Calendar:Oct. 16th to Nov. 15th

DAILY BIBLE READING……… Oct. 16th, Lev. 13; Oct. 31st, Num. 1; Nov. 15th, Num. 16.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING….Oct. 16th, Matt. 4; Oct. 31st, Matt. 19; Nov. 15th, Mark 6.

Calendar:Jan. 16th to Feb. 14th.

DAILY BIBLE READING……….Jan. 16th, Acts 1; Jan. 31st, Acts 16; Feb. 14th, Romans 2.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING ….. Jan. 16th, Rev. 3; Jan. 31st, Rev. 18; Feb. 14th, Isaiah 10.

A truly Happy New Year to all the dear "Y.B.D.'s" May the time before us be marked by rich blessing in our daily readings, not merely in increased knowledge of the written Word, but in a deeper heart-acquaintance with Him who is its theme, and a resulting happy obedience to Him. This will be indeed a bond of blessing uniting our hearts more and more closely together.

We have for our regular daily chapter, during the first monthly period, the Book of Acts. It has been likened to a New Testament Exodus. The four Gospels are the Genesis, giving us the Life which is the basis of all our blessing. Just as at the opening of the Old Testament Exodus the people are in bondage, and are led forth by the delivering hand of God, through His servant Moses; so in this New Testament book we have God's people led out by the Holy Spirit through His servants, the apostles and other chosen vessels. We have not a bondage to Egypt, but to Judaism and carnal ordinances, which the Jews had used to feed their pride and which had resulted in their rejection and the crucifixion of our blessed Lord. From all this, a new-born people are led forth into the fulness of Christian liberty. But it is done gently and gradually, for the Great Shepherd of the sheep is compassionate and does not drive, but lead. The divisions of the book indicate the stages of this deliverance.

1. Chaps. 1-7. The descent of the Spirit, and the formation of the Church by His baptism. Israel is almost solely considered here, and Peter the apostle of the circumcision is prominent.

2. Chaps. 8-12. Israel's rejection of the grace of God, and the gospel going out to the Gentiles. The previous portion closed with the martyrdom of Stephen. This section begins with the gospel in Samaria and to the Ethiopian, but is also marked by the divine-conversion of the bitter enemy of God's truth, Saul of Tarsus. Peter is still prominent, and opens the door of grace to the Gentiles further. The closing chapter (12) shows us God's merciful care of His servant, and His judgment upon the pride of man, as seen in the death of Herod.

3. Chaps. 13-20. The gospel fully declared to the Gentiles. Here Paul is prominent, though the link with Jerusalem and the Church there is fully maintained, though there is strong opposition by those who cling to Judaism. God leads on mercifully, and in chapter 15 definite emancipation from legal ordinances for the Gentiles is declared. This section is largely devoted to the tireless activities of Paul in Asia Minor and in Greece. Certain great centers of Christian truth are established at Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, and many other points. The gospel has unmistakably found a lodgment in the hearts of many Gentiles.

4. Chaps.21-28.Paul in chains, and delivered to prison, but "the word of God is not bound," and the truth goes on in spite of opposition. The Jews as a. nation more and more reject the truth, and at the last are turned from by the apostle who loved them so devotedly. The testimony is largely in the hands of Gentile saints, and the Epistles of Paul unfold the emancipating truth which shows how completely God's people have been led out from the bondage of a religion of the flesh. In all the latter half of the book Paul is the chief instrument, though without doubt Peter and all the others labored faithfully in their appointed spheres. James the brother of John, as Stephen before him, had laid down his life for the name of the Lord Jesus.

As to our supplementary reading, we complete the "book of Revelation. As the Old Testament is so much larger, and probably not so familiar to us as the New, we will read from the prophets for a little time. The first portion of Isaiah will be before us after Revelation, and this will I trust make us helpfully familiar with its grand theme. Here, as throughout the word of God, Christ is supreme.

News has been received by cable of the death of Miss Esther Wilson at Mambasa, Congo Beige, Africa, on February 28th, 1930. We await further details by mail.

Miss Wilson was one of those who went to Africa with Doctor and Mrs. Woodhams in May, 1925, and labored with them up to the time of her death. About a year ago she had a severe attack of black-water fever which affected her heart. The cable gives heart-disease as the cause of her death.

Our sympathy goes out to her relatives and her fellow-workers on the field. "He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it'' (Matt. 10:29).

AFRICA

The following interesting letter has been received from our brother H. Wilson:-

Inkongo, Nov. 30, 1929. Dear brother,

I have forgotten what I told you to cause you to speak of our duties as being very varied. They undoubtedly are so, and it makes time fly fast. My wife has another kiln of bricks ready for burning next week. The three nights of the burning we shall have to take turns keeping the stokers awake, my wife taking one night, myself one, and Miss Isaac and Miss Curtis one between them. It is impossible to leave it to the natives, as they would make up a big fire and then go to sleep and let it burn down.

We have the teachers coming for a conference at the end of next week, so this next fortnight will be a real rush. They nearly all want medicine when they come; some want letters to go to the Judge with a palaver; some want advice as to a Christian girl who was forced by her relatives to take a heathen husband. All want something; all are either ill or may be during the next four months. All think we white people are here just for their benefit. After all, perhaps we are, and it is nice to help others. I have promised to take a tumor out of a man's shoulder, and when any want to be examined for sleeping-sickness, one does not like to refuse, although it takes time to detect the parasites, as it may be the means of saving valuable lives.

Miss Isaac looks after the building, and can lay bricks beautifully. One must be able to do a thing oneself in order to teach the natives and keep them at it.

I am expected in several villages in different directions directly after the conference to interview enquirers and baptize them, but I do not know if I can get away, or whether I shall call them in here. Mr. Nixon has just returned from the Cimbangu district. He found plenty both to discourage and encourage, but there seems a work of God going on here and there, and some of the Christians appear to be growing and able to help others.
Mr. Althorp, who until recently was with Mr. Amies at Baka Mbule but is now going further inland in the endeavor to reach tribes who have not yet had the Gospel preached to them, writes as follows:

"In 1923 I took a journey on the north side of the Sankuru river in order to ascertain what opportunity there might be for preaching the gospel. I had for years made enquiries about the country but could obtain little information beyond the fact that it was peopled by savage cannibals and was impossible of penetration. This in measure was true, for until a short time prior to my visit the whole of the country was in a state of war, and several soldiers and others were killed and eaten. No traveler, white or black, was allowed to pass through the country at that time.

Feeling greatly exercised about the need of gospel light in this dark land I came here in 1923, and found the people surly enough in many places, but when they found out who and what I was, no obstacle was placed in the way of my progress. I had many opportunities of conversation and obtained quite a lot of information as to the different tribes and their languages. I commenced my journey on the north side of the river at Bena Dibele, and traveled due north to Kole, and thence in the same direction to Loto. I saw only a fraction of the thousands of people who inhabit these dark regions, but enough to convince me of their great need and of the necessity of bringing the gospel to them.

On our way to Kole we rested for a while at mid-day in the village of Ntumba, where I am now writing. The chief and his people, who are Baluba, were transported from their own country some years ago for refusing to be subject to a chief selected by the government official to reign over them. He begged me to remain and teach his people, but I said that was impossible, as I had my work at Baka Mbule and must hurry on in order to return there. He then pressed me to leave native teachers; he promised to build a school, and house the teachers well and care for them. I assured him that nothing would give me greater pleasure than to be able to leave teachers with him, but unfortunately none were available. I promised to set the need before the teachers assembled at the next conference at Baka Mbule, and to send to him any who might volunteer. This I did, but, as I anticipated, none were willing to go into that cannibal country. I never ceased to pray for this dark land, and God did not forget the need.

Four years later the chief Ntumba appeared at Baka Mbule, and told me he had come to remind me of my promise to send teachers to his village. They were still waiting for them and were most anxious to have them. In reply I could only repeat what I had said before, that I would mention the matter at the next conference, and that if any were willing to go he should have them as quickly as possible. None appeared willing when the matter was mentioned at the conference, but after the meetings Malengo came to me privately and said he felt exercised about preaching the gospel in those dark un-evangelized regions, and that he was willing to go to Ntumba's village. Another young man named Kambudi offered to accompany him. I hesitated about Malengo, as he had been badly smitten with small-pox which had left him with an impediment in his speech. I was afraid he would not be able to preach, but he assured me that he would make the people understand, and begged not to be restrained, from going.

We gave them both the right hand of fellowship and sent them away with many prayers. That was in 1927.

In 1928 I visited them before returning to England and found that after six months' work they had made good progress in the school. The scholars who knew nothing when they commenced were promising well to become good readers.

We are now with them again after nearly two years' absence. Our hearts are full of gratitude and praise to God, for so abundantly blessing the faith and efforts of these two young men. They have settled here with their wives and children. Several of the scholars are able to read easily and fluently. Five have been converted and are now breaking bread. There is a daily attendance in the school of 97 scholars according to the register. We examined them yesterday and were well pleased with the progress they had made. Several of them are enquirers who will be ready for baptism in a few months' time.

BAHAMAS

From our brother Stratton we have the following news:

Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Feb. 17,1930. I have just returned home from a stay of over four weeks at Cherokee Sound, laboring part of the time with brother Stebbins, and the Lord gave us fourteen souls for our hire. There were others restored in soul as well, and gave us much cheer. I purpose leaving here shortly, D. V., for the States, and hope to go to Tampa and through, via New Orleans, to Des Moines, Iowa.

I trust the change will be of much benefit to me, though, in one sense, I reluctantly leave the field.

I am enclosing an account of receipts and expenditures of recent fund committed to my trust, and would again thank you and all the dear saints through you who so heartily came in to the relief of our brethren. Letters of acknowledgment, too many to copy, show heartfelt appreciation.

CUBA

Dear brethren:-

Yours of the 17th just to hand and I thank you for the tracts. On Monday, or as soon as they arrive, I plan to leave here for Colon, via, bus, and to go from there to Cienfuegos, a seaport on the south.

It has been very gratifying to distribute the literature in this part of the world and I am impressed that it is going to bear fruit. As I stood for a moment on a corner this morning, I saw a Catholic priest approaching, so I got a tract ready for him which he did not refuse.

In visiting the small towns I cannot but think how much it would mean for these people to hear the gospel of Christ preached in the power of the Spirit on their streets. The dark, dissatisfied cast on many a countenance would be relieved by its acceptance-and who can tell what God may yet do, in His lingering mercy, for the people of Cuba!

Aff'tly in Him,

Roger B. Eames.

BRAZIL

Partintins, Jan. 31,1930.

The prayers of the saints who have Brazil on their hearts are earnestly requested in view of the following:In 1918 the eldest daughter of a well-off Roman Catholic family in our neighborhood was converted to God. It was a genuine conversion. Gallantly she took her place at the table with the Lord, outside the camp. The whole family was bitterly opposed. She had been given a good education, having passed through the normal school at Manaos, graduating as school-teacher. She had married three years before, and had a daughter-her only child. In 1923, her husband being killed in a political riot at Rio (he had been called to the army), she was left a destitute widow. Invited by her mother, she went to dwell with them in the farm mansion. It is a cattle farm. Here tuberculosis set in. I would visit her frequently after she could no more walk. The opposition and hatred to God were intense at the farm. She had everything that means and natural love could lavish, but her Lord being shutout, she suffered tragically, with patience. Feeling her earthly end was near, she asked me to baptize her daughter, then eleven years old, who had never been baptized by the priest. She had trained the child to imbibe the spirit of Christ, and I found shew as soundly converted, so baptized her (Nov. 1928).The mother entered peacefully into rest in March, 1929.The family did not allow us to take part in the funeral. In course of time they sent me word saying we were unwelcome at the farm. We have not seen the girl since, but we know she has been passing through severe spiritual torture:she has been brought before the priest and compelled into baptism, confession, confirmation and communion, with much pomp and noise. This broke her heart down; sad, unwilling to eat, and mute. The very picture of despondency! Alarmed, they are now compelling her to learn dancing and worldly amusements in general. This lovely, Christian child is suffering intensely. May your prayers be joined to ours on her behalf. We are passing through hard times here. The atmosphere surrounding us is one of sheer hatred of God. Satan is roaring around because the grace of God is being heralded as never before. Hence the opposition.

Yours by grace, J. P. Ribeiro.

MANCHURIA

The following article from a missionary magazine should be of interest:-

"Prayer is earnestly requested that the evangelization of Manchuria be hastened.

Manchuria has not inaptly been called the Canada of the East. Its immense areas of rich virgin soil, noble forests, fine waterways, rich coal and mineral deposits, as well as its climate, justify the comparison.

Twenty or thirty years ago its population numbered three millions; now there are thirty. Superior in area to France and Italy combined-363,610 square miles-it could easily support their total populations of some eighty millions.

Russia and China are interested in the Chinese Eastern Railway in the north, and Japan built the South Manchuria Railway. The development of agriculture, forestry, mining and industry has followed the construction of the railways, and has brought into the country about one million and a half of Russians, Japanese and Koreans. International complications, therefore, give constant cause for anxiety.

Eleven Christian Missions are at work in the country,, and occupy residentially twenty-nine of the one hundred and twenty-eight counties. Ninety-nine counties are not occupied residentially, although in fifty-three of them there are some evangelistic centers and numbers of scattered Christians. In forty-six counties there are no-Christian witnesses at all. Two hundred and sixty-eight missionaries labor in connection with the Missions, and the total communicants number about twenty-five thousand in a population of thirty millions.

The serious situation revealed in Manchuria constitutes, a tremendous challenge. Only those who have attempted to penetrate these fastnesses know how many obstacles block the road. Yet a few Christian missionaries have overcome the initial difficulties presented by the combined forces of man and nature, and have secured entrance to this vast domain. Let no dastardly ease prevent us, the watchers at the base, from prayer for the heroic pathfinders who are depending upon our intercession.

God has a plan for every life. Peace, satisfaction, joy and happiness can only be experienced to the extent to which life is lived in conformity with that plan.

We are frequently asked for information about brethren and sisters engaged in missionary work and in this connection we would commend the following to the prayers and practical fellowship of the saints:

WORK AMONG THE INDIANS IN UNITED STATES:

Mr. H. A. Holcomb, his two daughters and son-in-law are located at Shiprock, New Mexico, and work amongst the Navajo Indians in that region. Theirs is a very isolated mission station, being many miles from a railway or post-office.

Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Anderson labor in the gospel at Valentine, Arizona, and Peach Springs, Arizona, and also work among the children in the Government School at Valentine.

Miss Rose Olson carries on a faithful work at Kingman, Arizona.

Mr. and Mrs. Ervin D. Dresch labor at San Antonio, Texas, particularly amongst the Mexicans and other Spanish-speaking people in that district.

HARBOR WORK IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA:

Mr. Ralph A. West devotes his whole time amongst the seamen in the Port of New York, while in Boston, Baltimore, Montreal and Miami, other brethren engage in this work in their spare time as the Lord enables them.

SOUTH AMERICA-BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA:

Mr. B. Montllau, originally from the Pacific Coast, labored first in Costa Rica, then in Spain, and now in Argentina. He has a large family, and the older boys work at their trades and also help in Sunday-School work, etc.

BRAZIL:

Mr. J. P. Ribeiro is a native of the country. From his reports he is active in the gospel and seeking to minister to the needs of believers there.

COSTA RICA:

Mr. D. Lamorue, an aged and faithful brother, labored at this place until he died on March 11th, 1930.

WEST INDIES:

Mr. J. B. Hoze, a colored brother whose home is in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, at present is laboring at Speights-town, Barbados, where a little assembly has been formed which brother Hoze reports is going on well.

CUBA:

Messrs. Harry Craig and Roger Eames are at present in Cuba, endeavoring to spread the gospel in that needy field as the Lord enables them.

AFRICA-NYANGKUNDI, BELGIAN CONGO:

Dr. and Mrs. R. C. Woodhams, Mr. and Mrs. D. Gordon Searle, Miss Cornelia De Jonge and Miss Esther Wilson established a mission station at Nyangkundi, in the latter part of 1925. After much labor in the gospel, God has blessed their work, and many natives have been converted, and a small assembly formed. In the fall of 1929 Dr. and Mrs. Woodhams established a new station at Mambasa, about 85 miles west of Nyangkundi amongst pygmies and Mohammedan tribes, and are now, assisted by Miss DeJonge, reaching out to those who have never before heard the good news. Miss Esther Wilson labored faithfully until her departure to be with Christ on February 28th of this year.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Deans, together with their three grown children, William, Ella and Robert, left this country in September, 1929, and are at present located at Nyangkundi, where they are studying the language and assisting brother Searle until such time as they are enabled to occupy fresh sites, which they are planning to do in the near future, if the Lord will.

AFRICA-BAKA MBULE, BELGIAN CONGO:

Mr. Wm. G. Amies has been associated with brethren from England at this station since the summer of 1922, returning to this country for furlough in 1926. While on furlough he married Miss Elsa Fletcher, of Camden, N. J., returning to Africa with his wife in the early part of 1927. The climate in the Belgian Congo, and particularly the region where our brother and his wife are located, is very trying. The missionaries there suffer often from fever, making frequent furloughs necessary if health is to be maintained. It was at this station that Miss Mercy McCandless laid down her life.

JAPAN:

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene B. Craig labored in Japan from 1914 to 1929. They are at present in this country, and expect to start work in the near future amongst Japanese on the Pacific Coast.

CHINA:

Mr. Charles O. Kautto after laboring in China for a number of years was obliged to leave the work temporarily on account of the unsettled condition there. After visiting his home in Finland he returned to China, visiting many assemblies in this country on the way. Before leaving the Pacific Coast he married Miss Esther Kramer of Redlands, Cal., and the two returned to his previous station and work. Although conditions there are still unsettled, brother Kautto and his wife have been allowed to go on unmolested and report considerable encouragement.

We also commend to the prayer and friendship of the saints, brethren in the Bahamas and outlying parts of Canada.

"Brethren, pray for us" (1 Thess. 5:25).

The following extracts are from letters written in connection with the death of Mr. Lamorue in Costa Rica:

Alajuela, Costa Rica,

March 13, 1930. Dear Brother:

Brother D. Lamorue was buried yesterday. He was sick for about a year. He was a good hard-working missionary. Everybody loved him. I hope you keep sending your missionaries, and may God bless you. Brother Lamorue leaves a wife and step-daughter. Sincerely yours,

MOISES MERUBIA

(Pastor of the Methodist Church)

"He has literally laid down his life for the brethren and his reward is sure."

"His testimony by word and life has been a blessing to many in Alajuela, where he has been known and loved for many years. He had a hall of his own where the gospel was preached in all its simplicity. He himself was a 'man of the Word'."

May the Lord bless the labors of our brother in this part of the harvest field.

AFRICA:

The following very interesting letter is from our young brother William Deans:

Nyangkundi, January 28, 1930. Dear Bro. in the Lord:

Last night we returned to Nyangkundi after a week's visit with Dr. Woodhams and family at the Mambasa mission. As you know, the Doctor has cleared a location in the heart of the forest where one sees nothing but trees in all directions, except for the monkeys which gambol in their branches.

Dr. Woodhams, with the co-operation of Miss DeJonge and Miss Wilson, is carrying on a splendid work among the Bangwana tribe. It was a treat to see the well-filled schoolhouse on Sunday morning at the gospel service. The people are followers of Mohammed, and are harder to reach than the raw native with all his witchcraft. However, I believe that the Spirit is working in their hearts, and knowing that God's Word will not return void but will accomplish that whereunto it was sent, we pray that God will save precious souls to His own glory.

Our report of the work there cannot be too bright, for it is certainly the Lord working through His servants that has accomplished all that has been done. Besides the schoolhouse and dwellings, there is a dispensary and a operating room, a building of wards for patients, and accommodation for natives around the station. The fact that the medical work is being used to bring souls to hear the Word was shown on Sunday when the attendance was swelled by their presence. Pray for the Mambasa effort.

We were quite surprised on our way to Mambasa to see a leopard in broad daylight. I was driving the Doctor's motor-cycle, and my brother rode the back seat, while the others followed by auto. We turned a sharp bend, and there he stood. In an instant he bounded off towards the forest, but gave us enough time to get a good view of his beauty. We were fortunate to see one during the day, as the leopard usually sleeps by day, and stalks by night.

