Messages of God's Love: 1951

It was a beautiful winter’s morning. My little friend Eva and her small dog accompanied me on my way to visit a friend in the country. The roads were hard and dry, and the frosty air brought the color to our cheeks.

We took our walk along a country road where the unmelted snow became cleaner and cleaner as we got away from the town. When Eva had run on a good way ahead of me, I stopped before a lovely bank of the purest white snow. It looked tempting, and soon I was busy writing my name in large letters. Very clearly it stood. out, and when Eva came back to see what I was doing, she exclaimed,

“How bright your name looks! I can see it from the middle of the road.”

But I have been along that way many times since, and I have never seen my name.

“Of course not,” you say, “the snow has melted and your name went with it.”

I have often seen children write their names in the sand, and very soon the waves have washed them all away.

Now let me ask you, where is your name written?

In Jeremiah 17:13 we read of those who had forsaken God and were to be written in the earth.

When Jesus was here, He told His disciples to rejoice because their names were “written in heaven.” Luke 10:20.

The Bible tells us that God is going to burn this whole world, so there is not much use in having our names written down here.

In Philippians 4:3, we read of the book of life, and in Revelation 20:15, it says, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

It is God who writes these names. He writes down in that book the name of any boy or girl who believes in His dear Son, the Lord Jesus.

God will make no mistake. He will not let some other person into heaven instead of you, nor will He allow you to enter because your name is the same as someone else. God tells us that the very hairs of our head are all numbered, so He surely knows all about us; and He knows if our heart has been washed in the precious blood of His dear Son.

“THEY SHALL BE MINE, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, IN THAT DAY WHEN I MAKE UP MY JEWELS.” Malachi 3:17.

ML 01/07/1951

Hearing and Believing

On one of the West Indian islands when the hot tropical sun was at its height, Benjamin rode slowly through a little village tucked away in the mountain region. He had never been there before, and he was hoping to be able to tell the people of the precious Saviour he had trusted.

A man sat drowsily in the doorway of his home. Benjamin looked down with a smile, and the man called out a friendly greeting. Upon being invited to enter and rest awhile, Benjamin reined in his horse and replied, “Gladly, if I may read a letter I have for you from the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The man was quite willing, so Benjamin dismounted and after the usual salutations, was soon seated in the but reading the Word of God. Very soon the man interrupted, “Stop reading, I want to call in my family and neighbors.” He did so, saying, “These are good words, I have never heard anything like them before.”

All the afternoon they stayed. Benjamin reading the sweet story of God’s love to sinners, and of Jesus’ death on the cross that all who believe He died for them might have eternal life. Now and then he would stop to answer their questions and explain further, and many prayers went up from his heart that God would blest the reading of His Word and open their hearts to receive it.

It was not long before the man who sat in the doorway received the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, and later in the day several others did so too. At length, as night closed in, the neighbors reluctantly returned to their homes and the family retired.

Perhaps you, dear children, have heard the sweet story of God’s love many times, but have you like these people of whom we have been reading, received Him for yourself? If not, do own yourself a sinner, and accept the pardon He has offered while it is still the day of His grace.

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

ML 01/07/1951

Books

Many years ago a gentleman in India, while searching for a book, felt a slight pain in his finger like the prick of a pin. He took no notice of it, but soon his arm began to swell, and in a short time he died. A small but deadly snake was afterwards found among the books.

Though we do not find such snakes among the books in our country, sometimes there is poison in the books themselves. And so, dear children, we must be careful what we read. Satan, our deadly enemy, has flooded the world with books, and magazines, and papers that contain. fax deadlier poison than the snake’s bite. The poison in them is cunning lies against God’s Word and against His beloved Son. If we should read these and be deceived by them; then we will lose, not only our lives, but our never-dying souls as well.

“Take heed what ye hear,” Mark 4:24, dear children.

ML 01/07/1951

Bible Questions for January

The Children’s Class

1.“The ax is laid unto the root.”

2.“That shall not be known.”

3.“Hoping for nothing again.”

4.“But by every Word of God.”

5.“That holy thing which shall be born.”

6.“I came not to call the righteous.”

7.“And was subject unto them.”

The Young People’s Class Enemies

Man is an enemy of God and remains such until he has been reconciled, and, alas, the sad part of it is that we, of ourselves, would never want to be reconciled. The activity of love was all on God’s part, and the cost was tremendous—even the death of His Son.

Now that we are saved we know that God is love. We have learned that God is not against the sinner but for him, for God truly loves His enemies—loved them enough to give the dearest object of His heart to die for sinners to bring them to Himself.

We who are believers are therefore to love our enemies, too. We should never return evil to any man, but rather seek the good and blessing of all, even of those who hate us. This takes much patience and grace, but we can be assured that if we wish to win sinners to Christ, of warm the heats of God’s children, we will have to love them. We may not be able to walk with them—we cannot if they are in paths of disobedience—but we can pray for them, and do all the kindness we can to them in seeking their blessing. Let us never hold an unkind feeling toward anyone in the world, no matter how they have treated us.

1.What is the true condition of man’s carnal mind? Romans.

2.Where did this enmity begin? Genesis 3.

3.How were we who were enemies recoiled to God? Romans.

4.How should we act towards our enemies? Luke 6.

5.What is the best way to make our enemies be at peace with us? Prov. 16.

6.What will the Lord do when the enemy comes in like a flood? Isaiah 59.

7.What kind of people are the enemies of the cross of Christ? Philippians.

ML 01/07/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 12:6-13:8

At the end of the period of the mother’s uncleanness for the birth of a child, she was to bring a sin offering and a burnt offering to the priest, who was to offer it before the Lord. Thus she acknowledged, in figure, that the only ground of blessing was through the death of Christ.

It is blessed to notice here that God made provision even for those who were so poor that they could only bring a turtledove or a young pigeon. Nevertheless, only through the shedding of blood can sin be put away—nothing else would do, for “without shedding of blood is no remission,” Hebrews 9:22. Of course we know that now it is not the blood of lambs or pigeons; but the precious blood of Christ has been shed on Calvary, and it alone has power to cleanse from sin. The blood of animals and birds is only a type and shadow of this.

It is a most wonderful expression. of “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, (who) though He was rich, yet for (our) sakes He became poor,” 2 Cor. 8:9, that when He was born, His mother offered two turtledoves or young pigeons on the eighth day. He was born among the poorest, but, blessed be His Name, He was the holy, harmless, undefiled One who knew no sin, having been conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost. How our hearts worship as we think of the grace that brought Him so low to lift us so high!

We now find two long chapters devoted to details about leprosy. It is a terrible disease which was utterly incurable, and God has used it in His Word as a type of something far worse—-the disease of sin. Not only was leprosy incurable, but it was also very contagious, so that the one who touched a leper was almost sure to catch the disease himself. Surely this, too, is like sin, for when it is allowed it spread so rapidly.

Leprosy among the children of Israel was never to be treated with indifference. It was a frightfully serious thing, and if there was any suspicion whatever of a man having it, he was to be brought to the priest who was to look at the suspicious spot. It might be a rising, a bright spot, or a scab, and whether it was small or large it was to be carefully examined by the priest. Unless the priest was very sure it was not leprosy, he was to shut the man up for seven days so that he could look at the spot again at that time and see if there was any change. He was nor to put the feelings of the man in question first, but was responsible to maintain that which was for God’s glory in the camp of Israel, because God dwelt among them. This is very important. for too often the feelings of friends and relatives are put before the glory of God. Alas, we would rather displease the Lord than offend our friends, and so sin is hushed up and the attempt made to hide it. The priest in Israel was to act for God, and so the man was to be shut up for seven days to see if the doubtful spot was spreading and if it was a real leprosy. At the end of the seven days if the case was still uncertain, then the man was to be shut up again.

In these instructions we can see two things; first, that if sin is left unjudged it spreads and defiles others, and secondly, that we should never act in haste. It is always well to remember these two things when seeking to act for God in such matters, whether parents or in the assembly.

ML 01/07/1951

The Eskimo Lady

Once upon a time, our Eskimo Lady was a happy little girl. She wore a little fur snowsuit and hood, and warm soft moccasin boots. She played and tumbled in the cold snowy Northland, as happy as any little girl could be. Then she crept through the low doorway of her father’s little snow igloo, and slept snugly all the long on a bed of ice.

She is an old lady now, a grandmother too, and her happy childhood is gone away, just as yours will go some day. She does not look happy now, and I wonder if it is because she does not know Jesus. The love of Jesus makes people happier as they grow older.

She can tell you how the trade began with white men, and how she learned to lay aside her garments made of skirts and put on the dross; and shawl from the busy factories of the south, She can show you how her little grandchildren play with the white man’s rubber ball, but I wonder if she can tell you that she is soon going to live with Jesus in heaven.

Her sad old face is full of memories, as every old lady’s is, but can she remember with joy the happy day when she learned that the blessed Lord Jesus loved her? That would make her happy even in the times of sorrow.

My young reader, if you live long enough you will be an old lady or an old man someday. There is nothing in all the world that can give you lasting happiness, but a great deal that can make you miserable and lonely. But if you love the blessed Lord Jesus, then the older you grow, the nearer you are to living with Him forever and ever.

Do you love Jesus? There is every reason why you should. If you read of His atoning death and of His resurrection you will find that He is just the Saviour you need. If you read of His life, you will find that He is altogether lovely, the Friend of sinners, the One who understands and can fill the need of every heart.

Do you love Jesus? Let us close with a very solemn verse from God’s Word:

“IF ANY MAN LOVE NOT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, LET HIM BE ACCURSED.” 1 Cor. 16:22 (margin).

ML 01/14/1951

Lost and Found

Three little girls, named Dollie, Veoria, and Mazy, were sent on an errand to deliver some butter to a mill near their homes. On their way home they decided to take a short cut through the woods, even though they had never been through that path before.

Before long they realized they were lost, but they wandered on hoping to find the way out, Soon Mazy, who was the youngest, was tired out and could not walk any further. Dollie said they would pray and ask the Lord to send someone to hunt for them or show them the way out. Dollie and Veoria prayed while Mazy rested, and then they had fresh strength to go on a little further. They were very hungry, and so thirsty that they drank water out of a track made by a wagon wheel.

After going a short distance they were all so tired that they lay down to rest on a tree which had just been cu. down. Mazy soon fell asleep, and bore long the other girls did too, after praying again. Dollie, who was the old, threw her coat over the other two girls.

The parents did not realize they were lost until about sundown; and then, when they did not come home. they sounded an alarm. About twenty men started to search for them. They would go a little way and then call, then further and call again, until at last Veoria heard her father’s voice; and how happy they all were to be found by one who loved them.

Little boys and girls are lost in sin too, and the Lord Jesus is calling them over and over again. They may have wandered far from Him, but He still calls them, for He wants to save them and bring them to the Father’s house above, just as these children were brought safely home by those who found them. In seeking you and me the Lord Jesus had to go to Calvary’s cross and bear the judgment which our sins deserved; and now, though He is in the glory above, He is still calling. Perhaps you have heard His voice and won’t listen because you want your own way. Oh, do turn to Him today and let Him put you upon His shoulders of strength and carry you safely to His bright home above.

“Today, after so long a time; ... ye will hear His voice, harden today if not your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7.

ML 01/14/1951

God's Care of His Own

A group of missionary children were happily preparing to go by steamer down the big Chiang river to Shanghai, to be with their parents during the long New Year’s holidays. They had not seen their fathers and mothers for a whole year because no one was allowed to travel on account of the civil war.

At last their traveling passes had been promised. When the day came, however, their passes had not arrived, and so the steamer sailed without them. You can imagine how sad they looked. Some of the little ones were crying, as perhaps you would too if you were in their place. The Mission boarding school with the kind teachers was a lovely home for them, but they wanted to see their parents so badly.

After a day or two the news reached them that that steamer had been bombed and sunk on its way down the river. Now those children could see that even their disappointment was ordered of the Lord to save their lives in such a remarkable way. A week later the passes were received, and the children reached Shanghai safely. The parents clasped their precious children in their arms with deep thankfulness to the Lord who had watched over them with such tender care and wisdom. He has promised to care for His own, for His Word says:

“All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.

“Casting all your care upon Him; or He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7.

ML 01/14/1951

Christ Is Coming

Little Patsy was walking along with her father on the cliffs. She had been running about gathering flowers, and playing with her brothers and sister. They had all left her, and she stood with her father as they watched the sun set over the sea. It looked like a huge ball of fire, and as it appeared to dip into the water she exclaimed, “Isn’t it wonderful! It is just like fire. I wonder whether this earth will look like that at the end of the world. I don’t like to think about that time. It’s so dreadful to know that this world is going to be burned up, and everything in it. I hope I shall die before that happens.”

“My dear little Patsy,” said her father, “I have something better than that to tell you. All those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will be with Him before that time. He is coming first to take His own people away bore the dreadful judgments fall upon this poor world; and if you are really one of His own, you need not fear the coming judgments, for you will be in the glory with Himself—safe in His keeping.”

“Oh! I am so glad, for I do belong to Him, but I didn’t know before that He was coming for me before the end of the world. I thought that all who were alive then would be burned up, and that the believers would go to heaven, and the unbelievers to hell. But it is very nice to know that Jesus is going to call us home to be with Himself before that time. I am so glad.”

From that time, the thought of the Lord’s coming was a great reality to her; and she is now, with many others, waiting for God’s Son from heaven, knowing that in a “little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Hebrews 10:37.

ML 01/14/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 13:9-46

We noticed last week that the priest was to be neither hasty nor indifferent about leprosy. He must be very sure a man had the disease before he pronounced him unclean, and so we should never accuse anyone of sin unless we are absolutely sure. “In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” Matt. 18:16. We do not need to believe all we hear, for rumors are often false; and when facts cannot be established, we have to wait until God brings them to light, as He surely will in His own time. This, as we have remarked, is why the priest was to shut the man up for seven days, and sometimes longer, for he must wait until there: was full evidence of leprosy before pronouncing the man unclean. Let us never be in a hurry to believe evil reports—much less to repeat them!

We now come to something which we would find hard, yea, impossible to understand if we did not know about the grace of our God. When the leper was covered with leprosy from head to foot he was again to be brought to the priest. The priest then looked him over and if, wherever he looked, there was nothing to be seen but the leprous white flesh, he was to pronounce him clean. This would show us that as soon as a sinner takes his true place, acknowledging that he is guilty before God, without one good thing about him—not even one clean spot—then he is in a place where God can bless him, but not before. Too often we find people who are ready to admit that they have some sins; yet they are quite unwilling to take their true place as lost, hell-deserving sinners. God will not, and cannot, bless until there is true repentance and a full confession of guilt; and so in the case of the leper if there were any spots where the raw flesh appeared, showing that the leprosy was still working, he was pronounced unclean.

In reading the chapter over carefully we are struck with the details given, showing the care that was to be exercised about this dread disease. Let us remind ourselves again that there is to be no lightness about sin. It is a horrible thing in the sight of God and it cost Him the death of His own beloved Son to put it away, meet our deep need, and bring us to Himself.

In His spotless soul’s distress,
I have learned my guiltiness; Oh, how vile my low estate, Since my ransom was so great.

There is a special mention of leprosy in the head, for it was the most serious kind of all. This would show us, in type, that evil doctrine is even worse than other sins in the eyes of God. It is worse to deny the deity of the Lord Jesus than to steal, although both are terrible sins. Because of this the man who had leprosy in his head was said to be “utterly unclean,” and he had to put a covering over his lip and cry, “Unclean, unclean,” and always measures sin by how it affects his fellowman, but God measures sin according to how it affects His own glory and the glory of His Son. It is well to remember this, for many will find out when it is too late that they have measured sin by their own thoughts instead of by God’s standard. Because they think they have not done anyone any harm, they are satisfied with themselves; but what a solemn thing it will be for such “in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” Romans 2:16.

ML 01/14/1951

Saved from the Lion's Mouth

The lion in our picture today is in a great cage so that he cannot attack or harm anyone, but we would like to tell you about one that was wandering about in a great desert in Asia.

An Englishman who was very fond of traveling was going through this desert with a company of other men, when somehow he was separated from them. He did not realize they were so far ahead of him until suddenly he found himself alone, face to face with a great, strong, fierce-looking lion. He did not, have any weapons or way of protecting himself, but lie did know the Lord Jesus as His Saviour and that He was taking care of him. Suddenly he thought about Daniel and how God had kept him safe in the lion’s den, and so right there in the middle of the path he fell down upon his knees and asked God to take care of him and save him from the dreadful lion. When he opened his eyes the lion was gone and he was all alone. He never saw it again, and rising from his knees he went forward and joined the other men from whom he had been separated. How thankful he was to God for this wonderful deliverance.

Yes, children, our God is a God who answers prayer, and we can always turn to Him in time of need.

There is another enemy, far worse than a lion, who stands in the path of boys and girls. This enemy is called the Devil; and God tells us he is like a roaring lion, for he tries to keep them from the Lord Jesus, just as the lion in our story would have devoured the Englishman so that he would never see his company of friends again. But God heard his cry for deliverance and kept the lion from harming him; and, dear reader, if you will turn to the Lord in all your sin and helplessness, He will deliver you from coming judgment. The blessed Lord Jesus died to destroy Satan’s power, and He now waits to set you free, for He is now a living mighty Saviour. Do call upon Him today before it is too late.

“WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.” Romans 10:13.

ML 01/21/1951

"Thank God!"

Sir, one of our boys is badly wounded, and wants to see you right away.” Following the soldier, I was taken to the hospital and led to a bed where lay a young man, pale at., bloodstained from a terrible wound above the temple. I saw at a glanc1 That he had but a few. hours to live.

Taking his hand, I said, “Well, friend, what can I do for you?” He looked up in my face, and placing his finger where his hair was stained with blood he said: “Sir, cut a big lock from here for Mother—for Mother, mind, Sir.”

I hesitated to do it “Don’t be afraid. Sir, to disfigure my hair. It’s for Mother, and nobody will come to see me in the dead-house tomorrow.”

I did as he asked, and put the lock in an envelope in my pocket.

“Now, Sir,” said the dying man, “I want you to kneel down by me and thank God.”

“What for?” I asked.

“Thank God for giving me such a mother. She is a good mother; her teachings comfort and console me now. Thank God that she told me about the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, and thank God that He is my Saviour. Oh, what would I do now if I were not a Christian! Thank God for the prosed home in glory, for I know I’ll soon be there where there will be no more suffering and death, but I shall see the face of Jesus.”

I knelt beside that bed and thanked God for all that the young man had asked. As I rose from my knees he smiled and said, “Good-bye and thank you, Sir. If you see Mother, tell her that I have gone to be with Jesus, and thank her again for leading me to Him.”

Dear young reader, if you have a father or a mother who tells you again and again about Jesus, heed their message and take Jesus as your Saviour. And, dear mothers, be encouraged to go on teaching your children of the precious blood of Jesu which can cleanse from sin and fit us for glory.

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15.

ML 01/21/1951

Julia

Julia was thirteen years old, and had spent most of her life in the for-away land of Greece. Her father and mother were very wealthy, and they wanted their only daughter to go with them to England so that she could go to school there. Julia was delighted with the thought of a boat trip to a different country, as any thirteen-year-old girl would be.

After they landed in England, and had spent some time visiting the places that they had heard about, and read about in their daughter’s school books, Julia was sent away to school.

One Saturday Julia’s teacher took her for a visit to the sea-shore, and there, as they were walking along, they heard the sound of happy voices singing. There on the beach they saw a group of boys and girls all singing gospel hymns, and soon a man began to speak to them about the Lord Jesus. Julia’s parents had never told her about Jesus for they did not believe in Him. But as she stood and listened to the story of God’s love in sending Jesus to die for sinners, and of Jesus’ shameful death on the cross, she wept. She was so sorry when the little meeting was over, and she walked very quietly away by her teacher’s side.

“Please tell me more about Jesus,” she said at last.

I am sorry to say that although Julia’s teacher was very “religious” and always called herself a Christian, she found that she couldn’t tell her dear pupil any more about Jesus. The girl’s heart had been so touched with the sweet story that she did not rest until she found someone who really loved Jesus and who would tell her all she wanted to know. She asked if her sins could be forgiven. She asked if Jesus loved Greek girls. She wanted to know if she could take Jesus as her Saviour right now.

What would you say to Julia’s questions? I hope you would be able to turn to the Word of God and show her that God loved boys and girls of every country, that Jesus had died to forgive the sins of any who will come to Him, and that the best time to come and accept Him as your Saviour is right now. When Julia heard the good news from God’s own Word, she accepted the Lord Jesus as her own Saviour right then and there.

She just couldn’t keep the good news to herself, but hurried to tell her father and mother all about it. She was surprised that they had heard it all before, but didn’t tell her! But when they saw how very real it all was to their daughter, they saw for the first time that Jesus wanted to save them from their sins, too. Julia wasn’t satisfied with telling the story of Jesus’ love to her parents. She wanted to tell the girls at school, and then she began to think of her friends hack in Greece. When her school days were over, she urged her parents to take her back to Greece, although she loved England. There in her own homeland, she visited the poor and the sick, and read to them from the Bible and told them the story she loved so well—the story of the love of Jesus in dying for sinners, Perhaps the reader of this story has often heard about Jesus, but have you yet learned your need of Him? Has His precious blood cleansed away your guilty sins?

“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6.

ML 01/21/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 13:47-14:6

We notice in our chapter that leprosy might appear in a garment or skin, as well as upon a man’s person. This would tell us that there is such a thing as being in an association or position where one is defiled by sinful surroundings. The garment with leprosy in it was therefore to be brought to the priest who was to shut it up seven days. On the seventh day he was to look and see if the leprosy was spreading, and if it was, the garment was to be burned. This would tell us that any association or position which is defiling, and which continually robs us in our souls, should he given up completely, no matter what it costs us.

If, however, after shutting the garment t up it was found that the leprosy was not spreading, it was to be washed and shut up for seven days more. At the end of the seven days the priest was to look again, and if the leprous spot had not changed its color by the washing, it was unclean and had to be burned. It must be given up. If, however, it was changed by the washing, then the leprous spot was to be torn out and the garment could be used. These things would show us that if we apply the Word of God to what we are going on with and thus cleansed from the defilements, we may be able to continue there with God. This is like washing the leprous garment, tearing out the had spot, and then using the clean part left. Some of the things in school life and business life are very defiling, but a Christian does not have to do them. He can apply the Word of God to the situation and refuse, even though he has to suffer for it. Like the garment with a piece torn out, there is a loss, but far better than allowing the whole thing to become leprous. Oh, what needful lessons there are for us here if we are willing to be taught God!

We now come to the cleansing of the leper which is most interesting and instructive. First of all, the leper who was to be cleansed was to be brought to the priest. He did not even have to come himself — he was brought there. How could a helpless sinner do anything for himself? But what joyful news it is for him that Christ has done it all, even to bringing us to Himself by the compelling power of the Spirit of God. Then two living and clean birds were taken, telling us of the Lord Jesus, the sinless One, who came down from heaven; and who now having accomplished redemption has gone back to heaven again.

One of the birds was to be killed in an earthen vessel over running water and so the Lord Jesus who came down from heaven took an earthly body as man, in order that He might die, the Just One for us the unjust, to bring us to God. (1 Peter 3:18.) He perfectly fulfilled the Word of God in it all, like the running water in the type, and has glorified God about the question of sin. Then cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop were taken; as well as the other bird which was still living, and all were dipped in the blood of the bird that had been killed; and then the man who, was to be cleansed was sprinkled with the blood seven times. The cedar was the greatest, tree of the forest, and the hyssop the most insignificant little weed, while the scarlet was the royal color in which kings were arrayed, but all were brought down to one level and dipped in the blood. Yes, the great must come down, and the little man must forget himself in order to be cleansed from his sins.

ML 01/21/1951

Wise or Foolish, Which?

Our picture today reminds us of what the Lord Jesus said about Iwo men, one of whom was wise, and the other foolish. If you wish to read about them in your Bible, you will find the story in Matthew 7:24-27. This is what it says:

“Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it founded upon a rock.

“And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

Dear reader, are you like the wise man or the foolish man? Are you sure you have built upon a safe foundation for eternity? Remember the Lord Jesus is the only Rock and Foundation on which you can build, if you would be safe in heaven when the storms of God’s judgment fall upon this sinful world. The Lord’s coming is so very near that you should not delay. Tomorrow may be too late!

“FOR OTHE FOUNDATION CAN NO MAN LAY THAN THAT IS LAID, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST.” 1 Corinthians 3:11.

ML 01/28/1951

Is Your Name "Sinner"?

At a Sunday School treat in Scotland, prizes were being given out. One of the names called was “Jessie Scott,” and a little girl on the front row stepped up with a beaming face to receive the prize. After she was seated again an older girl from the back, whose name was also Jessie Scott, came up, not having noticed the smaller girl go forward. Then they found that she was the right Jessie, and you can imagine wee Jessie’s disappointment on having to part with her treasure!

The prize was only awarded to one Jessie Scott, but the gospel is offered to both of them, and to everyone else in the world too. Whatever your name may be, the gospel message is to you, for we 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.” John 3:16. He is the only Saviour from sin and sin’s judgment. Have you believed on Him? If not, do so now before it is too late.

There is a name, however, to which both the Jessie Scotts could answer. Do you know what it is? It is “Sinner.” Yes, God gives that name to every one of us, but how wonderful to read and believe this verse,

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Tim. 1:15. Is your name “Sinner”? Then the gift of God is for YOU.

ML 01/28/1951

Sowing the Good Seed

A Chinese girl, just fourteen years old, helped in the dispensary of a clinic in inland China. She, like Dr. Fish and the others who worked there, loved the Lord Jesus and wanted others to love Him too.

She sometimes gave Gospels to the patients she met, and one was given to a man who had come twenty-five miles to see the doctor. Sometime later Dr. Fish was called to go and see him, as he was now too ill to travel to the hospital. On reaching the town he heard the sad news that the Chinaman had died while they were on their way for the doctor.

But there was good news too, for he left this message, “Please tell that young school girl who works for Dr. Fish that I read the book she gave me, and, believing in the One of whom it tells, I am trusting Him for salvation and will meet her in heaven.”

How happy they all were at the dispensary, and especially little Miss Fang, who thanked the Lord that another patient had found the Saviour she loved. From that time she was very careful to see that every patient received a Gospel before leaving. Let us, too, try to scatter the good seed. God’s Word.

“In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand.” Eccles. 11:6.

When the seed has taken root and grown, then there is going to be a harvest day. Will it not be wonderful dear children, to have someone say in that day, “I read and believed the message you gave me and thus was is saved?”

“For what is our hope, or joy, of crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” 1 Thess. 2:19.

ML 01/28/1951

"Busy Here and There"

The Lord had given Ahab, the king of Israel, a wonderful victory over his enemies, and he had slain a hundred thousand footmen in one day. Then a wall had fallen on twenty-seven thousand more, so that Ben-hadad, the leader of the host of the Syrians, realized that he was defeated. He decided therefore, at the advice of his servants, to come out and seek mercy from Ahab the king, When Ahab knew this he said, “He is my brother,” and he took him up into his chariot and spoke kindly to him. Ben-hadad then promised that he would restore to king Ahab all the cities which his father had taken away, and so they made a covenant together and Ahab let Ben-hadad go free.

This looked very good on the surface, but man’s thoughts are not God’s thoughts. The world would say, “Be tolerant, and don’t condemn the views of others,” but we must make the Word of God our guide and not the thoughts of men. Of course in Christianity “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,” but we ought to always stand firmly for the truth, and never tolerate evil. If a man is an enemy of God and of Christ, and denies the foundations of the faith, we should not receive him into our “chariots,” or make covenants with him. We must take a faithful stand for the truth of God, and not compromise. Such a man may have a lovely character, and be nice to talk to, but we are to measure things according to the Word of God and not by our own thoughts.

The prophet therefore came to meet Ahab and showed him, by a little act, just what he had done. He had let a man go free who was appointed of the Lord to “utter destruction,” 1 Kings 20:42, and now he was returning to his house quite unconcerned. The prophet told him that he was like one who was so “busy here and there” that he had lost a God-given opportunity, and that he would never have that opportunity again, as well as having to suffer for his negligence.

Undoubtedly we are put in the same position as the king of Israel many times in our lives. We have a golden opportunity of doing something for the Lord, but we are so busy here and there that we let the opportunity pass by, and it never returns. One is persuaded that the enemy of our souls will do all in his power to keep us busy with other things while these opportunities are within our reach. He persuades us that there is plenty of time and that there will be other opportunities later on, but alas, like king Ahab, we let the man go and it is too late. Ahab’s excuse looked like a very good one; he wanted to be kind, and he thought he would get the desired territory the easy way. And so with ourselves, we don’t like to make bad friends, and we are busy, etc., etc. Moreover we draw back from Christian warfare, preferring an easy path instead; but alas, like poor Ahab, we do not even get the easy path we hope for. The prophet told Ahab that his life was going to go for the life he had spared. Some years passed by, during which Ahab got farther and farther away from the Lord; and then, just as the prophet had said, he was slain al Ramoth-gilead by the hands of the Syrians whose king he had spared.

How often this takes place in our day. We think we are taking the easy way, but let us remember that the path of self-seeking and disobedience is never the easy way in the end, for we always reap what we sow. If the Lord is giving you or me an opportunity to act for His glory today, let us not be so “busy here and there” that we miss it.

ML 01/28/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 14:6-8

We were noticing last week how that, which typified man’s greatness, as well as his nothingness, were all dipped in the blood of the slain bird. Some might think themselves too great to come down, and others are so occupied with their lack of education and other things, and perhaps even their sins, that they think they must improve before they can come. Still others want something spectacular. They want some big experience, but all these things; man in his greatness, in his nothingness, good self (so called), and bad self, along with anything at all in which we could glory, must come to an end in the death of Christ. “I am crucified with Christ,” Galatians 2:20, means all that I am as a natural man—all must he dipped in the blood—all must come under the sentence of death, finally and completely.

As we have already noticed last week, the man who was to be cleansed was sprinkled with the blood of the slain bird seven times, and. then pronounced clean. Seven is the perfect number, and so the work of Christ has cleansed us perfectly in the eyes of God, and He can pronounce us “Clean every whit.” John 13:10. What a beautiful type this is, and how God would have us rejoicing in accomplished redemption.

After this the living bird was taken, with the blood of the dead bird upon it, and it was let loose in the open field. This reminds us of the Lord Jesus now risen from the dead, for just as the living bird carried the blood of the dead bird into the sky, so He has gone hack to heaven as the One who has completed the work of redemption for us. He is now seated at the right hand of the majesty on high, and His being there is the proof that God has accepted His work.

His precious blood has spoken there
Before and on the throne:
And His own wounds in heaven declare
The atoning work is done.

Dear reader, how is it with you? Have you taken your true place before God as a sinner and been cleansed in the precious blood of Christ? If you have, you are now, “Clean every whit,” and you can look up by faith and see the Lord Jesus seated at God’s right hand and know you are “accepted” in Him. (Ephesians 1:6.)

Up to this point the leper had not done anything for himself—all had been done for him by the priest—but as soon as he had been pronounced clean, then he could do something for himself. He must first wash his clothes, and this would tell us of the application to the Word of God to all his habits and associations of life. As soon as one is really saved there is immediate exercise as to what he is doing. There is a desire to please the Lord which is soon manifested, and the newborn soul in the joy of first-love is willing to give up anything which the Word of God condemns. How we long to see more of this in our days when there is so much profession and so little reality! It is so sad to find those who have confessed Christ going on with the same old habits and associations, and seemingly unwilling to “wash their clothes.” “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word.” Psalm 119:9.

ML 01/28/1951

The Traveler's Passport

The Empress of Britain was riding at anchor, just before sailing away from Liverpool. A gentleman settled himself in his little cabin, and glanced over his important papers for a final check-up to make sure that all was in readiness, “Because,” he reflected, “I’m not coming back.”

First he laid his passport on the table. It had taken him many days to get that paper correct in every detail, because it was very important that it should he accepted for him in New York. Stop a moment as he glances over his passport to the United States, and see that you also are wise enough to have your “passport” ready for a long journey that you must make some day. Where do you want to go? To Heaven, no doubt, and remember you may leave this world at any time without a moment’s notice. Is your passport ready?

The gentleman looked at the first page—a picture of himself. “It makes me look old,” he thought, “but it is signed and sworn as a picture of myself. That’s true enough.”

Reader, there is a picture of yourself on the passport God has provided to heaven. God’s Word pictures you as a sinner, a poor lost ungodly sinner. But it is not valid for you, unless you have accepted it as a true picture of yourself. Is the first page of your passport ready?

The next page included details of himself, his age and occupation, and his reason for going to America. What then is your reason for wishing to go to heaven? Do you realize that this world is under the sentence of judgment and that the lake of fire is at the end of every sinner’s life who has not received God’s passport? Have you admitted this to God?

Then came the visa, the signature of an official from the country to which he was going. He remembered his difficulty in obtaining this visa, and his relief when it was at last signed for him.

Reader, is your passport signed by the God of heaven to which you hope to go? I mean, have you come to the Lord Jesus for salvation according to God’s holy Word? Are you sure, perfectly sure, that your hope of heaven is signed and sealed by God, and are you resting upon His Word for yourself? Do not rest upon any word of men, for God has only one way— through Christ.

The gentleman folded up his passport with a feeling of satisfaction, and looked again through the little porthole across the gray Atlantic. Reader, can you face life, through storm or calm, with the perfect assurance that heaven is open to you by God Himself because you come in His appointed way?

What is His way? The answer is Jesus, the Crucified, the risen and glorified Saviour who once died for sinners like you and me. Jesus Himself is God’s Way to the Father.

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

ML 02/04/1951

The Indian Baby and the Snake

Far away in the land of India there are millions of people who worship idols. But there are also many missionaries in that land who go about telling people of the true God; and of the Lord Jesus, His Son, whom He sent into this world. This story that I am about to tell you happened in the Godavery district of India.

Two natives there had accepted the Lord Jesus, and were happy Christians. Their one little daughter, who was not yet able to walk, was playing one day on the floor of the little home, while mother was busy. The baby slowly crawled outside in the yard, and began to look for something to play with. Just a few moments later, mother looked out into the yard, and there she saw her little daughter had found something to amuse her, but what do you think it was? A big snake! The little child didn’t know her danger, and wasn’t a bit afraid, but the poor mother knew that at any moment the snake might bite her. She knelt right down and prayed to God for deliverance for her little one. As she rose from her knees, a kitten came into the yard, and the child immediately turned from the snake and reached for the little kitten.

I am sure that God took care of that little one, and kept the poisonous snake from harming her. And I believe there is a lesson in the story for us all.

Sin is like that poisonous snake. It may seem quite harmless and interesting, but it is poisonous and dangerous! “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:15. But to the heart that has found the Lord Jesus as Saviour, there is something which is so much better and sweeter that the old pleasures lose much of their attraction and interest.

The mother quickly ran and picked up her child and hurried inside with wars of thankfulness to the Lord. And the Lord is waiting to deliver you from the wages and the power of sin, if you will come to Him now.

“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

ML 02/04/1951

Bible Questions for February

The Children’s Class

1. “Your names are written in heaven.”

2.“Enter in at the strait gate.”

3.“No servant can serve two masters.”

4.“Hear the Word of God, and keep it.”

5.“Take up his cross daily.”

6.“Joy in the presence of the angels.”

7.“Which knew his lord’s will.”

The Young People’s Class Riches

There is nothing that the natural heart would like better than to get rich quickly, and since we live in an age of prosperity (in these lands), we have to watch against this snare. The Lord Jesus said, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth,” Luke 12:15, and then in contrast with this He spoke of the true riches which abide forever. And yet in spite of this how often our poor hearts seem to lay greater stress on the riches that pass away!

What a contrast to our selfish hearts we see in the One who was truly rich—to whom everything belonged as the Creator of all things—and yet for our sakes He became poor—so poor that He could say, “show me a penny.” Why did He become so poor? Oh, it was that we might be rich—rich with the true riches—that we might be made heirs of God and joint-heirs with Him. Yes, all this has come to us because He became so poor, even unto death, and that the death of the cross.

Dear young Christian, does not this world look pretty dim in comparison with these true riches? Has it anything to offer that will compare with our portion in Christ? Truly a glimpse by faith of the true riches will set us free from the desire for the riches of earth which only bring trouble and sorrow with them. “Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.” Prov. 23:4.

1.What does God say of those that WILL BE rich? 1 Timothy.

2.What kept the ruler who came to Jesus from following Him? Luke 18.

3.Is God pleased with those who feel they have “need of nothing”? Rev. 3.

4.What charge is given to those who are rich in this world? 1 Tim.

5.In what has God been rich in His love to us? Ephesians.

6.Who was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, and why did He do it? 2 Cor. 8.

7.Could the rich give more than the poor in the ransom money? Exodus 30.

ML 02/04/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 14:8-16

After washing his clothes, the leper who was to be cleansed was to shave off all his hair. This was a humiliating thing to him, undoubtedly, but we need to put self, and all that springs from self, under the sharp edge of the Word of God, for “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5. Then the man was to wash himself in water. First, there was the washing of the clothes, then the shaving off the hair, and now, in type, the Word of God is applied to the whole man in every minute detail. Yes, God’s Word is to be the believer’s chart, and every step in life should be taken in obedience to it.

After doing all this, the cleansed man was to remain outside of his own tent seven days. Then on the seventh day these three things, just mentioned, were to be done over again. Seven is the perfect number, and his own tent would speak of personal communion and enjoyment; and so we can see in this, and in what follows, that even though one is cleansed, as the leper had already been, the enjoyment of Christian privileges is dependent upon the continual application of the Word to our associations of life and upon ourselves personally. Then, too, the sentence of death must always be put upon that which is of nature in the things of God. This has to be done over and over again in order to maintain communion.

We then learn in what took place on the eighth day what the true ground of our enjoyment really is, and this the soul needs to lay hold of. How often we meet souls whom we feel are like the cleansed leper, and truly under the shelter of the blood, but their souls have not fully laid hold of the ground of it all in a personal way. This need is dealt with most beautifully, in a figure active way, by what follows.

First there was the trespass offering Often the hindrance to real settled peace is that there has not been a realization of what our guilt is before God and what it cost the Lord Jesus, our blessed Trespass Offering, to put it away. The awfulness of our guilt is shown in the suffering which the Lori Jesus endured at Calvary. There is great deal of shallow work in these days, and it is necessary that the enormity of sin be realized before Gay. The blood of the trespass offering was therefore put upon the tip of the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the great toe of the right foot of the cleansed man. The realization in power of this, as well as the claims of God upon all that we hear, upon everything we do, and every place we go, is to be acknowledged. Oh, dear young believer, have you and I entered into this? Have we stood before the Lord as the cleansed leper at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, realizing these things in His presence?

After this a log of oil was taken and the oil was sprinkled seven times bore the Lord. It is by the Spirit, of which the oil is a type, that we can now have communion with God, perfectly and without hindrance, because of Christ’s finished work. Then the oil was put over the blood on the right ear, the right thumb, and the great toe of the right foot. This tells us of the claims of that love that has redeemed us, upon all that we hear, everything we do, and every place we go. We are no longer to walk as in the flesh, but as in the Spirit through this wilderness scene.

ML 02/04/1951

Better Than Gold

What is better than gold? Well, they tell us that if a man strikes oil upon his property, he becomes a rich man in far less time than if he found a gold mine. He just puts lip a tower like the one in our picture, and sometimes pumps out, oil by the thousands of gallons.

It fills his pockets with money, but it does not fill his heart. Is there anything under the sun that can fill a man’s heart? Solomon said that “all is vanity and vexation of spirit,” Eccles, 2:17; and he had proved it for he was richer and wiser than the owner of any oil well.

What then can fill your heart? Sorrow can. There are people with pockets full of money whose hearts are full to overflowing with this world’s sorrow.

But joy can too! The blessed Lord Jesus said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11. Here, dear reader, is fullness. of joy, in the love of our precious Saviour, and of His God and Father. The Lord Jesus died to cleanse us from our sins, and He now wants to make us happy with His love.

“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. His love can fill your heart to overflowing with the joy that no one can take away. It can fill a little heart or a big heart, and it will last forever and forever. isn’t that better than gold or oil or anything under the sun?

“THESE THINGS HAVE I SPOKEN UNTO YOU, THAT MY JOY MIGHT REMAIN IN YOU, AND THAT YOUR JOY MIGHT BE FULL.” John 15:11.

ML 02/11/1951

"Why Not Tonight?"

Oliver was wandering up and down the main street of the town on a fine evening. He was a clean-living boy, and didn’t spend his evenings in not, the way some of the others from the shop did. Presently he heard the sound of lusty singing, and noticed a crowd beginning to gather on a nearby street corner. He hurried along and joined the crowd, and soon was listening to an open-air gospel message. Perhaps the reader of this paper has heard street-corner messengers, and has felt it a waste of time to stop and listen. But Oliver felt that it was worth while, and so he stayed and heard the story of God’s love.

At the close of the meeting, the little group sang “Thou wouldest be saved why not tonight?” These words made him think deeply. Oliver had been, brought up carefully and, although he was looked up to as a fine young boy he knew that he was not saved. As he walked homeward, those words kept repeating themselves to him over and over, “Why not tonight?”

As soon as he reached home, he went to his mother and said, “Mother, who is it that you and I are not saved? Mother thought a moment and then said, “But Oliver, you and I have never done very much that is wrong and hope we shall go to heaven when we die.”

But this didn’t suit Oliver. He knew that all needed to be saved, because all have sinned. So he went quietly to his room and started to read his Bible. He hunted for a verse that might give him to know that he was saved, and at last he came to the story of the jailed at Philippi in Acts 16. He read it carefully, and when he came to the jailer question to Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”—he knew he was near his answer, and he read eagerly,

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt he saved.”

Then and there he knelt by his bed with the open Bible before him, and he thanked God for the gift of the Lord Jesus. He believed on the Lord Jesus as his own Saviour, and rose up saved and forgiven boy. Happily he hurried to his mother again and told her the good news that all his sins were forgiven and that he was now saved. Have you ever told anyone that? Are your sins forgiven?

“Mother,” he said, “When I am called to meet God, I will tell Him that my only title to be in heaven that the Lord Jesus died for me, and He is my own Saviour.”

The next morning he was still full of the joy of his salvation as he left for work. But that mother never saw Oliver alive again. That very afternoon he met with an accident at work and in a few moments was in eternity.

Oliver didn’t know when he stopped to listen to the gospel message on the street corner that it was his last chance to hear it. And you may be reading this paper quite careless as to whether you are truly saved or not. But it may be your last message! “Thou wouldest he saved, why not tonight?”

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

ML 02/11/1951

"You Need the Blood"

Mr. Fuller was sick in bed, and his daughter Elsie used to love to sit beside him and chatter t way whenever she had time. It was Sunday evening, and special gospel meetings were being held in the town. Elsie could hardly make up her mind whether to stay and visit with her sick father, or to go again to the meetings. She had gone for several nights, and had been much interested in what the preacher had said about our sins and how they might be forgiven through the blood of the Lord Jesus. In spite of all that she had heard, she had not yet taken Jesus as her own Saviour.

When the meeting started, Elsie could be seen as usual in a seat near the front, listening carefully to all that was said. When the meeting was over, Elsie walked slowly and thoughtfully out the door. The evangelist saw that she was looking very solemn, so he took her hand and said, “Young girl, you need the blood.”

As she walked home the words kept repeating themselves to her, “You need the blood. You need the blood.” But, she thought, there are many worse than I am, but that does not mend matters and I really am afraid to die. Suddenly she stopped right on the street and closed her eyes and owned herself a sinner before God and thanked Him for the blood of Jesus which she now accepted as cleansing her from all sin.

As soon as she reached home, she went straight to her father’s bedside and said, “Father, you need the blood.” Her father was much surprised at this strange remark and asked her what she meant. Happily she told him of all that had happened, and of how she knew that her sins were now gone through the blood of Jesus Christ. The poor sick father listened eagerly and then laid back in the bed and thanked God for that precious blood of Jesus. He trusted fully that glorious verse, uttered by the Lord Jesus, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

The next day, Elsie’s older brother Charlie came home from his work in a distant town. As soon as he entered his father’s room, the dear sick man stretched out his hand and said in a broken voice, “Charlie, my son, you need the blood!” Through God’s great mercy these words led Charlie also to see his lost condition and to flee for shelter to the only Saviour. Thus, within a very short time, sister, father and brother were all rejoicing in Christ Jesus and His saving blood!

And to you who are reading this paper we would say, “You need the blood!” May it speak to you of your need of God’s provision for it, so that you too may rejoice under its shelter.

“It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Leviticus 17:11.

ML 02/11/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 14:17-35

Having put the oil upon the right ear, the right thumb, and the great toe of the right foot of the man who was to be cleansed, the rest of it was then poured over his head. In this we see that the Spirit of God is now to control our very thoughts, and all is to be brought under His power, while we ourselves are brought by the Spirit into the enjoyment of the atoning work which has been accomplished.

After this there was the sin offering, for not only has the work of Christ met the actual sins which I have committed, but the very nature that produced the sins has been judged and condemned at the cross. Then, in the burnt offering which follows, we see how God has been fully glorified as to the whole question of sin through Christ’s finished work. Oh how fully all our need has been met in what Christ has done, and how wondrous the place into which we have been brought!

The leper had been pronounced clean before this, but we read here again, after all this had taken place, “And he shall be clean.” This is now our appreciation and enjoyment of what Christ has done, for God would have us to enter into our new standing “in Christ.” How many dear believers, although they have faith in Christ and in Him alone, are not in the enjoyment of this.

We notice also that if the cleansed leper was so poor that he could not get a lamb for his trespass offering, then he could bring turtledoves or young pigeons, such as he was able to get. God, who knows the hearts of ail, knows the capacity of each one, whether young or old, and He does not want us to pretend to have the same measure as someone else when we have not. He accepts the measure we have but it must be Christ, for His Name alone avails. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

We now come to instructions about dealing with leprosy in houses. We noticed first how leprosy might appear on a person, or in a piece of cloth or skin, but now we see that it can appear in a house. That is, the working of sin may be a personal thing, or it might be through our associations of life, or it might appear in a Christian home or among a company of Christians as it would in the house of an Israelite. The man who owned the house, like the father in a home, or the leader, in an assembly, were to call the priest to investigate it.

One feels this subject is very solemn, and it deserves our special consideration, for it shows the great responsibility of those of us who are the heads of homes, as well as those who take the place of leaders in the assembly. We will speak first of it as applied to a Christian home. It is most important that the father in the home takes a faithful stand, so that “leprosy” (a type of sin) does not get working in his house. The greenish or reddish streaks, of which we read in our chapter, might look very insignificant at first, but if left unchecked they would lead to the ruination of the whole house so that it would have to be torn down completely. Alas, how many Christian homes have been “torn down” as to their testimony, because of unfaithfulness on the part of the father. The house of Eli in the Old Testament is a sad example of this. (see 1 Sam. 3:11-14.)

ML 02/11/1951

The Story of an Ethiopian

See the little colored children, all lined up for a picture? They have been at school, for you can see that most of them carry a slate. The colored man I am going to tell you about today came from Ethiopia, and he could read very well.

Away out on the sandy desert this colored man was traveling, on his way home to Africa, from Jerusalem. As he rode along in his chariot, he held a scroll before hirer from which he read these words:

“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened He not His mouth.” Acts 8:32.

The Ethiopian man was puzzled. He was a man of great authority, treasurer of the Ethiopian queen, but he could not understand these strange words. “Who was this Man?” he wanted to know.

Well, that was a good beginning. When we really want to know what God’s Word means, He is sure to explain it to us somehow. God sent Philip to that desert place, add at that very moment Philip was running by the chariot, and listening to the reader’s words.

“Do you understand what you are reading?” asked Philip.

“How can I?” answered the man, and then he asked Philip to come up and sit in the chariot with him.

They bent their heads together, the colored man and the white man, over the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah. Then Philip preached unto him Jesus. This man of whom the Ethiopian was reading is Jesus. Why was He led as a sheep to the slaughter? In order that you and I might go free. Why did He not open His mouth? Because He had come to do God His Father’s will, and He was obedient even unto death. Yes, Jesus, that blessed Lamb of God, was silent. He bore all that evil treatment from men, and then He suffered at the hand of God for sin in those dark hours for the joy of having His own with Him in glory forever.

My reader, do you believe this? The Ethiopian believed it that day in his chariot, and he was saved. He was baptized too, and went on his way rejoicing. Who would not rejoice in the knowledge of a Saviour such as ours?

“CHRIST ALSO HATH ONCE SUFFERED FOR SINS, THE JUST FOR THE UNJUST, THAT HE MIGHT BRING US TO GOD.” 1 Peter 3:18.

ML 02/18/1951

Black Fritz

Tell us a story, Father.” Bruce and Fred climbed up on their father’s knee, and begged him for a story before they went to bed.

“Shall I tell you a story of a boy or a girl?”

“Of a boy, please—a brave boy.”

“A number of years ago there was a boy named Harold. His mother was a widow, and she loved the Lord Jesus. Her son also was a bright happy Christian, and when Harold grew up, he decided to go to sea on a merchant vessel. When he left home his dear mother kissed him and said, ‘My deal boy, be true to the Lord Jesus wherever you are and whatever it may cost.’

“The very first evening on the ship, Harold knelt to pray. The other men had never been in the habit of praying, and so they decided it would be fun to mock this new young boy. They shouted at him, but still he knelt silently before the Lord. One of the biggest men poured a jug of cold water over his head. But still he prayed on. Many times they tried to make him feel ashamed of his Saviour, but when Harold thought of how much’ the Saviour suffered for him, he asked God to keep him true and faithful. He often thought of that verse, ‘Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not.’ 1 Pet. 2:23.

“These things were only the beginnings of Harold’s sufferings. The ringleader in all the persecution was a young man named Fritz. For some reason they all called him ‘Black Fritz.’ He was in the habit of calling Harold all kinds of nicknames, which were then taken up and used by the others. Often poor Harold would go up to the top of the mast where he could be alone with the Lord in prayer. There he told the Lord of his troubles, and then came down strengthened and comforted.

“One day a severe storm came on very suddenly, tearing one of their highest sails. The captain ordered black Fritz to go up and take in that sail. Now it happened that Fritz was very brave when doing mischief to others. but he was a coward at heart. When he looked at the swaying mast, and the torn sail, he turned very pale and shook all over. Just then brave Harold stepped up. ‘Please, captain, let me go up there in Fritz’ place.’ The captain looked amazed, ‘But my boy, you have only been on board three months and you don’t know the danger of this work.’ ‘Yes, sir, I wish to go up in Fritz’ place.’

“Every eye on board was fixed on Harold while he was up at the top of top swinging mast. He quickly and carefully finished his work and came nimbly down again. When he was safe on deck again, black Fritz fell down at his feet and cried, ‘A pious and God-fearing boy you may be, but a coward you are not. Please tell me what made you act like that toward He when I have always been your enemy?’”

Father got just this far in his story when he said,

“And now, boys, can you guess whom this story speaks of?”

“It sounds just like our good Uncle Harold, but who could wicked black Fritz be? We don’t know anybody like that.”

“That, I am sorry to say, was myself; but after I learned to know Harold’s Saviour as my own, we became fast friends. He is now as dear me as a brother, and that is why he always wants you to call him Uncle Harold.”

Bruce and Fred never forgot that story; and they, too, soon learned to know their own sinfulness, and accepted the Lord Jesus as their own Saviour. I have not heard of them for some time, but I hope they may grow up to confess and live for their Lord and Saviour as their Uncle Harold.

“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.” Romans 10:9.

ML 02/18/1951

Shirley's Fears

I really think there never was a more timid and frightened girl than Shirley. She could not bear the dark, nor would she ever go anywhere alone, not even in the daytime. Her two sisters were never afraid; and, I am sorry to say, poor Shirley had to stand a lot of thoughtless teasing from them.

But at last there came a change in Shirley. She was no longer the nervous girl she had been, and she could sing and smile all day and never feared the dark at all. What made the difference? Perhaps you think she took some wonderful medicine, or that she just grew a little older and left childish fears behind.

We will find out the secret. In a certain box, where Shirley keeps her greatest treasures, there is a leaf torn out of a little diary, and on it you would find these words—

March 10th. Jesus saved me today.

Now we know the reason. And I am sure this is the reason, for she told me one day about all her former fears. She said, “I was in constant terror lest the Lord should come and leave me behind, and whenever the rest of the family were out of my sight I thought surely the Lord had come. I used to lie awake at night and fearfully listen for some sound that would give me to know that my mother and my sisters were still here. But on the day that Jesus saved me, I knew that when He came He would take me up to heaven too.”

Are you saved? If the Lord Jesus came right now while you are reading this paper, would you go up to be with Him? He is waiting right now to save you if you will but bow and trust and accept Him as your own.

