"Moreover, brethren, we do you to witness of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves:praying us with much in treaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich. And herein I give my advice:for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it:that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not… But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly:and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give:not grudgingly, or of necessity:for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you:that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work; (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad:He hath given to the poor:His righteousness remaineth for ever. Now He that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your God, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness) being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God" (2 Cor. 8:1-12; 9-11).

The above portion of God's Word has been drawn to our attention by a missionary laboring in difficult and trying circumstances, who although often in need himself is able to rejoice and give thanks to the Lord for the tokens of fellowship received from time to time. The brother writes:

It is with sincere and hearty gratitude that we thank the saints in our Lord's dear name, and pray that His rich blessing and tender care may abundantly cheer and give cause for praise in this time of trial and depression. Our sympathy goes out indeed, while our admiration is stirred as we are reminded through the efforts and sacrifices of our beloved brethren of the Apostle's words written in commendation of the Macedonian saints in 2 Cor. 8, telling how "their deep poverty," had attested to "the riches of their liberality."

From other parts of the field we hear of the work having to be somewhat curtailed and of hardships endured through lack of funds. We would therefore bespeak continued prayer on behalf of brethren laboring in the gospel both at home and abroad, remembering their need so that they can say of us as the Apostle Paul said of the Philippians, "Ye sent once and again to my necessity" (Phil. 4:16).

The following brief extracts may be of interest:

From Dr. Woodhams (to a company of Christians meeting for prayer) :
Again we thank you for your fellowship with us and remembrance of us. It is good to know that you meet together once a month and that you then remember this work in prayer. We feel our need of this cooperation, and we realize that except for God answering prayer and blessing according to His own goodness that no fruit would otherwise be seen here. Yet by the Lord's mercy we are encouraged continually – not in great numbers turning to the Lord, but in the few who have, there seems to be every evidence of reality. The growth of the Christians in their understanding and appreciation of the truth is also always encouraging. Especially lately we have noticed the improvement in the character of the prayers at the Lord's table. Some months ago it was noticeable that some of the prayers offered there would have been more appropriate for a prayer meeting. But lately there has been certainly a deeper realization of the character of that meeting and what is suitable to it.

At our Bible Study meetings with the natives we have been taking up Thessalonians and the coming of the Lord for His Church, and then His coming later to judge the man of sin, and then to rule in righteousness. These have interested the Christians very much.

From Miss Esther Creighton:

How one feels the indifference!-especially of those who have heard the Word over and over again.

In my Women's Class on Wednesday P. M. they sit and listen (not always attentively), and then I put their personal responsibility before them, and they are very quiet for the moment. But the minute the meeting is over they jump up laughing and jesting one with another, and you wonder if they ever heard you. Are the natives here with open arms to receive the Word? No! They'll receive anything else you might give them, but not that!

But oh, how blessed to know that we have His precious promise that His Word will not return unto Him void, but shall accomplish that whereunto it was sent!

From brother Robert Deans:

I am glad to say there are many "Bereans" among the reading Christians in Africa. When told the Word they read the Scriptures "to see if these things are so." This is a very healthy sign.

From brother Gibb of Boston (missionary to seamen) :

The more I work among the men, the more I thank the Lord that He has enabled me to be an instrument in His hands in bringing Christ to them. While it is true there is much indifference among seamen, I am pleased to say that there is not one ship I am able to visit but there is at least one man who is really desirous of knowing the truth."

From brother West of New York (Work among Seamen) :

Prayers are sought for two special cases:one a young seaman who by faith is Unitarian, but is open to the truth of the gospel and who listens most attentively. We have had more than one visit with him in two years. Our young friend is willing to read our literature, and if he can be convinced that his doctrine is not true says he will acknowledge Christ as his Saviour.

The other, an exceptionally bright young officer, who while he leans toward Christian Science, reads his Bible daily, and is well acquainted with the Gospel. He may be a Christian for all we know, but we desire prayer that he may have done with the Eddy teaching. Left a goodly supply of books including the very excellent one by Mr. A. J. Pollock on Christian Science.

Taitowying, Funinghsien, Hopei, N. China. Beloved brother:- May 31, 1932.

Your kind letter of April 8 which contained a gift of loving fellowship from the Missionary Meeting came safely, and we are so sorry that our appreciation should be so late in reaching you. It is with very .sincere and hearty gratitude that we thank the saints in our Lord's dear Name, and pray that His rich blessings and tender care may abundantly cheer and give deep cause for praise in these times of trial and depression. Our sympathy goes out indeed while our admiration is stirred as we are reminded through the efforts and sacrifice of our beloved brethren, of the Apostle Paul's words of commendation in 2 Cor. 8:telling the Corinthians how the deep poverty of the Macedonians had attested to the riches of their liberality.

We are indeed glad to say that our section has been protected from the war, and we have been free to go on with our work unhindered. For a month we were occupied with the repairing of the Gospel Hall (while the weather was still too cold for the tent work), the original roof having become too leaky to be respectable-so with removing it and replacing with new we have also changed the original commercial and barn-like gateway, it being then under the same roof, so that now our sign is over the main doorway-in English and Chinese-and permanently a part of the wall face.

During the week of the annual Fair, early in May, we had our tent on the usual site, and with enlargement it was ample for all comers, though there were not nearly so many at the Fair this year. A high wind on the second day was rather hard on our canvas, and necessitated the mending of several places before we could take it out last week for the first village location this summer.

The tent being so much larger it is not easy to find a sufficiently large open space for it, gardens occupying such "vacant lots" as a rule. However, it is nicely located now between some trees in a wide place in the main street, and it has been well filled since it was set up. Last evening we were a little surprised to see an officer of the regiment here come in, accompanied by a soldier, and listen to the preaching. While he has many times come to the compound for personal conversation he has not attended any of the meetings in the Gospel Hall. He has however become so interested as to buy a Bible to see for himself whether these things be so.

The village where we wanted to go first had only one usable .space for the tent, and the seven part-owners of it were not unanimous in approval of free use. We could only leave it for another prospect, as to rent would be to set a precedent soon to soar beyond reason, yet irrevocable. Today a responsible person has come to tell us that when the new platform is put on the idol-temple grounds, we will be welcome to set the tent up there, so we will likely take the opportunity when we remove from this first place. We are west of Taitowying, instead of east, this season, and as we have never been over much of this part we are expecting to continue in a westerly or north-westerly direction for this summer.
With our .sincere Christian love and greetings to all the dear saints, Affectionately in Christ,

Charles and Esther Kautto.

It is wonderful how the depth of the love of Christ is opened out in John 12. "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone, but if it die it bringeth forth much fruit." How it thrills the heart to think that the Lord Jesus should have gone out of the world like that! He became Man that He might associate us with Himself for ever. This comes out more fully in that communion of Divine joy indicated in the 8th of Proverbs, where Wisdom's voice is speaking. What a scene of Divine communion opens out before us! The Father and the Son sufficing for each other! "When He appointed the foundations of the earth then I was by Him as one brought up with Him, and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him, in the habitable parts of His earth." These words indicate the direction of the activity of the heart of God as to where His love was going out. They rejoiced mutually in each other, sharing each other's thoughts. How blessed to have such intimation of the direction in which their hearts were going! And in this communion of Divine love the heart of the Son went where the heart of the Father went, to find His joy where the Father found His. "My delights were with the sons of men."

How wonderful the thought that it should be revealed to us, that we might know that we were objects of delight to the Father and the Son in this communion of joy before the foundation of the world. In no other way could we be taken into association with Him.

So He took the step and was found in the body prepared for Him. He came to carry out His Father's will. How much alone He was in the perfection of that path we can never fathom. He had no principle in His heart which ever governed the heart of man. The more we think of Him in that path, the more we follow in deepening appreciation of Him. But there were deeper depths of isolation before Him. What was the meaning of that anguish in Gethsemane's garden? We cannot follow into that experience of being totally abandoned by God. "The cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?" And all this was experienced that He might take us up into the place He has won for us in resurrection.

Gethsemane with its unutterable woe was but the anticipation of what yet lay before Him, and was passed through in the unclouded sense of that presence with Him still, but that presence must be withdrawn from Him when He who knew no sin had to be made sin for us. He was to be alone as He never was before. He who only knew Divine love, as infinitely the Object of it, was then to know the forsaking of God. In presenting the sorrow in communion to the Father, it only made more intolerable the thought of passing out of that communion into the experience of abandonment, but He gave Himself to the full accomplishment of the Divine will.

Thus God was glorified, and salvation is ours who believe in Him, but it is the character of that salvation as satisfying the heart of Christ, and not its mere fact, that occupies us now. This comes up as we see Him raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, to be alone no longer in this new place.
Then comes its precious announcement through Mary of Magdala as He forbids her attempt to renew her relations with Him as Messiah after the flesh, on the ground of far richer relationships that He was about to introduce. "Touch Me not, for I am not yet ascended unto My Father." In anticipation of that moment when He was to take His full counseled place as Man in the glory of God, He sends her to the disciples with its revelation:"I ascend unto My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'

John's writings do not carry us beyond what is individual in our association with Christ, but there is another aspect. Through Paul, the full light of the glory in which He has now taken His place falls upon our hearts. We look up and see Him in His full position, and learn that position is ours. The Man Christ Jesus takes His full place in glory and sends down the Holy Ghost to dwell in the believer. In Ephesians we find this place presented as the fruit of the eternal counsels of God. We are seen in Him holy and without blame, in love before the eye and heart of God, and in relationship as sons, and this is the eternal thought of God about us. The sons of men with whom were His delights are now revealed and set in their place as such. T. Oliver (Galashiels)

Nearer, my Lord, to Thee!
Nearer to Thee; Tis e'en Thy cross alone
That raiseth me;
Now all my song shall be-
Nearer, O Christ, to Thee!
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.

No more a wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness still over me,
My rest a stone,
For on Thy breast I'll be-
Nearer, O Christ, to Thee;
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.

Then let Thy way appear
Steps unto heaven;
All that Thou sendest me
In mercy given;
Jesus to welcome me-
Nearer, O Christ, to Thee;
Nearer, my God, to Thee.

Paraphrase of "Nearer, My God, to Thee."

H. Cowell, Plainfield, Ill.

-A BIBLE MEDITATION-

God's blessed Word-"Meditate therein. . .make thy way prosperous. . .have good success"'-Josh. 1:8.

Divine knowledge. Foreknowledge of our demerits enhances God's gracious purposes:Rom. 8:29; 1 Pet. 1:2.

God knoweth all things, Jno. 16:30.
All men…………..Jno. 2:24.
Them that are His.. .2 Tim. 2:19.
His sheep………… Jno.10:14.
Our thoughts…….1 Cor. 3:20.
Our actions ………1 Sam. 2:3.
Our works ……….. Rev.2:2.
Our hearts……….. Acts 1:24.
Our trust…………. .Nah. 1:7.
Our sorrows………… Ex.3:7.
Us altogether……..Ps. 139:2-4.
Marvelous……….. Rom. 11:33.

The divine desire Midst clouds, the rainbow of love's that we may know, story appears in Jer. 31, culminating in verse 34- "They shall know Me."

His "smiting" brings about His "desire" for unworthy ones, "the knowledge of God," Hosea 6:1-6.

Disclosed afresh in the earnest supplications of Col. 1:9; Phil. 1:9.

Certified by the words, "Know that I am the Lord," repeated over 60 times in Ezekiel.

Man's refusal. "Desired not," Job 21:14.

Our lack. Hosea 4:1, 6-Serious indictment. Jno. 4:10; Job 22:21 -Needed counsel.

Ourselves. "No good thing," Rom. 7:18. Transgressions seen as before God, Isa. 59:12. Confession, Job 42:2; revelation, ver. 5; humiliation, ver. 6. Desperately wicked, Jer. 17:9.

The law. Mouth stopped, Rom. 3:19.

Knowledge of God. Essential for "eternal life," John 17:3. Known only through Christ, Matt. 11:27; Acts 13:38; 2 Cor. 4:6. Certainty, John 9:25. Our refuge-deliverance, Ps. 9:9, 10; 91:14, 15. Our glorying, Jer. 9:23,24. Our calling, Eph. 1:17-19.

Knowledge of Christ personally. His love, Eph. 3:19. His grace, 2 Cor. 8:9. His keeping, 2 Tim. 1:12. His reproach, John 15:18. Identification, Rom. 6:6. Service, Rom. 6:16.

Knowledge of the Freely given bestowals, 1 Cor.2:12. Spirit's unfoldings. Eclipsing all that earth's greatest ever knew, 1 Cor. 2:7-10.

Present. That the Son of God is come, 1 John 5 :20. We have eternal life, 1 John 5 :13. Have passed from death to life, 1 John 3:14. It is the last time, 1 John 2:18. Apostasy restrained, 2 Thess. 2 :6. Believers indwelt, "the temple of God," 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19. "Members of Christ," 1 Cor. 6:15. Growth, Col. 1:10; Phil. 3:10. Multiplication, 2 Pet. 1 :2. Separation, Ps. 4:3. Determination, 1 Cor. 2:2. Responsibility, John 13 :17. Abounding works, 1 Cor. 15 :58. All things re life and godliness, 2 Pet. 1 :3.

