not indeed “whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” (Eccles. 11:6.) The man who gives a tract or Testament to the unbeliever, may be discouraged when he sees his indifference; but God says, “My Word shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isa. 55:11.) He had His eye on that young rabbi, that lost sheep of the House of Israel, and He led him into the house of the unbeliever, just when the Testament lay on the table.

Messages of God’s Love 8/9/1914

A Sunday School Boy's Conversion

In the month of February, 1914, I came to God as a lost, guilty sinner, and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my own personal Saviour.

It happened on the 5th of February, as I was on my way home from school. I have always to pass the church going and coming from school, so this day as I was passing, I saw the church door open, and I looked in to see who was there, and it was my chum, Willie Hodge. Willie had taken the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour a few weeks before this, and seemed very happy, so turning to me he asked me this question, “Harold, if you were to die now where would you go?” I said, “Down to hell,” for I knew that I was a sinner and had to be saved before I could say I’d go to heaven; for I had read in the Bible that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23) and my Sunday-school teacher told me that Jesus said, “If ye die in your sins, whither I am ye cannot come.” Willie took his Testament, and turned to John 3:16, and read, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” then he read Rom. 10:9, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “Harold, do you believe with all your heart?” “Yes, Willie, I do.” “Then God says you’re saved,” so I took God at His word, for I believed with all my heart, and God’s Word says, “Thou shalt be saved,” so I was saved then and there, by taking the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour, and I’m saved now, and will be forever. So, dear boys and girls, I hope you will accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, and be able to say, “I love Him because He first loved me.”—H. C.

Messages of God’s Love 8/9/1914

Confession

A little boy beside his bed

Was kneeling down in prayer;

Upon the quilt he laid his head,

But found no comfort there.

He seemed to struggle much with grief,

When, bursting out in tears,

His little heart soon found relief

And freedom from his fears.

His face, so often calm and mild,

With grief was all awry;

He cried,” Lord, I’m a naughty child

Today I told a lie!”

“My mother bade me something do—

My naughty will was such

I said I’d been—that was not true—

Which grieved my mother much.”

“Thou knowest too, she made me smart,

The whipping made me cry;

It is not that which grieves my heart—

It is the wicked lie!”

“Forgive me, Lord, for what I’ve done,

Make me a truthful boy;

Forgive me for Thine own dear Son”—

There was a gleam of joy

Upon that little tearful face;

No longer did he weep,

But, rising from the throne of grace,

He sweetly sank to sleep.

Messages of God’s Love 8/9/1914

Jesus Was a Holy Child

Jesus was a holy child:

We are all by sin defiled:

He was perfect, holy, good;

Yet He came to shed His blood.

Shed it for His enemies:

Was there ever love like this?

Men in battle often die,

When they fight for victory.

Others for their friends have died,

Oh, how Jesus’ love was tried,

When His own disciples fled,

When He was to Pilate led,

There to be condemned to die!

Children, do you ask me why?

He who never had done wrong,

To the cross was led along,

When He died with wicked men,

Children! Jesus loved you then.

That was why the Saviour died,

Why the Lord was crucified.

Messages of God’s Love 8/9/1914

The Seaweed Gatherers

IN MANY countries of Europe by the seacoast, the seaweed is carefully gathered and carted, to be used as fertilizer for the fields. The sturdy couple in this picture illustrate the custom of France and Holland, where women in works of field-labor and seaside life bear burden in equal share with men.

Industry and carefulness are the characteristics of those people, and God honors and blesses them. When people are busy they are generally not in mischief, and the Scripture says, “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” Prov. 19:15.

Then again Scripture says,

“BE NOT DECEIVED; GOD IS NOT MOCKED: FOR WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP.” Gal. 6:7.

So let us remember, if we are industrious we shall reap a good result, and if we are idle we shall suffer hunger; if we commit sin we may suffer awful results in this life, and if we reject Christ we must suffer everlasting banishment from God’s presence. There must be the reaping according to the character of the sowing, or in other words, getting the results for whatever we do.

We often find boys in lots of mischief because they have nothing to do. If they were industrious, they would be kept out of mischief; but in idleness they are led on from one bad thing to another, and the things of God they do not care for. May you then, dear reader, fear God, for that is the beginning of wisdom, and if we fear Him, we shall believe in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only One who can save our souls. If we put our whole trust in Him, we shall receive everlasting salvation. Our desire will then be to serve the One who loved us and shed His precious blood for us, and idleness will be put far from us.

Messages of God’s Love 8/16/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 125. I. SAMUEL 22.

The Slaughter of the Priests

THEN Achish, King of Gath, drove David from him, the latter escaped to a cave called Adullam, and to him went all those who cared to be with him; even his brethren who had despised him, his father and mother, and all who were in trouble of any kind, or in debt, or discontented, came to David and he became their captain; he had with him about four hundred men. David went to the King of Moab and asked him leave to bring his father and mother to live with him, instead of staying in the hold, and the king consented. And Gad, the prophet, who also was with David, told him not to remain in the cave, but to go to the land of Judah. David took his advice and went away into a forest. When Saul heard that David had been seen with his men, he said one day to his servants that were with him, sitting down under a tree in Ramah: “Hear now, ye Benjamites: Will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, that all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that showeth me that my son has made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or showeth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?”

Then Doeg, the Edomite, who saw David take the shewbread and Goliath’s sword, was standing by Saul when he spoke thus to the people, and he told them that he saw David come to Ahimelech, the priest, who inquired of the Lord for him and gave him bread and the sword of Goliath.

Saul sent for Ahimelech and all the priests that were at Nob. They obeyed the call and soon stood before the king, who told Ahimelech he should die because he had helped David. But the priest answered: “Who is so faithful among all the king’s servants as David, the king’s son-in-law? Many times have I inquired of God for him. Besides, I knew nothing of all this.” But Saul’s hatred to David was so great he could not any longer hide it, and he commanded the servants who stood by to put Ahimelech to death. They feared God more than their cruel master did, and would not touch the priest to harm him. Then Saul turned to Doeg, the Edomite, and told him to do it. How terribly the poor king had gotten away from God! He had started with disobedience and now had become a murderer! What a warning to each of us to heed God’s word, which tells us: “My son, keep my words and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.” Prov. 7:13. God had warned Saul but he did not heed the word, and, with a hardened conscience, he was fast going to destruction.

Doeg was the enemy of God’s people and only too glad for an opportunity to do them harm; he not only killed Ahimelech, but fell upon all the priests, eighty-five in all, and slaughtered them in their priestly garments. Not satisfied with that, he went to Nob, the city of the priests, and put to death all the men, women, children, babies, with the oxen, the asses and sheep.

But one of the sons of Ahimelech, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to David and told him all that had been done to his family. David was very much grieved because he had been the cause of all those deaths, and he said to Abiathar: “I knew it that day, when Doeg, the Edomite, was there, that he would surely tell Saul. . . . Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.”

And we know that David was putting his trust in God, and so sure was he of His mercy that, in an outburst of praise and prayer, he wrote the 52d Psalm, where he says he knows that God will destroy the wicked and make him as a green olive tree, because he trusted in the mercy of God for ever and ever. He would praise God forever and wait on His name, for this is good before His saints.

Through all the dangers and the ill treatment that David had to bear from his friends and enemies, he never forgot God’s goodness, and was conscious of being especially favored of Him.

This trust and confidence was very pleasing to God, and though, as a king, David many times fell into sin, yet the Lord called him a man after His own heart.

Messages of God’s Love 8/16/1914

Tie Gun-Wad

THE activity of the first missionaries to the Island of Samoa resulted in the translation of the Gospel of Matthew into the native language. This translation was so faulty that many had the opinion that it should not be printed. But though the Lord is not dependent on any man in His work of saving lost sinners, nor limited in the disposal of His grace, yet He used a verse of this hapless translation for the salvation of a Godless native. This young man, who was called Poloa, was an insurgent. He intended to strike a blow at the government, and, in company with like-minded members of his tribe, started to build a war canoe. While engaged in the building of it he burst a blood-vessel. But that did not at all hinder him in his intentions. As soon as the canoe was ready for sea, he took it, in company with his fellow-conspirators, to the place of attack. Arriving there, they loaded their guns, old muzzle-loaders which they had in some way got possession of. One of the company distributed old printed paper, which, rolled up into balls, would serve as wads for the guns. One was handed to Poloa among the others. He took it, and, as he had learned to read a little, he cast his eye on the printing before rolling it up into a wad. The next moment a noteworthy change came over the man. An indescribable distress was stamped in his eyes. What was the cause? On the paper he had read the words, “There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” It was a sheet of one of the condemned copies of the Gospel of Matthew, which the missionaries, who had taught Poloa to read, had doubtless used in their work of translation. “O,” he cried out in anguish. “that is my fate if I am killed in this war!” These few words had reached his hardened heart and brought before him the reality of eternity and plunged him into unrest.

He forsook his fellows and sought the companionship of the missionaries and native believers, who told him of the salvation to be found in Christ. Poloa believed and was converted and then went his way as a true disciple of Jesus.

Messages of God’s Love 8/16/1914

The Lost Piece of Money

I AM going to tell you, dear children, a little incident which a friend of mine saw the other day.

As she was going down a road near her house she noticed two boys earnestly looking for something on the ground, and on enquiry found that one of them had lost a piece of money. I do not know how long they had been looking for it, but they were intent on finding it.

There had been no rain for some time, and there was a good deal of dust on the road, so there did not seem much hope of finding the lost treasure. But still the boys searched on.

Presently one of them took up a handful of dust, passed it slowly through his fingers, when, to his great joy, the silver fell on the edge of the pavement.

He picked it up quickly, handed it to his companion, saying joyfully, “I thought it would come,” and then they both ran off.

It was lost, and it was found, by seeking diligently for it. Does not this story make you think of the parable in Luke 15:8-10? There we read of a woman who had lost a piece of silver, and who lighted a candle, and swept the house, and sought diligently till she found it. What pains she took about that lost piece, though she had nine other pieces!

Then it tells of her joy, because the lost piece was found.

Now I want you to think of these two words, LOST and FOUND. Because, as to your soul, your never-dying soul, which is more precious than silver, you are either the one or the other, either lost or found. Which is it?

By nature you are lost; you are away from God, and do not want to have to do with God. But you are not yet lost forever. God in love is seeking you. He wants you to be saved, and has made a way through the death of Jesus by which you can be brought to Him, no longer lost but found. He is waiting to save you, to take you out of the place where you lie, and bring you to Himself. Just’ think how He loves you. What pains He takes to seek you in this dark world, so. that you may be happy with Him forever. How often have you heard the gospel preached? Every time you hear it, that is God seeking you, to save you. When your father or mother. or Sunday school teacher, speaks to you of Jesus, that is God seeking you. Or perhaps some illness or sorrow may have come to you. Still it is God seeking you, because He loves you.

You cannot do anything for yourself. Just let Him find you now, and there will be joy in the presence of the angels of God that you, a sinner, who were lost, are found.

Messages of God’s Love 8/16/1914

The Bible

No book for our souls like the Bible;

Everything else may deceive;

Reading the kind words of Jesus,

What can we do but believe?

No book for our hearts like the Bible,

Telling us the love of God—

Proving that sinners are pardoned,

Ransomed and purchased by blood.

No book for our path like the Bible,

Showing where sin leads astray;

Pointing our eyes off to Jesus—

The Light, the Life, and the Way.

O, what can compare with the Bible,

Spreading its blessings around,

Pouring out streams of salvation

Just where poor sinners are found?

Messages of God’s Love 8/16/1914

At Dusk

IT IS evening. The sun has slowly disappeared below the horizon. Fleecy clouds are massed in bold relief beneath a sky of deep, beautiful blue, while beyond the hill tops and mountains, scattered clouds of various tints reflect the rays of the glorious sun. As he sinks further and further from our view, the bright colors grow softer, and gradually blending, finally disappear, bringing the grateful twilight.

Now we hear in the distance a faint sound of tinkling bells. Hark! it grows louder and more distinct as it comes closer. Soon we see the cows coming across the meadow and through the trees. After the heat of the day it is their delight to wade into the stream and drink the refreshing water.

We all know what it is to be thirsty. Our mouths often crave the cool, clear water. But, dear reader, does your soul thirst? Often, as people journey through this world, their hearts and souls long for something they do not have. They crave something. They are not satisfied. They long for something to quench their thirst.

Some try to satisfy this longing thirst by seeking for glory and honor and a reputation among their fellowmen. Some try to satisfy it by hoarding up money and wealth—some by seeking this world’s pleasures.

Will any of these quench the thirst of a sinner's soul? No, dear reader. There is just one well of water at which you and they may drink and be satisfied. Jesus says,

“IF ANY MAN THIRST LET HIM COME UNTO ME AND DRINK.” John 7:37.

“Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst : but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14. Drink, weary one, thirsty one, drink and live. This is the water of life which is offered freely to all. A day is coming when it will be too late. Do not delay. Do not wait till the flames of eternal judgment cause your parched soul to beg for a drop of the water of mercy. You will never get it then. Come now, while that fountain of mercy is flowing for you. Why not of that living fountain, Flowing from the heart of God, Should the thirsty sinner tasting, Drink: and leave sin's heavy load ? In a Lumber Camp. It was the daybreak hour of an autumn day. In the dim light the two men were threading their way through a pine forest. On either hand the straight trunks rose like pillars and, far above the heads of the passing men, the branches formed a dense green canopy. Under foot a carpet of pine needles deadened the sound of their footfalls. Tim was short and humpbacked, with long, sinewy arms. Notwithstanding his deformity and his tangled dark hair and beard, it was a kindly if not a clever face which peered up at Raymond. The younger man formed a most decided contrast to Tim. Raymond was tall, broad shouldered and carried himself proudly erect. He had a fair, clear-cut face and steel-blue eyes. “Ray, ye've got a lot to be thankful for.” “I?” “Yes;” and Tim cheerily refused to note the scorn in the other's voice. “I don't jest know what's in the few years behind ye, nor what brought the likes of ye here, but ye're straight and, strong, ye know books and ye've had a chance. The boys here air different, but ye've had a chance, Ray.” They had reached an opening in the forest. Tim threw aside his coat, seized an ax and began, with sturdy strokes, to chop down a tall pine. Raymond stood lost in thought. A chance? Yes, he had had that, and he had thrown it away. “It's nobody's business but my own,” he said to himself, trying to forget the bowed form, scholarly face and white head that would rise up before him. With a sudden start his thoughts came back to the present. The sun was rising, painting the eastern sky with varying tints of yellow and rose. The wind in the pines sang a low, sad refrain. “But I've no time to think of color and harmony,” and under his tawny mustache Raymond's lip curled. “Those things belong to the past, to college halls and parlors. I'm only a lumberman. Well, I'm free from the old superstitions, yet I sometimes ask myself if freedom is worth the price I paid for it.” Haskin's Camp was situated in Northern Minnesota. Raymond was a new hand, having arrived but three weeks before. His fellow-workmen saw at once that he was not one of them. They resented his correct speech, personal neatness, and especially his refusal to join in their rough amusements. His silence regarding his past was also looked upon with suspicion. The men were. rough and uncultured. Many of them were addicted to drink, while oaths and disregard of the Lord's day were the rule rather than the exception. There was nothing in their surroundings to inspire them to better living. Tim had been a member of the crew for many years. Notwithstanding his dullness, he was a general favorite. To the surprise of all, he seemed attracted to Raymond. He expressed his preference in many unobtrusive ways, and won a kindly tolerance from the young man. Thanksgiving day came. On that morning Raymond woke from a troubled sleep. All night his dreams had been haunted by visions of his past. Snow was falling rapidly, for winter had already come to that Northern land. Raymond and Tim were working with a large party of choppers. At that moment a monarch of the forest came to the ground with a resounding crash. Above this noise rang out a cry of terror and pain. It was Tim. He had chanced to stand where the great branches swept him from his feet and pinned him to the earth. Raymond was the first to reach his side. Carefully the men freed him, finding the poor bent body fearfully mangled. “I guess it's all over with me, boys,” he said, trying hard to keep his voice steady. “Ray, stay by me. O, be careful !” They carried him to the camp. A man was started on horseback to the nearest village, twenty miles distant, for a doctor. All feared Tim would not live until the doctor arrived, and his suffering was great. When he had been laid on a rude bunk near the great stove he looked up wistfully into the faces of his companions. “It's death, boys. Tell me 'bout God— Him I've never thanked. But no one ever told me.” A strange silence fell upon the group of men, a silence broken only by the howling of the wind outside. Tim spoke again. “Ray, tell me. It must be ye know, 'cause ye're different from the rest of us.” All eyes turned toward the young man. He bent lower over Tim, asking “What is it you want to hear?” “All 'bout Him. ' Will He be mad 'cause I never thanked Him? You see, I don't know much, and nobody ever told me. Can't you tell me about Him ? Can't you, my boy? Pray for me.” Raymond Lee's face grew stern and white. His father was a minister. He had himself been a theological student. The influence of a skeptical classmate and the reading of books loaned by him had instilled doubt into Raymond's mind. Dominated by an idea of his own mental superiority, the youth went on, until a day came when he scoffed at the faith of his dead mother and denied God. There had been a stormy interview with the college president. This man laid so much stress on the righteous wrath of Raymond's father that the son resolved to cut himself loose from home ties. He wrote defiantly to his father of his chance of views and went out into the world, leaving no clue whereby he could be traced. Dark days had followed. It had not been easy to find work. Raymond Lee had learned the emptiness of a life without hope in God or confidence in man. He hungered for the sound of his father's voice, but was too proud to return home and beg forgiveness. In a fit of desperation he had hired out to the foreman of Haskins' lumber camp. All those things flashed through his mind in a moment. This dying man was asking him to pray, and he had said there was no God. A groan broke from his lips. “Tim, I cannot. I—” and he paused, unable to say that he did not believe in the God to whom, in the hour of death, even the half-witted Tim had turned. “Can't ! Why, I 'sposed ye knew Him. Ye've had a chance.” Raymond could bear no more. Turning away, he rushed out into the storm. For hours he strode back and forth through the trackless forest. He heeded not the wind nor the snow. Face to face he met and grappled with the problem of man's relation to his Creator. Raymond Lee was alone with God. In that hour his boasted skepticism fell from him. The theories of science and law, upon which he had rested, gave way beneath him. There was but one sure foundation for man's life—trust in God as Creator and Father, and in His Son as Lord and Redeemer. Shadows were beginning to gather in the room where Tim lay when the door opened to admit Raymond. With a firm step he crossed to the side of the dying man. “Tim, I have been with God. He has forgiven me, sinner that I am. Now I have come to tell you of His love.” Simply, tenderly, he told the story of salvation. Others gathered ‘round the bed. Could they doubt the truth of the words spoken when they saw the light that came to Tim’s face?

“I see,” he gasped.

Raymond knelt down. First one and then another of the rough men dropped upon their knees.

Never had Raymond Lee prayed as in that hour. God was with him. Round him were men who in Tim’s own words had never had a chance.” He prayed with a faith born of absolute belief in God’s willingness to save.

“It’s all right,” Tim murmured, “I’m going to Him. Ray, you tell everybody.”

“Yes, Tim. I will spend my life telling this story.”

The dying man said feebly, “I thank Him.”

A few moments more and all was over. Raymond faced his fellow workmen.

“Tim is gone. Boys. I have gone back to the service I pledged to God many years ago. You heard my promise to Tim. Will you forgive the spirit I have shown toward you, and let me begin by telling you?”

“Yes, we will,” was the reply of the leader among the men. “When we come where Tim is we will wish we had heard.”

Before Raymond slept he wrote a long letter to his father. He would remain where he was until he received an answer to the letter. The next night he held a meeting and began to tell the story of Christ’s life, death and resurrection.

The third evening came. At the close of Raymond’s informal but heartful talk, the door opened to admit a stranger, a tall, spare man with snow-white hair.

“Father!”

“My son! I came to help you here,” and Raymond Lee was clasped in his father’s arms.

The work begun at Haskins’ camp went on until seventy souls were born anew into the kingdom of God.

Raymond Lee had found his life’s work. Doubt and disbelief were forever laid aside in that hour when a dying man begged him to cry unto God for assurance of salvation.

Messages of God’s Love 8/23/1914

Children's Praises

Long ago, in ancient days,

Children sang the Saviour’s praise

Sweet hosannas did they raise

To the lowly King.

We now praise the children’s Lord;

Heart and voice, with one accord,

Join to spread His fame abroad,

Joyful songs to sing.

When He lived on earth below,

Little ones to Him might go;

For the Saviour loved them so,

None were turned away.

Now, though He is gone on high,

Still he hears the children’s cry,

Looks upon us from the sky,

Listens when we pray.

Let us, then, with willing mind,

Praise this Friend so good and kind.

Those who seek Him early, find.

“Come,” He says, “to Me.”

He will wash your sins away,

He will keep you lest you stray;

He will teach you, day by day,

More like Him to be.

Messages of God’s Love 8/23/1914

Bubbles

WHAT fun it was when we were children, to blow soap-bubbles! With our soapsuds and pipes or pipe-stems, we were quite happy. Even the youngest, like the little boy standing on the table, thoroughly enjoyed the sport. How wonderful it seemed to see in these bubbles, painted in all the colors of the rainbow, pictures of the neighboring houses, street, trees and other objects.

We took pride too, in seeing who could blow the biggest ones. Sometimes we had them larger than our heads. But we had to be very careful, for, the larger they grew, the more easily they broke. As the bubble grew larger, the outside, or film of the bubble grew thinner and thinner, till a very slight touch or breath of air was enough to break it.

Sometimes we succeeded in separating the bubbles from the pipe and in blowing them for a while through the air or over the table.

But large or small, all alike had an end. None of them lasted more than a few seconds.

The bubbles remind us of two things —our lives and life’s pleasures.

Each of us has a life on this earth, but that life must end. Some are short and some are long; but none can continue here forever. When the bubble of your earthly life bursts, where will you go?

God invites you to go up higher. Will you accept His invitation? Christ, the Saviour, has prepared a home above for all who love Him. He has given His life that we might live. Ninteen hundred years ago He died on a cruel cross that you and I might not have to die and suffer the punishment we deserved for our sins. Reader, can you reject such love? Seek Him while He may yet be found. Accept the wonderful gift He offers—the gift of eternal life. Then, when your life on earth is over, you will be blest in in the Saviour’s presence for ever and ever.