ML 02/18/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 14:36-45

We have been speaking of the plague of leprosy in a house, and would like to add a few more remarks as to this solemn matter. May we who are fathers be more careful what we allow in our homes! Let us never suppose that because our children want to do something in the home, we can escape our responsibility before God if we allow it. God will hold every Christian father responsible for what takes place in his home. It is not enough to speak against it (Eli did that), but we must put a stop to it. In fact, the matter was so serious, as we see in our chapter, that everything was to be carried out of the house while the plague was carefully looked into. The plagued “stones” were pulled out, and the plaster of the house scraped off, and all, even the very dust of it, put in an unclean place. Then new stones were to be put in place of the leprous ones, and the house was to be replastered. If doing all this did not check the spread of the leprosy, then the house was to be completely torn down, and the timber, the plaster, and the stones, were to be carried to an unclean place. Surely this has a deep lesson for us, for it is a type of what has happened in so many Christian homes even in our day. Little things were allowed, until at last the whole home became completely for the world, and no one could go into it without being defiled. No one could eat or sleep in this leprous house, of which we read here, without having to wash his clothes, and even then he was unclean until the evening. If the enemy of our souls cannot lead us to personal unfaithfulness, he will use every effort to ruin our homes, thus breaking our hearts and closing our mouths. (1 Tim. 3:5.) Many of our readers are young people, and we need to remember that we reap what we sow. If we go in, worldliness, then God in His government may allow in to get the wrong partner who will be a hindrance, instead of a help, in maintaining godliness in the home. (see 1 Kings 11:4). There is no sweeter place on earth than a home where the Lord is given His rightful place, but no sadder place than one where He is not. (see Deut. 11:18-28.)

Now there is also the application what we have in our chapter to the sin assembly. There is a great reasonability upon those who are leaders in the assembly. We need faithful men those who are true “doorkeepers in the house of God.” Psalm 84:10. Sometimes, in order to save hard feeling and misunderstandings, we are liable to receive those into the assembly who cause the “red and greenish streaks of leprosy which defile the who assembly. Faithfulness in receiving to the Lord’s table, as well as faithfulness, with those who are already there, is not an easy thing; but it is most necessary though always in love. Alas, how often we see the modern “red streaks!” worldliness with some, even when sitting at the Lord’s table, and our hearts are made sad. May we work against these early beginnings of departure from the Lord, for one soon leads to another when we start a wrong path.

Of course, priestly discernment was necessary, as we see in our chapter and each case is different, but the: was to be no negligence. If the leprosy was checked in time, the house cannot be cleansed, but if not, it had to torn down.

ML 02/18/1951

Who Is Coming?

Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him.” Who is this, who is coming in the sky, and every eye in the whole world is sure to see Him? Only two men in our picture are looking at the soft white duds above the mountains. Some men are busy making the ship go, some are looking at other things, and some are asleep.

But there is a day coming when every eye in the world will see Him who comes with clouds. Who is coming? Let us read the rest of the verse in Rev. 1:7,— “every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him.”

The One who is coming in the clouds is the same One who was pierced with nails and with a sword at Calvary—who hung there on the cross while people wagged their heads and made faces at Him. Who is He? He is Jesus, the despised and hated Man of Calvary, for now “this same Jesus” is the risen and glorified Man at God’s right hand.

Yes, Jesus is coming again; first into the air to take ills own home to heaven, and then to earth, when all shall see Him, to judge the wicked. Will you be glad to see Him?

Our verse says that all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Why will they weep and wail? Because He comes to judge those who would not bow to His Word and accept His pardon. Then they will wail in hopeless misery because they are lost, lost forever.

Reader, what are you doing with God’s Word right now? This paper is written to tell you of God’s beloved Son, “that whosoever believeth in Him. should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Have you believed in this blessed crucified Saviour? Can you look up and say, “He is my Saviour?”

If not, my reader, then you are despising His pardon; and if you continue to do this, then you will wail, an endless hopeless wail, because of Him. You may close the Bible now or throw away this paper, but your eyes will surely see Him in that day when He comes with clouds.

Is He your Saviour? Will you come with Him in that glorious day, as a bride comes with her royal bridegroom? Oh, take this Saviour as your own, while still you have time.

“BEHOLD, HE COMETH WITH CLOUDS; AND EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM ... AND ALL KINDREDS OF THE EARTH SHALL WAIL BECAUSE OF HIM.” Revelation 1:7.

ML 02/25/1951

A Safe Hiding Place

One hot day when the boys and girls at a school in Burma were busy with their lessons, a strange gentleman entered the room. He told the teacher he would like to give each boy and girl a text card, and she was very pleased for him to do so as she loved the Lord Jesus, and wanted all her pupils to take Him as their Saviour too.

So they all went home happily that night with a text. Several days later one boy came to the teacher and said, “I took home the card and pinned it on our wall, but soon Mother told me to take it down. You see she doesn’t love Jesus, but worships an idol, and she didn’t like my text there. I’ve taken it down and hidden the card where she can’t find it, but I’ve got the verse in a safe place too—it’s in my heart.”

“Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psa. 119:11.

ML 02/25/1951

Simple Thanks

One November day little Doris, five years old, was out for a walk with her aunt. The sun had not been shining all morning, when suddenly a ray of brightness darted full in their faces, and little Doris exclaimed— “Oh, Auntie, how beautiful! I do like the sun.”

“Does my darling know who made the sun to shine?” asked her aunt with a smile.

“Yes,” replied the child, pointing upwards, “it was the good God in heaven.” And the little girl kissed her hand up to the sky three times; then turned to her aunt and said, “Auntie, I have sent three kisses to the Lord.”

Auntie looked fondly at her niece as she asked, “Why did you send the kisses, Doris?”

“To thank Him for sending His sun out,” she replied.

And the aunt thought, “This little child is thanking God for one of His most common mercies; yet, not only common, but special mercies have often been unacknowledged by me!”

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thess. 5:18.

ML 02/25/1951

"The Time is Short."

In Israel the jubilee came every fiftieth year, at which time every slave was set free and all the property returned to its original owner. When this was approaching, all the property went down in value, and the slaves rejoiced at the thought of freedom.

Undoubtedly we are living in a similar time of the Church’s history. Everything around us points to the nearness of our blessed Lord’s return, and we are made to realize that we will soon be called home. At the jubilee in Israel the silver trumpet sounded throughout the land, and we too are listening for a trumpet sound—the trump of God. What a day of rejoicing that will be for those of us who are waiting to see the face of our blessed Saviour, and who long for the time when “the kingdoms of this world ... . become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ.” Rev. 11:15.

As we think of this momentous event, how our hearts are stirred, but it should also have a purifying effect upon us. We know that everything here is soon to pass away. If we set our hearts upon the things of time, and live for them, our lives will all be loss at the judgment seat of Christ. Thank God our title to glory is not by anything we have done or can do, but by the precious blood of Christ; but God wants us to have an “abundant entrance.” (2 Peter 1:11.)

“Brethren, the time is short.” 1 Cor. 7:29. What does this mean to you and me? Have we laid these words to heart? Have we made our calculations in life as though we really believed this, or does life stretch out as a long span to us as young people, filling our young hearts with ambitions for success. Dear Young people, God says “The time is short.” There never was a greater need in the Church of God, nor in the world about us, for the precious gospel message. The enemy knows that the time is short, even if we are forgetting it. He is urging you, especially if you have ability, to go in for some career in this world. He is putting all kinds of bait, before you to keep you busy, for if he can only keep all the Christian young men and women busy in the pursuit of things here, he knows that he can make the Christian testimony weaker and weaker. Oh, let us look above things here and consider the true value of things in the light of eternity. Let us think of how our lives will appear at the judgment seat of Christ. Let us sit quietly in the presence of our blessed Saviour and think of what He gave up for us, and of the claims of His love upon us, until we are led to “present (our) bodies a living sacrifice” to Him. (Romans 12:1.)

The Lord told His disciples to look on the fields which were then white for the harvest, (John 4:35), and He told them on another occasion to “pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest.” Matt. 9:38. Perhaps if we were to get down on our knees before Him with this prayer upon our lips, and with a willingness to do His blessed will in our hearts, He would give us a place in His blessed harvest fields. It might be in the little assembly where we live, or it might he in some gospel work; visiting, tract distributing, preaching, or something else, but let us remember again that “the time is short.” Surely His smile of approval will repay any sacrifice we could ever make for Him in the little while that remains to us here.

ML 02/25/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 14:45-16:3

We were noticing last week that if leprosy continued to spread in a house, the house had to be torn down, and we believe these things have a voice for us even today. How many places we can think of where there was once a happy testimony gathered to the precious Name of the Lord Jesus, but “the house” has been torn down and the “candlestick” removed. (Rev. 2:5.) These things can all be traced to unwatchfulness and unfaithfulness, and we all have our part in it. May these things exercise each one of us who are children of God; for we are members one of another, and we each have our own responsibility before the Lord.

It is lovely to see the provision made here if the plague was checked in time, for the house could then be preserved by that which figured the death of Christ. The cedar wood, the scarlet, and the hyssop were all to be dipped in the blood of the bird that had been killed, as in the case of the cleansing of a leper himself. Sometimes there is a danger of considering a man’s position (like the great cedars), and not acting in faithfulness because of this; but the cedar wood (man in his greatness), the scarlet (human glory), and the hyssop (man in his nothingness), were all to be clipped in the blood. In a word, we are not to have respect of persons in these matters, but to act for God’s glory. We need to all take the low place, too, at such times. Even though this is law, and not grace in our chapter, let us remember God’s character has not changed, nor His estimate of sin, although we need to be “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” in meeting it. (2 Tim. 2:1.)

The next chapter (chapter 15) reminds us once again, in figure, that we are fallen creatures, and that “the flesh profiteth nothing.” John 6:63. Even contact with defilements, which in many cases we cannot prevent, defile us, and therefore the Word of God (like the water) needs to be constantly applied to all our ways. Then, too, the one who has an infirmity which he cannot help or prevent still needs both the application of the Word and of the death of Christ lest his infirmity be the means of getting him out of communion. What a hopeless condition we were in apart from the work of Christ, and how foolish for any person to think that in himself he is fit for God’s holy presence. Nothing we can do can cleanse away our sins, for every thought, every movement, every act of the natural man is sin.

The sixteenth chapter is most important as giving us the ground work or basis, by which God could go on with Israel as a nation in all their guilt and defilements. Of course we need hardly remark here that all these things were only types and shadows, for the blood of bulls and goats could never put away sin, (Hebrews 10:4), nor could they make the one who offered these sacrifices perfect as pertaining to the conscience. All this awaited the work of Christ, which was accomplished on Calvary; and which is the only real basis of God’s relationship with Israel, or with sinful man at all.

First we notice that there was to be a bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. This gives us the two points in view on this most important day; the sin offering to meet the sinner’s need and the burnt offering showing how God has been fully glorified in the atonement which has been made.

ML 02/25/1951

The Ass That Talked

This little donkey has been giving his master a ride along the narrow street of Jerusalem. Now he is having a drink from a pail, while his kind master rests on a doorstep.

The ass that talked, of which we wish to tell you, did not have a kind master at all. In fact, his master was in such a temper that he wanted to kill the poor little beast; but we must begin our story at the beginning.

Balaam was promised a good reward from the king if he would curse God’s people. Now Balaam wanted this reward very much, and he was ready to go right away to do the king’s bidding if only God would let him.

Balaam, however, kept on asking, and God finally said that he might go, but he could not speak anything there except the words God’s gave him.

So Balaam saddled his ass and set out very willingly to please the wicked. king. But the ass would not go straight. First she went off into a field; then, as they were traveling along a narrow place like the one in our picture, she walked sideways and crushed her master’s foot against the wall. Finally, in another narrow place, she sat down under him.

Balaam was angry. This was poor speed to reach his promised reward, and he did not see the warning hand of God in it all, but the ass had seen the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his sword drawn in his hand. Balaam struck the ass furiously, but God opened her mouth and she said, “What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?”

Balaam only wished for a sword that he might kill her right there. Then the Lord opened his eyes also, and he saw the angel, and found how narrowly he had escaped death at his hand.

Did he change his ways then? Not a bit. He tried hard to earn the wages of unrighteousness, but he did not realize that “the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23.

Sinner, do you know that you must die some day? Balaam knew that too, and he wanted to die the death of the righteous, but he wanted to go on in his own way while he lived. He despised the warnings of God, as far as we know, and he died as he had lived.

God is warning you now. You cannot see the angel with the drawn sword, but you can hear, and perhaps feel, God’s warnings, even as Balaam felt his injured foot. Oh, turn now from your own way and listen to our God, who always warns before He judges.

“FLEE FROM THE WRATH TO COME.” Matthew 3:7.

ML 03/04/1951

Messiah's Children

Abie and Esther walked hand in hand down the street. They were Jewish children, and some of the neighbors mockingly called after them, “There go old man Levin’s children—we call them Messiah’s children.”

These two quiet and clever children lived in Hungary, and they were often mocked and teased by others because they were Jewish. Their father, Moses Levin, was a very pious man, and he diligently read the Old Testament over and over. He told the children of the promised Messiah, who God had said would come. As he studied his Bible more and more carefully, he finally told his wife and family, “The Messiah must have already come, and we did not know Him, therefore the judgment of God rests upon us.”

At last Mr. Levin’s heart was so filled with longing to hear more about the Messiah, that he said good-bye to his family and started out for Jerusalem. Very shortly after, his wife received the sad news that he had died soon after arriving in Jerusalem. Whether this pious Jew had been told there by believing Christians that Jesus the “Messiah” had really come, but was rejected and crucified for us, I do not know.

Not very long after this, Mrs. Levin took her two children, Abie and Esther, and set out for America. Shortly after they arrived, they heard about Jesus, the crucified Messiah, whom the Jews had rejected many years ago. Then they remembered the words of their dear father, and listened with inward longing to the good tidings. They turned to the Lord Jesus with all their heart and believed in and accepted Him as their own Messiah and Saviour. They rejoiced together in their new happiness, and often spoke of the time when they were mocked and called “Messiah’s children” back in Hungary.

Possibly some of our young readers, who are believers in the Lord Jesus, are being mocked and teased by other children. Bear it patiently, for you are much better off than those who mock you. If they will not repent and turn to God, His judgment will surely come upon them.

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6.

ML 03/04/1951

Bible Questions for March

1.“The Son of man is come to seek.”

2.“The things concerning Himself.”

3.“Father, forgive them.”

4.“Giving Him thanks.”

5.“My words shall not pass away.”

6.“All live unto Him.”

7.“God be merciful to me.”

ML 03/04/1951

The Young People's Class Poor

Truly “that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15. A rich man is usually given a place in this world while the poor are despised, but it is not so with God. God loves them and mentions them often in His Word. Of course, if poverty is the result of laziness, there is no virtue in that, but one is just speaking of the poor as we find them.

Such are deprived of a good deal in this world, and often, because of this, they feel their need of Christ. The prodigal son never thought of his home as long as he had plenty of money, but as soon as he had spent all and a famine began, he thought of his home. Nor did his father despise him on his return, but ran and fell on his neck and kissed him, welcoming home his long-lost son.

Let us never despise the poor— it is a sin to do so. Let is rather be our opportunity to show the Spirit of Christ who fed the poor and was much among them. Yea, He Himself, as man, was born in a stable, slept upon the mountains, asked to be shown a penny and found His “meat” in talking to a poor sinner. What grace—the Creator and Sustainer of all thing come so low—and that to make us rich. May we have His heart, and love, and care for the poor to whom He has said the gospel is to be preached.

1.What does God say about one who mocks the poor? Prov. 17.

2.How can we lend to the Lord? Prov. 19.

3.What will happen to the one who stops his ear at the cry of the poor? Prov. 21.

4.What did the Lord say about the two mites the poor widow cast into the treasury? Luke.

5.Whom has God chosen as His people? James.

6.Should we give a better place to a rich man than a poor man in an assembly? James.

7.Who is to come first in our considerations, even before the poor? Matt. 26.

ML 03/04/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 16:4-15

The high priest had to wash his flesh in water and put on his holy linen garments, for here he typifies the Lord Jesus as the spotless sinless One. Of course Aaron had to be washed and clothed for this service, but the Lord Jesus was all this in Himself—blessed be His Name!

Then Aaron was to offer the bullock as a sin offering for himself and his house first. Of course we know that the Lord Jesus, being the sinless One, did not need any for Himself, but we see in this the position of all believers now, as associated with Christ as worshipers in the value of His sacrifice, just as Aaron’s house was with him. We read in 1 Peter 2:5, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” What a wonderful position is ours now as purged worshipers, the veil being rent, so that we can “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22.

Next we find that two goats were to be taken, and Aaron was to cast lots as to which one was to be for the Lord and which one for the people. How important it is to see these two aspects of the work of Christ. First, God must be glorified about the question of sin. Man had trampled God’s glory in the dust, broken His law; disregarded all His claims over him; but on the day of atonement we see, in figure, in this goat on which the Lord’s lot fell, how all the glory and majesty of God’s throne has been fully upheld by Christ’s work on the cross, quite apart from one sinner being saved at all. His majesty must he maintained, but at the same time we see in the scape goat how the sinner’s need has been met, and thus God’s character as love has been displayed without giving up His righteousness.

The high priest then filled his hands with sweet incense and took it in before the Lord with the blood of the bullock. He also took burning coals of fire from the brazen altar, and put them in the censer, which he took into the most holy place. There he put the incense on the fire so that the cloud of incense might cover the mercy seat upon which the blood was to be sprinkled, as well as seven times before it. Oh how wonderful to see, in type here, how the sweet fragrance of Christ’s finished work covers the mercy seat and fills the holy place, while the infinite value of His Precious blood is upon the mercy seat, and before it, as the ground of our approach. Aaron then killed the goat on which the Lord’s lot had fallen, and sprinkled its blood before and on the mercy seat as he had the bullock’s. In this we see that it is only through what Christ has done that God can go on with this sinful world at all. If it were not for this, judgment would fall at once, just as the day of atonement in Israel was, in type, the ground of all their blessings.

And not only this, but the blood sprinkled there seven times shows us in type how the blood of Christ has opened up the way of blessing for “Whosoever will,” for Christ died for all. His work is so perfect, so glorious, that the gospel may be preached to every creature under heaven. All who are willing can come and obtain mercy. Dear reader, have you come? (1 John 2:2.)

ML 03/04/1951

The Story of a Text

It was time for Sunday School, and just pouring rain. Dorothy ran up the hill, opened the schoolroom door, and fairly jumped inside. She slipped off her dripping raincape and rubbers, wiped the water from her face, and then looked about her.

On week-days the schoolroom was filled with pupils, and on Lord’s Day about a dozen children usually gathered to learn of Jesus. But today there was no one there but the teacher, who laid down her Bible and smiled as Dorothy entered.

“Let’s watch from the window,” she said, “so we can open the door when we see anyone coming.”

But no one came. Dorothy felt strangely shy. She liked her teacher, but it was different to be all alone with her; and when the teacher suggested that they sing together, Dorothy made no answer.

The teacher understood. She talked a little about the hymn instead, and then asked Dorothy to say her verse.

This the little girl was always ready to do, and so she began at once, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way ... ” and then she stopped.

Dorothy always said her verse very fast, but today, even with the-teacher’s help, she could not go on. The words would not come, but the tears came instead. She just cried and cried. The teacher did not know why, but she began to talk quietly about the verse, for she knew that the Lord could help a little girl’s trouble, whatever it was.

“We have all gone astray,” she said, “just like lost sheep, and we couldn’t find our way to God at all. We chose our own way instead. God saw our sinful condition and so He took our sins, every dark sin that His searching eye could see, and He laid them all upon Jesus in those dark hours when Jesus hung upon the cross. It’s all over now—all finished—and the Lord Jesus is seated at God’s right hand in heaven. My sins are all gone, and it makes me glad. What about you, Dorothy, are your sins gone too? Can you say your verse now?”

Yes, Dorothy finished her verse,— “and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all,” she said, and she smiled with the tears still on her cheeks.

Many a Sunday had Dorothy run to Sunday School, and said her verse as fast as she could, without stopping to think. That one rainy Sunday she stopped for the first time to think that the true Word of God was really meant for herself, and thus she was saved that day for all eternity.

Reader, have you thought what these wonderful words mean? Have you learned that they are true for you?

“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” Isaiah 53:6.

ML 03/11/1951

Speak the Truth

There was a loud crash, and the sound of falling glass. Poor Freddie!’ He had been bouncing his new tennis ball against the wall of his home, and all at once, instead of hitting the wall, it went right through the back window. Freddie ran and found his tennis ball and then sat down on a big stone to think.

“Old Mary is busy upstairs,” thought Freddie, “and besides, she is so deaf at the best of times I’m sure she couldn’t have heard the crash. Mother is away visiting Uncle George, and I don’t think anybody saw what happened. If I am asked who did it, I won’t tell a lie. But if no one asks me—and I don’t think they will—there is no need for me to say anything about it.”

“Father would be angry, too,” he said, half aloud. “Perhaps, even, I might have to pay for the new glass with my own money. I think I shall just act as though I don’t know anything about it.”

Was Freddie right in thinking this way? Had anyone seen him throw his ball through the window? There is a verse in the Bible which says, “Thou God seest me.” All at once Freddie began to think about that verse, and then he remembered the story of Ananias and Sapphira, which he had heard at Sunday School. He could almost hear his teacher warning them that God hates lies whether we tell them, or just act them. He could almost hear him telling his boys that when they felt tempted to act or tell a lie, they must turn to the Lord Jesus and ask Him for help and strength to tell the truth.

With a rapid step he ran down the lane to meet his father, who had just appeared in the distance. As he ran, he silently asked for courage to tell his father just how the accident had happened.

“You’re quite out of breath, my boy,” said his father. “One would think you had something very important to tell me.”

“Yes, father, I am in a hurry to tell you something. I’m very sorry, but I have broken the hack window. I was tossing my new ball, and all at once it went right through the window. I am very sorry, Father.”

“That’s right my boy. Always come directly and tell of any mischief you have done. I would rather have every window in my house broken, than that my Freddie should tell a lie to hide his carelessness, or act a lie in order to save himself from blame.”

Then, as he walked along by his father’s side, Freddie told him how he had been tempted to keep silent about the, broken window, and of how he remembered that verse, “Thou God seest me.”

“My dear boy, I am so thankful that you have been taught to see how easily we may be guilty of the sin of falsehood, even without saying a word. Never trust in your own strength, but when tempted to do wrong, ask God to give you grace to resist the temptation.”

Remember, dear young reader, that the Lord Jesus, although He loved and Lied for sinners, still hates sin, and we must always remember that “Thou God seest me.”

“Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.” Psalm 120:2.

ML 03/11/1951

Not Forty Men!

Ellen was the youngest child of-Christian parents, who were anxious for their little daughter to know Jesus as her Saviour. One evening , while staying at home with her mother, they were reading the tenth chapter of John. Ellen said, “Mother, do you think Jesus would save me tonight if I were to ask Him?”

“Yes, certainly.”

“Well, Mother, it says here in this chapter, ‘No man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.’” John 10:29.

“No, because if you believe in Jesus, and take Him as your Saviour, you are in His hand; and then the Father’s hand is over His again, so that you are very safe.”

When Ellen went to bed, she said, “Mother, will you kneel with me while I ask Jesus to make me one of His own lambs?”

Mother was glad to kneel with Ellen, and soon Ellen could he heard telling the Lord Jesus about her naughty sinful heart, and thanking Him for dying on the cross for her sins. She told Jesus that she wanted to be saved and to be one of His own lambs.

“There, Mother, I knew Jesus would save me tonight before I went to bed. I wonder if Frank is saved, he has never told me so. I’m going to ask him.”

Frank was already in bed, but Ellen hurried into his room and said, “Brother Frank, are you saved? If not, you are lost—just think, Frank, Alice was saved on Sunday night, and Jesus saved me just now, and if you were to be saved too what rejoicing there would be in heaven. Are you saved, Frank?

‘Think, Frank, that I am in Jesus’ hand right now, and then the Father’s hand is over that again. I can’t feel it, I know, but no man can pluck me out of those hands—no, not forty men! Frank, are you asleep? Remember, if you lose this opportunity you may never have another.” Thus Ellen pleaded with her brother till twelve o’clock, so happy was she in the joy of being in her Father’s hand.

Dear boy or girl, I want. to ask you if you are in the Father’s hand? You are not too young to come to Jesus. Come now just as you are.

“I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:28.

ML 03/11/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 16:16-27

After sprinkling the blood on the mercy seat and before it, Aaron then cleansed the holy place. In virtue of Christ’s finished work God can now go on with His people even though the flesh is still in us, for we are not now in the flesh, but accepted in Him. The veil has now been rent, and we draw near as worshipers. Israel, however, has not entered into the good of all this, for the veil is still upon their hearts. It is not until they own Christ as their true Messiah, and the work He has finished as the ground of blessing, that blessing will come to them nationally. This will he when He comes to set up His kingdom in righteousness, and then, like Thomas, they will see and believe.

We now come to the scapegoat, which speaks to us of substitution. The first goat, as we remarked, was for the Lord’s lot, and opened up the way of blessing in meeting God’s claims against sin. There is, however, our personal need as sinners, our actual sins which must he put away, and this we see in the scapegoat. The Lord Jesus died for ALL, but the Scripture never says that He bore the sins of all, but of MANY. (Isaiah 53:12.) And so here in our chapter the actual sins of the children of Israel were confessed over the head of the scapegoat by the high priest, and then the goat was let go by the hand of a fit man to carry them to a land not inhabited. Their sins were, as it were, carried away and forgotten. Surely this is just what the Lord Jesus has done for all those who believe in Him. He who is both our Great High Priest and our Scapegoat, has confessed and borne our sins in Calvary’s dark hours. They are now gone forever from the very memory of God, and the Holy Ghost is now a witness to us saying, “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17.

We have been noticing that all this which took place on the day of atonement in Israel was but a type and a shadow of the work of the Lord Jesus on Calvary, and how our hearts are bowed in worshiper as we think of it God’s claims have been fully met, a place of nearness for us as worshiper secured, while we rejoice in the fact that all our personal guilt has been fully met, so that our sins are gone never to be charged against us again. The notable contrast between the type and the reality is, however, that her in the type it had to be repeated agar every year, but NOW the perfect work of the Lord Jesus has been done “ONCE FOR ALL.” Hebrews 10:10. It is gloriously and forever complete, as is the perfect standing of every believer, even the feeblest.

After all this Aaron came out and offered his burnt offering and the but offering for the people. We, the Church as now in the holy of holies, have entered into the good of all this, but Israel, as we have remarked, will not be in the good of it until they see Him, coming as their Deliverer. Then they will know that His work has been accepted, and blessing will come to them in that day when they have truly afflicted their souls in repentance.

The bodies of the bullock and the goat whose blood had been brought into the sanctuary were then taken out and burned outside the camp. The camp was the place of earthly religious ceremony, but blessing must come through the despised One who suffered outside the gate. (Hebrews 13:12.)

ML 03/11/1951

The Best Home

This odd little house is a pretty good home, isn’t it? Father has made a straw roof and woven walls like a basket to keep out the rain and wind, and his little home stands on long legs to keep out the dampness in the rainy season. Mother has added a pair of curtains to the little unglassed window, and now it is ready for her family of seven children.

Some of our “Messages of Love” readers lie down to sleep in homes very much like that. Some of you have nice big houses with a furnace in the basement. But, big house or little house, you must leave it someday and never come back. Have you got another house, a “house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens?”

There’s a home for little children,
Above the bright blue sky;
Where Jesus reigns in glory,
A home of peace and joy.
No home on earth is like it,
Or can with it compare;
For everyone is happy,
Nor could be happier there.

There are tears even in kings palaces on earth, but everyone is perfectly happy in heaven. Do you know why? Because the blessed Lord Jesus is there. He died once, to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself; and now there is no sin in Heaven, and no sorrow.

Of course sin, even one sin, would spoil heaven right away, but only those children whose sins are put away through the death of the blessed Saviour are allowed to live in that happy home above.

Is there a place for you in that home above the bright blue sky? Jesus, who died for sinners, is waiting to forgive and cleanse you; so that you can say,

“WE KNOW THAT... WE HAVE A HOUSE NOT MADE WITH HANDS, ETERNAL IN THE HEAVENS.” 2 Corinthians 5:1.

ML 03/18/1951

No More a Stranger

Many years ago, before there were any railroads, people used to travel by boat and by horseback. In those far-away days, everyone who visited the town of Cincinnati came by boat.

One sunny afternoon a boat arrived from Pittsburg. There was a company of people on board who were coming to live in Cincinnati, and they had friends who were waiting for the boat to dock. As soon as the new corners stepped on shore, they were surrounded by friends and warmly welcomed.

But in that company which had just arrived, there was one who was a stranger. He had no friends, or anyone who knew him in Cincinnati. He had been feeling rather lonely as the boat came down the river, but he felt ten times more lonely now. What would he do? The crowd was beginning to scatter, and suddenly he called out,

“Friends, if there are any of you who love the Lord Jesus Christ, I am your brother.”

In a moment, half a dozen of them were at his side. They welcomed hint to Cincinnati, and to their homes. How different he felt now! Instead of being lonely, he felt quite at home, because he had found those who loved the Lord Jesus Christ.

How real and precious is the bond that is felt between those who belong to the Lord Jesus. Can you say that you are a brother or sister to those who love the Lord Jesus? Do you like to Le in the company of those who wish to talk about Him? Remember, the Word of God says, “Unto you therefore which believe He is precious.” 1 Peter 2:7.

“Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26.

ML 03/18/1951

Little Marion

One Sunday afternoon when our Sunday School was gathering for classes, a new scholar was brought in. She was just eleven years old, with rosy cheeks and a happy smile. She soon made friends with all, and was known as “Little Marion.”

Marion came every Sunday for some weeks, and then one day her teacher asked her to stay behind for a chat. As they talked together, the teacher found that the child whom they had all learned to love was not saved.

“How can a little girl understand enough, teacher? There is plenty of time yet. I don’t want to come to Jesus until I get a little older.”

Four months later, little Marion’s mother lay dying, and with her last breath she begged her dear girl to open her heart’s door and let the Saviour in. But Marion still held out and would not heed His voice.

Two years went by. One day her teacher had a letter from little Marion in which she said,

“I am not well, and always feel so tried, and so unhappy too. I do want belong to Jesus Christ. If only my name was in the Bible I would be quite sure that Jesus loved me, and died for me, but I can’t believe it is really for me. Do pray for me.”

You may be sure the teacher did pray for her pupil, as she had done many times before. A little later another note came asking her teacher to please call on her right away.

Down by a canal, with chilly damp sir filling a tiny room sat “little Marion.” Though her cheeks were still rosy, and her eyes bright, the teacher could see that she was a very, very sick girl.

“Teacher, the doctor says I’m very sick, and that I must go to the hospital, but I am not a bit afraid, for I have opened my heart to the Lord Jesus, and He has come in.”

“Did you find your name in the Bible then, after all?”

“Yes, teacher, it is there. I knew my Hits were great, and I so longed to be at rest and peace, and then one night that text came to me with new meaning, ‘Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.’ John 6:37. I believed and I say it over and over again when Satan tells me I am a sinner. I am just fourteen years old, and I think I am going to die, but I am so glad to know that I am ready. Isn’t the Lord Jesus kind to let me know that He loves me so well? Nurse says I may be gone before morning.”

“Little Marion” was right. Before sunrise her young body was at rest, and her spirit had entered the presence of her Lord and Saviour.

Dear children, do not wait until you are better, or older, or wiser, but let Christ who loved and died for sinners have your love, your life, your all, while you are still young.

“Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 3:7,8.

ML 03/18/1951

Faith's Amen

Most boys and girls find that the hook of Revelation is not very easy to understand. Indeed, I don’t ever remember taking any part of it with the girls in our Sunday School class, except for one week, and I shall not forget it.

We were reading in the first chapter, and when we came to the 5th verse we stopped for a while, wishing to talk of the preciousness of those words, “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him he glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” After speaking for a while of the glorious knowledge of being cleansed from our sins by the blood of Jesus, finally asked whether there was one among them who could say “Amen” to those wonderful words, that is, to accept them as her own.

“Who of you rests your salvation entirely upon the blood of the Lord Jesus, so that you can say of Him, ‘He has washed me from my sins?’”

Of course, I could not look into the hearts of those young girls to see what was going on there, but that same day one of them came to me and told me that she had found the Saviour and had accepted His salvation.

“I just put my ‘Amen’ to that verse we had in our class, and took Jesus as my own Saviour.”

Will you do the same, dear young reader? Accept now the precious Saviour whose blood cleanseth from all sin.

ML 03/18/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 16:27-18:30

We were noticing last week how the bodies of the animals whose blood had been brought into the sanctuary were burned outside the camp. We, who have entered into the value of that blessed perfect Sacrifice on Calvary, should recognize that our place is outside, too. We are surrounded with organized religious ceremony on every hand, but may we learn that our blessed Saviour was crucified outside of all this, and that He calls us to come out to Him, hearing His reproach. This the remnant of Israel will have to acknowledge in a coming day, before they are brought into their place of earthly blessing in the millennial temple. May we, in this present dispensation, be satisfied to share the outside place with Him, knowing that He took it for us in wondrous grace.

On this day of atonement no work was to be done, but they were to afflict their souls. Surely this is the only way of blessing for the sinner. There is nothing his guilty hands can do, for the work has all been done by another—the blessed Son of God, He must, however, take his true place before God, “afflicting his soul” in repentance, and owning of his guilt, and then believe in what the Lord Jesus has clone; just as the guilty Israelite must learn that another, the high priest alone, could enter in to make an atonement for him. If the one who reads these lines is unsaved, may you learn TODAY what Christ has done for you.

The next chapter (chapter 17) tells us of that watchfulness which is necessary lest the heart should be turned away from the Lord. We have learned what grace has done to meet us in our need, but how easily the heart can forget the claims of God and act in independence. The life was in the blood, and the children of Israel were never to forget this, so that no offerings were to be made in the held, but brought to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. There was always the danger of their secretly departing from the Lord, as there is, alas, with us; but it in all things we seek to remember His claims, we are kept and preserved. If in hunting they caught any beasts or birds, the blood was to be shed and covered with dust. This would remind us that at school, or even in our fun, we should never forget to put the Lord and His claims first.

The children of Israel were thee; warned not to copy the nations around them, but to walk in obedience to the Word of God. This is another danger with us all; we are liable to do thing because others do them, without first being sure that such things are pleasing to the Lord. Boys and girls will say “everybody does it,” and alas even older ones say this too. The Lord particularly told the children of Israel that they were not to copy the nations, for He wanted to bless them, and He could not bless them in the path of disobedience. In the rest of the chapter the people were warned against certain sins, for the Lord knows all the secrets of our lives. Everything done in the dark is known to Him just as though it were done in the light, and the day is coming “when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” Romans 2:16. Little do men and women realize the awful judgment that is soon to fall upon these favored lands of Christendom, and as we see the darkness increasing, and man’s evil coming more and more into the open, we know that the judgment is drawing nearer.

ML 03/18/1951

Thorns

Our picture today with its lovely apple blossoms reminds me of a schoolyard where beautiful wild roses bloomed along the fence. Some of the school children had pinned a few in their hair and then ran to show the teacher what they had done.

The teacher smiled, but Dorothy held up a bleeding finger. “Why do roses have thorns?” she asked.

“Thorns and sin go together,” said lie teacher. “There were no thorns in the garden of Eden until Adam sinned, and then God cursed the ground for loan’s sake, and sent thorns and thistles upon it.”

Dorothy’s sore finger still hurt, so the teacher added, “Jesus knows about that. He wore a crown of thorns once upon His holy head, and the soldiers smote Him with a reed to make it worse.”

“I wish there weren’t any thorns,” said Joy.

“We deserve them, but Jesus didn’t,” answered the teacher. “He bore the curse of sin when He died on the cross. Then. He went back to heaven where there is no sin and no thorns, and He is waiting now, ready to welcome you to His home. We deserve the curse and the thorns, but if we come to the Saviour who bore it for us, we will be cleansed from all sin which God hates. Don’t you love the Lord Jesus for doing that for you?”

“I love Him,” said Geraldine.

“WHO HIS CWN SELF BARE OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BODY ON THE TREE.” 1 Peter 2:24.

ML 03/25/1951

Package of Mixed Seed

Have you any seeds of kindness for sale?” The storekeeper looked very puzzled, but he could see that the little fellow who had asked the question was waiting for a reply.

“Seeds of kindness—what are those?” “I don’t know what they look like, but in our Sunday School we sing—

‘Then scatter seeds of kindness

For our reaping by and by.’

I have a little garden, and I want to plant some kindness seeds.”

“Oh, those come in a mixed package,” said the storekeeper, and he took a big book from a shelf.

“That looks like a Bible,” said the little boy. And sure enough that is what it was.

“Let me see. I think I will find that package of seeds in 2 Peter 1:5-7. Yes, here it is—see if you can read it for me.”

The little chap read aloud and solemnly, “And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.”

“Eight kinds of seeds in this package, you see,” said the man.

“But aren’t there any real seeds that I can plant? Does it just mean that you are to be kind to people?”

“Yes, that is what it means. But first of all, I want to know if you have ever taken the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, for you see the whole thing begins with faith, and “without faith it is impossible Bible to please (God).” Heb. 11:6.

“Yes, I am only seven years old, but I know the Lord Jesus as my owl Saviour. He has washed away all my sins.”

“That is good. Now if you want to please the Lord Jesus, your Saviour, you can scatter the seeds that you find in that verse. All the kind deeds in the world will not make any boy or girl ready to stand before God. But you tell me that Jesus is your Saviour, so now you can be kind and loving to please Him.”

Dear reader, have you first of all come to Jesus by faith and taken Him as your Saviour? If so, remember. that He watches your young life and likes to see you seeking to live to please Him.

“Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:11.

ML 03/25/1951

"Will God Go to Sleep?"

Mother had just kissed her little Ethel good night and turned out the light. It was a bright clear night and the moon was shining in the window.

“Mother, is the moon God’s light?” “Yes, Ethel dear, God’s light is always burning.”

“Will God blow out His light and go to sleep too?”

“No, little one, His light never goes out, and He never goes to sleep. He will be watching you all night.”

“I’m glad, Mother. While God is awake, I am not afraid.”

Little reader, does it make you happy to think that God is watching you? I know a great many people who wish that God couldn’t see them. God’s Word says, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3.

ML 03/25/1951

"Who is on the Lord's Side?"

There was a sad state in the camp of Israel when this question was asked Moses had gone up into the mount of God where he was receiving the instructions for the building of the tabernacle, and he had been there for forty days. It was a period of severe testing for the people. They had been delivered out of Egypt some time bore and had sung redemption’s song on the banks of the Red Sea. They had walked for many days and months through the wilderness with Moses as their leader, but now he was gone—they did not know where. They had always looked to him—to “this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt.” Exodus 32:1. Their eyes had been upon man instead of upon the Lord, and now they were about to be tested in this. Now Moses their leader was gone—what would they do? And so they decided to make a golden calf and worship it, for they wanted to worship something they could see. Now God is a holy God, so holy that He cannot have sin in His presence, but along with the worship of this golden calf they could go on with all kinds of sin. They could eat and drink and play with sin as much as they wished, and this is what they wanted, for man likes a religion like that. There was no check. Such is the world, dear young reader. They do not mind religion, in fact they feel the need of it, but they want to live in their sins at the same time. They like the form without the power.

This was the condition into which the camp of Israel had fallen, and this is the condition into which Christendom is quickly falling today, if it has not already done so. It is a period of testing for us.

As Moses came to the gate of the camp he issued a call. He stood still and shouted, “Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me.” Exodus 32:26. What a challenge this was to everyone in the camp, for each one must take sides. The camp must now be divided into two parts; those who were on the Lord’s side and those who were not. There was no neutrality in this matter. It was no time for neutrality—it was a time for action. Every man was either for, or against, and he must decide quickly.

The sons of Levi came and stood by Moses. They had seen all that was going on in the camp and they felt it keenly, but now the time had come for a definite Stand and for definite action, and so they were ready and listening for instructions.

Dear young Christian, have you heard a similar call? The world is becoming darker and darker, and open sin and apostasy are on the increase. Can you go on with the world, its ways, and its pleasures any longer? Can you join hands with this wicked scene which crucified the blessed Son of God, and choose their “idols” instead of Him? Do you not hear the call. NOW, “Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me.” It is a time for action—for definite decision for Christ. If you do not act, you will miss the way and, oh, what sorrows await you.

You are not called to a cold isolationism, or an empty formalism. It is a Person who calls you—who wants you near Him, who wants you to serve Him.

The sons of Levi were told to put their swords by their sides and go in and out through the camp, using them first upon their brethren, then upon their companions, then upon their neighbors. It is a time for action TODAY—let us stand definitely and boldly on the Lord’s side.

ML 03/25/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 19:1-17

This chapter gives us many instructions as to our treatment of one another. To the children of Israel it was law; “Thou shalt” and “Thou shalt not,” but we have learned in Christianity that we are not under law but under grace. Nevertheless, that which was morally suited to God in His dealings with Israel is unchanged, for God’s moral character never changes. He has said, “I am the Lord, I change not.” Malachi 3:6. The law demanded of man that which he was unable to give, for his fallen nature is at “enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:7. A man must be born again before he can please God at all, and then the new man delights in obedience. It does not need a law, but rather finds its joy in the paths of righteousness.

There is, however, much that is needful wisdom for us, and we do well to ponder it in a day and age when there is a tendency to forget that consideration for one another which should be seen among the children of God. If we walk in the Spirit these precious fruits will he produced without effort. (Gal. 5:22.) The children of Israel were never to forget the poor and the stranger, and were to leave a little in the corners of their fields for them. How tender the grace of God that would think of the needs of such and remind its of them. In all His greatness He never forgets the needs of any of His creatures, for not even a sparrow falls to the ground without His notice, and we who are His children ought to show the same tenderness. There was also to be that consideration for the deaf and blind. Undoubtedly we would not “curse the deaf,” but do we as Christians think of them? Do we try to speak loudly enough so that they can hear? Alas, how often a person who is a little deaf will come to a meeting of believers and hear or little nothing of what is said simply because the one or ones who were speaking did not put forth a little extra effort to speak so that all could hear. These little things are not forgotten of God our Father who thinks of the needs of His creatures, and is kind even to the unthankful (Luke 6:35.).

Another thing we are reminded of is the danger of being a talebearer. Perhaps there is nothing that has caused so much harm among the children of God as talebearing. Even boys and girls need to be warned against this habit, for it grows on one until he or she becomes known as one who minds everyone’s business but his own. Pele have been driven from gospel meetings and other meetings simply because someone did a great deal of unnecessary talking. Let us all watch against this habit, and if something comes to our ears which is not profitable, let it stop right there and go no further.

The next verse gives us a sort of balance for what we have just spoken about. Although we are not to repeat things, we are not to be indifferent to evil. If we know that someone is falling into sinful ways, we ought to go and speak to them about it. We need to be careful how we do it, and it should always be in a sense of our own weakness, (Gal. 6:1), but we should not let it pass. How many a person would be saved a, disastrous course if, instead of talebearing, we went to them in hive and sought their restoration.

ML 03/25/1951

Springtime Blossoms

Aunt Annie had lain in bed for years. There was a scent of springtime coming in her open window, and a branch of beautiful dogwood blossoms by her bedside. Little Joan had brought them. She loved to share everything with dear old Aunt Annie.

“Do you know,” said the old lady, as she looked from the flowers to her bright little visitor, “I think you are like a bit of springtime yourself.”

“Why Aunt Annie, I’m a little girl.”

“Yes, Joanie, but you’re pink and white, and growing fast, just like flowers in spring. I suppose I am like autumn,” she added.

Joan stroked the thin old hand. “Why are you like autumn, Aunt Annie?”

“Because I am wrinkled and old and weak, like the flowers when they are dying in the fall. What comes after autumn, Joanie?”

“Winter,” said Joan. “And then the flowers are all dead. Is that what comes next for you?” she added, with a troubled look into the old lady’s face.

Aunt Annie’s lips smiled, and her eyes smiled too, “Yes, dear, if the Lord doesn’t come, death comes next. Then I am going to live with the Lord Jesus.” Aunt Annie was lost in thought for a moment, when the little girl asked, “Is Mommy springtime, too?”

“I think Mommy is summertime, when the flowers are in full bloom. But you know, Joan, some flowers die in the spring, and some in the autumn.”

Joan looked up into the dear old face. “It doesn’t make you sad,” she said.

“It does when I think of those who are not going to live with the Lord Jesus. But I’m glad to be able to invite them to come, and I long to go myself.”

“You know,” added the old lady, turning again to the lovely blossoms, “nothing ever dies in heaven, and yet it’s only through death that we can go there at all—through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, who died that we might live. He died and rose again, and now my place is with Him, where there is no more death.”

Boys and girls, are you coming with us to the land where there is no more death, because Jesus died? If you are without Christ, you have certain death before you, and then the second death which is the lake of fire. If you. will have Christ as your Saviour, then you will have eternal life now.

“VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, HE THAT HEARETH MY WORD, AND BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT SENT ME, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE.” John 5:24.

ML 04/01/1951

Theodore

The little boy whose story I am about to tell you was, born in France about two hundred and fifty years ago. His father and mother were very rich, and very worldly. They did not fear God, awl spent their time in pleasure with no thought of the eternity that was before them.

Happily for little Theodore, he was not brought up by his ungodly parents. He was a thin delicate little fellow and so he was given into the care of his mother’s cousin. This cousin was one who had early learned to know and love the Lord Jesus. She belonged to those persecuted, but godly people, the Waldenses. They lived hidden away amongst the mountains, where they could read their Bibles and worship God in the way in which they believed pleasing to Him.

It was a very happy Christian how, where Theodore was brought up. He learned to call these kind people who were caring for him, Father and Mother. Maria, his new mother, often prayed that he might grow up to be a true servant of God. She soothed him to sleep by singing sweet hymns, and she taught him, when a very little child about the love of God in sending His only begotten Son into the world to die for poor sinners. God heard Maria’s prayer, for when Theodore was yet very young, he accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, and showed by his obedient and gentle behavior that he wished to live to please the Lord Jesus.

It was a happy peaceful life with kind Maria, her Christian husband Claude, and their two little boys. They were not rich, but they all helped together with the work of the home. Every day Claude gave them lessons in reading and writing, and he taught them to sing psalms and hymns. When the work and the lessons for the day were over, the boys often went with Claude to visit some of the poor people who lived in the cottages scattered through the valley. There they would listen while he was speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His love to sinners. He told them of the sinfulness of the heart of man, and bow it was not possible to save themselves; then now God loved us and sent His Son the Lord Jesus to die for sinners.

On the way home, Claude would teach the boys the names of the trees and the flowers and the birds. And he would always tell them that all these things spoke to us of God’s wisdom and power.

Thus Theodore passed his days until he was twelve years old when a great change came into his life, but I must wait until the next chapter to tell you about it.

ML 04/01/1951

Bible Questions for April

1. “I will in no wise cast out.”

2. “As many as received Him.”

3. “AN that are in the graves.”

4.“Whatsoever He saith unto you.”

5.“Those things that please Him.”

6.“He that believeth not the Son.”

7.“I am the door.”

The Young People’s Class Pride

God hates pride; and yet, alas, it something which is found in every one of our hearts so that we need to be constantly before the Lord judging it. Pride may show itself in many ways. Some show it in their faces, while others are equally as proud just because they know a little more about the Scriptures than others. Then there are those who are proud of their humility; and it is only as we walk with God that we will discover and judge these things.

Very many of our sorrows come through wounded pride. We like to be made a great deal of, and to feel that we are really “somebody.” Alas, even what is called “Inferiority Complex”—a high-sounding name! — is too often just pride in another form. It is a sort of hurt feeling because we think we are not as good-looking, or have not the same ability as others, when we should be content to be nothing.

As Christians we all say we are nothing, but we don’t like others to say it or think it of us, do we? May the Lord give us grace to judge these little manifestations of that which is so hateful to Him, learning in His presence to be content with what He has given us, and with where He has placed us. It is only “by the grace of God I am what I am.” 1 Cor. 15:10. Let us remember that pride makes ourselves, as well as others, unhappy, and above all it grieves the heart of God who must deal with it in His children.

1. What is the first of the seven things which are an abomination to the Lord? Prov. 6.

2.How does God act toward the proud? 1 Peter.

3.What goes before destruction and a fall? Prov. 16.

4.What three things were Sodom’s iniquity? Ezek. 16.

5.What causes contention? Prov. 13.

6. What has God purposed about man’s pride? Isaiah 23.

7. Give the name of a man who was misjudged as acting in pride when he was not. 1 Samuel 17.

ML 04/01/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 19:18-21;21

Another thing we are told about here is that we are never to “pay back” an unkindness done to us, nor are we to hold a grudge. Needless to say, the Christian has a higher motive for his conduct than the children of Israel, for the love of Christ is to constrain us in all we do. Then, too, we have the power for a godly walk, for we are indwelt by the Spirit of God. And yet, alas, we seem to forget the wondrous love of Christ that has been made known to us when we deserved only judgment, and we do not draw upon our resources of power many times. Yes, even Christians “pay back” in a most unkind way, and will hold a grudge for years against someone who has done them a wrong. Can it be that those who profess to be brothers and sisters in Christ, and to know they have passed from death unto life because they love the brethren, (1 John 3:14), should act so toward one another? If anyone, whether young or old, who is reading this paper has such a feeling toward another Christian (or even toward an unbeliever) may you seek grace to settle it before another day passes. There will be no growth or blessing in your soul until you do, be assured of that!

The children of Israel were told not to have mixtures in-their cattle (their business), in their field (their daily work), nor in their clothes (the nearest; things of life). God wants us to be wholeheartedly for Him, just as He wanted the children of Israel to be His people—all for Himself. (Exodus 19:4.)

Everything in God’s Word is important; but we are only calling particular attention to a few of the points in our chapter. In verse 32 The children of Israel were told to rise up before the hoary head and to honor the face of the old Mall, We are living in days when there is little respect for old age, and We believe a word here is necessary for those who are children of God. We should never speak disrespectfully to an older person. Even if he or she makes a mistake, as older people do at times, we should ALWAYS speak to them in a courteous and respectful way, even to correct them. We should help them in every way necessary and this applies especially to our parents whom God tells us we should honor at all times.

In the following chapter we are reminded once again that the Lord knows all the secrets of our lives. Sometime, boys and girls, and older people too. act as though God did not see their, but let us remember that “all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do,” Hebrews 4:13. He can see what we do in the dark just as well as what we do in the light; but because He is patient and does not act in judgment at once, let us not suppose that He does not see and know (Eccl. 8:11).

In chapter 21 we notice that there was a special conduct and suitability for one who was a priest. Now in Christianity every believer is a priest, but there is, nevertheless, a greater responsibility upon one who takes the place of a leader. (James 3:1.) Any of us who take such a place ought to be especially careful that our walk does not hinder our talk. If we are careless about little things, we may he sure others will notice it, and the truth of God will be brought into reproach. Needless to say every believer should be exercised about these things, but especially those who are active in the Lord’s service. (1 Tim. 3:7; 4:16.)

ML 04/01/1951

The Kitten's Mistake

Freddie was having a grand time on his holidays. He was staying with his father and mother in a cabin by a beautiful lake. And that was just what Freddie wanted, for he loved to fish. He didn’t have a very expensive fishing rod with a fancy reel, but just a line and a hook on the end of a bamboo pole.

He was steeping one night when the sound of something crying woke him up. Slipping out of bed he found his flashlight and ran quickly to the door. What a strange sight he saw! There was his pole leaning against the side of the cabin, and at the end of the line his kitten was caught. She was pawing at her mouth as she tried to pull away from the hook, but of course the more she pulled the more she hurt herself.

Kneeling beside her Freddie quickly and carefully loosened the hook from her sore mouth. When at last she was free she crept away and curled up into a little ball in a dark corner. Perhaps she was wondering why that nice smelling little fish had hurt her mouth so!

No doubt the kitten would never have tried to eat the bait if she had known that there was a sharp hook hidden inside of it. Do you know, boys and girls, that Satan has baits which he is using to catch you with?

Some of his baits are: “Don’t hurry to be saved now—wait until you are older,” and another, “You can have a lot more fun if you don’t get saved.” These, and many others, he whispers into the ears of young people, and then, too, he uses bad habits to catch people; but inside of each bait is the sharp hook of sin from which we can never get away by ourselves.

The Lord Jesus wants to save you and set you free if you will come to Him and trust Him. God says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36.

“BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, EVEN TO THEM THAT BELIEVE ON HIS NAME.” John 1:12.

ML 04/08/1951

Theodore

I told you last week of how little I Theodore was brought up in the beautiful Waldensian valley. But when he was twelve years old, one evening a stranger came to the quiet home of Claude. He brought a letter from Theodore’s father, the Marquis of Bellemont, asking that the young lad be at once returned to his parents.

When the letter was read, all the family began to cry. Poor little Theodore could not speak for some time from sorrow. He looked on his dear father and mother, as he had always called Claude and Maria, he looked on the two boys who had been to him as brothers, and on the hills and valleys that he had loved so well and cried out, “Oh! must I leave you? Can’t I always stay here and serve God in this happy home?”

“No, my dear boy, you must go,” said Claude, “the Marquis is your father, and you must obey him; but my heart aches to lose you, and to think of the temptations that are before you.”

“And yet,” said Maria, wiping he: eyes, “we may have confidence in God that our boy for whom we have prayed so much will be kept from evil. Surely He is able to keep that which we commit to Him.”

The next day, Claude took him by the hand and led him away into a solitary place among the hills. There he talked long and lovingly to him of the dangers and temptations which were before him. After explaining to him that his parents had no thought of God, or of the life to come, he pointed out to him how he might, by walking before them in humility and holiness, be used of God to their salvation. Before he returned to the cottage, he gave Theodore a little Bible in a small velvet bag which he himself had received from his father. In these days, through the mercy of God, Bibles are so coon that every little boy and girl may have one. But in those days Bibles were very scarce and very difficult to get, and Theodore knew this.

