The bitter things of life oft bear
The sweetest fruit;
And, in eternity, our lips
Will not be mute
Because of sorrows by the way,
But songs more sweet
We'll sing for these than for the joys
Of life we meet.
The cross of Christ doth sweeten here
The bitterest,
And we shall own the sweetest things
Were not the best.

H. McD

(THE SECRET OF A HAPPY LIFE)

Lord, help me live from day to day,
In such a self-forgetful way,
That even when I kneel to pray,
My prayer may be for OTHERS.

Since nothing I can give to Thee,
Show me how love can useful be
Seeking for those so near to me-
Bring help and cheer to OTHERS.

Let "Self" be crucified and slain,
And buried deep:and all in vain
May efforts be to rise again,
That I may live for OTHERS.

OTHERS, Lord, yes, others.
Let this my motto be,
Help me live for others,
And thus be serving Thee.

-C. D. W.

Ques. 5.-When I am asked, "Have you registered, and are you going to vote at the next election? " what should I answer? I believe for a woman to vote is absolutely wrong. Please answer in help and food.

Ans.-A citizen of England, of France, of Germany, etc., has no right to vote here in the United States, being a citizen of another country. Now the citizenship of the child of God, of a true Christian, is in heaven-he belongs to heaven ; he is acknowledged there. "For our citizenship is in heaven," says Phil. 3:21. "I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims," writes Peter to fellow-Christians; and our Lord, praying for His own, as He was going back to the Father, says:"I pray not that Thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldst keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world " (Jno. 17 :15, 16).

And the world has rejected Christ. Over His head, on the cross, they put this inscription, "THIS IS JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS," and they mocked and laughed Him to scorn. It was written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, representing the "cultured" world, the world in power, and the religious world. The Jew openly reviles Him still. Christendom makes a profession of faith in Him where it is popular (having derived many benefits from the light of Christianity), but it soon denies Him where ridicule, or loss, or persecutions are to be borne. The rest of the world (Mohammedanism, Buddhism, etc.) are all opposed to the Christ of God.

Why then should the true Christian, who is "not of the world," made with its politics ? Well meaning persons, but ignorant as Christians, often do ; but no enlightened Christian can, without disloyalty to Christ.

We honor, obey, and pray for rulers and those in authority, as Scripture instructs us to do (1 Tim. 2 :1, 2); for government was appointed of God for man's good upon the earth, in which we are " strangers and pilgrims."

As to women entering politics, voting, etc., they are as much out of their God-given place as a man who would take upon him the care of the babies and the home. Politics unwomans woman ; it will ruin home-life. Let the world make and unmake its laws and customs. The God-appointed place for the Christian is not there.

Ques. 6.-(Too long for insertion). We answer thus :Yours is received, asking us to pray for your afflicted mother, which we gladly do. Let me say, however, that God's will is not always to heal His people or to free them from affliction. To glorify Him in the affliction is often a greater triumph of grace than being made well, though we usually think more of the healing than learning in trial and in submission how God can comfort, and use our physical sufferings for spiritual blessing.

We also believe that medicines will not accomplish what we desire unless God is pleased they should ; but with God's blessing they may be used as His means to effect physical cure. We believe we should not despise them. They are part of God's creation. He Himself sometimes has commanded His people to use them-see Isa. 38 :21; 2 Kings 20 :7 ; 1 Tim. 5 :23. Speaking of Luke, the apostle Paul calls him "the beloved physician " (Col. 4 :14), which he surely would not have said if a physician was contrary to God's mind.

Ques. 7.-Answer to a correspondent. Dear Sister in Christ:In answer to yours received concerning woman's place-if it is Scripture one desires to follow, it is simply settled. No amount of inferences one may draw from certain examples adduced (which may easily be perverted by the bias of our minds) can set aside or in the least weaken the direct and plain commands given in God's Word.

First, we have the order of Creation, which is maintained in the Christian assembly (1 Cor. 10:2-16). By the woman taking the lead, and her husband following her (reversing the order God had established), transgression was introduced in Eden. This is the reason Scripture gives why the woman is not to be a religious teacher, in 1 Tim. 2 :8-14. Led by her heart rather than by reason, she becomes an easy prey to the wily adversary. In affections and service woman is superior to man. It is the mother that forms the inner character of the family-of mankind therefore. The man is the responsible head of all outside relations.

But some may say, In Christ " there is neither male nor female." True, new birth has no regard to sex. So, before God, "Ye are all brethren "-Christ's brethren, as members of a new spiritual heavenly family. But does that make us cease to be men and women-fathers and mothers-here in this world? Nay, the natural conditions abide now and here until we are changed in Christ's likeness. In view of this objection (as if creation order were superseded in Christ), Scripture gives us direction in 1 Cor. 14 :34-38, where the subject of the chapter is, God's order in the assembly here upon earth. Man and woman are also types or figures of Christ and the Church, and the saints are to show before the on-looking angels God's order and purpose. How uncomely for the Church to lead or be insubject to Christ! (Eph. 5 :22-32 ; 1 Cor. 11 :10).

As to Luke 2 :36-38, Joel 2 :28, or Acts 21:9, and other passages, I hardly see that they can be of any real difficulty to one subject to God. Do not godly sisters often refresh and edify and sustain others by conversation, by letters, by example, etc., without in the least entering into any public place such as teaching, preaching, etc. ?

If any will make a difficulty, of course they can do so-and they do, alas, even speak slightingly of "old Paul" and "those bygone days,'' etc., as if it was not Scripture that he wrote to similar objectors in Corinth, to whom he wrote:"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write are the commandments of the Lord" (1 Cor. 14 :37).

Ques. 8.-Are we to understand that there is a difference in the meaning of Rom. 4:5 and Rom. 5:19, and 2 Cor. 5 :21- that the one is "imputed" righteousness'' and the other imparted righteousness, yet both credited to the believing sinner?

Ans.-Rom. 4 :5 speaks of faith in contrast with works as the ground of acceptance with God. Christ having met all the claims of righteousness in our behalf, faith, confiding in Christ, comes to God as Abel did with his slain lamb, and was accepted, not on the ground of what he was or had done, but of what his offering represented.

Rom. 5:19 and 2 Cor. 5:21 speak of positional righteousness, 1:e., of the believer's standing before God in Christ the righteous, instead of fallen Adam. It is not "imparted righteousness" in any case.

Jan. 2. The heart of man and the heart of God told [out. Matt. 15-16:12

9. Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living [God. Matt. 16 :13-28 16. The Transfiguration and Sequel……….. "17

23. Relationships of Grace and Responsibility [in the Kingdom. "18

30. Earthly relationship ; and one thing need-fed for Discipleship."19

Feb. 6. Mercy even in reward………………"20 :1-28

13. The King approaches Jerusalem…. .Matt. 20:29-21:17

20. No fruit for God………………."21:18-46

27. The marriage of the King's Son. …… " 22:1-14

Mar. 6. Questions to and from the Lord ……." 22:15-46

13. Judgment upon the hypocrites…….." 23

20. The Lord's coming in relation to the Jews" 24:1-44 27. The testing of profession at His coming" 24:45-25:30

April 3. The judgment at His coming upon the [nations. " 25 :31-46

10. The last Passover and the New Memorial." 26:1-29 17. In the Garden…………………… " 26 :30-56

24. Before the High Priest……………." 26 :57-75

May 1. Before the Roman Governor………… " 27 :1-31

8. The Cross and the Sacrifice…………. " 27 :32-66

15. The Victory and the Resurrection. …… " 28

22. The condition of bondage and the Deliverer. Exodus 1-2 29.God's revelation through the Deliverer.. . " 3-4 :17

June 5. God's claim of His own, the enemy's resistance." 4:18-7:7

12. The world manifested in the light of nature "7:8-8:19

19. The world in contrast with God's people"8:20-9:12
26. The world manifested as under wrath from [heaven. "9:13-11:10

July 3. The Passover-salvation realized…….." 12

10. Sanctification…………………….."13

17. Deliverance and Victory……………." 14-15 :21

24. Wilderness-grace-the bitter made sweet, [and bread from heaven.. Exodus 15 :22-16:36 31. Wilderness-grace-water, conflict, and [judgment by the way. Exodus 17-18

Aug. 7. Law proclaimed…………………… "19-24

14. The ark, table, and lamp stand……….. "25

21. The Tabernacle. …………………… "26

28. The altar, the court, and the light…….."27

Sept. 4. The Priests-their garments…………. "28

11. The Priests-their consecration, and the [incense altar. " 29-30 :10 ,

18. Instructions for the path……………. " 30:11-31,

25. The breach, the mediator, and restoration" 32-34 |

Oct. 2. God dwelling among His people…. ….. " 35-40 j.

9. True conversion…………………… 1 Thess. 1

16. The character of true witnesses, and the [opposition of evil." 2 23. Love abounding, and sanctification……." 3-4 :12

30. The coming and the day of the Lord……" 4:13-5:11

Nov. 6. Ways according to the Truth…………" 5:12-28

13. The day of revelation and judgment….. 2 Thess. 1

20. The full development of evil…………."2 :1-12

27. The manifestation of the saint in the midst [of conflict. 2 Thess. 2:13-3 :18

Dec. 4. Sin ………………….. Rom. 3 :1-20 ; Eph. 2 :1-10
11. Pardon and Justification……… .Rom. 3 :21-31; Ps. 32

18. New Birth ; Eternal life. .John 3 :1-13 ; 1 Pet. 1:18-23; [John 3 :14-36 ; Rom. 6 :22-23 ; 1 John 1:1-4 ; 5 :11,12

25. Testimony and service-Phil. 1:5-14, 27-30; Phil. 2 :5-11

…. "What changes have come since I first wrote to you several years ago ! How wonderfully I have been helped and blessed! It seems to me that the most important moment in my whole life was when I caught a glimpse of the awful majesty and holiness of God, and saw myself measured by it! It makes me tremble when I think of the Great White Throne; for if a Christian, in this day of grace, can feel as I did, what will it be when all hope has fled to encounter the wrath of the Lamb! I feel like exclaiming to everyone whom I meet, "I beseech you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." How terrible, to be lost forever- and almost in sight of land! One wrote, as to a mere shipwreck,

"And the spars and the broken timbers "
Were cast on a storm-beat strand :
And a cry went up in the darkness-
Not far, not far from land !"

" How sad it has been to listen to the jokes about the end of the world on Dec. 17th. It has been difficult to enlighten people because they know nothing about prophecy and the dispensations. They are in such darkness that one feels incompetent when it comes to explanations.

"I have found out many things of late. One is this; You may talk about religion and good works; you may attend church three times a day, and all is well. But if perchance you get interested in the Scriptures as God's own words to you, if you try to exalt Christ, and strive to live out the teaching of that hymn-

"With staff in hand and feet well shod,
Nothing but Christ, the Christ of God,"

then you arouse the antagonism of all classes-religious and worldly alike.

" F– is quite ill, but we trust she may be restored to health. I shall never forget the night when, as we were reading a little gospel tract, she exclaimed with tears;

" That is the first time I was .ever told that we didn't have to do something to be saved.

" I suppose one reason why a free salvation is so hard for people to grasp is because we have to pay for everything else we get." C–.

It is of greatest importance in presenting the gospel to the sinner to show how utterly ruined and condemned by the law he is. The weight of the law's demands, and the sin it condemns, must be felt in the conscience before the need of grace is appreciated. It was this that the 1,500 years of the law's ministry was meant to produce-to bring in man as guilty before God; and so to open his ear to the sweet gospel of God's grace through Christ, the Lamb of God who suffered for us, "the Just for the unjust." What a costly redemption this is – costly to the Son of God who bore the weight of Divine judgment upon sin-blessedly free to us who can bring nothing to Him but our sins.-[Ed.

(A glimpse of nine years labor among cannibal tribes.)

We left America in December, 1911, for the Nyam Nyam (Zande) Tribe of Central Africa said to be one of the largest tribes yet unevangelized. We entered Africa from the east coast, as there are Mission stations part of the way inland on that side. By May we had passed across British East Africa, Lake Victoria, and down the Nile to Lake Albert, passing through Uganda on the way.

Uganda has been evangelized in our own day, and changed from savage paganism and fetish-worship to a quiet civil land of churches and school-houses. The people are industrious, progressive, and largely professing Christians. A generation ago, a company of devoted young men left the comforts of England to give their lives and talents for the evangelization of that then dark land. After very great hardships and sufferings, they had penetrated the seven thousand miles between the coast and Uganda, and under, great difficulties, learned enough of the language to give them the Gospel. In one short generation, Uganda had been transformed.

Across Lake Albert was another tribe, entirely ignorant of the Gospel. How sharp the contrast to evangelized Uganda ! They were expert thieves; when we thought our goods carefully watched, they disappeared as if by magic. Through tropical tempests, when the sky seemed to drop down to earth, in the night they would come. My wife awoke me one night with, "Quick, quick, a leopard or some animal is getting in." It was not a leopard, but thieves, who had already removed loose articles within reach, and were trying to extract the box which formed a part of my wife's bed.

One day I was resting under a tree, near a grass hut, when a band of men dashed up the hill and laid a man's hand at my feet, which they had taken from one of their enemies in revenge for an attack upon them, exclaiming:"They killed one of our men;" and I saw the smoke of burning villages. I explained I was not a Government official, but had come to bring them the message of love from God who is grieved at such things.

A journey of 500 miles further to the northwest brought us in the midst of the great Zande tribe to whom we had come. They had been notorious cannibals, striking terror to many tribes in Central Africa. They had absorbed or conquered many of them. Any tribe that refused to submit, they rushed upon them with their spears, and cries of "Nyam, Nyam" ("Meat, Meat"). They made slaves of children and younger women, and ate other prisoners and the slain.

Near the posts and along the main routes established by the Government, cannibalism is largely abandoned, at least openly:but elsewhere the ancient custom continues.

Their religion is demon-worship. They believe cunning spirits are all about them, and that their favor may be gained by certain offerings and ceremonies. The witch doctor is supposed to know just how to deal with these spirits. He may endow a piece of skull, a bone, or any other object, with magical powers to protect them from wild beasts, diseases, etc. Without these fetishes, sacrifices and incantations (all commonly spoken of as "medicine"), the natives feel themselves helpless victims to evil spirits or whatever may choose to prey upon them; but with these charms they recklessly throw themselves into the greatest dangers:without them they fear the most innocent creatures and are afraid to take the most ordinary journey, lest evil spirits entrap and injure them. The ways of these Africans are beyond comprehension if their superstitions are not taken into account.

