Messages of God's Love: 1971

Mr. Lane, who was deeply interested in the young people of his town, had returned home after an absence of several years. He had visited many foreign lands, and had brought with him a large number of rare and curious things.

He invited the children on a certain day, and at a certain hour, and he promised to give them “a little lecture” and to tell them many interesting stories.

Mr. Lane made one condition: “I do not wish to be interrupted,” said he, “after you are all in the hall, and therefore I wish you to be there bore two o’clock. At that hour the door will be closed, and no one can be admitted afterward.”

The day came. Many a dinner was hurried through that there might be no danger of missing such a treat. When the clock struck two and the door closed, there was a large and merry party gathered together.

Time passed — five, ten, fifteen minutes after two by the village clock, when a boy panting and head from hard running came to the door. He looked up as he raised his hand to open the door. His eyes fell upon some lines in large handwriting on a paper fastened there:

“Closed at 2. No Admittance.”

Poor Richard! Too late! The sound of merry voices reached his ear from the happy company within, but in their joy he could have no part. He knew it was no use to knock or try, to open the door. His disappointment was bitter indeed, and with difficulty keeping back the tears and sobs that struggled to come up in his bosom, he slowly walked home. His mother looked up as he entered.

“Why, Richard, how is this?” she asked. “I thought you had gone to Mr. Lane’s exhibition. You have been talking about it for a week.”

Poor Richard now broke down, and covering his face with his hands, he sobbed, “I couldn’t get in, Mother; the door was shut.” Then he confessed that though he left home in good time, he had stopped at the blacksmith’s to see the men work on an anchor, and after that he had played by the river with Diver, his uncle’s dog; he did not think of the time till he heard the clock strike two, and then he ran all the way and tried to get in, but failed.

Mr. Lane made one condition the children must be in the hall before two. Now God has promised to the children of this world a free patron for their sins and a glorious home forever with never-ending joys, and such sights as human eyes have not seen, and such sweet sounds as human ears have not heard.

But there is one condition. Pardon must be sought now; a right to enter there must be obtained now. When the Lord Jesus shuts the door none can open it; no one can enter then.

Dear young friends, if you have not yet come to Christ, we plead with you not to put it off any longer; tomorrow may be too late.

“They that were ready went in with him... and the door was shut.” Matt. 25:10. The door that shuts the redeemed of the Lord in safety will shut the unbelieving world outside for judgment. And on what side of the door will you be then?

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

“Watch therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.” — Matt. 25:13.

ML-01/03/1971

Decisions

Allan can’t make up his mind about something. We all have had trouble that way at some time or other.

But we ought not to have any difficulty deciding for Christ. If we would only stop and think how much we have to gain by taking Him and following Him — a Saviour and Friend, salvation, peace, eternal joys, and a home in heaven with Him forever.

But not to take Jesus will mean sorrow and misery, and judgment forever, to be shut out from God and Christ, from loved ones, into eternal darkness and despair.

God says, “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him.” 1 Kings 18:21.

O GOD, how wide Thy glory shines,

How high Thy wonders rise!

Known thro’ the earth by thousand signs,

By thousands through the skies.

Part of Thy name divinely stands

On every work impressed;

Each is the labor of Thy hands,

By each Thy power’s confessed.

ML-01/03/1971

Brave Eddie

EDDIE came to our children’s meetings when he was four years old. At that early age, I believe the Lord opened his heart to the gospel. He lived some distance from the town, and had often to tramp along the dark road all alone after the meeting, sometimes running errands for his mother. But the brave little fellow never feared, nor even on the darkest night, did we ever miss him from the meeting.

His parents were careless and indifferent to the gospel, but always listened to Eddie while he told them what he heard at the meetings, and his mother read very eagerly the magazines and prizes he brought home. I believe God used the dear boy’s testimony, simple as it was, backed up by his consistent life, to turn the parents’ heart towards eternal things, and to make them wish to know Eddie’s Saviour.

It was a grand triumph for Eddie to get his father and mother to come to the children’s New Year treat, to which parents were invited as well. His face shone as he led them into a seat in the hall that night.

But the best part of my story has yet to be told. Eddie’s father and mother became anxious about their salvation, and we had the joy of going out to their home, and telling them more simply the way of life. Both are saved and happy in the Lord. Eddie is a bright Christian boy, a true witness for Christ, and much beloved by his parents. So well he may be, for it was by his means that they were led to the Saviour.

How grand it is to be saved in life’s early day! What a joy to yourself, and what a blessing to your friends it would be, if you were really saved and witnessing for Jesus, as did brave Eddie.

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

ML-01/03/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 31:12-18

“AND THE LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, sang, Verily My sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations;... Six days may work be done; but in the seventh, is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD.... For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed.”

We have the thought of the sabbath introduced first of all in Genesis 2, in connection with creation, when on the seventh day God rested from all His work that He had made. Then immediately after the giving of the manna—type of Christ come down to be the food of His people on earth —we have it again. Next, when the law was given at Sinai, the sabbath stands in the very center of all that God required of man. And now here when God would have Bezaleel and Aholiab proceed with the making of the tabernacle, the beautiful types of which all spoke of good things to come, the sabbath again re-appears.

The reason for this is God would impress on His people that all His varied dealings are intended to keep before them that rest toward which He was steadily working, and to which He means to bring them in His own time. Israel could never enter into that rest through any work of their own. But they will in a coming day on the ground of sovereign grace, because of the work of Christ, and that will be in the millennium.

We, God’s people of this dispensation, like the children of Israel, are pilgrims in the wilderness journeying on to that rest, not on earth, but above, where Christ has gone. How gracious of God to remind us of that rest and it almost seems He longs that His people should enter into the blessed end of His purposes for them, and have the enjoyment of that fellowship with Himself in sharing His rest.

When God had finished sneaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tables of stone, on which was the law, “written with the finger of God.” It was these commandments that Israel undertook to keep as the condition of blessing. They left the ground of grace on which they had been put after they crossed the Red Sea and of themselves undertook the responsibility of obedience. The sad story of how they failed is now before us, but how good of God in the types and shadows of the tabernacle, all speaking of Christ, His beloved Son, to tell us of Him whom He had before Him all that time. God rests in Christ; He is above all the failures of man, and though His people lost all, having failed entirely in their responsibility, yet is He not going to be thwarted in His purposes of grace, for they will yet be brought into blessing through the work of Christ, the very One whom they rejected.

ML-01/03/1971

Jacob's Well

Sweet was the hour, O Lord, to Thee

At Sychar’s lonely well,

When a poor outcast heard Thee there

Thy great salvation tell.

Thither she came; but, oh, her heart,

All filled with earthly care,

Dreamed not of Thee, nor thought to find

The hope of Israel there.

Lord, ’twas Thy power unseen that drew

The stray one to that place,

In solitude to learn from Thee

The secrets of Thy grace.

Samaria’s erring daughter found

Those streams unknown before,

The waterbrooks of life that make

The weary thirst no more.

And, Lord, to us, as vile as she

Thy gracious lips have told

That mystery of love revealed

At Jacob’s well of old.

“I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” Rev. 21:6. Again, “Whoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“Behold, I freely give

The living water: thirsty one,

Stoop down, and drink, and live.”

I came to Jesus, and I drank

Of that life-giving stream;

My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,

And now I live in Him.

Memory Verse “HAPPY IS HE THAT HATH THE GOD OF JACOB FOR HIS HELP, WHOSE HOPE IS IN THE LORD HIS GOD.” Psa. 146:5

ML-01/03/1971

In the Grip of an Octopus

A TERRIBLE storm was raging at the mouth of Cape Town harbor, and anxious watchers awaited the arrival of the ship “S. S. Dun-vegan Castle.” Would she gain the harbor in safety? Already she was at the entrance and was almost in calm water when she collided with the pier. It seemed that great damage had been done, not only to the ship, but also to the pier, for big blocks of masonry had been dislodged.

When the storm was over, the amount of damage had to be discovered, and a diver was sent down. John Palmer, strong, resourceful and successful, appeared in his diving suit, ready to make the descent. His final instructions were to Tom, the man above him, to be on the lookout for any signal he might make from below.

The sea was calm, and Palmer easily discovered the damage done to the ship. But suddenly something darted out from a crevice in the rocks, and gripped his arm as in a vise. In a moment of appalling horror, Palmer realized that he was in the grip of an octopus! Soon another tentacle was flashed around his chest, and he was held in a deadly embrace.

Palmer was now helpless, held in a vise of iron. What could he do? Absolutely unable to deliver himself, he knew that one chance alone was his, and that was to get HELP FROM ABOVE!

Dear reader, if you are held captive by sin, get HELP FROM ABOVE. Only the Lord Jesus above can save you and break you free from sin’s deadly power. If you have never come to the Lord Jesus in all your sins and taken Him as your Saviour, you have no more power to deliver yourself than Palmer had. Signal to the One above, the Lord Jesus Christ, and He will deliver you. “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21.

Yes. UP THERE lay Palmer’s only hope. With all the energy he could gather, he pulled the signal. Palmer found that he was rising, for the man above was pulling him up. But his enemy, the octopus, was rising with him! Still there was hope, for help was coming from above. Up, up he went, and at last the glad light of day shone on his dripping helmet. The surface of the water was reached.

“Man alive! Whatever is this?” exclaimed Tom. He grabbed an ax and a knife, and began to hack away at the octopus. It was no easy task, as the tentacles were lined with hundreds of tiny suckers. But at last Palmer was a free man. Once, “tied and bound,” once in the depths, he now stood free and unshackled in God’s bright sunshine. How happy he was!

Jesus is able and willing to save all who come to Him. “He sent from above, He took me: He drew me out of many waters.” 2 Samuel 22:17.

Memory Verse “WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN.” 1 Thess. 4:14.

ML-01/10/1971

Tom's Compass

TOM was a country boy who had I just finished school. He was about to leave Sunday school and his friends to go and take a job in the big city. A kind Christian friend, who had gone with him to the station, said to him: “Now, Tom, remember you are going to launch your craft on a big and dangerous ocean.”

“Yes, I know it,” said Tom, and taking a Bible out of his pocket, and holding it up, he added, “But you see, I have a safe compass to steer by.” That was fine, and we trust that dear Tom sought guidance from its sacred pages to steer a safe course home to heaven. The Book was the guide of young Timothy (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15, 17) and it is still the best guide for youth today.

“Wilt Thou not from this time cry unto Me, my Father, Thou art the guide of my youth?” Jer. 3:4.

ML-01/10/1971

The Song Sparrow

RAY had made a catapult, or slingshot, and went out into the fields one day to try it out. Looking around for something to shoot at, he spied a little song sparrow perched high in a tree, singing sweetly and quite unconscious of approaching danger. Ray crept softly under the tree until he stood directly under the little songster. Then he pulled the rubber, which he had loaded with a stone, and struck the poor bird squarely in the breast. Down it came tumbling, and lay dead at the boy’s feet.

Ray had been taught by his godly Christian parents to fear God and His Word, and he remembered instantly that verse: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and 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.

Ray felt terribly sorry at the thought of what he had done to one of God’s little creatures. With tears in his eyes, he picked up the dead sparrow, still warm, pressed it to his breast, saying to himself, “Oh if only I could give back the life I took!”

But that was impossible. Only God can give life.

What Ray could not do, God has done in a far more wonderful way for poor dead and dying sinners. We read in Romans 5:12: “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.”

But “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

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

ML-01/10/1971

Karen's Cat

Karen has a lovely pussy which she loves to hold in her arms. When she was sick with scarlet fever she enjoyed her cat so much. Puss would jump up onto her bed and lie so nice and close to her that she didn’t mind being so sick as long as he was near.

One day Puss disappeared. Karen cried and fretted all the while he was gone. Then she decided to pray real hard, asking the Lord that her pet would come back. In a few days Puss was home again, and Karen was so happy.

The Lord Jesus wants us to take our troubles to Him. He loves us and would have us tell Him our needs, or whatever is bothering us. He wants us to tell Him our joys as well, and speak to Him as a dear Friend. He is the best Friend of all.

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

“In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Phil. 4:6.

ML-01/10/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 32:1-4

MANY DAYS had passed since Moses went up into the mount where He received from God those precious communications as to building the tabernacle—the sanctuary where He might dwell in the midst of His people. But sad to say, even while God was “communing” with His servant, the people in the camp below were busy at work in dishonoring Him, to their own shame and ruin. Behind it all was Satan, using man to strike a blow at the very foundation of God’s truth and honor. Poor Israel! the object of such countless favors and honor on God’s part. They became restless and impatient because Moses was gone so long. They did not have faith for themselves and did not understand why he did not come back. When the test came we find where their hearts really were. They soon forgot the Lord and even attributed their deliverance from Egypt to Moses, instead of to the Lord. What a sad picture, and yet it is just what man is in himself. His history has always been one of departure from God, for natural man has no faith and loves his own way.

“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.”

This was open apostasy — they turned away from God and fell into the awful sin of idolatry. They wand gods that they could see; they were not children of faith. How unlike Moses, who “by faith... endured, as seeing Him who is invisible.” Heb. 11:27. And this is what characterizes faith in God’s children now. Christ is the blessed object and reward of faith. We do not see Him with natural eyes, but one day we shall; “whom having not seen ye love.” 1 Pet. 1: 8. One day faith shall give place to sight, and we shall gaze upon the face of our dear Saviour who loved and gave Himself for us; “we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2.

Aaron, the very one who had been appointed of God to enter into the most holy place and to minister unto the Lord there, fell into sin along with the people. It seems he was afraid of them and fell without a struggle. Led away by the crowd, and being a leader, he joined the crowd as a leader and told them what to do.

“And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings,... and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings..., and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a golden calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.”

So it was that, moved by Satan, and with Aaron to help them, the people aimed a blow at the throne of God by making a golden calf. This was wicked and sad, for we remember that the first two commandments that God wrote on the tablets of stone were that they should have no other god but the living God, and that they should not make any graven image. Before they had even received it from God they had broken the first commandment.

But God knew what the people were thinking and doing for He knows everything. He knows all our ways too. As His children we should be happy to have it so.

ML-01/10/1971

Lost and Found in the Jungle

A YOUNG fellow enlisted in the army and was sent to India where for nearly ten years he lived a sinful life, without hope and without God in the world. Then, while he lay very ill in the hospital, all hope of his recovery gone, God spoke to him on his downward career.

One night in his weakness he thought he heard a voice saying to him: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa. 1:18.

His heart was troubled and he promised God that if He would restore him to health and strength he would lead a different life and serve Him. From that moment the change came, to the doctor’s surprise, and he completely recovered. However, he had not yet given his heart to the Lord and knew not that wonderful change which comes with being “born again.”

Returning to the barracks, he lacked the courage to confess, or to stand against the many temptations of army life, and soon drifted back to his old ways.

How impossible to change our lives by our own efforts. Only God Himself, by the power of His Holy Spirit, can work that mighty change in us and make one “a new creature” in Christ Jesus.

Sometime later our friend was sent up into the hills and while walking through the jungle, he came upon some very beautiful peacocks. Taking up his rifle, he pursued the birds for some distance and then found himself lost. In great distress he tried to retrace his steps, but only seemed to get deeper into the jungle. Darkness came on, the jungle seemed to be filled with wild beasts and reptiles, and the young fellow, not expecting to see another day dawn, gave himself up for lost.

It was then that God in His mercy again spoke to his heart. This time, instead of making promises only, he fell upon his knees, and acknowledging that he was a sinner, he yielded himself wholly to the Lord.

This time, the work was real in his soul, for he was in dead earnest. He rose from his knees a new man in Christ Jesus, having passed from death unto life. Now it seemed he heard that voice again telling him to “Go forward.” With new courage, he pressed on until he came to a narrow beaten track. It was very dark, and at times he had to go on his hands and knees to find the trail. By and by, he reached the top of a hill and to his great relief saw light in the valley. Arriving at the spot, he found to his immense surprise that it was the very village to which he had been marching. There he found his comrades who thought he had been torn to pieces by wild beasts, and with what joy he told them not only of his deliverance from the wild beasts of the jungle, but how the Lord had saved his soul also.

The young fellow became a bright witness for Christ, and when he came home he was much used of the Lord in the slums of the city where he lived, bringing many to the Saviour. His greatest joy was to tell sinners of the One who is not only able to save but able to keep as well.

ML-01/17/1971

Somebody Bigger

WHEN ARTHUR came home one day, his father noticed that he had been in a fight. Now we know that fighting is wrong, and so did Arthur; and possibly he deserved more than the stern reprimand he received from his father. When he had finished speaking to Arthur, his father asked him, “Were you frightened, Arthur?”

“No.”

“You ought to have been. The boy was larger than you.”

“I wasn’t, Dad. You see, Norman was only just around the corner.”

Norman was Arthur’s big brother, and he was sure he could count on him for help if he needed it.

Now, every boy, girl, man, and woman who loves the Lord Jesus is in a fight that is much more dangerous than the one Arthur was in—the fight against sin and temptation. But we also have “a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Prov. 18:24. That Friend is the Lord Jesus Christ. We always need Him. That is why the Apostle Paul, who fought “the good fight of faith", said, “Filly, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Eph. 6:11.

Yield not to temptation. for yielding is sin;

Each victory will help you some other to win;

Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue;

Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.

Memory Verse “WE PRAY YOU IN CHRIST’S STEAD, BE YE RECONCILED TO GOD.” 2 Cor. 5:20.

ML-01/17/1971

A Bible for a Hen

WHEN I WAS a boy my father was a missionary among the natives in the West Indies. I remember well how I once tried to teach an aged Negro how to read. It was a hard and tiresome task and it took a long time. But finally we got along so far that the old man, by following each line with his finger, was able slowly to spell out the words.

“Now I can read, now I can read!” he kept crying out, and we could hardly get him to say anything else.

Now since he had learned to read he must also have something to read. So he asked my father for a Bible. To my great surprise, my father refused to give him a Bible for nothing. “You must give something for it,” said my father to the old man. “You will appreciate it more and read it all the more diligently, if it costs you something. You go and think about it, what you can give for a Bible.”

The poor old man reflected long and earnestly on the difficult proem. He had no money and he did not know how he could get enough to buy a Bible. The only thing he owned was a hen. She was his pet and was good company for the lonely old man. However, after considerable reflection, he came to the conclusion that he would give up his valuable pet for the still more valuable Bible.

So one day he came to our house with the hen carefully tucked under his arm. My father was busy writing when suddenly he was disturbed by a cackling and flutter of wings. At the same time he heard a voice calling anxiously: “Take it, take it! Quick, quick, dear Sir; give me a Bible.”

My father took the hen and gave him a Bible, so the matter was settled. But the incident made a deep impression upon me. The old gray-haired man had gone to so much trouble to learn to read, and now he had given up about all that he possessed — even his only hen — for a Bible. Would I have done that? Would you?

Well may the story of the old native, of his eagerness and patience in learning to read, stir up the hearts of both reader and writer alike, to value the inestimable treasure that God has given us in the Holy Scriptures.

“The Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.” 2 Tim. 3:15.

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.” John 20:31.

ML-01/17/1971

Good Things

It is Tim’s birthday today. Can you guess how old he is? You can tell by the candles on the cake.

Tim got a lot of nice presents — a scooter, a toy boat, a car and a truck. “Wouldn’t it be nice,” said Mother to the children, “if our party never had to end?”

“It sure would!” they all echoed.

All good things come to an end down here, but in heaven, where boys and girls who love the Lord Jesus will go, there will be joys that NEVER end. And our chiefest joy will be to look into the face of Jesus, our dear Saviour, who died to bring us there, to be in His presence forever. Do you have this hope, dear young reader?

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

ML-01/17/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 32:5-7

WHILE MOSES was with God upon the mount, Israel, including Aaron, had fallen into idolatry and made the golden calf. “And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To-morrow is a feast to the LORD.” Aaron here tried to cover up the shame of their idolatry by connecting the Lord’s name with it. He tried to put on a good front. He would have said the golden calf was but a symbol of the Lord. He did not say it was a feast to the golden calf which he had made, but a feast to the Lord. What a deception this was! What a salve to the conscience! Yet how many today bow down to images and tell us it is not the image they are worshiping, but the Lord. For this is what characterizes apostate Christendom; men have set up their idols and call it the worship of the Lord. Thus many are deceived and accept that which is really an abomination and hateful to God. But God is not deceived. He is as much and more displeased with the idolatry of our day as Israel’s worshiping the golden calf.

“And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”

There was plenty of energy for this feast to the golden calf, and this is always true with false religion. The people got up early in the morning and prepared their sacrifices. They gave willingly too, and did not seem to mind it at all. Oh that there was more spiritual energy displayed on behalf of the truth! What honor to God and how much greater the blessings He would bestow on souls.

Here at the foot of the mount Satan appears to have full sway. It is like the scene at the foot of the mount of transfiguration where the Lord took Peter and James and John. What a wonderful sight that was — the Lord in His glory. But what a different scene below, where we see the child possessed by the demon — the power of Satan — and the crowd gathered around. At Sinai, while Moses (type of Christ) was on high, Satan seized the opportunity to display his wicked power and man became his willing slave. So it is now. While Christ is gone and is on high, Satan has seized the opportunity to subject the world to his evil power; “the whole world lies in the wicked one.” 1 John 5:19. J. N. D. Trans.

But God knows all that is going on. Even while He communed with Moses on the top of the mount, He knew what was happening below. He had already arranged everything according to His purposes of glory and blessing, before Israel had even sinned. He will not be frustrated in those purposes, all centering in Christ, His beloved Son. Satan may appear to triumph, but it will not be for long. When Christ comes in judgment it will be to crush Satan under His feet, it will mean the cleansing of the world by His power, then blessing will flow out not only to redeemed Israel, but to all the nations of the earth. And we, God’s children now by faith in His dear Son, have brighter hopes and deeper joys bore us, for before that time He is coming to take us home to heaven where we shall dwell with Him forever.

ML-01/17/1971

Ruth: The Little Miao Girl

LITTLE RUTH was twelve years old when she first heard the gospel. She belonged to the Big Flowery Miao tribe of Western China, and lived in a very small village. Her people had gone south hoping to find land where they could make a better living. That was before the Communists came.

The house Ruth lived in was just a poor, grass-roofed shack with cornstalks tied together with vines for walls. The crops they grew were mostly corn, oats and buckwheat. They ground some of the oats into meal which they mixed with water and ate it that way. The corn and buckwheat they would grind into meal and steam over a big iron pot and flavor it with a few red peers. Sometimes they had some vegetables, but you can see they were very poor.

The people were very superstitious and worshipped rocks and trees. The first month of the year they offered a pig or goat, hoping the god would not harm them. They were afraid of their gods in life and had no hope after death. Into such a home little Ruth was born.

Then came the gospel bringing light and life through the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of sinners everywhere. There was a great revival and thousands of Ruth’s people were saved. Whole villages were transformed, and when the news first reached Ruth’s village her parents got interested. They would walk 20 miles each way to hear the wonderful story of the love of God and His dear Son told out in the gospel services. This meant getting up very early Sunday morning and returning in the afternoon. They were very faithful.

The young missionary at Heroikwan loved the rough life of the Miao villages. One Saturday they were all going to the main center where on Sunday they would remember the Lord Jesus in His death. The goat trail led through the mountains, and the missionary was riding his horse, while the young fellows walked ahead, and their wives came behind, all Single file.

Suddenly, Ruth went to the missionary and said, “Teach us a hymn, will you?”

“What hymn, Ruth?” he asked.

“I’m a Soldier, Bound for Glory!” she replied.

They sang it all the way; so you know it was a very long hymn — almost 20 miles long. Would you call it a long meter hymn?

When they reached their destination, they all ate supper and then had an evening service. It was a warm, fervent meeting in which many took part. The missionary went to bed about 11:30 P.M., but not the people. They sat up most of the night singing the hymn Ruth had been taught. On Sunday they sang it between meetings and most of the way home.

A few days later, Ruth was taken ill. The missionary visited her home and found her lying on the damp earth floor. He was able to help a little, and then all gathered around for prayer.

Several days after, when Ruth’s father and mother came to the services, the missionary asked them how Ruth was. “Haven’t you heard?” replied her mother, her voice breaking as she spoke, “The Lord came and took her to heaven.”

“I am so sorry to hear that,” said the missionary with deep sympathy.

“Oh, don’t be sorry,” the mother said quickly, “the Lord has taken her to His heavenly Home.” Then she told him how poor they were, how hard little Ruth had to work, and night after night she had gone to bed hungry. She had hardly known what it was to have enough to eat and be satisfied. And then the mother added a tragic word, “All her life Ruth wanted to have a ‘pretty thing,’ and she never had one.” Then laying hold on the missionary’s arm, and with tears rolling down her face, the poor mother said, “And, teacher, now she has a white robe up in heaven.”

The missionary wanted to know if Ruth was afraid when dying. “No,” said her mother; “she was not afraid.” Then she told of how Ruth had laid on the earth floor of the little shack, with her head on her mother’s lap. They heard her say, “Please sing a hymn,” so they sang one they all knew.

They could see that she was nearing the end, and just before she went they heard her say, “Glory, glory, Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!” It was the chorus of the hymn she had learned. And so it was that with the words “Praise the Lord!” on her lips, the spirit of little Ruth went to be with her Saviour. How wonderful that a little Christian should enter heaven saying, “Praise the Lord!”

“I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep."... “I am come that they might have life.” John 10:11,10.

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

I. Page

Memory Verse “HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF GOD ABIDETH FOREVER.” 1 John 2:17.. ML-01/24/1971

A Trip to the Zoo

UNCLE JAKE planned to take little Donna to the zoo one Saturday. “Be sure to be ready at 1 o’clock sharp!” he told her. “I’ll come by in my car then and pick you up.”

Donna woke up very early Saturday morning, and asked Mother, “Is it time to go to the zoo yet?”

“Oh no!” said Mother, “it’s only 7:30.”

Donna waited on the front porch all morning, for she wanted to be sure to be ready on time. How happy she was when 1 o’clock came! Uncle Jake took her to the zoo, and what a happy time she had seeing the lions, the tigers, the elephants, and many other animals and birds.

For those who love the Lord Jesus, a happy time is coming too. It will be far happier than a trip to the zoo — they are going to heaven to be with their Lord and Saviour forever.

Perhaps today all born again believers will hear the shout that will call them away to be with Jesus, and are you ready, dear reader, to meet Him in the air? Have your sins been washed away in His precious blood?

How sad it would be if you were left behind, for what terrible judgments will fall on this world after the Lord Jesus has taken His people out of it! Flee to the Saviour today for refuge and safety.

“Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matt. 24:42.

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh.” Matt. 24:44.

ML-01/24/1971

Skipper the Hero

JIMMY WAS spending a day at Muskrat lake, north of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He brought his dog Skipper along, for both were good companions, and he knew that Skier was a good protector.

Suddenly, Jimmy and Skipper saw a rattlesnake in the grass. It was about to strike at Jim, when Skipper attacked the snake, and instead of biting Jim, the snake bit the dog. Soon after the snake was killed by neighbors.

How thankful Jimmy was that Skipper had saved his life. He rushed the dog to a vet, who helped him recover from his wound. Skipper is fine now, and no master is more pleased with his dog than Jimmy. Skipper even had his picture in the newspaper, with Jimmy looking on!

How thankful we should be too that the Lord Jesus took our punishment on the cross. He suffered there for us so that we wouldn’t have to bear our punishment in hell. What a wonderful Saviour He is! “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Pet. 2:24.

I hope that everyone reading this little paper can say, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20.

ML-01/24/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 32:8-14

“AND THE Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:... they have made a molten calf and worshipped it.... Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.”

Israel, we remember, had promised obedience to God’s holy law; and furthermore, the covenant had been sealed by the sprinkling of the blood, which was a symbol of death, the penalty for breaking that law. Now they had left themselves open to the just judgment of God.

They had rejected God, speaking of Moses as the one who had brought them up out of Egypt, so God does not treat them as His people any longer. He speaks of them to Moses as “thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt.” He announces their solemn judgment, and says to Moses, “I will make of thee a great nation.” Had God dealt with them on the ground of the law, which they had accepted, then it was all over with Israel; they would have perished in their sin.

But here Moses steps into the breach and makes the most beautiful intercession for his people. Without doubt he is but a type of One more wonderful in grace and love for ruined sinners, without God and without hope in the world. The Lord Jesus pleaded for those who had nailed Him on the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” We, as believers who have been spared and know what mercy is, should seek to be like our Saviour, interceding in prayer for His erring people and for the lost and perishing all around us.

God had said to Moses, “I will make of thee a great nation,” but his servant loses sight of himself entirely as He thinks only of the Lord’s glory and of Israel’s desperate case. In a wonderful appeal to God he speaks of Israel as “Thy people, which Thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power.” He speaks of the great dishonor done to His name among the Egyptians if Israel were destroyed, and He reminds the Lord of the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, when He said, “I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land which I have spoken of will I give to your seed, and they shall inherit it Forever.” So he links the glory of the Lord with His people, and this is a bright characteristic of faith at all times.

Moses would not let the Lord give up His people; therefore he still called them His people. Though they had done very wickedly, he loved them, remembering all that God had done for them. He did not want to be made great himself. He thought of all he had learned in the mount about God’s thoughts and love for them, and it made him feel that they were very dear to God in spite of all their wretchedness.

God well knew and understood Moses. He wanted to prove and manifest the heart of His servant. He loved the people Himself, and delighted in Moses’ love for them. He listened to Moses’ prayer, and would not refuse his plea. And so He blessed him who cared more for Jehovah’s glory than for his own. Thus we read “the LORD repented of the evil which He thought to do unto His people.” v. 14. Well may the example of Moses and of the Lord’s grace to him encourage us to plead with God often and more earnestly on behalf of others.

ML-01/24/1971

Eddystone Light

MANY OF OUR readers have seen a lighthouse. For thousands of years, men have been building lighthouses to guide ships at sea. Lighthouses are usually tall, round, stone towers, wider at the base than at the top, and set near harbors or dangerous places. Some more modern lighthouses are built of iron or concrete. Lighthouses must be strongly built to resist the force of frequent gales and huge waves. One of the most famous lighthouses was the Pharos light which was built just off the coast of Egypt three hundred years before the Lord Jesus was born; it was considered one of the seven wonders of the world.

Not nearly so many years ago, a man named Winstanley built the first Eddystone lighthouse. On it, he is said to have inscribed: “Blow ye winds! Rise O ocean! Break forth ye elements and try my work!” Satisfied with his work, he settled down in the lighthouse one evening to see how it would weather a good storm. The storm that night was terrible, and in the morning, nothing much remained. The lighthouse and its builder had been swept into the sea.

Rudyard, another builder, erected a new lighthouse in the place of Witanley’s, but it was no better. He died as Winstanley had died—in the work of his own hands.

Finally a man named Smeaton ban to build a new lighthouse. He made his lighthouse of stone and built it right into the rock beneath it. On his lighthouse, he inscribed Psalm 127:1: “Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it.”

Then he wrote two more words, “Laus Deo", which in Latin means “Praise (be) to God.” He was a wise man, and his lighthouse stood.

The Lord Jesus said, “Whosoever cometh to Me, and heareth My sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: he is like a man which built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it; for it was founded upon a rock.

“But he that heareth and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:47-49.

Are you safe, dear reader? Are you built on the Rock, which is the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, are you the steady, bright light you could be?

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” Matt. 5:14.

ML-01/31/1971

A Sheep Book

A GROUP of poor shepherds and a missionary were gathered tether around a log fire, one chill night, in a cabin in the mountains of Asia Minor. These rugged men listened intently while the missionary read to them from the Holy Scriptures.

Very appropriately the missionary read from John’s Gospel, chapter 10. “I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” v. 11.

An eager voice interrupted: “Oh, Sir, is that the gospel?”

“Yes,” he replied, “This is the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

“Oh,” said the shepherd, his face aglow with simple pleasure and confidence, “I didn’t know before that that Book was a Sheep Book.”

Yes, the Bible is a sheep book; it is for lost sheep as well as for those who are found.

It tells of Jesus, the Son of man, who “came to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isa. 53:6.

The Lord can say of those who trust Him as their Saviour: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29.

ML-01/31/1971

Precious

FATHER was reading 1 Peter 2 at the family prayers one morning, when all his children were assembled. When he read the 7th verse, he asked the children the meaning of the word precious. The youngest child, four years old, gave such a nice answer. She said: “Mother is precious, we can’t do without her.”

And so the Lord Jesus is precious; we can’t do without Him. How could you die without Jesus? Put your soul in His safe-keeping just now.

ML-01/31/1971

Wise Counsel

In every face there is a door

Through which a thousand words, or more,

Go rushing every day,

While you’re at work or play.

If kindly ones would come tiptoe,

Throw wide the door; they’re needed so.

But when cross words would scramble out,

And take with them a frown and pout,

Then quickly turn the key,

And very quiet be.

Memory Verse “I CAME NOT TO CALL THE RIGHOUS, BUT SINNERS TO REPENTANCE. Mark 2:17.

ML-01/31/1971

An Offering of Little Pigs

WHEN the gospel was first taken to the people of West China they were deeply sunk in sin. They had no light, and so were living in darkness, which was true of all of us, even in Christian lands, before the light of the gospel shone into our hearts. When the light from heaven shone into the hearts of these tribesmen they were saved from their sins, and what a change it was from their old heathen state! for “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.

Among the Lisu people in western Yunnan there was a legend that one day a man would come with a book that would give them the knowledge they longed for. We know the holy Scriptures, the Word of God, is His answer to the need of man everywhere.

In Kweichow, the Miao people had turned to the Lord in great numbers, and they were very earnest Christians. The Bible was translated into their language and they were able to praise God with understanding, as they learned of His great love and truth through reading His Word. They wanted to do something to express their gratitude to those who had made it possible for them to have God’s Word. But what could they give, they were so poor and had no money? They lived on the poorest of the land and were downtrodden by their wealthy land owners.

Then one of them suggested they should set a day and take an offering. It was to be a very strange offering — an offering of little pigs. The day arrived; the offering was made unto the Lord and a great many little pigs were donated. These were to be sold at a market ten days journey away and men were appointed to take them there. They were on the road a much longer time than that, for you know little pigs can’t walk as fast as boys and girls. They can run fast enough when you try to catch them, but day after day these little pigs got tired and hungry, and had to be rested and fed by the way. One or two men went ahead calling and dropping beans and corn along the way, while men with dogs came on behind to see that none strayed or were stolen.

Eventually the little piggies arrived at the market and were sold. The money was sent to those who had provided the Bibles and was used for printing more Bibles for needy people everywhere. These poor people gave willingly of their gifts and we are sure God accepted them and used them as He always does.

One missionary was greatly impressed when a poor native gave him a gift to be used for the Lord. Like the poor widow’s two mites, it was only worth about six cents, but it was all he had, and it expressed his gratitude for the Word of God which had brought to him the message of the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

“The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psa. 119:130.

“The holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:15.

ML-01/31/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 32:15-20

“AND MOSES turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand:... And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.” However, these first tables on which were written the holy commandments were destined never to reach the camp. In rejecting the Lord and in setting up idolatry the people had made a complete breach with God, so that it was not any more a question of obedience on the ground of the law. God must deal with them either in judgment or in sovereign mercy.

When Joshua heard the shouting of the people, he said, “There is a noise of war in the camp.” But Moses who had been so long with God in the mount, more readily understood what was going on and said, “It is... the noise of them that do sing do I hear.” Sure enough as they drew near to the camp they saw the people carrying on their idolatrous worship, singing and dancing around the golden calf — just like the heathen.

“And Moses’ anger waxed hot,” as well it might. He who had pleaded before God for the people on the mountain top now is equally zealous for His glory down below. This was righteous anger in Moses.

When someone speaks evil of the Lord, when His name is dishonored, we ought to feel it keenly. If someone harms us or hurts our feelings, to be angry at such a time would not be righteous anger — rather it would be our old sinful nature coming out. We ought to be ready to forgive the one who has done the wrong, for the Lord tells us we ought to love our enemies.

But Scripture also says, “Be ye angry, and sin not.” Eph. 4:26. There are times when we ought to be grieved at shame and dishonor done to the name of Jesus, and show our disapproval of such, for God’s Word says, “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Eph. 5:11. The people had substituted a calf for Jehovah, and Moses was grieved and angry at the dishonor done to His name.

When Moses saw the golden calf he threw down the tables of stone and broke them at the base of the mount. Moses surely had the mind of God in doing what he did for had he brought that law into the camp it would have meant certain judgment to the people. Moses who saw the mountain burning with fire and knowing how angry God was at the people’s sin, would not bring the law into the camp to condemn them utterly. In this way the people were spared the awful judgment. Later we shall see how they were put under a mixture of both law and grace instead of pure law, for the sacrifices were instituted. However, grace is not the passing over of sin, for God never passes over sin. He must judge it according to His holy nature. Sin was judged in type in those sacrifices, until Christ, the true sacrifice for sin, came and accomplished the work of redemption on the cross once and for all.

Moses took the calf they had made, burned it in the fire, and ground it to powder. Then he put it in the water and made the people drink it. In this way the people were made to taste the bitterness of their sin. This is a solemn reminder that we have to reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7). How careful we should be as to what we sow for although God may graciously deliver us from sin, as He did the children of Israel here, we still may have to reap the sorrow that results from it.

ML-01/31/1971

"Me Boy, 'E Funny Boy!"

IN New Zealand where I was born, I there lived a Chinese family who owned large vegetable gardens. In those days Chinese immigrants could only stay two years, after which they must return to their native land. So it was that every two years this Chinese family, with the necessary sanctions of the government, brought in men from China to labor in their gardens. With this low salaried help they prospered.

One day a Chinese man and his wife with their little son, Ah Sing, arrived. The father and mother were put to work at once in the gardens, but Ah Sing was sent to a day school nearby. He was a bright little fellow and learned quickly.

Ah Sing had a buddy, a Christian, who attended the Sunday school, so one day he invited Ah Sing to go with him. Ah Sing was very curious and wanted to know what a Sunday school was. So his friend explained that “It’s a place where we and all the boys and girls, read the Word of God, and where we are taught about Jesus, who was not only God’s Son, but the One God had sent into this world to be the Saviour of sinners.”

He also told Ah Sing that he had already accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour and that he knew that he was saved from coming judgment. Then he quoted that wonderful verse: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

Ah Sing was deeply moved in his heart, to think that God would love him so. The time came when he accepted Christ as his own Saviour, just as his buddy had done.

Ah Sing was a good student, and finished grade school with honors. Then his father told him, “Now that you have finished school, you will have to go to work with me in the garden.” And so he did, until one day the school principal called on his parents and requested them to allow their boy to go on to high school. He said he was the best student they had ever had in that school.

The parents gave their approval so Ah Sing went to high school. He graduated in three years instead of the usual four, besides winning a scholarship to go on to college. There he studied engineering and to the delight of his professors he again graduated in three years instead of four. He won two other scholarships, which gave him the privilege of attending Oxford University. There he graduated in science one year sooner than the other young men of his class.

Ah Sing was a brilliant student, but he was not one to attribute his success to his natural abilities. He did not forget what the Lord had done for him, in dying for his sins on the cross, and he sought to please and to serve Him in his young life. So it was that the Lord was with him.

During the time he was at Oxford, others observed that he went away every weekend to a certain section of the slums of London. It was here he gathered a group of young men together and taught them the Word of God. This work went on for some time and there was much blessing, as souls heard from his lips the wonderful story of God’s love.

Then Ah Sing was called back to his old school in New Zealand to take a professorship in engineering, which he accepted. To his great surprise he was given a civic reception because of his brilliance as a student. He attended, but it was with reluctance because his dear old father and mother were not present. In accordance with his desire, his parents were brought and were introduced to all the professors and to the officials, including the Governor-general himself.

The poor old Chinese couple felt very much out of place because they could speak but little English, and they were rather poorly dressed. But the Governor-general, after conferring further honors upon Ah Sing, called his parents into his presence, and talked with them about their brilliant son. As the Governor-general spoke words of praise for Ah Sing, the poor mother replied: “Me boy, funny boy. ‘e no want money, no big name. ‘e no want nothin’ in this world. Me boy, funny boy, but ‘e believe in Jesus. Is that good?”

Much affected, the Governor-general replied, “Yes, that is very good.”

The last news I had of this brilliant young fellow, dear Ah Sing, was that he was serving Christ as a missionary in the interior of Brazil. There he was telling the poor savage Indians the same sweet and precious story of the love of the Saviour, who came into this world to save sinners and to take them to heaven to be with Him when He comes again.

“What things were gained to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” Phil. 3: 7.

“As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tings of good things!” Rom. 10:15.

Memory Verse “HEAL ME, O LORD, AND I SHALL BE HEALED; SAVE ME, AND I SHALL BE SAVED.” Jeremiah 17:14.

ML-02/07/1971

The Young Infidel and the Text

ONE SUNDAY evening a young fellow was walking along the street when he was greeted by a peon who stopped him and thrust a small slip of paper into his hand. He took it, and read, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” A sneer passed over his face, and he hastened on.

" ‘Though your sins be as scarlet, They shall be as white as snow,’ doesn’t apply to me at any rate, for I am an infidel, and do not believe anything of the kind,” thought he.

" ‘Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.’ Hang the thing; I can’t get rid of it... Sins? Conscience? ‘Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.’ I am an infidel,” he insisted, stamping his foot; “I neither believe in the Bible, the God of the Bible, the future, nor anything beyond the still, dark grave. So here’s for a short life and a merry one.”

" ‘Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.’ Confound it! I wish I could get the whole thing out of my head. Given, for the sake of argument, that it is true, and that a God exists, I can easily understand religious people who believe in a future, either of joy or suffering, clinging to such ideas according to their belief.

" ‘Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.’ Admirable writing. Terse, forcible language; I wonder who wrote it? God, I suppose. God? — why, there is no God. I forget myself. If I could only remember my principles, and how logical and well founded the argents are which support them, I should be all right... ‘Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.’ Oh! this troublesome thing; will nothing put a stop to it?... Oh, there is a gospel service; I’ll turn in and hear what they say.”

He entered, and was given a seat by the door. The preacher had just read the text, paused a moment, then in a gentle voice he repeated the words: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa. 1:18.

That evening, there was one young fellow who said, with contrite heart, “Lord Jesus, though my sins be dyed deeper than the deepest scarlet, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.”

EV’RY morning the red sun

Rises warm and bright;

But the evening cometh on,

And the dark cold night;

There’s a bright land far away,

Where ’tis never-ending day.

Little birds sing songs of praise

All the summer long;

But in colder, shorter days,

They forget their song

There’s a place where children sing

Ceaseless praises to the King.

The blood of Jesus Christ... cleanseth us from all sin

1 John 1:7

My lips shall praise Thee

Psalm 63:3

ML-02/07/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 32:21-26

MOSES blames Aaron first of all for his part in setting up the golden calf, saying to him, “What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?”

Aaron is seen here as especially guilty for he was really the responsible leader of God’s people during the time Moses was absent on the mount. Later on when recounting this circumstance Moses says, “The Lord was very angry with Aaron, to have destroyed him.” Deut. 9:20. But Moses interceded for him and the people, and both were spared.

Aaron makes a sorry excuse, sang: “thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.... For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us:... And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.” Aaron’s sad weakness is evident. It seems that he readily went along with the people in their evil desire. Could he not have cried to the Lord in such a circumstance, and would not the Lord have stood by him? We read of some who were “faithful unto death"; and may we seek grace to be more like Him, the only perfect Servant, whose obedience carried Him not only into death, but “even the death of the cross.”

In sheltering behind the people, Aaron here is like Adam in the garden, who when convicted of sin, put the blame on Eve, who in turn blamed the serpent. If we have failed, we need to ask the Lord for grace to own it, instead of trying to put the blame on others; then God can come in in restoring grace.

Burning with zeal for the Lord, seeing that the people “were naked, (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies,)" Moses took his stand in the gate and said, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Let him come unto me.” There could be no such thing as comprise or neutrality, even as the Lord Jesus could say, “He that is not for Me is against Me.” To gather around Moses was to be for the Lord; not to gather to him was to be against Him. It was a separating challenge.

The effect of this summons was that the sons of Levi came and gathered themselves around Moses. They only of all the tribes of Israel were found faithful; the rest of the camp was in rebellion. Levi’s conduct on this occasion was precious to the Lord and He rewarded them for their faithfulness. We read in Deuteronomy 10:8,9, that He “separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord, to minister unto Him.” They were honored in being called to the special service of the tabernacle.

There is a similar call going forth now, dear young believer, urging those who are on the Lord’s side to take a stand.... These are days of eating, and drinking and dancing, just as it was in the camp of Israel. How can a true believer go with the world and take part in its sinful pleasures? Our place is outside it all, gathered around our great Leader, the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us take our stand at His side, before “this present evil world” in which we live.

ML-02/07/1971

The Lord Is Thy Keeper

A TERRIBLE storm raged in the bay causing the water of the river to rise in such a degree that the lower part of Petersburg was under water. That morning a man and his wife had to go out to work for a few hours. They asked God to take care of their two little children, four and five years old, whom they had to leave alone in the house. Their work was in a higher part of the city so they were not aware of the rising of the water. However when they left for home, they soon found the water became so deep that they could not get through to their house and no boat was available. Unspeakable anguish filled their hearts, but they cried to God to save their little ones.

Finally they were able to get through to their house, and in breathless suspense they opened the door. What do you think they saw? On the table the two children were lying asleep, embracing each other. Overwhelmed with joy the parents thanked God for having kept their darlings alive and safe. They woke the children who were oh so happy to see them, and the little ones asked for something to eat. Then they told their parents what had happened.

They were playing in the room, when they noticed water running in under the door. With glee they got out their little boats and had fun sailing them. When the water rose higher, they were afraid and got on the chairs. Then they got up onto the big round table where they continued to play. The water did not come there, they said. After a while they got tired and fell asleep.

From the marks in the room it was evident that the water had risen much higher than the table, but the table itself was dry. The water had lifted up the table like a boat and set it down again when the flood retreated. Surely the angels of the Lord were there to keep those little ones from danger in answer to the prayers of their parents.

“He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Psa. 91:11.

O how good it is to know God as our Father and His beloved Son as our Saviour, to be able to commit ourselves and our loved ones into His care and safe-keeping! This is the portion of those who trust in Him who came into this world to save sinners.

“O Lord... Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house: they will still be praising Thee... Blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.” Psa. 84:3,4,12.

ML-02/14/1971

Pebbles

Five little pebbles lay in a brook,

Five little pebbles hid in a nook.

‘What are we good for?’ one said to another.

`Little or nothing, I’m thinking, my brother.’

Wearing away day after day—

It seemed that forever those pebbles must stay.

Five little pebbles hid in a brook.

David came down and gave them a look,

Picked them up carefully out of the sand:

Five little pebbles lay in his hand.

Hark! there is shouting and fighting today,

And boldly these pebbles are borne to the fray:

One of them chosen and put in a sling.

Would we have thought that a stone could thus wing?

Onward it sped with a might not its own:

Onward it sped, by a shepherd boy thrown;

Swift as an arrow, straight as a dart!

For the whole nation that stone did its part,

Striking the giant’s great, terrible head,

Laying him low—a mighty man dead.

Five little pebbles found in a brook

Are mentioned with honor in God’s holy Book.

