(Concluded.)

I desire now to add a few words on the prophetic Scriptures.

The prophets who were used of God to give them to us have passed off the scene and entered into their rest. The Scriptures have been completed; but we still need, as we have already said, the ministry that brings the written Word home to us-a ministry that brings heart and conscience into exercise before God, deepens the work of the Spirit, and maintains the life in practical sanctification. The need of this ministry is apparent to all who love the truth and the interests of the Lord, and it will be needed to the end.

Nor should we neglect the prophetic Word. We need to be versed in the whole word of God if we would be men suited to God; for could He have revealed anything which He would have us indifferent about ? Do we not lose something therefore in our Christian character and equipment if we neglect any part whatever of the Scriptures ?

As we search these prophetic portions we find that it is "a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the Morning Star arise " (2 Pet. i:19). With such an assurance before us how can we, without loss, neglect such a precious part of the sacred Scriptures ? What mines of wealth are there for our enjoyment! What vast fields to explore, in which to enrich our minds, our hearts, and our lives! But for this we need to be in sincere communion with God. Mere intellectual pleasure would soon serve as a snare, as a mere acquirement of knowledge, which in itself "puffeth up." When the prophet ate ''the roll," and John the "little book," it was first in the mouth sweet as honey. But this was only the first stage of exercise with the truth; later it became bitter (Ezek. 3:1-3; Rev. 10:7-11). This last was for them, and will be for us, the true and proper effect of prophetic truth upon the soul.* *We are never to place a premium upon ignorance of any part of God's revealed truth. God looks for intelligence among His people and He has furnished them with every requirement to that end.*

At first when the mind takes in the great truths concerning the future, whether of the Jews, of the nations or of the Church, a flood of light is given by it, with great enjoyment at getting a clear grasp of those great revelations which, when seen in their true setting, make the Holy Scriptures from end to end one harmonious whole. Many, however, we fear, remain here. It is the sweetness of the honey. What but sweetness could it be to be made the depositories of the mind of God ? To be let into God's magnificent plans and purposes concerning both the heaven and the earth! John and Ezekiel, upon reaching this second stage, in taking home the full import of these communications, and the solemn realities of God's dealings with all of man's sin and rebellion upon the earth, experienced the "bitterness" of the communications, as at first they tasted its sweetness. Thus God leads His servants to experience the import of what is conveyed in His word; and from this let none turn aside, that no traffic be made with such serious and sacred things. The heart must feel the bitterness as well as the blessed sweetness, else we play into the hands of the enemy-with how
much injury to our souls as well as to the truth which we may communicate to others. It cost the prophets and apostles through whom they were communicated bitter tears and trials in their pathway. Their state of soul must needs be in keeping with their message, and their pathway in accord with the pathway of Him who is ever' the Center and Soul of every communication of God. All therefore who become depositories of these communications must, if they would please God, needs be "vessels unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use."

The day to which the prophetic word points is drawing near, when the Lord's people of our present dispensation are to be removed from earth to heaven (i Thess. 4:13-18). Then come God's dealings with all evil upon earth in a series of judgments poured upon the unbelievers-the unconverted left behind-the preliminary of their eternal damnation. We who are the children of God will be delivered from those judgments, as we are from the eternal judgment, for we will be with Christ on high.

Prophecy informs us of these coming events, for God wants us to have fellowship with Him. This makes our blessings very great, but also our responsibilities. May they move us in such a way as to make the roll of prophecy bitter as well as sweet. May we upon our knees cry, Lord show us Thy way, and give us grace to take up in a prayerful spirit our responsibilities, and serve Thee, in passing on to others the truth as revealed, as well as the gospel that saves men, before the final crisis comes.

The prayerful student of prophecy will by the power of the truth be transformed into a wholehearted evangelistic worker, and the whole truth in all its parts is the means by the power of the Holy Spirit to produce practical sanctification. In this manner is the true spirit of Christianity displayed; and anything that stops short of this has failed in the object of the word of prophecy concerning us. The true evangelistic spirit follows the taking to heart the whole truth revealed in prophecy. The service may be by voice or by pen; from the platform or from door to door; through the press, by individuals, or a collection of individuals; but truth in the heart is bound to work. It turns every talent to good account. It produces in its service the self-denial and love which ever characterized our Lord Himself, who always sought the good of others. The natural selfish heart is changed into a liberal giver. "Freely ye have received, freely give."

Before the flood God opened the great future to Enoch who walked with Him. Afterward, to Abraham the friend of God, He revealed the doom of Sodom. Joseph, Jacob, Moses, and the prophets all along the line, had the prophetic Word before them. How different it was with the Antediluvians, and Lot in the very days of Abraham. They remained in darkness as to God's mind. May we, like Enoch be the depositories of the truth; like Noah, faithfully warn others; like Abraham, keep free from the world soon to be judged. May we have our loins girt about, our lamps trimmed and shining, and be "like men who wait for their Lord." A. E. B.
"AS UNKNOWN AND YET WELL KNOWN."