Young Christian: Volume 11, 1921

Who at R. does not know the blacksmith, Mr. Jacob, who employed from eight to ten machinists, also a few boys, apprentices at anvil and lathe? As good work was done there, he was always busy—much to do from morning to night.

Mr. Jacob was called by some people “a crank” and they thought him rather quaint, but he really was the very opposite—a happy man who delighted to sing from day to day about his loving Saviour, whom he knew, as “the way, the truth, and the life.”

Every day it was his custom to sing a few hymns while in the workshop. When the work would permit, he would stand in the very midst, rehearse a verse aloud, and then a number of men would also help him to sing after he had begun, the others would at least listen to it.

A new apprentice, whose name was Henry, found employment in this workshop. He was brought up in good Christian surroundings, and since the time he had gone to school was often taken to meetings where children of God gathered. This had not been without lasting impressions, but we will listen to Henry, for he will tell his own story.

“I rejoiced to find in my boss, in whose workshop I entered as apprentice, a faithful Christian. At that time I was not certain of salvation as to my soul, but I desired such certainty most earnestly for I wanted to be saved. Quite naturally therefore, I kept very close to my boss; would accompany him whenever he would go to those gatherings of believers, where they read and meditated on the Word of God. Such meetings were about once every week; but at the home of my boss, after breakfast, he would always have reading of the Word of God and prayer, with meditation.

Under such conditions I finished my time as apprentice. I became a mechanic, but peace with God I had not found as yet, though conscious of being a poor lost sinner. Heaven was not for me; all others might go there, but not I. Yet at the same time, in the workshop, my fellow mechanics placed me on the same footing with the boss, and often I was the very center of their scorn and scoffings. Only a few were friendly.

Albert R. was one of the scorners—a very easily provoked man, who, if irritated, would act like an insane man. Everyone was therefore afraid of him. One time all fled from their work, for he behaved like a mad bull, the white foam coming from his mouth. He was a very good mechanic, and only for this reason did the boss bear with him in patience, for he deserved to be sent away time and again. Underneath it all the Lord was working in grace with this very man, although he would not have owned it at that time. One morning R. came to the house of the boss with this question: “Is it true, that a man may know during his life here on earth that he will have a place in heaven by and by?”

“Yes,” answered Mr. Jacob.

“Do you know for a certainty as to yourself that you will have a place in heaven?” he continued to inquire.

“Yes, most certainly,” was the happy reply. “God himself tells me so in His Word; and you, Albert, may know the same if you will have it. All who come to the Saviour as repentant sinners shall receive the certainty of forgiveness of sins, as well as the positive assurance that heaven is their home forever.”

“Then I will ask Henry,” and with this he entered the shop, and asked, “Henry, tell me, do you know that you will go to heaven?” This question came so unexpectedly, I was confounded, not knowing what to say. If I said “Yes” I would be a liar; if I said “No,” then a discredit was cast upon Christianity in the eyes of Albert R. This I realized, but I did not dare to lie. “No,” I said to him, after hesitating, “I do not know.” What I feared was the result. R. cried out, “Then the boss is a liar, and all Christians are hypocrites! If you are not certain of a place in heaven, then the boss cannot be either.” From this moment he would hear no more of “conversion” or the needfulness of being “born again,” but continued his terrible course—a man away from God in his sins, now more wicked and sinful than before.

This short conversation had its effect upon me. I was as if dashed to pieces. I had given that poor lost sinner, seeking the way to be saved, such an answer which pressed hard upon my soul. In quiet moments I sought to be alone, and then upon my knees I cried to the Lord, telling out my distressing condition, what poverty, a lost sinner before God, on the broad road going down, down to hell. For days I cried to Him. Praise His Name! He heard my cry. By faith I realized that my sins were borne at the cross, and removed by Him, who filled the center cross at Golgotha.

A tract which came into my hands, became a blessing to me. The same began with the words, “You would like to be saved? Why are you not saved already?” I continued to read. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” “He that heareth My words, and believeth on Him that sent Me hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation (judgment), but is passed from death unto life.” “The blood of Jesus Christ (God’s Son) cleanseth us from all sin.” “To him give all the prophets witness that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” (John 3:36; 5:24; 1 John 1:7; Acts 10:43) Now I could sing songs of praise unto my Saviour, who died for me, and through His death, He has wrought eternal redemption.

This occurred about two weeks after the above related short conversation with Albert R.

As I was now certain of my salvation, I hastened to him to tell him that I was saved, and also knew with certainty that I would be in heaven by and by. But he laughingly replied, “You say so now, only to please the boss.” Soon after this we were parted. Albert R. left the town and sought work elsewhere, and I also found better work at E.

My dear reader, surely you Must join with me in saying, “How boundless is the goodness of God; how great and rich His love!” Yes, “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Romans 5:20. What will it be when all the blood bought and redeemed sinners, saved by grace, shall be gathered around their beloved Lord and Saviour unitedly praising Him.

On the Lamb our souls are resting,

What His Love no tongue can say;

All our sins, so great, so many,

In His blood are washed away.

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

God and the Sinner

God’s love to this ruined world is blessedly declared in the precious words of Jesus in John 3:16.

“God so loved the world.”

Dear reader, have you ever pondered them? They speak volumes to the believing soul. “God is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5.) But men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. (John 3:19.) And God in righteousness excludes, and will exclude, the world in their sins from His glorious Presence. But God is Love, as well as Light (1 John 4:8), and perfect love devised a plan to bring sinners out of darkness into His marvelous light, and to make them meet for His Presence, and that in righteousness to His own glory. (Col. 1:12.)

Hear the glorious news!

“God so loved the world, that He gave His

only begotten Son.”

Yea, God is Love. Not only does He love, but He is love, loving only as God can love. And this world, of which, in nature, we all form part, full of enmity and hatred in heart and mind against Him, was the object of that love. One might love another, and yet not give a proof of his love. But God not only loved, but manifested His love in the gift of His only begotten Son. He could not give a greater gift, and would not give a lesser. He had but one Son, His well-beloved, and yet He spared not His Son, but delivered Him up for us all. (Rom. 8:32.)

Wondrous love!

The Lord Is Risen

A Word For The New Year.

Our life speeds on as gallant vessels haste

Before the breezes to the distant shore;

Another year has fled, its hours are past,

Its joys and sorrows will return no more.

The new year opens, this is still our own,

At least, as much as God in grace may give;

In love from His bright glory He looks down,

Sustaining all who seek to Him to live.

Yes, there is One who in unchanging love

Has come to earth and blest atonement made;

He sits as Victor on the throne above,

The mighty debt for sinners fully paid.

The Lord is risen, the work completely done,

And all God’s glory rests upon His brow;

God has attested Him His blessed Son,

Soon all the universe to Him must bow.

May this new year its message to us all

Of God’s new world established in His Son,

The risen Man in glory, sweetly call

Our willing hearts to rest in Him alone.

He loves to welcome all who come to Him.

He says “Your many sins are blotted out.

The price is paid, I did your souls redeem.”

Well may we trust Him, nor retain one doubt.

This new year’s day receive Him as your Lord,

Start not again without this constant Friend;

He will support you, guide you by His Word,

And bring you safely to the journey’s end.

Scripture Study: John 20

In this chapter Mary of Magdala represents the believing remnant of the Jews transferred into the new position and power of our present blessings in Christ: while Thomas represents the Jews who will not believe till Christ appears in glory. All is the blessed result of the work of Christ in atonement.

Verse 1. The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher. Had she taken into her heart what the Lord had said, she would not have been there; not because of indifference on her part, for she loved Him very devotedly, as we can see by her presence there, but because, as the Messiah, He had delivered her from the power of the devil, and she still had Him before her soul in that character. She did not yet know Him as the Son of God, nor the power of His resurrection.

Verse 2. On seeing the empty tomb, and not understanding why it was so, she ran and told Peter, and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, “They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid Him.”

Verses 3-10. These two then ran to the sepulcher; the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the sepulcher. He stooped down and looked in and saw the linen clothes lying, yet went he not in. When Peter came, he went in and saw the linen clothes lie, and the napkin that was about His head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. The other disciple also went in, and he saw and believed, for as yet they knew not the scriptures that He must rise again from the dead. There had been no haste, but perfect calmness and composure marked the tomb, even in the wrapping up the napkin taken off His blessed head. Then the disciples go away to their own home, as if they had no further interest. They did not lay hold of God’s thoughts of His Son yet. They saw and believed.

Verses 11-18. But Mary could not go away. Where else could she find Him whom her soul loved? She stood there weeping, and stooping down, and looking into the sepulcher. She sees two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. They say to her, “Woman, why weepest thou?” She replied, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him.” How great was her affection for Him! too great for angels to satisfy.

The Lord will answer it, for as she turned herself back she saw Jesus standing, but did not yet recognize Him. Jesus says to her, “Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, saith unto Him, “Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus saith unto her, “Mary.” She turned herself, and saith unto Him, “Rabboni”, “Master.” She knows Him now.

“He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.” (John 10:3) He is now leading her out of her old position in Judaism under the law, into the new position in Christ as a child of God the Father. But the manner of her knowing Him is now to be changed, so He says, “Touch Me not.” It is by faith she is to know Him henceforth, (2 Cor. 5:16,) no longer as Messiah on earth, for He is going back to His Father and God, but in a spiritual way now, that is, by faith, but before He goes He gives her a message to convey—the new blessing to His brethren. For the first time, He calls them His brethren. “Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.” Such words were never heard before. This is outside the fold; it is the flock now, the family of God. It is association with the Son of God raised from the dead, and ascended to the Father’s right hand. In its fullness, it could only be entered into, and enjoyed when the Holy Spirit was given. Mary did not forget a word of it. She came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her. She was ignorant no longer.

Verses 19, 20. It was the news of the risen, living One, that brought them all together the evening of the same day, being the first day of the week, marking a new epoch, and giving it its character from the resurrection day. It was the “morrow after the Sabbath” (Lev. 23.) When the wave sheaf was offered; it was not the Sabbath changed. For the Christian it is, “the Lord’s day.” They were together with the doors shut, apart from the antagonistic world and its religion. It was complete separation from it. The doors were shut for fear of the Jews, and there the Lord comes and takes His place in their midst, with the loving salutation, “Peace (be) unto you.” He then showed them His hands and His side as the fullest proof that it is Himself, and that His work of atonement is finished and accepted by God who raised Him from the dead for their perfect peace and eternal salvation. He now is their gathering center Himself in their midst. (Matt. 18:20.) Blessed be His name, that was the beginning of it, but the blessing of His presence is given to the two or three still.

Verses 21-23. This blessed story is for others also. He again says, “Peace unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.” When He had so said, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, “Receive ye the Holy Spirit: Whose so ever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose so ever sins ye retain, they are retained.” They were thus His sent ones bearing the message of forgiveness to those who would receive it, and to the condemnation of those who reject it.

While this was true in a special manner of His apostles, it is also true in the measure of grace given to each one here to represent the Lord, but to fit them for such a mission, we see Him here breathing on them—as God breathed into man’s nostrils at the beginning the breath of life, and man became a living soul; (Gen. 2.) so here the living, risen Man, (Col. 3:1-4) the first born from the dead, gives them His risen life, and the Holy Spirit, as its power, which not only frees them from the law of sin and death, (Rom. 8:2) but also gave them to bear witness for a heavenly Christ in this the scene of His rejection. While this 23rd verse was in a special manner true of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must remember, it is in connection here with the gospel that brings the sinner to know His sins all put away forever from God’s sight, through the death of Christ, His well-beloved Son. It is not the assembly forgiveness or discipline (as in 1 Cor. 5 or 2 Cor. 2.) It is the forgiveness through the work of Christ, which the gospel brings to us.

Verses 24, 25. Thomas represents the Jews who will not believe till Christ appears in glory. (Zech. 12.)

Verses 26-28. This is a distinct period, after eight days. It pictures for us how the Jews will be convinced of their sins, at least, of crucifying the Lord of Glory, when they shall look on Him whom they pierced, and shall mourn for Him, and then be restored as a nation. So Thomas is convinced, and said, “My Lord, and my God.” (Compare Zech. 13:9.) It is a Jewish confession.

Verse 29. Jesus’ answer to Thomas is, “Because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” Here we find in the time to come, that is, the tribulation period, those who have been converted before the appearing of Christ, (compare Rev. 12th and 14th chapters.) It is the testimony of Jesus, during that time of trial. They are nourished and preserved of the Lord, and they follow the Lamb wheresoever He goeth, that is, they are faithful to Him then.

In 1 Peter 1:8, we find the Jews who have not seen Christ, but believed on Him during the period of grace. These are brought into the body of Christ; these have a heavenly calling, and a heavenly inheritance.

The last two verses tell us much more was done by Jesus than is told. God selected for the evangelist what was necessary that we might believe on Him as Son of God, and that believing we might have life through His name.

It is what is especially given to teach us of that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us. (1 John 1:2 and 5:20.)

His Own: John 13:1

“His own,” how sweet the portion,

His people thence can claim,

Though in the world, not of it,

Their’s is no earthly name.

“His own,” how loved and tended,

How cared for, shepherded;

How called, and sealed, and folded,

How tenderly they’re led.

“Green pastures” and “still waters,”

“His own” by Him supplied;

Their daily desert journey take,

With Jesus as their guide;

“His own,” though often straying,

And wandering from the way,

Restored by His sweet presence,

Are kept from day to day.

“His own.” They long to see Thee,

“Chief Shepherd” of the sheep;

For whom the “crown of glory,”

Thy ceaseless love doth keep.

‘Tis not the crown they watch for,

“His own” the Lord will claim;

The sharers of His glory,

They’ll praise His matchless name!

The True Grace of God Wherein Ye Stand: 1 Peter 5:12

God is made known to us as the God of all grace, and the position in which we are set is that of tasting that the Lord is gracious. How hard it is for us to believe this—that the Lord is gracious! The natural feeling of our hearts is, “I know that Thou art an austere Man.” There is the want in all of us naturally of the understanding of the grace of God.

It is sometimes thought that grace implies, God passing over sin, but, no! grace supposes sin to be so horribly bad a thing, that God cannot tolerate it. Were it in the power of man, after being unrighteous and evil, to patch up his ways and mend himself, so as to stand before God, there would be no need of grace. The very fact of the Lord being gracious, shows sin to be so evil a thing, that man being a sinner, his state is utterly ruined and hopeless, and nothing but free grace will do for him, and meet his need.

We must learn what God is to us, not by our own thoughts, but by what He has revealed Himself to be, and that is “The God of all grace.” The moment I understand I am a sinful man, and yet it was because the Lord knew the full extent of my sin, and what its hatefulness was, that He came tame, then I understand what grace is. Faith makes me see that God is greater than my sin, and not that my sin is greater than God. The Lord I have known, as laying down His life for me, is the same Lord I have to do with every day of my life, and all His dealings with me are on the same principles of grace. The great secret of growth, is in looking up to the Lord as gracious. How precious! how strengthening it is to know that Jesus is, at this very moment, feeling and exercising the same love towards me, as when He died on the cross for me. This is a truth that should be used by us in the most common, everyday circumstances of life. Suppose, for instance, an evil temper in myself, which I feel it difficult to overcome. Let me bring it to Jesus as my Friend. Virtue goes out of Him for my need. Faith should be ever thus in exercise against temptation, and not simply my own effort. My own effort against it will never be sufficient. The source of real strength is in the sense of the Lord being gracious. The natural man does not believe Christ as the only source of strength and every blessing. Suppose my soul is out of communion, the natural heart says I must correct the cause of this before I come to Christ. But He is gracious, and knowing this, the way is to return to Him at once, just as we are, and then humble ourselves deeply before Him. It is only in Him, and from Him we shall find that which will restore our souls.

Humbleness in His presence is the only real humbleness. If we own ourselves in His presence to be just what we are, we shall find He will show us nothing but grace. It is Jesus who gives abiding rest to our souls, and not what our thoughts may be. Faith never thinks about that which is of ourselves as the ground of rest. It receives, loves and apprehends what God has revealed, and what are God’s thoughts about Jesus in whom is His rest. It is knowing Jesus to be precious to our souls—our eyes and our hearts being occupied with Him, that they will be effectually prevented from being taken up with the vanity and sin around, and this, too, will be our strength against sin and the corruption of our own hearts. Whatever I see in myself that is not in Him, is sin, but then it is not thinking of my own sin, and my own vileness, and being occupied with them that will humble me, but thinking of the Lord Jesus, and dwelling upon the excellency in Him. It is well to be done with ourselves and to be taken up with Him. We are entitled to forget ourselves; we are entitled to forget our sins; we are entitled to forget all but Jesus. There is nothing so hard for our hearts as to abide in the sense of grace, to continue practically conscious that we are not under law, but under grace.

It is by grace that the heart is established, but then there is nothing more difficult for us really to comprehend than the fullness of grace, “that grace of God wherein ye stand,” and to walk in the power and consciousness of it. It is only in the presence of God we can know it, and there it is our privilege to be. The moment we get away from the sense of the presence of God, there will be certain workings of our own thoughts within us, and our own thoughts can never reach up to the thoughts of God about us, or to the grace of God. Anything I had the smallest, possible right to expect, could not be pure, free grace, could not be the grace of God.

It is alone when in communion with Him that we are able to measure everything according to His grace. It is impossible when we are abiding in the sense of God’s presence for anything, be what it may, even the state of the church, to shake us, for we count on God, and then all things become a sphere and scene for the operation of His grace. The having very simple thoughts of grace, is the true source of our strength as Christians, and the abiding in the sense of grace in the presence of God is the secret of holiness, peace and quietness of spirit. The grace of God is so unlimited, so full, so perfect, that if we get for a moment, out of the sense of God’s presence, we cannot have the true consciousness of it. We have no strength to apprehend it, and if we try to know it out of His presence, we will only turn it to licentiousness. If we look at the simple fact of what the grace of God is, it has no bounds. Be what we may (and we cannot be worse than what we are) in spite of all that, what God is towards us is love. Neither our joy nor our peace is dependent on what we are to God, but on what He is to us, and this is grace. Grace took into account all the sin and evil that is in us, and is the blessed revelation that through Jesus all this sin and evil has been put away.

A single sin is more horrible to God, than all the sins in the world are to us, and yet with the fullest consciousness of what we are, all that God is pleased to be towards us is love. In Romans 7, the state described is that of a person quickened, but whose whole set of reasonings center in himself. He stops short of grace, of the single fact that whatever be his state, let him be as bad as he may, God is love, and only love towards him. Instead of looking at God, it is all “I,” “I,” “I.” Faith looks at God as He has revealed Himself in grace. Let me ask you. Am I, or is my state the object of faith? No! Faith never makes what is in my heart its object, but God’s revelation of Himself in grace.

Grace has reference to what God is, and not to what we are, except indeed, the very greatness of our sins but magnify the extent of the grace of God. At the same time we must remember that the object and necessary effect of grace is to bring our souls into communion with God to sanctify us by bringing the soul to know God and to love Him. Therefore the knowledge of grace is the true source of sanctification.

The triumph of grace is seen in this, that when man’s enmity had cast out Jesus from the earth, God’s love brought in salvation by that very act—came in to atone for the sin of those who had rejected Him. In view of the fullest development of man’s sin, faith sees the fullest development of God’s grace. If I have the slightest doubt, or hesitation about His love, I have lost the sense of God’s grace. I will then be saying, “I am unhappy, because I am not what I should like to be.” That is not the question, the real question is whether God is what we should like Him to be; whether Jesus is all we should wish. If the consciousness of what we are, what we find in ourselves, has any other effect, while it humbles us, to increase our appreciation of what God is, we are off the true ground of grace. Is there distress and distrust in your minds, see if it is not because you are still saying, “I,” “I,” and losing sight of God’s grace.

It is better to be thinking of what God is, than what we are. This looking at ourselves, is really pride, a want of the thorough consciousness that we are good for nothing. Till we see this, we never quite look away from ourselves to God, who indeed is worth all our thoughts. Is there any need of being humbled about ourselves? We may be quite sure that will do it. Beloved, if we can say as in Romans 7. “In me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing,” we have thought quite long enough about ourselves. Let us then think about Him who thought about us, with thoughts of good, not evil, long before we had thought of ourselves at all. Let us see what His thoughts of grace are about us, and take up the words of faith— “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

If Saved - What Am I Saved For? Part 1

The first and most important question with all who have reached the period of responsibility, is surely the salvation of the soul. Compared with this, all other questions sink into utter insignificance.

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37.

One human soul, according to the Lord’s estimate, is of more value in His sight than the whole world; and were we to look at things from His point of view, our estimate would be the same. He gives us heaven’s estimate of such things. The one is matter, the other is spirit; the one will pass away as if it had never been—the earth, with all its precious metals, and the works that are therein, shall be burned up; the other will survive the wreck of all matter, the dissolution of all earthly things, and live on, and on, through all changes, either in happiness or misery, forever and ever. The soul being immortal, must surpass in value the whole material universe.

Were Christian parents sufficiently alive to this solemn fact, they would make the conversion of their children in their early years, the first object in their instruction and training. God only, we know, can plant the impulse of divine life in the child of nature, but that should not make us careless or indifferent to the need and importance of the new birth. Rather, it should make us more dependent upon God, and more diligent in pleading His needed grace.

The main point here is, have we fully realized the importance of the soul’s salvation, as far above and beyond all other considerations? If so, the heart will find relief in constantly pouring out its deep and uppermost desires to our God and Father. The bare thought crossing the mind of such a one being lost will quicken our zeal into a burning flame. And, if the heart be rightly balanced as to this question, the means will be used with an earnestness as if all depends on them; and yet, all the while, cherishing the deepest convictions that, without the operations of God’s Holy Spirit, there will be no results. But there will be deep reality and burning earnestness everywhere—before God in prayer, and before the children in a living example of the spirit of Christ, and with suitable care to win the heart for Him.

There is no reason why Christian parents should not reckon upon God for the conversion of their children before they leave the family roof for schools or trades.

It is the happy privilege of every Christian parent to lay hold of the precious promise, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31.

If love for souls is the best gift of the evangelist there is no better preparation for the work than this deep heart exercise about those we love, especially our own children. Whatever the special gift may be in the speaker, there will be earnest pleading, even to agony, and appeals which must be felt to come from the heart, even though the hearse remain unconverted.

The Lord is holding everything in His own hand, and waiting His time, but He is thereby deepening in the soul of His servant the sense of the great reality of these things. Only, the pleading one must take care that his faith fail not; that he holds fast by the truth of God, and that he calmly counts on Him who will surely satisfy the desires He has created. We may have no direct promise to plead, but we can always say, “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32. God will never disown the faith that trusts in Him as He has revealed Himself in the Person and work of His beloved Son.

It is also of unspeakable importance, when the soul is converted, to have the whole question of salvation fully settled. This is often left with a measure of uncertainty, or with nothing more than a hope that it is so, though sometimes accompanied with a fear that it may not be so after all. As long as this is the case, the young believer will be occupied with himself, and can make no progress in the divine life. This, alas! is the state of many; and even where there is a measure of certainty of salvation, it is often with so little intelligence, that the soul is not perfectly free and happy.

The first question, then, to be settled is, the absolute certainty of salvation, according to the full efficacy of the work of Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, as the seal of that work.

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 1:13. Here we have the divine process. The gospel of salvation is heard, Christ is trusted, the full truth is believed, and the soul is sealed with the Holy Spirit.

(To be continued.)

Fragment: Obedience: Power Against Satan

Satan, has power against pretension; against knowledge; but no power against obedience; if we are acting by the Word, with no will of our own. With Jesus, Satan was baffled, the strong man was bound, and the way in which He bound him was by simple obedience.

Sons and Children

Sonship in Paul’s writings is the place Christians have in connection with God, into which Christ has brought them by redemption; that is, His own relative place with God according to His counsels. “Children” is that they are of the Father’s family. Both are found in Romans 8:14-16, and the force of both may there be seen. We cry Father, so are children, but by the Spirit we take up the place of grownup sons with Christ before God.

Thou Art With Me.

“The Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee.” (Deut. 31:6.)

“So didst Thou lead Thy people.” (Isa. 63:14.)

In Thy presence, Lord, enfold me,

As the busy hours go by;

Paths I know not lie before me,

I am safe for Thou art nigh.

Gleaming golden through life’s story,

Grace and mercy sweetly twine;

“Hitherto” Thy love hath kept me,

And will keep by power divine.

Till the tears of time are over

May my will surrendered be;

Joy or sorrow thus shall yield me

Closer fellowship with Thee.

Daily lead me, gracious Saviour,

Sweet it is to walk with Thee;

Loving—serving—watching—waiting,

Till Thy glory, Lord, I see.

Correspondence: What is Worship; Seared Consciences

Question: What is ‘worship’? B. E.

Answer: Worship flows from a heart filled and occupied with Christ. It is produced by occupation with Him. When the heart is full, it flows over. That which overflows is worship, and is therefore that which rises from the hearts of the redeemed in praise and adoration and thanksgiving. The wise men expressed their worship, (Matt. 2:11.) The shepherds also in Luke 2:20. The cleansed Samaritan worshiped. (Luke 17:16, 18.) The blind man who was healed, and the people; (Luke 18:4, 3.) And the man in John 9:38. When we have given our minds too much to worldly things and thoughts, worship is hindered.

Christian worship is in spirit and in truth, (John 4:23, 24) and comes from a child of God, one who knows the Father. Philippians 3:3 teaches that the death of Christ has done its work in their souls—this is the circumcision. The Holy Spirit dwelling in the believer is the power to worship, (John 4:14) also they rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Nothing can produce worship but occupation with Christ.

Our behavior through the week affects our worship when we come to remember the Lord in His death. How careful then we should be to live in communion with the Lord.

Question: Who are those with seared consciences? N. I. F.

Answer: 1 Timothy 4:1, tells it is those who knew the faith, but gave it up, and hearkened to the lies of Satan—Christian Scientists, Russellites, and all those who deny the atonement, and the Word of God.

The Unwelcome Visitor

It was a dull, dreary afternoon. Mrs. N. settled down in a comfortable chair in her pleasant sitting-room. She was thankful she need not go out, for she was not well and very tired. She remembered with dismay that she would have to go out in the evening, but there was the afternoon still before her—a quiet time for rest and reading.

At that moment a visitor was announced, and Mrs. E. entered. Mrs. N. had known Mrs. E. for some years back, but they had nothing in common, and had seen little of one another. Mrs. N., in spite of much luke-warmness, was truly one of the children of God. She knew, and believed, the love He had to her, and she desired, however faintly, to bring others to the knowledge of His love. But when Mrs. E. was announced, no thought but that of annoyance took possession of her. On what possible subject could she talk to Mrs. E.? To speak of anything above and beyond the earth and earthly things, would be like talking Chinese to her! And what could more add to her weariness than to spend the time in small talk about things in which she had no manner of interest?

Yes, alas! her weariness was the uppermost thought, and she consoled herself with the hope that in a quarter of an hour this visit would be over. But the quarter passed, and half an hour passed, and three quarters of an hour, and Mrs. E. sat there with no apparent intention to move. Her sleepy, expressionless face grew more and more wearisome to Mrs. N. Her languid voice, too; even her dress, in the height of fashion, which told a tale of little interest in anything but the concerns of this world—all was wearisome.

Slowly it dawned upon Mrs. N. (strange that it should have been so slowly!) that the Lord had sent Mrs. E. to her house that day, and had given her an opportunity she might never have again. And that, unlike the Lord, when weary with His journey, He sat upon the well, she had thought only of her weariness, and had not thirsted for the soul whom God had sent in her way. But what should she say? and how should she begin? Her visitor looked as if no subject in heaven or earth could be of the slightest interest to her.

Mrs. N. asked her where she went to church. Mrs. E. answered by naming the church, and there was silence.

“Mr. M.’s sermons at Paul’s are very interesting,” said Mrs. N., “I advise you to go and hear him.”

“O, indeed!” was the reply, in sleepy tones; and again there was a silence.

“Or Mr. R,” continued Mrs. N.; “I am sure you would find his sermons would help you, and it would be nearer.”

“Yes,” answered Mrs. E., slowly, “but I go where my husband goes.”

A longer silence—broken by some insignificant remark of Mrs. E.’s about the weather, and again a silence. Then Mrs. N. talked about some little trifles, while thinking what to say next. Mrs. E.’s answers became shorter and more languid, and the silences became longer. An hour had passed away!

Mrs. N. now made a reflection it would have been well to have made before, that the way to reach the heart is a straight and not a circuitous road, and almost desperately she said, looking earnestly at her visitor, “Mrs. E., tell me, Are you saved?”

In a moment the expressionless face of Mrs. E. lighted up into the intensity of interest. “No,” she said, “I am not, and that is why I came to you. I have been utterly miserable. I knew we were none of us saved, and I longed—how I longed—that my husband and children might be saved; but then I knew I was not saved myself, and that I could be of no good to them. And I thought I would give all I have if I knew how to be saved. I went to the houses of all the people I know, who belong to what we call the ‘good set.’ I thought they would tell me, but I dared not begin; and they talked about pictures, and about riding, and I don’t know what, and they never spoke of God. At last I thought I would come to you, and I waited all this time, hoping you would say something about Him; and, O! how thankful I am you have asked me that question. How I was longing to ask you what I should do—but I was afraid to ask. Will you not tell me now?”

It is needless to say that the second hour passed only too quickly. Mrs. N. forgot her weariness, and Mrs. E. listened as for her life.

It was all new to her—how new, we often forget when with those who have been well-taught the knowledge which is to fit them for this world, but never have been taught the knowledge of Him, Whom to know is life eternal.

It was new to her that she had nothing to do, that Christ had done the whole work which saves the soul. It was new to her that He had loved her even when she was dead in sins—that He had died to save her, and now He lives for her in the glory. It was new to her that He would make her to be a well of living water in her turn to the dead souls around her.

Mrs. E. believed simply, as a little child, and became a faithful and loving witness for Christ in her home, and among her friends and neighbors.

Mrs. N. never forgot how nearly this soul had been left in darkness through her indolence and self-seeking, through her little faith and little love, and she asked the Lord to remind her continually how many troubled hearts and awakened consciences are hidden behind the faces which often look expressionless, because the things of earth have ceased to charm them, and there is nothing to fill the void.

O Lord, give us Thine eyes to see, and Thine heart to care for these hungry souls—overlooked and neglected, except for Thy care and love.

“In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” Ecclesiastes 11:6.

“A word spoken in due season, how good it is?” Proverbs 15:23.

The Person of Christ

Let us turn to a few passages of the Word of God which speak of the Person of Christ, the unspeakable gift of God’s wondrous love. (2 Cor. 9:15.)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:1-5.)

“And the Word was made (became) flesh, and dwelt among us... full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14.)

“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.” (John 1:18.)

“And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Tim. 3:16.)

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us).” (1 John 1:1, 2.)

“Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21.)

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12.)

If Saved - What Am I Saved For? Part 2

In Ephesians 2:13, 14 it is said, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace.” This is precious! If Christ be our peace, it can never be lost. We may lose the enjoyment of it, but never the peace itself, inasmuch as Christ can never lose His peace with God. He is also said to be our righteousness.

“Of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). This is absolute! This is our condition in the presence of God in Christ. From such scriptures, faith will have no difficulty in answering the question as to the certainty and completeness of salvation.

Then comes the second question, What am I saved for? Surely to give my heart, unreservedly and undividedly, to the Lord; to care only for His glory, and for what will please and serve Him.

As we have no space to enlarge upon this point at present, we shall merely state the three grand positions or relations of the Christian, and leave the thoughtful to meditate on their privileges, blessings and responsibilities.

1. Every Christian is a child in the family of God. “For we are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Again, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” And this is, “To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.” But, as His children, He looks for us to “be holy and without blame before Him in love.” (Gal. 3:26; Eph. 1:4-6.)

2. Every Christian is a member of the body of Christ. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” And this, too, in resurrection, where no change can ever take place; “For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.” Being thus livingly united to the Head in heaven, we are members one of another. “As we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office; so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” (1 Cor. 12; Eph. 5; Rom. 12.)

While nothing can exceed the reality and blessedness of this vital union, it also involves the most weighty responsibility. We cease to be simply individual in our actions; the whole body is affected by our spirit and ways. This consideration ought to make every Christian most careful to act consistently with his relation to the Head and members of the body of Christ. “Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Cor. 12:26).

3. Every Christian is a servant in the kingdom. It is through much tribulation that we enter into the kingdom; not so into the family, or the body, but into the kingdom. In Hebrews, service is connected with a purified conscience: “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” In Thessalonians we find it connected with conversion, and the hope of the Lord’s return: “Ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven.”

In the parable of the pounds, the Lord blesses this truth most fully and distinctly before us, with its own rewards: “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shown toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” But the character and fruit of our service will not be known until the coming day when all shall be made manifest. (Acts 14:22; Heb. 9:14; 1 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 6:10; 1 Cor. 3:12-15; 2 Cor. 5:10.)

May the Lord, in His great mercy, lead all who read these pages, not only to know for certain that they are saved. but also to know what they are saved for, and to act consistently as a child in the family, a member in the body, and a servant in the kingdom.

(Continued from Page 26.)

Scripture Study: John 21

We have here a fresh testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, presented to us in a mysterious way, to picture for us the Millennial gathering of Israel.

Verse 2. Peter, Thomas and Nathanael, and the sons of Zebedee are especially mentioned, with two others.

Verse 3. Simon Peter says, “I go a fishing,” and the others say, “We also go with thee.” This was their employment when Jesus met them at the first, and, as at the first, they labor all night and catch nothing. It pictures for us the human efforts of the Jews to restore themselves to their former estate. This is what we find during the period between the taking up of the heavenly saints, and His coming with them to reign; but they, and their city Jerusalem, shall be under Gentile rule till the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Luke 21:24.)

Verses 4, 5. But the morning comes at last, and Jesus stood on the shore, only, as yet, they fail to recognize Him. Strange and mysterious this is, and different from Mary in chapter 20. There, it was in keeping with 2 Corinthians 5:16—that which belonged to a new creation. Here, it is His showing Himself to the godly, remnant of the Jews, who are converted after the church is caught away. He asks, “Children, have ye any meat?” They say, “No.”

Verses 6-10. He said unto them, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” This was a test; they obey, and now they are not able to draw the net for the multitude of fishes. The beloved disciple recognizes the Lord in it, and Peter hearing it, prepares himself for the Lord’s presence, and hurries to meet the Lord, while the rest drag the net loaded with fishes. The blessing has at last come to Israel, but the remnant of godly ones who have already confessed their sins, and the sins of the nation, are gathered first. We see this pictured in the fire, and the fish already laid thereon, and bread, and Jesus told them to bring of the fish which they had caught.

Verse 11. Then the description of the fishing is, “great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three,” and for all there were so many, yet was the net not broken. In this present time the nets brake; but in the future the fishing will be perfect, and all Israel will be gathered. It is perfect administration and divine power.

Verses 12, 13. Jesus said unto them, “Come and dine.” None of the disciples durst ask Him, “Who art Thou?” knowing that it was the Lord. Here is seen this mysterious distance between them, which marks the earthly people with their heavenly King. This we see in Thomas, who would not be convinced till his eyes saw the marks of Jesus’ crucifixion, but here their toils are turned to feasting with Himself.

Verse 14. There are three appearings here: first, to His heavenly brethren. The second, Thomas is restored, that is, the Jews as a nation. The third is the full restoration of all Israel.

Verses 15-17. Now the dinner is over, and we have a touching, heart-searching scene. Peter had boasted of his love and faithfulness to Jesus above them all; though all should forsake Him, he would follow Him to prison and to death, so he had said, and then, in the moment of trial, he had denied his Lord three times with oaths and curses, but at that look of Jesus’, he had gone out and wept bitterly. Jesus also had met him after His resurrection, and so he was ready to cast himself into the sea to meet Him without fear. But the Lord has still further blessings for him, to make him His servant.

Before public restoration to such a place, it was needful to test him as to his boastful self-confidence, so the Lord asks him the question, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these?” Peter replied very humbly, “Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love (hast affection for) Thee.” He said unto him, “Feed My lambs.”

A second time He said, “Simon, son of Jonas, hast thou affection for Me?” He uses the word which Peter used, to test him deeper. Peter answers Him as he did before Jesus said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

Still the probe goes deeper, by repeating the question, till Peter is grieved, and sorely reminded of his boasted strength and self-confidence, but he can only reply, “Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I have affection for Thee.” Jesus answered, “Feed My sheep.”

Thus the Lord works in the soul of His servant to remove all boastfulness and confidence of the flesh, and to teach him the need of prayer and watchfulness, that he might also be able to strengthen his brethren. He does not only forgive us our sins when we confess them, but He also cleanses us from all unrighteousness, and from leaning on any false props. As with Peter, when we cannot trust ourselves, then He will use us for the blessing of others. This grace to failing saints is wonderful, in Numbers 19:19. The third-day-sprinkling, was as when the Lord looked at Peter, and he went out and wept bitterly. The seventh-day-sprinkling, restored to communion, as when the Lord met Peter, and gave him a visit all by himself. (1 Cor. 15:5). But this seems beyond that, and gives him a commission as His servant, and the privilege of following Him, even to prison and to death; and thus to drink from the hands of men (allowed of God), the cup his Master had drunk of.

Verses 18, 19. But Peter would have no choice in this. When he was young, he did all in natural energy; but when he would be grown old, he would stretch forth his hands, and another would gird him, and carry him whither he would not. This He spake, signifying by what death he was to glorify God. Peter, through grace, remained heartily content that it should be so, as the Lord had said, (2 Peter 1:14), but grace would be given him to glorify God in life or in death. He then saith unto him, “Follow Me.” He had said it before, (Matt. 4:19), but then they did not know Him as the rejected One on earth, and glorified on high; but now Peter is to follow One whom the world has cast out, and share the outcast place, for that is what it means to share with Jesus now. We also have our place with Him where He is, and there, inside the vail, with Him, we find strength to suffer and to serve in the world where He is not.

