In Revelation 1:10 we find the expression "the Lord’s Day". John was in the Spirit on that day,
and received communications from the Lord for the saints in Asia. In I Cor. 11:20, we get the
expression, "the Lord’s Supper". Can anyone question what is the meaning of this? Is it not
clearly the Lord’s supper in contradistinction to every one eating his own supper in verse 21? Now
when the day is spoken of, precisely the same word is used. It is peculiarly His day, and His
supper, _ a day and a supper which He claims as His. His supper, too, was observed on His day.

Neither the day, then, nor the supper are common. Shall we treat them as common? What would
we think of a man who held that he could treat the Lord’s supper as his own? This is the very
thing the saints at Corinth were doing, and for which the Lord was rebuking them. But it is His
day as well as His supper, and if we are not at liberty to treat the supper as our own, are we at
liberty to treat His day in this manner? I appeal to the reader’s sense of what is right and fitting
in the light of these Scriptures. I would ask, is it either right or fitting that we should take that day
which He calls His, and use it for our own pleasure or temporal advantage? If His supper is
devoted entirely to a holy and joyful remembrance of Him in His death and sufferings for us, and
not for the gratification of our appetites, shall we not as carefully observe the day as devoted to
Him and His things? But it is to be feared that not a few think that if they go to the meeting on that
day and break bread, when the meeting is over, then they are free to spend the remainder of the
day as they please. Alas! it only shows what and where our poor hearts are! He has not the first
place in them; His claim is ignored; and He is practically shut out by self-interest and worldliness.

It is but right that we should cease from our ordinary labors and activities and devote the day to
Him in a way in keeping with its character, occupying ourselves with spiritual things which will
be for profit to our own souls and the souls of others and thus bring honor to His holy Name. May
the Lord give us to be sensitive to all that affects His glory, and to prove the blessedness of
faithful and loving obedience to all His revealed will.

There was, in the latter part of the sixteenth century, a man in Italy who was a child of God,
taught by the Spirit. His name was Aonio Paleario. He had written a book called The Benefit of
Christ’s Death. That book was destroyed in Italy, and for three centuries it was not possible to
find a copy; but two or three years ago an Italian copy was found, I believe, in one of the libraries
at Cambridge or Oxford, and it has been printed again. It is perhaps singular, but this man did not
leave the Romish Church, as he ought to have done, but his whole heart was given to Christ. He
was brought before the judge in Rome, by order of the Pope. The judge said, "We will put to him
three questions:we will ask him what is the first cause of salvation,, then what is the second cause
of salvation, then what is the third cause of salvation". They thought that, in putting these three
questions, he would at last be made to say something which should be to the glory of the Church
of Rome. So they asked him, "What is the first cause of salvation?" and he answered, "CHRIST".
Then they asked him, "What is the second cause of salvation?" and he answered, "CHRIST".
Then they asked him, "What is the third cause of salvation?" and he answered, "CHRIST". They
thought he would have said, first, Christ; secondly, the Word; thirdly, the Church; but no, he
said, "CHRIST". The first cause, Christ; the second, Christ; the third, Christ; and for that
confession, which he made in Rome, he was condemned to be put to death as a martyr. My dear
friends, let us think and speak like that man; let every one of us say, "The first cause of my
salvation is Christ; the second is Christ; the third is Christ. Christ and His atoning blood, Christ
and His regenerating Spirit; Christ and His eternal electing grace. Christ is, my only salvation.
I know of nothing else.

There was in Trinity Hall, Cambridge, a young student of the canon law, of serious turn of mind
and bashful disposition, and whose tender conscience strove, although ineffectually, to fulfil the
commandments of God. Anxious about his salvation, Thomas Bilney applied to the priests, whom
he looked upon as physicians of the soul. Kneeling before his confessor, with humble look and
pale face, he told him all his sins, and even those of which he doubted. The priest prescribed at
one time fasting, at another prolonged vigils, and then masses and indulgences which cost him
dearly. Bilney went through all these practices with great devotion, but found no consolation in
them. Being weak and slender, his body wasted away by degrees; his understanding grew weaker,
his imagination faded, and his purse became empty. "Alas!" said he with anguish, "my last state
is worse than the first." From time to time an idea crossed his mind:"May not the priests be
seeking their own gain, and not the salvation of my soul?" But immediately rejecting the rash
doubt, he fell back under the iron hand of the clergy.

