CALENDAR:Jan. 16th to Feb. 15th
Daily Bible Reading, …. Jan. 16th, Job 36; Jan. 31st, Ps. 9;
Memory Work. . 2 Peter 1:1-14………. [Feb. 15th, Ps. 24
Good Reading,…… C. H. M.'s Miscellaneous Writ's., Vol. 3,
from "The Man of God" to the end of "Gilgal."
Monthly Question:-What psalms particularly present Christ in the work of atonement, and in what aspects do they present it ?
Our Memory Work
We begin this month with the second epistle of Peter, and I suggest that we combine with it the epistle of Jude, the subject matter of which is very similar to that of Peter. Both deal with the same classes of persons, the same conditions in the world, and the same end-the Lord's coming in judgment; so it would seem profitable to study both together. The evil character of the days in which we live is also presented in them, for the conditions which prevail around us are a fulfilment of what is there foretold. Let us prayerfully memorize these two epistles, and heed their warnings and exhortations that in the midst of abounding corruption we may abide steadfast, and shine as heavenly lights amid the moral and spiritual darkness of our day.
Our Daily Bible Reading
In these concluding chapters of Job we finish Elihu's wonderful discourse; then God Himself takes up the case and addresses His afflicted saint (chs. 38-40), setting forth His mighty works, His infinite knowledge, and supreme power. Job is humbled, his mouth closed, he avows his entire submission to God, and abhors himself. Humbled under the mighty hand of God, he is exalted in due time (1 Pet. 5:6). A great principle of God's ways with us is thus illustrated. Let us keep in mind its valuable lessons. God who sees our tendency to glory in ourselves, weakens us by the way, to hide pride from us; and instead of trusting in our righteousness to trust in His mercy and abundant grace. If His inscrutable ways with us for the present time are bowed to, their solution will come in due time, and issue in fulness of blessing.
We begin to read the great book of Psalms, in which Christ and His people are described through various experiences. They are grouped in five books or main divisions as follows:
Book 1. (Ps. 1-41):In this part Christ Himself is very largely before us as the One in whom God's people, particularly Israel, find all their blessings. He is the center and object of God's counsels.
Book 2. (Ps. 42-72):Here Israel is mainly the subject. Her ruin and salvation are presented, and the condition and circumstances are that of the godly remnant in the latter days.
Book 3. (Ps. 73-89):These psalms have as their central theme God in His holy government, dealing with man.
Book 4. (Ps. 90-106):In beautiful sequence to the last division we may trace through these psalms how the perfect Second Man, Christ, comes in, setting aside the natural man with whom God had to deal in judgment, so that all is established under the hand of the unfailing Man.
Book 5. (Ps. 107-150):This treats of the consummation of God's wonderful ways, and all creation breaks out in song and praise to God. Millennial days and eternity itself are in view, when the grand conclusion shall be reached, all sorrow cease, and joy, rest and blessing forever abide, as Revelation 21 depicts.
In reading these psalms are many comforting passages which the Christian may appropriate, although in the main the experiences recorded are in connection with the remnant of Israel in their sufferings from their Gentile enemies, and the apostates of their own nation allied to Gentile power under Satanic leadership in the latter days. Yet many of these out-breathings of their troubled hearts may find an echo in our own as we pass through this world in which the mystery of iniquity is at work, but which will be developed in that coming day.
Our Indian Missionary Work
I spoke a little of this in our last issue and have just received from Mr. Ironside a brief account of a recent visit to this field.
In response to your request for a little information in regard to our Indian Missions, I submit the following :
Bro. H. A. Holcomb, and his daughter Miss Clara, have for many months been working from Chin Lee northward. Chin Lee is a station of the Presbyterians who have shown much cordiality to our brother and sister. They have visited hundreds of camps, and as Miss Holcomb is quite fluent in speaking Navajo, they have been able to give the gospel to many of the heathen. Brother Steffan and I visited them three days at Chin Lee just before they broke up there to go farther north. They expect to open a mission in virgin territory, about 60 miles east of Shiprock, New Mexico. They want to have a small dispensary also, so as to help the sick, and in this way commend the gospel. A good woman worker is much needed as a companion to Miss Holcomb.
At Valentine, Arizona, Jas. P. Anderson and wife are stationed They have a comfortable mission home, built by the contributions of the Lord's people, and they are doing splendid work, both among the children at the Government School and among the old Indians whom they visit in their camps. At Kingman we had the joy of seeing five of the Walapai men come boldly out and confess the Saviour. We wish this may be the beginning of a great awakening in the tribe.
This is a work which should claim a very definite share of our interest. We have a direct responsibility to help in this great field of missionary effort which lies at our very doors. Here, as everywhere, laborers are few. Let us definitely pray for those laboring in this needy field. I have been enjoying a ten days' visit at the Mission home of brother Anderson and his wife who labor among the Indians at the Government Indian School at Valentine, Arizona, and I can assure you it is a great pleasure to minister the simple gospel to the Indian boys and girls, young men and women, who attend these institutions. These young people will go back in due time to their tribes, carrying the good news which has given them new life, delivering from the uncleanness, superstition, and idolatry which still prevails among the old Indian people. May our interest be deepened, and may the Lord lead out others to labor in those fields.? Few may be"able to go, but we all can pray for it, and give of our means as the Lord enables. Such giving is " laying up treasure in heaven."
Another Year
I trust we begin another year with increased desire for the things above, and as a result of our little informal talks, greater efficiency for study of the Word. Some, I know, have been helped and blest; our hope is that many more may be.
We desire increased co-operation in this department, that it may be made as useful as possible. Communications have not been numerous, and questions have ceased. Surely some of you have questions which, if expressed, would not only help you, but others also. May the Question Box be revived.
The number of those successful in our Memory Work has constantly increased. This is encouraging, and many others are engaged in this work from whom we do not hear. Try to interest your Christian friends. Subscribe for several copies of Help and Food, distribute them regularly, and pray for the Lord's blessing. I suggest that we make it a definite purpose to double the circulation of our magazine. Let us make this a part of our year's work, and thus make known the good literature the Lord has intrusted to us. Are we not responsible for this ? The energy of those who spread error is a reproof to us in this.
While we may not be able to enter much in conversation it is simple and easy to pass on a good tract. Carry a small selection of them that you may have something on hand to meet the varied needs of those you meet-both for sinners and Christians. If you take up this in a systematic way you might stamp each tract, in a neat, unobtrusive way, with your name and address, for those who might desire further help. Let us review the past year, to judge what we must -not to be cast down, but in greater dependance and devotion to press forward, taking up this holy principle, to live " not unto ourselves, but unto Him who died for us and rose again."