(No. 7)

In Luke 19:43 Christ predicts:"For the days will come upon thee (Jerusalem) that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side." Now the word here for trench is "charaka," the accusative singular of "charax," meaning a pointed stake, or a palisade made of pointed stakes. Was this prophecy fulfilled when Titus took Jerusalem? Did he actually enclose the who|e city with a palisade of pointed stakes? He did. Josephus tells us that in three days, the whole Roman army being employed, a high wall of earth, held in place by pointed stakes, was erected to compass the whole city. Thus every single avenue of escape was cut off. But how did the Lord Jesus know that Titus would build such a wall forty years before this event happened? Read "Josephus," and you will find that all of Christ's predictions regarding the taking of Jerusalem (Mark 13:1, 2; Luke 19:41-44; and Luke 21:24) were fulfilled to the minutest detail. T. J. McCrossan

It is an unspeakable pleasure to bear witness to the name of Jesus in a world where He is rejected. It is glorifying to our God when we walk by faith and endure as seeing Him who is invisible. But the time is short-short for suffering, and that is comfort for the wearied; short for serving, and that is a spur to the faithful and loving. That word, "as ye have opportunity," is memorable. Are we not conscious of missing many opportunities? I have often thought of the sadness with which Peter, James, and John must have looked back on the opportunity which their gracious Lord gave them, of watching with Him in Gethsemanef "Could ye not watch with me one hour?"

And when the opportunity was past for ever, what a word was that from the meek and lowly One, "Sleep on now, and take your rest." What a time was it for the servant to sleep, when the Master was in agony. They had missed their opportunity, such an opportunity as was never before given man, and never can be given again. And are we not often like them? The Lord is no longer here in person, but He has yet left us abundant opportunities of serving Him. Nay, but in another view of it He is here, and may be ministered to. Can we remember no lost opportunities regarding which He may well say, "Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me."

The difference in character and testimony be-tween Abel and Cain is suggested in their names, the former meaning a "vapor," or breath, and the latter, "acquired."

As an acquisition the latter seems to be regarded as the promised deliverer,- "the seed of the woman," although in fact the seed of the man, and incapable of meeting his parents' conqueror, the devil. It would also seem that he is injured by the false glamour attaching to him, so that he becomes proud and can brook no correction-even from God (Gen. 4:6,7).

THE MEANING OF ABEL

however, suggests that a true understanding is reached, for a name that means a vapor, or breath, regards the younger brother as helpless and dependent. He is properly named and presented before God "in whose hand is the breath of all mankind" (Job 12:10).

This start in life is beneficial; it does not inject into the boy's mind the bias of pride; and leaves him in a frame of mind more apt to profit by the parental instruction which will be imparted to both brothers. Thus he will learn to consider the character of God who has been dishonored by his parents. He will understand the awfulness of the entrance of sin into this world. And he will accept the truth of its effect upon himself as born outside Eden, and recognize that the only way of approach to God is by a sacrifice setting forth the unblemished excellency and devotedness not found in Adam's children. He listens with understanding to the story of the fall. He conceives the futility of the fig-leaf coverings his parents had clothed themselves in, and appreciates the significance of those "coats of skins" furnished by God at the cost of the death of victims, pointing to atonement by "the Seed of the woman," who would be born of the blessed virgin Mary, who would become "a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death"-for us. Consequently as a

KEEPER OF SHEEP

we believe that Abel's purpose is to prepare them for sacrifice. As food they are disallowed, and as furnishing clothing their use is very limited. Thus we discern in his occupation the recognition of God's claims. This view of him is further strengthened by the evident pleasure of the Holy Spirit in naming his occupation before that of his brother. And the latter's subsequent behavior lends color to the unbelief that in his tilling of the ground (however right in itself), he expresses the assumption of approach to God upon the basis of personal character and works, as he brings the fruits of a sin-cursed earth and ignores the fall. The contrast to this is revealed in Abel's offering of the

FIRSTLINGS OF THE FLOCK AND OF THE FAT THEREOF.

He approaches God by a victim of excellence. It is not that his offering deals with the question of specific sins-as does the sin offering, alluded to in Gen. 4:7, "a sin offering coucheth at the door" (N.T.)-for the description of his offering is that of the burnt offering, portraying Him whose death ascended as a sweet incense to God.

The firstborn-"the Lord's firstlings" (Lev. 27:26)- sets forth Christ in the strength and excellency of His being entirely devoted to God in death. The "fat thereof" depicts that inward reserve of energy always available for God, and on the cross searched through and through by a holy and discriminating God, and found delightful as it ascends fragrantly like as burning sweet incense ascends.

This sacrifice furnished a covering for man; it was "atonement" (Lev. 1:4); it was the presentation to God of One who gave Him delight, while by that fact excluding man in the flesh.

In Hebrews 11:4 we further learn that Abel's offering was

THE ACTION OR FAITH

It was not a form of credulity but an intelligent response to the communications of God. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." The entrance of God's word giveth light. Never does God ask men to take "leaps in the dark." The victims of credulity who do take such leaps are those who rest upon the "hypotheses" of men while refusing the testimony of divine fact. We thus see that by his faith Abel gives pleasure to God, for "without faith it is impossible to please Him." Moreover "he obtained witness that he was righteous." On the ground of approach to God by sacrifice, he is accounted righteous before God, in whose presence he is covered by the victim who dies for him.

We may now consider

HIS DEATH.

Cain, obdurate and bitter, inveigles his brother into a conversation in a hidden spot, and slays him. Abel is slain because his murderer is "of that wicked one' (1 John 3:12). His mind is obsessed by a similar disposition and, as far as it is possible for a human being, by a Satanic viewpoint. With determination inspired by an evil bias as Satan's instrument, he slays the one who pleases God by offering the right sacrifice. But that is not all.

The human energy necessary for this crime is furnished by Satan with consummate skill. Cain is aroused "because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous" (1 John 3:12). Opposition to the redemptive plan of God exhibits its character in evil works, whereas submission thereto expresses itself in righteous works. And so evident is this that Cain cannot abide the witness against his evil character, he is inflamed with hatred, and murders him.

But although the Satanic purpose was to use this proud and enraged man to remove and forever silence the witness to God's character, he failed in so doing. For in wherein he "being dead yet speaketh" (Heb. 11:4), God makes Him one of His most effective speakers. So much so, that the Lord puts him at the head of the list of prophets (Luke 11:49-51). For no prophet searches the heart and lays bare its secrets more effectively than Abel. Down the ages he comes and by his stand for God points out to mankind unerringly the doom that ends "the way of Cain." Unansweringly he shows that there is no self-recovery in man; that Christ alone gives pleasure to God and can be the "covering" for man. To Abel this was dearer than life, and because of this he died, nevertheless it is in this way that he "yet speaketh." R. J. Reid

Dec. 1st, Neh. 8; Dec. 15th, Esther 9; Dec. 30th, Job 15; Jan. 15th, Job 30.

COMMENTS

Doubtless one important aspect of the book of Nehemiah is its records of God's mercy and goodness in establishing the remnant of Israel in the land according to the Mosaic order, in view of presenting to the nation the true Messiah in due time. This was essential for the fulfilment of prophecies relating to His coming, and for the development of God's further purposes connected with it. Such a restoration was necessary that the God-given order of things should again exist-the house with its service and worship, and the city with its walls and gates, with which God's testimony and government in relation to the earth were associated. So when Messiah came there would be that which stood for His own things, in so far as this could be under the still existing judgment of God upon the nation for the long history of unfaithfulness. The remnant owned this and took a right attitude, as shown in the confession of Neh. 9.

This restoration was, necessarily, of limited character; the people remained under the Gentile yoke, and Nehemiah was the representative of the Gentile monarch, and the glory of God did not return to the house, so that God (though bringing about this restoration) did not lift the sentence upon the people pronounced by Hosea. It was not yet the days of the new covenant for Israel. Thus what was absent from the restored order maintained a testimony to the righteous judgment of God which those of faith in the remnant owned; while that measure of the original order which God did permit to be re-established furnished the opportunity for a renewed testimony to what became God in connection with a people who confessed His name, and recalled them to His Word, with a distinct emphasis upon His future purposes for Israel. Thus there were those who looked for redemption in Israel (Luke 2:38). This suggests the underlying purpose of the return of the remnant, and the character belonging to it in the ways of God. We may also remark that this return falls within the scope of the Seventy Weeks of Daniel 9, and therefore is part of the order of events connected with those weeks, at the end of which the full blessing of Daniel's people will be accomplished, according to the testimony of the prophets. This remnant of the past is thus brought into relation with that remnant of the future seventieth week, when again the house will be built and, in measure at least, Mosaic order be restablished in Jerusalem, though still under Gentile protection as in Nehemiah's day. Then also will there be the evils of commercialism and wicked associations (Neh. 13), but in still worse forms, and amid it all also, will there be those who will look for redemption in Israel, the coming of the Deliverer out of Zion. The remnant conditions of Nehemiah's day, of John the Baptist's day, and those of that still future day are of similar character as to their political, religious, and moral features. In this way we may think of one generation which continues throughout the span of the Seventy Weeks.

Turning to Esther we see the providential dealings of God; His care over His people, as behind the scenes, ordering circumstances, moving the minds and hearts of men-in short, making all things work together for good, apart from His manifest intervention. Relating primarily to Israel, it shows her in her present place, there because of her departure from God who is watching over this "Lo-ammi" period of her history. We may discern in it also what depicts the end-time when the transgressors have come to the full, when Israel's utter destruction is the aim of the great enemy and his agents, the end being for Israel what it was for Mordecai.
Job opens lessons of God's deep ways in dealing with the soul of man, especially in connection with present suffering.

From the speeches of Job's friends we may learn that the best human wisdom, the widest experience, fail to correctly set forth God's character and His ways, and man's condition and needs before God. Many true things are stated in relation to both God and man, but spiritual understanding is lacking. Their weakness or mistake lies in assuming that present conditions show the measure of God's approval or disapproval. They fail to apprehend that God works through all things for the blessing of souls, that they may eventually more fully know Him and themselves.

The book is not of a dispensational character, but gives what is of ever-present significance and instruction.

In Job we may see a saint resting, even trusting, in that goodness which he finds in himself (which after all is the fruit of God's grace), so that it becomes the righteousness of which he boasts. This results in a self-vindicating attitude, with bitter complaint even against God when tested by trials and sufferings. To be shaken loose from all this; to lose confidence in his own righteousness as the ground of acceptance with God, is God's object in His dealings with His servant. Job is not alone in his need of such lessons, which comparatively few, however, seem to learn.

The true state of the heart is thus brought out and judged as before God. In result, the soul's realization of the ground of relationship with God is deepened-a ground of His own establishment, which rests on His grace, not on anything found or wrought in the saint. Thus blessing and the enjoyment of fellowship with God is greatly increased, because the good in us (which is the fruit of His grace) ceases to be a ground for complacency. This, often through painful experiences, we are brought to find outside of ourselves, and entirely in Him from whom all blessing really flows.

A short outline of the book's arrangement may help in our reading:

1. (Chs. 1-3). The introduction, giving us the setting of the case, the principal persons concerned in it, and the theme or subject of discussion.

2. (Chs. 4-31). The discussion between Job and his three friends.

(a)Chs. 4-14.The first set of speeches. 1:Eliphaz (chs. 4, 5). 2:Job's answer (chs. 6, 7). 3:Bildad (ch. 8). 4:Job's answer (chs. 9,10). 5:Zophar (ch. 11). 6:Job's answer (chs. 12-14).

In this part the friends emphasize God's transcendarit purity, ineffable righteousness and inscrutable wisdom. Over against this they set man's insignificance and wick-ednes, from which they conclude that Job must have sinned as the direct cause of his suffering; that he should repent and confess it, and so receive healing. Job revolts against their charge, and is provoked to criticize God's dealings.

(b) chs. 15-21.The second set of speeches, 1:Eliphaz (ch. IS), 2:Job's answer (chs. 16,17). 3:Bildad (ch. 18). 4:Job's answer (ch. 19). 5:Zophar(ch.20). 6:Job's answer (ch. 21).

Job having sought in his first replies to defend himself against the imputation of wickedness, not so much by direct refutation as by declaiming against God's actions with him, his friends now seek to press home their charge, setting forth the wretched condition, state, and end of the wicked. In reply Job complains bitterly of the attitude taken by, and the treatment received from, these friends, and appeals from them to God for vindication.

(c) chs. 22-31. The third set of speeches.

1:Eliphaz (ch. 22). 2:Job's answer (chs. 23,24). 3:Bildad (ch. 25). 4:Job's answer (chs. 26-31).

Note that Zophar does not speak this time. Eliphaz now makes his charges very specific, and closes with very definite exhortations. Bildad confines himself to emphasizing man's nothingness in view of God's greatness. Job, in a long speech, reproves his friends, asserts the uprightness of his conduct, and his integrity as his defence before God.

3. (chs. 32-37). Elihu reproves Job for setting himself forth in a way that would make him appear as more righteous even than God, and goes on to explain God's ways and purposes for blessing through them, finally setting forth the universal sovereignty and power of God.

4. (chs. 38-42:6). Jehovah now speaks, not to argue or even instruct His recalcitrant servant, but rather to overwhelm him with a sense of his nothingness by setting forth His own almightness. Job takes the right place in utter self-abasement.

5. (ch. 42:-7-17). The end reached in full blessing through the disciplinary ways of God.

The details about the antediluvian believers are very scanty; but through it all there is heavenly character. They do not supply history for the world; but they do supply instruction for the Church. This is heavenly. No spirit of burning or spirit of judgment had purged the blood of the earth, and they shrink instinctively from it. In the spirit of their minds they leave it. "What communion has light with darkness? What fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness?" their conduct asks. Their religion is that of separation from the world, and so are their habits.

They call on the name of the Lord. The name of the Lord is the revelation He has been pleased to make of Himself. Immanuel, Jesus, "the Lord our righteousness," Jehovah, God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost-these are among His names graciously and gloriously published by Himself. And to "call on the name of the Lord" was service or worship of God in spirit and truth.

This was the religion of these earliest saints. It was simply the religion of faith and hope. , They worshiped God, and, apart from the world, they waited in hope. "The work of faith" and "the patience of hope" are seen in them.

And in their ways and habits they are only seen as a people walking across the surface of the earth, till their bodies are laid under it, or are translated to heaven above it. They rejoiced, as though they rejoiced not; they buy, as though they possessed not; they have wives, as though they had none. All around them is as Babylon to them, and their harps are upon the willows. Cain's family have all the music to themselves. But Seth's family are a risen people. Their conversation is in heaven. They look for no estates or cities. All they take is an earlier Machpelah. Nothing is told us of their place or business. They are strangers where even Adam was once at home, and, much more, where Cain still was. They are without a place or a name. The earth knew them not.

They are the earliest witnesses of this heavenly strangership. Such a life is exhibited afterwards in other saints of God in its fuller, beautiful details; but we have it here in spirit.

The family of God in days before the flood leave the world to Cain. There is not the symptom of a struggle, nor the breath of a complaint. They say not, nor think of saying, "Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me." In habits of life and principles of conduct, they are as distinct from their injurious brother as though they were of another race, or in another world. Cain's family make all the world's history. They build its cities, they promote its arts, they conduct its trade, they invent its pleasures and pastimes. But in all this Seth's family are not seen. The one generation call their cities after their own names; the other call themselves by the name of the Lord. The one do all they can to make the world their own, and not the Lord's; the other do all they can to show themselves to be the Lord's, and not their own. Cain writes his own name on the earth; Seth writes the Lord's name on himself.

We may bless the Lord for this vigorous delineation of heavenly strangership on earth, and ask for grace to know some of its living power in our souls. It is this which has drawn me to this portion of the Word at this time. It reads us a lesson, beloved. And well indeed, if the instincts of our renewed minds suggest the same heavenly path with like certainty and clearness. The call of God leads that way, and all His teaching demands it. The pastimes and the purposes, the interests and the pleasures, of the children of Cain are nothing to these pilgrims. They declare plainly that they refuse the thought that there is any capacity in the earth, as it is now, to give them satisfaction. They are discontented with it, and make no attempts to have it otherwise. There lay their moral separation from the way of Cain and his household. They are not mindful of the country around them, but sought a better, that is, a heavenly. May I not therefore say of them, that they are strikingly opposed to the way of Cain, and remarkably apprehensive of the way of God? What I say of this antediluvian family is only as we see them in Gen. 5. I doubt not, as under every trial of man, failure and corruption are witnessed. But I speak merely of their standing and testimony as given to us here. Sons and daughters, as we are told, were born to them, generation after generation, and seeds of apostasy were sown and sprang up among them, I doubt not. But this does not at all affect the lesson we get from this fifth chapter.