One day Bilney heard his friends talking about a new book:it was the Greek Testament printed
with a translation which was highly praised for its elegant Latinity. Attracted by the beauty of the
style rather than by the divinity of the subject, he stretched out his hand; but just as he was going
to take the volume, fear came upon him and he withdrew it hastily. In fact the confessors strictly
prohibited Greek and Hebrew books, "the sources of all heresies;" and Erasmus’ Testament was
particularly forbidden. Yet Bilney regretted so great a sacrifice; was it not the Testament of Jesus
Christ? Might not God have placed therein some word which perhaps might heal his soul? He
stepped forward, and then again shrank back. … At last he took courage. Urged, said he, by the
hand of God, he walked out of the college, slipped into the house where the volume was sold in
secret, bought it with fear and trembling, and then hastened back and shut himself up in his room.

He opened it_his eyes caught these words:"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all
acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (I Tim.
1:15). He laid down the book, and meditated on the astonishing declaration. "What! St. Paul the
chief of sinners, and yet St. Paul is sure of being saved!" He read the verse again and again. "O
assertion of St. Paul, how sweet art thou to my soul!" he exclaimed. This declaration continually
haunted him, and in this manner God instructed him in the secret of his heart. He could not tell
what had happened to him; it seemed as if a refreshing wind were blowing over his soul, or as if
a rich treasure had been placed in his hands. The Holy Spirit took what was Christ’s and
announced it to him. "I also am like Paul," exclaimed he with emotion, "and more than Paul, the
greatest of sinners! . . . But Christ saves sinners. At last I have heard of Jesus."

His doubts were ended_he was saved. Then took place in him a wonderful transformation. An
unknown joy pervaded him; his conscience until then sore with the wounds of sin was healed;
instead of despair he felt an inward peace passing all understanding. "Jesus Christ," exclaimed he.
"Yes, Jesus Christ saves!" . . . "I see it all," said Bilney; "my vigils, my fasts, my pilgrimages,
my purchase of masses and indulgences were destroying instead of saving me. All these efforts
were a hasty running out of the right way."

Bilney never grew tired of reading his New Testament. He no longer lent an attentive ear to the

teaching of the schoolmen; he heard Jesus at Capernaum, Peter in the temple, Paul on Mars’ hill,
and felt within himself that Christ possesses the words of eternal life. A witness to Jesus Christ
had just been born by the same power which had transformed Paul, Apollos, and Timothy. The
Reformation in England was beginning. Bilney was united to the Son of God, not by a remote
succession, but by an immediate generation.

He gave Himself for their sins, Gal. 1:4
He quickens them by His voice. John 5:25
He seals them with His Spirit. Eph. 1:13
He feeds them with His flesh and blood. John 6:56,57.
He cleanses them by His Word. John 13:5; Eph. 5:26.
He maintains them by His intercession. Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; I John 2:1.
He takes them individually to Himself. Acts 7:59; Phil. 1:23.
He watches over their ashes. John 6:39,40. He will raise them by His power. John 6:39,40; I
Cor. 15:52; I Thess. 4:16.
He will come to meet them in the air. I Thess. 4:17. He will conform them to His image. Phil.
3:21; I John 3:2.
He will associate them with Himself, in His everlasting kingdom. John 14:3; 18:24.

Thus the activities of Christ on behalf of His people, take in, in their range, the past, the present,
and the future. They stretch, like a golden line, from everlasting to everlasting. Well may it be
said, "Happy is the people that is in such a case, yea, happy is the people whose God is the Lord".
(Ps. 144:15).

"Happy they who trust in Jesus,

Sweet their portion is and sure."

"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." (I Sam. 7:12). "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."
(Heb. 13:5). "Lo, I am with you always." (Matt. 28:20).