The pygmies are not, I should say, more than five miles from Mambasa, so we journeyed to their village one day during our stay there. They do not, so far, believe the gospel (although our prayer is that they may) because they have been slaves for so many years that they cannot understand that the same way of salvation is open to all alike. It seems too good to them to be true, that they are on equal ground with those who have trodden them under foot for so long. They are interesting little folk. Quick and nervous in their movements, excellent hunters, but dreading the bath. Someone has said that they never bathe, just as a matter of custom. They live in leaf houses,-miniatures of the full-size native house. They have been to the gospel services several times. Pray for the conversion of many.

Between the Mambasa and the Nyangkundi stations lie 85 miles of unevangelized territory. The natives in that district have never heard the gospel, and are deep in sin, ignorance, superstition and witchcraft.

The doctor came through that district one day several weeks ago, and the car broke down, so he had five natives push it into Irumu. Later he found that the whole village had mourned for those five, believing that the white man had taken them to eat them.

Ever since I knew of the need of this locality, it has been on my heart, and I know it is the Lord's mind that I should start a new work there. The decision is made after much prayer and consultation with those who have labored here in the work for years. Dr. Woodhams and I picked out a site yesterday. It is in the heart of the forest, 35 miles from Mambasa and 50 miles from Nyangkundi. It is in the center of the Babila tribe and within a few miles of the Walesi. Walesi people will come for medicine and school, so in that way we will reach both tribes. The site has excellent water, and is ideal in every way to reach the people. If the Lord wills, I will start felling trees within a fortnight, and the testimony will be started.

As I have no means of transportation, will be able to go back and forth only on certain occasions, when someone is going that way. This will delay the work somewhat, but the Lord knows all about it.

Mother and father are praying about a new work west of the doctor's. The road has not been cut yet, and it is inaccessible except by foot. As road work will take a year or more, they will stay here at Nyangkundi until the Woodhams go on furlough, then look after their work while they are gone, working on the Western site at the same time. Bear us up before the Throne that in everything we may be guided by the Spirit to act according to the Lord's mind.

We are able to speak Kingwana enough to be understood, and Mr. Searle and I are to take Sunday services alternately, starting with next Sunday. Mother, Ella and Bob are teaching in the school, and Dad is learning more quickly than he expected.

Christian love to all the saints, and again soliciting your earnest prayers on our behalf, I am, Your brother in Christ,

BILL DEANS . (Romans 15 :20, 21; Acts 21:13.)

In a letter dated about two weeks later, Mr. Deans, Sr., says:

"Possibly my son Bill has given you the following information. However, I will risk repetition. We intend, D. V., to open up two new stations, one on this side of Mambasa (Dr. Woodham's place) and one on the other side. Bill would take the site already selected on this side while I with the rest of the family would open the site on the other side (see map on next page).

MAP OF AFRICA.

PORTION SHADED IS THE DISTRICT IN THE BELGIAN CONGO WHERE DR. WOODHAM’S AND PARTY ARE

The need is so very great that it is imperative that the gospel be brought to the people between Nyangkundi and Stanleyville. Should the Lord open the way I believe that the doctor and his family should go home at this time. Truly he needs rest, as he is on the go for the Master from early morning till late at night. Please ask the saints to pray especially for the new work. The new sites are in the heart of the dense forest as also is Mambasa."

In another letter Mr. Deans says:

"God is blessing at this station (Nyangkundi). Fifty souls have confessed the Lord since our arrival; this being fruit from the patient sowing of the dear saints who have been laboring here the last few years. Last Sunday 28 of the 50 were baptized, witnessed by a large crowd of natives, making a deep and, I pray, convicting impression."

The above news is surely a cause both for rejoicing and continued prayer, particularly for the further advance of the work.

From a Missionary magazine just to hand we read:"During the present year, 1930, an estimate has been made of the population of Africa as about 140 millions, and of that number not more than 10 % have heard the gospel. The vast area of Africa must be regarded, when considering this astounding fact that approximately 125 millions are without the gospel."

"Whom shall I send and who will go for us?" (Isa. 6:8).

Dr. Woodhams, writing on February 1st, says:

"We have had very enjoyable fellowship with brother Deans and his family, and it has surely been an encouragement to us all to welcome them to the Congo. Last week they made their first visit here to Mambasa and remained about a week. They are very much enthused over the forests and the opportunities here. Brother Bill (as he insists that we call him) has been thinking of a new site between here and Nyangkundi, for which we were all very glad, as it is thickly populated and a wide open territory. It is a section which I have passed many times going back and forth to Nyangkundi, and yet the people have never heard the gospel, and Bill starts in with them in a wholly raw state. Our hope is that in due time there will be an assembly there who worship God and Christ in spirit and in truth. This is to be accomplished by the power of the gospel and blessing of God upon the seed sown.

Our new boy is doing fine, although he had rather a rough start. Now he gets another jolt to his constitution. We were feeding him on goats' milk. We had two to give him milk. We had a herd of ten, but three nights ago a leopard broke into the goat-house and killed the entire ten goats. Fortunately we had a good supply of Borden's milk on hand, and we are now giving this to baby, and he appears to be doing well."

A later letter from Dr. Woodhams, dated March 3, gives an account of Miss Wilson's departure:

Dear Brother:

On February 28 I sent you a cable as follows:COGUGEJUJU TARAJIVACA LOGEXAPASA meaning:Miss Wilson's state of health causes anxiety. As soon as her health will allow must be accompanied by E.C.W. and family. Continue in prayer with us.

On March 1 I sent a second cable as follows:

COGUBELIJE HOPIT

Miss Wilson died yesterday-heart disease.

The cause of death was the original heart lesion which she had since late childhood. When I examined her, together with Dr. Jouard, we came to the conclusion that though it would some day cause her trouble it was not more likely to do this in Africa than in America. I say this from the medical side, for though night-duty with the babies and other factors no doubt had a part, yet the basis of all was the original lesion. Miss Wilson's greatest fault, if we can call it a fault, was her continual eagerness to do more, and help some one else. After her attack at Nyangkundi, from which she recovered quickly, she did not want to go home to America, but was anxious to return to Mambasa; in fact it was after much persuasion on the part of the other ladies that she finally gave up bringing the Babira babies here with her. She then contented herself by helping us with the hospital work, giving the anaesthetics, in which she had become proficient. No night hours being involved in this work

I thought she would be able to stand it all right, and she was very anxious to do this work until she and Miss DeJonge could go home together in April. But the Lord in His eternal wisdom has willed otherwise. From a human standpoint my only regret would be that I did not insist that she go home six months ago. There was an opportunity to accompany another missionary, but though we spoke of it she "was not minded to go at that time," and the matter was dropped. I do not like the responsibility of commanding others.

Her's is a case of giving herself for the Lord's work. She knew that she did not have the "expectancy of long life," and yet she chose to spend the years she had here in Africa for our Lord. And I am sure from what we saw of her earnest devoted spirit and enjoyment of her work during the past five years that she never regretted her choice. Earnest, devoted, faithful and with a willingness often beyond her strength, such as was her part in the Lord's work here. Yet God's Word declares plainly-"To depart and be with Christ is far better." We surely miss our sister in the assembly here. This was especially felt last Lord's Day evening, as the Searles were here (the Deans having returned to Nyangkundi), and we remembered the Lord together, five of us only. Yet as we were there in the Lord's presence so she also was, though ours was to remember Him by faith, and hers to see Him face to face. Our sister always wanted to come to Mambasa since the work was first proposed, and she liked it here very much, but we may be sure that from what she has already seen of Heaven and the Lord's actual presence that she does not wish herself here again.

Because I had seen her heart respond to treatment and rest before, I was hopeful even to the last that it would be so this time. In fact 1 wrote to Brother Gillings a day or two before that I was encouraged by the response to treatment. But the lesion was such that when the heart failed to compensate there was no reserve.

Our prayers have been much for her parents and loved ones at this time, that they may find real comfort at the Lord's hands. God has not promised that we shall not sorrow at such a time, but rather that sorrow shall not be "as others who have no hope." Sorrow is real, but with it hope is mixed, and this changes all.

When the Lord enables we believe we should go on furlough as we realize ourselves to be below par physically, and not as full of energy for the work as we ought to be. But our physical state is not so urgent as the arrangements for the work; for if brother Deans fills in for me here at Mambasa, as he promises to do, this will delay his own plans, so I feel that we ought to get away and back again as soon as possible. Also brother Searle will be needing to go by next year, and we ought to be back again by that time. For negotiations with the Government either he or I should be here, not both of us away at the same time. Brother Searle does not want to go now as he wants to finish some translation work he is on before he leaves.

Much love to you in Christ. There is much else to write, but I cannot this morning. Enough to say that there is blessing on the work and good interest. Your brother in Christ.

R. C. WOODHAMS, M.D.
P.S.-I overlooked an account of the burial. Brother Deans was here, as I went for him the same day, and he gave a good word on 2 Tim. 4:7:"I have fought a good fight," connecting this with 1 Peter 1:34. This in English in Miss DeJonge's house where we had a short service. Then at the grave we had a service in Kingwana, and I spoke from 2 Cor. 5:1-9. So we laid to rest the "earthly tabernacle" of our dear sister in Christ, all the while blessedly conscious that she was not there, but "with Christ." What a hope and what a ground to stand on! Hope for those who go on before us, and for ourselves in view of what is common to man. "Absent from the body and present with the Lord" is a word that pours oil upon our sorrow.

Miss DeJonge, writing a few days before Miss Wilson's death, says:

The Woodhams are really ready for a furlough as much as we, and we are looking to the Lord to show us His will in the matter of coming together. With Him all things are possible, and we would trust Him to order all according to His purpose.

The Searles are here at Mambasa for the present, a second son being born to them last Thursday.

The present would seem the most suitable time for a furlough for the Woodhams, both with a view to preserving their health and also fitting with new arrangements for expanding the work. If they get away soon, it will make it possible, on their return to the field, for Mr. Searle and family to take their furlough within a reasonable time. All have been in Africa about five years. Letters from China, the Indian and Harbor work, etc., are omitted for lack of space, and will, D.V., appear in the next issue.

NEW WORKERS:

George Foggin of Halifax, Nova Scotia, expects to sail from San Francisco on May 30th for China, to join Mr. and Mrs. Kautto in service for the Lord.

Mr. Foggin is a young man (about 30 years of age), and well commended by all who have come in contact with him. He has been exercised for a number of years about China, and for the last five years has been in close touch with brother Kautto. Brother Kautto plans, D. V., to meet brother Foggin at Kobe, Japan, which will be a great help to him.

"Help us, O Lord, our God, for we rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go" (2 Chron. 14:11).

"We go, in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
And needing more each day Thy grace to know,
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go."

MISSIONARY PRAYER MEETING

The usual missionary meeting will be held, D. V., at Elizabeth, N. J., on May 5th. Tea, 6:30. Meeting, 8 P. M.

(Reprinted from "Help & Food"for July, 1912)

"He that is least in the kingdom, of God is greater than "(Lk. 7:28).

Nothing tells more of the blessedness and greatness of the change that will take place on the earth when our Lord returns "in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" than the statement of our text.

Israel knew well that their nation was to be very great-the center, indeed, of greatness and blessedness unknown before, and destined to spread to all the earth. It was the great subject of the prophets. They ever labored, therefore, to bring Israel back to Jehovah, since Jehovah alone could accomplish this marvelous change.

Jehovah, the Messiah, had arrived, and to John was given this-the highest of all missions ever committed to man-to announce Him and the nearness therefore of the glorious change. John himself, by virtue of being the one sent to announce the nearing change, was outside it; but so glorious was the change to be, so great were they to be who would live in that change, that the least of them would be greater yet than John, though his being sent to announce Him Who would bring it about constituted him the greatest of all prophets.

And if the change on earth is to be so great, what must be the change of those who are transferred, not from one earthly condition into another earthly condition, but from an earthly condition into a heavenly, such as we Christians look for at the coming of our Lord!

In what a fallen state, therefore, are professing Christians "who mind earthly things;" who reduce Christianity to a condition of bodily health or financial prosperity; to improvements In the means of travel and communication; to discoveries of science, even if true; to increase in knowledge and the inventions of men.

How soothing, in the midst of the increasing groans of a groaning creator, to know that soon it will not only cease to groan, but echo and reecho with joyful praise from pole to pole; that if judgments of a frightful nature precede that blessed time (as we know they will), they are but to make away with the opponents of Him who brings that blessing-that evil, rebellion, oppression, and unrighteousness (though once more, at the close they may and will try to lift up their head, Rev. 20:7-10) are broken forever and no more to rule. How deeply soothing is all this to the Christian-the loving, sympathetic heart! But how elevating, how sanctifying, how productive of worship in that same Christian heart, to know that he belongs to an entirely different order of things, even a heavenly; that even before this great change has taken place on earth, his own will have taken place-he will have been transferred from earth to heaven; that when the reign of Christ will thus bless the earth, he will be associated with Christ in that reign; that, as when Israel has reached the glorious place assigned to her on the earth, everything will be in order on the earth, so when the Church-the Christian body-has reached her assigned place in heaven, everything there too will find its proper place. Strange as it may seem in our present weak and lowly condition, we shall then not only judge the world-rule over it-but also "judge angels."
To be witnesses in word, ways and character of such a calling is no trifle; and if the Christian body at large has ceased (as, indeed, it has long since) to be such witness, it is but the more important that those on "broken pieces of the ship," or who "swim" alone to shore (Acts 27:43, 44), should bear clear and unmistakable testimony. For this, nothing short of heart devotion to Christ will do. And this means the denial of self; the surrender of our wills; lowly subjection to the word of God-in a word, a life in which the Holy Spirit who dwells in us is not grieved, but can fill us.

Brother, sister, is this too costly? Then come; take a fresh look at your Saviour as He hangs on Calvary's tree, and hear Him from the deep darkness cry out, in the agony of His soul, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" It was your sins which did that. Your salvation cost Him that; yet to be true to Him costs you too much? Here we cast a curtain over you and Him and leave you together, for we may not intrude at such a solemn moment. P. J. L.

(Continued from p. 283.)

"Wherefore, I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of His calling."

From the lofty heights of Ephesian blessing, radiant with the promises of God, the Blesser, with their vistas of past magnificent purpose, present glorious possession and future shining of consummation, we are now privileged to look into the heart of one of the noblest of Christian mountain-climbers, as he kneels in prayer at the summit of a lofty peak, listening to the shouts of other climbers, scaling in "faith and love" the same slopes that he has passed, a faith that is centered on the "Rock of Ages" and a love that embraces all their fellow-pilgrims, called "saints."

Here indeed is a lovely spectacle, fit companion view to the scenes we have been scanning, as the current of beautiful thought has lured us upward and onward. How like is the Apostle's heart to that of the Master, the "Captain of Salvation," on the mountain-tops of prayer and praise!

It is well to remember that it is the goodness of the Ephesian believers that occasions the prayer. Paul very often prays for those who seem least to need it. Such seeming, however, is mere dreaming, for it is very hard indeed to maintain a steady footing on the heights of Christian experience. It is so easy to slip, and the fall of leaders is more than disastrous for the rearguard. Therefore Satan spreads his most subtle and dangerous snares for the choicest of the faithful. He may leave the rest to the flesh and the world. For these the Apostle has his tears (Phil. 3:18) and supplications; for those his thanksgiving and petitioning.

Notice how suitably thanksgiving and supplication keep company. The faithful stand through God's goodness alone. It is in His strength that they are such successful climbers. So he can indeed give thanks. Snap the links that bind them to the Throne of Grace, however, and the steep slopes they have so successfully negotiated are then but perilous declivities, threatening destruction. The moments of self-confidence, born of success, are the danger-spots in Christian life. Therefore he supplicates. "Anchor, Hardy; anchor!" was the dying warning of a great sea-captain to his victorious fleet. The aftermath of victory was weakness, and a storm brewed. "Anchor, Christian; anchor!" we may well repeat, for the time of relaxation is big with danger, and the anchor of prayer, biting deep into the firm bottom of God's almighty power, will alone enable to outride the storm.

Shall we not then pray particularly for our pioneer missionaries and evangelists, our pioneer witnesses to the "truth as it is in Jesus," our pioneer thinkers, as they explore, with the Spirit, the deep things of God? They need prayer. It is the sustenance of their life. Paul, above all others eminent in these fields of Christian usefulness, realized this, and ever entreated the intercession of his brethren for himself.

Let us now consider the prayer a little more in detail. If the preceding portion of our chapter has been called by an able critic a "noble period" in Paul's writings, yet there is a loftiness of thought, a vigor of expression, a nicety of diction, in that which follows, that falls little short of it. Notice the discriminating use of God's names and titles here. "The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory," fit the theme of the prayer as no other titles would. "The God of our Lord Jesus Christ" is evidently God revealed in the Person of His Son, a magnificent revelation, unrivaled in grace and grandeur, which the expression "Father of glory" supplements, as if that Son were the very manifestation of the glory, its "effulgence," as indeed the 1st chapter of Hebrews proclaims Him.

Then consider how these two titles clothe the theme of grace and glory that like a golden web gathers the thought into itself. Had grace ever a more outstanding display than in the "hope of God's calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, the exceeding greatness of His power," towards these Ephesian believers? And has the glory of the Son ever better manifested the "Father of glory" than in the supreme glory to which the Son is raised, "far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named…Head over all things to the Church?" (vers. 20-23).

So all dwellers in the universal temple may well shout "GLORY!" as did the dwellers in the tabernacle of old, and priests of God sing:

"Father of glory, thought beyond all thought,"

for such indeed He is.

But properly to appreciate these things, we must have the "spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him," "the eyes of our hearts" must be "enlightened," and for this Paul supplicates. The one "who was obedient unto the heavenly vision" in days of yore, sees in the heavenly vision, and sees, in "seeing Jesus" (Heb. 2:9), that ultimate glory whither the sons of God are being brought. If the Son of Man once said:"If ye understand not this parable, how then shall ye understand all parables?" may we not add, "If ye perceive not this vision, how then shall ye perceive all visions?" Herein is the living foundation of all Christian development.

Paul is not alone in this assertion. Peter, in entire accord with him, tells us that it is "through the knowledge of God" that "all things that pertain unto life and godliness" are made ours, while John makes the beginning and ending of Christian life to be "knowledge of the Father." knowledge of the One who is "from the beginning." And the Lord, Himself, emphasizes it when He asserts "eternal life" to be living acquaintance with "the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent" (John 17:3).

This then is that through which we gain experimental acquaintance with "the hope of His calling." As those in the second chapter of our epistle are "without hope" because "without God," so here hope finds its sustenance in the knowledge of God. For it is practical experience and not intellectual apprehension that is the object of attainment. Paul calls this calling "a high calling," a "heavenly calling." Samuel Rutherford, about to die, exclaimed:"Oh, for arms to embrace Him! Oh, for a well-tuned harp! I hear Him calling, 'Come up hither!' " At that moment, as never before, he knew thoroughly what the "hope" of God's calling meant. It was something for which the knowledge of His God and Saviour, so distinctive a feature of his life of sweet communion, had been preparing him, a final, triumphant experience. A. C. Warburton, head of the Y. M. C. A. movement in Canada, once said, "Boys, when you hear that I have gone, I want you to know that I went with a cheer." Samuel Rutherford "went with a cheer" because he knew God and Christ as not too many know Them. May our last end be like his, and all through this vale of tears may it be ours to,

"Hear Hope singing, sweetly singing,
Softly, in an undertone,
Singing, as if God had taught her,
'It is better further on.'"