Verses 20-25. Peter, turning about, and seeing the beloved disciple following, (for that is what real love does without being told), and feeling interested, perhaps curious to know, said, “Lord, and what shall this man do?” Jesus answered, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou Me.” The brethren thought by that saying that John was not to die, but the evangelist warns that He did not say, “he was not to die,” but, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?”

This is one of those mysterious sayings, from which we may draw some lesson, and as we look at John’s written ministry, which goes beyond the present time, we can well think of what he wrote as truth needed till Christ comes to reign. John has passed away, but he remains ministering to us through the Word. We also find in Revelation his ministry still going on, till the new heaven and the new earth are included. It was only that which was needed that was written, for God, the Word, is infinite, and the world could not contain all that is true of Him.

Love's Wondrous Story

At God’s right hand sits that blest Man

Whose wisdom is unfailing;

Whose ear is open to our cry,

Whose power is all prevailing.

There’s nothing which the heart can crave

That we have not in Jesus;

We rest in His almighty arms,

Who from all sorrow frees us.

Kept by His power, preserved by grace,

We onward press to glory;

We then shall see Him face to face

And sing love’s wondrous story.

The Little Child: Matthew 18:1-22

We must receive the kingdom of God as a little child. Yes, indeed; and the moral of that thought is very beautiful.

The Lord Jesus, the Son in flesh, has by His death atoned for the sin which brought in death. But He also, in His life and passage through the world, acted on principles which were the very opposite and contradiction of that sin. Surely He did. He did not remove the penalty, and leave the transgression uncondemned. This He could not have done. By His death, He suffered the judgment; but in His life, He practically and thoroughly gainsaid the sin which had incurred the judgment.

This must have been so. He could not accredit the sin while suffering its judgment. The sin was pride, or creature exaltation—man seeking to be as God, affecting the place, and rights and majesty of God. The life of Jesus, in full contradiction of such sin, was that of the self-emptied Son—the subject, obedient Jesus. The station in the world which He assumed, the trade He followed, the family He was born into, the company He kept, the circumstances He lived in, all tell us this.

Again, we may say, it could not have been otherwise. But, let me add, from the beginning God has been exercising His elect in this same lesson, humbling them while blessing them, leading them out of the original penalty or judgment into light and blessing again; but leading him by such a way as taught them, that man should not again exalt himself. And this He has done by taking up the weak, and the foolish, and the poor, in whom to illustrate His holy principles, and by whom to carry His gracious operations.

Noah and the ark of gopher-wood; Abram, and the call from home and kindred to be a stranger here, without friend or inheritance; the barren wife and the younger brother of the book of Genesis; the captives in the Egyptian brick-kilns, and the infant cast out among the flags of the Egyptian river; the rod and the uplifted hand of Moses; the feet of the priests; the lamps and pitchers of Gideon; Samson with the ass’s jawbone; David with his stone and sling; all witness this lesson, that while bringing to us and securing to us all blessings, the Lord would humble the pride of man, and throughout the wondrous story of His doings, expose the folly and the wickedness of the first departure from Him in self-exaltation.

And the elect, thus exercised and thus used of God, have rehearsed the beautiful moral of all this, and said— “Not unto us, not unto us, but unto Thy name, give glory.” Daniel did so when he declared to the king, that it was not in him, but in God, to interpret dreams; as did Joseph, also, long before. But again, I say, the life of Jesus, from first to last, was speaking this language in forms of beauty and perfection, such as have glorified God beyond all that His rights and majesty were of old gainsaid in the garden of Eden. And this is very principal in the reckoning of our souls, when we are spiritually awake to the mysteries of God.

But, I ask, Has God ceased to teach this lesson? Now that we are in the church, and on the road to the heavenly country, Has God ceased to teach this lesson? We might rather judge that He is teaching it with increased emphasis. And is it not so? “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven,” answers this. A little child is nothing in this world—a cipher in its great account—a weak thing, a foolish thing—a thing to be passed by, not worthy of being either courted or dreaded in the important game of the world’s rivalries. It may have its own things, but they are toys. And so the church. She has her own things, and peculiar things they are, but just such as must be esteemed toys, or children’s playthings, by those who are concerned in the contentions of pride and selfishness on the earth.

Our Scripture, Matthew 18:1-22, gives us some of them—If thy brother trespass against thee, see him and win him if you can—try every way, be servant to him that has injured or insulted you—get others to seek him—if all fail, simply set him aside. If you want anything, ask God about it; if you do anything, take God’s principles in the doing of it. This, we may say, is the voice that is heard here. These an among the things of the church— “a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease” (Job 12:5). For how can the world value the light of such principles as these?

And yet all this is according to the stone and sling of David in other days. It is the weak thing. “Two or three gathered together unto My name,” says the Lord. Can anything be weaker in the judgment of man? And yet, in the judgment of the Spirit, such an assembly was doing the business of the sling and the stone, or the lamps and the pitchers. It confounds the strong, the noble, and the wise of this world. It brings to naught the things that are, though in itself nothing. “Ye see your calling,” says the Apostle, looking at such an object, “how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Cor. 1:26-29).

Surely the Lord in the church is teaching the old lesson still. And we are to be always practicing it, exercising ourselves in those principles which are the church’s peculiarities, though they are but weakness and foolishness in the thoughts of men. These are to be always our lesson, as the Lord says to Peter in this scripture— “I say not unto thee until seven times, but until seventy times seven.”

But how entirely has Christendom refused to learn this lesson of “the little child”! She has consented to forget that it was the one who was accounted by the world as the despised Galilean, a carpenter’s son, that suffered the death of the cross. Christendom—the professing world around us—treats the mystery of redemption as if it had been some great personage that made atonement. It was God Himself, the Son in flesh, Jehovah’s Fellow, that did so. That is indeed true. But as touching His place in the world, or among men, it was the despised Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth in Galilee. He did not go to Calvary from king’s courts, or amid the acclamations of the world; but He was the rejected One. The station He took in the world, as I noticed before, the trade He followed, the family He was born into, the company He kept, the circumstances He lived in, all tell us who He was—as a root out of a dry ground, having no form nor comeliness, no beauty that He should he desired in the eyes of those seeing Him, yea, despised and rejected and not esteemed by man ere He went to Calvary as the Lamb of God.

But Christendom has forgotten this. It may boast of Calvary, and of the Lamb of God in a certain way; but it has entirely lost sight of Nazareth and of the carpenter’s son. It links the palace with the cross, greatness in the world, wealth and ease, with the confession of Jesus and of the gospel.

And it was in the face of such a perverted mind as this that the Apostle, through the Spirit, lifts himself up before the saints at Corinth (1 Cor., chapters 4 and 2), for he purposes to introduce Christ crucified to them again. They were receiving again the spirit of the world—they were walking as men—and they needed that Christ crucified, in full character, should be introduced to their souls afresh. For in that expression, “Christ crucified,” the Apostle did not mean Christ in His sacrifice only, but Christ in His humiliation also; Christ regarded not merely as the Lamb for the altar of God, but as humbled all through, from His birth in the manger to His death on the tree. It is this full mystery which the Apostle desires to have brought in with power on the conscience, that the spirit of the world, which was defiling the saints at Corinth, might be controlled. And it is only in that mystery, “Christ crucified,” opened and applied in its full form, that “the wisdom of God and the power of God” are to be found. But in that mystery, faith is very conscious that it does come into communion with the wisdom and the power of God—a wisdom which interprets all around, and a power which separates from it all.

O, how poorly has the soul learned the mystery of “the little child,” the living practical lesson of a scorned and rejected Jesus—the world-conquering truth, that the One who was “the only begotten Son in the bosom of the Father” was but a despised Galilean here, though the mind and the pen can trace the form of it without doubt or difficulty! Lord, give us to know the honor of witnessing to Thy rejection in this proud world!

To Him That Worketh Not

“To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Rom. 4:5.)

Salvation is proclaimed!

Forgiveness full and free,

By Him who shed His precious blood

In love to you and me.

He gave Himself to God,

An offering without spot;

Now pardon, peace and life He gives

“To him that worketh not.”

What could I dare to bring

To clear my sinful soul?

His work alone can make me clean,

His word pronounce me whole.

My doings I renounce;

Can they erase one blot?

I take the grace He loves to give

“To him that worketh not.”

I look to Christ in faith,

And, ransomed by His blood,

Upward I gaze and see Him now

Upon the throne of God.

And I am justified

In Him no stain or spot,

“His faith He counts for righteousness,”

“To him that worketh not.”

And now He sees me clad

In this all-glorious dress;

I stand complete in Him who is

Himself my righteousness.

O! strive and toil no more

But choose this blessed lot!

Believe His love; accept His gift;

“To him that worketh not.”

Things Which Are Before

Beloved, let us be decided, for it is impossible for us to grasp at things “before” and “behind” too. Were we “pressing forward towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus;” were we “reaching forth unto these things which are before,” we must be forgetting those behind; were we looking up, gazing with the eye of faith on our portion above, could we be groping in the dirt of this world for what we might find there? Could we be making a god of business, pleasure, riches, or reputation?

Faith is an anticipating grace. Faith is a substantial reliance on the verities of God, such as makes its possessor count all things else but dross and dung for Christ and the things above.

Dear reader, either give up professing to be guided by the Bible, or act as if you believed it. There is such a thing as the “obedience of faith;” and if we don’t obey, our religion is all pretense and unreality.

Correspondence: Suffering for/with Christ; Sons/Children; Balaam's Error

Question: Please say something about suffering “for,” and “with” Christ. Also why in Romans 8, Galatians 3 and 4, and 1 John 3, are we sometimes called sons and sometimes children? C. W.

Answer: In Matthew 5:10 it reads, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This is true of the saint, whether the Jew in the future time of tribulation or the Christian now. A life of integrity and uprightness calls out the hatred of those who are walking in sinful ways, because the ways of honesty and truthfulness before God reproach them.

In Verse 11, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.”

This is suffering for Christ in service and testimony, as Paul suffered. His word and his work went together to testify of Christ, and though he proclaimed the love of God in Christ, because man’s heart is enmity against God, men hated him. (See Acts 9:16 Acts 5:41; Phil. 1:29; 2 Tim. 3: 11, 12; 1 Peter 2: 21-23; 4:13, 14). So do we find the Lord and His disciples hated. (John 15:18, 19, 22-24). The Apostle desires to share in these sufferings from men. (Phil. 3:10). In Colossians 1:24 we read, “Now, I rejoice in sufferings for you, and I fill up that which is behind of the tribulations of Christ in my flesh, for His body, which is the assembly.” (N. T.) This is suffering for Christ.

Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:12 is suffering with Christ. J. N. D. Synopsis says, “This suffering is by virtue of the glorious position into which we are brought, and of our participation in the life of Christ Himself, and the sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

It is the divine nature in us that feels the terrible condition sin has brought, and the nearer we are in our communion to the Lord, the more do we feel it. The Lord felt it most acutely because of His sinless humanity. He never became used to it, as we do. Alas, that it should be so with us! In His humanity He was the Son of God. (Luke 1:35). He was “of God” (4:38). In His path of self-emptied, lowly obedience, He is set before us in Philippians 2:5-8. Then Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus are mentioned as walking in their measure in the same path, but He infinitely excels them.

“For go as low as e’er you will,”

The Highest has gone lower still.

In the 3rd Chapter we find the Apostle so filled with the beauty and preciousness of Christ, that everything of himself, his very best, his righteousness, he now has cast behind him, and counts it all but dung, that he may win Christ. And he desires the fellowship of His sufferings, and presses on to be with Him on high. This is the energy of faith that leads him to suffer for Christ and for the saints (2 Tim. 2: 10).

Romans 8 is a statement of our position and portion in Christ; it does not look at our failure to enter into and to enjoy it.

Verse 14 is therefore telling us that the Spirit of God is given to lead us as sons of God. (Gal. 3:26, as well as 4:5, 6. For “children” read “sons.” See N. T.) The contrast is with the Old Testament saints under the law, who are looked at as minors, under tutors and governors; but Christians are full-grown sons. This expresses their perfect standing, and to give them also the proper feelings and affection, the Spirit of His Son is given them, whereby they cry, “Abba, Father”; this is children in the fullest sense.

In 1 John 3:1, 2, we should read, “children,” instead of “sons,” (See N. T.), for here it is the family of God in contrast with the family of fallen man under Satan. So we have all the love of the Father told out in it.

Now look at Romans 8:14, and we see the Holy Spirit given, suited to lead the sons of God. In verse 16, “The Spirit witnesses with our spirit, that we are the children of God,” for this is what He would have our souls enjoy. In verse 19, it is the glorious manifestation, so it is the “sons of God”; but in verse 21, it is what we shall enjoy, so it is the liberty of the glory of the children of God. We do adore our God for all His wondrous grace to such sinners as we were, but the blessedness to our souls is not the glorious position He has set us in, but the blessed satisfaction we have in the love of the Father and of the Son. To the thief on the cross, it would have been wonderful grace for the Saviour to have said, “Today shalt thou be in Paradise;” but what precious sweetness it brings to the soul to hear Him say, “With Me.” “Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.” He chose him for His compassion, and wrought in him, as well as for him, the fitness to enjoy His companionship.

Question: What was the error of Balaam? N. I. F.

Answer: It was love of money, and he wanted to curse the people of God to get it. God made him bless them instead. Then he taught Balak to send in the idolatrous women to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. This brought down the judgment of God on those who sinned.

Revelation 2:14, tells of this in the professing church, leading Christians to join with the world, in its mirth, its politics, and its motives. James 4:4; 2 Corinthians 11:2, teach how wrong this is.

I Love to Point Him Out

A gentleman, while traveling, came to a river which he must cross before he could reach his destination. Joe Brown, a boatman, was accustomed to ferry passengers over the river; so the boat being ready, the gentleman seated himself in the bow. Joe then took his place, lifted the oars, and the two glided swiftly along. There were sloops going up and down the river, as they did every day. Suddenly Joe drew in his oars, and springing to his feet, pulled off his ragged old straw hat, and with his hand shaded his eyes, while he strained his sight towards some object on a sloop in the distance.

“As I’m a living man,” he exclaimed, “that’s the captain!”

The gentleman, startled, followed the eyes of Joe, but could distinguish nothing but the forms of three or four men on a sloop in the distance.

“See him, sir!” said Joe. “Don’t you see that strong, kind-looking man against the mast?” he urged.

“Perhaps I shall see him when the vessel gets nearer.”

“I wish you could see the captain,” said Joe.

“Who is the captain?” he asked.

“The captain!” said Joe, in surprise, “He’s the man that saved me!” But quickly turning his eyes to the sloop, he said, “I can’t miss seeing him, while he’s in sight,” and gazed with intense earnestness.

The sloop did not come near, and passed by with no signal to Joe, who stood as steady as a mast in a ship, with his hat in his hand. As the sloop sailed on, the figures of the men became hidden, and Joe sat down again to his oars.

“I told you, sir,” said he, “that he’s the man that saved me.”

“How did he save you, Joe?”

“He stripped off his coat, and jumped into the river, and caught hold of me with his strong arm, just as I was sinking into the great depths, with the ropes around my feet. That’s the way he saved me,” said Joe, eloquent with emotion.

“You have not forgotten to be grateful, Joe, I see.”

“Grateful!! Joe Brown would breathe every breath he draws for him if he could. I told him I would work the rest of my days without any pay. It would be enough and more, and it pays me just to be allowed to serve him. But,” he added sadly, “I stay as close by him as I can. He runs by here once a month. I watch for him always, and I love to point him out, it’s all I can do.”

The traveler, who was a Christian, was deeply moved by the earnestness of the poor man, and the depth and tenderness of his gratitude. In a moment there flashed across him a humiliating sense of his own ingratitude toward One whose strong arm had snatched him from eternal death. Why should he ever forget the privilege of pointing out Him whose name is above every name—the Man Christ Jesus!

The Finished Work of Christ

If sinners are to be saved, Christ must die; for man’s life is forfeited on account of sin. Hence we find Him saying, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:14, 15.)

Man’s disobedience in Eden dishonored God, and brought the world under the power of Satan and the reign of sin. For four thousand years God tried fallen man in various ways, but only to fully prove how utterly fallen he is. “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son.” (Gal. 4:4.)

“There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all.”

“Christ... through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God.” (Heb. 9:14.) On the cross of Calvary He suffered, died, and bled. There:

God was infinitely glorified,

Satan’s power was annulled,

Sin’s judgment was borne.

Every claim of God was once and forever perfectly met. And God raised Him from the dead to His own right hand in glory, where He is now seated, a testimony to the whole universe that,

the atoning work is done.

Christ, “by His own blood... entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Heb. 9:12.)

“My meat,” said He, “is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.” (John 4:34.) “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.” (John 17:4.)

“It is finished.” (John 19:30.)

Fragment: The Prodigal

God puts the best robe on the Prodigal, and makes the whole house sing. He does not say, “My prodigal is come back;” but, “This My son!”

We want to learn distinctly and clearly that flesh never can be with God. It crucified Christ, it did not have God, and God won’t have it.

None But Christ

O Christ! in Thee my soul hath found,

And found in Thee alone,

The peace, the joy, I sought so long—

The bliss till now unknown.

I sighed for rest and happiness,

I yearned for them, not Thee;

But while I passed my Saviour by,

His love laid hold on me.

I tried the broken cisterns, Lord,

But ah! the waters failed!

E’en as I stooped to drink they’d fled,

And mocked me as I wailed.

The pleasures lost I sadly mourned,

But never wept for Thee,

Till grace the sightless eyes received

Thy loveliness to see.

Now none but Christ can satisfy,

None other name for me!

There’s love, and life, and lasting joy,

My Lord, in only Thee.

Scripture Study: Acts 1

Luke, the beloved physician (Col. 4:14), was well fitted for the work which the Holy Spirit did through him, to write this second letter or treatise, and it is a most important link in the chain of inspiration of God, to fulfill the Word of God. In the body of the book, toward the end, we shall find him a companion of Paul in his journeyings. Like the gospel, it is addressed to Theophilus.

It is most interesting and instructive to notice the ways of God in the unfoldings of this book. May the Lord graciously help us, and give us discernment, and the ready mind to receive what He would communicate.

We see in the first and second verses how the writer connects the gospel with this. “Of all that Jesus began to do and to teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen.” Here we see the Lord as a man, risen from the dead, and the Holy Spirit dwelling in Him still. A precious token to us that the Holy Spirit will dwell in us also, when risen and caught up to be with the Lord in glory. No fear of us grieving Him then, for there will be no sin in us then to hinder our entering into His thoughts, nor to occupy us in restraining our wills, or mortifying the flesh. What a difference “when flesh and sense deceive no more,” “forever on Himself to gaze,” and in all the energy of that blessed Holy Spirit to enter into the enjoyment of His love, and worship and adore. “Yes, Saviour, Thou shalt have full praise,” but our hearts say even now He is worthy of it all, “And, O eternity’s too short to utter all His praise.”

Verses 3-5. For forty days He showed Himself alive by many infallible proofs, being seen of them and speaking to them of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

But they were to wait at Jerusalem for the promise of the Father (John 14:16). “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” We see from 1 Corinthians 12:13 that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is forming the saints into one body, and uniting them to Christ the Head. We have not found in the Scriptures that any individual is spoken of as baptized with the Holy Spirit. Individuals are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13), and thus added to the body. The truth of the one body could not yet be unfolded, till His long suffering with the nation of Israel was over, for the present interval of grace, though begun, was not fully declared.

Verses 6-8. When they were together, they asked of Him, “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel?” His answer would indicate that He waited for something further. “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power (right or authority), but ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be My witnesses.” He had told them this before (John 15:26, 27.) They were to begin at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47), and then in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. They were to tell of how He fulfilled the prophets, and the Old Testament scriptures, in suffering for sin, in giving Himself in love, and by the will of God, and how He rose again, and is now in glory, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations. Blessed, old, old story, though ever fresh and new!

Verses 9-11. And when all had been told to them that they needed to know for the present, He was taken up (or received up), and a cloud received Him out of their sight. What a loss to them, it seemed! Would intimacy with Him now cease? No. He had said, “I will not leave you (orphans) comfortless: I will come to you.” In the meantime that Holy Spirit was not come, but two heavenly messengers, men in white apparel stood by them, and said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” What they announce here is not His coming for His saints, but His manifestation to set up His Kingdom on earth.

Verses 12-26. They return to Jerusalem as they were bidden, and we find them (about one hundred and twenty men and women) with the, apostles continuing with one accord in prayer and supplication.

We find the disciples still in the expectation that the earthly Kingdom might be set up at that time, and this chapter leads us to see them still on the ground of Jews.

Peter, who was given authority from the Lord (Matt. 16:19), also having their hearts opened by the Spirit to understand the scriptures (Luke 24:45), rose up and explained to the rest the necessity that one should be chosen who had the qualifications necessary (as companying with the Lord in His ministrations) to fill up the place of Judas, according to Psalm 109:8. This they do in their Jewish fashion (not yet having the Holy Spirit), looking to the Lord to give a just lot. So Matthias was numbered with the eleven apostles. The words “ordained to be” are not in the text.

An extract from Collected Writings is worth giving here. “Since I have spoken of the descent of the Holy Spirit, it must be under stood that the ‘new birth’ is not the point here (though that may be accomplished by the same Spirit), but rather the personal coming of the Spirit, when the Son of Man ascended into heaven. The Holy Spirit has worked divinely since the foundation of the world. He it was who moved upon the face of the waters, who inspired the prophets, who has been the immediate instrument of all that God has done on the earth and in the heavens. But He only came here below when the Son of Man went to sit down at the right hand of God (John 7: 37-39), and is only received when we believe (Gal. 4:6 Eph. 1:13.) This is seen also clearly elsewhere: we are sealed when we have believed, and especially when we have believed in the value of the blood of Christ. Washed in this precious blood, we are fit to be the habitation of God. “Know ye not,” says the Apostle Paul, “that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16; 1 Cor. 6:19). As when the leper was cleansed and purified under the law, he was first washed in water, then sprinkled with the blood, then anointed with oil (Lev. 14:8, 9, 14-18)—clear figure of our purification by means of the Word of God when we are converted and born again; then of the sprinkling of the blood of Christ, and finally of the anointing of the Holy Spirit by which we are sealed for the final day of redemption.

“Also all gifts, the exercise of which is found in the church, are the manifestation of the Holy Spirit who works there. But here, in the Acts, the exposition of the operations of the Spirit is not found, but the fact itself of His coming in order to work.”

Hours of the Crucifixion

The apparent discrepancy between the accounts given by John, and Mark and Matthew, as to the hour of crucifixion of our blessed Lord, is full of deep interest. May we look at it with holy fear.

In Mark we read, “And it was the third hour, and they crucified Him....And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama Sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:25-34.) To this agree the words in Matthew: “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour,” (Matt. 27:45). While in John we read, “And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour,” when Jesus was condemned by Pilate, and delivered by him to be mocked and crucified.

Now it is evident that the mode of reckoning time cannot be the same, otherwise it would make the trial three hours after the crucifixion. From the Jewish character of Matthew, and indeed Mark, they, no doubt, always used the Hebrew mode of reckoning time, or the Jewish mode of reckoning the hours from sunset to sunrise, about six o’clock to six. So that the third hour would be our 9 a.m. and the sixth hour 12 noon, and the ninth hour 3 p.m.

It is generally thought that John wrote his Gospel much later, even after the destruction of Jerusalem. And, supposing he used the common way of Roman time, which was the same as ours now, then we shall find all difficulty disappear. There was, it is true, the civil mode the Romans had of stating the hours of the day, which was like the Hebrew, from six to six. But the common people reckoned from midnight to noon, as we do to this day. And as the church of God was chiefly composed of the poor of this world, it is quite in keeping with the Gospel of John that common Roman time should be used.

Let us now trace the order of these solemn events, full of such deep interest to our souls. O, how sad the malignant hatred to Jesus is seen to be in the very early hour of His trial: Satan, the high priest, Herod, Pilate, all astir. We will use our mode of time. What a scene from about four o’clock to six must have taken place! Then about six o’clock a.m. of our time, our adorable Lord is condemned by Pilate, to satisfy the hatred of those He so loved; He, the Lamb of God. Think of Him set forth for three hours. (Read Mark 15:15-22; Matt. 27:26-34.) Here we have the history of those three hours, from 6 a.m. to the third hour of Jewish time (9 a.m.) The scourging of Jesus; the Son of God delivered into the hands of cruel, brutal Roman soldiers; and this scourging would take up some time. He is taken into the common hall. Every outrage is poured upon Him. The stripping, the putting on the scarlet robe, the crown of thorns, the bowing of the knee in mockery and derision, the spitting upon Him—God manifest in flesh—the smiting of Him on the head. In the mean time the trial of the two thieves, for it was customary to execute the criminals immediately after trial. And no doubt the hatred to Jesus was such that the Holy One must be condemned first before the poor thieves. Then there was Pilate writing out the crimes and judgment. And lastly, the awful procession, when earth and hell, men and demons, followed Him to execution. See the Man of sorrows slowly bear His cross, and the preparations on Calvary’s hill. All this would surely occupy some three hours. And thus we reach the Roman time of 9 a.m., the third hour of the Jews from six in the morning. Then took place the crucifixion. Then for three hours more He hung a spectacle for men hearing, and in meekness bearing, their cruel mockings, from the third hour (9 a.m.) to the sixth hour (12 noon).

Then the scene closed to the eyes of men. Darkness covered the whole land. Then the dark billows of divine wrath, when no eye saw Him but the eye of God—His God. Then was heard that bitter loud cry, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Truly those three hours were the center of eternity. And O, blessed Father, all this that Thou mightest have us redeemed sinners with Thee forever. Blessed Lord Jesus, then couldest Thou say, “It is finished,” bowing Thy head in death. The veil was rent, the way into the holiest for man was opened for the vilest sinner, saved by such grace as this.

Thus we see all difficulty disappears. There must have been some hours between the condemnation of our Holy Substitute and the crucifixion. John was not writing specially for the Jews, who had rejected their Messiah, and therefore he uses the mode of reckoning time used by the common people in the Roman empire. A question might arise: Is there any evidence in the Gospel of John, where hours of time are named, that he used nowhere the Hebrew mode from six o’clock to six? Let us briefly examine the several instances.

“They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.” There is nothing in the context to question that this means the common method, that is 10 a.m.; but everything favors that time. Had it been Jewish time (4 p.m.) they could scarcely be said to have abode that day. (John 1:35-42.)

“Jesus therefore, being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.” (John 4:6, 7.) There is everything to favor the common time again, from five to six o’clock p.m. The end of a day’s journey, and He who had not where to lay His head, remains weary at Sychar’s well. Does not this throw some light on the journeyings of our Lord? The disciples had gone to the city to buy the evening repast. O, how oft did He retire on the lonely mountain in prayer to the Father, while the disciples slept. But that day’s work was not yet done. That poor woman may have been the last to come to the well that day, but she is just in time to meet God, the Giver of the water of life. The shades of that eventful evening would be falling beneath Samaria’s mountains, as, forgetting her water pot, she enters the city, and proclaims the Saviour-Messiah. And at once the hearers came to Him.

The disciples seem hungry, and think more about eating than the salvation of a sinner. This looks more like six o’clock p.m., (after a weary day, the usual time of eating in the East) than twelve at noon, the Jewish sixth hour of the day, beneath a burning sun.

In John 4:46-53, Jesus came to Cana of Galilee, and a certain nobleman, about fourteen miles away, at Capernaum, heard of Him. He came to Jesus, entreating Him to heal his son. “Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth.” As he returned, his servants met him, and told him, “Thy son liveth. Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth.” Now it is evident that there was not time to travel fourteen miles from seven o’clock in the evening on the day that Jesus said, “Thy son liveth.” But had it been the Jewish time (1 p.m.) there would have been sufficient time to travel fourteen miles before dark, when in those parts it was both dangerous and unusual to travel. But reckoning common Roman time, it would be seven o’clock p.m., and therefore too late to return that night. The next day he returns, and on the way meets his servants. In this case, then, may we not say, John must, as at the crucifixion, have used Roman time?

There is one other instance, at least—John 11:9. Speaking of the day as the period when men walk, He says: “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.” This passage shows, at least, that there was a common habit of speaking of the twelve hours of the day, as we speak even now. Indeed, it was a simple fact used for illustration: twelve hours of light and twelve hours of darkness, or day and night.

May the Lord make that which seemed difficult and contradictory to us, when we were in darkness, become real blessing to us now that He has, in the riches of His grace, made us light in Himself. When He says, “Let there be light,” there is light, and it is very good.

Divine Love

“Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God. Beloved now are we the sons of God; and it does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him, purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 1 John 3:1-3.

Behold what love, what boundless love

The Father hath bestowed

On sinners lost, that we should be

Now called the sons of God.

In matchless grace, in wondrous love

He sent His blessed Son,

That He His scattered children thus

Might gather into one.

No longer far from Him, but now

By precious blood made nigh,

Accepted in the Well-beloved,

Near to God’s heart we lie.

What we in glory soon shall be,

It doth not yet appear,

But when our precious Lord we see,

We shall His image bear.

With such a blessed hope in view

We would more holy be,

More like our risen, glorious Lord,

Whose face we soon shall see

The Widow

A widowed mother tried hard to keep back the tears on this special morning of which I am writing, but they would come, chasing each other down her cheeks, as she poured out the coffee for breakfast, and turned to her young daughter (who in a few minutes would be going out to business) and said, “This is the last of the coffee, dear, and the last of everything, and I have not another cent in the world. I cannot see where any dinner is to come from.”

The daughter was too young to know much of her mother’s cares, but one thing she did know was “something of the sweetness of the love of Jesus,” and her heart felt restful, peaceful and happy as she answered, “Mother, dear, we must have faith in Abraham’s God. He who did such seeming impossibilities for Abraham, can do seeming impossibilities for us.”

The daughter left for business, the younger ones for school, and the mother pondered: Was not God’s word to my husband before he departed to be with Christ, “Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in Me” (Jer. 49:11)? And is not God still faithful to His own words? “Hitherto hath the Lord helped me; but it has never been quite so bad as this. Can the Lord have forgotten me?” Then came to her mind one of her hymns;

“Begone unbelief, my Saviour is near,

And for my relief will surely appear;

By prayer let me wrestle, and He will perform,

With Christ in the vessel, I’ll smile at the storm.”

Yes! the Saviour was near, Christ was in the vessel, and He stilled the storm of fear in that mother’s heart, and it became calm.

After four hours of close work, her young daughter returned home tired and hungry. Did she feel greatly concerned at the thought that there might not be any dinner? No! for the peace of God which passeth all understanding had garrisoned her heart, and kept it in peace. Was there any dinner at home? Yes! On this particular occasion one of the Lord’s dear ones, not rich in this world’s goods, had been His ministering servant. Blessed ministry! Do you know anything of its blessedness, my dear young reader? “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10.

The family dispersed again, refreshed and strengthened, with grateful hearts to the Giver of all good. Did God ever forget to fulfill His promise? Never! Faith was tested, and the table seldom spread with luxuries; but the children grew up to be living proofs of “His faithfulness.” The Lord blessed the labors of their hands, so that they were able to make that same dear mother comfortable in her old age. And her training and teaching was blessed to them, so that she had the joy of seeing, them all soon brought to know and confess the Lord while still quite young.

He Is Faithful

“The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

This is a very strong expression, and a very simple expression, and a very blessed expression. The thoughts of the Spirit of God, and the thoughts of the Apostle were not that we should be brought to know the things of heaven, of God, and of Christ, and then mar our walk by intercourse with the things of Sodom and Gomorrah. But this was His thought, “May your spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.” (Verses 23, 24).

Paul does not speak of taking the law of sin and death out of our members. He does not say that He sets us in a place where we shall have no more conflict. He does not speak of taking us out of the wilderness; but he does speak of this grace which shall preserve us blameless. He does speak of God finding us blameless in that day.

As to Paul’s own walk, he was fully persuaded that Christ would be magnified in his body, whether by life or by death, and when he thus said that he was positive that Christ would be magnified, he did not have the idea of being blameworthy in his own particular walk. No! This word is to strengthen the hearts of the children of God. It is He who has called them, and He will do it.

Is God going to keep you blameless? Then, mind, you are to overcome! Mind, you are not to flag! You will overcome, because He will keep you blameless. I see God putting Himself forward, saying, “I am the Person who will keep you blameless unto that day.”

Mary at the Sepulcher: John 20

In John 20 we have a Scriptural illustration of affection for Christ; Mary Magdalene came early, when it was yet dark to the sepulcher. she did not wait for sunrise, but while nature was still shrouded in darkness, her affection hastens to the only spot on earth that had an interest for her—the grave of her Lord. O what a character this stamps upon the earth, it was the grave of Jesus! Beloved reader, has the world this character to you?

Now observe, the Person of the Blessed Lord was engaging the affections of the heart of Mary, and hence, how could she domicile where He was not?

Not so with Peter and John. Having satisfied themselves that the sepulcher was empty, having carefully examined the empty grave, and had seen the garments of death left behind by the mighty Conqueror who had risen out of them, they returned to their own home. But look at Mary. She has no home, and in more ways than one did this devoted woman stand “without;” for not finding her Lord, she was truly without home, or cheer, or solace in her sorrow, a broken-hearted woman whom none can comfort; and yet it is a lovely sight, to see her in all her genuine personal love for Christ, standing weeping, stooping down, and looking into His grave!

Ah! Is this not rare—the spirit of it I mean—in these days? If I were asked what is the characteristic feature of the present time, what should I say? If I spoke the truth, I should say, “Heartlessness as to Christ.”

Is it nothing to you, dear young reader, that Christ is rejected, and cast out by the mass? O! is it not very little thought of, and lightly esteemed? The absence of affection accounts for the little loyalty there is to the Lord Jesus. How few hearts are really true to Him! It is not possible to drill them into it; and mere knowledge cannot secure it. There is no lack of information as to Christ and His interests, yet it is a dry, cold thing, because it is not Christ. The question for the moment is, “What think ye of Christ?”

Another truth of exceeding beauty may be seen here, namely, How genuine affection gauges everything—measures everything. To Him whom she thought was the gardener, she says, “Sir, if thou hast borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Observe, she does not say who it is, but “Him;” gauging everyone’s thought by her own; and as her thoughts were full of Him, she supposed everyone else was like herself! Alas! how little of this we find in ourselves or around us!

Observe too, how her affection was the gauge of her ability. “I will take Him away.” If she had reasoned or calculated, she might well have hesitated, ere she proposed such a task; but affection never calculates; its power or ability is itself.

Now the moment has come for Jesus to make Himself known. What a moment for Him—for her! He fulfills John 10, and “calleth His own sheep by name,” and she answered to John 10, “My sheep hear My voice.” He gives her to hear her name from His own very lips— “Mary!”

What a scene it is! The history of the nurse garden, its blight and sin, all reversed. The history of the first garden, with a fallen man and woman driven out by the hand of God, is closed at the cross of Jesus, and here in this second garden, we find a risen Man and a redeemed woman, whose affection for His Person the blessed Lord appreciates at such worth, that He commissions her to be the bearer to His disciples, of the most wonderful tidings that human lips ever announced, “Go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father and your Father; and to My God and your God.”

May the Lord awaken in the hearts of His people, such true self-judgment as will lead to more whole-hearted devotedness, at all cost, to His Person, honor and interests!

Out of Touch

Only a smile, yes, only a smile

That a woman o ‘erburdened with grief

Expected from you; ‘twould have given her relief,

For her heart ached sore the while;

But weary and cheerless she went away,

Because, as it happened, that very day

You were “out of touch” with your Lord.

Only a word, yes, only a word,

That the Spirit’s small voice whispered “speak”;

But the worker passed onward unblessed and weak

Whom you were meant to have stirred

To courage, devotion and love anew,

Because when the message came to you,

You were “out of touch” with your Lord.

Only a note, yes, only a note

To a friend in a distant land;

The Spirit said “write”, but then you had planned

Some different work, and you thought

It mattered little. You did not know

‘Twould have saved a soul from sin and woe,

You were “out of touch” with your Lord.

Only a song, yes, only a song

That the Spirit said “sing tonight,

Thy voice is thy Master’s by purchased right”;

But you thought, “ ‘Mid this motley throng,

I care not to sing of the city of gold”—

And the heart that your words might have reached grew cold,

You were “out of touch” with your Lord.

Only a day, yes, only a day!

But O, can you guess, my friend,

Where the influence reaches, and where it will end,

Of the hours that you frittered away?

The Master’s command is “Abide in Me”:

And fruitless and vain will your service be,

If “out of touch” with your Lord.

“Without Me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5.

Correspondence: Matthew 13:30; Father/Son Creator?

Question: Could the scripture be applied now where it told the angels at harvest time to go and first gather the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into My barn? Does the wheat apply to Israel? Matthew 13:30 W. A. R. R.

Answer: The kingdom, in its present form, extends from Pentecost till the Lord comes for His saints.

There are many associations, both secular and religious. that might be spoken of as “bundles” of tares, but the wheat is mixed in with them. The wheat here is not Israel, but all who are the Lord’s now; those who are cleansed from their sins and sealed by the Holy Spirit. When the Lord comes, He will gather them all into His granary. After that the angels will be called to do their work, (see verses 39, 41, 49).

The fishermen in verse 48 are the servants in the present time who understand what God is doing, not saving the world, but gathering out of it those who compose the body of Christ. They know that the gospel of the grace of God, that is preached now, gathers these only, and these are the good who believe the gospel to the salvation of their souls. The bad though, in the net, were only nominal Christians, that is, without being born again.

Question: Is it right to say that the Father rested from the work of creation? Was not the Son the Creator? P. B. E.

Answer: In Genesis 1:1 to 2:3. God is Elohim, a word that here stands for the whole Godhead, The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

In the work of creation, or in the work of redemption, all are engaged. It is the Father’s will, the Son’s work, and the Spirit’s power and witness. While the Son, or the Word, is ever spoken of as the Creator, all are involved in what is done by Him. So in Genesis 2:3 God rested, that is, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, but when sin came in, that rest was broken. It is said by the Lord Jesus, in John 5:17, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” Therefore the Jews sought to kill Him, because He not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (Col. 2:9). We are not slighting the Father, to say that the Son created all things. (Col. 1:15-17.) It is the best way to keep as close as we can to the language of Scripture.

