Calendar:May 16th to June 15th.
DAILY BIBLE READING:……….May 16th, Hosea 5; May 31st, Amos 3; June 15, Micah 3. MEMORY WORK:………… 1 Thessalonians, chap. 2.
GOOD READING:"Eight Lectures on Prophecy," 1st half.
Daily Reading
We are now reading the Minor Prophets. Those of you who have read the Notes on these books will be able to understand them more fully than if you had not done so. But for all of us there is abundance of treasure to be gained from the thoughtful and prayerful reading of the daily chapter. The variety is enhanced by the brevity of each book, while the absolute harmony that prevails throughout all is but a further illustration of the perfect inspiration of "all scripture."
Possibly some of our readers have not been following with us in this daily work. To such I would say, Begin today with the chapter where we are. Do not attempt to "catch up" back chapters, if you haven't the time.
Memory Work
Our present chapter is longer than the first, and if I can speak for others I think you will find this Epistle a little more difficult than some of the others. Let us try to memorize it without a blemish. Good Reading
The "Eight Lectures on Prophecy" are an excellent introduction to the larger book, "Plain Papers on Prophetic Subjects."I trust many will avail themselves of this
opportunity to become familiar with this excellent work.
Your Library
While I am on the subject of Good Reading, I would like to say a word about having books of your own. Of course many of you can use volumes which are in the house, belonging to your father or mother, but I do think it is very nice to have a little library of your own. You do not need to spend much money at a time, but once in a while it is very nice to add a volume to your shelf, and to see it growing gradually into two or more shelves. Of course this means that you should read your books, and not have them merely to look at.
Correspondence
I am thankful to say the letters are coming in, and I must share some of the good things with you-also as a possible incentive to others to let us hear from their Y. B. meetings.
They'll know that I have loved them
When they see Me face to face;
They'll know that I have loved them
When there My wounds they trace;
They'll know that I have loved them
When they behold the Lamb.
They'll never know how much they're loved
Till they're with Me where I am.
"Amen, even so, come, Lord Jesus."-Rev. 22:20.
Dear Mr. R.-As a group of Young People holding meetings, we are happy to have you back with us-you who got us started in these little gatherings where we all have learned much. May the Lord give you grace and strength to continue in this branch of His service and lead on many that are young in the faith.
I enclose a copy of notes-giving gist of meeting held on March 13th. Here are two questions which I was requested by the Class to forward to you, either to be published in Help and Food or answered personally by you. (The questions will be found in the Question Department.)
Here is the report of that meeting which I can't resist inserting, as it presents such an attractive "menu."
57th meeting Y. B. D. held at the Home of — Sat., March 13,1926, total number present 19.
Opened with singing of hymns and prayer.
Q.-What is the difference between sinful nature and sins committed, and what did Christ's death atone for? (DeV. to B. S.)
Discussion.-Sin in any shape or form, whether sinful nature or sins committed were all atoned for on the cross (B.). Would it be possible for a person to have a sinful nature and not see the fruit of it? (M.). 2 Cor. 5:17-old nature is still in us, though we have received a new nature when saved. We should reckon old nature in the place of death. "A child is born in sin and shapen in iniquity." If a child is taken home before coming to years of understanding it comes under the saving power of the blood, but I cannot see how atonement can be for old nature, for old nature is reckoned in the place of death, and anything atoned for we do not reckon in the place of death.
A child is purchased in the same way as anyone else, but as one comes to years of understanding there must be the personal exercise.
Heb. 10:9; John 6:40; Heb. 10:10; 12-14, "one sacrifice for sins" John 1:29. All our sins, past, present and future, as we trust in Christ, come under the power of that cleansing.
Q.-Explain Isa. 51:1 (DeV. to L. Le.).
What is the rock:One explanation might be that we . were in the quarry of nature, of sin, and then taken and hewn out, as Solomon obtained the stones for the temple and had them shaped, etc., so we, who are saved, were taken from the quarry and placed in the temple of the Lord.
It is a figurative speech, and the following verses explain the thought, I believe. God took Abraham from out of Ur of the Chaldees-he was by nature away from God.
Short Outlines.-John 5:24-Full thought of salvation:He that heareth, believeth, hath, shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life. He that heareth, believeth, hath, shall not, but is.
(Sermonettes to be continued next month.)
Notice, it is the 57th meeting of the Y. B. D.! Isn't that splendid! Notice too the business-like way everything is prepared. We have so many "stenogs" among our young folks that I think we might have a few more "secretaries" for these meetings.
And speaking of secretaries, I would call attention to what was said in last month's Y. B. D. about a line of service for some young brother or sister in looking after small orders for tracts and books, and things of that kind. This would be a real help in many places, and it could be made to fit in with the reports of Young Believers' meetings, and items of interest in the assembly. May the Lord stir up and raise up such helpers.
