"A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory " (Matt. 12:20).

However feeble the authority that wields the scepter, our Lord's words remind us that God preserves it:" Thou couldst have no power against Me except it were given thee from above."

However perverted man's administration of justice, we can thank God that though it be but as smoking flax in its administration of judgment according to righteousness, it will not be quenched till He send forth judgment unto victory. No more weakness in government, no more mawkish senti-mentalism for criminals when the Son of Man is King and Ruler over this world! The lawlessness of man's nature which has been so bold for so long will then face a government with which it cannot trifle. But what fearful blows must come to introduce this! How thankful should God's people be that He has promised to keep them from (out of) that " hour of trial ! " (Rev. 3:10). S.