The sudden arrival of a white man at a village often causes a general flight to the jungle; sometimes the men remain within sight or hearing, to see what the intruder will do. Whenever we come to such a village, I call to them and ask if they have heard the good news about the Son of God. They answer:"No, we have not heard." Then I tell them that the God who made them and all things about them, loves them, and has given them a spirit that they might know Him, and that they might live with Him in His good home. I explain to them that in the house of God nothing can enter there that will do evil or is bad-no death, no sickness, nothing that gives trouble, but only good.

Then I ask if the darkness can remain in a house when a light is brought in. They answer, "No." Then I say that nothing evil can stay in God's house any more than darkness can stay where the light shines. I assure them that if they have evil desires in their hearts, they will not want to come in God's house, any more than savage animals will come where the light shines. I tell them that God loves them, nevertheless, and wants to purify them from their bad desires and evil deeds, so that they may be fit for His happy home.

I show them my handkerchief, and ask if it would be fit to wipe my face after rubbing it in the mud. They answer, "No." I ask if I should throw it in the fire. They answer, "No, you can wash it." Then I say, "In the same way God does not want to cast you into the fire, but make you fit for His beautiful home. Water can wash this cloth, but it cannot wash your hearts," and I explain to them how God can wash their hearts.

By this time the women are usually returning to see this white stranger, since they hear no cries and see no fighting, but see the men with spears laid down, and seated on the ground, listening to the 'strange news. I point at a woman and ask if she loves the child in her arms. They assure me that she does. Then I ask," Suppose the little one falls into the fire. Does the mother leave her babe there and go away happy?" They look at me queerly and exclaim, "No, it would pierce her heart." Then I tell them that a mother's love is given her by God; that He loves them more than mothers love their children; that He sees the evil things in their hearts, which are worse than the fire which burns the body, and because of this, God sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world, to teach them about Him and His love; that His heart was pierced by the evil that He saw, so that He allowed bad men to nail Him to a cross on which He died for our sins; but after three days He arose from the dead and went up to heaven because there was no evil in Him, and pleased His Father so much by dying for our sins. It is He who sends this good news to all men, and God pardons and cleanses the hearts of those who put their trust in Him.

In a number of villages this message was received with joy, and they would have me stay with them and be their teacher; but I was only able to promise that I would tell my friends about their desire for a missionary. They were told that they could speak to God in their own language-tell Him how they felt about these good news.

One night I listened while those who believed were praying. Put into English, it ran thus:"O God, we thank you that you love us, and sent your Son to die for our sins. We thank you that when He hung on the cross, He let our sins strike His heart and pierce it. Now we do not want any more to do the bad things that made Him die for us; but we want to turn away from all that made Him suffer." When I ask them if they would show this teaching, as well as believe it, that others might see as well as hear what the death and resurrection of the Saviour means, many are glad to do so, and I baptize them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, thus showing to others that they believe that God has sent His Son to die for their sins, and that they also die to their sins and past life, and rise with Him to walk in newness of life. None are baptized unless the other believers are satisfied that the one asking is sincere.

I have seen these men leave their fetishes, their polygamy, and other evil customs, and go here and there to tell others this good news. Some have evangelized so far that it alarmed the Catholics, who expected some day to establish missions amongst them. Strong pressure has been brought to bear upon them, but reports from native teachers sent to visit them speak of evangelization being continued among them, and of gatherings for worship.

In 1915 a journey was made into French territory among the Sudanese tribes not yet gone over to Mohammedanism, A station has been opened there, 750 miles northwest of Uganda and Lake Albert. A trade language called "Sango" is the common medium of communication. A grammar and a vocabulary have been prepared in both French and English, and translations are begun. Scores of tribes in those regions, numbering several million people, are menaced by two great dangers-one physical, and the other, spiritual. The first is "the sleeping sickness." The Tsetse Fly communicates this terrible disease. After infection, there is headache, fever and chills; delirium usually follows, and the victim often becomes violently insane. Half of one tribe has been swept away by it. Other tribes are losing large percentages of their number. If the natives were taught how to avoid the infection, many would be kept from it. May not some take up this labor of mercy ?

The second is Mohammedanism. Mohammedan traders from northern Sudan are bringing in their religion with their wares. Five times a day the villagers see them going through their devotions with their faces toward Mecca. They hear their prayers, and inquire what it is all about, and the teachings of Mohammed are thus spread abroad.

This section, known as French equatorial Africa, is the largest territory in the world wholly without the Gospel, yet the languages are reduced to writing. The routes and centers of population are well known, and practical information is at the disposal of the volunteer. Perils there are in abundance. Few people find the tropics agreeable to health. There are fevers caused by the sun; malaria, by insects, with many other dangers. Yet the Lord of the harvest certainly has true soldiers of the Cross somewhere, and it is the purpose of this brief account to lay before them the needs and opportunities, together with the glorious results of the Gospel which we saw on our journey across Africa, in the hope that some will get the vision and hear the call. Wm. C. Haas

Mr. Hass is probably on his way back to the U. S. to meet his sick wife. He will gladly answer inquiries-[Ed.

What a mighty influence this world exerts over us ! It is ever interweaving something into the framework of our life; drawing a film between the soul and God, and deadening the sensibility of our spiritual perceptions. Like the law of gravitation, which takes effect wherever it is not specially counteracted, so is it in our intercourse with the world. There is an influence ever ready to enter the soul through our eyes and ears, smothering every thing that would lead to something higher; and each day drawing a fresh, hard layer over the heart.

For all this, we need a strong counteracting influence. Our life is too outward; we are not enough alone with God; we live in the unreal, and become unreal ourselves. There must be the calmness of intercourse with God. God's presence is full of reality; and His presence must be the antidote to the withering blight and the hourly infection of the world. The duplicities of the heart, which the world interweaves are held in check by habitual communion with God. This is the only counteracting and transforming influence; if we are not under it, the world will most surely conform us to itself. If we would maintain communion with God, we must be watchful. We must watch against sin, against the world, and against self.

We must watch against sin. Nothing so darkens the soul as sin, or produces so deadening an insensibility; and it gains an entrance with inconceivable subtlety. Just as we contract slight peculiarities of manner, tone, and gait without knowing it, in like manner does the soul become warped and darkened by sin. When it is at the worst, it is least perceived. Thus we come to live without any true relation to the presence of God; consenting to the darkness of our own hearts; cold and dead in our affections; formal and lifeless in prayer; and the whole moral and spiritual nature estranged from God. Pride, vanity, self-complacency, envy, passion, etc.-all follow in the train of this spiritual deterioration.

This is the cause of much of the insensibility and deadness. Sins unconfessed and forgotten lie festering in the dark. It obstructs the spiritual life, and thrusts itself between the soul and the presence of God.

For all this, there is only one remedy-immediate and sincere confession. Come and throw yourself in the arms of everlasting Love! Open your heart, with all its sins and stains, to Jesus. His love is the light in which we shall see our sins, and the light in which we shall see them forgiven.

If sins be allowed to linger, they will only taint and estrange it more :the sins and spiritual decay of today will run on into to-morrow, and these decays will be always advancing.

The true secret of preserving spirituality of mind, and maintaining our communion with God is, to bring our sin to Jesus the moment it is committed, while it is fresh on the soul. In the street, in the routine of every-day life, let the heart go up to Him in unreserved confession. Let us guard against hesitation. Delay opens the door for forgetfulness. The suggestions of God's Spirit are like the flowing of the tide, which, taken at the full, will lift us over every bar; if we tarry and lose them, we are stranded! Let us go at once to the Lord with them all. So shall the "blood of sprinkling" be precious to our souls, and we shall "walk with God."
We must watch against the world. On many Christians, this world weighs heavily, and lowers them to its own standard. All its efforts are exerted to shut out the stern reality of the Cross. Its pleasures and amusements, its mirth and its songs, its religion and its worship, cannot go with us into the presence of the Lord. Let us watch against the standard and tone of its society, as well as against the spirit of its social life.

We must watch against self-pride. Unless God be the center of the soul, it will be a center to itself. Such a spirit is a deliberate contradiction of Him who made Himself of no reputation. Let us watch against ourselves-our self-pleasing and self-love ; our tempers and our spirits ; let us test them in His presence. There we shall see them as they are. There we shall learn the true character of them and of ourselves. In the light of His presence, there are no illusions. All the colors and shadows, the false and changeable hues, the gloss and the glitter which we put upon ourselves in the light of the world, and even in the light of our own conscience, are there dispelled. Thus shall our souls be filled with His brightness, and we shall "glorify God both in our bodies and in our spirits, which are God's." -Selected

5.-ON THE RESURRECTION-BODY

(The 5th chapter of 2nd Corinthians was read.)

B. C. G.-In view of the fact that "we look not at the things which are seen, but the things that are unseen," how do you explain the warning of the apostle, in Colossians 2, against " intruding into the things not seen ? "

C. C.-When guided by revelation, by the Scriptures, there is no intrusion.

B.C. G.-Ah, that's it; if we hold to what God has been pleased to reveal in His holy Word we have the fullest liberty to look into the things that are unseen.

C. C.-We are not to give reign to our imaginations. We are dependent on revelation for what is otherwise altogether beyond our horizon.

B. C. G.-We can know nothing of what is beyond this life by our five senses. We must know it by faith which receives what God has revealed. Now what is the force of " our earthly house of this tabernacle ?"

C. C.-It is our present body. A few remarks on the construction of the tabernacle in the wilderness may be helpful. There was an exterior part, and an interior one. To the ordinary Israelite one was visible; the other was invisible to him. It is the same with us; there is what is material and seen, and what is immaterial and not seen. God has so constituted us.

B. C. G.-That is what man as man is-without regard to conversion or a second birth. All men are both physical and spiritual.

C. C.-Yes; and death is the end of this condition, at least for a time. While we do not apply the term to the inner man, yet death is, in fact, the taking down of the tabernacle, a separation of the spiritual from the material.

H. A.. I.-That is what we have in James, is it not?-"As the body without the spirit is dead,"etc.. That is what we understand by death. The body is left without the spirit.

B. C. G.-It is the destruction of "our earthly house of this tabernacle."

C. C.-Yes; and so there should be no difficulty about the house being the body, a temporary building or structure. The tabernacle was suited to the wilderness. Our body is suited to this present earthly life.

B. C. G.-Called in Job, "houses of clay." C. C.-Just so; and it is of the dissolution of the temporary building that the apostle speaks here, " if our earthly tabernacle-house be dissolved."

F. J. E.-That is the body falling into decay. Death would be, then, the separation of the parts of man, but it in no wise involves extinction.

C. C.-Neither the spirit nor the body becomes extinct at death. It is simply a change of condition. By death man passes out of the present condition into another condition of existence. And the resurrection is the passing out of that separated condition into a different condition of existence again. But it is the same man, the same identity, all through. Conditions change, but personality abides.

H. A. I.-We are told that our material bodies are completely changed every seven years, and some say, even more frequently. Yet we have a consciousness of being the same persons. Our personality is unchanged from year to year, and so in regard to the greater changes yet to come. The same life is in the butterfly that was in the grub.

Ques.-You say that our present bodies are material, what of the resurrection-body ? Was the resurrection-body of the Lord Jesus material ?

C. C.-Yes; only it had become spiritualized. And so with our resurrection-bodies.

Ques.-What then is the condition of the departed believer between death and resurrection ? Is the spirit any more secure than when here on earth in the body ?

C. C.-The believer now is saved; he could not be any more secure than he is at present. In the departed state he is with Christ, at rest; he is not looking for judgment, as in the case of the unsaved.

B. C. G.-It is evident, from the little that Scripture tells us regarding the intermediate state, that believers will be fully conscious and with clearer mentality than here. We shall know even as we ourselves have been known. The wicked too will be fully conscious and awake to what had hitherto seemed of small moment to them.

H. A. I.-We see that in the rich man's concern for his five brethren.

F. J. E.-Will there be physical suffering for the wicked after the resurrection ?

C. C.-There are questions we cannot very clearly answer. Scripture does not throw much light on the resurrection-bodies of the wicked. Yet we know they will all be raised. In i Corinthians 15 Christ is said to be the first-fruits of them that slept. This is not said of the wicked,' of course,, but of the righteous. Yet He will also raise the wicked. Their's will be a resurrection to judgment. But will their bodies when raised be fashioned like ours ? Surely they will not be in His image.

B. C. G.-Surely not. But in what does the difference consist ?

C. C.-Might we say that they will bear eternally in their bodies the marks of sin ? Their bodies will not be raised in glory. Will they not then be of necessity raised in shame ? We are told to fear Him who hath power to cast body and soul into hell, into Gehenna. It is the lake of fire, and the body has its part in that awful judgment. It is everlasting destruction, but not annihilation. A tool is made for a certain purpose:it may be destroyed concerning that purpose-not annihilated. So with man. The lost will not fill the purpose for which they were created; in that sense, therefore, are destroyed.

R. F. E.-Is death an incident or a condition ? C. C.-Dying is the incident. Death is a condition.

Ques.-Is there any such thing as annihilation ?

B. C. G.-No; there is change, but not annihilation. Nothing is ever absolutely annihilated that God has once created.

R. P. E.-It is said that the wicked will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb, Rev. 14:10, 11. What does this imply ?

B. C. G.-It is not the dissolution of the body.

The lake of fire is the second death. They are cast into the lake of fire as complete men.

H. A. I.-"Fear hath torment." I think it is important to see that torment is largely mental. It is not exactly the same as torture, though both the English words are from the same root. But God is never represented in Scripture as torturing men. They are in torment, but it is the direct result of their own sin. The rich man says, "I am tormented in this flame." But there is no thought of God torturing him. When this is seen people cannot accuse God of taking pleasure in man's eternal punishment. Judgment is His strange work.

C. C.-Every man who has refused the grace of God in Christ will be judged for his own sins.

But to go back to our chapter. We are told in regard to believers that if the temporary home is destroyed we are to have a permanent home. In the first part of the verse our present home is characterized as earthly; in the second part, our future home is said to be heavenly, "Not made with hands," But this present body was not made with hands. Why does he then speak of the heavenly body in this way ? I believe we have the explanation in Heb. 9:11, where in the original we read, " But Christ, being come,… by a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands" (not of this ktisis, that is, not of this creation). So the new body is not of this creation, as is the present body. This is what the term, "not made with hands" means. (Read i Cor. 15:44-49). The present body is characterized by suitability to this earth. The future or resurrection-body will be suited to heaven.

H. A. I,-As to "We have a building of God, a house not made with hands," some prominent teachers have sought to make this apply to a spiritual body between death and resurrection.

C. C.-But we have that answered in ver. 4, where the apostle speaks of our desire not to be unclothed. That is, we prefer to live till Christ returns, in which case we would never be unclothed. Otherwise we will be unclothed until the first resurrection and the rapture.