But the time came all too quickly for the sad parting. Theodore was dressed in a fine suit and mounted on a horse, and was taken away to the carriage of the Marquis. As they passed down the valley the poor child’s heart was ready to break, and he did not heed the words of the servant who kept telling him of all the grand things he would see and do in Paris.

After several days’ journey they arrived in Paris. Theodore’s father and mother were delighted with their little son. They hugged and kissed him, and praised his appearance and his good manners. But the boy felt very shy and as soon as they would let him go, he went right off to bed. He was shown to a beautiful large bedroom, and as soon as the servant left him, he knelt down and asked earnestly that God would keep him in the midst of all this temptation. Then, reading a chapter in his little Bible, his heart was comforted and he soon fell asleep.

The next morning his mother asked him many questions, and he told her of his happy life with Maria and Claude and the boys, and he also told her of the Lord Jesus who had saved him, and whom he wished to serve. His mother laughed at him and said, “You need not think of religion yet for many years. All you have to do is enjoy all the pleasures around you.”

“But,” said Theodore, “are there not many children who die when they are no older than I am?” His mother had no answer.

And so the boy was kept very busy with all the things that his parents wished him to learn and do.

ML 04/08/1951

"I've Forgotten!"

The office was very busy with the click of typewriters and the ringing of the telephones. All at once a very important man walked in and asked for an interview with one of the officials. While waiting for his inteiew, the man sat down and suddenly look very sick. He called out, “I’ve forgotten! I’ve forgotten!” A doctor was called in who did what he could for him, but still he kept calling, “I’ve forgotten! I’ve forgotten!”

What could he have forgotten? Someone suggested his lawyer should he called. The lawyer quickly was brought in, and tried to find out what the man had forgotten. At last, with an awful look of terriff the morn cried. out, “I’ve forgotten about may soul!” and he fell dead into the arms of the doctor.

How awful to pass from time into eternity with such words on the lips.

Many people make great and careful plans for themselves and for their families down here, but never think. about where they are going to spend eternity.

The best time to think about your soul and eternity is when you are very young, and that is why we tell this story to children. Your soul is going to live on and on as long as God lives, and that is forever and ever.

God cares about your soul; He gave His only Son the Lord Jesus for you.

Jesus cares about your soul: He died in love and pity to wash away the sins of all who will put their trust in Him. Perhaps, too, the one who gave you this paper has been praying for your salvation.

Think, dear young reader, if you go on to hell, you go past the cross of Calvary, and all the anguish of the Saviour there. You pass the infinite love of God expressed there, as though it were nothing.

The Lord Jesus says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.

ML 04/08/1951

Should I Do It?

Sometimes boys and girls wonder if it is wrong to go to certain places. And they ask if it is wrong to do this or that. A very simple and plain way to decide is to ask this question,

“Would I want to take Jesus there with me? Can I feel that, if the Lord Jesus Christ were to come, He would be pleased with what I am doing?”

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3.

ML 04/08/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 21:22-23:2

We were speaking last week about the special responsibility of one who is a leader, and we would like to just mention how this should exercise each one of us. One who was born into the priestly family had to watch against defilements and other things which would hinder his service, and so we have to be watchful, especially when we are young, that we do not get mixed up in some association or relationship which will hinder our usefulness in later years. How many a young believer has, through carelessness, taken some step which has made him a “lame priest” the rest of his life. Oh, may the Lord help us to walk humbly and in dependence upon Him so that we may he kept! His Word says, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not, in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Jer. 10:23. Then, because of this, the prayer of the dependant man is, “Preserve me, O God: for in Thee do I put my trust.” Psalm 16:1.

We notice that care must be taken as to who would eat of the holy things. It would remind us that holiness always becomes God’s house, and that we should confess our sins at once, as believers, and be restored. We cannot enjoy communion with the Lord when there is unjudged sin in our lives, any more than the priests in Israel could eat of the holy things when defiled, but how good to know that when we have judged and owned our sin before the Lord, we are restored at once.

Another thing we notice in our chapter is that nothing with a blemish was to be offered to the Lord. The sacrifices had to be without blemish, for they typified Christ, and God would ever uphold the glory of His Son. He was the holy, spotless Lamb of God; and anything that, typified Him must be spotless too. No doubt there is also another lesson for us in these instructions, and that is that we should not keep the best for ourselves and offer the rest to the Lord. A young man (or young woman) who uses the best years of his life living for self and self-interests, and then gives the Lord the end of his life when his health is broken and his energy gone, is doing something like this. Or perhaps when going to school to give the best of one’s energies to school and studies while neglecting the Lord’s interests, is surely offering the lame to the Lord. What a privilege it is, on the other hand, to be saved while we are young, and to spend the be years of our lives (humanly speaking in living for and serving so blessed a Master—even the One who gave up all for us. The children of Israel were therefore reminded of what the Lord had done for them in bringing them up out of the land of Egypt to be near Him as His people.

The next, chapter is one full of instruction for us, but we will only be able to speak of it briefly. It gives us, in type, an outline of all God’s ways up to the final bringing in of blessing on the millennial earth. It begins by telling us of the sabbath—a picture of the rest yet to come—and then immediately begins again with the Passover, typical of the redemptive work of Christ, the true Lamb of God, as the ground—the beginning—of all blessing, whether for Israel or for any creature of Adam’s race. We will, with the Lord’s help, go through these feasts in the weeks to follow.

ML 04/08/1951

"Call Ye Upon Him"

“Daddy, Daddy,” called a little voice all alone in the middle of the night.

“Yes, Son,” and Daddy was by his side in a minute. “What do you want?”

“I want you, Daddy. Don’t go away.”

Perhaps most of our little readers and older ones too, know what it is to feel lonely like that. The Lord Jesus understands perfectly, and He wants us to call upon Him, just like that.

Will He hear, if we call? We cannot see Him with our eyes, but He will certainly hear, for His Word says, “Call ye upon Him while He is near.” You cannot hear Him with your ears, but when you believe that God’s Word is true, then you know that He hears your call and comes. That is what we mean by “faith”—believing when we cannot see.

Our verse says to call upon Him “while He is near,” Is He not always near?

Yes, but after death, there is a great gulf fixed between you and the blessed Lord, if you die unsaved. That is why it is very important to call upon Him now, “while He is near.”

But I am a sinner, Will He listen to me? It is sinners like you who really need Him. Those who think they don’t need a Saviour, never really call upon Him at all, until they are lost in outer darkness, and then He is far away. But He is near now, listening for your call. Are you a sinner, lost and alone? Call upon Him. He knows your sin and He died to save you. Oh, call ye upon Him while He is near.

“SEEK YE THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND, CALL YE UPON HIM WHILE HE IS NEAR.” Isaiah 55:6.

ML 04/15/1951

Theodore

It was a sad trial to poor Theodore, as you may imagine, to find that his parents were plunging deeper and deeper into sin. The Marquis had, for some reason, become offended with the king of France, and he used to invite many of his friends to the house and there they spoke evil of the king and planned to do him harm.

These people met at the home of the Marquis almost every evening and here they would play cards and drink and speak of the king in shocking language. Now such conduct against the king is called treason, and it was not long before this treason of the Marquis became known to the king. One night, without any warning, a company of armed soldiers rode up to the home of the Marquis and arrested him.

It happened in the middle of the night. Poor Theodore and his mother were also aroused out of their sleep and ordered to come with the Marquis, into a waiting carriage, there to be taken away to prison. Theodore quickly put on his clothes, and took his Bible in his hand, and then knelt to ask God to take care of him. As the carriage rattled through the night, the Marquis railed against the king, his wife wept and sobbed, and Theodore remained silent. secretly praying to God to make these afflictions a blessing to his dear father and mother.

After several days’ journey, they reached a large strong castle on the top of a lofty rock. The guard took them into a large barred room, and commanded them never to leave. It was in the dark of night, and there was just one tiny lamp hanging from the ceiling. Theodore immediately knelt down and told all his troubles to his heavenly Father, and then went right to sleep. His father and mother spent the night complaining and thinking of nothing but their misery.

When Theodore awoke, the sun was streaming into the room, and he ran eagerly to the window, and found to his. delight that he could see beautiful hills and valleys and woods, which reminded him of his life with Maria and Claude. As he stood and looked, he thanked God with all his heart that they were not locked in some dark dungeon as so many often were in those days.

Presently his father awoke, and complained of feeling sick. He rapidly grew worse and worse, and for many days he lay at the point of death. Theodore never left him. He waited on him tenderly, giving him his medicine and carefully following all the directions of the doctor who came to see him. In time, the sick man began to improve, and then his boy would tell him stories of the happy days with Claude and Maria, and of their happy faith and trust in the Lord Jesus.

“That may be,” replied the sick man, “But Claude and Maria were very good people. They always led holy lives and never had any sins to trouble their consciences. But I have many evil things to remember, and if there is a place of punishment in the next world, that is where I shall surely go.”

“Oh, dear father, you are mistaken. The Bible says ‘there is none good, no, not one,’ and I know that dear Claude and Maria have done wrong things too, but they have learned that God so loved them that He sent the Lord Jesus Christ down into this world to die for their sins, and now they trust in Him and they know that all their sins are gone forever. And you can come to the Lord Jesus with all your sins too, and they will be all washed away in His precious blood.”

Theodore then brought his own Bible over to his father and asked if he might be allowed to read some to him. Happily the sick man agreed, and eagerly he listened, but I must wait till next week to tell you the result.

ML 04/15/1951

The Mountain of the Cross

About 150 miles west of the city of Denver, in Colorado, is one of the most celebrated peaks of the Rocky Mountains. It is called “The Mountain of the Cross.” Near the top of the mountain may be seen a huge white cross. This is formed by two immense clefts in the rock, into which the winter snows fall, and where they never melt, so drat even in mid-summer this striking appearance of a large white cross may be seen.

Some years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Strachan came over from Scotland to visit Mr. Strachan’s brother, who lived in Denver. During their stay, they were invited to drive out and see “The Mountain of the Cross.” It was a pleasant drive, and soon they came in sight of the well-known mountain. They all stood and looked for some time, and then the Scottish visitors lifted up their voices and sang,

“The Cross, the cross, the blood-stained cross,

The cross of Christ I see;

It tells me of the precious blood

That once was shed for me.

At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled a way;

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day.”

When they had finished their song, they looked round and found their brother wiping the tears from his eyes. Careless as to eternal things, buried in the things of the world as he was, that old-time hymn had awakened memories of the past. There as they stood amid the mighty grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, the Spirit of God stirred up the conscience of that unsaved man and brought him to the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ. The Christian couple told him afresh the wondrous story of the love of God in giving the Lord Jesus to die the shameful death of the cross. They told of the glorious results of that death and resurrection, of God’s offer of forgiveness to all who will bow and accept the Lord Jesus as their Saviour.

That very afternoon, at the foot of the Mountain of the Cross, that successful business man bowed and accepted Jesus as his own Saviour.

Perhaps the reader of this paper has often heard about the cross of Christ. Perhaps you have heard and. sung many hymns about it too, and although you may never see the “Mountain of the Cross” you may come by faith right now to the Living Saviour who died on the cross of Calvary, and find in Him the One who is willing and ready to save you.

“Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

ML 04/15/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 23:3-5

The Sabbath, as we noticed last week, is the first feast mentioned in our chapter, though in reality it was not a feast, but rather shows us God’s purpose of rest for the earth. God’s purposes must always come first, and He delights to look on to the rest He has in view for this sin-ruined earth. There is then a second beginning, if we might call it so, with the feast of the Passover. It comes first in the actual feasts, for it typifies Christ as the One who shelters all who believe from judgment, and by whom alone either Israel or ourselves can enter into rest. It is interesting and instructive to notice how God delighted to remind His people Israel, as He does all through the prophets, of the rest He longed to give them. Labor is the result of sin, but “there remaineth ... a rest to the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9. Israel’s rest is on earth, while ours is in heaven.

But let us look at these seven feasts of the Lord in their order. It is perfect and beautiful, as is everything in the Word. Primarily they refer to Israel—the present Church period coming in between the feast of Pentecost and the end of the harvest—but we can also apply much of what we have here to ourselves, for the work of Christ is the ground of all blessing, whether to Israel or the Church.

First, then, there is the Passover. It must come first, for it typifies what we have just mentioned—the redemptive work of Christ. There could be no blessing, but only judgment, apart from this, for God cannot pass over sin— it must be punished. But once the question of sin has been righteously settled, then God can “pass over” everyone who has taken shelter under the blood, for His Word says, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Exodus 12:13.

Surely the goodness of His heart came out in that. He Himself warned of the approaching judgment on Egypt and also provided a sure way of escape. And He has done the same for us today, for He has warned of eternal judgment and has Himself provided a Saviour, His own beloved Son, whose precious blood shelters all who believe from this judgment. Love always thinks of its objects and seeks their blessing, and how much greater the love of God than any human love!

The Passover feast was to be observed on the fourteenth day of the first month. God had changed their calendar when He told them to take the passover lamb in Egypt, just as He has “changed the calendar” of everyone who believes now. He makes a new beginning in our lives when we become new creatures in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5: 17); and a perfect beginning too, just as the feast of the passover was on the fourteenth day of the month—a double seven! it was never to be forgotten, and so each year they kept it again. Of course we know now that the work of Christ, which the Passover typified, is gloriously complete “once for all,” but how gladly we “break bread” on each first day of the week (Acts 20:7) to remember Him in His death—precious privilege till He comes! It was when the Lord Jesus gathered His own around Himself in that upper room to keep the last Passover that He instituted this precious feast of remembrance, the Lord’s Supper. How we who are saved delight to be reminded in this way of His sufferings and death for us.

ML 04/15/1951

Mr. Long Legs

The children called him Mr. Long Legs, and no wonder. The little sign on his cage said that he was a flamingo from Africa, but the boys and girls couldn’t read little signs, and they felt like laughing at him. What are his long legs for?

To wade in the water so that he can catch fish. But after all, his legs are not any longer than ours. Our legs are to hold our bodies up straight. He spends his life looking down, and so his legs look extra long. The animals and birds don’t stand straight up, as we do.

Why don’t they?

Well, God made them that way. God wants to show us that the animals belong to earth. But we must look forward and up. They live with their faces to the earth until they return to dust. Our bodies turn to dust too, but our spirit returns to God who gave it. Then we must give an account to God of the deeds done in the body.

God wants us to remember this, because He does not want to send us to the lake of fire for our sins. He wants us to come before Him joyfully, forgiven and justified through the blood of His dear Son who died for us on Calvary’s cross that we might be saved.

It is time to think about this now. The animals and birds look down, but it is time, right now, for you to look up and settle this question with God, who is ready to forgive you. Look up today, for that is the reason why God made you just as you are.

“BEHOLD, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME; BEHOLD, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML 04/22/1951

Theodore

I told you last week that Theodore’s father, lying weak in his prison bed, was willing to listen to a portion of the Bible each day.

Little by little he grew stronger in body, and after a good many weeks, he was able to get up and sit by the window. Here happy Theodore would sit by his side and sing some of the hymns that he had learned from Claude. “Dear Father and Mother, how happy we would all be if you only knew and trusted the Lord Jesus.”

When Theodore was finished reading his Bible, he always placed it within reach of his father, and he was pleased to see him reading it more and more each day, Sometimes too, the tears would run down the Marquis’ cheeks, and then, Theodore would silently pray still more earnestly for him.

At last one day, the Marquis said to his boy, “Theodore, I believe that to have peace with God is the greatest of all blessings. Had I all the wealth I once owned, I would gladly give it to be at peace with God. But I fear that I have sinned too much to be forgiven, I have blasphemed God and persecuted His people, and I can only feel that God must be my enemy.”

“No, Father, God is not your enemy, His love to you is so great that He gave His only and well-beloved Son to die for sinners. And He has promised, ‘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.

The tears flowed down those once-proud cheeks, and the Marquis knelt and poured out his heart to the God against whom he had sinned. He owned the wickedness of his ways, and thanked God for the gift of His Son, the Lord Jesus. For a long time he remained on his knees, and at the same time his dear boy also was on his knees, thanking God for answering his many prayers.

Presently, the father arose and went over to his boy, and kissed him warmly. “My dear Theodore,” he said brokenly, “you have been the means, under God, of bringing your poor sinful father to the knowledge of salvation through Christ Jesus.” Father and son wept together for joy.

And now what a change might have been seen in this once proud and insolent man. lie was humble and gentle and patient, accepting the punishment he was enduring without a murmur, as from the hand of a gracious God.

You are now wondering what happened to Theodore’s mother. It was a long time before she too bowed her stubborn heart and will. But you may be sure that father and son joined often in prayer that she too might know the joy that comes from trusting in the Lord Jesus. At last their prayers were answered and she too, through the work of the Holy Spirit, acknowledged herself a helpless sinner and bowed and accepted the Saviour of sinners.

Four years passed away, and the little family lived on in their prison in the forest. Then came a terrible sickness called smallpox. Theodore and his father both took sick and never recovered. They died trusting in the Lord Jesus as Saviour, and went home to be with Him. What a joy for those poor prisoners to find themselves free again, and in the presence of the Lord Jesus!

The Marchioness was let free shortly after, and she went to live with Claude and Maria, and there told them of Theodore’s faithfulness to his Saviour. They were sorry to hear that he had passed away, but happy to hear that he had remained true to the Lord. Jesus, and that he had spoken to, and won, his own father and mother for Jesus.

And now my little story is ended, and I will add just one thing more. Have you, like Theodore and his father and mother, bowed your own sinful heart in the presence of God and owned just what you are, and how helpless you are? Will you do this right now, and accept the Lord Jesus, God’s own beloved Son, who died for sinners?

“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.

ML 04/22/1951

A Misspent Sunday Afternoon

One Sunday afternoon a group of six little boys started out to have a good time. They were a happy carefree lot, quite forgetting that it was the Lord’s day—the one day in the week that the Lord Jesus would have us use especially for Him.

The boys wandered on, until they came to a pond, three miles from home, where they soon found an old leaky punt. One boy suggested that they go out in it, and this was no sooner said than done. They found some poles with which to push it along, so all six boys climbed in and pushed out from the shore. It did leak badly, but they baled out the water as they went. But soon they realized that it was coming in faster than they could bale it out! What could they do?

The boys began to shout for help, and some of the little ones were too frightened to do anything but cry. Another boat was not far away but the people in it did not pay any attention to the cries for help. They were some distance from shore by this time, and though the water was not deep, the boat began to sink in the mud at the bottom of the pond.

So, children, if you do not know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, you too are in danger—danger of being lost forever.

But do you realize it, and are you calling for help? There is only One who can save you and that is the Lord Jesus Christ, Do get down on your knees right now and call to Him to save you —He is willing and able to do so. He has said: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13.

At last two big boys came to the help of the little boys. How eagerly they climbed into that canoe, and how glad they were to be landed safely once more on the shore.

ML 04/22/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 23:6-11

The Passover was followed by the feast of unleavened bread which lasted seven days. It tells us of that practical separation from evil which is the result of the knowledge of salvation through Christ. Just as when the leper had been cleansed by the blood, he then washed himself and his clothes, so as soon as the sinner has learned what Christ has done for him, he then realizes that he is in a new position to which new desires are suited. The precious blood of Christ has put our sins away and sheltered us from judgment, while the death of Christ is the end of all that we were in the flesh before God. The unleavened bread might seem flat and tasteless, but it was eaten willingly, yea joyfully, by the Israelite who realized the wondrous deliverance God had accomplished for him from Egypt’s slavery; and so the heart that realizes what has been accomplished for him by the wondrous work of Calvary, would gladly, through the constraining love of Christ, reckon himself to be “dead indeed to sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:11. This is not just on Lord’s day, but seven days in the week, just as the children of Israel put leaven out of their homes for seven days following the eating of the Passover. Each day of the week there was to be an offering to the Lord, and so this separation is not primarily the thought of what we give up, but a fresh daily occupation with. Christ, the Source of all our blessings. All we do is now to be for Him, as we seek, by His grace, not to live unto ourselves but unto Him who died for us and rose again (2 Cor. 5:15)—precious privilege indeed!

The next feast is the feast of first-fruits. When the children of Israel reaped their harvest they were to present the firstfruits to the Lord. Then on the day after the sabbath which is the first day of the week, the priest was to wave this sheaf of firstfruits before the Lord. How beautifully this typifies Christ in resurrection. The work of redemption having been accomplished, God has been glorified about the question of sin, and now here, in figure, we see that blessed Man who accomplished the work, in resurrection—the first-fruits of a new harvest. There was no fruit for God from the first man, but here is One, the true Corn of Wheat who fell into the ground and died (John 12:24) who has glorified God His Father in all that He did, and now He comes forth from the grave, the risen Mari—the head of new creation. How blessed to think of this!

We are told here that when the sheaf of firstfruits was waved before the Lord it was to be accepted for them. How beautiful to think of Christ in this way, first bringing glory to God where man had so dishonored Him, and then, as we see later in the type, the harvest will all be gathered in. An Israelite could not reap his harvest until he had brought the firstfruits to the Lord, and so there could not be any harvest. (of which we who are saved are a part, through grace) until the Lord Jesus had died, risen, and gone back to heaven as the glorified Man.

Along with this waving of the first-fruits there was the offering of a lamb of the first year and also a meat offering of two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil—an offering made by fire. These were to be accompanied by a drink offering of wine. We will speak of the meaning of this next week, if the Lord will.

ML 04/22/1951

The Arab Who Wondered

He was a very rich Arab, living in the Eastern desert. He had camels and horses and gold in abundance. In fact, he had so much gold that he wondered and wondered what to do with it.

He lived a wandering life, and his only home was a very beautiful tent. Where could he store his gold? He dided to shape it into large rings, and put it on his wife’s head. Now the gold weighed many pounds, and you may have thought that she would have quite a headache. In fact, he did not have so much gold all at once, but as he became richer, her load grew gradually heavier.

Did she mind? Not at all. She was very proud of her burden, and, though it pained her considerably, she grew so used to the weight of it that it gave her a far worse headache to take it off!

Yes, her pride was weightier than her gold, and God hates pride. Have you ever been guilty of pride and a proud look? Have you; boys and girls, ever worn a new dress or suit, and worn also that proud look which God hates? Are you proud of the things that your hands or your brains can do?

“Pride goeth before destruction.” Prov. 16:18. That sin of pride is not allowed in heaven. It would ruin heaven at once if it were there. Many a child and many a man or woman has gone to eternal destruction because he or she was too proud to come to Jesus for forgiveness. There will be many poor sinners in heaven, but not many rich, noble, or mighty (1 Cor. 1:26) because their pride keeps them from coming to the Lord Jesus.

Dear reader, is your pride keeping you away from Jesus? Or, if you are saved, is your pride grieving the One who died for you? Oh, come to Jesus. In His presence it is impossible to be proud, for we really have nothing to be proud about.

“THE LOFTY LOOKS OF MAN SHALL BE HUMBLED,... AND THE LORD ALONE SHALL BE EXALTED THAT DAY.” Isaiah 2:11.

ML 04/29/1951

Sam, the Postman

Sam started to work in the post office when he was just a young boy. He was a hard-working lad, and was always on time for his job, and everyone liked him. But in spite of all the good things that could be said about Sam, he was not saved, and was on his road to hell. This didn’t worry him very much, however, and none of his friends ever spoke to him about the Lord Jesus, or of the need of having his sins forgiven.

One day as Sam was collecting mail from the various letter-boxes, he found a gospel tract which someone had dropped in with the letters. He took a look at it, and pat it in ins pocket. That night he thought of it again, and read it over carefully. He had never thought of himself as being lost, but this paper told him that unless he came to the Lord Jesus and accepted Him as Saviour, he would never be in heaven. If the tract was right, he certainly ought to do something about it. The thought of his sins and of his need began to burden him more and more.

At last he paid a special visit to someone he knew, who was a Christian, and he told him of the burden of his sins. What would you tell a young boy like that, dear reader? Would you ask him to turn religious, or to pray more, or to try to live a better life? None of these things would have removed one of Sam’s sins. His Christian friend opened up his Bible to John 3:16, and said,

“Now Sam, when you receive a letter, you look at the address and if it is addressed to you, you read it, is that right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then listen while I read this verse, and see if it is written for you, ‘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.’”

“Yes, sir. I believe that whosoever means me.”

“Very well, Sam, will you take God at His word and accept God’s dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as your own Saviour?”

“Indeed I will, right now!”

Together the two knelt and thanked God for the gift of Jesus, and for His precious blood that cleanseth from all sin.

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

ML 04/29/1951

Loyalty to Christ

National feelings are being stirred again, and many young men are being asked to pledge their loyalty to their country. This brings to one’s mind the need of speaking a word about loyalty to Christ, which, though always of paramount importance, is never more needed than today.

There is a tendency in an evil day, in a day of apostasy and giving up, to say it is useless to try to be faithful, but this is a great mistake. It is just at such a time that faithfulness is most needed. It was in a day when all seemed in ruins that Mordecai refused to bow to Haman the Arnalekite. It was in a similar day that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego refused to bow to the image which Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Come what may—the gallows for Mordecai or the fiery furnace for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego—they were devoted in their loyalty and obedience to Jehovah, the God of Israel.

In turning to the New Testament we find many instances of such faithfulness on the part of the apostles, and then, too, we have the exhortation in Jude, in a day of apostasy, telling us to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Such examples and exhortations encourage our hearts to be faithful —but above all, let us “consider Him (the Lord Jesus Christ) that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your mind.” Hebrews 12:3. Let us think of Him, the One who was faithful even unto death—who never departed from the path of obedience, cost what it might, and who always found His fullest joy in it. His whole life was a fragrance to God His Father, though He was utterly misunderstood by men. and even by His disciples. Yes, His path of obedience led even unto death—that atoning death has put away our sins and brought us to God. We are now children of God, having the very life of Christ and-the same power (the Holy Spirit) by which He walked down here. We are loved by the same love as He is. What a portion for our hearts. What a call to devotedness and loyalty to Him!

Undoubtedly if we were looking at the “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” before us, the afflictions of the way would seem light indeed. (2 Cor 4:17.) We would not find loyalty and devotedness to Him so difficult, but instead it would be a path of joy, as it was to Christ—it was His delight!

As the Lord’s coming draws nearer, dear young people, I believe new and greater obstacles are going to be put in our way. We are going to have to suffer more if we would be loyal to Him, and like Moses we will only he able to endure as we see Him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:27.) Let us lift up our eyes and look beyond the otacles, for faith can remove them, even though they are as high as mountains. (Matt. 17:20.) Let us look beyond the suffering, beyond the misunderstandings and problems, and think how fully we will be repaid by His smile in that day when. He makes up His jewels. No reward here, no seeming advantage gained in this world by stepping out of the path of loyalty to Christ, can ever repay the sense of His approval in our souls now, and His “well done” then. Dear young people, let us be loyal to Christ no matter what it costs! “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” Phil. 3:8.

ML 04/29/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 23:12-16

The meat offering here, which was offered with the firstfruits, would tell us of the fact that Christ is a real Man at God’s right hand, and then, while thinking of this, how we delight to consider Him also as the Lamb that was slain, just as the children of Israel offered their lamb here. He will always have the marks of the nails in His blessed hands and feet and the spear mark in His side, and surely we delight to think of seeing Him thus—perhaps today! Faith can look up and see Him there even now, and our hearts rejoice to “wave Him before the Lord,” and that in a special way each first day of the week. Not on the sabbath, we notice, but on the morrow after the sabbath, His resurrection day.

This meat offering was of two tenth deals of flour. It is “two” because although the Lord Jesus came to the lost sheep of the house of Israel He was rejected by them, and now in resurrection He has made in Himself of twain (of both Jew and Gentile) one new man, so making peace. (Eph. 2:15.) The realization of this by the Spirit (for the meat offering was “mingled with oil”) gives real joy, like the drink offering of wine here.

The children of Israel were specially charged not to eat of the good things of the harvest until they had brought their offering to the Lord, and so blessing could not come to us in any other way but through Christ, the risen One. How many in Christendom today are seeking to partake of the blessings of Christianity apart from. God’s appointed way. They are like one of the children of Israel who would reap the harvest for himself without bringing the firstfruits to the Lord, and such will surely come under God’s judgment. Our only title to salvation is through Christ, and so Israel too will not share in “the harvest” until they own Christ as the true Firstfruits.

The next feast was Pentecost, or “fiftieth.” The children of Israel were to count seven sabbaths from the feast of firstfruits, and then the day after the seventh sabbath, which is the first day of the week, they were to offer a new meat offering to the Lord. How beautifully this type was fulfilled (as to the Church) on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. The Lord Jesus, the true Firstfruits, had risen and shown Himself as the risen Man, to His disciples, for forty days and then gone back to heaven. Ten days later, on the day of Pentecost, we find them gathered together in one place, and the Holy Ghost came, sitting upon each one of them as cloven tongues of fire. They were now to be brought into new creation in association with Christ, like the new meat offering which the children of Israel were to bring to the Lord at the feast of Pentecost. But although we are already a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), we do not have our new bodies yet, and the old nature is still within us, just as the two loaves of the new meat offering in our chapter were to be “baken with leaven.” They typify Jew and Gentile who are now made one in Christ, and would also tell us that although the flesh (the old nature) is still in us, we are not to allow it to work. This we-see in the word “baken,” for the heat of the oven would stop the working of the leaven, just as self-judgment with us would stop the activities of the old man within. It is only as the old man is kept in the place of death that we can go on happily together in the unity of the Spirit.

ML 04/29/1951

Wandering Sheep

In Labrador most of the people are fishermen and their homes are on the rocky cliffs near the sea. In the summer while they are busy fishing they let their sheep out to graze on the hills. All summer long they wander on and on, back over the hills, further away from the sea. Never once do they come home again, and when the cold weather comes the owners have to look for them.

How much boys and girls are like these sheep! When left to themselves they wander away—intent only on having a good time in their sins, with never a thought of where such conduct will lead them. Like the sheep they need Someone to seek for and find them.

The fishermen often have to go many miles before they find their sheep, and the Good Shepherd seeking for His sheep (that is, for you boys and girls) sometimes seeks a long time before He finds them.

How it rejoices His heart when the sheep hear His voice saying, “Come unto Me,” and heed that loving invitation and let the Good Shepherd carry them home on His shoulders, rejoicing!

“AND WHEN HE HATH FOUND IT, HE LAYETH IT ON HIS SHOULDERS, REJOICING.” Luke 15:5.

ML 05/06/1951

Guilty-But Set Free

Two young men were close friends—had been all through boyhood, had gone to school together, played together, and were always together. They went to college together too. One became a lawyer, and at length a judge. The other was a business man, but his dealings were not always right, and he went on in his dishonest ways for some time.

At length his deceit and fraud were discovered, and he was arrested and called to appear in court. What was his astonishment when he found hielf face to face with his old friend—not now as a friend, but as a judge. The court room was full, as many knew that these two had been good friends and were curious to see what the judge would do to his friend. “Surely,” they thought, “he will let him off as easily as it is possible for him to do.”

The evidence was presented, wiesses were called, and the prisoner was pronounced guilty. But instead of being lenient with his friend, the judge iosed upon him the heaviest fine the law would allow for that offense. A murmur of disapproval passed through the crowded court room, but ceased immediately as the onlookers gazed in astonishment at the judge. They watched him lay aside his robes, and step down to where the prisoner stood. Taking his checkbook from his pocket, he wrote out a check for the full amount and handed it to the prisoner. As a judge he could do nothing but condemn him, but as his friend he could pay his great debt and set him free.

Sin must be punished, children, and the punishment of sin is death. “The soul that sinneth it shall die.” Ezek. 18:4. That is the fearful penalty our sins deserved—eternal death—eternal judgment. BUT Christ died FOR us. Now, if we believe that great truth we are saved—yes, saved from eternal death to live forever with our precious Saviour.

“Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:24.

ML 05/06/1951

A Mother's Prayer

I wash the dirt from little feet,

And as I wash I pray:

“Lord, keep them ever pure and true

To walk the narrow way.”

I wash the dirt from little hands,

And earnestly I ask:

“Lord, may they ever yielded be

To do the humblest task.”

I wash the dirt from little knees,

And pray: “Lord, may they be

The place where victories are won,

And orders sought from Thee.”

I scrub the clothes that soil so soon,

And pray: “Lord, may her dress

Throughout eternal ages be

Thy robe of righteousness.”

Ere many hours shall pass I know

I’ll wash these hands again,

And there’ll be dirt upon her dress

Before the day shall end;

But as she journeys on through life,

And learns of want and pain,

Lord, may her precious little heart

Be cleansed from sin and stain;

For soap and water cannot reach

Where Thou alone can see.

Her hands and feet, these I can wash;

Thy blood, her heart, can free.

“For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 2:22.

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

ML 05/06/1951

Bible Questions for May

The Children’s Class

1.“I am the way.”

2.“When they saw the Lord.”

3.“It is finished.”

4.“If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldeet see.”

5. “The Father Himself loveth you.”

6.“Without Me ye can do nothing.”

7.“They loved the praise of men.”

The Young People’s Class Heaven

Our questions today are about heaven, that wonderful place which we have all heard so much about. And yet the Scriptures do not tell us as much about the place as about the One whose home it is for His presence will make it heaven to us.

Actually the Bible never speaks about a believer’s going to heaven when he dies, but rather of departing to be “with Christ; which is far better” (Phil. 1:23), and about being “absent from the body ... present with the Lord.” 2 Cor. 5:8. God would have us occupied with Christ and not with the wonders of heaven itself, although we know, from the little God has told us, that it is a glorious place indeed. But in spite of what a wonderful place it is, if an unbeliever could get into it (though he cannot!) he would not be happy there at all. Only those who are born again by the Spirit of God have a nature capable of enjoying that holy place.

Dear reader, how is it with you? If you do not love the Lord Jesus of His people, you would not enjoy heaven at all, for Christ is the center and theme there. But you can be saved today, and made fit for the glorious home; for remember if you do not go to heaven, God has no other place for you but eternal hell—solemn fact!

1.Whom did Jonah fear? Jonah.

2.Should we be upset by the signs in the heavens? Jeremiah 10.

3.Is there anything under the whole heaven hid from the eye of God? Job 28.

4.When the Lord looked down to see if any were seeking God, how many did He find? Psalm 14.

5.Where is the believer’s conversation to be? Philippians.

6.What are we to look for, according to God’s promise? 2 Peter.

7.Where is the Christian’s eternal home? 2 Corinthians 5.

ML 05/06/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 23:17-25

Notice these two loaves were to be brought “out of their habitations,” and so we see, in figure here, that we have been separated from this present evil world”—separated unto the Lord. Moreover, these two loaves were spoken of as “firstfruits,” for even though we do not have our glorified bodies yet, we are the firstfruits of God’s new creation (James 1:18), and just as sure of heaven as though we were already there—what grace!

Along with these loaves there were sacrifices, burnt offerings, a sin offering and peace offerings, for we are never to forget the work of Calvary as the ground of all our blessings. Every time we are reminded of our blessings, as in these feast days, we are reminded of the cost to God, and so here these things were to be waved before the Lord, then given to the priest as his portion. This would show us that when we have given the Lord His portion, He then delights to give us back all we can hold and more!

“No servile work” was to be done during any of these feasts, for nothing of the labor of our hands can bring the blessings the Lord has in His heart for us. He delights to have us sitting before Him, rejoicing in His work. Even our service is not to be “servile work,” but a “labor of love.”

Along with the instructions as to this feast of Pentecost, the children of Israel were told that they were not to reap the corners of their fields but to leave them for the poor and the stranger. It would appear that this is the character of things we can expect at the end of this dispensation of the grace of God. It began on the day of Pentecost with a mighty harvest, for three thousand souls were saved in one day, but now “the poor and the stranger” are being gathered in, The work does not assume large proportions in these favored lands of Christendom., but “the corners of the field,” a few here and a few there— “the poor”—and (perhaps in heathen lands) “the strangers” are being harvested, before the day of grace closes. Undoubtedly, in applying this to Israel, it looks on to the bringing in of the nations with Israel in a coming day. The nations who will be saved through the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom are thus included in the harvest also. (Rev. 7:4-17.)

But, dear reader, how about you? Are you the Lord’s? Have you allowed the precious message of His grace to touch and win your heart? Remember there are many who will have to say when it it is too late, after the Lord has come and taken His own to heaven. “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jer. 8:20. Come now, before it it too late.

This brings us to the next feast, the feast of trumpets. In applying it to ourselves (in this present Church period), it would tell us of the Lord’s coming, when we shall hear the truet of God calling us home to the Father’s house above. What a day it will be when we are summoned into the presence of our blessed Saviour—set free from all that hinders us here— to be forever with the Lord. (1 Thess. 4:16-18.) Surely that moment draws near. May we he found waiting and watching to see His blessed face! For Israel as a nation, this feast of trumpets typically applies to the time when they will he gathered back into their land for blessing. (Matt. 24:31.) Now they are going back, but still in unbelief, yet it shows us that the end is near.

ML 05/06/1951

The Missoui Flood

Some years ago, a dear Christian mother lived near the bank of the Missouri river, with her two little girls, aged four and ten.

One day she was called away to a neighboring town, so she left the two little girls at home, placing the younger one under the charge of the older sister.

After the mother left, a heavy storm began, frightening the children with thunder and lightning and rain. Some time after night-fall, the younger one fell asleep, while the older one sat up to watch. During the night, she was startled by a dull heavy sound at the door. Springing up to open it, she was met by the waters of the river, which had overflowed their banks and were beating against the house. With a hard push, she closed the door again, and, going to the window, saw that the rain had stopped and the moon was shining, but as far as she could see, it was only water, muddy water everywhere and rising rapidly.

She almost screamed with fear, but she knew Jesus, she knew that He is a very present help in time of trouble, and her fears were hushed. Gathering her little sister in her arms, she went softly up the stairs. She laid her on the bed, and then she knelt and cried to the Lord in her trouble, and she knew that He was near.

So the long night wore away. The candle flickered and burned out. Suddenly a sound broke the silence, which she knew too well was the breaking up of the furniture below. This awakened Dot, the little sister, who said, “Will mamma never come for us, Nellie?”

“If Mamma doesn’t, darling, Jesus will,” answered Nellie confidently.

“Then,” said the little one, “I wish He would come quick.” She fell asleep again, but soon wakened with another cry, “Mamma, I want Mamma,”

“Don’t cry, Dot. Sister will sing to you,” said Nellie. Tremblingly the young voice began:—

“Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o’ershaded,
Sweetly my soul shall rest.”

The words comforted her, and her voice found strength as she sang on to the end of the verse.

With the first gleam of the morning, two oarsmen rowed down the river searching for those in need of help.

“That’s a deserted house,” said one. “No use going there. In five minutes it will be down.”

“Hush,” said the other, resting on his oars, as a sweet childish voice rang out across the waters: “Sweetly my soul shall rest”

“Father in heaven,” said the man reverently as he thought of his little ones in safety at home, “there’s a child over there.”

A few strong strokes brought the the boat to the window sill, “Who’s there?” he called.

Nellie rushed to the window. “Come, my little maid,” he said, holding out his arms to her.

“No, Dot first,” she said, and, catching up the child, wrapped her in a blanket and passed her to the strong arms outside. Then she climbed into the boat.

They had hardly moved away before the old house tottered and fell into the water. But the two children, saved through the mercy of God, in answer to Nellie’s prayers, were soon placed in their mother’s arms.

“GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH, A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE.” Psalm 46:1.

ML 05/13/1951

News from Ben

It was a sad day for the Moores when Ben left home. He was their only son, and a most obedient and faithful son he had been, but now he was leaving them, as a doctor, to serve in Africa.

The next best thing to having Ben. himself, was to have a letter from him, and he was faithful at writing letters. Each time the postman came up the walk, Mr. and Mrs. Moore would stop their work and wait in the hope that it was another letter from Ben.

One bright Saturday morning, Mr. Moore saw the postman turn up the walk, so he dropped his spade and hurried over to share the news with his wife. Quickly the envelope was opened and found to contain only half a sheet of paper. The mother’s hand trembled with fear! And sure enough, it was bad news. Ben was very seriously ill in a hospital, and could not write himself. Someone else sent the news, and it was surely had news. They believed it, and it filled them with sorrow. It just cast a dark cloud over their whole life, and they waited anxiously for further news. The next week there was no more news, and yet another week and still no letter.

Again it was a Saturday and Mr. Moore was working in the garden when he heard his wife shout, “A letter from Ben!” In a moment he was at her side, and to their joyful surprise, it was in Ben’s own writing, telling them of his recovery. Tears of joy ran down their cheeks as they read the message. They believed good news, just as they had believed the bad news before, but what a difference the believing made in their hearts.

A few weeks later a stranger stopped at the door and offered Mr. Moore a gospel tract. In a few moments, the stranger and the Moores were earnestly talking about how a sinner can be saved and know it.

“I can’t understand how anybody can be saved and know it,” said Mr. Moore.

“Just by believing God,” said the visitor. “If you received a letter saying that someone you loved was very sick, you would probably believe it, and feel very unhappy. And you would know it by believing it, is that right?”

“Yes, that’s right,” said Mr. Moore, with a glance at his wife’s face.

“And if a while later you received another letter telling you that your loved one was well again, would you believe it and rejoice in it?”

“Indeed we would, sir,” they both said together, as they wiped the tears from their eyes.

“Now God tells us that ‘All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.’ Romans 3:23. He also tells us that ‘The soul that sinneth, it shall die.’ Ezek. 18:20. This is had news, but it is what God says and I believe it is true. But God goes on to tell us that ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ (1 Tim. 1:15) and that ‘The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.’ 1 John 1:7. I believe that too, because God says so, and so I know I am forgiven and that I am saved.”

“Thank God,” said Mr, Moore, “I believe it too!”

“And I,” added his wife, “my sins are gone.”

Thank God for the good news of the gospel. Have you believed it? Can you too say that you believe God’s message about your sinful condition and Eh message of forgiveness and salvation?

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

ML 05/13/1951

Samuel

Samuel lived on a farm in Brazil, and one day when a man selling Bibles called at their home, he bought one for himself. He began to read it at once, but was not able to understand what he read.

Although a cripple, this young man would hobble along with the aid of a stick to the neighboring village, taking messages from his father’s homestead. On one such visit he heard a traveling dentist preaching the gospel, and Samuel recognized that much of what he said came out of the Book he was reading. That evening when Samuel returned home he found the passages in his Bible, and, reading them aloud to his family told them what the dentist had said. He continued to read aloud from God’s Word each day, and when in difficulty over what he read, he visited his Christian friend and heard more of the good news of God’s full and free salvation.

Before long Samuel not only realized he was a sinner in God’s sight, but he saw that the Lord Jesus had borne the punishment his sins deserved when He died on the cross, and so he joyfully accepted Christ as his Saviour. Now he was so happy, and dragging himself along with the help of his big stick he would visit the farms and coffee plantations nearby telling others of the precious Saviour he had found.

Dear reader, perhaps you have heard the sweet story of Jesus’ love many, many times, but have you, like Samuel, believed that Jesus loved you and gave Himself for us? If not, now is the time to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”

ML 05/13/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 23:26-43

The next feast is the day of atonement. It is beautiful to see in all this the perfect order we spoke of at the beginning. As soon as the Church is taken home to glory, God will then begin His dealings with Israel as a nation again. The coming of the Lord will first call us to heaven and then, as we mentioned last week, Israel will be called together “with the great sound of a trumpet” (Matt, 24:31) from. their place as scattered among the nations, and there will be a time of great national mourning and confession. It will be through the awful judgments of the tribulation period that they will finally be brought to the point where they will “afflict their souls” and own their guilt in crucifying their Messiah. They they will be broUght into the blessings of Christ’s atoning work; the value of which they have not seen as yet. Although the true “day of atonement” was when the Lord Jesus died on the cross, it will not be for them until the judgments of the tribulation bring them to repentance. We notice in our chapter that those who did not “afflict their souls” on that day were to be cut off from among the people. This would show us that those of Israel who do not, in that coming day, take the place of repentance and confession of guilt when Christ appears for their national deliverance, will be judged and cut off—not allowed to enter the blessings of the millennium on earth.

We now come to the last feast—the feast of tabernacles—which typifies the coming reign of Christ for one thousand years upon the earth. This is what we call the millennium. During this feast of tabernacles the children of Israel were to dwell in booths for seven days, just as in the millennium every man will sit down peacefully under his own vine and fig osee, (Micah 4:4). God will then cause them to rejoice under the blessings of His hand like the children of Israel were, in our chapter, to rejoice and praise God for all the blessings of the year that had just passed. In that wonderful time, which this feast typified, when the desert blossoms as the rose, and the earth yields her increase (Isaiah 35), when family life is happy and fruitful (Psalm 128), and when the people live in ease and abundance (Psalm. 45:7-17) without any sickness (Isaiah 33:24; 65:17-25), then, as never before, Israel will praise the Lord out of a full heart.

This feast then had an eighth day—the great day of the feast—and this day looks on to new creation. The eighth day begins a new week, and it is figuretive in Scripture of new creation. By the Spirit we now rejoice in this new creation, while faith looks on to “the day of God” when there will be a new heaven and a new earth where all will be suited to the mind and character of God forever—never to be ruined by sin again.

It is interesting to see the Lord Jesus at the Jews’ feast of tabernacles in John 7, standing up on that, eighth day and calling, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink,” The Lord’s feast had become a feast of the Jews, but now Christ was there as the One who alone could satisfy the longings of the heart and bring the promised blessings. Perhaps there were some at the feast who were not satisfied with these feasts of the Jews who would turn to Him and find in Him the fulfillment of all that the feasts typified. He was, and is, the blessed Antitype of them all.

ML 05/13/1951

What Happened to Baby Chick

One day in spring, my brother brought home a cardboard box. It had holes all around it, and when he laid it down on the table, there was a funny little “peeping” sound inside, which brought us all at once to peek inside and ask questions.

The box contained a baby chick, and we were delighted. My brother warned us not to pet it to death, as he intended that it should live. It did live too, and feasted upon all sorts of strange things from our hands. It grew to be a pure white hen, and we thought it was very beautiful indeed.

But we had no place to keep it really, and it was finally decided that we should have her for dinner. I remember how sadly we received this news, and how eagerly we all watched as Mother plucked out the feathers, after my my brother had killed it. There was quite a pile of refuse when she was done, and our beautiful white bird had lost all its plumage.

When the Israelites offered a bird in sacrifice to God, all the feathers had to be plucked out, like that too. (Lev. 1:16.) The feathers make a beautiful outward show, but God does not want outward show, for He looks on the heart. You may have a very fine appearance outside, but what would be left if God Himself were to pluck away all that outward appearance and put it in a worthless pile? As He looks on your heart, is it clean and white in His presence? Has it been cleansed from sin in the precious blood of Christ?

After plucking the bird, Mother cleaned it, and we watched in wonder as she pulled out the crop and opened. it. It contained a queer assortment of things—little stones and sand, and whole grains of wheat. That all went into the rubbish heap too.

Why did God specially order that, when a bird was sacrificed, the crop must he thrown away? Because the food that the bird has not used is of no value. And the verses that you have memorized are of no value either unless you have used them, really made them your own, and said in your heart, “This Saviour is mine.”

So the crop and the feathers were thrown away, and our bird was roasted for dinner, and a very fine dinner it was too. But we have not forgotten the lesson of the worthless crop and the feathers. We want to remember that “The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appeance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7.

“NOT HE THAT COMMENDETH HIMSELF IS APPROVED, BUT WHOM THE LORD COMMENDETH.” 2 Corinthians 10:18.

ML 05/20/1951

The Children's Friend

“Suffer the little children to come unto Me.” Mark 10:14.

Who LOVES the little children?

Jesus the Lord.

Who CALLS the little children?

Jesus the Lord.

Who loves to have them near Him?

Who tells them not to fear Him?

Say, children, do you hear Him?

Jesus the Lord.

Who DIED to save the children?

Jesus the Lord.

Who LIVES to GUARD the children?

Jesus the Lord.

Who is it that will gather

The little ones together

Safe home to God the Father?

Jesus the Lord.

Oh, COME, dear little children,

Come to the Lord,

Come NOW, dear little children,

And trust His Word.

He’s waiting now to save you,

He’ll lovingly receive you,

And NEVER, NEVER leave you—

Jesus the Lord.

ML 05/20/1951

The Orkney Fisherman

A cross the Pentland Firth, in the far north of Scotland, lie the Islands of Orkney. Most of the families on these islands make their living by fishing, and they are very hard-working people.

Some years ago, a band of earnest Christians visited these islands and held some gospel meetings. Almost the first night, a fisherman’s wife and her little daughter, Nancy, were saved. They went home singing and rejoicing and told the good news to father, who said he was too busy to go to meeting. He was not at all glad to hear the news of their conversion, and he even threatened to heat his wife if she went again. Little Nancy loved her father very much, and he loved her too. She did want to get back to more of those meetings, so she coaxed and coaxed and at last her father said she could go. But of course she couldn’t go all alone, so mother must come along.

Together, mother and Nancy prayed for father that he might also learn to know and love the Lord Jesus. And he could see by their happy faces, and their cheerful singing, that something had surely happened to them.

A few weeks later, father had to go south to sell his catch of fish. This meant that he would. be gone for several weeks. Mother and Nancy stood at the shore and waved good-bye, urging him again to give his heart to the Lord Jesus.

While he was away, they continued to pray for him, that God would, “reach and save Father, and bring him back a converted man.”

When Nancy’s father arrived in Leith, he took quite sick, and had to stay in bed for several days. In the same house where he was staying, there lived a young man who was a bright Christian. In order to cheer the sick man, so far away from his home, this young man spent half an hour with him almost every night, and he always read a portion of God’s Word and prayed before he left the room.

At first, the godless man sneered at the Bible, but soon his attitude changed, and then one day he asked, “Do you think God would have a sinner like me?”

“Indeed, the Bible says, ‘This man receiveth sinners.’” Luke 15:3. That word was as the light of heaven to his dark soul. He grasped it, rested on it, proved it, and as every sinner does who turns to Jesus, he found rest. Then he longed more than ever to return to his Orkney home and tell his wife and Nancy that he was now a “saved man.”

Day by day Nancy and her mother were watching for the boat, and at last they saw its well-known sail coming round the coast. And you may guess the joy that filled their hearts when their loved one stepped on shore with these words, “Saved at last, praise the Lord!”

And they did praise the Lord that day, and for many days after. He took his stand amongst the Lord’s dear people and eagerly tried to lead others to the Saviour who had loved and died for him.

“This man receiveth sinners.” Luke 15:3.

ML 05/20/1951

The Lost Watch

Grampa had lost his watch and chain and had looked and looked wherever he thought they might be. But it was all of no use—he couldn’t find them anywhere. Two days later he found the chain on the floor under the book case, but what, good is a chain without a watch? and the watch certainly wasn’t there.

Later that day little Jane came running into the house, calling “Grampa, Grampa.”

“Here I am,” he answered.

“See,” she said, holding up the watch. “I have found your watch under a board in the yard.”

“Well so you have! However did you find it there?”

“I heard it ticking.”

But Gramma was standing by and she spoke up, “That can’t be right,” she said, taking the watch from Jane’s hand, “this watch stopped at four o’clock yesterday, and it’s not ticking at all.”

Poor Jane was found out! She had told a lie to cover up her sin in stealing the watch, and now it was all out. I cannot tell you if she was punished by her parents that day (though she should have been!), but I do know that unless that sin has been put away in the precious blood of Christ she will have to be punished some day. And when God punishes lost sinners for their sins, he will have to send them into hell forever, for sin—not even one sin—can ever enter heaven.

But God loves sinners, even though He must punish sin, and so He sent His own Son into this world and punished Him on the cross for our sins, because He did not want to punish us. What love that was! Now He waits to save sinners like Jane, or you and me, for His Word says,

“The Lord is... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

ML 05/20/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 23:44-24:4

We have been noticing that the seven feasts of the Lord, given to us in our chapter, present a beautiful picture of the ways of God, and that they all point to Christ, the Man of God’s counsels. A little outline in brief might help us to see this more clearly.

1.The Passover —Christ is the true Passover, by whose blood we have been sheltered from judgment (1 Cor. 5:7), and Israel too. (Rev. 7:4-14.)

2.Unleavened Bread—Christ was the only sinless One, and now we have Christ as our life, producing holiness in our walk. (Col. 3:4-14.) Israel too “shall be willing in the day of Thy power, in the beauties of holiness.” Psalm 110:3.

3.Firstfruits—Christ is the true first-fruits. Now we who are saved are the firstfruits of new creation. (James 1:18.) Israel too will be the firstfruits of earthly blessing in a coming day (Rev 14:4)—all in and through Christ.

4.Pentecost—Christ has now gone up on high and received of the Father the promise of the Spirit, who has now been shed upon us. (Acts 2:33.) The Spirit will also be poured upon Israel in a coming day. (Ezek. 39:29.)

5.Trumpets—The Lord Himself is coming again for His Church. (1 Theis. 4:16-18.) After this Israel will be gathered back into their land “with the great sound of a trumpet.” Matt. 24:31.

6.Day of Atonement—The Lord Jesus made atonement for sin at the cross, and we have been reconciled now. (Col. 1:20-22.) Israel will later be brought to repentance through the judgments of t h e tribulation. (Isaiah 4:4.)