Be thou a pebble, contented and low,

Ever kept clean by His Spirit’s pure flow,

Hidden and ready till Jesus shall look

And choose you, and use you, a stone from the brook.

(1 Sam. 17:40)

ML-02/14/1971

Brave Shep

TWO LITTLE children ran after their father one morning as he went to work. On their way home, they stopped to pick flowers on the side of the lake. Harry was just three years old, and he wasn’t quite as careful as his brother Carl. He reached over the bank for an extra big daisy, slipped, and rolled down into the water. Carl heard him scream and turned just in time to see the splash as his brother went down. Carl ran home as fast as he could to tell his mother, but it was quite a long way, and I am afraid Harry would have drowned but for brave Shep. Shep was a big dog that had been sleeping in the sunshine on the side of the river. Harry’s cry awakened him, and with one spring he was in the water. He caught Harry’s coat with his teeth, and kept him afloat until a boatman came along and picked him up. A crowd soon gathered on the lake side and in a few minutes Harry was safe in his mother’s arms.

Do you think he forgot brave Shep? No. Although Harry is now a big boy, you may still see him walking by the lake with old Shep by his side.

I know of One who died to save you from eternal death. That One was Jesus, the Son of God. Have you ever thanked Him? Do you walk by His side day by day?

“He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” 1 John 2:6.

ML-02/14/1971

The Bermuda Constable

MR. GIBBONS was a constable, or policeman, in Bermuda. He used to make his rounds on his bicycle, for until recent years no cars were allowed on this beautiful island situated in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean.

One night when Constable Gibbons was on duty, as he neared Somerset Bridge he was caught in a sudden rainstorm. Quickly he looked for some shelter, and, seeing a two story building with a big flight of open stairs outside, he wheeled his bike behind the wall and under the staircase to keep out of the rain.

As Mr. Gibbons stood there in the shelter of the stairs, while the rain poured down, he realized a gospel meeting was in progress upstairs and heard one telling out the sweet message of Jesus and His love for sinners everywhere. As he listened to the old, old story told forth once again, he believed and was saved; for “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10:17. He had found the Saviour, the only Saviour, and a Friend, One who from then on would watch over and care for him all the way from earth to heaven. Then too not only had he found a temporary shelter from the rain, but a shelter from the judgment of God against sin — for all eternity.

After his conversion Mr. Gibbons had many trials, for his wife, who was an unbeliever, was not pleased when she heard her husband had accepted Christ as his Saviour. She would mock and jeer at him so that his Christian friends, when they would visit him, had to meet with him away from the house. However, I am happy to say that this did not continue, for his faithfulness and patience spoke to his wife’s heart. God in His mercy answered her husband’s prayers and she too bowed to the Saviour’s claims of love and became a happy Christian.

ML-02/14/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 32:27-29

AT MOSES’ call, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” the sons of Levi immediately responded and gathered around him. “And he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.”

Moses made them prove that they cared more for God’s glory than for their nearest relatives. “And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.”

It was a very painful and searching trial; they were called to put away every claim of nature. And the Lord often tests His people in this way. If we are going to serve the Lord we must be willing to be faithful. We must not draw back from following Him on account of someone near and dear to us. Trueheartedness and obedience at all cost are the claims of the Lord’s love upon us. Sometimes this may mean the breaking of a tie of nature — but it is the only path of blessing and honor to the Lord.

No doubt the sons of Levi were not very popular in the camp of Israel, but the Lord honored them abundantly, and to have His approval is what really counts. Levi we are told said, as it were, to “his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed Thy word, and kept Thy covenant.” Deut. 33:9.

It was at the word of Moses that the Levites armed themselves and went out against their brethren. Yet we know that Moses loved the people more than anyone else in the camp did. His was a faithful love, a love stronger than death. He who loved them thus showed his horror of the leprosy, or sin, that had broken out among them. He felt that this evil must be rooted out and banished from among them at all cost.

As Christians now in this dispensation it is not for us to take the sword as Levi did, but we are called to wield the “sword of the Spirit,” which is the Word of God. Let us ask ourselves the question, Have we used the Sword as we should? Have we spoken the Word of God faithfully to our relatives? Have we spoken about Christ to our companions and friends and warned them of judgment to come? Have we kept back our sword, as it were, in order to keep our friendship with them? Have our neighbors heard from us the way of salvation? These are searching questions for each one of us, but fitting for those who profess to be on the Lord’s side.

What is greatly needed today is devotedness for Christ who is worthy of our ALL. May we be more faithful and use the “sword of the Spirit” more often, for God’s glory and for the blessing of others.

ML-02/14/1971

Bud the Cowboy

BUD ROBINSON was a young boy who lived in Texas. There were many cowboys and ranches in that area, and when Bud was 16 he went to work for a rancher. The rancher was not a Christian, and he taught the boys who worked with him to smoke, dance, and play cards. For three years Bud lived a wild life like the other fellows, never thinking of God, or the fact that he must meet Him some day.

Bud’s mother became a Christian soon after Bud left home to work at the ranch. Right away she began to pray that her children would come to know the Lord. She especially prayed for Bud, for she knew that he was under evil influences, and God heard and answered her prayers in a remarkable way.

One day when Bud was working at the ranch, a preacher came to stay at the ranch unannounced. “I am the circuit rider,” he told the ranchers. “I have come to spend the night with you.” Most of the fellows weren’t very happy at the thought of having a preacher come to stay with them.

Supper was ready, and the crowd of cowboys gathered around the table. Bud reached out for a piece of bread. “Hold on there, young man,” exclaimed the preacher. “We are going to ask the blessing before we eat at this table.” Then he started to pray. He thanked the Lord for the food and prayed for all the cowboys sitting there.

“Now don’t anybody leave the table until after we’ve prayed and read the Bible,” said the preacher. So after they finished eating, he read to them from the Scriptures, and then he prayed loud and long. Every cowboy was down on his knees, and the preacher told the Lord that all these fellows were on their way to hell and he asked God to please stop them before they lost their souls forever. Bud began to squirm.

When the prayer was ended, no one felt like playing cards. Everyone went to bed early that night. Bud couldn’t sleep, for his conscience bothered him.

Before daybreak the circuit rider started praying again and just as loud as before.

He gave thanks again at the breakfast table, and later read the Bible and prayed again. Soon it was time for him to go.

“I’m sorry I have to tell you boys that I can’t make it around here again for another month,” he said, as he rode away. This was good news for Bud, for he knew that if the man came around very often he would surely have to change his way of living.

About a month later, the cowboys heard a voice singing: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound!” They knew it was the circuit rider again, and they weren’t very happy about it.

“Well, boys, I can stay two or three days this time,” said the visitor. Bud said to himself: “Just to think of hearing that man pray for two or three days. I don’t know how I’m going to stand it!”

But pray he did those three days. He prayed in the morning, at noon, and at night. He prayed down at the barn, by the haystack, and in the house. By the time the three days were up, Bud was really feeling bay about his sins. He felt that he was the most wicked person in the world.

“I’m going to have gospel meetings on a ranch about twenty miles from here in August,” said the preacher. “I want all of you to come.”

Bud did go to the meetings, and his heart was stirred. He did not know that his mother had been prang for him previously. When the preacher asked the crowd if anyone would like to be saved, Bud was one of the first to respond. He took the Lord Jesus as his Saviour that night, and he was never so happy in his life.

After the meeting he went into the bushes and threw away his pistol. Then he made a little fire and burned up his cards. Free from those evils, he then crawled under a wagon, put his hat on a stump for a pillow, and lay there looking up at the stars. He couldn’t go to sleep because he was so happy. Jesus had come into his heart, and he was free from all his sins.

Bud was so anxious to tell others of his Saviour that he soon started to preach. He had a stammering tongue and many people could not understand him, but he knew that the Lord wanted him to tell others about his Saviour. He could not read either, but he did know the letters of the alphabet, so he taught himself to read.

Bud preached for sixty years until the Lord took him Home to be with Himself. He traveled more than two million miles by pony, train, auto or on foot. He preached over 33,000 times, and wrote 14 books about the Lord.

Is Bud’s Saviour YOUR Saviour, dear young reader? Take Christ as your Saviour today. You will have joy and peace like Bud did.

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

ML-02/21/1971

A Stray Kitten

THE OTHER DAY a stray kitten came to our house. It stayed, and now it has grown to love us already. All we did was to give him something to eat, and show him some kindness. Now he comes and rubs against our legs, purring all the while. Just a little cast off kitten, but how the children love him!

Doesn’t this remind us of the Lord Jesus? He picks up poor stray sinners and brings them to Himself. He shows us His loving kindness—meets our every need, according to His riches in glory. We are just wanderers in this world, but when we come to the Lord Jesus we find a Home.

I came to Jesus as I was,

Weary and worn and sad;

I found in Him a resting place,

And He has made me glad.

“God setteth the solitary in families:.. but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.” Psa. 68:6.

“Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house: they will be still praising Thee.” Psa. 84:4.

Oh how His heart must rejoice when we thank Him for all that He has done, and when we tell others of His love!

ML-02/21/1971

Ship Ahoy!

I WAS drifting away on life’s pitiless sea,

And the angry waves threatened my ruin to be,

When away at my side, there I dimly descried

A stately old vessel, and loudly I cried—

"Ship, ahoy! Ship, ahoy!"

’Twas the "old ship of Zion,” thus sailing along,

All aboard her seemed joyous, I heard their sweet song;

And the Captain’s kind ear, ever ready to hear,

Caught my wail of distress, as I cried out in fear

"Ship, ahoy!

Ship, ahoy!"

The good Captain commanded a boat to be low’red,

And with tender compassion, He took me on board;

And I’m happy to-day, all my sins washed away

In the blood of my Saviour; and now I can say

"Bless the Lord!

Bless the Lord!"

O soul, sinking down ‘neath sin’s merciless wave,

The strong arm of our Captain is mighty to save;

Then trust Him today, no longer delay;

Board the old ship of Zion, and shout on your way—

" Jesus saves!

Jesus saves! "

I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12.

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble and He knoweth them trust in Him.

Nahum 1:7.

ML-02/21/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 32:30-35

THE FOLLOWING day Moses charged the people with their sin saying to them, “Ye have sinned a great sin.” But his great love for them was expressed in his next words: “Peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.”

Moses meant well, but to make atonement for their sin he could never do. God’s Word tells us, “None... can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.” Psa. 49:7. There was One and only One who could go into God’s presence and make atonement for sin, to put it all away completely and forever. And that was His own beloved Son, our precious Saviour. He came down from heaven to do His Father’s will, and instead of destroying the tables of the law, the demands of which man was unable to meet, He kept that holy law perfectly; then He went on to bear the penalty of death that man brought on himself for breaking the law. Having completed this glorious work of atonement on the cross, He went back to God, who has glorified Him at His own right hand. There was no “peradventure” with Him as to whether His Person and His work were acceptable to God.

“And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.” Moses loved the people and having confessed their sin, he pleaded with God for their forgiveness, saying, “now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin —; and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written.” So fully did he identify himself with the people, he says as it were, If they are not to be forgiven, then let me perish with them.

It is beautiful to see Moses putting himself in the people’s place before God in this way. However, God could not go along with this request and so He puts the people back under their own individual responsibility, sang, “Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book.” v. 33.

Apart from that great work of redemption accomplished by the Lord Jesus, every sinner’s name must be blotted out of God’s book, and this would mean eternal judgment to one and all, “for all have sinned.” Rom. 3:20. No man, no matter how great he might be, could make atonement for himself or anyone else. The Lord Jesus Christ alone—the sinless, spotless One—could take up so great a work, and praise His blessed name He has done it. Moses was refused, but the blessed Son of God has met all the claims of God against sin once and forever.

God then told Moses, “therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, Mine angel shall go before thee.” And here we have a change, for it is not the Lord dwelling in their midst, but He would send an angel to go before them.

“Nevertheless in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them. And the Lord plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.” We learn elsewhere that because of His great mercy and Moses’ prayer, Aaron was spared.

Memory Verse “TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS, THAT WE MAY APPLY OUR HEARTS UNTO WISDOM.” Psalm 90:12

ML-02/21/1971

The Story of Johanna

JOHANNA, a young Jewish girl of 17, was living in Holland during World War II. What a sad time it was for the Jewish people during those years, for thousands of them were taken away, and were never seen again.

One day Johanna’s parents and two older brothers were taken away, but Johanna escaped. Soon afterward she was approached by a friend who asked her if she would like to hide secretly in someone’s home. “Yes,” she said, and he directed her to a certain house. The kind man there let her in, and he told her he was going to take her far away and hide her. First of all, he cut off the large yellow star she was wearing on her coat, for all Jews were strictly required to wear them. Then he gave her different clothes to put on, and told her to follow him. “Just call me Uncle Bas,” he said, “and come with me.” What a dear, kind man Uncle Bas proved to be!

Soon Johanna and Uncle Bas were on a train speeding away to the north of Holland. They arrived at Uncle Bas’ home, and he introduced Johanna to his wife, called Aunt Jo, besides two other Jewish girls who were kept hiding in the attic.

Johanna stayed at Uncle Bas’ home for several months. No one in the neighborhood knew about the girls in hiding, for it was against the law to harbor a Jewish person in one’s home. The girls were required never to talk above a whisper, and always to tiptoe around the house.

Johanna noticed that Uncle Bas and Aunt Jo were very happy people, and they seemed to have a peace and joy that she did not have. Soon she found out that Uncle Bas was a preacher at the church next door. There was a secret tunnel from the house to the church, and sometimes Johanna would go through the tunnel and sit under the church. There, in hiding, she could hear Uncle Bas preach, but she did not understand very much that was said. The seasons were so strange and new, and the people there seemed to worship a different God than the one she had heard about at the synagogue during her childhood.

Johanna found a Bible in Uncle Bas’ home, and she spent many long hours in the attic reading it. Who was this wonderful Jew named Jesus she was reading about? She had never heard His name before. What wonderful miracles He did, healing the sick, raising the dead, and giving sight to the blind. Johanna thrilled over His life, but how sad she felt that the Jews had rejected Him, and killed Him. Why had she heard nothing of this Man, her Messiah, during her childhood? Why was it that none of her Jewish friends seemed to know anything about Him?

One day Uncle Bas came to Johanna and said, “Our hideout has been found, and you will have to be rushed to another place.” So in the middle of the night Johanna was rushed out of the town to the attic of another family. There she read more and more of her dear Messiah, and in that attic she took Christ as her Saviour. What happy hours she spent there, with only her Bible and the Holy Spirit to show her the wonderful truths out of God’s precious Word. She said that the little hymn suited her exactly:

“Heaven above is brighter blue,

Earth beneath is sweeter green;

Something lives in every hue,

Christless eyes have never seen.

Birds with gladder songs o’erflow,

Flowers with deeper beauties shine,

Since I know as now I know,

I am HIS, and HE IS MINE!”

Dear reader, have you had that happy day when you took Christ as your Saviour? Can you say, “He is mine?”

The months went by, and Johanna was secreted away to other homes and hidden in more attics. She almost lost count of the different homes she was taken to, and secreted away. But always she carried her much-loved Bible, and learned many more truths from God’s Word. By 1944 the war was nearing its end, and when the Allied troops arrived, Johanna was free to go about the streets as she wished. At that time she was staying with a Christian family, and she asked them if she could be baptized. The family took Johanna to see their preacher, who treated her very kindly and listened to her story. He was amazed at her profound knowledge of the Scriptures, which she had learned all alone in the attic. What a happy day it was for her when she was baptized, and remembered the Lord in His death.

After the war, Johanna went back to visit Uncle Bas, but Aunt Jo sadly told her that he had been put in jail, and then shot, because of his love for the Jews. Johanna thought, “Isn’t that just like the Lord Jesus who died in our place. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Uncle Bas died for me, so that I could go free.”

The Lord Jesus left His throne of glory to die for you and me, who were His enemies. We were far from God, dead in trespasses and in sins. But in His great love and pity the Lord came to die for us so that He could bring us back to Himself. Oh, what love!

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

(To Be Continued)

ML-02/28/1971

Branded

YEARS AGO in the western States, the cattle roamed the open prairies. There were few roads and no fences. Early spring was branding time — when the calves would be branded so one could tell to what ranch they belonged.

One rancher said to another, “You just put your brand on my calf.” “No, we didn’t,” replied the other. “Yes, you did,” insisted the first man. “The calf’s mother has my brand on it.” The little calf was standing close to its mother, so there was no doubt as to whom the calf belonged. They changed the brand.

Whom do you belong to, dear young reader? Christ, or the world and Satan? The Lord Jesus died to purchase you with His own precious blood. But if you have not yet come and owned Him as your Lord and Saviour, Satan and the world will claim you; you will carry on your person the brand marks of sin. The Apostle Paul could say, “I bear in my body the [brand] marks of the Lord Jesus.” Gal. 6:17.

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

May each one of us who believe keep close to our Saviour, so that others will know to whom we belong.

ML-02/28/1971

An Eskimo Doll

Martha has an old rag Eskimo doll that she has loved for five years. It is falling apart, and Mother has mended it many times. It even has an arm off. Martha has many other nice dolls, but she would never part with her “Kuletuk.” Mother suggested once that Martha should throw away Kuluk and get a nice new rag doll, but Martha said “Oh no! Kuletuk is my best friend, and I will NEVER give her up.”

The Lord Jesus too, will NEVER give up a boy or girl who trusts in Him. He says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb. 13:5. He will watch over and keep His child until He has that one safe home in Glory; and His love will go on forever.

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

Memory Verse “THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS, AND DESPERATELY WICKED: WHO CAN KNOW IT?” Jeremiah 17:10.

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

ML-02/28/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 33:1-10

MOSES persisted in his plea to the Lord on behalf of the people, and the Lord did not fail to try him to the utmost by using the very words they had used. They had denied God and attributed their deliverance merely to Moses. So He says, “Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou Nast brought up out of the land of Egypt.”

Nevertheless He promises them the land in spite of their failure for when Moses interceded for them at the first he appealed to the unconditional promises the Lord had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, when He sware unto them, “Unto thy seed will I give it.”

He reproaches them once more with being “a stiff-necked people"; He will not go up in the midst of them, lest He should consume them in the way. He commands them to put off their ornaments, that He might know what to do unto them.

The people did strip off their ornaments and they mourned for what they had done. It is well for the sinner to take his true place before God and to mourn, if he is to expect any mercy or blessing from Him. Anything that might adorn him must be laid aside, for man is guilty, ruined and undone. Even we who are saved need to remember how far we were from God when He saved us. We ought to set aside anything and everything which exalts the flesh or would attempt to make it fair and beautiful. Even God-given gifts should never be used for the exaltation of self.

The Lord paused before dealing the blow of judgment on the people and Moses does a remarkable thing, which the Lord takes advantage of to provide a way of escape for His poor people.

“And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation.” This was not the tabernacle we have been learning about, the pattern of which God gave Moses in the mount, but a tent, pitched outside the camp to meet the present need—a meeting place between God and those who sought Him.

It does not seem that Moses had any express command from the Lord for this act, but he had the spiritual discernment to see that the Lord could no longer dwell in the midst of a camp defiled by idolatry. Moses made a place afar off from the camp, and as he went out and entered into it, in sight of all the people, the pillar of cloud, symbol of the glory of the Lord’s presence, descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle. God showed His approval of Moses’ act of faith and He talked with him face to face as a man would speak to his friend.

The Lord was outside, and “every one who sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.” Israel were still His people, but owing to their defiled state He could not dwell in their midst any longer.

And here we have a very important principle for our day, dear young believer. There is much that answers to the camp in Christendom. When the Lord’s name is dishonored, and His authority set aside by some other authority, then one who would be faithful to the Lord must go outside of the camp, to be free to worship God in spirit and in truth. “Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.” Heb. 13:13. But as with Moses, this requires spiritual discernment. We need the light of God’s Word for every step we take.

ML-02/28/1971

A Free Pardon

YEARS AGO the Lord laid it on the heart of a missionary to begin a work in the south of Bolivia. The people there thought the gospel was merely man’s ideas, whereas it is the “glad tidings” of God’s wonderful salvation. Inspired by certain ones who did not want the gospel preached there, the people began to persecute the missionary and his wife.

This went on for some time, until one night, about midnight, a man in great excitement came hurrying to the missionary’s door and told him of a plot to kill them both. He said that a drunken mob of about 60 men, armed with rocks were on their way to stone them to death. This dear man, at the risk of his life, had come to plead with the missionaries to move out quickly. But where were they to go? The only way out to safety was the very road along which their enemies were coming.

The missionaries dressed hurriedly and putting a few of their belongings in their little pick-up truck, they started off in the darkness. Sure enough, down the road they could see the band of men coming towards them. Uttering a brief prayer to God for help, the missionary turned the headlights on full, and keeping his hand on the horn, he drove straight at the drunken mob. Completely taken by surprise, the men fled helter-skelter to get out of the way, and falling back on both sides they left a clear path enough for the truck to pass. Stones were thrown but through the Lord’s mercies they fell short.

They drove a long way down the river bed, which is often used for a road in certain seasons; then the missionaries stopped and asked the Lord to guide them as to where they might go. This He graciously did. Pushing on to another section of that province, just before daylight they arrived at the home of a dear Christian man, who was a district judge.

“What brings you dear ones here at this hour? asked the judge in surprise. They told him what had happened, of how they had been stoned out of the little village.

“This is a serious matter,” said the judge; “the Governor must be notified.”

The missionary pleaded with him to spare the men, as he freely forgave them. He said they were but poor deluded fellows, who had been led on by others. But, the judge was insistent. So he accompanied them to the Capital where he informed the Governor of what had happened.

The Governor gave orders to bring the culprits under armed guard to the Capital at once. Neither the missionary nor his wife slept that night, but prayed that the Lord would intervene on behalf of the poor men.

The next morning twelve leaders of the drunken band were brought in. They were imprisoned another day and night without food or water by order of the Governor. Again the missionary had but little sleep. The next morning he went to the Chief of Police requesting an interview with the Governor. The Governor received him kindly.

“Sir,” said the missionary, “I love these people, and request a very great favor of you. Would you kindly permit me to take all these men back home again without their being pushed? In my heart I have already forgiven them, and I have asked the Lord that you might grant me my petition.”

“They will kill you,” exclaimed the surprised Governor; “they should be punished.” Leaving the missionary standing there he went out. He returned a little later, however, and said, “If you feel you would like to forgive these wicked men, then you may take them home.”

The Chief of Police ordered two guards to bring the men out of the prison. He gave them a stern warning, and then they all climbed into the pick-up.

The missionary and his wife drove off with the men, and that afternoon they arrived at the very spot where they had thrown the stones. Here they stopped and the missionary asked the men to get out of the truck and listen to God’s Word. Opening his Bible, at Luke 23:34, he read in both Spanish and Inca, the solemn words of the Son of God as He hung upon the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Then he told them of Jesus and His love for poor sinners, and of how He was his precious Saviour. Just as the Lord Jesus forgave His enemies, so he was happy to follow in His steps and do the same by forgiving them.

There was scarcely a dry eye among those rough fellows. While he spoke, they took off their hats, and then they embraced him and his wife too, assuring them of their love and friendship, and of their sorrow for what they had done.

Those men kept their word, for which the missionary ever thanked the Lord. Later he was able to direct one of the leaders to Christ. Many of their children came to know Him as their Saviour.

The Governor was so moved by this incident, that it led to his conversion. Later on he too confessed Christ as his Saviour.

Dear young friends, this same precious Saviour will grant you, a sinner, His free pardon too, if you will in simple faith trust in that precious blood He shed for you on Calvary’s cross.

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

“Being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 3:24.

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

ML-03/07/1971

The Low Knocker

One day I called to see the matron at a little private orphanage. Some of the children there had been attending our gospel services. I walked up the steps, but could not see the knocker! I looked all about, and at last noticed that it was very low down near the bottom of the door. So of course I had to stoop down to knock. I asked the lady why she had the knocker in the wrong place, and she explained that some of her orphans were very small, and could not reach it if it had been put in the usual place higher up on the door.

“Oh, that is beautiful,” I said, “to think that the smallest child can reach the knocker because it is so low down!”

And, dear young friends, the knocker is very low down on God’s door of mercy, so that any little child can easily get in. Have you knocked yet? The blessed Saviour has told us, “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” John 10:9.

ML-03/07/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 33:11

WE SAW how that Moses took the tabernacle, or tent, and pitched it without, and afar off from, the camp. There the pillar of cloud came down, and there the Lord talked with Moses face to face. When the people saw the cloud, they all rose up and worshiped. Only a short while ago they were worshiping the golden calf, but how good it is to see them worshiping their own true God again, though for the most part they remained in the camp.

Moses went back into the camp, “but his servant Joshua,... a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.” Moses, as the mediator, is the type of Christ, ever ready to meet the sinner where he is, or even a saint who is in a wrong position. Joshua is the type of Christ in spirit as the leader of His people. How sweet it is to faith to know that there is an outside place where the Lord is in the midst of His own!

As a result of Moses’ pitching the tabernacle in that outside place, afar off from the camp, we notice that which would be an encouragement to any true-hearted child of God who desires to follow the Lord — there was a nearness between the Lord and His servant never enjoyed before; next, Moses’ intercession secured a blessing for his people such as was never granted hitherto.

Moses now urges a new plea. God had said He would not go up with Israel because they were such a stiff-necked people. But Moses pleaded that because they were so faulty and failing that this is the very reason why they needed the Lord’s presence with them.

The boldness of Moses’ faith here is wonderful, but it was really because he had learned in a large measure the grace of God. He had been with God in the mount those forty days, during which he had received those wonderful communications respecting the building of the tabernacle, all of which spoke of Christ and coming glories, with blessings for His people, in spite of all their waywardness and failure. Now in the tabernacle, outside the camp, Moses was near enough to God to get a better view of His grace than he ever enjoyed before.

And so it will be with us, dear young reader, as many have already proved, that if we are willing to follow the Lord even to that outside place where He is seen with His own gathered around Him, a place of reproach though it be, yet we will experience a deeper communion and richer sense of His grace and truth than we have known before.

It was the very failure of the people and a sense of God’s glory that moved Moses to take that outside place, yet Moses in the tabernacle outside the camp had no less love for his people within. We shall see how this love for his failing people wrought for their restoration and blessing. This was the spirit of Christ in Moses and may we too have more of this heart of Christ which shows itself in love to His people. They belong to Him, no matter how badly they might have failed, and He will never give them up. May we be found seeking to show faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and love unto all saints; may we be willing to love and serve them for His sake until He calls us to our home above.

ML-03/07/1971

My Mother's Prayer

I never can forget the day

I heard my mother kindly say:

“You’re leaving now my tender care;

Remember, child, your mother’s prayer.”

I never can forget the voice

That always made my heart rejoice;

Tho’ I have wandered, God knows where,

Still I remember mother’s prayer.

Tho’ years have gone, I can’t forget

Those words of love, I hear them yet;

I see her by the old armchair,

My mother dear, in humble prayer.

I never can forget the hour

I felt the Saviour’s cleansing power;

My sin and guilt He canceled there;

’Twas there He answered mother’s prayer.

O praise the Lord for saving grace!

We’ll meet up yonder, face to face,

The home above together share,

In answer to my mother’s prayer.

ML-03/07/1971

Death Doth Hide but Not Divide

Do you know what it is like to have someone you love very much go to be with the Lord? If you are a Christian, you need not sorrow as others do Who have no hope.

E’en for the dead,

I will not bind my soul to grief:

Death cannot long divide.

For is it not as though the rose

That climbed the garden wall

Had blossomed on the other side?

Death doth hide

But not divide!

Thou are with Christ, and Christ with us—

In Him united still we are!

Memory Verse “WHEN I SEE THE BLOOD, I WILL PASS OVER YOU... FOR IT IS THE BLOOD THAT MAKETH AN ATONENT FOR THE SOUL.” Ex. 12:13; Lev. 17:11.

ML-03/07/1971

How God Used a Hen

MR. Chang was a gospel preacher who lived in a little village in China a few years ago. The Communists were trying to get complete control of the country, and they did not like the Nationalist soldiers coming to the villages.

One day some Nationalist soldiers, fleeing for their lives, asked the Chang family if they could sleep in their gospel hall. Mr. Chang was too kind to refuse them, so they spent the night in the hall.

The Communists were very angry the next day and told Mr. Chang he would be tried for harboring Nationalist soldiers. They put him in jail. Poor Mr. Chang knew that after the trial he would be buried alive, and soon would die.

The day before the trial, Mrs. Chang and several Christians were in the gospel hall praying for Mr. Chang. Suddenly a chicken from the neighborhood came into the hall cackling loudly, and laid an egg. The hen made such a noise that it disturbed the prayer meeting. Mrs. Chang got up and caught the chicken. She then tied a note to its leg along with a coin to pay for the egg, and the hen went off home.

An hour later, the lady who owned the village inn came down the street followed by a gentleman. Behind them came a crowd of curious villagers. Arriving at the door of the little gospel hall, the landlady simply said, “These are the Christians in this hall,” and then she withdrew.

The gentleman said he was the Communist judge, and addressing Mrs. Chang he asked her some questions: “Did you write this note that was attached to the chicken’s leg? And did you tie this ten cents to its leg?”

“Yes,” answered Mrs. Chang.

“Well,” said the judge, “that hen belongs to the lady who owns the inn where I’m staying.” He then asked Mrs. Chang what she believed of Christianity, and why she would do such an uncommon and exceptional act. “I have never seen honesty bore,” he said. “How did you become so honest?”

Mrs. Chang told him in her humble way of the Lord Jesus Christ, her Saviour, and of how He not only saves us from our sins, but He gives us a new life and nature that wants to please Him in all things.

The judge was impressed. “There will be no trial for your husband,” he said. “He can be released from jail, and we will forget the whole incident.”

How wonderful are the ways of God! The prayers of those poor Chinese Christians were answered. There is a beautiful verse in Psalm 50: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” v 15.

Let us not forget the last part of that verse:. “and thou shalt glorify Me.” How often we take God’s care for granted, and do not thank Him at all. He sent His dear Son into this world to save sinners such as we; the Lord Jesus took our place and died for us there on that awful cross. Now He is risen, gone back to heaven, and He wants us to trust Him as our Saviour, and to thank Him for all He has done. Then too He will give you a new nature that will want to please Him in all things.

“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,... we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Cor. 5:17-18, 20.

ML-03/14/1971

Only a Nickel

A fair-haired little girl, Sandra, only eight years old, had a nickel given to her by her brother. She didn’t buy candy with it, but went to the Post Office for a stamp. With this she posted to Cindy, a little playmate who was sick, a picture story book which she had got at Sunday School.

Little Cindy spent many happy hours looking at the book. Then her father too read it and, learning the way of life through Jesus the Saviour who died upon the cross for sinners, he was happily saved.

ML-03/14/1971

Mary's Morning Message

Snow covered the ground that winter’s morning. Little footprints in the snow marked the way from Mary’s home to the door of an old-fashioned house back in off the street. A gentle knock brought the aged housekeeper to the door. A minute later the tiny rubbers were removed and cleaned of the snow that had gathered on them, and the little child with the golden curls seated in the warm room beside the fire.

A few minutes later, Mary’s aunt also entered, and hugging the dear little child in her arms, she imprinted a warm kiss on her cheek.

“What has brought you out on this snowy morning so early, dear?”

Briefly came the answer, “To say my verse to you, Auntie.” So, without further explanation, little Mary said, “God is love"—“Jesus died.” That was all.

ML-03/14/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 33:12-16

THE SIGHT of Moses here pleading so touchingly with God on behalf of the people is very fine, and beyond anything that has gone bore. Moses says, “See, Thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and Thou hast not let me know whom Thou wilt send with me.” God had said, “I will send an angel before thee"; but this does not satisfy Moses. He would know more, and so he says: “Yet Thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in My sight.” How lovely this is! All the personal confidence that God had in him he uses on behalf of the people. He presents his own cause first, and then he brings in the people.

“If I have found grace in Thy sight,” he pleads, “show me now Thy way, that I may know Thee, that I may find grace in Thy sight: and consider that this nation is Thy people.” He will not give up his love and desire for Israel. God might treat them as the people of Moses and say, “They are the people you have brought up; they are your people.” But Moses says, as it were, “Oh, no, they are Thine; and Thou art their only hope.” He will not be put off. And, speaking reverently, the Lord delighted to give in to Moses as He had to Jacob long before (Gen. 32:24-30).

How wonderful this all is! In Moses we see faith, hope and love in abundant measure. If the people were to be blessed, then those springs of blessing could only come from God.

Furthermore, Moses was not satisfied to be appointed of God to lead Israel, with an angel to go before; he wanted to know God’s way, not his, through the wilderness, that he might know Him. And as children of God, journeying through this wilderness world on our way to our heavenly Home, we too will want to know God’s way — there is none other for the Christian. We are called to follow in the path of the Lord Jesus, marked out for us in His Word.

How precious the Lord’s answer to Moses: “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” Comforted and encouraged by the Lord’s gracious condescension, Moses says, “If Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” Moses wand nothing apart from the people. In going out of the camp, it was that he might gather so much more of the blessing for the people that he had left behind.

Moses not only links the people with himself in the favor in which he stood before the Lord, but he goes further — he links them with God Himself. He say, “For wherein shall it be known here that I and Thy people have found grace in Thy sight? is it not in that Thou goest with us? So shall we be separated, I and Thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.”

The presence of the Lord is that which separates His people from all others. There are many of other nations who traveled the route from Egypt to Palestine, but what marked the children of Israel off from all the rest was the presence of the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night — Jehovah journeyed with His people.

And so it is with us, dear young believer, though in a much more blessed way. The Lord is journeying with His people across this desert world. May we enjoy His blessed presence more and more as we travel on day by day to our heavenly rest.

ML-03/14/1971

Two King Edwards

TWO VERY interesting little incents are supposed to have taken place in the lives of two of England’s kings both of whom were named Edward.

One day King Edward VI and some of his court attendants were assembled together, when one of them wanted something just out of his reach. Looking around for something to stand on, the attendant saw a large Bible — and carelessly laying it on the floor, he stepped on it, and reaching up he grasped hold of the thing he desired.

The King, not wanting to embarrass his attendant, said nothing, but instead, stooped down and picked up the Bible, kissed it, and laid it on a table. The King knew the value of the Book that he held and who was its Author; he did not want it to be despised.

King Edward VII lived three hundred years later. When he was a boy, his mother, Queen Victoria, gave him a little gospel paper. Years later, when he was dying, he remembered it and asked one of his attendants to find it for him. It was found and read to him, and God used its message to give him peace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ before he died.

How solemn it would be if the Bible only told us we were sinners doomed to eternal punishment by a holy God, if it did not tell us how that same God so loved us that He sent His only Son into the world to be our Saviour and to bring us back to Himself!

But instead, what a wonderful Book the Bible is, for it tells us of Jesus who died for us, who lives again in heaven, and who is coming back for all those who have been cleansed by His precious blood.

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

ML-03/14/1971

Peter the Stowaway

ONE cold gray morning a steamer set out from Liverpool, England, bound for New York. Captain Stirling watched his men as they busied themselves with their different tasks and thought of the cargo now safely stowed in the hold below. But he did not know of a boy hidden among the goods, for in the hold was a stowaway named Peter.

Peter was a boy about ten years of age, who some time ago had lost both his father and his mother. Left alone in the world, he had no one to care for him. At last he decided that perhaps if he could steal aboard some ship, and sail away to another land, he might find someone who would care for him. So early one morning he crept aboard the steamer, the “Polly Perkins,” and hid himself bind some large cases in the hold.

All went well until a terrible gale arose as the ship was sailing down the west coast of Wales. Huge waves dashed against the helpless steamer, tossing it about like a cork. Rain fell on the decks, and the wind howled through the broken rigging. Suddenly, when the storm was at its height, there was a crash. The boat had struck a rock.

As the water began to pour into the ship, Captain Stirling ordered his men to put on their lifebelts. Soon all the crew stood ready, and the order was given to jump overboard and swim for the shore as well as they could. Then having done all he could to make sure the men were safe, the captain put on his lifebelt and prepared to jump into the sea and swim to land. But he was amazed when he saw Peter, who, realizing his danger, had climbed up onto the deck. Peter was fearful and terrified as he looked into the captain’s face.

Without asking any questions, for no time could be lost, the brave captain unfastened his lifebelt and put it over the shoulders of the boy. “Never mind,” he said, “jump into the water and the waves will soon carry you to shore. I shall try to swim.” Then, squeezing Peter’s hand, the captain helped him to the side of the ship, and soon Peter was in the icy water.

Peter reached the shore in a very exhausted condition, but a loving fisherman and his wife took the boy home and cared for him as their own son. Captain Stirling was never heard of again. He had perished in the waters so that Peter might be saved. When Peter was told the sad message about the captain, his eyes filled with tears, as he said: “I love him so much — he gave his life for me.”

And I know of One, the Lord Jesus, who gave His life to save sinners from death and from eternal judgment. Have you ever told Him you love Him? He died as the Sin-bearer on that cruel cross of Calvary that we might be forgiven. Tell Him you are a sinner, and want to be saved. He will wash your sins away, and one day He will take you to heaven to be with Him forever.

“Our Saviour Jesus Christ... gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity.” Titus 2:13,14.

“Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24.

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

ML-03/21/1971

Jackie's Hymn

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.”

The children in Jackie’s class often sang this little hymn, and it was usually Jackie who asked for it, so the children called it “Jackie’s hymn.”

One week his seat was empty. Jackie had been knocked down by a car while out hiking. So seriously was he injured that he lived only a few hours, and all the children felt it very keenly as they looked at the empty seat.

His classmates were present at the funeral, and after the service was over they paused a moment and all stood together while they sang “Jackie’s hymn.” With bowed heads the relatives and friends listened to the sweet refrain, telling of God’s full and free salvation — free even to a “child of seven, or even three or four.”

The Lord Jesus said, “I am the door, by Me if any man enter in he shall be saved.” John 10:9.

ML-03/21/1971

The Main Line Train

There is a “railway” leads to God,

One grand main line, the price of blood.

’Twas built by love and sovereign grace,

To save a fallen human race.

The station’s near, the Master’s kind,

And no one need be left behind.

The porter too has cleared the way,

And “trains” are running night and day.

The passengers may book for heaven,

By faith in Christ, all sins forgiven.

The Lord Himself has paid the fare,

And takes the traveler safely there.

The Bible — guide to all who go,

Will tell you all you need to know,

Of dangers and of safety lights,

Of Christ, the Way, the Truth, the Life.

For all who take the “main line train,”

The heavenly land are sure to gain.

And myriads there in glory sing

The praise of Christ, the Lord and King.

No luggage may be taken there,

No sin or sorrow, cash or care.

And passengers rejoice to learn,

Just one way tickets — no return!

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

He is “bringing many sons unto glory,” (Heb. 2:10) to “An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” 1 Pet. 1:4.

ML-03/21/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 33:17-23

“AND the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in My sight, and I know thee by name. And he said, I beech Thee, show me Thy glory.”

The Lord’s goodness to Moses only produced in him the desire to know God more, for he said, “I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory.” And this is the effect of God’s grace on a soul, for to know Him is to want to know Him better.

Moses’ longing to see God’s glory was the effect of intimacy with the Lord. No doubt he felt that anything of man was so utterly ruined and hopeless, and his heart turned to the glory of God as something that was above all the ruin and sin of man. God rewarded him for wishing to know Him, by letting him see what no other man had seen.

Moses had learned a great deal about God during those forty days on the mount. He had seen the lovely pattern of the mercy seat above the ark with the cherubim stretching out their wings on high. It had taught him there was mercy in the heart of God to count on, so he felt encouraged to go to Him and plead for his people. He had perhaps also learned in the golden altar of incense that God would hear intercession for a people who could not have been able to speak to Him at all if He had not opened this way.

Moses asked to see His glory, but this was impossible yet. That waited the coming of a greater than Moses. The Son of God must go to Calvary’s cross, there accomplish redemption and glorify God as to the question of sin, before the glory of God could shine out.

The Lord would, however, grant Moses’ request as far as it was possible. He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before thee... Thou canst not see My face; for there shall no man see Me, and live... Behold, there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: and it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by: and I will take away Mine hand, and thou shalt see My back parts; but My face shall not be seen.”

What a privilege it was for Moses to have such an experience! How gracious of God to show His servant such grace! Yet how different the case of Moses from that of the believer. The believer looks back on the work of the cross as an accomplished thing, and now the glory of God shines in the face of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of sinners. With unveiled face we behold the glory of the Lord and are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Cor. 3:18). And that which fits us for that glory is the precious blood of Christ.

ML-03/21/1971

"The Well in the Desert"

“God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.” (Gen. 21:19).

When the water is spent in the pitcher,

And the outcast weeps alone,

Near at hand, in the desert land,

Is a fountain all unknown.

A fountain whose living waters,

From the springs of His love are fed.

Who numbers the stars of heaven,

And the hairs of the wanderer’s head.

He opens the eyes that were weeping,

That fountain of life they see;

It flowed from His side in the day that He died.

O, thirsting soul, for thee.

In the noon of the burning desert

That marvelous fount unsealed;

In the drought of the soul despairing

Christ, Christ revealed.

Christ for the wilderness journey;

Christ when the journey is past;

Christ the beginning and ending;

Christ the first and the last.

—Author Unknown

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.

He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them. Psalm 145:18-20.

ML-03/21/1971

A Hidden Treasure

THERE ONCE lived in the city of Lyons a lady who possessed what she thought was a great treasure in her old age.

She was very poor and while her husband lived, only by hard toil was he able to earn their daily bread. When he died, she was left childless, infirm and in great need.

She was forced to sell nearly everything she had and move to a very small room at the top of a house to spend the rest of her days. She was not without some knowledge of God, but knew very little about the Lord Jesus Christ and what He had done for us poor sinners.

One day she was sitting quietly in her little room when her eyes rested upon a wooden beam of her white-washed ceiling, and she noticed the outline of what might have been a square hole now covered up. She examined it more closely and thought to herself perhaps there is some treasure hidden there.

Perhaps some rich man had hidden his wealth there, and died before he had been able to remove it. She tapped it gently with her finger and the boards returned a hollow sound.

With beating heart she tried to remove the square door, and soon succeeded without much difficulty; but alas! instead of finding in the recess the silver and gold that she hoped for, she saw nothing but a damp, dirty, mouldy old book.

In her disappointment she was ready to put back the wooden door and leave the old book where it was, but on second thoughts she took it out to see if there were any valuable papers hidden between its leaves; but no, she found nothing but the book.

When she had recovered from her disappointment she began to wonder what book it could be that had been hidden away so carefully. It surely must be of some value. So she wiped the dust off the cover and began to read, and her eyes fell upon these words: “Therefore say I unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat and what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matt. 6:25.

These words to her seemed so sweet and precious that she read on and on during the day, and far into the night, almost forgetting to eat or sleep.

She began to see that she had indeed found a treasure. Her little room no longer looked so desolate, and her daily food did not seem so dry and tasteless, for she had a book that told her about the love of God and helped her to forget her poor surroundings.

She had the book cleaned and bound, and it became to her like meat and drink both day and night. Through it she learned to know the Lord Jesus as her own Saviour, and her heart was filled with joy at the prospect of going to be with Him.

Now do you know that you may have a book on your shelf exactly like this lady’s book, for it was a Bible, and if you read it carefully, as she did, it may make you as happy as she was. Oh that it might be so!

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” Jer. 15:16.

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

ML-03/28/1971

"In Everything Give Thanks"

Thank God for His mercies, for blessings like these,

The grain from the fields, and the fruit from the trees.

“The Lord is so good!” We’ll praise Him, each one,

For all that He is and for all He has done.

“We’ll thank Him,” said Daddy, “for liberties dear,

So that we can worship the Lord without fear.

“And thank Him we must for the gift of His love,

The Saviour of sinners sent down from above.”

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Eph. 5:20

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift

2 Cor. 9:15

Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise... unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. Psalm 147:7,8.

TWO little eyes to look to God,

Two little ears to hear His Word,

Two little feet to walk His ways,

Two hands to work for Him all my days.

One little tongue to speak His truth,

One little heart for Him now in my youth,

Take them, Lord Jesus, and let them be,

Always obedient and true to Thee.

ML-03/28/1971

Talks on Bible Animals

IN the Bible, animals as well as men are used to teach us some gospel lessons.

THE LION. King of beasts, and monarch of the forest, unfettered and untamed, he roves and roars, ever “seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). The Bible tells us that such is “our adversary the devil.” He spares none who come within his grasp. He even attacked the Son of God when in the wilderness, but on Him he left no mark. He tempts, trips, and seeks to get the young into his “snare,” that he may bring them under his “condemnation” (1 Tim. 3:6). The only way to escape his wiles, and to be delivered from his “power” (Col. 1:13) is to be “in Christ.” Safe and secure are all who are “born of God” from his touch (1 John 5:18), but the whole world of the unconverted, he “deceives” (Rev. 20:10).

THE BEAR. Found in the valleys of Judah and the ravines of Galilee, the Syrian bear is a destroyer of the sheep and the lambs of the flock. You remember that while David kept his father’s sheep near Bethlehem, a bear, as well as a lion, seized a lamb of his flock (1 Sam. 17:34) which he delivered from its cruel grasp. The bear hugs its prey to death. In this it is like the world. When the cruel world, and the lusts thereof, get a grip on the young, stepping out into life, very soon the desire for all that is of God, is crushed out. But as David delivered his lamb out of the mouth of the bear, and restored it to the green pastures, so Christ, the Good Shepherd, rescues and brings back to Himself all who trust in Him.

THE LEOPARD. Spotted all over, it cannot change its color (Jer. 13:23) or its nature. In this it is like a sinner, born in sin, with an evil nature, which can neither be renewed nor reformed. This is why it is said, “Ye must be born again.” John 3:7.

THE ASS. The ass, unclean and unbridled, is like the sinner by nature and practice (Job 11:12; 24:5). Its firstling had either to be redeemed by a lamb, or have its neck broken. So it must be with us redemption or condemnation.

ML-03/28/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 34:1-27

GOD had said to Moses, “And it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover thee with My hand while I pass by: and I will take away Mine hand, and thou shalt see My back parts; but My face shall not be seen.” Exo. 33:22,23.

Dear young Christian, we may not always understand God’s ways in the trials He may allow us to pass through, but in it all we are safe in His hand, and how good to know and feel that the “Rock” is under our feet. We cannot always trace Him, but we can trust Him.

Then the “afterward” of each trial is blessed indeed — we see His “back parts.” May we always trust His long hand, for He will never send a trial or sorrow except for our good.

God then told Moses to make two new tables of stone, like the first two that he had broken, and to come up into the mount again the next morning. Moses did so, but he did not bring these second tables of stone into the camp. When the tabernacle was built he put them into the ark type of Christ. There the holy commandments of God were in safe keeping. He could say, “Thy law is within My heart.”

“And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth...” This was the character of the new covenant God made with His people in order to bring them into the promised land. Under pure law and left to their own responsibility they had already forfeited everything through their sin. But now it is a mixture of grace and law.

However, we must not suppose that this proclamation of divine goodness here is the gospel. They make a great mistake who in this sense quote “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin,” and stop there. God did not stop there, for He adds, “and by no means clearing the guilty,...” — this awaited the glorious and perfect work of redemption the Lord Jesus would accomplish on the Cross.

