Messages of God's Love: 1975

OLD JACK the miner lived alone in his little cabin. Ever since his little girl died he had been bitter toward God, and he hated Christians. Never did he go near a church, but he drank heavily, and had few friends to speak of.

One day he took sick. Day after day he lay in bed in his little house with no one to care for him except the neighbor who brought him food.

Now there was a dear sweet Christian lady, Mrs. Jones, who heard about Jack, and she wanted to show the kindness of God to him. So she went to Jack's cabin, where he lay ill and miserable. She cleaned up the little cabin, she washed Jack's face and hands, and made him a good dinner.

But Jack did not even thank her for her kindness; he seemed hard and bitter as before. Still Mrs. Jones felt she would keep on helping Jack. She prayed to God, asking Him to melt his heart and save him from his sins and guilt before he died.

One night she prayed especially for Jack. The next morning when she set out to see him, a neighbor lady with her little girl Mary went along with her. Mrs. Jones went in to see how Jack was while her friend and Mary waited outside.

Mrs. Jones was busy doing things for the poor sick man when little Mary laughed and giggled outside.

"What's that?" asked Jack in surprise.

"That is Mary, my neighbor's little girl," replied Mrs. Jones. "She's waiting outside with her mother.

"Bring her in," said Jack.

So little Mary came in with her golden hair, blue eyes and sweet smile, and a bouquet of flowers was in her hand. She went over to the poor, sick old man and handing him the flowers she said, "I am sorry you are sick!"

Old Jack began to cry. He had not cried for many a year. "I once had a little girl, but she died," he sobbed. "She's in heaven, I know. I wish I could see her."

Tears flowed down his face. And the hardened heart of the old miner was softened. In a kind, loving way Mrs. Jones told Jack of Jesus and His love, and that if he trusted Him as his Saviour, he would see his little girl again one day for they would meet in heaven above. She urged him to come to Jesus and he listened quietly.

Before he died old Jack prayed asking the Lord Jesus to forgive him for all his sins, his rebellion, and hardness of heart. And the Lord Jesus who never turned anyone away, received the repentant sinner with open arms. Now he waits the glorious resurrection morning.

Memory Verse

"FOR GOD SENT NOT HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD; BUT THAT THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED." John 3:17

Messages of the Love of God 1/5/1975

Lessons From A Hen and Her Chicks

FIRE had burned up a farmer's house and barns and some of his stock. The next morning as he wandered amid the ruins he came upon a mother hen, scorched to death by the flames which swept across the farmyard. Turning over the charred remains of the poor hen with his foot, he was surprised when six little chicks ran out. All were safe and well. The faithful little mother had died to protect and save them.

Now the Lord Jesus, in speaking to us of His great salvation, likens Himself and His work to a mother hen. To the people of Jerusalem He said in sorrow of heart: "How often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not." Luke 13:34.

The hen gathers her chickens under her wings

11 For Shelter.

Foxes and other beasts of prey prowl about ready to devour, and thieves are ever ready to steal solitary chickens, wandering and unsheltered. So sinners "without Christ" (Eph. 2:12) are at the mercy of the great adversary, Satan, who is ever going about seeking their ruin (1 Pet. 5:8). Only under the shadow of the Almighty Saviour (Psa. 91:1,9) is there a sure refuge and a safe habitation. Make sure that you are there and able to say, "Under His wings have I come to trust" (Ruth 2:12).

21 For Warmth.

In the cold winter nights the little chicks would perish if they were not under their mother's wings. The world is a cold cheerless place; and time may change our fondest friends. But the Lord Jesus is unchanging. — His love is unchanging (Jer. 31:3); the life He gives is everlasting (1 John 5:13). There is nothing like this in the world. If you would share these blessings; you must come to Christ. Then you will be able to say, "In the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice." Psa. 63:7.

31 For Company.

Under their mother's wings the chicks were all together. So when boys and girls are in Christ they are able to say, "I am a companion of all them that fear Thee." Psa. 119 :63.

Messages of the Love of God 1/5/1975

A Pardon Received

AN INFIDEL by the name of William Hone used to go up and down the country lecturing against the Bible.

One day while traveling through the country he lost his way and he stopped before a poor man's cottage. On the front steps was a little girl reading a book. After inquiring of her the way to a certain place, he picked up the book she was reading and to his surprise he found it was a copy of the New Testament. Throwing it on the ground in disgust he said to her, "How is it that you read such foolish books as this?"

The little girl looked at him with such a feeling of surprise and disappointment. "Oh, Sir," she said, "please don't speak to me like that. Mother is sick in bed and this book is the only comfort we have."

Those words spoken by the little girl set Hone thinking. He said to himself, "Those poor simple folks are in trouble; the mother is sick, the little girl is so young, and yet they have found something real in that Book. They have got something on which to live and die. What could I give them that would be a comfort now or something to rest on in death? All I do is take away people's hopes — no God, no Christ, no heaven, no hell. What have I for myself but nothing, instead of something real?"

William Hone began to study the book, and in the mercy of God he was saved with an everlasting salvation. Now it was his delight to tell others what great things God had done for him. On the flyleaf of his Bible he wrote the following words:

The proudest heart that ever beat Hath been subdued in me.

Have you, dear reader, carefully read and pondered God's blessed Word? Do you take time, when you are alone, to see in it what God's thoughts of sin and salvation are? He loves you, and longs to save you, and to satisfy your heart forever.

Messages of the Love of God 1/5/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 7:12-1 6

IN THE first part of this chapter Israel were told that when they entered Canaan they were to destroy all the inhabitants of the land, lest their idols should be a snare unto them and turn away their hearts from the Lord. If they were obedient and carried out these commandments the Lord would bestow upon them His blessings in richest abundance.

"And He will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: He will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which He sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

"Thou shalt be blessed above all people: . . And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt . . . upon thee."

We believe the Lord is telling us here, just as He told Israel, that He loves us and wants to bless us. But we must get rid of out of our lives those things of the flesh, the world and Satan—so hateful to God. Then He can come in and bless us according to His heart of love.

We are reminded of the time when Jacob was returning home after those long years in Padanaram. He had stopped at Shechem and in doing so had gotten into terribly sad and humbling circumstances there. The Lord, we read, appeared unto him and told him to go up to Bethel. "Then Jacob said unto his household, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: and let us arise, and go up to Bethel." So they put away all the strange gods that were among them, and as they journeyed, "the terror of God was upon the cities that were around about them."

"And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him . . . And He called his name Israel. And God said unto him, I am God Almighty:. be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; and the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed after thee I give the land".

Do we want to be blessed, dear young Christian reader? Then let us seek grace to get rid of anything in our lives that is not pleasing to God and to separate from any unholy association with the world which put to death His beloved Son, our Saviour. May our prayer be like that of dear Jabez who said: "Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldst keep me from evil, that it may not grieve mer' God, we read, "granted him that which he requested."

It is well for us to see that Israel's promised blessings here were all earthly, whereas as Christians we are blessed "with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). God will take care of us and supply all our needs as we pass through this world, but He doesn't promise us earthly riches, good health and freedom from sickness. He may grant us a measure of prosperity and good health, and we can thank Him for these, but they are not always signs of His blessing. Some of His choicest saints have enjoyed very little of either. These things pass away with time but our blessings in Christ we will enjoy through all eternity.

Messages of the Love of God 1/5/1975

Rescued

MR. WEAVER, the evangelist, was on his way one Sunday evening to preach the gospel at a large hall, when he was met by a poor young girl who had run away from home.

"Could I go with you?" she asked.

"Come," he replied, "take hold of my arm." When they got to the hall it was crowded.

Pushing the girl before him he said to the hall keeper, "Make way for this young lady." He brought her up near the front and placed her in charge of a dear kind Christian lady.

Mr. Weaver preached that night on the love and mercy of God. After he had done speaking, the poor girl got down on her knees and prayed to the Lord that He in mercy would save her soul. Her prayer was heard. The kind Christian friend took her home and sent for the girl's mother. Soon the daughter who had gone astray like a lost sheep was restored and there was great rejoicing in that home again.

Some years afterwards when Mr. Weaver was preaching in a nearby town, a nicely dressed lady with a dear little baby in her arms came up to him, accompanied by a man holding a little girl by the hand.

"Do you know me?" she asked.

"No," he replied.

"Do you remember taking a young girl to the gospel hall one Sunday night some years ago?"

"Yes."

"Well," she said, "I am she. This is my husband and these are our children. Ever since that night through grace I have been seeking to walk with God." Her husband was a local gospel preacher. So the sower and the reaper rejoiced together.

Memory Verse

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

Messages of the Love of God 1/12/1975

The Man Who Was Robbed

IN LUKE 10 the Lord Jesus told the sad story of the

THE MAN WHO LEFT JERUSALEM

the city of peace, to go "down to Jericho," the city of the curse (Josh. 6:26). It is the road we all have taken — turning our backs upon God, taking our own way (Isa. 53:6), which leads on to destruction (Matt. 7:13).

Going along that dangerous road. this traveler

Fell Among Thieves,

highway robbers, who took everything from him, stripped him, wounded him and left him half dead. What a plight, and wholly unable to help or recover himself! This is just another view of the sinner, robbed of innocence and of his relationship with God, stripped of everything and left to perish, "without strength" to retrace his steps (Rom. 5:6).

A Priest and a Levite

from the temple in Jerusalem passed by, but they did nothing to save or lift him up (Luke 10:31,32). No more can religion, good works, ordinances, or good resolutions do to save and bring a sinner back to God. He is so far gone, so utterly lost, so hopeless and helpless that he needs a Saviour, one to do everything for him.

A Samaritan,

one with whom the Jews would have "no dealings" in ordinary circumstances (John 4:9), came along that way. In deep compassion he went to where the man was, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, walking alongside to keep him there, until they reached an inn a place of rest and care.

This is like the Lord Jesus and what He does for lost and helpless sinners, left to die by Satan and the world. He forgives and heals (Psalm 103:3), He anoints with the oil of gladness (1 John 2:20), making glad the heart (Psalm 104:15). He lifts up (Ephes. 2:6), and keeps hold of all whom He saves so that they never perish (John 10:27,28). He will never cease to care for them until He brings them all to endless glory.

Messages of the Love of God 1/12/1975

Saved In A Dance Hall

IT WAS late at night, the gospel service was over, and the preacher and his companions were walking back to their rooms. On the way they passed a tavern and dance hall. Hearing the music and dancing the bold evangelist said to his friends, "I'm going into the dance hall."

"No," said one, "they won't let you."

"Well, I'll try," said he.

He walked upstairs. A man stood at the door of the hall, and he gave him a quarter to let him in.

One man was playing a fiddle, another was twanging on the banjo, and the dancers were whirling and wheeling around the floor.

The evangelist went to the middle of the floor, and kneeling down he began to pray. The music and dancing ceased, the dancers made for the door and ran helter skelter down the stairs as if the devil was after them.

The fiddler, the banjo player, and the evangelist were left alone. Soon the banjo was laid on the floor; its owner jumped on it smashing it to pieces; then he dropped on his knees beside the preacher and cried to God for mercy.

The fiddler too was weeping. The landlord came to the door with a gun in his hand, swearing he would shoot the preacher. His wife was wrestling with him to get the gun out of his hand. At last she got possession of it. The preacher left the house.

The next evening the dance hall was closed. The evangelist was told that never again was there a dance held in that hall.

Messages of the Love of God 1/12/1975

A New Zealand Family Saved

SOME Christian men were holding a gospel meeting in one of the country districts in New Zealand. One of the farmers had opened up his home for this purpose and the glad good news of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus was made known day after day. People came from the surrounding country, filling the large dining room, and gospel songs echoed through the woods.

Dorothy, the farmer's eldest daughter, was among the first to receive Christ, and she wrote a letter to her younger sister Mary, who was away from home, telling her the good news.

"Oh dear," exclaimed Mary, "Eleanor has gone mad, I must hurry home."

But before she left, another letter arrived from Gwen, another sister, saying, "I too am saved."

When Mary reached home she found her two sisters rejoicing in the knowledge of sins forgiven, and this awakened a desire in her for the same happy experience. Soon the seeker was won with the others in singing, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine."

Then the farmer himself became very concerned about his soul. But when little May the youngest only six years old, ran up to him saying, "Oh Daddy, I trusted Jesus last night, and it's grand," he said, "Come, come, do you think a little girl of six can understand these things?"

"Yes, Daddy," replied little May joyfully, "I know I'm saved, and it's wonderful."

The farmer could no longer resist the appeal of his little daughter nor the strivings of the Holy Spirit, and that night there was joy in heaven over another sinner coming to Christ — thus the whole household was saved.

Dear boys and girls, have you received the Saviour who says, "Whosoever will may come?"

Messages of the Love of God 1/12/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 7:17-8:3

I SRAEL were not to be afraid of those nations that opposed them in the land, but were to remember what the Lord did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. He would do the same to all their enemies, and consume them. "Moreover the Lord thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed."

However God would not put out those nations from before them all at once, but little by little instead. Even this was in tender mercy to His people, lest the wild beasts should increase too much in the vacant land and become a fear and trouble. And this shows us, does it not, how God thinks of every single thing which might affect those who are the objects of His love?

They were not to bring into their houses anything that belonged to an idol, such as the silver or gold, "lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God." They were to abhor it, for God hated it; "it is a cursed thing."

One who loved God with all his heart could have no love for an idol; rather it would be a horrible thing to him. Anything that takes the place of Christ in our hearts is an idol. The Lord keep us from all that would dishonor Him, rob Him of our worship, and spoil our enjoyment of His love.

In this chapter it is evident that the truth set forth is complete consecration unto the Lord. When we think of all He has done for us surely His love demands nothing less. Perhaps what is most needed today, dear Christian reader, is whole-hearted devotedness to Christ and a complete refusal of the world and its idols. It is written of the believers at Thessalonica that they "turned to God from idols, to serve the living and and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven."

In a very touching way chapter 8 tells of God's ways with His people in the wilderness, His ways of perfect grace and the discipline He passed them through. Their murmurings lasted 40 years, while all that time He was tenderly caring for them.

They were to remember all the way by which He had led them, and He had a reason for leading them about those 40 years. He wanted to prove what was in their hearts, whether they would keep His commandments or not.

"And He humbled thee." This is a lesson so needful for our rebellious hearts. It has been good for us to have been humbled. "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Psa. 34:18.

The wilderness brings out what is in these hearts of ours, but it has also brought out the faithfulness and tender grace that is in the heart of God. Like Israel of old, when we get home to be with the Lord, looking back we shall feast upon the precious lessons we learned in the wilderness.

Messages of the Love of God 1/12/1975

The End of Weasel

WEASEL was a lithe, handsome creature, but sly, cruel and bloodthirsty. How many unsuspecting little animal folk of the fields and forest he had waylaid before they could flee, had sucked their blood and left them dead on the ground.

And little chipmunk would have suffered the same fate had it not been for the sudden arrival of an enemy who was more than a match for Weasel. Gliding noiselessly through the valley and over the woodlands, Hooty the Owl's sharp ears picked up a rustle and a cry. In a moment he was over the spot and those big wonderful eyes, which enable him to see in the dark, spotted little Chipmunk fleeing for his life with Weasel close behind.

Then a shadow passed over the two, and Weasel looking up in surprise saw a huge dark form descending upon him. It was too late to flee so he turned to fight; but alas, sharp powerful claws fastened in his back and neck. The next moment Weasel was lifted into the air and he and his captor disappeared into the night. Weasel's evil work was ended forever.

Weasel, the destroyer, makes us think of a greater destroyer — one who has made it his sole business to ruin the work of God and to destroy the souls of boys and girls, and men and women. Satan is his name. "Your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Pet. 5:8.

But a reckoning day is coming. The good news of the gospel is that there is One greater than Satan, that evil destroyer. Jesus the Son of God has come into this world "that He might destroy the works of the devil." 1 John 3:8. He died upon the cross to save sinners. He bowed beneath the power of death, but in resurrection He rose the mighty Conqueror of Death and Satan. He is the great Deliverer from above for all who put their trust in Him as their Saviour. We are more helpless than little Chipmunk but in Jesus we have One under whose wings we can safely trust. May each dear reader come to know this wonderful Saviour and rest in His everlasting salvation.

"He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust." Psalm 91:4.

Memory Verse

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

Messages of the Love of God 1/19/1975

Arrested For Singing

RICHARD Weaver, the converted miner, was returning from a gospel preaching one night with some of his friends. They were singing hymns as they walked along.

"Stop that noise," shouted a policeman.

"No," replied Dick, "I must sing."

"I'll make you stop it," said the policeman, and calling another officer to help him, they got a hold of Richard and marched him up the streets straight towards the Bridewell jail.

All along the way Richard kept on singing,

"For the Lion of Judah shall break every chain And give us the victory again and again."

They passed the house of one of the brethren who came running out and asked, "What's the matter?"

A crowd had gathered and one said, "They're taking Weaver to prison."

"Look up, brother Weaver," shouted his friend, "the Lord be with you"; and he kept shouting, "Praise the Lord!"

"If you don't stop your noise, I'll take you too," said the policeman.

"Glory be to God," said the brother. "You must just take me then for I shall not stop praising God. Praise the Lord!"

So the policeman caught hold of him and marched him along with Richard

When they got to the jail the two got down on their knees and began a prayer meeting.

The desk clerk looking up said to the officer who had brought them in, "What did you bring these men here for?"

"For causing a disturbance in the street. Why, he was shouting something about lions breaking their chains, and I told him to stop and he wouldn't; so I brought him here."

"You'll get into a fine row over this," said the clerk. Then coming to Mr. Weaver he said, "You may go out."

"We have been put in here publicly," returned Richard, "and we will be put out publicly."

"Dear me," said the clerk, "I never heard such a man."

"You have none too many prayer meetings here," said Weaver, "and we'll hold one. Lord, save the policemen!"

In the end Richard and his friend did leave after shaking hands with the officers. "I hope I shall meet you in heaven," he told them.

A few nights later, the policeman who had run Richard in met him and asked him to forgive him.

"I freely forgive you," said Richard. "Have you ever asked God to forgive your sins?"

"I'd give every hair of my head to know that my sins were forgiven as you know yours are," said the man.

"You don't need to give anything," returned Richard. "God gave Christ for you, and He will forgive everyone that comes to Him by Jesus Christ."

The poor policeman believed the message of God's love, and was happily saved. From that hour he helped the evangelists in every way he could.

Messages of the Love of God 1/19/1975

A Great Captain

Henry Bewley, who served the Lord for many years in the gospel said just before He passed into the Lord's presence, "The ship is entering into the harbor in full sail, in full assurance. The little bark may be small, but it has a precious cargo, and a great Captain — Jesus Only."

A BIBLE PRIEST TO FIND

A King by God's true prophet slain? (1 Sam. 15)

Who crowned an orphan queen to reign? (Esther 2)

Who was great grandma of the King.

Whose psalms and praises still we sing? (Ruth 4)

Who evil "wrought" before the Lord,

And set at nought His Holy Word? (1 Kings 16)

A King whose pride God did abase,

Who turned to Him and gave Him praise? (Daniel 14)

Initials form a Bible name, A priest of God, of desert fame.

Messages of the Love of God 1/19/1975

That Admits Me

"IF THOU SEEK HIM, HE WILL BE FOUND OF THEE."

A convicted robber had spent some time in prison. After his release, one night he entered a gospel hall and sat under the power of the Word of God. At the close of the service he heard William Cowper's hymn sung by the company of saved sinners who knew from experience the meaning of its words. As the lines were sung,

The dying thief rejoiced to see

That fountain in his day,

And there may I though vile as he

Wash all my sins away,

the convicted man said to himself, "That admits me." He claimed and confessed Christ as his Saviour, and became a shining light for God.

The Lord Jesus has already saved "the chief of sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15), and He longs to save you, dear unsaved reader.

Messages of the Love of God 1/19/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 8:3

MOSES goes on to remind the people of the discipline the Lord had passed them through in the wilderness. He "suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that He might make thee to know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live."

God allowed them to get hungry and then he fed them with strange food — manna. When the people saw it they asked, "What is it? How different to the food of Egypt, where they "ate bread to the full."

But this was that they might learn one great lesson which God gives to every child of His to learn — that man does not live only by the bread which he eats, but he lives by every word that comes out of the mouth of God. Just as the bread feeds and nourishes the body, so that which God speaks gives life to the soul of man.

The children of Israel proved this in the wilderness for the Word of God was all they had. If they wanted food, they had to wait till God spoke the word for it to come. If they wanted water, God spoke the word for it to flow out of the rock for them. There was nothing in the wilderness for them, not even a road to walk on. The Word of the Lord made a way for them, for He said: Go this way, when the cloud moved, and He went before them to find out a resting place for them.

No doubt it was not an easy lesson for Israel, to forget Egypt's food and eat this strange bread which came from God day by day. But we can see how in all this God was weaning them from Egypt and its pleasures, to find all their resources in Him.

How little did they appreciate this manna! They were glad to be delivered from Egypt's bondage but there was much they had enjoyed in the land of Egypt to which they still clung. And are not our hearts much the same? We were so thankful to be under the shelter of the blood, to know the forgiveness of all our sins, and to be delivered from Satan's bondage and power, but how often we have found ourselves going back into the world for help and drawing from its resources.

But God is patiently seeking to teach us to find our all in Christ, who is the true manna, the bread of God from heaven. God wants to be everything to us and He showers us with blessings which the world can never give. He could not teach Israel this lesson in Egypt, He must bring them out into the wilderness for that. And so it is with us, His children now. He makes the world a wilderness to us, after having delivered us from its power, in order that He might wean our hearts from its attractions and its pleasures. Our Christian life would be happier if we learned more to come to God with all our requests and receive from His loving hand all we need for our pathway through this desert world.

God, thine everlasting portion,

Feeds thee with the mighty's meat;

Price of Egypt's hard extortion,

Egypt's food no more to eat.

Art thou weaned from Egypt's pleasures,

God in secret thee shall keep,

There unfold His hidden treasures,

There His love's exhaustless deep.

In the desert God will teach thee

What the God that thou hast found,

Patient, gracious, powerful, holy;

All His grace shall there abound.

J. N. D.

Messages of the Love of God 1/19/1975

Sam's Clock

SAM LIVED in Africa. All his boyhood he had lived in the jungle and he had never been to a city.

But one day Sam had a chance to take a boat trip down the big river to the sea coast. At the mouth of the river was a large city and Sam's eyes and mouth opened wide when he saw the great high buildings, the cars and buses that moved up and down the streets, and the crowds of people that surged in and out of the big stores.

At first Sam's excitement knew no bounds but when he got tired of watching the traffic, he walked down the street looking in the store windows. On the way he came to a clock shop and going inside he asked the shopkeeper to show him his clocks. Until now Sam had told the time by the sun, but now the watchmaker showed Sam how to tell time by the clock.

A day or two later Sam came back and bought a clock to take home with him to the jungle. He carried it very carefully lest anything should happen to it along the way.

Back home in his grass and mud-thatched hut Sam told time by his new clock. It didn't matter whether the sun shone or not; he still knew what time it was. Sam was very pleased with his clock.

Many months went by and then Sam noticed that his clock had stopped. The hands no longer went round. "I will take them to the shopkeeper in the city," thought Sam, "and he will fix them." So he removed the hands, wrapped them carefully and soon was aboard the boat and on his way down the river to the city again.

Entering the clock shop Sam explained why he had come. Handing the watchmaker the hands of his clock he asked him to fix them.

"There is nothing I can do with these hands, " explained the shopkeeper. "The trouble is inside the clock. Bring me the clock and I will find out what is wrong."

But Sam was angry and would not listen. "There is nothing wrong with my clock," he said. "I don't need to pay you for fixing the whole clock." So taking back the hands he returned to his jungle home and put the hands back on the clock. But it never ran after that and Sam went back to telling time by the sun.

Dear boys and girls, when we use our hands to do bad things, the trouble is on the inside, in our hearts. There is sin there, for our hearts are "desperately wicked" (Jer. 17:9). If with our lips we speak bad things it is only the bad coming out from inside of us. If our feet carry us to places where we ought not to be it is because our hearts want us to go there. The trouble is on the inside.

We need to have our hearts cleansed from sin by the precious blood of Christ, then His Holy Spirit will come to dwell there, and our hands, our lips, our feet, our all, will be used in doing those things that please and honor Him.

In salvation two things are put together in Scripture — one inward, and one outward. "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.

King David prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, 0 God." Psa. 51:40.

Messages of the Love of God 1/26/1975

Jesus, Lover of My Soul

CHARLES WESLEY, the great hymn writer, was one day seated at his desk writing before an opened window. A frightened little bird, pursued by a fierce hawk, flew in the window and alighted on the writer's bosom. Clasping the fluttering little thing to his breast he watched while the hawk gave up the chase and disappeared. Then taking up his pen he wrote those beautiful lines that have been a message of mercy to thousands and have been sung around the globe.

Jesus, lover of my soul,

Let me to Thy bosom fly,

While the waters near me roll,

While the tempest still is high.

Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,

Till the storms of life be past:

Safe into the haven guide;

Oh, receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none;

Hangs my helpless soul on Thee.

Leave, oh, leave me not alone.

Still support and comfort me.

All my trust on Thee is stayed,

All my help from Thee I bring:

Cover my defenceless head

With the shadow of Thy wing.

Messages of the Love of God 1/26/1975

Pardoned and Going To Heaven

Africaner, the famous African chief, converted through the ministry of Robert Moffat, called his people together around his dying bed and said: "We are not savages as once we were, but men professing to be taught according to the gospel. My former life was stained with blood, but Jesus Christ has pardoned me, and I am going to heaven."

Messages of the Love of God 1/26/1975

A Hunter For Souls

AN ARDENT evangelist was one day standing on a bridge over-looking a brook. He heard the hunter's horn. Very soon he saw the hounds approaching howling as they came. Before they got near a rabbit came running down the side of the stream. Every now and then it would leap into the water to try and throw the dogs off the scent.

When the hounds came up they were confused. The foremost hunter came up and called to the man on the bridge, "Have you seen the rabbit?"

"Yes."

"Which way did he go?"

"You must find that out yourself," he replied. And then he went on to say, "Man, I am a hunter for souls. Death on the pale horse with all the dogs of hell is on your track. They are pursuing you as you are pursuing the rabbit; and unless you flee to Christ, you will lose your soul."

"Oh!" he said, and rode away.

Shortly afterwards at a gospel meeting, the evangelist made use of that incident. The arrow of conviction went home to the heart of a drinking, gambling sportsman who was in the audience.

That same night when at home, he sprang out of bed in terror screaming, "Lord, save me! Lord, save me!"

His terrified wife jumped up and asked him what was the matter.

"Oh," he said, "I thought death on the pale horse was after me."

He laid down again; but scarcely had he fallen asleep when the same dreadful vision returned. Once more he cried to God to save him. Again he fell asleep, and the third time the dream came. He cried out:

"If I don't begin to pray, I shall be in hell before daylight."

Then in the darkness of the night husband and wife knelt in prayer, and the poor, death-hunted sportsman, betook himself to the river of life, where he met that blessed Saviour of sinners himself, who saved him and washed his sins and guilt all away. There he was enabled to baffle forever the hell hounds that were crying out for his soul.

"Salvation is of the Lord." Jonah 2:9. "Neither is there salvation in any other." Acts 4:12. "Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." Prov. 29:25.

Messages of the Love of God 1/26/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 8:4-20

“THY RAIMENT waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years."

Israel had many trials in the wilderness, just as we do, but they were but occasions for God to show His tenderness. Their clothing never grew old; their feet did not become sore, nor swell as they trod the flinty soil. And all who have Christ now have a robe of beauty that is fresh eternally; our feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. The rough places along the way only make the comfort of this more precious.

"Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee." No one escapes the discipline of the Lord, but it is all for our good and blessing, and it is the tender discipline of a Father for the son in whom He delights. For this reason they were to walk in His ways and to fear Him always, for all God's ways with us are to do us good in the end.

The next few verses are exceedingly beautiful telling of the wonderful land which beckoned them.

"For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks, of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;

"A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;

"A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack anything in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of Whose hills thou mayest dig brass.

"When thou has eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which He hath given thee." vv. 7-10.

Those "brooks of water," the "fountains and depths that spring out of the valleys and hills" in the earthly Canaan all remind us of the fullness of the Spirit, "the living water" which the Lord Jesus gives to those who come to Him in their thirst. And in that heavenly land that fullness of the Spirit abounds to glorify Christ and fill to overflowing the hearts of all the redeemed.

Canaan was a land of grain and fruits and stored with precious metals. God was giving His people the best land on earth.

But here were dangers which the wilderness was preparing them for. In the midst of all these good things they might forget the Lord who had brought them out of Egypt where they were slaves and had nothing, and they might say, "My power, and the might of my hand, have gotten me this wealth." How deceitful is the heart!

Therefore Moses warns them to remember the Lord who gave them all these blessings, and to thank Him for them, for if they forgot Him and were disobedient like the other nations, He would treat them as He treated those nations. "As the nations which the Lord destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God." In spite of these warnings, we know that this is the very thing that happened to Israel in the government of God.

Surely these things are written for our learning for our hearts are no better. How quick we are to forget the Lord and His goodness! But, thank God, when we enter our heavenly land, there will be no longer the flesh in us, we shall grieve His heart no more. Instead, from these hearts and lips shall pour forth endless praise and thanksgiving to God our Father and to our blessed Lord for the grace that brought us there.

Messages of the Love of God 1/26/1975

The Prisoner of Glen

YEARS AGO in the fortress of Glatz was a prisoner of high birth, a count, who formerly had been honored and admired in the world. Now he was hopeless behind those bolts and bars, condemned to solitary imprisonment for life for high treason against Frederick William III of Prussia.

For a whole year he lived in this dreadful dungeon, without a ray of hope to lighten his soul. He was a sceptic. The only book which had been left him was a Bible. For a long time he would not open it, and, when forced to it, so to speak, to kill time and forget the loneliness which consumed him, it was with a feeling of anger and motions of impatience against the God whom it reveals.

But the bitter "chastening" — that blessed instrument which has served to bring many a soul to the Good Shepherd — bore its fruit with the Count. The more he read the Bible, the more he realized the hand of God upon his lost and desolate soul.

On a dismal November night, a storm was howling around the fortress; the rain fell in torrents, and the Neisse, swelling and raging, hurried along the valley. The Count, stretched on his couch, could not sleep, for the storm which swept his soul was no less than the one that swept the castle. His whole life of sin had risen before Him, and he saw that forgetfulness of God was the root of it all.

For the first time, his heart grew tender, and his eyes filled with tears of repentance. Then, rising to his feet, he opened his Bible, and in the fiftieth Psalm read these words: "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." They reached the depths of his soul, and, falling upon his knees, he sought God's mercy.

Is it needful to say he found it? Could the God who loved sinners enough to give His only Son for them ever turn a deaf ear to the cry of one of them in need? In this case, as in many others, He even gave more than was sought for; the prisoner sought mercy for his soul, and God added to it further mercy and deliverance.

That same night, in his palace at Berlin, Frederick William, in great suffering, was seeking in vain for a little rest. Utterly exhausted, he asked God to grant him one hour of refreshing sleep. His prayer was granted and when he woke up, he said to his wife, the generous Louise, "God has been so merciful to me that I have reason to be thankful. Who is the man in my kingdom that has most offended me? I will forgive him."

"The Count who is at Glatz," answered the queen.

"You are right: let him be free."

Before the sun had risen upon Berlin that morning after the storm, a messenger had started bearing with him the freedom of the prisoner of Glatz.

Thus it is the Good Shepherd works to gather His sheep to Himself. He works quietly, in spite of all difficulties, and beyond all power to oppose; so that the soul which He has delivered can say, "This is of God."

The heart of the poor Count was harder to open than the gates of Glatz. Both cried alike, "No hope! no hope!" but in one night both had to yield to the loving power that was at work. That the purpose of God to bring to Himself this rebellious man might be accomplished He had to let him be shut up within those dismal walls, there to break his proud will. This done, all is now easy: circumstances may now be changed, to his good, and they are accordingly changed, though not a whit more according to love than those before.

Messages of the Love of God 2/2/1975

Seventeen Years Old

I WAS seventeen years old, playing with two dogs when I came to visit his little sisters. The girls showed me the old cat and half a dozen tiger kittens which had recently been born in the bottom drawer of the dresser in the bedroom. We had a good chat about the Saviour's love and care and I was about to leave, when their big brother came to tell me what he thought of all this.

It was foolishness to him. Good enough for children perhaps, but he was old enough to make his choice and he had made it.

"It's only for 'whosoever will'", I said. "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17.

"Well," he answered decidedly, "I won't".

That was all. But God still knows how to break a stubborn will. He can bring a rebellious sinner to Himself, and He has often done so. But there are times when He leaves a hardened sinner to his own decision, and this is a solemn thing. If the preaching of the cross to them that perish is foolishness to you, dear reader, you see in what class you have placed yourself.

"But unto us which are saved, it is the power of God". God has turned man's worst act of wickedness into His greatest act of power. He can now save you, because Christ died for sinners. Don't wait till your heart isahardened. Trust Him now.

Messages of the Love of God 2/2/1975

Jimmie's Answer

"Well, Jimmie, are you saved?"

Jimmie was just coming out of the gospel meeting and we stopped for a chat on the stairs.

"Yes," he replied. "I am sure now for Jesus died for me. I used to think that I was all right because Daddy and Mommy were saved. But I found out that I was all wrong. I learned I was a sinner and I came to Jesus and He saved me. Now I am sure that He bore all my sins away."

Dear young reader, "Are you saved? Can you say like Jimmie, "Jesus has washed all my sins away in His precious blood'?"

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

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.

Messages of the Love of God 2/2/1975

An Infidel Silenced

A man who claimed he did not believe in God sent a young Christian a package of infidel literature advising him to read it in preference to the Bible. The young man sent back an excellent reply. He wrote:

"Dear Sir — If you have anything better than the Sermon on the Mount, the parable of the Prodigal Son, and that of the Good Samaritan, if you have any code of morals better than found in the Epistles, or anything more beautiful and consoling than the Twenty-Third Psalm, or on the whole anything that will throw more light on the future and reveal to me a Father and a Saviour more merciful and kind than the New Testament, then send it along."

Memory Verse

"BY HIM ALL THAT BELIEVE ARE JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS." Acts 13:39.

Messages of the Love of God 2/2/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 9:1-29

ISRAEL were about to pass over the Jordan, to go in and possess nations far greater and mightier than they were, cities great and fenced up to heaven. They were to destroy the children of the Anakim, people great and tall, of whom it was said, "Who can stand before the children of Anak!"

But they could not do this in their own strength. "The Lord thy God is He which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire He shall destroy them, and He shall bring them down before thy face."

God is a consuming fire for His people. If Israel walked with Him, they would find how He destroyed their enemies; but if they were disobedient to Him, He was a consuming fire to destroy themselves.

Perhaps Moses here was reminded of the burning bush which he had seen in the wilderness, before God sent him back to lead His people out of Egypt. The Lord showed Himself first to Moses in a flame of fire, and He taught him what it was to stand on holy ground with Him. Moses never forgot that.

It was not because Israel were righteous that God was going to give them the land. But it was because of their wickedness that God would destroy those nations in Canaan. Moses says to Israel, Do not think it is because you have been righteous or faithful to God that He gives you this good land, for you have been a very wicked and disobedient people. It is because God chose to perform His Word which He spoke to Abraham, and to Isaac and to Jacob. Remember and don't forget, how you provoked the Lord to wrath in the wilderness and what a rebellious people you have been.

He reminds them of how at Horeb he had gone up into the mountain to receive the tables of the law, of how in that short space in which he had remained there they had turned from the Lord to idolatry, and were worshiping the golden calf. Thus they had forfeited everything and provoked the Lord so that His wrath threatened to destroy them all. Instead of bringing the tables of the law into the camp, Moses had broken them at the foot of the mount. Had he not done so, the judgment of the Lord would have broken forth upon the guilty people.

Then Moses reminds them of how he had interceded for them and for Aaron too. God had hearkened to him and spared them in His mercy. But from there on to Kadesh-barnea they had constantly rebelled.

The very existence of the people was a monument to God's grace, for they had deserved only judgment. And as we look back on our own past, must we not say that it has been grace all the way too? Must we not exclaim with the Apostle, "By the grace of God I am what I am." 1 Cor. 15:10. His grace excludes all boasting on our part. Israel's only boast was the Lord who had spared them. He had brought them to the banks of the Jordan and now was about to bring them into the land of their possession. His grace will be Israel's theme on earth to the ages of ages, and that same precious grace and mercy of God will be our theme in heaven eternally.

Messages of the Love of God 2/2/1975

Ralph's Flashlight

RALPH had a flashlight which he liked to use at night whenever he went outside in the dark. But he did not know that God was going to use that flashlight in blessing to others.

One warm Sunday evening Ralph and his dad prepared to go to the gospel service. Taking his Bible Ralph was just about to leave when he thought, "I'll take my flashlight along. It might be dark when we're coming home."

As they drove along on their way to town big black clouds began to fill the sky, and soon they could hear the rumble of thunder in the distance. It was dark when they reached the gospel hall but inside all was bright as day.

Then the storm broke overhead. Just as the preacher was reading from God's Word there was a brilliant flash of lightning and a loud clap of thunder. Then sudden darkness — the lights had gone out!

The speaker stopped reading. All was quiet. Then Ralph felt for his flashlight. The faithful little bulb gave forth light and oh, how brightly it shone in inky blackness.

Ralph handed it to his father who gave it to the preacher. The preacher began to read again from the blessed Book, and his message that night was about the darkness that reigns in our hearts until we know the Saviour.

That was a never-to-be-forgotten night for Ralph, sitting there in the dark and listening to a man speaking from the Bible while using a flashlight.

But that was a never-to-be-forgotten night to someone else sitting there in that little hall that night. God was using that flashlight and a man whose heart was darkened through sin heard the message and opened his heart to receive the glorious light of the gospel. The light of God's Word shone into his heart, dispelling all the gloom. Shortly afterwards he confessed the Lord Jesus as his Saviour.

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Cor. 4:6.

God wants us, dear boys and girls, to trust Him for salvation and then to shine for Him in the darkness of this world. He tells us in His Word: "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matt. 5:16.

But one must be a child of His before he can shine for Him. You cannot shine for Jesus unless you have Himself who is the Light in your heart.

Messages of the Love of God 2/9/1975

How Eddie Led The Way

IT WAS a cold winter's day but Eddie came home so excited. He had such a bright happy smile on his face.

"Mommy, Mommy," he exclaimed, "Guess what happened to me today!"

"Well, what is it Eddie?" she asked.

"I have Jesus in my heart," announced the little fellow. "Isn't it wonderful?"

Eddie had been to the children's Bible hour after school and the Lord Jesus had won his heart. But his mother was still a stranger to His grace. There was no love in her heart for the Saviour, and she squelched the little fellow's spirit.

"Mommy, when I die I'm going to heaven to be with Jesus!" Eddie exclaimed. "Jesus loved me so much that He died for my sins. Oh, Mommy, don't you want Jesus in your heart too?"

"No, I don't," she replied. "If you want Jesus in your heart, that is fine, but don't preach to me!" And poor little Eddie was silenced.

Sometime later his mother understood the sorrow which must have filled his soul. But he rose above it and each day he, in his own childish way, would keep telling his mother how wonderful it was to belong to Jesus.

Weeks went by and little by little the Saviour's love began to melt the mother's cold, hard heart. She began to realize all was wrong in her life. The burden grew worse as each day passed.

Then one day the lady who had led Eddie to Jesus paid her a visit. Together they talked for some time and the lady prayed for Eddie's mother. Later that afternoon she felt the Lord Jesus was speaking to her and drawing her to Himself.

The hour of decision had arrived. With tears running down her face and with a feeling of utter helplessness, she knelt in repentance at the feet of the Saviour who there and then took away all her burden of sin. A feeling of inexpressible peace and joy filled her heart and she knew that she was saved.

All was changed in her life from then on. "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.

"Jesus did it all,

All to Him I owe.

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow."

And dear little Eddie had been used of the Lord to bring his mother to the Saviour. Oh! that there might be many more little Eddies among us!

Memory Verse

"THE FATHER SENT THE SON TO BE THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD." 1 John 4:14.

Messages of the Love of God 2/9/1975

A Hidden Treasure

GOING!—GOING! Who'll give more than 50 cents for this old suitcase? Going—Going—Gone!" And the sharp rap of the auctioneer's hammer knocked down the lid of the dilapidated suitcase with its contents to Robert Collins.

No one had wanted it. It contained just a few tools, unused for many a year, some moth-eaten clothing, and an old Bible. No one envied Robert his bargain.

It was Sunday evening and as the children gathered round their mother and begged her to read to them in the cozy hour before bed time, Mrs. Collins took up the old Bible, bought but a few days ago, and read some of its wonderful and ever-new histories to the listening children. As she turned over its leaves, she noticed that some were pasted together. Carefully separating the pages, she saw an envelope between them. It contained six twenty-dollar bills! Whose could they be? On the back of one was written:

"I had to work very hard for this, and have none as natural heirs. I leave thee, dear reader, whosoever shall read this Holy Book, my lawful heir."

The money was hers!

The Book had been laid away, neglected for many, many years no one dreaming of the treasure its pages contained for anyone who searched it.

And what will you say, dear reader, when I tell you there is in your Bible, your own Bible, such a treasure — far, far greater than the one Mrs. Collins found? Yours is a title to an inheritance in Heaven! It is "the gift of God .. . eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." But it is of no good to you, priceless though it may be, unless you take it and use it. Will you? God offers it to you. Is it worth having? Then take it now, and just thank Him.

Messages of the Love of God 2/9/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 10:1-18

IN THE last chapter Moses recounts how he had fallen down before the Lord at Horeb and interceded for the people, after they had so utterly failed in setting up the golden calf. Otherwise all hope was gone. Moses here is a beautiful type of Christ who stood in the breach when the righteous wrath of God would have burst forth upon us guilty sinners. Even now He intercedes at God's right hand for us, His saints, here below.

In chapter 10 Moses continues this subject of the people's failure. The second tables of stone were given but this only proved their thorough disobedience, for why were the second tables required at all?

It was divine mercy only that had restored everything in Israel. In their extremity the promise to their fathers and the glory of the Lord's name provided the ground on which He could take them up again. The tables of the law had been renewed; God had told Moses to make two new ones, but this time they were not carried alone as the first into the camp, but were put into the ark for safe-keeping; and there they remained.

The ark is another beautiful type of Christ. There the holy law of God found a safe resting place. The Lord Jesus could say in that past eternity, as none other could say ever since, "Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart." Psa. 40:7,8. Blessed be His name, He has magnified the law and made it honorable (Isa. 42:21).

Moses goes on to tell of Aaron's death long after, and of how the priesthood passed to his son, Eleazar. Then the whole tribe of Levi were separated to God, to minister to Him and to bless the people in His name, having the Lord alone for their portion and inheritance.

Verses 12-22 are very beautiful exhortations and reasons for practical godliness and obedience to the Lord. "And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul . . ." After all He had done for them what did He require of them but loving obedience to His commandments, which were always for their good — love to One who though so infinitely great had nevertheless chosen them above all people in His love to them. This is what made them so responsible above all men, and surely this is what ought to have made their duty easy to fulfill.

These wonderful works of the Lord were not things they had heard about, but they had seen them with their own eyes. So there was no excuse for them to disbelieve them. God had rendered a full testimony to His people.

Furthermore, Moses tells Israel, that it was not just the outward form of circumcision that God wanted, but "circumcision of the heart" — A heart that delights to walk in His ways.

When we think of the love of the Lord Jesus and all He has done for us, surely His love working in our hearts ought to make it our happy and easy task to please and serve Him: "We love Him because He first loved us." And how true are His blessed words, "My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." How much more responsible are we than Israel!

Messages of the Love of God 2/9/1975

Jim, The Pigeons' Friend

JIM WAS a poor orphan boy in one of the big cities. He had worked hard to provide for his mother as long as she lived, but when she died it seemed he had lost his last and only friend on earth.

When just a child she would take him to the gospel meetings and he loved the hymns they sang, especially,

"All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small;

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

Times were hard and Jim made a meager living carrying peas to sidewalk vendors. They in turn sold them to kindly and generous people who fed them to the great flocks of pigeons that came fluttering down from all over the city. He also increased his small income by rendering a little service to blind beggars who stood here and there on the busy street corners and would wait for him to call for them.

One morning as Jim was passing the ruins of a bombed building he stopped to stroke a cat which played on the rubble and brick ruins. Delighted with this attention Puss purred and rubbed affectionately against Jim's trouser leg. Just at that moment a city missionary happened along and felt the Lord would have him speak to Jim. "I see you are fond of animals," he remarked.

"I'm fond of some," returned Jim. Then as he talked about his likes and dislikes his friend reminded him of the children's hymn, "The Lord God made them all."

"It's a long time since I heard that hymn," said Jim. "I used to sing it when I was a kid." Then he told of how his mother used to take him to the gospel meetings and he was quite sure that she was in heaven.

"You seem to be a friend to everyone and everything," said the missionary. "You are a friend to the cat, and a friend to the pigeons. You are also a friend to the blind beggar by the wayside. Now, Jim, would you not like to have Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, as your friend." He quoted to him to Proverbs 18:24. "There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother." When here on earth He was known as "a friend of publicans and sinners." Matt. 11:19.

"I would like to have the sinners' Friend as mine," replied Jim, "and I would be glad to count on you as a friend too."

So right there amid the rubble they both knelt in prayer, and the missionary friend led him to the Saviour. That day Jim made a new start in life; he was now on the heavenly way. His friend got him a lunch, and they parted.

When they met again some time later Jim no longer carried peas for pigeons, but had had a promotion. His boss was taken sick to the hospital so Jim was entrusted with the whole sales operation. In time he became owner of the little business and his own master. So the Lord blessed and prospered him for his faithfulness.

But best of all Jim assured his friend that the Lord Jesus had become increasingly precious to him, so he had prospered spiritually.

Jim never became rich; he was still poor but happy. Yet he knew the Lord and continued to live a saintly and simple life. The pigeons were unaware of his spiritual and material progress, but they owed a great deal to his perseverance and hard work, and to the kindly folk who purchased peas for pigeons.

