Messages of God's Love: 1970

KEN sat on the verandah steps, patting his pet dog, and thinking sadly that she was the only real pal he had in the town. Since moving from the big city he had never really made friends with any of the boys at school.

Presently some boys his own age hurried down the street and called to him as they ran. Soon after another boy, named Marvin, passed by and seeing Ken sitting on the steps called out, “Hello, Ken! why do you stay home on a swell day like this? You should be going out to the country too.”

Ken made no answer, but he walked down to the gate where Main was now standing. “Oh, how I’d like to have him for a friend,” Ken thought, for Marvin was such a polar as well as clever boy.

“Why don’t you come with us? Four of us boys are going out to Cairn Creek for the day—it’ll be fun.”

“I’ll run in and ask Mother,” he said excitedly, and to his joy the answer was “Yes.” While she was hurriedly making him a lunch she said, “Ken, I know that you are anxious to have friends here, but don’t forget the ‘Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.’ Don’t do anything to displease Him.”

After quite a walk they met the other three boys, who seemed surprised to see Ken. However, as he came with Marvin they said nothing. The morning passed quickly and happily and about lunch time one of the boys said, “It’s time we made that raid.”

“Let’s send Ken,” said Ray and all agreed. So Ken was told to go to Farmer Parke’s field and get twelve ears of corn. Ken looked from one to the other. “Did he say we could have the corn?” he asked.

“Did he say we could have it? How can he say when he doesn’t know?”

“Do you think that Farmer Parkes would give away anything?” questioned another. “You just go and help yourself.”

“Not me,” said Ken decidedly. “You needn’t be afraid. We’ll watch out for you.”

Ken was silent for a moment. He belonged to the Lord Jesus and he knew that stealing was very displeasing to Him—and yet he did want boy friends too. But Jesus was the best Friend he could ever have and so he shut his eyes and whispered, “Lord Jesus, help me.”

“I won’t go,” he said decidedly; “it’s stealing, and I won’t steal for anyone. I belong to Jesus.”

“Don’t be silly,” said Marvin, “the corn will never be missed.”

Ken shook his head. “The corn may seem nothing to you, but it’s hard work for Mr. Parkes, and corn is the farmer’s money. I wouldn’t take his money, would you?”

Ken picked up his lunch and walked to the road. He felt sad at losing his new chums, but then he thought of Jesus the “Friend that sticketh closer than a brother"—He wouldn’t desert him!

He hadn’t gone far when he heard someone running “Wait a minute, Ken,” called Marvin.

“Say, Ken, what you say is right,” he puffed. “I never thought of it like that—it’s such a lark to take corn or apples—but I don’t want to steal.”

Marvin and Ken became the best of friends—but better than that Marvin soon learned to trust Jesus as his Saviour and together the two boys sought to please Him.

Best of all, how pleased the Lord must have been to see this faithfulness in His young disciple! And what a reward he got in winning Marvin not only as his chum but also to the Lord.

May this story speak to you and me, dear young friends, and let us remember always, “Thou God seest me.” Gen. 16: 13. “A true witness delivereth souls.” Prov. 14:25.

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Prov. 29:25.

“BEHOLD, GOD IS MY SALVATION; I WILL TRUST, AND NOT BE AFRAID.” Isa. 12:2.

ML-01/04/1970

What a Stone Brought Down

HURRYING to his home through the public square of a town in the country of Brazil, a careless and utterly godless young man spied a little red book resting on the branch of a leafy tree. Now in this very hot country it is not unusual for young people to climb up into big, shady trees to read, being thus protected from the sun’s fierce heat.

The young man picked up a stone and with careful aim knocked down the little volume. It was a copy of the New Testament in the Spanish language. He had never before seen such a book. As he glanced through the pages he was so impressed that he decided to read the book from the beginning. The good seed of God’s Word slipped into his mind and heart and he was truly saved. Now it is his greatest joy to preach the gospel that others in that faraway land may know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, too.

“Being born again... by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” 1 Peter 1:23.

ML-01/04/1970

"I Beheld the Lamb of God"

A DEAR little girl in our Sunday school was converted, while one of the teachers was giving a five minutes’ address at the close of the lesson, from the precious text, “Behold the Lamb of God.”

I saw Nellie’s face beamed with a new joy, and asked,

“Are you saved, Nellie?”

“Yes,” she said, “Six weeks ago.” “How was that?” I asked.

“I beheld the Lamb of God, dying for me upon the Cross. I believed He took my sins away by His death, and I have been peaceful and happy ever since.”

So little Nellie might be. So will you if you

“Behold the Lamb of God.” John 1:36.

ML-01/04/1970

Bible Talks

Exo. 19:16-25

“AND IT CAME to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.” Well might they tremble as they stood in the presence of God in all His holiness. How terrible was His majesty! Those great thunders and lightnings spoke of His power in judgment, for He must appear in this way when coming into contact with sinners.

Moses brought the people to meet with God and they stood at the base of the mount. The Lord descended upon it in fire and the smoke ascended like that of a great furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. The people trembled at the signs of God’s presence because in their folly they had undertaken to meet Him on the ground of what they were in themselves, on the ground of what they could do for Him, instead of casting themselves on His mercy and His love.

Now they were made to feel what a mistake they had made. It is a solemn thing to have to do with a holy God. Apart from the work of Christ, there is no escape for the sinner from God’s righteous judgment. Blessed be His name, Christ has answered to God for all that He is against sin, and He has “made peace through the blood of His cross.” Col. 1:20. This is the sinner’s only refuge.

God had ordered that barriers were to be set around the mountain, and if anyone even touched the mount he would be stoned or shot through with a dart. But God called Moses up to Him to the top of the mountain because in His grace He was going to use him to be a mediator between Himself and His people. Here Moses is a type of the Lord Jesus. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all.” 1 Tim. 2:5,6.

God told Moses to go down and “charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.” v.21. Priests and people, everyone, were to be kept at a distance, except Moses and Aaron.

These solemn details show that man cannot stand before God on his own merits; furthermore, if a sinner ventures to come into contact with Him on any ground apart from the work of Christ, it can only end in his destruction. The claims of God’s holiness against sin can never be met except in the death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Dear reader, if still unsaved, and trying to merit the favor of God by your own efforts, may the sight of devouring fire, the thunder and lightnings of Sinai cause you to flee at once to Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, and find your hiding-place in Him.

ML-01/04/1970

The Young People's Class: Joshua

1. How did the Lord encourage Joshua regarding the king of Jericho and all his mighty men, who were shut up in Jericho? Josh. 6.

2. What verse is an encouragement to the Christian concerning difficulties which appear as strongholds of the enemy? 2 Cor. 10.

3. What procedure did the Lord tell Joshua to follow in penetrating the defense of the city erected according to man’s wisdom? Josh.

4. What is contrasted with the wisdom of men in the Christian faith? I Cor. 2.

5. Did Joshua and the children of Israel believe the word of the Lord concerning the walls of Jericho? Heb. 11.

6. What was the pronouncement against anyone rebuilding the city of Jericho destroyed by the judgment of the Lord? Josh.

7. What is the pronouncement against anyone today preaching a gospel contrary to that which sets forth salvation by grace alone. Gal.

ML-01/04/1970

Giving Thanks

BONNELL was a very bright little fellow, about eight years old. But his father was not a Christian, and they never had a blessing asked at their meals.

“Pa,” said Bonnell one day, “Ma says that God made you. Did He, Pa?”

“Yes, He made me.”

“Well, Pa, are you glad He made you?”

“Why, Bonnell, of course I am; what strange questions you do ask!”

The little fellow was evidently thinking about something which he could not exactly make out.

Not long after this, Bonnell went on a visit to his Uncle Sam’s. Uncle Sam was an earnest Christian, and he always asked a blessing at their meals. Besides they had family prayers, and the reading of the Scriptures every day. This led Boell to think very seriously about these things, and to wonder why his father didn’t do as his uncle did.

After his return home, the first time they were all sitting around the table at breakfast, he asked, “Pa, what does Uncle Sam ask a blessing at table for?”

“I reckon it’s because he wants to.”

“He says he wants to thank God for his dinner, but I told him you worked for your dinner, and made it. God does not give it to you, does He, Pa?”

“Well, yes; I suppose He gives me mine too.”

Bonnell looked in astonishment, and then he went vigorously to work with his knife and fork. Presently he looked up again and asked, “Pa, does God want Uncle Sam to thank Him?”

“Yes, child; I suppose He does.”

Then the little fellow was silent again.

After awhile he said, “Pa, I’m mighty glad that God is not like you, for if He was we should never get anything more to eat, and then we’d starve.”

“Why, Bonnell, what do you mean?”

“I was just thinking that you would not let sister have that apple the other day because she wouldn’t say, please; and if God was that sort of way, He never would give us anhing more, because we don’t thank Him, as Uncle Sam does, and say, please.”

“Be quiet, Bonnell; you don’t know what you are talking about.” Bonnell was quiet. The rest of the meal was eaten in silence.

Bonnell’s father went to his office, to attend to the business of the day.

But he could not forget what his little boy had said. It led him to see that he was not doing right, in not thanking God for His many mercies. And to the surprise of his family, when they sat down to supper that night, he gave thanks. He thanked God for their food, and asked His blessing upon it. But the change did not end there. Bonnell's father could not rest until he had come to know the Lord as his Saviour. He became a happy Christian, and how often he must have thanked the Lord for little Bonnell’s questions and for Uncle Sam’s faithfulness.

When the Lord Jesus fed the multitude in the wilderness (Matt. 14:15-21; Matt. 15:32-38), we read that He gave thanks for the loaves and fishes. If He the Creator and the Giver, when here on earth gave thanks for the food, how much more so ought we, who are dependent upon Him for all things.

We read in 1 Timothy 4:3-5 that our food is that which “God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe.”

Memory Verse “WE HAVE SEEN AND DO TESTIFY THAT THE FATHER SENT THE SON TO BE THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.” 1 John 4:14.

ML-01/11/1970

The Priceless Treasure

A LITTLE GIRL about eight years of age went to a class where she was taught about the Lord Jesus. She believed the simple truth about the blessed Lord, and knowing that she had found Him she went home and said to her mother, in the joy of her heart, “Oh, Mother! I have found a priceless treasure!” Her mother wondered what was the matter with her little girl, and said, “What do you mean, child? Where is the treasure you have found?”

The child answered, “In heaven, Mother; it is Jesus I have found, and He has made me happy.” She went on telling of the love of her Saviour in bringing her to the knowledge of Himself.

Dear little reader, do you know the loving Saviour as this little girl did? Is He the priceless treasure of your heart?

I hope you will not rest until you know that the Priceless Treasure is yours.

ML-01/11/1970

The Frightened Sheep

A MAN WAS driving a flock of sheep down the main street of a town to a farm in the country. Suddenly from a side street there emerged a brass band playing loudly. The beating of the drum and the playing of the band so frightened the sheep in front that one of them dashed against a shop window. Breaking the glass, the sheep ran into the shop; then the whole flock followed in an unbroken line. Seral people in the store were knocked about by the frantic sheep, and some of the sheep were so cut and crippled by their wild escapade, that they had to be killed.

This strange story about the silly flock rushing after their foolish leader, reminded me of a verse in God’s Word which many of you have often heard quoted: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way.” Isa. 53:6. Adam and Eve, our first parents in Eden, first left the path of obedience and went in the way which God had forbidden them to go in, thus becoming sinners. Along that same path the whole human race has followed. Some, convinced of their folly, have confessed, “I have gone astray like a lost sheep.” Psa. 119:176. I wonder if you have discovered this about yourself — “A lost sheep,” perhaps not yet finally and forever lost to God and heaven, but truly lost and unable to find your way back. It is just here to those who know and own themselves to be lost sinners that the good news of the gospel comes in all its saving power.

“The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10. How many have found this to be exactly what they needed, and owning themselves to be lost sinners, have accepted the lost sisters’ Saviour. Have you confessed Jesus as your Saviour and Lord? Delay no longer; “Behold, now is the accepted time.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

ML-01/11/1970

Bible Talks

Exo. 20: 1-1 7

IN THIS chapter we have uttered those wonderful ten commandments which are the center of God’s communications through Moses. We read in the gospels the Lord Jesus’ summary of the law — the love of God and the love of man (Matt. 22:35-40). But here the law is presented for the most part in a way that tells of man’s fallen condition, for its precepts are mostly negative, and not positive. Not only is man fallen but he loved sin so well that God had to prohibit sin. In the greater part of the ten commandments, we shall see, it was not “Thou shalt,” but “Thou shalt not.” It was given to curb sinful man’s will.

These commandments were given to Israel only. The Gentiles are described in Romans 2:14 as not hang the law, though they had the work of the law written in their hearts, and their consciences bore witness when they did wrong. As the Gentiles became associated with Israel, and heard what God required morally of man, they doubtless became more or less responsible according to the light they received. But the greater light of the gospel having come in, the Galatian Christians are sharply rebuked for putting themselves under law, where, as Gentiles, they had never been. A converted Jew was no longer under the law — how much less a Gentile believer whom God had never put under the law!

The law was like a straight edge given by God to manifest the crookedness of man. “The law entered that the offense might abound,” Rom. 5:20, that is, not to increase sin but to show how offensive it is, and to bring it home to the soul. “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” Chap. 3:20. The Apostle said that he would not have known lust had not the law said, “Thou shalt not cot.” Rom. 7:7. The object of the law, therefore, was to bring out the greatness of sin, while it was a test of the obedience of man to God.

It has also been said the law is like a bridge. Made of the finest materials and perfect in its workmanship, on one side it stands on an immovable foundation. This is God’s side. But the other end of the bridge has fallen, the pillars and foundations having collapsed. Alas! this is man’s side. Man has failed; he is ruined, and he cannot use the law as a passageway to life and blessing.

Like the people of Israel we are not only sinners, but helpless sinners. We can never obtain blessing through seeking to keep the commandments of God. The law could not justify the guilty — it could only condemn him, and since we are all law-breakers, therefore the law must pronounce every man “guilty before God.” But how wonderful to see in the cross of Christ how all God’s holy claims against sin were fully met in the death of Jesus, who bore the curse of the broken law, so that now God could come out in the fullness of His grace and instead of condemning the sinner who believes, He justifies him from all things (Acts 13:39). “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 3:24. What wonderful grace this is!

ML-01/11/1970

Free From the Law

FREE from the law, oh, happy condition!

Jesus has bled, and there is remission!

Cursed by the law, and bruised by the fall,

Grace hath redeemed us once for all.

Refrain:

Once for all, O sinner, receive it;

Once for all, O brother, believe it;

Cling to the cross, the burden will fall;

Christ hath redeemed us once for all.

Now are we free—there’s no condemnation,

Jesus provides a perfect salvation;

“Come unto Me"—oh, hear His sweet call,

Come, and He saves us once for all.

“Children of God!” oh, glorious calling!

Surely His grace will keep us from falling,

Passing from death to life at His call,

Blessed salvation once for all.

Soon He will come, the saints shall be raised,

We, who remain alive, shall be changed;

Then all, caught up, at His blessed call,

Changed to His likeness, once for all.

ML-01/11/1970

James' Prayer

“I AM LOOKING for a young man to take care of my cattle,” said rancher Smith to a friend whom he came across in town. “Do you happen to know of a good one?”

“Yes I do,” was the reply. “Do you see that young fellow across the street? He is looking for work, and I know he is a very decent fellow; go and speak to him before someone else engages him.” Rancher Smith did so.

Half an hour later he fell in again with the same friend who inquired, “Well, have you settled up things with the man?”

“No!” said Smith gruffly. “The fellow seems a very decent chap as you said, and he has a good recommendation from his former boss.”

“Then why didn’t you engage him?”

“I was just going to,” replied the rancher, “when the fellow said, ‘there is one condition, sir, that I must be sure of before I come.’ "

“What is that?” I asked.

“I must have my Sunday evenings off so that I can go to gospel meetings at Morrison.”

“Bother you and your meetings!” I replied, “What do I care about that? If you are going to put your religion before my cattle, you are no good to me. And I came away and left him.”

“You made a mistake there!” said his friend. “Depend upon it, that’s a good man; go back and hire him.”

So the two ranchers returned to the young man, and before long things were settled up, and the “one condition” was granted.

Four months later when the cattle buyers were going around, Mr. Wais, a butcher and also a special friend of Smith’s, came to the farm to see Smith’s stock.

“I never saw your cattle in such fine condition before. They are certainly the best I have seen this season,” said Wallis.

“Ah! yes!” replied Smith, “Well, you see they are prayed for every morning.”

“Prayed for!” exclaimed the butcher who was a totally irreligious man. “Whatever do you mean?”

“I have a man now who prays for the cattle every morning. He prays for me too,” said the rancher, rather shamefacedly. “If you like to come down to the barn tomorrow morning, before he gets there, you can hear him for yourself. I tell you he is worth listening to.”

So early next morning the rancher and the butcher hid themselves away in the loft above the cow stalls. Soon they heard James come whistling across the barn yard. At the sound all the cattle started to low in loud, welcoming tones.

“Good sign, that!” said the rancher softly.

“It is so,” whispered the butcher. “They like him.”

James proceeded to fill the mangers with plenty of fresh alfalfa hay. When he had finished and all was silent, except for the noise of the cows chewing, James knelt down on a sack and prayed aloud.

“O! Lord,” he said, “I thank Thee for the rest of the past night, and for good health and strength for another day. I pray Thee to help me do a good day’s work for my boss, and I ask Thee to bless the cattle and rant that they may all do well. I pray Thee to have pity on my boss, and on this ungodly butcher. O! save their precious souls. For Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.”

The prayer was spoken in most reverent tones, but it was evidently offered to Someone whom James felt to be near at hand. Its effect upon the unaccustomed ears of the “ungodly butcher” was surprising. His eyes filled with tears, and his voice shook, as looking round uneasily, he whispered, “Is God here, Smith?”

“I suppose He is,” answered the rancher. “James thinks so, anyway.”

That morning prayer was answered. The hearts of both men were deeply touched by it, and soon the seeking Saviour was found by the seeking sinners.

The change in the conduct of the butcher, who had been a heavy drinker and profane swearer, was the more marked of the two conversions. It was the cause of wonder among his large circle of acquaintances and business connections. It was an eminent testimony to the power of God “to make the foulest clean.”

“Come now, and let us reason tether, 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.

“For He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” Luke 6:35.

“That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:7.

ML-01/18/1970

Bible Talks

Exo. 20:18-26

THE LAW is like God’s looking-glass. It often convinces men of their guilt. It showed the Apostle his guiltiness for he says, “I had not known sin but by the law.” And when he read, “Thou shalt not cot,” he saw that he was not only a sinner, but a helpless sinner. He could not stop coveting, for it was his nature to do so. He needed life which the law could not give; but he found life — a new life in Christ. Christ has died and we, as believers, are brought out of that place of condemnation altogether. We are now “in Christ,” in a position where we can serve Him in love.

The law is not the rule of life for the Christian; “For ye are not under the law, but under grace.” The Christian has died with Christ and lives unto God. Now Christ alone is the standard of his walk and conduct an infinitely higher standard than that of the law.

“And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.” Such was the effect of the giving of the law. The people were filled with terror and stood afar off. The Word of God would teach us that sinners cannot stand in the presence of God.

“And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” v.19. This told out what they were, and what would become of their promised obedience. If God speaks with the sinner in his sins, he must die. For holiness and sin cannot exist together. The children of Israel declare that they were sinners in their guilt, and as such they were unable to listen to His voice.

Moses exhorted the people not to fear, saying that God was come to prove them and that His fear might be before their faces that they should not sin. God’s way was plainly marked for them in the ten commandments, and now it would be seen if they would walk in His way or not. God had drawn near to the people in the thick darkness; for Israel was before Him as a people in the flesh. But for the Christian it is not so. The veil is rent in the death of Jesus; and we walk in the light as He is in the light.

God was in the thick darkness and must remain so as long as He was on the ground of the law. But Moses could draw near to the thick darkness where God was, because He occupied the place of Mediator in the grace of God. He is a type of the “One mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

Only a sinner saved by grace,

This is my story—to God be the glory—

I’m only a sinner saved by grace!

Memory Verse “THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHERY WE MUST BE SAVED.” Acts 4:12.

ML-01/18/1970

Really and Soberly

A YOUNG boy, nine years old, wrote from his school to let me know that during some children’s meetings I had held in the town where he lived, he had given his heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. He reminded me of some services held in this same town nearly four years before, adding: “That was the first time I really and soberly thought about my soul.”

So that this little boy was not quite six years of age when he began to think really and soberly about his soul!

I remember well my first visit to that town, and the deep impression made by God’s Spirit upon the heart of that little child less than six years old. Years had passed away, when I had the joy of receiving a letter from him, dated from a distant land, where he was serving the Lord Jesus.

Let none who read this little per imagine that a child six years old is too young “to think really and soberly” about his soul’s salvation. Over the years, I have known very many, quite as young, who it appears intelligently received Christ as their own precious Saviour. In Matthew 18:6, our Lord speaks of “little ones which believe in Me.” He never told little children to wait till they grew big before they could be saved; but He does tell big people that they must become as little children if they will receive His salvation (read Mark 10: 13-16; and Matthew 18:3).

“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 18:3.

ML-01/18/1970

Love One Another

IT WAS Saturday night and two children small

Sat on the stairs in the lighted hall,

Vexed and troubled and sore perplexed

To learn for Sunday the memory text:

Only three words on a gilded card;

“Love, that is easy — it means, why this

(A warm embrace and a loving kiss);

But ‘one another’ I don’t see who

Is meant by ‘another,’ now, May, do you?”

Very grandly she raised her head,

Our thoughtful darling, and slowly said,

As she fondly gazed at her dear little brother:

“Why, I am one, and you are another.

“And this is the meaning, don’t you see?

That I must love you, and you must love me.”

Wise little preacher! could any sage

Interpret better the sacred page?

“Love one another.” John 15:12.

ML-01/18/1970

The Dying Soldier's Request

IN ONE of the military hospitals a young soldier lay dying. Turning to his companion in the next bed, he asked him if he could tell him anything about the Bible. “I’m afraid I can’t,” was the reply. “Don’t you know anything?” asked the dying soldier. “I’m afraid I don’t,” came the same sad reply. Again he plead, once more. “Can’t you tell me anything?”

There was a slight pause before his friend answered, “The only one thing I know is ‘Suffer little children to come unto Me.’ "

“That will do, that’s enough,” replied the dying soldier, and in a few minutes he had gone.

Yet who could doubt that it was to be for “ever with the Lord,” for has He not said, “him that cometh to ME I will in no wise cast out?” John 6:37

ML-01/18/1970

The Train

THERE IS something fascinating about a train of cars. What boy doesn’t like to have a toy train, and what girl doesn’t enjoy watching the little locomotive and cars speeding around the track.

Whenever we see a train of cars moving down the track, we take it for granted that there is a powerful locomotive pulling it. Some engines pull more than a hundred loaded cars.

Whenever I see a great powerful locomotive I love to think of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no limit to His power. He can pull any size load. We are like a railroad car. Faith is like the coupling that attaches us to Christ and to one another. Sometimes the coupling on our trains break and then there is a wreck. But the link that joins the believer to Jesus can never break. It is Himself who has forged that link, and He Himself sustains it all along the road from earth to heaven.

The Lord Jesus is at the head of a great train of believers, and He is taking that train to glory. Each day is like a station, and He picks up new passengers at each station. Are you one of His train, dear reader? Are you attached to Christ? Is the link on? You can know for sure if you wish. Like the train stopping at the station to pick up passengers, so the Lord Jesus will stop for you if you put out your hand, as it were, and cry, “Lord Jesus, save me. I want to be aboard, I want to go to heaven!” But you must hurry and be in time. The train is moving on, and it may never pass within your reach again. If you are left behind, you will be lost forever.

One day, two men boarded a coach at the station yard. They sat down and went off to sleep. They expected to wake up far down the line, possibly at the station where they wanted to get off. One of them woke up and looking at his watch he found that he had slept several hours. He wondered at what station his train was stopping. He raised the car window and asked a workman nearby the name of the station. To his surprise, he was told that he was in the same station where he had gotten on. He left the coach and looking down the track he found to his dismay that the car was not hooked on to anything.

I know some boys and girls, and older folks too, who think they are on their way to heaven, but they have never trusted Jesus as their Saviour. And unless they do they will never, never reach the golden city.

Hasten to Jesus now, dear friend. Trust Him as your Saviour, get aboard! and join the great train of those who follow the Son of God.

“I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” John 10:28.

ML-01/25/1970

I Know Him to Talk to

A BOY ten years of age, who had found Jesus as his Saviour, was walking home from school with his special friend, Charlie.

“Charlie, do you know Jesus?” he asked.

“Of course, I have often read of Jesus, and heard a great deal about Him.”

“I don’t mean that, Charlie. I mean, do you know Him?”

“Know Jesus! why, how can anyone know Him when He is away in heaven?”

“I do, Charlie,” returned his friend. “I know Him to talk to.”

ML-01/25/1970

The Effect of a Tear

AN INDIAN guide in the American Revolutionary War was fatally wounded. A Christian friend went to see him, and said, “Do you know anything about Jesus Christ?”

“O yes,” replied the Indian. “Me know much ‘bout Him. Long time ago — very young — me go see Indian missionary, Brainerd. In little log house, all alone, white man look sick — meet Indian — pray with him — make much prayer — talk out of spirit book. Many times he look on Indian and say, ‘Poor friend,’ and his eyes all run down with tears.”

“Do you think you will meet him in heaven?” asked his friend again.

“O yes,” was the answer. “Me certain Jesus Christ never forget poor Indian. Me never forget Him one day. Me hope see Him, before morning. Me no fear. Inside eyes all open. Inside heart all smooth.”

And so the poor Indian passed away to be with Christ. But when he said, so expressively, “Inside eyes all open,” he was only saying in different words what dear old Simeon uttered eighteen hundred years before, when he held the infant Jesus in his arms: “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace,... For mine eves have seen Thy salvation.”

ML-01/25/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 20:22-26

JUST TEN commandments or rules did God give the people for them to keep and not to break, though He knew beforehand they would break everyone of them. Every commandment was a good one, for “the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Rom. 7:12. In the Book of the counsels of God in that past eternity, it was written of the Lord Jesus, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Psa. 40:8. When He came to earth He perfectly kept that holy law; He magnified it, and glade it honorable (Isa. 42:21).

But the hearts of the people were bad, and so they never kept them. Our hearts are the same today if put to the test.

“Thou shalt have no other gods bore Me,” was the first rule. And why should they turn to any other person or thing, from the One who loved them, pitied them, and with a mighty hand had delivered them from Egypt and Pharaoh’s power, and was going to bring them into that wonderful land of Canaan? Why should we turn away from the God who loved us and sent His dear Son into this world to be our Saviour, to deliver us from our sins and Satan’s power, and bring us home to heaven?

The third commandment, v. 7, forbade swearing. Does God take notice of all swearing being done today? He surely does. He will not hold him guiltless who uses His name in that way.

The fifth commandment, v. 12, is another that we are sure God would have us to attend to more than we do. ‘Honor thy father and thy mother.” It is sad to see so many children, and alder ones too, disobeying their pants. God sees that too; nothing escapes His eye. Dear young reader, do you honor your parents?

At the end of the chapter God gives directions concerning worship. He does not leave it to man’s thoughts or arrangements. First, He must be approached only through sacrifices and those sacrifices must be such as spoke of the excellencies of Christ, for God will ever have His own beloved Son before Him. He warns them against making gods of silver and gold, but directs them to make Him an altar of ground for burnt offerings and peace offerings.

Then He tells them “in all places where I record My name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee What grace on His part!

Then if the altar be of stone, it must not be of hewn stone, as their work would only mar and profane it. “For if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.” v. 25. Nothing of man is acceptable to God in worship.

“Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.” To go up by steps to God’s altar would be for man to exalt himself, whereas, his true place is in all humility before the Lord. Men would like to go up to meet God, but God said, “I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.”

Grace covers the believer through the work of Christ with a robe of righteousness. Furthermore, God has lifted us up, but to lift ourselves up would be only pride, which God hates. Thus, in our worship, everything must be according to God.

ML-01/25/1970

A Microscope

SOME OF OUR readers know what a microscope is. It is an instrument used to examine the tiniest of things which are not visible to the natural eye, or so very small that they cannot be described. By means of this instrument, the image of very tiny things is so enlarged that we can see them in all their detail. I will use the microscope as an illustration of the Word of God, which is so powerful in its action and so searching in its discovery, that very many things which appear small, indeed, in man’s estimation, are shown to be very different in the sight of God.

The Bible, when it is used by the “eye of faith” to examine things unseen by natural sight, makes them appear actually as they are in the sight of God. Take, for instance, a drop of water. Hold it on the tip of your finger: You see nothing in it; it looks clear as crystal. But put it under the microscope, and lo, it is full of living things! The microscope does not put them there, it only shows they are there.

Here is something called SIN. It may seem very small, and so common, that most people don’t think much about it; but bring the Word of God to throw Its light on it: what then? “God saw that the wickedness of man was great” (Gen. 6:5). “This people have sinned a great sin.” Ex. 32:31. When a sinner sees his sin as God sees it, he cries out, “Pardon mine iniquity, for it is great.” Psa. 25:11.

But, if we put the microscope of God’s word on THE HEART, what do we see? People talk of being “good-hearted” and such like, but when God’s microscope is put on it, we read it is “deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” Jet 17:9; “only evil,” Gen. 6:5; “full of evil,” Eccl. 9:3.

If we change the object and take a tiny flower, God’s own beautiful handiwork, it is pretty as it grows; but under the lens, each petal is seen to be perfect, each leaf a wonder. So is Christ as set forth in His work and in the Word. The closer you examine the wonders of Redemption, the more perfect they appear.

Rest in the Lord

Psalm 37, 7

Oh, the peace my Saviour gives—

Peace I never knew before;

And my way has brighter grown

Since I’ve learned to trust Him more.

ML-01/25/1970

A Pirate Saved

A BRITISH merchant ship was once attacked by a pirate vessel, while cruising in the Indian Ocean. The attack was so sudden and unlooked-for, that the merchant vessel fell an easy prey into the hands of the pirates. The captain and seral of the crew were slain in the conflict, and the rest were bound in chains and put into the pirates’ boats, to be taken to their vessel. Then the pirate captain and some of his men went down into the cabin to see what treasures they could find before setting the ship afire.

Going down the companionway, they heard a soft, low voice in prayer. The captain motioned to his men to remain on deck while he went quietly down the stairs to find out where the voice came from. Stooping down he peeped into a room, the door of which was ajar, and there he saw a fair young mother kneeling with a beautiful boy at her side. One arm was clasped fondly around her child, and the other was lifted up in earnest supplication. And these were the words which the pirate heard her utter in a voice of melting agony, as he saw the tears rolling down her cheeks: “O God of all mercy, save the life of my dear boy, if such be thy holy will; but rather let him perish now than fall alive into the hands of the pirates, to be trained to a life of sin and shame. Let him die now, if such be Thy will; but oh! let him not live to dishonor Thee and perish at last eternally.”

The voice ceased, choked with tears of agony. And there stood the pirate, perfectly overwhelmed by the tumult of his own feelings. His thoughts went back to the scenes of his childhood. He had had a Christian mother. Her prayers and instructions, for so many years forgotten, rose up before him then. God’s Spirit sent such an arrow of conviction to his heart, that instead of carrying out his murderous designs, he sank upon his knees, and with heart-breaking agony cried out, “God be merciful to me, a sinner!”

Rising from his knees he assured the lady that no harm should be done to her. Then he went on deck, unbound the captive crew, and restoring them to their ship, he returned with his men to their own vessel.

Shortly after this he surrendered himself to the British Government.

The Government appointed a trial for him; but before the time for the trial came he was taken with fever, from which he died after a few days’ sickness. Before his death he made a full confession of the crimes of his past life, with the deepest penitence, and he died humbly trusting in Jesus for the pardon of his sins and for entrance into heaven.

ML-02/01/1970

"From the Author"

LITTLE JANIE saved enough money in her money-box to buy her father, whom she loved very much, a birthday present.

But what should she buy?

This was a puzzle. She, however, did the best and wisest thing — she prayed about it, that the Lord Jesus, whom she trusted and knew as her Saviour, would guide her. So she decided that, as her father never read the Bible, she would buy him one! This she did, and prayed again that he might be persuaded to read it, and be made “wise unto salvation.”

“Now,” she said to herself, “what shall I put on the flyleaf?”

She thought on: “From Janie,” but that seemed too cold. Then again she thought: “From your little daughter,” might do; but had not her father told her that every day she was growing a big girl? Would “from one who loves you” do? Scarcely, for quite a lot of others loved him too! What was she to do?

A fresh thought struck her, and away she went to her father’s study, where there were piles of books, and examined them. All at once she came across the front page of quite a large volume, which had his name on it and underneath: “From the Author.”

Yes, that would do exactly.

The next morning, at the breakfast table, when her father received her present (with a smile), he was struck with the inscription written on its front inside the cover in his dear child’s handwriting, “From the Author.” He thought, Who is He? I don’t know Him. I will read and find out if the Book can tell me!

Under the guidance of the Spirit of truth, he did discover the Author of this sacred volume. Afterward he became an earnest gospel preacher, and often did he hold up the little Bible given to him and relate the story connected with it — the story of his conversion!

Dear boys and girls, the Bible is indeed the precious and priceless gift from God to all; which He had composed (2 Peter 1:19-21), and which He has compiled (put together) (2 Tim. 3:15,16), and in which He commends His own love to us (Rom. 5: 8).

Let us then accept it, read it, believe it, confess it, and tell to other that it is a love gift for them “from the Author.”

“The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12.

ML-02/01/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 2 1:1-6

BESIDES the ten main commandments which God gave Moses, 5e gave them many other statutes, or laws, which would affect the smaller things in their lives. There were laws which showed His tender care for His people. Some of these had to do with their servants and with their animals. God said they should be kind to widows and little children who had lost their father and mothers, and to strangers, for they themselves had once been strangers in Egypt.

In the type of the Hebrew servant, we have a most striking illustration of the truth that Christ is continually the object before the Spirit of God in the writing of the Holy Scriptures. Slavery was in itself anything but a condition suitable to the mind of God, yet even in this God has Christ before Him.

When a Hebrew servant had word his appointed time, six years, in the seventh he was to go out free. “If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master have given him a wife, and she have borne him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him forever.”

How precious a picture we have here of the blessed Lord Jesus. It was His choice not to be merely a servant here on earth for a time, but He has chosen of His own gracious will to be a servant forever. Though he cannot be but a divine person, the Son of God Himself and Lord of all, yet is He nevertheless by His own grace the Servant forever. Even in glory we, as the redeemed, shall know Him thus.

In His own right and title, He could have gone back to heaven alone, without the death of the cross. But love made Him serve and He will serve us throughout eternity, even as He gave a sample, before He went up on high, of what He, our Great High Priest and Advocate, is doing now, when He took a basin of water and a towel, and washed His disciples feet (John 13). He loved His master, His wife, and His children. His “Master,” God His Father, had the supreme place in His heart, and it was His holy desire to glorify Him on this earth, to finish the work which He gave Him to do. He loved His wife, the Church, and gave Himself for her. And His children are His own, looked at individually. Therefore, He would not go out free, but He presented Himself to His Master that He might serve Him forever. The Hebrew servant’s ear was to be bored through with an awl, so the Lord Jesus could say, “Mine ears hast Thou opened [digged].” Psa. 40:6. How wonderful, beyond all thought, that the Lord Jesus, the blessed Son of God, through love which no tongue can tell, became a man, and will remain a man that we might enjoy Him for all eternity.

O magnify the Lord with me. Psalm 34, 3

Wide, wide as the ocean,

High as the heaven above,

Deep, deep as the deepest sea,

Is my Saviour’s love.

I, though so unworthy,

Still am a child of His care;

For His Word teaches me

That His love reaches me

Everywhere!

ML-02/01/1970

The Stolen Apple

A FEW YEARS ago I spent part of the winter in a mountain village, and I was staying in a rooming house there. Apples were very scarce and expensive that winter, and especially so in that out-of-the-way village. One morning my landlady bought six apples, which she had placed in a dish, and that afternoon when she came back from a short walk, she found only five left.

“Lindy! Lindy! where are you?” called the mother to her little girl.

“I’m upstairs, Mother.”

“Come down, I want you at once. When I went out, Lindy, I left six apples in the dish, but now there are only five, and I am afraid you have taken one.”

“No, Mother, it was not me.”

“But, my child, who else could have taken it? You were left alone to mind the house, and I am sadly afraid you stole the apple.”

“No, indeed, Mother, I would not think of stealing it.”

But that night poor Lindy could not sleep. She heard the clock strike ten, then eleven, — twelve, — one, — two, and still she could find no sleep. All was so quiet, except for the tick, tick, tick, of the grandfather clock on the stairs; and Lindy was so miserable, for the clock seemed to be talking to her, and saying: “Lindy! Lindy! Lindy! Thief! thief; thief! Tick! tick! tick! Lindy; Lindy; Lindy! Thief! thief! thief! Lindy; thief! Lindy! liar! Lindy, thief;” She had very little sleep that night, poor child.

The next evening I had to take a service in a little village two-and-a-half miles away, and walked back in the drenching rain pretty tired out. After supper I got into the easy chair to rest, when I heard tap, tap, at the door. “Come in,” I cried, and in walked Lindy, followed by a neighbor friend called Mary.

“Well, Lindy, what do you want?”

“Please, sir, I did steal the apple, and I could not sleep last night because I am a thief and a liar; will you talk to me, and pray for me? And Mary wants you to talk to her too.”

So I was very glad to talk with her, as the Holy Spirit had shown her what a sinner she was, and I pointed her to several passages of Scripture, among others Revelation 21:8, where it says so solemnly that “ALL LIARS shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone"; and then I showed her 1 John 1:7: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from ALL sin.” Tears flowed down Lindy’s cheeks and we all knelt down, and had a time of earnest prayer.

That was a night of salvation. I had no doubt that Lindy and Mary both decided for Christ, and became new creatures in Christ Jesus.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Prov. 28:13. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17.

ML-02/08/1970

The Heavenly Home

A LITTLE fellow about four or five years old, was returning from school one day. He bounded into the house, exclaiming as he hung his hat up in the hall, “This is my home, this is my home!”

A lady was then visiting his mother, and was sitting in the parlor. She said to him, “Ernie, the house next door is just the same as this; suppose you go in there and hang your hat up in the lobby; wouldn’t that be your home as well as this?”

“No, ma’am,” said Ernie, very earnestly. “It would not.”

“Why not? What makes this house your home more than that?” asked the lady.

Ernie had never thought of this before. But after a moment’s pause he ran up to his mother, throwing his arms around her neck, and said, “Because dear Mother lives here!”

Wasn’t that a lovely answer from such a little fellow? It is the presence and company of those we love which make “home, sweet home” on earth; and it is just so with our heavenly home — the Father’s house of “many mansions” which our Saviour went to prepare for those that love Him. He said to the dying thief, “To-day shalt thou be with Me in paradise.” Luke 23:43.

“In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2,3.

ML-02/08/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 21:7-17

ISRAEL were a people whom God had redeemed and brought to Himself; He dwelt in their midst in the thick cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Thus they were the objects of both His care and government. The various “judgments” or statutes which follow in these chapters, were to govern the conduct of gig people in their various relationships. As we read through these statutes given by God we are impressed with the care that He had for the walk and ways of His people. He is interested in all our dealings with one another. There is instruction here for everyone, boys and girls, young men and maidens, and older folks as well. The Israelites were to be an example before other peoples and nations around of uprightness in conduct and righteous government. We as Christians are a heavenly people and are called to be a testimony to the grace of God which has saved us, and to manifest Christ in our dealings one with another and with the world. Although we are a heavenly people and are not under the law, we must not forget the word, “Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace?” Rom. 6:15. In Galatians 5:13 we read: “We have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

We shall find rich moral instruction in reading through these chapters, for the moral ways of God do not change. We see here how God in His love and compassion watches over and protects. His weak and defenseless ones, setting forth laws which would assure them of just and fair treatment. God knows the human heart, all too often prone to take advantage of those who are subject and dependent on others. We see this in the directions given to a maid-servant that has been sold by her father. How tenderly and carefully God guards her rights in the instructions given.

Next, violence was not to go unpunished, and there were offenses that called for the death penalty. “He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.” v. 12. We live in a day when this precept, first given to Noah and repeated here, is being largely set aside. The trend is to abolish capital punishment. In this so-called enlightened age men think they are wiser than God; but they will surely prove the folly of substituting human ideas in the place of God’s law.

There was an exception, however. “If a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.” v. 13. This was grace appointing a refuge for one who killed another unintentionally. And how beautifully this typifies Christ, the true “place of refuge.” Although the nation of the Jews slew Him, yet in unspeakable grace, even as He hung upon the cross where they nailed Him, He spoke of their act as being done in ignorance and prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. God answered the prayer of the blessed Saviour and a remnant out of that guilty nation was spared. Grace triumphs over the penalty of the law because of the atonement for sin the Lord Jesus accomplished by His death on the cross. He will be the hiding place for the remnant of His people in a coming day, but He is even now the refuge of every sinner who flees to Him from the wrath to come.

And now, dear boys and girls, we have a very solemn word about dishonoring our parents when we ought to show them reverence. The one who smote or cursed his father or mother “shall surely be put to death.” vv. 15-17. This shows us how God owned the authority of parents, whether under law or grace. “Disobedience to parents” is a mark of the last days (2 Tim. 3:2). How we can thank God that there is salvation for a naughty or disobedient child now, if he comes to Christ and confesses his sin. God loves us and the blood of His dear Son can wash us whiter than snow.

ML-02/08/1970

Fire!

YEARS ago, a friend of mine was awakened in the middle of the night by the cry of “FIRE!”

Hastily dressing, he ran out to help, and found a neighbor’s house in flames, all the inmates being rescued, except one little girl, who was fast asleep in a top room.

Oh, what agony the mother was in! My friend determined to try and save her, even though he might lose his life in the attempt.

So he rushed up the burning staircase, the flames catching his face and hurting him a good deal.

The child was sleeping, quite unconscious of her danger, so my good friend caught her up hastily, fastened his big great coat all over her, and then made a dash down the stairs, the fire burning him badly, twisting up one of his fingers.

The dear child was not hurt at all but my friend suffered very much to save her, and whenever I shake hands with him, the twisted finger seems to whisper softly over again the story of the house on fire.

About five minutes after he had dropped the girl into her mother’s arms, the roof fell in with a crash, so you see that she was saved only just in time.

Perhaps you, like that little girl, have not known your danger, but have been sleeping on in sin, not thinking that at any moment you might die and your soul be forever lost. Only listen to the good news that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” It is a faithful saying, a true saying, and worthy of all acceptation. Will YOU accept this great salvation now? Will YOU send up the earnest prayer, “Lord, save me,” “God be merciful to ME a sinner"?

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Tim. 1:15.

ML-02/08/1970

A Repentant Thief

SAM was an African boy who, with some refugees, had been taken in by a missionary when war broke out between rival tribes. The missionary saw that Sam was a very intelligent boy, so he chose him to carry messages and to do other little jobs. But the missionary was soon warned by others to be careful, for Sam was a thief. It was not long before he found some of his things missing, and quite valuable ones, too. The missionary did not know what to do. During the Bible hours Sam sat there with a look of indifference, not pang any attention.

The missionary prayed earnestly for Sam. Then one day he called him and said to him, “I know you are a very clever boy; I want you to help me.” Sam looked very pleased.

The missionary continued: “I have lost quite a few things and I want you to find them and also find the one who has taken them.”

The next day Sam brought one article and said, “I have found this, but I haven’t found the one who has taken it.” The following day he brought something else and said the same words. Then he added, “How can one get forgiveness?”

The missionary replied: “Do you not know, that if we confess our sins, God is willing to forgive us because the Lord Jesus has died for our sins on the cross?”

Then he added: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Isa. 55: 7.

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

The following day Sam came to his master with his arm full of valuables and asked him to see whether he had got all his missing things back. Then Sam said with tears: “Forgive me, I am the thief.” The missionary gladly forgave him and both knelt down to ask the forgiveness of God. There and then Sam gave his heart to the Lord Jesus.

From then on not another thing was missing and Sam did his work with singing. For him old things had passed away, and behold, all things had become new. His load of guilt was gone, for his sins were all washed away in the blood of Jesus; he was now a new creature in Christ. (2 Cor. 5: 17.)

When Sam grew up he became a missionary to his own people, and it was his delight to go about telling what great things the Lord had done for him.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17.

ML-02/15/1970

Only a Little Child

CATHY was “only a little child,” and an orphan. She left her home in charge of an aged aunt, to cross the ocean, to live with relatives in a busy city in Canada, 3000 miles away from the village where she was born. A long journey, indeed, for “a little child.” But Cathy had a heavenly Friend who took her across the seas, and she was the happiest passenger of that big ship. Indeed, she was the favorite of the whole company on board, passengers and sailors alike.

Her sweet voice melted all hearts, and brought tears to all eyes. She had been taught to sing in her early childhood, and I believe her young and tender heart had been won to the Saviour before she started on that long voyage across the Atlantic, Weather-beaten sailors gathered around her, to hear the sweet voice sing,

“Jesus loves me, this I know,

For the Bible tells me so.”

Aged women and strong men wept, as they listened to her song. And it is on record, that when the shore was reached, there was a chorus of voices asking that she should come to their homes to “stay.”

A preacher on that ship reminded the passengers of three texts in which the words “a little child” occured. They were: “Jesus called a little child to Him.” Matt. 18:2.

“Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” Luke 18-17

“A little child shall lead them.” Isa. 11:6.

The first is as true today as then. The second is applicable now as then. The third tells the result of a child’s influence over others. It was a memorable voyage, and had wonderful results. For Cathy herself early became a child of the Kingdom, and, while only a little girl, she was the means of leading her own aunt and her three cousins in Canada to the Saviour whom she loved and served.

Sing unto the Lord new song. Isa. 42, 10

AWAKE! awake! in happy song,

Ye children great and small,

And join to sing the praises sweet

Of Him who died for all.

It is because the Shepherd good,

For sheep and lambs did die,

That those who trust His precious blood

Shall dwell with Him on high.

There is one true call that is ever clear,

There is one great Name that is ever dear;

There is one sure Friend Who is ever near

To those who trust in Jesus.

Ye that fear the Lord, praise Him. Psalm 22, 23

ML-02/15/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 21:18-22:1

IN THESE next verses 18 to 27, we see God’s tender care for the bodies of His own — and this is especially true in the case of those who were subject and dependent on others — “and if a man smite his servant, or his maid,"... “If men strive, and hurt a woman with child."... “And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye’s sake.”

How much further Christianity goes than the laws given to Israel. The law demanded an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth (v. 24), but grace goes far beyond — we, as Christians, are called on to return good for evil. “I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matt. 5:39. The law demanded an equal return, but grace gives up every claim since the Lord has dealt with us in grace, and canceled all the debt of sin we owed.

In verses 28 to 36 we see how a man was responsible for the acts of his cattle. If a mischievous ox gored a man or a woman to death, the ox was to be stoned. If the animal had caused mischief before, and his owner knew it, and had not kept him in, the owner too must pay with his life. How these details tell of the Lord’s care to each one of His own.

In verse 32, we learn that the value of a manservant or a maidservant was set at thirty shekels of silver. And this is what Judas sold the blessed Saviour for, the price the Jews valued Him at — “So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.” Zech. 11:12. The blessed Son of God was sold for the price of a mere slave. Such was man’s estimate of Him then and, sad to say, is the value that many put upon Him today. Yet, by nature, our hearts are no better. How thankful if now, through grace, we have had our eyes opened to see in Him “the altogether lovely One,” “the Chiefest among ten thousand.” How we delight to think of God’s estimate of His beloved Son: “when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand,... far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” Eph. 1:20,21.

For, “God hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of. God the Father,” Phil. 2: 9-11.

Then, in chapter 22: 1, we have another beautiful instance of grace. If an ox were stoned and killed, the guilty one must restore five oxen, wad-four sheep for a sheep. We see in this how God guards the property of His people, and how He regarded the sin of robbing a fellowman.