Speaking now of life’s pleasures, how long, we ask, do they last? Like the bubbles, some are gone very soon—some last a little longer. But all disappear in a short time.

Some of them are very beautiful, just as the bubbles are. But that does not make them stay. They are empty, with just a thin covering that will certainly break.

Why then, dear reader, seek to find pleasure and satisfaction in that which is so empty and unreal—just like a soap bubble?

If we know Jesus as our Saviour, there are pleasures awaiting us that will not disappear. We can say with David, the psalmist,

“IN THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY; AT THY RIGHT HAND THERE ARE PLEASURES FOREVERMORE.” Psa. 16:11.

The only true joy we can find here is Christ. Rejoicing in Him we have joy that is unmarred by the troubles and disappointments that belong to earthly pleasures.

“And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full.” 1 John 1:4.

Do not cling to these bubbles of earthly pleasures, but seek those pleasures which Christ alone can give.

Messages of God’s Love 8/30/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 126. I. SAMUEL 23.

David’s Wanderings

SHORTLY after Abiathar, the priest, had joined David in the wilderness, the Philistines came to fight against the inhabitants of Keilah, a city on the border of the tribe of Judah. David heard of it and inquired of the Lord whether he should go with his men and fight the enemies of his people. The Lord said, “Go and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.” But David’s men were afraid to go; they did not trust God as David did, and told him that if they were in danger, even in the mountains of Judah, where Saul was seeking them, how much more when the king knew where they were!

So David inquired again of the Lord as to what he should do. He knew that unless guided by the Lord he would make a mistake. He needed then, as God’s people now, and always, to be led at every step, to be kept both from danger and from evil. The Lord is pleased when we feel the need of Him, and He answers our prayers about it. Then we have what David did not have —God’s written word in which He tells us His will. David could say: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psa. 119:105.

The Lord answered David: “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.”

David with his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines, took their cattle, and killed a great many of them, and so delivered the inhabitants of Keilah. But Saul soon heard that David was in Keilah, and he thought he had a fine opportunity to take him; he called all his warriors to go down with him to Keilah to besiege the city. David felt sure that Saul would try to take him, and he told Abiathar, the priest, to bring the ephod which he had in his hand when he fled to David. Then David prayed God and asked Him to show plainly whether the inhabitants of Keilah would give him up to Saul, should the latter come down to take him. The Lord answered—they would give him up. It was very ungrateful of them when David had just saved their city.

As soon as David had the answer from the Lord he left Keilah with his men, about six hundred in number by this time. They had no place to go, so they wandered from one place to another in the wilderness, in strongholds, in the mountains, wherever they could find a place to hide in. Every day Saul looked for him, far more anxious to take him than he was to fight the enemies of his people, the Philistines. However, God kept David from Saul and allowed no harm to come to him.

During all this time Jonathan, Saul’s son and David’s friend, had lived in his father’s house. While he loved David very much, he was not willing to give up all his comforts and go and share this life of hardship and openly to be with one who was rejected by the king and the people. But when Jonathan heard that David was in the wood, he went to him and tried to comfort him and said to him: “Fear not, for the hand of Saul, my father, shall not find thee, and -thou shalt be king of Israel, and I shall be next unto thee, and that my father knoweth.”

Jonathan knew that God had rejected his father and chosen David and that this time of trial would cease soon. He was glad David should be first, and he hoped for the place of greatest nearness to him. But he had not faith to leave all for David and he did not get the place he wanted, for we are never told that he saw David again. How like the Christians who, though loving the Lord Jesus, their Saviour, are not willing to bear the shame that the world gives them for His sake! But, “if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us.” 2 Tim. 2:12.

When on earth the Lord Jesus told His disciples “Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory and in His Father’s and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:26.

After this the Ziphites, among whose country David was hiding, came to Saul and told Saul where David was. Saul was much pleased and told them to go and make sure where he was and come and let him know, “for,” he said, “it is told me he deals very subtly.” They did so, but David and his men escaped; while they were on one side of the mountain, David was on the other. Then a messenger came and told Saul that the Philistines had invaded the land, and Saul had to give up the pursuit of David, who went away from there to the strongholds of Engedi.

Messages of God’s Love 8/30/1914

I Am a Great Sinner!

ONE Sunday we were gathered as usual in our Sunday school around the Word of God, when there came a knock at the door. A woman with a little child in her arms stood outside, asking that one of us might visit her sister, who was on her deathbed. I asked her where the sick woman lived, and promised to call. After the Sunday school was ended we prayed the Lord together for the suffering one, and then I went towards the house. I was received at the door by the woman who had come to the school. She led me into a room which was prettily arranged and made a homelike impression and revealed the work of a careful hand. Some children played happily together and a nurse sat by.

In a bed in the corner of the room lay the sick woman. On nearer approach I noticed a face which I had seen before at our gospel preaching. It bore the traces of former grace, yet at the same time that expression of anguish which a deep sorrow causes. The lips were dry and the breathing difficult. It appeared as though the end of the sick woman was very near. I bent down towards her, offered a few sympathetic words, and then asked, in view of so serious a position, “Are you ready to (lie?” She looked at me and slowly and painfully came the words: “No,—I—am—a—great—sinner.”

In silence I thanked the Lord that He Himself had brought the sick woman to that confession. It was apparent that I did not need to say anything to cure her of a false righteousness. She acknowledged without reserve that she was a great sinner, so I needed only to preach Christ to her—that precious name which alone among men is given whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12.)

In the 53d chapter of Isaiah I read to her about the Man of Sorrows, who was wounded and bruised, and on whom a holy God had made all our unrighteousness to meet, and who, after He had suffered once for sins, had risen from among the dead.

The eyes of the dying woman hung on my lips while I read and spoke. She seemed to actually swallow the words, like the desert traveler half dead with thirst, gulping down greedily the refreshing life-giving waters of the oasis. I noticed, however, that the brief interview had completely exhausted her, so I broke off, promising to visit her again at a later hour. Before going I commended her in prayer to the grace of God.

Towards evening I visited again. I found her free from pain. Quite a number of friends and relations were present. Her husband, a man of rough exterior, but, as I soon learned, with a soft heart, sat near her; opposite him the old mother, down whose wrinkled cheeks tears were slowly coursing. “She has expected you,” her sister whispered to me, “and was already beginning to fear you might not come again.”

I took my Bible again and read from Luke 7: “And behold, a woman in the city, which was a, sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment and stood at His feet behind Him, weeping, and began to wash His feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed His feet and anointed them with the ointment.” During the reading I saw the eyes of the dying woman fixed on me. I read the chapter to the end, and laid express emphasis on the words: “Thy sins are forgiven Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

Then I asked her, loud enough for everybody present to hear, “Are you a sinner like that woman?”

“Yes,” she .replied, scarcely audible.

“And are you trusting your soul’s salvation on Jesus alone?”

“Yes.”

“Are you like the woman when she entered the house, without the consciousness of her sins forgiven, and without peace with God? Or are you like her when she Went away, as a sinner saved through faith, and who had peace with God?”

She gathered her whole strength together and answered slowly but with great distress, yet distinctly and decidedly, “I—am—like —her—when—she—went—out.”

Yes, the poor sufferer had learned the perfectness of love that casts out all fear. Jesus had become her Saviour, and thus she was in quietness and peace in face of approaching death. I used the opportunity to draw the attention of all present to the wonderful grace which is for everybody and is offered free to everybody.

Another time I stood beside the bed of the sick woman, and she could now scarcely whisper. The features revealed that her spirit would very soon leave its mortal shell, but on her pale, emaciated countenance was the reflection of the peace dwelling in her heart—peace, deep as a river.

“Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:1.

Messages of God’s Love 8/30/1914

Bible Questions for September

Answers to Bible Questions for July

“And he saith unto them,” etc. Mark 8:29.

“And saith unto them,” etc. “ 14:34.

“For whosoever shall give,” etc. “ 9:41.

“And they feared exceedingly,” etc. “ 4:41.

“And He said unto them,” etc. “ 16:15.

“And were beyond measure,” etc. “ 7:37.

“But when Jesus saw it,” etc. “ 10:14.

Bible Questions for September

The Answers are to be found in the Gospel of John.

Write the verse containing the words: “I am the Son of God.”

Write the verse containing the words: “If ye have love one to another.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Blood and water.”

Write the verse containing the words: “The sin of the world.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Even the world itself.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Marvel.” “Hour.” “Graves.”

Write the verse containing the words: “The world hateth you.”

Messages of God’s Love 9/6/1914

Paradise

WHAT a charming scene we have before us! As we gaze at the old mill, half hidden among the trees; at the water dashing down over the rocks and turning the wheel which sets the machinery inside in motion; at the fine large trees which make refreshing shade; at the mountains in the distance with their peaks stretching upward toward the sky; at the ducks swimming in the smooth pool below; and at the man and woman dipping up the clear water at the foot of the moss-grown steps, we cannot but think what a very pleasing picture it is. It seems restful to look upon it and to think of such a lovely spot.

Do you think such a place would be a paradise on earth? Oh! no, it would not. It would perhaps be away from the evil and vices of the busy haunts of men, and it would be free from the bustle and hum and dirt of the noisy city; but it would not be a spot where difficulties were not found, and where sorrows would not come, and where the trail of the serpent would not be seen. It will only be when we reach the Paradise above that we will find a scene of beauty and joy that will fully satisfy the heart, and that will have in it nothing to give sorrow or trial.

It is happiness to enjoy the beautiful scenes in nature that God sets before us; but I trust my little readers will not seek their enjoyment in these things.

“SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.” Col. 3:1.

Messages of God’s Love 9/6/1914

Mother's Last Words.

FIRST PART

The yellow fog lay thick and dim

O’er London city, far and wide;

It filled the spacious parks and squares,

Where noble lords and ladies ride.

It filled the streets, the shops were dark,

The gas was burning through the day;

The Monument was blotted out,

And, lost in gloom, the river lay.

lint, thicker still, and darker far,

The noisome smoke-cloud grimly fell

Amongst the narrow courts and lanes,

Where toiling people poorly dwell.

No sun above, no lofty sky,

No breezy breath of living air;

The heavy, stagnant, stifling fog

Crept here, and there, and everywhere.

Down seven steep and broken stairs

Its chill, unwelcome way it found,

And darkened with a deeper gloom

A low, damp chamber, underground.

A glimmering light was burning there,

Beside a woman on a bed;

A worn-out woman, ghastly pale,

Departing to the peaceful dead.

Two little boys in threadbare clothes

Stood white and trembling by her side,

And, listening to his mother’s words,

The youngest of them sadly cried.

The elder boy shed not a tear,

Nor stirred a moment from his place,

But with a corner of the sheet

He wiped his mother’s cold, damp face.

“Ah, John,” she said, “my own dear boy,

You’ll soon be in this world alone;

But you must do the best you can,

And be good children when I’m gone.

“And, listen, John, before ‘tis night

My weary spirit will be free;

Then go, and tell the overseer,

For he must see to bury me.

“You’ll walk behind my coffin, dears;

There’s little more I have to crave.

But I should like to have my boys

Just drop a tear beside my grave.

“And then you’ll have to leave this room,

Because the rent is not all paid;

Since I’ve been ill, I’ve let it run;

You know, I’ve barely earned your bread.

“I don’t owe much, I’ve minded that,

And paid it up, though hardly pressed.

The man must take the little things,

And sell the bed to pay the rest.

“I’ve mended up your bits of clothes—

It is not much you’ve left to wear;

But keep as decent as you can,

And don’t neglect the house of prayer

“I can’t speak of your father, John;

You know that he has been my death.

If he comes back, you’ll say, ‘His wife

Forgave him with her dying breath.’

“But O, my children! when I’m gone,

Do mind your mother’s warning well,

And shun all drinking, swearing ways,

As you would shun the pit of hell.

“I’m going to a happy place,

So beautiful, and dazzling bright,

‘Twas in a vision or a dream

It passed before me in the night.

“I felt my spirit caught away

From all the crowd of toiling folk,

Above the cross upon St. Paul’s,

And far above the fog and smoke.

“And higher, higher, up I went,

Until I reached a golden gate,

Where all about, in shining rows,

I saw the holy angels wait.

“At once they bid me welcome there,

And, all at once, began to sing:

`Come in, thou blessed of the Lord,

For thou art welcome to the King.’

“Then one stepped forth and took my hand,

And spoke like music, passing sweet,

‘We have been watching for thee long,

To bring thee to our Master’s feet.’

“Then hand in hand we floated on,

Through glowing fields of lovely flowers,

And saw ten thousand happy souls

At rest among the shining bowers.

“Our Saviour walked among them, John;

Most beautiful He was to see;

And such a heavenly smile He gave

When first He saw poor worthless me.

“And O, the gracious things He spoke,

I hardly could believe the word.

`Come in, thou faithful one,’ He said,

`And rest thee now beside thy Lord.’

“Then, all around, I heard the sound

Of joyous voices, singing praise,

And I stood there, and joined the song,

And looked upon His blessed face.

“And, as I looked, my heart grew strong,

And then I fell before His feet.

`Dear Lord,’ I said, ‘I pray Thee send

An Angel to our wicked street.

“ ‘I’ve left two little boys behind,

To get through this bad world alone,

And much, I fear, they’ll miss their way,

And never reach Thy glorious throne.’

“ ‘I will,’ He said, and then He called

A beauteous Angel by his name;

And, swifter than an arrow flies,

That beauteous Angel to Him came.

“And as I knelt before His feet,

I heard the order plainly given,

That he should guard my little boys,

And bring them safe to mein heaven

“I saw the Angel bow his head,

And cast on me a look of love,

Then spread his snowy wings to leave

His blissful seat in heaven above.

“So do not fret about my death;

I know you’ll not be left alone,

For God will send the Angel down

To care for you, when I am gone

“I’m sure you will have daily bread,

For that the King gave strict command,

And all the wealth of London town

Is in the power of His hand.

“So never join with wicked lads

To steal, and swear, and drink, and lie;

For, though you are but orphans here,

You’ll have a Father in the sky.

“I can’t see plain what you should do,

But God, I think, will make your way;

So don’t go to the workhouse, dears,

But try for work, and always pray.”

The woman ceased, and closed her eyes,

And long she lay, as if at rest,

Then opened wide her feeble arms

And clasped her children to her breast.

And then aloft her hands she raised

And heavenward gazed with beaming eyes—

“I see, I see, the Angel come;

I see him coming from the skies.

“Good-bye, good-bye, my children dear;

My happy soul is caught away.

I hear, I hear, my Saviour call—

He calls me up, I cannot stay.”

Then soared her soul from that dark room,

Above the crowd of toiling folk,

Above the cross upon St. Paul’s—

Above the fog, above the smoke.

And higher, higher, up she went,

Until she saw the golden gate,

Where night and day, in shining bands,

The holy angels watch and wait.

And she went in and saw the King,

And heard the gracious words

He spoke To her who, in this sinful world,

Had meekly borne her daily yoke.

But sadly sobbed the little boys,

As from the bed of death they crept;

Upon the floor they sat them down,

And long and piteously they wept.

The dreary walls around them closed,

No father came to share their grief;

No friendly neighbor heard their cry,

None came with pity or relief.

They cried, until their tears were spent,

And darker still the chamber grew

And then said little Christopher, “

Now mother’s dead, what shall we do?”

Messages of God’s Love 9/6/1914

Maggie's Birthday Gift

IT WAS Magpie’s birthday. The morning post brought many letters, cards and gifts from uncles, aunts and little cousins, and Maggie was awake early that morning to receive them. She had been confined to the house for over a week with a severe cold, and had been told by the doctor to keep her bed for a few days.

Her birthday presents were all very pretty, and presented quite an attraction on the table by her bedside; but there was one in which her interest seemed to center. This was a pretty Bible, sent by her only brother, a bright Christian boy of eighteen, who had gone to learn his trade with an uncle. On the fly-leaf of the Bible was the following inscription, written neatly by her brother’s hand-

To Maggie Bell
On her eleventh birthday
————
“Ye must be born again.”

Maggie’s aunt, as she sat by her bedside, sought to improve the opportunity of pressing home upon her conscience and heart the truth of God. Maggie was an obedient and loving girl, but she was not a true Christian. She had not been born of God, or seen herself to be a lost sinner, in need of a Saviour. But these words, written by her Christian brother on her birthday gift, with her aunt’s explanation and application of them, were used by the Spirit of God to show Maggie that she needed to be born again. During that day she had many questions to ask her aunt, especially how she was saved, and how she knew it. The whole afternoon was spent talking about God’s way of salvation, and Maggie confessed, seeing that it was by faith in Christ alone. Her aunt went out on an errand for about half-an-hour, and when she returned, the first words she heard were, “O aunt, I am saved now!”

“IF THOU SHALT CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH THE LORD JESUS, AND SHALT BELIEVE IN THINE HEART THAT GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, THOU SHALT BE SAVED.” Rom. 10:9.

Messages of God’s Love 9/13/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 127. I. SAMUEL 24.

SAUL IN THE CAVE

WHEN Saul had returned from his pursuit of the Philistines, he again thought of the one he hated, David, the man whom he knew God had chosen to take his place on the throne of Israel, because he had been unfaithful. It was told the king that David was hiding in the wilderness of Engedi. Immediately, taking with him three thousand men, the bravest and choicest warriors he had, he started afresh to hunt David.

As Saul and his men journeyed, they passed by a cave on the side of the mountain. There the king wished to stop and he entered the cave to rest. But David and his men were hiding in there, although Saul did not know it. When they saw him enter the cave the men said to David, “Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold I will deliver thine enemy into thine hands that thou mayst do to him as it shall seem good unto thee.’ “ But David, who was quite sure of being king when God’s time should come, would not hurt the Lord’s anointed, even though this one sought his life. He had faith to wait until God in His own way should give him the blessing. He waited patiently, and in the meantime learned many lessons of God’s care and faithfulness which he could not have learned on the throne. For we know God did not allow His dear servant, David, to be afflicted without a purpose. In the same way today He acts toward His own children. The troubles and trials He lets them bear are the school in which they learn, day by day, His love, wisdom and care. His loving heart sympathizes with them in all their sufferings, and just as soon as He sees they have learned their lesson He takes away the trial, for He loves His dear children too much to cause them one needless tear.

There was no anger nor hatred in David’s heart for the enemy who had done him so much harm, who even then was seeking his life, and instead of hurting him, when Saul was in his power, David went softly behind him and cut off a piece of his robe. But as soon as he had done so, he felt sorry, for he knew Saul was the Lord’s anointed, and his master in God’s sight. He would not listen to his men who advised him to kill his enemy, since God had given him into their hands. Neither would he allow them to touch the king. When Saul had come out of the cave, David called to him, “My Lord, the king!” Saul looked back and saw David who had bowed himself to the ground, holding up the piece from Saul’s garment, told him that he had him in his power that day, but he would not hurt him and that he had not sinned against him, yet he sought his life, and hunted him as he would a partridge in the mountains. But God would judge between them and avenge David and deliver him from Saul.

Saul was touched for the moment with the proof that David wished him no harm, and had refused to hurt him to avenge himself and he answered David, “Thou art more righteous than I, for thou hast rewarded me good for evil. May the Lord do thee good in return. Now I know that thou shalt certainly reign. Swear to me by the Lord that thou wilt not destroy my children after me.” David promised and Saul went back to his house while David and his men dwelt in the strongholds of the mountain.

We do admire David in this instance especially; he was surely in this, a type of the Lord Jesus who not only did good to His enemies, in return for their cruel treatment of Him, but He died for them, that they might live. We cannot understand such goodness, such love. It is so entirely strange to our wicked hearts, for we were His enemies, we, His creatures, who should have rendered Him the obedience and honor due Him, but instead, when in love He came down to us, we cried in our hearts, “Away with Him! We will not have this man to reign over us.” And now, God, in His wonderful love, uses the most wicked act men have ever done for their own salvation and says, If you will believe that Jesus has died in your stead and you trust your salvation to Him alone, not only will I not bring you to judgment, but I will make you my children and receive you in my home. The God of love only could. plan and do such a wonderful thing as this. Can we ever love and thank Him too much in return?

It is at about this time that Samuel the prophet, who had become very old, died. All Israel lamented and mourned for him and buried him in his house at Ramah.

Messages of God’s Love 9/13/1914

Mother's Last Words

FIRST PART.

(Continued.)

Then John rose up and with his sleeve

He wiped away the last sad tear.

“Well, we must go, as mother said,

And tell the parish overseer.”

“But won’t the Angel come to us?”

“I cannot tell you,” John replied.

“I think he will,” said Christopher;

“My mother saw him, when she died.”

They stumbled up the broken stairs,

And pushed their way along the street,

Whilst, out of sight, an Angel bright,

Walked close behind, with shining feet.

He stood beside them at the door,

And heard the growling Overseer,

Then touched his heart with sudden smart

And brought an-unexpected tear.

“Here, lads,” he said, “divide this bread;

You both look hungry, anyway.

We’ll see about the body, child,

And bury it on Wednesday.”

The hungry children ate the loaf,

And then the younger brother said:

“Our mother told us right, you see;

That was all true about the bread.”

“It does seem so,” was John’s reply.

“I say, Chris, shan’t you be afraid

To go and sleep at home tonight,

All in the dark there with the dead?”

“Why should we, John? Dead folks don’t hurt.

She would not hurt us, if she could;

And, as she laid upon the bed,

She looked so happy and so good.”

“Well, come down, then—I’m not afraid.”

They entered in, and shut the door,

And made a bed, as best they could,

And laid them down upon the floor.

And soundly slept those little boys,

And dreamt about a far-off land,

With shining bowers, and lovely flowers,

And angels flying at command.

They’d never been beyond the town,

To see the beauteous works of God;

Not even seen the daisies spring

By thousands on the level sod.

They had not seen a robin’s nest,

Nor plucked a violet in the shade,

Nor stood beside a running brook

And heard the pleasant sound it made.

They had not seen young lambs at play,

Nor gleaned among the autumn sheaves,

Nor listened to the pattering sound

Of falling rain upon the leaves.

