Messages of God's Love: 1968

At a communistic school in the east, a teacher told the children to stand up and say aloud, “There is no God!” A little nine-year-old girl in that class knew very well there is a God. Did not her father and mother pray to Him? Had she not often cried to Him, herself, and received answers? Was not this proof enough that there was a living God, and how could she deny Him? Thus in fear and trembling she refused to obey the command. The teacher became very angry, and said: “Go home and write 50 times ‘There is no God,’ and bring it to me tomorrow morning.”

The little girl went home and told her parents all about it. She feared the Communists and prayed earnestly to God for guidance. Finally she wrote 50 times, “THERE IS A GOD!”

The next morning the child gave the writing to her teacher. As he read it he became furious and ordered her to write 500 times “There is no God!” promising to resort to other punishment if she refused. The girl knew what this meant—DEATH. However, she remained calm, and without dismay went home and told her father.

The father’s eyes rested on the God-fearing child, and with a loving smile said tenderly: “Be of good cheer, tomorrow we will go to the superintendent.”

That night she slept peacefully without fear, knowing that God would not forsake her. Together father and daughter went to the superintendent the next morning and told him the whole story.

Smiling, the man said, “My dear child, the Lord has already undertaken for you. Yesterday your teacher was killed in a motorcycle accident. The matter is closed.”

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” Psalms 14:1.

“Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6.

“Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.” Psalms 2:12.

Translated from “Saatekoerner.”

ML 01/07/1968

Answered Prayer

Willie was a little boy about seven years old. His father was a drunkard, and his mother had a very hard time to get along.

One day in winter, Willie said, “Mother, can’t I have a pair of new shoes? My toes are all out of these. The snow gets in, and I feel very cold.”

The tears came into his mother’s eyes as she said, “Well, Willie my dear boy, I hope soon to be able to get you a new pair.”

After waiting for some days Willie said again, “Oh, mother, it’s too bad! Can’t I get some shoes somehow?” He stood thinking a moment, and then said, “Oh, I know what to do. I’ll ask God to get them for me. Why didn’t I think of that before?” Then he went up to his own little room and knelt down by his bed, and covering his face with his hands, he said, “Oh God, father drinks; mother has no money; my feet get cold and wet; I want some new shoes. Please, God, get me a pair. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.”

Then he went downstairs and waited for an answer.

Shortly after this, a kind Christian lady who lived near them called in and asked Willie to take a walk with her. Willie went along. Pretty soon the lady saw Willie’s toes coming out of his shoes.

“Why, Willie,” she said, “look at your feet. They’ll freeze. Why didn’t you put on a better pair of shoes?”

“These are all I have, ma’am. Mother has no money to get them with. But I’ve asked God to get me a new pair, and I’m waiting till He sends them.”

Tears filled the lady’s eyes when she heard this. She took him straight to a shoe store and had him fitted with a nice new pair of shoes.

He thanked the lady very much for her kindness, and, as soon as he returned home, he showed them to his mother.

“Look, mother,” he said, “God has heard my prayer and sent me the shoes. Mrs. Gray’s money bought them, but God heard me ask for them, and I suppose He told Mrs. Gray to get them for me.” Then he kneeled right down beside his mother and thanked God for sending him the shoes.

Perhaps some of the boys and girls who read this paper know Jesus as their Saviour. Let us learn to tell Him our needs, and to thank Him for what He gives us.

“My God shall supply all your need.” Philippians 4:19.

And if any of those who read this paper do not know Jesus as their Saviour, let them remember that He wants to give them the forgiveness of their sins, and the gift of eternal life.

“The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

Memory Verse: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” Titus 3:5.

ML 01/07/1968

Do You Know That Man?

A Christian man was travelling by train one day, and was reading a booklet entitled “The Man Christ Jesus.” When he had finished he turned and handed it to a bright looking young girl on the opposite seat, with the remark, “Do you know that Man?”

Her simple warm-hearted reply was, “He died for me!”

What a grand thing to be able to say! Perhaps you know a great deal ABOUT that Man, His birth, His miracles, His death. But can you say, as that traveler did, “He died for me!”

How sweet to read Paul’s testimony about Him in Galatians 2:20. “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

ML 01/07/1968

Bible Questions for January

The Children’s Class

The verses containing these quotations will be found in consecutive order in 1, 2, & 3 John and Jude.

When you have found them write out the verses in which the quotations are found.

1.“Love of God perfected.”

2.“Love not the world.”

3.“We should love one another.”

4.“The love of God toward us.”

5.“We love Him.”

6.“In truth and love.”

7.“In the love of God.”

The Young People’s Class: Joseph, Type of the Lord Jesus

Answers to be found in Genesis 37-45

1.How does JOSEPH typify the Lord Jesus as the Father’s beloved Son?

2.How does JOSEPH typify the Lord Jesus as the One who was hated without a cause?

3.How does JOSEPH typify the Lord Jesus who for envy was delivered to Pilate?

4.How does JOSEPH typify the Lord Jesus who was sold for thirty pieces of silver?

5.How does JOSEPH typify the Lord Jesus who delivered us from the wrath to come?

6.How does JOSEPH typify the Lord Jesus to whom every knee shall bow?

7.How does JOSEPH typify the Lord Jesus who has called us to His own glory?

ML 01/07/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

Genesis 48:5,6

Jacob, speaking to Joseph, said: “And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt, before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.” It was no mere sentimental whim that led the aged man to make this statement which claimed a relationship with the boys closer than that of grandfather. To understand this more clearly it is necessary to turn back to Genesis 35:22 where Scripture records the dark blot in Reuben’s life in connection with his father’s concubine.

Reuben, the eldest son, inherited a birthright that qualified him for a double portion of his father’s inheritance, as prescribed by the custom of that day. No matter what a father’s feelings might become toward his firstborn, he could not by himself change this provision. But the son could change it, either by selling it to another, as Esau did, or by forfeiting it in some other manner. This was the case with Reuben. The father did not forget the wicked act of his son and determined the birthright should go to another. But the question would arise: To whom should it go? Simeon, the second oldest, would be the first consideration, but his life had been cruel and violent and the father was not happy to pass the privileges on to him. It appears that the father considered Judah (his fourth son) in this connection, but God had other purposes marked out for him from whose family the “Chief Ruler,” Jesus Himself, was to be born into this world.

Joseph, as we well know, was the son of his father’s delight. It was natural that he should determine that the double portion should come to him and he arranged to do so through Joseph’s two sons. Yet here was another problem. The mother of the two boys was an Egyptian woman and this fact prohibited their qualifying for the special place. At a later date the law would not recognize them in that relationship.

But the wise old patriarch had an answer to this difficulty — God, no doubt, directing his decision — he would adopt the two sons as his own! “As Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine,” he declared, thus definitely putting these two in the birthright position in the place of the unfaithful sons. Although this was not mentioned at the time of the immoral act it was confirmed later: “... for he (Reuben) was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph.” 1 Chronicles 5:1.

What a remarkable solution to the father’s problem, providing a loving reward to Joseph, who had borne the reproach of his brethren and whose path of faith had so well qualified him for this inheritance through his sons. And Jacob continued: “And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.” verse 6. Jacob left no doubt as to his intent. Ephraim and Manasseh were no longer to be considered Joseph’s — they belonged to the old father by adoption. Any other children that might be born to Joseph after would be his own and receive their normal family inheritance.

ML 01/07/1968

The Poor Boy Who Became a Judge

Jim was the name of this boy. His father and mother were both dead, and he was now left to make a living any way he could. He felt he had no friend at all, but God had His eye on him.

One Saturday night, Jim went to sleep on the doorstep of a large house, wishing he had some of the nice food he had seen in a bakery window.

He slept until about five o’clock in the morning when another poor boy came to him. “Come, Jim, wake up; I am hungry. If you come with me, I will show you where we can get plenty to eat, for I saw a storekeeper close his window without locking it.”

Jim asked if the things would be given to them. “No, but we can take them,” was the answer.

“I won’t steal,” said Jim, “and you cannot make me steal more. Just as my mother died, I promised her I wouldn’t steal. You go, but I won’t.” With that, the other boy went his way, leaving Jim alone and hungry.

Nine o’clock came, and the bells began to ring for Sunday School. When Jim saw the boys and girls going in he thought he would like to do so too. So he wiped his bare feet on the doormat and walked in. This was a new experience for the poor young boy.

When the Sunday School hour was over, the teacher talked with Jim about himself. She learned that he was an orphan and that he had had nothing to eat. She then took him to her home and gave him some breakfast.

The Sunday School teacher’s father was a lawyer and she knew that her father needed an office-boy, one who could run errands and keep the office neat and clean. Jim was given the job and he did well at it. Then he was sent to school and in this too he did well, learning his lessons quickly.

The years passed by as Jim went on with his school work. At the same time he continued to work part-time in the law office. In school he majored in the study of law and in due time he became a partner in the lawyer’s office. Later on he actually became a judge in the courts oh his city.

Of the other boy we know very little except that some years after the event with which our story began, he was caught as a thief and was sent to prison.

So you see that it is a good thing to trust in God at all times and in all circumstances. God did not allow poor Jim to starve. He raised up friends for Jim, who took care of him and guided him aright.

There may be some poor boy who is reading this story. He may never become a judge, it is true, but let him trust in God, who will not turn away from anyone who trusts Him.

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7.

ML 01/14/1968

Read the Scriptures

Mr. R. Knill, an English preacher, years ago, had a dear little boy whom the Lord took home before he was three years old. A workman was glazing some windows at Mr. Knill’s home one day when the little fellow inquired if he could read. The man replied, “Yes.” Then the child gave him a New Testament and told him to consider that striking passage of Scripture, “When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6.

The man never forgot the scripture, nor the little boy’s earnestness.

It is said of Timothy “that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15.

Memory Verse: “They that were ready went in with him...:and the door was shut.” Matt. 25:10.

ML 01/14/1968

The Guarded House

It was a time of war but there had been a short truce or time of peace, during the holiday season. Now the truce was almost over and people feared that parties of cruel soldiers would take possession of their homes. The people of the little town were especially afraid for the night of January 5 when the truce was to end.

Beyond the town but close to the main road where the soldiers would be passing, stood a solitary house, larger and better than the poor cottages nearby. A godly old woman lived there with her widowed daughter and grandson. The old lady trusted in the Lord and she was frequently in prayer that God would, as he said, raise up a wall around them so as to protect them from the enemy.

“Grandmother,” said the boy on the morning of the dread day, “what do you mean when you ask the Lord to raise a wall around our house? Are you so foolish as to believe that He will do such an impossible thing?”

“My son,” she replied, “I did not intend exactly what I said, but only desired that the Lord would defend us and our town by any means. But you know that nothing is impossible with God. If He wills, could He not do even this very thing?”

The hours of the day passed; night came on. And what a terrible night it was, with storm and high winds and heavy snow. Soon the muffled sound of tramping horses, and sounds of shooting and men shouting told those within the house that the enemy was near. In many homes there was terror and fear but the heart of the dear grandmother was calm and at peace.

No one so much as knocked at the door that night. In the morning they discovered the secret of their escape: the wind had piled up an immense drift of snow between them and the road so that those passing by could not come near the dwelling.

“My son,” said the old grandmother, “do you not see now how easy it was for the Lord to literally raise a wall around us?”

Surely none of those in that house would ever forget that night, and they thanked the Lord for so graciously preserving them. How comforting for God’s true children to know that He can never slumber nor sleep, and is ever watchful over His own. He will keep you, dear children, in your little trials and in your big ones too, if you bring them to Him in prayer.

“He that keepeth thee will not slumber.” Psalms 121:3.

ML 01/14/1968

A Wonderful Memory

When Dr. Marryat, a gifted servant of Christ in days gone by, was a boy, he felt it was his duty to store his excellent memory with the words of holy Scripture. He is said to have committed to memory the Books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, and all the Minor Prophets, as also the epistles of the New Testament; and, in order that he might retain this invaluable treasure, it was his practice to repeat them from memory, without a book, once a year.

It would be a rare thing to find a boy with such a remarkable memory as young Marryat had; nevertheless, it would be a wonderful blessing to boys and girls while still in their youth to commit to memory as many of the Scriptures as they are able. The Lord can turn them into joy and praise throughout one’s lifetime.

Dear young friends, while you are young and your memory is at its best, store up all you can of the words of Scripture.

ML 01/14/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

Genesis 48:7-20

Jacob’s strength was failing fast, but he found a special pleasure in having a visit alone with Joseph before calling the other sons. Furthermore, he resolutely applied himself to bestowing his special favors on this “son of his love,” as well as to Ephraim and Manasseh. And he said, “Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.” verse 9. Joseph brought them forward in such a manner that Manasseh, his eldest, would be under his father’s right hand, and Ephraim under his left. For in the manner of pronouncing a blessing it was important that the right hand rest upon the head of the elder who had the first place. But see what took place!

“And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly.” verse 14. In this position the blessings were pronounced: “And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, the Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” vv. 15,16. Joseph was displeased to see this apparent error on his father’s part and sought to correct the position of his hands over the boys’ heads. But “his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. And he blessed them that day saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.” vv. 19,20.

Such was this affecting and instructive incident: Jacob clear, where Isaac had been dim; Jacob clearer than Joseph, who had beyond other men been given of God insight into divine things. How deep the self-judgment Israel must have passed through as he remembered the blessing he had once stolen by his own guile. Could not, would not, the Lord have somehow to His own glory without His servant’s shame, have crossed Isaac’s hands to make good His word of promise to Jacob? How sad not to have trusted Him! But Jacob was deceitful no more; he even steadfastly opposed the will of his beloved Joseph, in subjection to God who surely directed him. What a change through grace!

“The God which fed me all my life... which redeemed me from all evil.” Israel thus expressed as never before, that he owed all things to God. But there was more than that here. God’s sovereignty was displayed in this disposition of the future of the sons, as well as the nation of Israel that should follow them. Israel may not have realized it, but he was but the vessel through whom God foretold what His sovereign will had established from the beginning. Joseph was to have the double portion; Judah to precede the line of royalty leading to the Messiah Himself; and Levi to be the forerunner of the priesthood, all in accordance with God’s own designs.

ML 01/14/1968

"You Paid for Them, Sir."

One sunny warm day, a gentleman named Mr. Ford was walking through the country repeating to himself as he walked along, “The Lord is my Shepherd: I shall not want.” Psalms 23:1.

Just then a boy carrying an old rusty bird-cage came down the lane. Even before he got near enough for Mr. Ford to see what was in the cage, he heard such piteous chirps, not at all like the song of the free birds around. As the boy came closer, Mr. Ford saw about half a dozen poor little sparrows all trying so hard to get out of the cage. They flew round and round, and beat their heads against the wires, but the door of the cage was tied with a strong string, and there was no way of escape for the tiny prisoners.

Mr. Ford put his hand on the boy’s shoulder and said, “My boy, whose birds are those?”

The boy looked at Mr. Ford for a moment, then answered, “Mine, sir.”

“Yours, are they; how did you get them?”

“Caught them in a trap in the woods.”

“And what are you going to do with them now?”

“Give them to our cat.”

“Poor little things, I should like to buy them. How much will you sell them for?”

“Fifteen cents, sir.”

Without another word Mr. Ford took the money out of his pocket and put it into the boy’s hand. The young lad looked as if he could not quite understand why a gentleman should give so much money for a few little birds, but he only said:

“Thank you, sir! Going to the Station, are you? I’ll carry the cage up for you.”

But Mr. Ford did not want the cage taken to the station. Cutting the string that fastened the door with his pocket knife, he put his hand into the cage and took out a bird, smoothed its feathers, then let it fly. Another, then another he let go, till, in less time than it takes me to write it, the cage was empty.

The boy looked on. He could not make it out. To buy the birds only to set them free! At last he said: “Oh, sir, you have let them all go!”

“Yes, they are all gone. Why did you not stop me if you did not want me to let them go? You said they were your birds when I first met you.”

“So they were, sir, till — till you paid for them.”

“So that makes all the difference. I bought them; they were mine, and I could do what I thought best with them; is that it?”

“Yes, sir.”

Mr. Ford and the boy stood talking a long time after the birds were set free, for he had a very sweet and wonderful story to tell. It was the story of the Lord Jesus who gave His life, shedding His own precious blood, because there was nothing else that would set the poor captives of Satan free. He gave His life that He might save and set free the boy or girl who is reading this paper.

All those who have come to Jesus and trusted Him as their own Saviour do not belong to Satan any more. Are they sorry? No, indeed they are very glad because now they belong to the Lord Jesus who has bought them with His own blood.

Dear little reader, is the Lord Jesus your own precious Saviour?

“Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14.

Jesus paid it all—

All to Him I owe,

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed me white as snow

ML 01/21/1968

Viscount Carteret

Viscount Carteret, who was lord lieutenant of Ireland many years ago, had a wonderful memory. Some of our young readers have good memories too. But Viscount Carteret was one who used the wonderful gift God had given him in a way that brought glory and honor to Him and blessing to his own soul. He spent much of his spare time memorizing the Scriptures. He could repeat from memory the whole of the New Testament, from Matthew to Revelation. It was astonishing to hear him quote very long passages from it, with as much accuracy as if he were reading the Book itself.

Few are gifted with such a memory as this man had, but most of us when young have good memories and can learn well at school. Happy is the boy or girl who devotes some time committing to memory passages of the Bible. The holy Scriptures, stored up in the mind, are a priceless treasure... Who can say what God might do with such in years to come, or how great the blessing He may bring from those Scriptures learned in childhood long ago. May the Lord in His grace stir us up, both young and old, to spend more time reading the Word and committing more of it to memory.

ML 01/21/1968

The Fatal Temptation

Mr. and Mrs. Henry were Christians. They knew from experience the folly and dangers that go along with dancing. For this reason they sought to withhold their children from it.

One day, in the absence of her parents, their daughter yielded to the enticement of friends and went. She wanted to dance only once, and thought that her parents would never find out about it.

As the dancing went on the sudden cry of “FIRE!” rang out. Then a wild panic followed. Everybody ran for the exits; so did the disobedient daughter. In the hall she stumbled and fell. In the rush she was trampled to death by the terror-stricken crowd. When the parents returned home the sad news of the awful tragedy was made known to them.

An official writes, “I have often been at the grave of this young lady. Oh, had she only considered and obeyed her parents. They had tried to bring her up in the fear of the Lord, and to lead her to the Saviour, but in the hour of temptation, and through the allurement of the flesh, she fell.”

It was only once, but it was fatal with all its dreadful consequences. Oh dear reader, if you are found with the crowd on the broad road that leads to destruction, leave it at once before it is too late. Turn to the Saviour now, and find in Him the only Refuge of your soul.

“Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Ezekiel 33:11.

“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.” Matthew 7:13,14.

WE are little children, very young indeed,

But the Saviour’s promise each of us may plead.

Refrain:

If we seek Him early,

If we come today,

We can be His little friends,

He has said we may.

ML 01/21/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

Genesis 48:21,22

The close of Israel’s life is beautiful to see. He approached death in the quiet confidence of one who was in God’s hands — not as a Hezekiah who, facing death, said: “Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.” Isaiah 38:14. Israel’s words, by contrast, were: “Behold, I die; but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.”

How happy to learn of this aged one, confident at the end, and making this splendid testimony to his confidence in God’s providential care for his people and the fulfillment of His promises in days to come. The believer may have this same spirit of quietness, should God call him out of this scene, for through faith in a crucified and resurrected Saviour he is assured that “to depart, and to be with Christ, is far better.”

When Jacob, in earlier years, was returning with his family after his sojourn with Laban he secured a parcel of ground in Shechem to which he attached great value, for he had not only paid a lawful price for it, but had defended it with sword and bow. This is the same property referred to in the narrative of Jesus’ visit with the woman of Samaria: “Then cometh He to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.” John 4:5. How familiar to the Lord would be the history of this piece of land and Jacob’s well, on which He rested on that eventful afternoon.

This possession Jacob gave to Joseph as a special gift in addition to the general inheritance that would be shared with his brethren. It was perhaps his thought to thus give Joseph a deeper attachment to the land of his fathers, a possession that would ever remind him that his true place was not in Egypt, but in Canaan where God’s promises to His own were to be consummated. It was, in any event, a true love-token, given in secret to him whom he loved so dearly, reminding us of the expression of God the Father, concerning the special place accorded His beloved Son, when He said: “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.” Hebrews 1:9. It is evident that Joseph valued this special gift from his father, for it was in this parcel of ground that his bones were interred approximately 400 years later, when they were brought up out of the land of Egypt. The family burial plot would normally be in the field of Machpelah, (in Hebron) “Which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace.” It was there that Sarah, Abraham, Isaac Rebekah, Leah and Jacob were all buried, but Joseph’s earthly resting place was separate and distinct from the others. This would remind to that the Lord, too, was placed in a tomb separate from all others; “A new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid.”

ML 01/21/1968

The Stolen Bible

Mary D. had been given a Bible by her mother who was now with the Lord. For this reason it was her priceless treasure. Her mother had used it for many years and had marked the chapters and passages that had been especially precious to her.

It was Mary’s pleasure to read from it to the boys in her Bible class. Many of them accepted the truth and were happily saved; so this Bible, it seemed to her, had been especially blessed.

One day her Bible was missing. Someone had stolen it. Even though Mary offered a special reward it was not returned to her. Some of the boys were wild and unruly; still she could not believe that one of them had taken it. However, the precious Book was gone, and Mary prayed that whoever became the possessor of it might receive a rich blessing.

Then came the war! Mary became a nurse and went to work in one of the large army hospitals in the area. After a heavy battle many wounded and dying soldiers were brought in. As Mary moved among the suffering men she came to one who recognized her, but she did not know him. He gave his name and told the following story: “I am the one who stole your Bible,” he said; “and I did it just for sport; but I remembered that you told us the Bible was especially precious to you because it was a gift from your mother. This bothered me very much. I would have given anything had I not taken it, but I was too proud to confess that I was the thief. I wanted to bring it back, but I feared it would be said that I only did it to get the reward. Soon after this I went to another town. I sank morally lower and lower. I kept the Bible and hoped to return it some day without you ever finding out that it was I who had taken it.

“In the last three years I have experienced much suffering — long marches, and terrible battles. I was honored for being tough. Once I was sent on a mission with some spies but was taken prisoner. I managed to escape, but I nearly perished with hunger. At last I succeeded in getting back to our lines. All this time I felt guilty because I still had your Bible. Somehow I felt drawn to read it again and again. Once the passage, ‘Thou shalt not steal’ went as a dart to my soul. Another time in reading my eyes lit on the verse, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart’; and another time, ‘Ask, and ye shall receive’; ‘Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them!’ Matthew 7:12. Every time I opened that Bible it convicted me, and I became more miserable.

“Once I purposed to burn the Bible, but on thinking it over I concluded that it would not alter my plight. I realized I never would be happy unless I confessed my sin and returned the Bible.

“In my trouble I went to my captain and told him my story. I said that I wanted to be honest and return the Book but, I was too much of a coward. The captain was an ungodly man who often cursed and did not believe in the Bible. He ridiculed me and said, ‘Don’t let such nonsense bother you. The Bible means no more than any other book.’ Through the grace of God I knew better and read more than ever in it. At last I began to pray earnestly. I confessed my sins to the Lord Jesus, and pleaded for mercy. I also prayed for my captain.

“When I was wounded he came to me and said that he would do anything he could for me. Then I asked him to take the Bible out of my pocket because I had lost both of my hands. He promised he would be very careful with it and would try to return it to you, and also tell you how he had gotten it. He had to return to the battle front and I was brought to this hospital. No doubt the same verses that brought conviction and salvation to me will do the same for him. God bless him!”

Shortly after the soldier finished this story, he breathed his last and was gone. Mary continued to; that God would use her precious Bible for further blessing.

Years passed. Mary came back to her home town. She labored and prayed for the boys in her neighborhood. It was striking to see how they were all deeply moved by the story of the dying soldier and the Bible. Was it only a story, or an answer to prayer?

One Sunday Colonel B. who was a famous evangelist, came to town to preach. He held a gospel meeting in the same school where Mary had a large class for boys. He told of his conversion which he accredited to a soldier in his company who had given him a Bible. As he said this, he pulled out of his pocket a book damaged by bullets and spattered with blood, and repeated the story we have just heard. He ended with these words: “Boys, the prayer of this soldier and the contents of this Bible transformed a wild and wicked man into a Christian and servant of the Lord. My story has been the means of bringing many souls to Christ. I have never been able to find the original owner of this book though the name is written inside ‘Mary D.’”

Mary was soon in possession of her precious Book which had been gone so long. She praised God for the wonders her Bible had accomplished and prayed they would continue.

Memory Verse: “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock.” Psalms 40:2.

ML 01/28/1968

"Make Baby Sister Well!"

Little Sandra had a tiny baby sister who was very sick. Sara was only three years old herself, when she heard the doctor and her mother talking together.

“Your little one is very sick, and I’m afraid she’s not going to get better,” said the doctor.

Without a word little Sandra went quietly over to the telephone, climbed up on a chair and lifted the receiver. Then in her own sweet childish voice she quietly spoke these words into the phone: “Dear Jesus, make baby sister well.” She thought this was a good way to talk to Jesus.

The operator heard Sandra. But best of all the Lord Jesus heard her sweet, simple prayer of faith and answered it in His own wonderful way. Her baby sister was soon on the way to recovery.

“Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.

“Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

“And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.” Mark 10:14-16.

ML 01/28/1968

The Bible in Heaven

Albert Midlane, the author of that little hymn “There’s a Friend for Little Children,” was talking one day to a little girl who loved the Lord Jesus.

“Mr. Midlane,” she said. “I would like to take my Bible to heaven with me.”

“And why would you like to do that, little one?”

“While I am there, I would point to His own words ‘Come unto Me.’”

That was her own personal invitation from the Lord Jesus. And He wants it to be your invitation too.

It is a good thing to have a verse of our very own from God’s word. If you were asked if you were going to be in Heaven, what would you say? Could you turn to a Bible verse as that little girl did? If you are not yet sure you are saved, get your Bible now, and look up Matthew 11:28. Put your finger on that verse and make it your very own invitation to heaven.

“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

I AM SO glad that our Father in heaven

Tells of His love in the Book He has given;

Wonderful things in the Bible I see:

This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him,

Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem;

Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree,

Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me.

ML 01/28/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

Genesis 49:1-28

“And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days... Hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.” It was as Jacob, “the supplanter,” that his sons had principally observed his walk, burdened with many trials and making many a sad mistake. But now that he was to speak to them as the oracles of God they were to “hearken unto Israel,” “the prince who prevailed.”

Each, from Reuben the eldest, to Benjamin the youngest, then heard his father tell of his future individually. Some expressions were in very plain language: “Reuben — unstable as water, thou shalt not excel”; “Son and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations... I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.” Other expressions were framed in poetic symbols: “Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise... Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes”; “Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens”; “Dan shall be a serpent by the way”; “Benjamin shall raven as a wolf: In the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. (Benjamin thus prefigured Christ who will in a future day come in power, destroying the enemies of his people.)

But whatever the mode of language employed by the patriarch, each son was compelled to accept the prophecies and their amazing disclosures, for they knew them to be accurate — spoken with God-given insight. There is One who “searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts,” and to whom all things must be accounted for. “The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword... a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight.” Hebrews 4:12,13. How shall we stand before such a One as this? Only by having our sins blotted out in the precious blood of Christ, accepting by faith His finished work and the assurance that such faith will, in the sight of God, “cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This prophetic sketch begins with Israel in the flesh, anything but the Israel of God, and rises to a fitting climax in Joseph. Reuben, Simeon and Levi tell of ruin through corruption, and violence: the two characters of human evil from the beginning to the end of man’s sad story. In Judah we see God’s purpose in Christ, born of the tribe but as King, to whom shall be the gathering of peoples. Next we see Zebulun going out in commerce of sea and ships among the Gentiles; in Issachar bowing down and compromising for selfish quietness as the world’s slave; in Dan, falling under Satan’s power worse than idolatry; yet a remnant looking for the salvation of the Lord. In Gad the oppressed rises against the oppressor; while Asher points out Israel’s enjoyment of their proper blessings; in Naphtali, freedom in a gracious witness for God. The whole rises in a fitting climax in Joseph, in abundant blessing centering in Christ. And with Joseph goes Benjamin, when Israel will put down every rival and share the spoil of their enemies.

ML 01/28/1968

Saved from a Lion

Dr. Laws, the missionary of Livingstonia, Africa, years ago, told a remarkable story of an encounter two native preachers had with a lion.

It was on a Sunday morning that these two Christian natives had set out to visit a village some miles away. The narrow trail led across a wide plain through tall grass on either side, and as they walked along they had a strange sense that they were being followed. What was their fright when, looking around, they saw a lion stalking them.

Terrified, they stood motionless! The lion stopped too. They could not run away, nor were there any trees to climb, so these dear children of God prayed that He would protect them as He had long ago shut the lions’ mouths for Daniel, His servant, in the lions’ den.

Thus encouraged, the two men turned around and quietly started on their way again. Then, looking back, they saw the lion was following them again. When they hurried on, the lion hurried after them; if they walked slow, he slowed down too. This went on for some time until they came to a path that went off in another direction.

They went a little way on their path, and then they turned around and faced the lion. He stopped too. Then, pointing to the other path, they spoke thus to the great beast: “Lion, we beg you to go that way, while we continue this way!”

Evidently, the lion did not appreciate being told what to do and where to go, for he put his head down and growled angrily. The native Christians again asked God to save them. Then again addressing the lion, they said: “In the name of Jesus Christ, we command you to go that way.”

At this, the lion looked along the other path and began to dig up the earth with his great claws. The men turned and began to walk slowly on their way. Looking back, with thankful hearts they saw that the lion had taken the other path.

Reaching the native village, they gathered the people together and held a gospel service. The native audience listened amazed at the story of how God had watched over them and protected them from the great lion. A little later, these two dear servants of Christ came home by the same path that they had come, singing hymns of praise and glory to God for all His gracious goodness and for His great deliverance.

“Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25. Oh, walk the path to glory while you’re young; Oh, walk the path to glory while you’re young, And Jesus will befriend you, And from danger will defend you, And a peace divine will send you while you’re young.

ML 02/04/1968

Joyce's Answer

“What makes you look so happy, Joyce?” asked mother as the little girl came in with her face beaming.

“Why, Mother, Jesus has just told me He loves me,” was her reply.

“Has He, dear?” said Mother, “and what did you say to Him?”

“I just said, ‘I thank Thee, Lord Jesus, and I love Thee too!’” was the dear girl’s reply.

“We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.

ML 02/04/1968

Do You Pray to God?

Robert Morrison was a missionary to China many years ago. On one occasion he was visiting in Philadelphia and spent the night at the home of a friend. It was late at night when he arrived there, and they gave him a bed in the room where their little daughter was sleeping. She was sound asleep in her own little bed and knew nothing about Mr. Morrison being there until the next morning. Bright and early, the little girl awakened, and when she saw a strange man in the big bed in her room at first she was frightened. “Are you my friend?” she asked.

“I would like to be,” answered Mr. Morrison.

“Do you pray to God?” she asked again.

“Oh yes,” replied Mr. Morrison. “I pray to Him every day. He is my best Friend.”

The little girl was satisfied. She was not afraid of one who was a friend of God.

Are you a friend of God, dear young reader? Do you know His dear son as your Saviour? He is the sinner’s Friend, and He wants to prove His love to you.

There’s a Friend for little children,

Above the bright, blue sky;

A Friend who never changes,

Whose love can never die.

ML 02/04/1968

God Is Loved

A MESSAGE came from heaven,

To cheer my heart one day;

It set the joy-bells ringing,

And chased my gloom away.

‘Twas in the good old Bible,

John’s gospel, chapter three,

Verse sixteen I discovered,

Was written there for me.

I read the wondrous story

How God in heaven high,

So loved a world of sinners

He sent His Son to die;

And that word “Whosoever”,

Believing I could see,

Though meant for everybody,

Was mostly meant for me.

ML 02/04/1968

Bible Questions for February

The Children’s Class

The verses containing these quotations will be found in consecutive order in Revelation 1-7.

When you have found them write out the verses in which the quotations are found.

1.“As white as snow.”

2.“Will give him a white stone.”

3.“They shall walk with Me in white.”

4.“Elders sitting, clothed in white.”

5.“Behold a white horse.”

6.“White robes were given unto every one of them.”

7.“Made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

The Young People’s Class: Elisha — “God Is Salvation”

1.What act of grace did ELISHA perform for those in the place of the curse (Jericho) — typifying God’s grace to us? 2 Kings 2.

2.How did ELISHA show the widow woman that God supplies according to the measure of faith? 2 Kings.

3.What verse of Hebrews 11 answers to the faith the woman of Shunem had in ELISHA’S manifesting the power of God in resurrection? 2 Kings; Heb. 11

4.What power hidden in the pottage did ELISHA overcome, typifying the Lord’s victory over Satan who has the same power? 2 Kings.

5.What judgment did ELISHA say would fall upon Gehazi after he asked Naaman for a gift in payment for the grace God had bestowed on him? 2 Kings.

6.What can give us, the heirs of salvation, a sense of divine security such as ELISHA enjoyed in 2 Kings 6:17 when compassed by enemy hosts? Hebrews 1.

7.What power did ELISHA have in death, reminding us of the promise to those that have died in Christ? 2 Kings.

ML 02/04/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

Genesis 49:22-25 (Reviewed)

“Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him,... and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel;) Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under...”

There is a special sweetness to the words of Israel concerning this son whom he loved so deeply. It was certainly a delight to him that, as he spoke God’s mind, for he would not do otherwise at so solemn a time, he could extol this one whose whole pathway had been marked with faithfulness to God, love to his father, forgiveness to his brethren, and unmarred testimony before the world.

“Joseph is a fruitful bough.” How true were these expressions concerning the one whose story we have followed with so much interest! “A fruitful bough by a well” was the character of this one who found his refreshment by the well of living waters — the Word of God ever being his guide and sustainer — and whose trials and triumphs combined to bring forth fruit to the praise of God. His branches “ran over the wall” in a very full sense. He not only brought good to his own brethren, but was the dispenser of life to all nations, whose eyes were upon him in their troubles. His own brethren were “the archers (who) sorely grieved him, and shot at him and hated him,” but God made his cause abide in strength, in spite of this opposition and hatred. The result of his faithful life was the prose of the Almighty’s help as the One who would yet provide blessings from above, as well as in the depths of the earth.

What a lovely picture of the Lord Jesus Himself is seen in all these exclamations pertaining to Joseph. All that was displayed in him, shone forth more abundantly in that One who later trod this earth. He too was the fruitful bough — indeed the true vine itself—bringing forth fruit to God, not alone in Israel but throughout the whole world. He too knew the hatred of the archers who sorely grieved Him. He too found the guidance and strength for His earthly walk as Son of man from God, His Father; and He too will know the fullness of blessings from above when the Church, His bride, redeemed by His own precious blood, is in Heaven with Him. Blessings below will be reflected in His earthly people, Israel, when, cleansed and walking joyfully before Him, they own Him their Messiah, the Prince of peace, in the happy days of the millennium.

Memory Verse: Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39.

ML 02/04/1968

"When I See the Blood I Will Pass Over You."

Many years ago, when my father was a pioneer trader in West Africa, he frequently had to go through countries where no white man had ever been. He did not mind this, for he loved the natives and had a friendly way with him, which sometimes got him into difficulties.

However, on this occasion there was a king to deal with. He had never seen a white man before, but my father had presents for him and chatted to him, through an interpreter, so successfully that the next day his native servant came to him and said, “Sir, they are going to sacrifice a man today in your honor.”

My father, of course, was horrified, and hurrying to the king, he thanked him for the honor, but said that the great white queen (Queen Victoria), who had sent him, would be very much upset if human life were taken.

After quite a long argument, the king said they would sacrifice a goat instead. So in the afternoon my father had to attend this ceremony, which took place in the Compound or large yard, round which all the native huts were built.

The natives made a circle, with the visitor sitting beside the king, and the poor little frightened goat was led into the center. There it was slain, after which it was to be burned as a sacrifice.

But before that took place a remarkable thing happened — the blood of the goat was taken around the compound and at every hut some of it was sprinkled on the door-posts.

My father’s thoughts went immediately to Exodus 12. Some of you may remember how God instituted the Passover; the little lamb was killed and the blood sprinkled on the door-posts of every house where there were those who believed in and trusted the Lord God. Everyone inside those houses was safe, because God had said, “When I see the blood I will pass over you.”

But where they did not love and trust Him and there was no blood sprinkled, death came into that home.

It was a picture of what would happen when the Lord Jesus came, when His blood was shed on the cross at Calvary, so that all those who love and trust Him may be safe from God’s judgment against their sins. God was going to lead the children of Israel into a promised land, and our Saviour has made open the way for us to go into that heavenly land, if we are under the shelter of that blood.

As far as we know no missionary had ever been to that African village. We have always thought that all those many years ago perhaps the news of what happened that dark night in Egypt, when the firstborn was slain, the news of the sprinkled blood and how it spelled safety to those within the home, had been borne to those poor natives afar in West Africa.

Dear friends, are you under the shelter of that blood — the blood of Jesus? You are in great peril if you are not.

God says, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Exodus 12:13.

ML 02/11/1967

"That's All I Want!"

Each child had cited a Bible verse

In the Sunday school one day;

And each one with credit performed his part,

Till at last came little May.

“The Lord is my Shepherd”—she paused to think,

And her heart the faster beat

“The Lord is my Shepherd—that’s all I want,”

And she promptly took her seat.

‘Twas a message new from a little child,

And it stirred my inmost soul;

Such a tender Shepherd is all I want

Till I reach the heavenly goal.

— Selected

ML 02/11/1968

Saved From an Attack

It was in the early days of our country when the Indians fought savage battles with the white man. On a Sunday morning a large congregation consisting of fathers, mothers and children, were gathered for prayer in a little chapel in a town in Florida. A band of Indians might have been seen stealing through the woods in the direction of the little building. They had planned a surprise attack on the people and almost had them at their mercy.

One of the Indians, however, crept forward and peeped in through a window. There he saw all the people on their knees praying to God. He heard them ask Him to protect and watch over them.

Silently the warrior crept back to the rest of the band and this is what he told them. “The white men are talking to the Great Spirit, and asking Him to help them and protect them. If we kill the white people, the Great Spirit will be very angry with us,” he said. His brother Indians agreed, and they all quietly disappeared into the forests.

The white men learned from one of those Indians who was captured later what they had planned to do that Sunday morning. Everyone knew that God had watched over and protected them that day.

“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” Psalms 34:7.

ML 02/11/1968

The Father's Kiss

Some time ago near a small town two little boys were fishing in the river. Accidentally, they both fell into the water. A young man who was fishing nearby plunged in after them. He was not a very good swimmer, but managed to bring both the youngsters to the bank safely. He then found himself in difficulties. Weighted down with water-soaked clothing and weaned by his previous efforts, the steep, slippery bank of the river was too much for him. The more he struggled, the worse it was, and soon he was drawn under the water and drowned.

The sad news soon reached his father and mother, who, of course, were greatly grieved. His young brother too, who came home soon afterward, was in deep sorrow until he heard that the boys, his playmates, were saved. Then he was comforted for the loss of his brother.

A few days later, the two little boys followed close behind the coffin as it was borne to the cemetery. After the funeral, the father of the brave lad whose body had just been lowered into the grave came up to the two sorrowing little boys. Bending down, he gave each one a kiss, and prayed God’s blessing upon them.

There was present a young man, a Christian, who that evening was to preach the gospel not far away. He went as planned, and standing before his hearers, said: “I saw today something I have never seen before. A father kissed two boys who had caused the death of his son.”

He then told them about the funeral. “And,” he said, “that is what God in His great love is doing now, kissing any who come to Him believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, notwithstanding the fact that they were the cause of the death of His Son.”

It made a strong impression on his hearers. One in the audience, who was judged to be one of the worst men in that place, came up to the preacher after the meeting and said, “Does God kiss all repentant ones like that?”

“Yes,” the preacher replied, “if they come to Him in faith, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, they will receive pardon, peace, and blessing.”

He replied, “I will come to Him right now!”

May God grant that your decision may be the same. As a result you will know forgiveness of your sins, and learn the joy of the Father’s kiss.

ML 02/11/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

Genesis 49:26 (Reviewed)

As Jacob continued his prophecy concerning Joseph he said: “The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.” Jacob in his life had proved the goodness of a patient and sympathetic God who had bestowed blessings far beyond what his forefathers had known, and he was happy to speak of it. Now he confidently consigned to Joseph the same blessings, even though he knew Joseph would continue as one “separate from his brethren.” This again reminds us how Joseph foreshadowed the One who was in all purity “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,” in His pathway.

To bring to a close this long and enlightening revelation concerning his sons was the father’s final act, a glorious finish to his life which the Word of God has recorded in such detail. The character of each son, communicated to following generations, became evident in each family even when in later years the twelve tribes grew to a great nation numbering millions.

When we consider the great differences in each brother and realize that their characteristics were hand down from father to son through all their generations, we can see it was God’s grace alone that made them in any degree a unified people. Perhaps we can thus more readily understand the failures of that great company in later years. When their hearts were right before God and they were obedient to His Word they prospered in spite of weakness, and He blessed them abundantly. But when they looked upon one another and when every man “did that which was right in his own eyes,” quarreling, confusion and unhappiness always resulted.

Moses tells us later that God loved these men and their descendants in spite of what they were and their frequent display of folly: “Because He loved thy fathers, therefore He chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in His sight with His mighty power.” Deuteronomy 4:37. Nor have God’s ways changed through the succeeding years. “I am the Lord, I change not,” was His word to His people in Malachi’s day.

That same Word declares to us now: “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. Though “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” yet He “commands all men everywhere to repent,” and invites them to come and accept His pardon, forgiveness, and eternal life through faith in the work and Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. “That the prose by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” Galatians 3:22.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.

ML 02/11/1968

The Conversion of a Hindu

Sabha Tschand was the oldest son of a nobleman of Rona. From this village (about 40 miles distant from Delhi) in the year 1861 he went at one time to the city to transact some business, and heard there for the first time, the gospel preached. This was something new to him. He bought a Testament in the Hindu language, and took it with him to his village. For six months he read it daily in secret (as there they would have nothing to do with Christians), generally in a field, or under a tree, where, too, he began to pray to the Lord. And so he found the truth, or rather, as a lost sheep, the Good Shepherd found him. (Luke 15:4,7.) He read too in God’s Word, that he ought to be baptized, and confess publicly his Lord. For this he went to Delhi, told the Missionary Evans of his conversion, and according to his dire was baptized in the Januma.

He remained a few days with his new friends, and then saying that he must tell his old friends about the Saviour he had found, he left, taking with him a number of books.

But what a noise was made when he declared to his people, that he was a Christian. In vain did he defend himself against those who wanted to throw him out of the village, of which he was part owner. He showed them that his belief had nothing to do with eating meat, that he would have nothing to do with false gods, but that he loved his family as dearly as ever.

They would not listen to him, and pushed him as an outcast out of the village. His wife and children were sent away to another village, and all his cattle were taken to his father-in-law. The uncle took possession of his property, and so he was obliged to put up a tent under a tree in the wilderness, where he spent eight months alone—alone with his God and his Bible. He was sometimes much discouraged. Once he remarked: “I have now taken up my cross for Christ’s sake, and I often ask myself, if I shall be able to carry it.” But God helped him, so that the cross did not become too heavy for him.

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear; what can man do unto me?”

Every day he visited the village, although he was not permitted to take water from the fountain. He let them insult him and curse him, but seized every opportunity of testifying for the Lord, remembering his Master’s word: “Whosoever shall confess Me bore men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.” Luke l2:8.

At last people were amazed at his patience and perseverance. Some came by night to his hut, to hear him read, pray and sing. The prejudices they had against him, slowly melted away. Tremblingly his wife approached the miserable hut one evening, and asked timidly: “Will you take me back?” She expected blows; but was surprised when taking her by the hand, he welcomed her warmly.

“But,” said she, “my father has sold the best of the livestock, and spent the money.”

“That doesn’t matter,” was his answer, “I am glad to have you with me again.”

After this, the children returned to their father; he was also given back some of his land, and allowed to come back to his home in the village. When his friends visited him now, they found that by his meekness and cheerfulness he had gained many friends in the country around. But not his near relatives; his uncle was so bitter that he threatened the missionaries’ lives. In spite of his poverty, 35 families joined him. Because they refused to break off with him, they were excluded by the caste to which they belonged. They said: “How can we reject him, he has become another man?”

All the land there is irrigated by canals, but the rulers of the village kept back the water from his rice-fields. What must he do? He laid the matter before the Lord in prayer. His rice plants were drying up, and behold, suddenly the dam of the river broke through, and a stream of water poured over his fields, only over his—and his crop was saved.

Once in the village he had spoken against idols; now there was in that place the tomb of a famous holy personage, and crowds of people came there to worship. He explained to them how foolish and wrong it was.

“All right,” they said, “if this holy one is nothing, then destroy his grave, and if you are alive ten days after doing that, then we will never come here again to worship.”

This was hard for him, how could he lay hands on a place that he had been taught from a child to honor? Again he prayed to God for wisdom to act right. The following morning he spoke to the villagers and asked if they wished him to throw down the memorial pillar. “Yes,” they said, “destroy it, and if in ten days you are still living, then that holy thing is nothing.”

To the horror of the crowd he dug round the sacred object, and broke the indestructible stone to pieces.

Then ten days passed and nothing happened to him. From that time the villagers in his neighborhood gave up going to that place to worship. But all sorts of enemies complained about him, and tried to have him killed, but God guarded him wonderfully; from experience he could say: “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.”

ML 02/18/1968

God Wants the Girls

God wants the happy-hearted girls,

The loving girls, the best of girls,

The worst of girls;

God wants to make the girls His pearls,

And so reflect His holy face,

And bring to mind His wondrous grace;

That Christ in them the world may see,

And filled with love and purity;

God wants the girls!

Unknown

ML 02/18/1968

The Sailor Boy

A sailor boy, whose captain was a terrible swearer and cursed his men, was shocked at his blasphemy and defiance of God. One day he walked up to the captain, and courteously touching his cap remarked, “Captain, God is the answerer of prayer. If He answers that prayer of yours, where will we all be?”

The captain said the words fastened upon his conscience with irresistible power, and made him tremble before God. He was deeply convicted of sin, and was soon after converted to God. This was James Haldane.