7.Tabernacles—After the judgments of the tribulation period, then Christ will set up His kingdom in righteousness and peace, (Isaiah 32:1.) The Church’s blessing is heavenly, and at that time we will reign with Him over the earth. (Col. 1:5.) Israel will then be blessed on the earth. (Hosea 2:23.) The eighth day of this the last feast points on to the fullness of times when all will be gathered together in one in Christ, both in heaven and in earth. (Eph. 1:10.) This is the fulfillment of all God’s counsels.

For Israel to hold these feasts only a, a form, and at the same time remain indifferent to Jehovah’s claims over them, was vain and empty. Ordinances in themselves have no value when the heart is indifferent to Christ, but how blessed in this present Church period to have learned the secret of the Lord and to see Christ in all these types.

After outlining figuratively the ways of God with Israel in these feasts, we find in what follows, the grace that maintains them before God, as beloved for the fathers’ sakes. (Romans 11:28.) The lamp was to be kept burning continually from morning to evening by Aaron the priest, and so we know that now, during “the night” of Israel’s history, they are maintained in the light before God, through Christ’s priesthood, by the power of the Spirit. It will truly he “the morning” for them when they own their guilt in crucifying their Messiah, and then the Spirit will be poured upon them. (Ezek. 39:29.) No blessing comes to man, either Israel or the Church, on the ground of his own faithfullness, but because God is faithful and He is the Source of all blessing. All glory must be to God, for no flesh can glory in His presence.

ML 05/20/1951

What Shelia Wanted

Sheila wanted a friend. She had a dog, a beautiful collie dog, and he loved her with all his doggie’s heart. Sheila liked him too, but a little girl’s heart is bigger, and wants more than that to satisfy it.

She had no brother or sister, and so it was a special joy when Marion moved near to them. Marion was just a little older, and it seemed as if the two girls wanted to be together all the time.

But we can’t have everything we want, can we? Marion was sick for several days and Sheila was very lonely without her. Finally the news came that Marion was dead, and Sheila’s little heart was broken.

The dog licked her sad little face and tried to comfort her, until she smiled a bit and patted his furry coat. But one day a driver stopped at the door to tell Sheila’s mother that the dog was killed on the road.

Mother could scarcely bear to tell her little girl, and when she did, Sheila just flung herself into her mother’s arms.

“Oh, Mother,” she sobbed, “I want a friend that can never die.”

“Jesus can never die, Sheila,” said Mother, wiping away her own tears too. “Jesus wants to be your Friend, darling, and perhaps He has taken away these other friends, so that my little girl would come to Him. But you must know Him as your Saviour first, Sheila, before you can know Him as your Friend.

Do you also, dear reader, long to know know a Friend who can never die? You will find that Friend in our blessed Lord Jesus. But first you must know Him as Saviour, the One who died on Calvary for your sins. When you can look up and thank Him for dying for you, then you will find that the One who died for you, lives for you, able to help and comfort you in every time of need, a never-dying Friend, now and forever.

There’s a Friend for little children

Above the bright blue sky.

A Friend who never changes,

Whose love can never die.

Unlike our friends by nature

Who change with changing years,

This Friend is always worthy

The precious Name He bears.

“JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TODAY, AND FOREVER.” Hebrews 13:8.

ML 05/27/1951

Saved

Stanley had been sent by his father to get some steel plates. He had to go along the side of a river which had a thin coat of ice on it. As a guide in the darkness Stanley kept his eye on a light streaming from the building to which he was going, and soon he arrived there safely.

Having got the heavy steel plates he started home. But now the light was behind him, and, walking along carelessly, he suddenly slipped into the river! Quickly he let go the steel plates and clutched at the bank, but the gravel slope gave way and he was unable ti call for help as his mouth was full of icy water. How frightened he was! But help was near! In the darkness he discerned the form of a man bending over him and reaching out a hand. He quickly put up first one hand and then the other—how desperate he was—and soon he was hauled out onto the bank. Another man had come running to help and together the two men carried the lad into a nearby house, dried his clothes and took him home.

How like you and me, dear children! We, too, have fallen into the river of sin and are quite unable to save ourselves. But Jesus has come to our rescue, for when He died on the cross He died that we might he saved from the judgment of sin. Now He says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13.

Little Stanley dropped the weights? Why? Well, they would have dragged him down to the bottom to his death. How very foolish if he had hung on to them! So, you, too, should drop anything and everything that hinders you from coming to Christ for salvation. Just let them go as Stanley did the weights, and never, never will you be sorry. The Lord Jesus will give you much more than you drop, for He has “unsearchable riches” and “pleasures for evermore” to give those who put their trust in Him.

“In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11.

ML 05/27/1951

Believing and Trusting

Have you ever seen a life belt? Perhaps if you have never been near the sea, or near a large lake, you have not yet seen one, but I have no doubt most of our readers know what they look like, and what they are used for. The S.S. Burton, like all other good boats, had a row of life belts hanging around the top deck.

When I stood on the deck and looked at those life-saving belts, I knew that the owners of the good S.S. Burton believed in them, or they never would have put them on the boat. As I was standing there, two men came along and stopped to look at them very closely even taking two or three of them down and examining them. They were inspectors, and I could see that they believed in them, for I heard them say that they were good life belts.

Early the next morning, as the S.S. Burton sailed out into the lake, a young boy slipped and fell overboard. In a ment one of the crew ran for a life belt and threw it out to the drowning boy. It landed with a splash right near him, and he at once threw himself upon it.

That young boy believed in the life belt, but he believed on it in a different way from the owners of the boat, and from inspectors. He believed in it to the saving of his life. He trusted himself to it, and put it between himself and a watery grave.

It is the same with the Lord Jesus Christ. Many believe that He is a Saviour. And many also speak well of Him and say that He is the only Saviour; which is very true. But many of these have never trusted Him as their very own.

If you could see the danger you are in right now as you read this paper, you would do as the drowning lad did, and trust yourself fully to the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. Do it now, before it is eternally too late.

“Behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML 05/27/1951

The Book and the Heart

Most of the readers of this paper have heard the gospel again and again. It is not at all new to you as it was to Mr. Li. Perhaps you have never heard of anyone with so short a name as that, but Mr. Li was a Chinaman.

The gospel service I am thinking of took place in a little hall in one of the crowded towns of North China. The natives always called the room the “Jesus Hall.” Many of those who gathered in this hall had never before heard the story of.1 esus, and they quite often speak out in wonder as the story is told to them.

At the close of this particular gospel service, Mr. Li stepped up to the speaker and asked to see the Bible from which he had been reading. Then he reverently laid his hand on the book and said, “The Writer of that Book knows my heart.”

And is that not true? Mr. Li had felt, as he heard all that God had to say about the human heart, its deceitfulness and wickedness, that God must have looked right into his own heart. But he was so glad that God had not only seen and known the wickedness of his heart, but that God had so loved him as to send His own dear Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for Mr. Li’s own sins. He gladly accepted the Saviour God has provided, and brightly confessed to all around that he now believed in and belonged to the Lord Jesus.

God knows your heart too, dear reader. He wrote the Bible for you!

“I the Lord search the heart.” Jeremiah 17:10.

“Ye must be born again.” John 3:7.

ML 05/27/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 24:5-25:53

In addition to the continual care of the lamps, the priest was also to set the twelve loaves of showhread on the table before the Lord each sabbath. These loaves were to have pure franncense put upon them. This shows us typically how the Lord Jesus, the Great High Priest, maintains His people Israel before God now, even though they cannot be owned of God ouardly. How precious to think of them (each of the twelve tribes) though so scattered now, yet seen in the loaves as fragrant through the sweet frankincense which was sprinkled upon them by the priest. What precious grace! These loaves were most holy, for only in holiness can the Lord identify Hielf with Israel in the administration of earthly government in a coming day. Israel will then be willing in the beauty of holiness (Psalm 110:3), but meanwhile they are maintained thus before God through the priestly work of Christ.

In this coming day of Israel’s glory there will he, however, those who will not share in the blessing, “for they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.” Romans 9:6. This is typified in the son of the Israelitish woman who cursed God in the camp, as recorded here in our chapter. The ungodly part of the nation who, during the tribulation, ally themselves with the ten kingdoms of the revived Roman Empire and fall in with the worship of the beast, will come under God’s sore judgments, just as the guilty man in our chapter was stoned to death.

We also notice, at the end of our chapter, that if any man put a blemish upon his neighbor, a blemish was to be put upon him. Governmentally that is Israel’s place now, for they sought to mar the glory of Christ and, as it were, put a blemish upon Him, the true “lamb without blemish,” 1 Peter 1:19, and surely a blemish is upon them.

How beautifully interesting is this twenty-fifth chapter! Every seventh year the land itself was to have a sabbath. They were to let it lie idle and not sow any crops that year, and the Lord promised that on the sixth year He would give them a good harvest, sufficient for three years, so that they would have plenty of food until they harvested their crops in the eighth year. Palestine is the Lord’s land and His eyes an upon it, and how wonderfully He would have cared for His people if they had only walked in His ways. What a favor bestowed upon them that they would have a year of rest every seventh year, but alas, in their covetousness they would use the weekly sabbath, as well as this sabbath at the end of seven years, for their own selfish ends. And yet how like ourselves who are never satisfied but always wanting more! The children of Israel were to be the Lord’s tenants in His land, and so we too ought to remember that we are only stewards for the Lord of all that we have.

Then there was the year of jubilee. Every fiftieth year the trumpet was to be sounded throughout the land on the day of atonement, at which time all the slaves in the land were to be set free. Any land that had been sold would then return to its original owner who could just go in quietly and possess it. What a wonderful time this was in Israel’s history, but of course it had to be repeated over and over again, for slavery soon began again and the people soon lost their possessions. But there is a better day coming when the Lord will take His land, and set His people free, never to be in bondage again.

ML 05/27/1951

The Camel Ride

A camel usually travels in dusty lonely places. It is not a comforttable beast to ride on. In fact, I think if your journey had to be a long camel ride, you would prefer to stay at home.

But Rebekah did not choose to stay at home, and I shall tell you how it happened. She was coming from the well in Mesopotamia years ago, with her pitcher on her shoulder, when a man came running up and asked her for a drink. She let down the pitcher for him at once, and when she saw his camels, she drew water for them to drink also. This was no small task, for a thirsty camel can drink a great deal of water.

Rebekah’s brother then invited the man home, but he would not eat there until he had told why he came. “I am Abraham’s servant,” he said. Then he went on to tell the glories of his master and his master’s son, and how he wished to take Rebekah home with him to be the wife of Abraham’s son, Isaac.

Can you think how Rebekah felt about that? Would she endure a long lonely camel ride, and then live the rest of her life with someone she had never seen before? The servant gave her beautiful gifts of silver and gold and clothing, and was in haste to begin his return journey. But what did Rebekah say?

I am sure there are many Christian boys and girls reading this story, who will answer— “She said, ‘I will go.’” Now here is another question. “Would you like to go to spend eternity, yes, forever and ever, with Someone you have never seen?”

“Yes,” every Christian boy and girl answers. “I would like to spend eternity with the Lord Jesus.”

Yes, dear reader, it may be a long troublesome journey, with pain and loneliness along the way, but we are going to spend eternity with our blessed Lord Jesus. He has already given us wonderful gifts—His forgiveness, God’s righteousness, His salvation and peace, and the Holy Spirit of God to dwell within us.

But some of our readers are not saved. The thought of spending eternity with Jesus does not fill your heart with joy, for you have not accepted His salvation and forgiveness. Here is God’s messenger, through this little paper, asking you if you will accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. Will you let Him clothe you with the robe of righteousness, and begin your happy journey home to Himself? Make haste, there is no time for delay!

Well, Rebekah reached her journey’s end, and Isaac loved her. And at our journey’s end, dear Christian reader, our blessed Saviour is waiting, better than Isaac, to take us to be with Himself.

“WHOM HAVING NOT SEEN, YE LOVE; IN WHOM, THOUGH NOW YE SEE HIM NOT, YET BELIEVING, YE REJOICE WITH JOY UNSPEABLE AND FULL OF GLORY.” 1 Peter 1:8.

ML 06/05/1951

Hui's Happy Day

Hui was a Maori boy who lived in New Zealand. He had lived with his tribe nearly all his life, but some of his relatives had wandered away and camped near a European settlement in Wellington. Hui went along with them, and often wished that he could learn the language of the white people.

One day a big tent was set up right near Hui’s camp, and that very evening he saw crowds of people going in. Young Hui was curious and wanted to know what was going on. He went in and took a seat at the back of the tent, and looked all about. He couldn’t understand a word that was said, but how he did enjoy the singing. He caught the words—

“Happy day, happy day,
When Jesus washed my sins away.”

On account of these words being repeated several times, he actually learned them then and there. He went back to his camp and kept saying the words over and over again, feeling quite important that he had learned some of the white man’s language. Day after day he could be heard singing those two lines over and over, although he didn’t know what they meant.

Some months afterward he went to work on a farm, and there he picked up English very quickly, and from his employer he learned about God. He learned too what “sins” meant, and as he knew that he had many, many sins he wondered more than ever just what those two lines could mean.

Once again a gospel tent was set up, and the very first time Hui went to listen, he heard the grand story of God’s love in giving His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for sinners. When the meeting was over, that hymn was sung, “O Happy Day.”

Hui was delighted, and joined with a full heart and a loud voice in singing those two lines which had so often been on his lips before. Now he knew for the very first time just what they meant, and he knew they were for him, for as he had listened to the message, he had accepted the Lord Jesus as his own Saviour.

Can you also join in that glorious hymn?—

“Happy day, happy day, When Jesus washed my sins away.” “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:24.

ML 06/05/1951

Bible Questions for June

The Children’s Class

1. “Obey God rather than men.”

2. “Thy money perish with thee.”

3.“Right in the sight of God.”

4.“Suffer for My name’s sake.”

5.“Being seen of them forty days.”

6.“The glory of God, and Jesus.”

7.“Call on the name of the Lord.”

The Young People’s Class Hell

While people freely admit that here is a heaven they do not lide to believe there is a hell. They do not like to think about the stern realities of such a place—they preger to try to persuade themselves that it is only amyth, or a figur of speech; but may not of our reader deceive themselves by such wishful thinking. There is just as much proof in the Scriptures that there is a hell as the there is a heaven. The most awful words are used to describe hell, just as the most wonderful words are used to describe heaven.

Dear reader, ber warned, if you are not saved, and “Flee from the wrath to come,” we beseech you. The most soemn warnings about the awful place of judgment, fell from the lips of the Saviour Himself, because He does not want you to go there. He Himself has provided a way of escape—a sure way— through His atoning blood which can cleanse away all your sins.

It is true that some of the references to “hell” in Scripture are not about the lake of fire, but refer to “the unseen world” (as it is in the original language in which the Bible was written. But do not let anyone deceive you in saying that, because of this, the scriptures which speak of “hell” where the rich man was placed (Luke 16:23) and “everlasting punishment,” refer only to the grave. God says ther is a place of “everlasting punishment,” and He wants to save you from it. Are you saved?

1.What verse shows clearly that there is everlasting punishment? Matt. 25.

2.When will the fires of hell be quenched? Mark 9.

3.Did the Lord Jesus bring the fear of hell before His hearers? Luke 12.

4.How long will the devil and those with him be tormented in hell? Revelation.

5.What solemn question was asked by Isaiah about the everlasting burnings? Isaiah 33.

6. Who has the keys of hell and of death? Revelation.

7. Where are death and hell cast at the great white throne? Revelation.

ML 06/05/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 25:54-27:13

How good to look on to that better day for Israel—the true jubilee —when the Lord will give His people happy possession of the land under His hand in true freedom, and then what rejoicing there will be.

There is also a beautiful application of this year of jubilee to us, when we think of the Lord’s coming for His Church. As the year of jubilee drew near in Israel the value of the land decreased, for if a man bought a piece of land two years before the jubilee it was only his for two years and then it went back to its original owner. He would therefore only pay a small price for it at such a time, and so as we realize the nearness of the Lord’s coming we put a lower value on things here which we are so soon to leave behind. When the trumpet sounds for us, we will leave this sin-ruined scene forever, to be with and like our blessed Saviour. Let us not become attached to it as though we were here to stay!

In the twenty-sixth chapter we have the solemn warnings to Israel that if they did not walk in obedience to the statutes of the Lord, nor keep His sabbaths, He would have to punish them. First, however, He tells them of the rich blessings He would pour upon them if they walked in obedience. He promised He would give them rain and fruitful seasons, and keep their land in peace from their enemies. Then, above all, He would dwell among them and be their God; but if they refused to walk in His ways He said He would have to deal with them in their land, and if they still refused to hearken to His voice through famine, disease, and pestilence, then He would cause them to be carried away captive by their enemies and then the land would “rest.” Surely this has happened to Israel nationally, for today they are scattered all over the earth, but now, once again, they are beginning to go back to their land, though still in unbelief. We may be assured, however, that they will not get the promised blessings until they own their guilt and turn to the Lord. This they will do when He appears as their Deliverer. We find the gracious promise of this in the end of the chapter, and how God Himself delights to look forward to the time when He can bless His people according to His own purposes, and in fulfillment of those unconditional promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, long ago. God never forgets Hi, promises and He cannot lie.

In the next chapter we have the question of vows and of redeeming land. brought before us. If a man made a vow he was not to alter or change it, but to pay according to the priest’s valuation. Surely this reminds us of the Lord Jesus who came to earth to pay that which the children of Israel vowed and could not pay. He took their place and went to the cross to pay their debt of sin, that they might be free. We notice that when a vow was redeemed, a fifth part was to be added to it, and so the blessed Lord Jesus not only met Israel’s guilt as law breakers (and ours too, through grace) but He has brought added glory to God through His worous work. Israel only valued Him at thirty pieces of silver, but, blessed be His Name, it is not a question of Israel’s valuation, or of yours and mine, but it is the value that God has put upon His work that really counts. God has shown His full and complete satisfaction in that Christ is now risen and seated at His own right hand in heaven.

ML 06/05/1951

Tommy's Apple

Tommy’s father has a very fine apple tree. Many a day, when Tommy bites his teeth into one of those fine Macintosh apples he thinks that there is no better apple tree in the world than his father’s. Of course Father keeps a watchful eye on that tree; he is often pruning or spraying, and he is always well rewarded with ripe and rosy fruit.

God made the apple tree, and God made Tommy, and Tommy is like a fruit tree too. Now, perhaps you feel like laughing, and saying, “But there isn’t any fruit growing on Tommy!”

Oh yes, there is! Tommy is a Christian boy, and he loves the Lord Jesus. He has been “born again” by the Spirit, and the Bible says: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsufiering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” (Gal. 5:22, 23.) That is the kind of fruit that grows on Tommy. Other people often appreciate this “fruit,” but God values it most of all. God never misses seeing one little bit of the fruit of the Spirit in His children, when it is there.

Now there is a good deal of pruning that God must do to Tommy, for God wants to see more fruit, and more, and I must tell you that there are times when Tommy does not show longsuffering and gentleness at all. But he ought to! God knows where these worthless branches of pride and selfishness are springing up to shut out the sunlight of His love. Tommy’s father prunes the worthless branches of his apple tree with a sharp knife, and God prunes too, and His ways are always right, even when they hurt.

Tommy is “like a tree planted by the rivers of water.” Psalm 1:3. Are you one of God’s fruit trees too? Are you “born again,” and have you eternal life? Have you taken your true place as a lost guilty sinner and accepted the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour? Remember there is not much use saying you are a Christian, if you are not; and if you are, you will then yield some of this “fruit of the Spirit.”

“WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM.” Matt. 7:20.

ML 06/10/1951

"That will Bear Me In"

Jamie Angus was dying He was just a boy of sixteen, and had been a strong lad, and a willing helper with his father, who had for years been a fisherman. In the days of his health, he often stood at the harbor and watched the fishing vessels borne into safety on the crests of the Atlantic waves. Often he had heard from the lips of a God-fearing fisherman a fervent “Thank God” as he stepped on shore. They knew their life was a dangerous one, and it was no easy thing to enter the harbor in a storm, but on the crest of a swelling wave they could be borne in to safety.

Sinclair was standing by Jamie’s side and they were talking together of their happy days as friends, knowing that they must soon part. Both Jamie and Sinclair had accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, and so they knew that they would meet again in glory. They had gone to Sunday school together, and had heard the glorious gospel message of the love of God in senng His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for sinners. Both had believed the gospel, and had come to Jesus and found in Him salvation and forgiveness.

Just as they parted, Sinclair said, “Well, Jamie, my friend, you are neang the harbor, and the word I would like to give you from the Lord is, ‘Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid.’” Isaiah 12:2.

“Thank you; thank you, Sinclair. That will bear me in!”

Jamie was truly nearing the harbor, for the very next day his life was over, and he entered the harbor, trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as His Saviour.

Dear reader, you have no assurance that you will he alive tomorrow. Have you a trust that will “bear you in?” Don’t trust in yourself, or your works, or your religion. Trust in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of sinners.

“He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” Hebrews 7:25.

ML 06/10/1951

The Schoolgirls' Escape

Strange things happen in schoolrooms. This story concerns a group of girls who attended a school near the city of London, England. They were happy, busy, carefree girls who thought of very little else but having a good time.

One day they heard of a series of special gospel meetings being held in a large barn near the school. These meetings were held in the late afternoon, and so the girls decided, as a bit of adventure, that they would all attend right after school. After all, it would be something new to go to a service in a barn!

What a surprise they felt! Instead of a mournful dull sermon, they found a very happy and very earnest man, telling of a Saviour who loved and died for sinners. They also heard of the awful fate of those who spurned God’s offer of salvation. It turned out to be more than an adventure, and the girls walked slowly and solemnly to their homes. The next day they were back again after school, and that very day, three of the girls accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. Soon more bieved and confessed the Lord as their own, and then the trouble began. When the girls told at home of the good news they had heard, and of how the Lord. Jesus had saved them, they found their parents were not at all happy about it. For although we live in a so-called Christian country, there are multitudes of people who go to church and have a fine Bible, but in their hearts they do not love Jesus—they actually despise Him and turn away from those that love Him.

And so it happened that the parents of these girls began to plan together how they could put an end to this foolish new and strange thing that was happening to their daughters. They wrote a note to the schoolmistress and asked her to give their daughters specially hard lessons, and then keep them in after school as a punishment. for failing to do them well. This worked just fine, and the girls were not able to get to the meetings for a few days. But God is over all things, and He loved those parents, and the schoolmistress as well.

A few days later, the girls were given harder lessons than ever, and when they were not done, they were locked in the school and were told they would be let out when the work was donePutting, the key in liee pocket, The schoolmistress walked slowly down the street—and then forgot all about the imprisoned girls!

The girls diligently finished their tasks and then waited for their teacher to return. They waited and waited, and kept looking out the window, and still no sign of her return. A passing scholar saw them’ at the window, and fearing there had been some mistake, she climbed up a ladder and opened the window. In no time at all, the girls were down the ladder, and hurrying toward the barn to hear the last half of the gospel message, for they knew they were late.

When they walked in, whom do you think they saw first of all? Their schoolmistress! Yes, God had been speaking to her conscience. In fact she was so worried, that I suppose that is why she forgot she had locked up her girls, until she saw them walk up the aisle of the barn meeting. At once, with tears in her eyes, she stood up and asked the girls to forgive her, and openly confessed the Lord Jesus as her own Saviour.

What a happy change it made in that school. The girls and their teacher became inseparable friends, and through their happy Christian lives, many in that district were led to the Lord Jesus.

My dear young reader, you may have tried to shut God out of your thoughts, and may even have tried to keep away anyone who would speak to you about Jesus. But as you read this paper, God is watching you with love and He wants you to come to Him and accept His Son, the Lord Jesus, as your own Saviour.

“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10.

ML 06/10/1951

Bible Talks

Leviticus 27:14-3

As we remarked last week, it is well to notice that God has dlared His full. and complete satisfaion in the work His beloved Son has accomplished. The Lord Jesus, the One and the only One who could pay for Israel’s broken vow—the broken law—has paid the debt in full, and He is now seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Heb. 1:3.) If there should he one reading these lines who is unsaved, or in doubt, we would point you now to that finished work of Calvary. Not only did the Lord Jesus bear the sins of those of faith in Israel, but the message is now sent out to “whosoever will.” God would have you turn from yourself, your own thoughts; and your own self—righteous rags (Isaiah 64:6), and see the value He has put upon the precious blood of Christ. He has said in His unchangeable Word that, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin:” 1 John 1:7. Oh, what peace and joy fill the soul when we can truthfully sing the words of the little hymn,

“God is satisfied with Jesus,
I am satisfied as well.”

It then follows in our chapter about redeeming the land when it had been sold, and this too the Lord Jesus has done, for He bought the field, which is the world (Matt. 13:38), and now with a double right, as both Creator and Redeemer, He will bring Israel back into their land in peace and blessing. And He has added the fifth part in tins too, for the future glory of Israel during the millennium will be “greater than of the former” (Haggai 2:7-9). We notice here in our chapter that when this remption took place, the priest was not to search whether the thing to be reemed was good or had, nor was he to allow any change to be made in the matter. How beautifully this tells is of the Lord Jesus who did not look for any goodness in us (for we were all bad), and who would not alter or change, but setting “His face as a flint” He went on in obedient love and dotedness to the cross to pay our great debt. Yes, He paid it all, blessed be His Name, for all blessing must rest upon God’s unchanging faithfulness and not on Israel’s goodness, for there could not be any blessing to them, or to any creature of Adam’s race, on that ground.

This brings us to the end of our meditations on this most interesting book of Leviticus, and surely we cart say it is a record of the faithful grace of God to Israel through the sacrifices and priesthood. We have seen how the people were maintained before God according to the holiness of His own nature through these sacrifices which all pointed on in such a beautiful and perfect way to the work of Christ. He is now our Great High Priest, and by His one perfect Sacrifice our sins have been forever put away. Now He is interceding for us above, supplying the grace to help in every time of need, to all who come to Him for it. There is never a time when we cannot come to Him and find this much-needed help in all the difficulties of the way. Then too, He is our Advocate when we have sinned as believers, and we should come at once and confess our sin to Him. We do not ask for forgiveness, for the debt was paid at Calvary, but the moment we confess, then “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. Oh, what wonderful prision has been made for us, first as needy sinners, now as needy saints, all through Christ our true Sacrifice and Priest.

ML 06/10/1951

A Mistaken Call

Where is the train gone? It puffed away down the track one summer night, leaving a young man named Jacob standing all alone at the station. He had just stepped off the train to spend a happy week-end with some friends, but he did not know, in the darkness, where to find their home.

What did Jacob need? Well, he needed to be sure of the way. It would be foolish to follow some unknown road in the dark, so he decided to wait there until daylight. That was a wise decision, but just then he heard a long “Yoo hoo” in the distance.

“Ah,” he thought to himself, “my friends have heard the train stop and are calling for me to come. “Yoo hoo,” he answered eagerly, as he started off down the track in the direction of the call.

Now Jacob thought he was right, but human thoughts are very doubtful coanions. God says He hates them. (Psalm 119:113.) Are you following human thoughts on your way to eternal happiness? Do you think that if you do this or that, you will be pretty safe for eternity? Has someone told you that they think, if you try to be a good boy or girl, you will get to heaven? Let me tell you that you will find, after all, that God hates thoughts, and wants you to follow His own precious Word.

Well, Jacob walked on in the daress, and the same encouraging “Yoo hoo” sounded again. On he went further still, but before long he found out he was mistaken. He was going in the wrong direction and it was not his friends who were calling at all.

Jacob found his friends in daylight. They told him that the voice he had followed was the cry of a loon, a big bird swimming in the bay. How Jacob laughed at his mistake! How foolish it all appeared in the light of day! But listen, my reader, if you wait till God’s day of judgment comes upon this world, your mistake will be no laughing matter. It will then be forever too late for salvation.

It isn’t too late now for you to find the way to eternal joy and happiness in the presence of God. But you must follow the right voice. You must be sure that you follow the right voice. Whose voice? Not man’s, but God’s. The Word of God tells us that the only way to the Father is through the Lord. Jesus, the One who died that we might live. His way is not hard and toilsome. It is not long. It may be settled this moment, if you will but put your trust in that blessed One who died that we might live.

“TODAY IF YE WILL HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS.” Hebrews 4:7.

ML 06/17/1951

Playing with the Life Belts

When I was a girl of sixteen, our family spent the summer in a little village on the Irish Coast.

Quite close to the cottage where we lived, there was a coast guard Station, to which my brother Tom and I often went in search of adventure. We watched the men practice with the lifesaving rocket, and the life belts. Out on the sea, a boat was anchored to represent a wreck, and we were often allowed on this boat to act the part ni the shipwrecked crew. What fun it was to be brought to shore on a life belt!

I well remember one day the old coast guard shaking his head and sang to me, “You find great fun in playing with the life belts, my lass, but if you were shipwrecked on a stormy coast you would make a different use of them.” And then he added in a kind but firm voice, “And it’s just the same with the Saviour. I hope you have felt your need of Him.” I thought that was a strange thing to say, but the remembrance of it never left me.

That very evening a sudden storm came up. The wind roared, and the waves mounted higher and higher. and just as we were ready to go to bed a cry of distress was heard out on the stormy sea. At once we got ready and rushed down to the Station and there found the crew just starting to fire it rocket over a schooner which had struck a rock and was fast sinking in the waves. As the old chief coast guard caught sight of me, he gave me a meaning look, as if to enforce the words of that afternoon.

Soon a dripping exhausted sailor was brought in by the very line and life belt on which I had had so much fun. Poor fellow: he had been battling with grim death among the waves, and when that life belt came, he knew it was his only chance of being saved. One after another the poor fellows were brought to shore, and before we returned home, we knew that they were all safely rescued. The next morning we hurried back, and there found the faithful coast guard conducting a thanksgiving service to God for their deliverance, and inviting them to accept the Deliverer from the coming storm of judgment. He told them of how my brother Tom and I often played with that life-saving apparatus in the calm weather, but what a different matter it was to commit yourself to the life belt to save you from a watery grave. The rescued men seemed to feel the power of his words. None of them had spurned the offer of rescue from their sinking ship, and yet how many times boys and girls turn away from God’s offer of forgiveness and salvation.

Very soon after that, I could stay away no longer, and I cast myself upon the Lord Jesus and He saved me, as He promised to do. I felt my need and my burden was dragging me down, down to an eternal hell, and I remembered the words of the faithful coast guard, and trusted Jesus as my Deliverer and Saviour. Do come to Him right now, for the storm of God’s judgment is very near at hand and He longs to shelter you and rescue you.

“Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Prov. 29:25.

ML 06/17/1951

One Thing

There is only one thing matters,
In this passing world of sin;
That my life should tell of Jesus,
And be lived as “unto Him.”
In the secret of Thy presence
(For ’tis only there I’ve power,)
Keep me near Thee, let me serve Thee
Every day and every hour.

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.” Psalm 27:4.

ML 06/17/1951

Eternity

It may seem strange, but my first really serious thoughts about eternity came to me while at a race course. I was just a careless boy, out for a good time, and thinking only of the excitement of the races. Men were shouting and cheering their favorite horses, when all at once I felt a tug at my coat sleeve. I turned and saw a young man just about my own age, and he seemed to want to speak to me. He stepped close and whispered one word, at the same time slipping a little tract into my hand. The one word was “Eternity.” What a strange thing to say! I decided I would forget all about it, and to my relief, the young man hurried away and said no more.

I tried to enjoy what was going on, but could hear again and again, that solemn word, “Eternity.” Only a month before my best friend, Victor, had died very suddenly, and I could not help but think of him as being in eternity. I knew that if he had been still alive, he would have been with me at the follies of the racecourse. But he was in the eternal world, and the word “Eternity” seemed to come to me as from him.

I hurried home and read the gospel tract that had been given to me, and there I found that God loved me and wished to forgive me. I opened my Bible, which had not been used for a long time, and that very night I came to the Lord Jesus as a poor foolish sinful young man and accepted Him as my Saviour.

Stop now and ask yourself this question, “Where will I spend eternity?”

“O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!” Deut. 32:29.

ML 06/17/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 1:1-3:13

The book of Numbers gives us the wilderness journey of the children. of Israel on their way to Canaan, and it is most interesting in that we learn herein much of the ways of God with His people. Just as the Red Sea separated the children of Israel from Egypt and its glories, so the cross of Christ has separated us from the glories of this world, making it a wilderness as we travel to our heavenly Canaan. Our trials and testings, and alas our murmurings too, answer to what Israel passed through, so that God’s ways with them are very instructive to us. May we profit by what God has written for us here, for “they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Cor. 10:11.

First we have the numbering of the people according to their tribes. Not one is forgotten of God, and here it is the people in their outward place as His people. They pitched their tents and encamped around the tabernacle where He dwelt among them. It is noticeable here that the Levites were not nuered with the people. The firstborn of all the people belonged to the Lord, for He had spared them when they had taken shelter under the blood of the Passover lamb in Egypt, while the firstborn among the Egyptians were all killed. They were His, therefore, for He had spared their lives, but now, instead of them, He had taken the whole tribe of Levi to serve in their stead in connection with the tabernacle. The tribe of Levi were therefore not nuered among the people, because they belonged to the Lord. We notice too that they were placed immediately around the tabernacle, for this is a paern of heavenly things, and it reminds us of how the Lord Jesus said, “If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be.” John 12:26. How Unportant this is. for if we are going to serve according to His mind the very first requirement is nearness to Him.

We might say that there are three important things to remember in this connection, when we apply what we have here to our own service to the Lord now, as believers. First, we deserved death and judgment, just as the children of Israel deserved it in Egypt and it is only the blood of Christ that has sheltered us from that judgment. Secondly, as being redeemed we are not our own but have been bought with a great price, and we ought to recognize this and, by the constraint of the love of Christ, present our bodies as a living; sacrifice to Him. (Romans 12:1). Thirdly, we have been given to Chris, by the Father, and He is Son over His own house, whose house we are. (Heb. 3:6.) He has given gifts by the Holy Spirit, and we are responsible to the Lord as to the use of these gift. (1 Cor. 12:5.)

Another important thing here is that the service of the Levites was appointed to them by Aaron and his sons. They did not do just what they thought was best, but served as under the priesthood of Aaron who is typical of Christ. The great trouble in Christendom today is that many Christians do whatever service they themselves think best, follong their own thoughts, and then when the Word is presented to them they do not want the path of obedience. God has told us that “to obey is better than sacrifice,” (I Sam. 15:22), and our service is only truly acceptable in the measure in which it is according to His Word. All this will be manifested at the judgment seat of Christ, when the lives of all believers will come into review. (1 Cor. 3:12-15.)

ML 06/17/1951

"My Name Is Thomas"

Perhaps the school you go to is much bigger than this one. When I was a little boy, I went to Hopewell Avenue School, in Ottawa, Canada, and it was much bigger than the one in our picture. This school is on the Island of Bermuda, a beautiful island in the Atlantic Ocean.

I shall never forget the happy time we spent on that Island, and of the visits made to the different schools. One day I was asked to speak to the children at the “Glebe” school, and that is where I met “Thomas.”

The boys and girls listened quietly while I told them about Canada, and listened too while I told them about heaven, and of the Lord Jesus who came down from heaven to die for sinners. Some of the boys and girls had accepted Jesus as their own Saviour, and the headmistress too was a bright and happy Christian. When the little talk was over, I had a gift in my pocket which I wanted to give to someone. My text had been, “The gift of God is eternal life,” and I wanted them to see how simple it was to take a gift. I looked over the crowd of children and wondered how I would pick out someone to give my little gift to. Suddenly I thought of a plan, and I asked, “Is there anyone here with the name of Tom?”

The boys all looked at one another, and to my surprise, there was not one lad in the school with the name of Tom. I was almost ready to try another name when I heard, “My name is Thomas, sir.” There stood one of the teachers! He was much bigger than I am, and he was grinning a bit as if he didn’t quite know whether I meant just boys or teachers too! Do you think he should have received the gift? Of course. His name was Thomas and that was all he needed, so he came forward to the platform while the children all clapped and cheered!

Perhaps your name isn’t Tom, or Ruth, or Peter, or Mabel. But God says that your name is Sinner. And God offers His precious gift of eternal life to anyone with the name of Sinner. Would you stand and say, “My name is Sinner, and I want to accept Jesus as my Saviour?” If you will really do that, God will give to you the gift of eternal life, and the forgiveness of all your sins.

“THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERrAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.” Romans 6:23.

ML 06/24/1951

Decide Now

Peter was home for his vacation. Everyone likes a vacation, and Peter had looked forward to these two weeks for a long time, for he was working a long way from home. Mr. and Mrs. Fergus and their daughter Betty were all happy Christians, and they often prayed for Peter, the only one who was not yet saved. He was a fine young man, and had always lived a clean life, but they knew that he was a sinner, and had not yet come, to the Lord Jesus to be cleansed b7His precious blood.

It was a joy to them to have Peter with them again, and to hear his happy whistle as he roamed about the house, and it made them pray the more earnestly that he might share with them the happy knowledge of Jesus as his own Saviour.

One day, Betty and Peter went to visit the ruins of an old abbey about two miles from their home. They both chatted happily as they walked along but Peter became more and more serious and quiet. At last, as they stood together under the shadow of the ruined walls, Peter turned to his sister and said, “Betty, I have taken the Lord Jesus as my Saviour, and I am a Christian.” Tears of joy sprang to the happy sister’s eyes as she squeezed his hand and said,

“Peter, my brother, this is the best news I have heard since you came home. Why didn’t you tell us before?”

“I couldn’t tell you before, for I just came to Jesus now as we walked along! I have felt for a long time what a sinner I was, but tried to think I was not as bad as many other fellows. But when I thought of Jesus dying for sinners on the cross, I just knew it was for me, and I took Him as my Saviour just now. I know He has cleansed away my sins and I am saved.”

With hastened steps, they returned home and told their father and mother the happy news. Together, all four kneeled and thanked God for bringing dear Peter to the feet of the Saviour. He started out from home a lost young man, and he returned a true Christian. And you may have started reading this paper as a lost and unsaved soul. But right now, before you read further, you should do as Peter did—own your sin and your need, and accept Jesus as your own Saviour. He is waiting for your answer. He says,

“Look unto Me, and be ye saved.” Isaiah 45:22.

ML 06/24/1951

Mary's Two Bibles

Perhaps you are wondering how little Mary came to have two Bibles, and what she did with them.

Mary was born in that far away country of India. It is often very, very hot in India, and very few white children seem to be able to live there. So when Mary was just six years old, her parents, who were missionaries, sent her all the way back to England to stay with her grandmother. Her grandmother was very kind to her, and often told her Bible stories, and did everything to make her happy.

Mary was learning to read, and one day she received a letter from her father. In the envelope was some money, and a birthday message like this. “My dear little Mary: you will soon be having your seventh birthday, and. I am sending you some money to buy yourself a Bible.”

“Just what I wanted so much,” cried Mary with pleasure.

In a very few days the birthday came, and Mary went with her grandmother to buy the precious Bible. She looked at the many different sizes and at the nice gilt edges and the beautiful leather covers. All at once she became very quiet and then she turned to the man behind the counter and said, “Would this money buy two Bibles?”

“Yes, my girl, it would buy two Bibles. But not the nice ones you have been looking at.”

Grandmother heard this and she stepped up. “Mary, what do you want two Bibles for?”

“Because,” replied the little girl, “I want one for myself, and one to send to a little girl in India, just uiv age, so that she may learn about Jesus too.”

So Mary bought two Bibles. They didn’t have gilt edges or beautiful leather covers but as Mary explained, “The inside is just the same.”

As soon as Mary reached home, she printed her name in one of the Bibles, and then wrapped up the other and sent it to her father, asking him to give it to some little seven-year-old girl in India.

Mary read her Bible every day, and through it, she learned more and more of the love of Jesus. Her favorite verse was “We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. Each day she prayed for her unknown friend in India, that she too might learn to know the love of Jesus.

Years later, Mary herself returned to India to be with her father and mother, and to help them in their miionary work. Not long after she aived, she was introduced to a young Indian girl, and found that she was a bright and happy Christian.

“How did you learn to know about Jesus?” asked Mary.

“When I was seven years old, I was given this Bible,” said the native, “and through reading it, I learned to know and love the Lord Jesus.”

And there Mary found her unknown friend, for the Bible was the very one which she had sent from England years before.

Have you a Bible, dear young reader? In it you will find the love of God made known in the gift of the Lord Jesus. And if you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, may you be encouraged to seek to win others for Him.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35.

ML 06/24/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 3:14-26

There was a difference in the way the Levites were numbered from the numbering of the rest of the tribes. In all the other tribes, the men were numbered from twenty years old and upward, but the Levites were numbered from one month old and upward. Undoubtedly this has a great lesson for us as Christian parents. Sometimes we do not own the Lord’s claims over our children young enough, nor do we bring them under His authority as soon as we should. We are liable to say, “They are too young” and so let them have their own way until it is too late, and then when we want to bring them under the Lordship of Christ, they rebel. The children of Christian parents, like the children of the Levites, are born into the place of privilege (1 Cor. 7:19) and we ought to “number” them as such, realizing at the same time that it is all of grace. The Levites did not begin their service until. they were thirty years of age, but they were numbered from a month old. Surely we can see in this something of the great responsibility which rested upon the pants of these children during those thirty years, and what a great responsibility rests upon us as Christian parents today, Have we taught our children the truth of God in all its purity and simplicity, at the same time making them realize what a great responsibility is theirs to “keep the charge of the Lord?” These are searching questions indeed, but very timely, we feel. What a difference it would make in the assemblies of God’s people if our children were diligently taught the truth from their earliest childhood, as well as having our living example before them, as parents. May it be more so with those of us who have “light in our dwellings” in these dark days of the Church’s history.

We now come to the service appointed to the different familes of the Levites, by Aaron. First there is the service of the Gershonites. They had the responsibility of the tabernacle itself, the hangings of the court, the cords, and other things. This comes first, for we need to watch the beginnings of thr enemy’s attack. In the tabernacle and its furniture we see that which picturet to us the various glories of Christ, and tells us of our approach to God. The Gershonites were to “keep the charge” of the tabernacle itself, and how needful it is that we “keep the charge” of that which it typified. The enemy is “a thief and a robber,” ever ready to rob Christ of His glory, and us of out blessings in Him, and great diligence is needed in maintaining the truth. When the time came for the children of Israel to move forward, or to stop in sumo place for a while, the Gershonites had to take down or set up the tabernacle in God’s appointed way. Each curtain and each cord had to be carefully picd up and guarded in the journey—then set up in its right place when they stopped. In this we see that every detail, though seemingly unimportant, was needful. They could not leave any part out as unnecessary, for they were acting on God’s behalf and must be faithful.

As we think of the great errors that have come into the professing church today, we can trace them all back to small beginnings—a carelessness as to the little things, which has resulted in carelessness as to the greater things. Dear readers, whether young or old, let us watch the little things, let us “keep the charge of the Lord” in the little things and not pass them over. “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines.” Song of Sol. 2:15.

ML 06/24/1951

Who Wants a Bite?

Here is a raw turnip, covered with a little garden earth. Would you like a bite?

“Oh no, thank you, not for me!”

Don’t you like raw turnips? There was a man once who was very happy when he found a raw turnip in a field. He ate it right away, just like an apple. But that man had had nothing to eat for three days’ and very little before that, and he liked that turnip because he had nothing better.

Have you something better? Very likely. And if we had found that poor man, I hope you and I would have offered him better food, and Pm sure he would not be long throwing away his dusty turnip. Suppose you had said, “Here are some apples and oranges.” Wouldn’t he be glad?

Now, my friend, if you are unsaved, we Christians have something far better to tell you about today (ban just apples and oranges. You are, no doubt, feeding on the pleasures of this world and you love them because you have nothing better. But we have something so much better, and if you will just receive it from the Lord, those earthly pleasures will drop from your hands as the raw turnip from the hungry man.

What is that “something better?” Jesus. The Lord Jesus, our precious Saviour. Oh it is wonderful, the first glad joy of knowing that He bore your sins when He died on Calvary’s cross—and that He has set you free to wait until He comes for you. And it is blessed to live for Him and with Him day by day, as the One who knows your sorrows and lives in glory for you. Yes, and the best is yet to come, with Him forever in heaven.

If you feed upon this food, dear friend, you will never pick up the old turnip again. The old earthly pleasures may do for poor hungry souls who have never tasted the Saviour’s love, but they will never satisfy those who have found that “something far better” which is found alone in Jesus.

“HE SATISFIETH THE LONGING SOUL, AND FILLETH THE HUNGRY SOUL WITH GOODNESS.” Psalm 107:9.

ML 07/01/1951

The Right Password

During the American War, Mr. George N. Stuart, an earnest gospel preacher, had to pass through the lines of soldiers in the middle of the night. As he approached, the sentinel on duty heard the steps, and called, “Halt! Give the password!”

“Chicago.”

“Wrong. Go back to headquarters and get the right word. It would be death to me if I let you through without it.”

In a short time, Mr. Stuart again approached the same sentinel.

“Halt! Give the password!” “Massachusetts.”

Instantly the sentinel lowered his rifle and he was allowed to pass. Then, turning to the young soldier, the Christian said, “You were properly anxious about my having the right, password before you allowed me to pass. May I ask now, Have you the password to heaven?”

“Thank God I have, sir,” said the young man with a smile. “The precious blood of Jesus.”

Do you know that password as your own, dear young reader? “Religion” won’t do. “I’ve done the best I can” won’t do either. Those who expect to enter the courts of heaven with such passwords will be turned away into eternal outer darkness. Give up all your own thoughts and accept God’s only password—the precious blood of Christ.

Listen to the song of the redeemed company in glory, “Thou ... . hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood.” Revelation 5:9.

ML 07/01/1951

Daniel

Daniel worked for a grocer in Mexico, and one day he climbed up on a high ladder. He slipped and fell, hurting himself so badly that the doctor told him he would never be better.

While lying in the hospital someone who loved the Lord Jesus and wanted others to learn of Him too, came through the ward with leaflets and Testaments. Daniel received a Testament and at once began to read it with great interest. He read of the love of God in sending His Son down into this world to die for sinners—of all that Jesus suffered on the cross, and then of His being raised from the dead by the glory of the Father. His heart was touched as he realized that He bore all the punishment in order that haniel—might be made fit to dwell with Him in His beautiful home.

One night when he thought the other patients were asleep, he cried aloud to God to pardon him and make him one of God’s own children. His prayer was heard and answered. Daniel’s life was changed, and for the two years before he died he delighted to tell other patients of the precious Saviour he had found.

Daniel’s accident was used of the Lord to bring about the salvation of his precious souk but will you not, here, and now, dear children, listen to the Good Shepherd’s voice saying, “Come unto Me”—and come. Hear His “still, small voice” lest He may have to speak “loudly” as in Daniel’s case.

“Today, after so long a time as it is said, Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7.

ML 07/01/1951

Bible Questions for July

The Children’s Class

1.“With all readiness of mind.”

2.“The disciples were called Christians.”

3.“Burned them before all men.”

4.“Be not afraid, but speak.”

5.“Whosoever believeth in Him.”

6.“We must through much tribulation.”

7.“Behold, ye despisers, and wonder.”

The Young People’s Class Eternity

Yes, eternity is a long time—rather it cannot be measured in time— it is just eternity! It is a never-ending NOW! How important then, with only a few short years of life before us, that we should be ready, and know where we are going to be in eternity.

In our questions for the last two months, we have spoken about the two months, we have spoken about the two destinies, heaven and hell. We have sought to show how God has revealed these facts to us for our own good, that we might be saved from eternal judgment and brought to eternal glory. God is eternal. He never had a beginning, for He began everything that has had a beginning. Man, having received his life directly from god (Gen. 2:7), must exist eternally too. This is a solemn consideration upon the birth of a little baby, and also in our contacts with our fellow man, through life, let us remember that we are fellow travelers to eternity. Let us lovingly bring before them the two destinies, heaven or hell, and urge them to decide for Christ while they still have time.

Remember, dear ready, that at the moment of death, your eternal destiny is fixed, and you cannot change it after death. (Luke 16:26). It will be too late then!

1.Who is spoken of as being “from eveasting to everlasting”? Psalm 90.

2.With whom does the One who inhabits eternity, dwell? Isaiah 57.

3.To what glory have we been called? 1 Peter.

4.Can we know that we have eternal life? 1 John.

5.For how long is the believer’s consolation? 2 Thess. 2.

6.Who is the believer’s refuge, and what arms are under us? Deut. 33.

7. What verse shows that time is as nothing to God? 2 Peter.

ML 07/01/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 3:27-4:7

We now come to the service of Kohathites. They were to care for the vessels of the sanctuary which were (if we May call them so) the most important, though not mentioned first. This, I believe, is for the reasons mentioned last week, that the enemy always begins his attack by trying to make us careless about the little things which seem less important. Then too, if we think our service is specially important, we like first place and first mention, but let us be willing to occupy whatever place the Lord has given us, whether it be setting the chairs in the meeting room, giving out the hymooks at the door, preaching the gospel, or teaching the truth. The Lord gives each one of us some little service to do for Him and happy is the one who seeks to do it for His glory. Even children who are saved have a service for the Lord, and will be rewarded for doing it teo. As to the vessels of the sanctuary which these Kohathites carried, we will notice more about them when speaking of the next chapter, for it is full of instruction for us.

The service of the sons of Merari is next. They were to carry the boards of the tabernacle, the bars, the sockets and the pillars, as well as the sockets for the court hangings. This was the heavy part, and, since the boards typify believers, there is a great lesson for us here. Perhaps the hardest thing of all in the Lord’s service is to care for the people of God. It is “heavy” work and sometimes very little appreciated or noticed, for here the sons of Merari, who were to carry these boards, are the last mentioned. But even if these boards were heavy, each one was precious, for they were all covered with pure gold. When we try to do something for the people of God and it is not appreciated, let us remember that they are dear to God—covered with “gold” in His sight—and thus we can continue in loving service to them as unto the Lord.

We now come to this interesting and instructive chapter which tells us how the tabernacle and its furniture were to be carried. Nothing was left to thy Levites to decide for themselves, for God gave them full instructions.

The ark, typifying Christ in the glory of His person, comes first here. It was to be covered with the veil, and this would show us how the Lord Jesus veiled His glory in His body of flesh, as He passed through this wilderness scene. Then, over the top of the veil was a covering of badgers’ skins, which, tells us of His complete separation to God, utterly misunderstood by men. On the top of all this there was a covering of blue. Blue is the heavenly color, atkl so the Lord. Jesus was the heavenly Man walking down here. Even those who did not believe in Him had to say, “Never man spake like this Man.” John 7:46. His heavenly character shone out, though unbelief rejected Him.

Next there was the table of show-bread with all its utensils, which speak, of Christ as identified with His peoph in the administration of earthly government. There is a different, order here than with the covering of the ark, and the blue covering comes first. The gornment of the earth in the coming millennial day will he heavenly in its character, and then, like the table her covered over with a scarlet cloth, it will have a human glory too. On top of this there was a covering of badgers’ skins.

ML 07/01/1951

"Salvation Jack"

I would like to tell you about a young shepherd in England who cared for a flock of sheep like those in our picture.

It was a fine summer day, and I was spending a holiday among the English Hills. I had climbed to the top of one of the highest hills, and was enjoying the beautiful view, when I noticed letters cut out of the grass. The hills were made of white chalk, and the markings showed up very clearly where the sod had been scraped away. This is what I read, “LOOK SINNER, LOOK TO JESUS.”

How strange! Who could have wrien those words? And what fine words they are too. Have you looked to Jesus, my dear reader? I hope you have leard that you are a sinner, for God’s Word says, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. And the only One to whom a sinner may turn for forgiveness is the very God against whom you have sinned, who delights to forgive through the blood of Jesus.

I wandered still further among the hills and found another text also cut out of the turf. “PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD.” And yet another. “WHICH ROAD, HEAVEN OR HELL?” I just must find out who wrote these messages! As I was looking at the last one, a strong young shepherd came along and greeted me.

“Who wrote these Words?” I asked, pointing to the message on the hill, “I did, sir,” he said. “The Lord Jesus saved my soul, and it has made me so happy that I want others to be saved too, so this is my way of preaching, and I have seen many people stop and read the messages.”

“Tell me how you were saved,” I asked.

“Well, sir, I wasn’t what folks would call a bad sort of fellow, That is, I was honest and truthful, and I tended my sheep carefully, and was even a bit religious, and thought that everything was all right with me before God.

“One day a friend gave me a little paper with three verses on it, and they were these:

“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.

“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17.

“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.

“When I read these verses over and over, I began to reckon that I was trusting in myself instead of the Saviour that God had sent into this world. I knew I was a sinner, so I came as a sinner before God and thanked Him for sending Jesus to be my Saviour. He saved my soul, praise His name, and then I began to wish other folks would get saved too, so I started writing these messages on the hills as I-tend my sheep. Folks all call me ‘Salvation Jack.’”

Jack and I had had a long talk and a word of prayer together, and as I walked slowly home from the hills, I thanked God for Jack’s hillside messages, and prayed God’s blessing on them to others. May I repeat just one of them to you again?

“PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD.” Amos 4:12.

ML 07/08/1951

Stubborn Jules

Mr. and Mrs. Ackerley both trusted and loved the Lord Jesus. Their only boy, Jules, should have been very thankful to have parents who belonged to the Saviour, but I’m afraid he wanted his own way. His parents often spoke to him about the Lord Jesus, and pressed upon him the need of coming to the Saviour without delay.

