(2 Tim. 4:2.)

It should be a matter for encouragement and thankfulness to learn of the way the Lord is working in many of the universities in this country, Canada, Great Britain and Ireland-centers of learning which we have become accustomed to think of as full of atheism. And indeed there is no denying the fact that atheism is a terrible reality to-day both in university life and the outside world. But it is cheering to be told "that Christianity of the most pronounced and pragmatic sort is also a fact in university life to-day," and "that as fine Christian work and faithful testimony to the truth as can be found anywhere in the world to-day is going on in" these institutions.

These statements are quoted from one of Canada's leading newspapers, "The Globe" of Toronto. It carries on its editorial page, every Wednesday, an article of clear unequivocal testimony to the fundamental truths of the Gospel. In its issue of April 15, 1931, from which we have quoted, the editorial continues:

One of the most inspiring bits of Christian literature that one can find anywhere is the Review of the Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union, the association of Christian students at Cambridge University. Its members are no nonentities, nor are they timorous disciples of the Lord. The accounts of their doings read like chapters in the book of Acts. C.I.C.C.U. was founded more than half k century ago, and is going strong to-day. The object of the Union is "to unite men who are earnestly desiring to extend Christ's Kingdom in the university by seeking the spiritual help and conversion of men around them." These Cambridge Christians are not afraid of the words "sin" and "conversion." They believe that prayer is the secret of soul-winning, and they practice their belief with remarkable and refreshing results. Nor do they stand for an emasculated Christianity by offering mere humanitarianism, reading-rooms, smokers, athletics, and the like, in place of the Gospel. In the President's report this winter occurs the statement! "Let us pray that His work may go forward far more mightily next term.. .Let us pray for the Sunday evening services and for personal talks that many more may come to a knowledge of the Saviour, and also for the Bible Readings that again, as during this term, they may be times when we are all built up in Him. "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy Name give glory."

The Inter-Varsity Fellowship of Evangelical Unions is a larger organization of the Christian Unions of more than a score of universities in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. The leading editorial in the Lenten issue of its magazine is on the text, "They overcame.. .by the blood of the Lamb." Sir Ambrose Fleming is President, and Honorary Vice-Presidents include the Eight Hon. Viscount Brentford and Bishop (formerly Chaplain-General) Taylor-Smith.

The Globe recently published a strong letter from Mr. F. Noel Palmer, General Secretary of the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship of Canada, telling of this work that was begun only two years ago and now is active in eight universities with their affiliated colleges. This organization is sound, true, deeply spiritual, seeking to bring students to the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Saviour, Lord, and God. It recognizes the prevalence and poison of atheism, but is neither dismayed nor discouraged by this, for it realizes that it has in its hands a weapon that has never been defeated and never will be:"The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." Mr. Palmer has well said:"The prevailing notion that a man cannot accept the Bible to-day without becoming intellectually dishonest is false and monstrous…. The Bible has nothing to fear from facts, always Wins in the open, and is still the least understood and yet the simplest and profoundest Book, in a class by itself." And again:"Christ still forgives sins and baptizes with the Holy Spirit and power. This is our witness."

Mr. Palmer has recently traveled straight across the Dominion visiting colleges and universities in the interests of the Fellowship, and has found two conflicting conditions :a "prevailing enthronement of liberalism" that "has created prejudices among the students at large," and on the other hand "a somewhat general readiness to hear a living message of reality, with a yearning sense of dissatisfaction on every hand, which may soon become general spiritual hunger. Students who have broken free and begun to win others to Christ describe the joy of it in unbounded terms-and their faces reveal the reality of their gladness."

In the United States the League of Evangelical Students was organized in 1925, and is doing a vital work in the colleges, universities, and theological seminaries of the nation. "Its aim is to exalt our Lord Jesus Christ-by setting forth the Gospel of His grace as presented in the inerrant Word of God, by promoting the intellectual defense of the evangelical faith, by proclaiming the joy of Christian living through the indwelling power of the Spirit, by presenting the claims of the Gospel ministry at home and abroad."

While such student organizations as these are at work, atheism in the universities will find itself opposed by insuperable odds. For it is a conflict between the powers of darkness and the Lord Jesus Christ, and in that conflict only One can win.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58). John Bloore