But what of man’s sin in robbing God? How great our guilt! So great that it is impossible for one to make restitution.

Yet it is precious to hear the Lord say in Psalm 69:4, “then I restored that which I took not away.” He has answered for all our transgressions, so that there is not a single sin can be laid to our charge; His death has satisfied all God’s righteous claims against us. He has restored it all Furthermore, He has added the fifth part, for God has been glorified by the obedience unto death of His dear Son, far more so than if sin had never come into this world. Surely we ought to bless and thank Him for all that He has done for us. Eternity will be too short to utter all His praise.

ML-02/15/1970

Into the Depths of the Sea

A FRIEND took me out for a sail some time ago in his boat. As we glided along over the deep blue waters, he said, “It was out here sailing that I first received the assurance of salvation. I had believed the gospel sometime before that, but never was really sure that my sins were forgiven. My father, who had been a Christian for many years, said, as he looked over the side of the boat into the deep waters, “Don’t you think anything cast out into these depths would be well hid, Fred?”

“Yes,” I said, “no doubt it would, but why do you ask that?”

“Just because I was remembering that word in Micah 7:19, which says, “Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.’ Do you believe that all your sins have been put as well out of God’s sight as that?”

“I sat in silence for a moment, for I had been doubting that very day whether I was saved or not. That word from God showed me that there was no room left for doubt. If God said that, it must be true, and I believed it, and rejoiced. I never doubted God again, although Satan has often brought up the sins of the past. I meet him now with God’s own Word, that all my sins are ‘cast into the depths of the sea.’ Believing this gives peace and power to walk and live as a Christian ought.”

Do you believe, reader, that your sins are in the depths of the sea; or are they on your own soul unforgiven?

“Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things.” Acts 13:38,39.

ML-02/15/1970

Be in Time!

While the voice of Jesus calls you,

Be in time!

If in sin you longer wait,

You may find no open gate,

And your cry be “Just too late!”

Be in time!

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

ML-02/15/1970

White Man's Magic

Memory Verse “AND THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL, THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THEE THE ONLY TRUE GOD, AND JESUS CHRIST, WHOM THOU HAST SENT.” John 17:3.

IN AFRICA a medical missionary had a station in the jungle, where he would tell the natives the wonderful story of Jesus and His love. He also gave them medicines for their sicknesses so that many were healed.

“The white man has great magic!” the Africans said. “Not only can he tell wonderful tales about the great God, but he can also heal the sick.” The news circulated to a village eighty miles away. One African boy named Sam was sick in that village; he walked all those miles to see if the story was true, and if the missionary could make him well.

After examination, the missionary told Sam he would soon be well if he stayed a few days for treatment. He did, and during the day he walked around the station. To his great astonishment, he saw “a hen that had ducks for children!” Why the missionary’s hen had ducklings! Each time the hen called, the ducklings hurried to her side. For awhile Sam was almost afraid to move. What magic!

Soon Sam was cured, and free to go home. His return was soon known in every hut in the village, and they asked him, “Had the white man great magic? What was he like? What can he do?” Sam told them that the missionary was indeed the greatest magician in the world. He was a great healer, but he could even make chickens have ducks. Everyone was surprised. The witchdoctor stood openmouthed. What wonderful magic, unequalled by any witchdoctor!

The news of the hen with ducks spread all over the village. The black witchdoctor realized that his authority and power in the village were being challenged. No chicken could have ducks! The witchdoctor decided he would go and see for himself, and Sam would suffer for his lies.

The witchdoctor, a hideous specimen of African evil, eventually reached the mission station. Defiant and antagonistic to all around, he stood facing the missionary, and asked him about the hen. With a smile on his face, the missionary led the unbelieving witchdoctor to the hen with her ducks. It was real. “It is easily done,” said the missionary. “If you put a hen to sit on duck’s eggs, the eggs will hatch and the little ducks will think the hen is their mother.” The witchdoctor had never heard of such a thing.

“Have you any more wonderful things like this?” he asked.

The missionary sat down and told the witchdoctor the more wonderful story of Jesus and His love. He told him how Jesus had died because He loved us, and that now we can go to heaven, if cleansed by His precious blood. This story surpassed anything the witchdoctor had ever heard.

The witchdoctor stayed a few days, and pondered over what he had heard. One thought superseded all others, and that was of the white man’s Saviour, Jesus. The last night of his stay he went into the prayer meeting, and to the surprise and joy of the others present, he began to pray, “Lord Jesus, you be the needle and I will be the cotton. You go first, and I will follow wherever you may lead.”

Thus in his own simple way, the witchdoctor publicly announced his allegiance to Christ. He went home again, and soon he was telling all the people in his village about the Lord Jesus who had died to save them. Gone were the wicked charms, and instead, a new glow shone from his radiant face.

The witchdoctor soon ordered trees to be cut, and before long a hall was built, where the Africans could come to hear about God’s great salvation. The former witchdoctor often preached to the people, and many took Christ as their Saviour. They often sang.

“The Man of Calvary, has won my heart from me,

And died to set me free — blest Man of Calvary.”

Many years have passed by, and the witchdoctor is now with Christ, but that little hall is still there. Every week the story of redeeming love is told to those who gather.

God loved you so much, dear rear, that He sent His own dear Son into this world to die for sinners, so that you might be saved. Trust Him today and He will give you a new life, a new nature, a peace and happiness you never had before, and a home in heaven at the end.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17.

Dear to the heart of the Shepherd, Dear are the lambs of His fold; Some from the pastures are straying, Hungry, and helpless, and cold. See, the good Shepherd is seeking, Seeking the lambs that are lost; Bringing them in with rejoicing, Saved at such infinite cost.

He (the Lord GOD) shall feed his flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11

ML-02/22/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 22:2-20

IN THESE chapters God gave instructions to His people Israel, telling them how they ought to act toward one another. And what good instructions they are! They could have been no better, nor could any one else have made laws so wise as these God gave Moses for the people to obey. No other nation under heaven was privileged to have such laws as He gave to Israel.

God’s law taught them what was worthy of a man, as God’s creature on earth. It told them in God’s own words what was right and what was wrong. Had they kept these commandments, they would have been wise and good men, fearing God and loving one another. In another book, later on, we hear God saying: “Oh that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it might he well with them, and with their children forever.” Deut. 5:29.

In all these laws we are impressed with the righteousness and justice displayed in them. We as Christians need to read every one carefully and treasure them up in our hearts, for they are all needful and important. We can take lessons from them, remembering that though we are ling in “the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2), though we are not under law but under grace, still God’s character is unchanged, and instead of expecting less from us who are His own now, than He did from Israel, He expects more, seeing He has freely forgiven all our sins by His grace.

God does not give us the law on tablets of stone, which once broken cannot be restored, but He writes them on the fleshly tables of our hearts by His Spirit (2 Cor. 3:3). To us who believe in His dear Son God gives a new life and a new nature, with new thoughts and desires. He also gives us the blessed Spirit of God to abide with us forever, to teach us about the Lord Jesus who is above and to help us to walk like Him down here. We do not have a law but a living Person to honor and obey. “We love Him because He first loved us,” we want to live for Him and to be as nearly like Him as we can.

In the first part of this chapter then we have the law of restitution, or act of restoring, in case of theft. Stealing has been a common form of sin in the world since man fell and many have lived by robbing others. God knew the evil thoughts and desires in the hearts of His people and said: “Thou shalt not steal.” Here we see how He would guard the property of His people, and make all who disregarded His law answerable to Himself.

How wonderful the story of the poor thief, dying for his crimes, crucified with the Lord Jesus, found Him to be the Saviour of sinners, confessed Him as Lord and went to be forever with Him in paradise. Grace triumphs over man’s sin and its penalty.

In verse 16 we have another coon form of sin — impurity in conduct. We live in days when sin is lightly thought of, when moral standards are falling rapidly, but God looks down and sees all. His standards change not; He abides faithful. As Christians, we are called to holiness — “as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (or, manner of life.)" 1 Pet. 1:15. Dear young Christian, we cannot keep our selves, but the Lord can and will keep us, if we desire to be kept.

The prayer of the godly, dependent Man in Psalm 16:1: “Preserve me, O God: for in Thee do I put my trust,” Psalm 16:1, is a good daily prayer for a young believer, and for older ones as well.

ML-02/22/1970

Happy Shepherd Boy

GLENN WAS just a poor shepherd boy; but he had come to know and love the Lord, and though his station in life was a very humble one, still he was very happy, for his hope was in heaven. He was watching his sheep one beautiful morning in the spring. The sheep were feeding in a lovely valley between wooded mountains, and Glenn was singing for very joy. It so happened that the king’s son was hunting in the neighborhood, and after watching the boy for a while he called him to him and said, “What makes you so happy my boy?”

Glenn did not know he was the prince, and he replied, “Why shouldn’t I be happy? No king is richer than me.”

“Well,” said the prince, “I am glad to hear that you are so well off. Now please tell me what it is that makes you so rich.”

“Well you see sir, the sun up yonder shines as brightly for me as it does for any king; and the mountains and the valleys look as beautiful to me as they could to a prince. I have everything I really need. I have enough to eat every day, good warm clothing to wear, and I earn enough money every year to take care of all my wants. And then, better than all, I know the Lord as my Saviour, sir; and He has prepared for me a home in heaven, better than any that can be found in this world. Don’t you think, sir, I ought to be happy?”

“Certainly you ought, my boy,” replied the prince. “No king can be richer than you are.”

It does one good just to think of such happiness as this. And yet this is what our Lord Jesus Christ gives to all those that love Him. This is the peace and contentment we shall find if we come and sit under His shadow.

“I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste.” Song of Sol. 2: 3.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psa. 91:1.

“Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.” 1 Tim. 6: 6,7,8.

ML-02/22/1970

His Last Word for Jesus

THE TOUCHING story is told of a poor peasant in the city of Bonn, Germany. He was suffering from cancer on his tongue, and the doctor was about to perform an operation to have it removed to save his life. In the room a number of medical students were assembled to watch the operation.

The surgeon warned his patient the operation would mean the loss of his speech for the rest of his days. “If you have a wish to express, you had better do so now,” said the surgeon kindly; “it is the last word you will ever speak.”

The poor peasant bowed his head, then with a touching accent he exclaimed, “Praise be to Jesus Christ!”

“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Rev. 1:5,6.

ML-02/22/1970

The Bible in the Pigpen

A MISSIONARY, who preached the gospel in South America, once told the story of how a man and his family down there were converted through a rather strange circumstance.

The man was a farmer who raised hogs. Someone presented him with a Bible. But he was satisfied with his religion, and had no love for the Book. In anger and contempt he threw the precious volume into the pigpen.

In the morning, when he went to feed his pigs, lo and behold, he found them all dead. In solemn dread and dismay, he took out the Bible, thinking it was the judgment of God upon him for his wickedness in thus treating the holy Book. The result was that he and his family began to read those sacred Scriptures, and a new and wonderful light began to dawn upon their darkened souls. This led to the conversion of the man and his whole family. “The people which sat in darkness saw great light.” Matt. 4:16.

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19.

This farmer, however, and his family came to the light. They rejoiced to find that not only is God Light, but that He is also Love (1 John 1:5; 4:16). That light reveals the darkness and sin of our hearts, but it also points us to the Saviour God Himself has provided, who died to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

The Scriptures tell us that every child of Adam is born in sin (Psa. 51:5); and we also read that “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23). Peter tells us that we must be “redeemed,” not with “silver and gold,... but with the precious blood of Christ.” 1 Pet. 1:18,19. Those who are not redeemed will be taken away one day to everlasting judgment.

The reason why those pigs died rains a mystery. The missionary inquired as to what the covers of the Bible were made of, but was told that the covers remained intact. Apparently the pigs had not touched the Book. So, the poet was right when he wrote, “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.”

Before his conversion the farmer had religion — cold, lifeless religion. But now he had Christ—the Saviour and Friend, who would be with him all through life and then take him safe Home to heaven. Dear reader, what do you possess — religion or Christ?

ML-03/01/1970

"I'm Glad It Is Settled!"

TOM CAME to some of our gospel services not long ago. One night he stayed behind to the “after meeting” and found Christ. When he went home he did not run into the parlor and tell his dear mother, but went upstairs in the dark without any supper and went to bed.

About eleven o’clock when his father and mother went up to bed, Mother said, “I will just look in Tom’s room and see if he is all right." So she crept in softly not to wake him. He looked very happy in his sleep, but she noticed by the candlelight that his lips were moving, and she heard him whisper, “I am so glad that it is settled"; then a pause like snoring "Jesus has taken all my sins away"—another pause—“I am washed in the blood of the Lamb.”

When Tom ran down to breakfast in the morning, his mother told him what he had said in his sleep.

Memory Verse “I HAVE BLOTTED OUT, AS A THICK CLOUD, THY TRANSGRESSIONS, AND AS A CLOUD, THY SINS.” Isa. 44:22.

ML-03/01/1970

"In de Dark, Daddy"

ONE EVENING when I was about to close up our building early, my little two-year-old daughter asked me to take her with me. So together we went through the basement, seeing that windows and doors were securely fastened. On reaching the main hall above, I told her to stand still until I had turned out the light, fearing that if she toddled along after me she might stumble and fall in the dark.

After the light was out I called out, “Darling, where are you?” not knowing the spot where she might be standing. The baby answer came back, full of love and faith, “In de dark, Daddy!” Guided by her voice, I took her hand and together we went to our warm lighted rooms upstairs.

Those who love the Saviour and have God as their Father know how sweet it is in the midst of the darkness of this world to hear His voice and to feel His hand leading them safely Home to heaven. Someone has written: I’d rather walk in the dark with God Than walk alone in the light I’d rather walk with Him by faith Than walk alone by sight.

Those who seek to walk in the light of their own sparks will find their sparks soon go out, and they “shall lie down in sorrow” (Isa. 50:11).

The Lord Jesus has told us, “He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12.

ML-03/01/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 22:21

ISRAEL were told, “Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him"; and this is repeated in chapter 23:9; “for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.” When no longer in the place of strangership, but in their own land, they would still know the heart of a stranger, having been such themselves in Egypt. They would remember how they had been oppressed, and the bitterness of their bondage of former clays, and they could sympathize with those who were strangers in a strange land, and show them kindness.

How sweet it is to know that our Lord Jesus, though He is no longer a stranger here, but has gone to the Father, yet having been such when down here in this world, He never forgets it. He knows by experience “the heart of a stranger” still!

The strangers in Israel were objects of the Lord’s special care, and were not to be “oppressed,” even by His own people. How touching the remembrance that when God’s dear Son, the Son of His love, was a stranger in this world, “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted,” (Isa. 53: 7). In Psalm 103: 6 it is said: “The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.” Yet in His case righteousness and judgment were executed against, and not for, Him. For on the cross God “made Him to be sin for us,” (2 Cor. 5:21), before it could be for Him in resurrection and glory. And He shares this place with all His own.

The blessed Lord Jesus who once sat in weariness at Sychar’s lonely well is now no more a stranger, but with the Father, “ascended up far above all heavens” — yet He is “the same.” And He doesn’t forget those He loves who are still down here in this world. If you are one of those who have trusted in Him, dear rear, He will make you to be the object of His love forever.

When He came into this world, brought to “the inn” — the place of strangers and sojourners — to be born, there was no room for Him even there! Not even a traveler’s accommodation in a world full without Him. Though Lord of all, and He alone able to meet the need and fill the hungry with good things, yet for Him there was “no room"!

O ever homeless Stranger,

Thus dearest Friend to me,

An outcast in a manger,

That Thou might’st with us be.”

When one sought to follow Him the Lord made it clear to him that it was a stranger whom he sought to follow, saying to him: “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.” Such was the path of Jesus here.

Yet the blessed Son of God gives His creatures to enjoy comforts He never enjoyed down here on earth. May we for whom He died, instead of settling down in the midst of those comforts, in the scene where He has called each to be “a pilgrim and stranger,” be able to look up and honestly say,

This is not my rest, Lord,

A pilgrim confessed,

Lord; I wait to be blest

At Thy coming again.

“Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.’ Micah 7:19

How happy, how happy, how happy is he

Whose sins are all buried far under the sea,

Who’s trusting in Jesus, his Shield and his Tower,

And daily is proving His keeping power.

ML-03/01/1970

The Young People's Class: Joshua

1. When Joshua fell to the earth upon his face and prayed, what did the Lord tell him to do, which showed he did not have the mind of the Lord? Josh. 7.

2. What should characterize a Christian who would call on the Lord out of a pure heart? 2 Tim.

3. What did the Lord require of Joshua and the people before His presence would be with them again? Josh.

4. What kind of persons were some of those once who were now sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord? 1 Cor. 6.

5. When did Joshua begin searching for the one who had wrought folly in Israel? Josh.

6. What should characterize us if we would have part in the work of the Lord? Titus.

7. Against whom did Achan rightly acknowledge his sin, which is what everyone must do at some time? Josh.

ML-03/01/1970

"Take His Word for It!"

A YOUNG student boy had broken the rules at school and flunked his final exam. His father was terribly disappointed and upset and when he spoke to his son about it, the boy got angry and abused his father with harsh words. Then, stalking out of the house, he vowed he would never come back. However, he soon felt sorry for the way he had acted, and returning to his father he asked his forgiveness. His father’s kind words and loving embrace at once assured him that he was forgiven and no more was said about the matter.

The years passed and that same boy grew up and became a colonel in the army. At the battle of Gettysburg he was seriously wounded. His father, who was an evangelist, came to see him in the hospital, and hang learned from the surgeon that there was no hope for his recovery, he sat down by his son’s bedside.

“O Father,” said the young man, as he threw his arms around his neck, “how glad I am to see you! Tell me about Mother and Sister.” Then when his father broke the news to him that he could not live long, he exclaimed: “Father, I’m afraid to die. I’m not prepared. Tell me how I can be ready. I know you can, for I’ve heard you tell others. Make it so plain that I can get hold of it!”

“Well, you feel guilty, don’t you?” said his father.

“Yes, I have been wicked. You know how it is in the army, and that’s why I’m afraid to die.”

“You want to be forgiven, don’t you?”

“Yes, can I be? And can I know it before I die?”

“Yes, certainly.” said his father. “Well now, Father; make it so plain that I can get hold of it!”

“Do you remember that time when you were at school and I had reason to rebuke you, how angry you got with me?”

“Yes, I was thinking it all over. As I thought about your coming, I felt so bad about it that I wanted to see you once more and ask you to forgive me. I am so sorry that I talked to you like that.”

“What did I say to you?”

“You said, ‘I forgive you with all my heart,’ and kissed me. I have never forgotten it.”

“Did you believe me?”

“Certainly. I never doubted your word.”

“Did you feel happy again?”

“Yes; and I loved you better than ever after that.”

“Well, this is just the thing for you to do now. Tell the Lord Jesus that you are a sinner, but that you are sorry for your sins and for the way you treated Him. Ask Him to forgive you, just as simply as you did me. He is ready to forgive, and you must take His word for it, just as you took mine.” Does not His Word say: “For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.” Psa. 86:5.

The young man turned his head upon his pillow exhausted, and the father sank back in his chair and wept. Soon after he felt a shaky hand on his head and heard his son’s voice, saying: “Father, I don’t want you to weep any more. I am happy. Jesus has forgiven me. I know it; I take His word for it, as I did yours.”

A little later, the doctor came in to see his patient and to take his pulse.

“Why, Colonel,” he exclaimed, “you look better! What has happened?”

“Well, Doctor, Father told me how to be a Christian. I told the Lord Jesus I was sorry, and He has forgiven me. I am going to get well and Doctor, I want you to be a Christian too.”

He did get well again, and lived to be a happy devoted Christian.

And now, dear reader, have you ever turned to Jesus and told Him you were a sinner, and that you are sorry for your past life, and repented of your sins? He has died to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, so that if you come to Him and ask His forgiveness, He can say, “Thy sins are forgiven” (Luke 7:48), and you can take His word for it!

“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Eph. 1:7.

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.”

“I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT... JOY SHALL BE IN HEAVEN OVER ONE SINNER THAT REPENTETH.” Luke 15:7.

ML-03/08/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 22:22-31

“YE SHALL not afflict any wow, or fatherless child... I will surely hear their cry.” In these verses we read the tender heart of God for the poor and the helpless. They are the objects of His tender mercies and care all through Scripture.

“If thou at all take thy neighbor’s raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down; for that is his covering only...: wherein shall he sleep?” Oh the tenderness of the heart of God who would think and feel for a poor man without a covering for his body when he lay down to sleep at night! What a God we have!

David knew well the tender heart of God. How many nights he had spent out under the stars, alone, when hunted by Saul; but the Lord watched over him and preserved him. How often in the Psalms he speaks of the lovingkindness of the Lord. “Because Thy loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee.... Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the show of Thy wings will I rejoice.” Psa. 63:3,7.

“Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of Thy people.” The “gods” here, as used elsewhere, refer to judges, or those in authority. This is a timely word for the Christian today when almost every authority is being challenged, when many demand the right of free speech, to say what they like, and often heap slander and contempt on those set in places of rule. Christians are to be “subject unto the higher powers... the powers that be are ordained of God.” Rom. 13:1. We are to pay respect and obedience to these authorities as long as we are not called on to do something contrary to the will of God.

“Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits.” When Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the Lord, the Lord would not accept it. That was because he brought it as the ground of his acceptance before God. But the children of Israel here were a people redeemed by blood and now they were to own God’s claims over what they possessed.

If you are still unsaved, dear rear, God does not ask you to do something nor ask you to bring something. You must first come to Christ, to be cleansed from your sins in His precious blood, and then God will accept your offerings of praise and thanksgiving. You will then delight to own His claims over you and all you have.

I love to own, Lord Jesus,

Thy claims o’er me divine;

Bought with Thy blood most precious

Whose can I be but Thine?

Under the law the people must give a certain amount, and they must give promptly, but grace teaches us to give more than they, joyfully and willingly.

“And ye shall be holy men unto Me; neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.” Those whom the Lord has redeemed are to be separated unto Him, who is holy. He would have us suited to Himself. Things of the flesh which those in the world ("the field") feed on are unclean to the Christian. The food of the “new man” is Christ alone.

ML-03/08/1970

Carol's Charms

CAROL liked to put pennies in candy and gum ball machines. She also liked to collect the charms that came out. She put the charms on a string, and made a bracelet out of them. After several months she had about fifty charms. She was very proud of them.

One day Carol left her charm bracelet in her desk at school, and went out for recess. When she came back to her class, she found her charms were gone. Someone had stolen them during recess, and the thief was never found. The teacher told the class that if anyone had stolen the bracelet they should return it, but no one did.

Carol shed many tears when she got home, and told Mother the whole story. Mother sympathized with her; but she said: “Carol, perhaps you were holding something of this world too tightly. Sometimes the Lord will take a thing away from us if we think too much of it. Then too, as the Christian grows older, the Lord wants to have the first place in our hearts. If we let the things of this world come in and rob our enjoyment of Him, then He may have to take those things away from us. A little poem says,

“Let me hold lightly things of this earth,

All of its pleasures, what are they worth?

Let me hold Tightly things that are Thine,

And all Thy love, Lord, may it be mine.”

The Lord Jesus wants to have the first place in your heart, dear young friend. The reason why many Christians are not happy is because their hearts are set on things of this world things which can never satisfy, rather than on the One who loves there and has died for them. The secret of true happiness is to know Christ as one’s Saviour, to walk and talk with Him as a very dear Friend. The enjoyment of Christ in our hearts will separate us from this world which does not want Him, but it will give us a peace and happiness the world cannot give, and which it knows nothing about.

“For the love of Christ constraith us... that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again.” 2 Cor. 5:14,15.

ML-03/08/1970

"All Things Work Together for Good"

IN ENGLAND Bernard Gilpin was I sentenced, under Queen Mary Tudor to die for his faith. During his imprisonment he repeated one text morning and night: “We know that all things work tether for good to them that love God.”

On his way to execution he fell and broke his leg. He was ordered back to prison, and while he moaned in pain, the jailer twitted him with his text.

“Ah!” the good man replied, “but it’s true all the same. It’s all working together for good!” And sure enough it was. For, while he lay there, Mary died, Elizabeth ascended the throne, and Bernard Gilpin was set at liberty.

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

ML-03/08/1970

An Elephant's Gentleness

IN INDIA a large elephant showed by the constant twitching of his huge body, that he was much annoyed by his persecutors, the mosquitoes. Just at that time his keeper brought a tiny Indian baby, as round as a ball, and laying it down before the huge animal, uttered two words in Hindustani, “Watch it.” Then he walked away into the town.

The elephant immediately broke off a large bough of a tree so as to make a whisk, and directed his whole attention to the child, gently fanning the tiny thing and driving away every mosquito which came near it. This he continued for upward of two hours, regardless of himself, until the keeper returned.

It was really a touching sight, causing much reflection. Here was an immense creature, whose weight exceeded that of the infant by at least a thousand times, silently proving the truth of sacred Scripture, that God has given to man dominion over the beasts of the field (Gen. 1:26). And here too, was a brute animal setting an example of devotion and self-denial that few, none indeed perhaps but a mother, would have shown.

When we think of the immensity of this elephant and his gentleness, it carries our thoughts on to Him who is the elephant’s Maker, the Son of God, the Creator of the universe, whose greatness and power is infinitely beyond the elephant’s, but whose love and gentleness exceeds even that of a mother. We read of Him as the One that “sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers"; before whom the nations are as a drop in the bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales. Yet it is He who “shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” (Isaiah 40.)

When He was here on earth He took the little children up in His arms and blessed them, saying, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 19:14.

Who can conceive the joy and happiness of being in heaven forever with such a blessed Man! And yet, dear young friends, we can know Him and enjoy His love down here, if we come and trust Him as our Saviour.

ML-03/15/1970

Not Afraid of Satan

A LITTLE boy came to his father one day, looking very much in earnest, and asked this question, “Daddy, is Satan stronger than I am?”

“Yes, my boy,” said the father.

“Is he stronger than you, Daddy?” “Yes, my boy, he is stronger than your father or any other man.”

“Is he stronger than Jesus, Day?”

“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 Satan 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.” Psalm 91:9,10.

ML-03/15/1970

A New Testament for a Knife

“WHAT book is that you have?” said a young shepherd to his friend, seeing him with a little book in his hand.

“Oh,” said Jock, “this is a New Testament.”

“What will you take for it?” inquired Steve. “I should very much like to have it. I will give you my knife for it.”

So saying, he held out the long knife which he always carried in his pocket. Neither of them had any idea of the value of the New Testament, or any thought of God, but Steve thought that he wanted the book. The bargain was made and so the New Testament and the knife changed hands.

Who do you think had the best of the bargain? Perhaps some boys would prefer the knife to the New Testament. Well, now let me tell you the rest of the story.

Steve began to read his new possession and as he studied it day after day he prized it more and more. He soon came to realize what a sinner he was, but that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners such as he. It was not long before he became a true believer, trusting in the Lord Jesus as his Saviour and rejoicing in the knowledge of sins forgiven. Now he could thank and praise God for saving him in such a wonderful way from a life of sin.

But what about his friend? Did he too benefit from the exchange? Oh no! He who had so readily given up the Word of God for a knife got into bad company. He went from bad to worse, was convicted of a serious crime and sent to prison. What a striking contrast! The one who took the Bible in exchange for his knife found the Saviour and received eternal life, while his friend went to prison reaping the fruit of his rejection of God’s Holy Word.

Someone is choosing the Saviour today,

Someone’s inviting Him in to stay;

Someone is bidding Him go away!

What are you doing with Jesus?

Immortal life’s in the question,

And joy thro’ eternity:

Then what will you do with Jesus?

Oh, what shall the answer be?

ML-03/15/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 23:1-13

“THOU shalt not raise a false report.” Here is a needful word for us all, both young and old, for it includes not only “raising” but also “accepting” a false report. Both are forbidden. Perhaps one would not stoop to raise a false report, but many have fallen into the snare of believing a story that later was proved to be untrue. We should be very careful not to tell things about others unless we are sure they are true. Even then we should avoid being a tale-bearer; often it is best not to let a matter go any further. “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” Prov. 11:13. “Love... thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.”

“Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.” Sometimes a young Christian has to stand alone, when the rest of the crowd are bent on going somewhere or doing things which he knows are not pleasing to his Lord and Saviour. It is hard to stand alone at such times, but the Lord can give one courage to be steadfast, and one will have joy and peace in seeking to honor Him. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Rom. 8:31.

“If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden... thou shalt surely help him.” v. 5. God’s pity and compassion ever go out to His poor dumb creatures, struggling under the bondage that man’s sin has brought in. He wants us to be like Him and show them kindness.

“And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof; but the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat.” v. 11. They were not to be greedy and think that they would gain more by working their land seven years. The land was to enjoy her sabbaths for it was His land, and both man and the land were to enjoy God’s rest. He cares for all His creatures, whether they be the poor or the beasts of the field.

May we who belong to the Lord, not live just for ourselves, but remember what He has done for us, and seek to show His kindness to others in need. The selfishness of many is the cause of so much of this world’s sorrow.

Then in verse 12 They were to work six days and rest the seventh, so that their servants and animals might rest also. This is ever true for this creation, and those who recognize it reap a benefit instead of losing by it.

For us who are Christians, we are not called to keep the Sabbath, or seventh day, for we are not on Jewish ground. Our rest is not here on earth, but is waiting for us in heaven. “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” Heb. 4: 9. We have the first day of the week, or resurrection day, the day the Lord rose from the dead, the day the Church was formed, the day the disciples broke bread in remembrance of the Lord’s death; it is called in Scripture the Lord’s day. So we should use it for Him and not for ourselves. If we were farmers, our animals might get their rest, but we might be more tired at the close of the day through serving the Lord, than on any other day; it is marked out as His, and we, therefore, should not use it for pleasure and thus rob the Lord.

ML-03/15/1970

Clocks Converted

IN GENEVA, a visitor saw this nice in a watchmaker’s shop window:

“CLOCKS CONVERTED TO CHIMING.”

By this he supposed that the watchmaker could take an ordinary clock, add certain mechanisms and change it into a clock that chimed.

Only after a sinner has been converted can he make “a joyful sound” unto the Lord, and that song of praise is first learned when in true repentance he turns to the Saviour, believes Jesus died for him, finds the burden of his sins taken away and himself brought to God.

The first singing we read of in the Bible was when the children of Israel, just redeemed out of Egypt, stood on the banks of the Red Sea and burst forth into that wonderful song of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. Well might they sing in the joy and gladness of their hearts, for God had delivered them from Pharaoh’s power, He had brought them to Himself and they were now standing on redemption ground.

A missionary once told a classroom of pupils of the great change that has come to many children in Africa. Before the gospel came, they were filled with dread and fear of evil spirits. Now, the sweet story of salvation through faith in Jesus has given them a new song. Thousands of native children delight in singing gospel hymns and choruses, because they believe in the Saviour.

In a leper asylum in the Far East, a lady missionary was addressing the leper women. Before closing, she asked for their favorite hymn. At once the request came: “Sing that hymn, “I feel like singing all the time, My tears are wiped away; For Jesus is a Friend of mine; I’ll praise Him every day.”

These poor believing leper women could sing the new song. Can you?

“Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood... to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Rev. 1:5,6.

Memory Verse “MUCH MORE THEN, BEING NOW JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH HIM.” Romans 5:9.

ML-03/15/1970

The Japanese Lamp Mender

“HAVE YOU ANY lamps to be mended?” The cry was heard again and again in the streets of Yokohama. He Eisho, the lamp mender, was well known to the missionaries and native Christians, for they knew that lamp mending was only a means to an end, and that end was the proclamation of the love of Jesus Christ the Saviour in every corner of the city.

He was born in China, but as his parents died when he was quite young, he chose his own way and went to Japan to seek his fortune. For a time he was prosperous and wealthy, but dark days came. He lost all his property, and nearly lost his reason as well.

Wretched, poor and ill, He wanted something to divert his mind, and seeing a rag dealer one day he purchased from him a book. That book proved to be a Bible, and led He to desire to know more of the Christian doctrine. Then a Christian man invited him to go to some gospel services, and by and by, He accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour and was baptized.

Said He, “God has taken away my earthly riches that He may give me heavenly riches. I’m quite willing to be poor, but I must find a way of leading others to the Saviour. How can I, a poor, humble Chinaman, do it in this land of Japan?”

Finally, he decided that going about mending lamps would give him wonderful opportunities to proclaim the gospel. So, day by day, he went up and down the streets with his little cart, crying: “Have you any lamps to be mended?” He had many earnest talks with his customers, and many passersby stopped to listen with interest to the beautiful message of love he told so simply and fearlessly.

When someone would press him to go into business again, he would reply, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?”

He lived in a tiny room in Chinatown and, poor as he was, he never kept all his earnings for his own use. Inside his old worn coat were two bags, and when he was paid for work he put half in each bag: one for the Lord and the other to supply his own need. He gave of his own living to the poor and needy. And often he would translate the preacher’s message from Japanese into Chinese for his own countrymen.

As he neared the end of his life he was taken to the hospital and there until the last he preached Christ to all around him. The day of his funeral, the little hall was filled with Chinese and Japanese, and missionaries, who mourned sincerely for the loss of the faithful devoted lamp mender who had gone home to be with his Saviour.

“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psa. 126:6.

ML-03/22/1970

Baby Moses

When Moses was just a baby, a cruel king of Egypt sent forth an order that all the baby boys of the Israelites should be thrown into the river Nile and drowned. But Moses’ mother was a woman of faith, and so she hid him three months (Heb. 11:23). He was a beautiful child, “exceeding fair,” and she was taught of God to keep him from death. When it was no longer possible to hide him in the home, she made an ark of bulrushes, and put little Moses into it, and laid it by the river, among the long flags. What a dangerous place for a baby with all those crocodiles around!

But God preserved him and sent the daughter of Pharaoh down to the river to rescue him. When she heard the little fellow crying, she took pity on him and drew him out of the water. Moses’ sister, Miriam, was watching to see what would happen, and she came forward and asked if she could get a nurse for the baby. She got her mother and Pharaoh’s daughter told her to nurse him for her. How wonderfully God looked after little Moses. He became the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and when he grew older he became a faithful servant of the Lord and the deliverer of His people.

Like little Moses we were all condemned to death because of sin. But those who trust in the Lord pass safely through death, for “in Christ” they are “drawn out,” like Moses, to live a life of faith and service to God.

ML-03/22/1970

Fishing

Most boys like to go fishing. Tim, Joe and Ralph each have a fish on their hooks, but Harry’s got away.

There’s Someone who is fishing for boys’ hearts and girls’ too. I wonder if you can tell me who that is? Yes, the Lord Jesus. Has He captured your heart yet? He says, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matt. 4:19.

Hear Christ calling, “Come unto Me, I will give you rest,

I will make you fishers of men,

Fishers of men, fishers of men;

I will make you fishers of men

If you follow Me,

I heard the call, "Come, follow!"—that was all;

Earth’s joys grew dim, my soul went after Him;

I rose and followed—that was all.

Will you not follow if you hear His call?

ML-03/22/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 23:1 4-1 8

“THREE times thou shalt keep a feast unto Me in the year.” God has His joy in having His redeemed people gathered around Himself, and they have their joy in thus being assembled around Him. The sacrifices and offerings Israel were to bring all spoke of Christ; so now God and His people can rejoice together in thoughts of all that Christ is, and in the work He has done. Gathered in this way, as Christians, we are reminded that though we once belonged to this world, now we belong to God, and we owe all our blessings to Him.

The first feast Israel were to keep was “the feast of unleavened bread,” and this was always in connection with the Passover. Leaven in Scripture always speaks of evil. Thus the child of God is to remember he has been redeemed by the blood of Christ, that He is separated unto the Lord, and must therefore put away evil out of his life. “And none shall appear before Me empty.” As Christians, we ought not to come before the Lord empty-handed. One sacrifice we can bring is “praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Heb. 13:15.

Another sacrifice is “to do good and to communicate” to others. How good it is to see boys and girls showing kindness in helping others who are in need. “For with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Heb. 13:16.

The next feast was “the feast of weeks,” or Pentecost. Fifty days after the waving of the sheaf of first-fruits (Christ in resurrection,) they were to bring an offering of two loaves baked with leaven, along with other sacrifices. It was to be a day of rejoicing before the Lord, and was the beginning of the ingathering of the harvest. The two loaves speak of the Church, composed of Jews and Gentiles, and identified with Christ in resurrection: “Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.” 1 Cor. 15:23. This began, as it were, on the day of Pentecost, when the Church was first formed, but it goes on to take in all the redeemed — the vast multitude of redeemed from every age and dispensation. And the reaping time is still going on — “the fields are white unto harvest.” The harvest will soon be ended. May we, dear Christian reader, pray that the Lord of the harvest will thrust forth laborers into His harvest. May we be stirred up to proclaim the wonderful message of God’s love all around and seek to bring lost ones to the Saviour.

Then, last, we have the “feast of tabernacles,” or, “ingathering,” at the end of their harvest and vintage, when they enjoyed the fruits of God’s goodness. Israel dwelt in booths during this feast, in remembrance of their having lived in tents when brought out of Egypt. This feast pre-figures the millennium, (which will be the Sabbath for the earth), founded on Him who was the true Passover. God’s earthly people will then enter into God’s rest. It was a feast of gladness and joy, and looks on to the day when Israel shall be a rejoicing, and blessing shall flow out from the earthly Jerusalem to the whole earth. It will be a Wondrous scene of joy and blessing, not only for Israel, but for all the nations of the earth, and all creation as well.

We read about an eighth day in connection with this last feast. This brings before us another new beginning, without an end being mentioned. This is that blest eternal day when God will bring in a new and final scene of blessing. O how blest are those who, saved by grace, will have part in that “vast universe of bliss,” where Christ will be the center and the theme of all their worship and praise.

ML-03/22/1970

"Without Money and Without Price"

A DOCTOR was in his office one day when a poor old man came to see him. He told the doctor his eyesight was growing dim. The doctor examined his eyes and then said: “You have cataracts on your eyes. You should go and see an eye specialist at once.”

The old man was poor, but taking all the money he had saved, he went to see the specialist. The specialist told him, “We will have to operate on your eyes to take those cataracts off. My fee for the operation will be $300.”

“I will have to go blind then,” said the poor old man, sorrowfully. “Fifty dollars is all the money that I have.”

The specialist who was a kindhearted man then said, “I believe you when you say you cannot pay my fee, that you have only $50. But I will do the operation free of charge.”

When it comes to salvation, we all, rich and poor, small and great, have nothing to pay. Nor can salvation be bought with money. Salvation has been purchased at infinite cost by the blood of Jesus on the cross. He has paid the price of our redemption by the sacrifice of Himself.

Now God can offer salvation, full and free, to “whosoever will,” and this is the only way that it can be obtained.

“And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both.” Luke 7:42.

“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.” Eph. 2: 8.

“Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that bath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come,... without money and without price.” Isa. 55: 1.

ML-03/22/1970

Freddy's Boat

“I wish I had a boat,” sighed little Freddy, as with envious eyes he watched a happy group of children in bare feet racing along the beach, guiding the rather uncertain movements of a pretty toy yacht. He hadn’t the courage to ask them if he could join them, for they were such well-dressed children and he was only a poor fisherman’s boy. So he perched himself on the big docks to watch the fun.

“Daddy’s too poor to buy me one, so I won’t ask him,” determined the loyal little fellow.

A few minutes later, he saw something dark bobbing up and down on the waves close by. Thinking it might be some treasure from the sea, he waded out and picked it up. But this time, he was disappointed. It was only a piece of driftwood! He threw it up on the beach, but the next moment he picked it up again. Something in its shape had given him an idea.

“Why, I’ll make one,” he thought rapturously, “and I’ll have a boat of my very own, after all.” From his pocket he produced a broken old jack-knife, and with this he set to work. But try as he would, the blunt old blade made very little impression, and then it slipped and pierced his hand. Frightened and hurt, he ran home to the little cottage up the shore.

“Why, Freddie, whatever is wrong now?” exclaimed his mother. And into her sympathetic ear he poured the story of his longings and failure.

Late in the evening, after Freddie had gone to bed, his father came home, and having heard what had happened he slipped up to the room overhead where his little boy was sleeping. There was something dark and hard sticking out from under the blanket, and drawing it gently back, he saw his little son was still grasping the old piece of driftwood.

A tender look came over the strong rugged face of the fisherman. Carefully he loosened the clasp of the small hands, and carried the wood back downstairs. Long into the night he worked, for he wanted to surprise his little boy in the morning. At last, it was finished—a boat such as Freddie had longed for. Strong, skillful fingers had succeeded where the poor child’s feeble ones had failed, and once more the sleeper’s hands were clasped around the treasure.

And in the morning? You know as well as I do, what happened, only it was very hard to convince Freddie that his fine boat had really been made out of that old piece of driftwood!

Hearing of Freddie made me think of how our lives are like that old piece of driftwood. Many a boy and girl have sought to shape their lives to something noble and beautiful, but found they had not the strength or courage as they hoped, and failed; often sin came in and spoiled it all. But we have a Father in heaven who can always succeed where we fail. When young hearts are yielded to the Saviour, God can shape and mold young lives to be to His honor and praise, like His own Son. I know of many boys and girls who once were failures but have come to the Lord and put their trust in Him, and now they are happy Christians, and reflect Christ wherever they go. You can be one of them.

Then there is a morning coming too, that morning without clouds, when the Saviour shall come, and those who love Him shall suddenly leave behind this world’s darkness and be forever in the light of His presence. What joyful surprises and wonders will there be in that day!

Oh, the crowning day is coming!

Is coming by and by;

When our Lord shall come in “power”

And “glory” from on high.

Oh, the glorious sight will gladden

Each waiting, watchful eye,

In the crowning day that’s coming

By and by.

ML-03/29/1970

The Ferry Man

MR. BELL and his little daughter Emily were returning home late in the evening. They had to cross a river by ferry and it was dark as they boarded the boat.

“Daddy,” said the little girl, “it’s very dark; I can’t see the shore where we are going.”

“No, my dear,” said her father, “but the ferry man knows the way, and we shall soon be home where it will be light and there will be a good warm fire.”

“Oh, I wish I were there, Daddy,” she said. However, in a short time after they landed they reached home, where loving arms received her; the room was warm and flooded with light. Her fears had all passed away.

Some months after this, little Ely stood on the brink of another river, darker, deeper, more fearful still. It was the river of death. She had taken very ill some days before. Her dear father and mother watched over her night and day and prayed for the life of their precious child. For hours, she had been slumbering very quietly, and it seemed as if her spirit might pass away without her waking again. But just before dawn she suddenly woke up, her eyes bright and her mind clear, while a sweet smile played on her face.

“Daddy,” she said, “it seems I have come to the river side, and I’m waiting for someone to carry me over. But it is not dark; oh no, it’s all light. It seems I can see a beautiful city and I can see Jesus. I’m not afraid.” And so with this vision of heavenly glory before her, the dear little girl entered upon her eternal rest.

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

Those that seek Me early shall find Me. Prov. 8:17

ML-03/29/1970

A Letter

Sally and her little brother are down at the seashore. Sally has written a letter to her Grandma and is giving it to the postman. Here comes little Carl with one too. We all like to get letters.

Some letters bring good news; some make us sad. God has written us a letter and He wants us to read it. He tells us the sad story of how Adam and Eve sinned, that we are all sinners, and “The soul that sinneth it shall die.”

But later on He tells us the good news that His own dear Son, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Now those who believe on Jesus are saved and go to be with Him in heaven. What a wonderful letter the Bible is!

“Suffer the children!” Oh, hear His voice,

Let ev’ry heart leap forth and rejoice,

And let us freely make Him our choice;

Do not delay, but come.

Dost thou believe on the Son of God? John 9, 35

ML-03/29/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 23:18-33

THERE ARE two very important things for us in this 18th verse. First, “Thou shalt not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leavened bread.” Leaven always speaks of evil. If one professes to be saved through the blood of Jesus, how sad if he should be going on with some kind of sin. We live in days when sin is so lightly thought of, but it is not so with God. If God were so definite in His command to His people Israel, how much more careful should we be when we think of how much the Lord Jesus has done for us.

Then, second, “neither shall the fat of My sacrifice remain until the morning.” The fat of the sacrifice was the best part. It was God’s part, and was to be offered at once — not put off until later. The Lord’s claims come first. How often have we left His things until tomorrow, so that we can do our own things today! But to give the Lord the supreme place in our hearts and lives, thinking first of what is due to Him and losing sight of everything else until this is done, is the secret of all blessing.

There is a warning given here, which is repeated twice elsewhere (chap. 34:26, Deut. 14:21): “Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk,” an act most opposed to nature, a most uncomely thing to do. God would guard us from all that is abnormal and unnatural. He would have us have tender hearts and consciences, even in the case of a dumb or dead animal.

Then He tells them, “Behold I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.” We believe the Angel here to be Jehovah Himself, who has ever been the leader of His people, and it is precious to think that the Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Son of God of the New. He would bring them in in spite of the doomed Canaanites, who should be driven out: “Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.” v. 24; “lest they make thee sin against Me.” v. 33. We can never expect to be kept from dishonoring the Lord’s name if we make friends, or maintain friendships, with the world. This world once crucified God’s own Son, and it is still at enmity with God. We can bring the gospel to the world, but how can we be friends with those who are the enemies of God? (James 4:4).

We can see that Israel’s blessings depended on their separation from evil, and in serving the Lord their God (vv. 24,25). And this is true for us today, as it was with them. In a later day we read of the new converts at Thessalonica, that they “turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven.”

“I will not drive them out from bore thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.” God would lead His people on, and bless them according to the measure they would be able to bear. It is so with His saints now. In His wisdom, God does not reveal the truth to us all at once, but He leads His children on “with gentle heavenly growth” —precept upon precept; line upon line... here a little, and there a little.” Isa. 28:10.

The children of Israel never did take possession of all that God had for them. Even in the reigns of David and Solomon there remained those Canaanites who were never expelled. But the day is coming when under the reign of Christ, all that Israel lost under responsibility because of their unfaithfulness, they will enter into and enjoy by His grace and power.

ML-03/29/1970

The Anvil

Last eve I paused beside a blacksmith’s door,

And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;

Then looking in, I saw upon the floor,

Old hammers worn with beating years of time.

“How many anvils have you had?” said I,

“To wear and batter all these hammers so?”

“Just one,” said he, and then with twinkling eye,

“The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”

And so, I thought, the anvil of God’s Word,

For ages skeptic blows have beat upon,

Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,

The ANVIL is unharmed, the hammers GONE!

“The word of the Lord endureth forever.” 1 Pet. 1:25

ML-03/29/1970

The Shepherd's Voice

A traveler and a Syrian shepherd once had a little argument. The traveler insisted that sheep knew the dress of their master, not his voice. The shepherd, on the other hand, insisted that it was the voice they knew.

So, to settle the dispute, he and the traveler exchanged clothes and went among the sheep. The traveler in the shepherd’s dress began to call the sheep and tried to lead them, but they didn’t know his voice and never moved. However, when their own shepherd began calling them, even though he was disguised, they all ran at once after him.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27.

ML-03/29/1970

A Friend in Need

JEFF WAS a young cocker spaniel, and one wintry day he was out taking a walk with his master. When they passed the edge of a small pond they were startled by the frantic yelps of a puppy. The pup had apparently ventured into the water. A man and his little boy were trying to rescue their pup but the ice was too thin for them to walk out on it.

Every time the little dog would set his paws up on the ice it would break and he would fall back into the cold water again.

Without any hesitation, Jeff ran out on the ice and slowly edged is way toward the stricken pup. The ice held, and after many attempts he finally got close enough to grasp the little dog’s collar and so help him up on the solid ice. Then turning quickly as though he knew the ice would not hold their combined weight he raced to shore followed by the happy, grateful puppy. How thankful the pup must have been to his savior and friend. He ran to the side of the little boy who was as greatly relieved and thankful as he was.

I do not know if the cocker had ever met the little pup before or not. At any rate, it did not matter; he was willing to risk his life to save him.

We were all like that little pup sinking down into those dark waters of sin and death, without God, without hope. The Lord Jesus saw us in our peril and came to save us. There is nothing in us as sinners that could draw out His favor, but He came in the pure love of His heart, to show His kindness toward us and rescue us. Unlike the little spaniel whose feet never touched the dread water, the Lord Jesus went down into those deep dark waters of death and judgment which we deserved. When He rose again from the dead, He became the victorious living Saviour for all who trust Him. Is He your Saviour, dear young reader?

