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

DAILY BIBLE READING:….. .Jan. 16th, 2 Chron. 15; Jan. 31st, 2 Chron. 30; Feb. 15th, Ezra 9.

GOOD READING:-"The Minor Prophets," by H. A. Ironside. Pages 7-49. This book may be obtained cloth bound, price, $1.50.

MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY CLASS:-Colossians. ch. 1:1-8.

As mentioned in our last issue we purpose to give some structural outlines of the Bible books which, it is hoped, will prove useful to those who wish to annotate their Bibles. To have them so marked affords real help for future reading and reference, aiding us to grasp more quickly the general scope of any particular part of a book. For this year the twelve Minor Prophets have been selected. They will be given in twelve portions, one each month, and so arranged as to be of about equal length. This will necessitate dividing the two longer books-Hosea and Zechariah-into two parts for the former and three for the latter, while the shorter books like Nahum and' Habakkuk will be grouped together.

For our "Good Reading" for the year, Mr. Ironside's book on the Minor Prophets has been selected as a complement to these outlines. Each month's reading will correspond to the part of the Prophets presented in our outlines. By combining these two features we should become better acquainted with these Books which are seldom a subject of ministry.

Our Daily Bible Reading

The history of Asa's reign is given in 2 Chron. 14-16. In chapters 14 and 15 we see he is a man of much faithfulness, doing what was good and right in God's sight, and showing a fine spirit of dependence and obedience. He put away evil (14:3, 5; IS:8,16), led the people to seek the Lord and obey His word, with the result that quietness and peace prevailed (14:4, 5; 15:9,15). These things have instruction for us; notice that Asa puts God's claim first, even though it brings some of his own household under rebuke (15:16). The enjoyment of God's blessing often brings out an attack of the enemy. How splendidly Asa meets it. Strengthened by the Lord he built fortified cities and had a great army; but his trust is in none of these:he turns to God in whole-hearted dependence, and a great victory is gained with abundant spoils.

But, in chapter 16, Asa turns to man (ver. 2), and trusts-in the arm of flesh! This may bring temporary relief, but in the end it brings greater loss than at first threatened, with increased trouble. The former quietness and rest are lost, what might have been gained by going through the test with the Lord as before, is lost; then self-will and anger break out; the Lord acts in discipline, but even this does not effect restoration, and Asa's course closes in deep shadow. What instruction, what warning is here for each of us!

Jehoshaphat follows (chs. 17-20). Of him a good word is spoken:"He walked in the first ways of his father, and of David" (margin). Chapter 20 is notable-fasting (self-judgment), prayer (dependence), prophecy (God's word for present need), worship (the heart's response), and; victory (realized power over evil).

A dark period of history ensues until brighter days come, at first with Joash (ch. 24). Decline comes again, and while there are periods of improvement, the general trend is downward to the dark and evil days of Ahaz (ch. 28).

Then Hezekiah comes to the throne, and a great revival is accomplished. His son proves more wicked than his predecessors, and yet the Lord takes occasion in his case to show how great is His mercy and grace. Josiah's reign is the last bright page of the kingdom's history. It teaches us that revival comes through the Word of God being given its right place.

The book of Ezra deals with the first return of the Jews from captivity, the re-establishment of the true center for worship and service, and the needful separation of the people from surrounding evil. Many principles of truth, important for us in these days, find illustration in this book and in the prophets Haggai and Zechariah who were associated with the events recorded by Ezra.

Through lack of space the beginning of Our Monthly Bible Study is deferred until next month.

Structural Outlines of the Minor Prophets (Hosea, chs. 1-6.)

This prophet unsparingly exposes the moral condition of both Israel and Judah and shows the true state of things as seen by Jehovah. Hosea's theme is the infidelity of the people, their unchaste violation of the sacred relation which Jehovah had established with them. Along with this the prophet sets forth in unexampled manner the character of God, His yearning love, uncompromising judgment, yet gracious dealings which eventually bring His sinful people (preserved in a remnant) through the storms of purifying judgment, into final and abiding blessing.

There are two main divisions:the first, chapters 1-3; the second, chapters 4-14.

Div. 1. (chs. 1-3). Jehovah's marriage covenant with Israel broken through her unfaithfulness. The parts of this division are:

1. (chs. 1-2:1). Unfaithful Israel rejected and disowned, yet with promise of final acceptance.

(1) vers. 1-9. Israel's place and portion due to her unchastity.

(a) 1-5. Jezreel:vengeance because of continued (6) 6,7. Lo-ruhamah:no more mercy. [idolatry. (c) 8,9. Lo-ammi:not God's people.

(2)chs. 1:10-2:1. The reversal of dispersion, and unity restored.

2. (ch. 2:2-23). Outraged love smiting in righteousness, yet healing through mercy in due season.

(1) vers. 2-13. Jehovah's complaint against Israel, and her punishment.

(2)14-18. Delivered, purged, and established in security.

(3) 19-23. Betrothed forever in faithfulness.

Div. 2. (chs. 4-14). Jehovah's love made known in reproof, pleading, chastisement; yet (since it cannot give up its object) bringing His sinful people through it all to salvation and richest blessing.

1. (chs. 4-6:3). Rebellion and alienation through idolatrous corruptions, because of which they must bear Jehovah's wrath and hiding of His face.

(1) ch. 4. The ground of Jehovah's controversy. (a) 1-5. The moral ground. (6)6-11. The rejection of the law. (c)12-14. Sacrificing to false gods. (d ) 15-19.Backsliding.

(2) chs. 5-6:3. Jehovah's judgment and withdrawal.

(a)5:1-7. He, their Rebuker, against whom they only revolt the more.

(b) 8-15. He, their Smiter; they, seeking vain helpers, instead of returning to Him, are left to the bitter consequences of their ways.

(c) ch. 6:1-3.Revival when the lesson is learned.

Our "good reading" portion extends to this point in Hosea. The structure of the remaining chapters will be given next month.