The Lord proclaimed His name as Jehovah in His relationship with Israel, but this was not the revelation of the Father which we as His children now enjoy. This proclamation of His name characterized His dealings with Israel all the way from Sinai until the death of Christ. In contrast how sweet the words of the blessed Lord: “I have declared unto them Thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith Thou Nast loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:26.

God then told Moses He would bring the people into the land (in grace) but warned them they were to walk in separation from the people of Canaan and must not make any covenants with them.

When they entered the land they were to appear before the Lord three times a year. While they went up to keep those feasts they might have feared that the enemy would come and possess their land, but God would watch and keep any one from even wanting it. What an encouragement, for He will do the same for us now. If we put Him first He will take care of our interests. He is too rich to be any one’s debtor. He loves to take care of His own while they lay up treasures in heaven.

“THEIR SINS AND THEIR INIQUIES WILL I REMEMBER NO MORE.” Heb. 8:12.

ML-03/28/1971

After Many Days: The Story of Joe Braley

MR. RUSSELL was an evangelist and a capital open-air speaker. He had a powerful musical voice which on a quiet evening could be heard half a mile away.

In that neighborhood lived Joe Braley, a big tough fellow with an unenviable reputation. He was often in prison for poaching, stealing, beating his wife, and was nearly always “wanted” by the police.

Having “spotted” a house for his midnight work, he was making his way along the river bank, with his bag of tools. Suddenly a distant voice fell on his ears. Out of curiosity he followed the sound until he found himself on the outskirts of a crowd listening to the earnest words of the gospel.

An hour later when the preacher was sitting at supper, a knock was heard at the door; it was Joe Braley to see Mr. Russell. Poor timid Mrs. Russell followed her husband quietly to the door. There stood a dirty figure, and a gruff voice asked, “Are you Mr. Russell?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Do you know me?”

“Yes, Joe, I do.”

“I want you to come for a walk with me.”

Poor Mrs. Russell pleaded with her husband not to venture out at that late hour into the dark night. But it was in vain.

Together the preacher and poacher walked in silence, Mr. Russell wondering what could be Joe’s errand. On, on, until out of town and up a lonely lane, then Joe came to a sudden halt.

“You know what my life has been,” he began, “I started out along the river bank intending to break into a house this evening when a voice fell on my ears. Scarcely knowing what I did, I came to a crowd and heard you preaching. I found out your name and address, and now I want to know if all that you said is true.”

“Yes, Joe, every word.”

“Then do you think there is any hope for me? Can Jesus save such a sinner as I am?”

“Yes, Joe; I have no doubt about it whatever, seeing He can save to the uttermost.”

“Yes, but you don’t know all my life. There is hardly a sin under the sun I haven’t committed; these hands were stained with blood. Can there be mercy for such a deep-dyed sinner?”

“Yes, Joe; the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” I John 1:7.

“Then I want you to see me bury these things, and kneel with me upon their grave.”

Cutting the turf carefully he dug a hole in the ground, and there deposited his revolver, his jimmy, his skeleton keys and other various house-breaking tools. Then treading down the earth, he re-laid the turf and then he and the preacher knelt in the darkness, crying to God for mercy. They arose from prayer, Joe said good-bye to Mr. Russell, and was no more heard of in that neighborhood. What happened to him was a secret; if he was alive, it was evident he had put distance between himself and his old companions as his only chance of a better life.

In the years that followed Mr. Russell often told to his children, growing up around him, the tale of his midnight adventure, and wondered what had become of Joe.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

“Therefore 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. 5:17,18.

(To be continued next week, D.V.)

ML-04/04/1971

To Our Dear Answerers:

Another year for our Bible Questions is drawing to a close. The April Questions will complete the 1970-71 term.

We wish to thank all who have answered over the past months for your diligence, and we wish for you the Lord’s richest blessing through searching His blessed Word, in this way.

We hope you will continue with us as we begin another year in May. We hope too that others will join; perhaps some new little readers will answer for the first time. God will turn to eternal profit the reading of His precious Word, for “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that... keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Rev. 1:3.

We will print a list of the names of those who have answered three times or more in Messages of the Love of God for June 13. This list will be prepared for printing the first week of May so please complete your answers and mail them to us by April 30.

However, some of you live far away and the papers may have been late in arriving. Complete all your answers and mail them as soon as you can, for you will still receive full credit and a reward, even though your name might not appear in the paper.

Rewards will be mailed, the Lord willing, the first week in June. Only those who answered three times will receive a reward; but try for a perfect record and get a FIRST.

Be sure to sign your name and address, etc., on your Answer sheet. Some have failed to do this, and we have no way of telling to whom these belong.

He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names. Psalm 147:4.

ML-04/04/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 34:28,29

FOR THE second time Moses was in the mount with God forty days and forty nights, during which time he neither ate bread nor drank water. He was above nature, sustained by God, so occupied with Him and His Word that he wanted nothing else. Then it was God gave him the second tables of stone, upon which were written the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

It is helpful to notice that God had said to Moses, “I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.” The new covenant had been made with Moses as mediator and Israel were dependent upon him as such. Actually Israel never were under the first covenant at Sinai, for Moses had broken those first tables of stone bore they entered the camp. Thus Israel never entered the land under the first covenant, which was pure law and which they had broken. But it was through the mediation of Moses that they were able to enter in. Now they were put back under law but God added to it His grace, His goodness and long-suffering.

How many Christians today are like Israel of old. They do not know the fullness of the grace into which they have been brought through the death and resurrection of Christ, and so they put themselves under law as a rule of life. May we enter into the blessed truth that we are free from the law through the death of Christ, that He alone is the rule of life for the Christian now, and that it is His love that constrains us to follow Him.

When Moses came down from the mount the second time his face shone though he knew it not. He had been in the presence of the Lord and some of the reflection of that glory rained. When the Lord Jesus was on the mount of transfiguration we read that “His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.” Matt. 17:2. But in His case it was the shining forth of His own glory, whereas with Moses it was the reflection of Jehovah’s glory.

Furthermore, Moses was all alone, on the mount before God, whereas the Lord Jesus had taken Peter, James and John on the mountain top with Him — He was One who could take others with Him into that same glory. Soon He is going to bring all His redeemed ones, those who will be the objects of His love forever, into that bright glory into which He has already entered. There is the glory that we shall behold, and the glory that we shall share. (John 17:24,22).

O what a blessed future awaits the child of God — glory with Christ above! Dear young Christian, let us seek grace to go on with the Lord day by day. The wilderness with all its trials and temptations shall soon be behind us forever, and we shall enter into the inexpressible joy of our Saviour’s presence.

ML-04/04/1971

Baby Ben's Sermon

IT WAS Sunday morning and the children had been up learning their text, which for that day was, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” 1 John 4:11.

After breakfast Nancy and Frank got to quarreling. And what do you think it was all about? Why, who should carry the basketball downstairs out into the back yard.

Nancy wanted it because she thought of it first, and Frank wanted it because he was the oldest.

“You’re a selfish boy,” said Nancy, “and I’ll just tell Daddy how mean you are.”

“And I’ll tell Mommy I wish she’d sell you to somebody,” returned Frank.

“I don’t love you one bit,” said Nancy.

“And who wants you to?” asked Frank.

So the naughty quarrelsome children went on from bad to worse, sang all kinds of nasty things to one another — things they were ashamed of Afterward.

All this time baby Ben was coming downstairs behind them. Slowly, one foot at a time, holding fast to the banister with both his fat small hands, the little man made his way; wider and wider opened his big blue eyes, more and more surprised he looked, as he heard the angry words.

At the bottom of the stairs there was a tug-of-war. Frank was trying hard to get the ball away from Nan-

cy, and she was pulling his hair, when the baby stopped on the lowest stair and preached his little sermon to them.

“Ittle chillen,” he said, “love one anodder.”

That was all he said. Nancy dropped her hands, her face flushed, then at last she said, “Here, Frank, you can have the ball. I want to be kind.”

“So do I,” said Frank. “You can have the first toss, Nancy. I’m — I’m very sorry I was so angry.”

The two children went off to the back yard, now friends, and ashamed. Little Ben curled himself up in Daddy’s big chair and there they found him, fast asleep with his thumb in his mouth.

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” 1 John 4:10,11.

Memory Verse “THE FEAR OF MAN BRINGETH A SNARE: BUT WHOSO PUTTETH HIS TRUST IN THE LORD SHALL BE SAFE.” PROV. 29:25.

ML-04/04/1971

Little Emily

NOT LONG AGO, little Emily, about ten years of age, was coming home from the Sunday School. She walked along slowly, her young heart heavy at the thought of the miserable home to which she was going; for she felt as if she had left all the sunshine of her life behind her when she said good-bye to her class and her beloved teacher. She was wondering, poor child, whether, when she reached home, she should find her father there, grumbling and swearing, as was too often the case.

It was not only poverty which made Emily’s home wretched. Her father was a drunkard, and her sick mother was heartbroken, as she saw her children going about hungry and barefoot, while the money which her husband earned was spent on drink.

As little Emily entered the front room of a poor house in one of the back streets, she found her father sitting beside the fire in silence. For a wonder, he was sober. She touched him on the shoulder, and said, “Daddy!”

“Well!” he said roughly.

“Shall I sing to you? We sang such a sweet little hymn this afternoon at Sunday School; I am so fond of it.”

“If you like,” replied her father, his face softening a little; for Emily was his eldest child, and had once been his pet. He knew that she was a brave little girl, and a great help to her poor sick mother. Degraded as he was, he loved his wile and children, and often cursed the enemy from whose cruel bondage he had no power to free himself. Some such thoughts were in his mind as the child stood beside him, and sang in her clear young voice this hymn, which is such a favorite with children:

“If I come to Jesus, He will make me glad;

He will give me pleasure when my heart is sad;

If I come to Jesus happy I shall be,

He is gently calling little ones like me.”

Emily sang this first verse, and then said gently, “Daddy, wouldn’t you like the Lord Jesus to call you too?”

“Call me?” he said, looking at her in surprise. “No fear, Em. The Lord won’t call a wicked drunkard like me. He might call a little girl like you, but not such a one as me. No, I’m too bad for Him!”

“But, Daddy,” said the child, “the Lord Jesus just came for that — to die and save wicked sinners: besides, look here,” and she pulled out of her pocket a little text card, “just you read what it says here, Daddy; read it with me.”

Father and child read slowly tether the blessed words: “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.

“See,” said Emily, eagerly pointing to the words, “It’s ‘whosoever,” Day, ‘whosoever'! Do you see what it says?”

“Yes, I see, Emmie.”

“But what does ‘whosoever’ mean, Daddy?”

“It means anybody, of course.”

“Then it’s not only a little girl like me that the Lord Jesus is calling, is it?”

“You are right,” said her father, slowly; “yes, you are right, and I am wrong, Em. But then I never saw those words before — let’s look at them again.” And once more they went over the text together.

Here the child felt puzzled. What should she say next? She could not tell, though in her heart she knew what she longed for for her poor father — even that he too should “come to Jesus,” and be “made glad.”

Many a time had the poor drunkard tried to drown any feelings of remorse which might come to him by drinking more deeply than bore; but now his heart was touched by the thought of God’s love, his conscience was awakened to the sense of his sin and misery, and, as he went about from day to day, a depressed and unhappy but a sober man, his little daughter wondered at the change, and whispered to her mother that she believed God was going to make her father good. At last Emily told her teacher how unhappy her father looked. She came to see him, and found him in deep anxiety of soul, asking from the depths of his heart, “What must I do to be saved?”

At last, simply as a little child, he came to the blessed Saviour of the lost. Not only did he find forgiveness, but he was delivered from the slavery of sin. He found that the Lord Jesus is “able to save to the uttermost all who come to God by Him.”

Memory Verse “I WILL SURELY DELIVER THEE,... BECAUSE THOU HAST PUT THY TRUST IN ME, SAITH THE LORD.” JER. 39:18.

ML-04/11/1971

David and the Snake

MANY years ago the missionary David Brainerd, decided to take the gospel to a fierce Indian tribe in New Jersey. He arrived in the evening and put up his tent near to their settlement. In the morning he would go into their camp. What he did not know was that the Indians had heard he was coming and were even now watching him. A party of warriors went out to kill him.

As they came near they saw he was on his knees. They also saw a huge rattlesnake creeping up toward him. It got right beside him and raised its head as if to strike. Then, all at once, it glided swiftly away. “The Great Spirit is with him,” they cried. The next morning he received a wonderful welcome when he reached the Indian village.

The Bible tells us that “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” Psa. 34:7. It was so with David Brainerd and it is true of any child who puts his trust in the Lord Jesus today.

ML-04/11/1971

After Many Days: The Story of Joe Braley

(Continued from last week)

‘THIRTY YEARS passed and it was I the Sunday School Centenary celebrations. At Bradford 30,000 Sunday school children, besides thousands of parents and friends, met on that occasion.

Mr. Russell, now an aged man, was present with his family. A well-built and neatly dressed gentleman gripped his hand. “Why, Mr. Russell, I am delighted to see you,” he exclaimed.

“I can’t place you, my friend,” returned Mr. Russell.

“Don’t you know me? I know you.

Why, I’d know you 100 years from now. Don’t you remember Joe Braley?”

“You’re not Joe Braley, are you?” exclaimed the old evangelist in joyful surprise.

“I am; but, praise God, I’m not Joe Braley as you knew him. I love the Lord now, and I have been preaching His gospel for years.” Then, turning to a happy-looking little lady at his side, he went on, “This is Mrs. Braley. She also loves the Lord; and my three daughters here are all believers. Forget you? Never! We must ever praise God that we know you.”

Among the glad hearts that returned from that large gathering, we venture to believe that not one thrilled with truer joy than did that of James Russell, this old servant of God, as he told the tale of the long lost one now found, and testified once more to the truth of God’s unfailing promise: “Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.” Eccl. 11:1.

ML-04/11/1971

Genie's Early Love to Jesus

GENIE was just a little girl but the Saviour’s love had won her heart and she wished to confess her faith in Him before others. One of the Sunday School teachers said, “When do you think you began to love the Lord Jesus, Genie?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” she replied with a tear in her eye; “but I think it was when I began to love my mother.”

Why not? Little children in Christian homes and Sunday school classes should drink in love to Christ in the very atmosphere of home and Sunday school.

ML-04/11/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 34:30-35

WHEN MOSES came down from the mount, after those forty days alone in communion with God, his face shone with the reflection of the glory of Jehovah’s presence. His face did not shine when he was up in the mount the first time, for then it was pure law, and the law never made any one’s face to shine.

But now the second time it was not pure law but the grace and goodness of God mingled with it. Occupation with God and His Word caused Moses’ face to shine, though he was not aware of it himself. If we too are occupied with Christ and the glory of God’s grace which now shines in Jesus’ face, our faces will shine too. We may not be aware of it, but others will not fail to see it.

However when Aaron and the children of Israel saw the face of Moses shine, they were afraid to come near to him. They were afraid of the glory that brought God down to them and they could not bear to be in His holy presence. They felt no doubt as Adam did, when he hid himself in the trees of the garden because he heard the voice of God. There was nothing in their hearts that appreciated that glory, so they wished to keep away from it. That glory demanded holiness and obedience, and they did not like to be holy and obedient.

How blessed to know that Jesus the Son of God, who came into this world to save sinners, came out of the glory of God, that He might take away all fear out of our hearts, and teach us that the God of glory loved poor sinners. If we were to look up at that bright glory now we should see a Saviour in the midst of it, and we should be able to say what by faith all the children of God can say, that is, that there is a Man in the glory who has put all our sins away.

When Moses spoke to the children of Israel he put a veil upon his face. They were afraid because they knew they were sinners and could not stand before him from whose presence Moses had come. This was the effect of the law, which the apostle speaks of as “the ministry of death,” or “the ministration of condemnation” (2 Cor. 3). But when Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he took the veil off.

How wonderful that now all is changed for the Christian, since the Lord Jesus has died and gone back into the glory of God. Moses before God without the veil on his face is now the position of the Christian through grace. Instead of fearing, we rejoice as we behold the glory in the face of Jesus Christ at the right hand of. God, because His presence there is a proof that He has accomplished redemption, that our sins, all that stood against us before God, are gone, and gone forever. The rays of that glory which once searched out and showed our sin, now only show how perfect is the work of Christ, whose precious blood has cleansed all those sins away. The believer is “clean every whit,” and now rejoices to stand in the presence of Him who has washed him whiter than snow.

How precious this truth is! We shall never be more perfect in heaven than we are now. “As is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.” 1 Cor. 15:49. By and by we shall bear the image of the heavenly One. “We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2.

ML-04/11/1971

A Hockey Player's Conversion

REG, as a boy grew up in Toronto. He cannot remember when he learned to skate. But in that city of sports, hockey had become almost his year-round game. While still in his teens Reg’s aggressiveness attracted the professional scouts on their lookout for young talent. He played semi-professional hockey and later became a professional.

In 1955 Reg married a young lady whose parents were devout Christians and indirectly Reg came under the influence of the gospel. He was deeply impressed with the godly consistent lives of the Greers and admitted that “being saved” was not like any religion he had ever known.

When his wife first became a Christian Reg showed signs of concern, but his attendance at meetings could only be spasmodic as he was fully occupied as a hockey player. At times he expressed a desire to be saved and never failed to show respect toward Christian people.

During the training camp for the 1968-69 hockey season Reg had the best record in camp. He felt certain of a good year ahead even though he was now thirty-four years of age. As the season opened he lifted the paper one day and learned he had been traded. This came as a shock so rather than move he reluctantly resigned and took another position.

For the first time in his life Reg had evenings free and attended special gospel services every night. He became so troubled that at the risk of being dismissed from college he came to meetings rather than attend night classes.

One Saturday afternoon a friend spent two to three hours with him going over the Holy Scriptures. He went back to a gospel meeting where he wept like a child. Some who know of his rough handling of other players on the ice could hardly believe their eyes when they saw this powerfully built athlete weeping in a gospel meeting. He could see he was lost and going to hell and nothing else mattered to him. Reading Isaiah 53:6 he could see he was a lost sheep that had gone astray. “All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isa. 53:6.

Reg knew he had turned to his own way but could not believe that the last part of the verse really was for him. How could he ever know that God had laid his sins on the Lord Jesus?

He despaired of ever being saved and threatened not to go back to the meetings but Sunday afternoon he began to get ready for meeting as usual. As he was shaving he felt further from salvation than at any time in his life. He had learned the bitterness of being lost. Suddenly the closing words of Isaiah 53:6 flashed into his mind. He saw if he was in the first all, “All we like sheep have gone astray,” then he must be in the last all: “And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” In that moment he believed that Christ bore his sins on the cross.

At the end of the meeting that night as he went out the door a look of peace and joy was on his face. The speaker ventured to ask him if he was saved. He had told no one yet but could hold it no longer, and said: “Well, all I have is that Christ bore my sins.” He was assured that no one else had more than that. A sinner needs no more.

“This is all my boast and plea, Jesus died for me.”

The Gospel Monthly

ML-04/18/1971

Two Pockets and a Hanky: A Little Extra

A SMALL girl was going on a long journey with her parents who were missionaries. Just before they left home a kind friend gave the little girl a doll to cuddle along the way. Her eyes grew round with delight as she held it in her arms. She had other dolls, but there was something extra about this one, which kept her happy all the way.

This friend had taken a special interest in dressing it. She had carefully stitched two little pockets in the little dress, and had put a tiny hanky in one! Only a little thing! Yes, but it was just a little extra bit of love put in that means so much to a little girl!

Have you ever thought of how many of God’s extras you are enjoying. You may think of how He has given His all in sending His dear Son down into this world to die on Calvary’s cross to save us from our sins — Have you accepted that wonderful gift of love? But He goes on giving us “extras” every day — the love of father and mother, sisters and brothers perhaps, the joy of friends, health, and games, the birds, animals, flowers, trees, the beautiful sunsets. All these are the expression of God’s overflowing love?

ML-04/18/1971

A Little Extra Kindness

IN THE old city of Jerusalem, long ago, underneath the king’s palace was a storeroom where all sorts of cast off clothes and rubbish were kept. One day one of the king’s Ethiopian servants, Ebed-Melech, might have been seen rummaging among the rubbish picking out some old soft rags.

It so happened that at this time the prophet Jeremiah was confined in a foul dungeon. He had faithfully delivered God’s message to the King and his people, but they refused His word and some of them persecuted His servant. God, however, was watching over Jeremiah, as He always does those who trust Him. Jeremiah had a friend in Ebed-melech and God was going to use him in Jeremiah’s deliverance.

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will"; so we read in Proverbs 21:1. The king told Ebed-melech to take thirty men and to get Jeremiah up out of the dungeon, before he died.

Perhaps one might have asked Ebed-melech, “Why all those old rags? All you need is some rope.” But we can imagine the tender look on the dear black man’s face, as he thought: “My old friend has suffered much and is weak. I hope to make it a little less painful for him when we pull him up.”

So he took the rope and the soft rags to the foul-smelling dungeon where Jeremiah was kept. “Put these old rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords,” he called down to Jeremiah. Jeremiah did so, and was drawn up out of the dungeon, into the light of day. From then on he rained in the prison court.

We love this story. How touching it is! God thought it worthy to record Ebed-melech’s kindness in His Book. He takes notice of any little kindness done to His own. You can read this story for yourself in Jeremiah 38. Then in Jeremiah 39:15-18 you can read of God’s promise to care for and bless Ebed-melech. “For I will surely deliver thee, ... because thou hast put thy trust in Me, saith the Lord.” v. 18.

“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Matt. 25:40.

ML-04/18/1971

Bible Talks

Exodus 35-40

THIS LAST section of the book tells how the people gladly responded to the directions God gave Moses as to building the tabernacle. If God had dealt with them according to the covenant which they had voluntarily entered into and quickly broken, then their history would have ended in judgment. But Moses interceded for them and God in His grace and mercy spared them.

Now we see their zeal as they work together in the construction and service of the tabernacle. But first of all God tells them they were to work only six days, for the seventh was to be “a sabbath of rest unto the Lord.” Whatever the work of the Lord might be, He will ever remind us that His rest remains for His people.

The call then goes out telling of the Lord’s desire to receive from His people an offering of materials, whether useful and ornamental, common or costly, for the making of the tabernacle. Their eager readiness is shown in that “They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold.... And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers’ skins, brought them.... And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.... And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate; and spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.”

Also the Lord called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and filled them “with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in scarlet, and in fine linen.” These men must have loved the Lord and doubtless that is one of the reasons why God chose them and gave them wisdom to serve Him. He also gave them ability to teach others, and so what a lovely picture we have here of these workers, called of God, to be used of Him for His own glory, in the carrying out of His mind and will.

Surely this is a pattern for us, as it is for the people of God in all dispensations, so that we can find much encouragement, dear young Christian, in these scriptures. The Lord has a work for each of us to do, and He will give the wisdom and strength for it. How lovely it is to see believers happily working tether in the service of the Lord, seeking to please and glorify Him.

Chapter 36 shows us the chosen workmen engaged in their assigned tasks, and even begging Moses to check the over-abundant supplies the people were bringing in. Moses inspected all the work and ten times in chapter 39 we read it was done “as the Lord commanded,” then he blessed them.

We have the Word of God to guide us just “as the Lord commanded,” and now He is writing in His Book above as to how we are carrying out the “pattern” He has given us. Alas, we must all confess how we have failed, but there is a day coming when every believer will be just like our Pattern — just like Christ.

At last the work was finished and the tabernacle set up. Then the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, so that Moses could not enter in because of the cloud of glory that dwelt there. God had found at last a dwelling-place in the midst of His people redeemed from Egypt. And He deigned to journey with them, for the cloud by day and the fire by night was ever the token of His presence before Israel. “Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.” Psa. 144:15.

Memory Verse “THE SON OF MAN HATH POWER UPON EARTH TO FORGIVE SINS.” Luke 5:24

ML-04/18/1971

A Fight With a Shark

ANDREW HEYNS, of Cape Coast, Africa, was awarded a medal by King George for a very heroic deed.

His young nephew, John, was swimming in Mossel Bay. So thoroughly was he enjoying himself that he forgot there could be any danger in those waters.

Andrew was standing on shore, when to his awful dismay he saw the fin of a huge shark knifing through the waves and making for the boy. Without thinking twice he plunged into the water in hope of helping his nephew, though he knew it might mean death for both of them.

His long powerful strokes soon brought him to within reach of John and immediately he began to pull him to shore. The shark had disappeared temporarily, but again its terrible shape was seen making towards them. It had already severely bitten the boy’s left leg, and this time it took hold of his right foot.

Andrew pulled and struggled to liberate John in the faint hope of saving his life. With one last effort he succeeded, but John’s right foot and ankle were badly mangled. The shark disappeared beneath the waves, and the two made for shore. John had been conscious through it all, but when brought to shore he lapsed into unconsciousness and was taken to a hospital.

Dear young reader, have you ever seen the seriousness of your case, exposed as you are to even greater danger than John? What danger is that, you ask? The power of sin, lung, deceiving, and at last capturing its victim! “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin,” the Lord Jesu’s said (John 8:34), and “the wages of sin is death.” (Rom. 6:32).

That monster shark brought terror and death. So does sin. It fills us with profound horror to think of this great monster, sin, dragging down its victims. Sin condemns us now. “He that believeth not is condemned already.” John 3:36; and if you are unforgiven upon earth it will bring you into eternal condemnation, for “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Heb. 9:27. Such is one’s peril if out of Christ.

But the glad note of the gospel brings this message, “Unto you is born a Saviour.” Luke 2:11: “Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21.

The Lord Jesus saw us in our desperate heed, and of His own voluntary will He came from heaven to rescue perishing sons of men. Not merely did He risk His life, but He gave His life a ransom for us (1 Tim. 2:6).

Listen again to the most wonderful words ever spoken: “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.

John did nothing to save himself. He could not. He simply allowed his savior to do it all.

Such is God’s way of salvation. To strive to earn salvation and heaven is only an insult to the work of Christ. Just rest in simple faith on His almighty arms of love as He whispers to you, “I give unto [My sheep] eternal life, and they shall never perish.”

ML-04/25/1971

Sambo's Friend

A MAN had some Chinese hens and roosters. For some unknown reason, several of the young hens would often behave in a naughty way towards one of the old ones.

There was an old dog next door named Sambo who liked to visit the hens. Every time he came near, the old hen would take refuge on Sambo’s back. The dog, looking as grave as a judge, would never bark at the noisy young hens who made such a cackling at his feet. He would never allow one of them to fly up, and disturb his old friend. He was truly a friend in need, and the old hen just loved him!

But there is another Friend in heaven, and He is better than any friend on earth. He is the dear Lord Jesus. He is the best Friend that a boy or girl can ever have. Is He your Friend? He will never forsake one who trusts in Him.

“There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Prov. 18:24.

Memory Verse “WHEN JESUS SAW THEIR FAITH, HE SAID..., SON, THY SINS BE FORGIVEN THEE.” Mark 2:5

Hear Him, speak the word of pardon;

Trust in Him who died;

And thy heart shall lose its burden

By His side.

ML-04/25/1971

The Voice of the Tempter

IT WAS A brisk wintry morning and Nellie, kissing Mother good-by, started off quite gaily for school. “Don’t go on the ice, Nellie dear,” warned Mother; “it’s not safe.” Nellie nodded her head and waved her hand by way of response and hurried over the crisp snow.

The road skirted a small lake and Nellie could see several of her school friends sliding on the ice.

“Come on, Nell,” shouted one, but Nellie remembered her mother’s warning and shook her head.

“Huh, coward eh? Afraid the ice will break!” taunted another girl. “If it holds us, it will hold you!”

This was the voice of the tempter, and if poor little Nellie had been wise she would not have taken any notice and gone on her way. But, foolish girl, to show that she was no coward, she jumped on the ice, and thought herself brave for doing so.

Her triumph was short-lived, hover, for while she was showing her bravery by sliding along in front of her friends, she did not notice a crack ahead. A moment later the ice gave way and poor Nellie plunged into the freezing water. Her cries of distress brought three men, working nearby, hurrying to her rescue. With great difficulty they got her out, soaked and shivering with cold. Wrapping her in one of their overcoats they carried her home, a much ashamed, humbled little girl.

Nellie never forgot that morning’s disobedience. She learned what sorrow comes from listening to the tempter’s voice, like Eve of old in the Garden of Eden. But she is a Christian girl now. She has trusted the Lord Jesus as her Saviour; she has a new life, and power to overcome temptation, and lives to please her Saviour. Still she is often warned by the remembrance of that incident in her schooldays not to take one step off the narrow pathway of obedience to the Lord, into those forbidden paths which may seem pleasant but only end in sorrow and dishonor.

By fair promises, and by fear of reproach, Satan seeks to lead the sinner down to death and hell, and the Christian to sorrow and shame. Bare, dear reader, lest he lead you astray, by disobedience to God’s word.

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

ML-04/25/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 1:1

WE NOW come to the book of Leviticus and the offerings, those wonderful “shadows of good things to come.” As we approach this portion of Scripture, we do well to remember the Lord’s words to Moses at the burning bush (Ex. 3:1-5); “put off thy shoes from off thy feet; for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.”

These offerings set forth in a most blessed way the Person and work of God’s dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as some of the blessings that have come to us through what He has done.

At the close of Exodus, when the tabernacle was at last set up, we read that “the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” Here in the first verse of our chapter it says, “The Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle...” It is not from the midst of the thunders of Sinai that He speaks, but it is from out of the glory that He tells us of the personal glories of Christ and His work, of how sinners such as we are can be made fit to dwell in that same glory with Him.

Leviticus gives us four main offerings: the burnt offering, the meat offering, the peace offering, and the sin offering. In Hebrews 10:5,6 these are all brought together: “Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice (the peace offering) and offering (the meat offering) Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me: in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin (the sin offering) Thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come... to do Thy will, O God.”

If asked, Why did Christ come into this world, perhaps one might answer, To save us from our sins. This would be true, but it was not His first object. His first object was to do the will of God, to glorify Him in a scene which He had created but which had been ruined by man’s sin and disobedience, a scene where death reigned and Satan, the enemy, held sway. It was God’s will that He should go into death and redeem all those whom the Father had given to Him in that past eternity, and to restore all back to God. Therefore He could say, “Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God.”

On that dark night when Judas went out to betray Him He could say, “Now is the Son of man gloried, and God is glorified in Him.” John 13:31. He “through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God.” Heb. 10:14.

Again, in John 10:17 He said, “Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again.” No one took that life from Him. He was the only One who had a right to life, to blessing and glory as a man on earth, yet He laid down His life, not merely for the sake of the sheep, but to glorify God in the matter of death on account of sin — our sin.

Thus the Spirit of God does not begin with the sinner and his need, but with Christ. He would have us learn something of how precious Christ is to God, and of the infinite value of that death in which He has so fully glorified Him. Twice when that blessed One was here on earth, the heavens opened upon Him; and we hear the Father’s voice saying, “Thou art My beloved Son, in whom is all My delight.”

ML-04/25/1971

The Story of Johanna

(Continued from the February 28 issue)

Johanna later became a nurse, and went to Scotland to live. She lives there today, is married, and has twin daughters. She has proved the love of the Lord Jesus over and over again, and knows that He will always be her dearest Friend, the Friend “that sticketh closer than a brother.”

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

ML-04/25/1971

The "Forgotten" Bible

MR. MEYER, a Christian man from West Germany, was visiting in Communist Russia about two years ago. His visit was over now, and he planned to make last-minute reservations for the return trip to Germany.

Standing on a downtown curb in a large Russian city, Mr. Meyer wondered which direction he should take to go home, for he was unfamiliar with the place. He looked across the street where a cheerful-looking traffic policeman was directing traffic. The thought entered his mind, “Why not ask the policeman the way to the travel office.”

The next moment, Mr. Meyer had crossed to the officer’s side. Above the noise of traffic he shouted his inquiry. The policeman, hearing Mr. Meyer’s heavy German accent, turned to him in delighted surprise. “I learned some German in World War II,” said the policeman. “It would be wonderful if you and I could get together and talk in German, for I would like to practice it again. In a few minutes it will be my lunch hour, and then you and I can go over to that restaurant and have a chat.” Mr. Meyer agreed, and in a few minutes the two men were happily chatting over a cup of coffee.

The two men had a long chat, but all the while Mr. Meyer wished that he could tell the friendly policeman about his Saviour. He prayed to the Lord to tell him what he should do, for he knew that if he talked about the Lord he might easily be turned over to the Russian secret police. Then any future visits to Russia would be impossible.

Suddenly Mr. Meyer felt that he had the answer. In his briefcase he had two Bibles — one in Romanian and one in German. In the middle of their conversation he somewhat absent-mindedly opened his briefcase and removed the German Bible. He knew it was safe to display it, for visitors to Russia are permitted to keep anything they own. He opened his Bible, and then glanced suddenly at his watch.

“Forgive me!” he exclaimed. “I’d forgotten all about the time! I’ve enjoyed our conversation immensely. Now I must be on my way to pick up my ticket. You’ll excuse me please? Auf Wiedersehen!”

Rushing off, he left the open Bible on the restaurant table, praying that the policeman would take the Bible home and read it.

The next year, Mr. Meyer was again in the same Russian city. He stood on the same corner again, and noticed the same policeman directing traffic. Then he left the curb to talk to him again. The policeman was overjoyed to see his old friend, and said, “I have your Bible. You left it behind you that day in the restaurant, when you rushed off so quickly.”

“And so I did,” said Mr. Meyer. “Tell me, do you still have it?”

“Oh,” said the policeman, “The Bible is in my home, and I read it every day. Have you come to take it back?”

“Not if you would like to keep it!”

“Do you mean what you say?” exclaimed the policeman. His voice held such joy that Mr. Meyer recognized the Spirit of God at work.

“Yes. Keep the Bible. It will be a gift that God will bless.”

“God has already,” the policeman said, and his eyes shone with gratitude. “I have found Jesus Christ. What more could one desire? You have given me more than all the world’s wealth put together.”

How wonderful are the ways of God! This dear man is now a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. We can pray for him, and others like him in Communist countries, where the gospel cannot be proclaimed with liberty like it is in these favored lands. How thankful we should be that we can read our Bibles without hindrance or fear!

Dear young friend, the Lord Jesus is the Saviour of sinners everywhere — Russians, Germans, Americans, English, Africans, Indians, Eskimos, Jews and Gentiles... boys and girls and older folks. God says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13. But have you called upon Him yet? Can you say, “Yes, Jesus died for me; I am His and He is mine"?

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

ML-05/02/1971

Poor Spotty

WE LIVED next door to a family who had a dog named Spotty. One day Spotty was hit by a car. There were no bones broken and Spotty didn’t seem to be specially hurt except that he lost his long tail! It was pulled right off!

The five children who owned Spotty were quite worried about their poor doggie. But Spotty didn’t seem to worry much about it; he was the same happy, friendly dog he had always been.

One day Mother said to us children, “Just look at Spotty. He is still so contented and happy, even though he has lost his tail. We can learn a little lesson from Spotty. When troubles or sorrows come our way, if we trust the Lord, we can go to Him in prayer about them. He can give us grace to rise above the sorrow, and will keep us happy in the sunshine of His love. Spotty isn’t worried about his tail, and we need not fret about our future either!” How sweet it is to be able to commit it all into the Lord’s hands.

What a Friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear;

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit;

Oh, what needless pain we bear!

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer.

Memory Verse “IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS STRONG CONFIDENCE: AND HIS CHILDREN SHALL HAVE A PLACE OF REFUGE.” Prov. 14:26.

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

ML-05/02/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 1:2-5

THE BURNT offering represents the blessed Man, Christ Jesus, as the obedient One, obedient right on to death itself (Phil. 2:5-8). It presents Him not so much as taking our sins, but as offering Himself without spot to God, to accomplish His will, to glorify Him, and that in death. It is a wonderful thing for one to learn that the Lord Jesus died to put all my sins away, to be able to say, “He died for me!” For this we shall sing His praise through all eternity. Yet we gain infinitely more in our souls when we consider what that precious death has meant to God. This gives a much deeper and more lasting peace to the soul.

You will notice that the offerer brought the offering “of his own voluntary will,” to the door of the tabernacle. Now the Lord Jesus was really both the willing Offerer and the Victim too. He presents Himself “before the Lord” to do His will at all cost. All through His life on earth He did the Father’s will perfectly and this drew forth those words of the Father, “Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee is all My delight.” Thus He was fit to be a sacrifice.

But all His perfect righteousnesses, however much they might glorify God, would have been of no avail to us if He had not died, and so we see the Offering killed, and the blood sprinkled round the altar. It was sprinkled there because the brazen altar was the first place of approach to God. The worshiper who came with the offering had come to meet with God, and needed One to make atonement for Him. This the blood does; for “it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”

But first the offerer “shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering.” This was also done in the case of the sin offering, but there in type the sins of the offerer were transferred to the Victim. However, in the burnt offering the offerer is seen as identified with all the value of the sacrifice in the sight of God. Just as God accepts and finds infinite delight in the sacrifice of Christ, in the same measure He accepts the believer and delights in him too. “It shall be accepted for him"; “He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.” (Eph. 1:6).

Perhaps our dear young reader is one of many who say, “I believe that Jesus died for my sins, but I do not seem to have peace.” This is what makes the truth of the burnt offering so precious, for the more we learn of what Christ is to God, the deeper will be the peace in our souls.

God finds infinite delight in Christ and what He has done. The believer is now before Him in all the perfection of that work. We shall never be more perfect, never more acceptable to God, in heaven than we are now. He has nothing but thoughts of love and goodness toward us.

Sweetest rest and peace have filled us, Sweeter praise than tongue can tell; God is satisfied with Jesus, We are satisfied as well.

ML-05/02/1971

The Hole in the Box

IT WAS war-time and supplies for wounded soldiers were very much needed. Boxes were constantly arriving at Constantinople, and were speedily sent on to the crowded hospital at Scutari.

It is not surprising that one box, addressed to a missionary in Turkey, was left in the storehouse for months and months, since the war needs were so pressing that no one bothered about it.

At last, a curious Turk began to wonder what was in this box but he did not dare to open it. One day he saw a large rat scuttling away from the spot. “There must be something good in there,” he said to himself and so there was! When he stooped down, he found that the rat had gnawed a hole large enough for him to put his hand in. Very cautiously he reached in, and what do you think he drew out? A Turkish Bible!

He read the Book, and the more he read it, the more beautiful it seemed, for God taught him to receive the Word into his heart. Soon he thought it too good to keep to himself, so he lent it to a friend in the next town.

Gradually the box was emptied, and the precious Word of God was sent from village to village to be a light shining in many a dark place where perhaps no Christian had ever been. How these poor Turks must have wondered when they saw such words as these — “The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” 1 John 4:14. It was a new thing to a poor Mohammedan to learn that God so loved sinners that He spared not His own Son, and that the Son of God loves them and gave Himself for them.

ML-05/02/1971

The Dying Miner: Home of the Soul

TWENTY MILES from camp, and night coming on. A young missionary, working for his Master in one of the mining areas of Colorado, found himself in this situation one day; he was beginning to look about for a place to spend the night, when a little way ahead he saw an old cabin.

As he got nearer, he saw that it was one of the poorest and roughest of places. Much of the chinking between the logs had fallen out, so that the cold, the wind and the rain could come through without hindrance.

“Surely this place is deserted,” said the young evangelist to himself. “I think I would rather sleep outside tonight than inside that shell, even if someone did live there and made me welcome.”

At that moment the sound of singing floated out through the openings between the logs, and the traveler stopped to listen to a man’s weak voice singing that dear old home song, “The Home of the Soul.”

“O, that home of the soul! in my visions and dreams It’s bright jasper walls I can see, Till I fancy but dimly the veil intervenes Between that fair city and me.

Refrain:

Home, home of the soul!

While the years of eternity roll;

Where no storms ever beat on those glittering sands

While the years of eternity roll.

(Sung to the tune, “Home on the Range.”)

These were the words that reached the ear of the listener outside.

“I must see the man who can sing like that in such a place as this,” thought the missionary, coming up to the cabin.

A feeble “Come in!” came from within in answer to his knock; and entering, he found himself in what was the one small room of the cabin, which was almost without any furniture.

In one corner was a rude bedstead made of boards and pieces of timber on which some old blankets were spread; and on this hard bed lay a man evidently near death.

But death held no terrors for him. The dear fellow had found Christ, and the Saviour who loved him and died to put his sins away was his comfort and stay in his dying hour. Underneath were those everlasting arms of love ready to carry him to those mansions of rest, to be in His presence forever. Has He not said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Heb. 13:5.

“Dying alone, in this situation, twenty miles from the nearest camp, still his look into the great beyond seemed so clear, so real, that the language of the hymn he feebly sung was indeed the language of his heart,” said the missionary, as he told the story afterward.

“He died that night, and I never ceased to feel a thrill of thankfulness whenever I think of him, that I was late that day and so was through grace able to be with that man when his end came.”

Surely that which satisfied one when dying in the midst of such surroundings is not a thing to be lightly rejected. When a young man leaves the home of his boyhood, he cannot afford to leave his Christian faith too!

ML-05/09/1971

Missionary at Home

SALLY wants to be a missionary when she grows up. One day she said to her mother, “I don’t have to wait to be a missionary. I can be one right now! I can send out gospel tracts through the mail.”

So she got some envelopes and a pile of gospel tracts. In each envelope she put five tracts. Then she put postage stamps on them, and Mother addressed them to families in the community. Sally was so happy to know that she could do some missionary work right at home!

“What have you done for the Saviour today?

Have you witnessed for Him at your work or your play?

Have you made known to others this Saviour and Friend,

Who will stay close beside you right through to the end?

God has a record, a record each day,

Of all that you do, that you think or you say;

Will you witness for Him in this dark world of sin,

And let your light shine here for others, and Him?”

A. E.

“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” Ecc. 11:1.

“God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward His name.” Heb. 6:10.

Memory Verse “I HAVE TRUSTED IN THY MERCY; MY HEART SHALL REJOICE IN THY SALVATION.” Psa.13:5

Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42

ML-05/09/1971

All That She Had

CAROL was a little blind girl. Her parents had spent nearly all their money on doctors, but none had been able to make her see again. Finally one doctor did operate on Carol, and, wonderful to relate, she could see! How happy she was!

Carol’s parents had no money to give the doctor, but he did not mind. Carol had a teddy bear which she loved dearly, and it had been her dearest friend for many years. She decided that she would give her teddy to the doctor.

“Please take my teddy,” she told him. “He’s all I have!”

The doctor did take the teddy bear, and he kept it on the mantel in his living room. He often told the visitors that it came from a little girl who gave all that she had.

God too gave a gift to this world—His own dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He gave the best gift He had. God could not do more. He sent Jesus into this world to die for your sins and mine.

The doctor took the little blind girl’s gift. Have you taken God’s gift?

“Oh, what a Gift the Father gave When He bestowed His Son; To save poor ruined guilty man, By sin defiled, undone.”

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

“Thanks be unto God for His upeakable gift.” 2 Cor. 9:15.

ML-05/09/1971

A Lesson From the Caribou

AMAN who worked for the Royal Canadian Air Force tells the following story: “In bad winters the caribou sometimes find it hard to get enough food to eat. My job was to find the migrating caribou in my plane, and drop tons of hay to them.

“About 400 miles north of Winnipeg we located a large herd. Many of them were lying down, too weak to stand. When we dropped hay near them, the weak ones made no attempt to get up. But as we circled and watched, we saw a strange sight. Several of the stronger caribou walked over to the hay, picked some up in their mouths, and laid it in front of the helpless caribou before feeding themselves.”

What a lesson in kindness to others! Every kind action or deed of love that you do for others, if done as unto the Lord, will not lose its reward. The Lord says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Matt. 25:40.

“I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35.

ML-05/09/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 1:6-17

“AFTER the bullock was slain before the Lord, the skin was removed, and then the animal was parted into pieces. The pieces along with the head and the fat were set in order upon the wood on the fire of the altar.

But first the inwards and legs must be washed with water, for it was necessary that both the inward and outward parts be made clean to be a fit type of the Holy One of God. This speaks to us of how all the inward thoughts and motives of the Lord Jesus were pure and holy before God. The “legs” tell of His blessed walk which was ever to the glory of God.

The fat always speaks of the excellence of the animal, and so as the animal was laid open, the more it was parted, it only displayed more of the excellence of the sacrifice. How precious to think of all the excellencies of the Lord Jesus Christ laid open and offered up to God as a sacrifice, “without blemish and without spot.”

Then the priest caused all to be burned upon the altar, “an offering made by fire, a sweet savor unto the Lord.” The word to burn, when used in reference to the offerings burned on this altar, means “to go up,” “to ascend"; so that the burnt offering was wholly taken up in fire, fed upon, as it were, by God, and delighted in as something exceedingly precious to Himself, so precious that the fire could only bring out that which was a “sweet savor.”

This is most precious, for it magnifies the Lord Jesus, and also gives the believer blessed confidence bore God, for the believer is accepted according to all the value and preciousness which God sees in Christ. Our faith may be very weak, our understanding of the value and preciousness of Jesus may be so very little, yet God accepts us according to all the infinite perfections that He sees in Him. The more we learn of this the deeper will be our peace in His presence. His “perfect love” casteth out all fear.

The burnt offering, however, might not always be a bullock; it might be a sheep or a goat, or even turtledoves or young pigeons. This would speak of the different measures of our appreciation of the work of Christ. One who has walked with the Lord over many years may have a greater appreciation of Christ than one who has just been saved. Nevertheless God delights to accept the praise of both as long as it comes from the heart. He values every little bit of Christ in His own.

In the case of the turtledoves or young pigeons, the priest was first to remove “the crop” and the “feathers” and they were to be cast away. The crop contains the undigested food of the bird, and this speaks to us of truth we have taken into our minds but which we have never really made our own; we merely have it in our heads. This is not acceptable to God in worship.

Then the feathers speak of outward display, which may look fair to others, but is not real; this is not acceptable to God, for He looks upon our hearts (1 Sam. 2:3). How much we often say and do for others to see and hear! God wants only reality. May we have grace to judge what is of self in our hearts, and seek to offer only that which is of Christ in our worship and service to God.

ML-05/09/1971

Two Little Indian Girls

IN INDIA two little Hindu sisters A huddled together in a shed far from home. Their father had taken them on a long journey, but he became very ill and died during the night. Some people from the village came and took his body away, and then a thief stole most of their belongings, leaving the little girls with only the clothes they had to wear.

Their food all gone, the two little sisters were very hungry. Juanita, the older of the two, said to her little sister, “You stay here, Shyla, while I take what clothes that are left of Daddy’s and see if I can sell them and buy something to eat.” Shyla did not like to be left alone. Juanita summoned all the courage she could and went into the village. Walking up to a storekeeper she asked, “Will you give me something to eat if I give you these clothes of Daddy’s? He died yesterday.”

But the big shopkeeper ordered her out of the store. “You probably stole those clothes,” he said angrily. “Now get out before I call the police.”

Terrified, poor little Juanita fled from the place. She tried another storekeeper, but he did not believe her either. Wherever she went it was the same.