Through his instrumentality, his brother Robert, who was at that time an infidel was brought to Jesus, and the two brothers, James and Robert, became two of God’s most honored servants of their time, and were used in winning many souls for Christ.

The sailor boy who had learned at his mother’s knee the story of a Saviour’s love, and whose young heart had been early won for Him, was not afraid, amid that scoffing crew of godless sailors, to own Jesus as his Lord, and to speak the faithful word to his ungodly captain, that God was pleased to use to his awakening.

Reader, if you know the Lord yourself; if you are converted to God, do you bear a true and fearless witness for His name; or do you stand and hear that name blasphemed, and His truth dishonored, without saying a single word?

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

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” Rom. 1:16.

ML 02/18/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

Gen. 49:29-32

“And (Jacob) charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my father in the cave that is in the... field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan.”

Jacob’s last words to his sons had foretold the very counsels of God and the future course of Israel as a nation, originating in the twelve sons. In them we see set forth their responsibilities and failures, as well as the grace that within such a failing people would establish a priestly and royal line that would lead on to the birth of Christ. The promise of God’s grace and mercy shone out through all these failures, rebellion, and the oppression they would surely reap in chastisement.

In the last words of the patriarch concerning Joseph and the blessing that would eventually come, no mention is made of Asenath, Joseph’s wife. She is one of those wonderful types in the Old Testament of the Church, the bride of Christ; nevertheless the Church is not the subject of Old Testament prophecy.

In the day of his exaltation Joseph proved to be a Revealer of Secrets (Zaphnath-paaneah). Prophets of old had glorious things to say of Christ, but there were secrets that awaited the coming of Christ — the true Revealer of Secrets. Then indeed, when Christ was exalted, the greatest mystery of all was disclosed — the mystery of Christ and the Church, of which now that it is revealed, we can see a dim shadow in Joseph and Asenath, his Gentile bride.

The Church’s portion is far above and beyond the earthly blessings foreseen by Jacob for his sons. She is espoused to Christ now, soon to be united with Him in glory forever; thus her blessings are heavenly and eternal. Joseph foreshadows then the One whose portion will not only be with His earthly people, Israel, but who will be the center of the heavenly scene of glory, which He will share with the Church, his companion and His bride.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:4-7.

May this be the bright and unfailing prospect before our hearts, dear reader.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” 2 Cor. 4:17. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Rom. 8:18.

Memory Verse: “LOOK UNTO ME, AND BE YE SAVED, ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.” Isa. 45:22

ML 02/18/1968

A Real Hero

On board a steamer, a little ragged boy, aged nine years, was discovered on the fourth day of the voyage out from Liverpool to New York, and carried before the first mate, whose duty it was to deal with such cases. When questioned as to his object in being stowed away, and who brought him on board, the boy, who had a beautiful sunny face, and eyes that looked like the very mirrors of truth, replied that his stepfather did it. He said his stepfather could not afford to keep him, nor to pay his passage out to Halifax, where he had an aunt who was well off, and to whose house he was going.

The mate did not believe the story, in spite of the winning face and truthful accents of the boy. He had seen too much of stowaways to be easily deceived by them, he said; and it was his firm conviction that the boy had been brought on board and provided with food by the sailors. The little fellow was very roughly handled as a result. Day by day he was questioned and re-questioned, but always with the same result. He did not know a sailor on board, and his stepfather alone had hid him and given him the food which he ate.

At last the mate, wearied with the boy’s persistence in the same story, and perhaps a little anxious to blame the sailors, seized him one day by the collar, and dragging him to the foremast, told him that unless he told the truth in ten minutes from that time he would hang him from the yard arm. He then made him sit down under it on deck. All around him were the passengers and sailors of the midday watch, and in front of him stood the cruel mate, with his stop watch in his hand, and the other officers of the ship at his side. It was the finest sight, said an observer, that he ever beheld — to see the pale, proud, sorrowful face of that noble boy, his head erect, his beautiful eyes bright through the tears that filled them.

When eight minutes had fled the mate told him he had but two mites to live, and advised him to speak the truth and save his life. But the dear boy replied with the utmost simplicity and sincerity by asking the mate if he might pray. The mate said nothing, but nodded his head and turned pale. And there, all eyes turned on him, the brave and noble little fellow, this poor waif whom society owned not, and whose own stepfather could not care for him, knelt on the ship’s deck and prayed.

Our young friend was a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and there, with clasped hands, and eyes upturned to heaven, he asked the Lord Jesus to take him to Himself and to forgive the mate. Our observer adds that there and then a wonderful thing took place. Sobs broke from strong, hard hearts, as the mate sprang forward to the boy and clasped him to his bosom, and kissed him, and blessed him, and told him how sincerely he now believed his story, and how glad he was that he had been brave enough to face death, and be willing to sacrifice his life for the truth of his word.

Now, dear young friend, we trust that, if you are not already a believer in the Lord, this story of our little Christian hero will be the means of real blessing to you and lead you to Jesus, who is Himself “the truth.”

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Rom. 10:9.

Memory Verse: “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” John 12:46.

ML 02/25/1968

Das, the Sweeper

Das was a poor man in Pakistan who earned a living sweeping the streets. He was a pagan and worshiped idols. However, some of the other sweepers were Christians and attended services in a little gospel mission. One day they served a nice dinner there and invited Das to come along. After dinner they had a gospel meeting, and though Das took no part he sat by himself and listened. After that he told one of the sweepers that he would like to know more about the Lord Jesus, and they gave him a used copy of the Gospel of Mark.

Das read it all through and then he bought a New Testament. As he read, the wonderful life-giving words entered deep into his soul and his heart was stirred. Before he had finished reading the New Testament he believed in the Lord Jesus as his Saviour.

Then a wonderful power came over Das. He had no desire for strong drink anymore and he came regularly to the services at the little mission. His whole family came to the Lord and they were all baptized. Then Das took a new name — Das Masih, or, “Slave of Christ.”

Somebody gave Das a little leaflet which set forth the marks of a Christian home. When the missionary visited Das’ home, he saw a sign on the wall in which were written these words: “We have a Bible in our home. We have family worship each day. We give thanks for our food at mealtime.” That was a happy Christian family.

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10.

“O LORD... blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.” Psa. 84:12.

ML 02/25/1968

The Conversion of a Hindu: Continued

For twenty years Sabha Tschand carried on the work of an evangelist, and went through the whole North-West of India with the glad tidings, with this message— “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.

His son Serup Sing was also a faithful preacher. To him he once said that when he died, he wished to be buried under the fig-tree where he had first learned to know the Lord, and later on had placed his hut.

In December 1880 he returned to Rona, and testified there for Christ for the last time. To his son, who was just then on his way to preach in Turhoet, he wrote that he was lying in bed stiff and scarcely able to breathe. He wished Serup Sing to come and bury him, as his other unbelieving sons would probably, according to heathen custom, have him burned. Serup Sing hurried at once to Rona, but found that his father was already buried. On the 21St of December 1880 he had fallen asleep, and before the end, he had spoken so joyfully of Jesus his Saviour, to whom he was going, that all his sobs believed in the same Saviour and were baptized. (Acts 8).

Yes, beloved reader, in the same Saviour, for the Lord Jesus said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6. Salvation is in no other, “for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

Serup Sing remained in Rona, and we may believe that from the twenty years sowing the seed with tears, of his faithful father, a rich harvest has grown. How many through his preaching in the streets and suburbs of Delhi have been brought to the Saviour of sinners, will only be revealed at the coming of Christ. Yes, truly, God desires to have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

ML 02/25/1968

Heaven

Heaven is a blessed place.

Free to all of every race;

Boys and girls, and grown-up too,

Will be there and so may you.

How to reach that blissful shore—

Has been told you o’er and o’er;

Trust God’s Son this very hour,

He will give you grace and power.

Yes, I’ll trust God’s blessed Son,

Trust the work that He has done,

He has died on Calvary’s tree,

Risen on high to set us free.

From that happy home above

He will come for those He loves;

No more sorrow, sickness, tears,

Through the everlasting years.

ML 02/25/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

Genesis 49:33- 50:1-13

“And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.... And Joseph fell upon his father’s face, and wept upon him, and kissed him. And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father.”

It may be said, in a sense, that Jacob’s death was more glorious than his life. His strange career, traced through one hundred and forty-seven years, so often appeared foolish and wayward and he repeatedly reaped the rewards of his folly. But all this was now past, and if he had so often been impatient, he had more fully proved the loving patience of God with himself.

Seventeen years had been enjoyed in the bounty provided by Joseph in Egypt. They were quiet years (the calm after the storm), no longer marked by scheming and promoting advantage to himself although, through Joseph’s position, he might well have advanced his interests in the world had he been the “old Jacob.” Now, by contrast, his foremost desire was to have his body returned to the land of the covenant, the place where he had witnessed the grand vision of the counsel of God. It was as though Jacob found death more important than life in a newly discovered realization of his true relationship with God. Life held him in Egypt, but death would mean restoration to Canaan. His purposes in life had often proved futile, but the prospect of death brought out a sure faith in all that God had promised.

The Apostle Paul was later to say: “To depart, and to be with Christ... is far better.” Philippians 1:3. Jacob’s knowledge of eternal blessing fell short of this, but in Hebrews 11 he is seen as one of those who “died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off,... were persuaded of them, and embraced them.” The splendors of the greatest kingdom on earth at that time were not to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed in the land of Canaan. In spirit Jacob was above and beyond Egypt; he wanted no resting place there. In this he is a lovely picture of the saint of God now whose faith and hope look on to a home “eternal in the heavens.”

A great company escorted Jacob’s body back to Canaan. “And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, and all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, and his father’s house... And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.” 10:7-9.

Thus ends the story of Jacob, the one whose behavior was strange and willful but one whom God had chosen as His own — bringing him through needed discipline, but in love preserving him and awarding him a triumphant end to his earthly pathway and a heavenly rest beyond.

“And his sons did unto him according as he commanded them: For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a burying place.” vv. 12,13.

ML 02/25/1968

A Lion Story

Hannah was a Christian lady who lived in the jungles of Africa, where the wild beasts prowl about and roar at night, hunting for food. She lived on a mission station where there were other missionaries, but she had a little mud brick house with thatched roof all her own.

Hannah loved the Lord Jesus, and it was her joy to trek through the bush, to visit people in the villages far from the mission station and tell them of the Lord Jesus, God’s beloved Son. He loves all the people of the world, and died to put away the sins of all who trust Him, and to set them free from the power of Satan, the great enemy of their souls.

The African sun had set and it was dark. Hannah heard a noise which seemed to come from the cattle kraal. Thinking it was perhaps a hyena looking around for something to eat, she lit the lantern and set it outside the back door of her little home. Perhaps he would be frightened away by the light, she thought. Then she prepared to settle down for the night.

But what was her surprise when she found out that the noise she heard was not that of a hyena, but of a lion! This was the great beast all dreaded, for now and again he Would come and take the lives of some of the villagers. There he stood right at the window, looking in at her.

It was a dreadful moment for Hannah, as she thought how the lion might spring right in through the window into her house after her! And that is just what he did!

Now God never forsakes those who trust in Him as Psa. 46:1 tells us: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Again, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.” Nah. 1:7.

With all the strength and speed she could muster, Hannah dashed outside, closed the door behind her; and rushed off, screaming for help, Then help did come, for her cries rang out through the mission station. Soon African and missionary friends came with weapons to rescue her. The lion disappeared. The Lord, we believe, had already sent the great beast away.

That was a narrow escape for Hannah! How grateful they all were to the Lord for keeping her safe from the terrible claws of that powerful enemy.

We read about another lion in the Bible who also “walketh about seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). He is the devil, the enemy of God and man. There is no power on earth greater than he, except the power of God. Only those who have trusted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour are safe from his attacks. They are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.” 1 Peter 1:5. Christians are told to resist the devil, “steadfast in the faith.” (1 Peter 5:8,9).

Those who do not flee to Christ for refuge will one day find that the great enemy of their souls has carried them down to eternal ruin, and that, unsaved as they are, their end will be in the lake of fire.

Safe in Christ, the weakest child

Stands in all God’s favor;

All in Christ are reconciled

Through that only Saviour.

Safe in Christ; safe in Christ!

He’s their glory ever;

None can pluck them from His hand,

They shall perish never.

ML 03/03/1968

The Anchor Holds.

An old fisherman, who was an earnest, happy Christian, in his declining years used to spend his afternoons on the sea beach, giving away gospel papers to the people, and speaking to them, as he had opportunity, about Jesus. The children were very fond of “Old Joe,” as he was familiarly called; he had so many stories to tell of the sea and its dangers. Perhaps the one he told most frequently was the story of his own conversion, which took place at sea one stormy night by resting his soul on Christ through the words of John 3:16.

“God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

“My anchor held there,” he would say, “and I know of no better anchorage for a sinner than that grand, glorious verse. Many weary storm-tossed souls have anchored there, and found rest and peace through believing that God loved them.”

Reader, have you anchored there, or are you tossed about, afraid to meet God, because you do not know Him?

“Old Joe” took ill suddenly one day; his place on the beach was empty, and many who knew and loved him called at the house to ask how he was. His pilgrim days were done; and just before he passed away he raised his hand, and pointing to a framed card on the wall with the words of John 3:16 on it, he said in triumph, “The anchor holds! the anchor holds!”

Wasn’t it good anchorage? Let it be yours, my reader! All else will fail, but “the Word of the Lord endureth forever.”

Ere a child has reached age seven,

Teach to him the way to heaven;

Better still the work will thrive,

If he learns before he’s five.

— Spurgeon

ML 03/03/1968

Bible Questions for March

The Children’s Class

The verses containing these quotations will be found in consecutive order in Revelation 8-14.

When you have found them write out the verses in which the quotations are found.

1. “Through the midst of heaven.”

2. “Who created heaven.”

3. “Power to shut heaven.”

4. “Glory to the God of heaven.”

5. “Rejoice, ye heavens.”

6. “In the midst of heaven.”

7. “A voice from heaven.”

The Young People’s Class: NEHEMIAH “Jehovah Comforts”

1.How did NEHEMIAH show his total dependence upon God when in the presence of the king? Neh.

2.Did NEHEMIAH show purpose of heart or a display of pomp when he first inspected the wall? Neh.

3.What answer did NEHEMIAH give to those who laughed at him and sought to hinder the work. Neh.

4.What was NEHEMIAH’S concern when they asked him four times, “Come let us meet together?” Neh.

5.What was the final and most subtle effort of NEHEMIAH’S enemies to cause the work to cease? Neh.

6.What was the result when NEHEMIAH and others of the captivity obeyed what was written in the law of God, but which had been neglected since Joshua’s day? Neh.

7.When Israel humbled themselves in NEMIAH’S time, what part of the day was spent in reading, in confession, and in worshiping God? Neh.

ML 03/03/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

Genesis 50:14

“And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and his brethren, and all that went up with him to bury his father.”

For the time being, God’s place for His people was to continue in Goshen — not in Canaan, the land of ultimate promise. As Canaan speaks, typically, of the land where Israel will eventually find its full place in God’s counsels, so Goshen speaks of an intermediate point in its history in which God has a place of refuge where all who are of Israel’s lineage may turn and find blessing, together with the Gentiles, in the “Saviour of the world.”

Jacob and his family had experienced the devastating famine in their own land, a picture of Israel in Old Testament times, getting farther and farther from God and bringing upon themselves spiritual famine when cut off from the blessing of God for a season. At the close of that part of their history, the Messiah of Israel came to them, as foretold by their prophets, but they said: “Away with Him; we will not have this Man to reign over us.” They cast Him out, just as Joseph’s brothers had done to him long before. In rejecting Jesus as the Son of God, they put themselves nationally outside the sphere of God’s blessing and forfeited all claims to such until the time when in His grace He will restore them again to their land, a chastised and repentant people.

As the true Joseph cast out, the Lord Jesus now proves to be their only hope of salvation — yet it is in the place where He is dispensing blessing to the Gentiles that He is to be found. This is seen, in type in the sons of Jacob turning to the Gentile land to find their Joseph, to bow before him, to acknowledge him, to confess their sins, and then to prove his love and goodness.

A Jew now who feels the burden of his sins, confesses them and owns the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ and the atoning value of His work on Calvary, must do so in exactly the same manner as a Gentile. In the Church, composed of all true believers, this distinction between Jew and Gentile is removed. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free.” 1 Corinthians 12:13. Again, “But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometime were far off (Gentiles) are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one (Jew and Gentile), and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” Ephesians 2:13,14.

To add beauty to the types of Christ found in Joseph he is here seen returning with all his brethren to Egypt and Goshen. Although his own heart’s longing was toward Canaan, the time had not yet come to return to that land. Meanwhile he will delight to show them his favor in the midst of Gentile surroundings.

Memory Verse: “Without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22.

ML 03/03/1968

Willie Holt

“I had in my regiment a little bugler named Willie Holt. I had often noticed him as being too delicate for the life he had to lead; but he was born in the regiment, and we were bound to make the best of him. His father had been killed in action, and his mother drooped and died six months later.

“As several acts of insubordination had been brought to my nice I determined to make an example of the very next offense by having the culprit flogged.

“One morning it was reported that, during the night, the targets had been thrown down and otherwise mutilated. On investigation the rascally act was traced to a man or men in the very tent where Willie Holt was billeted. The whole lot were instantly put under arrest, to be tried by court martial. In vain they were appealed to, to produce the men, and at last I spoke,—‘If any of you who slept in No. 4 tent last night will come forward and take his punishment like a man, the rest will get off free; but if not, there remains no alternative but to punish you all—each man in turn to receive ten strokes of the cat.’”

“For the space of a couple of minutes dead silence followed; then from the midst of the prisoners, where his slight form had been completely hidden, Willie Holt came forward.

“He advanced to within a couple of yards from where I sat; his face was very pale — a fixed intensity of purpose stamped on every line of it.

“‘Colonel,’ said he, ‘you have passed your word that if any one of those who slept in No. 4 last night comes forward to take his punishment the rest shall get off scot-free. I am ready, sir; please may I take it now?’

“For a moment I was speechless, so utterly was I taken by surprise: then in a fury of anger and disgust I turned upon the prisoners.

“‘Is there no man among you worthy of the name? Are you all cowards enough to let this lad suffer for your sins? for that he is guiltless, you know as well as I.’ but sullen and silent they stood, with never a word.

“Never in all my life have I found myself so painfully situated. I knew my word must stand, and the lad knew it too. Sick at heart I gave the order, and he was led away for punishment.

“Bravely he stood, with back bared, as one—two—three—strokes descended. At the fourth a faint moan escaped his white lips, and ere the fifth fell, a cry burst from the group of prisoners who had been forced to witness the scene, and, with one bound, Jim Sykes, the black sheep of the regiment, seized the cat, as, with choking, gasping utterances he shouted.

“‘Stop it, Colonel, stop it, and tie me up instead. He didn’t do it, I did,’ and with convulsed and anguished face he flung his arms around the boy.

“Fainting and almost speechless, Willie lifted his eyes to the man’s face and smiled—such a smile.

“‘No, Jim,’ he whispered, ‘you are safe now; the Colonel’s word will stand.’ His head fell forward—he had fainted.

“The next day as I was making for the hospital tent where the boy lay I met the doctor.

“‘How is the lad?’ I asked.

“‘Sinking, Colonel,’ he said.

“‘What!’ I exclaimed, horrified beyond words.

“‘Yes, the shock of yesterday was too much for his feeble strength.’

“The dying lad lay propped up on the pillows and, half-kneeling, half-crouching at his side was Jim Sykes. The change in the boy’s face startled me; it was deathly white, but his great eyes were shining with a wonderful light, strangely sweet. He was talking earnestly, but neither of them saw me.

“At that moment the kneeling man lifted his head, and I saw drops of sweat standing on his brow as he muttered brokenly, “‘Why did ye do it, lad? Why did ye do it?”

“‘Because I wanted to take it for you, Jim,’ Willie’s weak voice answered tenderly. ‘I thought if I did it might help you to understand a little bit why Christ died for you.’

“‘Christ has naught to do with such as me, lad. I’m one of the bad ones.’

“‘But He died to save bad ones—just them. He says, “I came not to call the righteous but sinners,” and “Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow.” ‘Dear Jim,’ the earnest voice pleaded patiently, ‘shall the Lord have died in vain? He has poured out His precious life-blood for you. He is knocking at the door of your heart; won’t you let Him in?’”

“The lad’s voice was failing him, but he laid his hand gently on the man’s bowed head, as he sang:

‘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.’

thrilling the heart of every man who heard it. Then gradually the weak arms dropped, the light faded from the shining eyes, and the brave spirit of the dear boy had fled to God.” COLONEL H.

Memory Verse: “Our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9,10.

ML 03/10/1968

Faithful Fido

Fido was following two men as they walked along a country road. He was a big Alsatian dog. If you watched him amble along you would not know to which man he belonged. But when they came to the crossroad, one man turned and the other man went straight ahead. Without hesitation Fido followed the man who turned at the crossroad. Of course he followed his own master. Fido knew to whom he belonged.

The Lord Jesus is the blessed Master of boys and girls who love and trust Him. He goes before them and they follow Him. Do you belong to this same Master? Is He your Saviour? Which way do you go?

“One is your Master, even Christ.” Matthew 23:8.

WHEN He cometh, when He cometh,

To make up His jewels,

All His jewels, precious jewels,

His loved and His own.

Like the stars of the morning,

His bright crown adorning,

They shall shine in His beauty,

Bright gems for His crown.

Little children, little children,

Who love their Redeemer,

Are the jewels, precious jewels,

His loved and His own.

ML 03/10/1968

Faithful Nancy

Nancy was a Christian girl and had come out brightly on the side of her Saviour. One day some of her schoolmates were planning to attend some questionable place of amusement. “Why don’t you come with us, Nancy?” they asked sneeringly. “Because it is not right for a Christian to go there,” she replied, and stayed at home.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10. Those arrows Satan had sent through her school friends had not hurt Nancy. She had run into God’s strong tower for safety.

When temptations come we are told to “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.

ML 03/10/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

Genesis 50:15-26

“And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent... saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin.”

Joseph was grief-stricken at this renewal of his brothers’ fear, after those seventeen years during which they had proved his full forgiveness and enjoyed his kindness. “And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.” Their sense of security had largely depended upon the presence of their aged father. But now upon his death their fears returned. They failed to understand the heart of Joseph. And this should remind every child of God of the need of repeated searchings of heart to be assured of the ground of his confidence. If the heart rests on circumstances, it is a poor foundation. But if our whole confidence is in the Person of Jesus our Saviour, and what He is to us in His love, then the soul can rest in full assurance and at peace.

“And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?”

He was not sparing them simply because they were his own father’s children, but because of his own love and grace.

So it will be between the blessed Lord in that day, when all title of Israel as of old is gone and passed away, He will be full of grace and favor towards His Jewish brethren. The counsel of God will have brought about the means which made grace free and unhindered to bless on this new ground — evil having been put away — the relationship of brethren there — and the very evil, in God’s wisdom, having put Him in the place of power above all, from which grace will act in all its bounty.

“And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die; and God will surely visit you, and bring you... unto the land which He sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” verse 24. Long might be the time, and sorrowful the delay to Israel, but it was not the less sure. Whatever the excellency of Egypt might be to the flesh, Joseph’s hopes rested in Canaan, and identified themselves with Israel’s future return. He was a type of Israel’s hope, now far from the land, as before he was a type of the heavenly glory of Christ. Thus the whole way of God’s counsels are opened out in this blessed and favored servant and type of the Lord — type of glory above, and prophet of hope to Israel below — the place of the Lord Jesus now.

He would not be buried in Egypt, having no desire for a monument in a strange land. “So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.” There his body was to rest for approximately 150 years, a testimony to his people during the time of their bondage that the promises would be fulfilled. At the time of the Exodus Moses, fulfilling the promise of the brothers, brought his remains out of Egypt and Joshua buried them at Shechem.

Here the delightful story of Joseph ends. May the Spirit of God both exercise and encourage the believer in a more faithful walk “in a foreign land.” And may the life of Joseph bring a deeper sense of the perfection and beauty of the One he foreshadowed — the loving Dispenser of life and good to all who call upon Him in truth.

ML 03/10/1968

What Jim Did for Tom

Jim and Tom were brothers. They were very much like each other in appearance and habits, and were true brothers in every sense. In the same school and in the same class, it often puzzled the teacher to tell which was Jim and which was Tom. One day he did not even know they had changed places. It came about in this way.

During the teacher’s absence the usual noise and tumult took place. Returning unexpectedly he found Tom ringleader in the uproar. Tom must take the punishment for the offense, so was brought forward to the desk. But no strap could be found; it had been left somewhere by the teacher. Leaving Tom standing, he proceeded to find the instrument of punishment. In a moment Jim, the brother of the offender, slipped into his place, gave him a push toward his desk, and stood sullenly awaiting the punishment.

When the master returned, he did not notice that one brother had taken the place or become the substitute for the other, so punished Jim, the innocent, though willing victim, and let Tom, the real offender, go free.

An ordinary incident in school life, yet a picture of the greatest event in the world, when it is said of the Lord Jesus.

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5. Listen to the testimony of the chief of sinners.

“The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

Jim only took the punishment instead of Tom, but Jesus died in our stead on the Cross of Calvary! What mighty love! God “spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all.” Romans 8:32.

I feel sure when school was over that Tom thanked Jim warmly for volunteering to take his place and bear his punishment.

I also feel sure if you could but realize how much the Lord Jesus has loved you, how great a danger He is willing to save you from, and how great a glory He is willing to save you to, you would not retire to rest another night without thanking Him for loving you, dying for you, rising for you, and soon coming to take you to His eternal home. Why not thank Him now?

“Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love, in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:8.

ML 03/17/1968

"Can I Live, Sir?"

“Can I live, sir?” were the words addressed to a doctor by a poor young girl as she lay in a hospital. She had been injured in a terrible accident. Now the doctor examined her poor broken body to learn the extent of her injuries. Her voice was weak but she was very calm as she again asked, “Can I live, sir? Shall I get well?”

“I shall not hide the truth from you,” he replied. “Your injuries are so serious that it is impossible for you to recover.”

Solemn as those words were, she was not upset by them. She had not many minutes to live, but she had strength enough to raise her hands toward heaven, saying, “Blessed be God that this did not happen yesterday!”

Quickly after that her life ebbed away and her breathing stopped.

Do you wonder how a young peon could die so peacefully? Let me tell you what had happened only the evening before the accident. She had been invited to a meeting where the gospel of the grace of God was to be preached. A friend had urged her to attend and she did so, somewhat reluctantly.

I do not know what the preacher said but I do know that the gospel is for lost sinners. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. But, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

The Word of God reached the girl’s conscience; her sins, great and many stood out before her mind. She wept bitter tears as she realized that she was a lost sinner on the Way to hell. But the preacher had told not only of sin but also of the love of Jesus. The Saviour had come down from heaven to save sinners through the sacrifice of Himself on Calvary’s cross. Now all who believe in Him are cleansed from all sin. She believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as her own personal Saviour and she went home saved for all eternity. The very next day the accident happened.

And you, my dear reader, are you ready? If death presented himself at this moment before you, would he be for you the king of terrors? Would death introduce you into the presence of a God with whom you cannot say you are reconciled? Or could you face death with the joyful certainty that you were going to be with the Saviour who loves you?

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ... and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1,2.

ML 03/17/1968

John G. Paton

Many of our readers have read of John G. Paton, the well-known missionary to the South Sea Islands. John was a Scotch lad, of humble birth, whose parents were Christians.

Every day John’s father retired to the quiet of a little mid-room where he prayed alone to God. The children would cease their noise and laughter and would go tip-toe through the house as long as theft father was in that little room. They knew the burden of his prayers was that God would bless his home and his children. Every day, morning and evening, John’s father would gather the children around to read God’s Word and then afterward the family would kneel in prayer.

The influence of that Christian home was never lost on young John. When he grew to young manhood, he left home to make his living at a place forty miles away. John’s father walked along with him the first six miles, for they loved each other. As they bade each other goodbye, John’s father said, “God bless you, my son! May your father’s God be with you and keep you from all evil”; so they parted.

For some time, John walked along; then climbing a little hill he looked back to see if his father was still watching him. At the same time his father mounted a dyke for a last glimpse at his boy, and the two waved at each other.

John walked on his way, his eyes filled with tears. Then, alone on the road, he determined that with God’s help he would live so that he would not bring dishonor to his father’s name.

John G. Paton became later on a faithful servant of Christ, and went to the South Sea Islands to carry the gospel of the grace of God to the natives. Through his ministry many of them were won for Christ. That work of God really began in that humble Scottish home where God and Christ were honored and served faithfully.

“Them that honor Me I will honor.” 1 Samuel 2:30.

ML 03/17/1968

"He Wants Me!"

A preacher chose for his text one night that wonderful verse, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

He was a true, warm-hearted man, and as he drew near the close of his address, his heart was so full of Christ that he could not express what he felt and wanted to say.

All he could say was, “‘Come unto Me’ — what does it mean? ‘Come unto Me’—what does it mean?” Again and again at a loss to know what else to say, he repeated it: “What does it mean? What does it mean?”

All at once a little girl, sitting on a front seat, timidly rose and childlike held up her hand.

“Well,” asked the preacher kindly, “what does it mean, dear child?”

“Please, sir, it means that He wants me,” was the touching reply.

The preacher sat down; but he and his audience felt no more need be said. Hearts became tender, eyes became wet with tears, and afterward one and another said, “The wisest and most able among us could not have given him a truer and sweeter exposition of the text — ‘Come unto Me’ means that He wants me.”

ML 03/17/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 1:1-7

“Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt;... Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. And... Joseph was in Egypt already.” This is an important list, the stock from which all the nation of Israel sprang.

When the eleven sons and their families lived in Egypt under the shelter of Joseph all things were favorable to them. Goshen was lush and green and in its fertility their herds multiplied into great numbers. They themselves thrived until they eventually became more numerous than their Egyptian neighbors along the Nile. With such prosperity, enjoyed year after year, it would have been difficult to persuade them that hard times lay before them. Yet this was what God had told Abraham many years previously: “Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them... and afterward shall they come out with great substance.” Genesis 15:13,14. This was not forgotten by Joseph, and his message to his people as he departed was: “God will surely visit you.” But, being in favor with the king and the people of the land, one of their own number being second ruler in the kingdom, doubtless they little thought of being brought into disfavor, much less of ever being made slaves.

Much that is parallel with those days in Goshen is presently about us. The world goes on its way, enjoying such wealth, prosperity and liberties as were never known bore. Warned of coming judgment by God’s faithful witnesses there is, for the most part, indifference o; disbelief in the warning: “He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained.” Acts 17:31.

Dear reader, have you heeded the warning, “Flee from the wrath to come,” and laid hold of the salvation that is available to all who in faith turn to Christ as Saviour.

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Hebrews 2:3. All about you may dull the sense of urgency in so important a matter. It may seem that circumstances are most bright and care-free and there is no need to be concerned about the morrow. But so it was in the days of Noah when disaster fell. Self-indulgence, wicked pleasure, and forgetfulness of God marked the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah just before God’s judgment fell upon them. This world will soon fall under a more terrible judgment and it will then be too late to accept God’s salvation. Hearken to the words of the Lord Jesus: “He that heareth My Word and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

ML 03/17/1968

The Hermit

There once lived a man in England by the name of Cutler, who decided that he would never wash himself again, neither comb his hair nor live in a house like other people. So he turned one of his wagons into a tent, out on some public land.

Previously, he had lived as a good tenant in a farmhouse on a large estate, but because of some quarrel he had had over hunting game, his master had turned him out of house and home onto some public land, with his livestock and all his goods. That winter his cattle all died and his goods rotted; the old wagon he lived in was the last bit of property he had left — and this was his way of avenging himself on his adversary, who had no power to remove him from public property.

After being there some time, the news spread abroad of his odd life, and many went to visit him and to reason with him on what they considered the madness of his outlandish way of living. Some had pity on him, others thought he deserved punishment; while some were for having him taken to an asylum.

Most of his visitors spoke unkindly to him, and told him very freely what they thought of him, condemning his manner of living, especially his determination never to wash again. However, with the hope of his doing so, some of the kinder ones had placed a can of water close by him, also a table with a basin, soap, towels, and comb, hoping that these would tempt him to use then. One wise person placed a looking-glass on the table, supposing that a sight of himself would convince and induce him to wash in the water. Whether he ever looked in the glass or not no one knows; however, he rained as unwashed and unchanged in his ideas as ever.

When I saw him the first time, he had been there seventeen years, and three years later I saw him again. He had therefore, twenty years of dirt upon his body.

Perhaps you will have condemned the poor hermit before this, but dear unsaved reader, if you will put yourself alongside him you will find that you have been doing with your precious soul just what he did with his body. You have years of sin, and guilt, and the devil’s black upon your soul — maybe more than twenty. I had twenty-one years, one month and three days of sin and guilt on me when I was led to the Lord Jesus, the fountain of blood, and He did not cast me out. (John 6:37.)

The hermit was told again and again by rough tongues and smooth ones of his dirty condition. Have you not been told by dear ones of your sinfulness? Yes, they have perhaps done it with tears and prayers, yet you have not “believed.” Besides, your conscience has accused you of your guilt, but you have not attended to its voice, neither have you washed in the God-provided “fountain.” God, who loves you, has taken great pains to describe and show you your condition. He has put a looking-glass before you His holy Word, the Bible — that you may see yourself and become convinced of your unclean state bore Him. Perhaps someone has given you a Bible. Have you looked into it and read: “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isa. 64:6.

We all saw the hermit’s dirt, and we tried to convince him of it. Perhaps you have judged the poor hermit a fool, but what of yourself? If you are unsaved, his folly was like a mole hill, yours is like a mountain. His dirt annoyed men only. Your sin and guilt insults God. His dirt ended with him in his grave.

Yours will stick to you in hell, bond the grave. His uncleanness was only for time. Yours is for eternity, except you repent, and be “washed in the blood of the Lamb.”

The looking-glass may show a man his unclean face, but it cannot rove one atom of the dirt. It is the “washing” that puts away the soil. So the Lord has set the fountain of precious blood right before your eyes. Look up and behold His bleeding side! His blood can make the foulest clean. He wore that crown of thorns for you and me! He was wounded for our transgressions! By His stripes we are healed. Look at His pierced side — see the blood and water flowing! This is a fountain of blood open for sin and uncleanness. Come to it, plunge by faith into it, and wash away your sins.

One day the hermit was found dead in his own wagon. He died in his dirt. Sinner friend, will you die in your sins? Jesus said: “If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24. And bides, the Lord will soon come back again in the “clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” We beseech you to be ready — “washed!” “white!” and “waiting!”

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.” Rev. 3:5.

ML 03/24/1968

Foong

Foong lived in China. In the village where he lived there were no Christians, but one day when Foong visited another town there he heard about Jesus, the Saviour of sinners. And Foong believed the message that he heard, for “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Foong trusted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, who now came to dwell in Foong’s heart.

There was a great change in Foong’s life from then on; he sought to live for Jesus and to please Him.

When a missionary came to the village, he inquired, “Are there any Christians in your village?” The man replied, “Only one boy.”

Walking on a little further, the missionary stopped and asked another man, “Have you ever heard of Jesus?”

“O yes!” he replied. “There is a boy here who is always talking about Him. He wants me to trust in Jesus, and to give up my idols.”

“What is the boy’s name?” asked the missionary.

“Foong,” the man replied. “Foong used to be unkind and selfish, but now he, is kind and unselfish. He has changed so much since he believed in Jesus, and he says it was Jesus that made the change in him. Sometimes I think that Foong is right.”

The missionary began to preach the gospel in that village and he found those there that were ready to listen. It was because of Foong’s faithful testimony for his Saviour.

ML 03/24/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, The Man of God

Exodus 1:8

After the death of Joseph, a startling new development took place. “There arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.”

Up until this time the children of Israel are found, at the close of Genesis, a happy and prosperous people — providentially blessed by God through Joseph (beautiful type of Christ sheltering His own in the world). Yet they were in a foreign land — Egypt, type of this world — marked by death and judgment. It was not God’s purpose to leave them there. He was still pledged to their return to Canaan, the land of His promise.

In Exodus this divine program is brought into action. The time came when their sojourn in Egypt must end. But in the comforts of their surroundings there would be little inclination to depart.

Quite a few years had passed away since Joseph’s death and not one remained who had originally come from their own country. The record of God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had been preserved, but there was on their part no urgency to give up the pleasures of Egypt and start anew elsewhere. Under these attitudes the first requirement was to implant in His people a dire to leave the land in which they had been temporarily placed. It will be seen how God used “a king who knew not Joseph” for this end.

The circumstances of these people at this time will readily be seen as remarkably similar to much that marks the Church of God in the world today. Many of His people live in prosperity, material possessions and a sense of economic security unparalleled in history. The prospect of a heavenly home, as revealed in the Scriptures, is recognized as a definite truth but, alas, the hope of the Lord’s coming and the desire to be with Him is often dulled by the circumstances of daily comforts, the hope of further gain, and the pursuit of pleasures which this prosperity makes possible. The natural result is that many have little desire to leave behind, or be roved from, a scene stamped with God’s disapproval and ultimate judgment.

Beloved Christian reader, if pressing Christendom is characterized by such lack of response concerning the coming of the Lord, how is it with your individual heart? When the church fails to respond to God’s pleadings, the message becomes: “He that hath an ear to hear let him hear.” Oh that Christian hearts were more aware that this is not our true dwelling place and be looking rather for the grand moment when Christ will come to claim His own and call them out of this world into the glory of His presence!

Memory Verse: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace.” Rom. 3:23,24.

ML 03/24/1968

Keruba

Keruba was a highway robber and a murderer. He was leader of a band of brigands, who terrified a whole district in India, in the days before the English came to that country. They soon put an end to the lawless ways of the robbers.

Keruba found himself deserted by his old friends and alone; but more than that, his conscience, though he was a heathen, began to reproach him with the murders he had committed. In the night, dreams terrified him, and by day, remorse tormented him. He began to try to get rid of his sins, as most men do who feel that they are sinners, and know not the Lord’s grace. He would give to the poor, leaving himself barely enough to live upon; he would pass days and nights prostrate in the temples before the idols, he tortured himself in every way. The ignorant heathen around, who knew not his former history, thought him a saint, and fell down before him to worship him. But his conscience was still uneasy.

One day, he was in a town for some great heathen ceremony, when he was attracted by the sound of a little bell, quite unlike those used in the heathen temples. He asked what it was. He was told that it was calling people to a Christian service. As he had never before heard of Christians, he decided to go and see for himself.

Presently, the preacher gave out the text: “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” Keruba fixed his whole attention on the words the preacher was saying; he never took his eyes off him, the “words of life” were so new and strange to him. When the people had gone, Keruba waited to speak to the preacher.

“Is all you said quite true?” said he.

“Certainly, for God Himself says so.”

“You said, sir, that the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin. Can that blood cleanse the stain of murder?”

“Yes, it can. If the murderer believes in the Lord Jesus, God declares that whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.”

“Well, sir, but if a man had committed two murders, do you think it possible for him to be forgiven?” “Yes, he can be forgiven!”

“And five murders?”

“Yes, even five.”

“But supposing he had killed ten innocent people,” asked Keruba, with intense anxiety.”

“God can forgive and blot out ten murders.”

“But, sir, supposing he had committed twenty murders.”

“God can forgive twenty murders, for Jesus Christ’s sake.”

“Then He shall be my God,” said Keruba, his eyes filling with tears, which ran down his hard cheeks.

“O God,” he continued, “have pity on me, for I have killed twenty innocent persons! Sir, will He pardon me, even me?”

The Christian preacher listened to his confession of guilt, and to his account of self-torture. He wept with him and told him of the love of Jesus.

“Now,” said Keruba, “I have found the Lamb of God. You say He died for me. I feel in my heart that this is the truth.”

They knelt and gave thanks together. When Keruba rose, the load of sin and guilt he had so long been carrying, was gone. He went back to his friends, and told them what great things the Lord had done for him.

They were astonished at his words, and even more at the riant expression of his countenance. Many believed, and came to Jesus for salvation.

Keruba spent the rest of his life in seeking to gain worshippers for Jesus!

The hart panteth after the waters,

The dying, for life that departs;

The Lord in His glory for sinners,

For the love of rebellious hearts.

Call back all the days of the ages,

All raindrops come down from above;

All flowers of summers departed,

But think not to measure His love.

ML 03/31/1968

Baby and the Snake

In India once a Christian mother I had left her little baby girl out in the yard to play. When the mother looked out a few minutes later she saw to her horror that the child had hold of a very poisonous snake.

What could she do? She was afraid that if she ran out and took hold of the snake it would surely bite the child, and its bite would mean death. So she knelt down and earnestly prayed to God to keep her little one from being bitten by the snake.

Even as she arose from prayer, a tame cat came into the yard, and the little one, still unharmed, seeing the pussy, threw the snake away, and began to stroke the cat.

The mother at once seized the child, hurried it from the place of danger, and poured out her thanks to the Lord for delivering the little one from harm.

Dear boys and girls, sin is like that poisonous snake. It looks harmless, but it is a dangerous plaything and it will bite at the end. We read in James 1:15, “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” However, when we take the Lord Jesus into our hearts, sin loses its power to charm. Our hearts have something better, pleasures that leave no sting, that do not fade, even pleasures forevermore. Those who do not know this precious Saviour, do not yet know what true pleasure and happiness is.

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

ML 03/31/1968

Good News for You

I was standing all alone at the street corner, ankle deep in snow, hardly knowing where to go, or how to spend the evening. Just then, about a dozen young men appeared at the opposite corner, formed themselves into a circle, and began to sing. I was always fond of singing, so I walked across to listen. They were singing the hymn, “O, I have got good news for you,” and they sang it that night splendidly. The last line of the chorus, “With happy saints above,” went to my heart. I was not “happy”; I knew that I was not a “saint.”

I followed the little company to the schoolroom, and there I was told the way of life, and sang with them for the first time “My Great Redeemer’s Song.”

Reader, have you? Can you call the Lord Jesus your Redeemer?

O, I have got good news for you,

A story wonderful and true;

‘Twill make you happy, that I know,

It made me glad, and now I go

To sing my great Redeemer’s song,

With the happy saints above.

I once was far away from God,

On ruin’s dark and fatal road,

And little dream’d I’d see the day

When I should tread the narrow way.

O’er this wild waste I loved to roam,

My back to God and heaven and home,

When Jesus met me, far astray,

And beckoned me to come away.

He said on Calv’ry’s cross He died

A sacrifice for sin was made

And all because He loved me so;

Then how could I do else than go.

Now, every one that’s standing by,

O, ‘twas for you the Christ did die:

This moment, too, He waits for thee;

Then just believe, and you’ll be free.

Whene’er the record you believe,

You life eternal shall receive;

And soon, from pain and sorrow free,

You’ll join that glorious company.

To sing the great Redeemer’s song,

With the happy saints above.

TRUST IN HIM AT ALL TIM ES

Psalms 62:8.

O trust my Saviour, my precious Saviour!

He died for you as well as me;

He’ll keep you ever, forsake you never,

He’ll make you glad eternally.

ML 03/31/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 1:9-14

“And (Pharaoh) said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.”

The “new king” would be God’s instrument through whom He would work in the hearts of His people, yet He was to be over it all and never permit trials and persecutions to go beyond His purposes. For their eventual blessing the long period of carefree living had come to an end. God stepped into their ways as He did with Jacob their father: “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him.” Deuteronomy 32:11,12. In this change of events in Egypt God was about to stir up Israel’s nest.

A harsh and unrelenting program of slavery was thereupon imposed and taskmasters assigned to enforce on the people all that Pharaoh dreed. The children of Israel were enmeshed in what appeared to be a hopeless situation. The brick kiln and the slime pit soon replaced the fair fields and cultivated gardens of Goshen. What a sad picture this is of many today, enslaved by Satan, the “god of this world,” caught in his snares and power, “without God and without hope.” Such is the state of all who are without Christ. Scripture is very plain on this for it says: “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16. The demands of Satan, the prince of this world, are unrelenting. As the children of Israel found no means of escape through their own efforts, so the sinner, enslaved by Satan, is powerless in himself to be free from the yoke and bondage of sin.

What, then, is the means of escape from so dreadful a position? For one might well cry: “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me?” The welcome answer is given: “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 7:24,25. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

Pharaoh gave no heed to their cries, but rather added to their continuing affliction. “And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigor: And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field.”

Memory Verse: “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” Luke 18:13.

ML 03/31/1968

The Mud Turtle

In the midst of the northern Canadian forests, by the side of a lake, stands a government experimental station. On the other side of the lake, near the shore, years ago a large round tank was set in the water. Twice a day the weather man would come and check the water level in the tank and record the readings on a chart. In this way he kept track of the rise and fall of the level of the lake.

Looking down into the tank one day, I observed several mud turtles swimming around in the water. How they got there I do not know, but there did not seem to be any way for them to get out, and there was nothing for them to eat — they were prisoners.

One poor turtle especially drew out my pity, for he was smeared all over with thick black tar. How he got into the tar I do not know, but he was in a sad predicament. He could not get rid of the tar which weighed him down and hindered his getting about. Wherever he went he carried the burden of the tar with him. When he looked up at me he seemed to have such a sad expression in his eyes. Poor fellow! How I wished that I could have lifted him out of his prison, then got some solvent or cleaner that would get rid of the tar, and set him free to swim once more in the clear waters of the broad lake. But he and his fellow prisoners were too far down for me to reach, and unless rescued by some hand from above I thought they must eventually die in the tank.

I have often thought of that poor mud turtle. He reminded me of the sinner, weighed down with the load of his sins, a load which can only get heavier as the days go by. Bides he is a prisoner of Satan in this world, shut up for judgment. Wherever he goes he carries the load of his sins with him; he cannot get rid of his burden, which by and by must surely carry him down to death and eternal doom.

But in heaven there is a Saviour who looks down with pitying love upon poor sinners,

“A Saviour as able to save now as ever,

His arm is not shortened, His love great and free.”

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1. The Lord Jesus is the Friend of sinners, and wherever there is faith to look up and trust Him, to cry, “Lord, save me,” all His mighty power is present to rescue and to bless.

Once I was in the sinner’s place, deep down in the pit, weighed down with my sins. The Lord heard my cry. “He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters.” Psalms 18:16.

“He brought me up also out of a horrible pit... and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.” Psalms 40:2,3.

