Calendar:Feb. 15th to Mar. 15th.

DAILY BIBLE READING ……. Feb. 15th, Romans 3; Feb. 28th, Rom. 16; Mar. 15th, 1 Cor. 15.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING ….Feb. 15th, Isa. 11; Feb. 28th, Isa. 24; Mar. 15th, Isa. 39.

We have again, through the mercy of our Lord, gone through the historical portion of the New Testament with, I trust, added acquaintance with the narrative. We need not apologize for reminding one another that more than mere familiarity with the Word is needed, but that it must be "mixed with faith," and this suggests what is often connected with reading or hearing the Word-prayer. Mary, Luke 10, sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word; in the next chapter, 11, we have our Lord's example, and the instruction of His disciples how to pray. The Word searches the heart, conscience is stirred, and this should draw us to the throne of grace. May it ever be so.

Entering upon the Epistles, we find a wealth of divine truth poured out before us-"the unsearchable riches of Christ." We may say that the truths of which we have had partial views in the historical narrative are here brought out in all their detail and fulness. We could not do without the Gospels, nor the Acts, but in the Epistles the doctrines of grace and truth are elaborated. They are the fulfilment of our Lord's promise to the disciples that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth. So it is of the greatest importance that we should be "rooted and grounded" in these. A brief outline of the two Epistles which engage us during the coming month may help us, but if you have time for it, you might read the Notes in the Numerical Bible, or some other helpful book. Romans gives us the great foundation truths of the Righteousness of God, as declared in the work of our Lord Jesus Christ, and which is upon all that believe, their eternal protection and power for the life that will please Him. Its main divisions are:1.-God's Righteousness in the justification of the believer in Jesus, who has no righteousness of his own-Jew and Gentile alike all under sin-either by nature or practice (Chaps. 1-5:11). 2.-The cross has ended the old man, and the Spirit is the power for the new life in the risen Son of God (Chaps. 5:12-8). 3.-The counsels of God with regard to Israel are fully consistent with this grace to all, and shown in the work of faith in them, and in their future restoration (Chaps. 9-11). 4.-The practical walk resulting from this mercy of God, as applied to the individual and to his relationships to fellow-believers and to the world (Chaps. 12-16).

1 Corinthians is largely devoted to the relationships of the child of God, especially his responsibility in the assembly to maintain separation from evil and unity in love with the saints. It is the great Epistle of Church order. Its divisions are:1.-The assembly in separation from the principles of the world, the corruptions of the flesh, and the deceits of the devil (Chaps. 1-10). 2.- The assembly in its worship, constitution, nature (love) and mutual ministry for edification (Chaps. 11-14). 3.- The sure and blessed hope of the resurrection (Chap. 15). 4.-Practical exhortations (Chap. 16). Throughout, Christ our Lord, in His cross and His person, is the blessed Deliverer from, and Substitute for, the evils within and about us.

In the supplementary reading we go on with the great prophet Isaiah, but let us remember that we carry to it the light from the New Testament. Our blessed Lord lived in the Old Testament, but declared Himself the Fulfiller of its truths. We should guard against any low thoughts of the inspiration of the Old Testament; it is, equally with the New Testament, the Word of God -but what a flood of light is now poured upon its pages by the full statement of the truths only dimly declared by those who "diligently inquired" (1 Pet. 1:10-12). What a picture of the truth of God in Christ, His sufferings and His glory! The "prophets and kings" on the one hand desired to see, and on the other "the angels desire to look into" them. May we reverently prize all this dowry of the Holy Spirit.

Keep your notebook at hand, and jot down all thoughts that you gather from your reading, as well as any difficult questions. Ask as to each chapter, "What does it teach of Christ?"

I add a word for the older readers. You will find it very helpful to compare our excellent Authorized Version with the "New Translation" by Mr. Darby. You will find beautiful copies of the New and Old Testaments in one volume. I would advise your getting the edition with the footnotes, which are specially valuable in the New Testament. Those of you who have kept up with your Greek studies will find the Introduction to the New Testament will give you a start in the knowledge of the manuscripts and versions which supply the material for the best supported readings, where there are alterations in our Authorized Version. While these alterations are important, they do not contradict any of the precious truths learned from the Authorized Version. It is well to emphasize this-the Bible that is in our hands is the word of God; the New Version makes certain translations clearer, but only confirms the simplest babe in Christ in the assurance that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God."

(Judges 1:1,2)

In the appointment of Judah to lead the people, God is teaching us what manner of spirit is to characterize us in going forward-forward in the work to which He has called us, and in which we are exhorted to abound.

That Judah-"praise"-goes first, suggests the lesson that real spiritual advance is in the power of that spirit. To maintain this God has most richly furnished us. We need only to appropriate His abundant provision and we will find ourselves offering "the sacrifice of praise continually to God, that is, the fruit of the lips confessing His name."