As the old year now is waning,
And the New Year comes in view,
Blessed Saviour, we acknowledge
Thou hast led us "Hitherto".
"Hitherto" Thy many mercies
Have encompassed every day,
And we have Thy precious promise
Thou wilt be with us always.
"Never leave thee nor forsake thee",
"Surely, I will be with thee",
Promise of Thy blessed presence,
Through each New Year still to be.
What a merciful Redeemer!
What a wonderful Saviour, too!
What a gracious, loving Shepherd,
Who has led us "Hitherto".
And we praise Thee for assurance,
Who has led us "Hitherto",
That Thy presence will go with us,
Every day the New Year through.
"My presence shall go with thee." (Ex. 33:14).

FRAGMENT
Looking off unto Jesus, I go not astray;
My eyes are on Him, and He shows me the way;
The path may seem dark, as He leads me along,
But following Jesus I cannot go wrong. See Heb. 12:1,2.
Anna B. Warner

Although the canon of Scripture closed with the apostles, God continues to speak not only through
that written Word but in actions that are in full accordance with it. Every heart must mourn the
violent death meted out to the late President, John F. Kennedy, which is one of the crowning
tragedies of the immediate past. It is not the only event which seems to be rapidly reshaping this
present scene ripening for judgment and making ready to receive the man of Sin.

It is striking when we realize how many of the heads of government attending Mr. Kennedy’s
funeral have been in office for only a short time. Writing before the assassination of President
Kennedy, the Editor of Christian Truth magazine cried out in almost prophetic utterance:"When
we consider the upheavals internationally, let us note that a severe pain, a doctor’s visit, and then
an operation, brought the prompt and unexpected removal of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan
from the British government. The same week, Chancellor Konrad Adenauer (the man who helped
rebuild war-stricken Germany into a powerful and prosperous nation) resigned. How suddenly
great changes take place! When President Kennedy arrived in Italy late in June the government
of Premier Amintore Fanfani had fallen, and the Pope was dead. Dare anyone predict who will
head the major world governments a year from today? With elections due in the United States,
Germany, and Britain in another year, and only a heartbeat separating any man from removal
from office at any time, who can predict? In fact, every major power could have a new ruler
within a short time. We ‘know not what shall be on the morrow,’ but we know Him who does,
and who keeps His own counsel. He will do according to His own will, and work out all His
purposes, the major part of which is that His Son will be honored here where He was cast out and
is still despised. He is going to rule with a rod of iron and subject all under His feet. At the
present He sits at God’s right hand until that moment when God will ‘make His enemies His
footstool’ (Psa. 110)." November 1963.

Is there nothing behind the events we are considering? God’s hand, unseen by many, may begin
to take shape when we recall the internal scandal of moral degradation which shook the British
government. This may have been one of the contributing factors responsible for the changes we
see there.

In this country a great deal of similarity between the assassination of Presidents Abraham Lincoln
and Kennedy were noticed. There is, however, a striking contrast of which very few are aware.
Father Charles Chiniquy, an ex-priest of the Roman Catholic Church, in his book, Fifty Years In
the Church of Rome, writes in greatest detail of unsuccessful plots of Jesuit priests to kill Lincoln,
and finally of the assassination plotted and executed by instruments of Rome. He writes how
Professor Morse, famous for Morse code and telegraphy, when in Rome discovered plots to kill
Lincoln. How striking is the contrast of Rome’s plotted assassination of Abraham Lincoln and now
the recent assassination of the first man in Rome’s Church to have ascended to that position in this
country. Solemn beyond words is the fact that the caisson prepared for Abraham Lincoln a century
ago should be the very vehicle to carry our late president to his grave. "God requireth that which
is past," says Solomon in Ecclesiastes when writing of the things he observed under the sun. Have
not we observed the same?

Christian, may God give you a sense of the nearness of our Saviour’s return, which is our hope,
and the urgency to speak to many, seeking to bring brands from the burning. May each moment
be more lived for Him while He tarries, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Ques.:What does salt signify in scripture? "Salt is good:but if the salt have lost his savor,
wherewith shall it be seasoned? . . . (Luke 14:34,35).