I have been profiting myself from such help from a brother and two sisters who have been taking dictation for me where I have been. It simplifies the matter of having stenographic help, and I hope to make further use of these nimble fingers and willing hearts-wherever the Lord may be sending me.
Here are some extracts from a very cheering letter I got from a dear young brother:"It is a great joy to me to know that the Lord has been pleased to make you to carry on the Y. B. D. again-not that I did not enjoy the Department before. May the Lord continue to bless you and to give you the needed strength for each duty.
"There are several things in the Y. B. D. which I wish to write about. You ask to know how we have succeeded in giving the Bible reading first place, and I might ask, How can we succeed otherwise? I will say, for the encouragement of others, that I do not find it at all hard since I set a certain time for it. I have been following the portion for daily Bible reading since Jan. 1925, and have made it a point to be up early enough to read this before breakfast. For the last six months I have had to get up at about 5 o'clock, so as to get my breakfast, and be at work at 7 o'clock. (It takes me over one hour to get to work.) The time I have set for my reading is, as soon as I have dressed. Now that I have formed the habit, it is not at all hard. [Good, my dear young brother. I hope to hear something similar from many others.]
"I have not been following the memory work given in this department, as I have been doing some memorizing with my Sunday-school Class. We are learning part of John's Gospel, and I am trying to encourage them in it, as I feel it is the best time of their life to store up the word of God in their hearts and minds. I have some difficulty in getting them to see the importance of learning a verse each day. I trust the Lord to give me the needed grace and wisdom to persist in this helpful exercise, and that He will help them also.
"I am very glad to see that you are considering a class in New Testament Greek, and if it is the Lord's will, I hope to avail myself of this opportunity. I have always thought that this subject would be too much "Greek" for me, but from what you say, it will be well worth the effort, even if I do not become a scholar, but just learn to see fresh beauties in the word of God. My time is somewhat limited, but I have been led to see a little of the value of setting a time for everything, and then living up to this. I have considered this matter before the Lord, and if the way seems open to start these lessons, I wish to be one of the scholars. [I am very glad of this, and have entered our brother's name on the tentative roll. Soon I hope we will have enough to begin.]"-E. W:B., St. Louis, Mo.
There is a good deal more of this most welcome letter, some of which will come out in the answers to Questions.
Budget your Time
The other day a dear brother suggested to me this Title for an article on the right use of the time we have for study. It struck me as a splendid subject, and I asked him to write the article. But he has not yet done so, and instead of writing one myself, I am going to ask some of our readers to write. How many will do this? Write clearly and concisely your thoughts, and experience, as to the best way to apportion your time. Our brother, in the letter quoted, has been giving us some of his thoughts. Here are the specifications:Length, not more than 200 words; "Make it snappy;" as far as possible, give your experience, or at least what you hope to make your experience.
I am hoping to get a good many of these little essays, which will appear in our department. Who will send in the first one?
The Question Box
Quite a few answers have come in and some new questions. There is still time to answer from the beginning, and always a welcome for fresh helpful questions.
Ques. 1.-"Why are we told in John 4:2, that our Lord did not baptize, and in John 3:22 it is said He did?"
Ques. 2.-"Have we any record beside 1 Cor. IS:6 of the 500 brethren who saw the Lord after His resurrection?
Answers.
Ques. 1.-"Personally our Lord did not baptize, but His disciples only."
Ques. 2.-"No, we have no other record, but we know the Lord had made an appointment to meet His disciples in Galilee."-E. J.
Ques. 1.-"It seems to me that the Lord at first continued the preaching of the kingdom (Matt. 4:17; Mark 1:14,15) and that He baptized men to repentance through His disciples, as seen in John 4:2 (not Himself actually doing it)… When men refused the Gospel of the Kingdom, the Lord preached and taught the love and grace of God in sending Him into the world."
Ques. 2.-I do not find any other place where the 500 brethren are mentioned. However in Luke 24:33-36 there are others present besides the eleven, and although the number is not given, they might have been those referred to.
Ques. 1.-"General statement in John 3:22, and lest any one should make a mistake it is explained in John 4:2."
These answers are quite satisfactory, but we will leave the question open for another month, in case others may write.
Here are some more questions:
Ques. 6.-"Why does it say in 1 Cor. 15:6 the Lord appeared to the twelve, and in Mark 16:14 and Luke 24:33 it says He appeared to the eleven?"
Ques. 7.-"Why didn't Jesus baptize?"
Ques. 8.-"Explain Mark 16:16."
Ques. 9.-"Rev. 21:14; who is the 12th apostle, Paul or one chosen by lot?"
A number of questions are waiting. So let us have answers as promptly as possible. And send in more questions. They are put on the "waiting list" and will appear in due time.