(2 Tim. 3:16.)

(Continued from page 19.)

(3) We pass on now to a third in breathing as we repeat, "Every Scripture is God-breathed." Thus in the Holy Scriptures we have God's words, His thoughts, His mind, His will, His purposes, all breathed out from God; thus we have verbal inspiration in the fullest sense, in striking contrast to all other writings.

EXAMPLES

We have remarkable examples of this mode of communicating the mind of God at different times. We will give a few of them here:

(1) Moses:to the first Old Testament writer we turn first and learn God's mode of communicating His mind and will. "The Lord said unto him, I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say" (Exod. 4:11-15). This is the introduction to the deliverance cf that nation out of Egypt and from slavery. God intervened and became their Saviour. He raised up Moses to lead them out, and the very words he was to say to them were given to Moses. He was not left to his poor human memory or abilities. God spoke, Moses heard, and delivered to them the words of God which he received. Both Pharaoh and Israel heard the God-spoken words to them. To Israel it was a message of mercy and salvation; to Pharaoh a message of judgment.

(2) David:the sweet psalmist of Israel said, "The Spirit of the Lord spake by me and His word was in my tongue" (2 Sam. 23:2, 3). These verses are a remarkable text. With these in mind we should read the Psalms in which we get the very words of God.

(3) After David had died the Holy Spirit by another penman, wrote; "Moreover David and the captains of his host separated to the service, of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun who should prophesy with harps…. All these were the sons of Heman in the words of God.. according to the king's order" (1 Chron. 25:1, 5,6). Thus we can read the Psalms and study their prophetic character, for they were to "prophesy with harps." These prophetic Scriptures unfold the sufferings of Christ and the glories that were to follow. They also describe the sufferings of His people during the time of His rejection by the world. They also point forward to the glories they shall enter into at His second coming. If the critics and modernists of our day, who have such difficulties with many Psalms, would but study them on their bended knees, what vast stores of wealth they would discover instead of criticizing them!

(4) Isaiah:We next look at the writings of the salvation prophet, and find added confirmation concerning inspiration. In the wide expanse of his prophecies we read such words as, "Thus saith the Lord;" "The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw;" and, "The mouth of the Lord has spoken it" (chaps. 1:1, 20; 2:1).

We have already seen that God used the prophets to deliver His Word; now we learn that the communications were directly from the mouth of Jehovah Himself. This expression in Isaiah and elsewhere is akin to that in the New Testament by Paul-"All Scripture is God-breathed."

(1)"The mouth of the Lord has spoken it"(chap. 1:20).

(2) "The mouth of the Lord has spoken it" (chap. 40:5).

(3) "The word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness" (chap. 45:23).

(4) "I have declared the former things from the beginning, and they went forth out of my mouth…. and they came to pass" (chap. 48:3).

(5) "So shall be my word that goeth forth out of my mouth" (chap. 55:11).

(6) "For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it" (chap. 58:14).

(7) "Which the mouth of the Lord shall name" (chap. 62:2).

In all these verses we see how assured the prophet was as to whence his message came. Isaiah says, "The mouth of the Lord has spoken." Paul says, "All Scripture is God-breathed." And, further, mark the great themes in Isaiah's prophecies, many being fulfilled hundreds of years after they were given, and some yet to be fulfilled. He prophesies concerning our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1) His deity (chaps. 35:4; 40:9-12).

(2) His virgin birth (chaps. 7:14; 9:6).

(3) His lowly life on earth (chap. 53:2,3).

(4) His death, in sacrifice for sin (chap. 53:5,10).

(5) His burial (chap. 53:9).

(6) His resurrection (chap. 53:10).

(7) His future millennial glory (chap. 32:1, 2).

(5) Jeremiah:"The weeping prophet," says, "The Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words into thy mouth" (Jer. 1:9). This tender-hearted prophet wept over the unbelief and sins of his people as if they were his own; and by him Jehovah sent message after message to them in words of His own choice. With this in mind, study the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations. In chap. 36:4-32 the faithful message written by Jeremiah was refused by the people and their king, who cut it with a pen-knife and consigned it to the fire, but God repeats the truth on another scroll, and a copy was securely preserved as a witness of how His word shall be fulfilled. And how often has God's word been refused since! Knife and pen and fire have been used to obliterate the whole testimony of God to man; but while "heaven and earth shall pass away His words shall not pass away." "The Scriptures cannot be broken."

And shall man dictate to God or deny Him His divine right to address Himself to His creatures, or to His own redeemed people, making known to them His mind and will, whether in mercy, love, righteousness, or stern justice? Shall man dictate to Him the mode or manner in which He is pleased to communicate His will and His truth, whether by human lips or pen as a channel of His revelation?

(6) Paul:In the New Testament, God's mode of communication was the same as in the Old. The Apostle claimed what the prophets before him claimed, the verbal and plenary inspiration of his writings. We will quote but one passage, "When ye received the Word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe" (1 Thess. 2:13). When our modern preachers select a text from the Pauline epistles, let them take such verses and expound them to their hearers. Thus, whether in the Old or New Testaments, the reverent student of the Book beholds the verbal inspiration of a "God-breathed" Book. A. E. Booth

(Concluded in next number.)

It is a cheer to know that the monthly meeting for prayer for the Lord's work in the foreign field is an established fact in a number of gatherings, and we trust it will become the general custom among us. The regular weekly prayer meeting is devoted, once in each month, to this work. Thus without multiplying meetings, a regular season for study of the field and prayer for the workers, is insured. The nature of the meeting is very simple. Letters and information as to the field are read, and this is followed by prayers for the various interests and needs. While the letters read may come from various places, yet it is practicable to have one special country before the meeting at each time. Items of interest as to the nature of the country, its inhabitants and customs, can be gathered and read. In this connection we would call attention to the concise but illuminating articles now appearing in this magazine. Last month it was France which was before us. Next month we hope to have Spain and Portugal. Our beloved brother expects in this way to furnish brief articles on all the lands where our brethren are laboring, and give in general a panorama of the whole field, together with accounts of the Lord's work intrusted to us. Accounts will not be confined to our own laborers, though these will naturally be prominent in our prayers, but all who are carrying the good news to distant lands will be before us for our prayers and interest. May the Lord lead as to all this, and give His blessing.

Numbers of interesting letters have been received, which we insert as far as space permits.

20 Quai de la Barre, Tonneins, France. Dear Brother in Christ:- Jan. 8th, 1926.

Our Brother Le Garrec is back in Brittany; he finds some encouragement, but meets also with opposition. Where our brother labors is rather "hard ground;" the people are very ignorant and have fallen into many sinful ways. Last year we were with him for some days and we went around in the towns and villages, and were able to get an idea of what it was to preach the Gospel there. However, the Lord was gracious in leading us to find some few who believed in Him as their Saviour, and these, as they are in the midst of strong R. C. people, need to be visited and to be fed with the Word. No one else has ever gone there but Mr. Le Garrec, and as he was formerly the priest he is well known and is able to bear a testimony to Christ and to the truth. May he be encouraged to serve our Lord there as it is a very large and needy field.

In our sphere the Lord has encouraged and is encouraging us much. During the past year He has given us many opportunities to serve Him in many places and in many ways. The work has abounded in such a way that our hands have been more than full, and we have not been and are not able to enter all the open doors that were and are before us.

There is a great need for many fitted laborers. We can only lift up our hearts to Him who is able to feed the multitudes and meet every need.

We were glad to learn that the "France and Work" was enjoyed; what you said encouraged us much to continue to send it out; with love to you and to all,

Aff'ly yours in Him,

Louis J. Germain.

Our beloved brother Le Garrec has printed a most excellent summary of Gospel truth, which is well calculated to excite the interest and awaken the conscience of the reader. It is, of course, in French, very clearly, faithfully and sweetly presenting this great salvation and the wonderful Saviour. It is especially to be commended because of the faithful words as to the witness to be borne by the believer, in a life of love and holiness. We add a translation of a recent letter of our brother.

Quiberon, France. My dear Brother:- Jan. 14,1926.

Again I am happy for the opportunity which the Lord gives me to greet affectionately the brothers and sisters of the assembly of God in Philadelphia.

I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their gift, an encouragement from the Lord for me to work in this vast Breton field where the devil reigns completely.

It would be necessary to write a whole book if I wished to tell of my experiences among my old companions.

How much we ought, my dear Brother, to give thanks to the Lord for having rescued us from that sad state of misery and sin where all is darkness and for having brought us into His marvelous light into which we should like to see enter all the poor souls who are perishing.

God willing, I expect to go to-morrow to Lorient where I hope to hold some meetings. It is one of the largest cities of Morbihan. I place my confidence in the Lord (Ps. 11:5). And I beg all my friends of the gathering in Philadelphia [when offering homage to Him], to remember us before the Giver of all good, our well beloved Saviour for whom we wait.

To you who are in Him, my dear Brother

F. Le Garrec.

Let us remember specially the beloved brother in China, whose letter follows.

Taitowying, China.

Beloved brother in Christ:- Nov. 30,1925.

As concerning His protection in times of danger the Lord has shown Himself strong on behalf of those that put their trust in Him.

For two months now the natives have been fighting again. Last week they were only 20 miles from us. There are many deserters from the army going around looting and robbing people. Day before yesterday some of the boys went into villages to preach and distribute tracts. They were met by 3 of those outlaw soldiers, who took one of my blankets from them and threatened to take the mule also. The boys came home in a hurry, and so I went with some of the local soldiers who disarmed the outlaws. I brought them to Chapel, and after them came a mob of some 500 men. I preached to them all and fed the outlaws and let them go. The things that they have taken were given to their owners. They were grateful to me for their lives. For I suggested they should not be shot according to Chinese law. Yesterday some 200 outlaws came to the town and the merchants had to raise $1900 for them to escape looting. God only knows what there is ahead of us. For there are said to be several thousands of deserting soldiers going around and looting merchants. Of course I have God's never failing promises and so am in perfect peace. Psalm 34:7; 91:1-16. But the poor natives are in darkness and in danger. Psalm 43:3. Kindly continue to remember us in your prayers. With my thanks and love to all in Christ Jesus,

Affectionately in Christ,

Chas. O. Kautto.

We welcome the following letter from our brother Gross, in Western Africa, not only for its interest, but as the first we have been privileged to have from him.

Dear brother:-

Akwatcha, Nigeria, Oct. 6th, 1925.

It might be of interest to the saints to know that on September the 9th, I started off on a journey of over 150 miles to preach the gospel and was gone until the 25th of September, in which time I stopped and preached at 43 villages reaching over 1000 adults. Though this seems but a few people for so many villages, yet many of these people were hearing the gospel for the first time. The present time is a very poor one as most of the people are working on their farms. It is quite possible that the total population of the country I traveled through would be as much as 20,000. When we take into consideration that one out of every twenty heard, one can easily see how the message of salvation could be passed on.

In this journey I preached to the Igalas the Bassa Gas, the Bassa Komos, and the Egbilas. The Igalas are rather a small tribe some say 50,000 while others say 100,000. It is quite possible that they are or were once part of the Yoruba Tribe which is a very large tribe on the Western Side of the Niger River and extending south very near to Lagos.

At a place called Odugbo, I had rather an interesting time. I was completely out of the Igala country and so I preached though my boy (he understanding Igala) to a mixed audience and he translated in Bassa Ga another translator translating in Bassa Komo while a third translated in Egbila. There were about 80 people present and after I had finished, the Bassa Komo chief replied through the interpreter that he thanked me for coming and speaking to his people and telling them that God did not want their sacrifices because God himself had provided a sacrifice even the sacrifice of His Son and that anyone believing in His Son should not perish but have everlasting life. He concluded by saying that he had never heard this before.

It is encouraging to hear such things, for if men can understand the message after it has been interpreted into another language, then the Igalas can understand the gospel message as we speak to them direct.

In this land, one finds the same reception for the gospel as in the homeland; some receive the word with gladness whilst some seek to belittle the message.

While I was up in the Bassa Ga country, I preached to the people through one of my boys who is a Bassa Ga, and in preaching to the people I was told more than once that my words were the same as the other white man. They referred to the Church Missionary Society man who is an Episcopalian, so I sought to show them by their own way of seeing things, that even as in a native court the evidence is declared to be the truth when it is at the mouth of two witnesses, so our testimony was the same because it was from the word of God and it was the truth and since it was the truth that they had better not lightly pass up the preaching of the gospel, for that since they had heard before, their responsibility was greater.

On October 12th I expect to begin another journey through the Agatu country, where I will find both Agatus and Igalas. I am expecting to travel about 175 miles and preach to those who have never heard. I would value your intercession in behalf of those who shall hear that the words of life might be the means of many passing out of death into life.

We continue in good health for which we are thankful. I don't know if you have heard or not that the Lord has blessed us with a little daughter Naomi Hannah born at the Lokoja Hospital May 3rd.

With Christian love and greetings to the brethren, Yours in our Lord Jesus Christ,

Malcolm L. Gross.

The following is of tender interest, as showing how, when our dear young sister laid down her work, with her life, another was led to offer herself to carry on the Master's work.

Westcott Mission, Inkongo, via Lusambo, Congo Beige-Dear brother:- Nov. 26,1925.

Thank you for your letter. I was so pleased to hear from one who knew and loved Mercy, and much appreciate your kindly interest. It was with deep sympathy for her people and for those she worked amongst out here, that I heard at the New Year's meetings in Edinburgh, Mercy had passed away. And when prayer was made for someone to take her place I felt very definitely led to offer

For some time I had been exercised about doing definite work for the Lord. My own work seemed to take all my time and energy, and so little was done for Him who has done so much for me.

With Christian love, yours aff'ly in Him,

Annie Thomas.

A Message from Heaven. We add the following deeply affecting message from our dear young sister, with the prayer that it may find a place in all our hearts.

Baka Mbule. Dear Friends:- Feb. 17,1924.

I have had a great longing to speak to you for sometime, and to-night I want to write a few lines to you before going to bed. I have been thinking of how much little things count in our lives.

Years ago when quite young I read a book called "Things as they Are." And in it the one who wrote it, told of the sorrow, and suffering among those who were in India who did not know Christ. The writer loved the people she was speaking of, and it meant so much to her, that I never ceased to think of that book, and of those who were away from the sound of the gospel, at least in some measure.

Many years after I heard two servants of God at the close of a general meeting in Pottstown speak of the books of Mr. Bellett, C. H. M., and others, in such a way, that I knew they really loved the books they spoke of. It made me want to read them too, and it was those few words that gave me to know those books later, just little things, but how much they have meant in my life.

In a letter we had recently from Mr. Wilson, he told us of a teacher, who had been taken as a boy from his village and sent to work on a big road the State is making. He knew nothing about God, but one day he saw some natives sit down to eat, but before eating they closed their eyes and said something. He asked them about it, and they told him they were thanking God for their food. This was a little thing but it started him thinking. Later a bunch of bananas was stolen, and the white man from whom they were stolen said, I do not know who took them but God saw him. That made him think more, and when the time was up, he went where he could learn more about God, and is now serving Him. Little things! but sometimes little things mean a whole life lost or won. You may have heard of the actress who on her way to the theater one night heard some children singing-"Depth of mercy can it be ? Mercy still reserved for me ? " And after having them sing it once for her, went on her way. But instead of singing what was expected of her that night, she sang a verse of the hymn instead, and then hurried home to seek mercy from God. A few words, a book, a giving of thanks, and who knows what may come of it. And even if no one here knows; still, if in what we do we seek to honor God's dear Son, surely we will have no regrets.

And what of you? In the places you go, in the books you read, in the things you do, and say, how are you speaking to others? Do those you see know you love God's Son? Do they know you belong to Jesus? If not, I do beg that you will stop and ask yourself, if love so abundant does not deserve our love, and if we will not wish we had been all for Him, when we see His blessed face and see those hands and feet nail-pierced for us. And one more thing, if you have trusted the Lord Jesus, do seek for time to be alone with Him.

I have three little girls, and as they are my children, I naturally like to have them with me when possible. The eldest, Katingi, never comes to me unless she wants to ask for something, or when I send specially for her. Mabuki comes sometimes just to be with me, and sometimes comes at night, and wants to sleep in my room, and is never in a hurry. Ngee comes too once in a while, and always when she is sick or in trouble, and she likes to sit on my lap and talk or just be loved. And my heart likes to have them come and know their joys and sorrows, and have their love.

How like our God and Father. He longs to have our love, and to have us come to Him, and to have us sit in His Presence. Seeing such love as this should draw out our love for Him. May you seek to honor Him in the little things, and to count all things here but nothing, that you may tell others of this love. And God will help you.

With love in Christ,

Mercy McCandless.

"Surely I know it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before Him"-Eccles. 8:12.

Letters for this department will be thankfully received, and returned when used.-S. R.

(Continued from page 122.)

New birth, with all its blessed relationships-the endearment and the nearness to the Father's heart and to every one that bears the marks of it-has been little understood, and often misapprehended. Some sign of exercise or conviction about sin has been placed at times as a substitute for it. This degrades new birth, and deceives the person. We read in Scripture, as God's order, "Repent ye, and believe the gospel." It is guilty sinners who are to repent, and repenting sinners who are to believe the gospel. Again, "Repentance and remission of sins." It is evident that repentance is not remission of sins, but prepares for it. "Repent, and be converted." Repentance, therefore, is not conversion, but precedes it. Again, "Repentance unto life." Repentance is not from life possessed, but "unto life" needed. Again, "Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Here is a clear distinction between repentance and faith. "Repentance," to use the words of another, "is the soul's view of self, confessed to God; faith, the soul's view of Christ." Once more, "Repentance unto salvation." In all these quotations from Scripture, the order is always the same.

"Repent!" is the preacher's trumpet-call to careless, sinful men-not his message to anxious inquirers. Christ came "not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance," and "there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth."

This responsibility which God has laid upon all men, upon sinners, has been sadly overlooked by two classes:First, those who are Indifferent as to the value of immortal souls (oh, that we were everywhere stirred from this sloth and slumber!)Second, those who shape everything by schools of doctrine and preconceived ideas. For instance, when man's responsibility is presented, it is often opposed by, "But you wouldn't ask sinners, dead in trespasses and sins, to repent, would you?"We readily answer, Decidedly we should, and warn them of the fearful danger in which they are; for "God commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent." Death (the state of the unconverted) does not mean that they are not living, responsible creatures. It does not mean that they are mummies. No! They are active in sin, though dead in their affections toward God. We are increasingly impressed with the thought that many do not seek enough to break up the fallow ground with God's loud call to men on account of their sins, and in view of their eternal doom. Death here means moral separation from God-the condition into which Adam fell and in which all are now by natural birth. Hence, as the child grows, it is as natural for it to do what is wrong as it is for water to run down. "Dead in sins" is separation from God, as physical death is separation of the soul from the body, for "the body without the spirit is dead." The lake of fire is declared to be "the second death"-separation from God forever. In no case can death be interpreted to mean the extinction of man or his responsibility. Death is not a state of irresponsibility, wherever applied. It is a separation in the relations which had existed.