Memory Verse “OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR OUR SINS, THAT HE MIGHT DELIVER US FROM THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD.” Gal. 1:3, 4.

ML-04/05/1970

Robert's Rescue

ROBERT WAS a Scotch boy, the son of Christian parents. When just a child, he learned to sing with his mother the old Psalms that were as household words to them in the kirk and by the fireside. When Robert grew up he wandered away from his homeland. He was captured by the Turks and made a slave in one of the Barbary States. But he never forgot the songs of Zion, although he sang them in a strange land and in the ears of heathen men.

One night, when out under the stars, in his loneliness he found comfort singing some of the old hymns he learned as a boy. It so happened that some English sailors on board a man-of-war heard the familiar tune of “Old Hundred,” “Praise God from whom all blessings flow,” floating over the waves. As they listened, the thought came to them that perhaps one of their own countrymen was languishing away his life as a captive on that hostile shore. Quickly they armed themselves, manned a boat, and quietly paddled ashore. Soon they found poor Robert and made known to him the purpose of their coming. It was not long before they had him in the boat with them and were heading back for their ship. Oh what joy it was for Robert to be with friends again after 18 long years passed in slavery!

However, those years were not wasted for Robert, for God makes all things work together for good to them that love Him, to them who are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). Robert proved the Lord’s love and care, and learned to trust Him in a way he had never done before.

“Trust in the Lord;...

“Delight Thyself also in the Lord;...

“Commit thy way unto the Lord;...

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.”

— Psalm 37:3-7.

ML-04/05/1970

The Snow Prayer

Little Mae went out to play in the pure white snow that had just fallen. When she came in, she said, “Mommy, I couldn’t help praying when I was out playing in the snow.”

“What did you pray, my dear?” asked Mother.

“I prayed the snow prayer that I learned in Sunday school — ‘Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow,’" replied Mae.

“Well now, that was a beautiful prayer,” said Mother. “And there is a sweet promise to go with it: ‘Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.’ "

“And what can wash them white as snow? The Bible says in Revelation 7, ‘These are they which... have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’ "

ML-04/05/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 24:1-7

IN THE previous chapters God had told His people Israel, through Moses, of the covenant that He would make with them. He told them too of what their conduct should be, in view of this relationship they had been brought into with Himself. Now the time had come to have this covenant confirmed. Moses, Aaron, Nab, and Abihu (Aaron’s sons), and seventy of the elders of Israel were called up unto the Lord into the mountain. Then with the exception of Moses, they were called to “worship afar off.”

That was under the law, but how different now under grace, since Christ has died and redemption through His blood has been brought in! This is the only way of approach to God as we are told: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,... let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” (Heb. 10:19, 22). Now, all who are saved, can come into the very presence of God and worship without any doubt or fear as to their acceptance, for we are “accepted in the Beloved (God’s dear Son)" (Eph. 1:16). The believer is without spot before the all-searching eye of a holy God, and the light of His holy presence, instead of bringing to light his sin, only shows up the perfection of Christ in which he stands before God.

“And Moses alone shall come near the LORD". This was wonderful grace shown to Moses, but he was in the position of mediator and the type of Christ, “the one Mediator between God and men.”

“And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.” All those laws and precepts which God had given to His people were good and righteous, but they did not know God, nor the evil of their own hearts, or they would not have answered Moses as they did. Yet on one occasion before the giving of the law, and twice after, they answered in this way. They never seemed to realize how helpless man is before God, and yet how many there are who act the same way today! How many cling to their own self-righteous rags (Isa. 64:6), and will not exchange them for the “best robe” God provides, which is Christ. How few are willing to own their true position before God as helpless, ruined sinners! Later on, we shall see how things went with His people, how they turned away from the Lord and refused to keep His commandments. These things were written for our learning, dear young reader, so that we might learn from Israel’s experiences and failures not to trust in ourselves, for our hearts are no better than theirs. We need to cast ourselves upon the mercies of the Lord and ask Him to keep us by His grace.

In the latter part of the chapter we have the glory of the Lord displayed in keeping with the giving of the law. But this is not the glory which is the hope of the Christian. “And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mount.” Even Moses said, “I exceedingly fear and quake.” Heb. 12:21. Oh, if this were the only side of God that we could ever know, there would be no hope for us. We would be punished as sinners forever. But God “hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son,” and He “commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8.

ML-04/05/1970

Lights

Ruthie is going to bed by candlelight. This is something different to what she is used to, but Daddy’s cabin doesn’t have electricity. Christian boys and girls are said to “shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life.” Phil. 2:15,16.

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Psalm 27:1

JESUS bids us shine

With a clear, pure light,

Like a little candle

Burning in the night;

In this world of darkness

So we must shine,

You in your small corner,

And I in mine.

Jesus bids us shine

First of all for Him;

Well He sees and knows it

If our light grows dim;

He looks down from heaven

To see us shine,

You in your small corner,

And I in mine.

Thy word is... a light unto my path Psalm 119:105

ML-04/05/1970

The Young People's Class: Joshua

1. After Achan’s sin was judged, how did the Lord’s plan for subduing Ai, differ from Israel’s original plan? Josh. 7 & 8.

2. Can man’s thoughts and ways ever be compared to God’s? Isa. 55.

3. What was the strategy decided upon against Ai by which God would remind Israel of their own weakness? Josh.

4. By what means may acknowledged weakness be turned into strength? Heb. 11.

5. What did Joshua say that would show he was again acting on the principle of faith? Josh.

6. How complete was the victory which Israel gained over their enemy at this time? Josh.

7. Over what enemy can the Christian have complete victory through faith? 1 John.

ML-04/05/1970

The Child Dike

HOLLAND IS a beautiful country, with many green fields, and with cattle and sheep grazing in the pastures. The land is so flat that at times the sea has rushed in over the embankments and destroyed whole towns. In one of these floods, many years ago, more than 20,000 souls were drowned, and in some of the towns that were flooded not a creature survived. Much of the sea that came in at the time of that flood still remains. It is known as “The Maas,” and in one part of the sea there is a little green island — part of an old dike — which is called the “Kinder Dike,” or “Child Dike,” and it got its name this way.

During a great storm, the sea rushed over one of the little Friesland villages and no one had any warning. In one of the houses apparently lay a little child asleep in its cradle—an old-fashioned cradle, made of good stout wood, tight and strong.

By the side of the cradle lay the old family cat, baby’s friend, probably purring away and as comfortable as he could wish. In came the waters with a fearful roar. The old cat, in his fright, must have jumped into the cradle with the baby, who slept through the turmoil as quiet as ever. The house was torn from its foundation and broken into pieces, but the little cradle floated out on the angry sea in that dark night, bearing safely its precious burden within.

When morning came, there was nothing to be seen of the village or the green meadows. All was water. Hundreds of people were out in boats trying to save as many lives as possible. On this little bit of island I have told you about, what do you think they found? Why, there was the old cradle with the baby asleep in it, and the old cat curled up at her feet, both safe and sound.

Where the little voyagers came from, and to whom they belonged, no one could tell. But in memory of them, this little island was called “Child Dike,” and it goes by that name to this day. This story is told to thousands of little people all over Holland, as a remarkable instance of God’s providence.

The Lord Jesus is a refuge in time of storm for all who trust Him as their Saviour. The flood waters of God’s judgment are soon to sweep over this sinful world, and all who are outside of Christ will be swept away — they will perish. But “safe in Christ” will be the weakest child that trusts in Jesus. He is able to save — able to keep. “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

“Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” Matt. 18:11,14.

ML-04/12/1970

Christ the Lifeboat

CHRIST is the lifeboat truly, none else can save.

Did not Jesus die for sins, and sink ‘neath the wave?

Think how the curse of sin and wrath of God He bore,

Then He burst the gates of death, and lives evermore.

Christ is the lifeboat, all else will fail,

All hope to save oneself can nothing avail,

Man is a total wreck, can never reach the shore:

All who trust in Jesus Christ are saved evermore.

Now is the lifeboat near you, close to your side,

Strong enough to bear you up above the angry tide;

Stay not to better self, such efforts are in vain,

None but Christ can save your soul and cleanse every stain.

Christ is the lifeboat, sinner, trust Him alone,

Only those who trust in Christ will God ever own;

None ever came too young, or yet too bad to save,

Thousands, but for Jesus Christ, had sunk ‘neath the wave.

Christ is the lifeboat, sinner, trust Him today.

Surely He will guide His own thro’ all the stormy way;

None have the power to pluck the weakest from His hand,

All within that lifeboat will reach the better land.

ML-04/12/1970

The Clock

Jack is having fun playing with his toy friends. Right now Wally the elephant is getting a lesson on how to tell time. The rest of the class seem quite amused, for the hands are off the clock. But that doesn’t make much difference to Wally. Every quarter hour the old clock will chime solemnly, “Bong! Bong! Bong!”

God has a clock, and every moment, every tick sounds the same solemn note: “Prepare to meet thy God!” “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation!” 2 Cor. 6:2. Be in time!

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

God... loved us, and sent His Son

1 John 4:10

Goodness and mercy shall follow me

Psalm 23:6

ML-04/12/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 24:8-18

GOD MADE it clear to His people what He expected of them, and they answered, “All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.” Now they must give approval to this covenant through the sprinkling of blood. “And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.”

But the blood shed here was not for the remission of their sins. On the contrary it served as a sign of the death penalty for every offense or transgression of the law. The people promised obedience; now they undertook to obey under the penalty of death. What a solemn occasion this was! How little did they know their own hearts! Man in the flesh is a sinful being and he cannot keep the holy law of God. The law only brought a curse to one who sought to keep it. And this is as true today as then, for we read, “As many as are of the works of the law, are under the curse.” Gal. 3:10.

How perfect the contrast between law and grace! “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1: 17. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.” Gal 3:13.

In 1 Peter 1: 2 we see how grace applies the blood of Christ in a totally different way to what we have here in our chapter. There we are said to be “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.” Israel were an elect nation, but theirs was an earthly calling. We are “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” in that past eternity, to be before Him in love as His dear children, “accepted in the Beloved.”

Israel were sanctified, or set apart, by outward forms and ceremonies, but believers now are set apart to God by the power of the Holy Spirit at new birth.

We have been set apart “unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.” With Israel it was the obedience of the law, but for us it is the obedience of Jesus Christ. The believer has a new nature that loves to obey like He did. If a father were to tell his little boy to go out and play, off he would go. The little fellow would be obedient in doing so, but it would be what he liked to do.

Then instead of the blood being sprinkled on all the people, to hold them good under penalty of death, here the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus is that which has put away all our sins and brought us life instead of death. Instead of setting out on a life of doing to gain life, we possess eternal life already now as a gift from God. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23). Well might we lift up our hearts in praise and thanksgiving to such a Saviour for all that He has done for us, and to the Father that gave Him!

The children of Israel were about to begin their pathway of promised obedience to God, and what a long sad history it was to be. God knew it all beforehand. But He had before Him One in whom He would find all His delight, and so He instructs Moses in the next chapter to build the tabernacle, which brings before us the unfading glories and infinite perfections of Christ, His beloved Son.

ML-04/12/1970

The Safe

“WHOSO PUTTETH his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” Prov. 29:25.

Who has not seen a safe with its thick walls and strong iron door? Valuable things need to be protected against fire and theft.

The most valuable thing we possess is our soul. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” One day I was visiting the scene of a fire and saw a burned, twisted safe. It had been in the roaring fire and had fallen several stories to the basement. Though the safe was ruined, the valuables inside were all safe and unharmed.

We need to put our trust in the Lord. Perhaps we could change that sentence and say, we should put our lives and our souls in the hands of the Lord. We can do this by asking Him to be our Saviour and Lord.

“Whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” On the cross, the Lord Jesus went through the fire of judgment against sin. Those flames of righteous wrath exhausted themselves, but the Lord Jesus gave up His life — He died. When He arose from the grave He showed Himself the Victor over death. That is why we can commit our souls into His safe-keeping with the assurance that all will be well along life’s journey and at the end as well.

The Lord Jesus is like a “safe” for our souls. He also wants us to keep other valuables. He tells us to lay up treasures in heaven. Time is precious. Each moment of the day is a pearl that He wants to keep for us; our words, our thoughts, and our actions should all be given to Him.

A wealthy lady once took a trip abroad. Before she left, she entrusted her valuables to a trustworthy friend, except a diamond ring and a pearl necklace. When she returned home she found all her belongings safe but on the trip abroad she was robbed of the ring and her beads had been broken and several gems were lost. She should have left everything to her trusty friend.

Let us put our life, our soul, and all that we have in the safe-keeping of the Lord Jesus until we reach our heavenly home.

“I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” 2 Tim. 1:12.

ML-04/12/1970

Saved by His Horse

WHEN I was a boy I remember a story about a man who was traveling on horseback, across the desert north of the Rio Grande. He had lost his way and as he wandered about in the burning heat of the sun, in search of water, it seemed that both he and his horse must perish from thirst.

Most “V us do not know what thirst really is — when the throat becomes dry and hot and the lips cracked and burning, when one would give all he possessed for a drop of water to moisten the lips and cool the tongue. Throughout the day, as the sun burned down relentlessly on the dert sands, the man urged his weary horse on, still hoping to reach a stream or oasis, that their lives might be spared. Then when hope seemed almost gone, he saw what looked like trees and vegetation in the distance. Fresh hope surged within him at the sight, and he urged his faithful animal onward.

It was some time before the horse and rider reached the spot, but to his inexpressible joy and relief, he reached a ridge and there, down in a little valley below, where the grass grew long and green, he spied a little trickle of water issuing forth. It seemed to come from nowhere. It was almost too good to be true! Down on his knees, the near-perishing man lapped at the cooling stream. A long while he stayed there, his feet in a bog, until his thirst was satisfied.

Refreshed, revived, he rose to go, but alas! he had stayed too long. His feet were down in the bog and he could not pull them out. He tried pulling out one at a time, but the more he struggled, the deeper it seemed he sank in the bog. He was going down and he knew it. Terror now took possession of him. He had been spared from death from thirst, but now must he perish in the bog! Weak, worn out with struggling, he gave himself up as lost.

Then suddenly he thought of something! He remembered his horse. She was grazing nearby. “Lady!” he called. “Lady, come!” Sensing something was wrong, faithful Lady came near to the spot where her master was caught in the bog. “Come closer, Lady,” he commanded, and she moved close enough so that he could get ahold of the saddle straps. It was his last hope and grasping the straps he hung on.

“Now Lady,” he exclaimed, “pull; let’s go!” The horse seemed to understand, and during the next moments the man’s arms and legs were nearly pulled out of their sockets. Still he hung on, and seconds later the bog gave up its prey. The man collapsed on the firm ground, exhausted — but saved!

This story, it seems to me, dear young friends, pictures a sinner in two ways. Sooner or later he finds the world all around is but a weary desert, with nothing to satisfy the thirst of his soul, and if he goes on like this he will perish one day. But the Lord Jesus stands and cries, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” He is the fountain of life, and gives the living water, by which if one drinks he will live forever.

Then that man, helpless in the bog, also pictures the sinner, sunk in the mire of sin — sinking down to death and hell. If this is a picture of you, dear reader, let me tell you the truth that you cannot save yourself. But there is a Saviour and a Friend who, if you will cry to Him, will come just where you are, and lift you out of the mire. He will cleanse you from all your sins and start you on your way to heaven. Furthermore He will keep you happy and satisfied all along the way there. Prove Him! Trust Him today!

ML-04/19/1970

Little Joe

JOE WAS a poor little retarded fellow who didn’t have the things in life that many boys and girls have. However, a kind evangelist sought to teach him a little about God and how His dear Son, Christ Jesus, came to die for sinners. Joe couldn’t understand very much but at last he came to believe on Jesus and love Him too. He got to know that when he left this world the Lord Jesus would take him up beyond the blue sky, where no little boys and girls would make fun of him because of his funny words and ways, where he would be happy with Jesus forever.

Joe also learned that God is everywhere and can see us at all times. He liked to come to Sunday school with the other children. He could not learn the lessons or read out of the Bible, but he liked to listen to them sing hymns.

One Sunday afternoon the Sunday school teacher was surprised to see Joe with his fingers made in the shape of eye-glasses, staring through them very hard all over the room and up at the ceiling.

“Joe, what are you looking for?” he asked kindly.

“I doesn’t see Him! I doesn’t see Him nowheres!” Joe muttered to himself.

“Whom are you looking for? his friend questioned.

“Him, as you said — God! I doesn’t see Him nowheres!”

Poor Joe was looking for God, who the Sunday school teacher said was everywhere. It was hard for him to understand that he couldn’t see God, but God could see him.

Now, dear young friends, one day all shall see God revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ—we shall see Him as our Saviour and Friend, or as Judge. If I wish to see Him as Saviour and Friend, then I must see Him hanging on the cross for my sins, and believe that He died for me. Those who refuse Him as Saviour now will stand before the great white throne to be judged and bear the penalty of their sins forever.

Little Joe was not very wise or big, but he knew enough to trust Jesus, and now Joe is in heaven, enjoying the presence of that blessed Saviour who loved and died for sinners everywhere.

ML-04/19/1970

Bible Talks: The Tabernacle

Exodus 25

THE TABERNACLE in the wilderness! how much is set forth by it, and what a tale of grace it tells! That the Lord should say to Moses, the leader of Israel, “Let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them,” was grace indeed, when we recall all their ways towards Him. If they had asked Him to dwell among them, it would have been very gracious if He had consented; but that He should propose it unasked, that He should think of such a thing, was wonderful. Had they not been continually murmuring, complaining, and rebelling against Him from the very first? Just turn for a moment and read Exodus 15:24; 16:2,3,8,20, 27,28; 17:1-4.

The Lord had redeemed them out of Egypt, through the blood of the paschal lamb, and brought them to Himself. He had led them safely through the Red Sea, and had overwhelmed their enemies (Ex. 12,13, 14); they had sung the song of redemption when they saw their enemies dead on the seashore (15); yet no sooner did they begin their joey towards the land promised to their fathers — the land of rest then they began their murmurings!

The Lord had dealt with them altogether in grace, and all that He had asked from them was faith in His power, love and mercy; yet they had none, as the very first trial proved (Ex. 15:22-24). More than this, though unable to go on with the Lord even on the ground of grace without murmuring and rebellion, they were so blind to their own state that they actually put themselves under law (Ex. 24:3). Instead of pleading the covenant of grace made with Abram (Gal. 3: 16,17), and confessing their utter inability to walk in obedience, they say, “All that the LORD hath spoken we will do.” Ex. 19:8.

Then as a consequence of this, they withdraw to a distance from God (Ex. 20:18); they desired that God should not speak to them any more. In their terror they sought a mediator and instead of being “nigh,” they were now “afar off” (Ex. 20:18-21). Still in the face of all this and all that He knew that they would yet do, the Lord sought to dwell among them!

Well, what can we say but that it was like Himself, for God is love. Thus grace surrounds the history of the tabernacle from the very first, and we are sure that you young rears who know anything of the meaning of grace, will be interested in learning something about this wonderful tent, especially when you remember that the Lord Himself designed it all, and everything it contained. We may take it for granted at once, even if we did not know anything about it, that there must be some very precious and wonderful meaning connected with it, seeing that it was God who commanded and planned it all. Moreover, because He did so is a reason why those that know Him should wish to understand it, so far as He shall enable them to do so.

ML-04/19/1970

Fleeing For His Life

WHO IS THIS running along in the blazing sun? And what is that city on the hill with the winding path leading up to it? You can read the story in Numbers 35. The runner is a manslayer. He has killed someone perhaps unintentionally, and the dead man’s brother is pursuing him with a drawn sword to take his life in revenge.

In those ancient times, under the law, God allowed life to go for life, so that the avenger might cut the manslayer down, if he overtook him. But in mercy, God provided six cities — three on either side of the River Jordan — to any of which the man-slayer might flee for his life. When he got to the gate and told the priest within what he had done, the gate was opened wide, and he passed inside to safety, secure from the avenger on his trail. He was given a trial and if found guilty of slaying the man intentionally, he paid for his crime with his life. But if proved not guilty, he remained safe within the city of refuge until the death of the High Priest, when he could go free and return to his own city.

This refers mainly to God’s earthly people, but in a way it is a little picture of the sinner and the Saviour. The manslayer is like the sinner: death and judgment like the avenger. The word to every sinner yet unsaved is, “Escape for thy life.” What a foolish thing it would have been for the man to tarry or trifle on the way. Much more for you, dear reader, if you are yet out of Christ and exposed to death and judgment. The city of refuge is like Christ. Its gate was open for the manslayer: so is Christ for the sinner.

The Lord Jesus said:

“Strive to enter in at the strait gate.” Luke 13:24.

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” John 10:9.

ML-04/19/1970

Jungle Password

IN WORLD WAR 2, Lieutenant Jack Richards was shot down in the southwestern Pacific. His plane had gone under almost as soon as it hit the water. Rolling over on his back, he floated for some time in his rubber suit. For all he knew, he might be in enemy territory. Anyway, he knew he was stranded.

Dusk began to creep over the ocean, and Jack could just make out the wooded outlines of an island. But distances were confusing and he Wondered if he could swim that far. Overhead he could see the star of the Southern Cross. Thoughts of home raced through his mind as he swam on. Ahead he could see the island dimly outlined by the moonlight.

Jack prayed for strength and guidance, talking intimately to that blessed One who had become his Saviour and Lord. It was after mid-night when he reached the shore and crawled into a cave, thanking God for his deliverance. Exhausted, he soon fell asleep. In the morning he woke to see the sun through the fringe of bushes. What would he find on the island? Well, he would soon know! Emerging from his “hotel room,” he looked around. Everything was still. The island was thick with trees and other brush. Jack was hungry!

Carefully he slipped along through the foliage, conscious that he was being watched, but seeing no one. Toward noon he saw an open space ahead and approached more slowly. Then a bend in the path revealed a little gospel hall. Throwing caution to the wind, Jack broke from cover and ran. He lifted the latch and the door swung open. There was nobody around. Kneeling down, he humbly gave thanks to God for sang his life, and asking for guidance for his future, he arose with a light heart. Closing the door behind him, he was dumbfounded to see at the edge of the clearing a large group of natives — men, women and children.

Connecting them in his mind with the gospel hall, Jack began to greet them with words and smiles and motions, only to be met with a stony stillness. Puzzled to know what to do, he began to sing. The old song, “Amazing Grace,” rang out in the weird stillness, but met with no response. He tried another, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” but the result was the same.

Again he spoke to them, but there was not the slightest response. The natives watched every move, not apparently hostile, but plainly curious.

“Some fun!” said Jack in despair. He decided to try one more song. In a low, soft voice, he began a favorite childhood hymn, “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know.” It was magic! Instantly that immovable human wall came to life. The stony black faces were now rippling with smiles. By the time the first verse was finished, Jack was almost overpowered by their friendliness. They brought him food and drink, and the next day helped him to return to his camp. Such are the triumphs of the gospel.

“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-04/26/1970

The Firstborn Slain

Exodus 11:1-11

God sent ten terrible plagues on Pharaoh and the Egyptians because he would not let the people of Israel go free. The last plague was death: the judgment of sin. It fell on all the firstborn of Egypt. The prince of the royal palace, and the prisoner in the dungeon suffered alike. The children of Israel had been instructed of God to kill a little lamb and sprinkle its blood upon the doorpost and on the lintel of their houses, and God said, “When I see the blood I will pass over you.”

At midnight the destroying angel passed through the land, and smote with the sword all who were not under the shelter of the blood. So it will be when God judges the world and punishes sin. God’s judgment will come suddenly, when sinners are not expecting it (1 Thess. 5:2), and there will be no escape. Great men will cry to the rocks to hide them from “the wrath of the Lamb” (Rev. 6:15, 16). All who are not under the shelter of “the blood of the Lamb” for salvation must suffer “the wrath of the Lamb” in judgment. In the land of Egypt, “inside” all were safe; “outside” they were slain. So it will be in this world in that coming day.

ML-04/26/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 25

The Tabernacle THE FIRST notice of the tabernacle is in Exodus 25. Here we learn that the materials of which the tabernacle and its furniture were made were from the offerings of the people — from “every man that gave willingly with his heart.” Thus at the very outset we are reminded of One who not only gave of His substance “willingly with His heart,” but gave Himself and that with all His heart. Nor did He only give Himself all through life, but gave Himself even unto death! — and that not a coon death, but the most shameful death of the cross!

What a whole-hearted gift! Yes, every step of His from first to last, every word, every thought, every act, every impulse, everything in and of and about Him — His whole self was one great free, whole-hearted, precious gift to God His Father — right down to death, even the death of the cross.

Then again not only does the matter of giving remind us of the Lord Jesus, but as we shall see more fully as we go on, the things given also speak of Him, as well as all that was Afterward made out of them. But bore entering upon this, the most important part of the subject, we must try to give a general idea of what the tabernacle was like.

A framework of gold-covered boards was first set up, each board standing on end in two sockets of silver, and the whole united by gold-covered bars passing through golden rings in the boards. Over this frame work four sets of coverings were thrown, and so a kind of four-cornered tent was made, flat at the top and sides, about 54 feet long, 16 feet wide, and 18 feet high, of a form which is called oblong rectangular This sanctuary was closed in front b: a curtain, and divided within by veil into two parts or rooms, the first of which from the entrance was called the Holy Place, and the inner room the Most Holy.

Around the tabernacle a space of open ground of the same oblong form was fenced off by curtains, and caller the Court of the Tabernacle, being about 175 feet in length, and 87 ½ feet in width. This court was also closed by a curtain, and within stood first the Brazen Altar of Burnt Offering, and then the Laver containing water for the priests to wash their hands and feet in whenever they approached the tabernacle.

Outside the court were the tent of the priests and Levites, and then at a distance from these the tents of the people of Israel, arranged in order according to their tribes. This was the camp.

Beyond the camp lay the desert that “waste, howling wilderness through which God was leading His people. It was outside the camp that the sin offering was burnt, and there also the leper had to dwell until restored; so that “outside the camp was the place of rejection (Heb. 13:11-13).

ML-04/26/1970

The Sea and Its Wonders

The Deep Blue Sea

“All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full.” Eccl. 1:7. With its ebb and flow, its calm and its storms, swallowing down great vessels, casting up wreck and disaster, the sea is like the great world of human life — the vast waters of “peoples, and multitudes, and nations” (Rev. 17: 15), over which God sits supreme as sovereign Lord and King (Psa. 29:10), controlling all. O what a God He is! Mighty in power, yet “rich in mercy.” (Eph. 2:4).

Ships and Voyages

“There go the ships” (Psa. 104: 26), some going to sunny climes, others to Arctic seas. Some going on their first voyage, others coming into port for the last time. All like human lives, ever going, ever coming, some to be wrecked, some to receive “an abundant entrance” (2 Pet. 1:11) to eternal rest. A good start (2 Tim. 3:15), a skilled captain (Heb. 2:10), a reliable chart (Psa. 119: 105), and a safe course (Psa. 107:7), all make for a good voyage.

To the Other Side

The eternal shore, to which the ling Lord accompanies His own “in the ship,” His own word, “Let us go over unto the other side,” (Luke 8:22), makes their safety as sure as His own, and their arrival as certain as He has promised. Storms may be met, but they cannot engulf the ship in which the Lord of heaven and earth and the seas sails. How secure are all who are in and with Christ! “They shall never perish.” John 10:28.

Seabirds and Fishes

Birds flying about, fishes swimming beneath (Psa. 104:25), all known to God and such provided for by Him, tell of divine care, which is ever exercised toward all who put their trust in the living God (1 Tim. 4: 10); He never leaves nor forsakes His own (Heb. 13:5).

Sand and Rock

The foolish man built his house on sand, the wise man built upon the rock (Matt. 7:24-27). Sand is a bad foundation, and warns all against building their hopes for eternity on man’s fair promises and self’s fond dreams. The storms of death and judgment will sweep these away and bring ruin to the builders. Christ, the Rock of ages (Isa. 26:4), is the one sure foundation. None who build on Him shall ever be disappointed (1 Pet. 2:6), or left to perish (John 3:16).

ML-04/26/1970

A Friend

Jack and Tom are pals. They like doing things together. Right now they are having fun climbing trees. It is nice to have a friend.

A poor boy was once asked by his teacher to stand up and tell the class what a friend was. He thought for a moment and then gave his answer: “A friend is a feller that knows all about ya, an’ likes ya jest the same!” The Bible says, “A friend loveth at all times.” Prov. 17:17; and “There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Prov. 18:24. How true this is of the Lord Jesus! Do you know this Friend?

Prove Me now... saith the Lord. Malachi 3:10

I will never... forsake thee. Heb. 13:5

ML-04/26/1970

A Sunday School Treat

SOME YEARS ago I had been holding some gospel meetings in a beautiful little mountain village and had got to know most of the children there. Then I got to thinking how nice it would be to give them all a treat before going away. So I went to the school principal and told him my secret, asking him if he could give his pupils a holiday one afternoon to which he gladly consented. So a day was fixed, and I went to the baker and asked him to make plenty of bread and buns and cake. Then we bought a lot of oranges, and some friends offered to help in getting everything ready.

The day came; the children were given a holiday that afternoon, but ALL were invited to come to the schoolhouse at four o’clock for the party. Nearly all the children in the village came. After the giving of thanks they all sat down to eat and the piles of bread and butter, cakes and buns began to disappear. But all had enough and there was lots to spare. After this we had games first, then some singing, a short gospel message and prayer, and then all took home plenty for supper. It was a bright day for those village children who did not get many treats.

Our children’s treat, I thought, is a little picture of the gospel feast that God has spread and of the wonderful salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ. All the children were invited, from the little ones in the infant class to the big boys and girls (of course we could not invite the grownups, too). So God’s message of salvation is, “WHOSOEVER will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17. Again, “the righteousness of God” is “unto ALL and upon ALL them that believe.” Rom. 3:22. Again, “WHOEVER believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43.

When the children came they had nothing to pay, not even a penny, because the feast was paid for already. So the Lord Jesus gives us a free invitation to the gospel feast, because He has in His love paid sin’s debt on Calvary’s cross, when he laid down His life for us.

When the children came to the party there was plenty for them. So the Lord has provided a full salvation for all who come to Him in faith, believing that He died for them. “With the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.” Psa. 130:7. Then we gave the children a hearty welcome, and they all had a very happy time. So the Lord Jesus will give you a hearty welcome if you come to Him, and make you truly happy for both time and eternity.

When the children came they were very hungry. Some of the poorer ones had had very little dinner, and they needed a lot of bread and butter and cake to satisfy them. It is only hungry sinners who come to the Lord Jesus for the bread of life. Do you know what it means to be hungry in your heart? Do you want to be saved? Do you long to know that all your sins are forgiven? “He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Psa.107: 9.

You see it is not only men and women, but children too that the dear Saviour can satisfy. When He fed the great multitude that we read of in Matthew 14, it says, “And they did all eat and were filled,” that is, they all had plenty. “And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and CHILDREN.” If one of His disciples had asked, “Lord, are we to give the children any of the fish and bread?” I am sure He would have answered, “Yes, give the children as much as they need; let them have a good supper.”

I remember once I had another tea party on a mountain side; 330 climbed up but only 50 could be served at once, because that was all the cups and saucers we could get. I am sorry to say the bread ran short; we had plenty of cakes and buns, and tarts and jam. But the Lord Jesus never runs short. He tells us, “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.

Christ calls to you today

"Come follow Me.”

Heed now the Saviour’s call,

"Come follow Me.”

Come now the world forsake,

Come now the cross to take,

Leave all for His dear sake,

Come follow Him.

ML-05/03/1970

Bible Talks: The Ark of the Covenant

Exodus 25:1-1 1

WHEN THE Lord commanded Moses as to the tabernacle, the first thing that He mentioned was

The Ark of the Covenant

“And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it.” vv. 10,11.

The ark, or chest, was made of wood, thought by some to have been the imperishable acacia, and would speak of the humanity of Christ the Holy One who was not allowed to see corruption. This was covered within and without with pure gold, which is used in Scripture as a symbol of divine intrinsic righteousness, because, when “tried in the fire” (Rev. 3: 18) it yields no dross (being pure), and therefore loses nothing of its weight. Now who was He that, as a Man, was divinely pure and righteous “within and without"? I am sure that you will say at once that it could be no other than the same precious Lord Jesus Christ, “God manifest in the flesh.” The ark then was a type of Christ.

Then within this ark the two tables of testimony, on which the law was engravers, were preserved (chap. 25:16; 31:18; Deut. 10:5). Now who but Christ could say, “Thy law is within My heart.” You see He was not only spotless in nature, but His righteousness, as a Man, was as perfect as His obedience was unlimited. The First man could not keep the law, but the Lord preserved it, every iota, unbroken. How absolutely true it was of Him, as a Man, that He “loved the Lord His God with all His heart, and with all His soul, and with all His strength"! And did He love His neighbor as Himself? Ah, how much more than Himself! Yet who could be neighbor to Him who stood alone in His perfections — the spotless One?

Well then, He went beyond the law, and loved His enemies; and that so much more than Himself that “He gave His life a ransom” for them. He “died for the ungodly,” and thus did not simply keep the law, but went far beyond its righteous requirements. The law did not require Him to lay down His life; no, He did that, as He says Himself, because “this commandment have I received of My Father,” (John 10:18).

It was His delight to glorify His Father at any cost, and that is more than the law. Neither did the law demand of Him the path of grace and goodness toward men in which He walked. What law required Him to heal the sick, cleanse the leper, raise the dead, weep over Jerusalem, bear in blessed sympathy our “sicknesses, and carry our sorrows,” and then at last endure the wrath of God for our sin, shedding His own life’s blood for us? No, we must look somewhere else than to the law for the spring of all this. Surely we know it was not law but love; for “God is love,” and He was love, “God manifest in the flesh.”

A crown of gold was to be placed around the top of the ark. The One who was rejected by man on earth, is now crowned with glory and honor in God’s own presence in heaven.

ML-05/03/1970

The Young People's Class: Joshua

1. What three things did Achan tell Joshua he had coveted and taken, in sinning against the Lord God? Josh. 7.

2. Why was it wrong to take the Babylonish garment, the silver and the gold? Josh. 6.

3. What are the three temptations through which a Christian may be drawn back into the world? 1 John.

4. How does God view it when He is not given what is due to Him? Mal. 3.

5. What insignificant advantage is cited by the wisest of men to the owners of this world’s goods? Eccl. 5.

6. What happened to Achan at the Valley of Achor, and what was the Lord’s response to this action? Josh. 7.

7. What future meaning will the Valley of Achor have for Israel, showing that God uses discipline for ultimate blessing to His people? Hosea 2.

If I come to Jesus,

Happy I shall be;

He is gently calling

Little ones like me.

Call unto Me, and I will answer. Jer. 33:3

ML-05/03/1970

"There'll Be Hanging for This!"

A TRUE STORY

APREACHER once stood in the open air in a large city telling the story of God’s love to perishing sinners. At first the large crowd listened attentively, but by degrees the firstcomers went their way, and then others came who showed only too plainly that they had not come to hear, but to oppose. They began to interrupt the preacher with loud, rough remarks, and then as he continued his words of invitation to lost sinners, their rage overcame them, and one hurled a stone at him. Then there was a general onslaught upon the defenseless man.

It was but a short struggle. One powerful man struck him to the ground, where he lay, to all appearances, dead. Then came a solemn pause. The mob, awe-struck by what had happened, looked with fear at the still figure on the ground. Turning to the man who had dealt the blow, one of them remarked, “I say, there’ll be hanging for this!”

The criminal cast a terrified glance around, and then fled for his life. On, on he rushed, down through back alleys and byways of the great town. It was late in the day, and darkness was coming on, so, assuring himself that no one would recognize him as he hurried past, he at last disappeared into a wretched court he called home. Up the back stairs he crept and at last stood guiltily inside the door of his own room. Jimmie, his little boy, was the only occupant.

“What’s the matter, Daddy?” he asked, timidly.

“You don’t need to know,” his father replied roughly; and then, his courage failing, he added nervously, “I must hide, Jimmie! Where can I go?”

Jimmy looked around the room terrified, and finally fixed his eyes on the bed in the corner. Threatening his child if he made known his whereabouts, the father crept under the bed as his only place of hiding.

Night came on. The words, “There’ll be hanging for this!” rang in the ears of the almost distracted man. Hanging meant death, and death was a terrible thing. It meant the end of life, the end of everything. But was it the end of everything? Something told him that it was not. Something whispered back the well-nigh forgotten words, “After death the judgment.” The preacher had just been telling them the way of escape from that judgment. Why had he not listened?

The morning dawned and found him still hiding under the bed. He did not dare to venture out, and as the weary hours passed he sent his little boy to fetch him some snuff, to help the dreadful time pass more quickly. It so happened that the old lady that kept the shop wrapped up little packages in pages torn from an old Bible laying on her counter. Jimmie returned from his errand with the snuff wrapped in one of the sacred pages. Something to read was welcome to break the monotony of the man’s concealment, so he turned gladly to read the page before him. It was the 9th of Hebrews, and as he read slowly down he stopped suddenly at verse 22: “Without shedding of blood is no remission:” What did that mean? he thought. Didn’t God also say that he must die? Was there no forgiveness for him even from God? He had forfeited his life to man, he knew; but had his sins forfeited his life to God? Those were dreadful hours. At last he could bear it no longer, and sent Jimmie once more to the shop for more snuff, hoping to receive another leaf from the Book which might tell him more.

Meanwhile, other customers had come and gone. The old woman was still tearing pages from the Bible. This time the snuff was folded up in 1St John 1, and the words of verse 7 met the guilty man’s eye: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” What a message from God to his sin-burdened soul! Blood had been shed for his sin — not his blood — the blood of God’s own Son. God must be satisfied, or He would not have sent such a message.

But why did He give His only Son to die? He remembered hearing, “God is love,” and how that God loved the sinner, though He hates sin. But how much of his sin did the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ cleanse away? The words said “all sin.” Not, surely not, the sin of last night? Yes; the words were, “all sin,” — past, present, future, all alike. It was “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” And in those words the man who was hiding from human justice found a refuge from divine justice, and rejoiced in the blood that was shed for him.

Time passed on. One day the news reached him that the preacher whom they had left for dead had not been killed, as they supposed, but had recovered, and was preaching again. With courage which only grace alone could give, the man went to hear him and confessed all to him. He was welcomed and readily forgiven.

The preacher continued to tell out the glad tidings for the rest of his days. The man, now a Christian, also was much used of God to witness to many of the grace that had saved him, amid bitter persecution from those who were formerly his associates in sin.

“When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son.” Rom. 5: 10.

“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Eph. 1:7.

Most boys and girls like to have a pet. Steve loves his cuddly little black kitten, whom he calls Nero. Carol likes him too. Nero is a spunky little fellow and loves to play.

The Lord Jesus loves all the little creatures He has made and He wants us to be kind to them. When we know and love Him as our Saviour we want to be like Him and to please Him in all our ways.

ML-05/10/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 25:12-15

“AND thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it (the ark), and put them in the four corners thereof;... and thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them... they shall not be taken from it.”

Four rings were fixed in the four corners of the ark, and two staves of shittim wood, overlaid with gold, with which the ark was borne, were put into them, and never taken out until the ark rested in Solomon’s temple (2 Chron. 5:9). They were made of the same material as the ark itself, and so again they speak to us of Christ. The ring is the symbol of love, and the number of the rings (four) is in some way connected both with that which represents life, as well as most of the types of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is “the life” (John 11:25; 14N6). The river that went out of Eden before death came in “became parted into four heads.” This river was a figure of the “river of water of life” (Rev. 22:1). Then the gospels, which set forth Him who is “the life", are four, and so on.

Now, as the ark was borne by means of the four rings, so the Lord Jesus is ever with His people in all the energy and power of that divine love and life to the end. “There remaineth a rest to the people of God” (Heb. 4:9, and not until they enter into rest will He “rest in His love.” When Israel was in the wilderness, the ark “went before them to search out a resting-place for them” (Num. 10:33). In the passage of Jordan the ark led the way, and the waters were cut off before it “until all the people were passed clean over Jordan” (Josh. 3). In all this, we have a precious picture of that love of Christ which knows no hindrance, which is strong as death, which loves us “to the end” (John 13:1), and waits until all His own are with Him in the glory.

Those staves were not to be taken from the rings of the ark along the wilderness journey. Perhaps sometimes we should like to take the staves out now, as it were, find a resting place here and settle down in this world. But no, this cannot be! “Our rest is in heaven, our rest is not here,” in this world which cast-out our Saviour, and from which He has gone. Dear young believer, may we through grace be able to say,

We ask not our portion,

we seek not a rest,

Till we find them forever,

where Jesus is blest.

After Israel had entered the land, when Solomon’s temple was built and the ark placed in its resting-place, then the staves were drawn out and left in the “holy of holies,” so that they were not seen from without. Rest came at last, but the remembrance of the wilderness joey, as seen in those staves, was ever before God and His people.

And so it will be with us, His heavenly people. When the desert is forever past, when we are all gathered safe home in the glory with Christ, there will be remembrance of His love and care all along the wilderness way.

Taken up in resurrection,

Desert ways rehearsed above

Tell the power of God’s salvation

And His never-failing love.

ML-05/10/1970

Bible Children

In that long ago day when the mothers of Salem brought their children to the Lord Jesus, something happened which will be remembered forever. The Saviour welcomed them, and rebuked the “stern disciples” who would have kept them back. Although He is no longer here on earth, Jesus is the same loving Saviour still.

Infants Brought to Jesus

The mothers brought the babes in their arms to be touched and blessed by the Saviour (Luke 18:15). The disciples were displeased and rebuked these mothers. They thought the Lord could not be troubled with children so small that they could not understand what He said. But the. Lord of Heaven and earth gave them such a welcome, and said: “Of such is the kingdom of God.”

Children Invited by Jesus

“Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me” (Matt. 19:14), is the Word from the living Saviour on the throne of God today to “little children” the wide world over. It is the warrant for believing that He welcomes and saves little ones, of all ages, who come trusting in Him now.

Believing Little Ones

Some have denied that children of very tender years can believe in and be saved by the Son of God. On the contrary, the word of God assures us that they can. “Little ones which believe in Me” (Matt. 18:6) are especially named by the Lord. Such ones as Samuel, Josiah, Jeremiah and Timothy, prove that there were those who in their early years received a new life from God, even as it has been so with thousands of believing children since.

Singing Children

When the Lord Jesus entered the royal city of Jerusalem as Zion’s king (Matt. 21:15), the scribes and rulers gave Him no welcome. But the children, as they walked along, sang, “Hosanna.” The Lord was pleased with their song, for He quoted Psalm 8:2 to show they were fulfilling God’s word. “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise.” Matt. 21: 16.

Little Ones Safely Kept

“It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” Matt. 18: 14. The lambs of the flock are the shepherd’s special care (Isa. 40:11), and any who hurt them will have a terrible judgment (Matt. 18:6). They are the object of His Father’s love and care, as well.

ML-05/10/1970

The Gospel through a Keyhole

LOCK HENG was a young up-to-date Chinese in Malaya. He was a member of a flying club before World War II, and he had left the religion of his ancestors; he was a Christian. When Singapore fell to the Japanese, Lock Heng and other native airmen were sent back to their homes. Later on, however, they were arrested by the Japanese and put in prison.

Soon after, Lock Heng discovered that one of his Chinese friends was also in a cell nearby. They discovered that at certain times they could tap close to the keyhole of the door separating their cells, and using the Morse code, they could hold short conversations together.

His friend Ching suggested they have a daily chat when it seemed safe. One day Ching tapped that he was feeling sad and didn’t want to “talk.” Lock Heng replied, “If you are sad, pray to God.”

“I don’t know what you mean how can I pray in this place? To whom shall I pray?”

“Pray to the God of heaven in the name of Jesus. Christ,” said Heng. “Just tell Him what you feel. He will understand.”

“But I do not know how. Please teach Me to pray,” said Ching.

So the young Christian taught his friend a simple prayer. When no guard was near, and tapping it out with his fingers by the keyhole of that cell door, he told him little by little the only way of salvation.

So they “talked” to each other day after day, and then one day Ching accepted Christ. The light of heaven shone into his soul — he had found the Saviour “through the keyhole.”

When one opens his heart to the Lord Jesus, He comes to dwell there. And so in spite of the prison wall and sad circumstances, these two dear young Christian fellows had many happy hours during the weeks and months that followed.

After some months, in answer to many prayers, their release came. The day before they were set free, a native preacher had held a gospel service and spoke from the text, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” Josh. 3:5.

The parents of the young men claimed this promise and, true enough, the next day their sons were restored to them from the horrors of a Japanese prison. Ching’s wife and family soon followed him in receiving Christ into their hearts and lives, as Saviour and Lord.

How wonderfully does the gospel spread! No need of eloquence, but oftentimes by means hitherto unheard of, is the message of truth proclaimed. The channels vary, but the truth never alters: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” 1 Cor. 15:3.

ML-05/17/1970

"One Shall Be Taken, and the Other Left"

TWO young girls, eleven years old, who were schoolmates and friends, went to a gospel service one Sunday evening, and a dear old man preached a very solemn sermon from the words, “One shall be taken, and the other left.”

There was a great hush over the hall and the Holy Spirit was bringing the earnest words of the preacher home to many hearts. As the two children came down the steps to go home, Janie said, “Nellie, if Jesus came back tonight, shall you be the one taken, or the one left?” Matt. 24:40.

“I am afraid that I should be left behind, Janie.”

“I should not,” replied Janie, “for I have given myself to Jesus a long time ago, and He knows it.”

Can you say that, dear reader, or not?

ML-05/17/1970

Thirsty?

The gift of God is eternal life. Rom. 5:23

When little Mae is thirsty, she likes to drink out of her new little teacup that Grana gave her. It is so pretty, but small; and soon she will be thirsty again.

The Lord Jesus said, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give Him shall never thirst.” John 4:14. He gives the water of life that satisfies forever.

Ho, every one that thirsteth,

Come ye to the waters,

And he that hath no money,

Come ye, buy and eat;

Yea, come buy wine and milk

Without money and without price,

Ho, every one that thirsteth,

Come, come, come.

ML-05/17/1970

He Heard the Children Singing

AT A beautiful summer resort where I was holding some children’s meetings, my dinner was interrupted by a white-haired old gentleman. The waitress told me that he seemed in great distress, and very much wanted to see me, so she had taken him into another sitting room.

Of course, I left my dinner and went to see him. I found him bowed down with sorrow. Oh! how his tears flowed as he told me that he had lived such a very careless, sinful life, and was without God, without Christ, and without hope in the world.

Now, dear children, it was not because he was poor, for I was told that he was a wealthy old gentleman, but the Spirit of God had opened his eyes to see that he was really a poor miserable sinner, and that unless God in His grace and pity had mercy upon him and saved his soul, he would be lost forever.

But what do you think he told me had awakened him to see his danger? It was all through hearing the children singing their gospel hymns. The Holy Spirit had taken them with mighty power to his heart. I quite hope that he went away believing in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

But how much happier it would have been if he had come to the Saviour when a boy, instead of putting it off till he was over seventy!

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” Eccles. 12:1.

David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah, could say, “O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee.” Psa. 63:1.

ML-05/17/1970

Bible Talks: The Mercy Seat

Exodus 25:17-22

UPON the ark was a cover, or lid, made of solid gold, and called the mercy seat. Two cherubim of glory overshadowed it, beaten out of the two ends of the mercy seat, so as to be of the same piece of pure gold.

The first time we read about the cherubim was when God drove Adam and Eve out of the garden of Eder because of their sins. He then placed the cherubim at the entrance of the garden where, with the flaming sword, they kept anyone from entering paradise or eating of the tree of life. The cherubim represent the character of God in righteousness and judgment against sin. Here, however, instead of executing judgment which sinful man deserved, with their wings touching each other, their faces were looking down upon the mercy seat. The sword of judgment had fallen upon the victim whose blood was sprinkled there, and all God’s holy claims against sin were satisfied by that blood.

