Our brother, Frederick C. Grant, son of F. W. Grant, has gone to be with the Lord. He was ill two weeks, and though at first it was not looked upon as serious, his heart was affected, and he sank into a coma which lasted until he passed away at 10 a.m. on Lord's Day morning, July 12th, at his home in Plainfield, N.J., in his 60th year.
He was widely read in this world's lore, and the work he would have chosen was that of a professor, or teacher of others. His wish was set aside by incurable deafness, and for many years he had been a translator and final proof-reader in several languages for a well-known firm in New York. He took his Ph.D. in 1896, but such a degree pales into insignificance before another title which was his-that of a humble learner in the school of Christ, and he spent much of his free time in imparting to others what he had learned from the Word. His articles in "Help and Food" and other magazines have brought refreshment to many. Those which recently appeared, "Browsings in Ephesians," in his characteristic style, show how he enjoyed the blessings unfolded in that marvelous Epistle, and sought to arouse others to enjoy them also.
He considered his aged mother, the widow of F. W. Grant, who is still living, to be his special care, and spent much time in reading to her, and she, more than anyone else, will miss the son who anticipated her every wish.
The funeral services were held at his home at 2 p.m. on July 14th, and a good number were present-not only neighbors who knew and loved himself and his family, but those who knew and revered his father, and those who had profited by his own earnest ministry of the Word and his unfoldings of the glories of Christ.
Surely this should remind us of the fact that conditions in this country are much the same as in Africa. People will not come to the halls to hear the gospel, therefore to reach them at all it must be by adopting the methods mentioned by our brethren. After prayerful consideration of the above might we not make special effort this summer, particularly during the vacation time, by endeavoring in tract-distribution and other methods, to lead precious souls to Christ? Time is short. Opportunities will soon be gone, and multitudes will be compelled to say, '"The harvest is past, the summer ended, and we are not saved" (Jer. 8:20).
Christianity
Christianity is a living and divine reality. It is not a set of doctrines, however true; a system of ordinances, however imposing; a number of rules and regulations, however important. Christianity is far more than any or all of these things. It is a living, breathing, speaking, active, powerful reality-something to be seen in the everyday life-something to be felt in the scenes of personal, domestic history, from hour to hour-a something formative and influential-a divine and heavenly power introduced into the scenes and circumstances through which we have to move, as men, women, and children, from Sunday morning till Saturday night. It does hot consist in holding certain views, opinions, and principles, or in going to this place of worship or that.
Christianity is the life of Christ communicated to the believer-dwelling in him-and flowing out from him, in the ten thousand little details which go to make up our daily practical life. It has nothing ascetic, monastic, or sanctimonious about it. It is genial, cordial, lightsome, pure, elevated, holy, heavenly, divine. Such is the Christianity of the New Testament. It is Christ dwelling in the believer, and reproduced, by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the believer's daily practical career. This is Christianity-nothing else, nothing less, nothing different. C. H. M.