Messages of the Love of God 2/16/1975

A Bible King

Who like a lion seeketh to devour

The sinner saved, in an unguarded hour? (1 Peter 5)

Whose trade did an apostle daily share, Content to labour for his daily fare? (Acts 18)

What in the temple was there rent in twain,

To show the way to God is now made plain? (Luke 23)

To what great Sin was Israel in the desert prone?

Which robbed the Lord of what was His alone? (Exodus 32)

Who for his noble faith and fearless stand Was raised to honor in a heathen land? (Daniel 6)

Initials name a King: where did he reign? Who was his friend, in what great battle slain?

Of whom is he a type? Where is it shown His son will reign upon his father's throne?

Messages of the Love of God 2/16/1975

A Safe Hiding Place

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

Several days later one boy came to her and said, "I took home the card and pinned it on our wall, but soon my mother told me to take it down. You see she doesn't love Jesus, but worships an idol, and she didn't like my text there. I've taken it down, and hidden the card where she can't find it, but I've got the verse in a safe place too, — it's in my heart."

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

Messages of the Love of God 2/16/1975

John Ruskin's Testimony

John Ruskin, the celebrated English writer said: "All that I have taught, everything that I have written, every greatness that has been in any thought of mine, has simply been due to the fact that when I was a child, my mother daily read with me a part of the Bible, and daily made me learn a part of it by heart."

Messages of the Love of God 2/16/1975

Mary Glory-Face

MARY GLORY-FACE" was the name by which a happy old Christian woman was always known in her native village; and it suited her well.

Morning, noon and night her heart and mouth were full of joy and praise and the glory of her beloved Lord shone in her face.

As she went about her work, she blessed God; when she talked to her neighbors, she spoke joyously of His love and goodness to her.

One summer morning, as she stood at her cottage door, a neighbor said to her: "We wish you would be more quiet about your God and His love, Mary Glory-Face. You're brimful of it."

"Yes," added another, "we should like you to keep it a bit more to yourself, that's what we mean."

"Impossible!" said the old lady pleasantly. "No, no, I just can't help praising Him."

Then some of the neighbors complained to her landlord, and asked him to give her notice to vacate her cottage. But he said, "Why, Mary Glory-Face pays her rent better than any of you; I shall certainly not lose her."

But he did call on the old woman and said: "Perhaps, Mary, you could come down from the skies a bit. Need you be always so full of praise?"

With a beaming smile she answered at once, "It's just eleven years ago that God told me I was saved. And bless His holy Name, He will never hear the last of it!"

So Mary was left in peace, and her influence for good told upon her neighbors and friends till first one and then another joined her in her songs of praises.

When Mary was at last called to go home to be with her Saviour, a young pastor sat by her bedside and asked, "Is your faith strong now, Mary, as you near the glory?"

He thought it strange as she shook her head and answered:

"No, it's not faith with me now. It's that I've got the 'Author and Finisher' of faith with me indeed; it's that what is filling me so full of praise. I'm just looking unto Jesus `the Author and Finisher' of faith; and it's grand!"

Thus "Mary Glory-Face" passed into the presence of Him "whom having not seen, she loved." Thus, for years, even on earth, was the plain old country-woman "beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord . . . changed into the same image, from glory to glory even as by the Lord the Spirit," (2 Cor. 3:18) who filled her heart and mouth with praise.

This same Lord says to all His children, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me." Psalm 50:23.

Messages of the Love of God 2/16/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 10:19-11:9

“LOVE ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." Israel had learned God through all the wonderful things He had done for them, but His bright character also shone out in His commandments. Now they were called to imitate Him. He cared for the fatherless and for the widows, as also the stranger, and they were to care too. He reminds them that they had been strangers in the land of Egypt from which He had delivered them by those great and terrible acts of power.

When their fathers went down into Egypt they numbered only seventy souls, but now, in spite of all their cruel oppression and sufferings, they had marvelously multiplied. See, Moses says, "The Lord thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude," and this is just what He had promised Abraham long before.

Chapter 11 now sums up all this section of the book. "Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep His charge, and His judgments, and His commandments, alway."

To love the Lord and keep His commandments is as true now as then, only Israel were under law, and we as Christians are under grace. Now "the love of Christ constrains us" (2 Cor. 5:14), for love and obedience are the firstfruits of the new nature which we have from God when we are redeemed.

Moses urges upon Israel this solemn charge to love and obedience upon two grounds, 1) Because of what God had done in judgment, and 2) what He in grace would do for them.

Moses recounts what the Lord did "unto" the army of Egypt, and "unto" their horses and chariots in the Red Sea. He also reminds them of what He did "unto" Israel in the wilderness, of what He did "unto" Dathan and Abiram, when the earth opened up and swallowed the insolent and rebellious transgressors. Thus the consequence of rebellion is set before the people as a lasting witness that the Lord must and will punish sin. This terrible judgment remains upon the pages of Scripture as a solemn warning to all against disobedience. Israel were familiar with these judgments and so they are pressed home upon their consciences.

Now the good land was before them, waiting to receive them and to welcome them with all its wealth. However, in bringing before the people God's holiness, Moses tells them they must walk in holy separation to the Lord if they were to enjoy the land, or they would not enjoy it at all.

Surely all this is a voice to us who have far more reason to love and obey than Israel. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men." Rom. 1:18. The Lord Jesus has borne that wrath for us upon the cross — "He bore that we might never bear, The Almighty's righteous ire." How we ought to love and seek to please Him after all He has done for us!

Messages of the Love of God 2/16/1975

A Terrorist Converted

A NOTORIOUS terrorist by the name of Jose Ascheri some years ago had left Marseilles, France, and gone to Spain where he continued his course of violent opposition to the government. One day in Barcelona, when a religious procession was passing down the street, Jose threw a dynamite bomb into the midst of the crowd. For this horrible deed he was seized, imprisoned and condemned to death.

About that time a new version of the Spanish New Testament had been published and was being circulated in Spain. A man by the name of Kenelm Vaughan happened to be in Barcelona just then to receive a shipment of the New Testaments. Calling at the Catholic College in the city he presented the Rector with the first copy. The Rector told him that he had suddenly been called away to the prison to prepare Ascheri for death, so thanking Vaughan for the gift, he slipped it into his pocket and hurried on his way.

When he reached the prisoner's cell he did his utmost to convert Jose the terrorist to God, but in vain. The terrorist's heart seemed hard as stone, and he appeared incorrigibly unrepentant. Seeing then that he could make no impression on the condemned prisoner, the Rector took out of his pocket the New Testament he had been given, and handing it to Ascheri he told him to read it.

Ten days later he returned to visit Jose and found him a changed man. He had been reading the New Testament, his heart of stone had melted, as he read the quiet words of the Saviour and learned of His love even to a sinner so deep-dyed as he was. Through the marvelous grace of God it led to his conversion. There and then he made a thorough confession of his crimes and died a repentant sinner, saved by grace alone, cleansed in the blood of Jesus that washes whiter than snow. Jose left to his mother, as a legacy, the New Testament that had been the means of his conversion, as the most precious thing that he possessed.

How marvelous are the ways of God in grace! "0 the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! . . . to whom be glory forever." Rom. 11:33,36.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. it is the gift of God." Eph. 2:8. "And the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

The dying thief rejoiced to see

That fountain in his day;

And there may I, though vile as he,

Wash all my sins away.

Messages of the Love of God 2/23/1975

Faithful Sowing

SHE WAS a slight little creature with blue eyes and fair hair.

When they asked her to teach the worst class in the Sunday School, she did it and won the hearts of those rough boys. It was not done in a week or a month or three months, and it cost her many a hot tear on her knees at home.

But it was love that won those rough boys who had often gone cold and hungry and slept on hard pillows of paving stones, and "moved on" at the order of the policeman. Some had been in jail. They grew interested in the story of the One who came to this world in poverty and fared as the poor fared, and had not where to lay His head.

Lillian told them how much He loved them and what He had done for them. The good seed was sown and took root and many of those boys grew up to love and serve the Lord Jesus.

Seven years went by, and Lillian Ward was traveling one day by bus. The conductor was a tall kindly looking man who asked her if she were Miss Lillian Ward.

"Yes," she said, "and now you speak, I remember you. Are you Tom Rogers — one of my old class of boys?"

"Tom Rogers it is, and all I am and all I hope to be I owe to you," he said, "and to what the Lord Jesus has done for me."

Lillian lifted her heart to the Lord in praise and thanksgiving for giving her some fruit for her labors.

Messages of the Love of God 2/23/1975

A Changed Boy

MR. WATSON lives in Australia and not long ago he gave copies of the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to some boys he knew. Soon after he was visiting the home of one of the boys, whose mother said there had been such a change in Jack she didn't know what had happened to him! "Once I couldn't control him," she said, "but now he reads the book you gave him every night and always does what I tell him."

What do you think had happened to Jack?

Well, you see, God's Word is living and powerful and in reading it Jack's life had been changed. He knew he was a sinner and had accepted Jesus as His Saviour. Now he has a new nature that loves to please God and not self. That is what God's Word will do for all who believe it. They are "born again" and made children of God, having the same nature as God. This is the way to be truly happy and free.

Messages of the Love of God 2/23/1975

A Farmer Saved

SOMEONE gave a farmer a copy of God's precious Word — the Bible. Although he was a religious man, still he had not read the Bible very often before this time — perhaps not at all. But God was working in his heart, and so having started, he read more and more of God's wonderful Book.

When he came to John 3:16, he paused. What beautiful words they were — and they were addressed to him too, for the verse said "Whosoever," and he knew that meant him. He read it again. Yes, he could know that he had everlasting life, because that was exactly what God said. Right there and then he believed it and was saved.

Like everyone else who is truly saved, he wanted others to know his Saviour too, especially those at home. He called his wife and read the verse to her. "Read it again," she said: and so he did. "Read it once more," she said. The wonderful life-giving words entered her heart too, and she passed from death unto life.

Their neighbors wondered what had happened to them. Even to this day their happy faces and changed lives tell out that they have found the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. They have proved for themselves that by believing the Word of God they can KNOW that they have everlasting life. Dear reader, Have you taken God at His Word? Can you say you have everlasting life?

"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17.

Messages of the Love of God 2/23/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 11:10-17

IN THESE next few verses the glory of the Lord and the wonderful land He had given to Israel are set before them in the most beautiful language.

"For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs:

"But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven:

"A land which the Lord thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year."

It was not a land like Egypt where the overflowing river both watered and fertilized it, where men lived as if they were not dependent upon heaven. There man guided the water with his foot, making it flow wherever he wanted.

But here it was Israel had to work hard, and after sowing their seed they had to water it with their foot, for there is little or no rain in Egypt and it is very hot there. But Canaan, Moses said, is full of hills and valleys, and drinks in the rain from heaven. If you are obedient, Moses says, God will send the rain just at the right time to make your corn and vines to grow, and grass for your cattle. Every bit of the land where your feet tread shall be yours forever.

God had chosen for Israel the better part in that they were in complete dependence upon their faithful Creator's care. It was a land He cared for. His eyes of love and holiness were continually upon it and could not overlook their wants. But this also meant chastening if it was needed.

And so He warns them: "Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them: and then the Lord's wrath be kindled against you, and He shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you."

Egypt, in type, is the world in its independence of God. But for us Christians ours is a heavenly land. Canaan is for us "the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 1). We are entirely dependent on our heavenly Father for all things, and the more we realize this and look to Him in everything the happier we shall be.

Soon the Lord Jesus shall come and take us to that heavenly land where He Himself has already gone, and we shall dwell with Him there forever. We shall never lose our place and portion in Him, though we may lose the enjoyment of it down here through unfaithfulness or neglect in our walk. May we seek grace to walk in communion with Him down here and then it shall be "as the days of heaven upon earth."

Memory Verse

"IF THOU SHALT CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH THE LORD JESUS, AND SHALT BELIEVE IN THINE HEART THAT GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, THOU SHALT BE SAVED." Romans 10:9

Messages of the Love of God 2/23/1975

A Narrow Escape

TOM WAS just a young boy, full of energy and ambition and without a thought of death or the needs of his soul. Having heard the story of a lady who was saved in the last moments of her life, he thought that he could safely leave the matter of his soul's welfare until his deathbed. Then he would cry for mercy, as the poor woman had done, and all would be well. So his mind was made up. He would live a respectable life, but do as he pleased, enjoy whatever pleasures came his way, and get right with God at the end.

The years passed. Tom grew up and joined the army. He was sent abroad, and there lived a careless, godless life. One day when hunting with friends in the jungle, he got wet through in a tropical storm, and on returning to his quarters became seriously ill. The army surgeon was a friend of his, and as he stood at the bed-side looking grave, Tom asked him for a frank opinion. The doctor replied reluctantly, "The fact is that you are so ill, that unless within the next hour you take a definite turn for the better, you are not likely to live through the day."

Poor Tom asked to be left alone. He noted the precise time by his watch, and said to himself, "Now the time has come when I must cry for mercy." He lay back for a few minutes to collect his thoughts, and was startled to find that a quarter of an hour had slipped away.

His thoughts went to those he loved in the home country. What were they doing just then, and what would they say when they heard of his death? He looked at his watch again?

Only twenty minutes left!

In distress he now tried to think of words to form his cry for mercy, but in vain. In horror he realized at last that he was too ill to concentrate his thoughts.

What, only three minutes left? With a struggle he managed to get on his knees, and began the Lord's Prayer. "Our Father, which art —". He could get no further; he was too weak to recall what words came next. He fell back upon the bed; it was too late for him to cry for mercy.

In God's goodness, Tom did not die then, but recovered enough to return home. Being persuaded to attend a village mission service taken by his cousin, he heard the clear message, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

1 Timothy 1:15. At once it flashed into his mind, "How foolish to delay," and on the spot he turned to Christ and received at once the forgiveness of all his sins, and God's gift of eternal life.

Reader, if not yet really saved, will you turn to the Lord now? The days and weeks follow one another, birthdays come and go, one year grows old and a new year dawns. But for each of us time must sooner or later cease, and eternity begin. God's Word says quite simply,

"Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2. W. G.

Messages of the Love of God 3/21975

An Indian And A White Man Saved

An Indian and a white man were both brought under conviction by the same sermon. The Indian was shortly led to Christ, but the white man, for a long time, was under distress of mind. At length, however, he was saved.

Meeting his red brother one day he asked, "How it is that I should be so long under conviction, when you found comfort so soon?"

"Oh brother!" replied the Indian, "me tell you. There come a rich prince. He propose to give you a new coat. You look at your coat, and say, 'My coat pretty good: it will do a little longer.' He offer me new coat. I look at my old blanket. I say, 'This good for nothing.' I accept the beautiful garment. Just so you try to keep your own righteousness for some time; but I had none: therefore I glad to receive the righteousness of Jesus."

"For He 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.

Messages of the Love of God 3/2/1975

Happy Thomas

WHILE traveling across the Pacific Ocean recently, we called at the Port of Suva in Fiji, and, as the boat was not leaving until the evening, we hired a car to tour the island.

The drive along the rough roads through masses of tropical vegetation and through cotton plantations was very interesting. But the most enjoyable experience of the day was at supper when a native boy, Thomas, who was waiting on us, confessed Jesus as his Lord.

My friend said to him, "Have you ever heard of Jesus Christ?" The boy answered so brightly, "Oh, yes! He is my Lord and Saviour. He died for me and I believe in Him."

What an answer! If this reply brought joy to our hearts, how much greater must have been the joy which it brought to the heart of the Lord Jesus, as He heard that confession from one of His little disciples in that faraway island.

We then asked him whether he believed this in his head or in his heart, and he answered, almost reproachfully, "Not in my head, but in my heart." I quoted the verse, "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:10.

This lad was evidently in the joy of salvation. Oh that each of our dear readers may also be able to say in faith, "He died for me, and He is my Lord and Saviour."

Messages of the Love of God 3/2/1975

Birds of the Air

THE Lord Jesus made frequent mention of "birds of the air," and used them as emblems of the great truths He taught. We are all familiar with the "sparrow on the housetop" (Psa. 102:7), the "raven" of the field (Luke 12:24), and the "songsters" (S. of Sol. 2:12) of the grove. And from each we may learn a truth, clearly made known in the Word of God for our instruction.

A FLEEING BIRD. (Psa. 11:1.) Aware of danger, trembling from fear (Hos. 11:11), it flees from a coming storm to a shelter near. Chased (Lam. 3:52) by a strong and eager enemy of the air, it seeks a place of refuge. And thus does the sinner when awakened to know his danger, flee to Christ to hide in Him (Psa. 143:9).

A SHELTERED BIRD. (Jer. 48:28.) She is snug and safe in her nest "in the rock," where neither hawk nor storm can reach her. So is the believing soul, hid in the "Rock of Ages" (Isa. 26:4, marg.).

SINGING BIRDS. (S. of Sol. 2:12.) They pour forth their springtime melody while they sit on the branches of the tree, laden with its beauteous blossoms. Like the new born soul, saved by grace, singing its first glad song — the song of salvation (Ex. 15:1,2), the song of deliverance (Psa. 40:3).

BIRDS ON THE WING. (Jer. 8:7.) Birds of passage, who migrate to warmer climes before the winter gather in flocks at the "set time," and pass from the place of their sojourn here, to the sunny skies of their native land. So one day soon, the whole flock of ransomed songsters, who sing the praises of their great Redeemer here, will pass over to that land to which no foe approaches, in which there is no wintry blast: there to sing redemption's everlasting song (Rev. 5:9). J.R.

Messages of the Love of God 3/2/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 11:18-21

GOD HAS put two things together in His Word — obedience and disobedience. They are the great theme that runs throughout the book of Deuteronomy, as indeed all Scripture. They are like the two mountains, Gerizim and Ebal, that faced each other in the land of Canaan. One stood for blessing, and the other for cursing. Obedience is the spring of blessing, while disobedience is the sure path to ruin.

From here on to the end of the chapter we have bright promises of blessing and earnest warnings as well. Israel were charged to lay up the Lord's words in their hearts and to faithfully teach them to their children.

"Therefore shall ye lay up these My words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes." We ought to have the words of the Lord in our hearts, as the inner spring of all our desires and actions.

"Bind them for a sign upon your hand," would remind us that whatever we put our hand to, whatever we do, should be according to that Word.

"That they may be as frontlets between your eyes." The Lord wants us always to have before us that we are a redeemed people. His Word teaches us what to look at and what to turn away from, and enables us to see the path in which He is leading.

"And ye shall teach them your children, speaking to them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou Rest down, and when thou risest up." v. 19.

How sweet the atmosphere of a Christian home where the Word of God is read daily and pressed upon the hearts of each member of the family. However, as we look around we see many Christian homes where the children have not walked in the ways of the Lord, but have wandered away into the world. Sometimes this is owing to a lack of faithfulness in the home? God wants our homes to be happy homes, as He promised Israel here that they might be "as the days of heaven upon the earth." There is no sweeter spot on earth than a Christian home where there is God's order, and a result of God's blessing.

"And thou shalt write them upon the doorposts of thine house, and upon thy gates." This would be a reminder to each member of the household, as we come and go, of those claims of love and holiness that are upon us, and of what ought to characterize us, those who own the Lord as Saviour. "And upon thy gates." The world and those without should see in our testimony that we belong to Christ.

"That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth."

The Lord doesn't promise us now, as His heavenly people, long years upon the earth, though many have lived to a ripe old age. Nevertheless some of His choicest saints have lived but comparatively short lives. Still, the Word remains that if we go on with the Lord in obedience and lowliness of heart, He will fill our days with the richest blessings, even as it says, "as the days of heaven upon the earth."

Memory Verse

"BLESSED IS THE MAN TO WHOM THE LORD WILL NOT IMPUTE SIN." Rom. 4:8

Messages of the Love of God 3/2/1975

A West Indies Story

T WAS a hot day in the West Indies and Benjamin rode slowly little through a little village tucked away in the mountains. He had never been there before and he hoped to be able to tell the people of the precious Saviour he had trusted.

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

The man was quite willing, so Benjamin dismounted and, after the usual salutations, was soon seated in the hut reading the Word of God.

Very soon the man interrupted, "Stop reading, I want to call in my family and neighbors." He did so saying, "These are good words; I have never heard anything like them before."

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

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

Perhaps you have heard the sweet story of God's love many times, but have you like these people of whom we have been reading, received Him for yourself?

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

Messages of the Love of God 3/9/1975

Fire From Heaven

The only survivor of a wreck was thrown on an uninhabited island. In a few days he managed to build himself a hut in which he placed the little that he had saved from the wreck.

Daily he prayed to God for deliverance and anxiously scanned the horizon each day to hail any passing ship.

One day, on returning from a hunt for food he was horrified to find his hut in flames; all he had was gone up in smoke. He decided God had forsaken him.

Shortly he saw a ship steaming to his rescue. "We saw your smoke signal," said the captain, "or we would never have known there was anyone here."

"He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Heb. 13:5.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD." Isa. 55:8.

Messages of the Love of God 3/9/1975

Debts Paid

OLD JEANIE PERKINS ran a small grocery shop in the little village where she lived. Many of the neighbors around purchased their weekly food supplies from her and a good number would buy on credit. Old Jeanie had never taken bookkeeping in school, but she had a system of her own which served her well enough. She would carefully mark up on the back of her shop door what each customer owed her. There in white chalk, as well as upon her memory, was written the name of each purchase with the exact amount owing beneath it. Name and debt were stamped together upon the old lady's mind, and only full payment could cancel and erase the name and marks upon the door.

According to God's Word debts must be paid, and long ago in the land of Israel no breaking of this law was allowed.

Those who did not pay what justice demanded were with their children sold for slaves, until by labor they had worked out the claims against them.

Now God demands full payment for the debt of sin. In our days some have light thoughts of sin and hope they will get off easy. On the other hand how many there are who think that, like Israel's bondsmen of old, they can work to cancel out their debt of sin, and relieve themselves of the prison house of hell — that terrible place which awaits all those whose sins are not forgiven.

There was one young girl named Emmie who often shopped at Old Jeanie's store and she was burdened with the load of her sins. Not knowing the gospel she began to feel that her sins could never be erased from God's book, and that unless they were blotted out she must be lost forever. She mourned over her state, and saw no way of escape until the old shop door with the debtors' names upon it was used by God to enlighten her as to the blessed truth of the gospel.

"Why do you mourn over your sins, Emmie?" said a Christian friend to her one day. "Why do you not believe what God says to those who really desire forgiveness? Has He not told us that the debt is paid for all who trust in the blood of His Son? Suppose you have some debts marked up against you on Old Jeanie's door; I go and pay them all off, and she rubs out the chalk marks against you. The next time you go to her store she shows you the marks are all gone. She is satisfied; wouldn't you be satisfied too?

"Just so it is with the terrible debt of your sins, for which you have nothing to pay. If you believe in Jesus, God is satisfied, for His beloved Son has suffered on the cross all that sin deserved at the hand of God. Not one sin is left against the names of those who believe, for Jesus has paid the price of them all in His blood, and God has blotted them all out."

God used this simple illustration to set poor dear distressed Emmie free. Thus she entered into peace, and she rejoiced in the glorious news that "Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more."

May this same precious truth set you free too, dear reader, if you are burdened about your sins. Trust in Him who shed His blood that good and gracious Friend who unasked by you paid the terrible debt of your sins so that now you might be "justified from all things."

Memory Verse

"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

Messages of the Love of God 3/9/1975

A SCRIPTURE TOWN

A much-loved Boy of Bible times, and called "a little one." (Genesis 44)

A lad on whom a "blessing" came, his father's youngest son. (Genesis 48)

A Child whose early days were spent in "knowing" God's blest Word

And who in latter years became a "servant of the Lord." (1 Timothy 3)

A son of God's anointed priest, a "son of Belial," too. (1 Samuel 1)

The Eldest Brother of a boy, who once a "champion" slew. (1 Samuel 17)

A King whose mother taught him how to plead the needy's cause,

And to avoid the drunkard's cup, a judge by righteous laws. (Proverbs 31)

Initial letters of these words will form a town,

The place where once a pilgrim came, and weary laid him down;

Who dreamed a dream of heavenly bliss while calmly sleeping there

And rose refreshed to know and own Jehovah's tender care.

Messages of the Love of God 3/9/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 11:22-32

MOSES goes on to tell the people that if they loved the Lord and walked in His ways, then He would drive out all the nations from before them, and they would possess nations greater and mightier than themselves.

"Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours; from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be." v. 24.

Thus the utmost bounds of the land promised is set before them, not merely the area which they actually possessed, but from the Mediterranean Sea as far east as the Euphrates itself. In the days of David and Solomon Israel held sway over the peoples and lands that filled these countries, but it was not for long. In the coming day, when the Christ their King returns. Israel will yet have all this land in possession including the lands of Edom, Moab and Ammon.

The Lord told them that every bit of the land their feet trod upon should be theirs forever, but they had to fight every step of the way. If their feet trod on a rich field or vineyard, it was a proof that they had put out the enemy that used to live there. But only upon that which the soles of their feet would tread could they say they really possessed.

And so it is with us; we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3), but we only possess in reality the truth in which we walk. This is important for us to remember, for though we are truly rich in Christ, we can walk through the world enjoying very little of our heavenly portion, to our own shame and loss.

And now Moses says, "I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; a blessing if you obey, and a curse if you disobey."

There were two mountains on the other side of the Jordan. Gerizim and Ebal, and they exactly faced each other north and south. Gerizim was to represent blessing, and Ebal the curse. We are told that after Ezra rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem, a Samaritan temple was built on mount Gerizim, where they had priests and sacrifices. No doubt this was the cause of the great enmity between the Jews and the Samaritans. Later the Samaritan temple was destroyed, but the people still clung to the spot as a right place of worship. The Samaritan woman in the 4th of John said to the Lord, "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain" (John 4:20). We are told also that Ebal was a wild place frequented by jackals and other wild animals.

Joshua in his day, in obedience to the word of the Lord, read the blessings to the people from mount Gerizim while the cursings of the law were read from mount Ebal (Josh. 8:33-35). There was only a narrow valley between, so he could be distinctly heard. In recent years a Christian traveler and his friend tells of how they stationed themselves, one on each mount, and then read the blessings and the curses, and were distinctly heard by all present.

It is little wonder that Israel finally lost the land altogether, for if blessing is upon the ground of man's faithfulness, all is lost. Oh how good to turn to the Lord Jesus, the "faithful and true witness" and see His finished work on Calvary as the true ground of blessing. Through this Israel will possess the land again in a future day, and through that same blessed work we also shall have our place in the eternal glory. Salvation is all of grace.

Messages of the Love of God 3/9/1975

Over The Falls

RODGER WOODWARD, age 7, had without doubt the most unique and terrifying experience for a human being. He was swept over Niagara Falls, but through God's great mercy he lived to tell of his frightening ordeal and thrilling rescue.

Rodger and his sister, Deanne, 17, on the morning of July 9, 1960, went out for a boat ride with a friend of the family, James Hunnicut, age 40. Rodger's father had made the children promise that they would wear their life jackets. It was a beautiful day, and all went well. The little craft propelled by its 7 1/2 h.p. outboard motor was in comparatively safe waters about five miles above the Falls. Hunnicut, the pilot, allowed the boat to sail downstream into the calm waters just below the Ontario Hydro control dam.

Few boats have dared to venture below this point of "no return." It was here that Hunnicut underestimated the strength of the current, for when he turned the boat around and headed back, he found that instead of making headway, they were being carried slowly but surely downstream. Soon they were in the swirling rapids; then amid the rocks the motor sheared a pin and was useless. Deanne hastily put on her life jacket; Rodger was wearing his. Hunnicut seized the oars, but in vain; the mighty current had the little boat in its powerful grasp and carried them ever downward. Now they could hear the roar of the mighty cataract. Rodger became frightened and screamed, "We're going to die!" Deanne tried to calm him. Then the boat capsized, throwing them all into the water.

Deanne had a last glimpse of Rodger and Hunnicut being swept along in the current ahead. She summoned all her strength and made for the shore of Goat Island. The crowds of people watching near the brink of the Falls froze with fear. Deanne was only a few feet from shore, but was being swept along. Then a brave onlooker risking his life, climbed over the rails, and with one foot hooked in the railing he reached out his full length enabling Deanne to catch hold of his thumb, only fifteen feet from the brink of the awful chasm, 162 feet deep. Another man also climbed over the rails to help, and together they pulled Deanne to safety.

Meanwhile, James Hunnicut had grasped little Rodger, telling him, "Don't be scared! I'll hold you."

But the savage waters tore them apart. Over they went! Down! Dowry! DOWN! and were lost to view in the seething spray and billows below.

The hole at the bottom is estimated to be 180 to 200 feet deep. James Hunnicut perished. The river gave up his dead body four days later.

Rodger shot clear of the rocks below and into the abyss. Down, down he went, but up he came again fast. Moments later, the captain of the little excursion boat, Maid of the Mist, saw an object in the water at the base of the Falls. He radioed to shore calling out, "It's a boy. And he's alive!"

Passengers on the little ship were terrified. Then as Rodger floated downstream, the men on the ship threw him a life preserver. Two attempts failed in the surging, boiling torrent. Rodger began to cry. At the third try, however, he seized hold of the life preserver and was drawn to safety.

Apart from a few bruises, neither Rodger nor Deanne were the worse for their awful experience, and were released from the hospital after a few hours.

Surely, it was the mercy of God that spared their lives; yet in a human way, what no doubt helped to save them was the fact they both wore a life jacket. James Hunnicut did not have one — and died.

We're all being carried along irresistibly in the great stream of time. That awful drop over the mighty Falls of Niagara may well serve as a picture to us of death. "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Heb. 9:27. It may be a bright sunny day, in the

midst of some seemingly innocent pleasure, that death may come and call for you, dear reader.

James Hunnicut's last words to Rodger were, "I'll hold you," but how vain his efforts! Reader, when you pass out of this scene from time into eternity you will go out alone — unless you have Christ.

Without doubt what helped save Rodger's life was his life jacket. That life jacket may well serve as a picture of Christ. Those who have Christ in their life will have Him in death — they will not pass into it alone. And just as Rodger rose again above the awful flood, those who have Christ, even if called to pass through death, will one day rise in resurrection life, beyond the power of death, to live with Him in glory forever. They have everlasting life now; and they will not come into judgment but have passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).

On the other hand, those who do not have Christ as their Saviour and Preserver will perish in the awful flood waters of death and judgment to come.

Perhaps Deanne's rescue before going over the Falls might serve as a little illustration of those who have Christ as their Saviour now and who will not pass through death, for when the Lord comes from heaven to call His own out of this world, there will be the living ones who shall rise to meet Him in the air.

Dear reader, in closing this story, we would like to affectionately ask you the question: "Do you have the Life Preserver on — Do you have Christ as your Saviour?" Take Him now. Do not delay. Today you may have to face death and pass into eternity. And where will it be for you — heaven or hell?

Passing onward, quickly passing,

Naught the wheels of time can stay;

Sweet the thought that some are going

To the realms of perfect day; Passing onward

Christ their Leader, Christ their Way.

Messages of the Love of God 3/16/1975

A Mother Bird's Cure

ONE DAY, when I was a young fellow, I was canoeing down the river. It was near the head of a rather high water fall, and the water was already beginning to flow rapidly at this point. I noticed a small young bird clinging to a branch of a tree which was floating down the river near the shore.

The young bird's mother was fluttering around trying to get the young one to fly ashore, but it would not move from the branch which was now rapidly nearing the waterfall. After trying in vain for some time, the mother suddenly pushed the young one off the branch and it was forced to fly ashore to avoid falling into the water.

The mother bird's act may have seemed harsh, but it saved her little one from going over the falls.

How often the Lord works this way too! Perhaps He has allowed some sorrow to come into your life, and you are wondering why. The mother bird's act seemed unkind, but it was really for the good of that little bird. So if trial and sorrow lead you to flee, on the wings of faith, to the Lord, to find salvation in Him, it can only be for your good too. How much better to experience a loss here, than to lose your soul forever.

God has proven His love to us in that He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins on Calvary. There the Lord Jesus finished that blessed work of redemption, rose from the dead, and went back to heaven. Now He waits to save all who will come to Him just as they are.

"Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit." Job 33:29,30.

Messages of the Love of God 3/16/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 12:1-5

THE first eleven chapters of this book God sets forth the great principle of obedience. All depended on that. Israel were now in the plains of Moab and about to enter the land. If they were to keep it and enjoy its blessings (Mount Gerizim) they must be obedient to the word of the Lord. If they were disobedient they would surely come under the curse (Mount Ebal) and lose all.

So Moses taught the people how they were to behave in the land, that they might be blessed. In all their actions they were to show that they were God's people, and that He was their God.

The first thing was the complete destruction of the gods, the altars and the high places of the heathen. It was Jehovah's land and it was only worthy of Himself that His rights should be maintained, and that He should reign there without a rival. How Israel utterly failed in maintaining the glory of the Lord their after-history only shows. But if His people fail, as often they do even now, the Lord will maintain His own glory. "I am the LORD; that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images." Isa. 42:8. Oh that we might seek grace from Him, dear young Christian, to so walk that every thing we do might be for His glory and praise!

"Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: and ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place."

All must come down, and their very names were to be blotted out. God set Himself against those high places for He would not have them. Israel were to have the heathen's land but not their idols and places of worship.

Furthermore, after they had destroyed these high places they were not to consecrate them to the worship of the Lord. They were not even to inquire after the gods of the heathen. Perhaps an Israelite might say to himself, We are certainly right in getting rid of this graven image and this altar, but it seems too bad to cut down all these nice trees. Would it not be a fine place to build an altar and worship the Lord here. But no, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord." Isa. 55:8. All must come down and the memory of such obliterated. God does not need man to choose for Him; He will choose for Himself.

"There shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there." We can see then that the first thing the Lord guards His people against is self-willed worship. Where and how they were to worship was set forth by Him; nothing was left to the will or mind of man. The Lord directed all for His people.

This is a serious thought to those who say they can worship anywhere — to those "who choose a place of worship." Six times in this chapter the Lord tells that He has "chosen" a place where He will be honored. Has this no power over the conscience? Has this no voice to the heart that loves Him? Can I, with Scripture before my eyes speak of choosing my religion, my place of worship? No, I ought to be as sure from the Word of God that I am where He would have me be as I am certain that I am saved.

Messages of the Love of God 3/16/1975

Rodger's Second Miracle

A Sequel to last week's story, Over The Falls

LAST WEEK'S issue of "Messages" carried the story of Rodger Woodward, seven years old, who had the most unique and terrifying experience of being swept over Niagara Falls. But through God's great mercy he lived to tell of his frightening ordeal and thrilling rescue. Roger was acclaimed the only person in history to survive a plunge over the Falls.

Rodger and his sister Deanne were out boating with an older friend, James Hunnicut, above the Falls when they were caught in the grasp of the powerful current and carried downward. In vain James tried to row back, but the boat capsized and they were all thrown into the torrent. Deanne was pulled to safety at the edge of Goat Island just fifteen feet from the awful brink. Both Rodger and Deanne were wearing life jackets but James had none and he perished in the abyss below.

Rodger was flung over the edge of the Falls and dropped down the 162 foot precipice into the billows beneath. He came back up again, however, and began floating down stream. In the mercy of God the tourist boat, "Maid of the Mist," was near the bottom of the Falls. The captain noticed an object floating in the water, and then he heard a voice crying, "Help!". It was Rodger still alive, and they threw him a life preserver. After two attempts Rodger grasped the preserver and was pulled to safety. Truly his salvation was a miracle.

Just one year later, on July 25, Rodger experienced another miracle in his life far more wonderful than going over the Falls. While he was at a Bible camp in New York he heard the glorious gospel of Christ, told out. Though still a boy, Rodger realized his soul was drifting on to a lost eternity. No doubt the awful experience he had passed through the year before was used of God to solemnize his young heart.

His second miracle took place when he laid hold of salvation by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and passed from death unto life. Dear Rodger told of the peace and joy that flooded his soul when he realized that his sins were forever gone, cleansed in the blood of Jesus, that crimson flood which washes whiter than snow.

Rodger's gratitude to God is beautifully expressed in these words: "I guess the Lord saved me the first time so that I could be saved the second time."

Rodger learned three things: 1) He was a sinner and needed to be saved. 2) He could not save himself. 3) He must grasp the lifeline that God in His grace had thrown out to him.

That lifeline is the gospel which is "the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." Rom. 1:16. When one by faith lays hold of God's promise of salvation, those everlasting arms of love reach down and draw the trusting one to eternal safety.

Rodger had his lifejacket on when he went over the Falls and no doubt this in a human way helped save his life. God says that those who have put on Christ, who have Him as their Saviour, will "never perish."

When they threw that life preserver to little Rodger, struggling in the river, he did not wait, but frantically grasped it at once. It was his only chance to be saved. And God is offering you salvation now, dear reader. Do not delay. It may be your last chance to be saved. Reach out by faith and take Christ at this moment.

Rodger found in Jesus a Saviour who can "save them to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth." Heb. 7:25. The Lord Jesus not only saves us from the penalty of sin, which is eternal death in hell, but He also saves us from the power of sin in our lives day by day. He is the "Captain of our salvation" and will guide us home to heaven where we shall be saved forever from the very presence of sin. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

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

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Rom. 10:13.

Messages of the Love of God 3/23/1975

Jimmy

HE WAS one of the crowd of hungry, homeless boys that used to roam the streets of Shanghai. Several Christians took pity on him and gave him clothes and food and endeavored to win him to Christ.

One kind missionary even took him into his own home and sent him to a Christian school, treating him as his own son. But the wanderlust prevailed and Jimmy was soon back with his old companions roaming the streets. Wandering in the ways of sin was more pleasant to him than walking "the way of the cross that leads Home."

But one memorable evening found Jimmy among a group gathered for Bible reading in the back room of a Bible shop. During the meeting the teacher enquired:

"Jimmy, if somebody wanted to buy you, how much would you be worth?" After weighing the question thoughtfully, he answered, with great conviction:

"A strong, smart boy of fifteen should be worth at least three thousand dollars!"

"Well, Jimmy, Jesus wants you. How much are you worth to Him?"

This was an astounding announcement for which he was unprepared. Jimmy was pricked in his heart. The tears streamed down his cheeks as he replied, "I wouldn't be worth hardly anything to Him."

The price he had first put upon himself dropped lower and lower until Jimmy finally decided that instead of being worth three thousand dollars, he was "Worth only two cents to Jesus."

But then he received a new idea of what he was really worth. With a shock he learned that the Lord Jesus had esteemed his soul to be of more value than the whole world, and had given His own life upon the cross to purchase poor Jimmy. He had often heard that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15), but never till then did he realize that it was for him that Jesus died. Now he realized how worthless he really was. But that Christ should love him, and give Himself for him (Gal. 2:20) was a marvel that he could never — understand. But he believed it and the wonderful truth changed his whole life.

It became his desire to serve the Lord who loved him so greatly. And this he did until his life down here was spent. At an early age, his Saviour took him home.

"The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Gal. 2:20.

Messages of the Love of God 3/23/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 12:6-14

BUT UNTO the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put His name there, even unto His habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come."

God did not leave it to His people to choose where He should be worshiped. No, God chooses for Himself — not man! And God chose in a way worthy of Himself. Instead of the multitude of idolatrous shrines and high places that dotted the land, He chose one place in which to place His name and where He would be honored.

That place, we know, was Jerusalem. Long before, in that vicinity at least, Abraham was told to offer up Isaac on Mount Moriah. There in David's time was the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, where the plague was stayed. There the temple was built and there outside the gate of the city, the Lord Jesus was crucified. In the coming kingdom it will be Messiah's capital. "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, the city of the great King. Psa. 48:2. With such visions of the sufferings and glory of His beloved Son before His eyes we can understand how God would not tolerate any other rival center.

"And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, . . and there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee."

Perhaps the question might be asked, Could not the people rejoice as well in their own houses? No, for God chose to surround Himself with joy and it was joy to Him, the mighty Giver of all good things, to see His people rejoicing before Him. And all were to rejoice, their sons and their daughters, their servants, and the Levites that were inside the gates. No one was left out.

What a wonderfully blessed thing it was for Israel to be called away from the pollutions and cruel impure rites of the idolatrous Canaanites to their one place chosen of God, where without image of any kind He Himself dwelt. God fixed that center for them and from that every blessing flowed. It was the center around which all their domestic and national life revolved.

All this has a voice for us for God has a center for His people today too — not a geographical one, but, "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt. 18:20. Any other way of gathering would not be scriptural, for God by His Spirit gathers His own to Christ — this is His center.

The place which the Lord shall "choose . . . to put His name there," is mentioned more than twenty times in Deuteronomy. This shows us what an important matter this is. Often people today are told to "go to the church of your choice." How far removed from the plain truth of Scripture this is! The Lord made His mind clear to Israel where they should worship and He hasn't left us His people now without guidance as to where we should meet.

On the occasion of the last Passover, it is nice to see that the disciples asked the Lord Jesus, "Where wilt Thou that we prepare?" "And He said unto them, behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in." Luke 22:10.

We believe that the man with the "pitcher of water" is a picture of the Spirit of God and the water the Word of God. So if there is a true desire in one's heart to be where the Lord would have him, the Spirit of God will meet that one and lead him in. There the Lord Jesus delights to take His place in the midst of His own gathered simply to His name. May we seek grace, dear young Christian, to "follow the man with the pitcher of water."

Memory Verse

"FOR WITH THE HEART MAN BELIEVETH UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS: AND WITH THE MOUTH CONFESSION IS MADE UNTO SALVATION." Rom. 10:10.

Messages of the Love of God 3/23/1975

Bill

IT WAS a hot Sunday evening in Hamilton. The little hall was crammed with carefree children of all ages. One solitary grown-up — a Christian engineer, who loved boys and girls for Jesus' sake — preached the gospel and tried to keep order.

Off in one corner of the room sat a notorious young ruffian named Bill. He had come early to take a seat where he could make the most trouble with the least restraint. Playing, poking, giggling, he did his best to interrupt and keep the others from listening.

But strange to tell, at the close of the meeting, as the restless crowd burst out into the street, Bill lingered behind. Bad though he was, God had spoken to him that night. With eyes fixed on the floor he stood before the somewhat discouraged preacher and addressing him by name said:

"Mr. Willis, are there any prayers in the Bible — short prayers? I think I need a prayer."

"Yes, Bill," replied Mr. Willis as he opened his Bible, "here are two prayers. Neither are very long, and they're both found in Luke, chapter eighteen." Quickly finding the place he began to read from verse 11:

"God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are . . ."

"What does that mean?" interrupted Bill.

"It means that you are better than all the other boys."

"Oh, that prayer won't do. I'm the worst! What's next?"

"I fast twice in the week . . ." "What does that mean?"

"It means that twice every week you go without your breakfast, your dinner and your supper."

"Oh, I can't say that! I never went without a meal in my life. What's next?"

"I give tithes of all that I possess . ."

"What does that mean?"

"It means, that if you have a dollar, you give ten cents of it away."

"Oh, sir, I've never given ten cents away! I never give anything away. That prayer won't do for me. Besides it's too long; I couldn't remember it all. What's the other one?"

"Well, Bill," continued the preacher, "the other one might do, and it has only seven words."

"Read it!"

"God be merciful to me a sinner. Would that prayer suit you, Bill?"

"Bill's answer was a flood of tears. It was just the prayer he needed. It is just the prayer every sinner needs — and just the prayer that God loves to hear and answer.

Have you, like Bill, prayed that prayer from your heart?

Then hear the words of the Lord Jesus:

"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified." Luke 18:14.

"Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1.

Messages of the Love of God 3/30/1975

Two Birthdays

LITTLE ANN had a birthday book and whenever anyone came to see her father and mother, she would bring out her book and ask them to write their names in it.

One day a Christian gentleman visited the home, and as usual Ann brought out her birthday book and asked him to write his name in it. He did so readily, and the little girl put out her hand to take the book back again. But instead of handing it back at once, the gentleman said, "Wait a moment, I have another birthday." Ann watched with astonishment as the gentleman turned over the pages of the book until he came to another date. There he wrote his name underneath it, adding the words, "Born again." Then he handed the book back to the little girl who was so surprised that she forgot to say, "Thank you."

Not long after Ann's Aunt Marie paid them a visit and, of course, she must write her name in Ann's book. After writing her name in it, she handed it back to the little girl. Instead of taking it from her, little Ann just looked at her and said, "Please write your name under your other birthday."

"My other birthday! What do you mean?" asked her aunt in astonishment.

"Oh," replied Ann, "Mr. Thompson has two birthdays; I'll show you." She opened the book and showed where her Christian friend had written his name in, and then she turned over the page and pointed to another entry where were the additional words, "Born again."

"Now Auntie," said the little girl, "please write your name opposite your other birthday."

Poor Aunt Marie was convicted then and there. The arrow entered deep into her conscience. She had heard the gospel message before, and had heard the Word proclaimed, "Ye must be born again." John 3:7. But as yet she had not reecived the Lord Jesus as her Saviour. However, it wasn't long after that she bowed to His claims of love and was truly "born again, . . . by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." 1 Pet. 1:23.

When she came again to visit at Ann's house, she was able to write her name the second time in the little girl's birthday book.

Happy Birthday to you!

Just one will not do.

Born again means salvation;

How many have you?

Memory Verse

"IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE." Ephesians 1:7

Messages of the Love of God 3/30/1975

Would You Be Ready?

RECENTLY a Christian who had served his Lord for many years lay dying in a hospital in Ontario. It was late in the evening and when the beautiful young nurse on duty that night came to give him a sleeping capsule, he was reading a greeting card received from a friend that day. The message on the card was woven around the coming of the Lord Jesus — "that blessed hope."

"Listen to this, nurse," he said, and he read to her the greeting, "He's coming again! Wouldn't it be grand if He should come tonight?" Then he added gently,

"Nurse, if the Lord should come tonight, would you be ready?"

With a catch in her voice, she replied, "No, I'm afraid I would not."

He then told her simply and faithfully from the Bible how she could be ready — by simply trusting in the Lord who had died to redeem her upon the cross. He then drifted into a deep sleep.

