"Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer" is a precious grace of the Holy Spirit in the saints-yet how feebly manifested in us generally. If we inquire as to its cause, we shall find, no doubt, that knowledge of truth alone does not produce this grace; it is found rather in communion with God and our Lord Jesus Christ in the daily life, with humility. Therefore it is that simple, godly souls often surpass in this grace others with more knowledge and privileges from whom we naturally would expect more.

These thoughts are suggested by the reading of " Rifted Clouds," in which Bella Cook unaffectedly relates the ways of God with her from young womanhood through a long life of suffering. Meeting with adversities in early married life, her naturally strong will finally resigned itself to God's ways, and found complete rest in a self-surrender to God. Though feeble in youth, she lived to the great age of eighty-seven, absolutely confined to her bed for the last fifty years with scarce any re lief from pain, yet with cheerfulness and praise to God to whose will she heartily resigned herself.

One great relief to her suffering and bed-ridden life was in the sympathy she was enabled to show to others in trial, and the very active part she took in the relief of misery and want among the poor of the district where she dwelt. Her humble abode, secluded in the rear of other buildings on Second Avenue, New York, became a place not only where sorrow and need came for relief, but where the
rich and cultured found a rest and peace which the world can neither give nor take away.

Devoted friends-were raised to the helpless, bedridden one who, while absolutely dependent herself on what God provided through others for her wants, was enabled, with what was entrusted to her hands, to comfort and relieve many in trial with whom she had a large and active acquaintance.

What a relief to be thus diverted from one's self toward others ! In the spirit and grace of Christ to pour comfort in wounded souls, to strengthen hope and confidence in God, or bring sinners to Him who said, "Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Bella Cook exchanged the body of suffering and place of service for the home of glory some 14 years ago, but the fragrance of her life remains with many who were blessed by it. "Go, and do thou likewise," said our Lord to the lawyer questioning who was his neighbor, after telling him of the Samaritan's gracious conduct toward the wounded man on the roadside (Luke 10:29-37).

"If ye suffer for righteousness’ sake happy are ye"

In "Rifted Clouds," Bella Cook relates how her grandmother, in the earliest days of Methodism, courageously persevered in the face of opposition and suffered indignities for Christ's sake, receiving cruel stripes from her own husband for it. She says:-

" My grandmother, with a neighbor, had been attending Methodist meetings, although their husbands, who were farmers, but godless men, disapproved. The farmers talked it over, and decided
that their wives should not "disgrace them" by attending those Methodist meetings. So they agreed to tell them that if they went again they should be horse-whipped on their return.

"My grandmother heard the mandate, and asked her husband if she had neglected her home duties? "No." If she had been a less dutiful wife because of her religion?-"No." "Well, then," she said, "by the help of the Lord, I shall go."

"She went to the meeting as she had said. On her return, she was met by her sturdy husband with, "Now, Betsy, you have had your way; I will have mine." And he took the whip from behind the door, and whipped his wife till he was weary- if not ashamed. Then she quietly asked if he had done.-"Yes," he said, "I have."

"At bedtime, in undressing, she looked at her shoulders and arms; and seeing them all black and in ridges from the whip, she said:"Praise the Lord, stripes for Christ's sake!"

"Her husband-who all this while had been in poor comfort over his act-was so deeply affected by this that, falling upon his knees, he begged her to forgive him. " It is not me you have offended," she answered, "but you have offended my Saviour. Ask Him to forgive you."

"The convicted man with great contrition did so; he sought the divine mercy, and obtained it, for he had been acting ignorantly in unbelief. Having thus turned to the Lord, my grandfather became henceforth an earnest Christian for the rest of his life.".

" And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good ? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye:and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear:having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ" (i Pet. 3:13-16).

A Battalion of Death

"Addressing a large gathering of munition workers lately, a public speaker in commendation of their labors called them a "Battalion of Death," a description which is certainly true, and doubtless was pleasing to his hearers. What a contrast between this and God's description of His saints-"Blameless and harmless, the children of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life" (Phil. 2:15, 16). " Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matt. 10:16)."

Hermann Warszawiack

We are informed that Hermann Warszawiack, whose history and conversion were related in the last pages of "Treasury of Truth Almanac" for 1918, was exposed as a fraud in New York City a few years ago. The author of the article had gotten his information from reliable sources, but before the above mentioned exposure in New York took place; hence the author, and the publishers, believed it a genuine conversion, but sincerely regret its publication. How painful it is to see the precious name of Jesus so dishonored by some who profess His holy name, and give occasion for distrust and reproach.