The dark picture in the Epistle of Jude is enough to overwhelm one with" an awakened conscience, did not the closing verses give us the bright side for faith. Everything else has gone to ruin; corrupters have come in, defiling the church; and we cannot be blind to it. What can we do? Reform the evil? go on with it? Neither. "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Here we have a fourfold word, the wilderness number, and that of our walk through it. The darkness could not oppress us with its gloom, did we follow this divine exhortation.

Then, too, we would have discernment and compassion for others caught in the snares which, through mercy, we may have escaped-teaching with pity the ignorant, and snatching others with fear from what, as a fire, would consume.

In the midst of all the peril, Jude ("praise") can lift his heart in worship; and surely we should be able to join in it-"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."