The goal and prize, 1 Cor. 9 :24, 25.

Means to attain. Divine, patient, gracious training, Deut. 8 :2, 3. Earnest purpose – "receive," "hide," "incline," "apply," "cry after," "seek," "search as for treasure," Prov. 2:1-5. Hearkening to His words, Prov. 22:17-21. Renouncing world and self, Phil. 3:7, 8.

Results. Shall know of the doctrine, John 7:17. No barrenness, 2 Pet. 1 :8. Freedom, John 8 :32. Ultimate good, Eccl.8 :12 ; Rom. 8:28.

Knowledge of future Bodies to be raised "by Jesus," 2 Cor. 4:14. And eternally glorified, 2 Cor. 5 :1. Evermore "like Him," 1 John 3:2. To judge the world and angels, 1 Cor. 6:2, 3. To know as known, 1 Cor. 13 :9-12.

Solemn condemnation- Empty knowledge, of mere profession. Disobedient, Titus 1:16.1 John 2:4; Rom. 1:21

Unknowable. Tomorrow, Prov.27:1. Day of death, Gen. 27:2. Kingdom's restoration, Acts 1:7.

Divine knowledge faith’s blest re-resource. David could utter, after former sad failure, the glowing words of 2 Sam. 7:18-21; Ps. 9:9, 10. Peter too could use the heart-felt words of John 21:17. "Follow on to know the Lord," Hosea 6:3. Wonder after wonder arises before the believer's spiritual vision and bows the heart in adoring praise and worship. E. J. Checkley

One of the greatest epochs which have punctuated the flow of time in the physical world occurred when Professor Hertz discovered that wave motion can be transmitted by the imponderable ether which pervades all space. Every fresh achievement of Marconi's wireless telegraphy, or telephony, the practical development of that discovery, has caused all the world to wonder. Yet there is a far more wonderful thing which has been existing in the psychical world for well nigh two thousand years and provokes little comment. I speak of the Christian fellowship. If a fibre in my moral being vibrates heavenwards, the resultant wave runs throughout heaven, then is deflected to earth and passes throughout the people of God, causing great joy wherever it goes. "All the members of that one body, being many, are one body… For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body… and whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it, or one member be honored all the members rejoice with it" (I Cor. 12:12,12,26).

What are the Hertzian ethereal tremors in comparison with those sympathies in the one Spirit which permeates every member of the Body of Christ? Truly the fellowship into which we have been introduced by God's wondrous grace transcends every natural phenomenon that has ever been seen in the world. T. Oliver (Galashiels)

*The above article, as well as the following:"I acknowledged, Thou forgavest," Your Own Salvation, In Secret, The Gum Trees and the Storm, and God Giveth us the Victory, which have appeared or will appear in this magazine, are to be had separately in booklet form, with attractive covers, at 5 cents each.*

I am sitting in a garden of roses, which are silently yet luxuriantly yielding their response to the glorious shining of the sun, and to the labors and care .of their cultivator. But not far away, just over the road in fact, is some rough land in which briars and other wild things are growing rankly. These surroundings make me ponder, and that right deeply. What a contrast between this fragrant garden and that tangle of useless growth! The first is a thing of beauty and a joy to every eye, the latter is a pernicious plot and a pest. Yes, here is a lesson, here is truth to be learned.

I and every other Christian once grew and found our whole life and pleasure in "this .present evil world," we had our part in the pestilential growth of "ungodliness and worldly lusts," wild things were we, untrained, and refusing all training, doing our own wills; fulfilling the desires of the flesh and the mind; by nature the children of wrath. And over the way was the garden where the Master trained His roses, where His will was supreme, "that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." I remember the time when I, a wild briar, looked over the fence across the way and saw the beauty of the Lord's tillage, and realized the uselessness of my life, and its hopelessness. I knew what the end must be to all the wild growth in which I had my part, for I had read in Holy Scripture that "that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned" (Heb. 6:8). Yes, this present evil world must come under the judgment of God. "Behold the Lord cometh…. to execute judgment," and every wild briar must be burned.

I remember how dissatisfied I was with my life long ago, how disappointed I was when in spite of all my sighs and struggles I could not produce roses such as grew in the Master's garden, and my disappointment deepened into disgust as I learnt that it was my very nature that was at fault, so that I often addressed myself in those lines by a great poet that I heard a servant of the Lord quote with considerable force at that time, and apply to the flesh-the unregenerate self.

"Who knows thee well will treat thee with disgust:Degraded mass of animated dust."

I learnt afterwards that all this exercise of heart was the result of the Master's interest in me. He had purposes of grace in regard to me, and these exercises were preparing me for a wonderful event that was to take place in my life, which was nothing less than being transplanted by grace to His own kingdom of grace.

How it melts the heart and moistens the eye to consider the long-suffering of God with this world of iniquity, which still pleads with men in it who have no desire for anything but their own sinful wills, as it did with us who are now saved, as it did with me. He still holds back the well-deserved wrath, and continues to call out of the world a people for His Name by His gospel. He is still choosing those who by nature are briars and transplanting them to His own plot that He may there fulfil His own purpose in and through them. Apart from this sovereign mercy, neither I nor any other Christian would ever have desired to have any place or portion outside the world.
"By grace we are saved," and of all such the Word says, "Ye are God's husbandry." What a joy it was to be transplanted to God's garden, to find oneself standing in the "true grace of God," there to "grow in grace"; no longer under condemnation, but in Christ. The knowledge of that made me sing "Happy day!" But God's plan was to do more than transplant us to His own plot. More was necessary than that; the briar growth had to give place to the true rose graft; room had to be made for Christ, the plant of renown. CHRIST must be written in our hearts, in yours and mine, and that was done in my case when I learnt that He had loved me and given Himself for me, that my salvation from a life of slavery and an eternity of woe had been secured for me by His suffering on the cross; the price was His precious blood, for the forgiveness of sins and redemption from the bondage of sin could be secured at no lesser cost.

I remember when first I had a garden, and knew nothing of rose culture, how delighted I was when I noticed a most vigorous growth on a beautiful rose-tree. I looked for many fragrant blossoms on that branch that seemed to lengthen by inches every day, but no roses appeared and those shoots which were bearing roses began to languish and cease to flower. Then I realized that this, to me, most promising growth was the product of the briar root, .and because it had not been cut away ruthlessly, the tree had lamentably suffered, and not again that season did it put forth its former beauty. The flesh in us abides the same and will to the end, and if the life of Jesus is to be made manifest in our mortal bodies, there must be the mortification of our members which are upon the earth. We must be those who have no confidence in the flesh. Self-judgment must be our rule. Many of those bitter experiences in life when things that we cherished, and in which we could boast, those things that made something of us, were taken from us, were simply the Master's wise cutting down of the self-growth that Christ might be magnified in us. How often under that culture has our pride been checked and our vanity wounded, and this must continue to the end; the experience is not joyous while it lasts, the sharp pruning-knife seems to cut into the very core of our being, but it was all meant to yield afterwards those peaceable fruits of righteousness, the fragrant roses that delight the Master's eye. m So these three things have been and are taking place:(1) We were transplanted from the wild briar waste to the Master's garden when we were saved by grace; that was done once for all. (2) Christ was grafted into our very hearts, that the beautiful graces that were ever perfect in Him might be reproduced in us. (3) There must be a constant cutting back, a crucifixion of that which is only of self, for as self flourishes what is of Christ in us must languish and decline.

Hear what Paul says, " I am crucified with Christ." He had seen the righteous judgment of what he was as a wild briar at the cross of Christ, "Nevertheless I live." Grace had given him a place in God's tillage, the only place of true life. "Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." The life of the heavenly scion was seen in him and not the energy of the old briar. "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." He brought forth the heavenly flowers in the joy of what he had learnt Christ to be; he responded to the bright shining of that love that had become wholly his life, glad to be nothing himself and less than nothing that Christ might be everything:that Christ might be magnified in him whether by life or by death. (See Gal. 2:20; Philip. 1:20, 21). J. T. Mawson

Calendar:Nov. 1&th to Dec. 15th

DAILY BIBLE READING:……. Nov. 16th, Hosea 3; Nov. 30th, Joel 3; Dec. 15th, Micah 1.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING ….. Nov. 16th, Rev. 8; Nov. 30th, Rev. 22; Dec.15th, Matt. 15.

Our brother Gordon Searle with his family have been in Nova Scotia .since their arrival in the early part of June. He writes:

Windsor, N. S., July 12,1932. We desire to thank very heartily in the Lord all our brethren in various assemblies who have so willingly helped by their prayers and their means to the support of our work for the Lord in Africa and toward our coming on a furlough to America at this time. We pray our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father to bless every one of you; and to multiply grace and peace to you in the knowledge of Him, and that you may have your every need supplied through Him, waiting for His coming. With our love in Christ Jesus to you all,

Yours in Him, by His grace,

D. C. Gordon Searle.

Work amongst French-Canadians:We are glad to report open doors amongst the French-Canadians, both Roman Catholics and Protestants. It is nearly five years since we came back to this country, during which time we have been privileged to sow the precious Seed in different sections of Quebec and Ontario. The work has been carried on by means of tract distribution, colportage of the Word, sending literature by mail and by personal conversation. We have often met with opposition, and been roughly put out of homes, but nevertheless we have been cared for and kept by Him who is our Lord.

At present we are in one of the least-inhabited sections of Quebec, over 100 miles from Montreal, and amongst French Protestants who have been left to themselves for years. Many are scattered and isolated amongst Catholics, have nowhere to go, and consequently have become careless and indifferent.

However, it is with thankfulness to God that we rejoice to find some true children of God who love the Lord Jesus.

Different ones have opened their homes for meetings, and the attendance and attention are good.

We have splendid opportunities to give out tracts to both French and English. May God be pleased to bless the scattered Seed to the saving of many lost sinners.

Brethren, pray for us.

Louis J. Germain.

CHINA

Our readers will have in mind the experiences of our brother Foggin in his journey to Kansu, given in sur June issue, and we now have further tidings from him. May the trials and encouragements of our brethren on the field stir the hearts of us here at home to greater devoted-ness to the Lord and Master of us all.

Lanchow, Kansu. June 2, 1932.

Since our last account we made several trips into the country, only to discover that we were little understood owing to the change of dialect. Mr. Hsue, my Chinese companion, not feeling strong enough nor fitted for this kind of work, decided to return to Peiping, and left here three days ago.

Mr. Ruck wrote suggesting that we both come back, but not feeling that it was the Lord's mind for me, I have decided to stay on. The most important thing in life is to do what the Lord wants us to do. It was this that characterized David, which gave so much delight to the heart of God; and because of failure in this thing, disaster came upon the Children of Israel in the wilderness. I have been reading the Books of Moses lately, and have been struck with the force of how much God exacts obedience from His people. Our path may be contrary to reasoning, but on we must go in dependence upon Him, and thus give delight to Him who has called and who leads us. Another thought before I go on to tell of a case of conversion-Moses speaking to the Children of Israel said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy might" (Deut. 6:5). If we want to walk with God, there must be an awakening of the soul, and the exercising of all our might. There is no room for indolence. I am afraid that too often we fall into a spiritual apathy, which is spiritual laziness. I know that apart from Him we can do nothing, and that we have no strength of our own, but at the same time we are called to be mightily exercised before our God.

I am now living in a village about a mile from the city of Lanchow. We had to move from the place where we were staying in the city, and we came out to this village for the first time, and made enquiries if there was a place to rent. We stopped at a store, and the young man who was serving was very kind to us and poured out tea. We were directed to the place where I am now staying. As we sat in the store a few gathered around and we preached the gospel. The young man referred to, from that time on, proved a real friend. One day in passing I called in and gave him a "Traveler's Guide." Later, on returning home one evening, we called at the store and he told us that he had been reading the "Traveler's Guide," and had been convinced that he was a sinner. He went on to tell us of a dream that he had the night before. He said he dreamed that a man was pursuing him to kill him, and he ran for his life. He came to a door which he entered, and then to a second door which he also entered. He found himself inside what looked like a church, and there he saw a man standing who said, "Come to me, and I will hide you." He took the offered refuge, and then his pursuer entered the room. Upon this he awoke. He said that he realized the significance of his dream-that it was his sins that were pursuing him to kill him.

Later, we invited him to supper, and when asked about his soul, he gave a clear testimony as to Christ dying as his Substitute on the Cross, and that he was a Christian because he believed this. He is not at the store now, but we have met him on the road and in the city, and each time he would take us by the hand in the Chinese fashion which expresses warm friendship.

I now have a room in the compound of the school-caretaker, which I fixed up for myself, and his wife is doing my cooking. I had planned to do itinerating work, but will have to be content to stay here until I am better acquainted with the dialect. However, in the city I am fairly well understood, as they have had intercourse with people who speak the Pekinese dialect. The change is systematic, so I hope to pick it up within a short time.