Jules was unusually lively, and stubborn too, and he used to get very angry when things didn’t go just the way he wanted.

When Jules was ten years old, he was made to think very solemnly about God. He was very fond of horses, and a neighbor one day allowed him to mount a fine horse of his, and go oft for a ride. All at once, the horse became frightened and began to gallop furiously. Jules was terrified, and began to slip off, but just then he remembered his mother’s instruction, and he cried aloud, “Lord Jesus, help me, help me!” Immediately the horse stopped and stood still. Jules slid down off the horse’s back feeling very thankful for his deliverance. He led the horse back to the neighbor, and then went thoughtfully home, but he didn’t tell his father or mother of his adventure.

A few months after this, he took a terrible toothache, and the pain was so had that he started out to walk to the dentist’s office, which was five miles away. On the way, the rain began to fall, and before long poor Jules was soaked and miserable in every way. As soon as his tooth was cared for, he returned home, but was so very sick that he had to go right to bed. The next day he was worse, and he began to fear that he might never get well again. Though not yet eleven years old, he knew that he was a sinner, and this made him feel most unhappy, for he knew that if he died, he would have to meet God. He knew that his father and mother had often told him the beautiful gospel story, but that his heart was so stubborn that he just wouldn’t bow and take Jesus as his Saviour. Then he remembered that God had heard him from that runaway horse, and so in his misery he cried again to God and owned the wickedness of his young heart, and accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. What a wonderful thing happened! All his anxious thoughts were gone and he was now peaceful and happy. He wanted to talk to everyone who came to visit him, about the Lord. Jesus, and asked them each one to accept the Saviour as their own.

For a long time he lay on that sick bed, for over a year, and when he was but twelve years old, he was called home to be with the Lord Jesus.

Will you not bow your own stubborn heart right now and accept God’s salvation?

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalm 50:15.

ML 07/08/1951

Carlo, the Guardsman

Carlo Cammasio was his name, and he was a young Italian guard. He was tall and handsome, and many people stopped to admire him as he stood in his uniform outside one of the buildings in the ancient city of Rome. One evening, as he was returning from his post of duty, he heard happy voices singing, and turned aside to listen. For the first time he heard the glorious gospel, that God had met our need as sinners in giving His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be our Saviour. As he turned to leave, someone handed him a little Italian booklet, “Come to Jesus.”

That very evening, Carlo read through the little book, and then knelt down and thanked God for His love in giving Jesus, and thankfully accepted Jesus as his own Saviour. The next day, on his way home from work, he stopped at the same Hall where he had heard the glad tidings, and publicly told them how the Lord Jesus had saved and cleansed him. Not long after, Carlo took very sick and was told that he would soon die. He was but a young man, and so strong and handsome that his friends could hardly believe the sad news. How would you feel, dear young reader, if you were told that you soon must step into eternity? Would you know where that step would land you? Carlo’s friends came to comfort him, and tried to help him prepare for heaven. But they found him happy and ready to go. He needed no one to help him prepare, for he was redeemed and cleansed by the precious blood of His Saviour, and he fearlessly told all who came to see him of the Lord Jesus, and invited them all to trust in Him.

At last, waving his hand in triumph, the dying guardsman cried aloud, “Christ has cleansed me from all my sins, and Jesus Himself is with me”— and so he died.

His friends were amazed, for they had never seen anyone die without fear and doubt. Carlo’s simple faith in Christ, and his fearless confession led many others to read the Word of God for themselves, and to find that same salvation in which he rejoiced. Jesus said, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

ML 07/08/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 4:8-14

In speaking of the scarlet cloth spread over the top of the blue on the table of showbread, it is marvelous to think of the time when there will be righteous government in the earth, administered by men (1Cor. 6:2). Yes, there is a wonderful day of human glory, which the scarlet typified, coming, when we will reign over the earth, and Israel on the earth. Of course our chapter tells of these vessels in their passage through the wilderness, and so this bright covering of scarlet was hidden by the badgers’ skins over the top. This reminds us of the Lord Jesus who was truly the rightful King, walking a separate and rejected path, as were the disciples who were sent forth by Him. Thus the glory of the kingdom could not be seen then as it will in the millennium—it was, as it were, covered over. In applying this to ourselves may we too, who are now His people, be careful to maintain that separation from evil, being conscious of the future glory before us, for we are kings now, though not reigning yet. (Rev. 1:6.).

Next we read of how the seven branch candlestick was to be carried through the wilderness. It speaks of light by the power of the Spirit—the true Oil. This candlestick was to be covered with blue, for it was typical of heavenly light down here in the Person of Christ. It was then covered with badgers’ skins, for he maintained that path, as the true Light, in separation from all evil. What lessons for us who are now to walk as He walked in this world. (1 John 2:6.) We are now the children of light (1 Thess. 5:5), to walk as heavenly men in a path of separation from the darkness that is all around us.

The altar of incense and other vessels of the sanctuary were to be covered in the same way as the candlestick, for the true heavenly character of our worship can only be maintained in this wilderness world is we walk in separation from its evil. How necessary that ever the youngest should learn this, for thy devil is making a special attack on the young today, and would seek, from the very start of their schooling, to hinder a separate and heavenly walk. He would make our children part and parcel of the world in its pleasures or its religion—anything to hinder separation to Christ. One feels we need to be increasingly watchful in these last day.

Then there was the altar of burnt offering which had a purple cloth over it, and over all its vessels. Purple speak of royalty and of reigning, and so the Lord Jesus, the One who suffered (like the victim on the altar) is the One who will reign. This also has its application to us. We can, of course, never suffer as He did, for He bore the judgment of God against sin, but we can suffer for Him, and He has said, “If we suffer, we shall reign with Him.” 2 Tim. 2:12. This purple cloth was then covered over with badgers’ skins, telling us of the Lord Jesus, the rightful King, being rejected and suffering outside the gate. Now we are to go out unto Him, bearing His reproach. (Heb. 13:12, 13.)

Of all these vessels of the sanctuary, the ark was the only one which had the covering of blue on the outside, and this was because it typified the Person of Christ—the Lord from Heaven—and He could not be hid. As they moved along on their wilderness journey the ark went before them, and surely we delight to give the Lord Jesus the place of pre-eminence now, as He will have it forever above.

ML 01/08/1951

A Fine Catch

Mr. Fisherman has had a good day. He has stood long and patiently with his rod and line. Many times over he felt an exciting tug at his line, and he has caught some fine fish.

Now, somebody must set to work with a knife, and remove the fins and scales, which are not good eating—but very important to the fish.

God told the Israelites, in the book of Leviticus, that they must not eat any water-creatures, that had not fins and scales. (Lev. 11:10.) Therefore they could not eat eels or frogs, but they could freely eat of the fish in our picture.

Do you know why God made this law and what lesson it has for us today? Remember that fins and scales are needed to enable the fish to swim against the current, and to protect it from its surroundings. God calls these fish “clean” and the ones without fins and scales are “unclean.”

You see, God intends that even the fish should be a constant reminder of what He requires of us. He wants us to swim against the stream! It is very easy to do what other boys and girls are doing, and tints to float along with the current. But it takes a good set if fins to swim upstream, and it takes a good deal of energy not to do the wrong things that others are doing, because you want to please the Lord.

Have you ever heard of the salmon, which leaps up great rocky waterfalls, in order to reach its home? God has given it the needed energy for this task, and He will give you the strength to go against any force of evil, if you are one of His “clean” ones and seek His help.

Do the other children do things that are disobedient and unkind? Remember that the current of this world is sweeping right on down to destruction, but you, dear Christian, do not have to go with the crowd. Upstream may be a real struggle, but God requires obedience at any cost. Did not our blessed Lord Jesus go even to death for us, with the voice of the crowd raised against Him? Surely His life and His death were “against the stream,” and now those whom He has saved and cleansed in His most precious blood find that the world has not changed. It is still at enmity with God and we can only expect its scorn if we seek to follow Jesus.

“THOU SHALT NOT FOLLOW A MULTITUDE TO DO EVIL.” Exodus 23:2.

ML 07/15/1951

The Black and White of It

I am not a boy any longer, but thought you might like to hear the story of how the Lord saved me when I was just fourteen years old.

I was working as a message boy in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, and I knew almost nothing about God or the Lord Jesus Christ. It was New Year’s eve, and I wandered about, looking for something to make me happy. A man invited me into a large Hall, where a free supper was being given to many hungry boys and men. Some of them were very noisy, and tried to disturb the gathering. It was a new thing to me to be given a free suppper, and a good supper it was too, and then afterward something better still was offered to us.

One of the men who had enjoyed the supper stood up and started to sing. He was what we used to call a “chimney-sweep” and his face and clothes and hands were usually as black as soot. We could see that he had tried to clean up a bit, but I guess he didn’t have a mirror, for their was still plenty of black on his face. This is what he sang, “Oh, precious is the flow,
That makes me white as snow!
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

Then, with a very happy smile, he told of how he had gone far in sin, but that the Lord had saved him and washed his sinful heart clean and white in His precious blood.

“Now,” he said, “that is the black and white of it. Black as soot I was in sin: white as snow I am in Christ.”

The meeting closed, the boys and men walked out to their sad life on the streets. But I learned that night the way of life, through trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and His precious blood, and I am now whiter than snow—saved by His precious blood.

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1: 7.

ML 07/15/1951

The Little Traveler

It was a hot July day, and I was taking a short train journey to visit some friends. Across from me sat a young boy about thirteen years old, and he looked very, very lonely. After we had been on our way for a while, he opened a little box and took out a sandwich and began to eat. As he ate, the tears began to roll down his cheeks. We soon started talking together and I found that his name was Raymond. He was feeling a bit lonely for his mother, and her kindness in packing a lunch for him had brought the tears to his eyes.

“Have you a long journey to go, Raymond?” I asked.

“Yes, sir. I am going to Liverpool and from there I take the boat to New York. My dear mother is a widow, and I am her only son. But I have three sisters still at home, and two are already in America. These two sisters have invited me to come to them and have sent the fare. They tell me that I can easily find work in New York.”

“And did you find it hard to leave your mother?”

“I surely did. And it was hard for mother to say good-bye to me.”

“Aren’t you afraid about going across the ocean and into a distant and new land?”

“No, I’m not afraid at all. I belong to the Lord Jesus, and before we said good-bye, mother and I kneeled down and asked God to take care of me on the ocean, and mother at home. And besides, my sisters have paid the fare, and they will meet me at the harbor. And I know they would not have sent for me if they didn’t know it would be for the best.”

I have told you of my talk, with this young traveler, for I know that you too are a traveler to another coury. Perhaps you have never crossed the Atlantic Ocean, but right now as you read this story you are hurrying onward toward a country which you have never visited before. But you are not going to visit this new country— you are going to stay there forever. I beg you to be sure that you are ready for this long and important journey.

God has told us in His own Word, the Bible, that there are two countries, Heaven and Hell. He tells us—

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt. 7:13, 14.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

ML 07/15/1951

A Changed Boy

Mr. Watson lives in Australia and not long ago he gave copies of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to some boys he knew. Soon after he was visiting the home of one of the boys, whose mother said there had been such a change in Jack she didn’t know what had happened to him!

“Once I couldn’t control him,” she said, “but now he reads the book you gave him every night and always does what I tell him.”

What do you think had happened to Jack, children?

Well, you see, God’s Word is LIVING and POWERFUL and by reading it Jack’s life had been changed—he had believed himself a sinner and had accepted Jesus as His Saviour and thus received a new nature that loves to please God and not self. That is what God will do for all who believe His Word. They are “born from above” and made children of God with the very nature of God. This is the way to be truly happy and free.

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3.

ML 07/15/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 4:15-5:28

Although the Kohathites had the wonderful privilege of carrying these holy vessels, they could not see them being covered. They had to wait until Aaron and his sons had covered them before going in to carry them. In applying this to ourselves, I have no doubt we learn that although such wonderful truths have been committed to us, we must hold them in all humility of mind. Alas, how some who have had a wonderful knowledge of the truth have tried to go beyond what was written, and have attempted to fathom the mystery of the Person of Christ, or explain away some of His glories, only to be smitten for their pride.

As we have noticed in a previous “Bible Talk,” the Levites did not begin their service until they were thirty years of age, although they were nuered from a month old. With what care they would undoubtedly be taught and trained until the time came when they were to serve the Lord in His appointed way. May we remind those who are younger too, that as the older ones are taken home, new responsibilities rest upon you, and it is only by diligent reading of the Word and prayer accompanied by a walk with God when you are young, that you will be able to “keep the charge of the Lord” in the place where the Lord has put you.

In the service of the sons of Merari (and in theirs alone) we notice that their service is given by name. As we have remarked before, their service typifies our service to the saints of God. How needful that we have an individual interest in each of the Lord’s people. We all like to be called by name, and if we are going to help the saints we should learn to know them by name. The Lord called Moses, Zaccheus, and Mary, by name, an dhow their hearts were melted in presence. Let us learn to have the same care one for another.

God dwelt in the midst of Israel and He could not have defilements in His presence, so He commanded that all lepers and defiled persons were to be put outside the camp. We are also told that if a man wronged another man, he was to make it right with the man he had wronged, as well as bringing a trespass offering to the Lord. It is not enough, if we have wronged someone, to own it to the Lord, we should also make it right with the person we have wronged, if at all possible. There was to be no passing over of sin among the people of God—all must be dealt with according to God’s holiness.

Then there was the trial of jealousy, when a husband thought his wife had been untrue to him. She was to be brought to the priest and tried by the bitter water. In type this would tell us of Christ, Israel’s true Husband (Isaiah 34:5), who could not allow His people to go on in their wicked ways, for if a husband in Israel did not try his wife when she was suspected, he was identified with her in the guilt. Alas, how untrue Israel has been to the Lord, worshiping idols, and then rejecting Christ when He came. All this is going to be manifested some day, just as the bitter water made known if the wife had been untrue. Through the terrible tribulation period, God will deal with Israel and then, since Christ took their guilty place in judgment, the godly will be brought to repentance and final blessing with their true Husband in the millennial day. For apostate Israel, who have no heart for Christ, it will mean their cutting off in judgment.

ML 07/15/1951

A Parade of Animals

Have you ever seen a parade of animals? Perhaps it was a herd of cows, following each other from the field to the barn, perhaps a row of high-stepping horses, or perhaps a parade of wild animals in cages, drawn along the street. Did you. stand by and watch and wonder and ask questions about this?

Our story today is about the greatest parade of animals this world ever saw since the day when Adam named them all. This parade included every animal, bird, and creeping thing in the whole world, and at least two of every kind. Now, wouldn’t that be a parade worth seeing?

No doubt the children watched and asked questions, just as you would do today. “Where are all the animals gng?” “What are you going to do with them all?”

Noah, the man who gathered all the animals, was ready enough to answer their questions. He was a preacher of righteousness, and he told the people that their ways and thoughts were not right in the sight of God. He told them that God was going to punish their evil ways, by sweeping them all away with a flood, and therefore God told him to build a big boat, called an ark, in which all who were inside would be safe when the flood came.

What did the children say? Did they say, “We want to come in too, and be safe from. God’s judgment?” I don’t know what they said, but I know what they did. They stayed outside, because they did not believe God. And the flood came and destroyed them all.

What Will you do? Will you believe God? That is all you have to do, to be sheltered from God’s wrath against sin. Isn’t it a simple thing, even for a little child to do, or a strong man, or a poor sick patient? Believe God. That is all the righteousness that He requires. “This is the work of God, that ye bieve on Him whom He hath. sent.” John 6:29.

Noah’s three sons were in the ark, safe from the flood of waters. Will you, dear children, find in the Saviour whom God has sent, your place of joy and safety, now and for eternity?

“THEY DID EAT, THEY DRANK, ... . UNTIL THE DAY THAT NOE ENTERED INTO THE ARK, AND THE FLOOD CAME, AND DESTROYED THEM ALL.” Luke 17:27.

ML 07/22/1951

Put Your Name in

Alice looked very unhappy when our Sunday school class was over. She seemed to want to stay and talk, so we sat by ourselves in a corner, and she told me that she wished to be saved.

“Go home to your room,” I said to Alice, “and in the presence of God, alone with Himself, get down on your knees and turn to John 3:16. Then, instead of the word ‘world’ and the word ‘whosoever’ just put your name in each place and see how it will fit you.”

The following week, even before Sunday school started, Alice came up to me smiling and happy.

“I want to thank you, sir, that I am saved now.”

“Thank God! When did that take place?”

“Last Sunday afternoon. I went home and read the verse you told me, and put my name in, and it just fitted me, and I thank God for it.”

Dear child, have you found out yet that you are a guilty sinner; exposed to the judgment of a sin-hating God? Perhaps you are trying to love God, or trying to serve God in order to be saved? If so, you are altogether wrong.

It is not your love to God, but His love to you, that you need.

God’s part was the loving and the giving; yours is the believing and the having.

“God so loved —, that He gave His only begotten Son, that— (who believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

ML 07/22/1951

Needles and Pins

What a dreadful thing it is for little children to have their dear mother taken from them by death! How can we give them any comfort?

Dear little Barbara had lost her mother and she was so lonely and unhappy. Barbara’s Aunt Elsie was a happy Christian, and she and Barbara were the very best of friends. Not long after Barbara’s mother had died, her aunt came to stay with her, and she was so glad. She loved to sit beside Aunt Elsie and hear Bible stories, and she asked dozens of questions. And of course she wanted to know why mother had gone, and where she had gone, and would they ever see each other again.

Aunt Elsie opened her Bible and began to read from 1 Thess. 4, verse 13. She explained to her niece that the Lord Jesus was going to come down to the clouds some day, and give a shout which would raise from their graves all those who had died trusting in the Lord Jesus, and would catch away out of this world all whose sins have been washed away. “And so, Barbara dear, if you belong to the Lord Jesus, you will surely see your dear mother again, for she died trusting in Jesus as her Saviour.”

“But I don’t understand,” said Barbara thoughtfully, “how we could suddenly get up to those clouds. Will we have wings?”

“No, dear, it will be done simply by the Lord’s own great power.”

Barbara’s uncle heard of her trouble, and so he said to her, “You come to me tomorrow with a plate full of pins and needles, and I will try to make it plain to you.”

Barbara got a plate and put in a handful of pins and needles, and then could hardly wait to see Uncle again to see what he was going to do. In the meantime, Uncle had bought a strong magnet in the hardware store, and when he came home, he found Barbara anxiously waiting for him.

Soon he took the wonderful magnet out of his pocket, and asked Barbara what it was. She had never seen one, and couldn’t tell him. She looked at it carefully and felt it, but said it just looked like a piece of old iron.

“Now watch,” said Uncle, “while I pass this magnet of mine over your plate of pins and needles.”

Then a strange thing happened. As the magnet came close, the needles were all drawn up to meet it, while the pins (which were then made of brass) stayed right where they were. Barbara was so surprised and puzzled. “What made those needles go up, and why did the pins stay behind?”

“There is power in this magnet,” he said, “to attract steel or iron, but the pins are not made of steel, and so are not drawn by this magnet. And this, dear Barbara, is something like what will happen when the Lord Jesus comes. He will draw out of world this all those whom He has redeemed with His precious blood, but the others will he left behind.”

To which class do you belong? Are you one of the Lord Jesus’ own saved ones who will be caught up when He comes with the shout? Or will you he left behind?

“Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.” 1 Corinthians 15:23.

ML 07/22/1951

Seek and Ye Shall Find

Little Patsy pulled at the preacher’s coat just before he went forward to preach the gospel. He bent down to see what she wanted and she whispered,

“I want to come to Jesus. Will you Please pray for me in meeting tonight, but please don’t mention my name.”

Remember, dear boy or girl, nobody else can pray you into heaven. You must come to Jesus for yourself.

During the meeting the preacher began to pray.

“O Lord, there is a little girl here who wants to be saved. She doesn’t want her name mentioned, but Thou knowest her. Save her precious soul.”

There was a moment of silence, and then from the stillness came a soft sweet voice, “Please, it’s me, Jesus, it’s me!”

“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.” Romans 10:9.

ML 07/22/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 5:29-6:7

We have been speaking of the trial of jealousy in Israel, and would like to apply this to the Church, as well as to the individual. Surely the professing church has been unfaithful to Christ, her Bridegroom, and has linked up with the world. Many of us have done this as individuals too, and all this is going to be manifested some day. The apostate church will of course be cut off, but Christ must deal with His own, governmentally, even now, for her unfaithfulness, for He cannot be identified with her in her links with the world. Then too there is the judgment seat of Christ where, as individuals, our lives will be manifested. There will be loss there according to the measure of unfaithfulness, while all that has been done for Christ will be rewarded. May the Lord stir up our hearts to more devotedness, both individually and collectively, for He has ever been true to His Church——His bride!

Then there was the vow of the Nazarite—a vow of complete separation to God. There was only One—the Lord Jesus—who fulfilled this type perfectly, though it ought to be true of the Church in her position now. There is also a special appplication of this in one who desires to devote himself entirely to God for some special service.

There were three particular things the Nazarite was to do. He was to abstain from wine and strong drink, he was not to allow himself to be diled for the dead, not even for his own family, and he was to let his hair grow. We learn from these things the main points of our separation to God, given to us in a typical way. First, abstaining from wine would show us that we are not to indulge in the pleasures of nature, even some that are right in their place being given up in devotedness to Christ. Secondly, in not touching the dead we learn that we are to keep separate from defilements in this scene of death. Then, last of all, we are to expect a despised position, for long hair was a shame to a man and also typified submission (for a woman), and so we are to walk in a path of submission to the will of God.

This vow of the Nazarite was only for a certain length of time, and theft when his vow ended, he could drink wine again. How good to look forward, when walking in separation here, to the coming day when we shall be able to relax and enjoy all that is around us, for there will be nothing to defile in heaven. What an encouragement this is as we follow our blessed Saviour, sharing His rejection here. There are joys that, are quite right in nature, but sometimes in the path of devotedness to Christ we are called upon to live above them—not as bondage, but, suffering with Christ—blessed privilege!

There are also the claims of nature, which we would naturally desire to enjoy, such as home life with all its pleasures, but the call of God sets us above this. It is not that we do not love and care for those near to us by nature. indeed it, would be wrong, to do otherwise in relationships formed of God, but to allow them to come before dotedness to Christ is another thing. If called of God we must not say, “Suffer me first to go and bury my father” (Luke 9:59), though we should never neglect his needs at any time.

ML 07/22/1951

The Giant Turtle

Many years ago, Captain Cook and his men were sailing through the Indian Ocean. They were tired of ship’s food, which was often dry and tasteless, so they stopped at an island in search of something fresh to eat.

The sailors found there a huge turtle, weighing hundreds of pounds. He was a slow creature, easily overtaken but not so easily killed. So they planned together what to do with him, for they did want a meal of fresh turtle soup.

You see, the old turtle had a very strange shield upon his back, and the men could not harm him, as long as he was underneath. They wanted to get him, somehow, out from under his shield. Now that is exactly what Satan wants to do, boys and girls, to you. He wants to get you out from under your shield, in order that he may make you miserable.

The old turtle’s shield was made of good strong bone, as hard as stone. Ours, dear Christian, is “the shield of faith.” Eph. 6:16. That means that we just lay hold of, and believe, the Word of God. When God’s Word says: “All have sinned” (Rom. 3:23), faith just says “Yes Lord, I have.” When God’s Word says: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Chirst, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31), faith says, “Yes, Lord, I believe,” When God’s Word says: “Whosoever believeth in Him (shall) not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16), faith says, “Yes, Lord, I’ll not perish, but I have everlasting life.”

That is the shield of faith, dear boys and girls, or rather a small part of it, because it takes faith in the whole Word of God to make the whole shield. It is a perfect shield, much better than the old turtle’s, for he was killed after all. Shall I tell you what happened to him?

The sailors took four long poles. They stood on one side of the turtle, put the poles under him, and tipped him over on his hack. His feet waved helplessly in the air. The sailors prepared their turtle soup and carried home the shield as a souvenir.

Now a souvenir shield is like a very fine Bible, closed up and. put away. It will not save your soul from Satan’s wiles unless you believe it. If you do not believe, in your heart, God’s holy Word, then you have no shield at all, and you are going on to certain destruction — death and eternal banishment from God.

Dear reader, if you are a true Christian, if you know Jesus as your Saviour, hide under your shield of faith. Of course Satan cannot rob you of your salvation if Christ is your Saviour, but his fiery darts can make you miserable, and cripple your service for the Lord, Are you reading His Word (the Bible) daily, and using it against the power of the enemy? Never, never allow any doubts about this Book of God. It is true because God cannot lie and He has written it for you.

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Epliesicns 6:16.

ML 07/29/1951

The Escape

Little Emily lives with her mother in a quiet street of the old city of Norwich. It is rather a poor street, but the houses are neat, and sometimes in the summer, the tiny gardens are gay with flowers. Emily’s mother is a dressmaker, and has to work hard for a living. I am glad to tell you that, although Emily is young, she is a believer in the Lord Jesus.

Perhaps you may learn a lesson from the adventure that this fatherless family had to pass through a few months ago. Their street is near the Wensum River, and one Saturday, in the spring, the water began to rise. About supper time, the water began to come in under the door, so Emily and her mother carried all the things they could up the stairs, and stayed up there. Wouldn’t you be frightened if you saw the water rising higher and higher? Emily and her mother knelt down and asked God to take care of them through the dark night. There was no sleep for them, and when the dawn came, they looked anxiously out of the upstairs window for some one to come and save them.

At last they saw some kind men whom they knew, coming in boats. Emily shouted to them as lustily as she could, and soon the boat was right by their window, and strong men reached and lifted them to safety.

How earnestly Emily and her mother watched from that window, and how eagerly did they accept the deliverance provided for them. What would you have thought if they had hidden theelves in a corner of the room and rused the way of escape?

And yet, dear children, a storm of wrath and judgment is soon going to fall on this poor world, and when the storm comes it will then be too late to cry for mercy and escape. The time is now! Are you safe? The Lord Jesus Himself is the only Saviour from that storm and He wants to save you now.

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.” Hebrew 2:3.

ML 07/29/1951

The Little Stowaway

The S.S. Cyprian was just about to leave Liverpool docks. A young boy had been watching the loading of the big boat, and looked on with envy as the crew walked on board. He had long wanted to go to sea, and he didn’t like school at all. So when nobody was looking, he slipped on board and hid himself. Soon the whistle blew and the vessel began to steam out into the sea.

The Cyprian was not long out at sea when the captain and all his crew wished they had never started. A strong wind had been blowing when they left, and now it had turned into a real hurricane. The poor little stowaway boy came out of his hiding place, and he too wished he were back home—yes, even back at school!

For hours the ship struggled against the huge waves, and then suddenly one of the boiler tubes burst, and the fire went out. Then the steering gear was smashed, and the stricken boat turned broadside into the waves. Sea upon sea broke over the deck and into the engine room, putting out the last of the furnaces. All on board knew that the ship was drifting toward danger, and probable wreck, but there was nothing they could do. Suddenly the ship struck the rocks of the Welsh coast, and the captain shouted, “Every man for himself.”

Quickly the lifebelts were grasped and put on, and one by one the men jumped overboard into the raging waters. There were many people watching from the shore, but they could not help. At last the captain saw that all the rest of his crew was away, and he prepared to leave. At this moment he noticed the trembling little stowaway. Indeed he was a wretched looking fellow, soon to be left all alone on the sinking boat.

Quickly, the brave captain slipped off his own lifebelt and handed it to the lad saying, “I’ll try to swim. You take the belt.” Then the captain jumped into the water, and at the same time a wave lifted the stowaway up like a cork and swept him away from the boat.

Soon the lad was flung on the Welsh shore, battered but alive. But the captain couldn’t make the shore and he was seen no more.

What a noble deed! What a kind, brave captain!

What was there about the poor stowaway to commend him to the captain? He shouldn’t have been on that boat at all, and he really deserved to be punished, but the kindness of the captain’s heart not only forgave him, but spared his life.

Now, dear children, pause a moment and look with me at the cross of Calvary.

There the Lord and Saviour offered Himself up as a victim for sin. He opened wide the gates of heaven that we, poor guilty sinners, might enter the Father’s home forever.

If the drowning boy had refused the captain’s lifebelt, he would have perished. And if you refuse God’s offer of mercy, purchased by the blood of His beloved Son, you will be cast into an eternal hell. Accept His offer of mercy now and be eternally saved for heaven.

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

ML 07/29/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 6:8-20

The Lord Jesus was the true Nazarite who would not allow His mother to occupy Him with natural ties (Mark 3:32-34), but in her time of need He would commend her to the care of John. (John 19:26, 27.) Surely He was perfect in all things and a blessed Example for us, but how many a young man has hindered his usefulness to the Lord by allowing himself to become occupied with natural joys and relationships—quite right in their place—but which have tied him to earth so that he could not be a Nazarite. Still others have started out in the path but did not continue, lacking in that spiritual energy to go on. It is only with the eye upon Christ that we can continue.

The long hair of the Nazarite, as we have mentioned, is typical of the despised place we are to occupy now, for the long hair was a shame to a man. Our blessed Lord was the despised One when here, and if we are to follow Him devotedly we shall find the world will not want us either. Very often our troubles come because of our unlovely ways, but since the long hair typifies submission, we would learn in it that we should be careful that we “suffer according to the will of God”—in the path of obedience to Him. (1 Peter 4:19.) To suffer persecution in any other way is only our own folly, and not suffering for Christ at all.

Nor was the Nazarite to be defiled for the dead. Even if someone unexpectedly died beside him and he became defiled, his Nazariteship was broken. We are in a world of evil, and oh how watchful we have to be. There is even a danger, because of our desire to be devoted to God in the midst of evil, that we become defiled by it. For example, we are to carry the message of God’s grace to the vilest, but unless it is in the power of complete separation to God, we might be defiled. It is most needful in serving the Lord that the inner devotedness to Christ and walk with Him is maintained, or we may be carried away with the very evil in which such service places us. In a word, let any of us who seek to serve the Lord be watchful that our service does not go beyond our communion, for if it does, we are in great danger at once. This was the case with Samson, whose very strength and energy for the Lord put him among the Philistines and then, alas, he married one of them, put his head in her lap, and gave up his Nazariteship.

We notice in our chapter that when this Nazarite separation was broken whether intentionally or otherwise, the Nazarite had to shave off all his hair and offer a sacrifice. He was not to pretend to be what he was not, and if he left his hair long it would appear that he was still a Nazarite when he was not. Let us watch against pretentions of spirituality which are not true of us. God looks on the heart.

When the vow of the Nazarite was ended he was to offer a burnt offering, a sin offering, and a peace offering, as well as meat offerings. How beautifully this typifies the time when our separation will he over, when we will come into the full fruit of redemption’s work, and drink that wine of joy with Christ, without hindrance above. There will be no evil to be separate from in heaven. Of course we can have this joy in measure now by the Spirit as we walk in separation to Christ, but then we shall know and enjoy in fullness what is now only known in part.

ML 07/29/1951

A Mother Bird's Care

As a young man, I was traveling by canoe down one of the inland rivers near the head of a rather high water-fall. The water was beginning to flow quite swiftly at this point, when I noticed a small young bird clinging to the branch of a tree which was floating down the river near the shore.

The young bird’s mother was fluttering around trying to get the young one to fly ashore, but it would not move from the branch which was now rapidly nearing the water-fall. After trying in vain for some time, the mother suddenly pushed the young one off the branch, so that it was forced to fly ashore to avoid falling into the water. The mother bird, by what seemed a harsh act, had saved the young one from going over the falls.

How often the Lord works this way, too! Perhaps He has brought some sorrow into the life of the who reads these lines, and you are wondering why. The mother bird’s act seemed unkind, but it was really for the good of the young one, and so if trial and sorrow leads you to the Lord, to find salvation in Him, it will he for your good, too. How much better to sustain a loss here, than to lose your soul forever. God has proven His love to us in that He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins on Calvary. He finished the work, and now He waits to save all who will come to Him just as they are.

“ALL THESE THINGS WORKETH GOD OFTENTIMES WITH MAN, TO BRING BACK HIS SOUL FROM THE PIT.” Job 33:29, 30.

ML 08/05/1951

"I Shall Be Satisfied"

Rose was ten years old. She was not a pretty girl, in fact some of the children on the street and at school used to call her “Ugly Rose.”

This dear girl was a Christian, and although she felt their unkind words, she never answered them back. But she did often wonder why God had not made her pretty and attractive, so that, instead of scorn and teasing, she might have the love and friendship of those around.

This led her to search the Bible for some verses to comfort her, and teach her Why all are not alike. At last she came to this beautiful verse— “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.” Psalm 17:15.

It made her so happy to know that some day she would he just like Jesus in heaven, with never a tear to dim her eyes, nor a grief to burden her little heart.

Next morning, after school was over, several girls were walking home tether, and Rose came along and joined them. One of them spoke up and said “I do like pretty people, don’t you Peggy; but not ugly ones.”

This was meant for Rose, and she knew it. Quietly she turned and said timidly, “I shall not always be ugly, for I shall be pure and happy and beautiful when I awake in my Saviour’s likeness, for I shall be like Him, and with Him forever.”

What a look of surprise came over the children’s faces, and bursting into a loud laugh they ran away, shouting, “I wonder when that will be?”

A few days later, Rose was not at school. One of the girls went to her home to see what was wrong, and found that poor Rose was quite sick in bed. She told the other school girls, and they began to feel very sorry for all the unkind things they had said to Rose. Every day some of the girls would call at the house and stay for a little visit with the sick girl, and they noticed with sorrow that she seemed to be getting weaker and weaker.

One sunny afternoon, they came as usual on their way home from school, and found that all was very quiet in the house. They were almost afraid to knock. While standing silently in front of the house, the door opened and Rose’s father came out tearful and sad.

When he saw the children he stepped up to them kindly and said, “Rose is gone, my dear girls, gone to be forever with Jesus, and she sent a message for you. She said, ‘Tell my little school friends that I prayed and prayed for them, and I want them to trust Jesus too. Then when they come to die they will not be afraid, for it is falling asleep in Jesus—to awake in His likeness.’ And now I know that my Rose is now in the Lord Jesus’ own presence, and I hope you will take Jesus as your own Saviour.”

Her words sank deeply into their young hearts and they went away thoughtfully and tearfully, for they had learned to love dear, patient Rose.

Will you, dear boy and girl, be ready to fall asleep in Jesus, knowing that you will awake in His own presence, to be eternally in that glorious home that He has prepared for all who have been washed in His precious blood?

“Prepare to meet thy God,” Amos 4:12.

ML 08/05/1951

Bible Questions for August

The Children’s Class

Each of the following quotations is a part of a verse in Acts, chapters 20-28.

1. “A conscience void of offense.”

2.“Whose I am, and whom serve.”

3.“Preaching the kingdom of God.”

4.“Thou shouldest know His will.”

5. “Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

6.“Repent and turn to God.”

7.“Be of good cheer, Paul.”

The Young People’s Class Life

Only God can give life. Men can make wonderful machinery, the operation of which seems almost like the human, but they cannot create life. Thy cannot make the tiniest seed, nor can they make one of God’s seeds grow. The magicians of Egypt had to admit long ago that life was by the finger of God, and men are not any nearer to the secret of life today than they were then. It is something which God has kept to Himself. The breath of life is in His hand and always will be.

This makes life a very serious thing, because our life is only loaned to us, and we are responsible how we use it. Belshazzar was told, “The God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, host. thou not glorified.” Daniel 5:23. He had used his life as though it were his own, leaving God out, and God was about to judge him for his recklessness.

Dear reader, how have you used your life? Have you just lived for self and forgotten God; or have you owned His claims over you? Have you confessed your sin and enmity before Him, and been cleansed in Christ’s most precious blood? If so, you have received a new life—eternal life—as a free gift from God; but remember, if you have not, then as soon as your breath leaves your body it will be forever too late—your eternal destiny will be fixed.

1.How did man get his life? Genesis

2.What is better than life? Psalm 63.

3.What was true “life” to Paul? Philiians.

4.Where is the believer’s life hid? Coloians.

5.Can we KNOW that we have eternal life? 1 John.

6.What do we need to live by, as well os food? Matthew.

7.Is death the cessation of existence? Luke 20.

ML 08/05/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 6:21-7:89

Just as the Nazarite looked forward to the day when his Nazaiteship would end, so there is a day coming when the godly in Israel will enter into the full fruits of that worous work accomplished by the true Nazarite, the Lord Jesus, at the cross. What rejoicing will then be theirs when the Spirit is poured out upon them from on high. (Ezek. 39:29.) All blessing comes finally through Christ, and Christ alone, for both Israel and the Church have failed in their separation to God.

It is because of this truly faithful Nazarite, the Lord Jesus, that the blessings at the end of our chapter are brought in. How sweet and precious they are; His keeping, His grace shining upon. Israel and giving them peace, and then Jehovah’s name put upon them as the assurance of this blessing. These are the purposes of God for Israel, but how sadly they have failed to lay hold of them. He also has purposes of blessing for us (the Church) in this day, and may we all seek to walk in the sunshine of His face so that we may prove these blessings which are now ours in Christ. Truly He has put His name upon us—“And ye are complete in Him.” Col. 2:10.

It is beautiful, in the seventh chapter, to find each of the twelve tribes offering to the Lord. The offering of the oxen and carts for the Lord’s service was done together — that is, in groups of two tribes—and then all of them together came to present them to the Lord before the tabernacle. Moses, however, did not take them without first asking the Lord what he should do. The Lord then told him to accept them. It is beautiful to see this waiting on the Lord on the part of Moses, and this unity among the tribes too. How good it would be if there were more waiting on the Lord today, and also lona; “'striving togettir for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27), is happy service and submission to the Word of God. We are living in days of independency; each goes his own way, and too often does not stop to consider-what God has spoken in His Word. Let us see that our service flows from communion with the Lord at all times.

After this offering for the Lord’s service, each of the tribes offered their gifts for the dedication of the altar. It is lovely to see this happy unity displayed again, even in these gifts, for they all gave the same. How sweet it would be, in our worship, if each one rose up to the privileges that are his, to give to the Lord that which is really due to Him (1 Chron. 29:14). Too often everything is left to one or two, and so many are silent instead of praising. Things in Israel are seen here in their sweet freshness at the beginning, as they were seen in the Church on the day of Pentecost, but how soon departure came in. Before long, one wanted a place above another in Israel’s history, as well as in the Church’s history, for such is man! He always seeks a place for himself. It may be in business, or in education, or even among the people of God. Pride comes in so insidiously, seeking the place for self which belongs to Christ alone.

The Lord (Jehovah) then spoke to Moses, as He had promised, from above the mercy seat, between the cherubim. Through the blood of the sacrifices the way had been opened up for God to commune with His people and instruct them—not now the thunderings of the law, but just to speak to them as His people.

ML 08/05/1951

Karen's Birthday

Karen has a birthday. She is a big girl now. Not so big as you perhaps, but she soon will be if she keeps on growing like that.

Karen’s Mother makes birthdays a happy time, because she is glad that Karen was ever born at all—glad that God sent her little girl to make their home happy. That’s why her birthday is a time of rejoicing. So is yours, perhaps, though we know there are some dear boys and girls who have no parents to love them or to rejoice because they are alive.

But your “born again” birthday is a cause for far greater rejoicing than your natural birthday! Are you born again? If so, then we are sure that you have a Father who loves you perfectly and who rejoices greatly because you are “alive” in His family. There are no neglected or unloved children in the family of God.

Are you born again? If so, then you have life from above, a life which will never die, joys that will never fade, a Father who will never cease to care for and nourish that new life He has given, a home in glory, and a glorified body yet, to come, without an ache or a pain. You have brothers and sisters in the Lord, too, whom you may love and help in many ways. What a glorious thing it is to be born again!

Our little girl has a cake and a balloon for her birthday, but it is not hard to guess that in a very few days’ time, she will not have either one. The cake will be eaten, and the balloon will be burst with a bang. But the joys of new birth last forever. Oh my reader, Are you born again? Have you personally accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, trusting in His precious blood alone to take away your sins and make you fit for the glory above. Remember the Lord Jesus said,

“VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO THEE, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN, HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” John 3:3.

ML 08/12/1951

Jamie

Jamie was the brightest and the most mischievous boy in our Sunday school. Everybody loved him, and he seemed to love everybody. More than once I had visited in his home, and had tried to urge his father to come to the gospel meeting, but he always said, “It ain’t, no use beginning if you can’t stick to it.” He was ashamed to say what it was that he feared wouldn’t let him “stick to it,” but everyone m town knew that Jamie’s poor father was a man who loved to drink.

It was a cold winter night, and I was thinking about Jamie and his father. Just once more, I thought, I must go and visit that home and see if I can bring them to Jesus. Their home was one of a long row of houses, all built the same. When I reached the place there was no light to be seen from any of the windows, and I began to think my long walk was all for nothing. However, I didn’t like to go back without knocking, and no sooner had I done so than the door opened. But it way so dark inside that I couldn’t see anyone. Then I heard the voice of Jamie my scholar, saying, “Good evening. Ma’am, glad to see you.”

And I was glad to find Jamie at home, for I knew a chat with him. would be interesting. Though brimful of fun, Jamie seemed quite harmless except in the bird-nesting season when to tell the truth, he robbed so many nests, that it was a wonder there were any birds left to sing in our neighboood.

“We always like Jamie to go with us. He knows where all the nests are!” said a boy to me one day.

I have myself taken whole pocket fulls of poor little yellow-beaked, half-naked birds from him, and I think the sorrow I showed for the poor little captives used to puzzle him a great deal.

In spite of all this, Jamie was the best scholar in his class, as well as the best singer in the school.

So when I found Jamie was at home I said, “May I come in for a while? “Yes, Ma’am.”

“Are you all alone, Jamie?”

“No, Sarah Ann’s in.”

I stepped inside, and Jamie had to direct me to a chair, for it, was so dark I still couldn’t see at all “Aren’t your father and mother at home, Jamie?”

“No, father went out last night and hasn’t come back, and mother has gone out to look for him.”

I found that Sarah Ann, who was just four years old, had fallen asleep sitting in her chair. She soon wakened as we began to chat, and so I suggested that we should sing a hymn together. Sarah Ann immediately asked for,

“Jesus loves me, this I know.”

When we had finished singing, I talked to them about those two lines.

“He will wash away my sin,

Let a little child come in.”

“Now can you tell me what that means? In where?”

“Heaven,” said little Sarah Ann promptly.

Then I told them, as well as I could, what the Bible said about heaven, and how nothing would be allowed in there but what was pure and holy. So that no boy or girl would be let in whose sins were not washed away in the blood of Jesus.

“And do you remember,” I asked Jamie, “what gives them light in that glorious place?”

“God’s face,” he answered.

“Yes, Jamie. God is light, and would you like to go there?”

“No.”

“Why not, Jamie?”

“Because my sins ain’t washed away.”

Poor Jamie! I was glad to know that he was truthful about it, and I tried again and again to warn him that he must have those sins washed away, or be lost forever.

I stayed as long as I could with the poor lonely little ones, and when I had to go, it was with a sad heart. They were too young to be left to sit up for a drunken father. I heard later that neither father nor mother came home at all that night, and they slept all alone in the house.

Soon after this Jamie’s father took him away from school to work with him at his own occupation, and I lost track of him and Sarah Ann. I do hope that they both learned to know Jesus as their Saviour and had their sins washed away in His pcecious blood.

And I hope that, you too, dear young reader, will remember that you cannot stand before the light of “God’s face” with your sins upon you.

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth its from all sin.” I John 1:7.

ML 08/12/1951

"Wait for Me?"

Among the passengers in a street car, in which I was riding, were some little children with their father and mother. Presently the conductor called out “King Street!” At once the mother got out and took two of the children with her. The father was the last to leave, carrying in his arms a dear little boy about 4 years of age. As the father was hurrying to get out, the little fellow shouted so we could all hear, “Wait for me!”

You can guess how everyone smiled at the little fellow’s fear of being left behind, while his father’s strong arms bore him safely out to the others. And yet how much like this are some who love the Lord Jesus! You remember the beautiful story in Luke 15 of how the Good Shepherd sought and found the wandering sheep and then put it on His shoulders and carried it all the way home. What would you think now, if the sheep had cried out to the shepherd, “Wait for me!”

You would say, “Where the sheerd went, the sheep went too, because it was on his shoulders,” And so I would say to you, dear boys and girls who have put your trust in Jesus, that you are quite as safe as the Lord Jesus can make you, for He is carrying you Himself.

“I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3.

ML 08/12/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 8:1-26

Before the consecration of the Levites for their service, the Lord B, gave instructions as to the lighting of the lamps. Since the service of the Levites is figurative of our service to the Lord now, we can see there is an important lesson for us here. There needs to be a walk according to the light of the presence of God whom we serve, and that by the power of the Spirit, which the oil for the lamps typifies. God is jealous for the glory of His Son, and let us therefore see to it that all our service is according to God, who is light, so that men may see our good works and glorify, not us, but our Father which is in heaven. Matt. 5:16. There is always a danger of us wanting some of the glory for ourselves, and thus biding the True Light.

We now come to the consecration of the Levites. First they were to be sprinkled with water. It is not the thought of salvation here, but of serce, and in order to serve the Lord acceptably there needs to be the application of the “water of the Word” to all that we are, as well as to all our associations of life, as typified in the washing of their clothes. They were also to shave off all their hair, for there must be the sentence of death on all that comes from within, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” Romans 7:18.

Then the Levites were brought to the tabernacle of the congregation along with the children of Israel. The children of Israel then laid their hands upon the Levites, for they were to serve the Lord in place of the firstborn, whom God had spared in His judgment upon Egypt. They therefore presented the Levites to the Lord in their place. The Levites then laid their hands upon the head of the two bullocks, one of which was to be offer for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. In laying their hands on the sin offering it was as though their guilt were transferred to the substitute, and then in the burnt offering it is rather the value of the sacrifice transferred to the offerer. All this must take place before the Levites could begin their service to the Lord, and it presents to us, typically, the ground of all our service. Until the soul has laid hold of the finished work of Christ as meeting all its guilt before God, and how God has been fully glorified in it, there can be no quiet and acceptable service at all.

After the Levites had been given to the Lord by the children of Israel, Moses then gave them to Aaron and his sons. Thus we see that we have been given to Christ to serve under His authority and Lordship. He said of the Levites, “They are Mine.” May we always remember this in our service! Too often we act as though we could serve just as we wish, and that the Lord would accept it, but most assuredly it was not so with the Levites in our chapter. Their service was to be one of obedience. It appears that they served for five years as learners, before taking definite service at thirty years of age, and until the age of fifty. Then after they were fifty they served, but not in the same full capacity. How carefully the Lord guards against what might be the inexperience of youth, and considers the bodily strength, no doubt, of those who are older! What a beautiful pattern we have for every detail of our lives in the precious Word of God.

ML 08/12/1951

Pinky, the Husky Dog

Pinky is a fine and friendly husky dog, living in Alaska. He just loves children and submits to any amount of patting and hugging. He is always willing to pull a sleigh or toboggan with a load of happy children. Indeed, one day he and Brownie pulled twelve children on twelve little sleighs, tied one behind the other. Wouldn’t that be fun?

One day Pinky went on a long, important journey with his master. His master is a dear Christian man who is so happy in the Lord Jesus that he longs to tell others of his wonderful Saviour. Shall I tell you how they got ready for this important journey?

Pinky had a big load of gospel tracts and booklets to haul on his sleigh. His master then chose two big round texts, “Behold the Lamb of God” and “Behold, Jesus is risen.” These texts were done in special paint which really glows in the dark, and they were fastened on each side of Pinky’s pack. Then his master chose the text “Behold He cometh to be sewn on the back of his own parka.

It would be interesting to see that gospel worker tramping through the snow, telling to all men those three glorious truths—the Lamb slain, the risen Lord, and the coming Saviour, Would your heart rejoice to see that message shining in the sun, or glowing in the dark? If not, then He is not your Saviour, but He is coming as your Judge. But there is yet time for you to turn to the Lamb slain, the One who died for our sins on Calvary, and to accept Hint as your Saviour. You will love Him then, and rejoice at the thought of His coming.

Pinky and his master visited homes, hospitals, schools and all sorts of places, crowded or lonely, telling the blessed message of salvation. In one seaport town they found a steamer about to sail. Pinky walked all through the boat, ready to “shake-a-paw” with everyone who received a gospel tract. But he is only a dumb animal after all, and is not responsible for how he helps or hinders God’s glad tidings. You, dear reader, are responsible. Have you reived God’s message of salvation for yourself, and do you help or hinder those who seek to spread it to others?

“I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH.” Romans 1:16.

ML 08/19/1951

Jim, the Scissors Grinder

You may think from the title that Jim was an old man—but he was not. When I first met him he was a young man in his late teens. I met him at some cross roads, when walking across a wild, hilly part of Yorkshire, and offered him a gospel tract. Jim gladly accepted it. A conversation commenced and, unlike many today, he seemed eager to hear more. So we agreed to meet in the evening just outside the village.

Sure enough, at the appointed time Jim was there. We took a walk to the edge of the moors and sat down. What do you think we talked about? We spent the whole evening speaking of the Lord Jesus, of God’s way of salvation, and of many other things. We opened God’s Word and read from it, and then prayed before we parted. Jim, listened gladly. He truly loved the Lord Jesus, but did not know that as result of his faith, he had passed from death unto life. He had never heard the gospel put simply and clearly before, as many of you dear children have, but now he could see it all, and knew himself to be a true child of God, eternally saved and on the road to heaven. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13.

That night Jim lay down thankfully. and slept soundly—but not on a nice bed such as you have to sleep on! No, he lay down on “mother earth,” under a tree, with only a clump of grass for a pillow. You say, why was that? Because Jim was poor, and he had many brothers and sisters and an invalid father. He worked all day, sharpening scissors and knives, and sent his earnings home at the end of the day. That was love, was it not? Yes, and the Lord Jesus noticed that love and sacrifice for others.

Today Jim is no longer poor. Since those days the Lord Jesus has provided abundantly for him. But much more than that, Jim has been used to preach the gospel to others, and others have been blessed. He so longed later that others too might he saved, that he would take his car, with texts hanging from it, and preach the gospel from the running board.

Have yo put your trust in Jim’s saviour and Lord? Do you know yourself to be truly “poor,” that is, a helpless sinner? If so, may you then trust in that Saviour, who Himself took your place on the cross, and who can make you truly “rich.”

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” 2 Cor. 8:9.

ML 08/19/1951

Patsy, the Weaver

Patsy worked in a weaving mill in the north of Ireland. She had heard much about the Lord Jesus, but, like many other girls, she decided she must have a good time, and think about “religion” when she was older.

Quite a few of the girls who worked in the same mill with Patsy were true Christians, and they often gathered in their noun hour and read their Bibles together. While they worked, they sang hymns, and seemed to be the happiest girls in the mill. Although these girls were happy and always ready to help others, they were hated. Why was that? Why do unsaved people wish to avoid the company of those who are Christians, and why do they so often mock them, if they speak well of Christ? It is because, deep down in their hearts, they hate Christ. And so with boys and girls who are not saved; they do not want to be in the company of true Christians.

Patsy took her stand with those who mocked the Christians, and she persecuted them at every chance, even singing worldly songs to try to drown out their happy hymns of praise to Jesus. But this does not mean that Patsy herself was happy. She afterward admied that she had “many a good cry” when she was all alone, and in her heart she wished she were as happy as those she was mocking. One day as they sang together,

“What can wash away my sins?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus,”

Patsy just couldn’t mock them—in fact she couldn’t keep back the tears. All that day the words kept ringing in her ears, and that night she took out her Bible and hunted up 1 John 1:7. There she read the glorious words, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Kneeling by her bed, she owned with tears her rebellion and her sin, and accepted the Lord. Jesus as her Saviour.

The next day as she started work at the mill her thoughts were very different than ever before. At the very first opportunity she walked across to one of the Christian girls, at whom she had so often jeered, and said, “I’m saved.” Her face showed the truth of it, and soon the news spread all through the mill. “Patsy’s saved!” When dinner time came, Patsy was to be found together over the Bible with those who loved the Lord. But there was a test ahead for her. When closing time came, Patsy’s old companions were waiting for her at the door, and when she stepped out they shouted, “Here comes Patsy the hypocrite. Let’s duck her in the canal!”

Patsy smiled and said quietly, “It’s no more than I deserve, but I want you all to know that the blood of Jesus Christ has washed away all my sins.” This confession seemed to take all the fight out of the girls, and Patsy had the further joy of being able to bring some of them also to her Saviour.

Will you too come to that Saviour that has made so many happy? Accept Him as your own now, and know the blessed assurance of sins forgiven.

“To Him give all the prophets witness, that ... whosoever believeth in Him, shall receive the remission of sins.” Acts 10:43.

ML 08/119/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 9:1-23

When the children of Israel came to the wilderness of Sinai, the Lord commanded them to keep the Passover, but there were some men among them who had been defiled, and were therefore unable to keep it at the appointed time. They wanted to keep it, however, and so they came to Moses, asking if any provision could be made for them. The Lord said that they could observe it on the fourteenth day of the second month, instead of the first month, and this they did. We know that the Passover pointed on to the cross, just as the Lord’s supper looks back to it. And so, even as there was a gracious prision of the Lord for these defiled men, no doubt if there were due exercise on the part of a good many who have “excuses,” they would find how the Lord could, and would, open the way for them to be present at His table to remember Him in His death. It is always good to see a willing heart, for where there is such the Lord always comes in.