Now Juanita did not know that all the while she was being followed by a lady who heard everything that was said. When the little girl was too tired to go any further, she sat down by the side of the road. Along came this lady and said, “Little girl, I believe your story. How would you like to come with me and go to a school with other little girls, and live and study?”

Juanita was frightened. Her pants had warned her never to go anywhere with strangers. Jumping up she turned and ran as fast as she could back to the shed where Shyla was. There the little sisters huddled together till the twilight, hungry and afraid.

Then, as the darkness came on, they heard footsteps. Someone in white was approaching the shed. Was it a ghost? No, it was a lady all dressed in white. She stopped at the doorway, and as the little girls gazed at her face they thought she looked different to anyone they had ever seen before. There was such a kind look in her eyes, and they felt she was someone they could trust. They did not know where she came from, but somehow they thought that God had sent her, Without saying a word the kind lady sat down beside them. Lovingly she drew Juanita close to her side, and little Shyla found a place on her lap.

“When I was a little girl your age,” she began, “I lost my Daddy and Mother, and like you I was left alone, with my little brother. We wandered about and had many sad experiences. But now I am grown up and I have a home and a school for little girls like you. If you stay here there are those that will do you harm. But if you will come with me you will have a nice home, and go to school with other little girls, so that you too can grow up and help people who are in need just like you are.”

The kind lady was a Christian who made it her life work to help the poor homeless, little orphan girls of India, and to tell them of the Saviour’s love.

The little girls believed her kind words, knowing she spoke the truth. There was something about her that made them feel they could trust her. In fact, they were ready to go anywhere just to be with her.

She told them she would send them ahead on the train the next day, in company with another lady, and that she herself would follow a week later. They did not want to go without their newfound friend, but the other lady was very kind to them too, and finally they arrived at the school.

Here they felt very strange and Juanita wanted to run away, but Shyla encouraged her by saying, “No, the lady in white will be here next week, and I want to be in her school.” True to her word their new friend arrived, and the joy of the little girls knew no bounds as they ran to her open arms. They felt she loved them just as their own mother had.

The two little sisters grew older and went to school. They learned the sweet story of the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd who loved and gave Himself for the sheep. They remembered how they were like two lost little lambs in that strange village, that the Saviour had sent the kind lady in white to help them, and they grew to love Him as their own Saviour.

Juanita’s one desire in life was to tell others of the Saviour she loved and this she did wherever she went. Shyla took very sick one day and Juanita nursed her faithfully, until the Lord restored her to health again. Then Juanita herself became ill, and though they did all they could for her, she slowly grew weaker. One morning, with Shyla sitting beside her, she suddenly remarked: “Listen, can you hear them? I hear them singing.” Soon after she went peacefully home to be with the Lord Jesus.

Shyla became a teacher and a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus. By and by when the kind lady in white went Home to heaven, Shyla became a mother to the little orphan girls in the mission school. She loved them and they loved her because she showed them the love of Jesus which was in her heart.

Jesus said unto them: “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.” Mark 10:14,16.

ML-05/16/1971

Bible Talks: The Meat Offering

Leviticus 2:1

THE FIRST three offerings in Leviticus are called the voluntary offerings — they speak of worship. The second of these is the meat offering and in this we have the blessed Lord Jesus presented as the One who came down into this world to glorify God as Man.

The meat offering is presented in several ways, but it was always of fine flour, either mingled or anointed with oil (sometimes both), and always unleavened. Like the burnt sacrifice, it was also “an offering made by fire of a sweet savor unto the Lord,” but in it we do not have flesh nor do we have the shedding of blood for, it does not make atonement. It speaks of every moral grace in the Lord Jesus as a Man.

Frankincense was put on it and it was placed in the hands of the priest, who burned a portion as a memorial of it upon the brazen altar with all the frankincense, after which the remainder was eaten by Aaron and his sons.

The Lord Jesus was a perfect Man as well as God, and the great attack of the enemy is to deny the deity of Christ because He became a man. However, we notice that the meat offering is the only one of the offerings which is spoken of as most holy. We have fallen human natures, but the Lord Jesus’ humanity was holy. “That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke l:35. He was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,” and, unlike us, He could not sin. He was tempted, as we know, but the holiness of His nature only repelled evil. God knew perfectly that His beloved Son was all this, nothing less; but He allowed Him to be tempted in the wilderness in order to demonstrate before all that Jesus was the holy One of God.

How God delights to honor that blessed One! And we who know Him as the One who loved and gave Himself for us delight to do the same. This is what makes the truth revealed in the offerings so precious they tell forth the glories of the Peon and the work of God’s beloved Son.

The fine flour speaks of the perfect evenness in His walk and ways down here. In Jesus no one moral grace shone out more than another — all was perfection before God. He came to display the heart of God, and this He did perfectly. How different with us, for while some may have outstanding characteristics such as kindness, generosity, faith, or uprightness, how often we lack in other virtues. But every moral grace was found in the Lord Jesus and He was perfect in all.

How wondrous the glories that meet

In Jesus, and from His face shine,

His love is eternal and sweet,

’Tis human, ’tis also divine!

His glory—not only God’s Son—

In manhood He had His full part—

And the union of both joined in one

Form the fountain of love in His heart.

ML-05/16/1971

Faith

AN ENGLISH missionary was in Central Africa where he preached the gospel to the natives there. He wanted to make them understand the meaning of faith. So he said to them, “Listen, see that water over there!” and he pointed to a pond nearby. “Well, you never saw that water get hard, did you?”

“Oh no!” they answered in astonishment at such a thought, for water never freezes in Africa.

“Now, believe me,” he went on, “in the country where I come from the water gets so hard that you can stand on the top of it.”

On hearing this one whispered to another, “The missionary is tellin’ lies.” He overheard their remarks and remembered it.

Some time later the missionary returned to England for a visit and took along with him one of the African boys who heard him preach that day. Winter came and one clear frosty morning the missionary took Sam for a walk. The ponds and rivers were completely frozen over, and the children were sliding and skating on the ice.

Remembering what he had said in Africa months before, the missionary said, “Sam, let’s go for a walk on the hard water and try it.”

Sam was afraid to go at first, but the missionary took his hand and tether they went out on the frozen pond. Then jumping hard on the ice, the missionary said, “Now do you believe what I said in Africa about the water getting hard?”

“Yes,” replied Sam, “I believe it now.”

But that was not faith on Sam’s part. He believed when he saw. Had he believed the word of the missionary when in Africa he heard him tell of how the water got hard in his country, that would have been faith, even though it sounded impossible.

So it is with God, dear young friends. He has spoken. Have you believed His Word? He has told you that you are a sinner and ruined through sin, that you cannot do anything to win His favor or save yourself. But He has also told you Jesus has died and that if you believe on Him as your Saviour you will be saved. Faith is simply believing God, because He says it.

ML-05/16/1971

Down the Well

IT WAS a hot, humid summer day, and not the faintest breeze moved the tallest treetops. Even the mill stream was lazy also so that the wheel stood still. Only the drowsy hum of the insects was heard, and nothing seemed moving except a little tiny fellow with roguish eyes and busy hands as he stood before a shrub. He soon made havoc of the leaves and flowers scattering the petals over the garden walk. And then as he toddled onward, he spied something built of bricks over which hung an old bucket, beneath the apple trees.

Soon he was gazing down into the darkness of the old well, its sides overgrown with gray moss. Who can tell the wondering fancies of his childlike mind. Presently picking up a pebble he threw it into the depths and leaning over listened to hear its fall.

Mother had left little Teddy in the care of his sister Mary Lou, a little girl of about seven. Suddenly she missed him and heard his scream. The little fellow had fallen into the well, down to the depths below. She had not seen him disappear, but instinctively she felt what had happened. She flew to the well, but it was all dark below. Sorrow and anguish clouded her childish brow. One minute before she was a little girl, but the next she was a woman.

Gazing down into that watery grave she resolved what she would do in an effort to save her darling little charge.

Without thought of pain or danger, she seized the chain and swung over the side of the well. The handle whirled around rapidly as she and the bucket went down, down, down. There was a splash as she hit the water, but oh what joy and thankfulness filled her little soul as she found the little fellow alive and unhurt by his fall and uninjured by her quick descent.

It so happened that the water in the well was not over their depth, and with what joy and delight she placed the little fellow safely in the bucket. She kissed him over and over again as she sought to quiet his fear, telling him that mother would soon come to rescue them.

Then while standing within that deep dark well her young heart dwelt on many a scripture, for at Sunday School she had learned the precious truth, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” Eccl. 12:1. Another text that seemed especially precious at that moment was, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psa. 50:15. Then came another which her faithful memory had stored up, “In my distress I cried unto the Lord.”

The time went by and Mother, busy at her work, suddenly thought. “Where are the children?” She went to the garden gate, and looked around; she called for Mary Lou but heard no sound. The very silence seemed to make her heart swell. The next moment she was running toward the garden well. The bucket was down and a look of keen despair crossed her brow. Could it be that Teddy was down there?

She grasped the handle and began to turn with fear and trembling. Minutes later, she clasped her dear little boy to her bosom, with all the deep down feelings of a mother’s heart.

She began to carry him wet and weak as he was to the cottage when the dear child pointed to the well and said, “Mummy, Mary’s down dere!”

The poor mother saw it all at a glance. Again the bucket was lowered as the chain moved slowly downward. She waited a minute bore turning the handle to wind it up again. Fear and hope yearned in mother’s breast. Then she bent to her task. The bucket was heavier this time. With what glad surprise, she saw, emerging from the darkness bow, little Mary Lou in the bucket. This was no time for scolding the little girl for her failure to take care of her little brother, how thankful she was to have them both back safe and sound. Little Mary Lou knew both forgiveness and the sweetness of an answered prayer.

Before we end this little story, we must point our dear reader to that blessed Saviour who watched over those little children and restored them safely to their mother again. Long before He Himself came into this world and went down into that deep dark pit of death and judgment to rescue poor sinners who had fallen into sin. But the waters of judgment closed over His head in those dark hours of Calvary: He had to die.

But He rose from the dead as the mighty Victor over death and the grave, and He has brought with Him all those who trust in Him as their Saviour, to be the objects of His love forever. In closing we must ask you, dear young friend, are you one of His rescued ones? or are you still in your sins? Can you say, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.” Psa. 40:1-3.

ML-05/23/1971

Bible Talks: The Meat Offering

Leviticus 2:1-6

“AND HE shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense therein.” We were saying last week that the meat offering speaks of the life of the blessed Lord Jesus as Man here on earth. The oil is ever a type of the Spirit, and Jesus as a Man was “anointed with the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 3:16,17).

In verse 5 we read, “it shall be of fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil,” and the Lord Jesus in His nature as a man was conceived or begotten of the Holy Ghost. Then it says, “Thou shalt part it in pieces, and pour oil thereon.” v. 6. Every act of His was in the energy of the Holy Spirit of God.

There was to be no leaven in the meat offering, for leaven is the type of evil, and in Him there was no sin.

The frankincense was all for God and would remind us of the Father’s voice from heaven saying to Him, “Thou art My beloved Son, in whom is all My delight” (Mark 1:11).

“And he shall bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour.” v. 2. As another has remarked, “The `handful of the flour’ tells us that we can never take in all that Christ is, never fully apprehend all that He is to the heart of God, and all that He has accomplished for the glory of God. But we can each take our handful. Each may lay hold in his measure of that preciousness of the Person of the Lord Jesus and enjoy Him in his soul.”

“And the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar.” The fire here is not that wherewith God judges sin, but speaks of the trials and testings which the Lord Jesus passed through in His blessed life. He was tried in every step of that pathway, and the trial only brought out the perfection that was in Him. How often trial and pressure bring out in us the flesh, our failures and shortcomings, but with the Lord every trial brought out the fragrance and perfection of who He was, so that all went up to God as a sweet savor.

“And the remnant of the meat offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons'.” Unlike the burnt offering which was all for God (except the skin which the priest could take for himself), part of the meat offering was for Aaron and his sons. This tells us that believers, as priests, can feed and delight in Christ in His perfection as Man going through this world.

The Lord could say, “The bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.... I am the bread of life: He that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” John 6:33,35. “The bread of God” is that which God Himself enjoys — Christ Himself. How wonderful that He gives the same precious food of life to us to enjoy. We, as God’s priests, can feed upon that humbled One in His perfect life here below.

“It is a thing most holy.” This tells us of how the Spirit of God ever guards the truth of the Person of God’s dear Son, the Man Christ Jesus.

ML-05/23/1971

"Let Your Bucket Down"

THE MIGHTY Amazon River pours such a volume of water into the Atlantic, that for many miles out from the mouth of the river, the water remains fresh.

A ship, which was making for a South American port, was hindered on the voyage through many fierce storms. In spite of all their care, the crew found themselves at length with their last water tank empty. A day or two later, to their great relief, they sighted another vessel, and ran up their signal: “We’re dying for want of water.”

To their astonishment the reply came back: “Water all around you; let your bucket down.”

Little did they know that they were just then crossing the mighty Amazon’s current, and were sailing in fresh water without knowing it.

Is it possible, dear reader, that you have not yet realized that the pure ocean of God’s love is all around you? Many are echoing the cry: “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” To such the answer comes: “Let down your bucket in faith.”

“Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17.

ML-05/23/1971

To the Wealthy and to the Poor

JOHN THOMPSON was a humble fisherman, but he was also an earnest gospel preacher. He was at home among the poor in the slum districts of the big city.

One day at the close of a gospel service a lady came and asked him if he would preach in her house on Wednesday. He readily accepted, but when he found out that she lived in a very fashionable neighborhood and that the meeting was to be a scripture reading in the parlor of a wealthy home, he had some misgivings. Accustomed as he was mostly to hardy fishermen and to the poor of the slums he wondered how he could face an audience of aristocrats. He thought of several little ideas of his own as to how to conduct such a meeting, but nothing came of them. Then he said to himself, “If John 3:16 is good news for the sinful poor, it may after all be good news for the sinful rich.”

So he went that Wednesday, preached his sermon to the wealthy and got through. But when he left, he told himself that that would be his first and farewell parlor sermon to aristocrats.

Three weeks later the same lady came to him again and began, “Mr. Thompson —.” Thinking it was another invitation, he was just about to refuse, but a trembling in her voice caused him to listen.

“Mr. Thompson, I want you to visit a maid of mine dying in the hospital, who specially asked to see you.” At once he agreed, and set out. He found the young girl and asked why she had sent for him.

“Mr. Thompson,” she explained, “I have something special to tell you. I was a maid in the house where you preached three weeks ago. I had been sick for some months. I felt I was going to die, and I was not ready. Oh how I longed to know my sins were forgiven, and to be right for eternity. How glad I was when I heard there was to be a meeting held in the big parlor by a fisherman preacher.”

“I saw you come across the hall, into the room. I heard the door close. I felt, oh, there’s no hope now for a poor maid like me getting saved. Burdened and wearied, I longed for salvation, and oh, Mr. Thompson, I must confess it wasn’t right, but what do you think I did? About the middle of the meeting I crept up to the door, put my ear to the keyhole, and heard you just then urging those ladies and gentlemen to put their name into God’s great whosoever, and God would save them and satisfy them for evermore.

“That was just what I wanted, and standing at the door I said in my heart, ‘Well, if none of those fine ladies and men put their name in God’s whosoever, Margie Shields puts her name in,’ and right there the burden from my heart rolled away, and peace and joy filled my soul.

“Now, Mr. Thompson, I feel my time on earth is short, but I wanted to tell you that though I’m only a poor maid I can die happy, for that whosoever took me in.”

Thus the humble maid could join with many others, great and poor alike, and repeat the verse: “In peace let me resign my breath, And Thy salvation see!

My sins deserved eternal death, But Jesus died for me!”

Dear friend, why not like Margie Shields, and all the host who shall gather around the throne of God in heaven, say, “God loved the world, therefore He loved me?” “Whosoever believeth shall not perish, therefore as I believe I shall never perish” (John 10:28). Put in your name now.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

ML-05/30/1971

John 3:16

A MAN told me the other day that he heartily believed that Jesus died for the sin of the world. I asked: “Has He died for you?”

“Oh, I can’t tell that. How can I tell whether Jesus died for my sins?” “Are you in heaven?” I asked. “Oh, no; I wish I was!”

“Are you in hell?”

“No; I hope I shall never get there!”

“Are you an angel or a devil?” “Neither.”

“Well, to what part of the universe do you belong?”

He looked a little puzzled, and then said he belonged to the world.

“Yes,” I said, “that is true, and ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ Has He died for you?”

“I see it all,” he cried; “I see, I see. I take Him as my Saviour.”

“Yes! Yes! Yes! Oh yes!

Jesus died to set poor sinners free.

You say, ‘How do I know it?’

John 3:16 will show it;

That big word ‘whosoever’

Just-means-me.”

ML-05/30/1971

Bible Talks: The Meat Offering

Leviticus 2:7-16

THE MEAT offering, which speaks of the perfect spotless life of the Lord Jesus as Man down here, might be offered in three different ways "baked in the oven,” “in a pan,” or “in the frying pan.” They tell of the severe trials to which He was exposed all along His pathway.

“In the oven” would speak to us of His hidden sufferings, those not seen by man, for was it not the love of His heart that made the blessed Lord a sufferer?

Love that made Thee a mourner

In this sad world of woe,

Made wretched man a scorner

Of grace which brought Thee low.

What sufferings He endured which no man could see or understand! He felt, only as a righteous man could feel, the sorrows which sin had brought in. How He must have felt the rejection of man whom He had come to save and bless, for He endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself (Heb. 12:3), when for His love they gave Him hatred (Psa. 109:5)! How deeply He must have felt His rejection when in those cities where most of His mighty works were done, He was not appreciated and they did not repent. For the most part those sorrows were known to none but God, for even in that hour He could say, “I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight.” Matt. 11:25,26.

Who can tell how deep His sorrow when at the end His disciples all forsook Him and fled, and Peter denied Him three times. Yet He went through all these trials as the perfect One, taking all in meek submission from the hand of God His Father.

The meat offering baked “in a pan,” speaks of His sufferings which were manifest, or could be seen by others. He was seen to weep at the grave of Lazarus, and His disciples heard His cries in the Garden of Gethsemane. In this case the offering was to be “parted in pieces,” and oil poured on it. How this vividly brings before our souls the breaking-up of every hope and prospect which bonged to Him by right and title of who He was and what He had done.

“The frying pan” would give the same thought in general only perhaps the greater intensity of some of those sufferings of the blessed Lord. He was put to the proof in every possible way, and the effect was only to manifest His excellencies and the perfection that was found in Him. All went up to God as a sweet savor.

ML-05/30/1971

"Follow Me"

In Acts 12 we read the thrilling story of Peter’s escape from Herod’s prison. In verse 8 Peter is told by an angel to “Follow me.”

Find the verse in each of the following chapters where these words appear.

Matthew 8.

Mark 8:

Luke 5:

John 21:

Memory Verse “HE SAITH UNTO THEM, FOLLOW ME, AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN.” Matt. 4:19.

ML-05/30/1971

The First Step

It was a warm summer evening and Mr. Smith felt an urge to take a quiet walk before turning in for the night. Down the road he met Mr. Jones, a neighbor, who was also out for a walk in the moonlight.

“Good evening, Mr. Jones,” said Mr. Smith warmly.

“Good evening,” returned the old man, and they both stopped to chat.

Now Mr. Smith was a Christian; he loved his Saviour, and he loved to point out to others the way to heaven. So after they had talked about the lovely weather, Mr. Smith brought the conversation around to the more important and eternal things. He asked Mr. Jones if he knew the Lord and was on the road to heaven.

“That’s the very thing that has been so much on my mind of late,” confessed Mr. Jones. He wanted to come to Jesus and be saved, but he didn’t know how.

“Mr. Jones,” said his friend, “do you remember when you were just a little fellow, how you took your first step, how your mother set you alone upright in the middle of the floor, and kneeling down several feet away with her arms outstretched, she said, ‘Now come, Johnnie!’ "

Old Mr. Jones replied that he was too young to remember, but he believed that’s about how it went. So Mr. Smith went on: “For a few moments you stood there on your little feet, wobbly and afraid, but your Mother encouraged you saying, `Come, Johnnie, come to Mommie.’ Then suddenly you stepped out and the next moment you were safe in Mother’s arms. Now wasn’t that it?”

The dear old man was deeply impressed. The memory of childhood days brought tears to his eyes. Was the way of salvation as simple as that? Could one as old as he come to Jesus in the simplicity of a little child? Yes, Jesus had died to put his sins away, and now He called him to come and trust Him as his Saviour. Has He not said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

He saw it all so clearly now. That night on the side of the road, out under the moon and the starlit sky, old Mr. Jones took that step of faith. He came to Jesus and found himself in those everlasting arms of love that would never let him go.

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

ML-05/30/1971

"Come to Me"

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 hears them when they pray.

ML-05/30/1971

Little Daniel

IN A LITTLE red cottage not far from the ocean shore lived a widowed mother and her two little boys. Daniel, the older of the two, was a little invalid and had never known what it was to run and play games like most boys and girls. But a God-wrought patience rested upon his pretty little face, and when those large gentle eyes would gaze into your own there was a look of love in them. Charlie, two years younger, was a picture of health, with a rosy round ball of a face and laughing eyes.

Times had been hard for the little family since father died, but Mrs. Mark’s faith was in God, who is the comfort and stay of all who trust Him, especially the fatherless and widows. Mother had taught little Daniel the scriptures from his infancy, and had led him to the feet of the Saviour; she had heard him, when he thought he was alone, speaking to the Lord Jesus.

One day he called her to his bedside and exclaimed, “Mother, I’ve found Him.”

She knew by the look of rapture that over spread his face that he meant Jesus.

“Found Jesus, Daniel? Have you trusted in Him?”

“Yes, Mother, I know I have Him, and He has found me. Oh how good He is; and I am so happy. Everything looks so bright, Mother — the trees, the roses, the grass all looks so beautiful now — everything looks so happy! Oh, I’m so glad Jesus saved me!”

On sunny days mother would wheel Daniel out into the pretty garden, while Charlie entertained his sick brother with his gambols.

One warm glowing noon a car stopped in front of the cottage, and a little girl of about eight years jumped out and came running up the gravel walk. It was evident that she belonged to a wealthy family, but at the same time her manners were winning, and her face very gentle and pretty.

“May I have a drink of water?” she asked.

“Would you like a drink of milk instead?” asked Mrs. Marks.

“Oh, yes,” returned Lily eagerly and thankfully; “and may I stay and drink it here, for poor Daddy is so very sick and tired; he wants to rest in the car under the big tree.”

The little girl drank the milk and then feeling quite at home, she untied and threw off her hat. “You’re sick too, aren’t you?” she asked as she drew closer to Daniel’s side. A sweet smile was his reply.

“I’ve seen you often as we drove past,” she continued, “and Daddy says when you look out the window you look like a picture in a frame. I should think your mother or somebody would drive you to the beach; it’s so nice there. Don’t you get tired sitting here?”

“Not with mother,” replied Danny with a smile: “and if I could go, Mother doesn’t own a car.”

“Doesn’t she? Oh we own lots of things — we’ve got a big house, sofas and pianos — everything! But Daddy said this morning he would rather be a poor man and live in a little cottage like yours, if he could only be well.”

“Does he love Jesus?” asked Danny.

“What? Love who? Jesus! Do you mean our Saviour? Oh, I don’t know; I ‘spect he does; but he never says anything about Him. Do you love Jesus?”

“Oh yes, I do; for Jesus loves me!” answered Danny. “I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t; for as much as mother loves me, she can’t keep awake with me; and Jesus is by my bed watching.”

“Jesus watching?”

“Oh yes!” and the large soft eyes glowed with an inner light — “Jesus comes, I know; for even though it’s dark, I see Jesus, and something so sweet comes into my heart! And so, when I hold my hands out and whisper, ‘Jesus,’ His love covers me all over. Oh yes, Jesus comes — I know He does!”

The little girl stood still; her lips working as if to seize upon a thought and form it into something that might solve the great mystery of this language.

Presently she said, “Oh, I wish my daddy could see Him at his bedside! But then he keeps a light all night; perhaps Jesus comes only in the dark. I hear my father groan sometimes when I wake up. He says it makes him impatient, to lie hour by hour suffering. I wish he could see Jesus, but” — then her eyes dropped as she said, “He couldn’t be with you and him at the same time, you know.”

“Oh yes! He can be everywhere. He goes to anyone that wants Him. He’ll always come. Tell your daddy I only have to say ‘Jesus’ in my heart, and He is sure to come and make me forget my pain.”

“I’ll go and tell him now,” said the little girl throwing on her hat.

Out under the great elm tree Mr. Irving was resting comfortably, and his wife, Lily’s mother, bent over him her hand upon his brow.

“Oh Daddy,” cried the little girl as she came near, “the little sick boy in there says if you’ll only say `Jesus’ in your heart, He’ll be sure to come and make you forget your pain.”

A cold look filled the sick man’s eyes, and a strange expression gathered over the mother’s face.

“Daddy, he looked so happy!” the little girl went on, “and he’s a great deal thinner than you are — and so pale! But he says that though he’s always been sick, he doesn’t mind it much because in the night he sees Jesus by his bedside, and He fills his heart full of love so that he doesn’t think of his pain. Now, Daddy, you say ‘Jesus', and perhaps He’ll come to you, too.”

There was a long silence and then the father spoke. “Stand out of the sun, Lily. I believe we had better go now. Come, help me into the car,” and he held out his hand.

“But oh Daddy, just say ‘Jesus,’ " repeated Lily.

“Well — wait awhile, dear — perhaps I will — I must think about it first. Do you think the little boy would like you to bring him something pretty to play with?”

“Maybe so,” said Lily, “but he can’t play much; he can’t even walk — only sit all his life.”

The car rolled slowly along and stopped at last before a beautiful mansion with marble steps.

ML-06/06/1971

Smokey the Cat

A LADY IN Worcestershire, England, had a cat named Smokey. One day in 1965 Smokey disappeared, and the lady gave him up for lost.

Then one day in March, 1971, who should show up on the lady’s doorstep but old Smokey! He gladly drank a dish of milk, and then curled up on his favorite chair as if nothing had happened. Six years had gone by, but there was Smokey—home again!

What a long time for a cat to stray away! Yet how often young folks, and grown up folks too, wander away from Jesus the Good Shepherd and are gone for years sometimes. Perhaps they didn’t like the restraint of a Christian home, they wanted a taste of the world, or perhaps if they were never saved they did not want the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. But the Good Shepherd follows each lost one, and how wonderful it is when He finds that lost sheep or lamb and brings it back to Himself.

Have you strayed away from the Lord, dear young reader? He is seeking you and longing to bring you home to Himself. May He be able to say of you, “Rejoice with Me; for I have found My sheep which was lost.”

Memory Verse “THE FEAR OF THE LORD TENDETH TO LIFE: AND HE THAT HATH IT SHALL ABIDE SATISFIED.” Prov. 19:23.

ML-06/06/1971

Bible Talks: The Peace Offering

Leviticus 3:1-5

THE THOUGHT in the peace offering is not Christ making our peace with God, but it is rather the communion or thanksgiving offering. The ground of our peace was laid in His death when He made atonement for sin, and so the peace offering is founded upon the burnt offering. In fact it is stated that “Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which is upon the wood that is on the fire.” v. 5. All our joys, our communion, our worship and praise is founded upon that precious death and all that Christ means to God.

When sin entered into the world in the garden of Eden, communion between God and man was broken. Communion could only be restored through Christ who has glorified God in putting away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Now believers, saved by grace, are brought into a place of favor and acceptance where they have “fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3. All our guilty fears are gone and we can “joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:11.

The peace offering might be taken from the herd, or it might be a sheep or a goat. The animal might be a male or female. It seems that the more perfect image of Christ was not sought as in the burnt offering, because here the sacrifice comes down more to man and his having part in Christ. Still it must be unblemished. The offerer laid his hand on the head of the animal; then it was slain and its blood sprinkled round about the altar.

All the fat upon the inwards and certain portions of the animal were burned on the altar for a sweet savor, and called “the food of the offering made by fire unto the Lord.” v. 11. This gives the peace offering a very special character. How complete must be the acceptance of this sacrifice when God can speak of it as His food!

The “fat upon the inwards” represents all the inward energies of Jesus as Man, and thus we learn that not only were His outward actings of obedience so precious to God, but the very motives and all the energies of His blessed mind and nature as a Man were God’s delight — His food. This is very precious.

Much stress is laid on the inwards being offered up to God: “all the fat is the Lord’s.” In the creature, where all was soundness and health, the condition of the fat would show that all was perfectly normal. In our blessed Lord, who was Himself the Creator, it was the energy that went forth in the continual business of obeying His Father with joy of heart. He could say, “I do always those things that please Him.”

In the peace offering then we have in type how God delights to bring His people into His own joy, to rejoice with Him in all His thoughts about His beloved Son.

ML-06/06/1971

Duty or Love

IT WAS Friday afternoon, and Albert Drecker was on duty at the train bridge. He had opened the bridge to allow a boat to pass through, and now he was going to close it, as it was almost time for the New York train to pass by.

His little boy, Peter, came running up to watch him. All at once little Peter slipped and fell down the steep hill into the deep water of the Passaic River. Just at this moment, his father heard the whistle of the train in the distance, and although he could not see it, he knew that he must get that bridge closed at once or there would be a wreck. To save his dear boy’s life would have been an easy matter, but if he stopped to rescue Peter, the train would surely be wrecked with the loss of many lives. What was he to do?

Can you imagine his agony as he saw Peter sinking before his eyes? But Mr. Drecker stood to his post and closed the bridge. The train roared into sight and crossed the bridge, while at the same time Mr. Drecker dived into the water. He soon was able to bring Peter’s body to the shore, but with a breaking heart he found he was too late. Peter was dead!

Doesn’t this make our hearts sad? But what is it to that surpassing scene of love seen at Calvary long ago! God must sacrifice His beloved Son to the cruel death of the cross, in order to offer salvation to poor sinners—men and women, boys and girls.

This was the great question: Shall the people, who have brought just punishment upon themselves on account of their sins, be sent to an everlasting hell, or shall God’s own dear Son bear the judgment for them? Thank God, such was His matchless love that He gave — yes, He sent His own Son into this world to die for guilty hell-deserving sinners, such as ourselves. Albert Drecker did not send his son Peter into the river — he fell in. But “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8.

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

ML-06/13/1971

Little Daniel

(Continued from last week)

Every step the sick man took from the car and up to his elegantly furnished room where his couch stood waiting for him, a voice seemed to ring in his ears, “Oh, Daddy, just say ‘Jesus.’ " His wife played the piano and sang for him, but the music would not drown it. The beautiful pictures that adorned the wall of his costly mansion could not shut out those three little words that continually whispered, “Just say, ‘Jesus!’"

Oh that he could just say, “Jesus!”

The word was so strange to him the man of wealth and fashion. Almost any other name would have come more easily to him who had drunk deeply of this world’s pleasures. He to say, “Jesus?” — it seemed impossible!

All through the long night as he tossed on his couch, he wished he had not stopped before that little red cottage. He could see it so clearly, and the pale gentle little face always at that one window! He could see his own beloved daughter flying down the gravel walk and he could hear her childish voice saying to him, “Just say ‘Jesus.’"

* * * * *

Time went by. Little Daniel could no longer sit up and look out the window, but was confined to his little bed. He grew weaker every day, and it made his poor widowed mother weep to think she must lose him — he had been so dear to her.

One morning he told her, “Mother, last night, I don’t know if I was asleep or not, but suddenly the room seemed to fill with a beautiful light, and there stood an angel. I thought I asked him what he wanted and he said, ‘Jesus sent me to bring you Home.’ Then the light went away and when I opened my eyes the room was dark and still.”

“It was a sweet dream,” said the good mother.

* * * * *

“Mother! Danny!” cried Charlie one morning; “there’s that car stopped out front again, and that little girl is coming in with a man.” Soon slow feeble footsteps together with the patter of little feet were heard outside the door. It was Lily and her father. She glanced about, looking for the little invalid.

“Oh Daddy, there he is,” she exclaimed. “He’s lying down. This is my father,” she went on addressing Mrs. Marks, “and he’s come to see your sick boy.”

The mother offered the gentleman a chair and as he seated himself he said kindly, “My dear lady, my little Lily here wouldn’t let me rest until I promised to come out and see you — and here I am.” In the meantime Lily had taken off her hat and finding a stool sat down beside the little sufferer, her glowing complexion a vivid contrast to Danny’s pale little cheeks..

Mr. Irving asked if Danny had ever been well. “Never, sir,” replied the mother; “he has been an invalid from his birth.”

“My little girl seems much impressed with the fact that he is very cheerful and happy.”

“He is both, sir, though he suffers much pain. Only yesterday he said, Mother, I do wish the Lord Jesus would take me now.”

The stranger’s eyes grew moist as he listened, and said, “He is indeed Little Daniel comforted with such a hope, but my days and nights are so dark and cheerless.”

“Perhaps, sir,” said Mrs. Marks in her quiet way, “you have not learned that it is good to suffer, and that the Lord sometimes leads us to Himself by thorny ways.”

“But is He good in allowing that poor little fellow to suffer pain all his life, a child who never rebelled against Him?”

“Talk with him yourself, and judge, sir,” she replied. “He is my teacher and comforter in a great many things, and I will be so sorry to lose him,” she said turning away.

ML-06/13/1971

Bible Talks: The Peace Offering

Leviticus 3:6-17

WE HAVE seen that in the peace offering all the fat, which was the excellence of the animal, was for God — it was to be burned upon the altar as a sweet savor unto the Lord. From this we learn that there was in Christ that which only God His Father could fully appreciate, which He alone could measure, and it was a delight to His heart. Oh what excellence the Father found in His beloved Son!

But if there was a part for God there is also a part for man. In fact the sacrifice of Christ on the cross unites all who partake of it in joy, thanksgiving and praise. If we turn to chapter 7: 11-18 we read that “the breast” was for Aaron and his sons. This typifies all believers. The breast was their portion, and this tells us that the affections of Christ, the precious love of Jesus, is the portion of all His own eternally. It is for all who own Him as Saviour, and He makes that love good to the feeblest heart that beats in Christ. His weakest child can say, “The Son of God who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20.

Then we also read in chapter 7:33: “He among the sons of Aaron, that offereth the blood of the peace offerings, and the fat, shall have the right shoulder for his part.” The priest who offered the sacrifice is a type of the Lord Jesus who offered Himself without spot to God, and He, blessed to think, has His part, too. What joy and delight to His heart to see His own, those for whom He died, those who are the fruit of His sufferings, seated around Himself in worship and praise, or going on, living for and serving Him now on earth. But what supreme joy for Him when He shall have all His redeemed around Himself in the glory, and all on earth worshiping at His feet. Then “He shall see of the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied.” Isa. 53:11.

On that last night in that upper room we hear Him say, “I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” Matt. 26:29. He would not enter into the joy of the heavenly glory (the Father’s kingdom), which belongs to Him, apart from His own; He is waiting to bring us there so that He might share it with us.

Thus in the peace offering we have in type that which flows from the death of Christ in which all rejoice — the Father, the Son and all His redeemed. “Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3.

But, dear young friends, God would not have us wait until we get to heaven to taste these joys of counion and love. He would have us to enjoy them even now by His Spirit. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ.” 1 Cor. 10:16.

Life, rest, and peace, the flowers of deathless bloom,

The Saviour gives us — not beyond the tomb,

But here, and now; on earth the taste is given

Of joys which wait us through the gates of heav’n.

ML-06/13/1971

"I Want to See the Man That Saved Me"

THESE were the words of a poor woman who earned a scanty ling by washing clothes at the edge of the river Clyde. She had fallen into the water, and as the river was deep and the current strong, her case seemed hopeless, for no help was in sight. However, a famous swimmer suddenly appeared and plunged into the stream after her. Only by extreme effort and well nigh at the cost of his own life, did he succeed in bringing her safely to shore.

She was unconscious and had to be revived by artificial respiration. But when she came to, her first words were, “I want to see the man that saved me.”

How beautiful that she should be occupied with the one who had risked his life on her behalf! Her rescuer came at once. A crowd had quickly gathered. Again she spoke, “Oh, sir,” she said, “you saved me; and I have nothing in the world but that tub. But oh if you’ll take it, you’re welcome with all my heart!”

The man, her savior, but no less astonished and gratified, made no reply. Instead, he took off his hat and passed it around the crowd who opened their hearts and purses freely. He then poured all that he had collected into the poor woman’s lap, so that she was now richer than ever she had been in all her life.

We were like that poor woman sinking deeper and deeper in sin, being carried down to death and judgment. Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, came from heaven to rescue us. He went down into the deep waters of death, gave His life, to raise us up and put us the shore of everlasting salvation.

Then too those He has saved He has enriched with eternal life and blessing. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” 2 Cor. 8:9.

They who know Him as their Saviour are “blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ” (Eph. 1:3), are made joint-heirs with Him of all the Father has given to His beloved Son. One day soon His redeemed ones will gaze into the face of the blessed One who died to save them.

Oh that you, dear reader, may know His saving grace and that the expression of your heart might be, “I want to see the Man that saved me.”

ML-06/20/1971

Little Daniel

(Continued from last week)

The sick man drew near to the little patient.

“Well, how is it?” he asked kindly. “Don’t you get tired of lying here?”

“Sometimes,” said Danny with a sweet smile. “But then Mother sings to me which makes me happy, and I forget the pain... Don’t you know Jesus?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know Jesus as you do, my boy.”

“O it’s easy,” said he with a bright smile, “and He’s so good!”

“Easy for you, Danny, but not for me.”

“Why, it’s only ‘Come unto Me,’ you know. Mother, please say the verse.”

“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” said Mrs. Marks softly. “It means a conscience weary of sin and self.”

“Weary,” murmured Mr. Irving, “heavy laden with sin and infirmities, both of body and mind.”

There was another silence and then Lily spoke up. “Daddy wants to feel happy in the dark nights like you do,” she said.

“That’s Jesus too,” answered the little fellow promptly. “That’s because He comes to me; and when it hurts most I sing to myself my little hymn:

“Jesus can make my bed of pain

Feel soft as downy pillows are;

While on His breast I lay my head

And in His love rest sweetly there.”

Who, looking upon the little fellow there, his white brow uplifted, his smiling eyes fastened upon the blue heavens, could doubt that he saw and held communion with the Lord?

“Dear little boy,” said Mr. Irving, lifting his head, “you have done me good. I can see that those who have lost all hope in this world can be happy, and even triumphant. Oh for his faith!" he added, turning to Day’s mother; “I would give all I possess to be able to lay serene and cheerful as he lies there today.”

“Sir, it need cost you nothing,” returned the mother. “Salvation and peace are without money and without price. It is only look to Christ and live. We are not saved by our own works or great deeds, but simply by believing what Christ did when He died on the cross.”

“Now, Daddy,” broke in Lily, “can’t you say, ‘Jesus'?” Her father burst into tears, and finding himself unable to regain his self-control he bade Lily accompany him to the car, and together they left the cottage.

Little Daniel grew weaker every day. Then one evening he asked, his voice fainter than it had ever been before, “Do you think the angels will come after me?”

“Yes, darling, I have no doubt they will.”

“Oh Mother, Jesus is with me!” Then he added, “And does it make you feel bad to give me up?”

“Danny, dear,” and her voice was low, “I give you into better hands than mine. I shall be very lonesome without my darling little boy, but this thought will always comfort me — you are in that blessed Home where you shall never know want or pain.”

Little Charlie was put to bed and the sorrowing mother prepared to sit up all night with the little sufferer. It was a beautiful moonlight night and the soft beams lay across the little bed where he lay. Mother thought df her little boy’s dreams as the room shone with clear pure light. They had sweet messages to give between them, and the moments were precious. He spoke of Lily and her father. “Tell Lily to put her trust in Jesus,” he said.

The child grew more beautiful as the night drew on. Many times he murmured, “Good night, dear Mother. Good night, dear Charlie!” At last he spoke no more, but smiling peacefully, he fixed his full blue eyes upon her, and gradually the light faded out of them — into heaven.

The widowed mother sat looking on that peaceful little form. “To suffer no more,” she murmured, as she wept and kissed him for the last time. “Oh my dear little boy, I would not, no I could not, call you back!”

(To be continued)

ML-06/20/1971

The Stolen Cake

Tom was just a little boy, and had a dear Christian mother. One day he saw her put a piece of cake on the cupboard shelf, and then she told him expressly that he must not touch it. But Tom got to longing after that piece of cake, and being a naughty little boy at times, sad to say he stole the cake from the cupboard and took it to bed with him. While eating it he fell asleep with the half-eaten cake between his fingers.

Later on, when his mother came in to say good-night and give him a kiss, there was the little sinner asleep, caught red-handed with the cake.

In the morning when he woke up he found the cake still in his fingers, but neatly folded in a white paper.

On the paper in his mother’s own handwriting he read the solemn words: “Be sure your sins will find you out.” Numbers 32:23.

Not a word was said; never till the close of his life did he mention it, and then he told his sister, on his death-bed as he gave her the paper, how he had kept it hidden deep in his desk. Forty years before those solemn words had been the means of awakening him and bringing him to the Saviour. Years had passed by since he stole the cake, and yet those words remain still on his conscience and he could not rest until he had sought “the Way” (John 14:6), which the Lord Jesus has told us is the “only Way.” “I am the Way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.".

Sin, so sure to find the sinner out, could be forgiven, and the memory of it blotted out, but only by the blood of Jesus. “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me, for I have redeemed thee.” Isa. 44:22

Memory Verse “I CAME NOT TO CALL THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT SINNERS TO REPENTANCE.” Luke 5:32

ML-06/20/1971

Scripture Acrostic

A prophet who wrote to David’s son. (2 Chron. 21)

Levi’s was left with the Holy One. (Deut. 33)

Name now a leper by faith made well. (2 Kings 5)

Whose book a eunuch read, can you tell? (Acts 8)

What word inviting, did Jesus say? (Matt. 11:28

What does He inhabit? Tell us we pray. (Isa. 57)

Initials form the name of one who gained

The Apostle’s praise for her faith unfeigned. (2 Tim. 1)

Many are choosing Christ to-day,

Turning from all their sins away;

Heaven shall their blessed portion be;

Where will you spend eternity?

ML-06/20/1971

Bible Talks: The Peace Offering

Leviticus 4

WE COME now to the sin and trespass offerings which in many ways are the same. They differed from the first three in that they are not seen as sweet savor offerings, and were not burned on the brazen altar.

The sin offering was to be a young bullock without blemish in order to be a fit type of the blessed Lord Jesus as our Sin-bearer. Nothing showed His perfectness as much as His being made sin for us. If He had had any sin of His own He could not have borne our sins. God could say of Him, “In Him is no sin,” and though He died on the cross and was buried, yet He arose from the dead and now from heaven He gives eternal life to all who believe on Him.

The bullock was brought to the door of the tabernacle and killed there. Some of the blood was sprinkled seven times before the Lord, before the veil, some was put upon the horns of the altar of incense, and then all was poured out at the bottom of the brazen altar. In this way the blood all went back to God, “for the life is in the blood,” and it told of the life of the spotless Victim laid down for another’s sin.

The fat and some of the inwards were burned on the altar of burnt offering, and these also were for God alone. This teaches us that what ever low thoughts men might have of Christ who hung upon a tree, God would have us know that His beloved Son never was more precious to Him than when He was dying upon the cross for sin.

The whole of the bullock was then carried outside the camp and burned in a clean place. It was not burned on the brazen altar for this showed how much God hates sin; He would not let it come near His dwelling-place. Nor would He have sweet incense burned with it, but He sent it away from His tabernacle to be burned alone in a place by itself.

Oh to what depths the Lord Jesus must go when He undertook to put our sins away! How it should humble us when we think it was our sins and guilt that brought Him so low. We know that when He had our sins upon His blessed Person, God had to hide His face from that holy Sufferer.

The whole bullock was burned to ashes, and how this speaks to us of God’s vengeance against sin.

“For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate.” Heb. 13:11, 12. But such was His love; He gave His all in death for us.

Our sins, our guilt, in love divine,

Confessed and borne by Thee;

The gall, the curse, the wrath were Thine,

To set Thy ransomed free.

Oh how we ought to love and thank Him for all that He has done for us!

ML-06/20/1971

How Tom Was Saved

TOM WAS A young farmer, and one day in an open air meeting he stood up to speak. The story of his conversion can best be told in his own words.

“I’m just a poor farmhand,” said he, “and never been no scholar; so you’ll excuse my simple way, and let me tell you how the Lord saved my soul.

“I was plowing in a field, and had stopped and was sitting down by the fence to eat my lunch, when I see a gentleman leaning over the gate. Presently he spies me, and comes over to where I was sitting. He said it was a fine day, and I said it was so, with the blessing of God, as we always says down in them parts, not thinking nothing about God all the time. However, he pulls me up sharp, though in a kindly voice and says, ‘Do you know the blessing of God in saving your soul?’

“It took me by surprise, and I says, ‘We all wants to be saved and hopes we shall afore we comes to die.’ Then he spoke a great deal to me, as I never heard the likes in my life; about being ‘born again,’ and all to that away.

“Before he goes, he takes out a book and says, ‘I should like to give you this, and would you read this chapter where I turn the leaf down?’

“I thanked him, but told him I was no scholar, never having had no book learnin'.

"'Well,’ says he, ‘never mind that; you get the first person you see that can read, to read this chapter to you.’

“So he left the book, and I never seen him from that time.

“After a bit, I hears a boy coming along home from school, whistling a tune. Thinks I, ‘He’ll do!’ So I calls, ‘Hey boy! come here!’

“He comes over. So I tells him to sit down just there beside me, and read me out of a book a gentleman gave me. I asked, ‘Can you read?’

"'Sure I can, and write my own name too.’

“He reads away, and I sits listenin’ with all my might. He reads about a man what came to Jesus by night, and I never knew anything take such hold on me as them words did. I had often heard sermons with fine big words, but these came right home to me; and I was real perplexed when he read about being ‘born again,’ for that was what the gentleman was saying to me before. ‘Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’

“Now I wanted to go to heaven, and I always thought if a man did the best he could, and paid his way, and loved his neighbor, what more could he do? And he would surely go to heaven at the end; but this floored me — this being ‘born again.’ I was sure I wasn’t this. Though I didn’t know what it meant, I knew I ought to be different to what I was; but this seemed beyond me, and didn’t mean my being different in myself, but out of myself altogether, something straight from heaven.

“I kept thinking of these thoughts, and wondering, when I again caught up with the boy reading, and the words he read so made my heart jump with a strange feeling that I had got it at last, and yet hadn’t got it, and was frightened of losing it. I called out to him ‘Stop, and read that last over again.’ As he read what he told me was verse 16, the light began to shine in on my heart, and I thought, ‘This is what being born again means—this explains it.’ I know now it was the Holy Spirit of God, through them words.

" ‘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.’

“I couldn’t half think it was for me, and there was one word that I couldn’t understand so I asked the boy, ‘Can you tell me what that there word whosoever means?’ But he didn’t seem to know any more than I did and says, ‘I can’t for the life of me tell you what it means.’

“But I wasn’t to be put off — I was too anxious, so I urged him to think again. I said ‘you’re such a good scholar and can write your own name, surely you know what this word means!’