Now I must close, hoping this finds you well, with love to all the saints, coveting your prayers.

Yours affectionately in our Lord Jesus,

George E. Foggin.

Our brother Duncan McNeil writes from Minneapolis:

While staying in St. Paul a very needy and large field of service has been brought before me. I have been visiting the house-boats and freight-boats on the Mississippi here, and the river engineers informed me of many towns all down the river that have nothing that is being done in them of a gospel nature. This is a work that could be done in the summer. It is a great, needy field and would need two for this work. I mention this that you may make it a matter of prayer. A boat also would be needed.

There is a young brother here who is burdened about the great need in Africa, and as you know my exercises are on that great field too.

Much love in the Lord, Duncan McNeil.

BARBADOS

Brother Hoze writes (July 4th) of continued openings amongst both believers and unbelievers for the ministry of the Word. He writes:

I am now delivering addresses on the law from place to place, indoors and outdoors, to meet and refute the erroneous doctrine of the S. D. A. who are not sparing means nor labor to destroy the faith of many, and to turn away the ears and hearts of the unsaved from the plain gospel of Christ which alone is the power of God unto salvation. Many thus far have gathered to listen to such addresses, and apparently received the Word with gladness, as evidenced by their hearty invitations to return and their expressed satisfaction. Pray keep me and this effort before the Lord for wisdom and ability to go through and for blessing.

Yours in our Lord and Saviour,

Joseph B. Hoze.

ARGENTINE

From a letter received from our brother Montllau, dated June 30, we extract the following:-

Yesterday we held a special Conference from 2 to 5 P.M., when about 500 believers from various meetings were present. Although the weather was threatening (today it has been raining the whole day), and there is so much grippe, there was not a vacant seat, and we felt the presence of the Lord to bless. The subjects, "The Need of Prayer," "The Need of the Individual," "The Need of the Church," "The General Need of the present Moment," were treated with profit, and we believe the Lord has been magnified through this Conference. We expect, D. V., to hold it quarterly in different sections, besides our regular united prayer meeting bi-monthly. All eight assemblies have been benefitted and there is much visible fruit. We are announcing now about twenty for fellowship, mostly young people. We expect to hold a special meeting in our hall on July 9th (holiday), from 3 to 5, when some visiting brethren will give the message, and there will be the baptism of those ready on this occasion and the rest will wait till September when winter is over.

Sincerely yours by His grace,

B. Monttlau.

A Christian friend once told the writer that he did not consider it necessary to pray for his personal needs, because God already knew them. My reply was that his theory would be abandoned as soon as he had a need so deep and imperative that a cry unto God would be the natural and instinctive expression of his soul. He was still young in the faith, and later learned the lesson of the value of prayer for every need.

God knows the circumstances of every soul, yet He instructs us to pray for ourselves and for others. Why is this so? What is the necessity of my praying to the all-wise God? Will my pleading move the Almighty to do what He would not otherwise do?

Men are constantly receiving God's blessings and are ignorant or oblivious of from whom they come. Their understanding is unfruitful. Their hearts are unmoved, and God receives no glory.

God removes His blessings and men are troubled. He sends drought, or storm, or war, or pestilence, and men cry for deliverance, and God hears them. Psalm 107 is a grand exposition of the ways of God with men, and gives us the divine philosophy of prayer.

"For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths:

Their soul melteth away because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, And He bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, So that the waves thereof are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise Jehovah for His loving-kindness,

And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, And praise Him in the seat of the elders."

The philosophy here is as follows:

(1) God creates a great need.
(2) Men cry to the Lord in their trouble.
(3) God brings them out of their distresses.
(4) Then they are glad.
(5) They praise the Lord for His goodness, and exalt Him among the people.

It is sometimes necessary that men should be brought to fearful straits, to be in the grip of awful circumstances against which they are powerless. Then they cry to God, and learn the goodness of the Almighty.

How quaint and how searching is the closing verse of this great psalm! "Whoso is wise will give heed to these things; and they will consider the loving-kindnesses of Jehovah."

So then, one of the great objects of prayer is that we might know God and understand His loving-kindness.

A NEW TESTAMENT EXAMPLE

In Matthew 24:20 our Lord tells His disciples to pray that their flight from Jerusalem be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath-day. Surely God could easily arrange that the image of the Beast (without such prayer) should be set up on some day other than the sabbath, and thus Jewish believers could flee immediately and escape death. Also, God could easily arrange for the flight to be in the summer-time so that the poor mothers and children will be spared suffering due to cold, in their terrified flight from the persecutors.

Why then does Christ instruct them to pray that their flight be not in the winter nor on the sabbath-day? The answer is not hard to find. It is to make them conscious of the danger; to express their need to God in prayer; to receive the mercy at His hands, and to praise Him for His goodness.

Prayer moves the Hand that moves the worlds. God desires a known relationship with men. He seeks the intelligent fellowship and the confiding trust of His people. He wants their love and worship. Jesus said:"Ask, and it shall be given unto you:seek, and ye shall find:knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Luke 11:9). This is a crescendo of insistent supplication for the intervention of God on our behalf.

The Lord encourages importunity in prayer to a point we would think presumptuous, in the parable of the widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8). James says that we have not because we ask not (Jas. 4:2).

Seeing then that God has been pleased to make prayer a vital act in His plans for blessing, let us avail ourselves of His gracious invitation to come to Him with every need for ourselves, and also to intercede for others. Let us come to our Heavenly Father with confidence in His power and grace. Let us ask largely, not sparing ourselves the heart-exercise that this involves. Then we shall receive the mercies we have craved from Him. We shall be rich with the riches that He delights to give, and, best of all, we shall have the wonderful fellowship and exalted privilege of being workers together with God (2 Cor. 6:1). A. S. Loizeaux

The other day a lady was handed a tract in a public place. Although the daughter of a minister she said she did not approve of using advertising methods in religion. The excuse was that it cheapened the message.

We reminded her kindly that this was the only way in which some persons might be reached. Surely we may rejoice that countless numbers are saved in this way, by the Word of Life.

A sister living near Manchester, England, desiring to serve the Lord, but somewhat timid, would drop tracts from her carriage. Some time after a man testified that he had picked up one of these tracts and, carrying it to Australia, had there been saved through it. Now on his return he bore witness to the saving power of the blood of Christ, to whom this tract had introduced him. "Be not weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not."

Some folks object to what they call "parading your religion." But the people who "parade religion" are not the ones who give out tracts-a work too humble for the proud. Prayerful tract distribution is displaying Christ. Tread softly here. It rescues the perishing. J. Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, which now has a thousand missionaries in China, was led to Christ through a tract.

Indeed, one of God's names in Holy Scripture is Jehovah-Nissi, which means, "The Lord my Banner." And banners are meant to be displayed. So Christ must be displayed before the world in the lives and words of Christians (Exod. 17:15). The famous preacher Murray McCheyne made tract distribution part of his regular work. Wesley, Spurgeon, Wycliffe, Whitefield, Mueller and Pierson employed tracts extensively. A tract leads a man to think of his Saviour, and gives Christians occasion to "show their colors." Christ is our Light. Let us then not hide our Light under a bushel-of business, of pleasure, or any other thing.

The hem of the robe of Aaron, the high priest, carried bells of pure gold between pomegranates worked in purple, scarlet and twined linen,-"a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in, as the Lord commanded Moses" (Exodus 39:26). The bells speak of audible or spoken testimony, while the pomegranates speak of a holy life, the fruit of the Spirit of God, as the witness of life-works to the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. This does not mean the "good works," religious or otherwise, of the unconverted, for these are called "dead works," and they issue only in death.

In view of these considerations may no Christian be misled as to the true source of all suggestions against the spread of gospel truth in any form. Paul rejoiced that Christ was preached in every way. All contrary suggestions are inspired by Satan. But good tracts silence false doctrines. May our trumpets of testimony have no uncertain sound.
That class of unbelievers called Modernists have no powerful convictions, and put out few tracts. But Christian Scientists, Spiritists, Seventh-Day Adventists, Millennial Dawnists, and other cults which seek to pervert God's truth, spread their false doctrines by the lavish distribution of literature. The recently formed "Society for the Propagation of Atheism" aims to kill the very idea of God in the minds of men by millions of its blighting tracts. These are the tares sown among the wheat. "Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light" (Eph. 5:14).

Then let us who walk by faith, in grace, not disobey God's plain command today:"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season." Why does Satan seek to make this work seem unimportant to some? Just because the Word of God is the seed, which, when planted in good ground, bringeth forth some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred fold (Mark 4:20). May we not each ask ourselves, What fruit is there to show that I am good ground?

Remember how the Lord Jesus promised that he who gives a cup of cold water in His name shall not lose his reward. Now the Word of God in the tract you give is the water of life. Will you hold it back from the thirst-dying sinner? Tracts lead sinners to gospel meetings or into conversation about Christ. They comfort the sick and dying. They also refresh the giver.

We are commanded to begin our witness "At Jerusalem," that is, where we are. A good way is, as the Lord brings appropriate tracts to your notice, to get quantities to distribute.

And you who engage in the blessed work of giving out tracts, be not disheartened by scoffs and sneers. Remember whose ye are and whom ye serve. "Ye serve the Lord Christ"-God manifest in the flesh, the brightness of His glory, the express image of His Person-seated today at the right hand of the Majesty on high, whence He is coming again for His own, and His rewards will be with Him (Col. 3:24). Be prayerful, be courteous, and tactful, patient and faithful, "sorrowful yet always rejoicing." Give tracts on street-cars, trains, in stations, hospitals, on street corners, in cemeteries, at schools, in churches, and from house to house. Enclose tracts in letters, give them to the waiter, the cashier, the butcher, the grocer, the milkman, and along with the sandwich to the beggar.
"Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters." "Therefore …. be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58). What monstrous dearth and perversion of the Word of God exist today, and yet-"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Ps. 126:6). Indeed, may we not take warning here? "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully (2 Cor. 9:6).

"There is the classic instance of a tract being handed to Richard Baxter, which was the means of his conversion. Baxter wrote the 'Saint's Eternal Rest,' which quickened Philip Doddridge to seek after his soul's salvation. Doddridge wrote the "Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul,' by means of which Win. Wilberforce was converted. Wilberforce in turn wrote a book, 'Practical Christianity,' which fell into the hands of Thomas Chalmers, who was the founder of the Free Church of Scotland."

And should this fall into the hands of one who does not know Christ, oh, what a wealth of love and mercy awaits your surrender of yourself to Him! Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things prepared for them that love Him (1 Cor. 2:9).

But the grace and mercy of God can mean nothing to you unless you accept Christ. God's government of the universe will stand, and every enemy, every rebel, every negligent or careless one, wicked in rejection of His Son, must come to ruin.

The Wages of Sin

"Stand in awe, and sin not." "The wages of sin is death." And what is that dying? In the death-bed scene of a sinner, God lets us view the awful guilt and ill-desert of sin. His real dying is but the opposite of eternal life-the opposite of joy and peace with Christ forever- an unending death agony-through the days, the years, the ages. Why? He would not come to Christ, and where Christ is not there is Hell. Eternal death is eternal existence without God.

Yet some sinner says, "Give me my wages. I'll not be indebted to Christ." God will pay the sinner's wages in full. But hold! God has offered a remedy-and pardon, and peace-grace to a bankrupt, who has nothing to pay. The precious blood of Christ flowed for you. In agony yet tenderness He looked down from the cross, "Father, forgive them." Sinner, will you not accept Christ, and forgiveness as from His pierced hands?

He will make of you a new creature-new joy, new thoughts, aims, desires, ambitions, with power over yourself, and sin, and Satan, and habit, through Him in this life and afterwards life eternal with Him. One condition, and it is all yours:Believe God's Word by accepting Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).

Things are not going on forever as now. Your body will be lying cold and dead. Pleasures gone forever! Where will be your undying soul? Believe God's word by accepting Christ (Heb. 9:27). R. Carroll

Some, with a surprising bitterness, cast the blame for the present state of things upon God. The way in which they talk simply means that if the Almighty does not exist for their own personal comfort or pleasure He ought not to exist at all. But lowlier and more reverent minds than these inquire why the world is as it is, and if the state of things is not after all a proof of the failure of the Gospel. It is our business to answer such, who are to be found everywhere.

We state at once that things are as they are because men have not been obedient to the voice of God, which would have led their feet in the paths of righteousness, and they have neglected or rejected His great salvation, which would have delivered them from every evil. We have only to quote from the Holy Scriptures to prove this. Take first the widespread REVOLT AGAINST GOVERNMENT, whether open or covert; could this be if all were subject to the Word of God? What does that Word say? "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God:the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God" (Romans 13:1,2). "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake:whether it be to the king as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well" (1 Pet. 2:13,14).