But God who never slumbers nor sleeps continued the good work begun that evening, and when morning came the patient was aroused by the nurse just before she went off duty. Softly, she whispered, in his ear,

"I'm ready now!"

During the night, while others slept, "she met Jesus at the crossroads" of her life; and before day dawned she had made her choice and received Jesus by faith into her heart as Saviour and Lord.

Wise, happy girl! And wise, happy man that showed her the way, for "He that winneth souls is wise, (Prov. 11:30). Shortly after this the Lord took his servant home to the happy land where "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Luke 15:10.

Messages of the Love of God 3/30/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 12:19-28

HOW MANY times in this chapter the Lord reminds His people of the one place which He Himself would choose to put His name there, to which they were to bring their offerings and where they could worship Him. Some might have a long distance to travel to get there, still it was the only place God acknowledged. So we are not to simply look for a convenient nearby place of worship, but for that place chosen by the Lord where His saints can worship in spirit and in truth. He could say, "My delights are with the sons of men"; He delights to be in the midst of His own. For us, how precious it is to be just gathered around Himself.

God wanted His people to be happy and to enjoy His blessings in the land.

They did not have to bring to God every animal that they killed. The animals they wanted for their common daily food they might kill inside their gates, but all the blood was to be poured out upon the earth. The life is in the blood and so they acknowledged that life belongs to God. God would have His people to remember that the taking of a creature's life even for food was a sacred thing, and their eating of it was to be enjoyed in communion with Him.

This is one of our Christian joys and privileges, to give thanks for the food we eat, and then to enjoy it in communion with God who provides it. It is written of the early Christians in those first bright days of the Church that "they did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God." Acts 2:46,47.

Only the things they offered to the Lord were they to bring to the place which the Lord should choose, and then the blood was to be poured out upon the altar. How often we are reminded of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ where He shed His precious blood to make atonement for our sins. How true it is that we never get far from the Cross in Scripture.

Then we learn that the Levite was to be taken care of. The Levites were set apart for the service of the Lord and had no inheritance in the land. So in order that they might be free to serve Him, tithes were given them. They were not to be forgotten in the general joy of the people.

The Levites are typical of all believers now, of us who are redeemed, cleansed and consecrated to the service of the Lord. Furthermore, we have no inheritance here; our inheritance is a heavenly one. Soon our time of service down here will be at an end, and we shall be called to our heavenly home, to share the glory with our blessed Saviour, who even now is waiting for us there.

Messages of the Love of God 3/30/1975

The End of a Wasted Life

Lord Byron, the famous author and poet, who spent his life in pursuit of pleasure, wrote on his last birthday -

My days are in the yellow leaf,

The flowers and fruits of life are gone,

The worm, the canker and the grief

Are mine alone.

How different the experience of the redeemed of the Lord, who love His name and seek to live for Him down here, as described in Psalm 92:12,14:

"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree. They shall bring forth fruit in old age."

Messages of the Love of God 3/30/1975

Moose

MOOSE" was a big fireman, strong and brave. He was the fire chief in the town in Ontario where he lived.

Early one morning the alarm sounded and Moose was among the first at the scene. It was a large two-storey house. Smoke was pouring from the windows as Moose rushed up and forced open the front door. What a sight met his eyes! At the top of the burning staircase stood a mother holding two little children, one by each hand. Behind her in a carriage was a baby.

In a moment Moose was up the stairs, and picking up the terror-stricken mother in his massive arms, threw her across his shoulders and told her to hang on. Then he snatched up the two older children, one in each arm.

But what about the baby, you ask? Turning to the carriage, he. bent low and grasping her clothes with his teeth he picked her up.

Then staggering beneath his precious load, he descended the flaming stairs. Just as he reached the door the staircase collapsed behind him. He was just in time!

Thanks to the courage and bravery of Moose, all were saved from fiery death. Noble fireman! All honour to our brave firefighters!

This true, heroic act only recalls to mind the more glorious sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. He laid down His life to save poor helpless sinners from the eternal fire of hell — because He loved us.

This world is soon to be destroyed by the awful judgment of God against sin. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15. He is the only hope of salvation, and He waits to save you.

Have you believed on Him? Come to Him now, for "He that believeth . . . shall be saved." Mark 16:16.

Messages of the Love of God 4/6/1975

Almost Gone

GEORGE was just eight years old and one day a very strange feeling came over him. When his mother urged him to eat his dinner he said, "No, Mother, I can't eat anything. I'm not hungry."

"Then, George, you must be sick. I'll take your temperature." When she took his temperature, he was immediately packed off to bed.

His mother called the doctor. Later that evening George was awakened and had to sit up so the doctor could examine him. He felt giddy and so ill that he could scarcely breath. Outside a storm was raging, the wind was howling and the rain lashing against the window pane. At last the doctor spoke.

"I'm sorry to tell you," he said in a whisper to George's mother, "your son is very ill and I'm afraid there is no hope for him."

George heard his words, however, and repeated to himself, "No hope . . . no hope!" Like a flash the eight years of his life passed before him. His father and mother were both saved. His mother had taught him much of the Bible. He had often heard his father preach the gospel in crowded halls, and here he was, dying at eight years of age, and "no hope!"

"I'm going to hell," he thought, for he knew that he had said and done many wrong things that would shut him out of heaven. His mind was all confused and afraid. Then suddenly it cleared for a moment. Quickly he said in a prayer to the Lord Jesus:

"Just as I am without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,

Oh Lamb of God, I come."

The Lord heard his prayer, and He who never turns a repentant sinner away, saved him that night in the hour of his deepest need.

Peace filled George's heart and he fell asleep without waking for three days.

Slowly George recovered from that terrible illness, but he never forgot that dark stormy night when he found Christ as his Saviour, when He washed away all his sins in His precious blood shed for sinners on the cross of Calvary.

Don't delay, dear boys and girls. No matter how young you are, you need to be saved. If you have never opened wide the door of your heart and asked the Lord Jesus to come in, do it now.

"Into my heart; into my heart;

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Come in today, Come in to stay;

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus."

Messages of the Love of God 4/6/1975

Hsiu Hsi or New Happiness

IN CHINA New Year came in February. People got up early in the morning, they set off fire crackers and rockets and the sky would be filled with bright lights.

Then on each front door they would put a new paper door god, and the old one would be taken down and burned. The people believed the new one would drive away the evil spirits and bring "new happiness" to everyone in the house.

Two little Chinese girls, Ling Te and May Li, had been away attending the mission school but had come home for the big holiday. They told their parents that the evil spirits would not come and harm them, and that there was only one great God who did not hate them but loved them.

The father, however, did not listen to the girls and instead he threw some money into the fire to please the evil spirits. By this he believed that these spirits would only tell good stories about his family in the spirit world. After this he went out visiting his friends.

While he was away a missionary lady came to visit and found the old grandmother at home. They greeted each other and each wished the other "Hsiu hsi" or "new happiness."

It was here that the missionary told Grandmother about the new happiness that comes to those who believe in Jesus and follow Him. She told of how the Lord Jesus loved her, that He came into this world to put away sin, so that those who trust in Him have all their sins forgiven.

Grandmother listened attentively for she liked what the missionary said. She had had lots of sorrows in her life, and her friend told her of how the Lord Jesus "satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness."

Grandmother asked the missionary to come back again, and this she did many times. Finally, the old lady opened her heart and received the Lord Jesus as her Saviour. She "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven." 1 Thess. 1:9,10.

Before the next New Year came around everyone in Ling Te's and May Li's home had turned to the Lord and became followers of the Lord Jesus. Even their father threw away his idols, saying, "These are foolish gods. We now know the true God, and His Son Jesus has saved us from our sins and made us happy."

When the next New Year came around what a happy home that was for they all had found Jesus and had that "new happiness" which will go on forever.

Messages of the Love of God 4/6/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 12:29-13:18

THEN ISRAEL came into the land they were to be very careful not to have anything to do with the false gods of the nations that God would destroy before them. They must not even ask about them for their ways and practices were most hateful to God.

If any one came and asked them to go after another god, they were not to listen to him, but all the people were to put him to death. Even if it was their nearest relation, or their dearest friend, they were not to pity him, or try to hide him. In fact they were to be the very first to cast a stone at him, because he had tried to draw them away from the one true God, who had brought them out of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

In this they would show they loved God more than their dearest friend. It was a sin to even listen to the temptation. We know that it was by listening to the serpent that Adam and Eve got away from God in the beginning. And any one who tempts God's people to dishonor Him is doing Satan's work. Even if it is our nearest relation, or our dearest friend, we must take God's part against him.

This might be a great sorrow, but if we loved God with all our heart and with all our soul, it would be a greater sorrow to hear Him dishonored.

There are many false prophets and deceivers within the church today, just as there were in Israel. We are not to follow them, but rather to reject them and their

teachings. In dealing with them we are to use "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17). Even if the one who holds false doctrine, or seeks to lead others away from the Lord, be a close friend or relative, perhaps a member of the family, we are called to be faithful with him. Alas, how often family ties hinder loyalty to Christ! Oftentimes the Lord has been dishonored and a testimony has been weakened by lack of faithfulness in these things.

Israel were not to copy the nations around them. Even Christian boys and girls, and we who are older as well, are in danger of wanting to do things or to go places just like people of the world; but like Israel we are to be a people separated unto the Lord. We are not to be "conformed to this world" for the Lord Jesus "gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father." Gal. 1:4. May we seek grace to be "imitators of God as dear children" (Eph. 5:1) instead of being imitators of a world which rejected Christ.

A stranger to Jesus? what! do you not know

He is washing poor sinners much whiter than snow?

Have you lived in a land where the Bible's unknown

That you don't know the Man who is now on the throne?

Ah, did you but know of His beauty and power,

You would not be a stranger another half hour.

Memory Verse

"FOR WHEN WE WERE YET WITHOUT STRENGTH, IN DUE TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY." Romans 5:6

Messages of the Love of God 4/6/1975

How God Answered Little Shushan's Prayer

OLD PASTOR KHAMIS had served the Lord for many years in Western Iran, formerly Persia. He had suffered much persecution for preaching the gospel and had spent long years in prison for distributing the Word as a colporteur. Now he was almost eighty, his health was gone, and he was feeble and poor.

He had two sons studying in Scotland and he lived with his little granddaughter, Shushan. She was just six years old but a faithful little believer in the Lord Jesus. The old native missionary had decided to take Shushan to Scotland so that she too might go to school there. He hoped that when she grew up she might return to her native country and teach her people about the Lord Jesus, the Saviour and only hope of man.

It was a long weary journey for the dear old pastor and cost him a lot of money. They had to travel many miles to the main town to get their passports and it meant another long journey to the railway station. Pastor Khamis became so ill he could go no further for some time. At last he was able to go on but when they reached the frontier it was found that the date of their tickets had expired and they were turned out of the train.

Here they were, a feeble old man and a little girl of six years, stranded, without any money, in a strange land where they could not understand the language nor make their needs known. But God was there.

"Please, grandfather, take off your hat," said little Shushan. "I am going to pray." Then kneeling down she said, "Lord Jesus, Thou wast a little child once like me; and now Thou art God in heaven. Do hear me, I pray. Thou didst give the children of Israel bread to eat in their hunger, and Thou Nast always been with Thy people. Wilt Thou give us money today, so that we can go on? Oh God, send it now."

God was there. He heard the cry of faith of that little girl and He had the answer at hand. Pastor Khamis knew English and God had brought an English lady to that spot at the same time. When she heard of their circumstances she paid for their tickets to Vienna and other fellow passengers promised to help them along the way. They reached Vienna at last, but the railway officials still refused to take their tickets. However, the British Consul insisted it be done, and so by God's gracious care they arrived safely in Edinburgh.

In Psalm 50:15 we read, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." Little Shushan was in a big trouble. How well for her that she had learned that God can hear and answer prayer. Dear young friends, He is ever near, and if you try Him, you will find He will take care of your troubles, whether they be big or little.

But there is one very great trouble we all must meet — it is the great trouble of your sins. They will become such a heavy burden that if not got rid of they may carry you down to everlasting hell.

But just look at little Shushan's prayer. She said "today—wilt Thou not send money today? Oh God, send it now." She was in earnest.

Tell Him about your sins. Tell Him He has said, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." Believing His Word and trusting in Jesus as your Saviour you will receive the forgiveness of all your sins.

Messages of the Love of God 4/13/1975

Why the Clock Went Wrong

TICK TOOK! Tick tock! All through the day and all night long the clock had faithfully ticked off the moments, and by it the family had kept on schedule through all their activities.

Then one day things began to go wrong. The children came home saying that they had been late for school that morning. And when Daddy came from work Mother was just putting their evening meal on the stove.

"Something must be wrong with the clock," said Daddy. "June, you go over and ask Auntie Myrt if we can borrow her clock for a night."

Away went June and soon came back with Auntie Myrt's clock which her father placed on the shelf alongside of their own clock. The next morning, sure enough, their own clock was slower than ever.

"We must find out what's wrong with our clock," said Daddy, and taking it down he opened the little door at the back. What do you think he found?

Well, a little spider had made the inside of the clock her home and had spun little threads of web from the wheels across to the little pendulum, thus slowing down its timing.

The little spider hurried away as fast as she could to make her home elsewhere. Daddy cleaned out the cobwebs, and the clock began to faithfully tick off the moments again as before.

So the trouble was inside the clock! And what was wrong inside was reflected outside — the hands went wrong too.

This is what is wrong with so many boys and girls, and older people too, today. They are wrong inside! The hearts of people are not right. And only the Lord can make them right! "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts . . . murders, thefts, . . . wickedness . . . pride . . . All these things come from within." Mark 7:21-23. The Lord told the Pharisees in His day to "cleanse first that which is within." (Matt. 23:26).

What we need is to have our hearts cleansed from our sins by the blood of Jesus shed on Calvary. So it was King David prayed, "Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow." (Psa. 51). "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

Messages of the Love of God 4/13/1975

Costly Trifles

NOTHING like poaching to keep a man out of the kingdom of God," confessed an old man whose love for game often took him onto property where hunting and fishing were forbidden.

He had often heard the Word of God preached, and his heart had been touched under it at times, but he loved poaching and would not give it up. He was bound by the cords of sin which, according to his own words, kept him out of the kingdom of God.

How solemn! The poor old man in the end died in the poorhouse, and whether or not he ever was converted we never knew.

"I don't want to go to heaven yet," said a small boy I knew once, "because I have a new wagon." He has grown up now, but alas, is living in sin, a disgrace to himself and a sorrow to his friends. He too heard the Word often, but so far has not heeded it.

How sad to be kept out of the kingdom of God, to be content to stay here in this world of sin! The old man it seemed wished to be able to enter the kingdom of God, but was kept out by a trifle. The little boy did not wish to go to heaven, satisfied as he was with a trifle.

Dear reader, do you estimate the value of your soul in the light of eternity? Do you cling to some sin you love, although you know that if you keep on it will shut the door of heaven on you? Or are you so satisfied with some treasure of earth that you do not want to think of another world? How sad to miss all the blessings of the gospel, all the sunshine of the Father's house, for the sake of some trifle!

Surely the love of Christ, the Saviour, is better than trifles which though they might please for a moment, cannot satisfy the heart even in this life.

God speaks to us in His Word. He earnestly desires our eternal blessing. May we hear, believe, and live.

Messages of the Love of God 4/13/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 14:1-10

IN THIS chapter the Lord reminds Israel that they were His people.

"Ye are the children of the LORD your God." This relationship then called for holy separation unto Him. The claims of the Lord upon us as Christians call for entire separation from every unequal yoke and to be holy unto the Lord is as binding now as ever, in fact more so. We are exhorted to "walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing" (Col. 1:10).

In mourning for their dead, Israel were not to disfigure themselves as did the nations around who knew not God. As believers we are not to adopt the ways of the world nor to neglect these bodies of ours for they are the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor. 6:19).

"For thou art a holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself."

Israel were told that they could not eat anything they liked. "Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing." They were not left to choose for themselves what they could eat. God, who knew best, chose for them. These things were but types and shadows, and we believe that God was looking on to us as His heavenly people who would by His Spirit seek out His mind in them.

The clean beasts were those that divided the hoof and chewed the cud: those that only had one of these marks of distinction were unclean. The cattle, domestic and wild, were clean, but the camel, the hare, and the coney, along with the swine, were unclean and forbidden to be eaten as food. These animals in their habits and instincts were used of God to teach His people as to habits and ways of the flesh that were unclean in His sight.

The camel, the coney, the hare might chew the cud but they did not divide the hoof. The swine divided the hoof, but did not chew the cud; besides it swallows its food greedily.

For us, the divided hoof speaks of a steady, patient walk with God, in separation from evil around. Chewing the cud tells of a life nourished inwardly by meditating on the truth of God which we have received. Both these are necessary to the Christian's life and walk.

One might have considerable truth but it has no power over his walk. It is in his head, and not in his heart; he may even be a rejecter of Christ. On the other hand, one might be clean living, honest and blameless in his walk before his fellow men, 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; it is worth nothing. It is the natural man fallen through sin, and unclean before God. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him."

When it came to the fish, all that had fins and scales they could eat. But those that had not fins and scales they might not eat; they were unclean.

The fins enable the fish to rise in the water, to direct its course, and to avoid danger. When one is saved, the Spirit of God comes to dwell in his heart, and he has a power which enables him to swim against the current of the world, the course of which is all downward, and away from God. The fish's scales are its protection. And so for the Christian to escape the pollutions of the world a careful walk is needed. We also need to have on that armour of protection which God has provided the spirit of holiness, nourished and sustained by the Word of God.

Messages of the Love of God 4/13/1975

He Took My Whipping for Me

UP IN THE mountains of Virginia there was a school which no teacher could handle. The boys were so rough that one teacher after another resigned.

Then a young teacher, slightly built, applied. The old director looked him over and said, "Young fellow, do you know what you are asking for? An awful beatin'! Every teacher we have had for years has had to take it."

"I'll risk it," was the reply.

When school opened, the new teacher applied for duty. One big fellow, named Tom, whispered, "I won't need any help; I can lick him myself!"

"Good morning, boys," said the new teacher. "We have come to open school, but I confess I do not know how unless you help me. Suppose we start with a few rules. You tell me and I will write them on the blackboard."

"No stealing!" yelled one fellow. "On time," piped up another. Finally ten rules appeared.

"Now," said the teacher, "the law is no good unless there is a penalty attached to it. What shall we do with one who breaks the rules?"

"Beat him across the back ten times without his coat on," suggested one.

"That is pretty severe, boys. Are you ready to stand by it?"

They answered with another yell, and the teacher said, "School comes to order!"

A day or two later Tom found his dinner was stolen. Upon investigation, the thief was found to be Ben, a hungry-looking little fellow of about ten years. The next morning the teacher announced, "We have found the thief and he must be punished according to your rules — ten strokes across the back! Ben, will you come up here!"

All trembling, poor little Ben came up slowly with a big coat fastened around his neck.

"Teacher," he pleaded, "you can lick me as hard as you like, but please don't make me take my coat off."

"Take off your coat, Ben. You helped make the rules."

"Oh, teacher," sobbed Ben, "don't make me!" He began to unbutton the coat and then what did the teacher see — the little lad had no shirt on, just strings for braces over his bony little body.

The teacher turned his head away. "How can I whip this child?" he said to himself. "But I must do something to keep this school." Everything was quiet as death. "How come you to be without a shirt, Ben?" he asked kindly.

"Since Daddy died," answered the little fellow, "Mother's been very poor. I only have one shirt, and she is washing that today; so I wore my big brother's coat to keep warm."

Rod in hand the teacher hesitated.

Just then big Tom jumped to his feet and said, "Teacher, if you don't mind, I'll take Ben's licking for him."

"Very well then," said the teacher, "there is a law that says one can become a substitute for another. Are you all agreed?"

Off came Tom's coat, and after five hard strokes the stick broke. The teacher bowed his head in his hands, and thought, "How can I finish this awful task?"

By this time the whole school was in tears. And then what did teacher see? Little Ben had reached up and caught Tom with both arms around his neck.

"Tom," he sobbed, "I'm sorry I stole your dinner, but I was awfully hungry. Tom, I love you, I'll love you till I die for taking my licking for me! Yes, I love you forever!"

Our hearts are touched at the sight of Tom taking little Ben's whipping, but I wonder if the reader's heart has ever been melted at the sight of Jesus the Saviour suffering at the hands of God for our sins upon the cross of Calvary. It was we who had sinned, it was we who deserved to die, but in love that blessed Saviour bore the punishment for us.

All who believe in Him and own Him as their Saviour are free. The judgment which fell upon Him will never fall upon the believer now. His blessed Substitute has borne it all for him.

"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord bath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isa. 53:5,6.

Ought we not to love Him, and to serve Him forever?

Jesus, my Lord, 'twas sin's heavy load,

The curse that was borne by Thee;

Stroke upon stroke, as God's wrath awoke,

Fell upon Thee for me.

Jesus, my Lord, what oceans of love

Stirred in Thy heart for me!

Jesus, my Lord, in glory above,

Lovely art Thou to me.

Memory Verse

"CHRIST ALSO SUFFERED FOR US, . . . WHO HIS OWN SELF BARE OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BODY ON THE TREE." 1 Peter 2!21.24

Messages of the Love of God 4/20/1975

Though Vile As He

One Sunday night at the close of a gospel service, a crowd of 500 voices sang Cowper's hymn, "there is a Fountain Filled with Blood." A poor homeless wanderer, who had crept into the lobby of the hall, listened and heard the words,

And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away.

His heart was stirred by the message, and casting himself on that blessed and only Saviour of sinners, he experienced "the power of the blood that washes whiter than snow." His after-life proved the reality of his conversion.

Messages of the Love of God 4/20/1975

The King's Children

KASHAN, a little dark-skinned Hindu boy from the mountains of India, had come to work in the home of a missionary. He was intelligent and learned to do many things for the white man.

The missionary and his family would always gather in the morning to read the Word of God and to pray. Kashan would listen too and he bowed his head when the missionary prayed.

At last one day Kashan said, "Such wonderful things you read from the Bible! I never heard things like that where I come from!"

"If you believe them, Kashan," said the missionary, "they can be yours too."

But poor Kashan only shook his head. "They are wonderful," he said, "but they are not for me. They may be for you. You are one of the King's children. You have a white skin. But I am not one of His children, for I have a dark skin. I am only a poor boy from the mountains."

"Kashan," said the missionary, "I am one of the king's children, but not because I have a white skin. I am a child of God because I have believed in His dear Son, Jesus, who died upon the cross for all. He is my Saviour.

"And you can be one of His children too, Kashan, by trusting in Him as your Saviour. The color of your skin, or where you come from doesn't make any difference. "For we are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:26.

"As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons [children] of God, even to them which believe on His name." John 1:12.

Jesus loves the little children,

All the children of the world:

Red and yellow, black and white,

All are precious in His sight;

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Jesus died for little children,

All the children of the world:

Red and yellow, black and white,

All are precious in His sight;

Jesus died for all the children of the world.

Messages of the Love of God 4/20/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 14:11-20

NEXT WE come to the clean and unclean birds. "Of all the clean birds ye shall eat." But then God gives His people Israel a list of those unclean fowls they were not to eat — the eagle, the kite, the vulture, the raven, the owl, the nighthawk, the stork, and the bat, and others.

Like the unclean animals, most of these unclean birds are flesh-eating, and were forbidden as food. Eating has the thought of fellowship, and the Christian is not to feed on or have fellowship with that in this world which has these characteristics. The world, as man has made it, is the scene where the flesh finds its satisfaction, a world that has been judged in the death of Christ and only awaits the carrying out of that judgment. The Christian is dead and risen with Christ, and that new life feeds only on Christ and heavenly things.

The eagle soars high into the sky, but in this it speaks of man's pride and loftiness. How often we are warned in the Scriptures of pride, so native to our hearts, and so hateful to God!

We read of Uzziah, king of Judah, that "he did that which was right in the sight of the Lard," and "as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper." But then it is sad to read that "when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction." (2 Chron. 26:4, 5, 16.) Unjudged pride was his ruin. "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall," so we read in Proverbs 16:18. May we watch against the first workings of pride in our hearts.

Some of these birds are fierce, ravenous plunderers, destroying other living creatures. Others feed greedily on dead carcasses. The world is a scene of violence and death, and the Christian is called to find all his jays and pleasures apart from the world, in new creation where Christ is all in all.

Then too some of these winged creatures shun the light of day and come out only in the darkness of night. Now the Christian is of the "day," while passing through the night of this world, and he is to have "no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Eph. 5:11.).

The stork is an affectionate bird and is noted for its care of its family and for others of its kind, but it too lives an flesh. Natural affection in a person is lovely in its place, but worth nothing where there is not the fear of God. How often do we meet people who have very lovely dispositions, they may be kind friends or good neighbors, but there is no love for Christ in the heart, and they live for this world. Natural man in his best estate is fallen and unclean before God.

"And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten." Here was a creature that had ability to fly but was characterized as a creeping thing. The earth is under the curse because of sin, and there must be the moral rising above it by faith. Sometimes even a Christian, one who may have made a confession of Christ, goes into the world and seeks to find his pleasures there. Such a one is not a fit companion for another young believer who wants to go on with the Lord.

Messages of the Love of God 4/20/1975

The Dream by the Camp Fire

I FIRST met Jim in a hotel, and there he told me the story of his strange dream.

"Some years ago," he said, "I was leading a wild life and went to South America. There was a revolution going on in the country and I joined the army as a volunteer.

"After one of the battles I slept on the battlefield. That night I dreamed that my sister, Mary, who had died three years before, came to me and said, 'Jim, on the 13th of November, — in the year —, you will die; but do not fear, for God is with you."

"I said to her, 'Mary, don't talk like that. You are dead yourself.' "No, Jim," she replied "I'm not dead; believe me, you are going to die on that date.' I woke up in a fright, and told my mates around the fire of my dream.

"Ah Jim," said one, "you'll get shot tomorrow, sure enough!"

"Well, I lived and when I returned home I went back to my old job. My dream still haunted me, but, to my dismay, while I remembered the day and the month when I was supposed to die, I could not remember the year. So thinking that it might come true, about July in each year I would get religious, going to church till November had gone by, and then I would have my fling in the world until the next July came around.

"But this fear of death so depressed me that finally I resolved to shoot myself and end it all. However, I said to myself, 'Well, Jim, you don't want to go to hell, but pull that trigger and you'll be there. So I gave that up. Then as each November came around, I became so distracted, for I felt I was a sinner, facing death, and knew no remedy.

"Then one day, when I could bear it no longer, I rushed off to see the minister whose church I went to from July to November. Bursting into his study, I said to him, 'Sir, we pay you to tell us these things, now tell me, What must I do to be saved?' He thought I had been drinking and handing me a card he had me sign a pledge. 'Come back in a year's time,' he said, 'and tell me how you feel.'

I was no drunkard, but catching at a straw, I signed the pledge card. But on the way home it flashed into my mind that November was soon due. 'Go in a year's time,' I thought, `why I might be in hell before then.' Trusting my salvation to this kind of thing would never do.

`Some months before a dear devoted servant of God had met me and given me tracts. I hated him and crossed the street to avoid meeting him. But now impelled to, I crossed the street and asked him for a tract. The dear godly man remarked, 'I knew it would come to this some day.' Why?' I asked. 'Because from the look on your face I could see for some weeks what state of soul you were in,' he said.

"I went to see him that night, and went again and again after that. He spoke to me of Christ as the need of my soul. Then one night I went home rejoicing in Christ as my own Saviour.

`As I knelt by my bed, blessing God for my salvation, I suddenly jumped to my feet for it dawned on me what day it was. It was the 13th of November, and while in the past I had been uncertain of the date of the year, now my dream came back to me in all its clearness, and to my amazement the day, month, and year foretold had arrived, and I found I had died, died with Christ.

Dead already in trespasses and sins, Christ had died FOR me, and now alive in Him, I realized that I need not fear, for God was with me. Such were the wondrous ways of God's grace. By His Spirit He brought me to a sense of my sinful state, and finally leading me to see the death of Christ on the cross as a substitute for me, freed me from fear and judgment, gave me pardon for my sins, and peace with God.

"I now carried a Bible in my pocket to work and when one of the fellows saw me with it he called out, "I say, boys, Jim's been and joined the Hallelujahs.' At first I hid behind a pillar, but then I thought, This won't do, so taking my Bible and standing forth in full sight, I said, "Boys, I've been saved.' Then I gave them the gospel as well as I knew it, and when I looked around, I found every man had cleared out. From that day to this never has a man been found to ridicule Christ in my hearing in all that shop."

After telling me his story, Jim anc' I parted, adoring God for His grace to us both.

Dear reader, "What think ye of Christ?" He once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust that He might bring us to God." 1 Pet. 3:18. Are you brought to God?

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

Messages of the Love of God 4/27/1975

A Good Conscience

A little boy just four years old was out taking a walk in the fields with his grandpa. They came to a sign with the words painted on it, "TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED."

"Oh do go on, Grandpa," said the little fellow.

"No, my boy," said Grandpa. "It says, 'Trespassers will be prosecuted!' But you are too young to know what that big word is."

"No, I'm not, Grandpa. It means a policeman will come after you."

How often does conscience faithfully warn us not to do wrong! A good conscience before God is a priceless thing, it cannot be bought with money. The Apostle wrote:

"This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy . . . that thou . . . mightest war a good warfare; holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck." 1 Tim. 1:18,19.

Messages of the Love of God 4/27/1975

THE BOAT SONG

My boat is so little,

The ocean so wide,

But Jesus is holding my hand.

When He is my pilot

It all goes so well,

On the way to the heavenly land.

Messages of the Love of God 4/27/1975

An Irish Boys Victory

AN EVANGELIST in Ireland was one night preaching from the text: "His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory." Psalm 98:1.

There came into the hall a ragged pale-faced little boy and sat near the front. He kept his eyes on the preacher all through the service and seemed to drink in God's precious truth. Next Sunday he came again. But after that he was seen no more.

Two months passed away and then late one night an Irish man knocked at the preacher's door, and said, "Oh, sir, come at once to my little boy. He is very ill. He heard you preach and he wants to see you."

"I will come in the morning," said the preacher.

"Oh, but please, yer riverance," pleaded the father; "the morning will be too late. You must come tonight, for he is dying."

He followed the man two miles across the fields till they came to a solitary cabin. He entered and in a corner on some straw lay his little hearer, sadly the worse and not long for this world.

The boy recognized the evangelist, pressed his hand and raising his other thin little arm to heaven he whispered, "His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory." Then his happy spirit passed away and he was at home with his Saviour.

Messages of the Love of God 4/27/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 14:21-29

THE LORD continues to remind Israel of what was becoming to them as a people whom He had redeemed unto Himself. He would have us careful not to fall into the ways of the world or to do anything which would mar the joy of communion with Him.

"Ye shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself: . . . for thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God." A creature that died of itself would be one whose blood was not shed, and God would have His people ever to remember that "the life is in the blood," and that life belongs to God.

"Thou shall not seethe [or boil] a kid in his mother's milk." This would be directly against nature. God loves all the little creatures He has made and He would not have us doing things uncomely and unnatural.

God showed how He cared for His people and they were to care for one another. They were to bring a tithe of the increase of their fields, their wine and their flocks year by year to that place which He had chosen to place His name there, "that thou mayest learn to fear thy God always." There they were to eat and rejoice before Him.

But if the way was too long for them to carry their offerings there they might turn them into money and so bring the money instead. Then when they came to the place which the Lord had chosen they might buy oxen or sheep, or whatever they wished, and they might eat them before the Lord. There they could rejoice with their families, and the Levite that lived in their cities.

They were never to forget the Levite in the midst of their joy, for it was the Lord who had given them such plenty and He would have His people to give generously to others.

At the end of every three years the people were to bring the tithe of their increase and lay it up within their gates. Here it is not their communion with God in the one place He had chosen to put His name. but it is the family joy flowing out as the blessed result of their fellowship with Himself. Here again the Levites were to share in this joy, and not only they but also the fatherless, the widows and the strangers were to eat and be satisfied. God would not have one poor beggar left out or forgotten when His people rejoiced before Him. Temporal prosperity was promised if they carried out these exhortations.

God wants His people to be generous, because it is to be like Him. He gave liberally to them and they were to give liberally to each other. He loves a cheerful giver.

This same precious principle is preserved and carried forward into Christianity. In the midst of our joys and communion we are not to forget the poor, the fatherless and the widows, nor those who have given up to labor for the Lord. So we are told: "By Him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name: but to do good and communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." Heb. 13:15,16.

To the beloved, generous-hearted, hospitable Gaius, the Apostle John wrote: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 2. Surely this is a word for us also.

Memory Verse

"NONE . . . CAN BY ANY MEANS REDEEM HIS BROTHER, NOR GIVE TO GOD A RANSOM FOR HIM." Psa. 49:7.

Messages of the Love of God 4/27/1975

Out of the Mouth of Babes

IT WAS IN the days of the persecutions in Scotland years ago, when the humble followers of Jesus were being hunted, imprisoned and martyred. Nestled among the heather covered hills was a little village. One day one of the king's officers with his soldiers came looking for "Bible folks," as he called them.

Thinking the men would spare the children, the fathers and mothers had fled to an unknown hiding place. When the soldiers came they found the little children hiding out among the heather, in nooks, behind rocks and in caves, their hearts throbbing with terror. They were made to come out from their hiding places and were all brought together, a frightened group, clinging to each other, too fearful to cry or speak. There were about thirty of them, from six to ten years of age.

The grim cruel officer tried to frighten the children into answering his questions and had his men point their gun barrels into the children's faces. Then in a gruff voice he said, "Now you all have to die unless you answer my questions. Where are your parents?"

The children clung closer to each other, but did not answer. Then the officer, in a loud angry voice called them young rebels. "If you will not answer me, I will have you shot at once," he shouted.

He made them kneel down in rows and put handkerchiefs over their eyes. Poor little things! How their hearts pounded with fear, but their piteous cries failed to melt the hardened hearts of the men. One little maiden, just eight years old, looked imploringly into the face of a soldier, and asked, "Will you let me hold my little brother's hand? We could die better that way." She took little Alec's hand and as she did so the little fellow said, "Will it be hard, Margie?"

The officer gave the order to fire, and the muskets went off with a terrible bang! Some of the children thought they were shot and fell down with fear. But the men had fired over their heads and there was only powder in their guns.

Having failed to get what he wanted, the leader again told the children they would die this time, but commanded them mockingly to pray first. One brave little fellow answered, "We are too little to pray." Then a little hand went up: "Please sir, we can't pray, but we can sing." It was a little girl, and before anyone could forbid her, she stood up and sang,

"The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want;

He maketh me down to lie

In pastures green; He leadeth me

The quiet waters by."

Then all the children took up the hymn and sang. The soldiers were overcome, feeling they were in the presence of a greater One who was on the side of the children. Thoroughly beaten they marched off, and as they disappeared over the hills the children's voices still sounded in their ears, singing:

"Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,

Yet I will fear no ill,

For Thou art with me, and Thy rod

And staff me comfort still."

Messages of the Love of God 5/4/1975

No Good Till Broken

A Christian man had broken the crystal of his watch and went to the jeweler's to have it replaced. The jeweler put in the new crystal and handed the watch back to his customer.

"How much do you allow for the broken glass?" asked the Christian.

"The broken glass isn't worth anything," returned the jeweler.

"But I have a book at home which says something is no good until it is broken," he went on.

"What is that?" asked the jeweler.

"It says, 'A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.' "

"Oh, I see you are talking religion," said the jeweler.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise." Psa. 51:17.

Messages of the Love of God 5/4/1975

Piggy

WHEN I was in Montreal years ago I had occasion to dine at a restaurant where the owner displayed a little pet pig. Piggie was quite an attraction. He was as white and clean as soap and water could make him, his little toes carefully manicured, fairly gleamed with pink fingernail polish, and he had a bright ribbon around his neck.

Piggy conducted himself very prudently and one would almost have thought he was aware that his job depended on his behavior. He was very cordial to all the guests and wandered about the dining room occasionally expressing his satisfaction with a good-natured, "Oink! oink!"

Then he visited our table and as I looked into his small upturned face and gazed into his little blue eyes, I said to myself: "Piggy, how different is your lot to that of most little pigs! Few of your kind are born to grow up amid such luxury and cleanliness. Still you are but a pig. You won't be in heaven, nor do heavenly things interest you. You were made for earth."

There is an old story of a Chinese emperor who also had for a pet a little pig which he was determined should not grow up as did others of his species. So he had him dressed in a fine suit, he fed him with the choicest food from the royal kitchen, and he kept him within the palace walls for a year.

Then one day he took him for a walk. It was not long after a rain, and Piggy, instead of behaving himself as the emperor's pet pig should, spying a pool of muddy water he took the greatest delight in rolling over and over in it, fine coat and all.

The Emperor was quite discouraged, but determined to try again. So he kept Piggy shut up from the outside world and after a time he again took him for a walk. But the result was the same.

The little pig's nature was unchanged. Fine clothes, fine food and culture would never make any difference. He would always be a pig.

And here Piggy teaches us an important lesson. Every one of us are children of fallen Adam and are born with a fallen nature, a nature that loves the "muddy" attractions and sinful pleasures of this world and can never be improved. Unless God Himself put it there, there would not be one desire after Him and heavenly things.

But not only is that old nature fallen, it is at enmity with God. All is as dark as night in our hearts unless the light of God shines in and shows us our deep need of Jesus as Saviour. Only His precious blood can cleanse these hearts from the dark stains of sin. All need that cleansing — both young and old no matter what our bringing up has been.

However, to those who receive the Lord Jesus by faith into their hearts as Saviour, He gives a new nature the same as His own, which delights in God and heavenly things. Thus the Christian has two natures — the old, fallen and bad which loves the world and sin; and the new which finds all its delight in Christ. When He comes and calls His own from this world to heaven then that old nature will have gone forever.

Do you have this new nature, dear reader? Have you been born again?

The Lord Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3.

Messages of the Love of God 5/4/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 15:1-18

IN THE last chapter we had Israel's joy in God and His goodness, along with the practical results in their sharing His bounty with others — the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow. Not merely did they give but they shared it with them.

This is something further than just simply giving. The Lord Jesus does not merely give, as something to be carried away from Him to enjoy by ourselves, but in His grace He shares with those who are the objects of His love.

That love that gives not as the world but shares

All it possesses with its loved co-heirs.

And this is fellowship. He came down here once to share our sorrow, and now He calls us to share His joy. He would not drink of the fruit of the vine, He told His disciples on that last night at the Passover supper, just before He went to the cross, "until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom" (Matt. 26:29.).

In chapter 15 the Lord continues this theme of grace in which His people were to act toward others. The year of release, or sabbatical year, is again spoken of.

It is first mentioned in Exodus 23:10,11. Every seven years the land was to rest. There was to be neither sowing nor harvesting, but the produce was for the nourishment of all — for the Israelites themselves, for the strangers dwelling with them, for the cattle and the animals of the land. What a wonderful institution this was — nothing like it in any other nation under heaven! Man would suspend his labors for a whole year, and God Himself would be the Provider and the Host. By this alone the children of Israel ought to have learned to confide in God, to live in dependence on Him and to count upon His faithfulness.

"And this is the manner of the release: . . ." Every man who owed anything to another was to be forgiven his debt. "If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren . . . thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need." Furthermore, if the year of release was at hand he wasn't to withhold giving to his poor brother. "Thou shalt surely give him . . . because for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee."

The year of release brought with it then this additional blessing to the poor of Israel. It was for them the clearing of all their debts, and put an end to all claims to which any might be subject on the part of their brethren.

Furthermore, the year of release brought freedom to the poor slave. He was to be sent away free with a present. If he loved his master and preferred to remain with him, then his master was to bore his ear through with an awl to the door and he would serve him forever. We know the One who is pictured here — the blessed Lord Jesus who loved His Master, His wife and His children. He so loved US' He would not go out free, but will serve us and all His own in glory forever.

Memory Verse

"OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST; WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US, THAT HE MIGHT REDEEM US FROM ALL INIQUITY." Titus 2:13, 14.

Messages of the Love of God 5/4/1975

Freddie

MR. WILLIAMS, a Christian man, worked among the poor in a big city. One day he entered a tenement house and went up a flight of stairs at the top of which was a door which opened into a small attic room. He knocked, and a feeble voice said, "Come in." Gently he opened the door and went in.

There was no light, but in the corner lay Freddie, a boy about ten years of age, pale but with such a sweet face.

"What are you doing here?" he asked him.

"Ssh, ssh! I'm hiding!"

"Where is your mother?" "Mother is dead."

"Where is your father?"

"Ssh, ssh! don't tell him; I'm hiding."

"Hiding? What for?"

And he showed his white arms swollen and covered with bruises. "What happened?"

"Don't tell but Father got drunk, and beat me because I would not steal."

"Did you ever steal?"

"Yes sir; I used to be a thief."

These street boys never did hesitate to acknowledge they were thieves; it was their profession.

"Then why didn't you steal for him now?"

"Because I went to Sunday school and they told me, 'Thou shalt not steal'; and they told me about God end heaven. I wouldn't steal again, sir, even if my father kills me."

"I don't know what to say," said Mr. Williams. "But here's a quarter. I'll see what I can do for you."

The boy looked at it for a moment and then he said, "Please sir, wouldn't you like to hear me sing my little hymn?"

Mr. Williams thought it was strange that the boy, without anything to eat, without any heat in the room, bruised and beaten as he lay there, could sing a hymn. "Yes, I would like to hear you," he replied.

Then in a sweet voice Freddie sang -

"Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, Look upon a little child;

Pity my infirmity,

Suffer me to come to Thee.

Fain would I to Thee be brought;

Gentle Lord, forbid it not;

In the kingdom of Thy grace,

Give a little child a place."

"That's my little hymn, sir, goodbye."

Mr. Williams left him, but returned in the morning. He went up the stairs and again knocked at the door. There was no answer so he opened it and went in. The quarter lay on the floor. And there lay Freddie with that same sweet smile on his face, but he was "absent from the body," and his friend was sure that he was "present with the Lord." In the night he had gone from this world of sin, and sorrow and pain. The Good Shepherd had come and taken him home.

Thank God that He has said, "Suffer little children to come unto Me!"

He loves all — red or yellow, black or white, old or young. "Whosoever will may come."

Messages of the Love of God 5/11/1975

The Drifted Boat

Down by the seacoast six little children were playing in a boat. A thoughtless boy pushed the boat out from shore. Before they were missed, they had drifted far out to sea. Boats were sent out in all directions to search for them but all in vain. Many prayers went up to God and sorrowing parents spent a sleepless night.

The poor helpless little ones were tossed on the wide ocean all night. Then in the morning a fishing boat was out and saw a speck on the water far in the distance. They came up close and found it to be the missing boat. In the bottom were the six children all cuddled together, fast asleep. An overruling, loving God had mercifully protected them to the unutterable joy of their parents and friends. What thanksgiving went up to God when the little ones arrived home safe and sound.

Messages of the Love of God 5/11/1975

Ready, Willing and Able

IT WAS A hot summer day and three teenagers decided to go the beach for some "surf and sand and sunshine." There were Ed, his sister Norma, and another friend Jim. Jim was a powerful swimmer and worked as a life guard at a local pool. He also gave swimming lessons. Ed too was big and strong but only an average swimmer. Norma was just learning to swim.

They were having a lot of fun in the big waves as they came rolling in, until Norma found herself being caught in the undertow and carried out into deeper water. She was not far from Ed and Jim, who were only up to their knees in the surf, so at first she was not frightened. However, when she started to swim back to shore she found she could make no headway, and began to tire.

"Jim," she called, "come and help me." But Jim only laughed and made swimming motions trying to get her to take care of herself. However, Norma was in real trouble and didn't think it was funny, so she called again.

By this time Ed realized it was no joke so he started out to help his sister. And now Norma was more scared than before, thinking the undertow might pull them both down.

"No, don't come, Ed!" she called out. "Jim, help me." But still Jim only laughed.

"Atta girl! Keep going, you're doing fine!" was his only response. This was no help to Norma, and bitter feelings toward Jim rose within her as she fought off panic, and continued to struggle though unable to save herself. One boy was willing to help but not able; the other was able but not willing.

However, there was one who saw and realized the danger Norma was in. The lifeguard on duty at the beach swam out and rescued the helpless girl. He was not only willing, but ready and able to save.

Now, dear young friends, you too are in danger, though you may not know it. You are in danger of sinking in sin and being lost forever, if you trust yourself or your friends to save you. "None . . . can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him." Psa. 49:7.

But there is a Saviour, Jesus, and He alone can save. With outstretched arms He is waiting for you in your great need to call upon Him. He says, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." Psa. 50:15. He has been down underneath those great waves of death, but has come forth as the mighty Saviour and all who put their trust in Him are safe forever. He loves you, and He is the only one who is ready, willing and able to save.

I was sinking deep in sin,

Far from the peaceful shore,

Very deeply stained within,

Sinking to rise no more;

But the Master of the sea

Heard my despairing cry,

From the waters lifted me,

Now safe am I.

Love lifted me, love lifted me,

When nothing else could help Love lifted me.

Souls in danger, look above,

Jesus completely saves;

He will lift you by His love

Out of the angry waves;

He's the Master of the sea,

Billows His will obey;

He your Saviour wants to be

Be saved today!

Messages of the Love of God 5/11/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 15:19-16:17

THE FIRSTBORN of their cattle Israel were to keep for the Lord, and they must not shear the wool off the firstborn of their sheep. If the animal had a blemish they were not to sacrifice it to the Lord. In order for it to be a fit type of Christ, the perfect spotless One, it had to be perfect too. Surely we ought to give our best to the Lord, constrained to do so because of who He is and because of His love toward us.

In chapter 16:1-17 we have the three great feasts — the Passover, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. All these were to be kept in the place which the Lord should choose. All the men must keep these feasts so that three times a year they were to appear before the Lord.

In Egypt the people kept the Passover in their houses, but when they were come into the land they were to go to the place which the Lord Himself should choose and celebrate it there. They were to eat it at night and then return home in the morning. It was a very solemn feast. They were never to forget that they were once slaves in Egypt and how great their deliverance was. The Passover speaks of the death of Christ, the true Paschal Lamb, who shed His blood for our redemption. Surely we ought never to forget what it cost Him to redeem us. The Passover was the first feast celebrated, it is the ground of our redemption and of fellowship with God.