That very able and learned woman, Harriet Martineau, once said to a Christian:"I do not believe in immortality, but if I did believe in it, I should live a far better life than you appear to live. I should strive more earnestly and bear more patiently. I do not think I should ever be troubled with a fear, or wearied with an earthly burden. I think it would be all sunlight and joy." She evidently considered Hope a singer. Let us set her singing then, for the sake of others, if not for our own. Inestimable, however, is this hope for us also. Alexander Maclaren writes:"It stimulates effort, calms sorrows, takes the fascination out of temptations, supplies a new aim for life and a new measure for the things of time and sense." F. C. Grant

(Continued from p. 355)

III.-ABEL’S SACRIFICE

Some years have passed since the expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Except for the notice of birth, the scene which opens before us in Gen. 4 presents Cain and Abel as full-grown men, each in their particular occupation-the elder an agriculturist, the younger a shepherd.

By comparison with chapter 3 we may observe a difference. It is not now God coming to the creature, but the creature approaching God. Thus the lesson has to do with the bearing of the actions of these two men in reference to acceptance with and favor from God, and in particular the development and consequences of a course growing out of the disposition indicated in such an offering as that of Cain.

God has been before us as the Creator, bringing all into being by the Word of His power; as the Revealer, disclosing His purpose as light which pierces the moral darkness in which His creature has become involved through lawlessness; as the merciful Provider of what as being suited to Himself also perfectly meets the need of the guilty. In all of this God has drawn near to the creature. Now it is the creature drawing near to Him and His answer to this approach-a lesson in its place as important as any.

Because of this, as we may gather from the New Testament comment on this scene, it is the great moral principle, faith (basic as it is to all blessing from God), which is the secret that explains the different issues here set before us.

Faith involves at once the fact of revelation to man, and its acceptance or rejection as the spring of action, not mere human intuition. It is not that Abel by some inherent human difference reached up to a higher plane, as a result of which he knew better than his brother what would suit God, but rather that already in the course of their experience they both had before them God's witness-His testimony to them in their days-and Abel in reality of heart had accepted it, Cain refused it. John in his reference to the latter indicates an already existing course of evil which culminated in murder. His "works" were wicked, and his brother's righteous. It is not simply that his offering was of that character, but there was a wicked course of which such an offering was the natural outcome. Thus the fundamental difference in the manner of approach to God seen in the offerings of these two men teaches us of an internal moral distinction. The action resulting from this leads to the important manifestation of God by which we learn what becomes Him, that acceptance may be accorded those who approach Him.

This consideration raises the question of what constituted the revelation which Abel received in faith. There would be the ever-present witness of creation -"From the world's creation the invisible things of Him are perceived, being apprehended by the mind through the things that are made, both His eternal power and divinity"-and there would be the knowledge of what transpired in the Garden as recorded for us in the previous chapter, the solemn proof of lawlessness and its consequences, the divine word of promise and the divine act of provision. But may not the difference in the offerings inform us still further as to the knowledge possessed of what suited God, and which has the seal of His approval in His acceptance of the action promoted by that knowledge? And does not that approval and acceptance witness that such knowledge must have been of divine origin, for it could not have its birthplace in the human heart and mind? What then is the knowledge of faith here intimated?

Cain's offering does not involve the giving up of life. On the face of it, Abel's sacrifice of life makes his offering "more excellent." What are the elements of knowledge that led him to take such action? Has he not learned from God that sin brings forfeiture of life? Has not the lesson, in some sense, of life lost been before him as outside of the Garden he looked upon it and faced the impassable cherubim with the naming sword? Would not this bring to his soul conviction of the heinousness of sin, the immutability of God's word? Would he not find reason for hope in God's promise? And then must it not be that the consequences of sin are alone met by death in which the guiltless suffers for the guilty? Was not God in this preaching by His own act that only thus could sin be covered, so that the creature at first driven into the shadow of doom by sin is brought again in some sense to be accepted by God?

But there are still further intimations of the intelligence of Abel's faith which emphasize its divine source and character. He brought of his flock. He did not bring an animal secured by hunting, captured by some show of human prowess or cunning, violently killed, which in itself bespeaks the fruit and work of sin. He takes and brings what would not resist him as a shepherd, yea, what had been the object of his solicitude, and to which he would have an affectionate attachment-the firstlings of his flock. We, at least, must see in this the foreshadow of Him who "was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and was as a sheep dumb before her shearers" -the Lamb of God who gave Himself up in perfect submission to the will of God to accomplish by His death that which would make possible the acceptance of the ungodly who believe, justifying them from all things. If this was not the substance which God saw shadowed in Abel's sacrifice, he could not by it have "obtained testimony of being righteous." Only on the ground of the obedience of that One could God constitute a single soul righteous. From the beginning God had that Person and His work before Him; thus He could pass by the sins of those who were of faith before the actual accomplishment of eternal redemption by the one offering of Christ as a sacrifice for sin.

Yet again it was the firstlings that Abel brought. By faith he did it. Was not this the confession that life alone belongs to God? Sinful man has no right to it. Cain's offering lacks this element along with other evidence of inferiority. He does not even bring first-fruits. In later revelation of fuller typical instruction the importance of this feature is evident. God claims the firstborn for Himself, and the first-fruits also. In rendering them to Him faith owns .that to God alone belongs the excellency of might, strength, dignity and power for which the firstborn stands, and in doing this virtually denies man's right or title to anything. Has not all now reverted to God before whom man stands in the nakedness and poverty of sin, utterly dependent upon His mercy? Surely, as we consider it, there is here the shadow of Him who is truly God's Firstborn, yet made the sacrifice for sin that those who are of faith might stand in righteousness before Him forever. And, though it may seem like the faintest outline, can we not in this discern that One who through that sacrifice becomes "the Firstborn among many brethren"-the many constituted righteous through His one obedience? Here then is another of the first glimmerings of the dawning light which reaches its noonday glory when the Son Himself has come, and as the Lamb of God has offered Himself without spot to God, He who was the appointed Heir of all things, the One to whom all the rights of the firstborn belong.

Let us not pass over one more feature. Abel brought "of their fat." The fat of the animal suggests its goodly character, its strength and energy, that which indeed rightly belongs to God. From the very beginning man's sin is seen in the use of this for self, denying God His place and right. The sin of this Abel virtually confesses in what he does. He does not reserve the fat for himself; he brings it an offering to God. In the Levitical order of sacrifice we know how God claimed the fat of the offerings as His portion. But in this who cannot see Him of whom it is perfectly, absolutely true that He rendered all without reserve to God, who, being eternally glorified in this, can look in favor upon the one who approaches Him with such a sacrifice? Let those who are thus accepted ever remember that it means that they too are now to render up without reserve all they have and are to Him who claims for Himself the fat of every offering. We are sanctified "unto the obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ."

"And Jehovah looked upon Abel, and his offering." We know that this involved God's testimony to his gifts, and to him being righteous. We may be sure that this was by some manifest token of approval, as well as an inward sense of acceptance, for it must have been because of the observation of such a token that Cain was made angry, there being nothing like it in his case. It may have been by fire consuming the sacrifice, as we see in Lev. 11:24 and Judges 6:21. God delights to look when Christ and His work are presented. All not associated with Him must perish out of His sight. There is no acceptance except in Christ, through His work.

Plainly, in the approval and acceptance of Abel's sacrifice, God declares that man's approach to Him must be in that way alone. In its features we have the outward expression of the knowledge in which his faith was rooted -knowledge by revelation. In the seal of acceptance put upon his gifts we have God's witness to the genuineness of Abel's faith, and so the lesson of what really constitutes having faith according to God.

In the great symphony of redemption which flows in glorious harmony through all of God's revelation, these first chords are used again and again, each taken up and put in different settings, so that now this note, and then that, is given more harmonious emphasis as the vastness of the theme unfolds, until in the blessed liberty of the eternal day the whole redeemed creation will join in one mighty diapason of song, giving glory to God and the Lamb to the ages of ages. J. Bloore

(To be continued. D. V.)

Calendar:Nov. 16th to Dec. 15th

DAILY BIBLE READING ……. Nov. 16th, Num. 17; Nov. 30th, Num. 31; Dec. 15th, Deut. 10.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING …. .Nov. 16th, Mark 7; Nov. 30th, Luke 5; Dec. 15th, Luke 20.

AFRICA

We rejoice to know of the safe arrival in Africa of the Deans family. They arrived at Nairobi, Kenya Colony, Nov. 7th, but owing to a delay of ten days at Nairobi, waiting for connections, did not expect to reach Irumu until Nov. 30th. Brother Deans says:

"The Lord has been very gracious to us and we have every reason to thank Him and take courage. The children are digging in at the new language, and we all feel like snorting horses anxious to get started. Oh, that we might be used mightily for His glory."

From Miss DeJonge we have received the following:

"A telegram received yesterday tells us that we may look for the Deans family to arrive in the Congo about the 23rd inst. Mrs. Searle is making plans for all of us here at Mambasa to be at Nyangkundi to meet the newcomers, and to spend two or three days there (D.V.). We thank God for answered prayer in sending out more laborers to this needy field. As to our furlough, we have been rather undecided as to the time for leaving here for home. Miss Wilson seems so much better that she wishes to wait until I can go home too. We have been discussing plans as to the best way, and think probably we might go by way of the Nile. We are still living with the Woodhams family, while my house is being built. The second coating of mud is now being applied to the walls, so I hope to be able to move into it in about three or four weeks (D.V.). It is being built directly across from the school-house, which is but a roof supported by poles, but suitable for its purpose. Here I have the station workmen (some 70) directly after 6 A.M. roll-call, closing with a short talk and repetition of Scripture portions. At 8:30 A.M. the regular station school is held with some 50 enrolled. In the afternoon a class for advanced boys is held.

Thanking the saints for all their kindnesses I close with love in- the Lord Jesus Christ to you all." Miss Wilson says in regard to furlough:"I am waiting on the Lord to be directed according to His will as to when to go. Physically I have been feeling quite ready for a rest and change and, of course, I long to be with my loved ones again, but the need here is so great it seems hard to leave, even for a short time."

Miss Wilson's letter and a recent one from Mrs. Amies vividly bring home to us the cares, hardships and trials of our sisters who have gone out to countries such as Africa, particularly those who are married and have the care of children. Also they are frequently alone while their husbands are away on journeys of days or weeks visiting out-stations and preaching the gospel.

Gordon Searle writes on Oct. 29:

We have had joy lately in seeing several confessing the Lord, and only pray that they may be genuine. A little assembly now gathers here and one at Mambasa. Here we have Bible and prayer meeting every evening. At present we have had the Lord's coming before us and dispensational truth connected therewith. On Lord's days there is a gospel meeting, and afterwards the breaking of bread separately. Pray for these meetings and for the word as it is given out in the villages.
Just as we go to press the following has come in-all praise to the God of all grace.

Congo Beige,

My beloved brother in Christ:- Nov. 28,1929.

By the good hand of our gracious Lord we landed in the Belgian Congo at a small port called Kasenyi which Dr. Woodhams has called our Appii Forum. The comparison, however, as far as our part with the original is concerned, is practically nil.

Both Dr. Woodhams and brother Searle met us at the port, and their kindly help and influence with both natives and officials, in getting our entry papers put through and our clearance from customs, were very great indeed.

All along the road en route to the above station we could hear from the natives the word, "Yambo," "Yambo," which means, Hello! or, How are you?

On reaching the station the natives turned out en masse, and the "Yamboes" were hearty indeed.

What a joy it gave us to see all the dear saints coming down the hill on which the station is built to meet us. Here is Miss DeJonge looking well and happy, also Miss Wilson with her. Next come Mrs. Woodhams and her children, with Mrs. Searle and her little boy. How glad we all were to meet, and have the joy of knowing we were on common ground in our desire to win souls from this dark country for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Next day being Lord's Day we went to the meeting, and no words can fully describe what we beheld, and the joy we felt when we sat down at the gospel meeting which is held prior to the Lord's table. There were over 100 natives in the place, and the hymns they sang (translated from "Grace and Truth" and Sankey's), were very inspiring, to say the least.

At the Lord's table there were about sixty present, and twelve natives partook of the Supper. How blessed it was to behold the solemnity on this occasion! It was one of the happiest moments in our lives.

The dear saints have done great work here. Brother Searle speaks the language fluently, and also Miss De Jonge, and the former is of great help to us being at this station where we will stay until we acquire the language.

The "good white doctor" has gone to his station at Mambasa, with his wife and children and Miss De Jonge and Miss Wilson.

Sorry to close so abruptly, but the man is waiting to carry the mail twelve miles to post office.

Our united love to all the saints.

Yours in His blessed service, R. Deans.

CHINA

Mrs. Kautto writes as follows:

Taitowying, Nov. 26, 1929. Dear brother:

Mr. Kautto expected to write you, but I do not think he had time, as he had to go to Tientsin for a week, and then to the out-stations. His letter from Shuang-Shan-tze, received last evening, says in part:"Arrived here yesterday afternoon about 4 P.M. Last night had a meeting among ourselves, only one man from outside came in. This morning two men came, to whom I tried to preach the word of life. One thought it was Sunday to-day and so came to hear the preaching. I hope he wasn't disappointed. The other one was a soldier, who wanted me to become his (kan t'ie) dry father, which I had to refuse to do. To-morrow am going to Mutouteng, D.V. Am sorry to hear that this year we may not be able to have that month's Bible study course, for many of the Christians have gone to other places to look for work, and those that are left do not want to take so much time. However, I'll try to arrange with them for a shorter period of meetings. , Am expecting to return home some time next week."

It is most encouraging to hear of the intercession on our behalf at the missionary prayer meeting, and we give thanks with joy for such fellowship, and look, while we work, with renewed hope for His answer who delights to honor that Name. With Christian love and greetings to all the dear Christians from us both.

INDIAN WORK

Our brethren and sisters engaged in this work are experiencing many difficulties and trials of faith, yet rejoice at the opportunities for preaching the gospel and witnessing for the Lord in a dry and thirsty land. The same applies to our dear brethren laboring in Central and South America.

HARBOR WORK

We give below a few items of interest sent to us by brethren engaged in this work. Those who have any knowledge of ships or harbor conditions can fully appreciate the difficulties of those thus engaged, particularly during the winter.

Brother Holwill writing from Montreal tells of many interesting opportunities of speaking to and helping the seamen during the busy season which has just closed. We report below one or two interesting cases. The conversion of a steward

It was in 1927, toward the close of the year, that we met this man. It happened late one evening about 11 o'clock when I was making my way home I espied a large freighter, a ship I had often missed before. Her cargo was all out, and she was waiting for daylight to sail. I had enough Gospels to reach about six men and though it was late and raining we climbed aboard. I saw a light in the saloon and walked in. Someone called out from below, "What do you want?" I found it was the steward and his mate stowing away food supplies. I gave them my message of love and was about to depart when he asked me if I cared for a mug of cocoa. This was hard to resist, and I was busy explaining my business and found I had two very interested listeners. The steward said he wished he knew something of the Scriptures. We had a word of prayer and I got home rather late to my much worried wife. Now after nearly two years, I have met this man again. He tells me he believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and wants to get a good Bible. This was a case for real joy.

The Friendless Sailor Helped

This man was ashore one day last month when his ship pushed off without him. With it went all his clothes, papers and two months' wages. A seaman on another ship who knew of me sent this man to my home where he was a bit disappointed to find that like Paul I worked by day and preached by night, and did not run a Sailors' Bethel. However my wife gave him some food and some left-off clothing that did very well. We offered him some money but he refused all but $1. His home is in England where he has a wife and two children. As he entertained hopes of getting work on another ship in St. John's, N.B., he started off on the long hike of 380 miles with the $1. and the food my wife gave him. Truly the life of the average sailor is a hard one, and they really do need the joy of salvation.

The sick Christian sailor

We met recently a dear old Christian called "Larsen," who was taken off his ship here and put in a hospital. We visited him and found him under the care of a Christian nurse (apparently the only one in the large hospital) and had a happy time of fellowship with him and the nurse, my wife too being with me. He afterward came out to Verdun and remembered the Lord with us on Lord's Day.

From our brother Germain we hear as follows:

The harbor season is over, and as we review the past seven months, we give unfeigned thanks to the Lord for the privilege and honor that He bestowed upon us to be His witnesses to many of the seamen who came here. We are glad to report, to the honor and glory of the Lord, that again we have been much encouraged in the work amongst the sailors. When possible brother S. J. Holwill and self worked together, but on account of our calling and work (our brother having to attend to his store and work as an electrician) we could not always do so; however, some 240 ships were visited in this way:brother Holwill some 162 alone, myself 28, and together, some fifty more. The ships visited were British, Italian, Danish, Norwegian, Dutch, German", Japanese, Belgian, Spanish, French, Greek, Finnish, but men of other nationalities were met and served in their own tongue.

Considering that |each freighter has from twenty-five to forty-two men as crew, it means that some 9000 sailors were reached with the Gospel. How glad we are to bear testimony to the faithfulness of the Lord who provided, through His people, for every need, so that we had always plenty to give, either in Bibles, New Testaments, Gospels, booklets, gospel 'papers, calendars, and sailor's kit-bags. We do therefore give thanks, not only to the Lord, but to all those who helped us in one way or another. We would particularly thank the sisters and young people who made and sent in over 800 sailors' kit-bags with money to buy New Testaments to go along with them. May God now be pleased to bless the precious seed to His own glory.

The work for the Lord in different spheres continues with encouragement from Him. He gives us opportunities amongst the English and French R. C., and consequently we are glad to speak of Him to those we meet. To God be all the praise!

Like brother Holwill, our brother Gibb in Boston works by day and preaches by night. He finds much real joy in serving the Lord in this way, and reports many happy cases of men who are interested and aroused by the truth. Let us think of him as he thus labors for Christ.

At Baltimore brother Anderson writes of this work which he too does in his spare time and endures hardship for the Master's sake, but is amply rewarded by spiritual blessing and gospel openings with the men. Brother West of New York who devotes his whole time in service to the Lord reports as follows:

The Lord has kept us busy among the seafarers for the past six years. During that period we have evangelized thousands of men with tracts, Gospels and New Testaments in as many as twenty-five or more different languages. We have also given out the hundreds of kit-bags made by the sisters, and many calendars too, which things the sailors love.

Two colored seamen on the S.S. "Hoxie" confessed the Lord one day last month while I was speaking with them. Also two other colored men, stewards, on the "City of Savannah" showed a decided exercise and I look forward to another visit with them.

An old Irishman on the "American Banker" gave me a happy hour this month. Of the Roman Catholic persuasion, he is trying to "make reparations," as he termed it, for a life of sin which he now thoroughly repents of, I believe his conviction was of the Holy Spirit, and was glad to hear him say he knew our Jesus, communed with Him and had no fellowship with the ungodly seamen around him. I was glad too to point him to Christ as the One who "finished the work" on Calvary.

The East Indian Seamen are a real problem, but I am happy to report many who ask for New Testaments, some in English, others in their own languages. God is working among many of these men, and I could give instances of this, did space permit. We seek the prayerful fellowship of saints as we begin (under His control and guidance) our seventh year with "those who go down to the sea in ships." "Brethren, pray for us."

Dear brethren:- Dec. 6,1929.

458 S. W. 6th St., Miami, Fla.

If you know of any brother who is looking for a Spanish-speaking field of labor for this winter, I would suggest that you call attention to Cuba. It has a large population and a good sprinkling of Chinese and other nationalities. In conversation with Dr. Forrest at the Christian Alliance School in Toccoa Falls last summer, I was surprised to learn that they had received about a dozen young Cubans for Bible instruction in the past few years.

The island is long and narrow, Santiago, the largest city to the east, is about seven hundred miles from Havana, and there are many large towns en route. The American Bible Society removed their Agency for the West Indies from Porto Rico to Havana about three years ago so there is no difficulty in obtaining Bibles and Testaments for Colportage work.

Away from Havana American influence would not be so strong and it is a large inviting field. I would be glad to give all assistance possible to any who thought of work there, and to go also if it seemed desirable. I have been in correspondence, with brother Dresch about it and he would like to come but the work in San Antonio seems to require his presence in the winter.

Being a poor linguist I hesitate about going alone but no doubt the way to learn the language is to go in for colportage work and pick up a working knowledge. I trust the Lord may lay it upon the heart of some brother to take up work there. It would seem that there has been an inequality with so many in Porto Rico, and none among us in this larger field.

Brother Stebbins purposes going to the Marsh Harbor conference at the new year and to devote himself to the work of the gospel.