That Is How I Know It

A young husband was saved, and great joy and peace filled his soul, and also an intense desire that his young wife might be saved. One evening he wanted her to go to a gospel meeting, but there was a baby, and this was the difficulty.

She said to him, as he urged her to go, “You could not take care of the baby, it is so young.”

He said, “If you will only go I will mind it.” After she was gone, he got down on his knees and pleaded with God to save his dear wife.

He felt assured in his heart that his prayer would be answered. He said, “I fully expected her to come home saved.” Faith honors God, and God honors faith.

Soon his wife returned, her face beaming with joy, and her Bible in her hand. She said to her delighted husband, “I am saved!” Opening her Bible she pointed to John 5:24, and said, “And that is how I know it.”

Yes, she had the assurance of her salvation.

What was it—her happy feelings? No. Her repentance? No. Her being sorry for her sins? No, none of these gave her assurance. What did then? Something far better than all these put together—it was the words of the Lord Jesus, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

Can you say like her, “I am saved, and that is how I know it”? God’s unchanging eternal Word of Truth is a sure foundation to rest upon.

How to Get the Blessing

Christ, glorified at the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens, is presented by God to the whole world as the object of faith.

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time, His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Rom. 3:26.)

“Faith cometh by hearing” (or, a report), “and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom. 10:17.)

God presents salvation in His word in the simplest manner possible for all. You may have it either by looking, hearing, coming, or taking.

Look.

“Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” (Isa. 45:22.)

Hear.

“Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live.” (Isa. 55:3.)

Come.

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

Take.

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

Could God make it more simple? Reader, will you be simple? Whether you look unto Him in the glory, hearken to His voice, come unto Him with your burden, or take His free gift, it is faith in each instance, and God says you are saved.

Will you take Him at His word?

Christ “was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 4:25; 5:1.)

Look!

“Look unto Me, and be ye saved.” (Isa. 45:22.)

“They looked unto Him, and were lightened.” (Psa. 34:5.)

“Looking (off) unto Jesus.” (Heb. 12:2.)

“We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 3:20.)

Look back, and trace the loving hand

That’s been thy guide and stay,

When fierce the trial pressed on thee,

Thy strength was as thy day.

Look up, there sits upon the throne

Thy Saviour, Lord and Friend,

The grace, that has sustained till now,

Shall keep unto the end.

Look off, from everything below,

Naught here can satisfy,

There’s One, who died thy soul to save,

Exalted now on high.

Look forward, but a little while,

And thou shalt reach the goal;

O, then, what joy unspeakable

Shall burst upon thy soul!

Look back, once more, and see by faith

The One who on the tree

Endured the judgment which by right

Had all been borne by thee.

For thee He drank the bitter cup,

Forsaken by His God,

When, as thy Substitute, He paid

Thy ransom with His blood.

Look up, and see Him on the throne,

Accepted there for thee,

God fully glorified, and thou

As spotless seen as He.

His presence there is God’s receipt

Of all thy mighty debt;

Behold His signature, and learn

How God can sins forget.

Look off, to Jesus then, for so

Will strength be hourly given,

To walk as pilgrims here below

Until we rest in heaven.

His love’s our banner, and His grace

Our joy and strength shall be,

Till in His presence we appear

And all His glory see.

Look forward, Christ will surely come

According to His word,

And in a moment we shall rise

To greet our Saviour Lord.

The destined hour cannot delay,

This year may see it come,

O! Jesus Lord, what joy to know!

That Thou wilt bring us home.

Scripture Study: Acts 2

In this chapter we get the coming of the Holy Spirit to dwell in redeemed men, and with the assembly, or church, on earth. We have seen it figuratively in the Old Testament, (as in Exo. 15:2, 13, 17) in the tabernacle, and in the temple at Jerusalem, and God dwelt among them in the pillar of cloud. Also God visited Adam, Abraham, Joshua and others; but in this chapter God comes actually to dwell in and with His people on earth. The atoning work of His beloved Son on the cross, has made it possible, and believers, ever since Pentecost, have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them forever (John 7:39; Eph. 1:13; 4:30; Rom. 8:9.) We cannot now pray for the Holy Spirit to be sent, for He has already come, and is here. Here to lead and to teach His people the deep things of God (Rom. 8:14; 1 Cor. 2:10, 12; 1 John 2:20, 27.)

The great sin of Christendom today is, that they do not recognize His presence, and by their human arrangements, set Him aside. “The day of Pentecost,” this leads us back to the feasts of Jehovah in Leviticus 23. The Passover (ver. 5) points to the death of Christ.

The wave sheaf (vs. 10, 11) points to the resurrection of Christ; and notice, it was waved on the morrow after the sabbath, that is, the first day of the week, what we call the Lord’s day (Rev. 1:10); for Christians, not being under the law, have no sabbath, but they have the Lord’s day, a day to use for the Lord.

Then we count from the wave sheaf (ver. 15) fifty days, that is, Pentecost, and again on the morrow after the sabbath we find a new meat offering offered, two wave loaves baken with leaven. This is the type of the church, though the church is a redeemed people, yet it is baken with leaven. (There is no leaven or honey in any type of Christ [Lev. 2:11], leaven is a type of evil.)

This assembly is formed by the descent of the Holy Spirit upon them; by this they are baptized into one body, and are also builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 2:22.) It is in the epistles written through Paul that these truths are unfolded. 1 Corinthians 6:19 is the individual believer; 1 Corinthians 3:16 is the whole house together.

Verses 1-4. We have seen the believers together in prayer and supplication since the Lord went on high (1:14), and here on the fiftieth day, the first day of the week, they were again all with one accord in one place. Suddenly a sound is heard as of a mighty wind. It came from heaven, and filled all the house where they were sitting, and there appeared unto them divided tongues as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, or languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

This was not like the dove descending upon the Lord Jesus, but, as we can see, it was for testimony. It testifies to their redemption, and also is their power for testimony for Christ. What a contrast from under the law (as in 1 Kings 8:11), where the priest could not enter into the temple because of the glory, but enter into Himself has come to dwell in men redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. Under the law, the high priest never went inside the veil with the garments of glory and beauty on (see Lev. 16), but now, the sound of the golden bells around the skirt of His garments of glory and honor, tells us of the acceptance glory and fruit of His work done on Calvary’s tree, and of the place prepared for His redeemed ones there with the blessed Son of God, a Man in the glory with the Father.

The judgment of God fell on Babel when men confederated to make themselves a name to forget God, but now the grace of God makes them speak with tongues, or languages, intelligent to all those from the different countries who were present, and a plain indication that the gospel is to all.

Verses 5-21. The pious Jews recognize what they say, as the wonderful works of God, though they were uneducated Galileans, It confounded and troubled them and made them ready to hear the testimony of the truth, and they say, “What meaneth this?”

“Others mocking”; it seems the Jews of Judea and Jerusalem say, “These men are full of new wine.” But Peter, standing up with the eleven, addresses them, “Be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.” Then he quotes Joel 2:28-32 not to show as if it was fulfilled, but to lead their minds to see that it was the outpouring of the Spirit, though in a different way, and for a different purpose. Joel will be fulfilled in the time of Israel’s restoration, but this was not on all flesh, but to form the church, or assembly, of God.

Verses 22-36. “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God among you by miracles and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know; Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it.” Then he proved by the 16th Psalm that David did not speak of himself, but, being a prophet, he spoke of Christ, for David is both dead and buried, and saw corruption, but David’s greater Son, who was to sit on David’s throne, was to be raised up, and to see no corruption. “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, ‘The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thy foes Thy footstool.’ Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made this same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Verses 37-42. This convinced many of them of their guilt, and they said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

Peter’s answer is ready, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Holy Spirit, for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” With many other words also did he testify and exhort, saying, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”

Here is God bringing good out of man’s wickedness; God’s love meeting man’s need at the very time when man’s enmity was declared in its deepest way: God bringing salvation to the rebel that would own his guilt, and baptism was the way to express it. It was submission to the One hitherto despised and rejected, and it was separation from the murderers. They were brought among the believers by being baptized, and thus forgiveness of sins was administered to them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (Compare John 20:22.)

How different are sheep in their feelings and behavior when shut up in a sheepfold, and when at liberty outside the fold following the shepherd into the green pastures and by the still waters! So is it with those now brought out of Judaism into the liberty of grace (compare John 10:3 with ver. 9). So we find those newly delivered ones continuing steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread and in prayers. The Lord, by His Holy Spirit given to them, feeds them, and leads them in this blessed liberty of grace. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.” This is not license to do what the flesh likes, but to be in subjection, ever careful lest we should grieve or quench the Spirit. So we get nothing to copy: there are no meetings described, no forms given us; we need to gather the mind of the Lord from Scripture for the occasion. We see in such a verse as 46, how we need to feed on the Word; and we are to remember the Lord; and we are to be together in prayer. So we should not forsake the assembling together of ourselves for these purposes, and each meeting would have its own character. The Holy Spirit, and the presence of the Lord, are there, but the presence of the Lord should engage us, and will, if the Spirit has His way.

Verse 43. Miracles and signs were needed then to confirm the word (Heb. 2:4). As they are not needed now, we do not have them.

Verses 44, 45 show us that these were a community, and still waiting for the King to come back from heaven. They were still on Jewish ground in their minds; they continued daily with one accord in the temple; their remembrance of the Lord in His death for them was daily, and they lived with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people.

The Lord added daily to their number such as should be saved: that means, the godly ones were brought in from among the ungodly Jews, as well as some who were newly brought to the Lord.

The Lord's Love

“Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.” (John 13:1.)

“The love of Christ, which passeth knowledge.” (Eph. 3:19.)

There’s nothing like Thy trusted love,

Lord Jesus, here below;

Its sweetness we would daily prove,

And all its fullness know.

Thy love has thought of every need,

Of all the pressure here,

And ever lives to intercede

Till we are with Thee there.

Christ, Our Judge

The Father has committed all judgment to the Son (John 5:22), and before Him every human being must stand, and give an account, as it is written, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10.

The Scripture teaches us of three great tribunals where men shall appear before Christ. “The judgment seat of Christ,” where His own people shall be manifested. (2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10.)

“The throne of His glory” on earth, where the living nations shall be gathered before Him— “the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.” (Matt. 25:31-46.)

The “great white throne,” where “the dead, small and great,” from land and sea, shall “stand before God.” (Rev. 20:11-15.)

The tribunal of the judgment seat of Christ, before which Christ’s own people shall be manifested, is the object of our present consideration. When this tribunal is set up, “the first resurrection,” that “of life,” will have taken place, and the saints shall be glorified. Hence with Christ, and made like Him, the people of Christ shall stand before Him, and thus at the very threshold of the subject the believer is privileged to dismiss all craven fear from the heart as he engages his thoughts with Christ, our Judge.

Let us note some of the words of Scripture which entitle us to approach this consideration without fear.

The believer shall not be judged at the great white throne.

Jesus has said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24.) These words of His occur in a discourse, which teaches us that every human being must have to do with Him, either as the Life-giver, or as the Judge. All men who are in their graves, He tells us, will be called forth by Him either to the resurrection of life, or to the resurrection of judgment (verses 28, 29), but those who hear His words now in the day of salvation, and who have Him as their Life, shall not come into judgment. These will be reckoned among the “blessed and the holy... who have part in the first resurrection.” (Rev. 20:6.) Over them “the second death hath no power” (verse 6), and Christ, our Life, has Himself told us “they are passed from death unto life.”

Our future destiny depends upon our having, or our not having, Christ as our Life in this world. The dead who will be assembled before the great white throne will be judged, every man, according to his works, and unless we have eternal life, we can only have part in the second death. Is Christ our Life? If not, our works, though, as men would speak, good, are but dead works. All such works will be utterly unavailing before the great white throne. Is Christ our Life? Then our name is written in the book of life. “Not come into judgment,” “never perish,” are words that give confidence, for to come before the great white throne is but to perish.

God’s perfect love gives boldness in the day of judgment.

The Scripture further assures us that God’s perfect love casts out fear. “Herein is love with us” (margin) “made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17.) We are God’s children, and as is Christ, who has borne our sins and is ascended on high, so are we. We are granted the most absolute assurance as we contemplate judgment, for Christ Himself in glory is presented to us as the measure of our confidence, for as He is, so are we in this world. Unless we are resting in Christ our Life, and in the love of our God and Father, we shall be unable rightly to contemplate judgment; nay, we shall be filled with fear as to the eternal future, instead of being anxious that we now may be acceptable to the Lord.

We can only touch upon this great theme, and will suffice ourselves with a few words on work and ways.

Rewards will be granted.

In ordinary things we use the idea of a judge both towards criminals and towards competitors, both in respect of sentencing to punishment and of awarding prizes. Competitors occupy a very different place before their judge from criminals before theirs; competitors occupy a worthy place. The believer will never stand as a criminal before Christ, his Judge, but rather, if we may so express it, as a competitor for His “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Yet the prize of His approval shall not be given as the prizes of earth are awarded, to merely a few who have excelled their fellows, but to all who have pleased their Lord. A cup of cold water given to a disciple of Christ in Christ’s name shall not lose its reward in that day. Jesus will not forget one single act of love done in His name. The question is, Is Christ pleased? On the other hand, very much that is recognized on earth as good Christian service will be utterly rejected in that day. “Every man’s work shall be made manifest... and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” (1 Cor. 3:12-15.) Some “shall receive a reward”—some “shall suffer loss.” The bad workman shall be saved—the bad work shall perish; “He himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.” The good workman’s good work shall “abide.”

We may say, without the remotest lack of charity, that very much of so-called Christian work is not intended for lasting purposes. Eternity, not to speak of the Master’s pleasure, does not enter into the question of very much religious effort. The Lord says, “I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should abide.” (John 15:16.) Hence, the Christian should seek that His work may be pleasing to his Master and Judge.

Motives and secrets shall be manifested.

Many of us are so very insignificant as servants of Christ that we are almost apt to forget the importance of our little work before Him. But it is not merely as servants we shall stand before Him, we shall be manifested as to our ways. Each one shall have to give an account of himself to God. We are transparent to Him now—we shall be transparent to ourselves then. In this light of His presence we shall see ourselves as He sees us. There shall be no secrets then. All shall be out in the light of His holiness. The most holy Christian is he who is most truly walking according to the light, and is shone through and through by the light; And what shall be our own sentence on ourselves and our sins in that day? We can be righteously severe upon the sins of others now, but then we shall judge ourselves truly. There will be none of the unholy excuses in our hearts then, which so often now are advanced to cover some wrong doing or saying; no, we shall view ourselves with the eye of our Lord. Yet, there will be no fear, for His perfect love will cast out fear as we review our past. We shall be in the glory, and shall be glorified with Him on that day, but we shall bow according to His perfect judgment.

The Christian should keep the reality before his soul, of the coming day, when Christ will be his Judge, for when faith dwells upon it the contemplation induces to godliness, righteousness and truth.

The tribunal of the throne of His glory shall be set up on the earth when He comes again “in His glory” to establish His rule over this earth, for He shall reign in righteousness, and shall “send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity.” (Matt. 13:41.) Then He will reign the King of Jehovah upon His holy hill of “Zion.” (Psa. 2:6.)

The tribunal of the judgment of the great white throne will occur after “the earth and the heaven” have “fled away; and there was found no place for them.”

Eternity, as we speak, shall have begun then for the sons of men. The “resurrection of judgment” shall have taken place; this world and its concerns shall be then things of the past, and for those who have lived and died without Christ, judgment shall usher in an eternity without Christ, for “whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

No Time for Jesus

“What, could ye not watch with Me one hour?” Matthew 26:40.

No time for Jesus! The One who loved you so,

That He left heaven’s glory, that you God’s love might know;

He gave His life a ransom, on the cross of Calvary,

That you by trusting in Him, from sin might be set free.

No time for Jesus! And yet you say you know

That you belong to Him; yet never do you show

To poor lost souls the way to heaven,

Nor how their sins may be forgiven.

No time for Jesus! The place where He does meet

His saints, and gives His presence sweet,

Does not know you. At home you stay,

Content to go your selfish way.

No time for Jesus! nor for the hour of prayer;

The only way to escape the tempter’s awful snare.

With business cares you’re taken up,

Or deep you drink of pleasure’s cup.

No time for Jesus! nor for His precious Word,

Which tells you how to live for Him, your dear and loving Lord.

Yet hours you spend on books galore,

Which only wean you from Him more.

No time for Jesus! Yet time you find to spend

For children, home, and loved ones, and pleasures without end.

But when it comes to service for Christ, your Lord the King,

You say you are too busy; you cannot do a thing.

No time for Jesus! If this is true of you,

There’s no reward awaiting but for faithful service true.

You will be saved, “just as by fire,” and heaven simply gain,

Because you trusted Jesus, the Lamb for sinners slain.

No time for Jesus! O, child of God, awake;

The bridegroom’s surely coming, the hour is growing late,

The Word commands you, not for yourself to live,

But “unto Him,” who did for you His life so freely give.

Love to God's Word

David, with all his faults, was a man after God’s heart; he rejoiced in God, and trusted God, even when God’s rebuking hand was upon him. And how David loved the Word of God! Love to God and love to His Word go together. “More to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb,” he declares the words of God to be; better than wealth, sweeter than the sweetest things of earth.

A well-marked Bible, used in the time of trial, is a voice which speaks earnestly. Such an one lies before us. Almost the whole of the sacred book seems to have been read, but wherever some especially gracious or encouraging word occurs there is to be seen the pencil mark. This Bible has been used as food, as strength, it is evident; it has been resorted to frequently for guidance, for help. Some specially loved texts are penciled out upon the flyleaves, and a sweet testimony of love to God’s Word do they unfold. Yes, this Bible speaks, and, through the love its owner bore to it, the precious words of God come with a fresh power to our heart.

Whose was this little Bible? Was it the prized treasure of some preacher of God’s Word, or of some hoary-headed minister? O no, it was the possession of a young schoolgirl, whose short course on earth is now ended. But that Bible, through grace, enabled that young girl to live a useful Christian life, and to die a noble Christian death.

Make much, very much, of your Bible. Live by its rules, live upon it as upon food. Read it for yourself, so that it shall become experimentally your very own. A text that has entered right into the heart will abide there forever. A young Christian was lamenting to us the other day she could understand so little of the Bible. Do not be disappointed at such a discovery—go on reading it, praying over it, and believing it, and by-and-by you will understand it, or as much as God pleases you shall understand.

Encouragement for One in Trying Circumstances

Read Job 3; Jeremiah 20:14-18; Matthew 11:25-30, in connection. The Spirit of God in the above scriptures has furnished us with a very striking and edifying contrast.

“Job opened his mouth and cursed his day.” He sighed for rest, but sought it amid the shades of death, and in the darkness of the tomb. Dismal rest!

In the prophet Jeremiah we see the same thing. Both these beloved and honored saints of God, when overwhelmed by outward pressure, lost for a moment that well-balanced condition of soul which genuine faith ever imparts.

Now, the blessed Master stands before us in Matthew 11 in glorious contrast.

That chapter records a number of circumstances which seemed entirely against Him. Herod’s prison would seem to have shaken the Baptist’s confidence. The men of that generation had refused the double testimony of righteousness and grace, in the ministry of John and Christ Himself.

Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum had remained impenitent in view of His “mighty works.” What, then? Did the Master take up the language of His servants, Job and Jeremiah? By no means. His perfect will was perfectly blended with that of His Father; and hence, “At that time (when all seemed against Him) Jesus answered and said, I thank Thee, O Father... for so it seemed good in Thy sight.” Here it was that Jesus found His rest. And here it is that He invites “all who labor and are heavy laden,” to “find rest.” He does not point us to the grave as our resting place; but He graciously stoops down and invites us to share His yoke with Him—to drink into His “meek and lowly” spirit—to bear about a mortified will—to meet the darkest dispensations, and the most trying, circumstances, with a “thank God,” and an “even so.” This is divine “rest.” It is rest in life, and not in death; rest in Christ, and not in the grave.

Reader, do you ever find yourself disposed to wish for the grave, as a relief from pressure? If so, look at the above scriptures. Think of them, pray over them, and seek to find your rest where Jesus found His, in having no will of your own.

We often think that a change of circumstances would make us happy. We imagine, if this trial were removed, and that deficiency made up, we should be all right. Let us remember, when tempted to think thus, that what we want is, not a change of circumstances, but, our eyes turned away from self, to the blessed Lord who ever gives us the victory, and then we shall enjoy peace.

“Thanks be unto God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57.

Fragment

Our path through the desert is strewed with countless mercies; and yet, let but a cloud the size of a man’s hand appear on the horizon, and we at once forget the rich mercies of the past in view of this single cloud, which, after all, may only “break in blessing on our head.”

The Good, Great, and Chief Shepherd.

As the good Shepherd, the blessed Lord died for His sheep. “I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.... As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.... I give unto My sheep eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” (John 10.)

As the great Shepherd He rises from the dead to watch over with tender care, and to fold in His everlasting embrace, the flock for which He died. “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Heb. 13.) As the chief Shepherd He will gather around Himself on the bright and sunny fields of eternal glory, all His under shepherds, and place upon their heads a crown of glory as the answer of His love for their care of His sheep and lambs. “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (1 Peter 5.)

Correspondence: 1 Tim. 3:16; Matt. 9:37-38 and Luke 10:2

Question: Did God preach to the Jews? 1 Timothy 3:16 says, “Preached unto the Gentiles.” P. B. E.

Answer: The point of the passage is to bring before us that the mystery of godliness was great indeed. “God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

Yes, He was preached to the Jews, and they rejected God’s message as a nation, then God turned to the Gentiles, and gave them also eternal salvation. (See Acts 11:18; 13:46-48; 15:3, 7, 12; 28:25-28; Rom. 1:16.)

Question: “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37, 38; Luke 10:2. Say something about this verse. S.

Answer: In both places where this verse is found, the needy souls are just round about the Lord and His disciples. We are to pray to Him to send workers into His harvest. We can have fellowship with Him in His sending them. This we see in Acts 13:2-4. There is no ordination of ministers in Scripture. We are to pray the Lord to send them. This praying with them, and laying their hands on them, expressed fellowship and interest in their service.

The assembly might send money to the poor, and messengers to carry it, as was done in 2 Corinthians 8:18-23, but that is not sending evangelists to preach. Such must go as sent by the Lord. The brethren may see that the Lord is sending them, and show their fellowship in prayer, and by communicating to them the necessary means, but they should feel their authority for going is the Lord Himself in answer to their heart’s desire, “Here am I; send me.” Isaiah 6:8.

We see the first preachers of the gospel outside of Jerusalem after the Holy Spirit was sent down, in Acts 8:1-5. It was by a storm of persecution they were scattered and sent. They had to go, and they went everywhere preaching the Word. They had no appointment; they needed no license. They were dependent on the Lord, and He provided for them. Paul preached immediately that he was converted that Christ was the Son of God (9:20). A minister set over a congregation is foreign to Scripture. Paul had apostolic authority, but he could not send laborers, except it was their will to go (1 Cor. 16:12), but he did exhort Archippus to take heed to fulfill his ministry (Col. 4:17) which the Lord had committed to him. For one not to do this would be serious loss to the Lord and to us.

Each one of us has some service to do for the Lord, and it begins just where we are. We might well ask ourselves, Are we doing it? If you cannot serve the Lord now where you are, you could not serve Him anywhere else. Do we speak to souls about their salvation now? Do we tell them of the love of Christ and of God now? Then the Lord will guide us where He wants us to be to do His work.

We need to be much in prayer that we might be guided aright. Begin now, cultivate a heart given to praying always. He will help you to help others also.

Then I Must Be Saved

One day I was thrown unexpectedly into the company of a young farmer, when our conversation turned upon the inconsistencies of professing Christians, which evidently stumbled him. To bring matters to a personal application, I told him my hope, that the Lord Jesus would soon come from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel and the trump of God, and after that every man shall be given a reward according to his work; adding, that the coming of Christ might take place even while we were talking together. The young man was much impressed with the thought of Christ’s coming, indeed, he almost allowed himself to be too late for the business he was going to engage in at the next town, in his anxiety to hear more of the subject. As we parted, I pressed upon him the reality that the Lord might come for His saved ones ‘ere he reached his destination, and said, “If not saved, what would then become of you?” He hung his head and walked away.

I met the same young man some months afterward, and asked if he remembered our conversation, and he immediately replied that it had never been out of his mind.

“Are you saved?” I inquired, and he answered,

“No.” A long conversation followed, but my young friend had not yet his eyes opened. Again some time elapsed, when I found myself sitting with the young farmer and his wife.

It was a winter’s evening, the day’s work was over, and the Word of God was opened. We read and commented upon many precious passages, which show how God in His infinite mercy has provided a way of salvation for man who is ready to perish, and that faith in Christ, the Saviour is the only way by which a sinner can be saved. It seemed passing strange that for two hours we talked together, none of us growing weary, and yet the light had not shone into either of them. I was just about to give up, when one other passage like the lightning’s flash came into my mind. These are the words, “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself; he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you, that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:10-13.) I turned to the young man and said,

“Look at this 13th verse. You say you believe?”

“Yes, I do,” he answered.

“Well then, God, by His Spirit, says, ‘These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.’”

“Then,” said he, “I must be saved!” “To be sure you are,” I answered. “Yes,” he said again, “of course I am.” His wife said, “Do you see it, Charley?”

“Yes,” he said, “I do. It’s only believing.”

From that moment he was satisfied, and his heart overflowed with joy, and he abundantly proved the reality of it by his subsequent life. Dear reader, do you see it also? Do you believe on the name of the Son of God? Then you have eternal life. But if not, why not?

What a Savior Jesus Is!

In the Lord we have redemption,

Full remission in His blood,

From the curse entire exemption,

From the curse pronounced by God;

What a Saviour Jesus is!

O what grace, what love is His!

Sweet His name, that name transcending

Every name on earth, in heaven;

Praise, through ages never ending,

To the Son of God be given!

He alone the Saviour is,

Everlasting praise be His!

Repentance Towards God

Do not think, dear reader, that, in having presented the gospel thus simply, repentance is forgotten. Faith and repentance go in one yoke. It is very clear that no one can be saved without repentance; but it is faith in Christ, as we have seen, and not repentance, that saves. “God... now commandeth all men everywhere to repent,” (Acts 17:30).

The thoughts of thousands are astray upon this deeply important subject. Many have the idea that they have a great deal to do before they can be saved, and call their legal efforts to give up sin, and lead a moral and religious life, repentance; but this is rather a kind of penance.

Reformation Will Not Do for God.

Doing our best to please God now will not make up for a single shortcoming in the past, nor put away a single sin, any more than a man, trying to keep out of your debt at the present moment would satisfy you for a long-standing debt in the past.

Repentance is neither penance, nor self-improvement, nor reformation, nor self-justification; but exactly the opposite; namely,

the thorough judgment of self.

When a guilty sinner wakes up in his soul to the true character of God, and His wondrous goodness manifested in the unspeakable gift of Christ, he is led to self-judgment, the hatred of sin, and the loathing of the flesh. Having believed the Word of God, which condemns him. as a lost sinner, but tells him of a Saviour who came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10), he sets to his seal that God is true, owns he richly deserves the lake of fire, and accepts Christ. And the fuller his knowledge of that blessed One henceforth, the deeper will be the repentance in his soul.

All May Come

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

This is perfect grace; no restriction; no setting the Jew in the foremost seat of honor. But “Come unto Me all ye that labor.... and I will give you rest.” It is without condition or qualification, if the needy but go to Him. “Come unto Me” – “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

Scripture Study: Acts 3

The Holy Spirit, in this chapter, through the miracle performed upon the lame man, leads Peter and John to put before the people their terrible guilt in crucifying the Lord Jesus, the Servant of the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the Holy One, and the Just, the Prince of Life, whom they denied in the presence of Pilate when he had determined to let Him go. They desired a murderer in preference. Now, as the risen and glorified One, whom God raised from the dead and glorified, His power was manifest in this man who healed was a cripple from his birth, being perfectly Peter and John disclaim any power or holiness of their own in this. It was the power of the NAME of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, through faith in His name, that had made this well-known man strong. The faith which is by Him had given him this perfect soundness in the presence of them all.

We must notice in this chapter that it is not calling individuals to own the name of Jesus Christ in order to receive remission of sins, and the Holy Spirit; or to separate themselves from the untoward generation, as in chapter 2, but it is to all as a nation, and Peter alluding to Jesus’ words on the cross, says, “Now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.”

The offer is given that, if, as a nation, they would repent, Jesus Christ as Lord and King would return at once, and fulfill all the unfulfilled prophecies given by the mouth of all His prophets since the world began. It was prophesied that the heavens, after His sufferings on earth, were to receive Him till the time of the restoring of all things, of which they had spoken, had taken place.

Jesus Christ was the prophet Moses spoke of, and judgment would come upon them, or any who would not hear Him. They were the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with their fathers, through Abraham, “In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.” It was to them first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus (that is, in His life time), sent Him to bless them in turning each one of them from their iniquities.

Let us now look over the chapter, reading it carefully.

Verse 1. Peter and John are going to the temple at the ninth hour—the Jewish hour of prayer. The Christian prays always (Eph. 6: 18), and everywhere (1 Tim. 2:8).

Verse 2. The temple, outwardly beautiful, has a witness lying at the gate daily of their helpless poverty before God. (Ex. 15:26.)

Verse 3-5. This cripple begs of Peter and John.

Verse 6. Peter and John, God’s witnesses, “poor in this world, but rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom” (James 2:5), said, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

Verses 7-9. “He took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he, leaping up, stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God.”

Verses 10, 11. They knew the man, and were filled with wonder and amazement, and as the man held Peter and John, the crowd gathered around them, greatly wondering.

Verses 12-16 bring Israel’s sin before them, in rejecting Christ, and also God, who raised and glorified His Servant Jesus.

Verse 17. This is an answer to the Lord’s prayer in Luke 23:34.

Verse 18. The sufferings and rejection of Christ, which were foretold in the prophets, are at this time fulfilled. (Isa. 53; Psa. 22.)

Verses 19-26. They were called to repent and be converted, that their sins might be blotted out, (not “when,” but) so that the times of refreshing might come from the presence of the Lord; and Jesus Christ would come back and set up His promised kingdom.

We may wonder how then the church could be called out? God knew that they would not repent, but as we saw in Acts 1:6, 7, He still waits in long-suffering till Israel’s rejection of Christ, was completed not only while He was on earth, but till they fully manifested their rejection of Him as the glorified One at God’s right hand. We shall also see in Stephen’s testimony and murder, how completely the nation of Israel were now under Satan’s power. Jehovah said unto His Servant Jesus Christ, “Sit Thou at My right hand till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.” Psalm 110:1.

Israel shall be brought to repentance before their blessing as a nation can come. This is God’s way; Jeremiah 18:7-11 illustrates it. So it is now also for individual Jews or Gentiles before they can be saved— “Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21.

Rest

Made for Thyself, O God!

Made for Thy love, Thy service, Thy delight;

Made to show forth Thy wisdom, grace and might;

Made for Thy praise, whom veiled archangels laud;

O strange and glorious thought, that we may be

A joy to Thee!

Yet the heart turns away

From this grand destiny of bliss, and deems

‘Twas made for its poor self, for passing dreams,

Chasing illusions, melting day by day;

Till for ourselves we read on this world’s best

“This is not our rest!”

Nor can the vain toil cease,

Till the shadowy maze of life we meet

One who can guide our aching, wayward feet,

To find Himself, our Way, our Life, our Peace;

In Him the long unrest is soothed and stilled,

Our hearts are filled.

Extracts of Letters as Subjects for Prayer

Yeung Kong, Canton Province, China, Dee. 4th, 1920.

Dear Brother:—

All of you, in the land we have left behind, have great cause for rejoicing in the remarkable answers to your prayers that we are finding. We especially asked prayer, that being unable to speak, we might have grace to live Christ. How much that prayer has been answered, God alone knows: but we can say, some twenty have been gathered to Christ’s most blessed name. The joy of it is immense, and the love that is shown is touching.

Besides the twenty now breaking bread, there are seven more desiring to partake.

There is one for baptism, a young man who comes and spends a good deal of his time at my house. I have urged him to get some kind of employment; but getting employment is not always easy. Perhaps we may employ him to take care of the meeting house. This is new, that is, new to us. We rented it last week for $7.00 a month. It is a native house, with the usual large reception hall, where over a hundred people can sit, and it has eight other rooms. In one of these, Mr. Choi lives, along with Mr. Taam. Mr. Taam is very active in spreading the truth. Mr. Choi was introduced by him, and baptized a month or two ago. He is elderly and although so recently baptized, you would think he had been a Christian many years. He has assumed the care of the flock most naturally, without any human being, as far as I know, even suggesting it to him, doing the work of an elder. This is remarkable, for one of the charges they bring against me is that I do not believe in elders, and certainly I do not believe in the imitation kind that the churches of this day produce.

Were it not for these two men, the work here could not, humanly speaking, go on. There are several others who are very valuable, but I will not enlarge. Continue to pray for us. We greatly need it. It is a work far beyond my brightest expectations.

The day after tomorrow (D. V.) I purpose to go to Tong Wai, a market town some few miles away, where there are eight people waiting baptism, and waiting to form a little meeting.

You understand these people have almost no knowledge beyond belief in the death and resurrection of Christ; after baptism they come out of the water so happy, and at once one sees evidence of the work of the Spirit. It is something altogether so new to me, that I have followed trembling, so to speak.

Your affectionate brother in Christ.

J. L. Willis.

Since the above letter was written, further information tells us that there are now forty breaking bread.

The Spanish "Messages of Love": Part 1

For the information and encouragement of the many friends of our little Spanish “Messages of Love,” who have shown such substantial interest in it, this brief summary of the work has been written. To it are added some of the numerous letters which are constantly being received from those to whom the paper is sent. (2 Cor. 9:10-15.)

Less that two years ago the publishing of the “Messages of Love” in Spanish was begun again, after it had been discontinued, as those having it in hand were unable to go on with it. At that time one thousand copies were being sent out weekly, to forty receivers, twenty in this country, and twenty in Mexico and South America. When the work was taken up again, it was decided to send the paper out monthly, and during the first eight months, two thousand per month were sent out, and the next eight months, four thousand per month. The demand for the little paper kept on increasing, so that the third issue amounted to six thousand copies per month for eight months. The next issue, which it is hoped, D. V. will be ready by May, will be ten thousand copies per month.

The cost of publishing and distributing the papers has been met by money sent in by different gatherings, and individuals in fellowship, and hitherto has always been sufficient to cover the entire cost and a little over.

The paper is now being sent to 47 persons in the United States, and to 70 persons in foreign lands—mostly missionaries. Mexico, Central and South America, West Indies, Hawaii, Canary Islands, Spain and Morocco are among the countries now receiving them. These missionaries are too poor to pay for the paper, and give it as freely as they receive it.

Letters are constantly being received from those to whom the paper is sent, expressing much appreciation and gratitude, and in most cases asking for more, so that we can see that hands are being stretched out in these lands of comparative darkness, ignorance and superstition, for the little paper, and there is thus an ever-widening field for the sowing of the, precious seed in this way. Very many earnest Christian laborers are only too anxious to get all they can, for use in their different fields of labor, and it is surely a privilege to be able to furnish it to them.

The advisability of issuing the paper weekly instead of monthly, has been under consideration, and of course, if this should be decided upon, the cost would be considerably more than at present. The harvest is great, and the laborers few. The effort may be small, as viewed in the light of the vastness of the field, but the hearty welcome accorded the little paper wherever it has fallen into the hands of lovers of the truth, may well stimulate in the hearts of those who have the Lord’s interest at all at heart, an interest in its publication.

Guatemala City, Guatemala, C. A.

Dear Miss Ulrich:

We have recently received two packages of fifty each, of “Mensajes de Amor,” for the months of March and April. Many thanks for them. We appreciate them very much. Except for the “Manzanas de Oro” (Apples of Gold), we have no literature for the children in the Spanish language, and to my mind your paper fills a very real need. It is so good also for personal work in evangelizing, and I would be most pleased if you can continue the grant you make us, and increase it if possible.

We have started recently the “Liga Uno Por Día” (One a Day League), which consists in giving at least one tract a day, trying to lead people to Christ; and we need many good evangelistic tracts. The distributors are much encouraged, and we hope to do a great work that way.

Praying God’s richest blessing upon your great work, I am
Very sincerely yours, E. D. H.

Arequipa—Peru, South America.

Dear Madam:

I was most delighted the other day to receive a roll of “Mensajes de Amor,” and I should be very grateful for any quantity however small or however great, you could make me a grant of. I am using vast quantities of sound tracts.

Gratefully yours, J. W. S.

Puerto Cabello, Venezuela,

South America.

My dear Sister in Christ:

When I was in Caracas last week, a brother gave me a copy of “Mensajes de Amor,” but he could not tell me how you sent it, so that I take the liberty of writing to ask if you could send us a hundred monthly?

We are here in connection with work done in the Lord’s name, and we have all the States of Carabobo and Yaracuy to ourselves, and have nine missionaries, who give all their time to the Lord’s work, and one colporteur. We have also four missionaries working in the Federal district.

The Lord is blessing the work wonderfully here, and we have never seen the fields so bright. There are open doors on every hand, and a thirst for good gospel literature.

With Christian love and greeting, I remain
Yours in His love and service, W. W.

Translated from Spanish.

Rosario, Argentine, S. A.

Dear Sister in Christ:

I acknowledge with deep gratitude the fifty “Messages of Love,” which you have so kindly sent me. I have confidence in God, our Heavenly Father, that He will greatly bless this precious seed, which in the name of the Lord shall be sown, accompanied by our prayers, and watered by our tears.

As to the work about here in this vast country, we preach in the open air during the whole year. The ground is hard, but thanks to God, He enables us to raise our weak voice to announce the good news of His grace, and from time to time, He concedes to us the great privilege of seeing some souls at His feet, to receive pardon and peace, with the precious gift of God, life eternal in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This year God has been working. In November we visited a small town, an hour and a half’s journey from here. We met there a soul who had been blessed of the Lord, who received us into his house. The same day we had a meeting in the midst of this vast country of farmers, followed by visits nearly every Sunday. Now there are eight families, large and small, rejoicing in the Lord.