The cuckoo’s note was strange to them—

They’d never heard a wild bird sing,

Nor seen the yellow cowslips grow

About the meadows, in the spring.

Nor had they run with rosy boys,

At early morning to the school,

Nor spent the pleasant holidays

In catching minnows in the pool.

Ah, no! and yet they were not left

With naught but death and darkness there.

A minister of love was sent,

In answer to their mother’s prayer.

But little thought those orphan boys,

When to their wretched bed they crept,

That, all the night, an Angel bright

Would watch beside them, as they slept.

When dimly dawned the light, they rose,

And Chris looked round with chattering teeth;

The sheet was spread from foot to head—

He knew his mother lay beneath.

“Let’s go out to the pump and wash,

As she would always have us do;

We’d better mind about her words,

I think,” said John; “Chris, what say you?”

“Let’s go,” said Chris. “Besides, you know,

We’ve got our breakfast now to find.”

They went out in the narrow street;

The shining Angel went behind.

A woman at a chandler’s shop,

Who knew the children of the dead,

Was touched with pity, as they passed,

And gave them each a slice of bread.

“ ‘Tis true,” said little Christopher;

“You may be sure the Angel’s come.

She never gave us bread before—

No, not the value of a crumb.”

The next day, and the next to that,

The promise of the King was kept;

And every night that Angel bright

Stood by, to guard them as they slept.

Messages of God’s Love 9/13/1914

At the Wheel

THERE he stands steadily at his post until his turn is taken by another seaman. His eye is fixed either on the captain, who stands on the bridge, or else on a compass, which is generally fixed just in front of the wheel.

How important this man’s duty is! One touch of the wheel, either to the right or left, is enough to send the ship out of its course; on the other hand, a slight movement in the right direction serves to keep the vessel right. I was surprised to find that even in a smooth sea, and while steaming along very fast, there was always a tendency to get out of the course, and so the steersman must keep looking at the compass, which tells faithfully the smallest turn in either direction.

Now, when boys and girls become Christians they want to walk in the narrow path which Jesus walked in, but there are so many things which turn us aside from that path, such as ill temper, envy, want of patience, etc., and how are we to be kept, like the ship, in its true course?

Ah! we must look both at Jesus, who is our Captain, and the Bible, which is our compass, and then our feet will never slip.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee,” says the prophet Isaiah (Chap. 26:3), and that is the secret of not being turned aside. If we trust in our own strength we shall fall, but if we look to Jesus to keep us, He is both able and willing to do it, and preserve us to His own glory.

Messages of God’s Love 9/13/1914

White-Bait Fishing

A MIDST many dangers and hardships, the sea-faring men go out to the great deep to get the fish that God in His goodness has supplied for man’s use. But in the picture before us they are near the mouth of a river, where they are able to catch White-Bait in their nets. These tiny silver-colored fish, which, I understand, are7young herring, go through the water in large droves, and sometimes they catch so many, that they cannot find sufficient sale for all of them. These are what they call their good times. Like many others, they take all they get as if they got it by their own smartness or by luck, as they call it, and forget they could get nothing if God in His goodness did not see fit to give it to them. But we know all do not do so; some have been taught and rejoice to know that God is the Giver, and they have put their trust in Him instead of in what He gives, and they can distribute and communicate to others who are in need with the means that has come into their hands. May we all, dear children, not only accept all as coming from God’s hand, and remember that He has given us richly all things to enjoy, but think of the needs of others and communicate what we can.

We see the great example for this in what the Lord Jesus has done for us, in leaving the bright glory and coming into the world of sin, and willingly dying in our stead, and then sharing His blessed home above with us who believe in Him. If we know this and appreciate it in our souls, we will be glad to give out to others of that which God has given us.

“THIS IS THE MESSAGE THAT YE HEARD FROM THE BEGINNING, THAT WE SHOULD LOVE ONE ANOTHER.” 1 John 3:11.

Messages of God’s Love 9/20/1914

Come As You Are

THE following touching story of a mother’s love and God’s tender mercy is both instructive and encouraging. We give it from memory, and can only vouch for it being substantially correct.

One night as the rain fell heavily and the wind shook the door on its hinges, the mother alone in her cottage, could not sleep. Her daughter had gone astray, and had been absent some time. The mother knew not where she was or how she was; but the fear lest she might be out in such a storm awoke the tenderest feelings of a mother’s heart. O! that she were under her mother’s roof, was, no doubt, her deepest and fondest wish. The ingratitude of the daughter had not quenched the love of the mother. Sorrow deepens such love, and a broken heart makes it tenfold more tender.

The mother arose to relieve her heart in prayer. Blessed refuge for a sorrowful and broken heart! Her prayer must be imagined, and that will be easy for those who have waked and watched for a prodigal’s return. But there was One who heard all, and who was making all things work together for good, for the dear children of His love. The angels, too, were listening and watching, with admiring wonder, the movement of God’s hand, and sharing His joy. They desire to look into such things, and they rejoice when a sinner is converted. But with what deep interest they must watch the ways of God in grace with such a sinner, and receive as a fresh charge a new heir of salvation. “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15.)

While the mother yet prayed, and while the storm yet raged, she heard a knock at the door. When she opened it, a well-known voice asked if she could be forgiven. What a meeting! Who could describe it? “My child! My child!” mingling with the welcome words, “Will you forgive me, mother?” satisfied and overjoyed both hearts. The daughter was shoeless, in rags, and drenched with the wet, but she was now in her mother’s arms, under her mother’s roof, and she was, after all, her daughter still.

But the deeper joy was yet to come. When the grateful mother was thanking God for her daughter’s return, and praying that He would now forgive her sins and save her soul, the daughter whispered in her ear, “I am saved already, mother.” Enough, O enough, more than enough, to break a mother’s heart over again, but now with overwhelming joy the daughter proceeded: “About a week ago, I heard a man preaching in the streets, and as I stood and listened, all my sins seemed to come tip before me, and I was so alarmed that I ran home to my lodgings and prayed to God to forgive me, and I believed He par-cloned my sins; and then I left for home at once, and have walked all the way.”

Beautiful and touching as this scene is, and brightly as the grace of God shines through it all, it is, blessed be His name, no uncommon case. We have known and witnessed many of a similar character. Though, alas! all have not praying mothers, as this one had, yet some have. The Lord’s name alone has all the praise and glory.

We have in the above narrative a fine illustration of the right way for a sinner to come to Christ. The daughter returned to her mother just as she was, and at once. She was the very picture of misery and wretchedness. Her condition proved her prodigality. She needed not to say a word, but to throw herself on her mother’s mercy. The rags spoke loud enough—yes, loud enough and plain enough for that mother’s heart. But she came to the right place, and to the right person, and at once. Anything else would have been wrong. Had she remained away until she had shoes and clothes, she might never have gladdened her mother’s heart in this world. And this, certainly, was her first duty. The only right way was to return at once, and just as she was; and to confess the wrong she had done and seek forgiveness. Nothing could be of so much importance as to relieve the anguish of a mother’s broken heart. Every hour’s delay would have been heartless cruelty.

And thus, surely, should it be with the lost sinner, when Jesus says—Come. He should come at once, and come just as he is. Anything else—everything else must be wrong. Many think, when they hear the invitations of the gospel, that they must in some way or other be better before they can come. They think they must at least find shoes and clothes before coming, and so make a respectable appearance. But this can never be. Every hour’s delay is time lost, besides the sin of refusing the love of Jesus. The moment you hear Him say Come, my dear young reader, be sure that you come, and just as you are. Do you think our Father in heaven would allow a returned prodigal to wear in His presence the shoes and clothes of the far country, even could he find them and were content to wear them? All know the answer. They would only keep up the remembrance of past ways, which God in His grace is willing to forget. “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Heb. 10:17.) See, then, O young hearer, the sin and folly of delay. Where you are—as you are—come at His bidding. Tarry not for anyone, or anything. Come in faith—doubt not His love—question not His joy and delight in receiving you. But, remember, come at once, and come as you are. And remember, also, that whatever you bring with you from the far country must be stripped off and cast away. Not a vestige of the prodigal’s sin and shame shall be allowed to remain. “The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” Then Satan will not have a rag—a sin to hold by. Every sin—every rag—every sign of the far country will be gone. There is no limit to the cleansing power of His blood.

Oh! glorious truth—blessed certainty! As thou art„ then, my reader, hear, believe, come! In rags, shoeless, and drenched with the wet of the night, come! There are the shoes, a robe, a ring, and the fatted calf, and boundless joy and gladness for thee in thy Father’s house. Only come, I pray thee, and come at once, nothing doubting. Couldst thou suppose for a moment that there was more love in that mother’s heart than in thy heavenly Father’s heart? All the love that is found in human hearts has come from His, and still, were all put together, they would be, compared to His, but as a drop in the ocean’s fulness. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” And yet to hear that Father say, on every occasion of a prodigal’s return, and that, too, in the face of cold, icy, self-righteousness, “It is meet that we should make merry and be glad; for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost and is found.”

“Just as I am—without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am—and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot,

To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot

O Lamb of God, I come!

Messages of God’s Love 9/20/1914

Mother's Last Words

FIRST PART.

(Continued.)

On Wednesday the people came

And took the woman’s corpse away;

Two little mourners walked behind

And saw the grave wherein it lay.

Fast fell the tears upon their cheeks

When little Christy raised his eyes

And said, “O mother! how I wish

I was with you above the skies.”

‘Twas but the thought passed through his mind,

When soft a whisper seemed to come—

“Be patient, little Christopher,

You are not very far from home.”

The Minister said, “Dust to dust”;

And then the poor boys left the place-

Two friendless boys in London town;

O! was not theirs a hapless case?

They wandered up and down the streets,

And then went home to sleep once more,

And in the morning left the room,

And took the key and locked the door.

They found the landlord at his house,

And said, “Please, sir, our mother’s dead;

She could not pay up all the rent,

And we have got to earn our bread.

“But please, sir, we have brought the key,

And left some things upon the shelf,

And there’s the blanket and the bed,

My mother thought you’d pay yourself.”

“And so she’s gone!” the landlord said, “

And you are left to face the strife:

Well, I will say, I never knew

A better woman in my life.

“Of course, I’ll take the things, my boy,

For right is right, and so I must;

But there’s a sixpence for you both:

You’ll find it hard to earn your crust.”

They thanked the man, and left the house.

“I’ll tell you what we’ll do,” said John;

“This sixpence here will buy a broom;

We’ll sweep a crossing of our own.

“We won’t go to the workhouse, Chris,

But act like men, and do our best;

Our mother said, ‘A crust well earned

Was sweeter than a pauper’s feast.’ “

“O, yes; we’ll work like honest boys,

And if our mother should look down

She’d like to see us with a broom

And with a crossing of our own.”

Messages of God’s Love 9/20/1914

Departure of the Pilgrims from Delft Haven

HERE is a beautiful picture of a real event which took place nearly 300 years ago.

In the latter part of the 16th century there were some Christians in England who were not satisfied with the doctrines and rules of the English church. Some of them, after vain attempts to purify it, separated from the church of England. Of these Separatists were some of them thrown into jail, and some hung. In 1608 a company of these people fled to Holland. They were well treated there, but finding their children in danger of losing their language and nationality, they determined to seek a country where they would not only be able to worship God as they wished, but also to bring up their children as Englishmen.

Their eyes turned toward America as such a country. So in July 1620 a little company of them sailed from Delft Haven in Holland, to Southampton, in England, where the little ship “Mayflower” was waiting to convey them to the New World. They were now called Pilgrims, on account of their wanderings from one place to another.

In the picture you see in the boat men, women and children, for they did not leave the little ones behind.

On the shore we see their friends, kneeling, to commend them to the care of God. A Bible, lying on the stone pier, shows that they had been reading together some words of comfort and exhortation. And God did care for them, and gave them a home, such as they desired, and their wanderings ceased.

It is worthy of note that these people, though well treated in Holland, did not wish to become citizens of that country. No, they felt themselves to be pilgrims and strangers there, and sought a country of their own.

In what we may call God’s Roll of Honor (Hebrews 11), in speaking of those whose lives had been marked by some act of faith, it is said: “These all died in faith and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

And now, dear boys and girls, and older ones, too, who are the Lord’s, are we showing by our words and ways, that we too are pilgrims and strangers here? Do we declare plainly that we seek a country a better country that is, an heavenly?

The Pilgrims spent 12 years in Holland. Some of us may be here longer than that, some not so long; but none of us will be here very long. We belong to the One who purchased us with His own blood. Heaven is now His home, and it is ours.

“FOR OUR CONVERSATION (citizenship) IS IN HEAVEN; FROM WHENCE ALSO WE LOOK FOR THE SAVIOUR, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.” Phil. 3:20.

“ Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” 1 Pet. 2:11.

Messages of God’s Love 9/27/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 127. I. SAMUEL 25.

NABAL AND ABIGAIL

DAVID had to change his abode in the wilderness very often so Saul could not find him. He went from one place to another, up and down the mountains of Judah, living, he and his men, the best way they could; but God was with them, and while they often suffered, they were not allowed to perish.

There was a very rich man living in Carmel near the wilderness of Paran, where David and his men were at that time. He was especially rich in sheep and goats, having three thousand of one and one thousand of the other. For these he had many shepherds, to whom David and his band had been very kind, protecting them from the wild beasts, yet even in poverty and want, never taking any of their flock for reward.

But Nabal, this rich man, was wicked and hard-hearted, while his wife Abigail was a woman of good sense and beautiful. At shearing time, David sent ten of his men to Nabal, with his greetings and good wishes, and a request for some food in return for the protection he had given the shepherds. But Nabal was selfish and cruel. He cared not for other people; he tried only to please himself. All his money and all his possessions he kept for his own use. Why does God give some people riches? Is it to spend it all on themselves, and give nothing to the poor? Or is it not rather that they may use it as not being their own but God’s, and help the needy and do all the good they can?

But Nabal had no gratitude toward David. Instead of giving the ten young men anything, he said insultingly, “Who is David?” and told them there are many servants who run away from their masters, and was he to take his bread and water, the meat he had for his shearers; and give them to men he knew nothing about?

When the young men returned and told him Nabal’s words, David became very angry and commanded his band to gird everyone his sword and go and punish Nabal. About four hundred went with him and the two hundred who were left remained with the stuff.

In the meantime one of the shepherds went to Abigail and told her of David’s messengers and their reception, and added, “The men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we anything, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields; they were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. Now, therefore, know and consider what thou wilt do, for evil is determined against our master and his household, for he is such a man of Belial that a man cannot speak to him.”

Then Abigail hastily commanded to bring to her two hundred loaves of bread, two bottles of wine, five sheep ready dressed and five measures of parched corn, also one hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs. All this she had her men load upon asses and told them to go on with the provisions ahead of her, and without a word to her husband, she mounted an ass and followed. She met David, who was swearing that since Nabal had treated him so meanly, he should be revenged and not leave one man alive that belonged to him.

Was this the same David who just previously had refused to return evil for good to his worst enemy? who had said, “The Lord judge between me and thee . . . and deliver me out of thine hand”? Alas! it was the same David, but now he had forgotten that God would take up his cause and care for him. Of course, Nabal’s insolence was hard to bear; the Lord alone could help him to overcome it with kindness, because naturally the heart resents the wrong. Only as the Lord gives us grace can we obey His words. “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matt. 5:44.) As soon as Abigail saw David, she lighted off the ass and bowed herself to the ground before David. Then she told him she knew the wrong which had been done him, confessing it as her own. She also reminded David that he who was fighting the Lord’s battle should be above personal revenge. She was grateful that the Lord had prevented him from shedding blood, for God would surely make him king over Israel, and then, instead of being sorry he had not punished Nabal, he would be glad. When David heard Abigail talk so wisely, he thanked the Lord for having sent her to meet him, and thanked her for her advice, for without her intervention, he would surely have destroyed Nabal and all his men before the morning light. David accepted thankfully what Abigail had brought him, and said, “See, I have harkened to thy voice, and accepted thy person.”

When Abigail returned home, she found that her husband had made a great feast and was quite drunk, so she said nothing to him that night of what had happened, but in the morning, when Nabal had recovered his senses, she told him what he had escaped. Nabal was greatly frightened, so that he could not speak, but we fear he did not repent, and ten days later the Lord smote him and he died.

When David heard of this, he was very thankful he had not taken upon himself to punish his enemy, and I am sure he learned anew to trust the Lord to fight for him. Then he sent messengers to Abigail to ask her to be his wife. When she heard that, she bowed herself to the ground, and said she would be willing to become the servant of his servants. She, too, had faith that God would one day make David king of Israel, and felt what an honor it was to become his wife. Then she mounted her ass, and with five of her maidens following her, she came to David, who made her his wife. David also took another wife named Ahinoam, but Mical, his first wife, and daughter of Saul, had been given to another man named Phalti.

Messages of God’s Love 9/27/1914

Mother's Last Words

FIRST PART

Away they went, with anxious hopes,

And long they hunted here and there

Until they found a dirty place

Not very far from Leicester Square.

And here at once they took their stand,

And swept a pathway broad and neat,

Where ladies, in their silken gowns,

Might cross, and hardly soil their feet.

The people hurried to and fro,

And, ‘midst the jostle, jar and noise,

And thinking of their own affairs,

They hardly saw the little boys.

Not so with all—some caught a sight

Of little Christy’s anxious eyes,

And put a penny in his cap;

And every penny was a prize.

At last the streets began to clear,

And people dropped off, one by one. “

Let’s go,” said little Christopher.

“My pocket is quite heavy, John.”

They counted up their pence with glee,

And went away to buy some bread,

And had a little left to pay

For lodging in a decent bed.

Next day John kept his crossing clean,

Swept off the mud, and left it dry;

And little Christy held his cap,

But did not tease the passers-by.

And many a one a penny gave,

Who marked the pale child’s modest way;

And thus they’d sixpence left in hand

When they went home on Saturday.

The woman at the chandler’s shop,

In kind remembrance of the dead,

Had found the boys a lodging place,

Where they could have a decent bed.

“Let’s go to church,” said Christopher.

“She’d be so glad to see us there.

You recollect she often said,

`Boys, don’t neglect the house of prayer.’ “

“We’re very shabby,” John replied,

“And hardly fit for such a place;

But I will do the best I can

To polish up my hands and face.”

Clear rang the bells that Lord’s day morn,

As they went briskly up the street;

And, out of sight, the Angel bright

Walked close behind with shining feet.

Some idle boys, who played about,

Threw stones and mocked, as they went in.

“Aye, let them mock away,” said John;

“We need not care for them a pin,”

A lady watched them, as they sat,

And, when the service was all done,

Said, “Do you go to Sunday School?”

“No, ma’am; but we should like,” said John.

She told them both the place and time;

They went that afternoon to school.

The boys were playing in the street,

And said to John, “You are a fool

“To go to that old stupid place;

We know a trick worth two of that.”

Said John, “I mean to be a man,

And that’s the trick I’m aiming at.”

Messages of God’s Love 9/27/1914

Faith, Hope and Love; Or, Two Anchors

LOOK at the third, fifth, and eighth verses of 1 Peter 1, and you will find in them these three words—Faith, Hope, Love. Some girls that I know wear “charms.” There are three they are very fond of: a Cross, representing Faith; an Anchor, Hope; and a Heart, Love. I do not admire these charms; but if I had to make them, I should have two Anchors and one Heart, and I will tell you why.

A ship was once anchored near the shore by one anchor from her bows, and it happened that a storm came on. when the ship swung round and was dashed upon the rocks. The ship should have had anchors from both stern and bows, then she would not have been swung round and wrecked. Faith and Hope are the two anchors for the believer. Faith is the anchor behind; it ,holds us firm when our sins rise up—it is fixed upon what Jesus did for His people when He died for them; and Hope is the anchor before: it holds us firm when the trials and sorrows of life beset us—it is fixed upon all that Jesus will do for us. If we have these two securely fixed, we are safe from every storm.

Messages of God’s Love 9/27/1914

Bible Questions for October

Answers to Bible Questions for August

“For whosoever shall be,” etc. Luke 9:26.

“Blessed are those servants,” etc. “ 12:37.

“And the Holy Ghost descended,” etc. “ 3:22.

“Blessed are ye when men shall,” etc. “ 6:22.

“But I will forewarn you,” etc. “ 12:5.

“Heaven and earth shall pass,” etc. “ 21:33.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon,” etc. “ 4:18.

Bible Questions for October

The Answers are to be found in the Acts.

Write the verse containing the words: “ Behold.” “ Prison.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ World.” “ Heaven.” “Earth.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Instructed.” “Fervent.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Hazarded.” “Lives.”

Write the verse containing the words: “A Christian.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ With tears.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ Go thy way.”

Messages of God’s Love 10/4/1914

Difficult Choice

OUR artist surely has a goodly number of interesting faces around him. Any one of them would make a good subject for a sketch. Several of the children look as though they would like to sit for a picture. Which will the artist choose? Some have their slates and books under their arms as they trudge home from school. Other younger ones are out with their mothers for a stroll.

In the midst of such an attractive looking group, the gentleman does not know which would make the most pleasing picture. He seems to be trying to decide between the two little girls who are modestly hanging their heads.

Not many of us are artists, and so we do not have to make a choice of this kind. But there is one choice that we all have to make, sooner or later. We all bear the good news of salvation. We all know that Jesus died to save sinners. We know, too, that if we acknowledge our lost, helpless, ruined condition, and our need of a Saviour, God’s wonderful salvation is for us. God will not turn away any one who comes to Him seeking forgiveness and salvation. He wants us to come. He is beseeching us to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Have we turned to the loving Saviour, or are we seeking our pleasure and happiness in this world?

Do any of us say, “I am good enough; I am doing the best I can, and God is too good and merciful to send me into everlasting punishment,” or, “There is plenty of time to become a Christian; I will have a good time while I am young”?

Dear reader, you must choose between Christ and the world. It may be a difficult choice. Your conscience may tell you to choose Christ; and your desire for “a good time” may tell you to choose the world and its pleasures.

Do you know how dangerous it is to choose this world for the present, thinking that when you are older you will turn to Christ?