Now here is where the evangelist is called to press God's claims upon sinful man-himself being a subject of grace, one who has been delivered from the pit. Awful indeed are the realities of eternity for the lost! With this before him, and the sense of the value of precious souls, he goes to sinners filled with compassionate love, and with the glory of God in the salvation of men upon his heart. His preaching may vary according as the need calls. At one time he declares, "God is light," and all that it means for men; at another, he declares that "God is love," and what that means for them. At one moment he uses the plow to prepare the soil; at another, he unfolds the gospel, telling of God's love and righteousness bound up in that gospel. In every case the object in view is to reach the conscience and heart of men, in order to win them for the Lord:if careless, to reach their conscience and lead to conviction and repentance; if under conviction, to show them the way of life and salvation.

Let us look, as the apostle did, for "works meet for repentance" in those who profess conversion. That is the evidence and sign that the conscience has been reached, that sin has been judged, and the proof of a new life received. A mother once said to me that all her boys were the Lord's. I asked what were her reasons for thinking so. She answered, "They all say they believe." "But," I continued, "have you discerned any exercise about their sins?" "Why-no," she answered. I then said, children may learn as parrots to say, "I believe." Let us not be deceived about such a vital question. The devils believe, and tremble; but they do not repent and believe. Let parents, teachers, Christian workers, one and all, make sure of a thorough work in people's souls about the issues of eternity!

"Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish," said our Lord when here on earth. This, we grant, is deeper in some than in others. By some the sense of sin is more keenly felt, and more fully judged before God. With others there may not be the same apprehension, and hence not the same depth; but we insist that the fact itself must be there. Where the fallow ground has not been broken up there may be profession; but, like the stony-ground hearers, they will wither away, because there is no root (Luke 8). In the 8th of Acts Simon affords us a serious lesson in this respect. Three things are said of him:First, "himself believed;" second, "was baptized;" third, "continued with Philip;" but what follows shows us how far the man's heart was from God. Peter faithfully said to him, "Thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness… if perhaps the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee." His sinful condition is exposed. The need of repentance is pressed, that forgiveness might be looked for.

John the Baptist, the man who so powerfully brought men's consciences into God's presence, preached repentance. His ministry preceded that of the Lord, as a necessary work to prepare men's hearts for the Saviour whose characteristic ministry was the glad tidings, which is "the power of God unto salvation."

We verily believe we are in the time when God is giving His last call to those in Christendom who have been so long privileged with light. His word to the profession in general is the same as His words to Sardis, "Repent" (Rev. 3). The coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and the parable of the ten virgins is given us as a solemn warning. The first love of many Christians has departed; and the Lord, who is ever true, says, "Repent, and do the first works" (Rev. 2). When Christians are thus in the freshness and power of God's truth, the Spirit will fill our hearts, and we will go forth with His message 'of loving warning and of grace to our fellow-men. The Lord's words in Mark 1, "Repent ye, and believe the gospel," will be the burden of our message to the world. "Feed my sheep. . .Feed my lambs," will urge upon us a loving pastoral care over those saved by His grace. Are we ready for this? Are we self-judged? Are we ready to say, "Here am I, Lord; send me?" Then the hatefulness of sin will deepen; self-judgment will become characteristic of the whole life; the indwelling Spirit will unfold through the Word the beauties and perfections of Christ, and His graces will be manifested in our daily life. A. E. Booth

(Col. 2.)

(Continued from p. 225.)

In chapter one the prominent feature is the preeminence of Christ. In the second chapter it is the fulness of Christ, in the compass of which all Christian blessing and the highest wisdom are found.

Verses 1-3 comprehensively state the apostle's desire and prayer for the saints. Then follow three warnings (vers. 4, 8,16). In connection with each of them he brings out some special aspect of the sufficiency of Christ to the exclusion of all other fancied means of attaining to higher wisdom and perfection of religious life.

The apostle's toil and combat on behalf of the saints which had in view "the end" spoken of in ch. 1:28, was a striking testimony to his own deep conviction that in knowing Christ man entered into the fullest, highest wisdom and greatest blessing. Hence, he desired them to know he had such conflict on their behalf, and that he was not seeking or striving for fuller knowledge or revelation which, even in the apostle's day, some vainly claimed to possess. To such views-a mixture of Judaism and Gnostic mysticism-he makes specific reference a little later. The leaven already at work spread rapidly after the apostolic age; but the Spirit of God, who foreknew these developments of "systematized error" (Eph. 4:14), provided for their complete refutation in the Word which He led Paul to complete (Col. 1:25). By faithful ministry, ceaseless labor, and constant prayer, the apostle's one aim was to lead the Lord's people into knowing and enjoying the unsearchable riches of Christ-He in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily.

Do we feel the urge of his example as thus we consider his untiring devotion to the teaching of "the full knowledge of God?"-never giving place to any other system, no matter what its pretensions. Is this urge ours-to search diligently the divine Word, to meditate therein? The Holy Spirit, who works in us now, would more mightily do so, if it were more earnestly desired, along with obedience to God's will. How far do Christians get beyond treating Scripture as a book of texts-however precious in themselves-to find it a living Book, like an organism in which every member, small or great, fills its place, contributes its part for the blessing of the whole? The Book is instinct with the life of Him whose word it is; it nourishes the soul, making it fruitful to God when perused with reverence and heart exercise. What a Book it is! God's Book-our priceless possession-"the Holy Scriptures."

Laodicea is mentioned in this epistle. It seems as though its teaching was specially needed there as well as at Colosse. This we can understand if those conditions had begun which the Lord rebuked in His message to that assembly about 30 years later (Rev. 3:14-22).

The apostle now states the object sought through the combat of which he has spoken.

First, that they may be encouraged-not the thought of being comforted, so much as being braced, made strong to withstand, and having done all to stand. This is more on the individual side. Then the corporate aspect, which in good measure is the result of the former being realized -"united together in love." The same word used here occurs in Eph. 4:16, and is rendered "compacted," giving the idea of solidity. This word is also used for proving (Acts 9:22), and instruction (1 Cor. 2:16) by putting together so as to infer or conclude. This helps to make clear how the being united together is accomplished. It will be in the measure that we are individually encouraged, and contribute our quota of ministry to the good of the whole as being joints of supply, each of us ever seeking to do that which is to general edification, not acting merely to please ourselves. Thus it is "in love"- love that is exercised according to the spirit and instruction of Phil. 2; it is the precious fruit produced in those who are led by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-26). In this sphere "of love" the unity is practically realized.

And it is united together "unto the riches of the full assurance of understanding," and also "to the full knowledge of the mystery of God." We are united together as entering into what is spoken of here; it constitutes the staple of that instruction and ministry by which we are practically united.

The word "understanding" used here suggests the thought of "a bringing together of the mind with an object." Is not the object in this case given us in the next statement of our chapter-"To the full knowledge of the mystery of God?" Our understanding is not merely to have knowledge of certain facts, but of their mutual relations, and thus we enter upon the riches of which the apostle speaks, "The full knowledge of the mystery of God."

These riches of grace and glory must be entered into by the saints if there is to be a uniting together in love according to the mind of God as made known through Paul. In fact we may say that the history of the Church in its divided state, its departure from the truth, its worldly character, is because of turning away from Paul. In the midst of this ruin, and in these last days, God has mercifully revived the truth concerning Christ and the Church, and with it clearer knowledge of many other truths revealed in the Word, so that we have an understanding of their mutual relations in "the all-various wisdom of God, according to the purpose of the ages, which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Eph. 3:10,11). May we increasingly know how rightly to use these sacred things to the furtherance of that uniting together of the saints in love, that they may be found holding fast the truth, and walking in the truth. John Bloore

(To be continued, D. V.)

A group of angry men-not of the rabble, but dignified Rabbis-are standing in the Temple court in earnest discussion of some important subject; it stirs them even to the dreadful act of stoning a violator of their law, they say. Passionate anger is seen on their faces. Some stand boldly erect, some are stooping, and some have raised stones which they hold in both hands. Opposite stands One, the object of their hate, whose "visage was marred more than any man." There He stands unmoved before them, with eyes full of love.

That is the picture we gather from what is found in the tenth chapter of John's Gospel.

But why did the Jews take up stones to stone such a Man? In a word, it was because He made a claim- never seriously made by any other man in this world- the claim of Deity! Not merely the claim of divinity as many in a limited sense have claimed. These very Jews claimed this for themselves, in that they were children of Abraham, and children of God, but they denied this Divine claim that Jesus made, and because of this "they took up stones to stone Him."

There are those who charge them with bigotry, and make an easy admission of the divinity of Christ. They say, "He was divine and so are we;" or, "We do not deny that He was the Son of God, but we say that all men are the sons of God." But that was just the position of these Jews. "We have one Father," they said, "even God." If Jesus had claimed no more than that, they would never have taken up stones to stone Him. But they well understood that He took a place which no serious and honest man, who was no more than a man, could ever dare to do.

In discussions as to Himself Jesus had said, "Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it and was glad." In reply the Jews said, "Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast Thou seen Abraham?" Jesus said, "Before Abraham was I am"-not "I was," but "I AM," which means that He claimed pre-existence, and self-subsistence. It means that though Abraham had been dead 1,500 years, Jesus was existing before Abraham was born; and not only so, but it means that His existence was neither derived nor attained. The title "I AM" implies this, for that was the thought communicated by Jehovah, when at the bush He, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, said to Moses, "Go, tell them that I AM sent thee." This August title-occurring several times in the Old Testament, and reserved exclusively to express the self-subsistence of the eternal, living God- Jesus claimed as His own; and when He appropriated it "the Jews took up stones to stone Him."

Again, after healing the impotent man (John, ch. 5) Jesus said, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." "Then the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He said God was His Father, making Himself equal with God;" thus showing in what exceptional sense they understood His words.

Again, Jesus said, "I and My Father are one." Then "the Jews took up stones again to stone Him." But He said, "Many good works have I showed you of my Father; for which of these do ye stone Me?" And they replied, "For a good work we stone Thee not, but for blasphemy, and because that Thou, being a man, makest Thyself God."

Without a doubt, then, Jesus claimed Deity, with all the dignities of pre-existence and self-subsistence- equality with the Father and all that is meant by that unfathomable word, "GOD."
Nothing can be more clear and definite than that He actually claimed this. Men may say that the claim was unjustified, but no one can deny that the claim was made by the Man Christ Jesus, and that the Jews understood exactly what the words implied.

Of course, some impeach the record; but that is merely asking us to transfer our faith from the Scriptures to the man who impeaches the record. It is asking us to transfer our faith from the Christ of history and experience to an imaginary Christ. There is no other Christ titan the Christ of this Book, and "the Jews took up stones to stone Him."

They could only do one other thing. They were bound by their law to do one of two things. It was not a matter to be treated with indifference. Their law said, "Thou shall worship the Lord thy God." "Thou shalt," not "Thou mayest." Their law also said, "He that blasphemeth the Name of the Lord shall surely be put to death." "The congregation shall certainly stone him." So when Jesus made His amazing claim, the Jews could not but either worship Him, or put Him to death. They did not believe that Jesus was God incarnate, and acting consistently with their view, "they took up stones to stone Him."

Was He a blasphemer, or was He God manifested in flesh? Was He the greatest impostor or the incarnate Deity? This is the vital question, and everything depends upon it. Either no words are too precious for His worship, or no words are too severe for His condemnation. Common sense, as well as the Jewish law, demands that He be either worshiped or stoned. The Jews "took up stones to stone Him."

One of the most remarkable features in the Gospels is the absence of comment by the narrators of the history. They do not, in passing, express their views on the issues raised; but when they have stated their facts their work is done. Harmonizing them with other facts is never considered, explanations are out of the question. They are, moreover, silent as to their own feelings, even at the tragedy of Calvary. They simply give their testimony as witnesses, and retire. Let others judge-you and I must do so for ourselves, my reader-every intelligent soul must.

Look at them again:The stones are in their hands, and there stands that lonely, unarmed, unprotected Man! "They took up stones to stone Him"-Why did they not do it?

When Marshal Ney stood before the firing line, the command to fire rang out, and he fell dead. When the headsman raised his axe above the head of Charles the First, the deed was done. When Czar Alexander rode through his capital, every precaution and every defense failed to protect him from the Nihilist's bomb.

But Jesus, when He was marked down for death, had no bodyguard. He never resisted; was unprotected by any human agency, and "the Jews took up stones to stone Him!"

I ask again, "Why did they not do it?" Were they afraid? Afraid of that solitary Man? Did they fear the legal consequences? No, the law was on their side, and they stoned Stephen a few months later with impunity. Religious enthusiasm has never paused when martyrs were ready to die.

Then why did these Jews not stone Jesus? There is only one answer to the question-because they could not. It is easy to take up stones, but impossible to-stone the Son of God. His claim was proved by the impotence of his assailants.

The life of Jesus was often threatened, but it was never in jeopardy; this fact is often overlooked as an evidence of His Deity. Herod and his men of war went out against the Babe of Bethlehem, but they could not kill Him in the massacre of the innocents. Satan took Jesus up to the Holy City, and set Him on a pinnacle of the Temple, and then said, "Cast Thyself down." Why did not Satan do it? The Tempter was permitted to take Him up to the pinnacle, but he had no power to cast Him down, much as he wished to destroy Him.

Jesus went into the synagogue at Nazareth, and all wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out of His mouth as He said, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." But some said, "Is not this Joseph's Son?" A subtle insinuation which He answered by a parable that set the whole company ablaze, and they rose up and thrust Him out of the synagogue, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong. Well, why did they not do it? Numbers were certainly in their favor. Yet He passed through their midst and so went away! Truly marvelous, when there was a precipice on one side and a multitude on the other pressing Him over!

Another time, the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to take Jesus. Yet the officers, armed with power and authority, went back to the chief priests without Him. They were asked, "Why have ye not brought Him?" Mark their answer, "Never man spake like this Man!" They were sent to arrest Him, and some of them, the record says, would have taken Him. Yet no man laid hands on Him. Again I say, Truly marvelous! Was ever the impotence of law and authority so emphatically demonstrated?

Twice in this chapter (John, ch. 7) we are told that legal authority sought to take Jesus, yet no man laid hands on Him, for the reason that "His hour was not yet come."

There are about fourteen references to attempts on the life of the Lord Jesus in John's Gospel alone; and yet He sat daily in the Temple teaching, but no man laid hands on Him. The only conclusion is that though they sought to kill Him because He claimed to be God, they could not do so because He was God. Their failure proved the truth of His claim. His Deity thus becomes the supreme test of Christianity.

Then, in accord with this, prophecy must be fulfilled. From the very beginning "the woman's Seed" had been announced to crush the serpent's head (Gen. 3:IS), so "a virgin" was to bring forth a Son whose name was to be IMMANUEL (God with us, Isa. 7:14).

Not a bone of Him should be broken, though He was to be led as a lamb to the slaughter, and though His grave was by men appointed to be "with the wicked," the prophet had declared He would be "with the rich in His death" (Isa. 53:7,9).

The Jews would have stoned Him to death as the law's mode of capital punishment, but He must be "lifted up" as the brazen serpent in the wilderness as Himself declared, thus suspended upon the cross as the Object for every sinner's contemplation, "that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:15).

Eternal issues are thus enwrapped in this question,

"WHOM SAY YE THAT I AM"?

Reader, with whom do you stand?-with them that take up stones to stone Him, or with them that worship at His feet, saying with Thomas, "My Lord and my God?" F. W. Pitt (abridged).

Why fill our days with feverish care and strain,
With ceaseless stress of mind and hand and heart,
That we in this brief life may do our part?
In weariness of body and of brain,
Finding but meed of failure and of pain.
So through the years we constant fret and smart,
Lest without sheaves at length we should depart,
And our dear Lord's "Well done" should not attain.

'Tis not by our own striving or our strength
That we will be the conquerors in the strife:
We'll find the secret of victorious life
When looking from ourselves to HIM, at length,
And calm within while storms without are rife,
In quietness and confidence find strength,

R. R. P

No, not my will
I could not trust it, Lord;
I've learned that it would lead me e'er astray,
And I have also learned that it is best
For Thee, for me, to let Thee have Thy way.

H. McD

The great world-war has been regarded by many as the birth-throes of a new era, which will ultimately be characterized by a world-wide diffusion of equity and peace, of which the League of Nations was hopefully hailed as the laudable first-fruits.

Like various other cherished hopes, however, disillusionment has largely come as to this also. So far from realizing the sanguine expectations placed upon it, conditions have developed in both civil and religious spheres which savor neither of equity nor of peace. Distrust, rather, and unrest among nations have arisen, and in the religious sphere there has been a wide-spread and fearful betrayal of truth by many who professed the Christian faith. An inordinate passion for wealth too is ever increasing, and an insatiable thirst for pleasure characterizes the masses. These are the general conditions, while grosser and sinister forms of evil cast an ominous shadow over the "civilized" world today.

Various cults too, with teachings subversive of Christianity are at work, as we know-openly anti-Christian, some, and quasi-Christian, others-by which the great adversary of truth, Satan, more successfully deludes and misleads the unestablished, by undermining the authority of the divine revelation in many over whom it had hitherto exercised a measure of control of conscience and conduct.

There are thus abundant signs that the Church has reached that stage of her history characterized as the "perilous times" of "the last days"-none more palpable than this sad fact, that many in high positions who have been accredited as servants of Christ are now in the forefront of those who practically deny the faith, while retaining a form of godliness, and assail the true glory of Him who gave Himself for their redemption!

In view of the demoralizing trend of the times, many confess that the only hope for the world lies in a moral and spiritual uplift, or recovery. And the cry is for confederated effort for the promotion of righteousness- in the individual and corporate life, in civic and national government. In furtherance of this movement, the message from many pulpits to-day, instead of "the preaching of the cross," is the inculcation of "higher ideals" as to the individual life and the duties of citizenship, with a view to a social and moral uplift, and to regenerate a world which, refusing to obey the gospel, is fast ripening for judgment. Alas, in much that appeals to the un-scriptural mind, we may discern the delusive cunning of the enemy! If, as Scripture assures us, Satan's emissaries are transformed into ministers of righteousness – not ministers of grace, be it noted, nor of "the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ"-is it not significant that the preaching of morality and legal righteousness-in other words, a travesty of the truth known as "modernized Christianity," with a view of "the betterment of the world," is insidiously supplanting the gospel of "the grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men?"