Ans. "Salt" is grace in spiritual energy. That is, the saints being witnesses in the world of the
power of holy love instead of selfishness. Salt is the consecrating principle of grace. If that is
gone, what is to preserve? Salt is rather grace in the aspect of holy separateness unto God than in
that of kindness and meekness, though, of course, these are also inseparable from grace. If the salt
has lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? If I have meat without salt I can salt it, but if there
is no saltiness in salt, what can I do? What a character we have here of an unspiritual church or
an unspiritual saint! Like the vine which represented Israel, good for nothing at all but to dishonor
the Lord, its owner, and be destroyed. Mercy, it is true, may recover us, but as saints we should
have the savor of Christ. Whatever enfeebles attachment to Christ destroys power. It is not gross
sin that does it, which, of course, will be met and judged, but it is the little things of everyday life
which are apt to be chosen before Christ. When the world creeps in the salt has lost its savor, and
we show that a rejected Christ has little power in our eyes.

The Lord keep us in the path with Christ, where all is bright and blessed. If the film of this world
has been drawn over our spiritual vision, hiding Christ from us, He alone can remove it.

FRAGMENT
Oh, give us hearts to love like Thine, and in Thy brethren see
That gentleness and grace that spring from union, Lord, with Thee.

Beloved brethren and sisters in Christ,_the day of the apostasy is hastening on with rapid strides,
and also the day in which the Lord shall come to snatch His own away. The present moment is
of so solemn a character that I feel constrained to address you the word of exhortation. The time
has evidently arrived when one must speak plainly and decisively, and ask you where you are, and
what you are about. You have, by grace, been gathered out of the seething mass of idolatry and
wickedness which now threatens Christendom and the world with an overthrow more awful than
that of Sodom and Gomorrah of old; and the question is whether you are adequately impressed
with the responsibility, as well as the blessedness, of the ground you are on, and walking like men
and women whose eyes have been opened. Satan’s object is to withdraw your attention from
Christ, while you suppose you are on safe ground and have nothing to fear. He would destroy you
with the very truth itself. For, mark the subtlety, you are on safe ground, but only while Christ
is your all in all. Here is where he is drawing some away. Satan has his eye specially on you, for
the purpose of interposing the world in some form between your soul and Christ. It is not
necessarily by anything glaring that he seeks to ruin you, but in small and seemingly harmless
things_ things that would not shock or offend any one as things go, and yet these constitute the
deadly and insidious poison destined to ruin your testimony and withdraw you from Christ. Do
you ask what are these, alarming symptoms, and where are they seen? Brethren and sisters, you
are being infected with the spirit of the world. Your dress, your manner, your talk, your lack of
spirituality betray it. There is a dead weight, a restraint, a want of power, that reveals itself in the
meetings. A form of godliness is seen among you as plainly as in Christendom generally, but
without power. As surely as you tamper with the world, so surely will you drift away to its level.
This is in the nature of things. K you become engrossed with the world, the privileged place you
occupy, instead of shielding you, will only expose you to greater condemnation. It must be Christ
or the world.

Beloved, I am persuaded better things of you, and I have confidence in you in the Lord, that you
will bless Him for these few faithful words. Nothing can be more glorious than the position you
are called to occupy in these closing days. Saints have stood in the breach, have watched through
weary nights and days these nineteen hundred years, and you only wait for the trumpet of victory,
to go in and take possession of the glorious inheritance. Other men labored, and ye are entered
into their labors, and yet, forsooth, you are lowering your dignity to the level of the poor
potsherds of the earth.

Beloved, you belong to Christ, and Christ to you. Let not the betrothed one be unfaithful to her
Bridegroom! Why should you be robbed and spoiled? And for what? Empty husks and bitter
fruits, while you waste this little span of blessing! All the distinctions acquired here in the energy
of the Spirit, will but serve to enhance your beauty, and render you more lovely in the eyes of
Him who has espoused you to Himself.

Same root-word uses of "AUTHOR" shown in bold type. (Greek, Arch-egos).

". . . Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author
(Leader) and Finisher (Perfecter) of faith; . . ." (Heb. 12:1,2).

"For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in BRINGING many
sons to glory, to make the originator of their salvation perfect through sufferings." (Heb. 2:10
FWG).