B. C. G.-Death is not putting on some kind of a body. It is putting off the body that we now have. Resurrection is putting on a new body.

C. C.-And so we desire to be clothed upon with our house that is from, or of, heaven.-that is, heavenly in character, and suited to the glory of that scene.

H. A. I.-Some object that the passage says we have a house, etc.; not we shall have one at the resurrection.

C. C.-It is an illustration of how language may be confused. One is reminded of Luther on,"This is my body." Scripture speaks of the things that are not as though they were.

B. C. G.-It is like, "We which have believed do enter into rest."

H. A. I.-Faith sees the unseen things and lays hold of them now.

R. F. E.-What of that word," The spirit returns to God who gave it." Is this true of both saved and unsaved?

C. C.-Yes; it implies that they have to do with God, not with Satan. Men go to God to give account:

R. F. E.-It was He who gave the spirit, and the spirit goes back to Him.

B. C. G.-So then, for the believer we see that while he is at home in the body, he is absent from the Lord; but at death he passes out of the body; he is said to be "absent" from it, but at home with the Lord.

Ques.-Do we understand, then, from what has been said, that "the building of God," the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, is the resurrection-body-not a spirit-body that we put on when we die ? I had always thought it was ours as soon as we leave this mortal body.

C, C.-No; it is clearly the resurrection-body. It is heavenly in character and eternal. It does not come from heaven, but it is "of heaven," or heavenly. Our Lord is said to be the Second Man which is "of heaven." His body did not come out of heaven, but it was heavenly in character. So with the resurrection-bodies of the saints. But "present with the Lord" is not the same thing as being in the new body. Read carefully vers. 7 and 8.

H. A, I.-A careful consideration of the entire passage, that is, of the first 8 verses of the chapter, makes this plain. If we see our bodies wasting away, we rest in hope, for we know we shall have new bodies, heavenly in character. In this present mortal body we groan, longing for the time when we shall have our glorified, our resurrection-bodies, provided we are truly the Lord's-If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked." That is, resurrection itself is not all. Some will be raised and yet be found naked. They will be uncovered in the presence of God, because never having availed themselves of "the best robe;" so they will not find any joy in the resurrection. So we who are saved groan in this body, but we do not long for death, "not that we would be unclothed." But we do long for the return of the Lord when we shall be clothed upon, and mortality shall be swallowed up of life. Now it is for this God hath wrought us. This is what He has before Him, And He has sealed us with His Spirit in view of this very thing. So we wait in faith, confident that all is well whether left here in the body or called to leave it behind and taken to be with the Lord. There is no hint of a spirit-body between death and resurrection.

C. C.-The difficulty is that people do not understand the expression, "Our house which is from heaven." As I have said it is really "of heaven," that is, heavenly. In Romans 2:8 we have the same construction. There, "contentious" is really "of contention." It is what is characteristic.

B. C, G.-It says that mortality shall be swallowed up in life. Does this imply that man as at present constituted is all mortal ?

F. J, E.-A similar passage is that in i Cor. 1-5, '' This mortal shall put on immortality."

C. C.-It refers of course to the body-our mortal body. We wait for the redemption of the body. The man lives on after he leaves the body, while waiting for the new, immortal body.

N. T.-What is involved in departing to be with Christ which is far better ? Just what will be our condition in that state ? I refer to Paul's words in Phil. 1:

C. C.-It is difficult to speak of what one has never experienced. But "with Christ" is enough for our hearts.

H. A. I.-Would you say something now as to the natural and spiritual bodies of i Cor. 15 ? Some people think of a material, or of an immaterial body when they read that scripture.

C. C.-It is really a soul-controlled and a spirit-controlled body. The word for natural is an adjective formed from the word soul. We do not have it in English. The natural body is suited to the soul, which is the seat of man's emotional nature. The new body will be suited to the spirit, which is the highest part of man, the seat of his intelligence. The resurrection-body will be material, but it will be perfectly suited to heaven, as our present one is suited to earth,

N, T.-Is that why the Lord said, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak ? "

C. C. -Yes; the present body is often a hindrance to the spirit. That is why " we groan, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of the body."

B. C. G.-The natural man is really the soulish man. But if walking aright we will not be controlled by our desires or appetites.

H. A. I.-I think it important that we see that the word of God alone pierces even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit. It makes it clear that the soul is the seat of emotion, and the spirit of intelligence.

C. C.-And yet we must guard against the thought of two distinct personalities in the one man. Soul and spirit together make up the unseen man. At death when the spirit leaves the body, the soul, of course, is with it.

B. C. G.-God is said to be the Father of spirits. It is the spirit that gives man pre-eminence above the beast.

C. C.-Adam in innocency had a body suited to the earth. It was of the earth and suited to an earthly existence. Even in his sinless state it was not suited to heaven. It would have had to be spiritualized to be suited to heaven. The resurrection-body will not be capable of decay. It will not need food to repair the ravages of waste and decay, as our bodies do now.

Ques.-In 2 Peter i:13, 14 what does Peter mean by his decease ?

C. C.-It is very striking. He speaks really of his exodus, his going out of his body. This would not alter his personality; it would only be a change of condition.

F. J. E.-Would you give a word on verse 9 in our chapter ?

C. C.-We labor now as saved ones that we may be acceptable to Him. We are His now, but we want His approbation. We wish to be well-pleasing to Him.

B. C. G.-This contrasts with what we have in Eph. i where we are said to be accepted in the Beloved. This is salvation. In verse 9 it is reward, accepted of Him, not in Him.

F. J. E,-In Lev. i we have the burnt-offering accepted for the offerer. In Eph. i we are seen as accepted in Christ, and here we labor to be acceptable to Him.

Now a word as to verse 10.

C. C.-Everything must be manifested before the judgment-seat. I do not think this need be limited to the saints. As we have already seen in verse 3, the apostle has the unregenerate also in mind; so here everyone shall be manifested. It is the judgment-seat of Christ in every instance. The Father has committed all judgment unto the Son. And all will come out for review in that day. If the true story of your life did not come out, would you not feel that you had missed something ? That story will be, for every saint, the manifestation of the grace of God; for believers do not come into judgment, though we shall give an account for all our service and be rewarded or suffer loss accordingly (i Cor. 3.). But giving account of our service as saints is not the whole matter. We will be manifested; and that will be true of the wicked as well, only their manifestation will be at another time-before the Great White Throne.
"I'VE ORDERS NOT TO GO"

CALENDAR:Oct. 16th to Nov. 15th, 1920.

Daily Bible Reading
Oct. 16th, Gen. 15; Oct. 31st, Gen. 30; Nov. 15th, Gen. 45
Memory Work ………………….. Colossians 1:1-20
Good Reading… C. H. M.'s Notes on Numbers, pp. 390 to 472
Monthly Question:-What incidents in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph present typical teaching concerning the Lord Jesus ?

Again we have begun to read through the Book of all books, and this month sees us well through Genesis. Let us see if we gather any fresh thoughts from its interesting narratives, which are so full of suggestive lessons and typical incidents. It has been called "the seed plot of the Bible." I hope many of us have note books to which we can refer, and so compare the thoughts we had with those which come to us as we now read again these precious pages of God's holy Word. A loose-leaf note book is excellent for this purpose, as we can slip in a new leaf in the Genesis section, with our fresh notes relating to it. Such comparison will not only test us as to any real advance made, but may help us to correct some of our previous thoughts, and so make for progress. If you kept in mind our monthly question and your answer to it, as proceeding with your daily reading, it would prove helpful. Again we might take a key-word for the life of the great men of Genesis, such as:Abraham, faith ; Isaac, obedience; Jacob, discipline; Joseph, devotedness- and group together the incidents which illustrate the key-thought.

I hope the precious teaching of Colossians will lay hold of our hearts as we memorize it. What a desirable thing it is to have heart and mind filled with the glories of Christ! And this epistle unfolds them in a peculiarly blessed way.

A Bright Young Life

Of course I could not write freely of him if he were still here. That is one of the unwritten rules we must always observe. We can exhort you, and try to teach you, and scold you in a mild kind of way; but there is much we cannot tell of you, simply because you are still with us, for our cheer and help.

But I can write of this dear boy-for he has gone home, after a few years of bright, eager service for his Lord, of joy in Him, and testimony for Him.

I remember him before it became known to me that he was saved. He would walk out in the park, and around the lake alone, as if he was still seeking for peace with God. I do not know just what portion brought peace to his soul:but I do know it was like John 5:24, or one of those precious verses which have lifted the load from so many hearts.

Then he " bloomed out." Happily at work in the Young People's meeting, and things of that kind. One day he said to me, " I want to get a lot of my friends and companions to come to our house, and for you to give them a gospel talk. That will explain where I stand." Of course, I went, and before the meeting-a large one-began, he and his father and I knelt in prayer for God's blessing. Then we went down-stairs, and standing before them all, our dear boy confessed the Lord to them, and told them that was why he wanted them to come together. Precious testimony from a young disciple of Christ!

From then onward, it was a constant life of service. He was at work in a Bank, and every day at a certain time they would see him slip down in the basement; well they knew what for-to be alone with God. Do you wonder that in his quiet way he spoke, one by one, to everybody employed in that Bank, from the President down ?

Soon he began to have his little meetings, and give out the gospel in a simple, earnest way. He was most useful, and tireless in his study of the Word, and his service for the Lord.

It seemed all too short, this earnest life of loving service. For that dread disease, typhoid, laid hold of him. He did not lose consciousness for long; and at the end it was beautiful. Pointing with his dear weak hand at one of his favorite texts on the wall, he assured his father that he knew all was well, and then fell sweetly asleep. Can you wonder that his memory is so precious to his father and all the family ? S. R.

The Question Box

A few words on the following three questions which have been before us since our July issue may be helpful to some.

Q- 22.-Is there any scripture to show we cannot talk to departed spirits ?

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus would show this. Both are departed spirits pictured for us in their respective abodes in the intermediate state. The request is denied, indicating that a departed spirit cannot come and talk to us, and hence we cannot to them. This is so absolute and impossible, that to the rich man's repeated plea Abraham's answer shows that he can only conceive of its being brought to pass (that is, "one from the dead," a departed spirit, coming to hold converse with five men living upon earth) by the resurrection of some one-" though one rose from the dead." The only way a departed spirit could do what the rich man desired would be a reincarnation, which " resurrection " implies. Further:David said as to Bathsheba's child, " Now he is dead … I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me" (2 Sam. 12:23). The one exception in all Scripture, when a departed spirit visited the earth, is that of Samuel. God intervened 'in this case to the utter astonishment of the witch. The exception proves the rule.

Q. 23.-What scriptures forbid intercourse with such spirits ?-that is, departed spirits. I do not know of one scripture which forbids it, for scripture nowhere permits the thought of it being possible. But it does forbid most emphatically the abominable practice of spiritualistic communications, which those who use them falsely call, Converse with departed spirits. Many are deceived into believing that those from whom the messages come are really departed spirits- which is a lie. It is demoniacal impersonations. Look up Lev. 17:7; 19:31; 20:6,27; Deut. 18:10,11; Isa. 8:19,20; 1 Tim. 4:1-3.

Q. 24.-Is there any scripture to prove that there is no annihilation ? The parable of the rich man shows this. He died, but was not annihilated; nor was he given any hope that his anguish would end in extinction; nor would any relief be given him. Further, the Beast and the false prophet, both living men, " were cast alive into a lake of fire." Did this mean annihilation ?

No! for 1,000 years later it is said," The devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are both the beast and the false prophet; and they [two of whom were men] shall be tormented day and night for the ages of ages" (Rev. 20:10, N. Trans.). To be "tormented" they must exist; the torment and those tormented have no end. There is no annihilation, therefore. This must hold good as to the rest of the dead who are raised and judged at the Great White Throne, and cast into the same lake. Thus they go " into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." This the Lord calls " eternal punishment " (Matt. 25:41, 46, N. Trans.). The subjects of such dealing must eternally exist; annihilation cannot be the punishment meted out, which in such a case would be mercy'; but a mercy impossible to bestow upon those who have died in their sins, and have their character eternally fixed. Not only resurrection, but continuity of existence is proved by the Lord's answer to the Sadducees-God " is not a God of the dead, but of the living; for all live unto Him."

"Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23).

Please address all correspondence for the Young Believers' Dept., to John Bloore, care of Loizeaux Brothers, till further notice.

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow:for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" (Matt. 6 :34).

Tomorrow – what will it bring ?
GOD over everything,
Sending the wind and the rain,
The flowers and the sunshine again.

To-morrow-what will it hold ?
Mercies unnumbered, untold,
Morning, and noon-tide, and night,
And after the darkness, God's light.

To-morrow-how shall I meet ?
God will give wings to thy feet;
He will attend to thy call,
Guard thee from stumble or fall.

To-morrow-how shall I bear
The pressure of sorrow and care ?
God will thy courage sustain;
Constant His love shall remain.

To-morrow-how shall I find
Quiet and stillness of mind ?
God shall rebuke thine unrest,
With His calmness thy spirit invest.

To-morrow-fears must impede;
Great are my wants and my need.
Grace all sufficient is nigh,
God every need shall supply.

M. E. K.

" I think a Christian can go anywhere," said a lady to another in my hearing.

" Certainly," rejoined her friend. "But it reminds me of an incident that happened last summer. A party of friends went with me to explore a coal mine. One of the young women appeared dressed in a dainty white gown. When her friends remonstrated with her she appealed to the old miner who was to act as guide to the party.

" Can't I wear a white dress down into the mine? " she asked petulantly.

" Yes'm," returned the old man. " There's nothin' to keep you from wearin' a white frock in goin' down ; but there won't be much white in comin' back."

Well said, old miner. Well done, young Christian, if you go not in any place where you cannot have the approbation of your Saviour "who suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps " (1 Pet. 2 :21).

CALENDAR :MARCH 16th to April 15, 1920.

Daily Bible Reading

March 16th, Luke 17, March 31st, John 8, April 15th, Acts 2

Memory Work ………………….Ephesians 2:1-22

Good Reading…. .C. H. M.'s Notes on Leviticus, pp. 102

CALENDAR:May 16th to June 15th, 1920.

Daily Bible Reading

May 16th, Rom. 5; May 31st, 1 Cor. 4; June 15th, 2 Cor. 3
Memory Work……………………Ephesians 4:1-16
Good Reading.. C. H. M.'s Notes on Leviticus, pp. 277 to end.
Monthly Question:-Does the epistle of James conflict wither contradict Romans on the subject of Justification ? Consider the difference in teaching, examples adduced, and view-point of each epistle.

In our reading of " Leviticus" C. H. M.'s remarks impressed me, " It is to be feared that many who read the Bible do not digest the Word . . . Let us beware of reading the Bible as a dead form-a cold duty-a religious routine." May faith, appropriation for oneself, cordial assent, reverence, obedience, be the elements entering into our Bible reading and study, and it will become a delight.