But in the lion-like character given to Judah in prophecy concerning him, we have the symbol of courage-the soldier-virtue. "For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power, and of love, and of wise discretion." This is not the boldness of the flesh, but the fearlessness that comes from realized self-weakness and true dependence upon "the God of all encouragement."

Another character pertains to Judah. It is the royal tribe. To it belongs the dignity and glory of kingship. It is our divinely given privilege to rejoice always in the Lord, and in all things to give thanks; it is ours to be ever full of courage, knowing that God is for us; and it is ours to conduct ourselves before the world as those upon whom the matchless grace of God has bestowed royal right and joint-heirship with Him who is the appointed Heir of all things and under whose authority all has been placed in heaven and on earth.

To go up and possess our inheritance, to advance in the conflict of faith, we need these characteristics of God's chosen leader-Judah. Let our lives be full of praise, our hearts full of courage, and our deportment such as becomes the royal dignity grace has bestowed upon us, and we will go forward, able also to lead others. These choice qualities of leadership have no relation to self-praise, self-confidence, or self-sought honor. They will mark us only as we are taken up with Him through whom alone such as we have reason to praise and not to mourn, to be courageous and not fearful, and to conduct ourselves as those called to God's kingdom and glory.

Thus rejoicing, fearless, and full of the glory, things that grieve will not overwhelm. In such circumstances we shall be "as grieved, but always rejoicing;" the work of the enemy will not discourage us or weaken our hands, but as "bold in our God" we shall go forward "with much earnest striving;" and if the world despise and hate, we shall meet it in the conscious dignity of what we are in the mind of God, remembering that "the world knows us not because it knew Him not."

Let us then rise up and go forward, conscious of God's never-failing grace and ever-abiding Spirit. Let peace, as the Spirit's uniting bond, bind us together for service in love toward one another in all the gatherings-filling breaches, healing wounds, removing stumbling-blocks, holding fast to the truth and to each other, ever seeking only that which will edify in love. Toward the needy world let our hearts and hands be open to minister the mercy and grace of God, reaching out through every open door to the thirsting, famished multitudes who know not their right hand from their left.

The Lord grant us, weak, failing, and unworthy though we must confess ourselves to be, a real reviving within our borders, and in the blessing of such knitting together in the love of God and our most holy faith, may He lead us out in renewed energy in the work of the gospel, making our own meeting-places centers of such activity, while being also ever ready to carry the glad tidings of God to wayside mission, to hospital and prison, to street corner and public park, and to the lands afar off where as yet Christ has not been named.

"Brethren, rejoice; be perfected; be encouraged; be of one mind [or, mind the same thing]; be at peace; and the God of peace shall be with you."

The New Testament is the record of how God has spoken to us "in the Son." Crossing its threshold we find all concentrated for us in a single Personality in whom dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and from whom all the redeeming energies radiate out to all the world. First we have four vivid portraits of Jesus Christ-King, Servant, Son of Man, and Son of God- in which all the perfection of His divine character and holy humanity are delineated. We catch a glimpse of Him in His gentle youth. We see Him in the fulness of His Manhood entering on His public service as Prophet, Healer, Revealer. We watch Him teaching heavenly morals, preaching the kingdom, healing the sick, helping the poor, giving hope to the outcast and lost, while the lights and shadows of the picture grow more vivid as His life moves on to its awful climax. We stand beside the cross, we hear His cry, we share in the glory of resurrection. Then we witness the descent of the Holy Spirit, the birth of the Church, the rapid spread of the gospel, and then we read the great epistles which unfold in their completing revelation the universal significance of the Incarnation, Redemption, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ, and in this, as in the closing book of the volume, the ultimate triumph of God in all creation.

Our lot has been cast in that part of God's great plan of the ages which falls between Pentecost and the coming of Christ for His people -to this period belongs the Church or Assembly which is called the Body of Christ. That divinely formed organism includes every one now born of God; such are its members, members of Christ and of one another.

In Matt. 16, the Lord first spoke of His assembly as that which He would build. Then, consequent upon the Spirit's coming at Pentecost, we read, "The Lord added to the assembly daily" (Acts 2:47). Since then that work has continued, and the fact that "There is one body and one Spirit, as ye have been also called in one hope of your calling" (Eph. 4:4) is the central truth of this entire period of grace in which we have our part.

This divine unity of all believers as baptized into one body by the one Spirit of whom all have been given to drink (1 Cor. 12:13) had its visible expression in "the assemblies of the saints" (1 Cor. 14:33), during the days of the apostle. But soon after, this beautiful and perfectly formed vessel of testimony was marred by evil men who crept in as the apostles foretold. After a while that vessel became broken and fell to pieces so that the world no longer beheld a united assembly, but a divided state, an evil mixture of diverse elements. Spiritual power declined, and worldly influences soon destroyed the true character of the assembly as the temple and house of God. Today we stand surrounded by the wreckage of this whole visible order, a condition brought about by the subtlety of Satan, the evil of men, and unfaithfulness to the Lord on the part of His own people.