Note how, with serpent wisdom, this correlates with the traditional, though unscriptural, view of "the betterment of the world," held by many well-meaning people who still cherish the hope of inaugurating the Kingdom of God by such means-resulting in a nominal "Christian world!"

There is much to enlist the sympathies and to grieve the heart in these efforts to combat the abounding evil. To further good government commends itself to every upright mind; but eternal issues are infinitely more than temporal ones, and God's remedy for a guilty world, and for sinful creatures, lies not in reformation but in regeneration; and as born anew, and partaker of the heavenly calling, the Christian's citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20-conversation rightly rendered is "citizenship"). The mission of the Church in relation to the world, therefore, is to witness for the still-rejected Lord while awaiting His coming again, to proclaim His free and full salvation, and to warn of His coming judgment on "the world that lieth in the wicked one" (1 John 5:19).

The Christian can best associate himself in sympathy with the cause of righteousness and good government in the world, by obedience to the injunctions of Scripture- "holding forth the word of life," being "subject to the powers that be," and "lifting holy hands to God" in prayers and intercessions "for all that are in authority… and for all men."

Thank God, His Kingdom is coming!-but not through the discordant agencies operating in Christendom to-day. Our Lord's prophetic utterance, "When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" negatives the unscriptural idea that the world will embrace the Christian faith and be brought under the sway of righteousness prior to the Lord's return. On the contrary, ere the Sun of Righteousness arises to usher in the Millennium, the darkness of apostasy and idolatry "shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people;" and ere Jehovah's Anointed shall establish peace over the world He shall first "be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel" (2 Thess. 2:7,8). Then shall the earth have its jubilee!

He who entered in with the blood shall come forth as the antetypal Melchisedek:"first, King of Righteousness, and after that King of Peace;" as King of Righteousness subduing all enemies, purging out all that offends, and establishing His kingdom in power. Then as King of Peace bestow on Israel and the nations all the blessings and glories of His millennial reign. Man's day, with its sad and unrelieved record of sin and misrule, will be brought to an end with divine judgments, culminating at Armageddon. The rightful Heir and Lord shall then take the scepter of world-wide dominion, bring the errant earth into harmony with the divine will according to the forecast of the prophet:"The work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever."

Meantime, while in long-suffering grace He still tarries, may the Lord deepen in the hearts of all His own, in these days of weakness and defection, the earnest purpose to do His will in all patience and steadfastness, in separation to His holy and blessed Name, and from every form of evil. W. L. G.

In God's School. "The Law was our schoolmaster, till Christ." That is a reference to the pedagogue, or child-leader, who conducted the child from his house to the school. It must not be thought that we are free from school, because we are free from the law. For that, grace which bringeth salvation teacheth us. We are only truly in God's school when brought to Christ. And what a Teacher He is! It is not condemnation, not the harsh rebuke of One who is ready to mark the slightest slip from perfection, but rather the welcome and comfort of perfect love.

"Even when He chideth Tender is His tone."

And yet what lessons He teaches! Lessons of infinite purity, of unsullied holiness, a holiness that detects not only the glaring blemishes that the world might see, but is "a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

"Who teacheth like Him?" (Job 36:22). First He gives rest and peace to the conscience:"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). This is the first thing He gives, not a distant goal to be attained, but "peace by the blood of His cross," and "therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). Will the recipient prove worthy? Will he hold out to the end? Such would be the questions of human reserve; all blessing would be made contingent upon subsequent faithfulness. This would rob us of the very rest which divine love bestows – "I will give you rest." Blessed be His name, He does not fail.

But next He adds, "Take my yoke upon you and learn-of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls." He gives us rest, and then calls us into His school where the Teacher imparts the blessed sense of what He Himself is, and what He will impart to us. He lays His yoke upon us.-Is it heavy? The world might think so. Paul in prison with his feet in the stocks seems to be bearing a heavy yoke-in the mob at Ephesus-beaten by the Jews-floating on a piece of broken ship-or "driven up and down in Adria" for fourteen days- it surely might seem a heavy yoke; but he says, "None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy." No, it is a light and easy yoke, for love fills the heart, and "the love of Christ constrained! us." He teaches us by laying the yoke of His service on our hearts. "I am meek and lowly in heart." Oh, to be like our Lord! "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.'' Blessed lesson; perfect Teacher of love and grace, producing holiness, love and likeness to Himself! "Who teacheth like Him?"

"I have learned" (Phil. 4:11). Paul is not yet a graduate from the Lord's school; he will never be that this side of glory-"Not as though I had already attained." In a very real sense we shall never graduate.

"We want Thee here each hour of need, Shall want Thee too in glory."

But Paul had learned this lesson, that self, circumstances, joy or sorrow, were not to come between his soul and the Lord. Christ was his all. What a lesson! No wonder he adds, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Can we say, "I have learned"? Oh, beloved brethren, nothing can take the place of this. Intellectual grasp of truth, ability to present it eloquently and forcibly, untiring activity in service-these cannot, must not displace the blessed Teacher and His wondrous lesson, "Learn of Me." "Who teacheth like Him?" "That which I see not teach Thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do no more" (Job 34:32). Here is the peaceable fruit of being in the school of God. Things which once had power over us-the world with its allurements, the flesh with its desires, Satan with his subtle wiles-these things are seen in their true light, and we learn to do folly no more. "I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace unto His people and to His saints:but let them not turn again to folly" (Ps. 85:8).

Lord, we are dull scholars, slow and wayward learners in Thy school, but we would know in practical experience the blessedness of that word, "Who teacheth like Him?"

The broken snare. "Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the hand of the fowlers:the snare is broken, and we are escaped" (Ps. 124:7). What a pitiful sight is a poor bird captured in a snare! Its vain struggles but render it more helpless, but then a strong kind hand breaks the snare! See the poor straggler soar aloft in freedom! Hear its song of joy! And oh, what joy fills the heart of the child of God who has been ensnared, when the Lord sets him free! "The snare is broken, and we are escaped." "I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid…. and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin… Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance" (Ps. 32).

May we know in fuller measure the emancipating power of our blessed Lord.

Prayer. We must not overlook the place which Paul gave to prayer. "We cease not to make mention of you in our prayers." "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." These and frequent scriptures shows how the beloved apostle labored fervently for the saints in prayer. Similarly, he yearned for their prayers. "Brethren, pray for us," "Withal praying also for us." We need for ourselves the quieting, strengthening effects of secret prayer, and others need our intercessions. We little realize the benefits we thus bring to many an individual and to companies of the Lord's people. May we give ourselves increasingly unto prayer.

A soldier of the Salvation Army entering a public house was addressed by some one thus:"You are a Salvation Army soldier, I see; but where are your arms?"-"Do you wish to see them?" answered the Salvationist. "Yes," said the man:"That's what I want."

The Salvationist drew out a little hymn-book from his pocket and sang a few stanzas. "This is my first weapon," he said. Then taking out a New Testament he read a few appropriate passages, and said, "This is my next weapon. But our third weapon is a powerful one," and the Salvationist dropped on his knees and prayed for his questioner. The result was that the man who had sought to make mirth at the expense of our friend became himself a soldier of Jesus Christ whom he called "My Saviour!"

(Col. 1:24, 25.)

(Continued from page 135.)

In verse 23 the apostle stated that he had become a minister of the glad tidings.

"Now," as speaking of his circumstances, in the midst of imprisonment and sufferings, he rejoiced. The thought is not that he rejoiced in sufferings (as when it is said, "Rejoice in the Lord") but that he rejoiced while enduring the sufferings which fell to his lot as the minister, or servant, of the glad tidings. Thus he exemplified his own words to Timothy:"Suffer evil along with the glad tidings, according to the power of God" (2 Tim. 1:8).* *Quotations are from the New Translation.*

This rejoicing of the apostle was an inward, spiritual delight, giving strength to endure unto "all long-suffering with joy." It was a strengthening by the Holy Spirit's ministry to endure suffering according to the power of God. This helps us to understand what he meant when writing to the Philippians, "I have learnt in those circumstances in which I am, to be satisfied in myself" (ch. 4:11). And again, "I have strength for all things in Him that gives me power" (ver. 13). The might of God's glory is displayed in Christ's resurrection and enthronement, and the Holy Spirit engages us with the meaning of it for the believer. Thus power is given and strength found for all things, affording that inward spiritual satisfaction which does not make us content with circumstances, but content in the midst of them.

The apostle goes on to speak of the relation these sufferings bore to Christ and His Body, which is the assembly. The scope of thought here is very wide; it reaches beyond its personal application to Paul. He speaks in the present tense, "I am filling up"-as being still in progress. In this, as in much else, we are called to be his imitators, since we are, as he was, of the Body, and in our measure servants of the glad tidings. He, being preeminent in the Body, as our pattern could say, "What ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, these things do" (Phil. 4:9). Compare 2 Cor. 6:1-10 and 11:23-33. Thus all are to take their part in this filling up of that which, is behind of the tribulations of Christ. It is different in regard to that spoken of in verse 25 of our chapter. There the "/" is emphatic, and by contrast with the former statement denotes his unique place according to the dispensation of God given him "to complete the Word of God."

These afflictions or tribulations of Christ of course have no reference to His atoning sufferings. The latter are never denoted by the word (thlipsis) here used. The tribulations are spoken of here as "behind" in the sense that they follow those already endured by Christ among men. And while these may be considered in relation to His place as Servant in Israel (for He "became a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises of the fathers"-Rom. 15:8), the tribulations which come after, and are being filled up by others, are of the same character, being instigated by the same evil spirit; only after Pentecost they were connected with the Church instead of Israel. In a distinctive way Paul was the minister of the Assembly; but as already remarked, we, his fellow-servants, are to take our part in the filling up of these tribulations.

It is not Billing up as if there was any lack or deficiency in what Christ endured, but as a continuance of these sufferings, thus fulfilling the Lord's own words in John 15:17-21; 16:1-4. Compare 1 Thess. l:6; 2:14-16; 3:1-4; 2 Thess. 1. 4; Heb. 10:33; Rev. 1:9.

Again, these sufferings may be considered as connected with Christ in glory, as He said to Paul at the time of his conversion. Paul was then largely contributing to the tribulations endured by members of Christ upon earth. The Lord says, "Why dost thou persecute Me?.. .1 am Jesus, whom thou persecutest"(Acts 9:4, 5). Thus Paul received the knowledge of the living link between the Head in glory and His members on earth, who formed "His Body, which is the assembly."

These tribulations are considered to be for, in behalf of, the Body. Having the blessing of the saints in view, Paul could say, through both his tribulation and ministry, "Remaining in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes; and having confidence of this, I know that I shall remain and abide along with you all for your progress and joy in faith" (Phil. 1:24-26).

In the light of what we have considered, let us give place in our thoughts to what the Assembly is in God's mind, as revealed in Paul's ministry. Though we are amid the ruins of its outward manifestation, owing to the miserable failure of those to whom this ministry was committed-ourselves amongst them-let us remember it remains the House of God, to which we should seek to give present expression, walking in the light of its truth:though, as in Paul's day, we shall find there is a present filling up of the tribulations of Christ in our flesh, for His Body's sake, which is the Assembly.

Can that "mystery" – the revelation of which completed the Word of God-ever fail to be of commanding importance to us? Or, since known, ever cease to put us under a supreme obligation to walk and serve according to its truth? Should we not ever seek to shape all our activities in accordance with it, so that the world may even now see, in the measure possible, a practical expression, in us individually and as companies gathered on the truth of the Body of Christ, of what God's mind is for His people, who form His ekklesia, His called-out company? The current of the times is against standing fast in this, so that if there is not resistance to these worldly influences there will be neglect in maintaining God's establishment, both as to fellowship and service. May faithfulness and love combine with a revival of the truth in all our hearts, speeding our feet in every effort that can be consistently made to help God's people and spread the glad tidings. John Bloore

When our sky seems all o'er-clouded,
And our path beset with care,
And the heart o'erfraught with sorrow
Seeming more than we can bear,
And we kneel and lay our burden
At His feet in wordless prayer,
He will give relief and succor,
If we only-leave it there.

Calendar:July 16th to August

DAILY BIBLE READING:……..July 16th, Malachi 2; July 31st, Matt. 13; August 15th, Matt. 28. MEMORY WORK:………….1 Thessalonians, chap.4.
GOOD READING ……. "Eight Lectures on Prophecy."

Daily Reading

Again we are in the New Testament-the complete Word of God, where "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are unfolded," where the Holy Spirit has not only given the inspired pages to fill our minds with "the unsearchable riches of Christ," but is Himself present to apply these truths to heart and conscience, and thus to conform us to the image of God's own Son. Are we grateful for this divine Book? Let us not forget to add "thanksgiving" to our prayers for daily blessing to one another as we read these holy pages.

I have a suggestion to make regarding this present reading of the New Testament. It will involve the use of a little note book, which will help our memories. As we read through Matthew, let us fix the contents of each chapter in our memories, so that at the completion of the Gospel, we will be able to give a full summary of the whole. This of course does not mean the memorizing of any verses, but just to have the synopsis of each chapter clearly in mind. Thus:chapter 1.-The Genealogy of our Lord (vers. 1-17); the birth of the Lord Jesus (vers. 18-25). When you have the contents clearly in your mind, so that you can repeat them, together with the number of the verses, then write it out in your note book. You might call that book, "New Testament Outlines." Let's see how many will do this. A little five cent note book is all that is necessary, and a few minutes daily will give you something you will be very thankful for as you go on.

Memory Work

We are still at 1 Thess. Chap 4 is especially valuable, as it contains that great "classic" on the Lord's coming, vers. 13-18. When persons say the truth of this "blessed hope" is too deep for them, it is well to remind them that in this first of all the Epistles of Paul he gives the full clear and precious statement. May we not only recite the passage perfectly, but respond in our inmost hearts to the precious "comfort" it affords. A dear brother writes, "I wandered about, seeking to satisfy my desires, but the Lord strove with me and conquered me, and put in my heart the desire to know Him. Now my great desire is to know Him better, and please Him, and I trust that He will continue to give me the blessed fellowship of His saints. It is precious to know that He must be coming for us very soon."

Good Reading

Just a line to say that, judging from the silence, there is not much interest in good reading. I can't believe this, and don't think we should give it up. So please let me have your thoughts.

I spoke last time about the foundation, or corner stone for your library, and in thinking over what books I would advise you to get, in the building up process, it has occurred to me to ask for your thoughts. And I believe I will first ask if you will not send me a list of the books you already have. You know it is our great aim to make Y. B. D. a cooperative affair. Don't hesitate because you have so few books. If you have one, let me know what it is, and in this way you will be surprised how many suggestions we will give one another.

Vacation Time

June is in many ways the loveliest month of the year, and it has been my happy privilege to be having meetings in a most beautiful part of the country, where luxuriant crops, numberless roses and other flowers abound. But the most beautiful "crop" is the great number of bright happy young people, who have been attending the meetings in great numbers. Some of these are still in High School, or just finished this summer. Others are at the other side of the school line, and are just getting ready for the sober but most happy duties of married life. It is a great cheer to meet so many, and to know that down in their hearts has been put the seal of the Holy Spirit, because they have believed on the blessed Son of God.

What shall we do with our vacation? is perhaps the question in the minds of most of these young people. I am very glad you are going to have a vacation. It is needed by us all. What will you do with it? Some are going to the sea shore to enjoy the delightful surf bathing; others will go to the mountains, with their grand scenery and refreshing air, long walks and drives. A good many have planned to be at the Montrose Vacation Conference, where I hope to meet you, and where I trust we are going to have a helpful, happy time. For the time see the cover of this magazine.

But wherever we spend our vacation I want to wish you the best of enjoyment, and a home-coming with renewed vigor and strength to take up the work in the school, the office, or the store, wherever you may belong.

Perhaps some of you may say with a sigh, "No, I am not going anywhere, but just stay at home." Well, isn't it good to have a home to stay at? And, after all, you can have a first class vacation just at home. You can rest a good deal, change your routine, visit more, and in one way and another find the time slips by very happily. This is specially the case when you try to make others happy. "Do something for somebody," is a great remedy for the blues.

But I started out with the thought of giving a few little hints as to spending the time in vacation. Of course "Bible first" applies here as well as all the rest of the year. I am so glad we don't have to take a vacation from daily Bible reading and study. That would be a punishment instead of a recreation; wouldn't it?

Then "open air" suggests a lot of special opportunities to do a little for the Lord, a tract here and there, a visit or two to some "shut in;" maybe to go on the "firing line" with the brethren who are preaching on the street. Many a brother has made his first "plunge," in speaking on a street corner. May the Lord bless you in all the work of your hands.

Now I am going to ask you to get ready to send me a little letter after your vacation is over, called "How I spent my vacation." I want to get-I was going to give a number, but instead I will say, a letter from a great many of you. Please don't disappoint me.

The Question Box

Ans to Ques. 6.-As to the "twelve" in 1 Cor. 15:6, and "eleven" in Mark 16:14 and Luke 24:33.

"Mark 16:14 and Luke 24:33 give the actual account of the Lord's appearance to His disciples and therefore only includes those actually present. (Thomas was not present on the first occasion but was on the second.) 1 Cor. 15:6 speaks of the divinely chosen witnesses of the Lord's resurrection, and these were to stand in the complete number according to God's plans and purposes. Acts 1:22 makes it very plain that the one appointed in Judas' place was to be a witness with the eleven of His resurrection, so he is mentioned in 1 Cor. 15, as if already chosen."

Ques. 7.-"The Lord Jesus bore witness to the baptism of John, through His disciples carrying on the same baptism. This baptism is spoken of in Acts 19:4 as the 'baptism of repentance,' which pointed those receiving it to the Lord Jesus Christ who came 'to take away the sin of the world.' He was the sin-bearer, not the witness to the sin-bearer. John said (John 1:30), 'That He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water?' It was God's purpose that He should have a forerunner to thus point Him out, and it would not have been in order for Him to use the same sign to manifest Himself."

Ques. 8.-" 'He that believeth on Him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already' (John 3:18). It is believing, or not believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, which determines whether a soul is saved or lost. Baptism is unto Christ's death (Rom. 6:3), so that by baptism (taking our place in death- acknowledging His death as our due) we openly acknowledge the just judgment of God on our sins, but we have been freed from it by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. The figure (baptism) implies the acceptance of the reality, and that must be by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."

Ques. 9.-"The twelfth apostle is undoubtedly the one chosen in Acts 1:22, who was to be a witness with the others and is associated with them as taking the place of Judas. Paul is the special apostle to the Church, the Bride of Christ, and may thus be connected with the city as a whole."-e. w. b.

Correspondence

59th meeting. Total present, 24.

Opened with singing of hymns and prayer.

Discussion on Mark 16:16.