There is another point of interest and warning here. If an Israelite who was clean, and not in a journey, failed to keep the Passover, lie was to be cut off from his people. This was, of course, law, and now we are under grace, but this is a solemn consideration for one who, either willfully, or through neglect, fails to keep the Lord’s supper. Surely it would show a lack of affection for the Lord, who instituted this blessed feast on the night of His betrayal, to be absent or hold back from responding to His dying request. If one who had taken his place at the Lord’s table continued in such a course, it would be necessary for those who have the care of the saints of God upon their hearts, to bring it before him. If such carelessness continued, the assembly would undoubtedly have a principle here upon which to act in dealing with him. Would it not lead us to question whether there were any true affection for the Lot it all, when one continually absented himself or herself from the table of the Lord without any good reason?

When the tabernacle was pitched, the glory cloud rested upon it, as the Lord had promised. It was like a pillar of fire by night, and a cloud to hide them from the hot sun by day, and when the Lord wanted them to move on, then the cloud lifted and went bore them. Then, whether it were in the daytime or at night, they must take their journey. How good it was for the people to have such a sure, unfailing, and loving Guide who always “led them.. by the right way” (Psalm 107:7), and yet how often they murmured! We know, too, that we now have tile same loving Guide, not in a pillar of fire, but a living Man at God’s right hand who leads us by His Spirit through His Word. May we ever wait upon Him, being careful that we do not stand still when He wants us to go forward, or go forward when He wants us to stand still. Whether it were for two days, or a month, or a year, the children of Israel were never to journey without this Divine guidance (the moving of the cloud), and the same principle applies to us today. Even in the smallest matters, as well as in the greater things, we shall always find One whose loving heart is interested, and who delights to have us look up and say as Saul of Tarsus, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” He has a definite path for us each step of the way, but like the children of Israel we will have to “look up” to know it. May the Lord keep us all, young and old, looking up.

ML 08/19/1951

"Jesus Is Calling You"

This little newsboy, with the daily paper in his hand, brings to mind the story of a lady who carried some wonderful news for a long, long way. This boy is only on his front doorstep, but the lady of whom I wish to tell you left her nice home behind, and crossed the ocean to far-away Africa. Can you guess what the news was that she was carrying such a great distance?

It was the wonderful story of God’s love to lost and helpless sinners. Perhaps you have heard it often, and so it is not “news” to you, but there are thousands in other lands who live and die without ever hearing that God loves them. They know nothing but fear and dread, both in life and in death.

One day this lady was standing by the roadside in Africa, and a young boy came along, to whom she offered a little booklet called “Jesu arkuitanaiwe,” which means “Jesus is calling you.” The boy was unable to read, so she read it to him. Then she asked him if he would like to be saved. “I am ready now” he said. They both knelt down right there by the roadside, and asked the Lord to save his soul. The next Lord’s day the young lad was found in the meeting with other Chriians, and there he publicly confessed the Lord as his Saviour.

Now, dear reader, how is it with you? Knowing this wonderful good news will not save you, unless you personally take your place as a lost sinner, and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. His precious blood alone can cleanse you from your sins and make you fit to dwell in heaven. There are many in these favored lands who know much about Christ who have never believed on Him to the salvation of their souls. If you have not done so before, make it personal today, and say like the apostle Paul of old,

“THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME.” Galatians 2:20.

ML 08/26/1951

"I'm Going to Ask Jesus"

Where are you going, Mother?” asked Bertie, looking up at his mother’s thin and tired face.

“I have to take this work over to Mrs. Weston. I should have taken it last night, but I didn’t get it finished in time.”

“Mother,” —then there was a thoughtful pause. “Mother, what are we going to have for dinner today?”

“Bread and dripping, Bertie. That is all Mother has.”

“But we had that yesterday, and for so many days. Oh, I do want somhing nice. I want a sausage for my dinner.”

“And I want a nice red beet, Mother,” called Betty, Bertie’s younger sister, “Will you bring me one, Mother?” Her tiny wistful face looked up hungrily.

“Mother can’t today, my dears. I have to pay rent with the money that will come for this work.” Through her many trials and sorrows, this dear mother had taught her boy and girl of the love of Jesus in dying on the cross, and daily she taught them to make their needs known to Him.

“Mother,” said Bertie, “Jesus could send us sausages and beets, couldn’t He?”

“Yes, Bertie, He could but”— she was going to say that it might not be His will for today, but the little fellow spoke up quickly.

“Then I’m going to ask Him.” Down on his knees he dropped with Betty by his side. He closed his eyes, and in an earnest voice said, “Please, Lord Jesus, we do want something very nice for our dinner. I want sausages, and Betty wants beets, and mother hasn’t got money to buy them for us, so please send them to us. Amen.”

Let us watch Mother as she reaches Mrs. Weston’s home.

“Good-morning, Mrs. Allen! Step right into the kitchen for a minute while I get your money for you.” Soon Mrs. Weston came back with the money, and then suddenly she said, “By the way, the butcher sent two pounds of sausages this morning by mistake as I only ordered one. I was going to send one pound back, but I’m sure you could use them, couldn’t you?”

Was it any wonder that the tears came into Mrs. Allen’s eyes as the sausages were handed to her? “Thank you so much,” she said.

But there was yet another call to be made, and that was to help her sister-in-law cut out some sewing work. This was soon done, and she was just leaving, when her brother came in from the garden, carrying a basket of vegetables. “How are you, Jennie, and how are Bertie and Betty? Would you like a few beets for them? I have just pulled some and they are beauties.” Into the basket went four big round beets beside the sausages.

Mother could hardly wait to get home, “Mother, it’s nearly dinner time, but the sausages and beets haven’t come,” said Bertie, as his mother opened the door. “But it isn’t quite dinner time yet,” added Betty.

Then Mother opened her basket and let the two dear children look in. “Where did they come from?” cried both at once.

“The Lord Jesus sent them, and now let us thank Him together.”

Let us remember, dear children, that the God who loved sinners and sent His Son to die, also watches over and cares for us, and when we have trusted in Jesus as our Saviour, He wants us to know that He is our Father and that He cares for us every day.

“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus,” Phil. 4: 19.

ML 08/26/1951

Samuel Kilpin

Samuel Kilpin was an old white-haired man with a very happy smile. And old Samuel had something to smile about too, for he knew that the Lord Jesus had saved his soul, and that he was soon going home to be with Him. One Sunday Samuel was asked to speak to the children at Suay school. Now very often old people use such big words that little folks can’t understand them—but not Samuel Kilpin. He stood up before the children, and this is what he said.

“Boys and girls, I want to tell you about something that happened to rne when I was just seven years old. My father had a hardware store. Sometimes he had to go away for an hour or so, so he used to ask me to stay and take care of the store till he came back. One day, when father was out, a man came into the store selling little toy lambs. They were just ten cents each, and I did want one so badly, but 1 had no money. Then I thought of the place where my fattier kept his money, and I quickly took out just ten cents, paid the man, and bought the little lamb.

“When father came back to the store, I didn’t seem to want him to see that lamb at all, and I waited till I gat home, and then showed it to my mother. She asked me where I got the money for it, so I told her I found it. Already I had stolen, and then, to cover my sins, I told a lie!

“My little lamb was put on a shelf, and everyone thought it was fine—but every time I looked at it I seemed to hear a voice saying, ‘Thou shalt not steal.’ At last I could stand it no longer, so I ran out to the hayloft and there I knelt and told the Lord all about it, and confessed my sin. Next I ran back to mother and father and told them what I had done and how sorry was. Father and Mother both spoke to me very solemnly and told me that God sees everything we do, and hears everything we say, but they told me they were so glad that I had told the Lord all about it, and that I had confessed. it to them, too.

“Now, boys and girls,” said old Samuel, “I want you to remember that even if nobody else sees and hears your deeds, God writes them all down in His book. But He wants to wash away all your sins by the blood of Jesus.”

“All things are naked and opened. unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13.

“God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it he evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14.

ML 08/26/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 10:1-8

The Lord told Moses to make two trumpets of silver to be used to call the people together, and also as a signal for their journeys. The silver for these trumpets came from the redemion money which the children of Israel paid when they were numbered, and would therefore remind them that they were a redeemed people. We, like them, do not belong to ourselves, but to the Lord Jesus who has redeemed us with His most precious blood. We notice that Moses was told to make these trumpets out of one piece of silver, for we are not to have double motives in what we do, but rather serve with singleness of heart as unto the Lord (Col. 3:22, 23). There were two things that took place before the children of Israel started out on their journeys; first the cloud moved, giving them divine guidance, and secondly, the silver trumpets were blown, telling of love’s claim upon their hearts.

These trumpets were also used to call the congregation of the children of Israel together. At such a time no alarm was to be sounded, but just the call. How blessed for us to think of this in its application to ourselves, for we can hear “the call” even today, to come together and meet with the Lord and His people. (Matt. 18:20, Heb. 10:25.) It may he to remember the Lord in His death, to read His Word, or for prayer, but there need he no “alarm,” for we are perfectly fitted for the Lord’s presence as cleansed by His blood. Then, too, there is that love one for another (1 Thess. 4:9), so that we should not fear, but rather rejoice, as we come together. As these meetings roll around from week to week, may each one of us hear “the call” to assemble and make every effort to be there!

When the children of Israel were to to take a journey, however, the one who blew the trumpets was to make the sound of an alarm, though there was no alarm when they were just called to assemble, as we have noticed before. Often when we make some “move” in life, the enemy uses the occasion to bring an attack, and wp need to be very sure we have the Lord’s mind in such decisions. How often we have seen one going on quite happily, and then he decided to move to another city, or to take a new posion, and his usefulness seemed to end right there. He did not “sound the alarm”—he did not realize the danger, nor own redemption’s claim over him. Dear young reader, if you are making a move, be sure to be much before the Lord about it, and then “blow the silver trumpet” at the very start, like the children of Israel, letting your new acquaintances know that you belong to the Lord. This is of all importance if we are to be kept in the path of the Lord’s choosing, and have His blessing upon our lives.

We notice, too, that it was the sons of Aaron who were to blow these truets. They typify to us the Church (believers) who should be gathered together in God’s appointed way as members of the body of Christ. We are always to remember this relationship, and this would lead one to be exercised about moving to a place where there were no others gathered in a scriptural way. We all need Christian fellowship, and though the Lord can, and will, sustain one who cannot help being in isolation, it is quite another thing to put oneself in such a position.

ML 08/25/1951

His Only Daughter

Jairus had one only daughter, and he loved her very much. She grew to be twelve years of age, and then she became very, very sick.

Jairus knew what to do. He went and told Jesus. That was a good thing to do, wasn’t it? When you are in trouble, do what Jairus did, go and tell Jesus, and trust in Him.

“My little daughter lieth at the point of death,” said Jairus to the Lord, “I pray Thee, come and lay Thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.”

He was very sure of the Lord’s help, you see. He must have known that Jesus was the true God, the only One who has the power of life and death. That blessed One is sure to help you too, if you are ready to come to Him as Jairus did.

The Lord Jesus did not come at once, and the little girl died. All the neighhors came together to weep and wail over the little dead body, but Jairus was not wailing. He had told Jesus, and Jesus was sure to undertake.

That blessed One came to the house of sorrow and put all the mourners out. They did not believe in Him. They dared to laugh at His promise to “wake” the little girl from the sleep of death. But Jesus took the father and mother of the maiden, and brought them into the room where the precious little body lay.

“Damsel, I say unto thee, arise,” said the blessed Lord Jesus. The little girl arose. Wasn’t that wonderful? He will do more than that for you if you put your trust in Him. He is sure to do it You may have to endure sorrow for a time, but He will be with you now, and some day in His own good time, He will say to each believer, “Arise.” Where shall we go then? To His Father’s home in glory. Even though we may be dead then, our bodies will rise, and be changed and glorified in His presence forever.

Jairus and his wife were so surprised and delighted that they forgot that their sick little girl was healthy now, and hungry. But Jesus didn’t forget. He commanded that something should be given her to eat. Is it not wonderful that we have a Saviour who not only saves us, but remembers to supply our needs day by day? And He has also provided for our spiritual needs in His Word, which we should read each day.

“HE THAT BELIEVETH IN ME, THOUGH HE WERE DEAD, YET SHALL HE LIVE.” John 11:25.

ML 09/02/1951

"Look unto Me"

Little Amy seemed to want to hurry home from Sunday school. faster than ever. She was always an attentive little girl, knew her verse and loved to sing the hymns. This day wn no exception, for she had paid good attention, but she did want to hurry home. Let us follow her and see why.

Just as soon as she stepped inside she called for her Daddy. She climbed up on his knee and smiled and said three wonderful words. Could you truthfully say them too? Amy said, “Daddy, I’m saved.” That surely was a wonderful thing to happen to Amy, but her Daddy didn’t, seem to think much about it. He looked a hit puzzled and then Amy told him a little more about what the teacher had said in class, and then slipped away to her own room.

“Whatever does she mean?” her puzzled Daddy asked himself. I must ask her what she means by “saved,” For you see Amy’s father and mother knew very little about the Bible, and had never felt their need of a Saviour.

After supper, just as Daddy was about to ask Amy what she meant by being saved, Amy spoke up and said, “Daddy, would you come to meeting with me tonight?”

“Yes, my girl, I think I will.”

And so it happened that Amy and her Daddy slipped quietly into the little gospel hall, and waited for the meeting to start. There on the front wall was a big text with these words, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved.” Over and over again Amy’s father read those words. He didn’t seem to hear the preacher’s message at all.

When they reached home again, he said to Amy.

“How did you get saved, Amy?” “I just looked to Jesus, and He saved me, Daddy.”

“What do you mean, Amy? You can’t see Him.”

“But isn’t it just like trusting? Just like I look to mother for my food, and I look to you for my clothes. So I just looked to Jesus for my salvation, and I know I’m saved.”

That was just what was needed. Daddy bowed his knees, just as Amy had done, and by faith he “looked to Jesus.” “Look into Me, and be ye saved.” Isaiah 15:22.

“There is life in a look at the crucified One;
There is life at this moment for thee;
Then look, sinner, look unto Him and be saved,
Unto Him who was nailed to the tree.”

ML 09/02/1951

Bible Questions for September

The Children’s Class Each of the following quotations is a part of a verse in Romans, chapters 1-8.

1. “Christ died for us.”

2.“All things work together for good.”

3.“Not ashamed of the gospel.”

4.“There is none that doeth good.”

5.“But was strong in faith.”

6.“The riches of His goodness.”

7.“Let not sin therefore reign.”

The Young People’s Class Death

The most simple definition of death found in the Bible is in James 2:26. It says, “The body without the spirit is dead.” The body dies, but the spirit returns to God who gave it, (Eccl. 12:7.)

Men have all kinds of ideas about what happens at death, but let us follow what God has said and be sure. Death is not the end of man; let us be sure of this, first of all. The spirits of those who die in their sins go to the prison house of the lost (I Peter 3:19), where they are consciously in torment. (Luke 16:22, 23.) Those who die in the Lord are “absent from the body... present with the Lord.” (2 Cor. 5:8) —consciously “with Christ; which is far better.” Phil. 1:23.

At the coming of the Lord the dead. in Christ are raised—their spirits reunited with their renewed bodies, to be like Christ and forever with. Him.

Those who have died in their sins will not, he raised until about a thousand years, after this (Rev. 20:5), and then they are raised to stand before the great white throne in their sins. The second death, which will be their portion, is the separation of the whole-man from God, under His judgment forever. Death is not the cessation of either existence or consciousness, in the case of saved or unsaved. Reader, are you ready?

1.How did death enter the world? Romans.

2.How did the Lord say those would die, who did not believe in His deity? John 8.

3.What will happen to the dead in Christ at His coming? 1 Thessalonians.

4.Why did Christ die? 1 Corinthians 15.

5.Will all Christians die (sleep)? 1 Corihians.

6.Should a believer fear death now? Hebrews 2.

7.What comes after death for those who arc unsaved? Hebrews.

ML 09/02/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 10:9-30

If the enemies of the children of Israel came to oppress them in their land, then they were to blow the silver trumpets, and the Lord would give them victory in their battles. Truly, there are many “battles” in our Christian life, as we all know, but when we cry to the Lord how wonderfully He comes in and delivers us. We cannot trust in ourselves, however, for if we do, we will be like the Israelites at Ai (Joshua 7:1-5), or Peter in the high priest’s palace (Matt. 26:69-75), and there will be certain defeat every time. May we always remember the words of the little hymn,

Ask the Saviour to help you, Comfort, strengthen and keep you; He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.

These trumpets were also to be blown in Israel’s days of gladness and in their solemn days. Do we not often find that in our days of gladness there is a danger of forgetting the One who sends the blessings? And so we need to be reminded over and over again of the One who is the Giver of every good gift. Let us cultivate the spirit of thankfulness for our food, for any measure of success at school or work, or for any special joy in life—indeed for every blessing! for this is what is meant by blowing the silver trumpets on a day of gladness.

We have noticed also that these trumpets were to be blown on Israel’s solemn days, and so even in our days of trial and sorrow we can think of the love that redeemed us, and is ever toward us. The Christian is told to “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice.” Phil. 4:4. He can blow his “silver trumpets” even in sorrow!

Last of all we are told that these trumpets were to be blown in the beginning of their months, and over their burnt offerings and peace offerings. As we gather around the Lord Jesus to remember Him in His death, surely we delight to sound the trumpet of joy, or when a sinner learns of the true “beginning of months” by accepting the Lord Jesus as his own personal Saviour, what rejoicing there is both on earth and in heaven!

Here the children of Israel prepared for their first journey after the tabernacle had been pitched. The camps of the different tribes moved into their appointed places, with the Levites going on before, carrying the tabernacle which had been taken down for the journey. Hobab, Moses’ father-in-law, was with them, and he was well acquainted with the wilderness, so Moses asked him if he would go with them. Moses told Hobab of the blessing God had in store for His people, and that if he would go, this blessing would be his too. But Moses’ father-in-law said, “I will not go.” It was a sad decision indeed, and he never had another opportunity, as far as we know, to come with the people of God. If the one who reads these lines is unsaved, may we ask you now if you will decide to go with the people of God—to accept Christ as your own personal Saviour, and come with us to that better home above. If you refuse, as Hobab did, it may be your last opportunity; and then, how solemn, to be lost forever. We are living in the last of “the last days” and God’s Word says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

ML 09/02/1951

The Ladder to Heaven

A little child of about three years old named Willie was lying in his bed looking up into the evening sky. He called his mother and said, “There is no staircase up into heaven, how can I go there?” He must have been thinking about “Jacob’s ladder.” The mother told him that the Lord Jesus is the Way, and that He Himself will come to carry His own up to heaven.

When Willie was eight years old, he gave his heart to Jesus and ever since then he has been walking the heavenly road, waiting for the Lord Jesus to come and take him to that bright home above. You remember, do you not, that the Lord Jesus promised His disciples,

“I WILL COME AGAIN, AND RceIVE YOU UNTO MYSELF; THAT WHERE I AM, THERE YE MAY BE ALSO.” John 14:3.

“If you take the loving Saviour now,
Who for sinners once did die,
When He gathers His own in that bright home,
Then you’ll be there and I.”

ML 09/09/1951

The Only Remedy

William was the only son of Dr. Nelson. He was such a loving boy, always lively and happy. Many envied him because of his happy face and beautiful golden curls. Dr. Nelson loved his lad very deeply, and bought him everything to make him contented.

But William was not as healthy as he looked. He didn’t seem to be able to play very long without getting tired, and Dr. Nelson inwardly hoped that he would grow as he got older, But soon he became very, very sick, and then everything was tried to make him well, but he only became weaker and weaker.

“Daddy,” he said, “I don’t want to die! Just think, how terrible it must be to be laid into the cold dark grave. Have you no medicine that will make me well again?”

Poor man! What answer could he give to such pitiful words? He tried to make his dear boy think of other things, for he knew nothing of the way to heaven, and he despised any mention of God or of the Lord Jesus.

No one envied poor William now. And did none of the friends of the good doctor know the Lord Jesus, and come to tell William of the Great Physician?

Yes, there was one. He was not a doctor, nor a learned man, but only a poor boy whom the doctor had picked up off the street to run his messages.

David, like William, had at one time been unhappy and full of fear at the thought of eternity, but now he knew that all his sins were washed away in the blood of Jesus Christ.

David, the message boy, had often wished to speak to William about Jesus, but he was never allowed into the sick room, for the doctor knew that David was a Christian, and he didn’t want him to speak to William about God or Jesus.

David, therefore, was very much surprised when his master came to him one day, and said, “William wishes to see you, David. Go and entertain him and try to cheer him up a bit.”

“Thank you, doctor.”

“But one thing more. Not a word about religion. I do not care for that stuff, and Willie shall not be bothered with it either.”

David stood there quite shocked, After all that Jesus had done, was it possible that a clever man like Doctor Nelson should speak like that?

“That is impossible,” said brave David, “I must speak of Jesus, for He is my Saviour.”

“Listen, David. Willie has asked to see you, or I would not let you in hi, room. Now if you will do as I say, I will give you a dollar.”

One dollar! That was a lot of money for David, but he didn’t stop for one moment.

“That would be a bad promise, and I cannot do it.”

The doctor became angry and sent him away, but he had hardly gone out the door when he was called back again.

“Come back here. Go and entertain Willie, but see to it that he keeps under the covers.”

Soon David was holding Willie’s thin hand and pouring out to him the happy story of the love of Jesus. He told of how he had once feared the thought of eternity, but had trusted in Jesus as the One who died to wash away his sins, and now his heart was cleansed forever.

As these words of comfort came flowing from the lips of the little evangelist, the sick boy drank it in. That was just what he so greatly needed—rest for his troubled soul.

William did not have to be urged to come to Jesus. He was so glad that Jesus had died for him, that he just came then and there on his sick bed and found rest and forgiveness for his troubled young heart.

An hour later his father entered be roam. One took was enough to tell him that a wonderful change bad taken place in his little son. Instead of meeting a sad and troubled face as before, he now looked into a pair of eyes beaming with joy, and from two children’s voices, one strong and the other weak, the words of a beautiful hymn to the praise of the Saviour’s love and grace, sounded in his ears.

Just before William passed away, the parents and relatives surrounded the bed, weeping and moaning, but the little sufferer began to sing one of his favorite hymns with a clear, but weak voice. In the middle of the hymn his voice faded away and he slipped into a happy eternity to be with the Lord Jesus.

The father was not yet saved, but the wonderful change which had taken place in his son during the darkest days of his life, had made a lasting impression upon him.

Not long after the death of his boy, the doctor took very sick, and for some time it was thought that he would not get better. As soon as he recovered a little strength, he sent for David to come and see him. Here too, the little witness did his work faithfully. In order to make good use of his time, when he thought the sick doctor was asleep, he would repeat quietly the verses to be learned for Sunday school. But quite often the sick man was not asleep, and he listened eagerly to the Word of God. Soon faithful. David had the joy of hearing the once proud man confess with tears of joy that the Lord Jesus Christ had saved him and washed him from all his sins.

The God who loved and saved William, and David, and Dr. Nelson, loves you too, and wants you to accept His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

ML 09/09/1951

The Light of God's Word

Many years ago a Moslem student in Cairo was given a New Testament, but he only used it to argue with the Christians. However as the years went by, it lay neglected amongst his other books. One day he became ill and the doctor ordered him to bed. Faced with a few days’ idleness he asked his wife to find the Testament and he began to read.

Filled with growing interest, and having an inner feeling that he would find salvation before he finished this Book, he prayed that God would not allow the doctor to send him back to work before he was saved. God graciously opened his eyes to see what a sinner he was in His sight, and also to see the Saviour who is willing and able to save, so that before he resumed work he became a new creature in. Christ Jesus. (2 Cor 5:17)

He is now one of God’s devoted servants, and has walked faithfully with Him amidst many trials, testifying fearlessly to all, and winning many souls to the Lord Jesus Christ.

This man found the truth of the scripture “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psa. 119:105. Have you found it to be such, dear reader?

Have you, too, accepted the Lord. Jesus as your Saviour, the One who bore the punishment of sins on the cross? If not, do so at once, and then you will be able to say, “Thy Word. was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jer. 15:16.

ML 09/09/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 10:31-11:5

It appears that Moses’ purpose in asking his father-in-law to come with them was partially for his own convenience. I believe there is a lesson for us here, for if we desire the salvation of our loved ones, we should ask it for the Lord’s glory and not merely to make things easier for ourselves. We must remember that God knows the secrets of our hearts, and He would have us seek His glory first. Perhaps there was a danger of Moses’ leaning on his father-in-law, just as Abram had leaned on his father long before and missed the path the Lord had for him, so the Lord did not allow Hobab to come. Moses said Hobab would be to them “instead of eyes,” but this would never do—the Lord was to be their Leader, and not Hobab. How often we would like to lean on someone else in our wilderness journey! We would like to have a very good doctor to lean on, or some very wise person to give us advice in trouble, or someone’s promise to care for us in need, but often the Lord has to remove these “props” to make us lean on His everlasting arms which will never fail. Sometimes He takes away in death a loved one, upon whom we have leaned, and then shows us how wonderfully He can act the Father’s part. His ways are always perfect in wisdom and love—always.

Undoubtedly this is just what we learn here, for when Hobab, who knew the way through the wilderness so well, turned back, then the Lord Himself went before His people to seek out a resting place for them. How much better this was than Hobab! May we see in all this that if the Lord brings some disappointment into our lives, it is only that we might lean more heavily upon Him, and prove His guidance, grace, and care.

We notice it was a three day’s journey here which the Lord took in seeking a restin place for His peoplem and it reminds one so forcibly of the cross. We think of the Lord Jesus bearing our sins in those three hours of darkness on Calvary, and then rising again from the dead on the third day, and going up on high to prepare a place for us. What a resting place that is! And soon He is coming to receive us urti; Himself. (John 14:2, 3.) Why should we seek rest in this polluted scene, when there is a much better home waiting for us? If we seek rest lion, we are sure to be disappointed, fur the Lord loves us too much to let us rest where He cannot. Soon He will say, “Arise, My love, My fair one, and come away.” Song of Sol. 2: 13. In the meantime, as we follow in the path He has marked out through this scene, we know He has overcome our enennt, for us at the cross, and we are safe in His keeping. We can look forward joyfully to the day when He will first return for the Church, His bride, to take her to the Father’s house above, then afterward to Israel to establish a rest for them upon the earth.

After all the Lord had done for the children of Israel they were still dissatisfied. They murmured and complained against Him, asking for flesh to eat, because they were getting tired of the manna He had so graciously provided for them. They spoke of the fish, of which they had plenty in Egypt, as well as the leeks, the onions, and the garlic they fed upon there. We can see in all this a picture of how easily our affection for the Lord grows cold, if we are not watchful, and then how our hearts hanker after the world and all it has to offer.

ML 09/09/1951

The Story of a Tree

The children of Israel had just come through the Red Sea. God had rolled the mighty waters back and made a path through them so that they came over on dry ground, the water standing up like a wall on either side.

Now they were starting on their journey through the barren wilderness. It was a hot journey too, and they became very thirsty. At last they found water, but when they tasted it they found it was bitter, and then they began to murmur and complain Moses, however, prayed to the Lord, for he knew that since the Lord had opened a path through the mighty sea, as well as having done many other miracles before this, He could surely satisfy their thirst in the wilderness.

And the Lord answered his prayer. He showed him a tree to cut down and put into the bitter water, which when Moses had done, the water was made sweet, and the people drank freely.

Perhaps the one who reads these lines has come to a place in his or her life where everything seems to be going wrong, and you feel very much like the children of Israel felt when they tasted the bitter waters. Are you grumbling and complaining as they did? If you feel that way, why not turn to God instead, as Moses did, and He will show you a “tree,” too. Yes, He will point you to the One who died on a tree on Calvary’s hill. He knows your need, all your guilt and sin too, and His only Son bore all the judgment of God against sin for all those who believe, in those dark hours on Calvary. And now, if you bring that tree—the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ —into your need today, you will be blessed. Look to Him as the One who suffered there for you, and who is now in the glory above—risen again for your justification—and you will be saved. Then the bitter waters will be made sweet for you, and you will roice as you are able to say, “The Lord Jesus is my Saviour.”

“GOD FORBID THAT I SHOULD GLORY, SAVE IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” Galatians 6:14.

ML 09/16/1951

"Come into My Heart"

“Into my heart, into my heart, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, Come in today, come in to stay, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.”

So sang the children in Sunday school with their eyes closed, for the gentleman who was addressing them had said, “Sing it very quietly and solemnly as a prayer.”

Among the many boys and girls who were there that day was little six year-old Jean, and that night when her Mother went in to the bedroom to see if she was tucked. up warmly, she found her still awake,

“Mummy, how does Jesus come into your heart?” she asked.

“What makes you want to know, Jeannie? Have you asked Him to?” questioned Mother.

Jean assured her she had, and so, sitting down beside her, Mother was happy to tell of the love in God’s heart for boys and girls, and that He spared His only Son, the Lord Jesus, to come down here and die on the cross that everyone that trusted in Him might be saved and made fit to go to be with Him in His happy home above. He says, “My son, (or My daughter), give Me thine heart” (Prov. 23:26), and all who believe that Jesus died for their sins, He makes His own dear children, and comes to live in their hearts by His Spirit.

“And now, Jeannie,” said her Mother, “you are ready to go when Jesus comes. If He should come tonight, Daddy, Mother, brother and sister are all ready, and we’ll all go together. Oh, Jean, you’ve made us all so happy.”

“I’m happy too, Mummy,” she said with a beaming face.

Boys and girls, have you found out the happiness that Jesus gives when you trust Him? Why not, like little Jean, take Him as your own dear Saviour now, and then you too, will be ready for Jesus when He comes.

“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:40.

ML 09/16/1951

"A Storm is Coming"

Mother,” said Freddie, “Walter and I would like to take our bicycles and hike up into the hills tomorrow.”

“No, Freddie, not tomorrow. I fear that a storm is coming, and I want you to stay near home.”

Freddie went outside and told Walter the bad news. They had secretly planned this little venture together, and were quite looking forward to it, but now Mother had spoiled it all just because she thought a storm was coming.

“It looks sunny right now,” said Walter. “Do you think you could get away without your Mother knowing it if the sun is shining tomorrow morning?

Freddie thought carefully. He knew that it was wrong to deceive his Mother, but he was afraid Walter would laugh at him, so presently He said “All right, I’ll meet you at your house early in the morning if the sun is shining.”

The next morning came, and there were just a very few dark clouds to be seen. “Should I ask Mother again, or should I just slip away when she is not looking?” thought Freddie. I am sorry to say that Freddie disobeyed and soon was on his way with Walter to the hills.

Before dinner time they had reached the Inns, and there they hid their bicycles and began to climb. They had just reached the top of the highest hill when they were startled by a roar behind them. Boys always claim they are very brave, but this time both boys turned quickly with a look of fear on their faces. Another and louder roar followed quickly, and then they realized that a thunderstorm was coming —and coming rapidly. Fierce dark clouds were racing across the sky, and the hills were soon echoing with crashes of thunder.

Poor Freddie thought at once of his mother’s warning, and heartily wished that he had obeyed her. He knew that she would be worrying about him, and he knew too that God was watching him, for he had learned in Sunday school, “Thou God seest me.” God had seen Freddie’s disobedience, for He tells us in His word, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord.”

In another few moments the rain began to fall in torrents, and the frightened boys ran to find shelter.

Do you know, dear young reader, that there is a day of storm and judgment coming upon this world when many will wish they had a shelter? They are careless now, for the sun of this world’s pleasure shines upon them. Perhaps you, dear reader, have laughed at the one who warned you. Be warned once again, it is corning very soon, and when it comes, it will be too late to turn and seek shelter. The only safe shelter and hiding place is the Lord Jesus Christ. Is He your own Saviour?

Walter soon found a cave into which the boys crept. Here they crouched and shivered while brilliant flashes of lightning blazed back and forth across the sky. Before long, the rolling thunder slowed and stopped, the last drops of rain splashed down, and the boys came out of their hiding place.

Will God’s judgment just last a little while and then stop? No, God’s storm of judgment will last forever on every one who has rejected the love and mercy of His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus, for they will hear from His own lips, “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.” Matt. 25:41.

What a glorious thing it is that God has warned us of this coming storm, and has provided a happy and sure shelter in His own dear Son.

Dripping and unhappy, the two disobedient boys found their bicycles, and hurried home to confess their wrong. And I hope they learned a lesson from their disobedience and its unhappy results.

God wants you to be happy, and so He has given His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to bear all the storm that should have fallen upon our guilty heads. When Jesus bowed His head upon Calvary’s cross, He was bearing God’s storm of wrath against sin, and now He offers forgiveness and shelter to all who will trust in Him alone.

“And a Man shall be as art hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest.” Isaiah 32:2.

ML 09/16/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 11:6-14

The children of Israel soon forgot the wondrous deliverance the Lord had wrought for them in Egypt. They forgot that they were staves there, and of how they had longed for deliverance, and now they only remembered the food of that place from which the Lord must wean them. Dear young reader, how is it with you? If your heart is not filled with Christ, if you are not enjoying His love, get into His presence now, in prayer, and tell Him all about it. Have it out with him, owning all that has come in to rob your soul of this blessed portion, and think of the great things He has done for you. Think of His love until your heart is warmed with it, and overflows in thanksgiving and loving service to Him. It is our hearts He wants—and surely He has done everything to win them.

Having become tired of the flavor of the manna, the children of Israel started to grind it in mills and beat it in a mortar. Then they baked it in pans in order to get a little variation, but this only spoiled it, for when it was first given in Exodus 16 it tasted like “wafers made with honey,” but when it had been “fixed up” in these various ways its sweetness was gone, and it tasted like fresh oil. How this reminds us of the attempt on every hand today to try, by various means, to make the things of God more attractive to the natural heart of man. All kinds of entertainments are introduced to attract people. Instead of the old faithful preaching there is an attempt to “tone it down,” or to make it interesting to the intellect, thus robbing it of that freshness, and sweetness—and power which is ever found when the truth is presented in its simplicity by the Spirit. Oh that we knew more of that feeding upon Christ which would enable us to bring Him—Christ Himself—before those with whom we come in contact. It is this that is needed, just as here when the people were complaining, grinding and baking the manna, it still continued to fall as before.

The Lord was angry with the people, and Moses was displeased. Alas, Moses became weary of his responsibilities. He had listened to his father-in-law some time before, when he told him he had too great a responaibility, and now he mentions the same thing of his own accord. How often we are influenced by relatives who would hinder that full devotedness to Christ, and who tell us the path is too difficult. Then, too, if we are not watchful, we follow their suggestions to our loss. We may be sure that God will never give us more to do than we can do with His help. Moses said that he could not bear the burden of the people all alone, but this the Lord had never asked. Him to do. The Lord had said, “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest,” (Exodus 33:14) and surely if he had realized that the Lord was with him, and had been enjoying that rest which His presence gives, he would not have complained of the burden. God can do without any of us, or find more workmen if He wishes, as He did here, but it is a privilege to serve Him. Let us never complain of the burdens He gives us to bear, nor feel we have too hard a task, for He wants us to be “workers together with Him,” (2 Cor. 6:1) —blessed privilege—true rest!

ML 09/16/1951

Conversation

A young schoolgirl was listening silently to a conversation which took place between her elder sister and her friend. She naturally looked up to them, for they were much older than she who was only a little schoolgirl. But what did she hear that was so interesting to her? The friend spoke about the love of Jesus, the joy of forgiveness, the assurance of salvation, the happiness of serving the Lord, and of the bright eternal Home above. They did not take any notice of her, but the words sank deep into her heart. After some years they helped her to decide for Christ, to live for and serve Him.

There is often a silent listener to our conversations with one another, and therefore we should always he careful what we say, and try to be a help to others, instead of a hindrance. The Lord Jesus said,

“EVERY IDLE WORD THAT MEN SHALL SPEAK, THEY SHALL GIVE ACCOUNT THEREOF IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT.” Matthew 12:36.

ML 09/23/1951

Caught in a Trap

Harry Morris, at the time this incident happened, was a young man twenty four years old. He had a godly Christian mother, but he himself, though honorable, clever, upright and prosperous, was utterly godless and even sneered at “religion” and those who adhered to it. He was very popular with his fellow workmen and had become the leader of a set among them known as the “Free Thinkers.”

One evening Harry, being an able orator, had made a highly spiced speech vvhich had been received with uproarious applause. In the course of his discourse he had not neglected to give a few side sneers at the churches, the clergy, and religion in general, but on his way out of the building had come face to face with Mr. Elliot, an earnest Christian man whom he had known from boyhood. He could see by the man’s pained expression that his speech had been heard. As Harry tried’ to slip past him, Mr. Elliot laid a daining hand on his arm and said quietly,

“God has given you an eloquent tongue, Morris, and the power of rousing the passions and guiding the feelings of other men. May He forgive the sinful use you are making of it. Perhaps, some day you may be in some terrible danger, CAUGHT IN SOME TRAP, and then you will feel His hand and acknowledge His power—but it may then be too late.”

These words struck a chill upon Harry’s heart, and he slunk home like a beaten dog.

About six months after this, Harry went gaily to work, more pleased with himself than usual, for he was about’ to finish a very important piece of work. It was a large iron safe, intended to be built into the wall of a bank—a safe of immense strength. The locks had been partly designed by Harry and unless one were in the secret, could it be opened even with a key. The bank manager had examined the safe and expressed great satisfaction with the idea. The manager of the factory had the day before highly complimented Harry, and finally put one of the two keys in his pocket (Harry had the other one) remarking as he did so, that no one could rob the bank but himself and Harry. No one else had been allowed to see the working of the locks; but when all was completed that morning, the other workmen crowded in to see the masterpiece.

While they were jostling around Harry got into the safe to see if the hinges worked well, pulling the door slightly toward him. Whether the iense weight of the door caused it to slam, or whether someone accidently pushed against it, is not known, but before Harry could prevent it, the door, shutting with a spring, closed itantly. Harry was caught in his own trap!

No one could open the door but the manager who had the other key. Would the men think of sending for him?

The horror of his position gradually burst upon the imprisoned man. The air in the safe soon became close and heavy, and the awful thought came that he might be suffocated before Mr. Wilson, the manager, came. For some moments he seemed to take leave of his senses. He tore at the door and shouted, only to fall back gasping and, to add to his terror, Mr. Elliot’s words came back to him—“Some day you may be caught in a trap, then you will feel His hand and acknowledge His power, BUT IT MAY THEN BE TOO LATE.”

There alone in the dark, he stood face to face with God—and the hereafter. God had indeed laid His havd on him and him feel that “He IS a God that judgeth in the earth.” Psalm 58:11.

The atmosphere in the safe was becoming stifling—a little further delay and help would be too late! But stay! What precious words of sweetness rushed suddenly to his mind, calming his terror for a few moments? “Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saveth them out of their distresses.” Psa. 107:19.

But how could he cry to a God whom he had jeered? He knew NOW for a certainty there WAS a God—a heaven—a hell! He knew he deserved no pity, but like those of old he would cry to Him.

For the first time in years he got on his knees and leaning his aching head against the cold iron, begged Him, if it were not His will for him to live longer, to forgive all the black catalogue of his sins. How wonderful the grace of God that, through what Christ has done on Calvary, He can forgive the vilest sinner! Harry then thought of his dear mother and her grief at his untimely death. Taking a sheet of paper and pencil, he wrote as well as he could— “God bless you, Mother—I have asked God to forgive me.”

A buzzing was now beginning in his head and soon the pain became teible. He finally fell forward unconscious.

The next thing he knew there seemed to be a hum of voices afar off—then a futile struggle to get his breath, a blinding light—a sinking down, and again unconsciousness.

When he next opened his eyes he was in his own room, his mother holding his hand. “Let us thank God, the God that saved you in your fearful trouble, my boy.” He was too weak to speak, but followed his mother as she thanked God, and asked that the life He had given back might be used for Him.

After this he began slowly to amend. One evening when his friends from the factory were gathered around his bed, he told them the whole story of his conversion in the safe, and that in the future his life was God’s and that he hoped to spend it trying to undo the harm he had done. As the men listened, a quiet hush stole over them, and one young fellow said, “Morris, you have come out of the very jaws of hell, but you have found in that safe that there is a God who hears and answers prayer. I, for one, will trust Him and His Book from this time on, and I hope you men will do the same.”

Will you not do so as well, dear reader? These are days of sudden and awful deaths— “traps” abound everhere—on the highways, at home, abroad.

Are you ready to meet God—for meet Him you must? “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Heb. 2:3.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosover believed” in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

ML 09/23/1951

A Loving Friend

Lo, a loving Friend is waiting,

He is calling thee;

Listen to His voice so tender,

“Come to Me.”

Soon that voice will cease its calling,

Wilt thou still delay?

Wait no longer, sin grows stronger,

Come today.

ML 09/23/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 11:15-35

If we, like Moses, look at the difficulties of the way, or at the people of God with all their troubles and complaints, it will undoubtedly seem too much for us, but if we look beyond the difficulties, and see the people of God as dear to Him, it is very different indeed. Moses said, “Let me not see my wretchedness,” for there is no place where we learn our own wretchedness like being in the Lord’s presence and attempting to serve Him. We see our lack of patience, our helplessness, and our lack of wisdom, over and over again, as we try to serve the One who is so perfect in patience, wisdom, and power, in spite of all our failures.

As we remarked last week, the Lord had others whom He could use when Moses was unwilling, but there was no more power for the Lord said, “I will take of the Spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them.” It was the same Spirit that came upon the seventy elders of Israel and they propsied. This lack of willingness to bear the burden of the people was soon followed by unbelief of God’s power, and of His ability to meet their needs. When we are unwilling to go forth to serve the Lord as He would have us, it soon comes out that we have really questioned His power. How weak we are when left to ourselves and how impossible to walk the path of faith in human strength! And so here, Moses began to question how God could give enough meat to feed six hundred thousand footmen for a month out in the wilderness. Such is man’s reasoning, but God says we must believe before we see (John 11:40). Moses soon found out that God was able to do as He had said.

When the Spirit of God came upon the seventy elders of Israel, there were two of them, Mad and Medad, who remained in the camp and prophesied there. Now God had said they were to be gathered to the tabernacle of the congregation, but these two men did not come out—they remained where they were. Joshua a very zealous—young man—wanted to forbid them prophesying, because of their wrore position. Undoubtedly they were disobedient in that they did not come out to the place the Lord had appointed yet God, who loves His people, allowed them to prophesy where they were. Joshua thought Moses would be envious of what they were doing (for undoubtedly they had a “good hearing” in the more popular position—the camp), but Moses simply said, “Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would lout His Spirit upon them!” This is a most beautiful attitude, and we do well to imitate it. We cannot go with Christians who are in a wrong position, but let us not forbid them to serve, nor let us envy the blessing they have. We should rather rejoice that Christ is preached by whomsover He may use and in whatever position they are found. It is the Lord’s work, and we must own His rights to use whom He pleases, and to work where He please.

Soon God showed that He was able to meet the needs of the people. Be sent a wind which brought up quails to them in great numbers, and the children of Israel went out to gather them. They were so anxious for them that they stayed up all night gathering these quails, but God was displeased, and He punished the people for their unbelief, taking away many of them in death. Sometimes, if we are very insistent, the Lord lets us have what we want, but to our own sorrow, as with the children of Israel here.

ML 09/23/1951

The Dog That Found Something

Have you ever heard of what Eric’s dog found? They were by the sea-side, Eric and his friendly dog, but it was only the dog who did any running. Eric was a cripple boy in a wheel chair, and a very lonely little boy, too.

The dog found a book, dripping wet and partly torn, but he brought it at once and laid it within reach of the boy’s hand. Sometimes the dog was scolded for bringing rubbish, so he stood by, doubtfully wagging his tail, and wondering how his master would like his discovery.

But, oh, it was a treasure that dog had found! It was the Gospel of Luke. Poor Eric didn’t even know what a Gospel was, for his father didn’t seem to care about the Lord Jesus at all, and the boy had never heard the good news.

He heard it then, however. He spread out the wet pages and dried them carefully, and he learned to love the Man he read about. Do you know why? Because Eric learned in that book of what the Lard Jesus had done in dying for sinners on the cross, and he took that Blessed One as his Saviour. Now he just felt as if he wanted the Lord with him all the time. Do you love the Lord Jesus like that?

The poor boy didn’t know a great deal about the Saviour, but he knew that He really was the God of Heaven who had come down to this world, so he wrote a letter to God one day, and the wind carried it away out of sight. It was after that, that Eric learned that when he wished to pray to God, he could do so anywhere, just where he was, and He would listen, if he prayed in the name of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The old, old story was all new to the boy in the wheel chair, but he believed it all in his heart, that is, his little heart loved that blessed Saviour right away. Perhaps you have heard the story often, and believe it in your head, but Eric’s simple belief is what you need. If you believe in your heart, the Lord Jesus’ wonderful promise to you is,

“VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, HE THAT BELIEVETH ON ME HATH EVERLASTING LIFE.” John 6:47.

ML 09/30/1951

"Spider"

It was cold and wintry outside, and very warm and cozy in by the fire. And. Spider liked the glow of the fire, for Spider was a kitten—just three months old, Grace was very fond of that kitten, although why she called him “Spider” I shall never know, for not many people like spiders, and they are not nearly as nice as kittens.

Mr. Moore just opened the door to bring in the milk, when up jumped Spider, and with a swish and a bound he was out the door and into the snow “You won’t stay out there very long,” thought Mr. Moore, as he put away the milk. But Spider seemed in no hurry at all to come back, so in about an hour, Mr. Moore decided that he must be found. Up and down the street he looked, calling “Spider, Spider.” I have no doubt he felt very foolish, but he knew how sorry Grace would be to lose her kitten. Presently he heard a little wail of distress coming from somewhere. It seemed to come from the roof-top, and he looked up.

There was poor Spider, away at the top of the very tallest poplar tree, mewing and frightened. “Come Spider, come down.” Down he struggled a little bit and then stopped and mewed some more. Oh, how far away the ground seemed! But that voice at the bottom of the tree kept calling him to corm down, and so he tried, and lower and lower he came, till at last Mr. Moore was able to reach him, and lift him down. Poor Spider was soaking and trembling, and seemed very glad to be placed back in front of the warm fire indoors.

Now Mr. Moore is a happy Christian man, and when this happened, it set him thinking. Isn’t that like many boys and girls who turn their backs on the Lord Jesus, and set out to find what happiness they can away from God. They find that it is not at all as pleasant and wonderful as they had hoped, and yet sometimes they are afraid to come back down. Jesus calls you to Himself, dear boys and girls, for He loves you and has a home prepared foi all who will come to Him and trust it Him.

“Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14.

ML 09/30/1951

Kenny's Boathouse

A strange lonely man was Kenny McFarlane, the boatman. He lived in a very small cottage near the shore of the rolling sea, and none of the villagers had ever been inside the door. He was not gruff or cross, in fact all the boys of the village liked him, and sat down by his boathouse while he told them tales of the sea.

All the people of the village were very “religious” and went diligently to their worship and services on Sunday. All but Kenny, the boatman. He never seemed to go outside the door of his cottage on that day, and so all his neighbors considered him an infidel. But the fact was, they knew nothing about what Kenny believed, for none of them ever spoke to him of the love of God, or asked him about his own soul.

On a summer Saturday afternoon, two young men on holiday from a southern town, hired Kenny’s boat for a row. When they returned and paid his hire, they asked if he would let them use his boathouse for a Gospel meeting, the following Sunday evening. Kenny was much surprised, but the young men went on to explain. “We are not preachers, but just clerks on our holidays. But Jesus has saved our souls, and we would like to tell the old Gospel message to any of the villagers who would like to come.”

Kenny was in a fix. He would have made some excuse if he could, but before he knew it, he had agreed.

“Thank you very much,” said “Charles, the older of the two, “and we hope we will see you there, too.” Kenny made no reply.

Sunday afternoon, the two earnest young men could be seen going from house to house, inviting people to the gospel meeting at Kenny’s Boathouse. God honored their earnest faith, and almost all of the villagers were to be found that evening, seated on the shore, while the two young men stood on the platform of Kenny’s boathouse to tell out the message. Yes, Kenny was there, too!

Charles spoke first, and told tenderly and earnestly of the love of God from John 3:16. These villagers were devoutly religious, and diligent in their attendance at church services, but it was a new thing to them to hear that God loved poor, ungodly, unworthy sinners, and that the blood of Jesus was able to cleanse their hearts.

Gerald followed with a message from Isaiah 53:6. Again the villagers were surprised to learn that they were lost and away from God. Kenny listened eagerly, but spoke to nobody, and nobody spoke to him, except Charles and Gerald. The following Saturday, another service was held, and again the villagers came and listened, and a number of them came forward and confessed their need of a Saviour, and accepted Jesus. Among them was Kenny McFarlane. He stood up before them all and said, “That is what I have been waiting for, for years. I knew there was something I needed, but what it was, or how to get it, I could not tell. Now I know that I needed a Saviour, Jesus Christ the Lord.

Dear reader, you need just what Kenny needed. You need Christ. The Bible says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” I Tim. 1:15. Have you let Him save you? He is able and willing to do it today.

ML 09/30/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 12:1-16

Something very sad takes place in our chapter—rebellion breaks out, and that among the leaders. First Moses’ father-in-law had said that it was too much for Moses to bear the burden of the people alone. Moses had then taken this up himself, and God had put His Spirit upon the seventy elders. Now Miriam and Aaron took it up, too, and rebelled against Moses, saying, “Hath the Lord spoken only by Moses?” How watchful we should be about little things, for one thing soon leads to another, and an open outbreak generally has a small beginning.

And yet how often these outbreaks of sin bring out the wondrous ways of God in grace! Miriam and Aaron had used the marriage of Moses to an Ethiopian woman, as the occasion of their rebellion, but we can see in this a beautiful type of the grace that has brought us poor Gentiles, who were once afar off, into a place of nearness as the bride of Christ, just as this poor black Ethiopian woman became the bride of Moses. This grace to the Gentiles incited the hatred of the Jews, and they have rebelled against the sovereignty of God (Acts 22:21,22), as Miriam and Aaron rebelled against Moses.

Moses, the meekest man in all the earth, left everything with. God. How good to do this when misunderstood! God will make known His mind and will vindicate His servants, as He viicated Moses here, but we must wait His time. If we have been misjudged, let us take all from the Lord, who aows such things for our good, because He sees we need it to keep us humble. Then, too, if He does clear us, let us not he puffed up by such tokens of His goodness. It is sad to see that even grace, which ought ever to humble us, will cause pride if we are not watchful.

There is nothing which our poor hearts will not glory, if the eye is off Christ! May He keep us!

The Lord then called Moses, Aaron and Miriam to come out to the tabernacle of the congregation, and said, “If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all Mine house ... Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” The Lord then departed, and Miriam, who was apparently the leader in the rebellion, became leprott, as white as snow. Aaron then said, “We have done foolishly ... we have sinned.” After all this, Moses showed a beautiful spirit of grace, and prayer. for Miriam, saying, “Heal her now, O God, I beseech Thee.” The Lord heard Moses’ cry, but Miriam had to be shut out of the camp for seven days. Even though Moses had shown the spirit of grace, God allowed Miriam to suffer for her sin, as well as rebuking Aaron, Let us remember that there is a government of God, and we have to reap what we sow in His ways, even though we have owned our sin. We notice also that God made a difference between Miriam and Aaron. He knows who is really at fault, and who stirs up the trouble, and He judges accordingly. How foolish to dunk that we can eape the government of God! He knows all—the very secrets of our hearts—and we can never escape His watchful eye. How many have to reap in later life the careless sowing of their youth. Let us be careful what we sow! (Gal. 6:7,8.)

ML 09/30/1951

The Birdbath

At the back of Gracie’s house was a round white birdbath in the middle of the lawn. Grandma was careful to keep it filled with water, so that the birds were sure of a drink.

Gracie loved to watch them come, tip down their beaks for a mouthful, and then tip their heads back to let it run down their throats. All the birds do that, you know, because they can’t swallow as we can. It looks as if they are looking up to thank God for every drop they take. It ought to be a reminder to us to be thankful, don’t you think?

Sometimes Gracie liked to scare them away, just for the fun of seeing a flutter of wings, and they were gone. And, to tell the truth, she liked to play in the bird hath herself, with her hands, yes, and her feet, too! Gracie was a big sparrow in the birdbath, wasn’t she?

Of course, our little girl is of more value than many sparrows. The Bible says so. Sparrows are God’s little creatures, and He notices every one that falls to the ground, but every little girl and boy has a soul. Do you remember that, dear children, and do the older ones remember it, too, when we have little ones in our care? There is nothing so precious in all the world as a human soul. Our blessed Lord Jesus said it was of greater value than the whole world, but He gave Himself to redeem such. How precious a soul must be in His sight!

For little lost girls like this, and for colored ones too, sinful and wretched, our Saviour died. Are you under the shelter of the blood He shed on Calvary, clear reader? Nothing else can put away sin from. God’s holy presence.

“THE SON OF MAN IS COME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST.” Luke 19:10.

ML 10/07/1951

Jack and His Bible

It was a sad day for Mrs. Wilson when her husband died, and yet she knew and trusted in the Lord Jesus, and asked Him for the strength to carry on and bring up the family. She had seven daughters and one son, and it was her earnest prayer that they might all grow up to love and serve the Lord Jesus. One by one, each of the girls came to the Saviour, but Charles would not listen. He wanted his own way, and he left home to seek for pleasure away from his mother, and his mother’s God.