This state of things, however, has not touched the vital and ever abiding work of Christ and the Holy Spirit in forming and preserving the one body to which every believer belongs. And in such circumstances, faith has ever shown itself by attachment to that which is the ever abiding and unalterable purpose of God. His revealed mind for His people remains the same no matter how great the breakup and the breakdown of the visible testimony. So it was in the remnant days of Israel, and so it is to be with us in these the remnant days of Church history.

This teaches us a twofold lesson. Faith does not attempt to rebuild the broken, shattered vessel. It endeavors to act upon the truth which abides-truth which, it is true, the vessel should have continued to exhibit, but no longer does because of its present state. As acting upon the truth, faith seeks the realization of fellowship in the truth with those who are of one body. That body abides as a divinely wrought spiritual entity to be fully manifested in all its beauty of form and perfect unity in the day of coming glory when to God shall "be glory in the assembly in Christ Jesus unto all generations of the ages of ages." Faith, owning that the vessel cannot be restored now, will however seek fellowship as acting upon the truth of the Headship of Christ, the place and presence of the Holy Spirit, and in obedience to the Word- ever abiding realities.

For the present enjoyment of such fellowship, visible unity as set up at first is not necessary, but rather individual faithfulness to the truth, separation to the Lord, and walk with all those of kindred spirit (2 Tim. 2:14-22). That such will assemble together, and seek in every godly way to promote righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit as serving one another in love to mutual edification, is to be expected and desired. We are never to forsake "the assembling of ourselves together." Such are not, nor ever will be, the broken, shattered vessel restored; but they may be and should be a united testimony in word and deed to what abides untouched by the ruin and failure which abounds.

If this be so, let us gather from the Word what should characterize the testimony of those who thus assemble together.

In a special way, from the days when declension and breakup began, the Lord's appeal has been to the individual. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies." To thus hear will attract to Him who is set before us at the opening of those addresses which close with that call to hear. All those thus attracted should find themselves together as drawn to a common Center-the Son of God. Such are the twos and threes gathered together to His name-the One who stands outside the door of Christendom with its loud Laodicean boast, yet in spiritual poverty as seen by "the Amen, the faithful and true Witness."

Those then who are attracted to Him and gather around Him, what are they to confess as the ground upon which they stand? Let their first concern be to have their practice together, and toward one another, conform to those moral and spiritual realities which subsist between Christ and all who are His. What are they as connected with the fellowship of saints?

For one, let us mention that, no matter how scattered and peeled and broken, there is one flock and one Shepherd who gives unto all His sheep eternal life-one life.

Then, for another, by reason of this blessed bond of life and nature accompanied with the indwelling Spirit, there is that oneness for which the Lord prayed:"And I do not demand for these only, but also for those who believe on Me through their word; that they may be all one, as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me" (John 17:20, 21). This oneness in the Divine Persons-"in Us"-is not that of an outward visible unity as seen even at first in the assembly, but oneness rooted in the possession of the same nature, life, and Spirit, the manifestation of which consists in showing before the world the same manner of life and mind as seen in Jesus the Son of God when here. The accomplishment of this in those who believe is the abiding witness to the world that the Father sent the Son.

Failure in the manifestation of this basic moral and spiritual oneness resulted in the shattering of that beautiful vessel of testimony formed by the Holy Spirit at the first so that visible unity ceased, and visibly there no longer appeared to be one body. But this oneness remains true no matter how great the breakdown of the established order and visibility of the assembly in unity. It may still be seen in our loving one another as He loved us, in the keeping of His commandments and His Word. This is moral in character and spiritual in power, and not the idea of a visible body as seen at the beginning, though of course such moral and spiritual features characterized it while it abode in first love. But spite of this failure, it is still true that the oneness of John 17 can be exhibited before the world, and should be in those who are now attracted to and gather together around "the Amen, the faithful and true Witness," supping with Him. It is true also that this should be accompanied with an abiding state of repentance in view of the ruin and failure which abounds, and in which we have to own our part, judging ourselves before the Lord. We cannot take too low a place in repentance before Him. It is part of that to which the Spirit calls us in such days. It is part of His word which we are called to keep, and when it is not our attitude we have missed His mind.