Baptism seemed to be the outward recognition of entering the kingdom; also an outward sign of separating from Judaism and idolatry. It was a responsibility, as Acts 2:38 shows. Last part of verse is, "He that dis-believeth (or, believeth not) shall be condemned." Baptism not included there. "He that believeth and is baptized"-that was the Lord's desire-baptism, and taken for granted those that trusted in Him would immediately fulfil His desire. Baptism not essential for salvation- the "Verily, verily," of John 5:24, and all Scripture is opposed to that. The dying thief of Luke 23 would be a good example of that fact.

Where do the Catholics get the idea of purgatory, and what Scripture have we to offset that?

Purgatory means "to purify." Catholics only admit two things about it-that there is one, and that souls detained there are helped by prayer. Following scriptures are what they base it on:1 Pet. 3:18-20, especially 19th verse; Rev. 6:10; Eph. 4:8,9.

Luke 16th chapter shows the rich man had no hope of being purified in hades. What an insult to God it is even to suggest that a man has to be sanctified after death, when here, in His word, it says, "It is finished." Compare Hebrew 10:14,15; Rom. 1:16.

1 Cor. 4:1-5 discussed:Works are judged, but they themselves (believers) suffer loss if not serving Christ here. It is lost time-as when one comes to a chasm in a journey and has to go miles out of the way in order to get to other side-that is lost time on their journey. So with us, as Christians-if not redeeming time it is lost time. We will cast our crowns at His feet, it is true, but how nice it would be to be able to cast much before Him. We cannot work for the Lord if we have grieved the Spirit, as He does not lead then.

"Deeds of merit, as we thought them,
He will show us were but sin,
Little acts we had forgotten,
He will tell us were for Him."

Eccles. 7:2. Eccles. is a book which gives account of human experience, as chs. 1:13 and 3:20 show. Solomon is telling what is in his heart. In Prov. he is walking with God and would not say many things he speaks of in Eccles.

Heart mellowed by sorrow. Heb. 12:11-"those exercised thereby." Sorrow yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Jesus was the Man of Sorrows. Sorrow always brings us closer to Himself.

"THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY GHOST" (See Phil. 2:1; 2 Cor. 13:14.)

(Continued from p. 249.)

The fact that these are the only occasions in the Scriptures where the expression, "The fellowship of the Holy Ghost," occurs, by no means lessens its importance; it should rather lead the careful reader to enquire the special significance of its use where it occurs. It would seem that in both cases the apostle had in view those who were not keeping rank-not going on in a way he could commend.

At first this may seem strange, but it surely is significant that under the Spirit's guidance it is not found in the epistles written by the apostle to those assemblies where they were going on happily with nothing to correct.

The apostle appeals to the beloved Philippians in ch. 2:1, thus:"If there be any fellowship of the Spirit," and this was the basis of his desire for them. We know that the assembly in Philippi was in danger of disintegration, not through the evil work of the "enemies of the Cross of Christ," nor from the persecuting power of Imperial Rome, but that internal strife was doing its baneful work, and threatened to blight the testimony of this company in whom Paul had found so much joy.

At Corinth, where so much existed which caused the apostle deep sorrow of heart, they came behind in no gift, nor in knowledge, but sorely lacked in the grace and the holy ways of Christ. In the beginning of his first letter Paul expressed a desire that they should be "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor. 1:10). It has been pointed out that the word used here has in it the thought of setting a disjointed limb. This surely would be fitting in the connection in which it occurs, for dislocation had indeed taken place in the gathering. There was external unity, but internal strife, as a body dislocated, though not torn asunder.

Similarly, at the end of the second epistle, before the apostle utters his benediction he says in chap. 13:11, "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect." I understand that this exhortation might literally be rendered," Be fitted together as a mosaic." It was a needed word in connection with the conditions existing. Thus only would the saints in Corinth know "The fellowship of the Holy Ghost."

The unity of the Spirit of God may be kept in an external way; we may be perfectly correct in our ecclesiastical position, yet lack what the apostle desired for these saints, viz:"The fellowship of the Holy Ghost." Might we not profitably connect with this the happy condition existing among the early believers, when Saul the persecutor had, by the grace of Christ, been called and commissioned by the Lord, and henceforth, as Paul, builded what he had once ravished. Thus we read in Acts 9:31, "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea, Galilee and Samaria, and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied."

The "comfort of the Holy Spirit" can only be known as "fellowship of the Spirit" is enjoyed. Little wonder that those early saints were edified and multiplied. In like conditions there would be no barren and profitless meetings, but power and grace would result as in those days, others would be drawn to Christ and added to the company of His own. Alas! how often we mourn over the reverse, and instead of rejoicing in the number of the saints being multiplied, we sorrow at their dwindling or scattering.

May we not conclude that there is a lesson for us all in Paul's use of this expression? If the Spirit has formed an indissoluble bond, and we are exhorted to "keep the unity of the Spirit," surely in so doing we shall know the "Fellowship of the Holy Ghost." J. W. H. N.

(To be continued, D. V.)

"According as He has chosen us in Him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:having predestinated us (marked us out) unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of his will" (Eph. 1:4, 5).

What great thoughts of Christian blessedness are here! God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has blessed His own according to His good pleasure. Before the foundation of the world He had chosen them in Christ, marking them out for sonship to Himself. He would have them

DELIGHTING BEFORE HIM.

"Before Him" in holiness, in a nature answering to Himself, and in righteousness, blameless in His presence, "through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus." "To Himself" in joyous relationship as sons in His own home ere long, but now (by the Holy Spirit given to them) anticipating the gladness of that day.

Verse 3 is connected with the God of our Lord Jesus Christ; while verse 4 links our thoughts with the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the rather. Thus believers are seen in-righteousness before God, and in relationship with the Father.

When risen our Lord could say, "My Father and your Father, My God and your God"-Christ's place is now our place. It was His place eternally (see Prov. 8:30, 31); He was daily His Father's delight, "rejoicing always before Him," while His delights were "with the sons of men." And such were His delights in them that in due time He stooped to manhood, and accomplished that work suitability in the Father's house. Marvelous grace ! Glorious Saviour ! In the joy of the knowledge of our position, and portion, and privilege, we bow and worship, as we

SIT BEFORE HIM

In complete rest of heart, like David in the.7th chapter of 2d Samuel, when, instead of David building a house, for Jehovah, it is Jehovah who pledges Himself to build David a great house besides making his name great. Hearing this and rejoicing in it, David "went in and sat -before the Lord." His heart was filled with thanksgiving, and as he poured out his soul in praise he could ask nothing but that Jehovah would carry out the gracious and glorious pledges He had made. And should not we, with far richer and eternal blessings as our heritage, give our God and Father our heart's glad and constant adoration, as we sit under His shadow with great delight, and find His fruit sweet to our taste?

It is this which is expressed in the verse,

"I'm sitting in His presence,
The sunshine of His grace,
While with adoring fervor
His blessings I retrace.
It seems as if eternal days,
Would be too short to sound His praise."

Knowing Him in His great goodness, and that our standing is in His unqualified grace, we can gladly

WALK BEFORE HIM,

Our pathway should be trodden in the peace and joy of being under His holy and loving eye. And is not this true piety-ever to have the happy consciousness of His presence, the guidance of His wisdom and the support of His arm? He has said to the godly, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go:I will guide thee with mine eye" (or rather, "Mine eye shall be upon thee "). Thus controlled and cared for by the God of all grace we may press on in our pilgrim journey knowing that God's pleasure is in the pathway of His own and that, "The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord, and He delighteth in his way."

To Abraham He said:"I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect." The patriarch was to spend the time of his sojourning in the knowledge of the almightiness, the all-sufficiency, of his God, and he was called to answer to the revelation God had given of Himself in that name of power and might. He was to walk in faith counting on the care of Him who had called him. Forty years after this we hear Abraham say to his steward, "The Lord before whom I walk will send His angel with thee and prosper thy way." He had now proved that God was enough for every emergency and could rely upon Him for the journey his servant was to undertake. Let us cultivate the sense of the presence of God in our everyday life, and seek to live in that atmosphere in the pursuit of practical piety. Doing this we shall be free in spirit to

STAND BEFORE HIM

in readiness to serve. Ready to do the Master's will whatever that will may be; watching at His gate and waiting at the posts of His doors.

"Contented not to serve Thee much As to serve Thee perfectly."

So David's servants said, "Thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king may appoint."

This is the attitude which says with Isaiah, "Here am I; send me." This is the attitude for true service. And to those who are waiting before Him and ready to do His pleasure, whatever that pleasure may be, the Lord will make known His mind and will. Thus it was with Elijah, and, so it was that he could come forth at His bidding and say, "As the Lord God of Israel liveth before whom I stand, there shall be no rain." Testimony in faith and boldness marked the prophet and will mark all who stand "before the Lord."

Let it be our purpose to delight ourselves before Him continually, that we may have confidence, and serve Him with gladness day by day. Inglis Fleming

(Col. 2:8-10.)

(Continued from page 440.)

The apostle now warns the Colossians regarding the danger of being made a prey by false teachers. It is not simply that they might be despoiled, or suffer injury from which they could recover in good measure; but that if caught in the web of these evil teachings, the Colossians would become their prize, be held captive by them. It would mean the loss of their spiritual freedom, their precious liberty which is in Christ, resulting in bondage to what suits the world-dragged away as spoil by the enemy. The seriousness of this becomes plain in the light of verses 9 and 10.

The form of teaching here decried is called "Philosophy and vain deceit." Three characteristics are given. It is "according to the teaching of men," and "according to the elements of the world," and "not according to Christ." These are the features which make philosophy a "vain deceit"-empty and meaningless. How could it be otherwise when not of Christ, who is all that verses 9 and 10 state?

This term, "philosophy," occurs only here in the New Testament. It refers to the speculations so rife in the Judaeo-Greek schools of that period. According to their imaginations and reasonings, their teachers sought to fuse Jewish traditional teaching and the so-called Greek "wisdom" (some also introducing Oriental elements), all affected with such notions as the eternity of matter, its inherent evil, creation being the work of inferior and secondary beings, causing it to be remote from and hostile to God, whose Creatorhood was denied, but from whom various emanations took place, forming differing and graded orders of power, authority, and dominion. This systematized polytheism led to the worship of such principalities and powers according to esoteric ceremonies, magical arts, and knowledge which only the initiated possessed, accompanied with ascetic practices more or less strictly enjoined by their devotees.

As early as when Paul wrote this epistle, the truth's great enemy had begun his efforts to corrupt Christianity by grafting upon it such systems of vain speculation. These things have not ceased, though the garb in which they appear may be that of the twentieth century, for they are according to the elements of the intellectual and religious world-system which suits man in his present state. Let us beware of it.

Such philosophy is "according to the teaching of men." This defines its character, and sets up a standard of comparison. It is not of divine origin, not a revelation from God, but is solely of man's own reasonings and imaginations. It is the sum of his self-efforts to solve the many problems which arise for solution as he studies the realm of human life and the creation which surrounds him. This world-wisdom has not made God known (1 Cor. 1:19, 20). The wisest lose themselves in the labyrinth of their own speculations, never reaching a conclusion which satisfies heart and mind. The reason for this is in the source of such wisdom. It is not from above, but made up of the accumulated teachings of the worldly-wise, handed down from age to age.

If we trace the forms given to this worldly lore during the course of the centuries, we observe differences of dress and certain elements which relatively may be called indications of progress in human thought and achievement, but underneath all there is the same skeleton-structure of material and physical ideas to which the moral and spiritual are subordinated, resulting in God being pushed far into the background, mantling Him in darkness impenetrable to the creature, making Him a Being unknowable, toward whom the sense of creature-responsibility is seriously lessened or destroyed. On the other hand both celestial and mundane creatures are pushed forward into undue prominence, even perhaps deified, naturally leading to polytheism and idolatry, and to two very divergent forms of practice, either that of extreme asceticism (in which dishonor is done to the work of the Creator) or moral degradation in which human lust runs riot.

The second feature here mentioned is that philosophy is "according to the elements of the world." Here, the ideas of source and object combine to indicate its character, while in the former statement it is rather the idea of its accordance with or conformity to man in his fallen state. Its fitness or relation is entirely human, not divine-what is human, as away from God. The apostle here speaks, not simply of men, but of a great system called "the world," out of which this philosophy rises and with which it is in agreement. It is what characterizes and rules the system-its elements. There are here far-reaching implications to consider.

"The world" here cannot mean God's wonderful creation, concerning which Scripture furnishes us with divine philosophy, but is that world-system which in all its ramifications bears the stamp of man in his fallen state. This system puts God in the darkness. Scripture associates this system itself with darkness; while on the other hand it declares that God is light, and "in Him is no darkness at all." Not a single element of this world darkness is either in Him or has any relation to Him. Compare Eph. 2:1-3; 5:8,11; 6:12; Col. 1:13; Acts 26:18; Rom. 13:12; 2 Cor. 6:14; John 1:5; 3:19; 1 John 2:12; 5:19; and the passages which speak of the believer as of the light, in the light, and not of this world.

But though men are prominently the central figures of this world-system, they are not its rulers. There are spiritual world-rulers of this darkness. The system, with its moral and spiritual character (darkness, the opposite of God), has its origin from and is controlled by spiritual powers of wickedness in the heavenlies who through man's agency have given form and character to this world. Fallen, man became subject to these powers under Satan's leadership. The plan of these powers stands revealed in the world-system of which man in his present state is made the central figure. That plan, first disclosed in the garden of Eden, is that man should become as God through rejecting His word. Satan's plotted wickedness against God has sought realization by using the human race, seeking to associate it with himself in his desperate venture to trench upon the glory and supremacy of God. The broad outlines of this plan, "the mystery of iniquity," stand revealed in the light of the New Testament. Here we sound the depths of the source and object of that philosophy which is "not according to Christ."

We have spoken of this philosophy as suiting man in his present state, both intellectually and religiously, being the product of his self-effort, his reasonings and imaginations; but the implications we have considered lead us to think of spiritual powers at work behind the scene. No wonder philosophy nurtured under such influences utterly fails, and leaves men lost in the morass of their own conflicting ideas and opinions. God has decreed that it should be so, and it is His pleasure to save man by "the foolishness of the preaching" (1 Cor. 1:21)-the preaching of Christ by whom the sinner is brought back to God.
"Not according to Christ"-this at once sounds the knell of doom to such philosophy, and also calls faith to turn away the eye to view the glorious vista which breaks upon its vision as God's wisdom, His eternal purpose in Christ, as now revealed by the Holy Spirit in the writings of our apostle. How wonderful, how perfect, how satisfying the wisdom which is according to Christ, which is fitting to Him, which is in accordance with and in conformity to Him as the Center of God's vast universe of bliss!

With the eyes of the heart illuminated by the shining of God's glory in Christ, the believer gladly turns from

"The vastness of the agony of earth,
The vainness of its joys, the mockery
Of its best, the anguish of its worst,"

enshrined as all this is in the philosophy of which we have spoken.

Turning from the deceit of a world full of vanity and vexation of spirit, every longing and affection of spirit and soul may find its satisfaction in Christ in whom God's fulness dwells, and in whom we are complete, who is the Head over all principality and power. Touched by the quickening power of that unquenchable love of Christ, let us prayerfully and worshipfully meditate upon the blessed meaning our verses are intended to convey. John Bloore

(To be continued, D. V.)

A motto for the new year. It has been a custom with many to make New Year resolutions, with greater or less success in carrying them out. Of course for the unsaved there can be no value in this, save to show them the futility of attempting to do aught to fit themselves for God's holy presence. And we may even question the wisdom of God's children relying too much upon anything that savors in the least of "confidence in the flesh." It is right and desirable to learn lessons from past failures or present needs, and to seek to make practical progress; but we suggest a rule for all believers, which covers all details of the life. "In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to THIS RULE peace on them' (Gal. 6:15,16). The new creation is that to which every believer in Christ belongs. "If any man be in Christ, there is new creation" (2 Cor. S:17). Here the cross has set aside "our old man" (Rom. 6:6); here we are "risen with Christ" (Col. 3:1); here the Word of God is our food, and the Spirit a living, personal power for communion and walk. Let us then "walk in the Spirit," and according to this blessed Rule of the New Creation. "Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving"(Col. 4:2).Do we realize as we should the privilege and the responsibility of prayer? Not merely for ourselves, and certainly not chiefly for our earthly needs, but for the Church of God, its needs, its testimony and its service. The Apostles gave themselves "to prayer and the ministry of the Word" (Acts 6:4).Epaphras "labored fervently in prayer" for the saints (Col. 4:12). The apostle felt the need of the prayers of the saints- "Through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit" (Phil. 1:19). Sometimes we «are shocked or discouraged by some glaring failure in others, and instead of speaking of it to the Lord in prayer, we talk it over with one another, with the result that the discouragement is only increased. How much better it would be to spread all before the Lord in simple, persevering prayer. We will probably find many hindrances; as the old hymn says,

"What various hindrances we meet
In coming to the mercy seat;
But who that knows the power of prayer,
But wishes to be often there?"

S. R.

An old writer quaintly says:"As frankincense when it is put into the fire giveth the greater perfume; or as spice pounded and beaten smelleth the sweeter; as the earth when torn up with the plow becometh more fruitful; as the long vine branches pruned near to the stock yield finer and better grapes; and as linen, washed and wrung and beaten, is made fairer and whiter:even so the children of God receive great benefit through trials; for by it God washeth and scoureth, schooleth and nurtureth them, and makes them partakers of His holiness."

In the majority of our meeting-rooms the Sunday evening is devoted to the preaching of the gospel. Even where a series of such meetings is rare, it is seldom that the regular weekly preaching is discarded. Sometimes, however, even this is done, because the brethren consider they lack the "gift" to carry it on, and a Bible reading is substituted-care being taken to introduce gospel remarks should strangers attend. No doubt circumstances may sometimes justify this, especially if the brethren are isolated by distance; but this omission has occurred when the confessed lack could have been supplied.

At least one night out of seven for gospel preaching in our rooms is desirable-for the glory of God and the salvation of sinners. Besides, where this work is unnecessarily suspended the affections of God's people dry up, and the very meeting-room seems somewhat at variance with God's attitude toward the world.

Nor is it sufficient that the Word be regularly proclaimed; it should be done in such a way that one would gladly urge strangers to attend, confident that they would hear a good gospel. A sister relates overhearing a man remark to a woman with whom he was walking:',Do you see that hall with a bill-board by the door? Well, if you want to hear the pure gospel, go there!" This testimony should apply to all our meeting rooms.

It is a fact however that this testimony cannot always be given, and I have known brethren who, willing to attend personally, would not invite strangers because of the uncertain character of the preaching. But had these brethren faced this matter with God, it might have been remedied; for much of the unsatisfactory preaching in our rooms springs from a haphazard method of conducting it, so that whispering is sometimes heard in the audience as to who is going to speak. At other times there is even a pause for this one or that one to get to his feet.

