CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER

Daily Bible Reading…….Sept. 1st, Jer. 48; 15th, Ezek, 5;
Memory Work… Galatians, chap. 3:15-29.. [30th, Ezek. 20
Good Reading.. C. H. M.'s Notes on Genesis, pages 243 to end.

With our daily quiet plodding, we have come nearly to the close of Jeremiah with the beginning of this month, and will next take up what may be called a postscript, Lamentations, and by the close of the month we hope to be well on into Ezekiel. Did you find some of the chapters in Jeremiah a little hard to read ? Was the almost uniform sadness of the prophet painful? But did you notice the wonderful oasis in the midst of the "valley of Baca?" I have a little proposal to make regarding our reading:As we read let us make note of specially interesting or beautiful verses and chapters. I shall be glad to get a line on the past month's reading. You might begin with the August Reading, say the book of Jeremiah, and mention some of the salient features which struck you; about 150 words, or half a page is all we can spare, but I hope a number will take hold of this, and send in notes promptly. Then follow up each month in the same way.

We are now fairly launched in the doctrinal portion of Galatians. No wonder the book was such a favorite with the great Reformer, Martin Luther. May its delivering truths be better known. Of course for September we will review the first half of the chapter along with our month's work of the 2nd half.

And we are to finish Genesis this month! How quickly the time has passed, and how easy it has been
to devote a few minutes daily to this. Aren't you glad you began ? And how pleasant it will be to place the book on your shelf, toward the close of September, and say, " There, I have actually read that book through." Of course we will all be eager to start with Exodus in October. But above all may we be careful to mingle prayer and faith with our reading, and receive special profit from it.

Correspondence

We have many interesting things in our correspondence this time, and I am very glad to get so many letters from so many different and distant places. Quite a few are sending in their names as going on steadily with the good reading and other work; and just here I would like to repeat the request for more readers, and suggest again that you who are reading these lines, will try to enlist at least one in this " Calendar work."

Let us now look at some of our letters.

First I must give you extracts of a most interesting communication. It is a neatly type-written report, entitled " First Meeting regarding Young Peoples' Department, held at –'s home, 29 V– Ave, D–.

Sang hymns 118 and 124:Mr. A. S. prayed.
Suggestion was made that notes be taken at the meetings for purpose of keeping a record, and as one said:" There are several reasons why this be done, we can kind of keep tab on one another, as the saying is, not that we are going to make that a very great object in the meeting, but I believe that in learning our verse, reading our chapter and reading other books that we will have something to look back to that will be very pleasant."

Present at Meeting :(25 names given).

Schedule:Verse a day in Galatians by memory. July 23rd., 8th chapter of Jeremiah. Reading in C. H. M.'s Notes on Genesis, Page 174 to be finished by July 31st.

Those at present reading chapter a day in Jeremiah are (10 names given); rest promising to do so.

Those who have commenced note book:(6 names).

Suggestions made as follows:

"If question comes in mind, after reading daily chapter in Jeremiah, put the verse down, and at meeting the verse can be taken up and talked over, and at the close of meeting letter can be sent to Brother R. for a little help on that question."

Following already memorizing vers. in Gal.:(5 names).

G. F., when asked as to how he studied verses, stated that he studied a verse at a time; first learning one verse a day and then increasing to two or three, studying from a small pocket Testament he had, sometimes on a street car, at noon, etc.

It was suggested that writing a verse down in the morning and carrying it with you to work, etc., and then, whenever one gets a chance, to study it, is very helpful. Then a nice thing at night to start from beginning, and repeat the verses learned right up to the one for that day.

Portions of July " Help and Food " were read to give us ideas as to studying verses, and reading slowly and carefully, etc. It was suggested that special attention be given to observe carefully last half of 2nd chapter of Galatians, as we study it, as "it is the very title-deeds of faith." Received thought from Mr. R. that " the first line of daily verse be set down in our note-books, like index to hymn book, as this helps to fix the order of verses in our minds."

Following have already commenced reading C. H. M. on Genesis:(Six names given).

Rest of our class promising to start reading Notes. A few pages were then read from C. H. M.'s Notes on Genesis.

Our attention was called to fact that "even five minutes a day devoted to memorizing would make thirty hours a year, in which we could learn so much," and then our attention was further called to the part in "Help and Food" which said, "Who then are going to be five minute men and women ?"
2 Tim. 1:15; 2 Tim. 3:16,17 read. As we memorize verses we are furnishing ourselves for the future; we are furnishing ourselves with material thoroughly, to meet whatever comes up.

Ps. 37:5 :-"Commit thy way unto the Lord, and He will bring it to pass."