To this we add what most certainly is of intimate relation to it, the truth of one body and one Spirit. Those who are in the bond of the same nature, life, and Spirit with the Father and the Son are now members one of another and of Christ the Head in glory, being united to Him by the Holy Spirit. From this flows all those precious instructions and exhortations in the Pauline Epistles as to our relations together in the service of love whereby edification and growth in grace up to Christ is to be realized. This truth of the body is presented as of practical application to all our activities. Its moral and spiritual import is what is pressed throughout, rather than any ecclesiastical application made of chief concern in matters of discipline which have been forced to division after division, until those who at the first gave witness to the truth that "there is one body" have become a byword and a hissing. How the little foxes have spoiled our vines! May the Lord take them away, and make us truly fruitful for Himself in fellowship together as having the moral and spiritual features of the truth developed in us. This is that unity of the Spirit which we are to seek to realize in faith and simplicity in the uniting bond of peace. It can only be realized and kept by the practice of those moral characteristics given in Eph. 4:1-3. We have said that those to whom these things pertain, and who are in these days attracted to Christ and gathered together around Him, must of necessity assemble together. His word calls us to it. What now remains to those who thus gather together in assemblies, be it only two or three? In a word:The Lord in the midst as promised. The Spirit present for power and leading in all worship and service.

The Word as our guide to the mind of God, and the standard for all order and judgment among God's people. What then may we learn from the Word about the features of our fellowship as so gathered in assemblies? What we have already referred to is of basic importance. Without its maintenance in the Spirit's power all else must become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. It alone will deliver and preserve us from alienations in heart from which come schism and divided assemblies in connection with which so much of fleshly bitterness and strife arises, and often all in the name of "the one body!" But if what we have been considering is true then there exists a blessed and ever abiding spiritual link between every believer, every member of the body. If we recognize and act upon this must it not be reflected in the assemblies of all those gathered out to Christ's Name? Surely among them it is to find its practical display in that service of love to one another unto edification, encouragement and consolation, to the development of the mind and spirit of Christ our life and Head in glory. But this must mean that there is a mutual relation subsisting between all such assemblies, making for unity in various ways, all of which the Spirit of God must lead into by the Word. We may find this presented to us in the Corinthian epistles. Let us seek the light they afford for our fellowship together as gathered to Christ's name.

As gathered together unity is to subsist between all such because of that one Name upon which all call. "Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all say the same thing, and that there be not among you divisions; but that ye be perfectly united in the same mind and in the same opinion" (1 Cor. 1:1-3 and 10).

Then there is to be unity because of that one fellowship into which all are called by God-"the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (ver. 9). There is to be unity in teaching, for the apostle declares he taught the same everywhere in every assembly (1 Cor. 4:17). Paul desired Timothy to remain in Ephesus that he might enjoin some not to teach other doctrines, nor to turn their minds to fables. There is to be unity in order "in all the assemblies" (1 Cor. 7:17). There is to be unity in custom as he declares in 1 Cor. 11:16. There is to be unity in state as we may say. "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints" (1 Cor. 14:33). There is to be unity in practice as intimated in 1 Cor. 16:1. Assemblies acted in unity as appointing a brother to special service (2 Cor. 8:18,19); and Titus with others are called "deputed messengers of assemblies, Christ's glory." There was unity in action. From Acts 15 we see that unity in practice throughout the assemblies was expected. Eph. 4 shows us unity of purpose as to all gift from the Head in glory, for all is with a view to the blessing of the whole. In Matt. 18 the Lord speaks of being in the midst of the two or three; in Rev. 1-3 He is seen walking in the midst of the assemblies. The recognition of both will give to the local assembly its proper character and responsibility, and also shows the abiding link which should order relation and action between all assemblies. Are not these the things which belong to fellowship in the truth, and which are to be practiced by all those who confess the truth which is our heritage?

As we study these things which pertain to God's people as gathered together to Christ's name, we can see how the local assembly has its place, and that all such are viewed as in a unity of fellowship, teaching, order, custom, and action. This should at once set aside any notion either of independency or division among "the assemblies of God" (1 Thess. 2:14; 2 Thess. 1:4). He surely has one order for all. And as being "the assemblies of Christ" (Rom. 16:11) there is one mind to pervade them-His mind (Phil. 2);and then as "the assemblies of the saints" (1 Cor. 14:33), it is those who are such and walk according to their place that are to be in and welcomed to the fellowship we enjoy as gathered around our blessed Lord. Only wickedness, as His word defines it, and association with it should bar from that fellowship; and all that which we may find at variance with those features of unity to which His word calls us is surely to be dealt with by the exercise of those moral characters according to which we must ever model our diligent endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace.

Let us unitedly pray the Lord to stir all our hearts to freshly lay hold of, appreciate, and act according to the precious truth He has restored and preserved for His people even in these dark, evil days of Church-ruin and world-apostasy. J. Bloore

(Continued from p.245)

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession" (God's own possession, R.V.).

