Calendar:Aug.16th to Sept. 15th.
DAILY BIBLE READING:……. Aug. 16th, Num.18; Aug. 31st, Num.33; Sept. 15th, Deut. 12. SUPPLEMENTARY READING:.. Aug. 16th, 1 Cor. 2; Aug. 31st, 2 Cor. 1; Sept. 15th, Gal. 3. MEMORY OUTLINES:…………… Gospel of John.
MEMORY WORK:………………….John 6:1-21.
GOOD READING:"Short Meditations on Elisha,"by J. G. Bellett.
Daily Bible Reading
What a rich unfolding of God's thoughts of His beloved Son we find when the light of the New Testament is shed upon the types of the Old, through which we are now going! Let us ask that each chapter may speak to our hearts of Christ, who is the key to all Scripture. "He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Lk. 24:27). And a little later on He says, "These are the words which I spake unto you, which I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses [where we are now reading] and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures" (Lk. 24:44, 45). May it not be merely that our minds get clearer views of Him, but that our hearts be flooded with His grace and love, so that we shall be strengthened to stand and to walk here for Him. This will link prayer with our reading, and He doeth wondrous things, when our hearts are drawn out in lowly, believing prayer. May it be so, in His own blessed way.
Memory Work and Outlines
The narrative part of John 6, verses 1-21, is perhaps a little more difficult to fix exactly in the memory, so we are not taking as large a portion as usual, which I trust will help us to meditate on it verse by verse, as we may be led by the Lord. I pray that none of this work may be considered in a legal way, so as to become a yoke of bondage. For "His commandments are not grievous." So to Memory Outlines I have still put down the Gospel of John. If the Old Testament has the Lord as the theme, beneath the surface of the types, the New shows Him directly. We read His very words, see His acts and His walk. "Many prophets and righteous men have desired to see these things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them" (Matt. 13:17). In John this revelation of "that Eternal Life which was with the Father" is particularly wonderful, for He speaks of Himself, and the Gospel shines out with a special luster.
Echoes of the Conferences
Those of you who were at the meetings at Lake Geneva and Montrose will hardly need to be reminded how enjoyable they were. They were good meetings for the note book, and I will just pass on a few things, jotted on the blackboard, or otherwise given. Here is the secret of Joy, spelled out, Jesus-O-You-Jesus first, you last, nothing between. One of the choruses sung was:
"Make me a channel of blessing to-day;
Make me a channel of blessing, I pray;
My life possessing,
My service blessing;
Make me a channel of blessing to-day."
Then there was a series of Addresses on the prayers in Ephesians and Colossians by our brother, Mr. Ironside, and our brother B. C. Greenman gave one on "Nehemiah's Diary," and another on "The Afflictions of David." The cross was a prominent theme. Here is an outline of one way in which it was presented by brother Inglis Fleming.
Christ crucified.
Redemption for us.
Obedient unto death.
Sins forgiven.
Sin judged.
Here is a stanza contrasting law and grace from John Bunyan:
"Run, John! Work! the Law commands,
But gives us neither feet nor hands.
The Gospel speaks of better things,
It bids us fly, but gives us wings."
One of the Montrose mornings was devoted to "SYSTEMATIC BIBLE STUDY," by brother A. S. Loizeaux. I give a few of its outlines:
Family Bible Reading and Prayer. Every day for all, where the youngest reads his verse.
Personal Reading.-Daily Food, milk. Regularly, Reverently-a Pocket Testament. "Rations."
Sunday School and Bible Class.
Teaching. To save souls; to edify. Take active part.
Method – largely New Testament. Get through one chapter at a lesson. All take part.
Books. These are the gifts of the Spirit. C. H. M., Genesis. Synopsis, J. N. D. Numerical Bible. Concordance. Scofield's "Rightly Dividing." Magazines.
Methods of Study. 1. Scripture books and portions. Old Testament. New Testament. "Rightly Dividing." 2. Subjects. The Lord's Example [as "prayer;" the parables]. Faith, Heb. 11.
Addresses. Notes-jottings in preparation. Theme. Scriptures. Thoughts. Outlines.
The whole Bible like an estate to be walked over and enjoyed and used.
A wish was expressed that something might be said about the menace of Modernism, with special reference to young people at college. So an address was given by brother G. Mackenzie with striking points, showing how the statements in the Old Testament were verified by quotations in the New:
Man a special Creation of God. Gen. 1:26, 27; Luke 3:38. Adam the first man. Gen. 2:7; 1 Cor. 15:45, 47. Adam alone-Gen. 2:18; 1 Tim. 2:13. Adam's helpmeet as foreshadowing the counsels of God, Gen. 2:19-23; 1 Cor. 11:8,9; Eph. 5:30-32.
Special Creation of man endorsed by the Son of God, Gen. 1:26, 27; 2:24; Matt. 19:3-5.
Satan as the Serpent. Gen. 3:1; Rev.12:9; John 13:27.
The woman in the Transgression. Gen. 3:6; 1 Tim. 2:14.
Satan's judgment and its cause. Gen. 3:13; 2 Cor. 11:3.
The Virgin Birth of our Lord. Matt. 1:18; Lk. 2:49.
These are meager outlines, but if the references are looked up they will show how the issue is clearly drawn between Modernism and divine truth. Which is true? If the statements in Genesis are wrong, then the New Testament is also wrong in confirming them, and the Son of God, our holy Lord Jesus Christ, was also ignorant! This is the price to be paid for accepting such teachings. Let us stand by the written word of God, as our true weapon, rather than to attempt to reason with infidelity. The issue is plain:since God has given us a revelation, let us use it as our Lord did with Satan in the temptation- "It is written."
One of a number of addresses was by brother A. E. Booth on Christ in 1 Peter:
I. His Godhead-1 Pet. 1:1-5, 19, 20. 2 Pet. 1:1. "My Lord and my God." "Foreknown," preexistent, before the foundation of the world.
II. His Incarnation, and perfect Manhood. Ch. 1:20. See both in the storm on the Sea of Galilee.
III. His Atonement-ch. 2:24. Brought to God, ch. 3:18.
IV. His Resurrection and Ascension-ch. 3:21, 22.
V. His Return and appearing from heaven-ch. 5:4.
Two striking verses formed the basis of an address on David's life by brother B. C. Greenman. Ps. 3:2 – "Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God." Ps. 4:2-"There be many that say, Who will show us any good?" From these he brought out the disproof, as shown in God's ways with David, in which both the ground of his hope in God, and the many good things shown him was fully established.
This must serve as a sample. I trust if the Lord permit us to come together another year that even more will be gathered with greater profit and help to all.
I will add one feature which was noticeable-the young brethren participating, both in prayer, and in a special meeting of testimony to the reality of answers to prayer. Numbers of instances were given by them as showing this. The Lord's merciful and preserving care for health and safety was manifest.