After this pattern the Lord would have us:in the world, but not of it; of heaven, though not as yet (except in Christ) in it. Paul, in the Holy Ghost, would so have us, taking example from those whose "conversation is in heaven." Peter, in the same Spirit, would so have us, "as strangers and pilgrims" abstaining from fleshly lusts. James summons us, in the same Spirit, to know that "the friendship of the world is enmity with God."' And John separates us as with a stroke:"We are of 'God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness."

It is for the Church surely, beloved, to walk in this elevation and separateness. What is according to the call of God, and worthy of heavenly hopes, but this? We breathe but feebly, and glow but faintly, in company with those and like witnesses. What a temper of soul, it has just struck me, we get in such a chapter as Philippians 4! What a glow is felt throughout it! What a depth and fervency of affection! What a shout of triumph the spirit raises! What elevation in the midst of changes, perplexities, and depressions! The apostle's whole temper of soul throughout that chapter is uncommon. But if one may speak for others, it is to us little more than a tale of a distant land, or the warmth and brilliancy of other dimes reported to our souls by travelers.

Lead us, Lord, we pray thee! Teach us indeed to sing-

"We're bound for yonder land,
Where Jesus reigns supreme,
We leave the shore at His command,
Forsaking all for Him.

" 'Twere easy, did we choose,
Again to reach the shore-
But that is what our souls refuse,
We'll never touch it more."

But surely it is one thing to be the advocate of Christianity, and another to be the disciple of it. And though it may sound strange at first, far easier is it to teach its lessons than to learn them. But so our souk know full well.

We have, however, still to look at the destiny of these saints.
The translation of Enoch was the first formal testimony of the great divine secret, that man was to have a place and inheritance in the heavens. By creation he was formed for the earth. The garden was his habitation, Eden his demesne, and all the earth his estate. But now is brought forth the deeper purpose, that God has an election from among men, destined, in the everlasting counsels of abounding grace, for heaven.

In the course of ages and dispensations after this, this high purpose of God was only dimly and occasionally, slowly and gradually, manifested. But in the person of Enoch it is made to shine out at once. The heavenly calling at this early moment, and in the bosom of his elect and favored household, declares itself in its full luster. This great fact among the antediluvian patriarchs anticipates in spirit the hour of Mount Tabor, the .vision of the martyred Stephen, and the taking up of the saints to the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

Such was the high destiny of the elect people.

Early last year there arrived in London, England, skeletons of eight prehistoric giants embedded in huge blocks of stone. They are specimens of the now famous "Mount Carmel men" discovered during the previous year by Theodore McCown, a young American archaeologist. They are spoken of as belonging to an entirely new type of extinct man, being found unlike other fossils in their powerful build, their jutting chins and great awning-like protuberances over their eyes. These skeletons came from the Cave of the Kids in the side of Mount Carmel, and were excavated under the joint auspices of the American School of Prehistoric Studies and the British School of Archaeology in Jerusalem. Of course the scientists say these giants lived about 50,000 years ago, but may they not be of that race of giants which lived in Noah's day and generation, and upon whom with the wicked world of that period God visited the judgment of the Flood? May we not think of these giants having sought refuge from the ascending waters of destruction in the cave of Mount Carmel? Is it not more probable than the wild conjectures of the Anthropologists based on their delusive evolutionary theories?

Dr. Arthur Compton, the famous physicist, who is credited with having penetrated to the bounds of the known physical world, stated in a recent interview that though Science cannot be expected to yield evidence of "a God to whom men are as His children," yet "the evidence for an intelligent power working in the world which Science offers does make such a postulate possible." A Presbyterian by religious connection, but an evolutionist as a scientist, he speaks of the evolutionary program as "moving toward the goal of personality," and this he conceives is being ultimately realized in the making of persons who are capable of learning Nature's laws and sharing God's purpose in Nature as having "part in a great enterprise in which some mighty intelligence is working out a hidden plan." I suppose this is to be called a form of theistic evolutionary doctrine propounded by one who feels compelled to own the existence of God, and yet does not know what is His real and glorious purpose of the ages. Certainly Science cannot reveal that, or bring forth evidence of its truth; it only deals with what God's fingers have wrought in the creation of this great universe; but to learn His mind, His plan, He alone can disclose it to us. This He has done in His Book, written by human fingers perfectly under His control, so that their writings are "God-breathed Scriptures" (2 Tim. 3:16). How fitting that it should be so, and that it was not angels who wrote these living words of truth, since they concern the eternal destiny of men. But after all, the idea is right; this vast creation is "moving toward the goal of personality." On through the storms of Satan's rebellion, man's fall and the long ages of human sin, past and yet to come, the Divine throne is still supreme, and He who sits upon it is the absolute Ruler over all the various processes at work in all the different parts of His universal realm. Like a mighty weaver, every strand is in His hand, and they are being wrought into the perfect pattern of His own choosing. And at the end, when all is done, then we are told GOD SHALL BE ALL IN ALL (1 Cor. 15:28)-glorious goal of Personality, to which the whole great drama moves out of eternity across the stage of time into eternity, when the tabernacle of God shall be with men:"They shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, their God." A race of overcomers will inherit these things; they will indeed know nature's laws and share in God's accomplished purpose, He being to them GOD, and they to Him sons (Rev. 21:3,7). But who overcomes? Only those who are cleansed by the precious blood of the Lamb, who can sing now in truth as they will then:

"To Him who loves us, and has washed us in His blood, and make us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father? to Him be the glory and the might to the ages of the ages. Amen." John Bloore

As if overcome by the rapture of the vision, John says, "I fell at his feet to worship him. And he saith unto me, See thou do it not:I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus:worship God:for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

All Prophecy thus owns and honors Jesus as its subject. All that own Him the highest only, the most earnestly refuse other honor than that of being servants together of His will and grace. How our hearts need to be enlarged to take in His supreme glory! And how ready are we in some way, if not in this, to share the glory which is His alone with some creature merely! Rome's coarse forms of worship to saints and angels is only a grosser form of what we are often doing, and for which rebuke will in some way come; for God is jealous of any impairment of His rights, and we of necessity put ourselves in opposition to the whole course of nature as we derogate from these. "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."- F. W. Grant.

SOUTH AMERICA

In view of the increased activity on the part of Rome to regain some of the ground lost in South America, and the forthcoming Eucharistic Conference at Buenos Aires, definite prayer is requested for all the Lord's servants laboring in South America that they may "with all boldness speak the Word," and that the native Christians may not be stumbled or carried away by the outward show and religious pomp.

Our brother Stacey writes the following from Catamarca, Argentine:

Since last writing I have taken a long journey north to within a few miles of the Bolivian border. I had meetings every night for some two months, and in every place I visited precious souls professed to find the Saviour. I visited all the groups of believers known to us for some 500 miles north. Life and customs seemed very different in those parts,, and in some places the congregations were mostly Indians. It was amusing to see men with long hair down to their waists, and young Indian women who are eligible for marriage with bobbed hair. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish which are men and which are women. Some have their hair done up in a ball on top of their head and covered with a tiny round black hat which just fits the hair. In the lower lip some have a blue stone about an inch across let into the flesh, to indicate the tribe to which they belong. Tribes of these Indians come south from the northern forests to work in the great sugar-growing regions, where for miles and miles nothing but sugar-cane can be seen.

Some of the Indian encampments visited in the forests were sad sights. There was much sickness amongst them, and with none to care for them, many had died and others were dying. Their poverty was distressing. Some were just skin and bone, and had lived on koko leaves for months with hardly any thing else. These leaves contain a kind of narcotic from which cocaine is extracted, which acts as a drug to allay the pangs of hunger. Those who were able to get down to the districts to work in the sugar crops almost live on sugar-cane and get fat on it, but the poor women-folk and children who stay in the forest have very hard times, and are much oppressed. But there is a nice work of God going on amongst them in several places and they become very honorable Christians when they are saved.

I received a letter today from Tartagal, away in the north, telling me nine more had just been baptized. Some forty-one persons there professed to trust Christ when I was there some months ago, and they are now erecting a Gospel Hall, each one adding what he can every week. In their first love and out of their great poverty they give freely to the Lord. One brother is a dust-man, but a good part of his wages goes to the Lord's work. Another brother has a field of tomatoes, and he gives one-tenth of his gams to the Lord. Back in September when the plants were young they had several degrees of frost, and many market-gardeners lost all their plants, but all that this brother had were graciously preserved. About 100 came together every) evening while I was with them for about ten days, and as I left them their last word was, "You'll come back soon; won't you?" I trust the Lord may open my way to repeat the journey later on. Please pray for these many isolated groups in all the northern parts of this Republic, and also that the Lord may raise up gifted brethren from amongst them to be a help in the churches. Also pray for the elder scholars of the Sunday School. One girl of 16 confessed Christ a few weeks ago. There are others we are anxious about before they go out into the world. My wife is still continuing the treatment for her sight in England, but so far there is no improvement. Let us pray on, believing, till the answer comes.

AFRICA

Our brother William Deans and his wife, after returning from the Language Conference at Stanleyville, started out immediately for a month's journey, visiting the hitherto unreached villages. Before our next issue we hope to have an account of their journey. The following extract from a letter tells of their journey to the Language Conference.

From Nyangkundi we had followed the old slave trail, once whitened with the bones of human derelicts, past historic (in a bad sense) Avokobi, on to Stanleyville, doing by motor in three days that which would have taken forty-two days five years ago. Through dense jungle, past forest clearings spotted with fuzzy cotton balls, ripe for the picking, we traveled, often encountering natives with huge loads of cotton en route to the gin. One caravan of a near hundred carriers, men and women, startled by our approach, dropped their tremendous burdens and fled into the forest. Coaxed out, they shouldered their loads and staggered under their weight while we took pictures. Then, casting them off again, they willingly listened for a mere half-hour to the strange, before-unheard-of Gospel tale. It pleased us to perceive a language unity which made our preaching understandable. On the return journey we preached to more than three hundred at a point two hundred miles from Stanleyville.

As we thirteen translators sat around the table, translating, we could not but remark upon God's goodness in giving us a widely understood trade language. Brought in by the slavers, Kingwana has so gripped the land that God uses this tongue, a relic of the bloody slave-days, as a medium in the evangelization of many thousands. There, twelve miles down the Congo from Stanleyville, the mighty river flowing by a hundred feet away, we sought with the help of the Lord to unify this lingua franca! into which the Living Word shall be translated. Again God has made the wrath of man to praise Him, for the slavers' tongue is to become a mighty blessing and boon. The result of the meeting was a new edition of Matthew to be followed by Mark and Luke, as we translate on our respective stations, looking forward to the completion of the entire New Testament in; the course of a very few years, should the Lord permit. Thus, not only will the Kingwana Version of the Word provide a means for reaching people over an extended area, but it will give to all Christian people in this large section a common spiritual language, encouraging unity among believers.

WORK AMONG THE INDIANS-U. S. A.

Miss Rose L. Olson writes as follows:

Just a word from our little work here in Kingman, Arizona. Two weeks ago we had the happy privilege of having Mr. Buchenau with us for five days' meetings. We had two meetings daily with a good attendance. The Lord gave much help and rich blessing. There is a hearty interest among quite a number who love the Lord and the study of the Word and are earnestly reaching out to interest others.
The two weekly Women’s Bible Classes are well attended, and the interest is very encouraging, but we long to see many others reached who are wholly indifferent. We are looking to the Lord for this. He is able.

The children's Sunday School is keeping up very well, and nine of the older boys and girls who are saved are showing real interest in Bible Study and growing in grace, for which we thank and praise Him.

Our brother J. P. Anderson, from Valentine, comes every two weeks for preaching. We covet prayer for ourselves and this ungodly and indifferent desert mining town. There is much to discourage, but we have also much to praise and thank the Lord for. Some souls have been saved, others; established and built up hi the Word. May the "joy of the Lord be our strength" in these dark., difficult days.

HARBOR WORK-PORT OF NEW YORK

Brother West reports a young man from Curacoa, Dutch West Indies, as being definitely helped through literature given to him during the past six or eight months. He is a steward on a small Dutch freighter which comes to Brooklyn every three weeks. He has found the Lord, and is rejoicing in the truth of salvation, and while he is more or less troubled by the ungodliness around him is determined to go on for the Lord. Prayer for this young man is requested.

One of the encouraging sides of the work among seamen is that a good number of the men on ships who are known to the workers as believers are gathered out to the Lord's Name and are connected with assemblies in different parts of the world.

The several large packages of kit-bags received in New York recently from different sewing-circles have proved a very real help in the work.

Astronomers tell us that the earth and the other members of the solar system are proceeding with incredible velocity towards a point in the constellation Hercules:thus the stellar configuration will change in the process of time, and the present Pole Star will not continue permanently near the North Pole of the celestial sphere. This is treated of in scientific terms under the heading of the Precession of the Equinoxes.

People are always interested in such information relating to the future course of the physical universe. The interest is no less remarkable when the discussion turns on the future course of men and things in this world. The books of Daniel and Revelation are freely read by men who do not prize the Bible as the living Word of God. Speculations are rife as to the probable ascendancy of various races.

All through the nineteenth century, politicians dreaded the rise of Russia. Students of prophecy saw in Russian autocracy "the Assyrian" of the future. When in 1916, Russian Tsardom collapsed, Kaiserism focused attention, and Germany was supposed to be the home of "the Assyrian" of prophecy. When in 1918 Kaiserism was found wanting, prediction was completely nonplused. However, the rise of the new Russian dictatorship has revived interest in Russia once more.

It seems strange that men and women should display such interest hi the study of the destiny of nations and of secular changes fat the universe, whilst those same people will not devote a minute to the consideration of the vastly more important issue of their own destiny as individuals.

The proclamation of grace in the gospel is definite and final. That the destiny of those who receive the gospel is irrevocably fixed in this life is the unmistakable testimony of the New Testament. "He that believeth on Him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already" (John 3:18).

An old servant of the Lord used to say to young Christians:"Keep your eye on your destiny." The destiny of the unbeliever is fixed. The,"broad way" leads to complete eternal loss. So the destiny of the Christian, at the issue of the "narrow way," is eternal bliss in glory, with Christ. Hence we are exhorted to set our minds on things above which find their center in Christ at the right hand of God:viz., our destiny! T. Oliver (Galashiels).

Aug. 1st, 1 Kings 8; Aug. 15th, 1 Kings 22; Aug. 31st, 2 Kings 16; Sept. 15th, 1 Chron. 6.

COMMENTS

We have traced in David's history the type of God's Anointed, first in rejection and suffering, the object of hatred and persecution at the hands of Saul, the man of flesh; then brought to the throne, and as the warrior-king subjugating enemies, extending his kingdom, and providing for the accomplishment of what he knows to be God's plan, for David enjoyed the knowledge of this both as to his own house and the temple-God's house. Now we see the issue of this in Solomon set up as king, peace prevailing, the temple built, wisdom, riches and glory characterizing the kingdom-the type of Christ reigning in righteousness and peace after all enemies are judged.

But while the foreshadow of Christ's glorious kingdom is seen in this history, there is also the lesson of God's government in dealing with the house of David according to responsibility; for along with the promise given to David, which could only be fully accomplished in Christ, there was also the provision that if David's son committed iniquity he would be chastened. God must deal with him according to His own holy nature (compare 2 Sam. 7:12-17; 1 Kings 9:3-9). It is as under the responsibility here outlined that the history of the kingdom is given to us in these books, affording a demonstration of God's ways, of man's utter failure in the kingly place (as we have already seen his failure in the priestly place), of how God maintains amid the ruin a witness to Himself, of His patience and longsuffering yet sure judgment, as required to vindicate His own name and character against the departure and wickedness of His professed people-all of this bearing solemn testimony to man's worthlessness, and that only in and by Christ can be the fulfilment of God's purpose and plan.

It is well for us to see that in God's ways with man, He first establishes His order with man under responsibility. This serves to bring out, over and over again in varied relation,. divinely instituted for the purpose in view, man's complete breakdown; in no situation in which he is placed can he maintain himself in the established order of God. This we see in Adam, Noah, Israel under law, the priesthood, the king, whether in Israel or among the Gentiles as set up in Nebuchadnezzar, and now the Church as the responsible vessel of testimony on the earth. But God is not defeated through all this, for the accomplishment of whatever may be His order is finally realized according to His own counsels through grace and truth in Jesus Christ. Everything in which man has failed will be found perfectly realized in. Him. What we see, too, as tracing these ways of God, is that while His righteous judgments are brought in, He also shows His grace in provision for those who are of faith and walk with Him amid the abounding ruin which man by his failure brings in upon himself and his surroundings. Thus He maintains a testimony and shows His sovereignty. Especially is this evident in the prophet and his ministry throughout this period.