Over twenty-five years ago, a young lady who had heard the gospel, preferred to go on with the pleasures of this world rather than to give them up for Christ.

She was looking forward with much pleasure to the opening of a new skating rink. The time came and the rink was fixed up very attractively. The place was filled With laughter and fun when suddenly a pole in the building gave way. As it fell it struck this young lady and killed her. Her soul passed into eternity unsaved.

Another very attractive and lovable young girl was asked to attend a prayer meeting during the closing hour of the old year. She did not care for the company of Christians and thought it would be a very dull way to see the old year out and the new year in.

She refused the invitation, saying, “No, I will dance it out.”

The end of the year came, and with it the much anticipated dance. The young lady was full of animation and excitement in the midst of the gay throng with its glitter and music.

But as the hour of midnight approached she grew suddenly pale and was carried from the room very sick. All the efforts of the doctor to help her were in vain. As the clock struck twelve, she passed with the dying year into eternity.

She had rejected Christ. She had chosen the world—only to spend an eternity of misery in outer darkness.

Dear reader, which will you choose? It may be a difficult choice. It may be hard for you to give up the pleasures of this life. But they last only a few years at best. And if you do turn to Christ, you will find in Him far more than all this world can give you, and that for eternity.

Do not refuse that blessed One, in whom alone you can find true happiness, peace and satisfaction. Accept Him now. To-morrow may be too late.

“SEE THAT YE REFUSE NOT HIM THAT SPEAKETH. FOR IF THEY ESCAPED NOT WHO REFUSED HIM THAT SPAKE ON EARTH, MUCH MORE SHALL NOT WE ESCAPE, IF WE TURN AWAY FROM HIM THAT SPEAKETH FROM HEAVEN.” Heb. 12:25.

Messages of God’s Love 10/4/1914

The Only Saviour

NO doubt, dear children, you have all heard and read of the country of India, and perhaps you know also that the people who live there are worshipers of Confucius, Buddha, and other false gods.

The story is told of a certain Hindoo who became anxious about his soul. Like many other people, he commenced by doing his best—turning over a new leaf, giving alms to the support of the idol temple, etc.; but one night he had a remarkable dream, which was used of the Lord for the salvation of his soul.

He dreamed he was passing through a country lane, and, without the least warning, fell into a deep ditch, so deep that by himself it was impossible to get out. What did he do? He commenced to climb the side of the ditch, but fell back again into the mire. This was repeated again and again, until at last, his strength expended, he gave himself up for “lost.

Having come to this conclusion, he had no thought but of death, and “after death the judgment.”

But, hark! yes; that surely must be a footstep coming along the lane. He listened and heard the sound again, and then saw the flashing of a lantern.

“Help!” he cried.

“Who’s that?” said a voice.

“A poor, unfortunate being who has Managed to fall into this ditch. Help me, sir!”

“Poor fellow,” was the answer, “I must tell von to be very careful in passing ditches again.”

“Do help me out! Who are you, sir?”

“I am Confucius; but I cannot stop to help you. You must get out as best you can, and be careful not to get in such places again,” and with the same he passed by.

I cannot tell you what, in his dream, the poor fellow passed through before another footstep was heard. Hoping that this one would be his saviour, he called out,

“Who is that?”

“I am Buddha; but who are you, and how did you come in such a place as that?” was the answer.

Seeing this voice was much more kind in its tones, he eagerly replied:

“Help me out! do help me out!”

After a brief consultation, during which the man thought in his dream he told Buddha of his entire helplessness, etc., he had the following. answer:

“Well,. if you could climb up half way, so as to allow me to reach your hands, I could easily lift you out.”

“But,” replied the man, “I cannot move. T am helpless. Come down and help me up.”

“No. If I come down there I shall be a helpless prisoner like yourself. I am very sorry I am unable to help you,” was Buddha’s answer, and with that he passed on.

After a short time the man heard another footstep, and a very bright lantern he saw flashing around the mouth of the ditch.

“Help!” he cried, “save me!”

“I will,” a voice replied, and down came the stranger into the midst of the mire, lifted the poor man on his back, and carried him on his shoulder to the top of the ditch, and landed him safely.

The poor man then asked who his rescuer was.

“Jesus of Nazareth,” was the answer.

At this point the Indian awoke from his dream. For want of space I cannot tell you all the details of his conversion, but this dream was the means used. He saw that he was “guilty before God,” and was glad to accept God’s own terms, which are, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

And now, dear children, do you know this loving Saviour? The first man of whom in the dream the Indian sought help is a picture of Satan, who comes and tells man he must turn over a new leaf and live a better life, and by so doing he will get to heaven in the end.

Again in Buddha we find also a picture of Satan coming to a boy or girl, and telling them that they must do their part and God will do His.

No, dear children, you have done your part—that was all the sins which you have.

Messages of God’s Love 10/4/1914

A Leaf From the Bible

AT the time of the great revolution in India, two lady missionaries, Mrs. Orr and Miss Jackson, were imprisoned in the city of Lucknow. Great was the fear for them. The rebels did not attempt their lives, but were satisfied to surround their home night and day, and never wearied of telling them of the massacres’ of their countrymen.

They probably would have suffered more, and they expected every day to be led to the torture, had they not been cared for by an old servant who finally hid them in her own house.

The rebels had taken all they possessed, so that they had neither Bible nor Testament. Happily, they know a great many passages of Scripture by heart, and they repeated them one to the other.

Mrs. Orr’s child fell dangerously ill, and for a long time the poor missionaries could obtain nothing to cure her. At last their faithful servant succeeded in talking with a Hindoo doctor. He sent the medicine wrapped in a piece of paper which he had torn from a book fallen into his hands. They gave the medicine to the little girl, without looking, of course, at the paper, but what was the astonishment of these ladies when, picking up the paper, to find that it was’ a leaf from a Bible, and the missionaries read these words: “I, even I, am He that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgetteth the Lord thy Maker that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor. as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor? The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.” Isaiah 51:12-14.

The captives accepted these words as a promise coming from God, and their hope was soon realized: They were delivered.

Messages of God’s Love 10/4/1914

The Strange Picture

WHAT a strange picture! you say. Yes, we have never seen anything like it on this earth. If you have ever seen a lion or a leopard, I think you have seen them behind strong iron bars, for fear they would hurt or destroy some weaker animal.

But is this a true picture? you say. For we all like true things. Yes, it is, but it is a picture of a future time of blessing for this poor world which is now full of violence and corruption. Turn to Isaiah 11, read the whole chapter slowly and carefully, and you will find every animal mentioned that is represented in the picture. Now look at it while we read together verse 6. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb.” Do you see the two together at the left of the picture? The wolf does not kill and eat the little lamb as it would in these days, no, they dwell together.

Now see the leopard lying down at the lower left hand corner, and the kid playing in front of it, and listen—”and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fat-ling together; and a little child shall lead them.” Then look at the picture at the top, while we read—”and the cow and the bear shall feed, their young ones shall lie down together.” Now let us read verse 9:

“THEY SHALL NOT HURT NOR DESTROY IN ALL MY HOLY MOUNTAIN; FOR THE EARTH SHALL BE FULL OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD, AS THE WATERS COVER THE SEA.” Isa. 11:9.

That will be a great change when the earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord; now it is not so. But if we look at verse 4, we see that judgment must fall on the earth before that happy picture can be realized. But before the Lord comes in judgment to prepare the earth for this blessed time, called the millennium, from the words mille, a thousand, and anium, a year, because it will last a thousand years, according to Rev. 20:4. He will come in the clouds to meet His own in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thess. 4:17.) And that, dear children is the most blessed portion for us who now in the day of His grace accept Jesus as our Saviour and own Him as our Lord.

It is joy to think of looking down on the peaceful, happy earth; but our exceeding joy will be that we are with Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.

Messages of God’s Love 10/11/1914

Doing Her Best

AS a visitor was going from bed to bed in a large infirmary ward lately, she came to a woman who was in consumption. She sat down by her bedside, and after a little conversation began to inquire of her hopes for eternity. The invalid told how God had answered her prayers about many things, and said that she was praying for forgiveness and doing her best. She seemed not to be careless about her soul, but rather one who thought that she had something to do before she could obtain salvation.

“Well,” said her visitor, “I should like you to listen while I repeat to you a verse from God’s Word.” And she quoted: “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:4-5), adding, “Have you ever thought that that is what God says?”

“No,” she replied, “I have never noticed that verse; it seems to put it in quite a different light from anything I have ever heard.”

Have you, my reader, ever thought that God does not propose to justify the one who does his best, but “him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly”? All that you can ever get by your doings is “the wages of sin,” which “is death.”

There are two reasons why God does not require you to work for salvation: one is that you can do nothing fit for Him, the other is that Christ has done everything already. As a man who had trusted Christ for some years said on his death-bed, “It is all finished, completed, done.”

Thank God, the work is finished, and it is available in all its perfection for “him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly.”

Messages of God’s Love 10/11/1914

Be Ye Also Ready

NOT very long since a lady and her daughter were leisurely walking towards the C—railway station.

Evidently they intended to catch the train which was due at that minute.

However, they could not see any sign of its approach and thought that they were in good time.

Just then the train came steaming in and they hastened forward.

When there were only a few yards between them and the platform, they ran, but just as the porter opened the carriage door and would have willingly assisted the ladies into the train, the mother, who was suffering from heart disease, fell down dead! The door was closed, the train passed on, and they were left behind.

What a sad scene it was! There was the prostrate form of the lady who, just a minute before, was apparently full of life and vigor; the poor daughter breaking her heart as she thought how she was left alone to mourn the loss of one she dearly loved, who had so suddenly been called out of time into eternity. Many to sympathize, but, alas! the poor lady was beyond the region of help.

And now, my dear reader, our reason for relating this sad incident is to awaken you to the fact that you need a Saviour. There is great danger if you neglect “so great salvation” and put it off by saying, “There’s time enough yet”; because, should you die without a Saviour, there can be no escape from judgment. (Heb. 2:3.)

Death may ruthlessly disturb your false peace, and you may then, alas! discover too late your folly.

O, be wise in time! “Remember NOW thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” (Eccle. 12:1.) What is it that keeps you from coming to the Lord Jesus?

The work has been done. Jesus did it, and God declares in His Word that all is completed. What you have to do is to believe. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31.) Do harken to His kindly entreaty and come to Jesus NOW.

Messages of God’s Love 10/11/1914

Mother's Last Words

SECOND PART

The second week was bleak and cold,

A drizzling rain fell day by day,

And with their wet umbrellas up,

The people hurried on their way.

And no one thought about the boys,

Who patiently stood sweeping there;

And sometimes over Christy’s face,

There fell a shade of blank despair.

Discouraged, wet, and weary oft,

Cold, shivering, to their bed they crept;

But still all night, that Angel bright

Stood by, to guard them, as they slept.

And these poor boys would sleep as well

As rich men, on their beds of down,

And wake up with a lighter heart

Than many a king who wears a crown.

But winter time came on apace,

And colder still the weather grew,

And when they left the street at night

Their clothes were often wetted through.

Their coats were almost worn to rags,

Their bare feet went upon the stones;

But still they always went to church,

And to the school on afternoons.

And never joined with wicked boys,

And never stopped away to play,

But tried to do their very best,

And swept the crossing every day.

One day a boy came up, and said,

“I know a dodge worth two of that;

Just take to picking pockets, lad,

And don’t hold out that ragged hat.”

“What, thieve!” said little Christopher,

“Our dodge is twice as good as that,

We earn our bread like honest folks;”

And so he answered, tit for tat.

“Well, that’s your own look-out, of course;

For my part, I don’t see the fun

Of starving at this crossing here,

When money. is so easy won.”

“How do you manage that?” said John.

“O! come with us, we’ll have you taught,

You’ve but a trick or two to learn,

To grip the things, and not be caught.”

“But if you should be caught?” said John,

“The end of that would spoil your fun.”

“Oh! we know how to manage that;

Come on, I’ll show you how ‘tis done.”

“What do you get to eat?” said John,

Who pondered on these boasting words. “

What get to eat!—just what we choose—

We eat and drink away like lords.

“Now, what d’ye say?—make up your mind;

I’m waited for, and must be gone,

We’ve pretty work today, on hand.”

“Well, I shan’t help today,” said John.

“The more fool you,” replied the boy,

And went off whistling down the street;

And black as night, a wicked sprite,

Went after him with rapid feet.

John went back slowly to his place,

And grumbling to himself, he said,

“I half repent, I didn’t go,

It is so hard to earn one’s bread.

“I dare say he gets in a clay

As much as we earn in a week;

I wish I’d gone.” John muttered this;

To Christopher he did not speak.

At night, as he went sauntering home,

He loitered round a pastry-cook’s,

Till Christy called, “John, come along,

You’ll eat the cakes up with your looks!”

“Well, Chris, I say ‘tis very hard,

We never have good things to eat;

I’m tired of nothing else than bread,

I long for something nice and sweet.”

“They do look nice,” said little Chris,

And lingered near with hankering eyes;

“Which would you have, John, if you could?

I’d have these jolly Christmas pies.”

John answered in a grumbling tone,

“O! I don’t know, so let ‘em be;

Some boys do get nice things to eat;

Not honest boys, like you and me.”

“Well, never mind,” said Little Chris,

“You’re out of sorts this evening, John;

We’ll both be rich may be some day,

And then we’ll eat ‘em up like fun.”

“No chance of that, for us,” said John,

“Our feet are now upon the stones;

We can’t earn food and clothing, too,

And you are only skin and bones.”

“ ‘Tis hard to work and not to eat;

But, John, you would not do what’s bad!”

“No; I don’t mean to thieve—not I;

But when thieves feast, it makes one Mad.”

And so John grumbled day by day,

And longed for something good to eat,

And sometimes looked out for the boy

Who went off whistling down the street.

And O! indeed, ‘twas very hard,

When tired, hungry, cold, and wet,

To pass by all the eating-shops,

That looked to tempting- in the street:

To see the people going in,

To buy the sausage-rolls and pies,

Whilst they could only stand outside,

And look at them with longing eyes.

‘Twas hard to see the smoking meat,

And smell the vapors floating round

Of roasting joints, and savory steaks,

From steaming kitchens under-ground.

And sometimes little Christy cried,

When limping on with chilblained toes,

He saw fine windows full of boots,

And children’s shoes in shining rows.

But still he never would complain,

And sometimes said, if John was sad, “

We got on bravely yesterday,

Why should you take to moping, lad?

“But, John, I think if you and I

Were rich as these great people are,

We’d just look out for orphan boys,

And give them nice warm clothes to wear.”

“Just so,” said John, “and we would give

Poor little sweepers in the street

A famous lot, of halfpennies,

To buy them something good to eat.

“They’d never miss the little things,

That would make kings of me and you;

I wish that we were rich men, Chris,

We’d show ‘em what rich men should do.”

Messages of God’s Love 10/11/1914

Work While It Is Day

HERE we have another lovely scene before us. It is night, the moon is riding through the heavens in and out among the fleecy clouds, while its soft light bathes everything below, and sparkles and dances over the water of the quiet and smooth-flowing stream.

The busy hum of the mill has ceased; its great wheels are motionless; the skiff is drawn up on the bank, and the oars placed inside; the great trees are casting their deep shade; all is still—no sign of life except an old man moving slowly along.

There is something very solemn in the darkness of the night when all is hushed to silence. And it is exceedingly solemn to think of the long, dark night into which no ray of light or hope will ever enter—the night that awaits those who continue to be rejectors of God and of Christ. May none of the dear readers of this paper be found in that night of sorrow!

God tells us, “The night cometh, when no man can work.” May you who know the Lord, be found serving Him—working while it is day! May you, who do not yet know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, come now to Him, lest that awful night of darkness overtake you!

“TO-DAY IF YE WILL HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS.” Heb. 3:7, 8.

Messages of God’s Love 10/18/1914

Not of Works

SALVATION costs us nothing, because it cost Jesus his life. The bitterness of the Cross, and the darkness of the tomb were His, that we might not know the shame of eternal darkness.

Reader, if you are laboring for Salvation, give tip your works of every kind, and find in Jesus, God’s only Son, blessed peace and rest.

I would not work my soul to save,

For that my Lord hath done,

But I would work like any slave,

For love to God’s dear Son.

Life, first, and works after. Rest your soul in Christ and what He has done for your salvation, then serve and honor Him in all you do and say.

The whole Word of God is true; let it be so to you. Accept the Word as your guide, and rest on it. First, out of self, then into Christ, and then into glory, are the three steps.

Messages of God’s Love 10/18/1914

The Piece of Money; Or, How God Provides

IT was in a time of great famine that a poor widow, who lived in a lonely hut in the woods, found herself one day without bread to give to her children.

Besides, she was ill, and without friends or help. But she knew Him who is a friend of the poor, so she knelt down to pray. She prayed long and earnestly, for she knew that He who fed the birds would not forsake her.

While she was kneeling, her little girl, on opening the door of the hut, saw something sparkle on the door sill. She saw that it was a new piece of silver money, and carried it in haste to her mother. Who had put that money there? They could see on the road no living creature; they heard no sound of a carriage. Where did it come from? Had God put it there for the desolate mother? Without doubt, it had come from Him, but it was not placed there by an angel, nor did it fall from the sky. God, in many ways, my dear children, answers our prayers without sending heavenly messengers. His hand can touch a little spring in the wheels of the universe without changing, in the least, its laws, and help comes where it is asked for. Like the poor widow, we do not always see exactly which way this mysterious help comes, and it seems to us then to come directly from above. The preservation of each of us from the cradle is just as directly the work of God, although He uses so many different people to obtain this result that we often forget the unseen Benefactor, and see only those who are under our eyes.

But how could the silver piece have come there?

This is what happened: A young blacksmith, on his way to a neighboring town, was walking, in spite of the remonstrances of his friends who wanted him to take the train.

While he was crossing the woods, a voice raised in supplication was heard coming from a hut on the roadside, and arrested his attention. He went in the direction of the sound on tiptoe, and heard distinctly the widow’s prayer. He understood that she was poor, ill, and without friends, and was pouring out her heart to God.

“What can I do to assist this poor woman?” wondered the young man. He put his hand in his pocket and brought out a silver piece of money. It was a large sum for him to give, but in a generous impulse he thought of the poor widow who needed it more than he. He placed the money on the door sill so that it would attract attention when the door was opened, then hid himself, waiting to see what would happen. Before long our blacksmith saw the little girl come out and pick up the money, and with a light heart he went on his way.

Had not the money come from God to relieve the poor widow, and was he not the messenger sent to help her? This is the way God acts, and chooses His instruments to carry out His will. When we go about, seemingly busy with our own affairs, it often happens that, without being aware of it, we carry out God’s plan and perhaps answer the prayers of His children, without knowing it.

Messages of God’s Love 10/18/1914

Mother's Last Words

SECOND PART

One night between the dark and light,

As they were going down a lane,

And Christopher with bleeding feet,

Was slowly hobbling on with pain;

John saw some shoes, outside a door,—

“They’ll just keep my poor Christy warm!”

And quick as thought, he snatched them up,

And tucked them underneath his arm.

Then pale as ashes grew his face,

And sudden fears rushed on his mind,

He hurried on with quicker pace,

Lest someone should be close behind.

“Do stop a bit,” his brother cried,

“Don’t be in such a hurry, John;”

John darted round a frightened look,

And from a walk began to run,

He thought he heard a cry of “Thief,”

And swifter down the street he fled;

And black as night, a wicked sprite,

With rapid feet, behind him sped.

The cry of “Thief” was in his ears,

Through all the bustle and the din; A

nd when he reached the lodging house,

The wicked spirit followed in.

He sat down pale, and out of breath,

And locked the door into the street,

And trembled when he only heard

The sound of little Christy’s feet.

“There, Christy, boy—there’s shoes for you,

And now you’ll cut away like fun;

Come, let us see, how well they &—

Just give a tug and they’ll be on.”

Then Christopher did laugh outright,

“Hurra! hurra!—now I am shod;

But, John, where did you get the shoes?”

John put him off, and gave a nod.

The little boy was tired out,

And quickly to his bed he crept,

And knew not that a wicked sprite,

Scowled on his brother as he slept.

John could not rest; the faintest noise

Made all the flesh upon him creep;

He turned, and turned, and turned again,

But could not get a wink of sleep.

He strained his ears to catch the sound

Of footsteps in the silent night,

And when they came close by the door,

His hair almost rose tip with fright.

At last his fear became so great,

That in a cold damp sweat he lay,

And then the thought came in his mind,

That he had better try and pray.

“They tell us at the Sunday school

That we must tell the Lord our sin;

My mother used to say the same,

Before to heaven she went in.

“I wish I’d let the shoes alone;

I wonder what I’d better do!

If I should take them back again,

Poor Christy would not have a shoe.

“Though I don’t think he’d care for that,

For he’s a better boy than I,

And he would sooner starve to death

Than steal a thing or tell a lie.”

“Are you asleep, Chris? Can’t you wake?

I want to tell you something bad;

I’ve counted all the hours tonight;

I say, Chris, can’t you wake up, lad?”

Just then the child screamed in his sleep,

And started upright in his bed;—

“Are you there, John? Who’s in the room?

O, John! I dreamt that you were dead.

“I’m glad enough that I woke up,

I’m glad you’re all• alive and well;

I’d such an ugly dream—I saw

The devil taking you to hell.”

“And so he will, if I don’t mind,

As far as that, your dream is right;

And as to going off to hell,

I think I’ve been in hell all night.”

“What have you done?”—”Why stole some shoes,

That very pair I gave to you;

But I can’t rest about it, Chris,

I want to know what we shall do.”

“Why, take them back, of course,” said Chris,

“And put them where they were before;

Let’s go at once.”—”No, stop,” said John,

“The clock has only just struck four.

“There’s no one stirring in the street,

The shops will not be open yet,

And we should have to wait about

For hours in the cold and wet.

“And now that I’ve made up my mind,

I don’t feel half so much afraid.”

Then took to flight that evil sprite,

And John laid down his weary head.

Messages of God’s Love 10/18/1914

Too Full

FOUR little folks have found their way down through the seat of the old wicker chair, and a fifth one is sitting on the outside. looking as if ready to cry, because he is not there too. But those inside the chair do not look very happy. One is crying lustily and two of the others look much concerned. They are no doubt crowded, and they have got themselves into a prison and see no way out.

