Calendar:Jan. 16th to Feb. 15th.

DAILY BIBLE READING:………Jan. 16th, Ezek. 35; Jan. 31st, Daniel 2; Feb. 15th, Hosea 5.
MEMORY WORK:-…………………..2 Thess. 2.
GOOD READING:-…. "The Crowned Christ," pp. 1-67.
MONTHLY QUESTION:-What is the difference of meaning in the twofold way in which the full course of Gentile power is shown in the king's dream and Daniel's vision?

Our Good Reading

With our last portion we concluded the Miscel. Writ's of C. H. M. We feel sure that those who have followed this course have reaped great spiritual blessing. Stimulating to both mind and heart as such ministry must be, may it produce lasting results in our lives to the glory of Christ.

For the next six months (D.V.) we propose a course of reading to occupy us with the varied glories of our blessed Lord. A selection of books, or pamphlets, will be made in view of this. It is a theme which should lead our hearts into sweet and precious meditation, and develop a real spirit of worship. Let us guard against reading in a careless way what may thus come before us. Let our Bibles be at hand for reference to the scripture referred to in the course of our reading; and make it a matter of prayerful thought.

The subject before us is of prime importance. On every hand we hear wicked denials concerning the truth of our Lord's person, and we need to be thoroughly established in God's testimony concerning His Son. Russellism, Adventism, Eddyism, New Thought, Higher Criticism, Mor-monism, Unitarianism, etc., all touch in an evil way this vital line of truth.

Let us begin with Mr. Grant's book "The Crowned Christ." The first 67 pages may be sufficient for our first portion. If you have not a copy, you may obtain one from Loizeaux Bros., paper covers, 30 cents. Read this in the manner suggested and you will find enough material to carry you through the month. Give it a second reading, if you can.

CHRISTIAN CONDUCT

Some practical topics for Young Believers

In these little talks, which we desire to have, as from heart to heart, the purpose is to present some of the more important things which should mark us in our daily lives as Christians. It is manifest that these things can only spring from personal faith in the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, and communion with Him through the Word and prayer. Thus only can His example be known and followed. Into this may our hearts and ways be more fully led.

UNSELFISHNESS

Unselfishness, which includes self-denial and self-sacrifice, is one of the chief characteristics of Christian life. Unselfishness is in the very essence of true Christianity. The Lord Jesus is the great pattern of this. The 2nd chapter of Philippians shows it markedly. He did not think of His own place and right. He did not cling to the divine form and glory that were His. He laid them aside to take the lowly form and circumstances of a servant; as man to be thus among needy, sinful men. Not only this, but when scorned and hated by those to whom He came in deepest love and grace, He took upon Himself the judgment for our sins that we might be fully blest. What marvelous things this chapter unfolds for our meditation! It is the grace of One who though rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. If this mind which was in Christ Jesus be in us, unselfishness will be a distinguishing mark. "Love one another as I have loved you . . . By this shall all know that ye are my disciples." Many heroes of history were brave and stoical, but the moral and spiritual beauty of unselfishness is little seen in them. Men extol examples of self-sacrifice, which express perhaps what is best in man. Even the worthies of the Old Testament, much above the great ones of profane history, do not give full expression to this Christian character. In the Lord Jesus alone we have its perfect manifestation. He has given us an example that we should follow in His steps.

To Him, then, we must primarily look for both inspiration and instruction. We may also consider with much profit His devoted followers whose lives are brought to our attention by the Spirit. Look at Timothy in his devoted interest in God's people; or Epaphroditus who was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, that he might fulfil his service. And what shall we say as we ponder over the record of Paul's unselfish life!

This virtue develops by the contemplation of, and communion with our Lord, in whom it is perfectly expressed. The best way for this is found in a prayerful study of the Gospels, so full of His fragrant life, works, and words. A man may be naturally brave, industrious, or even generous, but not, I think, naturally unselfish. This springs from another source. It is of the new, the divine nature- the life imparted in receiving Christ by faith.

Yet, practically, it is a plant which needs constant cultivation. It will not grow in the fields of this world, but in the garden of the Beloved, while its fruits will be in ministry to others in this needy scene. For this, the greed and selfishness so native to us must be rebuked, and the way of self-sacrifice learned in the secret place with our Lord. More anxious should we be to have our lives exhale the fragrance of His character, than to be marked as great, as the world counts greatness, or rich in that which man esteems. Ambitions, pride, eagerness for riches, which induce men to be ruthless toward those that stand in the way of their cherished attainments, pass un-reproved, or are even applauded by the world, and the selfishness of it all passes unnoticed. Purity, truth, courage may be extolled apart from Christ; but true unselfishness is the mark of those who sincerely follow our Lord Jesus.

But let us be very practical, and begin at home. In how many ways we might deny ourselves, instead of yielding to self-gratification which may disturb household arrangements, or interfere with plans agreeable to others. To fit our ways with the plans of others, instead of working for our own pleasure or force our own way- that is unselfishness. To suppress our own feelings, hide our own inconvenience, withhold complaint, leave out the tale of our trouble or ache when others are in trial, are suffering or are burdened-that is unselfishness. To perform a service for others, for a sister or a brother, which may take us out of our usual routine, be attended with some difficulty, yet do it cheerfully-that is unselfishness. You have some particular object or place in view, but you find it will give needless trouble, and give up the cherished thought-that is unselfishness. Not only at home (there first, however), but at school, in the office or workshop; you may find a multitude of ways in which you can exercise this excellent characteristic, making things more easy and pleasant for those around you, though it give you some extra trouble or inconvenience. To cheerfully follow such a course is unselfishness.

A multitude of such examples might be given, all showing that unselfishness is not the accomplishment of some great achievement ( which is usually accompanied with great pride), but rather the tenor of life, shaping even the details of our intercourse with one another.

"Consider one another to provoke unto love and good works."

"By love serve one another."

"Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ."

"For even Christ pleased not Himself."

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."

"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another."

By contrast the selfish man is full of himself and his own affairs. There is no end to his talk concerning his abilities, his work, his success, his failures, his ailments. It is always his this, that, or the other. If the conversation turns to other things he becomes uninterested and listless. The unselfish person will be a good listener, ready to enter into the concerns of others, ready to help if possible, not bringing forward his own interests or worries to those already burdened. A wounded heart may find more balm through sympathetic listening, than in talking and suggesting or even doing that which, though really helpful, may be done in an ungracious manner.

The truly unselfish do not act in an obtrusive manner, and though acting in self-denial, seek to hide rather than trumpet it abroad. They do not hint or remind others of what they have done. Fame, applause, or material advantage fall to the brave, the generous, the great of this world; but the truly unselfish reap no present reward, except that of a secret joy with the Lord and approval of conscience.

First and last, the motive, the spring of action, for an unselfish life must be found in the Lord Himself, and for His approval. He should command our hearts. If He governs it, there need be no fear but that His mind and spirit will be out-breathed in true unselfishness.

"He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them, and rose again."
Correspondence for the Y. B. Dept., please address to Mr. John Bloore, co Loizeaux Brothers.