Toward the end Solomon departs from God and His Word. Then God, according to that Word, brings in chastening and trouble upon the king, and from his son rends the ten tribes, under the leadership of Jeroboam.

The remainder of 1 Kings deals chiefly with the history of the northern kingdom to which the name of Israel is generally attached. There are notices of Judah's kings -Rehoboam, Abijam, Asa, Jehoshaphat and others-but in the main it is the history of Israel up to the captivity (2 Kings 17), after which the closing history of Judah's kings occupy chapters 18-25. This seems to indicate that God deals with Israel (the ten tribes) as the responsible part of the nation, while Judah with whom the lamp of David is preserved fills the place of a remnant testimony in the midst of the break-up. With this testimony there is a maintenance of God's order, though much failure arises there also, but still it is in Judah we find the repeated work of revival and blessing until at last the scourge must fall; yet in this case it is of limited duration in contrast to Israel, and restoration takes place in God's due time.

Of central importance in this history there is the ministry of Elijah and Elisha – a double ministry in which righteousness and grace find expression, showing God's judgment upon evil and His blessing upon faith. In the circumstances which close Elijah's history and introduce Elisha we may see how a ministry connected with the earth, and with man's responsibility as represented in Israel under law, can only bring to Jordan-to death; and that in passing beyond it to ascension the significance appears to be that all link with Israel on that old basis is broken forever, Restoration has not been accomplished, spite of Elijah's faithful ministry and notable miracles. It was so with Christ who, though a minister of the circumcision to confirm the promise made to the fathers, could not in that way restore Israel, Jordan must be crossed; in other words, death must be passed through, the old judged and set aside, that in the power and blessing of ministry of a new order, as coming from the ascended Man (like Elisha returning from the translation of Elijah), grace and power together may bring in the blessing. Upon new covenant ground alone can Israel be blessed. Already this is in operation since Jesus was glorified, the Spirit coming to take up the work so that grace flows out to all now, as it will also in due course to Israel as a nation according to promise, and through her to all nations in the day of the kingdom. So in Elijah we learn there is the rejection and ending of the old condition and its basis, since restoration and blessing could not be realized in that way. Then, death and glory coming in for the rejected prophet, Elisha's ministry is after a new order, linked with the man in the glory. Christ will thus return to Israel in due time; but in the meantime, while the heavens retain Him until the time for the restitution of all things shall come (Acts 3:19-21), the blessed principles of this new covenant ministry are in operation, in the present going out of the gospel to Jew and Gentile and the gathering of all who believe into one body-the Church. As customary in the Old Testament, this interval is not noticed in the double type of Elijah and Elisha. We have in these things an interesting and instructive analogy.

Sept. 1st, 2 Kings 17; Sept. 15th, 1 Chron. 6; Sept. 30th, 1 Chron. 21; Oct. 15th, 2 .Chron. 7.

COMMENTS

The opening chapter of our reading records the overthrow of the northern kingdom by the king of Assyria, the captivity of the ten tribes, and the re-peopling of their land with foreigners. God had long suffered the evil ways of Israel, and had witnessed against them, warning of judgment by His prophets. The ministry of Elijah and Elisha had not effected their restoration, yet after the latter's death we read:"And the Lord was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them from His presence as yet" (ch. 13:23). Such was His long-suffering, and this lingered over them for about another 120 years during which time Amos, Hosea, Micah, and Isaiah prophesied, the two former particularly addressing Israel. The book of Hosea especially is like a series of sermons based upon the verse quoted above, for he more than any other sets forth the amazing patience and kindness of God toward this wayward people. The prophets bring out the real moral condition of the people, whether Israel or Judah, as God saw it, making evident the causes for the judgments He brings upon them. They give the internal and spiritual view, with blessed promises of restoration to be accomplished according to God's grace, the principle of the new covenant under which alone the blessing can come, and indeed according to this principle also our own blessing is alone realized. As necessary to the understanding of this prophetic ministry, these historical books give the actual events, the surface movements, within the two kingdoms and their unfaithfulness in association with Gentile powers. In all of this history we have not merely a true record, but history so written to teach moral lessons, and in certain parts typical as being foreshadows of events in the end of the age. This appears particularly true in the case of the Assyrian, for this power appears in prophecies distinctly future, for example Isa. 10, 11; Micah 5. It may be well to note that the end of the northern kingdom and the captivity of Israel constitute a solemn judgment of God upon that nation which occupied a place of relation to God in respect to the earth and His government on it, and should have loudly spoken to Judah, but it is not the turning point in God's dispen-sational ways when the "times of the Gentiles" begin to run their course. This could not be as long as David's throne remained at Jerusalem with which God identified Himself, rather than with the throne of Jeroboam which He permitted to be set up as a severe stroke of judgment upon David's house because of iniquity. When longer patience would have compromised His glory, God then set aside the throne at Jerusalem, giving over His land to be trodden down of the Gentiles to whom He gave dominion first vested in the head of gold, Nebuchadnezzar, until He shall come who is both the root and offspring of David, who will then set up the kingdom in power and glory on earth, fulfilling all the promises made to Israel as a united nation of twelve tribes and bringing blessing to all nations through that nation which will then be truly Abraham's seed both naturally and spiritually.

After chapter 17 the history is entirely that of Judah from Hezekiah to Zedekiah at the end of whose reign Jerusalem was taken and the temple destroyed. Throughout this period we have the prophecies of Isaiah, Micah, Joel, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, and Obadiah. The other prophets, except Jonah, were either during or after the Babylonish captivity. While Judah was permitted to continue, two notable revivals took place, first under Hezekiah, then under Josiah. But what we see is that these revivals pass with the men used of God. The deep seated corruption of the people is not overcome, there is no permanent change. While the mercy of God is seen in these times of revival, and they assure us that God will so act from time to time while He continues in longsuffering with that which has departed from faithfulness to and testimony for Him on the earth, still on the other hand they witness to an irremedial condition upon which judgment must fall ultimately. Not having continued in the goodness of God, He must act in severity. This is equally true of Christendom. Though God has raised up men through whom times of revival have been experienced, the general state grows worse, and the announced judgment is certain. Even with Hezekiah there is failure in his closing years which furnishes the occasion for the announcement of the judgment which will close Judah's history as a separate kingdom. Constantly the shadow of the future is permitted to fall upon the present, as with Ephesus the warning is given that the lampstand would be removed, so in the end the word is "I will spue thee out of My mouth."

The Kings have chiefly treated of the northern kingdom, called Israel and Ephraim, that is after the history of Solomon's reign, only bringing Judah and her kings in so far as they had connection with Israel, and then Judah alone to the captivity under Babylon. But in Chronicles we chiefly get the history of David's house with the purpose of showing God's grace in relation to its history so that only that measure of failure is brought in which helps to illustrate His grace. Kings affords us the more general and public history, Chronicles, the inner and more spiritual aspect. Chs. 1-9:34 give genealogies which carry us into the list of those who returned from Babylon. Generally speaking it is the line of descent drawn according to relation with God in way or another, in respect to His dealings and testimony on the earth, with emphasis upon the royal and priestly relations. Ch. 9 refers to those who returned from Babylon, but particularly as to the two relations just mentioned, and in connection with Jerusalem and God's house.

Ch. 9:35 opens the history, giving first a brief account of Saul's house and end to introduce David, Jehovah's choice. From this the history follows along the line of showing the order and power of the kingdom according to God's appointment, While perfection is not found, only that measure of failure is recorded which serves to bring out more clearly what is God's order. Thus silence is maintained as to David's early history of mingled suffering and failure, and his terrible sin in the matter of Uriah; but his sin in counting Israel is brought in for out of it came the purchase of the site for the temple, which then becomes his chief concern. As to it he gives his charge to Solomon and the princes of Israel (chs. 21, 22). A careful comparison of these books with the earlier book cannot fail to show special design. Doubtless 1 and 2 Chronicles were written after the return from Babylon, and perhaps by Ezra, thus the special treatment of the history in them would be of distinct comfort and encouragement as showing God's interest in Jerusalem, the temple, and His order in government and worship.

FRAGMENT "God has not opened up my way so far, to leave me now; this I know. He does not so work. 'The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost'-not earthly comforts, but heavenly and spiritual things. My greedy flesh shrinks from banishment for 'a little while' from kith and kin, but there are 'better things' remaining to me. Let my one desire in this life be to possess to the full those 'better things' at whatever cost to the lesser. 'Ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the Lord made by fire' (Lev. 2:11). It is ours then to lay aside the honey of this life, and let Him Who filleth all things fill us with Himself."-Extracts from "THE LIFE AND EXPLORATIONS of F. S. Abnot" (p. 58).

'Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord" (John 20:20)

Not infrequently we have applications from Christians wishing to associate themselves with us, because they are seeking amongst us for the solution of ills which have afflicted them in some center of formal religion. We may be sure that they will be grievously disappointed, if that idea is dominant in their minds.

The disciples were glad only as they saw the Lord in the midst. What has caused much of the unhappiness and disappointment has arisen through failing to see the Lord in the midst of His own. Then we are apt to limit our affections and interest to the merely social circle. Often that is as an inner ring within an outer ring of those with whom we formally associate in Christian observances. Moreover we need to see that in a much wider sense there are countless thousands with whom we do not associate who are as dear to the heart of the Lord as we are, and that in answering to the Lord's request in partaking of His Supper we should have these in view. We do not seek merely to express the fellowship of all the Christians in our locality, but we embrace in our thoughts the whole assembly of God in a world-wide sense, and that as two or three gathered together in the authority of His name we seek to express that truth.

It was a common expression at one time that certain Christians had been gathered to the Lord's name for forty years or more, and so on. Such is apt to be a misleading statement. The gathering to His name is not a perpetual gathering although it has a lasting significance. But it is only realized when we come together! If this fact is appreciated, we shall not be found claiming the monopoly of the Lord's presence, and so denying the same to any other Christian company, if those who constitute such are truly gathered in the authority of His name.

At the same time our being gathered together should leave a tangible mark upon us during the week of which the assembling forms a sort of vanguard. Even as it could be said of the disciples in the early part of the Acts, that people took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus, so it is nowadays, the apprehension of the Lord's presence must necessarily have a similar result. The people around will recognize that although in the world we are not of it. Meeting with the Lord on the first of the week will entail sustaining a new character, viz., the bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus that His life also may be manifested in our body (2 Cor. 4:10). -T. Oliver (Galaskiels).

BY ROGER B.EAMES

The year 1934 has been an eventful one. Many | and varied were the prophecies of what it would bring. These have been largely disappointed, while some unexpected things have happened. The "Menace of Lawlessness" in this country is said to be apparently increasing. The Attorney-General has called for a National Conference to meet in Washington this month. "The conference will be addressed by the President in Constitution Hall. Governors of all the states have been invited to attend, and invitations have been extended to legal, medical, sociological, scientific, religious, educational, civic, criminological, police, patriotic, and welfare organizations, and to the press." -"Literary Digest," Oct. 20.

One might suppose the combined wisdom of so august an assembly would augur well for a solution of the baffling problem. It should not be forgotten that, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

We believe Mussolini has set a good precedent in requiring that the school-leaders in Italy use the New Testament. He directs that, "All professors and teachers shall read the New Testament, shall explain this divine book to the children, and see to it that they memorize the best passages. This Book shall not be missing in any school library, for it is ever new through all the centuries. It is the greatest of all books, the most necessary of all books, because it is divine. The National Government desires by it to capture the children, and through them the soul of the Italian people, for the discovery of the sure way which will lead the Fatherland to the worthiest and truest greatness."

This was the secret of Britain's greatness during the Victorian period, and a recommendation such as Mussolini's from the Leader of this nation would do much to reduce the crime conditions which have become so grave a menace to life and property. "Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." It is asserted that "60,000,000 in America are un-reached by the Gospel; 6,000,000 young men never enter the doors of a church; 37,000,000 boys and girls are without Sunday School instruction." Here indeed, is a vast missionary field.

GERMANY. "The formal installation of Dr. Mueller as Reich Bishop took place in the cathedral at Berlin on Sunday, Sept 23rd.. .In the square before the cathedral where loud speakers had been placed to reach a promised crowd of 60,000 persons, a straggling assembly of hardly 5,000 had gathered." It is reported that the Evangelical Lutheran churches were crowded to capacity at the same hour. Hitler has since interviewed three of the Bishops of the Church who have been foremost in resisting the demands of Dr. Mueller, and he is understood to have declared that the State will have nothing further to do with the Church dispute. This is believed to indicate the abandonment of the attempt to force the churches into submission to the Nazi program.

THE ASSYRIAN PROBLEM. "After nearly a year's unsuccessful search for a haven in which to settle Iraq's unwanted Assyrian minority, the League of Nations has at last found a solution of the problem, which had apparently reached an impassse when the Brazilian offer to receive them was withdrawn some months ago. The Council of the League has been informed that Great Britain would permit Assyrians to settle in British Guiana, and that France would offer similar hospitality in French West Africa. About 20,000 Assyrians will be transplanted to those colonies under League supervision and with League aid.-"Current History."

The Inspired Word promises restoration and blessing to the Assyrian in their old territory during the Millennial kingdom, so that even though the League of Nations carries out its present purpose to remove them to Africa and South America, some nucleus of the nation will be left to fulfil the prophecy.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES. Is it simply a coincidence that just at the time when it is proposed to deport to foreign soil the poverty-stricken remnant of a once proud and powerful nation there should be unearthed in Mesopotamia the ancient ruins of a city which was built by a great king of Assyria? The excavations of the past season have uncovered portions of Khorsabad, which was built by Sargon, one of her kings.

"During the last few years, the workers of the Oriental Institute have unearthed many interesting portions of the ruins, and last year, they found a tablet engraved with the names of Assyrian kings from about 2400 to 750 B.C. -a truly remarkable find, because it provided for the first time, a chronology of the rulers of that important and interesting people.

"This year… a new portion of that marvelous ancient city has been revealed. The outstanding discovery was a citadel surrounding a portion of the palace… In it were found the remains of elaborately decorated gates, guarded by human-headed winged bulls, characteristic of the Assyrian culture. Thirteen feet high, and thirteen feet long, and weighing twenty tons each, these stone bulls were found in an excellent state of preservation. Adjoining them were carvings of two huge winged genii, sculptured in the act of anointing the bulls''-"Literary Digest."

Although buried for many centuries, photographs show the very pleasant expression carved on the human faces of these "winged bulls."

The history of Israel and Judah is interwoven with much of that of Assyria, inasmuch as the two peoples were repeatedly at war. It was during the reigns of Shalmaneser and Sargon that the ten tribes of Israel were deported to Assyria (2 Kings 17). Several kings of Assyria have prominent mention in Scripture in relation to Israel. Among these are Pul, Tiglath-Pileser, Shalmaneser, Sargon, Sennacherib and Esarhaddon. Sargon's name is mentioned but once (Isaiah 20:1). Fausset says, "Isaiah was the sole witness to Sargon's existence for twenty-five centuries, till the discovery of the Assyrian monuments confirmed his statement."

PALESTINE’S IMMIGRATION PROBLEM. "Among both Jews and Arabs in Palestine animosity has for several months been rife over the question of illegal immigration. Spokesmen for the Arabs have always objected to any Jewish immigration whatsoever, and sometime ago they began to focus their protests to Sir Arthur Wauchope, the British High Commissioner, on the large number of Jewish laborers who, they declared, were illegally entering and settling in the country.

"The Jews were even more deeply incensed because, while their own immigration was rigorously supervised, the Palestine Government made no effective effort to curb the influx of Arabs from across the Jordan, and of Syrians and Egyptians from over the northern and southern borders. The stiffening of British policy on Jewish immigration seemed to them, therefore, partial to Arabs.

"The British administration is, as usual, between two fires. Its policy on Jewish immigration, however distasteful it may be to Zionists, is based on expert studies of Palestine's capacity to absorb new settlers with Jewish standards of living. The Jewish accusation that the Authorities are partial to the Arabs, because of their lax supervision of Arab immigration, appears to bear some weight, but it would be physically impossible to police the inland frontiers without enormously increasing the forces of the country, and the British desire to avoid giving their rule in Palestine a military character."

-"Current History."