Just before he left home, his mother bought a fine Bible, and wrote his name in the front. Then, with much prayer and many tears, she gave Charles the Bible and urged him to read it daily, and to accept Jesus for his Saviour, Charles said nothing, but put the Bible in his bag and. walked away.

Some time later she received a letter telling her that he had a ship’s company and was leaving on a voyage. Then the anxious months went by, and she heard nothing more.

About a year later, she heard, through other sailors, that Charles’ ship was wrecked, and all on board were lost.

“And what of my son Charles?” asked the frantic mother.

“Charles Wilson? Sure I knew him,” replied the sailor with a sad lack of feeling for the widow’s sorrow. “He was a bad one, that man.”

Poor Mrs. Wilson. She had loved her wayward son, and had prayed and done what she could to bring him to Jesus, and now this was the end of it all. Charles was drowned, and he was lost forever!

Two years went by, and another sailor could be seen knocking at her door. Always interested in tales of the sea, she sat and listened while he told of his adventures.

“Once,” said the sailor, “with only one companion we escaped from a shipwreck. He and I were landed on an island and at the end of seven days I had the painful duty of burying him.” Here the tears ran down the eyes of both the widow and the sailor. “He was constantly reading a little book that his mother had given him, and it was the only thing he had rescued from the waves. He wept for his sins, he prayed, and he clasped the book to his heart. He told me that his mother had prayed and urged him to take Jesus as his Saviour before he left home, and there on that island, he simply owned his sin to Jesus and trusted to Him for salvion. Just before he died, he gave me the book, and said, ‘Here, Jack. Take this and read it, and may it be used of the Lord to save your soul, as it has saved mine.’ Then he squeezed my hand, and died in peace.”

With trembling and hope, the widow reached for the book, and there sure enough she saw the very Bible she had given to her wayward Charles so long ago. There was her own writing in the front, and the tears of thankfullness and joy began to flow, her prayers had been answered, and Charles was in heaven!

Boys and girls, the bible is God’s message of love to your heart. Read it —believe it —and trust in the Saviour of whom it speaks. Then, “'Though your sins he as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18.

ML 10/07/1951

Bible Questions for October

The Children’s Class

1.“Cast off the works of darkness.”

2.“Not to please ourselves.”

3.“And shalt believe in thine heart.”

4.“Your reasonable service.”

5.“God blessed forever.”

6.“Account of himself to God.”

7.“For of Him, and through Him.”

The Young People’s Class Idle

When sin entered the world in the garden of Eden, God told Adam, “in the swea, of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground.” Genesis 3:19. It is God’s order in a world of sin that we should work, and we should not try to escape it.

But Satan is always trying to break down God’s order. He has tried to urge man to seek a life of ease, and if not without work, at least with as little work as possible. Then, when people have spare time on their hands, Satan leads their idle hands to mischief and sin.

We need hardly remark here that salvation is not by any works of our own, but only through the work of Christ. We have no part in that, for Christ’s work is a finished work. But in a world of temptation, work is a gracious provision of God. Let us be careful to shun idleness as a thing to be feared, both in natural things and, as Christians, in spiritual things. We should not he known as time-wasters in our daily tasks, and surely much less in the things of God. Too often, at the end of the day, we have to confess the truth of what another once wrote: “Lost, one golden hour, somewhere bween sunrise and sunset. No reward is offered, for it is gone forever.”

1.What did the householder say to those who were idle? Matthew.

2.What do idle people do, among Christians? 1 Timothy.

3.What does God say about idle words? Matthew.

4.What does God say will happen to an idle soul? Proverbs 19.

5.What will happen to a house through idleness? Ecclesiastes 10.

6.Of what was there an “abundance” in Sodom? Ezekiel 16.

7.Of what did Pharaoh falsely accuse those who wanted to sacrifice to the Lord? Exodus 5.

ML 10/07/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 13:1-14:12

We now come to a very interesting part of the wilderness journey. Twelve men were sent by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan. Moses told them to go through the land and see what it was like, whether it was good or bad, whether the people were weak or strong, and to find out all they could there. He also told them to bring back some of the fruit of the land for the people to see.

The men then started on their journey. They crossed over and went through the land, taking careful notice of everything they saw. They came to a place called Eschol where they found such a large bunch of grapes that, when they had picked it, they had to put it on a rod and carry it between two men. They also picked figs and pomegranates, and brought them back to the camp of Israel, where they returned after forty days.

All the people then came, together to hear about this wonderful land of Canaan to which the Lord had promised to take them. The spies showed the fruit which they had brought back, and said it was truly “a land flowing with milk and honey”—there was such an abundance of everything good there. But then they began to tell about the people who lived there. They said that they were strong, and that, the cities had great walls about them. They told of the mighty giants who lived there, and they felt so small that they were like grasshoppers before them. This made the people feel afraid and discouraged, but Caleb and Joshua, two of the spies, were men of faith. They did not think about the giants, the walled cities, and the chariots of iron, but they thought about the power of God that was greater than all the giants of the land of Canaan put together. They believed that God was well able to give then the victory, and that He delighted in them, and would surely do it. Alas, however, the rest of the people chose to believe the ten spies who were afraid, and who said they could never conquer the land. They began to weep, and they wept all night about it. They said, “Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt, or would God we had died in this wilderness!” They then suggested making a captain and returning to Egypt.

Moses and Aaron felt this very keenly, and they fell on their faces before the people. Then Caleb and Joshua rent their clothes as a sign of how badly they felt. They pleaded with the people, telling them what an exceedingly good land it was, and that the Lord would bring them into it. They warned them of what a solemn thing it was to rebel against the Word of God too, for when one rejects the grace of God he not only misses the blessings of God, but he must come under His judgment. The people, however, remained unmoved in their evil course, in spite of all these pleadings, and even spoke of stoning Caleb and Joshua. How awful is the heart of man, full of unbelief and enmity—even those who are in an outward place of favor as the people of God. Alas, how many “church-going” people there are today, who are without living faith in the Lord Jesus.

God had to deal again in His government. He sees and knows all, and it is useless to try and escape His hand. The glory of the Lord then appeared, and He said He would destroy the people and make of Moses and his family a great nation—but Moses interceded for them.

ML 10/07/1951

The Fireman Dresses up

Clang, clang,” went the firehell, breaking the quietness of the night.

Mr. Fireman opened his eyes and with one jump, landed in his big hip boots. In less time than it takes to tell it, he was fastening the clasps of his jacket as he stood on the back of his engine.

Do you get dressed as fast as that?Not likely! I think, also, that your clothes would not stand the test of fire. They would soon be aflame on your back, if the flames licked around you as they sometimes do around those hardy men.

The fireman has to wear special clothes, on which fire just doesn’t catch. He would probably lose his life if he didn’t, but he is not so foolish.

Are you so foolish? “Our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29. Are you ready to meet Him? Is there any sin upon you, which the fire of His holy judgment must consume?

Let me tell you about the only sinless One, who bore the judgment of God for sinners. God Himself came down in the person of His Son, the Lord Jesus, and walked through this earth as man. The heavens opened, to declare God’s delight in this holy sinless One, and the Spirit of God rested upon Him.

But in due time, that blessed Saviour went to the cross where the sins of all who believe were placed upon Him, and then all the judgment, those sins deserved was poured out upon His holy head, so that He could say, “From above hath He sent fire into My bones, and it prevailed against them.” Lam. 1:13. In those three hours of darkness, He bore the sins of many, and then He cried with a loud voice, “It is finished.”

Now the Crucified One sits on the throne of God. He wants to be your Saviour, but if you reject Him, He will he your judge, the One before whom you must some day stand.

If your sins are yet upon you in that day, then that, fire must kindle upon you, even “the fire that never shall be quenched.” Mark 9:43. But if your sins were consumed on Calvary, you shall be with Him in that day, as holy as the Judge Himself!

Reader, which is it for you? You may claim that Saviour as your own this very moment. You may accept His perfect sacrifice for your sin, and rejoice to hide yourself in Him. You also may refuse Him. Oh, dear reader, take Him as your Saviour right now.

“FOR OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE.” Hebrews 12:29.

ML 10/14/1951

"Because They Killed Him"

Mr. Foster was walking home from work. He was happy at the thought of joining his wife and three children, and glad another day’s work was done. All at once he saw a group of ragged boys standing in a group on a dark corner. They were laughing and swearing, and as he passed by, one of them shouted and jeered at him. He turned round and said kindly to the one who had spoken, “Did you speak to me, my boy?”

He shuffled a little away, muttering, “No, sir.”

Mr. Foster stepped into the middle of the group and said, “Boys, listen to me. I have something good to tell you —a story.”

They were all silent in a moment, and then, in a few plain words, he told them of the kindness and love of God towards sinners. He told of the life, sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and as he spoke of His weariness and hunger and thirst, all was silence. The boys knew themselves what it was to be hungry and weary. They listened still in solemn silence as he told them of the agony of our Lord Jesus, and of His unanswered cry to God as He suffered for sins. Dirty hands wiped dirty faces, and their round eyes never moved from Mr. Foster’s face as he told them that Jesus was watching the boys on that very street corner, and that His love was as great to them just then, as it was when He died on the cross for sinners.

The story ended. No one spoke. Suddenly Mr. Foster said,

“Now lads, He loved us very much, didn’t He? Do any of you boys love Him?”

They looked at one another, but felt they could not answer.

“And would any of you boys like to love Jesus?”

A little boy with a very dirty face, half hidden by his tangled hair, quickly held up his hand. One and another followed till all the hands were up.

A few more words were said, and then Mr. Foster gave them each a little money, and hurried home.

About three weeks later, the same kind man was walking along the main street of the city, when a little lad made a rush out from a laneway, and stood grinning with delight before him. Mr. Foster had no idea who he was, so at last he said, “Well, my boy, you seem to know me; who are you?”

“Please, sir, I’m Jack.”

“Jack—Jack who?”

“Only Jack, sir.”

“I remember you now. You are the very boy who shouted at me back on James Street a few weeks ago, and you told me you wanted to know and love Jesus. Is that right?”

“Yes, sir. That’s right; we all remember your story about Jesus.” “Can you read, Jack?”

“Not too well, sir; but I can manage to spell out a page.”

“Would you like a Testament of vour own, where you could read all about Jesus?”

“That I would, sir!”

“Then you come to my home tomorrow night at seven and I will have one ready for you.”

Exactly at seven, Jack was there, having made an attempt to clean himself up a bit. He was soon seated beside Mr. Foster, who said, “Now, Jack, why do you want a Testament?”

“To read more about Him you told us of, sir.”

“Why do you want to read about Him, Jack?”

“Because I love Him, sir.”

“Why do you love Him?”

There was silence for a while. Poor Jack tried to speak twice and couldn’t seem to get started. At last he burst into tears and sobbed as if his heart would break. “Because they killed Him.”

It was hard for Mr. Foster to keep he tears back. The simple fervent belief in the Saviour’s death, the clear view that it was for him, and that he did in no way deserve it, had melted this poor little heart as it had never been melted before.

Jack’s name was then written, or rather printed, at his own request “very large” in his Testament.

From that time, Jack longed to tell. other sinners of the love of Jesus, and the way in which they might know their sins forgiven.

Have you, dear reader, ever. accepted Jesus as the One who died for you?

“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.

ML 10/14/1951

Who Freddie Right?

Hello, Freddie, where are you going this morning?”

r“I’m on my way to that Sunday School down the street, sir, and I don’t want to be late.”

“That’s fine, my boy. I’m glad you go to Sunday School, and I’m glad you get there on time. Now I want to ask you one more question. Do you know the Saviour as your own?”

“Yes, sir, because I have several certificates for Bible memory work, and I haven’t missed a Sunday for two years.”

Was Freddie right? Surely it is a good thing to be at Sunday School regularly, and to win rewards for memory work, but I am afraid Freddie thought that all this made him a Christian.

You may have the finest attendance record in your Sunday School, and you may know more Bible verses than all the other boys and girls, and yet be unsaved. But if you have come to the Lord Jesus Christ as a needy and sinful boy or girl, and have taken Him into your heart as your own Saviour, then you are saved, and can say like Paul, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

ML 10/14/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 14:13-15:16

Moses’ intercession for the people is most beautiful, as he asks the Lord to pardon them; and how wonderfully he typifies the Lord Jesus here. We, like the children of Israel, deserved punishment for our sins. We were enemies of God and unbelieving in our hearts, just at they were, but the Lord Jesus has perfectly glorified God about the whole question of sin and sins, in order that we might be brought nigh to God, and into His favor. We notice, however, that although the people were not cut off, they did come under God’s government. This, too, has a needful lesson for us, for although we are sure of heaven, as sure as God can make us through Christ’s redemptive work, we cannot escape His gornment. He must correct and chasten us as His children.

The Israelites had said that their children would die in the wilderness, and that was why they murmured and wanted to go back to Egypt, so the Lord said that their children would not die as they expected. Instead of that He said that they would wander in the wilderness until all the men of war had died, and then their children, whom they had said would perish in the wilderness, would be the ones who would enter the promised land. Only Caleb and Joshua were preserved of the older ones to enter the land. Surely the government of God is a solemn thing!

When the people heard this message from the Lord they mourned, but soon the wayward hearts found another plan. They would try to escape this government of God. Instead of returning to Egypt, they said they would now go up and conquer the land of Canaan in their own strength. Moses told them that they could not do this, and that if they attempted it they would only fall before their enemies, in spite of Moses’ warning they insisted on going, and no sooner had they got up to the top of the hill than the Amalekites and the Canaanites came out and fought against them, utterly defeating them. Their self-willed venture only ended in a shameful defeat before their enemies. It is well for us to remember that the Lord Jesus has said, “without Me, ye can do nothing,” John 15:5, for in the face of our enemies we are just as helpless as the children of Israel; but His Word also tells us in Phil. 4: 13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Let us never fear the path of obedience, for He will always give strength if we look to Him, but it is a good thing to be so “in the fear of the Lord all the day long” that we fear to displease Hint God cannot bless us in the path of disobedience to His Word.

After the Lord had told the people that they must wander in the wildeess until all the rebels were consumed, it is beautiful to see His thoughts in grace manifested, in that He immediately speaks of the time when they would get into the land. He delighted to tell of this, and provision was made for their free will offerings, and the drink offerings to acompany them. The drink offering speaks of joy, and so when we have the Lord Jesus before us and give willingly to Him, it gives joy to God’s heart as well as to ours. God our Father is so good that we can never do anything for Him but what He gives us more in return than our feeble offering—yet He delights to reive from us when we give from our hearts.

ML 01/14/1951

John's Story

When I was a little boy, I lived in a happy little home among the fields and lanes of Devonshire. My father was a poor man, but he sent us to the village school to learn to read, and, better still, he read to us in the evening from the big Bible, and explained its lessons to our hearts.

Sometimes the Lady Isabella, from the big house on the hill, came to visit the school, to ask us questions. I remember one day she came with her little (laughter Miss Ina, and how hard we tried to look our best and answer correctly! She said we had done very well, and then little Miss Ina whispered that she would like to speak to us.

“Please Mr. Deane,” she said to the schoolmaster, “I would like you to give all the children a holiday tomorrow, as it is my birthday, Then I would like them al to he Park, and we shall have tea on the lawn at five o’clock.”

Mr. Deane bowed politely, and agreed at once. How we cheered as they drove away! I had seen the beautiful Park gardens from a distance, but the thought of going through the big gates and having tea there, made me wild with joy. My sister Minnie was delighted too, in her quiet way.

All next morning, I worried Mother with my impatience, but, sad to say, I didn’t care. Mother had a beautiful flower bed, with roses and geraniums, and she never liked us children to go near it, but that morning it seemed as if I just had to jump over something.

“Stand back, Minnie,” I said, “I’m going to jump over Mother’s rose tree.”

Mother was hanging out the clothes, and she called to me to stop, but I was a willful boy, and I went right on. Then it happened. My foot caught in a branch, and I fell right in the midst of the geraniums.

I was very sorry to see what I had done, and was wondering what I could do for Mother’s plants, when Minnie said, “Oh Johnnie, what will Father say?”

I had not thought of this. I went up to my room, and waited until I heard him open the garden gate. He noticed the flower bed at once and he called, “Mother, has Rover been here?”

I did not hear her answer, but he added, “Had you told him not to do it? Then he must not go to the Park today. My boy must obey his mother.”

My heart swelled up with angry feelings against my father. Oh it could not be true! Surely he would not keep me home for one disobedience. But I knew my father would not change his mind. I was a big boy, too, but I cried like a baby.

From the window, I saw Minnie kiss Mother goodbye as she left at three o’clock.” At last I crept out and walked up the lane as far as the Park wall. I climbed up on the wall, where I could see the merry party through the trees. There were white tables loaded with good things, and the servants walked about carrying baskets of sandwiches, cake and fruits. Then the schoolmaster called “Silence,” and all the children began to sing sweetly before beginning to eat. It all sounded so beautiful to the miserable, lonely boy on the wall, and I shall never forget how utterly “out of it all” I felt that day.

I came home about eight o’clock. Father was out, and I would have gone at once to my room but Mother called me to the kitchen. “Come here, Johnnie,” she said.

Then she put her arm around me and kissed me, and I broke down and cried, and said I was sorry I had spoiled her flowers.

“It isn’t that, John,” she said tenderly. “It’s your disobedience,—that’s sin in the sight of God. Johnnie lad, do you know that it was a sin against God to disobey your mother, and that, unless it is blotted out, God will have to shut you out from His feast and joy forever. That is why God sent His only Son, that is why He suffered and died on Calvary, and the blood flowed from His holy side, so that we might have the right to say, “He is my Saviour.”

Then she told me how often her heart was sad to think I had not confessed the Lord as my Saviour, and that I was still outside the joy that God has laid up above.

I never can forget that night. I did not much want to think of her words about God shutting me out from the joy and gladness above. Long afterwards, when she was laid in her grave, God broke down my stubborn heart, and I came to the Saviour of sinners and claimed Him as mine. At once I had the joy of salvation and the sweet peace He gives. It is a sweet thought that my mother’s prayers were answered; and God has saved her boy, in spite of his waywardness.

“HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE, IF WE NEGLECT SO GREAT SALVATION?” Hebrews 2:3.

ML 10/21/1951

"Just as I Am"

Mrs. Weston had a class of girls who gathered in her home each. Sunday afternoon. Most of the girls were the daughters of the farmers and shepherds about the country, and quite a number of them had been led to put their trust in the Lord Jesus. Mrs. Weston loved the girls, and prayed constantly that they might each one accept the Saviour. At the end of each class, she would always ask any who wished to talk further to please stay behind.

Dorothy had been listening very eagerly and quietly, and when all the other girls got up to leave, she closed her eyes and stayed right where she was. God had been speaking to her and had made her feel the load of her guilt and sin, and to see her need of a Saviour. When they were alone together, Dorothy asked with much earnestness,

“Mrs. Weston, you have told us about the Saviour receiving sinners, but will He take me as I am?”

“Indeed He will; Dorothy. His word says ‘Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.’ John 6:37. And it also says, ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.’ I Timothy 1:15, Yes, Dorothy, Jesus takes sinners just as they are.”

“That’s grand then. That’s just what I need. I’ve tried to make myself into a Christian many times, and always failed. But if Jesus will take me just as I am, then I will let Him have me now.”

“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.”

ML 10/21/1951

Mr Spurgeon's Robin

Mr. Spurgeon loved birds, and he felt sorry for them when the cold weather came, and they had to hunt far and wide for food.

There was a little platform just outside his study window, and he put some crumbs out there, hoping the birds would find them. In a short time, a busy robin spied the food, and quickly ate it all up. Next morning, more crumbs were put out, and sure enough, along came the robin and started in for another meal. Suddenly, the robin flew away, and came back bringing another bird with him, and together they finished the crumbs.

Each morning, more birds would be waiting for their food, and it set Mr. Spurgeon to thinking. Would it not be a fine thing, he thought, if those of us who have found the Lord Jesus as our own loving Saviour, hurried to our friends and neighbors and told them the good news?

Have you, dear reader, found for yourself the joy of being one of Jesus’ own redeemed and forgiven ones? If He is your Saviour, tell others the good news so that they may come to the same Saviour who has meant so much to you.

“Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee.” Mark 5:19.

ML 10/21/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 15:7-41

The children of Israel are again reminded here about offering the firs tfruits to the Lord. Their first dough was to be offered as a heave offering to Him. It is a joy to give the Lord first place, is it not? When we think of it, all that we have really belongs to Him, for He is the Giver of everything that is good. Let us always remember His claims.

Next we are told of the gracious provision the Lord made for sins of ignorance. This was the only way He could go on with an erring people, for God is holy and cannot pass over sin—it must be judged, even sins of ignorance. We remark again, as we have often done before, that all these sacrifices pointed on to the one perfect sacrifice of Christ which alone can put away sin. There was, however, no provision made for presumptuous sins under the law—such sins brought only the judgment of God.

At this time one of the children of Israel was found picking up sticks on the sabbath day, and they brought him to Moses. The Lord told Moses that they were to stone him to death for what he had done. Now it is well to remember that God shows His thoughts about a thing when He sets it up, and though, undoubtedly, many broke the Sabbath after this, in Israel, and were not stoned, God’s thoughts about it for those under law did not change. In this day, of course, we are not under law, but under grace, and the Chriian’s day is the first day of the week—a day of liberty to please the Lord, and not the bondage of law. We see, however, a similar case at the beginning of the Christian dispensation when Ananias and Sapphira were smitten dead for telling a lie. Alas, many Christians have told lies since then, and were not smitten dead. Why? Is it not just as serious to tell a lie today as it was then? Yes, it is just as serious, but God is forbearing in grace now (though He still deals in government with His own). He will, however, show His thoughts about sin in the believer’s life when all is manifested at the judgment seat of Christ, for loss or reward. At the great white throne the lost, too, will learn God’s estimate of sin, before they are sent to the lake of fire forever. Out thoughts about sin may change, as the days grow darker (though they should not!), but let us always remember that the holiness of God’s throne, and what is suited to the light of His presence, never changes.

We notice in our chapter that the whole assembly were called upon to stone this sabbath breaker with stones. It was not just a few of the people who acted. When sin manifests itself in an assembly, all are responsible, and so “all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died.”

The children of Israel were told in to put a ribbon of blue on the border of their garments. Blue is the heavenly color, like the blue sky, and the border, of their garment would be the park closest to the ground. It would tell us all, young and old, that when in company with people of this world, should remember that we are a heavenly people, so that they see in us “a ribbon of blue.” Between us and the world, just as between the Israelite’s garment and the ground, there should be that which lets them know we are not of the world, but belong to heaven. Even boys and girls can wear this “ribbon” and show to whom they belong. It is better than any school ribbon!

ML 10/21/1951

The Man by the Brook

Elijah sat down by the brook Cherith. He saw just what you see when you sit by the brook; water and stones and grass and trees. But Elijah. was not thinking about, all this. He was much troubled because Israel and their wicked king had forgotten. God, and he had prayed earnestly that God would withhold the rain from these guilty people.

So it did not rain. The fields and gardens were dry, and the people were starving. God told Elijah to stay there by the brook Cherith, and there he stayed, satisfying his thirst from the water of the brook. Every morning and every evening, God sent big black birds, called ravens, to bring bread and flesh for His servant’s food. Elijah stayed there for a long time.

After a while, the brook dried up, and he had no water at all. Did he pray for rain then? No, he didn’t, he just waited until God told him where to go next. It is very sweet to see how God took care of that man, and to know that the very same God is taking care of us too. Why should we worry about the weatherm, or about food or money, or even atomic bombs? Is not God caring for us as He did for Elijah?

It is good to see how obedient Elijah was to the Word of God, and how he longed to see the Lord’s people return to their God. It was more important to him than his own food and drink. He was willing to sit alone and watch his last drop dry up, rather than live in plenty, while God’s own people were daily turning away to other gods. Dear reader, are you turning away from the Lord, like the people of Israel, or have you turned to the Lord? Have you turned to Him as the One who alone can meet your need as a guilty sinner, and cleanse you from your sins in His precious blood?

Well, the brook dried up, but you may he sure Elijah did not die of thirst. God provided for him. You shall hear more of him next week, if the Lord will, or you may read the story for yourself in 1 Kings 17.

“TURN YE, TURN YE FROM YOUR EVIL WAYS; FOR WHY WILL YE DIE?” Ezekiel 33:11.

ML 10/28/1951

Marde, the Indian Girl

Let me tell you about a little girl named Marde, who used to come to Sunday School in the mission bungalow in far off India.

I used to go down each Tuesday to give the little boys and girls of the village what they called “sewing-class.” That is, I took a few pieces of cloth, and a few needles and some thread. As soon as I arrived at Marde’s house, she would skip out all smiles, tuck up her little saree, and run off to call all the other boys and girls. They used to gather round, all squatted on the ground, and we would sing gospel choruses uses together. Then each one would thread a needle and begin to sew. Some made big stitches like spiders’ legs, and others did it very nicely.

While they sewed, they learned a verse of Scripture and a verse of a hymn to be sung at Sunday School. When the sewing was over, we would sing again, and oh what a noise they made. Fathers and mothers, and bigger brothers and sisters used to gather to listen, and then we would tell them all the wonderful story of the love of God in sending the Lord Jesus to die for poor sinners. Little Marde loved and believed in Jesus, and never tired of hearing and singing of Him. She told all her friends of how Jesug had died to wash her sins away.

One Sunday Marde was not at the school, and so on Tuesday we went to her home to see if she was sick.

“No,” said her mother, “Marde is not sick, but we have given her to a man to be his wife, and she is out working in his fields.”

Poor Marde! Our hearts felt so sorry for her, but there was nothing that we could do, except to thank God that she had trusted the Lord Jesus, and we knew that He was watching over her. Although we never saw her at Sunday School again, I know that we shall see her in heaven where she will be forever happy.

Dear young reader, I hope you have the privilege of going to Sunday School. And I hope still more that you believe in, and love, the Lord Jesus who died that boys and girls might know their sins forgiven.

“Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for or such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 19:14.

ML 10/28/1951

Marion's Letter

Marion’s loved the Lord Jesus, and often told her friends of the precious blood that had cleansed her from all her sins. There was one thing that made her unhappy, and that was that her little brother George was not yet saved. He was only seven years old, but she prayed and prayed that he too might learn to know the Lord Jesus as his own Saviour. During the summer, George went away to his uncle’s farm for two weeks, and Marion kept on praying. At last she sat down and wrote him this letter.

Dear brother George,

I write this letter and hope that you are quite well. I hope you feel the need of a Saviour. Do believe Jesus died for you. It is so simple: you have only to come to Him as a sinner, and He will pardon and save you. Think how sad it will be if you do not believe in Jesus now. You will be cast out into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Do come to Jesus now. Do not put it off till tomorrow. Tomorrow may not come. I am sure you have often heard of Jesus Christ and His love to poor sinners, and yet you have always turned away from Him. How terrible if all the family went to heaven and you were left out!

We are all well here at home, and will be glad to see you back again.

Your sister, Marion.

ML 10/28/1951

God's Gift

I made up my mind one Sunday that I would be a Christian. My Sunday School teacher was a Christian, and she seemed to be so happy, so I decided that I should start right away and be a Christian, too. What was the right way to start?

First of all, I thought, I must read my Bible more, and pray more. Then I must try to do all the good I can, and stop doing all the naughty things that I had been doing. I should even try to repent and feel very sorry for all the wrong things that I had done. Surely, I thought, this will make me a Christian.

I got on pretty well until Wednesday, when I made a had mistake. I did not read and pray when I got up in the morning, and at dinner time I got very cross at my brother. My week Was spoiled, and I decided I should start again next Sunday. I don’t know why I didn’t try to start again Thursday!

I soon found that each week I tried would end with failure, and I began to think I would never make a Christian at all. But one day, as I was reading diligently in my Bible, I found a most wonderful verse. This is what I read, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. I looked again and again at the wonderful words. “The gift of God.” Could it be true that it was all a gift from God, when I had been trying to earn it so very hard? I knew well enough that a gift was given to us for nothing, and not because it was earned at all. Right then I knelt down and whispered “Thank you” to God, and I was saved! I have often thanked Him since for His wonderful gift, and I hope you have thanked him, too. If you are trying to make yourself a Christian, stop right now. God loved you and sent the Lord Jesus to die for just such as you. When He died He said, “It is finished.” You must not try to add anything of your own doings to that finished work, but just accept Jesus right now and say “Thank you.”

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” 2 Cor. 9:15.

ML 10/28/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 16:1-35

We now come to a very sad scene in Israel’s history. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, with a company of the chief men of Israel, began to speak against Moses and Aaron. Korah, their leader, was of the tribe of Levi, and he told Moses and Aaron that they took too much upon themselves, and that they had lifted themselves up before the people. This was a serious charge. It was really not against Moses, but against the Lord, who had given Moses and Aaron their position. The people had failed utterly, and would have all perished long bore this, if it had not been for the iercession of Moses, and yet they spoke against him. Moses’ and Aaron’s posion here is typical of Christ, our Great High Priest, who has now entered into heaven by His own blood, “having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 9:12. To set Him aside, is to set aside the ground of all blessing—it is apostacy, and will bring down the judgment of God upon Christendom, just as this rebellion brought down the judgment of God upon Korah and his company. They said to Moses and Aaron, “Ye take too much upon yourselves ... .wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?” Moses replied, “Ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi,” and surely it was so! Moses spoke very solemnly to Korah, but they were filled with pride and rebellion, and refused to hearken, especially Dathan and. Abiram from the tribe of Reuben, who had joined with Korah in his wicked course. How often it is so, that when one in the wrong, influences others, they become worse than the leader himself in their rebellion.

Moses told them all to take their censers, and that the Lord would make manifest who had authority from Him, and who did not. There is one thing here that we notice with sorrow, for it marks the turning point in the life of Moses with the people. He did not no act in that meekness whinn he had shown when Miriam and Aaron rose up, but was angry, and called upon God not to respect the offering of the rebels. It was true that they deserved the judgment which fell, for it was only the grace and goodness of God through the priesthood (which they had despised) that could carry the people through the wilderness. This grace, Moses, in measure at least, failed to apprehend, or at least it was the beginning, which led later on to his calling the people “rebels,” and smiting the rock at Meribah. There could be no blessing for the people on the ground of their own responsibility, for they had failed completely, but only through the grace of God maintained toward them by the priesthood.

Nevertheless the instance gives a solemn warning to those who rebel against God’s authority. God was about to destroy the whole congregation, but Moses and Aaron interceded for those who had not joined in the rebellion, so the Lord told the others to separate from Korah and his company. Those who did, escaped the solemn judgment which fell upon the rebels, for the earth opened and swallowed them up with their children, their houses, and ail their belongings. They went down alive into the pit, and their cries were so terrible, that those who were near fled away. Oh, dear young reader, if you are unsaved and could hear the cries of the lost right now, you would surely “flee from the wrath to come.” You would not delay one moment longer. Why not turn to Christ as your Saviour today, before it is forever too late?

ML 10/28/1951

The Widow of Zarephath

Do you remember reading last week about Elijah who sat by the brook until it dried up? Then God told Elijah to go to Zarephath and dwell there, where a widow woman would provide for him.

When Elijah came to the gate of the city, he found the poor woman gathering sticks, and he asked her for a little water and a piece of bread. She was ready to give him water, but she had not a little cake or piece of bread to give him. She told him at once she had nothing but a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse. This she was preparing that she and her son might eat their last little cake, and then die of hunger.

Poor little boy and his mother, with nothing but death before them. Do you know how they felt? Perhaps you have never suffered from hunger, but if you are tinsa vett, there is something worse than death from hunger before you. Do you know that death and judgment are before you, because of your sins? “The wages of sin is death,” Romans 6:23, and then “after this the judgment,” and you, my unsaved reader, are hurrying on to this, just as surely as you are a sinner.

“Make a cake for me first,” said Elijah, “and after that, for you and for your son.” Surely that was a hard thing to ask. The man of God would take from the poor woman the last crumb she had. Why? In order that God might bless her with every crumb she needed; all through the long hury months to come. Elijah added, “Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, the barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.” 1 Kings 17:14.

Now the poor woman who gave her las’t crumb, looked in her barrel each day and found, not a full barrel, but enough. There was always enough oil too (just as we would use bread and butter) so that she and her son were satisfied, and the prophet too, for he lived with them. Her fear of death was gone, as surely as God’s promise is true.

From you, too, dear reader, God would take away all upon which you would lean for salvation—all you can provide, for it is not enough. Tell Him exactly how poor your own hope of eternal life is, and He will take even that poor hope from you! But oh to the poor empty sinner, God shows Himself a cheerful Giver. He will give you eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, and He will give you day by day, enough to satisfy your heart of Himself.

Only one woman in Zarephath received the blessing of God that day. Will you, my dear reader, be the one to receive God’s abundant blessing today?

“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

ML 11/04/1951

The Heart's Door

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in.” Rev. 3:20.

At the heart’s door, the Saviour’s knocking;

At the heart’s door, locked in sin;

Don’t you hear Him gently knocking?

Open the door and let Him in.

ML 11/04/1951

"The Happiest Day of My Life"

Walter was eighteen years old. Perhaps most of our readers are younger than eighteen, and I think most of you are a lot healthier than Walter, too. Walter took sick when he was a boy of eleven, and had gradually become worse and worse, and at last had to stay in bed all the time. Now listen to the story of the happiest day in Walter’s life.

He is lying on his bed, as usual, and he hasn’t had much sleep, for he has been suffering a lot. The Doctor has just come into the room, and they are talking together.

“Walter, what would you say if I were to tell you that God is going to take you home soon? You haven’t very long to live, my boy,” the Doctor said.

Reader, what would you say if you heard such news as that? Listen to Waer’s answer.

“I would say, ‘Thank God!’ Not that I have had a bit too much pain, not a bit. But I was a lost sinner on my road to hell before I took sick, and I have often thanked God for making me sick and sending me a Christian Doctor who told me of the love of Jesus, so that now I am a Christian, and I am so happy at the thought of going to be with Jesus, my Saviour.”

Walter and his friend the Doctor had another long talk, and then Walter said, “Call in all the family w hear the good news. I want to tell them that this is the happiest day of my life, I am going, home soon!”

The boy lived some days after this, suffering very great pain, but always bright, and during his last hours of suffering, he was able to say, “I can trust Him to the end.”

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:7.

ML 11/04/1951

Bible Questions for November

The Children’s Class

Each of the following quotations is a part of a verse in 1 Corinthians, chapters 1-8.

1.“Who maketh thee to differ.”

2.“Other foundation can no man lay.”

3.“The fashion of this world.”

4.“Let him glory in the Lord.”

5. “Ye are bought with a price.”

6.“They are foolishness unto him.”

7.“Ye sin against Christ.”

The Young People’s Class Work

We noticed last month in our questions that God would not have us to be idle. He has appointed work as His gracious provision in a world of temptation.

But a young man, in choosing the line of work he should follow, ought to seek guidance from the Lord. Primarily, of course, the woman’s sphere of work is in the home (Titus 2:4, 5), but if, of neceity, it must be otherwise, she too should be much before the Lord. We ought all to be occupied in some way, but we are never to follow our own wills in this, nor in anything we do, for God’s Word says, “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and. He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6.

It is good to know that we can do all our work (in any calling where we can abide with God), as unto the Lord. But there is also a special call to the Lord’s service, and in this we must be directed of the Lord, for there is a service for every child of God under the authority of the One who said, “Occupy till I come.” Often we are very diligent in our daily toil, even to the point of overwork, but, alas, how lax in the Lord’s work. Great and pressing needs are around us on every hand, among the Lord’s people and the unsaved, yet so little exercise to say, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” May we all be stirred up to the willing spirit of Him who said, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” He has a place for you and me in His vineyard today!

1.Is salvation of works? Ephesians,

2.Who finished the work necessary for our salvation? John 17.

3.Does the Scripture exhort believers to do good works? Titus.

4.What did “a certain man” ask his two sons to do? Matthew 21.

5. How are we to feel toward those who work for the Lord? 1 Thessalonians.

6.Will the believer’s works be manifested some day? 1 Corinthians 3.

7. What verse shows that the lost will be judged “according to their works?” Revelation.

ML 11/04/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 16:36-18:1

The Lord then told Moses that the censers of the rebels, who had been consumed in judgment, were to be taken and made into broad plates for the brazen altar. These were to be a warning to any in the future who were not priests, who might attempt to approach God to offer incense. The Lord said that these men were “sinners against their own souls,” for His Word tells us that “He that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul.” Proverbs 8:36. We may think we wrong others by naughty things we do, and we may wrong them in a measure, but we wrong ourselves most of all, as these men who were destroyed, surely did. To despise the priesthood, God’s only way of leading the people through the wilderness, was solemn indeed.

The rest of the people seemed to only harden their hearts in the face of this awful judgment, and the very next day they said to Moses, “Ye have killed the people of the Lord.” God then had to speak again, causing a plague to fall upon them. Moses, who still sought the blessing of the people, acted on their behalf and told Aaron to fill his censer with fire from the altar, and go in quickly among them. Aaron did so, and ran into the camp with his censer, and stood between the living and the dead. God then stopped the plague, and in His grace preserved them by this means, even though they had despised it. Oh, how great is His goodness! How necessary, too, the priesthood of Christ for us now as believers, for He ever lives to make intercession for us. (Heb. 7:25.)

God told Moses to take twelve dry sticks, one for each tribe, and each man was to write his name on his stick, but Aaron’s name was to be written on the one for the tribe of Levi. God then said that He would make the stick of the tribe which He had chosen to blossom. The twelve sticks were taken, as the Lord laid up before the Lord, where they remained all night. In the morning Moses brought them out to the people, and they saw that Aaron’s dry stick had budded, blossomed, and brought forth almonds during the night. What a wonderful testimony to the power and goodness of God through the priesthood! What a testimony of grace, too, for this was after all their rebellion. God’s purpose in blessing had not changed at all; but the people were slow indeed to apprehend them. They could not lay hold of this display of the grace of God, any more than they could understand His righteousness in judgment upon the rebels. How blind man is to God’s character, whether as light or love!

The Lord then told Moses to lay up Aaron’s rod before Him, and so Moses put it in the ark, typical of Christ the true Great High Priest, who alone can bring the promised blessings to Israel, or to us in this dispensation. All is made sure in and through Him, the One who truly “budded, blossomed, and brought forth almonds” by His perfect obedience even unto death, for God’s glory and our eternal blessing. Now He still lives for His own above, and for Israel too, that they be not consumed.

This is emphasized in the next chapter where Aaron is told, “Thou and thy sons and the father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary.” If blessings were to come to Israel according to God’s purposes in grace, it could only be through the priesthood, for grace is never the passing over of sin.

ML 11/04/1951

He Only Son

You may remember reading last. week that the prophet Elijah was lodging at the home of a widow woman in Zarephath, during the drought and famine in Israel.

This woman had only one son, and the boy must have been all the more dear to her since her husband was lead. But the boy fell sick, so very ick indeed that there was no breath left in him. Her heart was broken, and as she looked at the little lifeless body, she began to think. How often the presence of death in our homes makes us stop and think. It is well not to brush these thoughts aside, and not to try to forget, as the world would have us do.

She thought of her sin. I do not know what her sin was, but she knew it well, and she felt that God knew it too. You also know your sin, though others may never guess, but God knows it well. If you think of it in the presence of death, you may well be troubled as she was.

When Elijah came in, she held the dead child to her bosom and said, “O thou man of God, art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?” She felt this grief was a judgment from God which she deserved because of her sin. It is well indeed to see the hand of God when sorrow comes to us.

Elijah then carried the child up to his room in the loft, and laid him upon his own bed. Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and said, “O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.” I Kings 17:21.

God heard his prayer, and the child revived, and how gladly Elijah brought him down again. How the mother’s heart, too, overflowed as he said, “See, thy son liveth!” She confessed at once, “The word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.” The woman’s sin had brought grief and sorrow, but as soon as she confessed her sin, God came in and blessed her. Have you done that, dear reader? Have you confessed your sin in His presence, and rejoiced in the truth of His word? Then go on in obedience to His Word, and your life story will have a happy ending too, with the Lord Jesus forever.

But we must sadly reinember that the broad road leads to destruction, and that many, very many, go on hiding their sin, choosing their own way, and ending in the lake of fire. Oh, my dear reader, this hopeless miserable pathway is not God’s choice for you.

“IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FOIVE US OUR SINS, AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.” 1 John 1:9.

ML 11/11/1951

The Printed Text

Old Mr. Dixon was dying. He had lived most of his long life in the same house in the little town of Bentley, and now he was going away— but where?

Peggy Alford knew the Lord Jesus as her Saviour, and she had been praying for this dear old man, and wanted to go and see him, to ask him if he knew the Saviour, too. “It’s no use,” said Mrs. Alford, “he’s so very deaf I’m sure you couldn’t make him hear.”

But Peggy was so anxious, and had prayed for him so long that she felt she just must go and have a talk with him. At last her mother agreed, so Peggy set out happily with her Bible, and was thinking of all the things she would tell the old man about Jesus and His love.

Peggy knocked on the door of his cottage but there was no answer. She knocked louder, and still there was no answer. At last she opened the door and walked right into the room where the sick man lay. He was so deaf he hadn’t heard her knocks, and didn’t even hear her footsteps in the room. But when he turned his eyes to her, he smiled, and then she tried to tell him her message.

“It’s no use,” moaned the old man, “I can’t hear you. It is too late now to come and talk to me. But I’ve been a good man and have always paid my way, so I’m not afraid. God will have mercy upon me!”

Harder and harder did Peggy try to make him hear, for she knew that if he died trusting in how good he had been, he would be lost. But the old man just shook his head and said, “I can’t hear you.”

Poor Peggy walked home slowly and thoughfully. She tried to think of some way that God was not looking for goodness in our hearts, but was waiting to cleanse away our sins in the blood of Jesus.

When she reached home, she suddenly spied her box of pencils and colors, and she brightened up. She quickly asked her mother for a big piece of clean cardboard, and then she hurried away to her room with her Bible. She opened it at John 3:16, and then set to work printing in large clear letters.

“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.”

As soon as she was finished, she knelt and asked the Lord to help Mr. Dixon to read and understand it, and then she hurried back to his house. This time she didn’t wait to knock, she just walked right up to his bed, and fixed her text at the end of the bed where he could easily read it.

Peggy went home and prayed more and more for the dear old man, and then after a few days she went back for another visit. This time she found that Mr. Dixon had nothing at all to say about how good he was; he just smiled and repeated over and over the verse of his text. And so he went home to be with the Lord Jesus in a few days, repeating till the last those beautiful words.

Are you trusting in yourself, your honesty, your religion, your prayers? —or are you trusting in the Lord. Jesus alone?

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.” Proverbs 3:5.

ML 11/11/1951

Does God Answer Prayer?

A Chinese boy who was educated in a Mission School heard all about the Lord Jesus, and of His death on the cross for sinners, but he didn’t believe in his heart that Jesus died for him, and so he was not saved.

Years later he became a soldier, and was a captain in the army when the Japanese invaded China. After a sharp battle he and the remainder of his men took refuge in a deserted cottage. The enemy was heading straight for them, and they felt sure they would soon be captured.

Someone had left an old copy of John’s gospel on the kitchen table, and the captain recognized it as God’s Word. As he picked it up, it opened, and he read this verse, “If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:14. The captain read these words aloud to his men and asked, “Shall we kneel down and see if God really does answer prayer?”

So together they knelt and he prayed for God’s protection, and as they did so they heard the enemy pass by another way. The captain told his men that as a boy he had read the Bible and knew about God and His Son, the Lord Jesus, but that now he had taken his place as a sinner, and accepted the Saviour for himself, and plead with his men to trust Him, too.

And, dear reader, you too are in danger, for Satan, the enemy of our souls, is pursuing you, but there is One who is able to save you. And that One is the Lord Jesus, who died on Calvary’s cross to bear the punishment your sins deserved, that some day you might go to His happy home above. And in the meantime you can prove Him as the living Saviour who hears and answers prayer.

“Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Heb. 4:7.

ML 11/11/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 18:2-32

God cannot pass over sin, but since we have such a Great High Priest and Advocate the Lord Jesus— God can go on with us now as His people, even though we are so weak and failing, just as He could go on with Israel through the priesthood. of Aaron. Now, as priests (for every believer is a priest), we are to lay hold of this according to God. There is that which is suited to His presence, and we are to act thus, as Aaron’s sons did on God’s behalf.

Because of this charge and responsibility—as well as privilege (for the very service was a “gift”)—they could share in the offerings of the Lord. In this we can see that while there is a deep responsibility in serving the Lord, there is also a special joy for our own souls in it. The more we speak of the precious work of Christ in all its various aspects, the more we get spiritual food for ourselves, just as the priests who offered the sacrifices received a portion of them for themselves and their families. All who were in the families of the priests were to eat the meat offering, the trespass offering, and the sin offering, in the most holy——or as a most holy thing. It is a serious thing, as well as a blessed thing, to have to do with the sins of the people on God’s behalf; it is to think of the cost of that perfect work which Christ accomplished, as well as the grace that meets the needs of the people through it.

Then there was the firstfruits of the land which were offered to the Lord, and they were to be the priest’s portion, as well as the flesh of all the firstlings of clean animals offered to the Lord. These are typical of the joys of seeing God’s blessings to souls—of His harvest being gathered in, of souls being born again, and of any measure of devotedness seen among the children of God. All these things rejoice the heart of one who serves the Lord, and are like the “priest’s portion.”

Indeed, there will be a reward for any service to the Lord, for God will never be any man’s debtor, The Lord told Aaron that the Levites because of then service were to receive the tithe (one tenth) which the children of Israel offered to the Lord of all their possessions, as well as having a place of nearness to Him. We who are saved can taste something of the joys of serng the Lord, in a measure even now as we shall in fullness above. What a privilege to act for Him here. How often we draw back from the responsilities of such a path, thus missing the joys that are only known in it. Even children can do little things for the Lord, which He values much. The enemy of our souls would tell us of all the hardships of following and serving the Lord, but will never tell us of the joy that is to be found in yielding ourselves wholly to Him. The Levites did not have a foot of ground which they could really call their own, but the Lord said, “I am thy part and thine inheritance,” and surely that was more than enough. He undertook to provide for all their needs, giving them the best of all the increase of the land, through the tithe which they received, and all this because they served Him. Of course our blessings now are heavenly, not earthly, but let us be sure that the Lord will undertake for all our needs, and give us even better things to enjoy than the Levites of old, making our cup truly run over. Let us willingly give ourselves to the Lord, for He is worthy, is He not?

ML 11/11/1951

Duty or Love

It was Friday afternoon, and Albert Drecker was on duty at the train bridge. He had opened the bridge to allow a boat to pass through, and now he was closing it, as it was almost time for the New York train to pass by.

His little boy, Peter, came running up to watch him, as he slowly swung the big bridge closed. All at once little Peter slipped and fell down the steep bill into the deep water of the Passaic River. Just at this moment, Peter’s father heard the whistle of the train in the distance, and although he could not see it, he knew that he must get that bridge closed promptly, or there would be a wreck. To save his dear boy’s life would have been an easy matter, but if he stopped to rescue Peter, the train would surely be wrecked with the loss of many lives. What was he to do?

We may imagine the agony of the poor father as he saw his child sinking before his eyes, but Drecker stood to his post and closed the bridge. The train roared into sight and safely crossed the bridge, while at the same time Drecker dived into the water. He soon was able to bring little Peter’s body to the shore, but with a breaking heart he found he was too late. Peter was dead!

Our hearts are saddened as we picture this scene. But what is it to that surpassing scene of love displayed at Calvary many centuries ago? God must sacrifice His beloved Son to the cruel death of the cross, in order to offer salvation to poor sinners.

This was the great question. Shall the people who have brought just punishment upon themselves on account of their sins, be sent to an everlasting hell, or shall God’s own dear Son bear the judgment for them? Thank God, such was His matchless love that He gave—yes, He sent His own Son into this poor world to die for guilty hell-deserving sinners. Drecker did not send his Peter into the river—he fell in. But “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

“BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED.” Acts 16:31.

ML 11/18/1951

Mabel's Text

Father and Mother were out attending the Sunday Evening serce, and Mabel was busy at the kitchen table with her Bible and pencil and paper. That afternoon, her Sunday School teacher had asked each of the girls to write out, in their own words, a short paper on “Eternal Life.” They were to have it ready for class the next week, and Mabel was busy getting a good start.

The Bible was often read in Mabel’s home, and her parents went regularly to the Sunday services. There they were taught that if we live a good life, and read the Bible, that we may hope for eternal life, but that we must wait for the judgment day to see if we are really worthy of heaven.

When they came home this Sunday night, Mabel looked very puzzled. She told them of the search for verses about eternal life, and said, “I found one that I didn’t know was in the Bible, and I don’t know what to say about it. Listen to this, ‘These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life.’ 1 John 5:13. I didn’t know before that the Bible said that anyone could KNOW they had eternal life, and I’m sure I don’t know whether I have it or not.”

Mabel’s parents were truly surprised. They each looked at the verse in turn and said nothing. At last Mabel said, “I’m going down the street to find Peggy Johnston, for I know she loves Jesus and reads her Bible. Maybe she can help me.”

Soon Mabel returned with Peggy, and showed her the verse. “I love that verse,” said Peggy. “And I know that I have eternal life, for I don’t dare doubt God’s Word. The Lord Jesus is my own Saviour, and it is through Him that I have been given God’s gift of eternal life. Let me find another verse here in Romans.” Quickly Peggy turned over the pages of the Book she loved so well, and asked Mabel to read Romans 6:23.

Slowly and carefully, Mabel read aloud, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Mabel’s ready young heart quickly grasped the good news, and she turned to her father and mother who had been watching over her shoulder. “Isn’t this lovely!” she said, “God offers me the gift of eternal life, through the Lord Jesus, and then He tells me I may know that I have it too!”

That night, after Mabel had knelt and thanked God for the gift of His Son, the Lord Jesus, she added a few words to her paper on eternal life. She wrote these simple words, “I want to thank God that I know I have eternal life, through Jesus Christ my Lord.” Dear reader, how about you? It is either eternal life, or eternal judgment —eternal life if you accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, and eternal judgment if you do not. Why not be saved today?

“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.

ML 11/18/1951

A Tale of the Sea

It was in the month of August. The day had been a perfect one, as our sturdy steamer, the “Alaska,” freighted with human beings, steadily plowed her way through the waters of the Pacific along the coast of the States. The Sea’s calm face dimpled and sparkled with pleasure as the Sun’s warm rays greeted her. Then he slipped slowly down the western sky till he touched her glowing cheek, and dipping down into her cool waters, he disappeared from view.

And now the bright stars had twinkled merrily out, one by one, to keep watch over the quietly sleeping Sea. All day long the Coast had coyly played hide and seek with our vessel. Now approaching near enough to be distinctly seen, and then gliding far away and disappearing in the dim distance.

Wearily I paced the deck, round and round I went, while thoughts of my dear ones filled my mind; my beloved wife and children, whom I had left behind me, and my dear bereaved sister, to whom as going, I was tired and longed for my bed, but something seemed to hold me on deck. Yet there seemed no possibility of danger,—the calm sea, the bright sky; all forbade such a thought. But was there no danger? Oh that then some kind friend had been able to raise a warning voice, and cry aloud, “Danger! Danger! Launch the lifeboats! Put into them every man, woman and child on the vessel! Push quickly away from her! She is doomed!”

Reader, pause! Tell me, is the sea of your life as calm, the sky above you as cloudless, and the stars as bright, as on that eventful night? No danger in sight? But listen! God has foretold in His Word, by prophecy, picture and parable, of a coming judgment. Will you not heed His warning, which comes to you as those in Sodom, “Escape for thy life!” Our old world which was once destroyed by a flood, shall in the future be destroyed by fire. What will become of your immortal soul when judgment comes, for God says: “All have sinned,” and the soul that sinnieth, it shall die,” and “After death, the judgment.” And the cry has gone forth: “Prepare to meet thy God!”

But on our vessel we had no hint of coming disaster. It was now ten o’clock, and all was quiet. Suddenly, without a moment’s warning, there was a fearful shock! It almost threw me off my feet. A quiver of agony trembled through the whole ship, as though it were a thing alive! Then all was still again. Oh, what had happened? Pale, appealing faces began to appear, and no one could answer their pleading questions. A feeling of tense uncertainty had gripped every heart!

ML 11/18/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 19:1-15

We now come to a most interesting and instructive chapter, telling the children of Israel what they were to do when they became defiled. We all know that the world is a very defiling place. Young and old alike are surrounded with evils of every kind, and we continually need this cleansing, which is brought before us in a typical way, in our chapter. It is not a second cleansing by blood, for this is never needed. One application of the blood of Christ cleanses completely and eternally, as far as the eternal judgment of our sins is concerned, “for by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14. The moment a sinner puts his or her trust, in the finished work of Christ, His precious blood is applied once for all; but what we have particularly in type in our chapter, is for the defilements of the way, and we need the death of Christ for this. Let us notice how beautifully all this is brought out here.