In reading Acts did you note its importance as a link between the Epistles and the Gospels ? Without it there would be a distinct blank, a gap, and no adequate explanation of the transition. It is the link which binds the new order and its ministry with that of the Lord when here. First, it shows a continuation of what He began to do and teach, and a fulfilment of certain things He had declared. Secondly, it shows the link with the testimony of preceding ages. Thirdly, it introduces to what was never known before, but thus it proves that all is of one divine whole, a perfect unity of revelation from Moses down to Paul, to whom it was given to complete the Word of God. I wonder if you noted the large number of references to the Old Testament. I think it is the New Testament book which has the greatest number of such references ; Matthew being a close second. The presence and power of the Spirit are very evident both in individuals and the assembly, while also the opposition of the world, politically, religiously and commercially, is manifest.

This month we will read together two very important epistles:Romans, which treats principally of our individual condition and place before God, and 1 Cor. which treats of our corporate relations in the assembly-its order, discipline, ministry and teaching.

I trust you have, and will continue to jot down an outline of your Daily Reading portion; for it helps much to fix the subjects and teachings of the Word in your mind and heart. A helpful illustration of this was given in the Feb. issue.

I should like to say a word to you about our memory work and good reading, but space forbids, so I must leave them with the earnest hope that you will profit much from this month's work.

FRAGMENT A young brother writes:" How thankful we can be to the Lord for giving Himself as the Bread of Life to feed upon. While the days are passing by, Jesus' love is growing sweeter, and soon we shall be in His presence to enjoy Him to the full." Amen, say we.

I am going to give a partial list of the places where we have workers. It may seem strange, but it is hard to get some to report, although they are going on with the work. Some places have Young People's Meetings, but give no account of how they are getting on. I hear indirectly that they are having nice meetings, but nothing direct comes from them. Once more, I am going to ask each one to send a few lines to let us know what you are doing, and then we will have our list. Let the letters come promptly.

Opportunities and Responsibilities

The silence along this line has at last been broken, and we have several contributions all at once, two of which follow. I hope more will be forthcoming. The exchange of our varied experiences cannot fail to be helpful and suggestive.

"You never asked Mothers to write. Didn't you think we belonged to Y. B. D ? .. I think you will be [interested to know of some of the ways to serve Christ at home. During this winter I have not been able to leave the house very much, but still there have been a few means of service. One of my neighbors was very ill, and I was able to do little jobs for her, and occasionally say a word for the Saviour. We got her to the meeting one night. Shortly after, business compelled them to move to another city, but she asked for the address of our meeting. Since then she has written me a lovely letter saying she has accepted Christ as her Saviour. She is now praying for the salvation of her three young boys. At present I am burdened about a very old man, also a neighbor. He is too deaf to speak to at any length, but I have sent for some large print tracts in his own language. Then I am also able to give away a few tracts to the shop-men, post-men, etc. Last, but not least, I have the responsibility of my own little boy, whom I trust the Lord will save in his very early years. . . I have kept up fairly well with all the assigned work of the Y. B. D."

FRAGMENT " The office holds many opportunities for witnessing for Christ, but it also has its times of testing. Large offices, in particular, make a person "show their colors." There are so many little gatherings for some special purpose, and, whereas the motive may be entirely all right, still, if one is really living for Christ, they will realize that they cannot be linked up in any way whatever with fellow-workers, for that is merely one of Satan's ways of keeping the mind occupied with other things than Christ.

" What an opportunity, though, to ' speak a word for Jesus,' when some one sees a Bible on your desk, or perhaps a Scripture Calendar on the wall! Invariably it will start a conversation, and although started in mockery, it may end in what will count for eternity. God expects us, each in our particular place, to let our light shine, and each time a word is spoken makes it easier the next time.

Cheerfulness is the outward expression of the peace of God in the heart, and this in itself is a testimony for Him. Who has a greater reason to be happy and cheerful than a child of God ? The people one works with are ever on the alert to see the effect Christianity has on the life, and as most of our lives are spent at work, it is our privilege to " let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). M. S.-(Detroit.)

Prayer

From our dear Y. B.'s at Detroit word comes that they have already had answers to Requests No. 2 and 4.

This is encouraging. I hope like news will come from other quarters where the requests which have been sent in are daily remembered at the throne of grace. Let us watch for answers. Let us pray without ceasing. Sobriety, watchfulness and prayerfulness are to mark us, for the end of all things is at hand (1 Pet. 4:7).

At one of our Young People's meetings unity of purpose was expressed to " still continue in prayer that God will raise up those whose hearts make them willing to bear that which is for the Lord and His people."

Then, if you will remember, it was suggested in Feb. that we " set apart a few minutes at least once a week for special intercession. Would you suggest a special day in which we will all unite in these intercessions ? " The suggestion is made that we unite in this service on Wednesday. Let us do so. Those making the suggestion remark, " Sweet thought that many are gathered thus seeking our Father's face and presence.

' Tho' sundered far, by faith we meet
Before the common mercy seat.' "

In connection with our prayer may we ever remember that we come to "the throne of grace." It is a throne, speaking of majesty, glory, power, righteous and holy government, though all interwoven with grace. He who has called us, and upon whom we call, is holy. " Be ye, therefore, holy."

Correspondence

It would be delightful to get regularly a little account of proceedings from all the Y. B.'s meetings which are being held at various places. Why not appoint one of your number to write just a little epitome of your meetings, mentioning points of interest, suggestions or questions raised as to what we are seeking to do together, and thus be of mutual help, with closer connection with one another.

Another feature might be added to our " Calendar," with interest to our meetings:it is a "Monthly Question," bearing upon our daily reading or memory work. A brief review of, and answer given, could be incorporated in your account of the meetings. But, in all your meetings, let there be distinct liberty for prayer, our young brethren taking good part in this. Let it not be merely a formal opening and closing prayer, why not a little season of intercession, several taking part ?

A very interesting circular letter from the young people at Toronto, deserves, I think, to be passed on to you all. " Dear Brother or Sister:

On behalf of the Young People we are taking the liberty of sending you a list outlining a definite policy decided upon at our last meeting, March 22, covering various activities in which we feel sure you will be deeply interested, as connected with us by ties of fellowship and testimony which even eternity will not break.

In view of this, and our undoubted responsibility to one another, also the near approach of our blessed Lord's return to redeem His own, we appeal to you personally to help us as we earnestly desire to help you to a more decided stand for the truth. Having, as yourself, committed ourselves to this by taking our place 'outside the camp' identified with a rejected Christ, let us see to it that we maintain His cause that when our course is run we may hear His voice thrilling us as we contemplate the grace that picked us up at all saying, ' Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

As you will notice on the enclosed list there are six committees to be appointed at our next meeting, April 12. The object is to select those most suitable for each committee who will take a real hold on whatever branch of the work may be assigned to them. It will be at once apparent that the co-operation of all must be given to insure the success of our Young People's Meeting, and we are relying on your support to this end. Do not let anything stand in the way when you consider what a great help you may be to a fellow-believer. Remember, dear brother or sister, the judgment-seat of Christ will reveal all. Let us redeem the time because the days are evil."

The objects of the committees referred to may be of interest:

(1) "To follow up the work of the Y. B. D.

(2) To consider Missionary work, both home and foreign.

(3) To promote greater proficiency in singing in view of using it in the Lord's work.

(4) To promote proper social intercourse.

(5) Financial, and (6) a committee to whom the others are responsible for the development of their various activities."

May the Lord give encouragement, and let all be carried on in a lowly, unpretentious, unworldly spirit, with earnestness of heart and Christian love.

Please address all correspondence for the Young Believers' Dept, to

John Bloore, care of Loizeaux Brothers, till further notice.

2. ITS CHIEF CHARACTERISTIC

(Continued from page 189)

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18).

In a former article we have spoken of the low state of Personal Religion and the causes, of it. We assume that our readers have a more or less correct idea of it, but let us consider it in a practical way.

What has been said already will show that personal religion is something more than religious emotions or good impressions on the mind of the individual, which too often terminate with little or no abiding results. The positive characteristic of personal religion is spiritual growth-growth "unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." And to say that it is characterized by growth is only to say that the person is spiritually alive. Growth is the sure sign of life in both the vegetable and animal kingdoms. If a vine branch does not put forth leaves and blossoms, and bear fruit, we say it is a dead branch-the sap of the vine is not circulating through it. So with human life. The infant life increases in strength and stature, gradually developing into the definite form and character which is to characterize it through life. In like manner the spiritual man is to grow and develop to full maturity of likeness to Christ.

Nature, as we know, is everywhere a parable of the spiritual. Natural things form the basis of those beautiful illustrations which are called the "parables" of our Lord. Thus Nature furnishes important parables of religious truths. As organic life manifests itself by natural growth, so does spiritual life manifest itself by growth in grace and the knowledge of the Lord. Spiritual impulses and emotions are not growth, though they may indicate, and proceed from, spiritual life. I ask, then, Is your religion one of growth ? Does it wax stronger against temptations ? Is it more steadfast in faith, more constant and fervent in prayer, more bent on subduing the tendencies of the natural will as the years roll on ? Are your views of God and of Christ gradually enlarging and growing more precious, while more humbling to yourself ? Or is your soul only stirred by passing emotions-like Bethesda's pool stirred at some peculiar times, or is it as "a well of water springing up into everlasting life ?"

My reader, it behooves us to be very careful and sincere in our answer to such questions. They are for the heart and conscience to answer. Is my heart's religion a growing one ? Mark the point, I pray you. It is not whether I have very lively feelings, very warm emotions (these are often constitutional, dependent on physical temperament), but whether I am growing. Nor is it whether I am satisfied with my own life, or think I have reached my ideals-no, not this; but simply-Am I growing?-" growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." .This word, faithfully applied, will reveal to us our state.

But some reader may ask, Can growth yet be consistent with relapses and backslidings ? – of which he is only too conscious. With some assurance I answer, Yes, if it be of infirmity, not of will. Though bruised and weeping, give your hand again to the Lord Jesus; heartily consent to His guidance and humbly trust in His grace. I would not for a moment excuse sin, but at the same time God's people should be instructed that He sometimes brings out of relapses or falls, a burst of penitence, of self-abasement, and ardent desire, as in the case of St. Peter, which gives the soul a powerful forward impulse. Peter had denied Christ in a moment of weakness, or rather, forgot his weakness and exposed himself to the adversary; but he turns from his denial at once when his Master's look recalled him to himself, and weeps bitterly over his fall. Soon after we find that he has grown in grace. We see him throwing himself in the water and wading ashore to meet his Lord-a mute but touching way of saying that his trust in, and affection for, his Lord were deeper than ever.

As an illustration of progress, behold the movement of the in-coming tide. The water will cover that flat, dry beach in two or three hours' time. Yet it is not a progress without some setbacks. Each wave is indeed gaining ground, though wavelets fall back after splashing upon the shore. The great question is whether the heart's purpose is to go on with the Lord, that He may renew our strength and joy in Him.

Again, let us remember (lest any whom the Lord hath not made sad should be disheartened) that real growth is ever slow. We do not see plants growing, but take notice that they have grown. Yet growth is not dormant, but an active state. There is no growth in mere spiritual routine, or in the adoption of low standards. To be pleasing to the Lord must be our object, with watchfulness and prayer, considering our ways.

Let us remark, in closing, that if we are not growing, the only alternative is that we are falling back-sad and serious truth! Neither in spirit nor in the body is there a stand still or neutral state. Of every one of us it may be said that he is either rising or falling in his spiritual condition. We are either under the influences of the Spirit of God or under those of the world and the natural mind. One or other of these influences is operating in each one of us. If there be no spiritual growth there must decay – the encroachments of worldliness and sin. Our conversations, our thoughts as we pass along to our daily work, our spirit in the transaction of business, all tend more or less remotely to form our character. Let us look to it, then, that our purpose at least is for the better. If it has been otherwise, let there be, at this very hour, a turning to the Lord who is ready to pardon, whose grace is able to keep and restore to newness of life.

(To be continued.)

5.-The Twofold Aspect of Prayer

"Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Ps. 141 :2).

We have in our previous chapter looked at prayer in connection with our personal needs. We regarded it as an out-pouring of the heart before God in our trials, burdens and wants. This it surely is, but it is also more than this. Let us therefore consider it now in the aspect of homage and intercession.

In the passage which heads this chapter, the Psalmist very beautifully compares prayer to the incense and sacrifice which were daily offered under the old dispensation as types of what it is now our privilege to offer to God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" Let my prayer be set before Thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." And let us connect this with that other scripture of exultant praise, "Unto Him that loveth us and hath washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever." Every Christian therefore is a consecrated priest "to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ " (i Peter i:5).

If any ask what are the sacrifices here spoken of ? They are, first, our bodies presented as "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God "-that is, as His intelligent servants (Rom. 12:i). Then our prayers (including under this general term, intercession, thanksgiving and praise, no less than petitions for ourselves) are to ascend as the fragrant incense-cloud, which arose to God from the golden altar in connection with the evening and morning sacrifice upon the brazen altar :the altar representing the Person of Christ-"the Altar which sanctifieth the gift."

The view of prayer thus sketched out is very distinct from that which has our personal needs in view; and the importance of it should be manifest to every one; for prayer is to be not only serviceable to man, but honoring to God. As you kneel down before God, therefore, think of yourself not simply as a suppliant for help as to your personal needs, but as a priest to offer thanksgiving and praise to God the Giver of all good-our Saviour-God and benefactor. With this there is to be intercession "for all men, for those that are in authority-that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty"-for the spread of the gospel through the earth, for the saints in their temptations, and our fellow-men in the various trials through which they pass.

Prayer, like faith, is a perfectly simple thing; but, practically, how constantly hindered is this "coming to God"-what obstacles are thrown in its way! Our adversary, the devil, is well aware of the power of real prayer; all his devices therefore are employed to hinder it. So long as it is a mere routine, a lifeless exercise with no sanctifying power in it, he is quite content, and has no concern as to it; but if it be real communion with God that we seek, then his efforts in one shape or another will be put forth to hinder it. And, besides this, the carnal mind, the flesh, is in us, hindering, diverting and distracting the soul in its desires for communion with God-and by what very trifles it often does it! The experience of true saints will bear witness to this.
There is, too, a needed state or condition of soul in this coming to God, which is pointed out by our Lord in Matt. 5:23, 24; 6:15, and Jas. 5:16. Therefore we are exhorted to " be sober and watch unto prayer" (i Pet. 4:7); to "pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints" (Eph. 6 :18).

