Calendar:June 16th, to July 15th.
DAILY BIBLE READING:………June 16th. Micah 4; June 30th, Haggai 2; July 15th, Malachi 1. MEMORY WORK:………….1 Thessalonians, chap. 3.
GOOD READING:Eight Lectures on Prophecy, continued.
Daily Reading
Once again, through the mercy of our Lord, we are nearing the close of the Old Testament. What a marvelous book it is, and how "things new and old" shine out of its pages under the light which the Holy Spirit gives from the New Testament.
I feel almost tempted to suggest that we try to find time to keep on with our Old Testament reading, as we go on into the New. Perhaps I may have a suggestion to make next month.
Memory Work
Our chapter this month is again shorter than usual, but we do not want to put too heavy a burden on those who are seeking to keep up. So let us review chapters 1 and 2 and so get perfectly familiar with our epistle.
Here is something I am glad to put in:
"Three of us recited the Epistle to the Galatians, M. S., L. LeC., and I. There may be others-am not sure. It seems good to be memorizing again. Most of us do it on the way to work when riding on the street-car.
May the Lord bless you abundantly and use you much in His service. C. S." Good Reading
I don't hear anything about this part of our work. If the book is too advanced, or if the portions are too large, don't hesitate to let me know. It is of the great est importance to keep some good book always at hand for your reading. You can read an ordinary page in perhaps two minutes. And a page a day means 30 pages a month, and at that rate we can read through many a helpful volume. Let me have your thoughts as to this. I will not specify how many pages you are to read for this month, only do something at it.
Your Library
Have you laid the cornerstone for your own library yet? I don't think there are many who haven't quite a few books by the time they are in their teens. I remember one of my most valued possessions as a child was the box of books which were my own property. What is the cornerstone for this library of yours? Of course there is only one Book that could occupy that place. In these days beautiful Oxford Bibles, or those from some other publishing house, are quite common, and I hope that you already have one that will serve you many years. If you are thinking of buying one, let me give you a few hints. You are now at the age when you value a good thing, so buy only the best. I would say either get a cheap Bible, which you can replace, or a first class one that will last you many years. I would not advise a medium-priced book; they are often a disappointment.
Correspondence
"I had hoped to tell you I could repeat the book of Galatians without a mistake, but I can't. However, I did stick to it till I reached the end of the book; something I never have done before. I shall try to do better with Thessalonians, although in the summer there is always something waiting for attention, and I am too tired to study when I do sit down."
Our dear sister lives in the country, and has many duties which she is bravely trying to fulfil, with the Lord's help. If she has been able to do so well, what about those who have plenty of time on their hands?
Here is a report of the 58th meeting of Y. B. D., where many interesting subjects were discussed.
Total Present:19:Opened with prayer and singing of hymns.
Brief Outlines:-L. Mitchell spoke on Roman 10:9. Contrast between law and faith. At time of Moses righteousness was demanded by law, by works, but now "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth," and as ver 10 says, "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead thou shalt be saved." Faith, not works, "obtains.
M. DeV. spoke on Song 4:16. North wind brings the storm, etc., south wind the soft and pleasant winds. North wind might speak of the trials and troubles, and south wind of what is pleasant to us, but both come with but one object-that the spices might flow out-that our lives might produce that which is pleasing to God. If we allow both the joy and sorrow in our lives to work as He has sent them, then there will be fruit for Him. Heb. 13:15; 12:11. Let Christ come into our lives in every detail that He may find fruit for Himself.
L. LeC. spoke on Heb. 11:24, 25. Put in the way of a balance sheet-showing profit and loss. Triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment (Job. 20:4,5). For the Christian there are pleasures at His right hand forevermore (Ps. 16). Joys of world purchased at cost of eternal death; joys of the saved at price of Christ's death for eternal salvation and joy. What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? The delight of sin will be blotted out forever, but the bondage of sin will never be forgotten (Job 20:27). Moses renounced the treasures of Egypt and their riches because he could not use them for the Lord.
C. S. spoke on Heb. 9:21, 22. The sprinkling of blood on vessels, etc., would always be a reminder to the people that God's dwelling amongst His people (sinful and defiled as they were) could only be on the basis of redemption, by the blood. The tabernacle, being in the midst of a sinful people, needed to be sprinkled with the blood. The infidel, or worldling, thinking of the blood shed in Old Testament times, might think of it as a regular slaughter house, but for us, who have been saved, we know it is, or was, but a type of that "precious blood" of Christ, the only basis upon which God could deal with us. Salvation is not of works "but shedding of blood"-taking away all high thoughts of self, or what self could do, and bringing us to that one and only place of "being washed in His blood."
A young isolated sister writes, "I enjoy very much the lessons in Bible Reading and the memory work. I think I am profiting much thereby."-E. M. B.
"The short memory lesson seemed quite a let down after our long one of March. I prefer them not too long, as then it gives time to analyze, and take in what one memorizes, otherwise it is mere cramming to me."-S. M., Philadelphia.