A red heifer, without spot or blemish, and which had never been under a yoke, was taken and brought outside the camp by Eleazar the priest. There it was killed, and its blood was sprinkled seven times before the tabernacle of the congregation. Surely the Lord Jesus is the Only One without spot of sin, and who was never under sin’s power or yoke, all through. His blessed life, and it is by His blood alone that we have access into God’s presence —perfect access too, for the blood was sprinkled seven times. What follows then, is for our defilements.

The body of the red heifer, every bit of it, even with the rest of her blood, was to be burned outside the camp, and the priest was to throw in some car wood, hyssop, and scarlet, into the fire which was burning up the heifer. It was to burn until all was reduced to ashes.

Then the priest was to wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. Any occupation with sin, though it may be necessary in dealing with a brother, defiles one, and we have to be watchful lest the very talking about it, and dealing with it, should make us careless about the sin. We therefore have to apply the water of the Word, like the washing of the clothes, lest contacts with such sins be taken too lightly, and it becomes a habit to talk about the evil. Is this not too often the case? Then there is the applying of the Word even closer, cleansing our very minds and bodies from such things, typified by the priest washing all over. One feels this is sometimes forgotten, and a self-righteous attitude is taken, not realizing that contact with sin, even in the right (as the priest here was actit: for God), defiles just the same. Not only the priest, but the very man who burned the heifer, had to wash himself, and bathe himself in water, and the one who gathered up the ashes was to wash his clothes also.

The ashes were to be gathered up and put in a clean place outside the camp, where they were kept, for the cleansing of those who had become defiled among the people. If any Israelite touched the dead body of a man, or a bone, or a grave, he became defiled and unclean. If a man died in a tent, then everyone in the tent, every open vessel, and all who came into the tent, were unclean. There was, however, the prision that any vessel in such a tent, which had a covering bound upon it, remained clean in spite of the death there.

ML 11/18/1951

The Elephant Knew

The elephant driver was seated. away up, behind the great creature’s ears. He was on the way to the nearest town, just about to cross a good, sound-looking bridge.

Then the elephant stopped. He tried the weight of his long trunk on the bridge, and refused to go farther. What could he the matter? The driver became angry, and goaded it with the little spear he carried, until he forced the unwilling animal onto the bridge.

Suddenly a loud crack sounded, then another, till with a crash the rotten planks gave way, and both elephant and driver were plunged into the stream below.

You were not standing by the bridge that day, or you might have told him then that the old elephant knew hest, and the bridge was not to be trusted. But you are standing today on earth, and you would like to go to heaven some day. Isn’t that true? Then let me ask you, have you a bridge that will bear your weight, that will take you safely from this sin-stained earth to God’s spotless home of light? There is not a man upon earth that can put a finger towards making a bridge.

If you hope to gain heaven by your prayers or good deeds, you will find, when it is too late, that you have trusted a rotten plank, which will give way beneath you, landing you in hell forever. Who could make a bridge between sinful man and the holy God?

There is only One who could do this. It is the Lord Jesus Christ who, through His finished work on. Calvary, has opened the way for sinners to reach His bright home in heaven.

Yes, dear reader, there is no load limit on this “bridge” for the sinner who would come to Jesus. He Himself is the Way to God the Father. The Bible is the invitation which God Himself has put before you so that you may be quite sure that all who come to God through His Son, will be accepted. This is a costly bridge indeed. The Lord Jesus had to go down into death, even the death of the cross, to open this way for sinners like you and me. Trust now in Him and be saved for eternity.

“HE IS ABLE ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM.” Hebrews 7:25.

ML 11/25/1951

Eirik the Icelander

It was a cold night in January, 1950, when I first visited Iceland. I don’t suppose that many of our readers have been to that country, but perhaps you can find it on your map.

When I hear of Iceland I am reminded of a story told me by a man who often used to visit there. His story was of Eirik, an Icelandic fisherman. Erik heard the gospel at a service one Sunday evening, and right then and there, he accepted the Lord Jesus as his own Saviour. This made a great change in his life, and his longing desire was that others also might know Jesus, and share his new-found joy.

It may surprise you to learn that most of Eirik’s old friends mocked him when he told them the wonderful news of salvation and of his Saviour, for they had no interest in salvation.

Nearly everyone in Erik’s village made their living by fishing, and sometimes their work was not too successful. One day, after a long spell of fishing without any result, the news flew around the village that the bay was teeming with codfish. The fishermen always used bits of herring in their nets for bait, but they had no herring left! All the men searched their boats and their nets for bits of herring, but not, a piece did they find. And Eirik’s net was empty too! But Eirik did something that none of the other thought of doing. He went right home and told the Lord all about it, and asked Him to supply his need. Then he walked down to the water and let out his nets into the bay. One by on he watched the villagers pull in their nets, but all were empty. Then he tried to pull up his net, but found it very heavy. It was full of herring! Eirik’s heart rejoiced, but his neigors looked on with envy. They knew that they had mocked Erik’s happy trust in the Lord, and they knew that they had even tried to hide from him the news about the codfish. But what do you think Eirik did with his catch of herring? He called the villagers together, and told them of his prayer to the Lord, and before them, all, he knelt and thanked God for the answer given. Then he divided the herring equally among them all. Before the day was over, they had all had a fine catch of codfish.

That evening, the conversation in most of the homes was not about their codfish, but about Eirik, and God’s answer to his prayer, and his unselfish dividing of his catch amongst those who despised him.

It was the beginning of a real work of God in that village, and many of those who had despised Eirik’s faith, came to him and asked him the way of salvation. With great joy Eirik was to point one and another to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Dear reader, have you ever mocked at those who sought to speak well of the Lord Jesus? Yet He loves you. He died for sinners, and He wants to cleanse your guilty heart right now, and give you pardon and salvation.

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6.

ML 11/25/1951

A Tale of the Sea

For a moment I was stunned. Regaining myself, I tried to assure those about me that nothing serious had happened, but a sickening horror took possession of my heart that I could not shake off. Descending to my room, I found my room-mate donning his life-belt, so I hastened to do the same. Coming out on deck again, I was met by a throng of terror-stricken passengers, with white, inquiring faces. No one could tell us what had happened or direct us what to do. The vessel now began to list heavily, rolng to one side, as though she had received a dreadful wound from some unseen enemy. A convulsion of fear seized every heart, and a scramble was made for the life belts. Hearing that the boats were being lowered, I happened to the upper deck to assist. By this time the vessel was listing to one side so heavily that we could scarcely stand on our feet, and this made the launching of the life-boats extremely difficult. The women and children were being placed in them, and in lowering one of them, the ropes caught and the whole load was thrown into the cold, black waters below. Then, and not till then, shrill screams rent the chill night air driving home to all our hearts the sickening horror of our plight!

At last the information new from lip to lip that we had struck a rock. Our greatest fears were realized. With this gaping wound in her side our vessel was settling now, like some huge moter in the last throes of her dying agony. Realizing that it would be certain death to stay on board and be sucked down in the vessel’s fatal lunge, I decided to get clear of her before she should sink. Lifting my heart to my Heavenly Father in an agonizing prayer, that if it were His will, I might be saved from a watery grave for the sake of my dear ones, I buttoned my coat about me, and made a long leap out into the black water below, and swam on and on. It was not a moment too soon. One backward glance showed me our vessel crushing like an egg shell before the oncoming waves, which circled her with their cruel arms and dragged her down into their depths.

At once pieces of the wreck began to appear on the surface of the water, as though the poor old vessel would make one dying effort to save some of her struggling drowning families. Catching sight of a piece of this wreckage, which was coming towards me, I swam to it and succeeded in dragging myself upon it, finding two men on it. We were safe for a time, but oh! the horror of being thus at the mercy of the pitiless sea, which every few moments poured its icy waves over our poor, shivering bodies.

“God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.” Job 33: 1.4.

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1.

ML 11/25/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 19:15-19

All these instructions about defilements, and the way of cleansing, have a very necessary and helpful application to us in this defiling scene through which we pass. Evil actions, bad words, bad stories, and defiling pictures are everywhere in this wicked world, but if our hearts are filled with. Christ and “covered over” with His love, we are kept clean in the midst of it. We are like “covered vessels,” for it is in His presence and in the enjoyment, of His holy love that we learn what sin really is, and are kept from it. But if our eyes are open to the evil sights of this world, and our ears are open to all its evil stories, and our feet are not walking in the path of separation, we become defiled. Oh, how watchful we have to be! How careful, especially as young people, that we are not carried away by this poor world, which though it may look fair and beautiful on the outside, is full of evil and wickedness. Let us “keep the covering on!”

How gracious of God to make provision for His failing people, so that if any should become defiled there was a way of cleansing for him. When anyone touched one of these defiling things, however, he was made to feel his sin, for he was to be unclean for seven days. On the third day of his uncleanness he was to go to a clean person, who was to take some of the ashes of the red heifer and put them in running water in a vessel, and sprile the defiled man. This would show us that God would have us feel what it cost our blessed. Saviour to be “made sin for us,” 2 Col. 5:21. Oh what suffering He endured when He felt the “fire” of God’s judgment against sin at Calvary, but, blessed be His Name, the fire “burned itself out” upon Him, for He exhausted all the judgment for us when “He died unto sin once.” Romans 6:10. We have noticed before, that cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop were burned to ashes with the body of the red heifer. These things were therefore in with the ashes of the red heifer with which the defiled man was sprinkled. The cedar wood — thus, great and mighty trees—would tell us of man in his greatness; and the scarlet—all man’s glory—, along with the hyssop that insignificant little weed which would tell of man’s nothingness, had all been burned to ashes wtih the red heifer. In the death of Christ, therefore, applied by the Spirit through the Word (like the running water) we learn the utter end of all that we are in nature—so-called “good self” as well as “bad self”—and Gnd would have us feel this. Therefore, in our chapter, after the man had beer, sprinkled with these ashes mixed with water on the third day, he remained unclean until the seventh day when he was sprinkled again in the same way. He would then not only feel the exceeding horribleness of sin, but also he reminded of the love that had provided for his cleansing, and that he had sinned against that love. It is not a question of a sinner being saved here, but of the restoration of a true child of God who has sinned. True restoration depends upon the practical realization of these two things; the horribleness of sin, and the cost by which it has been put away.

After being sprinkled twice with this water, the man was to wash his clothe and bathe himself in water. In figure he had to apply the Word, of which the water is a type, to his association or friendships, and to all that he did. It is not enough to feel sorry for one’s sins, but if one is in bad company, or going on with something he should not. he must apply the Word and get clear of whatever is hindering before he is “clean.”

ML 11/25/1951

The Narrow Road

Dear reader, take a good look at this picture. Isn’t it lovely? It shows a quiet country road in the noonday sun. Wouldn’t you like to travel along this road and see where it leads? I know I would. Somehow I reel that this road leads to a beautiful country.

But, dear friend, what is the road like upon which you are traveling? No, I don’t mean the road you take to school, or to the grocery store, or to your place of business. I mean your own individual pathway through life. Where is it leading you? Can you see the end of it? Or are you afraid to look?

Oh, dear friend, do not be satisfied with saying, “I don’t know—hope everything is alright.” Let me tell you of a wonderful road I know, which leads to a country far more beautiful than anything you or I. have ever seen.

It is called “The narrow-way,” (Matt. 7:14).

Yes, this road is more narrow than the one you are traveling now if unsaved, and it may seem there are fewer people on it, but, O, my friend, this road leads to Heaven; Heaven where there shall be no night, no sickness, no sadness, no death, and no crying, nothing but eternal joy and happiness. Won’t you come with me along this road?

You ask site how did I get into this glorious road. I would be so glad to tell you.

I just took God at His Word. He told me that the end of “the broad road” on which I was traveling was eternal judgment. He told me of my awful condition as a lost sinner before Him. But, blessed be His Name, He told me that His own Son, the Lord Jesus, shed His precious blood on Caary’s cross to wash away all my guilty sins. And I JUST BELIEVED HIM. Isn’t it so wonderfully simple?

Friend, won’t you take God at His Word, too? Won’t you take the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour now and walk along the narrow way? He will make you so happy that you will want to sing His praises all the day long.

“IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, EVEN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.” Colossians 1:14.

ML 12/02/1951

A "Lord" in the Family

Robert was a very proud and silly schoolboy. He boasted about his fine home, and his father’s wonderful car. He boasted about his nice clothes, and his fine and noble relations. One day he had been, as itsual, telling the other lads about his rich and titled uncles and grandfathers. With a very important air, he turned to a quiet schoolboy who was standing by and said:

“Are there any ‘lords’ in your family?”

“Yes,” said the little fellow. “There is one at least, for I have often heard mother speak about the Lord Jests Christ. He is ‘the Lord’ in our family.”

Happy boy! Blessed are they who have the one Lord” in their family, and who know Him as their own Saviour and Friend.

“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” Psalm 34:3.

ML 12/02/1951

A Tale of the Sea

After a time we felt a thrill, as we saw the lights of an approaching steamer. It moved cautiously about, sending its boats hither and thither, wherever it saw signs of life, picking up poor, drowning ones who appeared on the surface of the water. Now they were approaching us, and our hearts beat high with hope. But, alas, they did not see us, and soon drifted away, leaving us alone in our misery.

Hour after hour passed, leaving us still clinging to the wreckage. Finally a larger piece of drift approached us, having on it one lone man. Calling to him, he told us that he had been injured, and was suffering, and in despair. Swimming to him I dragged myself onto his raft, and tried to comfort him. But this was sorrowful work for not only had he been injured, but he had lost his wife and three children and he said he did not want to live. He was so weak that he could scarcely hold on, and it was with difficulty that I kept him from sliding into the sea.

We had now given up all hopes of being picked up till morning light, and, like Paul, “we wished for the day,” My limbs were stiff and sore from the cramped position I was obliged to maintain, and agonizing pains shot through my whole body, as I shivered with the icy cold and wet. The minutes scorned like hours as we clung to the wreckage through the long hours of that night of horror. But finally it passed, bringing the first gleams of the approaching day. The big steamer began to cruise around on its search for victims. Standing up, I place I my hat, which had been on my head the whole time, on the end of a long pole. Waving this with all my strength, I called at the top of my voice. Oh joy! They had sighted us, and were sending a life-boat to us.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

ML 12/02/1951

Bible Questions for December

The Children’s Class

Each of the following quotations is a part of a verse in 2 Corinthians. When you have found them, write out each of the seven verses in full. Mark down the chapter and verse also.

1.“Christ died for our sins.”

2.“The Lord’s death till He come.”

3. “Anathema, Maranatha.”

4.“The Gospel of Christ without charge.”

5.“Suffereth long, and is kind.”

6.“Take heed lest he fall.”

7.“All baptized into one body.”

The Young People’s Class Incorruptibility and Immorality

Incorruptibility for the body and life for the soul have been brought to light by the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10 N.T.), for these things were not revealed in the Old Testament. There were, at times, glimmerings of light, but the interval between death and resurrection, and the (act that believers will have glorified bodies like Christ, was not known. How thankful we should be for this revelation now, in the midst of the darkness in which so many choose to remain, even in Christendom.

Our bodies are mortal (subject to death), but man having received his life directly from God has an immortal soul. He will exist eternally in either heaven or hell. Some claim that because the Scripture says only God has immortality (see Question 1.), therefore the unsaved do not have it. But this verse refers only to God (and it is God the Son here) having it in its source, and so men, having life from God, have immortal souls. The angels too are immortal.

In resurrection we will have incorruptible bodies, bodies that will not show any signs of age or decay.

The Word of God, and the precious blood of Christ, are also spoken of as incorruptible in the Scriptures, for these do not pass away. Through all eternity we will sing of the precious blood of Christ. What a blessed theme!

1.Who “only hath immortality”? 1 Timothy.

2.Is the blood of Christ corruptible like silver and gold? 1 Peter.

3.What verse speaks of the Word of God as incorruptible? 1 Peter.

4.Is the believer’s inheritance a corruptible one? 1 Peter.

5.Is the crown we are to strive for, a couptible one? 1 Peter.

6.Is the believer’s resurrection body a couptible one? I Corinthians.

7.When will the mortal bodies of believers be changed to immortal ones? 1 Corinthians.

ML 12/02/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 19:20-20:11

Anyone who refused to be cleansed from defilement in God’s way, when he was unclean, was to be cut off from the congregation of Israel. He chose to remain unclean— how solemn this is! And yet how many dear Christians go on with some unjudged sin for a long time, until God. finally has to deal with them in His government to produce restoration. This ordinance of the red heifer is mentioned as being a perpetual statute, for no matter how evil the day (and it is getting more evil), we are never to allow ourselves to become so accustomed to the evil we see and hear, that we become careless about it ourselves. Let us keep a tender conscience before God and man, and be watchful that nothing is allowed in our lives that minimizes our thoughts of what sin is before God. We must ever remember that God, our Father, is a holy Father (John 17:11) who cannot allow us to be careless about defilements.

In the twentieth chapter we read that Miriam died in Kadesh. It is well to notice that some like Miriam, died in faith under God’s government in the wilderness, while many of the people died in unbelief and were lost forever. The only way of blessing for man is by grace through faith, founded upon what Christ has done, for he has forfeited every claim to blessing through his own faithfulness.

There was no water for the people to drink in Kadesh, and so they gathered together against Moses and Aaron, blaming them for having brought them out of Egypt at all. Alas, the natural man has no desire or strength for the path of faith, and so unless one is truly saved, the difficulties of the way prove too great and too much, But God is faithful and never fails to care for His people, and so, as soon as Moses and Aaron fell upon their faces before the Lord, He told them what to do. Surely His grace was greater than all their murmurings, He said, “Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before thejr eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them wer out of the rock.” Numbers 20:8.

God had not said “Take thy rod,” but “Take the rod,” referring to Aaron's rod that had budded and brought forth almonds; nor had He said “Smite, the rock,” as before (Exodus 17:6), but “Speak ye unto the rock.” Moses, however, failed to lay hold of the grace of God at this time. He thought more of his own authority—of his rod—which they had despised, and so, when the people gathered together he took his rod and in anger hit the rock twice with it, and said, “Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?” God, ever gracious, caused the water to flow from the rock to satisfy the thirsty people and their cattle, but Moses had failed to honor the Lord before them. If we are going to serve the Lord we must never he impatient with His people, but love and care for them. Moses’ own rod, winch he used here, was rightly used at the Red Sea, and to get water for the people before they came to Mt. Sinai, but the rock must not be smitten the second time. Christ the true Rock (1 Cor. 10:4) was smitten for us at Calvary when He bore the judgment our sins deserved, but He will never be smitten again. That work is finished—forever complete. Now, as our Great High Priest, He lives for us above, ever interceeding at God’s right hand, supplying “grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16), along our wilderness journey, We have only to “speak to the Rock” now—at any hour of the day or night never fails us.

ML 12/02/1951

Where Should We Go?

It was at a Sunday school treat. The room was crowded with boys and girls and a few tall helpers were trying to keep order as the ice cream was bring passed. I slipped into an empty seat between two little girls, and began using the little flat wooden spoon in my cup of ice cream.

“What’s your name?” I asked the girl on my left.

“Doreen,” she answered.

“And I’m Joan,” said the other girl. “Who is your teacher, Joan?”

“I don’t come to this Sunday school,” she answered, “I go to the one on Blank Street.”

“I don’t either,” said Doreen. “I go to one nearer my home.”

“It doesn’t make any difference,” said Joan, “as long as you go to Sunday School.”

“Oh yes it does,” I said.

“I know,” broke in Doreen, “You should go to Sunday school where they read the Bible. At our Sunday school every one in the class has a Bible and we all read it, and the teacher does too, and we talk about it.”

“They don’t use the Bible much at ours,” said Joan. “The teacher has a book, but I don’t think it’s the Bible. She tells us stories, and teaches us to be good. I like it because they have pictures, and all my friends go there.”

I went on eating my ice cream with the little wooden spoon, but my heart ached for poor little Joan. She went to Sunday school, but how can we know what is true about God and Heaven if we do not listen to what God Himself tells us? Dear children, I hope you go to Sunday school, but be sure that, in the place where you go, the Bible is a much read Book. If it isn’t, then ask the Lord to help you to find the place where the Bible is read and acted upon. Those who do not know the Bible do not know the way of salvation at all, and unless your sins have been washed away in the precious blood of Christ, just going to Sunday school or trying to be good will never make you fit for heaven. The Word of God is the test for all that we do and hear.

“PROVE ALL THINGS; HOLD FAST THAT WHICH IS GOOD.” 1 Thessonians 5:21.

ML 12/09/1951

A New Master

Bert Barker had gone regularly to Sunday school as a boy and had learned many gospel verses, but he had never taken Jesus as his own Saviour, and so the time came when. Bert was “too big” to go to Sunday school any more. He spent his Sundays in pleasure, and soon found himself in the company of those who mock at God and his Precious Word. Bert took to gambling and soon joined one of the worst clubs in town, and turned his back on all the good news that he had heard as a boy.

But God had his eye on Bert, and God loved him still. And God loves the reader of this paper, too. No matter how long you may have gone on with your hack against Him, He loves you still and longs to save you.

One night, on his way to the club, Bert passed by the old Sunday school, and saw a new sign out in front— “Special Gospel Address Tonight.” He looked at his watch and muttered, “I must, see the old place again, just for a joke.” He slipped into a back seat just as the speaker stood up and gave out the hymn. He was a young man, just about Bert’s own age, but oh how, happy he looked! The hymn was a familiar one, and Bert joined in lustily, although he began to feel a bit uneasy, and rather wished that he hadn’t stepped inside at all. When the speaker then prayed and asked God to speak to the soul of any lost one m the company, Bert felt it was just for him. Then came a most solemn warning from God’s Word, the Bible, that God sees all our deeds, and must punish our sins. This made Bert tremble, for he knew his sins were many; but there followed the glorious good news, which Bert had often heard before, that God had punished sin in the person of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus. Bert was made to feel that Jesus loved him and died for his very own sins, and right as he sat on that back row in the Sunday school hail, Bert Barker bowed his head and owned himself a guilty sinner before God. The peace of God flooded his soul as he put his trust in Jesus, and he thanked God forever turning his steps into the hall that night.

When the meeting was over, and he was again on the dark streets, he remembered that lie had started out to go to his evil club. What should he do? Looking up to the Lord for strength, he went directly to the place and walked in.

“Hello, Bert. You’re late tonight. Come and join us in a game and a drink.”

Bert’s lips trembled. He held up both hands and said quietly and reverently, “No thanks, boys. These hands have handled the cards a thousand times, but they have a new master now, and by the grace of God will in be used the service of the Lord Jesus Christ,”

There was a stunned pause, followed by shouts of mockery and calls for “a sermon.”

“I didn’t come here to give you a sermon, but as I have helped some of you on the road to hell, I thought it only right that my first testimony to the saving power of the gospel of Christ should be given in the place, where I have so long served the devil, I want you all to know that ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever bieveth in. Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’”

ML 12/09/1951

A Tale of the Sea

Coming along side, the sailors leaped upon our raft, and tendey lifted us into their boat. Then they glided on round, rescuing others. One of the rescued was a tiny morsel of a girl four years. She was lying, apparently lifeless, on a piece of wreckage, her long, black hair tossed above her head, and her little white form still as death.

“She is dead!” they whispered as they were tenderly lifting her. But the low moan that escaped her lips just then showed that there was still life in her poor little body.

We were taken to the steamer and pu t by the big furnace fire, where our numb and aching limbs were warmed back to life. Arriving at the nearest port we were taken to a beautiful hotel, and given the best rooms. What contrast were our luxurious surroundings to our poor, pitiful selves, dripping with black crude oil, which covered us from head to foot. I could have wept to think of the contrast, and felt like the prodigal son, clothed with 1 he “best robe.”

Kind, sympathetic hands and hearts soon provided us with everything that we could need; baths, clean clothes, and luxurious beds, in which we were soon enjoying rest and sleep. The next day I saw the little girl sitting on the lap of one of her rescuers, laughing and chatting away as though the horrors of the past night and been forgotten. I was able to continue my journey to my sister, my heart overflowing with thankfulness to our loving Heavenly Father for so wonderfully saving my life.

Reader, cannot a wonderful lesson be learned from this touching tale of the sea, a lesson of God’s great love and mercy, and power to save those who trust in Him? How like that doomed vessel is this old world, for the devil is luring to destruction that which God created so fair and beautiful. It is going on the rocks, freighted with the priceless souls of men. For even God’s creature, man, has yielded himself a willing servant to this enemy. He has made himself the servant of sin, and “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. Thus the devil would drag your precious soul down to destruction with this stupendous wreck. But God, in His mercy, has provided a way of escape, so that none need perish, no matter how weak and helpless they may be. He is sending the Life-boat, the Lord Jesus Christ, to you. Can you not see Him coming along side, close to you? He is longing to lift you tendey off the sinking wreck, and save you before it is too late. Will you not let Him? Hark! He is calling you. Above the noise of the breakers comes His clear, loving accents: “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 45:22. You need not perish. “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.

ML 12/09/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 20:12-21:3

As we noticed last week, Moses lost sight of the only way by which God could go on with a weak and failing people. It was through the priesthood, and when Moses used his rod and smote the rock in anger, he failed to sanctify the Lord before the people, as well as spoiling the type. The rock must not he smitten the second time. Moses, however, acted in the spirit of law instead of in grace, and because of this he could not bring the people into the land of promise. They could never enter Canaan on the ground of obedience to the law, but through. the priesthood alone; and so it is only by the priesthood of Christ that we are maintained in our “wilderness journey” until we enter our “promised land”—our home above.

After this the children of Israel came to the borders of the country of Edom, and if they could have passed through their land it would have shortened the journey to Canaan. However, when they asked permission, the Edomites refused, and so they turned away, taking a longer route. Surely there are many difficulties in the way, and often, when it seemingly could be made eaer, God allows us to feel, through the enmity of the world, that “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22. Sometimes we must go into actual spiritual conflict, while at other times we are just to turn away, and the Lord will give wisdom for each case if we look to Hint. We would sometimes like to be spared the trouble of seeking His rind in each case, but He wants us to walk quietly with Him and then He teaches us His mind and leads us “by the right way.”

Aaron died in Mt. Hor and the priestly garments were put upon Eleazar his son. The people mourned, but they were soon to enter the promised land, and God was breaking the links that connected then with the wilderness.

Indeed, He often does with us too, through the death of a dear friend and helper in the path of faith.

King Arad then came out to fight against the children of Israel and took some of them prisoners. The children of Israel therefore vowed to the Lord that if He would give them the victor, over these enemies they would destroy them completely. The Lord then heard their prayer and gave them the victory.

We might say here that, as Christains, we should not make vows, for a vow supposes something good and worthy of confidence in the flesh. God says “The flesh profited’ nothing.” John 6:63. We ought to walk daily to please the Lord, and when we walk thus, by the power of the Spirit, we do not need vows. Let us seek to please Him in all we do.

We learn here, however, that we must not make any compromise with the enemy. If someone is known to be the enemy of God, we must not give them any quarter at all. We are told, “Make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14, and again, “Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27. It is often the little things we allow that become snares to us later on. Perhaps some casual or secret friendship with some “enemy of God” which may seem, very trivial, will, in the end, lead us away from the Lord and right into the world. Let us be sure to make a clean break with the world and set out to follow Christ wholeheartedly. It is the only way of blessing and growth.

ML 12/09/1951

Empty!

Here is a picture of the lobby of a large hotel in Texas. There is plenty of room here, isn’t there? But not a person is to be seen in it.

Do you know what this big empty Horn makes me think about? It makes me think of many homes, some of them big ones, too, that will be left empty some day. The people who Lye in them will have suddenly gone, never to return again. If I were unsaved and came to one of these homes one day and found the doors, wide open and no one there, I would be terribly frightened. Do you know why?

I would walk very quickly all through it, looking into every nook and corner, and in every room for someone, anyone, to assure me that what I was thinking had not happened. Have you guessed what I would be thinking?

If I could not find anyone, I am sure I would become very anxious and call my friends by name, hoping desperately to hear an answering voice. Do you know why?

I will tell you I surely would think that the Lord Jesus had come and taken all those who believed in Him home to heaven and left me behind.

Has anything like that ever happened to you? It did to me once, when I was small. But now, thank God, I need never have any fears of that kind again. I know that when the Lord comes into the air and gives that shout, I will be among the number who will meet Him. Yes, “Wonder of wonders, I shall he there.”

When that day comes there will be many scenes like our picture. Many homes will he left empty. Dinners may be cooking on the stove, no one left to eat them; washing out on the line, no one to take it in. Meeting rooms and Sunday schools will be left for the unsaved to weep in. The smiling Christian grocer in your favorite store, gone. Where? to be with Jesus forever and ever—and how long is that?

There’s no end to forever, is there?

Reader, where will you be when that long-awaited and soon-coming day is here? Do you believe in your heart that “the blood of Jesus Christ His (God’s) Son cleanseth us from all sin?” For we know that not one (remember, NOT ONE) sin can enter heaven, but by having our sins washed away in Jesus’ own precious blood which was shed for you and me. on Calvary’s tree, we are made “clean every whit.” We are made fit to enter into the presence of God.

The work has all been done, dear friend; will you not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ today? Be sure you will not be left behind when the Lord comes. His Word says,

“AND THEY THAT WERE READY WENT IN WITH HIM TO THE MARRIAGE: AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT.” Matt. 25:10.

ML 12/16/1951

Sowing the Good Seed

While traveling through the mountains in Peru, Manuel, who was a colporteur, came to a house in the valley where a man named Bautista lived. Bautista had never before met a Christian, and had never heard the way of salvation, but Manuel told him that the God who lives in heaven had shown His love to sinful man by sending His Son down here to die on the cross to wash away their sins.

As he could not stay longer, he gave Bautista a New Testament and he at once began to read it. He invited his workman friends and neighbors together and read aloud to them. How he longed and prayed that the colporteur would come back and explain the scriptures to them! But he neither knew where Manuel came from or where he went to.

He read the New Testament through, and when he came to Rev. 22:17, where the Lord says, “Let him that is athirst come,” he wept, for he so longed to understand it.

Some tune later Manuel went again to Bautista’s village, and how it rejoiced his heart to find quite a number of the people eager to have the “way of God more perfectly” explained to them. Many of them, including Bautista, accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour before Manuel left.

The road leading by Bautista’s house leads to other villages, and now he gives a little booklet containing verses from God’s Word to every one who goes by, and tells them of the Saviour he has found.

God’s Word is spoken of as “Good Seed” dear children. Our hearts are the ground into which the seed falls. Did not Manuel have a good crop from his seed-sowing?

Let us too, who know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, seek to spread this wonderful seed so that others may hear the Word and be saved.

ML 12/16/1951

Good News

“Dear Mr. Smith:

“I received your letter this morning, was very glad to hear from you. Yes, Mr. Smith, I was the first to tell Mother and Dad I was saved. Why, I couldn’t wait until I got home to tell them. I took my cousin Elizabeth home with me, and she too now has taken the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour. Oh it is wonderful to know the Lord and to know what he has done for me. I can’t write on paper, Mr. Smith, all I would like to tell you, but perhaps you will be in Witt soon again and I can talk to you. How different I see things now. I used to think before I was saved I would have to give up my pleasures, but those pleasures are just what you said, like a big soap bubble soon to burst. I find my pleure now in trying to serve the Lord. (signed) Margaret.”

My reader, have you ever gone home to your parents to tell them the good news that you have accepted Christ as your Saviour, like Margaret did? If you have not done so, I know this will be the happiest day in your life if you open your heart to Him today and confess Him as your Lord. You will find He is a Saviour who saves and keeps, as He has kept Margaret for many, many years since she wrote this letter.

“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 FAALT BE SAVED.” Romans 10:9.

ML 12/16/1951

"I was Afraid"

It was the night of the Sunday school treat and everyone present had had a happy time. A Christian man had given a little message to the children telling them of something better than a Sunday school treat — of the great salvation God has provided for all who will come. God’s invitation is not to children only but to “Whosoever will,” and everyone had been asked to accept this wonderful invatition.

Before leaving to go home several. hymns were sung, and the rewards given to those who had come to Sunday School regularly throughout the year. After everyone had received the candy there were still some sacks left, and so the children were told that all those who would tell something they had learned during the year would receive another sack of candy.

There were only two who would do this, much to the disappointment of the teachers. When they had been dismissed. Mr. Symms was walking home with one of the little boys, named. Richie, and he asked him if he had not learned anything in Sunday school all year, seeing he had not spoken up at the treat.

“Yes,” said Richie, “I learned I was a sinner.”

Mr. Symms then asked him why he had not raised his hand and told this at the meeting.

“I was afraid they would laugh at me,” he said.

Ricbie’s reply makes me think of a verse in Prov. 29:25 which says, “The fear of man bringeth a snare,” And yet how many boys and girls are just like Richie. They are afraid to confess the name of the Lord Jesus lest their friends should laugh. Dear reader, is this the case with you? God has told us in His Word that the very first class to be put into the lake of fire are “the fearful.” Rev. 21:8. Do not he afraid of the world’s laugh, for they once laughed at the blessed Saviour Himself.

“For whosoever shall he 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.

ML 12/16/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 21:4-9

Even after this wonderful victory over king Arad and his people, the children of Israel became discouraged. How often this is so! Perhaps the Lord has used us in some special way, and then discouragement comes in, because we have become occupied with the victory and lost sight of Him. We can never walk on the “waves” of the world’s trouble unless the eye is upon Christ, can we? It is too much for us in our own strength—always!

Then the people began to complain about the manna, saying, “Our soul loatheth this light bread.” They had once rejoiced at it, saying that it tasted “like wafers made with honey,” Eoxdus 16:31, but now they could not taste its sweetness, and they despised it. It was a solemn thing to despise the bread God had sent, and because of this God had to allow them to feel Satan’s power by the fiery serpents. The serpents bit the people and many of them died. This is like “the bite of sin” for which man has no cure; but God told Moses what to do, and what a beautiful picture it is of Christ on the cross.

God told Moses to make a serpent of brass and put it on a pole. Then if anyone who was bitten by a serpent, looked at that serpent of brass on the pole, he was healed at once and lived. The Lord Jesus Himself spoke of the true meaning of this to Nicodemus. He said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:14,15, The poor bitten Israelite might try many ways of healing the serpent’s bite, but all his efforts were useless. There was only one way, and that was to look and live. And so the Lord Jesus was lifted up on the cross of Calvary, He was made ti ik the serpent (the very thing at had bitten them) on the pole, and by one look of faith to Christ the bite of sin is healed and we have everlasting life. Oh how wonderful the work He has accomplished! How gloriously complete! Dear reader, have you looked to Him?

There is life in a look
at the crucified One,
There is life at this moment
for thee;
Then look, sinner, look unto Him
and be saved,
Unto Him who was nailed
to the tree.

We might mention one other point in connection with this serpent of brass. Many years later the children of Israel began to worship it, and so Hezekiah, a very godly king, broke it in pieces and called it “Nehushtan” which means, a piece of brass. This, we believe, has a very solemn lesson for Christendom today. There was no value in-the serpent of brass itself, but God saw the faith of the one who looked at it for healing, and honored it. And so many speak of the cross as an honored emblem. They wear a cross around their necks and hang it on their walls, but they have never looked to Christ for salvation. Let us remember that He is no longer on the cross but enthroned in heaven, and salvation is not by wooden crosses, images, or any works of man’s hands, but by faith in Him alone. Let us he watchful that we do not go back to these things, but rather take all that savors of “the rudiments of the world” (Col. 2:20), and superstition, and break it to pieces, just as Hezekiah did this serpent of brass. “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Romans 14: 93.

ML 12/16/1951

Adventure with a Bear

Explorers in the far north often meet the fierce, white polar hear. Its chief food is the flesh of seals, but if food is scarce, it will not turn away even from a man.

On one occasion, an explorer above the Arctic circle suddenly found himself within a few feet of an angry bear. He was armed with a rifle, and he was a good shot too, but he missed. The bear crouched, ready to spring. The young man was face to face with death.

Have you ever looked death in the face? if you haven’t, you probably will, sooner than y want to, and the Bible says, “The sting of death is sin.” 1 Cor. 15:56. If you are still in your sins, then death is fierce and powerful. “The strength of sin is the law,” and since you have broken God’s law, then you stand if unsaved, like our explorer, defenseless in the face of death. It is awful, isn’t it?

But he was saved, after all! The young man of whom I told you had one last hope. He seized a lighted lantern, and gave the savage beast a blow in the face. The animal turned tail and fled!

Have you a lighted lantern” for your enemy, death? God’s Word is the only lamp for the valley of the shadow of death. Many and many a Christian has gone joyfully through death into glory by the light of the Word of God. Reason will fail, and death will come on, stinging and powerful, but the Word of God will drive its terrors completely away. “The sting of death is sin,” but “the blood of Jesus Christ His (God’s) Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. “The strength of sin is the law,” but “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law.” Galatians 3:13.

This “lighted lantern,” ‘this simple faith in the Word of God, will take away the terror of death and give you peace, even on your deathbed.

“THANKS BE TO GOD, WHICH GIVETH US THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” 1 Corinthians 15:57.

ML 12/23/1951

The Open Door

Willie was only fifteen years old, and had been a comfort to his mother who was a widow. But one day he disappeared—he had taken some of his things and run away! It was so unexpected, his mother was sad and wondered where lie had gone. Where could she find him?

Someone suggested going to the police, but for many years her trust had been in God—the God of the widow and fatherless. She knew she could count on Him, for God, she well knew, could easily bring her boy home again, and for this she prayed. So sure was she that the Lord would do so, that every time she went out the door was left open.

One evening when she was at a Bible reading, Willie walked in. He understood the open door quite well, for she always kept it locked. She must have left it for him, and he knew the open door mean the open heart!

When the Lord Jesus was here on earth. He said, “I am the Door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9. So there is still an open Door for boys and girls who have run away from God, and want to get home to Him, for the Jesus is the Door, open and ready to receive them.

When the widow came home she found her boy, and you can guess how happy she was, and Willie too!

He had run away to a neighboring port, and had tried in vain, day after day, to get some sea captain to take him on his ship to work his way to another country. One morning, very early, as he was wandering around the dock, a rough man knocked him down, took the money from his pockets, and went off with his suitcase. When Willie came to himself he found he had no money, no clothes, and no food, and so he decided to go home.

After a long day’s walk, exhausted and hungry, he reached his home, much ashamed and sorry for what he had done. The word that he had returned soon spread around, and friend, and neighbors came in to welcome, him. Tears of joy were shed, and hearts were glad and full of thanksgiving to God that their prayers had been answered and that Willie was home.

How this reminds us of the shepherd who:rejoiced when he found his lost sheep. He said, “Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:6,7.

Come in, ere that door closes an.’ you are left to perish in your sin.

ML 12/23/1951

Faithful Fido

Mrs. Henderson was a happy Christian whose life was full of praise and thanksgiving. Her husband was not saved, and he would never come with her to the prayer meetings nor to the gospel addresses which were such a delight to her heart. Fido, the dog, always went with her to the meetings, and. sat silently under her seat all through the service. Every Sunday evening, Mrs. Henderson and Fido could be seen walking towards the meeting room, up the steps and to the same seat.

In time, Mrs, Henderson died. Fido seemed so mournful, and Mr. Henderson was heart broken, for he could find no comfort without his companion, and he did not know how to turn to the Lord for help.

For several Sundays he noticed the dog leave the house at a certain hour, and come back at a certain hour. One Sunday he thought, he would follow Fido, and see what it was all about. The dog seemed delighted to have his master go with him, and he trotted along until they came to the door of die Gospel Hall. Mr. Henderson stopped as the dog bounded up the steps and waited at the top for his master. After standing a few moments, the lonely man said, “I’ll go in, just to please the dog. It won’t do any harm.” Solemnly the dog led him up the aisle and to the same seat where his dear wife always sat. He didn’t pay much attention to the words of the message, for he was thinking of his dear wife, and thinking of the pleasure that it seemed to bring to her to be able to be at such meetings.

The next Sunday, Mr. Henderson and Fido were again at the Gospel meeting, and again the next. After the third service, he arose, with tears streaming down his cheeks, and publicly-owned his rejection of the Saviour’s love, and confessed before all that he now wanted the Lord Jesus his own Saviour, Perhaps the reader is much younger than Mr. Henderson, and it is very unlikely that you will ever be led to a gospel meeting by a dog, but the same Saviour of our story is watching you as you read this paper, He loves you and wants to save you.

“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6.

ML 12/23/1951

An Important Letter

Mr. Yeremian has a motorcycle and he visits around in the south of France, telling others of the Saviour he has trusted, and giving away portions of God’s Word.

“What should I do with that, seeing I can’t read?” asked a woman in a small Mediterranean port, when he offered her a Gospel.

“Do you never receive a letter?” awered Mr. Yeremian.

“Certainly I do, and I take it to a friend to read.”

“Very well. This is a letter to you from the Saviour,”—and at once she took the Gospel, and took it to her friend to read to her.

The Bible is a letter from God to you, dear sinner, and He expects you to read it. It tells of His love to lost and ruined man in sending His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to this world, where He died on Calvary’s cross. Each one who trusts in Him can say that his sins were punished there and that he has forgiveness through faith in Christ. The Bible also tells us of the beautiful home He has prepared, and that very soon He is coming to lake His children there. Dear reader, have you read and believed God’s letter? It is to YOU. The Lord Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away.” Matt. 24:35.

ML 12/23/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 21:10 -22:1

The children of Israel then jorneyed on toward the land of Moab, and it is beautiful here to see the grace of God. They had learned (in figure) of Christ lifted up (the serpent of brass). This is the ground of all blessing, and so now God Himself sees their need and meets it, without their even asking Him to do so. How good it is to know that He cares for us and knows our needs. We need not murmur, but count on Him. He said to Moses, “Gather the people together and I will give them water.” Then they came together, and the nobles of the people dug and found this sprinng well of water which caused them all to break forth into song. It takes spiritual energy to dig for these refreshing springs in the wilderness, but how much better it is than murmuring, and what refreshment they bring.

Dear fellow Christian, are we digging for these springs? Are we finding daily refreshment in our wilderness journey by occupation with Christ. We notice here that the very one who gave the law (Moses) told them of this springing well, and so now, since the Lord Jesus has been lifted up for us and taken our guilty place, the very. God who once thundered at Sinai giving the law, now says, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely,” Revelation 22:17. Yes, I say, it is the same God who now can come out in all the goodness and grace of His heart and bless us, because of remdemption’s work.

After this they would have passed peaceably through the land of Sihart, king of the Amorites, but he would not allow them to do so. He, as well as Og, king of Bashan, came out to fight against Israel, but God gave Israel a complete victory over them, and they possessed their land. We, too, most not allow anything to hinder us from going in to possess our heavenly portion, and if it causes conflict, as it surely will at times, we must be willing to fight the Lord’s battles. God’s peace is not peace at any price, for He Himself paid a mighty price, even the blood of His own dear Son, in order to purchase peace for us. Should we then draw back from the conflict necessary to “possess” what He has already won for us at such a mighty cost? Let us hear His word to Israel in our chapter, “Fear him not: for T have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land.” His word to us today is “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7. Soon our conflict will be over and we will see our blessed Saviour face to face in that land of eternal rest! Let us keep on the whole armor of God until that day.

The story of Balaam and his prophecies in connection with Israel is full of deep interest and instruction, and cannot fail to refresh our hearts when we consider it. Forty years of unbelief and sin, murmuring and complaining on the part of the children of Israel were just about at an end, and yet God. would not allow Balaam to say one word against them or curse them. How could this be! How could he say, “He (the Lord) hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perversess in Israel?” Numbers 23:21. It was most assuredly not by what Israel had done, but the answer is found in the words, “It shall he said of Jacob and of Isreal, What hath God wrought!” All depended upon God—upon His work alone.

ML 12/23/1951

Kathleen's Skates

It was a clear cold day, not much snow but plenty of ice, just right for skating. Kathleen and her friends were on their way home, carrying their skates.

“Hello,” called a voice behind them. They turned at once and-waited for Mary, a bigger girl who was hurrying to meet them.

All the little girls talked at once, telling of the fun they had had, and the bumps and bruises too, and showing their skates. Mary listened and smiled, but she was looking very specially at Kathleen’s skates. They were different. They had been black, that was plain enough, but Kathleen had painted them white, and the result was a funny mixture of grayness, nut pretty at all.

“Kathleen,” said Mary at last, “you know what your skates make me think of?”

“No what?”

“They used to be black, black all over, just like a heart that is black with sin. You wanted them to be white, but no matter how much you wanted it, you couldn’t take the black off. It was just like sin in the heart—you can’t get it off.

“So you tried to cover it up. You used good white paint I suppose, but it didn’t work. The black shows through. You can’t cover up that black, and you can’t really cover sins either, not from the eye of God. White boots have to be white all through, with no black underneath. And there is only one thing that can make a black heart White all through, with no sins, not one in the sight of God.”

Kathleen looked away, but little Dianne was listening eagerly. “I know,” she said, “I know what that one thing is. It’s the blood of Jesus.”x

“Right Dianne!” Kathleen could have answered just as readily, for she knew the way of salvation well, but she had never trusted that precious blood to wash away her sins, and she did not love to talk of it among her friends.

Do you know that the precious blood of Jesus can wash away your sins? Better still, do you know that the precious blood of Jesus has washed away your sins? Don’t he a poor “whitewashed” sinner whose heart is still black before God. You may now be a child of God, washed white in the blood of the Lamb, if you will come to the Lord. Jesus just as you are, and accept Him as your Saviour.

“THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN.” 1 John 1:7.

ML 12/30/1951

The Little Chimney Sweep

There was a little boy who earned his living by working for a man. who cleaned chimneys. This boy was sent to clean chimneys with a special kind of broom to sweep away all the dirt and soot that gathers there.

One day he was sent to a certain house to do this. He climbed up to the roof and carefully let himself down the chimney and began his work of sweeping it out. But he hadn’t been at it very long, when he heard the lady of the house calling loudly to him to stop. So he climbed out to the roof again, and down to the ground.

There he met the woman, who took him into her living room and showed him how much dirt he had made. And he had been sweeping the chimney of the wrong house!

The lady said to him, “You are too small to be sweeping chimneys. Why aren’t you at home?” “I have no home,” answered the little boy, “Where is your mother?” she asked him. “I have no mother,” he replied, “And your father?” “I have no father.” “Where do you sleep then?” the lady asked. He answered, “In the fields, or wherever I can.”

Then the lady said, “I had a little baby boy once and someone stole him away. I have never seen him since then, but I would know him at once if I ever saw him—he had a mark or his shoulder.”

“I have a mark on my shoulder,” said the little boy.

“Let me see it,” she said eagerly.

Sure enough, when he showed her his shoulder, she found the mark was the same, and she knew that this boy was her very own son, whom she had lost so many years before. I can’t tell you how happy she was!

She washed him and made turn lovely and clean, then took him to the store and bought him a new suit, shirt, and everything he needed. She brought him home again all dressed up in his new clothes, and then she called her husband at work and asked him to come home right away, as she had some very good news for him. He came, and was taken into the lovingroom, and was taken into the livingroom, and there was the little boy, their own dear son. She told her husband all about him, and they rejoiced together.

So dear children, there is joy in heaven over each newly found sinner that comes home to the Saviour and is washed in His blood and clothed in the robe of righteousness. Have you come to Him yet? The father of the prodigal son of whom we read in the Bible said,

“This my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” Luke 15:24.

And there is a welcome for you, too, if you come.

ML 12/30/1951

Two Men and a Bear

Two who were good friends decided to take a trip to Western Canada. They took their cameras, in the hope that they might be able to get some good pictures of the scenery among the mountains, and of the wild animals who roamed there.

Leaving the train, they began to tramp the country. Soon they came upon some wild goats, peacefully grang on the mountain side. Not far off, a baby bear was playing about. The two men stood watching for a few moments, then were startled by the sound of a crashing in the bush near by. They knew it was the mother bear, coming out of the woods, and set their cameras for a picture. But when she emerged from the trees she was headed straight for the men. Dropping their cameras they ran to the nearest tree, and began to hurriedly climb it. One man, was rather stout, and could get no further than to hang by his hands from a lower bough.

The bear, with one swing of her big paw, reached up and knock down the fat man, and began to tear at him with her claws. Seeing his friend in need of help, the other man quickly came down out of the tree, and picking up a big chunk of wood, hit the bear over the head, However, this did not seem to have any effect on the animal who now turned on the thin man, knocking him down and clawing at him too. At this moment, though they never could tell why, the baby bear began to cry, so the mother left the two men on the ground and went to her cub.

The men managed to drag themselves to the nearest place where they could get help—a distance of quite a few miles. There they were cared for, and their wounds dressed.

After about three months, the thin man was able to go back to work, but his friend never recovered, and died soon after. When the thin man went back to his office, he showed his friends the long scars on his head, chest, and legs, where the bear’s claws had torn him. These scars he would carry with hint to the end of his life.

Does this not make us think of what the Lord Jesus did? He came down from His place of safety to where we were lying under the power of the enemy of our souls—Satan. The thin man wasn’t strong enough to deliver the fat man—the hear was too strong for him but not so the Lord Jesus Christ. Satan was defeated at the cross, and we can be set free from his chains by taking this Saviour whom God has provided for us. We know, ino, that the Lord Jesus will always bear in His body the marks of the nails, and of the spear that pierced His blessed side.

“Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:24.

ML 12/30/1951

Bible Talks

Numbers 22:2-25

As we read the story of Balaam we marvel at the overruling hand of God, for God interfered and hindered the wicked purposes of Balak king of Moab who had hired Balaam to prophesy against Israel. King Balak was afraid of Israel. He had heard what God had done through them to the Amorites, and he trembled for himself and his people. Being under the power of Satan, to which the heathen had sold themselves, he knew of no other place to turn but Satan’s enchantments. He therefore sent messengers to Balaam offering him great rewards and honors if he would come and curse the people. Balaam, on his part, would have been glad to come, for he “loved the wages of unrighteouess,” 2 Peter 2:15, but even Satan himself cannot go beyond what God allows, and Balaam (though a wicked man) must do and say what God ordered. God told Balaam not to go with the men who came from Balak, because the people of Israel, whom Balaam wanted to curse, were really blessed.

Balaam therefore told the men, “Get you into your land: for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you.” We can see by this remark that he really wanted to go, if only the Lord would let him.

The messengers then returned to Balak, telling him that Balaam would not come. This would not satisfy Balak, however, and he sent more messengers, and more honorable ones, too, promising very great honor for Balaam if he would only come. King Balak said he would do anything Balaam wished him to do if he would only come and curse the people of God. The world will pay a tremendously high price to have its own way, and it hates God and His people with the same hatred as Balak had toward Israel. What a world it is!

A fear—not filled the heart of Balaam and he was afraid to go against the Word of God. He did, however, ask God again what he should do. The Lord had already declared His mind very definitely, and Balaam need not have asked again. This is important for us to remember, for if God makes His mind known to us, we ought not to ask Him to change it just to suit or please ourselves. It is a very serious thing to do so, as with Balaam here, and it almost cost him his life. If we are persistent to have our own way, contrary to the will of God, He may allow us to have it to our own sorrow, as with Baam here (see also Psalm 106:15). It is a solemn thing to trifle with God.

God then, because of the insistence of Balaam, told him to go with the mea from King Balak, but He said he must speak only what God said. Poor Balaam was quite ready to go, for he wanted this easy reward offered by the king. Little did he realize what was before him.

He rose up in the morning, saddled his ass, and started out with king Balak’s messengers. Now God knew how much Balaam wanted this reward, so He must put His fear before him in order to make him say only what God would have him say. But Balaam did not have eyes to see, even when the angel of the Lord stood in the way with a drawn sword in his hand, but his ass, upon which he was riding, saw the angel and turned aside into a field. This made Balaam angry, and he hit the poor animal and made her go back on the path again. The angel of the Lord then stood in the way again in a narrow place with a wall on either side.

ML 12/30/1951

Messages of God's Love: 1951

Table of Contents

Where Is Your Name Written?

Hearing and Believing

Books

Bible Questions for January

Bible Talks

The Eskimo Lady

Lost and Found

God's Care of His Own

Christ Is Coming

Bible Talks

Saved from the Lion's Mouth

"Thank God!"

Julia

Bible Talks

Wise or Foolish, Which?

Is Your Name "Sinner"?

Sowing the Good Seed

"Busy Here and There"

Bible Talks

The Traveler's Passport

The Indian Baby and the Snake

Bible Questions for February

Bible Talks

Better Than Gold

"Why Not Tonight?"

"You Need the Blood"

Bible Talks

The Story of an Ethiopian

Black Fritz

Shirley's Fears

Bible Talks

Who Is Coming?

A Safe Hiding Place

Simple Thanks

"The Time is Short."

Bible Talks

The Ass That Talked

Messiah's Children

Bible Questions for March

The Young People's Class Poor

Bible Talks

The Story of a Text

Speak the Truth

Not Forty Men!

Bible Talks

The Best Home

No More a Stranger

Little Marion

Faith's Amen

Bible Talks

Thorns

Package of Mixed Seed

"Will God Go to Sleep?"

"Who is on the Lord's Side?"

Bible Talks

Springtime Blossoms

Theodore

Bible Questions for April

Bible Talks

The Kitten's Mistake

Theodore

"I've Forgotten!"

Should I Do It?

Bible Talks

"Call Ye Upon Him"

Theodore

The Mountain of the Cross

Bible Talks

Mr. Long Legs

Theodore

A Misspent Sunday Afternoon

Bible Talks

The Arab Who Wondered

Sam, the Postman

Loyalty to Christ

Bible Talks

Wandering Sheep

Guilty-But Set Free