It often happens so with little folks and with big; they are not satisfied, and will not rest until they get what they want, and when they get it, they find it is to their sorrow.

These little folks would have been better off had they kept out of the old chair. And you will find, dear children, there will be many things in your pathway through life that you may desire, which would be better turned away from than attained, only to bring sorrow.

There are some who will go their own way to the end of life’s path; but they will get into a prison far more dreadful than the prison into which these little folks have put themselves. It will not, like this one, be too full, for God tells us in His Word that “Hell and destruction are never full.” Oh! do not go your own way or follow your own will; it will bring you sorrow upon sorrow; and, if pursued to the end, will bring sorrow without end—yea, endless woe in a prison house from which there will be no escape.

“THEN SHALL THEY CALL UPON ME, BUT I WILLINOT ANSWER; THEY SHALL SEEK ME EARLY, BUT THEY SHALLINOT FIND ME: FOR THEY HATED KNOWLEDGE, AND DID NOT CHOOSE THE FEAR OF THE LORD.” Prov. 1:28, 29.

Messages of God’s Love 10/25/1914

It Is Well

A SHIP was wrecked on the coast of C—. All hands went down save one sailor-boy, who was washed on to the shore barely living, and who lay bruised and ready to perish for weeks on a sick-bed.

He was visited by a young man, who strove to lead the sailor-lad to Christ who died for sinners, and to show him that He is the only anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast, and that He alone can deliver from the storm which destroys both body and soul in hell.

“Suppose,” said the missionary, “that when your vessel was in pieces round about you off the coast, and you felt yourself sinking, exhausted, beneath the surge—suppose you had caught hold of a plank as it floated by you, and felt that, as you clutched it, it bore your weight, and held you up till relief could come, you would thank God for that plank, would you not?”

“Yes, sir,” gasped the boy; and then he was made to understand that the plank was a figure of Christ, bearing up or delivering the sinner from the wrath to come.

Many years rolled away, and the Christian missionary toiled on, miles and miles from the southern coast, in the midst of a northern city. One day he was again in a sickroom. Everything showed that it was also a room ready for a death. They moved about silently and solemnly, as men who can say, “O Death, where is thy sting?” (1 Cor. 15:55.) The sufferer was very nearly gone. The visitor, true to his old calling, bent down to whisper to the dying man words about the great salvation, and the life after death.

“Is it well with your soul?” said the old missionary. And there was a sudden glance of the eye, that had begun to fix, and the head turned around, and a last flush covered the white face, and then a smile—such a smile! “God bless you, sir! It is well. The plank bears, sir! The plank bears!” And so it did. It had borne him ever since, and having believed in Christ, the Son of God, he had been saved from eternal wrath.

Reader, do you believe in Christ alone for the salvation of your soul? If so, happy, thrice happy, are you. Without Christ you will become a wreck, and be lost in the blackness of darkness forever. He now waits to save you. He is ready to forgive you, and to bring you to God (1 Peter 3- 18). “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish. but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). And “in this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might Live through Him” (1 John 4:9). “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood . . . to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever” (Rev. 1:5, 6).

Messages of God’s Love 10/25/1914

Heaven's Door

I ONCE heard of a very little girl who set off to walk to heaven’s door.

She thought the door to some large vaults in the cemetery was heaven’s door; and she toiled on till she reached the place.

Then she knocked and knocked; but no answer came.

She thought that heaven must be on the other side of the door, because many people who died were taken there.

Little Katie was disappointed when no one answered her. She waited and waited, and knocked till her little hand ached; and then she turned wearily homewards, thinking the angels were too busy to hear her.

But a loving friend was able to tell her of the true Door to heaven, and to direct her to Him who said, “I am the Door”; and who also said, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.”

These are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, who was dead, and is alive again for evermore in heavenly glory. Have you me to Him yet?

Messages of God’s Love 10/25/1914

A Lesson from the Clocks

SOME of them strike very often; every quarter of an hour. Some every hour; and some not at all. But those that do strike are expected to do something else as well, and that is to point to the correct time, all through the day, between the hours, as well as just when the striking time comes. Then the striking of the bell corresponds with what has been seen before, when you could hear nothing but the ticking. So it should be with the life of those who love the Lord.

He does not set all His people to preach the gospel, but He does expect that, whether we say anything or not, what is seen in us all the day long should be “as it becometh the gospel of Christ.” If we speak to others, whether publicly or privately, we must mind that what we say is “according to truth,” but we must not forget that “actions speak louder than words.” Pointing to the time between the hours is of even more importance than sounding out the hours when they come. We could do better without the bell of the clock than without its hands, but we want both. Only if the finger points to one, when the clock strikes twelve, which shall we believe? And if we say one thing but do another, who will know our Lord and Master any better for us? If we say, “Jesus Thou art enough the mind and heart to fill,” but do things which show that we are not satisfied with Him, and want the follies of the world, who will know which to believe? At striking time we say, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” “Thou art with me, I will not fear.” But what do people see us doing, in between the meetings? Are we full of anxious care, as if we had no Father in heaven, and no Lord our Shepherd?

Messages of God’s Love 10/25/1914

Mother's Last Words

SECOND PART

At six o’clock the boys went out,

The snow was falling in the street,

And through the bitter morning air,

They ran along with naked feet.

They watched the busy town wake up,

Undoing shutter, bolt and bar;

But full two hours they stopped about,

Before that door was set ajar.

John quickly slipped the shoes inside,

And then as quickly walked away,

And with a lighter heart he went

To face the labors of the day.

Fast fell the feathery, floating snow,

In whirling currents driven round,

Or fluttered clown in silent showers

Of fleecy flakes upon the ground.

With broom in hand, and shivering limbs,

The little sweepers bravely stood,

And faced the cutting northeast wind,

That seemed to chill their very blood.

A lady, in a house close by,

Who often watched the little boys,

Heard many times, that stormy day,

A deep cough mingled with the noise.

She rose up from her blazing fire,

And from the window looked about,

And hard at work amongst the snow,

She spied the ragged sweepers out.

“Do, Geraldine, look here,” she said,

“How thin that youngest boy has grown;

Poor little wretch!—how cold he looks,

He’s little more than skin and bone.”

“Poor little boy!” said Geraldine,

“I never saw a whiter face;

I think they must be honest boys,

They keep so constant to their place.

“There’s Frank and Freddy’s worn-out shoes,

I think, mamma, would fit them well.”

Perhaps they would, I’ll have them brought,

My dear, if you will ring the bell.

“And there’s your brothers’ old great coats,

They’ll never put them on again;

But they will keep these children warm,

In many a storm of wind and rain.”

“And give them something nice to eat;

I don’t mean dry old crusts of bread,

But good mince-pies,” said Geraldine,

“You know we’ve such a number made.”

“Well, do so, if you like, my dear.”

“O! thank you; they shall have some pies.”

Poor John, and little Christopher,

They hardly could believe their eyes.

They took the clothes, and nice mince-pies,

They bowed and thanked, and bowed again,

Then scampered down the splashy streets,

And reached their own dull, dirty lane.

And there they fitted on the coats,

And turned the pockets inside out,

Stuck up the collars round their ears,

Put on the shoes, and marched about.

They rubbed their hands and laughed amain,

And twisted one another ‘round,

And then John turned a somerset,

And cleared the bedstead with a bound.

“But now for these fine Christmas pies,”

He said, and smacked his lips with glee,

“They’re just the things You wanted, Chris,

There’s two for you, and two for me.

“We never had such luck before,

We never dreamt of such a thing.”

“I think ‘twas mother’s angel, John,

Who had that order from the King.”

“You don’t mean that in earnest, Chris?”

“Why not?” said Chris, “I’m sure I do

I say, John, if we died tonight,

Should we both go to heaven, too?”

“Well, Christopher, last night, I thought

I should be sure to go to hell;

What sort of place that’s like to be,

I’ve now a notion I could tell.

“I’m pretty sure, if I had died

Last night, without my sins forgiven,

I’d not a single chance to go,

To be with mother, up in heaven.

“I wish I’d never touched the shoes;

To steal is such a shameful sin,

And though they’re taken back again,

I don’t feel yet all right within.

“It was so bad, to go and steal!

Four months today you know she died;

And though we’ve fared quite hard enough,

Our wants have mostly been supplied.

“Some boys, we know, have had no bed,

A deal worse off than you and I,

For we have always had some bread,

And just a place where we could lie.

“And now, we’ve got some clothes to wear,

And days will soon be getting long,

And then, old boy, we’ll shortly see

You picking up, and getting strong.”

“I don’t know, John—I fancy not,

I sometimes think I’m going to die;

I dream so much about the place

Where mother went—I don’t know why.

“Except, maybe, I’m going too:

I saw one night, John, in a doze,

That’ Angel, that my mother saw,

With snowy wings and shining clothes.

Messages of God’s Love 10/25/1914

Bible Questions for November

Answers to Bible Questions for September

“Say ye of Him,” etc. John 10:36.

“By this shall all men know,” etc. “ 13:35.

“But one of the soldiers,” etc. “ 19:34.

“The next day John seeth Jesus,” etc. “ 1:29.

“And there are also many other,” etc. “ 21:25.

“ Marvel not at this,” etc. “ 5:28.

“If ye were of the world,” etc. “ 15:19.

Bible Questions for November

The Answers are to be found in Romans.

Write the verse containing the words: “ Sinned.” “Come short.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ Divisions.” “Offences.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ Delight in the law.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ Brotherly.” “.Preferring.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ Every knee.” “ Every tongue.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Hope.” “Joy and peace.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ Unsearchable.” “ Past finding out.”

Messages of God’s Love 11/1/1914

Too Late!

SOME time ago I was staying in a house that faced a large public school.

From the windows we could see the children assembling twice a day, often coming early enough to have a game before the bell summoned them to come in.

One morning I saw two little boys arrive very early. Evidently they meant to be in good time, and soon after, being joined by others, a game of marbles was started.

By-and-by the bell began ringing, and children gathered from all directions and disappeared one after another through the open door.

But the little group of boys still went on with their game, although the quick, sharp notes of the bell continued to warn them that time was going. Suddenly, as the clock struck nine, the bell ceased ringing, and at the same moment the school door was shut.

But what about those two little boys who had come so early? Ah, they had lingered so long over their game that, although within sight of the open door, they got too late to go in after all!

And now as they stand outside, the sound of children’s voices singing the opening hymn comes to them, and they wish they had gone in while the door was open, because they know that punishment awaits those who are not in their places when school begins.

This incident led me to think of another door and another call to come in, one that you have heard, my reader, many times, and now once again it comes to you through the pages of this magazine.

The Lord in His grace has brought us to the present month, and still the door of salvation stands wide open; but we know that time is quickly taking us on to the moment when it will be shut.

Messages of God’s Love 11/1/1914

The Life-Buoy

SOME time ago a wretched young woman threw herself into the river, and was drowned. It being noonday when she thus rushed to her destruction, her act was observed, not only by some who were walking along the embankment, but by some travelers on board a steamboat, the captain of which steered immediately to where the poor creature was. There was a life-buoy on board, and this was thrown out to the sinking woman, but it is said that she refused to avail herself of the proffered help, and consequently almost immediately sank.

How many, alas! act in as suicidal a manner with respect to their precious souls! Eternal life is presented to the sinner in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, but in how many instances it is rejected! As the Lord said to the Jews, “Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40); and as He said also to Nicodemus, “He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18.)

The act of the captain in taking his vessel near to the drowning woman, and the placing of the life-buoy within her reach, were proofs of his willingness to save the poor creature from a watery grave, whether she was willing to accept his proffered kindness or not. And, surely, God has proved His willingness that sinners should be saved; for “in this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” It is likewise declared of Him that He wills (or desires) “all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4.) It is also written, that the Lord is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9.) Hearken, too, to what the Lord Jesus said to Jerusalem, the city which had been favored with so many privileges, but which it had turned against itself: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not.” (Luke 13:34.)

Mark the contrast: “I would,” but “ye would not.” May God incline thy heart to lay hold of the life-buoy presented in the person and finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Turn not away from Him, lest thou shouldst have the anguish of reproaching thyself with the thought, that when He called, thou didst refuse; when He stretched out His hand, thou didst not regard it; but didst set at naught all His• counsel, and wouldst have none of His reproof. (Prov. 1:24.)

Messages of God’s Love 11/1/1914

Mother's Last Words

SECOND PART

“He looked at me, and then he smiled,

And said, ‘Your time will soon become;

Be patient, little Christopher,

You’re going to a better home.’

“You know, last Sunday, at the school,

The lady told us how to pray,

And said, ‘that Jesus Christ had come

To die, and take our sins away.’

“And so I begged He’d take all mine,

And, Johnny, I believe He will;

And now I shouldn’t mind to die,

If we could be together still.”

“O! Christy, boy, you must not die;

What should I do without you here?

O! do get well—you must get well,”

And John brushed off a starting tear.

The winter passed, and spring-time came,

And summer days grew warm and long;

But little Christy weaker grew,

And soon could hardly creep along.

And then he stopped all day at home,

And soon he hardly left his bed,

And John was forced to leave him there,

To earn for both their daily bread.

Sometimes the lady at the house

Gave John some little jobs to do,

And when she found he did them well,

She sent him on her errands, too.

And now when Christopher was ill,

And John was leaving for the night,

She gave them little dainty things,

To please his brother’s appetite.

The woman at the chandler’s shop

Had always been a faithful friend,

And often came to see the child,

And stayed awhile to wash and mend.

The lady at the Sunday school

Found out the little orphans’ home,

And she would come and read to Chris,

And he was glad to see her come.

She talked about the blessed Lord,

And she would kneel and softly pray

And thus he lingered on awhile,

Still getting weaker day by day.

‘Twas on a sultry summer’s night,

When heavy lay the stifling air,

As John was dropping off to sleep,

He heard a softly whispered prayer.

He knew ‘twas Chris, and did not stir,

And then he heard a gentle sigh;

It was the dear boy’s happy soul,

Escaping to its home on high.

He left behind his wasted form,

He rose above the toiling folk,

Above the cross upon St. Paul’s,

Above the fog, above the smoke.

And higher, higher, .up he went,

Until he reached the golden gate,

Where night and day, in shining bands,

The holy angels watch and wait.

And he went in, and saw the Lord,

The Saviour, who for him had died,

And found once more, his mother dear,

And little Chris was satisfied.

But John had many years to live,

For he had useful work to do;

And he grew up an honest man,

A sober man, and Christian, too

His friend, the lady at the house,

When little Chris was dead and gone,

Bound John apprentice to a trade,

And so he did not feel alone.

And that bright Minister of Love,

Appointed by the Saviour King

To guard those orphan boys on earth,

And then to heavenly glory bring,

Still walked with John his journey through,

And though unseen was ever nigh,

Nor left him till his work was done,

And then went up with him on high.

And there with thousand thousand souls,

All saved from sorrow, fear, and shame,

They join to sing the happy song

Of praise to God, and to the Lamb.

Dear boys, who read the simple tale

Of these poor sweepers in the street,

The gracious God, who cared for them,

Will also guide your willing feet.

(Continued.)

Messages of God’s Love 11/1/1914

Speak the Truth

A FRIEND of mine was telling me not long ago about a girl who did not speak the truth and who was not honest. She went to different houses to, work for people and did not hesitate to steal things whenever she had an opportunity. Often, too, she told things that were not true. She was what some of you would call a story teller, like the poor little boy in the picture. God calls such people liars, for what is not true is a lie.

Soon the women for whom this girl worked, found out how bad she was. They could not depend on her word or trust her. Finally they stopped getting her to help them.

It is a very unhappy thing for one to lose the confidence of his friends and neighbors and to feel that he cannot be trusted.

In our picture, while the other children are reciting their lessons to Grandma, one boy is being punished for telling a lie, and he has a very unhappy face.

How much better it is to speak the truth always and to be honest and faithful wherever we are—both when alone and when with others. Then our friends and those for whom we work will trust us at all times and in all places. It is the faithful honest boys and girls whose masters promote them to higher and more responsible positions.

But while it is good to have man’s approval of our conduct, it is still better to have God’s approval. Do you know what God thinks about lying?

“LYING LIPS ARE ABOMINATION TO THE LORD: BUT THEY THAT DEAL TRULY ARE HIS DELIGHT.” Prov. 12:22.

How glad we ought to be to have the Lord delight in ‘us, and He will, if we speak the truth and do not deceive.

But God hates lies so much that He says, “All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” Rev. 21:S. What a terrible thing it would be to spend eternity in such a place!

Ask God to help you at all times to speak only the truth. Without His help we are sure to fail and do many things that displease Him. He is willing to help and can preserve us from evil as well as from danger.

Messages of God’s Love 11/1/1914

The Life Boat

PERHAPS some of you have seen a life-boat, in which brave, strong men go out on a rough, stormy sea to rescue their fellow creatures who are likely to be drowned. These kind men risk their own life to save others from perishing. Does it not make you think of the Lord Jesus, who came down here to save us, because He knew we were perishing? God’s Word says that all who believe in the Lord Jesus shall never perish. Dear little ones, do you believe in Him? If you do not, you will perish. Come to the Lord Jesus and He will save you from perishing.

Many and many a one has been thankful for a life-boat to save them from a watery grave. And, dear children, many today are thankful to the Lord Jesus for saving them. Are you one of them?

But some have refused to get into the life—boat, because they thought they could save themselves; but their efforts were in vain, and they perished in the water. And. doubtless, some children think if they try to be good, and say their prayers, and read the Bible, it will help to save them; and others think if they are good, the Lord Jesus will love them and take them to heaven. Dear children, the Lord Jesus loves you just as you are. He hates your sin with a perfect hatred; and you ought to hate them, too. But He loves you, He loves the sinner; and so He came to save us, because He knew we could not save ourselves, or even help to save ourselves. If we could, we should boast of our works, and heaven would be full of boasters; and instead of praising the Lord Jesus for saving us, we should be singing our own praise. But God says, “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” By grace are we saved, through the work the Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished on the cross for God.

Grace is God acting toward us just opposite to what we deserve. You and I deserve to perish on account of our sins, do we not? But “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This is grace.

But though no one can be saved by his works, yet after we are saved we should be “zealous of good works”, and “careful to maintain good works”, out of gratitude to the One that saved us. Little children who are saved will seek to please the Lord Jesus in everything, to show by their works how much they love Him for dying on the cross to save them.

Even a life-boat has been known to fail, and the brave, kind men have perished, as well as the wrecked vessel with her crew of precious souls they tried to save. But the Lord Jesus has never failed yet, and never will fail any who trust themselves to Him. Dear children, trust in Him; He will save you, and you shall never perish.

“BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED, THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD: NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST.” Eph. 2:8, 9.

Messages of God’s Love 11/8/1914

Luke 15

“I will arise, and to my Father go.”

Is this, oh sinner, what thou sayest now?

Then rise and go, for He who bids thee come

Will run to meet thee on thy journey home.

He’ll bid His servants from the wardrobe bring

The choicest robe for thine appareling,

And from His treasures of eternal grace,

Love’s golden circlet on thy brow will place.

Messages of God’s Love 11/8/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 128. I. SAMUEL 26.

DAVID IN SAUL’S CAMP

ALTHOUGH Saul had proven David’s kindness to him while in the cave, although he learned surely that the one he had hunted so mercilessly wished him no harm, yet his jealousy toward David —whom he knew God had chosen in his place—drove him again to seek the young man to kill him. Saul had appeared sorry, and must have felt ashamed, but his sorrow was not real and did not lead him to the Lord to seek forgiveness for the past, and grace for the future. Saul did not do this; he went home, but not to pray; he did not care for God’s pardon. No wondel-, then, that Satan came to him again and made him go forth to take David’s life. He took with him three thousand men, and went to the wilderness of Ziph, where he had been told David was hiding. But David found out that the king was after him, and sent spies to see if it were true. They soon returned with the news that Saul had pitched his camp not far from there. David was much distressed and cried to God, in a psalm which he wrote at that time, to save him from those oppressors that sought his life. And full of trust in the Lord, he cried, “God is my helper . . . for He has delivered me out of all trouble.” Read this short but beautiful 54th psalm in connection with our story.

Then David, strong in the Lord, asked which of his friends would go with him to Saul’s camp. Abishai, his nephew, offered; the two men slipped quietly by night among their enemies. There, in an entrenchment made by the carriages, and surrounded by his men, lay King Saul fast asleep, his head on a pillow, his spear stuck in the ground by it, and a vessel of water at his side.

What a splendid opportunity to get rid of his enemy forever. So said Abishai to him, but David knew he had to do with God, and refused to touch the Lord’s anointed, or to allow Abishai to do so. He could wait until God’s time came to give him the kingdom; in the meantime he was safe in the Lord’s keeping. How beautiful was this faith and meekness in David! May the Lord give us to imitate him more! “Take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go,” said David. And so they did, with no one hearing, no one seeing them, for God had caused all these men to fall into a sound sleep.

When David and Abishai had reached the top of the hill, and had put considerable space between them and their pursuers, they stopped. David turned around and called Abner, the captain of the king’s army. David asked him how it was that he, a valiant man, took such poor care of the king, his lord; also asked him about the king’s spear, and the jug of water that were at his side.

Saul knew David’s voice, and called out. “Is this thy voice, my son, David?” “It is,” answered David. “Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant, for what have I done, and what evil is in my hand? Now, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the Lord has stirred thee up against me, let Him accept an offering, but if the children of men, cursed be they before the Lord; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord. . . . The king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one cloth hunt a partridge on the mountains.” Then Saul said, “I have sinned; return, my son, David, for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day; behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.”

But David did not trust Saul, and simply told him to send one of the young men to fetch the king’s spear. He added that as he had spared Saul’s life, so would the Lord spare his, and deliver him out of all tribulations. Saul blessed him, and told him he would do great things and prevail. Then David went on his way, and Saul returned to his home. Saul and David never met again. It must have been pleasant to David to part in peace, and not in anger. But Saul was not truly penitent, and was not at peace with God.