Your brother in Christ.

P. G. S.

Barquisimeto, Venezuela,

South America.

Dear Sister in Christ:

We are in receipt of two packages of the precious little paper, “Mensajes de Amor,” and we do truly thank you so very much for them. We like their simple message so much for this simple people, and shall always welcome them.

Our work here in Barquisimeto is only a little over a year old, we felt the call of God on us for six years before we obeyed His call to us, and in answer to this disobedience we have to hear the words many times: “Why did you not come sooner?” They cannot understand why we did not come sooner, as long as we knew that they were in idolatry, but we are suffering this cry, because of our disobedience.

God has already called out a very goodly company from idolatry and image worship, to serve a living God. In fact the quarters in which we are, are beginning to be too crowded, and we are looking to Him for further direction.

We do thank you so much for your prayer for this needy, neglected field, and may He continue to put real prayer of the Spirit on you for this needy field.

With Christian love to you, from both my wife and myself, I am
Your brother in Christ’s service,

G. F. B.

Algeciras, (Cadiz) Spain. Dear Sister:

‘Ere the year closes we desire to send on a note of thanks for the packet of “Mensajes de Amor,” which have been received by us month by month. They make a fine, interesting paper for young people, and are appreciated by those who receive them; we also post a few copies to isolated believers’ families, and others interested in the gospel; today I am sending several copies to a Spanish family living in Morocco—parents are believers, also the eldest daughter, but there are several young ones in the family. We believe in sending round the printed work for young and old. It is still the power of God unto salvation to all who believe.

Perhaps an indication of how the above came to a knowledge of the truth might be an encouragement to you in your work for the Master. Through the testimony of a believer here, her neighbor (wife of a Carabinero) became interested in the gospel, and finally through hearing the word explained in little informal meetings held in the sister’s house, and visits made to her in her own, she professed faith in the Lord Jesus. Sometime afterward her husband was moved to a district, some six or eight leagues distant, where there were several other families of Carabineros. Well, the good woman did not seek to hide her light, but spoke freely to the others of the Lord Jesus Christ, being able also to introduce one or two Bibles amongst them. The Sergeant’s wife, especially, seemed interested. Then there was a visit from a colporteur, who sold to the Sergeant a Bible, and had quite a little meeting in his house, telling out the glad tidings of full and free salvation. Later the Sergeant was moved from one place to another, until they arrvied at Cartagena, where gospel work is carried on. By this time he was a Lieutenant. Whether they had made profession of faith in the Lord Jesus before, or after reaching Cartagena, I at present do not definitely know, but I understand their testimony there was good. In these days of “small things” in gospel work in Spain, we thank God for encouragement such as the foregoing offers; it should be a stimulus to believers to “let their light so shine.”

Accept of our hearty greetings for 1921; may you be abundantly blessed and encouraged in your service for the Master, and “Mensajes de Amor” be the means of carrying blessing and salvation to many hearts. If you could spare a few more copies, we can find a useful channel for the same.

Yours Gratefully in the gospel,

J. R.

San Francisco, Javierr 34, Santa Cruz, Tenerife,

Canary Islands.

Dear Sister in the Lord:

Having seen a copy of your “Mensajes de Amor,” I was very much impressed with it, and would like some more copies. In fact I have been hunting a paper similar to it for free distribution among the people here, especially at our regular services. The attendance at these services is from 100 to 150, and we need literature for them.

Our work just having been founded this spring, is meeting with more than expected success, and we are having to turn away pupils from our day school for lack of teachers.

One thing we are short of is tracts, gospels, Testaments, and Bibles. If you can spare any, please send them along. It would be a pity to let this most important part of the work suffer for lack of literature. We can use all that you can send. The people are very eager to get something to read, as they have very little literature, so if we can give them the gospel story, so much the better.

Hoping to hear from you as quickly as possible, and praying God’s richest blessing upon your labors for Him, I am,
Yours in the Lord’s Island service,
F. C. M.

San Francisco, Javier 34,

Santa Cruz, Tenerife,

Canary Islands.

Dear Miss Ulrich:

Your letter and also the “Mensajes de Amor,” later, were received and we thank you very much for them. It is indeed encouraging to know that those in the homeland are willing to stand behind us, who are trying to fight the Lord’s battles on the frontier. O, how anxious we are to push forward, and it does seem so slow sometimes. We realize, however, the greatness and difficulty of the task, and try to be patient and submissive to His will.

The “Mensajes” are just what we have been needing to distribute at our Sunday night meetings. I am sure God will bless the reading of them. The people accept readily all the printed pages we give them, and read them eagerly. You see there is very little good literature in Spanish, and besides the people are too poor to buy what there is, so they have been going without. It is a joy to us to be able to help them in this way.

May God bless you in the publishing of the paper and all your work for Him.

Yours in His happy service,

F. C. M.

Suited Affections

In the progress of the Apocalypse we see John moved by different affections. He trembles in chapter 1:17; he weeps in chapter 5:4; he wonders with great wonder in chapter 17:6; he loses himself in worshipping delight in chapters 19:10, and 22:8.

That is, he trembles in the presence of the judicial glory of the Son of Man; he weeps at the sight of a sealed book, which, had it been unsealed, would have told secrets about Jesus; he marvels at the sight of Christendom’s apostasy; he loses himself in joy when he hears of the marriage of the Lamb, and when he sees the Bride of the Lamb.

What suited affections! What creations of the Holy Spirit in the soul of a saint! He never trembles, after the One who was alive tells him not to fear. He that had the keys of death and hades encourages him: and that, surely, is enough for us.

Not Your Own!

“Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.

“Not your own!” but His you are,

Who has paid a price untold

For your life, exceeding far

All earth’s store of gems and gold.

With the precious blood of Christ,

Ransom, treasure, all unpriced;

Full redemption is secured,

Full salvation is assured.

“Not your own!” but His by right,

His peculiar treasure now;

Fair and precious in His sight,

Purchased jewels for His brow.

He will keep what thus He sought,

Safely guard the dearly bought;

Cherish that which He did choose,

Always love and never lose.

“Not your own!” to Him you owe

All your life, and all you love;

Live, that ye His praise may show,

Who receives all praise above.

Every day and every hour,

Every gift and every power,

Consecrate to Him alone,

Who has claimed you for His own.

Teach us, Master, how to give

All we have and are to Thee;

Grant us, Saviour, while we live,

Wholly only Thine to be.

Henceforth know our calling high,

Thee to serve and glorify:

Ours no longer, but Thine own—

Thine forever, Thine alone!

Mary Sat at Jesus' Feet

A Few Remarks on Luke 10:38-42.

How little, beloved brethren, do we enter into the Word of God! In these busy days it is well to remind one another of meditation in it. We complain of the want of growth in the saints; but if you stint yourself in your sustenance, how can you expect growth? We are like children playing with farthings, who think they are sovereigns. Our time is occupied with other things.

Some of us are travel-stained and weather beaten, and others entering somewhat freshly on the path; but if any of us look back, can we not say that we did not know when He first touched us—where He would lead us? Christ is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. There is no distance between the sinner and Christ—He who, as we sometimes say, could lay His hand on the leper, and not be defiled, but remain the spotless, stainless Son of God.

We see Him here with one sitting at His feet, and we shall find her again at His feet in other places. There may be “many things” that engage us, the Lord’s interests too, but they may all be taken away. And we shall not regret it. But one thing, His word, shall not be taken away. “One thing is needful.” Martha was caring about the Lord.

Did Mary know, as she sat at His feet, where He would lead His follower? Let us look at the eleventh of John, verse 32, “Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying unto Him, Lord if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” She has deepened in acquaintance with Him. But Christ had not come to apply a remedy. Death was there, and death is beyond all remedies. And it was the state of man. God never mends anything, He leaves it to man to mend things. He will not mend this poor earth, He will have new heavens and a new earth. And it is nothing to Him—He can speak a world into existence. He entered into their sorrow—He wept; but it was at more than that, it was at the universal pall spread over everything.

In the twelfth of John we see her again at His feet, with the precious ointment. She is silent, but He speaks for her— “Against the day of My burying hath she kept this.”

May we so enter into His word, that when we are together, the ointment may be there.

I Am the Shepherd True

I was wandering and weary

When the Saviour came to me,

For the paths of sin were dreary,

And the world had ceased to woo me;

And I thought I heard Him say,

As He came along His way—

“Wand ‘ring souls, O! do come near Me,

My sheep should never fear Me:

I am the Shepherd true!”

At first I would not hearken,

But put off till the morrow;

But life began to darken,

And I was sick with sorrow;

And I thought I heard Him say,

As He came along His way—

“Wand’ring souls, O! do come near Me,

My sheep should never fear Me:

I am the Shepherd true!”

At last I stopped to listen;

His voice could ne’er deceive me.

I saw His kind eye glisten,

So anxious to relieve me;

And I was sure I heard Him say,

As He came along His way—

“Wand ‘ring souls, O! do come near Me,

My sheep should never fear Me:

I am the Shepherd true!”

He took me on His shoulder,

And tenderly He kissed me;

He bade my love grow bolder,

And said how He had missed me;

And I was sure I heard Him say,

As He went along His way—

“Wand’ring souls, O! do come near Me,

My sheep should never fear Me;

I am the Shepherd true!”

I thought His love would weaken,

As more and more He knew me;

But it burneth like a beacon,

And its light and heat go through me;

And I ever hear Him say—

As He goes along His way

“Wand ‘ring souls, O! do come near

Me, My sheep should never fear Me,

I am the Shepherd true!”

Correspondence: Meaning of Luke 14:26

Question: What is the meaning of Luke 14:26? O. C.

Answer: Verses 16-24 show us that salvation is provided by God, as a free gift of grace to whosoever will.

Verses 24-33 is discipleship. It is following Christ, this costs us everything, that is, we own that we and all we have belong to Him. He is our object to live for. Our parents, our husband, or wife, our children, our estate, our servants, our very life is His, and at His disposal. This we see in Ephesians 5:22 to 6:9; and in Colossians 3:18 to 4:1.

Refusing to give them the first place, by putting Christ first, and owning His claims paramount, is hating them. They naturally come between us and Christ.

The believer is dead with Christ; that takes him out of all that he was as a man in the flesh. On this ground, a man owns nothing. Then he is risen with Christ, and now He gives him back all he has to love and care for for Him. An unconverted man is ruled by self, so the man in verse 20, says, “I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.”

Redemption puts me on new ground, where I own through it, Christ’s claims on all I have and am. (Ex. 13:13.)

What Then?

A young man came to an aged professor of a distinguished university with a face beaming with delight, and informed him that the long and fondly cherished desire of his heart was at length fulfilled—his parents having given their consent to his studying law. As the university presided over by his friend, was a distinguished one, he had decided to attend its law school, and was resolved to spare no labor or expense in getting through his studies as quickly and as ably as possible. In this strain he continued to tell his friend for some time. When he paused, the old man, who had been listening to him with great patience and kindness, gently said, “Well, and when you have finished your career of study, what do you mean to do then?”

“Then I shall take my degree,” answered the young man.

“And then?” asked his venerable friend.

“And then,” continued the youth, “I shall have a number of difficult and knotty cases to manage: shall attract notice by my eloquence, and wit, and acuteness, and win a great reputation.”

“And then?” repeated the professor.

“And then!” replied the youth, “why then, there cannot be a question but what I shall be promoted to some high office in the state, and I shall become rich.”

“And then?”

“And then,” continued the young lawyer, “then I shall live comfortably and honorably, in wealth and respect, and look forward to a quiet and happy old age.”

“And then,” repeated the old man.

“And then,” said the youth, “and then—and then—and then I shall die”

Here his venerable listener lifted up his voice, and again asked with solemnity and emphasis, “And then?”

Thereupon the inspiring student made no answer, but cast down his head, and in silence and thoughtfulness retired. The last “And then,” had pierced his heart like a sword—had darted like a flash of lightning into his soul, and he could not get rid of the impression it had made on him. The result was, an entire change of his mind, and the whole course of his life. Abandoning the study of law, he received the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, settled the question of where he would spend his eternity after he would leave this life, entered upon the service of his Lord, and expended the remainder of his days in the ministry of the Word of God.

Not of Works

Nothing can be plainer in the Word of God than that we are saved apart from our works altogether. There are four kinds of works spoken of in Scripture, and manifest on all hands, which all alike shuts us out from God; namely:

Wicked works. Self-righteous works.

(Col. 1:21.) (Titus 3:5.)

Law works. Dead works.

(Gal. 2:16.) (Heb. 9:14.)

Ephesians 2:9 distinctly tells us that it is

“not of works,

lest any man should boast.” Again in Romans 4:3, we read, “For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But

to him that worketh not,

but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness

without works.”

And again, in Titus 3:4, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have

done,

but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

We are not saved by works, but by one work, and that

the finished work of Christ.

“This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.” (John 6:29.)

Neither are we saved by our works and Christ, nor by Christ and our works, but by Christ alone. Good works, acceptable to God, are the fruit and evidence of faith in Him. “Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17.) Faith produces good works to the glory of God.

Scripture Study: Acts 4

What the flesh is in its enmity to God is seen in this chapter, contrasted with the grace of God shining out in the words and behavior of the apostles. Peter has just given a fresh offer of pardon to Israel. The answer is the arrest of the apostles by the priests and captains of the temple; and the Sadducees, who are vexed that they teach the people of the resurrection of Jesus which proved that there will be a resurrection of the dead, (1 Cor. 15:12, 13), contrary to their doctrine (Acts 23:8). The healing of the lame man displayed the power of God with the apostles, and the priests were jealous, lest it weaken their authority. They were the synagogue of Satan of that day (Rev. 3:9), the thieves and robbers of John 10:1, assuming an authority in opposition to God, and they cast the apostles into prison for the night, thus for the time stopping the preaching of the Word, but they cannot stop the work of grace in men’s hearts, for many believed the Word of God, for it was not bound, making the number about five thousand. There is no hope of Israel’s repentance now, for the leaders are trying to stamp out the name of Jesus, and the power is in their hands, so the servants must be as their Master—sufferers for the truth.

The next day these self-appointed judges come together to do what they can to destroy the story of God’s forgiving love, and to resist the power of the Holy Spirit, with all the power of Satan. The apostles, Peter and John, are set before them, and are asked, “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, “Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we be this day examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye have crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

What courage of faith, given by God, is now seen in these servants, by the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. They do not resist the enemy, but they will obey God, and they tell forth the story again with calmness and boldness, as kept in dependence, the Holy Spirit speaking through them. (Luke 12:11, 12.)

Nothing is seen in those rulers but willful blindness, madness, hardness of heart, and lack of conscience. They could not deny the miracle; it was the work of God, yet they try to hush it up. Their office was in danger, their authority was fading away. The power of God was outside of the temple and the priests. It was now with the apostles and the assembly. These men feared the people but did not fear God. They were adversaries, and consciously ranged themselves up in opposition to God. They were the builders who rejected God’s corner stone.

They marveled at the boldness of Peter and John, perceiving that they were unlearned and ignorant men, but they recognized that they had been companions of Jesus, and there is the healed man, standing with them. What can they do? They commanded the apostles to go out of the counsel till they confer, and though it was all so plainly of God, yet they will command them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, and threaten them.

Again the apostles speak. They do not boast, but they will speak of their authority, it is from God. “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye, for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” What courage of faith! What obedience! Not terrified by their adversaries, but sanctifying the Lord in their hearts, as Peter wrote to believers afterward (1 Peter 3:14, 15). They were sustained and kept by the power of the Holy Spirit.

What a state for Israel! God is no longer found among them; they rejected their Messiah; the Kingdom is now postponed. God will fulfill all His promises to them, but it will be after the assembly is gathered, and taken to heaven. Then He will gather Israel again in pure grace, working repentance in them for their past sins. Now they are put aside, though still separate from the Gentiles.

Verse 21, They further threatened them, and let them go, because of the people, for all glorified God for that which was done.

Verse 23. So now they return to their own company, and report all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. Then they unburdened their souls, and strengthened their hands in God, with one accord lifting up their voices to God. Here we find with them the power of the living God. They said, “Lord, Thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: who by the mouth of Thy servant David hast said, ‘Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ.’ For of a truth against Thy holy Servant Jesus, whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered, for to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy word, by stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Thy holy Servant Jesus.”

They quote the 2nd Psalm for the rejection of the Messiah, but they do not ask for the establishing of the Kingdom, but for grace and boldness to speak the word, and that God’s hand in power may witness that the word is His.

Then God manifested His presence with them, and the place where they were assembled, shakes. His presence was with them, and He also dwelt in them. They were born of the Spirit, too. We can see these things distinguished in Scripture.

It was a wonderful display of God’s power, and we see those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither said any of them that what he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common, and with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all. A wonderful time when the love of Christ was uppermost in every heart. None lacked, all were supplied, and many sold their estates, and laid the money at the apostles’ feet. Barnabas, a Levite, of the country of Cyprus, is specially mentioned here as one who did this.

The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer, but it is also to be desired to be filled with Him, that He may be the source of our thoughts, and that what we may do, might be done in dependence, and that our hearts might be filled with the fruit of His presence, and that as we are called on, we might confess the Lord faithfully before men. In principle, this blessed state belongs today to every Christian. May we earnestly seek to let the Holy Spirit fill us with Christ.

Fragment: How to do Business

It has been said that a Christian ought so to do business as though, not his own name, but the name of the Lord Jesus Christ were on his sign over his door.

“Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” Colossians 3:17.

Whatever may be our lot in life, we must recognize that we are left here for the interests of Christ, and these commanding our hearts and minds, we serve Him in whatever He gives us to do.

Extracts of Letters as Subjects for Prayer

Yeung Kong, Canton Province, China,

Feb. 26th, 1921.

Dear Miss T.

Your kind gift of 45 Gospels in English and Chinese, reached us a short time ago, and I am anxious to thank you for them, and to tell you how useful they will be. We all teach English, more or less, and as soon as possible read the Scriptures with the pupils. I have a nice class of little boys, 7 or 8 coming daily for an hour. I also teach one little girl to read, and she also learns to knit. My daughter is beginning a class for some girls out of some of the wealthy homes. She understands a good deal of Chinese now, and has arranged that the English lesson shall be followed by reading the gospels in Chinese. These girls belong to heathen homes, where the shrine, with its incense burning daily to the devil, is the most honored part of the house.

I often think of the words in Revelation 2:13, “I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is.”

All through this immense country with its millions of inhabitants, Satan is exalted, feared, and worshiped. And there are only such a few followers of Christ, to worship and exalt Him. It makes one feel, first of all, so glad to remember, that a day is coming when He shall be Lord of lords, and every knee shall bow to Him.

Secondly, it makes one feel how careful we should be to show forth His praise now, in the midst of the darkness, endeavoring to be “epistles of Christ, known and read of all men.”

While living on our houseboat last summer, we saw those on the boats around us worshiping the moon, even kissing their hands to it, as we read in Job 31:26-28; also in Jeremiah 44.

At another time we saw the “Devil’s feast” going on around us. This is a feast in honor of the departed spirits; great feasts are prepared, and the spirits are supposed to eat the “spiritual” part, (Has pork, rice, or duck a spiritual part?) then the remainder is eagerly devoured by the relatives. The next performance is to burn paper garments, furniture, food, even people, as this is supposed to provide the loved ones with all necessary things. All the shore around us was lighted up with those bonfires, and quantities of firecrackers were sent off. Later on we saw a good sized ship, covered with burning incense sticks; it was a mass of light, and sailed up and down that part of the river until the early morning. This is worship directly addressed to the devil, in the hopes that he will treat the departed spirits well. I can assure you, I never before felt such an intense realization of a personal devil.

But we have much to encourage us, in spite of often very difficult times. Thirty or more men have been baptized in the last six months, and though we are anxious about some of them at times, the majority show undoubtedly, by their ways, and even by the expression of their faces, that there is a real change from darkness to light.

I will tell you of our Sunday program: Breakfast at 7:30 (7 other days) “Che Chop,” or family prayers, at 8, a number of strangers come also to this. Sunday school for boys at 9, this morning 40 were present, and you would have enjoyed hearing them sing:

“Ye-so oi ngoh, ngoh chi to,

Yan yan Shing-Shue tin ngoh kong.

Ngoh ch’aai hoi t’ai shuk kwai k’ui,

Ngoh sui uen-yuek Chue k ‘eung-ehong.

Hai Ye-So oi ngoh,

Shing-Shue tin ngoh shoh kong.”

(“Jesus loves me,” and so on.)

Then they readily learned a verse of Scripture, and we sang, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

At eleven we have the Breaking of Bread at the Gospel Hall, and though it is all in Chinese, and I must confess to not understanding a single word, still one feels the Lord’s presence with us in a marked way. Several of the young men accompany us home, and enjoy singing hymns, or reading the Scripture until our dinner is ready.

At 2 P.M. is a meeting for women and girls, which our daughter, Dorothy, takes. Last Sunday we had about 50, and the women especially, listened with intense interest. It is hard to imagine how ignorant and superstitious these poor women are, as they are never taught anything While every boy “learns characters” (to read), his sister is forced to grow up in ignorance. One little slave girl said, when Dorothy tried to teach her a text, “I could not learn anything, I’m stupid, fit to kill.” Many of them have not even a name.

Well, at 3 P.M. Mr. Willis has a meeting in the Gospel Hall, and from 4 to 6, we generally have many visitors, and more Bible reading and singing. At 7 we close the day with Che Chop again.

The meetings in our house are held in our large reception hall, which is the prominent feature of every Chinese house. It has plain brick walls, and a brick floor, but we have texts of Scripture up, and plenty of benches and chairs, and judging by the numbers of people who come to see us, it proves attractive. The women are more easily reached in their own homes, and sometimes send over for Dorothy to come and see them. She has one interesting little woman whom she often visits. She can read, and is intelligent. She begged for a gospel, but when we saw her again, she said, “I cannot understand it, I can read the characters all right, but I do not know what it means.” Then she begged Dorothy to come often and “tell it to me, so I can understand.”

We thought of the old hymn,

“Tell me the story simply, as to a little child.”

It is hard to keep their attention for more than a few minutes at a time. They break in with all kinds of questions, such as, “How old are you?” “Why aren’t you married?” “Do you ever brush your hair?” “Why is it that color?” “How much rent do you pay?” “What wages do you pay your cook?” and so on.

Your heart would go out to the little slave girls; many parents sell their little girls when very young, and they have a hard life. You see such mites of children, with big heavy babies strapped on their backs, and if, in pity, you bestow a card or a cake, it is at once given to the baby. Other tiny girls are carrying two pails of water on a pole, or great baskets of rice. It is not considered any sin to ill-treat these children. One woman said to Dorothy, “Yes, I killed a monigi (little slave) once. She seemed to have no shame. When they get old enough, they are married off; the bridegroom’s parents paying $75.00 or $100.00 for a wife.

Our adopted baby was a “cast out,” she is a year old now, and toddling about everywhere, and trying to say words in both Chinese and English. She is a very bright, lively, attractive baby, and makes many friends, too many for her own good, as they always present cakes, which are hardly suitable for a young child. China might be called, The land of cakes. They are, nearly all made of rice flour, and some of them are very nice, especially a kind baked very hard, with chopped nuts and fat pork in the center. I am afraid you do not think my description inviting, but when fresh, they are really very nice. We learn to eat a good many things here, which we might not fancy at home. At a feast you will have, bird’s nest soup, shark’s fins, fish skin stewed with sugar, ancient eggs, (these are buried for 3 years), frogs, duck chopped up with bones and all,” and so on.

Well, I have written a long letter, but I feel sure—you must love the same Lord Jesus that I love, and also that you must take an interest in our work or you would not have sent such a beautiful present.

Perhaps you will answer this letter; you do not know what letters mean to us, so far from home. My intercourse, you see, is confined entirely to my husband and daughter; my knowledge of Chinese being very slight.

With love in the Lord.

Believe me,
Yours in Him,

Anna F. Willis.

The Spanish "Messages of Love": Part 2

There may be some who are wondering why so much effort should be given to the circulation of gospel periodicals in South America, but a brief survey of the prevailing conditions, immediately reveals a unique and far-reaching opportunity.

One of the receivers of our paper, “Mensajes de Amor,” writes from Lima, Peru: “All the South American republics are characterized by a very low density of population, and most of them are possessed of very extensive territory. The facilities for travel and communication are in many cases extremely deficient. The problems of travel are incomparably difficult. The task of reaching the people personally, either for evangelization or ministry, is hopelessly beyond the powers of the available staff. Distances are so great, travel is so tedious, and often dangerous, and the sympathetic proportion of the population is so small, that the cost, time, and labor could, even at the best, bring a disproportionally small return, save in certain favored districts.

“The itinerant evangelist must be replaced in South America, to a large extent, by the itinerant postman. A considerable percentage of the population is illiterate. But in every community there are many who can read, and it is the custom that such a person read for the family. In very many places they get so little reading matter which invites their interest, that they are reading hungry. A little detail from life will illustrate this. There are farms and village homes of which I know, where work is suspended on the arrival of the monthly periodical, and those who can read take turns in reading aloud to the assembled family and friends, reading it through from beginning to end. There are places (they scarcely merit the name of hotels) in the interior, which have their mud walls papered with old yellow-stained newspapers, and I have repeatedly observed men stand reading the news and the advertisements of several years before.

“In the cities many who would not venture into a public Protestant meeting, can be fed and enlightened by the ministry of the printed page. When there is added to these circumstances, the consideration that the postal service, even if defective, reaches most places at least once a week, the opportunity of the gospel periodical in South America is seen to be unique in its greatness. If it lives up to its opportunity, it may fulfill the mission of the evangelist, and it may minister grace to many readers who otherwise will be almost destitute of ‘means of grace.’ It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believed in the days of Paul the apostle and He is pleased to save many in our time through the silent preacher—the printed page.

“The Evangelist may get a congregation of three hundred, but generally it is much less. If the periodical is sent to two thousand persons, it is safe to reckon that it has three thousand readers. The silent preacher, therefore, reaches with its message, in each issue, a larger number of individuals than many a preacher reaches in the whole course of a long and faithful ministry.”

Los Angeles, California.

My Dear Miss U.

A week ago I had a very enjoyable visit with your friend, Miss B—, at which time she permitted me to read portions of your letter to her, telling of the arrangement whereby our mission work was to receive fifty copies each of “Mensajes de Amor,” and of “Messages of Love.” I hardly know how to thank you enough for this splendid donation to our mission. Surely the Lord has been good to give us such friends at this time. As I told Miss B— these papers I thought the best we had ever been able to find, both in point of interest and the gospel note in every story or incident, and are particularly adapted to our work by backing the truth up with the Word. And it seemed the Lord providentially supplied this need at this time, as the work is opening up in different directions and we did not have the supplies or literature to meet the need.

You might be glad to know how the work was started. It began as a little Sunday School in “Dog-Town”, as they call it, our present location. Our work has continued to grow. Only recently after a ten days’ meeting, there were thirteen clearly converted Mexicans. Last night we concluded another two weeks of service. The Lord has greatly blest, and a goodly number have been clearly born again. One fine young Mexican man who feels called to preach, has greatly rejoiced our hearts. Last Saturday night five young people, twelve to fourteen years of age, prayed. Best of all, the Lord was present and there was great blessing upon all, and freedom of the Spirit. One lady was clearly converted during the class meeting. From this brief survey of the field, including four Sunday schools, you can see what your kind gift to us has meant. Best of all we know that you are one who will follow your gift with earnest, believing prayer for souls. This we need most of all—real intercession that brings down God’s blessing on workers and members.

With kind Christian regards, and sincere appreciation for your interest in this work.

Yours in the Master’s service,

B. H. P.

Alhambra, California.

Dear Miss U—:

I want you to know that I highly appreciate the “Mensajes de Amor” you have been sending me, and the Mexican people are glad to receive them. There is so much to be done among this neglected people. A thousand thanks for them. The Mexicans enjoy them so much.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

R. H. B.

San Antonio, Texas.

Dear Sister:

I am receiving a hundred copies of the Spanish “Messages of Love” monthly. I could easily distribute twice that many in the hospital and in houses. I thank God that He has made it possible for you to thus furnish this Literature. I ask an interest in your prayers.

Yours in Him,

E. C. DeJ.

Staten Island, New York. Dear Sister in the Lord:—

Thank you very much for the copies of the Spanish “Messages of Love.” I distribute them to the Spanish patients in the U. S. Marine Hospital, and to other Spaniards, here, and in New York City, and elsewhere. At the 4.1. S. Marine Hospital the Superintendent took me to the Spanish patients, and introduced me himself to them, and said that they were really good periodicals, and should be read. He also took me to those in charge, and told them to faithfully distribute them to the Spaniards. A Spaniard took some copies I gave him, and read them with tears in his eyes, and afterward put them in his bosom, and said he would send them back to Spain. I pray for you and these tracts. Pray for me in the Lord’s work, please. John 14: 14.

Your brother in Christ,

W. E. S.

Caracas, Venezuela, South America

Dear Miss U.

Would you be able to send me 3,000 or 4,000 tracts in Spanish for free distribution here in the Lord’s work? There is a great need of good, sound gospel literature in this land, and would be glad to receive any you might send.

Yours in His Service,

J. L.

What Is a Christian?

According to the Word of God, a Christian is one who, as a sinner in the presence of God, has learned and bowed to the truth of his lost condition by nature and by practice (Eph. 2:3-12; Luke 5:8); but who has learned also through grace, and believed, that his sins are forever blotted out through the blood of Christ (Heb. 9:14; Rom. 3:24); never more to be remembered (Heb. 10:17, 18.) That he is reconciled to God (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18), justified from all things (Acts 13:39), cleared from every charge (Rom. 8:33, 34), and now made fit for glory (Col. 1:12), having met God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:19), he is at peace with God, and happy in His presence (Rom. 5:9, 11), no longer looked upon as being in the flesh, but in the Spirit (Rom. 8:9; 2 Cor. 5:17); he is sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13; 2 Cor. 5:5), a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13), a child of God (Gal. 3:26; 1 John 3:1), an heir of God, and joint-heir with Christ (Gal. 4:7; Rom. 8:16, 17), and having died with Christ, he is brought into present association with Him, risen, in glory (Eph. 2:6), now in possession of a life (eternal life) secure (John 10:28, 29), and beyond the reach of every hostile power (Col. 3:3).

He is a priest separated unto God to serve now as a worshipper in the heavenly sanctuary, which the Lord hath pitched and not man (Rev. 1:6; Heb. 10:19; 8:2); delivered from the world (Gal. 1:4), to be separated practically from it (John 17:16, 17; Rom. 12:2); he is a citizen of, and belonging to heaven (Phil. 3:20); he has a bright future—eternal glory with God’s Son (John 17:24); the present object of his heart—Christ in glory (Phil. 3:14); the purpose of his present life—Christ (Phil. 1:21); his present hope—waiting for Him (1 Thess. 1:14; 1 Cor. 1:7), soon to see Him (1 John 3:2), and to be like Him (Phil. 3:21).

Is it not then a wonderful thing to be a Christian? And is it not a poor thing to be anything else, even in this world?

“What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11; 1 John 2:6; 4:17.)

Where Should We Look?

Read Psalms 73 and 77.

In Psalm 73, the soul looks out, And reasons on what it sees there, namely, successful wickedness, and suffering righteousness. What is the conclusion? “I have cleansed my heart in vain.” So much for looking out.

In Psalm 77, the soul looks in, and reasons on what it finds there. What is the conclusion? “Hath God forgotten to be gracious?” So much for looking in.

Where then should we look? Look up—straight up, and believe what you see there. What will be the conclusion? You will understand the “end” of man, and trace the “way” of God.

“When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.” Psalm 73:16, 17.

“Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary; who is so great a God as our God?” Psalm 77:13.

Fragments: Happiness in Trials

Be our trial what it may, rest assured He knows all about it, and will take good care of us in it, for

“His heart is filled with tenderness,

His very name is Love.”

If we want to be happy, we must be occupied with God and His surroundings; if we want to be miserable, we have only to be occupied with self and its surroundings.

Poor and Afflicted

“I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the Name of the Lord.” Zephaniah 3:12.

“Poor and afflicted,”—Lord we’re Thine,

Nor would we, Lord, in this world shine;

For, though the world may think it strange,

We would not, Lord, with it exchange.

“Poor and afflicted” we may be,

But, JESUS, we belong to Thee;

Thou hast redeemed us by Thy blood,

“Made us kings and priests to God,”

“Poor and afflicted!”—Is that our lot

Let thanks flow forth and murmur not.

Our path, Lord Jesus, do Thou choose:

To follow Thee, let’s ne’er refuse.

“Poor and afflicted?”—let us sing:

Who grace has brought, will glory bring—

Through sufferings, perfect—he doth know

To feel for us in every woe.

“Poor and afflicted!”—but ere long

We’ll join the bright celestial throng—

Our suff ‘rings then will reach a close

“E’er with the Lord,”—O blest repose!

Severe Blasts

“Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out.” Song of Solomon 4:16.

Some times God sends severe blasts of trial upon His children to develop their graces. Just as torches burn more brightly when swung violently to and fro; just as the juniper plant smells sweetest when thrown into the flames; so the richest qualities of a Christian often come out under the north wind of suffering and adversity. Bruised hearts often emit the fragrance that God loves to smell. Almost every true believer’s experience contains the record of trials which were sent for the purpose of shaking the spice tree.

Correspondence: Great Multitudes; Gen. 3:4

Question: Who are the great multitudes that no man can number? S. R.

Answer: Revelation 7 teaches us that God holds control of everything, and that His purposes of mercy towards His own cannot fail. This chapter is anticipatory, looking on to the Millennial reign, and shows us Israel as a nation saved. Then of all peoples and languages this great multitude comes, saved out of the great tribulation, as it should read. And for their faithfulness to the Lord at that time, they are given a special priestly place before the throne of God, and to serve Him day and night in His temple. That is on earth, an earthly scene.

These are not the church, nor the heavenly saints. The twenty-four elders represent them. Nor are they the nations themselves that are afterward brought into subjection to Christ as King over all the earth. (See Psalm 72:11.)

They are like Ittai, the Gittite, who with hid company of converted Philistines and Cretans, shared David’s rejection, and get a near place to David, (2 Sam. 15:18, 19), and fight for him (18:2). They are led into perfect blessing on earth. (Ver. 16, 17.)

Question: What did the Serpent mean by saying, “Ye shall not surely die?” Genesis 3:4. P. B. E.

Answer: God had said to Adam, when He put him in the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it, before the woman was made, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

But in Genesis 3:1 the Serpent tries to make the woman think that God had withheld something from them that was for their good. The instruction she received was plain; she should not have given her ear to the Serpent, but she hearkened to his lie, and became deceived. When she saw that it was good for food, and pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also to her husband, and he did eat, thus they became sinners against God, and hearkened to the enemy, and death entered their veins that day, as God had said. It is the death of the body here that is meant, but the New Testament (Heb. 9) says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment,” but God gave witness in Enoch to His power to turn aside this sentence for the believer.

The woman was deceived, so brought in the transgression. Adam willfully transgressed.

“Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” 1 Timothy 2:14.

Ever since we find it easier in this fallen human nature to hearken to the enemy than to obey God. Man, left to himself, follows the lie of the enemy. Truly man became as gods knowing good and evil, but unlike the blessed God, he became a slave to the evil, that he knew. The believer now is by the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in him, to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God. 2 Corinthians 10:5.

It's All in the Blood

A man in the prime of life lay on his couch. Suddenly laid aside by sickness, from an active business life, and from a place of prominence in the church of which he was an esteemed member and office-bearer, he had time given him to think. Never before, in the days of health and religious effort, had he considered his own personal condition in the sight of God, or where he would go when earthly life was past.

On the Lord’s Day afternoon, a friend called to see him, and in course of conversation he said to the sick merchant, “I have more than once been at the very gate of death, and I cannot describe what peace I enjoyed at the prospect of meeting God, simply trusting in the precious blood of Jesus Christ as my only plea, my only title.”

The sick man raised himself on his elbow and said, “I have been thinking about the same matter a good deal of late. I feel I have not been sufficiently zealous in religion to enable me to say I can look into the future as you do. I would give all that I possessed if I could.”

“Religion is not a title to heaven, dear sir,” replied the Christian visitor. “Religion never gave anybody peace with God, or a title to His presence. The blood of Jesus Christ alone can do that.”

The sick man seemed bewildered. He had been accustomed to think that religion was the very best thing in the world, and that when people spoke of “conversion,” “salvation,” and “cleansing in the blood of Christ,” they simply expressed in that way, and according to their own peculiar creed, the same thing as he called “religion.” His friend saw his perplexity, and in order to take full advantage of it, to bring before him the gospel of God’s salvation, he said, “May I read you a short portion of the Scriptures,” to which he received a glad consent. The portion chosen was the twelfth chapter of Exodus, in which an account of the Passover, the sprinkling of the blood, and the safety of the firstborn are given. Commenting briefly on the verses, he said, “It was the blood shed and sprinkled, the blood trusted, and it alone, that gave safety to all within the houses that night. All under the shelter of the blood were safe; all outside it, no matter what their character, were doomed to judgment.” There was a solemn silence in the room as he finished reading, a silence which the visitor felt unwilling to break, as it seemed to him that God was working deep conviction by His Spirit through the Word, in the soul of him who lay at his side.

Sitting up, the sick man stretched forth his hand, and grasping the hand of the visitor, said slowly, with great emotion, “It’s all in the blood. I see it now, as I never did before. I have been trusting to my religion, and my own righteousness, but now I see clearly that my only title to salvation is in the blood of Christ.” The Christian bowed his head in silent thanksgiving to God, and at the request of the sick merchant, now filled with peace and joy, he bowed his knees and gave thanks to God for his deliverance and conversion. God raised him to testify to others of the precious blood of Christ, the sinner’s only plea and title to heaven.