" `No,’ he says, ‘I don’t know what it means, unless it means you, me, or anybody else.’

" ‘Well,’ says I, ‘why didn’t you say that at first? I can understand that easy enough. Now read that verse over again, please, and put them words in instead of the long one.’ So he read over again, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that you, me, or anybody else, believing in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

“I lifted up my heart and thanked God there and then for such mercy to a sinner like me. His love was so wonderful, and those words made it all plain that it was for me.

“I got the boy to say the verse over and over again, until I knew them myself as well. The rest of that afternoon my heart was singing for joy; and as I went up and down the field plowing, I kept repeating the words over to myself, getting fresh understanding of them every time.

“Then when I went home at night the first thing I says to my wife was, ‘Jeannie, my fortune’s made! With this day I have received everlasting life.’

“She said, ‘Thank God then! my prayers are answered.’ She had been a Christian for some time and often I had given her sorrow through my ways.

" ‘But how did you come by it?’ she asked. Then I read to her or rather said it to her, though I opened the book, John 3, verse 16.

ML-06/27/1971

Little Daniel: "Just Say, Jesus!"

(continued from last week)

LITTLE CHARLIE cried piteously the next morning when he learned that his brother, Daniel, had gone to heaven. His dear mother drew him to herself and kissed him saying softly, “Try to bear it, Charlie; remember you are all Mother has left.”

“But I want him!” sobbed the child.

“Ah,” said the sorrowing mother, “heaven wanted him too.”

~~~

There was sorrow in the stately mansion as well as in the home of the poor widow. Mr. Irving was failing rapidly. The doctor said there was no hope. Mrs. Irving was in despair. She who had lived for pleasure must stand and see the end of earth; she must realize that she was born for something besides living here. She must think that someday she too, like her husband, must come to the same end of all things.

Lily’s “Aunt Nell” too was strangely moved. There had come to her some dim longings for Christ. Again and again the question came into her mind, “Do you love Jesus?” Now she thought of nothing else.

Little Lily seemed the only one who remained calm at that eventful time. She had grown so sweetly thoughtful.

One day as the sunbeams shone into the sick room, her father called her to himself, a heavenly smile on his face, and whispered: “Lily, I can say, ‘Jesus,’ now.”

“O Daddy, I’m so glad!” she exclaimed, and she leaned over and kissed him. “I’ll go and tell the little sick boy. And does Jesus come and talk with you?”

“Yes, darling, He talked with me all last night. Thank God, I shall soon see Him.”

“Will Mother seek Jesus too?” whispered the little girl.

“You ask her, Lily. O I wish I had learned to know Him long before,” and tears flowed down the sick man’s cheeks.

Memory Verse “BLESSED ARE THEY WHOSE INIQUITIES ARE FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS ARE COVERED.” Romans 4:7.

The Saviour calls, He knows thy sin;

But trust Him now, He’ll enter in;

And He thy heart will satisfy,

And every needed grace supply.

ML-06/27/1971

Bible Talks: The Sin Offering

Leviticus 4

WE WERE saying last week that the sin offering, instead of being burned upon the brazen altar, was burned outside the camp. The word to burn, when used in refence to the offerings burned on the altar, means to “go up,” or “to ascend”; however, in the case of the sin offering the word to burn is different. It was consumed to ashes. Even the priests that sprinkled the blood and he who burned the animal had to wash their clothes, and were unclean until the evening. (Num. 19:1-8).

The sin offering is a type of our blessed Lord Jesus who was “made sin for us” (2 Cor. 5:21). He was dealt with as sin itself, bearing all the wrath and judgment due to it, and this so fully that God forsook Him! This we learn from His own lips (Matt. 27:46). And if that solemn cry declares His integrity and His spotless purity and perfection as Man, how tremendously it declares also the hatefulness, “the exceeding sinfulness of sin” in God’s eye! The very perfections of Jesus only make this the more plain. “The chiefest among ten thousand, the altogether lovely” One so endured the fire of wrath against sin, that He could say, “My heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels"; “My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue cleaveth to My jaws.” Psalm 22:14, 15. How solemnly this tells the enormity of sin in the sight of God!

That such as Jesus was, should suffer thus; that nothing less than a Sacrifice so excellent could suffice to “put away sin"; and that such pre-eminence in every excellency should be “cast into the burning” and “forsaken” on account of it!

Then besides His perfections as a man, we must never forget that He who “put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” was the eternal Son, “God manifest in flesh,” the Everlasting Word, the Creator of all things. How tremendous the cost at which sin has been put away! How unlimited and eternal the judgment those will have to bear who reject such a sacrifice through their unbelief (Hebrews 10:29).

Dear young friends, we live in a day when sin is lightly thought of. We live in the atmosphere of a sinful world and oftentimes our own hearts become defiled. How well for us to be reminded often of what sin is in the sight of a holy God!

Perhaps when we hear or read of some terrible crime committed we judge it to be a great sin, and rightly so. But we can only rightly estimate the awfulness of sin when we see the blessed Lord Jesus, God’s Son, in the throes of Calvary, suffering in those three hours the wrath of a sin-hating God. There all that God is against sin fell upon that blessed Substitute.

But how blessed to know that the storm that bowed His blessed head is hushed forever now. He could cry “It is finished!” What can be more hateful to God, yet what is further removed from Him now at more infinite distance — than sin by the sacrifice of Jesus. Now the “new and living way” is open and believers have boldness to enter right into the very presence of God (Hebrews 10). Have you, dear rear, taken that Way?

ML-06/27/1971

The Lost One Found

IN A BEAUTIFUL home in the suburbs there lived a Christian lady with her only child, a little fellow five years old. She was wealthy, but her husband had died, and now her affections and cares all centered in her little Charles. The great desire of her heart was that he should be converted to the Lord, and she prayed earnestly that God would draw his heart after the Saviour. She sought to teach him some prayers, but only one would he learn and that was: “Lord, convert me; change my heart; teach me to trust thee, and to love my brethren as Jesus loved us.” Charles would recite his prayer then quickly say, Amen, and climb into bed. His poor mother wept and prayed much for him, but his little heart only seemed to get harder.

One day a servant came to tell the lady that Charles had disappeared. The anxious mother ran through the house, the garden, and all around the neighborhood, searching and asking people if anyone had seen her little boy. She published the news of his disappearance in the papers, and offered a large reward for any information concerning him, but to no avail. Many were the reports that came to her from far and near but none turned out to be her lost son.

Time went by and one told her he had seen a small child down by the river, that he had been drowned and buried in a small cemetery downstream. Believing this to be her little son, the poor mother went there to weep. She had a tombstone erected to his memory, upon which was engraved the image of a small child kneeling, and this prayer: “Lord, convert me; change my heart; teach me to trust Thee, and to love my brethren as Jesus loves us. Amen.”

Three sorrowful years passed by for the lonely Christian mother. It was summertime, and she had made a visit to the country, during which time the servants were busy cleaning the mansion. Returning unexpectedly, she was surprised to find a little chimney sweep, black as coal, leaning against the fireplace. He looked so sad, and big tears rolled down his thin little cheeks leaving white traces upon his dark face.

“What is the matter, my child?” she asked kindly.

“It’s because —” he replied, trying to keep back the tears, “it’s because — my master will beat me.” “Tell me about it — why does he beat you?”

" ‘Cause I don’t earn enough money. I call out loud as I can to people to let me clean their chimneys, and nobody wants me. He says I don’t climb fast enough, and I don’t scrape hard enough. Yesterday I fell and hurt my leg, and tore my pants. We come to clean your chimney and my master is on the roof now. He is coming down,” and the little fellow sobbed bitterly.

“Well, I will speak to your master.”

“Oh please don’t,” he pleaded, “he will beat me all the more.”

“I will talk to God about you tonight.”

“To God? Oh I keep asking Him to take me back to my mother.” “You have a mother then?”

“I had one once. Oh if I could only go back to her!”

“Do you know where she lives?” questioned the lady, her interest mounting.

“No; I was only little when I knew her. I remember only one house — and it had a garden. The fireplace was over here like yours, and Mother had a kind sad face like — oh, I’m sorry,” he broke off, for the words overcame the poor lady. She sank upon the sofa, then taking the boy’s hand she drew him near to her and said, “And what of your mother?”

He tried to recall some things out her, and then suddenly remembered -

“She taught me a prayer” he said.

“Tell me that prayer. Tell me!”

Kneeling down, with trembling voice the little fellow prayed: “Lord, convert me — change my heart; teach me to trust Thee, and to love my brethren as Jesus loves us. Amen.”

“My boy! my boy!” cried the mother as she pressed him to her bosom regardless of his soot, “You are my son, Charles! I’m your mother!” and the sobs of both stopped their voices. They both wept, but they were tears of joy. Scarcely could the mother contain herself as she exclaimed, “O thank God! my boy! my boy!”

“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth... For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” Luke 15:10,24.

(To be continued)

ML-07/04/1971

Little Daniel

(Continued from last week)

It was one of Mr. Irving’s last requests before he passed away that the little boy who had been so used in his conversion and eternal blessing should be buried beside him. And there they were laid to rest the rich and the poor — the great intellectual and the precious little child who had known little else than Jesus and His love — to await the glorious resurrection morning.

“They have gone to God,” said the preacher, “and it is a sweet fact that the word spoken by our little friend was the means of strewing the dying pillow of our brother with blessings.” Then he quoted some of the sick man’s last words: “I have seen the beauty of many countries; I have tasted deeply of pleasures, and have been surrounded with the best of earth, but never have I known anything so blissful as the love of Christ that fills my soul in these last moments.”

Much more was said and many in the great crowd felt how empty were their lives, and how like shows the pleasures they pursued.

Lily often visited the widow and her son, Charlie. Sometimes they would go together to the cemetery to place roses on the graves where their dear ones rest. And Lily would always read, with tender voice, the simple inscription to her father’s memory:

“Just say, Jesus.”

ML-07/04/1971

How Tom Got Saved

(Continued from last week)

“I WAS SO FULL of my newfound happiness that as soon as I had my supper I felt I must go down and tell my mates the good news, thinking, of course, they’d be glad to hear it. We used to meet in the village tavern, called ‘The Fleece,’ and I think now it is a good name for such a place, for it is just there a fellow does get properly fleeced, as I proved manys a time. We used to talk all the gossip of the country, and it was a regular scandal shop. So I goes down this night with my Testament in my pocket.

“When I get there, my mates and the landlord especially, begin to cry out how late I am, that I must have something very good to tell, and so on. And when they are quiet, I tells them what I telled my wife, and pulls out my Testament and says the verse to them: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever (that means you, me, or anybody else) believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

“Well, they stared at me, but hadn’t a word to say. At last the landlord spoke up. ‘I ‘spore he saw that if all came to this way of thinking, that would be an end to his trade; so he says, " ‘Come, we don’t want any of that sort of stuff here; we have enough preaching on Sundays by learned men, without your setting up to be so good.’

“I answered him, ‘Is that the way it is, Joe? Well, it opens my eyes plain, what the friendship of the world’s worth. I could come here and talk all manner of stuff about anyone, and anything, no matter how low, and drink till I was scarce able to find my way home, and I was welcome; but now that my soul is saved, I musn’t speak about that, nor about my Saviour. Then I can’t come here anymore indeed. Here’s the 75c I owe you, and good-bye. Old mates, I would to God that you would take the word of Jesus, and thank Him for it.”

“But the most of them laughed at me; only two that I know of (and thank God for them!), gave any heed. One of them was a young fellow who had been converted before, and me and my mates had dragged him back among us; he followed me out with tears in his eyes, and said, " ‘Oh, pray for me! I have dishonored my Saviour; I’ve left Him; will He receive me back?’

“And He did, as He ever will. That young man is rejoicing again in Christ. It was not that day only, but every day after, I spoke to my neighbors and friends, wherever I could get them, of Jesus — ‘that whosoever (you, me, or anybody else, I told them) believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’

ML-07/04/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 4

THE SIN and trespass offerings, unlike the first three (chapters 1-3), were not voluntary, nor were they for a sweet savor. They were compulsory, or required, to clear the conscience of the one who sinned, to restore that which had been taken away or ruined, and to vindicate God’s honor. Through them forgiveness was sought and secured.

These offerings tell of the provision on God’s part for those hopelessly lost otherwise. They are typical of the atoning work of the Lord Jesus, whom God has given for saints as well as sinners, for His love goes out to both.

In the sweet savor sacrifices the acceptance of the offering is transferred to the offerer. In those for sin and guilt the offerer’s sin was transferred to the offering. The Lord Jesus His own self bore our sins in His body on the tree (1 Pet. 2:24). How sweetly does mercy shine in either case, and tells of His perfect work.

The provision here was only for “sins of ignorance.” We must remember that Israel were a people still under law, and the law made nothing perfect (Heb. 7:12); it could only reveal but part of the mind of God. “Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17. If the gospel provided only for sins committed in ignorance, who of us could be saved? But thank God, it declares that the sacrifice of Christ has atoned for every sin of him who believes, those done willfully as well as those done unwittingly; “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

However, sin done ignorantly still is sin. This we learn from chapter 5:17-19: “If a soul sin...; though he wist it not, yet he is guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.” This is an important principle, for it shows that we cannot take our own thoughts of what is sin as a standard, but the unalterable Word of God is our only guide. Praise His name, there is the sacrifice of Christ for all these sins; still it is sin and has to be confessed as such, and like all sin, needed the blood of Jesus to cleanse it. May this warning from God’s inspired Word make us more careful in all we do, and make us more diligent in searching the Word, so that sins of ignorance may be less common with us than they have been!

We find in this chapter differences in the sin offerings to be brought, because of a solemn principle with God. How grave the sin is depends on the position of him who sins. How often we see those who would screen or cover up the offense of one who is great, if they can! On the other hand the same might be hard on him who is poor, friendless, and deemed of little account. But not so with God, who tells us that “to whomsoever much is given, of the same shall much be required.” Luke 12:48. One who has been brought up in a Christian home is much more responsible than one who has not had that privilege.

Memory Verse “THOU ART MY HIDING PLACE: THOU SHALT PRESERVE ME FROM TROUBLE.” Psalm 32:7.

ML-07/04/1971

Saved in a Communist Hospital

HARRY was a young American boy who in this land of Bibles and religious liberties, had the privilege of attending Sunday school. There he learned the story of God’s love to man, made known in the gift of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus, who came into the world to save sinners.

But though Harry knew he was a sinner and needed a Saviour, yet he never decided for Christ. As he grew older he turned away from God, went into the world, and became hardened against the gospel.

Then the Korean War came and Harry was drafted. In the army he became more hardened than ever. In the solemn scenes of war, there face to face with death, God spoke to him again and again, but it did not awaken him to his need of salvation. “God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.” Job 33:14. Many of his comrades were killed in action, but still Harry seemed deaf to the pleading of the voice of the Spirit, calling him to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Then Harry’s turn came. He was wounded and taken prisoner by the Communists. For many days he lay in a North Korean Army hospital and there he had lots of time to reflect. Still his close call with death and the mercy of God to him didn’t seem to soften his heart.

Then a young doctor in that Communist hospital spoke to Harry and asked him many questions. To his great surprise he found that the young Korean was a Christian, and he urged Harry to read his Bible. The doctor had to be very careful and not say too much, lest he be found out. But it was the beginning of a work of grace in Harry’s heart. He thought to himself, “Here am I brought up in a Christian land, went to Sunday School and read the Bible, yet I am not a Christian. And now who should be urging me to become one but this young faithful disciple of Christ up here in the Communist army.”

For the first time in his life Harry was humbled before God, ashamed to think he had despised and rejected for so long the Saviour who loved Him, who only sought his good and blessing, and had followed him all the way to North Korea to bring him that eternal salvation He had died to secure. Those claims of love were too much for Harry, and He surrendered willingly, happily and thankfully to that blessed and only Saviour of sinners.

And if you, like Harry, dear rear, have not yet surrendered to Him who is “the chiefest among ten thousand,” “the altogether lovely One,” may you seek grace to do so without delay. He is so worthy! and your need of Him is so great!

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

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Tim. 1:15.

Memory Verse “HE THAT TRUSTETH IN THE LORD, MERCY SHALL COMPASS HIM ABOUT.” Psalm 32:10.

ML-07/11/1971

My Greatest Treasure

A schoolboy, of six or seven years and the son of Christian parents, had to write a short essay on “My Greatest Treasure.” His father and mother wondered which of those things he treasured most he would write about. When he showed them what he had written how overjoyed they were to read his first sentence: “My greatest treasure is my Holy Bible.”

How good to see the dear boy finding such delight in the Holy Scriptures, like one of old who could say, “More are they to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold"! Psa. 19:10.

ML-07/11/1971

Bible Talks: The Sin Offering

Leviticus 4:1-4

FOUR CASES in which the sin offering was required are brought before us in this chapter. In each some of the details are different, but all point on to that one blessed sacrifice of Christ. Some of the minute particulars might pass unnoticed by the casual reader, yet in studying them in dependence upon that blessed Spirit, every stroke of the inspired penman becomes precious to us.

All the ofttimes dim and showy lines converge on one grand point — “The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” There all find their true and perfect fulfillment. What may be dry and wearisome detail to the unenlightened, is full of beauty and wondrous meaning to the eye of faith which sees how Christ shines in all the Scriptures.

Standing by the brazen altar and watching the sacred fire as it feeds with satisfaction upon the grateful burnt offering, we see, in type, the Lord Jesus presenting to God on our behalf His one precious obedience. “Accepted in the Beloved,” is the truth here.

On the other hand, going “without the camp,” where the angry fire consumes the body of “the bullock for the sin offering,” we see the same blessed One “Charged with the complicated load Of our enormous guilt,” bearing our judgment — meeting the wrath due to us as sinners. “No condemnation” is the teaching here. In the former we have His excellencies, His merits, what is imputed to us, for the sake of which we are counted righteous; in the latter, what was imputed to Christ, for the sake of which “He was numbered with the transgressors.”

The case of the anointed priest comes first (vv. 3-12). If he sinned, which was often the case, he must bring a bullock without blemish unto the Lord for a sin offering. The bullock is the largest clean animal, and the Lord would have him realize that because of his position his was the greatest responsibility.

The high priest represented all the people, so his acts brought not only blessing on them, but also the guilt of his sin. If the anointed priest “sin so as to bring guilt on the people,” seems to be the meaning as given in another rendering.

How blessed in contrast is the High Priest of our confession, a great High Priest, Jesus the Son of God. For though tempted in all respects as we, yet it was apart from sin. In Him was no sin; on the contrary He was holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and become higher than the heavens. He needed no offering, for He had no sins of His own, therefore He could become the true sin offering for all His people.

The bullock was brought to the door of the tabernacle, and the high priest placed his hand upon its head. His guilt was, as it were, transferred to the victim, and then the animal was slain before the Lord. How precious to the sinner who believes in Jesus, this act, the token of transferring the guilt to the victim, for faith sees that at the cross all his sins and guilt were transferred to that blessed substitute, who has answered to God for them all. Now they are gone — and gone Forever! “What a Saviour Jesus is! Everlasting praise be His!”

ML-07/11/1971

"Old John Is Dead - I Am New John"

OLD JOHN was a peddler. He was such a bad character in the village that he was known as “Drunken John.”

One night old John went to a gospel meeting, and he took Christ as his Saviour. The news soon spread among the village that John was saved. Many people came around him in the street, just to see what he was like.

“Sure enough, there is a great change in him,” said one.

“He’s not drunk, and not swearing as he used to,” said another.

There was old John, his face shining with joy, selling his fish and quoting John 3:16. “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.

“Old John is dead — I am new John,” he would sometimes tell his friends. How true that is, for anyone who comes to Christ receives a new life, and he is a new creature.

“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-07/11/1971

Edward

On January 5, when he was alone, the Spirit of God began to work mightily in his soul, and he went up to his bedroom to pray. When he came downstairs again, he took his Bible and opened to Matthew 11:28, 29, and read the glorious invitation, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

When his father came home Edward met him with tears in his eyes and the opened Bible in his hand. “What is the matter?” asked his father.

“Dad,” sobbed the dear boy, “I want the Lord to forgive me my sins.”

“I’m sure he will,” was his father’s answer: “we must ask Him.”

“Lord, forgive me my sins; cleanse me from my iniquities, that I may trust Thee. Amen.” That was the prayer that rose to heaven and to God from the boy’s heart. That prayer was heard and answered right then. Rising from his knees Edward went to his mother and told her the Lord had forgiven his sins, and he felt so happy.

Thank God for the salvation of dear Edward, and many like him.

ML-07/18/1971

Bible Talks: The Sin Offering for the High Priest

Leviticus 4:5-12

AFTER THE bullock was slain and its blood shed, the priest was to dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the veil, before the Lord. He was also to put some of the blood on the horns of the golden altar of sweet incense. The rest of the blood was poured out beside the brazen altar.

Only through the shedding of the blood of the substitute without blemish could the sin be put away from before the Lord, and communion restored. The blood sprinkled seven times before the veil would speak of this perfect restoration. The blood poured out at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering was a substitute for the life of the sinner. This points on so clearly and so sweetly to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. There He was lifted up from the earth, and there it is where God now draws the sinner. In righteousness and love He meets him and shows the precious work of redemption His beloved Son has accomplished for him there. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

After the fat and some of the innards were removed and burnt on the altar, the whole bullock — its skin, its head, its legs, its inwards and dung — all was burned together without the camp.

All that we were as men in the flesh has come to a complete end in the death of Christ and this is solemnly pictured to us in the whole bullock burned to ashes. But oh to think of what it cost the holy spotless Saviour to suffer without the gate of Jerusalem to put our sins away; “For He [God] hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor. 5:21. How our hearts should bow in worship and thanksgiving, our lips be filled with His praises, and our lives show forth our appreciation of all He has done for us!

We were saying that the fat and some of the inwards were first roved and burned on the altar bore the Lord. The caul, or midriff, was part of these; it is that by the action of which breath is drawn and expelled from the lungs. And this confirms all that has been said about the preciousness of Jesus. Even when “made sin” and “numbered with the transgressors,” His infinite preciousness is still showed forth. Every breath that He breathed was precious to God. Oh how loudly this speaks His praise!

May we affectionately ask you, dear reader, Do you know Jesus as your Sin Offering? Can you say, “His blood cleanses me from all sin... He bore my sins in His own body on the tree... I have redemption through His blood"? Do you esteem the preciousness of Jesus as your “Sin Offering,” such that you are willing to “go forth unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach"? May the language of our lives be, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Gal. 6:14.

ML-07/18/1971

Lee Ching Tang

LEE CHING TANG held a position in the Chinese tax office. Unlike many of his profession, he was honest and respected. A friend of his had persuaded him to join “The Sect of the Golden Pill,” whose followers looked up to the great Indian teacher, Buddha. Lee Ching hoped to find peace of mind by this; but he was disappointed for this teaching did not give him what he craved for.

One day on his way to work he passed a small crowd around a man who seemed to be explaining what was contained in a little book he held in his hand. Lee Ching stopped to listen, and ended up buying one of the small books for a penny.

That evening Lee sat down to read the little book which proved to be The Gospel by Luke — the glad tidings about the blessed Man, Christ Jesus.

He was impressed. “This writer,” he said to himself, “begins well. He traces the course of all things accurately from the first... Good!” The story soon gripped him. It was translated into such clear and simple Chinese that it did not seem like a translation. The long list of names in chapter 3 impressed him deeply, for the Chinese reverence their ancestors and a long genealogy appeals to them strongly.

He read on and on. Never before had he read the gospel, and the sayings and doings of our Lord Jesus, with all those wonderful miracles, came to him like a new discovery. He knew the ancient books of his own land but there was such simplicity and truth in this book that he had not met in any other. It was about a real Man — one of such exquisite beauty of character, so tender, so loving, so strong, that Lee Chang Tang felt his heart going out towards Him.

The trial and crucifixion of the Lord affected him deeply. When he came to the centurion’s words, “Certainly this was a righteous Man,” he found himself saying, “That is true — is true — a righteous man!”

It was late when Lee Ching went to bed and he did not sleep much. A conflict had begun in his soul. The very friend who had introduced him into The Golden Pill had since become a Christian and now he was trying to persuade Lee to become a follower of Jesus too. He had written Lee saying, “At last I have found real peace of mind,” and no wonder, for we read, “being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). That was what Lee Ching wanted more than anything. He had heard about Christians, but had not been drawn to join them. Now things were different. If to be a Christian meant to be a follower of that wonderful Man, Jesus, he had been reading about — well, he was almost persuaded already.

He could hardly concentrate at work the next day. Hurrying home when his office closed he began to read his little book. He had only paid a penny for it, but it was becoming the one Book in the world to him.

That evening as he read, a great black scorpion crawled out from under his arm and came to rest on the open book. Lee Ching was frightened. “What means this?” he wondered. “Is this a sign that the beautiful teachings of this Book are poisonous, and harmful to our nation as some people say?” But then the scorpion slipped back the way it came and he saw it no more. Nothing happened; it had not harmed him. Perhaps there was some virtue in the Book that could save even from scorpions, for had he not read, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions...” (Luke 10:19)?

You can see that Lee Ching was what we call “superstitious.” For many days he puzzled over that scorpion. What was it a sign of? And behind this question was another: Should he become a follower of Jesus? At last he decided to put it to the test.

One evening he took three pieces of paper. On one he wrote the name “Confucius"; on the second he wrote “Buddha"; and on the third he wrote “JESUS.” He rolled each up and placed them in a bowl before his altar. Then kneeling down he prayed: “O God in heaven, I am utterly ignorant and do not know which way to take. Help me now to choose whom Thou wouldst have me follow — Confucius, Buddha, or JESUS. I cannot see the right way without Thee.”

Then with trembling hand and closed eyes Lee Ching groped for the bowl and took out one roll of paper. He opened his eyes, straightened it out, and read — “JESUS” that NAME which is above every name, the sweetest name on earth and in heaven.

That decided it for Lee Ching Tang. The hour was very late, but he started out for his friend’s home several miles away. He banged at the door impatiently. His friend awoke, wondering what could be the matter. Going downstairs he was amazed to find Lee Ching at the door. His amazement turned to joy when Lee Ching burst out: “It’s settled now! I am a follower of Jesus!”

The two friends sat up till dawn, searching the Scriptures, and talking about the way of the Saviour.

One of the strict rules of The Golden Pill was that all members must be vegetarians and not eat meat of any kind. But at breakfast that morning Lee’s friend called for meat. They ate it together and thus cut themselves off from the past. It was a sign that they had now started upon a new road.

That day they set out to visit another Christian, one of the Lord’s servants, whom Lee’s friend knew already. He received them with joy and from him they learned more of the wonderful truths about God and Christ, His beloved Son, and what it means to be a Christian.

The last news we had of Lee Ching Tang was that he was living a truly devoted Christian life and was seeking to win others for the Saviour.

They who seek the Lord come by many paths. What matters it by what path they come if they find Him at last?

Have you found Him, dear reader? If not, may the story of dear Lee Ching Tang awaken in your heart a desire to know this blessed Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save sinners, and whose love demands your soul, your life, your all.

Memory Verse “THOU, LORD, HAST NOT FORSAKEN THEM THAT SEEK THEE.” Psa. 9:10.

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

ML-07/25/1971

Marty's First Train Ride

LITTLE MARTY, just four years old, was taking her first train ride. Together with her mother, she was going to visit Grandma who lived far away in the country.

The little girl was so eager and excited as the train sped along through the lovely countryside, and looking out the window she noted all the beautiful farms, the cows, the horses and sheep that grazed in the green valley and on the hillsides.

Suddenly the train entered a long tunnel, and Marty clung to her mother in silent terror of the darkness.

That night as she knelt by her bed to say her little prayer, she said:

“Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me,

Bless Thy little lamb tonight;

In the darkness be Thou near me,

Keep me safe till morning light.”

She asked the Lord to bless all her friends, and then ended by saying, “And please, dear Lord Jesus, take away the tunnel before we go home.”

On the return journey little Marty grew tired and fell asleep. She slept all through the long dark tunnel. God did not remove the tunnel but He answered the prayer of the little one in His own wonderful way.

The Lord Jesus said when He was here, “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matt. 21:22. “So ought men [and little folks tool always to pray, and not to faint.” Luke 18:1.

ML-07/25/1971

Bible Talks: The Sin Offering for the Congregation

Leviticus 4:13-21

“AND IF THE WHOLE congregation of Israel sin through ignorance,.. when the sin... is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin... And the elders... shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the Lord; and the bullock shall be killed before the Lord.”

Here we have the case of some unjudged, collective sin among the people of God. The assembly might not know of it at the first, but the Lord would have His people exercised as to any sin of theirs when it became known. God cannot go on with sin nor bless His people when they allow it among them. As soon therefore as the sin was known (for God must bring sin to light), then a bullock must be brought for a sin offering.

We notice that the provision here is largely the same as for the priest who sinned, only it is the elders who lay their hands on the head of the victim. They, as representing the people, must realize the solemn judgment of sin as they witness the bullock slain “before the Lord.” God would have His people to see what sin is in HIS sight. Our blessed Lord Jesus has perfectly answered to God for all the sins of His own, but the remembrance of His suffering, what it cost Him to put those sins away, should keep us humble all our days.

In His spotless soul’s distress

I have learned my guiltiness;

Oh how vile my low estate

Since my ransom was so great!

Again the blood sprinkled seven times before the Lord and put upon the horns of the golden altar of incense, speaks of the infinite value of the blood of Christ before God, and the perfection of His work of atonement, so that communion can be restored. “The priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.” v.20.

“And he shall take all his fat from him, and burn it upon the altar... And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn him as he burned the first bullock: it is a sin offering for the congregation.” vv. 19,21.

The burning of the fat on the brazen altar tells-of the intrinsic holiness of the Lord Jesus as the victim, while at the same time we see how thoroughly He identified Himself with the sin of the congregation — a sacrifice so acceptable to God and so perfect an answer to all our need as sinners.

ML-07/25/1971

Paul the Runaway

PAUL was a boy of twelve who lived with his family in Illinois. Although devoted to his studies at school, he was fond of adventure.

One bright morning three schoolboys decided to go fishing instead of going to classes, and they succeeded in persuading Paul to join them. Paul had never played hooky in his life, and he knew it was wrong, but he finally decided to go. They had a good time swimming and fishing until the day was almost over. Paul’s mind was very uneasy, for how could he meet his father’s eye again with the honest, frank look he had always given him? He looked forward to it with dread. He knew that he would be punished severely, but what he felt most of all was that he would lose his father’s confidence. He knew that his brother Charlie must have told his parents that he was not at school that day.

Before leaving his friends, a boy named Tom Jones suggested Paul go home and get some of his clothes and other articles to go on a tramp trip to the “wild west,” the land of the cowboys and the “home of the buffalo.” When Paul got home he slipped cautiously through a window and into his room, where he packed up a few articles. His heart almost failed him when he thought of his family’s surprise to discover his disappearance. So he wrote a few lines and put the note on the kitchen table. He wrote: “Dear Father: I go West tonight with Tom Jones taking nothing with me but a few things of my own and the clothes on my back... Paul.”

Soon Paul and Tom were on their way to the West. After walking until midnight they came to a log hut, and Tom said, “Here is the first station on our route, and we will camp here for the night.” To Paul this first night out seemed wonderfully romantic, as they made a campfire. After eating a few potatoes, they went to sleep in the hut.

I need not go back to Paul’s home to tell of the sorrow and anxiety there when his family discovered that their dear boy had run away.

Paul didn’t realize how much they all loved him, and now that he was gone it seemed their love went out to him more than ever.

It so happened that an officer of a small town where the boys were camping saw smoke coming out of the chimney of the hut and went over to see who was there. He arrived just as Tom and Paul were about to take up their march again. That was the end of their trip to the wild West. The boys were restored to their parents, and we can well imagine their joy in seeing the young prodigals back home again. Paul had learned his lesson and never again did he run away from home.

How many boys and girls, and older folks too, are trying to run away from God. They know not how great and fathomless is that love that goes out to them, nor do they realize how His heart yearns over the wanderers and how He longs to receive them back and make them His dear children. The Lord Jesus told His disciples in John 16:27, “The Father Himself loveth you.”

But the poor prodigal we read about in Luke 15 did not appreciate his father’s love and goodness. Not until he had gone to the far country where he wasted his substance with riotous living, not until there arose a mighty famine and he ban to be in want, did he begin to think of his father’s house. But when he arose and came to his father, O what a welcome he got! and what a feast was spread for him!

If the reader of this little paper is still a wanderer from the Father’s face, we urge you to get back to God right now. You will be surprised at the welcome you will get from Him who loves you, who sent His beloved Son to die on the cross for your sins, and who has a Home prepared in heaven for you.

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

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” — 1 John 4:9.

ML-08/01/1971

Eternity

I WAS OUT for a good time, and thinking only of the excitement of the races. Men were shouting and cheering their favorite horses, when all at once I felt a tug at my coat sleeve. I turned and saw a young man. He stepped close and whispered one word, “Eternity,” at the same time slipping a little tract into my hand. What a strange thing to say! I decided I would forget all about it.

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

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

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

Memory Verse “SOME TRUST IN CHARIOTS, AND SOME IN HORSES: BUT WE WILL REMBER THE NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD.” Psa. 20:7.

ML-08/01/1971

A Dog and a Goose

A FARMER had an old dog and a pet goose. One day a fox visited the barnyard and seizing the goose, began to carry it off. But the dog chased the fox and rescued the goose.

From that time on the goose became so attached to the old dog, and loved him so, that she always stayed by the dog’s house, and would scarcely leave his side. She would never go and eat with the other geese, but had to have her pan of grain by the doghouse.

Two years later the old dog got sick and stayed in his doghouse. The goose never left his side. When he died the goose continued to live in the dog house. However, she pined so much for her old friend that within a few weeks she too passed away. Wasn’t she a faithful friend?

The goose loved the old dog because he had saved her life. And should not we who have been saved by our Lord Jesus Christ at such an infinite cost — the cost of His own life, redeemed by His precious blood — love Him for all He has done for us, and seek to be faithful to Him? How often we fail Him, and grieve Him, yet “He abideth faithful.” 2 Tim. 2:13.

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

ML-08/01/1971

Bible Talks: The Sin Offering for the Ruler

Leviticus 4:22-35

WE NOW come to the provision made for a ruler if he sinned. The Lord would have the sin judged in every case, but in every case He provides for its removal from before Him. The only One who had no sins to be forgiven, has made atonement for all, who own Him as Lord and Saviour.

It is a serious thing to be a leader among the people of God, for he acquires a certain influence, and if he sins it is more serious than in one who is not so prominent. We notice that in his case it says, “the LORD his God.” Care is taken to impress a ruler or chief man with his responsibility. He is called on to rule as well as to walk in the fear of “his God.”

We notice in his case the guilt is his own; others are not involved. Therefore he is not called on to bring a bullock, but a goat, though it must be a male without blemish. The blood is not brought into the sanctuary—not sprinkled before the Lord nor put on the horns of the golden altar — nor is the victim burned without the camp. It is the question of restoring an individual to his place as a worshiper: The communion and worship of all are not broken when an individual sins, yet they may be hindered. Personal communion and worship, however, are broken, so he must lay his hand on the head of the victim, and the animal must be slain, for only by death can sin be atoned for. Some of the blood was put on the horns of the brazen altar, and the rest poured out at the bottom of the altar.

Instead of the body of the animal being burned without the camp, we read in chapter 6:24-30 the priest was to eat the flesh of the sin offering in the holy place. This reminds us of how the Lord Jesus, our Great High Priest, made our guilt His own and met our individual need when He bore our sins on the cross. Now every believer is a priest and He would have us to feel the failures of others before God. May we know more of what it is to be in His presence on behalf of other poor failing saints of His, like Daniel, making their sin our own, and interceding for them that they might be restored to communion again.

The Sin Offering for One of the People

It is full of interest to note the tender care the Lord shows in the sin offering for the ordinary Israelite. The Lord would have the lowliest one among His people to feel that He felt for him in his concern about his sin, done in ignorance, but now troubling him when known. Of the ruler He demanded “a male goat without blemish” but for the common man “a female without blemish” was sufficient. It is a sin offering, for sin is SIN before God, but only in his case it is said that the fat burned by the priest on the altar should be “for a sweet savor unto the Lord.” The Lord deigns to consider the lowly man by this mark of communion in the burning of the fat for him.

Nor was this all. If the poor man could not provide a goat, God would accept a sheep or a lamb in his case. How gracious a God we have!

ML-08/01/1971

Jim's Rescue

TIM was the bad boy of the village. The boys and girls shunned him, and not without cause. His language was generally very bad and his actions were little better. He worked for a farmer and looked after his cattle. As the village children went to and from school, Jim was in the habit of teasing and insulting them as they walked along. Poor Jim! He had no kind pants to look after him and train him, or to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. His father was a drunkard, and his poor mother, after enduring much neglect and want, had died in grief and despair. Jim had been taken in hand by the farmer to keep him out of prison.

One afternoon as the children were returning from school, Jim sat swinging on a branch of a tree that overhung the river. He seemed to be enjoying himself and when the boys and girls came in sight, he shouted to attract their attention. They stopped to gaze in astonishment at his bravery as he swung merrily above the river which at that point was very deep. Flattered on seeing the children watching his performances, he increased his speed; but alas, the branch broke carrying Jim with it into the water below.

There was a loud cry from the children on the road when they saw Jim plunge into the stream. A few of them made a rush down the slope where Jim was seen struggling to keep his head above water, and still clinging to the broken branch of the tree.

“Help! Help!” cried the drowning boy, but there was no help near, save the school children, most of whom were too frightened to go near the water, However, two girls and a boy, older than the rest, got hold of a long board lying near the gate and, carrying it down to the riverside, stretched it toward Jim, still struggling in the deep water. He caught hold of the end of it, and they pulled him to the water’s edge, where several other children had gathered. All pulling together, they landed Jim safely on the bank, soaking wet and quite exhausted. By this time the farmer arrived, attracted by the cries of the children, and Jim was taken to the farm and attended to.

That incident changed Jim’s attitude toward the school children. He molested them no more. Ever after, he was most considerate and kind. He could see from their efforts that day that they cared for him, and this changed his feelings toward them.

In the same way, when sinners, hitherto at enmity with God, believe that Jesus loves them and gave Himself for them to die, that they might be saved from sin and hell, they love Him in return. They seek to please Him, not to merit or earn His love, or in order to be saved, but just because He has loved them, and has saved them already.

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

I am glad to tell you that Jim is now a Christian, saved by the grace of God, and on his way to heaven. Now he loves to seek out the friendless and destitute boys, such as he was, and tries to lead them to the Saviour.

“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.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Titus 3:5.

ML-08/08/1971

A Lion Story

AT A ZOO one day a man was cleaning the lion’s cage. Somehow the lion got in and killed him. Other workers tried to get his body away from the lion, but try as they would the lion wouldn’t let him go. He carried it wherever he went. At last a policeman came with his gun. Two shots rang out, and Mr. Lion was dead.

The Bible tells us that Satan “as a roaring lion,” goes about “seeking whom he may devour.” If we are not saved we are like that poor man, in the grip of the lion. Satan will not let us go.

Now the Lord Jesus came into this world to destroy the work of Satan. Satan has the power of death, but the Lord Jesus by His death and resurrection has triumphed over the great enemy’s power. Ever since He has been setting free those who were once captives to sin and Satan. Those who trust in Him and own Him as their Saviour belong to Him now; no longer are they slaves to their old master, but love and serve Him who died for them and rose again (2 Cor. 5:14,15).

ML-08/08/1971

Won by Love

I REMEMBER a family of boys in Chicago that used to hoot at me and my Sunday school class as we passed their house sometimes. One day one of those boys came into the Sunday school and made fun of everything. As he went away I told him I was glad to see him there and hoped he would come again. He did come again and made a noise, but I urged him to come the next time.

Finally one day he came and after sitting quietly he said: “I wish you would pray for me, boys.” Not long after that that boy came to Christ and was happily saved.

Decide for Christ today,

And God’s salvation see;

Yield soul and body, heart and will

To Him, who died for thee!

Decide for Christ today,

Confess Him as thy Lord;

Proclaim to all the Saviour’s worth,

How faithful is His word.

ML-08/08/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 5:1-4

WE NOW pass to the trespass offering which in many aspects is like the sin offering. Hover, the sin offering refers more to God’s holy nature and tells of the awfulness of sin is in His sight so that He must deal with it in judgment, whereas the trespass offering perhaps looks more at God’s government with, each of us. We have confession brought in, and one must make restitution.

“And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, he shall bear his iniquity.”

Swearing here does not mean using bad language, but it is a case where one is called upon under oath, as in a courtroom, to tell what he knows about a matter. This was a solemn thing for an Israelite when we remember that the Lord dwelt in their midst to judge. He was there to deal according to His law and to their relationship as His people. If one shrunk back from telling the truth, he must bear his iniquity.

We remember how our blessed Lord was silent before the hypocrisy of the priests and the false witnesses brought in to testify against Him, yet when the wicked high priest adjured Him “by the living God” to tell whether He was “the Christ, the Son of God,” He answered at once, though He knew it would seal His condemnation unto death (Matt. 26: 59-66). He ever walked in perfect obedience to His Father; He turned not back. He would rather die than disobey. May we ever seek to be obedient too, to be like Him, to whom we now belong by grace, bought with His precious blood.

Speaking of making promises, God would warn us against making a promise we might not be able to keep. Think of Jephthah’s vow (Judges 11:29-40). It is a solemn thing to give one’s word about a matter and then break it. Be sure, dear young Christian, that you have the Lord’s mind before you make a promise. Then once you have given your word, (unless the prose prove to be a sin against God), ask the Lord for grace to carry it out. It is a day when many think all too lightly of promises made, but God looks upon a broken promise as a serious sin.

Then came cases of defilement from contact with death, either unclean beasts or cattle, or crawling things (things of earth), or again from uncleanness of man, defiling things, in whatever form they might be. Here again we are reminded that this is a defiling world in which our lot is cast, and that God’s measurement of sin is not ours. We become so accustomed to the sin around us every day that we are liable to think very lightly of it. Yet sin is SIN before God and nothing less than a sacrifice appointed by Himself can put it away from before His holy eyes.

How blessed to know that the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross has settled the sin question forever for all those who trust Him as their Saviour, not according to our estimate of sin, but according to God’s.

Memory Verse “BLESSED IS THE MAN TO WHOM THE LORD WILL NOT IMPUTE SIN.” Rom. 4:8.

ML-08/08/1971

Even When If Rains

ON SUNDAY afternoons a warmhearted Christian business man would go out on the streets giving out gospel tracts. This Sunday afternoon, however, it was raining, and feeling very tired he decided to stay home and take a rest. On his desk lay a bundle of tracts.

Just then he heard a step outside, the door was pushed open, and eleven-year-old Harry entered. “Why, Dad,” asked the boy in surprise, “aren’t you going out to give out tracts today?”

“It’s raining too hard,” his father replied.

“Dad, doesn’t God save people even when it’s raining?”

Startled at such a question, his father explained: “When it’s raining hard there are few people on the street — besides, I’m very tired this afternoon so I wasn’t going out.”

“Shall I go out for you?” pursued Harry.

“It’s hardly convenient in this rain,” said his dad.

“What does that matter if I wear my rubbers and raincoat?” the boy begged.

Taking his father’s silence for consent, he ran out and was back in a minute in his rain clothes. “Dad, I’m ready,” he called excitedly. “Please give me some tracts.”

Seeing his son’s eagerness, his father handed him a few, warning him to be careful and to come back home as soon as he was through. Eagerly the boy started out to distribute the tracts. It was raining hard and the streets were nearly deserted. Only now and then was he able to give away a tract. Darkness was coming on, and the rain continued to pour down.

Finally he had just one tract left, but there wasn’t a soul in sight. He walked another block; still he was the only one on the lonely street. What would he do with this last tract?

Then suddenly he thought: “I know a way; people don’t come to me, so why don’t I go to them?” Hastening his steps he approached the nearest house and knocked.

“Who’s there?” came a voice from within. His heart was thumping, half with fright, half with joy. He waited a moment, and then as no one opened the door, he summoned fresh courage and knocked again.

“Who’s knocking?” He kept knocking until the door opened, and there stood an old woman. Her sad wrinkled face was indeed a sharp contrast to the eager countenance of the young boy on the doorstep. His face all smiles, he said respectfully, “Lady, pardon me, but I’ve come especially to bring you the gospel.” And he placed his last tract in her hand.

It was the next Sunday evening and the little gospel hall was crowd. The Christian businessman was there, and of course young Harry. Several bright gospel songs were sung and prayer was offered for the Lord’s blessing. Then an old woman, with the light of heaven shining on her face, arose and gave this testimony in praise to God.

“Thank God!” she exclaimed, “He sent one of His little servants to bring me the word of His salvation. Otherwise, last Sunday night in my loneliness, poverty and despair I would have ended it all. It was pouring with rain. I had lost both my husband and my son, and had sounded the depths of human suffering. After a long struggle I gave way and was about to do away with myself. When suddenly there was a knock at the door. I did not move, thinking I would wait until whoever it was had gone. But the knocking continued until I had to open the door. There stood a boy with a look of springtime on his face, and he gave me a gospel tract. Even as I looked at him, I knew that God had not forsaken me. I could not keep back the tears, but confessed to Him my sins and asked for pardon. Praise the Lord! He saved me.” Then she sat down amid the hush that had come over the audience.

Young Harry whispered softly in his father’s ear, “She’s the one, Dad!”

Not till then did his father know that God had sent his dear boy to find a lost sheep by means of a tract! Even when it rained!

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out... for of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:33-36.

“How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

“For the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:15, 12, 13.

ML-08/15/1971

Dash and His Friend

DASH WAS a dog who had been run over and his leg broken. His master took him to a vet who set his leg, and after a few weeks it healed nicely.

One day Dash met one of his doggie friends whose leg also had been hurt in an accident. Dash immediately trotted off with his friend to the office of the same vet where he himself had got relief from pain. He barked and howled at the door and when it was opened, he rushed in with his friend.

The vet soon set his friend’s leg, and a little later the two dogs left the office, their tails wagging in gratitude.

Dash knew where to go for relief. And boys and girls, and older folks too, have Someone they can go to for relief, to be healed, not merely from bodily pain, but for relief for their sin-sick souls. That One is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Physician.

He alone can take away sin and minister peace and comfort.

The blood of Jesus is God’s remedy for sin.

The Lord Jesus said, “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31,32.

“The Great Physician now is near,

The sympathizing Jesus;

He speaks, the drooping heart to cheer,

O hear the voice of Jesus.”

My sheep... they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand... and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.

John 10:27-29

Jesus is our Shepherd,

For the sheep He bled;

Ev’ry lamb is sprinkled

With the blood He shed.

Then on each He setteth

His own secret sign,

“They that have My Spirit,

These,” saith He, “are Mine.”

ML-08/15/1971

Bible Talks: The Trespass Offering

Leviticus 5:5-13

WHEN ONE became defiled by contact with death or uncleanness, if he feared God he would be made to feel that he was guilty of sin, and he was called on to “Confess wherein he hath sinned,” yet not in a vague or general way. Surely this is due to our carelesess before the Lord.

But there was more than that; nothing but sacrifice could remove the stain. “And he shall bring his trespass offering to the Lord for his sin which he hath sinned.” Only in this way could his guilt be cleared away. Here, as in the sin offering for one of the people, a female was sufficient, a lamb or a goat, and it was called an offering for trespass and sin. The priest should make atonement for him to clear him from his sin.

Then we have trespass against one’s neighbor, for such things are also sins against God. It is important to notice that he who sinned must make it right with his neighbor as well as bringing his trespass offering. Sometimes this is forgotten. It is most important to get right with the Lord, but this also involves the responsibility to make restitution to one’s neighbor for in whatever way he has wronged him.

Furthermore, there was to be no delay; he must straighten up with his neighbor the same day in which he made his offering to the Lord. It is a solemn thing to go on from day to day, from year to year, with seemingly no conscience about wrongs done or debts owed. Without doubt poverty of soul in many of God’s dear children is the result of carelessness in these things.

Then we have God’s tender consideration of the poor — to us the young and feeble in faith. “And if his hand be not able to bring a lamb, he shall bring to the Lord for his trespass which he hath sinned two turtledoves or two young peons; one for the sin offering, and the other for the burnt offering.”

In the third case there was God’s most gracious provision for one who could not bring even two turtle doves or two young pigeons. Here was poverty in the extreme but grace has its resource for the weakest in faith. God’s pity is shown in meeting the need of such. Such a one might bring “the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering.” There is no blood shedding here.

The fine flour is the type (Exod. 13:36) of the holy Person of the Lord Jesus. Undoubtedly this would teach us that although some dear simple souls might not lay hold of the value of the work of Christ, His blood and His death, still their trust is in Him alone as the One who can meet their soul’s need. God sees that faith in the Person of His Son and their sin is forgiven, just as He received the fine flour from the hand of the guilty Israelite. God in His grace will not shut out such from the effects of the work of Christ because of circumstances which hindered him having more knowledge. God is ever willing to save, His eye ever rested upon the blood, even though the offerer might not apprehend it.

Memory Verse “A MAN IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, BUT BY THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST.” Gal. 2:16.

ML-08/15/1971

A Story of the Sea

IN A snug little cottage by the sea, there lived a poor fisherman, named Peter, and his wife. Both were true-hearted Christians and sought to live for the Lord who had done so much for them. One day Peter’s wife presented him with a tiny baby girl, and oh, such happiness the little one brought into their home. But not long Afterward Peter’s wife fell ill. When she knew she was not long for this world, she told Peter God had sent the little one into their home and that he must tell her of Jesus the Saviour. Then she passed away.

The loss of his dear wife was a great sorrow to Peter, but he didn’t go out and try to drown his grief in drink, as some men do. No, he went and told Jesus, who loves to lift up the broken-hearted.

However, another great sorrow came into Peter’s life. The little girl who had brought such sunshine into their humble home also fell sick. Soon after, she followed her mother to that bright Home above, where Jesus dwells. Poor Peter was now left alone. Fishing no longer held such pleasure for him as formerly, for he felt he had no one to fish for now. Still he found comfort and encouragement in his Saviour’s love.

One day when Peter was out on a fishing trip, he met a young Swede named Jan Georg, whom he brought home to live with him. Peter told Jan about his wife and baby girl, and then he told him too about Jesus who died for sinners.

One day when they were both out deep-sea fishing, a terrible storm caught them. As the billows rose and fell, tossing their little boat up and down, Peter prayed for deliverance. At last the sea became calm again and they put in their nets once more. When they pulled them in again they found they had an immense haul of fish; their boat was nearly full.

During the night they saw pieces of wreckage floating about. In the morning they saw more, so they knew that a ship had gone to pieces on the rocks nearby.

“What’s that?” asked Jan, pointing to something that had been left high on a rocky ledge by the outgoing tide. Getting into the small boat they rowed over to the rocks and Jan climbed up the ledge. “It’s a little girl that’s lashed to the lid of a chest,” he shouted, and putting his hand over her heart he added, “and she’s still alive.”

Cutting away the rope that bound her, Jan picked the little one up in his arms and lowered her gently into the boat. The tears streamed down Peter’s weather-beaten face as he thought of his own little girl. But Jan had yet to descend the slippery rocks. Suddenly his foot slipped and the poor fellow plunged downward, head-first, striking his head against the side of the boat. Just then a big wave washed him under the boat and he was carried out to sea. Anxiously Peter waited for Jan to rise, but he never saw him again. He had saved the little child’s life — at the cost of his own. With heavy heart Peter still searched the spot, but in vain. Nor was there anything left by which he could identify the wrecked ship.

Peter now turned all his attention to the little one now rescued and in the boat with him. Pinned in the corner of her little dress, still wet from the sea, was a purse containing bank notes worth over $800.00. On the purse were the initials: “A. L. S.” There was no other identification. “Then that’s what we’ll have to call you,” said Peter; “ALS, and since Jan Georg saved you, you’ll have to be ‘Als Georg.’ "

Little Als grew well and strong and Peter loved her. He became a true father to her, providing for her and laying up the $800.00 for her future. Moreover, he sought to bring her up for the Lord.

I have thought of those three leers as being the initials of each one of us. They are mine surely, for I was A L. S. —

A Lost Sinner

I was like the little girl on that rock — wrecked and perishing. But like her. I had

A Loving Saviour

who came right to where I was, and saved me. But it cost Him His life to save mine. “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20.

Jan was near to Peter, but how near was Jesus to God His Father. I have taken His name; now I am a Christian, and

A Living Saint

Peter was a real father to little Als, laying up for her future. But what a Father God is and what has He not prepared for those that love Him!

ML-08/22/1971

Saved Outside the Ball Park

TOM AND I were young fellows together, and baseball was our favorite game. Tom’s parents were real “born again” Christians, and I too had known the Lord Jesus as my Saviour for some time, and had been brought up in a Christian home.

One day coming out of the house I saw Tom coming up the road. “Where are you going?” I called out.

“Up to see the ball game,” he replied.

“Well, I’m going by that way myself,” I said, and so we went along together.

Outside the ball park entrance. I said to him, “Tom, has it ever occurred to you that your folks would be so glad to see you come to the Lord and seek to please Him. Do you know that the Saviour loves you, and did you ever think how He bore your sins in His own body on the tree?” Then I also gave him John 3:16 as a text: “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.”

We closed our eyes, bowed our heads and had a little prayer tether, right there outside the ball park. It was then that dear Tom decided for Christ, and the light of the gospel shone into his young hear. He too had found the Saviour and such a look of happiness spread over his face as the joy of his salvation filled his soul. That was the beginning of days for Tom. Now he was truly saved and on his way to heaven.

Memory Verse “BY HIM ALL THAT BELIEVE ARE JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS.” Acts 13:39.

ML-08/22/1971

Jack the Sailor

ONE EVENING a sailor, named Jack stepped into a gospel service in New York city. The preaching did not impress him much, and when the after-meeting was announced, he decided to leave the place and go to his ship. One of the Christians tried to talk to him about the “one thing needful,” but Jack was not to be drawn. The fact was, he thought that he had had enough “religion” for a night, and he walked toward the door. The Christian, observing his unwillingness to talk on eternal matters, gave him a card. The card was a peculiar one and, I may add, a startling one. The words were “If I Die Tonight, I will go to —.” On the voyage Jack was sick, and had plenty of time for reflection. As he gazed on the words of the card. “If I Die Tonight, I will go to —,” he became very uneasy and unhappy. Where, then, would he go? There were but two places — heaven and hell; and where would an unpardoned sinner have to go? Jack was not altogether ignorant of God’s holy Word, though he had but little desire for reading it. While looking upon It as a “Sunday Book,” he knew that, according to Its teaching he was on the highway to ruin. “If I die tight,” he mentally exclaimed, “I will go to hell;” and added, “But I will not go there; I will go to heaven: I will take Christ right here and now.” There and then he believed on Christ, who died for him on Calvary’s cross, and found peace with God.

ML-08/22/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 5:14-6:7

HERE WE read of trespasses in God’s holy things. “If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish...”

This was a more serious failure than touching something unclean, for though it might have been done in ignorance, even though others might not think it a moral wrong, yet ignorance was no excuse; he was guilty. And in this case he must bring a ram for his trespass. Furthermore the guilty one must also bring “shekels of silver” to make amends “for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and shall give it unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him.”

The ram, as elsewhere (the ram caught in a thicket by its horns Gen. 22; the ram of consecration — Ex. 29; the ram of atonement Num. 5) brings before us our blessed Lord Jesus in His entire devotedness to the glory of God. He is the true trespass offering, as seen in Isaiah 53:10-12: “He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (See also Palm 69). Not only has He put away sin from before God by His atoning death, but He has added “the fifth part.” He has restored more to God than the wrong done to Him by man’s sin. Not only has He paid sin’s debt, He has not only made a just settlement before God for all the loss and dishonor to Him brought about by man’s sin, but God has been glorified in Him (John 13:31). He could say “I have glorified Thee on the earth.” (John 17:4).

God has been glorified in the life and death of His beloved Son more than if sin had never come into this world. The effects of His work on the cross, as the true trespass offering, will be manifested in the coming kingdom and abide in the heavenly scene through all eternity. Well might we sing His praise:

“Worthy O Lamb of God, art Thou,

That every knee to Thee should bow!”

Verses 1-7 of chapter 6 really belong to chapter 5 and have to do with sin against one’s neighbor. We have already touched on this, but it is well to notice that the Lord counted a trespass against one’s neighbor as against Himself. How gracious of Him to regard wrongs against a neighbor as wrongs against Himself, and require that amends be made and a guilt offering brought. It is not a case of ignorance here. Not only must there be restitution for the wrong done, but a fifth part rendered as a penalty. The Lord would have His people to know that His own honor was concerned, and the unblemished ram, type of the Lord Jesus, was the trespass offering prescribed.

The time had not yet come for God to proclaim remission of sins absolutely and forever to every believer. This waited the Lord Jesus and His accomplished work of redemption as told forth in the gospel. How blessed for us now to have the comfort of the New Testament scriptures. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

ML-08/22/1971

The Redeemed Ponies

DEAN IS eleven years old and lives on a farm in Oakland County near Detroit. He is also the proud possessor of three beautiful Shetland ponies. During the summer there is hardly a day goes by when he isn’t out riding them.

One day last winter a snowmobile broke down the farm fence which kept the ponies in, and the three headed for the open spaces. The County sheriff’s deputies finally rounded up the runaways and brought them to the Oakland County Animal Shelter. There they were cared for and their board bill ran up to $400.00. Then it was decided to sell the animals at an auction. The District County Judge took charge of the sale.

Poor Dean had learned the fate of his three lost pets, and knew that if ever he was to claim them again he must redeem them at the auctioneer’s price. He worked hard at scrubbing floors and saved his money. The day of the sale he head for the auction, taking along his entire savings of $75.00 in hopes of buying back his beloved pets.

The judge opened the sale. “Do I hear a bid of $30.00 for this pony?” he began.

At once a boy’s voice sounded out: “Thirty dollars? That’s too much. Start at $25.00!” It was Dean.

Surprised at such an interruption the judge asked the boy, “Are you bidding?”

“Yes,” sobbed Dean; “they’re my ponies.”

The bidding was halted while the judge hastily consulted with the director of the Animal Shelter. They agreed to offer all three ponies as one deal.

The judge opened the bidding again, but only one bidder’s voice was heard. The rest were silent. After hearing the boy’s story, no one would bid against him. They all listened silently while the three ponies were auctioned for $75.00. All felt compensated in seeing the boy’s happiness in being reunited with his loved ponies again.

Dear young friend, we were all like those ponies. We really belonged to God because He made us. But we were lost, captives to sin, gone far from God, and in bondage to Satan. Then just as Dean loved those ponies and gave all he had to buy them back, so the Lord Jesus loved us with a far more wonderful love and gave all He had—His life —to redeem us. Those whom He has redeemed with His precious blood He has set free, to be His treasure, to follow and serve Him down here, and be with Him in the glory forever.

“Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,... but with the precious blood of Christ.” 1 Pet. 1:18,19.

I am redeemed... but not with silver;

I am bought... but not with gold;

Bought with a price... the blood of Jesus,

Precious price of love untold.

ML-08/29/1971

Jesus Never Sleeps

Sing it soft and low to me,

Jesus keeps;

He is watching over me

While I sleep.

In His love He cares for me,

All the night;

In His arms He beareth me,

Till the light.

Saviour, dear, Thy little lamb

Safely keep;

Folded in Thy love I am

While I sleep.

“He that keepeth Thee will not slumber.” Psa. 121:3.

ML-08/29/1971

Uncle Ben: "Tell Me Something About Jesus"

“One Sunday evening, I was resting on the sofa in the parlor. My wife had gone out and no one was with me but my little niece, Mabel, just six years old, who was at the time visiting us. For a while she sat by the table amusing herself looking at pictures. After a bit, she got tired of them, and she came up to the sofa and began putting her arms around me in her childlike way.

" ‘Uncle Ben,’ she said, putting her little hand in mine, ‘tell me something about Jesus. Mommie always does Sunday nights.’

“I was struck by her request, and was quite embarrassed. I evaded it, and began talking of something else. But the little one would not be put off. Again and again she came back to the same request: ‘Uncle Ben, tell me something about Jesus,’ As I did not reply, she said at last, opening her wide blue eyes, ‘Why, you know about Jesus; don’t you?’

“That question awakened thoughts and feelings in me I had never had before. I am afraid I had to disappoint my little niece that evening. But that night I could not sleep; the dear child’s wondering words, ‘You know about Jesus, don’t you?’ haunted me through all the long, silent hours. I felt I did not know about Jesus and had not wished to know about Him; and a sense of my ignorance and guilt weighed heavily upon my soul.

“I was distressed for days. I read my Bible with an inquiring, anxious heart, till at length I found the blessed Saviour, and could say in humility and faith, ‘Now I know about Jesus,’ that precious Saviour about whom little Mabel so eagerly wished to hear.”

Oh, the power of the name of Jesus! Uttered by his little niece in her childlike simplicity, applied by the Spirit of God to heart and conscience, it wrought a mighty change in the life of Uncle Ben. It brought before him his utterly lost condition — without God, without hope in the world. It revealed to him a Saviour who died for sinners, but who rose again from the dead, and now lives forever in heaven. It charmed his soul, and captured his heart.

Has the name of Jesus charmed your soul, dear reader? Has He captured your heart? Or, do you still spurn that love, and travel the broad road that leads down to destruction?

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

There is nowhere that earth’s sorrows

Are so felt as up in heaven,

There is nowhere that earth’s failings

Have such kindly judgment given.

For the love of God is broader

Than the measure of man’s mind,

And the heart of the Eternal

Is most wonderfully kind.

ML-08/29/1971

Bible Talks: The Law of the Burnt Offering

Leviticus 6:8-13

HERE begins a new subject the laws of the offerings — and the burnt offering comes first.

“It is the burnt offering because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the offering shall be burning in it... it shall not be put out.” This referred to the two lambs which were to be offered — one in the morning, and the other in the evening (Ex. 29:38-41). Together they formed a perpetual burnt offering.

It was “all night unto the morning” and no doubt this is to point out to us that for Israel Christ is ever a sweet savor to God, even dung this present time of their darkness and forgetfulness. Aaron had to put on his linen garments to remove the ashes from the altar to “the place of ashes” beside the altar. He then changed his dress and carried the ashes outside the camp. The ashes were the proof that the sacrifice had been completely accepted.

Israel, in a soon coming day, will wake up from their long sleep in the dust of the earth. They will bold, as it were in the morning, Christ, the true Burnt Offering, despised during the long dark night of their unbelief. In deep repentance they will acknowledge with shame their unbelief, when they considered their Messiah as stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted, but in that day they will thankfully own that He was wounded for their transgressions and bruised for their iniquities. In His work on the cross they will read their acceptance and blessing, and that it was through His stripes they are healed.

But what is taught in these wonderful types is for the comfort of faith now for all point to Christ and His own, as Son over His own house, whose house are we (Heb. 3:6). The morning without clouds has not yet dawned for us. It is still the night when Christ is rejected of men, though we can say from Scripture, dear young reader, that “the night is far spent and the day is at hand.” But like the sweet savor of the burnt offering ever ascending bore the Lord, so the witness of our perfect acceptance in Christ rises up before God our Father without interruption. Perfect salvation is for every one who by faith is associated with Christ, the Burnt Offering. Men may slumber and the world be in darkness, yet the believer can rest in perfect peace knowing that the fire that burns upon the altar shall never go out.

Oftentimes we are not in the good of Christ’s perfect work as we should be, we are spiritually “asleep"; still the fragrance of Christ ascends to God who never slumbers or sleeps (Psa. 121:4). O how precious the work of Christ was to God, and ever will be!

The fire Thy love hath kindled

Shall never be put out;

The Spirit keeps it burning

(Though dimmed by things without):

O make it burn more brightly!

By faith more freely shine;

That we may value rightly

The grace that made us Thine.

Memory Verse “THROUGH HIS NAME WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL RECEIVE REMISSION OF SINS.” Acts 10:43.

ML-08/29/1971

The Tiger and the Mud

PALAM was a young Indian boy who lived with his father and mother in a little thatched house up in the Nilgiri Hills in South India.

One morning his mother called him and said, “Palam, your poor father has a burning fever. Do you think you could go to the Tiger Hills to your great uncle’s, and get from him some herb medicines?”

“I will gladly go, Mother,” he replied.

“Take good care,” whispered his mother as she said good-bye. “They say many tigers live in those parts.”

Palam set out at dawn the next morning, and arrived safely at his uncle’s later in the day. Bowing low he delivered his message, and then sat down to wait while his great uncle prepared the herbs. Palam’s aunt then appeared with a drink of goat’s milk and some cakes, which he enjoyed after his long walk.

While he ate and drank, his great aunt sat and talked to him. She had such a happy peaceful look on her face, and she began to tell her little nephew the secret of her joy.

“I have come to know the wonderful Saviour God,” she said. “He has given me a new heart, and one day I shall go to the Land Beyond and live with Him forever.”

Now Palam was very fond of his great aunt, and he listened willingly to all she told him about her Saviour God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

At last the medicine was ready. Palam bowed low and set out for home.

“The good Lord go with you and protect you,” whispered his great aunt as he turned away. “If in danger or trouble, pray only to Him. He loves you and will hear your cry.”

Palam salaamed (he bowed reverently), and was soon out of sight in the jungle. Quickly he trotted along.

About half way home he had the feeling he was being followed; he heard a soft pad-pad behind him. He turned to look, and sure enough, to his horror, he saw a great tiger following him. He tried to run, but only a few leaps and the fearful beast was upon him. Seizing him like a cat would a mouse, the tiger began to drag him through the mud to its lair.

Poor Palam! For a moment he thought it was all over with him. He would never see his dear mother and father again. But suddenly the words of his great aunt flashed into his mind, and he cried, “Lord Jesus, save me.”

In a moment his self-control returned, and just when the tiger was dragging him through the mud, a bright idea struck Palam. Seizing a handful of the slimy mud, he smeared it across and inside the great cat’s eyes. For a moment or two it was blinded, and dropped the boy.

Quickly Palam scrambled to his feet and managed to spring up into a low hanging tree. Then he climbed out onto a branch that overhung the swamp. By this time the tiger was after him again, though still partly blinded by the mud in its eyes. It made a great leap into the air at Palam, but misjudged its distance, and landed with a roar right in the midst of the swamp. While the great beast floundered about in the morass, Palam slipped down from the tree and disappeared into the jungle.

“Lord Jesus, I thank Thee. Thou art the true God, and from here on I will worship only Thee,” prayed Palam. Then he ran on home, still holding on to the precious herb medicine.

Arriving home safely, his mother attended to his gashes and bruises, and she listened almost breathless while Palam told her of his awful experience, and of how his new Saviour God had saved him from the tiger.

“He has given me a new heart too,” he said, “and he will do the same for you, Mother, if you will ask Him.”

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13.

Memory Verse “THE ANGEL OF THE LORD ENCAMPETH ROUND ABOUT THEM THAT FEAR HIM, AND DELIVERETH THEM.” Psa. 34:7

ML-09/05/1971

Brave Jinny

JINNY was only a little African girl, but she loved the Lord Jesus and was willing to suffer persecution for His sake, if needs be. Jinny was the name she chose when she was baptized.

One day she staggered into the mission station, her little feet swollen and blistered, and nearly fainting with weariness. In her arms she carried her little brother, just three years younger than herself. He had met with an accident, and his little feet were so diseased that he must lose them both. When his parents saw that he would never walk again, they decided to throw him out in the jungle to die.

When Jinny overheard the fate of her little brother being discussed, she determined to save him if she could.

At dead of night she stole out of the family hut, tenderly carrying the injured boy in her arms. For seven long miles she carried him through the bush, until at last she reached the mission station where free medical aid was given. She knew the white man would do all he could for her little brother, if she could only get him there.

What a brave little girl she was! Undaunted by the terrors of the jungles at night, for her trust in God had taken away her fear of evil spirits, she had gone steadily on, determined not to give in.

Wonderingly, the white missionary looked at the frail little girl who had brought her little brother to him just in time to save his life. “Wasn’t it too much for you to carry him so far?” he asked. “Wasn’t he too heavy for you?”

Jinny looked up into his face, the light of love shining in her eyes.

“He’s my brother,” was her simple reply. So great was her love that nothing was too much for her to do in order to try and save him.

Dear little Jinny! How like her Saviour she was! “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16.

ML-09/05/1971

"They Know His Voice"

UNCLE TOM stood knocking at the door. For some time there was no response of any kind, but after a little while he heard the patter of little feet in the hall, and a very frightened little voice called out, “Who’s there?”

“It’s only me,” replied Uncle Tom. At once there was a sigh of relief, and the bolt was withdrawn and the door unlocked. At last the door opened to show the face of a little girl, who was not at all frightened now.

She told her uncle she had been left all alone to keep house. She had been afraid when she heard the knocking, until she had recognized his voice, even though he had not mentioned his name.

Doesn’t this remind us of the sheep that know the shepherd’s voice, and show no fear when he calls them forth to follow him.

The Lord Jesus has told us that He is the Good Shepherd that gave His life for the sheep. His sheep follow Him for they know His voice. (John 10).

Do you know His voice?

ML-09/05/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 6:14-18

IN THE LAW of the meat offering, one of its most marked features was that it was to be eaten by “Aaron and his sons” — type of Christ and His own — unlike the burnt offering, no part of which was to be eaten but all went up to God as a sweet savor.

The law of the meal offering follows immediately after that of the burnt offering, for in offering the burnt offering, a meal offering was added. The meal offering tells in its own blessed way of the perfectness of the life of the Lord Jesus on earth, all pure and in the power of the Holy Spirit. He was tried in every conceivable way, but the fire only brought out His matchless fragrance, an offering to God for a sweet savor of rest. How precious to God His Father, must have been the life of the Lord Jesus, His beloved Son, in a world where He has been so dishonored by man’s sin and rebellion.

Only a handful of the flour, and some of the oil, but all the frankincense, was burnt upon the altar, as a sweet savor unto the Lord, for all the savor of the Lord’s life was to God. He did not live to please men, He sought not their praise, but sought His Father’s glory throughout. He could say to His parents when He was but a child, just twelve years old, “Wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?” Again He told His disciples “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work"; and still again He could say, “I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:29).

“The remainder thereof Aaron and His sons shall eat,” v. 16, and they were to eat it “in the holy place; in the court of the tabernacle.” For us this would be in the Lord’s own presence. The more we make our own, or enter into His presence, by His work of redemption on the cross, the more we shall enjoy Him as the food of our souls. He is the living bread, the bread of God, which came down from heaven, the One of whom the Father could say, “This is My beloved Son in whom is all My delight.” What a privilege to feed on Him thus given of God as our portion of His offerings.

Just as there was a perpetual burnt offering every morning and evening, so there was a perpetual meat offering. It was “most holy, as is the sin offering, and as the trespass offering.” “With unleavened bread shall it be eaten.” The Word declares of the Lord Jesus that not only in Him was no sin, but that He knew no sin. What a contrast with every other man! Though He was despised and rejected of men, nevertheless there was not a single flaw in Him they could point to. Because of all that He is and through His perfect atonement all now is changed for the believer. It says of the offerings of the Lord made by fire, “every one that toucheth them shall be holy” — all that came into contact with them were separated unto the Lord.

ML-09/05/1971

Vanished!

Never before, and never again,

Have I done what I did that day:

And never at all have others like me

Behaved in the self-same way!