Messages of God’s Love 11/8/1914

Marian: Or, a Little Pilgrim

In a large old house, with two kind aunts,

The little Marian dwelt;

A happy child she was, I ween,

For though at times she felt

That playmates would be better far

Than either birds or flowers;

Yet her kind aunts and story book

Soothed many lonely hours.

Her favorite haunt, in summer time,

Was a large old apple tree,

And oft amidst its boughs she sat,.

Her pet book on her knee.

“The Pilgrim’s Progress” was its name,

And Marian loved it much:

It is, indeed, a precious book;

There are not many such.

She read it in her little bed,

And by the winter fire;

In summer, in the apple tree,

As though she ne’er would tire.

But, unexplained, ‘tis just the book

To puzzle the young brain;

And she, poor child, had no kind friend

The meaning to explain.

For though her aunts were very kind,

They were not very wise;

They only said, “Don’t read so, child;

I’m sure you’ll hurt your eyes.”

But Marian read, and read again,

And visions strange and wild

Began to fill the little head

Of the lovely, dreaming child.

She thought that Christian and his wife,

And all their children, too,

Had left behind their earthly home,

And done what she must do.

“I’ll take my Bible,” said the child,

“And seek the road to heaven,

I’ll try to find the Wicket Gate,

And hope to be forgiven.

“I wish my aunts would go with me,

But’t is no use to ask,

They are so deaf, and rather lame,

They’d think it quite a task.

“Yes, I must go alone, I see,

And I’ll not let them know;

Or, like poor Christian’s friends, they’ll say,

‘My dear, you must not go.’

“But I must wait till some grand scheme

Can all their thoughts engage,

And then I’ll leave my pleasant home,

And go on pilgrimage.”

She had not waited long before,

One fine autumnal day,

She saw the huge old coach arrive,

To take her aunts away.

“We’re going out to spend the day,”

The two old ladies said;

“We mean to visit Mrs. Blair;

Poor soul, she’s ill in bed.

“But, Marian, you must stay at home,

For the lady’s ill, you see;

You may have your dinner, if you like,

In the large old apple tree,

“Play in the garden all the day,

Quite happy and content.”

A few more parting words were said,

And off the ladies went.

The servants, too, were all engaged,

“The day is come at last,”

Said Marian; “but, O! I wish

My pilgrimage were past.”

She knelt beneath the apple tree,

And for assistance prayed;

Then, with her basket in her hand,

Forth went the little maid.

Behind the house where Marian dwelt,

Far in the distance, lay

A high, steep hill, on which the sun

Shone forth with cheering ray.

That Difficulty was its name

The child had often thought;

And towards that hill she turned her head,

With hopeful visions fraught.

The flowers seemed to welcome her;

‘Twas a lovely autumn morn;

The little lark sang merrily

Above the rising corn.

“Ah! little lark, you sing,” she said,

“On your early pilgrimage;

I, too, will sing, for pleasant thoughts

Should now my mind engage.”

In clear, sweet tones she sang a hymn,

And tripped lightly on her way,

Until a pool of thick, soft mud

Across her pathway lay.

“This is the Slough of Despond,” she cried,

Yet she bravely ventured through,

And safely reached the other side,

But she lost one little shoe.

On an old grey stone she sat a while,

And ate some fruit and bread,

Then took her little Bible out,

And a cheering psalm she read.

(To be continued.)

Messages of God’s Love 11/8/1914

Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives

OF ALL the cities of this world, I suppose we may say Jerusalem is the most noted. It is the place where God had seen fit to put His name. It was there the wonderful temple stood that Solomon had built, which was God’s house, and the people there were God’s people, and they owned Him as their God, although the hearts of many of them were far from Him. Many were honoring God with their lips, but without the fear of God before them, and consequently they were doing many things that were not pleasing to Him. So He allowed their enemies to come and destroy their city and temple and take the people away captive into other countries. But when they repented and turned to God again, He allowed many of them to get back, and had the temple rebuilt, and the wall around the city too; but it only took a short time and the people were forgetting God again and doing wicked things.

When the Lord Jesus came near to Jerusalem at the descent of the mount of Olives and a multitude of His disciples with Him, they rejoiced and praised God with aloud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, “Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” Luke 19:38. But some of the Pharisees found fault. They were the people that praised God with their lips and their hearts were far from Him. Then the Lord had to answer them, “I tell you that, if these would hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. And when He came near, He beheld the city, and wept over it.” He knew what would happen to that city again, for they would reject Him, they would cry out, away with Him, we will not have this man to reign over us. They would put Him on the cross between two thieves and rejoice that they were getting rid of Him. But oh, the sorrow it brought to them. The city was destroyed, according to the Lord’s word; not one stone left upon another, and many of the people were slain, and the rest, from all over the country, were scattered among the nations of the world.

It has been rebuilt since that, and our picture shows how it is today. Many of the Jews are gathering back into their land, and great sorrow is yet to come to them because they have had God’s word and they have not believed it, and are still rejecting the Lord Jesus. Now I ask you, dear reader, how is it with you? Are you taking part with those people and crowning all your sins with the rejection of God’s Son—the Lord Jesus Christ? Ah, remember, if God punished them here on earth for such a sin, what will your punishment be, seeing you are much more responsible? For you not only know the wonderful works of God among them, which they knew of too, but you know also the terrible results.

“HE THAT BEING OFTEN REPROVED HARDENETH HIS NECK, SHALL SUDDENLY BE DESTROYED, AND THAT WITHOUT REMEDY. Prov. 29:1.

Messages of God’s Love 11/15/1914

That's Just What I Want

A POOR woman lay very ill in a cottage in one of the mountainous districts of France. Her little house was isolated and lonely, but the heart of the invalid was still more so, for she lived without God and without hope in this world. She had never heard of the forgiveness of sins which is to be had through the Lord Jesus Christ. The peace of God, the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, were things quite unknown to her.

When she was thus compelled to lie in bed, weak and broken down with suffering, she found time to think. Her heart was. however, filled with darkness; whether she thought of the -past, the present, or the future, not a ray of light illumined her soul.

A lady having heard how ill she was, went to visit her. She read the Bible to her,. but the poor woman did not seem to take the slightest interest in what was read. The lady renewed her visits again and again for a considerable time, but without receiving any response. Sometimes, indeed, it appeared as if she did not hear at all.

One afternoon, however, as her visitor read in the first chapter of Paul’s first epistle to Timothy, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” the sick woman cried out all at once, “Stop! stop! that’s just what I want! Christ came to save sinners? I am a sinner. That’s just what I want!’

Peacefully she lay down again on her dying bed, repeating, “Christ Jesus came to save sinners; that’s just what I want!”

Messages of God’s Love 11/15/1914

Returning Good for Evil

A NEGRO, having been sold as a slave, was carried away from his friends and country, and taken to a strange land. There he heard the gospel, and soon gave evidence by his conduct that it had taken root in his heart. Having entirely won the confidence of his master, he was employed by him to choose some fresh slaves. Among them, on one occasion, was an infirm old man, whom the master, yielding to the earnest entreaties of his faithful servant, at length consented to purchase.

The old negro was taken by the Christian slave to his own hut, and was treated by him with the greatest kindness and respect.

The master wondered much at the conduct of his servant, and calling him one day, he inquired, “Is that old man your grandfather?”

“No, massa, that man is not my grandfather.”

“Is he, then, some relation or friend?° “No, massa,” was again the reply. “Then what can make you take so much care of him?” asked the still more astonished planter.

“Ah, massa,” said the Christian, “that man was my greatest enemy; he seized me when I was free, and sold me into slavery. But,” continued he, “I have read in the Book, ‘Love your enemies, and do them good;’ and, therefore, I am trying to do all I can to make him happy.”

Messages of God’s Love 11/15/1914

Marian: Or, A Little Pilgrim

(Continued.)

Then with fresh hopes she wandered on,

For many miles away;

But she reached the foot of the hill

Before the close of day.

She clambered up the steep ascent,

Though faint and weary, too;

But firmly did our Marian keep

Her purpose still in view.

“I’m glad at least the arbor’s past,”

Said the little tired soul;

sure I should have stopped to rest,

And lost my little roll.”

On the high hill top she stands at last,

And our weary pilgrim sees

A porter’s lodge of ample size,

Half hid by sheltering trees.

She clasps her hands with joy, and cries,

“O, there’s the Wicket Gate!

And I must seek admission now,

Before it is too late.”

Gently she knocks—’tis answered soon,

And at the open door

Stands a tall, stout man; poor Marian felt

As she never felt before.

With tearful eye and trembling heart,

Flushed cheek and anxious brow,

She said, “I hope you’re Watchful, sir;

I want Discretion now.”

“O, yes, I’m watchful!” said the man,

“As porters ought to be;

I s’pose you’ve lost your way, young miss?

You’ve lost your shoe, I see.

“Missis,” he called to his wife within,

“Here’s a child come to our door;

You’ll ne’er see such a one again,

If you live to be fourscore.

“She says she wants discretion now,

And sure I think so, too;

But I know some who want it more,

Who will not own they do.”

“Go to the Hall,” his wife replies,

“And take the child with you;

The ladies there are all so wise,

They’ll soon know what to do.”

The man complied, and led the child

Through many a flowery glade;

“Is this the Palace Beautiful?”

Inquired the little maid—

“There, to the left among the trees?”

“Why, miss, ‘tis very grand;

Call it a palace, if you like,

‘Tis the finest in the land.

“But see, we’re come to the fine old porch,

The grandest marble hall;

Here, little lady, you must stay

While I the servants call.”

Tired and sad he left the child,

But quickly reappeared,

With him the lady of the house;

Poor Marian’s heart was cheered.

“Sweet little girl,” the lady said,

In accents soft and kind,

“I’m sure you sadly want some rest,

And rest you here shall find.”

To a room where three young ladies sat

The child was quickly led;

Piety—Prudence—Charity,”

To herself she softly said.

“What is your name, my little dear?”

Said the eldest of the three,

Whom Marian, in her secret soul,

Had christened Piety.

Admiringly she watched the child,

Who indeed was passing fair; A

round her bright and lovely face

Fell waves of auburn hair.

“How did you lose your way, my love?”

Gently she raised her head—

“I do not think I’ve lost my way,”

The Little Pilgrim said.

“This is the Palace Beautiful;

May I stay here tonight?”

She smiled and said, “We’re glad our house

Finds favor in your sight.

“Yes, gladly will we lodge you here

For many nights to come.

“Thank you,” she answered, “but I soon

Must seek my heavenly home.

“The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Is near this house, I know;

She stopped, for to her great surprise,

Their tears began to flow.

She little thought the mourning dress,

That all the ladies wore,

Was for one they had dearly loved,

And was on earth no more.

Their brother had been called away,

Their brightest and their best;

No wonder, then, that Marian’s word

Roused grief in every breast.

(To be continued.)

Messages of God’s Love 11/15/1914

The Great Indian Tortoise

NO DOUBT most of my readers are interested in the various animals that God has created for the earth. The variety is beyond any ordinary person to remember, and far less be able to learn all their various habits.

Nearly all children look with curiosity on the tortoise, and consider it a peculiar reptile; no doubt, the kind in the picture is such that few have seen, as they are natives of the Galapagos.

It is sometimes called the “Gigantic Land Tortoise.” A man could sit on the back of one and it would run away with him.

One traveler writes, “This tortoise is very fond of water, drinking large quantities, and wallowing in the mud. The larger islands alone produce springs, and these are always situated towards the central parts, and at a considerable elevation. Hence broad and well-beaten paths radiate in every direction from the wells, even down to the sea-coast; and the Spaniards, by following them up, first discovered the watering-places.

“When landed at Chatham Island, I could not imagine what animal traveled so methodically along the well-beaten tracks. Near the springs it was a curious spectacle to behold many of these great monsters, one set, eagerly traveling onwards with outstretched necks, and another set returning, after having drunk their fill. When the tortoise arrives at the spring, quite regardless of any spectator, it buries its head in the water, above its eyes, and greedily swallows great mouthfuls, at the rate of about ten in a minute. The inhabitants say each animal stays three or four days in the neighborhood of the water, and then returns to the lower country.”

They soon found out where to get their thirst quenched, and are evidently able to lay in a supply that can last them for a long time.

There is a lesson that we may learn from this peculiar animal. There is nothing that belongs to this world that can satisfy us, and while the Lord Jesus was here upon earth, said:

“IF ANY MAN THIRST LETAHIM COME UNTO ME AND DRINK.” John 7:37.

The Lord Jesus not only came to die for us and thus save our souls, but He wants to satisfy those who have put their trust in Him. He can fill and satisfy the heart. This can be accomplished by taking the Word of God as our companion and reading it often. There we may hear what God has to say to us about His Son.

Messages of God’s Love 11/22/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 129. I. SAMUEL 27.

ZIKLAG.

AS long as David remembered God’s power and goodness, he was not afraid of Saul, but when he thought of the king’s hatred, he forgot what he had so often said, that God would deliver him and not allow harm to come to him. So he said in his heart, “I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul; there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines.” We wonder that one who had shown such faith in difficult trials, should think of seeking protection among the enemies of God and of His people! It proves that the heart of man cannot be trusted. It is only as we have our eyes on the Lord, can we walk to please Him.

So David passed over with the six hundred men that were with him, and came to Achish, king of Gath. He had his two wives and their children, and all his men had theirs also. There he was safe from Saul, who dared not follow him into an enemy’s country. David asked Achish to give him and his people a country town to live in, and Achish gave him Ziklag, where they went and remained one year and four months. God’s goodness preserved him there, and kept the Philistines from destroying- the one who had killed their great Goliath, though David was doing very wrong. It also shows how glad Satan is to get a child of God in his power. It caused David to lie and act deceitfully. While in Ziklag he was not idle; he went out to fight against the Geshurites and the Gezrites, the old inhabitants of the land, and he killed them every one, leaving neither woman nor child alive, and taking their sheep and oxen and camels. On his return he pretended to Achish that he had fought against the inhabitants of Judah, his own people. Then Achish believed him and was glad, because he thought that now the Israelites would hate David, and that he would never return to them and would be his servant forever.

The Philistines gathered their armies to go and fight the Israelites, and Achish told David that he expected him to take his men and fight for him against their own people. David promised to do so; whether he intended to or not we do not know, but the Lord did not allow it. The Lord was displeased with David, but His care and love were unchanged, and He caused the hearts of the lords of the Philistines to distrust David, and to refuse to allow him to go with them.

Thus God’s goodness kept His servant from doing a wicked thing, for which he would have been very sorry afterwards. And so He keeps us from many, many evils. If it were not for that, we would act and be like the most degraded of human beings, for our hearts are just the same as theirs. God says, “There is NO difference,” and “every imagination of the thoughts of man’s heart is ONLY evil continually.” (Gen. 6:5.)

What love must be in God’s heart that He should have sent His beloved Son to die that such creatures not only might not perish, but also have eternal life, and be with Him throughout eternity!

“Was ever love, Lord, like Thine?”

Messages of God’s Love 11/22/1914

The Lamb of God

I KNOW a Person who has a Lamb. I wonder if you know Him. The Person I mean is God, and His name is Love. Have you ever been told about Him, and about God’s Lamb? Who do you think God’s Lamb is? God’s Lamb is Jesus Christ, His own dear, dear Son, Who came down into this world to save poor, sinful men, women and children, who could not do a single thing to save themselves. He must have loved them very much, indeed, to have come down here and left His Father and His bright, happy home above, where no sin, or sorrow, or naughty, sinful people are down to this world which is full of sorrow and sinful people. By people I mean little children, too.

Do von know what this world did to Jesus, God’s Lamb? It put Him to death. Yes, wicked men took Jesus, and put on Him a purple robe, and plaited a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and spat on Hint, and then led Him away to a place called Golgotha; there they. crucified Him on the cross, and gave Him vinegar to drink; and left Him there until He died.

What did God’s dear Lamb do when these wicked men treated Him so cruelly. Did He do them harm in return? Oh, no He prayed for them, and said: “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” Look it out in your Bibles; it is in chapter 23 of Luke, 24th verse.

Perhaps you will ask, Why did Jesus say, “They know not what they do”?

Because they did not believe that He was God’s Lamb; and when that patient, loving Jesus told them that He was God’s Son, they put Him to death.

Now, what does God say to all (that includes little boys and girls as well as grown people) who believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son, and God’s Lamb also, Who shed His blood on the cross,

God says, they shall never perish, but have everlasting life; that means that when Jesus, God’s Lamb, comes again, as He certainly will, or if they die before He comes, God will take them to be with Himself in Heaven, where God’s Lamb now is; and no one ever dies there; no sickness, or pain, or tears, or sorrow there, and they will live for ever and ever with Jesus. 0! do you want to go and live with Jesus, Who is so loving and gentle, and is always the same?

Then believe in Him, trust Him, and God says that He will take you there.

Perhaps you will say, but I am not good enough; I have done so mane naughty things! No, vou are not good enough, and, more than that, you cannot make yourself any better.

But listen a moment and I will tell you what God, Whose name is Love, says about you. God says you are a sinner, and cannot do any good thing; but that if you believe in Jesus, and trust in His most precious blood, all your sins have been paid for, and for ever put away, by that blood which He tells von to believe in. Are you trusting in the blood of Jesus, God’s own Lamb? Then you are safe, and God will never let you perish.

Messages of God’s Love 11/22/1914

Marian: Or A Little Pilgrim

(Continued.)

Sobs only for a while were heard;

At length the mother said,

“My child, yon have reminded us

Of our loved and early dead.

“But this you could not know, my dear,

And, O! indeed ‘tis true,

We all are near to death’s dark vale,

Even little girls like you.”

“Yes,” said the trembling, timid child,

I knew it would be so; B

ut, ma’am, I hope that Piety

May be with me when I go.

“And will you show me your armory,

When you have time to spare?

I hope there is some small enough

For a little girl to wear.”

No more she said, for Piety,

As Marian called her, cast

Her arms around our Pilgrim’s neck—

“The secret’s out at last!

“You’ve greatly puzzled us, my dear,

But now I see you’ve read

A precious book that, unexplained,

Has turned your little head.

“O, dearly, when I was a child,

I loved that Pilgrim tale;

But dear mamma explained it well,

And if we can prevail

“On your kind aunts to let you stay

Some time with us, my dear,

You shall read that book with dear mamma,

And she will make it clear.”

Now well return to Marian’s home,

And see what’s passing there;

The servants all had company,

And a merry group they were.

They had not missed our Marian long,

For they knew she oft would stay

In that old garden, with a book,

The live-long summer day.

“Betty!” at last said the housekeeper,

“Where can Miss Marian be?

Her dinner was in the basket packed,

But sure she’ll come to tea.”

They sought her here, they sought her there,

But nowhere found the child;

And her poor aunts, when they returned,

With grief were almost wild.

The coachman and the footman, too,

On a fruitless search were sent;

For no one thought of the narrow way

Through which our Marian went.

“Perhaps she followed us to town,”

Poor Aunt Rebecca said;

“O, I wish we had not left our home;

I fear the child is dead!”

And to the town the footman went,

For they knew not what to do;

But, as night came on, a country boy

Brought Marian’s little shoe.

With shoe in hand, the housekeeper

Into the parlor ran;

“O, ma’am!” she cried, “here’s all that’s found

Of poor Miss Marian.

“He found it sticking in the mud,

Just above Harlichase;

I fear she’s smothered there, poor child,

It’s such a dreadful place!”

Then louder grew the ladies’ grief,

But soon their hearts were cheered;

For a footman grand, with a note in hand,

From the distant Hall appeared.

Aunt Ruth soon read the note, and said,

“O, sister, all is well!

The child is safe at Brookland Hall,

With Lady Arundel,

“Who wants to keep her for a month

Why, yes, I think she may;

Such a friend as Lady Arundel

We don’t meet every day.

“Our compliments and thanks to her

When you return, young man;

We’ll call tomorrow at the Hall,

And see Miss Marian.”

Then came a burst of grateful joy,

Which could not be repressed;

With thankful hearts, and many tears,

The ladies went to rest.

(To be Continued.)

Messages of God’s Love 11/22/1914

Sparrows

A FEW years ago, a boy, having made a bean—shooter, went out into a field to try it. After looking around for something to shoot, he spied a sparrow, perched high up in a tree, chirping sweetly, and quite unconscious of approaching danger. The boy crept softly under the tree until he stood directly under the sparrow; then he pulled the rubber. Instead of having a bean, which would probably have done no harm, he had loaded the shooter with a stone, and struck the poor bird squarely in the breast. It came tumbling down and lay quite dead at the boy’s feet.

The boy, who had been taught by Godly parents to fear God and His Word, remembered instantly that verse in Math. 10: 29, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” He trembled at the thought of what he had done to one of God’s creatures, whom God provides for and protects. With tears in his eyes the boy picked up the sparrow, still warm, pressed it to his bosom, saying to himself: “If only I could give back the life I took!” But God only can give life. He dug a little grave under the tree and tenderly laid the lifeless little body in the ground, then marked the place with a stone. Many times on his way to and from school the boy’s eyes would turn towards the pear tree and the grave under it.

Have you ever looked out of your window and watched the birds hopping about picking up a little food here and there, and chirping so busily all the while? They seem happy and contented, even on very cold days, when boys and girls are glad to stay indoors. God, who made them, provides for them and gives them a warm coat for winter. Should we not also show them kindness? In that same chapter (Math. 10:31) God says: “Ye are of more value than many sparrows,” and “the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

But God has shown His love for you in a far greater measure, in His care for you, than only in your daily life: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. If the Lord Jesus has died for you, to put away pour sins, then you need have no fear to meet a holy and righteous God, for Scripture says: “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” That is the only way we can be made fit to dwell in His presence. No sin can ever come where God is. When your mother is expecting company she washes your hands and face, puts clean clothes on you, and says: “Now you are ready,” and you feel quite at ease, which you could not do, were your clothes dirty and your face unwashed. Neither could you stand in God’s presence unless your robes are washed in the blood of the lamb.

“THOUGH YOUR SINS BE AS SCARLET, THEY SHALL BE AS WHITE AS SNOW; THOUGH THEY BE RED LIKE CRIMSON, THEY SHALL BE LIKE WOOL.” Isa. 1:18.

Messages of God’s Love 11/29/1914

What Is a Saviour?