There is a tendency, and this of frequent occurrence, to desist from prayer when the comfort and satisfaction desired by it is not forthwith realized. Such unjustifiable demeanor is traceable, in part at least, to misconception. It is forgetting, or failing to see, that prayer is an act of homage to God, as well as an expression of our needs. Prayer is so often regarded simply as a means to obtain inward peace, comfort of mind, or deliverance from trial, that we become utilitarians as to prayer, and are ready to leave off praying when need is unfelt, or sensible benefit is not realized. If it were regarded as homage to the Divine Majesty, as well as a means of access to our Provider and Friend, the leaving off of prayer would then appear as a dereliction of duty. Has not prayer often an aspect of peevish indulgence, in which God is merely appealed to for help, but robbed of His due of praise?

Let the Christian, therefore, persevere in presenting himself before God with his tribute of praise, spite of all hindrances-come they from within or without. It was a quaint but excellent saying of an aged saint, that "a Christian should deal with distractions in prayer as a man would with dogs that run out to bark at him-Go on straight forward, and take no notice of them." This quiet, resolute perseverance is surely most acceptable to God; and be sure of this that, as we persevere in prayer, it will not be long before the treasury of God's bounties will open to us as to the Syro-Phoenician woman who, having taken the lowest place, the Master admiringly turned to her, saying, "O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt."

But with how many, even earnest Christians, has the character of homage in prayer, which has reference to God's glory rather than to man's wants, seemed to have dropped out of sight. Robbed of this character, prayer soon becomes entirely selfish, being narrowed to our own necessities. How desirable therefore to redeem it from this purely selfish aspect, that it may have a wider scope and grander bearing. But keeping in mind what has been said as to its priestly character will help to this desirable end.

First, then, as to intercession, acquire the habit of interceding for others. Consider their wants, trials, difficulties, and bear them in priestly service as you bear your own before the Throne of Grace. The very form of what we call "the Lord's prayer" should teach us this more emphatically than many sermons. Notice how it is constantly "our" and "us." After the first petition with regard to God's honor and glory, it is "give us," "forgive us," deliver us "-it is prayer as members of a family whose wants, sins, temptations, are upon the petitioner's heart ; it forms the style, and is the burden of prayer as taught by the Lord.

Secondly, let praise, not only thanksgiving, but praise, be found in our prayers. We thank God for what He is to us, for the benefits He confers upon us, and the blessings with which He visits us. But we praise Him for what He is in Himself-for His glorious excellences and perfections, independently of their bearing on the welfare of the creature. In praise, thoughts of self vanish from the mind; therefore, to delight in praise, counteracts the natural tendency to selfishness which is found in mere prayer.
Remember that, as a priest, thou art called to render praise to God. Merely as a man, thou art made in God's image, possessing an immortal spirit by which thou art related to God-His offspring! Thou art also connected with the lower creatures, in virtue of having soulish sensations and appetites, and with matter also by virtue of thy material body. Thus, in thy songs of praise to God, all Creation in a manner sings in and with thee. And it shall often happen that, if thy heart is numb and torpid, when thou recount to thyself these endowments and mercies of thy God, it shall begin to thaw, and at last burst like the breath of Spring from its icy prison, with the warmth and genial outflow of praise. The deadness and distractions thou deplorest shall melt away, and thy harp be strung to celebrate the Divine perfections Consider that the angels above are offering unceasing praise. Nature, in her every sphere-from the heavens above which declare the glory of God, down to the dewdrop sparkling with the colors of the rainbow; and as the lark tuning her cheerful song salutes the rising sun, the whole creation sends up a chorus of praise to the throne of God. And thou, redeemed by the Lord who shed His own blood, poured out unto death for thee, hast thou not double praise to mingle with the heavens and the earth in celebrating the wonders of God's power, love and grace-over-abounding to thee ? The sense of it shall kindle life in thee; and prayer shall become, not a wrestling, but a solace, bringing light, joy and peace. E. M. G.

CALENDAR:June 16th to July 15th, 1920.

Daily Bible Reading

June 16th, 2 Cor. 4; June 30th,Gal. 5; July 15th, Col. 4
Memory Work ………………….Ephesians 4:17-32
Good Reading…, . .C. H. M.'s Notes on Numbers, pp. 1 to 94.
Monthly Question:-While there is marked similarity between Eph. and Col. why, in the latter, is there no direct mention of, or teaching, concerning the Holy Spirit ? Also, while in both of these epistles there is much warning against sin and evil practice, why is there none in Phil., nor even the mention of sin?

In our Good Reading course we commence a new book, which treats of Israel's wilderness experience, furnishing us with profitable lessons as to what we are in ourselves, and also of God's ways and character, and mercy by the way. Let us read the "Notes" with care and strict attention, following up the scriptural references which are given, and much will be found to exercise heart and conscience as to our walk in the world. It is well for us to find it the wilderness that it is-a spiritual desert to Christ's true followers. But the Lord is with His people, so He says, " Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice."

In Exodus we had the great truth of redemption; our going out from the world, from the bondage of sin and its judgment. In Leviticus the Sanctuary and priestly service occupied us. There it. is our going in to God's holy presence as worshipers; now, in Numbers, it is our going through this great wilderness as His people and He with us all the way through.

I hope the number of readers is constantly increasing ; won't you who are diligently following up the work seek to get other Christian friends interested? Send or give help and food to them with an earnest appeal that they join us in our work together. I am sure there are many earnest young believers all around us who might be reached by a friendly appeal to come along and share the good things from the Lord, and mutual fellowship. I look for a good response to last month's request of all who are following Y. B. D. to send in their names.

Our Bible reading for this month covers a wide range of most blessed truth. We go through five of the most important epistles. Oh that we may be prayerful, careful, thoughtful readers of these wondrous unfoldings of divine love, grace and power. Let us not fail to get our daily portion from God's bountiful storehouse, and by it be sanctified. 2 Corinthians is largely the epistle of ministry in which Paul is before us as the pattern servant in the ministry of Christ. As we read it let us remember his words, "Be ye followers of me." In Galatians note the several allusions to the cross and crucifixion. When reading Ephesians, in addition to the wonderful truth of Christ and the Church, trace the references to the Holy Spirit, and the frequent use of the words,"walk," "love," and the title " Lord." Philippians has been called " the happy epistle." The words "joy" and "rejoice" occur many times. Mark them. We might epitomize its chapters in this way:-chap. 1:Living for Christ. Chap. 2:Living like Christ. Chap. 3:Living to win Christ. Chap. 4:Living in the power of Christ. The epistle to the Colossians gives us varied glories of our blessed Lord, and shows how He "is everything, and in all" (N.T.) to the new man. Think of it, we shall be with him forever ! Shall we not seek to get well acquainted with Him here? What a blessed, satisfying, never-failing Companion! We'll walk with Him " through grace supplied," and so the more closely with one another.

Correspondence

I have received an interesting letter of suggestions from a dear young Christian, the substance of which I hope to give in our next number. It is cheering to get these letters which show exercise and interest. I know there are many demands on your time in these strenuous days of " push," still, a few lines telling how you are getting on, with mention of what may be of interest to others, will be welcome and appreciated.

A salutary desire is expressed by one:" That God will fill my heart, and the heart of each of us, with the desire to be known as a Christian by all those with whom we come in contact, and keep us from hindering the Holy Spirit in this."

We are to be warriors, waging the Ephesian conflict ; servants, doing good to all men, but especially to the household of faith; priests, who worship by the Holy Spirit, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Requests for Prayer

No. 6. "For my dear brother that he may be brought to know the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, and have peace and rest in Him."

No. 7. " It having been laid upon the hearts of the young men to serve the Lord in open air work, it is desired that others share in asking for blessing on this service." This precious service will doubtless be engaged in by many in various parts. It is also the season for tent work. In our prayers may we constantly remember the outgoing of the gospel in its world-wide extent. _____

Vacation Time

During the coming summer-months many of you will enjoy a vacation-a happy little release from the routine of daily occupation. You all have my hearty wish for a happy, wholesome season of recreation and recuperation. But there won't be any Y. B. D. vacations for any of us, will there ? I hope not. Don't fail to slip C. H. M.'s Notes into your suit-case, also a supply of gospel tracts, and your Bible note-book, you'll need it for the daily Bible reading. Don't omit your memory work, thinking you can make up when you get back. " Making up " is tiresome work. May you have many opportunities to speak a word for the Lord, give a tract, or interest any Christians you meet in our work together, " Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters." ____

Opportunities and Responsibilities

These little contributions give us a chance to learn of one another's experience along the path of life, and I hope will prove helpful by way of suggestion.

In Office Work

Christians, as "volumes lent from God's library," are read by the world-and, "if in the way" (Gen. 24:27), God will surely lead us so that He can be glorified, even by the little things in our lives; but there are times when one can especially witness for Christ in a public way.

All can be " sowers of incorruptible seed " by leaving tracts in street cars and giving then to those with whom we have daily intercourse in the office, and " God is able" to bring forth fruit. Opportunity of handing out several Scripture calendars was made through people becoming interested by seeing one near my desk; thus in a small way, God's Word has gone forth, and according to His promise, "shall not return void." Another way of testimony has been in the giving of thanks at meals, where people knowing me at office have sat at the same table (1 Cor. 10:31). This is something the world never does, and for the moment, at least, it makes them think of the One they must some day meet.

On several occasions, the refusal of theater tickets has given the opportunity to tell of the "better things" which I enjoy as a Christian-communion with [my heavenly Father, and reading His precious Word.

In Factory Work

I must confess that I fail to use all my opportunities, but there is an opportunity and responsibility, in which it is needful for factory employees, like! myself, to be faithful; that is, a Christian's attitude towards the unions.

They are busy organizing on all sides, and there is but one answer that we can give them when they approach us-that is, "No, I cannot join your union because your union is not controlled by Christ, nor made up of Christians, but of unbelievers; and God's Word says that a Christian is not to unequally yoke himself with unbelievers" (2 Cor. 6:14).

To shun a clear-cut testimony regarding this will rob us of joy and communion. But there is joy and blessing for one who will "nail his flag to the mast," and then, if one loses his job he will have fellowship with his Lord in rejection, and not simply lose it because he will not join the union – not publicly confessing Christ. The loss of a job may be a good way of emphasizing one's testimony. Thus, perhaps some will be saved-if not, they will be responsible for having seen and heard a faithful testimony for Christ. So let us be faithful to Him that we may win a crown to cast at His feet.

The Question Box

In our Feb. issue, Ques. 16-19 appeared, and a few answers have been received. They being quite similar, I give their substance with a few added words.

Q. 16. Babylonish thought centered on their idols. The names of Daniel and his three friends bore witness to Jehovah, some contraction of the sacred name appearing in each. It is thought that their names were changed in an effort to eradicate what gave constant witness to Jehovah, if their Israelitish names had been retained. However, it can hardly be said we have conclusive evidence that this was the object, or that the new names bore relation to Babylon's idols. There is evidence that it was the custom of conquerors to change the names of prominent captives (2 Kings 23:34; 24:17). This constituted a token of, and constant reminder of, the fact that they were in the place of subjection to the conqueror.

Q. 17. "Upharsin is the active participle plural- literally, dividings. Peres is the passive participle, meaning divided. The first is the announcement of judgment; the second that the judgment was even then being executed, the enemy having come into the city between the time of the hand-writing and its interpretation by Daniel."

Q. 18. Believing Jews are certainly not under law. Gal. 3:24-28; Eph. 2:16-18. God's grace which brings salvation goes out to Jew and Gentile alike for acceptance by faith. Rom. 10:12; Acts 13:38, 39.

Q. 19. The promises made to Abraham are called "A covenant confirmed beforehand by God " (Gal. 3:17, N. T.). The promises constitute it.

Please address all correspondence for the Young Believers' Dept, to

John Bloore, care of Loizeaux Brothers, till further "notice.

CALENDAR:JAN. 15th to FEB. 15th, 1920.

Daily Bible Reading,.. . Jan. 16th, Matt. 1; 31st, Matt. 16 [Feb. 15th, Mark 3

Memory Work…….. Jan. 15-31, Gal. 6:10-18, and Review [Feb. l-15th, Eph. 1:1-14.

Good Reading Jan. 15-31, C. H. M.'s Notes on Exodus, pages 319-373. Feb. 1-15, C. H. M.'s Notes on Leviticus, pages 1-30.

As announced last month, our calendar now extends from the 16th to the 15th of the month. I hope this will cover any delay in receiving the magazine.

We now begin the most wonderful of all the revelations of God-the New Testament. May it be blessed to every one of us in a special way. Let not our familiarity with it cause us to read it carelessly, but let us seek things new and old out of it. Above all may we learn to know, love and serve our blessed Lord better than ever before.

Matthew occupies us for nearly the entire time, and well it may. Below I name one or two useful books on this Gospel for those who have time for extra work.

In Memory Work, we devote the remainder of January to completing the last chapter of Galatians, and to a strict Review of the entire epistle. Remember the promise I made last month-a copy of " How to Study the Bible," bound in cloth, to every one who will repeat at one time the entire epistle without mistake, before two or more persons. The recitation must be practically perfect, allowance being made for only two slight verbal blemishes in each chapter, such as " who," or "which," for "that," or some equally insignificant error. But my object is to have it letter perfect. This will mean a strict preparation in private, with memorandum of every slip noted, and that verse gone over and over till you are sure whether it is " God the Father" in chap. 1:3, or "God our Father;" whether it is "from the," or "from our Lord Jesus Christ," etc., etc. You see it will be no easy matter, but won't it be worth while ?

Now how many answers am I going to have to this proposal ? I assure you I shall not complain if there are many successful ones. I will tell you, I am trying for it myself, and shall have the witnesses. I also promise to let you know if I fail to be practically perfect in my recitation.

I think you will all agree that Ephesians is a good epistle to follow Galatians. I will not say much about it this time, except to point out that as Galatians answered to the book of Exodus, so Ephesians does to Leviticus. I think, too, you may find memorizing this epistle a little easier than the other, for several reasons, one of which is the practice you have had.

Our last feature of work is the reading of C. H. M. We finish Exodus, and in February begin Leviticus. I don't see how any one who has earnestly read Exodus can fail to have received the greatest profit in the fundamentals of our faith. We have already in Exodus had some rich foretastes of typical truth; and in Leviticus we plunge into the very heart of this form of inspired teaching.
EXTRA BOOKS

For those who have time, it will be helpful to read "Kelly on Matthew," in connection with our daily reading ; and Kelly on Ephesians in connection with the memorizing of that epistle. The Notes in the Numerical Bible on Leviticus are very useful, as indeed on Matthew and Ephesians.