I have often thought of the truth of this last remark, not only about memorizing, but all our work. It is easy for us to fall into mere habits. I do pray that we may all be kept from this, and that the Lord Himself may ever be before us, increasingly dear to our hearts. After all, heart knowledge is the "one thing needful." May we be like Mary in this respect.
I must add another extract from a young brother, to whom I had occasion to write:"As I was enjoying your letter, I thought that if we could make one another happy, how very happy our Lord Jesus must be when we come and commune with Him, and He with us; and what joy this brings to us… .1 have a deep sense of what I have missed through not spending more time in prayer and meditation on the word of God. I pray the Lord to help me to greatly increase the time I spend in His presence… I could not help wishing that all of His own might have the same experience, and especially other young believers. Many, I suppose, have had this joy for a long time, but it seems to me that the Lord's people generally need to spend more time in private prayer and meditation. May the Lord awaken our "hearts more to this that we might be like Mary, who sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word." -E. W. B., St. Louis.
Budget your Time
Don't forget the request in the May number for little essays of about 200 words on this subject. I suppose many have been busy with examinations, etc., at this time of the year. I am hoping to get some before long. Don't let me have to write the "only suggestions on this important subject.
The Question Box
Ans. to Ques. 1.-As to John 3:22.
"John 4:2 is an explanation of the statement that Jesus baptized, given in the preceding verse. The explanation is not given after 3:22, although it must be understood. I notice that Mr. Kelly points out that Pilate is said to have scourged Jesus (John 19:1). That probably is, that he had it done."
Ques. 2.–As to 1 Cor. IS:6-"Matt. 28:16; Mark 16:7,14; Lk. 24:33 seems to be the best explanation of where the many were who saw Him."
"In Acts 1:3 we see that Jesus was seen of them-the 120 of Acts 1:15-for 40 days. There is no other statement of Christ appearing to the 500 and more than in 1 Cor. 15:6. Mr. Grant brings out the point of an appointment Christ made with His disciples, to which many would be gathered, probably in Galilee."-E. T. M. [Very Good.]
Ques. 3.-"The adjective 'righteous' in John 17:25 refers to the perfect judgment of the Father in dealing with those who know."-E. T. M.
"Christ would now, in contemplation of His death and resurrection and His return to the Father, 'ask,' in the spirit of Ps. 2:8. However He does not ask for all His rightful possessions, only 'for those whom Thou hast given Me.' It is His right, and He appeals to His righteous Father."-A.H. B.
"In contrast to the world that crucified His blessed Son, and who will find that God is righteous, when they meet Him in judgment."-R.
"In speaking of the world, He says 'Righteous Father.' Ps. 97:2."-P.P.
Ques. 4.-As to "coals of juniper," Ps. 120:4.
"The juniper is a tall shrub of Sinai. It is the plant from which brooms are made. I suppose the coals are charcoal, burning, to torture the false tongue."-E. T. M.
"Job 30:4 tells us the roots were eaten in a time of famine. But taking the Psalm as a whole, and the marginal reading of verses 3 and 4, is it a question of the kind of coals and their significance, or is it the thought that a deceitful tongue is compared to coals that may kindle a fire, as in James 3?-P.P. [That is, reaping what they have sowed.]
"I imagine it would be like the gnawing of a bad conscience."-A. H. B.
"It seems to me that coals of juniper, or broom wood, R. V., are connected with the 'sharp arrows.' One kind of arrow used in Old Testament times was made from the red-like stalk of the broom bush, and was sometimes set afire before shooting. These burning shafts often did much damage. Thus sharp arrows of the mighty would be the judgment of the deceitful tongue, and the coals of fire would remain to cause burning remorse."-E. W. B.
Ques. 5.-"There was much grass in the place." What more restful to the eye than green grass? A weary multitude of people had followed Jesus. There must be rest before they could be fed."-M. L. E.
"Suggestion of leisure and rich blessing."-E. T. M.
" 'He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,' and was it not the Good Shepherd who had attracted these 'sheep’ into His pasture, that He might minister to their temporal needs, and later make known to them the true 'bread from heaven?'-E. W. B.
There are more answers to these questions, but these must suffice for the present. Thanks very much for all who are sending in answers. I hope to give more next month.
Ques. 10.-Explain 1 Cor. 11:4. Does this mean at all times, as for instance, when one is at work?
The Montrose Meeting
I hope very many of you will be able to get to the Montrose meeting, as announced on the cover of Help and Food. It is a kind of "Y. B. D." Conference, and I am looking forward, if the Lord please, to a helpful, happy time. Then perhaps we can have a discussion of work among the young people, and "get together" about many things that are very near to all our hearts. I am thinking of a number of subjects that it would be nice to talk over. Let us especially pray that there may be real blessing. I understand that a large number have already engaged to come.
Correspondence for "Y. B. D." Address,
S. R., 1138 East 7th St., Plainfield, N. J.