There is a mistaken notion with some that it is the business of the brethren to conduct the preaching. Gospel preaching is the work of the Lord's servant, not the work of the saints. The latter ought to support him in every way and contribute what service they can, for some of them can do parts in the work better than he, even though they take no part in the preaching.

In the city where I lived forty years ago, one of the halls rented by the brethren could seat about five hundred people, and as they determined to secure interest by giving good gospel, a suitable brother was asked to "undertake this responsibility." Consequently he saw that men whom God had fitted for the work, were on hand, and sometimes large and interested audiences listened to the Word.

But a few years later when I got to know of this arrangement, I considered it a human interference with the liberty of the Spirit, and asked an older brother, "Who authorized the brethren to take this work out of the hands of the Lord and commit it to brother — ?" He replied by asking me, "How do you think this work ought to be done?""Well," I answered, "when we come together to break bread, we wait upon the Lord, and He guides us; why should not this be done at the gospel meeting?"But he pointed out that I was confounding things that differ; that at the breaking of bread the question of "gift" does not properly arise; that all are upon one level; that no brother takes charge; that the Lord in our midst must be looked to as Leader; that on such occasions a few sentences from a worshipful heart may be a touching evidence of the Lord's guidance, whereas a coherent but premeditated address from "a gifted brother" may indicate his failure to recognize Who is in charge. He then pointed out that in the gospel-meeting things are on a different basis; that the question of "gift" must be recognized, even if it be limited; that the Lord had so ordained. If the brethren desire the message to go forth in their hall, they will turn to those whom the Lord fits for this work, and seek with prayer to strengthen them in it. But the meeting held is not theirs, but his who preaches. And if such an one proves unsatisfactory the brethren will rescind their offer, and seek others to take up the work.

In this day, however, what we call "gift" is not always distinctive. A Charles Stanley is an evangelist; a William Kelly is a teacher; but there are brethren who preach a good gospel and do solid work among the saints who could not be described so simply. Let me illustrate. In our elaborate civilization we have skilled engineers, pattern-makers, carpenters, decorators, etc., whom we consider indispensable. But when a vessel founders and its passengers are cast ashore, these skilled persons are not indispensable in the altered circumstances. But if there is a "handy man" at hand, who can do some needed work, even roughly, what a "find" he is. But let this be noted:Although he is not a specialized mechanic, he does not make a failure of his work, and the cabin he erects is not blown down by the first storm that arises.

Similarly, the brother who preaches the gospel, even if not a distinctive evangelist, must have the ability to say what he means, and the conviction of what he says, and say it with a measure of unction. But rambling talks will empty the room, and give a wrong impression of the truth we hold dear. It is only right to add however, that where the measure of ability is small, if it be used with humility and devotedness to the Lord, the measure may be increased. Are we not told to desire earnestly the best gifts? But this excludes self-confidence, and begets dependence that will only move at the Lord's behest.

Of course the brethren, not the preacher, will judge of the preaching; but on the whole they welcome any indication of a helpful word. Mistakes may be made, but as a rule God's people judge correctly, and ultimately they always do.

A preacher once invited a young brother to share the meeting with him, and to speak as long as he had anything definite to say. He spoke for about ten minutes, and stopped suddenly. It was then surmised by a few that he could never, be a preacher; but the preacher thought it well that the young man stopped when he had expressed what was on his mind-which so few are willing to do. And his judgment was correct, for this young man became a true winner of souls.

A few years ago a brother who did a little preaching locally and acceptably, gave up his trade to devote all his energy to the gospel. His brethren thought, and said, he was going beyond his measure in the contemplated move. However he was decided, and departed to another region to proclaim the gospel-his brethren wisely leaving him to his Master. Not long after, this brother was in a small town where I worked, and the audiences which came to listen to his earnest message could not always find room, and many precious souls were being saved.

To sum up:If brethren would renounce haphazard methods for gospel-meetings; if they would remember that the preaching is the work of the Lord's servant; if they would ask a spiritually competent brother to see that preachers are on hand even if sometimes they may have to come a distance; if they would support the work in every way; if they would use care and kindness in judging, and take sufficient time; if they would leave room for variety; if their chief concern would be to discern whether the Lord is giving anything, and if they would show some warmth of heart when He grants it, the tone of our gospel meeting would be better.

[We shall be glad to receive further correspondence or articles on this important subject.-S. R.]

Calendar:May 16th to June 15th.

DAILY BIBLE READING:……….May 16th, Hosea 5; May 31st, Amos 3; June 15, Micah 3. MEMORY WORK:………… 1 Thessalonians, chap. 2.
GOOD READING:"Eight Lectures on Prophecy," 1st half.

Daily Reading

We are now reading the Minor Prophets. Those of you who have read the Notes on these books will be able to understand them more fully than if you had not done so. But for all of us there is abundance of treasure to be gained from the thoughtful and prayerful reading of the daily chapter. The variety is enhanced by the brevity of each book, while the absolute harmony that prevails throughout all is but a further illustration of the perfect inspiration of "all scripture."

Possibly some of our readers have not been following with us in this daily work. To such I would say, Begin today with the chapter where we are. Do not attempt to "catch up" back chapters, if you haven't the time.

Memory Work

Our present chapter is longer than the first, and if I can speak for others I think you will find this Epistle a little more difficult than some of the others. Let us try to memorize it without a blemish. Good Reading

The "Eight Lectures on Prophecy" are an excellent introduction to the larger book, "Plain Papers on Prophetic Subjects."I trust many will avail themselves of this

opportunity to become familiar with this excellent work.

Your Library

While I am on the subject of Good Reading, I would like to say a word about having books of your own. Of course many of you can use volumes which are in the house, belonging to your father or mother, but I do think it is very nice to have a little library of your own. You do not need to spend much money at a time, but once in a while it is very nice to add a volume to your shelf, and to see it growing gradually into two or more shelves. Of course this means that you should read your books, and not have them merely to look at.

Correspondence

I am thankful to say the letters are coming in, and I must share some of the good things with you-also as a possible incentive to others to let us hear from their Y. B. meetings.

They'll know that I have loved them
When they see Me face to face;
They'll know that I have loved them
When there My wounds they trace;
They'll know that I have loved them
When they behold the Lamb.
They'll never know how much they're loved
Till they're with Me where I am.

"Amen, even so, come, Lord Jesus."-Rev. 22:20.

Dear Mr. R.-As a group of Young People holding meetings, we are happy to have you back with us-you who got us started in these little gatherings where we all have learned much. May the Lord give you grace and strength to continue in this branch of His service and lead on many that are young in the faith.

I enclose a copy of notes-giving gist of meeting held on March 13th. Here are two questions which I was requested by the Class to forward to you, either to be published in Help and Food or answered personally by you. (The questions will be found in the Question Department.)

Here is the report of that meeting which I can't resist inserting, as it presents such an attractive "menu."

57th meeting Y. B. D. held at the Home of — Sat., March 13,1926, total number present 19.

Opened with singing of hymns and prayer.

Q.-What is the difference between sinful nature and sins committed, and what did Christ's death atone for? (DeV. to B. S.)

Discussion.-Sin in any shape or form, whether sinful nature or sins committed were all atoned for on the cross (B.). Would it be possible for a person to have a sinful nature and not see the fruit of it? (M.). 2 Cor. 5:17-old nature is still in us, though we have received a new nature when saved. We should reckon old nature in the place of death. "A child is born in sin and shapen in iniquity." If a child is taken home before coming to years of understanding it comes under the saving power of the blood, but I cannot see how atonement can be for old nature, for old nature is reckoned in the place of death, and anything atoned for we do not reckon in the place of death.

A child is purchased in the same way as anyone else, but as one comes to years of understanding there must be the personal exercise.

Heb. 10:9; John 6:40; Heb. 10:10; 12-14, "one sacrifice for sins" John 1:29. All our sins, past, present and future, as we trust in Christ, come under the power of that cleansing.

Q.-Explain Isa. 51:1 (DeV. to L. Le.).

What is the rock:One explanation might be that we . were in the quarry of nature, of sin, and then taken and hewn out, as Solomon obtained the stones for the temple and had them shaped, etc., so we, who are saved, were taken from the quarry and placed in the temple of the Lord.

It is a figurative speech, and the following verses explain the thought, I believe. God took Abraham from out of Ur of the Chaldees-he was by nature away from God.

Short Outlines.-John 5:24-Full thought of salvation:He that heareth, believeth, hath, shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life. He that heareth, believeth, hath, shall not, but is.

(Sermonettes to be continued next month.)

Notice, it is the 57th meeting of the Y. B. D.! Isn't that splendid! Notice too the business-like way everything is prepared. We have so many "stenogs" among our young folks that I think we might have a few more "secretaries" for these meetings.

And speaking of secretaries, I would call attention to what was said in last month's Y. B. D. about a line of service for some young brother or sister in looking after small orders for tracts and books, and things of that kind. This would be a real help in many places, and it could be made to fit in with the reports of Young Believers' meetings, and items of interest in the assembly. May the Lord stir up and raise up such helpers.

I have been profiting myself from such help from a brother and two sisters who have been taking dictation for me where I have been. It simplifies the matter of having stenographic help, and I hope to make further use of these nimble fingers and willing hearts-wherever the Lord may be sending me.

Here are some extracts from a very cheering letter I got from a dear young brother:"It is a great joy to me to know that the Lord has been pleased to make you to carry on the Y. B. D. again-not that I did not enjoy the Department before. May the Lord continue to bless you and to give you the needed strength for each duty.

"There are several things in the Y. B. D. which I wish to write about. You ask to know how we have succeeded in giving the Bible reading first place, and I might ask, How can we succeed otherwise? I will say, for the encouragement of others, that I do not find it at all hard since I set a certain time for it. I have been following the portion for daily Bible reading since Jan. 1925, and have made it a point to be up early enough to read this before breakfast. For the last six months I have had to get up at about 5 o'clock, so as to get my breakfast, and be at work at 7 o'clock. (It takes me over one hour to get to work.) The time I have set for my reading is, as soon as I have dressed. Now that I have formed the habit, it is not at all hard. [Good, my dear young brother. I hope to hear something similar from many others.]

"I have not been following the memory work given in this department, as I have been doing some memorizing with my Sunday-school Class. We are learning part of John's Gospel, and I am trying to encourage them in it, as I feel it is the best time of their life to store up the word of God in their hearts and minds. I have some difficulty in getting them to see the importance of learning a verse each day. I trust the Lord to give me the needed grace and wisdom to persist in this helpful exercise, and that He will help them also.

"I am very glad to see that you are considering a class in New Testament Greek, and if it is the Lord's will, I hope to avail myself of this opportunity. I have always thought that this subject would be too much "Greek" for me, but from what you say, it will be well worth the effort, even if I do not become a scholar, but just learn to see fresh beauties in the word of God. My time is somewhat limited, but I have been led to see a little of the value of setting a time for everything, and then living up to this. I have considered this matter before the Lord, and if the way seems open to start these lessons, I wish to be one of the scholars. [I am very glad of this, and have entered our brother's name on the tentative roll. Soon I hope we will have enough to begin.]"-E. W:B., St. Louis, Mo.

There is a good deal more of this most welcome letter, some of which will come out in the answers to Questions.

Budget your Time

The other day a dear brother suggested to me this Title for an article on the right use of the time we have for study. It struck me as a splendid subject, and I asked him to write the article. But he has not yet done so, and instead of writing one myself, I am going to ask some of our readers to write. How many will do this? Write clearly and concisely your thoughts, and experience, as to the best way to apportion your time. Our brother, in the letter quoted, has been giving us some of his thoughts. Here are the specifications:Length, not more than 200 words; "Make it snappy;" as far as possible, give your experience, or at least what you hope to make your experience.

I am hoping to get a good many of these little essays, which will appear in our department. Who will send in the first one?

The Question Box

Quite a few answers have come in and some new questions. There is still time to answer from the beginning, and always a welcome for fresh helpful questions.

Ques. 1.-"Why are we told in John 4:2, that our Lord did not baptize, and in John 3:22 it is said He did?"

Ques. 2.-"Have we any record beside 1 Cor. IS:6 of the 500 brethren who saw the Lord after His resurrection?

Answers.

Ques. 1.-"Personally our Lord did not baptize, but His disciples only."

Ques. 2.-"No, we have no other record, but we know the Lord had made an appointment to meet His disciples in Galilee."-E. J.
Ques. 1.-"It seems to me that the Lord at first continued the preaching of the kingdom (Matt. 4:17; Mark 1:14,15) and that He baptized men to repentance through His disciples, as seen in John 4:2 (not Himself actually doing it)… When men refused the Gospel of the Kingdom, the Lord preached and taught the love and grace of God in sending Him into the world."

Ques. 2.-I do not find any other place where the 500 brethren are mentioned. However in Luke 24:33-36 there are others present besides the eleven, and although the number is not given, they might have been those referred to.

Ques. 1.-"General statement in John 3:22, and lest any one should make a mistake it is explained in John 4:2."

These answers are quite satisfactory, but we will leave the question open for another month, in case others may write.

Here are some more questions:

Ques. 6.-"Why does it say in 1 Cor. 15:6 the Lord appeared to the twelve, and in Mark 16:14 and Luke 24:33 it says He appeared to the eleven?"

Ques. 7.-"Why didn't Jesus baptize?"

Ques. 8.-"Explain Mark 16:16."

Ques. 9.-"Rev. 21:14; who is the 12th apostle, Paul or one chosen by lot?"

A number of questions are waiting. So let us have answers as promptly as possible. And send in more questions. They are put on the "waiting list" and will appear in due time.

We desire to counsel with our brethren as to several matters of importance regarding the work in this department. The first of these is as to correspondence with those who are specially interested in work in the foreign field. Often letters of interest have been sent from abroad which would find a welcome place in these pages. We would be glad to have these, from which extracts could be made, and the letters returned when so desired. Similarly, items of interest, information as to the field, etc., would be cordially welcomed. Then some may have questions as to the work, which they desire to have answered. They may need information as to the Foreign Work, or they may have exercises of a more personal character as to their own path. This will suffice to show what we mean by proposed correspondence. Any suggestions bearing on the subject, any questions, are invited and can be sent to the address given below. We desire to have this department an efficient help to the saints, a channel of fellowship and communication. We hope that the increased interest will warrant an enlargement and, if necessary, a supplement to our periodical. We do not wish to enter hastily into anything new, and above all to avoid anything like coming between the Lord and His people. We trust that all will be in accord with the object of help and food, which is always on its cover-"To serve as a channel."

The other matter we wish to speak of is the setting aside a page of our paper for "Personal Items"-brief word as to the workers abroad, or as to others who may be contemplating going, and who have offered themselves for the work. We shall be glad of suggestions and contributions of items.

Address, Samuel Ridout, 1138 E. 7th St., Plainfield, N. J.

The following letters will be read with prayerful interest and thanksgiving. Let us be much in prayer for our dear sister, that she may be specially guided and fitted for whatever service the Lord has for her, and that the way may be opened for her according to His mind.

Detroit, Mich., June 7th, 1926.

Beloved Brethren:-The enclosed copies will be self-explanatory, but I am adding this note to ask if you will kindly give it whatever notice you may think wise, in Help and Food.

We will appreciate any advice you may be able to give as to the proper persons for Miss DeVries to correspond with relative to going out into the field.

We earnestly desire the fellowship of God's people in prayer for our young sister, that His leading and guiding may be unmistakable to her, and that as the way opens up for her, she may have the joy of serving Him until He comes. Accept our love in Christ.

Affectionately your brother in Him,

A. P. Severy.

Detroit, Mich., Oct. 11,1925.
To the Saints Gathered to the Name of the Lord,

Assembly Hall.

Dear Brethren:-For many years missionary work, and especially that in foreign fields, has had a special appeal to me. During the past two years God has taught me many lessons which have strengthened this interest.

Perhaps one of the first lessons was that I must be an empty vessel to be meet for His use. This was especially brought to my mind in the story of Gideon. Each man had an empty pitcher, which was broken upon command, revealing the light. I, as an earthen vessel, must be broken that the treasure might be manifest (2 Cor. 4:7). Having learned my weakness I learned to have rest and peace in Him.

"Sweetest rest and peace have filled us.
Sweeter praise than tongue can tell;
God is satisfied with Jesus,
We are satisfied as well."

I slowly learned that I was living as the hymn says, "Some of self and some of Thee." I was not that empty vessel. Then two verses seemed to ring in my mind; "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass" (Ps. 37:4, 5). These verses laid hold on me. Three weeks of my vacation a year ago and four weeks the past summer were spent as a learner at His feet, while, with His strength, I sought to teach the neglected children in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, of His love. These children have almost no opportunity of hearing of the Saviour. There are no churches and no Sunday Schools in most of these communities. It was my privilege to teach in one town in the morning from 9:to 11:30, and in another town in the afternoon from 2 to 4. Remaining two weeks in each school, four towns were reached with the blessed gospel. The teaching consisted of hymns, Bible stories and scriptures.

During this time I was reading the Life of David Living-stone. It increased my desire to serve my Redeemer in foreign lands. Upon reaching home I picked up a paper and read an article on "How I may know God's plan for my life." Here prayer was the chief factor. Since then, during study of the Word and communion with Him, I have been led to answer His call as stated in Rom. 12:1. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service," and I have said, "Lord, I will go," realizing 2 Cor. 4:10:"For the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal," and souls are precious in His sight.

I desire your fellowship in prayer that God may direct me and open the way that I may serve Him in foreign fields. My mind has been especially on Africa, but I am desirous of doing His will and where He sends I will go. Yours in our precious Saviour,

Marie DeVries.
Detroit, Mich., May 28th, 1926.

To Saints gathered to the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ at Windsor, Dearborn, Redford and elsewhere.

Beloved Brethren:-For several months past our sister in Christ, Miss Marie DeVries, has felt led of the Lord to go into the foreign mission field. We are attaching hereto copy of her letter to us, presenting her exercises, and we desire hereby to heartily commend to your love, fellowship and prayerful interest, our dear young sister.

Miss DeVries came out in separation some four and a half years ago and has been in happy fellowship with us ever since. By her consistent attendance at meetings, deep interest in the things of God, and keen desire to serve the Lord in Sunday School work, as well as the fact that she has devoted part of her vacation time for the past two years to mission work in the upper peninsula, also now is conducting a special Girls' Bible Class every Tuesday afternoon, she has indeed commended herself to us.

During brother Amies' visit here, we had the opportunity of learning a little of the requirements of the workers in Central Africa, and we believe our sister is well adapted for that field. Miss DeVries has been a High School teacher for about five years and has ability in that line.