Yet it cost the Lord Jesus His life to rescue sinners and to provide this great salvation. No sinner can get rid of his sins, any more than the turtle could get rid of his tar. There is only one thing in heaven and earth that can take away sin from before a holy God, and that is the blood of Jesus. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

Why ‘neath the load of your sins do ye toil?

Christ giveth rest.

Why be in slavery, why Satan’s spoil?

You may be blest.

Christ now invites you sweet rest to receive,

Heavy’s your burden, but He can relieve;

If but this moment in Him you believe,

You shall have rest.

Why go ye onward, so weary and worn?

Christ giveth rest.

Why are ye hopelessly sad and forlorn?

You may be blest.

Jesus the burden did bear on the tree,

He was afflicted for sinners like thee;

If you there Christ as your Substitute see,

You shall have rest.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18.

ML 04/07/1968

Little Li

Li was a little girl in China, years ago. Through some missionaries, she heard about Jesus and came to trust Him as her Saviour. How happy she was!

But, through no fault of hers, when still a child she had been married to a man who was not a Christian and who was very cruel. Li had to help his mother who also was not a Christian and who made Li work very hard.

The old mother was vexed when she learned that Li was a Christian and beat her when she would not bow down to idols.

Li liked to go to the Sunday morning services at the mission, for which she was given a beating by the cruel mother. Nevertheless, Li still went. Then one Sunday morning the mother hid Li’s shoes, hoping this would keep her from going. But Li went regardless, in her bare feet. The boys laughed at her as she walked along the street, and before she got home her feet were bleeding. But to Li the joy of being with kind friends who cared for her, and of praising the Lord Jesus together, was worth all the suffering and shame.

When she got home she expected the mother to beat her again. But no, the mother thought, “If Jesus means that much to Li, so that she is willing to suffer for Him, He must be worth knowing. Perhaps He really is the Saviour.”

So she asked Li to tell her about the Lord Jesus, which Li was only too glad to do. From then on, things began to change in that home. The Lord worked in the heart of the mother who listened to the stories of Jesus that Li told, and the time came when she trusted Him as her Saviour. Later on, the husband too became a Christian, and now that was a happy Christian family.

ML 04/07/1968

Bible Questions for April

The Children’s Class

The verses containing these quotations will be found in consecutive order in Revelation 15-22.

When you have found them write out the verses in which the quotations are found.

1.“The harps of God.”

2.“The wrath of God upon the earth.”

3.“The true sayings of God.”

4.“The word of God.”

5.“The tabernacle of God.”

6.“The glory of God did lighten it.”

7.“The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it.”

The Young People’s Class: Solomon

1.What charge did SOLOMON receive bore he assumed the throne of Israel? 1 Kings.

2.What did SOLOMON ask for when the Lord appeared to him in a dream? 1 Kings.

3.What did SOLOMON actually receive from the Lord? 1 Kings.

4.To what extent did SOLOMON’S wisdom and fame become known? 1 Kings.

5.What did SOLOMON say regarding the house that he builded and its ability to contain the God of Israel? 1 Kings 8.

6.How did the Lord use SOLOMON’S glory to tell forth the loving kindness of God? Matthew 6.

7.Who is the only One who could refer to Himself when speaking of a greater than SOLOMON? Matthew 12.

ML 04/07/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 1:15-21

“And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiprah, and the name of the other Puah;... When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women... if it be a son, then ye shall kill him; but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.”

In all his wicked and brutal scheming there was one thing overlooked by this proud powerful despot. He did not take God into account, nor did he consider that he was dealing with His people. Ignorant that God had prophesied concerning this very time hundreds of years earlier, he was nonetheless opposing the purpose of God, unaware that his every act against God’s chosen people would add to the terrible judgment to soon fall upon him and his people.

Thus his worldly “wisdom” proved to be utmost folly and brought disaster upon his head. How foolish it is for all who oppose God to consider that they will escape His wrath and judgment! “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God: For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” 1 Corinthians 3:19,20.

God will ever be for His people, although He may allow the furnace of affliction for a season, and especially so where there has been waywardness and failure to walk in obedience to His Word. He is seen here intervening for Israel through the actions of the two midwives. Their names — Shiphrah and Puah — go down through history — a testimony to their braving the king’s wrath, for they truly feared God and would not be the instruments of cruelty. In this they no doubt risked their lives for the sake of the children of Israel. God did not let such faithfulness go unrewarded.

“Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that He made them houses.” 10:20,21. These feeble women judged it their first duty to fear God, and thus they would disobey the king. We learn from this portion that the enemy is powerless to frustrate God’s purposes, that He cares for those who are connected with those purposes, that the fear of God can lift the feeblest and humblest, like these poor women, above the fear of man, and finally, how grateful God is for any faithfulness to Him in a scene where Satan reigns. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31.

Memory Verse: “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.

ML 04/07/1968

George, the Champion

When I was a boy, on a farm opposite from where we lived, was a young lad named George; he was an extraordinary mixture of human nature.

George was an enormous size for his age, a sort of double-jointed giant, with a savage temper. He would quarrel with the tools he worked with, and fight with the boys he played with. He gave his playmates the impression that he possessed extraordinary fighting powers, and declared that one day he was going to be “the champion!”

He would tie up a large bundle of straw, pretend that it was some great fighting man, put himself in the attitude of a pugilist, and knock it down in gallant style. We youngsters thought he was a wonder. He had big fists, great feet, and a head of marvelous size. When out of temper, his voice quivered with passion.

One day, however, to our disgust, he got up a fight with a little fellow, and the short boy gave him a most humiliating beating. We had less confidence in him from then on. Sometimes he sulked over his food. On one occasion after eating little or nothing for about three days, he put his arms around a huge loaf of bread, and exclaimed: “Come now, let us be friends again.” And didn’t he eat!

I became very fond of this great savage boy, and my dear Christian mother proved herself a real friend to him. He would say: “There is no one like Nellie Jones.”

Years rolled by, and I, having found Christ as my Saviour, was seeking to serve Him in the gospel. One day I found myself at my cousin’s in the country where I had some gospel meetings. My mother was much concerned about poor George, who was very ill. So I decided to go and see him at his little home, about four miles from the railway station. My cousin went along with me. Although we had not seen each other for years, George knew me in a moment, began to cry, and gripped my hand very firmly. Then I knelt down beside his bed and sang:

“There is a fountain filled with blood,

Drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;

And sinners plunged beneath that flood

Lose all their guilty stains.”

Then I read him Isaiah, chapter 53 “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all ... .”

I also read to him from the nineteenth chapter of John, about the Lord’s crucifixion: “They crucified Him, and two others with Him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst... when Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost....

“But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water....”

George was much moved and melted; I was sure that the Holy Ghost had enlightened him and that he was a quickened soul. George said that the light shone into him while I was reading about the sufferings of Jesus; that he saw the way of salvation quite clearly, and that his heavy burden of guilt, which had only grown heavier over the years, was now quite gone. He was so happy, and rejoiced in the Lord.

“Sing that again,” he said, “There is a fountain filled with blood,” so my cousin and I sang it together once more.

“How wonderful,” he added, “that God should move your dear mother to be so kind to me in my young days, and that He should now send you, her son, all the way here, to show me the wonderful things that the blest Saviour has done for ray soul, to save me from hell. Praise God, I shall now meet your dear mother and you in heaven.”

We then sang another verse of the hymn together, kissed each other, and said good-bye for the last time on earth, to meet again on that blest resurrection morning.

The resurrection morn will break,

And every sleeping saint awake,

Brought forth in light again;

Oh morn, too bright for mortal eyes!

When all the ransomed church shall rise

And wing their way to yonder skies

Called up with Christ to reign.

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

ML 04/14/1968

A Trifler's End

A young fellow aboard a ship bound for Australia was asked to come and hear the gospel preached on board by a servant of Christ. To this invitation he made this light and trifling reply, “Heaven is not for sailors, it is only for people on land.” He refused to come and listen to the joyful tidings.

It so happened that this same young fellow had in his possession a small New Testament. In it were marked by some unknown hand many precious verses, among them Acts 13:38,39: “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Had he read those verses? If he had, what a flat denial they should have been to his own rash statement, “Heaven is not for sailors, it is only for people on land.”

And if he had read those verses, had he noticed the two that follow: “Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you”?

Despise today, and you may

Wonder at your own madness tomorrow, and

Perish forever.

A few days later this young fellow in carrying out his duties, climbed almost to the top of the mast, suddenly lost his hold, and fell with a crash upon the ship’s rail, and then into the water. A life buoy was thrown to him, but he was dead.

Do not trifle, but be wise in time, dear reader. “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Proverbs 29:1.

ML 04/14/1968

"You Didn't Look up!"

There was a man once who was I in the habit of stealing from his neighbors. One day he took his little boy with him into a cornfield to steal some of the corn. He first looked all around carefully to make sure no one was looking. He was about to start filling his bag when the little fellow spoke up. “Daddy,” he said, “you didn’t look everywhere.”

“Yes, I did,” his father said. “Where didn’t I look?”

“You didn’t look up!” was the little boy’s reply.

Like an arrow from God, those words went to the father’s heart. He dropped the corn, and without a word he hastily left the cornfield.

Dear boys and girls, when tempted to do evil, just remember that God is looking down. He sees all that we do and He hears all that we say; and not only that, but he knows all what we think too.

“Thou God seest me.” Genesis 16:13.

“THEY THAT SEEK THE LORD SHALL NOT WANT ANY GOOD THING.”

Psalms 34:10.

ML 04/14/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 1:22

For a period of time Pharaoh seems to have ignored the disobedience of Shiphrah and Puah, who refused to kill the infant sons. This, of course, was ordered of God while He thus permitted the people to “multiply and wax very mighty.” But as the king again turned his attention to the increasing number of Hebrews and realized his purposes were being thwarted, he made a decree to the whole nation of Egypt: “And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.” verse 22. His purpose was clear — allow the girls to grow up into slavery, but kill the sons. The following chapter shows how God used this very decree of the king to prepare a deliverer for His people. How wonderfully God works, noiselessly, until the moment arrives for action, and then He makes bare His arm in the display of power in the face of the world.

Pharaoh’s act is the first record of attempted annihilation of God’s people. In the days of Esther, Haman attempted to exterminate the Jews, but again God intervened to protect them. In a later day, Herod, another wicked and cruel usurper king, ordered the slaying of all children, two years old and under, hoping thus to destroy the true King of Israel, born in Bethlehem’s manger during his rule. Of this time Scripture records: “In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.” Matthew 2:18. Yet, neither a Herod nor a Pharaoh could stop the course of God’s counsels.

How tragic for the Israelites to see their infants mercilessly thrown into the Nile! Yet, extreme as these trials were, the children of Israel were, through them, brought to know the true character of the land of Egypt in which they dwelt. They were proving that the Egyptians were not one with them in thought or purpose. Indeed, the ones they counted as friends were revealing themselves as enemies. Their thoughts began to turn toward deliverance from their plight.

Perhaps some who read this have, like the Israelites, been deluded into counting this world, a very attractive place in which to settle down, in which to cultivate friendships and to enjoy its pleasures to the full. May God, through this account of His people of long ago, remind such that the world is in reality harsh, cruel and unrelenting. How much happier are they who “desire a better country, that is, a heavenly,” and who walk in the sunshine of God’s love rather than as debtors to Satan. The Christian should ever “look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen” and seek to enjoy that sweet peace of which the psalmist speaks: “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Psalms 37:7.

Memory Verse: “Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” John 7:37.

ML 04/14/1968

Caught in a Bear Trap

In the early days of our country, I a Christian man by the name of Murphy came from New England and took up land in Ohio as a homesteader. For some time he and his wife and family were isolated, but by and by others moved in around him. To them Mr. Murphy bore a faithful Christian testimony, and many stories are told about him.

Mr. Murphy had a corncrib, and one winter day he saw a hole in the crib and some of his corn was gone. Day after day he observed that his corn was disappearing. Thinking it might be a bear which was stealing his corn, he got up a big bear trap which he set by the hole, hoping to catch the robber.

When he got up the next morning, Mr. Murphy went out to the corncrib and sure enough he saw caught in the trap not a bear but one of his poor neighbors, with an empty sack lying near. At first, Mr. Murphy let on that he didn’t see the man and proceeded to chop some wood. Then, as he turned around, pretending that he had only just seen the man for the first time, he said, “Good morning, neighbor.”

The poor man said not a word. Mr. Murphy went on chopping wood, and as he did so, he remarked, “It was cold last night, wasn’t it?” Still no word from the man in the bear trap. “I say, neighbor,” he asked again, “How is Tom’s new barn coming along?”

Then the neighbor in the trap groaned and appealed to Mr. Murphy, “Would you please let me out of this bear trap?”

Then Mr. Murphy exclaimed, “Oh, you poor fellow! You must be nearly frozen. I’ll get you out of the trap. Then you come into the house and have breakfast with me.”

He freed the poor man from the trap, then took him into the house and set the man on a chair by the stove, where Mrs. Murphy had a good fire going. Farmer Murphy told his wife to give the neighbor a good breakfast, and she fed him pancakes with ham and eggs and coffee. The man downed the good breakfast as though he were hungry as a wolf. Mr. Murphy knew that the poor man was almost starved, and then he thought about his poor wife and children back home.

After breakfast he took the poor man out to the corncrib and filled his empty sack with corn. As he sent him home, he said: “Dear neighbor, take this with you. I know your wife and children need it!”

Then as the man took off down the road, he called to him, “Neighbor, next time you come, come in through the front door, and not through the fence.”

Mr. Murphy showed kindness to the man who had robbed him. And so he displayed the spirit of Christ, who has told us: “If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12:20.

And is not this like the Lord Jesus and the sinner? As sinners, we had dishonored and robbed God, but instead of punishing us as we deserve, God has shown kindness to us. He sent His beloved Son down into this world, who has taken up our case, and has answered to God for all that was against us. On the cross he bore all the punishment that our sins deserve. Now all those who trust in Jesus as their Saviour are set free from guilt and shame forever. And not only so, but God blesses and cares for those who once wronged Him but now believe in Jesus.

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Titus 3:4,5.

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-14.

ML 04/21/1968

The Morning Star.

I woke, and the night was passing,

And over the hills there shone

A star all alone in its beauty

When other stars were gone.

For a glory was filling the heavens

That came before the day,

And the gloom and the stars together

Faded and passed away.

Only the star of the morning

Glowed in the crimson sky —

It was like a clear voice singing,

“Rejoice! for the Sun is nigh!”

O children! a Star is shining

Into the hearts of men—

It is Christ with a voice of singing,

“Rejoice! for I come again!”

“For the long, long night is passing,

And there cometh the golden day;

I come to My own who love Me,

To take them all away.

“I Jesus... am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and Morning Star.

“And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:16,17.

ML 04/21/1968

The Young Carpenter

Willie was an apprentice ship carpenter, a Christian boy of seventeen, who worked in a large ship-building yard. The man who worked alongside him was a hardened scoffer, who neither feared God, nor regarded man. He could scarcely speak without using foul language, and fearful oaths, at which many others, from whom better things might have been expected only laughed. Our young friend, Willie, was greatly pained to hear the name of God and Christ used so blasphemously, but being the youngest in the shop, he feared to speak.

The scoffer seemed only to get worse, and to excel in blasphemy, and the heart of the young believer was burdened with him. He made him a subject of daily prayer to God, and asked strength and wisdom to speak the right word to his fellow workman. One afternoon the carpenter was swearing fearfully, and Willie, who was working next to him, quietly laid his hand on his fellow workman’s arm and said, “Jimmie, it grieves me much to hear you speaking that way about my Master.”

“Who’s your master?” said the carpenter gruffly, as he turned to look at the apprentice, whose flushed face and tear-filled eyes showed what it had cost him to speak that simple word. Willie wiped the tear from his eye with his sleeve, and in broken accents replied, “The Lord Jesus, who loved me and died for me, and for you too, Jimmie, I wish you would believe it.”

That was all that passed. The clang of many hammers forbade any further words passing between them. But there was no more bad language used that day, by Jimmie the carpenter.

The effect of that simple, honest word, was to make the blasphemer ashamed. Nor was this all. When work was over that day, the carpenter came alongside Willie on the way home, and spoke more frankly than ever he had done before. Willie laid hold of the favorable opportunity to ask him to a gospel meeting in a tent that night, where two servants of Christ were faithfully preaching the Word, and Jimmie, hardened sinner as he was, at once consented.

That night the arrows of God entered his conscience. He was awakened deeply about his soul, and bore many days had passed, he was saved. The hardened scoffer was a disciple of Christ, and no one rejoiced more over his conversion than Willie.

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

“Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Matthew 5:37.

“SHOW ME THY WAYS, O LORD.”

Psalms 25:4.

Lord, make me from this hour,

Thy loving child to be,

Kept by Thy power,

From all that grieveth Thee.

ML 04/21/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 2:1,2

“And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman... bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.” During the tragic and sorrowful days of slavery and cruelty, God was pleased to introduce an outstanding example of simple faith and trust in Him in the parents, Amram and Jochebed. At the time of this son’s birth there were already two other children in the family — a daughter, Miriam, the eldest, and a son, Aaron, who was three years of age. Now their third child was born at the precise time that Pharaoh had ordered the death of every infant son.

How dreadful it must have been to know that every newborn son was to be taken and cast into the river! God, however, had instilled in the hearts of this godly couple a trust that marked them apart from so many of their neighbors. God had given them that little son, and they counted upon Him that He would somehow keep their little one from the wicked purpose of the king. They were not confounded for He never forsakes those who put their trust in Him.

Looking upon their little babe, they found him not only a goodly child, but “exceeding fair” (Acts 7:20), and were sure that God had some purpose for him. This trust in God and belief in His providence lifted them above all fear of the king’s commandment. Scripture tells us in Hebrews 11:23: “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.” Was not this a remarkable evidence of full assurance in God?

Pharaoh was the tool of Satan, indeed a type of that evil one himself, and his greatest efforts were turned toward opposing God’s people. But God is mightier than Satan and will ever show Himself strong on behalf of His own. “The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to naught; He maketh the devices of the people of none effect.” Psalms 33:10. Many were the trials that would beset the Israelites bore they would be free from their persecutors, but the birth of Moses was the promise of an eventual reward for the faith of this man and wife, and of a deliverer for all of God’s chosen people.

The believer will often meet with trials and difficulties, and experience persecution from the world and from the enemy of our souls. Immersed in his sorrows he may fail to remember that God’s eye is always looking down upon His own. In these circumstances he may forget God’s word which tells us “the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:3,4. The world may oppose, but God will never forsake His own. Trials and patience will only work for good. Fear of the enemy will disappear when the believer is found “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”

Memory Verse: “We believe that Jesus died and rose again.” 1 Thessalonians 4:14.

ML 04/21/1968

The Poison Taster

How many of you boys and girls would taste some deadly poison if you knew that one sip would mean illness or death? We cannot think of anyone in his right mind who would do such a thing. So it is that poisons are marked with the sign, Skull and Crossbones, and the word POISON is printed in big letters to warn us.

There are also many harmful and deadly things in this world which God’s Word warns us about, and these are to be avoided, for they are as harmful to our souls as poison is to the body. The Bible tells us, “the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23; and “the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4.

Our story today is about a farmer who actually tasted poison. Although he was an older man, he liked to try things out; in fact, he had been an inventor before he became a farmer. Then one summer he read how many people had died after eating some wild mushrooms they had gathered, which were thought to be safe to eat. He carefully read an article that both described and showed pictures of the dread “Destroying Angel” mushroom. It had caused many deaths and was so named because of its pure white and innocent appearance.

One day the farmer was in his field and there at his feet he recognized the very “Destroying Angel” mushroom that he had seen in the pictures. He was about to give it a kick, but checked himself, saying, “I’ll try it first, I’ll only taste it to see what it’s like, then spit it out.” How foolish he was! And yet is not this how Satan, the tempter and enemy of our souls, works? He tempted Adam and Eve in the garden, and tempts us, saying, “Just try this once,” although conscience would warn us not to.

There are many things in this world that appear pleasing and harmless enough, but if tasted will only bring bitterness, sorrow, and perhaps death, in the end. Satan whispers, “There’s no harm in it,” but he would hide from us the miry that sin brings afterward. On the other hand, a loving God and Father wants to make His children happy, and to bless them; “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psalms 84:11. He would guide our feet into the path that brings honor to Him and peace and joy to our souls. At the same time, He would lead us away from the temptations and snares that Satan lays for our feet, to make us stumble and fall.

Well, the farmer in our story took a bite of the mushroom, chewed it up, and spit it out again. Then he went on his way and thought no more about it. Five hours later when he went to bed, he became aware of a tingling sensation in every nerve of his body, followed by painful cramps. The poison, although not swallowed, had evidently attacked his nervous system through the walls of his mouth. Five days later, having lost fifteen pounds, and himself surprised to be still living, he started to recover. He summed up the whole hard and painful experience as “the most foolish thing he had ever done.”

How many there are of us who because of our foolishness have passed through painful experiences, which leave only sorrow and regret. Oh, what sad results often come from our folly! What great mistakes we can make when we do not walk with God and heed His Word.

The Bible tells us, “It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23), and we are never wiser than Scripture. We have a powerful enemy who would lead us down to eternal ruin, and only the Lord Jesus can save us from his power. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” 1 Timothy 1:15 — to save us from our sins, from Satan, and from eternal judgment; to save us for heaven and that blest eternity with Him above.

ML 04/28/1968

The Storm

For some time I had been scattering the precious seed of God’s Word in several small towns. One day, with my bag well filled with gospel papers, I went on my way traveling through a large forest. As I emerged I saw the sky heavy with dark clouds. To avoid the rain I waited under the trees at the edge of the forest.

Soon a few children who had been gathering wood circled around me. As the storm came on they seemed to look to me for protection. I sat on a convenient stump and gave them some papers especially written for children. I also told them about the Good Shepherd who “giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11. As the rain was soon over, one of the children took my hand and said, “Uncle, come into town with me and tell Daddy and Mamma about the Lord Jesus.”

I followed the children and came upon a little town so hidden that I had never found it before. The hay child led me to her parents, who really loved the Word of God. We spent a happy hour together and I was able “to show them the way more perfectly.”

As I was leaving, these folks requested me to see the dying daughter of one of the teachers. This girl feared death and was anxious to be saved, but no one in town as yet had been there to tell her the way. They pointed out the house, where I found the sixteen-year-old girl, living with her mother in a poor but neat little cottage. The poor girl was very ill. The same disease which had claimed her father in his twenty-eighth year, was hurrying this once-blooming young maiden on to an early grave.

The sick girl welcomed me in. As I spoke of death and eternity, she fell back on her pillow and covered her tearful face with both hands. I told her the consequences of neglecting the saving grace of God in Christ, and how if one dies without this he will perish eternally. I also dwelt on the peace and blessing that comes through faith in Christ. After giving her a few tracts, I left.

Not long after, I was drawn again to that quaint little town, and visited the poor sick girl. I found her sitting in the yard. The faithful mother had carried her there for a few mites. With beaming faces, mother and daughter greeted me.

“I fear death no longer,” said the girl; “the Lord Jesus has removed the sting of it for me. Through His sacrifice on the cross, all is well. In my misery I knew nothing of this, but your words and the tract, “Have I Nothing to Do?” have shown me the way. Now I am saved and happy.”

Yes, she was truly happy, and it was my joy to talk with her about the glorious Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the blessed hope of the redeemed. I left her with these words, “We shall meet again in His presence,” which she confirmed with a happy smile. Late that fall she fell “asleep in Jesus,” her own Saviour and Lord.

ML 04/28/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses,the Man of God

Exodus 2:3

“And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink.” At the end of three months Jochebed, Moses’ mother, realized she could no longer hide her son, as the vigilance of the enemy increased. But she did not despair nor yield to natural fears. No, as faith had led her to hide the child safely away at the first, she now found faith equal to a greater testing.

Dear Christian parent, have you too cherished that early period of your child’s life when you shielded him from this world’s evil, but filly reached the time when you realized you could shield him no longer? Has the Lord guided you in faith to that point where you can commit your child to Himself as the sure Refuge from the world and Satan? Moses’ mother displayed this kind of faith.

Taking an ark of bulrushes, she daubed it with slime and pitch, and sealed it against the water (type of death). In it she lovingly placed her child, and set the little vessel with its precious cargo on the river’s surface among the flags. In doing so these godly parents, typically put their child in the place of death, for death must be known, in figure, before God can use him in His service. The word for pitch is used elsewhere in the Scriptures for ransom, setting forth in type the truth that a ransom must be found to deliver from the waters of death. Thus the ark is a wonderful picture of Christ, the Refuge of all who seek Him as a sanctuary from the power of the evil one. God gives eternal life to all who are secure within that Ark and delights to answer the faith of parents who lead their children to such a place of safety.

Though dearer to her than life itself, the mother left her babe in the security of the ark, and returned. Trusting in God, she could rest in peace. What a bright example of faith!

The story thus far contains many profitable lessons. We have seen Pharaoh, the King, picture of Satan, powerful and evil, confident in his strength and schemes to crush all who would oppose his will. Opposed to this power of the enemy is faith that trusts in God, and rises above all fear of the king’s commandment. Here in type Christ is seen, “a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm.” Isaiah 25:4. Finally we are reminded of those blest purposes of the love of God, who is mightier than all the forces of evil arraigned against His people in this world, of which Egypt is a type. Eternal salvation and deliverance from Satan’s power is the portion of those who in faith call upon God through Jesus Christ, His Son. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: and I will deliver thee.” Psalms 50:15.

Memory Verse: “He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25.

ML 04/28/1968

A Mother's Love

The eagle is one of the largest birds and a powerful flier. It soars high above the earth and spies its prey afar off with its keen eyes. Besides its mighty sweeping wings, sometimes eight feet across, it has a large strong bill and great claws, or talons.

The American bald and golden eagles of our country do not carry away small children, but in a distant land a great eagle once carried off a small baby. The mother had set the little one outdoors in the sunshine. While she was busy indoors the great bird swooped silently down, grasped the little one in its great claws, and flew away. The mother came out just in time to see the eagle heading for the mountainside with her precious child in its great claws.

Frantically she called to the men nearby for help and several of them rushed to the rescue. The eagle rose higher and higher until it reached a shelf high up on the mountainside where it had its nest, or eyrie. There it deposited the infant child.

The men raced up the slope and began to climb the steep cliffs; but in vain. One by one they dropped out of the race, afraid of the dizzy heights above, until the last man gave up.

Not so the mother of the child. When she saw the men turn back, urged on by a mother’s love to almost superhuman strength and courage, she pressed on up the dangerous heights above, nor did she stop until she finally reached the narrow shelf on which the eagle had its nest. There she found her precious babe crying, but unharmed. The great bird flew around threatening to attack, but she snatched up her child, and eventually both were safely down the mountainside. Such was the strength of a mother’s love.

We can tell you today, dear young friends, of a love which went far beyond that mother’s love for her child — a love which many waters could not quench, nor the floods drown; a love which was stronger than death (Song of Sol. 8:7). It is the love of Him who died upon the cross to redeem and rescue sinners taken captive by Satan, those about to perish in an eternal hell.

The mother risked her life for her child, but the Lord Jesus gave His for you and me. What is the answer of your heart to such love as this? Is not the Saviour worthy of your all? Well may the language of your heart be, “Lord Jesus, I take Thee as my Saviour.” To reject His love is to perish; “for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

“When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly;... while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6,8.

ML 05/05/1968

"Make Me a Christian!"

A missionary to India tells the following story: “A poor Hindu boy followed me around the garden asking me to make him a Christian. ‘That is impossible for me to do, my dear boy,’ I told him; ‘It is only possible through the Lord Jesus. Pray to Him.’

“How well I remember the sweet voice and face of that boy, when he came to me soon after and said, ‘The Lord Jesus Christ has come, and has taken up his place in my heart.’ ‘How is that,’ I asked. He replied, ‘I prayed, and said, “O Lord Jesus Christ, if it pleases Thee, make me a Christian!” and He was so kind, that He came down from heaven, and has lived in my heart ever since.’”

How simple and how touching! Have you appealed to the Saviour in a similar spirit, dear one? Can you say that He has come down from heaven to live in your heart? He wants to. Yet He must cleanse that heart of yours from sin first. And this He will do, for “the blood of Jesus Christ... cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

ML 05/05/1968

"This Man Receiveth Sinners"

Some time ago I visited a manufacturer who was a Christian. In the course of our conversation we spoke of a gospel preacher named Roger, who years before had labored with blessing in the city. Then the Christian business man told me this story.

“Many years ago,” said he, “I came here as an unconverted young man. As was our custom we went “to church” every Sunday. Isn’t it wonderful how God works! At first Roger’s preaching was very boring to me. One Sunday it was especially irksome. I sat turning the pages in the hymn book to kill time. As I carelessly went through the book my attention was drawn to a certain hymn hitherto unknown to me: “This Man Receiveth Sinners.” As I looked over the hymn, not even reading it, I said to myself, ‘Isn’t it odd that the hymn writer would repeat that sentence so many times?’ Through the eight stanzas I counted ten times, “This man receiveth sinners.’ But why this verse had been so real to the writer was of little interest to me.

“At last the preaching was over and I went home. All day that verse, ‘This Man receiveth sinners,’ would not leave me alone. I tried everything to banish it from my mind, but it was no use. On Monday morning I went to my usual work. I was employed in a new building painting doors, and was all alone, when suddenly and strangely the verse came again: ‘This Man receiveth sinners.’ I became so angry I threw down my brush, rushed out of the building, slammed the door and ran away.

“In spite of all this I was not soon converted. However, through this hymn God had sown the “good seed” which eventually drew me to His Son. Then to my joy, I experienced the precious truth of that verse: “This Man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” Luke 15:2.

Christ receiveth sinful men,

Even me with all my sin;

Purged from every spot and stain,

Heaven with Him I’ll enter in.

Sing it o’er and o’er again;

Christ receiveth, sinful men;

Make the message clear and plain:

Christ receiveth sinful men.

ML 05/05/1968

Bible Questions for May

The Children’s Class

The verses containing these quotations will be found in consecutive order in Matthew 1-7.

When you have found them write out the verses in which the quotations are found.

1.“Lo, the heavens were opened.”

2.“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

3.“Great is your reward in heaven.”

4.“Called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

5.“Treasures in heaven.”

6.“Your heavenly Father feedeth them.”

7.“Shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

The Young People’s Class: Jehovah, “The Eternal One”

1.What acts of power has the MIGHTY GOD performed? Jeremiah 32.

2.How are the everlasting arms of the ETERNAL GOD employed on behalf of His people? Deuteronomy 33.

3.How long does the FAITHFUL GOD keep His commandments? Deuteronomy 7.

4.What does God forbid, showing that He is a JEALOUS GOD? Exodus 20.

5.What does the GRACIOUS AND MERCUL GOD promise those who, having once got away from Him, turn to Him again? 2 Chronicles 30.

6.What should our attitude be toward the HOLY GOD? Psalms 99.

7.Will anyone be able to abide the wrath of the LIVING GOD? Jeremiah 10.

ML 05/05/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 2:4-7

The river Nile, into which the infant Hebrew boys were to be thrown at the command of Pharaoh, the cruel Egyptian king, speaks of the sentence of death that has “passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” But the ark, in which Moses rode in safety, points to Christ, the true Ark and refuge for one confronted with the terrors of death. All who rest in Christ are safe and secure, not just for time but for eternity as well. The infant Moses was safe within his covert, for the waters could not reach him. The ark stood between that which spoke of death and the one hiding securely within it. Christ has stood between the sinner and a righteous God, Himself enduring “all the waves and billows” of God’s judgment against sin. By His death He has prevailed and brought salvation to all who trust in Him.

“And his (Moses’) sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.” verse 4. Miriam’s young heart had not yet proved the confidence in God shown by her mother. No doubt concerned about the welfare of her little brother, she stood off at a safe distance to see what would take place. Although her faith was not very great, it is refreshing to think of her devotion to the one she loved and, as it turned out, God used her presence to bring about His purposes for the little babe, as well as on behalf of the whole nation of Israel.

“And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side: and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” vv. 5,6.

The ways of God are so often opposite to the ways of man, as it is recorded: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 55:8. Surely the most hopeful thought of Amram and Jochebed would never imagine that God would preserve their little boy by means of one out of the household of the very king who sought to kill him; nor that the river, where so many other infants met death, would be the place from which his deliverance would come! But God is able to employ even His enemies to work for His purposes and such was to prove the case in our narrative.

In spite of the fact that the Egyptian princess recognized the babe as a Hebrew, whom she knew her father hated, she had compassion on him and determined to befriend him. Miriam, the sister, hearing the exclamations of Pharaoh’s daughter and her maidens, had courage to step forward and ask, “Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?” verse 7.

Memory Verse: “Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” Psalms 2:12.

ML 05/05/1968

A Thief Caught

I used to have an uncle, David Jones, who was a bailiff and managed an estate for a wealthy business man, Mr. Thomas Mostyn. Uncle had married one of Mrs. Mostyn’s maids and his boss had given him a little farm and house to live in. Uncle was an extraordinary man, but best of all he was a Christian.

Outside in his garden Uncle had dug a root cellar in which he had stored their winter supply of potatoes and other vegetables. One cold wintry day he became convinced that someone had stolen some of his potatoes, so on Saturday night he decided to keep watch. Snow was on the ground and the moon was rising. Sure enough he saw a man’s head begin to appear above the root cellar, and hands were soon busy scooping potatoes into a sack. Slipping unnoticed around behind, Uncle seized the fellow, twisted him around so that he faced the moon, and immediately recognized the thief.

“Oh Jack,” exclaimed Uncle; “so it is you then who steals my potatoes.”

Jack clamored for mercy; said he was out of work, that his wife was sick, and made other excuses.

“Jack,” said Uncle, “I don’t want to take you before the magistrate, where you have often been for your drunkenness and for stealing game, for they would send you to prison. I’m going to punish you myself.” So Jack was thrashed on the spot until he cried lustily for mercy.

Uncle then took him indoors, made him wash himself, put some food in the sack along with the potatoes, for his poor starving family, and then gave him something to eat. As the astounded Jack departed for his cottage, my uncle said to him: “If you want some work, and can come to my office on Monday, you shall have some; but don’t steal anymore.”

My uncle also took a leading part at the chapel services. On Sunday evening to the astonishment of everyone, Jack appeared at the service, his head tied with a rag bandage. The people stared at him, thinking he had been in another drunken fight. But what was their surprise when Uncle David gently led him to a seat. There Jack listened to the gospel preaching, something he hadn’t done for many a year.

Next morning he presented himself at Uncle’s office for work, and got a job. In the meantime my aunt had provided for Jack’s sick wife and starving children. Jack worked all week and took home his wages, a thing he had hardly done for years. Most of his earnings he had spent at the tavern.

That Saturday night Jack did not show up at the tavern, much to the surprise of his old companions. Instead he was seen cleaning his boots, and such shoes as his children possessed.

On Sunday Jack led his children to the little gospel hall, and there he spent the greater part of the day. He put in an appearance at the Sunday school, where he was kindly received, and asked to be taught like a child. The Spirit of God was mercifully at work within him, and everybody was astonished.

From that time on Jack showed that he was a “new creature in Christ Jesus,” that old things had passed away and that all things had become new (2 Cor. 5:17). My uncle lived to see him conduct the service himself and preach a soul-stirring message of Christ, the Saviour of sinners. The two became firm friends for the rest of their lives, and many souls were saved through the preaching of Jack, once the thief and drunkard, but now a saint and servant of Christ.

“For the love of Christ constraith us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14,15.

ML 05/12/1968

Luke 15

In Luke 15 we find a three-fold parable of sin and salvation. First, there is the story of THE LOST SHEEP — (10:3-7). It turned its back on the shepherd and the peaceful fold, and wandered off into the wilderness—just like a sinner, boy or girl, man or woman, who turns his back on God, and goes forth in the paths of sin, seeking for happiness in the world, away from God. But there is no happiness there. “Sick, helpless, and ready to die,” the sheep must have perished. But the kind faithful shepherd went after it, sought it, found it, and laying it on his shoulders, brought it home. This is the work of the Saviour, of Jesus the good Shepherd. He seeks and saves the lost (Luke 19:10). Has He saved you?

THE LOST PIECE OF SILVER—(10:8-10). It fell from its place in the lady’s necklace. See the empty place, the broken link. How she missed it. It cannot return itself. It lies dead and hidden in some corner of the house, quite near, yet lost to its owner. Another picture of a sinner, lost, dead in sins (Eph. 2:1), without strength (Rom. 5:6), unable to save himself. But see! the woman gets a light, takes the broom and sweeps the house until she finds it. So the Holy Spirit, by the light of the Word (Psa. 119:130), seeks, convicts, and brings the sinner to Christ. Can you say, “Thou hast lifted me up”? Psalms 30:1.

THE PRODIGAL SON — (vv. 11-24). Self-willed, he leaves a good home, goes to a far country, spends all, and is left alone to perish. In degradation and misery, alone among the swine, he learns that “the way of transgressors is hard.” Proverbs 13:15. Brought to himself, he thinks of the plenty he left at home, remembers that his father was good to him, and decides to return. The father sees him coming, runs to meet him, embraces and kisses him, and the boy is received just as he is, in grace. The best robe is put upon him, and amid great rejoicing, he sits down at his father’s table. Sweet picture of how God welcomes the returning sinner, not casting him out, nor taking him back merely as a servant, but receiving him into all the privileges and honors of a son. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1.

THE ELDER BROTHER — (vv. 25-32). He who was in the field and hears all the music and rejoicing, is angry, will not go in, speaks evil of his brother, says hard things of his father, and tells a long story of his own goodness. He is like the self-righteous, who “never do any harm,” so they say, who don’t feel they need salvation, reject grace and perish. May this not be you, dear reader.

ML 05/12/1968

Be Thankful

Many of our readers, from their early days, have been taught to give thanks to God for everything they receive. It is good for us to know and realize that God is the One who gives us all things. We know that we brought nothing into the world, and that we can carry nothing out of it. So it is evident that God has given us all things. In the Bible, God has said we ought to be “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20.

Whether it is little or much, it becomes us all to give God thanks for everything.

There is one gift God has given us which is greater than all else, and that is His only begotten Son. He gave Him as a Saviour for us. Have you ever thanked God for such a Saviour? He is the only Saviour, for “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. He is the One who saves to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him.

ML 05/12/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 2:8,9

We marvel when we read of the boldness and wisdom of Miriam, the little daughter of Am-ram and Jochebed, as she walked into the presence of Pharaoh’s daughter and suggested that she could secure a Hebrew nurse for the baby Moses that had just been drawn from the river. But God was working through her to bring about His own purposes.

“And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother.” verse 8. How those young feet must have skipped homeward that she might quickly tell her parents this wonderful news! Scripture says, “How beautiful... are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings.” Isaiah 52:7. And the mother wasted no time in returning with Miriam to the river’s edge and in presenting herself to the ruler’s daughter. Neither mother nor daughter would release any information to indicate their relationship to the little babe and the princess gave no indication that she suspected in the least that the infant belonged to them.

“And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.” verse 9. An answer of surpassing wonder and delight to her faith was the experience of this Hebrew mother. How they must have lifted up their hearts in thankfulness to God for this unexpected and wondrous joy. Hereafter Moses required no hiding. God had ordered events so that he became one of the most protected children in the whole land. Restored to her own bosom, he was safe and secure from the wrath of the king. Pharaoh, through God’s overruling providence, would not interfere with the pleasure of his own daughter.

Not only was the child restored to his mother, but Jochebed was paid wages out of the liberality of the king’s purse for this service to the king’s daughter. Joy would not be confined to the immediate household of Amram, for near friends, no doubt, must have been brought into the secret and rejoiced with them to see God’s wonderful ways in answering the faith of this couple. We are told that “No man liveth unto himself,” and it is happy if the testimony of the Lord’s people is an encouragement to others to strengthen their faith too. May we be reminded that God is always pleased to reward faith, for “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. Moreover, He is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Does it not cheer our hearts to think of that happy household in the land of Goshen where their faith in God received so great a compensation?

May we, too, learn to trust Him with fullness of heart and rest in the quietness of faith that knows assuredly that “He doeth all things well.”

Memory Verse: “The man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all.” 1 Timothy 2:5,6.

ML 05/12/1968

$30,000.00 for a Box of Bread

Mr. Aitken of London tells this story of a solemn incident that took place at sea years ago: “A friend of mine was returning to England from Australia, when a fire broke out aboard ship and they had to abandon her. The only two lifeboats were lowered into the sea, and soon all the passengers had found room. One of the boats was quite large and capable of taking plenty of food as well. The other boat was much smaller, and in the confusion of salvaging what they could, a few boxes of gold were loaded into it. However, it was soon discovered that the smaller boat had no food, only gold. On the other hand, the larger boat had no gold but all the foodstuff.

Toward evening they encountered a storm and it was evident that bore morning the boats would be far apart. My friend will never forget that moment! Four of five sailors in the smaller boat held up a box of gold and shouted for all they were worth: ‘Fifteen thousand pounds ($30,000.00) for a box of bread.’ But all were helpless; the boats were already separating. Gladly would those in the larger boat have made the trade, but they could not! IT WAS TOO LATE!”

Dear reader, does not this remind us of the worthlessness of gold, or money, in comparison with the “bread of life”? God’s Word tells us “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36,37.

The world, like the ship on fire, is soon to sink. When the day of grace ends, all the shouting, like that of the sailors, will be of no use. And what about those who have neglected “the bread of life” while it was available? They will perish in their sins. In view of this we plead with you, do not put off the salvation of your precious soul any longer. “Be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20. “Flee from the wrath to come.” Matthew 3:7.

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord; and they shall wander from sea to sea,... they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.” Amos 8:11,12.

The Lord Jesus says, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread (receive Him by faith into his heart,) he shall live forever.” John 6:51. Again, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst... and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:35,37.

Memory Verse: “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Hebrews 2:3.

ML 05/19/1968

An Indian Mother's Love

Many years ago, on the forks of the Delaware River, a tribe of Indians were brought under the sound of the gospel, and many of them were truly converted. Their greatest enemies were a band of soldiers, who at that time held part of the country. They very cruelly tread the Indians, especially those who had been saved.

One day an Indian Christian with his wife and only son, were traveling from one camp to another, when they were met by a company of these soldiers. These men began to torture the harmless pair, and at last shot the husband. While they were hiding her husband’s body, the wife escaped on foot into the forest, with her little boy on her back. All that day, and all through the night she hurried on, although her feet were torn and bleeding. At last she arrived at the camp of a friendly tribe the following day. She watched while they fed her hungry little boy, and put him to rest, and then she fell down unconscious. Every effort was made to restore the noble mother, but in a few hours she was gone.

That Indian boy owed his life to his mother. She died that he might live. When in after years he became chief of his people, he caused a monument to be set up on his mother’s grave in memory of her dying love.

Have you ever expressed your thanks to the Lord Jesus for dying to save you? Yes, He truly laid down His own life that you and I might be saved from our sins, and that we might have everlasting life.

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

ML 05/19/1968

The Owl and the Mouse

Our picture today shows an owl looking in on a family of little mice in a hole in an old tree. Mr. Owl thinks those little mice will make a very fine dinner, but we hope they will stay inside in safety.

We read about the owl in Scripture, and he is classed among the unclean birds, which the children of Israel were not to eat (Lev. 11:16,17; Deut. 14:15,16). Even though he might be a snowy white owl, nevertheless, being an owl, he was unclean.

Perhaps you ask why this was so? The owl comes out at night and flies in the dark; he also feeds on flesh. We believe that God would teach us that in a spiritual way, he is like a sinner who lives in the darkness of this world’s night, and shuns the light; he also feeds on fleshly things. This is what the old fallen nature in us loves. However, the new nature in a Christian loves the light of God’s presence, and feeds upon Christ and heavenly things.

The mouse, which crept and ran on the earth, was also unclean, in contrast to the grasshopper that could leap and fly above the earth. The children of Israel could not eat the former, but they could the latter. The one tells of the old nature which never gets above the earth and this defiled scene; the other speaks of that energy of faith in a child of God that enables him to rise above the earth and to enjoy the heavenly places and things which are ours in Christ.

The mouse is only a little animal but he does a great deal of mischief, and leaves traces of his bad work behind. So it is with all bad and unclean habits; we should seek to put them far from us and cultivate good works, those things that are pleasing to God. “Cease to do evil; learn to do well.” Isaiah 1:16,17.

ML 05/19/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 2:10

“And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.” Thus his name, Moses, spoke of the power of Him who in His sovereign love and grace had saved him from death, had drawn him out of the waters of judgment and had chosen him to be the deliverer of His people — type of an infinitely greater One. And so it must be with all whom the Lord would use in His service. Each must experience in his soul the power of the truth of being dead and risen with Christ.

Moses was now grown and the time had come when the happy days in the home of his family were ended. Pharaoh’s daughter was ready to receive into the royal palace him who as a little child had been nursed by his mother. Faith in God had marked Amram and Jochebed from the beginning, and while no doubt parting with their little son was a tearful experience, they could commit to the mercies of God the son whom they had observed to be an “exceeding fair and proper child.”

Little is told us concerning Moses during the years that followed. Perhaps he was in touch with his family, for many years afterward he was reunited with Aaron his brother in a touching and affectionate manner, and Miriam, the sister, too was to be with her brothers for many years. It is evident that, during these many years in the palace, Moses was aware of his relationship with the persecuted people of Israel, and if not physically with them, he sympathized with them in their sorrows and slavery under the Egyptians.

The life of Moses was divided into three forty-year periods. The first of these was spent amid the luxury and benefits of the palace of Pharaoh. During this time he benefitted by the teaching of the finest tutors of the land, became “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,” and was “mighty in words and in deeds.” Acts 7:22. In such a favorable atmosphere he remained until he was “full forty years old,” a man of favor, skill and privilege—a prince in the greatest nation of its day!

But God had not set Moses apart from his brethren without His own divine purposes. Moses was not to abide indefinitely in the comforts and security of the royal home. Looking upon the pitiful plight of his own people he was truly exercised about them, and the conviction came into his heart that his proper place was with them—not with the rulers of an idolatrous land. It was at this point in life that he “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” Perhaps at first this was an inner determination only and not made known to those around him. Nonetheless it was very genuine—the result of God’s exercising his heart and conscience. In Pharaoh’s court he had the finest opportunities for easing the lot of the Israelites, and it might be for the accomplishing of that which was so dear to his heart, their deliverance from slavery. This he entirely declines. God was working for a deliverance according to His own heart, in a manner which would bring Him glory, and this in a measure Moses understood through faith.

