CALENDAR:Apr. 16th to May 15th

Daily Bible Reading,…. Apr. 16th, Ps. 84; Apr. 30th, Ps. 98 ;
Memory Work.. 2 Pet. 3:8-18; Jude 1-9 [May 15th, Ps. 113
Good Reading,…… C:H. M.'s Miscellaneous Writ's., Vol. 4, "Conversion" and "Simon Peter."
Monthly Question:-What is the meaning of "Make your calling and election sure ? "

Our Memory Work

One who repeated this epistle without a mistake writes :" I hope many more will be successful in their efforts, and that all desire not only to repeat it, but live it out-which after all is more of a victory, for which He alone can give us grace."

Another says :" Besides being a real pleasure and help, I find that my successful memory work is encouraging my younger brothers and sisters to take up such work; they are finding for themselves the beauty and wonders of God's Word, and I know He will not allow His Word to return unto Him void."

"The Word of God is a picture-gallery, adorned with tribute to the blessed Christ of God, the Saviour of mankind. Here is a prophetic portrait of the Coming One; there, an historic portrayal of Him who has been here a typical sacrifice; there, the bleeding Lamb to whom all sacrifices looked forward; here, a person or an event that foreshadowed the greatest of persons and the events that are the turning-points of history; now, a parable, a poem, an object-lesson; then a simple narration or exposition or explanation, that fill with divine meaning the mysteries that were waiting for the key that should unlock them. But, in whatever form or fashion, whatever guise of fact, prophecy or history, parable or miracle, type or antitype, allegory or narrative, a discerning eye may everywhere find HIM-God's appointed Messiah, God's anointed Christ. Not a human grace that has not been a forecast or faint reflection of His beauty, in whom all grace was enshrined and enthroned-not a virtue that is not a new exhibition of His attractiveness. All that is glorious is but a phase of His infinite excellence; and so all truth and holiness found in the Holy Scripture, are only a tribute to Him who is the Truth, the Holy One of God."

Some Thoughts on our Memory Portion

The Second Epistle of Peter marks declension and apostasy, with warnings and admonitions. Note the prominence of these words, knowledge, diligence, and remembrance, which give character to this epistle. As in the first epistle, so in this, the kingdom is in view. With this the government of God is connected, hence reward and inheritance are mentioned, in the obtaining of which we may come short, or fail, unless there is diligence in following the path indicated by the apostle.

Consider three things in chapter one :(1) Divine power for all that pertains to life and godliness ; (2) God's governmental ways for an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom ; (3) the sure thing for the Christian-the hope of the Morning Star. This, however, is not developed, as it is not the special object before the Spirit.
In chapters two and three we get the two great forms of evil which characterize the last days :(1) The false and corrupt teaching of evil men ; (2) the denial of the Lord's return on the ground of visible stability-materialism opposing itself to the Word of God-limiting God to the creature's measure. In the first we have the work of deceiving spirits and demons (1 Tim. 4:1), and that teaching which is in " the slight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive" (Eph. 4 :14). With this evil we have a three-fold development- rebellion, as in the angels (2 :4), who may now be, though unseen, the active instigators of these false teachers; lawlessness, as in Noah's day (2:5); corruption, as in Sodom and Gomorrah (2:6). Are not all these being developed in these days ? Let us give diligent heed to the closing verses of this epistle (4 :17, 18).

Jude gives a further testimony to the same conditions, calling us to be earnest contenders for the faith once delivered to the saints. Two forms of evil are again before us :(1) The abuse of grace, to satisfy lust ; (2) Rejection of the authority of Christ (ver. 4). Then we find that the judgment of God is upon those who do not walk according to the position in which He had originally placed them (vers. 5-7). Verse eight adds another evil to the first two, that of the tongue, against which Michael's example is quoted.

Let us not be careless readers of God's Word, but learn to discern the character of the times, and order our walk accordingly.

Our Daily Bible Reading

Our reading includes the closing psalms of the 3rd division, the whole of the 4th, and the beginning of the 5th, which is the last great division.

In the close of the 3d division we get the blessed issue of God's holy ways with His people-salvation issuing in glory (Ps. 89). The 4th division opens with psalm 90, which speaks of the first man under God's government ; but the next introduces us to the Second Man in fulness of favor with God. Then, rest in blessing, Jehovah's supremacy judgment of evil and worship follow (Ps. 92-96). Millennial glories occupy psalms 97-101, but the ground of blessing in the humiliation and sufferings of Christ fills Ps. 102. Out of these depths rises universal praise (Ps. 103-106).

Ps. 107 strikes the note of redemption (vers. 2, 3). In view of this God's ways are recounted. Then the King-Priest is confirmed, and the great chorus of praise commences which continues to the end.

The Question Box

A reader from Baltimore asks for further enlightenment as to an answer given in our April 1921 issue, as to the separation taking place at death. Please look up the June number in which the questions raised by the answer are given a full discussion. If further help is desired let us hear of it again.

The Christian's Hope.

The Lord Jesus Christ.. ……..1 Tim. 1:1.
1. To be with Him….. John 14 ; 1 Thess. 4.
2. To be like Him…………. 1 John 3 :2.
3. To see Him.. .Phil. 3:20, 21; 1 John 3 :2.
4. To serve Him………… .Rev. 22 :3, 4.
5. To reign with Him………2 Tim. 2 :12.
6. To live with Him……….2 Tim. 2 :11.
7. To appear with Him………..Col. 3 :4.

With all the wonders of this before us, is it too much to daily take up our cross, denying ourselves, and follow Him, whose love was so great as to suffer for us that we might be glorified with Him ? Let us go after him.