~~~

On a sudden, I fell,

And I knew very well

I had vanished Forever and aye!

But not far away

Was a man who could pray—

A man true to God through and through:

At his word of command,

I was quickly to hand,

And restored without further ado.

Who am I? Where and how was I LOST? By whom was I restored? You can read about me in 2 Kings 5 or 6.

ML-09/05/1971

Andrew's Adventure

IN SOME PARTS of Africa, where there are no trains or roads, the mail is carried by swift runners. Andrew was one of these runners, and he was also a Christian boy. He had given himself to the Lord Jesus, so his heart had been washed white in His precious blood.

One day he had to deliver some mail in a district where lions were known to roam the jungles. How many of us would be afraid to go there. Well, Andrew was anxious, but he kept saying to himself as he hurried along, “My Father in heaven has sent me on this journey to deliver this mail, and He will look after me.”

Sure enough as he was walking down the rough grassy track, he could see in the distance two big tawny lions crouching side by side, quite near to where he had to pass. What was he to do? If he turned and ran, they would probably race after him. If he went forward, they would surely pounce on him.

What do you think poor Andrew did? Well, he just knelt down where he was and prayed, asking God to protect him. Then he said, “I must get up and go on and diver this mail.”

So up he got and walked on. The big lions watched him all the while. Nearer he came, and nearer. The great beasts did not move. Even as they gazed at him, he walked right past them, for God did the same for His trusting little servant as He did for Daniel long ago — He shut the lions’ mouths! They made no attempt to attack him, for the hand of their Creator was on them.

Thankful and relieved, Andrew passed on his way in safety, and delivered his mail that day. Many times Afterward he thanked God for saving him from the lions, and proved that God answers prayer. Those that trust the Lord as Saviour can say: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear.... The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Psa. 46:1,2,7.

Memory Verse “IT SHALL BE WELL WITH THEM THAT FEAR GOD... BUT IT SHALL NOT BE WELL WITH THE WICKED.” Eccles. 8:12,13

ML-09/12/1971

Alone on an Island

A YOUNG man once lived all alone on an island in the Pacific Ocean, because he chose to. His name was Alexander Selkirk and his home was far away in Scotland. As a boy he was quick to be angry and often quarreled with other boys. One day he caused so much disturbance that he was ordered to appear before a town officer. Instead of doing so, he ran away to the sea coast and got work on a ship.

After many months, Alexander came home, but he was in fights and quarrels again and went away angry. This time the ship was bound for distant ports. One day, the ship was anchored in the bay of a small island for repairs.

Soon the ship was ready to set sail, but Alexander had a dispute with the captain, and in his great anger he said, “Put me off this ship. I will not sail a day longer with such a captain!”

“Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” Eccl. 7:9.

The captain was a rough, hard man, and at once gave the order, “Off with him, put him ashore; he is turned out of service.”

Alexander got his chest with clothes and tools and without further word was rowed ashore. He stepped quickly from the small boat and stood unconcerned as the sailors bade him a sorrowful good-bye and started to row back to the ship.

Alexander stood on the shore watching them, still indignant and angry. Suddenly his feelings changed: his anger was gone, and instead he was fearful, and realized what a dreadful choice he had made. He realized that he would have to stay alone on the island where there was no house or provisions, no friends, but only wild animals. He might never have another chance to leave, or to see another person.

Alexander stepped to the edge of the water, waving his hands wildly and shouting, “Come back! Come back!”

He thought he could hear the captain mock and laugh at him, but the boat did not come back; the sailors climbed aboard the ship, and soon the ship sailed out of sight.

Alexander threw himself on the sand in awful despair, but before dark, he got up and found a cave in the rocks, built a fire outside to keep off wild animals, threw down some seaweed for a bed, and placed his trunk across the narrow entrance. Then he rolled himself in his blanket and went to sleep for the night.

In the morning Alexander got some shellfish for food, then climbed to the top of the rocks, hoping to see a ship to signal, though he knew the island was far off the usual course of ships. He stayed on the rocks all day but saw no ship. At night he went back to the cave.

Day after day Alexander climbed the rocks to watch, but no ship came in view. He felt more and more despairing and more lonely, and he was always blaming the cruel captain for his miserable lot. After many days of feeling sorry for himself, Alexander took an article from his chest, and his hand touched a book which his mother had put in when he left home. He knew it was God’s holy Book, the Bible, but he had never cared to open or read it.

That morning the Bible made him think of his parents, and he longed to see them. He carried the Bible to his lookout place on the rocks, and when he opened it he read these words: “They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way: they found no city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.” Psa. 107:4.

Alexander thought this verse was like himself, lonely and in trouble. He read on: “Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses. He led them forth by the right way.” vv. 6, 7.

As Alexander read of the Lord’s care, and that “His mercy endureth forever,” he knew that God’s mercy had been over him. For the first time he realized his own strong will and his bad temper had been the cause of all his troubles.

“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Prov. 15:1.

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty: and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.” Prov. 16:32.

Alexander knew that God sent His Son to earth to suffer for man’s sins, but he had never thought he needed to be forgiven. Now he felt ashamed of his life, and knelt down on the rock, and confessed to God how wrong he had been, and he accepted Christ as His Saviour and Friend.

After that Alexander did not feel alone; he knew the Lord saw him. He began to go about the island and found much to help and interest him. The trees and plants were lovely and he found fruit and nuts. The cave was too damp so he built a small hut on a higher, level spot and made shelves and benches in it. He tamed a wild goat and some rabbits which were company to him, and even the roaring of the seals which he had thought sounded so terrible, now sounded friendly to him.

Each day Alexander read his Bible and found much to enjoy. He cut a notch in a tree every day to keep track of time, and one day out of each seven he did no work, but read more of God’s words, and prayed and sang hymns he had known in boyhood. So the days passed really pleasantly and he even became fond of the quiet.

At last one day Alexander saw a ship in the distance. He built a big fire on the sand to attract attention, and waved a white cloth tied on a pole. He was seen by the ship’s crew and a boat was sent to shore. The captain was very willing to take him with what things he could carry away. Months later Alexander reached his Scottish home. He no more felt the dreadful anger to anyone; he had learned how much he himself needed the mercy of God.

“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Eph. 4:32.

ML-09/12/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 6:19-23

ORDINARILY when an Israelite offered a meal offering to the Lord, after his portion was taken by the offering priest and burned on the altar, the remainder was for Aaron and his sons. In type this was the Lord Jesus offering Himself as an offering to God all His days here below, wholly separated to His will and to His glory. Only those who are priests, those who can draw near to God can appreciate Him in this way; it was their privilege to feed on Him as the One who lived, as He could say, “on account of the Father” (John 6:57).

But here we have a special case: it is “the offering of Aaron and his sons, which they shall offer unto the Lord in the day when he is anointed.” As priests unto God we ought to honor the Lord Jesus in our thoughts not only of His devotedness in giving Himself up to death, but in all His holy and obedient life.

But the difference of the meat offering we have in this passage is that on the day of his anointing it was wholly burnt to the Lord. He was to offer the tenth part of an ephah, or omen, of fine flour, the same measure as of the manna for an Israelite in the wilderness; no part was reserved as the priest’s food. Half was to be offered in the morning, and half in the evening; but none was to be eaten. Like the burnt offering, all was to be burnt on the altar; all was for the Lord. It is not fellowship with others here, but Christ wholly offered up as a sweet savor to God.

The truth of the Lord’s perfect humanity is the very touchstone of Christianity and must ever be maintained. Perhaps it is the mind of the Spirit to impress this great truth on our souls in that the priests offered half the meat offering in the beginning and half at the end of the day.

How important, how necessary is to be sound as to the truth of the deity of Christ. We hear of some prominent evangelists and teachers, real children of God no doubt, who hold that the Lord Jesus could have sinned. That He did not sin they gladly confess, but at the same time they claim that He could have sinned. What more solemn error than this, and what could be more dishonoring to our blessed Lord! No, dear young friends, may we hold fast to this great truth of Christianity. Unlike the First Man, Adam, the Lord Jesus did not — He could not — sin. “That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35.

On the day of His anointing we read: “The heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21, 22.

ML-09/12/1971

Locked in the Tower

WHEN EVAN ROBERTS was a small boy one of his life’s ambitions was to climb the winding staircase that led to the top of the church tower. He never forgot the thrill of his first visit to that mysterious place. He never forgot his last visit, either! Afterward, Evan had no desire to go again.

On this occasion he had ventured up the staircase one Saturday evening; when he reached the bottom again, he found everything in total darkness. The door was locked!

Oh horror! He would be a prisoner till the following day. A whole night in that weird and awful stillness! He beat on the door, but, of course, with no result, and his heart thudded. What would his widowed mother think when he did not come in to supper? He could imagine her, and perhaps others, scouring the countryside in search of him.

“Who delivered... doth deliver ... will yet deliver.” 2 Cor. 1:10. That very morning Mother had read those words. She had emphasized her points by the story of the Lord Jesus walking on the sea in order to reach the terrified disciples caught in the storm. She had said He was their Deliverer, and was ready to deliver all who called upon Him.

The wind whistled down in gusts, and Evan shivered. It was now probably 8:30 — nearly twelve hours before the church would open for the first Sunday service.

“O God,” he cried, “don’t let me have to stay here all night!”

“Will yet deliver.” How those words kept coming back. And then suddenly Evan knew why. The church bell! If he tolled the bell the sexton would surely come at once — he couldn’t be far away.

A few minutes after the bell had started its unaccustomed peal, it was a white, scared young face that greeted the old man. After the briefest explanation, Evan rushed past him, and home.

“I’d begun to get quite scared about you, Evan,” said his mother.

When he had told her of his unpleasant experience, he added shyly, “And — er, Mother, I’ve often wished we didn’t need to have family prayers every morning, but now —” He paused, and she waited expectantly.

“I wouldn’t like you to give it up for anything, because what you said about the Lord, as the Great Deliverer, made all the difference to me.”

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psa. 50:15.

ML-09/19/1971

Saved From a Lion

ONE DAY while traveling through Arabia, John Gaynor was separated from his companions, and was obliged to travel alone. As he was walking along, to his great alarm he saw a huge, fierce-looking lion coming toward him. He had no gun with which to defend himself, and felt sure that the time had come for him to die, unless it should please God to protect and save him.

In a moment he kneeled down and engaged in earnest prayer. He asked the Lord mercifully to spare his life, and deliver him from the jaws of that hungry lion. While he was thus prang, the lion walked close up to him, and went prowling round him seral times. Then quietly he turned round and went away, without doing the slightest injury to that man of prayer.

I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a Friend,

He bled, He died to save me;

And not alone the gift of life,

But His own self He gave me.

Naught that I have my own I call,

I hold it for the Giver:

My heart, my strength, my life, my all,

Are His, and His Forever.

Memory Verse “ACQUAINT NOW THYSELF WITH HIM, AND BE AT PEACE: THEREBY GOOD SHALL COME UNTO THEE.” Job 22:21.

ML-09/19/1971

Bible Talks: The Law of the Sin and Trespass Offerings.

Leviticus 6:24-7:10

WE TAKE these two together, because we are told one law is for both (Lev. 7:7). Perhaps the first great principle is — “the priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it” (Lev. 6:26).

The priest had to bear the iniquity of the one who had sinned and who brought the offering. The priest had to perform this solemn and weighty service in order that the full value of the atonement might take effect upon the one who needed it. If the priest failed in this duty, it did not affect the value or the perfection of the offering, but it did affect very seriously the way God in His mercy had provided for meeting the need of His poor failing people.

We, as believers, are at times called on to deal with a sin or trespass in another child of God. If I deal with it as a judge, instead of as a priest, if I do not make the sin my own, I hinder what God has ordered as necessary to fully restore the one who has done wrong. I prevent the full sense of the judgment of sin, and of the mercy and grace found in the cross of Christ, from coming home to the heart of him who has sinned.

How fully and pre-eminently, above all others, did the Lord Jesus answer to this, for though He had no sins of His own, yet did He identify Himself with our sins, confessed them all before God, and in His death He has put them all away. Blessed be His name forever!

The sin offering was “most holy"; yet it was apt to be forgotten. We read of how Eleazer and Ithamar burned the goat instead of eating it in “the holy place.” (Lev. 10:16-20), and so we may fail to make the sins of a brother our own. It is easy and natural to condemn one, but to identify ourselves with him in confessing and mourning the failure is the privilege of the priestly family, at least of “every male,” that is, of every one strong in faith, whether a brother or sister in Christ.

Then we learn here something very interesting in connection with the burnt offering, which was not told us before. “The priest that offereth any man’s burnt offering,... shall have to himself the skin of the burnt offering which he hath offered.” That skin would ever be a token and remembrance to the priest of the offering he had offered up. And so our blessed Lord has ever before Himself the memorial and display of Himself wholly given up to God for us, an offering and a sacrifice to Him for an sweet savor.

ML-09/19/1971

A Little Girl's Faith

I WOULD like to tell you how a little girl once got over a great fright, because she feared God, and trusted that He would take care of her. One day she went to visit her aunt in the country, and while there she had to sleep in a room by herself. She did not particularly like being alone at night, for at home she always slept with her sister.

One night she awoke suddenly, and saw something white at the foot of her bed. Its head, which she thought she saw as plainly as could be, was turned a little to one side, and was not looking at her.

“It’s a ghost; I’m sure it is! she exclaimed, and she hurriedly pulled the bedclothes over her head.

Presently she said to herself, “Well, what if there is a ghost here; isn’t God here too? And doesn’t the Bible say that nothing can harm those who trust in Him?” Then she prayed to the Lord and asked Him to take care of her. This gave her courage, and she resolved to take another look at the white thing. It did look very much like a living thing of some kind. “Well if it is,” she thought to herself, “I’ll speak to it"; so she cried out, “Who’s there?” But the figure did not stir nor answer. There it stood as still and white as ever.

“My father says there are no ghosts,” she said to herself. “And if there are, what harm is it likely they want to do to me?” I’ll just put my trust in God, and He can take care of me.”

This thought gave her courage, and made her feel more comfortable. Still there stood the figure.

“I will know who or what you are,” said the little girl. “Mother says frights are worse in people’s fancies than anywhere else.”

Then she jumped out of bed, and marched straight up to the figure. How many children would have done that? I am afraid some grown people would hardly have had the courage to do so. But this little girl went straight up to it. And what do you suppose it was after all? Why, only the moonlight shining through the curtains on the wall.

“How much it did look like a head, with eyes, nose, and mouth,” and then she jumped into bed again. For a while she lay and looked at it. But it only looked like the moon shining now, and no ghost; and she wondered how she could have been so deceived. And that, I dare say, is as much as ghosts ever are — only maginations... She kept her eye on the soft silver light till she fell into a sweet sleep again.

What courage the thought of God’s presence gave to this little girl. We hope the story of her simple faith and trust may encourage others to trust Him who is the refuge and strength of all them that fear Him. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psa. 46:1.

ML-09/19/1971

A Strange Pillow

MR. LAN, a wealthy Chinese business man, had to take a long journey from the north to the south of China.

“It is a risky thing to do, Mr. Lan,” his friends told him. “You may meet with bandits in the hills who will rob you of all your money.”

Now Mr. Lan had heard some of his friends speak of a holy Book which Christians reverenced; they called it God’s Word. He himself had never seen a copy, but he thought it would be a very good thing to own one. So one day he went to call on a missionary who lived in a city not far distant.

The missionary received him kindly, and after a lot of polite talk about nothing in particular, Mr. Lan said, “I should like to buy a Bible.”

Of course the missionary was delighted and went to bring a copy. “Has my honorable friend ever read any of the Bible before?” he inquired of his visitor.

“Oh no,” Mr. Lan told him hurriedly, and then to the missionary’s surprise he said, “This book is too small.”

Thinking that he meant the type was too small, the missionary fetched one with larger print. Turning it over in his hands, Mr. Lan murmured, “Too small, too small.”

“But the type is larger and clear,” urged the missionary. Still Mr. Lan persisted, “Too small, too small.”

Finally the missionary produced the largest Chinese Bible printed — about the size of a family Bible. Mr. Lan was delighted. “Ah,” he exclaimed, “that is good! I shall be all right with that.”

“Will my honorable visitor permit me to show him some parts of the Book which will help him understand the way of life?” suggested the missionary.

But Mr. Lan seemed in a hurry to leave. “Another time,” he said. So his friend could only impress upon him that this Book was God’s holy Word, and was a sure guide to heaven.

With his Bible wrapped in some blue cloth, Mr. Lan hurried away.

A few days later he started out on his long journey. Stopping at an inn at the end of his first day, he unpacked his bags, found the big Book he had bought, and placed it at the head of his bed. Laying his head on the Book he settled himself down to sleep.

“I’m glad I have this holy Book,” he thought, as he closed his eyes. “I shall be perfectly safe as long as I sleep on such a book.”

For some nights the traveler laid his head upon the Bible, but somehow he could not sleep comfortably. He would lay awake for hours, tossing and turning his head from side to side, finding the covers and corners of the Book very hard.

At last, in desperation one wakeful night, he thought, “What a fool I am, tossing about like this, unable to sleep, when I might be amusing myself by looking inside this holy Book!” So he lit his little oil lamp and began to read. A marker had been placed at Isaiah chapter 53, and so for the first time in his life this wealthy Chinese merchant read of the sufferings of the Lord Jesus foretold.

“He was wounded for our transgressions,” he read; but he was puzzled. “What man would do such a thing?” he asked himself. “Most extraordinary!”

In the margin was a reference to the Gospel of Matthew, and there he read the whole story of the trial, the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Fascinated, Mr. Lan read on — right through Mark, Luke and John. Soon it became plain to him that Jesus was God’s divine Son, that He loved sinners, and even gave up His life for their salvation.

After that it was not long before Mr. Lan discovered that the pillow which he had used for his head was the pillow for his heart. He joyfully believed God’s Word, he confessed he was a sinner before God, he received the Saviour, and the rest of his journey he would read aloud the good news of salvation to every one who would listen.

We have heard the joyful sound:

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Tell the message all around:

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Bear the news to every land,

Climb the steeps and cross the graves;

Onward!—‘tis our Lord’s command:

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

“Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isa. 45:22.

ML-09/26/1971

Who Are We?

We are much valued because of our usefulness. Imagine, then, our master’s dismay when one day we were nowhere to be found. Here, there, and everywhere, he hunted, but all in vain: we were lost!

At last, our master, being unable to do without us, sent his son and a servant to look for us. After hunting for several days, and traveling a very long way, the search came to a sudden end. A perfect stranger, who, as far as we know, knew nothing about our master, met his son, and much to his surprise, told him he need not trouble any more about us because three days ago we had been found!

Who are we? What are the names of 1) our master, and 2) his son, and 3) the mysterious stranger who knew all about us?

How did this stranger know what to say to our master’s son?

Our story is told in 1 Samuel 9.

The Saviour calls, oh, come and see

What things He hath prepared for thee!

Life, love and joy from God on high,

By Christ Himself to thee brought nigh.

The Saviour calls, oh, can it be

That call has no sweet charms for thee?

Wilt thou not turn and give Him heed?

Wilt thou not think while He doth plead?

ML-09/26/1971

Little "Good Looking"

LITTLE “Good Looking” was the son of a Japanese innkeeper. He was a bright intelligent little fellow and dearly loved to listen to stories.

Though only eight years old he had come to know and love the Lord Jesus through the work of the missionaries who lived in his town. Now his great desire was to learn to read the wonderful stories of the Bible.

One day Mr. Summers gave “Good Looking” a Gospel of Luke all for himself. How proud he was of that small book! He hugged it with delight and hurried away to try to read it. Whenever he came across a character he did not know, he would come around to the missionary for help.

One day as he sat beside his friend, he said, “I believe in Jesus; I have asked Him to wash away my sins, and now I have peace in my heart.”

Mr. Summers looked up in surprise for he was just a little fellow — did he really know what he was saying? Yes, little “Good Looking” had heard the voice of the Good Shepherd saying to him, “Come unto Me,” and he had come.

Then the boy soon found a way of working for his newfound Saviour. He would go to the mission house day after day, and as the women gathered to hear the way of salvation, he would sit bide the missionaries and urge the ladies to believe the good words, and to come to Jesus.

He was just a little boy, but God used him to win several older people to put their trust in Him.

Perhaps, dear reader, you have sometimes thought you were too young to work for the Lord Jesus. Remember little “Good Looking"! First come to Jesus yourself, confess Him as your Lord and Saviour, and then begin today to tell others of His wonderful love for sinners.

Memory Verse “EVERY ONE OF US SHALL GIVE ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF TO GOD.” Rom. 14:12.

ML-09/26/1971

Bible Talks: The Law of the Peace Offering.

Leviticus 7:10-21

THE PEACE offering had a threefold character — it might be of the herd, or of the flock of sheep, or of the goats. And there are three different senses in which Christ is our peace:

He has made peace by the blood of His cross (Col. 1:20); He is our peace (Eph. 2:14); and through Him we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1). The first of these forms of the peace offering ended “It is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord"; the second, “It is the food of the offering made by fire unto the Lord"; and the third combines the two thoughts by sang, “It is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savor.”

How sweetly true this is of the Lord Jesus, the great Antitype! He who has made peace for us Himself becomes our peace, and we are brought into communion with God by Him. He is a sweet savor to God, and at the same time He is the food for our souls.

No animal was to be slain in Israel without having its blood poured out and its fat burned on the altar. Thus every time the Israelite fed upon such, he ate it, so to speak, in communion with God, for part was burned as a sweet savor to Him, and the rest was for himself.

The communion typified here is the portion of every believer, for peace with God comes from really believing that Christ has made peace by the blood of His cross.

The peace offering had to be eaten on the same day the fat was burned on the altar. This tells us that worship must be in communion with God. All that is called worship that is not by the Holy Spirit, is not only of no use, but it is an abomination to God (v. 18).

Three parties shared in the peace offering—part went to God, part to the priest, and the rest went to the man who offered it. Aaron, the priest, is a type of Christ, and so we have God Himself, Christ our Redeemer, and the sinner.

How wonderful to think, dear young Christian, that God brings you and me into fellowship with Himself and His dear Son! Now that Jesus has died, God is happy to have any sinner come to Him, and one can do nothing to give God joy but to accept His grace through the Lord Jesus Christ.

When the Lord Jesus was born we read of the angels appearing and praising God, saying, “Peace on earth, good will toward men.” He came to bring peace on earth, but Herod tried to kill Him. There could be no peace as long as there was that wicked enmity in the heart of men toward Him, and toward each other. When He saw that hatred in man’s heart He told His disciples, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth.”

It is well to notice that when He was on His way up to Jerusalem to be crucified, the multitude sang, “Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest” (Luke 19:38). Peace on earth waits the coming day when He shall return in power and put all His enemies under His feet, for He will reign in righteousness over all the earth. Then, we read, the wolf and the lamb shall lie down together.