JAPAN AND RUSSIA. After many months of negotiations Japan and Russia have finally agreed that Manchukuo should pay about $56,000,000 for the Chinese Eastern Railway. This transaction between the two Governments should do much toward more friendly relations between them. There are other matters still unsettled, as that of the Siberian fisheries, and of the oil in the northern portion of Saghalin Island, which the Japanese naval authorities would like to acquire.

A great telescope, The largest glass casting ever attempted has been recently removed from its mould at Corning, N.Y. It is nearly eighteen feet in diameter by 27 inches thick, and weighs twenty tons. If this great telescope lens proves to be flawless, it will become the vital part of the greatest optical instrument ever constructed, and will bring distant objects four times nearer than any now in use. The telescope, with its observatory, mounting and equipment, will be erected in California at a cost of nearly $6,000,000.

It was about the year 1608 that a spectacle-maker in Holland accidentally discovered that by looking through two optical lenses held a distance apart, remote objects appeared much nearer. Accordingly, he fitted the lenses in a tube, to preserve their relative distance, and thus constructed the first telescope. Galileo, the renewed Italian astronomer, made great improvements on the first instruments.

The ancients studied the stars, giving names to many groups and constellations, and it is remarkable what they were able to discover with the naked eye. David says, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handywork." Job speaks of the Pleiades and of Orion, Mazzaroth and Arcturus. An old astronomer who believed the movements of the stars in their orbits produce melody, says, "Were our hearing .sensitive enough we could hear not only the separate key-notes, but the infinite swelling harmony of these myriad stars of the sky as they pour their mighty tide of united anthems in the ear of God."

"In reason's ear they all rejoice
And utter forth a glorious voice,
Forever singing as they shine,
The Hand that made us is divine."

Another year has passed into the shadows, a new year has dawned, and before us stretches the unknown path to be trodden in the days, weeks, or months of its course. No knowledge of one future step, no insight into the future, do we need; but what we do know and what causes the heart to cease from troubling is that we are "going home."

How sweet the thought! What a chord of joy passes over the harp-strings of the heart as we think upon the sure end of our path. Shadows may fall across it this year, sorrows unknown may come upon us this year, trials all unexpected may assail us this year, the fires of persecution may burn this year, many a stumbling step we may take this year, but there is One who is ever near (Phil. 4:5), whose face can be looked upon in the dark night when the winds are howling and waves are tossing high (John 6:18-21), upon whom if we steadfastly gaze we can walk upon the waters at His bidding (Matt. 14:29), One whose voice we can hear above the tempest saying, "It is I:be not afraid," One who though He must gently rebuke us, rebukes too the winds and the sea, and a great calm comes over the tempestuous scene; it fills our own quaking hearts-lot the peace of God, and the God of peace is with us.

What a Pilot, what a Saviour, what a Captain, what a Master sails with us in our ever onward course, "to the other side," for we are "going home!"

What a home! The Father is waiting there. The Son Himself will put us into haven there, when at last even the faintest shadow will have passed, the last cloud on our sky will have come and gone, the last doubt, the last unbelieving thought, the last of our coldness and failure, the last of our stumbling steps, the last fold of the obscuring veil of time and sense will have been folded up, and in the never-to-be-dimmed luster of that glorious shore, "at home," we shall see HIM in all His beauty, in all His glory-that Face once so marred for us, then seen in its proper glory, and seeing Him we shall be like Him!

What a home-coming-Home! It speaks of rest, of comfort, of love, of fellowship, all with the Father and the Son, and we as sons with Them. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed!"

O beloved, you and I are going Home. Then let us sing the songs of Home on our pilgrim way, and as strangers to all that does not belong to the holy, happy circle of that Home, live for Him, live with Him, day by day. Thus would He be our Companion on this homeward journey, and so afford us foretastes of its blessedness.

Of each of us let it be true:

"My heart is bounding onward
Home to the land I love;
Its distant vales and mountains
My wishful passions move;
Fain would my thirsting spirit
Its living freshness breathe;
And weary steps find resting

Its hallowed shades beneath."

With thoughts of going Home filling our hearts, we will live better, love better, serve better, for as there already in spirit where,

"No soil of nature's evil,
No touch of man's rude hand,
Shall e'er disturb around us
That bright and peaceful land.
The charms that woo our senses
Shall be as pure as fair,
For all, while stealing o'er us,
Shall tell of Jesus there,"

we shall grow more "perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." John Bloore

BY ROGER B. EAMES

The Roman Empire. "The inevitable prophetic line-up of European nations continues to develop apace. The League of Nations is to be reformed and built upon more solid principles. Mussolini has never approved of the League because it has been too flabby, lacking teeth. He wants to see something more forceful evolve in Europe. A new League is certain to develop, a union like that pictured in the prophecies. According to Daniel and Revelation, Europe's last League will be made up of ten nations within the territory of the old Roman Empire"-(Defender). the city of Rome is undergoing vast changes. Mussolini is endeavoring to restore the city to its old-time prestige among the nations. In three years of intensive effort the heart of Papal Rome has been torn out to build the processional avenue known as the Imperial Way, and the buildings of the Caesars have emerged from their graves, where they have lain buried for at least a thousand years, to be restored to their rightful place in the splendid fabric of old Rome. This is one of the oldest cities in the world.

The ancient city gave place to the Rome of the middle ages, and now the third and greatest Rome is springing up in all directions. Mussolini's forecast will be fully realized in the not-distant future. "A city spread over the hills and to the shores of the sea.. .a city vast, well ordered and powerful as it was in the time of Augustus …. a Rome that must appear marvelous to all the peoples of the world"- (The Daily Mail).

This great city will become the capital of the League of Nations when it is restored to life according to the prophetic Word. It will be recalled that Andrew Carnegie built the first "Peace Palace" at The Hague in 1910. From thence the location of these international peace parleys was transferred to Geneva, in Switzerland; and from Geneva they will move another step southward, to Rome, where the leader, the "Super-man," called in Scripture the "Beast," will have his seat of authority.

The ruler of the empire will be this Super-man for whom the world is now waiting. If we have read the signs of the times aright, the time is nearly ripe for his advent. He will represent the acme of the ambition of the nations to centralize power in the hands of one man. The present effort to make government and business one great national corporation that will control everything is apparent in both Italy and Germany, with the United States following closely on similar lines. If, as under the N. R. A. code, all business is under Government supervision and control, how simple it is to understand the power which this super-man, the ''Beast" of Revelation 13; 1-10, will wield. He will be the political head of the revived Roman Empire. His number is 666. He, with the second Beast of this chapter (ver. 11), who ,is the antichrist and ecclesiastical head, will work together for the subjection of mankind to their authority. The antichrist will make an image to the "super-man" and will demand that all worship him and his image.

The Austro-German conflict is attracting world-wide attention. Germany seeks to bring Austria into the Nazi fold, but Austria is wary. Being largely Catholic, Austria cannot approve Hitler's attempt to bring Catholics and Protestants together under his authority. Nor have the Protestants of Germany any thought of uniting with the Catholics to form a national church. This effort of Hitler shows dense ignorance of vital Christianity as well as of Church history. The blood of martyrs flowed too freely in the 15th and 16th centuries to be lightly forgotten merely to gratify the lust for power of one who knows not God. France and Italy are opposed to Hitler's ambitions concerning Austria, and it is more than doubtful that he will achieve his purpose. Austria belongs rather to the Roman Empire, as it was a part of it in the past.

War in Europe is imminent according to some observers. Scripture teaches that the age will end with the greatest cataclysm of history. The Lord taught that there would be wars and rumors of wars all down the stream of time. These have occurred. The next war of world magnitude will be at the opening of the second seal, we believe, when the red horse rider appears, taking peace from the earth (Rev. 6:4).This war will be the greatest calamity that has, up to that time, befallen the world. There may be other wars fought before this war of prophecy comes, for instance, a war between Japan and Russia would surprise no one.

We do not believe the civilization of Europe could survive another world-war until that under the second seal. This may be short, but it will be awful in its consequences. It will be followed in a few years by another, at the end of the Jewish age. This last war of the nations will reach its climax at Armageddon, in Palestine, just before the public manifestation of Christ.

Palestine, with its adjacent lands, the cradle of the human race, and geographical center of the earth, forgotten for many centuries, is again becoming of first importance in the eyes of the nations. The wealth of the world is flowing into it, and its natural resources are being discovered and exploited as never before. Much has been written of the vast chemical deposits in the Dead Sea, and this wealth is being tapped by the Palestine Potash Company, with its factory near the mouth of the Jordan, where hundreds of men are employed.

This deposit has accumulated because the Sea has no outlet. The Jordan and other streams, flowing into it from the beginning of time, have brought down the various minerals from the soil and rocks, and this may become a source of fabulous wealth to the country. Potash and bromine are being exported, and other chemicals will, in due time, be extracted from the waters.

From the great oil-fields of Mesopotamia, in the vicinity of Mosul, oil is being piped to the Mediterranean for shipment. One pipe-line, 600 miles long, now nearly completed, runs to Haifa, on the sea-coast near Mount Carmel. Another line will reach the coast further north, at Tripoli, a port in Syria. When completed, they will transport 30,000,000 barrels of oil annually from the fields to the sea.

These natural resources, together with the wealth being brought in by the Jews from other lands, will tempt the cupidity of the nations in the end times, and it is this fabulous wealth that will bring Gog (Russia) from the north parts to "take a spoil.. .to carry away silver and gold.. .cattle and goods" (Ezek. 38:12,13).

Tel-Aviv in 1919 was a town of 2,000 population, now it has 75,000. It is located on the Mediterranean, and is almost entirely a Jewish city. Its phenomenal growth is a marvel to observers.

Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv and Haifa are the three large cities of the land. Haifa has a new harbor, recently opened to commerce with fitting ceremonies.

or, Christ the Center of Blessing for Israel

The beginning of the Lord's earthly ministry, and the call of His disciples, is associated with many precious things to occupy our hearts and minds. The Apostle John records the ministry of John the Baptist, who directs his disciples to that One whom he had come to announce, and of whom he says, "Behold the Lamb of God!"

The two disciples who were with him, upon hearing this, follow Jesus, remaining with Him that day. One of these, Andrew, finds his brother, Simon, who quickly finds his place with the little company, his name being changed to Cephas, to become "a stone" in that "spiritual house" of which he later writes in his first epistle (chap. 2:5).

It is refreshing to read how the next day Jesus finds Philip, and that ardent and loyal disciple goes after Nathanael. Evidently well acquainted with him, Philip seeks him out, saying, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." but Nathanael is doubtful, saying, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip's confidence is so great, his admiration for Jesus so complete, that he simply answers, "Come and see." He knew that he had but to bring Nathanael into the presence of the Lord to convince him of the truth of his assertion.

Jesus anticipates his coming and says, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." The astonished Nathanael asks, "Whence knowest Thou me?" The eye of the Lord had been upon him in his previous exercises of soul. The expression, "Under the fig tree," doubtless suggests the perplexity in Nathanael's mind as to the hope of Israel, his people. Philip's visit and call was the Lord's answer to his questioning mind, and this guileless Israelite is brought directly into the presence of the very One he had been musing about, there to express the conviction forced upon him, "Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel" (John 1:49). His doubts are now dispelled. He has made the discovery of his life, and with Philip he can say, "We have found HIM!"

What joy when the soul that has been groping in dark gloom and unbelief is brought by the gospel message into the presence of the Lord, to know Him as Saviour and to confess Him as Lord! So it was with Nathanael:so it is with every redeemed one. He reminds us of .Thomas, who was unbelieving about the resurrection until brought into the actual presence of the risen Lord, there to confess, "My Lord and my God!"

The names of these two disciples, Thomas and Nathanael, are associated together in John 21:2, after the resurrection. Simon Peter also is here, their leader. He too had confessed the Lord in a time of perplexity, saying, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:16). These similar exclamations, when they were brought into the immediate presence of the Lord, indicate to us the transformation that will be wrought in the whole people of Israel in a yet future time, when the Lord will appear in their midst. His gracious dealing with Peter in this 21st chapter of John pre-figures that work of restoration which He will complete for the nation.

But there are steps leading up to this, and Israel will realize in the latter days that their hope is in Him alone. After bitter experience with the Roman prince and the false Christ, the broken covenant, and the abomination in the temple, with subdued and chastened spirit they will say in the words of the Psalmist, "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes." And having learned this lesson through grievous sorrow, they are ready to exclaim at His appearing, "Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Ps. 118:8,9,26; Matt. 23:39).

Nathanael's confession of the Lord as Son of God and King of Israel is followed by the marriage hi Cana of Galilee (John 2). This is a well-known picture of that coming time, when, following Israel's repentance and recognition of Him as their Messiah, they will be received back into relationship with Himself. Then the empty waterpots, figure of their empty ritual, will be filled with the wine of joy at that marriage feast.

It is interesting to note that the marriage takes place on the "third day." It is the time of their national resurrection and return to God, as portrayed in the valley of dry bones (Ezek. 37).So also the prophet Hosea, giving, as it were, the words of the Lord after His rejection by His people at His first advent, "I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek My face; in their affliction they will seek Me early." The great tribulation will accomplish in them that repentance which will lead them to say, as the prophet continues, "Come, and let us return unto the Lord; for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up. After two days will He revive us:in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight" (Hosea 5:IS; 6:1, 2). This remarkable passage intimates that the "two days" of the present dispensation of grace would run their course, and blessing for Israel would be realized on the "third" or millennial day.

Israel's widowhood will close with His appearing. The marriage is for Israel, raised as a nation from the dead. So this marriage feast, the occasion of His first miracle, just at the commencement of His public ministry, points onward, to the time of fulness of blessing for His people, however long the road may be.

Following several months of sickness our beloved sister , Mrs. Eliza McBoyle, departed to be with Christ, March 1st, 1934, at the age of 78 years. She was among the first to be gathered out to the Lord's Name here about 35 years ago, and to the end remained true to what she learned from the Word. During the early years of the assembly here the annual conferences were often held on the grounds of her home place, and she took an active part in caring for the visiting brethren and looking after their temporal needs.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." "Their works dd follow them."

Brother P. P. Botz was called home suddenly just two weeks later, at an advanced age. He was among the first in the Manchester assembly when it was formed years ago, and his grounds were also the scene of one or two of those happy, inspiring events – the Annual Conferences.

May those of us who are left to carry on, seek to fill up the ranks depleted by the home-going of the older ones of our number, prove faithful to our trust, and be found so doing, when abounding in the work of the Lord when He calls or comes.-F. H. Nicholson.

Brother Nelson Pinder of Spanish Wells, Bahamas, was called home on March 25th. He was in the assembly for many years.-R. Jewess.

Our aged sister Mrs. Sweeting, formerly of the Bahamas, but residing for the last 13 years with a daughter at Key West, departed to be with Christ a week ago. She was a dear, godly saint. Her eight children, all saved, and all but one gathered to His name, are left to feel the loss of this dear devoted mother.

–AUGUST VAN RYN.

Mrs. C. Johnson, who came amongst brethren many years ago at Minnedosa, Manitoba, but who for a number of years has lived at Mozart, Sask., with her son, Chas. M. Johnson, has gone to be with Christ. Her home for long has been open to the Lord's servants. Her family-husband, five sons and one daughter-have all been saved.-A. M. Scott.

Most of the time on the road was spent with the Kaffirs only, and as he understood but little of their language as yet he was -consequently shut up to "converse only with Him whose ear is ever open to us. This," Arnot says, "has turned my solitude| into very precious time, and I can say to His praise that I never felt more free from all care and anxious thought than now. I wonder how it is that Satan has so managed to blindfold me in the past, that my whole life has not been one note of praise. Oh, stir up every child Of God you meet to praise our God more. We little know; '.how much we rob Him by our sad hearts and dull, thankless lives. The Lord has been teaching me a little of the awful sin of unthankfulness. Two great reasons why God gave up those of old to uncleanness and darkness were, that they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful."-Extracts from "the life and explorations or F. S. Arnot" (p. 24).

"PAUL’S THREE" I AMS"

Doubtless the outstanding gospel preacher and missionary of all times was the Apostle Paul. Many others have left a mark on this world for Christ, but Paul excelled them all in zeal as well as in results. This being so, we may reflect with profit and blessing on the great soul-winner's three "I ams." These are found in that epistle which is a divine treatise on the gospel, the letter to the Romans. There we learn what the gospel is, and what it is capable of doing for all who believe.

First of all, Paul keenly realized that he was in debt.