When Dr. Woodhams' party went out, the way was not clear for Miss DeVries to go with them, but now the Lord seems to have marked out her path of service more definitely, and, if possible, she wishes to leave for Africa with the next party going this Fall.

May the Lord richly bless and sustain our young sister, and grant that utterance may be given her, that she may open her mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel (Eph. 6:19), also that she may have the joy of bringing many precious souls to Him.

We esteem it a great blessing from the Lord to have one go from our midst to the mission field, and truly desire your fellowship with us as we commend her to God and those with whom she will find her field of service for Him. May the Lord grant to us all that we may "stand fast in one Spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27).

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with vou all. Amen" (2 Cor. 13:14).

Affectionately your brethren in Christ,

on behalf of the Assembly at Detroit, Mich.

Donald Fraser, Russell H. McAllister, Jas. N. Duncan, A. P. Severy, Geo. Mitchell, D. G. Hegel,
J. P. Robertson, David B. Thorpe, J. W. Sutphen John, Clyde Harry Coltman, Wm. E. McAllister, G. T. Louys

JAPAN.-Our special subject for this month is the great and growing Empire of the East. We call special attention to "Some Facts Relating to Japan," by our brother Little. We trust that these articles are being used to awaken and increase an interest in the vast field, as well as a guide to systematic study in the home and in meetings for prayer for the work.

SOME FACTS RELATING TO JAPAN

The Japanese empire comprises a long group of islands ranging over a wide extent of latitude and longitude. On the extreme north are the Kuriles, called by the Japanese the "myriad isles;" on the extreme south is Formosa. There are six large islands in the group. Off the N. E. coast of the main island is the deepest sea bed in the world, known as the Tuscarora Deep. Japan has one of the most beautiful mountains in the world, named "Fujiyama," formerly a volcano. There are many lakes, some of which are famed for their beauty. Japan has always been subject to earthquakes, often severe, with numerous fatalities. One of the most severe occurred but a few years ago. The chief crop grown in Japan is rice, which is also the principal food. The Japanese are lovers of flowers and nature's beauties. The people are short of stature, and ancient Chinese records refer to them as "dwarfs." Gaiety of heart is said to be a prominent trait of the Japanese, although their philosophy of life is stoical, and suicide is common among young men. Courtesy is a cardinal feature of their ethics. The first national census, taken in 1920, showed the population to be slightly over 77 millions. They therefore rank 6th among the nations in this respect, and with an area of approximately 150,000 sq. m., they are 3rd in density of population.

The head of the Japanese empire is the "Mikado," whose dynasty has been preserved unbroken throughout the history of the country, which goes back, traditionally, to 660 B. C. Ancient Chinese records indicate that, prior to about 400 A. D., the Japanese lived in a state of advanced barbarism, but without civilization. The people are said to have lived in rude houses, and even the Emperor's palace was a wooden hut. With the advent of Chinese influence architects and artisans were brought in, and things soon displayed a grandeur hitherto unknown. There were alternate periods of learning and ignorance on the part of the people, but not until after 1871 was Western education introduced.

The primitive religion of Japan was a sort of combination of nature worship and ancestor worship, without any explicit code of morals, and, while believing in a continued existence after death, with no light as to the condition of those who had died. This became known as "Shinto," which means "the divine way." About the year 522 A.D. Buddhism was introduced, and while poorly received at first, it later received Imperial patronage and flourished greatly. It practically absorbed "Shinto," but later they were separated again, and now both exist together. The Buddhists never resorted to the torture of individuals, although the various sects fought with one another on the field of battle.

Until the accidental discovery of Japan by the Portuguese about the year 1542, there was no intercourse with any country except China and Korea. The Portuguese at once established trade relations, and in 1549 Francis Xavier visited Japan and tried to introduce Christianity. In spite of the bigotry showed by him and those who shortly followed, several of the Japanese feudal chiefs favored the new religion, with the sole object of obtaining the advantages of the new commercial outlet. At the close of 1581 the Jesuits claimed 150,000 converts. By the end of that century they and the Franciscans had made themselves so obnoxious to the Japanese rulers that Christianity was proscribed, and the country adopted a course of international isolation which lasted until 1854. This was the period of Japanese political reconstruction, and it may be wondered what the effect would have been if the simple gospel had been preached and received.

The next attempt was made subsequent to 1854, and in 1873 liberty of conscience was allowed, although not declared by law until the constitution of 1890. Protestant missions began in 1859, with the Anglican, Am. Presbyterian and Dutch Reformed Churches. In 1880 the first complete version of the Japanese New Testament was published, followed, in 1887, by the Old Test. There are now many others in the field, including the Salvation Army.

Work in association with "Brethren" began as early as 1890, when Mr. H. G. Brand went out from England. Meeting some Japanese Christians who were students of English, and who desired to follow God's Word, he gave them the writings of English brethren. This was the beginning of what proved to be a fruitful work, and many were gathered to the Lord's Name. A professor of English in the Government Foreign Language School of Tokyo, Mr. W. G. Smith (connected with "Open Brethren") , wrote some tracts and held English Bible classes in his house, but he did not try to learn Japanese.

The work with which our brother Eugene Craig is associated began about 23 years ago, through the labors of a Japanese brother named Kasamatsu. He came to America and was converted. Coming into contact with "Brethren" here, he identified himself with them. When, later, he returned to Japan, he married a Christian woman, and together they engaged in the work of the Lord. A visit by brother Craig in 1911 resulted in his giving himself to that work. Brother Kasamatsu is now with the Lord, but Dr. K. Tsukiyama and others have taken up the work. But the need is great. May we have hearts to respond to the words of our Lord, "Give ye them to eat," and share the Bread of Life with them. R. J. L.

JAPAN NEWS LETTER

Beloved Brethren:

Having had sciatica for the past two months I have been much hindered from work. The sciatica came on just after the arrival of brother and sister Gustav Koll. By the Lord's mercy I seem to be recovering now.

Brother and sister Koll have been busy learning Japanese. But they expect to be absent from Japan, Lord willing, for about six weeks, on a visit to the brethren laboring at Hinghwa, China, where brother Koll formerly labored. His brother Wilhelm is about to leave China for a furlough to Germany. I expected to go with them to China, and visit Japanese communities there, but my lame leg prevented.

Literature. Thanks to the Lord I have been able to attend to some of this work while laid up. Among articles recently prepared in Japanese are:C. H. M.'s "Unequal Yoke" (the part as to marriage). A. H. Stewart's "Saved in the Pit, and from the Pit." "So-called Divine Healing," an adaption from G. Mackenzie and others. C. Knapp's "Moved with Fear." This latter is timely here too, for the "movie rage" is in Japan also, counteracting fear of the living God. "Pilot wanted!" A gospel appeal. And "Gain after Loss," a Korean leper brought to Christ by means of his disease. Also "The Wrong Learning;" some articles from Mr. Ridout's Treasury of Truth Almanac; and "The Bible."
Distribution of Literature. Beside the quantities distributed here, our Japanese literature is distributed by brethren in harbor work at the various ports, and by other brethren in America. Also a sister in Honolulu, and a brother in Shanghai have ordered quantities for distribution.

Meetings. The Japanese brethren are carrying on as usual. The meetings in Kanda keep up; also the hospital and cottage meetings in the suburbs.

Open-air work. My illness and inclement weather has hindered, but recently some of the brethren had open air meetings in our neighborhood with good crowds. Tracts were readily received and some Testaments sold. Brother Ando had some good open-air meetings at Yokosuka, the_ naval port. At these meetings there generally is a good

Under the "Law" with its tenfold lash,
Learning, alas, how true
That the more I tried
The sooner I died, While the "Law" cried-
"You," "You," "You."

Hopelessly still did the battle rage.
"Oh, wretched man," my cry,
And deliverance sought
By some penance bought
While my soul cried-
"I," "I," "I."

Then came a day when my struggles ceased;
And, trembling in every limb, At the foot of a tree
Where One died for me,
I sobbed out-
"HIM," "HIM," HIM."!

"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith" (Gal. 3:24).

"O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?…! thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 7:24, 25).

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1).

"O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken."

"And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Lk. 24:25,27).

"ALL the Prophets;" "ALL the Scriptures." "And the Scripture cannot be broken," said our Lord (John 10:35).

"I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God," said Paul (Acts 20:27).

To disbelieve the above "ALL," or any part of the Scriptures, puts one in a class with the unbelievers who would disqualify the "Lord of glory" from speaking with authority. If the Lord called such disciples "fools" (literally, "senseless ones"), how great in His sight must be the folly of unbelievers!

"Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures." No one rightly understands them except the Lord opens their understanding. There is such a thing as "an unction from the Holy One" (1 John 2:20)-a spiritual enlightenment which enables one to discern "all things" (1 Cor. 2:15). If the reader does not know of this anointing, pray that the Lord may open your understanding that you may "understand the Scriptures." S. A. W.

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

QUES. 10.-We would like to have your thoughts on Matt. 5:42, "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away." Please answer in Help and Food as others are interested.

ANS.-In Matt., chaps. 5-7 our Lord gives the principles which are to guide His obedient people. They are principles of love toward our fellow-men, to be wisely acted upon-not blindly on the letter. Our heavenly Father does not give indiscriminately what anyone may ask, but according to His good and wise government. See 1 John 5:14; James 4:3, etc.; and we are to be imitators, or "followers of God, as his dear children" (Eph. 5:1). While we are exhorted to express to Him our needs or desires freely, He gives or withholds according to His wisdom.

There is no lack of selfish, greedy, persons, ready to ask for, and take or "borrow" what they have no tangible prospect of returning. So that it is better to count what is "borrowed" as a gift rather, because if not returned and restitution is required, the courts would have to be resorted to-the very opposite of what Matt. 5:40-42 inculcates.

Let the heart be right with God and toward our fellow-men; then seek His wisdom how to act in such matters.

QUES. 11.-Please explain in Help and Food why Jesus said to Mary, "Touch Me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father," while He said to Thomas, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side" (John 20:17, 27).

ANS.-Mary Magdalene, out of whom the Lord cast seven demons, seems to have been attached to the Lord perhaps beyond any other-she followed the Lord, ministered to Him, beheld Him on the cross, followed His body to see where they laid it, prepared spices to embalm His body, came first to the tomb while it was yet dark-all this while ignorant, or not having taken in, that He must rise from the dead. Even after the angel had said to the women, "He is not here, but is risen," she stays at the grave when the others had gone.

Then her heart suddenly leaps at the Lord's voice calling her by name! She seems to have thought she had recovered Him who was the Sun of her life, as she answers, "Rabboni-my Master." Mary knew not that she could not have her Lord here on earth visibly and physically as before, but that He was to ascend back to heaven, to the Father where He now is. Jesus therefore corrects her misapprehension by saying, "Lay not hold on Me" (as the Num. Bible correctly puts it). It was not a mere touching Him that the Lord meant, as Matt. 28:9 proves, when the returning women worshipfully "hold Him by the feet." He is now gone back to the Father, and is to return visibly and physically, to establish His kingdom, when His worshipers can "lay hold" of Him again.

It is our desire in this department to give brief notices of books which will be of value for the Christian's library. It is hardly necessary to review the works which are well known among us, which we sometimes speak of as "our own publications." But there are many helpful and interesting works, which perhaps have not the breadth of scripture truth which it is our privilege to enjoy in our own publications, and yet which are most stimulating, interesting and encouraging. The young believer desires from time to time to add a book to his library. There are excellent works of biography, of labor in the Mission Fields, or an examination of some outstanding question. We purpose, as the Lord enables, to publish brief notices of such works, and would be glad to receive concise and lucid reviews from our readers of books that they have read. For the present this must suffice to open up this new department which we trust will be a real help and blessing to many.

Calendar:February 15th to March 15th.
DAILY BIBLE HEADING:………. Feb. 15th, Jer. 32; Feb. 28th, Jer. 45; March 15th, Ezek. 3. MEMORY WORK…………Reviewing of Gal. 3 and 4.
GOOD READING:"The Moral Glory of the Lord Jesus," by J. G. Bellett.

Daily Reading

You are now reading the prophet Jeremiah, of whose book, you had an outline last year. I will only speak of a few simple and practical things that will occur to us. Perhaps the first may not apply to you, but I will speak of it for the benefit of any who have felt similarly. A young married couple were speaking of the fact of the book being rather "heavy," and difficult to understand. Perhaps we all feel this at times. What shall we do? Give up reading it? No. God has given us this inspired portion of His Word as well as the other Scriptures. So we will go on simply, chapter by chapter, asking and seeking for some helpful verse, as well as to see what the entire chapter is about. A little prayerful attention will disclose meanings that we had not before grasped; it will refresh and cheer our hearts, as well as search our spiritual condition.

I have been struck in the daily reading of this great prophet, with the earnestness of his message, and the call to repentance many times repeated. Even in the exuberance of the Lord's service, we need to listen to the call of the heart-searching Word, and seek the spirit of self-judgment; for it is always, good to keep the lowly place. The Lord loves to dwell with the lowly, to manifest Himself to them, and to revive the spirits of the contrite. Let us not, therefore, shrink from that which searches our hearts and brings us into the very dust before God, and we will experience the proof of His love. The humbling in self-judgment will be followed by the joy of deliverance and restoration.

I have one other oft-repeated exhortation. Let our Bible readings be the first occupation of the day. Don't be afraid to rise ten minutes earlier if that is the only way you can give God the first place in your day. It will color the whole of it, and its neglect or obedience will mark either failure or a day of blessing.

Memory Work

We are reviewing Galatians very rapidly. Perhaps some of you find it almost too rapid, and I suppose that those who are memorizing it for the first time have their hands quite full; and yet, with their bright young minds, I think it must be a delight to go over these wonderful verses in which the apostle opens up in such a masterly way the absolute supremacy of God's grace, and simple faith in Christ as the abiding principle on which He deals in blessing with men. This completely sets aside the law, not only as the ground of justification, but as the rule of life, in the real sense of the word. As a matter of fact, we find another rule given as our guide. I would say that if you find these two chapters too much, don't hesitate to say so, and we will try to make our pace suit all who are joining in this work, but whatever you do, do not neglect memory work. I can only repeat that in the closing of my life I find it of the greatest profit as well as a joy. Let us, therefore, seek to get God's Word fixed in our minds, and better yet, in our hearts. It is a blessed, a wonderful thing, to know the delivering power of the Word. I think that a knowledge of that Word is necessary to have the Word of grace dwell in us richly. How can it dwell in us richly if we are not even acquainted with it? Nor let us be discouraged because Scripture is so far above our present attainments. You will find this to be always the case. Could you wish it otherwise? What kind of a standard would that be which we could say we had already reached, and therefore had no further need of exercise and prayer?

I add one thing with regard to the memory work:it is most helpful in our prayers. It gives us material for thanksgiving. It teaches us to blend our requests (both for ourselves and for the Lord's people as a whole) with the truths which the Word sets before us for our souls' apprehension. Let us see, then, how many of you are going to enroll as regular students in this memory class.

Hints as to Service

I am very glad to hear of a number of young sisters who get together to sew for cases of need which become known to them, both in this country and in the foreign field-glad indeed that these young sisters have taken up this work, together with reading of helpful literature, and with special prayer as to the needs of each field. I must confess that a letter of inquiry went beyond my own knowledge when I was asked to furnish a list of the various ports in this country, with the number of ships entering and leaving them during the year, and the character of the work being done in them. I could only refer the writer to the brief account I had given in December last, and suggest consulting a cyclopedia or other statistical records for the desired information. We can scarcely over-estimate the importance of this work among sailors, as there are many nationalities represented – Japanese, Chinese, Cingalese, Hindus, etc., as well as various European nations. Here, as everywhere, we can say "the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few."

It was my privilege to have a conversation with our brother Peters, who has been obliged to leave the cold northern ports of Buffalo and Montreal, where he had an attractive openings, but which are now closed by the ice; he has gone to New Orleans and Galveston to work in the shipping there. We shall expect to have a report from our brother, who has promised it. Let us remember him and all other workers in this large field.

Address all correspondence for the "Young Believers' Dep't" to Mr. S. Ridout, 1138 East 7th St., Plainfield, N. J.

"Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom. 5:20.)

Tide of sin, in power appalling,
Reached its height at Calvary's tree;
Love of God, and grace surpassing,
Rising higher there, I see!

Sin's dark sea, and waves of passion
Raising high their foaming crest;
Love Divine, in sweet compassion,
Pouring oil into my breast.

Raging tempest, never quelling,
E'en by love that bore our sin;
Peace of God, forever telling
Of a heart at rest within.

Calvary's cross!-a beacon burning
Stands upon the Rock of love;
Ship-wrecked souls that light discerning
Reach their haven safe above!

E O. Hewlett

Encouraging reports come from various parts of the vast field. May we increasingly become "laborers together in prayer," for this is one of the most essential parts of our service. If we are praying, we cannot help being interested; this will lead to a desire to become acquainted with the needs of the field, and to do what we can to help that need.

A matter of great importance may be spoken of in this connection. We may consider it a token of the Lord's blessing upon this department if special interest is awakened in various quarters, and if some may be stirred to offer themselves to the Lord for service abroad. We find in Acts 13 an illustration of such awakening, and the definite fruit of that exercise in the mind of the Spirit being made known and acted upon.

We need therefore to be much in prayer that the Holy Spirit be unhindered both in awakening interest and stirring the hearts of those whom He would send forth. We must be careful not to "quench the Spirit," by checking such exercises; and yet we must be careful not to stir a mere enthusiasm, which would encourage any to hasty decision as to the all-important question of their path and service. Let us be much before the Lord as to this. It is "the Lord of the harvest" who must send forth laborers; our great part is, "Pray ye therefore."

An interesting, and we trust profitable, meeting was held in New York at the Assembly-room in connection with the sailing of our brother Oscar S. Zimmerman for Antwerp and other European ports. Our brother, as is known to many, has been engaged for a number of years in work among the shipping, chiefly in the port of San Francisco. The way had been opened for him to seek to reach the seamen in European waters, and a large number gathered to have fellowship in prayer and conference as to this service. A most interesting account was given by our brother of the way in which he had been led to take up the service for those who "go down to the sea in ships," and the great need for reaching the vast numbers of those who do not visit the ports on this side of the Atlantic. Interesting replies were given to questions as to the methods of work and some of the tokens of blessing received. The work in San Francisco is being carried on by our brother Eck, during Mr. Zimmerman's absence in Europe. May the Lord guide and bless as to it all.