The Feast of Weeks points to Pentecost when after the Lord Jesus had died, risen and gone back to heaven, the Holy Spirit came down and believers — the first fruits were baptized into one body — the Church. Great joy characterized this feast, a beautiful type of how the Spirit of God has now come down and brought us into the good of what is ours in Christ, now risen and glorified. Their sons and their daughters, and even their bondservants, were all to rejoice. How we ought to desire that all in our family circles and others we come in contact with should share in the joys we have found — that they too might be saved and led into the truth.

The Feast of Tabernacles is a joy which Israel has not yet tasted. It was the last feast of the year, and celebrated after they had gathered in their corn and wine, the harvest and the vintage. These speak of God's final dealings in the last days — that discriminating judgment when the good and the bad will be separated, the righteous saved for millennial blessing and the unrighteous cast into the fire. The vintage speaks of the time of rejoicing after the grapes are gathered, when unsparing judgment will have fallen on the vine of the earth corrupt and false religion that denies Christ and His heavenly rule over the earth.

The Feast of Tabernacles then was a feast of joy and rejoicing, all gladness and song and looking on to the millennial rest. As believers we rejoice even now as we think of earth being set free from sin and sorrow, when the Lord shall "bid the whole creation smile and hush its groan." Even now we "rejoice in hope of the glory of God," while waiting for that time when we shall enter upon our heavenly rest with Him.

Memory Verse

"THE LIFE OF THE FLESH IS IN THE BLOOD; . . . IT IS THE BLOOD THAT MAKETH AN ATONEMENT FOR THE SOUL." Lev. 17:11.

Messages of the Love of God 5/11/1975

The Crow and the Pancake

IT WAS A hot day in India. Day after day the sun had burned down unmercifully. The wheat was parched, not a drop of rain came nor was there any cool breeze to bring relief.

It was early morning and Juanita was holding her infant baby girl in her arms. Wearily she stroked its tiny face, while her other little girl lay on a rude cot too weak to cry. Her big dark eyes looked pleadingly up to her mother for help.

In depair poor Junita got up and facing the east she prayed: "0 Krishna, hear my cry. Send something for my babies and me to eat; please, Krishna, send us water to drink before we die in this heat." But no answer came, and in despair the poor little mother's arms dropped to her side. Then she went about trying to make her babies as comfortable as she could.

Suddenly she remembered what the American missionary had taught her, of the one true God, and His Son, Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, and promised rest for the weary. Jesus had said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28. In her despair Juanita cried out again, "O God of the missionary, if it is true that Thou art alive and care, please help me and send us something to eat."

At the same time, at the mission station not far away, Miss White, the missionary, was just sitting down to her simple breakfast. Her Indian servant and friend had just baked her a large pancake in the outdoor open kitchen.

"It will be very hot again today, Naidi," said Miss White, and how my heart goes out to the poor people who are suffering so from this drought."

Now there are lots of big black crows in India and when they are hungry they often fly around the homes and villages looking for something to eat. Just at this moment one big crow suddenly swooped down and seized the pancake meant for Miss White. Before any one could stop him he flapped his big wings and flew away.

Moments later Juanita, who had just prayed to God for the first time, saw a big crow flying toward her shack with something in his beak. He dropped whatever it was he had and then perching on the fence he cawed loudly, just as crows do. What do you suppose he had dropped? Yes, it was a pancake! The living God had heard Juanita's cry.

Several days later Miss White saw a small thin figure coming towards the mission station. She had a baby in her arms and held another little girl by the hand. It was Juanita. Arriving at the gate she would have fallen had not Miss White and her servant helped her. They took her to the mission Home where she and her little ones were fed and tenderly cared for.

Gradually the little mother was able to tell her story — how God had heard her prayer and sent the crow with the pancake. Miss White's face fairly beamed and she praised and thanked the Lord that the breakfast the old crow had stolen had helped save three lives and shown poor Juanita that our God lives and answers prayer.

"Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." Psa. 50:15.

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isa. 55:1.

Memory Verse

"I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE: HE THAT COMETH TO ME SHALL NEVER HUNGER; AND HE THAT BELIEVETH ON ME SHALL NEVER THIRST." John 6:35.

Messages of the Love of God 5/18/1975

Saved From the Storm

JOHN WAS just eleven and on his way home one day. He saw angry black clouds moving swiftly across the sky. Knowing a bad storm was about to break he hurried on as quickly as he could.

Suddenly the wind came like a violent tornado. Trees bent before it, branches cracked and broke off before the force of the gale. John heard a large tree limb snap right over his head. At the same moment he caught sight of two-year old David sitting in his little wagon right beneath the tree. The little fellow was quite unaware of his danger.

John moved rapidly toward him and pushed the wee boy out of the way just as the huge limb crashed. Little David was safe but the branch came down on poor John. Rescuers pulled John free and rushed him to the hospital. His skull was fractured and he had other injuries. He had to stay in the hospital for a long time but gradually he recovered.

This true story reminds us of the Lord Jesus who saw us poor sinners exposed to the storm of God's judgment against our sin. He saw how hopeless was our case and came to save. In wonderful love He came between us and the punishment we deserved. He took our place, He bore the storm for us — for all who believe on Him as Saviour.

John was spared, but Jesus died that we might not perish but have everlasting life. "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 5:8.

Messages of the Love of God 5/18/1975

There Is Rest

These lines were composed by one whose comrade died in the war.

Here are afflictions and trials severe;

Here is no rest — here is no rest;

Here I must part with the friend I hold dear,

Yet I am blessed — I am blessed!

Sweet is the promise I read in His Word,

"Blessed are they who have died in the Lord!"

They shall be called to receive the reward;

There, there is rest—there is rest!

Messages of the Love of God 5/18/1975

Ed's Violin

ED WAS just a little fellow, not old enough to go to school. One day "Uncle George," a friend of his parents, paid them a visit. Uncle George brought along his beautiful violin which he could play very well. It looked very easy to Ed, but no one noticed he was listening or thought it made any impression on the boy.

Then the family moved far away and Ed grew old enough to go to school. When he was in second grade he got some money for his birthday. Right away he told his mother he knew just what he wanted from the toy store. His mother was surprised to see that it was a little violin. It looked like a real one but it was much smaller. It cost $1.79.

"Are you sure you want it?" asked Mother. "You can't play it."

"Oh yes," replied Ed. "It's just what I want and I will like to play it." So he bought the little violin and took it home.

Do you think he could make nice music come out of his violin like George could from his? No he could not, I'm sorry to say. Ed was quite disappointed. The little violin was not easy to play so he decided it wasn't a good toy and it was soon forgotten.

Some months later Uncle George paid them another visit. He had been across the ocean playing his violin, and though it was a long time since Ed had last seen him, the boy remembered his playing. Immediately Ed ran to his toy box and dug out his little toy violin. There was only one string left. Ed started to tell Uncle George how it would not play. But Uncle George only smiled as he tightened the one string and tuned it. Then tucking the little instrument under his big chin he took his good bow and proceeded to play a beautiful tune. It was easy to recognize, "Jesus loves Me!"

A look of wonder came over Ed's face and he looked at his little toy with new interest and appreciation.

Dear boys and girls, doesn't this remind us of what the Lord Jesus can do in our lives? What a difference it can make in the way we act and speak if we give ourselves up to Him. We cannot of ourselves make anything pleasing to God come out of these hearts and lives of ours, for we are all sinners and "there is none righteous, no not one."

Ed meant well but he was not able. Neither can our parents or friends help us in this for, "none . . . can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him." Psa. 99:7.

However, there is one that can. If we put out trust in the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, we are saved. Then just as uncle George, the expert violinist, could make beautiful music come from a toy violin, so the Lord can bring forth praise to God from our lives.

It is not too early to be saved, nor is it too late. You can be saved and happy right now, and the Lord will use you to make others happy too.

Messages of the Love of God 5/18/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 16:18-17:13

IN THE three great feasts earlier in the chapter the Lord had been guiding the religious life of the people when they got into the land. Now He makes provision for them in civil matters. "Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, . . . and they shall judge the people with just judgment."

Thus there would be many judges and civil authorities to see that righteousness was maintained for it was Jehovah's land. The smaller matters the judges would settle, but the difficult cases were to be referred to the sanctuary in the place which the Lord should choose. The priest and the judge that were there should give judgment about it.

The judges sat in the gates of the cities, so they could see every one going out or coming in. Justice was to be shown to all, and there was to be no respect of persons. The judge was not to take a gift or a bribe.

But it is remarkable that the very next verses are a warning against idolatry. "Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the Lord thy God, which thou shalt make thee. Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the Lord thy God hateth." God is a jealous God and in the maintenance of righteousness His claim comes first. If a man or woman had gone out and served other gods, or bowed down to an idol, or the sun, or the moon, when the thing was known, he or she was to be brought to the gate, and if proved guilty in the mouth of two or three witnesses, the guilty one was to be put to death. "So shalt thou put the evil away from among you."

Thus the civil authority was exercised in religious matters. So God ordained in. Israel but this does not carry through into Christianity. Before God there is no such a union of church and state now. The Lord's kingdom is "not of this world," and the Church His bride is called to be separate from the world and its politics all during the time of His rejection.

We are told to pray for kings and all that are in authority, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty," but we are not to join with the world in its plans and activities. We are to shine for Christ as lights in the world's darkness, to carry the blessed message of His love to sinners everywhere, while waiting for His coming from heaven.

Messages of the Love of God 5/18/1975

Mungo

MUNGO was a faithful servant in the West Indies. His master's estate bordered on a large bay, which was a natural harbor for ships. It was a beautiful bay, but swimming there was extremely dangerous. There were sharks!

One big shark in particular was a constant menace. From his hiding place behind a large rock he would suddenly emerge to terrorize the bay. The sailors named him "Blue Peter."

Blue Peter was "Public Enemy Number One," and the governor of the island offered a large reward to anyone who should kill him. If a slave killed him, he was to be set free forever with his wife and children.

One day the son of Mungo's master resolved to go swimming. In vain his elder brother tried to prevent him. Plunging into the surf he swam some distance out.

But suddenly he turned and made for the shore. His brother was horrified to see Blue Peter dart from his hideout and glide swiftly towards his prey. The boy gave a loud cry. Mungo, who was nearby, heard it, and seeing the boy's danger, jumped in to help him.

Mungo arrived at the scene just as the shark closed his terrible jaws upon the boy's arm, snapping it off above the elbow. The heroic Mungo swam with the wounded boy, and had almost reached the land, when Blue Peter struck again. This time he seized Mungo by the leg and bit it off.

Nothing could exceed the horror of those who watched from the shore. Happily, however, there was help at hand, so that Mungo and the boy were saved from death by the monster.

The boy recovered. Eventually brave Mungo too got well; but he had to stump about with a wooden leg.

Blue Peter continued his reign of terror. But Mungo had not forgotten his old enemy and resolved to end one day his murderous career forever.

He went to work, and when he had completed his plans for vengeance, he announced that he was going to kill Blue Peter. The news soon spread and when the set time arrived the shore was crowded with people.

Mungo came with a large coil of rope and a cutlass (a short thick sword used by sailors). A friend rolled a big barrel to the bay. The barrel was lined with big nails and iron hooks which Mungo had baited with large chunks of beef. When the barrel was securely tied to the boat, Mungo stepped in, armed with his cutlass. He then declared that he "was going to give Massa Blue Peter a bit of breakfast."

For a long time Mungo rowed around the rock without sighting the enemy. Then suddenly Blue Peter darted out — but only to dash his head into the barrel.

Seizing his cutlass Mungo jumped into the water and the fight began. Mungo attacked the big shark which in trying to get out of the trap was caught by the hooks. A desperate combat followed. The blue waters were lashed into red foam as Mungo battled away . . . until he had slain Blue Peter!

Then taking up his oars, he rowed to the shore towing his dead trophy behind, amid the shouts and cheers of the crowds.

Brave Mungo's two heroic encounters with Blue Peter strikingly remind us of the two greatest events in this world's history — the two appearings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He first came in grace

Mungo went to save his master's boy. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15. Mungo lost his leg. The Lord Jesus gave up His life. He died to save others, but

Himself He could not save,

He on the cross must die

Or mercy cannot come

To ruined sinners nigh.

Yes, Christ the Son of God must bleed

That sinners might from sin be freed.

It would be unthinkable that the boy in the water would refuse Mungo's aid. Indeed he cried for help. And yet how many there are who refuse to trust Jesus, the only Saviour and the sinners' Friend! Have you trusted Him? He is your only hope. Without Him you will surely sink down to hell and perish forever.

He will come again in judgment

Mungo's last trip was to slay his great enemy. The Lord Jesus is coming to judge the world that put Him to death, and it will be the end of Satan's power. Those who refuse Him now in grace will be counted as His enemies in that day. Believe on Him now, dear reader, and you will be eternally safe.

"Now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself . . . and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Heb. 9:26-28.

"Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen." Rev. 1:7.

Memory Verse

"AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST, SO FAR HATH HE REMOVED OUR TRANSGRESSIONS FROM US." Psa. 103:12

Messages of the Love of God 5/25/1975

A Child of a Kina

IN A beautiful old mansion lived a wealthy man and his wife and three small children. Their cook was a Christian lady and often when the children would visit the kitchen she would tell them what she knew about the Lord Jesus.

One day when she was busy preparing lunch the little girl came running into the kitchen. "Mary," she exclaimed, "I have just made a wonderful discovery."

"Dear me," said the old cook, "whatever have you found now?"

"That you are a princess," replied the little girl all smiles.

"Come now," returned Mary laughing, "don't I look like a princess stewing here among the pots and pans. If I were a princess I'd be away enjoying myself."

"No, you wouldn't," said her little visitor, "for you are a princess. You told me you trusted the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. Don't you see you were born into God's family, so now you are the child of the King. And so am I."

The cook knew her sins were forgiven, but she never realized that she belonged to God's royal family, and that she was a child of a King.

Boys and girls, don't you desire to have this wonderful Saviour as your own? You can. He not only died to cleanse us from sin, but to bring us into relationship with Himself, and when we have Him as Saviour we belong to the family of God, we are His sons and daughters bought with the blood of His dear Son. One day soon we shall reign with Him.

"The Spirit Itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together." Rom. 8:17.

Messages of the Love of God 5/25/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 17:14-17

WE NOW hear of a time to come when Israel, now in possession of the land and dwelling there, would desire a king like all the nations around them. God warns them not to choose a stranger; but one of their own brethren whom the Lord Himself should choose they should set as king over them.

In the days of Samuel we read they did demand a king, but in doing so it showed they did not rightly appreciate all the blessings and favors the Lord had bestowed upon them. In reality they rejected Him in favor of a mere man in order to be like the Gentiles. God allowed them to have Saul as king, but this only brought out His real choice David, "the beloved." He was but a type of One yet to come, the Lord Jesus, David's greater Son, who will reign as King forever. Prophet, Priest and King will all be united in His blessed and glorious Person. Scripture says that a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Eccles. 3:12). So we can see that here God as always is looking on to Christ: He will not fail. "All the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him amen." (2 Cor. 1:20.)

The king was not to "multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way."

The king needed to be reminded of his dependence upon God. How prone is the human heart to turn away from Him and trust in something else! Alas, king Solomon, David's son and the wisest of men, failed in the very things God warns His people of here. When the children of Israel under Joshua first entered Canaan they destroyed the horses of the Canaanites and burned their chariots (Josh. 11:6,9). However, we read of David that after defeating Hadadezer he kept 100 horses for chariots. But Solomon, it says, had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots and 12,000 horsemen (1 Kings 4:26).

Scripture says "an horse is a vain thing for safety" (Psa. 33:17). Its use in war was evidence of failure in confidence in the Lord. These horses came from Egypt, type of the world. There is much that comes from the world in which we might put our confidence, but may we learn to trust in the Lord more and more and to find our all in Him. Faith will say, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." Psa. 20:7.

Messages of the Love of God 5/25/1975

Jim, The Crossing Guard

EVERYBODY in Westdale seemed to know Old Jim. He was the school crossing guard. He had been a soldier, but now he was too old for the army. To the children, old Jim was very important, because he always got them across the street safely. What was more, he always knew the time.

When Jim walked to the middle of the road and raised his hands and stopped the traffic and blew his whistle, they knew it was safe to cross. And as they walked past him, they would inquire:

"How many, Jim?" — meaning, How many minutes before the school bell rings?

Sometimes the answer was "Four!" — sometimes, "Three!" sometimes "Two!" When there was but one minute to go, he would shout: "One minute to go — run for your lives!" And run they would.

All through life we shall find that we are the losers when we are late. If late for school, we break a rule; if late for dinner, we may have to go hungry; if late for the bus, we are left behind. And so it goes as everyone knows.

But there is One who is never late; the Eternal God is always on time. "In the fulness of time God sent forth His Son" (Gal. 4:4). "In due time Christ died for the ungodly" (Rom. 5:6). In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye He will come again for His own (1 Cor. 15:52). And God has appointed a day in which He will judge this world for its wickedness (Acts 17:31).

Old Jim knew the time because he believed his watch. We know God's time to be saved, because we believe the Bible.

"Behold", He says, "now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2).

When the bell was about to ring, Old Jim warned the children to "Run for your lives!" And long ago a man named Lot was told to do the same thing. But then it was God who said: "Escape for thy life." (Gen. 19:17).

That was a life-or-death warning, for shortly afterwards brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven rained down upon the city where Lot lived till everything and everybody was destroyed. Why? Because of its wickedness. Oh that everyone would obey God's warning today and "flee from the wrath to come"; for He will come "in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus

Christ." (2 Thess. 1:8). If you repent and believe the gospel you will be able to sing:

Should sevenfold storms of thunder roll, And shake this globe from pole to pole, No thunderbolt shall daunt my face, For Jesus is my Hiding Place.

Messages of the Love of God 6/1/1975

Antonio

ANTONIO was twelve years old and lived in Bermuda. He was a boy with sparkling eyes and a flashing smile.

His Christian teacher was pleased one day when he was reciting a scripture passage from memory. Reaching over and pushing the paper to one side he said, "Don't hold it so I can see." He had learned his verse well, but he didn't want to be tempted to peek either.

A few days later when his teacher was on the playground she overheard another boy suggesting to Antonio that they do something which they both knew was not right. Wasn't she happy to hear Antonio speak right up and say, "No, I'm not gonna do it. I'm a Christian."

Isn't it good to be honest and put temptation away from us. Satan would like us to be dishonest, but the Lord Jesus said, "Get thee behind Me, Satan," and we should say the same.

Dear boys and girls, being a Christian can make such a difference in your life. Start now with the little things each day and you will be spared many big problems and unhappiness in your later life.

"If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

Messages of the Love of God 6/1/1975

Travelers to Eternity

We are travelers on the road of Time; each tick of the clock marks a footstep, each rising and setting sun is a milestone on the way. Soon we shall reach our journey's end, and all the trifles and shams of Time will give place to the realities of the coming ETERNITY.

When the first missionary who went to England arrived in Kent, he presented himself before the king to solicit permission to preach the gospel in his dominions. After long deliberation, the king was about to refuse, when an aged counselor, with his head silvered with grey hairs, rose, and by the following speech obtained the permission which was requested.

"Here we are," said he, "like birds of passage; we know not whence we come or whither we are going. If this man can tell us, let him speak."

That missionary brought with him the Word of God, with all the certainty of its blessed and solemn unfoldings of the future, and his visit was the morning star of the day of gospel light, which has shone so long and so brightly on that favoured land. There is no excuse now for ignorance as to the future.

God's word declares "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Hebrews 9:27. But the Lord Jesus Christ Himself said, "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life!' John 5:24. This is the sure way to escape the certain judgment which lies before all those who refuse to listen to God's offer of salvation.

Messages of the Love of God 6/1/1975

Hide Thyself

JOHN BRENZ of Wurtenburg was a Christian reformer. He was hated by the king who at one time employed a troop of cavalry to arrest him.

On hearing this, Brenz immediately cast himself on God and while in prayer he heard as it were a voice say:

"Take a loaf of bread and go into the upper town; and where thou findest a door open, enter and hide thyself under the roof."

He at once acted accordingly, and found only one door — and that the last one — open. Unnoticed, he entered, and climbed up to the loft. Then he crept on his hands and knees behind the lumber and straw, and lay hidden in a corner.

The next day the imperial troops entered the town and set a close watch at all the gates. They then entered every house and examined every room, probing beds, chests and straw lofts with their swords and spears.

Brenz, listening to their voices outside, knew from day to day that the search was still proceeding. For fourteen days it continued till every house had been examined. The one in which he lay hidden was the last to be searched. The spears thrust into the straw came as near to him as possible, but missed him.

Then with joy he heard the word of command, "March! he is not here."

Brenz had not lacked food during his long concealment. The loaf of bread which he took with him as directed would have been insufficient. But the very first day, to his amazement, a hen came up to the garret and laid an egg, and that without the usual cackling. She quietly did the same the next day — and so on for fourteen days in succession. The fifteenth day she did not come, and Brenz heard the people in the street say: "They are gone at last."

He was free. What an example of God's care for His children!

"Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." Psalm 50:15.

Messages of the Love of God 6/1/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 17:17-20

WE WERE noticing that the king must not multiply horses to himself. Now he is told that he must not "multiply wives to himself," for they would turn his heart away from the Lord. We are never wiser than God. This is the very snare that Solomon, the wisest of men, fell into. Not only did it bring shame on God but misery on the king and his people as well.

Well had it been for Solomon had he cleaved to the Lord, but alas, he fell, for he loved many strange women, which turned his heart away, and he went after their gods and built high places for them. God raised up adversaries against Solomon, and sought to bring Solomon back to Himself, but he did not repent. And God did not prolong his days for he was only about 58 years of age when he died.

"Neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold." This is another snare, for Scripture says, "The love of money is [a] root of all evil." 1 Tim. 6:10. How many have been turned aside from following the Lord through the deceitfulness of riches. It is an age-old common thought that if one could have all the money he wanted it would bring perfect happiness. But this is an illusion, a mirage of the desert. The fact is, as some one has said, "Money can purchase most anything but happiness, and is a passport to anywhere but heaven."

How sad that Solomon the king did not heed the word of the Lord. He sought all these forbidden things. He had his navy of ships which brought him riches, he increased his chariots and horsemen and brought up horses out of Egypt, and he had his multitude of wives. He tells us that he tried everything under the sun, but had to declare that it was only vanity and vexation of spirit. The Lord said that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like the simple little lily of the field. Dear young friends, to go on quietly with the Lord who has promised to supply all our need according to His riches in glory, is the real secret of happiness. It says of Enoch that "he walked with God" 365 years, and then the Lord took him home. What a reward!

Furthermore, when the king sat on his throne he was to write out a copy of the law of God; "and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them."

He must make a copy of the word of God to acquaint himself with it right from the beginning, for of all those in his kingdom he ought to be the most careful of God's honor. The king who ruled over the people ought to be God's servant, keeping His word, and showing an example to all his subjects.

Another reason why he was to write out the law was to keep him from pride. "that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel."

God hates pride, and it is native to our hearts. But if we are faithful in reading the Word and in prayer each day it will help keep us humble and we will enjoy the Lord's companionship as we journey on to our heavenly home.

Memory Verse

"WHOSOEVER WAS NOT FOUND WRIT-
TEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST
INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE." Rev. 20:15

Messages of the Love of God 6/1/1975

The Young Druggist's Mistake

GEORGE, a young Christian, had a friend Harry who was a druggist. However, Harry did not share his friend's faith in the Lord Jesus. Every time George spoke to him about God, the young chemist made fun of him. Accordingly George decided never to touch upon the subject again in their conversation.

"In the future I shall not trouble you with this matter," said George, "because you only make light of it. I have only one more word to say before closing the subject, until you care to reopen it — a word from God to you. It is a verse from Psalm 50: 'Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.' Don't forget it!" But Harry just laughed.

Some time after this, young Harry was dozing on duty at the pharmacy when a sudden, violent ring at the door aroused him. A little girl had brought a prescription which the doctor had just given to her mother who was very ill.

Annoyed at being disturbed, and still half asleep, Harry weighed out the drugs, mixed them, stuck the label on the bottle, and handed it to the child, who ran off with it as fast as she could.

After she had gone, he proceeded to put the various bottles back in their places when — horrors! What had he done? He had taken the wrong bottle! Instead of a soothing drug, he had put a violent poison into the prescription. If the patient took it, death was sure, a death of agony!

What could he do? He did not know the little girl, nor where she lived. If only he could find her! He rushed out of the store into the dark streets. He ran to the right, then to the left, but in vain. The darkness had swallowed her amid the streets of the great city. Besides she seemed in such a hurry. Perhaps at that very minute she was giving her mother a draught of the poison.

A cold sweat covered the poor fellow. He was at wit's end. Then suddenly his friend's verse flashed on his memory. "Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me."

He hurried back to the pharmacy, threw himself on his knees, and prayed to God. He did not make any fun this time. In his terrible anguish, he besought the Lord to help him, for He alone could.

What! another ring? He rushed to the door, and to his amazement there stood the little girl in tears and holding up the neck of the broken bottle.

"Forgive me," she sobbed. "I ran so fast I fell and broke the bottle."

We can well imagine Harry's feelings of relief and joy as he took the prescription and now filled it correctly. It was then he realized how unworthy he was of this goodness of God whom he had slighted so long. But it brought him in deep repentance to the feet of the Saviour and it wasn't long before he came to know Him as his own. How thankful and happy he was! And how happy George was when he learned that Harry had found the Saviour too. What sweet fellowship they enjoyed together from then on.

Messages of the Love of God 6/8/1975

Roy - The News Boy

ROY IS A young news boy fifteen years of age. He knows the Lord as his personal Saviour. He wants others to know his Saviour too and though he cannot stand on a platform and preach, he has found a way to tell people the wonderful love of God and the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Every morning Roy delivers newspapers to homes along his route. Inside of each paper he places a gospel tract telling the story of redeeming love. Roy believes he is carrying out the words of his Saviour, "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me" (Acts 1:8). Roy will not know until "that day" how many have found the Saviour through this service of his; but he will certainly have his reward.

Roy has a desire to be an evangelist some day and he is seeking to serve his Master in the meanwhile. He appreciates the value of a soul in the sight of God. When we have a love for souls the Lord can use us in seeking to win others to Him. Like Mary in the gospels, Roy is doing what he can.

Do you, like Roy, know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour? I hope you do, for there is no friend like Him. Remember, you too can be a soul winner. You can speak a word for Jesus at home, at school, or wherever you are. There are many boys and girls who do not know the gospel story. They never go to Sunday school, nor do they get gospel papers. Their parents do not take any interest in their spiritual wellbeing. Here's where you can help in your own simple way. You can pass on to them the gospel magazines you read. You can try to get them to come to Sunday school. You can speak to them of Jesus and His love.

Messages of the Love of God 6/8/1975

How the Doctor Was Cured

DOCTOR and his Christian friend were driving along the highway. They were discussing different things and after a while the subject of life after death came up.

The Christian had often talked to the doctor about the need of salvation and urged him to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour. But the doctor had no time for God and he always put his friend off. "I am surprised," he said reproachfully, "that a man of your intelligence could believe as you do."

After some silence, as the miles slipped by, the Christian turned to his friend and said: "Suppose you had T.B. and someone recommended a drug for it. You took the drug and recovered completely.

"Ever since then you prescribed that drug for T.B. in your practice and it never failed to cure the patient. What would you think then of a man who was dying of T.B. but who refused to take your remedy?"

"I'd say he was a fool," replied the doctor.

"Well," his friend went on, "years ago I was a lost sinner with no hope of recovery. I was dying in my sin. But someone told me of a remedy. I took that remedy, and it made a new man of me.

"I have told others about it. Whenever they have accepted it, they too have been changed. I've never known it to fail. I have seen it make drunken men sober and give up the drink habit, I have seen crooks become honest men, it has made men who cursed and used bad language pure in their speech, and proud men humble. Young and old, rich and poor, have been healed of the disease of sin when they have trusted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour."

Suddenly the doctor saw what he had been blind to for so long. "I've been the fool!" he exclaimed.

A little later they stopped to rest. It didn't take his friend long to show him from the Bible that he too could trust the great Physician, the Lord Jesus, to cure him of his sin.

"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.

Messages of the Love of God 6/8/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 18:1-8

THE RIGHTS of the priests and the Levites are before the eye of God in this chapter. They had no inheritance in the land as did the other tribes, for the Lord was their inheritance. But they were His servants, ministering in His name, and were to live of the offerings of the Lord. Thus He identifies them with Himself in a very blessed way. The people were to minister to them a recognized portion of their offerings — the shoulder, the firstfruits of their corn, of their wine, of their oil, and of their fleece. In a typical way these all speak of Christ, the portion of those who serve Him.

What a beautiful picture then we have here of those who serve Him now. By His grace we are priests unto God and His Father and we are not to seek our inheritance down here, for our inheritance is above. God does, however, provide for all our needs as we pass through this world "according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus," and He gives us to find our truest joys in serving Him. May we remember His faithful promise.

"And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourned, and come with all the desire of his mind unto the place which the Lord shall choose; then he shall minister in the name of the Lord his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before the Lord."

If there was a longing desire in the heart of a Levite to dwell near the sanctuary of the Lord's presence, no matter where he might be located he was to have this privilege. He could come and minister among his brethren who stood there before the Lord, and he was to find his portion among them.

How sweet this is for it tells us how God delights to welcome one who has a desire to come and draw nigh to Him, to worship and to dwell in His presence. May we have more of this faith in our own hearts and experience the loving encouragement of the blessed Saviour, who when He was here on earth told the poor Syrophenician woman, "0 woman, great is thy faith. Be it unto thee even as thou wilt."

Messages of the Love of God 6/8/1975

No - Not Tonight!

I MET A serious-minded young fellow recently. He said that he fully intended to be a Christian. I asked him, When? He said he did not know.

"Will you decide for Christ and salvation tonight?" I asked, after a very solemn talk together.

"Not tonight" he replied.

"Shall we say then, the last day of the year?"

"That would be too far off."

"I am glad you think so" I said. "What about the last day of this month?"

"Things might happen before then."

"So they might. Will you make the decision next Sunday evening?"

I saw that he was fidgeting and uncomfortable, so I pulled out my pocket diary and handed it to him with a pencil. "Just put a mark against the day that you fix on," I said.

He took the diary and fingered it aimlessly. Then suddenly he thrust it into my hand, saying, "It shall be now!"

And then and there he took the vital step that means salvation to all who take it.

I ask you, dear reader : Was that young fellow wise or not to decide for Christ right then? If you say he was wise, are you going to do the same? If not, why not?

Messages of the Love of God 6/8/1975

Big Danny

WHEN JUST a young fellow Big Danny had joined the army. Tall and athletic, he was very fond of nearly every kind of sport, and before his conversion he had become a champion boxer. There were few sports in which he did not excel and he spared nothing to reach perfection.

One night a soldier pal invited him to a gospel meeting. At first Danny made a joke of it, but as he had nothing to do he went along "to pass the time." At the meeting he heard the story of Jesus and His love told out in simple and appealing language. It was practically the first time he had heard the good news, but there and then he took the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour.

The gospel, the Apostle Paul tells us, is "the power of God unto salvation, to everyone that believeth" (Rom. 1:16). Big Danny proved that to be true in his experience. He became "a new creature in Christ Jesus." Instead of concentrating all his energies and time to excel in sport, he read his New Testament and at once began witnessing to the saving and keeping power of the Lord Jesus Christ. His companions loved and respected him, for his religion was no sham. They went with him to the gospel meetings. He loved to tell them how the Lord saved him and of the joy he had found in His salvation.

Another young soldier was writing home and telling of his experiences aboard a troop ship. Big Danny was also on the same ship. He said: "I went every day up on deck to hear Big Danny preach to the boys."

One day on a faraway battlefield, Big Danny went out to rescue a wounded comrade. He stepped on a concealed mine and was immediately killed. He was ready for the homecall; absent from the body, present with the Lord. But when killed on an errand of mercy even the most hardened of his mates shed a tear at his passing.

The writer of the letter too was also killed by a mine shortly after. Whether he was ready for the call I cannot say, but I know he heard the gospel many times.

I wonder if our young readers know Big Danny's Saviour? Are you ready for the homecall? If not you should come to Him now, for He saves and satisfies. And you who do know Him, do you witness for Him bravely as dear Danny did? "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me," the Lord told His disciples. Shine for Him then "at home, at school, at work or play." Then you shall know the fullness of joy that comes from knowing Christ as your Saviour.

Messages of the Love of God 6/15/1975

The Touch of the Master's Hand

'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer

Thought it scarcely worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin,

But held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good folks?" he cried.

"Who'll start the bidding for me?

A dollar, a dollar — now two, only two

Two dollars, and who'll make it three?"

"Three dollars once, three dollars twice,

Going for three" — but no!

From the room far back a gray-haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then wiping the dust from the old violin,

And tightening up all the strings,

He played a melody pure and sweet,

As sweet as a canary sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,

With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said: "What am I bid for the old violin?"

And he held it up with the bow. "

A thousand dollars — and who'll make it two?

Two thousand — and who'll make it three?

Three thousand once and three thousand twice

And going and gone!" said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,

"We do not quite understand.

What changed its worth?" The man replied:

The touch of the master's hand.

And many a man with life out of tune,

And battered and torn with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd,

Much like the old violin.

A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine,

A game — and he travels on,

He's going once, and going twice,

He's going. — and almost gone!

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd

Never can quite understand

The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought

By the touch of the Master's hand

— Myra Brooks Welch

The Lord Jesus said: "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10.

"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.

Messages of the Love of God 6/15/1975

Saved In The Well

AN EVANGELIST once came into a small town in Minnesota to preach the gospel. He rented a room and held his first meeting. At the close of the service, he noticed a young girl carrying a Bible. She was the only Christian in the town, as far as any one knew.

"How come you are the only Christian here?" the evangelist asked her. In reply she told him her story:

"One day I was playing with my brothers and sisters on the farm which Daddy had recently bought. There was an old hand-dug well there that had not been used for a long time. We didn't know it was there. I fell down the well.

"No one saw me fall. The well had several feet of water in the bottom. I would have drowned down there in that deep well had it not been for a plank which held my head above water.

"My brothers and sisters told my parents that no one could find me. My parents searched for me for hours. But down there in the well I called upon Jesus to save my soul, and He did. Then I cried out as loud as I could. My parents heard me and they saved me from the well.

"I was saved twice that day. The Lord Jesus saved my soul, and my parents saved me from the well.

"After that, I received a Bible as a gift from a friend out of town, and I will never part with it down here. That is the reason I carry my Bible. As far as I know I am the only Christian in town."

The little Christian girl grew up and went to live in another place. There she found a group of Christians and enjoyed their fellowship. One day on the farm as she drove a tractor she came too close to a ditch. The tractor turned over and pinned her underneath. She went home to heaven to be with the Lord Jesus she loved.

Because of her life of faith, and the evangelist's visit, there was a real work of God begun in the town. God blessed her testimony: "I was saved twice, deep down in the well."

"Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." John 7:37,38.

"In my Father's house are many mansions: ... I go to prepare a place for you. . . . I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2,3.

Messages of the Love of God 6/15/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 1 8:9-1 4

THE PREVIOUS verses we had brought before us the special portion and blessings of the priests and the Levites, those who stand in the presence of the Lord and serve Him, and then the encouragement for one who would come and worship the Lord and dwell in His presence.

Now we have warnings against one turning his back on the light of God and slipping off into the world and all its darkness. To shun the presence of God who is light, and in whom is no darkness at all is surely to come under the powers of darkness that inhabit the heavenly places. Among the heathen there were many attractive delusions of Satan — witchcraft, familiar spirits, enchantments, wizards and those who used drugs. God would not allow these things among His people. Alas, we see in our own favored land where the power of Christianity is becoming feebler that these very things are asserting themselves with startling boldness.

The many references in Scripture to these forms of divination, witchcraft, and the like, now called the occult sciences, and God's solemn warnings to His people to have nothing to do with them, show that it was a dangerous reality. Nor is it any less so now as then. These things are the subtle power of Satan in the unseen world by which he deludes men.

In our times there has been a great increase in attempts to communicate with the spirits of the dead, and even Christians have been drawn into them by mere curiosity, not without loss to their souls and even to their mental and spiritual health. These things are in deadly opposition to God and Christ. They are declared to be an abomination to the Lord, not only the things themselves but also those who do them. If those who profess Christianity turn to these things it is because they have turned their back on God.

A loving all-wise Father has given unto us, His children, "all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue"; He has made known unto us "the mystery of His will," and has "blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." How thankful we should be if we have been spared from Satan's power and from the world going down to its judgment. May we grow in grace, dear young Christian, and in the knowledge of Him who has called us "out of darkness into His marvelous light."

Messages of the Love of God 6/15/1975

Saved By Chance

A CRIPPLED British submarine lay on the bed of the ocean for two days and nights. The crew did all in their power to raise the craft, but all was in vain.

At last the commander called the crew together and all joined in singing "Abide With Me."

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide,

The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide.

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, O abide with me!

Then a drug to calm the men in their last minutes before the end was distributed.

As the men moved away one of them stumbled against a part of the submarine's equipment. A tremor was felt through the boat, then immediately it began to rise to the surface. Brought under control again, it arrived safely in port. All the crew were saved.

The hymn the men sang was their cry of direst need, uttered in the deepening darkness of their position beyond all human hope. Never, perhaps, has that hymn been sung under more tragic circumstances. How solemn to think that the most human aid can provide at such a time is but a drug to dull the pangs of death!

Who would deny that there is the closest connection between the singing of the hymn and the circumstance that caused the raising of the sub. For God, a faithful Creator, was down there in the darkness of the ocean floor, and well may we thank Him for His mercy to that crew.

But, dear reader, what would you do and to whom would you turn in such a crisis? Do you know the God who delivered from so great a death, and does deliver? If not, then your case is not less hopeless than that of those trapped seamen. For just as the captive crew were held beneath the sea, so the whole human race has been plunged beneath the tide of death as the penalty of sin.

Has anyone ever escaped the power of death. Only one blessed Man, the Man Christ Jesus. He, though truly God became a man in order to be the mediator between God and man. In marvelous grace He gave Himself for all, bearincb our sins in His own body on the tree, and went even into death to save those whose sins He bore.

The message for you is: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

ETERNAL Father, strong to save,

Whose arm hath bound the restless wave.

Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep

Its own appointed limits keep ;

O hear us when we cry to Thee

For those in peril on the sea.

Messages of the Love of God 6/22/1975

Lela

Lela was a little orphan girl in India. For a long time she carried about the burden of her sins and she longed to know that they were forgiven. But as time went on the burden grew heavier.

She made four long journeys seeking the forgiveness of her sins and peace with God. Each journey meant great suffering for her but they failed to help; she had no peace in her heart.

She began to do penance. For hours she would sit under the burning rays of the sun. On cold winter nights she spent long hours in cold icy water. Still she found no peace of heart, and her sins were such a heavy burden.

Then one day a faithful missionary found Lela and pointed her to Jesus. He told her that He had died for her upon the cross long ago and that if she trusted in Him as her Saviour He would take away her heavy burden of sin and guilt. This was just what Lela needed. She did put her trust in Him and her burden was gone in a moment. She knew her sins were forgiven and her heart was filled with gladness.

"0 sing unto the Lord a new song: . . . show forth His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all people. . . . 0 sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvelous things." Psalms 96:1,2,3; 98:1.

Messages of the Love of God 6/22/1975

Lending to the Lord

MR. MORRIS was once traveling through the mountains of Vermont when he was caught in a thunder shower. Stopping at a small home on the edge of the woods he asked the lady if he could take shelter there until the rain was over. She kindly consented and Mr. Morris was quite charmed by her little baby girl.

The young mother remarked that she was afraid of thunder, and he took the opportunity to talk with her of the Lord Jesus, saying that she need not be afraid if she trusted in God. However, she did not seem to know anything about the Scriptures or the way of salvation. When the rain was over, Mr. Morris thanked her for her kindness and encouraged her to read the Bible. With tears in her eyes she confessed she had no Bible, as they were too poor to buy one. However, she said she would read it if she had one.

Mr. Morris thought, "Here is a poor woman in need of a Bible. I don't have one to give her, and I have just enough money to get home on. What can I do?" Then the words came into his mind, "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord." Prov. 19:17. Also, "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days." Eccles. 11:1.

"I will trust the Lord," said Mr. Morris to himself, and going back he gave the young mother a dollar, telling her to buy a Bible with it. She promised she would and thanked him warmly.

Mr. Morris traveled on. He had only a little change left in his pocket, and at night he stopped at another private house along the way as he could not afford to go to the inn. He was about to eat some of the meager fare he had with him when the family insisted he come and have supper with them. They seemed to appreciate his conversation and when in the morning he wanted to pay for his night's lodging they would not take anything. "What can this mean?" thought Mr. Morris. "I was never treated like this while traveling before." Then he thought of the dollar he had given to the poor mother. "I have been well repaid," he said. "It is safe lending to the Lord."

About a year and a half later a stranger called at Mr. Morris' house and asked if he might purchase a meal. In the course of their conversation Mr. Morris asked him if there was any desire for the gospel in the district where he came from. "Not much," he replied, "but about 35 miles away there seems to be quite a work going on. It all started in a remarkable way. A traveler had stopped at the home of a poor woman during a thunder storm and spoke to her about the Lord. She became very anxious about her salvation and the man gave her a dollar to buy a Bible. She did so and read it diligently. Through it she found the Saviour. Her neighbors wondered at her and they too became concerned for their souls' salvation. Now there are at least 30 rejoicing in God their Saviour."

Mr. Morris, who had been listening with his heart swelling more and more with wonder, thanksgiving and joy, could refrain no longer but with hands and eyes raised to heaven exclaimed, "My God, Thou hast paid me again!"

When we give to the Lord He always repays us with "good measure, pressed down, and running over."

Messages of the Love of God 6/22/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 18:15-22

The Prophet

IN THIS chapter spiritualism, now known as the occult, in all its forms and phases, spreading so rapidly in these last days, is strongly condemned by the Word of God. It is man turning away from the light to darkness, from God Himself to the power of Satan.

But Moses knew that the faithless people would not always continue to walk with God as he had told them to do, so he said: "The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him shall ye hearken."

God's answer to man's unbelief and failure is always Christ; and so we are not left in doubt as to the One He is looking on to here. He is the true Prophet of Israel, our blessed Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Both Peter and Stephen, when addressing the Jews, quoted this prophecy and identified the Lord as that Prophet; He had already come (Acts 3:22; 7:37). But more than that the whole New Testament is a testimony that He is the Prophet referred to here. "Hear ye Him" were the words the disciples heard from above the holy mount, words which set aside Moses and Elias (Matt. 17; Luke 9).

In times past God had spoken through Moses and the prophets but in these last days God has spoken unto us by His Son (Heb. 1). All now turns upon the testimony of Him, and all others disappear like the stars before the light of the sun.

Moses goes on to remind the people that at Sinai they had been afraid of the voice of God speaking out of the fire on the mountain, and that they had not wished to hear it any more. But he said that this Prophet, the Lord Jesus, should come with the words of God in His mouth, not with thunder and lightning, but full of grace and truth. He would speak to them in God's name, and any one who did not listen to Him God would surely judge.

It was a serious thing to break God's holy law and to reject Him even in the dim light of the Old Testament, but it would be a far more solemn thing to reject the Person and words of the Lord Jesus Christ in the full blaze of the light of Christianity. God has no other Saviour, no other salvation; to reject Him means eternal judgment. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" Heb. 2:3.

But there would be false prophets arise and Moses warns the people against them. They were to be destroyed out of the land. There will be many false prophets in Israel in the coming days but their judgment will be fully carried out we learn from Zechariah 13. Peter warns of the false prophets and teachers in Christendom in the last days, "who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them," but they will "bring upon themselves swift destruction." (2 Pet. 2:1.)

Memory Verse

"HE WILL HAVE COMPASSION UPON US; . . . AND THOU WILT CAST ALL THEIR SINS INTO THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA." Micah 7:19.

Messages of the Love of God 6/22/1975

Ben and His Idols

BEN HAD only one eye. He made his living making idols for peo-

ple who worshiped Buddha. A missionary came along one day and told Ben a story about a wonderful Man named Jesus, who opened the eyes of a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. He also gave Ben a Bible in his own language.

Ben was thinking about that story as he lay there on his straw mat, when his little son came in and picking up the Bible began to read some of the passages in it. He read: "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not: they have ears, but they hear not."

Ben looked at the idols he made and thought, "These idols are blind, deaf and dumb — all of them. They can't help any one."

Ben had just one eye, but he had a far deeper problem. He had soul trouble. His sins burdened him. He longed for peace.

The next morning he went to the missionary and asked, "Can Christ really save me? Can He give peace to my troubled soul?"

"Indeed He can," answered the missionary, and he told Ben of how the Lord Jesus died on the cross to put our sins away. God will forgive all who trust in Jesus for their salvation.

The two got on their knees and Ben prayed. He had often prayed before at the idol shrine but now he prayed to the Lord Jesus and he was in earnest. He asked Him to save Him and take his guilt away. The Saviour heard his simple honest prayer and gave Ben such a sense of His love and peace that he knew he was forgiven. He became a new creature in Christ Jesus. Of Ben it could be said that he "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven." (1 Thess. 1:9, 10.)

Messages of the Love of God 6/29/1975

You Wouldn't Let Me Save You!

SOME gypsies were one day riding along in a wagon. They were all laughing and talking and having a good time. Around the bend in the road they came to an old wooden bridge. The river had overflowed its banks and covered the road and part of the bridge.

Some of the gypsies screamed when they saw the wide river and the horses becoming frightened started to run. They crashed into the side of the old bridge. The railing gave way and wagon, gypsies, horses and all were thrown into the stream. Several were drowned.

One brave gypsy boy seized one of the horses going downstream and went to rescue his mother. She was so frightened she lost her self-control and would not let him help her. At last she sank beneath the water.

At the funeral the poor boy knelt beside his mother's casket and cried, "Oh, Mother, I did all I could to save you, but you would not let me!"