ML 05/19/1968

Saved from a Tiger

A Chinese mother one day went up in the hills to cut grass which she used as fuel, for they were very poor. She had her baby tied on her back and held another little child by the hand. In the other she carried a sharp sickle to cut the grass with.

Just as she reached the top of the hill, she heard a roar that almost frightened her out of her wits. A mother tiger sprang at her, followed by two little cubs. Perhaps the tiger thought that the woman was going to hurt her babies, and I am quite sure the woman was afraid the tiger would hurt hers. So as the great cat sprang, the woman slashed at it with her sharp little sickle.

Now this poor Chinese mother was very unlearned; she had never been to a Christian preaching or a Sunday school in her life. She had never seen a Bible, and she could not have read it if she had. But one day as she was walking along the street, she heard a white lady talking to a few native women about someone called Jesus, who was able to help you if you were in trouble.

As the tiger tore her arm and shoulder with its great claws, she remembered this wonderful story, and as she cut at the great beast with her little weapon, she kept crying out, “Oh! Jesus, help me.”

Do you think the Lord Jesus heard her cry? Indeed He did, for His ears are always open to our cry, and His promise is, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.”

Sometimes, boys and girls, we make promises and find we cannot do what we said we would; then sometimes we forget too. But the Lord Jesus is not like that. Abraham believed God, and he was “fully persuaded, that what He had prosed, He was able also to perform,” (Rom. 4:21); we may also be fully persuaded of the same thing. So this poor woman found out.

She went on hitting at the tiger, crying each time, “Oh, Jesus, help me,” and in a few minutes the answer came. Her great enemy, who could so easily have killed her, turned and ran away, her cubs following her. The woman also turned and managed to crawl back to her village with her little ones. She was quite badly hurt, but her friends carried her to the missionary hospital where she was cared for, and got quite well again.

Best of all, there she learned to know more about that blessed Lord Jesus, who had saved her from death. She found that He could also save her from eternal death, which is banishment from God, because of our sins. David could say, “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases.” Psalms 103:3.

How glad this poor mother must have been to find such a wonderful Saviour, who could do so much for her. He is still the same, dear reader, and He wants to save and bless you as well.

ML 05/26/1968

How a Sunday School Boy Followed Jesus

A poor old mother was going to visit her daughter in the city one evening, just about dark. She was carrying a bundle which was rather heavy for her. As she went on, a little boy came up to her and said, “Please, ma’am, may I carry that bundle for a nickel? I’m trying to earn some money, for we have nothing to eat at home.”

She let him carry it, and when they reached her daughter’s house it was quite dark. All the money she had in her pocket was a quarter and two nickels. By mistake the old mother gave the boy the quarter instead of the nickel.

Going into the house, she found that her daughter had nothing for themselves or the children to eat. She gave her daughter the two nickels to get some bread for the children, and went to bed herself without any supper, but praying that God would send them something for the morrow.

Early the next morning there was a knock at the door. The daughter opened the door, and found a little boy standing there, who asked, “Didn’t I bring a bundle here last night for an old lady?”

“Yes, you did.”

“Where is she?”

“Upstairs.”

“Please ask her to come down, for I want to see her.”

The old mother soon made her appearance, and the boy said, “Please, ma’am, do you know that you gave me a quarter last night instead of a nickel? Because you did, and here it is.”

“Well, my boy, I did just as you say; and I am very much obliged to you for bringing it back. But I would like to know how you came to do this, for I thought you had nothing to eat at home.”

“Yes, we are hard up,” said the boy brightening as he spoke; “but you see, I go to Sunday school, and I love Jesus, and am trying to follow Him, so you see I can’t be dishonest.”

That dear boy had really heard the voice of the Good Shepherd, and was trying to follow Him. And may you, dear reader, hear His gentle voice calling you to trust Him as your Saviour; and then seek to follow Him who “leadeth... in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalms 23:3.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:27,28.

ML 05/26/1968

"I'm Not Going Without It"

Some years ago a coal miner attended a gospel meeting. While telling of God’s free salvation the speaker emphasized that all who were present at the meeting could be saved right now. The miner himself was not saved but he realized that he was a sinner and that God’s offer of salvation might not be made to him again.

After the meeting he waited in the hall to speak with the preacher, and in his simple way he said, “Didn’t you say I could have the blessing now?”

“Yes, my friend.”

“Will you pray with me then, for I’m not going away without it.”

And they knelt down there and prayed together. Sometimes in such cases Satan will do everything he can to get a person to change his mind. Perhaps that was what happened with the miner. Or possibly he felt that he should do something to earn salvation. Maybe Satan told him that if he got saved he couldn’t live like a Christian.

The two men continued praying and then the miner cried out, “I’ve got it now! I’ve got it now!” and his face reflected the joy that was now in his heart. He had seen that all he had to do was to simply trust in the Lord Jesus as his Saviour.

The next day the miner returned to the coal pit to work and during the day there was a frightful accident. A number of men died instantly and many others were injured seriously. One of the latter was the man who had been saved only the night before. He was brought up to the surface and laid on the ground.

The evangelist who had preached the gospel the night before was also at the scene seeking to comfort the injured men and the sorrowing families.

There were only minutes of life left to the miner when the preacher found him. The man of God sympathized with him and then he heard the dying miner’s last words: “Oh, I don’t mind, for I’ve got it — I’ve got it — it’s mine!”

He quietly passed away then, but all was well with him. He knew that when God said, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2. God meant exactly that. Now means NOW, and not tomorrow. For the miner, tomorrow would have been too late. Won’t you take Jesus as your Saviour now?

Memory Verse: “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17.

ML 05/26/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 2:10 (Cont’d.)

Moses not only refused his favored position as a prince of Egypt, but chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God.” Hebrews 11:25. He might have determined that so a great sacrifice on his part was not justified and have considered his place in the court of Egypt the best means of relieving his suffering brethren, through his influence there. Reason might have said: “Remaining here I can be of real help to my people. I will use my position to induce the king to lessen their toil and make their bondage more bearable.”

This would not do for faith. The influence of the god of this world (Pharaoh) can never be employed to deliver the Lord’s people; and faith can never be sheltered or identified with it. This would have been leaning on the power of Pharaoh, instead of recognizing the bond between God and His people. It might have resulted in a relief which the world would have granted, but not in deliverance by God, in love and power. It would have recognized the power of Pharaoh over His people, left them in Egypt and not have acknowledged the precious relationship between God and His people.

Moses chose rather to leave privilege and honor behind and suffer affliction with his people. He could not be content to be merely for them. There was no worldly glory in view before him in this decision. Had he remained where he was he would have lost his true glory. In this he put aside all human glory and took a rejected place where God would have him. Surely it is well for the believer to look closely at his chosen associations. How easy to seek some achievement, acclaim or success, afraid of disclosing one’s calling as a child of God lest these worldly advantages are lost. Or, perhaps one might make a token expression of Christian faith and yet refrain from any real identification with the Lord’s people. But let such be assured that where there is the response in a Christian’s heart to associate with the Lord’s people, he will experience the joy not only in being with them, but will find himself more closely in fellowship with Him who is owned as Head of the Church His body.

Favorable circumstances are too often interpreted as God’s ordering. He sometimes grants a measure of prosperity to His people, but it should be remembered that circumstances alone are not to be trusted as a guide; they may be used of the enemy in drawing a Christian away from his true calling. Providence is by no means a true guide for faith. Faith deals with things which are not seen “for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18. All human reasoning, and reasoning connected with providential ways, would have induced Moses to remain in his position. No doubt providence placed him in the court of Pharaoh; but faith made him give it up. He chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God. Identification with them had more attractions for his faithful heart than the pleasures of sin. And he rose higher still: He esteemed the reproach of Christ—reproach arising from identification with Israel— “greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” Hebrews 11:26.

ML 05/26/1968

The Strange Book

Olinto lived in Brazil, and every few months he went to a nearby city to buy supplies. As it was a long journey, he always stayed overnight at a farmhouse. One night noticing a strange book on the table, he began to read it.

The farmer saw he was very much interested in it so he said, “Would you like to take that book? Someone gave it to me in the city, but you can have it.”

Olinto was glad to take the New Testament — for such it was — and as soon as he reached his home he began to read it through. He read with interest of the One named Jesus, who was so kind to everyone, who “went about doing good,” and yet men hated Him and nailed Him to Calvary’s cross. As he read on, he found that this same Jesus was the Son of God, who loved him, and came down here to die for him. His heart was touched, and he soon accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. Then, not long after, his wife and her sister were saved too.

Hearing of a Christian man living in another state, they asked him to come to their home and have gospel meetings. He came and preached, and many were saved.

Dear reader, have you accepted the Lord Jesus as your Saviour? If so, may we each seek to tell others the good news that they too might be saved? God’s Word says in Mark 5:19, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”

ML 06/02/1968

The Little Boy King

Have you heard the story of the little boy who was hidden away in the temple?

His name was Joash. He was only one year old when all his brothers were killed by a wicked old queen named Athaliah. But his aunt Jehoshabeath found means to save him, and she hid him with his nurse until he was seven years old. Was not that a long time for a little boy to be in hiding? There would be no nice walks in the country for him, no going fishing, no fun among the hay of the sweet-smelling fields, no gathering of wild flowers on the hills or in the valleys.

Only a few knew that the little boy had been saved; but they knew that he was the true king, and they looked for the day to come when he could be brought forth from the temple, where he was kept, and be crowned. And so six years went by. At last his friends made known that his life had been saved when his brothers were killed; they brought him out and crowned him and cried, “God save the King!”

We believe that Joash is a picture of the Lord Jesus, and Athaliah a type of Satan. While Satan reigns over this world, the Lord Jesus is hidden in heaven, yet the rightful heir and Lord of all. Soon He will come forth out of heaven as King of kings and Lord of lords. Once He died for sinners on the cross. Because He loved us and wanted to save us from our sins He laid down His life. But now He is alive again, and has gone back to heaven where He lives forever more. Those He loves He never forgets, though we often forget Him. We cannot see Him with the natural eye, but He sees us. But soon those who believe on Him shall see Him when He comes again. He shall call them to meet Him in heaven forever. When He comes back to reign over this earth they shall be with Him and reign with Him.

When the wicked old queen Athaliah heard the noise and the shouting, “God save the King!” she came out to see what was going on. When she saw little Joash dressed in royal robes and crowned as king, she cried, “Treason! Treason!” But the servants of the king quickly drove her out and she was slain. Thus shall all the enemies of the Lord Jesus perish in that day when He comes back to reign.

ML 06/02/1968

A Story From the South Seas

When John Williams, the well-known missionary, was laboring in the South Sea Islands, he met an old blind native man who had become a Christian.

The old man told him of how one night as he slept in his hut, he had a remarkable dream, and through it he had found Christ. In his dream he was taking a long journey to his final home. But he was hindered on the way by a great mountain. The mountain was rough and steep and as he began to climb it, in his dream he fell backwards and rolled down again. Time and again he tried to climb up the steep pathway but each time he failed. Exhausted, he lay there; then looking up he saw a drop of blood fall from the sky upon the peak of the mountain. He watched as the mountain began to melt away and it disappeared completely. With joy he continued his journey and finally reached home. Then he woke up.

The old man told Mr. Williams that he saw in the mountain that had blocked his way his many sins. But the precious blood of Jesus washed the mountain all away and opened the way straight to heaven.

This is what a sinner finds when he comes to Christ. The blood of Jesus, God’s dear Son, cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7), removes every stain and every trace of guilt, and sets him happy in God’s presence.

“Having therefore... boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh: and having a high priest over the house of God; let us 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 10:20-22.

ML 06/02/1968

"I Love Jesus"

A little Burmese girl was near death, and looking up to a kind lady, who was her teacher, she said, “I am dying, but I am not afraid to die; for Christ will call me up to heaven. He has taken away all my sins, and I wish to die now, that I may go and see Him. I love Jesus more than anyone else.”

“He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” Isaiah 40:11.

Memory Verse: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

ML 06/02/1968

Bible Questions for June

The Children’s Class

The verses containing these quotations will be found in consecutive order in Matthew 8-14

When you have found them write out the verses in which the quotations are found.

1. “Weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

2. “Then touched He their eyes.”

3. “Not able to kill the soul.”

4. “Meek and lowly in heart.”

5. “The mouth speaketh.”

6. “Ears are dull of hearing.”

7. “Jesus stretched forth His hand.”

The Young People’s Class: Our Lord Jesus Christ

1.What is the result when one believes on the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST? Acts 16.

2.What contrast does the grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST bring to light? 2 Corinthians 8.

3.What is our standing before God through the work of our LORD JESUS CHRIST? Romans 5.

4.What are the steps to a fruitful knowledge of our LORD JESUS CHRIST? 2 Pet.

5.What will be the fulfillment of the mercy of our LORD JESUS CHRIST? Jude.

6.What present blessings do we have through our LORD JESUS CHRIST? 2 Thessalonians 2.

7.What would the enemy of our souls have us to believe concerning the power and coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST? 2 Pet.

ML 06/02/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 2:11-12

In determining to take that place of rejection with his people, Israel, Moses is a lovely picture of the Lord Jesus in His grace identifying Himself with His own. He “made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant,” Philippians 2:7; “He was their Saviour. In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them.” Isaiah 63:8;9.

Moses was not yet in the full sense of God’s calling and had much to learn. Still it seemed he had a certain anticipation of the great work that God later summoned him to accomplish, though no doubt as yet vague and dark in his soul. As he progressed he became a type of the Lord who was not ashamed to call His people brethren. (Heb. 2:11.)

“And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens.” At forty, having now reached the years of discretion, his mind made up, Moses ventured forth to visit his brethren He saw them under the whip of their taskmasters, he witnessed their enormous burdens, and heard their cries. “And he spied an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew.” This kindled all his affections on behalf of his brethren; his anger was deeply stirred at the injustice. His heart responded in deepest sympathy for them in their sorrows and he felt strongly that God would use him as their redeemer. But it was not God’s time yet, and Moses was unsuccessful in communicating this to them. “He supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them; but they understood not.” Acts 7:25.

Here again we are reminded of the true Redeemer of Israel who “came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” John 1:11.

Moses, earnest and zealous though he was, had not yet learned to wait on God. “And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.” This indignation on behalf of his fellow countryman was righteous enough, but he failed in taking matters into his own hand and not waiting for God to right the wrong. Had he first sought counsel of the Lord, he would not have been “looking this way and that”; this was the fear of man,” and by no means an evidence of singleness of eye. In a later day, when acting on the Lord’s own commands, He is not seen “looking this way and that,” but boldly carrying out the Lord’s instructions, not fearing what man might do to him.

The Spirit of God does not blame the love of Moses which prompted him to act as he did in defense of his fellow countryman, nor does He vindicate the act. There was only one perfect Servant, the Lord Jesus Himself. He never acted apart from His Father’s will. He could say, “I do always those things that please Him.” John 8:29; again “as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do.” John 14:31.

If we feel the Lord has graciously called us to some service or given us some work to do for Him, let not faithfulness to Him be marred by some hasty action which will later bring regrets; but let us first look up in prayer to Him, seek His guidance, and wait His time. Then we can go forth in His strength, and not be looking “this way and that” to see if whether or not we have man’s approval.

ML 06/02/1968

Sokonyi

In the heart of Africa some years ago, there lived a man named Sokonyi. He had been taught to worship the spirits of his departed relives, believing they would return to the village, sometimes to help, but mostly to do harm.

It so happened that Sokonyi had gotten hold of a copy of the Gospel of Mark, the only portion of the Bible which had been translated into his tribal tongue at that time. He began to read it and he kept on leading, so interested was he in the wonderful Person of whom it spoke. He read that Jesus was the Son of God, that He lived among the people and went about doing them good. He really loved them. The people brought their sick ones to Him, and He cured them all, even lepers. More than that, He raised up to life again some who had died. Sokonyi went on to read about His death.

But such a cruel death He died,

He was hung up and crucified;

And those kind hands that did such good,

They nailed them to a cross of wood.

This gospel gave Sokonyi much to think about. It was the Book of God, the One who sent the sunshine and the rain to make their crops grow. He believed every word of it, and decided that from henceforth the true God would be his God. He would worship only Him.

“The entrance of Thy words giveth light.” Psalms 119:130; “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Sokonyi could no longer offer food and worship spirits of the departed dead; that was a thing of the past. There was opposition from others, because of his faith, nevertheless, he kept on reading God’s Word and that made him happy.

Happy they who trust in Jesus, Sweet their portion is and sure. And that is the way we found Sokonyi — happy.

When school on our mission station closed for vacation, and the pupils returned home, we decided to visit this brother in Christ, and then go on to villages long distances away. We got together our caravan men to carry the tent and other baggage for the long trek. Heading straight for Sokonyi’s village, we trudged through the bush, across hot plains, over rivers on crude bridges. We went in single file along the narrow dusty path.

After a few days we reached a clearing in the forest where there were several rows of thatched mud houses. We were told, “This is where Sokonyi lives.” While the men were setting up camp, we visited with this dear man and learned how he was saved. The next day we were among those who sat and listened to the reading of Mark’s gospel, the simple preaching, and prayer. The Africans love to sing and learn new hymns. How good it was to join in singing with them about the precious blood of Christ which cleanses from all sin. (1 John 1:7.)

The following day we continued farther on into the bush, thankful that the Lord had wrought a work in that area, where the enemy of souls had held sway so long. Sokonyi was not only reading the Word to those where he lived, but he was taking the message of God’s love to those in nearby villages, for he wanted others to be happy like he was.

Sometime after returning to the mission station, Sokonyi came to visit us. He wanted to keep in touch with those who were Christians. Though weak in body he had walked that long distance with a few friends. There was something on his mind he wanted to make known. It was a miracle God had performed in one of the villages where he had preached. At the gospel service, as he gave out the invitation to come to the Saviour, a young girl in the crowd raised her hand, which meant she accepted Christ. Sokonyi did not know at the time that the young girl was a mute — she could not talk.

The meeting over, Sokonyi visited among friends, and then returned home. Not long after this, he was surprised to see a group of people running through the bush toward him. They were so excited! “The mute can speak,” they exclaimed. He then found out that the young woman who had believed could now talk, for she spoke to him herself, and in the thanksgiving meeting that followed, she actually sang along with the others.

How wonderful it all was. There was joy on earth in the hearts of those dear souls in Africa, but there was also joy in heaven, for the Lord has told us: “Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.”

In telling this story, Sokonyi was afraid we might think he was boasting of what he had done. So he made it very clear that all he did was to read the Word, nothing more. God Himself had loosed the young girl’s tongue.

The last we heard of this dear man was that the authorities saw what a help he was to the community, and wanted him to be educated and trained as a leader. But Sokonyi declined the offer. Instead, his weak body grew weaker, and then one day the Lord took him to be with Himself, which was “far better.” (Phil. 1:23).

“And they sung a new song, saying,...: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign (over) the earth.” Revelation 5:9,10.

Memory Verse: “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 06/09/1968

The Boy and the Parakeet

“Pretty Boy” was the name of a little blue Parakeet. His master kept him in his cage in his office, and he taught him to talk a little. When his master would say, “Pretty Boy, where are you?” the little bird would reply, “Here I am!”

One day a boy came into the office. Mr. Bailey had to step out for a few minutes and when he came back the door of the cage was open and the bird was gone.

“Where is the bird?” he asked. The boy answered, “I don’t know.”

“Well, he was in the cage when I went out,” said the man.

“The door of the cage was left open and he must have flown away,” suggested the boy.

Then Mr. Bailey began to call, “Pretty Boy, where are you?”

Immediately from the boy’s pocket came the little voice, “Here I am.”

The thief was convicted on the spot.

The Bible says, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23.

We may think we can hide our sins, and we may hide them from others, but we cannot hide them from God. “Be sure your sin will find you out.”

We are all sinners, “For there is no difference: for all have sinned.” Romans 3:22,23. And, dear unsaved reader, that sin of yours will one day come up before God and its voice will be heard in your condemnation, if you go on as you are without Christ.

The gospel tells us of God’s remedy for sin, of how those sins can be put away from His sight forever; for “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13.

ML 06/09/1968

The Little Boy's Gift

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes:... And Jesus took the loaves:... and likewise of the fishes.” John 6:9,11.

‘Twas only a small boy’s basket,

And a small boy’s love for Him.

But the gift, with the love,

Moved a power above,

And thousands were fed by Him.

“Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any.” Job 36:5.

ML 06/09/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 2:13-15

“And when (Moses) went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian?” In this bitter taunt against himself, Moses read his rejection by his own brethren.

God’s time had not yet come for Israel to be delivered from Egypt. God would have His own way of bringing it about and that to the glory of His name and the full release of His people. The faith of Moses was precious in the sight of God, but He could not yet use him. Like Peter who had to learn that whatever might be his love for the Lord, he could not follow Him in the energy of nature, Moses must learn that only the power of God could be employed in the deliverance of His people.

Moses’ intentions were good; he loved the Lord’s people, but he went about to set things right in his own way. We are often like this, especially when we are young; we try to set things right in our own way. But let us remember we can never set the world right, and if we try we shall get into trouble like Moses did. Yet there is much we can do; only let us do it in obedience to God and His Word, and not in our own way. We rejoice to see real energy in serving the Lord, but let us be sure we are doing things according to His Word and not just what we think is right.

Perhaps Moses thought that in befriending the abused Hebrew his people would readily understand his sympathies toward them. Surely he had no thought they would spread the news of his slaying the Egyptian. However, when he returned the next day he learned that it had become generally known. “And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.” Not only was Moses rejected by his brethren, but he was persecuted by the world, for “when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses.” Perhaps for the first time Pharaoh saw in Moses not an adopted heir, but a threat to the land of Egypt. Moses had no choice but to escape; and he “fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian.” This was northeast of the Red Sea — a hundred miles or more from Egypt. Here he was to spend the second forty-year period of his life. Certainly this desert land was not a place of his choosing, except as a way of escape from the wrathful king. How he must have wondered at the sudden turn of events! He who had considered himself the deliverer of his people, was now estranged from them. He who had dwelt in the midst of the influence, dignity and authority of the royal court of Egypt, was now an outcast, a refugee in a strange land.

Yet here it was in the ensuing years that Moses was to learn what it was to enter into a new relationship with God. Here in this back side of the desert, far from the courts of Egypt as indeed from the cries of his own people, God put him through the necessary discipline for the mighty work he was yet to accomplish.

ML 06/09/1968

A Lesson from the Bees

A black cloud was rising out of the west. The low muttering of thunder was heard in the distance, and as I stood taking note of the signs of the coming storm, I noticed the air seemed full of bees. Each one was dropping straight down as an arrow to the hive. I watched them for some time, as they hastened in from the flowery meadows to their home, and this scripture came to my mind: “Flee from the wrath to come.” Luke 3:7; Matthew 3:7.

I thought how much wiser the bees are than the men of this world! God has given them warning after warning in His word of the judgment surely coming on this poor world. But folks go on as if all were well, unheeding the solemn word, “Flee from the wrath to come.”

“Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained.” Acts 17:31.

How safe the little bees are in their hives! The storm may rage about them, but it does not touch them. And oh, how safe is each one who has fled for refuge to Christ. “A man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest.” Isaiah 32:2.

We know who that Man is, even “The Man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all.” 1 Timothy 2:6.

Oh, dear friend—young and old—be wise as the bees. Make haste to Christ! Let not any of the sweet things in the fields of this world tempt you to stay away from Him. He will be your “covert” and “hiding place” when the great day of God’s wrath has come.

ML 06/16/1968

The Pirate and the Doves

“I knew a man,” said Mr. Audubon, “who had been connected with a band of pirates for some years. At the time to which I refer he was an honest, useful man, at the head of a happy family. In a conversation which I had with him on one occasion, he gave me this account of the way in which he was led to give up being a pirate and lead a different sort of life:

“Our vessel was anchored once for some time in a snug little harbor on a good-sized island in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Florida. We had several tents pitched on shore, and spent most of our time there. We used to get our supply of drinking water from a fountain that flowed out from a beautiful grove of trees not far from our camp. In the grove surrounding that fountain a number of doves had their nests. The gentle cooing of these doves used to have a strange effect on me. One day, having nothing to do, I went and took a seat by that fountain, and spent some time there in watching the motions of those doves and listening to their voices. The soft, gentle, peaceful tones in which they were cooing seemed to awaken my conscience. I thought of the quiet, peaceful lives they were living, and of the violence and wrong-doing that marked my own life.

“While thinking thus, the sense of my sinfulness overwhelmed me. Then I threw myself on the ground, and, bursting into tears, confessed my sins unto God, and asked Him to forgive me and help me to turn round and lead a different life. Then I determined to take the first opportunity of leaving my wicked companions and getting back to my family and friends. It was a hard thing to do, but with the help of God I succeeded in doing it; and now I am seeking to lead an honest, useful, happy life. And I thank God for making use of the gentle, peaceful voice of the dove to bring about this change.’”

In the gospels we read that the Lord Jesus “when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him,” and John “saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16,17. The dove in Scripture speaks of that new nature, which is Christ. It is also the bird of love and sorrow; and this was the character that the blessed Son of God was pleased to take when as a Man He went through this world.

Love in Thy lonely life

Of sorrow here below....

Dear young reader, do you know Him as your Saviour? and is His love, “which passeth knowledge,” working in your heart, and mine?

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Galatians 5:22,23.

ML 06/16/1968

Never Alone

“I know that my way is protected

By the One whom no mortal can see.

I know ‘tis His voice that is whisp’ring

So kindly and gently to me.

The joys of this world have now faded,

And hopes that seemed fondest have flown;

But Jesus my Saviour is with me

He never will leave me alone.”

“For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5.

ML 06/16/1968

A Better Surprise

Two boys were hiking along the bank of the river. Down by the edge of the stream old Mr. Jones was cooling his feet in the water. “Here’s his shoes,” said Joe with a laugh. “Let’s play a trick on him. I’ll put some rocks in his shoes, and we’ll hide and see the surprise on his face.”

“No,” said Ed, “Let’s surprise him better than that. It would be more fun to put some money in his shoes, and then watch and see his surprise.”

So together they dropped a nickel and a few pennies in the old man’s shoes, and then they hid behind some bushes to watch. Before long the poor old man came for his shoes. What was his surprise to find the money in them. There and then the aged Christian got down on his knees and clasping his hands he thanked God and asked Him to bless the giver.

“Blessed is he that considereth the poor.” Psalms 41:1.

ML 06/16/1968

Among Robbers

One night a band of robbers broke into the house of a Christian man in China. They took away his son and then asked for a great sum of money as a ransom. The poor father did not have enough money to pay the ransom, and he knew that if the money was not paid on a certain day in an appointed place, the child would be killed by the robbers. But he knew the One who has said: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalms 50:15. The father got down on his knees and prayed earnestly to God to save his child. He prayed the whole day and the following night.

Early in the morning he heard the voice of his boy at the door. He had a happy face, but his clothes were torn and his feet were sore. He told his parents how the Lord had helped him. In the evening the robbers were quarrelling among themselves and not watching him, and so he took the opportunity to steal away in the twilight. He had run all night to get home. With thankful hearts the whole family praised the Lord for this merciful deliverance.

ML 06/16/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 2:15 Cont’d

Moses had identified himself with God’s people and it is this first devotedness which is recorded by the Spirit of God in Hebrews 11 24-26. But there is often an energy of nature displayed along with this earnest energy of faithfulness, and it is one of the ways of God to put aside a servant in order that the service might depend directly and entirely on Him. So it was with Moses.

His sympathies for his people led him to slay the Egyptian whom he saw smiting one of his brethren. This act, though well intentioned, was really the energy of nature, the flesh —impulsive and unwise. The next day he saw two Hebrews striving together and sought to reconcile them, but the love that sought their good was repulsed. It was the man who was in the wrong that had the bitter feeling against him who loved them both; it was he who taunted Moses with the words, “Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? Wilt thou kill me, as thou didst the Egyptian yesterday?” The Israelite’s own proud spirit was ready to insinuate pride in Moses. Moses bowed to circumstances. Evidently the time was not yet come for the deliverance of such a people.

When Pharaoh heard what Moses had done he sought to slay him. The immediate result of his hasty act was seen in his fear, even in the midst of his faithfulness. But too he was repulsed by the unbelief of his brethren, and their failure to rightly interpret his motives.

Moses fled from Egypt, yet not so much in fear of the enmity of Pharaoh, but it was the unworthy dealing of his brethren, the unbelief of those toward whom his love and his faithfulness carried him, that broke up all hope for the present.

“By faith (Moses) forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:27. Moses retired from the scene to the land of Midian, where he was put through the discipline that was necessary for the mighty work God was yet to call him to.

From this point he becomes a type of Christ in rejection; for he is rejected by the people whom he loved, and becomes in his flight separated from his brethren. He still trod the path of faith, though that path led him into the desert among a strange people. God had his eye upon him, for He never forgets those who are His, even though we may often err.

Moses certainly had been hasty; and the Lord judged it. But he was right in the main; and the Lord left accordingly to him and not to another the due accomplishment of Israel’s deliverance when the fullness of the time was come.

Memory Verse: “From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15.

ML 06/16/1968

The Tiger in the Bathtub

Two Christian ladies in the far East were taking a little vacation during the hot summer. They had gone to live in a small cottage on the side of the hill; indeed, the hill formed the back of the house, so that one could easily get onto the roof from the side of the hill.

One night when they were both in bed and asleep, they awoke to the sound of heavy footsteps on the roof. They soon guessed that it was a tiger come down from the mountains. They were both very frightened. It was a hot night and all the windows were wide open. They knew that in another minute the tiger could come on the veranda, and could easily spring in on them.

What do you think they did? Get up and look for a gun to shoot the wild beast? No, there was no gun in the house; they were quite helpless. One thing they could do, and that was to get down on their knees and ask God to take care of them. They knew that their God was the same One who had shut the lions’ mouths when Daniel was put in the den, so they cried to Him for help and protection.

What a wonderful thing it is that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psa. 46:1.

The ladies very soon heard the tiger jump from the roof to the veranda. They could hear him breathing just outside their window. Would he spring in on them in another moment?

No, he passed their window, and went to the next one. This was the bathroom, and just inside the window was a large tub full of water, in readiness for the morning bath. Mr. Tiger made a great leap; then they heard a plunge and a great splash; he had landed in the bath tub.

You know that cats do not like water, and after all a tiger is just a great big cat; so he did not stay in that tub to take a bath, but all soaking wet, and very frightened, he leaped out of the window and off the veranda, down the hill, and they heard no more of him. How those ladies thanked God many times for His care and protection.

There is a beautiful verse about calling on God when you are in trouble: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psa. 50:15.

But do not forget the last part of that verse. How often we take God’s care of us as a matter of course, and do not thank Him at all. God sent His blessed Son into this world to save sinners such as we. The Lord Jesus took our place in that awful judgment on the cross, and died there for us. We know He rose again and has gone back to heaven; now He wants us to trust Him as our Saviour, and to thank Him for what He has done. May God lead you to do so, dear young reader, and go rejoicing on your way to heaven.

ML 06/23/1968

Faithful Old Shep

If you had traveled through Fort Benton, Montana, a few years ago, you might have seen a shepherd dog pacing up and down the station platform. If you had asked any of the trainmen about “Old Shep,” as he was called, they would have told you that the dog had met every train for three years.

Old Shep was once owned by a man who went to Montana looking for relief from a dreaded disease. The man took a job herding sheep and he needed a good dog. A shepherd gave him the dog, at that time a puppy, and lent him an older dog to teach the young one to watch the sheep during the day and round them up at night.

The young dog soon learned to handle sheep without the aid of the older dog. But as time went on, disease took the life of the dog’s master. The people of the community saw that the body of the herder was sent back to his old home in an eastern state. The dog followed the body of his master to the railway station and saw it loaded on the train.

The faithful dog remained at the station, meeting every train — day and night — in the hope that the next train would return his master to him. He refused to make up with anyone and was seldom seen except at train time. After each train had departed, he would crawl back under the station to patiently await the next train. The section foreman tried to coax the dog to stay in the section house but the dog refused to leave the spot where he last saw his master.

We can learn a lesson from Old Shep. He was faithful to his master who had died. Those of us who know the Lord Jesus as our own Saviour and Master can seek to be faithful to Him who has died for us, but who has risen again and gone back to heaven. We should be looking for His coming again for He has promised: “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3.

“For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Heb. 10:37.

“Behold, I come quickly,” Revelation 22:7

ML 06/23/1968

Little Jane

Little Jane one day was taken to a gospel meeting, where the preacher was telling the sweet story of Jesus’ love. Little Jane listened very carefully. At the end of the service, the preacher asked all to come to the Saviour. What do you think little Jane did? She stood right up and called out, “Me too!”

Yes, Jane was not a very big girl, but she was big enough to know that she was a sinner, and that Jesus loved her. From that day, Jane wanted others to know Him too, so she got some Scripture story books, and lent them to her friends in the village.

Do you love Jesus? Have you said, “Me too”?

“Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 19:14.

M 06/23/1968

The Power of a Smile

Mrs. Dennett was standing on the platform waiting for the train to come, when an old man stepped up to her and said: “Excuse me, madam, but I want to thank you for something.”

“Thank me?” she questioned.

“Yes, ma’am. I used to be ticket collector at Trenton, and whenever you went by you always gave me a cheerful smile and a ‘good morning,’ and you do not know what a difference it made to me. Sunshine or rain it was always the same, and I thought to myself, ‘I wonder where she gets that smile from: one cannot always be happy, and yet she seems to be, and I knew that smile came from inside.’

“Then one morning you came by, and you had a little Bible in your hand, and I wondered if perhaps that was where your smile came from. On my way home from work that night I bought a Bible, and have been reading it ever since. I have found the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour, and now I can smile too, and I want to thank you.”

“Whoso trusteth in the Lord, hay is he.” Prov. 16:20.

“For Thou exceedest all the fame

Our ears have ever heard;

How happy we who know Thy name,

And trust Thy faithful Word.”

Memory Verse: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” Acts 3:19.

ML 06/23/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 2:16-21

Moses had fled from Egypt, and retired to the land of Midian. “And he sat down by a well.”

“Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.”

There are several interesting incidents in the Scriptures that took place at the side of a well. There Eliezer the faithful servant first met Rebekah, who became the bride of Isaac; there too Jacob met his loved Rachel. And at Sychar’s well the blessed Lord Himself talked with that poor woman of Samaria, and made known to her thirsty soul Himself as the One who gives the living water. Whosoever drinks of this living water will find in himself a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

In his meeting the daughters of Jethro (Reuel) Moses is in a measure a type of Christ, rejected by His brethren, turning to the Gentiles. He was “despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Isa. 53:3.

Joseph, hated of his brethren, was cast out, too. But Joseph rose to dignity and honor in the land of the Gentiles, and is a picture of the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of the world, and of His people, the Jewish nation, as well.

Like the One whom he foreshadowed, Moses set aside his own weariness, and rose to meet the needs of these maidens, driven away by the ruthless shepherds.

“And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon today? And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.” A little kindness goes a long way, and when the daughters of Jethro returned home and told him what had happened, he sent them back to invite Moses into his home. God thus rewarded Moses for his act of kindness. There God provided His servant a home, and a wife in one of the daughters of Jethro. “And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.”

Joseph received Asenath his bride after his exaltation over Egypt (the world), telling of the place of nearness the Church, the bride of Christ, shall share with Him in the coming glory. On the other hand, Moses claimed Zipporah, and she accepted the claim, while he was an outcast. She was content to share his rejection and reproach. The Church is composed of those who have come to Christ in faith and are united to Him through grace. For the present they occupy a place of reproach in this Christ-rejecting world, but look on to that day when they shall share His glory with Him.

Oh that we as the bride of Christ might more often be heard to exclaim: “My Beloved is mine, and I am His,” happy to share His reproach during this “little while.” “If so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified tether.” Rom. 8:17.

ML 06/23/1968

The King and the Stable Boy

Many years ago when King George III of England once visited the royal stables, one of the stable boys attracted his attention. Something about the boy won the King’s favor, and he treated him kindly in many ways.

But a time of temptation came, and the boy fell into disgrace. He had stolen some oats from the royal bins, and being detected, the head groom had him discharged. There seemed to be no idea of speaking to the poor lad about the sin of stealing, and abusing the confidence of his master, but only a determination to treat him as he deserved, and dismiss him. How good that God “hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities,” Psa. 103:10, or He would have turned us from His presence forever, and consigned us to everlasting judgment, for we “all have sinned.” Rom. 3:23.

Not long afterward, when the King again visited his stables; he noticed that the boy was absent, and asked the head groom what had become of him.

“I have discharged the boy, sir,” he answered.

“For what reason?” asked the King.

“He was caught stealing oats,” was his reply.

The King felt sorry for the poor boy who had disgraced himself, but determined not to give him up, and ordered him to be sent for immediately. Without loss of time the boy was brought to the king. What a scene that was! Face to face with Britain’s King stood the boy, a convicted thief!

“Well, my boy,” said his Majesty when the poor lad, not knowing what awaited him, stood before him, trembling and looking very pale; “is this true what I hear of you?”

The lad could not look up into the King’s face, but, with his head bent down, his only answer to the kind inquiry was a flood of tears. His mouth was stopped, for he knew he was guilty; he stood condemned, without excuse. And this reminds us of what we read in Rom. 3:19: “that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”

The King, seeing the boy was truly sorry on account of his sin, spoke to him of the evil, how he had not only taken what was not his own, but abused the confidence placed in him.

“Well, my boy,” said his Majesty, putting his hand kindly upon the boy’s head, “I FORGIVE YOU.” Then, turning to the head groom, he said, “Let the boy have his job back again, and let him be cared for.”

What a thrill of joy the lad’s heart felt as the King uttered those three words, “I FORGIVE YOU.” Instead of being ordered off to prison and punished and disgraced, he was restored to favor, and reinstated in the place he had lost.

As his Majesty was leaving, he turned around, looking steadfastly at the boy, and in the hearing of the grooms and servants about him said, “If anyone says a word to you about those oats, TELL ME!” Now this was a double assurance to the boy. Not only was he forgiven, and that publicly, but not a word was to be said to him about his past sin; it was to be forgotten. Who would invite the King’s displeasure by telling the boy of his fault? This act of grace had a greater effect upon the boy than any punishment would have had. How, after such kindness and forgiveness, could he again wrong so gracious a master who had so deeply interested himself on his behalf? Would it not rather call forth devotedness of heart in his service, and a fear of grieving him anymore?

Is not this a beautiful illustration of divine grace, of God’s way with sinners like ourselves? It may be, like the poor stable boy, we are thoroughly conscious of our guilt, and with a broken heart, finding no words to tell out its repentance and godly sorrow. Now God frankly and freely forgives all who believe on His Son, who died for sinners. Salvation, free and full, is offered to all.

Just as the King said to the boy as he left the stables, “If anyone says a word to you about those oats, tell me!” so God speaks to His children. He says: “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?” God who justifies? No! Christ who died? No! They can say, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31,33).

If Satan distresses me about what I have been or what I have done, I go to the Lord and tell Him about it. It’s all true perhaps what he says about me, but then, “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

The King restored the stable boy to his position. God has done far more. He has united us to Christ by a link that never can be broken, and we not only have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins, through the riches of His grace, but He says we shall in a little while be taken away to be forever with the Lord Jesus, where there will be none to tell us of our past sins, but every tongue will be employed in the praise of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.

“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24.

ML 06/30/1968

Little Eric

Little Eric was one day playing with some toy blocks under the table. In the same room his mother was talking to his two older sisters, but as Eric was only four years old, she did not think he would pay any attention to what she was saying.

She spoke of the Lord Jesus dying on the cross for them and told them that they must believe it for themselves to belong to Jesus and be His children. As she finished speaking she said, “Yes, and Jesus died for Eric too, little as he is.”

That night when Eric knelt to pray beside his bed, he said his usual little prayer and then paused and added, “Thank You, Jesus, for dying for me.”

Eric is now a grown man and for years has been a faithful worker for the Lord Jesus. But he always says he was saved at the age of four, by HEARING and BELIEVING.

“Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14.

ML 06/30/1968

John Wesley and the Robber

John Wesley, the well-known preacher of years ago, while crossing the open fields one day, was threatened by a man who demanded his money.

Mr. Wesley gave the robber what money he had, and then said to him: “It may be that one day you’ll be sorry that you have thus sinned against God. Should it ever be so, remember that ‘the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin’.” (1 John 1:7.)

Years afterward Mr. Wesley was preaching in a certain town, and just as he stepped down from the platform, a man came forward and said, “Sir, do you remember being robbed by a highwayman some years ago?”

“Yes,” replied Mr. Wesley; “I do.”

“Well, sir, I am that man. The thought of my sins made me miserable after a while. Then I remembered the words you had spoken to me: ‘The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.’ So I went to the Lord Jesus, and told Him everything. Now I trust in Him as the Saviour of my soul.”

So the poor robber found that the precious blood of Christ was able to wash away his sins of scarlet dye.

“Come now,... saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa. 1:18.

Life is found alone in Jesus,

Only there ‘tis offered thee—

Offered without price or money

‘Tis the gift of God sent free.

ML 06/30/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 2:22,23

Though in exile, the heart of Moses was still with his people. When Zipporah bore him a son, “he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.” He never forgot he was away from his people and a stranger in Midian. Without doubt he must have cherished the companionship of Zipporah, his wife, and how their joy must have increased at the birth of their first little son, whose name means “Stranger.”

This is our position now as Christians. We are strangers in this world, and our home is in heaven. May we seek grace to act as such from day to day.

We are told but little of those forty years Moses spent in the back side of the desert. We know that he “kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law” (Ex. 3:1); and when his second son was born he called him Eliezer, meaning “My God is a help,” reflecting a note of trust and courage. “For the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.” (See chs. 18:3,4). Moses had a sense that God was over his circumstances. Here in the desert he had ample time to meditate upon God and His ways, and in a school quite different from that in which he had learned the skills of Egypt. Here he was to be more like the One whom he was to portray. Here he learned meekness and lowliness of mind, humility, submission, and attentiveness to the voice of God. Here was God’s place to fit him for the great work before him, which all the learning of Egypt could never do.

The years went by; in Egypt and Goshen, the bondage of the children of Israel went on unabated. The was no visible relief from their oppression. “And it came to pass process of time, that the king Egypt died; and the children Israel sighed by reason of the bondage.”

Israel it seems had forgotten the God of their fathers, for it does not appear that their cries and groanings were addressed to Him. And this too is the way of many a soul who knows the bondage of sin and cries, “O wretched man that I and who shall deliver me?” Helpless it the grasp of Satan, the sinner often hopes in a vague way for some relief or improvement in his wretchedness, or seeks some means of escape. Yet all the while the Saviour in love and compassion sends out the invitation: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalms 50:15 “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

God had not forgotten His people: He had His eye upon them, and His ear was open to their cry. He did, however, allow them to feel the bitterness of serving Pharaoh, for they had forgotten Him. How often God has to bring sorrow into people’s lives in order to make them turn to Him, and then when they do call upon His name, He hears and answers in blessing. “Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful work: to the children of men!” Psalms 107.8

Memory Verse: “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.” Hebrews 10:12.

ML 06/30/1968

A Little Girl's Prayer

Elsie’s father was an engineer on the railroad. One dark night, as the train roared along the track through the countryside, he had to step outside the cab onto the platform to check some part on the engine. He slipped, lost his balance and began to fall. Somehow, he could not account for it, he grasped part of the railing and was able to swing himself back to safety.

At the end of the trip, very early in the morning, he reached his home and taking off his shoes so as not to awaken his family, he went quietly upstairs.

Just as he tip-toed past little Elsie’s room, her door opened, and his little girl slipped out and flung her arms around him. As he picked her up in his strong arms, she exclaimed: “Oh Daddy, I’m so glad to see you! I had such a bad dream about you in the night. I dreamed you had been killed on the tracks. I woke up and got out of bed, I knelt down and asked God to take care of you!”

The engineer knew then how he had been spared from falling to his death in the night. God had laid it upon his little girl’s heart to pray for him and He had answered her prayer.

Dear boys and girls, you are not too young to pray to God and make requests to Him, if you ask in faith. He will hear each prayer of faith and will surely answer in His own time and way. If you do not know His dear Son as your Saviour you may well pray the prayer of the publican, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” Luke 18:13; or Peter’s prayer, “Lord, save me.” Matthew 14:30. Then when you are saved you can go straight to God as your loving Father and ask of Him in the name of the Lord Jesus. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16.

ML 07/07/1968

Little Bert's Prayer

Bert was a little fellow about three years old. Like most small boys and girls he liked to climb. One day, down on the farm, he climbed up on a large pile of wood stacked in the farmyard. He did not think when he was climbing up there how he was going to get back down again; in fact, he never gave it a thought until one of his small companions called out, “Look out, Bert, you will fall.”

Bert then looked down, and got so frightened; but what do you think he did? Why, he raised his head, put up his little hands, and said in his funny little way, “God help this boy!” Then he seemed to gain courage after he had said his little prayer, and instead of falling he got down safely.

Little Bert’s father and mother were Christians. They taught their little boy to trust the Saviour, and he learned to love Him. They knew that He who gave His only begotten Son to die to save them from perishing, is a very present help in trouble (Psa. 46:1), and that He makes all those who love Him the objects of His care, as long as they are down here in this world. They knew too that one day soon the Lord Jesus is coming to take them and all who love Him home to heaven. Do you have this hope, dear young reader?

ML 07/07/1968

The Closed Door Opened

A missionary in the interior of Africa longed to visit a fierce neighboring tribe with the gospel. The chief, however, was much opposed, and each time the missionary asked permission to enter his territory, he was definitely refused.

One day the missionary was walking toward that hill beyond which the chief lived. He was carrying his gun over his shoulder as a dense against wild beasts which were plentiful in the jungles. Suddenly he heard voices and then he saw the chief and his men talking excitedly and pointing to a vulture’s nest on a little hill. A giant serpent was approaching and wanted the young birds.

“I will kill the serpent,” said the chief, and he climbed up with his spear in hand. These men are very good hunters. The chief aimed at the head of the serpent, but at that moment the mother bird came swooping down to frighten the enemy away. This changed the position of the serpent and the spear fell into space. In another moment the serpent had begun to wind itself around the man who was now helpless without a weapon and unable to run away. The grip of the serpent became tighter and tighter and the chief cried out for help. He was desperate, for his death seemed certain.

