QUES. 1.-Please explain 1 Tim. 5:6. Is the widow here spoken of a Christian? It seems as if the "true widow" is described in the fifth verse, and in the sixth only a professor is spoken of. Is this correct?

ANS.-The contrast is clear, and the broad distinction is as noted by our correspondent. The sixth verse would describe one who still found her portion and pleasure in the world. Thus while alive in the world, she has no spiritual life. In striking contrast with this is the one who is desolate, but has all her faith and expectation centered in God. She is the true widow, whose consolation is not in the pleasures of this world, but in Christ alone. In this connection the apostle instructs Timothy not to recognize as belonging to the class of widows any under sixty years of age. This seems to indicate that some spiritual importance was attached to this class, and doubtless the "mothers in Israel" were thus recognized. The younger widows were able to provide, to some extent for themselves, or at any rate they were not to be definitely recognized as the older. It is not to be thought that the apostle was forbidding either the care for or remarriage of the younger widows, but was warning against what might easily become an abuse.

QUES. 2.-Why was there no provision made in the Levitical law for sacrifices for presumptuous sins ?

ANS.-Doubtless to emphasize the weakness and unprofitableness of the law. The very sins that would weigh most heavily on the conscience, and enhanced the guilt of man, were the very ones for which no provision was made. Thus David, who could not plead ignorance, realized that no sacrifice of the law would avail for his sin. In his broken-hearted acknowledgment, in the fifty-first psalm, he does not even offer a legal sacrifice. " Thou desirest not sacrifice, else would I give it." But in what blessed contrast with this is the sacrifice of Christ our Lord, whose blood cleanseth from all sin.

QUES. 3.-What is the meaning of the expression, 'baptized for the dead," in 1 Cor. 15:29 ?

ANS.-"Baptized in place of the dead," that is new converts taking the place of those Christians who had died. It is as though the apostle said, " Why should new converts be made to take the place of the fallen Christians, persecuted, suffering. dying-why perpetuate this suffering, if there is no resurrection?" But resurrection answers the question. Christians are living for the future, and those who take the place of the dead will one day share in the glorious resurrection.

QUES. 4.-How wide is the application of such scriptures as Matt. 10:19, 20; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11, 12; 21:14, 15. Do they refer simply to those who are brought before kings, rulers and magistrates, or to any child of God who is questioned regarding his belief. And need he fear that the answer will not be given him because he forgets at the moment to ask for it. if the whole attitude of his mind and heart is that of dependence upon God? Is there anything inconsistent in these passages with 1 Pet. 3:15; "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you?"

ANS.-While the passages"refer primarily to the circumstances of the disciples during and immediately after our Lord's life- abundant illustrations of which will be found in the book of Acts-there is not the slightest reason why faith should not make the fullest use of the promise in every case of need. And how often has God honored the faith based upon these very scriptures. With regard to prayer, there will, of course, be the need for it, but our gracious God knows the constant attitude of the heart. However, as the soul goes on to know Him, distraction becomes less and less possible.