How many think that religion is a saviour? How many are trusting to their own righteousness and good works to take them, or to help them into heaven, whereas God declares that the precious blood of Christ, trusted in by the sinner, is his only shelter from coming wrath.

Forgiveness and Justification

The sinner needs both forgiveness and justification. God alone can pardon and justify. Listen to His Word.

The Great Proclamation.

“Be it known unto you... that through this Man (Christ Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him, all that believe are justified from all things,” and so on.

Acts 13:38, 39.

My reader, if truly you do believe, you may know, on the authority of the Word of Him who cannot lie (Titus 1:2), that your sins are forgiven, and you are justified from all things. God says what He means, and means what He says. Take Him at His Word. Note carefully, it is not all that do, or work, or try, or feel, or hope, but all that believe. And does it add, “hope to be justified,” or “shall be justified if”? No; but, “All that believe are justified.”

Believe—Are.

They are inseparable. God linked them together, and all the power of Satan and man cannot rend them asunder. “It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth” (Rom. 8:33, 34). “All that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:39)—from all that you have been, or done, or are; from sins, iniquities, transgressions, offenses, failures, short-comings, all things.

“Little children... your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.” 1 John 2:12.

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

“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Romans 4:7, 8.

Peace

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.” John 14: 27.

“He is our peace.” Ephesians 2:14.

Jesus Saviour, Lord most holy,

Rich the portion Thou dost give,

We are Thine, possess us wholly,

Unto Thee we long to live.

Peace Thou leavest, peace Thou givest,

What a precious legacy!

This we know, because Thou livest,

Thou who diedst upon the tree.

Thou upon the cross wast lifted

Unto God to bring us nigh,

Now ascended, Thou art gifted

Every blessing to supply.

From the glory, peace Thou preachest,

Peace Thou madest on the tree;

Thus the anxious heart Thou teachest,

Evermore to rest in Thee.

More than this, exalted Saviour,

On the throne our Peace art Thou,

While reposing in Thy favor,

We in adoration bow.

But the peace which e’er Than knowest,

Resting in Thy Father’s love,

E’en on us Thou, Lord, bestowest,

Till we rest with Thee above.

There in peace, and there forever

Perfect peace and purity!

Not a flowing, changing river,

But a clear and crystal sea.

Scripture Study: Acts 5

If the flesh is allowed a place, it shows itself just the same in the Christian as it is in the world. Ananias with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. The two agreed to keep back part of the price, and to lay—part at the apostles’ feet, as if they had given it all. They wanted the reputation of whole-hearted devotedness, while gratifying their love of money. They did not consider that God, the Holy Spirit, was dwelling with them and in them, and that they were lying to Him. Each in turn lied to God, and each fell down dead. How solemn! This first sin seen in the church of God, receives its judgment at once, witnessing that God’s presence in the assembly was in power. How different now, though His presence is still in the church on earth and in every believer, but O! how grieved, how set aside He has been, and is, by men’s ways. Yet, He is faithful, wherever men honor His presence, to lead them and to guide them into all truth.

In the beginning, God gave the testimony against sin, and to the presence of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were filled with the Spirit, and all was done in His power. But the assembly of God has been unfaithful; He has been grieved, and we see no longer those actions which bore testimony to His presence.

Still He is with the church on earth. The word is, “He shall dwell with you,” and He is able to accomplish the will of God in His children now, as in the apostles’ days, though it may not be seen in the same mariner. He manifests His presence in the assembly, in those who depend on Him, and are filled with Him, though it is not shown outwardly in the fallen church, as when the assembly was in its first faithfulness. God changes not, His grace and power are the same, and are as available as ever for all that is necessary, and all that is suitable to the state of the church: and He still does all that is requisite for His glory and our blessing. May we keep it in mind, and not hinder Him by our unbelief.

This judgment that fell on Ananias and Sapphira caused great fear upon all the assembly, and upon all who heard these things; and the power of God, the Holy Spirit, wrought, by the apostles’ hands, many signs and wonders among the people.

Solomon’s porch was their large meeting place. They were there with one accord, and none others durst join them. The people magnified them, but the Lord used it to bring more to Himself—multitudes both of men and women. Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least, the shadow of Peter passing by, might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. Does this not remind us of John 14:12? It was truly great and wonderful, the works that the Lord Jesus wrought, also by the Spirit, but to see such works done by the Holy Spirit sent down from Jesus, exalted to the Father’s right hand, done through sinful, mortal men, His redeemed ones, is greater still. Yet He is the author of it all. Blessed be His worthy name!

But all this excited the envy and anger of the chief priests; the power and authority had passed out of their hands, and they were unwilling to own it, or to acknowledge it elsewhere. They could not prevent it, but they will do it if they can, so they, filled with wrath, arrest the apostles, and put them in the public prison, and God allowed them to do it.

This only makes a fresh display of God’s power, which they cannot hinder. This is not the Holy Spirit working in them, but God’s power sending His angel to open the prison doors. No bolts or bars could remain barriers to His will. The angel led them out, and said, “Go, stand and speak in the temple all the words of this life.” Obedient to the Lord, they go very early into the temple and teach. When the high priest and council and all the elderhood of the sons of Israel were gathered, they sent to the prison to have them brought. The officers returned and reported the prison shut with all security, the guards all in their places at the doors, but the prisoners were not there. This was most perplexing. What will all this come to? is the question in their minds.

Someone came and reported to them, “Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, teaching the people.”

The captain with the officers went and brought them without violence. They were afraid they might be stoned by the people. But Christians must suffer and bear their testimony.

Again the high priest accuses them of teaching in the name of Jesus, and filling Jerusalem with their doctrines, to bring the murder of Jesus against them. Peter and the apostles answer, “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit whom God hath given to them that obey Him.”

When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. Blinded by Satan, having committed one crime, they, goaded on to desperation by a guilty conscience, are ready to persecute the witnesses to death. Here again God works deliverance through the human wisdom of Gamaliel the Pharisee, who brings up the folly in several examples of fighting against God. God uses his argument to preserve His servants from the hand of their enemies.

They take the counsel of Gamaliel, their hearts are not changed, the enmity is still there, but they are afraid of more trouble to themselves; they know not what to do. They call the apostles, for they had put them out that they might confer together. They beat them and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. How terrible the condition of these blinded men.

But the apostles departed, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus Christ.

At Jesus' Feet: Luke 10:39; John 12:3

Silently the hours were passing,

As she sat at Jesus’ feet;

One blest voice all else surpassing;

Self is hushed in that retreat.

Wondrous place of lowly nearness

Mary chose with Him alone;

Lord, may we too know its sweetness,

Take her place to be our own.

At Thy feet, when grief’s dark shadow

O’er our desert pathway lies,

We shall find thee in the sorrow,

Thou wilt wipe the weeping eyes.

Jesus, Lord, though man despise Thee,

We would pour upon Thy feet

All the wealth of hearts that prize Thee,

Precious ointment, pure and sweet.

One there was, when man betrayed Thee—

Heaven records it to her fame

Who, for death, with cost arrayed Thee,

Loved Thee in Thy garb of shame.

Saviour, every crown in glory

Will be cast before Thy feet—

Feet that tell of Calvary’s story,

Tale of love divinely sweet.

Till that day, O, keep us near Thee!

We would at Thy feet abide,

While our voices rise to praise Thee,

Son of God, once crucified.

In the Twinkling of an Eye: 1 Corinthians 15:52

Never shall that night be forgotten, when these solemn words took firm hold of my soul. That Sunday night preaching was not the first occasion on which I had heard of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, but that night the Spirit of God applied the truth in soul-awakening power. Who the preacher was I know not; whether he be still alive, I cannot say. My thoughts were engaged, not with the preacher, but with the solemn truths he announced. Often since then have I desired to grasp his hand, and thank him for having been the means, in God’s mercy, of disturbing the slumber of indifference in which I lay. But we shall stand by-and-by on the plains of glory, and sing together the redemption song, “Worthy is the Lamb.”

Long since have the circumstances of that service passed out of my mind, if indeed they were ever remembered beyond the night itself. One great truth took possession of my soul, namely, The Lord Jesus Christ is coming back, and He will come in the twinkling of an eye.

Reader, these words are true! I felt them to be so. The Holy Spirit had applied the Word of God in power to my soul, and I began to feel the awfulness of my unconverted, and therefore unprepared, condition.

As I left that room my alarm was intensified. A strange and startling sight met my gaze as I looked up into the heavens. Never before had I seen such a display of the “Northern Lights.” Streaks of light were flashing across the sky, and the awful feeling pervaded my whole being that the Lord was just about to descend into the air. I clung closely to a Christian, by whose side I was walking, as though for greater safety, and said, tremblingly, “I don’t want to go to hell.”

“No,” was the reply, “it would be terrible to go there.”

By all this the Lord was opening my eyes to see my lost and needy condition, and before long I was able to rejoice in Christ as my Saviour and Deliverer from “the wrath to come.”

And now, dear reader, How is it with you? Are you ready for His coming? Perhaps you have Christian parents and friends as I had. What a terrible thing if the Lord were to come this day and translate them to glory, but leave you behind! Remember, it will be “in the twinkling of an eye.” I, in my ignorance, thought that those flashes of light in the sky were premonitory signs that the Lord was coming, but no such signs will take place before He comes into the air for His people, it will be “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” No time to prepare. If you are not ready, you will be left behind to undergo the awful judgments that shall fall upon the earth, and to “be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power,” when He shall return with His saints to execute those judgments (2 Thess. 1, 2).

O, friend, turn not a deaf ear! Treat not this appeal with careless indifference! Laugh not to scorn this warning voice! It may be the last that shall ever be addressed to you. The Lord is at hand! He will come “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:52).

Once more He invites you. “Come unto Me... and I will give you rest.” O, come to the Lord Jesus! “Believe on His name” (John 1: 12). Receive Him as your Saviour! Own Him as your Master! Confess Him as your Lord, and follow Him as your Guide “until He come.”

Extracts of Letters as Subjects for Prayer

Caracas, Venezuela, South America.

My dear Sister in Christ: Having in my heart a desire to visit in a journey of 4 or 5 months, regions where there are thousands of souls without even one preacher of the gospel to announce the good news of salvation by faith, and being assured that it is the will of the Lord to do so, and after much prayer, I am thinking that, if the Lord tarries His coming, and requiring for such a visit a good quantity of tracts, and booklets in Spanish for free distribution, I am writing you and praying the Lord to indicate to you His will. It would be a great joy to me if you could help in this way by sending a fair numbers of tracts, “Mensajes de Amor,” as I desire to visit the houses one by one, and hold evangelistic meetings wherever possible, for 3 to 15 days successively, according to interest on the part of the people. I think I shall be able to reach in this way 250,000. In these parts there are no workers, and I desire that they have an opportunity of hearing the gospel, and I believe He will supply all. In Him we confide, and none are put to shame who trust in Him. Praise His name.

Supplicating your prayers, I remain,

Yours in His service until His coming,

C. W. K.

(Translated from Spanish)

Linares, Spain.

Dear Sister in Christ,

I have received the “Messages of Love” for June and July. Very many thanks for them. As you will have learned I have a daily school for children numbering over a hundred, and also a Sunday School in this place for boys and girls. I am very much pleased with the paper, as are also the children, who appreciate it greatly. Receive my thanks and transmit them to whoever is interested in this work, knowing that our “labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Yours in Christ,

J. B. G.

(Translated from Spanish)

Linares, Jaen, Spain.

My esteemed Sister in the Lord:—

Thank you for your kindness in answering my letter with a promise of sending me fifty copies of the “Messages of Love,” of which the first package has already been received.

I know that God, according to His promise in Isaiah 55:11 “will not let His word return void.” I also send out much by mail. When I am traveling and see some who have an interest in the things of the soul, I ask for their address in order to send them tracts and periodicals by mail, hoping that some may be saved. I am sure that the Lord will bless your desire to send us the “Messages of Love,” and will enable us to put them into the hands of the people. I have the testimony of many souls who have been saved by receiving tracts.

Praying that the Lord will bless you greatly, I remain,
Your grateful friend and brother in the Lord,
M. M.

The Service and Servants of Christ

“Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not.” 1 Kings 22:49.

Well done, Jehoshaphat! At last he had learned to say “No.” He had trifled far too long in his unholy alliance with Ahab—an alliance for which he had already paid dearly; but now, as a burnt child dreads the fire, so he declines the request of Ahab’s son, that their servants should make common cause in a voyage to Ophir. “Jehoshaphat would not.”

That signified power, and bore the stamp of reality. Association with evident unfaithfulness is, of necessity, a spring of constant weakness and defeat; and Jehoshaphat had learned his lesson, for a time, at least. If he needed the gold of Ophir, be must undertake the enterprise single-handed; he cannot allow his ships to carry a motley and an inharmonious crew. The servants whom he sends must obey one master, and the gold they bring home must belong to one claimant, otherwise all is confusion.

Now, this may seem narrow, and to the natural mind it would appear foolish. If these ships were manned by Ahab’s servants, as well as Jehoshaphat’s, the crews would be doubled. With such strength the golden spoils would be largely increased, and the wealth of each kingdom immensely enhanced. Jehoshaphat no doubt felt the truth of this, but yet he “would not.” He had solid reasons for refusing the help of these men. He had learned the somewhat difficult lesson—difficult, at any rate, in practice that— “evil communications corrupt good manners”; and having already been corrupted, and his royal manners and spiritual bearing having already been sorely humbled, he now curtly and firmly declines the offer.

O, how fond man is of crowding all kinds of servants into the ships, no matter who or what they may be, so long only as they are “servants,” as though the more in number the better; as though it were of no moment whether they served Ahab or Jehoshaphat, mammon or God; as though it were merely a question of work to be done, irrespective of consequences or results! But this will not do. Faith desires quantity—unbounded quantity—but it looks primarily for quality. The whole is made up of parts, and if the parts are rotten, so is the whole; if the parts are sound, so is the whole. Hence, spite of the cry of the day for grand results and mighty works, and crowded ships and rich, golden stores, let faith make her discriminating selection of the mode in which this gold is to be acquired.

If the day wishes amalgamation and the employment of any kind of material for the accomplishment of the Word of God, let faith firmly refuse alliance with the world for that end. God’s servants, and they alone, must man God’s ships—those who, by His grace, are worthy of that distinction; those who, first His children by faith in Christ Jesus, and indwelt by His Spirit, are free, in the blessed knowledge of conscious salvation, and truly separate in heart and life from the ways, habits, and principles of the world, to take up the sacred and delicate work of the Lord, to man His ships, and fetch His gold from Ophir.

Jehoshaphat wanted his own men to man his own vessels; Christ wants His own servants to do His own work. He wishes not to have that work spoiled, tarnished, ruined by the defiling touch of the “men of the world”—men who may be educated, cultured, and “ordained,” but still “men of the world”; nay, nor even by those who, though not such, are nevertheless marked by the world’s ways, and who are accordingly, and in proportion to their worldly association, morally unfitted to accomplish that work.

The one prerequisite for that which is par excellence the work of Christ is absolute disconnection from the world’s religion, from all profession of Christianity that goes down with and can be accepted by the world. Get to know what Christ’s ship is, and you will readily apprehend the incongruity of having for assistants the servants of Ahab on board.

Neither can two walk together, nor sail together, nor work together, nor worship together, “except they be agreed”; and if you say that on such conditions there can be no fellowship at all, it but proves that you have never resolved at all cost to find the truth, and, having found it, to put it into practice.

Did the servants of Jehoshaphat presume to say that it was necessary for them to have those of Ahab with them? Never. Jehoshaphat’s men were equal to Jehoshaphat’s work; if their royal master deigned to send them, they were glad to go, and, whether few or many, popular or otherwise, they had the sense of being the king’s servants. This sufficed.

The entire mission was peculiarly regal—king’s servants manned the king’s ships to fetch the king’s gold, and a stranger might not intermeddle. A little devotedness of heart to our earth-rejected Lord will make all this plain enough; but when the heart seeks to please the world that hated Him, and follow in its religious ways, and receive its honeyed plaudits, then such loyalty of life will be unsought and uncared for.

But His Word is still divinely true, “If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and... him will My Father honor.” (John 12:26.)

Young Eagles

When the eaglets are strong enough to fly, and old enough to leave the nest, which is always built either on mountain tops, or among rocks overhanging the sea, the young birds are afraid to make their first attempt at flying, then the parents break up the nest, so that they have no choice but to spread their wings and find they, too, can fly; but at first their wings are weak, and will soon tire. Will the eaglet fall? No, for the parent bird sails down, flies under it, and, allowing it to find a resting-place on her back, mounts up with it to the nest, and safely places it in there to rest.

God’s earthly people, Israel, when living in Egypt, must have noticed the care of the eagle for its young, and it is used by the Holy Spirit, when He wished to make them understand how He cared for and acted for them: “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: so the Lord alone did lead him.” Deuteronomy 32:11, 12.

Do those who believe in the Lord Jesus now—those who have rest of conscience, (Matt. 11:28)—know anything about this stirring of the nest? Yes, very often the earthly nest is broken up, sickness or trouble sweeps like a cold wind over the home, or perhaps the chill hand of death touches our beloved ones: This is because God loves His children too well to allow them to settle down in earthly things. He knows how easily we forget that we are pilgrims and strangers here, and when affection for Christ begins to grow cold, how soon we seek to make ourselves at home and happy in the world where He, our Lord and Saviour, was cast out and crucified. His love cannot rest till our hearts are again enjoying the sunshine of His bright presence and love. Earthly things are all too poor and small to fill and satisfy our hearts. Christ, and none but Christ, can do that. (Matt. 11:29).

Thus, we may learn from the eagle that the believer is not to find rest in this world—its pleasures, fashions, or books.

On the Lamb my soul is resting,

What His love no tongue can say;

All my sins so great, so many,

In His blood are washed away.

Sweetest rest and peace have filled me,

Sweeter praise than tongue can tell,

God is satisfied with Jesus,

I am satisfied as well.

Watch

Watch for your Lord’s return,

The star is in the sky;

Arise, lift up your drooping heads,

Redemption draweth nigh.

‘Tis but a little while

Ere we shall with Him be,

Changed in a moment, like Him made,

His glory then to see.

How great shall be the saint’s reward,

Who, watching, wait their coming Lord!

“Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth, and serve them.” Luke 12:37.

God Is Above All

God’s ways are behind the scenes; but He moves all the scenes which He is behind. We have to learn this, and let Him work, and not think much of man’s busy movements. They will accomplish God’s. The rest of them all perish and disappear. We have only peacefully to do His will.

Correspondence: Studying Scripture, Lord's Day, Treating Christians, Luke 16:9

Question: A young Christian wants to know how to study Scripture rightly. And if the first day of the week is the Lord’s day. And how to act toward other Christians? R. P.

Answer: Your desire to grow in grace is just what the Lord tells you to do along with the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18). These two things go together.

Studying the Scriptures may get them into your head and mind. We are not told to study the Word of God, but to feed upon it. And to do this we must read it with prayer, that He may give us to understand it (1 Peter 2:2; Acts 6:4). Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart (Jer. 15:16). It is the food for our souls (Matt. 4:4).

To get acquainted with it, we need to read it or hear it read; but to understand it, we need to ask the Lord to teach us that we may treasure it in our hearts.

When we believed on Him as our Saviour, the Holy Spirit came to dwell in us (Eph. 1:13), and He is our great Teacher (John 14:16, and 16:13, 14; also 1 Cor. 2:10, 12, 13, and 1 John 2:27), and prayer is needed to keep us from receiving wrong thoughts about it, and to keep us from the imaginations of our own minds (1 Thess. 5:21).

I am to study to show myself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). And for this I must go on patiently waiting on the Lord from day to day. In waiting on the Lord, we get the word as we need it. We feed upon it as the daily food for our souls. The Holy Spirit applying it, gives us understanding and strength in spiritual things. He teaches us more of Christ.

The First day of the week, is the Christian’s day. On it, Christ rose from the dead; on it, the Holy Spirit came down to dwell in the church on earth; on it, the early Christians came together to remember the Lord in the Lord’s supper (Acts 20:7). So it is called the Lord’s day (Rev. 1:10. Psa. 118:24, is the Millennial day when Christ returns to reign). The First day of the week is specially the Lord’s, though no commandment is given, but love delights to give it to Him, and to spend it for Him.

The Seventh or Sabbath day is the day Jehovah gave to His earthly people, Israel, and to them only. Strangers came and settled among them, and there was one law for Israel and for all that dwelt among them (Ex. 12:49). We do not find that the Sabbath was ever given to Gentile nations, or to the church, but to Israel only. The law was given to them from God by Moses (John 1:17). “Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” “We are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14.

The standard for our walk as Christians is not the law, but higher than that, it is Christ Himself. “To me to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21). We are to follow His steps (1 Peter 2:21). His commandments are not grievous (1 John 5:3). His love constrains us to live no longer to ourselves, but unto Him who died for us and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:14, 15). “He gave Himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity,” that is, from doing our own will (Titus 2:14).

We are to love all Christians because they belong to Christ (John 13:34). We are to “do good unto all men, specially to them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). But we need special guidance from God how to show our love, for we must walk in obedience (1 John 5:2)

We must not follow Christians, except just as they follow Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). If a man calls himself a Christian, yet holds bad doctrines against the Lord or His word or work, we can have no fellowship with him. 2 John 9:10 tells us not to salute such, nor receive them into our houses, for they are blasphemers. Romans 16:17 tells us to mark and avoid those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrines of the Word. 1 Corinthians 5:11 tells us not to eat with those who are immoral.

Then 1 Thessalonians 5:14, 15 and 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15, tells us to warn and exhort some who need it, and to withdraw ourselves from those who walk disorderly, yet they might be at the Lord’s table with us. Galatians 6:1 shows us some we can restore. So we make a difference (Jude 22, 23).

At the best, we are very ignorant, and need to be humble, and to be kept from a proud, hard spirit that thinks itself the only one that is right, and be ever ready to forgive any who do us wrong (Eph. 4:31, 32; Col. 3:12-17). These are fine verses, read them with earnest prayer to the Lord to make them your own, and then as you are kept near the Lord you will be able to help others also (John 13:14-18). If you have troubles and worries, take them all to the Lord, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus, and then you will ever rejoice in Him (Phil. 4:4-7).

Question: Please Explain Luke 16:9, and the Parable Above It. M. I. C.

Answer: Man is looked at as a steward; especially Israel to whom God has given so many privileges, but he has been unfaithful, and wasted his Master’s goods. The elder brother, in the chapter before, thought he had been faithful, (ver. 29), but the rich man in hell pictures his eternal portion. A Christian owns his unfaithfulness, and is saved by grace.

Verse 2. The man will be put out of his stewardship. His lord commended him for his wisdom, (not for his faithfulness, for he was unfaithful).

Though we are saved by grave, we are still stewards. A steward’s wisdom is that he uses what is in his care for the future, and that is the great point in the parable—that we can use that which in itself is unrighteous, the riches of this world, for eternal profit (see 1 Tim. 6:17-19), laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of what is really life. The children of this generation look after the future for this world, and so are wise.

We should look further than they, for eternity is before us, and some of the enjoyment which belongs there, is to be secured now, by our present disposal of things; and what is naturally our enemy, can be used to make riches in eternity (ver. 9). It is sending our goods on before us, for what we use now for Christ, and His service, will come up again in the everlasting habitations; but what we hoard up now in selfishness, there is no reward for. Indeed, it is loss, for the next verse shows us that this unfaithfulness in allowing the selfishness of our hearts to retain these things, as if they were our own, spoils the enjoyment of spiritual possessions.

If, therefore, ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?

We have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, but if we seek riches of this world, we are not serving God, but mammon, and our hearts are deprived of our spiritual enjoyment. This needs earnest consideration.

If I faithfully own myself a steward for God of all that I have here, it will not cause me to be prodigal of what the Lord has entrusted to me, but rather will make me careful to have His approval in using it for Him, or in laying it by for Him to use as His wisdom may direct.

The Pharisees were covetous, and as they heard these things, they derided Him. They were a picture of the rich man who lived for self, and hell was his eternal portion.

The Work of Christ for Us

“You will excuse me, sir, but I must say that I cannot agree with your preaching tonight.”

Such were the first words that a really anxious, but unhappy, soul addressed to me one evening, when something like the following conversation took place.

“Very likely,” I replied, “But what did I say that you cannot agree with?”

“Why, you stated a great many times, so that I am not mistaken, that the same moment the sinner comes to Jesus, he is received, forgiven, saved, and ought to be happy. I can’t agree with that at all.”

“Well, dear A., that is just what I did say, and I am thankful it has made such an impression on you. But, tell me, Did I, in all that, go beyond the truth in my text? (Luke 7:36-50). Was not all that true to the woman that came to Jesus?”

“Yes, I know it was all true to her. She knew it was true to her, for she heard Jesus say it. But how can any one know now that it is true to them, until they feel it is theirs? They must have the witness in themselves. I know I have never been able to feel sure, at least, long at a time. I was converted about seven years ago, at least I thought I was converted then. I was very happy at the time, and joined the church, but doubts came into my mind, and dark clouds came over me. I thought God was hiding His face from me, and I was in great darkness. No one knows what I have gone through, but God and my own soul. Often and often I could not sleep in the night, and when I prayed, I could get no comfort, and sometimes I could not pray at all. I could do nothing, and enjoy nothing. I was miserable.”

“But now, dear A., will you tell me what you have been praying and crying for, all this time? Have you been as unhappy as this for seven years?”

“Yes, I may say I have, though sometimes I am happy. But my prayer night and day has been that I might know that I was a child of God—one of His.”

“Well, in what way did you ask, or expect, God to make that blessed truth known to you?”

“I want, of course, to feel it, to know it, by the work of His Spirit in me. Every one knows that it is written in the Bible, and true to them that are His. But I believe there must be a deep inward work of the Spirit before any one can be sure that they are quite safe. We must pass through deep experience before we can be sure, if ever any one can be sure in this world.”

“Perhaps you are not aware, A., that you are making a very serious mistake as to the way of peace. The mistake is this. You are looking at the work of the Spirit in you, in place of the work of Christ for you. I mean the work of Christ on the cross for us sinners. The work of the Spirit rather leads us into trouble by showing us how bad we are. But then the work of Christ is the ground of pardon and peace, because He died for our sins. Blessed Lord! ‘He was delivered for our offenses,’ and now, Where are they? Gone, and forever! He put them away by the sacrifice of Himself. Only believe it! Jesus is risen! He left all our offenses behind Him. The Holy Spirit never directs your eye to His operations in you, valuable and indispensable as these are, but always to the finished work of Christ. The office of the Spirit is to make known to us the Person, Work, and Glory of Christ. But if you get occupied with the evil that the work of the Spirit discovers in yourself, you must be unhappy, and most assuredly will continue unhappy as long as you do so. Neither can you obey that sweet word, ‘Look unto Me,’ and so become acquainted with the Lord Himself, and be filled with Him.”

“Well, I believe I have been looking too much at myself. But I have always been taught so. I have never heard that kind of preaching before.”

“Once more let us look at the text. First, let me ask you this, Why has the Holy Spirit given us such a detailed account of what took place when that poor sinful woman came to Jesus? Was it not to assure us, that as Jesus never changes, the same thing must take place now, whenever a sinner comes to Him? She came in, poor woman, off the street; she uttered not a word, but fell at His feet, trusting to the mercy that she believed was in Him. And what were the Saviour’s first words to her? You must wait awhile? No. You must have a deeper sense of sin in yourself? No. You must agonize in prayer many days and nights, months and years, before I can give you the assurance of pardon? No. What then? Now, be honest, What then? Blessed be His name! He first of all turns to the woman, then casts a look—a speaking look—of compassion on the weeping sinner at His feet; and then, the first opening of His lips pronounces her full forgiveness. ‘And He said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.... And He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.’ Now, in all fairness, let me ask you, How did Jesus meet this guilty one? Was it not with present forgiveness—present salvation—present peace? One other thing let me ask you. Is He changed now; or is He the same? Would He be different to any poor sinner who came to Him tonight? I know you would not say so. But O! Why should you think so, and harbor in your mind unworthy thoughts of Jesus?”

“I wish I could see it in that light. I have been praying earnestly for seven years for the pardon of my sins, and I still have my doubts and fears at times. What I can’t get over, is your saying that people ought to know they are forgiven the moment they believe, and be rejoicing in the Lord.”

“Now, let me ask you another thing. Did Jesus ever send away a sinner from His presence, in a state of uncertainty, who came seeking salvation? Never! no never! He states to all such, in the most positive manner, ‘Thy faith hath saved thee.’ Again, did He ever say to a sinner at His feet, I will forgive thee? Never! no never! But He affirms in the most absolute way, ‘Thy sins are forgiven.’ (Read Mark 2:5; 5:34; Luke 18:42; John 5:24).

“O! I do earnestly desire, above all things, to be sure that I am one of His. It is the only thing I do care for. And often, and often, I have come to Him in prayer; but then I can’t feel sure, like you, that I am forgiven and saved. O! if I could but feel sure of that, I should be happy.”

“And I am most anxious, dear A., that you should feel sure. But there is only one way of being sure, and that is, by believing the word of God. If you are content to take that word, and to trust in it, you will now feel a divine certainty on every point that concerns you. The word of God is as true tonight as it will be tomorrow. The invitation to come to Jesus is as free—His love is as real—His grace is as boundless—His blood is as precious—your forgiveness is as sure—and your acceptance is as gracious—Why then not believe it now, and be happy—and rejoice in the Lord? We are saved by faith—made happy by faith—and rejoice by faith. The feelings will follow, but faith must be first.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1.

Everlasting Life.

“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6: 23. Have you received this inestimable gift? God gives it to everyone who believes on His Son.

“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.”

And all who receive everlasting life in Christ now, will share everlasting glory with Him hereafter.

Jesus said:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.” John 6: 47.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

“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.

Believeth—hath.

Said a poor old woman of some seventy years, when shown these living words, “What a stupid I’ve been! There have I been a coming and a going, and a trying and a striving, and a arg’ing and a arg’ing, and to think it’s as plain as all that! And in my own Bible too! I’ve been groping in the dark these fifty years. What a stupid I’ve been!”

Reader, Believest thou?

But some will say, “How can you know that you have everlasting life?” What saith the Scripture? “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life” 1 John 5:13.

The Work That Saves

Done is the work that saves,

Once and forever done;

Finished the righteousness

That clothes th’ unrighteous one

The love that blesses us below

Is flowing freely to us now.

The sacrifice is o’er,

The veil is rent in twain,

The mercy seat is red

With blood of victim slain;

Why stand ye then without, in fear?

The blood invites us to come near.

The gate is open wide;

The new and living way

Is clear and free and bright,

With love and peace and day.

Into the holiest now we come,

Our present and our endless home.

Upon the mercy seat

Our Great High Priest is seen;

His blood forever speaks,

Which washed and made us clean.

With boldness let us now draw near—

That blood has banished every fear.

Then to the Lamb once slain

Be glory, praise, and power,

Who died and lives again,

Who liveth ever more;

Who loved and washed us in His blood,

Who made us kings and priests to God

Scripture Study: Acts 6

Acts 6.

With the increase of numbers, came the need of wisdom to direct, and patience to bear with each other. The flesh began to show itself. They were a redeemed company, but the leaven is seen in the Pentecostal cake (Lev. 23:15-17).

There arose a murmuring of the Jews, brought up in Gentile countries (called Helenists), against those brought up in Judah (called Hebrews), because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration of food. How this happened we are not told, but we read in it a lesson of how easily murmuring comes into the heart, and grace towards each other is needed to keep from it, or from doing anything to cause it.

The twelve called the multitude together, and said, “It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God, and serve tables.” They direct them to look out seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom they might appoint over this business. “But,” said they, “we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.” This settled the difficulty. They could not give up their proper work to which the Lord had called them. So seven are selected to serve. The word “deacon” means, “minister” or “servant.” They select Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, of whom we shall hear more, and other five. The names of the seven would indicate that they were all Helenists, so that none could blame the Hebrews any more.

The apostles prayed, and laid their hands on them, thus expressing their approval of these men. Thus Ephesians 4:2, 3, is carried out in practice, though the doctrine of the One body, and the Unity of the One Spirit had not yet been unfolded; that was given later through the Apostle Paul.

It is important to see that with the apostles, prayer and ministry go together; ministry following prayer, by it overcoming the power of evil, and receiving wisdom and strength for their service to be maintained in the power and unction of the truth.

Verse 7. The influence of the Word increased, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem were greatly multiplied; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith, It seems that the opposition without, and the evil within, became an occasion to manifest the truth, and to deepen it in their souls.

Stephen is specially distinguished as full of faith and power, and doing great wonders and miracles among the people. The Holy Spirit selects him as His special witness at this time to meet the Helenists’ schools of disputers. They were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke, but their enmity Was implacable. They procured men to accuse him of speaking blasphemous words against Moses, and against God, and stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, and set up false witnesses, which said, “This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.” From this it is evident that Stephen’s testimony told them not only of their sin in crucifying their Messiah, but also of the disastrous judgment that was to fall on Jerusalem, spoken by the Lord (Matt. 22:7). He is the one selected by the Holy Spirit for this occasion, and to bring before them, and us all, the opened heavens, and the Son of Man rejected on earth, in the glory of God. As he stands before the council, all looked steadfastly on him, and saw the heavenly appearance of his face, as it had been the face of an angel. But it does not change their enmity of heart against Christ; they proceed to their diabolical work.

Riches of the Grace, and of the Glory

Rich our God, art Thou in mercy,

Dead in sins were we,

When Thy great love rested on us,

Sinners, dear to Thee.

Blessed path of grace that led us

From the depths of death,

To the heavenlies in Christ Jesus

Quickened by His breath.

Riches of Thy grace have brought us

To that home on high,

Riches of Thy glory make us

Thine eternal joy.

Not alone the stream that cleansed us,

Flowed from Jesus, dead,

Tides of glory now are flowing

From our living Head.

Down to us from Christ in heaven,

Those bright rivers run.

In His lowest saint and feeblest

God beholds His Son.

He with great delight is tracing

Every feature fair,

Of His Son, His well-beloved,

Throned beside Him there.

And those lines of glorious beauty

Here His eye can see,

Back to God in light reflected,

Christ revealed in me.

Gazing on the cloudless glory

Of the Lord we love, When unveiled

He fills with radiance

Those bright courts above.

Day by day a change is passing

O’er each lifted brow,

Soon to shine like Christ in glory,

Though so dimly now.

Evermore that light transforms us,

In our Father’s sight;

Not His love alone our portion,

But His full delight.

Guilty, Christ has been our shelter,

Vile, our hiding place;

Now, with naught to hide before Him,

We behold His face.

Not because of guilt, but glory,

Doth His love provide

That fair robe so well beseeming

Christ’s unspotted bride.

Fair amidst His new creation,

Formed from Him alone,

God in us His Christ beholding,

Rests, His work is done!

Wondrous riches of the glory,

Won in shame and blood,

And from heaven outpoured in fullness,

Endless love of God.

Thy Way.... My Presence … We Separated.

Exodus 33.

In a day of confusion and sorrow, the mark of a true heart is the earnest desire to know His way through it all; and this is remarkably evidenced by the position of Moses at this time.

Nothing could have been more solemn than the state of Israel; they had accepted the calf, saying, “These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” And their mournful condition is thus described: “And the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”

“The calf and the dancing” were the objects upon which the eyes of the man of God rested as he descended from the mount. What will Moses’ action be in the midst of such a scene? What are his first thoughts? Let us mark it well. Having broken the tables beneath the mount, and burned the calf, and ground it to powder, his first and main thought is the vindication of Jehovah’s character and name, which had been basely and falsely associated with the idolatry and sin.

“Who is on the Lord’s side?” is neither Laodicean neutrality, nor selfish indifference. Very solemn was the test then; and how blessed to find in Levi a people superior to the claims of nature, where the honor of Jehovah was concerned, so that it was said of them, in relation to this action, in Exodus 32:26-29, “Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah, who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him, neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor know his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.” Deuteronomy 33:8, 9.

This, then, was Moses’ first great act of vindication of Jehovah’s claims. How blessed to think of it in this day of half-heartedness on the one side, and indifference on the other; in this day of man (1 Cor. 4:3), when the spirit of Laodicea prevails on the right hand, and on the left. Very cheering and encouraging to faith are the ways of faith and devotedness, in this crisis moment, when “he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey,” and when it may be said, as in the days of Jeremiah, “Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife, and a man of contention to the whole earth.”

Now observe what follows this: Having, as we have seen, vindicated Jehovah’s name in judgment, and in doing so brought out the faithfulness of Levi, who, by the act, earned, as it were, the priesthood. Moses shows how his heart apprehended the holiness of Jehovah; and the act of pitching the tabernacle without the camp, thus separating Jehovah’s name from the guilt and defilement of Israel, is a blessed instance of its kind and day as to how faith’s intimacy with the Lord alone can discern what is suitable to Him. Thus it is that Moses makes a place for God outside the camp, afar off from the camp, which had put a false god in His place, and changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. May we not say that this is the kind of nearness to Christ, and devotedness to His blessed interests and name, which is lacking so much at this moment? And is not this the quality of faith which He is looking for especially now, and for which He Himself commended the church of Philadelphia, in these words: “For thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name?” May the Lord give His beloved people such-like loyalty of heart to His blessed Son in this day.

Another point in this history is full of deep instruction just now. Moses, having made a place for God outside the camp, not only removed His name from association with idolatry and sin, and thus maintained His holiness and truth, but thereby was also set up that which some would call a new test; so that we read, “And it came to pass, that every one which sought the Lord, went out into the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp” —mark the words well, “which sought the Lord.” Where He was then, was everything. And is it not so now? “There am I” is the rallying point of the hour. In the days of Moses some might have been contented with the camp, resting in that which once marked it, and no longer marks it, but everyone which sought the Lord went out without the camp.