The missionary sprang forward and crying to God for help, aimed his gun at the head of the serpent and hit it. He shot four more bullets hitting the head of the serpent each time. The grip of the serpent loosened and it soon fell down, dead. The chief came running to the missionary and bowed down and thanked him for saving his life.

“May I come into your village now?” asked the missionary. The chief gladly gave him permission and was one of the first who accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. This was the beginning of a work among them, and others were saved too.

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:21.

ML 07/07/1968

Bible Questions for July

The Children’s Class

1.“He took the seven loaves.”

2.“Raised again the third day.”

3.“Enter into life with one eye.”

4.“Where two or three are gathered.”

5.“Receive a hundredfold.”

6.“The last shall be first.”

7.“And found nothing thereon.”

The Young People’s Class: The Son of God

1.In what special way do the Scriptures declare Jesus Christ to be the SON OF GOD? Romans 1.

2.What was the response from the high priest when Jesus owned that He was Christ, the SON OF GOD? Matthew 26.

3.What was the response from the disciples when they acknowledged Jesus as the SON OF GOD? Matthew 14.

4.What is true of one today who has not believed in the name of the only begotten SON OF GOD? John 3.

5.What is the promise to those that do believe on the name of the SON OF GOD? 1 John 5.

6.What could the Apostle Paul say as to his life when he thought of what the SON OF GOD had done for him? Galatians 2.

7.What ought we to hold fast when we realize that the SON OF GOD is now our great high priest? Heb.

ML 07/07/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 2:24,25

“And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.” Though Israel’s cries may not have been addressed to God, He, nonetheless, heard their groans and was attentive to each tear and cry. Although they were entirely unaware of it, the days of their slavery were nearing an end. They were soon to have a glorious release in a manner far beyond hope’s fondest dreams. “For He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death.” Psalms 102:19,20.

God had never forgotten His covenant, established first with Abram and later confirmed to Isaac and Jacob. Man may fail time and again in his promises and purposes, but not God. “The Word of our God shall stand forever.” Is it not refreshing, Christian friend, to see that God never forgets His own? His ways of wisdom may lead His child through the furnace of affliction for a season, but at the end of the trial there will always be found great compensation. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalms 30:5.

How reassuring the promise: “God... hath begotten us again unto a lively hope... to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith... wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye a in heaviness through manifold temptations (or trials): that the trial of your faith... might be found unto praise and honor and glory the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:3-7. Beloved saint of God, He is for you and He will see you through to a glorious eternity!

The one whom God would use in delivering Israel from Egypt may have been discouraged to find so many years of his life spent in the desert, far from his people with whom he had long ago associated himself; for he could not, at this time, realize how preparatory those years had been.

It is interesting to consider how frequently periods of forty years or forty days appear in Scripture. They represent God’s mark of full testing. Moses’ forty years in the desert remind us of the Lord who, before entering public ministry, “was led by the spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil.” Luke 4:1,2. The glorious reigns of David and Solomon were forty-year periods, during which time Israel was richly blessed under God. Moses would soon enter his third forty-year period, when he would lead Israel out of Egypt and on to the promised land. Along the way he would experience forty days and nights on Mt. Sinai’s summit when God gave him the law written on tables of stone.

The preparation period for Moses had now run its course. God had well-schooled him for the task to which he would be assigned as His chosen instrument to set His people free and fulfill His promise to them.

Memory Verse: “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15.

ML 07/07/1968

Sam

Cam was a boy who lived on one of the Indonesian islands. His father had died and he was brought up by his uncle. His uncle hated the name of Jesus, and Christians as well.

However, once when Sam visited a sick friend in the big city, he had walked around town in the evening and heard a missionary preaching on the street corner. He stopped to listen, and then for the first time he heard Jesus Christ proclaimed as the Saviour of sinners. Then one day Sam picked up a small booklet on the side of the road. It told about Jesus Christ, and Sam tucked it into his pocket.

In the evenings it was usual for the men and boys to go down to the river to bathe and Sam and his uncle were there. Sam left his trousers on the bank and slipped into the cool refreshing stream. After a swim, he and his uncle climbed up the bank and began to dress. As Sam picked up his trousers the little book fell out. His uncle picked it up and noticed the name of Jesus on the front cover. At once he was furious. “Where did you get this?” he demanded. Sam did not reply, and his uncle, tearing the little book into pieces, threw it into the water.

Sam was sorry to see his precious book destroyed this way. It had become his special treasure. He loved to read in it the wonderful words of life, of Jesus, the sinner’s Friend, and he had really and truly trusted Him as Saviour. He believed that Jesus had died for him upon the Cross.

Silently he followed his uncle up the path to home, and on the way, he made a decision: he must tell his uncle that he was a Christian.

Sam was nervous, but the Lord gave him courage. He went into his uncle’s room and said to him, “Uncle, I have become a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know that He died for my sins and that He is alive forever.”

This brought his uncle to his feet with a scream. “You wretched, ungrateful nephew,” said he. “I have taken care of you ever since your father died, and you know I hate Christians. If you speak to me again of Jesus, I’ll kill you.”

It was a solemn moment for Sam, and his face turned pale; but as he turned away he was determined to show his uncle by his life and conduct that he was changed—that he loved the Lord Jesus.

Does it not say in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”?

A little later, Sam secretly visited a missionary in his home and told him his story, how he heard the gospel that night on the street corner, that he had found a little booklet telling of God’s love in giving the Lord Jesus to die as a sacrifice for sin, and how he had found joy in trusting Him as his Saviour.

It was with great joy that the missionary read together with Sam, explaining to him the scriptures as he went along, and Sam was both helped and encouraged. The desire grew in his heart to be a missionary himself to his own people and tell them the wondrous story of Jesus. How could he tell his uncle of his intention!

Sam prayed about it for a long time and finally made up his mind. He would tell his uncle.

The next morning, trembling and shaking, he presented himself before his uncle, who wondered what was up. With great difficulty Sam stammered out that he wanted to preach Jesus Christ to his own people.

The supreme moment had come, His uncle was infuriated. Drawing a knife from behind him, he stood before his nephew. Sam thought to run, but he seemed frozen to the ground. His uncle raised the knife above his head, and at that moment Sam felt the Lord’s presence with him in a way that he had never known before. If he died, he would go to be with his Saviour, forever. It was a dreadful moment. All of a sudden his uncle collapsed at his feet—dead. He had died from a heart attack. Sam had been spared, but deep was his sorrow when he thought of how his uncle had died a rejecter of Christ, unsaved and without hope.

This incident made Sam more than ever determined to carry the gospel to his own people. “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.

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 07/14/1968

A Spider's Web

It was during a time of great religious persecution, when the Christians were being hunted and put to death. A godly Christian preacher was fleeing before his enemies, who were seeking his life. God used one of His tiny creatures to protect His loved servant.

Trying to escape, the Christian man entered an empty house. At the back of the house was a big oven into which he climbed and hid himself.

Soon after he climbed in, a spider spun its web across the mouth of the oven. Soon his pursuers appeared and were searching the house. They passed hastily by the oven, without stopping to look in. Inside the fugitive could hear their conversation: “He can’t be in there,” said one. “Look at that spider’s web.” So they passed on.

A little later, the Christian crept from his hiding place, thanking God for preserving him.

There is a power in this world which is above all the power of men and Satan. It is the power of God. But God is holy and righteous, and He cannot allow sin in His presence. We are all sinners. To be saved we must be cleansed from our sins. God has provided a way of salvation, a hiding place from coming judgment. That is, through the death of His dear Son, who died to put away sin. All who trust Him as their Saviour by faith, are safe forever in Christ.

Do not delay. Seek the refuge that God has provided at once, lest that judgment overtake you and you perish. May you be able to say, “The Lord is my hiding place.”

“A Man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest;... as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” Isaiah 32:2.

ML 07/14/1968

The Little Martyr

During the Boxer rebellion in China in the year of 1900 many Christians and lovers of the Scriptures were cruelly persecuted and slain—often in large numbers.

A little girl, whose father had already been murdered because of his faith, hid herself in a corn-field to elude her persecutors. Her fiendish enemies discovered her, hover, and demanded to know where her father had hidden his Bible, as they wished to destroy it. The wicked men threatened the child with death, but she refused steadfastly to betray the hiding place of the Book of God. That precious volume had revealed the Lord Jesus to her, and was her strength and stay.

The cruel Boxers had no pity. They soon killed the faithful young witness, and she was numbered among the many already martyred for Christ’s sake. She would rather die than give up her Bible.

“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10.

Memory Verse: “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 07/14/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses

Exodus 3:1-4

“Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the back side of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.”

Forty long years had passed since Moses left Egypt. There in the wilderness he had been learning the lessons he needed for his future work, lessons necessary to qualify him to act for God as the deliverer of His people. Now the time had come when the unforgetting heart of God would show His remembrance of Israel.

Forty in Scripture is a time of testing. In those forty years, in the back side of the desert, Moses had learned something of what he was, but it was also a time for him to prove what God was. These two things must ever be learned before we are qualified for service for God. In the court of Egypt, Moses was learning to be nothing. Away from the busy haunts of men, in quiet communion with God one learns the vanity of human resources, and our entire dependence upon Himself. Indeed it is necessary for every true servant to be much alone with God continually.

In the last chapter, we read of how the sorrowful condition of Israel in their bondage drew forth the pitying mercy of God. Now the time had come for Him to deliver them, for He “remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” “And the Angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.”

It was indeed a wonderful sight —a bush burning with fire and yet not burned up. In the angel of the Lord is seen Jehovah, God Himself, and showing forth the second Person of the blessed Trinity—God the Son. The flame of fire is a symbol of God’s holiness: “for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29.

The bush represented the nation of Israel in the furnace of Egypt the fire burning fiercely around about it and yet not destroying it. God would have Moses to know that his nation would be preserved however fiercely the fire might burn. What a great comfort and assurance this would be if they could understand it rightly. And this is true with each one of us. God will sift and deal with His own in a way that will purge away the dross, yet He is full of love and pity, using the trials He passes us through for nothing but good — for His own glory, and for our eternal blessing, in Christ.

Moses was attracted, as well he might be, by “this great sight,” and “he turned aside to see.” Then it was that God called to him out of the bush by name. And, dear reader, the Lord knows your name too. Furthermore, He knows all about you. He is calling you too, unsaved one, just as He called Moses, and He has a more wonderful sight for your eyes than what Moses saw that day, if you will see it now by faith. He would have you to look by faith to Calvary’s tree, there to see the Lord Jesus bearing the consuming wrath of God against sin, in order that you and I might never be consumed under His judgment, but rather to be brought into blessing through His finished work. What a wonderful sight for a trembling sinner to bold! What peace fills the soul when one can say, “Christ died for me.”

ML 07/14/1968

Our Daily Bread

In these days of prosperity and plenty, in this favored land, comparatively few know what hunger is. And yet there are in this world millions of little boys and girls who go to bed hungry and thousands face starvation.

This story is about a little girl who lived alone with her sick mother in a small upstairs room. There was no Daddy in that home, and the poor mother had been unable to provide for the necessities of life. Still she had taught her little girl to trust in God and to pray.

One morning, very hungry, little Katie knelt down by her bedside and very slowly she prayed: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Then she went into the street and began to wonder where God kept His bread. As she turned the corner she saw a large, well-filled baker’s shop.

“This must be the place,” thought Katie. So she entered confidently, and said to the stout baker behind the counter, “I’ve come for it.”

“Come for what?” he asked.

“My daily bread,” she said, pointing to the tempting loaves. “I’ll take two, please — one for Mother and one for me.”

“All right,” said the baker, putting them in a bag, and giving them to his little customer, who started at once for the door.

“Stop, you little rascal,” he said, roughly; “Where’s your money?”

“I haven’t any,” she said simply.

“Haven’t any!” he repeated angrily; “You little thief, what brought you here then?”

The hard words frightened the little thing and, bursting into tears, she sobbed, “Mother is sick, and I was so hungry. I prayed this morning ‘Give us this day our daily bread,’ and then I thought God meant me to fetch it, and so I came.”

The rough, but kind-hearted baker was softened by the child’s simple tale, and he sent her back to her mother with a well-filled basket.

Katie had simple faith in God; she asked and expected to receive. Perhaps if some of us older folks had more faith in asking, we would have more joy in receiving. We read, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God... My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,19.

God is a rich and giving God; He gives the best. In love He gave up His own beloved Son to die upon the cross for sinners like you and me “that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Will you not trust such a God and receive such as Saviour into your heart? Those who trust in Him are the objects of His love and care forever.

“He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32.

ML 07/21/1968

The Royal Oak

The life of one of the kings of England was once saved by hiding in a tree. He had been defeated in battle, and was obliged to flee for his life. With only a single officer, he was separated from all his friends. In their flight they plunged into a thick wood. Their enemy pursued after them. Selecting a large tree, with very thick foliage, they climbed up and hid themselves above in its branches. Their pursuers passed directly underneath them. The poor king and his companion saw them searching about for him, but they were hidden from view by the leaves of the tree. Thus the King of England found shelter in a tree. That tree stood for long years afterward, and was always called the Royal Oak.

There is another tree that has proved a shelter, not only to a king, but to countless thousands besides. It is the tree to which they nailed our blessed Lord Jesus, the Son of God. Peter liked to speak of that tree. He wrote, “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:24.

O, cross of Christ! O, glorious tree!

What place can be compared to thee,

Where God’s own Son was crucified

And for our sins a ransom died.

O, dear friends, that tree, the cross of Christ, will be your shelter from the judgment of God against your sins. It is a tree of life to all who trust themselves to its protection.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.” Romans 1:18. But those who are under the shelter of the cross will be spared from that awful judgment.

Come to the blood-stained tree;

The Victim bleeding lies;

God sets the sinner free

Since Christ a ransom dies:

The Spirit will apply

His blood to cleanse each stain,

O burdened soul, draw nigh

For none can come in vain

Come, come, come.

“The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him.” Deuteronomy 33:12

ML 07/21/1968

The Lantern

I have a lantern

Which some folks call “The Book,”

And when I cannot find my way,

I always take a look

Within its sacred pages,

There is a wondrous light,

Which keeps my feet from stumbling

Upon the darkest night.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105.

ML 07/21/1968

Poor but Happy

“Jim,” said a Christian to his little boy one Sunday afternoon, “Come with me. Let’s take a walk.”

They started off, and after walking a while they came to a poor, broken-down little cottage. There were only two rooms in it, one above the other. They went up the creaky old stairway to the second story. When they entered that room, Jim thought it was the poorest and saddest-looking place he had ever seen. There was no carpet on the floor; three rickety chairs, an old table and bed to match in one corner, was all the furniture. On the bed lay a poor old lady. Jim’s father sat down beside the bed and began to talk with her. Little Jim was quite surprised to hear how cheerfully she spoke, and sounded as if she were quite happy. But after a while, Jim, in his innocent, childish frankness, said: “Please, will you tell me what makes you so happy? You have to stay here all by yourself; you are sick and don’t have much to eat. What can make you so happy?”

“My dear boy,” replied the old lady, “It is true that I am alone in the world. Yes, and I am old and poor and not very well; yet the Lord takes care of me, and I am happy. I know that He loves me, and I love Him. I feel that He is here with me all the time, and this makes me happy. I was just thinking, when you came in, of that verse in the Bible in which the Lord Jesus says, ‘I will be a husband to the widow, and a father to the fatherless.’ I can’t tell you how much comfort that gives me.”

That dear old lady had found the secret of true happiness—she had Christ. O dear reader, have you?

Jesus, thou art enough

The mind and heart to fill;

Thy patient life to calm the soul,

Thy love its fear dispel.

“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:... both to be full and to be hungry... I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.... “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:11-13,19.

Memory Verse: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 20:31.

ML 07/21/1968

Bible Talks

Exodus 3:5-10

Even at the distance from God at which Moses stood, he had to take off his shoes. He must be reminded of the holiness of the Divine presence. “Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet; for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.” This is the first lesson which all who approach God must learn. He is a God of grace, of mercy, and of love; but He is all these because He is a holy God. He could never have displayed Himself in these blessed characters had it not been that at the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ mercy and truth met together, and righteousness and peace kissed each other.

It must be with a sense of the holiness of Him “with whom we have to do” that we are to receive the gracious communications of His mind and will. God then tells Moses, “I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”

In this announcement, God draws particular attention to His being the God of the fathers. He would have Moses, and Israel too, to learn that His dealings in grace and in blessing with His people, were connected with the promises He had made to their father long before. He was the unchanging One who could and would accomplish His word, but this could not be apart from Christ; “for all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20.

The effect that this had on Moses is seen in that he “hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.” However, instead of condemning Moses, He gave him a message of blessing both for himself and for his people.

“And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of My people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.” verses 7,8. God ever finds His motive for action within Himself. And it is very encouraging to the soul to learn this. There is not a word to show that the children of Israel had cried to the Lord. There was not in them the smallest care for the glory of God. They groaned, but did not groan to God. It was but a sense of suffering. They groaned only because of their wretchedness; but there was no looking out to God no counting on His mercy.

Nevertheless, God expresses His tender interests in them even as they were. And this is true of souls now. There is nothing that can hinder a soul from experiencing the most real love of God, except the persistent rejection of Himself. There is nothing too low or too hard in man to hinder the power of God’s grace except the willfulness that will not have him at all. The misery of His people touched His heart, and He “was come down to deliver them.” So “God commendeth His love tard us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

God’s purpose was to deliver His people out of Egypt “and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.” There is no mention of the wilderness here. It does not form any part of His purposes, though it does belong to His ways. In the purposes of God there is nothing between redemption from the world (Egypt) and the coming glory with Christ.

ML 07/21/1968

"Thy Father Calleth Thee"

Major Whittle, who was saved during the Civil War, used to tell the story of an aged Quaker whose son had enlisted in the army. News came of a dreadful battle, and this old father in fear and trembling, started to the scene of conflict hoping to learn something concerning his boy. The officer of the day told him he had not answered to roll call and that there was reason to believe that he had been killed.

This did not satisfy the aged father, so leaving headquarters, he started out across the battlefield, looking for the one who was dearer to him than life. He would stoop down and turn over the face of this one and that, but without success. Night came on, and with the help of a lantern, he continued his search, all to no avail.

Suddenly the wind, which was blowing a gale, blew out his lantern, and he stood there in the darkness hardly knowing what to do. Then his father’s ingenuity, strength and affection for his son, prompted him to call out his son’s name; and so he stood and shouted, “John Hartmann, thy father calleth thee.” All about him he could hear the groans and sighs of the dying and someone saying, “Oh, if that were only my father!” He continued his cry with more pathos and power. Then, at last, in the distance and darkness he heard his own dear boy’s voice crying tremblingly, “Here, father!”

The old man made his way across the fiend shouting: “Thank God! Thank God!” Taking his wounded boy up in his arms, he bore him back to headquarters. He nursed him back to health and strength, and he lived to walk again.

Dear sinner friend, you who have been wounded by sin and Satan, amid the darkness and ruins of this world, the voice of the Spirit of God comes to you, “Thy Father calleth thee.” He sent His blessed Son into this world to be your Saviour, and now if there be but the faintest response to His cry, He would take the lost up in His arms and bear him home to heaven. May you be able to sing in all sincerity:

The Shepherd sought His sheep,

The Father sought His child;

They followed me o’er vale and hill

O’er deserts waste and wild.

They found me nigh to death,

Famished and faint and lone;

They bound me with the bands of love,

They saved the wandering one.

“But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him...

“This my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” Luke 15:20,24.

ML 07/28/1968

A Christian Mother

Harry and Jim were two young fellows attending Harvard University. Jim had a godly Christian mother who prayed continually for her dear boy.

One night they were persuaded to go and hear Bob Ingersoll, the infidel lecturer and champion of atheism. Walking home from the lecture, Harry remarked: “Jim, didn’t old Bob mop Christianity off the earth tonight?”

“I don’t know,” replied Jim. “My dear Christian mother is left yet, and I wouldn’t give her, with her sweet Christian life and example, for all the Bob Ingersolls that could be crowded on the earth.”

Memory Verse: “If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24.

ML 07/28/1968

Two Parables

I want to tell you today a true story of a little girl just five years old. Little Sandra, one Sunday afternoon, was listening to her mother reading the parable of the rich man in Luke’s Gospel, chapters 12:16-21. His ground yielded good, crops, and his barns were full. Then he said, “I will pull down my barns, and build greater;... and I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” This man was “Not rich toward God”; his only thoughts were of this world. But then he heard the solemn voice of God sang to him, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.”

It was these words that went to little Sandra’s heart, as though God Himself had spoken them to her. She could not forget them. They rang in her ears, no matter what she was doing and wherever she went, all through the week that followed. When she played with her friends, those words would come again and again, and she could not shake off the thought that almost frightened her—Am I ready to meet God now, this night? Her conscience always answered, “No, you know well you are not!”

Day after day passed by without one ray of comfort for little Sandra.

Then one Sunday afternoon, she again listened while her mother read another parable from this same gospel—Luke 17:9-14. Then the little girl lost the burden of her sins which always troubled her soul, for instead of thinking of God as a Judge who must punish her for her sins, she found He was her greatest friend who had given His own Son to die as her Saviour.

This parable tells of two prayers made by two men. The one pleased the man who offered it; the other pleased God who heard it.

The first man trusted in himself, that he was righteous; he looked down upon others, so he thanked God that he was not like other people who, it is easy to see, are sinners. He also reminded God what good works he had done. What need of a Saviour for one so good and religious? He fasted two days of the week, and he gave a tenth of what he had to God. What more could possibly be expected of him? I wonder if there is anyone among our readers who thinks like this man did. You know somebody worse than you are, and you think, I’m not so bad as so-and-so, I’m glad to say. You do not yet know how utterly, hopelessly bad you are in God’s sight. The other man had nothing good to say of himself, and his only prayer was, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” This was a cry from his heart. It reached the ear of God, for He loves to answer prayer.

Next morning when little Sandra awoke, the burden of her sins still troubled her, and she remembered this parable. Sitting up in her bed, she prayed that same prayer: “God be merciful to me, a sinner,” from her heart, and God answered it immediately. It showed her that all her sins had been laid on Jesus, when He hung on the cross at Calvary, when He cried that bitter cry, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”

So it was through believing that Jesus had died for her and had taken all her burden of sins away, that God spoke comfort to little Sandra’s heart at this time. The joy that filled her heart she could never forget all her life afterward. And if you, dear unsaved one, own bore God that you are a sinner, you will find Him rich in mercy to you too, that He will forgive you your sins, for Christ’s sake.

ML 07/28/1968

Lightly and Tightly

Let me hold lightly

Things of this earth;

Transient treasures,

What are they worth?

Let me hold tightly

Things that are Thine—

Lord, Thou hast giv’n me

All that is Thine.

O trust my Saviour, my precious Saviour,

He died for you as well as me;

He’ll keep you ever, forsake you never;

He’ll make you glad eternally.

ML 07/28/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses

Exodus 3:11-22

The fleshly energy with which Moses had slain the Egyptian was now gone, and when God called upon him to go into Egypt for the deliverance of His people, he could only raise difficulties. After forty years in the desert, he not only was unwilling to be used on the magnificent mission with which the Lord had entrusted him, but he raised objection after objection, until he wearied the tender patience and long-suffering of the Lord. Moses’ difficulty ceased to be weakness, but rather the working of self and unbelief. Unbelief can always find an excuse, and we know only too well how often we make excuses when we do not want simply to obey.

But every fresh failure of Moses was but an occasion for the display of greater grace on the Lord’s part, though Moses suffered through his whole life from his reluctance to obey the voice of the Lord. And this is the history of the flesh in all of us; now it is too forward, now it is too backward. There was only one perfect Servant, God’s only beloved Son, our blessed Lord Jesus Christ. He only was ever equal to all God’s will, and could say, “I do always those things that please the Father.”

“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” verse 11.

It is a good thing when we are willing to own our utter weakness, but faith would bring God in, for when He sends, it is not a question of what we are, but of what He is.

“And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His name? what shall I say unto them?” verse 13.

Had not God revealed Himself to Moses as the God of his fathers? Was not this enough? But nothing can ever satisfy doubts and fears. But what a sad condition Israel must be in if they might not know who the God of their fathers was. God bears in grace with His servant, and replies, “I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” verse 14. He is the ever existing One. We find the Lord Jesus using the name of I AM on more than one occasion, and when He did so in the Garden of Gethsemane all of His enemies went backward and fell to the ground. He allowed just a little ray of His glory to shine out, for Jehovah of the Old Testament was revealing Himself “in (the) Son of the New.

Not only did God say that He was going to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt, but He even assured Moses that the elders of the people would hearken to His voice, for He is the disposer of the hearts of men.

God also warned Moses that Pharaoh would not be willing to let the people go, but that He would smite Egypt and give His people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Furthermore, they would not go out empty. They would be repaid with the wealth of the Egyptians for all the slavery and bondage they had endured. They had never been paid by the Egyptians for their toil, but God would see to it that it would all come back to them in the end. How wonderfully God would order for the deliverance and blessing of His people, unworthy as they were.

ML 07/28/1968

The Leopard's Spots

A foreign circus was once traveling through Old Russia in the days before the Communists seized control of that land. Stopping at a city for an engagement, the keeper hired a native Russian to wash out some of the cages.

The keeper could not speak a word of Russian so it was necessary for him to show the man what he wanted done. Taking a bucket of water and a scrubbing brush he entered the cage of a tame antelope and proceeded to scrub the cage floor. Then, as was his custom, he ran the brush up and down the back of the antelope a few times, much to the gentle animal’s delight. Turning the brush and bucket over to his hired man he went away for a short while.

When he returned he was horrified to see his Russian helper in the leopard’s cage, vigorously scrubbing the back of the dangerous beast. However, the huge cat seemed charmed at the massage it was receiving. Instead of showing any signs of animosity, it was stretched out at full length, thoroughly enjoying the novel treatment at the hands of the unsuspecting attendant.

Whether or not the poor Russian thought he could remove some of the leopard’s spots, we do not know. But we are sure that no amount of scrubbing could ever take away one spot from the leopard’s skin.

In Jeremiah 13:23 the Lord asks: “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” As the leopard cannot change its spots, no more can man change his rebellious nature.

Those spots on the leopard remind us of the spots and dark stains of sin on the sinner. He cannot get rid of them himself. No amount of scrubbing — good deeds, churchgoing, prayers, and such—can ever remove the deep-dyed stains of sin. “For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me, saith the Lord GOD.” Jeremiah 2:22.

Only one thing in heaven and on earth can take away sin from God’s sight—that is the precious blood of Jesus. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. Now a sinner who comes to Him may have his sins forgiven and he washed “whiter than snow.”

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Isaiah 1:18.

ML 08/04/1968

An Indian's Refuge

A converted Indian was one day attacked by another say, age who put a gun to his head, exclaiming, “Now I’ll shoot you, for you speak nothing but Jesus.”

The Indian Christian replied, “If Jesus does not permit you, you can’t shoot me.”

The savage was so surprised at this answer that he dropped his gun and went home in silence.

“I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust... He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust.” Psalms 91:2,4.

ML 08/04/1968

Little Mick

A little Irish boy, suffering greatly in a hospital, was visited by a kind Christian lady. She took a great interest in the little lad and brought him presents, flowers and nice things to eat. As the days went by she found him glad to listen as she told him of Jesus, the Saviour and the sinner’s Friend.

The lady pointed out to him his need of a Saviour and little Mick began to realize that he was a sinner and that he needed salvation. He would talk about religion but he would also speak of Jesus and His death on the cross. One day when the lady called she noticed quite a change in him; his face fairly shone with an inner joy. When she asked him what made him so happy he replied: “Oh I always knew that Jesus was necessary, but not until yesterday did I discover that He was enough.”

Have you made this same wonderful discovery that little Mick made, dear young friends?

Jesus, Thou art enough,

The heart and mind to fill;

Thy patient life to calm the soul,

Thy love its fears dispel.

ML 08/04/1968

Bible Questions for August

Please find the verse and fill in the missing words in the blank spaces shown. Then write out the verses in full as formerly.

The verses containing these quotations will be found in consecutive order in Matthew, chapters 22-28.

1.“All thing are ready:———.”

2.“Ye shall say,—————-is He that————-, in the name of the Lord.”

3.“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your,———————-.”

4.“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the—————————-.”

5.“The Son of man shall———in His———-.”

6.“Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and————-in the————-.”

7.“He said,——-, see the————where the Lord lay.”

The Young People’s Class
God the Father

1.What is the scope of the truth which we should confess when we speak of God the Father? 1 Cor. 8

2. What are two individual characteristics associated with the double title, God the Father? 2 Cor.

3.What did the Lord Jesus Christ receive from God the Father? 2 Pet.

4.What do we receive from God the Father? 2 John

5.How was the power of God the Father manifested in Christ Jesus after the crucifixion? Gal.

6.What truth regarding our position with God the Father could only be brought to light after crucifixion? 1 Pet.

7.How will every tongue, in a coming day, give glory to God the Father? Phil.

Memory Verse: “Verily, Verily, I say unto thee except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3.

ML 08/04/1968

Bible Talks: the Story of Moses the Man of God

Exodus 4:1-9

Moses was still unwilling to go back to Egypt. “Behold,” he says, “they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.”

How wonderful that the Lord, (instead of rejecting His servant, should bear with him still more, and give miraculous signs to strengthen him in his weakness, and to dispel his unbelief.

Moses had his shepherd’s rod in his hand, and God would use just what he had. Once, as the well-educated son of Pharaoh’s daughter, he was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and mighty in word and in deed.” But in the desert he was just a poor shepherd with a rod, and God would use him as he was. He did not need all the wisdom of the Egyptians to accomplish His purposes. The rod in Moses’ hand was enough at this time for God to use.

If we are willing to let God use what we have, whether it be a rod, or five smooth stones, as David had, or anything else, God can accomplish His purposes through us. But He will not allow any of His servants to take any praise or credit to themselves.

“And the LORD said unto him What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand.” 10:2-4.

Two more signs are even added. His hand, on putting it into his bosom and taking it out again, became “leprous as snow”; when the act was repeated, “it was turned again as his other flesh.” In case they should not hearken to the first or to the second sign, a third was added. He was to take water out of the river and pour it upon the dry ground, and it should “become blood upon the dry land.”

The rod, in Scripture, speaks of authority and power. Cast down on the ground, it became a serpent, the well-known emblem of Satan. The power of Satan was seen in Egypt oppressing the children of Israel. But in Moses’ taking the serpent by the tail, at the word of the Lord, it became a rod again, the rod of chastening or of judgment. In the hand of Moses it became the rod of God’s judicial authority and power.

Leprosy is a type of sin, defiling the whole man. But we have its healing brought about, as we know, through the death of Christ. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

Water represents that which refreshes. It speaks of life and refreshment coming from God; but poured out on the earth, it becomes judgment and death.

Let us remember these three lessons which Moses had to learn bore the Lord could use him in His service: 1) The power of Satan and the judgment of God; 2) What sin is and the old nature in us which can only sin, and how that there is cleansing only through the blood of Christ. 3) That this Egypt world in which we live is but a scene of death, having no refreshment for our souls, and that life alone is found in Jesus.

ML 08/04/1968

Reconciled

A friend told us a story once of how he went for a stroll one day along the waterfront. He decided to take a walk out to the end of the pier that jutted far out into the sea. Part way along the pier he came upon two dogs growling at each other so fiercely that it seemed a fight was inevitable. One dog was larger than the other, but they both bared their teeth and snarled at each other in a dreadful manner. Our friend moved to the far edge of the pier in order to get around the angry beasts and so continued his walk.

By and by when he was returning the two dogs were nowhere to be seen. But looking over the edge of the pier he was surprised to find they had both fallen into the water below.

How different things were now! The dogs were both swimming for shore, and the big dog was swimming alongside the little one as if to make sure that he got safely in. In a short time they reached the shallow water and together they walked up the sandy beach—no longer enemies, but friends! They were reconciled!

When sin came into the world it put distance between God and man. We are all sinners. God is holy and cannot have sin in His presence.

Not only are we sinners, but in these natural hearts of ours there is enmity (or hatred) against God. Perhaps we may try and hide this feeling, but it is there nevertheless. Man proved he was an enemy of God for when the Lord Jesus came into this world he put to death God’s beloved Son. He needs to be reconciled to God.

But the Bible never speaks of God having to be reconciled to us. God loves man in spite of this enmity against Him. It was He who sent His Son into this world to save guilty sinners such as we. He died upon the cross to put away our sin. Those who trust Him as their Saviour not only have all their sins put away, but that old enmity is taken away too. They have a new nature which delights to please God, and they can say, “We love Him because He first loved us.”

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled... through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight.” Colossians 1:21,22.

“We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20.

ML 08/11/1968

A Sailor's Bible

Years ago a hardy sailor of the British Navy passed away. Among other things, he left a Bible. This precious book was held in special honor by the family, because of the simple, yet profound testimony, written on the flyleaf in the owner’s own handwriting. It reads as follows: “This Bible was a reward from Mr. Reikes of Hereford, Westfalen. In 55 years, 41 of which I spent on the high seas, it has been my constant companion. During this time I was in 45 battles, I was wounded 13 times, three times I shipwrecked. Once our ship burned, and twice we were capsized. Fifteen times I suffered raging fevers. Always this precious Bible was my comfort. This I am witnessing with my own signature—”

Truly a much used Bible! And what a record! One can almost hear the raging storm, the roaring waves, the noise of the shipwreck, as well as the groans of the wounded and the moans of those ill with fever. In all these afflictions this Bible testifies, “It was my only comfort.” Is not this a wonderful Book? Could any other compare? Indeed not! “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Luke 21:33.

Dear reader, let me tell you, “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:28.

Memory Verse: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

ML 08/11/1968

Just Beginning to Live

“It was supper hour in the, steel plant where Jim and Joel worked together. Joe had just recently been converted, and Jim was surprised to see his friend take Bible from his pocket and read it as he ate his supper in the lunch room.

“Well, I never! What’s the matter with you? Are you going to die?” asked Jim.

“No, no, Jim,” replied Joe, “I hope I’m not going to die just yet—I’m only now beginning to live. I’ve been dead all these years—yes, dead in trespasses and sins; but I am I thankful to say I am now alive unto God, and He has for Christ’s sake forgiven my sins, and has taken I away my desire for drink, gambling, swearing, and everything that is bad.”

“Well, I never would have thought it,” went on Jim. “But I’m mighty glad, I am indeed. And if you can keep it up over the holidays, then I’ll come and get converted too!”

Through grace Joe’s faith never wavered, and Jim became more and more interested in the salvation of his soul. He went with Joe to the gospel meetings where he soon accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, too. Now they were both happy together in the Lord, and by their consistent lives and testimony they were engaged in seeking to win others to the Saviour. “And he brought him to Jesus.

“Jesus... saith unto him, Follow Me.” John 1:42,43.

ML 08/11/1968

"The Shadow of Thy Wings"

“In the shadow of Thy wings I will I make my refuge.” Psalms 57:1. Dear boys and girls, most of us at some time or other have known what it is to be afraid. Perhaps some dreadful thing has happened and we are nervous, yet we are too timid to make known our feelings to others for fear of being laughed at. Even grown-up people are afraid at times.

Now, suppose you learn the little verse at the beginning of this article, and next time you feel nervous and afraid, think of it.

“In the shadow of Thy wings.” What a beautiful thought that is!

Some of you have seen a mother hen shelter her little chicks under her wings. Now God uses this very picture to tell us that He will sheer those who are His. But the picture falls short, for the hen, however much she loves her chicks, might have them taken away from her, or they might be hurt in some way. But God’s love and power are infinite and forever, that not even Satan himself can touch one of those who are “in the shadow of His wings.”

But what if you are not one of His? What if you cannot claim the shelter of those protective wings?

It is not yet too late—come now just as you are. He who has bidden you come will not turn you away, for the Lord Jesus Himself has said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

Shall not the cry of your heart be, “I flee unto Thee to hide me”? Psalms 143:9.

Then you too will be able to say, “In the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge.”

Here is another verse in the Psalms for you to find: “He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust.”

ML 08/11/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 4:10-13

Though armed with the most convincing signs, and having been repeatedly assured by God that He would be with him in performing all that his mission required, Moses still continued to withdraw from the privileged task. “And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent,... but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” It was self that was obstructing the vision of faith in Moses. Was it his eloquence or was it the Lord’s power that would bring about Israel’s deliverance from Egypt? He speaks as if all depended upon his eloquence and ability to persuade others. And this is a sad error so common in the Church of God today. How many are attracted by eloquence or gift, with little or no thought for the truth of God itself. The Apostle Paul, that faithful servant of Christ, told the saints of God at Corinth: “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” 1 Corinthians 2:1,4. Thus it is that God often uses the “slow of speech” far more than those who are eloquent.

How strange that Moses should yet object. It is true that he was accounted later the meekest man on earth, yet this very meekness should more readily have cast him in full confidence and dependence on God who had promised to be with him. In answer to Moses’ further reluctance, the Lord teaches him another lesson, and at the same time administers a rebuke. “Who hath mad man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? No therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” Surely his servant could not require more than that. In effect God was saying: “Well, the very thing you count for weakness will be My means of more forcefully expressing My purposes, both to Pharaoh and to the children Israel.” But there is a danger in forgetting that the way in which the Lord may use us might not bring honor to ourselves. Moses’ timidity, humility and lack of eloquence actually stood as a barrier to obedience to the Lord. Holding back from undertaking the mission given to him by God, because he thought he failed to possess the qualities necessary for that position, was not true humility, but rather pride — looking within himself for some good quality that would qualify him to be God’s representative. This was dishonoring to the Lord who was so patient with him.

Moses desired to be excused from such a difficult mission. He therefore says, “O my Lord, send, I pray Thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.” verse 13. In other words, Send anyone, but not me.

Five times did Moses raise objections to the Lord’s command, trying his patience and long-suffering, but now “the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well.” God was very gracious to Moses and He did not set him aside altogether. He allowed Aaron to be the spokesman for him.

ML 08/11/1968

"Tie Me to 'Ou, Daddy"

A hardy fisherman took his little boy with him in his boat one day for a sail on the sea. The morning was bright and they looked forward to a fine day. However, they had not been out very long bore the weather suddenly changed. The sky grew dark and threatening, and the wind began to blow a gale. Snow also fell so thick and heavy that it was almost impossible to see anything or anywhere.

Lowering his sail with all possible speed, the fisherman was almost swamped by the huge waves and his boat nearly overturned. Looking anxiously around for his little boy he found him safe, but alas, both oars had been swept away. Nothing was left for them now but to drift on the angry billows. For an hour or more their frail little craft was driven at the mercy of the huge waves toward the rocks.

What could they do? Only a watery grave seemed open to them, and they must prepare for the worst. The fisherman could not swim, and so did not expect to be saved himself. However, he thought that perhaps if his little boy were tied tightly to a plank he might by chance float safely to the shore.

Quickly removing the seat from the boat he began to lash his boy to the plank. The little fellow took the situation in at a glance, and, fearing to be separated from his father, he pleaded with tears in his little blue eyes, “No, no, Daddy; Tie me to ‘ou, Daddy — tie me to ‘ou.”

The poor father was much affected, and hugged the little lad to his heart. Then with a breaking heart, and an earnest prayer to God for help, he did as his child desired, and tied the boy to himself.

A little later there came a lull in the storm, and a break in the clouds. The fisherman then could discern through the gloom a lighthouse, and his boat was drifting toward it. The lighthouse-keepers were on the lookout, and directed by the shouts of the fisherman, they caught sight of the boat at last. Eventually father and son were safe on shore and most thankful to God for His mercies.

Is my reader bound to Christ, the only Saviour? Can you say from your heart,

“Safe in the arms of Jesus,

Safe on His gentle breast,

There by His love o’ershadowed

Sweetly my soul shall rest.”

One of old knew what it was to be safe in those arms of divine love when he said: “I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38,39.

There are many planks in this world — religions, creeds, doctrines. We would not have you tied to one of them. True safety is in knowing and loving as your Saviour Jesus the blessed Son of God. Are you linked forever with Him? Oh what a haven of rest there is for a sin-troubled, tempest-tossed soul in Jesus, Saviour of sinners!

I’ve found a Friend, O such a Friend!

He loved me ere I knew Him;

He drew me with the cords of love,

And thus He bound me to Him.

And round my heart still closely twine

Those ties which naught can sever,

For I am His, and He is mine,

Forever and forever!

ML 08/18/1968

The Habit of Praying

A young Scotch Highlander in the British army, during the Revolutionary war, was one evening creeping out of a thicket just behind the lines, evidently returning from some secret errand. The American outposts along the Hudson were then quite near the British, and being concealed in the forest, their exact number and distance were always uncertain under these circumstances, the Highlander was suspected of being an informer, or a spy, in communication with the enemy. It was just after Major Andre had been accused as a spy, and the enraged British were in no state to let a man go who was accused of being in sympathy with the Americans.

The young fellow was taken bore his Colonel, and the witnesses of his supposed guilt told their story.

“What have you to say for yourself?” demanded the Colonel, with a threatening frown.

“Only this, Sir; I got away very quietly from my comrades to pray a bit while in the bush, and was coming back when the soldiers took me.”

“Are you in the habit of praying then?” demanded the officer.

“Yes, Sir!”

“Then pray now. You never need it more in your life.” And the Colonel took out his watch.

Fully believing that he had but a few minutes to live, the Christian soldier knelt down and poured out his soul to the Lord in such language as only a friend of God could use. All who heard it were astonished, the Colonel himself among the rest.

“Go,” said he “You have told the truth. If you had not been often to drill, you could not have done so well at review.”

“O Lord... blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.” Psalms 84:12.

ML 08/18/1968

"Daddy, I'm a Christian"

A little girl came running home from Sunday school one Sunday afternoon and threw her arms around her father’s neck. “Daddy, I’m a Christian,” she exclaimed joyfully.

“Well,” he said; “I am so glad. When did it happen? Tell me all about it!”

“This afternoon,” she told him, “our teacher said the Lord Jesus was in the room and that if we opened our hearts to Him, He would come in and make us His own. I received Him as my Saviour and He took me in.”

“That is fine,” said her father; “but how do you know He took you in?”

“Looking into her Daddy’s face his little girl replied: “I know it, Daddy, because He said He would.”

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

ML 08/18/1968

Early Habits

“When I was a little boy,” remarked an old man, “someone gave me a cucumber in a bottle. The neck of the bottle was small, and the cucumber was so large, it wasn’t possible for it to pass through, and so I wondered how it got there. But out in the garden one day I came to a bottle slipped over a little green cucumber, and then I understood. The cucumber had grown in the bottle. Now I often see grown men with habits that I wonder any strong, sensible man could form, and then I think that most likely those habits grew into them when they were young, like the cucumber. They cannot slip out of them now, much as they would like to, and only the grace of God can deliver them. If they would come to Jesus and claim Him as their Lord and Saviour, He would save their precious souls and set them free from the power of sin and Satan.

“Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin... If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:34,36.

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13.

ML 08/18/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Exodus 4:14-17

As long as it was a question of Moses’ timidity and humility, God’s patience with him persisted most remarkably. But when it became the workings of unbelief and pride, resulting in Moses’ asking the Lord to send someone else, God could no longer be patient with such behavior.

“And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said, Is not Aaron, the Levite, thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.” 10:14-16.

Thus was Moses deprived of the honor of being himself the sole instrument used of God for the deliverance and leadership of Israel. This honor and dignity must be shared with another. Through his lack of faith, he relinquished a valuable portion of his place in God’s service. But at this moment, having one to share the burden and upon whom he could visibly lean, the halting of Moses was overcome. Sharing his place with Aaron, hover, was to present difficulties while going through the wilderness. And serious difficulties they were, for many of them would never have been experienced had he acted alone. Aaron would have the most prominent place before man, for he was to be the spokesman of his brother. However, in tender grace, the Lord reserved to His servant Moses the chief place before Him, giving him the honor and privilege of being the means of communication between Himself and Aaron, He was to impart to Aaron the message to be delivered. God’s purposes cannot be frustrated, but we may suffer for our unbelief and disobedience.

Finally, the rod of authority was given to Moses. “And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand,” said the Lord, “wherewith thou shalt do signs.” Nothing else was to accompany Moses — just the shepherd’s rod. With it he was to display the power of God in miraculous signs before both Pharaoh and the children of Israel. The rod became as it were the seal of his mission, as well as the sign of his office. For in leading His people out of Egypt he carried with him the authority of God. It might only be a rod, but God does not require great things to accomplish His purposes. The very weakest vessel — human or otherwise, may be His means of displaying His power.

Memory Verse: “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of god unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” Romans 1:16.

ML 08/18/1968

Saved Through a Hyena

Gobat, the Christian missionary among the Druses, in the mountains of Lebanon and Syria, told many stories of God’s care over him. He had reserved passage on a ship that would take him to Malta in a few days. Then one day a messenger came to him from a chief of one of the tribes begging him to come, as the chief wished to talk with him about Jesus and the Christian religion. This was good news to the missionary, and he sent word saying that he would come and visit him in a few days. But he was taken sick, and could not travel for several days.

A second messenger then came with a more earnest invitation. Gobat told him he would go with him the next day, and he prepared for the journey. However, just as he was leaving his house, a letter came saying that the ship on which he was to sail was to leave the next day at noon. What was he to do? The messenger told him that if they set out at once he would be able to spend the night with the chief, and still reach the ship in time the next day. So Gobat decided to start at once.

The messenger and some of the Druses went along with them. Their journey lay through the forests and over the wild mountains. At one of the villages on the way they were delayed several hours. Then they lost their way, and before they found it again it began to get dark. The guide said that if they went on they could reach the village where the chief lived about midnight; but the path went winding around among frightful precipices and that it was a very dangerous one to travel in the dark. Gobat thought for a moment, wondering what they had better do; but his heart was burning with a desire to tell the chief about the Lord Jesus, so he said, “Well, let us trust in God, and go on.” So they started.

Presently, the moon came out. Then suddenly, at a place where the path was very narrow, and running close by the edge of a great precipice, they saw by the light of the moon a huge hyena lying right across the path. The Druses shouted, and threw stones at the beast. Then it jumped up and ran before them in the direction in which they were going. But now the Druses came to a stop. They said it was a saying among their people, that “The way a hyena goes is an unlucky way.” They wouldn’t go another step. Gobat tried to persuade them to go on, but in vain.