Affectionately in Christ our Hope,

Roger B. Eames.

Parintins, via Manaos, Amazonas, Brazil.

Dec. 10,1929.

My long journey is nearing its end. Have visited practically all the great centers, "preaching the kingdom ,of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ." Thus far three young sisters have offered themselves to the Lord as teachers of day schools in the woods of Amazonia.

It is hoped that in Pernambuco a little company is gathering for breaking of bread.

In the goodness of God I expect to reach home by January 9th, after seven months of journeying by sea and land. Then by the 15th of April (1930) it is my mind to leave for the U.S., reaching New York City by the first ,days of May.

Yours in our Lord, J. P. Ribeiro.

The below article is a separate issue of Help and Food.

'Christ is everything, and all" (Col. 3:11.)

"NONE OF SELF, AND ALL OF THEE" "Oh, the bitter pain and sorrow
That a time could ever be,
When I proudly said to Jesus,
'All of self and none of Thee.'

"Yet He found me; I beheld Him
Bleeding on th' accursed tree,
And my wistful heart said faintly,
'Some of self, and some of Thee.'

"Day by day His tender mercy,
Healing, helping, full and free,
Brought me lower, while
I whispered, Less of self and more of Thee.'

"Higher than the highest heaven,
Deeper than the deepest sea,
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered
'None of self, and all of Thee'."

"Lastly, I gratefully declare my personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, my beloved Saviour, whose I am for time and eternity; to whose infinite grace alone I owe my all. I most affectionately press upon my beloved children to make the Lord their chief object, to live in love and peace, and to serve Him."

(Last paragraph in our brother's will)

"Freely ye have received, freely give"

The meridian of divine revelation was reached in the ministry of Paul. It was given to him to complete the Word of God. We get its full splendor in Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians. Related truths, both doctrinal and practical, are developed in his other epistles. This whole counsel of God Pau! declared and committed to the assembly. Not for long did it abide in the glory and goodness of these wondrous unfoldings for in his last letter to Timothy he laments how all in Asia had turned aside, and in the later addresses to the seven churches we learn from the Lord Himself how great the declension had become.

Departure increased, and in another hundred years the shadows had greatly deepened. The distinctive truths of Paul's epistles were no longer ministered in the churches. The gloom became greater until the dense darkness of the middle ages enveloped Christendom. Into this darkness the Reformation sent a beam of light. This wrought a partial transformation, but not until about one hundred years ago did the Spirit bring again to light the long hidden truth enshrined in the Pauline Epistles. This was not done all at once, but gradually those whom the Lord then raised up brought out the gold, silver and precious stones long buried under the accumulated debris of man's religious inventions and sophistries. Their display touched many hearts, and delivered many from bondage to traditionalism, ritualism, and their attendant evils. We are the inheritors of this remarkable and blessed renaissance of divine truths. Let us take inventory of this priceless legacy. We need not follow an historical order, but rather consider it in its spiritual relations.

First, we may mention the headship of Christ:His place in glory, atonement having been fully accomplished, where He is set forth as Head of the assembly and Head over all things, the One in whom all the fulness dwells, the One who has all-preeminence. To this there are many related lines of truth, both individual and collective, for example, justification, sanctification, redemption, sonship, co-heirship, new creation.

The truth of the one body of which Christ is the Head follows. To this all believers since Pentecost belong, being baptized into it by the Holy Spirit and united to the Head-members of Christ and members one of another. With this we get the unfolding of our relation to Christ and the relationship established among the saints who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, and call on the name of the Lord Jesus ^Christ, both theirs and ours.

This leads to the truth of the Spirit's presence, affording full power and sufficiency for Christian life and service in all the varied activities to which the Word of God directs us, whatever the sphere of life we consider-individual or collective, apart from all confidence in the flesh or the use of the ways and means which man's wisdom might devise or human expediency dictate in place of simple wholehearted recognition and dependence upon the Holy Spirit.

The Lord Himself declared that as there was the One Shepherd-Himself, so there would be one flock, made up of Jewish and Gentile sheep. In due course, after the Spirit had come, we see the sheep gathered together. Thus the assembly was formed, and this found expression in local assemblies gathered at various places as the Spirit wrought through the Word by the apostles and their fellow-laborers. To all such companies, gathered as they must have been in recognition of the truths already mentioned, pertained the great blessing of the Lord's presence as gathered unto His name and not another. Thus the apostle in writing to the Corinthians could say, "I exhort you, brethren, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ," and speak too of all who in every place call on that Name.

These related truths involve that of ministry:with that of Christ's headship there are the gifts given to the assembly as a whole, but then also every member of the body is viewed as a channel of love's ministry from Christ to the body that it may increase and be edified; with that of the Spirit's presence, formation of the body, and indwelling, it follows that He is the One Who is to energize and direct in all the functions of the body- He, in the hearts and minds of all, is to be given this place, and in the exercise of patience and prayer in which all should share, with all fleshly confidence set aside, His guidance be sought, His right recognized to use whom He will, our own spirits held in leash as we wait upon Him, assured that to which He leads will be in agreement with the Word of God as to spirit, mode and matter. As there is to be no independence among the members, so there is to be none on their part of Him-that One Spirit of whom they have been made to drink. This means true liberty-not license to do as we please or say what we please, but dependence and submission to this divine and holy Leader. This involves exercise and self-judgment so that restless, proud flesh may be kept under our feet. He, the Spirit of truth, has given ample instructions which need no supplementing by man-made regulations to safeguard from disorder and confusion in the assemblies of the Lord's people.

That revival of truth already alluded to quickly manifested the evil condition of things in Christendom and its religious system. Clerisy was seen to virtually usurp the place of the Holy Spirit, substituting for His recognition that of a man to whom some special title was given along with a place of authority and rule which practically set aside the place of both the Spirit and the Lord in the midst of the saints. This evil is seen in a great variety of grades from the blackness of Satanic priestcraft in Rome to the light gray of the so-called evangelical pastor. With this there is a second evil, that of ritualism, again to be observed in various gradations from the heathenish superstitions of Rome to the more or less formal order of what is called "worship" under the direction or selection of some specially appointed person designated for the place. From all of this, in greater or less degree, that liberty of ministry involved in the presence and power of the Spirit is conspicuously absent even when there is orthodoxy as to fundamental doctrine.

Along with this revival of truth mention must be made of the large place given to prophetic teaching, the prominence given to the truth of Christ's Second Coming, and the dispensations which mark the course of time from Eternity to Eternity.

This in the very briefest way outlines the good deposit received by us from those men of God who led in the early decades of the past century.

In the light of it, let two solemn words from the Lord take possession of our hearts, for no failure of man can absolve us from faithfulness to the light received:

"Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and keep it and repent."

"Hold fast what thou hast, that no man take thy crown."

As these precious truths gripped heart and conscience, many saw that it was impossible to practice them in the system of things found in Christendom and with which they were associated in some form or other. That system with its clerisy, traditionalism and ritualism was the opposite to what the New Testament taught, while the absence of scriptural discipline in any form permitted all manner of evil association. Therefore separation became necessary that what the Holy Spirit had been bringing to light might be put into practice. Thus companies were soon gathered, owning no name but that of Christ, no leader but the Holy Spirit, no order other than that found in the Word. There was no pretense to being the Church, or a new Church, or of an attempt to form the Church again, rather a humble confession of the outward ruin of the Church because of the failure and sin of men into whose hands the truth of it had been committed, with a simple dependence upon the Lord's promise that where two or three are gathered unto His name He would be present, and the recognition that the Spirit and the Word remained as at the first, with the refusal of man's fleshly wisdom and ways in the things of God.

The companies so gathered sought to own the truth of the one body-the unity of all believers, and received to walk with them in the joy and blessing of what had been received, all who gave witness to faith in Christ, soundness in the faith, and godliness of life. All such companies by virtue of the place taken, confessing the unity of all believers, owning the One Spirit who formed that unity, and the Lord's name alone, acted as mutually recognizing each other, for to that unity must belong the same general order, the same discipline and the same relationship the world over.

Whatever, has come in since the early days of this movement to mar this precious and powerful witness to the truth, does not absolve us from using all diligence to now practice and maintain the same principles of truth and unity. This can only be done with deep humility and self-judgment, confessing not only the general ruin spoken of at the first but now also the sad breakdown and breakup of those companies gathered together by those very principles. It is still true that the Lord's promise abides for faith, and that the Spirit and Word are here.

We, then, to-day must in simple and whole-hearted obedience give unreserved assent to this heritage of truth. We must build ourselves up in it, and act according to it.

Our heritage makes us stewards-and that of God's manifold grace, the practical enjoyment of which was denied the Lord's people for many centuries since apostolic days. What we have is not for ourselves only, we owe the ministry of it to the whole Church, to every believer. Whether they will hear or not, let our hearts hold it as a sacred trust that we are to comprehend the truth with all saints. Though faithfulness may limit the number with whom we are able to walk, our hearts are to embrace every believer and be ever ready to serve all in love. What we have belongs to all, let our desire ever be to minister it to all. Let us not fail to take advantage of every open door to do so in love, grace, humbleness and fulness dispensing the manifold grace of God, seeking ever to declare His whole counsel for "a true witness delivereth souls."

If it is our responsibility and privilege to embrace all in love's service, it is that also to recognize all those wherever found who in simplicity seek to act upon these truths of which we speak-the unity of all believers in one body, the presence of the Lord in the midst, the place of the Holy Spirit, the discipline of Scripture, and the work of evangelizing at home and abroad. Though with some there may be differences as to certain terms, and even different views as to assembly relation, these things can scarcely be considered scriptural barriers to free and happy intercourse in the things of Christ.

If some press the paramountcy of the local assembly, and others the unity of assemblies, let us remember that both have been pushed to extremes of independency and division, instead of diligence being used to act upon the. element of truth in both. Even the truth of the Lord's presence in the midst has been used to foster these extremes. Surely in the love that thinketh no evil, no assembly which owns the things already outlined ought to refuse, for example, the godly discipline of other saints similarity gathered. If it be urged that they should Investigate on their own account before giving recognition to the disciplinary action of other saints concerning which no just question is raised, though this is independent and inconsistent since we believe the Lord is present in the assembly and that "there is one body," are we not called to lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another in love? Can we not act in faith that the one Lord who is owned as in the midst of both assemblies will lead to one mind through patience and prayer? Is not this the diligence we are to use, rather than to press issues in fleshly zeal which leads to strife and division? Certainly, in any case, investigation should be conducted with those who originally acted; for are we not members one of another and own the same Lord as in the midst? We cannot rightly say we have no need of one another in such matters if we confess the unity of all believers in one body of which Christ is the Head; and should not that which we confess be the principle guiding our action. The greater the ruin in the midst of which we find ourselves the more loud the call to the exercise of simple faith in the Lord to work in and with the feeble remnant of His people who own the truths of which we have spoken.

Finally, our stewardship is not only one to be exercised in view of the whole Church, and in service to its members wherever found; not only to every company of those who acknowledge these precious truths even though certain differences exist; but our stewardship is world-wide in relation to the gospel. In the light of this let us, much more than ever before, be ready to answer every call and enter in at every open door the Lord may give, and as doing so faithfully minister the heritage of divine truth committed to our trust-dearly bought by our forefathers, transmitted to us through many struggles, and in our hands to use in our brief day of stewardship to the blessing of the Church and the furtherance of the gospel.

"It is sought in stewards that a man be found faithful." J. Bloore

BY JOHN BLOORE

(The reader should always turn to the Bible and read the passages referred to.)

QUES. 1.-Paul refers to himself, as "the chief of sinners." Is this God's estimate of Paul, or just Paul's vision of his own natural heart and ways? Can all Christians apply this to themselves?

ANS.-Paul is speaking of his own case as "a delineation of those about to believe" on the Lord Jesus to life eternal (1 Tim. 1:16, N. Trans.). "The whole long-suffering" to which the apostle refers had not been shown before, not even, for example, in the case of the disciples before him, for they were not as he was a blasphemer and persecutor, etc. (verse 13), who stood before men as the incarnation of the Jewish nation in its unbelief and hatred to the Lord Jesus. Now, he, as reached by the grace of our Lord Jesus which thus is seen to have "surpassingly over abounded," becomes the delineation of Christ's ways in the case of those about to believe, and doubtless too of what will be made good through grace and by faith in due season to the Jews of the coming dispensation. He thus also is a witness that God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew (Rom. 11:2).

He was "first" (New Trans.), then, as a sinner, not as to time of course, nor necessarily as to quantity of sin, but in the sense of the character he manifested as being of Israel yet so violently and bitterly opposed to God and His ways of grace in Christ. None surpassed him in this, he was first or chief as a sinner in this way, and God showed in him, the first, how "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over abounded with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus." This being so, and we may note too that the "1" is emphatic in the Greek, the statement is not one which all Christians can apply to themselves. It is rather Paul's estimate of his former place and relation in the light of the truth, revealed to him in his conversion.

QUES. 2.-Please explain Ps. 106:15. Does God ever answer the requests of Christians in the same way today?

ANS. – A well filled larder may mean a spiritually starved soul, just because its affection is set upon the prosperity of the present and God is forgotten, then leanness becomes its state. A man's life does not consist in the abundance he possesses (Luke 12:15). Compare 1 Tim. 6:9-12, 17-19. Lot chose according to the sight of his eyes, God permitted him to get his request so to speak, but how lean was his soul! Israel would not go up into the land and desired rather to return to Egypt or die in the wilderness. God gave them their request, what a lean forty years their souls knew in comparison to the wealth and blessing of a land which flowed with milk and honey (Num. 13,14). Israel must have a king like the nations, the request is granted, but it was to their poverty not enrichment, for it was the rejection of Jehovah as their King.

If we love the world and its things, we cannot enjoy the love of the Father, it is not found there (John 2:15-17). Such is God's way in government that He may teach us the folly of our own way, and turn us wholly to Himself. God searches our hearts. We may not be bold enough to voice some requests, but He knows the unspoken desire, and sometimes when it becomes a passion which warps mind and heart, He lets us taste of the coveted thing for our correction and deliverance. In such an experience there is the absence of communion with Him, our ways do not please Him, our souls are lean, there is no spirit of praise or prayer, no power in testimony.

The above expression is found in a number of New Testament passages. In three of them we find a progressive line of thought. Let us first consider 1 Tim. 2:5, 6:"For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

Here we find this phrase in its gospel setting and universal application. Of old the psalmist had spoken of "a precious ransom for the soul," and in Job we hear of a ransom found to deliver from going down into the pit the soul of him who repents. The Son of God gave the full meaning of this when He said:"The Son of Man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:28). He has perfectly done this in the anguish of Calvary's cross, where forsaken and alone He bore the judgment of God against sinners, and paid the ransom price of their redemption in the shedding of His precious blood. But God has raised the crucified One from the dead and seated Him in heaven, now "exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour." The due time to testify to the whole world this glorious truth has come and is still present. The gospel call is "unto all." Every creature is invited to avail himself of God's provision for salvation through Christ the Lord. We might well linger over this precious theme, but we wish simply to point out the general thought in each passage.

The second passage is Gal. 2:20:"I am crucified with Christ:nevertheless I live:yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of .the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." This gives us the individual application. The apostle is not speaking of his sins, but of himself as a child of Adam, a man in the flesh; as such he has reached his end in the cross; he is crucified with Christ. However, he now has a new life, even Christ who lives in him, and his life is now one of faith and dependence on the Son of God, who, he says, "loved me," and such was His love that He gave "Himself for me." Oh, that we entered more deeply into the realization of what this means! If we were constantly in the enjoyment of the love of Jesus for our individual souls, we would find deliverance from the spirit and character of the world which sometimes so hinders our spiritual progress. Worldliness, pride, and self-indulgence must melt away in the warmth of that love which we are called upon to know and trust in the fullest way.

The following incident impressed upon the writer the] value of this truth. A band of Christian workers had just finished a short gospel service in a Hospital ward. A doctor had come in and was standing at the desk. He asked them if they would sing his favorite hymn. They expected he would ask for one expressing an advanced knowledge of truth, but to their surprise he simply said, "Please sing, 'Jesus loves me, This I know!' " A child's hymn, indeed, but after all what more beautiful in its simple expression of the love of Jesus?-love in which we do not think of advance by way of increase, but in the appreciation and enjoyment of which there should ever be advance on our part. May this be our constant experience.

We have pointed out the use of this precious phrase in a world-wide aspect; then in an individual relation; now we get what we may call the collective application, as it relates to the people of God, the Church which is His Body. To Him it is like the pearl of great price for which the merchantman sold all that he had. That Church we know is composed of believers of this dispensation. It began at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came from heaven. It will rise to meet the Lord when He comes again. Every believer in Christ is baptized into this Body, and thus united to every other believer in the world and to the Head in Heaven, Christ. But, alas, when we look abroad we fail to see a perfect expression, practically, of this oneness. Because of this, sorrow and shame belong to us, humiliation and confession should mark us. But, thank God, the day will come when all spot and wrinkle will disappear, and all the members will be above and together forever. In the meantime let us cultivate the friendship and fellowship of the saints of God, and seek to walk together in truth till the Lord comes. Though conscious that we can never remedy the evil state of Christendom, we can and should , always confess the unity and oneness of the Church of God. The expression of it may be feeble and weak indeed; but the night is far spent and the day is at hand!

"Bride of the Lamb, awake! awake!
Why sleep for sorrow now?
The hope of glory, Christ, is thine,-
A child of glory thou.

Thy spirit, through the lonely night,
From earthly joy apart,
Hath sighed for one that's far away,-
The Bridegroom of thy heart.

But lo, the night is waning fast,
The breaking morn is near;
And Jesus comes, with voice of love,
Thy drooping heart to cheer.

He conies-for, oh! His yearning heart
No more can bear delay-
To scenes of full unmingled joy,
To call His bride away.

This earth, the scene of all His woe,-
A homeless wild to thee,-
Full soon upon His heavenly throne
Its rightful King shall see.

Thou, too, shalt reign-He will not wear
His crown of joy alone!
And earth His royal Bride shall see
Beside Him on the throne.

Then weep no more! 'tis all thine own-
His crown, His joy divine,
And sweeter far than all beside,
He, He Himself, is thine."

1. He "gave Himself a ransom for all!"
2. He "loved me and gave Himself for me!"

3. He "loved the Church and gave Himself for it!"

Blessed be His name forever!

W. B. Bigger

(2 Cor. 4:17.)

"Our light affliction?" Yes, so saith the Word,
And "momentary," though it last for years,

For in the glory,
We'll read the story
Of how our fears,
Unbidden tears,

And sorrows of these few short years,
Wrought out for us,
Fruit of Thy cross,

A weight of glory, more exceeding far Than in the body we could e'er conceive; And how the Spirit through our subject-lives Some likeness to our blessed Lord did weave; While we beheld not things that did but seem- The things of time and sense-a passing dream, But by the telescope of faith, God-given, Beheld the real, eternal things of heaven. H. McD

"The coming of the Lord draweth nigh"

"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord… for the coming of the Lord draweth NIGH" (Jas. 5:7,8). These are indeed comforting words for those who labor in other lands, particularly where there is not much fruit apparent as a result of their labors, and they should also be comforting for all Christians at the present time.

A missionary writing from China says:"As far as China is concerned we have a picture of it in 2 Tim. 3:13." This, coupled with other verses in 2 Timothy, is not only a picture of China but of many other countries at the present time. The awful conditions in Russia and China, the unrest in India, the recent outbreaks in Argentine, Brazil, Cuba, Peru, Poland and Germany, and disturbances in several places in this country, would surely lead us to believe that we are in the "perilous times" of "the last days" (2 Tim. 3:1), and that the world is fast becoming ripe for judgment (Joel 3:13).

"The coming of the Lord" will indeed be a happy event for believers, but for the rest of the world, "tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil" (Rom. 2:9).

"The coming of the Lord draweth nigh." Missionaries realizing this are anxious to reach out to the unconverted as far and as quickly as possible. One writes:"It is evident the time is short, and what we do before our Lord appears we must do promptly."