In Romans 3:25, we read of Christ, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness,” and the word propitiation is the same as that in Hebrews 9:5, namely, mercy seat. So we see that the mercy seat upon the ark shadowed forth Christ Jesus. He is both the one and the other. The ark in which the two tables of testimony were preserved, was thus the basis, or foundation, of the mercy seat. It was as the righteous One that the Lord Jesus was fit to sustain and, through His death and resurrection, become the mercy seat, that throne of grace, where God can rest, yet “meet and commune” with poor sinful man (Ex. 25:22). Therefore, the mercy seat and the ark were never separated; they were as one. Apart from the ark, there was no mercy seat, and apart from the righteous One there can be no grace (1 John 2:1).

Furthermore, if there is to be a throne of grace, it must be “established in righteousness.” If grace is to reign at all, it must “reign through righteousness.” God could not show grace to sinners unrighteously; He must deal with sin in such a way as to “declare His righteousness,” so that He could be just in justifying the sinner.

How wonderful it is! And how does He accomplish it? By the blood of Christ. The blood of bulls and goats sprinkled on the mercy seat in the tabernacle could never take away sin (Heb. 10:4), but it was accepted by God for that time (Lev. 17:11), until Christ, the true victim, should come. Now that His precious blood has been shed, He has obtained eternal redemption for us (Heb. 9:12). Now the sinner who believes can come right into God’s presence, and worship, and talk with Him. This is God’s way of approach into His presence; there is no other way.

Thus, we see that while the cherubim represent what God is as a Judge against sin, nevertheless, the blood of the mercy seat held back from God’s people that judgment. The blood spoke of death, which was the wages of sin, but its penalty had already been met. God’s righteous judgment, therefore, will never fall on those who put their trust in Jesus. No, that judgment has spent itself on that blessed Saviour and Substitute. Now God can say, “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Heb. 10:17.

ML-05/17/1970

"None Righteous"

IN THE hospital the other day, an old man who was a great grandfather was telling me what a good mother he had had years ago. He still had the old family Bible that she used to read to him when he was a boy. I ventured to suggest that perhaps she loved the Lord and was in heaven now. He felt that she was. Then I asked, “How about you, Mr. Brown, will you be there too?”

“Oh,” he replied, “I was always good.” I told Mr. Brown that if he would read his old family Bible he would find out differently, for there God says, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” “There is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

“For there is no difference; for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:10, 12, 22, 23.

There was only one good man on earth, and that was Jesus, God’s dear Son. He died for sinners, to put their sins away, and the only goodness that God sees among the sons of men is Christ in the hearts of those who trust Him as their Saviour.

Memory Verse “HE THAT HATH THE SON HATH LIFE; AND HE THAT HATH NOT THE SON OF GOD HATH NOT LIFE.” 1 John 5:12.

ML-05/17/1970

The Leopard

THE LEOPARD is one of the members of the “big cat” family, well-known in Old Testament times and famed for its fierceness and sudden bursts of speed.

The fully-grown leopard is a magnificent animal, tawny white in color with black circular spots, shaped like roses, patterned all over its body. Its teeth and claws are long and sharp. A leopard weighs up to 100-180 pounds, and can measure more than seven feet from nose to tail.

Like most cats, he is a very curious fellow. A game ranger in Africa tells of how a leopard once walked into his sleeping-hut one rainy night in Uganda. After wandering around the room, it sat crouched at the foot of his bed, while he slept, its nose only a few inches from his bare feet. How did he know? It left its muddy paw-marks all over his white Indian rug.

The strength of the leopard is unbelievable. When brought to bay, or cornered, it is capable of giving an account of itself out of all proportion to its weight and size.

Visitors to Brookfield Zoo, outside Chicago, a few years ago, will remember a leopard and his mate who occupied one of the big cages in the lion house. Their cage was right next to one occupied by three young lions. While the animals were all outside, one of the keepers had been cleaning the cages, and had forgotten to close the door between the two cages.

When the animals returned to their cages again, the lions found the door into the leopards’ cage open, and the three piled in one after the other. Then began a fearful battle. When cornered, the leopard is transformed into a furious fighting machine, and these two met the three invaders with indomitable courage. Ever keeping his lithe body between his mate and the lions, the male leopard met the onslaught of the foe with savage resistance. The snarling and growling of the great cats together with the roars of the lions, as they sparred and tore at each other, increased until the building almost shook with the din of the battle. In vain the keepers sought to stop the fight by spraying water into the faces of the roaring beasts, and the fight went on. Finally, with the help of powerful hoses, they forced the lions back and eventually into their own cage. The din ceased; the battle was over. The male leopard breathed his last, his back broken in the fight. But so ably had he defended his mate all through the awful struggle, that they found she was almost unharmed.

What a comfort it is to know from God’s Word that the time is coming—and not far off — when animals will not fight and kill each other. For “the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling tether; and a little child shall lead them.... They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain.” Isa. 11:6,9.

That will be when the Lord Jesus comes to reign in righteousness over all the earth. He will take away the hatred out of the hearts of all His creatures, the wildness of their nature will disappear, and all will be at peace in His kingdom.

All the suffering, the sorrow and death that man’s sin has caused will be removed because of His work of redemption on the cross; for He is “the Lamb that taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:28.

The faithful leopard died defending his mate. In a far more wonderful way the Lord Jesus has died defending His own from Satan’s power and the judgment of God against sin. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8) — for me, for you, dear reader, if you trust Him as your Saviour.

“Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it.” Eph. 5:25.

ML-05/24/1970

Bible Questions

Dear Answerers: With April past, another year for our Bible Questions and Answers has come to a close. We feel thankful to the Lord for all who have searched the Scriptures in this way and are sure that God will bless His Word to your souls. May the Lord Jesus become more precious to our hearts, His love grow sweeter, as the years go by.

We regret that in recent months some of the issues of Messages arrived late. Conditions have improved in this connection, and we trust that you will be receiving your Sunday school papers on time from now on.

If you have not sent in all your answers for the past months, please do so, especially you who live in far-off lands and places, as there is still time. We will still credit and award you accordingly.

We expect to have some interesting changes and improvements coming in our Bible Questions in the near future, so we hope you will all continue with us as we begin a new year.

ML-05/24/1970

God Our Father

Who has fashioned the world so wonderful?

God our Father;

Who has given us all things beautiful?

God our Father.

Life and health His creatures owe Him:

Nature’s beauties ever show Him;

Ransomed sinners through Jesus know Him—

God our Father.

ML-05/24/1970

God Is Looking

CHARLES was a little boy whose father used to steal. One day he took his little son with him intending to steal corn out of another man’s corn crib. When they came to the field where the corn was, he said to his boy, “You watch and tell me when you see any one looking, while I go in and fill my bag with the corn.”

Now little Charles had gone to Sunday school and had learned many things from the Word of God. Therefore he had a tender conscience about doing something wrong. So after his father had gone into the field and was stealing the corn, he called out, “Daddy, Somebody is looking!”

His father dropped the bag and ran. When he came to the spot where his little boy was, he looked around but could see no one. “Son,” he said reproachfully, “You mustn’t call me when nobody is looking.”

“But, Daddy,” exclaimed his little son, “God is looking!”

Brave, faithful little fellow! He could not go on with a bad conscience. He had obeyed his father, but he had obeyed the Lord too, and he taught his father a lesson that day which we believe he did not forget.

Perhaps some of you dear boys and girls who read this little paper have at some time or other looked at a portrait hanging on a wall, and you have noticed how those eyes looked straight into your own. Everywhere you went in that room, those eyes followed you. So it is with the eyes of God. It says in Proverbs 15:3: “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

ML-05/24/1970

Bible Talks: The Table of Showbread

Exodus 25:23-30

LIKE THE ARK the golden table was made of shittim wood, covered with pure gold, with a crown of gold round about. There was also on it a border of a handbreadth, with a golden crown to the border. Upon this table were placed the twelve loaves in two rows, called the showbread, a loaf for every tribe of Israel; and on each row was the pure frankincense (Lev. 24:7), “for a memorial, an offering made by fire unto the Lord.”

This table was made of the same material as the ark; and so it brings before us Christ as the One who ever bears His people up before God.

These loaves were called “the continual bread” (Num. 4:7), and it was always before the Lord. It was made of fine flour, “taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant,” and was replaced with fresh loaves every sabbath. That which was taken away was for Aaron and his sons, to eat in the holy place (Lev. 24:5-9).

The twelve tribes of Israel then were ever before God, but in connection with Christ, for He is the object of God’s counsels. It was of Israel that He came and He deigned to have a memorial of them on this table before God.

The frankincense put upon the loaves typifies the sweet fragrance of Christ to God. Thus Israel is maintained before God, covered with all the fragrance of Christ, and this through all their night of unbelief by virtue of what He is in Himself, and of the work He has done. So we have here the promise of their restoration and blessing in the coming day.

Perhaps the Apostle was thinking of “the continual bread” when He said, “our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night,” (Acts 26: 7), although at the moment he spoke, ten of the tribes had been lost among the nations for centuries, and the remnants of the other two had crucified Christ. But though “buried among the nations,” God does not forget them. “Can a woman forget her sucking child? Yea, they may forget; yet will I not forget thee.” How can He when sustained by the great antitype of the golden table, and compassed about by the sovereign power of His eternal throne, just as those twelve loaves were surrounded by the “border of a handbreadth,” with its crown of pure, imperishable gold. We know that that sovereign power will yet gather His elect from the four winds of heaven, with the great sound of a trumpet in the day of Israel’s jubilee (Lev. 25:9,10; Matt. 24:31), and present them in Himself a worthy and acceptable portion from the great harvest, which in His own time the God of the whole earth shall reap.

These are precious truths, dear reader, and although you may not yet be able to fully enter into them, we trust you will not be content until you can do so, because they show forth in a wonderful way “the unsearchable riches of Christ.”

Moreover, just as Christ is here seen “instantly,” representing and sustaining each of the twelve tribes, in spite of their utter failure, so He represents and sustains His believing people now. They are “accepted in the Beloved,” and presented and sustained before God, a delight to Him; as seen in all the fragrance of the pure frankincense of His name, and work, and Person (Lev. 23:15-21; Jas. 1:18). All the preciousness that belongs to Him in God’s sight is the measure of our acceptance in God’s well-pleasing (John 17:23). How wonderful, when for a moment we look at ourselves!

Memory Verse “FOR I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH.” Rom. 1:16.

The meek will He guide in judgment,

The meek will He teach His way.

He promised to guide forever,

And He will provide today.

ML-05/24/1970

Sunk at Sea

“THEY that go down to the sea in 1 ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep.... For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psa. 107:23-31.

I was serving on the S.S. Kirkpool in the year 1942, when World War II was at the height of its fury. We had a cargo of coal aboard when leaving Durban, South Africa, and we sailed for the South American port of Montevideo, but we were destined not to reach our desired haven.

Ten days out we were waylaid by a powerful German raider, torpedoed, and heavily shelled. It was an awful nightmare. Within twenty minutes the Kirkpool was a floating wreck, tossed and rolled in the surging sea, like some great monster in its death struggles. Her bridge was in flames, and our lifeboats had been mercilessly blasted away.

It was on this same night, after the ghastly shelling had ceased, away on the fore part of the sinking ship, while the great seas lashed over her, I knelt down before my Maker and called on Him to deliver our little band of survivors from their awful peril. This was the first time I had ever really called upon God from my heart.

Captives!

We were forced to take wooden hatchboards and lash them together to form very crude and frail rafts. On these we took to the shark-infested water, and after floating around for some time we were picked up by the raider. Here we were kept on board as prisoners for 24 days before being transferred to another supply ship. On this ship, several hundred British seamen were held captive.

God’s ways are past all human understanding. Physically, our plight was extreme, but it was on this very ship, in such circumstances, that I learned the message of love which brought my salvation. I heard that the Lord Jesus Christ had died for me on Calvary’s cross. I learned that there was forgiveness of sins for me, if only I would believe in Him and seek the shelter of His atoning blood which was so freely shed for me. I trusted Him then and there, and have since found Him to be an all-sufficient Saviour.

God’s Power and Love

Even in a prison camp I proved His love and keeping power, so that on being released, after three and one-half years, I was still praising God.

Before Christ came into my heart, my life could be summed up in two words, “Desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9), and there was no true peace where I trod. Yet though sin blinded and covered me, I knew deep down in my heart there must be a God. My past sins I haven’t mentioned, but God — praise His Name — has put them from Him, “as far as the east is from the west” (Psa. 103:12), for Jesus died for sinners like me.

He can and will do the same for you, dear reader, if you will respond to His loving invitation, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.

A.C.R.

“FOR THOU, LORD, ART GOOD, AND READY TO FORGIVE: AND PLENTEOUS IN MERCY UNTO ALL THEM THAT CALL UPON THEE.” Psa. 86:5.

ML-05/31/1970

All Blotted Out

LITTLE CINDY had learned that she was a sinner, and her sins troubled her. One day she heard about the Lord Jesus Christ and that He died for sinners. She readily believed on Him as her own Saviour and knew in her heart that He had died to put away her sins. This gave her real joy and peace. She loved to tell others about her newfound happiness.

One day a man tried to reason with her about her salvation, and asked her how she could know that her sins were forgiven. In her own simple way she explained how that God kept books. There was His book, and there was her page in it; and on that page were all the sins that she had committed. Then, said she, the blood of Jesus was wiped across that page and it covered all her sins. They were all blotted out, and now, said she, God cannot see them anymore.

Wasn’t that a sweet and precious testimony to the grace of God and to the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus, His dear Son? Now may He grant that each of our dear readers, both young and old, might come to know this same blessed Saviour and add their same testimony to that of this little girl.

“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins.” Isa. 44:22.

“Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Heb. 8:12.

ML-05/31/1970

Bible Talks: The Table of Showbread and the Golden Candlestick

Exodus 25:30-35

THE TWELVE loaves on the table of showbread were replaced every Sabbath, and that which was taken away was for Aaron and his sons, who ate it in the holy place (Lev. 24:5-9). Now both the golden table and the bread speak of Christ. He is the “bread of God” (John 6).

Therefore is it not a very precious thought, dear Christian reader, that we who believe and are “made priests unto God,” are privileged to have fellowship with God Himself in His thoughts about His precious Son? And just as Aaron and his sons, type of Christ and His own now, “fed on the showbread in the holy place,” so we in spirit entering into the true tabernacle feed on Him who is “the true bread,” while He has fellowship in our joy.

Let us remember then that we cannot be feeding upon Christ, that is, being occupied with Him, and find our joy in the world too. We can only feed upon Him, and find our delight in Him as the perfect One in the “holy place,” which for us is the very presence of God.

The border of a handbreadth crowned with gold was without doubt to hold the loaves in their position on the table. And does this not speak to us of our blessed Lord who is holding His own secure, and out of whose hand no power can pluck them?

“I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:28. They are eternally secure! That hand of power, tether with that heart of love, is holding all His blood-bought ones safe until He has them home with Himself in the glory, beyond the reach of every harm.

The Golden Candlestick

The candlestick was “all of it one beaten work of pure gold.” It consisted of a central shaft with three branches on each side. To this candlestick and its branches there were seven golden lamps, with tongs and snuff dishes, the whole including the vessels, being made out of one talent of pure gold. The candlestick was not for candles, but pure olive oil burned in it, so it may be translated “lampstand.” (J.N.D. Trans.)

The candlestick was set over against the table of showbread on the south side. There were no windows in the tabernacle, nor any means by which the light of the sun could enter. The candlestick was then a most important part of the furniture, and altogether necessary to the service of the sanctuary. By the light given from it, by the olive oil in the golden lamp, the priests ministered within the tabernacle, unaided by the light of nature, or of the world, which was here entirely shut out. It was only in the light shed from the candlestick that they could see the golden table with its “continual bread,” or the beautiful colors of the inner curtains of the tabernacle, which were never seen but from within.

The candlestick then, with its seven lamps, the gold, and the oil, here speaks of divine light in its perfection in the power of the Spirit of God. Apart from the candlestick, all would have been dark in the tabernacle. So therefore, it is only in the light shed by the Spirit of God that we can see the glories of Christ and the mind of God revealed in His presence—the holy place.

“It is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit... But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:... neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor. 2:9, 10, 14.

ML-05/31/1970

The Firefly

TWO FRIENDS were taking a stroll one dark evening along the seashore. As they turned a corner one of them spied what he thought was a lamp shining in the distance.

“Look,” he exclaimed; “see that light. Surely someone in a cottage on the hillside has placed a lamp so as to guide a boat to shore. Let’s go and see.”

On they went, but they found no cottage, and as they searched for the light, they found what they took to be a lamp; it was a firefly. A lovely little light it gave out from its lamp which, as most boys and girls know, it carries in its tail. Together the two friends stooped down to admire the little creature God had made and its little lamp which glowed in the dark.

How simply the firefly gives out its light; it shines because it is its nature to do so. And, dear young friends, those of us who love the Saviour, who are saved and have the lamp of His Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we too should shine for the Lord Jesus, and without effort give forth light for Him. He tells us that those who are His disciples “are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14), and just as a candle is lighted to give light, His own should let their light shine before men, that they may see their good works and glorify their Father who is in heaven.

ML-05/31/1970

Saved by a Friend

A MISSIONARY and his wife from Venezuela visited us one day and told us this interesting story.

Once when they were up in the hills of the backwoods, they met a hunter who had with him the skin of a cougar, or mountain lion. The huer told them he had been out hunting with his dog one day when they came upon the track of the lion. The lion went into a hole in a great pile of stones, and the dog went in after him. To save the life of his dog, who was nailed down by the lion’s powerful claws, the hunter crawled into the dark hole underneath that pile of stones, with his knife in his mouth, to the spot where he was hidden, and he killed the lion all alone. The missionary bought the lion’s skin from the hunter and brought it home.

That hunter saved the life of his dog at the risk of his own! And this is but a faint picture of the Lord Jesus going into death, even the death of the cross, to save you and me from the grip of that roaring lion, the devil, who wields the power of death. The Lord Jesus went down io the very jaws of death to set us free. It was our sins that took Him there, for “the wages of sin is death.” Rom. 6:23. Such was His love for sinners, that though He, the holy, spotless Son of God, could have gone back to heaven without dying, yet He would not turn back from going to the cross. He laid down his life that we might have eternal life instead of eternal death. Now “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The poor dog in our story was in a desperate case. No doubt it was his pitiful whines and howls of distress that brought his brave, faithful, friend to his side in that dark hole in the rocks. But if you are without Christ, you are in a far worse case; for you are still under Satan’s por and because of your sins, death and judgment stare you in the face.

What the Lord Jesus wants to hear is your cry of faith, like Peter of old, “Lord, save me,” and He will save you in a moment’s time. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13.

ML-06/07/1970

Mr. Moody and Little Willie

I SAID to my little family one morning, a few weeks before the Chicago fire, “I am coming home this afternoon to give you a ride.” My little boy, Willie, clapped his hands. “O, Daddy, will you take me to see the bears in Lincoln Park?”

“Yes.” You know boys are very fond of going to the zoo. I had not been gone long when my little boy said, “Mommie, I wish you would get me ready.”

“O,” she said, “it will be a long time before Daddy comes.”

“But I want to get ready, Mommie.” At last he was ready to have the ride, face washed, and clothes all nice and clean. “Now, you must take good care and not get yourself dirty again,” said Mother. Of course, he was going to take care; he wasn’t going to get dirty. So off he ran to watch for me. However, it was a long time until the afternoon, and after a little he began to play. When I got home, I found him outside, with his face all covered with dirt.

'"I can’t take you to the park that way, Willie.”

“Why, Daddy? You said you would take me.”

“Ah, but I can’t; you’re mud all over. I couldn’t be seen with such a dirty little boy.”

“Why, I’se clean, Daddy. Mommie washed me.”

“Well you’ve got dirty since.” But he began to cry, and I could not convince him that he was dirty.

“I’se clean; Mommie washed me,” he cried. Do you think I argued with him? No. I just took him up in my arms, and carried him into the house, and showed him his face in the looking glass. He had not a word to say. He could not take my word for it; but one look at the glass was enough; he saw for himself. He didn’t say then he wasn’t dirty.

Now the looking glass showed him that his face was dirty. But I did not take the looking glass to wash his face with. Yet that is just what thousands of people do. The law is the looking glass to see ourselves in, to show us how black and sinful we are in God’s sight. But many take the law and try to wash themselves with it. But this won’t do, for “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20.

The law can’t take away sins. If one tries to improve himself by keeping the commandments he will find how strong sin is in him, and he will sin all the more.

Only one thing in heaven and earth can take away sin’s stain, and that is the blood of Jesus. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. May each of us know the power of that precious blood which washes whiter than snow.

ML-06/07/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus. 25:36-40

THE GOLDEN candlestick was of “beaten work,” and in chapter 27:20 we learn that the light was fed by “pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.” This would seem to bring bore us the sufferings of Christ, “bean” for us on the cross of Calvary—“and with His stripes we are healed.” The almond bowls represent the fruit of resurrection, and the number three on each branch life out of death. We find the almonds again in Aaron’s rod that “budded, brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds” (Num. 17: 8) — type of the Lord Jesus in resurrection.

The priests who moved about in the holy place could see the beauty of all that was there, the golden furniture, the boards covered with gold, and the beautiful curtains—all speaking of Christ in His varied glories. Believers now are made priests unto God through the work of Christ, so that the Spirit of God presents Him in all His loveliness to our souls. The Lord has told us “He will guide you into all truth"... “He shall glorify Me.” He is the altogether lovely One. But it is only in the sanctuary, in the light of the Spirit that shines there, that we can see His beauties displayed, and learn of Him there.

The Lord Jesus is “the light,” and those who believe in Him are “the children of light” (John 1:9; Eph. 5:8). The light of the Spirit of God shone in all its perfection in that blessed One all along His pathway giving light in the darkness of this world through which He passed. When men rejected and sought to put out that light by nailing Him on the cross, “the light of the world” went up on high. The world was left in its darkness and sin, yet not without a light to shine in the midst of the gloom, for God graciously left a people in whom He put His Spirit, that they might reflect Christ and thus shine as lights in this dark scene (Phil. 2:15). How great is our responsibility as Christians, to learn Christ in the holy place and then go forth and reflect Him in the world!

The tongs and snuff-dishes, also of pure gold, were necessary to keep the light shining bright and pure, and speak of the priestly intercession of Christ so needful in our lives every day. Often He has to chasten us in order that there might be more light for Him. The pure oil could not flow as it should if there were some charred wick unremoved, and so the Lord knows just when to remove some hindrance to light and testimony in our lives. We should be exercised out all that He allows, us to pass through, and be careful not to allow anything to hinder the Spirit from revealing Christ to our souls and from giving power to shine for His glory down here.

My sheep hear My voice. John 10:27

ML-06/07/1970

The Young People's Class: Joshua

1. After their victory over Ai, what did Joshua command Israel to do as soon as the sun went down? Josh 8.

2. What was the shame associated with this act as set forth in God’s holy law by Moses. Deut. 21.

3. How can the Christian cleanse his way from the defilement of the world around him? Psa. 119.

4. What else did Joshua do according to Moses’ commandment, showing that Israel was now ready to worship the Lord? Josh.

5. What is God’s requirement for worship which necessitates the constant judgment of sin in our lives? John 4.

6. What did Joshua read before the entire congregation of Israel? Were any words omitted? Josh.

7. What unity should Christians endeavor to keep? Eph.

Memory Verse “WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM TAKE THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY.” Rev. 22:17.

ML-06/07/1970

Blotted Out

A MISSIONARY was staying at a hotel one time, and had a lot of writing to do. When he went to lunch he left all his books open on the desk. Among them was a beautiful Bible given to him by a dear friend.

The Bible was left open at 1 John 3 where he had been reading. When he came back after lunch he was horrified to find that apparently someone had been in his room and knocked over a bottle of blue ink. The ink had spilled all over his beautiful Bible and it soaked through into the pages underneath. It was the maid who had upset the ink and when she saw it splashed all over the Bible she tried to wipe it off with a cloth, but this only made matters worse.

The missionary thought to himself, “If I were in China, I would expect such things to happen.” Then he remembered the verse about tang “joyfully the spoiling of your goods” (Heb. 10:34), and this he sought grace to do.

When the maid came in, she told him how sorry she was that she had spilled the ink and that she would pay for the damage. However, that would not take out the ink. He thought he would not report the matter to the hotel manager for the poor girl would lose her job. The next morning the missionary went with a friend to see a printer, and asked him if he had anything to get rid of ink stains. The printer told him to get a bottle of ink eradicator and see if that would help. But the pages were so badly stained that the missionary did not entertain much hope. Hover, he bought the ink eradicator and immediately set to work.

As he applied the ink eradicator he watched the stains disappear little by little as if by magic. It took a long time and a lot of patience, but finally every trace of ink was gone. It seemed like a miracle, and how hay he was! He called the maid in to tell her. The poor girl thought she was going to be punished, but when she saw how the ink was all gone she clapped her hands and nearly cried for joy.

Ink eradicator was a wonderful discovery, and we have many things that will take out stains. But there is only one thing that can remove the scarlet stain of sin — that is the precious blood of Christ. Every child of Adam is stained with sin, “for all have sinned,” yet God can say, “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.

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

Only God can blot out our sins, but this He can do, since Jesus, His dear Son, has died and shed His precious blood. We must apply the remedy to our sin-stained hearts, and this each one can do by coming in faith to God and asking Him to cleanse us from our sins.

In Isaiah 44:22 we read, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins.” Again we read: “I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Isa. 43:25.

ML-06/14/1970

"I Want Jesus … Right Now!"

DETER is a little boy who lives on the island of Tasmania, off the coast of Australia. One day Peter and his little sister presented themselves at the missionary’s door, selling lettuce. The missionary kindly bought some lettuce, and then he asked them if they went to Sunday school.

“No,” said Peter, “but we’d like to.”

The missionary gave them each a New Testament and some gospel booklets, saying he would let them know when they would be starting a Sunday school.

Next Sunday morning the missionary was surprised to see three children at the door. There was Peter again with his little sister, and they had brought along their older sister too. They said they had come for Sunday school and had their New Testaments and gospel booklets with them. The missionary was quite amazed at their frankness, but taking his Bible he sat down with the children and began telling them a Bible story.

He had just got started with his talk when Peter interrupted him.

“I want the Lord Jesus to come into my heart,” said the boy.

“All right,” said the missionary, but he wanted to finish what he was saying so he went on with his story.

Again Peter persisted: “I want Jesus to come into my heart right now, just like this,” and he pointed to a picture of the heart in one of the gospel booklets.

Assured now that the little fellow was in earnest, the missionary asked him if he knew he was a sinner, and if so was he sorry for all his naughty ways. Did he believe that Jesus had died for his sins, and did He want Him to come into his heart?

“Yes,” replied all three, “this is what we want!”

Whereupon the missionary then had them all bow in prayer and he prayed with them. Each one talked to the Lord and asked Him to be his Saviour.

Before they left Peter said to his missionary friend, “I’m so glad I came to your house, because now I have Jesus in my heart.”

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

“Verily, I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 18:3.

Memory Verse “IT IS NOT THE WILL OF YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN, THAT ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES SHOULD PERISH.” Matt. 18:14.

ML-06/14/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 26:1

WE HAVE SEEN how that the light of the candlestick shining upon the “continual showbread,” is the Spirit of God bearing testimony to the future display of glory, that will all center in Christ. Israel shall be redeemed and exalted in that day. Gentile preeminence will disappear, and Christ shall reign unto the ends of the earth. And in the Father’s house, where He is the light of the glory, we shall be manifested one with Him when the glory shall throw its luster on Israel (Isa. 4:5, margin), as the candlestick did on the twelve loaves. And, going beyond Israel, so that the saved of the nations shall walk in the light of it (Rev. 21:24), its radiance shall enlighten the whole “breadth, length, depth, and height” of that wondrous sphere which grace shall fill through “the love of Christ.” These truths may be forgotten or darkened in this world, but they are ever before the eye of God, preserved by the Person and work of Christ, in the perfect light of the Holy Spirit.

The light was to shine from the evening unto the morning. Thus the lamp of truth, pointing on to that scene of glory, shines throughout the long night of Israel’s unbelief, amid the darkness of this world, until the day dawn. Then shall “the Sun of righteousness arise” (Mal. 4:2); and He shall be to His people “as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds” (2 Sam. 23:4). We as believers now, look for Him as the Morning Star, who shall appear just before the dawn, to take us to be forever with Himself.

“The night is far spent and the day is at hand.” Dear young Christian, let us seek grace from the Lord to keep ourselves unspotted from the world, and filled with His Spirit, the true oil, so that our lamps may shine out ever more brightly while we wait for His coming. And may we also in love for souls seek to point many a weary sinner to Christ, “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29.

The Coverings of the Tabernacle

Thus far we have been dwelling a little on the ark, the mercy seat, the golden table and the candlestick. Now we come to the house in which they were to be placed, the sanctuary of which God has spoken.

The tabernacle consisted of four sets of coverings, placed one over the other on a framework of boards, overlaid with pure gold. The first covering was of fine-twined linen, the second of goats hair, the next was a covering of rams’ skins dyed red; and above all these was a covering of badgers’ skins.

Perhaps we might wonder why God should have told Moses to make a roof of so many coverings. The answer is that in all these as well as in what we have already considered, God is giving us types of Christ His beloved Son.

As the place where God dwelt among the people in the wilderness the tabernacle was, as already mentioned, a type of Christ. “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” 2 Cor. 5:19. How gracious! It is written, “In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily,” so that we can be quite sure, from God’s own word, that we may look at the tabernacle as a figure of that blessed Man, who, though “over all, God blessed forever” (Rom. 9:5), “took upon Him the form of a servant” and was “made flesh, and dwelt [or, tabernacled] among us, full of grace and truth.”

ML-06/14/1970

A Brave Sailor

YEARS ago, two sailors from a British ship, the Daphne, which was anchored close by, were strolling along the shore of a South African town. The wind blew high —indeed, a terrific gale—and the big crest of rolling waves of the Pacific formed a grand and most sublime picture.

“What’s the matter?” suddenly cried the tallest of the two sailors, James MacLennen, seeing a crowd rushing towards a concrete wall that went down into the water. Outstripping his companion, he speedily gained the spot. It was just what he had feared — a man struggling in the water. Not a second to lose. Throwing off his coat, and forgetting even his pretty young wife in Scotland, the gallant fellow leaped over the wall, twenty feet down into the deep surging sea below. Anxious eyes watched the brave swimmer! At length, the poor fellow for whom he risked his life was actually in the sailor’s grasp, but alas, for a moment only. A tremendous receding wave proved too strong. Exhausted, he was swept out from the arms so nobly straining every muscle to save him, and buried beneath the foam.

With great difficulty, MacLennen reached the shore. Cheer after cheer followed him as he returned to the Daphne. Later he was awarded a beautiful medal for his bravery. “It’s quite like him,” said Jim MacLennen’s sister-in-law to me Afterward, “he’s so kind, so good.”

“Yet, after all, he failed,” I answered, my thoughts wandering back to another scene more than 19 centuries ago, in Palestine, my heart secretly responding, blessed contrast: “My Saviour cannot fail.”

Your Saviour too, I trust, dear young friends? These are His own precious words for you: “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:28. Can you praise Him enough? He came in love to save sinners, sinking down to hell with the weight of their own sins. He went beneath those dark waves of death and judgment, and rose again the mighty conqueror of death and Satan. And He is still saving the precious souls of all who trust Him as Saviour and Lord.

ML-06/14/1970

The Waldenses

The Waldenses were simple Christian folk who lived among the Vaudois valleys of the Alps in those times known as “the dark ages,” before the dawn of the reformation. Though poor, they were content, living in rude stone dwellings; yet most of them could read and write. One could scarcely find a boy among them who could not give an intelligent account of the faith they possessed.

They were cruelly persecuted for their faith, hiding in caves when hunted by their enemies.

The Waldenses were more remarkable than any other people on the face of the earth for the large portions of Scripture which they committed to memory. The Word was precious to them, and they laid up in their hearts rich portions alike from the Old and New Testaments, so that they could not be taken from them. In training to become a pastor a young Christian had to learn by heart the Gospels of Matthew and John, all the Epistles, besides much of the writings of David, Solomon, and the prophets.

In those days a copy of the Bible would have cost more than $300 in our money, and a skillful scribe could not complete one in less than ten months. Very precious, therefore, was every single portion. As their enemies seized and burned every copy they could find, groups of young people were formed in the Vaudois valleys, every member being trusted to preserve in his memory a certain number of chapters. When assembled for worship in some hidden mountain retreat, they would recite. one after another, the chapters of the priceless Book, for which they often paid with their lives. One could repeat the whole book of Job by heart, and many repeated nearly the whole of the New Testament.

One who had been sent to try and convince the Vaudois of their errors returned saying he had never in all his life known so much of the Scriptures as in those few days he had held meetings in the valleys.

Even the little children were well taught. A learned doctor, sent from Paris among the Vaudois, confessed he had understood more of the doctrines of salvation from the answers of the little children than by all the sermons and debates he had ever heard.

We honor these dear persecuted people of God. May their faith and zeal stir our hearts afresh to love and cherish His precious Word more than we do — we who enjoy such freedom and can all own a Bible and read it. May we read it often and prayerfully, and seek to commit more of its sacred Passages to memory. Surely the Lord will bless those that do.

We are thankful for all who have answered the Bible Questions over the past year, and whose names appear in this issue.

Rewards should reach you in a few days. If you live far away and the papers have been late in arriving, so that your answers are not complete, it is not to late to send them in; you will still get your reward.

We trust, the Lord willing, to make some interesting changes in the Bible Questions in the future, so we hope you will all continue with us this year already begun; we hope too that many more will join us in searching the Scriptures in this way. May the Lord’s richest blessing rest upon all who read His blessed Word and watch for His soon return.

ML-06/14/1970

The Story of Five

YOU WILL come to the gospel with us tonight, won’t you, Bert?” As she spoke, Mrs. Mason gazed up at her tall son, and her voice had a pleading, though dubious note. For since Bert had gone to work in the city, he had given up the habit of his childhood, and for many Sundays he had never been in any place of worship.

“Well, Mother,” he said, “a fellow does need a little rest after all the slaving of the past weeks; besides—,” but he could go no further, for the sweet anxious face of his mother forced back the confession that he no longer cared for things of that kind, so he broke off and fell into the question, “Who’s going?”

“The two girls and I thought of going,” said Mrs. Mason slowly, “and Charlie is almost sure to come, and we so much hoped you would join us. We should be a party of five then!” she added brightly.

Bert had never been able to refuse his mother anything, and something was at work in the boy’s heart tight which he was unable to resist.

“It’s all right, Mother. I’ll come and make number 5,” he said.

It was not long before the little family set off for the gospel hall. They did not talk much on the way, for from four hearts there went up an earnest prayer to God for the one with them that night who was a stranger to the joy which was theirs — the knowledge of the Lord Jesus as Saviour.

As the service went on, Bert felt bored and wished many times he was back home. When the preacher began to speak he settled himself in his seat and gazed about for some means of interesting himself for the next half hour.

“How odd,” he thought to himself. “Everything is in fives! Five points in that decoration, five panes of glass in that window.” Then looking up, his eyes rested on a chandelier. There were five lights but one was not shining, and as he gazed he almost said aloud, “Five lights, but one out! Five lights, but one out! — that’s me! Five people in this row: four alight, and one in darkness. That’s me!”

Not one word of the sermon had he heard, but all the way home an inner voice was saying, “Five lights, but one out,” and the response would come, “that’s me!”

He went to bed early, but could not sleep. Still the voice went on, “Five lights, but one out! That’s me!”

He could stand it no longer. Switching on the light, he found a Bible which his mother always left ready for him, and with a hazy remembrance of bygone days, he turned to John 1 and read, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” He read other scriptures, and the Spirit of God showed him what a sinner he was, but that God loved him and Jesus died for him. Getting out of bed, he flung himself on his knees, and opened his heart to the Lord in prayer. He felt a great burden lifted from his soul. And he knew he was saved. Before the say, dawned, he was able to say, “The darkness is past, and the true Light now shines.”

The glad news was soon told to his praying mother who poured out her heart to God in thankfulness.

“HOW LONG HALT YE BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS? IF THE LORD BE GOD, FOL, LOW HIM.” 1 Kings 18:21.

ML-06/21/1970

Tom

TOM was a lively boy, nine years of age, in a family of earnest Christian people. A missionary from China was staying with them for a while, and they were having a happy time together. Surely they should be happy whose sins are forgiven and who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour.

Tom and the missionary were great friends. Tom had so many interesting things in his pockets and showed his friend many little tricks that a regular boy likes to do. Tom liked to hear the missionary sing in Chinese and to hear stories about the leopards and wild animals that people used to hunt in those parts of China.

One day a missionary found Tom in tears and asked what was the matter. It came out that Tom had been given a quarter that morning and had immediately rushed down to the store without telling anyone and had spent the whole quarter on himself, buying candy bars and pop. Tom’s mother had given him a scolding and asked the missionary to talk to Tom. This only made poor Tom sob more than ever.

Together they sat on the sofa and by and by Tom confessed that he had done wrong. As they talked together the missionary kindly spoke of how wrongdoing comes from being wrong ourselves; that is, from having sin in our hearts.

He told Tom how that the Lord Jesus had died on the cross to take away sin, and that if he would open the door of his heart to the Lord Jesus, He would come in. There and then, Tom said he wanted to be saved, and together they knelt down by the sofa. In all simplicity, Tom told the Lord Jesus that he was a sinner, that he wanted to be saved, and asked Him to come into his heart. When he got up from his knees the burden of his sins was all gone, and he had the joy of knowing that he was a child of God through faith in the Lord Jesus. God, for Christ’s sake, had forgiven his sins.

Soon after, Tom found his mother, and putting his arms around her he told her what had happened, asking her forgiveness. She told her dear boy that she readily forgave him and how happy she was that he had come to the Lord.

After that, Tom went back to his friend, the missionary, and said, “If that had been your quarter, what would you have done with it?”

The missionary thought for a moment, then he said: “Well, there are a number of things I might have done with it. I might have given a nickel of it to the Lord.”

“Could I do that?” asked Tom, eagerly.

“Of course you could,” said his friend, “now that you belong to Him.”

Some time later, when the missionary was having meetings in that city, who should come to him one morning but Tom. He handed the missionary a handful of nickels and pennies, a little over a dollar altogether, saying, “I want you to send this to the boys and girls in China.”

The missionary thanked him, hay that he was like those Christians in Corinth who “first gave their own selves.” 2 Cor. 8:5.

Quite a long while after, the missionary met Tom again and asked him if he remembered the time when they knelt together by the sofa in the parlor. With a happy smile Tom said, “Yes, it was there I accepted the Lord as my Saviour.”

Perhaps someone reading this story would like to say, like Tom, “I am a sinner, I have done wrong, and I need a Saviour. Lord Jesus, be my Saviour.” As surely as you confess yourself a sinner and take Jesus at His word, you will be saved.

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

ML-06/21/1970

Bible Talks: Coverings of the Tabernacle

Exodus 26:1-6

THE FIRST covering consisted of ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet. Five were sewed together, and the other five were sewed together, and then these two were united with loops of blue, and gold taches, or hooks.

The fine linen, “clean and white,” sets forth the spotless purity of the Man Christ Jesus. The blue speaks of Him as the heavenly One. Purple is the royal color; for when the soldiers mocked Him they put on Him a pule robe (John 19:2). Scarlet was also the color of earthly splendor and glory, and seems to have been the royal color with the Jews. They put on Jesus a scarlet robe, and in mockery they bowed the knee before Him. We know that the Lord Jesus had all these glories. When He comes back to this world again, He will take His great power and reign. He will be not only King over Israel, but over all the earth as well. Men will see Him in that day in all these glories.

The purple was in between the blue and the scarlet, and is a perfect blending of the two. It is another reminder of the divine mystery of His Person. The Lord Jesus was perfectly divine and perfectly human. How those who know Him as their Saviour delight to dwell upon His many glories.

Cherubim were embroidered on these curtains and, as remarked earlier, they speak to us of the righteousness of God in government and in judgment. They remind us that God can never pass over sin. It must be judged. But we who are saved know that for us the judgment is for, ever past — it took place at Calvary, There the Lord Jesus, the Holy One, “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.” Isa. 53:5. God has committed all judgment unto the Son, because He is the Son of man. The one who refuses Him as his Saviour, must have Him as his judge in that day.

Thus the curtains give us the full display of what the Lord Jesus was, and is, as Man. These ten curtains were all of equal measure, the two groups of five being joined together with gold taches in the center. Ten always speaks to us of man’s responsibility to God. In this he has failed surely; but these curtains set forth Christ, and surely there was no faire in Him. Five speaks of responsibility towards man (Gen. 47:24; Num. 5:7). Now the Lord Jesus has filled perfectly His responsibility, both towards God and towards man, for He loved God with all His heart, and His neighbor as Himself — in this how much more! How blessed then to think of Him as the preeminent One in all things, the One who is worthy to reign.

ML-06/21/1970

The Lifeboat

IT WAS a lovely summer evening down by the seashore. Over six hundred children had assembled for a special gospel service, and they were from every class and age. There were lots of dear little children—five, six, seven and eight years old, and plenty of big children—twelve and fourteen. There were also a great number of young fellows and girls, fathers and mothers, and even aged white-haired folks. All had come to hear what was said to the children and listen to the sweet singing.

And oh, on that calm summer evening, the singing was indeed sweet. How the boys, especially, delighted in that hearty chorus:

“Pull for the shore, sailor, pull for the shore;

Heed not the rolling waves, but bend to the oar.

Safe in the life-boat, sailor, cling to self no more,

Leave the poor old stranded wreck, and pull for the shore!”

With what earnestness the hundreds of voices joined in the second verse:

“Trust in the life-boat, sailor, all else will fail,

after it had been explained that the meaning was:

“Trust in the Saviour, all else will fail,”

What a thoughtful look spread over many young faces when the hymn was given out:

“I need Thee, precious Jesus, for I am full of sin;

My heart is dark and guilty, my heart is dead within.

I need the cleansing fountain, where I can always flee;

The blood of Christ most precious, the sinner’s perfect plea.”

But perhaps the sweetest thing of all was to hear the tiny ones singing alone, while the older ones seemed to hold their breath:

“If I come to Jesus, happy shall I be;

He is gently calling, little ones like me.”

I think that a good many had to brush away the tears from their eyes, and I have no doubt that some little ones, and some big ones too, did come to Jesus that night.

My friend gave a most earnest address, and showed how the Word of God distinctly says that rich and poor, old and young, children as well as grown-ups, are all alike sinners!

“There is NO DIFFERENCE!” And because all are alike sinners, all are alike in danger, and all in need of Someone to deliver them froth that danger, and to put them into a place of safety.

Just as the children on a sinking ship would be in as much danger of going down to the bottom of the sea, so the children in this sinful world, which is very like a wrecked ship, are in as much danger of being lost. But just as those who jump from the sinking ship into the life-boat would be safe, so sinful boys and girls who hasten to the loving arms of Jesus will be safe forever.

ML-06/28/1970

"Yes, I Do"

A BOY STOOD at a busy street corner looking idly about him. A Christian approached him and said to him in a very earnest tone: “I have noticed you listening at the open-air meetings, my boy, and I want to ask you a question: Are you a Christian?”

The boy who had been reared in a Christian home and had heard the gospel many times, did not wish to say, No! and yet was conscious that he had never yielded to the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, he was a helpless sinner, and utterly unfit for God’s presence.

He replied, “I hope so,” but noting that this did not satisfy his questioner, and feeling at the same time that it was not a straightforward answer, he endeavored to correct himself before the stranger would ask any more questions; so he said, “I think so.”

“Now look here,” said the other, “do you definitely accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour?”

Bad though he knew himself to be, the boy had no desire to reject Christ. And, like a flash, and quite unknown to the fisher of men, he rested his all in simple faith on Him who “was wounded for our transgressions,” and replied, “Yes, I do!”

“I’m very glad to hear it, my boy,” said his friend, heartily shaking his hand, and, passing on his way, the boy saw him no more. Perhaps that faithful servant of Christ believed he had helped a young boy to make a definite confession of Christ, but little did he know that he had been used of God in the definite salvation of one who would himself, in God’s own time, win many souls for Christ, This story is not an imaginary one. That boy who was won for Christ that day was the writer himself. How I should like to meet that honest working-man again! How much I could tell him that would cheer his heart and send him on his way rejoicing more than ever determined to press on in the blessed work of soul-winning. Though I have never seen him since that memorable night, and though separated in the meanwhile nevertheless, we are both journeying Home, to be with Christ forever What a grand time we shall hay( when we meet up yonder.

ML-06/28/1970

Bible Talks: The Tent

Exodus 26:7-13

NEXT TO THE “tabernacle,” or coverings of fine twined linen, came the “tent” of goats’ hair. This, like the “rough garment” of the prophet, speaks to us of the holy devotedness and separatedness of the Lord Jesus who was “a Nazarite from the womb,” who was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” in everything. He was the “prophet” long foretold (Deut. 18: 18), the blessed Spokesman and Witness for God, for whose sake He came, “a stranger to His brethren,” and an alien to His mother’s children” (Psa. 69:8), wholly devoted to God.

There were eleven curtains of goats’ hair, and extended beyond on all sides, so as completely to protect the beautiful curtains of fine twined linen. This would tell us then that the Lord Jesus in all that He was, as set forth by the inner curtains, was guarded by that perfect separation from evil in all the holiness and purity of His words and deeds. He could say to His enemies, “Which of you convinceth Me of sin?” John 8:46; and to His own on another occasion, “The prince of this world cometh, and has nothing in Me.” John 14:30.

The curtains of goats’ hair were joined together with couplings of brass. Brass in Scripture speaks of God’s righteousness in dealing with sin, and this thought comes out in a special way at the brazen altar. Tested by divine righteousness in His path all through this world of sin, He was morally separate from sinners, as the perfect witness for God in the earth, wholly devoted to His glory in holy separation from all that dishonored Him, or questioned His claims as God.

Like the sixth curtain of goats’ hair, doubled in the forefront of the tabernacle, we see in Him unflinching devotedness and faithfulness to God, nor could the pitiless storm which the hatred of men and devils so unceasingly rained upon Him pierce or weaken it in the least. He was wholly given up to do the will of God at all cost, and would not swerve. This was in the very “fore-front” of His one purpose in coming to this earth (Psa. 46:10) for this in grace He veiled His glories, as the tent of goats’ hair concealed the beautiful curtains of the tabernacle. He was “clad with zeal as with a cloak,” — zeal for God — onward through all opposition, every form of suffering, cruelty, shame and anguish, down to death itself, even the death of the cross, so that God might be glorified (John 13:31). Oh! how much more beauty there is in this tent of goats’ hair than some would suppose: Perhaps the eleven curtains of goats’ hair instead of ten might tell us that the Lord Jesus not only answered to every claim of the ten broken commandments and removed the curse of the broken law, but His work on the cross goes infinitely further than the law demanded. It has brought us to the Father, to a place of blessing and favor, far more wonderful than we could ever have enjoyed had we never broken the law.

ML-06/28/1970

The Indian's Mistake

AN INDIAN, hungry and starving, once came to a white man’s house and asked for something to eat. While he was sitting down and eating the meal provided, his host observed a colored ribbon hanging around the Indian’s neck, attached to which was a little pouch. When asked what the little pouch contained, the Indian replied that he had a charm which had been presented to him many years before.

The white man asked permission to examine the contents of the pouch, and this being given, he discovered to his amazement that the “charm” was a discharge granted to the Indian as a wounded soldier, and it was accompanied with a pension for life in recognition of his services in the war. For years the poor red man had been wandering about in quest of the necessities of life, and often he had been hungry and destitute. Yet all that time he had in his possession, and carried constantly about with him, that which would have afforded him comfort and plenty. Not knowing what a pension meant, and not understanding its value, he made no use of it.

The Indian’s condition aptly illustrates the position of countless thousands regarding the salvation of God. Restless and unsatisfied in heart, they hurry through life trying to satisfy their soul’s hunger, like the prodigal son, with the world’s husks, instead of feasting on the Bread of Life. Hearken to the words of Scripture: “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Rom. 10:8, 9.

The Lord Jesus has said: “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.