"I AM DEBTOR

both to the Greeks and to the barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise"" (Rom. 1:14). Perhaps it may not be clearly understood by all young Christians what is meant by this admission of the Apostle. From the Book of Acts we learn what a character he was in his unconverted state. An avowed enemy of God, and God's Son, he breathed out threatenings and slaughter against all who believed in Jesus. Not content with doing this in his own locality, he persecuted the saints even to strange cities. It was his determination, if possible, to blot out the name of Jesus from the earth. But I am sure we are all familiar with the sudden and remarkable conversion the mad persecutor experienced when on his expedition to Damascus for this purpose. After such a marked deliverance from sin and Satan's power Paul's whole outlook on life was changed. At once he felt that he was in debt, in a sense never known hitherto. He had had the great debt of sin cleared before God, but found that now, as a saved man, he was under love's obligation to proclaim the emancipating gospel to all who were once like himself, sinners led captive by Satan. To Paul the Lord had committed the word of reconciliation, and this sense of debt to humanity so weighed on his heart that he could say:"Necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is me if I preach not the gospel!" (1 Cor. 9:16).

Every young believer should seek to be a soul-winner. The Apostle's attitude, in measure, becomes every one saved by grace. Since the Lord has wiped out the debt of our sins, we should compassionately regard the condition of those still under the authority of darkness. It is true we may not be called to fill the same office as Paul, or even that of some who now devote their whole time to the ministry. We are, however, saved and left here by the Lord to witness for Him. This can be done in various ways. First, in importance, is that our daily life should speak for Christ. If our ways be not righteous before others our testimony will have no weight, but rather will be a stumbling-block. Life and lip should correspond. If we are exercised about the need of souls, and pray like Paul, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" we can be assured that the Lord of the harvest will not fail to open up some avenue of service. Let us not fail to speak to those nearest us. Have you spoken a word for the Lord to your work-mate in the factory, or office, or at school? Remember you owe it to them. Let your "lower light be burning," and some one will catch the gleam, and be attracted to the Saviour you have found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Next we hear Paul enthusiastically affirm:"So, as much as in me is,

I AM READY
to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also" (chap. 1:15).

It is commonly admitted that it is only righteous to discharge one's debts. To be in debt, and unconcerned about it, is certainly not a good sign. Not only was Paul a debtor to all, but he also stood ready to fulfil love's obligation to all that were at Rome, and preach the gospel to them. We know this would involve much personal cost to the Apostle. He no doubt anticipated all that when he voiced those words, which reveal a purpose of heart that nothing could turn aside.

We do well to thoughtfully enquire of ourselves:Am I ready, as far as enabled, to do what the Lord would have me to do? Am I willing, despite the personal sacrifice, to do the Lord's will? A willing mind and heart is of first importance. Then, too, we need to give a serious thought to personal qualification, because the Lord only uses ready vessels. How needful that our souls be in a healthy spiritual condition! If we are to sow the "good seed," and "preach the Word," that plainly implies we must first have the Word of God dwelling richly in our own hearts, so that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak. Let us seek to hold ourselves as vessels sanctified and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

Lastly Paul adds:

"I AM NOT ASHAMED

of the gospel of Christ:for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (chap. 1:16).

These decisive words disclose to us the secret of Paul's lion-like boldness as a proclaimer of the glad tidings. Whether before friends or foes he faithfully held forth the Word of Life. He was not ashamed of the gospel he preached; for it was-and still is-the power of God unto salvation. If believed, Paul's message could take up a degraded heathen, save his soul, and will finally conform him to the image of the Son of God. The firm conviction of this truth in the Apostle's soul inspired him to plod on as a faithful herald of God's good news. Before rich and poor, Jew and Gentile, he witnessed for the Lord, and many souls were turned from idols to serve the true and living God, and to wait for His Son from heaven.

It is a spirit like Paul's that must mark us if we would be used of the Lord. How often we seem to be halfhearted and faint-hearted in the work of the Lord! When this is so, need we be surprised that the task set before us becomes difficult and tedious, and barren of results for God? Surely this lamentable condition of things is due largely to failure to realize how great in God's sight is the value of a soul. If we would move and persuade others we must ourselves be fully persuaded that the gospel is of a truth the very power (dynamite) of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. This would certainly lend boldness and effectiveness to our testimony before the unsaved, whether privately or publicly.

May the beloved Paul's three "I ams" be ours also. Observe that each one is personal. Let us not be looking to or depending on someone else. How about ourselves? May we all endeavor to do with our might what our hands find to do for our Lord Jesus Christ. -S. STEWART.

"And He said GO…And they WENT."

In the Gospel of Mark the service of the Lord Jesus is brought before us in its perfection. Mark, the unprofitable servant, is recovered from his unprofitableness in order that he may be the vessel of the Holy Spirit in presenting the One who was ever profitable.

The words "immediately," "straightway," "anon," and others, are employed frequently in the pages of this Evangelist, as our Lord is portrayed in the activities of His service. As the One whose ear was wakened "morning by morning to hear as the learner," we find Him passing rapidly from scene to scene of ministry, for the glory of God and for the good of His poor sinful, fallen creatures.

He had come "not to be ministered unto, but to minister;" not to be served, but to serve. This is seen on every page of the Gospel. And though He is now in glory His ministry has not ceased. In the last chapter of the Gospel we find Him still "working with" His disciples whom He had sent, co-operating and confirming their service. He had said "GO," "and they went" (vers. 15, 20), and He was with them in their going. Today, too, He sends and succors and supports His servants every one. Let us take courage from this, and "GO forth and serve Him while 'tis day," not leaving "the sweet retreat" of communion with Himself.

And let us remember that we are all called to serve in some way or another. With this in view it is interesting to notice the service of others beside the apostles in the closing part of this chapter.

The angel at the sepulchre bids the women, "Go…. and tell" (ver. 7). They were to carry the message to Christ's disciples "and to Peter" (What words of tender thought and grace were these! Peter the fearful and failing one being specially named!), that the risen Lord was going to Galilee and would meet them there as He had promised (see 14:28). Next (ver. 9), Mary Magdalene was the honored messenger to carry to the disciples some of the spoils of His victory, "Go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God" (see John 20:17). "And she went and told" them as they mourned and wept. In verse 12 we read that He appeared to two of His followers, "and they went and told" how He was made known to them in breaking of bread (Luke 24:35). Various were these services carried out by these varied servants as "they went." Now it is ours to go, for to every one is work appointed (Mark 13:34). He still says "Go." May it be recorded of us in the coming day, "And they went." -Inglis Fleming.
"BLESSED ARE YE THAT SOW BESIDE ALL WATERS"

CANADA

BELLEVILLE, ONT. C. Ernest Tatham has been with the assembly at Bethel Hall, giving evangelistic and prophetic addresses, during the last three weeks of November.

DESERONTO, ONT., Dec. 1. – The people of God will be glad to hear that I have had the privilege of preaching the Gospel for over four months among the French people, and that God was pleased to bless His Word. A Roman Catholic, converted last year, asked me to baptize him, and opened his home for gospel meetings. Another left the Church of Rome, others were exercised, and inquiring as to the ways of God. I could not respond to all the invitations from Protestants and Catholics.

I also was enabled to give out around a thousand Gospels (granted by The Scripture Gift Mission) and a few thousand tracts, but not without opposition and persecution. In a good-sized town where I had visited the priests, the children were set against me, and followed wherever I went, warning the people not to take the books, and finally, at night, they surrounded the car, and would have done mischief if the Lord had not helped me to flee to another town. I was chased from homes, a man sought to throw me out of his store, I was insulted and mocked, but nevertheless I had interesting conversations with some, spent an evening over the Scriptures with a Jewish merchant and a Rabbi, who were attentive and very interested as to Christ, the Rabbi asking:How could Christ, if He was the Son of God, die?

I had also the joy of preaching the Gospel to a full house of Roman Catholics and Protestants at the funeral of the sister of one of the believers.

As the result of tract distribution, a few wrote for a Bible, New Testament, Gospels and literature. God be praised! May He be pleased to bless His Word!

In the section where I was, some of the French Catholics and Protestants are so poor, that I made an appeal for old clothes to two assemblies in Toronto. They responded well, and sent 570 lbs. of things which I gladly distributed. How glad and thankful the people were to get them. One has not only to give the Gospel, but to help in every way possible, for the glory of God, and to win hearts.

Kindly pray for the work, and for the workers.

-LOUIS J. GERMAIN.

BAHAMAS

HARBOR ISLAND, Nov. 1st.-Brother R. Jewers is paying us a visit for a few weeks. He has been speaking on the truth of the Church as the body of Christ, a great mystery, hidden in the past, but now revealed.

We have greatly enjoyed this ministry, and desire the prayers of the saints that many may be turned from darkness to His marvelous light, and all the praise redound to His precious Name alone.-Wm. A. Cash.

UNITED STATES

SAN DIEGO, CALIF., Nov. 29th.-Just returned from a three-month trip to Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Found many open doors, both for ministry to God's people and the gospel to the unsaved. Thank God for a little reaping mixed with the much sowing, and we believe eternity will reveal much more fruit. We are looking forward to a good attendance and much blessing at our New Year Conference. Join us in prayer for this. –E. A. BUCHENAU.

ISLAMORADA, FLA. C. C. Johnson writes encouragingly of the work at this place where he has been having meetings during the past month.

About a year ago a building was erected here for meetings, and since then several have been added to the assembly, a good outside interest is manifest, and the Sunday School work is growing.

He also says:"Along the Key Coast there is great need of a gospel wagon to bring the children to Sunday School, and to carry the gospel to the different settlements. May He open the way for it."

LUBBOCK, TEX. T. W. Carroll and Fred Elliot have held meetings at this place during October and part of November. Brother Carroll writes:"The interest has been good, and hundreds have come out to hear the precious truth from night to night. There seems to be a growing desire on the part of many to want to know the Word better and walk in the truth." Brother Elliot writes:The Lord seemed to definitely lead brother Carroll and myself here to take up and carry on a work of grace that has been prospering under brother Walter Feely for the past eighteen months. He and his wife have moved to Evanston, Ill, to occupy for Christ there. It is wonderful how the precious things we have enjoyed for so long are appreciated by His sheep when they are brought to them, but how they have been kept in ignorance, and both they and our Lord Jesus Christ robbed by the miserable Nicolaitanism of modern Christendom. We are doing what we are able by preaching and teaching to establish souls, and are encouraged by the response to the truth. About 20 meetings a week, all told, between us, and the interest keeps up well.

For many years astronomers who could not conceive of life existing only on one insignificant body like the earth, in a universe so immense that it surpassed all comprehension, developed a passion for peopling the far distant and much greater heavenly bodies or systems, which they observed and studied by means of the telescope and spectroscope. Many took it for granted that man must be a very insignificant creature in a universe of countless worlds possibly peopled with beings quite superior to themselves.

It is not hard to realize how ,this trend of scientific thought and theory, emphasized by popular presentation to the lay mind, tended to belittle, to make of almost no consequence, man and his dwelling-place, and so to take away the meaning and importance of the revelation of God on such an insignificant clod of earth. It tended to minimize, or make religious myth, out of the meaning of Christ having come to it, of His cross which stood in it, and of the redemption taught in connection with it. For must it not be beyond all reason to suppose that God, if such there be, the Creator of such a stupendous universe, should stoop to be mindful of such a worm of the dust living on a dusty speck, one of the smaller in the group of a small solar system set in a universe of billions of suns? By such wisdom men are lured out upon the sea of forgetfulness as to what they are, who they are, and whither they go; they are led into the morass of denial respecting human responsibility to God on the strength of supposed comparative insignificance in the universe; a step beyond lie the marshlands of agnosticism and atheism, and beyond-what? Nonentity; life flickers out here to its eternal end.

But it is rather startling after years of such instruction from the scientifically great of the past century to be told by acknowledged scientific leaders of today that more than likely man "is the only rational creature in the cosmos after all"; that in recent years astronomers have come to feel "that there is little evidence that other systems of planets like the solar system exist." Truly, "it is only a step from this to the belief that even if such planets exist, ours is the only one capable of sustaining high forms of life."

Discoveries of recent years made it necessary to give up the idea that Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and their satellites could be inhabited; then Mercury fell under the ban; Mars and Venus remained as rivals of the earth, but these too are losing their claims to be considered habitable. The noted astronomer Jeans, and his followers, now think that though there are billions of suns, none of them have attendant planets suitable for habitation as is the earth.

All of this serves on the one hand to show the transitoriness of man's thoughts, the rise and fall of his many theories, as the centuries roll along; but one takes note of these changing views because they may serve to emphasize the truth of God's revelation, centering as that does around man and the earth on which he has been placed by his Creator.

The Word of God sets man in the first place in all the creation below the rank of spirit-beings. From present day conclusions there appears no evidence that such a race as ours could exist on any other planet, and though there are other orders of being in God's universe, the orbit of Divine revelation revolves around that one race now living on earth, though Scripture distinctly informs us that Revelation is now known to and studied by spirit-beings. Scripture speaks of Adam as the first man. There were not men before him, and, the scientists being witness, no race of men could live elsewhere but on this earth. There is only One who is called the Second Man-the Man Christ Jesus. With the first man came the fall and the ruin of the race. With the Second Man came the full accomplishment of that which meets every issue raised by the presence of sin in God's universe, and the formation of a new race of men made up of those brought out of the ruin of the first to be a new creation in Christ Jesus. Blessed and glorious triumph of the power and wisdom of God manifested through Christ crucified on this earth, and reaching as to its effect every created intelligence in whatever way suited to His eternal glory.

Feb. 1, Num. 1; Feb. 15th, Num.15; Feb. 28th, Num."28.

COMMENTS

Numbers is the book of wilderness experience, through which God is known in the grace and mercy which meets His failing people along the way, and through which what they are in themselves becomes manifest. As the priestly house is prominent in Leviticus, because it is a question of the sanctuary and of access to God, so in Numbers the Levites are prominent, because it is a question of the transportation and care of the sanctuary through the wilderness. In the former it is service particularly God-ward; in the latter, particularly manward. The first ten chapters have as their general theme, God's order for His people. This is developed in respect of their unity, as seen in chs. 1, 2; service, chs. 3, 4, which show us the Levites in relation to God's house, but as dependent upon priesthood, that is, our Levitical service, the bearing of the precious things of Christ through the world, depends upon priestly activity, our going into God's presence before we come out before men as His servants; sanctification, ch. 5, the place of God's dwelling must be kept clean; giving, chs. 7, 8, the princes representing all the people give to the Levitical service and the altar, and then the Levites are given to the priests as an offering unto Jehovah ^remembrance by the way, ch. 9:1-14, reminding us we too have our feast, which in measure the Passover typified, and let us not be careless as to observing it; divine guidance, chs. 9:15-10:10, God with His people to order their journeying, to guide, protect and command.

In the next ten chapters (10:11-20:29) we get lessons concerning God's gracious provisions and His ways in government brought out through the people's failure. Note their murmurings, lust, envy, and rebellion against divine authority, and let us take heed to the warning words of the apostle in 1 Cor. 10; Heb. 3, 4. On the other hand we find prevailing intercession, the resources of priesthood, means for cleansing from death's defilement, and refreshment ministered-types which portray Him who is our great Intercessor, High Priest, and Minister of the good things of God to His pilgrim people.

In ch. 21 some precious thoughts are linked together. First, Edom is turned from; his land compassed. He is a type of the flesh and its resistance to progress. The lesson of how to overcome is presented in the Brazen Serpent-type of the judgment of sin; it sets forth the truth of what God does with the flesh, as set forth doctrinally in Rom. 6-8. Progress follows, marked by the upspringing well, typical of the Spirit's ministry, accompanied with the song of joy, and followed by victory over the enemy-Sihon and Og, the wisdom and power of the world broken for the Spirit-led and empowered believer.

It is beautiful to see that following this we get God's thoughts about His people as given in Balaam's four oracles, a portion well worth careful study. We see them as separated to God; justified by Him; in order and beauty according to His thought; and finally glorified, in connection with Christ's coming. What a sad contrast ch. 25 presents, as we see this people in their sin and under the judgment of God in His holy government over those who are associated with His name! Yet He spoke of them as He did by Balaam, fully knowing the end from the beginning; so too with us, though knowing all our sins and failures, He has set us before His face in the acceptability of the Beloved. Spite of ch. 25, the next two chapters show us the people numbered and ordered as heirs, while in the next two we have them as worshipers, and as such, the sacrifices they present. How all of this suggests the marvelous grace of our God with such poor and unworthy creatures as ourselves! All praise to our blessed Saviour through whose work of atoning sacrifice it could alone be possible.