"But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One . . . and killed the Author of life . . ." (Acts 3:15
FWG).

"The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus, . . . Him hath God with his right hand exalted as
Founder and Saviour" (Acts 5:31 FWG).

Same root-word uses of the first part of "Author":

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." (Rev. 22:13). (See
also Rev. 21:6).

"And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power." (Col. 2:10).

"In the beginning was the Word. . . . (John 1:1).

Same root-word uses of the last part of "Author."

". . . in bringing many sons to glory . . ." (Heb. 2:10 FWG).

"He calleth His own sheep by name and leadeth them out." (John 10:3).

"And other sheep I have which are not of this fold:them also I must bring, . . . and there shall
be one fold and one Shepherd." (John 10:16).

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead, our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd
of the sheep, . . . make you perfect. . . ." (Heb. 13:20,21).

"But that also He should gather together in one the children of God that are scattered abroad."
(John 11:52).

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
(Matt. 18:20).

". . . He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. . . ." (Acts 8:32).

". . . them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him." (I Thess. 4:14).

"The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." (Rom. 2:4).

"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, . . ." (Matt. 7:14).

".. . The law was our schoolmaster (to bring us) unto Christ. . . ." (Gal. 3:24).

3. Independency. At first glance this view may seem identical with that of local sufficiency, but
there are a number of radical differences. However, extremes meet; and this is illustrated in the
elements of similarity between these two views.

The characteristic feature of Independency is, as its name indicates, that the local gathering is a
unit, whose association with other gatherings is very slight. It is competent not only to decide as
to local matters, but as to matters which are not local. Thus the fact that a person has been
received or ex-communicated by a neighboring gathering does not decide it for other gatherings.
Without dictating to the other gatherings, they will decide upon the case afresh, and act
accordingly_it may be in opposition to the previous decision. But this divergence is not a ground
of separation; the independency permits them to go on together, in a general way, with one who
is allowed at one place and refused at another.

Growing out of this is a denial of a "circle of fellowship"_various assemblies recognizing one
another as holding the same truth and having the same order. They claim that all fellowship is of
individuals with Christ; that this individual fellowship with Him is also the fellowship of His
Church, the only link and title to be recognized; that in this sense there is no real local assembly,
but only the general fellowship of the whole body. Closely connected with this is the teaching that
the possession of life is the only title to fellowship, and that we can only debar those who are not
really Christians. This is held only by some, and has been modified so that those under scriptural
discipline are also excluded.

Worship and adoration are the fitting expressions of hearts which have learnt something of the
preciousness of the Lord Jesus. "To you therefore who believe (is) the preciousness. . . ." (I Peter
2:7 J.N.D. trans.) What does this mean? It speaks not only of faith in the work accomplished, but
it also tells out in some measure the knowledge of the Person who has accomplished it; and so we
read in I Peter 1:8, "Whom having not seen ye love:in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet
believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." But sad to relate, how many children
of God know little or nothing of the preciousness to be found in Him. What hearts we have! Do
we "want to see the Man that saved us?"

Dear Christian reader, He prizes thy love; wilt thou not seek to refresh His heart? "Where two
or three are gathered," He says, "together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt.
18:20). Are you found there? His Name, remember. And if so, is it a joy for you to get there, in
His presence? Then His Name avails us in our supplications to our God and Father. If you see
then the darkness, the will of man asserting itself, of saints turning aside, think of Him; is He
worthy of your love? Think of that tender, pitying eye upon you as if He were saying, "Will ye
also go away?" Ah, to whom should we go? No, beloved reader, let us hold fast His precious
Name, and in so doing we shall not deny His Word. Hold fast what thou hast. He is coming soon.
Let that thought cheer us, that we shall soon be conformed to His image.

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. The bright and morning star will soon appear. And then
to praise Him, no more to pain the Lamb once slain. Think of it, dear reader. Oh, let it hold us.
Let your attitude be uncompromising towards aught that slights Him. Shall we put saints before
Him? No; in all things He must have the pre-eminence. But what grace should characterize us,
what patience, what forbearing one another in love. Blessed Saviour, we adore Thee, for Thou
art worthy to receive all the praise and homage these hearts can give! We do long to see Thee to
praise in full measure!