New Recruits

I can't close this introductory part of our Y. B. D. without reminding you of a great opportunity you have to enlist the interest of others in our regular work. Have you friends or acquaintances who could be induced to attend the Young People's Meetings, to read and study with us ? Have you had the pleasure of securing one such person ?

There has been a gratifying increase in subscribers to Help and Food, which I think is partly due to your efforts. So let us take courage and see how many more you can interest.

Requests for Prayer

There has not been very much time for these to come in, but I hope it will meet a need in many quarters. I hope that Request No. 1 is still being laid before the Lord, and that in answer to our prayers there will be a helpful line of intercession opened up among us.

Opportunities and Responsibilities

Silence! Not another response since the interesting communication of last month. Our trained nurses; stenographers; teachers; office-workers; High School grads and students-nothing. Come, let us hear from you, please. Don't hold back, but send in your little articles of 200 words more or less.

A Sunday School Treat

I must tell you of a very enjoyable and interesting time I had a short time ago. It was a " Tea Meeting," and Sunday School Celebration, that those of us who were there will not soon forget.

First, everybody was invited, young and old. We met at 6.30 for tea, with the young folks passing the good things around, and having lots of fun out of it in a quiet way.

After the tea-things were cleared away, we had the meeting. There was a good deal of singing from our "Grace and Truth Hymn Book, sometimes by the whole audience, and sometimes by the older scholars.

Then each class had prepared some special feature; the little ones recited verses, sometimes singly and sometimes in unison. Sweet little poetic selections were recited-"God is good;" "Who loved me." A representative from a girl's class read the favorite verse of each number of the class from the Epistle to the Philippians. We were much impressed with the " model lesson" by a member of the Young Ladies' Bible Class. She read the account of our Lord's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, followed by His denial by Peter, and as she said," The lesson for me was that it is easy to confess the Lord when everybody is celebrating Him, but hard when we are all alone, surrounded by His enemies"-we could agree with her that it was a lesson for all of us.

Another feature was the recitation by the Young Men's Bible Class of the whole First Epistle of Peter. The leader began, reciting several verses; each one took it up where the other left off, the whole class finishing the chapter; then the next until all was finished.

Altogether, it was most enjoyable to everyone present. Were the old folks in the way ? Oh no! They would have been missed. Was there plenty of enjoyment ? Yes, indeed; smiles and happiness, without foolish levity. Each one was wanted, each filled their right place, and all were helped. It gives some hints for all our young people's meetings, while not exactly the same, yet it was the spirit of youth and of age mingling together in the enjoyment of the things of God.

A Happy New Year

These words will be used thousands, we might almost say millions, of times during the few days that begin the New Year. They will be sent on beautiful, artistic cards, be enclosed in loving letters, spoken over the telephone, and exchanged in the greetings of visitors or friends as they pass on the street. And is not happiness a good wish ? It is indeed, and there is plenty of need in this sad world for more of it, and of the right kind. Now I am sending each one of you dear young fellow-Christians, this wish, that this may be, in the fullest, truest sense, a Happy New Year.

Let me tell you, though you know it, the secret of true happiness for a Christian:" Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thy heart" (Ps. 37:4). If He fills our hearts, if we let His word dwell in us richly, if we trust Him constantly for everything, we will have true happiness. There is no other real happiness. Pleasure there may be in forbidden paths of folly, but only for a season, and at its best it is empty, and not true happiness. Let us all be wise, and give Him the first place in our hearts, and then we will all have a truly Happy New Year.

Resolutions

I am not going to advise you to make many resolutions, and certainly none in your own strength. But this is the time with storekeepers to "take stock," and to make plans for business in the coming year. We might do a little of that with profit, I am sure.

Starting with what is immediately before us, the Y. B. D., looking back over the year, I am very glad we started it, aren't you ? It has, I think, stirred us up, helped us to do a good deal of reading and study we might not otherwise have done, and served to bind us much more closely together. So far, so good. Now what about some plans, or resolutions, for the coming year ? For myself, I hope to make these pages more attractive and useful than they have been, to remember more constantly all of you in prayer, and to be ready to help and counsel in any way I can. I also hope to have the manuscript in the hands of the dear, long-suffering Publishers in better time.

Now for you, what are your resolutions? Oh no! I'm not going to tell you; that's for you to do; to go aside and think it all over, look back over the past year, and then simply and prayerfully to undertake afresh the things laid on your heart.
The Question Box

There has hardly been time to receive answers to the questions of December; but I have a few. One writes:" We are endeavoring from now on, D. V., to hold our meetings in the middle of the month, and we trust to have some answers to the Question Box at that time."

QUE. 5. " What is the meaning of Isa. 42; 19, Who is blind but my servant?"

answer 1.-" Israel is the servant, and was both blind and deaf, just as to-day people who will not receive the gospel are both blind and deaf."

ANS. 2.-" Doesn't the Lord refer to Israel as His servant ? They were deaf and blind because they were away from Him, in sin and idolatry."

ANS. 3.-"The 'Servant' in the first part of the chapter refers to Christ, but in the 19th verse it refers to Israel. Israel took the place of being the Lord's servant and His messenger, and professed to be perfect, yet because of their sin they were blind and deaf."

ANS. 4.-" The blindness came upon the leaders, the prophets of Israel, Isa. 6:10, for disobedience and rejecting the Lord of glory, refusing the light, Jno. 12:35-41; Ps. 69:23-26. So refusing the righteousness of God, Rom. 10:3, they are given over to blindness, Acts 28:25-28; Matt. 13:14, 15; Isa. 6:9-11, until restoration."

These are all excellent answers. It is interesting to notice that the Remnant and the restored nation will again be the Lord's servant, not deaf and blind, but with opened eyes and heart to His will.

QUES.-"Was king Saul a saved man ?"

ANS. 1.-" I think 1 Chron. 10:13,14 plainly says that he died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, and against the word of God which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, 1 Sam. 28:7-18."

ANS. 2.-"I think 1 Sam. 18:12 shows Saul was not a saved man, for it says the Lord was departed from Saul. The Lord would not depart from a child of His."

ANS. 3.-" There is no scripture to tell us Saul was a saved man, and his whole history seems to show that he wasn't. He was a man after Israel's heart, and not chosen of God."

ANS. 4.-"1 Chron. 10:13, 14."

All these answers are good and scriptural. There is one thing to remember:the Old Testament gives us the government of God, largely in relation to the present life. There are of course glimpses into the future, but in the main the judgments relate to the present life. But moral character is displayed, and judging from this there is little to give comfort in thinking of this poor man, so highly favored, and so unworthy.

A servant of Christ in impaired health and _£. depressed spirits had left his home to spend a few weeks at the house of a relative who resided in an inland county.

While taking a walk one morning, he saw an old man sitting by the roadside, breaking stones with which to mend the road. He came to the stone-breaker, and asked him his age.

"I shall be seventy-two if I live till next Wednesday," answered the man.

"I thought you must be about that age:I am sorry to see one so advanced in years obliged to work so hard; you find it very exhausting."

"Indeed, sir, it is hard work, but not so hard as when I used to do it standing. I find it much easier since I took to do it on my knees."

"Your work is hard, indeed," said the preacher. "Yet mine is much harder."

"Yours, hard work?" said the stone-breaker inquiringly; "You are a gentleman:you don't know anything about harder work than this. Though, thank God, I can work and be happy, too."

"Ah ! my good man, you are speaking to one who is oppressed with the greatness of his work. I work for the salvation of souls. I should be as happy as you are if I could break the stony hearts of my hearers as easily as you break these stones."

"Perhaps you try to do your work standing, sir," was the quick rejoinder. " Try to do it on your knees, sir. I think you'll find you can do it then."

" Thank you, my good man, your advice is worth consideration."

"Why, don't you see," said the stone-breaker, "if you try on your knees to do your work, you get Almighty God to help you, and the work will be well done, and more easily done too."

As the preacher went on his way, the old man's words occurred to him again and again, "Try it on your knees:try it on your knees," and he decided that in going back to his work again he would more frequently " try it on his knees." -Selected.

There are others besides preachers who need to "try it on their knees." How much worry, petulance, ill-tempered words with consequent uneasy, if not defiled, consciences would be avoided if our difficulties were first met on our knees. The spirit subject to God, the heart at rest^under His care -what an exchange from our fretful, anxious thoughts ! Let us "try it on our knees."

As some have asked for an expression in help and food as to the " Interchurch World Movement " we give a few words on this Babylonish garment thrown upon the shoulders of the Church for its Christian name and support. It is a huge educational – philanthropic plan, based upon the popular idea that Christ was a reformer, of noble ideals, and what more or less imitates this is called Christianity. As to atonement by the Son of God, new birth, peace with God, deliverance from Satan's power, Christ's personal return and the judgment to come, it wisely keeps silence, as that would rend the combine from center to circumference. It is well-known that a large part of its most ardent supporters are inimical to these foundation truths of true Christianity.

A well-known newspaper correspondent, William G. Shepherd, has given his observations on this movement, from which we extract the following:

THE INTERCHURCH WORLD MOVEMENT AT CLOSE RANGE

A week in a private car, touring with a party which included John D. Rockefeller, Jr., served to give me their viewpoint. During that tour I saw nine audiences of business men thrilled to the point of cheering as Rockefeller and others told of the safety that would come to the world and to property and homes if the doctrine of love, as preached by the " Carpenter of Nazareth," was lived by all men.

Rockefeller himself said in his addresses that the sum needed for this year stunned him at first, but that he had finally come to the conclusion that it could be raised; indeed it must be raised. The audiences heard much of money and little of spirituality.

All this puzzled me, as it would have puzzled any outsider who had heard of " the old-time religion." I felt that a great chasm separated these ardent men, who were resorting to money for the furthering of the kingdom of God, from those other men in the church, whom I met in every city, and whose motto was not money but a Bible verse which runs :"I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me."

I cannot attempt to pass judgment on the issue. If I had been asked on which side of the controversy I would throw my lot, I could not have told you. But it seemed to me that the men with the Bible motto were more sure of their ground, more certain of success, if their motto was followed, than were any of the men who were asking for millions.

I saw audiences of laymen sit in the same puzzlement in which I found myself.

The first requisite for this Interchurch World Movement is money. The fabulous amount of 336 million dollars was, as first planned, needed for the five years' enterprises contemplated (though this amount has been much reduced of late, it is said), therefore the wealthy, irrespective of creed, had to be enlisted, and all the churches were to pledge themselves to raise the amounts apportioned to each branch. Some, it is said, have already pledged themselves to it.

And for what purpose are those vast amounts to be raised ? First, for the offices of various committees, each to plan and forward a vast propaganda " with American ideals." Some to take up neglected districts in view of better social conditions, send out literature, establish schools where needed, sustain poor churches, and help theological institutions to send out young preachers with the new ideas of Christianity. The chairman of one of these committees, writing to the Editor of a religious magazine desired his co-operation, asking him "to compile a comprehensive list of dramas, plays, pageants, masques, special day programs, etc., fitted to serve purposes of moral and religious education, or to develop community and neighborhood ideals."

All is to be carried out on a business footing, in business ways, which means of course fair salaries for the large number of persons engaged. A religious paper, widely circulated, says, "No movement, religious or secular, can go forward without money. Great spirituality, in the cause of the Interchurch, was a vital necessity, but spirituality could not succeed without funds to support the workers and make the world acquainted with its purposes."

With the Bible in hand, we might ask, What funds were collected by the apostles for the great work of Pentecost ? What funds carried the apostle Paul and those with him in spreading the glad tidings of Christ from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum-some 800 miles ? " Silver and gold have I none," said Peter to the cripple, shortly after Pentecost. "Yea," said Paul to the Ephesian elders, " ye yourselves know that these hands (his own) have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me." And the Master Himself?- oh, when we compare the Interchurch World Movement with the noble company of Christ and His followers it is a fall from heaven to the miserable ways of a world away from God, arrogating to itself the boastful "new ideals" of Christianity !

Contentions in the ranks of this Interchurch World Movement are occurring, as might be expected
and even signs of disruption. Whatever the outcome may be, it will but serve as a step toward that grand union called in Scripture"Babylon the Great." Christian ! if you value the truth, given to us by the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures, turn away from a movement which thinks that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

CALENDAR:Aug. 16th to Sept. 15th, 1920.

Daily Bible Reading

Aug. 16th, Heb. 10; Aug. 31st, 2 Pet. 2; Sept. 16th, Rev. 6
Memory Work……………….. Ephesians 5:22-6:9
Good Reading… .C. H. M.'s Notes on Numbers, pp. 201 to 292
Monthly Question:- Find all the references to the Lord's second coming which occur in our Bible Reading for this month, and note difference of connection and teaching.

In our Bible Reading for this month we have a great variety of matter given through five different servants of the Lord. The chapters in Hebrews give, first, our entrance into the holiest, then the wilderness-walk in the power and blessing of faith, closing with exhortations to steadfast continuance in the path of faith in view of the end before us, and present separation "unto Him."

The epistles which follow develop the practical character of God's people on earth. James and Peter speak largely of what is external as to the walk of Christians, their manner of life before men. John presents the internal character, the truth of eternal life in the believer, by which the external becomes a manifestation of God in His children. Jude warns in view of departure and apostasy, and shows what is to characterize the Christian in the midst of the condition he so vividly describes. Note that James tests the profession of faith by the works produced. Faith is considered "dead," if it bears no fruit. Throughout, it is a question as to the testimony we render by our daily life as to the reality of the faith we profess.

Peter's subject is largely the government of God over His people, and His will for them in present circumstances in which suffering and trial from various sources is experienced, but with the kingdom in view.

In John's epistles we have the manifestation of the divine life in the believer, by which he is known as "born of God." This is by love and righteousness, the result of being in the light, which God is. In the second epistle the truth is emphasized, and in the third love.

We now commence the wonderful book of Revelation. In its first six chapters we get, first, the vision of Christ in glory in relation to the churches, and His message to them. Then the vision of the throne in heaven, and the Lamb as the Opener of the scroll of judgment upon His adversaries.

In the Notes on Numbers I would call your special attention to the opening pages of our portion for this month. They press a timely message for today. Let the young believer take heed to it.

A Word of Warning

I want, in love and faithfulness, to pass on a word of admonition to our young people in reference to practices which have come to my notice; and, which, there is cause to fear, are more widespread than may appear. For the things of which I am going to speak mean the undermining of our testimony to Christ, and the destruction of practical Christian life by conformity to the world.

Perhaps some will ask, What is the world ? What is worldliness ? The term "world" is of frequent occurrence in Scripture, and has various meanings. I will speak of it in one connection only. It is applied to that to which we are not to be conformed (Rom. 12:2); to that with which we are not to be friends, for if we are, we constitute ourselves "enemies of God" (James 4:4). It is that which is not of the Father, from which His children should be separate (1 John 2:16). It is that evil course of things from which God's people are, by the crucifixion of Christ, separated and delivered (Gal. 1:4). It is that which knows not the Father-it crucified His Son, our Saviour, and is ruled over by Satan, its god and prince.