When the Lord Jesus was here upon earth, He wept over Jerusalem and those who rejected Him, saying, "How often would I have gathered thy children together, . . . and ye would not." Matt. 23:37.

"Come!" for angel hosts are musing

O'er this sight so strangely sad:

God "beseeching" — man refusing

To be made forever glad!

From the world and its delusion

Now our voices rise as one;

While we shout God's invitation,

Heaven itself re-echoes "Come!"

Messages of the Love of God 6/29/1975

Grace

IT WAS the custom of a certain family to meet all together during the holiday season. One year the reunion took place in the house of the eldest son, Henry, who at the time was an infidel.

When the whole family was seated at the table, the old gray-haired father, who was a godly man, returned thanks to God for the meal they were about to enjoy. When he got through Henry angrily exclaimed:

"You have no right to give God thanks. I bought this food, every bit of it; and I will not have you thanking God for what I bought and paid for. There is no God. I don't believe in any God at all.

"Look here! If there is a God I'll give Him a chance. I will give Him five minutes to cut me down."

He took out his watch and put it on the table. The rest of the family sat aghast. They knew what God could do, but would He?

One minute went by, . . . two . . . three . . . four and five, and the defier of God was not cut down.

"There," said he, "where is your God? He has had His chance, and lost it."

"Henry," said the old man, "when you put the watch on the table, I began to pray to the Lord for you. When you were a child I gave you to God, and I have never taken you back. I believe God will yet save you, my boy."

Soon after the gathering broke up, the old father died. Henry went his own way. He knew better than his father. He started to frequent the taverns. After fifteen years he was seen walking down the street in shabby clothes. In his pockets he had his last fifty cents.

"What shall I do with it?" he thought. "I will have two glasses of whiskey, and carry home a bottle of beer."

He turned to go to the nearest bar, but when he was quite near it the recollection of the family scene struck him. An arrow of conviction from heaven entered his soul.

"O, God, have mercy upon me, and answer my dear old father's prayer!" he exclaimed.

Instead of going into the tavern he went back to his home and his wife. He got down on his knees before God and cried for mercy. God answered his dear old father's prayers, and saved him. The change in his life proved the reality of his conversion.

That was grace! That is like God.

Oh, you say, I expected he would be cut down. That is man's way. But God did not cut him down. He spared him, and then saved him. So grace wins its proudest victories over its bitterest enemies.

"God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. . . . When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son." Rom. 5:8,10.

Messages of the Love of God 6/29/1975

Bible Birds

THE GRACEFUL SWAN (Lev. 11:18). How pretty she is as she sails along the river. But her feet are not so pretty and she is a very poor walker. God said of that pretty bird that she is unclean. She is like an unsaved sinner — unclean in His sight. "We are all as an unclean thing. Isa. 64:6. Often what we admire is not pleasing to God. But how clean in God's sight are those who are washed in the blood of His dear Son! "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Psa. 51:7.

THE WEARY DOVE (Gen. 8:9). Noah sent her forth from the ark, but after roving across the lone waste of waters and finding no rest for her foot, no wonder she was weary. There was no place of rest to the weary dove save in the ark. There is no rest to the weary sinner, save in Christ. See how the dove flies toward the only place of refuge and rest! And she was not rejected for Noah put out his hand and took her in again. I know of many who who have found their rest like that in Christ. They came to Him "weary and worn and sad," and He took them in and gave them sweet rest. "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.

THE EAGLE (Dent. 32:11). Last of all we have the powerful eagle, with her eyrie in the high rocks. Her care for her young in teaching them to fly is given as an illustration of the Lord's care over all who are saved. He bears them on eagle's wings upward, their strength is renewed as the eagle's (Is. 40:31), and one day He will bear them homeward to the glory above. How safe, how happy are they who have such a God who will bring them home to heaven! J. R.

Memory Verse

"SALVATION BELONGETH UNTO THE LORD. THY BLESSING IS UPON THY PEOPLE." Psalm 3:8.

Messages of the Love of God 6/29/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 19:1-13

IN THIS chapter the Lord views His people as in possession of the land and enjoying their inheritance. In order that they might continue to enjoy their blessings, He outlines certain observances by which the land might not be defiled, and so that they might be able to go on with Him.

"When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses." What a contrast in this one verse!, for we have the judgment of the nations, their cutting off on the one hand, and God's tender grace shown to His people on the other. Romans 11:22 speaks of "the goodness and severity of God!"

"Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land . . ." as a place of refuge for the manslayer. Later on, if they were obedient and God extended their borders, they were to separate three more cities for places of refuge.

"Thou shalt prepare thee a way!" How like our gracious God to think of the plight of one who had by accident and not willingly killed his neighbor. For instance, they might have been chopping wood together, and one man's axe head flew off and mortally wounded his neighbor. Provision was to be made to protect the life of him who had shed innocent blood, and had not hated his neighbor in the past. A road was to be prepared to which he might flee to the city of refuge from the avenger of blood. These cities were no more than 70 miles apart so that a slayer would not have to go more than 35 miles to escape his pursuer.

In a typical way, the manslayer represents the Jews. They put to death their Messiah, the Lord Jesus, yet they were not slain at once as murderers, but in grace they were treated as manslayers. This was in answer to the Lord's prayer on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Then again Peter in addressing the Jews said they did it ignorantly (Acts 3:17); those who repented and turned to the Lord God spared and were received into the church which became a city of refuge for them.

However, these cities were not to be a refuge for one who killed another intentionally, for if it was found that his heart was full of hatred towards the one he killed, he was to be put to death. Thus we see among the Jews two classes — those who repented and were spared, and those who did not repent but suffered the awful judgment of God for their rejection of Christ.

How wonderful and gracious of God to provide those cities of refuge, and a shelter from coming judgment for us, for all who flee for refuge to Christ. He is the true "city of refuge" for all who trust in Him.

"And this is the case of the slayer which shall flee thither, that he may live." The manslayer, who shed innocent blood was perfectly safe within the wall of the refuge that God had provided for him. And so is the believer safe, perfectly safe, in Christ — no judgment can touch him there; for Christ has died for him and the judgment is all vast and gone forever. What a Saviour we have! He wants us to enjoy fully the sense of our eternal security He has purchased at such a cost.

Messages of the Love of God 6/29/1975

Faithful King

THE JOHN DUCHARME family of Winnipeg will long remember King, their faithful German Shepherd dog. Big brave King was the means of saving the life of their little two-year old daughter, Sandra Lee.

During a terrible blizzard that raged one Saturday afternoon last winter fire broke out in the Ducharme home. Little Sandra was inside the house with King, while her mother and father were outside in the driveway.

The parents were unaware that anything was wrong until Mrs. Ducharme heard King whining inside the home. Opening the front door she found the house full of smoke, and little Sandra was lying before the door, her face all burned. The faithful King was by her side. He had dragged the little girl to the front door from where her mother pulled her to safety.

When Mrs. Ducharme returned with her husband to the front door, King had disappeared. John ran inside the home calling for King, but the dog never came. Then John had to flee outside because of the smoke and flames.

When the firemen arrived shortly after and put out the fire, they found brave King dead, suffocated from the smoke.

Little Sandra was taken into the hospital and treated for minor smoke burns. She was soon all right again, however, running around and wondering where her loved playmate and faithful protector had gone.

The story of a gallant dog's faithfulness and devotion only leads our thoughts to the more wonderful story of Jesus who when we were yet sinners died for us. King loved his little charge and gave his all for her. The Lord Jesus loved us, guilty sinners, and died to save us from the "devouring fire" and those "everlasting burnings" (Isa. 33:14).

Can you say, dear reader, as one of old, "The Son of God who loved me, and gave Himself for me"? (Gal. 2:20.)

Lord of the brooding blue.

Of pleasant summer skies,

Lord of each little bird

That through the clear air flies,

'Tis wonderful to me,

That I am loved by Thee.

"Thy love to me was wonderful!" 2 Samuel 1:26.

Messages of the Love of God 7/6/1975

The Chocolate Pudding

MRS. MEYERS had made some chocolate pudding and left it on the kitchen table to cool. Then she had to go out for a little while.

"Joe, I'm going out. Now you be a good boy, won't you, and don't touch the pudding!"

"No, Mother, I won't," he assured her, and went on with his play.

A little later he got tired of playing and sighted the chocolate pudding. How good it looked, and he was hungry. Then the evil thought came into his heart that one spoonful of the pudding wouldn't be missed, so in spite of his promise to his mother he got a spoon out of the drawer and tasted a little of the pudding. It was as good as it looked, so Joe took another spoonful, and then another, and another. Before Joe realized it, most of the pudding was gone.

Then it was that his conscience smote him for what he had done. He had disobeyed his dear mother. What could he do now? Even as he stood there crestfallen and in fear, he heard her steps coming in the door.

But one sin leads to another. Joe suddenly thought, "I'll blame it on the cat." So, hastily picking up the cat, he shoved its nose and front feet into the pudding, and when mother came into the room he tried to look unconcerned, but mother wasn't fooled.

-Cats don't eat pudding with a spoon," said Mother. "Look at that dirty spoon you left on the table!"

Joe was punished and sent upstairs to his bedroom. He had to remain there until his mother called for him.

The Bible says, "Be sure your sin will find you out." Num. 32:23. It was a good thing for Joe that his mother did find out what he had done and that he was punished for his sin, because, dear boys and girls, sin unconfessed has a hardening effect on the conscience, and the punishment that Joe received that day no doubt helped to keep him from worse evil.

The Lord Jesus shed His blood on Calvary's cross to wash away sin, and this is the only thing in the sight of God that can take away its scarlet stain. "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

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

"COME THOU." Gen. 7:1 "COME NOW." Isa. 1 :1 8

C stands for Children
0 stands for Old People
M stands for Middle Aged
E stands for everybody

Young folks, old folks,
Folks of every town,
White folks, black folks,
Yellow, red and brown;

Jesus died to save them, Take away their sin, And to put the sunlight of His love within.

Messages of the Love of God 7/6/1975

A Pass For Heaven

A GYPSY evangelist was one day visiting an army camp. The fort was jealously guarded. One day when he went out for a walk he entered the fort by a different route, and was halted by a sentry who did not know him. Not having a pass the Gypsy was placed in the guard room and a sergeant summoned. The Gypsy's identification was examined and found to be all right, so he was allowed to proceed.

Before leaving, however, he had a word with the sergeant.

"Have you got a pass for heaven, sergeant?" he asked.

"I'm afraid not," was the reply.

"Then you'd better get one at once," said the Gypsy; "for they are far more particular there than you are here, and you don't stand a ghost of a chance of getting in!"

The sergeant smiled, but the Gypsy's words had pierced a joint in his armor. Four days later he accepted Christ as his Saviour. Rising from his knees he gripped the Gypsy's hand and said, "Thank God, I've got my pass for heaven now. That was the only thing that was troubling me. If death should come to me on the battlefield, it won't be death but life everlasting."

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Matt. 24:44.+

Messages of the Love of God 7/6/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronmy 19:14

NEXT, the Lord forbade the Israelites to move the land-marks which marked the boundary of a tribe or of a man's possession. "Thou shalt not remove thy neighbor's landmark." Not only was one to value and guard his own, but he was to respect that which belonged to another. God had given them the land and assigned each one his place and portion in it. It was his to enjoy and that which sustained him as a tenant under the gracious hand of God.

"Much food is in the tillage of the poor," so we read in Proverbs 13:23. The poor may not have much, but he makes a lot out of the little he's got. We are certainly "the poor," and at best we enter but little into all the fullness of Christ, but even the little that we possess of Him can be a rich source of spiritual enjoyment to our souls.

"Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?" James 2:5. Many of God's dear people have but little of the truth such as some of us are privileged to possess, yet they make much of Christ and their enjoyment of Him puts some of us to shame.

In Psalm 16:6 the psalmist says, "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." Here is the lovely picture of a godly Israelite in that coming millennial day, looking over the portion of land which the Lord has given him and he says, "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places." Surely we can say this of our heavenly portion, given us to enjoy even now. How much more so when called above to enjoy it all with Him whose grace has brought us there!

We believe that this word to Israel — not to remove the landmarks — has a deep spiritual lesson for us. The Lord has set landmarks in the Church — boundaries of truth which are not to be given up, moved, or set aside. It is a solemn thing to add to or take away from the Word of God (Rev. 22:18,19). A true believer will never lose his eternal life in Christ, but if he gives up or tampers with what he knows to be the truth, he will surely lose in blessing to his soul, and even suffer under the hand of God in discipline.

The path of obedience to the Lord has always been a narrow one, but it is the way of happiness. To give up that narrow way for a more roomy path is surely removing the landmarks. May our feet be found in the narrow path of devotion to Him, while at the same time may we have large hearts that would go out to all the saints of God and to the unsaved all around us.

To bring in new ideas and inventions into the church would be removing the landmarks. How much rubbish has accumulated in the church of God over the centuries. And in this regard we believe that many of the modern translations of the Bible, some of which are not translations but merely paraphrases, in which the Word of God is watered down and much of the truth lost, are the enemy's attempt to remove the landmarks and get rid of the truth of God.

May we seek grace, dear young Christian, to cling to "that which was from the beginning" (1 John 1:1), to cleave to the Lord and wait patiently for Him. He has told us, "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Rev. 3:11.

Messages of the Love of God 7/6/1975

The Mouse and the Ring

HYMN No. 181, “Lo a loving Friend is Waiting?" gave out a young fellow standing at the edge of a group of children. It was a children's gospel service, and the hymn was well sung by all present. After the fifth verse the speaker said: "Please sit down now and let me tell you something that I often connect in my mind with that last verse you sang.

"I knew a lady who had lost a very valuable ring. Very mysteriously it had disappeared one night from her dresser, though she had not left the room, and two other rings close by were all safe. She was sure she had slipped all three off her finger, and put them on an old china tray, as usual. But in the morning, her watch, broach, and two rings lay there, but the third one was missing. On the tray was a small packet of cereal.

"High and low the children and servants searched for the ring, but all in vain.

"It was just three years later some repairs were being made in another part of the house. Part of the flooring was taken up, and there lay the skeleton of a mouse, with the beautiful diamond ring around its neck! It seemed as if the poor little fellow had found a little cereal scattered on the tray and, while eating it and searching for more, he had slipped his head through the ring. Being smooth and round, very likely it caused no inconvenience at first: but, as the mouse grew, the ring became tight and then tighter, and from the bent shape of the neck-bones it had evidently strangled him. They also showed that he had worn it for some time."

The large group of children and their friends listened with much interest, and the speaker continued: "Perhaps that mouse could have slipped out of the ring at first; and then he would feel it getting tighter and tighter, until it caused his death. How true is that line, 'Sin grows stronger.' Yes, sin indulged in tightens and tightens its deadly hold till . . . you know what the Bible says is the end of the unpardoned sinner. `The wages of sin is death.'

"Now let us sing that verse very prayerfully and softly again:

"Soon that voice will cease its calling;

Wilt thou still delay?

Wait no longer, sin grows stronger,

Come today."

Thank God, two present at that morning service did yield to the Saviour that day. One was a lady, the other a fourteen year old school boy. Both sought and found Him who had died and set them free from the bondage of sin and Satan, and both are still rejoicing in the glorious liberty of grace.

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

Messages of the Love of God 7/13/1975

Read the Scriptures

I was in a cabin in Ireland where I was known, and began speaking to the brother-in-law of the man of the house about the Scriptures. His niece, a young woman, who was present said, "But they tell me, sir, that is a bad book, that the devil wrote it." She was very ignorant, and could not read.

I said, "That is a shocking blasphemy—but I will not reason with you, but read you a bit, and you shall tell me yourself if the devil wrote it."

I read to her what are called the beatitudes: "And He opened His mouth, and taught them saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matt. 5:2-12.

I then said, "Well, what do you think? Did the devil write that?"

"No, sir," she said, "the devil never wrote that; that came from nothing but the mouth of God." The word of God had laid hold of her. She lived and died most happy, dying three years after of a fever in a hospital.

J.N.D.

Messages of the Love of God 7/13/1975

The Text On the Wrapping Paper

IT WAS JUST before the great Indian festival and the Hindu priest had gone to the store to purchase some powder to dye his robe. As he unwrapped the package, he saw some strange words written on the wrapping paper:

"Come unto Me . . . and I will give you rest."

He thought, "Well now, for many years I have longed for rest. I wonder who could have said these words?" For a long time he kept thinking about them. Then one day he gave the wrapping paper to a man whose name was Krishna. Krishna read the strange words on the wrapping paper and he too wondered who had said them. Then he decided he must find out so every day and everywhere he went he carried the paper with him. He kept on asking all the people he knew who had written those words, but no one could tell.

Then one day passing through an Indian village he saw a group of Christians holding an open air meeting. One man was preaching about Jesus the Son of God and Krishna stopped to listen. He heard the man repeat those same precious words he had read on the wrapping paper: "Come unto Me . . . and I will give you rest."

Overjoyed, Krishna went up to the preacher and said, "Now I know who said those words written on the wrapping paper."

Soon after he came to know that blessed One, the Saviour of sinners, and he became one of His devoted followers. One day he went to the priest who had first given him the wrapping paper and told him about Jesus, the One who said, "Come unto Me . . . and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28.)

Messages of the Love of God 7/13/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 19:15-21

IN THESE next few verses God is guarding against a false witness or one who would bring an evil report.

If any one was accused of doing wrong, one witness was not sufficient to prove it. "One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, . . . at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established."

The witness might be faithful and trustworthy, but his testimony was not sufficient to settle the case. There must be at least two or three. And this holds true in the Church today. Timothy was told to "receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses," (1 Tim. 5:19). We are never wiser than Scripture, and if we are subject to the Word we will prove the wisdom of God in all these guide lines which He has laid down for us.

Furthermore they were to be careful that the witness was not false in his statements. They were to make careful inquiry and be sure that the man was really guilty before he was punished. His life was guarded here by the law of retribution of false witness; that is, if the witness was proved to be false, then the punishment that would have fallen on the accused fell upon him who gave the false testimony. God is just and He taught His people these things that they might be just in all their dealings with men and with one another.

How solemn to think that failure here became one of the great sins of God's earthly people and which brought down upon them His just judgment. In the face of the testimony of their own Scriptures which they had and knew, they took the Son of God, in His humiliation to prison, gave Him a trial which was but a mockery, and sentenced Him to death. Though He had come in love and went about doing good, they hated Him without a cause (John 15:25). When they could not find anything against Him they sought false witnesses, and even when the false witnesses could not agree among themselves and Pilate could find no cause of death in Him, yet they condemned Him to die.

But the law of retribution judged these false accusers. The fearful judgment of God fell upon that guilty nation, except for a remnant which repented and, sheltered under the blood, found a refuge in the Church.

In the last verse we see plainly the difference between law and grace. Under the law it was "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth," but grace teaches us to love our enemies. As Christians we are not to "pay back" in the same kind as we received, but to show the kindness of God to those who would wrong or harm us. "Recompense to no man evil for evil . . . Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. . . . Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Rom. 12:17-21.

Memory Verse

"THEREFORE BE YE ALSO READY: FOR IN SUCH AN HOUR AS YE THINK NOT THE SON OF MAN COMETH." Matt. 24:44.

Messages of the Love of God 7/13/1975

Nobody's Son

FROM a western prairie home a young father had gone on business to a distant town. He was detained overnight and as he laid down to sleep he prayed for God's protection for his young wife and baby alone at home.

At that very moment his wife was tucking the baby into its little crib. As she did so, suddenly she noticed a man's foot showing from below a heavy drape. She turned pale and terror filled her heart, but on glancing around the room her eyes lighted on a text on the wall. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." Psa. 103:13. This assurance calmed her — God saw and God cared.

She knelt down by the crib and prayed in a low voice that sinners might be led to Christ, and that those who were meditating crime might repent and be saved. Then she prayed for God's care over herself and her babe claiming His power and promise to save. She then calmly sat down, a look of peace settling on her face.

With a sudden movement the robber stood before her. In a low husky voice he told her he had heard her prayer for protection and that her prayer was already answered for he would not harm her. "My mother prayed for me too, but now she is dead and I am a wanderer for whom no one cares. O! lady pray for me as long as you live. Pray for 'Nobody's son,' " and he hurried out.

Years later as she was listening to a preacher tell the story of his conversion to a large company, he told of the prayer that first awakened him, and she realized her prayers had been answered, for the robber for whom she had prayed so long, was now telling others of the great salvation offered to all who will take Jesus as their own Saviour.

It was a joy to them to meet, and thanking her for her prayers, he told her how he was no longer "Nobody's son" but a child of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

What honor to God and blessing to the robber flowed from this dear woman's faith! By FAITH in Christ we become God's children and then we trust our loving Father to care for us all along our pathway down here. And He never, never disappoints faith. Have you proved this?

"Have faith in God." Mark 11:22.

Messages of the Love of God 7/20/1975

Fulano and The Charcoal Burners

NOT so many years ago, a Spanish colporteur, named Fulano, was distributing the Scriptures in North Africa. He was on his way home to Algiers one night when he lost his way in the dark forest. After some hours of wandering about, he came upon a camp of charcoal burners men, women and children sitting around a big fire. They too were far from their native land, Spain, and treated their visitor very kindly. After a time, Fulano opened his bag, took out a book, and began to read some of the Lord's parables.

"Beautiful!" they exclaimed.

"Read some more." And they listened eagerly as he read the story of the Lord's death. It was late when they all retired.

Next morning before he went on his way. Fulano gave them a Bible, and promised that he would come back.

Eagerly they looked for his return, nor did he disappoint them. He came back many times, finally to live with them in their little village. How wonderfully God makes all things to work together for good to those who love Him! God blessed His Word first spoken to the poor charcoal burners that dark night when Fulano lost his way, and many of them found the Saviour and became happy Christians.

May God grant that many of our readers might come to know Christ as their blessed Saviour and Friend, and be able to say with Fulano's friends, "Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart." Psa. 119:111.

"The holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation." 2 Tim. 3:15.

Messages of the Love of God 7/20/1975

God Wants the Girls

God wants the happy-hearted girls,

The loving girls, the best of girls,

The worst of girls;

God wants to make the girls His pearls,

And so reflect His holy face,

And bring to mind His wondrous grace;

That Christ in them the world may see,

And filled with love and purity;

God wants the girls!

Messages of the Love of God 7/20/1975

You Didn't Look Up!

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

"Yes, I did," his father said. "Where didn't I look?"

"You didn't look up!" was the little boy's reply.

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

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

"Thou God seest me." Genesis 16:13.

Messages of the Love of God 7/20/1975

Make Baby Sister Well!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Memory Verse

"THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST." Rom. 5:1.

Messages of the Love of God 7/20/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 20

IN THIS chapter the Lord gives His people instructions in warfare. "When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee."

Israel were to rely upon God Himself being with them, but this also supposes that they were with God, going on faithfully with Him. Then their enemies would indeed be God's enemies and they would be fighting against Him. Oh if Israel had only been faithful to Him in their goings on what irresistible power would have been theirs! How invincible they would have been in this world!

So it was not a matter of human valor or military might, such as is found among men in the world, but it was a question solely of the Lord and Israel's confidence in Him.

"The Lord is a man of war," we read in Exodus 15:3, yet war is not something that He delights in. He takes "no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Ezek. 33:11), and judgment is "His strange work" (Isa. 28:21). Rather He delights in mercy and in saving sinners.

Israel were an earthly people, seeking an earthly inheritance, so it was quite right for them to fight for possession of Canaan. Still it was the Lord's battles they were called to fight. However, in this dispensation of grade how different for us! Christians are a heavenly people and our conflict is a spiritual one. We do not fight with carnal weapons, for "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, . . . but against spiritual powers," against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." And just as Canaan was where the enemy must be fought and beaten, so the heavenly places are where we must overcome our spiritual foes who would oppose our taking possession of our heavenly blessings in Christ. But as with Israel, so with us:

The Lord is our banner,

The battle is His;

The weakest of saints

More than conqueror is.

But then there was to be no fainthearted among them when they went into battle. If a man had built a new house and not lived in it, or planted a vineyard and not eaten of it, or betrothed a wife and not taken her, he was to return home lest he become homesick or fainthearted. The battle was no place for such. They might discourage others in the face of the enemy. The Lord would not have us earthly-minded but whole-hearted in our service to Him.

When they approached an enemy city they were first to proclaim terms of peace to it. If these terms were accepted the enemy was to be spared, but if refused they were to be destroyed.

However, the Lord made an exception in the case of the Canaanites. No peace was to be offered to them. They represented the worst wickedness and their abominations were so hateful to God that they were not to be spared. If not exterminated they would live to plague and corrupt Israel, and even overcome them. Alas, the history of Israel only proves how true was the Lord's word to His people. They did not drive out all those guilty nations and suffered from them for their lack of faithfulness. The Lord help us to be more faithful in putting out of our lives those things of the flesh and of the world, so hateful to God, which dishonor Him and hinder our Christian progress.

Messages of the Love of God 7/20/1975

Ready Now

ONE COLD cloudy morning a ship captain was coming down the street on his way to his ship, when he noticed a poorly clad, hungry looking little boy standing in front of a fine restaurant.

The captain placed his hand gently on the boy's shoulder and asked, "What are you doing here, my little man?" The little boy, with a piteous look, said, "0 sir, I was just standing here looking at the good things they have to eat in the restaurant."

"Well," said the captain, "if you had on good clothes, a clean face, and your hair combed, I would take you in the restaurant and get you something to eat."

With a gentle look of love and with tears in his eyes at the captain's kind words, the little fellow brushed his hair with his hand and said, "I am ready — ready now."

The captain replied: "Well, my little man, God bless you; come with me into the restaurant and I will get you something to eat."

As the little fellow began to eat, the captain asked, "Where is your mother, my boy?"

"Mother died when I was about four years old," replied the child. "Where is your father?"

"I haven't seen father since mother died."

"And who takes care of you?"

The boy, with a look of calm resignation, said; "When mommy was sick, just before she died, she told me that Jesus would take care of me: she taught me how to pray and to love Him."

Putting his arms around the boy, the captain said, "Come with me, my little man, and you will always be my boy." He made arangements to bring the little lad on the steamer and introduced him to his men, saying: "He will wait on me, and his name is 'Ready Now.' He is always ready and you must not call him by any other name than 'Ready Now!' The little boy cleaned up after the captain had given him a new blue suit of clothes, and he began his pleasant duty of waiting on the captain, and did so most faithfully.

The captain came to love the little child. Shortly after the little boy had been on board, he took sick, and one day he said to the captain, "I feel sick; I have awful pains in my chest. O captain, I want to get close to you." The kind hearted man took him in his arms and pressed him to his heart. The little one fell asleep and he carried him very carefully to his berth.

A few days later the doctor said to the captain: "I have done all I can for that poor boy; he is seriously ill and will die."

"Doctor," cried the captain, "save him; I can't give him up." But the child continued to grow worse. One day the boy sent for the captain whom he loved so dearly, and as the captain looked him in the face, he saw that death was very near.

In a low, weak voice the little fellow said: "O Captain, I do love you; you have been so good to me. But I am going to leave you; I am going to where Jesus and mother are. I am going to be with Jesus. 0 Captain, won't you give your heart to Jesus? Meet me in heaven. Captain, Jesus loves you; won't you let Him save you and be a Christian?"

The captain, with deep emotion and trembling voice replied, "I have been thinking about it, my little man."

"But when, Captain?" ,

"I will attend to it soon,"

"When will you be ready to give your heart to Jesus?"

"Well, I will not put it off much longer."

"O Captain, won't you let Jesus save you? When will you be ready?"

With tears streaming down his cheeks, the captain fell upon his knees and cried, "I am ready now ready now!" And there on his knees, with a broken and contrite heart, he opened his heart to the Lord Jesus. About a half hour afterward some of the men came to the captain's room and found him kneeling in prayer. The little boy's arms were around his neck but his spirit had fled. He was "absent from the body . . . present with the Lord." (2 Cor. 5:8.)

The captain gave up his position as captain of the steamer and went out to preach the gospel of the grace of God to poor, lost sinners, and to tell of the dear little boy, who had been the means in God's hands, of leading him to the blessed Saviour.

Dear young reader, are you a Christian? Do you love Jesus as this little boy did? Are you ready to meet Him? Do you know Him as that blessed Saviour who died for you on the cross of Calvary? If not, will you take Him as YOUR Saviour now, and then you can say, "Ready now!"

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

Messages of the Love of God 7/27/1975

Saved at 90 Years

While Reading the Calendar

Some months ago a brother gave an Italian Joyful News monthly gospel calendar to an Italian lady who was 80 years of age. She took it to another Italian friend of hers who was 90. The latter could not read or speak English. At first her ninety year old friend wouldn't take the calendar, thinking she had to pay for it.

"Oh no," insisted her friend. "You don't have to pay anything for it. You can just borrow it; but read it through." Her aged friend consented and took the calendar on these terms.

About 2:00 A.M. that same night, the first lady was awakened by the ringing of the door bell. Getting up she went to the door and what was her surprise when she saw her ninety year old friend standing there holding the calendar in her hand.

"I've been sitting up all night reading the calendar," the dear old soul exclaimed, almost beside herself with joy. "And I got saved reading it. I'm so happy I couldn't wait till morning but just had to come and tell you that I am saved."

Praise the Lord! 0 how great is His goodness! "For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." Psalm 107:9.

Memory Verse

Being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Rom. 5:9

Messages of the Love of God 7/27/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 21:1-9

“IF ONE be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who bath slain him."

Here we have God taking special care lest the land wherein He dwelt should become defiled by blood. It is a beautiful picture of the application of the death of Christ, by which God will graciously clear the godly remnant in the coming day of guilt connected with the death of Him who was found slain in the midst of guilty Israel.

"Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain: and it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take a heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke; and the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley.

"And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: and they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. Be merciful, 0 LORD, unto Thy people Israel, whom Thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto Thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them."

The slain man and the heifer both speak of Christ. He was found slain in the land of Israel, "lying in the field" — the world.

How many since that day have sought to absolve themselves of the awful crime of crucifying the Lord of glory, but this passage from Deuteronomy brings the law into force in a most remarkable way. The distance from the dead man to the nearest city was to be measured, and that city was held responsible.

John 19:19,20, reads: "And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross.

And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews; for the place where Jesus was crucified was NIGH TO THE CITY: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin." God has made it clear that the place where Jesus was crucified was "nigh to" Jerusalem. He has left no uncertainty as to this city. Men need not labor to absolve themselves of this guilt; God Himself has measured it.

But then the Gentiles too are guilty of the death of Christ. When Pilate questioned the Lord Jesus and said that His own nation had delivered Him unto him, the Lord Jesus answered, "He that delivered Me unto thee hath the greater sin." John 19:11. All mankind stands condemned for rejecting Christ Jesus, but there are measures of guilt. Those who had the Old Testament Scriptures and yet cried out for His death, have the greater guilt. But Pilate, the representative of Gentile power, gave up the Lord to die even though he knew Him to be an innocent man.

The heifer was one which had never known the yoke. The Lord Jesus was never under the yoke of sin, and that "rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown," is a picture of the land of Israel and of this world. What a "rough valley" it was for Him, as He passed through it and became our Sinbearer upon Calvary's cross! The remnant of the coming day may not have done the deed themselves, for it happened long before, nevertheless, God will not pass them by for that. Christ was found slain in that rough valley, "nigh to" Jerusalem. God will not excuse them, nor will He cause them to go into judgment without any recall. It is the death of Christ by which God will cleanse them from the taint of blood. The elders were to cry, "Be merciful, 0 LORD, unto Thy people Israel." And the blood shall be forgiven them.

Messages of the Love of God 7/27/1975

What A Millionaire Learned From A Caterpillar

TITUS SALT was just a poor boy and when still quite young he had to work for his living in a woolen mill. He was a hard worker, however, with an inventive mind, and saved his money. He became manager and later on owned his own mill. After he invented "Alpaca", he became a multi-millionaire. He built a model town for his workers, and was a highly respected and honored figure in social and government circles.

But with all his wealth and all that the world offered him, Titus Salt was not satisfied. As wise King Solomon has said long before, "The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing." Eccles. 1:8. All that Titus had heard, seen, and possessed had not given, could not bring him satisfaction.

One Sunday morning Titus heard a preacher tell about how, while sitting in his garden, he watched a caterpillar climb a painted stick which had been stuck into the ground as a decoration. The caterpillar slowly climbed to the top of the stick, then reared itself, felt this way and that for some juicy leaf or twig on which to feed, or for some way to climb higher. But the caterpillar was disappointed, and finding 'nothing, it slowly returned to the ground. As it crawled along, it came to another painted stick, and crawled up that. It was the same thing over again, and this happened several times.

"There are many painted sticks in this world," said the preacher. "There are the painted sticks of pleasure, of wealth, of popularity, of power, of sport, and of fame. All these call to men and say, 'Climb me, and you will find the desire of your heart. Climb me and you will fulfill the meaning of your life. Climb me and taste the fruits of success. Climb me and find satisfaction.' But, continued the preacher, "they are only painted sticks."

The very next day the preacher had a visitor. It was the multimillionaire. "Sir," he said, "I was in your congregation last night, and heard what you said about the painted sticks. I want to tell you that I have been climbing them, and today I am a weary man. Tell me, is there rest for a weary millionaire?"

The preacher had the great joy of pointing that sin-burdened man to the Lord Jesus who said,

"COME UNTO ME, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I WILL GIVE YOU REST." Matt. 11:28.

And Titus Salt, who had long sought satisfaction from this world and had never found it, laid the heavy burden of sins at the feet of the Lord Jesus, accepting Him as his personal Saviour, and was able to sing joyfully,

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.

Friend, are you too climbing the painted sticks of this world in the vain pursuit of satisfaction and happiness? The Scripture says,

"Rejoice, 0 young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment." Eccles. 11:9.

Are you not burdened about your sins? Turn now, like Titus Salt, to the only Saviour, and there at His feet confess that you are a sinner and want to be saved. In Him you will find pardon, peace, and joy forever. His precious blood cleanseth from all sin (1 John 1:7) "He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." (Psa. 107:9).

Messages of the Love of God 8/3/1975

Read the Scriptures

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

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

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

Messages of the Love of God 8/3/1975

Ready For The King

SIMON and Andrew were young fishermen. They lived on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, in the land which God promised to give to Abraham and to his children's children. They knew that God had promised that He would send One whom He had spoken of as Messiah, the anointed One, who should be a mighty King and deliver them from all their enemies, and they longed for the time when He should appear.

And then one day they heard that a man named John, clad like one of the prophets of old, in a rough garment made of camel's hair, with a leather girdle about his loins, was preaching in the wilderness, crying out and saying, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." The King was coming, and John was the messenger sent to prepare the way before Him.

Andrew wanted to be ready when Messiah the King came, and he became a disciple of John the Baptist. That is what this preacher was called, because those who repented were baptised by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

One day "John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus."

Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, "What seek ye?" They said to Him, "Master, where dwellest thou?" Jesus said to them, "Come and see." "They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour."

One of those two disciples, who heard John speak and followed Jesus, was Andrew.

Yes; Andrew was ready when the King came, even though He had come in such a lowly way that very few received Him. Andrew heard the words, "Behold the Lamb of God," and with his fellow disciple he followed Jesus. What a wonderful day that must have been to the two disciples, when Jesus spoke to them and invited them to go with Him, for they went and stayed with Him that day!

Has anyone ever pointed you to Jesus, the spotless, holy Lamb of God, who died for sinners? Are you following Him to the home above? He wants you to spend eternity with Him in the Father's house, an eternity which begins now.

That was only the first of many happy days that Andrew spent with Jesus; and he did not keep his happiness to himself. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messias," and he brought him to Jesus.

When Jesus saw Simon He gave him a new name. He said, "Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas," or stone. It was just as though Jesus had said to Simon, "Thou shalt be called Stone."

Andrew did not understand all at once why Jesus had given his brother this new name; but when he did understand he must have been very glad indeed that he brought him.

Messages of the Love of God 8/3/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 21:10-14

HERE MOSES speaks of marriage and the family, and the first case is marriage with a captive taken in war. Apparently this was allowed under the law, but we are certainly not on Christian ground here. "The law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did." Heb. 7:19. The law allowed a man to have more than one wife, but this was not God's original purpose for him. God's mind about a thing and what He allows may oftentimes be two different things.

The practice of having more than one wife, which often led to divorce, was a common thing among the nations around and became so in Israel, but it grew out of man's fallen nature and will. The Lord Jesus told the Pharisees, "Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so." Matt. 19:8. From the time that the Lord was upon earth it was not to be so any longer.

Oh how much we owe to His coming into this world and for the grace which lifts us up and gives power to walk in His truth. "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." John 1:17.

Christianity has restored woman to her rightful place given her of God in His original creation, to be man's helpmeet and companion, at his side and one with him, though subject to him, a beautiful type of Christ and the Church, His Bride.

The law put a curb on man's fallen nature and will. The woman taken captive in war was to be allowed a month to mourn for her father and mother. After that the man could have her for his wife. But if after that the time came when he had no more delight in her, she could never be sold as a slave. She was to be set free to go where she pleased.

Do not these ways of God with His people of old tell of the gracious and righteous character of Him who ruled in Israel? Who would have thought of such details beforehand? surely not man! And this is all the more remarkable when we remember that Israel were still on the other side of the Jordan and had not entered the land. But such is the God we have come to know and with whom we have to do. If He expected righteousness from His people under law, how much more does He expect from us under grace, upon whom the full light of Christianity now shines. He has redeemed us with the blood of His own dear Son, and He has left us here to shine for Him in the midst of the deepening darkness and moral corruptions of this world hastening on to its judgment.

God was ordering beforehand for His own honor and for His people's blessing. Surely to walk in ways pleasing to Him is the only way of happiness.

Messages of the Love of God 8/3/1975

Two Rabbits

WHEN I was a boy we lived on a cattle ranch in Texas. There were many coyotes on the prairies, which preyed on the young calves, so Father bought a beautiful greyhound to protect them. We called him Blackie and when he was not chasing coyotes, he liked to chase rabbits.

Often. I would throw my hat into the air and shout as I watched Blackie chase a jack rabbit. The rabbit would lay back both ears and race for his life with the dog at his heels. He was a wonderful runner, but he couldn't outrun a greyhound.

I noticed that a jack rabbit would never run into a place of safety. There were many badger holes, haystacks, granaries, and even hollow logs he could have taken shelter in, but he never did. Too proud to hide, too self-confident to run to shelter, spurning the hole in the ground or a ledge of rock, the jack rabbit depended on his strong hind legs and lost!

One day Blackie noticed a little cottontail rabbit and started to chase it. He was only about a third the size of a jack rabbit. I said to myself, "Too bad, little rabbit. You don't have a chance."

But moments later I heard Blackie howling and scratching at a rock half as big as a house. Into a hole under the rock the little cottontail had run and was perfectly safe. He couldn't depend on his tiny legs but he had the good sense to run to a place of safety in the rock. Nothing could touch him there.

Years have passed since that time, and I've come to know the Lord Jesus as my Saviour. I've often thought of these two rabbits — the long-legged, proud, independent jack rabbit that never seeks a place of safety, and the timid little cottontail who immediately runs to a safe hiding place at the first alarm — as a picture of two classes of sinners; for we are all sinners.

Some people say, "I'll take my chance. I have a few sins, but I'm not so bad. I'm not afraid." So they try to outrun sin, Satan. and the judgment of God. They depend on their own strength to reform; their good deeds and their pride keeps them from running to the only place of safety — the Saviour of sinners. They do not like to think that their sins will find them out, but the Bible says, "Be sure your sin will find you out." Num. 32:23. Again, "God requireth that which is past." Eccles. 3:15. "God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing." Eccles. 12:14.

Dear unsaved friend, God has "appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness," Acts 17:31; and "where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear" then (1 Peter 4:18) ?

But the good news of salvation is that God has Himself provided a refuge for the sinner, His own blessed Son whom He sent into the world to be your Saviour and mine.

He is the Rock of Ages, and death, hell and judgment cannot touch a soul that is safe in Christ. Make Him the refuge of your soul this day.

"A man shall be as an hiding place . . . as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." Isa. 32:2.

Messages of the Love of God 8/10/1975

Aimie's Killen

AIMIE FOUND a poor little stray kitten. It was starved and skinny, it was dirty and its eyes were sore. Aimie took pity on the poor little thing and carried it into the house. But when Father saw it he told her to take it outside again. She could feed it on the porch but it must not come into the house.

Aimie fed the kitten some milk and its little tummy grew round and full. In the meantime Daddy was trying to figure out what to do with the kitten. He hoped he could give it away to some one and give Aimie a new dolly instead. Perhaps she would forget the kitten.

Aimie had gone to bed and Father was about to retire when he heard a faint meow coming from the corner of the kitchen. There he saw Aimie's dolly's bed and the kitten curled up inside. Beside it was a dish with some food Aimie had taken from her own supper and a saucer of water. At first Daddy was angry, but then as he thought of how kind Aimie had been to that little kitten his heart melted. He went upstairs and as he gazed at his little girl sleeping so sweetly he was proud of her. He loved her all the more when he realized how tender-hearted she was.

In the morning Daddy said to his little girl, "Aimie, you can keep your little kitty!" Aimie threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. "Daddy," she said, "That's what I wanted more than anything."

In a few days little Puss showed quite a change. She grew fatter, her fur coat became glossy, the soreness disappeared, and her green eyes fairly gleamed. She became one of the family, loved and cared for.

Just as Aimie loved that little kitten when it was starved, ill and dirty, so the Lord Jesus loved us poor and needy, sin-sick, defiled, and without a home. He did not turn us away — He never turned any one away who came seeking Him. But He cleansed us from our sins. He fed us with Bread from heaven, with the "sincere milk of the Word," and He gave us a home with Himself. Now we are part of the heavenly family, soon to be gathered inside the Father's house of many mansions.

But in order to do all this He must first die to put our sins away. Have you come to Him yet in your need, dear young reader?

"I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me." Psa. 40:17.

"Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us." Eph. 5:2.

Messages of the Love of God 8/10/1975

Called To Follow

JOHN THE BAPTIST was a fearless preacher indeed! He rebuked

King Herod because he had taken his brother's wife, and for this Herod shut him up in prison; but John's work was done, and neither Herod nor Satan himself could undo it. And though John was shut up, the call to repentance still rang out, for when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He came into Galilee. "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren" — the very same two brothers we read about before — "Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers."

Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Simon and Andrew had often read and spoken of David, the shepherd boy who was called by God to leave the care of his father's sheep and become the shepherd of God's people; but they never thought that when Messiah came He would call them, simple fishermen as they were, to leave their nets and become fishers of men. Perhaps they did not know what "fishers of men" meant, but they understood "Follow me," and at once they left their nets and followed Jesus. They did not turn back, not even when later on He said to them, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."

Did Jesus make Simon Peter and Andrew, his brother, fishers of men? Indeed He did! Peter caught no fewer than three thousand men and women at once for Jesus. When fish

are caught and drawn out of the water they die; but those who heard Peter preach that day did not die. They repented, that is, they were sorry for their sins and confessed them to God; they believed on Jesus as the Messiah, and they were baptised in the name of Jesus Christ, their sins were forgiven, and they received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Peter was the chief speaker on that occasion, but Andrew was there too, with others who had followed Jesus, and they all stood up with Peter while he was speaking.

But before Simon Peter could become a fisher of men he had lessons to learn, and one of them was that Jesus knew where the fish were and could bring them to his net; and in learning this lesson he made a great discovery, which you will hear about later on.

Messages of the Love of God 8/10/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 21:15-21

IN THIS passage the Lord deals with one of the many evils that resulted from a man having more than one wife. Supposing a man had two wives, one loved and the other hated, and had children by both. If his firstborn son was by the hated one, the son was not to lose his rights as firstborn because his father preferred the other wife and her children. The double portion, which was the right of the firstborn, was to go to the first son of the hated.

Jacob long before the law was given had acted differently to this, for Joseph, son fo Rachel whom he loved, was preferred above Reuben, his firstborn, son of Leah. But that was because Reuben had sinned and forfeited the inheritance (Gen. 49:4).

We believe, however, that there is a wonderful typical significance here which shines in the midst of all man's weakness and failure. God chose Israel first, we know, but afterwards, because of her sin, the Gentiles became the objects of His love and mercy. Nevertheless, He has not forgotten Israel, and the little remnant in the coming day will enter into and possess all the double portion of the firstborn son. They will inherit the fullest earthly blessing. How faithful God is to His precious Word!

But in contrast to this we have the case of the "stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother." He was to be brought before the elders; "And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put away evil from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear."

In the rebellious son we have a picture of the terrible end of the disobedient and rebellious in Israel, who refuse the voice of God and will perish in His judgment.

What a solemn thing it is for a son cr daughter to maintain a stubborn and rebellious attitude toward his or her parents. Surely "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Tim. 3:16. God has much to say about disobedience and rebellion in Scripture. "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to obey is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." 1 Sam. 15:22,23.

Messages of the Love of God 8/10/1975

Quicksands!

WHEN I WAS a boy I lived on a farm for a year. Nearby a river flowed through a wide stretch of beautiful golden sand. What a wonderful place to play in! Just the kind of place most boys and girls would like to have near their home.

But there was one area on the sand flats where we were not allowed to play. There was a fence running along side of it and we knew that here, on the other side of that fence, were quicksands.

Well, you know, many boys and girls don't take much notice of warnings and so one day I hopped the fence and jumped down the river bank onto the sand below. It looked firm enough, just like the rest of the sand. But is wasn't the same. No sooner had I landed on this spot than I began to sink. The treacherous sands started to suck me down. Quickly I flung myself over, grasped the long grass on the bank and was able to pull myself to safety.

I've never forgotten that experience. I have learned something of the treacherous pleasure spots in this world and of the awful "quicksands" of sin. But I found I could not pull myself up and save myself after falling into sin; on the contrary, the more I struggled the deeper I sank.

I cried to the Lord Jesus, and He saved me. He's the only Saviour of sinners. "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly"; and "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:6,8.