These principles have a sorrowful, but a very appropriate, application to present days, for surely the Lord has been teaching us many things, and yet none more strikingly than this—that if we are to have Him who is holy, Him who is true, in our midst, it must be on His own terms. Self-will and unholiness may judge otherwise, but faith will hold fast to His revelation of Himself as “the Holy, the True” and will look well, that such a name as His in its preciousness and value as His people’s alone resource, be not associated with what is foreign to His nature and glory. Now, having judged the idolatry of the people, and pitched the tabernacle outside the camp, separating the name of God from it, Moses earnestly asks to know Jehovah’s way (chap. 33:13), “Show me now Thy way.”

How instructive and how blessed is this; there must be a moral condition of soul for such a desire. Any way out of a difficulty, be it ever so unworthy, will ever find the largest number of adherents; but the moral state indicated by Moses’ previous acts in relation to Israel’s sin and Jehovah’s glory, will not, cannot, be satisfied with anything less than “Thy way”; and how blessed is the reply, and how perfect is it— “My presence shall go with thee.”

His presence marks His way, and His way is found where His presence is. And is it not so at this moment? If we be without the presence of Christ, we cannot be in His way; but there is more than this, for Moses says further on, “For wherein shall it be known here that I and Thy people have found grace in Thy sight? Is it not in that Thou goest with us? So shall we be separated, I and Thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.” The way that it is known that He goes with us, is, that we are separated to Him; it works both ways, only those who are separated seek Him, then finding His presence and His way; and the proof that He is with them, is, that they are separated. This exclusiveness, as it has been called, works from within to that which is without; the outward part of it may be seen without the inward power—it has ever been so—but it lasts only for a time, and manifests constant inconsistencies; but that which springs from within, the power of the cross of Christ (and what so exclusive and separating!) applied unsparingly in the power of the Holy Spirit, will extend to every circle in a consistency and evenness peculiar to itself.

May the Lord teach us at this moment this perfect way of peace and rest! May His beloved people be awakened from every slumber that would incapacitate them from judging what is suitable to Himself, so that, with renewed desire to please Him, they may prove the reality and blessedness of His presence and His way amid the confusion and darkness of the hour.

To Sunday School Teachers

The children have souls, and you have a love for souls, an earnest desire that souls may be saved. Then let the salvation of the soul be your one aim, your constant aim. Let everything tend to this end—everything reach to this.

The means is the gospel of the grace of God. Let this be always prominent, and never let it be lost amid the abundance of your illustration or any desire you may have for teaching.

It may seem foolish to be always harping on one string; but that string has many tones, and remember that “it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom. 1:16), and we want salvation for the scholars.

There is the whole Word of God in your hands, and there are an abundance of passages in the Old Testament, as well as in the New, which can be used as illustrating the gospel.

By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them

So taught our Lord. And a very simple Method is this of testing a tree. Many persons can hardly tell one tree from another, but most people know what is the fruit of the tree. There are many professors of religion, whose lips might deceive us, and whose pretensions might almost command us to regard them with respect, but the Lord does not bid us gauge them by such things. There were no more strict professors of religion, and none more pretentious, than the Pharisees of old, but Jesus judged them by their fruits. Our young readers should take this test with them in their daily life.

Let us also try ourselves by the same test. We are what we do. Men do not gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles. We cannot cultivate a thorn bush into a vine, or a thistle into a fig tree, neither can any one be educated into being a true Christian. The true Christian is one who is born again, and in him God the Holy Spirit dwells, and by that Spirit he is enabled to produce the fruits which are acceptable to God.

Some of the trees of the Lord’s planting do not bear so much fruit as do others, but all bear some fruit—some thirty, some sixty, some an hundredfold. Consider the multitude of acorns that grown upon one oak. Yet that oak was once a solitary acorn, but, as years rolled on, it grew and spread out its branches, and these in prosperous seasons gave forth their fruit, till millions and millions of acorns fell from that one tree. In some seasons trees bear more abundantly than in others, and so it is with the Christian, but ever does this word stand, “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bring forth much fruit.”

Fruit does not come forth in a tree all at once. The process is usually slow. However, whether slow, or comparatively quick of development, the whole life and being of the tree is in order to the bearing of fruit. And this principle is most true of the Christian; he lives not for himself, but for the glory of God, and if he does not bring forth fruit his life is so far wasted.

There is only one way of fruit-bearing, and that way Jesus shows to us in His words recorded in John 15. It is abiding, dwelling in, or going on in company with, Christ. When the heart is at home in Christ, the thoughts, the words, the actions of the believer are acceptable to God the Father. We are not the best of judges of the character of fruit we bear—though we should live in self-judgment—others will discern what we are like by our ways and words.

Our influence is the most important part of, our lives. Never underrate your influence, and never forget, you can not avoid influencing others.

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

These things are of more worth than all the jewels this world can display, and by such fruits the humble follower of the Lord Jesus is known.

The Peace of God

The presence of God settles everything, even in everyday life. We have cares; and when we take them to God, they are changed in a moment. You never come out of God’s presence as you go in. You see things in their true character.

“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 7.

The Scriptures

The more you look at the Scriptures, the more they transport you to their scenes. The Bible has the wonderful power of putting you, by faith, in the place it describes; I am there, one of the company, and I am conscious I am there in the scenes it describes. It is this that gives a blessed character to the whole Word of God. “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost”; every part by the Holy Spirit! The Bible is a history of original sin and its fruits, and God’s method of putting sin away. God has “a fit Man,” a fit Person (Lev. 16:21). In the Old Testament, we are waiting for a fit Person, and if we look at the New Testament, we find Him. In the Gospel of Matthew, you see Him as the Messiah; in Mark, as the perfect Servant; in Luke, as the Son of Man; and in John, as the Son of God. In the Gospel of John we begin before Genesis. We are attracted by the Grace which is in the gospels, and we get the application of this Grace in the epistles. My eye in the gospels looks through the carpenter’s son, and sees His Divine glory. The aim of the epistles is to get the soul on the same platform of standing and walk as that of the Lord Jesus.

In the Old Testament you see, as it were, the unity of the Godhead, and in the New Testament the trinity of the Godhead. In Genesis we see the election of the people of God; in Exodus their redemption; in Leviticus their priestly service, and worship; in Numbers their walk and warfare in the wilderness; in Deuteronomy a recapitulation of God’s dealings with them up to the time that they are about to enter upon the land. Leviticus is a wonderful book for bringing out the detail of the work of Christ which we do not get elsewhere. Just as we enter into the signification of the sacrifices in Leviticus, so do we enter in worship into the joy of God in the several aspects of the sacrifice of His Son. O, the delight of God in His Christ! What a thing it is to have a heart to enter into it! What gives joy to God is the soul entering into all Christ’s work, having the heart bowed with a deepened sense of His worth—Divine Person as He was, all His graces go up to God. We want to be in Mary’s place as learners!

If you wish to know Israel’s experience after the church is translated, look at the Psalms; Israel will then be under law again. The difference between Solomon’s Song and Ecclesiastes is, that in the one I have God Himself, and my heart is too little for Him, and in the other I have the world, and all things in it, and my heart is too large to be filled by it.

Prophecy is as a lamp in a dark place—as a lamp in a tunnel; “Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place”; and we are interested in all that interests Christ.

John closes the Book when he says— “Come.” He is perfectly satisfied when he is waiting for Jesus, and then he ceases to write!

Watch, Therefore, for Ye Know Neither the Day nor the Hour

“Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.”

Nothing peculiar ushered forth that glorious hour. No big expectations or strange events gave token of its coming. It was the natural, heavenly close of an undeviating heavenly journey.

Correspondence: Song. of Sol. 5:2; Rev. 3:20; Matt. 24:35

Question: Can we apply the truth of Song of Solomon 5:2, “I sleep, but my heart waketh” to saints now? Is it like Revelation 3:20? A. M.

Answer: Such scriptures picture declension of soul, getting asleep in the world. Christ has not the place He once had in her affections, but she has no comfort, is restless and unhappy. The Lord is knocking at her door. Twinges of remorse and pain mix with her so-called pleasures. She has lost the enjoyment of His love. She may be sure of salvation, but she has no joy in it. He calls, “Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from among the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee.” Ephesians 5:14.

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him,” will give My sympathy and help in his things, “and he shall sup with Me.” “I will give him to enjoy what I enjoy”; and to feed and delight with Christ in all the Father’s love, and in all that He is to the Father.

Question: Did God say, when He created everything, that it was very good? Did God bless His creatures and man, and then curse them; and make the ground bring forth thorns and thistles? Did He put away man forever, and cause him to return to dust? How can Matthew 24:35, be true? P.G.

Answer: When God created everything, all He did was very good (Gen. 1:31). He blessed the animals (ver. 22), and man (ver. 28). So it remained till man’s sin ruined God’s fair creation, it broke God’s rest, and God commenced to work again to bring in a new creation that will glorify Him, and be the display of His character, where sin can never come in to spoil it (John 1:29; 5:15; Rev. 21:1-7).

God cursed the serpent, and for him there is nothing but eternal judgment (Gen. 3:14; Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:9; 20:10). God also cursed the ground for man’s sake, so that it produced thorns and thistles, and gave the man hard work to gain his living (Gen. 3:17-19). Also God cursed Cain, the one who rejected God’s testimony, and would not hearken to God’s pleading, and murdered the just one; a type of the Jew who rejected and killed Christ, and deliberately departed from God (Gen. 4:5-16).

This wickedness of Cain’s line went on to the flood, which God sent to destroy them all. But though God repented that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart (Gen. 6:5, 6), He always made provision for repentant sinners who believed on Him, and He found a ransom for them (Job 33:24). Thus He ever seeks their salvation (Psa. 90:3). Man, as such, is lost, but God calls him to return, and be saved.

There are no promises to Adam as head of a fallen race; all are made to Christ (Gal. 3:16; 2 Cor. 1:20). God let Adam hear the curse He pronounced on the serpent, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise His heel.” On hearing that, Adam realized that a Saviour was to be of the woman’s seed, Who would destroy Satan’s, the old serpent’s power. In doing this, He would Himself need to suffer (Heb. 2:14, 15). Precious truth that Christ would suffer and die for sinners. Though Adam’s body became mortal and went to dust, the Lord tells us that all, both saved and unsaved, will rise again in bodies that will never die. The saved to be in glory with Christ forever; and the unsaved to be cast into the lake of fire, to suffer torment forever (John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:15; 21:8).

When Adam heard God’s sentence on the serpent, and of the coming Saviour, he used it as a promise, and called his wife’s name Eve, which means, the mother of all living, and that showed his faith in God’s word. Both of them were believers, and God made coats of skins and clothed them. This was grace, and those coats of skins were types of Christ, the righteousness of God put upon the believer, like the robe put upon the prodigal (Luke 15). See 2 Corinthians 5:21 for our best robe obtained through Christ’s sacrifice. Yet Adam was driven out of the garden, and a flaming sword kept the way of the tree of life, lest man should eat of it and be forever a sinner.

The sinner that trusts in the Saviour shall be with Christ in glory. He shall eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God (Rev. 2:7).

The earthly, paradise is gone forever, but when heaven and earth shall pass away, God’s word shall still stand (24: 35), and be fulfilled, for there will be a new heavens and a new earth, full of redeemed people, where sin can never come, where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 21:1-7).

All taint of sin shall be removed;

All evil done away,

Where saints shall dwell with God’s Beloved

Through God’s eternal day.

Do You Know the Lord?

“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3). The Lord abhors the pretensions to goodness which man is so ready to entertain, but delights to unveil the beauty and simplicity of His grace to the humble soul.

One Lord’s day evening a preacher, who had been speaking of Christ to a small company in a room, was asked to speak to a middle-aged man, who remained after the service had closed. He had listened attentively throughout the evening, and now his face wore a troubled expression.

“Do you know the Lord?” said the preacher to him. The man shook his head.

“Are you a sinner?” was the next question. And the answer was “Yes;” spoken with deep feeling. It was evidently not the “yes” of carelessness, but of true conviction of sin.

“Well, if so,” said the servant of God, “what are you going to do?”

After a short pause, he replied, “I shall say my prayers.”

“That is of no use,” answered the preacher, “if you could live as long as Methusaleh, and pray all the time, that could never save you.”

The man started at these words, and said: “What must I do then?”

The Divine answer in Acts 16:31 was at once given: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” And in a few simple words Christ was pointed out as the Saviour of sinners, who had already done all that had to be done in order to clear the guilty. The man’s face brightened as he listened. He believed the word of God. He was entirely uneducated, and unable to read or write, but that was no hindrance that night to his receiving the gospel as a little child, and owning the Lord as his Saviour.

He still rejoices in Christ and His salvation. Though unable to read the Scriptures for himself, the Lord provides for him; and he finds amazing comfort in the texts that he carries in his memory. The widow’s stock of meal was small, but it did not fail. However little we may possess, the Lord can make it sufficient, if there be only simple faith to look to Him.

The Precious Blood of Christ

“The blood is the life.”

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

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

“God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Romans 5:8, 9.

What preserved Israel on the night of the slaying of the firstborn in Egypt? Blood.

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

What maintained Israel in relationship with Jehovah on the great day of atonement? Blood. But—

“Not all the blood of beasts,

On Jewish altars slain,

Could give the guilty conscience peace,

Or wash away its stain.”

But believers can add—

“But Christ, the heavenly Lamb,

Took all our guilt away;

A sacrifice of nobler name,

And richer blood, than they.”

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without, spot.” 1 Peter 1:18, 19.

“The blood of Jesus Christ, His (God’s) Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

A Christian visiting a dying youth, having quoted this blessed verse, added, “So that not a spot nor stain remains.”

“Not a speck,” he gasped out in reply, and in a few hours fell peacefully asleep through Jesus.

Are you cleansed by the blood?

The sin alights on Jesus’ head,

‘Tis in His blood sin’s debt is paid;

Stern justice can demand no more,

And mercy can dispense her store.

A Skeptic Arrested

At an open-air gospel meeting the preacher asked for testimonies. While this part of the meeting was going on a skeptic was passing by, and just then the testimony of a saved drunkard was being given. He stopped and listened. The former drunkard was telling how Jesus had wrought the miracle and saved his soul.

The skeptic scoffingly made a few remarks to those standing near him. He said it was nothing more than a dream, religion saving a man in this manner—just a mere dream, and nothing more. No one answered him—but God had His way of dealing with him.

Among the listeners was a little girl about 10 years old, who had known the misery of a drunkard’s home. She heard the remark of the skeptic and, going up to him, she said: “Please, sir, if it is only a dream, please don’t wake him—that is my daddy!”

The simplicity and earnestness of the child arrested the skeptic, it made him think, and ultimately led to his conversion. The marvelous grace of God was a grand reality and no dream to him then.

He Loved Me, and Gave Himself for Me

Galatians 2:20.

Thy love, Lord Jesus, ever be

The link between Thyself and me;

Thy truth, the staff on which I lean,

Thyself, the power from earth to wean;

Thy strength in weakness perfect made.

On Thee, the Mighty, help is laid;

Let me never from Thee stray,

Keep me in the narrow way;

Clothe me in Thine armor bright,

Keep me walking in the light;

Ever looking off to Thee

Nothing in myself to see.

The Pearl of Great Price

All that He had for it He paid,

Himself He on the altar laid,

The jewel to redeem.

Beneath the judgment-billows went,

That He might to Himself present

The church so dear to Him.

The priceless gem in love He sought,

Then gave up all He had and bought—

The cost, His own life-blood.

He saw us in our lost estate,

And then display’d His power so great,

To bring us back to God.

Then unto Him be glory given,

Both now, and evermore in heaven,

In endless songs of praise.

For He is worthy to receive

More than these hearts of ours can give,

(Who on His name through grace believe)

Throughout eternal days.

Scripture Study: Acts 7

Acts 7

Verse 1. The high priest demanded an answer from Stephen, which brought out Israel’s condemnation. Stephen, in answering, unfolded parts of their history, which showed God’s grace to them, and their resistance of it.

Joseph and Moses were rejected, so that God’s purposes should be worked out. The law was given and broken; the golden calf set up; and Israel carried to Babylon. The tabernacle was given till David, then the temple was built, but it could not contain God in it. The prophets were despised, persecuted, and slain; and he concludes: “Ye stiff-necked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”

This convicting testimony cut them to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. Their guilty consciences break out in violence against God’s witness.

“But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”

What calmness of spirit is seen in his behavior! What faithfulness to tell out the truth as led by the Holy Spirit. He had no thought or: his danger, for his eye is fixed on Jesus in the glory of God; and his testimony is so plain and convicting they could not deny the facts.

As he gazed into the opened heavens, he said “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.” Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him, while he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge,” and when he had said this, he fell asleep.

It was Jesus, and the glory of God, which satisfied his own heart, but his testimony was to the opened heavens, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God, rejected on earth, and glorified in heaven. We see Him there now seated, until His foes become His footstool (Psa. 110 and Heb. 10). In the meantime the Holy Spirit has come down, gathering the members of His body on earth.

“And we, by faith, in heaven behold

Jesus, the Christ, our Lord.”

Here the Lord is seen standing till His rejection by the Jews was fully come. As soon as Stephen was slain, this testimony is ended, and Stephen’s spirit is with the Lord in glory, and the Lord is seated on the Father’s throne.

“For Stephen, heaven is opened, and Jesus is seen in divine glory; and this is what forms his soul in such a beautiful way into the likeness of Jesus. As He prayed for His enemies, so also Stephen prays for his. As the Lord commended His spirit to the Father, so Stephen says ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ The view of Jesus transforms the heart into His likeness.

“That which was seen by Stephen is the object of faith for us, made clearer by what happened to him.”

Saul was implicated in Stephen’s murder (verse 58).

Love Not the World

Love not the world!

What is there here to love?

That which is loveable is not of earth—

Fix thou thine eyes above.

The face of time

Has never come to stay;

The beauty of this fascinating world

Endureth but a day.

Of things below

The best is but a lie;

The blossoms of the spring, and childhood’s buds

Must fade, and fall, and die.

The beautiful,

All bright, and fresh, and gay,

Must pass, like sun-gleam through a broken

cloud,

Across thy untried way.

Be not deceived!

Through all this earthly air

A hellish poison pours its deadliness:

The plague of sin is there.

And who shall heal

Or disinfect this air?

Who disenchant it of the pleasant spell,

Or break the unseen snare?

Be not deceived!

Into each human vein

Sin penetrates, and we with opiates seek

To soothe the subtle pain.

It dims the eye,

It dulls the inner ear;

It dazzles, and it darkens, and it blinds,

It worketh awe and fear.

It worketh wrath,

And woe, and want, and doom;

It leads us darkly to the second death,

The everlasting tomb.

Love not the world,

Its dreams, its songs, its lies!

Those who have followed in its train are not

The true, and good, and wise.

The wise and good,

They chose the better part;

To the true world that is to come, they gave

The true and single heart.

Love not the world!

He in whose heart the love

Of vanity has found a place, shuts out

The enduring world above.

Love not the world,

However fair it seems!

Who loveth this fond world, the love of God

Abideth not in him.

That heart of thine

For God, thy God, was made:

Who loves this God of love, he only lives;

Who loveth not is dead.

Though this wide earth,

With all its love and gold,

Were his, yet still he liveth not, whose heart

To God is sealed and cold.

Seek not the world!

‘Tis a vain show at best;

Bow not before its idol shrine; in God

Find thou thy joy and rest.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” 1 John 2:15-17.

The Things Which Are Not Seen Are Eternal

2 Corinthians 4:18.

Eternity, eternity!

How long art thou, eternity?

A moment’s pleasure, sinners know,

Through which they pass to endless woe;

A moment’s woe, the righteous taste,

Through which to endless joy they haste.

Mark well, O man, eternity!

“So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90: 12.

A Letter on Healing

Dear Brother:

I am deeply thankful that you are able to say: “One truth which you make so clear in both letter and leaflet, namely, that ‘Christ is all,’ is a great growing power in me of late.” I, too, felt that our time together was all too short. However, I am glad for this broken glimpse, and even a little exchange, in what, through grace, is dear to us both—the things concerning Himself, “both new and old.” Is it not a little bit of heaven, when, together, our hearts are ravished, as His charms and glories pass before us. There are two things the Spirit of God maintains—the glory of Christ, as to His person; and the Lordship of Christ, as to His place. Alas! the mass of those professing His Name are not in the good of either.

But I must reply to what seems to be giving you so much exercise, the question of “healing.” I feel sure you will be gracious enough to pardon me, if I say it seems to me you take a very partial view of it; failing too to get the setting of some of your texts; and to mark the change of dispensation, you are likely to encounter perplexing difficulties. For example: You say “Throughout our Lord’s whole ministry there is not a single case reported where He refused to heal any person who came to Him believing.” Strangely enough, you then say, “There is one exception, that of Paul.” You are in another dispensation in the case of Paul, and, unfortunately, his case argues against your deductions. Though he “besought the Lord thrice,” the “thorn” remained, and he “gloried in his infirmities,” since they furnished an opportunity for the display of “the power of Christ.” This you appear to deprecate, since you can only conceive power working to deliver, whereas here, it is power working endurance to the point of exultation: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities.” Why? “That the power of Christ may rest upon me.” May I not say this is a higher manifestation of power than we could have had in his deliverance? Nor could there have been any admixture of self, as is too frequently the case in our overweening desire to escape trial. Self is a subtle foe. What room does the system, for which you stand, leave for the display of “the power of Christ” in an infirm body?

Since the display of power is an outstanding thought with you, I should like to draw your attention to Colossians 1:11. “Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power.” “All might” and “glorious power”—for what? physical relief? deliverance from trial? No. “All might and glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness.” How infinitely above the unhappy restlessness of nature, that too often assumes the role of “higher faith,” whilst practicing unbelief in adopting affiliations and fellowships, which involve positive, disobedience to His word. In Corinthians, “order” comes before “power.”

I recall Fingall, and many other like proceedings. Such disorders throw the truth of “healing,” as presented in His Word, into disrepute, and thus, where we looked for His glory, we found His dishonor. At least, this is so for one whose thoughts, and judgment, have been formed by His Word. Alas! that the low state of the church of God, and the feeble exercise of faith, have opened the door to these vagaries! Has not the enemy despoiled us as to faith? taking away our “shields of gold” which we have replaced with “Shields of brass” (2 Chron. 12:9-10). “Above all taking the shield of faith.” That the “spiritual” one is discerned of no man is true (1 Cor. 2). The one “filled with the Spirit” is always a riddle to the world (Acts 2). “The world knoweth us not” (1 John 3). This is a very different thing from the flaunted unseemliness, too often found with these higher claims. And yet this very unseemliness has its attractions for inflamed and highly wrought nature. It is a state of intoxication. One in this state is rendered void of spiritual judgment (Lev. 10:9-10). “Be sober” is His word to us. They may tell me “the fire was there.” Be it so. It was “strange fire” (Lev. 10). A rapture not kindled by Christ, or His cross, is not of the Spirit of God. Nor can you build on “results.” It must be His Word. Not a faker in Christendom that can not show these, from Rome to the latest cult.

But I return to our Lord’s course here, to which you have referred. He spoke of the Kingdom as “at hand,” upon His rejection of the Kingdom “in mystery,” and, finally, of the Kingdom in manifestation (Matt. 4, Matt. 13, Matt. 24). The Kingdom was at hand, for the King was here. Not only was the Kingdom published in preaching, but the power of the Kingdom was displayed in healings and other things. In Hebrews 6, these powers are called “powers of the age to come”—the Kingdom age. These powers are not characteristically the powers of the present dispensation. The Kingdom order of things has been deferred by reason of the rejection of the KING. Meanwhile the church is being formed. He is “taking out of the Gentiles a people for His Name” (Acts 15). This present period is a kind of parenthesis in God’s ways with men. This could be clearly shown from various portions of His Word, but I can not follow this out here. The Kingdom line of things will be resumed upon the translation of the saints to heaven. Just where these testimonies and manifestations of power were laid down, there they will be taken up again. Christ meanwhile having gotten for Himself a bride.

Resuming His dealings with Israel, the Kingdom comes into view (1 Thess. 4; Matt., 24th and 25th chapters; Comp. 2 Cor. 11; Eph. 5, and Rev. 19). The blessing of these Kingdom-saints, speaking of what characterized it, was temporal and physical. Compare Deuteronomy 28:1-13; Ephesians 1:3. To this the whole of the Old Testament bears witness, and its testimony is concerning the Kingdom as offered by Christ when here, and to be offered by His (Jewish) “brethren,” just preceding its establishment (Matt. 24:14; 25:31-46; Rev. 11:15-17). At His appearing He is “King of Kings.” To be somewhat more specific, a comparison of Deuteronomy 28 and Ephesians 1, already referred to, will show the distinction. In Deuteronomy we have earthly and physical blessing. In Ephesians we have heavenly and spiritual blessing. The one system being earthly, and the other heavenly, we can see the suitability of their characteristic blessings. Not that one belonging to the earthly order might not have spiritual blessing, and the one belonging to the heavenly order temporal blessing, but spiritual would not be outstanding in the one, nor physical outstanding in the other. One was blessed in basket and in store; the other, “having food and raiment,” was to “be content.” That God vouchsafed the miraculous until Christianity became an established thing, here is true, as Acts shows, a fulfillment of Mark 16. This is recorded. Faith receives it, and this is better than seeing it. Nor would the continuation of these manifestations comport with the present state of the church, which is in ruin, and awaiting judgment (2 Tim., 1 Pet. 4, Rev. 1). Not that our failure has diminished His fullness, but that fullness, while for us, will take a shape consistent with existing conditions. He is not going to adorn that which is ripe for judgment. “Tongues” belong to the same class of gifts. Of these it is said: “Tongues, they shall cease.” Moreover, “tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not.” God’s lowest way of appealing to man is by tangible evidence. His highest, by His Word, since faith is the principle that puts God in His place, and me in mine. Nor does the faith produced by a miracle evidence a work of God in the soul (John 2:23-25). “Faith cometh by (not seeing) hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

If you are contending for these miraculous manifestations, you might ponder with profit: “Covet earnestly the best gifts.” In the order of their importance they are: “First apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers,” and then as of far less consequence, “after that, miracles.” Then he places significantly, at the very end, what they were making so much of, “diversities of tongues.” From miracles to diversities of tongues, you have one grouping of gifts, inferior to those of prophet or teacher (1 Cor. 12). Beyond all, there is “a more excellent way”—Love— (1 Cor. 13). What Scripture would you refer to to show that the gift of healing was used in behalf of a believer? I mean from Pentecost on. I do not know of one instance.

Epaphroditus was “sick, nigh unto death, but God had mercy on him.” And who can not testify to the same “mercy”? It is striking that it should be put in this way as an act of mercy. The whole context gives him honorable mention, but does not intimate that they had a right to expect it; on the contrary it is regarded as an act of mercy on God’s part (Phil. 2).

“Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.” Paul, though having the gift of healing, did not exert it in his behalf. He left him to learn out of his affliction whatever God had for him in it.

To the “well beloved Gains,” John writes, “I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper, and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth,” clearly intimating that there might be a prosperous state of soul in an afflicted body. This we know was true in Paul’s case, already referred to (2 Cor. 12). Speaking more generally, “Though the outward man perish (is being brought to decay), yet the inward man is renewed, day by day.” Whatever our claim, this process is going on. Every wrinkle, every gray hair, every ache and pain, is just the preliminary shaking of what is to be removed (2 Cor. 4). The Spirit of God never leads us to expect the present redemption of the body. “Waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” When? At the time of “the liberty of the glory of the children of God” (Rom. 8). “In this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven” (2 Cor. 5). “We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body (body of humiliation), that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body.” This is at His coming again, when “mortality is swallowed up of life” (1 Thess. 4; 1 Cor. 15; 2 Cor. 5). What is it to be mortal? It is to be subject to death. The believer’s body constitutes the last link he sustains to the old creation, which “groans,” and he groans with it, not a groan of despair, but a groan of desire. I take it from Romans 8:11 that the power of resurrection resides in the believer now. This will be put forth, as we know from Scriptures already cited, at His returning. “If the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by His Spirit that dwelleth in you (Comp. 1 Pet. 3:18). I know this text has been juggled with, but its plain and obvious meaning is clear for one subject to His Word.

Scripture distinguishes between the “gift of healing” and “the prayer of faith.” The first was peculiar to some; the second is common to all, or available for all. James 5 prescribes a course for faith. “Is any sick among you, let him call for the elders of the church.” The sick are not directed to call for those having “the gift of healing,” but for the “elders.” We might have difficulty in locating these, since the church is in ruin. The making of elders was an apostolic prerogative, in the case of Timothy and Titus, delegated. But we have now neither apostles, nor their delegates, so no authority to constitute any. Should one be found having the qualifications, he might be owned in this capacity (1 Tim. 3; 1 Thess. 5:12). But, owning our weakness and failure, “the prayer of faith” may ever be relied on, where one is convinced that it is His will. “The prayer of faith shall save the sick.” I think I have seen a number of answers to prayer in healing. But you cannot build a school of teaching around this, making it an inflexible rule. If you send for the doctor, pray first, bring God in.

“Is any among you afflicted, let him pray.” I ask your attention to the fact that Timothy was at Ephesus, and the elders were there (Acts 20:17). Paul, however, writes to Timothy thus: “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake, and thine often infirmities.” Mark “often infirmities.” His was a chronic case. He was where he could have carried out James 5 in every detail, but he is not instructed to do so. This is why I say, you can not lay down an inflexible rule (1 Tim. 5). Wine was evidently used for its medicinal value. You can’t put the truth in pigeonholes; God always leaves room for exercise—a wholesome thing in any case.

Asa appeals to the doctors, instead of to the Lord, and he dies. Hezekiah turns to the Lord, and a poultice of figs is advised (2 Chron. 16: 11-13; Isa. 38). Always turn to the Lord. He will make it plain. Willess, and with Christ before the soul, I can get His mind. “When thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light” (Luke 11). What could better express the single eye than “I have set the Lord always before me.” To be really happy I must have Christ before my heart, and not my blessing of either body or soul. We shall soon have bodies of glory. Jesus is coming!! Till we see His face, may we “bear about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” God may help us out in this by “delivering us unto death for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor. 4).

“Luke, the beloved physician,” is mentioned in Colossians 4. His status as a saint is not disturbed by the fact that he was a doctor of medicine. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine,” Proverbs 17:22. I offer these, not as standing in the way of a faith that counts on God, but as showing there is latitude in God’s Word as to this question of healing. The blessed Spirit of God does not confine Himself to either course. We are inclined to extremes, especially if a halo of imagined mystery hangs over the question.

It is a startling, yet subduing fact, that as we approach the end, miracles will be found, more and more, on the side of Satan. The Man of Sin, the Lawless One, will work these. The very things that accredited Jesus will be practiced by this one, for the “strong delusion” of “those who loved not the truth.” His “coming is after the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders.” And how awfully solemn. GOD SENDS IT. The second beast of Revelation 13 is the same personage, and “He doeth great wonders.... and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do” (Acts 2:22; 2 Thess. 2; Rev. 13). How searching Matthew 7:22-23 and Deuteronomy 13:1-3.

Matthew 8:17 is sometimes used to prove that Christ “bare our sicknesses” atoningly. It should be plain, to any sober judgment, from the context that Isaiah 53:4 was then and there being fulfilled. It is not intimated that He was to bear them “on the tree,” where our sins were borne. He bore them in sympathy and love in His spirit, not in His body on the cross.

Affectionately, yours and His.

A Hiding-Place From the Wind

Isaiah 32:2.

One windy day, while two little girls were playing together, one said to the other, “I wish He would not send the wind to blow our hoops down.”

“No, Kathleen,” said the other, “He sends the wind to dry the clothes.”

The child’s saying reminds us that faith always puts the best construction on what God does. “He doeth all things well.” So Job thought when “the great wind” (Job 1:19) had done its deadly work. The bereaved one became a worshiper, saying, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Thus faith rides in triumph on the waves of adversity. “Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord” (James 5:11). Then was Job seen to be no loser (chap. 42:13), and God was a positive gainer, for His servant fell down and worshiped Him (chap. 1:20). The Creator and Commander of the wind was “a hiding place” for him.

And what but “a great wind” could have produced such marvelous results as those related in the book of Jonah? (Chap. 1). There God is seen to be using even the prophet’s disobedience to further His own purposes, and “the great wind” which He sends out into the sea results not only in the restoration of Jonah, but also in the blessing of all the crew. Who could call that “an ill wind” which brought a ship’s crew of guilty sinners into living contact with Jehovah, and replaced the feet of His erring servant in the path of obedience? “Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man” (Job 33:29).

Alas! some of us are very good fine-weather Christians. We like the south wind to blow softly (Acts 27:13), and even a little storm in our circumstances will fill us with “great fear,” and we are at our “wit’s end.” But even then our hearts need never want for anchorage, while we have such words as these, “God is for us” (Rom. 8:31). Yes, for us, when our friends are against us; when the world hates, when trials press, and when sorrows pierce, it is still true, God is “for us.” Whom He loves He chastens (Heb. 12). “He shall rest in His love,” and invites us to rest there, too. We cannot, dare not, rest in our love to Him; but in the Father’s love to us and for us our hearts may truly find repose, while we call to mind the blessed fact “The love wherewith He loves His Son, Such is His love for us.”

Not only is God for us, but what comfort there is in the Saviour’s words for our hearts, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end.” (Matt. 28:20). Literally it reads, “All the days”; whether they be bright or cloudy, calm or stormy, He is with us in them all. You never went a journey without Him; you never had a trial but He was with you in it. We may fail, He never will. The church may become more like the world; and the Christian, through unfaithfulness, may lose his reward, but the presence of Christ (as well as eternal life) is a thing never to be lost. His promise is an unconditional one, “Lo, I am with you alway.” If we are with Him, He will minister of His abundance to our souls; but if we leave Him, He will follow us (if it be with a rod), in order to bring us back to the place of blessing we had departed from. We often lose the sense of the Lord’s presence, and this accounts for so much of our sorrow, and so many of our fears. The disciples could never have thought of sinking in the deep, had they had a true sense of His presence. It is this which stills us in the storm, “It is I, be not afraid.”

“At all times, in all places, He standeth by my side, He rules the battle’s fury, the tempest and the tide.”

Correspondence: Ex. 28:33-35; 1 Tim. 6:14-16 and Rev. 22:4

Question: In what way does Exodus 28:33-35 apply to the Lord now? A. M.

Answer: Christ is our Great High Priest now in heaven. He was not a priest on earth. It does not seem that Aaron ever wore the garments of glory and beauty in the holiest of all. But Christ is crowned with glory and honor, and wears the priestly garments in the presence of God. He carries the names of His people on His shoulders: (the place of strength), set in gold—divine righteousness. He also bears each one on His breast—set in gold—divine righteousness. He loves each one by itself. The golden bells as they sound, tell He is living for us in the glory of God. This represents the Holy Spirit coming down at Pentecost. The many-colored pomegranates are the fruit He bears before God. We, in our small measure, may also bear fruit for Him by the power of the Holy Spirit, occupying us with Christ. Then for us He wears the miter, where holiness shines bright. He bears the iniquity of the holy things, (Ver. 38) and presents that which is good to the Father.

Question: Can you explain how in 1 Timothy 6:14-16 it speaks of Him as the One whom “no one hath seen, nor can see,” and in Revelation 22:4, “We shall see His face?” Is it because in one portion we see Him as the Man Christ Jesus, and the other the Eternal Son of God? W.

Answer: Yes, the perfect, faithful witness as a man is the great Ruler over all. He alone has power—the fountain of immortality, dwelling in inaccessible light. Absolute, infinite Deity. Angels and men are but creatures. They cannot comprehend God, nor can finite creatures ever comprehend the Infinite. “No man hath seen God at any time.” (John 1.) But what wondrous grace. “The only Begotten Son, in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.” John 1: 11.

Mystery of mysteries, that He should die for me! yet, “In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily,” and, “Ye are complete in Him.” Colossians 2:9, 10. “God manifest in the flesh,” “Seen of angels.” At last these glorious beings that wait on Him to do His will, hearkening to the voice of His word, saw the One they had so long obeyed: saw Him as the babe in the stable in Bethlehem, and it is in Him only that all which is known of God can be known, and so it will be for all eternity. The lamp of the glory is the Lamb. (Rev. 21:23.)

“The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him: and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.” Revelation 22:3, 4. And we, the church, are associated with Him in all that glory.

“God and the Lamb shall there

The light and temple be,

And radiant hosts forever share

The unveiled mystery.”

It Is Mine

Sitting in her little room, busily employed in writing, was an aged lady of fourscore years or more. Before her lay an open Bible, sundry verses of which had been underlined, and to copy these into a small book was the task in which she was then engaged.

God had been dealing with her soul, awakening there a sense of need and a desire to know Christ as her Saviour, but she had but little, if any, assurance of her security.

Her task ended, she rose up, and, as she thought, closed the Bible, and laid it and her little book aside. On returning to the table, she found to her surprise the Bible still there, and an underlined verse on the open page seemed to look at her reproachfully, and to say, What have I done that I should be left out of your book? She looked at it, and found it was the forty-seventh verse of John 6: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.”

Powerfully did those words go home to her heart. “Blessed Lord,” she said, “I do believe in Thee. Then I have eternal life; it is mine; Thou sayest it.” Brightly shone the light into her heart as she received, in childlike simplicity, those precious words. Thenceforward she knew she had everlasting life; not because she felt it, but because He had said it.

Reader, cast your eye on that lovely verse. Art thou a believer in Christ? If so, What does He say is thine? EVERLASTING LIFE. Wilt thou not believe Him?

God's Word and Satan's Lie

When Adam was in Eden, God’s word to him was: “If you eat you shall surely die;” the devil’s direct lie then was: “Ye shall not surely die.”

In these gospel times God’s word to man is: “Believe and live;” the devil’s lie is: “Ye shall not surely live; life is only to be had by doing, feeling, working; it is sold, not given.”

So men believe Satan’s lie, and try to work for salvation, when God’s word says, “To him that worketh not, but believeth” (Rom. 4:5).

Standing Outside

I am standing outside thy door tonight,

Seeking thine heart to win;

The world for a while has withdrawn its light,

Wilt thou open and let Me in?