Memory Verse “NOW THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE IN BIEVING.” Rom. 15:13.

ML-06/28/1970

Henry's Lesson

CLOSE to Henry Johnson’s home was a pond. He and his elder brother, George, had made a raft, and they had quite some adventures floating about on it on the pond. One day during summer vacation, George had to go to the village nearby. He would be away for some time, and this gave Henry the chance he had so long waited for. He and George often quarreled about the raft because Henry always insisted on steering it.

Mrs. Johnson, the boys’ mother, was an invalid and confined to her bed. She was very nervous at the thought of her sons’ adventures on the pond. When Mrs. Johnson had heard that George had gone to town, she told her nurse to tell Henry that on no account was he to go out on the raft. But Henry was quite proud of himself and, sad to say, disobedient. He said to himself: “Mother doesn’t understand. As if a fellow of nine can’t take care of himself.

So off Henry went to the pond, and after considerable effort he managed to get the raft into the water. As he leaped on board it floated away and, losing his balance, he fell into the water almost up to his chin. With much difficulty he managed to scramble back onto the raft, but chilled by the cold water, he guided his craft to the bank again and ran home as fast he could. It was impossible to conceal from the nurse what had happened, for his dripping clothes told the tale. And he knew that when his mother learned of his disobedience she would be deeply grieved. Now he was miserable, and felt very sorry, because he loved his mother. How could he tell her, and obtain her forgiveness, as the nurse would not allow him into his mother’s room? Aer some time and much anxious thought, Henry made up his mind.

Getting a slate, he wrote on it: Dear Mother, I am sorry that I did what you told me not to. I went out on the raft on the pond and fell into the water. I am so unhappy because I disobeyed you. Will you forgive me? If you do, rub this out and send me back the slate again.”

Taking the slate to his mother’s door, Henry knocked. When the nurse opened the door Henry asked her to take the slate in to his mother. A few minutes later the nurse came back and handed him the slate.

Henry scarcely dared to look at it, but plucking up courage he did so, and found it wiped quite clean. Oh how relieved he was to know his dear mother had forgiven him, and he loved her more than ever.

We know from the Bible that “all have sinned,” (Rom. 3:23), and all sin is against God — every evil thought, word, and deed. But God can forgive, now that Jesus has died. If one rents and is sorry for his sins, he has only to go to God and tell Him so. God is gracious and ready to forgive, and the blood of Jesus wipes the slate all clean.

But God does much more than this. He takes the forgiven one into His family. He becomes a child of God by faith in His dear Sod, the Lord Jesus Christ. The sin question will never come up again, for He says, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sins.” Isa. 44:22.

ML-07/05/1970

Treasures

ONE DAY I was at a local garbage dump where people cast off everything they do not want. I too was throwing away some junk, and was surprised to see three small children sorting through the piles of trash and waste. They seemed to have picked up quite a collection.

There was a dirty sweater, a big soiled Panda bear, almost as big as one of the little boys, an unsightly rag doll, and an old beat-up drum. They paid no attention to me, for they were completely absorbed in searching for more “treasures.” A little while later, while returning from a call, what do you suppose I saw? Marching down the main street were three small children, carrying what they considered to be rare treasures. There they were in line, a little boy clinging tightly to a big dirty Panda bear; behind him followed a drummer boy, beating on an old banged-up drum; then last in the parade came a little girl wearing a discolored sweater and hugging an old rag doll. But their faces were beaming, their smiles were as wide as could be with happiness over what they had found.

It was a sight long to be remembered. And I thought, How many there are like those little children, seeking pleasure among the ruins and garbage of this world. So many think happiness can be found on earth, and they do not concern themselves with eternal things, but only live for the present.

These little folks were as happy as they could be for the time, but their joy was not for long. The next day, while going down the same street, I saw atop a garbage can awaiting collection, a big, soiled Panda bear, a tattered rag doll, and an old beat-up drum, and a sweater of uncertain color. Yes, dear young friends, this world’s joys do not last long, at best Today’s treasures are either faded or gone tomorrow. “What is your life? it is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

But there is a treasure, precious beyond all others — and that is Jesus and His love. Christ is a treasure that will never fade away, for in Him is life everlasting, and those who know Him as their Saviour have life everlasting too.

Is Christ your treasure, dear young friend? If not, you can have Him today if you will open your heart’s door and receive Him by faith. He will wash all your sins away and lead you in the way everlasting. Then you will know what real happiness is.

“Happy is he... whose hope is in the LORD.” Psa. 146:5.

ML-07/05/1970

Bible Talks: The Rams' Skins

Exodus 26:14

OVER THE curtains of goats’ skins came a covering of “rams’ skins, dyed red.” Now the ram is specially brought before us as a substitute, in Genesis 22: 13 where “Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son.” Thus sacrifice and substitution are both shadowed forth in the rams’ skins dyed red. In Exodus 29, we read about two rams that were slain when Aaron and his sons were consecrated for the priest’s office. Thus the ram of consecration speaks to us of Christ’s perfect devotion and obedience to God His Father, even unto death.

There are no numbers given in connection with the rams’ skins, as with the others, and this would tell us that the devotedness of Christ, in His consecration to God, was without measure. In Isaiah 1:18 red is used to bring home to our souls the thought of extremity in sin. Here the terrible extremity of suffering into which the Lord went of His own blessed and gracious will, as the divinely given and accepted substitute and sacrifice, can be known in all its fullness only to Himself and God His Father, for God alone can comprehend that which was infinite. We, dear young Christian, may look on and wonder and adore, and evermore throughout eternity be learning what those wondrous depths of suffering expressed and shadowed forth in the “rams’ skins, dyed red.” But to grasp and fathom all will be impossible. To do that, we would have to be God, which is unthinkable, for you know we are but poor sinners, saved by grace. Our greatest privilege will be to “see His face,” to cast our crowns before Him, and to worship at His feet.

The Badgers’ Skins

The outside covering was of badgers’ skins. The badger is a small animal that lives in holes away out in the country, far from the haunts of men, and is protected with a thick fur that resists all kinds of weather.

The badgers’ skins were not beautiful to look at, but they protected the beautiful curtains and furnishings of the tabernacle underneath, from the elements above, and from all in the wilderness around that might spoil its beauty. The coverings of badgers’ skins in type tell of the holy vigince in the walk and ways of the Lord Jesus, which preserved Him from all the evil and defilements of this world. Rains and storms might beat upon the badgers’ skins and find perfect resistance. And Satan was perfectly resisted by the blessed Lord in all his attacks upon Him. He could say as He neared the end of His life down here, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.” John 14:30.

Just as there was nothing attractive about the badgers skins to the natural eye, so the natural heart sees no beauty in Christ (Isa. 53:2), and has no desire for Him. But as the priests of old within the tabernacle could look up and gaze at the splendor of the gold and beautiful colorings of the tabernacle, so the heart taught by the Spirit of God looks up and gazes upon the beauties and glories of Christ, and delights in Him, the chiefest among ten thousand, the altogether lovely One.

As we are privileged to gaze at His perfections and glories, dear young Christian, may we remember that Christ is our example, and we are called to exercise that same holy vigilance in all our walk and ways, to resist in the power of the Spirit the evil of this world and the attacks of the great enemy of our souls.

ML-07/05/1970

The Young People's Class: Joshua

1. What effect did the news of Israel’s conquests have on the Canaanites. Josh 9.

2. What is said of the manner in which the inhabitants of Gibeon approached Joshua at this time? Josh.

3. What resource does the Christian have to preserve him from the wiles of the enemy? Eph.

4. What seemingly innocent request did the Gibeonites make? Josh.

5. What instruction does the Christian have to guide him as to joining hands with unbelievers? 2 Cor.

6. What had Israel failed to do that permitted them to be thus entangled? Josh.

7. How can the Christian be assured of making wise decisions in his life? Jas.

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

ML-07/05/1970

Safe Under the Rock

IT WAS A hot summer day and a forest fire raged along the slopes of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. Started by the explosion of a dynamite charge the fire was soon out of control, and racing up the canyon, it spread from ridge to ridge, where it burned for days.

Old Indian Joe came riding up the canyon on his pony and stopped to watch the fire fighters at work on the mountain side. For some time he gazed at the devouring flames and billows of smoke. Unnoticed by him the fire crept up from another side of the slope. Then suddenly he realized that he was surrounded by flames and could not go back by the way he came. The face of the cliff was too steep for him to climb, but not for the fire, and soon it was roaring up to the clearing where old Joe and his horse stood. The fire fighters saw him and called to warn him of his danger.

Old Joe had to act quickly. Jumping off his horse he took a leather strap and brought it down with a rounding slap on the horse’s flank. The startled horse took off on its own down the slope, going the safest way it knew, while Joe looked after it hoping it would reach safety.

Jutting out from the cliff was a huge rock, underneath which was a bare spot, void of all grass or bushes. Lowering his head old Joe made a dive through the smoke and flames and reached the shelter of the rock; there he crouched in safety. Looking back he could see the fire sweeping across the very spot where he had stood with his horse a few minutes before. He was just in time. The fire fighters thought the old Indian was doomed; but Joe was wise. He sought the shelter of the big rock. The flames raged all around outside, and the rock itself was blackened and scarred, but Joe was safe through it all. Finally when the fire died down he came forth from his hiding place, and as he gazed at the scene of destruction before him how thankful he was for the shelter of the rock.

I would like to tell you about another Rock and another fire. We read of how “a man shall be as a hiding place... and a covert from the tempest;... as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” Isa. 32:2. We know that Man is the Lord, for David calls Him “my Rock and my fortress.” Psa. 18:2. Again in 1 Corinthians 10:4 we read “that Rock was Christ.”

The fire is the judgment of God against our sins. Now the Lord Jesus bore that judgment on Calvary’s cross for all who trust Him as their Saviour. There the fire of God’s wrath swept over Him, causing Him to cry out, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Psa. 22: 1. All that God is against sin broke over the blessed head of that spotless Substitute. And just as the fire consumed the brush around the rock which sheltered old Joe the Indian, yet the rock remained; so after those awful fires of Calvary had spent themselves the Rock remained, but the sins of every believer in Jesus were gone — and gone forever.

The tempest’s awful voice was heard,

O Christ, it broke on Thee;

Thy open bosom was my ward;

It bore the storm for me.

Thy form was scarred, Thy visage marred;

Now cloudless peace for me.

“The Bible tells us of still another fire — “the devouring fire"... “the everlasting burnings.” (Isa. 33:14). This is the end for those who reject the only Saviour of sinners, and perish in their sins. “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Rev. 20:15.

Dear reader, if you are not saved, do you not see your great danger? Make Christ your shelter now while you still have time. God wants you to see your sins put away at Calvary when Jesus died. The Lord is waiting to become your Rock under which you may hide and be safe for all eternity.

Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good, —Psalms 69:16

I love to hear the story

Of Jesus long ago,

Who blessed the little children

Because He loved them so.

I know He still is waiting

To bless each child today;

He loves them very dearly

And listens when they pray.

ML-07/12/1970

"And Edith With Them"

EDITH WAS a young girl who one Sunday evening went with her mother to the gospel preaching. The preacher read from Luke 15, and spoke particularly on verse 2: “This Man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”

After the service was over, Edith and her mother started for home. The meeting and the words of the preacher had evidently made quite an impression on Edith’s mind and heart, for as they walked home tether she turned to her mother and said, “Mother, the preacher mentioned my name tonight.”

“Did he, dear, and what was it he said?”

“Oh Mother,” he said, “This Man receiveth sinners, and Edith with them!’

Yes, the dear girl had mistaken the word of the preacher; she had grasped the blessed fact that if Jesus receives sinners, she was included with them. “And Edith with them.”

Your name may not be Edith, but, whatever your name is, the same good news is for you personally. God knows your name and He knows all about you, yet in spite of it all, the Lord Jesus is waiting to receive you. Those who have come to Him can say from their glad hearts, “Just as I was, He received me, Seeking from judgment to flee; Now there is no condemnation, This is the Saviour for me.” Come just as you are! Do not let the invitation reach you in vain—torrow may be too late!

Memory Verse “THIS MAN RECEIVETH SINNERS, AND EATETH WITH THEM.” Luke 15:2.

ML-07/12/1970

Bible Talks: The Boards of the Tabernacle

Exodus 26:15-18

WE NOW come to a most interesting part of the tabernacle — the boards. They were made of shittim wood, overlaid with gold. This wood was no doubt chosen of God for its strength and durability, and when we consider that the tabernacle was in use for nearly 500 years, we may imagine how very enduring this wood must have been. Made of the same material as the ark and the table of showbread, the boards too must refer to Christ. The shittim wood speaks to us of the perfect humanity of the Lord Jesus who was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Heb. 7:26).

But since the house of God is now composed of all believers, these boards picture to us all believers of the present time. We are a part of a fallen race and our humanity is fallen. However, we notice that the wood was not seen at all; it was overlaid with gold. Although we were ruined through the fall, yet God in His matchless grace has saved us, and now we are “made the righteousness of God in Him [Christ].” 2 Cor. 5:21. So perfect is the work of Christ upon the cross, that God does not see us merely as forgiven sinners, but looks upon us as though we had never sinned at all, and as clothed in all the loveliness and beauty of the best robe (Christ) which He has put upon us. “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.” Isa. 61:10. Our standing before Him is as perfect as the Lord Jesus Himself, for we are “in Him.” “As He is, so are we in this world.” 1 John 4:17.

The length of each board was ten cubits. As in the ten commandments, the number ten speaks to us of responsibility toward God. The Lord Jesus perfectly answered to God for all that He required of man. Because we are sinners, we could never keep God’s holy law or measure up to the requirements of His glory, but as saved ones now we are accepted in Him, the beloved One. As individual Christians, we should remember that we are responsible to God for all that we do, since we form part of His house.

There were 48 boards used in the framework of the tabernacle — 12 Times 4. Twelve in Scripture speaks of administrative completeness in government, while four gives.us completeness on earth — “four winds,” “four corners of the earth,” etc. In the coming day when the Lord Jesus reigns there will be perfect government and administration in the earth. This perfection is also displayed in the house of God, the Church, who will reign with Him.

ML-07/12/1970

Caught!

Our God... is able to deliver. Dan. 3:17

Poor little Rusty, the red squirrel, is a prisoner. He got too bold and self-confident, and the keeper caught him in his net. But the keeper is a kind-hearted man, and his boy will take Rusty to a forest down the road, where he will be free once more.

Self-confidence is PRIDE, so often seen in boys and girls, and older people too. God hates pride. “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Prov. 16:18.

The Lord Jesus was the humblest man that ever trod this earth. If we walked more with Him we would be humbler too, like Him.

He shall pluck my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:15

ML-07/12/1970

"How Long?"

Such is the repeated question of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. “How long halt ye?” 1 Kings 18:21.

“How long will ye love vanity?” Psa. 4: 2.

“How long wilt thou sleep?” Prov. 6: 9.

“How long shall I be with you?”

“How long shall I suffer you?” Matt. 17: 17.

O! fix the time — fix it in time. You cannot fix it in eternity. There is no “how long” in heaven nor in hell! Everything is eternally fixed there.

“Behold, now is the accepted time.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

You may never have another opportunity.

ML-07/12/1970

A Witch Doctor Cured

THERE LIVED in a Central African village once a witch doctor, named Kankwali. His very “calling” made him the most feared person in that district. One look at his home was enough to strike terror into the bravest heart, for human skulls hung all over the mud walls of his hut. With his supposed wisdom and understanding, he literally ruled the village, and all took great pains to keep in his favor.

One day, however, something happened that had never been known in the village before. It was the arrival of the Basangu, or white people. Kawali didn’t know what to think of this new turn of events. The white people began a school for the young children, and they readily came. Curiosity finally prompted the witch doctor to question the youngsters on what these strangers taught at school. In their own childlike language the curly-headed native boys and girls repeated some of the wonderful stories that had been told them.

Their simple report told of how the great God loved every one in the village, and indeed people everywhere — the whole world in fact. Knowing how sinful all men were, God sent His dear Son, the Lord Jesus, down to earth, where He died for our sins. And, more wonderful still, He, being raised from the dead, now lives to save sinners. God will forgive us our sins, seeing the blood of Jesus has been shed, for God accepts that as a perfect sacrifice to put away all our guilt. Furthermore, they told Kankwali that God gives everlasting life as a free gift to those that believe and He also gives strength to live good lives and power to overcome the many sinful temptations that beset us.

Kankwali’s Questions

This certainly was news for the cruel witch doctor. Did God really have a personal interest in him? Did God really love Him? Could God forgive him his many sins? Would God receive Him? These were the questions that crowded Kankwali’s mind, and such questions may be asked by each one of us, no matter what age, class or race we might belong to. The answer to them all is simple and easily understood by all: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13. “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.

The New Kankwali

Kankwali thought much about what the children told him. He came to realize God’s wonderful love and received salvation by believing. The Lord Jesus Christ became to him the one and only Lord of his life. It meant serving a new master. Re could not practice evil and follow the Lord Jesus too; one or the other had to go. Kankwali gave up witchcraft with all its evil practices, and became a new man with a desire to live for his Lord.

He continued to plant his garden, and to fish from his canoe on the great Luapula River to earn his living, but his outlook and his desires were completely altered. His life was changed. He became a real Christian, following Christ, and ling for Him. In place of giving people wicked advice, he began to tell people of the Saviour.

He “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven.” 1 Thess. 1:9,10.

When God forgives one, He also changes him, giving power to overcome sin, and full assurance of eternal life.

ML-07/19/1970

Hans' Treasure

IT WAS during a war between France and Germany, and the French army had captured a German town. As a reward for fighting, the victorious French soldiers were permitted to plunder the homes and take anything they chose.

A French soldier named Egelrich broke into the home of a poor wow. When he entered he found the lady surrounded by her four little children. The oldest, whose name was Hans, ran up to the rough soldier and offered him a picture Bible, sang, “There, that is my most precious treasure. I will give it to you, but do not hurt my mother.”

The soldier was surprised, and opening the Book his eye fell on a page he remembered reading years before. It was a message from God, and affected him so much he could not move. With his eyes full of tears he said to the widow, “I shall take nothing from you, but do let me have the Bible.”

“May God’s blessing go with you, noble man,” said the poor widow. Then he stood outside to turn away other soldiers who might enter.

The next day the German army arrived and soon cleared the town of the French. Egelrich was shot twice in the breast and left for dead. However, he regained consciousness after a while and found that both bullets had lodged in Hans’ Bible.

Seven years later, when Egelrich was chief of a battalion, he sent a letter to Hans with a sum of money enclosed. This is what he said: “This is a small reward to the noble boy who gave his most precious treasure as a ransom for his mother, and saved his grateful friend. Egelrich, Chief of Battalion.”

How wonderful are the ways of God, and how wonderfully He cares for those who trust Him! Even the hairs of their head are all numbered. Surely we can say, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.” Psa. 27: 1,3.

ML-07/19/1970

Jeanette's Toy

MOST LITTLE boys and girls have a favorite toy or doll. Here are Jeanette’s favorite toys. One is a walking and talking doll, and it can skate too. The little one is a Scotch doll, and the other is an alligator that holds Jeanette’s pajamas.

Most of us have favorites of one kind or another. Sometimes school teachers have favorites, and even some parents have a favorite son or daughter, but God doesn’t have favorites in that way. He doesn’t love some of us a little less than someone else because we don’t have a pretty face or more winning ways. He loves each one, and He loved you so much, dear reader, that He sent His own dear Son to die for your sins.

God’s thoughts about you are more in number than the sand. Did you ever count the grains of sand on the beach? Well, God’s thoughts about you are greater than all the sand on all the seashores of this world. We read in Psalm 139:17,18: “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand.”

Memory Verse “I AM THE DOOR: BY ME IF ANY MAN ENTER IN, HE SHALL BE SAVED.” John 10:9.

ML-07/19/1970

Bible Talks: The Boards and the Sockets of the Tabernacle

Exodus 26:19-30

THE BOARDS of the tabernacle stood upright, but they were not driven into the ground. At the bottom of each board were two tenons which fitted into two sockets or blocks of silver. If you turn to Exodus 30:12-16, and then chapter 38: 25-28, you will see where the silver of which the sockets were made came from. When the people were numbered, every man was to give a half shekel of silver as a ransom for his soul unto the Lord. The rich must give the same as the poor, and this “atonement money” was set apart for the service of the tabernacle. The silver sockets, being made of the ransom money, then speak of atonement, of the blood of Christ, which He gave as a ransom for many. “For it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Lev. 17:11.

This ransom money amounted to something over 100 talents of silver. Out of the talents one hundred sockets were cast for the sanctuary, “a talent for a socket.” Since silver speaks of redemption, so we have the blessed and precious truth that each believer stands before God on the ground of redemption, the purchase price being the blood of Jesus.

The Apostle Peter in writing to Christians speaks of the ransom money paid by the Israelites, and reminds them how much greater the cost by which they had been redeemed. “Ye know ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of Lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Pet. 1:18,19.

There were one hundred of the sockets, that is, ten times ten. They then would tell us how the blood Christ, represented by the silver, fully met our responsibility toward God, has answered to all His claim and cleared us completely and forever.

Surely the remembrance of the great price paid for our redemption should make all of us who are the children of God feel how much we owe our Redeemer, and we ought to live only to please and serve Him.

“To live as those

Who bear a blood-bought name

As those who fear but grieving Him;

And know no other shame.”

To keep the boards from falling’ out of the sockets, they were fastened together on both sides and at the end by five bars of wood covered with gold, passing through golden rings. The boards were coupled at the corners by rings. Since the ring is a symbol of security, and is endless, and since the bars were to strengthen and secure the framework, perhaps we have here a type of the eternal security of the believer, as also of the Church. Some also see in the five bars a type of the five gifts to the Church, given “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Eph. 4:11-13).

ML-07/19/1970

Alex Russell

YEARS AGO a fine ship, the Birkenhead, struck the rocks and went down with hundreds of service men, their wives and children, in one of the great disasters of the sea. A touching story of youthful heroism is recorded of how a young officer of a Highland regiment gave his life to save another.

Alex Russell was just seventeen, and was ordered to command one of the lifeboats. As he sat in the stern he saw with dimmed eyes many of his comrades still standing on the deck. Then he watched the great ship go down, carrying with it hundreds of brave hearts. He saw too the sharks, those fearful creatures of the deep, and heard the cries of the drowning.

Just when all was safe for him, Alex saw a sailor’s head rise close by and a hand strive to grasp the side of the boat. The craft was already overloaded and to make room for one more would risk upsetting the boat. But as the sailor’s face rose close by again a mother called out in agony, “Save him! He’s my husband!” Young Alex looked at the mother, then at her children with her, then at the man struggling in the waves. The next moment he stood up and with a bold plunge he jumped clear of the boat into the water. With difficulty he helped the drowning sailor into what had been his own place in the boat — a place of safety. A chorus of “God bless you!” arose from those in the lifeboat; many closed their eyes in prayer. When they opened them again, Alex Russell was gone.

Wonderful love! for one man to give his life for another. It was pure human pity and grace, for the rescued sailor had no claim whatever. But brave Alex Russell dared to die for his fellow-man.

This stirring story illustrates, my friends, a deed far more wonderful. It reminds those who are saved of the marvelous grace of the Captain of their salvation. From His heavenly throne, he saw them tossed to and fro on the angry waves of sin and death, and knowing they were hopeless wrecks, unable to save themselves, and that soon they would sink beneath the angry waves and be eternally lost, He, the Lord of life and glory, came down to save. Passing into the surging waters of death, He could exclaim, “All Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over Me.” He came just where they were, stretched out His mighty arm to rescue, lifted them from the tempest, and put them in His own place of eternal safety. Not for angels, not for His friends, but, oh wondrous love, for His enemies! Well might they say, “We love Him, because He first loved us, gave Himself, and died for us.”

You, dear unsaved one, are going down, perishing in the waters of sin. You may not realize it, yet it is true, that if you do not have Christ you are drifting on, to eternal death.

See, the unwreckable lifeboat of salvation draws near, a hand is stretched forth to rescue you. It is the almighty hand of the Saviour, and if you cry with all earnest “Lord, save me, or I perish,” you be caught in that all-powerful grasp and saved with an everlasting salvation.

Millions have been rescued, who are now safely landed in the haven of rest, and thousands more are living to testify to the reality of their deliverance.

Brave Alex Russell died for on the Lord Jesus died for all. Al was but a man; Jesus was God manifest in the flesh... One was but human love; the other was almighty divine love. And this love God desires to confer upon you. Avail yourself of it by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ —

“Who died on the tree,

And wrought a salvation,

O sinner, for thee!”

ML-07/26/1970

A Secret

Jimmie had a secret to tell Mother. “What is it, Jimmie?” she asked softly. Jimmie climbed up on Mother’s chair and whispered in her ear, “Hello, Mother, I love you!”

How happy that made Mother! It is wonderful to have someone to love, but it is more wonderful to be loved.

The Lord Jesus loved us first; He died for us. How happy it would make Him if some boy or girl would go to Him today and say, “Lord Jesus, I love Thee for dying for me. I want Thee to be my Saviour.”

ML-07/26/1970

Bible Talks: The Beautiful Veil

Exodus 26:31,32

THE TABERNACLE was divided into two rooms — the holy place, and the holiest, or most holy place. Within the most holy place was the ark where God dwelt between the cherubim. It was separated from the holy place by a beautiful curtain made of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, with figures of cherubim embroidered upon it. This curtain was called the Veil. Like the curtains of the tabernacle, the veil speaks of Christ, His glorious Person now and what He will be in the future glories of His millennial reign. Hebrews 10:20 speaks of the veil as “His flesh"; that is, Himself as that blessed Man down here. He was truly God and Man in one blessed Person; yet, just as the veil in the tabernacle hid from without the very presence of God, so the flesh or manhood of the Lord Jesus when He was down here, concealed from the eyes of men His Godhead glory. But at the same time that way into the most holy place was through the veil, so Christ is the only way to God. He could say to Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14: 6.

The veil was fastened by golden hooks upon four golden pillars, which were fixed on four silver sockets. From Leviticus 16 we learn that no one but the high priest was allowed to go into the most holy place, and he but once a year, on the great day of atonement. The reason for this was because, “The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing.” Heb. 9:8. God could not fully reveal Himself, He could not go out to the sinner, or bring the sinner in to Himself, until the question of sin could be taken up and settled once and forever. But when the Saviour was crucified, you remember that the veil of the temple was rent in twain — or torn in two — from the top to the bottom. For it was God that rent that veil, to show that by the death of Jesus the way was now open into the blessed presence of God for guilty sinners — a new and ling way, as it is called in Hebrews 10:19,20. To pass within the veil is now the blessed privilege of any who come by the Lord Jesus. That way is now open for all, and is always open.

The four pillars, like the boards of the tabernacle, stood in sockets of silver. We read of “the four corners of the earth,” and “the four winds,” so no doubt these four pillars would tell how the work of Christ was opened up for blessing to go out to the whole world, and the redeemed from every kindred and tongue and people and nation come and worship “within the veil.”

Years, ago, a servant of Christ was riding on a train when a clergyman came and sat down beside him. As they talked together of Christ, the clergyman asked, “Where do you worship?” “Within the veil,” was the simple but beautiful answer.

ML-07/26/1970

Karen's Mistake

KAREN is a little girl who can only remember about two years back. She insists she “never was a baby” because she can’t remember anything about it. When Mother shows her pictures of herself as a tiny infant, she says, “No, that’s someone else. I never was a baby!”

But during those baby years that Karen can’t remember, there was someone looking after her, wasn’t there? Yes, it was Mother, and Someone has been looking after you too, dear reader. The Lord has been watching over you all these years. Have you ever thanked Him? Sometimes we sing,

Unnumbered comforts to my soul

Thy tender care bestowed,

Before my infant heart conceived

From whom those blessings flowed.

ML-07/26/1970

Have Faith in God

A CHRISTIAN LADY often went to visit patients in a hospital, giving out gospel tracts and talking to them about the Lord Jesus. One day when she was ready to go home, she discovered that her purse was gone. It must have been stolen by a pickpocket. But the hospital was seral miles from where she lived, so she could not walk home, and she knew no one in the neighborhood.

In her predicament, she walked slowly toward the city park, praying as she went along, and telling her Father of her difficulty. Arriving at the park, she sat down on one the seats, wondering how the Lord would come to her help. She knew He would not fail her, and so she was at peace. In a seemingly idle way she wrote on the gravel with her umbrella the words, “God is Love.” As she got to the last letter of the word “love,” she turned up a quarter, black and dirty from lying there in the gravel so long.

She thanked God for sending her just the money she needed to get home on the bus. As she entered the bus, the driver remarked that the coin was a very black one, but she told him it had been sent to her in answer to prayer by her loving God and Father. She was not ashamed to tell him in front of the other passengers how God had provided for her need. It was the same God who had said to Elijah long before, “I have commanded the ravens to feed thee.” He had told Peter that he would find a coin in the fish’s mouth, and now how simple it was for Him to direct His dear child’s step to the very place where the needed money was to be found. Nothing happens by chance in our lives, for everything the Lord sends is for a purpose. It is sent by a loving Father who promises that “all things work together for good to them that love God.” Rom. 8:28.

Memory Verse “THEY THAT WERE READY WENT IN WITH HIM...: AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT.” Matthew 25:10.

ML-07/26/1970

"Man, Does You Love Dod?"

AN OLD ragged, unkempt tramp knocked at the back door of a New Hampshire home one morning, and asked for something to eat. The mother of the home invited the poor old fellow into the kitchen to rest, and while preparing a good meal for him she learned that at one time he had had a good home and a wife and children.

Drink had driven him from one sin to another until his family deserted him. He then drifted from place to place and deeper and deeper into sin until he had no desire or ambition to do anything but to tramp and beg. He believed that no one cared what became of him and it didn’t matter much to himself either.

A small son in the home sat near the table watching the old man. Filly he walked over to the poor fellow and placed his little hand on the dirty, ragged coat sleeve and looked up at the sin-marked face.

“Man, does you love Dod?” he asked. He repeated the question several times and getting no reply he said, “Well, Man, Dod loves you.”

The tramp’s eyes filled with tears and his hand trembled but he made no answer. The little boy then went to his room and returned with ten pennies that had been given to him for candy. He placed them in the hand of the old man saying, “Man, this will buy some milk.” The poor fellow’s head went down on the table and the tears of years were shed there.

He left the house without saying a word and was unheard of for many months. At last a letter in a cramped handwriting came addressed to the child saying, “Little one, through you I have been saved from going to hell. After I left your house I walked along the country road and all I could hear, was, “Man, Dod loves you.” I fell asleep that night under a tree and dreamed of a fair, curly-haired child, with his little hand on my sleeve, saying over and over, “Man, Dod loves you.”

“That was all I could hear and see for days, until I threw myself on the ground and wept all the hardness out of my heart. I saw again the man I used to be, the cozy home I had owned, the loving wife and the dear children that sin had taken from my side. I thought of all I had sacrificed to serve the devil and of what he had made me, who had once been pure and sweet as the little child who brought that message from God to me. I cried out, ‘Oh God, if it isn’t too late, make me a child once more and let me see that little lad in Heaven someday, if I never do here.’"

God had heard the cries of the repentant old man, for Jesus died for sinners, and God delights to forgive all those who come to Him by way of the Saviour. And so the old man went on to say, “I have a job now and clothes and a place to sleep. I’m an old man and I won’t be here long, but God bless you, child, because you led an old dirty tramp back to God. I know when death comes and I reach the cold, dark river, a sweet childish voice will float out to me saying, ‘Man, Dod loves you.’ "

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16.

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

JESUS found me wand’ring,

Far from Him astray,

Tenderly He led me

To the shining way;

Words of peace He whispered,

Bade my fears depart;

Oh! ’twas sweet to hear Him

Whisp’ring in my heart!

Would you hear the Saviour’s

Gentle voice within?

Now, while He is calling,

Leave the path of sin.

Peace that passeth knowledge

Freely He’ll impart;

You today may hear Him

Whisp’ring in your heart.

ML-08/02/1970

Throw Out the Lifeline!

OUT IN the great Northwest about’ 200,000 men were at work in the lumber camps spread over the vast timberlands. The lumberjacks welcomed the sturdy old missionary who, as hardy as themselves, would bring them a rousing gospel.

One such “sky pilot” had promised the “boys” he would be with them on a certain evening. Getting off the train at a mountain station, as he walked along the railroad tracks about a quarter of a mile from the logging camp, he began to sing.

The clerk heard him, rushed out into the bunk house and called out, “He’s coming, boys.” Fifty men made a break for the door and broke into “Three cheers for the Chaplain.”

After a little rest, the evening’s gospel service began with one of the favorite hymns of the lumbermen “Throw out the Life-line Across the Dark Waves.” The missionary asked the foreman if the roof was good and strong, and being assured that it was he told the boys “to pull out every stop.” This they did, and how they joined in the singing of the grand old gospel hymn. “Throw out the Life-line!”

Throw out the Life-line,

Someone is drifting away.

Throw out the Life-line!

Someone is sinking today.

Throw out the Life-line,

With hands quick and strong:

Why do you tarry,

Why linger so long?

See, he is sinking;

Oh; hasten today

And out with the life-boat!

Away, and away!

Memory Verse “HE BROUGHT ME UP ALSO OUT OF A HORRIBLE PIT, OUT OF THE MIRY CLAY, AND SET MY FEET UPON A ROCK.” Psalm 40:2.

ML-08/02/1970

Too Much for a Whistle

BEN WAS just seven years old, the youngest of a poor family of fourteen children. Money was hard to come by, but somehow Ben had managed to get a few pennies.

“I was directed to a shop where they sold children’s toys,” he wrote later, “and seeing a boy there blowing a whistle, I wanted one too. I voluntarily offered and gave all my money for the whistle. Then I came home and was whistling all over the house, much pleased with my while, but disturbing the family. My brothers and sisters, hearing how I bought the whistle, told me I had paid four times as much as it was worth, and laughed at me so much that I started to cry. Thinking about how foolish I had been made me feel more miserable than ever.

“As I grew up, and watched the actions of men, I thought I met many who gave ‘too much for the whistle.’" By this he meant that as he went through life he found that often people will seek after and pay so much for things that in the end mean so little in this life.

How many today are seeking to find happiness in this world’s pleasures which will never satisfy. Like paying so much extra for the while, so many today expend their time, their efforts, their money, on the world and its toys, which never can satisfy the cravings of their hearts. God made your heart too big for this world to fill; but the Lord Jesus can fill and satisfy your heart, for His Word says, “He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Psa. 107:9.

If you have not met this most wonderful Saviour, dear reader, let Him now draw you with cords of love to Himself, and put your soul’s trust in Him. Then you will be able to sing:

“Now none but Christ can satisfy,

None other Name for me;

There’s love, and life, and lasting joy,

Lord Jesus, found in Thee.”

ML-08/02/1970

Vacation Time

Happy days, carefree hours — under suer’s clear blue skies! That’s why children love vacation time.

The Lord does give happy times and peaceful hours to those that love Him down here. But the best is coming for the Christian. Earth’s sweetest joys will not compare with those the Lord is waiting to share with His own in heaven. O it is wonderful to be a Christian!

ML-08/02/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 26:33-37

“AND THOU shalt hang up the veil under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.” The only article of furniture in the Most Holy Place was the ark of the covenant with the mercy seat above it. In the Holy Place there were the table of shewbread, the candlestick, and the altar of incense (although this has not yet been mentioned). Now, since the veil has been rent in the death of Jesus, we as believers can enter into the divine presence and enjoy all that these holy things speak of, in perfect liberty as purged worshipers.

The innermost curtains of blue, purple, and scarlet, with figures of cherubim carefully woven on them, may suggest to our minds those “beauties of holiness” variously displayed by the Lord during His stay upon the earth, as also those heavenly excellencies which belong to Him now that He is in the glory. In them we see Jesus as a glorified and exalted Saviour.

The door of the tabernacle was an embroidered hanging or curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, like the veil, except that there were no cherubim wrought upon it. These cherubim set forth Christ as Son of man in judgment. But in the hangings of the door He is presented in grace to those that were without.

Christ is the door, and the absence of the cherubim seems to tell of grace to man. You remember the cherubim forbade the approach of man he is (a sinner) to the tree of life in the garden of Eden, Here they are absent, for the claims of God’s juice and holiness having been met and satisfied at the brazen altar, type of the cross, as we shall see, there is nothing to forbid, but everything to invite the believer to enter. Five speaks of human weakness, as also it speaks of responsibility towards man. But the whole scene was one of grace throughout, and thus brings with it the thought of responsibility towards man. The Lord Jesus fully discharged His responsibility towards man, going about doing good in His life; but then in a most wonderful way at the Cross He gave Himself to redeem fallen man. We who have tasted of His grace, and who are redeemed by His precious blood, are here reminded of our responsibility to the world, to sinners everywhere perishing in their sins. The five pillars stood in sockets of brass, instead of silver. Brass speaks of God’s righteousness in His judgment of sin, thus seen at the brazen altar, and also in the serpent of brass, which for us is the Cross of Christ. It was only as He who was able to endure the fire, judgment, that Jesus could give us access into the presence of God. Therefore the five pillars stood in sockets of brass.

ML-08/02/1970

A Little Donkey

THERE WAS once a wild little donkey,

He had to be tied to a tree,

But Jesus was thinking about him;

He said, “Go fetch him to Me.”

And when they had brought him to Jesus

As quickly as ever they could,

That restless, that wild little donkey

Was quiet, obedient and good.

When Jesus was riding upon him,

He went just the way that he should,

A patient, submissive wee donkey,

Made so by the blest Son of God.

And Jesus is able to make you

Whatever He wants you to be,

He loves you and longs to forgive you

And make you both happy and free.

ML-08/09/1970

The Chimney Sweep

SOME YEARS ago a man was sent to prison for housebreaking. This man had a love for reading and wring, and as the Bible was the only book in his cell, he began to read it to pass the time away. The very Bible he had formerly abused, and then totally neglected, he now spent his time poring over. Soon he found God’s voice speaking to his conscience and heart through the sacred pages.

One day the cell door was opened and he was ordered to step into the corridor with the other prisoners. As he did so, a slip of paper which fell from his hand quickly caught the eye of a guard who picked it up and put it into his own pocket. His surprise was great when, on looking at it, he found it to be some poetry at which the one-time surly, brutal convict had tried his hand. The guard was a Christian man and his heart leaped for joy as he read the following lines written by this man who, before his conviction, had apparently been a chimney sweep.

A chimney sweep black on the skin,

But blacker far he was within;

This secret now the sweep doth know,

Though black as hell, he’s white as snow.

Water will wash and cleanse the skin;

But oh, ’tis blood must cleanse within;

That blood which ran on Calvary’s tree;

Though but a sweep, ’twas shed for me.

In days gone by with venom foul

I called damnation to my soul.

If ever one had cause to bless,

Sure ’tis the sweep through sovereign grace.

A chimney sweep of low degree,

Yet loved by all the Sacred Three,

Electing love what tongue can tell?

Though loved of God, deserving hell.

What the poor chimney sweep found is equally needed by all, whether rich or poor, high or low, young or old; and it is through God’s mercy equally available for whoever will take the water of life freely.

“For there is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:22, 23. “For there is no difference, for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.” Rom. 10:12.

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

Memory Verse “WASH ME, AND I SHALL BE WHITER THAN SNOW.” Psalm 51:7.

ML-08/09/1970

Mr. Bailey's Tract

MR. BAILEY often gave gospel tracts to people he met. This is a wonderful little work that Christian boys and girls can do, and much? blessing may be the result of it.

One day Mr. Bailey gave a tract to a man on the street. The title was, “I am Not Going to a Christless Grave. Are You?” Ten years later Mr. Bailey was visiting a town about 80 miles away. Suddenly a man on the street came up to Mr. Bailey and warmly shook his hand. He said, “You’re the man that gave me a tract many years ago. I want to tell you that I am NOT going to a Christless grave now! Jesus is any Saviour.”

The Lord says, “My Word ... shall not return unto Me void.” Isa 55:11. The Lord never forgets any little work we do out of love for Him, and will reward us in a coming day. We may not see any results here, but He still wants us to sow the Gospel seed.

ML-08/09/1970

Alice

ALICE was the only child of very wealthy parents and she was their idol. Scarcely a desire of hers went unsatisfied.

But an unexpected visitor arrived. A flush appeared on her face and soon it was evident that Alice was a very sick girl. By degrees her health failed. How sad it was to leave her loving friends and to go — where? WHERE? So she sent for the clergyman. He came and had a service for the sick girl, and having administered the sacrament he pronounced her a good child.

But was Alice satisfied? No!

“Father!” she said, “I am going to die, but where am I going?”

The father gave no reply.

“Mother dear, can you tell me what I am to do to get to heaven?”

There was no reply save tears.

Then said Alice, “I am lost, lost! Is there no one who can tell me what I must do to be saved?”

Then her father spoke up: “My dear girl, you have been a good daughter. You have regularly attended church. You are all right.”

“Oh Father, I feel that is not enough. Oh, the blackness of darkness!”

Now there was a little servant girl who waited on Alice, and she loved to go to a meeting in the village where the simple gospel was preached. The little maid longed to tell her mistress that she might (like Naaman of old) “wash and be clean” At last she took courage and told Alice of a preacher in the village who would speak to her.

“Oh, that I could see him,” exclaimed the dying girl! The preacher came, and Alice, raising herself, said: “Can you tell me what I must do to obtain peace for my soul?”

“I’m afraid I can’t,” he replied.

Alice fell back. “Alas! and is it so? Is there no hope?”

“Wait a minute,” said the preacher. “Though I cannot tell you what you can do to be saved, I can tell you of what has been DONE for you. The Lord Jesus has completely finished the work by which lost and helpless sinners may be righteously saved. He shed His precious blood on Calvary’s cross that sinners might be forgiven. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

“And have I nothing to do?”

“Nothing, but believe.”

Believing, not doing, is God’s way.

The awakened girl listened, with breathless interest. She received the Word of God. Her face was lit up with heaven’s sunlight. Looking upward, she exclaimed, “Oh, what love!” In a few days she departed to be with Christ.

“Nothing either great or small,

Nothing, sinner, no.

Jesus did it, did it all,

Long, long ago.

Cast your deadly doings down

Down at Jesus’ feet,

Stand in Him, in Him alone,

Gloriously complete!”

ML-08/09/1970

Bible Talks: The Brazen Altar

Exodus 27:1-5

THE FIRST thing that met the sinner’s gaze when coming up out of the world into the court of the tabernacle, was the brazen altar, and this is what we have presented to us next.

“And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be four-square: and the height thereof shall be three cubits.”

The sinner could never approach God except through a sacrifice, and it was upon this altar of brass that the sacrifice was to be offered. It formed the meeting place between God and the sinner; for as long as the sinner is in his sins, God could only meet him on that ground, for man is a responsible being to God.

We remember how that the five pillars of the door spoke of grace going out to man in weakness; the length and breadth of the altar here is that of the grace of God. Who shall measure that? The height of three cubits remind us of three days, and may suggest the thought of life, out of death.

There were four horns, one at each corner of the altar. The horn is used as a symbol of strength and power, whether good or evil. When therefore the blood was sprinkled upon the horns, the whole strength of the altar which had been against the sinner is now exercised on his behalf.

As wood is capable of being scorched by fire, so He, in unspeakable grace, “became flesh” and suffered. “His visage was so marred more than any man, and His for more than the sons of men.” But brass can endure the fire, so He endured that most tremendous of a suffering, the full absolute trial the judgment of God, and endured it for us. Though the brass might glow in the terrible heat which tested its endurance, it did but shine the brighter for the fire. And blessed truth, the very fire of divine judgment itself could only bring out to view more fully His perfections.

Have you ever thought about that solemn cry which the Lord Jesus uttered upon the cross, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” What mere man, a sinner, forsaken of God, would dare to ask why? His conscience would soon give him many, many reasons why God should righteously forsake him.

But here is One, a Man too, (blessed thought), who in the very midst of the all-searching fire of divine judgment, can in perfect integrity, ask, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Who but He, “the holy One of God,” could speak to even God Himself (though it was in deepest subjection) to say if there were any fault in Him, any ground or cause in His pure and spotless life, and Person, for forsaking Him?

And let us remember, dear reader, that these words were uttered at the very moment when “all the waves and billows” of God’s wrath were passing over Him, on account of our sin. It was “out of the depths” that He cried, such depths as no living man ever did or could come into and live. Yet even from there. He could say, “Why?” in conscious, yet meekest, perfection. Jonah, beneath the waves and billows of the ocean, only needed to cry for mercy (Jonah 2:2,3) but this blessed One had gone on His own free will, in obedience and love, to where mercy could not read Him!

ML-08/09/1970

Buried Alive

IN INDIA one day a young fellow named John, heard a dog barking very excitedly and looked to see what was the cause of all the noise. Over in a distant field he could see the dog making the soft dirt fly as he dug into the earth. Every once in a while the dog would stop for a mite and bark excitedly. John thought perhaps the dog had discovered a choice bone, or perhaps it might be a gopher trapped in his hole in the ground.

His curiosity was aroused and he decided to go over and see what it was all about. As he drew closer he discovered that the cause of the excitement had arms and legs. A doll, he thought! But how did a doll get away out here? Why should someone bury a doll so far from home? Mae a farmer’s little girl had left her dolly out there while she was with her daddy in the field.

But, as he watched, he thought he saw the doll’s arm move. The next moment he was running towards the dog and shouting to it to go away. Snatching up the object the dog had dug up, he found it to be a tiny baby girl, all covered with dirt, but still alive. She was only a few hours old. Who could have brought her there and covered her with dirt? he wondered. Then the next question came, What shall I do now?

Looking anxiously around he spied a woman outside a small house and hurried to show her what the dog had uncovered from the ground. Gently the woman wiped off the dirt, and said, “We must get her to a hospital at once!” fearing she might not live.

“I’ll take her to the mission,” said John, and off he went, running all the way. Arriving at the mission he told the story of how the dog had dug up the baby and showed the scratches on her little legs.

“The mother must not have wanted her baby,” said the missionary with tears in her eyes, “and so she buried her alive.” Then she quickly put the tiny thing into the hospital where they washed off all the dirt and put some soothing medication on the swollen eyes. Soon the little one was between clean cozy sheets in a nice cradle and a nurse was gently rocking her to sleep.

They reported the matter to the police and a policeman came to search for the mother. He and John found her huddled in a field, sick, and brought her to the mission. The policeman ordered her to take care of the baby and feed it. However, she was not a good mother and cared not for her child. One day she went away and never returned.

But the Lord Jesus cared for the motherless little baby girl and she did not lack for love at the hospital for the nurses all loved her. She grew up to be a happy little Christian girl, loving the Lord Jesus with all her heart.

“It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of the little ones should perish.” Matt 18:14. “Suffer the little children to come unto Me.” Mark 10:14.

Jesus loves the little children,

All the children of the world:

Red and yellow, black and white,

All are precious in His sight;

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Jesus died for little children,

All the children of the world:

Red and yellow, black and white,

All are precious in His sight;

Jesus died for all the children of the world.

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. Psalm 111:4

His compassions fail not. Lam. 3:22

ML-08/16/1970

A Very Old Poem

HAVE YOU ever quarreled with your brother or sister? Many of us must answer “Yes” to that question. Children who lived 200 years ago quarreled too, but many mothers in those days would quote this little poem to their children when they quarreled:

Let dogs delight to bark and bite,

Man’s fall has made them so;

Let bears and lions growl and fight,

For ’tis their nature to.

Birds in their little nests agree,

But ’tis a shameful sight,

When children of one family fall out,

And chide, and fight.

Perhaps we may add these lines:

Let little ones who love the Lord,

From morning until night,

Delight to do the Saviour’s will,

And never quarrel or fight.

We should have two “bears” in our home — “bear,” and “forbear.” That means to have patience with others and be ready to forgive. We read in the Bible, “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Col. 3:13.

Sometimes the reason why we cannot get along with our brother or sister is just because we want our own way. Now the Lord can help us to be kind to others if we ask Him, for if we know Him as our Saviour, we have a new nature which wants to please Him in everything. He will give us power to triumph over the old evil nature and keep it in the place of death, so that our new nature, which is Christ Himself, can shine forth.

“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” Rom. 12:10.