There is another verse that says, "He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock." Psa. 40:2. Dear young friends, have you your feet on the Rock? Are you trusting in the Saviour? Or are you still in the quicksands of this world, being pulled down by the attractions of Satan to an eternity of endless woe. Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ now, He will deliver you and set your feet firm on the Rock of Ages.

Messages of the Love of God 8/17/1975

A Protector

When I was a boy I went away to school for the first time. I was the smallest boy in the school. Nearly every day from some cause or another, I got a beating from one of the older boys.

At last I made friends with the biggest and strongest boy in the school, and he became my protector. When I was in danger, I always ran to him and got behind him. There no one could hurt me. I think he was pleased to protect me, and I was glad of his protection.

Afterwards when I found that Satan was my enemy, I fled to the Lord Jesus for protection and He sheltered me. I trusted Him as my Saviour and now I can say, "If God be for us, who can be against us."

Go to the strong for strength! Christ has conquered Satan, and is ready to protect any trembling sinner from becoming a prey for the destroyer.

Messages of the Love of God 8/17/1975

I've Found A Friend

A teacher once asked his class these questions: "If you were alone in a desert with Jesus, do you think you would perish with hunger?" "No!" all the class answered readily.

Again he asked, "If you were in a forest with Jesus, would you be afraid of being lost?" Again the answer came, "No!"

Once more he asked, "If all the armies of earth were lined up against you, and only Jesus was with you, would you be afraid to face them?" Still the answer came, "No."

What do you say? Have you that confidence in the Lord Jesus that you can trust Him with everything? Do you feel this moment that if you were with Jesus you would have all you needed — food, guidance, and protection? Oh may you declare this day, "that the Lord Jesus shall be my Saviour and Friend forever." He will be if you come to Him. You can face the future with Jesus; you cannot without Him.

Messages of the Love of God 8/17/1975

In Simon's House

WHEN THEY came out of the synagogue Jesus went to the house of Simon and Andrew. As soon as He was in the house they told Him that Simon's mother-in-law was very ill in bed with a fever. He came and taking her by the hand he lifted her up. At once the fever left her, she became quite well, and got up and waited on them.

The news that Jesus was in Simon's house soon spread through the city, and when evening came and the sun was setting, a strange crowd gathered round the door. There were all sorts of sick people there, many of them so ill they had to be carried. There were others possessed with devils, they too were brought by their friends, and the whole city was gathered together at the door.

What happy homes and what rejoicings there were in Capernaum that night! for Jesus cast out all the devils with a word, and healed all that were sick.

Yet it was of that same city, Capernaum, where Jesus did such mighty works, that He afterwards said:

"And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." Matt. 11:23,24.

Why did the Lord Jesus speak such terribly sad and solemn words about Capernaum? It was just this — the people of Capernaum were willing to listen to Jesus, they were astonished at His teaching, they saw His mighty works, they even sought for Him, but they loved their sins and they would not repent.

When the people sought for Jesus the next morning, they did not find Him in Simon's house, for He had gone out long before it was day to a desert place, a quiet, lonely spot where He could pray. Simon and those with him followed Jesus, and when they found Him they said to Him, "All men seek for Thee."

But Jesus said, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for therefore came I forth."

Messages of the Love of God 8/17/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 21:22-23

WE HAVE just seen the solemn end of the rebellious son. Now we have foreshadowed the place where the obedience of our blessed Lord Jesus brought Him.

"And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God)."

Surely we have committed sins worthy of death in the sight of God. And all those under the law are cursed by it too, since they have not kept it. But how great the wonder of it all, to think that the Lord Jesus, in obedience to the Father's will, came into this world, into the very place where we were under the curse, and suffered in our stead. He took the place of the curse on the cross, to bear our judgment in the sight of God! He knew what it was to be hanged on a tree.

Our hearts look back to see

The burden Thou didst bear

When hanging on the accursed tree,

For all our guilt was there.

"Christ bath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." Gal. 3:13.

Peter refers to His perfect pathway, to the reality and depth of His sufferings, when he says, "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. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." 1 Pet. 2:24,25. It was our sins that led Him to the tree and now, we who have believed in Him to the saving of our souls, are dead to sins, but alive to God.

The Lord Jesus did everything right before God; it was we who went astray, but we are brought back to have to do with this blessed One, who is the Overseer, the One who takes care of our souls, the Shepherd who goes after the sheep.

May the Lord give us to delight more and more in Him, to follow Him, to learn of Him, to have His Word more as the daily joy of our souls, and to bring forth more fruit in our lives for His honor and praise.

Messages of the Love of God 8/17/1975

Still Up The Ladder

MR. SANDERS had engaged a painter to paint his house. When he came home from work, at the end of the day, he was surprised to see the ladder leaning against the front of the house with the painter still at the top. He thought the painter would have gone home long ago — what was he doing so late? The painter glanced at him angrily and then Mr. Sanders noticed Buster, his big bulldog, sitting at the bottom of the ladder, looking upwards at the man at the top.

"I'm glad you've come at last," said the painter crossly. "I've been up here for hours and that dog has been sitting there all that time. I haven't even had any lunch. I've been on this ladder all this time and I've had enough of it." Mr. Sanders called off the dog and Buster slowly walked away with his tail between his legs.

"Buster only means to be friendly," said Mr. Sanders. "He would not have hurt you at all." But the painter would not be convinced. He scrambled down the ladder and collecting his tools he went home.

Poor Buster had no feelings of enmity against the painter; he really wanted to be a friend. But the painter wouldn't trust him. He did not know what was in Buster's heart.

How many people there are like the painter. They are afraid of God. They think He is their enemy because they are sinners. But this is Satan's lie.

The gospel is God's answer to the lie of Satan. It proclaims His love to the sinner, though He cannot love his sins. God is seeking to separate the sinner from his sins. "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." 2 Cor. 5:19. "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." What more could God do for sinners?

"For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17.

Again the gospel declares that "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.

Do you have hard thoughts about God, dear reader? Then believe this message of His love. "We pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:20.

The love of God it was that sought

From sin to set us free;

That gave the Son, whose precious blood

Has wrought our liberty.

In Him we read the Father's love,

And find eternal peace;

We meet in Him a Saviour-God,

And fear and terror cease.

Messages of the Love of God 8/24/1975

Above The Storm

Very early one morning a traveler started out to climb to the mountain top in time to see the sun rise. The guide went first and the visitor followed.

Soon an awful storm came on, the lightning flashed and the thunder roared. The old man said, "It is no use going on; we cannot see the sun rise in such a storm as this."

But the guide answered, "We must go on; we shall get above the storm." And so they did. Up at the top they stood and saw the glorious sun shine forth, beneath them surged the dark storm clouds.

I remember once walking over a mountain pass, and as we went along the clouds were beneath us. So when the devil raises a storm about you, pray for strength to rise above it. The sun of God's love is always shining and the skies of grace are always blue. If God sees you are in earnest, that you want to bask in the sunlight of His mercy, soon you will rise above the storm, and will see the light of heaven shining upon you.

Memory Verse

"MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, AND I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME, AND I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE." John 10:27,28.

Messages of the Love of God 8/24/1975

I Belong To Jesus

THE SHORTEST sermon I ever heard was preached by the shortest preacher I ever saw. It took place on a boat on the St. Lawrence river. Ever since the boat left the wharf, I had been amused by hearing a clear, high-set voice asking questions, one after another, as fast as the little tongue could go.

A policeman took his place beside the little boy, who turned up his dear little face and said,

"Are you a policeman?"

"Yes," answered the man, looking at him kindly.

"Why are you a policeman?" was the next question.

The policeman gave a puzzled laugh, but took out the key of a patrol box, and a pair of handcuffs, and told him they were to put on bad boys when he took them away.

"You won't take me away," said the little fellow bravely looking him straight in the face.

"No, my boy, I won't take you; but who do you belong to?" asked the big man still smiling.

"I belong to Jesus," said the child.

The big policeman got very red in the face, and, rising hurriedly, left his seat.

I shall never forget that little preacher and his little sermon.

The sermon was only four words. Dear reader, could you preach it truthfully?

"I BELONG TO JESUS."

"Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also." Matt. 10:32.

Messages of the Love of God 8/24/1975

At Capernaum

YOU were to go to Palestine today and hire a boat on the Sea of Galilee, you might sail all round it, for it is not very big, but you would not find any city called Capernaum; you would find instead a place called Tel Hum, where the ground is strewn with ruins. But even these ruins are full of interest, for maybe these stones mark the very spot where stood the synagogue at Capernaum into which Jesus entered one sabbath day soon after He called Simon and Andrew to follow Him.

The synagogue was the place where the Jews used to meet to worship God and hear the Scriptures read and explained; but as they listened to Jesus that sabbath day they were astonished. His teaching was different from any they had ever heard before, because He taught them as One who had the right to teach, and His words were with power.

There was one poor man in that synagogue who could not listen to Jesus, for he was altogether under the power of an unclean spirit. Instead of listening this unclean spirit made him cry out, "Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God."

But Jesus could and would set even that poor man free. He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying, "Hold thy peace, and come out of him." And when the unclean spirit had torn the man and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

And so Simon and Andrew, and all in the synagogue, learned that not only did Jesus teach with authority, but His commands had such power that even unclean spirits had to obey Him.

Messages of the Love of God 8/24/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 22:1-5

IN THIS chapter it is wonderful to see how God takes up small matters that have to do with our domestic relationships. Little things mean so much at times.

"Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother." The Lord would have His people, who were called by His name, considerate of others. We may be upright in our dealings, and yet lack in thoughtfulness and kindness to our brethren and neighbors.

Supposing the brother whose animal had gone astray, did not live near, or if one didn't know whose animal it was, still he was to bring it home and keep it until the brother came looking for it; then he was to restore it to him again. He was to show the same care with anything that belonged to his neighbor.

If he saw his brother's ass or ox fallen down under its burden, he was not to hide himself as if he didn't see what happened, but he was to help lift the animal back upon his feet again. How beautiful it is to see the Spirit of God giving instructions about all these little things in our lives. God cares for us and helps us through the day, and He would have us to be kind and show the same care to others. We need to read the Word of God day by day, consecutively, for not only does it tell us how to be saved, but it marks out a path for our feet step by step, a path honoring to Him who has called us "out of darkness into His marvelous light."

"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." There was to be a distinction between the clothes that men wore and that which women wore. We can see the wisdom of God in guarding the moral order He has established and which our natural hearts are prone to give up. In Romans 1 we read of the awful corruptions that filled the heathen world. These were the result of men and women casting aside restraint and giving rein to their lusts.

How sad to see the same tendencies around us today in these so-called Christian lands. It is surely a departure from that which God has laid down in His Word and a sign of the last days when it is the fashion for women to dress like men. "For all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." Dear young Christian, it is wisdom to hearken to the voice of God. Let us be warned so that what we wear and how we walk are pleasing to Him.

Messages of the Love of God 8/24/1975

Would I More Faithful Be?

When on the night Christ was betrayed,

Before the cock crowed twice,

Peter, through fear, his Lord denied,

With oaths and curses thrice.

Then should not I, Lord, ask myself,

Would I more faithful be?

Would I to prison and to death

More bravely go than he?

Oh, Lord, my heart is weak I know

Thy strength I pray give me,

Or else like men of long ago,

I will dishonor Thee."

Messages of the Love of God 8/24/1975

The Young Shoemaker

DAY AFTER day Berthelot worked away mending shoes in his little shop overlooking the narrow street below. He was poor, and not only that he was a cripple, his body twisted and partly paralyzed. But worse than that young Berthelot was unhappy, and the hard look on his face reflected the bitterness of his spirit. Why was it his lot to be crippled and weak while others were healthy and strong. Oftentimes he would make unkind and rude remarks to people as they passed by his open window. It is not surprising that few stopped to talk to the unhappy young shoemaker.

But one day to his surprise he heard a friendly voice call out "Berthelot!" and he looked up to listen.

"Berthelot, have you ever thought that God may have allowed your body to be twisted so that you might learn how you can have a straight soul? Please take this Book and read it. See if it does not help to make you happy." Smilingly the stranger handed him a New Testament and then went on his way.

Never before had Berthelot had such a Book and this was the beginning of a new chapter in his life. He started to read, and the more he read the more interested he got. Thoroughly absorbed in his new treasure he read the Book again and again. Slowly it came home to him how crooked his soul was, and that, like the prodigal, he had wandered far from God. He felt miserable.

But then he learned that there was One who loved him, yes, really loved poor, unhappy crippled Berthelot. Until now he had thought that no one ever loved him, and this made him so disagreeable that scarcely any one had spoken a kind word to him! But now he was reading of One who loved him enough to die for him, and even to bear the punishment which his sins deserved.

Just as he was he came to Jesus, weary, and worn and sad; he found in Him a resting place, and One who made him glad.

So he found peace and forgiveness, and his life was completely changed. He said one day: "Mercy has found me. The love of God which pardons the greatest sinners should be put on a hill to be seen by all the world."

Dear reader, do you know that the One who loved Berthelot loves you too? He wants to make your crooked lonely soul straight, to give you forgiveness and peace, and to make you what He wants you to be. Will you not surrender yourself to Him and prove to all that His love has won your heart?

Messages of the Love of God 8/31/1975

Sunday Schoolboys In New Guinea

MANY YEARS ago John Chalmers went to New Guinea as a missionary with the gospel of Christ. After years of devoted service to his Master he died a martyr in that land.

Others have faithfully carried on the work of the gospel there since and there will be many from those islands who will rise to meet the Lord in the air, when He comes to call His blood-bought people home from "every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation."

Many native boys and girls have come to know and love the Saviour who died for them as well as for us. One schoolboy testified:

"Although formerly my parents worshiped evil spirits, now in my heart I have learned of the Good Father. I have eaten a little of Jesus' words, in my heart, and now I have one purpose — to go to the Good Father's heaven."

Another boy said: "I am really a bad boy, but I have heard Jesus' words, and I have come to Him, and now I am His sheep and I follow Him."

Still another school boy, who has been a faithful young Christian from the beginning expressed himself in these words: "I listened to Jesus' words, and I am His sheep, under His arms, and I'm all right I'm safe there."

Another dear lad, who is trying to serve the Lord prayed: "Our Father, tonight we pray. We pray that Thou wilt be in our hearts and that we may be in Thy heart. If there is any sick, give health. When we go to sleep, protect us. We have no strength in ourselves, so be Thou our strength. Amen."

Messages of the Love of God 8/31/1975

Peter's Discovery

IT WAS night on the lake and Simon was out in his boat fishing. James and John his partners, were there too, busy with their nets. All night long they toiled, but caught nothing. When morning dawned they gave up and came ashore.

While they were washing the nets Jesus came and stood by the lake, and because the people crowded close up to Him to hear what He was saying, He got into Simon's boat and asked him to pull it out a little from the land. Then Jesus sat down in the boat and taught the people who stood on the shore. When He had finished speaking He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."

Simon answered, "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net."

He really didn't think it was any use, yet because the Lord asked him to he would let down the net just one.

When they began to pull it in again, my! how heavy it was. They had never had such a haul of fish. Why! the net was crammed with fish, and it was actually breaking with the weight. They had to signal to James and John in the other boat to come and help them.

"And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink." (Luke v. 7.)

It was then that Simon Peter made his great discovery. When he saw both the boats so full of fish that they were beginning to sink, "he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord."

Who but the Lord could command the fishes of the sea? And the light of God flashed into Simon's soul, and he saw himself a sinful man, a sinner, quite unfit to be in the presence of the Lord. And yet Simon did not flee away to hide himself. He could not, because while he owned he was not fit to be with Jesus, he still wanted, oh! so very much, to be there.

Now although Simon had only just found out that he was a sinful man, Jesus knew it all the time; He knew all about Simon right from the beginning, and He knew that if Simon was to be saved, He Himself must bear his sins in His own body on the tree. He knew that to save Simon He must take Simon's place and die for him on the cross. But Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, He came into the world to save sinners, and He said to Simon, "Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men."

"And when they had brought their boats to land ,they forsook all, and followed Him."

Messages of the Love of God 8/31/1975

Learning the Scriptures

Theodosius, the great Roman general and emperor, who lived in the fourth century, wrote out the New Testament with his own hands.

Zuinglius wrote out the epistles of Paul, and learned them by heart.

Cromwell, Earl of Essex, learned all the New Testament.

Dr. Gouge read fifteen chapters every day — five in the morning, five after lunch, and five after supper.

Bonaventure wrote out all the Bible twice, and learned much of it by heart.

King Alphonsus read the Bible fourteen times over; and prince George of Transylvania read it through 27 times.

How dear must the Word of God have been to these diligent students of divine truth!

"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.

Memory Verse

"IT IS BETTER TO TRUST IN THE LORD THAN TO PUT CONFIDENCE IN MAN." Psa. 118:8.

Messages of the Love of God 8/31/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 22:6-8

"If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young: but thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee."

How the tender heart of the Creator is displayed here!

"God sees the little sparrow fall,

It meets His tender view . . ."

And He would have His people show that same tender-heartedness toward all the little creatures He has made.

He has given us meat for our food, but we are not to be heartless, and cause unnecessary suffering. The mother bird would be held by her affection to her young and to take her and leave the babes to perish would be to violate the laws of nature. To be sensitive to others' needs and to show the tenderest consideration, even for a bird, becomes us for how great the kindness God has shown to us.

Now we have instruction as to our homes.

"When thou buildest a new house. then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence."

In eastern lands many of the houses had flat roofs, and much of the family life was spent there. It was necessary to provide a protection or battlement, around the outside to prevent one from falling over the edge.

God holds us responsible for what we have in our homes and what goes on there. "When thou buildest a new house . . ." These are special instructions in setting up "new" homes and would tell us that it is important to start right. Christian parents are responsible to protect their children and others who may be in their homes from falling spiritually. Grace has lifted us far above this world, for we are "seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." There needs to be the diligent reading of the Word of God and family prayer as divine protection from falling down to the level of the world.

We read of Eli the priest in the days of Samuel who did not restrain the evil in his sons; as a result, his whole household came under the judgment of God. These are difficult times for Christian parents, and the days are growing darker. As the Lord's coming draws near, the enemy is doing all he can to mar and wreck Christian homes. How much we need grace from the Lord to set up our "battlement," especially in these days of radio and television, when we consider all the evil things of the world that they bring into the home.

Messages of the Love of God 8/31/1975

Jesus Said

I REMEMBER a case in Ireland when a Testament had been torn up and the leaves thrown to the winds; a poor man found one of the leaves and picked it up. He could read, and saw, "And Jesus said," "and Jesus answered and said," "and Jesus said," and so on. He said to himself, What! has the blessed Lord said so many things, and I did not know them? Struck by these simple but solemn words, "Jesus said," he went off to the neighboring town and bought a Testament, believed what Jesus said, was converted, and was happy in a known Saviour.

But, you may say, how did he know it was true that Jesus said these things? Well, God guides the humble simple soul. Jesus had said it, and His word had power over his soul by grace. J.N.D.

Messages of the Love of God 8/31/1975

The Two Coins

THE SUN shone brightly on a little group seated outside a cottage door. There was Ann, a widow, and her children, Mary Ann eleven, and little Henry just four.

When Father died, poor Ann had to work hard to provide for her little family, but sickness had overtaken her, and now her scanty savings were gone. Her last penny had been spent for bread and they were down to the last slice. Poor Ann wept bitterly as she cut it in two and gave half to Henry and half to Mary Ann.

"Why are you crying so, Mother?" asked Mary Ann, as she put her arms lovingly around her mother's neck.

"Because I don't know what I shall give you tomorrow."

"Oh, Mother, God will take care of that! Don't you trust in Him now? You always used to!" But poor Ann could not seem to rise above her sorrow.

"Mother," continued Mary Ann, "God can send us something to eat before tomorrow. Only today our teacher told us of His kindness and of the many different ways He helps us. He said we should never despair, and then he opened his Bible at the place where the people murmured against God in the desert and thought they would starve, and did not believe that God would make bread for them. Mother, shall I read you that story?"

Mary Ann ran into the house to get her Bible and sat down to read.

"Oh God doesn't work miracles anymore," said the mother.

"But why not, Mother? Isn't He just as mighty now as He used to be?"

Mary Ann sat down at her mother's feet and when she began to read tears rolled down Ann's cheek as she listened to the wonderful story of how the Lord cared for His murmuring people. Gradually her sorrow grew less bitter, and she felt as if a weight had been taken from her heart.

It was indeed a sweet picture, the mother with her children seeking the Lord.

Just at that moment a young man coming down a path out of the woods stood still with speechless delight. He gazed for a moment at the group and then took a small black book and pencil and began to sketch. Not one of the small family had noticed him. Still and motionless they sat there listening intently while Mary read. The young artist worked on without disturbance until Mary came to the end of the chapter. Then looking at her mother she said, "Cannot God send us something to eat?"

"Yes, my child," replied Ann, "for with God all things are possible." And she gently kissed her little girl.

But this interruption did not suit the painter, who had just been sketching the figure of the young child reading the Bible. Hastily he ran to her and took hold of her arm saying, "Oh please, just remain quiet for another moment." The three were startled, not understanding what he wanted. Perceiving their astonishment, he took a large coin out of his purse and said, "I am an artist, and should very much like to have your picture in my book; but just as you were sitting before. I give you this coin and I'll add another if you would remain quiet for an hour. Then I shall have finished my sketch."

The poor family stared at him and tears of joy filled Ann's eyes. Had not God sent bread as it were from heaven? And on Mary's beaming face the same thought might have been read. "Mother, Mother," she whispered, "is not God good?"

And then she allowed the painter to set her again on the old trunk at her mother's feet where she again took the Bible and put it on her lap.

"Read as you did before," said the young man; and Mary opening her Bible to Psalm 108, read: "O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; because His mercy endureth forever."

Before the hour had passed the painter had completed his picture which he showed to them. At the same time he put down the second piece of money.

They now had enough to buy food for more than two weeks and by that time Ann would be strong again and able to work. Oh how she prayed and thanked God! Thus God showed His care for the widow and the fatherless. Their faith was strengthened, and their needs supplied.

May your trust, dear reader, be as simple as was Mary Ann's, for "Israel's God is our's."

Dear unsaved friend, what a loss it would be if you were to miss the acquaintance and friendship of such a God for time and for eternity!

Messages of the Love of God 9/7/1975

Say, Boy!

Say, boy! with your freckles and shock of bright hair,

With your positive chin and your confident air!

(In a way 'twould be easy to guess at your age,

But there's something about you as wise as a sage.)

There's a tug at my heart as I look in your face:

Some day you'll be up and right out of this place.

No trees to swing low, nor high fences to scale!

No pig tails to pull, nor young buddies to hail!

Say, boy, you'll be leaving that school before long -

All your books tossed aside with a whistle and song;

You'll be taller than Dad in a year now, or two;

And be wanting a job as the other boys do.

How sad it would be if you spent all your days

Indulgent and restless, just seeking men's praise!

Just walking the road of respectable sin

With the crowd that is anxious to gather you in!

Say, boy! There's a Saviour for fellows like you,

A Friend who can help you and carry you through!

Have you met Him, my lad, have

you heard that He died; That they crowned Him with

thorns — thrust a spear in His side?

Did you know 'twas for you that He hung all alone,

On that terrible cross, shut out from the sun;

That there in His body He suffered for sin,

That you might have peace with the Father in heaven?

Say, boy! did you know that He's living again?

That He rose from the dead, and receives sinful men?

O son, won't you thank Him for dying for you?

Won't you ask Him to come and abide with you, too?

For He says in His Word, if you'll ask Him to come,

He will enter your heart, and will make it His home.

He never will leave you. He always will stay.

Say, boy! Won't you ask Him to do it today?

— E. Jacques

Messages of the Love of God 9/7/1975

Little Helen's Faith

I THANK JESUS that He was punished for me."

Such was little Helen's confession of faith in Christ. It was simple and brief, but full of truth and meaning.

She knew herself to be a sinner, and that she deserved punishment; but she saw a Saviour that bore that punishment instead of herself, she believed God's word, and accepted His Substitute. She applied to herself these words, "The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6.

"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.

Messages of the Love of God 9/7/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomv 29:9

WE NOW come to service for the Lord and there is needful instruction for us all here.

"Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou past sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled."

The seed the Lord has given His servants to sow in His vineyard is His own precious Word. Peter tells us we are, "born again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." 1 Pet. 1:23. All that God has given us to sow in His vineyard is to be found between the covers of His blessed Book. To bring in anything else will make it a mixture, and God hates mixtures.

However, the bringing in of mixtures began in the church in its earliest days. The Colossians saints were warned against "philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." The Galatians had listened to those who had sought to mix law and grace. The observance of ordinances, holy days, abstaining from meats, the bringing in of religious entertainments into the Sunday schools and gospel meetings, is the very thing the Lord warns against here — "sowing thy vineyard with divers seeds."

Today how little of the pure unadulterated seed of the Word, and of the precious gospel of Christ is being sown over the vast field of the world. However, dear reader, let us be faithful to the Lord, and be much on our knees before Him so that when we sow the good seed

it may be in the power of the Holy Spirit and then the Lord will use it. He has promised that His word will not return unto Him void (Isa. 55:10,11). We have only to sow it faithfully and count upon Him for the increase.

Messages of the Love of God 9/7/1975

The Little Foxes That Spoil The Vines

LITTLE FOXES are cute little fellows but they are very destructive. They are very fond of grapes and can do great damage to the bunches of ripe luscious fruit as they hang down from the branches. In eastern lands they often enclose the vineyards with a wall to keep the marauders out.

Scripture says the little foxes "spoil the vines." Like most baby animals with teeth they like to chew on the tender vines. Thus the sap cannot flow up to the branches, the fruit is spoiled or the branch may wither and die.

How often in us as Christians things of the old nature, if allowed their freedom, will spoil our Christian life — selfishness, jealousies, anger, evil thoughts, lying, stealing, things of the world, failure to read the Word and to pray — these will grieve and hinder the Spirit of God, the divine sap that flows through and nourishes the Christian life, From producing fruit for the Lord Jesus in our lives. Sometimes the is spoiled, sometimes there is all.

May we learn a lesson from the little foxes and keep the old nature in us in the place of death so that these evil things cannot get out and spoil our testimony for Christ to whom we now belong.

Messages of the Love of God 9/7/1975

The Real Thing

ONE SUMMER morning Tom rose early and went beach-combing before the rest of the family got up. It was a beautiful day and he enjoyed being alone on the sands. As he wandered along, he spied something red and glittering on a rock just above the water line. Closer inspection revealed this to be a necklace and a bracelet. Tom's thoughts turned to his older sister, Jane, still asleep at home, so he put them in his pocket intending to surprise her with a gift.

Later in the day he presented them to her, but he was quite disappointed in her reaction. Instead of a squeal of delight all he got from her was, "Ugh! You don't expect me to wear that gaudy junk, do you?" "I wouldn't be caught dead in cheap stuff like that!" exclaimed Jane. So saying she threw it on the dresser and walked away.

When their dad came home at supper time the children were busy telling of the events of the day. Tom told of his find on the beach and of Jane's reaction.

Dad smiled kindly and asked to see what the sea had saved for them. Tom ran off at once to bring his find, while Jane again muttered something about "junk jewelry."

Dad took one close look and exclaimed, "This find should be reported immediately! These are the real thing!"

And our message for you right now, dear reader, is the real thing too. God loves you and sent His only Son into this world to be your Saviour. The Lord Jesus died and shed His blood on Calvary's cross for your salvation. Now God offers salvation as a free gift. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus

Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

Dad quickly called the bank and the insurance company to see if the loss had been reported. It had been. It seemed that some millionaires thought it would be fun to have a formal beach party, so all dressed up in their fine clothes and jewelry and went to play in the sand. One lady took off her jewelry to go swimming in the ocean and it was forgotten in the dark. When the bank opened Tom and his dad took the jewelry downtown. There the insurance agent met them. He thanked them heartily and presented Tom with a generous check. This reward later paid for his college education, and there was money left over.

Do you think Tom teased his sister about her taste in jewelry? He surely did! How do you think she felt when she found out what a mistake she had made?

But haven't you, dear young reader, ever turned down something because you didn't like where it came from? And how many people reject the gospel! Perhaps they don't like the speaker or the way it is presented. For a long time after Jane was always being reminded that she hadn't recognized the value of that gift when it was offered to her. God is offering you a gift far more valuable than jewelry. God offers you eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Won't you accept Him as your Saviour right now? If you do, you will spend a long and blest eternity praising and thanking Him for His gift of love. If not you will spend it weeping with remorse for rejecting Christ, in that awful place of torment where "their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched."

Read the Bible. It is God's precious word to you. It will be of far more value than a college education.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." "Wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." Prov. 8:11.

Messages of the Love of God 9/14/1975

Joy

WATCH the young lambs at play on the hillside. See how they frisk and gambol with each other. Watch the children bounding out of school. They do not take time to walk down the street, so full are they of health and happiness that the music of their voices almost makes us grownups wish we were young again.

Have you ever thought that joy is the Creator's birthright to all His creatures? Sin has come in and robbed us of this joy. But the youngest believer in Jesus may have a deeper and far more lasting joy - The joy of salvation.

If joy was the birthright of the creature, how much more is it the portion of every believer? You will find this word "joy" or "rejoicing" nearly 500 times in the Bible. "Glad" or "gladness" also occurs about 150 times.

Remember, the only path of joy and blessing is the path of obedience.

"If you keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love." John 15:10. "These things write I unto you that your joy may be full." 1 John 1:4.

Messages of the Love of God 9/14/1975

In Port At Last

An old ship captain, who had sailed the seven seas, lay dying. His mate asked him one day, "What's the good word?" The answer was, "Heaven heaves in sight." Next day the question was asked again, "What's the good word?" "Rounding the cape, almost in," came the blissful reply.

A third day the question was once more asked, "What's the good word?" Then came the whisper, "In port, let go the anchor"; and zo he passed away.

Dear Christian, these darkening days of trial, temptation and pain will soon be over. Soon we shall see the Lord.

We see Jesus now by faith; soon we shall see heaven; soon we shall be there. The light is shining now, but it will be brighter by-and-by. No more darkening days then, no more of Satan's power to conquer, no more sorrow or pain. In the stainless land, the beautiful, the glorious, the light of holy love will shine forever, on shores of eternal joy.

0 Lord, our, only joy be Thou,

As Thou our prize wilt be;

In Thee be all our glory now

And through eternity.

Messages of the Love of God 9/14/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 22:10

IN THIS next verse the Lord warns His people against the unequal yoke. "Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together."

Under the law of Moses the ox was a clean animal — it divided the hoof and chewed the cud. Spiritually dividing the hoof speaks of discernment to judge between right and wrong, between light and darkness, and power to walk in separation to Christ from this world and all that is not pleasing to Him. Chewing the cud speaks of communion with the Lord and quiet meditation on His Word. The ox is marked by patient endurance, a quality of the new nature in the believer.

The ass on the other hand was declared an unclean animal. It neither divided the hoof nor chewed the cud. The wild ass is very wild and swift, seldom tamed, and in Scripture is used to portray man's fallen nature. Thus the two animals had nothing in common. They speak of the believer and the unbeliever.

As Christians we are warned: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" 2 Cor. 6:14. This applies not only to marriage, but also to business partnerships, religious fellowships, charitable and benevolent societies, in fact, anything where believers are joined with the world and work together toward the same objective.

In business the object of the man of the world is to make money. He lives for this world only; whereas the Christian's hopes are heavenly and his object in life ought to be to honor his Saviour while waiting for His. coming again. The effect of the unequal yoke here would be to dull the Christian's testimony. How many religious fellowships, lodges and such there are where Christians and unbelievers sit down together to promote a common cause. Then there are the many charitable and benefit societies with aims to help the needy, and to alleviate the suffering of the poor and oppressed. Surely we ought to be ready, as led of the Lord, to help the poor with what He has given us, but to join a society for that purpose is another thing. An old writer once said, If asked if I would help a poor man out of the ditch I would reply, Certainly; but if asked to be a member of a mixed society of believers and unbelievers for the purpose of helping people out of ditches, I would refuse.

If a Christian finds himself in an unequal yoke, the word of the Lord is: "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Cor. 6:17,18.

Messages of the Love of God 9/14/1975

Low At Thy Feet

Low at Thy feet, Lord Jesus,

This is the place for me;

Here I have learned deep lessons:

Truth that has set me free.

Free from myself, Lord Jesus,

Free from the ways of men;

Chains of thought that have bound me

Never can bind me again.

None but Thyself, Lord Jesus,

Conquered this wayward will,

But for Thy love constraining,

I had been wayward still.

(Found in J.N.D.’s Bible)

Messages of the Love of God 9/14/1975

The Man in the Middle

A POOR young fellow, had been retarded from babyhood. His mind was unable to grasp anything that boys and girls learn naturally as they grow up.

One night he went to hear a lecture on the Trinity given by a very learned preacher. Afterwards a friend asked him whether he had understood what was said. All he could do was shake his head.

"What is the Trinity," his friend asked him, and he answered in these remarkable words:

"Three in One

And One in Three;

And the Man in the middle He died for me:

And the Man in the middle Is the Man for me."

Lord Cecil, that faithful servant of Christ who labored much among the poor in Canada in the early days, was holding some meetings in a small place. The Lord was doing a blessed work there and in one of the little homes he met a poor young woman who also had been retarded since her birth. It seemed hopeless to speak to her for she could not seem to grasp anything. However, the Lord brought to Mr. Cecil's mind the story of the poor boy who had quoted those remarkable lines about the "the Man in the middle".

Lord Cecil quoted these words to this poor soul several times praying to the Lord who alone could open such a mind to receive them. He never saw her again until one day he was asked by another Christian brother to speak at her funeral. It seems that a few days before she passed away, this brother was downstairs singing with some others the hymn, "Safe in the Arms of Jesus." She sent for him to come upstairs to sing to her. He went up and asked her what was it she wished. She answered, "I want you to sing to me about 'the Man in the middle,' that Mr. Cecil told me about."

Then he asked her, "Who is that Man?"

"God, the Lord, Jesus, Christ," she answered.

She was suffering much and later on she said, "O, Lord, Jesus Christ, do come and take me home; I'm suffering so." And soon after the Lord graciously did take her to be with Himself.

At her funefal Lord Cecil dwelt on the words in Psalm 116:6; "The Lord preserveth the simple." He also quoted the verse, "The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." Psalm 119:130. Truly it was so in her case.

The Lord Jesus, when on earth, said, "I thank Thee, 0 Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." Matt. 11:25.

How many of the wise and the prudent of this world are rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour, and God revealed in three Persons — Father, Son and Holy Ghost. But here were two simple ones who were brought to confess that blessed truth, of the true deity and real Manhood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"There is one God, and one mediator between God and men — the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all." 1 Tim. 2:5,6.

Dear unsaved reader, this is the way of approach to God, the way to life, peace and eternal blessing through this Middle Man—the Lord Jesus. 0 why not say

The Man in the middle,

He died for me;

And the Man in the middle

Is the Man for me."

Messages of the Love of God 9/21/1975

A Brave Confessor

A Christian boy had gone away to school. He was one of fifteen who slept in a dorm. Before he got into bed the first night he was there, he knelt down and prayed. The other boys laughed to see him kneeling there, and they threw things at him. But he knelt on until he had finished his prayer and then he got into bed.

Next morning it was the same, and soon the whole school knew the story of the boy who knelt to pray. But it led to many others following his example.

Brave boy! The Saviour in heaven saw him, a young confessor. He was not ashamed to share in the rejection of Christ. And what of you? Have you up till now refused to own your faith in Jesus? Has your shrinking heart been ashamed to own that you love Him? Listen to this verse, "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." Do you not see and feel what heavenly blessings will rest upon you if you confess Christ? Confess the Lord this day, say, "He is my Saviour," and the blessing of the Lord shall rest upon you.

Messages of the Love of God 9/21/1975

The General and the Lamb

A GENERAL and some of his troops were one day crossing the Alps. On the way they met a shepherd in great distress. One of his lambs was lost, night was fast coming on, and unless the lamb was found, it would die.

The General pitied that poor shepherd and commanded his soldiers to break the ranks and to disperse themselves over the mountain and seek the lost lamb.

Hours passed, and one by one the soldiers returned tired, but the lamb had not been found. One however still persevered throughout the night and that was the general himself. He did not return until three in the morning.

When the sentinel next morning knocked at the general's tent door, he received no answer. He knocked again louder; still no answer. Alarmed and astonished he peeked inside and there he saw the general fast asleep with the little lamb beside him wrapped in his coat. He had toiled unwearyingly for hours, had searched up and down, beating the bushes, and would not give up until the lamb was found. It was shivering with cold when he found it, and he carried it in his arms next to his bosom back to his tent where he was found by the soldier.

This was beautiful devotion. But what of Jesus? Did He give up His search until He had found the sinner? No, unwearying in His love He trod the dark valley of this world, and ranged up and down the hills in the night of sin. He came to seek and to save that which was lost. No rest for the Lord from Bethlehem to Calvary. No rest until He cried, "It is finished," on the Cross.

The love that died for sinners is the love that saves the sinner. Will you be saved today? If you know that you are lost, you will be found. If you trust in Jesus, you will be happy. "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.

God delights in giving, rest and peace today,

Sinner, leave your burden while you may.

Mercy still is flowing like a river free,

Pouring forth forgiveness now for thee.

Messages of the Love of God 9/21/1975

Real Christianity

Real Christianity should enter into the smallest details of our everyday life. A little servant girl who when asked how she knew she was saved, gave the rather curious reply, "I sweep under the mats now instead of around them."

That was an illustration of practical Christianity spoken of by the Apostle when he says, "Whatsoever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men." Col. 3:23.

Whether it be household tasks, or the routine of office work, in the shop, or at school, always remember that everything that you do as a Christian is to be well done, because you serve the Lord, and your service to your earthly master is not to be "With eye-service as men pleasers, but in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ." Eph. 6:5,6.

Messages of the Love of God 9/21/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 22:10-12

The Unequal Yoke

For a Christian to contemplate marriage with an unbeliever is, however, most serious and solemn. To have one's whole life bound to another who has no love for that blessed Saviour is indeed the worst yoke of all, for it is a yoke one cannot leave (1 Cor. 7:10) or break according to God (Matt. 19:6). How careful we should be as young people that we do not allow our affections to go out to one who does not love our Lord Jesus Christ. What sorrow many have brought on themselves through disobedience in this very thing.

Some have entered into marriage in the vain hope they could win their unbelieving partner for the Lord, but there is not one shred of encouragement from God in this. He is sovereign, but one cannot count on His blessing in such a course, for it is going directly contrary to His Word. How many have found that they did not win their unsaved companion to the Lord, and instead of a life of happiness and fruitfulness it proved to be a yoke of continual sorrow and barrenness. Dear young friends, we are never wiser than Scripture. God's Word is clear and plain: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers."

We have one last "mixture" which was forbidden in Israel. "Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woolen and linen together." Garments in Scripture speak of our ways and habits. A garment of linen and woolen would be an unnatural mixture, and this would speak of the working of both the Spirit and the flesh in the Christian. The Spirit would ever occupy

us with Christ and heavenly things, while the flesh finds its satisfaction in the world. We ought not to be mixed up with that which the call of God has separated us from.

There are many examples in Scripture in which this "garment of divers sorts" is seen. There was Lot, a righteous man, and yet so sadly sunk down in the- world, that there was scarcely any trace of the call of God in his life and testimony. How different was Abraham, with his tent and his altar, who though he had his failures, as we all do, nevertheless "looked for a city which bath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God." Heb. 11:10. There was no such mixture with the Apostle Paul; he was a heavenly man.

May we seek grace to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh so that others will see that we do not belong to this world but are on our way to our heavenly land.

Then Israel were also to have fringes on the four corners of their clothing. Those fringes on the extreme edge of their garments would keep them from being soiled by the earth. There is nothing that helps us to walk better on earth as Christians than the constant remembrance that we belong to heaven. Even though we have to walk down here for a little while, it will help keep us from becoming earthly-minded if we remember that our place and portion is up there with Christ Jesus in the glory.

Memory Verse

"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

Messages of the Love of God 9/21/1975

TARORE

A Maori Girl and Her Treasure

TARORE was a little Maori girl, the daughter of Ngakuku, a chief in the region known as Waikato, New Zealand. He sent her to school in a small town called Tauranga to learn to read her native language. Just before she returned home a gentleman gave her a gospel of Luke as a present. Tarore treasured her little book and each night she would read to her father out of it. Through her reading the gospel to him Ngakuku became a true Christian.

Some time later Ngakuku went on a journey, taking Tarore and her brother with him. One night they halted beside the Wairere Falls and lit a fire. Alas, the smoke attracted the attention of the Arawa tribe, enemies of the Waikatos. Then the Arawas made a surprise attack, and in the darkness and confusion little Tarore was left behind fast asleep.

Her gospel was under her little pillow.

Tarore never knew what happened, for she awoke no more on earth. Her murderers carried off her gospel along with the rest of the booty.

Uita, chief of the Arawas, kept the little book for a long time. Then one day he called one of his slaves, Ripahau, who could read, to read to him from Tarore's gospel. He became captivated by the story of Jesus and His love, and the time came when he too confessed Christ as his Saviour.

The Lord so touched Uita's heart that he determined to seek an interview with Tarore's father, so he could declare his faith and plead for pardon at the same time. The Waikatos urged Ngakuku to take revenge but he refused saying, "The great God of heaven, whom I have learned to love through reading Tarore's gospel, will take care of the revenge." After that Tarore's father and Uita, the once bitter enemy, were often seen in each other's company, worshiping the Lord together.

The gospel of Luke had by God's grace wrought much, but its work was not yet finished. Years afterwards a great centennial took place at the Maori church building in Otaki, a center especially linked with Tarore's gospel. Among the many interesting relics displayed was one little book, the gospel of Luke, Tarore's treasure. It was tattered and torn, some of the leaves were missing and the covers were gone, but on one of its pages was the name Ngakuku, her father, the

chief. On that occasion there were mentioned the names of other chiefs who had come to Christ through the reading of this same precious gospel, among them Tamihana, and Te Whiwhi.

Te Whiwhi was so filled with the love of Christ that he journeyed over 1000 miles as far south as Otago in an open canoe, visiting all the native "pas" (villages) along the way, bringing to his people in those early days the story of the love of Jesus who died for sinful men everywhere.

Years afterwards my oldest brother labored among both the white people and the Maoris in New Zealand, bringing Christ to them. He found many Maoris who had trusted Christ as their Saviour, all through reading the Scriptures.

"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days." Eccles. 11:1. "The gospel of Christ . . . is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." Romans 1:16.

Memory Verse

"THEIR SINS AND INIQUITIES WILL I REMEMBER NO MORE." Hebrews 8:12

Messages of the Love of God 9/28/1975

Who Was He?

One in the Old Testament who was faithful to the Lord and whom He honored and blessed.

His first is in JOHN and also in JACK;
His second is in BLOCK but not in BLACK;
His third is in SAD, but not in GLAD;
His fourth is in FED, but not in FAD;
His fifth is in PLATE but not in LATE;
His sixth is in HATE but not in ATE.

His life shows how God can use a young man and in his life work out His own blessed plan.

Messages of the Love of God 9/28/1975

Come In

IMAGINE yourself to be standing in the darkness outside the window of a beautiful home. The rain is pouring down and it is very cold. You have no home — no shelter, no friends. Inside you see the bright cheerful fire burning, the warm rugs, the comfortable chairs and sofas, and everything is the picture of happiness and comfort.

The table is spread with good things and the family is sitting around it. It is the scene of peace, because of mutual love, and all is provided by the bounty of the head of the house. The very sight of all this only deepens your misery and wretchedness and you turn away with a sigh.

But, wait a minute! The master of the house comes out. He sees your longing looks, your dejected attitude, and he says in tones of wonderful sweetness, "Come in all is for you!"

You gladly accept the invitation; you pass from the darkness of the cold into the light and warmth; and again your host says to you, "Now you are here, and this is to be your home. I will adopt you as my child, and you may enjoy my house till your heart's content."

Something like this was the experience of one of old who said, "He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love."

Such is the love and goodness of God.

Messages of the Love of God 9/28/1975

Tammy's Puppies

TAMMY HAD puppies and how proud of them she was. Sally and Timmie loved to go out to the barn and play with them. The pups were fat and roly-poly, and the children laughed with delight as they played and barked and wagged their little tails. Sometimes one would take hold of another's tail in his mouth and this would end in a scuffle. Sally loved to pick up the pups and cuddle them in her arms.

One night it was cold and Daddy suggested they bring Tammy and her pups into the house where they would keep warm. They put them in the children's playroom.

In the morning when Sally ran to the playroom what a sight met her eyes! The pups had her dolls on the floor and were running around the room chewing off arms and legs and

playing tug-a-war. They were having a wonderful time. Poor Sally started to cry, but then she began to laugh. It was so funny after all. "You naughty puppies!" she scolded as she rescued what was left of her dolls.

It was just natural for the naughty puppies to want to chew things. It was their nature. They would have to have another nature if they would be anything different.

And so it is with us. We have a nature that loves to do naughty things — that wants to sin. Scripture calls it the old nature — the flesh — and sin. It can never be changed, but God gives a new nature to one who believes in Jesus and receives Him as Saviour. It is God's own holy nature and delights only in doing good. Be sure you are saved, dear reader, and have that new nature from God. We could never be in His presence in heaven without it.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23. "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.

Messages of the Love of God 9/28/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 22:13-30

THE LATTER part of this chapter brings before our minds the words of the Lord Jesus: "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matt. 4:4. We need all Scripture, and we need to read it from cover to cover to hear all that It has to say to us. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning." Rom. 15:4. How much better to learn from the Word than by sad humbling experience!

The believer has a new life and a new nature from God — "the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph. 4:24) — and He faithfully disciplines us as a Father, "that we might be partakers of His holiness" (Heb. 12:10). But we still have the old evil nature within us as long as we are in this body, a nature which is not subject to the holy law of God and is capable of the worst evil. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." Jer. 17:9. How well it is to be constantly reminded of this and to be on our guard against the workings of the flesh in us in any way. We need to keep near to the Lord and to judge every activity of the flesh, for if we get away from Him, who can tell how far and how deep into sin we may go.