Let us notice a few incidents which may help to show how our blessed Lord is presented as the true center of attraction, and may it search our hearts as to how far He is to us all that He should be, all indeed that He desires to be to those for whom He gave Himself in love even unto death.

When the Judean shepherds came to Bethlehem, in response to the angelic announcement concerning the birth of the Lord, they saw Mary and Joseph, as well as the Babe. But it was Jesus whom they sought, for of Him the angel spake to them. They said one to another:"Let us now go even to Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child" (Luke 2:15-17).

Later when the "wise men" came from the East to Jerusalem, they too were seeking Jesus. They did not know His name, nor the place of His birth; but they knew who it' was whom they sought. "Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and have come to worship Him." When they found the One for whose sake they had taken so long a journey, we read:"And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts-gold, frankincense and myrrh." Today, many would offer their gifts to Mary, or at least share them with her. Perhaps some might think Joseph should have some gift presented to him. But these men were instructed of God. They sought Jesus, and offered their gifts to Him alone (Matt. 2:1-12).

When John the Baptist began to preach about the Lord, he did not know Him as yet. He says:"I knew Him not, but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me:Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit. And I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God" (John 1:32-34). John had faithfully preached concerning Him as the Judge and Purger of His threshing-floor; but when he came to know Him, he began to tell of Him as the Lamb of God and the Son of God. When he got to know Jesus, he was filled with the glory of His grace and of His Person. So too it becomes "Jesus only" for John, as he says a little later, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

On another occasion when John saw Jesus coming, he was heard to exclaim:"Behold the Lamb of God!" He was no longer prophesying, but worshiping the One who fulfils all prophecy. We read as to this:"And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus" (John 1:35-39).They sought Him, leaving John to get to Him. The Lord knew their desire, for we read:"Then Jesus turned and saw them following, and saith unto them:What seek ye? They say unto Him .. .Master, where dwellest Thou?" It was HIMSELF they desired; nothing else. So He answered them, "Come and see. They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with. Him that day." In company with Himself they learned His dwelling-place. And where was it? Some humble retreat, doubtless, as far as this earth's provision was concerned; but underneath there lies the precious truth that His dwelling-place was ever the "bosom of the Father." "The only-begotten Son, who is (not merely 'was,' but 'is' always there) in the bosom of-the Father, He hath declared Him."

"Oh, what a home! The Son who knows-
He only, all His love;
And brings us as His well-beloved
To that bright rest above-
Dwells in His bosom, knoweth all
That in that bosom lies;
And came to earth to make it known,
That we might share His joys."

The Lord's question not only intimates knowledge of their desire, but intent to draw out that desire, and then in grace to encourage fellowship with Himself. Such are His ways in grace, and then those who thus come to know Him must become seekers also, they desire others to share in the blessing. This we see in Andrew's action. "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him:We have found the Messiah!" Such fellowship brings into blessed assurance, and with this Andrew speaks so that the heart of his brother is touched. He is ready to go, and Andrew "brought him to Jesus." Simon is here true to his name. He is the ready "hearkener" to the good news, and his feet were as ready as his ears. He goes to meet the One of whom he had just heard. We can imagine Andrew telling his brother, on the way, his own experience in meeting the Christ of God, and the welcome he had found in the quiet retreat where the Son of the Father had entertained them. Though not knowing that these titles belonged to Him, for as yet they were limited in this respect, to them Jesus was the Anointed of God, the Prophet, Priest, and. King of God's own rich provision. He had come from God Himself. He was Immanuel – "God with us." Wm. Huss

(To be continued, D.V.)

Do we appreciate God's present purpose in that the chief and great object now before Him is the formation of that company which shall fill the nearest and highest place in relationship and fellowship with His blessed Son for all eternity?

This purpose, hid from all past ages, but now revealed by the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul, is central to all God's present activity in grace through the gospel, and should be central in the hearts and lives of God's people as they witness for Christ while they await His coming again. It has at this time first place in the mind of God, and should have in ours.

This purpose is intimately related to the glory of Christ as Head over all things; but more, it is intimately bound up with His affections, with the|infinite love of His heart. Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it. Each believer can say, "He loved me and gave Himself for me;" but He loved the Church-the whole company as such-the one Body, His Body, of which every believer since the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is a member, a member of Christ. Wonderful calling!

Of this calling we are to walk worthy. To do so we must have an understanding of it and enjoy its blessedness. We must enter into what Christ's thoughts are about His Body, we must have an appreciation of His desires concerning it. That means that we will have fellowship with Him regarding this object so near and dear to His heart. Such things it is the Spirit's delight to minister to us, for He came to take of the things of Christ and show them unto us. This He now does through the completed Word of God, and as we occupy ourselves with it, having Christ before heart and mind, the Spirit will lead us into the fellowship of God's Son. Precious intimacy by which He becomes to us a glorious, bright reality, truly the living One. One fears that for many Christians the Lord is too impersonal, almost vague and shadowy, instead of a living Person who desires to abide with them and manifest Himself to them. He would not have it so with any one whom He loved. The matter rests with us:are we content to have it so? "If any man love Me, he will keep My word." Therein lies the secret of the door of the heart being open for Him, that He may come in to dwell and sup with you and you with Him. But then that heart will be closed to what is not agreeable to Him, while it will be set upon what is nearest and dearest to His heart.

He has set Himself apart for us-for the Church, to now serve it in love in view of the glorious day of presentation when, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, He will rejoice over the Church with singing and present it faultless in the Father's house. -If we enter into what the Church is to Christ who thus serves it, will not we catch tip His mind and spirit, and devote ourselves also to service to the Church, His Body? To serve thus means to serve in love, in lowliness, in meekness, and it may be in suffering, for the sake of the truth of the Church which must often lead away from what is highly esteemed among men, and so into the bearing of reproach -"His reproach."

Under the figure of the marriage relationship the Spirit speaks of Christ and the Church. The Church is His Bride-the Eve of the Second Man, the Last Adam. "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh." We are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones." To injure the Church is to injure Christ-"Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me"? A man and his wife "shall be one flesh," and "no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church." Well then, we are members one of another, members of Christ, we are of the same "flesh" as in the Church, His Body. How then do we treat our own "flesh"? Does it seem; sometimes as though we "hated" instead of loved? – as though there were no nourishing and cherishing of our own "flesh" in this divinely formed relationship? If so, how different we are from the. Lord! How needful to be in His mind and spirit to thus treat one another as He treats us. Do bur words and ways and acts breathe His spirit to one another? We are to hold the truth in love, "grow up to Him in all things, who is the Head, the Christ:from whom the whole Body, fitted together, and connected by every joint of supply, Recording to the measure of each one part, works for itself the increase of the Body to its self-building up in love" (Eph. 4:15, 16, New Trans.). "Walk in love as Christ also hath loved us." "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

"But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." Ah, that is not the way with His own flesh, and it must not be ours with those who are His flesh, and indeed ours also, as in that one Body of which He is Head.

Oh, to enter into the heart of Christ for His own, and then live for them in love's service even as He loveth. By this shall we be known as His disciples. What matters but this, when, not the world, not man in his flesh, but eternity is before the soul.

Let us hear Him say afresh to us:"My Church," "My sheep," "My brethren," and let our hearts linger over the "My," remembering that "He laid down His life for us:and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

But it may be said:Look at the state of things among the Lord's people, look at the confusion, the departure from the truth, the worldliness, the multiplied divisions! Yes, look! But does the shame and the pain and the loss of it all burn into your soul like a hot iron? Does it bring you to your knees in confession and weeping? Think, oh think, how He must feel as He looks upon it all, and look, I pray you, with Him. Have you tasted even a little of suffering with Him because of it? Have we not rather let it chill our hearts, harden our feelings, stifle our love, instead o| it causing us to flee into His arms to learn His way for us amid it all? Only in such a refuge can we learn how to tread this thorny way, showing forth His graces of meekness, lowliness and compassion without sacrificing holiness and truth. How we need to grow in His grace and knowledge! The more difficult the path, the greater the need.

But consider now that the blessed Head in glory had a very definite yet simple order of things for the fellowship of His own on the earth, And this was for the purpose that in such a fellowship of saints the truth might be set forth before the world. In those companies called "the assemblies of Christ," "of God," "of the saints," it was purposed there should be the. manifestation of the spiritual nature of the Body of Christ to which every believer in such companies belonged. And though there has been the greatest possible departure from that simplicity in Christ which was formed at the beginning, there are even in our day many hundreds of companies of believers who have come out from the Babel of Christendom to practice the simple scriptural order of fellowship for the members of Christ's Body, and though there be weakness and failure to mark and mourn, yet where but among such can our path be found in the light of the truth of the Church and its blessed Head? Then let us apply what we have been considering as to the Church to our fellowship together in and with such companies, and seek that there at least we may be showing forth the mind and spirit of Christ toward one another. Does not the place we have taken lay this upon us as both our privilege and responsibility? Eschewing the way of the flesh, and of a worldly religiousness which pleases the natural man, and with some realization of the greatness of the Church in the purpose of God, and its nearness to the heart of Christ, let us seek at all personal cost to walk in the light of its truth and in the fellowship of those who own it and seek to practice according to it. This surely means that petty strife, self-seeking, and mere personal preferences will drop off from us, and our hearts will become enlarged so that in a worthy manner we shall show lowliness and meekness with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. John Bloore

Materialistic thought has invaded the life of today as never before; education, literature, politics, religion, and the increased leisure that many have, have all their part in the devil's campaign against spiritual and eternal things. Responsibility and duty have 'not now the weight with the individual conscience and will that once they had, and this not only where the revelation of God is denied. The laxity is everywhere, the awe of responsibility is not felt as it was even where the Lord is owned. The cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life choke the seed of the Word, and even Christians live as though the needs and respites of this present life were all-important.

But there is a world of which the unveiled face of Jesus is the glory, and of which His everlasting service is the joy, and the Spirit of God has been given to all who believe, that they might become acquainted with that world now, and draw its power and resources down into this life, that they may be acceptable to Him.

About all this He will speak to us when we come under His scrutiny at the Judgment-seat, and in view of that we need to think and watch and pray, until our hearts are re-animated with the joy of the Gospel and a deep sense of our indebtedness to the Lord and responsibility to Him, and with the thought that we must give an account unto Him. This last will not contradict our joy in the Lord and His service, or spoil it any more than the fuel contradicts or spoils the fire that it feeds.

BY ROGER B.EAMES

Twenty years ago this month of August all I Europe was seething with excitement as messages flew from capital to capital. Ambassadors were recalled, declarations of war were made. Germany had declared war on France, Great Britain had declared war on Germany because of the violation of Belgian neutrality, and the greatest war in the world's history was launched. The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife at Sarajevo was the spark that ignited the tinder-box and set in motion the armies of Europe. It was a "war to end war" so the pacifists told us, yet twenty years has not sufficed to produce more than an armed truce to that strife-torn continent, and conditions today are of a most menacing character.

The disarmament conferences have failed in their repeated attempts to accomplish anything toward the reduction of the armies and navies of the world. Germany is passing through another political and economic crisis. There is strife in Austria, and in the United States the communists on the west coast and elsewhere are making disturbances.

One might suppose the baffling conditions and confessed helplessness of Rulers would at least suggest to them an appeal to a higher power, yet we hear nothing of this. A recent writer says, "One of the most significant facts of our day is the persistent refusal of human governments to seek, and to encourage their citizens to seek, the face of God for help in times of national distress." This is doubtless one reason why the long period of Gentile mis-rule in the earth is drawing to a close.

THE LABOR CONFLICT on the Pacific coast has increased in proportions until in the San Francisco Bay region more than 100,000 men are involved resulting in the disruption of nearly all business activities. A State Official says, "From the inception of the strike of the longshoremen and through many weeks of fruitless efforts to reach a settlement fair to all, the fact has been evident -increasingly evident-that destructive and subversive influences have been working against an agreement on any basis whatsoever." Ap Editor says, "The issue of the General strike is clear. It is a battle of the communists, by the medium of organized labor, and for the destruction of constituted government. It is a reign of terrorism wherein the original strike issues have been thrown into the discard-their purpose served."

AN INDEPENDENT MISSIONARY BOARD has been organized in the Presbyterian church. The Secretary says, "We are utterly unable to subscribe to the Modernist propaganda now being carried on and fostered by the Board of Foreign Missions of the largest of the Presbyterian churches in this country. . .We rejoice in the knowledge that that propaganda is contrary to the dearest convictions of hosts of earnest Christian people in that church, as well as in other churches. Such Modernist teaching, by whatever agencies it may be carried on, is leading precious souls to eternal destruction. . .There is one Gospel and one only through which souls may be saved. It is not the vague message of Modernism, but it is the Gospel which tells us how the Lord Jesus died on the cross as a substitute for sinners."-"Literary Digest."

These clear-cut statements make glad the heart of the loyal Christian who is also reminded by them that the Spirit of God is using His people to restrain the progress of the evil one, and will continue to do so until the whole Church, the true Bride of Christ, is removed from the scene (2 Thess. 2:7).

"A YEAR OF ASTOUNDING PROGRESS." In striking contrast to affairs among the Gentile nations there is apparently great prosperity in Palestine. To quote the "Jewish Chronicle," "During the year 1933 the Jewish population of Palestine increased by about 22 per cent, and now numbers 245,000. . .During the year 30,327 Jews were registered as immigrants. . .while the number of capitalists entering in possession of $5,000 or more numbered 3,250, as compared with 727 in 1932."

The Citrus Industry. "The area of Jewish citrus plantations. . .now amounts to 137,000dunams(34,250 acres). The export of oranges in 1933-4 increased, as in the previous year, by a further million cases, the shipments for the season being estimated to amount to 5,400,000 cases (both from Jewish and Arab groves). An enumeration of wage workers employed in the Jewish-owned orange groves was found to amount to 11,348 of whom 6,800 were Jews and 4,548 Arabs. By contrast with the citrus plantations, the Jewish settlements based upon dry farming only, were hard hit, owing to the fact that the year 1933, like the three preceding years, was a year of exceptional drought."

The Jordan. "The Palestine Electric Corporation has put in a third turbine-alernator on the Jordan works which is to generate 8,500 horse-power, making a total capacity of 33,000 horse-power."

The Dead Sea. "The enlargement of the evaporation area of the Palestine Potash Co. and the increase of the plant was carried out. The production of muriate of potash exceeded 10,000 tons… .The production of bromine was increased, and both the Company's products find a ready market at remunerative prices."

University. "There was a large increase, in particular from abroad, in the number of applications for admission to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the student enrollment at the beginning of the current year was 321 as compared with 181 in the previous year..A lectureship in Language and Literature with special attention to Italian, has been endowed by the Italian Government."

"Dr. W. M. Christie, of Haifa, speaks of the material progress of Palestine as a modern romance. Haifa, for example, 35 years ago was 'a little, dirty village of 1,300 people.' Now it is a thriving city with a population close to 100,000, and with prospects of still larger growth. As a seaport, Haifa is already outdoing Port Said, and the great harbor, opened last summer, barely suffices to accommodate the shipping. The revenue during one recent month was 2,500 times the figure recorded for the best month during Turkish rule." – "Alliance Weekly."

Feast of the First Fruits. "Fifty thousand persons visited Haifa for the First Fruits Festival which is already becoming a tradition in Palestine, and which is celebrated by a procession bearing offerings. The articles are subsequently sold in aid of the Jewish National Fund."

Following the Passover in Israel was the seven days of unleavened bread, and upon the eighth day the sheaf of the first-fruits of the harvest was to be brought to the priest. The last passover of significance to be kept in Israel was that of which the Lord partook with His disciples on the night of His betrayal. The next day He who was the antitype and true passover Lamb was offered up, and the type ceased to have further value, it being fulfilled in Christ. The sheaf of the first-fruits speaks of His resurrection from the dead, and of acceptance in Him. "The priest shall wave the sheaf before the Lord to be accepted for you" (Lev. 23:11).

The editorial comment of the "Jewish Chronicle" upon the feast is, "Now once more, despite the gloom, we rejoice to know that in the ripening of the first fruits whose symbols adorn our synagogues there is the perpetual promise of God's care for His creatures and the hope of better things to come." The Apostle Paul says, "But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart " (2 Cor. 3:15). How true! And why hold the feast at Haifa instead of Jerusalem the appointed place?