It should be clear that if every person in every land obeyed the voice of God in this respect there would be no internal strife:Gangsters, Communists, Bolsheviks would be unknown. The political unrest in every land is due to the fact that men either do not know, or will not obey, the will of God.

And what of INDUSTRIAL UNREST? The workers blame the "master" class. They say that these have grown rich at their expense and to their hurt. Well, if this is so, it is because the masters have paid no heed to the Word of God, for in it we read, "Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal" (Col. 4:1); "Forbearing threatening; knowing that your Master also is in heaven, neither is there respect of persons with Him" (Eph. 6:9). And the same Word that gives so gracious an exhortation to masters also solemnly warns them of the consequences of acting in injustice towards those who serve them. How powerful is the condemnation of such given in James 5:1-4.

"Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth; and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth."

If every master had paid earnest heed to these exhortations there would have been no reasonable cause for discontent, and if any still 'existed the blame would have laid at the door of the discontented. And the warning proves that God is not indifferent to the poor and oppressed. They are wise who commend their cause to Him, for He has said, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay."

As to the servants, there are many exhortations in the Bible to such; it would almost seem as though God's deeper interest lay in this class. One of these exhortations will suffice:- "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance:for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done:and there is no respect of persons" (Col. 3:22-25).

If every workman was subject to such a word as this, there might remain bad and froward masters who would still tyrannize and oppress, but the workmen would be free from blame in the matter, they would have quietness of mind, while the masters would have to answer to God for their injustice.

THE MARRIAGE STATE is an institution of God, and some are greatly perplexed and troubled at the lightness with which it is entered and the ease with which it is dissolved. No right-minded person could view this modern condition of things without sorrow and alarm, but it is as well to trace it to its source, and when we do this we find that it all arises from defiance of God's own Word. There we read, "But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother, and cleave to his wife; so they twain shall be one flesh:so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Mark 10:6-9). And again:"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them" (Col. 3:18,19). A few words these, but if obeyed by all, the divorce courts would-be closed, and every home would become a paradise.

DISOBEDIENCE TO PARENTS, we are told, is increasing greatly, and at a very early age now children get out of hand. This is not surprising in those homes where God is .not acknowledged. How can those parents 'who refuse God's "authority expect their children to acknowledge theirs? But the Word of God addresses itself to this relationship also for we read:"Children, obey your parents in all things:for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged" (Col. 3:20,21).

The state of the world, then, results from the fact that men will not be subject to the will of God. They prefer their own way, a way that seems right unto them, but destruction and misery are in it, and the end of it is death. Nevertheless they are not deterred, and the only remedy for all or any is the regenerating power of the gospel. If the gospel were universally believed there would be an end of all trouble and strife of every sort.

We do not expect this, for the Bible tells us that, "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived," and that the present age will be closed by the wrath of God at the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ; yet while the world will not have the gospel, and so conditions will remain unchanged, or become worse, any man may receive it and be by it changed himself in the midst of unchanged conditions. It is open to any to have rest in the midst of strife, to be contented and satisfied, though surrounded by discontent. Godliness with contentment is great gain, but there never was a godly man yet apart from the gospel. The secret of all true godliness lies in the fact that God was manifested in flesh, that Jesus laid down His life in sacrifice that sinners might be saved, and that He has been raised up again to the glory of God to be a Saviour and Leader to all who call upon Him.

The boundless love of God which has come to light in Christ and is told forth in the gospel story, wins the heart for God and makes us willing to be subject to His will, and it follows that every true Christian walking in obedience is a loyal subject of the State; a just and generous master, or a faithful servant; a loving husband, or a subject wife; a considerate, parent or an obedient child; and, consequently, as far as they are concerned, they will not contribute in any way to these grave evils that are so ominous in their trend.
J. T. Mawson

(Lev. 1:16; 6:10; 10:12)

The Altar

The features connected with the place mentioned in these passages merit consideration. They afford us spiritual instruction. The altar itself, with the offerings identified with it, we well know is typical of Christ and His sacrifice. Its materials, dimensions, and details of construction all contribute to the lesson, while the burnt offering from which it derives its name-"the altar of burnt offering"-presents our blessed Lord as the perfectly obedient Son and Servant in His absolute devotion to the will of God the Father, a sacrifice of sweet-smelling savor in which we are accepted. Then, too, memorials from all the other classes of sacrifices-meal, peace, sin, trespass-were placed on this altar and consumed with the whole burnt offering. How strikingly this links them all together, setting forth by their varied instruction the fulness of the work of Christ by which God is glorified and we are eternally blessed.

The Ashes

We learn from the first two passages that the ashes were gathered and laid up beside the altar, on the east side, and then later removed to a clean place. They present a witness to the full action of the fire, a testimony to the completed sacrifice. God has acted in holy judgment, all has been endured and the work perfectly finished, the ashes are the memorial of its accomplishment. The word for ashes is not the usual one, it is only used in relation to sacrifice, and literally means "fat"-that which God claimed as His special portion out of the offerings. This surely indicates that the ashes are of value in His sight, and as a memorial signify that in which He has pleasure, for they constitute a witness to the completed and accepted sacrifice which has so fully glorified Him.

The location in which these ashes are placed, that is, on the east side where they would appear in the light of the rising sun, is suggestive of association with the glory of God. Fitting indeed that such a memorial should appear in that light-the night gone, the day come. And such is the place of our blessed Saviour. He, having completed the great work of eternal redemption, is con- , sequently seen in God's glory. In it He appears having once suffered for sins. How blessed for us to take our place beside the altar, and consider the place of the ashes! It not only brings before us the finished character of the work, but also the truth of resurrection, and the glory into which He has entered who by one sacrifice for sins perfects forever all who trust in Him.

The holy character which God attaches to these ashes is intimated in the requirement that the priest who takes them up must wear his linen garments. May we not link with this the thought of Christ's priestly place? What that place really means in relation to us is connected with the accomplished and accepted sacrifice in virtue of which He appears for us in the presence of God. Then, in a secondary way, may we not also think of our own place in holy priesthood? Believers are such, and serve as priests because identified with Him whose once-for-all sacrifice is memorialized in the glory of God by the very place He fills in it. It is thus indeed that we are seen as robed in righteousness (linen), made fit as to standing for the service of the sanctuary; and on the other hand, to take up the ashes and place them on the east side, viewed as our priestly appropriation of the truth they convey, we for this need to be invested in practical righteousness (Compare 1 Peter 2).

Communion

Our third scripture suggests that the place beside the altar is one of priestly feasting. This comes out after the sin and judgment of Nadab and Abihu. The priests are warned against what would intoxicate and excite to fleshly activity. They are to avoid such things that they may be able to rightly discern and teach (vers. 9-11). Then follows the instruction to eat the meal offering, without leaven, beside the altar. How significant that the meal offering should be particularly mentioned! It is typical of the holy and perfect humanity of our blessed Lord, seen under various forms of trial and suffering, but ever full of the Holy Spirit (Lev. 2). Truly with Him as Man there was the utter absence of any mere exhilaration by things of nature, as also of any evil in His nature which would respond to such fleshly influences, so that with Him there was the perfection of discernment and teaching. Christ indeed is our true meal offering, and it is only as we assimilate Him, enter into the blessedness of His mind and manner of life, that we properly occupy our priestly place.

But the priests must eat beside the altar. There too we must feast upon Christ as presented in the meal offering, ever thus reminded of both the altar and the sacrifice on the one hand, and also as viewing the place of the ashes on the east side, the double witness to our acceptance in the value of the perfectly accomplished and accepted sacrifice, and our new place based upon this which is in the light of the glory of God.

An Application

May we not think of our Lord's Day morning meeting as a priestly gathering together beside the altar? There we are called to remember Him who is both our altar and sacrifice, the memorials of which are before us in the bread and wine. May we not say that there in spirit we look upon the "fat-ashes" in the light of the glory of God? We recall where He was, and rejoice to know where He is. We worship as looking back, and looking up. The sufferings and the following glories are now before us to deeply move our hearts and stir our spirits. We also, to speak in the language of the types, feast upon the meal offering, look upon the blood-sprinkled altar (Lev. 1:5), and consider the continual sacrifice and the continual fire (Num. 28:3; Lev. 6:12,13)-symbols of the ever-abiding and unchangeable redemption we have in Him to whom all these things bear witness. Again, it is in the light of resurrection we are thus gathered together, as in our midst He greets us as His brethren in relationship with His God and Father, now ours also, and He shows us His hands and His side- the memorial of His accomplished sacrifice.

Finally, holiness is emphasized as to the sacrifice, the eating of it (without leaven), and the place in which to eat it ("in a holy place," R.V.). "Let us keep the feast …with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth;" in separation from iniquity, and in a manner worthy of the Lord whose death we announce (1 Cor. 5:10,11). The same lesson appears in the requirement that the priests be clothed in linen "when they come near to the altar." Called to this by Him who is holy, let us be found holy in all manner of life. John Bloore

It is hardly the work of chance that side by side in the Hebrew Scriptures we have the sad Funeral Dirge, as the Book of Ecclesiastes has been named, and that other small but inspired book, the Canticles, which might almost be called the Marriage-Song of the Old Testament.

These books, so different in character, are the work of the same writer, and of course equally inspired of God. If the lesson of the former is needful and salutary, even though it be sung by the "Preacher" in minor strain, the truth of the latter is set forth in language which knows no equal for holy intimacy, and the deep unutterable joy which is known by the loved one and the Eternal Lover of our souls. Although the subject of the Song of Songs is couched in figures taken from nature, it is in the realm of the Spirit alone that it is really understood by those who have been brought through grace to "know Him that is from the beginning."

There is nothing so common and universal in the world as death, and nothing so sad and heart-rending. Here, at least, is one thing, perhaps the only thing, in the world where the proverb, "Familiarity breeds contempt," does not apply, at least where it is personally experienced. "The last enemy" came in at the first, and never since has been driven out. Man who came in by life must needs go out by death! Having opened the door for death to enter by the key of disobedience, he has never been able to dispossess him. Not only must man himself go from the place which once knew him, but all his works must perish with him. And because he and his labor come to naught, therefore his lament is, "All is vanity and vexation of spirit."

In bright contrast to this, we come immediately to the light and cheer which breaks upon us as we open the next book, the Song of Songs. Here we are, as it were, in another world. It is, in figure, the New Creation to which we are here introduced. Strange, in a sense, that the two books are the work of the same author; for they could scarcely be more opposite in character. But Solomon is one man in Ecclesiastes and another in his matchless Song. In the former he represents the sinful, sons of men; and indeed, he was one of them to the last degree. Having lived to taste more deeply of the cup from which the men of this world love to drink, he also drank its bitter dregs, and was chosen by God to voice the lamentation occasioned thereby.

But in the Song of Songs, Solomon goes far beyond (in type) any joy known to this world. The purest and sweetest joy of this life pictures the joy which belongs to those set forth in that little portion of Scripture. How striking that it is Solomon's own Song which is here spoken of! "The Song of Songs which is Solomon's." As the king of old is here typical of One "greater than Solomon," so his Song is typical of His who "praises" "in the midst of the Assembly." We have here what is essentially Jewish, and which prophesies, after its own beautiful manner, the joys awaiting that remnant which the Messiah will own as His beloved; taking her up again who was for a "little while" forsaken, but is now "gathered with great mercies." This does not forbid the saint of the present dispensation from seeing in type the "Bride," the Church, which Christ will one day present to Himself "a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." It is not the Bride''s Song which is spoken of, though she too sings herein; it is Solomon's, it is the Bridegroom's Song; for the greatest joy and the loudest song is HIS. It is written:"Therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy companions."

What makes the joy so great and pure and sweet in this little book is that matchless outflow of love from the heart of Christ to the one brought to know Him in truth. It causes an answering love to spring up in the heart of the one who has been born of God. It is also a love which has anticipations. It is one which has an outlook, a "Hope" about to be realized. And if the sad funeral march of the Ecclesiastes has a note of cheer at the close, in summing up the "conclusion of the whole matter," expressed in the "fear of God" and the "whole duty of man," so in our Solomon's Song there is not lacking a tone of sadness in one part of it. What is the cause of this minor note? It is because the Bridegroom is away, and the Bride is longing for his return. She cannot be happy in the full and real sense, apart from HIMSELF. Now this is the right and proper attitude of the Church of Christ in view of His absence. Our sorrow is not because we are facing the sad spectacle of all our hopes and labor ending in "vanity."That cannot be, for have we not already "passed from death unto life" through believing on Him who has revealed Himself to us as our Saviour and Life-Giver? Further, as it is written:"Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord"(Rom. 8:39).But while we look for His return to take us to be with HIMSELF, it is our sorrow that He is not here. Hence we find as a fitting close to this incomparable Book, the cry going forth from the lips and heart of the bride to the LOVER:"Haste, my Beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart on the mountains of spices" (8:14). How like the close of the Revelation! In answer to the Bridegroom's voice, "Surely I come quickly," there we have the response of the Bride, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

"O what can equal joy divine?
And what can sweeter be
Than knowing that this Christ is mine
To all eternity?"