The translators supply "trusted" in the above quotation to ease English ears, as the original omits the verb, which the reader is expected to fill in, to suit the context, a procedure much more common to Greek than to English. Exegetes have differed as to the proper word to supply, and have inserted, according to their several preferences:"hoped," trusted," "are." These are indeed all more or less possible, so that the inalienable right inheres to select from them, as may be judged proper, with due regard to the reasons pertinent in each case. No matter what the "selection" however, you will always find some one to oppose it, yet, thought and exercise are good and it is through these that "our profiting will appear."

Spiritual exercise is as necessary for the mind and heart as is physical exercise for the muscles; and thus Scripture is so constructed as to elicit it. For the average Christian, the world is a world of hurry and worry, and hurry and worry tend to kill both thought and thought-fulness. Our Lord has exhorted us to "labor not for the meat that perisheth, but for the meat that endureth unto everlasting life" and the present day method of supplying "canned" spiritual food has its dangers. Our diet should be varied according to our variant need and our advancement in the school of experience.

"The word of truth, the gospel of your salvation" might well be the theme of some metrical song. Philip Melancthon, the friend of Luther, just before his departure "to be with Christ," was heard chanting:"I will not any more eat thereof until all be fulfilled in the kingdom of God." Most Scriptural truths should be the music of the heart and the heart should teach the lips its melody. In days of old, the Psalms were framed to mitre and mitre became the handmaiden of music. "Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered" was the song of Cromwell's spirit at the rising of the sun over Dunbar, heralding the victory to follow. Yet the Psalms, with all their nobility exhale themes inferior to those of our Christian today, and the words we are now considering, "the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation" might well supply the motif tor some noble Christian oratorio. "Peace on earth, good-will to man" was its wondrous prelude on the plains of Bethlehem, and the song of the fifth of Revelation is its inspiring finale. It is the "word of truth." It commands our utmost confidence. It is "the gospel of our salvation," a song of "freedom," of deliverance, and might indeed bubble up from the heart, leap to the lips and light the eye with its gladness, blending with the closing jubilation of the Psalms:"Praise God with the sound oft the trumpet; praise Him with the psaltery and the harp; praise Him with the timbrel and the dance; praise him with the stringed instruments and the organs; praise Him upon the loud cymbals; praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise YE the Lord." The words, "after that ye believed" are really simply, "having believed." and do not in themselves suggest any interval of time between faith and sealing, as some have thought. The question of how soon sealing follows believing has engendered much controversy, and while the discussion of such subjects is perfectly right and profitable, the great thing for us is to be warmed and illuminated with their meaning, that they may become vital energizers of our life, that spiritual fruit may be garnered.
The initial stages of the believer's pathway, as controlled by the Spirit, are so wonderfully glorious, that we might well feel lured to retrace the way, fragrant, as it should be, with sacred memories, in order that we may rejoice together. Here New Birth and Adoption, twin brothers each, follow their forerunner, Belief. Each stage is lighted with some precious Scripture:"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" seemed once like some mighty mountain barrier, straddling the way to heaven, but now marks the place of the clear running of the fountain of water of life. "To as many as received him, to them gave He authority to become the children of God, even to those who believe on His name" (adoption) links faith with the blessed Captain of our Salvation, its Author and Originator, Who welcomes each pilgrim to the glorious army of the sanctified, the sons of God. Here the banner of faith is raised high above the marching ranks, having inscribed upon it:"We are all the sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:26). Then the band strikes up the glorious anthem of the Redeemed:"Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, shouting 'Abba, Father.' " The evil harpies of fear are thus evicted (Rom. 8:15) and across the shining vista of the future gleams "the glorious liberty of the Children of God." Ah, truth is indeed often stranger than fiction and, in this instance how far more glorious.

But we leave this retrospect, which supplies us the atmosphere for the thought of sealing. (Breathe deeply, brother!) Sealing indeed is involved in all that has gone before. It is first God's blessed authentication of our faith and of our sonship. In a speech delivered at the famous council in Jerusalem Peter says:"And the heart-knowing God bare them (the Gentile believers) witness, giving them the Holy Spirit" (Acts 15:7, 8). It was the seal of their faith. Authentication is the idea in "hath set to his seal that God is true" (Faith's affirmation). It marks them as truly believers, men of faith. This is supplemented by the Spirit's witness:"The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirits, that we are the children of God." We, "the sanctified" (Heb. 2:11)', are all "of one" (Father). We are "God's Own" and we are set aside to Christ, the First Begotten, the Captain of our Salvation. So the Indwelling Spirit, by the very fact of His indwelling is the seal of sonship. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16). That He inhabits them affirms that they are His Own. This connects the thought of sealing with the idea of proprietorship, which is also evidently the idea in the sealing of the servants of God in the seventh of Revelation.

"Ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price" is surely a delightful fact and how intimately it links us with those sacred scenes that preluded the great Act of Purchase:"Having loved His own that were in the world, He loved them unto the end (perfectly) ."Thine they were and Thou gavest them me," "And all Mine are Thine and Thine are Mine and I am glorified in them." Is it not significant then, that when the Lord thus gathered his own around Him, this blessed Sealing Spirit is promised, is the Spirit "of promise" as our Ephesian passage puts it, as if it would recall by the words lingering memories of that sacred time?

"The earnest of our inheritance" carries our story of blessing still further. "The earnest is always of the same nature as, and a part of, the inheritance. Therefore since the Holy Spirit is the "earnest," the conclusion is plain, that the inheritance is nothing less than God Himself. Heaven is to possess God and to be possessed by Him." So writes an eminent preacher, and without excluding other thoughts, this is certainly a lovely aspect of and a happy peroration for this richly fruitful verse. Centuries before one of the "children of faith" had written into a glowing context "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup… the lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places, I have a goodly heritage." Though he knew nothing of the truth we have to-day, the writer of the Psalm had a foretaste, an earnest, of that which was to follow. "Whom have I in heaven but Thee, and on earth there is none beside Thee," he exclaims in another place. How the words often put us Christians to shame. Are we experiencing NOW what is to be the culmination of experience in the "sweet bye and bye?" That is what is meant by "fellowship with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ." That is what the Apostle in part meant, when he said:"Nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" and the warmth of that thought glows through his "Christ in you the hope of glory." Yes, Christ ministered within the heart, by the Spirit who is the earnest of full possession, when "God's own possession" is fully redeemed is the pledge of an ever expanding fortune,

"For infinite unfoldings of Jehovah's love and grace
And infinite unveilings of the beauties of His Face
And infinite disclosings of the splendor of His will,
Meet the mightiest expansions of our finite spirits still."

F. C. Grant

(To be continued. D. V.)

I'm waiting, Lord, just waiting
The passing of the night,
For soon I shall behold Thee,
Where faith gives place to sight:
To see Thy face-what will it be?-
And dwell with Thee eternally.

I'm watching for the day star,
Bright herald of the dawn,
To tell me Thou art coming
To take me where Thou'rt gone;
For here upon earth's barren shore
There's nothing for me any more.

I'm listening, Lord, just listening
For Thy triumphant voice,
No sound like this hath ever
Made my poor heart rejoice.
Oh, then o'er death the victory,
And I shall ever be with Thee.

I'm waiting, watching, listening,
Nor will it be in vain;
Thou'st said, "I'll not forget thee,
I'll surely come again;"
Thy promise is the same, I know,
As 'twas two thousand years ago.

H. McD

Owing to lack of space in our May issue the following letters had to be omitted:

CHINA

Our brother Charles Kautto writes as follows:

Hopei (Chihli) North China, Feb. 14, 1930.

"Since our return from the north I have not been out much except that I made a trip to Tientsin, as no doubt you have seen from my wife's letter already, but we have enjoyed some nice meetings the past three weeks' evenings.

A regiment of cavalry is stationed here and as they used to have a very bad reputation, most of them being old bandits, I was a little afraid to try to open any work with them; yet I seemed to receive courage from above and started the meetings for them on Sunday evening three weeks ago. There were some 15 or 16 that came that first evening, and they behaved themselves so nicely that first evening that it took all my fears away, and ever since we have had encouraging meetings with them, usually lasting from two to three hours.

The past couple of days have been busy trying to get a street chapel put in working order. It has been my desire for many years to open a preaching place inside the city wall (as the mission compound is outside the city wall) but had not been able to secure a suitable place. Now this year there is a building empty in a very good location, and when we enquired of the owner, he was delighted that we should have the place. Of course it is not large, 14 ft. by 27 ft. but it will make a little street chapel which will face the space where the people do their marketing. It will give them an opportunity to step in and rest their feet while hearing the good news of Christ and His love to sinners.

We are also trying to get the school room ready here in the compound as after five days we expect to open a girls' school.

As to conditions north of the wall where the outstations are, the trouble is still unsettled. The soldiers who went to fight against the bandit-soldiers, as mentioned in the circular letter, which no doubt you have seen already, came back without the victory and lost two men. Some old bandits who had fled some years ago to Manchuria, when they heard of these fellow bandits being in trouble returned and were ready to renew their operations. However the leader of the bandit-soldiers was not willing to become a bandit again, so the old bandits went at night to his place and brought about his murder by treachery, after which his followers became bandits again, holding people for ransom. I heard yesterday that the hsien magistrate has offered as a reward to this murderer a position as captain if these bandits will become soldiers. But these reports are yet doubtful so we have to wait and see whether there are "soldiers" or bandits outside the wall-and I shall probably stay at a safe distance until I can know certainly. However we trust that the Lord will take care of us and protect us in the time of danger.