I have traveled far on a lonely road,

In sorrow and agony;

I have borne sin’s heavy and crushing load,

All for the sake of thee!

From the glorious heights of heaven I came

To seek thee and to save;

But the world—it gave Me a cross of shame,

And a lonely, borrowed grave!

I left My radiant home above,

All for the sake of thee;

I have died to prove My deep, deep love—

Wilt thou open the door to Me?

Thou hast wandered far in the paths of sin,

Thou art weary, and sad, and lone;

But My blood can cleanse and My love can win:

May I make thine heart My own?

The world—it has given thee care and pain,

Often famine and misery;

I offer thee treasures of priceless gain

Wilt thou open the door to Me?

If thou wilt not answer My pleading voice,

If thou wilt not open to Me,

Thou wilt sadly repent thy willful choice

Through a lost eternity.

And thy bitter cry will arise too late:

“Open, O Lord, to me!”

While the door of grace where thou mad’st Me wait,

Shall be shut forever to thee!

Deliverance

When the children of Israel were in haul bondage under Pharaoh in Egypt, God raised up a deliverer for them in the person of Moses. Ten fearful plagues fell upon the Egyptians, the last being the destruction of the firstborn of man and beast throughout the land. Israel were sheltered and preserved from the sword of the destroying angel by the blood of the paschal lamb, sprinkled upon the two side-posts and the upper door-post of their houses. Then Moses led them out of Egypt, and God wrought a miraculous deliverance for them through the Red Sea, destroying all their foes, and eventually brought them into the land, of promise.

This great deliverance is a striking type of redemption in Christ.

The believer in Jesus is sheltered by His blood, and preserved from judgment. And not only so, but also delivered by the power of God through faith in Christ and His finished work.

And as He is now delivered from all condemnation, which He voluntarily bore for us, suffering on the cross for our sins, the Just for the unjust, so we, in Him, are now and forever completely delivered also.

“There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1.)

“Herein is our love [love with us] made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17.)

God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son” (or, the Son of His love). (Col. 1:13.)

My reader, are you Satan’s slave, or Christ’s freed-man? “The truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32.) “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

World Betterment

The things that have no place in Christ’s life should have none in ours. This rule positively forbids the members of Christ from participating in those enterprises of the people of the world which have for their object the betterment of the world, and the improvement of the temporal conditions of those who dwell therein. Many of these who are Christians, in name at least, think it narrow-mindedness and fanaticism to say that the members of Christ should not take part with the leaders of the world in their philanthropic and other world enterprises. But they lose sight of the fact that the rulers of this world crucified the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:8) and that their interests in the world are diametrically opposed to His.

The natural man is well satisfied with the world, and is proud of its great institutions. Moreover, the prince of this world still points to “all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them,” calling attention to the numerous libraries, hospitals, asylums, universities, and the like, as evidence of the great progress of the world in goodness.

But our Lord Jesus Christ, “the faithful and true witness,” testified of the world that “the works thereof are evil” (John 7:7), and those who accept His testimony, and judge not by outward appearance, understand clearly that the great works referred to above are but the result of man’s efforts to make the world a healthy, safe and pleasant place to dwell in, apart from God.

“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord; but the prayer of the upright is His delight.”

“The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord; but He loveth him that followeth after righteousness.” Proverbs 15:8, 9.

Scripture Study: Acts 8

Verses 1, 2. God uses man’s enmity to Himself to carry out His purposes of grace. “Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee; the remainder of wrath Thou shalt restrain.” Psalm 76:10. Satan’s greatest triumph ended in his total defeat in the crucifixion of our blessed Lord. (Acts 2:23). The rejection of Christ as Israel’s Messiah is here fully completed. The messenger has been sent after Him, saying, “We will not have this Man to reign over us.” (Luke 19:14.)

God has His eye upon the man, as yet a leader in his zeal in the persecution of the saints. His hands are imbrued with the blood of Stephen and others (Acts 22:4), yet he is to be the chosen instrument of God to tell out the wonderful gospel of the glory of Christ, and the mystery of Christ and the church.

The gospel has been preached to the Jerusalem sinners, and to the Jews generally (Luke 24:46, 47). Now it is to go out wider, to the streets and lanes of the city (Luke 14:21). It was time now for this redeemed community at Jerusalem to be scattered, and when God sends them, they must go. And while He cared for them each one, and measured out their trials and their mercies with gracious and. tender care (Luke 21:17-19), He sends them by means of a great persecution that scattered them all abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. They were told to go (Mark 16:15), but they do not go yet, they still cling to Jerusalem.

Godly men carry Stephen’s body to its burying place, and make great lamentations over him, but his work is done and he rests with the Lord. He was faithful unto death.

Verse 3. Saul is mentioned as a self-appointed apostle in religious enmity against the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verses 4-8. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word. What a defeat to Satan! What power and liberty of the Spirit, giving from the Head in glory the gifts to minister as He will! (Eph. 4:8; 1 Cor. 12:4). And on these outcasts go, telling out of full hearts the story of Jesus and His love to sinful men. They are servants of their rejected Master; they share with Him the rejected place.

And now the faithful record tells of one man’s service to show us the actings of the Holy Spirit among men. Then Philip, who had obtained a good degree when serving tables at Jerusalem (1 Tim. 3:13), went to Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. His royal Master had gone there before (John 4), and now Philip can reap the fruit of the seed sown then, for “one soweth and another reapeth.” And like John 4 again, there was great eagerness to hear the Word, “The people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.” Many were delivered from the power of Satan, and many were healed. God bearing witness with the gospel in this way (Heb. 2:4), and there was great joy in that city. The good news of a once crucified, and now risen and glorified Christ, filled their hearts with joy.

Verses 9-13. We are now to notice a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God,” and for a time they were held under his influence. But when they believed the preaching of Philip concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then they saw and realized the power of God in the joy of their salvation.

“Simon himself believed also.” This at first sounds all right, and Philip doubtless thought it was real conversion, but real conversion is, “By grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

Ephesians 2:8. Simon’s was like John 2:23-25. Jesus would not commit Himself to such, and such could turn away from Him without compunction (John 6:66-68), but those born again would say, like Peter, “To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” But Simon was baptized, and thus brought into the house of God on earth—the first tare we see in the wheat field; the first one answering to the foolish virgins, having a lamp but no oil: in at the feast, but no wedding garment on. (Matt. 13:25; 22:12; 25:3. Compare 1 Cor. 3:10-17). So he continued with Philip, and wondered as he saw the miracles and signs that were done. He was not the sinner coming in his felt need to the Saviour, but a man taken by the power he saw, and did not understand, so his great power dissolved into nothing before this.

Verses 14-25. “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)”

We see plainly here the difference between the work of the Spirit in our souls, and the sealing of the Spirit to dwell in us forever, for these Samaritans were born again, and had believed the gospel, but for some reason were not yet sealed.

The long-continued opposition of religions had made a wide division between the Samaritan and the Jew, but now they are to learn that they as believers are one, and when the apostles laid their hands on them, that identified them with Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit came upon them, thus making them members of the One body (1 Cor. 12:12, 13). Thus the Lord was careful to secure the unity of the Spirit among the saints whether they had been Jews or Samaritans before.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostle’s hands, the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.”

Peter said unto him, “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee, for I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.” Simon answered, “Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.” He proves ignorant of any true knowledge of what wickedness is, and is only afraid of what might come upon him. He was a professing Christian, without life in his soul, or true knowledge of God.

Peter and John testified and preached the Word unto them, and then returned to Jerusalem, and on the way preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. In Matthew 7:22 and Matthew 10:1-8 where Judas Iscariot, the unconverted apostle (John 6:70), was sent to work miracles, it is proved that working miracles is not any mark of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, or of conversion.

Verse 26. Another step in the actings of the Holy Spirit is now seen in the eunuch, an Ethiopian from Abyssinia, a prosolyte to the Jewish faith, a soul hungering after God, and had come to Jerusalem, and had failed to find in its ceremonies, for it was an empty temple, what his soul longed for. The Lord saw him, and Philip’s work at Samaria is ended, so the angel of the Lord spake unto him, “Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.” No explanation is given or needed. Philip has confidence in His Master, and he is a willing servant. He arose and went from the busy crowds and young converts, to meet this great man of the world, yet a soul hungering for the truth, now on his return journey, but still eager to hear for he was reading Isaiah 53, reading and wondering who it was about. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, “Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, “Understandest thou what thou readest?” And he said, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the Scripture which he read was this, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before His shearer, so opened He not His mouth. In His humiliation His judgment was taken away: and who shall declare His generation? for His life is taken from the earth.”

The eunuch answered Philip, “I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?”

Then Philip began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. To the Samaritans he preached Christ, for they in His life here had known Jesus, and Philip unfolded to them His new position as risen from the dead and glorified, but to the eunuch, he tells the whole story—His birth, His life, His rejection as the Messiah, His crucifixion, and then His resurrection to God’s right hand in glory, consequently “His life is taken from the earth,” He is glorified now at the Father’s right hand. And as they came to a certain water, the eunuch said, “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” He desired association with the Lord Jesus whose life was taken from the earth. It was not obedience, there is no such thing in baptism. It was that he desired the privilege of putting on Christ in baptism. (Gal. 3: 27.) (Verse 37 of Acts 8 is not authentic). He commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him, thus introducing him into the house of God on earth.

Philip’s service was done, for when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing in his new found salvation, and to carry the gospel away down to Ethiopia. It is said that traces of the eunuch’s testimony remain in that land until this day.

But Philip was found at Azotus; and, like a true evangelist, is active in the gospel, telling it out in passing through all the cities, till he came to Caesarea, where we find him in Acts 21:8 still well known as Philip the evangelist.

Service for the Lord

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee.” Psalm 84:5.

What constitutes its blessedness? It bring us into continual intercourse with our blessed Lord, and love delights in this. Morally, our power for service is found in occupation with Him. Love is ever self-forgetful, and, delighting in its object, would gratify it at any cost.

Let us learn a lesson from a little child: Nestling in her mother’s bosom, she has learned her love; gazing up into her face, she has rejoiced in her smile; that bright sunlight has kindled love in her own tiny heart; and now, as she grows, what delight has she so great as in some little measure to serve her mother? Her service may be feeble, awkwardly and imperfectly rendered, but it is her heart’s delight, for she longs to give pleasure to her loving mother.

What is so grateful to that mother’s heart as her little child’s labor of love? A hireling would do the work far better; but it is the motive and spring of service, which renders it so acceptable.

O dear young Christian, it is not all the truth that the Lord needs servants, for angels willingly serve Him, but if His love has kindled a reciprocal affection in our hearts, He would find an outlet for it in service here upon earth, graciously taking pleasure in our poor bungling work done for love to His name.

“Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be well pleasing to Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:9.

The day speedily approaches when He will call home His beloved servants, and, as manifested before His judgment seat, He will show us what His perfect estimate is of our service. He will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the heart, and then each shall have praise of God.

How many a little act of service done through love to His name, will He bring to light, unknown perhaps to all but the doer, and even forgotten by him, but never to be forgotten by Him for whom it was done.

O what joy it will be to hear Him pronounce our poor names, and to have His commendation of our imperfect service; and, above all, to rest from our labors with Him, our eternal joy, He Himself ever rejoicing over us!

Dear young Christian, He who shall be our joy forever, is the One who has called us to serve Him a little while. He was Himself the perfect servant upon earth, who, tenderly rebuking the pride of His disciples, said: “I am among you as He that serveth.” Luke 22:27.

Thus He is our perfect model in service, as well as our Object of unfailing delight, whose love moves us to service, and the faith of whom sustains us in it. Let our souls rejoice in Him increasingly, that we may be found working in faith, laboring in love, and patiently waiting for our loved Lord’s return! “Behold, I come quickly!”

Follow Me

(Matt. 4:21-22; Luke 5:11)

He called them, and they left,

Forsook for Him their all;

They heard His voice, and followed Him,

Submissive to His call.

His one command prevails,

No second word they need;

His voice has proved omnipotent:

They walk as He may lead.

They follow to the cross,

They follow to the crown;

Planting their footsteps upon His,

Making His path their own.

Their cross at once they take,

And follow Him, their Lord,

Confessing true discipleship,

And listening to His word.

With faces Salem-ward,

Through good report, and ill,

They gird themselves for war and toil,

Upward and onward still.

To work the work of God,

To breathe for Him their breath

For Him to spend, and to be spent,

Facing all fear and death.

Dreading no enemy,

With Christ upon their side;

Enduring hardness, shunning all

Of self, and sloth, and pride.

Content to sow in hope,

In patience and in pain;

Sure of a harvest yet to come,

And labor not in vain.

Forgetting all behind,

They press on to the prize,

Keeping the crown that fadeth not

Ever before their eyes.

Grasping the recompense,

Counting all loss but gain;

Glad with their Lord to suffer here,

That with Him they may reign.

The Lord of Glory

All along the way in which the Lord Jesus Christ walked on earth He manifested the Godhead in the perfection of humanity; yet His Divine Glory was hidden, except to faith, from which “He could not be hid.” There was the Eternal Son, in human form; full—full of grace and truth. “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” As though the Father said to us, “I have found My pleasure in Him, and now I set Him before you to find your pleasure in Him.” The object heaven could look down upon, is the object we can look up to. Here is the meeting point for God and man. In Him there is for man true fellowship with God.

The great discovery for the soul of man is, “God was in Christ.” “God was manifest in the flesh.” His unclothed excellence it was not possible for man to see, to look upon; but yet, to faith, the Lord walked here as the bright shining sun, illuminating all around, and the path before. As He passed among men, the question raised was, “Who has eyes to see Me?” I do not believe that His Glory would ever dazzle or put the believing soul at a distance from Him: but to be at ease in the presence of His Glory—of His Person—we must know the grace of His heart. We may walk about in the joy and comfort of the light which He sheds upon us, not regarding often the source from which it comes. If we would contemplate the source, we must stop and look upon Him. “Behold the Lamb of God!” “Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” “A great High Priest!”

The Lord was always the perfect Servant, and as the perfect Servant He was the lover of the saints—the people of His God. “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.” How familiar He was with those who knew Him, He calls them by their names: He called Philip by his name— “He calleth His own sheep by name.” Are you prepared to be called by name? What nearness—and what beauty in being exercised with the tenderness of the mind of Christ. “We have the mind of Christ.” But what discoveries are there for our souls to make in the display of His grace and His affections. What a thing (in man’s esteem) it is to find a gold mine: a field of diamonds! How much more, to find Christ! Nothing can compensate the soul for the lack of a personal knowledge of Christ. I speak of the secret which the soul of every saint should possess, the secret of personal communion.

The journey through this world is as a journey through a long dark path with glorious light above you and before you. Christ is that light. You want a lamp for your feet and a light for your path. The Word which speaks of Christ is that light. Christ in glory is the end to be attained. As we pass along a dark and narrow passage, with light at the far end, we get more light every step of the way we go. “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

His word is, “I go to prepare a place for you.” He is our Forerunner.

Surely I Come Quickly: Revelation 22:20

SURELY I come; My yearning heart

Is longing for My bride;

The pearl of greatest price to Me,

For whom I bled and died.

I Jesus, testify these things,

Behold, I quickly come

To call My blood-bought saints away

To dwell with Me at home.

COME, even so, come, Jesus Lord,

Thy face we long to see;

Naught else can satisfy our heart

But being, Lord, with Thee;

QUICKLY, that cheering word of Thine

Has touched a hidden chord;

Our longing hearts’ responsive cry,

E’en so, come, Jesus Lord!

The Heart's Questions

(1 Kings 10; Mark 10; John 21.)

The Queen of Sheba presents to us the condition of soul of one who finds that however great and extended may be his own resources, they are wholly inadequate to meet the questions which arise within the heart, questions which none can meet or satisfy but One, even He whom “God hath made unto us wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30).

The case of the young man in Mark 10, who sought the Lord for that which he knew not how to obtain for himself, is one both of analogy and contrast. Both seek a Solomon; both feel that they need Him; but the one finds in Him all that satisfies her heart, so completely that there is “no spirit left in her,” while the other, though conscious of His greatness, feels it too great a sacrifice to renounce all that he had trusted and rested in for Him. That is, he does not see in Him that supreme blessedness and glory, that all his own was (like Paul’s) “dross” in comparison, or that the survey or that glory left him, like the Queen of Sheba, without spirit, overwhelmed, lost in it.

Practically, we all feel that we need Christ, whatever be our natural resources; but the question is, How do we seek Him? Is it as the Queen sought Solomon; or as the young man the greater than Solomon?

The answer to this question determines the result. If, like the Queen, I begin by conferring with Him of all that is in my heart, her blessing will be mine; but if I do not confide in the wisdom which I seek to engage on my behalf; if I cannot confide my whole mind, there will be an imperfection in the relief, and in proportion to that imperfection of relief, will there be an inability on my part to fix my heart and attention on the One who can relieve me fully; and consequently to find an interest in His ways and doings; for this last can only be the result of the “questions” of the soul being met and satisfied.

True, the Lord knows all my mind and state; but in presenting myself before Him in order to receive from Him, and to have all my “questions” and anxieties resolved by Him, I must spread them before Him consciously to myself (so to speak) that I may feel where His counsel and wisdom can touch and color each of them.

In this the young man failed; there was no conferring of heart with Him. The woman of Samaria was drawn into conference with Him, and the discovery that He knew “all things that ever she did,” inspired her with confidence as to His ability to meet the sense of need which He had awakened in her soul.

Peter was touched by it: “Lord, Thou knowest all things,” he exclaims; and then he is fully restored (John 21). The young man asked what he was to do. The Queen, the woman of Samaria, and Peter, felt how dependent they were on the wisdom of God, not on their own, like the young man.

On Him, “God manifest in the flesh,” my soul depends. I confer with Him, of all that is in my heart, whether as a sinner, now first awakened, like the woman of Samaria; or as a disciple, like Peter. In either case the conferring of heart must be full, or the appreciation and attraction of His blessedness will not be revealed to me; neither shall I be fixed and concentrated on Him, unless I find how entirely and wondrously He has seen into the lowest depths of my heart, and met every “question” arising from the confusion and evil there.

If I fall short in knowing His wisdom, I fall short in appreciating Himself, and if I do not entirely and surpassingly appreciate Him, above all my resources here, I shall, like the young man, go back to them, though doubtless “sorrowful.”

But if the soul is consoled and satisfied with His wisdom, a wisdom adapted to its own needs and questions, all that concerns Him will then engage it. It was no effort for the Queen of Sheba to enter into all the doings and interests of Solomon! Nay, they so engrossed her that self had no place; there was no spirit left in her.

And in like manner Peter, having learned the Lord’s sufficiency for himself, can enter into His interests in His sheep and lambs; and not only so, but he can find it easier to follow Him than to leave Him. And need I add, that a soul that is following Him must know that joy and gladness of heart which spring from the happy communion with Him in his interests, which it has entered into, through the light that has disclosed to it the wisdom and fullness of Himself to meet all its questionings, its needs, and its distress?

Christ's Cross and Our Cross

Christ’s cross was His own, and none but He could bear it. Upon that cross was made by Him full and complete atonement and satisfaction for our sins, and as in that work He bore all the burden, so He has had, and ever shall have, all its glory.

It is perhaps merely an act of forgetfulness on the Christian’s part that leads him to speak of his bearing Christ’s cross. The cross the Christian has to bear is his own cross: “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me,” the Lord says (Matt. 16:24). The burden of this cross is a man’s own—particularly and peculiarly his own, though borne for his Master’s sake. The Lord may appoint the cross, and He will fit the burden to the back of the bearer. He has His own ways of wisdom, which none can equal, and He knows exactly what is the suited cross for each of His people.

The Lord’s way to the cross was upon the path of rejection and shame, and He calls His disciples to follow where He has trodden, and no faithful disciple need distress his heart as to what his cross shall be, for but a few steps trodden in the pathway of the Lord will make clear what is the cross to be taken up.

Correspondence: Rev. 2:6,15; 1 Cor. 11:5,10; Ex. 17:14; John 20:17

Question: What does the “Nicolaitanes” refer to in Revelation 2:6, 15? J. W.

Answer: The word means “conquering the people.” It points to the time when clerisy (clergy distinguished from laity) took its rise. It began by the deeds of some in Ephesus setting themselves up as the spiritual ones, who were more fitted to take part in the assembly. “Which thing I hate,” says the Lord, for it hinders the people’s worship and the Spirit’s leading, and robs God of the worship due to Him. In no place in Scripture do we find the Lord setting one or more men over a congregation to order their worship.

The church at Pergamos was dwelling in the world where Satan’s seat or throne is, and there in that worldly condition, we find Balaam’s doctrine that seduced the people into fornication, that is, linking the world and the church together in the world’s idolatry. And the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, that they taught as the truth, was the very thing that God hates, and set up a system entirely contrary to God’s Word.

Ministry, that is, evangelists, pastors and teachers, are given of God to minister to the church; true ministry comes from Christ in glory, but they are never appointed by men. (Gal. 1:1; Eph. 4:8, 11-13.) There is no such thing as ordination of the clergy in the Word of God.

Elders and deacons, offices, but not gifts, were appointed by the apostles. (Titus 1:5.)

What loss to God and to His people, the rise of Nicolaitanism has been. And let us beware of this very danger rising up among those gathered to the name of the Lord. (Matt. 18:20.)

Question: Please explain 1 Corinthians 11:5, 10, 11. J. G. M.

Answer: From verses 3-16 we have God’s order in creation. The man was to have his head uncovered when praying, because he represented authority. The woman was to be covered as a token that she was subject to the man, her covering being a token of the power to which she was subject. Angels learn by object lessons given by the redeemed, so the man and the woman cannot do without each other. Her hair is the sign of the place which God has given her.

“Given as a veil, her hair showed that modesty, submission—a covered head that hid itself, as it were, in that submission and in that modesty—was her true position, her distinctive glory.”

Both man and woman should also read 1 Peter 3:1-7.

A hard spirit in a man against his wife under any circumstances is forbidden of God. (Col. 3:19.)

Question: Why was Moses to write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua? Exodus 17:14. H. M. F.

Answer: Because Amalek, the active enemy of the people of God, can never be forgiven. (Compare Deut. 25:17-19; 1 Sam. 15: 2, 3, 18, 32.)

It is the power of Satan in the enemies of God’s people seeking to destroy them. So it is from generation to generation.

Question: Why did the Lord hinder Mary from touching Him? (John 20:17).

Answer: Mary, in this passage, represents the new position and relationship given to the believing remnant of the Jews, and so to Christians every where. He was now taking His place as a risen and ascended One to the Father’s right hand. Therefore she is not to know Him any longer after the flesh, but by faith, and their relationship is a new one that could not be known before Christ died. “My brethren.” “My Father and your Father, My God and your God.” Inside the Jewish sheepfold this could not be known. No Old Testament saint ever called God, “Abba Father.” This belongs to saints of this present time only. (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6; 2 Cor. 5:16.)

In Matthew 28 the women hold Him by the feet, yet He did not rebuke them, for there He appears as the Messiah. So also in John 20:27 with Thomas.

How Shall You Escape?

It is now nearly two years since the Lord showed me myself. About that time God was working mightily in my home, saving several of my brothers and sisters, and seeing them rejoicing in the Saviour they had found, made me long to know the blessed peace and joy that they possessed.

There was a mission being held in the church, which I attended, and there I heard the glad tidings of salvation to lost sinners proclaimed. The preacher spoke from those words in Hebrews 2: “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” and asked us how we thought we were going to escape, if we went on neglecting such salvation. “How shall you escape?” again he said. These words sank deep into my heart; I shall never forget how I trembled when he uttered them, for it made me wonder how I should escape.

After the meeting was over, I returned home, feeling very miserable on account of my sins, and went to my room and knelt down by the side of my bed, and tried to pray. But I felt I could not, for the burden of sin was so great, and Satan tried to delude me by telling me that I was as good as others, and that if I kept on trying I should get to heaven at last. This did not satisfy the longing I had within. I had been under conviction of sin for about a week, when I heard that grand and glorious verse, John 3:16, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” O, how I received those words of life! They seemed to come straight from God to my sin-sick soul.

I was going out at the close of the meeting, when a young man at the door asked me if I were saved. I felt I could not answer him, although I knew not why. I went home, and again at my bedside poured out my heart to God. Then the burden rolled away forever, as our blessed Lord showed me that coming to Him I must put all thoughts of self away, and trust entirely to Him. All that night I could hardly sleep, I was so overwhelmed with the newfound joy I had in believing.

Shortly afterward Satan seemed to whisper to me, “You are not saved after all.” This made me very unhappy, and I began to wonder if I really was saved. Then the Spirit of God led me to that verse, 1 John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” These blessed words removed all doubts and fears, and gave me full assurance. Now I can rejoice, knowing that my blessed Saviour has saved my never-dying soul. In a little while I shall dwell with Him in glory, where all sorrow and suffering shall be done away with; but during this little while He has left me down here, my desire is to work for Him, and to tell of His love, and willingness to save all who come to Him.

O, dear reader, if you would be saved, it must be by the precious blood of Christ, that flowed on Calvary! Can you go on unheeding the blessed Saviour who has done so much for sinners? O, come and trust Him, and may the Saviour that I have found be your Saviour too! I can say from experience that I knew no true joy until I was saved, and belonged to the Lord. His people rejoice in Him now, and also in knowing that they shall dwell with Him through the unending ages of eternity.

Doubts and Fears

As long as souls are occupied with themselves or their feelings, they are sure to be subject to doubts and fears, which are a clear evidence that they are still expecting some good from the flesh. But

“the flesh profiteth nothing.”

“In me,” says the Apostle, “(that is, in my flesh), dwelleth no good thing.” (Rom. 7:18.)

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh,” and remains incorrigible flesh as long as we live upon the earth. As surely as you expect anything good from the flesh, the law condemns, and the conscience is burdened with a feeling of short-coming and a sense of sin. Hence come doubts and fears, and the cry, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Many stop here for years, living in wretchedness. Are you one, my reader? What is the remedy?

Look by faith to Christ from self, and add with the Apostle, “I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 7:25.) Deliverance will be the result, and you will be enabled to say with him also, “We are always confident” (2 Cor. 5:6), instead of continually doubting and fearing.

“I am full of doubts and fears at times,” said one, “because I feel I still sin; and then I think that I cannot be a child of God, and that I have lost what I had, and must be saved again.”

“How many sins do you think that you commit in a day—ten?”

“O, more than that.”

“Well, let us say three—that is a very low average—one in thought, one in word, and one in deed. That makes twenty-one in a week, or over a thousand in a year. So that, according to your doctrine, you must be saved again and again and again, a thousand times every year, all the way to the glory.”

“O, that is stupid, isn’t it?” was the reply. “Yes, indeed it is.”

The perfect love of God casts out all fear.

(1 John 4:18)

By Grace Are Ye Saved

Once we stood in condemnation,

Waiting thus the sinner’s doom;

Christ in death has wrought salvation,

God has raised Him from the tomb.

Quickened, raised, and in Him seated,

We a full deliverance know;

Every foe has been defeated,

Every enemy laid low.

Soon, O Lord! in brightest glory,

All its vastness we’ll explore;

Soon we’ll cast our crowns before Thee,

While we worship and adore.

Faith and Love

The two great activities of a Christian are faith and love, both occupied outside of myself: faith to count on One who loves me; and love to think of and serve those whom He loves.

Scripture Study: Acts 9

We have here the story of Saul’s conversion, the chosen vessel to carry the gospel to the Gentiles. His zeal for his religion has already been seen in taking part in the murder of Stephen, and in making havoc of the assembly at Jerusalem, and entering into houses, arresting men and women, and putting them in prison; and here we find him breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the believers, and desiring letters of the high priest to do the same at Damascus, to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. He thought he was doing right as he wrote afterward, “concerning zeal persecuting the church, touching the righteousness of the law, blameless.” Such is the heart of man at the best, and this man, so full of energy, and determination to wipe out the name of Jesus from the earth, God, in sovereign grace, is going to make him His servant, to carry that Name to the Gentiles, and to suffer for it willingly.

As he journeyed to Damascus for this purpose, in the brightness of noonday, a light brighter than any created light shone round about him from heaven, which caused him and his company to fall to the earth. Then he heard a voice saying unto him, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” Thus the Lord arrested him, and revealed Himself to his soul, and to his sight, and blinded him to everything else. He saw the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus is revealed to him in glory. He had not known Him on earth, as the twelve apostles had. Saul saw the Lord of Glory, but asks, “Who art Thou, Lord?” and receives the answer that changed all his ways, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” His conversion gives character to his ministry. His teaching is of a glorified Christ, and of all believers being members of His body; he preached of the glorified Son of God, with all his zeal and energy, that is now used by God. Jew and Gentile were alike lost by nature, and Jew and Gentile saved by grace are alike members of the body of Christ.

The Lord directs him to go into the city where it should be told him what he was to do. The men who were with him saw the light, and heard the sound, but did not distinguish what was said. When Saul arose from the earth and opened his eyes, he saw nothing. They led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus, and for the three days he sat there, he was blind, and neither did eat nor drink.

God had spoken, he knew now his rebellion against the God he was trying to serve after a carnal manner (Rom. 10:3), but now he submits to the righteousness of God, and owns himself the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:12-16); calls himself a blasphemer, and persecutor, an insolent, overbearing man, the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, “because,” he said, “I persecuted the church of God” (1 Cor. 15:9).

God had taken him aside where, in the solitude of blindness, he could learn what he was as a man in the flesh, even when maintaining a good conscience (Acts 23:1; Rom. 7:18). What a revolution of mind he here went through! Three days of deep agony of soul repentance God allows him, then He sends His messenger, gives Saul notice that God’s messenger is coming, and he, now humbled, is ready for the message. A certain man lived there of whom we hear nothing before, and nothing afterward, but one living near enough in his soul’s intimacy to the Lord, to hear Him call “Annanias,” and he immediately responds, “Behold, I am here, Lord.” The Lord gives him full directions as to where to go, and adds, “Behold, he prayeth,” (he might often have said prayers before), “and hath seen in a vision a man named Annanias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.” Annanias told the Lord of Saul’s character, as if he was afraid to go to such a persecutor, but the Lord replies in words to encourage him to go, yet with firmness, “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will show him how great things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Annanias, therefore, goes to him, and putting his hand on him, Said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou earnest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” Thus his sins were remitted, and he was received into the House of God (John 20:23) by this quiet disciple who does not claim for himself any gift, but just that the Lord Jesus sent him; this was his only authority. He was received by man through baptism into the House of God, and by receiving the Holy Spirit he became a member of the body of Christ (1 Tim. 3:15 1 Cor. 12:12, 13; compare 1 Cor. 3:10 for man’s responsibility). He is not a Jew any longer except externally, and he did not become a Gentile. He is in a new place, and his part in God’s new creation is where he knows no man after the flesh (2 Cor. 5:16). He knows the Lord Jesus, and all His people as united to Him, the risen and glorified Head. Jews and Gentiles were alike under the wrath of God in nature as sinners against Him and now as saved ones believers are all one in Christ Jesus. What a, change for Saul! how it filled his soul with new thoughts, new desires, and made him count everything but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, his Lord and newfound Saviour, and he saw all his own righteousness as filthy rags, which now he was glad to be rid of (Phil. 3:7-10). Sovereign grace it was that called him, and revealed God’s Son to him, and made him His servant to unfold the mystery of Christ and the church. He is willing now to suffer for the One he before persecuted, and desires to know the fellowship of His sufferings.

It is important to remember that the Lord Jesus is ever a man in the glory of God, and calls us His brethren. He is also ever the blessed God at the same time, and what love to us since its only measure is the Father’s love to Him. He knows everything as God, and yet had the experiences of a man. He can take part with us in all our sorrows and trials and there is nothing too small for Him to notice. He has passed through the world, and knows practically its trials and difficulties, and sympathizes with us in everything, but sin. He knows and feels all, and passed through everything to help us, because He loves us. Precious truth! Wonderful grace! What an encouragement to our feeble faith to trust Him more fully.

Saul continued in Damascus for a number of days, but straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. It surprised the Jews, they were amazed at the change, that the persecutor was now himself a disciple of Jesus. But Saul increased the more in strength and confounded the Jews which dwelt in Damascus, proving that Jesus was the very Christ.

We find from Galatians 1:17 that Saul went away about this time to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus before going to Jerusalem. It was needful and proper discipline that he should have opportunity to mature in the truth now committed to him before entering on the commission given him by the Lord. (Compare Acts 22:15; 26:16-18). “After many days,” (verse 23) would cover the three years before he went up to Jerusalem. Persecution drove him out of Damascus, let down by the wall in a basket. At Jerusalem the disciples were afraid of him, till Barnabas told them of his wonderful conversion and experience in speaking with the Lord, and in his testimony for the Lord in Damascus preaching boldly in the name of Jesus. His visit there was a short one (Gal. 1:18), about fifteen days going in and out with the disciples, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputing against the Grecians, but they went about to slay him, so that the brethren sent him down to Caesarea, and then to Tarsus, his native city; there we leave him for the present.

At that time, a period of rest came to the assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, they were edified, and were walking in the fear of the Lord, and were increased through the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Verse 32. We find Peter again here carrying out the ministry given him in the power of the Holy Spirit. Visiting in many places as he goes along, he also came to the saints who dwelt at Lydda. A man lay sick there for eight years, paralyzed, called Aeneas. Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: Arise, and make thy bed.” And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

Then the Lord wanted him for a time at Joppa, where a disciple called Tabitha, or Dorcas, lived. She was full of good works and alms-deeds till she became sick and died, whom when they had washed, they laid the body in an upper room. And having heard that Peter was at Lydda, the disciples sent two men beseeching him to come to them without delay.

And Peter arose and went with them. When he was come they took him into the upper room where all the widows stood by weeping, and showed the coats and garments Dorcas made while with them. But Peter put them all out, and kneeling down, prayed, and turning to the body, said, “Tabitha, arise,” and she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. And having given her his hand, he raised her up, and having called the saints and the widows presented her living. When it became known, many believed on the Lord, and Peter remained many days in Joppa in the house of one Simon a tanner, waiting on the Lord for his next step.

The Lord's Roll Call

“The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16.)

O JESUS, come descending

For saints that sleep in Thee,

When Thou wilt change the living

To immortality!

Aye, for the Captain’s roll call,

Its trumpet shout is come,

His double hosts to gather

In one assembly home,

The rapture-morn is breaking

Unclouded, bright and fair;

His waiting ones are ready

To meet Him in the air.

“HIMSELF,” with shout descending,

Fulfills His faithful Word,

To fetch His saints to glory,

“Forever with the Lord.”

“Caught up,” for His adorning

In beauty to excel;

“Caught up,” with shouts exulting,

In unity to dwell.

“Together” there assembled

“Together” round HIM throng,

With transport ever singing

The never-ending song.

Your Father Knoweth

Sitting alone one evening, I was trying to solve the problem of life’s many perplexities and sorrows. I seemed like an insect tangled in a web, and I could not see the way out anywhere.

Raising my eyes from my open Bible, they lighted upon a small card on the wall of my room, from whence shone out in silver lettering the words: “Your Father Knoweth.”

They came to me like a ray of sunshine. Yes, He knows, and He alone can show me the way out of my difficulty.

“Lord,” I prayed, “I leave all in Thy hands.”

Then the turmoil which seemed surging around me ceased, and I knew my Father had undertaken for me.

So I would pass the word on to others: “Your Father Knoweth,” every fresh turn in life’s road, what new difficulties and dangers, and joys, too, are awaiting you. “He knoweth the way.” Whatever your trouble, loneliness, difficulties in your special life work, also the carelessness and indifference of those you love about the salvation of their souls—remember that He knows all about it.

Look away, then, to Him. Dare to trust Him implicitly, and you shall not only find that He knows your way, but that He is also making all things to “work together for good.”

Alone With Jesus

John 9

A poor man, blind from his birth, gets his eyes anointed by the Lord, and is sent to wash at Siloam. He goes—he washes—he sees.

The moment he sees, the neighbors are aroused. They speak of him as the one who “sat and begged,” for he now sits and begs no longer. “Some said, He is like him.” Such was the change wrought by getting his eyes opened, that they could scarcely recognize the same person. He, though more conscious than all else of this change, says, “I am he.”

But now they must know how all this has come about. It has created a stir among them, and for some cause or other, it has made them all feel uncomfortable. He is questioned, and, in a simple, artless manner, bears witness to what he knows: “A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went, and washed, and I received sight.”

Troubles now multiply. The case is referred to the Pharisees. Questioned by them, he has but one answer: “He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.” These were the facts; it was the truth; What else could he say?

Strange that simple truth, and truth, too, which ought to have made them all rejoice, should cause so much trouble. But so it did, and so it does, and so it will do to the end. The Pharisees divide, the Jews believe not, and so they all go to the parents of the man. Unbelief and self-righteousness will leave no stone unturned to prove that the truth is not the truth.

As to their son, the parents can testify, and they do so unhesitatingly: “This is our son, and he was born blind.” Further than this, however, they refuse to commit themselves, “He is of age, ask him.” They deny knowing how, and by whom their son had passed from darkness to light. “They feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already that if any man did confess that He was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.”

No doubt, they had at the first been more or less partakers of their son’s joy, such as his must have been, must have carried others along with it in a measure, at least, but the root of the matter was not in them, and now that the offense connected with the name of their son’s Benefactor comes out on all sides—now that it is a question of losing their place in the synagogue—they cannot stand, they flinch, they are “offended in Him.”

Not so with their son. A seat in the synagogue had not given him eyes, the Pharisees had never sent him to Siloam, and though one of the Jews, he only “sat and begged.” Now he was free, and it was Jesus who had set him free. Was he going to give up to them, though they come with such a pious saying as, “Give God the praise,” to cover a blasphemy? Nay, verily. He is in the light; Jesus has put him there, and he will be true to what he has, though it put him in the same place as He whom they have agreed to reject. Come what may, he must testify to what he knows to be true, “Whether He be a sinner or no, I know not; one thing, I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see”; and again, “Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.” The beggar has actually turned into a preacher.

O, the blessedness, and the moral grandeur, of being true to what we know!