Some idea of the scope of the work of reaching foreigners with the printed message can be had from the following:

On board vessels in San Francisco harbor alone the past year, gospel literature was distributed to the following 52 nationalities:

English, Urdu, Russian, French, Norwegian, Danish, Spanish, Gurumuki, Arabian, Yiddish, Lithuanian, Greek, Javanese, Hawaiian, Finnish, Syrian, Maori, Cantonese, Marathi, Gujerati, Egyptians, Berbers, Esthonians, Koreans, Lettish, Tahitians, Singhalese, Japanese, Malay, Malayalam, German, Swedish, Italian, Portuguese, Siamese, Turkish, Polish, Bohemian, Hindu, Marshall Islands, Dutch, Slovenian, Bengali, Flemish, Wenli, Icelandic, Goanese, Riffs, Armenians, Fiji Islanders, Maltese, Persians.

We trust our readers are following the accounts given in relation to the various foreign lands which are being given in our paper. The one for this month is upon that most interesting land, both as to its past history and present condition-Italy.

Prefatory Notes-"These brief articles are not intended as a survey of missionary work, which may, if desired, be undertaken after the completion of this series. The present notes are more to give some idea as to the places themselves, where our brethren are laboring, and to refer to their work, rather than describe it. In this way, the articles will be introductory to the study of the work now being done. It is hoped that the knowledge of these few 'FACTS' may enable some to have a fuller appreciation of the work in foreign lands."

SOME FACTS RELATING TO ITALY

Italy is a constitutional monarchy, comprising, in addition to the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, the long promontory of southern Europe which somewhat resembles a boot in shape. Its greatest length is 708 m., and its greatest width 354 m., although the peninsula itself seldom measures more than 100 m. across. The area of the kingdom, including the islands, is 110,664 sq. m., and the population (estimated for 1921), some 39,000,000. The largest city in Italy is Naples, with a pop. (1915) of 700, 000; Milan is second, and Rome third, with a pop. of about 600,000. In 1901 over 9,500,000 people were engaged in agriculture and like pursuits, with less than half as many engaged in industry. Emigration is chiefly from the poorer classes, and is largely due to poor wages and similar causes, for which an oversupply of labor has been considered responsible. With few exceptions, the condition of the working classes is one of hardship, and the general cost of living in 1920 was more than six times that of the period of 1901-05.

Italy is one of the hottest countries of Europe, although the physical characteristics of the country somewhat modify this. The mountains of northern and central Italy cause great variations in temperature; but the southern part of the country has a climate like that of Greece and southern Spain, although large tracts of fertile land are given up to desolation because of the prevalence of malaria. In northern and central Italy there are many well kept roads, but many of the villages of southern Italy are accessible only by foot path. In 1871, 73% of the people were illiterate, but through the public school system; maintained by the State, this proportion had been lowered to 56% in 1901. Illiterates are fewest in Piedmont, and greatest in Calabria (the toe of the boot).

After the breaking up of the old Roman Empire, in 476 A. D., Italy was, for almost fourteen centuries, split up into a number of mutually hostile communities. Wars and intrigues followed, in which the popes were largely concerned, with the result that long before the Reformation began, many were disgusted with the condition of the Church. When the knowledge of Luther's conflict with Tetzel reached Italy, there was an immediate demand for his writings. Those of Melanchthon, Zwingli, and others were also carried into the country, and all were read with great interest. An Italian, A. Paleario, wrote a book entitled "The Benefit of Christ's Death," which had a wide circulation. When the effects of this work were felt by the pope, the Inquisition was instituted, in the course of which Paleario, with others, was tortured and put to death. On the whole, the Reformation left but little mark on the national life of Italy, and it is claimed that 97% of the people are still Roman Catholic. The estimated population of Rome (1906) was 403,282, and of these, the census of 1901 showed 65,000 were Protestants. Half of these were Italians, and half foreigners. Of the former, 22,500 were Waldensians.
However, God had not left Himself without a witness, and about the same time that He was granting a reviving and restoration to His people in England, Ireland, and elsewhere, He began also a gracious work in Italy. In 1833 the Duke of Tuscany commissioned a young nobleman, Count Guicciardini, then about 24 years of age, to reorganize the school system. Looking for a book that might serve as a basis for teaching morals to the children, he was advised to try the Gospels. Unable to find an Italian translation, he commenced reading a copy of the Latin Vulgate, translating parts into Italian to tell the stories to the children. By this means he became enlightened of God, and was saved. He was able to lead others to a knowledge of his new-found Saviour, and the desire for Christian fellowship led to their breaking bread in all the simplicity of the truth. It is said that in 1848 there were 40 breaking bread in Florence.

Political changes resulted in great persecutions, and the story of the faithfulness of the saints is inspiring, but cannot be included here.* During the banishment of some of these brethren to England, they came in contact with others of like precious faith with themselves, and found happy fellowship in the breaking of bread there. *The little book, "Heroes of Faith in Modern Italy," contains the simple account of some of these.* By 1857, some of the exiles had returned, and the Count, with others, suffered much in preaching the gospel in the streets and elsewhere.

With the establishment of the united kingdom in 1870, there was a considerable increase in religious liberty, and it is said that at a general meeting held in Spinetta, in 1871, about 600 were present at the breaking of bread. When several of the leaders died, some brethren from England went out to counsel the saints, and to preach the gospel, and some to print gospel literature and magazines. But the work has been substantially by the Italians themselves from the start. Mr. Harold P. Barker visits Italy, and thus strengthens the ties of fellowship with the saints there. Let us not forget to bear them up before the throne of grace, especially in view of the present reactionary religious measures that have been taken, that they "may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Tim. 2:2). R. J. L.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS

From B. MONTLLAU, San Jose, Costa Rica, Apr. 9,1926.

"Many thanks for your esteemed letter of March 23rd enclosing draft from the General Missionary Fund. We wish to express our deep appreciation of this token of Christian love and fellowship. '

The Lord is encouraging us spite of opposition. The 14th of March was a memorable day for us. We had the joy of burying 12 persons in baptism, among them our two older daughters. We expected to baptize about twenty, but some were sick and others were prevented from coming, being anxious to hear whether some of their relatives were among the dead and wounded found after the awful catastrophe that occurred that same morning a few miles from here. A train, loaded with hundreds of people going to Cartago for a religious celebration, was crossing a bridge over the Virilla River, about 200 ft. high, and the last three cars were derailed and fell from the bridge. Over 300 were killed and many were wounded. It seems to us like a warning, as on the 25th of the month they intend to crown the Virgin of the Angeles in Cartago:the crown costing fifty thousand colones. That "virgin" is of stone and was found there some years ago:the superstition of some is great, thinking it is alive. Poor deluded people! May our gracious Lord have mercy on many who have heard and read the message of salvation in Cartago, Heredia, Alajuela, San Jose, and other towns, before it is too late.

With our united Christian love to you, dear ones, and all saints, yours in our coming Lord."

From D. LAMORUE, Alajuela, Costa Rica, Apr. 8,1926.

"In last U. S. Mail received the draft to help further the work of our Lord, thank you in our Saviour's name for your kindness and fellowship. Here, where one has so little fellowship, letters showing a living spiritual interest are greatly appreciated. We -are not only members of His body, but members one of another. It is needless to say this is a dark land and the Prince of this world is perhaps more manifest in these smaller places than the larger capital. This place of about 10,000 has only 4 or 5 English-speaking families. Last week was Holy Week. There were many processions with bands of music and men carrying life-size images of Jesus, Peter, Maria, etc. The town was filled with country people, women with heads covered chanting, etc. A dead Christ in place of a living one. While we have fair interest on Sunday nights, 25 to 40, and a few interested children in Sunday School, this being the terminus of Railroad, there are several towns with from four to eight thousand not on R.R. with nothing but Rome's teaching. The privilege was granted me last year to visit many of these towns. In Jan. of this year I had secured many Gospels, Testaments, and Bibles for a trip to Guana Costa District, near Puntarinas, in the low lands; but in February and March, was near 7 weeks in bed with fever, instead of being in Guana Costa. As I am about recruited to normal I will in a few days take my first trip in the highland where it is more healthy. There are some 5 places with two to eight thousand within 15 hours by horse, it is a sort of Pioneer work. Occasionally our Lord shows me some fruit, a cheer by the way.

In one district near Limon are many English colored Baptists without any ministry; it is a cheer to help them once in a while, as I am able, which they appreciate very much. One head deacon wanted me to take 7 Baptist churches under my control."

From LOUIS GERMAIN, Tonneins, France.

"Yesterday I went to Bordeaux to spend the day with the saints there, giving out tracts in the train and in the street cars. We had the breaking of bread at 10 a.m. and at 3 ministered the word to the saints. In going home, having given tracts to a full car, mostly political men returning from Bordeaux, when I had taken my seat, one of them sitting in front of me, said he had read part of the tract I gave him, and was pleased to see me frank and out-and-out in my way of propagating my belief. It gave me opportunity for an interesting talk with them on eternal things."

From F. LeGARREC, Bois Colombes, France, Mar. 19th.

"My heart is full of thanks and gratitude for the gifts sent me, because I am remembering yet the gift from the Missionary Fund that you sent a short time ago in order to pursue the work in Brittany. I regret I do not know your tongue in order to tell you of the work of God in this part of the vineyard.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you dear brethren and with all those that love Him."
From Dr. WOODHAMS, Irurnu, Africa, Mar. 2,1926.

"We have been able to buy an ox wagon and this is a great help in the work of hauling poles, etc., from the forest. We expect to order a plow from Nairobi this mail. Your cable in reference to the cement was received. I immediately wired to Mombasa for the price of cement here."* *In reference to the above would say, that our brother wanted us to forward a ton of cement from the 'States, but found he could get it much cheaper from England, so procured it from there.*

"We are all well and busy, and have had good interest in the Gospel, preaching both in the Station and in the villages. Our building was crowded last Sunday and I spoke on the Son of Man as come to seek and to save that which was lost. We are plowing, wishing to reach consciences which have been long buried, and are very dull in this dark place."

From Miss CORNELIA DE JONGE, Irumu, Africa, Feb. 28th, 1926.

"We are going on together, all in fairly good health at this writing, through the mercy of our God. Miss Wilson and I have had another turn of fever this month but are better now. The building of our house is going on, though we have not as many workmen as we should like. As a result the work goes slowly. But in this land things do not move as rapidly as at home, so we have to exercise patience, which is a good experience.

The two evangelist-boys who go out by turns, preaching in the villages about us, are bringing in good reports of interest shown in most places, and a number of requests have been made for us to give them schools. We take this as an opening from the Lord to enter these places with the gospel of His salvation. What is needed is a number of native-Christians who can both teach the people to read and preach the gospel to them. Mrs. Searle and I are carrying on the school work. At the close of each session, the gospel message is given, and often we have over one hundred present at this service. We pray that it may find an entrance into the hearts of many giving conviction of their need, repentance, and faith in the Lord Jesus as the Saviour of sinners."

The Eucharistic Congress at Chicago. The boldness of Rome, in its continuous efforts for world-power and recognition among nations, led it to gather a host of its ecclesiastical celebrities from many nations to make a bold and gorgeous display before the American people, with grand pageants and processions at their Eucharistic Congress. We quote the following from the Catholic paper "America":,,;,

"The appeal to eye and ear and emotion was so great at the Eucharistic Congress that there was real danger of people forgetting the greater appeal, and that was the appeal to a nobler faculty, the intellect……* *Not to the intellect, indeed, but to grossest superstition.-[Ed.* …Pageantry, trumpet calls, electric light, radio amplifiers, banners and flags of every nation, solemn Pontifical High Mass in the Cathedral in the presence of the Legate and 300 Bishops and Archbishops and ten Cardinals, three great unforgettable Masses in the open air at the Stadium, the crowds at the Coliseum moved to the depths of their hearts by the world's best oratory, the crashing climax of the Eucharistic procession at Mundelein, all these went down on paper and over the wires and cables to every corner of this country and every foreign country, and it was well that it was so. This was an occasion when Christ was publicly honored in a great city, and by a great city, as rarely He had been honored before."

But some reader may ask:What is the "Eucharist" so honored by Romanists? Alas! it is the debasing falsehood that a Roman priest, be he honorable or corrupt, can by a few words in Latin over a little piece of dough pressed into a wafer, turn it into the very flesh and blood of Christ to be offered at Mass in sacrifice to help the souls of the dead, whose friends on earth pay for the Mass said by the priest!! Such a wafer too may be carried, in a little box called the Pyx, to the sick and dying, by the priest accompanied by an attendant ringing a little bell, at the sound of which the faithful kneel or uncover their heads before "The Host" passing by. Great processions too are made in honor of "The Host" accompanied by a cross borne aloft, for the Mighty God which the priest has made is thus celebrated!! Yet such is what the great Eucharistic Congress was meant to impress upon the American people at Chicago last month. Oh the shame and daring of it all!

"Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Graces." This is the title of a circular recently sent out by the principal Roman Catholic publishing house from which we quote the following:

"The announcement of some new honor to be paid to the Blessed Mother of God, of some new jewel to be added to her already brilliant crown, sends a thrill of joy through the heart of every true child of Holy Church….

Recently, a very important step was taken by the Holy Father, in the appointment of a special commission of theologians, whose duty it should be to examine the question maturely and from every angle, and to give their verdict as to whether or not the universal mediation of Our Lady is capable of being defined as a dogma of faith.

The concession by the Holy See of the Mass and Office of Our Lady, Mediatrix of all Graces, to certain Bishops and communities who have asked for them, may at least be taken as a happy presage of what the final decision of the Church will be."
Thus sinful man upon earth may soon confer upon Mary in heaven, "the Blessed Mother of God"(!), new honors and power, even of Universal mediation in the salvation of men! Scripture says, "there is one god, and one mediator between god and men, the man Christ Jesus " (1 Tim. 2:5); but the daring impiety of Rome knows no bounds. t. o. 50:

"That ye be not slothful" (Heb. 6:12). We have reached that time of the year when there is a general, and to some extent necessary, relaxation from the more strenuous labors of cooler weather. We can accept with gratitude the periods of vacation from the normal routine of the year, and enjoy the rest for tired bodies and overwrought nerves.

But it may not be out of place to remind us not to let our rest periods and the hot weather of the summer lead us to mere indolence and the neglect of what will tend to true restfulness of spirit. This is specially observable of our spiritual interests.

"Slothfulness casteth into ,a deep sleep, and an idle soul shall suffer hunger" (Prov. 19:15). This suggests the utter indifference to divine things which all too easily intrudes into our times of relaxation. Let us be careful not to neglect the daily reading of the word of God and prayer under the plea that we are resting:"He that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame" (Prov. 10:5). It is always harvest time, if we "lift up our eyes and look on the fields" (John 4:35). The golden grain of divine truth, and the souls all about us, all call for "awakening out of sleep" (Eph. 5:14). "How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?" (Prov. 6:9). "Love not sleep lest thou come to poverty. Open thine eyes and thou shalt be satisfied with bread" (Prov. 20:13). How pungent are the words of truth-"Drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags" (Prov. 23:21).

But there are obstacles, difficulties to overcome, and these are insurmountable to the slothful heart. "The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns" (Prov. IS:19). The sharp pricking points are sufficient to deter many. Or the difficulties are even greater. "The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets" (Prov. 22:13). But faith stops the mouths of lions (Heb. 11:33; Dan. 6:22). Or there may be mere disinclination because of discomfort. "The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing" (Prov. 20:4). How many of us excuse ourselves from the diligence of quiet spiritual work, because of such reasons. Alas, if the cold deter us, we will find when the harvest time comes we have missed our opportunity.

These are some of the reasons against a quiet and patient "continuance in well doing." Many others can be thought of, for "The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason" (Prov. 26:16). Both for the sinner in making excuses why he cannot come to the Gospel feast, and for the believer proving why he should not "gird up the loins of his mind," there are all kinds of reasons. The yoke of oxen, the piece of land, the wife, may be urged why they should neglect the great offers of God. Alas, O sluggard, thy reasons may keep thee from salvation. Beware how thou seekest for excuses.

The soul begins to be awakened. He is roused out of his slumber sufficiently to see the need of doing something, but there is nothing effectual. "As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed" (Prov. 26:14). There is barely energy to turn over to fresh sleep. One says, "Yes, I must make a change, this indolence must not continue." There are resolves, promises, slight efforts, and he settles down into slumber again. "The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth" (Prov. 26:15). The hand simply turns to self, and is exhausted in that effort-cannot even be brought to the mouth. This is like the movements of a door fastened on its hinges. It moves but makes no progress. "The soul of the sluggard desireth and hath nothing" (Prov. 13:4). The desire was not sufficient to lead to accomplishment. He neglects the word of the apostle, "As there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance" (2 Cor. 8:11). "The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor" (Prov. 21:25). Like Lot, he vexes his soul with the evil in which he lives, but lacks the faith to separate from it. Some have enough conscience to make them uncomfortable in the state in which they are, but not enough to lead them to real purpose of heart.

At last the soul makes a start. It is no longer the uneasy turning on the hinges, but he arises from his bed of ease and goes forth to do something. And he succeeds. But here a fresh snare awaits the slothful. "The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting" (Prov. 12:27). We see him with apparent zeal going forth, hunting, like Esau, for something to meet his hunger. He finds it, and brings it home-and casting it down falls into the same sleep as before! Here we are awakened to the need of studying the word of God. We read the Scriptures, and search their pages for precious truth; our search is rewarded, and we have gained fresh apprehensions of grace and truth. And that is all! Our knowledge is of no value to our souls. We do not "roast it," take it to God in prayer, and have the Holy Spirit apply it to our souls. This is the "roasting." "Eat not of it raw," was the direction as to the Passover lamb. The "fire" of divine holiness prepared the food for the soul. The Galatians were good "hunters," they sought the truth and found it. But they did not submit to its heart-testing and emancipating power. "Ye did run well, who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth" (Gal. 5:7)? The mark of the godly man-seen in its fulness only in the Perfect Man-is that "whatsoever he doeth shall prosper," or, "he carrieth through to completion" (Ps. 1:3). May the Lord grant us this in some good measure.

For partial performance is but another form of idleness. "He that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster" (Prov. 18:9).

But we are feeble. This is quite true, more so than we have imagined. But this need not discourage us. It is not by great efforts, large accomplishments, that the result is reached. "Much food is in the tillage of the poor" (Prov. 13:23). It was the poor of the land who were left to be vinedressers, when Judah was carried into captivity (Jer. 39:10). The emphasis is put, not upon the person, but upon the land. After all it is not we who are the producers, save as we make use of that which is put into our hands. The "land," the fulness of God's provision in Christ for our blessings, is the real producer. Hence we are not cast upon ourselves. "My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9).