EXCAVATIONS in Mesopatamia on the site of "Ur of the Chaldees" the birth-place of Abram (Gen. 11:28) have continued for twelve seasons, resulting in discoveries of much scientific importance. "Among the notable discoveries of the twelve-year excavations at Ur was the finding of the pre-dynastic royal tombs dated approximately 3,500 B.C. which revealed a civilization previously unknown. In these royal tombs, which gave mute evidence of human sacrifices on a lavish scale, the bodies of kings and queens, soldiers and domestic servants, were found buried with an unbelievable wealth of jewelry, harps of silver and wood, vessels, weapons and tools of gold and silver, inlaid gaming boards and vanity boxes-all attesting to the artistry, the culture, and the luxury of the court of Ur 5,000 years ago."

"A discovery of quite a different kind was the finding of a bed of water-laid clay, eight feet thick, deposited below the level-and hence earlier-than the earliest purely Sumerian occupation, and above a level containing remains of a very different type. A silt deposit of such thickness, in the opinion of the archeologists, could only have been laid down by a devastating flood."-"Literary Digest."

The excavations at Ur have brought dismay to the critics whose confident assertions of the uncivilized state of those ancient peoples have been positively disproved by the discoveries. The bed of clay covering remains of a "very different type" is recognized by archeologists as having been deposited by a flood, and is another confirmation of the Biblical record.

Among the sects found in opposition to the Lord during His earthly sojourn, the leading ones were the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The former regarded themselves as "orthodox," but Paul, after his conversion, spoke of them as "the narrowest sect of our religion." The Sadducees were the "Liberal" or "Rationalist" party. But what is more irrational than unbelief? And this is what marked the Sadducees also, though it took a different form from that of their more religious antagonists. If the Pharisees "added" to the Word of God, making it of "none effect through their traditions;" the Sadducees were hardly less guilty by "taking away" from that same Word-even as many, alas, do now.

In spite of the great divergence and animosity between these parties, at times they joined in the attempt to overthrow the authority and teaching of the Lord. A striking instance of this is found near the end of the Lord's public ministry (Matt. 22; Mark 12; Luke 20). The Pharisees made a crafty attempt to involve the Lord in either disloyalty to Moses, or treason against Caesar. But they were put to shame and silence by the Lord's reply to their question as to the "tribute," when He said, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

It was then that the Sadducees, instead of learning by the confusion into which their opponents brought themselves, made their attempt to bring the Lord, and the Pharisees too (who believed in the resurrection), into contempt in connection with that doctrine. They did this by bringing forward the supposed instance of the woman who had seven successive husbands. But their effort exposed both their ignorance and their enmity to the truth.

The Sadducees denied the resurrection of the dead. And by the instance they brought forward to support their denial, they intended to put ridicule upon the doctrine. They created a difficulty for themselves, and then denied the truth because they saw no way out of the difficulty they had made! In this how much they resemble many today who reject the Word of God for similar reasons! The resurrection of the dead supposes miraculous or divine power. But since the Sadducees virtually denied God's existence, it was consistent for them, in this respect, to deny the resurrection. They denied God's own existence when they said there is no "spirit" (Acts 23:8), for "God is a Spirit" (John 4:24), but it is probable that they thought of God as having some kind of material form and existence. In fact the Sadducees were "Materialists" of the grossest type who stated that all existence ends with this life. For if the body is not raised, and there is no spirit to outlive the body when death overtakes it, there is nothing left.

This is exactly what the Sadducees desired. They lived for this life alone. The fact that man shall live again, when he shall have to do with the God whom he had denied all his lifetime, was very distasteful to them. We can see in this, the moral reason for their unbelief in the resurrection. They did not want to admit that they would live again to answer to God, who "shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil" (Eccles. 12:14). This was the "conclusion of the whole matter" as to this life, to which the wisest of earth's race arrived in his striking survey of human history. And his "conclusion" demands the resurrection of the dead. For otherwise how can God "bring every work into judgment?" But the Sadducee desired nothing less than to meet and to answer to God for a mis-spent life. This was the basic reason for his denial of the truth.
It is both instructive and encouraging to witness the manner in which the Lord met the denial of His adversaries. In it we may behold the long-suffering grace and mercy of our God toward His enemies, which reaches out in the effort to recover man from his enmity, and bring him into a true knowledge of Himself, that thereby he might be saved. For what man needs most of all is to know that sinner though he is, yet God loves him and longs for his salvation from sin. The Sadducees, like all who are walking at a distance from God, needed to know God in truth. And it is this to which the Lord sought to bring them.

In answer to their question, the Lord replied:"Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels of God in heaven." They were wrong in supposing that if there be a resurrection, man must live just as he now does according to nature. The Lord shows that the relationships in the future life are not as they are here; for the natural relationships end with this life, being displaced by those which are spiritual and eternal. The Scriptures would have enlightened these men if they had but appealed to them for light and knowledge as to the future life. For while the Old Testament, to which they could then go, does not speak with the same plainness as the New Testament, yet, as the Lord was about to show them, there is abundant inference found therein of the truths which they were denying.

The Lord therefore calls attention to what was said in the well-known instance when Moses heard the Voice of the Lord out of the midst of the "burning bush," as proof that the "dead are raised." But it is important to note that the Lord appeals to that which is learned by inference, not by direct statement. "But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, / am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living!" The Lord shows here that the patriarchs are spoken of by God as living men, even though not living on the earth. "God is not the God of the dead," in the sense in which the Sadducees regarded the dead- that is, as non-existent. Speaking reverently, it would have been foolish to say that God is the God of Abraham if the latter no longer existed.* *That which the Lord here cites sets aside the notions held by some as to "soul sleep." For it is evident that the patriarchs are here regarded as consciously living, exterior to the body. Unconsciousness in that state would be equal with non-existence, which the Lord denies.*

The fact thus shown that the patriarchs continued to live, though for the present not in the body, implies that they shall sometime resume life in the body. For the Lord shows that Jehovah's words to Moses indicate that the "dead do rise." And when He pointed these facts out, as borne witness to by this scripture, the "multitude," trained in that age to think, "were astonished at His doctrine." They saw that if Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were still living men, although they were not then in the body, it must be in order that they might rise from the dead to have made good to them all that Jehovah has promised to them.

But why did the Lord refer His enemies to this particular scripture? Are there not others which might as easily have shown that which He here pointed out to them? No doubt there are. But in this we see the desire of the Lord to win from their enmity those who were bent upon self-destruction. Though the Sadducees rejected the doctrine of the resurrection, as we have seen, because they feared to meet God, yet their refusal of this truth was the closing of the door of mercy in their own faces. In fact, the Lord was about to prove the truth of resurrection in His own Person. It is thus that He spake to comfort Martha, when He said to her:"I am the Resurrection and the Life," etc. (John 11:25). It is not only that it is given to Him of the Father to raise the dead, whether it be the "just (or) the unjust;" but He Himself was about to go into death for man, not simply to remain there, but to rise again the third day according to the Scriptures, In His own Person, through death and resurrection, the Lord was to manifest Himself as "Lord both of the dead and of the living," that to Him "every knee should bow, and every tongue confess Him Lord to the glory of God the Father."

Did the Sadducees remember that when God spoke to Moses, declaring Himself the God of their fathers, it was when that people were in the lowest extremity, under the heel of a foreign lord, even as they were themselves at that moment? The truth they were denying and seeking to bring into ridicule was that by which Jehovah sought to encourage the faith of His people that the promises made to the fathers were not forgotten by Him! He was not only their fathers' God while they lived on the earth, He was their God still, and was about to fulfil all that He had spoken to them while they yet lived here as pilgrims and strangers on the earth.

The deliverance effected through Moses at that time was symbolic of a far greater deliverance yet to come. But it was necessary for Moses and his brethren, afflicted as they were, to realize that their God was indeed the God of resurrection. Although the nation then was at the lowest ebb, He who was the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, was also their God, and was about to act in almighty power for them. That which seemed at that moment impossible-as impossible as to raise the dead-1:e., to deliver that stricken and helpless people out of the hand of their powerful oppressors, was about to be accomplished by the God of Abraham. And so He said to Moses, after declaring Himself as the God of their fathers, "I have surely seen the affliction of My people Israel…. and I am come down to deliver them" (Exod.3:7,8).

He who then came down for His people's sake, for their temporal deliverance from Pharaoh's oppression, had now come, in His own blessed Person, for a far greater deliverance. And only through His own death and resurrection could man, oppressed by sin and Satan, find true deliverance. But the Sadducee, in denying the resurrection, was ignorantly rejecting the only door of hope for himself or for anyone. For "if there be no resurrection, then is not Christ raised. And if Christ be not risen, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." Thus the Lord took the deniers of the power of God back to their own Scriptures, which they professed to believe, in order to show them that all blessing, whether past, present, or future, was bound up in the truth of that which they denied. The God whose power they denied was their fathers' God, and if they themselves denied God and His power to raise the dead, how unlike were they to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who "died in faith," looking beyond the life here to the life in resurrection in order to receive the promises! What divine wisdom we see therefore in the Lord answering the unbelievers of His day from that Scripture which bore such abundant witness not only to God's power, but to the glory of His goodness and grace. -Wm. Huss.

AFRICA

The following extracts from the report of a Missionary Conference held in Belgian Congo are worthy of prayerful consideration.

The Message

"Our Christian message is eternal, unchangeable, and all-powerful. It is summed up in John 3:16."

"Let Jesus Christ and Him crucified always be upheld as the only hope of salvation."

The Messenger

"Ambassadors to be fit to proclaim Christ as Saviour must be filled by His Spirit. This involves personal pre-paration by contemplation of Christ, by meditation on His Word, and by living in a condition of prayerfulness. We must live Christ."

"The character of the worker must be above reproach for successful evangelism. Those who exhibit the power of Christ in their lives may win many in their daily walk. As of old, men still take knowledge of those who have been with Jesus and learned of Him."

"The missionary should display such Christ-likenes? and evangelistic ardor as will insure that the native Church shall be founded on a deep and genuine spiritual experience."

Early Preparation for Service

"The development of the evangelistic gift should begin in youth. Early in life there should be a sense of responsibility to God, and a habit of prayer and Bible study. From this will result, naturally and normally, the dedication of lives to Jesus Christ and the practice of bearing witness to Him in youth."

We are glad to have the following brief note from our brother H. Wilson:

INKONGO, October 30. – God is working here for blessing. Quite a number of Christians go out preaching every Sunday after the meetings, and God blesses the Gospel as elsewhere. Some weeks ago I baptized some elderly women who cannot speak our language. Some of their tribe are breaking bread, and know two languages, and have gone to their villages with the Gospel, and God has worked in souls. I am now putting the roof on the hospital and we expect the doctor before very long. It has been very hard work for my wife and myself, but we felt we could not leave it all for the doctor to do on arrival. The hospital is one hundred feet long and will have an operating-room, consulting-room and rooms for patients.

CHINA

Brother Foggin sends the following interesting letter telling of a journey made with other missionaries to "spy out the land," with a view to further Gospel activity. The book mentioned, "Through the Jade Gate," and its companion volume, "Something Happened," can be obtained from Loizeaux Bros. They are well worth reading.

KAOTAI, KANSU, October 16.-Your good letters to hand. I have not been able to answer them sooner, having been on the road for about six weeks, on our trip to Tunhuang. It is marked on the map inserted in the bottom left hand corner of the Kansu Postal map. There is a line branching southwest from Ansi, marked 280, arriving at Tunhuang. When I got to Suchow, Dr. Beauchamp and Mr. Hayward had decided to hire a cart for the trip and take Elder Wei of the Suchow Church, so as to allay any suspicion as to our motive. After some time we were able to hire a cart through the Elder at a reasonable rate, but with a misunderstanding which took us two weeks to find out. At first the cart was supposed to be hired by the month, and when we arrived at the first stage, the Jade Gate, which marks the passing out of China proper, the carter wanted to rush on with another cart of his, travelling all night. I was pretty sharp with him, and gave him to understand we were out to preach, and not run the road, and that we wanted to stop at the different places along the way. However, as it was Gobi Desert, Mr. Hayward and the Doctor agreed to leave shortly after midnight. Later we learned that the cart was not hired by the month, but by the trip. However, we demanded one stage for one day, and not to rush on at breakneck" speed. The night travel was kept up for several nights, but was not at all suitable for me as I was riding horseback, so after we got to Yumen we changed to day travel. From the Jade Gate to Yumen there are three stages. We preached at two small places between. Each place along the way is like an oasis after crossing long stretches of gravel and sand. The last town where we stayed before coming to Yumen is called Chin Hsia, with a population of about ten families, and has been of late years destroyed by Ma Chung Ying's troops because the local people refused to recognize it as a "Ping Chan" (soldiers' free fodder stage). At Yumen, which is a considerable city, we spent a day-and-a-half. The doctor got a room in the house of a Mr. Chang for the purpose of seeing patients, and he was kept busy from morning till night. However, we started with a united open-air meeting first thing in the morning. The doctor and Mr. Hayward left to receive patients, leaving Elder Wei and me to continue preaching. In the evening the doctor and I went out together and had another open-air. The power of the Holy Spirit was present so that one could make an appeal. The next day we started for Ansi, which is three-and-a-half days' journey. The first place, only a half-day's journey from Yumen, is a rather large town from which Yumen draws its supplies. Here we had a meeting with a fairly large audience. We noticed all along the road posters which the three ladies had put up over two years ago. I suppose you have heard of the Misses French and Miss Cable. They are now in England planning to come out here again. They used to travel the road with two carts of their own, and we were told that they did the bill-posting themselves. It was a thorough work.

We arrived at Ansi, which is more or less a barrack-town on a sandy desert. Having put up at a Mohammedan inn and had a good meal, we went on the street and had a good meeting. The next day the doctor and Mr. Hayward received patients, the Elder and I did the preaching. I was buyer, cook, and preacher for that day. The following day we left for Tunhuang (pronounced Doong-hwang) which is four small stages, but heavy going for carts. The three stages in between are simply three inns and not villages. I forgot to mention that when at Ansi we met the crew, headed by a Mr. Tanberg, of the American Auto expedition into Hsin-chiang for sausage-skins. They had been there for about a month, not being able to go any further owing to trouble in Hsinchiang. They were waiting for camel-loads of skins to come through. That is over a month ago, and they haven't come past this way yet as far as I know. They seemed to be having a good holiday. We also met a Mr. Psuck who was enjoying their company, having been there alone for quite a while. He is a German in charge of the radio station for the Eurasia Air Line. We arrived in Tunhuang to find that it was the largest and most prosperous place along the road. Here we had some of the largest crowds I have ever preached to. I had a cornet, and Mr. Hayward a guitar, and that accounts for the crowds. However, we trust that the Word has lodged in some hearts. There is a Moslem element here, and at one of the meetings nearly half of the crowd left instantaneously. A priest came along and called his flock away. While there we visited the Crescent Moon Lake, mentioned by the Misses Cable and French in their book entitled, "Through the Jade Gate." It is about three miles from the city across sandy desert until you come to a fertile patch with trees and vegetation. In front are sand-hills rising from one to four or five hundred feet high. You ascend one of these sand-hills, and from its top have a full view of the Crescent Moon Lake which lies in the deep hollow of surrounding sand-hills. There are beautiful trees beside the lake, and the Chinese have built there a picturesque temple, with many adjoining buildings. It was understood that we were to come back after five days, but on the third day the carter came to us and said he was going on the morrow irrespective of whether we went or not. We were quite indignant and threatened to prosecute him if he dared to do so. In fact we thought we would stop his going out of the city if he attempted to do so. In the evening I went to talk with Elder Wei, and then discovered that the cart had only been hired one way. We had had trouble with the carter on the road and could not understand his actions, but now it was all plain. Of course, we had to make apologies, not having understood the circumstances. The next trouble was to get back. Carts were more expensive and our money short. Besides, we had to wait until we could get a cart, as they were taken up as soon as they arrived. We were there about two weeks before we could get away, and when we got on the road the animals could not pull the cart through the sand.
The first ten miles consisted of irrigated land, and we stuck in every ditch we came to. We did about ten miles, and had to put up for the night. The next day it took thirteen hours to do twenty-three miles. The following day was somewhat the same, so we decided to change the cart when we got to Ansi, and take camels. We still had seventy li (twenty odd miles), and not wanting the same slow process it was decided to let my animal do the pulling and tie his animal behind. My animal pulled as if he had been used to it all his life, and we went so fast that we decided to go straight through to Suchow. However, I had to take him away from the cart the last day as he was worn out, and his neck was badly chafed as he was not used to the collar. When we get back to Suchow we discovered that he had developed a large ulcer over his shoulder-blade, about the size of a dinner-plate. I had hoped to get back to Kaotai, but was held over several days as I could not use him. However, during the delay I was able to preach the Word; and I am glad to say the animal is now almost normal. Mr. Hayward decided to go back to Tunhuang and start work, so he and his wife were preparing to go as soon as possible when I left Suchow. Dr. Beauchamp was not able to get through to Hsinchiang, so he and his wife will be leaving for Lanchow in a few days. I hope I have not wearied you with these details. I had a nice letter from brother Kautto telling of the encouragement in those parts, having baptized both men and women. I am ^ afraid I do not get much news of current events or of assembly affairs at home, and would be glad to get the news if you have time to spare.