But that is still future. Now God leads poor sinners to rejoice in peace in heaven, where Christ is gone. You will not find peace on earth. “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33), but we can enjoy down here the peace and joy of His presence—in heaven. Soon He will come to take us there to be with Him forever.

ML-09/26/1971

The Bible in the Wall

ONE SUMMER, years ago, a young bricklayer left his home in Tessin, in the Swiss Alps, to seek work on the German side of the mountains. He carried his tools and his few articles of clothing in a bundle over his shoulder.

As he was going along he met a lady, who spoke to him and presented him with an Italian Bible. She begged him most earnestly and cordially to read it, as it was the Word of God and pointed out the way to everlasting life. Antonio was not very appreciative, but he pushed the Book into his bundle and went on his way. Remembering how that he had been warned against the Bible as a “dangerous book” he determined to get rid of it as soon as possible. At length he reached the lovely little Swiss town called Glaris, where with others of his countrymen he soon found work.

One day as he was employed in the erection of a fine new building, Antonio came to a gap in the wall which needed filling up. Then there came a thought that to him seemed wonderfully clever: he would fill up the gap with the Bible. “And,” he exclaimed, laughing, “we’ll see whether the devil will get it out again in a hurry!”

Taking the book he gave it two or three blows with his hammer, and then amidst the roars of laughter of his companions, he forced it into the opening and covered it with mortar.

By and by the brickwork of the house was finished and Antonio and his countrymen decided to return to their homes.

Five years passed by. Then one May night a fearful hurricane swept through the Alpine valleys, followed by the dread demon, Fire. The little town of Glaris was mostly in flames and when all was over two-thirds of the town lay buried in ashes and ruins.

Help soon began to stream in from all quarters. The following spring troops of workmen, masons and carpenters, found their way to the spot where Glaris had stood, to help erect on its ashes a larger and finer town.

In one of these groups was a young Italian from Genoa, who had been brought to the Lord and possessed a small New Testament. It was his constant custom to bring before his companions the wonderful contents of this precious Book.

Most of them did not appreciate the truth, but one, Giovanni, from Genoa, would listen with marked attention. Sometime before, a Christian lady had presented him with a copy of this very Book, but not knowing at that time its true value he had given it up to a man who told him it was a “bad book.” He now regretted he had been so cowardly.

It so happened that Giovanni was among those who were given the job of rebuilding a house of which part of the walls were standing. Before proceeding, however, they must give the walls some heavy blows to see if they were really solid and strong enough to be allowed to remain. Giovanni swung his pick ax and brought it down with great force to the wall, knocking out several bricks, but with them—to the great astonishment of all—a book fell to the ground.

Giovanni picked it up, and with surprise and pleasure which scarcely permitted him to speak, he exclaimed, “A Bible!”

As the workmen crowded around him in astonishment, Giovanni opened the Book and read aloud the first words that met his gaze: “A good man obtaineth favor of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will He condemn.” Prov. 12:2.

“Oh how happy I am!” he exclaimed, clasping the Book to his breast. “I have been longing for a Bible: I don’t deserve this wonderful gift, for once before when I had one I was fool enough to give it up. But this Book—I’ll die before I give it up!” There were three dents on the cover; but how the Book got there no one could guess. With a heart full of joy Giovanni took it as a gift from the hand of God.

Every day in his leisure moments he read the Book, and on Sundays he assembled a number of his companions and read aloud portions from it to them. He began with the New Testament, and though he could not explain what he read, nevertheless the Spirit of God took of the things of Christ and showed them not only to Giovanni but to many of his hearers, and as they proceeded step by step, more light was given them.

Not long after a man presented himself at Giovanni’s door and expressed a keen interest in the much-talked about Bible. He demanded to see the Book. Then he told Gianni that it was a harmful book in the hands of people in his station of life. Giovanni would not give up his treasure this time, however, and the man departed without it.

Memory Verse “A GOOD MAN OBTAINETH FAVOR OF THE LORD: BUT A MAN OF WICKED DEVICES WILL HE CONDEMN.” Prov. 12:2.

ML-10/03/1971

Ruth the Gleaner

RUTH, the Moabitess, was a poor stranger at Bethlehem. But God in His mercy had provided for such needy ones. He had said that the poor and the strangers were to be allowed to glean in the harvest fields.

So Ruth took her place and took God’s provision for her. And thus she was blessed.

And you may glean in the harvest fields of salvation today. God has provided for you. Take your place as a needy, guilty, undone sinner, glean and be blessed forever.

ML-10/03/1971

The Little Man Saved

He was like all of us. He was like some of us. He was like none of us. Who was this strange little man.

You probably have heard about him before. His story is one which seems to claim a special interest whenever it is told.

He was a tax collector for the Romans, He was like none of us because of “his position. He was like some of us because of his size — he was short. He was like all of us because he was a sinner. What was his name?

“Zacchaeus!” Yes, that was it.

How gracious the Lord Jesus was to this little man. He well knew what had happened. He saw him running along the road and climbing up into the leafy tree.

Zacchaeus “wanted to see Jesus.” That was good. But the Lord Jesus saw Zacchaeus, and He wanted to save him. That was better. So it was when the crowd reached the spot where the little man had climbed up into the tree, he heard his name called, as the Lord said, “Zacchaeus, make haste and came down, for today I must abide at thy house!”

We read that he made haste, and he came down and received Jesus joyfully.

His heart was opened, and his house was opened also.

Have we opened our hearts to the Lord Jesus? We may not have a house to welcome Him to like Zacchaeus had. But we have a heart to which He will gladly come if we will invite Him. Then we can place our lives before Him and serve Him.

There were self-righteous people who grumbled when they saw the Lord going to the house of Zacchaeus. They said, “He is gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.”

But the Lord Jesus answered, ‘This day is salvation come to this house.”

He saved Zacchaeus and Zacchaeus rejoiced to serve Him. Has He saved you? If so then, dear reader, may each of us seek grace to serve Him faithfully too.

ML-10/03/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 7:22-38

IN THESE verses (22-27) God reminds His people that the fat and the blood were not to be eaten they were for God alone. The fat was the best part of the animal and is typical of the inward energy and will of the Lord Jesus in His offering Himself to God. There was that in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus which was for man, but there was that also which was for God only, which only He could appreciate.

Neither could the blood be eaten, for “the life is in the blood,” “the blood is the life,” and the life goes back to God who gave it. How solemn a truth we have here, especially to those who live without Christ, who die in their sins, and hope they will not have to meet God as Judge. But meet Him they surely will, as His Word plainly declares, for “after death the judgment.” How dreadful for that life to return to God stained with the sins of years, the sinner to be judged at the great white throne and to be consigned everlastingly to the lake of fire.

Yet how precious to the believer to know that the blood of Christ has cleansed him from all his sins and made him “whiter than snow.” The holy light of God’s presence only brings out the perfection of the work of Christ in redemption, and shows how pure and spotless he now is in His sight.

The blood then here also speaks of the life of the blessed Lord Jesus laid down for the glory of God and for the sinner’s blessing. Thus there was to be no abuse in that which was sacred to God.

Then we have something further as to the peace offering. The “wave breast” was for Aaron and his sons, the whole priestly family; the “heave shoulder” was for the offering priest. Both speak of Christ His affections and His strength, the eternal portion of His people, for He “hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father.” (Rev. 1:6).

We are told that the “heave shoulder” was moved up and down, while the “wave breast” was waved from side to side. These actions were “before the Lord,” and this would tell us that those who moved these offerings were really in His presence, with their hands filled with Christ.

Primarily the “offering priest” speaks of Christ, and thus He and His own in nearness to God enjoy the love together. He has His special joy in sustaining us who are weak but who are “more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”

Thus we have presented here in this portion a very precious picture, enjoyed in the church now by faith but in its fullest measure in the coming glory — God will have His portion, Christ His, and His redeemed will be enjoying Him and all the fullness of His work of redemption for which He gave Himself upon the cross. To praise Him, and God the Father who gave Him, will be our blest occupation throughout that long and endless eternity.

Rest, Lord, in serving Thee,

As none have served below;

Oh, through that blest eternity

What tides of praise shall flow!

ML-10/03/1971

Take Me in! Take Me in!

“TAKE ME IN! Take me in!” was the despairing cry of a drowning man. Kind hands at once were outstretched to seize him. He was saved. And just in time.

Unsaved friend, look to Christ for salvation. Look now. He will save. The Saviour’s own words stand sure and steadfast still: “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

God’s wish is that ALL should be saved (1 Timothy 2:4).

Christ’s work was that ALL might be saved. (1 Timothy 2:6).

ALL who believe the gospel are saved. (1 Corinthians 15:2).

Memory Verse “BEHOLD, THE LORD’S HAND IS NOT SHORTENED, THAT IT CANNOT SAVE; NEITHER HIS EAR HEAVY, THAT IT CANNOT HEAR.” Isa. 59:1.

ML-10/10/1971

The Bible in the Wall

(Continued from last week)

ONE DAY a colporteur heard of Giovanni’s zeal and love for the Word of God and encouraged him to become a Bible seller in his country. Quite delighted, Giovanni set out in a few days with a pack of Bibles and Testaments on his back, and for a time he sold his Bibles quickly.

It was market day in Glaris and Giovanni was urging his listeners to supply themselves with the Word of God, when a young man came forward from the crowd and with a scornful voice declared if he were in want of a Bible he could get one for nothing, and that too in Glaris. Once he had plastered one up in the wall of a house and he was sure that in spite of the fire, the devil had not been able to get it out again!

Much astonished and greatly moved, Giovanni looked the young man in the face, and replied: “Yes, that is true, in spite of the fire, that Bible was taken great care of — it was saved by a miracle!” Then he related how God (and not Satan) had permitted the precious Book to fall into his hands, and what a great blessing it had been first to himself and afterward to many others.

Now it was the young man’s turn to be astonished. “What!” cried Antonio, for it was none other than he, “you mean to say you found the Bible I put in the wall! Let’s see the Book! I can tell it from the dents in the cover.”

Giovanni drew his beloved Bible from his pocket, and showed it to Antonio who was not a little surprised and troubled to behold again the Book he had treated with such disrespect.

“Come now,” continued Giovai, “buy the Bible from me, read it, and learn how to become a true Christian.”

But the old hatred against the holy Book still burned in Antonio’s heart, and he cried, “Go away with your Bibles! Who gave you permission to come here?” With that he stirred up his comrades till they overthrew Giovanni’s table and inflicted some severe blows upon the poor colporteur. Nor did they rest until he with his Bibles had quitted the district. Poor Giovanni, weary and discouraged, returned home, turned in his little stock of Bibles to his employers, and went back to his trade for a living.

But the patience and long-suffering of God in seeking to save men from destruction of their own choosing, is truly astonishing and beyond all measure. Twice had Antonio rudely and wickedly refused to accept this same Bible, by means of which the God of love would have drawn him to Himself and made him eternally happy. Nevertheless a third time did this compassionate love of a gracious and long-suffering God cross his path and again in the form of this selfsame Bible, to see if perhaps this time he might bend his stiff neck and permit himself to be snatched from perdition.

Years passed, and the now aged Giovanni had obtained work in one of the Swiss towns, when he discovered that his stubborn antagonist, Antonio, was also working there. Ashamed, and awkward at first, Antonio was anxious to make Giovanni forget the ill-treatment he had suffered from him years before. Giovanni willingly forgot the past, and began to take a great interest in the young man.

One day while carrying a heavy piece of stone up an unsteady ladder, Antonio slipped and fell backwards, breaking his hip in the fall. They carried him unconscious to the hospital and there he lay for weeks and months on a bed of suffering. Giovanni often visited him, and with tenderness and affection, he directed the unhappy young man to the Good Shepherd who was in this great affliction, seeking to bring this wandering sheep to Himself.

One day he left Antonio his old precious Bible to read. Antonio at first cared not for the Book, but on one of his weary days he chanced to take it up and began to read it. Some Christian women encouraged him to read Hebrews 12 and this proved soothing to his dark and murmuring heart. As he read day by day, by degrees, he began to make progress in Christian knowledge, and to love the Word of God itself.

It was six months before he could drag himself about on crutches. The fall left him a cripple for life and he could never go back to his trade as a mason for a living. So he applied himself to study, and grew in spiritual things. He acquired the deepest and most important knowledge one can get: he learned that he was a great sinner, deserving judgment, but that the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, could cleanse such a sinner as he from all sin. From hereon he experienced peace and joy in spite of the severe trial which bowed him down. He could even thank God for the affliction in which it had pleased Him to bring him to Himself.

In the fall Antonio was at last able to return home. He became a teacher in a Christian school, and would spend his leisure days holding meetings and trying to spread the knowledge of the Word of God, getting about with the aid of a stick.

Our old friend, Giovanni, whose wife and daughter also had become Christians, consented to the marriage of his daughter to the young school teacher, Antonio, to whom he had become much attached. He knew of no greater joy than to read in his beloved and precious Book, which he promised at his death should become Antonio’s treasure.

ML-10/10/1971

Harvest Past

THIS IS the harvest time of God’s salvation. This is the summer time of His blessing. We do not know when it may be over. We know not when the glad tidings of forgiveness will cease to be sounded.

NOW is yours to use if you are wise. NOW is yours to lose if you are unwise. How sad to think that many will have to say: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jeremiah 8:20.

ML-10/10/1971

Little Ones May Come

Children of every age

May come to Christ today;

May have their sins forgiven,

He is the only WAY.

To bring us nigh to God

His precious blood was given;

Through Him you now may happy be,

Through Him may enter heaven.

Yes! He has died for all,

You may the blessing know;

Come then, at once, just as you are,

He’ll wash you white as snow.

He’ll keep and guard and guide,

Till He again shall come

To call you by His voice of love,

To be with Him “at home.”

ML-10/10/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 8

IT WILL be found that the book of Leviticus is about worship, and subjects taken up in relation to it. In chapters 1-6:7, we have the ground of worship; in chapters 6:8-7:38, rules regarding worship; in chapter 8, the consecration of the worshipers; in chapter 9, worship itself; in chapter 10, the state necessary for worship; and in chapter 11, the sanctified walk becoming to a worshiper.

We remember how this wonderful book began. It says, “And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto Him out of the tabernacle of the congregation...” It is precious to notice the sacrifice with which God begins. He does not begin with that which meets our need (the sin offering) but that which meets His need — the highest type of all, the burnt offering. And what is this but God speaking from His own heart? Once the glory of God is secured, Love works down to our necessities, and leaves no stone unturned to secure the eternal blessing of all who are the objects of that love. God’s great purpose in all this is to secure worshipers, “for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.” John 4:23.

The sense of His love, and the good pleasure of having us before Him in Christ, is the spring of worship. It is the Father’s will that His beloved Son, who has so perfectly revealed Him as the fountain of that love, should be honored, and that He should lead the hearts of His children into the Father’s love. Worship is the homage of love, and this will be our occupation forever when we are at home in the Father’s house.

We now come to the consecration of Aaron and his sons. The word “consecration” means to “fill the hands,” and so here we have a lovely picture of the priestly family, their hands filled with Christ, which they offer to the Lord in worship.

It is very instructive to see the place that Moses has in this. Nothing could have been carried on without him. He received the pattern and communicated it. He set up the house. He brings forward the priest and his sons and introduces them, so to speak, to the place where the glory dwelt. He offers the offerings, fills the hands of the priests, and places them in the position where they were to carry on the whole order of the house of Gad. All this was the work of the mediator, and distinguished from the priest’s work. Nothing could be established without the work of the mediator. Hebrews (chapter 3) speaks of Moses’ faithfulness in his position, and also the importance and meaning of Aaron’s office, keeping the two distinct throughout.

Nevertheless both these offices meet in Christ. He is “the mediator of a better covenant,... established on better promises,” even as He also is the great High Priest of His people. And all His glories He carries into His office on their behalf. What a Saviour, and what a place and portion is ours! We are called to consider Him, “the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.” (Heb. 3:1).

ML-10/10/1971

The Only Plea

Jesus has died for me,

Upon this truth I rest;

Jesus has died for me,

Because of this I’m blest.

And when this life is past,

And heaven’s gate I see,

My only plea to enter is –

Jesus has died for me.

ML-10/10/1971

Are We on the Right Road?

We are all journeying. Every day urges us on. Time will soon pass. Then eternity will be reached.

Are we on the Right road? Does every passing hour bring us nearer heaven—Home?

We would seek to point fellow-travelers, young and old, to Him who is the way of life—the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is the only true Way to present peace and everlasting happiness.

Which Road Are You Traveling?

A man was traveling to a distant town on his way to a funeral, when he saw a sign at the fork of the road: For years he had trodden the old road — the way which “seemeth right unto a man,” but drink had snared him and it was now ruining him. It robbed his pockets. It robbed his prospects. And it threatened to rob him of his soul.

That sign on the road was a strange means used to arouse him. The sign had nothing to say as to spiritual matters, but the message made him think. It made him look ahead. Was he not traveling on the old road of sin? And what would be its end? The end thereof are the ways of death. Prov. 14:12.

He was on his way to a funeral. Perhaps his own was not far off— and beyond that great event which would fix his destiny forever, lay Eternity — eternity with all its peace and happiness for the saved, but with all its woe for the ungodly.

He was using the old road. It was “dangerous” indeed. It would mean his destruction in the end.

As yet it was not too late. He might be saved. The new road was open. He might tread it. Christ Himself is the way of salvation and of peace. God gave Him to be the path of blessing and of happiness for men. And He calls all to tread that way today.

There and then the folly of his past lire became plain before his eyes. He was missing the gladness which God had provided for him. The paths of pleasantness and peace he had never trodden. Instead he was on the broad road that leads to destruction. Why should he travel that road any fur thee?

The message on that board was used to his conversion. He turned to God from all the idols he had served, and fled to the Saviour of sinners who was waiting to welcome the wanderer. He received from His hands forgiveness, full and free, without money and without price. Today he keeps to the new road and rejoices as he treads it — while ever drawing nearer the glorious courts of everlasting joy and blessedness with Christ.

Which road are you treading, dear reader? Oh, friend, be warned in time!

ML-10/17/1971

War Without Weapons

The foe, a mighty multitude,

In full array appeared;

The king of Judah’s host was weak,

But he Jehovah feared,

And so his army ushered forth

Behind a vanguard small

And ill-prepared the foe to meet—

Non-fighters were they all.

But as they played their part for God,

He made their cause His own,

And victory gave by miracle—-

Their foes were all o’erthrown.

What war does this describe? What

was the part played by the non-fighting army?

Read this story in 2 Chronicles 20.

Memory Verse “I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH, AND THAT HE SHALL STAND AT THE LATTER DAY UPON THE EARTH.” Job 19:25

ML-10/17/1971

Loving-Kindness: A True Story

HE WAS such a thin-faced little fellow, the first day he arrived at the Children’s Home. So sad and hungry did he look that the Matron remarked to his teacher, “It’s the poorest case we’ve ever had!

“I’m sure the boy is hungry, so the first thing we’ll do is to give him some bread and butter. And,” she added, “we’ll put some jam on it too.”

Oh how Tim’s dark eyes brightened as he eagerly ate up the bread and jam, and drank the milk they kindly gave him.

In reading class at school that day one of the words the children had to spell was “loving-kindness.” “Who can tell us what ‘loving-kindness’ means,” asked the teacher.

“I know,” answered Tim quickly. " ‘Kindness’ means bread and butter, and ‘loving’—-well, that means the jam.”

We find the word “lovingkindness” often when reading the Scriptures, for the Holy Spirit delights to dwell on the loving-kindness of God. It tells of the grace Gods of claims now in the gospel. It is that which He has shown toward guilty sinners like us. We did not merit or deserve it. But God has found us a way whereby He could show His loving-kindness towards us, and that was through His beloved Son who gave Himself upon the cross to put away sin.

God can now bless, poor sinners but it is only in and through Christ Jesus. Not only does He save us who believe, but He showers us with blessings all along this pilgrim way. When we get home to heaven, we will experience His loving-kindness forever.

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

“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jer. 31:3.

And king David could say, “The Lord will command His loving, kindness in the daytime; and in the night His song shall be with me.” Psa. 42:8.

ML-10/17/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 8:1-12

THE CONSECRATION of Aaron and his sons was a most solemn and important event. All Israel were called to witness the great sight, for it deeply concerned both the Lord and His people—everyone.

Aaron’s sons, as priests, were chosen to maintain the Israelite, in his position before the Lord, the tabernacle, while the high Priest’s most solemn part was in the holiest of all.

The Lord then told Moses to “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread,” and all were to assemble at the entrance of the tabernacle.

The first thing done was to bathe Aaron and his sons with water. Sinful man needs cleansing, dying man needs life, and this we get in type here. The Lord Jesus could say to His disciples, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3). They were begotten by the word of truth. It was the gift of eternal life.

In Christ we have both cleansing and life. We receive it in receiving Him; and here we see Aaron and his sons alike bathed in water. But the Lord Jesus Himself needed no cleansing; He came to cleanse others.

He was perfect man and could feel for others, but what distinguished Him as Priest above all was that He was the Son of God, far above man. Aaron, washed, was but a feeble type of Christ in His purity and holiness.

Upon Aaron were put those beautiful garments “for glory and beauty.” They tell what Christ is and does for us as our great High priest before God. Thus does He represent His own. There was the coat, the girdle, the robe, and the ephod; there too were the shoulder pieces and the two onyx, stones, on which were engraven the names of the children of Israel. The breastplate of judgment was on his heart for a memorial continually, with those precious stones, upon each a name of Israel’s sons. Last came the mitre, set on Aaron’s head, with the holy crown. All is a striking testimony to Christ who ever appears in the presence of God for us—those for whom He died.

Next Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and its vessels, and then he poured the oil upon Aaron’s head. The oil ever speaks of the Holy Spirit, and from Hebrews 9 we learn that in the tabernacle we have a picture of the whole scene — heaven and earth. Thus we have here Christ, God’s anointed One, and the Spirit of God as the witness of His title to earth and heaven — the whole universe. Men boast of “our world” and of “our universe,” but it all belongs to Christ, and the day is not far off when He will come to make good His claims. He is coming in power and will fill the whole scene with His glory. How precious to know too that He is going to share it all with His own redeemed ones, who love His appealing.

ML-10/17/1971

God Wants You

THIS the gospel in brief.

You may want God. Then what a joy to know that God wants you.

You may not want God. Nevertheless it is true that God wants you. He wants you, for what?

The detective follows the criminal over land and sea. He wants him. At length he comes up with the transgressor where he can arrest him, and as he puts his strong hand on the culprit’s shoulder he says in words of steel, “You’re wanted.” He is wanted for the police court — for the prison and penitentiary.

The grace of God follows the sinner. It whispers in his ears, “God wants you.” But He wants you for pardon — for place — for present happiness — for future glory. He wants to save you from the wreckage and wastage and wretchedness of sin.

God wants you.

He wants you as you are.

He wants you NOW!

ML-10/17/1971

Cut off

THEY WERE cut off by the incoming tide. No way of escape was open to them. What could they do? The cliffs above them were too steep to climb, and the waters surging around them too deep for them to pass through them. They were in danger, indeed.

Could they be — would they be saved? They could not save themselves.

How like to their case is the condition of many a sinner. He sees the tide of judgment rolling in. He cannot climb the steep cliffs to safety in his own strength, or by his own efforts.

What can he do? Can he be rescued? “What must I do to be saved?” might well be his agonizing cry, as it was for one long ago.

We’re glad to tell you that happily for the two girls someone saw them in their great need. A boat came to their rescue, and they were saved. Oh how thankful they were to be safe in the lifeboat!

And happily for the sinner his danger has been seen, and a way of salvation has been provided. The Lord Jesus came from heaven, he suffered and died on the cross for sin, that He might reach and rescue us. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Rom. 5:6.

He is the only Saviour. There is no other way of escape. “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.

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

ML-10/24/1971

Brought to Port

Hurray! Hurray! The joyful cries rang loud and free as the storm-broken craft was brought safely into port.

She had been trying to make the harbor, but suffered heavily from the huge waves and, becoming unmanageable, she drifted before the storm.

Only a few minutes more and she would have been on the rocks and a total wreck.

But a harbor tug, pluckily haled, went out to the rescue, and getting a rope on board the storm-tossed boat, brought it into port.

As I watched the exciting scene from the pier I thought of myself and my Saviour. I could see myself in all my need, drifting on to the rocks of eternal destruction—without strength to save myself, without hone of salvation. I thought of my Saviour, who came forth from His glory above, and enduring the storm of judgment at Calvary reached me where I was in all my need. At the cost of His unspeakable sufferings He delivered my soul. Now I can say —

Safe home, safe home in port!

Rent cordage, shattered;

Torn sails, provision short,

And only but a wreck.

But oh! the joy upon the shore

To tell our voyage perils o’er.

Christ is the Saviour for all. He is the Saviour of all who trust Him. Is He your Saviour?

ML-10/24/1971

Supper for Thirty: Only Fifteen Came

FARMER JONES invited about thirty of the village children to his house for supper one day. The tables were spread with an abundance of good things which boys and girls like, and being a farmer, Mr. Jones provided plenty of milk and cream along with fruit and home-baked pies and cakes.

Farmer Jones had never been known to ask the children to supper before, and this made many of the boys and girls wonder if it could be true. So they talked it over tether, some of them, and decided to ask Mr. Jones once more. “Come and see,” was the cheery reply.

At the appointed time fifteen of the little ones were there. “Where are all the others?” asked Farmer Jones.

“They wouldn’t come,” said one small girl, “because they didn’t believe it was true.”

“In that case they get no supper,” said the kind host, “if they refuse to believe my word.”

The fifteen small boys and girls feasted on the good things before them, but they were forced to leave as much as they had eaten, which proved that enough had been prided for all.

As soon as the children had left the farm, they ran and told the others the good news of the wonderful time they had had. How very disappointed those children were, who through their unbelief had missed the feast.

I wonder how many boys and girls, and older ones too, who may read this story, are like the children who refused the invitation. God has prepared a feast of love for sinners, in the gift of His beloved Son who died upon the cross. Now the Lord Jesus says to all, “Come unto Me.” “Come; for all things are now ready.” Luke 14:17.

Do you believe it? Then come to Him now and see what a feast of good things He has provided for you, and know the reality of the words we often sing:

Come, for the feast is spread,

Hark to the call!

ML-10/24/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 8:13-22

THUS FAR we have no shedding or sprinkling of blood. Aaron was anointed with oil before the blood was shed. The Lord Jesus needed not the shedding of the blood for Himself. He had no sins of His own to atone for — Himself the holy spotless Son of God. But He bore the sins of others that He might set them free and bring them into association with Himself in those joys and glories which to Him belong.

When Aaron’s sons are brought near, as they are next, the sin-offering is brought near too, and the hands of all were laid on the bullock’s head. But first, the sons of Aaron were clothed as their father, with coats and girdles and bonnets. This tells us how God in grace covers our nakedness with Christ, as it pleases Him, and makes us fit for His presence in the sanctuary.

As remarked before, Aaron’s sons typify believers, and so, having been washed all over by the Word and pronounced “clean every whit” (John 13:10), we now have a robe of righteousness which we are called on to display in a practical way, like the linen coats of Aaron’s sons. Then too our natural desires and our thoughts are to be brought into accord with this practical righteousness, like the girdles and bonnets. These things are most necessary if we are to enjoy the wonderful place that is ours as priests bore God.

The bullock was then slain and Moses took the blood and put it on the horns of the altar to purify it. The rest he poured out at the base. And does not this speak to us of what the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is to God? Men may despise it and count it foolishness (1 Cor. 1:23), yet it is to God the most hallowed spot in all His universe — as the hymn so well puts it, “Center of two eternities, which look with rapt adoring eyes onward and back to Thee.”

O cross of Christ, O glorious tree!

What place can be compared to thee?

Where God’s own Son was crucified,

And for our sins a ransom died?

The bullock was burned without the camp as a sin-offering, and this reminds us of the place the Lord Jesus had to take and of the sacrifice He made in order to put our sins away, to bring us into such a place of favor and blessing with Himself. Nothing less than that awful cross and the shedding of His precious blood was necessary for this, such is the awfulness of sin in God’s sight. But the fat was burned on the altar, and so we know that the Father found His infinite delight in Jesus when He was making atonement for our sins on Calvary.

Then we read of the offering of one ram for a burnt offering—telling of the worthiness of Christ and His perfect obedience, all going up to God as a sweet savor, and we accepted in Him.

Next came the offering of the send ram — the ram of consecration —speaking of Christ’s perfect consecration to His Father’s will and of His devotedness unto death. This same devotedness should characterize us, whom He has made “kings and priests unto God and His Father” (Rev. 1:6).

Memory Verse “HOW THEN CAN MAN BE JUSTIFIED WITH GOD?” Job 25:4

ML-10/24/1971

Pancho and Pedro

YEARS AGO two Indian boys came to our school in Yulo. Day after day in the schoolroom both boys listened to the gospel message, and after some time Pancho, the younger of the two, brightly confessed the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour. But, sad to say Pedro, the older boy, went all through school and never was converted.

Years passed and the boys grew to be young men. Then war broke out between Bolivia and Paraguay, and Pedro was drafted into the army. Pancho was deeply concerned for his brother Pedro, for he knew that if he were killed in the war he would go to a lost eternity without Christ. So he prayed to the Lord about it.

Then one day Pancho said to me, “Pedro is already drafted; he is at the big military barracks with 1000 other men, three days journey from here. I feel led of the Lord to go and free Pedro from service. I will take his place.”

“Well, Pancho,” I said, “this is a wonderful thing to do. But you know you are going into the war and may possibly be killed.”

“Dear brother,” he replied, “if I am killed, I’ll go to be with the Lord Jesus. But if Pedro is killed, you know he’ll go to hell without a ray of hope.”

So one day Pancho dressed himself in his Indian garb; he put on his long white pants, his blue shirt, his felt hat and sandals, and with his big red belt around his waist, he started off on foot.

Late at night, at the end of the third day, Pancho arrived at the big military barracks. He sought the guard at the door and requested that he might let him see his brother, Pedro.

“It’s pretty late,” the guard told him, “but since he’s your brother, you may go in. Only don’t stay too long.”

In went Pancho and was not long in finding Pedro. Then in a quiet corner of the building he embraced him and said, “Pedro, you know that you’re lost. You don’t have Christ as your Saviour. You’re going into the war, and in a very few days you could be killed, and go to hell without Christ.

“I tell you what I’ll do, Pedro. I’m going to take your place. You put on my Indian suit, and I’ll put on your uniform. Now do it quickly. If I’m killed in the war, I know I’ll go to heaven.”

Quickly the two brothers changed their clothes, and with one last fond embrace they said good-bye, and parted. Pancho stayed behind in Pedro’s place, while Pedro walked out of the barracks. He saluted the guard, who, thinking he was Pancho, allowed him to pass on his way.

Was that not wonderful love on the part of Pancho? He went through three years of terrible warfare taking his brother’s place. No officer ever discovered his true identity; every one called him Pedro.

God spared Pancho and showed him special kindness for what he had done. Men were cut down all around him, and it is said, that 60,000 boys died during the three years of fighting in those awful battles in the jungle. But Pancho was never wounded. He told me there were times when bullets went through his cap, through his pant legs, under his armpits, yet none of them touched him.

“It seems to me, dear brother,” he said afterward, “that the Lord Jesus had special kindness in picking up those bullets so they wouldn’t touch me.” That was his simple way of telling it.

I was preaching the gospel in that war and one day I said to the general, “General, there’s an Indian soldier in there called Pedro. He’s been three years in this war. Would you do me a favor?”

“What is it?” he asked.

“Would you give an order to have Pedro come out from the trenches and be with me?”

“Very well,” the general said, and he gave an order for Pedro to be brought out. The last three months of the war he was with me behind the lines. No one ever knew, however, that he was really Pancho.

I know your heart will glow when you think of Pancho’s self-sacrificing love for his brother, for he dared to die for Pedro. But does it not glow when you think of One who died for YOU? Pancho returned safe, but Jesus knew He went forth to death for you. And how have you treated Him? He knew you did not love Him, nor even care for your own soul; but He saw you would be lost, so He gave Himself up to suffer and die in your stead.

“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:7,8.

ML-10/31/1971

The Mouse and the Oyster

A FISHERMAN had a little shop in a small town on the coast, where he sold his catch of the harvest of the sea. Next door a little mouse had made his home, and he would make nightly forays into the fish shop where he enjoyed many a good supper, at the expense of the fish seller.

One evening the fisherman brought in some oysters which he left on the table until the morning. As usual during the night the little mouse entered the shop and began his search for food. He sniffed around the floor and then, climbing up onto the table, he spied the fresh oysters. Being a bit of a connoisseur the change in menu delighted him. So popping his head into an open shell he was soon having a grand feast at Mr. Oyster’s expense.

His little teeth were very sharp,

And wakened up the oyster,

Who closed his shell upon the mouse

And shut him in his cloister.

Next morning when the fisher came

And opened up his shop,

He found the poor mouse stiff and cold,

Beyond all earthly hope.

A dear Christian man, who loved boys and girls, used to tell this story to warn them against looking into things and going into places where they didn’t belong.

Sometimes our love for this world’s lusts and pleasures leads us into places where we ought not to be, often we are trapped, and this only results in sorrow and shame.

Then too Satan sets traps seeking to catch the unwary. If we have the Lord as our Saviour and keep close to Him, He guides us away from those snares. But if we do fail and fall into one of Satan’s traps, only the Lord Jesus can deliver us.

The little mouse had no deliverer. But those who have fallen into the trap of sin can cry to the Lord and He is both willing and able to save. He came into this world to save sinners. But those who do not have Him as their Saviour will perish in their sins.

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13.

Memory Verse “O LORD..., BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT TRUSTETH IN THEE,” Psa. 84:12

ML-10/31/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 8:23-29

THE SECOND ram — the ram of consecration — was slain. “And Moses took of its blood, and put it on the tip of Aaron’s right ear, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the great toe of his right foot.” And this he did to each of Aaron’s sons also. He then sprinkled the blood on the altar round about.

What a wonderful truth is set forth here. Christ, as seen in Aaron, has by His own blood entered once for all into the holiest, having obtained eternal redemption (Heb.

9:12). Otherwise He would have rained alone. But He was the corn of wheat which fell into the ground and died, and now brings forth much fruit (John 12: 24); for He is now Son over His own house, whose house are we. Not only does He love us and has washed us from our sins in His own blood, but He has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father.

So glorified was God in the death of His Son that He has set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly glory, and to us who believe He gives this same place of nearness and blessing now. One day He shall bring us into that same glory. For, “as He is so are we in this world"; and soon He will come to fetch us so that where He is, there we may be also.

The blood put upon Aaron’s sons — the priestly company — means the value of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus consecrating them for all they heard (the ear), for all they did (the thumb), and for all their walk (their great toe). Not only has the blood of Christ atoned for our sins, but by virtue of that blood He claims our all for Himself. “Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor. 6:20.

This sprinkling of the blood of the ram of consecration on Aaron and his sons speaks of the Lord Jesus’ consecration even unto death, and of how that same devotedness should characterize our lives. Furthermore, all our life ought to be lived in the power of that death to God.

Then came the wave offering which Moses put into the hands of Aaron and his sons. All speaks of the excellencies of Christ, waved before the Lord, and so in worship, how we delight to present Christ to God in all the excellence of His Person and His work. We as Christians now are “a holy priesthood,” called “to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5). More than that, as Peter tells us, we are “a royal priesthood,” that we “should show forth the excellencies of Him who hath called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light.” v. 9.

ML-10/31/1971

Pancho's Deliverance

LAST WEEK we told you the story of Pancho, the dear Christian Indian boy who in love to his brother, Pedro, who was unsaved, took Pedro’s place in the war. The Lord watched over Pancho and spared him through those three awful years of fighting, so that he came back home safely.

While in the army, because of his faithfulness, the officer of the regent used him as a sentinel. A sentinel is one who stands guard in the quiet of the night and watches, ready to give the alarm if the enemy should attack. If he sees or hears the enemy approaching, he fires his rifle into the air and then runs back to rejoin the regiment. But on no account must he fire unless it is to warn the regiment that the enemy is approaching.

One night while Pancho was on sentinel duty, just past midnight he heard a rustling behind him. Turning quickly around he pointed his rifle in the direction from whence the sound came. He thought the enemy had sneaked up on him, as sentinels do, and he expected to see a flash, then all would be over. He thought of home, of the dear missionary friend he loved, and he prayed that if he were shot by the enemy that he would be “absent from the body, and present with the Lord.”

Nothing happened, however, but as he thought and prayed, he heard another rustling on the other side; so he swung around and pointed his rifle in that direction. Then as he waited he heard the sound again, but behind him this time. You can imagine how he felt. Swinging around he pointed his rifle in that direction. A fourth time he heard the noise, and again he swung around.

Then what do you think he saw? The moon was just emerging from behind the clouds when the head of a huge tiger appeared through the jungle, his two eyes shining like balls of fire in the moonlight. Pancho lifted his rifle and drew a bead on the eye of the tiger, but being a sentinel he was afraid to fire.

So he prayed again. “Lord Jesus, I can’t fire at this tiger. But Thou hast shown me such kindness and favors, because I belong to Thee. Please take this animal away, Lord Jesus.”

And what do you think happened? The Lord answered his dear servant’s cries, for the tiger went quietly away, and left Pancho alone. Many sentinels were carried away by tigers during the Chaco war, but here is a case where God showed kindness to a “good man” who took his brother’s place, and feared not death.

The sad part of this whole story is that in spite of his noble brother’s self-sacrificing love in taking his place in the war, Pedro never turned to the Lord. Years have come and gone and Pedro is still unsaved.

Must it be said of you, dear reader, that in spite of the love of the Lord Jesus who went into death for you that you might be spared God’s judgment against your sins, that you do not care to have Him for your Saviour, and that you are still unsaved? God grant that it might not be so.

DECIDE for Christ today,

And God’s salvation see;

Yield soul and body, heart and will

To Him, who died for thee!

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

ML-11/07/1971

Jesus Loves Me! This I Know

PERHAPS there is no hymn for little children better known or better loved by people of all ages than —

Jesus loves me! this I know,

For the Bible tells me so;

Little ones to Him belong;

They are weak, but He is strong.

It was written almost 100 years ago by a Sunday School teacher who used to compose hymns to well-known tunes for her class. Her name was Anna Bartlett Warner. She was born near New York in 1820, and died there at the great age of 95.

She also wrote the lovely little hymn —

Jesus bids us shine

With a pure, clear light,

Like a little candle

Burning in the night.

He looks down from heaven

To see us shine—

You in your small corner

And I in mine.

The tune, “Jesus Loves Me,” to which Anna’s lovely hymn is always sung, was composed by William B. Bradbury, the farmer’s boy, who later wrote many more fine hymn tunes.

An interesting story is told about this hymn by a missionary among the Hindus in India. After translating the simple words of the hymn into the Telegu language, he taught them to the native children in his day school. A week later, when ring through the town, he discovered one of the boys singing “Jesus Loves Me” to a crowd of men and women.

“Where did you learn that song?” someone asked.

“Over at the missionary school,” replied the boy.

“Who is Jesus, and what is the Bible?”

“Oh the Bible is the Book from God, and Jesus is the name of Him who came into the world to save us from our sins. That’s what the missionaries say,” answered the youthful singer.

No matter how old we are — six, sixteen or sixty — it is always true that —

Jesus loves me! He who died

Heaven’s gate to open wide;

He will wash away my sin,

Let a little child come in.

ML-11/07/1971

Two Naughty Boys

IT WAS at a large gathering of Sunday School children, and a missionary present mounted the platform to tell them a story of two little boys he had known years bore. He also told them about a little girl he had afterward learned to know.

Jim and Tom were one day quarreling and fighting in the street. A young girl, named Mary Wood, happened along at the time, and seeing the boys fighting, she ventured to speak to them and tell them how wrong it was to fight like that.

Ashamed at being spoken to by a girl, both boys ran off, but not before Mary had got from them a promise that they would come to the Sunday School which she attended.

The boys were as good as their word and both showed up at Sunday School. It was the beginning of a blessing from the Lord for they continued to come, and by and by both came to trust Him as their Saviour. Mary too also was saved, so all three grew up to be Christians.

“Now,” asked the missionary, “would any of you like to see the boy Jim I was telling you about?”

“Yes, sir; yes, sir!” they all shouted.

“Jim, will you please stand up?” asked the speaker, addressing someone in the crowd.

Immediately another missionary stood up, and smiling upon the children, he said, “I am Jim.”

“Now, would any of you like to see Tom, the other boy?” asked the speaker.

“Yes, sir; yes, sir!” all chorused again.

“Well,” he said, “just look at me, for I’m that boy Tom. I too have been a missionary for many years.

“Now let me ask, would any of you here like to see little Mary Wood, who stopped these naughty boys from fighting?”

Again there was a hearty response: “Yes, sir; yes, sir!”

“Look, then, at the little lady in the black dress near the window. She used to be Mary Wood, but now she is my wife.”

What a happy meeting that was! And O what happiness God has in store for those who trust His dear Son as their Saviour and seek to follow Him. May the Lord lead many of you dear boys and girls who read these lines to trust Him while you are still young. Then set out to follow Him in that path of service and love to Him and others, that He has for you to walk in.

“He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matt. 4:19.

Memory Verse “FOR THOU, LORD, ART GOOD, AND READY TO FORGIVE.” Psa. 86:5

ML-11/07/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 8:30-36

THE NEXT act in the consecration of Aaron and his sons is quite remarkable.

“Moses took of the anointing oil and of the blood which was upon the altar and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his garments, and on his sons and on his sons’ garments with him.”

The oil ever speaks of the Holy Spirit, so we have here in type the unction of the Spirit as well as the death of Christ. Both are made good to the believer by the power of the Spirit, and are brought tether in Romans 8:2-4. It is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that makes one free from the law of sin and death; while Christ in death made sin is his release from all evil. So it is we are enabled to walk “not after the flesh but after the Spirit.”

Priestly service must be by the power of the Spirit. At the same time we ought never to forget the cost of our redemption, even the precious blood of Christ.

“Garments” speak of our ways; so the sprinkling of the oil and the blood upon Aaron’s and his sons’ garments would tell us there ought to be the display of the Spirit’s power in our ways. In what fullness and perfection do we see this power of the Spirit in the life of our blessed Lord here on earth. We read of Him that He was “full of the Holy Ghost,” that He was “led by the Spirit,” and that He “returned in the power of the Spirit.” (Luke 4:1,14.)

Next Aaron and his sons are told to “Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle,... and there eat it with the bread that is in the basket of consecrations.” The precious privilege of communion with Christ who gave Himself for us is what is set forth here. The flesh was boiled at the entrance of the tabernacle, that is, in the Lord’s presence, and the bread was that of the consecration offering. All was to be separate from the common food of man, and apart from nature. It was holy food.

The flesh was to be eaten where it was boiled. It speaks of Christ in death as in life, not here our deliverance from judgment, but as the Object of our souls to enjoy and feed on together. It is a beautiful picture of Christ and His own sharing this joy together, with God, for “our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.”

Aaron and his sons were not to go out during the seven days of their consecration. The seven speaks of the circle of our walk here below. Night and day they were to abide at the entrance, and keep the charge of the Lord.

All this is our portion now, and may our souls be stirred to enter into and enjoy these precious things of Christ in fuller measure, while seeking grace to keep the charge of the Lord until He comes again — a morn which is very near at hand!

He’s your best and truest Friend,

One who always will defend.

Do not let Him knock in vain,

He may never come again.

Hear His gentle, loving voice,

Bid Him welcome, and rejoice.

ML-11/07/1971

A Billboard Message

MR. PRICE, a Christian business man, owned a fruit store. One evening after work, as he hurried home, he stopped to look at the new billboards put up near the station. One of the signs carried his own ad: “Eat More Fruit.”

Suddenly he felt an overwhelming desire to write in the space bow his ad a message from God, which might arrest some passers-by and cause them to think of eternal things and of the need of their souls.

For some time he paused wondering what to write, and then suddenly the words flashed into his mind: “GET RIGHT WITH GOD.” Mr. Price loved the Lord and he longed that others might come to know and love Him too. Quickly he got out his pen and wrote in large letters: “GET RIGHT WITH GOD.” Then he went on home, and prayed that night that the Lord would use his message to turn someone to Himself.

The next morning as he passed the sign on his way to work he noticed initials and an address had been written beside his message: “E. L. S., 19 Edmore Road.”

“This can only have one meaning,” he thought; “I must call there soon as possible.”

So he did that same evening. It was a cheap little restaurant and the manager told him no one with those initials was there. At first Mr. Price thought it must be a mistake, but then a waitress ventured the information that a young policeman had rented a room upstairs.

Mr. Price was not long ascending the stairs and knocking at the door.

It opened smartly and there stood a tall, handsome young police officer.

“I beg your pardon for intruding,” began Mr. Price in his usual cheery voice, “but I am anxious to find a man whose initials are E. L. S.”

The young officer grasped his visitor’s hand eagerly. “Oh,” he ex-

claimed, “did you see my initials on the billboard? Did you write those words there, “GET RIGHT WITH GOD"?

“Yes, my friend,” continued Mr. Price, “and I have come to ask if I could be any help to you. Are you right with God?”

“No, I’m not," confessed the young fellow. “But I want to know how I can be. What must I do?”

“Do, friend? There is nothing for you to do. It is all done. It was all done when the Lord Jesus died upon the cross for sinners 1900 years ago. You can’t do anything for salvation. Christ has done it all. All you can do is to own your guilt as a sinner and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation; trust Him as your own personal Saviour. That’s God’s way of getting right with Himself.”

“But that sounds almost too simple,” said the young man. “I thought I must turn over a new leaf and do my best to get right with God. Yet I have tried so many times and I’m never any better. In fact I seem to be getting worse. I’m all wrong.”

“Of course you are,” replied his friend, “and so was I once. But God knows how helpless we are, and He has made the way so simple, that even the youngest child can understand.”

“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. 2:8,9. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Tit. 3:5. “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isa. 64:6.

Quietly and lovingly Mr. Price talked with the young fellow and explained more fully to him the way of salvation. Then they knelt down together, and the young fellow opened his heart and received Christ as his Saviour. So it was that night he “got right with God,” and went on his way a happy Christian.

ML-11/14/1971

Little Phil's Inquiry

ONCE WHEN I visited in Ohio, I was struck by the story a lady told about herself. She and her husband lived two miles from her father, and one day she took her little boy, Phil, just five years old, to visit her parents. A storm came on so they decided to stay for the night.

“In the evening,” she said, “my father, as his custom was, called his family together, read a portion from his large Bible, and then commended all to God in prayer. Next morning at breakfast, when the family was together, he again read the Bible and prayed; and I returned home with my little boy.

“I soon noticed that the little fellow seemed more thoughtful and very sober. So I asked him, ‘What is the matter, Phil?’ After a little hesitation, he said, ‘Why doesn’t Daddy do as Grandpa does?’ All I could reply was, ‘O, pooh! You run and play, Phil.’

“My little boy looked disappointed at my answer, but ran off to play. He had only been gone a short time, however, when he came running back to me and with more earnestness again asked, “Mommie, why doesn’t Daddy do as Grandpa does?” I frowned at him, and told him the second time to go and play.

“He seemed grieved, but went away. Soon he came running back to me the third time, and still more earnestly he pleaded, ‘Mommie, why doesn’t Daddy do as Grandpa does?’