We find in these verses the most solemn warnings against moral corruption. The holy law of God protects the wife from slander and from shame and dishonor at the hands of a cruel and inconsiderate husband. At the same time the sanctity of the marriage tie is carefully guarded, and in some cases those guilty of social impurities were punished by death.

We live in a day when marriage is treated as a light thing in the world and social sins are little thought of. We as Christians need to be on our guard against the spirit of this age. Proverbs 14:9 tells us that "Fools make a mock at sin"; but "God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal. 4:7.

Dear young Christian, let us be careful as to the books we read, and turn away from the bad jokes and evil stories that are told around us every day. They are sure to defile and spoil our communion with the Lord, and may even lead to bringing dishonor on His blessed name. To be occupied with good, to fill our minds with thoughts of Christ, the Holy One and true, who loves us and gave Himself for us, will help keep us in the midst of the polluted atmosphere of this world. Soon He is coming to take us out of it, to be with Himself forever in those "bright and blessed scenes where sin can never come."

Messages of the Love of God 9/28/1975

Make a Wise Choice for Eternity

In the morning of life, come to Jesus, who alone can meet your need and satisfy your heart, give you joy through life, victory in death, and a home in heaven.

How often in danger and guilt He has told you,

How often His message of mercy does send;

Haste, while He waits in His arms to enfold you,

The harvest is passing, the summer will end.

"The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." Jer. 8:20.

Messages of the Love of God 9/28/1975

A Little Boy and His Fishes

ONE DAY the disciples had gone with Jesus in a boat to a desert place on the other side of the lake, so that they might be alone with Him. But they were not quiet for long because a great crowd of people, who had seen the Lord's miracles and the wonderful way He healed people, followed Him there.

When the day was nearly over and the crowd so great, the disciples began to get uneasy as to how all these people would manage when it got dark, for there were no shops where they could buy food and no places to lodge in for the night.

"Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals," the disciples said. But this would never do. The Lord Jesus never turned any one away, so He said, "Give ye them to eat."

Philip asked, "Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat? Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not enough for them, that every one of them may take a little." That was a lot of money when we think that a penny in those days was a working man's daily wage.

Then Jesus made the disciples find out how much food they had there without going to buy. Andrew said, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two little fishes, but what are they among so many?" The disciples, it seems, had forgotten the Lord's miracles and the wonderful things He could do.

Well, the Lord Jesus did just what He had meant to do all the time. He took the little boy's five barley loaves and two small fishes, and multiplied them so that with them He fed all those hungry people. And there were five thousand men there, besides mothers and little boys and girls.

Supposing some of the more hungry among the children wanted "seconds," do you think the Lord Jesus would have refused? No, we are sure He would tell the disciples to give them a good supper, for He is a bountiful Giver.

It was only a little boy who had the five loaves and the two small fishes, but he was near to Jesus in the place where He could use him. It wasn't much that he had, but he didn't say, Maybe I'll keep one loaf and a fish for myself. No, they were all given up to Jesus, and that made all the difference.

It was Jesus who took them in His hands, Jesus who looked up to heaven and blessed them, Jesus who broke them into pieces and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And so everyone had plenty; there was more than they could eat, for the disciples filled twelve baskets full of the pieces that were left.

The Lord Jesus still gives the bread of life to all who will come to Him. And He delights to still use even little folks who own Him as their Saviour, in bringing blessing to the hungry, sin-sick souls all around.

Messages of the Love of God 10/5/1975

Margie

A YOUNG lady, the daughter of wealthy but worldly parents, was persuaded by a Christian friend to go with her to a prayer meeting. There God's Spirit convicted her of sin, and she returned home deeply anxious about her soul.

Her parents were dismayed at what they called her folly, and for a time they tried in vain to persuade her to return to the gay activities she used to find so much pleasure. At last her father promised to buy her the finest dress in town if she would attend one more ball — only one.

It was a cold winter night, she caught a cold which ended in a fatal illness. A short time before she died, she asked that the dress that she wore at the ball might be brought to her bedroom. Then turning to her weeping parents she said, "Father, Mother, do you see that dress? That is the price of my soul; by this you bribed me to go back into the world, and now I am dying, and I am lost.' "

Wealth and luxury were there and every comfort that this world could give, but it was a Christless household, and from it a Christless soul was passing into eternity — out into the darkness forever.

But let us look at another scene. It is winter, and we enter another room, not this time a dwelling of wealth or luxury, but one of very little comfort indeed. But here lies dear Margie with the fever on her brow, and her strength failing fast.

I bent over her and whispered, "Margie, on what are you resting for eternity?"

Slowly her eyes opened, her face lighted up and she whispered, "I'm—just—resting—in—His—love."

Margie had learned to love and trust the Lord Jesus at Sunday school. Early she was brought to love the Lord. Early she was called to be with Him, which is far better. That was the last time I saw her, but I know I shall meet her again in the glory.

Messages of the Love of God 10/5/1975

A Leper Saved

MR. JAMES FISH, who carried the gospel to the lonely lepers on Robben island years ago, tells the story of a very remarkable patient he met there.

The man had been a station master on the mainland. Rising one morning he was alarmed to find brown patches on his arms and face. Five doctors finally decided he was a pronounced leper.

Knowing he would be banished from home and compelled to go to Robben Island he tried to take his own life. He failed in two attempts; then in the extreme moment of his distress, God met him and stopped his madness. And now as a broken man, he saw not only his own guilt, but the Hand of God's mercy restraining him from that rash act. Oh what a God of mercy He is!

Just at that time a Christian lady, hearing of his illness, wrote him, expressing her sympathy and pointing him to Christ as the only true source of comfort. This timely message of consolation was used of God in a wonderful way, and the missionary found him on the island, a humble contrite man.

It was really wonderful to listen to him as with eyes filled with tears, he told how God met him. On one occasion he said he had nearly broken his neck over God's intervening hand. He said also that "he would rather live on Robben Island with his terrible affliction yet knowing Christ as his Saviour, than possess the wealth of twenty of the towns in which he had lived previously without Christ." Such is the power of true conversion on one who has new life in Christ in his soul!

Messages of the Love of God 10/5/1975

Overheard in the Orchard

Said a robin to a sparrow,

"I would really like to know

Why these anxious human beings

Rush about and worry so."

Said the sparrow to the robin, "

Friend, I think that it must be,

They know not the heavenly Father

He who cares for you and me."

Memory Verse

"THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH; BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD." Romans 6:23

Messages of the Love of God 10/5/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 23:1-8

HERE THE LORD tells His people they were to exercise care as to whom they allowed to enter the camp for it was not merely the camp of Israel but "the congregation of the Lord." He dwelt in their midst and He Himself instructed them in everything suited to His presence. We could not take some of these things in a literal sense and apply them in that way today for Jesus has died and grace has triumphed over all the demands of the law. Those whom the law once kept outside grace brings in, to sit down in God's presence and to enjoy all the privileges and blessings of His people. "For there is no difference . . .: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him." Rom. 10:12.

The heathen practices of the nations were an abomination to the Lord and Israel were not to adopt them. They were not to allow among them things which would be a reproach to Him. However, Israel's history shows that they did not heed the word of the Lord. They did follow many of the customs of the East.

One born out of corrupt circumstances, such as adultery, was not to be introduced among the people of God.

Neither the Ammonite nor the Moabite could enter the congregation of the Lord to the tenth generation, that is, forever. This was not because of the terribly humbling circumstances of the birth of their forefathers, but because of their avowed enmity to the true people of God. They refused bread and water to Israel their brethren when they were come out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam to curse them, though God turned the curse into a blessing. They might claim a family connection with the favored children of Abraham, yet they were the inveterate enemies of God and His people, and we see here how the government of God follows them throughout their history. Again they are like the false professor who claims a place in the church but in whose heart there is no love for Christ but often bitter enmity.

"Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother." This is remarkable and perhaps not a little surprising. Often we may not understand all the Lord says and does, but we can be sure He is right and one day we shall see it all perfectly. The world says one must see first to believe, but faith first believes and then sees.

The Egyptian was included with the Edomite. "Thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land." The Egyptian was merely a man of the world and Israel were not to harden their heart against them. In the millennial glory when the earth is brought into blessing, Egypt shall be blessed along with Israel and Assyria. When the King reigns over all the earth, "princes shall come out of Egypt" (Psa. 68:31), and God in grace will say, "Blessed be Egypt My people."

We learn from these scriptures that Israel were not left to choose for themselves in these different cases. The Lord decided all for them beforehand. And how thankful we should be that we have One to whom we can go for wisdom in meeting all the varied needs and problems of life here in this world — One who loves to have us come and confide in Him. He never grows weary and happy are we if we learn to take everything — even the littlest things — to Him in prayer.

Messages of the Love of God 10/5/1975

The Tiger Tamed

RAO WAS a young boy who belonged to a wild Mohammedan tribe that lived on the Black Mountain in the northwest of India. One day Rao, wandering down to the plains, came upon a copy of the Gospel of Luke. He was charmed with the story and asked a friend if he knew where he could get more of such books. He was directed to a mission station and there he obtained the other three gospels.

He had not read the little books through twice before he was convinced not merely of the beauty, but still more of the truth of what he read. The purity, the truth, the love, the wisdom and the goodness of the Prophet of Nazareth convinced him that Jesus was more than a prophet, even the Son of God. Rao believed and with joy received Him into his heart as his Saviour and Lord.

Returning to his home on the Black Mountain he told his people of his new faith and showed them his books. His father was a fine tall powerful fighting man, but bitterly

hated Christianity. So furious was he with his boy that he wanted to shoot him on the spot. Rao's mother pleaded for her son's life, however, so his father said: "I give him three months. After that if he doesn't give up this accursed nonsense, I'll shoot him like a dog."

Then Rao took sick and it seemed he might die. "See," exclaimed his father exultingly, "God is laying his hand on him; I won't have to shoot him." However, Rao began to get better, and his father, angrier than ever, said, "I'll have to shoot him after all."

Now Rao had a cousin who came to him and said, "I don't believe in your Christianity, but I don't want to see you killed. I'll help you get away down to the plains as soon as you are able to go."

Rao escaped to the railway and eventually arrived at a mission station. There he was baptized and began to work in the mission hospital.

One day at the bazaar who should he meet face to face but his father. Rao fled in terror to the safety of the mission station. The missionaries found his father and invited him to their house. The kind respectful, courteous treatment he received tamed the spirit of the wild tiger. He talked long and often with the doctor day after day until at last he said he must be going home.

"But what about your son?"

"He is no son of mine," he replied. "I came down here intending to kill him. But I cannot do that now. Christians are better people than I thought. Take him and train him as you will." He took Rao's hand and placed it in the doctor's.

"Will you promise me one thing?" asked the doctor. "I want you to read this book." It was a New Testament in his own tongue.

"Is that all? That's nothing. Of course, I'll read it, if you wish." So he went to his home in the mountains and months passed by.

Then one day the former tiger came again to the doctor's house. "I have not come to stay," he said. "We have been reading that beautiful Book you gave me, and as it is called the New Testament, we thought there may be an Old one. If so, we should like to read that too."

Then he gave him a copy of the Old Testament and he returned home immediately. Some months later he came again and this was his story:

"We find that the Old Testament tells of our own prophets, Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, and so on. They spoke of a coming One, and in the New Testament Jesus of Nazareth says that they spoke of Him. His teaching is most beautiful and true. He is so pure and good that He has won my heart, and I have come to be baptized."

And so he was. The heart cf the old tiger was now really tamed, his hands once stained with blood, were now lifted up in praise and worship to God for His wondrous mercy and saving grace.

"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.

Memory Verse

"ACQUAINT NOW THYSELF WITH HIM,
AND BE AT PEACE: THEREBY GOOD
SHALL COME UNTO THEE." Job 22:21

Messages of the Love of God 10/12/1975

A Brave Sailor Boy

A FURIOUS storm was raging in the middle of the Atlantic and the ship, Cornelia, was in great danger as the mountainous waves rolled over her decks.

The captain and crew did everything in their power to keep her afloat. All the sails were taken down and fastened, but now the tackling in the top of the high mast broke loose. The captain called one of the sailor boys and said to him, "Henry, climb up there and fasten those ropes."

Poor Henry was only a slightly built little fellow. He looked up, at the high mast, then down at those foaming waves beneath and disappeared into the cabin. A few moments later he re-appeared and one of the passengers watched the boy anxiously as he climbed the great tall mast. There he was hanging in the rigging. The wind stormed and raged, but Henry hung on firmly. Fifteen minutes later he was again on deck in safety.

The passenger went up to him and asked him if he had not been afraid, and why he had gone first into the cabin.

"I thought that I might perhaps not come down alive, so I went to my cabin and asked the Lord to take me to be with Himself."

"Do you pray often, my boy?" "Yes, Sir."

"Where did you learn to pray?"

"At home. Mother sent me to Sunday school. The teacher told me to pray to God and ask Him to keep me, and I have done this ever since."

"The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers." 1 Peter 3:12.

"Whoso trusteth in the Lord shall be safe."

Messages of the Love of God 10/12/1975

Chosen

ONE NIGHT Jesus did not go into a house to rest, He wanted to be alone with God; He stayed out of doors on a mountain where it was quiet, and He spent the night in prayer to God.

When it was day He called His disciples to Him, and out of them He chose twelve to be apostles. The first of the twelve was Simon Peter; Andrew, his brother, was chosen too, and so were James and John.

A disciple is one who learns and follows, but an apostle is one who is sent forth. Jesus Himself was the great Apostle, because He was sent forth by God His Father.

After they had been with Jesus for some time, hearing His words and seeing the things He did, He called them together "and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases, and He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." Now they were really apostles, for Jesus had sent them forth.

When they came back they told Jesus all that they had done, how they had preached to the people in the villages and told them they must be sorry for their sins and leave off doing wrong things; they must repent, because the kingdom of God was at hand. They had cast out many devils, and they had anointed many sick folk with oil and healed them; and they told Jesus all about it.

Peter and Andrew and the other apostles thought that Jesus was going to reign as King in Jerusalem. Then, little by little, they heard from Hig own lips that instead of going to a throne, He was going to a cross; instead of speaking of reigning in Jerusalem, He spoke of suffering and dying there.

Little as they knew it at the time, Peter and Andrew, and James and John and the others, were chosen to be apostles of the Lamb, the Lamb that was slain, the Lamb who is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 23:1 -14

“WHEN THE host goeth forth against thine enemies, then keep thee fromevery wicked thing."

Here we have Israel going forth to war and some might plead that in engaging the enemy unusual things could happen, so you have to make allowances for minor violations of rules and conduct. However, this is not so with God. In our Christian testimony, perhaps in carrying the gospel to the world where Satan reigns, the utmost purity is insisted upon. God is, just as He was in Israel's day, the strength of His people, and He cannot manifest Himself in power where they act in ways contrary to His Word. Where there is lack of care even in little things there will be corresponding lack of power, whereas if we go forth and diligently seek to act according to that Word then we can be assured of the strength of His presence and the end will be sure.

Next, Israel are told that the cleanliness of the camp must be maintained because of the purity of the nature of Him who dwelt in their midst. Natural man since the fall is unclean, so what is of fallen man cannot be allowed in His holy presence. And this is not only true in spiritual things but it ought to be reflected in our walk, our ways, our dress, as also in our surroundings. If we belong to the Lord, then a clean tidy home is only worthy of Him who has deigned to come and dwell with us.

"For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that He see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee." God's Word is to be our guide in all these matters, and how thankful we can be for its precious instruction.

There are many things in Scripture that may seem hard to understand, but we believe it is written that it should be that way, for God's Word is infinite and His wisdom far above our natural intelligence. How sad when men seek to rewrite the Scriptures, and paraphrase them in an effort to make them intelligible to man's natural intellect, for in so doing much of the precious truth is lost and the keen edge of the Word is gone.

We are told that "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor. 2:14. Nevertheless the Lord has revealed by His Spirit to His children the deep and precious things of God, things which He has prepared for those that love Him (1 Cor. 2:9).

Someone has said, There are knots in Scripture which we find we cannot untie. However, do not try to cut the knot. Leave it with the Lord and later on, if we go on with Him, as we grow in grace and spiritual wisdom oftentimes the knot will untie itself; its meaning will be made clear.

Faith does not have to know why the Lord tells us to do a certain thing. There is a sweetness and consolation in doing it just because it is His will. Someday doubtless we'll understand. The Lord Jesus could tell His disciples, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter." John 13:7. How glad we shall be in that day, when all is as clear as noonday, that we sought grace to do His will not because we understood but just to please and honor Him whose way is perfect and whose love never made a mistake.

Messages of the Love of God 10/12/1975

Good-By. Donkey!

YEARS AGO, during the War in eastern Europe, a party of five who had been helping to care for wounded soldiers, were fleeing before the enemy. The way was long and weary, but their greatest difficulty was the lack of food.

They were almost starving one day when they met a man who had some potatoes. They asked him what would he take for some of his potatoes. The price he asked for five potatoes, one for each of them, was the donkey that carried their baggage. It was a terrible price to pay for just five potatoes, yet they parted with their only donkey. They could live without him, but they could not live without food.

Sometimes God lets people get very hungry so that they may remember that He is the great Provider and all the food they eat comes from Himself.

But men, women, and boys and girls, have souls as well as bodies, and just as our bodies need food, so do our souls. God told His people of old that "Man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live." Deut. 8:3. It was because of this that Jesus said, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst." John 6:35.

Messages of the Love of God 10/19/1975

When Peter Prayed

ONE NIGHT Peter and Andrew and the other disciples were out on the Sea of Galilee a long way from shore. They were tossed about on the big waves, for the wind was boisterous; it was dark and Jesus was not with them.

Then in the fourth watch of the night, just before daybreak, after they had been toiling all through the weary hours, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to their boat. At first they thought it was a ghost and they cried out in fear.

But Jesus spoke to them at once, saying, "Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid." Every bit of fear went from Peter's heart at the sound of that voice, and he answered, "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water." And Jesus said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water to go to Jesus.

But when Peter took his eye off Jesus and looked at the wind and the waves, his fear came back; he was afraid, and he began to sink. "Lord, save me," he cried.

He did not say, "Lord, help me," because he needed more than helping; he needed saving. And he did not say a long prayer, or one he had learned by heart; he had not time for that; he just cried to Jesus, "Lord, save me," and at once Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught him, and said to him, "0 thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

"And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth Thou art the Son of God." "And immediately the ship was at the land whither they went."

Peter never forgot that night and he could never forget that hand outstretched to save him. He had seen it many times stretched out in healing and blessing others, but that night he knew its loving mighty grasp, a grasp that saved from death, for it is a grasp that is stronger than death.

Have you ever prayed Peter's prayer? Are you one of those of whom Jesus said, "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."

What a loving Saviour Jesus is! He let those mighty hands of His be nailed to the cross for Peter and for you and for me, when He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. Surely He is worthy of our hearts, our lives, our all.

Larry, the Shepherd Boy

Larry was a very sick boy in the hospital when I first met him. He was just 13 years old, and when I asked him how he was he replied with a smile, "I shall soon be with Jesus." He was converted while attending Sunday school a year before.

When I asked him how he had become so ill, he said, "I have been looking after sheep on the marshes. I often think how silly the little lambs are when you want to do them good. The more I run the faster they go, until they tumble into a ditch, and then I have to pull them out. It's just like sinners running away from the Good Shepherd."

"Shall I read from the Word of God?" I asked.

"Oh, yes," he replied. "Please read John 14." After reading the chapter he made some remarks on it. Then we had a few words of prayer together.

Shortly after a lady came in with some flowers and gave a bunch to Larry. He accepted it thankfully and remarked. "How beautiful are my Father's works; nothing can come up to them."

I then said, "I will give you a prescription:

"Christ is my Physician,

He knows when 'tis best,

To ease me of my pain

Or take my soul to rest."

"How beautiful," he commented, One day when the nurse told him he would have to have an operation that evening, he said to me, “Will you read that portion about ‘neither death, nor life, nor any other thing shall separate me from the love of god, etc.?”

The last word I had of dear Larry was that he was feeling better.

Messages of the Love of God 10/19/1975

Carol, The Blind Girl

I was crossing a busy street one evening when I saw a blind girl standing on the curb waiting for someone to help her across.

"Will you kindly help me over?" she asked. To be sure I would. And soon we were on our way. As we made our way through the crowds of people, I could hear her singing heartily a beautiful little song only two lines of which I can remember:

"I love Jesus, He's my Saviour,

Jesus smiles, and loves me too."

Oh, I thought, here is one who found the Saviour, the blessed Lord Jesus and her heart was flowing out to Him in praise. She was blind, yet she had the light of God's goodness shining in her heart. Happy Carol!

"One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see." John 9:25.

Messages of the Love of God 10/19/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 23:15-23

Israel had themselves once been slaves in Egypt, but God had delivered them from their bondage and given them a homeland. Now they were to show kindness to a slave who had fled from oppression and sought a refuge among them.

“Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee: he shall dwell with thee, . . . thou shalt not oppress him." If he had come to trust under the sheltering wings of the God of Israel this confidence was not to be destroyed.

This was yet another way in which God's people were to reflect on earth His bright character. Truly He is God who is rich in mercy, and how many of us, once slaves to Satan, oppressed and without hope, have fled to Him and found a refuge and a home in those all-sheltering arms of love.

The sin of Sodom, because of which God destroyed those cities of the plain, must never appear in the land of Israel. And yet in spite of these warnings these awful sins did appear there. How much more solemn to think that in our day, in the full light of Christianity, these awful sins abound on every hand. Men do not profit by the terrible judgments of God which have fallen on this world because of such things.

How often Israel were told to remember the poor among them and to deal liberally with the poor brother! Here they are forbidden to charge interest not only on money lent, but on food or anything they might loan him. They could charge interest on money lent to a stranger,

hearts we have! How many broken promises we can think of! Elsewhere Israel were told not to make vows, but if they did make them God said they must conscientiously perform them. It is a fine thing to cultivate the habit of being one who says what he means and means what he says. Even the world respects one who is "a man of his word."

There was one blessed Man, above all others, who made vows and never failed in performing them, even though it cost Him the awful sufferings of the cross. Our blessed Lord Jesus has perfectly fulfilled, and will fulfill, every promise that He has made. "For all the promises of God in Him," from the past eternity, down through time and on into the coming blest eternity, "in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." 2 Cor. 1:20.

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

Memory Verse

"WHO IS A GOD LIKE UNTO THEE, THAT PARDONETH INIQUITY, AND . . . DELIGHTETH IN MERCY." Micah 7:18

Messages of the Love of God 10/19/1975

The Refuge

JUST before the first battle of the Solomons, a U. S. destroyer left the western shores of the U. S. A. Each man was given a New Testament with the Psalms. One, a man who never before had opened or read a Bible, stuck his in his shirt pocket and forgot it.

Soon the destroyer was in the combat area and during the battle it was sunk. Five men managed to jump into a rubber boat and were carried away by the waves. They were all frightened for they realized there was little chance of a rescue. How inadequate was their tiny refuge! Death must be their portion.

Then one of them happened to think of the little Testament given him before he left home. He took it out of his pocket. When he opened it to read for himself, three of his companions ridiculed him, but the fifth man said: "Keep on reading! And what you read, read out loud so we can all hear."

He had opened at the Psalms and read aloud the 91St: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my Refuge, and my Fortress; my God; IN HIM WILL I TRUST." What comfort in those words!

Before the sun had set the three men who had ridiculed and mocked HAD BEEN SWEPT OFF THE RAFT INTO A WATERY GRAVE. The two who, in the providence of God, were still preserved, had trusted in the Lord Jesus as their Saviour.

Darkness came on. All at once the light beam from an approaching ship lighted upon their frail boat. Although the waves tossed the little craft up and down, the steady beam never lost them. Finally the ship was alongside and they were taken out of their perilous position. They found to their delight that the ship was a U. S. destroyer. Their first account of themselves was that God had saved their souls! Then they told how He had saved them from the raging of the sea. How wonderful are God's ways!

Reader, the storm is gathering over this poor world and soon the mighty waves of God's wrath may sweep you off your frail refuge. In Christ alone there is safety. Will you not cast yourself on Him? Trust in Him, and He will carry you with all His own into the Father's house.

Memory Verse

"FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED." Romans 10:13

Messages of the Love of God 10/26/1975

Joy In Africa

Sally, an African, had walked fifteen miles to the missionary's home to ask him for a New Testament. He was sorry but he had to tell her he did not have another copy left. Sally's heart was sad.

"Oh, brother," she said, "do go and try to find a Book for me. Isn't there one left? I can't go home without one."

The missionary searched again and at last found a copy. As he gave it to Sally her eyes fairly gleamed with joy. She clasped the little New Testament to her heart and kissed it over and over again. Then she went on her way rejoicing.

"How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth." Psa. 119:103.

Messages of the Love of God 10/26/1975

The Young Martyr

ONE AUGUST afternoon a little Norwegian boy, KNUD IVERSON, who lived in the city of Chicago, went to fetch his cow, as free and light-hearted, I suppose, as boys usually are, off to the meadows on a summer's afternoon. He came at length by a stream of water, where there was a gang of idle, ill-looking big boys, who, when they saw Knud, hailed him.

"What do you want me for?" Knud asked; "I am going after my cow."

They came up to him and said they wanted him to go into Mr. Elston's garden, and steal some apples.

"No," said Knud promptly, "I cannot steal, I am sure."

"Well, but you've got to," they insisted.

"No," persisted Knud; "I cannot steal for anybody."

Then they threatened to duck him, for these wicked big boys had often before frightened little boys into robbing gardens for them; little boys were less likely to get found out.

The threat did not frighten Knud; so, to make their words good, they seized and dragged him to the river, and in spite of his cries and struggles plunged him in. But the heroic boy, even with the water gurgling and choking in his throat, never flinched, for he knew that God had said, "Thou shalt not steal," and God's Word he had made his law. No cursing, or threats, or cruelty of the big boys would make him give up.

Provoked by his firmness, they determined to see if they could not conquer; so they ducked him again; but still it was, "No," "no," and they kept him under water.

Was there no one near to hear his distressing cries, and rescue the poor boy from their cruel grasp? No; there was none to rescue him; and gradually the stifled cries of the drowning boy grew faint and fainter, and his struggles less and less, and finally the boy was drowned. He could die, but he would not steal.

Early piety had blossomed in his little life. He loved his Bible, and his Saviour; his seat was never vacant at the Sunday school, and so intelligent, conscientious, and steadfast had he been, that he had won the respect and confidence of his elders.

Be thou faithful unto death Rev. 2, 10

Messages of the Love of God 10/26/1975

Whiter Than Snow

It was wash day and Mrs. Smith had just hung her clothes out on the line to dry. A Christian friend came to visit and remarked how clean and white her wash looked.

While they visited inside the house it began to snow. How pure and white was the snow, spread like a blanket all over the ground.

"Your clothes do not look as clean and white as they did a while ago, Mrs. Smith," remarked her friend.

"Clothes do not look white beside God's pure snow," answered Mrs. Smith.

The beautiful white snow reminds us of the scripture: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Isa. 1:18.

Messages of the Love of God 10/26/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 23:24-24:5

THEN thou comest into thy neighbor's vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel."

It was the same with the neighbor's standing corn. He was not to mind their eating some of his grapes or his corn, but they were not to carry any away. God Himself was the real owner of the land; He is the Giver of every good and perfect gift, and His bountiful harvests would banish all scarcity and hunger from it. But at the same time the rights of others were to be respected, and so we have a beautiful balance here.

How lovely these commandments! How they tend to create that warm happy feeling of friendship, welcome and kind-heartedness, so lacking in this world and alas, even among us as Christians today.

In the next chapter is the case of the divorced woman, defiled by another marriage; the original broken bond could not be renewed. God allowed an Israelite to divorce his wife, not because He approved of it, but because of the hardness of their hearts. This the Lord Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 19:8. God showed His mind about these things in the beginning when He presented Eve to Adam, and time does not change it. We must remember that Israel here was really the First man under trial, but until the Lord Jesus, the Second Man, came, God did not go beyond man as he was in his fallen condition. God bore with many things in Israel even though such were not His mind for man on earth.

But we need to remember too that in Christianity, we are much more responsible than the Israelite was. The Spirit of God now dwells in the believer as a divine Person, even as He now dwells in the Church of God, so Christian lands have been enlightened (Heb. 6:4).

The believer has the power to live to please the Lord in spite of his circumstances, so if he or she is involved in an unhappy partnership God can use it to draw one nearer to Himself and so make all things work together for good. However, the believer is not to break that which God has joined together.

In the next verse we have a tender provision honoring the marriage tie. When a young man married he was excused from military service or any other business and be free at home for one year; "and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken." The loneliness of a young wife who has just left her father and mother and former home is not forgotten before God. He who created the heart knows all the inmost feelings and loneliness it feels at times. He would teach us to have the same care one for another.

Messages of the Love of God 10/26/1975

Can It Speak My Words?

Mr. Paton, the well-known missionary to the South Sea Islands, translated one of the gospels into the language of the Aniwa tribe.

"Missionary," old chief Namakei asked eagerly, "Is it done? Can it speak?"

"Yes."

"Can it speak my words?"

"Yes, it does."

"Make it speak to me, missionary."

So Mr. Paton read aloud from the Book of God and the old chief listened with joy.

Messages of the Love of God 10/26/1975

Old Jake's Cleansing

Poor old Jake had tramped wearily up and down, from place to place, for years, begging his way through life. His hair and whiskers had grown long, and he hadn't had a bath for months.

Then one day he wandered into a city mission and heard the gospel, of Christ who died for sinners, and of how redeeming love could save and make men new. Poor old Jake's heart was touched. He prayed the same prayer David uttered long ago: "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Psa. 51:7. Jake opened his heart to the Saviour and the Lord saved him that night. He came into Jake's heart and cleansed away all his sin with His precious blood.

One of the first things Jake did after he became a Christian was to go and take a bath and put on some clean clothes. "I'm clean inside now," he said; "I must be clean outside too."

Soap and water can make us clean outside, but only the blood of Jesus can make us clean inside. "For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me, saith the Lord God." Jer. 2:22.

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

Messages of the Love of God 11/2/1975

Peggy's Doll

HENRY Moorehouse, the English evangelist, who preached in the city of Chicago years ago, went home from a meeting one night feeling quite discouraged. There seemed to be no response from his listeners to his earnest gospel message. He only had half a dollar in his pocket — just enough for his train fare home.

Just as he was about to board the train he remembered Peggy, a little cripple girl, who lived in a basement nearby. She spent her days in bed and the sun never peeped into her cheerless room. On his way there Henry passed a store and saw a pretty little doll in the window. It was marked 50 cents. "Peggy would love to have that little doll," he thought, so he went in and bought it.

He knocked on the basement door and heard a child's voice say, "Come in!" So he entered.

"Oh, is it you, Mr. Moorehouse?" exclaimed the little cripple. "I'm so glad you came. Mother had to go out to work, and I haven't seen any one all day."

"I have brought you a little present," said Henry, and he gave her the doll.

Peggy's eyes opened wide with delight and her tears began to flow as lovingly she held the little doll in her arms. She had wanted a doll so badly and only that day she had made a rag doll of her own; now she had a real one.

Henry had to walk all the way home that night but there was joy in his heart. All his discouragement was gone; he thanked and praised the Lord as he walked along.

The Lord Jesus, though He was rich, came from heaven and walked the weary paths of earth making sorrowing hearts glad. No one was so poor as He, but He was never so poor as when He hung upon the Cross and died so that sinners such as we could have our sins forgiven and share His heavenly home! He gave all that He had — His life! He could not give more. 0 for hearts that will accept His great salvation and then go on through life thanking and praising Him for it!

I've found a Friend, O such a Friend!

He bled, He died to save me;

And not alone the gift of life,

But His own self He gave me.

Nought 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!

"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.

Messages of the Love of God 11/2/1975

Puzzled Peter

EVER since Peter was quite a little boy he had been taught that there were certain kinds of food that he might eat, while there were others which he must on no account touch, because they were unclean. This was right, for Peter was a Jew, and this was part of the law which God gave to Moses for the Jews.

But one day Jesus called the multitude together, and taught them that the things that make men unclean in God's sight are not the things that they put into their mouths, but those that come out of their mouths.

Some of those who heard what Jesus was saying were offended; they were people who were very particular about what they ate, and they would not eat at all unless they first washed their hands, but they were not particular about having clean hearts.

Now it is a very nice clean habit to wash one's hands before a meal, but washing our hands or not washing them, does not make us clean or unclean in God's sight. He looks at our hearts first of all, and sometimes though our hands may look clean, our hearts may be very black and dirty.

So when the disciples came to Jesus and told Him that these people were offended, He said, very solemn words about them. He said, "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."

Peter did not understand this lesson about the things that make men unclean, but he was not offended, he asked Jesus to explain it to them. "Declare unto us this parable," he said.

And then Jesus told them very plainly why it is not the things we put into our mouths that make us unclean, but the things that come out of them. It is because the things that proceed out of our mouths come forth from our hearts. Naughty thoughts, lies, thefts, unkind, angry words, words spoken against God, all these and the like come forth from our hearts, and these are the things that make us unclean in God's holy sight.

How very much we all need to pray David's prayer, "Create in me a clean heart, 0 God." God delights to hear and answer that prayer, He delights to wash away all our sins and create a clean heart within us, for the sake of His dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood cleanses from all sin. (1 John i.7.1

Memory Verse

"STRAIT IS THE GATE, AND NARROW IS THE WAY, WHICH LEADETH UNTO LIFE, AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT." Matt. 7:14.

Messages of the Love of God 11/2/1975

What A Child May Love

I love this world so beautiful,

I love the flowers and trees;

I love the softly murmuring brook,

I love the cooling breeze;

I love the birds that sing so sweet,

I love the gentle shower;

I love the little twinkling star,

I love the twilight hour:

I love my Saviour best of all,

I love to sing His praise;

I love to listen to His call,

"Dear children, seek My face;"

I love to hear of heaven, my home,

Where all is bright and fair;

I love to think the time will come

When I may enter there.

Messages of the Love of God 11/2/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 24:6

“NO MAN shall take the nether or the upper millstone to upper pledge: for he taketh a man's life to pledge." Here we have another instance of the Lord's care for the poor of His people. A creditor might take a pledge of his poor neighbor, but not part of the millstone by which he ground his corn for his daily bread. It would be counted the same as taking a poor man's life for a pledge when he borrowed something.

The next verse supposes a man's love of money might even lead him to practice kidnapping to satisfy his greed. Such a one was to be punished with death. How wonderful the grace of God now that can rise above man's fearful evil and save the vilest!

Then they were to be careful not to bring the plague of leprosy upon them, as Miriam had done in the wilderness. This meant banishment from God as punishment, and tells of the solemn place the sinner is in now. Again how wonderful the grace of God now that cleanses the poor leprous sinner and brings him back into God's presence and favor, all through the work of Christ who died to put sin away.

If a man loaned his brother something he was not to enter his house to take his pledge. This would be intruding. But he was to stand abroad outside and his brother would bring his pledge out to him. He was not to assume a superior attitude toward his brother because he had loaned him something.

Then if the brother were poor and his pledge was something he could only spare for the day, it must be

returned to him before nightfall. A garment thus pledged might be the man's only covering during the cold of the night. "And it shall be righteousness unto thee before the Lord thy God." The poor man would bless him and he would have the Lord's own gracious approval as well.

Furthermore he was not to hold back the laborer's hire from him, but he was to pay him his wages at the close of the day. Otherwise the poor man might cry to the Lord about it; it would be sin and God would deal with him accordingly.

In all these precepts of mercy and goodness we can see how God was regulating the life of His people, even in the most ordinary matters of everyday living, and at the same time He would put a curb on man's evil nature. How happy for Israel if they sought grace to go on with the Lord in these things, for He sought their good and blessing. May we profit by their failures and experiences and cleave to Him with purpose of heart. He ever desires our happiness, even as He has told us:

"If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:10,11.

Messages of the Love of God 11/2/1975

Steve, the Japanese Boy

STEVE was a rough and tough Japanese boy who lived in Osaka, Japan. He was one of a gang of other rough boys, who carried knives and were always fighting. Many of them were expelled from school.

While he was in high school, Steve joined the young Communist Party. In his quest for more knowledge about Communism, he went into a book store and began searching through some used books. He found a New Testament, and not having seen one before, he started to read it.

When he came to the fifth chapter of Matthew he was impressed with the fact that the word "blessed" was repeated for a number of times. Now Steve had learned that the word "blessed" means "to be happy," and this was just what Steve so desired — happiness. He inquired further about the Book and they told him that it was a New Testament read and believed by Christians.

There was a group of Christians who met regularly in Osaka, and Steve began to attend their meetings regularly. It was there he learned of Jesus, the wonderful Saviour of sinners, who died to put their sins away and make them happy. One evening Steve opened his heart and received that blessed One as his Lord and Saviour. Joy filled his heart. He had found real happiness.

Steve's life was completely changed now. Soon he had a Bible class of his own where he taught boys and girls the precious truths of Scripture. His life has been a fruitful one. Filled with love for his Lord he has proclaimed that blessed name of Jesus as the only Saviour and that "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Rom. 10:13.

"Whosoever heareth," shout, shout the sound,

Spread the blessed tidings all the world around;

Spread the joyful news wherever man is found,

"Whosoever will may come."

Messages of the Love of God 11/9/1975

It Was Not Real

WHEN I was just a little girl someone took me to see a wonderful performance. There were men and women, and little children too, who rode on bare-backed horses, and jumped through paper hoops, and did such wonderful things, that it almost took my breath away to watch them. And oh, what beautiful clothes they wore! How they flashed and glittered as the brilliant light shone on them.

When I came home I could think of nothing else but these fairy-like creatures. My own simple dress seemed so common and poor after those magnificent spangled garments, and I began to long that I might have the same. My sister and I, after many entreaties, went again to the crowded performance another evening. This time we were more enraptured than ever! We watched with breathless interest at the agile movements of the actors, and we lingered in our seats some little time after the performance had ended, so reluctant to leave the fairy-like scene.

And as we were leaving, when making our way out, a side door opened and a small company passed out. I looked — and looked again at these people — could it be? Yes, there was no mistake — for in the weary, down-cast faces of the older ones and the pinched hungry looks of the children, I recognized the faces of those who had a short time before so fascinated my childish eyes. Oh! where were the beautiful spangled dresses and the smiling faces, and the rosy cheeks? All gone! It wasn't real after all! And with a great pang of disappointment, I turned away.

IT WAS NOT REAL! Under those fine clothes were aching hearts, and the smiles were only put on for the occasion to please the public.

God wanted to teach me a lesson at that time, and He has shown to me since, dear boys and girls, that all that is not of God the Father, all that is of this world, is unreal.

If you are young, the world beckons, and perhaps you see a bright future opening up to you. But oh, when you go on, you'll find that the things in the world which you thought would bring you so much happiness will fail to satisfy you. Like bubbles they burst and are gone. Why? Because your heart is too big for this world to fill, great as it is. We only prove what true happiness is when we come to know the Lord Jesus. When we take Him as our Saviour, He comes and fills our hearts to overflowing with peace and joy.

One may "enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (Heb. 11:25), but "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23) and "after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27).

The Lord Jesus by His blood takes away our guilt and the penalty of sin and in their stead he gives life eternal and pleasures for evermore.

"In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore." Psa. 16:11.

"The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." 1 John 2:17.

OHW LHSLA EW SAEPCE Fl EW ELTCNGE OS RTAGE LTAINSVOA Hebrews 2

These letters when correctly arranged form a gospel message. See if you can arrange them correctly.

Messages of the Love of God 11/9/1975

Harry's Prayer

YOUNG HARRY was going away to school. His parents had boarded the train with him and after kissing him good-bye they left him. He had never been in a sleeping car before, but when he saw other passengers push a button and then ask the porter to make their beds, he did the same. So the porter made up his bed.

Sitting on the edge of his bed Harry opened his suitcase, took out his Bible and began to read. Many were watching the little fellow, and his face was rather flushed, but he was not ashamed. Then he knelt down beside his bed and prayed just like he always did at home. Finally he drew the curtains together, got into bed and settled down for the night.

Among those watching little Harry was an evangelist and two businessmen. One of the men said to the preacher, "It's been a long time since I saw anything like that. Mother used to kneel by her bed and pray." Then he added, "How can I get right with God?"

The three men talked together quietly and earnestly for some time, while the train rolled on in the darkness. That night the evangelist led those two businessmen to Christ. They had both been deeply touched when they saw the little boy kneel in prayer on the train.

Dear young friends, boys and girls who love the Saviour can shine for Him in the darkness of this world. Has He not told us, "Ye are the light of the world. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven"? Matt. 5:14,16.

Messages of the Love of God 11/9/1975

Nothing To Fear

A ship was wrecked somewhere in the South Seas and two of the sailors succeeded in swimming to the shore of a nearby unknown island. Afraid lest the natives might be cannibals they fled immediately into the woods near the shore.

After traveling inland for a while they came to a valley and one of them decided to climb a very high tree and have a look around. Suddenly he called out to his companion below, "Hurrah! We're alright! I see a little gospel hall." Their fears vanished and their minds were at rest. Though they themselves might not be Christians they knew they were in the company of believers and they were safe.

How much this world owes to the coming of Christ, to Christianity and to the presence of Christians still down here.

Messages of the Love of God 11/9/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 24:16-22

IN THESE next verses Israel were warned against perverting judgment. The father was not to suffer death for his children's sins, nor were the children to suffer for their father's sins. This was common practice among the heathen nations, but unlike them Israel's God was a righteous God; they were to be the display of His righteousness on earth, as indeed they will be in the coming day of glory.

Furthermore, they were not to oppress or take advantage of the stranger, nor the fatherless, nor the widow. But they were to remember that it was the Lord who had redeemed them out of Egypt's bondage and it was He who commanded them to do this.

When they harvested their fields and forgot a sheaf they were not to return and take it. It was to be left for the stranger, the fatherless and the widow. It was the same when they gathered their olives and their grapes. The gleanings they were to leave for the poor.

Perhaps an Israelite might argue that these gleanings belonged to him to do with them as he pleased. But the Lord reminds them of the time when they had nothing and were but slaves in Egypt, and now that He had set them free He would have them show an entirely opposite spirit to that of their oppressors of old. They were to especially consider the poor and to show them kindness and mercy.

O what a God we have, who in all His greatness thinks of the needs of each of His creatures, especially man, in spite of all his rebellion and sin. Surely we who know Him through His beloved Son, our Saviour, can say, "How good is the God we adore!"

"That the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands." Well had it been for Israel had they remembered and carried out these gracious commands of Jehovah their God! But we learn from their prophets later on and also from the gospels how little they remembered these things and how far they had departed from these words of the Lord. How severely the Lord rebuked the leaders of Israel in His day, saying, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation." Matt. 23:14.

We know these commandments were given to Israel under law, but surely the spirit of them is for us too still down here in this world. May He whose love has set us free from the slavery of sin and Satan's power help us to manifest His grace to others the little while we wait for His return. He loves a cheerful giver. May we remember His words, "how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35.

"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.

Messages of the Love of God 11/9/1975

Faithful Old Shep

THEY had been old Sandy the Shepherd's faithful companion for many years. She had just helped him round up the flock and put them into the fold. When Sandy counted the sheep, he discovered that two were missing. So he went to the kennel where Shep was sleeping and said, "Shep, two sheep are missing! Go and find them!"

The faithful dog immediately arose and went off into the storm to hunt for the lost sheep. Sometime later she returned with one of them.

Old Sandy patted his friend and praised her. Then he said, "Shep, one more sheep is missing! Go and find it!"

Shep looked into her master's face and once more headed out into the darkness and storm. Several hours passed and then Sandy heard a scratching at the door. Sure enough there was the dog with the other sheep which she had found. Again old Sandy patted and praised her and then he took the sheep to the fold.

Shep started back to her kennel but just outside she fell over dead. The long ordeal of climbing hills and clambering over rocks in search of the lost sheep had proved too much for the faithful old dog. Her heart had given out. She had saved the lost sheep but it cost her own life.

The Lord Jesus, on the cross, gave His life to save sinners. "He came to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10.

"But none of the ransomed ever knew

How deep were the waters crossed,

Or how dark was the night that

the Lord passed through

Ere he found His sheep that was lost."

Shep was a faithful shepherd. The Lord Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." John 10:11.

Messages of the Love of God 11/16/1975

Faithful Jack

JACK WAS just 16 years old when he joined a ship's crew and went to sea. He was a Christian boy and before he left home he promised his mother that he would kneel down and pray three times a day. His mother said that she too would kneel in prayer at the same times and so they would both meet before the throne of grace.

Faithful to his word Jack went down into the hold below the decks and prayed three times a day. The rest of the crew were an ungodly lot, and made fun of poor Jack. They threw things at him and poured water over him. But they could not stop him from praying, so they began to treat him roughly.

When Jack persevered in prayer, and the men could not accomplish their purpose, in anger one day one of them tied a rope around him and threw him overboard. He tried to catch hold of the ship's side but those evil men pushed him off with a pole.

Finally poor Jack's strength gave out, and he felt sure they meant to drown him. He prayed to God to forgive his tormentors and cried out, "Tell Mother that I died for Jesus." Then he lay back unconscious on the water. The men, ashamed and smitten by their sinful deeds, pulled him up on deck again.

Jack recovered but God honored his brave young servant, for when the men saw his courage and realized how much he loved his Saviour, they were sorry for what they had done. That night two of the sailors repented of their sins and turned to the Lord Jesus and were saved. So,

God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the seas

And rides upon the storm.

Jack felt his terrible ordeal was worth it all when he realized that God used it in the salvation of some of that crew.

"I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Mk. 2:17.

"Repent . . . , and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." Acts 3:19.

Messages of the Love of God 11/16/1975

I'll Have a Drop More!

A CHRISTIAN lady had an unbelieving husband. One evening she got ready to go to the gospel meeting, when her husband, who had been drinking rather heavily, asked her for the key to the cupboard, as he wished some more brandy. She refused to give him the key. He persisted in his demand but still she firmly refused him.

At last in a rage he brought his fist down on the table and exclaimed, "I'll have a drop more, if I go to hell for it." His wife and another friend then left him and went down stairs to go to the gospel meeting.