A SAVIOUR is one who saves; just in the same way as a doctor is one who cures; a banker is one who lends money; a baker is one who bakes and ells bread; each person has a special object and work, that is expressed by the name he bears. You do not go to a banker to be cured of disease; nor to a doctor to present the check; the title of each denotes his office and character. Just so it is with Jesus Christ. The Bible speaks of Him as “A Saviour.” Why? Because “He shall save His people from their sins.” (Math. 1:21.) That is His office and work; therefore, when people want to get rid of their sins the word is “Go to Jesus.” Jesus Hims.elf says, “Come unto Me.” Why, then, should people go to others for salvation? Men cannot save, works cannot save, promises cannot save, crying, praying, self-denial cannot save; the word is, “Look unto Him and be saved.”

Will the doctor cure? Yes, that he will IF he can.

Will the banker pay? Yes, that he will IF he has the money.

Will the baker sell? Yes, that he will IF he has the bread.

With each of these there is an “IF.”

There is no “IF” with Jesus, the “IF” is with the sinner. “IF” you go, then He can, He will, He waits, without money, without price, to save the sinner who will only come, who will only believe in Jesus.

Messages of God’s Love 11/29/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 130. I. SAMUEL 28.

THE WITCH OF ENDOR

THEN Saul saw the Philistines encamped against him, he became much frightened. He did not know what to do. Samuel, the prophet, was dead, so Saul could not go to him and ask him to intercede for the people. All the priests of the Lord had been killed at his command, by Doeg, the Edomite. David, who had delivered him before, and killed Goliath, was now in the enemy’s country. .What could poor Saul do? He tried to pray to God, but God had forsaken him. When a man is determined to go on without God, God leaves him to himself, and God answered Saul neither by dreams nor by prophets.

During Saul’s better days, when outwardly he was still a religious man, he had condemned to death, according to the law of Moses, all those who professed to be able to talk with the spirits of the dead. God had forbidden the children of Israel to ask anything of them; and those who did, were to be cut off from among the people. It was one of the reasons why the heathen nations, which inhabited the land of Canaan, were driven out of it. But for all this, Saul cared no more. He told his servants to find a woman with a familiar spirit, as it was called. They found such a one at Endor, and Saul went to her with two of his men at night time, in disguise. Saul asked her to bring up Samuel, that he might ask him what would happen at the war with the Philistines. At first the woman was afraid to comply, for fear Saul might hear of it, but as he promised that no harm would come to her on account of it, she called for the spirit of the prophet. We know that such people, who commune with spirits today, have no power to call back any of the children of God, who “know not the voice of a stranger,” and answer to none but His, but through Satan’s power, evil spirits can appear and deceive the poor souls who seek by such means to speak to their dead. The witch of Endor was much surprised and frightened when, in answer, to her call, Samuel himself, whom God had allowed to appear, stood before the woman. She screamed, and turning to Saul, said, “Why hast thou deceived me, for thou art Saul.” But the king said: “Be not afraid; for what sawest thou?” She answered, “I see an old man coming up; he is covered with a mantle.” Saul knew it was the prophet, and stooped, with his face to the ground. Samuel said, “Why hast thou disturbed my rest to bring me up?” Saul answered he was sorely distressed, for the Philistines were making war against him, and God would not answer him anymore. But Samuel told him that the Lord was about to do as He had told him He would —take the kingdom from Saul, and give it to David, because he, Saul, had disobeyed God. The Israelites also, who had followed in Saul’s footsteps, would fall into the hands of the Philistines, and Saul and his sons would die on the morrow.

When Saul heard such terrible news, he fell on the ground in a faint. The woman felt sorry for him, and prepared a meal for him, for he had eaten nothing all day. At first he would not eat, but pressed by her and his servants, he ate and went away that same night.

This terrible end of Saul reminds us of the solemn words we read in the first chapter of Proverbs: “Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me; for that they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, they would none of My counsel. They despised all My reproof, therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.” (Prov. 1:28-31.)

Messages of God’s Love 11/29/1914

Marian: Or a Little Pilgrim

We’ll take a peep at our Pilgrim now—

There in the bed lies she;

How blissful were her dreams that night,

In the arms of Piety!

O, that happy month at Brookland Hall,

How soon it passed away!

Cheerful and good were Marian’s friends,

And who so kind as they?

And more than all, while there she stayed,

They did their best to bring

The little lamb to that blessed fold

Where reigns the Shepherd King.

Yes, many a lesson, ne’er forgot,

The little Marian learned;

A thankful and far happier child

She to her home returned.

Years rolled away—the scene is changed,

A wife and mother view;

Marian has found the Wicket Gate,

She and her children, too.

And, O! how pleasant ‘tis to see

This little pilgrim band,

As onward to their heavenly home

They travel hand in hand.

When cloudy days fall to their lot,

They see a light afar;

The light that shone o’er Bethlehem’s plain,

The pilgrim’s guiding star.

And now, dear children, whosoe’er

Or Wheresoe’er you be,

Who ponder on this, true strange tale

Of Marian’s history,

If to the flowers of your young hearts

Instruction’s dews are given,

O, be earnest, as our Marian was,

To find the road to heaven.

So may you, e’en in early life,

True Christian pilgrims be,

Believing in the Saviour’s love,

Who died to set us free.

Most precious faith in God’s dear Son,

Such little ones must have,

And all who trust in Christ alone

Shall know His power to save.

For our offenses to atone

He suffered and was slain;

and till this blessed truth is known

All pilgrimage is vain.

Our heavenly Father sent His Son,

And Christ His life laid down,

That to the fallen sons of men

Salvation should be known.

Rejoice, then, in a Saviour’s name,

Reject not love so great;

Remember how from heaven He came,

And took our low estate.

A pilgrim and a stranger He,

In this sad vale of woe,

“Behold the man!” nailed to the tree!

Say, could love farther go?

He bowed His head upon the cross;

The cup His Father gave

He drank and cried, “‘Tis finished!”

And died the lost to save.

He burst the bands of death, and rose

Triumphant o’er the tomb;

JESUS, IMMANUEL, God with us,

Who ,was=and is to come.

Believe on Him—the sacred Word

Declares ‘tis they alone

Who now confess the Saviour’s name

He will hereafter own.

Pilgrims and strangers these must be,

While yet on earth they roam,

Waiting their heavenly Saviour’s voice

To call them to His home.

His home and theirs because ‘tis His

Who graciously receives,

And in unfathomable love

Eternal glory gives.

‘Tis faith alone in Jesus’ name

Takes sin and guilt away;

He bids you come and trust His grace,

O! come without delay.

So may you happy pilgrims be,

And know your sins forgiven;

And, “by a new and living way,”

Pursue the path to heaven.

Messages of God’s Love 11/29/1914

Bible Questions for December

Answers to Bible Questions for October

“Then came one and told them,” etc. Acts 5:25.

“God that made the world,” etc. “ 17:24.

“This man was instructed,” etc. “ 18:25.

“Men that have hazarded,” etc. “ 15:26.

“Then Agrippa said,” etc. “ 26:28.

“Therefore watch, and remember,” etc. “ 20:31.

“And as he reasoned,” etc. “ 24:25.

Bible Questions for December

The Answers are to be found in First Corinthians.

Write the verse containing the words: “Let every man take heed.”

Write the verse containing the words: “The dead shall be raised.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Wise men.” “ Noble.”

Write the verse containing the words: “ Common to man.”

Write the verse containing the words: “Your body.” “Your spirit.”

Write the verse containing the words: “All baptized into one body.”

Write the verse containing the words: “I have a reward.”

Messages of God’s Love 12/6/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 131. I. SAMUEL 29.

DAVID WITH TITE PHILISTINES

THE Philistine army was ready to fight Israel. Its princes were gathered by thousands against the Israelites, and David and his men formed the rear guard. Poor David had placed himself in a very difficult position. His lack of faith in God had led him to seek shelter from Saul in the country of the enemy of his people. Achish, king of the Philistines, gladly welcomed such a renowned warrior, and David deceived him so well that he quite trusted the exile, and made him his personal guard. But the princes did not trust David. They knew he was only pretending to be on their side, and well remembered the time when the women sang, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” So they told King Achish that David should not fight with them, but must be sent back to Ziklag, the town given him to live in. The king assured them that David had been faithful to him for a long time, but they would not change their mind. So Achish sent for David, and told him what his people had decided. David protested, and pretended to be much aggrieved that he should not be allowed to fight the king’s enemies, but Achish told him to get up early the next morning, he and his men, and to go back to Ziklag, while the Philistines went to fight Israel.

How good God was to keep David from doing such a wicked act as to fight against his own people. How solemn, too, to see that one act of disobedience can lead to so much that dishonors the Lord. Our hearts are just like David’s, and if we are not watchful, we shall fall into all sorts of sin. How much we need to be on our knees to cry to God to teach us His way, and lead us in a plain path because of our enemies. If we truly feel our weakness, and desire to walk in a way pleasing to the Lord,. He will keep us, for He has said, “The meek will He guide in judgment, and the meek will He teach His way.” (Psa. 25:9.)

Messages of God’s Love 12/6/1914

The City Merchant's Conversion

Or, “The Difference Between Christ and Religion

THERE is no difference between your religion and mine, Brown. You can take a glass of beer, play a game at cards, lay a bet on a horse, and enjoy an evening at the theater. So, can I. The only difference is—and it is a, matter of taste and habit rather than of conscience—you go to church on Sunday and take an interest in church work. I go to my club and enjoy a quiet day, or stay at home reading my books.”

Such was the strain of conversation between two smart-looking business men in a city restaurant, to which they had gone to rest and refresh themselves, after transacting some important business on the exchange that afternoon. From one theme to another the chat ran on to religion, possibly introduced that day by the presence of two evangelists in the West End of the city, whose preaching was causing no small stir among the “classes” there, who are seldom reached by the plain, pointed preaching of the Word. The “masses” had often been reached; now these earnest men had turned to the more enlightened, refined, but scarce less needy sinners of the synagogue and the cathedral, and God had crowned their work in the conversion of not a few.

The senior of the two commercial men who sat discussing these much-talked-of events in the West End was a member of an evangelical church, and was accredited with being an earnest “worker.” His name was prominent in philanthropic work, and so far as “cup and platter” religion went, he was an ideal Christian in the eyes of men—not too rigid to enjoy a day on the race course, or an evening at the pantomime or opera. Such is the world’s ideal of religion—a blend between Christ and Belial, enough religion to quiet conscience, and leave room for all the pleasure that the worldling’s heart desires. It suits all classes, all creeds, pleases all conditions of men. Its fatal defect is, that it is a sham in the sight of God, an abomination in the eyes of high heaven, and being without Christ, it only helps to smooth men’s path to hell.

The out-and-out man of the world sees through it, detests it, and in his heart despises the man who professes it, while, however much he hates the true-born Christian, who has life in Christ and lives for Christ, he owns, and in his conscience is bound to respect him.

That conversation over the glass of beer, and especially that last stinging remark of the man of the world to his more religious neighbor, “there is no difference between your religion and mine,” was far from being well received. He tried to palliate his ways by assigning “good motives” to them, and having as his object the “welfare of mankind”—arguments long exploded, yet clung to as a salve for consciences ill at ease in sin and hypocrisy, until seared beyond all feeling or fear. God sometimes uses most unlikely means to accomplish His ends, and this He did for the awakening of this self-righteous, worldly, religious, but unconverted man. For days he was miserable, and for nights sleepless. God was speaking to him, showing him his sin, his unreality, his hypocrisy. There was a hard struggle between the pride of his heart and the convictions of God’s Spirit. It is no easy matter for a proud worldling, especially one occupying a high place in the church, looked up to by his fellows, and flattered by his neighbors, to stand forth confessedly a sinner in need of and accepting the Saviour. Yet some have done it, and in sovereign mercy God has saved them. In his distress the awakened man called on a relative who was a true Christian, and who at once discovered that God was working with the proud, religious man. Taking him into his private room in business hours, he lifted his Bible from the desk, where it always lay, and pointed the awakened man to Jesus. “There must be no half measures, James; it must be Christ or the world. Christ to save, Christ to confess, Christ to follow; a complete renunciation of your self-righteousness, your religion, your works, and a full committal of yourself to Christ alone. You need not fear to let go all and cast yourself unreservedly upon Him, for He has said, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in nowise cast out” ( John 6:37). The supreme hour in that man’s life had come; the parting of the ways was reached, and it lay with him to make his eternal choice. He did, and he chose Christ. From that hour he was a new man, as every sinner is who trusts himself to Christ—converted to God, openly and manifestly a saved man. Severed from godless company, cut off from worldly associations, raised up to enjoy God, and Christ, and heavenly things. Saved to follow the Lord, to own His Name, to obey His Word, and to live among men as His disciple and witness. The world said he had “gone mad,” but God, through a long and useful Christian life, has vindicated His child and servant, and men have been forced to own that to him at least conversion to God is a reality. Reader, is yours a reality, or is your profession only a sham?

Messages of God’s Love 12/6/1914

The Two "Alls"

Can you tell me a verse that begins and ends with all?

This question was put to a Bible class of girls of from about ten to fourteen years old.

There was a moment’s pause, and then E., a girl of twelve, repeated Isaiah 53:6: “ALL we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us ALL.”

Most of those present knew the text well; but they had not thought about the two alls in it.

Just look at them, dear young reader. “All” gone astray. “All” means everybody; that must mean you, too. Have you not done things you know you should not have done? and have you not sometimes taken your own way?

Remember, it is God who is speaking; God, who has seen every act of your life. and who knows your heart. Do you feel that you are a sinner before God? And do you want to know that your sins are forgiven, and that you are fit to go to heaven?

Then look at the last “all.” If you own yourself as one of the “all” gone astray, it is as true that the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us “all.” That means you, as well as others who believe. Our sins were laid on Jesus when He died on the cross; and they are put away forever for the one who believes on Him.

Let me tell you of a girl who believed what God said about this verse. I was visiting her mother one Sunday afternoon, and after we had spoken of the Lord Jesus, whom we both knew as our own Saviour, I turned to her little girl, and asked, “And is Jeanie saved, too?”

“No, she is not,” her mother answered. “That is very sad. Would you not like to be saved?”

“Yes,” replied Jeanie.

So I sat down beside her, and opened my Bible at Isaiah 53, and read over and over again this verse, and made her read it with me.

She owned she was one of the first “all,” a sinner; and a few days later,. I found she had taken her place in the second “all,” and knew that her sins had been laid on Jesus.

I asked her, “Are you saved now?”

“O! yes,” was her joyful reply.

“How do you know?”

“Because God says, ‘All we like sheep have gone astray, and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.’ “

That is some years ago, and though I did not see her again, I heard that she was bright and happy, and by her ways at home showed that she belonged to Jesus, and was seeking to please and to serve Him.

Will you now, my dear young reader, look carefully at this wonderful verse, with that little word “all” that means so much, at the beginning and the end, and let your heart simply believe the message it brings: “ALL” gone astray, and, “the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us ALL.”

Messages of God’s Love 12/6/1914

Gentle Words and Tender.

Little acts of kindness

Christian love display,

Make home bright and happy

Through the busy day.

Gentle words and tender—

Like soft drops of rain

Making spring-time blossom—

Take away sharp pain.

Children, in your trials

Patient be and meek,

Check the rise of anger,

Help from Jesus seek.

“EVEN A CHILD IS KNOWN BY HIS DOINGS, WHETHER HIS WORK BE PURE, AND WHETHER IT BE RIGHT.” Prov. 20: 11.

Messages of God’s Love 12/6/1914

My Beautiful Pet

DO YOU think you could find anything more contented, or happier looking, than this fine creature held so carefully by her gentle mistress?

Pussy looks perfectly satisfied and does not seem to have a shadow of fear, but rests quietly and lovingly on the shoulder of the one who is holding her.

And as you look at the face of this dear young girl, do you not see kindness written there? You would not think of her as having blows or harsh words for her handsome pet, would you? And you will find usually that those who are kind to animals are kind to people.

Some boys think it manly to be rude in their speech and rough in their ways; but such a thought is a great mistake. The only perfect Man that ever trod this earth, was characterized by “meekness and gentleness.” See 2 Cor. 10:1. And the more like that blessed One you are, the meeker and gentler you will be. If the Spirit of God is working in you, gentleness and goodness will be part of the fruit that will be borne.

“THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, FAITH, MEEKNESS, TEMPERANCE. Gal. 5:22, 23.

Messages of God’s Love 12/13/1914

How the Burden Rolled Away

A MAN With a Burden.—Bunyan’s great Gospel allegory, “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” describes the sinner as a man with a burden on his back which he feels will sink him into the pit. This is a true description of one whom the Spirit of God has shown through the Word his condition as a sinner guilty before God (Rom. 3:19), and exposed at every moment to His righteous judgment. Others may live careless, godless lives, drowning their thoughts in the cup of pleasure, but he cannot. When a sinner is brought under the power of the Word of God, like Felix, he trembles.

The Evangelist’s Message.—To the sinner convicted of sin, and feeling the weight of his burden, the Gospel comes as “cold waters to a thirsty soul.” The glad tidings of Christ crucified, Christ dying for the ungodly (Rom. 5:6), Christ suffering for sins, the Just for the unjust (I Peter 3:18), “wounded for our transgressions” and “bruised for our iniquities” (Isa. 53:5), to set sinners free, is good news, the Gospel of our salvation (Eph. 7:12).

The Life Look.—A look to that Cross, and the burden is loosed from his back, and rolls into a sepulchre, to be seen no more. Then he is stripped of his rags, receives “the best robe,” and thus saved and set free before the Cross, he goes on his way toward the Celestial City, singing:

“Blessed Cross, blessed Sepulchre,

Blessed rather be

The Man, that there

Was put to shame for me.”

A Grand Reality.—All this is no mere parable; it is a grand reality, known, experienced, and enjoyed by thousands of men and women in all ranks of life, of all lands, and all nations.

Reader, have you been convicted of sin? Have you felt the burden of your guilt before God, and the righteous judgment which is your due because of it? You may live merrily in forgetfulness of it, but of this you may be sure, that one day, in time, or eternity, you will know its burden and its shame. Thanks be to God, there is now a remedy. God has given His Son, and Christ has died. Believing on Him, trusting in Him, your sins are forgiven for His Name’s sake (I John 2:12), the burden rolls away, and the saved sinner sings for joy. This is a reality. You may know it, and enjoy it today, if you are willing to take God’s way. But if you reject Christ, turn your back on His atoning death, and seek to reach Heaven by “some other way,” you will perish for ever in your sins. There 1is no salvation and no heaven apart from Christ and faith in Him. Have you lost the burden of your sins by looking unto Jesus?

Messages of God’s Love 12/13/1914

I've Had Enough of This

A HURRYING, restless crowd; flaring lights, brass bands, rushing wheels, a number of laughing young men at a saloon door, what a scene of confusion.

“I’ve had enough of this—good night,” said one of the number. He was about 25, and very gentlemanly in appearance, although his clothes were not the best. He rushed on till he reached a quiet street, and then lifted his hat for the breeze to cool his fevered brow.

“What a complete and utter fool I have been,” he murmured. “O, is there no escape for me? Is there no God in heaven to take pity upon such a wretch—bah!” with an impatient stamp of his foot, “there is no God!” With these words on his lips, and bitter thoughts in his heart of the God who was looking upon him with infinite pity, he went along leaving the glaring lights behind. He stopped for a moment at an open window to listen to a girlish voice singing, “Home, Sweet Home.” A rush of memories swept over the young man, and with them came a blinding flood of tears to the eyes that had long since lost their power to weep. Sitting down on the doorstep, he buried his face in his hands, while great sobs shook his manly frame. “Lord, have pity upon me and get me away from this hell upon earth,” he groaned.

Two weeks later a vessel was plowing along the Atlantic. It was a glorious night, myriads of stars spangled the heavens, and on the deck the clear moonlight fell. Leaning over the vessel’s side, gazing at the white foam, was the young man we last saw in the street of the great city.

Dark thoughts crowded into his mind and bitter remorse for his sins and failures in the past. He was returning home a ruined man, penniless, and with a constitution sadly shattered by a life of recklessness and dissipation. Returning, for what? To meet his mother’s sad, reproachful eyes; and the sneer and scorn of those who had prophesied for him a life of failure—a blot upon the name of the fine old family he had dishonored and disgraced.

With an oath he turned upon his heel to pace the deck, in the sullen pre-occupied manner that had already become the subject of remark from his fellow passengers.

A strong, firm hand was laid upon his shoulder, and a manly voice said, “What good will that oath do you, young man?”

Harry S. turned and faced the one who had thus addressed him, and met the kind, searching look of a pair of earnest grey eyes.

“Come and take a walk with me, I have been wishing to have a talk with you.”

Something in the friendly touch of this man’s hand, and the tone of his voice, was wonderfully soothing, and soon they were pacing the deck.

“You are unhappy,” said the stranger, after a few moments’ silence, in a quick, firm tone, but full of compassion.

“You are right; I have not known a moment’s happiness for years past.”

Again another silence; then looking searchingly into the face of the young man he said,

“There is no real happiness apart from God, and you have found that out, haven’t you?”

Harry did not answer, and the two walked on together. There was something about the very manner of this elderly man that touched a chord in the young man’s soul.

“I have long given up the thought that there is a God,” the young man said. “Tell me, do you believe He would have mercy upon such an ungodly wretch as myself?”

“Christ died for the ungodly,” was the kind reply. “Ever since I saw you I have had an earnest desire to speak to you about your never dying soul—God wants you. His Son bore the punishment of sins on the cross. He has followed you through all these years of sinning, and now He waits, with infinite love and yearning, to receive you to Himself. Come to Him tonight; lay your heavy load of sins and remorse and shame before Him, and as I am a living man, He will receive you and be gracious unto you.”

It was getting late; one by one the passengers were retiring for the night.

Earnestly he pleaded with the young man, till new light dawned into Harry’s soul,. He saw himself a sinner whom Jesus came to seek and to save, and from the depths of his misery he cried to God to save him. Before another hour had rolled away, a soul had passed from death unto life. On the waters of the broad Atlantic, Harry S. gave himself to God, and there was joy in heaven. Next day, his friend, with Bible in hand, gave him “the sincere milk of the Word,” and till the close of the voyage led him into “the green pastures and still waters” of God’s Word.