"… If I have found grace in thy sight, SHEW ME NOW THY WAY, that I may know thee, that
I may find grace in thy sight. . . ." (Ex. 33:13).

What a wholesome desire, and if Moses needed it in his day, how much more do we.

The headlines of the 107th Psalm are "God’s manifold providence in divers varieties of life". And
what a record it presents, not only in showing the definite need of being shown the way but also
the wondrous provision God has made for every step of it.

This Psalm begins with an appeal to give thanks unto the Lord for He is good and also because
His mercy endureth forever. The redeemed of the Lord are to say so, whom He has redeemed and
gathered out. So we doubtless can see through it all an appeal to our own hearts. He tells of how
they WANDERED IN THE SOLITARY WAY, and how solitary a way it is when we wander
instead of being led. Yes, "A SOLITARY WAY", and left alone to wander.

Oh keep my soul, then, Jesus,
Abiding still with Thee,
And if I wander, teach me
Soon back to Thee to flee.

"They wandered in a solitary way in the wilderness, they found NO CITY to dwell in."

Prone; to wander, Lord, I feel it;
Prone to leave the God I love:
Yet Thou, Lord, has deigned to seal it
With Thy Spirit from above.

The loneliness and their experiences cause them to cry out in their trouble. "And He led them
forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation," (Ps. 107:7). Oh, to find grace
in His sight, and to be shown His way!

"Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies (literally
those which observe me)." (Ps. 27:11). See also Ps. 54:5; 56:2; and 59:10, for "mine observers".
"Lead me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness because of (mine observers); make Thy way straight
before my face." (Ps. 5:8). "Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth:unite my heart
to fear Thy Name." (Ps. 86:11). "Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up
my soul unto Thee." (Ps. 143:8). "0 Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself:it is not
in man that walketh to direct his steps." (Jer. 10:23). "Order my steps in Thy word. . . ." (Ps.
119:133). "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go. . . ." (Ps. 32:8).

"The meek will He guide in judgment:and the meek will He teach His way." (Ps. 25:9).

Moses was the meekest man in all the earth. He desired to be shown God’s way, and God showed

it to him and said, "Thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way
wherein they must walk, and the work they must do.” (Ex. 18:20). Yet it was said of them ". .
.the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way". (Num. 21:4).

"And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the
wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou
wouldest keep His commandments, or no." (Deut. 8:2). These things were to be taught their
children. "And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine
house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." (Deut.
11:19). God was greatly Concerned for His own and is still concerned today. ". . . That ye may
know the way by which ye must go:for ye have not passed this way heretofore". (Joshua 3:4).

Departure and decline marked Israel’s day as it does ours. "And yet they would not hearken to
their judges, . . . they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the
commandments of the Lord; but they did not so." (Judges 2:17).

What a testimony is borne to Samuel. ". . . there is in this city a man of God, and he is an
honorable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass:now let us go thither; peradventure he can
shew us our way that we should go." (I Sam. 9:6).

Listen to his message, "For the Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake:
because it hath pleased the Lord to make you His people. Moreover, as for me, God forbid that
I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you:but I will teach you the good and the right
way:Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart:for consider how great things
He hath done for you." (I Sam. 12:22-24).

"Yet Thou in Thy manifold mercies forsook them not in the wilderness:the pillar of the cloud
departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way, neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew
them light and the way wherein they should go." (Neh. 9:19). May it ever be for each one of us
to pray to God, saying, "cause me to know the way wherein I should walk. . . ." (Ps. 143:8).
And, "Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God. . ." (Ps. 143:10). And, "Thine ears shall
hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand,
and when ye turn to the left." (Isa. 30:21).

"Of course! you will, sooner or later," most men will answer.

"I DO NOT KNOW," is the answer which most Bible students ought to give.