Another says, "But open up this new field we must, as precious souls are traveling very fast into eternity and the light of the glorious Gospel must be shed abroad." Surely the urgency and necessity of the work demands our interest and prayers.

"The coming of the Lord draweth nigh." "Therefore, let your loins be girded about and your lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord" (Luke 12:35,36).

"Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing" (Luke 12:43).

"Behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12).

He is coming, He is nigh! Signs of this we can descry; Soon the clouds of midnight darkness will depart, And in radiance passing fair, We shall meet Him in the air. He is coming! Oh, 'tis music to the heart!

CHINA

The following extracts are from a circular sent out by our brother Kautto:

"It is now over a year since we returned from furlough, and we have been trying to be busy in seed-sowing. Especially during the past few weeks we have again had wonderful opportunities to sow the seed, as much as our perishable bodies will stand. We were intending to have some tent meetings, as mentioned before, but the bandits have been increasing so much that it is more dangerous to go to the villages than it has ever been before. In smite of some six hundred soldiers stationed at Taitowying the bandits came within three miles and held people for ransom. In one week's time some 50 to 60 men and women have been captured and held for ransom within a radius of five miles. All that have anything at all in their homes have moved into walled cities, and from the way in which they have been daily pouring in here it seems we have some four or five thousand people added to Taitowying in the past month. So we do not need to go to them for they are coming to us. After harvest we expect the bandits will slack down a little, and then we may be able to use our tent.

In the first part of the summer there was great drought in this part of China, and then when the rain finally came, the people generally re-sowed their lands, and when the seed had come up nicely, heavy rains came, and crops in many places were ruined, houses broken down and hundreds of people drowned. Now many of the soldiers have turned bandit, and one can never be sure he is safe from these evil men.

In a district west of Shuang-shan-tze Mr. Lee, our native Evangelist, heard there were a thousand drowned in the recent flood. People were leaving their homes, but one man had just built a new house, and decided to stay there with his three children. The water came into the house and he put the children on the k'ang; it rose to the windows, and he put them up on the beams overhead, and climbed up there himself. The waters rose until the house began to fall, and the man saw his children, one by one, fall into the water. Then the beam loosened on which he was and with it he was swept so far down the river that he reached home again only yesterday to tell the tale-after he was supposed by the villagers to have drowned "because he was such a bad man."

Mr. Lee was at Mutouteng also. There the river had done very little damage to the town, only two buildings being affected; but the stream took a bend to the other side of its bed, and in its swift tide tore down several idol temples. From Mutouteng Mr. Lee went seven miles farther north, and saw that the town of Kan-Kou (Dry ditch) had been swept off the map again. This is the town which has been repeatedly deaf toward the gospel, ana after a period of ten years all efforts on the part of different missionaries were abandoned. Not long after "«"» soldiers burned the town, but it was re-built. Last year it was largely washed away, but after much effort and money it was reared again, only to be again demolished in this worst flood in many years. "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Prov. 29:1).

The Nationalist Government of China has issued an order banning the teaching of religion in Mission schools below the rank of Junior Colleges. Moling Tsiang, minister of education, gives four principal reasons for the Government's policy, one of which is that he considers religion an unfit subject for inclusion in a modern scientific education!

HARBOR WORK Brother West writes:

Work among the seamen here has shown much to encourage us. The number of men we reach each month goes into the hundreds, and more and more as we visit among them and talk to them of Christ are we convinced of the great necessity of the work. Spiritual darkness, moral wickedness, and indifference to all that is worth while, mark many, though here and there we meet with real men and true believers.
Recently I have been working with the chart Mr. A. E. Booth designed some years ago, and it has proved a happy innovation to me. The men crowd around, and it is so clearly done that even they seem to grasp it. A few days ago, on the "City of Christchurch," a Mohammedan showed me a Gospel of John in Persian Urdu which I gave him a few months ago, and which he had been so interested in that he asked for more literature. Further, and as a cause for rejoicing, the Lord gave us a real convert last July in the person of a young steward (English) who was saved reading our new book "A Captain's Decision." A few days after his conversion,, which he himself attributed to this book, he led another boy on the ship to the Lord.

I found another English steward, a man of 50 or more, in a Brooklyn hospital recovering from a bad fall in which he injured two of his ribs. I learned of his accident from his shipmates, and immediately felt a strong desire to visit him. This I did, and to my joy discovered he was a child of God, and a hard worker for the Lord with his wife and daughter in Essex, England. He was a Salvationist, but knew and loved the so-called "Plymouth Brethren," whose conferences he often attended.

A middle-aged pantryman on the "Adriatic" (a ship we visit often) was attacked one night in September at the foot of 20th Street, N. Y., by two thugs, and died twelve hours later of a fractured skull. His son, also a pantryman, on the S. S. "Rhexenor," I met yesterday (Oct. 21) and had an excellent chance to speak to him of the gospel. He was very friendly, and I hope the word may take hold.

May the above incidents related by our brother encourage us to continue bearing up this work in prayer.

AFRICA

Our brother Robert Deans writes as follows:

We appreciate the thoughtfulness of the saints in remembering the work of the Lord Jesus here.

Did I tell you about the headman and his wife, who had been prayed for by Dr. & Mrs. Woodhams and the rest of the missionaries for many years, yielding to Jesus Christ, the same week the Doctor returned to the States? Another headman, by the name of Songalata, on the porch here last Monday night said, "I will take Jesus Christ as my Lord and Master. I believe He died on the cross for my salvation." Last night at our prayer service a young man of about 20 years, by the name of "Sabuni" (Kingwana for soap), stood up and said, "I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died for me." We have great reason to thank the dear Lord for His abounding grace in the hearts of these dear people.

The building of the hospital is going on apace, as is also the chapel at the "town" of Mambassa.

Mrs. Deans wrote about Bill, saying he was helpless, he cannot stand on his feet. I made him a pair of crutches, but they had to be discarded, and he had to resort to his bed by orders from Dr. Trout of the A.I.M. He is now at Nyangkundi with his mother nursing him. His whole heart was set upon the new work he had started, and which we all thought, by the happy response of the natives there, was the place our gracious Lord had for him. However, dear brother, our Heavenly Father has different ways in revealing His will to His children, and it may be He would have Bill locate in the grass country when he gets better.

It is our intention, if the Lord will, to carry on the work Bill started, and settle there when the Doctor returns, because of the wonderful opportunity. The other stations we had in mind further West will be held in abeyance until new workers come out, but open up this new field we must, as precious souls are traveling very fast into eternity and the light of the glorious gospel must be shed abroad. While here I am to look after the place at Lulua getting bricks made, and if possible a house built, so that we can move in when our dear co-workers return from the States. There is so much work to be done that one hardly knows what to begin first. Well, hallelujah, it is for our dear Lord, and oh, dear brother, a look at that blessed Face when we get "Home" will cause us to rejoice and again rejoice, as we recall any little service we did for Him down here, so that luster could be added to His glorious Name. What a privilege is ours to be co-workers with the King of Glory!

With much love in our Lord Jesus Christ and with thanks to all the saints.

ARGENTINE

We have not heard from our brother Monttlau since the short-lived civil war in the Argentine. We trust, however, that our brother and his family have not suffered in any way, and that he has been allowed to continue in the proclamation of the gospel.

BARBADOS

Our brother Hoze continues to go on quietly and faithfully. He endeavors to proclaim the gospel and minister to the saints as the Lord enables. In a recent letter he tells of hardship and suffering caused by lack of business and consequent unemployment in the islands. He says:

Here, as elsewhere, the people have little or no desire, even to listen to the Gospel, and the mass of professing Christians are more desirous of walking after the flesh than after the Spirit. Nevertheless it is our duty, both as ambassadors and stewards, to be faithful to that which is committed to our trust.

BRAZIL

From our brother J. P, Ribeiro we hear as follows:Sept.1. – Since June 1 I have been laboring in the neighborhood of Parintins, visiting various settlements in the interior, with much weakness and interruptions. It is wonderful to behold how God is blessing the simple sled among these destitute folks. Some 35 souls have been added to the Body. I believe God is fulfilling Mark 4- 26 29 with us here, nor can I see how His kingdom can grow any other way. Depending as ever on your prayers. Oct. 4 _In my recent trip to the Cabory section of this field we had the satisfaction of seeing one more family enter the Kingdom, father, mother and four daughters. In other sections the evangelists (natives) report increasing interest. There is opposition too, and in many ways the enemy is busy around us, having gotten some to be unfaithful to the Lord. We are having lots of tribulation, as the Lord promised, but in Him we have peace (John 16- 33). Everybody seems to be suffering from the slump in Brazil, only God knows the end. Keep praying for me and family that we may hold the fort for a little longer.

Beginning at Jerusalem

To any who may be contemplating service for the Lord in a foreign land we would commend to their thoughtful attention the following brief note taken from a missionary magazine published in England :"It is worthy of note that John G. Paton, the apostle of the New Hebrides, was at first apostle to the slums of Glasgow; that Mary Slessor, blessed to the savages of Calabar, began her saving work among the roughs of Dundee; that John Hunt was an enthusiastic soul-winner in Lincolnshire before entering on his marvelous service among the Fijians; that Keith Falconer was a devoted worker in East London ere he filled a missionary's grave in Arabia.

"Should not this test be applied to all who seek to be evangelists at home or evangelists (often called missionaries) abroad:Have you been used as a soul-winner in your own home, district, or neighborhood? Is it likely that a man pitchforked into another district or country is likely to be a successful soul-winner, when there has been no evidence of such work at home? 'Beginning at Jerusalem' (Luke 24:47) is the Divine method."

BAHAMA RELIEF FUND:

From our brother Robert S. Stratton we have received a detailed report of the receipts and expenditures for the relief of the brethren who suffered the loss of their homes by fire in Cherokee Sound, Abaco. We quote from his letter:

After much labor, nine homes, each 20 x 20 ft. were completed. Beds were furnished for six homes, chairs for one, paint for six and labor for fourteen. Five houses were furnished by a fund raised from the general public; these were also supervised in construction by me and built according to my plans.

I can only say that the fullest possible appreciation was manifest, tears of joy were shed, and at the completion of each home we sang, "Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow," with the favorite hymn of each owner, a word and prayer.

I enclose a letter of appreciation from the saints, and also desire myself to thank those who so kindly responded to the need of our suffering brethren.

Affectionately yours by His grace,

The letter from the brethren in Cherokee Sound is as follows:

Dear brothers and sisters:This is written as an expression of gratitude and thanks to our Father for the ministration of love and fellowship you have shown to us in suffering through the loss of our homes by fire. Through Mr. Stratton we have recovered our homes again, and now wish to subscribe our thanks and gratitude to those who ministered to our needs in any way. The good Lord bless every one of you, filling your barn with plenty, your store and house with grain and your soul with holy joy. We would also be glad to commend Mr. Stratton's work and labor of love among us and make known how wholeheartedly he has entered into all our difficulties and trials and in every case eased the burden. May the Lord bless both you and him and increase your substance a hundred fold. That Day will declare all. Yours gratefully, Deweese Lowe, Reedith Sawyer, Osborne Lowe, John H. Pinder, Prior Sawyer, Kirtland H. Russell, Calvert Albury, Talbot Bethel, Lawrence Sawyer, Benjamin H. Al-bury, Geo. Hilland Sands, Standly Sawyer, Herbert Pinder, Maggie Pinder.

The total receipts and expenditures were roughly as follows:Received, $4,000. Expended:-Lumber, $2860. Paint & Hardware. $140. Freight, $100. Labor, $550. House furnishings, etc. $350.

God requires obedience of mind, as well as action. He alone can subdue unto Himself our powers of mind, which venture to judge the things of God, refusing to accept what we cannot comprehend-a disobedience and pride which has no parallel, except in the disobedience and pride of Satan- J. N. Darby.

"Remember your leaders who have spoken to you the Word of God, and considering the issue of their conduct, imitate their faith." (Heb.13:7, New Trans.)

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to-day, and to the ages to come."

"None of self and all of Thee," a favorite hymn of him to whose remembrance this special number of HELP AND FOOD is devoted, gives us a little glimpse of his secret exercises. Its words recall his deep-toned spirituality and devoted love for Christ, which was so often shown in tenderness, sympathy and sincere affection for the Lord's dear people. These qualities of his faith none could fail to appreciate who came in contact with him-our beloved brother and faithful leader, Samuel Ridout.

The Spirit of God exhorts us to remember such examples of faith and piety. We cannot do better than take present heed to it as God's command, for the profit and encouragement of our souls.

The loss we feel is cause for sorrow, but the memory of his life and service only awakens thankfulness to God, while we must rejoice that he now rests in the presence of the Master he loved and served.

There can be no question as to his claim upon our affectionate remembrance. Did he not speak to us the Word of God? I need only call attention to the list of his published ministry to prove his title, while the many whose privilege it was to sit under his oral ministry, unite to bear witness to the spiritual freshness and power which ever marked his presentation of the precious truth of God's Word.

This was not a matter of word only, but of power, for his conduct witnessed how deeply the current of his life was affected by the truth he ministered. We recall what manner of man he was among us, and, doing so, our hearts and minds are turned to Christ-we are brought low at His feet in thankfulness and worship. Such an issue is the highest claim to recognition as a leader whose memory we do well to recall, that we may learn thereby how the Spirit of God wrought a manifestation of the mind of Christ in one of His own.

We are called to imitate his faith. This can only mean for us the habitual practice of a daily walk in close fellowship with Christ, for it was the reality of this which manifested itself in his conduct, whether in the intimacy of his home, in the life and service of the assembly, or out in the world as he came in contact with it in the ordinary affairs of life.

His faith manifested itself in definite qualities of leadership.

We remember him as an instructor in the precious, priceless things of Christ-not in any cold, formal or technical manner did he open to us the meaning of the Word, but his service in this way was ever with the warmth of affectionate appeal to the heart, as well as supplying abundant material for the mind. He sought to hold the intellectual and affectionate faculties in that even balance so essential to a well-ordered life.
We remember him as a faithful shepherd of the flock of God, serving out of a willing heart, ever ready without regard to selfish interest, a true model after which we do well to seek grace to mold our own little service in love to one another. He cared "with genuine feeling how" we got on in "the things of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 2:21, New Trans.)

We remember him as a man of God who pursued righteousness, piety, faith, love, endurance, meekness of spirit, striving earnestly in the good conflict of faith (1 Tim. 6:11, 12, N. T.).

Through the grace of God we saw in him "a model of the believers, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12, N. T.).

We remember him as a father in the family of God, not only in his maturity of knowledge, but also in tender sympathetic care, ever exhorting, comforting and testifying that we should walk worthy of God who calls us to His own kingdom and glory (1 Thess. 2:11,12). Truly we found him gentle, yearning over us, finding his delight in imparting not only the glad tidings of God, but his own life, for he loved us in the Lord.

We remember him as a gift from the Head of the Church who was both a teacher and pastor, laboring assiduously "for the perfecting of the saints; with a view to the work of the ministry, with a view to the edifying of the body of Christ." We remember him as ever showing a lowly mind, a gentle and forgiving spirit in the face of unjust criticism-an example and inspiration to those near to him who knew how keenly he suffered during the closing years of his life from the hands of some he had faithfully and lovingly served.

What we learn from all of this for our encouragement is how preciously the mind of Christ may be formed in one of His own-one who answered in life to his own words:

"Leave the place of self-will, venture fully, wholly upon God; you cannot perish, cannot trust Him too fully. When our wills no longer resist Him, we find His blessed will, His love, bearing us upward, carrying us as a child is borne in its mother's arms. Here we find the very might of His will which we so feared bears and lifts us in perfect rest.

"Higher than the highest heavens,
Deeper than the deepest sea;
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered,
'None of self, and all of Thee'."

(From the Treasury of Truth Almanac and Counselor for 1930)

Our loss is indeed great, but I am sure that could he speak to us now his message would be:
" 'Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday and today, and to the ages to come.' If you have learned anything of Him in me, that imitate that He may be glorified in all your ways. Make everything of Christ." John Bloore

"Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee"(Ps. 73:25).

As we approach this study of our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we come with bowed heads and humbled hearts. We realize our own unworthiness and inability to treat of Him, Who was the Son of God and God, the Son. Nevertheless our hearts are so filled with adoration and praise to Him Who bought us with His own precious blood that we cannot keep silent. We desire to exalt Him and lift Him up, so that all may see the worth and beauty of our matchless Lord. May the Holy Spirit illumine His holy Word and teach us more of Him, Who truly was God manifest in the flesh.

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

"Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it; if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would be utterly condemned" (Song of Sol. 8:7), "He brought me to the banqueting house and His banner over me was love" (Song of Sol. 2:4). "The Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20).

After sin had come into man's heart in the form of disobedience and had left its curse upon those who had been created in the image of God, God in love promised to send a Redeemer that the awful curse of sin might be removed. God had His well-beloved Son Who dwelt with Him in light unapproachable (John 17:5). In heaven the seraphim veiled their faces for even they could not gaze upon the holiness and glory of God. (Isa. 6:1-3). The Divine Son of God had worked with the Father in the creation of the world. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). "For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by Him and for Him; and He is before all things and by Him all things consist" (Col. 1:16,17). The Son's place had been in the bosom of the Father, the place of tenderest love and affection (John l:18).

God looked down upon fallen man, wrecked by Satan's wiles. God's glory, as well as His love, required that the enemy be overcome. First, a just penalty for his guilt must be paid. But who could pay that penalty? Surely no member of a fallen humanity. They had nothing to offer to atone for their sin. In the presence of God they could only hide themselves. A perfect One must be found, One so faultless and blameless that by dying, the Innocent for the guilty, He might appease God's righteous wrath, atone for the sin of man and open up a way of approach to God. There was only One in the universe Who could make a perfect sacrifice. He was God's only Son. He was the Lamb of God's providing which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He was the One Whom God in His counsels had foreordained to be the Redeemer of a lost and guilty race (Acts 2:23).

The Son was one with the Father in the eternal counsels of grace and glory. He came to accomplish them, as He said, "Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God" (Heb. 10:7). "Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father ye would love me; for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but He sent me" (John 8:42). O, that was wonderful! God, the Son, was willing to lay aide all His glory and come to a sin-cursed earth for us. Have you ever stopped to consider what it would have meant if He had refused to come? He had power and honor which far transcended any earthly pomp and splendor we have ever seen. Angels adored and worshiped Him. He could speak and it was done. He commanded and it stood fast. "When I consider Thy heavens the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained, what is man, that Thou art mindful of him?" (Psa. 8:3, 4).

How it hushes our hearts and humbles us when we realize how far down Jesus had to stoop to raise us up.

"He held the highest place above,
Adored by all the sons of flame,
Yet such His self-denying love,
He laid aside His crown and came
To seek the lost,
And, at the cost
Of heavenly rank and earthly fame,
He sought me.-Blessed be His Name!"

Are we willing to go to the slums, pick a man out of the gutter and tell him of the wonderful salvation through faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ, our Lord? Are we willing to minister to those whose lives have become foul by sin in order to lift them up by the power of the gospel? We shudder when we see the effects of sin and often draw our skirts aside and pass by on the other side. Suppose the holy Son of God had done that! Suppose He had looked down upon the world at the time of His incarnation, a world sunk in sin and degradation greater perhaps, than at any other time, and had refused to come. If He had refused, we would have been lost eternally, without God and without hope in the world. But praise His glorious Name, He came-came freely and willingly.

"It was a lonely path He trod,
From every human soul apart,
Known only to Himself and God
Was all the grief that filled His heart;
Yet from the track,
He turned not back,
'Till where I lay in want and shame,
He found me.-Blessed be His Name!"

We ask what prompted Him to come for such a bitter task? What led Him to be willing to be born as a baby with human flesh in order that He might die? As we scan the pages of the Bible for an answer to these questions, we can see one great compelling force behind His sacrifice. It was love. Who can fathom, measure or begin to understand the boundless love of God as it is revealed to us in Jesus Christ, our Lord? It was Jesus' love for the Father which prompted Him to come. He says in John 5:30, "I can of mine own self do nothing; as I hear I judge; and my judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will but the will of the Father which hath sent Me." And in John 14:31, "That the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do." Then, it was His great love for us which led Him to walk this earth in lowly grace and dying, take the guilty sinner's place. "Hereby perceive we the love of God because He laid down His life for us" (1 John 3:16). "God commendeth His own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).