Then the messenger from the chief told them that if they would stop for the night at a neighboring village, they could still, by starting very early in the morning, have time for him to spend an hour with the chief, and be able to get back to the seacoast before the ship sailed. Mr. Gobat resolved to do so. However, as they were all very tired from the journey, instead of waking early in the morning, they overslept ‘till a late hour; and when they woke it was too late to go on. So, much against his will, Mr. Gobat was obliged to give up the visit to the chief. He had to hasten down the mountain to the coast, and he got there only just in time to board the ship. All through the voyage he reproached himself for having lest the opportunity of visiting the chief. And yet it seemed very strange that the hyena should have been permitted to come in his way when he was so near reaching the end of his journey.

While he was at Malta, he received a letter from a friend at his home in Lebanon, telling him that the chief had no desire to hear about Christ at all, but that the whole thing was a wicked plot which he had arranged to get the missionary into his power, and then to get rid of him. However, when the chief heard of the wonderful way in which the wicked plan had been hindered, he was convinced that the missionary was a servant of God He repented of his evil purpose and later he became the missionary’; true friend.

And so the Lord takes care of those who put their trust in Him.

“Whoso hearkens unto Me shall dwell safely.”

ML 08/25/1968

Little Cho

Little Cho, a Christian Japanese boy, went to school without eating any breakfast. “Why didn’t you eat your breakfast,” his teacher asked. “Didn’t you have anything to eat in the house?”

“Oh, yes,” said Cho. “We had plenty to eat; but this morning I got up late and didn’t have time to eat breakfast. I only had time for food for my soul. So I read my Bible, and that’s why I came to school without any breakfast.”

ML 08/25/1968

Except Henry

In the home of a Christian farmer there hung the well-known motto: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” The motto meant something in that house, for the farmer prayed daily that all his family might truly love and serve the Lord.

The last clause in that text fitted all the house except the oldest son, Henry, who persistently refused to bow to the claims of Christ. One day Henry and his father were alone in the room where the motto hung.

“My dear Henry,” said his father, “I cannot and will not be a liar any longer. You belong to my house and yet you do not want to serve the Lord. Therefore, I must add the words to this motto, ‘Except Henry.’ It hurts me to do so, but I must be true.”

The thought so impressed Henry that he broke down and repented, yielding his heart to Christ and became a happy Christian, loving and serving the Lord that bought him with His precious blood.

Perhaps a boy or girl who reads this story is like Henry; you have never yielded to the Saviour. Why not follow Henry’s example and say, “Lord Jesus, come into my heart; I take Thee as my Saviour.”

ML 08/25/1968

Alfred, the Great

Alfred the Great sat on the throne of England long ago. He was a Christian and a good king, yet he had a great deal of trouble. The Danes came in their ships and overran his kingdom. He had to flee for his life, and live in the forests in disguise.

One day when he and his queen were living in a cottage in the woods, a beggar came to his door and asked for bread. The Queen told Alfred that one loaf of bread was all they had and she had no idea when they would get any more.

“Give the poor man half the loaf,” said Alfred. “He who could feed five thousand with five loaves and two small fishes, can certainly make a loaf last for us until we get a fresh supply.” So the beggar got half the loaf.

And what did the great and good King Alfred get? His servants came in soon after with an abundant supply of bread, so the king was rewarded many times over for his kind act. He did it as unto the Lord, and the Lord honored him.

“He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6.

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills; from whence cometh my help?

MY HELP COMETH FROM THE LORD.”

Psalms 121:1,2.

ML 08/25/1968

Bible Talks: the Story of Moses the Man of God

Exodus 4:18-26

Up to this point attention has been drawn to Moses’ weakness and failure. Let none suppose that this is said in the smallest disrespect of Moses — not so, but for our own profit and instruction, and to guard us lest we should make the same failures with even less excuse. God has set before us the wavering of so faithful a servant with the express purpose of guiding ourselves from the same or other failures. Humility becomes us all; none can claim to be free from failure in one form or another, and must confess that “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing.” The failure of Moses before his service began ought not to detract from our satisfaction in seeing the honored place he merited in Israel’s history. In Numbers 12:7,8, the Lord testifies to His servant’s faithfulness: “My servant Moses... is faithful in all Mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold.”

“And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive.” verse 18. Moses did not forget that for forty years Jethro had befriended him and before leaving for Egypt he respectfully requested his release. “And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.” His testimony before Jethro commended itself and in later years Jethro sought his company again. The Lord Himself has told us, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 5:16.

Moses was informed by the word of the Lord that all that sought his life were now dead, so he took, his wife and his two sons and set out for Egypt.

God was going to put honor on Moses, but there was the dishonor to Him in the house of Moses already, and God could not pass over that. Moses had failed to put upon his sons the mark of circumcision, that which typifies the mortifying of the flesh. It seems that God’s glory was forgotten in this matter, and it appears that the wife had something to do with it. We see how the Lord dealt in His own wisdom. There never is a hindrance but through flesh; there never is a difficulty brought in to distract the faithful man of God from obedience, but God accomplishes the end, only in a far more painful way, and often by the very one who obstructs it. What a safeguard then to be childlike and subject to the Lord! How many sorrows are thus escaped! It was Zipporah herself who was obliged to do what she most hated, but God held Moses responsible. Now that God was vindicated in Moses’ household, his mission could begin. Work for God in public can only rightly follow when all is well at home.

Memory Verse: “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7.

ML 08/25/1968

"I Belong to the Lord Jesus"

On deck of a small steamer a policeman took his seat beside a little boy. The little fellow eyed the officer in uniform from head to foot, and then put the question, “Are you a policeman”?

“Certainly,” replied the officer of the law, with a pleasant smile. “And why are you a policeman?” was the next question.

Somewhat embarrassed, the officer reached in his pocket and produced a key with a pair of handcuffs. He then explained to the child how they might be used on “bad boys” when they are taken to jail.

“Oh, but you wouldn’t take me, would you?” the little boy asked in all seriousness.

“Oh no, my dear boy, I wouldn’t take you; but who do you belong to?” the policeman asked kindly.

“I belong to the Lord Jesus,” said the little fellow sincerely, and confidently.

The reality of these words struck the officer’s conscience. Feeling their seriousness, he became confused, and with a flushed face quickly left his seat.

Could each of us likewise confess with our heart that “We belong to Jesus?”

“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 09/01/1968

"Blessed Are the Pure in Heart"

A Hindu storekeeper discovered in his waste basket a piece of paper on which were printed the following words: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” These are beautiful words, he thought; He liked those words, and he learned them by heart.

Sometime later he was told that those words came from the Gospel of Matthew. Buying a copy of Matthew’s Gospel from a missionary he read it through. By and by he bought a whole New Testament and read that all through. He wondered if there were any “who lived like this Book said” and he was told that true Christians did. He decided to become a Christian himself, and believing in Jesus as his Saviour he became a humble follower of that lowly One. He also became a preacher of the gospel and would often use the text: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” He would explain to his native listers that only God can give one a pure heart, that it is only through the blood of Jesus His dear Son that sins can be cleansed away.

ML 09/01/1968

How Jock Found Peace

It was a terrible day on the battlefield. The boom of the cannon and the rattle of machine gun fire were deafening; dead and wounded lay all around.

Jock was badly wounded, and as he lay there in the mud he thought of home and loved ones. He felt he was dying and lying there he tried to think of something that would bring comfort to his soul. He knew he was a sinner and he was not ready to die.

Then he remembered that his old Christian grandfather often used to quote a verse from the Bible about the blood of Jesus. Earnestly he prayed to God asking Him to help him remember what his grandfather had said. God heard his prayer and sure enough, above the noise of the cannon, Jock seemed to hear again the old man’s voice saying: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

The Spirit of God applied those precious words to Jock’s heart and conscience and believing he thanked God for such love. A wonderful peace crept over him. No longer was he afraid to die. He trusted in Jesus; His precious blood had cleansed him from all sin.

ML 09/01/1968

A Hyena Story

Gobat was a Christian missionary among the Druses, in the mountains of Lebanon and Syria years ago. He was much persecuted, exposed to many dangers, and often greatly discouraged.

On one occasion, while he was journeying on foot over the mountains, he became discouraged at the thought of the many dangers and the little response there was on the part of the people. Feeling sad and in need of comfort, he resolved to stop and spend some time in prayer. Looking around for a suitable place, he found a cave in the side of the mountain. Entering deep into the cave, he was hid from view in the darkness. There he knelt down and poured out his heart to God in prayer. He told Him of all his dangers, his trials, and discouragements. He prayed that He would keep him in safety, and give him strength and comfort to go on with his work.

When he had finished his prayer, he looked around about him in the darkness of the cave, and lo! not far from him, over in the corner were two fierce eyes, glaring at him like balls of fire. It was a hyena with her young. Unknowingly, he had entered the den of that fierce creature, and where he knelt down to pray was only a few feet from her. Yet she had not stirred, nor offered to harm him.

It has been said that a hyena will not attack a man; however, Gobat did not know of this; at any rate, he was not at all sure if this was true of a mother hyena with her young. He left that cave and went on his way encouraged and comforted, thankful to God for keeping him from harm. He said to himself, “Surely God Who has kept me safe from a wild beast, will keep me safe from other evils, too.” Is this not a good illustration of the text: “Whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell safely.”

ML 09/01/1968

Bible Questions for September

Please find the verse and fill in the missing words in the blank spaces shown. Then write out the verses in full as formerly.

The verses containing these quotations will be found in consecutive order in Mark 1-8.

1.“He——————you with the Holy Ghost.”

2.“The bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then——-they——in those days.”

3.“Whatsoever———-the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.”

4.“With what measure ye mete, it———-measured to you.”

5.“I pray Thee, come and lay Thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she————-.”

6.“And whosoever———————-, you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet.”

7.“For what——————a man if he————-the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

The Young People’s Class The Son of Man

1.What was Peter’s answer to the Lord’s question, “Whom do men say that I, The Son of Man am?” Matt.

2.Why did The Son of Man come into the world? Luke 19.

3.What comforts do the foxes and birds have that The Son of Man did not have? Matt.

4.What did The Son of Man teach concerning His death? Mark 9.

5.How was The Son of Man betrayed? Luke 22.

6.What was the testimony of Stephen concerning The Son of Man after His resurrection. Acts 7.

7.What is the word to those who expect The Son of Man to come again? Matt.

Memory Verse: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal life.” John 10:27,28.

ML 09/01/1968

Bible Talks: the Story of Moses the Man of God

Exodus 4:27-31

“And the Lord said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him.” God’s promise to Moses that Aaron would join him was quickly fulfilled. And here we have a beautiful scene, one which must have gladdened the heart of Moses, and with the blessing of God strengthened him for the trials of the path he had entered. No doubt the happy time was of great interest to each as they recounted all that had transpired since they were separated long years before. “And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who sent him, and all the signs which He had commanded him.”

Their place of meeting was in the mount of God, that is, Horeb. There it was that the Lord had appeared to Moses at the site of the burning bush; and it was in this same place that Moses afterward received the Ten Commandments written with the finger of God. Happy it is when saints can meet in the mount of God and have as the theme of their conservation “the words of the Lord.” There is sure to be profit and blessing.

Aaron was attentive to all that his brother Moses communicated to him and readily took up the mission as spokesman for his brother.

Before confronting Pharaoh with the request to let Israel go, Moses and Aaron presented themselves to the elders of their people, as the Lord had instructed them. It was important that they be accepted by their own brethren before approaching their enemies. In a later day Paul the Apostle, when called of God to carry the gospel to the Get. tiles, was given the right hand of fellowship by his brethren (Gal. 2:9). This was an encouraging experience for Moses and Aaron, for just as ‘God had promised, and tin. like Moses’ experience forty years before, their message was heeded by the elders.

“And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that He had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.”

Moses had said to the Lord, “They will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice.” But the people did believe, according to the word of the Lord. Touched by His grace, as they heard how He had visited them, they bowed their heads and worshiped.

The children of Israel, during those long years of slavery under Pharaoh and the Egyptians, their lot hopeless and cruel, are a picture of all who toil in Satan’s bondage, slaves to sin, having no hope, without Christ, and without God in this world. But even as God looked down with pity on His poor people long ago, so now “God commendeth His love toward us,” having sent His blessed Son into this world as the Saviour and Redeemer of all who put their trust in Him. The people of Israel believed; and so “these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.” John 20:31.

ML 09/01/1968

"It Won't Sink!"

An old sailor once told the remarkably interesting story of how he was converted to Christ.

He had been the captain of a smuggling boat in his younger days. One night they had a heavy load of tobacco which they hoped to land and make a good profit, but at daybreak that morning they discovered a Coast Guard boat in the distance. The Coast Guard had spotted them and was crowding on all sail for the chase. Though the Coast Guard was a long way off, still there was no hope of the smugglers escaping, slowed down as they were by the heavy cargo. Prison, besides confiscation of boat and cargo, stared them in the face.

Then the captain struck upon an idea. “Mates,” he cried, “let them come. We’ll pitch the cargo overboard, and they’ll only find an empty ship.”

So, with fresh enthusiasm, they hastily rigged a sail at the stern of the ship to screen them from the sight of the Customs men. Then they formed a chain of men from the hold below up onto the deck, and began handing up the packages of tobacco and pitching them overboard. How they did work! All was quiet; nothing was heard but the splash of the tobacco dropping into the sea.

“Cheer up, fellows,” cried the captain, “we’ll soon be finished with it.” At this moment he sent the cabin boy up to see how far away the Coast Guard ship was. The boy came rushing back, pale as death. He just gasped out, “It won’t sink!” and fled below! In a flash they understood what he meant. Running to the stern of the ship, what a sight the captain saw. The sun was just rising behind them, and there in that long line of light were the packages of tobacco bobbing up and down, and the first package in the line reached right back to the oncoming Coast Guard boat.

Helplessly, the men stood and stared. The proof of their guilt was spread out for all to see. They were lost, and in their ears rang over and over those fatal words, “It won’t sink!”

The old sailor went on with his story. When they got out of prison his heart was still far from God and he went back to his evil ways and smuggling again. One evening, about three years later, he went out alone in a boat on the river. In spite of himself, his thoughts went back to his childhood days, and he remembered how he knelt at his mother’s knee to say his evening prayers. Again, he heard her tell her little boy of the One who came from heaven to bring life to the world, and at this he sighed deeply. The more he thought about his past, the more horrified he was. God had created him, yet had he lived and was still living as though there were neither God nor eternity.

That night alone in the boat, he got down on his knees and prayed that God would come to his help. He would be another man. He resolved not to touch another drop of liquor, to avoid all bad company. One good resolution after another he made, and his heart grew lighter, and he was happy in the thought that he had become a new man. As a finishing stroke, he decided to sell his ship and go home to his mother.

Just as he took up the oars suddenly the moon broke through the clouds and cast its beam like a band of silver across the water to where his boat was. He started, and shivered. What did it remind him of? The memory of that certain morning, when chased by the Coast Guard he had cast the cargo into the sea, and it came over him with overwhelming power. He saw again the ship’s boy’s frightened face and heard his cry, “It won’t sink!”

“How blind I am,” he thought. “Here I am trying to lighten the ship by casting the cargo overboard and there, behold, all my sins are floating behind me like an accusing line stretched up to the throne of God. ‘It will not sink!’ What a fool I am, to think that I can drown all my wickedness in the sea of eternal forgetfulness, without a thought of the holiness of God. If I were able from this moment on to do only what is good, it would not change the evil done in the past.” Tears of despair filled his eyes and he knew he was hopelessly lost.

In agony of mind, he could see neither relief nor safety, and remembered the teachings of his faithful mother. Hadn’t she told him about Jesus, the Saviour of sinners? Hadn’t He died on the cross for sinners? And if he should turn to Him now, wouldn’t His precious blood wash away even his many sins? Wasn’t there grace and mercy even for him?

All at once everything was clear before him. Yes, the Lord Jesus had died for him. He had born the punishment of all his sins. If he accepted that, they would all be cast into the depths of the sea (Mic. 7:19). “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more,” Hebrews 10:17, was a passage that came to him. Such a joy filled his heart then! He felt the power of that love and of that precious blood that washes whiter than snow.

Light-hearted, entirely relieved of his burden, he turned his boat toward shore, and a new man, through faith in Christ, stepped out on the land. He had gone out a lost sinner, but came back redeemed by the Lord.

“God requireth that which is past.” Ecclesiastes 3:15.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13.

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

Memory Verse: “Come; for all things are now ready.” Luke 14:17.

ML 09/08/1968

"Linda's Hymn"

Little Linda sat in the rocker with her dollie in her arm. As she rocked her dollie to sleep she sang:

“Jesus loves me, this I know

For the Bible tells me so.”

Her father sat in his chair across the room reading the newspaper. He was not a Christian, and there was no love in his heart for Jesus. The singing of the little hymn irked him so that he said to his little girl sternly, “Be quiet, Lindy.”

Little Linda was quiet for a time as she continued to rock her dollie. Suddenly her sweet childish voice was heard again singing the little hymn she loved so well:

“Jesus loves me, this I know.”

This time her father was angry. He said: “Didn’t I tell you to be quiet? Why don’t you do as I say?”

Sorrowfully the little girl replied, “Daddy, I didn’t mean to disobey you. But I can’t help singing. This song just sings itself. It’s down in my heart.”

When we love the Lord Jesus, dear boys and girls, there is a joy in our hearts that makes us want to sing His praise.

For, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock .... and He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.” Psalms 40:2,3.

ML 09/08/1968

"Chrysostom"

Chrysostom was one of the early Christian fathers who lived in Constantinople. The Emperor, who hated Christians and Christianity, had Chrysostom arrested hoping to make him give up his faith in God. But Chrysostom would not yield.

The Emperor said, “Put him in prison.” One of his men replied, “Sir, he would be glad to go to prison, for he delights of the presence of his God in quiet!”

“Let him be slain then,” said the Emperor.

“He will be glad to die,” he was told, “for he wants to go to heaven. He said so the other day. There is only one thing that can give Chrysostom pain, that is to make him sin. They say he is afraid of nothing but sin. If you can make him sin, you can make him unhappy.”

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

Time is gliding swiftly by;

Death and judgment both draw nigh,

To the arms of Jesus fly.

Be in time!

Children, heed the warning voice;

Make the Lord your happy choice,

Then all heaven will rejoice.

Be in time!

ML 09/08/1968

Bible Talks

Exodus 5:1-9

The time had now arrived for Moses and Aaron to appear before Pharaoh with their message: “Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let My people go, that they may hold a feast unto Me in the wilderness.” Nor did they hesitate to speak with authority. “Thus saith the Lord,” was to be, on every approach to that worldly throne, the strength that sustained them.

It was God acting for His people. It was Himself entering into controversy with Pharaoh. It was, so to speak, the day of grace for Pharaoh. God was waiting in patience and long-suffering before His hand would be lifted up in judgment. “That they may hold a feast unto Me in the wilderness.” Here was the object of God in the deliverance of Israel. God finds His own joy in the joy of His redeemed. It is for the gratification of His own heart that He has wrought salvation for His people.

The message of Moses and Aaron brought out the true character of Pharaoh. Heathen idolator that he was—proud, selfish, cruel, hating God—he had no ear for this message. He said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.” To worship the Lord was to him no reason why the people should lay down their tools, even for three days. He could not, nor cared to, understand that God’s people must separate themselves from the idolatrous atmosphere of Egypt, to worship Him in truth. One, in the midst of oppression and suffering, may cry out to God and be heard, but if His people, in oneness of spirit, are to proclaim their worship of Him, it must be removed from the influences of Egypt.

But it was still not the day of release. The result of the interference of Moses and Aaron was that the tasks were increased, and the children of Israel groaned yet more. They were quick enough to resent Moses’ and Aaron’s interference as if they themselves were the causes of their increasing troubles.

The prospect of losing the service of his slaves filled Pharaoh with anger. “Wherefore do ye,” he said to Moses and Aaron, “let (hinder) the people from their works? Get you unto your burdens... Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers... Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labor therein; and let them not regard vain words.” To Pharaoh all the proclamations of the God of Israel were merely “vain words,” and “a feast to Jehovah” was but an impossible loss of their productiveness at the brick kilns. Thus he placed himself in direct antagonism with God, a defiance which went on and ended only in his complete overthrow and destruction.

There is much in the world that echoes the sentiments of Pharaoh. To many a hardened heart, the name of God or His Son has no real value or attraction. Attention to His word and the thought of seeking His presence is foreign altogether. For such, the world and business, or its diversions, are the only acceptable occupations, and the worship and service of God is counted a great waste of time. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14.

ML 09/08/1968

Tooma's Dream

Tooma, the Indian, had a dream. Born in the woods, raised in a wigwam, he became an expert hunter and fisherman. He never learned to read, but he often heard the Bible read. There were those who tried hard to keep him from receiving the simple truth of the gospel. But the Lord is above all the power of men and of Satan, and He can “take the prey from the mighty and deliver the lawful captive.”

The truth of the gospel found its way into the heart of Tooma, and he was deeply convinced of sin. For many months he was troubled night and day with the great question, “What must I do to be saved?”

He was told to shake off this gloom and folly, and go to places of amusement. He had lost his appetite and strength, and fearing that he would die, he did go in for many kinds of pleasure, and for a time he succeeded in shaking off his convictions. But God had not given him up, and Tooma’s convictions returned. Slowly and steadily, he began to make progress into the light.

It was at this time Tooma dreamed a dream. He dreamed that he had been out hunting and was returning with a heavy load on his back. He had come to a wide river frozen over with ice, but he was afraid that the ice was not thick enough to bear his weight. When only half way over, sure enough the ice gave way and he went down to the armpits in the water and mud. Looking up, he saw the hole through which he had fallen far above his head. He began to work strenuously to free himself. He first thought to remove the heavy load from his shoulders, but to no avail. Forcing his way along underneath the ice toward the shore, he found the ice was so thick and heavy that he could not break it. The only place of escape seemed to be the hole through which he had fallen and which was far up out of his reach.

As he struggled he sank deeper into the mud and his situation became worse. He called for help but none came. There was no one near to help him.

At last, in utter despair, he cried unto the Lord for help. Instantly, he knew not how, he was saved and standing on solid ground. It was only a dream but through it Tooma learned that he could not save himself, that “Salvation is of the Lord.” Jonah 2:9. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.

Have you reached this point in your life, dear young reader? Have you realized that you are a sinner, sinking down to judgment, and that you cannot save yourself, nor can anything or anyone under heaven save you? “Christ alone can save!”

“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.

Do you realize your desperate need as a sinner? Then, cry to God, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13.

“He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.” Psalms 40:2,3.

ML 09/15/1968

A Little Boy's Word

The Saviour had just taken home to Himself a little fellow in his tender years. A workman came into the room and asked to look at the lovely face of the child, “You wonder that I care so much,” he said to the sorrowing parents, “but your boy was a messenger of God to me. One day I was coming down a long ladder from a very high roof, and when I reached the ground I found your little boy close beside me. He looked up into my face with childish wonder, and asked frankly, “Weren’t you afraid of falling when you were up so high?”

“Before I had time to answer, he said, ‘Oh, I know why you weren’t afraid — you had prayed this morning before you began your work’.”

“No, I had not prayed; but I have done so since, because it came home to me what a sinner I was and how much I needed the Saviour. I found Christ after that.”

These few words from this dear little boy had awakened that man to a sense of his need.

“Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou h a s t perfected praise.” Matthew 21:16.

MY SON, FEAR THOU THE LORD

Proverbs 24:21.

“THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM: AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY IS UNDERSTANDING.” — Prey: 9:10.

O trust my Saviour, my precious Saviour,

He died for you as well as me;

He’ll keep you ever, forsake you never;

He’ll make you glad eternally.

Memory Verse: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

ML 09/15/1968

Lost

Have any of you boys or girls ever been lost? Well, it is an awful feeling.

I want to tell you of two boys who were lost in the woods. They couldn’t find their way back without help from someone else. Their mother had taken them on an outing to “Nature Center.” There they walked around and looked at the animals, birds and other things that ordinarily roam the woods and fields. Children and grown-ups too enjoy seeing these creatures of the forest which have been caught and put in cages.

These boys weren’t satisfied to stay with their mother. They wanted to be on their own. They found a path leading along the river. It was so much fun watching the water, so they kept going on and on, taking this path and that until they realized they didn’t know the right path back to Nature Center. Then they knew they were really lost.

As we got out of our car heading for the pump in a forest preserve, we noticed two boys coming toward us. They asked if we knew where Nature Center was. We told them we had been there, and gave them directions on the highways, thinking they came on bicycles. To our surprise we found out they had none. Then we discovered their troubles. They had gone astray.

“We are lost,” they admitted. Will you take us back to Nature Center?”

They were so trustful we couldn’t refuse. We thought of the long walk back on the busy dangerous highway, so we told them to get in the car and we would see they got back to their mother.

How many boys and girls are lost — have gone astray from God! “All we like sheep have gone astray.” Isaiah 53:6. The Lord Jesus is the way back. He tells in His Word, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

When we arrived at Nature Center the first person we saw was the boys’ mother. She had been waiting for her boys a long time. It was such a happy meeting for all of us and they thanked us so heartily. We gave the boys a Sunday school paper to read.

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:7.

“The Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” Matthew 18:11.

ML 09/15/1968

The Precious Blood

During the Civil War a doctor heard a man saying, “Blood, blood, blood.” The doctor thought this was because he had seen so much blood shed upon battlefields, and endeavored to soothe his mind. The man smiled, and said, “I wasn’t thinking of the blood upon the battlefield, but I was thinking how precious the blood of Christ is to me as I am dying.” As he died his lips quivered, “Blood, blood, blood!” and he was gone.

Oh, if the Lord tarries, it will indeed be precious for us who have found shelter in the blood of Christ, when we come to our dying bed! It will then be worth more to us than all the world! One sin is enough to exclude us from heaven, but “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

ML 09/15/1968

Bible Talks

Exodus 5:10-23

“And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished... And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and today, as heretofore? And (they) did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.”

The people of Israel, now in bitter disappointment, found the oppressor—rather than yielding—increasing in hatred and ruthlessness. Tally dismayed at this harsh turn of things, in their anger they charged Moses and Aaron with being the occasion of increasing the pressure of their slavery. “And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savor to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.” vv. 20,21.

Trying as was Pharaoh’s defiant refusal, it was a much sorer trial to Moses when his own people, whom he loved and befriended, accused him of being the cause of their dilemma. Cast down by their reproaches, Moses bows before the blast. Doubt even springs up within his heart, yet in this trying circumstance he turns to the Lord, saying, “Lord, wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated this people? Why is it that Thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast Thou delivered Thy people at all.” 10:22,23. Thus Moses shared in the disappointment and impatience of the people. He had not yet learned to walk by faith and not by sight, to rest in the Lord and to wait patiently for Him. He had forgotten the word of the Lord to him at Horeb, “I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go... And I will stretch out My hand, and smite Egypt with all My wonders... after that he will let you go.”

Yet even his failure arose from sympathy with his oppressed people, for he had identified himself with their condition. Pharaoh was but the tool of Satan employed against God and His people. Aware that God was about to take up the cause of Israel, he employed every means to defeat His purposes. Thus it was really Satan that worked in Pharaoh to turn him with such vengeance against an already abused people. Yet God permitted this increased resistance. Through it the people’s faith would be more profitably exercised; they would more fully see the evil character of Egypt and its people among whom they had settled in some comfort, and thus they would desire more sincerely to be delivered from it. God had taught both Moses and the people the character of their oppressor, and the nature of their yoke. He had produced in them a conviction of the hopelessness of their condition, and this is God’s way of salvation to souls now. He waits until men know that they are guilty and undone, and then as soon as they are willing to acknowledge themselves lost, then He stands before them as the Saviour of sinners.

The greater the efforts of the enemy to resist God, the more His power and authority would be displayed when, in His own time, ultimate deliverance would take place.

ML 09/15/1968

"The Scars Are Still There"

Tom lived with his father and mother. His parents were Christians and they sought to bring up their boy in the good ways of the Lord.

Tom and his dad were great pals and Tom was happy in helping his dad do the chores and the farm work as well.

As Tom grew older he found that while he wanted to obey his father and to please the Lord, nevertheless there was an old nature in him that did not want to tread that good way, rather, it wanted to go its own way and loved sin. Sometimes he would tell a lie, or get angry, and not want to obey his father.

One day his father struck upon an idea which he thought would help Tom overcome his bad ways. He got a hammer and nails and said, “Tom, every time you are disobedient, tell a lie, or lose your temper, I want you to hammer a nail into the barn door.”

It wasn’t long before there were many nails hammered into the barn door. Tom began to realize what a bad boy he was. Sadly, he said to his father, “I didn’t know I was such a bad boy. I want to change my ways. I don’t like seeing those nails in the door there all the time.”

Now Tom’s dad was wise, and he talked kindly to his boy, for he loved him. He told Tom what he needed was to go to the Saviour and confess to Him how bad he was, that he was sorry for his sins, and ask the Lord Jesus to wash them away, and come and dwell in his heart. To those who trust Him as their Saviour, the Lord Jesus gives a new life and nature that wants only to please Him. He also gives power over sin and takes away so many of those old desires and habits. Tom’s dad told him to pray and read his Bible every day, and ask the Lord Jesus to give him strength to overcome. He also told him that every time he wanted to lie but told the truth instead, every time he won the mastery over his temper, or whenever he sought to please the Lord instead of himself, he should pull out a nail.

A change took place in Tom’s life. One by one the nails disappeared from the barn door. Soon they were all gone, but as he looked at the door, Tom’s heart was sad for “the scars were still there.”

The Lord Jesus is a wonderful Saviour, dear young friends. He does put away the sins and guilt of all who trust Him, and He does give deliverance from sin’s power. But how many carry with them all through their lives the scars from sins of past years.

Oh, dear young reader, come to the Saviour while you are young. You can’t get saved too early in life. It will save you from ten thousand sins to take Christ while you’re young. Those young years, instead of being filled with the sins of self-will and disobedience to God, can be filled up with thoughts worthy of Himself and deeds done in that happy service of love to the blessed Saviour’s name. Then in that coming day when He has all His redeemed ones around Himself in the glory, it will be His joy to reward every thought and every act pleasing to Him.

ML 09/22/1968

"It Is Well"

Some years ago a ship was wrecked on the coast of Africa. Everyone on board was drowned but one sailor boy, who was washed to the shore barely living. He was picked up and lay bruised and suffering for weeks on a sickbed.

He was visited by a young man who tried to lead the sailor lad to Christ who died for sinners. “Suppose,” said the young Christian, “that when your vessel was smashed to pieces, and you were sinking, exhausted, and unable to save yourself, a lifeboat came along and you were offered a safe and sure rescue, you would thank God and take the offer, would you not?”

“Yes, sir, indeed I would.”

Then he was made to understand that the invitation was being given him to accept Christ as the lifeboat and the only protection from the storm that was coming.

Many years rolled away, and the Christian missionary toiled on, miles and miles from the coast of Africa, in the heart of a northern city. One day he was again in a sickroom. Everything showed that it was also a room ready for death. The nurses and the doctor moved about so swiftly, and yet silently and solemnly. The sufferer was nearly gone. The visitor stepped over to the bed, and true to his calling, bent down and whispered to the dying man, “Is it well with your soul?”

There was a sudden glance of the eye, and a smile of recognition—such a smile!

“God bless you, sir! The lifeboat holds—still holds! It is well with my soul.”

Yes, it was the same sailor, just about at the end of the journey, but his trust was in the Lord Jesus Christ and he was safe for eternity.

Without Christ you will become a wreck, and be lost in the blackness of darkness forever. With Christ, as your Saviour, you can join it that heavenly note of praise, “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,.. to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.” Revelation 1:5,6.

Memory Verse: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20.

ML 09/22/1968

God Counts

Harry and his little sister Sally were playing one morning in the dining room. Mother came in with a plate of freshly baked cupcakes which she placed on the table; then she went back to the kitchen.

“How good they look!” said Harry, and reached out his hand to take one.

His sister however drew his hand back, saying, “We ought not to touch them unless Mother said so.”

“But likely Mother didn’t count them,” pressed Harry.

“Maybe not,” answered Sally, “but perhaps God did.”

So Harry withdrew from the temptation and sitting down he seemed to be thinking seriously.

“Yes, Sally, you were right,” he said, looking at her with a cheerful yet serious air. “God does count, for the Bible says, The very hairs of our head are all numbered.”

A little later, at lunch time, Mother smilingly placed one of her tempting fresh-baked cupcakes in the hands of each of her children. How glad they were then that they had not yielded to temptation, but had waited for their dear mother to give them herself what each so desired. Mother had baked those cakes for them anyway.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 1:7.

“Yield not to temptation,

For yielding is sin;

Each victory will help you

Some other to win.

Fight manfully onward,

Dark passions subdue;

Look ever to Jesus,

He will carry you through.”

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” Matthew 26:41.

ML 09/22/1968

The Dying Saint

An aged preacher of the gospel when dying, said “Bring me the Bible.” Putting his finger upon the verse, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin,” he said, “I die in the hope of this verse.” It wasn’t his fifty years’ preaching nor his long life in the Lord’s service but the blood of Christ upon which he relied. When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ we shall be pure, even as He is pure, if we are washed in the blood of the Lamb.

A little child of seven,

Or even three or four,

May enter into heaven

Through Christ, the open Door.

For when the heart believeth

On Christ, the Son of God,

‘Tis then the soul receiveth

Salvation through His blood.

I am the Door, the words are but four;

Millions are in, but there’s room for more;

The door’s open wide, come right inside,

And thou shalt be saved.

“THEY THAT WERE READY WENT IN WITH HIM...: AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT.” — Matthew 25:10.

ML 09/22/1968

Bible Talks

Exodus 6:1-30

Dismayed AT Pharaoh’s hardness and the reproaches of his own people, Moses turned to God for comfort. The children of Israel were apparently in a worse case than before, yet this was God’s way of separating His people from the Egyptians, producing between them an irreparable breach, to pave the way for the display of His own power, that the children of Israel might know that it was His hand alone that could bring them out of the land of Egypt. “Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.” verse 1.

But God would not have either Moses or Israel to find comfort only in His mighty works and in the punishment of Pharaoh. Far better than that, He proceeded to give a new revelation of Himself to them, so that they might be drawn nearer to Him and find their needs met in His Person—not merely in His acts of power. “And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD (Jehovah): And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by My name JEHOVAH, was I not known to them.”

The name “Jehovah” is God’s title as Deliverer — the One who would act in them, for them, and with them. It is His name in relationship with Israel, reserved for them. To their fathers He was “God Almighty”—the One who first called Abraham out from idolatry to a consecrated and faithful walk, gave him the promises, blessings, and the reward of faith. He had been the almighty shield and protector of the wandering patriarchs in the midst of the jealous and hostile and wicked Canaanites. The time had come when He declared Himself by that name JEHOVAH, as the One who would be in the midst of His people,’ no matter what their circumstances. Amazing grace! God, the ever-existing One, would take up the cause of His people by being verily present with them. Thus, as He spoke to His servant, He reminded him: “I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel... and I have remembered My covenant.” Then He gave seven distinct promises: 1) I will bring you out; 2) I will rid you out of bondage; 3) I will redeem you; 4) I will take you to Me for a people; 5) I will be to you a God; 6) I will bring you in unto the (promised) land; 7) and I will give it to you for an heritage. These promises embraced His whole purpose for the nation of Israel and were sealed with the declaration: “I am JEHOVAH.”

Moses must have received great comfort from this revelation. Yet, when He carried these wonderful words to the people, “they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.” Such was their misery, because they were deaf to the gracious voice that proclaimed liberty and blessing. God told Moses to again go to Pharaoh and demand the release of the people, but Moses was too disappointed at the apparent fruitlessness of his mission and was unwilling to proceed. However, the value of the pledges made was not to be measured by the response of those to whom they were made, but by the worthiness of Him Who gave them. All would come to pass.

Toward the close of this chapter, the genealogy of the people to be redeemed is introduced.

ML 09/22/1968

The Friend of the Red Legged Partridges

Breaking through the soft earth of a newly-sown field of grain, a man was seen slowly and painfully to struggle out of his grave. He had been seized and stowed away as dead in the larder of a crocodile — a cave in the river bank.

Here is the whole story, as told by John A. Clarke, of Katanga, Belgian Congo: Mr. Clark had just purchased and handed to his cook a partridge which looked like good eating. A little way from his compound he saw a native coming at the run. Out of breath, the man said: “Bwana, have you just bought a red-legged partridge?”

“Yes,” said the missionary. “What about it?”

“I want to redeem it,” was the reply.

“Too late,” said the missionary, “the cook has just killed it.”

The man’s distress was evident. The missionary was interested, and got this story from him.

Some years before, the African man had been taken by a crocodile, which had carried him off under the river bank and placed him, apparently drowned, with a badly torn leg on a ledge where the water was only inches deep. (The crocodile is said to like its meat “high” and always has a larder somewhere handy.) He woke up very sick and in great pain, got rid of most of the water he had swallowed, and began to take note of his surroundings. The cave floor was under water and the air was very stuffy. The roof was of earth. As he lay, he heard something tapping on it. Listening and wondering, he decided that he must be under a patch of cultivation which came to the river’s edge. The tapping was made by the red-legged partridges, which were picking up the seeds which had fallen on the hard ground of the river bank. So the roof could not be very thick. He managed to scrape a hole through and climbed out.

“Bwana,” he said, “I’m known as ‘the friend of the red-legged partridges.’ They saved my life, and whenever I can I buy them and set them free.”

We believe the missionary did not lose the opportunity of telling the native man of the One who has done far more for us all than the red-legged partridges. It cost those birds nothing, but the African was very grateful. It cost the Lord Jesus His life’s blood to rescue and redeem us from the place of death where sin had brought us. Satan had taken us captives and we would perish had not Jesus come down to save us. The African got out of his prison alone, but no one can ever get free from sin and Satan by their own efforts. No one can escape the judgment of God against sin except they take Christ as their Saviour, and know the power of His redeeming blood.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9. Those who think they can save themselves only perish in their sins.

Christ alone can save—

Break the power of sin;

Christ doth fully satisfy

The heart that cleaves to Him.

ML 09/29/1968

Standing in God's Smile

A tiny boy, two years old, stood in a ray of sunshine and said gaily, “Me standing in God’s smile, Mamma.” His mother replied, “God grant that my darling boy may so live as always to stand in God’s smile.”

Not long after, God called the mother home, and the little boy was left to the care of others. He grew to manhood and stood in favor with the king. So great was his desire to please the king and to get on, he forgot to put God first. But he was restless and unhappy and no longer did he enjoy the sunshine of His love. One day, looking over some relics, he found a paper parcel, and opening it found a tint pair of shoes and these lines in his mother’s handwriting: “These shoes were worn by my darling boy when he was two years of age. He stood in a ray of sunlight saying, “Me standing in God’s smile, Mamma.” God grant that my darling boy may so live as always to stand in God’s smile.” Through these lines God spoke to him. It came home to him how he had been long out of touch with God, in fact he had gotten far from Him. The memory of his mother’s faith and the impressions of his tender years came back to him. Humbly he turned back to the God of his mother, confessed the sin and failure of those years, and found the Saviour willing and ready to receive him back; for “him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

“Keep yourself in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21.

BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH DO HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHT EOUSNESS. Matthew 5:6

“HE SATISFIETH THE LONGING SOUL, AND FILLETH THE HUNGRY SOUL WITH GOODNESS.” Psalms 107:9.

ML 08/29/1968

"Why Don't You Love Jesus?"

A Sunday school teacher had been seeking to lead her scholars to the Lord. She had told them how they too might become missionaries at home and bring others to the Saviour. One day the smallest came to her and said: “I asked some children to come with me to Sunday school, but they said their father was an infidel.”

The little girl wanted to know what an infidel was, so her teacher explained that he was one who didn’t believe God nor the Bible. One day, while she was on her way to school, this infidel man was coming out of the post office with his mail in his hand. The child ran up to him, and said, “Why don’t you love Jesus?”

If it had been a man, the infidel would have resented it; but he did not know what to do with the child. With tears in her eyes she asked him again, “Oh! please, tell me, why don’t you love Jesus?” He went on to his office, but he felt as if every letter he opened read, “Why don’t you love Jesus?” He attempted to write, with the same result; every letter seemed to ask him, “Why don’t you love Jesus?” He threw down his pen in despair, and went out of his office, but he could not get rid of the question. It was asked by a still small voice within, and as he walked along it seemed as if the very ground and the very heavens whispered to him, “Why don’t you love Jesus?”

At last he went home, and there it seemed as if his own children asked him the question, so he said to his wife, “I will go to bed early tonight,” thinking to sleep it away.

But when he laid his head on the pillow it seemed as if the pillow whispered it to him. So he got up about midnight, and said, “I can find out where Christ contradicts Himself, and I’ll search it out and prove Him a liar.”

Well, the man got up and turning to the Gospel of John, he read on from the beginning until he came to the words, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (ch. 3:16).

What love! he thought; and at last the old infidel’s heart was stirred. He could find no reason for not loving Jesus. Down he went on his knees and prayed. Earnest were his prayers that went up to God for forgiveness and ere the morning sun flooded the countryside the once hardened heart of that old infidel was melted with the sunshine of God’s love. He saw what a sinner he had been, but he saw too that Jesus had died for such as he. Now peace and love filled his heart.

I challenge any one on the face of the earth to find a reason for not loving Christ. It is only here on earth that men think they have a reason for not doing so. In heaven they cry, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” O sinner friend, if you knew Him you would have no wish to find a reason for not loving Him. He is “the chiefest among ten thousand,” “He is altogether lovely.” S. of Sol. 5: 10,16.

Memory Verse “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.” Proverbs 23:26.

ML 09/29/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses the Man of God

Exodus 7:1-13

In spite of Moses’ discouragement at the attitude of the people and the open antagonism of Pharaoh, God calmly proceeds to bring about the redemption of Israel, and Moses is again instructed to appear before Pharaoh. “And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron, thy brother, shall be thy prophet. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee... And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay My hand upon Egypt... by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth Mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.” vv.1-5.

God’s purpose was to bring Israel into blessing and preeminence in the earth. Their own folly and departure has often brought down His judgment upon them, and at times He used the oppression of their enemies to discipline them. Yet God has not held blameless those enemies who were thus used, for their enmity against Israel spoke of their rebellion against Him as well. He might have to punish His people for their sins, but at the same time He has pronounced judgment against all those who would oppose them. “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.” Isaiah 54:17.

Some have found difficulty in the Lord’s saying, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart,” but it will be helpful to note that it is not said of Pharaoh until after he had contemptuously; rejected the claims of the Lord. This hardening of Pharaoh’s heart did not take place until after Pharaoh himself had declared, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?... I know not the LORD.”

Long years later, even the Philistines, enemies of Israel, confessed that Pharaoh and the Egyptians had hardened their hearts through their own willfulness. They said: “Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts?” 1 Samuel 6:6. God’s offer of mercy has never been closed to anyone until the heart has definitely rejected Him.

Pharaoh was now to see the signs and wonders: “And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Show a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it bore Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent... And they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.” vv. 8-12.

It must have been humiliating to the magicians to see their serpents swallowed up by the rod of Aaron, for it was an evident token that the power of God was greater than that of Satan who worked through them. Pharaoh was not convinced, however; he refused to bow to this display and would not let the people go.

ML 09/29/1968

The Stolen Puppies

A family of boys who lived on the edge of our village were thrilled beyond words one day when someone presented them with a basket containing five fat roly-poly little puppies. What fun they had feeding their lively little pets and watching them roll and squirm as they played on the lawn.

But evil eyes were on those doggies as well as admiring ones, and one dark night three of them disappeared from their kennel.

The boys all felt sad, but Mother said, “Never mind, we will tell God about it, and He can, if He sees fit, let us know where to find them. Or if it is His will, He can send them back to us again.”

Three weeks later, on a fine summer morning, to their great surprise and joy the boys found the missing pups playing around their kennel, and they carried them to their mother. “God did it, my boys,” said Mother. “How I do not know, but I’m quite sure He had to do with their being returned. He is a great God, yet He is interested in our little things; He wants us to trust Him to leave them in His hands.”

The boys had confidence in their mother’s faith and were quite ready to believe that the return of the pups had not happened merely by chance.

Imagine their surprise when some time later, Tom, a schoolmate, told one of the boys that he had been converted at a children’s tent meeting. He told them he had bought the pups two weeks before from a tramp for only a few cents. Now that he was a Christian, and knowing what a Christian ought to be and how he should act, he felt he must bring back the pets which he knew to be theirs.

This incident was never forgotten by those boys. Their mother’s confidence in God, and the fact that conversion makes people want to be honest and to restore what is not their own, as well as Tom’s fine testimony to what the grace of God had done for him, impressed them greatly. It was the means of their being led to the Saviour not long after.

ML 10/06/1968

Alone With Jesus

I have been alone with Jesus,

With my head upon His breast,

For I was so very weary,

That I wanted there to rest;

I have been alone with Jesus,

And He bade me stay awhile;

And I felt it very precious,

In the sunshine of His smile.

With a trembling heart I told Him,

While with joy I lingered there,

All the burden of my sorrow,

And my heavy weight of care;

How the voice of Satan’s whisperings

Often called me into sin;

And I asked Him if I might not

Stay forever there with Him.

Shall I tell you what He told me,

While I still was waiting there;

For it took away my trouble,

And it took away my care;

O, He told me that He loved me

Tho’ a wayward, erring child;

And I looked so very happy

As He looked on me and smiled.

Then He told me I was welcome

Evermore with Him to stay,

And He said that He would never

Cast His loving one away;

Lo, He said, I am thy Saviour,

As a rock I firmly stand;

Come and rest beneath My shadow

In this weary, thirsty land.

ML 10/06/1968

Judith

Judith was a little Jewish girl in Russia. She had learned many passages from the Gospels, from a boy who had memorized much of the New Testament. That word found an entrance into her young heart and the time came when she yielded her heart to Jesus, owning Him as her Saviour and Lord. Judith could not keep silent about her newfound joy.

Her father was away from home at the time, but when he returned from his trip, she ran to meet him. “Father,” she said, “I love Jesus. He loved the little children. And now He is my Saviour!” Her father was terribly angry and commanded her never again to speak of Jesus.

Not long after this his dear child caught scarlet fever, and very little hope was given for her recovery. As she lay on her bed unconscious, her father tried to pray. Suddenly the little girl opened her eyes. She repeated accurately the account from the Gospels of how Jesus had raised up the little daughter of Jairus.

“And He put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway; and He commanded to give her meat.” When Judith had finished, her head fell back and she lapsed back into unconsciousness.