And now for the cost: They revile him; he is a heretic because he is gone from Moses to Moses’ Lord; they close their ears to his unanswerable words, and finally “cast him out.” They have done all that they can do.

Reader, do you know what all this means? Have you been brought to the light? I do not mean the light simply as to the question of your salvation, but of any and every matter of truth—the church, the Holy Spirit, the coming again of the Lord, any part of God’s revealed will? And have you been true to it? Have you been true to every ray of light which has reached your soul? If so, then I venture to say, you know what I am speaking about. You know what it is to have left behind father, mother, friends, religious connections, and religious position. You know what it is to be alone in this world. Once in your life you have been solitary indeed. You had not chosen it nor sought it, but there you found yourself. You had found blessing, which your soul appreciated, but blessing is no company in itself. It meets the need, but it does not satisfy the heart. Mere need must have something; the heart must have somebody.

Jesus finds the blessed man whom faithfulness had brought into this solitude, and He is going to take him out of it. “Believest thou on the Son of God?” is the question He puts to him. The man is ready to step on, as is always any one who is true to the light he has, and accordingly he replies, “Who is He, Lord, that I might believe on him?” “Thou hast both seen Him, and it is He that talketh with thee.”

This is enough. The Son that gave him light has now become the center of the universe newly spread before his vision. What are father, mother, synagogue, and all the rest now? He has found a gain which sinks all his losses into insignificance. He has found Him who, for all eternity, as well as for time, is enough to satisfy his heart. He falls at His feet; he worships Him. Thenceforth to serve Him and care for His interests will be the thing next only to Himself. To get the smile of His approval day by day in his conscience, and by-and-by from His own lips, is sweeter than life. He has found Him from whom every good thing radiates—the Lord Himself. He has not passed from one synagogue into another, perhaps more godly one, or with more correct doctrine; he has not “changed his views,” nor found “a better religion”; no, he has lost all he had, and he has found all he wants, and ever will want—the Son of God, Christ Himself, Himself, HIMSELF!

Suppose there was none other with Christ when he thus met Him? What of it? Is not Christ all by Himself enough? Is there need of a great company with Him? No! my soul delights to repeat it, He, and He only, is seen by the man in such circumstances.

Suppose he had found ten thousand already gathered to the Son of God when he met Him, He would have been at once with them, but gathered to Christ Himself, not to these ten thousand.

Suppose ten thousand more were gathered after him. It would make him happy indeed for their sakes, and for the honor of Him whom he loves, but tens of thousands cannot add to the delight of his soul in Christ’s company.

Suppose trouble arise in the company. Suppose many be offended and leave. What of it? To whom can he go? There is no other.

Depend upon it, dear reader, you cannot stand in the hour of the storm unless you have been “alone with Jesus,” unless it is Himself who fills your eye and your heart. If it is to the company which is about Him that you have come, instead of Himself, you have something more to lose. You have yet found no center for your heart, and you are yet but a wandering star. And be sure of this, that Satan will leave none untested who connect themselves with the name of Christ.

But if such be the portion of him who has found in Christ his “all” already here, what will it be, O! what will it be up there? where, nothing more to mar the glory of His face, we shall see how worthy He is for whom we have lost all through faithfulness to Him.

Our Rights.

The thought that Christians are to have their rights in this world is to forget the cross and Christ. We cannot have our rights till Christ has, for we have none but His.

Love to the End

John 13

Ere Jesus left this scene below

For God’s right hand above,

What pains He took that we should know

How constant is His love!

As in His death it brightly shone,

And proved Himself our Friend;

So now on high He loves His own,

And loves them to the end.

Full well He knew the world of death

Through which we’re called to pass,

That on our souls would fix its breath,

As vapor clings to glass;

So He, to raise our spirits’ tone,

On us His eye doth bend;

For, having freely loved His own,

He loves them to the end.

To make us for communion meet,

Our true and only bliss,

He condescends to wash our feet

When we have walked amiss;

To guard our hearts, to evil prone,

On us doth He attend;

For, having freely loved His own,

He loves them to the end.

Amazing grace! Himself to gird,

That He our souls may serve,

And wash us by His cleansing Word,

Whene ‘er from Him we swerve;

Though there in glory on the throne,

Thus low will He descend;

For, having freely loved His own,

He loves them to the end.

Bathed in His Word, clean every whit,

No spot our souls to dim,

What holy joy with Him to sit,

And hear and talk with Him!

Thus in our hearts His Word is sown,

And we on Him depend:

For, having freely loved His own,

He loves them to the end.

This tempting scene will soon be passed,

And we no more shall roam,

No sorrow fear, no trouble’s blast,

But dwell with Him at home.

Then shall we see Him on His throne,

And, while in praise we bend,

Himself He’ll show unto His own,

With love that knows no end.

Keep Yourselves in the Love of God

“I trust God is keeping you very near Himself, and that He maintains the freshness of His grace and love in your soul. We need to be constantly renewed; without that, spiritual energy does not keep up— ‘they shall renew their strength,’ it is said, ‘like eagles.’ And it is not progress in knowledge that affects that; although this is profitable for helping others in the truth: what is of moment is the keeping oneself near God. There love maintains itself and grows—His love in our souls, which finds its activity and comfort in exercising itself towards poor sinners and towards the saints: one seeks the glory of the Lord in them, and their own wellbeing. God gives you to enjoy Himself; but God reveals Himself not only as infinite blessedness in Himself, but also in the activities of His love in which He finds His delight. And when His love is shed abroad in our hearts we enjoy assuredly what He is, but this love is active towards us by His grace. Activity, unless renewing itself in communion with Him, may be sincere, but will degenerate into routine and into a habit of acting, and is even dangerous; the soul gets far from God without knowing it. But abiding in His love, and His Word abiding in us, we can count on an answer to the request we address to Him in our hearts.”

Whose Side Are You On?

In the time of the Civil War between the Northern and Southern States, a man lived in a district which was sometimes occupied by the one army, and sometimes by the other.

When the Northern army was in the neighborhood, he said he was “a Northern man”; and when the Southern army was near by, he said he was “a Southern man.”

This contemptible conduct led at last to his being despised by all alike, and he had to suffer much at the hands of both parties.

On one occasion a company of soldiers came to his house unexpectedly. He was asked by them to declare whether he was a “Rebel” or a “Yankee.” Before answering he looked earnestly at their uniforms in order that he might say he was on the same side as themselves, but he could not make them out at all. The uniforms they were wearing were half Southern, of a gray color; and half Northern, of a blue tint. He was puzzled and did not know how to reply. At length, however, he blurted out: “Well, gentlemen, I am just nothing at all, and mighty little of that.”

Miserable man. A turncoat, a timeserver.

We condemn him for his base conduct, but is there not danger of our being sometimes for Christ, and sometimes for the world? Is it known by all whose side we are on?

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.” Revelation 3:15, 16.

“Who is on the Lord’s side?” Exodus 32:26.

A Talebearer

“A talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” Proverbs 11:13.

“They say!” But why the tale rehearse,

And help to make the matter worse?

No good can possibly accrue

From telling what may be untrue;

And is it not a nobler plan,

To speak of all the best you can?

The Woman's Service

What shall be said of the high honor which God places upon the Christian wife and mother? Let no mean or low thought be entertained of the duties of married life. In loving and caring for their husbands, in bringing up children, and in guiding the house, they are walking in the very sphere which God has ordained for them, and they may confidently count upon His smile and blessing. They may also have the opportunity of showing hospitality, lodging strangers, of washing saints’ feet, performing any acts of courtesy or kindness upon those whom the Lord loves, and also of relieving the afflicted. These things fall peculiarly within woman’s reach, and opportunities should never be neglected.

Woman’s sphere of service to the Lord is all the more sweet, because it is more secret and hidden than man’s, generally being found within the house.

Correspondence: 1 Tim. 5:8; 1 Tim. 6:19, 14; Philistines; Acts 4:27, 30

Question: Please explain 1 Timothy 5:8. J. G M.

Answer: This verse occurs where the laborer in the Lord’s work was entrusted in arranging matters of detail in the assembly. This verse teaches us that though our blessings are spiritual and heavenly, yet we must take care not to neglect the duties connected with our own household, in caring for and providing for them. To neglect our own, makes us worse than the unbeliever in our conduct, for he cares for his own. His may be a selfish motive; ours should be because the Lord has given us our household to care for for Him. (Eph. 5:22 to 6:9; Col. 3: 18 to 4:1.)

Question: What is the import of the words, “Lay hold on eternal life?” 1 Timothy 6:19, and what does “this commandment” refer to in verse 14? H. M. F.

Answer: This passage can be read, “Lay hold on what is really life.” It is in contrast with the mind being set on present things. From verses 17 to 19 those who are rich are addressed to not let their minds be set on, nor trust to their riches, but to the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy, and shows their privilege to use their money in view of eternity. By this means, they will lay hold of what is “really life” in the sense of “real enjoyment of life in communion with God.”

Verse 14 refers to the good confession Timothy had confessed before many witnesses, and he is to keep it without spot, and unrebukable, so that in the day of Christ’s appearing, the day of manifestation, it will have His approval.

Question: What do the Philistines represent as our enemies? G.

Answer: The Canaanites represent Satan’s power over which the people of God have gained the victory, counted and dealt with as enemies. The land was taken from them, and the Philistines migrated into the land, and were thorns and distress to Israel. So to us, they represent the allowed evil of Satan’s power, which distresses us, and hinders us from enjoying our heavenly blessings.

Jonathan, in the energy of faith in God, fought the whole camp with success (1 Sam. 14), but he lacked prayer and separation to God, and so eventually fell a victim to them (1 Sam. 31:2).

Samuel, a man of prayer, was ever successful against them (1 Sam. 7:12, 13).

Also David, as type of Christ, conquered them.

The energy of faith, given by the Spirit in prayerful dependence on God, alone can keep these enemies subdued.

Question: Why do the disciples pray to do signs and wonders in the name of the “Holy Child Jesus,” instead of the name of the Lord Jesus? (Acts 4:27 and 30). C.

Answer: The word “Child” should read “Servant.” Jesus was the Holy Servant, that was raised up as a servant to deliver Israel. (See Acts 3:22, 26; 10: 38; 13:33. Note the word “again” is to be left out. It is in these verses, raised up a servant in His lifetime. See N. T. and Revised Version). The disciples, in accordance with His place as Jehovah’s servant (Isa. 49:6), pray now, as servants of like character, for boldness to witness for Him, and to do the greatest works of which He foretold (John 14:12).

God Gives Eternal Life

One Sunday evening, a young lady went to a gospel meeting. She had often heard the message from God in that same hall before, but never till that evening had she felt how easy it was to be saved—how she had only to trust the Lord Jesus, and believe what the Bible says. John 10:28 was the verse which brought peace to Emma that night: “I give unto them (My sheep) eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”

“Dear Emma,” said a Christian friend to her, as they walked home together after the meeting, “God says, ‘I give.’ What will you answer? Can you, dare you say, ‘No; I will not take it?’ or will you answer in faith, and say, ‘I will take it’?”

For a few moments the two friends walked on in the still night under the thick trees which surrounded the hall. Then Emma said, “I will take eternal life, and I do believe it is mine through Christ Jesus.”

O, how simple! She believed, and was saved, for time and eternity. She can now rejoice in the knowledge that she is going to spend eternity with the loving Saviour who has given her this great gift, and praise Him for all His wondrous love to her.

Dear young friend, do you know Emma’s Saviour as your own? Can you say truthfully, “I have taken the gift of God?” If not, will you believe on Him now, and you shall be as safe and happy as Emma was, knowing that your sins are all forgiven—washed away by the precious blood of Jesus.

“Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Perhaps you say, “No, I do not want to put it off, only don’t feel good enough.” If, then, you know yourself to be a sinner, read 1 Timothy 1:15: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

Are your sins red as scarlet? God says, “Come now, and let us reason together, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” (Isa. 1:18.)

I ask you once more in the name of my precious Saviour, to heed His invitation, “Come unto Me.... and I will give you rest.”

The Precious Blood of Christ

The price paid for our redemption was infinitely great—the precious blood of Christ! It is written, “Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,... but with the precious blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:18.

Thousands of gold and silver, yea, all the riches of the rich universe, would not be enough to pay the price of man’s redemption. But the precious blood of Christ was all sufficient. What its value is, we are not told; there are no balances in which it can be weighed—no equivalent treasures by which its worth can be computed. There is no language in which its value may be expressed. Only this we know, God esteems it precious.

But how was God’s Christ esteemed on earth? Men saw Him, estimated His value, and decided upon His price. “The goodly price that He was prized at of them. So they weighed for His price thirty pieces of silver.” Zechariah 11:12, 13. A few pieces of silver was the price they paid for “The Chief among ten thousand—the altogether lovely One.” They saw no beauty in Him. They were blind to His perfections. Alas! alas! for the glory of my Lord.

This blindness as to His worth is not yet altogether dispelled, even in the Christian’s eyes, for the lust of a little worldly good, or the praise of men, will often turn us aside from beholding His glory.

May we say, with the Apostle Paul, “Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.”

“This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:8, 13, 14.

The Two Natures

Man is a fallen creature, born in sin, with an evil nature that does nothing but sin against God. This evil nature is utterly incorrigible, and cannot please God. (Rom. 8:8.) But God condemned sin in the flesh at the cross. (Rom. 8:3.) And when a sinner believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, he is born of God, receiving a new nature which cannot sin. (1 John 3:9.) But the old nature remains in him still, and not one whit improved by the presence of the new. Thus An unconverted man has one nature, sinful; A Christian has two, the old sinful one, and the new which cannot sin.

Many, when they are saved, are surprised and cast down because they sin again, and they sometimes even fear that they are lost after all. This arises from the erroneous thought that their old evil nature is improved, and thus Satan gets an advantage.

In Romans 6:6, we read, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed (not improved), that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed (justified) from sin.” God has given up the old man; it was crucified once for all upon the cross. Believe God, and you are freed from sin. It is no longer your master.

Then, as to the practical side, we are taught in the 11th verse to reckon ourselves “to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through (in) Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Not to realize, nor feel, nor experience, but to reckon. And there would be no need for such an exhortation if sin were not still in us, or if the old nature were made better.

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Scripture Study: Acts 10-11:18

Acts 10.

The introduction of the Gentiles into the Christian assembly is seen in this chapter, and Peter, against all his inclinations as a faithful Jew, is the instrument chosen of God to bring them in. To him was given the authority (Matt. 16:19), and God who is thinking of the Gentiles, (He is the God of the Gentiles also) prepares Peter to carry out His purpose.

So also is Cornelius prepared by God for communications from Himself by Peter. Cornelius, and his house, bear the stamp of being converted people, pious and God-fearing, marked by much kindness to the poor, and by their earnest, prayerful life they show their character.

Cornelius saw plainly an angel of God coming to him about the ninth hour of the day, and spoke to him, “Cornelius.” He was afraid, and answered, “What is it, Lord?” He said, “Thy prayers and thine alms have gone up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon whose surname is Peter. He lodges with Simon, a tanner, close to the sea.” Immediately he sent a godly soldier, with two of his household servants, his continual attendants, to Joppa to find Peter. It was the next day before they reached Joppa, and as they drew near, Peter went up to the housetop to pray about the sixth hour. He became hungry and desired to eat. But as they were making ready, he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and something like a great sheet, knit at the four corners, was let down to the earth, wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. There came a voice to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” The voice answered, “What God hath cleansed, that call thou not common. This was done three times. While Peter was pondering what it could mean, the messengers arrived from Cornelius. The Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.” So Peter was prepared for the occasion. He went down, and asked what their message was. They told of Cornelius, the centurion, a just man, and one that feared God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for Peter to come to his house, to hear words from him. Peter called them in, and lodged them, and on the morrow went away with them, accompanied by six brethren.

On the morrow, after they arrived in Caesarea, Cornelius was waiting, with all his kinsmen and near friends. He met Peter coming in, and fell down at his feet to do him homage, but Peter took him up, saying, “Rise up: I myself also am a man,” and he went in and found many gathered together.

Peter sees now the meaning of the great sheet. He said, “Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation: but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Wherefore also, having been sent for, I came without saying anything against it. I inquire therefore for what reason ye have sent for me?”

Cornelius now tells his story, which showed Peter that it was God’s voice calling the Gentiles into the same blessing with the Jews, and he cannot refuse what Cornelius says. “Thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.”

God has put him in company with Gentiles, and Peter said, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to Him.”

He tells them of the message sent to Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ. (He is Lord of all—Jew and Gentile). Ye know John’s testimony, and Jesus’ life-works in the power of the Holy Spirit, doing good, and healing all, and delivering men from Satan’s power, for God was with Him. Then His rejection, crucifixion, death and resurrection. And God gave Him to be openly seen of witnesses who were chosen before of God, and Peter could say, “We did eat and drink with Him after He rose from among the dead, and He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that He it is who was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.”

Then he told out the word that opened the door for them. “To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” What glad hearts were made out of hungry souls as they heard the news for the first time preached to whosoever—any man. They needed no second offer; they heard and received the word. And while Peter was yet speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all them that heard the word. They of the circumcision were astonished; they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God, and knew that the Holy Spirit had taken possession of them. The Gentiles also had received the Holy Spirit. There was one thing more that had to be done, and that was to bring them into the House of God. Peter says, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?” By the Spirit dwelling in them, they were already members of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12, 13), and so Peter, in the name of the Lord, commanded them to be baptized.

They did not become Jews any more than before. Both Jew and Gentile lost their nationality in coming into the assembly of God on earth.

We have now seen the converted of the Jews, Samaritans, proselytes and Gentiles, all brought into the one assembly, all owning the One Name “fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel.”

Chapter 11:1-18.

The apostles and the brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God; and when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they of the circumcision contended with him, saying, “Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised and didst eat with them.” But Peter had grace from God to go over the whole story with them. The vision he had, and the vision Cornelius had; and these six brethren were there to confirm his story, and to witness it was all of God, and lastly, “the Holy Spirit fell upon them as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, John baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit. If then God has given them the same gift as also to us when we had believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; who indeed was I to be able to forbid God?” This closed their objections, and then the tide of feeling changed, and they glorified God, saying, “Then indeed hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”

Ye Are Not of the World

Christ is the expression of what divine perfection is in a man going through the world.

If I look up I am perfect; if I look at myself here I am very imperfect: but still I am not of the world just as Christ is not of the world. What are we of? We are of God. We are of God in the midst of a world that is not of God; and in which now, what is religious and what is worldly, are so mingled together that you cannot tell what is black or white; it is all gray. So the Word has to be applied in a thousand ways to things of which the true character must be discerned.

The Spirit applies the living Word to every motion of my heart. He comes and says: I delight in you, but I cannot delight in this and that. The Father’s Word has to be applied to everything in me—things in which will has to be broken; and, because I am going to be in the glory, I purify myself even as He is pure (1 John 3); I have to keep company with Him. I am not sent into the world but in the measure in which I am able to testify for Christ. It may be but a little testimony that I am able to bear, but still that is all I am sent into it for—all that I am required to go into it for.

Be in Earnest for Souls

“I confess to my shame,” wrote the godly Richard Baxter, “that I remember no sin which my conscience so much accuses and judges me for, as for doing so little for the salvation of men’s souls, and dealing no more earnestly and fervently with them for their conversion.

“I confess, that when I am alone, and think of the case of poor, ignorant, worldly, unconverted sinners, that live not to God, nor set their hearts on the life to come, my conscience tells me that I should go to as many of them as I can, and tell them plainly what will become of them, if they do not turn to the Lord. And though I have many excuses, yet none of them satisfy my own conscience when I consider what heaven and hell are, one of which will be the end of every man’s life. My conscience tells me that I should follow them night and day, with all earnestness, and take no denial till they turn to God.”

Are We Spreading the Gospel?

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.” Luke 16:19-21.

If you or I were told that we were heir to one of the kingdom’s of this world, would we not feel very rich, and would the thought not come to us at once of all the good we could do to our fellow men? But we are heirs to no such mean inheritance. Are not we the heirs of glory— “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ?” And the question stands before us, “How are we using our riches?”

At our very doors lies the vast Empire of China with its six hundred million perishing souls, starving for the “Bread of Life,” and her sores are such that the very dogs would pity her.

“A million every month in China are dying without God, and we who have received in trust the Word of Life, we are responsible.” During this period of China’s awakening from her age long slumber, now is the time to sow the Precious Seed—Who will go to the work? Who will share in the joy of the great harvest?

Some will say that God is sovereign, and if He wanted the people in China to be saved, He could bring it about. Do we tell our farmers, It is foolish to sow the seed that yields the golden harvest? God is sovereign! He has promised to feed His people; Why not sit at ease? We know this is not God’s way in the natural world; nor is it His way in spiritual things.

We know He did feed three million people in the wilderness for forty years, and He could just as easily feed China’s starving millions, but His world is, “Give ye them to eat.”

The Lord has called some of our number to carry the glad tidings of the Saviour’s dying love to these poor people. Are we helping together with our prayers? And if we really pray, can we stop there? It is pointed out that we are to pray, not as the heathen, who use vain repetitions, nor as the worldly-minded, who ask principally, if not solely, for their own benefit. “After this manner therefore pray ye,” putting the kingdom of God first and His righteousness.

The parting command of the Risen Saviour was, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15. Have we been obedient to that command? In China is to be found half the heathen population of the whole world, and after nearly two thousand years, only the fringes have been touched by the gospel.

Many will say, We cannot go to China. What shall we do? The example of our Lord Himself is set before us, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

How did He act in view of the sin of a lost world—in view of His knowledge of the will of God? Was it not these things, the very conditions we too have to meet, that brought Him out of His heaven to limitless depths of self-emptying, even to “the death of the cross?” Grievously have His people failed in following that example. With the large majority of our fellow men, still destitute of the knowledge of salvation, How can we, owing everything to the sacrifice of the Son of God, remain comfortable and unconcerned in a life of self-pleasing? A thousand dying every hour of the day and night in China, and by far the greater part have not yet heard of a Saviour “mighty to save.”

“We have to do with One who is Lord of all power and might, whose arm is not shortened that it cannot save, nor His ear heavy that it cannot hear; with One whose unchanging Word directs us to ask and receive that our joy may be full; to open our mouths wide that He may fill them; and we do well to remember that this gracious God, who has condescended to place His almighty power at the command of believing prayer, looks not lightly on the indifference of those who neglect to avail themselves of it for the benefit of the perishing.” And we repeat, “A million a month in China are dying without God; and we who have received in trust the Word of Life, we are responsible.” Responsible to assist in giving them the gospel directly or indirectly.

And it may be because we have been so slow in going to them, God has sent many thousand of them to this country. What report do these carry home of Christian America?

And what of the Chinese; Are they worth saving? Surely, for they have never-dying souls, as well as others. And NOW is our opportunity to tell them of God’s wonderful plan of salvation—of a God who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. A God of love—how different from the gods the Chinese know, who fill their minds with terror.

Are the Chinese willing to hear the message? The story was told us lately of a poor Chinese who had found Christ as his own precious Saviour. This man was so poor that the squalor of his surroundings was past anything we could imagine. He sold his one possession—a pig, not that he might add a little to his own comfort, but that he might return to his old home to tell his friends and relatives how great things the Lord had done for him. Are such people worth saving?

Do we forget that the One who said, “Where two or three are gathered in My Name, there am I in the midst of them,” says also, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,.... and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19, 20. And the One who says, “This do in remembrance of Me,” says also, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these.... ye have done it unto Me.”

A few years ago two Chinese young women graduated from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. As they were saying goodbye to their American friends, a lawyer said to them that he was glad they were going back to China as doctors instead of missionaries; that what China needed was doctors. One of them, Dr. Mary Stone, replied that he was greatly mistaken, for since Eternity was longer than life, the soul was of infinitely greater value than the body.

Would that God should raise up many more of such, whose hearts burn with love for Christ, and love for souls, to go to China!

Tarry Not

“The Time is Short.” 1 Corinthians 7:29.

Tarry not. Send forth the message,

O’er the sea and through the land.

Tarry not; the Lord is with thee,

He will bless the willing hand.

Tarry not. The hungry thousands

Naught their famished souls hath fed;

Thine to satisfy their longing

With the Father’s Living Bread.

Tarry not! The cry of captives,

Bound with sin’s unbroken chain,

Calls for news of blood-bought freedom

Through the Lamb for sinners slain.

Tarry not, for souls are passing

Out of gloom to darker night;

Haste to shed along death’s valley

Beams of resurrection light.

Tarry not, though hosts, assailing,

Round thy path encamp about;

Flat fall walls of opposition,

When Jehovah bids thee shout.

Tarry not! The Lord is corning

Soon to reckon with His own;

Saith He not, “Him, who overcometh,

I will seat upon My throne!”

Ye Belong to Christ

There are few Christians, probably, who have not found joy and refreshment from the words of the Lord Jesus recorded in Mark 9:41: “Whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in My name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in Me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” The promise of blessing is held out to the one who gives even a cup of water to anyone in Christ’s name because he belongs to Christ. The warning of judgment is sounded to anyone who causes to offend one of the little ones that believe in Him.

“Ye belong to Christ.” Sweet morsel indeed to our taste. He owns us, He values us, He protects us, He appreciates all done to us for His sake because we are dear to His heart of love.

There are various ways in which we belong to Christ, and it will profit us to consider some of them a little.

First, we are His

By Creation.

Colossians 1 shows us this not to find rest in this world of the Son of God which the Spirit of God presents before us there, is that He is the Creator of all things (verse 16). “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.” This glory of the Lord Jesus is often overlooked or forgotten. But the Holy Spirit calls our attention to it in John 1:3, “All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made,” and Hebrews 1:2, “By whom also He made the worlds,” and in other passages as well as in Colossians 1: already referred to.

Everything was formed by His hand. He has made us, and made us for His glory. For His own pleasure He created us. As His creatures we should be for His delight. Alas! when our first father sinned in Eden, we find him seeking to hide from his Maker behind the trees of the garden. And we too have sinned, and we too have sought to hide from Him. The pleasure He sought in His creature has been hindered by His creature’s sin. Nevertheless it abides true—we are Christ’s by creation, we belong to Him.

But sin having come in, God has manifested the grace of His heart. He has declared Himself to be a Saviour-God. He has given His Son to meet us in our deep need, and He has been into death in order that we might be brought to God. In Him we who believe “have redemption through His blood,” and know that “the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” But the precious blood of Christ which has thus procured redemption and cleansing for us has purchased us. Thus the Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians could say: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which we have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20. We belong to

Christ by Purchase.

He has acquired a new right to us, and we who are thus “His own” may rejoice and say in the words of the hymn—

“Lord, I am Thine, Thy love to me

Constrains my soul to cleave to Thee,

And gladly to resign

Whate’er I have, whate’er I am,

My life be all with Thine the same

And all Thy shame be mine.”

What a wonderful position the Christian occupies, as seen in the passage just referred to. His body is now the temple of the Holy Spirit. He is Christ’s, purchased by His precious blood. He is enabled to glorify God in his body. Well will it be for us if we keep these things constantly in view. It must create a profound effect upon our whole course if we ever have in mind the fact that we now belong to Christ as bought by Him, and that the Holy Spirit has taken up His dwelling place in us in order that God may be glorified in our lives. No longer do we belong to the world. Christ’s death has separated us from it. We are in it, we are passing through it, but as we do so we belong to Christ, and know that at any moment Christ may come into the air for His own and call us to be with Himself.

But we belong to Christ in another way, and in a way that is without doubt dearer than any other to Him. Not only are we His by creation, and His by purchase, we are His also

By the Father’s Gift.

In John 6:37 we read: “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” The thirty-ninth verse of the same chapter tells us: “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” “My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” John 10:29.

These verses show that those given by the Father to Christ come to Him, are safe in Him, and are kept for Him. The Lord speaks of His sheep as His own (John 10:3, 4), and “having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end” (13:1). He values those who believe on Him as the love-gifts of the Father to Himself. May we not say that as each sinner comes to Christ he is seen as a fresh proof of the Father’s love, a gift from the Father and received and welcomed as such? In John 17 we find the fact of our having been given by the Father to the Son referred to seven times over (verses 2, 6 (twice), 9, 11, 12, 24).

Blessed indeed is it to ponder thus upon the joy of the Son in giving eternal life to those given Him of the Father; in manifesting the Father’s name to them; in praying for them, because they are the Father’s; in putting them into the Father’s care during His own absence from them; in guarding them so that they perish not; and lastly, in claiming that they may be with Him where He is. Precious indeed to the Son are the Father’s love-gifts to Him.

In 2 Corinthians 8 we find yet another way of belonging to Christ. We are His by creation, we are His by purchase, we are His by the Father’s gift to Him—all this is blessedly true of every believer on the Son, and our souls may dwell upon these truths with great delight. But let us ask ourselves whether we are Christ’s in the way in which the Christians were of whom the Apostle speaks the words: “This they did, not as we hoped, but first of all gave their own selves to the Lord and unto us by the will of God.” 2 Corinthians 8:5. Have we done this? Are we Christ’s

By Presentation?

Have we yielded ourselves to Christ? Have we given ourselves to Him? Have we ever in the secret of our own rooms, or wherever we could be alone, said to Him, “Lord, here I am—one of Thine own—I am Thine by creation, Thine by purchase, Thine by Thy Father’s gift; now, Lord, I give myself to Thee, for Thee to use, as Thou wilt and where Thou wilt and when Thou wilt; all that I am, and all that I have, I place at Thy service. Henceforth I am Thine by my own gift, and only Thine forever”? It will be a happy day in your history when this is true of you. Nothing less is a fitting answer on our part to all His unfathomable and eternal love to us.

“Lord, we are Thine: Thy claims we own,

Ourselves to Thee we’d wholly give,

Reign Thou within our hearts alone,

And let us to Thy glory live;

Here let us each Thy mind display,

In all Thy gracious image shine;

And haste that long-expected day

When Thou shalt own that we are Thine.”

Following Wholly

“Caleb... wholly followed the Lord.”

Caleb-like, I’d still be following,

Lord and Saviour, following Thee;

All I am, and have, and shall be,

All I would, and all I can be,

Wholly following, following Thee.

From all creature objects turning,

Wholly following, following Thee;

By Thy Word all wrong detecting,

Day by day Thyself reflecting,

Wholly following, following Thee.

Turning to Thyself my vision,

Wholly following, following Thee;

On Thy virtues ever dwelling,

Living streams within me welling,

Wholly following, following Thee.

Changed from glory into glory,

Wholly following, following Thee;

Known, the bliss of living union,

Perfect, undisturbed communion,

Wholly following, following Thee.

Watered by the dews of heaven,

Wholly following, following Thee;

Till, like Caleb, Canaan sharing,

All Thy faithfulness declaring,

I shall rest, and rest with Thee.

Correspondence: Wearing Jewelry; Bride vs. Body

Question: Is it right to wear jewelry? Does not 1 Timothy 2:9, and 1 Peter 3:3 expressly forbid it? M. I. C. W.

Answer: These scriptures are plain, and like all the rest, are to be obeyed. (Psa. 109:105).

Let us look at them, and read 1 Timothy 2:9, 10, together. In like manner also, (that is, men were to behave in godly ways), the women were to adorn (notice that word “adorn”) themselves in modest apparel, with reverence and soberness, not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array. But with good works, which become godly women. Unconverted women can have a nice exterior, but only Christians can have the good works which are indeed life works. They only can live for Christ.

“Read 1 Peter 3:2-4. Again they are told what they are not to adorn themselves with, and the rest of what is outward is left to their own sense of what becomes Christians. They are enjoined to chaste behavior with fear, or reverence. They are to adorn themselves with a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price, and this in the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible.

Let us keep our hearts with all diligence, for out of them are the issues of life. If we walk with the Lord, we get more conformed to His will expressed in His Word.

Question: Is the Bride the body of Christ? Some say Israel is the bride, and believers now are the body. K. A.

Answer: Israel is earthly, called to an earthly inheritance. The church is heavenly, is called to share with Christ in heavenly glory. The purposes of God for Israel and the nations are from the beginning of the world; the purposes of God for the church are before the foundation of the world. It is the mystery of Christ and the church which was hid in God, kept secret since the world began, till it was given to Paul to communicate, and was revealed then to His holy apostles and prophets. (Rom. 16:25, 26; Eph. 3:2-10; Col. 1:24-27.)

Israel rejected and crucified their King. God raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, then the Holy Spirit came down to dwell in the church, and every believer became in this way a member of the body of Christ. (1 Cor. 12:12, 13.)

In Ephesians 5:22-33, the wife pictures the church, and the husband pictures Christ. This mystic union is seen here in both ways, as His body and His Bride.

In 2 Corinthians 11:2, 3, the saints, or members of His body, are espoused to Christ as a chaste virgin, and warned not to be like Eve, who hearkened to Satan’s wiles.

Following out Romans 16:26, we go back to the prophetic scriptures. (Gen. 1:26.) There in figure is Christ and the church reigning. (Rom. 8:17; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; 2 Tim. 2:12.)

In Genesis 2 we have Adam, the figure of Him that was to come, (Rom. 5:14) set over all things, but no companion is found for him, and it is not good for him to be alone. The Lord God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep, and from his side took one of his ribs, and made a woman out of it. When Adam saw her, he said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh.” He recognized her as part of himself, and this was needed to make the complete man (Gen. 5:2). What a picture this is of Christ and the church. It could not be Israel, for Christ must die before He could have His heavenly Bride. She is taken out of His side, made for Him and made from Him, and she is His fullness or complement. (Eph. 1:19-23.)

In Genesis 22 the figurative death and resurrection of Isaac pictures the Father and Son in the work of atonement. Then in Genesis 24 the Father sends His Servant to call a Bride for His Son, and He meets her at the well. He, the Servant, adorns her, and fits her to be the Bride of Christ, with jewels of silver (redemption); jewels of gold, and raiment suited for our heavenly calling. Then the journey, led by the Holy Spirit the Servant, who takes care of us all the way till me meet our Bridegroom. The Holy Spirit is leading home to the Lamb His Bride. We might speak of Joseph as type of the Risen Christ and His Bride; and of Moses and his bride. Joseph’s bride answers to Ephesians 1:3; and Moses’ bride answers to Philippians 1:29, for Moses was at that time type of the rejected Christ. (Ex. 2.)

Then John in Revelation tells us of the marriage of the Lamb, and His wife hath made herself ready. But that is in heaven, and Israel could not be there.

Then in Revelation 21:1-8, we get eternity, and there we see the church, the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; that is: in all her fresh virgin beauty (Eph. 3:21). Think of it, transformed out of such sinners as you and me. (See 1 Cor. 6:9,11). Wonderful grace! Is it not? And she is the dwelling place of God at the same time. (Verse 3).

From 21:9 to 22:5 we see her as the Bride, the Lamb’s wife, displaying His glory to the world in the Millennium. (John 17:23; Eph. 1:12; 2:7; 2 Thess. 1:10). There Israel is at her gates, and angels also are under her, because she is the Bride, the Lamb’s wife.

Israel is compared to a divorced woman now, who shall be restored, but always earthly. The Song of Solomon is about this earthly One. Jerusalem is the spouse, and the cities of Judah her companions, spoken of in this way as the object of her King’s affections. We must remember it when we use that language in speaking of the church.

John the Baptist in John 3:29, spoke of the Bridegroom. Israel’s King was there, and he, a friend of the bridegroom, rejoiced that He had come. But He, the King, was rejected, and John was beheaded, that God’s great purpose concerning Christ and the church should be fulfilled.

Courtesy of BibleTruthPublishers.com. Most likely this text has not been proofread. Any suggestions for spelling or punctuation corrections would be warmly received. Please email them to: BTPmail@bibletruthpublishers.com.

Young Christian: Volume 11, 1921

Table of Contents

Where Are You Going?

God and the Sinner

The Lord Is Risen

Scripture Study: John 20

His Own: John 13:1

The True Grace of God Wherein Ye Stand: 1 Peter 5:12

If Saved - What Am I Saved For? Part 1

Fragment: Obedience: Power Against Satan

Sons and Children

Thou Art With Me.

Correspondence: What is Worship; Seared Consciences

The Unwelcome Visitor

The Person of Christ

If Saved - What Am I Saved For? Part 2

Scripture Study: John 21

Love's Wondrous Story

The Little Child: Matthew 18:1-22

To Him That Worketh Not

Things Which Are Before

Correspondence: Suffering for/with Christ; Sons/Children; Balaam's Error

I Love to Point Him Out

The Finished Work of Christ

Fragment: The Prodigal

None But Christ

Scripture Study: Acts 1

Hours of the Crucifixion

Divine Love

The Widow

He Is Faithful

Mary at the Sepulcher: John 20

Correspondence: Matthew 13:30; Father/Son Creator?

That Is How I Know It

How to Get the Blessing

Look!

Scripture Study: Acts 2

The Lord's Love

Christ, Our Judge

No Time for Jesus

Love to God's Word

Encouragement for One in Trying Circumstances

Fragment

Correspondence: 1 Tim. 3:16; Matt. 9:37-38 and Luke 10:2

Then I Must Be Saved

What a Savior Jesus Is!

Repentance Towards God

All May Come

Scripture Study: Acts 3

Rest

Extracts of Letters as Subjects for Prayer

The Spanish "Messages of Love": Part 1

Suited Affections

Not Your Own!

Mary Sat at Jesus' Feet

I Am the Shepherd True

Correspondence: Meaning of Luke 14:26

What Then?

Not of Works

Scripture Study: Acts 4

Fragment: How to do Business

Extracts of Letters as Subjects for Prayer

The Spanish "Messages of Love": Part 2

What Is a Christian?

Where Should We Look?

Fragments: Happiness in Trials

Poor and Afflicted

Severe Blasts

Correspondence: Great Multitudes; Gen. 3:4

It's All in the Blood

Forgiveness and Justification

Peace

Scripture Study: Acts 5

At Jesus' Feet: Luke 10:39; John 12:3

In the Twinkling of an Eye: 1 Corinthians 15:52

Extracts of Letters as Subjects for Prayer

The Service and Servants of Christ

Young Eagles

Watch

God Is Above All