"Then dawned at last that day of dread
When, desolate, yet undismayed,
With wearied frame and thorn-crowned head,
He, now forsaken and betrayed,
Went up for me,
To Calvary,
And, dying there is grief and shame,
He saved me.-Blessed be His Name!"

O, the love of Jesus Christ, our Lord! All the words in our vocabulary could not adequately define or explain that infinite love. We cannot even fully comprehend it. Our sinful natures tend to lower our concepts, and even our loftiest thoughts cannot rise to the sublime heights that we should like them to attain as we contemplate the love of Christ. When we have laid aside all that is earthly and carnal and are wearing our bodies of glory in heaven, then, I think, we will realize, as we have never been able to before, what Christ's love has accomplished for us. Surely His love passes knowledge.

O, Thou matchless Son of God, Jesus, our ever-blessed Saviour, our hearts are filled with wonder that Thou couldst love us. We know that we are as nothing in comparison to Thee. Thou art love. It is one of Thy wondrous attributes, and because Thou art love Thou canst love us. O, how we prize Thy love! It is more to us than gold, silver and precious stones. Wilt Thou fill our hearts with divine love like Thine, that we may be able to reveal something of Thyself to others? Amen.

THE JOY OF CHRIST

"In Thy presence is fulness of joy. At Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore" (Ps. 16:11).

We are so apt to think that our blessed Lord went about, when He was on earth, with saddened face and downcast mien. I think the artists' conceptions of our Lord have given rise to this grave error. Surely a melancholic type of man would not have appealed to hardy fisherman, and little children would not have flocked to one of woeful countenance. We have every reason to believe that our Lord's life was full of joy. Having voluntarily pledged Himself to redeem mankind, He set about His task joyously. His mind dwelt continually upon the joyous fruit of His work. "Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:2). He could see into the future and knew just what the result would be. He could see a great company of redeemed, cleansed and sanctified by His precious blood. "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy-for Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation" (Rev. 5:9). This was the cause of His joy.

We have no record of murmur or complaint from Him, Who had fewer friends, received more slights, and suffered more privations than any man on earth. Joy filled His soul, joy-because He was to accomplish God's purposes for mankind, joy-because He knew He was delighting and pleasing the Father by His perfect submission and obedience. He alone could say, "For I do always those things that please Him" (John 8:29). "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:38-40). Is it not wonderful that our Saviour gave His life for us joyfully and willingly, not grudgingly nor of necessity! "For even Christ pleased not Himself, but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached Thee fell on Me" (Rom. 15:3). The Lord Jesus Christ could not have given grudgingly for He was God manifest in the flesh, and our God delights to give.

Joy, such as our Saviour manifested is truly a divine attribute. It is something beyond our ken and we could not understand it, were it not so graciously displayed in the life of our Lord. We who have received Him into our hearts have felt a similar joy. We know, by experiencing the joy of the Lord in our hearts, something of the joy that the Lord Jesus Christ had in His ministry for us. "These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full" (John 15:11). "For the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh. 8:10).

Our heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the joy of Christ. We thank Thee that He finished His mission with joy, and has called upon us to exhibit this spirit of joy in our lives. O, may we be faithful forth-tellers and witnesses for our Lord Jesus, the Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sin of the world. We ask it in His precious Name. Amen. E. W. Carlisle

(To be continued, D. V.)

Calendar:July 16th to Aug. 15th

DAILY BIBLE READING. …….. July 16th, Gen. 11; July 31st, Gen. 26; Aug. 15th, Gen. 41.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING … July 16th, Ezek. 39; July 31st, Daniel 6; Aug. 15th, Hosea 9.

Somewhere we have seen a wall-text with the phrase, "Saved to Serve." This is true, but we venture to suggest that it does not give the full reason for our salvation.

Not a word would we say which might be construed to hinder service for our Lord Jesus Christ. He is worthy of all we can give Him. None of us is giving Him all we should. But let us go a little further. Is it not true we are saved to

WORSHIP
WITNESS
WORK

In 1 Peter 2:5 the apostle says of those who are born again:"Ye are an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."

In 1 Peter 2:8 he says, "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood (or, a kingdom of priests).. .to show forth the praises (excellencies) of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

In Hebrews 9:14 we are told the blood of Christ purges the conscience "from dead works to serve the living God." Thus we have the truth that those who are saved are to

SACRIFICE
SHOW
SERVE

or to Worship, Witness, and Work. Does not this show the relation in which we should place our service? Worship or sacrifice is to come first.

It is hard for many to realize that God would have our Worship before our Service, our Service before our Work.

God does not need servants-He has millions upon millions of angels who serve Him day and night-but He does seek worshipers.

In Luke 19:10 we learn that the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost. But in John 4:23 He tells us, "The Father seeketh such to worship Him."

Worship comes before work, for in it God has His special portion, and we should realize that His claims to our worship ought not to be lightly set aside for other things, no matter how important the service may be. First among the worthies of faith recorded in Heb. 11 is Abel, who offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice. It was worship. After him came Enoch, who walked with God; Noah who witnessed for God, and then Abraham who waited for God. For us who are children of God in this dispensation, worship is most important, for we have an access to God not revealed to the Old Testament saints.
We are a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. A priest must have right of access to God and a sacrifice to offer.

We have both the access and the sacrifice in Christ. "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh… let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith" (Heb. 10:19-22).

And again we are exhorted in Hebrews 13:15:"By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, confessing His name."God is seeking worshipers. Are we worshiping Him in spirit and in truth?

WITNESS OR SHOWING FORTH

In Peter's epistle after the holy priesthood who offer worship, is the royal or kingly priesthood to show forth the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

We are a kingly priesthood because associated with, and witnessing to, Him who is King of kings and Lord of lords. God has "not given unto us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind." No Christian has to pass through this world abashed or ashamed. He has a right to pass through it with the dignity which becomes kingly position, because he is the representative and ambassador of that Blessed and Only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:15).

We are here to show forth or exhibit the excellencies of God who has called us. Their perfect display, and that as a model for us, is found in our Lord Jesus Christ. When He was here the world rejected Him. We are here to witness for Him, and give an exhibition of the moral perfections of God according to His example. The world does not read the Bible. It reads the people of God.

How much of Christ is the world reading in your life and mine? How are we showing forth His excellencies? How much do we manifest Him in our daily life, to those with whom we come in contact?

Recently a prominent official in a large business house passed into eternity. He was a professed Christian. What witness did he leave behind him among his business associates? One of his employees said to me:"If any man ever lived a Christian life in his business he did!" The same testimony was borne by all who knew this Christian man. His was a true witness for Christ, a true showing forth of His excellencies.

The manner of our so doing is outlined in the following verses of 1 Pet. 2. We are to walk through this world as not of it-as strangers and pilgrims-ever careful to walk in an honest manner of life, submissive to authority, honoring those in position, and in all things so conducting ourselves as to honor our Lord Jesus Christ. This is true witness for Him. We are to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, and worthy of God who has called us to His kingdom and glory (Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:12).

WORK OR SERVICE
Service for God comes fittingly after God has His portion in worship, and the Lord Jesus Christ is witnessed to in our daily life. His precious blood cleanses our conscience from dead works-the burden of works done in the energy of our own nature and therefore sinful, is lifted-and in the freedom thus found we become servants of God (Heb. 9:14).

The Thessalonians turned to God from idols to serve the living and the true God and to wait for His Son from heaven – even Jesus, our Deliverer from the coming wrath.

We are called to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

We are to serve the Lord Christ in all the affairs of daily life. Here there is room for the varied activities of the Church of God. There is a place and a work for every member. Let us ask God to show us what service we should perform for Him, and then do it!

If we neglect what God would have us do, it affects the whole Body, and we individually suffer loss. Let us arise and build. Let us work while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work.

Let us follow God's order of Worship, Witness and Work, doing all for Jesus' sake, Amen. F. L. French

From the "Letters of J. N. Darby," (last edition) during the years 1840-1880*

*For the sake of brevity and clearness as to the General Principles, only extracts from some of the letters will be found in the following pages. For J. N. D.’s suggestions as to special cases, the "Letters" themselves should be referred to. The volumes can be obtained from Loizeaux Brothers, 19 West 21st Street, New York.*

Vol. I., p. 42-1840.

It is my joy and my privilege to find myself in the midst of brethren who know one another in Christ, and to rejoice in the blessedness of brotherly communion in all the weakness in which it may be found at present; but I could not recognize an assembly that does not receive all the children of God, because I know that Christ receives them.

I see the church in ruins:I follow my conscience according to the light that I have received from the word, but I desire to bear with the weakness or lack of light that I may find in other Christians, and do all that I can to unite those who love the Lord….

I would rather remain alone, and isolated, a position, I admit, not at all desirable, than to restrict the limits of the church of Christ to some brethren, even though they may be more correct in their thoughts than others, and to enfeeble the action of the Spirit of God in uniting the Lord's sheep scattered by our wretchedness and by our sins.

Vol. I., p. 451-1864.

The unity of Christ's body being the ground assumed, all Christians have, in principle, a title to be there, the Lord's name being maintained as to doctrine and discipline. If you insist on a certain standard of intelligence beyond Christ, before receiving them, you prove that you are not intelligent, and you abandon your own (namely, God's) principle.

Vol. II., pp. 13, 14-1869.

The assembly always received true Christians:three broke bread in this way the last Lord's Day I was in London. There cannot be too much care as to holiness and truth:the Spirit is the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit of truth. But ignorance of ecclesiastical truth is not a ground of excommunication, where the conscience and the walk is undefiled….

Remember you are acting as representing the whole church of God, and if you depart from a right path as to the principle of meeting, separating yourselves from it is to be a local sect on your own principles. In all that concerns faithfulness, God is my witness I seek no looseness:but Satan is busy to lead us one side or the other, to destroy the largeness of the unity of the body, or to make it mere looseness in practice and doctrine; we must not fall into one in avoiding the other. Reception of all true saints is what gives its force to the exclusion of those walking loosely. If I exclude all who walk godly as well, who do not follow with us, it loses its force, for those who are godly are shut out too. There is no membership of brethren. Membership of an assembly is unknown to Scripture. It is members of Christ's body.

If people must be all of you, it is practically membership of your body. The Lord keep us from it; that is simply dissenting ground.

I should, if I came to–, require clear evidence what ground you are meeting on.

Vol. II., pp. 130, 131-1870.

There is no difference between breaking bread as a Christian and fellowship, though some may not always be there; because the only fellowship or membership is of the body of Christ, and if a person breaks bread and is thus recognized as a member of the body of Christ, he is subject to all the discipline of the house. I may not enforce constant attendance with us only, because he may come with the desire to show unity of spirit, and yet think that his ways are more orderly conscientiously. If his heart be pure .(2 Tim. 2:22) I have no reason to exclude him:but if anything in his path require he should be excluded, he is liable to it like anyone else. But I know no fellowship other than of membership of the body of Christ. Being met, the question is, has he done anything which involves disciplinary exclusion?

Only I believe Brethren alone walk in consistency with the fellowship of saints in the unity of the body; but I know no particular corporation as that body-not even Brethren-nay, these least of all. This would deny themselves. Though they have this, that they meet on the principles of that unity, but for that reason must own all its members, on the one hand, and maintain its discipline on the other.

Vol. II., p. 420-1875.

When persons break bread, they are in the only fellowship I know -owned members of the body of Christ. The moment you make another full fellowship, you make people members of your assembly, and the whole principle of meeting is falsified. The assembly has to be satisfied as to the persons, but as so receiving to break bread, is supposed to be satisfied on the testimony of the person introducing them, who is responsible to the assembly in this respect.

Vol. III., p. 543-1878.

I have never changed my views at all. The practice is more difficult because of the growing looseness in doctrines and practice of all around. But if an assembly refused a person known as a Christian and blameless because he was not of the assembly, I should not go. I own no membership but of Christ. An assembly composed as such of its members is at once a sect. But the person who brings another is responsible to the assembly.. .which is finally responsible, though it may trust the person who introduces another in the particular case.

Vol. III., p. 116-July 1st, 1880.

As regards division, I am as decided as possible.. .1 wrote that I would no more go with a party against evil than with the evil itself, and quoted Isaiah 8:12,13.

I knew before I left for France, but found it much more forward than I was aware of when I returned. I do not believe it is either faith or godliness. I am pretty well aware of the springs which have moved in it.

It would be still a question whether God was going to set aside the brethren:if He does, certainly I would not go with any party in it. I have long felt that this party that assumes to be the godly one is the one to be feared. They are tried with evil, I admit, but this is not faith… Suffice it to say, with no party action will I have anything to do save to reject it.

The above extracts of letters may be had in a 4-p. leaflet, 22 cent per doz., postpaid.

Calendar:Dec. 16th to Jan. 15th.

DAILY BIBLE READING ……… Dec. 16th, Deut. 11; Dec. 31st, Deut. 26; Jan. 15th, Joshua 7.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING …. Dec. 16th, Luke 21; Dec. ,31st, John 12; Jan. 15th, Acts 6.

(2 Cor. 6:10.)

Just as this issue goes to press (Feb. 24) comes the sorrowful tidings that beloved SAMUEL RIDOUT has been taken from us. He left Plainfield for Baltimore on Thursday afternoon, the 20th, to preach that night at the Prophetic Testimony of Balto. Meetings, and to be with the saints at the all-day meeting on the 22nd. A heart-attack on the train made the sight of the friends who met him most welcome, as he expressed it. Being somewhat better he went to the meeting in the evening, though urged to give it up, and those privileged to attend say they never heard him better-as he broke the bread of life to believers and tenderly urged sinners to come to the Saviour. During Friday there was much difficulty of breathing, and he suffered until Saturday morning at 11:30 when, during sleep, he went to be with his Lord, whom he had loved and served so long. In the mercy of God this occurred at the home of Mr. Alfred Tinley, where he was accustomed to stay and had every comfort. His daughter Anna (Mrs. Hector Lough) was with him through all, and his son Seth reached the bedside just after his father's home-going. Baltimore was formerly for years the home of our brother where, as everywhere, he had endeared himself to many hearts.

A good number gathered at 3:30 p.m. on Lord's Day to express sorrow and sympathy, but to thank our Lord for the gift to the Church of a life so richly filled with love and service. The precious body was brought to Plainfield on Monday morning, and lies in the Meeting Room where so much of his valued ministry was given. The funeral service is to be(D.V.), on Tuesday at 2 o'clock, after which the body is to be laid beside that of his beloved wife in Hillside Cemetery. May the taking from us of our esteemed and loved brother make us cleave the closer to our Lord? to find in Him our solace, comfort and strength, and to press on in the path he so steadfastly trod, until together, those gone before descending and we ascending, we shall be "forever with the Lord."
-P. D. L.

We hope next month to give a fuller and more adequate tribute to the Lord's mercy to His people in our brother's life.

Samuel Ridout was born in Annapolis, Md., Oct. 22, 1855, the son of Dr. Samuel Ridout and his wife, Anne. When about one year old his father died, and about four years later, his mother also. It then developed upon his grandfather to care for and guide the course of young Samuel. Of this devoted and godly man, Mr. Ridout ever spoke in the highest terms of appreciation, and often mentioned how greatly he was indebted to him for a training in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Childhood's days were spent in Annapolis until about the age of 12, when Samuel was sent to Tennant's School in Penna. From there in due course he returned to enter St. John's College in Annapolis, and graduated from this Institution when 18 years old.

About this time his state of health gave cause for grave concern and it was arranged for him to go to sea. He entered the U. S. naval service under Capt. Carter of the "Alaska," one of the old wooden type of naval vessels. Captain Carter was a close family friend, and the young man was ranked as a midshipman with the duties of Captain's yeoman. In this capacity he served for about three years, until Mrs. Carter died in Europe while her husband's vessel was cruising in Mediterranean waters. The body was to be laid away in American soil, and Mr. Ridout was charged with its care. This brought him back to America and also terminated his period of service on the sea. He would then be about 22 years of age.

During these three years on the sea he passed through deep exercise as to his soul. This led him to seek Christian company whenever the opportunity presented itself, and so he attended meetings at various ports of call. During this period he was bereft of his only sister and her death seemed to crystallize his soul-exercise. With this settled, he manifested a growing interest in and desire to have part in the Lord's work. For a short time he taught school in Western Maryland in the coal-mining districts. Here, working among many poor and comparatively illiterate people, and often having as scholars those of his own age lacking in all those qualities which would appeal to his sensitive and intellectual nature, he had many tests and trials which doubtless helped to develop in him those characteristics which in later years endeared him to all who made his acquaintance. While thus engaged he devoted his vacation time to Colporteur work in the mountain sections of Virginia and Maryland.

It was after this that more definite plans were made for the future, and encouraged by his godly grandfather, he determined to enter Princeton Seminary, where he graduated in 1880. He filled several vacancies in Pennsylvania and received his first permanent charge in Baltimore. Here he labored for a year or more.

About this time he became acquainted with those meeting in separation from the recognized religious systems. This led to much exercise as to the path he should take. He accepted, at great personal sacrifice, the principles of truth according to which those known as "Plymouth Brethren" gather for the worship and service of God, separating from the Presbyterian Church to enter upon what he now firmly believed was the path of faith for God's people. He identified himself with the assembly then meeting in Baltimore, and took his place in a lowly humble manner, waiting upon the Lord to open the way for him as to service and ministry, never for a moment considering that the place he had previously filled was a title to any special recognition on the part of his brethren.

He took a position as a clerk in the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at $30.00 a month, and also tutored in spare time.

It was not long before his presence and ministry was realized to be of great benefit to the assembly, earning for him the affection of the Lord's people and the early recognition of his marked gift from Christ, the Head of the Church.

In 1883 he married Anna Elizabeth Newark, and continued living in Baltimore until 1903. Here three children were born, Anna Mary, Samuel who died, and Seth. In 1903 our brother removed his home to Boyertown, Pa., and continued there until 1912, when he came to reside in Plainfield, N. J.

The record of his service among the assemblies, lasting for over forty years, is too well known to need any lengthy comment. He followed F. W. Grant in the Editorship of "Help and Food," and was associated with him in the work of the Numerical Bible. In 1900 he suggested and made possible by his work the issuing of the Sunday School Visitor, and for many years wrote the Bible Class lessons. For nearly 30 years he compiled the Treasury of Truth Almanac and Counselor, and in the work of the Bible Truth Depot his help and counsel were ever a source of inspiration and comfort. These varied activities were carried on along with extended trips in the course of his ministry to the Lord's people and in the Gospel. In all this labor he consistently sought to set forth and maintain those principles of truth as to the Church of God, its path and testimony in the world, which led him to separate at the first. This he did quite apart from the least shadow of spiritual pride or sectarian spirit, with a heart ever open to and full of warm affection toward all the people of God, and with constant endeavor never to weaken or compromise by act or word what he firmly believed was the only right place for the children of God amid the failure and confusion which abound in these days.

Our brother's beloved wife and companion in labor departed to be with Christ, Jan. 1, 1924, while visiting at Chicago where her husband was attending a conference for the ministry of the Word. During the following years, Mr. Ridout increasingly suffered from ill-health, but between these seasons he ever gave evidence of the same spiritual vigor and happy spirit that had proved so great a blessing to the Lord's people through all the years of his ministry. Early in 1927 he made an extended visit to the Pacific Coast-a visit long anticipated, and when finally realized much enjoyed.

For the last three years lengthy trips were beyond his strength, and apart from brief visits to near-by places, he devoted his time to ministry in Plainfield where he lived with his son Seth. About the middle of November last he suffered a severe heart attack, but spite of this kept his promise to visit Schenectady, N. Y., at Thanksgiving time. There he spent a few days in ministry. When returning his heart again gave him serious trouble, but from this too he rallied and was at the New Year Conference in Passaic.