What then is the world? It is the vast system grown up with man away from God. Since man was driven out of the place in which God had set him in innocence, he is under the influence of Satan. The world, then, is man in disobedience and departure from God. When the Son of God came here in mercy to man the world would not have Him-it crucified Him.

And when we look at the principles and motives of the world, they are, as Scripture says, " the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life." Do not pleasure, gain, vanity, ambition govern people away from God ? This is " the world." It is not subject to God nor wills to obey Him; on the contrary it seeks its own objects-self-exaltation, power, pleasure, gain; it does not love Christ; it is blinded and enslaved by Satan who governs them by these selfish motives.

Worldliness does not consist solely of indulgence in certain things, or going to certain places, it is also the view taken of life according to which a certain course is pursued; it is a state of mind marked by love of this present world. If those so minded are our friends and companions, not merely casual acquaintances, you will find it hard, perhaps impossible, to resist indulgence with the world in things contrary to God. You will find it almost impossible not to be found in places of worldly character, and so compromise your Christian testimony; such companionship cannot fail to develop worldly-mindedness. If the mind formed in us is the mind of Christ which can alone be through prayerful reading and meditation of the Word, examining our conduct and judging ourselves before God- then we are kept from the snares which Satan lays before us.

I want to mention two or three things particularly, because they have ensnared young believers, and are still doing so. They corrupt, defile, and weaken the Christian; they dishonor the Lord's name and destroy Christian testimony.

The moving picture peril. Moving pictures are sometimes used for some things that are good, but mostly for the presentation of what is evil. They have a demoralizing influence upon the spectator because of the sort of life they portray. The pleasure-loving, Christ-rejecting world has gone mad for these places of amusement. Is it not usually what gratifies the lust of the flesh, the passions of an evil nature, that draws the crowd who desire to see on the screen what men and women do under cover of darkness ? How can a Christian occupy a seat in these places and have a good conscience ? Do such things and their atmosphere nourish Christian life, or stimulate Christian feelings? Every honest conscience will say, No! Can Christ and Belial join hands, or light and darkness co-mingle?

The dancing peril. Dancing has invaded school-life in an amazing manner. School functions can scarcely be closed now without a dance. The modern forms indulged in are especially suggestive of evil; by undue familiarity the way is open for improper conduct-all covered by the supposed respectability of the ballroom or parlor. A clergyman recently wrote, " It is unquestionably true that those who come to love the dance find themselves in the way of a perilous drift. There is a lure in the dance, a most subtle influence to evil. Moreover, the modern dance wields a peculiar fascination over old as well as young."

Should a Christian dance the night away with worldlings who consult only their own desires ? Should he be found where the Lord would have to snatch him from the arms of the ungodly who will share the judgment of a godless world ? If the idol-temple, with its dancing, feasting, and revelries, was no place for the Christian of Paul's day, neither are the pleasure-temples of this day, be they called ball-room, theater, music hall, picture palace, or even "my friend's" parlor in the house of the worldling. Let but your conversation be of the wonderful things of God, of Christ, of eternity, will you prove acceptable company in any of them ? If Christ and the holy things of God are to our hearts what our lips say they are, none of those places would welcome us.

The dress peril. A clergyman of the Church of England said to me the other day, as we stood talking on the street of a large city, " If only our young women would realize that much of the loose morality of today is due to the style of dress adopted!" In the Catholic Cathedral of New Orleans, the officiating priest refused to perform a marriage ceremony because of the bride's attire. The city streets are full of such examples. Beware of the world's fashion, young Christian. Read what Scripture says as to this in 1 Tim. 2:9,10 and 1 Pet. 3:3.

Some injunctions of the Word. " We should no longer live the rest of our time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God " (1 Pet. 4:2).

" Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him" (Col. 3:17).

"Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men " (Col. 3:23).

"Flee also youthful lusts" (2 Tim. 2:22).

"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (1 Tim.4:16).

"Keep thyself pure" (1 Tim. 5:22).

" Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).

"Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul" (1 Pet. 2:11).

"The grace of God teaches us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world " (Titus 2:12).

Read prayerfully 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1. Where will our path be found if obedient to these words, and many other admonitions of God's Word ?' May the Lord enable us all to make straight paths for our feet and escape the perils which the flesh and Satan beset us with. Shall we not take up our cross daily and follow our precious Saviour ? How otherwise can we be His disciples ? To be a Christian is not a matter of mere profession; but the life is to show the reality of what the lips speak.

I close with earnest desire that those who have already been caught in the swirl of this world may be delivered, and that this little talk together may be used to safeguard others. May it be laid upon our hearts as a special subject of prayer in all our young believers' meetings.

Opportunities and Responsibilities

A poor girl who worked as a stenographer for years in a big city offered to go to the foreign field, and was rejected on account of her health. Since then she has been saving and sending her money, supporting native workers at £6 (about $30.00) each a year. There is a community in North India where there are more than 1,000 souls that have been brought to Christ solely through native workers supported by this one frail girl. A thousand who have passed from darkness into His marvelous light, because one girl cared! How many are in the light because of what you have done?-Sel.

The Question Box

Q. 25.-Is there any scripture to warrant the belief of some, that the spirits of departed relatives are ministering spirits to protect relatives or friends on the earth during this dispensation?

Q. 26.-Are we supposed to call in the elders of the church in time of sickness-Jas. 5:14, 15-and are there elders in the assembly ?

Q. 27.-Where does the soul go in relation to the spirit after death?

Q. 28.-Matt. 10:23. Have not the cities of Israel been gone over as yet ?

Q. 29.-Matt. 16:28. How could there be some there that would not taste death before the Son of Man's return ?

Please address all correspondence [for' the Young Believers' Dept., to John Bloore, care of Loizeaux Brothers, till further notice.

Nicodemus is introduced to us early in the Gospel of John, and we do not see the last of him until near the close. Three times in all he is spoken of, and it does not seem difficult to see an advance in each occurrence.

The most familiar, and may we not say the most important, is when he first came to the Lord Jesus by night (Jno. 3)-apparently from timidity, the fear of man-and acknowledged, " Thou art a teacher come from God!" The Lord's answer goes to the bottom:" Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." It was no question of following a teacher, of acknowledging miracles, but the entire nature of man; he himself needs, must be, born anew, if ever he is to see or enter God's kingdom – whether in its earthly display for Israel, or the heavenly home prepared for the Church and shared with other saints of former and later ages. How helpless, and in himself how hopeless, is man in face of this great necessity! And what infinite grace of the Lord to present along with this the great fact of the cross, and life through the crucified One, provided in the love of God. John 3 :16 is the fitting and divine companion to John 3:3.

Thus Nicodemus is left with our Lord's full testimony of his need and God's provision for him. We do not know the immediate effect upon him, but we cannot fail to think it produced deep exercise and searching of heart.

We next see Nicodemus a member of the Sanhedrim, or council of rulers (Jno. 7:50-52), where many of the Pharisees were seeking to make away with the blessed Lord. The opposition and enmity had been steadily increasing. Every act of power, every word of truth and of grace, instead of softening their hearts, only made His enemies more determined to compass His destruction. Here at the Feast of Tabernacles, where His words of grace were so clear, and His testimony so unequivocal, they sent officers to arrest Him. Returning without Him, the officers, in answer to the question, "Why have ye not brought Him?" reply, " Never man spake like this Man!" Again the Pharisees seek to put contempt upon Him:" Have any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees, believed on Him?'' As though to answer their question, one of their own council speaks out, pleading at least for fair treatment for the Lord. And if they were willing to give a fair, impartial examination of His acts and words, there would be but one result. Here at least Nicodemus comes out openly and claims the fairness which the law of God demanded when one was accused. He refuses to join in the persecution of one who was not proven guilty; may we not well believe he would have gone further and say he knew He was innocent ?

But human and satanic hatred will not be denied. They must go on to the full accomplishment of their awful hatred. The holy Lord, to accomplish His Father's will, does not use His divine power to thwart their wickedness; indeed, He had come into the world to effect redemption by the sacrifice of Himself, and so goes to the cross without a murmur. Blessed Lord! Well could it be said of Him, " Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end." And so He goes on until the last prophetic word written of Him is accomplished, and He can say, "It is finished!"-finished all the predictions of His death, all the types and shadows, all the demands of a holy law broken by us; all that the glory of God required justly to let His infinite love and grace flow out to lost, guilty men. All was provided for this-all was finished.
But there, in the eyes of His enemies, is the lifeless body of One whom they branded as an impostor and a malefactor. It was the hour of apparent triumph for Satan and his dupes. The world had its way. But just here at the time of the greatest darkness, the faith of Nicodemus shines out brightest. He, along with Joseph of Arimathea, identifies himself with a rejected, crucified, lifeless Christ! By so doing, they proclaimed their faith in Him, and their separation from those who had rejected Him.

And so may we not think of Nicodemus as identified with the fragrant spices which he brought ? Like Mary's, the perfume was not only the tribute of love and devotion to the Lord, but a witness of a faith in Him which had at last shaken itself free from all fear of man, and in the darkest hour, apparently of the Lord's defeat, proclaimed Him as the Victor, and offered the sweet savor of His victory as a worship and thank offering. S. R.

Jesus, my Lord, to Thee I sing,
Who love divine to me hast shown;
For love divine alone could bring
Thee, Son of God, from heaven's throne.

What didst Thou see in me to love ?
Me, lost, polluted and undone !
What caused Thy heart towards me to move,
A sinner vile, Thou spotless One!

Thou didst not take the angels up,
But stooped to sinners lost like me !
And didst Thou drain death's bitter cup
To let a guilty worm go free ?

My Saviour, Lord, in wonder lost,
Before Thy feet I prostrate fall!
In Thee my soul makes joyful boast-
In Thee, my Saviour, Lord, my All.

You will notice we have quite a large number of questions in Dec. No. I will only add one more:Q. 15.-" Who are the children of the desolate, in Gal. 4:27?"

"My Brethren, the preaching of the gospel minister should always have soul-winning for its object. Never should we seek that the audience should admire our excellency of speech. I have in my soul a thousand times cursed oratory, and wished the arts of elocution had never been devised, or at least, had never profaned the sanctuary of God ; for, often as I have listened with wonder to speech right well conceived and sentences aptly arranged, I have felt as though I could weep tears of blood that the time of the congregation should be wasted listening to wordy rhetoric, when what was wanted was plain, urgent pleading with men's hearts and consciences."-C. H. Spurgeon.

"My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (2 Cor. 2; 4,5).

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you " (Matt. 7:7).

Watching unto prayer " is one of the greatest needs in the Christian life. It is the actual need of the day in which we live-the need to live in the spirit and habit of prayer. If only the Church of Christ could be impelled to prayer, there would be an end of barrenness and failure.

It is the lack of prayer that lies at the root of all our troubles, and there is no remedy but in prayer.

The spirit of worldliness will never be broken by strong and fiery words of censure. Spiritual destitution and moral laxity are the order of the day, but they will never be better till prayer is restored to its true place in the individual believer's life. Why do we not set ourselves to prayer ? The remedy is sure and simple, the need is urgent and acknowledged. Why is it so slow in getting to work?

1. – "Seek, and ye shall find." The remedy is not so simple as it seems. The command to ask seems simple enough." If ye have not, it is because ye ask not,"says Jas. 4:2. What could be simpler than that? And yet the Scripture speaks of it as toil and labor. Prayer demands earnestness of mind and heart. Our Lord Jesus wrought many mighty works without any sign of effort. There was in His marvelous works the ease of omnipotence, but of His prayers it is said, "He offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears." There was no visible strain in healing diseases, in raising the dead, and stilling the tempest; but in prayer we read of real labor and agony and the sweat of blood.

All who have shared His intercession, have found it a real labor and travail (Col. 4:12). Great saints have always been mighty in prayer, and their triumphs have been the outcome of travail in prayer until they had prevailed (Mark n :24).

Now-a-days, in the open life of the Church, and in the fellowship of believers there is seemingly little power in prayer. There is a marked absence of travail. There is much phrasing, but little pleading. The powerlessness of the Church needs no other explanation, and we need seek no other cause. To be prayerless is to be both passionless and powerless.

2.-"Watch and Pray." The New Testament links Watching with Prayer. Twice our Lord commanded His disciples to watch and pray.

The instruction is, to "watch unto prayer" (1 Pet. 4:7). St. Paul exhorts the Colossians to "continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving,"and in the warfare against evil powers he instructs the Ephesians to be alert "with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication," not only for ourselves but "for all saints" (Eph. 6:18).

It is the watcher that prays and prevails. The command to watch is linked with the command to pray, and prayer is regulated by the exercise of watching. Peter slept while Jesus prayed, because he failed to watch.

Prayer is the only medium by which we can prevail in spiritual things. The word of God reveals its mysteries to prayer; and prayer lays hold of God and prevails. Prayer turns our thoughts into petitions, and facts into arguments for supplication; then prayer turns into praise.

3.-The Hindrance to Prayer. A prayerful life is absolutely simple, but it is by no means easy. The devil sees to that. He sentinels the gateway of prayer. Andrew Bonar has left it on record that he never entered into a season of pure prayer without a battle at the threshold.

Satan dreads nothing as prayer. He knows he cannot frighten saints with hideous features, or overcome them by coarse enticements. He stands at the portal of prayer. If he does not attack, he diverts.

Christians that lack prayer are often full of good works. Activities are multiplied that devotion and meditation may be ousted; and organizations are increased that prayer may have no chance. Souls maybe lost in good works, as surely as in evil ways. The one concern of the devil is to keep the saints from prayer. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray. But how often earthly concerns, material interests, commercial enterprises, domestic affairs, and everything else hold the right of way to the divine Presence! Therefore we are weak when we might be strong. It is to this the apostle Peter refers in his first epistle, chap. 4:7.

4.- The Effects of Prayer. What serenity and confidence would come to worried and distracted men if they "watched unto prayer!" Nothing saves time like time spent with God. An hour's spiritual thinking, true communion, patient waiting, would save both time and worry as well as keep hearts young and tempers sweet.

Prayers illumines and transforms. God teaches men that pray. He opens their eyes, and they see things in His light; He touches their hearts, and they feel as He feels. "Watching unto prayer" gives wisdom. The more we wait upon God, the more shall we truly know the joy and sweetness of abiding rest. "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."

If prayer is the supreme need of the Church, why do not people begin to pray ?

The frivolous cannot pray. Real prayer demands honesty, moral sincerity and spiritual resoluteness.