The following is a portion of a talk given by G. F.:

" We need some kind of a system with these meetings, but the great danger lies in making it mechanical, and that is one of the saddest things.

Some few years ago in our class Mr. C. took up a lesson I will never forget, in Rev., 2nd chapter, and it was very searching to me at that time and it has been to me ever since then, and I believe it is something each one of us ought to apply to our own hearts. We might read it, just a few verses, Rev. 2:1-3. We read that over, and think it was a wonderful church at Ephesus, but read the next verse (4th). Now I believe that is something that is lacking, and we don't get back to the foot of the Cross; and in the five years I have been saved I realize I have slipped back many a time, and I know it is the condition of each heart, for "As face answereth to face in water, so the heart of man to man." We all need to get back to that first love we had for the Lord Jesus Christ.

How sweet it was when He said, "Thy sins which are many are all forgiven;" and now when we go back and acknowledge all to Him, when our path has been a wrong path, and confess it to the Lord, we have been brought to a fresh communion with Himself. How it does refresh our hearts!

We read in Lam. 3:19,20. The Lord looks back at what He went through to redeem us, and indeed it was a load we cannot fathom. He remembers it continually -how often do we remember ?

I think that is the first thing we must remember if we go on. If we realize it the Word will come to our hearts in a fullness it never came to us before, and the learning of verses will not be an idle task-to get verses in mind so that we will not forget them-there will be a joy in them. We don't want to depart from system-we want to bring something into the system so that it will not be mechanical.

Teachings are all right. These things of the Ephesian Church are all right. They were passing through persecution, and had faith, and "for My Name's sake have labored"-What was all that? Nothing, unless they had love, and no matter how far we get in learning the letter of scripture written by these men of God, as led of Spirit, still it is not made good in our hearts, unless our hearts are right with the Lord. It is not something gotten in company or in a mass meeting It is something gotten individually-it must be between ourselves and the Lord. Before we start studying any, let this come about. Bring our hearts before the Lord, and spread it before Him and confess it-bring all to Him-come back to our first love."

And we all agreed with what one said-"Surely everyone here can say Amen to what has been said." Let those thoughts so fill our hearts that we will simply want to know more of Himself.

In reply to inquiry made by one of our sisters as to what study should be taken up, this suggestion is made -"Why not take up for study among the Young People just the study being taken up in our Thursday night Bible reading, and each one of us come together on Thursday nights with thoughts on that particular lesson. For if we have meetings only once a month interest is sure to wane, as some will not be able to get out each time, possibly, and lose trend of meetings, and so lose interest. The young people should keep closely together and have meetings oftener than once a month-why not do this by linking it with Thursday night meetings ? Let all the young people be there. If questions are asked and discussions made on them in meeting, then later a list can be made to forward to Brother R., who will give us possibly the benefit of his thoughts.

So let each one of us come to the Thursday night meetings with the lesson thoroughly studied, and thus we will get more out of the meeting. Then each week we can find out who are reading their chapter in the Word each day, with class, how many reading C. H. M.'s Notes on Genesis and how many learning their verse in Galatians. We have a responsibility to one another."

We have given a good deal of space to this report because it is full of helpful hints and suggestions, especially that of our dear brother about "first love."

"Received the July number 'Help and Food' this evening, and in accordance with your proposal am sending my name for the list of those who are reading with you. I have read 100 and some pages in C. H. M-and am 'keeping step' in the daily Bible Reading. The memorizing of the 2nd chapter of Galatians is a little harder than the first was . . . We young people here in P– have welcomed indeed the Y. B. D., and are praying that through the Lord's grace it will be a blessing to many. We especially want our younger girls of 16 or so interested. I myself look back with regret to the time I have wasted reading things that did me no good. M. E. McT."

Notice this is from a young person.

It is with some hesitation that I insert the next letter; but I believe the prayerful consideration of the question raised will be helpful to many. I thought of giving you my judgment, but have decided to wait and let you say what you believe is the truth. The letter is in a kindly spirit, and we need not be afraid of controversy creeping in.

"One of your correspondents describes their meetings, etc., and farther along speaks of other plans for Bible work which leave things a little more informal with opportunity for ' girls' to ask questions.

" It is this last that is prominently on my mind, 1:e., 'Girls to ask questions,' and presumably in these meetings. Now 'girls' may be classed with women. If this is correct I should be pleased to know how this can be reconciled with 1 Cor. 14:34, 35 and 1 Tim. 2:11.

"As this is a matter that has exercised my own self and others, I should like the answer to appear in Help and Food;' but of course use your own judgment. I am not looking for trouble or even a controversy."