INDIAN WORK

We have received the following letters from brother Holcomb and brother J. P. Anderson:

Immanuel Mission to the Navahos, Shiprock, New Mexico, Mar. 29, 1930.

Dear brother:

We have had a very mild winter here, for which we are thankful, not only for ourselves, but it saves much suffering to our Navahos. They are not prepared for, or clothed for severe weather. Many of the children go nearly naked, and the little herders are not dressed for severe weather. They are out at times all day following their flocks in the snow. But to hear one complain or fret about cold or rain is very uncommon indeed. Ours are a very cheerful happy people.

We are asking the Lord to give us a well here on the hill. We carry all our water for house use from springs from 20 rods to one-quarter of a mile away. Most of these springs are strong alkali. We have bored down with a post auger nearly 40 ft. At about 20 ft. we found water but it too is strong' alkali. We went on down, and struck gravel, and hope it may be better, but with the surface water alkali we don't know how to handle it. We are not well diggers, and we are so far from where we can get any one to do such work, it is very expensive to bring such an one in here. Well God knows and we are asking Him. We are sad to hear of the death of our sister Miss Wilson. Every one is so much needed in that land. We are praying God will raise up some to take her p/ace. We planned to go to Africa, and waited many years for the Lord to open the way for us, but He did not seem to do so. Then we came here. Our hearts still go out to that dark needy land. -H. A. Holcomb.

Valentine, Arizona,

Dear brother in Christ:- March 26th, 1930, We are in receipt of your kind letter with the ministry from the Missionary meeting at Elizabeth, and we assure you we thank them for so kindly remembering us, both in their prayers and with their ministry.

How good is the God we adore. Surely He is mindful of us, and we thank Him for suppling our needs, and helping us in every way.

The work goes on here about as usual, preaching several times each week here and at Peach Springs, and then Sunday P. M. we try to have a big outdoor meeting with the Indians, going where they have gathered to have their big talk or to gamble. Last Sunday they did not even stop their gambling long enough to listen to the preaching. But a few came over who were not gambling and listened. Their hearts are hardened and they can listen to the old Gospel story time after time and still seem unmoved, but go on in their sins. Well thank God for those who have listened, and the rest are surely without excuse. But we will keep at it and do what we can for them, hoping they will open their hearts and let the Spirit have His way.

Soon our Christian boys and girls will have left this school for other higher schools, and we pray that they may go on in their Christian life, being testimonies for Him. With love in our Lord to you,

Mr. & Mrs. J. P. Anderson.

Harbor work

Miami, Florida, March 25th, 1930.

"Since Jan. 11th, 1930 to date 36 ships have been visited. British, Dutch, and American ships on which were also some Spanish and Portugese, with crews and officers ranging from 11 to over 200. Not a few thousands of tracts and Gospels have been given to the men with but few refusing them.

May the people of God everywhere pray for this work to seamen in the several harbors, and that many might come to our blessed Saviour. To Him be all the praise and honor, and that eternal. Pray for us.

Yours in Christ,

David H. Arthur.

Brooklyn, N. Y.

As the result of a meeting with some men from the steamer Devon we have received the following letter:

S. S. Devon, Newport News, Va. Dear Friend:-

I take the greatest pleasure in writing to you. I thank you with all my heart for all both you and Mr. Harris have done for me. Since I have taken your advice I have been very happy. I wondered why Christians were happy but now I know. I thank you for the magazines and Bible you gave me, they are the most interesting books I have ever read. I will pass them on to my girl (in Liverpool) and her Christian friends when I get home. I still believe in the Lord, sir, and always will. Your true friend and fellow-Christian,

Fred Court.

This young boy was converted on Tuesday the 1st of April at the mission hall on Fulton Street and we covet the prayers of our brethren for this work. Since the middle of March over 60 men have come to the hall. Fred Court is the first convert at this place.

-R. A. West.

The following more recent letters have come to hand:china

From Mr. C. O. Kautto:Beloved brother:- April 18th,1930.

Your kind letters have arrived safely, also the ministry from the Elizabeth Missionary Meeting. Kindly give our gratitude to all who remember us and the work here so faithfully.
While I was musing on God's goodness to us, three "exceedings" from Ephesians came to my mind:

(1)"And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward (1:19).

(2)"That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace"(2:7).

(3) "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (3:20).

And the more we think of His exceedings, of what He is, and what He can do, the more it makes us to realize our own exceeding helplessness.

We are getting along nicely, the interest in the Gospel is as usual with the soldiers, and lately there has been better interest at the street chapel as there are more people coming to town as the bandits have been forcing many of them to flee from their homes to seek refuge in the cities.

