Question 6.-Please give an explanation of the shining of Christians as lights in the world. Is it unto God, or unto men? In Matt. 5:16, it seems as if it were to men; but in Phil. 2:15, it looks as if it were unto God. I find that much activity which is not of God, passes for " shining as lights in the world." If the world cannot understand Christ, nor the springs of a Christian's action, can the true shining of a child of God be really seen by it, especially as the world is blind ?

Answer.-The verse following Phil. 2:15 explains its meaning. Read the last clause of the 15th and the first of the 16th, and we see the character of the shining. "In the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life." Here we are told we are to shine in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, and we are to shine by holding forth the word of life. So also the other passages. In 2 Cor. 4:6, the light has shone into our hearts in order that it might shine out in the life; or, as the apostle says in verse 2, by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

It is sorrowfully true that much that passes for Christian activity is but the energy of the flesh; but this must not lead us to class all service done to the Lord under that head. Thank God, in the midst of the abounding evil there is some true shining, which not only is marked by the eyes of Him who walketh among the candlesticks, but is seen by the world. That the world is dark and blind does not prevent the shining of the light. "The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not." " The world knoweth us not because it knew Him not." These scriptures, while they show the blindness of the world, at the same time show that the light has come to them. "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." Men are responsible to act upon the light which God gives. " While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light." Each of us, in our little measure, is to be a light during our Lord's absence. Surely, in view of the nearness of His coming, all His own should rise and "trim their lamps."

Ques. 7.-Amos 8:11:"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord." In what sense, if any, can this scripture be applied to the condition of things now?

Ans.-Of course, the context shows-verses 12, 13-that the passage directly concerned the kingdom of Israel, the idolatrous ten tribes, and it exhibits the judicial blindness brought upon them for their departure from God. No doubt, also, it will have its application in days to come, when the apostate and idolatrous nation will find a like famine. But we too are living in the " last days," which correspond morally in many ways with the times noted by the prophet. These days are marked, among other things, by a neglect-a despising-of the word of God :"The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine." And as a result of this despising of God's word, is there not a corresponding "famine," to which, though of course in a secondary sense, the words of the prophet might be applied? Men who call themselves Christian are robbing the people of the Scriptures. Under the guise of Higher Criticism, open infidelity has come into the Church. As a result, the great doctrines of the gospel are practically denied. Sin, atonement, assurance, a separate walk, and waiting for God's Sou from heaven, are doctrines no longer endured by the many, as, alas, they are no longer preached by the many. There has been, on the part of one at least of the larger religious bodies, an open condemnation of these views; but it is only too evident that the canker spreads elsewhere, and that even where it has been openly condemned, an equally dangerous-if not more, because of its insidious nature-form of the evil is spreading. The Lord grant we may be mistaken, but signs are not wanting to show that this evil is spreading.

Then, too, even where the integrity of God's word is not outwardly questioned, the world has come in and absorbed the attention of God's own people to such a degree that the Scriptures are literally crowded out. Beloved brethren, let us awake, lest we too find amongst us practically a famine! What a privilege to be permitted in any measure to minister God's word to His dear people!