“So to pacify him, I asked, ‘How does Grandpa do?’

" ‘Why, Mommie, he gets his big Bible and reads, and then he prays.’

" ‘Well, you ask Daddy when he comes home.’

“I did not expect my husband home until evening, and Phil seemed to wait impatiently for his father to come. When evening came, I said, ‘Now, Phil, it is time for my little boy to go to bed.’ ‘No, Muy,’ he reminded me, ‘you said I could sit and wait until Daddy comes.’

“I tried again to persuade him that it would be best for him to go to bed. But no, he must sit up, and see his Daddy. So he waited up till nearly 9 o’clock when his father returned.

“As soon as he stepped inside the door, little Phil ran up to him and said, ‘Daddy, why don’t you do as Grandpa does?’

" ‘Why, Phil! what are you up at this time of night for? You run off to bed now.’

“Nothing more was heard from the little fellow until morning. He lay in bed later than usual, even until of ter we had had breakfast. When he got up, I put his breakfast in front of him, but he wouldn’t eat anything. He sat very sober, looking at his food.

“So I said, ‘Why don’t you eat?’

He said nothing, but still sat almost motionless.

“Soon I asked him again, ‘Why don’t you eat your breakfast, Phil?’

"‘I’m waiting to ask a blessing,’ he replied; ‘for I don’t see anyone will if I don’t.’

“My feelings were overcome; I couldn’t contain myself any longer, but immediately went into another room where I might weep and pray alone. I told my husband all about it. He was deeply affected. We both felt the Lord was speaking to us and so we weren’t long in getting on our knees before Him about it. He had been seeking us for a long time, and we had kept Him out of our hearts and lives. But now He had used our own dear little boy to bring us to Himself. Humbly we were both led to confess Him as our Saviour and Lord, as did our little Phil, and oh what happiness we realized from then on. We found to our unspeakable joy Him of whom Moses and the law and the prophets did write.

“Our little Phil grew to be an earnest devoted servant of Christ.”

Memory Verse “THOU WILT CAST ALL THEIR SINS INTO THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA.” Micah 7:19

ML-11/14/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 9

IN THIS chapter we have the offerings of the eighth day, when Aaron and his sons stand forth fully consecrated. The glory of the Lord appears, showing His acceptance of all.

The eighth day sets forth a new and heavenly order of things, the time of resurrection glory. These offerings speak of Christ, in the fulness of His work and Person as well as His grace, and as God could come out and display His glory in the midst of His people then, so He will do so in a more wonderful way by and by. The coming glories of that millennial day all hang upon the sacrifice of Christ.

Aaron brought a sin offering and a burnt offering; while the children of Israel brought a sin offering, a burnt offering, peace offerings and a meal offering mingled with oil. Then “all the congregation drew near and stood before the Lord.” They were present to see the wonderful things that were to take place that day, and if we in some measure are able to lay hold of some of the marvelous truths seen in type here, we will wonder and worship too.

Aaron slew the sin offering but its blood was not carried within the veil. It was put upon the horns of the altar and poured out at the boom of the altar. All the sacrifices are seen here, but it is a picture of the earthly glory, in contrast to that which is ours even now by faith. We do not wait until the millennial day or even the day of our resurrection glory to enjoy our portion in Christ. They are ours now through Christ risen and glorified. He has sent down the Holy Spirit to indwell our hearts and to bring us into the enjoyment of all that these types and shadows speak of.

Aaron’s sons brought the blood of the sin offering, and presented the burnt offering to Aaron. Since they typify believers now, what a wonderful picture we have here of the time when the Lord Jesus comes in glory for the deliverance of Israel, and we shall be with Him then our robes washed in His blood.

“And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people.”

Moses and Aaron entered the tabernacle for the first time, but their coming forth is a picture of when Christ, as both King and Priest, will appear in glory to Israel. He shall bear the glory and shall be a priest upon His throne (Zech. 6:12,13). Israel shall look upon Him whom they have pierced, and will receive Him gladly as their Messiah and Lord in that day. These offerings tell of how the sacrifice of Christ will be publicly owned as the ground of their redemption and blessing.

At Pentecost the Spirit was poured out upon the Church and abides with us as believers forever, but in that day the Spirit will be poured out not only upon Israel but upon all flesh.

“And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw they shouted, and fell on their faces.” v. 24. The Lord Jesus is the true Melchizedek and shall reign over the earth in righteousness and peace.

ML-11/14/1971

A Prisoner of Jesus Christ

A MISSIONARY was called to preach the gospel of Christ in the old colonial city of Potosi, Bolivia. He suffered much persecution in those early days and tells the interesting story of how the Lord once graciously delivered him from prison.

He had rented two bare rooms in a two story building on one of the cobbled streets of the city. The lower flat was occupied by a colonel and his wife and four children. The colonel, who was boss of the southern army, became friendly to the missionary and listened attentively when he spoke to him of the gospel of Christ.

The missionary used to preach the gospel on the steps of the Liberty Statue in the main square every Sunday afternoon, and occasionally the colonel called him aside and warned him of coming violence from the police, if he did not refrain from preaching in the square. He thanked the colonel, but as liberty of worship was the constitution of the land, he felt he would rather suffer persecution than give up the privilege of making known the story of Jesus and His love.

Sure enough, the persecution ban. The missionary had just fished preaching when a police offer intervened. Drawing a sword he ordered the missionary to march. He questioned the officer as to why he was arrested without an order from the judge, but the only reply was a more harsh order to march immediately. He was taken to the police station and turned over to one of the guards who roughly shoved him into the inner prison. The old stone prison, with its massive iron gates and doors was built by the Spaniards 400 years before. Thousands of political prisoners had been held within its walls and many of them died there. The cell where the missionary was put was a cold bleak room with just a small hole in the wall through which some light filtered; no bed, and no food.

Never will the missionary forget the feeling when the huge steel door closed behind him. But falling on his knees he prayed: “Lord Jesus, I’m not a prisoner of this state, but a prisoner of Thine. Thou alone canst free Thy servant from this dungeon. Thou didst deliver Peter, and Thou canst deliver me.” There was little hope of help or deliverance from man, but then the Lord lives. Praise His name! He spent the night on the cold floor of his cell, with nothing to eat.

But God was watching over His dear servant and had prepared an instrument for his rescue. The colonel evidently had missed his friend, and went straight to the police office. And being told where the missionary was, he ordered him to be brought out of prison immediately. So it was he was brought up from his cell to the office of the chief of police and, to his surprise, who should he find waiting there, but the colonel himself. “What are you doing here?” he asked, then turning to the chief of police he demanded, “Why was this man arrested? What has he done?”

All the chief could reply was: “This man is a perverter of the peace of this city, and he has to be expelled from the country. He is a trouble-maker and opposed to the government of this country” — all of which was false. The colonel however, took things into his own hands and going over the head of the chief of police, he said to the missionary, “You go straight home to your room and I shall look after you.” He thankfully did, and he ordered a guard to watch when he went out and came in. The guard was also present at the gospel preaching in order to report to the colonel. The poor missionary expressed his profound gratitude to his friend for his faithful care of Time passed, and then someone told the missionary that a high official of the Church was behind the accusation against him, and that it was he who had used the police to rid the city of him. On hearing this, the missionary and some believers prayed to the Lord that He might graciously pardon the man, and convict him of his need of a Saviour. They continued in prayer for him for some time, requesting that he might not sleep or rest until he found peace in believing.

Then there was a revolution, in which this same Church dignitary took a leading part, and he was promoted and transferred to another state. But conscience was at work in his soul and it was just here the Lord proved that He hears and answers prayer. Within two years that same Church official and persecutor had turned to Christ. The Lord had shown him mercy and saved him from his sins. His old friends and associates tried to win him back, but all in vain. He had found Christ as His Saviour; he was happy, and he was free. Persecution broke out against him, and finally he had to leave the country.

How wonderful is the grace of God. “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32. And he is free indeed whom the truth has made free. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” verse 36.

ML-11/21/1971

God's Mirror

ROMANS 3 gives a full length picture of the sinner just as he is in God’s sight. It shows what we are from head to foot.

More than that it shows what we are in our hearts. Look at it. See what you are in God’s mirror.

“There is none righteous, no not one: there is none that undetandeth, there is none that seeketh after God... There is none that doeth good, no not one.... And the way of peace have they not known.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;...” vv. 10, 11, 12, 17, 23. It shows us that we are what we are in order that we may feel our need of salvation.

And God had provided salvation for us, “in Christ Jesus.”

ML-11/21/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 10:1,2.

WE come now to a very sad and solemn occasion — the death of the two sons of Aaron. In the preceding chapters we have had the excellencies and perfections of Christ set forth in the offerings, so that on the eighth day, when all those offerings were presented and the consecration of the priesthood complete, the glory of the Lord appeared as the token of His approval and acceptance of all.

But how soon after all this do we witness the failure of that committed to man, and the utter ruin of the priesthood before God. Alas, it is the humbling tale of man failing everywhere, and from the first. Every time he has been put in a place of responsibility he has always failed. There are no exceptions, for there is absolutely no good in fallen nature. “The flesh profiteth nothing” (John 6:63), and again, “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing.” Rom. 7:18. This chapter brings out a most needful lesson for us in our day, when man is exalting himself as never before.

Nadab and Abihu, the two eldest sons of Aaron, had just been consecrated to the priesthood. They had witnessed the glory of the Lord as it appeared to the people. They had seen the fire come forth from before the Lord and consume upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat, when all the people saw it and fell upon their faces. Who should have appreciated this token of the Lord’s grace more than the priests? But these two were the very men who at such a time betrayed the unbelief and ungratefulness of their hearts.

“And Nadab and Abihu,... took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense therein, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.”

The fire from the Lord had just before come forth and devoured the burnt offering and the fat. That fire was never to go out. We learn from Leviticus 16:12 That the fire that the priests were to use in their censers was to come from the brazen altar, and from no other source. To use “strange fire” was really contempt of that supply which God Himself had given. In doing as they did these sons of Aaron showed heartless indifference to the Lord’s glory and to the favor He had put upon them.

Perhaps they did not know why the fire must come from that source and no other, but it should have been enough that God had commanded it, for it expressly says. “which the Lord commanded them not.” Therefore it was sin, God was dishonored, and their death was immediate.

Like Cain, these men took their own way in approach to God; it was the way of nature. Like many since, they would say, as it were, the ordinary fire of nature is good enough to burn incense with before God. How many today choose their own way of approach to God. May we learn to come in God’s way and not with any “strange fire” of our choosing. “They that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24.

The only incense that God will accept is that which speaks of Christ, and the fire must come from that place where He glorified God in the question of sin. That is the cross. And we ourselves must have been there and know the value of that atoning work in our own souls before we can bring, as it were, the fire from off the altar in our censers of praise and prayer to God.

Memory Verse “HE RETAINETH NOT HIS ANGER FOREVER, BECAUSE HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY.” Micah 7:18

ML-11/21/1971

The Little Jackdaw

IN THE hospital of the Ventnor Sanatorium there are many used chimneys, and during the summertime the jackdaws build their nests and rear their young in them.

One morning a great flutter was heard in one of the chimneys and down came a little jackdaw. He was very dirty, and his eyes were full of soot. I picked him up, washed him, and took care of him, feeding him with dainty bits of my own food. He became quite attached to me and would follow me about the grounds like a little dog.

At night I kept him in a nice wooden shed, and each morning I took him for a walk on the large lawn. He knew my footsteps so well that on my approach he would call out, “Jack, Jack.”

Jack became very obedient too, and I wondered if he had learned a lesson from his fall down the chimney. No doubt his parents had warned him that if he got too near to the edge of the nest and looked down, he could fall down that long dark chimney perhaps to his death. What a mercy he did not fall into the hands of the gardeners, for they would have killed him. Well it was for him that he came into the hands of one who loved birds.

How this reminds us of our first parents in the garden of Eden when they disobeyed God and fell into the hands of Satan, man’s great enemy, and were lost. Yes, lost to God, thus bringing them into captivity to sin and death. But God loved His creature, man, and at once sought Adam out and called to him and said, “Where art thou?” (Gen. 3: 9). And God in love is still calling to men and women, boys and girls, to repent of their sin and disobedience. In fact it is written, “God.... now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30.

God gave His only begotten Son, the ever obedient One, to die for us. That holy One suffered all the judgment we deserved, so that He might bring us to God, redeemed by His precious blood. Are you one of His redeemed ones, of whom God says, “Thou art Mine"? One of the believer’s greatest joys is to know that he belongs to God.

One night we had a terrible storm; it thundered and the lightning flashed all around, so that many trembled with fear. Next morning when I approached Jack’s shed he did not call, and when I opened the door I found that he had gone. The storm must have frightened him; he got out through a small hole in the shed and was lost. How I felt the loss of my little bird!

I searched for him diligently and offered a reward for his return. The doctor and hospital staff were all concerned about him too.

And God is more concerned about us than we perhaps think. He gave His Son that we might be ransomed through His blood, for “The Son of man came... to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45.

Well, I did not give up hope. At last I found him after a long search. Poor Jack looked so dejected; his feathers were all wet, and he was hungry. But there was real joy at the hospital when everyone knew that Jack was found. It is just like the Shepherd in Luke 15 who sought for the lost sheep, and what joy there was when it was found!

When I left the hospital I brought Jack home with me. He had his liberty, but he never went astray again. He was loved and cared for until he died. And we who are saved through the Lord Jesus Christ have eternal life, which we shall soon share with Him in the glory.

— Good News for Young and Old

Memory Verse “PEACE, PEACE TO HIM THAT IS FAR OFF, AND TO HIM THAT IS NEAR, SAITH THE LORD; AND I WILL HEAL HIM.” Isa. 57:19.

ML-11/28/1971

A Spider Story

IN AFRICA there are spiders with I long hairy legs and some of them are almost as large as a saucer. They are very poisonous and their bite means death if one cannot get to a doctor or hospital in time.

One day a missionary went into his kitchen and there on the floor was one of these big black spiders. At once the missionary hurried away to get his spear.

Standing about five feet from the spider he began playing with it a little, touching it lightly with the end of his spear. He noticed that it stood higher on its legs.

He then brought the spear to about six inches from his leg. All of a sudden the spider stood up on its two back legs and leaped five feet through the air toward him, landing directly on the spear. It tried to bite the spear and he could see the poison running down the handle.

The missionary thought, what a straight aim that spider had! and how thankful to the Lord he was that it had not landed on his leg. The missionary killed the spider, but thought how foolish he was to play with such a dangerous thing.

Perhaps you would know better than to play with a poisonous spider, but are you playing with something far more dangerous — playing with sin? Sin is a deadly plaything — a lie, a joke, an act of disobedience, or some secret sin is Satan’s way to lead one down to shame, dishonor, and perhaps eternal death. God says, “The soul that sinneth it shall die.” Ezek. 18:4.

How can we be free from sin’s guilt and power? It is only through the death of the Lord Jesus whom God sent into this world to be our Saviour. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,” God says, (Acts 16:31) and “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. We must believe, we must accept Christ as our Saviour to be saved and set free from sin.

ML-11/28/1971

Answered Prayer

IT HAPPENED during the great depression of the 1930's. The Kimbrough family had nothing to eat one day, and Mr. Kimbrough was too ill to go to his work at the bakery. Mrs. Kimbrough never lost faith, however, believing that God would supply their needs. She told the children, “Let us say, ‘Praise the Lord!’ even though we have an empty flour bin.” All the family joined in saying, “Praise the Lord!”

A few minutes later the phone rang. It was the baker calling. “A batch of bread was burned. Could you folks use some?” The Kirough family danced about with joy when the bread man arrived and began piling golden brown loaves of bread, buns, and cookies on their kitchen table. The food wasn’t burned—it was just a bit too brown to sell—but it tasted wonderful to the family who had fully trusted God for their daily bread.

We read, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19.

ML-11/28/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 10:3

NADAB and Abihu, sons of Aaron, had turned their backs on the burnt offering and offered “strange fire,” for which trespass they died before the Lord. God said, “I will be sanctified in them that come nigh Me, and before all the people, I will be glorified.” This is very solemn and searching for us all. God never did intend that grace should be at the expense of holiness, but rather grace should produce and encourage holiness in His own.

Israel were an earthly people under God’s government, and He would impress both the priests and the people with a sense of Him with whom they had to do. He would not in any case consent to that which was to His dishonor.

We can see from our chapter that when God first institutes something, He shows His mind at the first and judges the first outbreak of sin. It was so in the beginning of the church’s history, when Ananias and Sapphira were smitten dead because they lied to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5). God may not deal in open judgment now, but let us not suppose that because He may not do so, His thoughts about sin have changed. “Some men’s sins are open beforehand going before to judgment; and some they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.” 1 Tim. 5:24,25.

At the judgment seat of Christ for believers, and at the great white throne for the lost, God will manifest His thoughts as to everything done in our lives. For His own there will be a reward for everything done for Christ, everything else will be burned up. But for the unsaved, those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life, it will be to hear those awful words, “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.” Matt. 25:41.

“And Aaron held his peace.” He would not, he must not, question the righteousness of God in dealing with his sons as He did. Aaron is a type of Christ, our great High Priest and Advocate with the Father. How He must have felt when Ananias and Sapphira fell under the sentence of death in Acts 5. There is a sin unto death, so Scripture tells us, and so we too in this case are not to pray for life to be prolonged; but we need spiritual judgment in such a case.

Aaron was in the place of nearness to the Lord as a priest, and though deep must have been the sorrow in his heart on this occasion, nevertheless the “honey” of nature had no place there. He must continue in his faithful service to the Lord in spite of his grief.

Of course we need hardly remark that natural affections are of God and are quite right and proper in their place, but the claims of God are above nature. Faithfulness to God must come first, even in our dealings with those near and dear to us.

Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark 10:34

ML-11/28/1971

A Snake Story

IN AFRICA, a few years ago, a man came around a native village with some poisonous snakes in a box. He would take them out of the box and play with them, claiming that his heathen god protected him so that the snakes would not harm him.

The natives were afraid of him and would give him clothes and food to eat only if he would keep his snakes away from them. Going from one village to another he made a living this way — playing with the dangerous creatures!

One day he went to a village a few miles away, and taking his snakes out as usual, he began playing with them. Alas, as he put them back into his box, one of them sank its deadly fangs into his hand. The frightened villagers could not help him, and in half an hour the man died in dreadful pain.

May we learn a lesson from the poor man and his snakes. Are you playing with some dangerous sin, dear young reader — boy or girl? Drop it at once. It will bring you down to death, "for the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Ask the Lord Jesus to save you. If there is some evil habit you cannot break, ask Him to help you. He is willing, and He is able. He loves you, and died for you. He will set you free from sin’s guilt and power.

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

Memory Verse “IS NOT MY WORD LIKE AS A FIRE? SAITH THE LORD; AND LIKE A HAMMER THAT BREAKETH THE ROCK IN PIECES?” Jer. 23:29.

ML-12/05/1971

The 65th Wedding Anniversary

IT WAS IN the village of Oakley and I was going from house to house with tracts and books, and inviting the people to some gospel meetings that I was having there. Knocking at a cottage door, I heard a voice say, “Come in!”

“How do you know that I am not Satan that you are inviting into your house?” I called out.

“I don’t think it’s he,” came the reply, “for he is so ill-behaved that he walks in without knocking; and if it be he, let him come in, and I will talk to him about a Name. That will soon make him run. He doesn’t like,

“Jesus, the name high over all,

In earth and sea and sky;

Angels and men before Him fall,

And devils fear and fly.”

I walked in and there was an old man, 89 years old, and his sharp little wife, aged 86, sitting in front of the fire having supper.

“You’re just in time, sir, to join us. It’s a great day here with us. We are celebrating our 65th wedding anniversary.”

They were having tea without milk or sugar, and bread without any butter. Their small allowance would not allow it. Nevertheless they were very cheerful.

I begged them to wait a few mites till I got back from the store, where I bought some tea, sugar, milk and butter, and also a cake. The old lady was wonderfully lively, but old Mr. Hawes was almost blind, lame, and helpless. I asked a favor of presenting each with a piece of silver on their 65th wedding anniversary, and with a scripture that was on my mind. I read to them from the 28th of Genesis, pointing out chiefly verse 12: “And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the Lord stood above it.”

“Why, that’s my scripture!” the old man exclaimed. “The Lord gave me that 24 years ago, when I was ‘born again.’ I went to town in harvest time, one Sunday, and there was a man by the name of John Jones preaching out on the grass. We laid down and listened to him, and he took that ‘dream’ and ‘ladder’ for his text. He said that ‘dream’ was made up of six different parts:

1. ‘Heaven,’ the top of the ladder.

2. Then ‘earth’ at the bottom of it.

3. The ‘ladder’ in between, reaching from earth to heaven.

4. ‘God’ at the top of it, at His mansion door, looking down upon the sleeping guilty sinner.

5. The ‘dreaming sinner’ at the bottom, and

6. The ‘angels of God’ ascending and descending.”

“He then asked us which of the six parts we liked best. He chose the `ladder,’ so did I; and I see’d myself to be the sleeping guilty sinner at the bottom of it, as I lay down on the grass. He then showed us Jesus Christ in front of the ladder with a crown of thorns upon His head, and His black back bleeding with the cruel scourge, and nails through His feet and hands, and His side wound with the soldier’s spear, out of which flowed His blood for us sleeping and guilty sinners, saying unto us, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me’ (John 14:6).

“The Spirit showed me that Job’s ‘dream’ was fulfilled in Jesus, and that He is the only true ‘ladder’ to heaven and to God. And so, looking unto Jesus, I got converted that Sunday evening there, lying on the grass, looking up the ‘ladder.’

“I could see the way to heaven quite plain. The preacher said, ‘If a mad bull was after us, wouldn’t we run up the ‘ladder’ out of his reach?’ Then he said, ‘There was a mad angel after us, and that our adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion went about seeking whom he might devour (1 Peter 5:8), there was no safety for us but on the ‘ladder,’ and that it didn’t do to dance about it at the bottom of it, or to wait until another night, but to get on it at once.’

“The Spirit of God helped me to put my guilty feet on that ‘ladder’ that night, and I have been on it ever since. It seems that I am at the top of it now, and can almost see the gates sometimes, and the angels, and the Lord standing there, waiting to welcome me home.”

I then told those dear old folks that I was John Jones who preached about the dream that night.

“Now I know why the Spirit moved within me when I first heard your voice at the door,” said the old man. “Thank God for sending you to us, that I may see you before I go home.” He then wept and rejoiced, and we sang:

“To our bountiful Father above,

We will offer the tribute of praise,

For the glorious gift of His love,

And the blessings that hallow our days.

In the sweet bye and bye

We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

Dear old man, before the next anniversary of his wedding day he was “at home with the Lord.”

ML-12/05/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 10:4-11

"AND MOSES called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp. So they went near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp.”

Nadab and Abihu, the guilty priests, had died for their sin, and God commands that their near of kin should carry them forth without the camp. The relatives must not shrink from their task, for they too must learn the cost of faithfulness to God. How often we find families stand together in disobedience, instead of taking part in the discipline according to the Word of God. How solemn this is and we feel our own weakness at times. We need to utter daily the prayer of the dependent one in Psalms: “Preserve me, O God; for in Thee do I put my trust.” Psalm 16:1.

But Moses has further commands from the Lord for Aaron and his sons. “Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people.” The priests of the Lord were subject to all the ordinary sorrows of mankind, but in their nearness to the Lord it did not become them to yield themselves up to natural grief as others. Had Aaron and his sons given themselves up to mourning, they would have had to give up their priestly service, and God would not allow that.

However, Moses did say, “but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the Lord hath kindled.” Christian sorrow is right and proper in its place, and well for us if we did feel deeply any case of sin among God’s people. Still it is wrong for us to allow this to hinder our worship or service to the Lord. How beautifully God keeps everything in its proper balance, keeping us from going too far one way or the other.

“And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle... lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you.” They were not their own but His, even as we Christians are now. That anointing oil points to the Spirit of God, that unction which is put upon each child of God, and which will enable one to be completely absorbed in His will and glory. “Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor 6:20.

Furthermore, Aaron and his sons were warned against taking wine or strong drink. These things excite nature and this was not allowed in priestly service. This, in a figurative way, has a broad meaning for the Christian. “Wine and strong drink” cover a wide circle of things that stimulate fleshly excitement—fleshly pleasures, earthly satisfaction, the indulgence of human desires. Fine buildings, beautiful music, eluent speakers — how much there is here which appeals to nature in the religious activity of the day, but not according to God. The sons of Aaron were to avoid “wine and strong drink” in order that they might put a “difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.” As Christians we ought to avoid all that hinders our spirit discernment, so that we might have a single eye for Christ and His glory.

ML-12/05/1971

Saved From a Great Disaster

THE B & O Railway had on their records for years the account of a most thrilling experience.

Close to the railway line stood a log cabin in which there lived a poor widow and her daughter. One very stormy night they were awakened by a terrific crash. The railway bridge had gone down. Both were on the scene in minutes. The broken rails extended into the air over the deep gorge, while the rang torrent roared hundreds of feet below.

Knowing the express train was due in a short time, they quickly decided what they would do. All was soaking wet outside, so taking their only bed, a wooden one, and several wooden chairs, they carried them up the steep embankment and piled them in the middle of the track. Then they set them ablaze.

Still the express did not appear and there was no more wood to burn. The fire died down. The roar of the train was heard. Pulling off her shawl and other clothing, the mother threw them on the fire. Then with a pole she waved the flaming garments before the oncoming train. The shrill whistle blew as it rounded the bend. The beam of the great headlight lit up the track where the mother and daughter waved frantically. There was a terrific screaming of brakes, and the great express pulled up, only a few feet from the yawning chasm.

When the trainmen and passengers heard the news they were soon around the widow and daughter, thanking them profusely. Railway officials and passengers knelt tether and gave thanks to God for such a marvelous deliverance from death. A collection was taken and handed to the widow. The railroad made provision for her for the rest of her life.

This story suggests three outstanding lessons for us all.

1) The terrible danger of traveling at such a speed and all unconscious of what lies ahead. But that is nothing if you have never learned of your state by nature and practice, a sinner in the sight of a holy God, traveling as fast as time can carry you to an eternal destiny. God warns us of our danger so that we might embrace His Son as our Saviour. Scripture says, “There is none righteous, no not one” (Rom. 3:10); “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:25); “after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). Solemn words indeed given to awaken us to a sense of our danger.

2) The great sacrifice of the noble mother and daughter takes our minds at once to the most sacred spot in the universe — the cross where Jesus died. Could those two be silent when their fellow-creatures were about to perish? And could God be silent when fallen mankind was about to be launched into eternal death and judgment? The answer is, the Cross. John 3:16 gives the greatest and sweetest words ever penned:

“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.”

Sin must be punished in us or in a substitute of infinite value, and there on Calvary’s tree God found a ransom in Christ the willing sacrifice. There God judged sin, and now that Sacrifice, accepted by God, is the only ground of acceptance bore God, our only hope for salvation.

3) The wonderful deliverance wrought for those aboard the train. All was done for them; they had only to give thanks, and so it is with God’s salvation. The great work is finished, but He waits to hear you come to Him and say: “Gracious God, I thank Thee for sending Thy Son for a poor sinner like me. I thank Thee, O Lord, for taking my place under the judgment of God, and for delivering this soul of mine from eternal woe.” With all your heart thank Him now with your lips and from henceforth with your life.

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

ML-12/12/1971

A Mother's Love

DURING World War 2 The United States government sent many hundreds of military cars, trucks and tanks to Egypt to help the Allies in the North African campaign. These cars and trucks were shipped in large wooden crates.

It was during those momentous days that a ship loaded with military equipment and supplies left the eastern shores of the U. S. and after a long, hazardous voyage across the Atlantic and through the Mediterranean finally arrived at Cairo. Powerful cranes soon were unloading the great wooden containers onto the docks, and men began to open up the cases with crowbars and hammers, and to drive the cars and trucks away.

As the men were opening one big case they were dumbfounded to see a mother cat and three little kittens crawl slowly from underneath the truck. The kittens were apparently all right, but the poor mother was just skin and bones. We believe the men were not long in getting her some milk and food in an attempt to save her life.

She must have crawled into the truck and gone to sleep before the lid was nailed down. Before she awoke to her danger, the men, not knowing she was inside, nailed up the crate and soon she was on her way to Egypt. Many days passed during which the little kittens were born, and the brave little mother nursed and cared for her little family all the way, though she had nothing for herself.

Reduced to almost a skeleton the faithful mother all but gave her life for her little ones. Then one day the light of day burst into the opened crate, and she was saved.

What stories of love creation tells!

But the Lord Jesus gave His life for us. He died that we might live. “For when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” He died for us, the ungodly ones.

He loved the ones for whom He died,

Not ours to question why;

But ours to know the love of Him

Who came to die.

He must die to pay sin’s wages, “for the wages of sin is death,” and now God gives the gift of eternal life to all who believe on Him.

But Jesus rose from the dead, and lives forever in heaven now, and He is caring for all His loved ones who are still “prisoners of hope” in this world. One day soon for them life’s voyage will be over. He is coming to take them home to Himself, they shall hunger and thirst no more, but shall rest in His presence forever.

ML-12/12/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 10:12-18

“AND Moses spake unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, that were left, Take the meat offering that remaith of the offerings made by fire, and eat it without leaven beside the altar: for it is most holy.”

The meat or meal offering is a type of Christ in His holy manhood and His blessed lowly life here bow. Eating is the well-known sign of fellowship. So here we have Aaron and his sons, type of saints now, the priestly family, called to enjoy together that which spoke of Christ. If the Father had His delight in that blessed life of absolute devotedness to His will, we also who believe and know ourselves brought to God, purged from our sins, have the same privilege of enjoying thoughts of that perfect One in peace and thanksgiving.

They were to eat it “without lea beside the altar,” which speaks of the cross. We never get far from the cross in Scripture. And so we are called to enjoy Christ together, yet ever in connection with cross, where He suffered and died for us.

The wave breast and the heave shoulder they were also to eat; “thy sons and thy daughters with thee.” Thus the affections of Christ and the strength of Christ are the portion of every believer. How precious to enjoy in communion what He was to God day by day and all through His life!

We remember how that Nadab and Abihu had died before the Lord for their sin in offering “strange fire.” Oftentimes when some deep sorrow comes into our homes or into the assembly, through some one near and dear to us dishonoring the Lord, we are liable to get discouraged and our spiritual energies lag. Perhaps this is why it is at this point Aaron and his sons are told to eat the meat offering. There are times when God does in a special way encourage us to lay hold of our privileges and to appropriate Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Next we have the failure of Eleazar and Ithamar to eat the sin offering in the holy place, and this is full of instruction for us. When Moses sought the goat of the sin offering he found that it had been burnt, and its blood had not been brought into the sanctuary. Moses was angry with the sons of Aaron, for as priests it was their responsibility to enter in and bear before the Lord the iniquity of the children of Israel when they sinned.

We ought to feel any sin that comes in among us, and the dishonor done to the Lord. But we are bound too to identify ourselves in grace with our brethren’s failures, and they with ours. We ought to have a deep sense of what is due to God, and confess the sin as if we ourselves had offended. “In many things we all offend.” (James 3:2). After Himself washing the disciples feet in John 13, our blessed Lord could say: “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” May we know more of this lowly service of love to Him and to our brethren.

Memory Verse “HE WILL HAVE COMPASSION UPON US;... AND THOU WILT CAST ALL THEIR SINS INTO THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA.” Micah 7:19.

ML-12/12/1971

Pedro, the Blind Boy

A MISSIONARY with his wife and little daughter went to live in Mexico. His desire was to tell the people of that land that the Lord Jesus loved them, that He died and shed His precious blood to wash their sins away, and he wanted them to learn to love and serve the Saviour too.

Emmie was a happy little girl; she got to love the little Mexican boys and girls and learned their language quite quickly. But one day a great sorrow came into the happy little family for the dear mother died. Emmie was broken-hearted, but her father, rising above his own grief, told her that the Lord Jesus had taken her dear mother home to Himself in heaven and that she was far happier than they could have made her on earth. She had only gone on ahead and now she was waiting to meet them up there. The fond mother’s desire was that her little girl would live to tell others of the love of the Lord Jesus. And now Emmie’s wish was to become a missionary along with her daddy.

But there were those in that land who did not want the gospel and tried to get rid of the missionary. One day when he was riding along on his horse a bullet went right through his hat. He was not hurt but his frightened horse threw him off and galloped away. Picking himself up quickly the missionary fled for the shelter of some trees. Then he saw a man with a gun ready to shoot at him again, and racing from tree to tree, he made a dash for a small hut, asking God to spare him as he ran.

At the hut door, sitting in the sunshine was a little Mexican boy, Pedro. He too had heard the shots and when the missionary appeared, he helped him hide under some corn piled in the corner.

The bandits in hot pursuit came to the hut and demanded of the boy if he had seen a man running past.

“No,” replied Pedro, “I didn’t see any one.”

The voices of the bandits and the noise of the horses’ hoofs died away in the distance, and the missionary crawled from his hiding place.

“Oh how can I thank you enough for helping me?” he said to Pedro.

“Senor,” replied the boy, “that wasn’t anything. I was glad to help you get away from those wicked men.”

“Oh, thank you,” exclaimed the missionary, “only I wish you hadn’t told those men a lie, when you said you hadn’t seen me. You know, no matter what trouble we are in, God never wants us to lie, for that is not pleasing to Him.”

“But I didn’t tell a lie, senor,” returned Pedro. “I didn’t see you I’m blind.”

“Oh, now I understand,” said the missionary in a softer tone, and then he thought he noticed a film over the little boy’s eyes.

When Emmie’s father got home that night he told her all about how the Lord had spared him from the bandits and of little Pedro who had helped him. Emmie was so touched at the story of Pedro that she exclaimed, “Oh, Daddy,” I want to see that little boy. Can I take him my music box so that he can hear the hymns and we can tell him about the Lord Jesus.”

A few days later Emmie and her father went to visit the little blind boy, and she brought her music box along. Pedro’s mother was there this time and apologizing for their humble home she received them gladly. She told them her husband had died, and that they were alone and poor.

Pedro was delighted as Emmie played him hymns and music, while the missionary spoke to the poor mother of the love of the Lord Jesus. Then Emmie herself told Pedro the sweet story of the Saviour’s love and he listened carefully as she quoted John 3:16: “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.”

Before leaving, Emmie’s father asked if a doctor had ever looked at Pedro’s eyes. The poor mother replied, “Oh no, we couldn’t afford it, and besides it probably wouldn’t do any good.”

On the way home Emmie reminded her father of the story of the blind man in the ninth of John and of how the Lord Jesus had made him see. “Daddy,” she said, “let’s pray for Pedro.” And so they did.

Then one day the missionary persuaded Pedro’s mother to let him take her boy to the big city to see a good doctor. He assured her that it would not cost her anything. In the meantime they prayed that not only might Pedro’s eyes be opened but that his heart might be opened too, to see the Lord Jesus and to receive Him as his Saviour.

A few weeks later Pedro lay in the hospital, his eyes covered with bandages. Many times did Emmie and her father visit him, and then one day, when he realized the Lord Jesus had died on the cross for his sins, he simply confessed Him as his Saviour. The day came when the bandages were taken off, and for the first time in his life the light of day shone into Pedro’s eyes. Emmie and her father waited almost breathless, then the dear boy exclaimed, “Oh I can see! Jesus has made me see.”

Oh what a happy little boy it was that went home to his mother sang over and over again, “I was blind, but Jesus made me see. I must love Him for He first loved me.”

Both Emmie’s and her father’s hearts were jumping for joy because not only could Pedro see, but that now the Lord Jesus was his Saviour.

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light. Isaiah 9:2.

ML-12/19/1971

"Prepare to Meet Thy God"

A LITTLE fellow named Dean found an old family Bible hidden away in his home. That was away back in 1905. His parents never read the Bible, nor did they know the wonderful Saviour of whom it tells.

Looking curiously through the old Bible, Dean found a piece of brown paper with these words written on it, “Prepare to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12.

Young Dean was quite surprised to find this verse, and it seemed like a message from God to him. Then a few years later he read Romans 10:9: “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.”

Dean did believe on the Lord Jesus and was saved. He was a bright testimony for the Lord until he died not long ago at the age of 73. However, we are sorry to tell you that his five brothers and sisters are still unconverted.

How about you, dear young reader? Have you come to Jesus and asked Him to wash your sins away? If not, be like Dean: “Prepare to meet Thy God.”

ML-12/19/1971

Bring in the Children

WHEN MR. MOODY first came to Chicago, he went to a Sunday school and asked if he could have a class to teach. The superintendent told him he could have the class if he could get the children in.

Always energetic, Mr. Moody hired a pony and going round the streets where the poor dwelt, he rode and guided a host of youngsters into the Sunday school. Soon he had more children than the superintendent had expected. The Lord blessed the work and many were saved, both children and grown ups, through the evangelist’s ministry.

“O Lord, revive Thy work.” Hab. 3:2.

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

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-12/19/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 10:19-11:9

ELEAZAR and Ithamar, sons of Aaron, had failed to eat the sin offering in the holy place, and Moses was angry with them. It seems that after the solemn judgment that had fallen on his sons, Aaron was unable to fully rise to his responsibility in connection with the sin offering. But after exclaiming this to Moses, Moses was content.

The Lord would never have us act beyond our state of soul. If we lack spiritual energy, as we often do, instead of pretending to be spiritual, rather let us tell the Lord all about it, as Aaron did to Moses, and then seek grace to go on. The Lord will still use and strengthen us if we walk with Him. Often He allows us to feel our utter weakness so that we might lean more upon Him, and feeling our dependence, draw all our strength from Him.

We now come to a very interesting and instructive chapter, the difference between clean and unclean: 1) animals, 2) fishes, and 3) birds and winged creatures. Not the creatures themselves but the moral end of each is surely what the Lord would have us to learn. Israel was not left to choose for themselves what they could eat, for God would have His people to confide in Him at all times. No doubt He chose what was best for Israel, but He was looking on to His heavenly family who would by His Spirit seek out His mind in these types and shadows.

“Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.” There must be a clean and firm walk and along with it the ability to digest food well. Otherwise the food was unfit for an Israelite.

The camel, the coney, and the hare might chew the cud, but they did not divide the hoof. The swine divided the hoof, but did not chew the cud; instead it swallowed its food greedily. All were unclean. In its spiritual application, it seems that the divided hoof speaks of a clean walk outwardly, in separation from the evil around, while chewing the cud is a life nourished inwardly by meditation on the word of truth. Both are necessary according to the mind of God.

One might be clear as to truth yet have no conscience as to his walk. The word has no power over his life. In his heart he may be a rector of Christ. All goes for nothing. Another might be clean living, honest, blameless in his walk, yet this does not flow from his having the truth in his heart. Christ is not his object. It may be mere formal outward separation, as was found in the Pharisees of old, but it is not separation to Christ; again it is worth nothing. It is the natural man, fallen through sin, and unclean before God. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6).

On the other hand to those that believe God gives the power to live of His life by the Spirit, to nourish that new life by inward meditation on His Word, to walk with a firm, careful step the path of Christ, while waiting for Him to take us to His own home, the Father’s house above.

Memory Verse “WHO IS A GOD LIKE UNTO THEE, THAT PARDONETH INIQUITY, AND... DELIGHTETH IN MERCY.” Micah 7:18.

ML-12/19/1971

A Bible Bargained Away

HARD TIMES had come for Mrs. Linner. After her husband had died, she got into financial difficulties. She had to sell some of her good furniture and jewelry to a Jewish antique dealer. One day she even sold him her beautifully bound heirloom Bible which her parents had given her as a wedding gift. In days past she had rejoiced at the word of God and received encouragement and strength from it, but now she did not read the Bible anyway.

When she was alone her thoughts made her restless. Maybe it was too bad she had sold the precious Book so easily. She had put the children to bed and already they were sleeping. Then as she became more disturbed, she left the house and went to Levi, the antique dealer, to recover the Bible.

But what did she see as she looked in through the window of the shop? Four men were standing around the table, and Levi was reading from a book which she at once recognized as her Bible. It seemed that the four men wanted to scoff wholeheartedly at the fables in the old Book, but they grew quiet as Levi happened to read some verses telling of the sufferings of Christ. When he read about the Lord’s struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane, he seemed to choke, and so deeply stirred was he that the tears began to flow down his cheeks. Silently, without saying good-by his friends walked out.

And Mrs. Linner? It was too much for her that these men scoffed at her Bible. She also broke into tears, for her heart was now accusing her. When she heard again how her Saviour suffered for her, she went home weeping, bowed her knees before her Saviour and confessed with shame that she had forgotten Him.

However, by morning, comfort and security had filled her soul again. She knew that by His death and blood all her guilt had been removed and that she could again walk by her Saviour’s side in the sunshine of His love. Immediately she went to Levi to recover the holy Book. But what was her surprise to find Levi at the same spot in front of the opened Bible. He could not separate himself from this divine Book. He continued reading of the suffering Lamb of God and of how the Lord Jesus prayed on the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Then he read the well-known chapter, Isaiah 53: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.”

Levi became very sad at the thought of that innocent One being put to death; the night before he had scoffed at Him! Then he cried out: “O Jesus of Nazareth, then truly Thou art our Messiah, the Christ promised by God?”

Thus it was Mrs. Linner found him. Confounded, she stopped at the open door and Levi said to her: “Dear lady, I have found a treasure in your Book, a treasure which is worth more than all the world.”

Then she told him that last night she too was brought from darkness into light.

Mrs. Linner received her Bible back again and Levi bought himself a new one. Not long after his wife also found peace through the Blood of Christ. Now both rejoiced in Him and were happily baptized.

“For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.” Psa. 86:5.

ML-12/26/1971

The Bible Thrown Away

"'THROW THAT thing out of the window!”

Soldiers can, most of the time, entertain themselves very well by funny jokes at which they wholeheartedly laugh, especially when aboard a train. A young recruit sat in a corner and read his pocket Bible.

“We will play a joke on this pious lad and throw his Bible out of the window.”

This took only a second, and the Bible lay between the rails. Was the young soldier angry? No, he had a Master who said: “I am meek and lowly in heart.” (Matth. 11:29). He was sad, but he remained silent.

A few days later our young friend received a package which contained his Bible. Enclosed was a very interesting letter. A rail worker found the Bible and heard through it the voice of God. He was afraid because of his sins, but when reading the Holy Scriptures, he truly met his Saviour.

Now the soldier understood why he had to be separated from his Bible for a few days, and that the devil had been defeated again.

ML-12/26/1971

Bible Talks

Leviticus 11:9-12

IN THE FIRST part of this chapter the Lord instructs Israel as to what animals they could use for food, and which ones they could not. Now we come to the creatures which inhabit the waters.

“Whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters,... them shall ye eat. And all that have not fins and scales in the seas,... they shall be an abomination unto you:... ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcasses in abomination.”

The moral lesson for the believer in this seems evident. The fins are those organs in the fish which help it propel itself through the water; they also direct and balance its movements. The scales provide protection. For the Christian the Word of God provides direction and guidance in the path of faith through a world that abounds with evils of every kind. There is a perfect balance in Scripture and so it is necessary for a believer to be continually feeding on the Word in order to walk a straight path to God’s glory through this defiled scene. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psa. 119:105. We are called on to “make straight paths for [our] feet” (Heb. 12:13), as the psalmist could say, “I have refrained my feet from every evil way.” Psa. 119:101.

Surely it is not enough to know that we are saved, to have our consciences freed from the burden of sin, we need divine direction as to how and where to walk according to the will of God, and this we find in His precious living Word. And like the fins that enable the fish to swim against the current, so the believer needs that which will enable him to swim against the current of this world, which is altogether against God and Christ.

The scales, like a little coat of armor to the fish, keep out not only the water, but also the dirt and slime. A Christian is taught in the Word to pray that he might not enter into temptation, but if, through no fault of his own, he is called on to pass through circumstances where the atmosphere is defiling, perhaps at school or at work, he can count on the Lord to preserve him if he has his armor on (Eph. 6:11-17).

On the other hand, creatures without fins or scales, without normal guidance and protection, which habitually sink to the bottom and feed on the mire below, or that float along with the stream, were not only to be avoided but to be abhorred. Part of the moral teaching of this, we believe, is that anything which leaves Christ out, which does without His direction and preserving care, or that which feeds on the things of this world and floats downstream along with its current, ought to be abhorrent to the Christian.

ML-12/26/1971

"Thou God Seest Me." Gen. 16:13

At home, at school, by night and day,

Where’er I walk, or sit, or play;

May this great truth remembered be,

That God in heaven seeth me.

Let it be seen that with Thee I have been,

Jesus, my Lord and my Saviour;

Let it be known I am truly Thine own,

By my speech and behaviour.

Memory Verse “THEREFORE I WILL LOOK UNTO THE LORD; I WILL WAIT FOR THE GOD OF MY SALVATION.” Micah 7:7.

ML-12/26/1971

Christ Is the Lifeboat - The Only Hope of Man.

CHRIST is the lifeboat, He never will fail;

All hope to save oneself will nothing avail.

Man is a total wreck, can never reach the shore

ALL who trust in JESUS CHRIST are saved evermore.

“CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners.” — I Timothy 1:18

“BELIEVE on the LORD JESUS CHRIST and thou shalt be saved.” — Acts 16:31

ML-12/26/1971

Messages of God's Love: 1971

Table of Contents

The Closed Door

Decisions

Brave Eddie

Bible Talks

Jacob's Well

In the Grip of an Octopus

Tom's Compass

The Song Sparrow

Karen's Cat

Bible Talks

Lost and Found in the Jungle

Somebody Bigger

A Bible for a Hen

Good Things

Bible Talks

Ruth: The Little Miao Girl

A Trip to the Zoo

Skipper the Hero

Bible Talks

Eddystone Light

A Sheep Book

Precious

Wise Counsel

An Offering of Little Pigs

Bible Talks

"Me Boy, 'E Funny Boy!"

The Young Infidel and the Text

Bible Talks

The Lord Is Thy Keeper

Pebbles

Brave Shep

The Bermuda Constable

Bible Talks

Bud the Cowboy

A Stray Kitten

Ship Ahoy!

Bible Talks

The Story of Johanna

Branded

An Eskimo Doll

Bible Talks

A Free Pardon

The Low Knocker

Bible Talks

My Mother's Prayer

Death Doth Hide but Not Divide

How God Used a Hen

Only a Nickel

Mary's Morning Message

Bible Talks

Two King Edwards

Peter the Stowaway

Jackie's Hymn

The Main Line Train

Bible Talks

"The Well in the Desert"

A Hidden Treasure

"In Everything Give Thanks"

Talks on Bible Animals

Bible Talks

After Many Days: The Story of Joe Braley

To Our Dear Answerers:

Bible Talks

Baby Ben's Sermon

Little Emily

David and the Snake

After Many Days: The Story of Joe Braley

Genie's Early Love to Jesus

Bible Talks

A Hockey Player's Conversion

Two Pockets and a Hanky: A Little Extra

A Little Extra Kindness

Bible Talks

A Fight With a Shark

Sambo's Friend

The Voice of the Tempter

Bible Talks

The Story of Johanna