The following weeks were spent quietly at home until he was asked to preach at the conference of the Prophetic Testimony of Baltimore on Thursday evening, February 20th. Mr. Ridout left Plainfield that afternoon to keep this appointment, and then to be with the saints at the all-day meeting on the 22nd. He suffered a heart attack on the train, but received immediate care from friends who met him. They urged him to give up his appointment for that evening, but feeling somewhat better, he went to the meeting, and those privileged to attend said they never heard him better as he broke the bread of life to believers and tenderly urged sinners to accept the Saviour. During Friday, he experienced much difficulty in breathing, and he suffered until Saturday morning at 11:30 when, during sleep, he went to be with his Lord, whom he had loved and served so long. In the mercy of God this occurred at the home of Mr. Alfred Tinley, where he was accustomed to stay and had every comfort.

A good number gathered at Baltimore at 3:30 p. m. on Lord's Day, to express sorrow and sympathy, but to thank our Lord for the gift to the Church of a life so richly filled with love and service. The precious body was brought to Plain-field on Monday morning, and laid in the Meeting Room where so much of his valued ministry was given. The funeral service was arranged for the following afternoon, Tuesday, at 2 o'clock.

Funeral Service

There was no pre-arrangement as to the order for this service, for we believed our brother himself would have wished it conducted in dependence upon the Lord for the Holy Spirit to guide in whatever was said or done.

A large company gathered, some from quite distant places, and at the hour appointed the service was opened by Bro. Marty of Passaic, who gave out hymn 26 ("Little Flock"). P. D. Loizeaux followed with prayer. Hymn 65 ("Grace and Truth") was given out, it being recalled that after one of our recent Lord's Day morning meetings when this hymn had been sung, that our beloved brother mentioned his desire to have it sung at his funeral.

Mr. Geo. McCandless then spoke, reading 1 Thess. 2:4-12; 3:8. He touchingly showed how through many long years, God had spoken to our hearts through our dear brother in a service in which God's heart had breathed out in love and faith, drawing how many to the feet of the Lord Jesus. When we think of it, how precious it is to find the love of our gracious Lord thus flowing through the heart of a man! He referred to the scriptures read as calling to mind what we had seen in our dear brother. To him we might rightly transfer those words of the apostle-"I was gentle." In him, too, we found the energy and faithfulness of a father (5:11), but ever entwined with the tenderness and consideration of a nurse (5:7), while readiness, not only to impart the gospel but even his own soul, marked his service (5:8). This, as with the apostle, was because the Lord's people were dear to him, for he lived in the atmosphere of the love of Christ for his brethren. He spent his soul as well as ministered his gifts. "For now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord," may well be used to express the deep exercise of heart that ever accompanied his service to the saints. We need not expect the place left vacant by our brother's home going to be filled by another servant of Christ, but may our loss draw us closer to the Lord, and closer together for the little while that remains. Only in this way may the gap be filled in some measure, and along with this may the example of our departed brother lead us to be more marked by prayer and intercession.

Mr. F. C. Jennings, of Plainfield, followed, voicing the affection of many not so closely associated with our brother in one way as others, but who would permit no superiority in their affection, respect and esteem, for him. Mr. Jennings referred to the Lord's words in John 11:"Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep," and applied them to our brother, in a message of real comfort to all our hearts. He called attention to the first word "Our." The Lord associates others with Himself in mutual affection. What wonderful condescension ! We say, "Our brother," and the Lord says, "Our friend." Some words lose their sweetness in the cold atmosphere of this world. Among men the word "friend" has a very modified degree of affection, and it is used without any idea of deep feeling. But the word used by the Lord means, "beloved"-"our dear one," "our closely affectioned one," "our beloved one" – "our friend." The sweet gentleness and affection, so marked a characteristic of our beloved brother, makes us all feel that we have lost just such a friend.

"Our friend Lazarus sleepeth," and our dear friend Samuel Ridout has fallen asleep through Jesus. Then, as a closing thought,"! go that I may awaken him out of sleep." Can this fail to suggest to us that great hour of awakening when all the beloved ones who have passed on a little before shall rise at the bidding of Him who called Lazarus forth from the tomb? Perhaps as the years pass it is a little difficult to maintain that hope in brightness, yet everything points to it, and as it were, cries aloud, "He comes!" Let us cheer our hearts, and remember that precious word in another chapter, "I will come again and receive you." Let us hold fast this precious hope. Mr. Jennings asked that we might sing part of a hymn composed by Brother Ridout-166, in "Grace and Truth," verses 3 and 4.

Mr. V. Pennington, of Newark, read Rev. 3:11-12. He spoke of how our brother had been an overcomer, and how every memory of him gave a sweet savor of Christ, for he spent himself in service for the saints of God, he could not get too low at their feet to serve them. He was a true minister of Christ, never dominating the Lord's people, but rather taking the lower place, much like the apostle who said of himself, "less than the least of all saints." He delighted in the loveliness of Christ, and throughout his career sought to make Him the One for whom he lived. He ever sought to hold up Christ before the saints and the world. As we look back over his ministry, we recall how the fragrance of Christ ever accompanied it, and that as the Holy Spirit used him to unfold the beauties and perfections of our blessed Lord, the flesh withered, the world faded away into nothingness, and the saints were renewed in spirit and built up. No selfish aim actuated him, but forgetfulness of himself and his own comforts ever marked his service. Our brother has been as a pillar in the Church of God, holding up Christ, hiding behind His glory. These are memories which remain of a fragrant life lived in devotedness to Christ, and spent serving His people. What must it be for him to be with the Lord he so loved and served? Shall we not find him in eternity as a pillar in the temple of God?

Oh, that we might be encouraged to follow in his steps, seeking to have more of his patience, more of his loyalty to Christ, giving the flesh no place, living in separation from the world, our affections set upon our Lord with whom we are to be very soon.

Mr. P. D. Loizeaux in a few remarks called to mind how on one occasion Brother Ridout said to him, "Haven't you sometimes felt as if you could put out your hand and touch Him?" This served at the time to emphasize his close intimacy with the Lord. This is what we need, and what our beloved brother would press upon us. At another time, when giving a series of addresses to expose Millennial Dawnism, before one of the meetings he remarked that it seemed as if he could feel the presence of Christ and felt that the Lord had given him what he had to say. His life took its character from this close contact with the Lord. May we know more of its blessedness.
Mr. H. Yorgey, of Pottstown, Pa., spoke of knowing Brother Ridout for 45 years, and that he ever found him all that had been said of him. We would all say, "How he loved the Lord!" but he would rather have us speak of that in which he lived-the Lord's love, the love of God in the gift of His Son, those unsearchable riches of His grace and glory! He was always quiet, tender, forgiving, ever seeking to be very much like the Master Himself, ever urging us to be occupied with Christ alone.

Mr. McCandless prayed.

Mr. S. A. White then spoke from Ezek. 33:30-33, recalling the last time he heard Bro. Ridout speak, in an affectionate appeal, particularly to the young, not to go down into Egypt, but to live in separation from the world, and rather, as Peter enjoins, show forth the praises of Him who has called us. May the revival in our memories of that message awaken a fuller response in all our hearts.

A poem by Mr. Pentecost was read, and then a request for prayers expressing our need in view of our felt loss. J. C. Manahan, F. L. French, R. Bullman, Albert Mayer, and G. W. Heffelfinger responded in earnest intercession mingled with much thanksgiving for the life and ministry of our brother as a gift to the Church from the Head in glory. This concluded the service in the Meeting Room, and then the body was taken to Hillside Cemetery to be laid beside that of his beloved wife.

At the grave, Dr. Shope of Philadelphia gave a tribute from the medical profession with a number of whom Bro. Ridout had been acquainted. The hymn, "Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep," was sung and Mr. Bloore prayed. In closing Mr. Dixon, of Kenilworth, N. J., requested that we sing verses 3 and 4 of hymn 316 in the "Little Flock" Hymn Book.

WHO died for sin, Who rose to save,
Tells us, o'er this the opened grave,
"I died that ye might live."
And as we're gathered round the bier,
We hear Him say, "Be of good cheer,
Eternal life I give."

E'en as the wan autumnal sun
But tells us of the Spring to come,
His promise is to thee;
So gazing on the fallen leaf,
In this our bitter loss and grief,
Our blessed hope we see.

He, whom not having seen we love,
Is waiting in His home above
To welcome you and me;
E'en now upon that loving breast
Our brother has found perfect rest,
From care and sorrow free.

We who've found refuge at the Cross
Wince not, nor fret at this our loss-
'Tis his eternal gain-
We know one friend is added more
To those upon the distant shore
Whom we will meet again.

-Robert R. Pentecost.

What peace and rest those two syllables JE-SUS breathe to the wearied troubled heart of the Christian. How sweet the name of Jesus sounds! For all blessing is bound up in its sweetness, and all glory is found in it too.

As is well-known the meaning of the name is Jehovah-Saviour. "Thou shalt call His name JESUS, for He"- Jehovah-"shall save His people from their sins." It is, as the evangelist shows, the equivalent of "Emmanuel, God with us" (Matt. 1:21-23).

It is the Greek counterpart of the Hebrew name Joshua (who is called Jesus in Hebrews 4:8). Interest therefore attaches itself to the way in which Joshua got his name.

Turning to Numbers 13 we find recorded there the names of the twelve spies who were sent over Jordan by Moses to inspect the land of Canaan. In verse 8 we read, "Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun."

Now "Oshea" means saviour. He was to be the captain-leader of the chosen nation. But lest he should be wise in his own conceits and imagine that in some power or ability of his own he was the saviour of Israel-a prefix was placed before his name Oshea. That prefix was an abbreviated form of Jehovah, and so we find added the words:"Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua," that is Jehovah-the-Saviour. After this change every time he heard his new name pronounced he might be reminded that it was the Lord Himself who was delivering His people from their foes and leading them into the land of promise.

And we who live in these glad Christian days do well to remember the glory of our Deliverer "from the wrath to come," of "the Captain of our salvation" Who is leading us to the glory of God.

There is a danger of uttering that name lightly in the catchy words of catchy tunes and of forgetting who He is of whom we sing.

We may well ask ourselves whether we serve Him with the "reverence and godly fear" to which we are exhorted. For "holy and reverend is His name."

Would we if in the presence of our Lord-the Lord of glory-address Him as "Jesus?" Did the disciples who were about Him in holy familiarity ever do this? The Holy Spirit recording His gracious words and deeds in the gospel pages speaks of Him as Jesus constantly and do we not see that this is suitable. But the same Holy Spirit leads those disciples when speaking to the Saviour to say "Lord" or "Master." And His own words to them were:"Ye call me Master and Lord:and ye say well for so I am" (John 13:13).

That was true in the days of His humiliation when He walked in grace on earth. But now, as Peter declared, "God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ." He is now in glory and majesty on the throne of God. And the Holy Spirit has come from Him there and enables us to say in truth "Jesus is Lord" (1 Cor. 12:3).

John lay in His bosom at the supper table and said then, "Lord who is it." But when he beheld Him in vision on the Patmos-isle, he fell at His feet as dead in the presence of His glory and majesty. Then in grace the words "Fear not," fell from His lips as He laid His right hand upon the apostle. That "Fear not" might recall various occasions when the same comforting words had been uttered and might show that He was the same as of old.

There are certain occasions after our Lord's exaltation on which the Holy Spirit speaks of "Jesus" without the addition of Lord or Christ. But it will be found on careful examination that there is in each case a special reason for referring to the Lord by that title.

May we not be led to wonder at times whether some who omit to use His title "Lord," rightly know the Godhead glory which is His.

If a president or king of a nation were to come to visit some of the poorer of the people would any one call him by his personal name without giving him some title of honor or respect. We cannot imagine any decently minded person acting thus. Can we?

So there is an honor due to our Lord, which every believer should hasten to pay. The enemy of our souls would ever seek to lessen the fame of our holy Saviour and we have to beware of his devices.

Then shall not we who owe all our blessing to our adorable Lord seek Him "after the due order" and give unto Him the glory that is "due unto His name" whenever we address Him.

Let us remember that His glory magnifies the grace in which He has drawn so near to us for our blessing. This it is which leads us to sing,

"We'll praise Thee, glorious Lord,
Who died to set us free."

Inglis Fleming

(To be continued. D. V.)

AFRICA-Belgian Congo:,

Up to the time of writing neither Dr. Woodhams or Miss DeJonge have been able to get away for their much needed furlough.* *A cable just received gives news that Miss DeJonge is leaving the end of June to return by way of Europe, and that Dr. Woodhams and his family are leaving at the same time to return via Japan. May the Lord give journeying mercies to all.* Letters and extracts given below will show how the work is progressing in that part of the field. Dr. Woodhams says:

"Here at Mambassa we have been having a real time of blessing and a good many have recently confessed the Lord. Some of these were ones who for a long time had been indifferent and had resisted the truth. It was good to hear such cases giving thanks at the next prayer meeting after they were saved and praying for others who still remained where they had so recently been. So the work goes on and one by one are added to the Church. Those recently saved were natives from Nyangkundi who had come here with us but the Mangwana and others here show much more attention to the Gospel than heretofore."

Our sister Miss DeJonge writes on May the 2nd as follows:

"I am still hoping the way may open for the Woodhams to come when I do, and am waiting until the last of this month, before making final plans to leave early in June by way of the Nile. Should they receive word by that time, I may postpone my coming a little longer, in order to travel with them, if the Lord so leads. The doctor has made inquiry about the Pacific route, and has received a reply from a Japanese line. It will be cheaper to come by the Orient for them, since their home is in California, When seeing all the work that should be done here, we are not so eager to come, but on the other hand we feel that a change is needful for all, and the sooner we come the sooner we may expect to come back, if the Lord still leaves us here a little longer.

To-day being just five years since sailing from New York, we look back and see the good hand of the Lord over us all along the way. And thinking about the number who have already gone on to be with the Lord, among them those who gave such fitting words at the farewell meeting on May 1st, we can see how God has answered definitely the prayers offered at that time; in a special way, the prayer for "the church or assembly of Babira" and the "saints among the Walesi," for at Mikairi's place four Walesi boys have now confessed the Lord as Saviour."

We are glad to be reminded of the happy occasion of the going out of the Woodhams party and also to know that prayers offered then have been abundantly answered.

The following is a further letter from our young brother William Deans telling of the progress made on the new site in Lolua.
Lolua, Irumu, April 18, 1930. Dear brother:-

Thank you for the cheery letter received last week. It does one's heart good to remember those dear saints who are remembering us, and the work at home before the mercy-seat.

Since I arrived at Lolua, where the new work is being established, about six weeks ago, there has not been an idle day. As the site is in the dense forest, much of the work has been in clearing a spot to build upon. Now after a month of watching the giant trees come thundering down we have sufficient space cleared to start a small, high and dry, home. ,

The shack I'm living in is a shelter, but not as healthful as might be desired, being on a low level. Dr. Wood-hams recommends building suitable quarters before the school house and road are completed, as several weeks ago I broke out with several "tropical ulcers" on my legs (which are practically healed now) due to close contact with the natives in bandaging their many diseases.

The corn and bananas planted upon our arrival are growing well, and in a short time sweet corn will put variety into the diet. Food is very scarce in the forest, The natives themselves live almost entirely on a variety of bananas the white man cannot eat. So my food is rice, sweet potatoes, and bananas, all of which were brought from Nyangkundi.

Eggs are available, but not as plentiful as I had imagined. The Pygmies are the only ones who are successful with hens, and I send a boy to their village to buy with salt. It is surprising how well one can enjoy certain foods when no others are available.

I'm getting used to not seeing a white person for weeks at a stretch, and by this isolation am gaining the confidence of the natives so that they are responding splendidly, and are attending each service with encouraging regularity.

Daily, there is the school for men at sunrise, the medical dispensary at 11 A.M. and general school at 2 P.M. At both schools the Gospel is presented and daily an opportunity for personal work is found in the medicine hour. As we have no building for the schools they are held out in the open.

In the middle of each week I'm able to get out to villages a little more distant and thank the Lord for the genuine interest shown.

Sunday services, which are held in the chief's village, draw natives from all the nearby villages, and they sit with eager eyes and absorb every word. Last Sunday after preaching the Gospel, I asked them if they understood. The chief replied, "Some of it, but there is yet some we don't understand." So I called for a volunteer to explain it. One, who has been regular in attendance, stood up and gave it out as he understood it. I was able to correct incomplete parts and I’m sure God's offer of salvation was finally made clear to all present. That one chap certainly understands it with his mind. Pray that the Spirit will touch his heart that he may be numbered among those who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. At first the women didn't attend but now a number are at each service. This is a difficult problem to be overcome, I believe, by prayer alone. By our prayers here and those that are ascending from the homeland many miles away.

Nine pygmies were here several days ago and for a half an hour they listened to the Word. If we could only feel assured that^they understand. The Pigmy is not used to figuring things out for himself and to comprehend the love of a sin-hating God, in giving His Son a ransom for sinners, is indeed a difficult task for him. But we shall not cease to plead with God for their souls. It is His will that they turn to the Lord, and He has promised to give what we ask in His name. We ask for souls to God's glory alone.

What a blessed thought it is that we shall meet some of these black converts when the Lord gathers His own to Himself and that we shall share the joys of being with Him and with them through all the ages of eternity.

At last report all were well both at Nyangkundi and at Mambasa. Dr. has told us of several who have accepted the Lord at Mambasa. This is indeed cause for rejoicing. Whether the skin is white or black there is a needy soul within, and thank God there is the same Saviour for all.

Christian love to yourself and to those who love the Lord, Your brother in Christ,

Bill Deans.

CHINA:

We have not yet heard of the arrival of our brother George Foggin in China. We fear however that he will find conditions very unsettled as the following extract of a letter from a missionary laboring in North China will show:

China remains a land of paradoxes; millions of Chinese citizens are starving this present moment, but the Chinese government is not spending a cent to prevent those millions from dying; on the other hand several millions of Northern and Southern soldiers are facing each other and at any moment may start fighting. In slaying each other they will involve other millions of farmers and merchants in dire suffering but in spite of all this the government is on the one hand freely pouring out millions of dollars for war expenses and on the other (for American and European consumption) are prating about the suffering of the poor Chinese citizens and th-necessity of putting and end to strife! If the Chinese government did not fight supposed enemies the farmers and merchants would be able to live and trade would recover but then the militarists would lose their jobs and that would never do. It is better to rely on American and British cupidity to relieve the famine suffering millions than it is to stop fighting. Fighting enriches the Chinese militarists and incidentally enriches foreign dealers in guns and ammunition! Famine has lifted its gaunt head in our midst once more and a few days back when the local authorities approached me with a view to organizing Famine Belief I felt like sending them about their business. Each member is an opium sot, gambler, and low-down-liver. The love of Christ for the poor got the better of me and I promised to do what I could in approaching the International Famine Commission on their behalf. "Blessed is he that considereth the poor" the Lord Jesus is ever that blessed One (2 Cor. 8:9) and it is our privilege to be associated with Him. We feel we must help the Chinese believers but we do not feel free to use money entrusted to us by the Lord's children in relieving the heathen; not from lack of desire but from lack of ability. It will take many thousands of dollars to give even a very little relief to all who are suffering in our county and unless the I. F. C. make a grant, we dare not attempt to do anything for the folk would rise up in a body unless we helped them all believing that we were either holding back funds for our own use (as all Chinese officials do) or that we were showing favoritism:it is strange that they honor us for looking after the Christians and they would not think of rising in protest:all societies in China are supposed to manifest a sort of "Free-Masonry" spirit and look after their own followers or members, but if you are kind to them "that are without" you dare not make discrimination.

Soldier-robbers have given us trouble all through the past winter but until recently they did not steal much of value (1:e., of value to them) but their latest exploit is to run off with our daughter Ruth's valuable donkey. They came in over the wall, but in leaving made a hole in it and walked out. "Thieves break through and steal." We were hoping the animal would give good service in the village work. We have to seek grace "to take cheerfully the spoiling of our goods" for were we to report the thefts to the high military officials the men (or some men) would probably be shot (its much cheaper than sending men to prison!!!) and we are here to "save life." We had thirty of the soldiers into the Gospel meeting last Lord's Day, so the Devil does not get it all his own way; the preaching of Christ either saves them or condemns them. In any case He is honored so it is better to suffer loss and have the joy of heaping coals of fire on the heads of those who cause the loss.