The father fell on his knees. He began to pray, saying, “Oh Jesus, Thou who didst raise up again the daughter of Jairus, wilt Thou raise up my little Judith, if I will believe in Thee, as my Saviour and the true Messiah?” The Lord Jesus heard that cry of anguish. He raised up the little girl again to health and strength.

True to his word, the father turned to the Lord. He confessed Him as his Saviour before all, and he and all his family became Christians.

ML 10/06/1968

Bible Questions for October

Please find the verses and fill in the missing words in the blank spaces shown. Then write out the verses in full as formerly.

The verses containing these quotations will be found in consecutive order in Mark, chapters 9-16.

1.Whosoever shall———-one of such children in My name.

2.Receive the———-of God as a little child.

3.Immediately he received his sight, and————Jesus.

4.When ye pray,———-that ye receive them.

5.These shall receive———-damnation.

6.And they gave Him to drink wine mingled with myrrh; but He————it not.

7.He was received up into———, and sat on the right hand of God.

The Young People’s Class Jesus

1.Why was JESUS made a little lower than the angels? Heb.

2.From what are we delivered through the death of JESUS? 1 Thess.

3.What position do all those who now believe in JESUS have before God? Romans 3.

4.What privilege does the blood of JESUS afford believers in the present day? Hebrews 10.

5.What obligation does the name of JESUS hold for unbelievers in a coming day? Philippians 2.

6.What is the proper expectation of those who believe that JESUS ascended into heaven after His death and resurrection? Acts 1.

7.What is the common hope of those who sleep in JESUS and those who are alive and remain at His coming?

“FOR THOUGH THOU WASH THEE WITH NITRE, AND TAKE THEE MUCH SOAP, YET THINE INIQUITY IS MARKED BEFORE ME, SAITH THE LORD GOD.” Jeremiah 2:22.

THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN.1 John 1:7

“WASH ME, AND I SHALL BE WHITER THAN SNOW.” Psalm 51.

ML 10/06/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses

Exodus 7:14.25

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go. Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning;... And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness... In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. And the fish that is in the river shall die.”

Now begins the great struggle, and awful wonders and terrible judgments fall on the land of Egypt. The ten plagues which followed were particularly suited in the wisdom of God to humble Egypt. There was not only an affliction on the land, and on the people, with increasing intensity; but there was a solemn contest between Jehovah and the gods of Egypt. We read therefore, “Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am JEHOVAH.” Exodus 12:12. The plagues were calculated to smite them in what constituted their religion. They even boasted in the river Nile which they supposed to be the great earthly emblem of God. Nothing in all Egypt was of more value than the water which came from the Nile. Without it, the land would lie waste and life could not be sustained. It was the source of life and refreshment to Egypt and its people, but its waters were to be turned into blood, the symbol of death and judgment.

Not only was the water of the river involved, but the Lord commanded: “Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds and upon all their pools of water... that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both int vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.” verse 19. Aaron “lifted up the rod, smote the waters that were in the river... and all the waters ... .were turned to blood. And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.”

So it was that the very river in which they had such pride became loathsome to the Egyptians. “And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them;... and Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.”

For seven days the river and the waters of the land were polluted—an ever-present reminder to the Egyptians that Israel’s God was a God of power and was working for His people.

We see in this miracle a picture of God’s coming judgment on all this world’s vanity and folly. The world’s waters—its entertainments, allurements, its diversions and achievements — can never bring lasting satisfaction to thirsty souls, and in the end it will meet with God’s complete judgment.

What a contrast is “the water of life” which the Lord Jesus gives, that which quenches the thirst of every soul who owns Him as his Saviour. He alone could say, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst.” John 4:14.

ML 10/06/1968

Redeemed!

Little Charles and his father worked for several days making a toy sailboat. They painted it red and white and fastened pretty white sails on it. It was a fine boat.

How happy Charles was when Daddy took the family to the beach and he sailed his boat the first time. How pretty it looked on the water amid the rippling waves.

Suddenly an offshore breeze caught the sails and the little boat was carried beyond Charles’ reach. Sadly, he watched as it disappeared over the waves and out of sight.

Some days later Charles was strolling up the street of the town, looking in the shop windows. What was his surprise to see in the pawnbroker’s window his lost boat! Rushing into the shop, he exclaimed to the pawnbroker: “Sir, that’s my boat you have there in your window. Will you please give it to me? It’s mine.”

“Oh, no,” said the old pawnbroker. “The boat is not yours. I bought it off of a boy some days ago. The boat is mine.”

“But I made it,” insisted Charles. “I lost it at the beach. It’s mine!”

“It may have been yours once,” replied the pawnbroker, unbending, “but its mine now. If you want it back, you’ll have to redeem it. My price is $3.00.”

Poor little Charles! It was a hard lesson to learn, and sadly he returned home without his boat. For several days he worked hard, doing odd jobs to save enough money to buy back his boat. His Dad helped him out, and with the $3.00 in his pocket he hurried uptown to the old pawnbroker’s shop. The boat was still in the window, and hastily laying the handful of nickels, dimes and pennies on the counter, he told the man, “Here’s your $3.00, sir. Please give me my boat!”

As Charles walked home with the boat under his arm he said, “You’re twice mine now. I have redeemed you.”

That evening Charles’ father exclaimed to him how it is that we were all just like that boat. The Lord made us; He is our Creator, but we were lost through sin. Satan claimed us; we were “his goods.” We needed to be redeemed. The Lord Jesus Himself alone could pay the price of our redemption. Money cannot purchase this redemption and set us free; doing good deeds, trying to live good lives cannot save; the price of our redemption must be paid in the blood of another. Peter tells us: “Ye were not redeemed with... silver and gold... but with the precious blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:18,19.

The Lord Jesus paid the price of our redemption on the cross. Those who trust Him for salvation are redeemed in His sight. They are bought back to God—twice His!

Dear young reader, are you redeemed?

“In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7.

ML 10/13/1968

The Star in the Window

In this country during the First I World War any household that had given a son to the war was permitted to place a star on the window pane. One night a man was walking down the street with his little boy in New York. The little fellow was interested in the lighted windows of the houses, and clapped his hands whenever he saw a star. As they passed house after house he would exclaim: “Oh Daddy, look, there’s another house that has given a son to the war! And there’s another! There’s one with two stars! And look! There’s a house with no star at all!”

At last they came to a break in the houses. Through the gap could be seen the evening star shining brightly in the sky. The little fellow paused, holding his breath. “Oh, look, Daddy,” he cried, “God must have given His Son, for He has got a star in His window.”

Indeed God has given His Son, as the little boy had rightly said, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, to die upon the cross for sin, not for any favored nation, but for all men and women, boys and girls, everyone, “that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

But what a difference between the death of God’s dear Son and the death of any other man under heaven. Whoever gave their son willingly to die for their enemies? But God gave His Son to die for us when we were enemies. He knew well how sinful man would treat Him. He gave Him in love for you, for me, and for all.

“That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Have you, dear young reader, believed in Him yet? Are your sins all forgiven, and are you on your way to heaven?

Memory Verse: “Thus saith the Lord..., seek ye me, and ye shall live.” Amos 5:4.

ML 10/13/1968

"I Can't Understand It!"

It was four o’clock on a bright I Sunday afternoon. A group of children were all eager to be let out of Sunday school, when one of the teachers said, “We should be glad if any boy or girl would stay with us for a short prayer meeting this afternoon.”

Among the few that remained was a bright-faced little girl of twelve. Very quietly she knelt in a corner and buried her face in her little brown hands while prayers were being offered up. Then she tried to slip away unnoticed, but her teacher laid her hand on her and said kindly, “Dorothy, why won’t you trust Jesus?” With a laugh Dorothy shook off the hand and darted into the street.

However, when alone, Dorothy’s little face grew grave and she said wearily to herself, “That’s what they all say, ‘Why don’t you trust Jesus?’ and they can’t see how all the time I am longing to know Him, but I can’t understand it. I don’t know the way to be saved. I wish I did — oh, I wish I did.”

Late that night Dorothy went up to her room. All the evening she had tried to be her usual cheerful self, but there was such an aching in her heart, poor child — she was seeking the Good Shepherd, and she knew not where to look for Him.

Kneeling down by the window, she laid her head upon the sill and let the tears flow. “Oh,” she thought, “I would go straight to Him, and tell Him all about it. I would tell Him I cannot understand how to be saved, and He would help me to find out the way.”

Suddenly a bright thought came— “Wasn’t Jesus all the time with her in her little room? Even though she could not see Him, might she not speak with Him just the same? Why had she not thought of it before?” And there in the deepening twilight, Dorothy told Jesus all — how unhappy she was, and how she longed to be saved.

Long she knelt there — she had so much to tell the Lord Jesus— and when at last she got up from her knees the little face was radiant with happiness. The burden of her sins was gone; Jesus had taken all the troubles away. She had found the way to Him at last. In the place of that heartache and that heavy load was a deep down peace and joy known to those who have found the Saviour, whose loving voice still speaks from heaven.

“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

JESUS SAID: “BELIEVE ALSO IN ME. John 14:1.

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 every one is happy,

Nor could be happier there.

I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU. John 14:2

ML 10/13/1968

Bible Talks: the Story of Moses the Man of God

Exodus 8:1-15

After the plague of blood had run its course for seven days, Pharaoh was again informed that if he would not let the people go his country would be visited by a further severe plague. “And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let My people go, that they may serve Me. And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs.” vv. 1,2.

Pharaoh gave scant attention to these warnings, with the result that Moses was instructed to say to Aaron: “Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.” Aaron did so, and a vast horde of frogs emerged; the land was covered with these actively disgusting objects, as the waters of blood had shocked and sickened the Egyptians before. The magicians of Egypt were again able to imitate the performance and they too brought up frogs.

The frog was included among the sacred animals by the Egyptians, and now these objects of their sacred admiration were turned into pests: they beheld them with horror and detested them.

What a repulsive scene this was! Frogs intruded everywhere — into the houses, even into the beds of the Egyptians, hopping into their ovens and into the very kneading troughs. Thy cry of the people and the presence of the frogs throughout the royal palace was finally too much even for the haughty king, and he pleaded with Moses and Aaron; “Entreat the LORD, that He may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.” verse 8.

No doubt this was welcome news to the two servants of God, and Moses promptly cried to the Lord to remove the awful plague from the land. “And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields. And they gathered them together upon heaps; and the land stank.” vv.13,14.

But when Pharaoh saw the respite he had a change of heart; “He hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them.” Such was the callous treachery of this ruler, who counted a pledge to his slaves of so little value that he immediately broke it when he considered he had achieved his purpose. Satan, our great enemy often turns things to his advantage through false hopes and expectations. The Lord Jesus said of him: “He is a liar, and the father of it.”

The invasion of frogs may be compared to the inroads of corruption in this world. “They covered the land of Egypt,” just as the ugliness of sin covers the world now. When men, unreconciled and godless, who themselves have been a tool in Satan’s hand, see the threatening effects of evil which they themselves have helped to bring about, they are often amazed and fearful of the forces that run unchecked. Then, like Pharaoh, they seek some means of removing the evil, often through an outward show of religion. Yet, when granted relief from the terror, they quickly forget the promises they made, and they return to their evil ways. In spite of repeated deliverances, the heart of man, left to itself, will continue in rebellion, and revert to former ways, like “the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

ML 10/13/1968

Ching, the Chinese Boy

A wealthy farmer was lying very ill in the city of Richmond, Virginia. He had a dangerous and infectious fever and the physician had little hope of his recovery.

The sick man had no knowledge of God’s salvation and, indeed, he had lived without any thought of God or of what would become of him after death. When the doctor told him that he had not long to live, he said, “It’s too bad, a man so young as I am, with so much to live for, to think of dying now! But everything has always been against me.”

His nurse, afraid of catching the fever herself, left him now, but the doctor suggested that he might get a Chinese boy to wait on him.

“O, it makes no difference,” said the sick man; “you may as well let me die like a dog. It will soon be over, anyway.”

In another part of the city there was a Chinese laundry. One of the boys who worked there was named Ching. He was born in China but after coming to America he learned to read English. He was a born-again Christian too, and he loved his Bible. The love of God in his heart and the hope of going to heaven made him very happy. The great desire of his heart was to get an education and then go back to China to tell his countrymen about Jesus and His great salvation. But working in the laundry, he saw no way yet of getting an education.

The doctor was acquainted with Ching and, calling at the laundry, he asked him if he would be willing to wait on a patient of his who was sick with a dangerous fever.

“He is a rich man, and will pay you well,” said the doctor.

Ching said he was willing, for he felt sure that God would take care of him. The doctor took him and introduced him to his patient. A few days later, when the sick man lay dozing on his bed, Ching was sitting nearby, reading his Bible. Presently the man opened his eyes, and seeing what Ching was doing, he asked, “What stupid book is that that you are always reading?”

Although this remark offended Ching, he meekly replied, “This no stupid Book; this my Jesus’ Book; this my passport.”

“Ha! Your passport—what do you mean by that?”

And then Ching merely read two short verses:

“There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,” but the name of Jesus. Acts 4:12.

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

“Did you say ‘all sin,” Ching? Read that again. Would it cleanse my sin?”

He read it again, and then said, “Yes, sir, it will cleanse your sin, it will satisfy all your hopes and longings and take you to heaven.”

The sick man then asked Ching to kneel by his bed and to pray that God would pardon his sins, give him a new heart, and make him a happy Christian. This was repeated day by day for some time. Then a change came over the sick man. He saw that it was not Ching’s prayers which would save him. He saw that he was a lost sinner but that Jesus died for him. Putting his trust in Him, he found pardon, peace and salvation.

God in His mercy healed the sick man’s body as well. The fever was broken and, in due time, he was quite well again. When he learned that Ching was anxious to get an education and then return to China to preach the gospel there, he gave him money enough to pay for his education.

Faithful to his Saviour, the wealthy farmer used his abilities and his wealth in gospel work in the Southern states. Ching obtained his education and then returned to China. He labored faithfully to make Christ known among his countrymen.

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

“Look unto Me, and be ye saved.... for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22.

ML 10/20/1968

The Lomechusa Bug

“Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Romans 12:9.

“Hate the evil, and love the good.” Amos 5:15.

Most everyone knows that the ants are not only a very busy, but also very courageous little creatures. Any intruder is met with bold aggression. All danger from without is at once a signal for battle.

Yet there is one enemy these little ants do not recognize. He is able to enter the swarming ant-hill quite unnoticed. It is a little bug called “Lomechusa.” The first few ants might attack him, but strange to say, they do not bite him. They rather stroke his soft velvety back. He discharges a sweet fragrant odor which the ants eagerly take in. Soon they have forgotton that he is an intruder, and when his mate comes they receive the bride of this enemy as though she were one of them. Under the intoxicating aroma their energy and courage are soon paralyzed. Even the Queen succumbs, and within a year the once busy, thriving ant-hill is in ruins.

Now is not this a striking picture of how evil may enter the life of a Christian, or a happy company of believers, or even a home? The subtle workings of evil are not always recognized. They may enter undetected and work havoc. Spiritual energy is undermined and faith is dimmed; soon the ruin is complete. May we abide close to the Lord Jesus and detect evil before it gains entrance.

ML 10/20/1968

"All I Have Left"

Frank was a little fellow whose heart had been won by the love of the Lord Jesus, and he had found joy and peace in believing in Him as his Saviour. Frank sought to win others to the Lord, to find peace and rest in Him.

However, Frank’s father was not a Christian, and he forbade his little boy ever again to go to the mission school where he had heard the simple gospel that had brought him such rest and gladness. Frank knew that he ought to be obedient to his father, and so he told him, “Father, I will obey you.”

The little boy kept his word. But it was observed that every morning and evening he would go away and stay alone for some time. One day his father followed him and found him sitting under a tree, reading his much-loved Bible.

Rushing forward, his father said, “Why, this is as bad as going to the mission. Give me that Book.”

“Father,” the little boy replied, bursting into tears, “It’s all I have left.”

His father’s heart was touched by the earnestness of his little boy, and he wept with him. He gave him permission to go to the mission school and to read his Bible without fear.

Is the word of God as precious to you, dear young reader, as it was to little Frank? Have you found it a joy to your heart, and food to your soul? To the Psalmist, it was better than thousands of gold and silver, sweeter than honey in the honeycomb. To little Frank, it was all he had — his all — when no longer allowed to hear the Word preached.

“Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart.” Psalms 119:2.

Memory Verse: “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”

Luke 11:28.

ALL THINGS WISE AND WONDERFUL THE LORD GOD MADE THEM ALL!

“For by Him (the Lord Jesus) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth,” Colossians 1:16.

“REMEMBER NOW THY CREATOR IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH.” Ecc1. 12:1

ML 10/20/1968

Bible Talks

Exodus 8:16-19

No warning was given Pharaoh as the third plague was about to overtake the land of Egypt. This next blow was of a different kind, aimed more at the persons of the Egyptians. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.” verse 16.

Immediately there came forth lice that infested both man and beast. The swarms of frogs had been horrible indeed, but they at least could be seen and dealt with in some measure, but the lice presented a far greater evil problem to them. The Egyptians were known for their scrupulous cleanliness; small and easily concealed upon the bodies and in the hair of men and beasts alike, the presence of the lice was a constant source of terrible irritation, and there was scant means of providing a moment’s relief.

God called for these lice to spring from the dust, and they remind us that from the dust of this sin-cursed earth (Gen. 3:17) evil in its most persistent and vile forms will continually spring forth. Satan seeks to conceal or gloss over the evil, but man is nonetheless aware of his sins and his inability to rid himself of them or get rid of their consequences. He knows not how to cope with this great affliction and is unsuccessful in attempted reforms, resolutions and good intentions. He is in dreadful bondage to a terrible master who will give him no peace or way of escape.

“Oh wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me?” is the cry of an exercised heart. The answer comes clear and true to all who will hearken: “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 7:24,25. If the reader is yet a servant to sit and tasting its bitter fruit, as typified in these abhorrent types, there is deliverance for you if you will but come to God according to His word. Seek no longer to improve the old nature, but turn in faith to Christ, for, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: It is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.

“And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not:... Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God. vv.18,19. The magicians could not imitate Moses in this; they could not produce life. Men can make wonderful inventions, but they cannot produce life. God has told us that life is in the blood (Lev. 17:11), but still men cannot discover the secret, and they never will. If truthful, men will always have to admit, like the magicians of Egypt, “This is the finger of God.”

Again, “Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them.” 10:18,19. Man left to himself invariably refuses the testimony of God. He knows it is God; he has the consciousness that he is doing wrong in refusing it. Yet he does refuse because he does not like and dare not trust God, whose word interferes with everything he likes. Thus he gives himself up to unbelief. It is never God who makes man an unbeliever. Hardening is a judgment from God which comes when man persists in unbelief in the face of distinct and repeated testimony from Him.

ML 10/20/1968

Jean

A doctor passing through the ward of a hospital, noticed a little boy with a very sad face lying in one of the beds. He was far from his home, and could not speak a word of English, or understand what the nurses said to him, but the doctor could speak French. Delighted at hearing his own language, the boy sat up and, clasping the doctor’s hand, felt he had found a friend.

“Do you think I shall soon be well, Doctor?” asked little Jean— for that was his name — anxiously.

“Well, Jean, I cannot say, but I’m sure everything will be done for you here to make you well,” said the doctor tenderly. “But what if you do not recover, Jean; where do you think you will go after you leave this world?”

The boy shook his head; he had evidently not thought of that. So the doctor, who loved the Lord, and sought to tell others, told Jean of the love of Jesus, in coming down to earth to die that he might be saved and go to heaven. The boy drank in the truth. Later, when the doctor asked, “Do you think you can trust yourself to such a Saviour, Jean?” “Yes,” said Jean, “for He so loves me.”

Day after day the doctor sat by the little patient’s bed, and told him more of Jesus. Jean did not die, but got better, and returned to his homeland to tell his friends and companions, of the wonderful love of Jesus.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1.

ML 10/27/1968

The Sleeping Sentinel

Abraham Lincoln was a man of compassion; he was very gentle, and was noted for his heart of sympathy for the down-trodden and the poor. During the Civil War many poorly trained soldiers, who were court-martialed and condemned to be shot, were pardoned. Finally his people rose up against him, and said that he was too merciful, that if a man was court-martialed he must be shot, and that there would be no reprieves.

A few weeks after this, news came that a young soldier had been sleeping at his post. He was court-martialed, and condemned to be shot. The boy wrote to his mother. “I do not want you to think I do not love my country, but it came about in this way: My comrade was sick, and I went out on picket for him; and the next night he ought to have come, but still being sick I went out for him again, and without intending it I fell asleep. I did not intend to be disloyal.”

It was a very touching letter, and the mother and father said there was no chance; there would be no more reprieves. But there was a little girl in that home and she knew that Abraham Lincoln had a little boy, and how he loved that little boy. She said if Abraham Lincoln knew how her father and mother loved her brother he would never allow him to be shot. So she took the train to go and plead for her brother. When she got to the President’s mansion the difficulty arose how was she to get past the sentinel. So she told him her story, and the tears ran down his cheeks, and he let her pass. But the next trouble was how to get past the secretary and the other officials. However, she succeeded in getting, unobstructed, into his private room and there were the senators and ministers busy with State affairs.

The President saw the child, and called her to him, and said, “My child, what can I do for you?” and she told him her story. The big tears rolled down his cheeks. He was a father, and his heart was full; he could not stand it. He treated the girl with kindness, and then having reprieved the boy, gave him thirty days furlough, and sent him home to see his mother. His heart was full of compassion.

Now let me tell you that the heart of Jesus is more full of compassion than any man’s. You are condemned to die for your sins. The Bible says so in John 3:18: “He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but He that believeth not is condemned already.”

But if you go straight to the Lord Jesus, like that little girl went to President Lincoln, and tell Him all, tell Him you’re a sinner but that you believe He died for your sins then He will say, “Go in peace”; for “him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

What a Savious Jesus is!

O what grace, what love is His!

“To obey is better than sacrifice.” 1 Samuel 15:22

“Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” Colossians 3:20

ML 10/27/1968

The Young African Prince

A dear missionary went one day to speak to some girls at a private school.

Just at that time he had a young African prince staying with him, whom he asked to accompany him and to say a few words also. Prince J. E — looked astonished, and asked, “What can I say to young ladies who know God — I, who have only known Him such a little while?”

The answer of the missionary surprised him still more. “You say they know God, but that is a mistake. Of course they have heard about Him ever since they were born, but some of them do not yet know Him; their hearts have never been touched by His love.”

On arriving at the school the missionary gave a little address, and showed some idols and curiosities which he had collected in Yoruba, West Africa. Then at the close he asked his African friend to speak, and the prince began:

“Dear young ladies, I cannot say much to you, for I find your language is a very hard one. I thought you all knew more than I do, for I have been brought up in a heathen country, and worshiped idols such as you have been looking at. I have known your God a little while. But my friend tells me that perhaps some of you do not know Him yet, and this seemed so strange to me that I could not find it in my head to believe it. Is it really true? Our gods are so wicked and hard and cruel we could not love them; but when your missionary came and told us about your God, how loving He is, and how He gave His dear Son to die such a cruel death to save us and wash away our black sins, then my heart believed in Him and loved Him. Can you hear about such great love and not love Him back? My eyes feel as if they could weep for you; but you will soon get to know Him, won’t you? I must tell you that my father is a king and I might be one next to him; but I do not want to be. I want instead to go and tell my people about this loving God and His Son Jesus, and my brother may be king. I pray that you may soon all know God.”

Are you like this young African prince, whose heart had been touched by the love of God so that he loved Him in return? Or are you like some of those girls, well educated in the things of this world, but ignorant of the love of God?

“And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3.

One of those girls never forgot what the prince said. She was struck with her own ingratitude and sin, and found no rest till she knew and believed the love of God in Christ Jesus whom she trusted as her Saviour.

Jesus is calling little ones to Him. Have you come to Him yet?

Memory Verse: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5.

ML 10/27/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses the Man of God

Exodus 8:18,19

(Reviewed)

The magicians of Egypt were unable to duplicate the miracle of transforming dust into life. Defeated, they manifested their limited powers and were compelled to exclaim: “This is the finger of God.” However, their confession had no visible effect on the conscience of Pharaoh, and he continued with a stony heart and a deaf ear to disregard the pleas of Moses for the release of God’s people.

Perhaps it will be profitable to consider the character and power of the magicians who, up to this point, seemed to successfully meet every challenge of God’s representatives.

These men were Satan’s tools, used by him insofar as he was able, to thwart God’s purposes, just as Pharaoh with his position of authority was likewise employed. The target of this resistance was principally Moses, who with Aaron, was God’s messenger. Moses is a type of Christ, separated from his people for long years, but returning to them and soon to be their deliverer. So Christ, the true Messiah of Israel, presently separated from His earthly people, will one day return in power to take up His rightful place in their midst and deliver them from their enemies. In Zechariah 2:10,11, we read: Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD... and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent Me unto thee.” But before that day, He will come to take out of this world all those who in this day of grace have trusted Him for salvation.

The attacks of Pharaoh and his magicians against Moses in type speak of Satan’s attacks against the Lord Jesus who came into this world to save sinners. The king of Egypt had once sought to kill Moses. Now we read of Pharaoh resisting God’s’ servant to the full extent of His power, and using the magicians to discredit the miraculous signs that displayed the divine authority invested in Moses and Aaron. Soon after the blessed Saviour was born in Bethlehem’s manger, Satan through Herod sought unsuccess. fully to kill Him. Then by means of the religious leaders he sought to discredit Jesus, and thought himself triumphant when the Lord of glory was crucified. We know, hover, that the Saviour had come “to give His life a ransom for many,” and all the power of Satan could not have availed to nail Him on the cross if the will of God had not allowed it. But, blessed be God, the One who appeared to be the victim of the enemy’s power at the cross, was Himself triumphant over death, rising from the tomb as the mighty Victor over Satan, whose purposes were entirely frustrated and defeated.

Jannes and Jambres, doubtless the leaders of the Egyptian magicians, are mentioned by Paul as having withstood Moses. He compares to them those who by imitation were resisting the truth in the Church (2 Tim. 3:8). The judgment of God fell upon them also (Ex. 9:11), and as their folly was manifest in contending with the God of Israel, so shall the folly of those who oppose the truth now.

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

ML 10/27/1968

The Drunken Turk

It happened in Turkey years ago. A missionary had gone there with a wonderful message of God’s love to poor fallen men, in giving His beloved Son to die for their sins. But the people did not want to be converted to Christianity, so few would attend the preachings. However, they did not seem to object to a Christian school, and so multitudes of all classes and ages would come to Sunday school, and sometimes numbered as many as a thousand.

Coming out of school one day, the missionary remarked to an old man present, “Father, many years have whitened your hair.”

“Yes,” he replied, “but many sins have filled my years and helped to whiten my hair.”

“Tell me,” said the missionary,

“how was it you became a Christian in your old age?”

“Well,” he said, “it was through my son as God’s instrument,” and then he told this story.

His son was considered a great devotee by his people, because he persecuted the Christians. Nevertheless, he was a drunkard; he would abuse his parents and often beat them when intoxicated.

One morning while he was on his way to one of his vile haunts, he chanced to pass by the shop of a native Christian shoemaker. The shoemaker had just let down the front of his little shop to let in the sunshine and was having his morning Bible reading. He was reading aloud to himself from Isaiah, Chapter 5. Just as he came to the 11Th verse, the poor drunk passed his door and paused to listen. He heard the solemn words: “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!”

The drunk was furious. “Come on out here,” he called in to the shoemaker. “I’ll beat you up for insulting me like that.”

“But I was not insulting you, nor was I speaking to you at all,” replied the poor Christian. “I was only reading from my Bible.”

“Let me hear you read it, and maybe I’ll believe it,” said the drunk, somewhat subdued. And he sat down beside the shoemaker, who read to him the whole chapter and many other passages from the precious Word of God.

“Now,” said the shoemaker, “I have read to you a long time; come with me to my morning meeting.”

And he went, for the first time, though not the last, to a Christian’s meeting and there, by the grace of God, he was converted to Christ. He saw how sinful and wicked he had been, how his life was only taking him down to ruin, to death and the pit. Yet he found that the very God he had been fighting against in his blindness was a Saviour-God, One Who loved him, Who had given His Son to die for his sins, and would receive him as one of His own blood-bought sons.

His parents now took their turn in abusing him, and sent him out of their house. His friends also all deserted him. Now he was alone, yet not alone, for he had his Saviour; he became as decided for Christ as he had been before for sin and Satan.

Finally, his father began to think: “What is this I am doing? My son, who formerly abused me, is now all kindness. Now he supports me, while before he did nothing for me; and all this, although I will not allow him into my house. It surely must be a good thing which makes such a change in my son.”

Thus, the old man began to inquire what this new thing was which had transformed the lion into a lamb—a vile, disobedient son into a good, loving, obedient one. His search led him to see his own sinfulness and his need of the Saviour. Thus, he too, by the grace of God, found Christ, Who had been seeking him, and he was now a happy Christian.

“He, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that bath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”

“Seek ye the LORD while He may, be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:1,6.

ML 11/03/1968

Not Afraid of Satan

A little boy came to his father one day, looking very much in earnest, and asked this question, “Father, is Satan stronger than I am?”

“Yes, my boy,” said the father. “Is he stronger than you, Father?” “Yes, my boy, he is stronger than your father or any other man.” “Is he stronger than Jesus, Father?”

“No, my boy,” said the father, “Jesus is ever so much stronger than he is.”

The little fellow, as he turned away, said with a smile, “Then I am not afraid of him.”

That boy felt sure that the Lord Jesus in whom he trusted would protect him from any harm that San might try to do him.

“Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4.

“Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee.” Psalms 91:9,10.

Memory Verse: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8.

“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 18:3

CHILDREN all have precious souls;

‘Twas for such the Saviour died—

‘Twas for such the Prince of Life

Was on Calvary crucified.

ML 11/03/1968

Bible Questions for November

Please fond the verse and fill int the missing words in the blank spaces shown. Then write our the verses in full as formerly.

The verses containing these quotations will be found in consecutive order in Luke, chapers 1-8.

1.For thou hast found———with God.

2.For, behold, I bring you good tiding of——-joy.

3.Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well———-.

4.And when He saw their——-, He said unto him, Man, they sins are forgiven thee.

5.And your———shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest.

6.And He said, Young man, I say unto thee,——-.

7.Return to thine own house, and show how great things—-hath done unto thee.

The Young People’s Class the Lord

1.What simile does THE LORD use to illustrate His care for the church Ephesians 5.

2.What is the never changing seal of our relationship with THE LORD? 2 Tim.

3.What can every true believer expect to receive at the hand of THE LORD? Hebrews 12.

4.To whom will THE LORD give a crown of righteousness? 2 Tim.

5.For what occasion should we say, “If the LORD will?” James 4.

6.What should characterize our behavior as we realize THE LORD is coming soon? James 5.

7.Where shall we meet THE LORD when He comes again? 1 Thess.

ML 11/03/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses the Man of God

Exodus 8:19,20

(Continued)

Although the names of the two magicians are not mentioned here, they are recorded in the New Testament. God took note of their opposition to His servants and their similarity to those who, in this age, exercise their charms and power to the harm of His people. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves... unholy... lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof... ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth; men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.” Tim. 3:1-8.

We are thus warned that there exist today many a “Jannes and Jambres,” evil men (and women, too) used by Satan to counterfeit the holy truth, men who have never come to the knowledge of the truth and yet are teachers of others. These men promise liberty, but are themselves the servants of corruption, who have forsaken the right way. The behavior of the two magicians is manifest in those who now promote false doctrine and a careful weighing of their teachings is a reminder that Satan works more energetically than ever to oppose the furtherance of the truth. Let the testimony of the true gospel be proclaimed in any place and soon Satan will produce an imitation which, to the unwary, will appear as true and powerful as that which is real.

Portions of the Bible may be read, accepted customs and forms carefully followed, lovely hymns employed and eloquent prayers offered.

With Satan thus trying to deceive through such teachers it will only be through the light of God’s Word that one who is searching for the truth can properly distinguish what is real and what is imitation. The Lord Himself has said: “He that is not with Me is against Me: and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth.” Luke 11:23. Jannes and Jambres remind us that the greatest opposition to God’s testimony today is found in those “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” It is Satan’s special instrument to hide the true character of his workers under a “form of godliness,” himself often appearing “as an angel of light.” The form is easy to achieve and display, but the power will only show itself if it is real.

In three things only were the magicians able to imitate Moses and Aaron. They turned their rods into serpents, the water into blood; and they brought forth frogs. These three imitations, originating in the power of Satan, speak of him as the serpent, death and uncleanness, all closely allied with the power behind the counterfeits. All who imitate the truth of God are similarly unable to show more than their evil master can initiate. The blessed expects of divine life, love and truth they can never produce.

May each one carefully weigh his own testimony as well as every voice to which he gives heed, for we are indeed in a day of declension and apostasy. In many places “an uncertain sound” goes forth and it is well to avoid such. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.” 2 Corinthians 13:5.

ML 11/03/1968

The Stolen Lunch

In a rough little school house up in the mountains, the new teacher rang the bell and stood by the door as fifteen boys and girls trooped noisily in.

They were very pleased when he told them they could make their own rules for school, and they would be written on the blackboard.

“No stealing,” “No fighting,” “No swearing,” “No talking in classes,” were some that were suggested, and after the rules were written down, one of the big boys asked, “There’s got to be punishment for disobeying the rules—hasn’t there, Mr. Kingston?”

“Surely, Tom,” said the teacher, “what would you choose?”

“Ten stripes across the back with the coat off,” replied Tom.

For some days all went well. Then one noon big Tom came up to the teacher’s desk to tell him, “Somebody stole my lunch,” and he looked so angry. The teacher called everyone in and then announced, “Tom’s lunch has been stolen. I don’t like to think that one of you is a thief, but someone in this room has taken it. Who was it?”

No one moved, so Mr. Kingston began searching each desk. When he came to Jimmie’s turn, the little fellow threw himself over the desk and cried, “No, No.” Needless to say, the empty lunch box was found there!

“Whatever made you do it, Jimmie?” asked the teacher.

“I was so hungry, sir,” sobbed Jimmie. “Pop’s been away for five days, and we had no breakfast today.”

“But, Jimmie, had you told me, I would have given you some of my lunch. Come up to the front — you know the penalty for stealing.”

Sobbing Jimmie followed him to the front, where he was told to take his coat off.

“Please, sir,” pleaded Jimmie, “may I leave it on?”

“I’m sorry, Jimmie, but that’s part of the penalty.”

Reluctantly he took off his coat, and everyone gasped. “Where’s your shirt, Jimmie?” exclaimed the teacher, in amazement.

“I haven’t got one, sir,” he said.

Just then there was a noise in the class, and they turned to see big Tom coming up to the front. As he came he was taking off his coat—“Whip me instead of Jimmie, Mr. Kingston,” he said. So across Tom’s coatless back the teacher counted ten stripes. He winced with pain as it struck, but never a sound escaped him.

Dear reader, doesn’t this make you think of the Lord Jesus of whom we read in Isaiah 53:7, “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth”? He was bearing the judgment we deserved for our sins when He died on the cross, and He suffered it all that we might go free. “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.

As Tom turned to put his coat on and return to his desk, there was a little cry, and up from his seat came Jimmie. Throwing his arms around the bigger boy’s waist he buried his head in Tom’s coat and wept.

“Tom, I’ll never forget you took my whipping. Thank you. I’ll always be your friend.”

Dear reader, have you ever thanked the Lord for dying for you? If not, why not do so now, and accept Him as your Saviour and Friend?

But there is a happy ending to this story. When Tom went home that night he told what happened. His mother packed a big box of food and sent it to Jimmie’s home. Clothing for the family was provided and work for Jimmie’s father.

We are told, that, for those who know the Lord Jesus, “God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.

Will you trust Him?

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with Hit stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.

HAVE you any room for Jesus—

He who bore our load of sin?

As He knocks and seeks admission,

Children, will you let Him in?

“As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.” — John 1:12

ML 11/10/1968

Little Bessie

A little girl named Bessie attended the gospel services conducted by two faithful servants of Christ. She had come a long way on the train to spend her vacation with friends, and they had invited her to go with them to the preaching. The little girl sat there and drank in the precious message of God’s love to sinners, and she rejoiced to hear that He “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.

Bessie believed that God meant what He said, that He had sent His dear Son into this world to die for her, that the Lord Jesus had died to put her sins all away. Knowing this brought a wonderful peace to her heart, and she was now saved and on her way to heaven.

She was a happy little girl, and when she laid her head on her pillow at night, she knew that if Jesus called her, she would be ready to go and meet Him. She had not long to wait.

Her vacation came to an end. Bessie said good-by to kind friends. She was happy at the thought of seeing her father and mother, her brothers and sisters again. Soon the train was rushing through the countryside and Bessie was thrilled as she looked out the window and saw the fields and woods whizzing past. She sang hymns from her little hymn book as she sped along. Every moment was bringing her nearer home. And so it was; but it was her heavenly home she was so soon to reach.

Suddenly there came a terrific shock, and the passengers were thrown from their seats. In the crash, the train left the tracks and rolled down a steep embankment.

The rescue crews soon arrived and worked hard to save the injured from the wrecked and splintered coaches. When they reached the coach where Bessie had sat, they found her lifeless little body among the dead. Near her was her little hymn book, opened to the hymn she had been singing at the last.

Would you like to know what her last earthly song was? It was this: There is a gate that stands ajar, And through its portals beaming, A radiance from the Cross afar, The Saviour’s love revealing.

Oh, depth of mercy, can it be

That gate was left ajar for me?”

O dear young friends, be ready! “Prepare to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12. Get it all settled now, while you have the opportunity. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13.

“YE SHALL SEEK ME, AND FIND ME, WHEN YE SHALL SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.” Jeremiah 29:13.

ML 11/10/1968

My Master Is Always in

A man walked into a store one day where a Christian boy whom he knew, worked. Seeing the boy alone at the time, he said to him, “Johnnie, you must give me extra measure. Your master isn’t in.”

Johnnie looked up into the man’s face very seriously and said, “My Master is always in.”

Faithful Johnnie! His Master was the all-seeing God. When tempted to do wrong, may we all adopt Johnnie’s motto: “My Master is always in.” It will save us from many a sin, and so from much sorrow.

ML 11/10/1968

Bible Talks

Exodus 8:20-32

The fourth plague to fall on Egypt is of special interest for in it God first shows to Pharaoh the division He put between His people and the Egyptians. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh... and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, let My people go, that they may serve Me. Else... I will send swarms of flies... And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.” What comfort to the hearts of God’s people in every age to know that He makes a distinction between His “children of light” and those of the world, who are in darkness. The judgments that fell on Egypt speak of a coming judgment that is to fall on this evil world, but the cheering words of promise to those whose faith is in Christ are: “Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation (or judgment), which shall come upon all the world.” Revelation 3:10.

Because Pharaoh continued to resist, on the following day he and his people were overwhelmed with swarms of flies, their houses being filled and the ground covered with them, so that they destroyed their fields and orchards. Yet there were none in the land of Goshen where the children of Israel dwelt. Pharaoh then relented, and decided to try a new plan. He told Moses to have the people sacrifice to the Lord in Egypt, saying, “Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.” How the enemy would like to bring the people of God down to the level of the world in their worship as in everything else. As soon as God had put a division between His people and the Egyptians, Pharaoh would seek to break it down. The world hates the separated Christian!

But Moses knew it was not God’s purpose to have His people worship and offer sacrifices in the presence of the profane Egyptians, and told Pharaoh: “It is not meet to do so ... . we will go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as He shall command us.” vv. 26,27. How refreshing to see that Moses was obedient to God alone, and only what the Lord commanded would he do.

In the face of this faithfulness, Pharaoh was compelled to agree, and was willing to yield a little more. He would let God’s people go if they would not go very far — just a short distance. How subtle is the enemy of our souls. Pharaoh well knew that if the children of Israel only went a little way they would soon be back in Egypt again. He said, “I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away.” verse 28. The treachery in his heart was evident, even as he made his offer. How like the enemy of our souls this is! He may allow a show of religious activity, some concession to soothe the conscience, yet he does not want release his grasp on his prisoners.

May we beware of the subtle temptation to remain “not very far away” from Egypt. All roads lead back to it, when we are near, but when the children of Israel got into the wilderness, the Red Sea rolled between them and Egypt, just as the cross of Christ has severed our ties with this world. May we lay hold of this more for the Lord’s glory! He wants a people separated unto Himself.

ML 11/10/1968

How Juan Got Saved

In a city in one of the countries of Central America a woman had made a bonfire. The ants had built their nest in a pile of books and papers, and the woman had thrown the whole mass into the fire. Raking through the smoking and charred remains, she came upon a Spanish New Testament and quickly threw it back into the fire again. Then a child rescued it from the flames and put it up on a ledge. There it rained for some time while one and another tore off its pages one by one for cigarette papers.

But the scarred and abused little volume was destined, under the hand of God for a higher and more blessed service than that. Finally, a man carried it off and presented it to Juan, who worked on a plantation. Juan sat and read the tattered and smoked remnant of the little Book his friend had given him. The first part of the Book had been torn away, but on the first of the remaining pages, Juan read the wonderful words, “The beginning of the Goel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Were not these words from the Bible, thought Juan, and had he not been taught that this was a bad book? Nevertheless, those wonderful words sounded in Juan’s ear all day long, and when his work was done, he hurried home to read the Gospel of God’s Son.

Beginning at the first page, he read on and on, and by the time he had come to the end of the Book of Revelation, he decided in his own mind that there was nothing bad in this Book. He thought, I must get the first part and read that. He knew of some Christians not far away, and from them he obtained a whole New Testament. He read the whole of Matthew’s Gospel through and was charmed. Then as he read on to John’s Gospel, he was arrested by the words of the Lord Jesus to that poor woman at Sychar’s well John 4); “Woman, believe Me... the hour cometh and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth.” This was true worship, thought Juan. He would become that kind of a worshipper.

He got permission from his employer to have Christian services in his home, and the very next Sunday, he invited the Christians nearby to have a meeting there. They had a blessed time together around the Lord, and it was the beginning of a joyful Gospel witness in that place. Saved and happy now, Juan delighted to tell the story of the grace of God to him and of how He had blessed the little Testament to the salvation of his soul. His whole family was saved. Many more came to hear the glad tidings, and entered into the joy of the knowledge of sins forgiven and peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

“So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11.

ML 11/17/1968

The Bible the Children's Book

The Bible is the children’s own Book, the guide and companion of youth. I will use the five fingers on my hand to mark the five letters which compose the word B-I-B-L-E, and use each of them to impress on your memory a distinguishing feature of the Book of books. A favorite hymn sung long ago says:

“Glory gilds the sacred page,

majestic like the sun,

It gives a light to every age,

it gives but borrows none.”

B stands for the Book of God, The Bible is God’s Book. He is its author. Its words are His words, Moses, David, Luke, Paul and others, were employed by Him to write His Word, but it was the Spirit of God who gave them these words to speak and write. (Read 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Samuel 23:2).

I stands for Infallible and Inviolable. The Bible claims to be perfect, and its words are true to the letter. Each “jot and tittle,” warning, prediction and promise, is sure. What God says He will do, and no man can hinder Him. There are no inaccuracies and no contradiction; in God’s Word.

B—BREAD for the hungry. As bread has to be eaten to satisfy, so God’s words are to be found and eaten (Jer. 15:16), and esteemed more than our daily food (Job 23:12). It is through hearing the word that sinners get life (John 5:24), Receiving it, they are born again.

L—LIGHT to the path. The Word is a “lamp unto my feet” (Psa. 119:105). It shows the way. The world is dark (2 Peter 1:19) and dangerous. Safe and sure guidance is given in the Word, and all who so walk, walk safely.

E—ETERNAL and Enduring Man’s books grow old and out of date. God’s Book maintains its freshness. Its truths are always it season, and they abide for eternity. “The Word of the Lord endureth forever.” 1 Peter 1:25.

“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 11/17/1968

Little Astril

Astril was a little girl who lived in Colombia, South America, a few years ago. She was five years old and had been sick for some time. She had never heard about the Lord Jesus and His love for little children.

One day a missionary named Margaret visited the home of little Astril. She found Astril lying on a straw mat, very ill. Margaret told her about the Lord Jesus and how He died for sinners; then later on she sang “Jesus Loves Me” for her. Astril liked the song so much that she sang it the second time with the missionary.

Before Margaret left, she prayed with Astril, and Astril also prayed. She trusted Christ as her Saviour and asked Him to come into her heart. Then she and the missionary sang together, “Gozo tengo en mi alma hoy,” which means, “I’m so happy.”

The missionary left the home with real joy in her heart. Two weeks later she stopped by the house again and she was happy to see Astril sitting on the front porch, for she was well enough to be up. Astril’s mother was very friendly, but she was not willing to come to the gospel meeting.

On the missionary’s next visit she found that little Astril had gone to be with Jesus. Her mother received her with open arms, and said to her, “How much Astril loved you, Dona Margarita, your song, and Jesus! She sang even though she became very ill. She asked about you, but I told her you had gone to the next town. Last night before she died she said, ‘Mamacita, I’m going to die but I’m going to heaven and Jesus loves me, this I know.’ Those were her last words to me, Dona Margarita!”

How glad the missionary was that she had been able to tell Astril about the Lord Jesus before she passed out of this world. You and I who love the Lord Jesus will meet her in heaven some day.

Astril had heard the gospel only once, but she trusted the Lord Jesus as her Saviour as soon as she heard it. If you have not come to Jesus, we urge you to do so right now. Astril did not have long to live in this world, and you may not either. You may be well and strong, and think you have many years yet to live, but God’s Word tells us, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1. You may die tomorrow, and if you do, where will your soul be?

The Lord Jesus is willing and able to save you now, for He died on the cross that you might be saved.

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

“Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” — Luke 1:5:7

Little children will be there,

Who have found the Lord in prayer,

From every Sunday School.

Teachers, too, will meet above;

All who rest in Jesu’s love

Will meet to part no more.

ML 11/17/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses the Man of God

Exodus 9:1-18

Before Pharaoh was finally to yield completely, a total of ten plagues would be visited upon the land. We wonder at his continued defiance when confronted with so many evidences of God’s power. Yet, remembering that he was a ruthless despot, accustomed to having his word obeyed without question, that he had no respect for the God of Israel and was devoted to the worship of his own gods, that he despised the lowly Israelites, not wishing to lose their service, we can understand how that he would never let them go until compelled to do so by some power and authority greater than himself. In all of this is plainly manifested his servitude to Satan, who was really the prime mover against God and His people.