ML-08/16/1970

Bible Talks: The Horns

Exodus 27:8

THE HORNS were the means by which the sacrifice was tied to the altar — there was no escape. Like the ram caught in the thicket by its horns (Gen. 23:13), so the Lord Jesus was held on the cross not by the nails but by the strength of His love for His Father’s glory and for us.

Lord, e’en to death Thy love could go.

The staves in the side were used to carry the altar from place to place in the wilderness, and so may we ever carry with us the sense of what the Lord has done for us at Calvary.

When we think of the perfection of the work of the cross, how full and free is the grace told out in the gospel to sinners in every land under heaven. The “grate of network of brass” under which the fire was always burning (Lev. 6:12,13) would preserve every particle of the sacrifice from falling through or being lost; and on this were the four bran rings, by which the altar was borne along with the people in all their journeyings throughout the wilderness. Christ, in this character, is ever with His people, to the end.

Only those sacrifices which were of “a sweet savor” were burned on this altar, and so we are given to see the immense importance of the altar itself and the blessedness of it. Without the sacrifices, the altar, though glorifying God, would be in vain for us. “For without shedding of blood, is no remission.”

The height of the altar which was three cubits, would also bring before us the thought of complete testimony. The cross of Christ stands between heaven and earth as the perfect witness to the fact that Christ has died and that God is satisfied with the work of Jesus. He has raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in glory.

The altar was four-square, as though God delighted to remind us that the work of redemption is for “whosoever will” out of any nation under heaven. And this reminds us of the heavenly city which is also four-square. There the redeemed since time began, from every kindred and tongue and people and nation, will join in the praises of Him who died and shed His precious blood to bring them there (Rev. 5:9). Dear reader, will you be there?

The Court of the Tabernacle

The sacred dwelling place of Gol was surrounded by the tents of the priests and Levites. It was further fenced off from the rest of the camp by being enclosed within an open space of ground, bounded on every side by fine white linen curtains or hangings, five cubits high and called “The Court of the Tabernacle.”

The fine linen in one way speaks of the spotless purity of Christ, and those snow white curtains which surrounded the house of God tell of the holiness which becomes the habitation of the Most High. They show that while upon the mercy seat within grace reigned, yet its throne is established in righteousness. God must everywhere manifest His holiness, even while He displays His mercy.

These fine twined linen hangings around the court measured 280 cubits. The curtains of the tabernacle (chapter 26:1, 2) were also 280 cubits ten curtains, each 28 cubits long. These measurements then were equal. The curtains of the tabernacle, presenting Christ in His personal glories now and also His future glories, could only be seen and enjoyed by God Himself and the priests who ministered in the tabernacle. They could only be seen from within, not from without. The fine-twined linen hangings of the court present Christ also, but more for those who were without.

Memory Verse “WE BELIEVE THAT THROUGH THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WE SHALL BE SAVED.” Acts 15:11.

ML-08/16/1970

The Bolivian Bible Man

ANGEL APALA, a native from the village of Llica, in Bolivia, had gone to Uyuni to look for work. He was not disappointed for he got a job with the railroad there. However, while at Uyuni he heard something that set him on a more serious search. He listened, for the first time, to the gospel and he heard a little of faith’s great storehouse of truth, the Bible.

Angel was filled with a desire to see, and to possess, a copy of this greatest of all books. One day, when an opportunity came, he traveled 200 miles with his wife to the larger town of Oruro. Although they did not even know what a Bible looked like, they devoted two or three days to searching the shops for one. But shops in Oruro did not sell Bibles then; it would not have been good for trade.

Feeling not a little disappointed Angel and his wife were wending their way back to the train station, when they came across a peddler displaying his wares on the sidewalk. They stopped to gaze admiringly at his bright dyes and mirrors, needles and combs, etc., when Angel noticed a single, rather drab-looking book. It was among his collection, but obviously not “of” it.

He decided to ask the peddler whether it might not be a Bible, and to his delight and astonishment was told that it was. Furthermore, he discovered that the money he had reserved was just exactly the price of the Book, so he lost no time in making it his.

Back in Uyuni once more he delved into his treasure and spent much time in reading it to his wife. These dear souls were poor and had had little education; nevertheless they received much spiritual light and comfort from the precious Book.

One day while Angel and his wife were out, someone put a gospel tract over their door. Never did the good seed fall on more fertile soil for on discovering the tract they both immediately set out to find the address and source from which it had come. It so happened that some missionaries had only recently arrived in town and were holding gospel services in a small room. It was not long before Angel and his wife presented themselves at the door of the little gospel hall where they were most cordially received.

It was the happy privilege of the missionaries to point this seeking couple to the Saviour. Their earnest desire to know more of the truth from God’s Book, their timely acceptance of the gospel tract, and the help from the Lord’s servants were links in the chain that brought joy and peace into the lives of Angel and his wife.

The missionaries have given us our closing glimpse of these changed lives. They have returned to their native village of Llica, their sole object being to circulate among their own people the Word of God, “Which liveth and abideth forever.” Many are the miles Angel walks, and many are the dangers he faces that others might have brought to them the wonderful message of Love which he embraced, and which embraced him after his so diligent search.

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor. 5:16,17.

ML-08/23/1970

An Answer to Prayer

CHARLES was a bright Christian, but he had an unsaved brother named Bob, who was a professional tramp. For many years Charles prayed that his brother Bob would be saved, but one day he said to the Lord, “Lord, I give up. Bob is not interested in being saved. I have prayed so long, and I think I’ll just give up praying for him.”

He went to bed that night but he could not sleep. Finally, he got up and knelt down and prayed once more for Bob.

The next morning Bob came into Charles’ office and smiling said, “Charles, I’m saved!”

“When was it you were saved?” asked Charles in happy surprise.

“At two o’clock in the morning,” answered Bob.

“Why, that was the very time I got out of bed and prayed for you,” ex claimed Charles.

What happy times they had together after that, as they talked of the Lord’s grace and goodness to sinners everywhere.

Now, Bob’s desire was to serve the Lord Jesus, and so he became a “sandwich man"; that is, he carried a board before and behind him, like’ the picture shows, with gospel verses printed on both sides. For many years, he went up and down the streets in New York City, giving out gospel tracts, and talking to the poor, drunken and sinful men about his wonderful Saviour.

Dear Christian, if you have been praying for someone for many years and see no results, may this little story encourage you to pray on. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16.

“Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58.

Memory Verse “WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT A MAN, IF HE SHALL GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSE HIS OWN SOUL?” Mark 8:36.

ML-08/23/1970

Tempted - Deceived!

ONE DAY a gardener in one of the big parks saw a fine, little, pedigreed dog following a man who was shabbily dressed. Patsy, the dog, kept sniffing at the man’s pant-leg. This made the gardener suspicious. He stopped the man, and discovered that he had placed a savory piece of meat inside the cuff on his pant-leg. It had been placed there to entice the little dog away from her home. The gardener rescued Patsy just in the nick of time, and the deceived dog was returned to its owner.

Satan is a great deceiver and tempter. He uses many different baits to tempt boys and girls away from the Lord Jesus and into sin. But the Lord Jesus rescues tempted and deceived boys and girls, and will keep all who put their trust in Him.

“Be not deceived.” Gal. 6:7.

The Lord Jesus is “able to save” (Heb. 7:25), and “able to keep” (Jude 24).

Ask the Saviour to help you,

Comfort, strengthen and keep you,

He is willing to aid you,

He will carry you through.

ML-08/23/1970

The Best Book

The Bible is the best Book,

The Book we hold so dear;

A Story Book, a Picture Book,

A Book of Songs to cheer.

The Bible tells of Jesus,

Now in His Home above;

The Bible brings the message sweet,

THAT GOD IS LOVE.

“I have loved you,” saith the Lord. Where does He say it? In the Bible, of course.

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10.

ML-08/23/1970

Even Little Ones

Louise and Eric are ready for bed; soon they will be in dreamland. But first they kneel and say their prayers.

Little ones can thank God our Father for all the good things He gives us to enjoy, but most of all for Jesus, that precious Saviour, who died to put our sins away.

ML-08/23/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 27:12-21

These lovely white hangings tell of the perfect walk of the Lord Jesus in His pathway through this world. The officers sent to arrest Him returned with the report, “Never man spake like this Man.” He could say to the Jews, “Which of you convinceth Me of sin?” And three times Pate confessed, “I find no fault in this Man.”

Like the fine-twined linen hangings of the tabernacle court, “He could not be hid"; He could not be less than perfect in all that He said and did. In the rejection of this blessed One, the holy One of God, who went about doing good, man’s true character came out as an enemy of God.

These beautiful white hangings were all around the tabernacle court, but on the east side there was the gate or entrance. This gate had four pillars, and it brings before us the Lord Jesus as the true door, the Saviour who with outstretched arms now offers salvation to “whosoever will,” to the “four corners” of the earth.

The east side is the sunny side, where the sun will rise. And this would remind us of the Lord Jesus as the “Sun of righteousness,” who is soon to “arise with healing in His wings” (Mal. 4:2) over this sin-weary earth. His advent will dispel all the darkness and gloom that Satan and man’s sin have brought in, and sweep away the ruins of the fall. Lord, haste that day!

The Gate of the Court

THERE ARE several things about “the gate of the court” that make us think of the Lord Jesus.

It was a beautiful gate, for it was mad of blue, purple, and scarlet, and fin, twined linen wrought with needlework. Is not the Lord Jesus “altogether lovely” — in the holiness of His character and the spotlessness of His life? Then it was a wide gate, measuring 20 cubits, or 35 feet in width. So the Lord Jesus is a Saviour for all who will come to Him. “Whosoever will may come.” That is a wide word, “WHOSOEVER,” and shuts out none but those who shut themselves out.

Then the gate of the court was easily opened. It was not made of wood, or iron, or brass, which would have made it a heavy gate. But it was just a curtain; a little child might lift it up and enter into God’s holy courts. So in order to be saved we are not told to do some great and difficult task, but simply to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust in Him alone.

“Only a step to Jesus!

Believe and thou shalt live;

Lovingly now He’s waiting,

And ready to forgive.”

Also the gate is like the Lord Jesus because it was the only gate. If any one refused to go in by that gate he remained outside. Does not this tell us that Jesus is the only Saviour, and that if we refuse to be saved by Him we shall be forever lost? Did He not say, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me"? John 14:6.

ML-08/23/1970

"I'd Rather Have Jesus!"

A FEW YEARS ago a wealthy society girl attended a gospel meeting and hearing, perhaps for the first time, about the Lord Jesus, took Him as her Saviour. When she went home from the meeting, she immediately told her parents of her new-found joy in the knowledge that her sins were forgiven.

But instead of rejoicing with her, those parents ridiculed their daughter, jeered at her and made fun of what she had done. When they saw that none of this affected her belief in Jesus they decided to try another means of attack. The wealthy father went out and bought her a new automobile, one that was especially attractive to a young person. As he handed her the keys, he said, “Young lady, this car is yours prided you won’t carry this Bible with you, or talk about Jesus, or go to places where they preach about Jesus.”

With the keys in her hand, she heard her father’s conditions. Then without hesitation she handed them back to her father, saying, “Thank you for the car, Dad, but I’d rather have Jesus.”

How wise that girl was. An automobile would give her pleasure for a little while but God’s salvation is for all eternity. And how unspeakably awful it would be to turn one’s back on God’s offer of mercy in favor of any of earth’s pleasures.

“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36.

“Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” 1 Tim. 4:8.

ML-08/30/1970

"Then She Is Rich!"

THIS WAS the remark of a little Sunday school boy who, being very ill, was visited by the teacher. The teacher, on leaving him, remarked that she was going to visit a poor sick woman.

“Does she love the Saviour?” inquired the boy.

“Yes,” was the reply, “I hope she does.”

“Then she is rich,” replied the boy. And was he not right? He that loves Jesus, and has Him for his Saviour and Friend, must be rich.

“For your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” 2 Cor. 8:9.

“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” 1 Cor. 15:3.

ML-08/30/1970

The Chased Chicken

A FRIEND of mine had a pet chicken which he allowed to run freely in his garden. One day he was disturbed by a loud squawking and hastening into the garden he saw his pet fleeing up the path in terror, pursued by a strange black dog. Quickly placing himself at the end of the garden path, my friend stooped down and stretching out his hands waited for the oncoming pair.

The chicken, seeing its master, fled straight for him and took refuge in his outstretched arms. While its little frame still quivered with alarm, my friend gently placed his pet within the breast of his coat, where in safety it soon quieted down with relief. The strange black marauder was soon chased from the garden and my friend took care to shelter his pet from further attacks of its enemy.

I would like to ask you, my young friends, have you acted as wisely as this poor bird? It knew it could not save itself from its foe, so it fled for refuge to its friend and deliverer. Now we all have a common enemy—Satan, the devil, the destroyer of souls. If you are unsaved then you are exposed to the power of Satan, as well as sin and its judgment. But there is a place of refuge — Jesus the Friend and Saviour of sinners is waiting to receive and to save all who flee to Him for refuge.

When my friend placed the little bird inside his coat against his breast it made me think of how sweetly it is said of the blessed Lord Jesus in Isaiah 40:11: “He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.”

Also my friend took care to drive the dog away and to provide for the future safety of his pet. How much more does Scripture say of one who is “begotten of God” and “safe in Christ": “that wicked one toucheth him not.” 1 John 5:18. So surely does the Son of God protect and preserve His own.

ML-08/30/1970

The Little Girl Upstairs

“HOW did you hear about Jesus?” asked the teacher. “Rosa taught me about Jesus,” answered Mary. “She sang: ‘I think when I read that sweet story of old'; and ‘There Is a Happy Land'; and then Rosa prayed in German for us children.”

“What did Rosa pray about?” asked the teacher.

“Oh, it was something about Jesus Christ and His precious blood.”

“What Sunday school did Rosa go to?”

“She never went to any,” answered Mary. “The little girl who lived upstairs to her, used to come down in the backyard and play ‘Sunday School,’ singing the hymns and talking about Jesus. That is the way she learned about Him.”

“Sing unto Him... Talk ye of all His wondrous works.” 1 Chron 16:9.

ML-08/30/1970

Just as I Am

SOME TIME AGO a poor boy came to a city missionary with a dirty, worn out piece of paper. He said, “Please, sir, Father sent me to get a clean paper like this.” Opening it out the missionary found it was a leaflet, containing that beautiful hymn,

“Just as I am — without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come!”

The man asked the boy where he got it, and why he wanted a clean one.

The boy replied, “We found it, sir, in sister’s pocket after she died. She used to be always singing it while she was sick, and she loved it so much, that Father wanted to get a clean one, and to put it in a frame and hang it up. Won’t you give me a clean one, sir?

This sweet, simple hymn given to the little girl in a Sunday school, or perhaps by someone on the street, seems to have been by God’s blessing the means of bringing her to Christ.

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

Memory Verse “THERE SHALL IN NO WISE ENTER INTO IT ANYTHING THAT DEFILETH... BUT THEY WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN THE LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE.” Rev. 21:27

ML-08/30/1970

Faithful Old Shep

I have a faithful doggie

Who loves me just a lot.

When I return from anywhere,

She’s always on the spot.

When I am gone she watches,

Nor wanders far away,

For she loves her home and master

Too much to go astray.

She jumps and barks a welcome,

And tells me o’er and o’er

She wishes I would stay at home

And go away no more.

Now, tell me, little reader,

Would not the Lord rejoice

If you for Him were waiting

And longing for His voice?

You each may learn a lesson

From pets so fond and true;

When Jesus comes to take us,

Will He find you watching too?

He wants your heart, dear reader,

So filled with thoughts of Him

That nothing earth can offer

Will make your hope grow dim.

For filled with thoughts of Jesus,

You’ll long for His return;

And that sweet hope within you

Will ever brightly burn.

ML-08/30/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 28:1-5

Within the tabernacle door,

My soul, what dost thou see?

’Tis Jesus, Jesus everywhere

That shows Himself to me.

The “Holy Place” is full of light,

A light that goes out never;

’Tis Jesus who has changed my night,

To day that lasts forever.

The “Holy Place” has holy food,

Each Sabbath newly spread;

’Tis Jesus that I here behold,

The true and living Bread.

We now come to another very precious and instructive portion of the Word of God — the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priesthood. Up to this point God has been revealing Himself (in type) in Christ to man. Now He provides a way for man to be represented in His presence. The priest was the one anointed through whom the people had to do with God. He represented them and ministered on their behalf.

Such was God’s holy character, and such was our fallen condition, that one could not know what God required of man. Furthermore, we could not stand in God’s presence, so God provided a mediator. Garments speak of walk and character, and so here the garments of the priest are described. They bring before us the lovely and wonderful character of God’s beloved Son in His office as the High Priest of His people.

Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first high priest of Israel. He was succeeded by his son Eleazar, a Eleazar by his son Phinehas (Judges 20:28). A great many high pries lived and died before Jesus was born (Josephus, the Jewish historian, says 83). They were all so man types of the ONE great High Pries now above the skies — in the heavenly tabernacle itself — ever living “to make intercession for all who come to God by Him.”

When seen alone, Aaron is a type of Christ, the High Priest for all believers now. When associated with his sons, together they form a type of Christ and the Church — a picture of the priestly family. Under the law only a son of the family of Aaron could be a priest; the privilege of a few then are now under grace the privilege of all believers. For He “hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father.” Well might we exclaim, “to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.’ Rev. 1:5.

The high priest was dressed differently from the other priests. His garments were most beautiful. They are called “holy garments, for glory and beauty.” All their glory and beauty have passed away, but that of which they speak remains, and will forever. They were a type of the beauty and glory of Him who was both God and Man — the Lord Jesus Christ, who as Immanuel dwelt among men, and of whom the Apostle John writes, “We beheld His glory — the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14. They are a picture too of that glorious salvation, that beautiful righteousness, with which God clothes all who trust His dear Son.

ML-08/30/1970

Jenny Lind and Her Text

“I Know that My Redeemer Liveth”

ALMOST every boy and girl has heard of Jenny Lind, called “The Swedish Nightingale.” She was born in Sweden and was called nightingale because of her “very lovely voice.” Her very name sounds sweet in its musical simplicity, and suggests thoughts of the modest, silver-throated thrush or linnet. She was known the world over as the Queen of Song, and her voice was heard and greatly appreciated when she was only seventeen. She was afterwards known all over the world as “The slim girl with the marvelous voice.”

Queen Victoria would often go to hear her, and twice did her an honor which she never before or after showed to anybody else — threw flowers to her. She received decorations and honors from nearly all the crowned heads of Europe, and the money received for her wonderful gift of song was enormous.

Yet all this fame and wealth did not in the least make Jenny Lind either vain or haughty, for she wrote to Professor Blackie the following beautiful words: “My unceasing prayer is that what I give to my fellows may continue to live on through eternity, and that the Giver of the gift, and not the creature to whom He lent it, may be praised and acknowledged.”

Is not this sweet humility? And how it reminds us of the bird after which she was called, hiding in the deep woods and dense thickets, and there from its shy retirement pouring out its soothing melody in the darkness of the long summer’s night.

Now I must tell you something of Jenny Lind that is not generally known. A writer says: “Nothing is more astonishing about the career of Jenny Lind than its comparative shortness. She sang in opera in England for only two years, and she retired practically five years after her first appearance in London, though she sang occasionally during the next few years, usually on behalf of charity.”

And why do you think, young friends, did this remarkable young lady retire so quickly from her public performances, and till the day of her death, remain in the comparative seclusion of a quiet English home? Here is why: She was sitting one day on the sands by the seashore, with her Bible open on her knee, when an admiring friend said to her: “Oh, madame, how is it that you ever abandoned the stage at the very height of your success?”

This was her beautiful reply: “When every day it made me think less of this"—laying a finger on her beloved Bible—“what else could I do?” What a conclusive reason, and how noble of her to give up for conscience’ sake a career so brilliant and full of worldly promise.

This she did because she loved her Saviour. She was evidently a true Christian, as the words,

“I Know That MY Redeemer Liveth,”

inscribed on her tomb in Great Malvern Cemetery, would tell.

In the great oratorio, “The Messiah,” this is the part she loved so passionately to sing. Yes, she knew Jesus had died for her and was rise; again; and for His sake she gave up her singing in opera — which is mostly of worldly love, elopement, lying, and even worse. Could the pure young disciple of the Lord go on singing such things, so defiling to the soul and grieving to the Holy Spirit of God?

Do you know, young reader, that your Redeemer liveth? Is He Your Saviour? If so, follow Him, as did Jenny Lind, whatever the cost, and separate yourself from everything that makes you think less of Him.

But if you are a stranger to Hint, lose no time in acquainting yourself with Him, and receiving Him in your heart by faith.

“And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” — John 17:3

ML-09/06/1970

The Little Sparrow

When Gracie was playing in the backyard one morning, she saw a tiny bird lying dead on the ground. It must have fallen out of the nest. Gracie felt so badly about it that she brought the little thing in for Mother to see.

“God saw the little bird fall,” said Mother. “The Lord Jesus talked about little sparrows and said, ‘one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father... Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Matt. 10:29,31.

“If God who made this great universe cares for the little sparrow, how much more will He care for a little one who trusts in Jesus.”

God sees the little sparrow fall,

It meets His tender view.

If He so loves the little birds,

I know He loves me too.

ML-09/06/1970

Jack and Jill

THESE TWO little dogs, Jack and Jill, have a very comfortable home, and a kind mistress, Miss Rose, who takes good care of them. She brushes their coats and takes them for walks every day. But Jill did not always have it so good.

Jack the Sealyham was out with his mistress on the busy street one day when they first saw Jill, a poor little stray dog. She was dirty and looked miserable, and several times she very nearly got run over. Jill came up to Jack, who was very friendly, and seemed to be telling her what a nice home and kind mistress he had. Jill followed them for some way, and then Miss Rose stooped down and picked up the little stray dog in her arms. She took her first to the police station, then as no one claimed her, she took Jill home and kept her as her own dog. After a warm bath and a good meal, Jill was a very different-looking little dog.

Jill reminds me of many lonely boys or girls, and older ones too who need the Saviour, though they do not always realize how great is that need. What did Jill do to gain a kind mistress and comfortable home? Nothing! Her lost condition and need drew out the pity that was in the heart of Miss Rose.

The little dog simply let Miss Rose pick her up and carry her home. The Lord Jesus wants to save lost sinners and carry them home to heaven.

How clean and satisfied little Jill felt after her bath and meal! The Lord Jesus must first cleanse us from our sins to make us fit for His presence in the Father’s house, that home of love and joy above. But this He does to each one who trusts Him as his Saviour. And He feeds and takes care of His own all along the way to heaven. Oh how wonderful it is to have Him as Saviour and Friend!

Did little Jill deserve the kindness shown to her? No, and neither did we as sinners, we who wandered far from God, like the prodigal son. We deserved nothing but death and judgment for our sins against God, but Jesus loved us just the same, and went to Calvary’s cross to die and shed His precious blood which washes whiter than snow.

Jill has found a real friend in Jack; they have happy times together. And those who take the Lord Jesus as their Saviour find themselves in the company of God’s dear people, who have joys and pleasures this world cannot give.

Miss Rose says she will never part with Jill though some wanted to buy her. And the Lord Jesus will never give up a boy or girl who trusts in Him, for He says: “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:28. Again, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb. 13:5.

Safe in Christ, safe in Christ!

He’s their glory ever;

None shall pluck them from His hand,

They shall perish never.

ML-09/06/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 28:6, 7

AARON was the high priest in Israel, but Christ alone is the Great High Priest. Aaron was only a type, and a failing one at that, for he had to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for those of his people. But the Lord Jesus, our great High Priest, is “holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.” He was able to offer Himself “without spot to God,” and through His perfect work on the cross all our sins are put away forever.

The priestly garments for Aaron were to be “for glory and beauty,” and of these the ephod was the preeminent one. Without it the high priest could not fully exercise his office. It was made of gold, blue, pule, scarlet and fine twined linen, the same colors as those of the veil only with the gold added; and this is mentioned first, for the gold brings before us the divine character of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus in these beautiful colors we have Him brought before us as both God and man. The Lord Jesus carries all His glories with Him into His office as the great High Priest of His people. He has suffered once to put our sins away once for all on the cross, and now He appears in the presence of God for us, not according to what we are, but according to what He is.

The gold was beaten into the plates, or wires, and woven into blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine twined linen, so that it was inseparable from them. This tells us how the divine and human characters of our blessed Lord are inseperable, so that no one would dare say, in contemplating His Person, this part is divine, and that is human, As a perfect man, with feelings, affections and sympathies proper to a man, He can represent His people; as divine He can go into the presence of God for us.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.” Heb. 4:14.

How wondrous the glories that meet

In Jesus, and from His face shine;

His love is eternal and sweet,

’Tis human, ’tis also divine.

Among the beautiful colors of the ephod is the blue — Christ Jesus as the heavenly One; the fine twined linen — His spotless humanity. Then we have those royal colors — the purple and scarlet, and these set forth the royal glories of the Lord Jesus in that future day. Now he, exercises His priestly office after the order of Aaron, but in the millennial glory He will sit as Priest on His royal throne. He will be seen then in His Melchisedek character as both King of righteousness and King of peace.

ML-09/06/1970

Fulor's New Weapon

FULOR was a hardened criminal in the town of Iramble, Brazil; he always carried two revolvers in his belt. Most of the townspeople were terrified of him and even the police feared him. He did as he liked and no one dared challenge him.

One day a gospel preacher arrived in Iramble to visit relatives. One of the relatives knew Fulor, and told the preacher about the gunman.

“I must see him,” said the preacher, “and tell him about the Saviour.”

So the preacher visited the dreaded Fulor. Fulor listened to every word the preacher said, and at the end of their conversation he accepted a New Testament.

The next day the preacher was holding a gospel meeting in his niece’s home. Just before the meeting began there was a stir among those present. Murmurs went round the room. Fulor had just come in!

He sat quietly and listened thoughtfully. Afterward Fulor spoke to the preacher about his sins.

“Will God forgive even me?” he asked. The preacher assured Fulor that if he was sorry for his sinful life and took Christ as his Saviour, he would be saved for all eternity. Fulor did receive the Lord and was converted that day.

The following day the chief of police was looking out of his office window. Surely that could not be Fulor walking through the station door! But a few moments later there was a knock at the door, and in walked Fulor. In his hands were two revolvers. The police chief gasped. “This gunman has actually dared to walk into the police station and hold me up,” he thought. He thought too of his sick wife and children at home.

But Fulor placed the revolvers on the desk. “Chief,” he said, “please sell these two guns and buy some medicine for your sick family. Now I belong to Jesus, and my weapon is this.” Fulor drew from his pocket the New Testament the preacher had given to him the day before his conversion. “I have been a terrible sinner,” said Fulor, “but thanks be to God, Jesus has taken my sins away.”

When we come to the Lord Jesus and take Him as our Saviour, we become a new creature.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5: 17.

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

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.

Jesus can save little children,

Save them from sin, make their hearts clean;

Jesus can save little children,

Save them and keep them from sin.

ML-09/13/1970

Philip

PHILIP was just a thin little boy, not more than six years old. His mother was dead and his father was a thief, a very bad thief who robbed stores and was chased by the police. There were several thieves who worked together, and the worst of them all was little Philip. No one could steal from the corner store without being caught faster than Philip. His father told him that he was a very clever little boy, but no one ever told him that God saw him, and that he could not get away from God.

November had been a very hard month for thieves. No money had come in for a long time, and the police followed them so closely they were almost afraid to move in the day time. One long cold evening they started out in the pouring rain and walked until poor little Philip was soaked and shivering. It was very late when they crept into some one’s hayloft and lay down for a few hours sleep.

In less than fifteen minutes everyone was snoring; everyone but Phillip. His eyes were very wide and bright in the darkness. He was hot and cold, and miserable and thirsty, and no one seemed to care. I’m glad that God was watching him, loving him and caring for him every minute of that long cold night.

Before morning the thieves woke up, for it was safer not to wait until daylight. Father pushed Philip gently with his foot, but Philip was too sick to care. He tried to stand up when the thieves grew angry, but he could only tumble down in the straw again, and even Father saw that it was impossible for him to walk that day. They crept out into the early morning darkness without him.

Not long after that the rooster crowed loudly and the little lady in the farmhouse lit her fires. She came down the path to the farmyard calming, “Here, chick, chick, here, chick, chick.” But suddenly she stopped. There was a strange sound in her barn. Not chickens or pigs, but the sound of a little boy crying. She found him in a moment, and carried him to the cleanest, whitest, softest bed that Philip had ever seen in his life. She gave him water to drink, and bathed his hot little hands and face and cared for him with all her heart, but he was too sick to know anything about it. For days he did not know anything and she thought he would die.

But he did not die. The time came when he could sit up and look into the dear lady’s face and ask her hundreds of questions. Sometimes she answered them and sometimes she didn’t, but he loved her very mud and called her “Mother.” As he grew stronger, it was fun to do little things for Mother, to feed the chickens and pigs, to fill the wood box and sweep the snow. But the best of all was in the evening when the work was done, Mother would sit by the fireplace and tell him stories, wonderful stories, such as he had never heard before.

The story he liked best was of a Man named Jesus. Philip heard how they tied His hands and beat Him, and drove big nails through His hands and feet into the wooden cross. The tears ran down the little boy’s face.

“Why did they do that, Mother?

Was He a bad man?”

“No, Philip, He was a very good Man. He fed hungry people and opened blind people’s eyes. He was very good.”

“Then what did He die for, Mother? Why did they do that to Him?”

“They did it because they hated Him. He could have gone right back to heaven because He really was God, you know, but He chose to die for sinners.”

“What are sinners, Mother?” “Sinners are bad people who lie and swear and steal.”

Philip’s face grew very red and he did not look up, but he asked, “Is it wrong to steal?”

“Yes, Philip. It is a sin to steal even once.”

He looked up now and his eyes were full of tears. “Is that what Jesus died for?” he asked. “Then if that is what Jesus died for, I am never going to steal again.”

There were many other stories by the fireplace but that one story he never could forget. All that summer, his cheeks grew rosy and his little body grew so tall and plump that you never would have known him for the same thin little Philip who came there nearly a year before.

Mother wondered what she would do without her little helper.

Autumn came again. It was not quite daylight when Mother rose to make the fire in the kitchen, and Philip was pulling on his warm sweater to come and help her, when she heard a knock at the door. It was a heavy knock and a heavy footstep, and a rough-looking man outside when she opened the door. His question made her feel worse than I can tell you, for this is what he said, “I left my little boy here a year ago. I want him to come with me.”

Philip knew his father right away and did not think of saying, “No,” though his little heart was nearly breaking when he kissed Mother good-bye, and left the happy little home in the early morning. The other thieves were nearby but nobody seemed glad to see him. They tramped all morning in silence though poor little Philip’s mind was full of questions. He wanted to cry but it was no use, nobody loved him. Why did they come for him if they did not want him?

At last he could not bear it any longer, “Daddy,” he asked, timidly, “Where are we going?”

“I’ll tell you when I feel like it,” said Daddy, and that was his only answer.

“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me... For I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always bold the face of My Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” Matt. 19:14; 18:10,11.

Whom have I in Heaven but Thee?

No other Name, no other plea:

No one on earth can satisfy me,

None but Thyself, Lord Jesus.

ML-09/13/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 28:8-10

“AND THE curious girdle of the ephod, shall be of the same... even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.”

The girdle was of the same beautiful materials as the ephod itself. Used to bind the ephod on the high priest, in it we get the thought of service. A beautiful example of this is found in the words of the Lord Himself in Luke 12:37: “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh, shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth to serve them.”

Love delights to serve, and so the Lord Jesus, our High Priest, never ceases to serve us. The love that led Him to suffer those agonies of the cross and give His life for us, now leads Him to live and make intercession for us on high. He thinks of His own all the while we are down here in this world; He is conscious of all our weaknesses and pleads before the Father for us. When we grow cold and wander away, He goes after us and restores us in all the tender love of a divine Shepherd.

He is concerned in all that concerns us, and cares for and encourages us. Moses’ hands grew weary and had to be stayed by Aaron and Hur, but our blessed High Priest never grows weary in His love and service for His own. Not only has He stooped so low in order to lift us and bring us into such a place favor and blessing, but in unceasing love He is maintaining us there. Is not the wonder of all wonders that He should so love and serve such poor unworthy things. Surely that should lead us out in more unwearied service and love to Him and one another.

Next came the two onyx stones es which were engraved the names of the children of Israel — six names on each. Then these stones were set in gold and placed on the shoulders of the ephod; and “Aaron shall be their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memorial.”

The onyx stones were precious stones and speak of the beauties and excellencies of Christ, so the names of His people are carried on the shoulders of their High Priest in all His beauty and excellency. Then the gold tells of how they are set there in divine righteousness.

The names were “according to their birth.” There was no special place of favor for some — all were there. And so with the redeemed of the Lord now. When seen with reference to their being “born of God,” there is no difference. Each is as precious as the other.

ML-09/13/1970

Philip

AT NOON the thieves stopped to eat the buns that Mother had packed for Philip. The little fellow bowed his head, as he always did at home, to thank God for the gift of daily bread, but when he opened his eyes he saw three angry frowns. Father thought it was time to explain where they were going, so he began.

“There’s a big empty house, Phillip, just outside the city. No one is living there now, but a very rich family used to live there and now they have gone away for the winter and they have left plenty for us. There’s jewelry and silverware more than we can carry. But it is locked and barred, all but a little window in the third story, just big enough for you to crawl through. The ladder is ready and that’s your job tonight and an easy one it is too.”

Philip used to think it was fun to do things like that, but now there was a lump in his throat and he felt as if he could not speak. At last he said, “Father, I am never going to steal again.”

“Why not?” asked one of the men.

“Because that is what Jesus died for, and I’m never going to steal again.”

The name of Jesus in Philip’s quiet voice made all the men angry. They talked and scolded and frightened and laughed at him, but all he would say was, “That’s what Jesus died for, and I’m never going to steal again.”

All the long afternoon they walked towards the city, and in the dark evening they reached the house, standing alone with plenty of trees to hide the thieves. Philip’s heart was beating hard as the men held the ladder steady in the cement walk, against the window.

“Now, Philip,” said Father, “Climb up.”

He had scarcely time to say “No,” for his father seized him, shook him and kicked him with angry words scarcely above a whisper. But Philip would not move. He only repeated when his father stopped, “That’s what Jesus died for, and I’m never going to steal again.”

One of the thieves saw that it was no use to punish the boy, so he came up and whispered in his ear, “You don’t need to steal. It won’t be your fault. Just open the window and leave the rest to us.”

Philip thought a moment. Perhaps it would not be his fault really. He listened to the devil’s temptations and he climbed the ladder.

It was very dark and very high. Philip looked down at the faces of the three thieves towards him. “Hold the ladder tight, Daddy,” he whispered.

“I’m holding it. Go on.”

Philip climbed to the second story and looked down again. It was a long way down but he could still see the three thieves at the foot of the ladder and he could see — or thought he could see — a man — two men, coming quickly around the corner of the house. The thieves saw them at the same moment. They let go the ladder and ran, up over the fence and across the fields, and the ladder slipped and fell.

The two policemen picked up from the ground a little broken body.

Again Philip was laid upon the cleanest, whitest bed you can imine, and again he didn’t know anything about it. For days he lay in the hospital, not feeling anything at all, and the doctor thought he would die.

One evening, a new nurse came to the room where Philip was lying, a new nurse with a very white cap and uniform, and a very tender heart. She saw the little boy and did not know who he was, but he was wide awake now and there were deep wrinkles in his forehead.

“What’s wrong, little boy,” she asked kindly, “Does it hurt?”

“No.”

“Then what is the trouble?” she tried to smooth out the wrinkles. “Could I help you?”

Philip turned his face away and it was some moments before he answered, “I want to go to heaven, and I — can’t.”

“Yes you can,” she answered quickly. “The Lord Jesus loves little children. He took them up in His arms when He was here. He loves you, Philip, and He wants to have you with Him in heaven. Don’t you know that He died for you?”

“Not for me,” said Philip, and the wrinkles grew deeper.

“Yes, for you, Philip. He died on the cross to wash away our sins, Trust Him and He will save you.”

But Philip only repeated sadly, “Not for me. You don’t know how bad I am.”

The nurse was silent for a moment, quietly asking God to teach her how to show this little boy that Jesus loved him. Then she opened her Bible, and turned over the pages to Luke, chapter 23. “Is a thief bad enough for you, Philip?” she asked, and she wondered why his pale face flushed as he answered, “Yes.”

Then she read the most wonderful story in the world, the story of the death of the Son of God. Do you know the story, boys and girls? Do you remember how they spit in His blessed face and pounded great nails through His hands and feet, and ever God turned away from His sufferings in those hours of darkness. And even when the pain was worse than we can think of, Jesus turned in loving kindness to the thief who confessed Him as Lord, and said, “Today shall thou be with Me in Paradise.”

When the nurse had finished reading she looked up at Philip. “That thief is in heaven, Philip. Can you go now?”

“Yes,” he answered, and the deep wrinkles were all smoothed out. “Why?” she asked.

“Because the Lord Jesus died for me.” His face was full of happiness as he repeated over and over, “He died for me, and He loves me, and I am going to be with Him.”

The next evening the same nurse came again in her clean white uniform, and her very first visit was to Philip’s room. She found the white covers smoothed evenly over the empty bed, and she knew at once that Philip had gone to be with Jesus.

Would you like to go to be with Jesus too? Jesus loves you and longs to have you, but you cannot go to heaven in your sins. They must be put away before you can enter that bright home above, and that is why the Lord Jesus endured that awful suffering, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree, so that He might save sinners like you and me. Will you believe in Him as Philip did? If you do you will be able to say, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20.

O LORD, HOW MANIFOLD ARE THY WORKS! IN WISDOM HAST THOU MADE THEM ALL: Psalm 104:24

ML-09/20/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 28:11-21

“WITH THE work of an engraver in stone... shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel.” Their names were not simply written upon those stones, but cut into them; they were there to stay. And this vividly pictures to us the eternal security of those whose names are now written in the Lamb’s book of life — they are never to be blotted out. How wonderful to see this precious truth of God set forth in these Old Testament Scriptures.

“And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memorial.” Christ our great High Priest cannot be in God’s presence now without our names being seen upon His shoulders.

The shoulders in Scripture speak of strength (Isa. 9:6), and in this case it was both shoulders. The Lord Jesus, upon whose shoulders will rest the government of the world, the One who upholds all things by the word of His power, is bearing up His people, weak and feeble as they are, on His mighty shoulders of strength. And like the shepherd who found the lost sheep and caned it home on his shoulders rejoicing, so Christ is carrying His own in everlasting strength on to the rest of God that awaits them above.

Then we have the breastplate which Aaron bore upon his heart. It was square and its materials were largely the same as those of the ephod. It carried four rows of precious stones on which were engraved the names of the tribes of Israel, However, the arrangement was altogether different to that of the onyx stones. Here the names corresponded to the order of the tribes about the camp. Each name had its own peculiar precious stone, and each its own place. So it is with believers now, Each one has his own particular place given of God, and each one displays some Christ-like trait. Every one of the twelve stones was different and all were beautiful. So each dear child of God has a special beauty in the Saviour’s eyes because of His comeliness which He has put upon us. (Ezek. 16: 14). The stones were set in gold; and all believers have the same perfect standing made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21).

The breastplate was worn over the heart, the place of the affections. And this tells us that believers are precious to Christ. Their names are engraven on His heart — never to be erased.

As Aaron went into the presence of God, the light of the sanctuary, shing upon the precious stones, would bring out all their varied beauties and glories. Since these speak of the excellencies of Christ, believers are before God in all the acceptance of His dear Son, and arrayed in His beauties. God sees with delight His people upon the heart of their great High Priest, and since He is ever bore God now, so they are continually before Him too — “holy and without blame before Him in love” — “accepted in the Beloved.”

ML-09/20/1970

The Trapper's Story

WE SAT in the trapper’s home that day listening to his experiences. He trapped in winter and was a fishing and hunting guide the rest of the year. He was thoroughly familiar with a large area of Northern Ontario, then he told the following story.

“Three years ago I was working my trap line far to the north. The snow was very deep that winter. The only mark of man in all the area I had covered was the trail of my snowshoes as I traveled from trap to trap. Coming over the crest of a hill I saw a thin pencil of smoke rising straight up in the still, cold air. I knew of no other trappers in the area and could not guess the origin of the smoke. There were no houses of any kind in that part and yet the smoke was a definite sign of man; but who could it be? It was late afternoon, night was coming on and with a long way back to camp I could not risk going further.

“Three days later the wisp of smoke was still on my mind so I determined to go back and clear up the mystery. The distance was much greater than I would have believed. After going as far as I thought could possibly be the source of the smoke I was about to turn back. A hill lay in front of me and I knew a small lake lay on the other side of the hill. I decided to go as far as the frozen lake and then turn back...

“I will never forget the sight that lay over that hill. As I looked down on the lake I saw a huge military aircraft which I learned later was an F-101 Fighter jet. It sat on the ice on the far side of the lake and looked to be undamaged.

“Crossing the ice to the other shore I found the pilot. He lay in a shallow grave scooped out in the snow, branches broken from nearby trees were pulled over his body. Beside the place where he lay were the charred remains of a fire. This had been the cause of the smoke I had seen. Placing my head against his chest I felt the faintest flutter of his heart. He was alive.

“I carried him out and got him io town and to the hospital with the aid of the Provincial police. He was injured in the crash landing of his jet and suffered severe frost bite. But he lived. He told of three weeks of struggling to stay alive in the bitter cold. Emergency rations on board the plane kept him going and he waited hopefully for rescue, but as the time dragged by his hope ban to fade. The cold numbed him and he feared to lie down to sleep. With great difficulty because of his injury he managed to keep a fire burning until this became impossible. With the last flickering flame his hope died. The place he hollowed out in the snow was a grave where he expected to die. He had reached the end of his strength, the end of his hope; there would be no rescue, he would perish alone. He was lost.”

Dear reader, this story is an illustration of a sinner coming to the end of himself. He has tried every, thing. Works, prayers, feelings, at tempts to believe the gospel have all ended in despair. He is lost, he can do nothing. Then and only then does the Saviour do His mighty work of saving the lost sinner.

“The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” — Luke 19:10.

Christ is the only hope for a poor helpless sinner. Notice that He does not help to save, nor does He save any but lost sinners. Have you ever been really lost? “He went after that which was lost until He found it.” Luke 15:4.

ML-09/27/1970

Little Folks' Fountain

IN ONE of the busiest streets in Glasgow, Scotland, there stands a pretty fountain which bears the name of “Little Folks’ Fountain.” It received this name because it was built by the pennies of a great many boys and girls in all parts of the world who wished to provide a free drink of pure Loch Katrine water to anybody and everybody in the great city.

On a hot summer day I saw a crowd of thirsty school boys quenching their thirst at the fountain. As I stood looking upon the fountain, its crowd of thirsty school boys, its free drinks for “whosoever will,” I thought of another fountain to which God invites all who thirst. “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely"; again, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 21:6; Rev. 22:17.)

It is mealtime, and Peggy, Joe and Sally are all drinking milk for lunch. Boys and girls need plenty of milk to grow strong healthy bodies.

God wants us not only to grow strong physically, but He also wants us to “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Pet. 3:18.

For this we need to read His Word faithfully everyday and to pray to Him. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” 1 Pet. 2:2.

ML-09/27/1970

An Accident and What It Brought Out

MR. GEORGE and his son, Bill, were driving in their van along the busy city street. It had been raining and the pavement was wet and slippery. Just as they were passing a shop, the boy said to his father, “Dad, I need some new rubbers. Can I run in and get a pair?”

“Sure, son,” said his father. “I’ll stop for you.”

They were on a downgrade, and his father could not pull up as quickly as the boy wished. So with the impatience and energy of a boy in his teens, Bill jumped off while the van was moving; his foot slipped and he fell, as his father thought, under the wheel.

Mr. George stopped as quickly as he could and jumping out he ran back expecting to see a crowd around his boy’s broken and perhaps lifeless body; but no trace of the boy could he see. Bye and bye he spied him tripping gaily to meet him with his parcel under his arm.

“O Bill, I thought you had fallen under the wheels!” he exclaimed.

“No, Dad, I fell behind the van and wasn’t hurt,” explained Bill.

When they both were in the van and on their way again his father asked solemnly, “Suppose, my boy, the wheel had gone over you, and you had been killed. Where would you be now?”

“In heaven, Dad,” replied Bill. “How do you know that?” his father asked again.

“Because I believe in Jesus, Dad,” returned the boy. “I believe He died for me, and I know that my sins are all forgiven.”

Then it came out how that the seed sown by his Christian father and mother, together with the prayers of an earnest Sunday school teacher, being good seed, the seed of the Word, had fallen on good ground in Bill’s young heart. Now it was springing up, a tiny green blade of confession of Christ.

Was Bill any better than other boys of his age? No, indeed. Though sheltered in a Christian home from the snares and temptations that many other boys are exposed to, Bill had a nature and heart as bad as the worst of them. But the Holy Spirit had ploughed up his heart and conscience, showed him that he was a sinner, and he had been honest out it. His was a “broken and contrite heart,” and that accident brought out his first confession of Christ.

Dear reader, accidents happen every day—on the streets and highways, on land and sea, or in the air precious souls, young and old, are being hurried into eternity, and who knows whether you may be the next victim? Death often gives no warning of his approach, but God warns of what comes “after death!” for death does not end it all. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT.” Heb. 9:27.

You can be ready, like that dear boy, Bill. Jesus has died for sinners and you can be saved right now. Trust Him as your Saviour, pass from death unto life, and be prepared, come what may.

ML-09/27/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 28:22-35

THE breastplate and the shoulders of the ephod were bound together with chains and rings of gold. Since the breastplate worn on the high priest’s heart tells of the love of Christ for His people, and since the shoulders speak of strength, then these chains and rings of gold teach us of how His strength and love unite in bearing us up and in presenting us before God as those He loves and cherishes. “Neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:28); again “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Rom. 8:35).

The Urim and Thummim, meaning “lights” and “perfections,” were put into the folded breastplate. We are not told of how or what they were made, but they had to do with wisdom and judgment from the Lord. He gave counsel and guidance to Israel and answered questions through them at times in their history (1 Sam. 28:6). When Israel is restored, Christ Himself will take the place of the ancient Urim and Thummim.

The robe of the ephod is next described; it was of blue. Blue is the familiar heavenly color, and set forth the heavenly character of the One who was “made higher than the heavens” (Heb. 7:26).

There was to be a hole in the top the robe, but it was to be bound that it “be not rent.” No imperfections could be allowed in that which set forth Christ. There was no place where His coat was joined: the Lord Jesus was God and perfect man the same time. God did not allow even His enemies to rend His rob (John 19: 23,24.)

On the hem of the robe wen placed golden bells and pomegranates, made of blue, purple, scarlet and fine twined linen. The pomegranate was a fruit that belonged especially to the “holy land” and was not found in Egypt.

The bells were for the purpose of giving forth a sound so that Aaron might be heard when he went into the holy place, and when he came out. A heavenly note sounded out at each step. No fleshy, discordant sounds of earth must sound out at the footsteps of one who approached God. It must be a heavenly melody; his walk must be a heavenly walk. What heavenly melody sounded out when the Lord Jesus after His wonderful work on the cross entered the heavenly sanctuary. What fruit was thus borne to God. And when He comes forth again from the sanctuary above to call His loved people home, what heavenly melody will mark that scene!

“A bell and a pomegranate"—testimony and fruit were to mark all the high priest’s goings. And this should be so with us as Christians in our walk down here, now that we belong to Christ.

ML-09/27/1970

Brave Little Puss

PUSS was a little kitten, the favorite playmate of Baby Ann. Mother had sat Baby Ann on the floor of the sunny porch that opened out into the garden and Puss was playing nearby.

Not long after, Puss spied a long black thing, like a piece of rope, slithering across the floor towards Baby Ann. Now Puss loved a real scrap, and if he couldn’t find someone to fight with, he would have a mock battle with the leg of a chair, a stick, or a piece of rope. But this time “the piece of rope” was alive; It was moving across the floor, and Puss was all alert, ready for action.