GEORGE E. FOGGIN.

WORK AMONG THE INDIANS IN U. S. A.:

Brother Anderson writes:
Thanks ever so much for the ministry, and the love ; and fellowship that goes with it. Two weeks ago I bap-.tized five-all from Kingman. We are very much encouraged with the work there. Tomorrow I go to Oat-man, a mining town sixty miles west, and two carloads will go with me from Kingman. A young brother saved nearly three years ago is being used of the Lord, and getting a good interest from the young boys at Kingman. Miss Olsen has been sick for some time, and was in Los Angeles, but has now returned, being somewhat better. We use her home for the meetings. Will close with much love in our Lord, -J. P. Anderson.

Miss Holcomb writes:

Yours of October 25th came in our last mail. We do thank you for the enclosed ministry. It came as another reminder of the loving care of our dear Father.

Today Mr. Girdner and Dannie, our second boy, have started out for Denehotso. They will probably be gone for two or three days. They were over there for the week-end two weeks ago, and reported a good time in cane work. This is one of the farther points in our new field. We cannot do justice to the three new neighborhoods that have been added to us, but we shall make an attempt to give some testimony in each from time to time. We understand that school-buildings are now going up in some of them, and in another one or two, rock is being hauled for the buildings, and when these are completed and the children gathered in to school, it should be up to us to have a Bible lesson once each week in each of the five schools. This would hardly seem possible with our present equipment.

Yesterday I held a Bible class with the women in the western part of our neighborhood, and I hope I have a place for this class located for the present. Just now a number of families are living rather close to the store, and they suggested that would be the most central place for most of them. There were eleven women there yesterday-two new ones, and the rest had been coming during the Spring to a class farther West. From there I went on over to Rock Point, where I am trying to get together the women who came to my class last Spring. It is slow work, but I can see that I am making some
progress. At both places the attention and interest were quite good. Some of the women are beginning to set their quilt tops together, and that adds interest in coming more regularly. The day before yesterday I had classes with my two groups of women in the mountain. This is late for them to be still living there, and this class is due for a move some time in the next few weeks. That makes attendance irregular for a time. These four classes makes a weekly mileage of over seventy-five miles, and of course the roads are rough and crooked, in some places long stretches of deep sand, and in others long stretches of climbing up over bare rock, so that the driving is none too easy. But it is what one must expect out here. Roads around here have been much improved to what they were during the past three years, but we hear that the present Head of Indian Affairs does not intend to keep up Reservation roads so as to make them passable for autos, as he thinks Indians are so much more picturesque on horseback. -Clara E. Holcomb.

A Word to Young Christians

Paul, the aged servant of Christ, in writing to young Timothy, says in 1 Tim. 4:12:"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers," etc.

Many young people today excuse their poor spiritual condition and their lack of missionary interest by stating that the older people give them no opportunity and no encouragement in serving the Lord. Paul does not mention such an attitude to Timothy, but rather encourages him to be an example to them who are older.

If we feel that our seniors do not understand us, and do not properly encourage us in the Lord, let us so walk with the Lord that ultimately we will be examples and an encouragement to them. The mission field today is in great need of workers, and especially of young people. Young men and women can adjust themselves to new circumstances and can learn new ways more rapidly than those in later life. And is it not a fact that people today will often listen to young people because of their youth? If these young folk are devoted to the Lord and the proclamation of His Word, there is not a doubt but what they will be used of Him to the salvation of souls, the edification of saints and the glory of Christ.

Young people, awake to your opportunities and responsibilities. Realize your indebtedness to Christ who hath redeemed you and made you His own, and go forth in His name with the glad tidings. First at home, being an example to the brethren that your services may be commendable, and finally into lands abroad where Christ is not known. Thus you will fulfil the Lord's command to go into all the world with the gospel, and then will you spread the glory of His name, the glory of Him who hath redeemed us by His own precious blood.

-JAMES ANNAN.

(Col. 1:17)

Another interesting item of information was recently given by Dr. Charles G. Abbot in the-annual report of the Smithsonian Institute. As reported in The New York Times, he has been studying "the one-eighth inch of ozone gas which is all that stands between the human race and destruction by death rays' from the sun. This ozone 'wall' lies forty miles from the earth in the upper, reaches of the stratosphere. It is spread through considerable space, but if concentrated would be less than one-eighth of an inch thick." We are told that this ozone layer absorbs short wave ultra-violet rays that would blind and blister and eventually destroy life if they could penetrate.

Dr. Abbot says, as quoted:"It is astonishing and even terrifying to contemplate the narrow margin of safety on which our lives depend. Were this trifling quantity of atmospheric ozone removed we should all perish."

Does not this serve to illustrate how easily when God's time comes, as Peter declares, "the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up"? Seemingly He but needs to waft away that ozone "wall" of present protection, and the "death rays" of the mighty sun will do their work.

But to illustrate again:From that same mighty orb come those rays which are beneficial to life, without which it could not exist, and these pass through the ozone layer, the death-dealing rays being absorbed in that layer for the present; so from Him who is the Sun of Righteousness there comes now the life-giving ministry of grace and mercy, while judgment is restrained. Yet from Him shall also come the withering blast of burning wrath which shall consume all who obey not the gospel, and destroy all those who destroy the earth. , "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish in the way, for soon His anger burneth. Blessed are all who have their trust in Him" (Ps.2:12, New Trans.).

San Diego, Calif.-I have been having meetings during the past two months in Palo Alto, Cal. God blessed His Word.

The conference here is just over and we had a very happy time together. I am staying on this week, preaching every night except Saturday. -T. W. Carroll.

Islamorado, Fla.-In prison work lately the Lord has given much to encourage, especially at Raiford, Fla.,where the whole prison with its fifteen hundred inmates was opened to me with permission to go where I chose and stay as long as I saw fit. I found scores that were hungry for the Word of Life. It was a great pleasure to lead them to the Light.

At Savannah, Ga., the Lord allowed us to see fruit, and at most of the assemblies that we have called on this fall the saints are encouraged by seeing their number grow.

At Islamorado, Fla., where we have been for a couple of weeks, there is a young assembly, not one year old, and only three of its number located locally, but about twenty have confessed Him as Saviour within the last two months.

Would be glad to have the saints save me their gospel magazines for prison work. -Thos. H. Lacey.

Muskegon, Mich.-During the past two years or more, besides sharing in the privileges and responsibilities of the local assembly, I have been working in some neighboring rural communities, having gospel meetings regularly in two places. Much time has been given to personal work in connection with the public meetings. God has graciously blessed these efforts to many souls, some of whom were brought to a knowledge of salvation and were baptized, and some were instructed more perfectly in the way and Word of Truth.

In one of these places, about 25 miles distant from here, the work has resulted in some being exercised about "the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). About three months ago an assembly was formed, with some twenty or more gathering on Lord's Day morning for the remembering of Him who died, "that He might gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad" (John 11:52).

With this we are continuing, endeavoring to serve and establish the people of God as our Sovereign Lord gives grace and opportunity. Yours in Him, –OMER J. HOMMES.

Key West, Fla.-We came to Key West the middle of November from Michigan, where we made our home for three and one-half years. For several reasons we have felt led to make our home in the South.

We have had meetings regularly in the Gospel Hall, and have much enjoyed the fellowship of the warmhearted saints here. The assembly is going on nicely, and a happy spirit of fellowship and Christian liberty prevails.

The interest in the Word is very encouraging. There are fifty or more outsiders present whenever the Word is preached. Believers from five or six different denominations attend right along, and seem to be helped. I am speaking at present on the Kingdom of Heaven, illustrated by a chart, and as it is a new line of truth here, many have spoken of help received. Brethren, pray for us, that souls may be saved, and believers led on and out, to meet around Himself. -August Van Ryn.

Pembroke, N. C.-At last the new Model of the Tabernacle, which has been in course of construction for the past three years, is complete. It. has been my privilege to give addresses on it during the past two months, in Washington, D. C., Harrisburg, Philadelphia (Frankford) and Baltimore. In spite of weather conditions am happy to report splendid interest. As to the Model itself it has been very carefully made, and represents much skilled workmanship on the part of various brethren and sisters who have graciously given freely of their time and resources. Some parts have been brought from Palestine. If any assemblies desire to have a series of lectures on this subject, I would be glad to hear from such at my home address, Box 1046, Pembroke, N. C.

–L. T. CHAMBERS.

Houston, Texas.-E. J. Tharp was with us for five days, leaving this morning for San Antonio on his way west, expecting to sail Feb. 8th for Manchuria, his field of labor for the past thirty years. He had meetings here nightly, including Saturday, and also spoke to the Sunday School on Lord's Day morning, and again to the young people at 6:45, before the evening meeting. His visit has brought Asia and its needs closer to our hearts.

–V. PENNINGTON.

Seattle, Wash., 607 North 46th St.-Since leaving Plainfield in November I have been kept well occupied in the happy service of our Lord in the gospel and among some of His loved ones.

Calling at Pittsburgh and at Chicago for a week in each district, we journeyed on to these parts, and immediately found plenty of work. A Conference at Yakima, where there were some drops of gospel blessing, "but for the showers we pray." Another at New Westminster at the New Year, where our brother Geo. McCandless was present. Happy fellowship and helpful ministry were enjoyed. There is great need in this great West, and great opportunities. Pray for us. We have now "a jumping-off place" at this address.

The dear wife of our brother Alfred Major of Hoquiam, the hostess of many, has passed in to the presence of our Lord recently. "With Christ, which is far better."

-INGLIS FLEMING.

Vancouver, B. C. – Coming westward through the Canadian prairies, and crossing the lower reaches of the Rocky Mountains, I have spent many weeks visiting the little gatherings by the way. It has been a great joy to see the hand of God at work, strengthening faith and drawing hearts closer to Christ. In some places there is a marked increase in the study of the Word of God. May this increase everywhere!

It was a pleasure to meet brother Inglis Fleming once more, at an all-day meeting at New Westminster on New Year's Day. His ministry was helpful and encouraging as also that of Elliot McAllister. The day was one of real blessing from the Lord. Brother McAllister and brother Bowen, who was also present, spend much of their time among the widely scattered population of the country districts, preaching where doors open, working from house to house, and comforting the meetings by visiting and ministry among them. They are much loved and their service has been owned of God.

–G. H. MCCANDLESS.

Deseronto, Ont.-We have received interesting and encouraging letters from a few French converted people. They would like us to hold meetings in their home, which we hope to do later. Being the only French-speaking worker visiting them, and, as there are so many to reach, it is difficult to cover the ground. We do hope and pray that the Lord will raise up laborers and send them forth to this needy field. Pray for us and the field.

–LOUIS J. GERMAIN.

Trenton, Ont.-During the past few weeks we have been seeking to give help in several assemblies in this section of Eastern Ontario. At Gardenville two young people professed faith in the Lord Jesus last week, and another took her place at the Table of the Lord. At present we are in Trenton, and next weekend expect to visit Belleville, where our brother Alex Irvine has been recently. -C. Ernest Tatham.

Black Cape, Que.-Two-days' meetings were held at Grand Cascapedia over Christmas week-end. Although the weather was cold and stormy the Lord gave a profitable season, which was much enjoyed by all the Lord's own.

At Black Cape we had two-days' meetings at New Year, with good attendance, and the Lord gave blessing.. His people were refreshed, and several confessed the Lord as Saviour. Brother H. L. Campbell, Wm. Beld, and the writer ministered the Word.

I expect to commence a week's meetings in Cullen's Brook. There is always a good interest here. The young people are many, and we hope to help them particularly. –SAMUEL STEWART.

April 1st, Deut. 24; April 15th, Joshua 4; April 30th, Joshua 19; May 15th, Judges 10.

COMMENTS

As already noted, Deut. 20-26 give instruction concerning various relationships and responsibilities, God-ward and manward. First, the mode of government by which such duties are regulated, including in an anticipative way the establishment of a king. Then, duties toward those who are the ministers of the Lord – priest, Levite and prophet. This is followed by responsibilities as to life and conduct in many varied connections. In chap. 26 we get the worship of God's people hi possession of the land; confessing it as all God's gift.

Chaps. 27-30 give the curse and the blessing connected with the covenant. The closing portion (chaps. 31-34) is largely prophetic, and also gives an introduction to the new leader – Joshua. Here are set out before us the ways of God, in grace, mercy, power, and holiness, for the manifestation of Himself and the blessing of His people – the full realization of which waits upon the completion of the present work of forming the Body of Christ, whereupon God will take up His unfinished plans as to Israel, the nations, and the earth, completing them in the coming and kingdom of the Son of Man.

Commencing Joshua, we pass out of the wilderness into the land, where war must be carried on to practically secure and enjoy the inheritance given them according to Jehovah's promise.

The first eleven chapters bring us through various conflicts to rest from war. This does not mean, however, that there is not continued need for vigilance, that the watch-tower can be abandoned, and ease and laxity rule. No;'it is a question of keeping in subjection defeated enemies, of being persevering, diligent, watchful, obedient to and dependent upon God, else the enemy will soon rise up again. This is just what happened because Israel failed in these things, as to which Moses had so earnestly exhorted them before his departure. This sad failure of Israel brought in the conditions which the book of Judges so graphically describes. These things are written for warning and instruction to us.

First, the crossing of Jordan is typical of 'the cross on the one hand, and on the other of the Christian's identification through it with Christ, as accepted in Him according to the truth of resurrection-place and power. The knowledge of this, ministered by the Spirit, is the entering of our spiritual Canaan; our possession of which is opposed by powers of spiritual wickedness.

Canaan, then, is not a type of bur future entrance into heaven as a result of resurrection at the Lord's coming; but it is a type of our spiritual portion in Christ, of which we are now to take possession. It speaks of entering through faith the spiritual conflict according to Ephesians 6. It is really what engages us until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Then with the enemy cast out we shall hear of war no more. Till then we (like Israel), under the Holy Spirit's leadership (Joshua), and as obedient to the Word (the book of the law), are to be warriors and conquerors.

Note that Gilgal is the base of operations. There, the reproach of Egypt was rolled away-the world in its Egyptian aspect and the flesh ever in alliance with it, judged and set aside. Then Jericho falls, another type of the world, but in a different aspect from Egypt. It is a picture of the world in its power, pride, and seeming pleasantness, which our great spiritual foes, "the universal lords of this darkness," would use to bind us hand and foot, spiritually speaking – would destroy separation to God in holiness and obedience through "artifices of the devil," causing our spiritual portion to lie unpossessed. Ecclesiastes exposes Jericho, and this aspect of the world is largely what John's first epistle has in view. Egypt is different, though found after all to be a close companion to Jericho; it is rather the world in its moral debasement slavery to sin, under the sinister influence and control of Satan. Egypt is more the "filthiness" of flesh, while Jericho is that of the spirit (2 Cor. 7:1); Yet, though giving different aspects, they are linked together and under one control.

Joshua has been referred to as typical of the Spirit of Christ in us, in connection with the new place He has entered in glory; thus Eleazar, associated with Joshua in the leadership of the people, suggests the priesthood of Christ as exercised in resurrection-power and place.

The remaining chapters of Joshua treat first of the land's allotment to the tribes (12-21); then instructions and warnings occupy chaps. 22-24.

The division of the "land among the tribes is full of spiritual instruction. Its great detail calls for patient, careful study.

A thought or two may serve as suggestions. We have already mentioned what the land typifies. The tribes may be considered as pointing to the character and relation pertaining to God's people, individually and collectively. Thus Judah ("praise") suggests the worshiped, the one who rejoices in the Lord. Simeon ("hearing") speaks of the consecrated ear, opened to God's word, to which obedience is rendered, for true hearing involves doing. Naphtali ("wrestling") points to the warrior character; we are to be good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Then the different directions-north, east, etc.-suggest aspects of the world and its influences. The cities in their various groupings and the meaning of their names give lessons of experience which link with the former two lines of thought.

There is a foreshadow of failure in Joshua's closing messages to the people, and the beginning of Judges shows this to have quickly developed after his death, and that of the elders who outlived him.