Here is a nice card from a middle western city:"This is just a card to let you know that C., R. and I are up with the work of Y. B. D. We wanted to be amongst the first 25 to enroll . . . But we have profited and enjoyed the work, and that is what counts. It lends interest to think of many of our brethren, whom we do not know now, but will by and by doing the same studying and reading as we. May the Lord add His richest blessing. G. B."

" Please put me on your list of those who are reading C. H. M.'s Notes on Genesis. His writings are so very clear and simple and I am enjoying them very much. What mines of spiritual wealth there are in God's Word for those who search earnestly and prayerfully! I regret that I have not spent more time in study.

I am keeping up with the chapter reading and memory work also.

The Y. B. D., I feel sure, will be a great help and blessing to all who are interested.

Yours in Christ, B. L. G."

A number write in quite the same strain, and I am expecting to publish a list of initials in Oct. issue. So be sure to send your names along.

Here is a hint:"Help and Food has just arrived, and I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy Y. B. D. … I had been reading C. H. M.'s Notes, and was in Leviticus, but thought it would be nice to start again in Genesis with other young people. I have enjoyed the teaching so much; it is so practical for these times. We are almost alone here, but can enjoy the Lord's things. I miss very much the fellowship of the Lord's people, especially the young. I think therefore Y. B. D. is especially fine for isolated ones. I. S."

A Practical Lesson in Loyalty

We are staying down at the seashore quite near a Roman Catholic Church, and one cannot but observe the loyalty of the cottagers, many of whom evidently belong to that denomination.

At church-time, week-days as well as on Lord's Days, they flock to the services. Every evening large numbers go there evidently to " say their prayers." As they enter the door hats are removed by the men, and heads covered by the women. Even as they pass the door men will raise or touch their hats as a mark of reverence.

Now it will be said, and rightly, that very much of this is superstition. But many are sincere, and some, we hope, pierce through the crust of formalism and touch the hem of the Lord's garment. But it is of the intense loyalty I would speak. With our far greater light, the knowledge of sins forgiven, and acquaintance with our blessed Lord, do we show us much loyalty as do these of whom we speak?

First, they are away from home enjoying the surf-bathing and the relaxation of cottage life. At such times persons are apt to become a little careless-the Bible is neglected, prayer hurried through, and " the loins of the mind " ungirded. It was the privilege of a few of us to have one little "morning meeting," and to break the bread in remembrance of our Lord. Let us seek to do this wherever we may be, if the " two or three" are present.

Then about reverence. We have no holy building, but is not the Lord's presence our Sanctuary, and what could be more sacred? Shall we not seek to have that " reverence and godly fear " which give the honor to Him to whom it is due ? And shall we not learn to be more constant in prayer ? to have our set times for intercourse with our God and Father ?

May He lead us on in these things, that we may grow in grace, and be those who are marked as true-hearted, devoted to our blessed Lord.

N. B.-Don't forget the "Want List" in our August number. I am hoping to have this department not
only for young people, but largely by them. It will be most helpful to hear what you have to say about some of the subjects. To make sure that you remember them, here they are again:short papers, about 150 words, on

1. The Trained Nurse.

2. Office work-stenographer, etc.

3. The School-teacher.

4. The Factory, and men's work generally.

5. In Government Employ.

6. The High School; its value, opportunities, helps, dangers, etc.

Now please get busy, for we want some of these for next month's number.

The Hundred per cent Christian

Some years ago a prominent person who had been named for office declared that he would be "a hundred per cent Candidate." The meaning was obvious. He would make his candidacy the one absorbing object, devoting to it all his energy, time and mental powers. And it might be said that was the proper way of looking at it. " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

But leaving things political to those who follow them, let us talk a little about something of far higher and infinitely greater importance than any earthly thing-We may call it in a general way Christianity, and ask ourselves, "Are we 100% Christians?"

In one sense yes; every true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is altogether saved. He is born of God (he couldn't be partially born); completely justified, has peace with God, and eternal life. In short, he is as completely a child of God as if he were already in heaven.

But we can look at it in a practical way, as to the state of our heart, and our daily life. Not to encourage self-occupation, which is an unhealthy thing, we can and should ask ourselves, Is our daily life 100% for the Lord ? If not about what per cent would express it?- 90? 75? 60? 50?-"half and half." Or would some less number set the value upon what may once have been ardent in faith and love?
Well, let us be honest with ourselves, and if we are compelled to own to a low ebb, let us take fast hold of the Lord afresh, and count upon His restoring grace; thus pressing on toward the goal.