The snake came on. With one bound, Puss was on its back, growling and biting all up and down the snake with his sharp teeth. Puss did not know that this was a poisonous snake, so the fight went on. Again and again the snake’s poisonous fangs pierced the kitten’s skin; still Puss snarled and fought on. Hover, the effect of the snake’s bite began to tell on Puss and he became so weak and faint he could fight no more.

The snake was badly mauled and chewed up, but before it slithered off out of sight apparently it made one bite at Baby Ann’s leg. Hearing Baby Ann’s cries, mother rushed out and snatched her from the floor. Thankful to say, the snake’s venom had been spent, and Baby Ann lived. Brave little Puss, however, was stretched out lifeless on the porch floor.

Baby Ann was spared, but it cost Puss his life.

There was One who came to save sinners from the serpent’s bite. The Bible tells us that that old serpent, the Devil, came into the Garden of Eden long ago, and so man fell through sin. We have all been bitten by the old serpent; we are all sinners. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Rom. 5:12. Now the Lord Jesus came in love into this world to deliver us from the effects of the serpent’s bite, and to destroy the works of the devil. He met the full power of Satan at the cross of Calvary, and there He died — for you and me. Now God can say, Whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

“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 [judgment]; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

“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.” Isa. 53:5.

ML-10/04/1970

The Pie

The sight of the fresh-baked pie on the table is too much for little Winnie. Perhaps she only intends to touch it. But one bad step leads to another. Soon she will be putting her little fingers into the pie and tasting it. And so when Mother comes home she will have to punish the little girl she loves.

The Lord Jesus has told us to “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.” Matt 26:41.

Mother baked the pie for Winnie and her Daddy anyway, so how much better it would be to take it from Mother’s loving hands, instead of taking it herself. And how much better for us all to wait for the Lord Jesus to put into our hands those things He wants us to have.

ML-10/04/1970

Safe in Jesus' Fold

“I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11.

I was lost, a little lamb,

Out of Jesus’ fold,

Faint with hunger and with fear,

In the dark and cold.

Jesus missed me, though a lamb,

Little, lone and weak,

And He could not rest for love,

He the lost must seek.

Now I’m safe, a little lamb,

Safe in Jesus’ fold,

Jesus found and brought me in

From the dark and cold.

Is He glad, and am not I—

I who went astray,

Glad that He has brought me back

To the heavenly way?

ML-10/04/1970

Choices

Louise is a little girl without any brothers or sisters. She had a birthday last week and Grandma took her to a toy store to buy her a new doll. There were so many lovely dolls — dolls that talked, cried, and drank from a bottle. One doll could even ride a bicycle.

Louise found it hard to make a choice, but finally she chose a 30-inch walking doll. It was such a big doll that it was almost like having a little sister. Louise made a wise choice, don’t you think?

Every boy and girl must make a choice in their young lives — whether to take Jesus as their Saviour, or no. Have you made this important choice, dear young reader? Which is it for you — Christ or the world? O that you might be able to say: “My heart is fixed... CHRIST FOR ME!”

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Josh. 24:5.

ML-10/04/1970

The King and the Chimney Sweep

“On one occasion we went to see the King of Sweden reviewing his troops. Amid all the military show one little incident touched me the most. A little chimney sweep came running past the spot where the king was on his horse. His face was black and his feet were bare, but as he passed the monarch of Sweden he raised his dirty hand and saluted his sovereign. The king smiled upon the little fellow and returned the salute.

“Immediately afterward, a dashing officer came galloping up on a fine horse. His uniform shone like gold, and his sword rattled as he careered bravely along. He also saluted the king. The king returned the salute with all the dignity of a sovereign, but I thought I missed in his eye the kindly gleam with which he had greeted the waving of the little sweep’s dirty hand, and I said to myself, ‘This king loves the little sweep as much as the fine officer; and I love him for it.’"

And how much the more so it is with our Lord Jesus, the King of kings. He loves all — rich and poor, great and small. He took the little children up in His arms and blessed them, saying, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14.

“For there is no difference... for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.” Rom. 10:12.

Memory Verse “SET YOUR HEART AND YOUR SOUL TO SEEK THE LORD YOUR GOD.” 1 Chron. 22:19.

ML-10/04/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 28:36-39

“AND THOU shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, Holiness to the Lord.... and it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead.”

The plate of gold, placed on the mitre and worn on the forehead of Aaron, the high priest, is a further display of God’s grace to His people, for Aaron was to bear the iniquity of Israel’s holy things in all their holy gifts. The mitre tells of God’s gracious provision for the defilements and imperfections in all our service and worship. Even at best we fail so often—sometimes we do a right thing in a wrong way. If left to ourselves, our offerings could never be accepted before God, for He can accept only that which is suited to His own nature, which is holiness.

But Christ has met all our needs, and He bears the iniquity of our holy things. In all our prayers and praises only what is pleasing to God reaches His ear because our great high Priest wears the mitre for us. This ought to encourage us to speak forth His praise all he more, for God is love and He delights in the prayers and worship of His people.

To all our prayers and praises

Christ adds His sweet perfume,

And love the censer raises,

These odors to consume.

“And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.” v. 39.

The coat, or inner garment, made of fine linen, tells of the spotless personal purity of our blessed Lord. The embroidery work speaks of the graces of His Person. Spotless in His own holiness He could stand before God to make atonement for the sins of others.

After the death of his sons, Nadab and Abihu, sin having come in, Aaron could go but once a year into the Holiest of all, on the great day of atonement. On that occasion he laid aside his garments “for glory and beauty"; he did not wear them within the veil.

Robed in the holy linen garments he entered into the holiest with the golden censer and the blood of atonement.

However, we learn from the book of Hebrews that Christ having] died, all is changed now. All that those garments of glory and beauty speak of are now for us His people to enjoy with Him within the veil. We are “accepted in the Beloved,” and He, as the High Priest of His people, brings us into the enjoyment of all the blessings that are set forth in these wonderful types and shadows.

He’s gone within the veil,

For us that place has won;

In Him we stand, a heavenly band

Where He Himself is gone.

From head to foot Aaron would be clothed with that which spoke of purity and holiness. How beautiful he must have looked in his splendid robes, with those shining gems sparkling in the light of the holy place! Would you not have liked to have seen him, dear young reader. We are sure you would. Remember, hover, the beauty of Jesus far exceeds that of Aaron as the sun exceeds in splendor the light of the candle. Soon He will come forth from His heavenly tabernacle above to bless His people, “to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.” 2 Thess. 1:10. May we be found at that day among those who “love His appearing,” that we may be changed into His glorious image.

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. Col. 3:16

ML-10/04/1970

The Goat and the Lions

THE PRINCE of Wales, who later became King of England, was on his second visit to India. The Maharajah of Gwalia had three young lions kept in an enclosure, intending to let them go into the forests when they were fully grown.

One morning the Prince went with some of the staff to see them feed the lions. He was quite grieved when a live goat was put into the lions’ pen. For some time the young lions played with the poor frightened little creature, as if they were quite friendly, just as a cat does with a mouse. But the goat knew their sport meant death in the end and with great pluck he defended himself as best he could. But what match was a poor little goat to three powerful young lions? His doom was certain, unless someone from outside came to his rescue.

The Prince of Wales looked on with much displeasure and at length he exclaimed: “I can’t stand this any longer! He’s a plucky goat, and we must get him out somehow!”

But how! that was the question.

Now, dear reader friend, by nature we are all like that goat (Matt. 25:33); and are surrounded by lions, who though for a time they may play with us, nevertheless they are bent on devouring us. Can we diver ourselves? No; we are helpless. The three lions are:

THE WORLD — all its fashions and pleasures, its shows, its games, its associations, and all its attractions. This lion first sports with us and then devours us.

THE FLESH — all the evil passions and tendencies within us, of which the Apostle Paul said: “If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die.” Rom. 8:13. This is a lion close at hand.

THE DEVIL — “who as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Pet. 5:8 — a strong and cruel foe.

Now just as the Prince, when he saw the goat in such a peril, said it must be rescued, so God seeing us in such peril as sinners, longed for our deliverance.

A DESIRED SALVATION: The Prince pitied the little goat: for him there was no pleasure in seeing it slain; he desired its salvation. So God desires our salvation. “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” Ezek. 33:11.

A DECREED SALVATION: “We must get him out somehow,” said the Prince. This was more than a desire. So God decreed back in the garden of Eden, when sin first came in and man fell, that the Seed of the woman should crush the serpent’s head: Christ should come to destroy Satan and his power, and set sinners free.

A DIFFICULT SALVATION: The little goat was helpless among the lions; he appeared to be their lawful prey. But once he was in, to get him out would be an extremely difficult thing. Our salvation was far more difficult. How could God save a guilty sinner and yet be just and righteous at the same time? Love found a way. The Lord Jesus said, “Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God.” (Heb. 10:9). “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...” John 3:16. “They went both of them together,” (Gen. 22:6), to Calvary where Jesus gave Himself a ransom for us all (1 Tim. 2:5).

The little goat was helpless among the fierce beasts; and we still more so. But “when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Rom. 5:6.

A DEVISED SALVATION: Did they get the little goat out? If so, how?

A general on the Prince’s stan suddenly had an idea. Quickly they brought a rope and made a lasso. After two or three tries, the noose dropped over the goat’s head. A lioness was already charging toward him, but too late! The goat Was hoisted to safety. Like one of old he might even have said, “I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” 2 Tim. 4: 17.

Supposing the Prince himself had gone in and saved the goat, but died himself in the rescue, would it have been worthwhile? Yet the Lord Jesus gave Himself and died for us—ruined, guilty hell-deserving sinners. Everlasting praise be to Him!

Was the goat given back to the lions again later? Oh no! Never! He was pensioned, and for the rest of his days wore a silver collar, recording how the Prince saved him. Could he have understood, do you think he would be ashamed of that collar? Rather would it not be his delight to display it? And shall we who are redeemed at such a cost be ashamed to tell others of our wonderful Saviour who loved us and died for us?

Now remember, dear reader, there is only One who can save you, only one thing that can take away your sins — “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1: 7.

Memory Verse “HE IS A SHIELD UNTO THEM THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM.” Prov. 30:5.

ML-10/11/1970

Tame Animal Friends

THERE are some animals that are tame, such as the horse, the cow, the pig, the dog, the cat, and the sheep.

The horse is a faithful beast, and though we don’t see him so often on the farms as we used to, yet he does much work for man where he is used still. He draws the heavy loads from the field or on the road, and sometimes we put a saddle on his back and ride on him.

Mrs. Cow gives us milk, and from the milk we get cream, butter and cheese.

Mr. Piggy provides us with pork for dinner and bacon for breakfast.

Dogs and cats are our pets; but old Rover also guards our home, while Puss helps keep down the mice and rats.

Sheep provide us with wool from which they make clothes to keep us warm.

The little sheep are called lambs. They love to gambol and play tether. Once a little lamb fell into a creek and could not get out. The poor mother sheep stood faithfully by, but she could not help him. Then the shepherd who had been looking for his missing sheep found the two and got the lamb out of the water before he drowned.

Lambs are such innocent-looking little creatures, and do not make a noise when hurt. The Lord Jesus is called “the Lamb of God” in the Bible. He came to die for sinners such as we, “to take away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” It is written of Him in Isaiah 53:7: “He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.”

He also calls little ones who trust Him as their Saviour His lambs, and none of them shall ever perish (John 10:28). “He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” Isa. 40:11. Are you one of His lambs, dear reader?

“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!”

ML-10/11/1970

All the Children of the World

Children in far off lands often live differently than we do. This little boy and girl eat their dinner out of bowls with chopsticks.

The Lord Jesus loves all the little children of the world. He died for them just as He did for us. He has sent His servants to tell them the same wonderful story of His love in dying for their sins. Many of them believe and are saved, and are waiting for Him to come and take them to heaven. Are you saved, dear young reader?

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13.

ML-10/11/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 28:40-29:4

“AND FOR AARON’S sons thou shalt make coats,... girdles,... and bonnets,... for glory and for beauty.”

The sons of Aaron were to be arrayed in fine linen garments, “for glory and for beauty” also. When Aaron is alone he is set before us as a type of Christ, but when seen in company with his sons we have a picture of the Church as the priestly family associated with Him. All the blessings and privileges we as believers enjoy flow from Him. He loves us and has washed us from our sins in His own blood. He has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father (Rev. 1:5,6), and just as those embroidered linen garments set forth His spotless purity, adorned with every grace, so we as believers are now seen by God adorned in all the glory and beauty of Christ.

The fine linen also speaks of practical righteousness, so that everything Aaron and his sons wore, spoke of that which was suited to the holiness of God’s nature and presence. “And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness.” v. 42. Needless to say, the Lord Jesus, the blessed Antitype, never needed such a covering, for He was ever and always the perfect, spotless One. His every motive, word and deed were always pleasing to God His Father, and His outward life, which man could see, was spotless too, as set forth in the fine linen.

How this should speak to our hearts, for we, like Aaron’s so being priests, should “walk worth of the Lord unto all pleasing.” “He ness becometh Thine house, O Lo forever.” Psa. 93:5. If we fail should judge it at once, particular’ before we come into His house worshipers.

Now we have the consecration of the priests. Aaron and his sons were to be brought to the door of the tabernacle and there they were to be washed all over with water. This was done only once at their consecration, Afterward, when carrying out their service before the Lord, they needed continually to wash their hands and feet at the laver, but this first cleansing was never repeated.

The Lord Jesus makes this typical meaning clear when He said to Peter in John 13: 10, “He that is washed is clean every whit.” Here it is the moral cleansing by the Word found upon the finished work of Christ, when the soul is brought to know Him as Saviour. The word means “to cleanse thoroughly” — “the bath” and one who has been once cleansed in this sense never needs to be washed again. However, in coming in contact with the world the Christian contracts defilement and needs to have his feet washed (a different word) — that is, he needs the constant intercession of Christ. Therefore the Lord said, “He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet.” May we know, dear young Christian, what it is to go continually to Him for this cleansing so that we might “have part” with Him, that is, to be kept in counion with Himself.

ML-10/11/1970

Old Peter

PETER WAS an old sailor. A ship in which he once sailed was struck by lightning, and one of his mates was killed. It sobered Peter. “It made me think,” he said, “of the Judgment Day.”

“I want to find the Pilot that can weather me through that storm,” said Peter. “It’s scary business, mates, to find us on a windy shore there, with the rocks of our sins right alongside, and hell yawning not far off.”

Peter took to his Bible. He did not make much headway until he came into port, and then he went straight to a place where he heard the gospel was to be preached.

“I want to find the good Pilot,” said Peter to the preacher after the service was over.

“The Lord Jesus is the only Pilot who can be of service to you just now, my dear friend,” said the spear, “and He’s near to every poor sinner that calls upon Him.”

“I’m one of them,” said Peter, the tears streaming down his sunburned cheeks, “and I want to ship in His service. I’m pretty near waterlogged in my sins; I haven’t any chart, compass or anchor, and I’m drifting on to judgment. I want the Pilot who went to the fishing boat on Galilee and said to those sailors, ‘It is I; be not afraid.’ How shall I get to Him?”

All the people who had come to the preaching had left the hall except Peter, and he was left alone with the preacher. The old sailor was really anxious to get rid of his load of sins; He really felt himself a guilty sinner before God, and he wanted salvation; he wanted to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour. The servant of Christ gladly told him the old, old story of what Jesus had done to save poor sinners. Peter was glad to hear it and by grace he was able then and there to accept Jesus as his Saviour with praise and thanksgiving.

Some people say you cannot be saved in such a short time: that you must pray a good while, and then come to God. But does God want “improved people,” or “good people"? No, it is the bad He wants. The Lord Jesus came “not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:17.

God saves sinners, young and old, it matters not. “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. Then take your place as a guilty sinner before Him, and you will be saved. “Turn, sinner; turn, my young friend,” and God will forgive and receive you. He will make you one of His children and save you from the dreadful consequences of your sins by the blood of Jesus who died, “the just for the unjust,” that He might bring us to God. This is what the repentant thief did, and he had time to do no more.

After Peter got saved he would say to his mates, with his Bible in hand, “Don’t put it off, boys, you know you are sinners, and eternity is near—the judgment will soon sit, and you are in awful danger.”

“I must take time to think of it,” said one.

“To think of what? Whether you are a sinner?” cried Peter. “You know you are. Whether you’ll be lost if you die as you are? You know you will. Whether the Lord Jesus will save you? You know He can There’s breakers ahead; your anchors won’t hold you. Don’t put it off!”

“I’m not so bad as you think I’m not so bad as others,” said another.

“But you are bad enough,” ex claimed old Peter. “The best sinner on earth is too bad for the presence of God. You are drifting — you know where. You will soon be on the rocks, and would to God you would cry out now, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner!’ The storm is coming! Hail the great Pilot. Don’t put it off!”

Old Peter loved the young people. “Bless God that you are young,” he used to say. " ‘They that seek Me early shall find Me.’ The great Captain of our salvation loves the young. Enter His service, boys. Then your rudder will never snap; you’ll never drag your anchor; the devil’s craft will never run into you. Ship in His service, boys; and don’t put it off!”

ML-10/18/1970

Home

Gary and Elaine live here. They like their home where they live with Daddy and Mommie. Many poor boys and girls do not have a home.

The Lord Jesus did not have a home on earth, yet He has prepared a home in heaven for all those that love Him. He tells us in John 14:2: “In My Father’s house are many mansions... I go to prepare a place for you... that where I am there ye may be also.”

To be in His presence is home to those who know Him as their Saviour. Can you say, Heaven is my home, and “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psa. 23:6.

Memory Verse “IT IS TIME TO SEEK THE LORD.” Hosea 10:12.

ML-10/18/1970

His Pet Toad

THE Duke of Wellington—was one of the most famous generals of all time. He could rule armies as few men have been able to do, and yet he was not above taking care of a very humble little pet creature. One day when the duke was out in the country he came upon a small boy engaged in some mysterious occupation on the ground.

“What are you doing?” asked the duke.

“I am feeding my pet toad,” answered the boy with tears in his eyes. “They are going to send me away to school, and my toad will die.”

“Never mind,” said the great general. “You go to school, and I’ll take care of your toad.”

So he did, and soon afterward the boy received a letter from the duke saying that the toad was doing well.

God loves the little creatures that He has made, and cares for them too. “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Matt. 10:29-31.

ML-10/18/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 29:5-9

WHEN AARON and his sons were consecrated as priests, a young bullock, two rams, and other accompanying offerings were to be brought to the door of the tabernacle. These offerings all speak of Christ and will come before us a little further on in our chapter.

After they had been washed, Aaron is seen alone and separated from his sons. The beautiful high priest’s garments were put upon him, and he was anointed with oil. In this he stands alone, for here he is a type of Christ. Later on he is seen with his sons and is sprinkled with blood before being anointed. In this case he is viewed as a member of the priestly family and needed for himself the cleansing of the blood.

But the Lord Jesus needed no such cleansing; He was the holy, harmless, undefiled One, and was anointed by the Spirit immediately after His baptism, when He began His blessed service down here. Then it was the Spirit of God came upon Him in the form of a dove because of who He was — the spotless Son of God. We as believers, as seen in Aaron’s sons, must first know the cleansing power of the blood of Christ before we can receive the Holy Ghost. Now, because of this, all believers are priests.

The thought of a priest in Scripture is one who has access to God, “to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. 2:5. How wonderful the grace that has picked up sinners, afar off from God, washed us from all our sins in His own blood and made us “priests unto God and His Father"! We could not be nearer to God than we are now; “for in the Person of His Son we are as near as He.” Well might we join in singing the praise of Him who loves us: “To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Rev. 1:6.

He robed me in a priestly dress,

That I might incense bring

Of prayer, and praise, and righteousness,

To heaven’s eternal King;

And when He gave this robe to me,

He smiled and said, “Absolvo te.”

After Aaron was arrayed in his high priestly robes and anointed, the beautiful fine linen garments made for his sons were put upon them. Thus they are now seen as associated with him. This answers to the believer’s putting on Christ. We have nothing apart from Him. All the privileges and blessings we enjoy flow from our connection with Hint There is nothing of man’s doing in this. Priests cannot be made by man Christ is the Priest and He alone can make us priests unto God.

Furthermore, “the priest’s office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute.” Nothing can change or undo, the work of Christ. The believer may fail, and we often do, sad to say. But in His perfect work He has made provision for one who has failed to be restored to communion again.

His work can never fail;

By Him our Sacrifice and Priest,

We pass within the veil.

To worship within the veil, to sing the praises of Him who loved us and of the Father who sent Him is the privilege and portion of every believer, both now and forever. May we seek to live for Him down here, dear young believer, as soon we shall live with Him in His glorious home on high.

ML-10/18/1970

Jane's Decision

JANE was a young girl, just sixteen. She lived far out in the country so that it was only occasionally she could attend the little chapel where the Word of God was preached.

One Sunday she was reading a book, the biography of an honored Christian lady whom God had used in blessing to others. As she closed the volume Jane said to herself, “That was a beautiful life.” After a little thought she added, “And I should like to live such a life.”

A few minutes later she knelt down and prayed, asking the Lord to make her His own so that she might live for Him and serve Him in her life. The Lord heard her prayer, and gladly accepted her, even as she accepted Him as her Saviour, for He never turns any one away. Jane was supremely happy.

That was the great decision of her life. She went on steadfastly, living for Him whose love had won her young heart, and grew up to be an honored, beloved Christian lady.

Lord, make me from his hour,

Thy loving child to be,

Kept by Thy power, kept by Thy power,

From all that grieveth Thee.

ML-10/18/1970

When to Trust Christ

“Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him.” Psa. 62:8.

Trust Him in the shadow,

Trust Him in the night,

He will never fail thee,

Trust His love and might.

Trust His wisdom ever,

Trust His tender care,

He will leave thee never,

Till His Home thou’lt share.

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

ML-10/18/1970

George Morton

GEORGE was a little fellow born in a mining town. At just nine years of age he began working in the mine for no less than 14 hours a day. Little George never went to school like most boys and girls do, and he grew up scarcely knowing his right hand from his left, except that he knew how to use both in fighting. And so it was he began a life of sin and crime and at nineteen he was serving a long prison term.

One of his companions in crime said to him, “Well, George, I might go to heaven, but you are sure to be in hell.” This struck home to poor George’s heart. The words, “Sure to be in hell,” haunted him, he started trying to improve himself, he went to church, he joined societies, he signed temperance pledges, and did many things. All was to no purpose. Seventeen weary years passed. Then someone took him to a humble little gospel meeting, where the speaker spoke with considerable power on two verses of Scripture: “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.

“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.

Poor George’s heart was touched and opened, and he believed the glad tidings. He was brightly converted to God.

“Does God love a man like me?” he exclaimed. “Then the world shall know about it.”

For 40 years he lived to preach the gospel in his own quaint and simple way. Often he held an open air meeting at the mine head before going down. He also preached in the city, where a crowd of 400 might be seen standing in a ring waiting for him to come.

One night a man in the crowd shouted out, “George, you’re mad!”

George replied: “You should have seen me 20 years ago, running around in my unconverted days, seeking a fight with anyone who would take me on. You would have had good reason to say I was mad. But, man, they said the Apostle Paul was mad. So I am glad to be in his company.

“Only you can never say to me, ‘Much learning doth make thee mad,’ as was said to Paul, because I never got any schooling; but I have been to the Higher Grade even if not to college. It is where our Lord Jesus says, "‘Come unto Me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me.’ Matt. 11:28-30. And, man, He’s a wonderful Teacher and very patient.”

His homely and faithful words, spiced with quaintness, suited his hearers, and many were converted. Some remain unto this day.

The grace of God that brought salvation to George Morton brings it by the same gospel message to you, dear reader. Be honest with yourself, and with God. Then, whether your life has been like George’s, or much more refined, you will just pray the prayer of the publican, and say, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” God will hear you, and justify you. You will be saved.

F.B.H.

ML-10/25/1970

The Spilled Beans

“Tom,” said his father one day, “I want you to take this bag of beans and plant them in rows in the garden, like I will show you.” He then showed Tom how to sprinkle a few beans down each row, and to cover them over with the soft moist earth. Father had other work to do, and so he left Tom by himself.

Tom worked away for a while, and then he sat down to play. As he played he tipped the bag and the beans spilled all over the ground. At once he set about to pick them up, but there were so many scattered over the ground that soon Tom became tired. Then the thought came to him that if he covered pp what was left with dirt, no one would ever know he spilled them. Finally he got the rest of the beans planted and went home.

As the days went by he often thought of the beans he had spilled, but he did not tell his father. Sometime later, his father went out to the garden to see if the beans were coming up. He saw several straight rows of little plants pushing their heads above the ground. But where did these all come from that were in a patch by themselves, growing so thickly together? Tom did not need to tell his Dad then what he had done. His father guessed what had happened.

Tom was sorry for what he had done, and he learned a lesson that he did not forget, for his father spoke to him of the foolishness of trying to cover up his failure. “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Num. 32:23.

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

Memory Verse “THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION: WHOM SHALL I FEAR?” Psalm 27:1.

ML-10/25/1970

Consider the Ravens

True Nature Stories

PETE the terrier came trotting down the street in his own quiet way. He was a peaceful little dog, but then he didn’t know Peg, the ren. There she was perched on a barrel in the yard, and whenever she got her bright eyes on the dog, she skipped up to him and in her harsh rough voice shouted in his ear: “Hullo! hullo! hullo! who are you?”

Before the startled terrier could recover from his surprise Peg carried on as if she were in a great rage, and kept shouting at him: “Hi! hi! Go home! go home!”

Poor Pete was almost frantic with fear, and took off down the street with speed, to Peg’s secret delight. But all ravens do not dislike dogs. A man was once riding in his carriage and unfortunately one of the wheels ran over the leg of his fine Newfoundland dog. While the crushed foot of the dog was being examined and bound up, a raven who belonged to the hotel, kept hopping around, and showed a great interest in the proceedings. As soon as the dog was tied up in a corner of the stable, the raven not only waited on him in the kindest possible manner, but even went and brought him some bones lest his noble friend should get hungry.

Thus a deep affection sprang up between the two. One night the stable door was left closed. The raven pecked away at the bottom of the door, so that by morning the hole was nearly large enough for the bird to get through to the stable.

This reminds us of the ravens which brought food to the prophet Elijah in the time of his need. Of course it was God who caused them to do so, for He never forgets His own and He was caring for His servant Elijah (1 Kings 17).

Our Lord Jesus Christ comforted his followers with these words: “Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls!” Luke 12:24.

ML-10/25/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 29:10-14

“AND THOU shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle...; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock. And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD.”

In the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priesthood, the next we have are the offerings. They could not go into God’s presence to serve Him without them, and the first is the bullock, which was for a sin offering. And here we have, in type, Christ in His death who has borne away the sins of His people.

In placing their hands upon the head of the bullock, Aaron and his sons transferred, in type, their sins to the victim. With their sins upon its head, the animal was then slain before the Lord. What a solemn act this was! As they watched the innocent victim die they would get a glimpse at least of what sin is in the sight of God. “The wages of sin is death,” Rom. 6:23; and “Without shedding of blood is no remission.” Heb. 9:22. In the death of the Lord Jesus, the spotless Victim, dying on the cross for our sins, we see as far as we are able, what sin is in the sight of God. All that God is against sin, in the holiness of His nature, came out at the cross when the wrath and billows of eternal judgment fell upon Jesus in those three dark hours. “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness God in Him.” 2 Cor. 5:21. How should humble us as we gaze in spirit upon that cross and hear Saviour’s cry, “My God, My why hast Thou forsaken Me?” knowing that it was our sins that brought Him there. Well might we sing:

In His spotless soul’s distress

I have learned my guiltiness;

Oh how vile my low estate,

Since my ransom was so great.

Part of the blood of the bullock was put on the horns of the altar, and the rest was poured out at the bottom of the altar. In this we see that all the blood was for God. We read in Leviticus 17:11 That “the life is in the blood,” and so the life of the sinless Substitute, our blessed Lord Jesus, was offered up to God in order that we, as guilty sinners, might live.

The fat and certain of the inwards were burned on the altar — this too was only for God; but all the rest of the animal, his flesh, his skin and his dung, were taken outside the camp and burned there. In this burning of the sin offering outside the camp of Israel we get a further sight of what sin is in God’s sight, and of the awful place the Lord Jesus took when He suffered “without the gate” of Jerusalem to put sin away by the sacrifice of Himself.

Lest men might have low thoughts of Christ crucified on a cross of shame, and reproach the name of Jesus because of the low place He took there, God tells us in the burning of the fat on the altar of the preciousness of His dear Son to Him in that dark hour. For never was the Lord Jesus more precious to Him than when He hung upon the cross and glorified Him in such a death. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” Phil. 2:9,10.

ML-10/25/1970

"Daddy, I Knew You'd Come!"

ON THE EDGE of the great Canadian forest years ago there lived a settler with his wife and little son. Pierre was their treasure and a spial comfort to Mother when Father was away at work all day.

About a mile further in the woods and back off the main road was an old ramshackle cabin, occupied at times by a shiftless squatter and his wife. They too had a small son and sometimes he and Pierre would play together.

One morning the settler had set out on a journey that took him deep into the forest and would not return bore nightfall. Little Pierre grew tired of playing alone, and all unknown to his mother, he took off down the forest road to visit his little friend. By and by he arrived at the old cabin, only to find that there was no one there.

Hopeful that his playmate might yet return, Pierre waited. But this hope faded as the sun went down and dark shadows began to steal across the woodlands. Then a feeling of loneliness and fear took possession of the child. He longed to be with Mother now, but in the gathering dusk he was afraid to return home. The door on the cabin would not stay shut and this added to his fears. Tears flowed down the little fellow’s cheeks and he began to cry.

Trudging homeward along the lonely forest road, his gun over his shoulder, the returning settler heard the cry of a child and paused to listen.

“It must be that squatter’s boy,” he muttered in disgust as he walked on. “Likely his good-for-nothing father is off somewhere and has left the boy home alone.” Then as the cries of the child sounded forth louder and more plaintive, he paused again. He thought of his own little son whom he had left safe at home with his mother, and a feeling of pity for the lonely child welled up in his tender heart. Though it would take him out of his way, he decided to stop by the cabin and see if the boy was all right. So turning off the road he headed in the other direction.

But other forest dwellers had heard the crying of the child. Two hungry panthers, on their nightly prowl in search of food, also stopped to listen.

“Thou, [Lord] makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.” Psa. 104:20,21.

Something in those cries told these panthers that the child was alone. Moving noiselessly through the underbrush they reached the edge of the clearing in which the cabin stood. There was no one else in sight. Then, the female taking the lead, the two great beasts of prey moved cautiously toward the open door.

In the meanwhile the settler’s steady strides had brought him also to the edge of the clearing. Then as the cabin came into view he stopped suddenly in his tracks. A shudder passed through his strong frame as he saw the two large panthers approaching the open door.

“Thank God I came,” he murmured. Quickly he dropped on one knee and took a hasty but careful aim with his gun. A moment later the silence of the forest was shattered by the report of the gun, and the female panther fell, mortally wounded.

The astonished male walked about his dying mate, urging her to rise. He knew man had done the deed but where was the hated enemy?

Then as the smoke lifted, he saw the settler kneeling for a second shot. Mad with hate and fury the great cat launched itself on the man. Again the forest echoed with the gunfire as the panther received the charge full in the chest. Down went man and beast together. As the wounded animal clawed at him, the man forced his strong fingers down its throat. Minutes that seemed like hours passed; then the shot took effect, and the great beast rolled over dead.

Exhausted, but thankful to God, the settler picked himself up. And then from the darkness of the cabin he heard what almost caused his heart to miss a beat. It was the voice of one dearer to him than life, exclaiming:

“Oh, Daddy, I knew you’d come!”

The next moment the man was embracing his own dear boy and little Pierre’s arms were entwined around his father’s neck.

Who can tell the emotions that welled up in that father’s heart when he discovered that it was not the other man’s boy but his own little son he had saved?

“Thank God I came,” he said. And to think he had got there just in time!

“Daddy, I knew you’d come!” Oh, the faith and trust of a little child! And oh for the faith, dear friends, that calls upon God and waits for Him! They who put their trust in Him never were, and never shall be, ashamed or disappointed, even as the Lord could say on the cross, “Our fathers trusted in Thee... They cried unto Thee and were delivered: they trusted in Thee, and were not confounded.” Psa. 22:4,5.

Little Pierre did not know the depth of the love in his father’s heart for him; and you do not know, dear reader, the depths of love in the heart of God for you. He sent His own dear Son into this world to die to save you and to bring you home to Himself. And such is the Father’s love for His own Son that He is going to fill heaven with sons and daughters like Him. He wants to have you as one of His own children so that He might lavish His love upon you for all eternity. You can be among the myriads of redeemed that shall sing His praise in heaven forever.

The gospel day is drawing to a close; the night is gathering quickly, and judgment is near. Satan, as a roaring lion, that great enemy of your soul, is going about seeking whom he may devour. The Lord is still willing and able to save all who call upon Him.

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13.

— Retold.

ML-11/01/1970

"He Died for Me"

RIDING on the train some time ago I took from my pocket a little booklet bearing the title, “The Man Jesus Christ,” and handed it to a bright looking young girl on the opposite seat, with the remark, “Do you know that Man?” Her simple, fervently expressed reply was, “He died for me.”

ML-11/01/1970

Opening the Door

A LITTLE girl was given a pretty text card by her mother. Upon it were the words:

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.” Rev. 3:20.

She thought a great deal about it, and talked with her mother as to its meaning. When she went to bed she took the card with her to her room.

In the morning she said, “Mother, I lay awake a good while last night, thinking of Jesus outside the door. And, Mother, I prayed to Him, oh, so earnestly, that He would come into my heart, and stay there always! And, Mother, I believe He has come in, and I am going to be His little girl.”

Now this little girl opened the door at the knock of the Lord Jesus, and I have no doubt she was right in thinking that He entered, for He says, “If any man” (and “any” means any one, old or young) “open the door, I will come in.”

ML-11/01/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 29:15-21

THE NEXT thing we have in the consecration of Aaron and his sons is the burnt offering, and in this case it was a ram. The burnt offering was all for God and as such it is the highest sacrifice in Scripture. It brings before us the perfect devotedness of Christ unto death, as wholly consecrated to the will and glory of God. That perfect sacrifice went up to God as a sweet savor. It is the ascending offering. Even if no one were saved at all, God was glorified when His beloved Son offered Himself up to make atonement for sin.

Aaron and his sons were to put their hands on the head of the ram. When they did this in the case of the sin offering, their sins, as it were, were transferred to the victim, but in the case of the burnt offering they were identified with all the perfection of the sacrifice — it was accepted for them. And this tells us that believers are now before God in all the acceptability of Christ. They are “accepted in the Beloved,” and are “holy and without blame before Him in love.” Eph. 1:4.

After the ram had been slain, its blood was sprinkled round about upon the altar. The blood, in which is the life, was thus offered wholly to God, and this pictures to us how the life of the Lord Jesus was given up to God. He could say, “Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life that I might take it again.” John 10:17.

The ram was cut in pieces and inwards washed to tell us of the spotlessness of Christ as offered up. He offered Himself without spot to God. Then all was burnt upon the altar. Every part of the Lord Jesus, His blessed Person and His work went up, in His death as a sweet savor to God.

Next we have the ram of consecration which also speaks of the perfect obedience of Christ unto death. Aaron and his sons were to put their hands on the head of this ram also. As believers we are called to a life of devotedness to Christ and the measure of that devotion is Himself. After the ram was killed, its blood was taken and put upon the right ear of Aaron and his sons, then upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot. In this way they were brought under the value of the atoning blood, and so as believers we are not our own, we are bought with a price — the blood of Christ. We belong to Him now, and have been set free from the bondage of sin and Satan. Our ears, our hands and our feet are all to be used for Him in His service. We should be ready to “present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,” in return for such wonderful love.

Then came the oil—their garments were sprinkled with both the blood and the oil, the oil being a type of the Holy Spirit. In this way they were “set apart” unto God, and so the believer is set apart unto God. But we must be first “justified by His blood,” and our sins forgiven, before we are sealed with the Holy Ghost (Eph. 1:13).

ML-11/01/1970

The Soldier and the Albatross

THE ALBATROSS is perhaps the largest seabird known; it is also very strong, but quite harmless.

A young soldier named Joseph had a dear Christian mother. Every day she prayed for her son that he might not have to meet death until he had been brought to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. There came a day, however, when Joseph was nearly launched into eternity by his own foolish act.

Joseph was guilty of some act of rebellion when on board a warship near the coast of Africa, and was given a heavy sentence according to the strict discipline of the time. He was tied to the mast and heavy lashes laid across his bare back. Yet, sad to say, this punishment did not break his proud spirit, for he was full of rage all through and in great pain. He never gave a thought to his mother’s wise counsel to lift his heart to God in times of trial and danger. Rather, he prepared to add to his guilt the crime of self-destruction.

With one wild yell he leaped overboard and would have soon sunk into a watery grave if a strange thing had not happened.

The captain was a merciful man, and really felt sorry for the poor fellow whom he had been obliged to punish so severely according to the rules. So he at once gave orders that a boat should be lowered to try and save Joseph’s life. However, the wind was so strong that the frail craft sent off seemed likely to perish in the heavy seas.

Now what do you think were the young fellow’s feelings when he found himself face to face with death? How graciously God works, and in ways that we should never expect! The fear of drowning aroused Joseph to a sense of still greater danger, that of his immortal soul. In that moment of extremity he sought and found the Saviour who never cast out one soul who turned to Him for mercy.

Almost at the same moment a huge Albatross flew over the water close to the surface, and reaching out his hand Joseph caught hold of its leg. The great bird struggled to get free, but Joseph was able to hang on until the brave sailors reached him and dragged him into their boat. Then he fainted from exhaustion; but under the Lord’s good hand they all reached their ship in safety. The Albatross, rejoicing to be free again, soared away across the waves and was seen no more.

From that day on Joseph had a special affection for every Albatross he met. The story goes on to say that in his old age he had one of those birds stuffed, and when his little granddaughter would come to visit him, she would stroke the bird saying in her baby talk, “Dood Albatoss, you saved our Grampa’s life.”

“I love the Lord, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live... I was brought low, and He helped me.” Psa. 116:1,2,6.

ML-11/08/1970

A Gift for Daddy

ONE night Little Janie whispered to Auntie, “I’m going to buy Daddy a present for, his birthday.”

Auntie smiled and asked, “Where will you get the money to buy it Janie dear?”

“Oh I know Daddy will give it to me,” Janie replied.

Dear little Janie! She knew she was dependent on her father but she also knew he would appreciate her love. And that is true of God’s dear children. All that any of us have is what God, our Father, has given us, and He knows that what we, in love, give back to Him is that which came from Him at first. He thinks of the love behind the gift; just like Janie’s Daddy did.

“Of Thine own have we given Thee.” 1 Chron. 29:14.

Memory Verse “COME; FOR ALL THINGS ARE NOW READY.” Luke 14:17.

ML-11/08/1970

Apple Picking Time

Every autumn Betty and Steve’s dad and mother take them on a trip to the apple farm. Buddy, the pup, loves to go along.

What fun they have climbing the trees and tossing the luscious red and golden apples down to each other! Now they have a good supply for the winter, and Mother will be busy baking pies and making many other delightful apple desserts.

How good and kind God is to shower upon us all these blessings! But His best gift of all was His own dear Son sent into this world to die for our sins. O that we might show our appreciation to God by accepting the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, and thanking Him for such love.

“Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psa. 107:8.

Praise Him for our harvest-store,

He hath filled the garner floor;

And for the richer Food than this,

Pledge of everlasting bliss.

ML-11/08/1970

A Boy and His Bible

ONE day a boy was walking down a street in Melbourne, Australia, when he came upon a man who was lying drunk on the sidewalk.

Jim’s heart went out in pity and he stopped and looked at him and wondered what he could do. Not being strong enough to carry him, he did not see how he could help him.

He turned to go, when suddenly he thought of his Bible which he carried in his pocket. What should he do? That Bible was his mother’s gift, yet he was sure she would be pleased if he did what now had come into his mind.

Taking his Bible from his pocket, Jim slipped it gently into the man’s pocket and went his way.

Some years later, now a young man, he was fishing outside Wanganta, Victoria, and had chosen a place beside a stream for his mid-day rest when he saw another man had pitched his camp among the trees close by. This stranger invited him to come and sit down and share his refreshment with him, and they talked together.

Then he told him how he had been a drunkard in Melbourne, but one day when he came to his senses he had found a Bible in his pocket. He began to read it, and it had changed his life. Taking up a book that was lying on the grass at his side, he said, “This is the very Book that put me right.”

The young man opened it. Yes! it was his mother’s gift! What a thrill filled his heart as he realized what a blessing had come to a drunkard through his simple act so long ago.

Have you a Bible? Has it put you right? If not, will you read how one in the Bible found out the way? Read Acts 16:16-40.

“What must I do to be saved?... Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” Eccles. 11:1.

ML-11/08/1970

Three Precious Promises

Take an A and a K,

Put an S in between,

And a marvelous blessing at once

will be seen;

For ’tis “Ask, and it shall

Be given unto you;”

’Tis thus Jesus speaks, and His

Word’s always true.

Between an S and a K,

Put two E E’s straight away,

And a wonderful promise you’ll have for today;

For the Lord is so kind,

He says “Seek, and you’ll find";

And the blessing He’ll give is what just suits His mind.

Between two lovely K’s,

Place an N, O, and C,

And a rich mine of wealth at once you will see;

For the Saviour says “Knock,”

And the Door opens wide;

Faith’s key doth unlock, and

Christ’s word must abide.

Then “Ask,” “Seek,” and “Knock,”

For this is God’s way;

And sure are His blessings, which ne’er pass away.

“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.

ML-11/08/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 29:22-35

AFTER the sprinkling of the blood and the oil, certain parts of the ram of consecration “and one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer,...” were put into the hands of Aaron and his sons to be waved “for a wave offering before the Lord.” Here we have another precious picture of Christ. The ram speaks of Him in His death. The one loaf and wafer of unleavened bread tell of His spotless humanity and perfect holiness in life as devoted wholly to the glory of God. These things were put into the hands of Aaron and his sons.

The word consecration means “filling the hand,” and so this would tell us that God would by His Spirit at first fill our hands with Christ. And then we can as priests present Christ to God in worship, for only what He puts into our hands, of Christ, is acceptable to Him.

True consecration to God is being filled with Christ. Surely our “hands” and our hearts should be filled with the sense of the loveliness of Christ, and thus we find our dight in reminding God our Father of all the excellencies we see in His beloved Son.

Moses then received these precious things from the hands of the priests and burned them on the altar for a burnt offering, for a sweet savor bore the Lord. God first fills our hands and then gives us the joy of presenting Christ to Himself. He dights in receiving this worship from us. The flesh can have no part in this; true worship can only be by and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The shoulder and the breast of the ram were for Aaron and his sons; they could feast on these. This is the peace or communion offering, and so we not only have joy in presenting Christ to God in worship, but we find our own peace and joy in such a blessed occupation.

The flesh of the ram was then to be seethed and Aaron and his sons were to eat it in the holy place, for feeding upon Christ must be connected with the altar. We are called to the privilege of having fellowship with God and Christ in thoughts of His work of atonement. We cannot feed upon Christ if we separate Him from the cross. Furthermore no strangers should eat of this priestly food. Only those who have been redeemed to God by the blood of Christ have these privileges.

ML-11/08/1970

"I Have Christ! What Want I More?"

“Thanks be unto God for His upeakable Gift.”

In the heart of London City,

Mid the dwellings of the poor,

These bright golden words were uttered —

“I have Christ! what want I more?”

By a lonely dying woman,

Stretched upon an attic floor,

Having not one earthly comfort,

"I have Christ! what want I more?”

He who heard them, ran to fetch her

Something from the world’s great store,

It was needless — she died, saying,

“I have Christ! what want I more?”

But her words will live forever

I repeat them o’er and o’er,

God delights to hear me saying,

"I have Christ! what want I more?”

Look away from earth’s attractions;

All earth’s joys will soon be o’er;

Rest not, ‘til each heart exclaimeth,

“I have Christ! what want I more?”

ML-11/08/1970

The Pet Lamb

WALTER and Winnie, his sister, had a pet lamb. They took turns feeding the little thing with a bottle. It followed them all over and skipped and raced about to their great delight, so they called him Frisky.

One morning Winnie opened the door of Frisky’s little shed, but her little lamb was gone! She called Walter, and together they wandered all over the farm, calling and searching for their pet, but he could not be found. They felt so lonely and sad, and wondered if they would ever see him again.

A few days later they were both walking together up the road when, lo and behold, there was Frisky! But poor Frisky had a strong rope around his neck, and was being led along by a big man. Quickly they ran up to him. As soon as Frisky saw them, he began to jump and tried hard to run toward them, but the strong rope held him fast.

“What are you going to do with Frisky?” asked Walter.

“If you mean this lamb, I am tang him to the slaughter-house.”

“No, no! You can’t do that! That’s our own Frisky, and you must give him back to us at once.”

Bravely Walter stood right in front of the man, and tried to block his path, but it was no use.

“Move away there, boy,” ordered the man. “I bought this lamb this morning from a man down the road, and I intend to sell the meat in my butcher shop. Now run along.”

But Walter and Winnie wouldn’t run along. Winnie threw her arms around Frisky’s neck, and Walter started all over again to explain just how much they loved the little lamb, and how they had taken care of him.

While this was going on, a kindly looking man came along and asked what the trouble was all about. Quickly Walter explained what had happened, and begged him to take the lamb back from the butcher.

“How much did you pay for this lamb, sir?” asked the stranger.

“I bought him this morning for ten dollars,” replied the butcher.

“Very well, I’ll redeem the lamb for these children. Here’s ten dollars for you.” With that he put ten dollars into the butcher’s hand, and reached for the rope.

It all happened so quickly the butcher didn’t know what to do. He looked at the money and then at the children with their anxious faces, and slowly handed the rope over to the kind gentleman. The gentleman handed the rope over to Walter, who quickly slipped it off poor Frisky’s neck. Frisky was only too happy now to follow his friends, and all three of them, Frisky, Walter and Winnie jumped up and down for joy.

Walter and Winnie thanked that kind man again and again for redeeming their lamb for them. Ten dollars seemed to them like a lot of money, and so it was. But it was the price of Frisky’s redemption.

Now let me tell you an even sweeter story. Poor Frisky could not save himself. He was being led helplessly to the slaughter. And Walter and Winnie could not redeem him for they had no money. But someone else came along and paid the whole price and set the lamb free. You and I, dear boys and girls, were being led away captive by sin and Satan, and we could not deliver ourselves Father, Mother, Sunday school teacher or our friends could not save us. But the Lord Jesus loved us. He died to redeem us and to set us free. HE has paid sin’s debt on the cross! It cost Him His own precious blood! Oh why not take Him as your Saviour now and then thank Him for paying the price of your redemption?

“Ye know that ye were not re deemed with corruptible things, a silver and gold,... but with the precious blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:18, 19.

ML-11/15/1970

"Don't Let Anything Bite Daddy."

It was bedtime. Daddy was away from home on business, and Mother had gathered her little family around her to tell them a Bible story. Little John listened with rapt attention as Mother read the story of Daniel, how he was thrown into the lions’ den, and how God had shut the mouths of those great beasts so that they did not bite him.

That evening when little John knelt by Mother’s knee to say his simple little prayer, he thought of his daddy who was absent. He asked God to bless him, and then he added, “and don’t let anything bite Daddy.”

No doubt little John thought that God who had kept Daniel from harm could take care of his daddy too. And he was quite right.

We wonder how many there are of our little readers whose thoughts turn to God? How many of you ask Him to keep you, and those you love, from harm and from sin? Do not forget, God hears our prayer and cries, and He helps those who truss in Him.

“They cry unto the Lord in their trouble and He saveth them out of their distresses. Psa. 107:19.

ML-11/15/1970

A Little Captive Maid

A dear young Israelite maiden,

A captive was taken one day,

And from her country and people

To Syria was led far away.

No bitter resentment she harbored,

That this was her portion in life,

But cheerfully took up her duties,

And waited on Naaman’s wife.

Now Naaman, who was her master,

Though mighty in valor was he,

Exceeding in greatness and honor,

Was stricken with dread leprosy.