Wm. Huss

The following interesting letters from our brethren in China and Africa are cause for prayer and praise to our Lord.

Taitowying, Sept. 20, 1932.

We are glad to say there has been good interest in the meetings all summer in the tent-work; yet we are sorry to say that we have not seen definite conversions and so take comfort in the words of Isa. 55:11. We have, however, realized that the general attitude of the people toward Christianity and Christians has changed in every village where we have been. Usually before hearing the gospel they have a strong prejudice against Christianity, and especially against foreigners, but after we have been about a couple of weeks in a place many men and women come and say that what we are preaching is all good and true. Then they often tell us what kind of prejudice they had before our coming to their village, such as that foreign missionaries coming to China try to persuade Chinese to join the foreigners and then when they go to their own country they carry our "Great Country" people home with them into their "small country."

A village headman enquired of me whether I had been back home since coming to China the first time and when he learned that I had been on furlough four years, ago, he asked how many "Great Country" people I took along with me, and so I explained to him it was not our purpose to come and persuade anybody to join us, but to recognize the true and living God and to believe in His Son whom He has sent to save sinners, and to persuade them to reject their idols and serve the true and living God who is able to save those that trust in Him. Then I asked him, "Who told you that the foreigners have come here to persuade Great Country people to join the foreigners?" He said, "They all say so." I said, "I am sorry that they all are wrong."

There are many of those stories-such as that foreigners take people's hearts out when they die, and also their eyes; and when the foreigner inquires who said so they reply, "Everybody says so." But then when they hear the Gospel they say that our preacher is entirely different from what "they all say." Of course some -profess to believe all that we say and that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, but we often find them to be the kind the Lord mentions in Matt. 7:21, saying "Lord, Lord," but there is no other sign of their conversion, so we have to trust in what Paul wrote to the Corinthians, that, "Your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

We were just about to send some announcement cards -that the Lord had graciously given us a little son, who was born Sept. 16th. He seemed to be especially bright, and in four days had so absorbed our lives with his own that it left an awful heartache when the Lord called him Home about 4 o'clock this morning, but we are comforted by the knowledge that the Lord has called him, and by knowing that he is in the glory and that we shall soon be caught up with him to see the Lord. Otherwise Mrs. Kautto is well, for which we are thankful to the Lord (Rom. 8:28).

The conditions around this vicinity are still peaceful, though rumors of war and some movements of soldiers are seen and heard almost every day. Yet we have enjoyed a peaceful year. We have heard that some bandits or robbers have been here and there, but the Lord has kept us in such a way that we have never come in contact with them. We do not know what will take place in the future, but it is so good to know that we are in the Lord's hands.

The officer whom we mentioned in a previous letter as having bought a Bible some time ago openly confessed Christ, and used to come daily to have a special Bible study with me as long as his regiment stayed in Taitowying. There were also two privates of the regiment who showed genuine evidence after their confession, but on the last of August the regiment was transferred to another place. So we thank the Lord that there were some who received new birth this summer. There were a number of other officers also who were interested, but who never took an open stand for the Lord though they came for the Bible study in the hall.

We notice in the paper that in the Jehol district there may be war before long, but we are about 130 miles by road from this district, Jehol itself being 200 miles northwest of here.

Trusting this will find all the saints well and happy in the Lord,

Affectionately yours in Christ,

Charles O. Kautto.

Pingfan, Kansu, China, Aug. 25, 1932.

I have not been long back from a trip to a place called Bayenrung which is five days' journey from Lanchow. If you look at the map, we went west to Nienpai. Here there is no missionary, and I put up posters and preached. From Nienpai we struck south-west to Bayenrung, passing through a large Mohammedan settlement, where much interest in the Word was shown. Bayenrung is ninety li north-west of Shunhwa. Those numbers are Chinese li's. Three li's to one English mile.

At Bayenrung there is a Missionary and his wife by the name of John Bell. Brother Bell was converted at the mission which our brethren have been running for several years at Toronto. His brother George was converted about the same time, and he is now at Kweiteh, about two days west of Bayenrung on the border of Tibet.

A young Doctor Pearce who has recently come to China, and is stationed at Lanchow, was called to attend the sick at Bayenrung, and I was asked to accompany him back to Lanchow, so this is the reason for my trip. While at Bayenrung, I had the opportunity to have part in an operation which was performed on a Tibetan lassie. About two years ago in having a tooth pulled her jawbone was broken and became septic. Her face was badly swollen, and pus was constantly flowing from two holes in the side of her face, and she could just barely open her mouth. Brother Bell had attended to it about eighteen months previous, but dared not operate. He administered the anaesthetic, the doctor operated, and I played the part of nurse. He first pulled out four teeth which were septic, and then opened up the face, taking out quite a large piece of dead jawbone. At first I thought I would not be able to stand it, but after a little while I became hardened. Before we left she was quite bright and happy, and well on the way to recovery.

Coming back we did not go to Nienpai, but struck out almost directly east. It is a very mountainous country, and the first day we had to pass over about ten peaks. There was scarcely a level piece of ground the whole day. We passed several Tibetan villages, but unfortunately were unable to speak Tibetan. That night we put up in a Tibetan home. We must have looked very curious to the old lady sitting on the kang, for she watched every movement, and had to have a taste of everything that we had. There was only one room for all hands to sleep, so we left the folks of the home take the kang and we took to the floor. By the way, the animals' trough was at one end of the same room.

You will notice my address is changed. I expect to leave here next Tuesday morning for Pingfan, three days' journey from here by cart. The China Inland Mission have a station there but have not had anyone to put in it for the last three years. It is on the main road, and the nearest occupied mission station from Lanchow on this road is Liangchow, seven days' journey from Lanchow. I visited Pingfan when I first came up to these parts, in fact, I walked there with pack on back, and I thought the people were favorable for the gospel.

Before going to Bayenrung I bought a black mule for the work, and am very satisfied with him.. He is young, strong, and good-natured.

When I go to Pingfan I expect to stay in the mission station.

George E. Foggin.

Nyangkundi, Sept. 6, 1932.

I have hesitated to write too much, for this rheumatism is so tricky that one mail I can write "feeling fine," and the next, "down in bed." For the past two months, however, there have been no "down in bed" times, and the improvement, though gradual, seems to be noticeable. This is particularly encouraging as the wet rainy reason is at its height.

In the past few weeks I have had the happy privilege of motor-cycling out to somewhat distant villages with the gospel. This increased activity has produced no adverse reaction; hence the doctor has sanctioned my continuing with it, thus supplementing station activity with moderate village work until such a time as I may be able to return to Nyangkundi.

All North Congo tribes use the poison ordeal to prove suspected guilt. Only recently at a near-by village a native Christian woman who has walked for some years with the Lord was accused of killing a man by fetish and charms. To prove her innocence, the woman consented to drink the poison potion. By the grace of God she vomited the poison immediately. Oh, that the native Christians would break away from such dishonoring practices in their lone stand in the villages. Another way of testing for guilt is to pour boiling water upon the head of the accused. Suffering no permanent harm is proof of innocence! Still there are some fine Christians in the bush, and I so enjoy fellowship with them that I find it hard to be silent. The change wrought by the power of God would convince even the most skeptical that true regeneration has taken place. One such passed away last week here.

Adrako was a member of the Kaliko tribe of Northern Congo, and grew up amidst the sinful and immoral practices of heathendom. The Word of God was preached in his village and after a time he was convicted of sin and converted. Immediately he exhibited a hunger, for the Word of God, and attended the village mission school, learning to read. Diligence soon raised him from the ranks of the ignorant and he became an intelligent Christian. His joy was to go out to other villages and preach Christ, or to gather a number of simple Christians in his hut and in the quiet of the evening by the light of the little fire, read portions from the Bible and pour out the petitions of his heart together with them.

After a time he saw the Scriptural teaching regarding baptism and wished to take his stand thus with Christ. At that hour he took the name "Gidoni" (Gideon), and it proved in later years to be a good choice, for Gidoni did little in his own strength; it was always "the sword of the Lord and of Gidoni."

For a number of years he led an exemplary life, walking in close communion with the Lord, being much used in the salvation of souls and in the strengthening and upbuilding of native saints.

He came to the advanced school for continued educational training and sought to supplement his own digging in the Word by attendance at Bible readings and Scriptural expositions by missionaries. While here he entered unawares into a forbidden native path, which was guarded by poison. Innocently he became the victim of the carefully laid trap for another, and at once became desperately 99:For a number of days he hovered between life and death, patient, but unresponsive, and in constant agony. We had times of prayer at his bedside, singing hymns softly in Bangala. Gidoni was silent, though appreciative. Almost two hours before the end he underwent a remarkable change. In pain still, he softly prayed-not selfishly for his own comfort, but that God would watch over those He had won to Him. About mid-day he lifted his eyes upward and said, "Oh, I see a beautiful place!" His tribal brother, a brother in the Lord as well, asked, "What place?" To this Gidoni gave a happy sigh, and said, "I see Jesus", and passed on to his reward. At the grave three sinners repented and found Christ, one being a Kaliko man. Reports came in on all sides giving evidence of the fruitfulness of the life just ended. The brother who held him at the last said, "Those last words of Gidoni's have helped me greatly. My faith is -increased a hundredfold." It is blessed to contemplate such a home-going. May we be so wrapped up in Christ, so occupied with Him that, whether we meet Him via the tomb or the air, we will be ready.

Bakwa-time is here and another item is added to the native diet. The bakua are infant white ants which come pouring out of the hill, winged and ready for flight. They lose the wings later. The natives sit around the hole, over which they have erected a tent of banana leaves to prevent escape of the delicacy, and gobble down the creatures as they appear.

I have unearthed another striking practice of the Kakwa and Logo tribes in this district. Bodies are buried with the knees up, legs drawn towards the body. Questioning old villagers we received the information that this is done to assist the sleeper to arise on another day. Thus resurrection is not a point that needs to be taught as no counter-belief exists. It is not verse 12 of 1 Cor. 15 that we need to stress, but verses 3, 4, 20, 21, 22.

Join with us in praise for the restoration of a fallen brother, Samweli by name, and for a number of professions of faith recently made here; also for the sufficiency of His grace even in suffering; and in prayer for the keeping of these babes in Christ, and for more who will have courage to accept and truly receive Jesus; for wisdom in the translation of the post-captivity books into Kingwana, a work which I expect, God willing, to commence shortly.

Your brother by grace,

Bill Deans.

Mambassa, Iramu, Congo Beige, Aug. 31, 1932.

There has been real blessing here the past weeks. Last Lord's day four were baptized at a near-by stream. The meetings are also well attended and with good interest. Some of those who recently confessed Christ were formerly very antagonistic. May there be many more of this crowd at Mambassa-Mohammedans-who may follow in their steps! I have a rather notable Mohammedan out in 'the ward just now, and it happens that he lies in the very bed Magwavi died in. This morning I reminded him that he had heard of God's love in Christ many times-for in 1926 he came to me at Nyankunde for treatment-and was still refusing. "Listen," I said, "to- what one bigger than you, as he lay in the very bed you are lying in, said before us all, 'I believe in Jesus Christ.' That is what God wants to hear from the lips of every sinner." He said nothing and I left him to think of where he was lying! They do not like to be reminded that Magwavi died having confessed Christ.

Your brother in Christ, R. C. Woodhams, M. D.

P.S.-We went through to Lolwa last Sunday afternoon after the baptism was over, and enjoyed the evening with the Deans, had a profitable time over the 5th chapter of Romans and came home about nine o'clock. We do not see each other very often but greatly appreciate the times when we can.

Calendar:August 16th to September 15th

DAILY BIBLE READING:…… August 16th, Jer. 28; August 31st, Jer. 43; Sept. 15th, Ezek. 1.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING:August 16th, 2 Cor. 5; August 31st, Eph. 1; Sept. 15th, 1 Thess. 2.

Most lives are not made up of what are called great things, but of the small events, the little things, of daily life. In every life there is some ruling motive, some Spirit, who dwells in the heart of every saved person. The controlling motive of all who have not received the grace of God by faith in Christ is self, with all that this implies, that which Scripture calls the "carnal mind, the mind of the flesh." It is the motive that controls all mankind unless they have been wrought upon by the power of God, have accepted His mercy, and been saved from self by His power. In place of self as the ruling motive in the life of a child of God, love for Christ has become the motive for the acts of daily life.

In place of blind selfishness which seeks its own, puts self first, and claims the best of all things, the love of Christ leads, constrains, forms and fashions the daily life. There is a power in self still remaining in the believer which can only be met by the power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the heart of every saved person. The great mistake many Christians make is to try to overcome self by their own will-power, instead of resting on and trusting wholly in the power Christ has given us. There is a mighty power in selfishness; it is the power which controls the world, which rules mankind. How much greater the power of Christ is, He revealed all through His life here as the Son of God in the world.

