CALENDAR:June 16th to July 15th.

Daily Bible Reading, June 16th, 1 Sam. 22; June 30th, 2 Sam.
Memory Work, Philippians 4… [5; July 15th, 2 Sam. 20
Good Reading, C.H.M.'s Notes on Deuteronomy, Vol. 2, pp. 339-474 Monthly Question:-What are the incidents in David's life which are distinctively typical of the Lord Jesus ?

Our reading begins with David in the cave of Adullam, and we trace from this point many interesting incidents and lessons of his life till we see him enthroned as King over all Israel. Then follows the record of his grave failure and sin. Three striking periods mark this history:that of learning in suffering .and rejection ; that of attaining the full glory; and that of sorrow and humiliation consequent upon the unguarded walk.

First, we find the discipline which prepares for the place of rule and power-" If we suffer with Him we shall also reign with Him"-the crown is only reached by the way of the cross. Then we have the witness to divine government in relation to our path, from which none are exempt, but which is exercised only the more fully toward those most favored, since to them pertains the greater responsibility. Still we may learn how the Hand which governs also makes all work for good to His own.

Let us mark the high points of this history.

Adullam (ch. 22). In rejection and reproach; a company is gathered to David their true leader and center. It may illustrate for us the present call to go forth unto the true David, bearing His reproach (Heb. 13).

Keilah (ch. 23). The robbers of the Lord's people are overcome, and deliverance wrought by the rejected company. But it is still the suffering-time, and not the kingdom in power:for while worldly religiousness which intrudes into the things of God (Philistines) may be overcome, still the man of the flesh (Saul) exerts his power, and shows himself as David's inveterate enemy.

Ziph (ch. 23 :14). Here we hear the comfort of a kindred spirit, and the hatred of an enemy who may be permitted almost to succeed ; then the Hand which intervenes at the point of greatest extremity. This threefold experience is often repeated in our lives as part of our training in the knowledge of God.

En-gedi (ch. 24). Here is testing and victory. The test comes in the opportunity here presented to David. Will he take it in his own hands to accomplish his freedom, or leave it still in God's hand (just shown at Ziph) to accomplish His word toward David in His own way and time ? Here David shows marked elevation of spirit, and faith in God; thus he is victorious over both himself and the enemy.

Paran (ch. 25). In this connection we get the history of Nabal and Abigail. As to David personally, there is failure in the way he meets this "fool." He might well have conducted himself toward Nabal as he did toward Saul, but resentment marks his action. Yet again God graciously used an instrument to turn his servant in the right direction, preserving him from carrying out the purpose of his anger.

Ziph again (ch. 26). Here again David is master of his own spirit, and his triumph over Saul is even more marked than at Engedi. But from this (chs. 27-29) he lapses into greater failure than at Paran. " Wherein is man to be accounted of ?" And what better are we ? The contrast of faith's exaltation and the depth into which unbelief plunges the one whose eye is off the right object, is vividly set forth in the history here, not only in David's case, but also in that of Saul, as we may learn from the closing chapters of this book.

Hebron and Jerusalem (2 Sam., chs. 1-9). The way now cleared, David becomes king, first at Hebron for seven and one-half years, then at Jerusalem over all Israel. The process of subjugation by which the kingdom is established in his hand occupies the first nine chapters of 2 Samuel, closing with a beautiful exhibition of "the kindness of God" to one who had no claim upon it.

The remaining chapters of our reading are largely concerned with David's solemn fall and its sorrowful results-the reaping is according to the sowing; it ever remains as a principle of God's government with His people. We cannot do better than carefully ponder in the secret of God's presence the sober lessons which this history teaches-lessons as to what we are in ourselves, and of the dreadful possibilities of sin through living out of communion with God; and the unfailing retribution which we must pass through, even though confession and true self-judgment be wrought, as with David.

Our Memory Work

We have three more names to add to the list of those successful with Colossians.

Clara E. Holcomb ……………. Cornville, Ariz.
Hazel Trefry…………………. Oakland, Calif.
Bessie Lyall……………………. Guelph, Ont.

