In view of the coming season when there are special opportunities for Gospel Work, it is well to be stirred up as to making use of them. We particularly appeal to our younger brothers and sisters regarding this line of service for the Lord, and in this connection a few short papers will be contributed by our brother, C. Ernest Tatham, the first appearing this month. It will be appreciated if those interested would send brief articles, or make such suggestions as may be of real help to younger believers in the matters of their life and service.-Editors.

LOVING THE STRANGER

"Love ye, therefore, the stranger, for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Deut. 10:19).

ITS MEANING

Again and again Jehovah reminds His people of their former condition as Pharaoh's bondmen. He would never have them forget that formerly they were victims of the cruel despotism of a foreign Power, and, incapable of self-deliverance, were redeemed by blood and power by God Himself. Being themselves loved when strangers, He would ever have them compassionate toward those in a similar condition.

Inasmuch as they had been the object of such high favor from Heaven, there might be a danger of their regarding foreigners with a condescending pity and self-complacent patronage. But God's command was explicit; they were not to pity or patronize, but to love them.

If such a word applied to Israel most certainly it has tremendous application to us. We are to "remember that we in time past were Gentiles in the flesh… and without God in the world," and, as such, loved of God. Therefore it is only to be expected that we in turn love not only other members of the Divine family, but "the stranger." If we are to be successful soul-winners we must love men. We-cannot approve their ways, but, God-like, we must love them. How often we read in the Gospels that our Lord was moved with compassion. The gracious pity of His great heart moved Him to actions of blessing in behalf of needy people. Similarly, Paul served "the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears." From the day of Pentecost to the present hour the devoted servants of Christ have shed tears of a passionate love in the course of their service for the souls of eternity-bound men and women. Such love has sped Christ-devoted missionaries to earth's remotest corners and given them endurance to bear almost indescribable sufferings. It is the one requisite, we repeat; for "love endureth all things."

May I -ask my younger brethren and sisters, Do we love the unsaved? Do we yearn to see them delivered from sin's bondage and rejoicing in the salvation of God? If so, our word of testimony to them, and our earnest prayer for them, will be in proper adjustment. If not, we will regard them with little more than a passing religious interest.

ITS MOTIVE

As we should expect, the motive of true evangelism is the glory of Christ. He will be supremely glorified in having Himself surrounded in that day with an innumerable throng of those who were once the victims of sin's merciless power. With triumph He will introduce such to an unfallen heavenly populace in the language of Hebrews 2:13, "Behold I and the children which God hath given Me." It should be our highest aim to contribute to that glory, and if this thought seizes our souls it will fill our hearts and our mouths with burning words to speak to our unconverted acquaintances. Hear the glowing testimony of the greatest of all apostolic soul-winners, "The love of Christ constraineth us." "Necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more…. I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."

If you and I are just casually interested in the spread of the gospel and the conversion of men, we may rest assured that we are in a seriously unhealthy state of soul. It is not meant, of course, that we are all equipped with powers of public utterance, but rather that the normal condition of spiritual health will fill us with a longing desire for the salvation of others.

In view of the approaching Summer Season with its increased opportunities for gospel testimony, let us cry to our Lord to give us greater zeal to make Him known. Remember:nothing short of love for precious souls is necessary.

"Lord, lay some soul upon my heart,
And love that soul through me;
And may I nobly do my part
To win that soul to Thee."

John Vassar, while visiting from house to house distributing tracts, was met at the door .of one cottage by a powerful Irish woman. On recognizing the soul-winner who had caused quite a stir in the community she promptly slammed the door in his face. At once the man sat down on the door-step, and sang out sweetly:

"But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away-
Tis all that I can do,"

As a result the woman was savingly converted, and afterwards confessed that it was those "drops of grief" that reached her heart. -C. Ernest Tatham.