No power could withstand Christ except unbelief. It kept the Jews in bondage to self when Christ was here to set them free. It is keeping people now who hear the Gospel, hear God's call to repent and turn to Him for all blessing-keeping them from turning from self to Him to be made free from sin and the power of self. Christ said, "Every one that practices sin is the servant [bondman or slave] of sin.. .If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:34, 36). They who sin are the slaves of sin, and Christ alone has power to set free from sin. This means free from selfishness.

When Christ sets free from selfishness, He gives love in its place, gives the Holy Spirit to fill the heart and deliver from the power of sin, of self. Not one of the religions of man can do this, nor can any system of false Christianity. No other power except that of the Holy Spirit can deliver from the bondage mankind are in, and give in its place freedom to love and please Christ. There are given in Scripture two complete pictures of what love and the indwelling Spirit of Christ impart to human conduct:

"Love suffereth long and is kind; love envieth not; love is not insolent and rash(N.T.), is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh [imputeth] no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things" (1 Cor. 13:4-7).

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance [self-control]" (Gal. 5:22, 23).

These two descriptions give a brief summing up of what the life of the child of God is to be, of what the power of the Holy Spirit enables it to be. They show what the life is where love is the motive, and where the Spirit of God indwells, leads, and forms the life. They give the opposite character of those who are Christ's from those of the world where self rules. Selfishness expresses itself by its works which are thus catalogued by the Holy Spirit:

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, angers, contentions, disputes, schools of opinion, envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revels, and things like these; as to which I tell you beforehand, even as I also have said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit God's kingdom" (Gal. 5:19-21, J. N. D.'s Version).

This is a description of life as it is lived by those who follow their own hearts' desire, of the heart of mankind. Christianity has had a powerful restraining influence upon the world-but that is another subject. Any one can see the vast difference between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, or the life filled with love as shown by Paul. Note that it is not the life of a believer to refrain from the works of the flesh only; there must be love; there will be the fruit of the Spirit where the Spirit dwells. It is not a sign of a Christian to refrain from manifest sins like most of those given. To be a real Christian is to show out in the daily life, the motives, the ways of Christ's love and the fruit of the indwelling of His Spirit.

"CONSIDER YOUR WAYS" cried the prophet to the returned exiles (Haggai 1:5). This is a good exhortation to every child of God. Does the Spirit of Christ lead and form the ways, the life in the home, in the office, the shop, the household, in all the daily life? Is self or Christ manifested? A selfish life, one that is always seeking to have its own way, its own comfort, its own pleasure, is not patterned after Christ. We are "not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not Himself; but as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached Thee fell on Me" (Rom. 15:1-3). If a person's aim to please him or herself, that is not being like Christ. Was it pleasing to Him to receive hatred for His love, rejection for His mercy? Did it not cause Him great sorrow when the people to whom He came refused His goodness? He had to say of them, "They hated Me without a cause."

"When He was reviled, He reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously" (1 Pet. 2:23). "Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Eph. 4:32). This is the spirit that Christ manifested. Unkindness is not of Christ. "Gentleness, goodness, meekness" filling the heart and flowing out into the life, are likeness to Christ. And this explains why 1 Corinthians 13 begins as it does.

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing" (1 Cor. 13:1-3).

Christ told the busy, anxious Martha, "But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 12:41). Communion with Christ, sitting at His feet, hearing His words, that is the one thing needful, and what is that but love in action?

Christians who are worrying because of wanting this or that should remember that the. most precious of Christ's gifts are perfectly free. You have nothing to do to gain Christ's gifts for they are priceless. You can possess them because Christ has paid for them. The greatest gift any soul can have is likeness to Christ in walk and ways and spirit. But He is dishonored by unlikeness to Him on the part of any believer, in thought, word, or ways. J. W. Newton

It's only a tract! You may tear it,
And crumple it up in your hand;
The wind, as it passes, may bear it
And scatter it over the land.

It's only a tract! You may spurn it,
And deem it unworthy a thought;
May ridicule, trample, and burn it,
Despise it, and set it at naught.

It's only a tract! But it telleth
Of holiness, happiness, heaven;
Where God in eternity dwelleth
With sinners His love has forgiven.

It speaks of a future in glory,
Of present enjoyment and bliss;
And will you neglect such a story,
So loving, so joyous as this?

It whispers, "No matter how hardened,
No matter how vile you have been,
You may at this moment be pardoned,
And saved from the bondage of sin."

It points to the Substitute dying,
The Sinless, for sinners like you.
Oh, soul, on His merits relying,
Come, prove that its message is true!

It is but a tract! Yet its warning
Is whispered in Jesus' own voice;
And at thy acceptance or scorning
Either heaven or hell will rejoice!

Selected

"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him"-Nahum 1:7.

Yea, "God is good," His mercy faileth never,
Though all around be dark with cloud and storm;
There is no power in heaven or earth can sever
His own from Him, nor weaken His strong arm,

"A stronghold" in the day when troubles lower,
When judgment threatens, like a roaring sea;
What foe can stand against His mighty power?
Or who can thrust aside His just decree?

"He knoweth them that trust Him," yea, and hideth
All such beneath His ever-sheltering wing;
Who in His everlasting arms abideth,
Fears not, will ever trust, give praise, and sing.

Nahum gives us a terrible picture of the irrevocable judgment of God upon a hopeless apostasy, but this one verse shines out for His own like a bright jewel in a dark setting. Helen McDowell

It was the last day of a feast. It had continued over a whole week, and now the final celebration on the eighth day was being held. The whole of Jerusalem was stirred in the joyful remembrance of a former deliverance of the nation at a time of dire necessity and calamity.

And yet!-and yet there were sad hearts and unsatisfied spirits in that jubilant throng. There was a consciousness of a need that celebrations and ceremonies could not meet. Then, as now, longings filled many breasts, undefined and indefinable. A want, an aching void-for what? They could not have expressed it in words, but it was there nevertheless. You may have known it. It was thus with a lady of wealth and beauty as she declared to her companions, "It is all right when I am at the theater or at the dance, but when I leave to go to my home there is something I want; I know not what it is." She was expressing the heartache of thousands. The frivolities of the haunts of pleasure, the engagements of business, the pursuits of art and science may fill the mind for the hours of immediate occupation therewith. But!-But there is that "something" left wanting, a yearning too deep and obscure for utterance. What is it? The yearning seems to be universal.

Is this "something" obtainable? Can satisfaction of heart be known?

On that high day and holiday in the great city festival at Jerusalem a Stranger rose and cried aloud, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink" (John 7:37). The words echo down the centuries for our ears today. Nay! they sound afresh from Heaven's heights, in the Word of God that lives and abides forever.

How wide the invitation, "Any man!"

How deep the understanding of the heart's desires, "Thirst!"

How welcome the invitation to the thirsty ones, "Come -drink!"

A wonderful proposition this! He can satisfy, fully satisfy, the craving of the spirit of man. And yet there is more. He can not only fill but He will produce an abundant overflowing. Yearning after the sin-stricken, sorrow-stricken children of men, the Saviour said, "He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." It was in view of the coming of the Holy Spirit that the Lord of glory made this promise of immeasurable fulness. He, "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," is also the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit. He removes all that is contrary to God. He brings in that which is in accordance with God, so that in a glad coming day the desert shall blossom as a rose. The wilderness of man's sin shall be the flower-garden of God's delight. The Spirit shall be poured out on all flesh then.

But today, what of it? Christ is glorified. The Holy Spirit has come. He indwells the believer. He links up the Christian with Christ. "He that believeth" is in touch with the heart of love and hand of power of the Son of God Himself. There is no lack of power at His disposal, and He waits to take us up and use us for His service in the blessing of others.

Rivers of living water! Not a dribbling trickle, not a brook or rivulet merely, but RIVERS of living water. Do not say, "Such privilege is the portion of the evangelist, of the pastor and teacher, but it is not for an ordinary, insignificant believer like myself." Look at the words again-perhaps you have misread them-"He that believeth on Me." No, it is not he who believed on Me as a Saviour ten, or twenty, or thirty years ago. It is a present continuous faith in Him, the Son of God, exalted now to God's right hand. All things are put into His control, and we may draw upon His limitless resources. Thus it was that He said, when risen, to His disciples, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore." Not at our own charges have we to run. All that we need is to be supplied by Him. We are but channels, living channels, for the living water. Believing on Him, linked by present living faith to Himself, drawing from His all-sufficiency day by day, we shall become a way for His power to reach the thirsty who are all around us in a dry and barren world. Of course, we must remember that a channel has to be clear if the water is to flow unhindered through it. And we who are formed to be channels for the Master's use have to watch ourselves closely lest any thing of self or sin block the flow. The allowance of the "self-life" in any form, the permitting the lusts of the flesh to have sway, the lack of self-judgment, the omission of the cleansing of water by the Word, the want of diligence in prayer-all, or any of these, may choke the channel and .hinder the rivers. They will flow, but not through us. Others will be honored and favored, and we shall miss the golden opportunity which is granted to us of being vessels suited for the Master's use and employed by Him.

To keep close contact with Christ, to judge ourselves at once when we have been careless in our walk and ways, to follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit as He directs us to pray, to read the Word of God and to consort with His people, so will the fountains issue in abundance, so will there be "rivers of water" in the concourses of men. To this our gracious Lord calls us-yes, every one of us who believes upon Him!

Shall we not turn to Him with the earnest cry, "Lord, make it good in me today, at whatever cost?"

"Make me a channel of blessing today,
Make me a channel of blessing, I pray;
My life possessing, my service blessing,
Make me a channel of blessing today."

Inglis Fleming

God and Father, grant me power
When I speak to men,
Let the unction of the Spirit
Rest upon me then.

In the secret of Thy presence
Mold my thoughts and speech;
Only words the Spirit giveth
Can lost sinners reach.

Let the love that sought and saved me,
Pardoned all my sin,
Move me now to live and labor,
Other souls to win.

May my ways with Christ be fragrant,
Grant me grace and zeal;
May the message that I carry
To myself be real.

From the fear of men that perish,
Saviour, keep me free,
Careless of their praise or censure,
Serving only Thee.

God and Father, bless the gospel,
Both on land and sea,
And to Thee the power and glory
Shall for ever be.

J. T. Mawson

In the Lord's mercy HELP and FOOD for the Household of Faith has been enabled to complete a ministry of half-a-century with the present issue. As printed on the cover from its beginning, the object has been to provide a medium "to serve as a channel to the gifts which Christ has given to His Church." That the Head of the Church should be honored and its members edified has been the earnest desire of those who have been privileged to serve in its direction, and thus fulfil, in whatever varying measure, those inspiring words, "Ye serve the Lord Christ" (Col. 3:24).

That it may continue true to these aims, the continued prayers of its friends are requested.

For all who have helped, by prayer, by contributing, by subscribing and by distributing, thanks to God are given and continuation of such help besought. P. D. L.

Calendar:Sept. 16th to Oct. 15th

DAILY BIBLE READING:……Sept. 16th, Ezekiel 2; Sept. 30th, Ezekiel 16; Oct. 15th, Ezekiel 31.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING.. .Sept. 16th, 1 Thess. 3; Sept. 30th, 2 Tim. 3; Oct. 15th, Heb. 10.

His cross demands the throne,
Christ shall not always bleed;
He bore the suffering cross alone,
From shame He must be freed.

His tomb demands His reign-
The universe shall see
That He who was in hatred slain,
The King of kings must be.

The thorny wreath demands
That glory-crowns shall press
Upon His brow, who o'er all lands
Must reign in righteousness.

The reed in mockery placed
In His submissive hand,
Demands that He who was disgraced
Earth's scepter shall command.

The purple robe He wore,
To mock His kingly grace,
Demands that all the world adore
God's King o'er Adam's race.

The rabble mob cried out
For vengeance on God's Son,
Soon He'll demand "Hosanna's" shout
From all beneath the sun.

What He demands shall be-
His fiat standeth sure-
He'll bring to pass His own decree,
His word must stand secure.

C. C. Crowston

Calendar:March 16th to April 15th

DAILY BIBLE READING …….. March 16th, Ps. 142; March 31st, Prov. 7; April 15th, Prov. 22.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING ……….March 16th Matt.1; March 31st, Matt. 16th; April 15th, Mark 3.
Work in the Foreign Field

Christ speaks to each one of those who are His with these blessed words. He does not say, Till you die. Death is' never thus used by Christ. It is an enemy, arid is to be destroyed, or abolished:"The last enemy that shall be destroyed [annulled] is death" (1 Cor. 15:2.6). We are never told to wait for this enemy; Christ puts His coming before His people. His last message to them is:"Surely I come quickly" (Rev. 22:20). "Quickly" does not here imply "immediately," but rather its meaning is set forth by 1 Cor. 15:52, "In a moment, in the twinkling-of an eye, at the last trump." There are two ways of looking at time in Scripture; one is from man's side, the other from God's. "A thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the nigh." "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (Ps. 90:4; 2 Pet. 3:8). How long is yesterday when it is passed? A watch in the night was about four hours, as the watch was changed three times (Judges 7:19). The Hebrews did not use the hour in the Old Testament, its occurrence in the Book of Daniel being in Aramaic, and used by Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 4:1,19,33).