It is a cheer and encouragement to note an increase in the total number of those succeeding in this work. We started with 19 who repeated Galatians, then 23 for Ephesians, and now 26 for Colossians. Some names which appeared in the first two are missing this time, but we hope to see them swell the list of those repeating Philippians.

This month we have the last chapter of this epistle. It is a specially precious portion, breathing the spirit of victory through the realized power of Christ. It should animate us with hope, courage, joy. May each of us catch the mind and temper of the beloved apostle as we store mind and heart with this closing chapter.

We might call it the chapter of the peaceful mind, and divide it thus:

Vers. 1-3:The basis of a peaceful mind.
" 4, 5:The testimony of a peaceful mind.
" 6, 7:The secret of a peaceful mind.
" 8, 9:The things which make for a peaceful mind.
" 10-14:The attitude of the peaceful mind.
" 15-17:The givingness of the peaceful mind.
" 18-23:The resource of the peaceful mind.

Correspondence

In April we asked for some further thoughts relative to the answer given to question 24 in that issue, and we have received the following:

The answer given to question 24 in the April Y. B. D. would make Satan's work separate the believer at death into three parts, (1) the body going to the grave, (2) the soul going to hades, (3) the spirit going to paradise. To sustain these remarks by the scriptures referred to is misleading, however.

Satan has no power that we know of beyond death. He cannot separate soul and spirit; the word of God in Heb.4:12 gives to each its proper function, but never relegates them to different places.

The spirit is the Seat of the reasoning faculty (1 Cor. 2 :11), which the beast has not. The soul is the seat of desires and affections. Death is the separation of body and soul, or of body and spirit (Gen. 35 :18; Jas. 2 :26), but we have no record of spirit and soul being so separated.

When the thief went to paradise with his Lord, did his spirit only go with his Lord? And did our blessed Lord go there without His soul?

Peter anticipated the putting off his body; does it not imply that his soul and spirit would be with the Lord ? Had the apostle Paul the desire to depart and be with Christ in his spirit only, or both soul and spirit? Both, surely.

Let us note also that in Scripture human personality, or being, is linked with both soul and spirit. They are used interchangeably for the person. This argues for their abiding unity, so that when the Lord says " thou " to the thief, it did not simply mean his spirit, but soul and spirit, that which he is as a distinct person. The body is a present tabernacle for this person, who, separated from this house or tabernacle, does not become a divided personality. This is shown in the rich man's case, with whom there is the soul's desire for the cooling water, and the spirit's intelligence and reasoning as to his brethren.

Now if soul and spirit are not separated, as suggested in the answer above, then hades and paradise are not separate places, though the former includes the abode of the unsaved (Luke 16), and is thus in two parts, between which a great gulf is fixed. The third heaven and paradise are linked together as one (2 Cor. 12:1-4), so that for the believer to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Acts 2 :27 may suggest a difficulty, since, if hades is paradise, as it must be in the Lord's case, why does He speak of His soul not being left in hades ? The passage has resurrection in view, and simply points to the act of power by which the Lord's body would be reunited to His soul and spirit in resurrection; it would not fail of speedy accomplishment as God's open acknowledgment of the perfection of His holy person and finished work. It was wrought within three days' time. This same re suit will be accomplished for believers at His second coming, when spirit, soul, and body shall be united with glory, the separation over for ever. The glory of His triumph will then be fully displayed. Mean while, we can say even now, death is no more the dreaded tyrant or conqueror, but our. servant. Our victory is through our Lord Jesus Christ.

A Reminder

I have received very few responses as to the suggestions made under "Correspondence" in our January issue. I would be glad to hear from others, as otherwise it would hardly seem desirable to put the plan suggested there into practice. Will you refer again to this, and let me hear from you ?

The Question Box

Q. 26.-Could the statement, " O wretched man that I am," in Rom. 7:24, apply to an unsaved person, and the gospel be preached to the unsaved from it?

Q. 27.-Does the clause, " not willing that any should perish," in 2 Pet. 3:9, refer to believers or unbelievers ?