With even greater determination than the Egyptian king does this wicked one hold tightly to all who are in bondage to him, as well as seeking to destroy those who are true people of God. He will never willingly release a single soul from his toils. But the power of God brings a complete release for all who come to Him through faith in His Son. He says to those that believe in Christ, “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4. Praise God for this mighty power that is ever ex-exercised for His own! The difference that God put between Egypt and His people in the land of Goshen remained as a constant declaration that they were always the objects of His care. This was plainly made evident in each of the following plagues.

“Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let My people go, that they may serve Me.” verse 1. Moses was always to approach Pharaoh with “Thus saith the LORD,” presenting a constant reminder that his opposition to Moses and the Israelites was more expressly rebellion against their God. Each refusal was accompanied by its consequences, as every disobedience to God must be.

The fifth plague brought a killing murrain, or disease, upon all the cattle of Egypt. “And all the cattle of Egypt died; but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one.”

In the sixth plague bodily sufferings followed. Painful boils and blains came to man and beast and the Spirit of God makes special note that “The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.” verse 11.

Yet Pharaoh refused to bow. Before sending the seventh plague, God said: “For now I will stretch out My hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth... As yet exaltest thou thyself against My people, that thou wilt not let them go? Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.” 10:15-18.

God’s patience was rapidly drawing to a close. Pharaoh had witnessed His anger in the preceding days, but was now told that he would “know that there is none like (God) in all the earth.”

ML 11/17/1968

A Humble Servant

Such is the name an artist has given to a painting of that much despised but faithful animal, the donkey. Most of you have seen a donkey, and I suppose that you too have smiled and passed a joke at the queer-looking animal with its long ears and shaggy hair. Yet, do you know, my friends, that this same odd animal has had a wonderful part in God’s inspired Word? It is mentioned in twenty books of the Bible and referred to over fifty times.

The donkey is often said to be stubborn, but do you remember that in the story of Balaam’s ass (Num. 22), it was the prophet who was stubborn, and not the ass? Balaam wanted to go his own way, even though God had said, “No.” When God saw that Balaam would not listen to Him, He used the poor abused animal by giving her a voice with which she spoke to the prophet. She begged him to tell her the reason why he had beaten her, and reminded him of her faithful service in the past. Then it was that the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam and he saw an angel standing in the way with a drawn sword. Thus convicted, Balaam cried to God to forgive him for his stubbornness of heart. So did God thus use even a poor ass to humble a proud prophet.

Furthermore you will perhaps remember the story of how the strong man Samson killed a thousand men, enemies of Israel, with no other weapon than the jawbone of an ass (Judg. 15:14-20).

But to us the most interesting of all stories in which the ass is mentioned is that prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, and its fulfillment in the life of the Lord Jesus. Five hundred years before the Lord came to this earth the prophet had told of how He would ride into Jerusalem upon an ass. Five centuries later He did just what the prophet said He would do. He rode into that great city of Jerusalem, sitting upon the back of one of these humble but faithful creatures, while the crowd that thronged the way cried, “Hosanna: Bleed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (John 12; Matt. 20; Mark 11; Luke 19.)

We are told that the wild ass of the East is very wild and seldom tamed. Thus it is used in Scripture as a symbol of man’s nature by birth. In Job 11:12 Zophar says, “For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.”

In the law the Lord told His people Israel: “Every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck.” Ex. 13:13. A little lamb must die.in order that the little donkey might live.

From these and other scriptures we learn that in God’s sight every child of fallen Adam is born with a wild and stubborn nature — he does not want to submit to the claims of his Creator. He must be redeemed “with a lamb” or he must perish in his sins. The Lord Jesus came as the Lamb of God to take away sin, and all who put their trust in Him are counted in His sight as redeemed “not with silver and gold,” as Peter tells us, “but with the precious blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:18.

Now we would like to ask you, dear young reader, have you been redeemed yet? The next time you see a donkey, think of these stories in God’s wonderful Book. Even from him we may learn these lessons — we must be redeemed, and then may we be humble servants in whatever place God may want to use us.

“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James 4:6.

ML 11/24/1968

The Power of the Name of Jesus

In Africa among some of the native tribes, many of the cruel pagan tribal customs and practices are still carried on. Children are forced to undergo terrible sufferings and many die as a result. It is very hard for the Christian children to escape these evil rites.

One day, the daughter of one of the Christian families was kidnapped by the natives and forced to go to the village where some of the pagan ceremonies were being performed. The parents were powerless to protect her themselves, but the God of the Christians heard their cries and proved Himself strong on behalf of those that trust in Him. The Christians met together for prayer, and then they all went into the town where the girl had been taken. They began to sing, to pray, and to preach. For about two hours this went on. Then the Christians demanded, in the Name of Jesus, that the Christian girl be released.

The Devil People, as they were called, trembled at that name, and owned they had done wrong in seizing the girl. Finally, they gave her back unharmed.

That night, where the Christians met, the little hall was filled with their songs of praise and thanksgiving to God for all His goodness. It was a great victory the Lord had wrought, and a powerful testimony went forth. They said: “Our God has power; He is not a God of stone. Our God is mighty!”

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” 2 Chron. 16:9.

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

ML 11/24/1968

Feathered Friends

Most boys and girls are bird lovers. Four “Home Birds” will give us a Gospel subject for today.

THE SPARROW—Chirping on the window or housetop, flitting about in the trees, he is an emblem of ourselves, restless, worthless, and exposed to death. “Two sparrows” were sold for a farthing (Matt. 10:29); five sparrows were sold for “two farthings” (Luke 12:6)—the odd sparrow thrown in for nothing. It shows how little value men put upon them. But not one falls to the ground without being seen by the Father’s tender eye of pity and love. The Lord Jesus said, “Ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matt. 10:31). So we are, for the highest possible price has been paid for our ransom, even the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19).

THE ROBIN—He comes back early in the springtime and stays late. He seems to like the company of human beings, and builds his nest in a nearby tree or bush. He frequents the bird feeder and will pick up crumbs in his need, never despising the least, telling of a soul knowing its need of Christ. So the sinner, knowing his need, comes to where God has placed His greatest gift of love, on the cross of Calvary (1 John 4:8,9), and there receives Him (John 1:12) as his own personal Saviour. Robin, with his scarlet breast, may well remind us of a sinner trusting in the blood of Christ.

THE PARROT—He has no song, but he is a great imitator. He repeats what he hears, often very correctly, but always coarsely, imitating someone he knows. He may be taken as the picture of a lifeless, loveless, professor of Christ, who can speak true words, but has no life, no reality in His Christianity. Some parrots are very pretty, but none are gentle like the dove. One needs to be born again to be like Jesus.

THE CANARY—He has both beauty and a song. In this he resembles the true believer, upon whom the beauty of his Lord is put (Psa. 96:9), who is accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6) Son of God, and in whose mouth a “new song” has been put (Psa. 40:3), the song of a new and enjoyed salvation Exodus 15:2; Isaiah 12:2,5. No one can sing this song but a sinner saved by grace (Rev. 5:9).

“A wise son maketh a glad father.” — Proverbs 10:1

THERE’S a Stranger at the door: Let.... Him in!...

He has been there often before:

Let.... Him in!....

Let Him in, ere He is gone;

Let Him in, the Holy One,

Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son:

Let.... Him in!....

Open now to Him your heart:

Let.... Him in!....

If you wait, He will depart:

Let.... Him in!....

Let Him in: He is your Friend;

He your soul will sure defend;

He will keep you to the end:

Let.... Him in!....

ML 11/24/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses

Exodus 9:1-18

(Continued)

“Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.” verse 18.

The plague of hail, the seventh of the awful blows that fell on Egypt, has a very clear message, showing forth in picture form God’s ways of grace in the world now and the judgment that is surely coming. Pharaoh is the familiar type of San. His power over his servants and the Egyptians is but a picture of Satan’s influence and power over the people of this world who are ensnared by him, who do his will and walk in his ways. Pharaoh’s cruel oppression of Israel tells of Satan’s hatred of God and His people in every age, and of his opposition to all that is of Him.

Sin, suffering, hopelessness and death are the sad results of Satan’s influence over the hearts and behavior of countless thousands. Yet how happy it is to know that those who have found Christ as their Saviour are free from this wicked tyranny; they now joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet through carelessness children of God may allow evil influences to mar their testimony. Through Satan’s wiles even believers may lapse into careless ways and lose their joy in the Lord; they may be drawn away into things dishonoring to His blessed name. Though Satan cannot touch the eternal life that is theirs in Christ, still he employs every means at his disposal to discourage and harm Christians, as Pharaoh did the Israelites.

Such is the present course of things in this world, but it will not go on forever. God is witness to the evil of the adversary, to the condition of those who are ensnared by him, as well as to the trials and sufferings of His people. He has made plain His purpose to bring total judgment on Satan and all that is of that wicked one in this world. This destruction will be terrible and complete and the seventh plague of Egypt is a reminder of it. “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:7. The reign of Satan, his servants and his followers, will end and their destiny is plainly foretold: “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Those who have rejected Christ in the world shall stand before the great white throne of God, where they will be judged every man according to their works. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:10-15.

But before this time of final judgment the Lord Himself will have come and taken His own to their heavenly home; those who have died to be resurrected and then, with believers who are yet alive, to receive new glorified bodies suited for their entrance into those realms of eternal glory. “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17.

ML 11/24/1968

An African Boy's Prayer Answered

An African boy had come to know the Lord as his Saviour. Now he was burdened about his father who was an idol maker and lived in another village. “Would you please pray for my father?” he said to the missionary for whom he worked. “He is not saved.”

The missionary said he would be only too glad to do so. “Suppose you come and meet me here in the mornings, and we’ll pray for your father together,” he told him. So at the set time, morning after morning, the son and the missionary pleaded with God for the soul of the idol-maker.

In the village where the idol-maker lived, the good news was suddenly spread around that the missionary had brought down an elephant, and that there was plenty of meat to be had. Pretty soon all of the people of the village had turned out hoping to get some of the free meat. It so happened that the idol-maker, himself, had heard the shot and came along with the rest. By the time he had arrived at the scene of the kill, a large crowd had gathered. The missionary had erected a thornbush fence around the dead elephant to keep the crowd from getting all the meat at once. A native African evangelist had climbed up on the elephant and was preaching the gospel with great fervor and power.

One morning sometime later, the missionary’s servant boy, in great excitement, came running to tell his friend that he had received a letter that morning. The letter had brought the wonderful news that his father, the idol-maker, had come to Christ and was saved. What an answer to their prayers!

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance.” Ephesians 6:18.

Memory Verse: “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Isaiah 43:25.

ML 12/01/1968

"More Precious Than Rubies"

Holy scripture is priceless because it, and it alone, contains Christ and, therefore, the faith that saves. A diamond merchant packing some gems which he was sending to a trader in India, wrapped each one separately with great care. Coming to the last and costliest of all, he used as its coverings the first three chapters of the Gospel of St. John, tearing them, as he had done other Gospel portions, from a waste volume in his office, because the soft paper made an ideal wrapping. A Hindu, to whom this precious stone was sent, received with it what was infinitely more precious to him than the diamond which it covered—a leaf from the Book of Life, whereon he found the words:

“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 was astounded; he spoke to many about his “find”, and constantly inquired: “Why did I not know this before?” The Word grew in his heart, by the power of God’s Spirit. “Surely,” said he, “this means me—this salvation is for me.”

By faith he accepted it, and he told others of it. Later on, a missionary went to that place, expecting to find only heathen. Great was his surprise when he discovered a large gathering of Indian Christians there.

“The Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15.

ML 12/01/1968

The Siberian Leper

A missionary, who had been in Siberia, told this deeply interesting story. He was visiting one day among a collection of Tartar tents. In one he found a poor native lying in the last stages of leprosy. As this missionary looked upon him, he lifted up his eyes and fastening them on his face he said, “I know you.”

“How can that be?” replied the missionary. “Have you ever seen me before?”

“Oh yes, I have,” replied the dying man. “Didn’t you preach in a bazaar somewhere three years ago?”

“I can’t really tell,” replied the missionary. “I have no particular remembrance of it.”

“Don’t you remember,” said the man in a tone of wonder, “you stood on the steps of a house?”

“Oh yes,” answered the other, “I remember it now.”

“And do you remember what you preached there?”

“No,” said the missionary, “I don’t recall.”

“You told us,” said the man, “about Jesus who died to save sinners, and that men of every nation might come to Him, and He would receive them and save them. Oh, sir, I never heard such things before. I then believed in Jesus, and received Him as my Saviour; but I never heard of Him before or since. Now I am dying, and am looking to no one else but Him to help me.”

How wonderful the love of God to send the gospel to that poor man so that he might believe and go to heaven! And it is wonderful too that he had the assurance of his soul’s salvation before he left this world. All this and much more God gives to those who trust in Jesus, His beloved Son.

Soon after, this dear man went home to be with the Lord.

“They brought young children to Him,... and He took them up in His arms,... and blessed them.” — Mark 10:13

Children He will now receive—Little ones who Him believe—Take them in His arms of love, Carry them till home above.

ML 12/01/1968

Bible Questions for December

Please find the verses and fill in the missing words in the blank spaces shown. Then write out the verses in full as formerly.

The verses containing these quotations will be found in consecutive order in Mark, chapter 9-16.

1.He that is least among you all, the same shall be——-.

2.Thou shalt love the Lord they god with all the——-.

3.Behold, a greater than———-is here.

4.Even the very——-of your head are all numbered.

5.For whosoever exalteth———-shall be abased.

6.Likewise—-shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.

7.Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but—-knoweth your hearts.

The Young People’s Class the Almighty

1.What language does Scripture use to describe the eternal character of THE ALMIGHTY? Revelation 1.

2.How is our existence linked to THE ALMIGHTY? Job 33.

3.What does the inspiration of THE ALMIGHTY produce in mankind? Job 32.

4.What manner of walk is becoming to those who give allegiance to THE ALMIGHTY? Genesis 17.

5.What can be said of the works of THE ALMIGHTY? Revelation 15.

6.What can be said of the judgments of THE ALMIGHTY? Revelation 16.

7.What relationship will THE ALMIGHTY have with those that dwell in the heavenly Jerusalem? Revelation 21.

ML 12/01/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses the Man of God

Exodus 9:19-26

Before the awful judgment of hail and fire fell on the land, God warned even the Egyptian and in His goodness provided a way of escape. “Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.” And God’s voice still speaks in words of grace, saying: “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways.” Ezekiel 33:11. Again, it says He is “longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” How truly this tells out the love and mercy of God. His righteousness demands judgment of sin, but His grace prepares a way of escape for all who will respond.

What was the effect of this warning message? The answer of men in that day was much the same as the answer of men today. Some believed and some believed not. “He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses.” verse 20. Do we not rejoice to thus learn that even among the servants of Pharaoh some believed God’s message and were saved? When the storm broke in all its fury these were secure in the shelter of their houses, picture of a sinner who places himself under the shelter of the Lord Jesus Christ; “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree...; by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Pet. 2:24. Yes, friend, He bore the fury of God’s wrath against sin, so that the judgment could not reach or harm all who trust Him for salvation.

But, alas, we also read: “he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.” verse 21. And in the field they met death when the storm broke with such might that there was no escape. “The field is the world.” Matthew 13:38. In which company would you be found dear reader? Is your life safely “hid with Christ in God?” Colossians 3:3.

The story also brings before us a picture of God’s distinction between His people and an unrepentant world. “Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.” verse 26. Israel, God’s earthly people in a coming day, will pass through great tribulation, but the promise to them is, “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved,” and this shall indeed be their experience, while their enemies meet with the due reward of their deeds and ungodliness.

In this we can also see those who now rest in the security of faith in the atoning work of Christ, knowing they will never see judgment visited upon them. These have believed the promise: “He that heath My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24. Just as Noah and his family were spared from the great flood that destroyed the world in his day, the ark (type of Christ) being their salvation, so all who now trust in Jesus as Saviour will be safe and secure with Him when this world is destroyed by fire.

ML 12/01/1968

The Philadelphia Lawyer

A Philadelphia lawyer was one day traveling across the Southern States years ago. Night came on and before he could find an inn he was obliged to turn in at a farmhouse on a plantation, and ask for lodging for the night. The farmer and his wife cordially invited the traveler to come in and share their fare.

During the evening he thought he saw something in the master of the house which he did not like. This awakened his suspicions. He began to feel uncomfortable. Finally they showed him his room where he was to sleep. It was right next to the one that the family occupied.

The lawyer was carrying quite a large sum of money with him, and he began to think that perhaps the people with whom he was staying were bad, dishonest people.

“Here I am,” he said to himself, “in this lonely place. If these people choose to murder me while I sleep, and take my money, what is to hinder them? I can’t get any help here, and I can’t get away on so dark a night.” Thoughts like these made him feel very uncomfortable. So what did he decide to do but to barricade the room and sit up all night so as to be ready to defend himself as best he could in case he should be attacked. He pulled down the windows, and piled up tables and chairs and everything moveable in the room, against the door. While he was thus busy, he heard a voice speaking in a low tone in the next room. This increased his alarm. To be sure, they are plotting my destruction, he thought. He put his ear to the keyhole, but what was his surprise to find that it was a voice of prayer that he heard. The family was kneeling at the throne of Grace, and the father was leading them in prayer.

The traveler, with his ear to the keyhole, heard these words in a low earnest voice: “Oh God, bless the stranger whom Thy providence has brought to lodge beneath our roof tonight.”

When the prayer was over, the traveler rose, and oh what a change had come over him! His fears had all vanished. Entirely at ease now, he removed the barricade from the door, and though not a Christian himself, he knew that he was in good and safe company that night, and he went to bed and slept soundly all night long. A place where God was worshipped and feared was a safe house to sleep in.

I wish I could tell you that the man himself turned to the Lord; this we do not know. We can hope so. Many will laugh and make fun of a Christian because of his faith and trust in God, but those same people would rather trust themselves to the company of a Christian than to the company of a gunman or robber.

The Christian may have trials and sorrows in this life, but he has the best of it in both worlds. He has the blessed privilege of witnessing for his Saviour down here on earth and pointing out to others the way to heaven, and one day soon he will be called on high to share the glory with Christ.

“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life.” Philippians 2:15,16.

Memory Verse: “He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already.” John 3:18.

ML 12/08/1968

A Young Jew Saved

Nathan was a young Jew living in Israel. He had always believed in God, but he was never happy—always searching for something. He was Orthodox, and earnestly believed in God, but his soul was not satisfied through his belief in Him.

One day, he went to Mt. Carmel and picked up a loose page of the New Testament, but he was not deeply impressed. Now, however, the Spirit of God solemnly impressed upon the young man’s soul that the words on that stray leaf were from the Holy Scriptures. He felt he was reading the words of the Lord Jesus Himself as He spoke of His deity. The light of God shone into Nathan’s darkened soul, and his understanding was opened immediately. He saw that Jesus is both Lord and Christ, the Messiah. In a moment, there flooded into his soul all that he had longed for during the past years. He believed in Him with all his heart and rejoiced in his new-found Saviour.

A Hebrew Christian missionary spoke to Nathan a year and a half later and rejoiced to hear him tell the story of his conversion. That same day, Nathan had been witnessing to another Jew who, like himself, had been hungering and thirsting for peace in his soul. He, too, believed in God, and with rapt attention, he listened while Nathan testified of his faith in Christ and joy in his salvation.

Nathan had also witnessed to his parents, but it cost him his home, for apparently they would not receive it. He experienced what it was to suffer for Christ, to be cast out for His sake. Still, “he went on his way rejoicing,” Acts 8:39; as it is written of Moses of old, “Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” Hebrews 11:26.

The Lord Jesus has promised: “There is no-man that bath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time...; and in the world to come eternal life.” Mark 10:29,30.

ML 12/08/1968

Heaven's Door

Little Maude was very sick, and the doctor had told her father and mother that she would not get better. Although she was just four years old, she well knew what that meant.

“Mother,” she said, “where is my Daddy? I want to talk to him.”

Daddy came quickly and little Maude asked, “Daddy, has God got a door in heaven?”

“Yes, my dear, God has a door in heaven.”

“How do you know that?”

“The Lord Jesus says in the Bible, ‘I am the door.’”

“And may I go and knock at God’s door?”

“Yes, little Maude, Jesus wants you to come.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because Jesus said, “Suffer little children and forbid them not, to come unto Me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ “

“Thank you, Daddy, I will knock, and Jesus will stoop down and lien, and then He will open the door and say, ‘Maudie, come in’.” Jesus said: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

“All things are ready: COME.”

— Matthew 22:4

“ALL things are ready,” Come, Come to the supper spread;

Come, rich and poor; come, old and young;

Come, and be richly fed.

“All things are ready,” Come,

The door is open wide;

O feast upon the love of God,

For Christ His Son has died.

“All things are ready,” Come,

Tomorrow may not be;

O sinner, come; the Saviour waits

This hour to welcome thee!

ML 12/08/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses the Man of God

Exodus 9:27, 10:9

Pharaoh, aware of the inability of his magicians and gods to save him from the penalty of his injustices to God’s people, “called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.” Yet it is plain that while he owned his guilt there was no real change of heart in him; rather it was in fear of further harm, as evident from his words: “Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.” Moses promised a respite from the storm. It would be the LORD’S power that would do it and a further reminder “that the earth is the LORD’S.”

Twice before Pharaoh had promised Moses to let the people go and twice he had broken his promise. Moses was not to be deceived again by the renewed pledge to let Israel go, and said to Pharaoh, “But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.” verse 30. True enough! “When Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants... Neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.” The psalmist exclaimed: “Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee” and it was to be a perpetual reminder to future generations of Israel that God’s signs wrought among the Egyptians would thus speak. The continuing wrath of the king would bring forth the display of God’s power, that Israel might know, He told Moses, that “I am the LORD.” chapter 10:2.

Again God sent Moses to Pharaoh and the message was given: “How long wilt thou refuse to humble thy. self?... if thou refuse to let My people go, behold, tomorrow will j bring the locusts into thy coast” Moses did not await an answer, but “turned himself and went out from Pharaoh.”

The threat of the locusts to eat what remained from the hail, brought Pharaoh’s servants to their senses. They were wiser than their ruler. Pharaoh was so blinded by anger that he could not see the folly of his continued resistance. “How long shall this man be a snare unto us?” they said to him. “Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?”

This was a bold appeal to the king yet indicated the desperation of these men, following the repeated evidence of God’s hand against them. Pharaoh, possibly fearing that the whole nation would rise up against him, yielded to their pleading. “And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks, and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.”

What an eloquent reply was thus given to the king’s question. Moses’ boldness was proof enough that he had no doubt that God would fully deliver His people without reservation. No compromise would do. Their object was “to hold a feast unto the LORD” and the whole company must take part in it.

ML 12/08/1968

Jose

Jose lived in Brazil. He was a poor man and could neither read nor write; yet he had such a desire to hear about the Lord Jesus and to learn from the Bible that he would ask both believers and unbelievers, anyone he could get, to read the Scriptures to him. Still, though he confessed that he was a believer, the missionaries doubted that he was really “born again.”

The time came when the missionaries went to their homeland for a rest. Corning back a year later they met a man who told them that he was a believer in the Lord Jesus. When they asked him, “Where did you hear the Gospel?” he replied, “Through our pastor, Jose.”

Yes, it was our old friend, Jose, who could neither read nor write. He never claimed to be a pastor, but he had memorized so much of the Scriptures, and told the people so much about the Lord, that they called him “pastor.” Dear Jose became a true servant of Christ.

Believers, young and old, do not need to go in for higher education in order to witness for the Lord Jesus. If you love the Saviour, and the Spirit of God dwells in your heart, you can point others to the Saviour just where you are; and if you live for Him, your life will be a signpost pointing to Christ and the heavenly way.

The Lord Jesus has said: “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly (innermost being) shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37,38.

ML 12/15/1968

The Uncertainty of Riches

One bright morning, some years ago, Julia, a young girl of seventeen, stood at the gate, watching for the postman. There was something of special interest to her in that morning’s mail. Her uncle had left her a large sum of money in his will, and she expected to hear fully of it that day. The letter was delivered; the news was confirmed, and Julia became a wealthy young lady.

However, fortune was not an unmixed blessing, nor did it yield her all the happiness she had hoped from it. Riches do not give peace, nor do they brighten the prospect beyond the grave.

Five years later, she had lost all her wealth through the crash of a business concern in which it was invested. Bereft of all, she again stood at the gate, watching for the postman, only to have her worst fears confirmed.

By the same mail which took the last hope of worldly gain away, there came a letter from a former companion, who had heard of Julia’s loss, telling her of Christ and His unsearchable riches, which never can be lost, and urging her to receive Him as the Saviour of her soul, and the comfort of her weary heart. There and then she trusted Christ, and entered into the joy of His love.

She afterward assured her friends that she was happier in Christ and with Christ, earning her daily bread, than ever she was with all her store of earthly wealth without Him.

Dear young friends, do not set your hearts upon riches.

“Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” Proverbs 23:4,5.

“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 Corinthians 8:9.

ML 12/15/1968

A Sailor Saved

There was a poor sailor who had lived a very wicked life, Once, while far off at sea, it pleased God to awaken his conscience and show him what a sinner he was Then he was in great distress. The thought that he might die in his sins and be lost forever was terrible to him. There was no one on board the ship to give him any help, or tell him what to do. But he read his Bible whenever he had a chance.

One night he lay in his berth in the forecastle. His shipmates were all asleep around him. In the dim light of the feeble lamp that hung near, he was trying to read a little in the Bible.

“God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

He put his finger on this word “whosoever,” and thought about it. “Whosoever,” said he, “that means anybody; that means everybody. Why, that means me!”

That night the poor sailor found pardon and peace in believing those wonderful words of life in John 3:16.

ML 12/15/1968

Food

Not long ago a young Christian said, “My Bible is getting so intensely interesting, I find it hard to put it down when I need rest.”

The Word of God Is food for our souls. The more we read it, the more we will grow in grace. Bread and meat make us strong physically; the Word of God makes us strong spiritually.

May we feed more and more upon Jesus, the Bread of Life, that we may become strong in the Lord.

“I am the bread of life; he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and He that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35.

ML 12/15/1968

Favorite Bible Birds

These “Birds of the Air” (Matt. 8:20) were used by the Lord Jesus to illustrate several of His discourses (Matt. 13:32), and they teach gospel lessons still.

THE RAVEN (Gen. 8:7) is the first named bird in the Bible. It was with Noah in the ark during the flood, and although black and uncomely, it was as safe in the ark as the dove. So is the blackest sinner, who now comes to the Saviour and is received by Him (Luke 15:2), never to be cast out (John 6:37). In Song of Solomon 5:11 we read the words, “black as a raven”—nothing to boast of in either feathers or song, yet “God feedeth them” (Luke 12:24).

THE CUCKOO, or as it is spelled in Leviticus 11:16, “Cuckow”—is one of the Bible birds who “knows her appointed time” (Jer. 8:7), for coming to the warmer climes in the early summer and then going before the winter leaves the forests bare. She likes to live in the sunshine amid the blooming flowers, where she delights to sound her familiar note which, it is said, other birds try to imitate. But it takes a real cuckoo to sing a cuckoo song, as it takes a true believer to sing the “new song” of redeeming love (Rev. 5:9).

THE LARK (Song of Sol. 2:12), although not mentioned by name, is believed to be the bird referred to in this Scripture. He comes to cheer us by his song after the winter is past, and “flowers appear on the earth,” pouring out his morning song up in the blue skies, while living in the sunshine. Here we have a lovely picture of what and where a Christian should do and be.

THE NIGHTINGALE is a well-known visitor to Palestine. There in the shade, while all is silent, he sings his sweetest song in the shades of the evening, while unseen. No gaudy plumage to attract, or color to dazzle, he cheers the village and countryside with his song. Those who love the Saviour may not be attractive to the world around, yet when they sing their Saviour’s praises, this is the sweetest music in God the Father’s ear.

ML 12/15/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses the Man of God

Exodus 10:10-19

Pharaoh seemed to forget that God had warned “I will bring the locusts into thy coast” as he now made it plain to Moses that he would not accept his terms. Their release would be only “as I will let you go... go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD.” If worship would be according to the king’s pleasure, well enough, but it must be the men alone who would be temporarily released. The crafty dictator well knew that if the parents alone went they would soon be back with the children again. But Moses knew that this would neither be adequate for the people, nor acceptable to God. How could the pants truly worship Him in the wilderness if their children were abandoned to a pagan and idolatrous Egypt? If the little ones were to be held in the land the parents might as well remain too. Pharaoh’s proposal would mean only half a deliverance and Moses knew that God’s standard was “all or none.”

Beloved Christian parents, this is a subject worthy of careful consideration. How sad to witness some who, though themselves maintaining an outwardly upright and spiritual activity, are all the while caress of their children’s spiritual welfare — leaving them largely to their own wills and ways, unsheltered in a wicked world. Ah, how the enemy of the soul relishes such carelessness. Gladly will he forfeit a victory with the parents if he can but gain the children! May there be with every father and mother more of the spirit of Moses, who would not forsake the little ones to the enemy.

The refusal of this offer aroused the king’s anger and Moses and Aaron “were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.” verse 11. But this was to prove again another tragic mistake on his part, for it brought forth the eighth judgment. As Moses stretched his rod over the land, an east wind sprang up, bringing with it the dreaded locusts in such numbers “which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers’ fathers have seen.” How these people must have vainly cried as they looked westward and saw the clouds of locusts bearing down. But any such cries were of no avail, “For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left... through all the land of Egypt.”

A terrified Pharaoh turned again to the only source of relief. He had before proved the mercy of God when he expressed repentance and although, no doubt, with great reluctance, he acknowledged again that his only escape lay in humbling himself. “Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you, now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the LORD your God, that He may take away from me this death only.”

Moses accordingly entreated the LORD and He turned the wind in its course, the locusts being blown to their death in the Red Sea. “There remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.” verse 19.

Memory Verse: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. John 3:14.

ML 12/15/1968

Gretchen's Rescue

Saalfeld, Germany is an old mining town, built on the side of a mountain. Formerly, there were many more mines visible than are to be found now. Many a house was built over a shaft or pit that went down deep into the earth. Such a pit was under the cellar of a house where a widow lived with her little daughter, Gretchen, just seven years of age. The mouth of the pit had been covered with boards, so no one feared any danger.

One day, Mother sent her little girl into the cellar for something. Little Gretchen ran quickly downstairs. Suddenly, as she stepped on a board, it broke under her, and with a scream, she disappeared down the hole. Her mother rushed into the cellar with a light, and seeing the opened pit and her child gone, she almost fainted and nearly plunged in after her. Running back upstairs, she called for help. Some neighbor women arrived, but the men were all away working. The women wrung their hands as they gazed down into the darkened pit but could do nothing.

Then, suddenly, they heard Gretchen’s little voice crying below, “Oh, help me! Help me! But quick, quick!” An iron hook in the side of the shaft had caught the child’s apron and held her hanging over the dark hole below. Finding her child still alive, yet unable to help her, the poor mother was almost beside herself.

Then, an aged miner arrived. He carefully widened the hole, and fastened a pulley by a rope, with a bucket attached to it. He worked quickly, but it seemed an age to those waiting ones, especially the little girl down in the pit. Many of them prayed aloud, and the poor child having almost lost her reason, could now and then hear them, while the mother could neither speak nor move.

The aged miner scarcely spoke a word, but only softly prayed to God. Then, after all was ready for him to go down, he committed himself to his Saviour’s keeping, stepped into the bucket and, holding a miner’s light in his hand, he was slowly and cautiously let down. Like a star prided by God, the child could see the light coming toward her. She raised her hands imploringly. Soon, the old miner was so near to her that she could see him. Then, he told her to be of good courage and keep quiet, and by the mercy of God, she would be saved. The shaft narrowed as he went down, and he feared he would not be able to pass her without touching her, causing her to fall to the bottom.

Making a sign to those above not to lower him any further, he threw a rope with a loop to the child, which she took hold of with her hands. She raised herself up a little with it, and then, first with one hand and then the other, she grasped the swinging bucket. At that instant, the hook on which she had been hanging broke out of the wall and fell. But the Lord gave strength to the old man, and grasping the little girl, he lifted her into the bucket, while he shouted: “All you up there, thank God! I’ve got the child!”

The child had been brought out of the pit, and the dear old man, his eyes beaming, committed her to the grateful, happy mother, who at once seized her and pressed her to her bosom. In after years, when relating the story of that sore trial, the mother could tell of how it confirmed her confidence in her Father’s love and power.

Dear young friend, if you are still unsaved, you are in a far worse pit —the pit of sin and condemnation. Only the Lord Jesus can get you out of that pit. God says, “Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.” Job 33:24.

The Lord Jesus has come and gone all the way down to the bottom. He has suffered death for you upon the cross, and now risen and glorified, He is able to lift you out of that pit of sin and death. And just as the little girl was told to be still and let another save her, so does Christ. Just trust yourself to His arm of power and love, and in a moment you will be lifted from darkness and danger to the place of light and safety, forever.

“He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” Psalms 40:2.

ML 12/22/1968

The Message From Above

A group of small boys was coming home from school, when the big two-decker coach rolled into town. On the top deck sat a gentleman and as he passed the boys, he threw down some leaflets. The boys rushed to pick them up and found them to be gospel tracts.

One little fellow named Will picked up one of the leaflets and immediately he began to read aloud:

Here’s a message of love

Come down from above,

To invite little children to heaven:

In God’s blessed Book

Poor sinners may look,

And see how their sins are forgiven.

The thought of the message coming down from above, just as the leaflet fluttered down from the top of the coach, greatly impressed Will, and the Spirit of God eventually used that message of love to the eternal blessing of his soul. Not until the redeemed are all gathered home to Heaven will that unknown distributor know how that seed from the coach to bore fruit.

Years passed, and Will had grown up, but he never lost the truth that God’s message of love invited little children. His great interest was to tell the children that glorious message of God’s love in the gift of His dear Son, of the love of Jesus, Who gave Himself to die for sinners, and of His wonderful invitation: “Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the Kingdom of God.” Luke 18:16.

ML 12/22/1968

The Dove of Peace

Since that long distant day on which the dove, sent forth from Noah’s ark, sped across the waste of flood waters with an olive leaf in her mouth, assuring him that the judgment was past, and a new earth coming into view, the dove and the olive leaf have been the emblems of peace and love.

DOVES were used in Bible times for sacrifices (Lev. 14:22; Luke 2:24). They are harmless birds (Matt. 10:16) and gentle, dwelling in the valleys (Ezek. 7:16), far from the noisy crowd, making their nest in the rocks (Song of Sol. 2:14) for safety, mourning for their mates when absent (Isa. 59:11). In all these qualities they are fitting emblems of the Spirit of the blessed Saviour, our Lord Jesus, Who took that character in life, in death, in resurrection. All who are “in Him” (Jer. 48:20) are “like Him” in character and in spirit.

OLIVES are green (Psa. 52:8), fresh and full of sap (Judg. 9:9), and beauty (Hos. 14:6). They are “pressed” to provide health and healing for all. So it is with the gospel of Christ, the good news concerning Himself,” the blood that He shed, the life that He gives, the peace He has made (Col. 1’20). The olive leaf is the emblem of that peace and of the Spirit bestowed on all who trust in Christ (Eph. 1:13) as their Saviour.

VALLEYS, in which the Dove abides (Ezek. 7:16), tell where the Saviour sought comfort and relief, apart from the world in the lowly, peaceful vale with God. Here, too, all who are His should seek to be. Gethsemane means the “Olive Press,” and “Jesus oftimes resorted thither” (John 18:2).

EVERLASTING PEACE will be the happy portion of all the redeemed in heaven. Amid the storms, the trials, the sorrows of earth, they very often view that heavenly land afar off and say, “O that I had wings like a dove, that I would flee away and be at rest.” One day they will reach it sure, for the Lord Jesus is coming to take them there, to be with Himself forever. Oh, that you might be among them, dear reader.

ML 12/22/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses the Man of God

Exodus 10:20-26

In spite of the further display of God’s mercy to Egypt in sending away the plague of locusts, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened so that he would not yet let the people go. Therefore a thick darkness— even darkness which might be felt — was brought upon the land. This ninth demonstration of God’s judgment on the wicked ruler and his land presents a picture of the spiritual darkness in which this world lies under the rule of Satan — a darkness which is only dispelled when the light from God enters the soul. We read: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:3,4. It was for this purpose that the Lord Jesus came into the world, “To give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:77-79.

Had Egypt been willing to let this divine light shine ‘upon their land they would never have known the dread judgments that fell upon them. But their minds were indeed blinded. During the darkness of this ninth plague “They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days.” But what a difference in the land of Goshen! The darkness could not penetrate where God provided light and thus it is recorded: “But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.” verse 23. An enlighted soul can easily see the great spiritual and moral darkness that engulfs the world all around us, but the light of Christian testimony shines clearly through it, for it reflects the light that is of Christ Himself. “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness.” John 1:4,5. “The entrance of Thy words giveth light.” Psalms 119:130.

The absence of the bright sun and blue skies common to Egypt and the thick darkness frightened Pharaoh, who once more called Moses and said: “Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.” verse 24. Should this not have satisfied Moses — the ruler now willing for the children to go with the parents? No, there was still a withholding on the part of Pharaoh that was unacceptable to God’s servant. He saw readily enough that if the herds remained behind there would be no means of sacrifice to offer Jehovah and they would be deprived of true worship.

Moses replied that “There shall not an hoof be left behind,” but also he demanded that Pharaoh must make available to them sufficient beasts to enable the observance of whatever the LORD might show them would be suitable after they reached the wilderness. Yes, dear reader, there is here a most important principle for God’s people. “Not a hoof shall be left behind” speaks of full dedication to the Lord — nothing kept back from Him. If anything remained behind, the heart would be with it and unable to fully respond to the claims of God who had redeemed them.

ML 12/22/1968

What Jim Learned

Jim was a poor boy and lived in a part of the country where they did not own tractors as up-to-date farmers use today. But the lesson he learned was a good one for us all, both young and old.

Jim’s father was dead and he lived with his mother, who worked very hard to make both ends meet. As he grew older he could not bear to see her work so hard. He determined to help her all he could and this he did right manfully. But weeding, watering, and digging in the garden was hard work, and then he had also many weary journeys trying to sell the vegetables from the garden.

It so happened that a neighbor had a donkey that grazed in the lane, and knowing the neighbor was willing to sell it, Jim told his mother that he could sell many more vegetables if he had a donkey to haul them around. He suggested trying to save some money to buy the one that grazed in the lane. His mother was willing; so together they toiled and lived as plainly and cheaply as possible, and little by little they were saving up the necessary amount. Then something happened that postponed the purchase of the donkey, which was a great disappointment to Jim, but by which he learned a lesson he never forgot.

One evening when his mother was out, Jim was at work in his garden, when some of his schoolmates came along, and began coaxing him to come and play a card game for money. Poor Jim did not have the courage to say, No, and at last he was persuaded. He went with them, quite forgetting to fasten the garden gate. The game resulted in Jim winning a-few pennies, but then his tempters said he must buy drinks all around, which ended in Jim’s going home without a penny in his pocket. With a heavy weight of shame upon his heart, he feared to meet his mother, and wondered what he should say if she asked him any questions.

As Jim drew near home he saw the garden gate wide open, and looking inside he beheld the donkey making short work of his precious peas and cabbages. The damage and loss was sufficient to postpone the purchase of the donkey. Jim was crestfallen. He knew that he alone was to blame. With a heavy heart he drove out the donkey, fastened the gate, and went into the house miserable and ashamed. But the lesson he had learned was a cheap one, in spite of what it had cost, for it cured him of following evil company in gambling and drinking, and therefore he never ceased to be thankful for it.

Beware of the tempter. It was the ruin of Eve when she listened to the serpent in the garden of Eden. All the misery that has ever been known in this world came through thus yielding to the tempter.

Those who put their trust in the Lord are safely kept by Him. To have His holy fear implanted in our hearts will make us say when tempted, as Joseph did, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Genesis 39:9. We need the power of God to keep us from the power of Satan who lays snares for our feet, and this we prove when we take the Lord Jesus as our say. four. Not only does He put away our sins and our guilt, but He gives Its strength to resist temptation and to walk in a way pleasing to Him in this world. Read your Bible and be much in prayer, dear young Chris. tian.

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33.

“Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.” Exodus 23:2.

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.

Ask the Saviour to help you, Comfort, strengthen and keep you, He is willing to aid you, He will carry you through.

ML 12/29/1968

A Little Girl's Prayer

Lines written in the Bible of a young Sunday school girl.

Blessed Saviour, by Thy grace,

Ever let me seek Thy face;

Always may I fly from sin,

Trust Thy Word and walk therein.

Righteous Father, give me power

In Christ’s blood to trust each hour;

Call me Thy dear child to be,

Ever living, Lord, for Thee.

Memory Verse: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” Psalms 118:9.

ML 12/29/1968

The Father's Promise

Little Jimmie, just ten years la of age, was very ill, and tossed wearily upon his bed. A glance at his pale little face and wasted frame showed only too well that he was not long for this world. His father had come home from work, and was sitting sorrowfully watching his little son, the tears rolling down his face.

It was a calm summer’s evening, and the little sufferer waking from an uneasy slumber, raised himself in bed and said, “Daddy, I’m going to Jesus very soon; I won’t have any pain there.”

“Yes, Jimmie,” replied his father, “you’ll be happy there, but we shall be sad without you.”

“But won’t we all be happy when we meet in heaven?” asked Jimmie. “Daddy, I want you to promise you’ll meet me there.”

Jimmie’s father was an honest and hard-working man, but he was not a Christian, and the request of his dying boy filled his mind with a sense of his own unfitness for heaven, so that he could only reply, “I’ll try.”

The boy shook his head, saying, “Father, I want you to meet me in heaven; you must say ‘I WILL’.”

Subdued by the boy’s earnestness, the strong man said, “Don’t worry, dear Jimmie, I WILL MEET YOU IN HEAVEN.”

A look of satisfaction then settled on the face of the little sufferer, who then lay back in bed again and dropped. off to sleep. However, as the evening twilight faded into night, Jimmie’s spirit took its flight to that better world, where there is no suffering nor pain, but all is peace and joy in the Saviour’s presence.

As the father paced the room he groaned within himself: “How can I ever meet my boy in heaven, such a sinner as I am? And yet I have promised to meet him there. How can I?”

He went to work and all day long the recollection of his promise haunted him wherever he went, until he cried, “What must I do to be saved?” The answer came, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

“So then,” he thought, “the power I need is not in myself, but in the Lord.” He began looking himself for comfort and help in the Bible, and came across the verse, “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6.

“Lord,” he prayed, “help me to trust in Thee who died for the ungodly, like me.” And the Lord, who had been seeking the wandering sheep, answered the cry of faith and sent the repentant one such a feeling of peace and joy, that the father knew he was saved. Now he had a hope beyond this life, and he went on his way rejoicing.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1.

ML 12/29/1968

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses the Man of God

Exodus 10:27-29

Moses refused Pharaoh’s proposal that the Israelites go into the wilderness without their flocks. To have done so would have acknowledged Pharaoh’s authority over them. But Moses refuses Pharaoh’s title to anything. They were leaving Egypt to serve the Lord, who not only claimed the people as His, but also all their possessions. Furthermore, their flocks were essential in worshiping Him.

“And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt-offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not a hoof be left behind: for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD until we come thither.” How can the soul rightly know with what, or how, to serve the LORD, until out of Egypt? The mind of the LORD could not be learned there. They must be redeemed out of it, and be separated, through death and resurrection, unto God before they could be instructed as to the nature of His service. May God exercise increasingly the hearts of His people to separate themselves wholly from the world, that there may be no compromise in communion with Himself.

Time was running out for Pharaoh, though he seemed unaware of it. The warnings of God and the force of His hand uplifted in terrible judgments on Egypt had never really humbled the powerful ruler, neither had it wrought conviction nor worked repentance in his heart because of his wickedness and cruelly to God’s people. Wearied with many meetings with Moses arid Aaron and unwilling to make further concessions, he is roused to a higher pitch of stubbornness and rushes headlong to his doom. He distisses them with the warning: “Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.”

But man in his wrath cannot so easily expel God from his life. “For it is written;... saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then everyone of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:11,12. All who refuse to hear Him who speaks now in grace (Heb. 12:25) shall come to such a day when they will stand without hope in their sins before the divine Judge of all the earth.

Pharaoh’s last words were truly stated. “And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face no more.” He was content to take the place of rejection. And the world will soon be through with us if we are truly decided for Christ. May we know what it is to bid farewell to this Egypt world and have done with it completely. Soon it will be a solemn reality that they will see our faces no more, for the Lord Jesus is coming to take us out of the world to our home in heaven.

Pharaoh and his followers had received many warnings, but had turned from them all. He was to have no further opportunity to save himself and his land from the mighty hand of God in judgment.

ML 12/29/1968

Messages of God's Love: 1968

Table of Contents

The Little Overcomer

Answered Prayer

Do You Know That Man?

Bible Questions for January

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

The Poor Boy Who Became a Judge

Read the Scriptures

The Guarded House

A Wonderful Memory

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

"You Paid for Them, Sir."

Viscount Carteret

The Fatal Temptation

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

The Stolen Bible

"Make Baby Sister Well!"

The Bible in Heaven

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

Saved from a Lion

Joyce's Answer

Do You Pray to God?

God Is Loved

Bible Questions for February

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

"When I See the Blood I Will Pass Over You."

"That's All I Want!"

Saved From an Attack

The Father's Kiss

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

The Conversion of a Hindu

God Wants the Girls

The Sailor Boy

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

A Real Hero

Das, the Sweeper

The Conversion of a Hindu: Continued

Heaven

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

A Lion Story

The Anchor Holds.

Bible Questions for March

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

Willie Holt

Faithful Fido

Faithful Nancy

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

What Jim Did for Tom

"Can I Live, Sir?"

John G. Paton

"He Wants Me!"

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

The Hermit

Foong

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, The Man of God

Keruba

Baby and the Snake

Good News for You

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

The Mud Turtle

Little Li

Bible Questions for April

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

George, the Champion

A Trifler's End

"You Didn't Look up!"

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

Caught in a Bear Trap

The Morning Star.

The Young Carpenter

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God

The Poison Taster

The Storm

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses,the Man of God

A Mother's Love

"Make Me a Christian!"

"This Man Receiveth Sinners"

Bible Questions for May

Bible Talks: The Story of Moses, the Man of God