The proud cannot pray. Drawing near to God requires lowliness of mind, simplicity of heart, and a teachable spirit (Isaiah 59:i-3).

The worldling cannot pray. In true prayer the soul submits all things to the standards of Heaven, seeks the judgment of God, and lives in the unseen.

Prayer that stops short of obedience is mockery. -Extracted from a sermon

It is a remarkable thing to find in the Old Testament, such exercises and experiences as those recorded in Ps. 32 and 51, Job 42:1-6 and various other places. Whilst Israel as a nation was brought outwardly near to God, with a system of sacrifices and carnal ordinances as means of worship, it is remarkable to find such exercises and expressions as those above referred to. It shows that in the midst of a nation, whose relation to God was simply external, whose worship was with ceremonies, " which stood only in meats and drinks and divers washings, carnal ordinances, imposed upon them until the time of reformation," there were those, taught of God, who looked and saw beyond the symbols to their spiritual realities, in drawing near to God.

As the apostle shows in Rom. 4 :6-8, the 32nd psalm describes "the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works," upon the heart-confession of his sin. " I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin." Ceremonies are left behind; it is directly with the holy God he has to do, and is met with sovereign grace! And note that it is not only the wrong done, but the heinousness of sin in God's sight that the enlightened, the Spirit-taught soul acknowledges- it is "the iniquity of my sin."

But Ps. 51 and Job 42:6 in another line go deeper still. Reviewing his crime in the presence of God, David beholds his own corruption, and says, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my
mother conceive me" (or "warm me," as in her womb, marg.). He sees himself with a corrupt nature from the womb, and, like Job, he "abhors himself," In the very face of God's holy law, his corrupt nature has broken out in revolt-broken through God's command; so that his sin against man is swallowed up as it were in this breach against God his Maker and Redeemer!-"against Thee, Thee only (supremely), have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight." In the presence of God he views himself-takes God's part against himself, with the cry,"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew aright spirit within me."

Fellow-Christian, do you know, do you believe and confess to God, that your nature is the same as David's ? Do you hate and abhor it as he did ? It is this deeply solemn truth that is taught us in Romans, chaps. 6, 7, where, with the recognition and confession of it, deliverance is found, by turning from myself to Christ-my righteousness, my sanctification and redemption from sin's dominion and power.

" I was shapen in iniquity," " I abhor myself." "Who shall deliver me ?" "I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord ! "

" For He (God) hath made Him (Christ) who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him " (2 Cor. 5:21).

(Continued from page 264)

(CHAP. 1:3-11)

In these verses we have the apostle's own introduction to this delightful specimen of early Christian correspondence. His interest in the saints at Philippi did not cease with his leaving their city. Through all the years that had passed he had borne them on his heart, and presented them to God in prayer. There were sweet and blessed memories too that filled him with gladness as he looked back on the season of ministry spent amongst them, and as he learned of their continuance in the grace of God in after days.

He thanks God upon every remembrance of them. There was nothing, apparently, in their past history that had caused him pain or anxiety of mind. And so, in every prayer of his for them all, he preferred his request with joy. Their fellowship with him in the gospel had been consistent from the beginning. It will be noticed what a large place " fellowship " has in this epistle, and also how frequently "the gospel" is mentioned. An assembly of saints walking together in the fear of the Lord, exercised about holding forth the Word of Life to the unsaved, is likely to know more of real fellowship than a company of believers occupied chiefly with their own affairs, their own blessings-all about themselves. On the other hand, no assembly can prosper that fails to recognize the importance of the divine and holy principles given in the Word to guide believers in this scene.

Fellowship in the gospel may be exercised in various ways :by prayer, by participation in the public testimony, by furnishing the means to enable the laborer to go forth unhindered by perplexities and anxieties as to necessary means to carry on his work. Every servant of Christ going forth for the Name's sake, "taking nothing of the Gentiles," should be entirely cast upon the Lord for his support. On the other hand, it should be esteemed a privilege on the part of those abiding at home, to help them by ministering in temporal things; and such ministry will never be forgotten by Him who has said, "Whosoever receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward."

I remember a brother's definition of fellowship. He was a teamster, and was asked, "What do you understand by fellowship?" He replied, "For each one to pull his own trace and keep it tight." The simile is a crude one, but will be readily understood.

It is noticeable that the apostle had no doubt as to the end of every true believer. He was absolutely confident that the One who had begun a good work in them, would never leave off until He had perfected that which He Himself had commenced. But this would only be attained and manifested in the day of Jesus Christ. A godly old brother used often to say, "The Lord always looks at His people as they will be when they are done." And it is well for us if we can learn to look at them in the same way. An incident is told of an artist who had conceived in his mind a great picture, which he meant to be the masterpiece of his life. He was working on a large canvass, putting in the drabs and grays that were to compose the background, when a friend entered, unnoticed. The artist worked on with enthusiasm, not aware of the onlooker's presence. But, finally happening to turn, he saw him, and exclaimed, "What do you think of this ? I intend it to be the greatest work I have ever done." His friend burst into a laugh, and exclaimed, "Why, to be frank, I don't think much of it. It seems to me to be only a great daub." "Ah," replied the artist, at once sensing the situation, " you cannot see what is going to be there. lean," And so it is with God our Father. He sees in every believer that which will be fully brought out at the judgment-seat of Christ, and He is working now toward that end. We too often see the present imperfection and forget the future glory. But, in the day of Jesus Christ, when all shall be manifested, every believer will be conformed to the image of God's blessed Son. Surely we can join with the apostle even now and say, " It is meet for me to think this of you all." Thus to look upon God's people will deliver from much strife, and from disappointment, when we see crudities and carnalities in those from whom we had expected better things.

Paul carried the saints in his heart, and, though himself in prison, he recognized their fellowship in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, and rejoiced in the manner in which they shared this grace with him. He calls God to witness how greatly he yearned after every one of them in the tender love of Christ Jesus; and in verses 9-11 we have his prayer, which reminds us somewhat of the prayer in Colossians 1:He would have their love abound yet more and more in knowledge and all perception, or discernment. Brotherly love is not a matter of mere sentimentality; it is love in the truth. And this calls for study of the Word of God in order that one may know just how to manifest that love according to each particular occasion. Let us remember there is never a time when we are not called upon to show love to our brother, but we cannot always manifest it in the same way, if subject to the Word of God. Therefore, the need of instruction in that Word, and enlightenment by the Holy Spirit, that we may perceive what is in accordance with the mind of God.

The first clause in the tenth verse is sometimes rendered, "That ye may try the things that differ;" or, as given above, "Approve things that are excellent." The meaning is practically the same. For by testing things that differ, we approve what is excellent. Again the test is the Word of God. That Word is given to try all things, and it will manifest what is truly excellent, thus giving the believer to understand how he may walk so as to please God, that he may be sincere and blameless in the day of Christ.

Attention has often been called to the striking fact that we have here the Anglicized Latin word "sincere," meaning, literally, "without wax"-used to translate a Greek word meaning "sun-tested." It might seem at first as though there is no connection between the two terms. But we are told that the ancients had a very fine porcelain which was greatly valued, and brought a very high price. This ware was so fragile, that it was only with greatest difficulty it could be fired without being cracked; and dishonest dealers were in the habit of filling in the cracks that appeared with a pearly-white wax, which looked enough like the true porcelain to pass without being readily detected in the shops. If held to the light, however, the wax was at once manifested as a dark seam; and honest Latin dealers marked their wares "sine cera " (without wax). Thus the apostle would have the saints tested by the sunlight of God's truth and holiness, and found to be without wax; that is, he would have them straightforward, and honorable in all their dealings. Anything that savors of sham or hypocrisy is as the wax used to hide the imperfection in the porcelain.

"Blameless" (see also ver. 15 of chap. 2) refers to motive rather than to act, I take it. It is not the same thing as "sinless," which would, of course, imply complete moral perfection. "Blamelessness" implies right motives. "The fruits of righteousness " of verse n is the same as in Hebrews 12:u, where "the peaceable fruit of righteousness" is the result of exercise under the hand of God. All is through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. H. A. Ironside

(To be continued.)
'LET THERE BE LIGHT!"

The great High Priest of our profession is set down on the right of the Majesty in the heavens. There He remains throughout the fixed, but unknown, period of His Church's sojourn upon earth. But where the Priest ministers, the people worship. The earthly people saw the tabernacle in which was manifested the presence of Jehovah. Their eyes beheld the sacrificial ordinances; they were personally present in the courts of Jehovah until the high priest, who represented them and offered their oblations in the holy place, came forth again to bless them in Jehovah's name.

The Christian too is a worshiper of God; but faith brings him in spirit to the shrine of living and Eternal Truth. Instead of descending by a visible token to abide with men, God now raises His children to the place of His abode. He has, indeed, descended first to bring them hither, and by the Spirit He inhabits, even here below, the Church of His redemption (Eph. 2:20-22); but it is by that Spirit also, that the true children now have access through their Mediator to the Father. The true worshipers worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The hour which the Son of God announced to be at hand when Jerusalem should be no longer the resort of God's worshipers (John 4:21-23) has now arrived.

The Apostle of our profession has pitched in heaven another and an abiding tabernacle – a tabernacle, rather than a temple, because it is during the wilderness experience of the Church that our Lord acts for "them according to the Aaronic type of intercessional ministry. In that tabernacle He fulfils for us, Godward. the faithful and perfect ministry of holy things, and thither, consequently by the Spirit which is given them, are God's true worshipers invited to repair, Practical effects flow from, this transfer of worship from earth to heaven. Let the Christian note carefully and keep in lasting remembrance, the principle involved in this doctrine of our Lord's priesthood. It involves an. essential contrast between the former, or Jewish, worship and the. Christian-the latter being a discernment, by faith, "of things invisible, and is now the a lone condition of true, worship.

Believers in .Christ Jesus can have no earthly sanctuary, because He whose presence makes the sanctuary is bodily now in heaven. That believers are in another sense a temple or sanctuary of God, is a truth not to be confounded with the apostle's doctrine in this epistle. To:attribute therefore a special sanctity to any earthly place, is to dishonor that true tabernacle wherein alone now shines the glory of God.

Moreover, to attach to Christian ministry a sacerdotal or mediatorial character and value, is to disallow the exclusive glory of the appointed Son of God. To present ourselves 'now as worshipers of God by the performance of a ritual of human institution, and in reliance upon the efficacy of external acts, is to grieve the Holy Spirit who is given to God's children as witness of that better hope by which they now, by faith, draw nigh to Him. .

All the requirements of God's true holiness are met approvingly by His anointed Son. All the necessities of those who are, by faith, the people of God, are effectually undertaken by that same High Priest, as the unfailing minister of grace and mercy. Any assumption now, therefore, by men, of priestly place or title :upon earth (other than that in which all Christians are priests), is at bold-variance with the truth of God. To assimilate' the order of Christian worship to the ancient Jewish model, betrays an entire ignorance or forgetfulness of the-leading doctrines of this epistle. A Christian priesthood as a distinct class amongst God's people upon earth, is a vain and presumptuous attempt to reestablish .what God has-set .aside.. It is a bold device of man–a-counterfeit of truth.
In its essence it is a nonentity, for the revelation of the Son of God in heavenly and eternal priesthood has dissolved the shadow which God once did sanction. It is a most haughty sin, for it exalts itself against the peculiar glory of the Son of God. It is a delusion suggested by the father of lies, who seeks thereby to despoil the souls of men of saving knowledge, while their conscience is beguiled by mere names and ceremonies into unsuspecting sleep.

-From Pridham's "Notes in Hebrews."

While Moses was on the Mount with God forty days, receiving instructions as of the tabernacle and all its appointments, the people, quickly forgetting the solemn circumstances that accompanied the giving of the law, which they had pledged themselves to obey, demanded to have an idol-a god which they could see. "And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the work of their own hands."

Jehovah then bids Moses to go down, for the people had corrupted themselves; they had "changed their glory (Jehovah) into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass," and said, "These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt ! " And when Moses came down and saw the calf and the dancing "he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the Mount " (Exod. 32:19).

The ritualist might look upon this act of Moses as sacrilegious ; he might plead that being the work of God they should have been preserved with religious veneration. But one in the mind and spirit of God, as Moses was, at once perceives that bringing these tables of the law to a people turned away from Jehovah, and worshiping the work of their own hands, is just bringing the curse of the law to them, in swift and terrible recompense, even to blot them out from the presence of God. Moses shatters the tables upon the Mount, therefore ; then grinds their god to powder, and makes them drink the dust of "the work of their own hands." He also calls upon those who are on God's side to show themselves, and smite the idolaters, their own kinsmen and neighbors, for "there is a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;" and "he that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me" (Eccl. 3:5; Matt. 10:37).

Having vindicated God's name with judgment upon the idolaters, Moses goes in before the Lord to plead for the people; in passionate love he pleads (ver. 32) and obtains governmental forgiveness for them. To the promise that Jehovah would send an angel and drive out the Canaanites, and give Israel the land He had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses insists before God that not an angel but Jehovah Himself must go with them (34:15), and he obtains this also (ver. 17).

Then Moses grows exceedingly bold in the confidence of love:"And he said, I beseech Thee, show me thy glory." God's gracious answer calls for our worshipful meditation:"I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the Name of the Lord before thee" (ver. 19).

The goodness of the Lord is His glory; and this glory is now revealed to us in the face of Jesus Christ, in whom the invisible God has manifested Himself to us:"In whom we have redemption . . . according to the riches of His grace; " In whom we are "blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies; In whom we have an inheritance . . . according to the counsels of His own will" "that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."

May we then like Moses say, "I pray Thee, show me thy glory," that all Hit goodness maybe revealed to the eyes of our heart.

Ah yes, I'm sure 'tis written there,
My name, in letters bold and clear.
I have not seen it, yet I know,
Because God's Word has told me so.
And, oh to think that He should care
Enough to tell me it is there !
To tell me what in love He's done,
Because I trust in Christ, His Son.
I'm not alone in that great Book,
For as through it in thought I look,
And scan its leaves from A to Z,
Ah there, how many names I see !
No commendation do they claim,
For naught is writ against each name:
No thought of evil or of good-
Just this :"They trusted in the blood."
O Lord, how wondrous is Thy grace,
How marvelous with us Thy ways !
From Adam, down to even me,
And on, till in eternity
Those names so precious in His sight
Will shine with His reflected light,
And glorify the Son of God
Who saved us by His precious blood.
Oh, would that all might look
To Christ ! Then I am sure that Book
Would hold the names of every one
Who put their trust in God's dear Son.
We thank Thee, Lord, for telling us
The secret of our Saviour's cross,
And how, in Life's great Book, with care
Thou'st written every member there.

H. McD.