But the young Israelite maiden

With confidence trusted the Lord,

Believing the true God of Heaven,

Whose love was her full reward.

She knew He could help poor Naaman,

She knew He had power to heal,

To Naaman’s wife she spoke kindly

And earnestly made her appeal.

The few words thus faithfully spoken

Gave hope to Naaman’s soul

And he went to the prophet of Israel

Where he was made perfectly whole.

And now, if you trust in the Saviour

Who died upon Calvary’s tree;

You may tell others about Him,

Who blesses so full and so free.

“Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper.

“And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naan’s wife.

“And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy....

“So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.

“And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times....

“Then he went down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan,... and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” 2 King 5:1-14.

So Naaman yielded, spite of pride;

He washed and he was clean;

And all who now in Christ confide

Are washed from every sin.

ML-11/15/1970

"The Time Is Short"

THESE QUAINT lines are found on a clock in a village tower in England:

Time’s on the wing, how swift he speeds his way,

Hast’ning to sink in one eternal day.

Pause, passing traveler, what thy destiny,

When death unveils a vast eternity?

Live then to Christ; in Christ eternal gain;

No Christ, no hope, but everlasting pain.

They speak a word of warning to all who are unsaved.

“The time is short.” 1 Cor. 7:29.

Memory Verse “HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF GOD ABIDETH FOREVER.” 1 John 2:17.

ML-11/15/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 29:36-46

THE SIN offering was to be offered each day for seven days, while Aaron and his sons were being consecrated. God would have His people—ourselves as believers, made priests unto God by the work of Christ—always to remember what it cost Christ to put our sins away from His sight.

Then we have the continual burnt offering — two lambs every day one in the morning, the other in the evening. The fire that was kindled of God upon the altar was never to go out. And this continual ascending or sweet savor offering speaks of the continued preciousness of Christ to God, and to His people. We need Christ in the morning and Christ in the evening all along our earthly pathway.

Then with this sacrifice there was also offered the fine flour mingled with oil, and the wine. In this we get the meat (or meal) offering, and the drink offering. Here again we have Christ in His perfect life as begotten by the Holy Ghost, while the drink offering speaks of joy. To be in counion with God in contemplating the perfections of His Son, is one of the joys of the Christian. We share with God His joy in Christ as the One in whom is all His delight.

“And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory.” v. 43. The children of Israel were not allowed to go nearer than the gate of the tabernacle, but God in His grace did permit Moses to go into His presence before the mercy seat. Now that Christ has died and the veil is rent, we as believers can go into God’s holy presence without fear; and wonderful to think, God delights to have us there.

“The tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory.” At that time that was the only spot on earth where God’s glory was manifested. But now, since the cross, the glory of God shines in the face of Jesus Christ. And it also shines in and through the hearts of all those who believe in Him as their Saviour.

From Hebrews 9 we learn that the tabernacle was a type of both the heavenly and earthly scenes. When Jesus comes to reign both heaven and the whole earth will be filled with His glory. This looks on to that blessed millennial day.

“And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.” v. 45.

God’s purpose and desire from the beginning was to dwell with man. But how sad that man does not want God. Like the prodigal son, he will take all that God gives him with an unthankful heart, and then go off to the far country to enjoy it without any thought of God.

But God will not be frustrated in His purpose. He will have His joy and happiness in the joy of His redeemed people, surrounding Himself. The tabernacle in the wilderness is a picture of that which waits the coming day. In the meantime God has His joy now in those who have been redeemed, gathered around Christ as their Saviour, in His presence. This blessed thought of God will soon be displayed in glory when He has His heavenly people at home in His presence, when He will “show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us through Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:7.

ML-11/15/1970

Danny's Prayer for Help

DANNY was sailing his new boat LI on the creek at the back of Grandpa’s farm. Sandy the dog had been playing on the bank nearby, when suddenly he disappeared on another adventure.

Danny had been glad to find a ruing stream where he could sail his little craft, and he pretended it was carrying food parcels to hungry children across the sea. He became so enthused that not watching his footing, he tripped over a rock and the next moment he had tumbled headlong into the creek.

At first he was so frightened he almost panicked. There was no one in sight to help. Then he heard Sandy barking in the meadow. Danny remembered that Sandy disliked the water and would never go in the creek. However, he knew he had a Friend in the Lord and he prayed that He would help him to safety again.

Then he heard the dog’s barking getting nearer and nearer, and he cried out, “Sandy, come and help; I’m going downstream.”

The dog knew something was wrong with his young master, and arriving at the bank he saw at a glance the danger he was in. Forgetting his own dislike of the water, Sandy plunged into the stream and swam out to where Danny struggled for his life. The boy took hold of the dog’s collar and so kept his head out of water. Together they headed for shore and shortly reached the bank in safety.

“Oh Sandy, you’re a brave dog after all,” gasped Danny, “and besides, you came in answer to my prayer.” Sandy’s only reply was a wag of his tail and a big shake that sent the water flying all over his young master. While Danny was busy wringing out his wet clothes and pulling in his boat, Sandy kept right alongside him.

Then the boy pulled himself tether, and thanked the Lord for answering his prayer and bringing him to safety.

“We must tell Grandpa about it, Sandy,” said Danny. “He will be anxious when he knows what happened.” So with the dog at his heels he headed for home. On the way they met his grandfather and Danny soon told him of how Sandy had saved him from the swirling stream.

“Well,” chuckled Grandpa, thankfully, “Sandy proved himself a real friend, and I am proud of him. He is a good friend for a boy to have around.”

“Besides, Grandpa,” said Danny, “I prayed to the Lord to save me and He sent Sandy to help me in to shore.”

“I am glad you have found the Lord as a Friend,” returned Grandpa. “If you have faith to trust Him as your Lord and Saviour He will never leave nor forsake you. He is the one Friend who will never fail you.”

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13.

ML-11/22/1970

A Dirty Heart

LITTLE four-year-old Ruth stood with her sister in the little meeting hall on the corner one evening. Her family always sat up near the front row and so they were quite near the preacher.

That night the preacher had told about hell and judgment and Ruth knew she did not want to go there. Oh how she wished that she was clean in God’s sight! But she had just that day slapped her sister and had told Mother, a lie. Ruth knew that she was a great sinner.

The people were singing:

There is a fountain filled with blood

Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;

We thank Thee then, O Father,

For all things bright and good,

And sinners plunged beneath — that flood

Lose all their guilty stains.”

Poor little Ruth could see how black her heart looked to God. Ail the naughty things she had done left their dark stains upon her soul. She cried and cried because she was so sorry for all the bad things she had done. But crying did not bring her peace. Tears cannot wash sins away, No, dear young friends,

Weeping will not save me;

Though my face were bathed in tears,

That could not allay my fears,

Could not wash the sins of years;

Weeping will not save me.

But the Saviour Himself was seeking little Ruth and was gently drawing her to Himself. By faith she could look up and see that Jesus had bled and died for her and that His precious blood washes whiter than snow. As soon as she trusted Him as her Saviour then the value of His precious blood in God’s sight was made good to her soul. The burden of her sins was rolled away in a moment, her sorrow was gone and her tears were now tears of joy. Perhaps no one else in the hall that night knew what had happened in little Ruth’s heart, but she knew that Jesus had washed all her sins away. Oh what a wonderful Saviour He is!

Faith in Christ will save me;

Trust in Him, the risen One,

Trust the work that He has done;

To His arms I now may run;

Faith in Christ will save me.

ML-11/22/1970

O Thank the Lord

We thank Thee then, O Father,

For all things bright and good,

The seed-time and the harvest,

Our life, our health, our food.

Accept the gifts we offer

For all Thy love imparts,

And, what Thou most desirest,

Our humble, thankful hearts.

All good gifts around us

Are sent from heaven above,

Then thank the Lord,

O thank the Lord,

For all His love....

ML-11/22/1970

Come Now

HAVE you ever noticed a hen calling her brood together when there is a hawk near at hand? She knows the danger, though the chickens do not, and she is calling to them so that she may shelter them under her wings. How quickly they answer to her call! though sometimes a willful chicken will not listen, and the hawk pounces down and carries it off.

How like the foolish child who, when Jesus calls, wishing to shelter him from the coming wrath, refuses to listen and therefore perishes! Answer the loving Saviour’s call when He says, “Come unto Me,” by coming at once. Then you will not only have a Saviour, but a friend, on whom you can call in the day of trouble.

Christian children, do not forget to call on the Lord at all times in faith, and He will answer you.

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psa. 50:15.

ML-11/22/1970

A Sword We Can All Possess

SINCE the days of William the Conqueror (1066 A.D.) English kings have been crowned in famous Westminster Abbey.

There once came to the throne of England a young prince named Edward. He was only a lad, but like Josiah, the boy king of Israel, he loved the Word of God.

We are told that at his coronation, Edward the Sixth was presented with swords as King of England, France and Ireland. Looking about him he remarked, “There is yet another sword to be delivered to me.” The noblemen and ladies and all the distinguished guests surrounding him looked very surprised and puzzled.

“I mean,” said the young king, “the sacred Bible, which is the sword of the Spirit, and without which we are nothing, neither can we do anything.”

Since then every monarch who has come to the throne of England has been presented with a Bible, carried on a cushion.

What a mighty sword is the Word of God! It is “quick [living] and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12.

ML-11/22/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 30:1-8

“AND THOU shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it.... And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold.”

The various articles of furniture in the tabernacle that have occupied us thus far had to do with God’s displaying Himself. Now it becomes a matter of man’s approach to God; therefore we have had in the last two chapters, the consecration of the priests, who alone could enter into God’s presence.

There remained two sacred vessels of approach, which we have not yet had brought before us, and the first of these is the golden altar, or altar of incense. This altar is not mentioned until now because there had to be a way opened up first of all by which the sinner could approach God. That is why we have the brazen altar first, and this speaks of the cross. There it is that God meets the sinner in love and accepts him, when he believes, in the value of the sacrifice of Christ, His beloved Son, who died there to put away sin.

The altar of incense was made of shittim wood, overlaid with gold, and sets forth in all its details Christ both God and man. It stood within the holy place, before the veil. This teaches us that apart from Christ there can be no approach to God, no worship rendered to Him. But Christ is the meeting place between God and His people. He meets the sinner at the brazen altar, but at the golden altar He meets the saint. The gold speaks of that which is divine—that which suits God’s own nature. Knowing this the believer can enter into His presence with boldness, for Christ is there.

Aaron was to take sweet spices and burn them on the golden altar before God. The incense spoke of Christ, so precious to God, who will ever have His beloved Son before Him. The coals which brought out the sweet fragrance of the incense were to come only from the brazen altar, where the sacrifice was consumed. The judgment that consumed the burnt offering was the same which would bring out the sweet savor of the golden altar. This tells us that the sweetest fragrance to God is that which has come from His own dear Son being bruised and smitten upon the cross.

Aaron at the golden altar is also a type of the believer, for the burning of the incense speaks of worship. The believer is before God in all the value of Christ, the burnt offering; there He can praise, worship and adore, and present to God the merits and worthiness of Christ. We are told that the altar was most holy and we should always remember this when we come into the presence of God in worship.

The offering of this incense was to never cease — it was to be offered morning and evening, day after day year after year. The believer is told to “Rejoice in the Lord always.’ Phil. 4:4; “singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Eph. 5:19, 20 and enjoying with Him all the preciousness of Christ.

Memory Verse “MY SON, GIVE ME THINE HEART.” Prov. 23:26.

ML-11/22/1970

The Story of a Bible in Russia

A CHRISTIAN in a Russian town of 900 near the Polish border received a few Bibles which had been smuggled in. So thrilled was he with the gift that he decided to keep one and send the others to believers in Russian towns farther inland. He sent one to a Christian friend in Milova. How surprised and happy were the man and his wife to receive the beloved Bible in the mail. Quickly they called a few other secret believers together and showed them the wonderful Book. “Thank God!” they cried. “Somewhere there are brothers and sisters in Christ who have not forgotten us.”

But how could they share ONE Bible with more than 900 people? Passing it from hand to hand would mean that no single person would have time to read it. Yet the people of Milova must have God’s Word to read, to meditate on, to pray over and to study. What could be done? There was but one solution. The believers sat down and carefully cut the Bible into sections—Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, etc.

The Christians decided they could keep one portion for themselves IF first of all they made TWO handwritten copies, and passed them along to two other people in the village who did not know Christ as their Saviour. These two could keep one copy if each made two handwritten copies and passed them on to four other people. So it was that multi-copies of God’s Word in handwritten form were being circulated through the town.

Since the Bible is not allowed to be circulated in Russia, the people read the forbidden sections eagerly, but secretly, and God blessed His Word. Even the local officer closed his eyes to what was happening. As long as they worked hard in the collective farms during the day, that was all that mattered to him. Interest continued to mount in the town until the Scriptures were circulating in nearly every home. Then small cottage meetings began to form in Milova for the first time in years as the “good seed” of God’s Word took root.

Now word has reached us that since January, 1970, many of the 900 villagers have found Christ, and Milova is in the grip of a strong spiritual awakening. Perhaps some of our dear young readers would like to pray for the dear Christians in Russia who are persecuted for Christ’s sake.

Many are in prison, suffering for their faith. The Bible tells us to “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” Heb. 13:3.

Dear boys and girls, is God’s Word precious to you as it is to these pool Russian believers? and do you read it every day? Let us thank God that He has given us Bibles in this cowl, try to read, and the sacred texts to memorize. How good He is to give them to us!

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.” Jer. 15:16.

“The Word of the Lord was precious.” 1 Sam. 3:1.

ML-11/29/1970

A Camping Trip

How many of our boys and girls, and older ones too, have dreamed of a camping trip, when you could set up a tent on the side of a lake and sleep under the stars.

How beautiful the track of the moonlight as it shimmers across the lake, while the stars shine and twinkle in the Milky Way!

Genesis 1:16 tells us that God who made the sun to rule by day, made the moon to rule by night, and “He made the stars also.”

How wonderful to look up at night into those heavens studded with twinkling stars and to know that that same blessed Creator came into this world as a helpless little babe, and as Man went to Calvary’s cross to die for His creature’s sin! Surely such love as this should make us want to please Him in confessing Him as our Lord and Saviour. May we each be able to say, “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire bides Thee.” Psa. 73:25.

He has prepared a Home above, far beyond the stars, for all those that love His name, and one day soon He is coming to take all His own to be with Him there.

“Will you be there, and I?”

Memory Verse “THEY THAT WERE READY WENT IN WITH HIM... AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT.” Matt. 25:10.

ML-11/29/1970

But Jesus Can Save Me!

AN ENGLISH general who became famous for his bravery, was a believing Christian.

Often he would take his little son into his arms and tell him about the Lord Jesus. One day he said to the little one: “Would my little boy like to go to heaven?”

“Yes, papa.”

“But how would you get there, where the holy God is; and your little heart is full of sin?”

“But all people are sinners, papa!”

“That is true,” said the father, “still God has said, that only those that are pure in heart, shall see Him, and you have no pure heart; how shall that come about?”

The boy became very sad, the sorrow could be seen in his face, and he began to weep, and laying his little head on his father’s chest said: “But, papa, Jesus can save me!”

He had confidence in the Saviour, for he had often heard that the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. So he took refuge in the Lord Jesus and found peace.

“Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.”

ML-11/29/1970

A Wonderful Lamp

A COLPORTEUR was passing in his usual way from door to door, seeking to sell Bibles, New Testaments and gospel books, and to speak to one and another of the Saviour he loved. Calling at one house, he entered into conversation with a servant who said, “If you have a book which will show me how to get rich, live easy, and die happy, I will buy it.” The colporteur replied that he had the very book for him. He handed him a New Testament telling him that it would give him all that he had required.

And surely it is a wonderful Book, a wonderful Lamp, if it will show all that. But it does, and multitudes have proved the truth of what that simple servant of God declared.

It shows the way to “get rich” really rich; rich with true riches that never pass away; riches which will give enjoyment now and forever.

As to the desire to “live easy,” we can say that it gives those who believe in the Lord Jesus to know that His precious blood has redeemed them, and cleansed them from all their sins. Thus their conscience is set at perfect rest and they have peace with God. They have come to Christ and He has given them that which He promises to all who come to Him—rest.

It shows the way to “die happy"; that the future has no fear for the Christian; that Christ has borne the judgment; that He has died and risen again; that He is now in heaven living for His own, never forgetting them; that soon He is coming again for them, and thus they may never die at all; but if they do, they can “die happy,” for they know that if their spirits leave their bodies they will be present with the Lord.

The man bought the Book and found it to be a lamp to his feet and a light to his path. Have you found it to be such?

ML-11/29/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 30:11-16

“WHEN THOU takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the Lord,... that there be no plague among them.”

Before Aaron could approach to burn incense unto God, he must have a redeemed people to act for. And this, we believe, is the reason why we have the atonement money brought in here.

When they were numbered, each man was brought individually, as it were, before the Lord, and on each occasion he must give a half a shekel of silver. In this way he would be reminded of his condition as a sinner and need of redemption. Man everywhere is a sinner and needs a ransom for his soul. “That there be no plague” — unless one’s sins are atoned for he will come under the judgment of a holy God.

They were each to give half a shekel. The rich were not to give more, nor the poor less. God is no respecter of persons; all stand on one common platform as sinners before Him. It was to be “after the shekel of the sanctuary"; that is, it must be according to God’s standard, and not man’s. A shekel is twenty gerahs, so a half shekel would be ten gerahs. Ten speaks of responsibility towards God, and this tells us that man’s responsibility to God as a sinner must be met.

The silver of the ransom money speaks to us of the blood of Christ, the price our blessed Saviour paid as a ransom for our souls. How much more precious than silver, even as Peter tells us: “Ye were not re, deemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,’ 1 Pet. 1:18,19. Thus in the ten gerahs we read the truth that only the blood of Christ can meet our responsibility to God as sinners.

“Without shedding of blood is no remission.” Heb. 9:22, is a truth largely given up and denied by many today, dear young Christian. But may the blood of Christ, the foundation of all our blessings, be more precious to us as we journey on home to heaven, and may we seek grace too, to make much of the blood to others along the way.

In this matter of the atonement money, every man had to give for himself. It was a ransom for his soul, and unless he were represented in the atonement money he could not be considered as redeemed. So it is now. One must be under the value of the blood of Christ for himself, or he will come under the judgment of God. Each one must have to do with God personally; and have a personal interest in the blood.

The atonement money was used in the service of the Lord, to make the sockets of silver in which the boards of the tabernacle rested. Typically it witnessed to the fact that atonement had been made for their souls. The believer can well rest in peace knowing that he has been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ.

Sweetest rest and peace have filled us,

Sweeter praise than tongue can tell;

God is satisfied with Jesus,

We are satisfied as well....

ML-11/29/1970

The Robber's Cave

HENRY and his father were walking along a lonely road one night. They had to pass a large rock with a cave in it, known as “The Robber’s Cave.” It was said that many years before, robbers would hide themselves there and spring out to rob travelers as they passed along. Very few people cared to pass that way after dark.

As Henry and his father walked along, Henry asked if there would be any danger in passing the Robber’s Cave.

“Not a bit, my boy,” said his father who was a Christian. “I do not think there are any robbers here now and if there were, God would preserve us from harm.”

Henry said very little but he held his father’s hand tightly as they passed the cave.

They had hardly turned the corner of the road when a footstep was heard behind and as Henry looked around he saw a rough-looking man following them.

“Oh, Daddy, here is one of the robbers coming after us,” said Henry.

His father smiled and quietly said, “God will take care of us, Henry,” and at the same time he lifted his heart to the Lord in prayer for preservation, if the man meant to harm them.

In a short time the man had overtaken them but before he had time to speak, Henry’s father crossed over to the other side of the road where the man walked, and taking out his wallet, gave him a gospel tract, sang, “I hope you will read this when you have time.”

The man held out his hand and as he took the tract he murmured something about wanting something to eat.

“I shall be glad to share what I have with you,” said Henry’s father, taking out his purse, which the man eyed with a suspicious look. The next moment, several coins fell into the man’s hand and the father said, “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The rough-looking man touched his cap and said, “Thank you, sir!” and sat down by the roadside. Henry and his father went on, the boy now and then looking around to see if the man followed. They soon reached home safely and thanked the Lord for His protecting care.

Many years passed away and Henry was a tall young man. He had put his trust in the Lord Jesus and diligently sought to tell others about the Saviour. He worked among the poor and one day while visiting he entered a cottage where a sickly-looking man sat by the fireside.

“Come and sit down, sir,” said the man, “I am always thankful to get a tract, especially now that I am unable to go out. It was a gospel tract that by God’s blessing, led me to the Saviour and changed my life.”

There was something about the man that at once arrested Henry’s attention. He had seen that face bore but he could not think where it was. A few more sentences solved the mystery and sent the tears down the cheeks of both of them.

“I was a robber,” said the man in a low voice; “except for God’s mercy, I might have been a murderer. I meant to rob a man who was walking alone a country road with his little boy one night, but he gave me a gospel tract, and I couldn’t do it. God used that tract to the saving of my soul.”

Henry seized the trembling hand of the repentant and converted robber, now a humble follower of Christ and said, “I am that boy; my father gave you that tract and he will praise God from his heart for His saving grace to you.”

The old robber was a rich trophy of grace and in his own humble sphere shone for Christ. Dear reader, the same grace that met and saved that robber, is now ready to save you, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Eph. 2:8.

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

ML-12/06/1970

Snow

When Harry and Sue got up the other morning how surprised they were to find that it had snowed during the night. There was a beautiful mantle of the purest snow over everything.

How pretty and pure the snowflakes are as they float down from the sky!

Question: What is the blackest thing on earth?

Answer: A heart defiled by sin.

Question: What is the purest thing on earth?

Answer: That same heart washed in the blood of Jesus.

King Savid knew about snow for once when he had sinned he prayed, “Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psa. 51:7

Dear young reader, have you ever prayed that prayer?

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

ML-12/06/1970

A Snake Story

A MAN IN Kentucky recently drove his car to the bottom lands to do some work. Leaving the door open as he unloaded his tools, he returned just in time to see the tail of a snake disappearing inside his car.

Now most snakes are not poisonous but the pit vipers are. You can tell a pit viper by the deep pit in front of each eye — this family includes Copperheads, Rattlesnakes, and Water Moccasins. The man could not see the snake clearly but he did suspect that it was a water moccasin, so he didn’t feel like getting into his car as long as it was in there.

He had a nice car and he liked to ride in it, but something had gotten in and spoiled it for him. And this makes one think of the Garden of Eden which God made beautiful for man to enjoy. Through the serpent Satan entered that fair scene; he caused man to sin, and so sin has ruined all God’s wonderful creation. With sin came death; “wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Rom. 5:12. Sin brings death, more surely than the bite of a snake. We have all been bitten by the serpent; and yet how wonderful it is to read that though “the wages of sin is death,” “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23.

The man cautiously lifted the seats in his car and looked all around, but did not see the snake. Had he made a mistake? No, he knew the snake was in there somewhere. And we know that sin is in us for “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” He decided the only thing to do was to kill that snake — something he couldn’t see or touch. So he closed the doors and windows tight and filled the car with poisonous gas. A little later he found a good-sized water moccasin curled up dead under the dashboard.

Satan, “that old serpent, the devil” came into this world seeking to destroy man, but for the one who trusts in Jesus he is a defeated foe. The Lord Jesus by His death and resurrection has overcome the power of Satan, and the believer is delivered completely from sin’s guilt and power.

Now, dear young friends, you don’t have to know all about sin in order to be freed from it. If unsaved, take the Lord Jesus as your Saviour now while you’re young. Then you will be free from the bite of sin, you can go happily along life’s pathway and be at peace with God. Then if called to leave this world, as you surely will one day, you will not feel “the sting of death” which is sin (1 Cor. 15:56), but it will be like passing through a door into the joy and peace of the Saviour’s presence forever.

Memory Verse “BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY; AND MY REWARD IS WITH ME, TO GIVE EVERY MAN ACCORDING AS HIS WORK SHALL BE.” Rev. 22:12.

ML-12/06/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 30:17-21

“THOU shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and feet thereat.”

The last of the sacred vessels of the tabernacle to be described is the laver. It stood between the brazen altar and the holy place, and contained water for cleansing. There the priests would wash their hands and feet from defilement before going io the presence of God in the sanctuary.

When one entered the court of the tabernacle the first thing he met was the brazen altar, and this speaks to us of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. There it was He fully gloried God as to the question of sin. There too He met the sinner’s need, for the fire of God’s judgment fell on Him, so that the believing one, his sins forever put away by that precious blood, can now pass on his way in peace into the very presence of God.

But in this evil world we contract defilement and have need to have our feet washed daily “with the washing of water by the Word,” and this is what the laver speaks of. The believer is cleansed from his sins once and for all by the blood, and this never needs to be repeated. But we need that constant washing of water by the Word, that moral cleansing of our souls from the defilements the way. Perhaps, dear young Christian, we hear some unholy talk, or see a defiling picture, which things might remain in our memory; or we might entertain an unkind thought about someone; these things defile and interrupt our communion, but if we go to the Lord about them, and judge them, then occupation with Him has the effect of freeing our minds from these defiling things; we are set free in spirit to have our thoughts filled with Christ and His things. We need this constant self-judgment in order to go on and grow in our souls. This truth our blessed Lord brings before us so clearly in John 13:1-10.

It is interesting to note where the brass used in making the laver came from. We learn from Exodus 38:8 it was made out of the brazen mirrors, or looking glasses, used by the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle. When the metal was highly polished they could see themselves in it, but now, it seems, they had parted with their mirrors willingly. They would never be used again to satisfy the vanity of those who once possessed them. They had given them to the Lord for His service and from henceforth they were more concerned with how they appeared in His eyes. Surely this was most commendable and God has been pleased to record it in His Word, surely for our learning.

ML-12/06/1970

Two Rabbits

JOHN was nine years old and lived on a cattle ranch in the western part of Texas. There were many cotes on the prairies, so John’s father bought a beautiful, thoroughbred greyhound to protect the calves. When Blackie was not chasing cotes, he liked to chase rabbits.

John would often throw his hat in the air and shout until he was hoarse as he watched the dog chase a jack rabbit. The rabbit would lay back both ears and run for his life with the dog at his heels. John noticed that a jack rabbit would never run into a place of safety; there were many badger holes, haystacks, granaries, and even hollow logs he could have hidden in — but he never did. It seemed as if his proud and haughty spirit would not admit that he needed any help or any refuge. Too proud to hide, too self-confident to run to shelter, spurning the hole in the ground or a ledge of rock, the jack rabbit depended on his strong hind legs — and lost! The jack rabbit was a great runner but he couldn’t outrun a greyhound.

One day Blackie noticed a little cottontail rabbit in the brush of the river bottom and started to chase the tiny animal. He was only about a third the size of the jack rabbit. John thought to himself, “Too bad, little rabbit. You don’t have a chance.”

Suddenly, Blackie’s bark changed in tone. At first John wondered if the dog were hurt but when he pushed his way through the brush he found him howling and scratching at a rock half as big as a house. Into a hole under the overhanging ledge of this rock, not more than four inches above the ground, the little cotton-tail rabbit had run and was perfectly safe. The helpless little rabbit could not depend upon its own tiny legs but it had the good sense to run to a place of safety in the rock.

John grew to be a man and a believer in the Lord Jesus. He has often thought of these two rabbits — the long-legged, proud, independent jack rabbit that never seeks a place of safety, and the timid little cottontail, who immediately runs to a safe hiding place at the first alarm — as a picture of the two attitudes of sinners. Some people say, “I’ll take my chance. I am not afraid.” So they try to outrun sin and Satan themselves. They depend on reform and on their good deeds, and their pride keeps them from running to the place of safety in the Lord Jesus Christ. They do not want to think that their sins will find them out, but God’s Word says, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23; and also, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7.

We hope, dear reader, that you have seen your danger and have run to Christ the Rock, for mercy and salvation. If not, He waits to receive you today with outstretched arms. Of Him we read, “And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” Isaiah 32:2.

“I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.” — Psalm 91:2.

ML-12/13/1970

A Story From Guatemala

IN GUATEMALA one day a drunken peddler came to a school. Among many things he had to sell was a Bible. Never before having seen a Bible one of the senior girls bought it. She read it with great interest. When she came to Exodus 20, verses 4 and 5, she was filled with wonder. “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image... Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor serve them...” Surely something must be wrong, for the place where she worshiped was full of images, and she had been taught to bow down to them! And yet God had commanded, “Thou shalt not make... thou shalt not bow down.”

She could not rest — she must find out the truth. In His goodness God led her to a Christian who was able to tell her the true way of salvation through trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ alone and in the work that He did on the Cross. She believed the Word and is now a happy Christian, no more bowing to images but to Him alone to whom, in a coming day, every knee must bow.

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil. 2:10, 11.

Memory Verse “BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HEAR THE WORD OF GOD, AND KEEP IT.” Luke 11:28.

ML-12/13/1970

The Old Doctor's Story

“I HAVE a little story to tell you, boys,” the old doctor said to the children the other evening.

“One day, when I was a boy, I met my father, on the road to town.

"‘Jim,’ he said, in a hesitating way, wish you would take this package into the village for me.’

“I was then about twelve years old, and not very fond of work. I had just come from the hayfield, where I had been hard at work since daybreak. I was tired, and dusty, and hungry. It was two miles’ drive into town. I wanted to go home and get my suer, and then wash and dress myself, and go to the sing at the school that evening.

“My first impulse was to refuse to go, for I was vexed to be asked to do this after my long day’s work. If I had refused, he would have gone himself. He was a gentle, loving, kind old man. Something stopped me from doing what I was just on the point of doing. I have no doubt God ordered it so.

"‘Of course, Father, I’ll take it,’ I said heartily, giving my tools to one of the men. He gave me the package, saying as he did so, ‘Thank you, Jim; I was going myself, but somehow I don’t feel very strong today.’ He walked with me to the road that turned off toward the town, and as I left him, he laid his hand on my shoulder, saying again, ‘Thank you my son. You have always been a good boy to me, Jim.’

“I hurried to town, and back home again. As I came near the house, I saw a great crowd of farm hands about the door. One of them came to me, and with the tears rolling down his face, said: ‘Your father fell down dead just as he reached the door of his home. The last words he spoke were those he said to you in parting.’

“I am an old man now,” said the doctor, who told this story, “but I have thanked God, over and over again, for the help He gave me in honoring and obeying my father on that occasion. His last words to me have been a deep satisfaction to my heart: ‘Jim, you have always been a good boy to me.’ "

In Ephesians 6:1,2, we read: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother;... that it may be well with thee.”

ML-12/13/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 30:22-30

THE LAST of the holy vessels of the tabernacle have been described in detail, and there remain but two things—the anointing oil and the sweet spices.

“Moreover the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh... sweet cinnamon ... sweet calamus... cassia... and oil olive...: and thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment...: it shall be a holy anointing oil.”

These spices speak of the graces of Christ. We read of Him in Psalm 45:7,8: “God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows. All Thy garments smell of myrrh and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made Thee glad.” His very garments smell of these sweet perfumes.

The spices were mingled with oil — type of the Holy Spirit; and this tells us that the fragrance of Christ — His beauties and excellencies all were expressed in the power of the Spirit of God. His life was ever by the power of the Spirit and was ever fragrant to God His Father. The Spirit could come down upon Him in the form of a dove and there rest, while God the Father could say, “Thou art My beloved Son, in whom is all My delight.”

The anointing oil was then put upon the tabernacle, the ark, all the sacred vessels, and the priests as well. When we think of the tabernacle as the house of God then this anointing would tell us that everything connected with His house, our worship, our service, must be in the power of the Holy Spirit. If this is lacking then no matter whatever service we might seek to render, it will not be acceptable to God.

Furthermore, these spices had a sanctifying effect on everything that came in contact with them. “Whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy2, v. 29. The ointment was “most holy,” telling us that if we are to bear fruit for God there must be the judgment of any form of evil in our lives. Holiness becomes God’s house forever and is particularly connected with worship in all these types.

Then we read about the sweet perfume that was to be made. We are told the names of the spices but not how much of each were to be used in its making. There was, however, an equal quantity of each, for there was a perfect evenness in every grace in Christ, not one stood out above another, and yet each was infinite — it could not be measured.

Some of this was to be beaten very small (the more it was beaten the more fragrance came forth) and put before the testimony where God met with them. Its being beaten very small makes us think of the blessed Lord Jesus being “beaten” for us on the cross. Into those three dark hours was compressed an eternity of suffering and judgment that our sins deserved, and yet there never was a time when He was more pleasing to the Father as when He was accomplishing His will even unto death. The sweet perfume of His wonderful work of redemption shall be before God for all eternity. It is on account of this that He can meet with us, the very ones whose sins He bore.

This perfume was also “most holy” and a warning given against anyone making an imitation of it. There can be no imitation of Christ and His work before God. He is jealous for the glory of His beloved Son, and we are called, dear young Christians, to spread His glory the little while He leaves us down here.

ML-12/13/1970

Faithful Missy

MR. AND MRS. Jacob Zanger and their children lived on a farm in Kansas. Times were hard and they were almost penniless, so they decided to move to Monterey, California. They had a dog, a chow, named Missy, whom they loved dearly, but Mr. Zanger insisted that they could not afford to keep Missy any longer. Leaving the dog with a kind neighbor, the Zanger family drove away one morning.

At first Missy refused to stay with her new owner, returning each night to the deserted Zanger farmhouse. And finally, after a week of disappointed waiting, the dog disappeared.

Ten months passed. The Zangers were now settled in their new home in Monterey, California, where the father had found work. But even though the parents had said they could now afford to keep a dog, the children refused to consider adopting another.

One day, as the youngest child was walking home from school, a dirty-looking dog came rushing toward him. The little boy was frightened at the wild-eyed and bony animal charging him. He turned to run but the dog was on him in a moment her tail wagging, her tongue covering the child’s face with kisses. It was Missy, of course, who somehow had traveled more than 1,500 miles to find her “family.” The story of her ten-month journey will never be known, but as any chow owner will affirm, Missy would never have stopped searching until she had drawn her last breath.

Dear faithful Missy! The story of her devotion to the family she loved thrills our hearts. Surely it was love that carried her on and on, over those seemingly endless miles, until she found herself “home” at last. In the last glimpse we have of her she is in the midst of her family circle, loved and caressed, by the children especially. Their joy and hers knows no bounds — she is supremely happy her cup is full.

Well, this happy picture leads our thoughts to the more wonderful story of a much longer journey, and of a surpassing love. The Lord Jesus left His home in the glory and came down to this world to seek and to save lost sinners, that He might have them in that same glory with Himself. But how different Missy’s welcome to His! Except for a few poor folks whose hearts God had prepared to receive Him, there was no welcome for Him in this cold world. “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” John 1:11. He had to say, “They rewarded Me evil for good, and hatred for My love.” Psa. 109:5.

But the Father who sent Him will not be thwarted in His purposes of love, for through the work of His dear Son He is going to fill heaven with His redeemed family, and His house shall be a place of song. There the ransomed from earth will sing the praise of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. May grace find you among that number, dear young reader.

Then, like Missy, we too are all on a journey, traveling on to eternity. “Sweet the thought that some are going to the realms of perfect day” to be united with loved ones gone before, to be forever with Jesus in love and happiness untold.

But for those who won’t have the Saviour and spurn His love, to leave this world will be to pass out into the regions of darkness, misery and despair, where there will be no love or comfort of friends — only “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt. 8:12.

ML-12/20/1970

A Donkey's Good Sense

IN Kansas City years ago, an old horse and an old donkey were kept together in a stable. They became well acquainted, and got to be quite fond of each other.

One day they were both turned into a field near the stable to feed on the grass. In the middle of this field was a large pond, which was sometimes filled with water, but at other times with deep mud. One day in trying to cross the pond, the old horse sank down into the mud, and stuck so fast that he could not get out.

As soon as the donkey saw the trouble his friend was in, he started off for the stable. Putting his head in the office door, he brayed as loudly as he could. Then he started to run back to the pond, waving his tail in the air. Looking around he saw that no one was following him, so returning to the office, he put his head in the door and brayed again, longer and louder than before. Again he started for the pond, and again he stopped and looked back to see if anybody was coming. The stable-keeper had been watching him, and feeling sure that there was something wrong, he told one of his boys to see what was the matter. The boy followed the donkey to the pond, and there he saw the trouble the poor old horse was in. He returned at once and reported the danger and, immediately three men were sent to the rescue. Soon the horse was delivered from his predicament.

Perhaps at times we too are anxious to see our friends out of trouble, but are we anxious to see them delivered from the worst predicament of all — from the terrible mire of sin? We are all sinners; and only Jesus can deliver from the power of sin. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23. He came into this world and died on the cross to put away the sins of all those who would have Him.

The old horse would have perished had he refused the help that was sent to him and tried to save himself. And all those who refuse to let Jesus the Son of God be their Saviour, who try to save themselves, will perish one day under the just judgment of God.

ML-12/20/1970

The Clock

A TALL clock stands on the stair landing of our old home. It is an eight-day clock run by three heavy weights that hang on brass chains from the works. These weights run the clock, but they have to be lifted from time to time by the owner—a power outside of the clock.

So it is with the Christian. God uses the very weights of life to keep us running, but He must lift the weights from time to time to give us strength and courage to carry on for Him.

The sweet chimes of this clock ring through the home every quarter-hour, but they are especially homely and comforting when we wake and hear them in the still hours of the night. They remind us that the night is passing: morning will come. Then on the hour, the tolling of the clock tells the time. We may be like this clock, observing the time, making melody in our hearts to the Lord, and watching for His coming as the Morning Star, just before the break of day.

“I Jesus... am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and Morning Star.” Rev. 22:16.

ML-12/20/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 30:31-38

GOD gave Moses two warnings in connection with the holy anointing oil. First, “Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured.” The Spirit of God cannot rest or dwell in the natural man, fallen and in his sins. However, it is beautiful to see that Aaron and his sons were anointed after the blood had been applied to them first. One must be first cleansed by the precious blood of Christ before he can be indwelt by the Spirit and bear fruit for God. How many there are who are still unsaved and yet are trying to serve God! Still in their sins, they have not faith to trust in Christ, and we know that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” The first thing a sinner can do to please Him is to confess to Him his sin and guilt and to be cleansed in the precious blood of Christ.

We were saying last week that these sweet spices in the anointing oil speak of the graces and loveliness of Christ. “All Thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia.” Psa. 45:8. There we see Him, as it were, fragrant with all these lovely per fumes; and surely if we are near to Him and are filled with the Spirit, we shall be enjoying these precious things that radiate from Himself.

Something of these graces will be seen in us too, for we shall carry away something of the fragrance of His Person.

The second warning was that there was to be no imitation of this ointment made, and if any one attempted to make one like it he was to be cut off from his people. It is a solemn thing to try to imitate the work of the Holy Spirit — this is of the enemy. What a warning to any who would attempt to imitate His work by fleshly excitement and other means.

This anointing then had to do with fitting the priests for drawing near to God, and this why, as believers, we need the Holy Spirit. To be born again, to have a new nature and to be brought into a new position before God in grace, are all His work, but a new nature or place do not enable us to do the will of God. A new nature may make us feel what we ought to be and do, but in itself it does not give us power to do it. The Spirit of God given to the believer is the power which enables him to fulfill the desires of that new nature. God “hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Memory Verse “IT IS BETTER TO TRUST IN THE LORD THAN TO PUT CONFIDENCE IN MAN.” Psalm 118:8.

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide;

A shelter in the time of storm;

Secure whatever ill betide:

A shelter in the time of storm.

A shade by day, defense by night:

A shelter in the time of storm;

No fears alarm, no foes affright:

A shelter in the time of storm.

O Rock Divine, O Refuge dear:

A shelter in the time of storm;

Be Thou our helper ever near,

A shelter in the time of storm.

ML-12/20/1970

Shimbi and His Sister

SHIMBI, an African boy, had been to the copper mines where he heard the precious gospel message given out by some Christians. His heart must have been touched for he kept thinking of the Son of God who came into the world to die on the cruel cross for sinners.

Early one morning Shimbi learned that a missionary had come into the neighborhood with a caravan of men who carried all the things necessary for the trek. The tent was pitched near his village. He had missed the meeting of the night before when those nearby sat around a big fire to listen to the story of God’s wonderful love.

This same morning Shimbi came all alone to the tent and sat cross-legged on the ground, clapping his hands together. Did he want a little gift — maybe a button with thread and needle to sew on his shirt? Or was it just to peer into the tent to see the things of the white man, so interesting to African children?

No, it was nothing like that he wanted. To our surprise and joy he said, “I want to believe.” He wanted to believe in the Lord Jesus. It must have been that Shimbi was listening to the Lord Jesus knocking at his heart’s door, wanting to come in. Now was the time to let Him in. This is just what he did! He let the Saviour in.

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

Shimbi knew that the missionary and caravan were to leave the next morning. He had some more questions. So, that same afternoon he came to the tent with another request. This time it was to ask if he could go to the mission school to learn to read and write. Some African boys want to learn in order to earn money at the mines or stores. But Shimbi’s reason was so different. He wanted to go to school so that he could read God’s Word for himself!

So in earnest was he that late that afternoon he brought his father in order to give his consent. His father said, “If Shimbi wants to go to school that is his affair.” He wouldn’t object.

There was one thing about which the boy was quite concerned. That was — How would he know when it was time to “stand up” to get to school on the right day? We counted the days till school opened. Then he asked for a piece of paper and pencil (very scarce in those days). What he was going to do was make a mark on the paper every morning. After the exact number of marks was complete, he then would know it was time to get his very few belongings together and start on the journey to the mission. He was sure he could find some others to travel with who were going in the same direction. No one traveled alone for fear of the wild animals. The paper and pencil, so valued, would be hid in the thatch roof of his mud hut.

The next day we bade farewell and started back to the mission home having spent several weeks visiting faraway villages.

We all wondered whether our interesting little friend would be able to come to school. Yes, he came and really set his heart to learn. He stored up memory verses, and was able to read quite a little in the Goel of Mark — the only book of the Bible translated into his dialect at that time. His desire was to tell his family and friends about the Lord Jesus. When school closed for vacation he told us he was going to preach in his village. He didn’t know what was ahead of him!

So after vacation when school reopened we asked Shimbi if he did what he said he would — did he preach to his people. He hung his head. They wouldn’t listen to him “They are just the fables of the white man,” they said.

But his older sister told a different story. She said Shimbi’s life was so changed since he believed in the Lord Jesus that it really had made an impression on some in the village. His sister wanted to learn more of the Word of God and came to the house several days so that she might get to know more of the One who sent the sunshine and rain to make their crops grow. She was sincere. Her purpose in the visit was to believe also in the Lord Jesus. She exclaimed, “Shimbi has believed and I do not want to be left out.”

This is the happy story of dear Shimbi and his sister. They are both on their way to heaven to be with Jesus, who loved and gave Himself for sinners — for you, for me, dear young reader. Will you meet them up there?

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

“THE LORD TAKETH PLEASURE IN THEM THAT FEAR HIM, IN THOSE THAT HOPE IN HIS MERCY.” Psa. 147:11.

ML-12/27/1970

Ah Koh

AH KOH was a postman in China. One day, as he delivered some letters to a missionary, he remarked mournfully how feeble he was becoming. “Oh well,” he finished, “it will not be long before I am in my heavenly home.”

The missionary looked at him in surprise and exclaimed, “But, Ah Koh, you have not accepted Christ! How can you expect to reach heaven?”

The old Chinaman replied almost confidently: “Surely, after I’ve brought letters to you all these years, one of you will get me in.”

Poor Ah Koh. His answer is sad and almost funny, isn’t it? I am sure the missionary explained to Ah Koh that only the Lord Jesus could get him in to heaven.

But I can remember when I had a strange idea too. I thought that maybe when the Lord Jesus came for all His own people I might be able to grab my mother’s clothes and go up to heaven with her. But I really knew that I needed to accept the Lord Jesus as my own Saviour. I could not get into heaven just because my mother was saved; I needed to be saved. How glad I was when I was sure that the Lord Jesus had died for my sins and that He would accept me in heaven with Himself!

Older people too often think that because they are called Christians or because they are good and religious they will go to heaven. But Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” John 14:6.

“And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Rev. 21:27.

ML-12/27/1970

Bible Talks

Exodus 31:1-1 1

GOD finished giving to Moses the details of the tabernacle and its furnishings. The time had come for putting it all together. But even in this God gave the most minute instructions as to everything; Moses was not left to use his own judgment. All proceeded from God and all is of grace.

What a lesson there is in this for us! Not a move was made until God had spoken, telling His servant what was to be done, and how. Before starting out on any service for Him, we must first go to Him and seek to have His will in the matter, and this He will make known to us if we are faithful in prayer and reading His Word. Then let us acknowledge that only He can enable us to do His blessed will.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel... and I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber,... And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab...: and in the hearts of all that are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee.”

Moses did not look over the camp of Israel and pick out men for this work. Nor did he call for volunteers. No, the Lord told Moses whom He had chosen and fitted for this wonderful service. It is a serious thing to serve the Lord, as well as a blessed privilege, and “no man taketh this honor unto himself.” Heb. 5:4. The Lord alone can call, and fit for His service, as He did Bezaleel and Aholiab, as He did David, and Peter, Barnabas and Saul, and many others long after.

Furthermore, He will not call one whom He has not qualified for His service. It should be our first concern to find out whether we have been sent by the Lord, whether we have been called to our work and service, like Bezaleel and Aholiab. If, like Mary, we are found sitting at the feet of Jesus, He will make known to us what He will have us to do. If, like Saul, we ask Him, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” He will reveal His mind to us. But we must, hover, be humbly content to do His blessed will, no matter what the service is. Too often we are like Naaman who was willing to do some great thing, but not what the Lord would have him do.

The secret of all true service is obedience, for if we are not doing God’s will it is not service. The Lord Jesus was the perfect servant. His whole life was characterized by perfect obedience to His Father’s will, so that He could say, “I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.” John 6:38.

These two men, Bezaleel and Ahiab, were filled with the Spirit of God, and they were dependent on the Lord for wisdom and understanding to carry out the work He had entrusted to them. Not a single thing was left to their own wisdom. Everything was to be done according to the instructions God had given by Moses. Surely all these things are for our learning.

Dear young Christian, may we be like the blessed Lord who could say, “He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth Mine ear to hear.” Isa. 50:4. The Lord has a daily work, as well as a life work, for each one of us, and the time for us to do it is short. His coming draws near.

ML-12/27/1970

Messages of God's Love: 1970

Table of Contents

Kenneth's Friend

What a Stone Brought Down

"I Beheld the Lamb of God"

Bible Talks

The Young People's Class: Joshua

Giving Thanks

The Priceless Treasure

The Frightened Sheep

Bible Talks

Free From the Law

James' Prayer

Bible Talks

Really and Soberly

Love One Another

The Dying Soldier's Request

The Train

I Know Him to Talk to

The Effect of a Tear

Bible Talks

A Microscope

A Pirate Saved

"From the Author"

Bible Talks

The Stolen Apple

The Heavenly Home

Bible Talks

Fire!

A Repentant Thief

Only a Little Child

Bible Talks

Into the Depths of the Sea

Be in Time!

White Man's Magic

Bible Talks

Happy Shepherd Boy

His Last Word for Jesus

The Bible in the Pigpen

"I'm Glad It Is Settled!"

"In de Dark, Daddy"

Bible Talks

The Young People's Class: Joshua

"Take His Word for It!"

Bible Talks

Carol's Charms

"All Things Work Together for Good"

An Elephant's Gentleness

Not Afraid of Satan

A New Testament for a Knife

Bible Talks

Clocks Converted

The Japanese Lamp Mender

Baby Moses

Fishing

Bible Talks

"Without Money and Without Price"

Freddy's Boat

The Ferry Man

A Letter

Bible Talks

The Anvil

The Shepherd's Voice

A Friend in Need

Robert's Rescue

The Snow Prayer

Bible Talks

Lights

The Young People's Class: Joshua

The Child Dike

Christ the Lifeboat

The Clock

Bible Talks

The Safe

Saved by His Horse

Little Joe

Bible Talks: The Tabernacle

Fleeing For His Life

Jungle Password

The Firstborn Slain