CALENDAR :June 16th to July 15th.

DAILY BIBLE READING :….. June 16th, Psalm 145 ; June 30th, Prov. 9 ; July 15th, Prov. 24. MEMORY WORK …………………… 1 Thess. 1.
GOOD READING:C. H. M.'s Miscellaneous Writ's.,Vol. 4, "Ministry of Reconciliation" & " The Great Commission."
MONTHLY QUESTION:-What women in the Old Testament are typical of the Church ?

Our Daily Bible Reading

We finish the Psalms, and almost the book of Proverbs, this month, the latter a book of very varied and practical instruction to which we should do well to take constant heed. It gives us the axioms of the wisdom which is from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy (James 3:17). They are given to us by those who had understanding as to the world, its things and those who are of it. So we have abundant warnings against the " lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life," while that which endures, which does not pass away as the world does, is also presented. That which this book enjoins, in practical details of daily life, admirably fits in with the practical teaching of the epistles. The wisdom of this book should have its practical exemplification in those whom God has favored with the highest blessing His grace has bestowed. To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). This book is a divine selection. For while Solomon spake 3,000 proverbs (1 Kings 4:32), the Holy Spirit chose to preserve only a part of them, and added to them the words of two other men. Throughout we find what answers the difficulties, the temptations, the evils and the attractions of the world and the deceits of our own hearts.

Chapters 1-9 form the first part, giving, by contrast, the path of evil in which the wicked man and woman are found, and the path, testimony and character of true wisdom, concluding with what leads us to Christ, in whom alone the wisdom of God is perfectly expressed.

Chapters 10-29, entitled as a collection of Solomon's proverbs, form the main division of the book. Characteristically, in this part, the teaching is confined to separate verses, while in the former section we find a paragraph construction.

Each of the last two chapters (30,31) form separate sections. In the first we have groups of things presented to us, and in the last, a picture of the godly and wise woman.

As specially helpful we recommend Mr. Ironside's book on Proverbs ($1.50). There is also a good pamphlet by Mr. Darby, "Practical reflections on Proverbs" (10 cent.). This last only takes up the first six chaps.-very briefly.

Our Memory Work

We commence a new epistle-the first one written by the apostle Paul. If you read Acts 17 you will get the circumstances in which it was written. As you memorize these precious portions of God's word, it is well always to refer to other parts which are linked with the verse or verses which we are studying. Thus we broaden our knowledge of Scripture, and become more familiar with it textually. And how important it is to be furnished with what the Spirit of God can use both for our own blessing and that of others through us. For example, in studying verse 3 of this month's memory portion, look up other passages in which faith, love, and patience are linked together. Again, in verse 5, we have " much assurance." Are these words used together in other passages ? "Assurance " is also connected with faith and with hope. Always note the context in each case, for thus you will be able to gather some different shade of thought or meaning ; for there is no mere repetition in God's Word. He who gave to nature such an infinite variety, whether it be searched with telescope or microscope, has not failed to stamp the same character upon His Book.

Some Outlines of Truth

In our brief remarks last month, we emphasized several prominent facts in reference to the Church, or Assembly, This time let us commence the consideration of its relation to each of the Divine Persons.

There is an exceptional expression in the Thessalonian Epistles-"the assembly… in God the Father." From this we would gather the thought of moral relationship of life. It suggests the character of the life which pervades the assembly. Its existence is in the power and blessing of God known as Father, the source of it all to His people. Hence, its fellowship is in the knowledge and relationship which this implies. If fellowship is " in God the Father," it will be unworldly, as shown by 1 Cor. 1, for the world is not of the Father (1 John 2:IS, 16). This puts the assembly apart from the spirit and ways of the world-a company where God rules by His Word. This should search us out, both individually and as a company. There are special terms used in connection with the assembly which point to special aspects of its relation to God.