WORK AMONGST JAPANESE:.-Our brother Eugene B. Craig writes as follows:

"The Lord willing, we expect to leave on Friday, the 20th, on our way West, stopping at several places, including a while at my wife's home near Parker's Landing. By the time school opens in the fall we expect to be settled somewhere on the coast for the purpose of Gospel work amongst the Japanese there. There are a few Japanese in different places in fellowship, and a lot of our Japanese Gospel literature has been distributed amongst the Japanese on the Pacific coast by brethren in several places beside some which we have sent by mail. I have a directory of the Japanese in the United States.

INDIAN WORK:

Our brother Holcomb writes from Shiprock, New Mexico, as follows:

We are quite well here at the mission and the work of giving out the Word going forward much as usual. Mr. Girdner was out in the camps day before yesterday. Most of the camp work has to be done on horseback. He reports a good time giving out the Word. Visited three camps and found six hogans which were occupied, (this time of the year many are not occupied) and in them twelve people. As a rule there are more at home than that but they are busy at their gardens which may be five miles from their flock of sheep. And one or two from each camp will be with the flock almost any time of the year. The same day fifteen called at the mission. Thirteen listened to the Word. We average about nine a day callers the year around.

The following is from the pen of Dr. Northcote Deck, medical missionary to the Solomon Islands and is worthy of consideration:

"Behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me to give to every man according to his works" (Rev. 22:13).

In evangelical circles I think we are rather afraid of "works." They are so often made the way of salvation and salvation we know is a free gift 'which we do nothing to gain, but only accept. But having been saved by the alone atoning death of Christ at once we face the command "Work out your own salvation." And once having entered the Kingdom of God "works" do become a most important subject. Now I hope "we love Him because He first loved us" and long to serve Him for love alone. Yet what saith the Scripture? As universally as it teaches us that we are redeemed for naught it also teaches us we are rewarded according to our works. And the incentive of rewards and crowns is continually set before us by God to urge us on to more devoted service.

We need not be afraid of this Divine incentive to faithfulness. We shall soon find as we seek to excel that it is self sacrifice and not self seeking which it demands of us. And we may safely strive for high rewards not because it is pleasant to obtain them, but because it will rejoice our Saviour's heart to bestow them.

I do hope we have all reached the stage in the Christian life, where our lives can no longer be measured in terms of dollars and cents, the world's usual estimate of a man. Money and what it will buy is a sacred trust to be exercised by the way. But we need to have seen further than that. It was an old saint who cried:"I had eternity set in my heart and after that nothing else or less contented me."And once we realize that, too, we shall develop a divine discontent with merely material things. We may have to give much time and thought to them but now, God is our goal. And it is possible to be "not slothful in business" yet "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."Through it all we may keep "looking unto Jesus."Every day we may redeem the time and lay up more treasure in heaven. For, indeed, we can pay too much for money and fame and power. For our treasure is not so much what belongs to us, as what we belong to mostly men have not got wealth, it has got them. And only the grace of God and the clear sight of eternity will keep these needful, yet dangerous, material things in their rightful place in life under His feet."

The expected visit of our brother J. P. Ribeiro of Brazil to this country, as reported in the June issue, has not been realized. He writes that on account of the much increased cost of passage he has abandoned the contemplated visit and is now laboring in the neighborhood of his home in Parintins.

Our brother William G. Amies, with his family are staying with his wife's relatives. Their address is, care of Mrs. George Fretscher, Route 1, Sewell, N. J. Our brother was at the meeting in Plainfield on Decoration Day, where many had the joy of meeting him and hearing something of the Lord's ways with them.

Our brother, Joseph B. Hoze, writes from Speights-town, Barbados, under date of May 28, giving tidings of a visit to Port of Spain, Trinidad, to attend the marriage of Egbert MacDonald at San Fernando. He-writes of finding things encouraging in Trinidad, with good opportunity for ministry of the Word.

From "The Life of Faith," a well-known British Evangelical Periodical, under date of August 25th, we clip the following item which, in the paper referred to, came immediately after the editor discussed recent affairs in the Church of England.

"Turning from such ecclesiastical matters, it is a pleasure to offer affectionate and hearty greetings to those devoted servants of the Lord Jesus in all parts of the world who are content to be known by the simple name of "Brethren." This honored section of the Church of Christ will this year celebrate its centenary. In the year 1830, the Rev. J. N. Darby (as he was then known) persuaded many people in Plymouth to associate themselves with him in a fresh and unfettered observance of the Lord's will and way. Darby himself had been a curate in Wicklow, but he felt constrained to leave Anglican communion through his association with several devout people in Dublin who met statedly for public worship, and called themselves "Brethren." It is quite true that in the course of the years separations and divisions took place, but, even so, in every part of the world the Brethren, in the worship of their assemblies and in their zeal for the evangelization of the world, have borne a noble witness to the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. Without exception, they have been loyal to the Bible as the Word of God, and, for the most part, they have been devoted to the truth of the Lord's Second Coming. In some ways it is unfortunate that there is no central organization to whom felicitations can be sent, but we should like to take this opportunity of expressing our Christian love and good-will to our devoted fellow-believers among the Brethren who share with us a like precious faith, and who are fellow-heirs of those spiritual privileges that belong to the household of fath."

I am sure that every right-thinking person associated with the Assemblies of "Brethren," so-called, throughout the world, would reciprocate in the fullest way the cordial good-will and the Christian affection manifested in this editorial. In a day when the apostasy is becoming more and more blatant and the lines are being more clearly defined between those who accept a supernatural revelation and those who reject it, it is a precious thing to find Christians who do accept the Bible as the Word of God, drawing closer to one another, instead of drifting farther apart. Such an editorial as this could hardly have been written fifty years ago, for at that time many Evangelical Christians looked with suspicion and marked disfavor upon the "Brethren," and the latter were largely to blame for this attitude of their fellow-believers. In their zeal for certain truths, it is to be feared others of equal importance were sadly overlooked. It is one thing to contend for "the faith once for all delivered to the saints." It is quite another to hold the truth in love. In one's very zeal for separation from evil, it is possible to impute iniquity where there is none, and to forget the love that thinketh no evil. But our ever faithful God has not left us without chastisement. We have felt the weight of His rod upon us. Our very divisions have witnessed against us, and we trust are producing a spirit of lowliness and a yearning for more fellowship with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ. While we desire to stand as firmly as ever against the apostasy and to keep our Assemblies clear of moral and doctrinal evil, we yearn for more communion with those who love the same precious truths that mean so much to us, and would desire to be helpers of the whole Church of God. It is cause for thanksgiving that this new attitude is making itself manifest, and the editorial above referred to is but one evidence' of the readiness of the people of God to recognize whatever is of Christ in one another.

May He who is our common Saviour and Lord bind us closer together in love and devotedness. We salute the editor of the Life of Faith and all associated with him, and assure such of our deep appreciation of their brotherly attitude.

"Shut in with Christ, oh, wonderful thought!
Shut in with the peace His suffering brought,
Shut in with the love that wields the rod,
Oh, company blest! shut in with God."

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Ps. 126:5, 6).

We have been reminded of the above verse in connection with our brethren who have gone forth into other lands "bearing precious seed." The conditions under which our brethren and sisters labor at the present time make it, figuratively speaking, a time when sowing has to be done with weeping, and while the Scripture referred to speaks of the time of ingathering and rejoicing, when Israel is brought back into the land, it is good to think of the precious fruit now being gathered for the Lord.

AFRICA

The following extract from a letter by our brother Deans shows one of the many difficulties with which they have to contend:

Last Sunday we went out to preach the gospel at the Mohammedan chief's quarters. He, who before was very friendly to us and showed marked interest in the message, flatly refused to allow us to sing or preach. Thinking I could get a start, I asked if he would not allow us to sing, but, no, he would not allow even that. I am afraid other Mohammedans have influenced him against the blessed story. Well, although some said we will not go there again, such is not the case, for back we will go. We have not been stoned yet, and when we think of the dear Apostle "back among the stones" at Lystra, the being insulted while one wishes to present such a blessed message is to be expected in this day of His rejection. "Brethren, pray for us."

Brother Gordon Searle writes:

Our dear brother Bill Deans is still laid up with rheumatism, and is hardly able to walk. Mrs. Deans and Ella take it in turns by the month to keep house for him here, as the doctor says he should not return to the forest. He needs your united prayers that the Lord will raise him up in due time by His mercies.

A young missionary in Africa in acknowledging a small gift from a school-boy writes as follows:

You can't understand how much I appreciate this, especially since I can see it is a sacrifice on your part. Still one would hardly say it is a sacrifice, as even that dollar you sent has been used to carry on the work of spreading the gospel among those who know it not. It is therefore a better investment than if used for other purposes of a less serious nature.

SOUTH AMERICA

We are glad to have a letter from our brother Monttlau and to know he and his family have been kept safe in spite of the political disturbance in that country. He writes:

Well, dear brother, how many things can happen in a few weeks. We had revolutions, storms, hurricanes, continual change of weather; sometimes several changes in the same day, and thus many were sick. There were over twelve people whom we intended to baptize last month, but we had to delay till last Lord's Day, and then only three were ready. Some are still sick or convalescent. But we received much blessing, thank the Lord! Those baptized were full of joy. The hall was packed with attentive people; many coming for the first time. Some policemen, who always promised to come but found no time, were also present, and we were thankful, as much prayer was made for them. We are confident about two of them, whose lives were wonderfully spared during the revolution last month. One was fired on seventeen times and came out unharmed. His wife was baptized and she is confident her husband has been converted. We hope also that another policeman who was present, whose wife was baptized also, will soon confess the Lord. We expect another season of blessing when we baptize the rest.

Also a letter from brother J. P. Ribeiro:

Parantins, Oct. 13, 1930.

Brethren and sisters, do pray for us "without ceasing." The civil war is upon us, the whole of Brazil is in turmoil. There is much suffering, physical and moral. No rains this year, crops were lost, famine and destitution ensued. Our brethren, especially, being of the poorest, incur the heavier trials. They bring their hungry children to us, we just sing and pray together, unable to give them a bit of bread. Oh, the tribulations! We must "enter through" them (Acts 14:22) with peace in the Lord. Lord, Thou art coming as the bright, morning star-our Hope.

WORK AMONGST THE INDIANS

From our brother Holcomb we have the following:

I attended the Oakland Conference. Felt we had a very good time. Dear brother Ironside was there and spoke several times. Brother Elliott McAllister and I came home together in his auto, the last leg of the journey, about a thousand miles. He stayed with us for some days, and visited camps with the younger people.

They attended a native wedding also, that of a daughter of an old heathen friend, a nice old man who was especially glad to have our people there. A Navaho wedding is a free-for-all. This young bride was very happy to marry this man, she said, because she had seen and danced with him. Many of the Navaho brides have never before seen their bridegroom, or at least never known him.

From our brother J. P. Anderson we give the following:

It is good to know that our brethren are not forgetting to pray for us and all others who are away from the fellowship of their brethren most of the time, as we are out here. We do miss them, and yet the Lord has always had someone here that we could have some fellowship with, amongst the employees, and we thank Him for sending them here.

Just at the present time our brother and sister Erwin Dresch, from San Antonio, Texas, are here for a few days, and we are glad to have them. The Indian children dearly love Mr. Dresch as he has such a winning way with them.
Last week Mr. Holcomb and Mr. McAllister were with us several days. The Catholics have at last decided to come in here too, and teach the Indian children that come from Catholic homes. So far they have not started, as there are no Catholic employees to help them out.

Returning Missionaries and New Workers

Doctor Woodhams and family and Miss DeJonge are desirous of returning to Africa early in the coming year, and plan, God willing, to sail from New York sometime in April. As the expenses of this journey will be considerable our brother feels cast upon the Lord that the need might be met. In a recent letter he says:

The Lord turned us this morning again to the well-known assurance that, "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." We feel that our work is at Mambassa. We had to come home for health's sake, but the Lord knows about each detail in connection with expenses of our returning. Our only longing is that we may know His heart and care, and thus have faith increased by all through which we may pass. May we have grace to wait on the Lord only.

Miss Esther A. Creighton, of San Mateo, California, is desirous of accompanying Dr. Woodhams and family back to Africa to devote herself to the Lord's work in that land. Miss Creighton has the full fellowship of the saints in her home assembly in the step which she is about to take, and would appreciate fellowship in prayer on her behalf.

(Continued from p. 386, Dec.,1929)

"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Christ Jesus unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath taken us into favor in the Beloved."

Somebody has said that familiar truths often lie "bedridden in the dormitory of our souls alongside exploded error," but we must rouse them up and have them take possession of us. Contemplation helps.

A famous picture of the Crucifixion shows only the shadows of the three crosses, falling sombrely athwart the hillside, while the story itself, in all its great and tragical wonder, is graved in the faces of the onlookers- Roman soldiers, Jewish rabbis, disciples, a fanatical throng of peasantry, men and women. We sometimes sing,

"Oh, how our inmost souls do move,
When gazing on that cross,"

and well they may, yet surely each of us yearns for deeper appreciation.

The verses before us proclaim the fruits of that wondrous work, and we are sharers in its benefits, and the commingling of both should engrave on face and life their infinite significance. Scientists have calculated that there is sufficient energy stored away in a single grain of radium to keep an electric bell ringing for thirty thousand years, and the subject of our meditation, properly assimilated, contains inexhaustible, unending springs of joy, waters that never run dry. Indeed, Mount Election is the Saints? Mount of Transfiguration. Its glories blaze forth in character. The objects of its blessing are clothed in immaculate righteousness, spotlessness, holiness, and stand unabashed before God. The saint to be with Him, must be like Him. To tread the golden streets of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, he must be "undefiled" (Rev. 21:27). Heart-filling fact it is that,

"The sons of ignorance and night,
May dwell in the Eternal Light,
Through the Eternal Love."

This is the theme that emancipates Jude from the morass of Stygian history in the earlier part of his epistle, and sweeps him, in an utter jubilation, into one of the grandest doxologies in the New Testament:"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless in the presence of His glory, in exceeding great joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be the glory and majesty, dominion and power, before all time, NOW, and unto the eternal ages. Amen."

Mark well the phrase, "In exceeding great joy." Its position in the quotation from Jude is similar to that of the "in love" of Eph. 1:4. This suggests that the "in love" describes the believer. And "in love" with such a God he may indeed well be. How can he, indeed, help it? In love, in exceeding great joy, that is it! Yet, as most know, there is little punctuation in the Greek manuscripts, and some think that the "in love" properly links with the "predestinated," so that it is God who, in love for us, predestinates us. Here indeed is an unquestionable truth. Here also is another delightful ambiguity, and read either way, it anoints us with the oil of gladness. It baptizes us in heavenly joy.

Notice, moreover, how the verbs "choose" and "predestinate" carry us along in a warm current of live, logical thought. The original of "choose" suggests a "picking out" from among others, while the Greek of "predestinate" implies that a "dividing mark" separates us to God, shuts us up to Him. The thought is widened and deepened in the "people for a possession " of the epistle to Titus. According to a custom of ancient times, property in a contract was specified as "as much as can be plowed around" within a certain designated time. The Greek word for possession, peripoiesis (made around), hints at the latter thought. So then we are "picked out," "marked off," and "encircled" for God, His own, His very own.

But the "good pleasure of His will" does not stop here. It reaches out more and more. It is characterized by Francis Xavier's missionary watchword, "amplius" (farther afield). For the spotlessly righteous God has a place of the closest relationship, into which the predestinated are brought by the united will and effort of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. By the Spirit they are "born of God," by Christ Jesus they are given an exalted, legal position of "sons." This is the magnificent declaration of the prologue of John's Gospel:"To as many as received Him, to them gave He authority to become the children of God, even to those that believe in His name, who were born" (John 1:13). This is indeed adoption, and to this blessing the Father predestinated us. In it the Holy Trinity unites us, in the bonds of filial affection, as members of God's happy family. "Consider (then) what manner of love the Father, Son and Holy Spirit have bestowed upon us that we should be called the children of God." Yea, "consider." It is not simply "behold."

The "by Jesus Christ unto Himself" has its beautiful counterpart in Roman Law. To quote Faussett, "A son and heir often adopted brothers, admitting them to his own privileges. By the Roman law of adoption, the adopted child was entitled to the father's name, possessions and family sacred rights." Here in other form we have the theme of Paul's jubilation in the 8th of Romans:"And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." And in delightful accord with the "by Jesus Christ unto Himself," Galatians in its turn salutes us with, "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, shouting, 'Abba, Father.'"

Methinks here one may catch the joyful exclamation of the blessed Son, the Captain of our salvation, quoted in the 2nd of Hebrews, "Behold I and the children that God hath given Me." It is another and better "These are my jewels" of the noble Roman mother, Cornelia, who when asked by invaders to bring forth her jewels, presented her seven sons. It is the music of an ennobling affection.

This sequence of "character," then "sonship," in Ephesians is but a twin thought to that of the ascending scale of God's great purposes for us, as set forth in Romans 8, all things working together for our good:"For whom He did foreknow, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son, that HE might be the first begotten among many brethren." The First-begotten not only admits us, as in Roman law, to His own privileges, but the Father for that purpose stamps the Son's blessed likeness upon us.

Thus all bondage and fear are things of the past. Such a spirit have we not received. Free indeed we are, for the Son Himself hath set us free (John 8:36). From the heights of Mount Predestination the shout of "sons" resounds, for the Great Liberator has adopted a race of slaves as His children. "He came to preach deliverance to the captives, to set at liberty them that are bruised."

I would like to place you deep within some camera obscura, and there, shut out from the world, in its peaceful seclusion display in the central glass the onward march of the ages, disclosing that glad evangel in the millions in which its power has been dramatized. You should read their story, you should behold the transformation of their lives, the drunkard made sober, the unclean pure, the selfish purged of every desire but to "please another," the proud wearing the diadem of a meek and quiet spirit, in the sight of God of great price, and all with the hope of heaven and home shining upon their faces. For this however we have neither time nor power. A single tale from Harold Begbie's "Other Sheep" must perforce suffice us.

She was a poor, demon-possessed woman. Some of the dramatic details of the demon-possessed in the Gospels were strongly etched in her life. Obsessed and harassed, her horrific condition became absolutely intolerable. "Neither her husband nor her neighbors doubted for a moment that she was the darling of the demons." She was thrown down and torn by her familiar spirit. She was subjected to attacks of convulsion. A pall of the deepest gloom shadowed her, though she wrought reputed cures of disease and became sought after far and wide. The cup of blessing that she offered to others defied her every effort to raise to her own lips. In the midst of this deep distress she heard of the God of the Salvation Army and attended a meeting of the local corps in a near-by village. "I did not know that Christ had ever cast out devils; all I knew at that time was His Name, and that people in trouble prayed to Him, nothing more." She came, she saw, and He conquered. Through His Name and power she was set free. Wondrous was the transformation in her life. From the servant of sin and sorrow she became a messenger of peace, she proclaimed the glad news, she did the work of an evangelist. "Her prayers, I am told," says the narrator, "were of extraordinary beauty. She always began, her eyes raised to heaven and her arms uplifted, with the words, whispered in an imploring tenderness, 'O God, you are my Father, my Father!'" Through every fibre of her being thrilled the emancipation proclamation of the sons of God.

Her story was to "the praise of the glory of His grace," and so is yours, and so is mine. Are we praising? Mr. Spurgeon was once invited to preach an extempore sermon on "One star differeth from another in glory," and eloquently -he spoke. But on another occasion he said, "When I come to speak of glory, I can only stammer about it." He must have been thinking of such glory as this. And as measured against their glorious theme, all other efforts are but stammering, yet the stammerer may sing unhindered:

"In loving-kindness Jesus came,
My soul in mercy to reclaim,
And from the depths of sin and shame
Through grace He lifted me.

From sinking sand He lifted me,
With tender hand He lifted me,
From shades of night to plains of light,
O praise His Name, He lifted me." F. C. Grant

(To be continued, D. V.)