Of believers, it is only those who have a special revelation that they will die, as Peter had had
(John 21:19, H Peter 1:14), and Paul (H Tim. 3:6), who are justified in saying, "certainly I shall
die." Peter could say so, for the Lord Jesus had promised to him in particular the martyr’s crown;
Paul knew the same of himself. But I am only an ordinary Christian, and I do not pretend to be
either a Peter of a Paul, and I do not either pretend to have had any revelations direct from the
Lord Himself to me about my own private self in particular. Therefore, I am obliged to be
satisfied with the general light which God, in His word, gives to His family as such,_that clear
and broad light which shines upon the people of Christ as such.

I am thus obliged to be satisfied with such words as these, "As it is appointed unto men [man as
a sinner? not (as often wrongly quoted), unto all men] once to die, but after this the judgment;"
(Heb. 9:27) So far we read of what awaits man in fallen nature:death and the judgment.

Then comes what is true of the believer only:"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of
many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto
salvation." (Heb. 9:28).

AS mere man is a sinner, and as such is appointed to death and judgment:

SO the believer (every believer) had all the penalty due to his sins borne by Christ. He looks for
Him_ "unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

Again (I Thess. 1:9), "ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, and to wait
for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from
the wrath to come."

Again (I Cor. 15:51), "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed."

Again (I Thess. 4:15), "This we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive,
and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord
Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God:and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall
be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:and so shall we ever
be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

Again John (in the Revelation 1:7) says, "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and (chap. 3:11, the
Lord says to John, and to us too,) Behold, I come quickly; and (in chap. 22:7,12) Behold, I come
quickly; and ver. 20, when the Spirit and the Bride (ver. 17) invite Him to come_ "The Spirit and
the Bride say, Come."

He answers, "Surely I come quickly. Amen." To which John replies, "Even so, come, Lord
Jesus."

These Scriptures and many others show:first, that the path of the believer, as laid down in
Scripture, leads the mind, not down to the grave, but up to meet the Lord at His coming; and
secondly, that the believers in apostolic days did look up that bright and shining way to the Lord
returning as their hope, even as it becomes those "whose conversation is in heaven, from whence
also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ". (Phil. 3:20).

Thus did they, as I, having no special communication of my death,_act up to the word of the two
in white apparel, who stood looking up steadfastly toward heaven (where a cloud had received
Jesus from their sight):"Why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken
up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven."
(Acts 1:10,11).

Being myself only one of the flock_nor a bell bearer, nor a shepherd_the prospect of the flock
is my prospect, no more or less. Special communication to myself, as an individual, as to what
ought to be looked for by myself in particular_have l none_so I must content myself with the
hope set before all Christians, and seek to be like unto one that waits for his Lord from heaven,
"who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according
to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things to Himself" (Phil. 3:21).

It must be so, the Lord has not yet fulfilled the promise which he gave to poor self-confident Peter
(see John 13:38, and 14:1,3).

"Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow,
till thou hast denied me thrice."

"Let not your heart be troubled:ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are
many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a plate for you, and if
I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am,
there ye may be also." Yes! such is our hope_"that when Christ, who is our life, shall appear,
then shall ye also appear with Him in glory". (Col. 3:4).

Some one may say, If these things are so in the Scriptures, how come the religious people of our
day do not see them?

To this I answer that the Pentecostal Christians were by faith and through the Holy Ghost occupied
with the ascended Lord who, having by His death cleared them of all guilt, was in heaven caring
for all their heavenly and spiritual interests, and about to come again that He might receive them
unto Himself.

Few of the religious now-a-days know even what the value of His death and resurrection is to
them; they therefore cannot study His glory in heaven; and they do not long for His return, or
even wish to do so.

It may be said, "Are you alone right" and "every one else wrong?" I reply, "Thank God I am not
alone in this; but if I were alone, I would be alone in truth rather than with a multitude in error."

But are you sure you are right? Of this I am sure _first, that God’s word is with me; and
secondly, that God will not suffer those that prayerfully search His word, and lean not to their
own understanding, to err in their faith and hope.

Certainly Christ in His coming, and not death, was the hope of the early Christians. Certainly,

too, it is written at the end of the Revelation (and it cheers my heart to read it for others’ sake as
well as for my own), "The Spirit and the Bride say, Come."

"Surely I come quickly. Amen." "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."