Now, in relation to God, we find the assembly spoken of in various ways. It was in God's eternal purpose, but remained unrevealed (" hid in God "), until given to and made known by Paul, the apostle to the Church (Eph. 3:3-9; Rom. 16:25,26; Col. 1:25,26). Further, the Church is the means now of making known the all-various wisdom of God to principalities and authorities in the heavenlies (Eph. 3:10). This truth, then, was a secret contained in God's purpose, a part of His eternal counsels, and revealed for the first time through Paul. In it is a revelation of God to heavenly beings as well as to us, the administration of which was confided to Paul, made an apostle of Christ from the glory for this purpose. How highly we should value such a revelation-which is not for time only, but for eternity when God shall " be glorified in the assembly in Christ Jesus unto all generations of the age of ages " (Eph. 3:21).

There are special terms used in connection with the assembly which point to special aspects of its relation to God.

His Household (Eph. 2:19). This term occurs in two other passages which help to define its meaning, Gal. 6:10; 1 Tim. 5:8. It is the company of those who are of faith, for which provision is made by Him to whom all own relationship, that is God. If the source of life of the assembly is expressed in the passages from Thessalonians, here it is the fact of who provides for and exercises care over the saints that constitute the church; hence, it is to Him, to God alone we must ever look for all supply. With this in view we may well consider what we are independent of, ever remembering Him upon whom we are absolutely dependent.

His Habitation (Eph. 2:22).The company of saints who compose the assembly are looked at as God's dwelling-place through the Spirit. With this we might especially associate the thought of privilege, as with the household that of provision. To gain a conception of what this term implies for us we may think of the Tabernacle, of its materials and structure in their typical meaning. It was built for the Lord's dwelling-place,-" that I may dwell among them." A study of its details will give a wonderful conception of God's thought as to His habitation, realized as this in Christ and the Church united together, forming the mystery of God now revealed.

His House. This is a little different from that conveyed by " habitation." In the latter, dwelling is very distinctly before us, while the " house" may contemplate other things, as rule and display, besides dwelling, and we may link with it responsibility. Whether present or absent, in his own immediate charge or not, the owner of the house expects and rightly requires that all connected with its order and arrangement shall be according to his expressed mind. This is certainly true of the house of God which is the assembly (1 Tim. 3:15). "A spiritual house" (1 Peter 2:5). Peter immediately follows this with another phrase descriptive of God's people, " a holy priesthood," which gives another and precious view of God's people. To learn the order, arrangements and service, also the character and manner in which all is to be conducted in God's house, let us study the typical teaching of the Priesthood and its regulations given in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers along with the teaching of the Epistles, particularly first and second Corinthians. Man's will, wisdom, or expediency have no place here. It is God's thoughts and ways in connection with the assembly, which is God's house. % What righteousness and holiness, as well as blessing and joy, will then be realized.

His Assembly. This you may have noticed, was associated with the apostle's reference to the house in 1st Timothy. We have already noticed that this term is descriptive of the company to which it is applied. It is God's called out company. This means separation to Him who has called us. As in Israel the stranger must not come nigh, so also in the circle of the assembly. While observing this, let us not forget how we are enjoined to treat the stranger who may come among us, as to which both the Old and New Testament give instruction.

Note that the apostle says, " the assembly of the living God." It is blessed to realize that we serve "a living and true God " (1 Thess. 1:9). This links with what we began in this very epistle.

His Temple. Sacredness, reverence, and worship, are ideas which cluster around this name of God's people who constitute the assembly. The temple of old was the place of the Lord's manifested glory, where all contributed to re-call His people to Himself. In His temple doth every one (or, every whit of it, margin) speak of His glory" (Ps. 29:9). The assembly then, is to give expression to the truth concerning God's character. " The temple of God is holy ; " and again, " Ye are the temple of the living God " (1 Cor. 3:16, 17; 2 Cor. 6:16). Consider the context of these expressions; holy and precious instruction is in it.

If we keep in mind what God's thoughts are concerning His people as gathered out to the Lord's name, their blessed Center, according to God's mind, we shall not treat with lightness, or lack of reverence, any company seeking to represent and set forth the truths of which we have been speaking.