As they stood for a moment at the bottom of the stairs, they were just about to go out the front door, when they were startled by hearing a heavy thud. It was her husband falling down the stairs. Down, down he fell until he lay at their feet at the bottom of the stairs. They raised him up but he was gone, he who had said, "that he would have another drop, if he went to hell for it."

God had taken him away in a moment. Oh how solemn! What of his soul? His thirst was the thirst of the drunkard, and now he must thirst eternally.

Oh, be warned in time, dear reader! If you are thirsting after Christ you may be satisfied at once.

"If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink." John 7:37.

"And he that has no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isa. 55:1.

Messages of the Love of God 11/16/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 25:1-4

THE PRECEPTS of the Lord in these chapters are truly wonderful. They cover a wide range of subjects and circumstances. They regulate the most ordinary matters of life, and even the cattle are not forgotten.

Here the first in this chapter has to do with punishment. "If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, . . . they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked." But the poor man who had done the wrong must not be beaten excessively. Forty stripes was the maximum they could give him, "and not exceed." He might deserve to be punished but he was not to be considered vile; he was still a brother. Punishment might be necessary but it was not to exceed a point beyond which one might lose his respect for the guilty.

This tells us of the care the Lord would have us exercise in all matters of discipline and chastening. Discipline might be necessary but it is always to correct and restore, and the Lord would ever have us to preserve His own in honor. How gracious and forgiving He has been to us! "He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him." Psa. 103:10,11.

"Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn." v. 4. We may wonder why this comes in here like it does but the New Testament gives the answer and shows that there is a spiritual sense to the law which abides long after those to whom it was given have been set aside.

The ox patiently treading out the corn on the threshing floor was entitled to eat of the corn as it faithfully made its rounds. Here is the picture of the Lord's faithful workman who by patient labor separates the chaff from the precious wheat, symbol of the Word, the seed sown in the heart and the food of God's people.

"Doth God take care for oxen? or saith He it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes no doubt this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope." 1 Cor. 9:9,10. "The Lord ordained," the Apostle goes on to say, "that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." v. 14. We have the privilege and responsibility of ministering to and caring for those whom the Lord has sent forth to labor for Him.

Messages of the Love of God 11/16/1975

One Thing Thou Lacked

WO YOUNG fellows were good friends. One had an inventive mind, the other was fond of music. As they grew up, they separated and both gained a reputation in their respective fields. Bull became a musician, Ericsson an inventor.

Some years later they met again, and Bull invited his old friend to a musical entertainment in which he would play the violin. Ericsson politely told him he was too busy to take the time off.

"I'll bring my violin down to your shop and play it there," said Bull, but Ericsson gave him little encouragement. He wasn't interested in music.

But the musician was true to his word. He came down to the shop with his violin and began to play. Ericsson was vexed at first, but as his old friend warmed up to his playing the sweetest melodies poured forth from the violin, and the inventor listened with wonder. The rest of the men in the shop stopped their work and stood silent in admiration.

Still Bull played on. When the music ceased Ericsson exclaimed with tears in his eyes, "Oh don't stop! Keep on playing! Not till now did I know what has been lacking in my life."

The Lord Jesus said to a young man who came to Him, "One thing thou lackest . . . come, take up the cross, and follow Me." Mark 10:21. Jesus loved that young man, it says, but money kept him from following the lowly Saviour, and he went away grieved "for he had great possessions." They meant more to him than Christ.

How many there are without Christ and who do not know what is lacking in their lives. Burdened with sin and guilt, unhappy and dissatisfied, they cannot know rest until they rest in Christ. Is that your condition, dear reader? Oh if you would only come to Jesus. He loves you, He died for you; He will take away all your burdens and give you peace and joy instead.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

"Come unto Me and rest;

Lay down, thou weary one, lay down

Thy head upon My breast."

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.

"0 taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." Psalm 34:8.

Memory Verse

"IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE." Ephesians 1:7

Messages of the Love of God 11/23/1975

Kept Out Of Jail

FRED WAS still a boy when he was kept out of fail through reading his Bible. He had been looking for a job. One morning before leaving the house to go job hunting he was reading his Bible when he heard the sound of breaking glass. Another boy had got himself into trouble. He had broken a window and then ran away. The police were looking for him.

The officer came to the house where Fred was staying, and said, "We want you." They took him to the police station. The desk sergeant asked Fred about the broken window. He said Fred answered the description of the boy they believed was guilty — he had the same colored shirt and trousers, the same colored hair and was about the same size. The desk sergeant said to Fred, "I think you did it."

"No," said Fred, "when that happened I was in my room reading my Bible." ,

The sergeant laughed. "Oh you can't tell me that!" he said. Then he asked for a Bible. No one there had one. The sergeant asked Fred what verse he had been reading. Without any hesitation Fred quoted him John 3:16.

"All right, my boy," said the sergeant. "You can go!" How thankful to the Lord Fred was that he had been faithful in reading His Word that morning.

"I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust." Psa. 91:2.

Messages of the Love of God 11/23/1975

Whosoever Means Jim

JIM WAS a great sinner and he knew it. One night he went to a gospel meeting and as he listened to the message preached he wept under the burden of his sins.

Afterwards the evangelist spoke to him kindly and said, "Jim, won't you take Jesus as your Saviour?"

"I'm a great sinner," Jim replied.

"I'm afraid God will not save a sinner like me."

Opening his Bible, the evangelist read to him that wonderful verge John 3:16: "For God so loved, Al* world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but/ have everlasting life."

Then he handed Jim the Bible and said: "I want you to read, that verse. When you come to the word 'whosoever' put your own name in, for `whosoever' includes you!"

Jim took the Bible and read: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that Jim who believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Suddenly a smile came over his face, and he stood up saying, "I see it now! Whosoever means me! I believe, and right now I take the Lord Jesus as my Saviour."

Messages of the Love of God 11/23/1975

The Touch of Faith

Mark 5; Luke 8

ONE DAY the Lord Jesus was on His way to the house of Jairus, a ruler in Israel. It was a house darkened with sorrow for Jairus' little daughter was dying. He had come to Jesus in his distress and falling down at His feet he begged Him to come and heal her.

"I pray Thee, come," he said, "and lay Thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live." The Lord Jesus went with him, and so did His disciples and a great crowd of people.

Among the crowd was a poor suffering woman, who had been ill for years. She had been to one doctor after another and now all her money was spent in doctor's bills; yet she was no better, but rather grew worse. However, as she went along with the crowd that day hope sprang up once more, hope got stronger, because it was founded on faith in Jesus.

"If I may but touch His clothes, I shall be healed," she said to herself. Then pressing through the crowd and coming up behind Him she put out her hand and touched the hem of His garment.

Immediately she felt herself not only better but entirely well and cured of her disease. And she heard Jesus asking, "Who touched Me?"

Peter and the other disciples were surprised that Jesus should ask that question. "Master," they said, "the

multitude throng and press Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me?" But it was a different kind of touch Jesus had felt; it was the touch of faith which had drawn healing power from Himself. "Somebody hath touched Me," He said, "for I perceive that virtue is gone out of Me."

"And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before Him, she declared unto Him before all the people for what cause she had touched Him, and how she was healed immediately."

But why should she tremble? Oh, she did not know the heart of Jesus. She knew something of His power to heal her body, but if He had allowed her to slip away hidden in the crowd, she might never have learned any more than that. She might never have known that the blessed One who had healed her also loved her.

It took a lot of courage to tell Him why she had touched Him, and that too in front of all those people. But what a reward she got when she heard the words He spoke to her: "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace."

That poor woman had faith in Jesus. She touched the hem of His garment and she was healed; she confessed to Him and received comfort, assurance and peace.

Messages of the Love of God 11/23/1975

Can You Tell Me the Way to Heaven?

ONE morning we were holding the line in a trench when we came in for unusually heavy shelling. Presently there was a black cloud as a shell burst and pieces of shrapnel came whizzing past us. Poor Bert S— fell like a log. Tiny Jim (6 ft. 3 in.) and another chap jumped down and picked him up; but they saw at a glance that it was a hopeless case. There was not a dressing station near, so Tiny Jim and some other fellows got hold of some empty sand-bags and an old coat, and laid Bert on them in the bottom of the trench.

Back on the firing step they got, but they had not been there long, when Jim was startled by a voice behind him, saying,

"Can you tell me the way to heaven?"

Tiny Jim jumped down again beside poor Bert and said,

"The way to heaven? I am sorry, I don't know the way, but I'll ask the other fellows and find out if they know."

He returned to the firing step, walked along to the first man and asked him, but he did not know; so he went further and asked the next man, but he did not know either. Tiny Jim then went over to the next fire bay and asked the fourth man, but he was no better than the rest of us. From there on each man relayed the question to the man next to him. Down the line went the story of what had happened, and the question went from man to man until No. 16 was reached. Not one of the sixteen could tell the way to heaven.

The story was passed on to No. 17.

"Bert is dying and wants to know the way to heaven. Can you tell him the way?"

Turning around, a smile lighting up his face, he replied:

"Yes, I know the way to heaven, but I cannot go along the trench. I dare not leave my station." Thrusting his hand into his pocket he pulled out a little khaki Testament. Quickly, he turned its pages and said,

"Look here, this is the way to heaven — that verse marked around with pencil (John 3:16). I'll turn the leaves back there; you put your thumb on that verse. Tell him that is the way to heaven."

Quickly the message and the Testament passed back from man to man until it reached Tiny Jim. He dropped beside Bert, who lay there so still. He touched his shoulder; slowly Bert opened his eyes.

"I've got it, Bert, old chum," said Tiny Jim. "Here is the way to heaven:

"’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.' "

Poor Bert's eyes were wide open now, he was drinking in every word.

What a scene it was! Tiny Jim kneeling on the bottom of the trench, his great hand holding the little Testament, the tears running down his cheeks, reading again and again those life-giving words in Bert's ears!

"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.

A look of peace came over Bert's face as he kept gasping out "whosoever." Then after lying quiet for a while, his face lit up with satisfaction, and with one last gasp he said, "whosoever," and was gone, Gone from the battlefield to be with Christ! The Lord Jesus said,

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." John 14:6, and

"I am the Door; by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." John 10:9.

It is not enough to merely know the way to heaven; you must actually tread that way, by entering through Christ — the Door.

The Lord Jesus, whose precious blood cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7), died, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. He is now seated at God's right hand where He is crowned with glory and honor. He is the only Saviour and the only way to heaven. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Memory Verse ". . . THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN." 1 John 1:7

Messages of the Love of God 11/30/1975

Lost Linda

IN A small village a group of children with their fathers and mothers had gathered in a Sunday school room in a little gospel hall. The room was filled, but it was all dark inside for someone was showing lantern slides.

Half way through a knock came at the door. Then one of the men went to the front and announced: "Little Linda Jones is lost. Her parents and the police have been looking everywhere for her. If any one knows where)she might be will he please go to the door and tell the friend waiting there?"

There was some whispering but no one moved, and the man who showed the pictures went on with his talk.

After the last picture, when the lights were turned on, a friend noticed little Linda Jones sitting on a front seat. "Why, Linda," she said, "didn't you hear them asking for you? Why didn't you speak up and tell them you were here?"

"Did they mean me?" the little girl asked in surprise. "They said Linda Jones was lost, but I'm not lost. I thought it was some other Linda Jones."

How many there are like little Linda — lost but they don't know it. They don't think they are lost, but they are lost to God, in this world's darkness. They have not seen their need of the Saviour, they have heard God's Word, but have not believed it. They have not applied it to themselves.

"God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17. "The Son of man is come to seek and to save

that which was lost." Luke 19:10. If we are without Christ, before God we are LOST sinners. We need to turn to the Lord to be saved.

Messages of the Love of God 11/23/1975

An Affectionate Tiger

A FRIEND was one day visiting the zoo and enjoyed watching the great lions and tigers in their cages. He was particularly struck by the appearance of a tiger who was affectionately licking the hand of a gentleman leaning over the rail in front of his cage.

My friend expressed surprise and still more so when the man remarked, "He is mine"; and then he told a remarkable story about this tiger.

He had been an army officer in the Far East and had had the tiger ever since it was a baby. One day his two little boys, seven and eight years old, were playing on the bank of the river near their house. Getting possession of a boat they began paddling about. The tiger, then a few months old, was walking along the river bank.

In the end the boat capsized and the two children were soon struggling for their lives in the current of the river. There was no one to save them when the tiger plunged into the river and swam to the rescue of his master's children. Seizing hold of them both he tried to swim back to the shore. But his strength began to fail and his noble efforts would have proved fruitless had not some natives, who had arrived at the scene of danger, come to the tiger's assistance. All three were brought safely to land.

Brave, noble tiger! He was a true friend and tried hard to be a saviour to those boys.

The Lord Jesus is a mighty Saviour, willing and able to save sinners from going down under the dark waters of death and judgment.

O what a Saviour is Jesus the Lord!

Well may His name by His saints be adored!

He has redeemed them from hell by His blood.

Saved them forever an I brought them to God.

Jesus the Saviour is mighty to save,

Jesus hath triumphed o'er death and the grave.

Messages of the Love of God 11/30/1975

The Lord Has Sent It

THERE WAS once an old lady who lived alone in a little cottage by the side of the road. She was all alone, but she knew the Lord as her Saviour and her needs were supplied day by day by that gracious hand that feeds even the little sparrows. She ever acknowledged Him as the Giver, whatever or whoever the instrument might be, for she would always say, "The Lord has sent it."

One day some bad young boys of the village thought they would have some fun at the old lady's expense. Climbing onto the roof of her cottage they threw a loaf of bread down her chimney. A little later they appeared at her front door and asked how she was getting on.

"The Lord has sent me a loaf of bread," she told them. The boys laughed and said, "That wasn't the Lord; it was we who put that loaf of bread in your chimney."

"Well," she replied, "I am sure the Lord sent it, even if the devil brought it."

How true it is as the poet has said, "When the Lord's people have need,

His goodness will find out a way!"

Messages of the Love of God 11/30/1975

Where Are There Any Sinners?

IN a Sunday school in Nassau there was a little boy sitting on the front seat who tried to answer all the questions the speaker asked the children.

One Sunday morning he asked the question, "Does any boy know where there are any sinners?"

The little fellow piped up, "Oh yes, over on the island over there!" (There are many islands around Nassau.)

Then the question was asked, "Are there any nearer than that?"

"On Bay street," came back the small boy's answer again, Bay street being the main street of the town.

"Are there any in this room?" was the next question.

"Yes, on the back seat," was the shrill answer.

"Are there any on the front seats?"

"No!" was the reply. Finally it came home to the little fellow that he was a sinner, like all the rest, "For all have sinned." (Rom. 3:23.) But, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." 1 Tim. 1:15.

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

Messages of the Love of God 11/30/1975

The Manna

"What Is It?"

THERE WAS once an immense crowd of hungry people, a whole nation, 600,000 men, besides lots of women and children — perhaps 2,000,000 or more all told — and they were in a wilderness. It was a desert land; there was nothing to eat there, no corn or grain to make bread, no fruit, and no shops. But even there God fed them.

When they woke up in the morning "the dew lay round about the host. And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna [or, What is it?] for they wist [knew] not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat." Ex. 16:13-15.

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years, and all that time God gave them manna, angels' food, to eat. Moses told them why God hadlet them be so hungry, and why He had given them that wonderful food: it was to make them know that "Man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live." Deut. 8:3.

Our souls need food as well as our bodies and that is why the Lord Jesus said, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst." He said too, "The bread which I give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

The Lord Jesus gave His flesh when He allowed wicked men to nail Him to the cross. He hung there and suffered for us; He died for our sins, and when He was dead a soldier "with a spear pierced His side. and forthwith came there out blood and water." How true then that Jesus gave His flesh for the life of the world. Unless we eat His flesh and drink His blood, we have no life in us; that is, each of us needs to appropriate for himself the death of the Lord Jesus and the value of His precious blood. So it is that through the death of the Lord Jesus we get life. God by His Spirit makes this truth good to our souls when we believe. Furthermore the heart that loves Him feeds upon Him, and every thought of His love in going into death for us nourishes and strengthens our souls.

The Lord Jesus said: "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever." John 6:51.

Messages of the Love of God 11/30/1975

Faithful Unto Death

NAPOLEON had in his army a young army officer named Durosier. The young man was greatly attached to his emperor and was ready to run any risk to carry out his wishes. The only reward he sought was his commander's approval.

During one of the great battles being fought Napoleon wished to send a message to one of his generals who was in the thick of the fighting. He called for a volunteer and Durosier at once offered himself.

"Spare neither yourself, nor your horse, and come back at once," was the emperor's command, as the gallant young soldier put spurs to his horse and galloped off. He went through a veritable hail of bullets from the enemy but he safely delivered Napoleon's message to the general.

Back again he started, and in fifteen minutes he was at the Emperor's side again.

"You have done well," said Napoleon. "I give you the rank of captain, in my personal guard."

"Thank you sir; but it's too late. I'm killed," replied the gallant young officer, and fell back dead.

That was a wonderful act of devotion and bravery, and when I read it my thoughts turned to another act of devotion which shall never be forgotten throughout eternity.

When God in heaven would send a message — a wonderful message of love and mercy — to this world He sent His beloved Son. There was no one else whom He could send on such a mission. And Jesus offered Himself willingly, for He said, "Lo! I come to do Thy will, 0 God." He knew what the cost would be — His life, that awful death of the cross; but come He would, that He might bring God's love and so great salvation down not to His friends but to His enemies here below.

All Satan's power was put forth to withstand Him, all man's wickedness came out against Him, and all God's righteous judgment against sin was poured out upon Him at Calvary. But He went through it all that He might prove God's love to us.

He has done it. He has accomplished His work. He laid down His life; His precious blood flowed in His death, but that was the seal of God's great love. For "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.

Now the glad tidings can be proclaimed to sinners everywhere.

Memory Verse

"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

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, . . . and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phil 2:9-11.

Messages of the Love of God 12/7/1975

How Pussy Went To Prison

PUSSY was a warehouse cat and a pet of all the staff. It was a busy day at the warehouse for the men were busy loading hides into a box car. The hides were being sent to a boys' prison.

Pussy scampered around the warehouse looking for mice, and then she jumped right into the box car. No one knew she was there. When the car was filled the men closed and sealed the door. Sometime after the car was hitched to a freight train and was soon rolling across the country with Pussy inside.

Inside the box car it was dark and cold and every time the engine shunted Pussy felt the jerk. She did not like it in the box car and she meowed as loud as she could, but no one heard her. Many hours later the train stopped and the box car was shunted onto a siding. When the men at the prison opened the door out jumped Pussy. They decided to keep her for a pet.

The day following when the men at the warehouse found Pussy was gone they telephoned the prison. Yes, the men at the prison said, we have your cat. So they put her in a crate and sent her back home.

Pussy really did go to prison, but the prison was not made for cats. It was made for bad boys and men who break the law. And so it is with the prison house of hell. Hell was made for Satan and his angels (Matt. 25:41), but sinners who refuse God's mercy and offer of salvation will go there at the end. There is no other place for them to go.

But God doesn't want anyone to go there. Jesus has died to save us from judgment, from going down to the pit, and no one will be there but who couldn't have been saved from it.

We hope that none of our readers will refuse the grace of God and have to be sent to that awful place where souls will be tormented forever. God longs to save you from it, for "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."

Messages of the Love of God 12/7/1975

Jairus' Lithe Daughter

EVEN while Jesus was speaking to the woman who had touched the hem of His garment, a messenger arrived from Jairus' house with the sad tidings, "Thy daughter is dead, trouble not the Master."

When Jesus heard it He said to Jairus, "Fear not; believe only, and she shall be made well"; but He let no one follow Him to the house except Peter and James and John.

When they arrived they found a crowd of noisy excited people gathered together. The friends and neighbors had come to show their sympathy by crying and making a great noise of weeping; someone had sent for the flute-players too, and they were playing mournful tunes and adding to the tumult.

And all the time, in one room of the house, the little daughter lay still and quiet in the solemn stillness of death. She was so still and quiet that when Jesus said, "Weep not, she is not dead, but sleeps," they laughed Him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. They did not know that the One who spoke to them was the Lord God Himself, to whom belong the issues of death, and they had forgotten that God's word says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Prov. 3:5.)

Never forget it, boys and girls, that when the Lord was here upon earth, there were some who laughed at Him and ridiculed Him because He said of that little girl, "She is not dead, but sleeps." She lay so still, no breath came from her lips, her heart had ceased to beat, they could not wake her, they knew that she was dead.

Jesus had let no one go into the house with Him but Peter, James and John, and the father and mother of the maiden. Now He put all the other people out, and He entered into the room taking with Him those three disciples and the parents. "And He . . . took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise And her spirit came again, and she arose at once, and He commanded to give her something to eat."

Oh! how happy Jairus and his wife must have been to have their little daughter back again. And what joy it must have given them to see her enjoy the food they brought her in obedience to the Lord's command.

They were astonished, but Jesus charged them that they should tell no one what was done. Those who had laughted at Him and refused to believe His word, were not even to be told in what way He had aroused the dear little sleeper from the sleep of death.

Messages of the Love of God 12/7/1975

Bible Acrostic

A brother of Rebekah. (Gen. 24)

The father of Jesse. (Ruth 4)

The place where a people murmured for water. (Ex. 17)

A god of the Philistines. (1 Sam. 5) One whom Paul delivered unto Satan. (1 Tim. 1)

A valley where a king and his host encamped against the Philistines.(1 Sam. 17)

A place where Paul healed a cripple. (Acts 14:8)

The name of the place where a part of the New Testament was written.(Rev. 1)

The plain where Abram dwelt.." (Gen. 14)

The father of a prophet. (1 Sam. 1)

The initials form a prayer.

Messages of the Love of God 12/7/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 25:5-10

IN THIS passage we have the precious theme, "The Redemption of the Inheritance," the power of the grace of Christ in resurrection triumphing over the law and death.

If a man died and left no child, his brother or nearest of kin was bound to marry the widow and raise up children to the deceased, and the firstborn son of this union was to succeed to the inheritance. If he refused to do this service to his deceased brother, then he was put to a public shame, and a mark of degradation was put upon him the widow was to spit in his face.

We find this ordinance in Israel illustrated in the beautiful story of Ruth. In a time of famine, Mahlon, an Israelite, had gone down to Moab and died there, leaving Ruth, a Moabitess, a childless and penniless widow. The inheritance of Mahlon had been sold. All Ruth had left was her virtue and her excellent character. Leaving her home, her country and her father's house she came into the land of Israel with her mother-in-law, saying, "thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."

Boaz, that wonderful character and "mighty man of wealth," played the part of a brother or kinsman according to this scripture in Deuteronomy. There was a nearer kinsman than Boaz, but he declined to redeem, since it involved taking Ruth to be his wife. "I cannot redeem it for myself," he said, "lest I mar my own inheritance." The nearer kinsman is a type of the law, and the law could not redeem nor raise up Israel to their inheritance or in grace the name of the dead.

But Boaz feared not the marring of his own inheritance, so he redeemed Ruth's inheritance and married her. By this marriage and the redemption of the inheritance, the house of Mahlon was raised up again as from the dead. God always honors His word and those who act upon it. Wealth, dignity and royal honors were bestowed upon the house of Boaz for through it, three generations later, came David, the anointed of God and king of Israel.

In Boaz we have a beautiful type of the Lord Jesus, the true Kinsman-Redeemer. But He outshines all who came before. He would have redeemed Israel and their inheritance, but they would not have Him; instead they spit in His face and crucified Him. Still in spite of all they did to Him His love has not changed toward them, and He will one day betroth them to Himself in faithfulness (Hosea 2:19,20). He will bestow upon them blessings and honors far beyond anything this world has yet witnessed; He will raise them to the highest place of dignity and power, and Israel shall be a praise in the earth.

But how precious to contemplate the Lord Jesus as our Kinsman-Redeemer! At a sacrifice infinitely beyond that of Boaz He has redeemed us not merely penniless, but guilty and ruined, sold into captivity through sin. He has redeemed us both by blood and by power. He has purchased us and our inheritance by His blood, set us free from the righteous claims of God against our sins so that God can justify and bless us; and He has also conquered our great adversary and all that he would bring against us. Now we wait with Him "until the redemption of the purchased possession," when all the creation of God shall be set free from the grasp and power of the usurper, and in the enjoyment of His complete and glorious redemption.

Messages of the Love of God 12/7/1975

Silence! His Majesty Speaks

FRANZ LISZT was a famous pianist and composer. Even when he was a very old man he played so wonderfully that people went hundreds of miles to hear him.

When Liszt played the piano everybody had to be perfectly quiet. If anyone talked or whispered Liszt would stop playing.

One evening he was playing at the court of the Tzar of Russia. After a while the Tzar began to talk to someone. Liszt heard the Tzar talking and he quit playing, even though the Tzar was such a mighty monarch. There was a dead silence, and then the Tzar asked Liszt why he had quit playing. Liszt could not rebuke the great ruler of Russia so he cleverly replied, "We must all be silent when your Majesty speaks."

Now a greater than the Tzar of Russia has spoken to us — even God Himself and we must all be silent and listen to what He has to say to us, for in Romans 3 we read that we are all sinners, "for all have sinned," "there is none righteous no not one," and we have nothing to say for ourselves — "that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world become guilty before God."

In times past God spoke to people through the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken unto us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds (Heb. 1:1,2). Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, He has died upon the cross for sin, and God will pardon all who believe on Him as their Saviour. If one refuses God's great gift of salvation, one day he shall stand before the great white throne and hear God speak those awful words of judgment which will consign the sinner to the lake of fire forever.

Let all be wise and listen to Gods' message of love and be saved by trusting in Jesus, His dear Son, for salvation.

Messages of the Love of God 12/14/1975

Found Out

IT WAS the winter season in India— the cool, dry months when many missionaries go camping in village centers, seeking to spread the message of the gospel to those who have few opportunities of hearing it. One missionary, with his cook, had spent some time camping in a village. The camp was at an end, and all his equipment was piled high on the bullock-cart that was to take it to the next camping center. The trades-people from whom he had made purchases came to have their accounts settled. The missionary-sahib paid the milkman, the butcher, and the grocer. Then along came a man who demanded payment for a chicken which he said the cook had bought the day before.

The missionary thought hard, but could not recall having had chicken for supper the night before. He called his cook.

"Did you buy a chicken from this man?" he asked.

The cook shook his head decisively.

"No, sahib," he replied.

"You did," the other retorted hotly. "It was a big rooster, and you promised me that the sahib would pay a rupee for it."

"Don't tell such lies," the cook replied. "I have never seen you before."

"Don't you tell such lies," the other man returned angrily.

The missionary tried to quiet them. He did not want his servant to quarrel with the people whom he had been trying to reach with the gospel. But while the two men glared at each other a fresh and altogether unexpected witness was heard. From the middle of the load on the cart came the unmistakable crow of a rooster! That cook had been unable to hide his theft.

"Be sure your sin will find you out" was the warning Moses gave to the people of Israel (Numbers 32:23), and the warning is still true today. We may hide our sins from men but we cannot hide them from God. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy," (Prov. 28:13), is God's promise in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament there is an even greater one.

Memory Verse

"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_" Relenting 10.9

Messages of the Love of God 12/14/1975

Our Wedding Day

HOW LONG have you been lying here, Mrs. Brown?" said a visitor to an old lady whose face told a tale of years of suffering.

"Oh a long while now," she replied; "And I don't suppose. I shall ever get about again."

"Are you a Christian?"

"I'm trying to be one."

Her friend was silent for a moment. Then as if a new thought struck him, he inquired, "Do you ever try to be Mrs. Brown?"

"No, I am Mrs. Brown."

"How long have you been Mrs. Brown?"

"Ever since our wedding day," she answered with some surprise.

"And have you any doubt about it?"

"None whatever," she replied. Then holding up her hand she added, "I have known I was Mrs. Brown ever since that ring was put on my finger."

"That is just how it is with me," said her visitor. "I do not try to be a Christian, but I know I am one, and that I have belonged to the Lord Jesus Christ ever since I put out an empty hand and received Him as my Saviour. Nothing that I've ever done or ever could do has gained everlasting life for me, but simply by believing God's Word that 'While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us' — just receiving Jesus as my Substitute, and believing that now 'being justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.' " (Rom. 5:8,9).

This was new light to poor Mrs. Brown, struggling on in darkness and doubt, seeking by her own efforts to earn that everlasting life which God will not sell to anyone, but which He bestows as a free gift upon "whosoever will believe."

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

Messages of the Love of God 12/14/1975

Speckle

SPECKLE had been Jack's pet for two years. His uncle had given her to Jack as a little chicken. How proud he was when she laid her first egg!

One day Jack missed Speckle. He could not find her, and she did not come when he called. He looked and looked, but no Speckle.

He was about to go home again when he heard the faintest noise. Peering carefully through the tall grass, he saw some speckled feathers! Stepping closer, he said, in surprise: "Oh, Speckle! What a hunt I've had for you!"

She had made her nest in the tall grass where she would not be disturbed. In the nest were ten snowy white eggs. For three weeks she would have to sit there.

Near the end of the three weeks Jack went to see if the eggs were hatching. He carefully lifted her off the nest to see what was happening underneath. He gave a squeal of delight! Already there was one fluffy yellow ball! And most of the other shells were cracked, too.

The next morning a neighbor, not knowing she was there, set fire to the grass. Poor little hen! She clucked wildly to her brood, but they were too small to run away from danger. Should she run her-

self, and leave her babies to die? Not Speckle! She hid them under her wings — and none too soon. The fire passed over, leaving her body black and burned, but not a chick was touched by the fire.

How that mother loved her children! Either Speckle or the chicks could be saved, but one or the other had to die.

Like the mother hen, Someone had to give His life in order that you and I might be saved. The only Person who can save us is God's Son, the Lord Jesus. If you ask Him to take away your sin and be your own Saviour, you can live in Heaven with Him when you die, and you can be happy here in this world. He suffered in your place because He loved you so very much.

Messages of the Love of God 12/14/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 25:11-19

IN THESE numerous short exhortations the Lord is warning us of dangers on every side, and from within as well. Undue familiarity is rebuked in the sternest and most solemn manner. As Christians we need to walk carefully and prayerfully.

Righteousness in all our dealings with others is insisted upon. "Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small: thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small: but thou shalt have a perfect and a just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have. . . ." How good it is when a Christian has the reputation of being fair and honest in business and in all his dealings with others. The Lord delights to honor those that honor Him thus. On the other hand how sad it is for one who bears the name of Christ to be unfair and dishonest. "For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God."

Next Amalek is not to be forgotten. He was the first enemy to attack Israel after they had come up out of Egypt and were in the wilderness. His method of warfare is quite different to that of other enemies. He "smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God."

Amalek was a mean dastardly foe, who lay in wait for every opportunity to attack God's people and hinder their progress. He represents Satan working by the flesh, waiting to take every subtle and unfair advantage against our souls.

If we indulge the evil fleshly nature, we are feeding Amalek instead of fighting him. The most effective way of fighting him is by cutting off his supplies. Still he lingers on, and shows up at the most unexpected places.

"He smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee." We need to put forth that energy of faith to go on with the Lord and His people, and to keep close to Him. If we lag behind spiritually we are sure to come under Amalek's (or Satan's) power.

But God has sworn to destroy Amalek, and He has commanded, "Thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it." Other foes might be treated leniently, but not Amalek. There was to be no truce with him, and no sparing him. As long as we are in these bodies down here, there will always be conflict with Satan using the flesh in us, but when we reach the glory the flesh will be gone forever, and Satan will be gone too. Conflict will all be over and we shall be at rest with the Lord.

Messages of the Love of God 12/14/1975

One Tim Two Five

ONE DAY on a busy street corner in Buffalo a Christian lady handed an Irishman a gospel leaflet. "What's this stuff? Christian Science?" he asked.

"No, but it's something that will make you wise unto salvation."

"I'm a Christian and I'll tell you how it happened, only I'm waiting for the car to take me to work and may have to leave before I finish," he said.

"Two years ago a postman, an old pal of mine, angrily showed me a letter with a sticker pasted on it which read: "There is one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.' 1 Tim. 2:5. 'Somebody must think we postmen are heathen,' " he said.

"I went on my way, going over in my mind, 'One mediator, the Man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. 2:5. — The Man! — The Man! — Every sound on the street said, The Man — One mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. 2:5.'

"At work it would repeat itself the Man — Christ Jesus!' For a couple of weeks I heard it, and I thought it would burn in my brain. I could not stand it. Then I remembered '1 Tim. 2:5 was on the sticker. I wondered who One Tim Two Five was.

"One day while waiting at a street corner a boy came along and I asked him 'Say, who is One Tim Two Five'?

" 'I dunno, sir!'

" 'One mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, One Tim Two Five.'

" 'Oh, g'wan — that's in the Bible!' and away he ran.

"I didn't have a Bible but I thought, 'Get one and read it for yourself.' I was poor, but I laid off drink to save two dollars and then went to a second hand book store. The man said he could give me a very nice Bible for two dollars, and as soon as he had brought it I asked him, 'Do you know where to find One Tim Two Five?'

"He turned to 1 Timothy and began reading at verse 3, chapter 2: `God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

" 'Why, God wants me to be saved!' I thought, and then came that wonderful fifth verse,

" 'For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.'

"The Man who died for me, I meditated. Surely I can trust Him then!'

"I was saved THEN and THERE! From then on the money I had spent on drink I took home to my wife.

"But here comes my car, I must go."

Dear reader, have you ever trusted yourself to the ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus — that blessed and only Saviour?

Messages of the Love of God 12/21/1975

Am I Too Little?

“Am I too little?" asked a tiny girl at the close of a children's meeting.

"Too little for what, my child?" asked the kind preacher. The little one hung her head; she was too shy to answer.

"You were not too little to come to our children's meeting; we like to see very little girls there," he continued.

Still the little one stood as if her question had not been answered. Then, raising her pretty blue eyes, now filled with tears, she asked, "But am I too little to be saved?"

Lifting her up in his arms, the Christian worker said, "No, dear, you are not. It was to very little ones that Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." Taking her on his knee, he told her the story of the love of Jesus, and how gladly He receives and saves all the little ones who trust Him. The dear child wiped her tears away, and running off as fast as she could to her home, she told her mother how Jesus had received her and saved her.

Nor was this all. She appeared the next day at the meeting bringing another little girl with her, and at the close she said to the speaker, "This little girl wants to be saved too."

So you see, my dear little friends, you may be saved in very early days, and then go forth to win others for the Saviour. The word is still as true as ever, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me."

Messages of the Love of God 12/21/1975

Hungering for the Word of God

A MISSIONARY in Canada once looked up from his desk to see his room filled with Indians. They had entered so quietly that he had not heard them coming. He asked them where they came from.

"We came a distance of fourteen nights," they answered, for they reckoned distance by the number of nights on the way. "We have the Great Book, the Bible, which we can read, but we cannot understand."

He asked them what missionary had taught them to read, and they replied that they had never seen a missionary. They lived in the Hudson Bay region, hundreds of miles away from the nearest missionary station, but their hunting grounds adjoined those of Christian Indians, and from them they had heard about the Great Book.

"They read and explained it to us," said these men, "and last winter we all learned to read, everyone in our village." The missionary could scarcely believe that they had learned to read without a white teacher, but when he opened the book, which they had obtained from an agent of the Hudson Bay Company, he found their words were true, they could read easily and correctly. Like the Ethiopian treasurer, they wanted a guide, and they had traveled a distance of fourteen nights over the snow to find one.

How different to these Indians in the Hudson Bay region are millions who do not have to learn to read or get someone to read to them this Great Book. They do not have to journey hundreds of miles over the snow in order to have the Book explained. And yet they do not value their opportunities and are not eager to know "the Holy Scriptures which are able to make them wise unto salvation." 2 Tim. 3:15.

"How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation." Heb. 2:3.

Messages of the Love of God 12/21/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 26

WE NOW come to a bright and happy scene. The wilderness is past and Israel are seen as having entered and in possession of the land. The first thing brought before us then is "the basket of firstfruits."

"And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein; that thou shalt take of the fruit of the earth, . . . and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place His name there."

When Israel came into possession of Canaan it was to enjoy cities which they had not built, houses full of good things which they had not filled themselves, vineyard and olive trees which they had not planted. But "the basket of firstfruits" was to be a standing ordinance in Israel and applied to their possession of the land at any time. They came up to own God as the blessed Giver in offering to Him these first-fruits, and they worshiped and rejoiced in every good thing He had given them.

For us the land is "the heavenly places," for the Christian is not only passing through this wilderness world but heaven is his home, he is blessed with all spiritual blessings and is seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 1,2.) And just as the godly Israelite could look round on the good land that God had given him and say, "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places" (Psalm 16), so the believer too can enjoy and worship in the conscious sense that heavenly things are his.

He is not hoping what he will be, but he is realizing and enjoying what is true of him now. He has "boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. Surely the first fruits of this heavenly land belong to Him — "the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving" from grateful hearts.

Israel were a people redeemed out of Egypt into Canaan; we are a people redeemed out of a world which crucified God's Son, into heaven which has received that blessed One. If we love Him we are glad to have our home up there in the only place where He has one.

Israel could not bring their first-fruits unless they were living in the land; and so we cannot worship in the name of the Lord Jesus unless we are really enjoying what God has given us in Him.

Moses talked much to Israel about the wonderful land even though they had not gone over Jordan yet. He wanted them to desire that good land, to love the Lord more and honor Him in their hearts and lives. Oh that this might be more true of us who know a more glorious redemption and have a more blessed hope.

Messages of the Love of God 12/21/1975

Saved by a Marrow

CAPTAIN GEORGE'S ship was torpedoed during World War I, and all hands went down except the captain and his first officer. For twenty-two hours, with lifebelts on, they held together, crying to God to save them, for the captain loved the Lord.

Their danger was not exactly drowning, but dying of thirst. Water for hundreds of miles around them, but they dared not touch it. Salt water, as perhaps my reader is aware, like the pleasures of the world, only creates thirst instead of satisfying it. They had reached a point in their intense thirst when they thought they could endure no longer. But, to their delight, salvation came to them in an unexpected way, and oh, how the captain thanked God for His goodness.

It so happened that a large vegetable marrow, or kind of squash, floated by. Without one second's delay, they seized the marrow, broke it in two, divided it between them and sucked out its moisture. Both men were saved, and some hours later they were picked up. Would it not have been madness for them to have allowed that marrow to pass by, thinking that perhaps another marrow might float by a little later?

Dear reader, at infinite cost, God has sent you a Saviour. Under sufferings untold, Jesus died to bring that salvation to you. This salvation is now with your reach—not to be purchased, with money, not to be merited or won, but just to be accepted, as Captain George did the marrow. The Saviour Jesus is near to all that call upon Him, for: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Reader, He is near you now. Don't miss Him; don't neglect His great salvation. Now is your day of salvation, now is your moment of salvation. Take it at once and be happy in the Lord. Five minutes from now, your opportunity to be saved may have gone forever.

Messages of the Love of God 12/28/1975

Solemon

SOLEMON was a boy who lived in Bengal. One day he heard about God's love in sending the Lord Jesus to die for him, that his sins might be forgiven. As he listened his eyes filled with tears and his heart grew big with gratitude, but in the Bengali language there was no word that had the meaning of our "Thank you."

After the morning school, the missionary took a walk through the garden. There he saw Solemon on his knees with his hands clasped and his lips moving. He was repeating one by one the letters of the alphabet. He wanted to thank God for His wonderful love, so he was saying the letters over and over again and asking God to take these letters and to make a word for Himself which could express the thanks which he could not say.

At home, abroad, by night and day, Christ for me,

Where'er I speak or sing or pray; Christ for me.

He first, He last, He all day long,

My hope, my solace and my song,

He sweetly leads my soul along,

Christ for me.

Messages of the Love of God 12/28/1975

Blood Relationship

AN AFRICAN missionary told the interesting story of a custom some of the African people had years ago. When two young men became very friendly, sometimes they would enter into what they termed "blood relationship." One would take a sharp little knife and cut a small vein in his hand, and the other would do the same to his hand. Then they would clasp hands, and from that time on it was understood that they had entered into blood relationship.

The missionary went on to tell of how a young native, who had attended the gospel meetings at the mission, left his idols and became a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was publicly baptized before a very large crowd of neighbors and village folk, and there he bravely confessed his Saviour. Among those present was the heathen chief of that area.

"Chief," asked the young convert, "have you not seen a very great change in me lately?"

"I have," the chief replied.

"Can you explain it, Chief?"

"I really cannot."

"I will tell you, Chief," added the young fellow, with deepest solemnity, "I have entered into blood relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. His blood has washed my sins away, and I am under the shelter of His blood."

How happy it would be if we could all say the same as this young African. Not by any painful act of our own, but by simple faith in Him, we become truly united to the Lord Jesus.

Messages of the Love of God 12/28/1975

Halfers

THEY were orphan boys; one was a newsboy, and the other used to shine shoes on the streets. They often found it hard to earn enough to pay their humble lodging and buy enough for food and clothing. But they made it a law between them that whatever one earned the other got half of it, and they stuck loyally to their arrangement. "Halfers" was their trademark, and they never dishonored it.

God who loves and cares for all, led one of His servants to the big city one day, and he spent his time and strength in seeking out poor orphan boys. He took an interest in these two boys and through his earnest and faithful words they were both led to the Saviour. What joy filled their hearts then! By diligence and honesty they rose from the streets to have a business of their own, in which they were still "halfers." When the profits were divided at the end of the year, before either took his share, the Lord got His portion. He had given them His all, had given Himself in love upon the cross to save their souls, and He had blessed them abundantly. Now they rightly regarded Him as the alone worthy One, who was entitled to His portion with them in their increase. This is a truly happy life.

Memory Verse

"THE NAME OF THE LORD IS A STRONG TOWER: THE RIGHTEOUS RUNNETH INTO IT, AND IS SAFE." — Prov. 18:10

Messages of the Love of God 12/28/1975

Bible Talks

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

MOSES tells the people that when they had possessed the land, and were dwelling it it, and enjoying its good things, they should come with their firstfruits to God. They were to put all in a basket and take it to the priest and say:

"I profess this day unto the Lord thy God, that I am come unto the country which the Lord sware unto our fathers for to give us."

The priest was to take the basket and set it down before the altar of the Lord. Then the worshiper was to say unto the Lord, A Syrian, ready to perish, was my father, and he went down into Egypt with a few, and became a great and mighty nation. But the Egyptians evil entreated and afflicted us and laid upon us hard bondage. We cried unto the Lord God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice, and brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with great signs and wonders. He has brought us here and given us this land, flowing with milk and honey. And now I have brought these firstfruits of the land which Thou, 0 Lord, hast given me.

This was true worship. It was telling God what He had done for one who was ready to perish. He came with the firstfruits in his hands, and his heart told out his joy and thanksgiving in the presence of God, and this was worship that God would accept.

Any poor redeemed sinner now may come to God and say, I was a sinner perishing in my sins; I was trying to do what is right, but it was like the hard bondage of Egypt, and being under Satan's power was worse than being under Pharaoh's. But the Lord Jesus sent a message of love to me saying He had died for me, to set me free. I believed His message because I knew that no one else but God could have thought of such a thing. I told Him so and He heard me. He took away the pain and bondage that was in my heart, and He brought me into a large and wealthy place, where I knew that I was washed and quite clean in His precious blood, and that God loved me. I profess this day that I am in that happy place with God, that I have Jesus for my Saviour, that His Father is my Father, and His God my God.

This would be a redeemed sinner's sacrifice of praise and worship. So just as the children of Israel used to praise God for His goodness and for that wonderful land, now we praise and thank Him for the Lord Jesus, for His death by which we are redeemed and for the heavenly blessings that are ours now in Him.

Messages of the Love of God 12/28/1975

Bible Acrostic

An archer who lived in the wilderness. (Gen. 21)

An Apostle. (Matt. 10)

A son of Reuel. (1 Chron. 1)

A disciple whom Paul loved. Acts 16

The mount of God. (Ex. 3:1)

One of the seven churches. (Rev. 1) The sister of Lotan. (1 Chron. 1)

One who delivered his brother. Gen. 37

A son of Amaziah. (2 Chron. 26)

The mother of a disciple. (2 Tim. 1)

The drink given to Jesus while on the cross. (Matt. 27)

The people whom God led by an unknown way. (Deut. 8)

A captain who was a leper. (2 Kings 5) One whom children mocked. (2 Kings 2)

These initials spell four words of the Lord Jesus in John 15.

Messages of God's Love: 1975

Table of Contents

Won By A Little Child

Lessons From A Hen and Her Chicks

A Pardon Received

Bible Talks

Rescued

The Man Who Was Robbed

Saved In A Dance Hall

A New Zealand Family Saved

Bible Talks

The End of Weasel

Arrested For Singing

A Great Captain

That Admits Me

Bible Talks

Sam's Clock

Jesus, Lover of My Soul

Pardoned and Going To Heaven

A Hunter For Souls

Bible Talks

The Prisoner of Glen

Seventeen Years Old

Jimmie's Answer

An Infidel Silenced

Bible Talks

Ralph's Flashlight

How Eddie Led The Way

A Hidden Treasure

Bible Talks

Jim, The Pigeons' Friend

A Bible King

A Safe Hiding Place

John Ruskin's Testimony

Mary Glory-Face

Bible Talks

A Terrorist Converted

Faithful Sowing

A Changed Boy

A Farmer Saved

Bible Talks

A Narrow Escape

An Indian And A White Man Saved

Happy Thomas

Birds of the Air

Bible Talks

A West Indies Story

Fire From Heaven

Debts Paid

A SCRIPTURE TOWN

Bible Talks

Over The Falls

A Mother Bird's Cure

Bible Talks

Rodger's Second Miracle

Jimmy

Bible Talks

Bill

Two Birthdays

Would You Be Ready?

Bible Talks

The End of a Wasted Life

Moose

Almost Gone

Hsiu Hsi or New Happiness

Bible Talks

How God Answered Little Shushan's Prayer

Why the Clock Went Wrong

Costly Trifles

Bible Talks

He Took My Whipping for Me

Though Vile As He

The King's Children

Bible Talks

The Dream by the Camp Fire

A Good Conscience

THE BOAT SONG

An Irish Boys Victory

Bible Talks

Out of the Mouth of Babes