Back in Paul's time believers were waiting for Christ's coming for them (1 Thess. 1:10; Phil. 3:20; Acts 1:9-11). In the parable of Luke 19:11-27 the nobleman's return was the end of their responsibility as servants, to whom He had given the charge, "Occupy till I come." So when Christ comes to take us out of the present evil world, that will be the end of our work and all activities here.

Believers are prone to think of Christ's coming as relief from trial,' sorrow, and care. These are constantly pressing upon us, and we crave relief, but Scripture does not so present it. Christ spoke to the apostles of His coming as Son of Man mainly; His "I will come again, and receive you unto Myself" (John 14:3) being an exception. Paul's language shows that he was "looking for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ," from heaven, though he might by some means see martyrdom, and thus "attain unto the resurrection from the dead" (Phil. 3:10,11, 20). That is, he knew that if he lived until Christ came he would not be among those raised from among the dead. He never wrote of death as he does of the coming of the Lord; he speaks of it as "gain," as "to depart and be with Christ" (Phil. 1:21, 23). Again in 2 Cor. S:1-9 he presents death in another form; these passages nullifying all the arguments of the annihilationists. And when at last, death was at hand by martyrdom, Paul wrote those wonderful words in 2 Tim. 4:6-8. Paul showed no fear of death, Acts 20:24; 21:13.

How much those three words, "Till I come," mean. They mean the end of the present day of grace for lost sinners. There will be salvation for sinners, but they will no longer be baptized into the one Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. His coming means the end of the present ways of God's dealings with man; a different presentation of the Gospel; a different relation of the saved to God. But for those now believing in Christ, members of His Body, Christ's coming means the change from suffering to reigning, from walking by faith to being present with the Lord.
Now while His saints are here in the world, and while He is absent, in His visible appearance, we walk by faith, not seeing Christ but believing in Him, loving Him, united to Him by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit Then we shall see Him as He is; we shall know Him fully (1 Cor. 13:12) that is, in the fullest way possible. Knowing as we are known means such a change that we can scarcely begin, to comprehend it. "now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face." There is a question as-to what this means. It is generally taken to mean, "By means of a mirror, obscurely, in a mirror;" or it may mean through a window with poor glass, or transparent material, which does not permit one to see at all clearly. The teaching is plain; we have a very imperfect view of heavenly things; we are not now fitted to see clearly and know fully.

When He comes and takes us to Himself we shall have bodies made like His body of glory, we shall have eyes that can see Him clearly, can behold His glory-the answer to His prayer:"Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given Me, be with He where I am; that they may behold My glory which thou hast given Me:for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world" (John 17:24). "We know that, when He shall appear; we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). These are wonderful words, "WE SHALL SEE HIM AS he IS."

"No cloud, no distance, e'er shall hide
Glories that then shall shine."

Till He comes we are to walk here in the world that hated the Son of God, that has Satan as its God, that chose a murderer instead of the One who gives eternal life. The more we now realize the glory of Christ, His eternal glory, the less power will earthly glory have over us. The better we grasp the meaning of the joy we shall have when "in His presence, the less will anything on earth attract our hearts. Now we are on our way home, on our way to the abode which Christ has gone to prepare for us. He is coming for us. We are to be watching and waiting for Him. How simple this is, yet how very much it means.

Our joy is not here but "where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." We have so much that the world has not, that the religious people have not. We have Christ. We belong to Him, He has loved us and given Himself for us. The world about us might have Him, but they will not. We were once like them, rejecters of Christ, but we have received Him as our Lord and Saviour, and we wait for Him, "Till He come." J. W. Newton

When the vessel is quite empty,
Then the Spirit has full play,
And the Word of God has power
In the life, from day to day.

Oh, 'tis well that it is empty!
Yea, but this will not suffice,
For it also must be broken,
E'en to meet the foe's device.

'Tis alone the broken vessel
That reveals the hidden light,
Gives us victory in the battle,
Puts the enemy to flight.

'Tis God's hand alone that breaks it,
Though we take it painfully,
We can trust Him, for He loves us,
He has proved it perfectly.

All man's empty, broken vessels
Are cast out upon the heap;
But, with God, they are His treasures,
Just the things He loves to keep.

H. McD

(Josh. 14:6-15.)

"With purpose of heart. . .cleave unto the Lord" (Acts 11:23).

The Lord is assuredly better pleased to record the energy of His people than their laxity, their triumphs than their defeats. The true-heartedness of Caleb forms a bright contrast to the spirit pervading the camp of Israel generally, and it is not without divine purpose that his story is introduced before the lands and possessions of Israel are detailed, whether enjoyed or merely apportioned.

Caleb's history is a sample of noble purpose, a handful of the finest of the wheat; his spirit was after God's own heart. He had been proved in the day of declension. He had stood firm with Joshua when all Israel practically forsook the Lord. When the spies that accompanied him to search out the promised land brought back their evil report, lamented over the presence of the giants, and made all Israel to languish, Caleb, only thinking of the goodness of the inheritance, and of God's delight in His people He had brought up out of the land of bondage, out of the abundance of his heart said, "Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it." His heart being filled with God's goodness and faithfulness was garrisoned against unbelief and murmurings. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and Caleb with Joshua "wholly followed the Lord his God," and in the face of their faintness and unbelief- greater foes than all the sons of Anak-earnestly declared to Israel, "The Lord is with us." Caleb, therefore, occupied a separate place among his brethren who went up with him to spy out the land (Num. 13:1- 14:10).

As is frequently the way of God's dealings with His people, after the promise was given, trial was sent. The sorrows of the wilderness intervened; its discipline; its chastening. Caleb had to wander with rebellious Israel, to bear humblings in common with them; he saw the men of war drop down, one by one, and die; he saw the Lord dishonored by His people; he grieved over their neglect of circumcision and of the Passover feast; he mourned over the idols they carried with them; but the promise stayed him, his eye was upon it; it shone beyond the dreary waste, it lighted up his path, it framed his life; his soul was lifted out of the wilderness, having found her treasure in the promised land.

He had trodden that country once, and by faith made it his own. He knew that it was an exceeding good land, and that the God of grace, who had given such a land to His people, would bring them, in whom He delighted, thither. He had not lost the savor of the first ripe grapes, nor forgotten the Valley of Eshcol. The fire of his love which was kindled upon that first day burned within him still.

His whole-heartedness was in no way marred by waiting for the fulfilment of the promise, by afflictions, by prospects seemingly blighted. Neither was his strength impaired, for at fourscore-and-five years old this noble soldier was as strong for war, both to go out and to come in, as he was forty-five years before. Looking back upon his rugged path in the wilderness, he said, "And now, behold the Lord hath kept me alive, as He said, these forty-and-five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses."

He trusted God both for himself and his children, and not one word of the Lord fell to the ground! Fellow-believer, would that our hearts were true and strong like Caleb's! Let not the murmurings nor the agitation of our companions draw away our souls from the grace of God. We must undergo discipline, not only for our own sakes, to test our own hearts, but also in companionship with God's family at large. If we walk for any length of time in the wilderness we shall see "men of war" fall by our side. Some will step out of the ranks, some will go back into the world, some will make common cause with the adversary; but may none of these deep afflictions draw our hearts from our God. The Lord is our strength, His comforts never fail; if we abide in His presence He will be with us all the way.

Caleb looking back to the past in the power of the present, was a sure sign that his heart did not condemn him, and that he abode in God's strength. It was not doubtingly he said, "If so be the Lord will be with me, then shall I be able to drive them out, as the Lord said;" but in the realization of the needs be for the Lord's presence to enable him to obey His word. The gracious promise, "The Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest," was the energy of his strength. The delight of the Lord in His people, with which he had sought to encourage Israel at Eshcol, was his courage before the giants, and their great and fenced cities.

Sometimes the Christian soldier, after being long in God's service, almost forgets that God alone is his strength, and, "If so be the Lord will be with me," is exchanged for a vain-glorious self-confidence, "I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself" (Judges 16:20).

In Caleb we have a sample of the finest qualities of Christian soldiership, a whole heart, unabated strength, continued dependence.

The Lord honored Caleb's dependence. Hebron (communion) was given to him "because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel." Caleb took it, and "drove thence the three sons of Anak (ch. 15:14). "And Joshua blessed him." Doubtless his soul was moved at Caleb's words.

With a note of praise this history closes:"And the land had rest from war." Faithfulness earns rest. "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Fittingly, Caleb had his portion in the great inheritance of Judah (praise), for faithfulness and dependence on God lead into communion, joy, and rest, and result in everlasting praise. H. F. Witherby

(Numbers 35)

It is in the wilderness-book of Numbers we have the cities of refuge. There were six of these cities, three on each side of the Jordan. They were a merciful provision of God for one who had accidentally killed a person. Immediately upon such an accident occurring, the guilty party, in order to save his own life, should run at once to the nearest city of refuge. In this place he would be protected until the judges met and considered his case. If it was an accidental killing, then the slayer would be restored to his city of refuge. There he would remain until the death of the high priest, after which he would be at liberty to return to his inheritance.

There are different lessons to be learned from all this. It is a beautiful

Picture of God's Salvation

offered for sinners, to "whosoever will." Here is a person who has committed an offense punishable by death. That is the case with each one of us. We have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Because of this undeniable fact we are guilty and responsible. Judgment must take its course; punishment must be meted out unless a way of escape be found. That way of escape has been provided by God. Just as the slayer was told to flee to the city of refuge, and would make haste to do so, in like manner God has made Christ a refuge for us, and He warns all to "flee from the wrath to come." But suppose the man is indifferent. He thinks there is time enough to get to the city of refuge. Why hurry? Speedily comes the relative of the dead man who falls upon him and kills him. He loses his life because of his neglect. He had time enough to have made his escape to the city appointed. It was on his side of the Jordan and easily reached, but he thought he had plenty of time, so he delayed and lost his life. Does not this describe many today who are putting off the salvation of the soul? The devil says, Plenty of time; why hurry? And if you listen to him you will perish in your sins.

This gospel story is easily read upon the surface. There is also an underlying and deeper meaning which is most interesting and instructive to consider.

The Jews at the present time

stand in the same relation to God as the man-slayer who had fled to a city of refuge. There he must remain, away from his home, until the death of the high priest, and after this occurred he was free to return. This is Israel's present position. They are absent from their home-land, driven out because guilty of blood-the blood of Christ.

At the cross Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do," and after the day of Pentecost, Peter charges them with their guilt in these searching words; "But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired 'a murderer to be granted unto you, and killed the Prince of life." He then goes on to speak of extenuating circumstances connected with the act, saying, "And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers… .Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out'" (Acts 3:14-19).
They were at that time in the position of the man-slayer who had killed a person "at unawares," but who must flee at once to the city of refuge or be slain by the avenger of blood. Christ was the only refuge for them in their desperate plight, and Him they refused. They would not repent. The appeal to them was in vain; so in the year A. D. 70 the armies of the Romans were let loose, and

The days of vengeance

of which the Lord had forewarned came upon them (Luke 21:20-24). Driven from their inheritance they have become refugees in strange countries. "The blood which defiled Israel's land was, above all, the blood of Christ shed by them, on account of which they have been for so many centuries kept from their inheritance" (Num. Bible, p. 519).

The man-slayer in his city could only return to his inheritance when the high priest died. It is when Christ's priestly work at the .right hand of God is finished, and He returns in power and glory to the earth, that the trumpet will be blown for the reassembling of Israel, and they will be gathered from all lands (see Matt. 24:31; Isa. 27:13). Not till then will His time have come for His people, Israel, to return to their own land from which they have been exiles for so long a time. A return in unbelief

is already in our day beginning to take place. It is as the return of the man-slayer to his home before the death of the high priest. The avenger of blood could fall upon him and slay him, "Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest." And yet Jacob is going back. He is planting the land with trees and vines and shrubs. Irrigation systems from the River Jordan also furnish electric power sufficient to supply the whole land, it is said. The Jew trusts in his own resources and in the help of the nations to reestablish him in his own place. The end of all this will be tragic, as the prophet Isaiah in his vivid word-picture describes;"Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the Rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips. In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish, but the harvest shall be an heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow" (Isa. 17:10,11). These brief sentences tell the story, and the mind fills in the tragic picture from other scriptures. "It is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it" (Jer. 30:7).

The valley of dry bones of Ezekiel's vision (ch. 37) would seem to be in the beginning of its fulfilment. "I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied there was a noise, and behold, a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone…. but there was no breath in them" (vers. 7, 8). A limited awakening there may be, but the Spirit of life from God has not entered into them. Whatever of a national awakening there may have been through the Balfour Declaration and other agencies, they are still dead in their sins. Thomas-like, they will not believe until they "look upon Him whom they have pierced," and see the print of the nails in His hands. Then like him too, they will exclaim, "My Lord and my God." The pouring out of the Spirit of which Pentecost was a foretaste will then occur in full measure, and it will be said of them, "They shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more" (Jer. 31:34). "Neither will I hide My face any more from them, for I have poured out My Spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God" (Ezek. 39:29).