What encouragement therefore we have to go on in the simplicity of dependence, "that the power of Christ may rest upon us." We have abundant assurance that our "labor is not in vain in the Lord." "The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness" (Prov. 21:5). Let there be but the quiet continuance, the true diligence which uses the golden hours that are entrusted to us, and "in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Gal. 6:9). "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich" (Prov. 10:4).
The same great truth is seen in service. "As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him" (Prov. 10:26). How sweetly solemn are our Lord's words, "As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you" (John 20:21). What a mission! How shall we fulfil it? No matter how small the service, let it be marked by diligence:"He that ruleth (taketh the lead), with diligence" (Rom. 12:8). Soon we will render account of our stewardship. How cheering will be the words to each one, no matter what the ability, of whom it will be said, "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:ENTER
THOU INTO THE JOY OF THY LORD" (Matt. 25:21). S. R. S. R.

"Go, labor on, spend and be spent
Thy joy to do thy Saviour's will;
It is the way the Master went,
Should not the servant tread it still?

Toil on, and in thy toil rejoice;
For toil comes rest, for exile home;
Soon shalt hear the Bridegroom's voice,
The midnight message, 'Lo, I come.'"

(Col. 2:4-7.)

(Continued from p. 302.)

In our last study we considered the mystery of God to which the apostle refers in verse 3. He now gives his reason for speaking of it. He wished to guard the saints against being misled by any man's enticing words.

From Epaphras, whose affection and abundant labor (chs. 1:7,8; 4:12,13) were so largely bestowed upon the Colossians, the apostle had heard of their order and firm faith in Christ. Though not there in person, yet he was with them in spirit, and rejoiced because of what he learned concerning them.

His exhortation follows (vers. 6, 7). They had received Christ according to the word of truth in the glad tidings (ch. 1:6). Those glad tidings proclaimed "Jesus the Lord." Having believed them, and the reality of their faith being evidenced in fruit-bearing, the apostle can state with assurance that they "have received the Christ, Jesus the Lord."

The apostle has unfolded to them the truth concerning this blessed Person, His glorious preeminence, and their relation to Him according to the purposes of God, and he has shown that Jesus is in very truth "the Lord." As such they had received Him. Now they were not to allow the plausible speech of any man to dissuade them from Christ in His unique glory, as preeminent in all things. So he exhorts that having received Him as thus set forth in the glad tidings, they should so "walk in Him." They were to go on steadfastly and refuse to be diverted from it by any teaching of unprincipled men, cunningly leading into systematized error; but, by holding the truth in love, to grow up in all things unto Him who is the Head and pattern of His people. They were not to give ear to those vain teachers, but walk according to the way in which they had received Christ-firmly adhering to the faith, and not moved away from the hope of the glad tidings which they had heard (ch. 1:23). The true knowledge of God was treasured up in the person of Christ, and His revealed place in God's eternal purpose. Beyond this no man could go. The summit had been reached. Any attempt to go beyond this, or professed claim to higher, fuller knowledge could not proceed from God. It could only have its source in those spiritual powers of wickedness whose constant aim is to corrupt and distort the truth of God.

There is meaning in the manner the apostle speaks. They had received "the Christ," God's anointed, "Jesus the Lord"-not as one among many emanations from the Deity, as the Gnostic teachers might claim, but "the Lord." This is an important truth, and a few scriptures will help us to appreciate it.

It is the opening note of the Spirit's testimony. "God has made this same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36), as Peter again declares, "He is Lord of all" (Acts 10:36).

Paul learned this at his conversion-"Who art Thou, Lord?" "I am Jesus whom thou persecutes!" (Acts 9:15). Later, he declares Him to be "the Lord of glory" (1 Cor. 2:8). And again, "To us there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him" (1 Cor. 8:6). John describes Him as "Lord of lords" (Rev. 19:16), and one of the seven angels so proclaims Him (ch. 17:14).

This Lordship of Jesus includes His heirship of all things, and His subjugation of all things to Himself, His headship over all things, His supremacy over angels, authorities and powers, heavenly and earthly; it links with the truth of His eternal sonship, and glory as Jehovah. Compare Heb. 1:2; 2:8; 1 Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:20-23; 1 Pet. 3:22; John 3:35; 5:22; 12:37-41 with Isa.6. To "walk in Him" therefore means to walk, practice, and live as maintaining this truth; our lives being sanctified by His being our Lord. We are to "walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing." "Whatsoever ye do, labor at it heartily, as doing it to the Lord, and not to men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance; ye serve the Lord Christ."

To thus walk in Him will give poise to our lives as we pass through this world of contrary influences and of the enemy's power, in which our Lord is not acknowledged. Spiritual and moral darkness envelope it as the atmosphere envelops the earth, and through this darkness the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience exercises his power and directs its activities against God and His Christ. But we who have received Him in the glad tidings preached are "now light in the Lord" (Eph. 5:8). We have been brought into a full knowledge of God, and made intelligent concerning the mystery of His will, for the secret of the Lord is given to them that fear Him.

Let us then "walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, proving what is agreeable to the Lord; and do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness." There can be no excuse in being deceived, for we have been brought into the light by which all things have their true character exposed. Christ is the true light. "WALK IN HIM." John Bloore

(To be continued, D. V.)

FELLOWSHIP OF THE LORD'S TABLE

(Continued from page 355.)

Considerable confusion exists in the minds of many of the Lord's people regarding the Lord's Table and the Supper. That these are distinct truths, though blessedly allied, must be evident to every careful reader of the Word. 1 Cor. 10 speaks of the Table; and chapter 11 speaks of the Supper.

It may be helpful to notice that the expression "Lord's table" is found twice in the Old Testament-Ezekiel 41:22 and Malachi 1:7. These scriptures make clear that the altar and the table of the Lord are identical, and are inseparable in thought from the sacrifice.

Is it not evident that in taking up Israel in 1 Cor. 10 the apostle does so to illustrate Christian position and responsibility? All Israel "passed through the sea," and all "were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;" all "ate the same spiritual meat," and "all drank of that spiritual Rock." The whole nation was evidently in a certain position before God.

The apostle next shows that many were not true to their God-given position. He says, "But with many of them God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness." Three things are especially charged:

(1) Religious corruption (idolatry).

(2) Worldly associations (fornication).

(3) Profanity (the people spake against God and Moses and despised the manna.)

How significant in the light of what we see in Christendom today!

The apostle next proceeds to speak of Christian position and responsibility, speaking as to "wise men," that they may weigh his words. Communion, or fellowship, of which the Table is the expression, is what he desires to bring before them, that the Corinthians might shun all association with idolatry.

In relation to the Table we must guard against materializing-a mistake which has greatly hindered the people of God in the proper appreciation of this important truth. Scripture speaks of being "partakers of the Lord's table," which evidently points to the elements of which we partake. Might we not say that, since the Lord's table speaks of that which is the basis and bond of fellowship- the death of Christ-every believer is positionally connected with the Table. "We being many are one loaf, one body," surely cannot be limited to any section or company among the Lord's people, but is true of all. But, as in Israel, many of the people of God are not true to their Gad-given position; we could not say that all Christians are true to the fellowship of the Lord's table.

The death of the Lord entirely closed before God the history of man in the flesh, and every link with Him now must be in the Spirit. Whatever has been introduced in the house of God, which is of man, or appeals to the flesh, is a practical denial of the cross of Christ. Everything must be excluded which the death of Christ has excluded. Paul, writing to the Galatians, says, "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world." This is not the world in a bad sense only, but all that would reinstate man in the flesh. In the 19th chapter of Numbers, Eleazar, the priest, was to burn the red heifer wholly, with "cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet"-that is, all from the greatest to the least in creation was cast into the fire. To sanction, by association, that which falsifies the cross of Christ, is to be untrue to the table of the Lord.

It will be noticed that in 1 Cor. 10 the cup is spoken of first, then the loaf. This fully accords with the thought expressed, viz.; that in 1st Corinthians 10 it is Christian position. In the chapter following, this is reversed, and the order of the institution of the supper maintained. The supper is Christian privilege. So, it would seem that one might be in the fellowship of the Lord's table, and not be able to partake with fellow-saints in the celebration of the Lord's supper. There is no "meeting" in chapter 10, but individual responsibility:1:e., we are, as believers, in a certain bond of fellowship (through the Lord's death) and each is responsible to be true to that fellowship- hence the warnings.

At the close of the chapter this is elucidated, and it is evident that the action of some-eating in idol temples, or of that which was offered to idols, chap. 8:10-compromised fellowship; for not only did they commit themselves by their act, but the whole company of saints. One might claim liberty to pursue a certain course, connecting one's self with some religious corruption inconsistent with the death of Christ. No suck liberty exists. We are obligated to be true to the fellowship of the Lord's table, and those who seek to walk consistently with it.

In service for the Lord, while there is surely the liberty of the servant, yet we have our assembly associations, and should see that we do not recognize anything inconsistent with the death of Christ, and so compromise fellowship, lest the spirit of Israel mark us, as in Malachi 1:7, and we lose the Lord's approval in our service.

After the foregoing it need hardly be pointed out that the Lord's table has existed since the Cross. This thought should preserve from the presumptuous claim put forth by some to-day, that they alone have ".the Table," and it should guard against unscriptural expressions, such .as "Receiving to the Lord's table;" also "Putting away from the table," and "Setting up another table." As to the first, Scripture says, "Receive ye one another to the glory of God"-Christians are received to the breaking of bread. As to the second expression, Scripture says, "Put away from among yourselves." As to "setting up another table," nowhere in the New Testament, that I am aware of, have we such a thing contemplated. In 1 Cor. 10 there are the two fellowships, the "table of the Lord," and the "table of demons." To apply the latter term to any company of believers is, to say the least, most reprehensible.

In the breaking of bread we manifest a fellowship already existing:here, we are on the ground of privilege. We come together as in association with Christ, to go back in memory to Gethsemane, Gabbatha, and Golgotha. Our hearts recall His undying love, we think of Him in circumstances of unparalleled sorrow and loneliness, when that blessed heart must have yearned for sympathy, so soon to be betrayed and sold to a rabble crowd who were clamoring for His blood-and in the sense of that hour when, absolutely alone, He must drink that bitter cup, and His holy soul be shrouded in midnight darkness!

It was on that night He instituted the memorial supper, that His own, during the period of His absence, might ever have before them His love in all its greatness. Does not such unfathomable devotion appeal with irresistible power to our hearts? Can we ever treat lightly those words ""REMEMBER ME?" Can we treat this desire with cold neglect? What, beloved fellow-believer, will be our feelings, when we see Him, if we have not kept His word?

It must be clear to every single-eyed believer that the saints in the first days met thus together for this simple service, the bond which united them, and still unites all the people of God-Christ's precious death-and that eternal bond formed by the Spirit which always exists, though the outward manifestation of it may be lacking. "By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." For an obedient heart no other membership is desired or necessary, and the principles upon which those early believers acted remain true for faith to-day. They met together as members of the body of Christ, owning no other headship than that of Christ, as "Head of the body." The presence of the Spirit was recognized, and God was worshiped in the Spirit. But of this we hope to speak more fully later. J. W. H. N.

(To be continued, D. V.)

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

DAILY BIBLE READING ……… Dec. 16th, 2 Cor. 2; Dec. 31st, Gal. 5; Jan. 15th, Col. 4.
MEMORY WORK . .2 Thess., ch. 3, also Memory Outlines.
GOOD READING….Complete"Holiness:the False and the True."

Daily Reading

I hope you are being led into God's wondrous thoughts for us in these Epistles of Paul. Let us meditate and pray as we read these daily chapters. They are, we may say, the crown of all God's word. If they control our lives we will indeed answer to God's purposes for us. Speaking of daily Bible reading, I was much interested a day or two ago to hear from a dear brother, who is now engaged in the Lord's work, that he was converted through reading the Bible through. He began to read it out of curiosity, and it was not till he was reading it through for the fourth time that his heart was laid hold of. He is, of course, still a reader of the Word, and most heartily believes in consecutive reading.

Memory Work

Let us complete 2 Thessalonians this month, learning chapter 3, and then reviewing the whole book. As to Memory Outlines, I am very glad to tell of two more who have completed Matthew, a sister and a brother. The latter writes:"In my memory outline you will notice a few blemishes, and I had started a word wrong in one or two places, but have corrected them immediately and not after I had compared them with my note book. I can write the whole outline on paper now in about 20 minutes from memory. I am surely glad I started it, for it's a splendid way to fix Scripture in our minds. I hope to continue now with Luke. I have found many new thoughts from just writing down the outlines." I am indeed thankful for our dear brother's perseverance, which has been now rewarded. He and the sister I spoke of will soon get their copy of W. Kelly on Matthew, and it is a great pleasure to send them. There is still a month in which others can share in this work. I do hope to receive some more of these outlines of Matthew before December 31st. Who else will try? You will never regret it. For those who have completed Matthew, and for others who wish to begin the next outline study, I think we will take the Gospel of Luke for our next work. In order to give ample time, and not to overcrowd you, we will take January and February for this. I shall probably have something more to say about it at the beginning of the year.

Good Reading

We will close the year with the book I have suggested, and next year, if the Lord please, we will continue this reading with that suggested for the Bible Class work by Mr. Bloore. This will, I hope, secure more regular readers, and not overcrowd those who have their hands full.

Correspondence

"Since my wife and I have become interested in the Y. B. D. in Help and Food we look forward to getting it, and find many helpful things there. We have been following up 'good reading.'… .Our last Y. B. M., was a fine one. Our brother G. made a long table in his home and we all sat around it, which seems to bring us more together, as well as making it very convenient to lay our Bibles and note books before us. We are taking up Church truth and have 50 copies of a book on the subject. We will take it up in chapters and become better acquainted with the truth as to how and why we gather as we do. My prayer is that the interest that is now shown may continue, or even be increased. We are trying to get others interested who do not come." Fifty books to go round the class! And a few months ago this brother wrote he did not know of more than two or three young people to take hold! It is well to say that there are four gatherings or more not more than 20 miles apart, and they all get together.
"It will interest you to know that the 5 converts I wrote you about were baptized a few weeks ago. My oldest son, who was converted a year ago, was also baptized. All these young people will be received into fellowship next Lord's Day. Praise His name!"

"The young Italian brother seems to have won back the confidence of his father; after having told him he was a disgrace to the family, and the Catholic faith, he (the father) could not help but see the wonderful change.

"The last Young People's meeting was also a success, some 40 present, including outsiders. Brother W. gave us a very interesting talk with stereopticon views of the history of the Bible, showing photos of some of the early Greek manuscripts."

The Question Box

Ans. to Q. 13. (From Nov. Help and Food):

"Inasmuch as 'God spake and it was done' in creation; and in new birth God works a miracle by His Spirit; and in 'the day of the Lord' a nation shall be born in a day; and considering that 'in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,' we shall be changed-is there not all through a thought of spiritual as against material things? It is not so much a question of material place. The wonderful thing is the work of God."-A. H. B.

Other questions and answers are deferred to the next issue, January, 1927.

Increased Circulation

I have been greatly cheered by the appreciation of our little Department. It is looked for and read with avidity by numbers, and I trust during the coming year it will be still more a medium of intercourse between our various groups of young Christians, and older ones too.

The circulation of Help and Food is quite wide, but it is not as large as we could wish. I wonder if you could not do something to help in this. Is there some one in your meeting who looks after ordering the magazines, etc.? If so, I am sure a little help from you would be welcome. If you see that all the young people have a copy in their homes; and then see that there is a copy in every home in the gathering. Besides this, many know dear Christians who, while not in the meeting, have a deep interest in the things of God. Perhaps you might secure some of these as subscribers. Let us see how many new subscribers from these different sources you can secure for the coming year. This is meant as a practical suggestion for you to take up.

Young Believers' Meetings

64th meeting Y. B.D., held at home of G. S., Wednesday, Oct. 6th, 1926. Total present, 17.

Opened with singing of a few hymns and prayer. Reports were given on the following tracts:

1. Four Judgments. B. G.
2. Light at Eventide. H. F.

3. Personal Trespass, etc. D. F.

4. Seven Neglect Nots. V. S.

5. Breakdown of Religion. M. DeV.

6. A Help or a Hindrance-which? Mr. H.

The reading of the reports seemed to arouse the interest of all, which will probably lead to a deeper concern in the securing and reading of these helpful pamphlets.

The description of the last judgment was covered in the report on, the Pour Judgments.

The study of "What is the Hope of His Calling"; "The Hope of Your Calling" and "The Hope of our Calling" was suggested as being very interesting.

Eph. 1:18 contains the expression, "What is the Hope of His Calling." Ephesians opens up with the thought that we are chosen in the Beloved. "What is the Hope of His Calling?"-That those whom He has chosen will be with Him, He is looking forward to the time when we are all together up there; that is His part in it. Let us rise above our own interests and think what His portion is in it all. Our salvation is but a means to an end-the glory of God.

Following to be reported on next time:

Are You a Member of and what? (E. L.); Christ the Center (G. B.); Safety, Certainty and Enjoyment (B. S.); Fallen from Grace (F. S.); Sabbath (H. G.); Burial of the Egyptian (L. H.). Christian Companionship (V. S.) ; Staff and Scepter (J. D.); Fruitful Bough (M. D.); All-Sufficiency of Christ (A. H.); The Time of Harvest (L. M.); Secret Prayer (M. C.).

Subjects:Where do we find the "purifying hope" explained? D. H., H. F., and C. S. Does 1 John 3:1-2 teach that the vision of Christ is to be the transforming power? M. and J. D. What relation do little children bear to the truth of the Lord's coming? E. L. and H. G. Explain 1 Pet. 4:6. A. H.

United Prayer

As we look back over the past year, how many prayers have been answered! Perhaps each of us can see where the Lord has granted our requests. I think we can all thank Him for the deepened and increasing interest among our beloved young people. We can also thank Him for the part our little Department is doing in this. For the Greek class too we have much to be thankful for.

But past answers to prayer are also an encouragement to fresh requests. As we began last month to note requests, we will add a few more. Have you any one on your heart for whom you specially desire something? Their conversion, restoration if already saved, deliverance, guidance? Surely we have much to pray for.
5. For the Lord's work in the Foreign Field. We do pray for this, but let us make it a special subject both for private and public prayer.

6. A brother asks prayer for the conversion of his father.

7. For three young men, inclined in different ways to be skeptical.

And now, my beloved brothers and sisters, at the close of another year, I wish to express the great joy and encouragement I have received from you. Your letters, your interest, have been a stimulus and a joy. Many of you I have met during the year and have been made glad by the response you are making to these varied interests. Let us, as we draw to the year's close, be much in prayer, as we review the past and look forward to the future. May we profit by our failures and mistakes, and press forward with renewed hope and courage in the Lord for the year to come.

What would you suggest as a good and appropriate motto for the coming year? Think it over and send it in with your next letter.

May yours be a truly Happy New Year, a Happy, Healthful, Helpful year. Our Lord Jesus Himself bless you most richly. Affectionately and gratefully,

Your brother in Christ our Lord, S. R.

All letters please send c|o Loizeaux Bros.,

1 East 13th St., New York City.