QUES. 7.-Why do "Christian Scientists" look so peaceful and happy? People say there must be something in a religion that does this. And why is this not oftener said of Christians?

ANS.-Because "Christian Scientists" live in " a fool's paradise." Having taken in the falsehood that there is really no sin, no evil, no suffering-all these things being but "errors of mortal mind,"-the devil, whose existence they deny, deceives them at will.

Of our Lord Jesus it was written, "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" . . . and, " Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows, yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted " (Isa. 53 :3, 4). In passing through this scene of sorrow, of evil, of death, how could our Saviour be any other than "a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief? "

But, as Christians, it is to our reproach that we are not more constantly "rejoicing in the Lord." But our rejoicing is not in falsely denying that "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now " (Rom. 8 :22), it is in the Lord-in the peace that God gives, in the assurance of sins forgiven, in the hope of our Lord's return to take us away with Himself. This is not "a fool's paradise," but faith in God, and His grace triumphing amid the groaning of creation in which we also have a real part. Who but one with deceived mind can deny the suffering, the groaning, that man and beast have been passing through these past four years of war, of famine, of distress and awful wrong! It would be difficult to understand how anyone can receive the Shameful deceptions of so-called "Christian Science," had not God's Word told us that "the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Cor. 4 :4). The very name "Christian Science" is a gross deception, for it is neither Christian nor scientific. It denies sin and atonement; it is therefore opposed to Christianity. And as to Science, it is a burlesque of that.

QUES. 8._What is the significance of "Charity," so much spoken of in 1 Cor. 13th chapter ?

ANS._The word "charity" is now usually understood as kindly feelings toward others, as benefactions or gifts to the poor, etc. But this does not express the meaning of the Greek word agape, which is used throughout this chapter. It is correctly rendered love in the Revised and all good modern Versions. In 1 John 4 :7-12 this same word agape is used several times, and rightly rendered "love" there. To say "God is charity" (the same word) instead of " God is love," would rightly shock our ears.

But it is difficult to explain, in our human language, spiritual qualities like love, patience, hope, life, etc. So love is described in 1 Cor. 13 by what it does and what it does not. Verses 1, 2 show that great gifts would leave their possessor barren if he has not love. Verses 4-7 show what love does and what it does not. Verses 8-13, that love is to continue and flourish in its own home with God when other virtues and gifts have passed away. Love shall never end, for " God is love ! "

QUES. 9.-Please explain Rom. 7:9, "For I was alive without the law once; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died."
ANS.-The apostle here speaks of the state of the conscience. A person may (without accusing conscience) do things which, when illuminated by the word of God, convict him as a transgressor. For example, many complacently worship and pray to " the Virgin " and to "the saints" who, when enlightened by God's Word, realize they have been idolaters, and guilty.

The passage, however, speaks of what is deeper still; it speaks of a man's conscience resting on an external obedience to the law. But when, illumined by the Holy Spirit, he realizes the spirituality of the law-that it also applies to the thoughts and intents of the heart-then the security in which he rested is all broken up. The law says '' Thou shalt not lust," and lust is in his very nature ! It is all over with him then ; the death-blow has been administered by the very law in which he had trusted. "Who shall deliver me? " is his cry then, which is answered by " I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord " (ver. 25). Christ Himself, with whom faith links us, is made our righteousness in God's sight, for we who believe are in Christ, not in Adam.

QUES. 10.-" Is not ' paradise,' mentioned in Luke 23 :43, the same as the ' third heaven ' in 2 Cor, 12:2, 4 ? Some of my acquaintances say it means different degrees of happiness."

ANS.-2 Cor. 12; 2, 4, to which you refer, clearly shows that "paradise" and the "third heaven " are one and the same place. Paradise is also mentioned in Rev. 2 :7 as the place of God's delight; as Eden, the paradise on earth, was the place for man's delight, and where God communed with him. Compare also Rev. 22:1, 2.

Three "heavens" are mentioned in Scripture; not as degrees of happiness, but spheres of God's power and display. (1) The firmament, or expanse, which God made on the second day, separating the waters above from the waters beneath the expanse, which God called "heaven " (Gen. 1 :8). (2) In verses 14-17, sun, moon and stars are appointed as luminaries in an infinitely larger sphere, also called "heaven." (3) Then we have "The heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee ; how much less this house which I have built" (1 Kings 8 :27); this naturally suggests the " third heaven " of 2 Cor. 12, as the paradise of God.

QUES. 11.-"Of what nature was the ministry of Anna, the prophetess (Luke 2 :37) ?"

ANS.-It is described in vers. 37, 38:She "served God with fastings and prayers night and day" as a devoted Jewess in His holy temple, keeping her body well in hand by fasting, and giving herself to prayer-for Israel, surely, as well as for individual needs. Therefore this saint of God was able to discern the infant Saviour when He was brought into the temple, and "speak of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem," and raise her voice in thanksgiving for what her eyes now beheld. Is interceding for God's people, speaking to them of the Saviour, accounted small ministry? God accounts it as highest and most honorable service, whatever this poor world that loves show may think of it.