The lingering rays of sunset were falling upon the quiet little town of B. As Harry walked along, many an enquiring look was directed after him, but no one recognized in the bearded, sunburned man, the fair-haired lad who had so suddenly disappeared from their midst. Harry remembered many of their faces, but his heart was too full to speak to any. Now he must hurry on to her, the mother who had so fondly loved him, and wept over him in the old days. He did not even know if she still lived, and he could not trust himself to ask after her. He had seen his father’s death in a paper he had once casually taken up, but of the fond sweet mother, he knew nothing.

Rapidly he strode on until he came in sight of the grand old house. There it stood, with its gabled roof and many chimneys. He did not enter the big iron gates, but going to a side entrance he was soon within the grounds of the dear home of his childhood.

There was no one about as he crossed the lawn, and came close up to the old fashioned bay windows. He looked eagerly in with bated breath and beating heart. This was his mother’s room, the pretty sitting-room she called her own—and she—could she be there?—Yes! With eager eyes Harry gazed at a figure seated in an armchair; her back was toward him, but he knew her in a moment, and his heart went up to God in solemn, deep thanksgiving.

Passing round the house, he entered the hall door, and quickly made for the room where she sat, all unconscious of the joy that awaited her.

Harry saw her start as he entered, but the next moment she was in his arms clinging about his neck. She had recognized the voice of her boy, as in broken accents he had said, “Mother!”

“Can you forgive me?” he said over and over again.

“Forgive you, my boy!” she sobbed; “my poor, misguided boy, I have nothing to forgive.”

Harry sat down and placed a chair for her beside him.

“I want to tell you,” he said, in a voice trembling with emotion, but full of a new joy, “what great things God has done for me.”

The poor mother started, and clasped his hand in hers. “Harry, have you come to tell me He has saved you—has God answered my prayers at last?”

“It is so, dear mother; but I have lived a terrible life since I saw you,” and he shuddered at the recollection, “a life of the wildest recklessness and sin. I joined a party of sinful fellows, and went from bad to worse, until I became a ringleader. Then as I thought of my sin, I felt I had gone too far for mercy to reach me. It was then that God directed me homeward, and on board ship He saved my soul,” and he told her what the reader already knows.

Who can tell the deep joy and thankfulness that filled that mother’s heart as she heard the story, and gazed with love at her boy, whom she had thought of unceasingly, and prayed over for ten long years.

And now, reader, if unsaved, Harry S. wants to say to you what that kind Christian gentleman said to him on the voyage across the Atlantic, “There is no real happiness apart from God.”

Messages of God’s Love 12/13/1914

My Precious Text

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” ( John 5:24.)

I love to read God’s holy Word,

And search it more and more,

And always prize that precious verse,

John, Five and Twenty-four.

When I was lost and dead in sin,

And judgment lay before,

That precious word was sweet to me—

John, Five and Twenty-four.

When I found out my lost estate—

Praise God for ever more—

1 trusted Jesus through that word—

John, Five and Twenty-four.

That happy night I’ll ne’er forget,

Though sixteen years or more

Are passed and gone since I believed

John, Five and Twenty-four.

Messages of God’s Love 12/13/1914

Having a Good Time

WHAT a lot of little folks are here gathered together, and what a merry time they seem to be having! Some on the table, some under it, some on the floor, one dabbling in the bucket of water, and all full of life and fun. Boys, girls, cat, crow—all seem bent on having a good time. See that sturdy little fellow on the table drawing a strange picture on the wall, while a number of the others look on with interest and amusement. But what do you suppose Mamma will think when she gets home, to see the wall thus defaced and things generally turned topsy-turvy? Would the little folks have been so uproarious and have done naughty things like this, if her eye had been watching them? I think not.

I would like to have you learn from this picture, dear children, a lesson which is of very great importance. It is this: when your parents, or your teachers, or any who may be in authority over you, are absent, or have their backs turned to you, do not do or say anything that you would not like to have them see or know. If you act on this principle, you will have a good conscience and you will avoid much shame and sorrow that would otherwise come to you. Do not forget that God’s eye is always on you, and you can hide nothing from Him. If you are tempted to do what is wrong, stop and think. Ask yourself the question, Would this be pleasing to the Lord Jesus? All the pictures we draw on the wall, all the naughty things we say, all the wrong things we do, will have to come out in review before Him. “ For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed, neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.” Luke 12:2, 3.

O! be careful, dear children, what you do and what you say. Remember, all will come out again. May you who love the Lord Jesus learn to act always as in His presence! Think of this word, “Thou God seest me.”

“THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE IN EVERY PLACE, BEHOLDING THE EVIL AND THE GOOD.” Prov. 15:3.

Messages of God’s Love 12/20/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 132. I. SAMUEL 30.

ZIKLAG BURNED

WHILE God, in His goodness, kept David from fighting against his own people, yet He allowed him to feel the wrong he had done, and wanted to teach His servant a lesson. When we are not willing to learn from God’s Word, we have to learn by sad experience, and so it was in this case with David. While David was with Achish, the Amalekites had gone to Ziklag, burned it, and taken captive the women and children. When David and his men came into the city, they found it one heap of ashes, and all their dear ones gone. At such a sad sight, those strong men wept till they were exhausted; then they put the blame for their misfortune upon their captain, and were ready to stone David. What a terrible plight for him! What could he do? He knew his own sin had brought him there, and he did the very best thing he could have done—he told the Lord all about it. Would God hear such a sinner? Would He help him out of a trouble he had brought upon himself? Surely He did, and was good to His promise, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” Nothing is more pleasing to God than to see a soul turn to Him apart from all else. David had proved God’s love and grace before, and now he strengthened himself in the Lord, and inquired of Him what he should do. “Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them?” he asked. “Pursue,” the Lord answered, “for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.” What patience, what kindness of God!

David and his six hundred men started in pursuit of the Amalekites to rescue their wives and children. Two hundred men had to be left behind on the way, because they were so tired and could not go over the brook Besor. But the rest kept on. On the way they found a poor Egyptian slave, who had been left to die of hunger by his Amalekite master, because he was sick. For three days and three nights the poor man had lain there without food or drink. David fed him and revived him and found out from him that he belonged to the troop that had burned Ziklag. After a promise from David that he would not be returned to his master, the slave led the way to where the Amalekites had encamped. They found them eating and drinking, and rejoicing over the spoil they had taken from Ziklag. David destroyed them entirely, except four hundred young men, who fled upon camels. As the Lord had promised, David recovered everything. His two wives and the wives of his men were rescued, and they took herds of cattle and flocks which they drove before them and captured as spoil. They came up to the brook where they had left the two hundred men, who were glad to see them back. Some of the men, selfish ones, who returned, were not willing to divide the spoil with those who remained behind, except that they might have their wives and children. But David said, “Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the Lord has given us, who has preserved us and delivered the company that came against us into our hands, but they who went down to battle, and they that tarried by the stuff shall share alike.”

So it was made a rule in Israel that those who stayed behind to take care of the goods should get the same portion as those who went to fight. The spoil was David’s, and he had a right to do with it as he pleased, and his generous heart prompted him to share it all with his own. Is it not like the Lord Jesus, who, after having conquered death and brought life, wants to share the fruits of His victory with His own? After David’s return to Ziklag, he sent a present of the spoil to his friends, the elders of Judah.

In this same story we see David as another type of the Lord Jesus. We see him as the Saviour of the poor, dying Egyptian slave. Helpless, he certainly was, and unable to do anything for himself, but not any more so than is a sinner away from God. “Dead in trespasses and sins,” he has to be quickened by a “God who is rich in mercy,” before we ,could have one thought toward Him. It is indeed “by grace” we are saved, through faith, and that not of ourselves it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. (Eph. 2:8, 9.)

Messages of God’s Love 12/20/1914

An Answered Prayer

A CHRISTIAN nurse was, some time ago, engaged to attend on two children—one a baby, the other a boy of six, named George. After a little while, she asked George if he knew who God was.

“Yes,” Georgie said; “He lives in the sky.”

“And do you know that God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to die, in order that we, though so naughty, might go to heaven?”

“No,” answered George, for no one had ever told him that God is love. “That was good of God,” said the child. “Do tell me some more about it.” And this the nurse gladly did.

A few days after, Georgie (who slept in his nurse’s room) woke her up, saying,

“Oh, nursie! I have the toothache. Will God make it better if I ask Him?”

“Yes, dear, I am sure He will.”

There was silence for a time, while the nurse and child both prayed that God would take away the pain. Then the boy said brightly, “Nursie, it’s gone! God has made it better because I asked Him.” And thus little Georgie began to know that God loves and listens to the prayer of a little child.

Dear children, God is as ready to answer your prayers as He was Georgie’s, but do not forget first to ask Him to teach you to believe in your heart that Jesus died for sinners, and when you indeed believe, then you will find it easy to go to God in all your trouble or pain, for you will be quite certain that God loves you, and loves to listen to you and help you.

“Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful,

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

Take it to the Lord in prayer.”

Messages of God’s Love 12/20/1914

Christmas Is Coming Mother! I Cannot Die!

THESE words, dear young friends, were uttered a few days ago by a young girl of sixteen years of age. She was employed in a large bindery, and the merriest of all was Lizzie W. She knew all the new songs as they came out, and her voice, clear and sweet, could be heard above all her companions in the workroom. Lizzie, who despised all warnings from those who feared the Lord, in the same factory, was young and giddy; indeed, her only care was to decorate her head with bows of ribbon, and to wear beads ‘round her neck, and then to go out in the evening with boys of her own age.

One afternoon she complained of pains in her body as she went home. Her mother at first thought that it was only a cold; but the hand of death was about to take her away! A malignant fever had set in, and poor, light, frivolous Lizzie was laid very low, O, it was solemn and sad to hear her moaning as she tossed about her head on the pillow!

“Mother,” she said, “send for Annie Watson, and tell her to come and pray to God for me. The doctors say I am very ill. But cannot die; I will not die. I am not prepared. Besides, mother, Christmas is coming! I am already counting the many parties I shall go to.”

Annie Watson came. She was a bright Christian girl, and had warned her young friend very often, and had bidden her seek those pleasures at God’s right hand which never die.

“O, Annie,” exclaimed her young companion, “do pray to God for me that He will spare me. I don’t want to die. I will be good, then, if I get well. I will say my prayers, and go to church, and read the Bible, and go with you to Sunday school, and to Miss V.’s Bible class.

Annie felt very much shocked to hear all this strange talk, but she knelt down by the side of the bed, and implored for Divine light to shine into the dark soul of poor Lizzie.

They parted, never to meet on earth again. I also visited her; but all the young girl’s anxiety was to get well. Satan had completely blinded her eyes. She had no idea of needing a Saviour. She told me that she had never done any harm. The only wrong thing she could think of was not going to church so often as she ought!

How many young men and young women are thus dancing and singing over the dark, bottomless abyss, without a thought or a care, scorning the advice, prayers, and entreaties of their godly parents or friends! Happy they who are led to give their hearts to the Lord early in their youth! Come what will, they need not fear. He will guide them by His Spirit, and will lead them into plain and pleasant paths.

Messages of God’s Love 12/20/1914

Be Ye Kind

WHAT a happy scene we have in our picture before us! This little girl has all of her kittens in her arms. Notice how carefully she holds them! One little white one is sitting up on her shoulder and she has put up her hand to take a firm hold of its little paw for fear it might fall. How contented and safe the kitten seems to be! The other three pets are in an old basket which the girl is holding carefully up with her other hand. One of the kittens is lying down in the basket, another one is trying to reach the white kitten, while the third one cuddles close up to the arm of his little mistress as if to beg for petting.

The mother cat sits peacefully on the ground and watches the happy group. She is not anxious about her family, for she feels the love of the one who has them and knows that they will not be harmed in any way.

It is always a pretty sight to see a child with a pet, if it is as free from fear as these animals seem to be. How good it would be if every boy and girl who has a pet of any kind, would treat it as well as this girl in the picture. This cat and her kittens are well kept and fat.

Probably she feeds them herself. Do you feed your pets every day and take care that they are clean and comfortable?

God made all of these animals for our use and enjoyment, and it must be very pleasing to Him when He sees them well treated and happy. In the Bible we find a great deal about the animals, but we will take a verse easy to remember and think about it every day. It contains but three words, “Be ye kind.” Let us try to obey it and please the One who gave it to us.

“THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.” Rom. 6:23.

Messages of God’s Love 12/27/1914

Jesus Is the Saviour for You

CHILDREN do not like to be left out. They like to go with their parents. There is a Saviour for boys and girls as well as for parents. God has left none out.

“A little child of seven,

Or even three or four,

May enter into heaven

By Christ the open door.

For when the heart believeth

On Christ the Son of God,

‘Tis then that soul receiveth

Salvation through the blood.”

Will you learn those simple lines and think about them, dear children?

Christ is the door which God has opened for all. Father and mother may enter, and so may you. All are elcomed. We all must enter to be saved. No other way will do; Christ is the only door. The only

D oor

O ut

O f

R uin.

No other way of escape from judgment can be found. He alone can save. But He is the

D oor

O pening

R ighteousness, Redemption and Riches

too. All blessing is found in Him.

O, enter by Him now.

Do not think you are too bad.

It was for sinners Jesus left His glory home on high. God gave Him that the ungodly and the undone might be saved. All may enter by that blessed open door.

We have not to open it. No; we have only to enter by it, and this we do by simple faith.

The Door will be shut. It may be today. Would you be outside?

Messages of God’s Love 12/27/1914

Bible History

CHAPTER 133. I SAMUEL 31.

THE DEATH OF SAUL AND JONATHAN

AS Samuel, the prophet, told Saul at the house of the witch of Endor, the battle with the Philistines went against the Israelites. These fled from their enemies, and many of them fell dead on Mount Gilboa. Among them were Saul’s three sons, Jonathan, Abinadab and Melchishua. Jonathan did not, as he said, live to be next to David on the throne, or to see him made king. He had been unwilling to leave the king’s house to share the rejection with his friend David, and he did not share in his glory either. Yet Jonathan had truly loved David. Is there any who, while loving Jesus, ls ashamed of Him, and unwilling to bear reproach for His sake? Of such He says, “Whosoever, therefore, shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also, shall the Son of man be ashamed when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38.)

The Philistines followed after Saul and shot him with their arrows and sorely wounded him. Then he knew that his enemies would soon come to kill him, and he was very much afraid and called his armor-bearer and asked him to kill him that he might not be put to death by the cruel Philistines. But the armor-bearer was afraid to kill Saul; he would not murder his king, so Saul took a sword and fell upon it and died. He murdered himself; he died in his sins. Such was the end of one who had such a fair beginning. God had given him every opportunity to know His will, but he “hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord.”

What a warning for those who despise God’s offer of salvation!

When the armor-bearer looked at Saul and saw that he was dead, he took a sword and fell upon it and died, too. When the Israelites saw that Saul and his sons were dead, they fled from their cities, leaving their houses, and the Philistines came to live in them. The day after, the Philistines went to the battlefield to see what they could find upon the dead men; there they found Saul and his sons, stretched upon the ground. They cut off Saul’s head, and sent it ‘round the land to publish the news in the house of their idols, and among the people. They hung his armor in the house of their god, Ashtaroth, and fastened his body to the wall. But when the people of Jabesh-Gilead heard what had been done to their king, some of their brave men went by night and took the bodies of Saul and of his sons from the wall, and brought them to their place and burned them there. Then they gathered the bones and buried them under a tree in Jabesh and fasted, mourning for them, seven days. Thus was the king mourned, that they had asked for, that they might be like the other nations. In His anger the Lord gave him to them, and took him away in His wrath.

Messages of God’s Love 12/27/1914

How a Restless Girl Got Rest

ELLEN M—-was the daughter of persons residing at C—-. Her health being delicate, she was kept at home until she was twenty years of age. Her young companions were all as gay, as unthinking, as dead to the things that belonged to their everlasting peace, as herself.

Thus she continued, without God, in the world. But thoughts of a future state began, in a way unaccountable to herself, to intrude into her mind. She tried to put them away, but in vain. They continued to harass her, and occasionally gave her so much uneasiness that she sought refuge from them by joining her companions in amusements from which her delicate health generally obliged her to refrain. Her spirits became forced and unnatural; she disliked being alone for a moment, and, in order to drown thought, became an insatiable frequenter of every sort of merrymaking.

But all without avail; she could not stifle the voice that was pleading with her.

By degrees the impressions she had received became so strong that she could resist them no longer, and the terrors of an awakened conscience were aggravated by the conviction that her term in this world could not be very long.

The seeds of consumption were, she knew, in her constitution; and Ellen’s life had already been prolonged beyond that of many of her family, who had been carried off by the same complaint.

It was no wonder that she shrank with horror from the prospect of death. She knew not the Saviour who had taken away the sting of death, who had robbed the grave of its victory; and, feeling strongly as she did the burden of sin, death in her eyes was the dreaded messenger who was to drag her away to a Judge, and hurry her away into endless punishment.

Ellen M—-had no friend to whom she could pour out her sorrows. The language of the psalmist might have been hers: “Mine iniquities have taken hold on me, so that I am not able to look up: they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.” She literally dared not “look up”—a sense of sin made her believe that the prayers of one so unworthy would be displeasing to God, and therefore she left off the outward appearance of religion, which she had been taught to put on from her childhood, and nothing could induce her to venture into a public preaching place.

Her friends attributed this strange conduct to capriciousness arising from delicate health; and her neglect of her work, her altered and emaciated appearance, and depressed spirits, were all put down to the account of bodily suffering. She was ashamed to confess what was preying on her mind.

Poor Ellen at last gave herself up to despair. She avoided every one, and passed her whole time in tears. The fever of her mind was so great that she could not bear to remain within doors, and as soon as it was light in the morning, regardless of the weather, she quitted the house, to which she never returned until night forced her to do so.

Her parents were worldly people, completely immersed in business. Gain was the object of their life, and too often, alas! this sordid pursuit blunts and hardens the feelings, and freezes up even the sweet current of natural affection.

After wondering at their daughter’s state of mind, and using some efforts to persuade her to live like other people, they came to the conclusion that she was deranged; and without taking any further trouble to inquire into her sufferings, they returned to their busy occupations, leaving her to wander about where she pleased, dejected and alone.

One morning she had left her home more oppressed than usual with the “sore burden too heavy for her to bear.” The sky was overcast, and the rain fell in torrents, and for a long time she roamed about the fields, until at last their loneliness and gloom became so intolerable that she returned into the town. Here, while she continued restlessly pacing the streets, her haggard appearance, and forlorn, dripping figure attracted the attention of a gentleman. He went up kindly, and urged her to take shelter from the inclement weather, so unfit for a young and delicate female to be exposed to.

Nervous and frightened at being addressed by a stranger, she rushed away, and without noticing where she was going, hurried into the doorway of a large building which was used for the preaching of the Gospel.

Her feelings as she stood in the porch (for she dare not venture farther into the place) were painfully distressing. She felt herself an outcast, cut off by sin from all fellowship with those among whom she had intruded, and from all communion with God, whom they were addressing. Her tears flowed fast and bitterly, the hymn ceased, and she was about to leave the place, when the preacher riveted her to the spot by giving out as his text those words from St. John’s Gospel: “Woman, why weepest thou?’

They appeared as though addressed to herself individually. She crept closer to the preacher, and oh! how eagerly did her weary spirit drink in the message that followed, in which the burdened sinner was led to the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. The Holy Spirit opened her heart to receive the preacher’s message; and while she listened, she found that rest which Jesus has promised to give to the weary and heavy laden who come unto Him.

Who is there that can read this narrative, and refuse to give glory to God for the mercy it records? Who can fail to admire and adore the controlling providence that formed the links of the chain that led this poor sinner to the Saviour.

How true it is! The Father still draws perishing souls to the Saviour.

Mr.—-who related the foregoing narrative, became first acquainted with her in——, where she had been removed for change of air, a district of the town which he visited three days a week in the course of his labors of love. He said that in all his experience he had never met with a more happy believer; and so deeply interesting were his visits, that he often passed two or three hours by the bedside of the once restless. but now restful, girl, who had found in the living Saviour, Jesus, that rest of conscience and rest of heart which may at once become your portion, clear reader, if you will accept the invitation He gives.

“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28.)

Messages of God’s Love 12/27/1914

Messages of God's Love: 1914

Table of Contents

Bible Questions for January

Stories of Christians of Old. Part 1.

The Word As a Fire and a Hammer.

Little Louisa's Last Wish

What Shall I Give?

Wise Counsel

Anticipation Realized

Stories of Christians of Old Part 2.

The Best Guide

Great Grace

Selling Oysters

Stories of Christians of Old. Part 3.

My Sins are All Forgiven

Small Things for Him

The Way Home

The Book "Par Excellence"

Stories of Christians of Old. Part 4.

Little Things

Little Emily

Bible Questions for February

Bible History

Why Do You Insult My Father?

Teddie and the Frog

A Good Conscience

Come Unto Me

Industry

Bible History

Crown the Conqueror

Story of a French Nobleman

As Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing

Bible History

Story of a French Nobleman

The Story

Too Good to be True

The Entrance of Thy Word Giveth Light

Substitution

Bible Questions for March

He Knows and Loves Us Still

Saved Nellie on the Unsafe Rock

Katie and Her Friends

Calling the Ferryman

Bible History

God's Protecting Care

The Child That Died

Timothy

The Borrowed Pledge

The City of Venice

Bible History

The Water Seller

Do I Love Jesus?

Hardships

A Millionaire's Daughter

Glory, Glory, Glory

Bible Questions for April

The Blood of Christ

The Three Brothers

Giving of Thanks

Protection

Books of the Bible

The Three Brothers

What M. Found Out

The Holy Scriptures

He Died for Me

Hold on to the Rock, Sammy

Little Johnny

The Forge

How Spurgeon Found Christ

Bible Questions for May

The One Who So Loved Me.

The Master's Little Lady

The Tomb in the Forest

Who Made the Flowers?

That Letter is D

Present Forgiveness

The House Kept by God

Bible Searcher Rewards for Term Ending April, 1914

The Home of the Deer

Regina