It is sweet to contemplate that day when Israel's long misery shall be forever ended, and they shall be enjoying the favor of Jehovah in fulfilment of His unconditional promises to their fathers. Then, too, the groan of the present groaning creation will have ceased, and, "The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isa. 11:9). Sweeter still it is to realize that introductory to this earthly blessing there will take place the removal of the Church from earth to heaven, "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." May our hearts keep this ever in view as we approach daily nearer that eventful moment! Roger B. Eames

"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving:withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ" (Col. 4:2,3).

AFRICA

We are sorry to learn that our sister, Miss DeJonge, has been in ill health for sometime and we would therefore bespeak definite prayer on her behalf and also on behalf of our brother William Deans who up to the present is still suffering acutely from rheumatism, as mentioned in the following extracts from letters received from Africa.

Our brother Dr. Woodhams writes:

Mambassa, June 21,1932.

The native Apollo of whom you enquire is located three days safari from Nyankundi. He is not a Pigmy but a native of Uganda; a very bright, intelligent, old man and a faithful servant of Christ. Most of the Christians where he is are from the Bahema tribe but he has also reached the Pygmies to some extent and I believe some have confessed Christ. I have never met him myself though we have written back and forth at times. Brother Searle and Mr. Deans have both visited him and were much pleased with what they saw, and several times be has visited at Nyankundi but not when I was there. His work is in connection with the Church of England Mission. He is not very well. You will have gotten first hand news from brother Searle before now.

The Christians at Nyankundi seem to be getting along well. When I go over I remain over night and have a meeting in the morning. There is a nice number of believers and a good interest and they are active in the Gospel. Brother Will does not seem to improve any even under the treatment he is receiving at Aba. He would like to return to Nyankundi but feels he should give the present course of treatment a full trial. One Babilla woman confessed Christ last week here and this has been an encouragement to us. I am glad that you mention the prayer and interest at the Elizabeth meeting. We need this co-operation. Except the Lord bless us we will labor in vain. Testing and trials increase and we need to learn how to cast all upon the Lord. Some simple things it seems that I never learn "for keeps." But even Jacob was an old man before he leaned upon his staff. Continue in prayer, for the Lord has had a reason for putting us here.

Our brother Robert Deans writes:

Lolua, Irumu, June 17,1932.

May the Lord continue to give you and all those who are interested in the work of the Lord in foreign parts power from day to day and refresh each heart from that ever bubbling spring fresh from the throne of God (John 4:14).

Mrs. Deans, Ella and I were at Nyankundi last week and it was a real joy to see those dear people going on with the Lord. May the dear saints pray specially for (hem that they may be kept loyal to Him who brought life and incorruptibility to light through the Gospel. Our work here is going steadily along and our Lord is blessing the word. Another new station has been opened between here and the last station, the last station being between Mambassa and here. Godly native teachers are in these places and great interest is being manifested.

D.V. we expect to open another station about ten miles on the other side of us (not the Mambassa side), we will then have the road between Nyankundi and Mambassa well covered with the Gospel.

Bill in his last letter a month ago says his hands are practically useless so that he cannot write. We have not seen him for about five months.

Pray for Miss DeJonge. She has been quite 99:Possibly the Dr. will write about her to you. Ella is down with malaria today and is quite sick. Mrs. Deans and I are well, for which we thank our dear Lord.

"Jesus I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart."

But, oh, that we "may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings being made conformable unto His death." Thank you, beloved brethren, for your interest in the souls of the African race.

Our young brother, William Deans, writes:

Here at Aba we are near to Azande-land. Three Christian families of this tribe are here on the station and I have been enjoying fellowship with them. Thank God for the Christian families.

My little class in Kingwana has developed into quite a meeting, and at the request of the natives we have increased the frequency of the services to twice a week. We are going through Daniel and finding some wonderful parallelisms and are able to expound much prophetic truth, which the natives rapidly assimilate.

It would rejoice my heart to be able to write of improvement physically, but so far the condition has remained about the same for several months. Your prayers (as Epaphras, Col. 4:12) are sought that the will of the Lord may be done.

My longing is to be at Nyankundi where no white worker is stationed at present. God has a purpose in it all and, as has been suggested, perhaps He has chosen this way to allow timid native saints to "stir up the gift that is in them."

News has come from Rethi that Miss DeJonge is quite sick there. I do trust, however, that at this writing she is restored to health and strength again.

I have had a number of opportunities for Biblical exposition in English here. I am thankful for the opportunity to use some English thus, and to pass on some of the things the Lord has been teaching me.

CHINA

"Oh give thanks unto the Lord for His mercy endureth forever."

We are thankful for the following item of news from our brother and sister Kautto:

Just a note to let you know that we are still without trouble, unmolested by war or bandits, that our part of the country is not in danger of drought or suffering from floods and that we have been enjoying about two weeks of meetings in the tent set up in a village west of Taitowying.

Brother Foggin in a brief note from Langchow, Kansu Province, says:

I expect to be away from here for sometime. Tomorrow I am going into town to hire an animal for a month to carry my bedding and books, and a man to go with it. I then expect to leave for Hochow and possibly may work south, east and west from there, making a circular route.

In a postscript he tells of his joy of seeing a young man at the home where he is staying confess Christ as his Saviour. Let us pray that this may be the first fruits of a great ingathering of souls from Kansu.

INDIAN WORK

Writing from Shiprock, New Mexico, August 10th, Miss Holcomb says:

Dear brother:-

Thank you for your letter of Aug. 5th with enclosed ministry for the work of the Gospel entrusted to our hands by the dear Lord of the Harvest. And so we are reminded again that the God of Elijah still cares for His own. It is so sweet just to be able to leave the responsibility of these temporal things to HIM who hangeth the earth upon nothing.

Sheep-dip is very recently over, here, and has brought us a goodly share of callers to hear the Gospel. Also Mr. Girdner has been able to get out to the camps to give a message to some of our people. It is a joy to be able to give the Word of God to needy souls even though they seem not to be able to see their need. Surely the Word must be wearing its way down into some hearts that will yet open to admit our blessed Lord.

Brother Anderson writes:

Just at present we are at Flagstaff enjoying the Bible Conference held there every August. It is most helpful and refreshing in every way.

HARBOR WORK
Our brother West writes of the Harbor Work in New York:

The Lord, in His grace, has kept us going, and whenever opportunity presents itself, in connection with the distribution of Gospel literature, we seek to deal with men of the sea about their souls; a very difficult thing in itself for while ever ready for an argument they are very slow to repent and believe the Gospel.

Two weeks ago a young seaman, member of a British ship coming up from Brazil, lost his life as the vessel was approaching the port of New York. He missed his footing coming down from the crow's nest and was killed instantly. I visited this steamer a few days later and had a wonderful opening with several of his comrades who listened a good deal more respectfully to the Gospel than on other occasions (I have known some of them for several years). So God speaks in different ways. Oh, that men would hear!

Those interested in this work will realize the importance of the sowing of good seed for the devil is sowing tares diligently among these men too. Christian Science, Catholic magazines containing the common heresies of this non-Biblical system, light and secular magazines from the Y. M. C. A. besides Russellism (the work of one of their colporteurs) makes it necessary for us to keep up with the pure, evangelical books we give away.

*The above article, as well as the following:"I Acknowledged, Thou Forgavest," "Your Own Salvation," "The Gum Trees and the Storm," "The Briar 'and the Rose Garden," and "God Giveth Us the Victory," which have appeared or will appear in this magazine, are to be had separately in booklet form, with attractive covers, at 5 cent each.*

Acres upon acres of peach-trees stretched themselves upon the hillsides of a fertile valley through which we were speeding in the Sydney-Melbourne express. A beautiful sight were those trees, clothed hi pink and white blossom from the topmost branches of them to the lowest, and standing as a fair bride to receive the smiles and kisses of the sun which looked upon them from a cloudless sky like a radiant bridegroom. Full of promise "were those acres of delicious fruit for the multitudes in the crowded cities in the months yet to be. It was kindly nature, under God's supervision, preparing her stores of solace and refreshment against the day when the summer time would test the strength and mettle of the people with heat and drought and dust.

As my eyes feasted upon that lovely valley I held a silent communion with it. "Tell me," said my heart, "tell me, peach-trees, the secret of your beauty and your usefulness-why are you able to stretch out your charms before the sun today, and to promise hands and arms laden with fruit for the hot months that lie ahead of us?" And the answer was definite and clear. "We should have neither beauty today nor usefulness tomorrow were it not for a process and power that the eye of man does not see. Our roots strike downwards, and hidden away from all interference we draw from the soil continually the stimulants and nourishment that give and maintain the vigor of our inward life; thus it is that we are benefactors in the world. Our life within, sustained in secret, shows itself in its season as you see it. If this secret life of ours failed, or if it were interrupted by any intrusion from without, we should wither and die."

And as our train sped onwards I considered the peach-trees, how they grew, and took out my Bible and read, "Thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" (Matt. 6:6). Are any of us mourning our lack of fruitfulness? Do we feel how little we are manifesting the divine life which is in us in blessing to others? We may be sure that the whole cause of it is the neglect, more or less, of the secret life with God; and every one of us knows that it is so.

This parable of the peach-trees enforced its lesson upon me from another side. I thought again of the testing time of the year for this southern land, when the sun blazes from the heavens in his summer strength, scorching and withering almost everything of lesser growth. Yet that same sun does but serve to bring the fruit of those trees to perfection, imparting to them a sweetness and bloom that they could not possess without it. So, too, it is with every test and trial of life; they all have their sure effect upon us. We are either scorched and withered by them, like the corn on the rocky ground that perishes when the sun is up, or they bring our Christian life and fruit to maturity; and which of these two effects is to be realized in our case is determined by our secret life with God. If we are much with Him, striking our roots downward in the knowledge of Himself, and drawing our refreshment and strength from the hidden springs that are in Him, we need not dread the trial; we may glory in tribulation, for it will but serve the will of God and work for our good, and enable us to stretch forth hands laden with sweeter fruit to the weary and distressed.
The time passed quickly as we, a few Christian brethren, talked together upon happy themes, when a glance at my watch warned me that my time had gone and I must leave the pleasant circle. As I walked to the railway station for my train I said to myself:"This watch of mine, the gift of a dear friend to me, has been my very faithful monitor and friend for ten years. It has never failed me, except when I have failed it by forgetting to wind it up. What is it that makes it so reliable, fulfilling its mission every day without noise, weariness or complaint? It is not the highly polished case, nor the neat figures upon its face, nor the graceful hands that indicate the hours, not one nor all of these things together make it what every watch ought to be. The secret lies not in these, but in the works hidden away from view; upon these depend the constant witness of my watch to me. The outward witness is the result entirely of the inward works." And as I considered my watch, how it worked, the importance of the secret hidden life pressed itself afresh upon me. If the inner parts of my watch were exposed to the dust of the day it would soon become a failure; and even so, if we Christians live more before the world than before God, we soon become unfaithful in our witnessing. Our secret life with God must be maintained, and the measure of our intercourse with Him in secret is the measure of our faithfulness in public. The Scriptures are so full of this, and our own consciences and spiritual sense tell us that it is so, that nothing more needs to be said.

And now for a paragraph or two from wise old Bunyan. "I saw in my dream that Interpreter took Christian by the hand, and led him into a place where was a fire burning against a wall, and one standing by it always, casting much water upon it to quench it; yet did the fire burn higher and hotter. Said Christian, 'What means this?' The Interpreter answered, 'This fire is the work of grace that is wrought in the heart; he that casts water upon it to extinguish and put it out, is the devil; but in that thou seest the fire notwithstanding burn higher and hotter, thou shalt also see the reason of that.' So he had him about to the backside of the wall, where he saw a Man with a vessel of oil in His hand, of which He did also continually cast, but secretly, into the fire, Then said Christian, 'What means this?' The Interpreter answered, "This is Christ, who continually, with the oil of grace, maintains the work already begun in the heart, by the means of which, notwithstanding what the devil can do, the souls of His people prove gracious still.'"

Yes, so it is, but do we realize the necessity of our side of this matter? Lukewarm Christians are the devil's delight, and the Lord's grief. Fervency of spirit is above all things to be desired. But if our hearts are to flame in this cold world, the oil of grace must flow into them; and for this we must cleave to the Lord with purpose of heart, and the secret supplies from His own inexhaustible stores will be more than enough to meet every public demand, and that in spite of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
The Lord's own words, as given us by the prophet centuries before He came into the world, shall clinch for us the lesson of this brief paper. "The Lord, Jehovah, hath given to me the tongue of the instructed, that I should know how to succor by a word him that is weary. He wakeneth morning by morning. He wakeneth mine ear to hear as the instructed" (Isa. 50:4, New Trans.). J. T. Mawson