Trusting this will find you all well and happy in the Lord, with our united Christian love to all.

Affectionately yours in Christ,

P. S.-Many thanks for the slip announcing brother Ridout's home going. Sorry to hear that a prince and a mighty man has fallen asleep. How blessed it is to have one's foot dipped in oil, leaving the marks of the Spirit's work wherever he has trodden. And the many good books that have been written by him will carry their influence far and wide. I think Heb. 13:7 will be well to keep in mind in this respect.

WEST INDIES

From Mr. J. B. Hoze:

Beloved brother in Christ:- April 2, 1930.

Your two letters came safe to hand yesterday. The one to our brother Egbert McDonald is being forwarded at once. Many thanks for your kind and loving service both towards him and myself. He is faithfully carrying on for the Lord at Trinidad both in making Christ known among the unsaved and taking the oversight of believers. May our Lord ever keep him faithful for he is profitable in the good work. Over here we are still pressing onward serving among saved and unsaved.

HARBOR WORK

From Baltimore we hear of encouragement in this work:Chas. H. Anderson writes:

The work on the ships goes on as usual. Every now and again, the Lord seems to allow a ray of clear light from the work to be seen.

About four weeks ago, a British ore ship, the S. S. "Hocelage" limped into port and was immediately dry-docked. One of the men, an engineer's mess-boy was saved, and a few days later his companion, a sailor, also found his need of a Saviour. The ship remained here for one month and it was a real joy to see these boys growing spiritually. I kept in contact with them while they were here. Brother A. S. Loizeaux was used to reach the mess-boy, and the sailor was reached at the Port Mission a week later. Both of them were there several times with me, also at the Bible Class in Arunah Ave. and in brother Loizeaux's home, and are bearing testimony. The chief engineer is a Christian also.

During a visit to the S. S. "Kafiristan" one night, we found several men had mouth organs, and producing a hymn book we had some singing. They were nearly all Welshmen from Cardiff. On Sunday night the whole bunch, 25 men, and their Captain, came to the Mission and the folk there heard some real Welsh singing. Three men and the Captain were Christians. The Captain's wife also was a Christian.

Yours in His service,

BELGIUM:

Mr. Octave Dandoy who labors in Belgium in addition to telling of several individual cases that he has been able to help and lead to the Lord writes as follows:

Thanks be to the Lord that He has encouraged us much in the work of seed-sowing and by the interest He has allowed us to see in a good number of hearers. Many places here have been witnessed to, and many people have heard the Gospel with interest.

How many good opportunities we have had to speak of the Lord and His love. Of what He has done by His sufferings and death to save us! What blessed moments have been passed with these dear souls witnessing that their hearts were touched. There have been times when it was hard to leave them. For the old people of these villages the way was long, but our grateful hearts made our thankful prayers rise up on behalf of these people with whom He had put us in touch.

SOUTH AMERICA

From Mr. B. Monttlau:

'In the midst of many difficulties, we have been experiencing the blessing of our gracious Lord in this section. Since the opening of the hall the attendance at the regular meetings and Sunday School has been encouraging and some among the adults and children have confessed faith in the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour Last Saturday night five adults and a girl, about 14 years of age, gave their public testimony through baptism:others desire to follow soon. We had the privilege of giving the Gospel message to a large audience and we heard of blessing, for which we praise our Lord.

Since we took up the work here we have had much opposition, but the Lord is sustaining us in His grace. We covet your prayers.

AFRICA

In connection with the new site our young brother, Will Deans writes as follows:
March 10, 1930.

As the government has granted occupation of the mission site, I felt that to wait was to lose time, so Monday morning I brought a load through to the new site, "Lolua." As it was raining too hard to get a house up in the half day I left the supplies at a native hut the home of the village headmen, and left the boys I brought with me to "shepherd" them as the natives say.

After spending Monday night with the Woodhams at Mambasa we tried to finish the shack Tuesday. But as the rain prevailed it was not until Wednesday that I could call the shack "home." Tuesday night I spent at the home of this headman. But one can hardly expect untroubled slumbers when the smoke of several fires fills the room and the drone of native voices robs the night of its stillness.

I had several opportunities to present the Word to individuals but it was not until to-day, Sunday, that I was able to reach a good number together.

What encouragement it was to have over seventy pairs of ears eagerly poised to hear the Word for the first time. How welcome it was to them. Pray that God by His spirit will give them the joy of receiving it in their souls as well as their ears. I preached a little over three hours, then stopped not because they were tired but because I was, and didn't want to give them too much at one time, lest they understand none at all. But they wanted more so we sang "Nothing but the blood of Jesus" over and over again, and I believe some of them learned it.

Strange to say that, except for one little girl, those seventy were all males. Not a woman present. But I have been reaching them as they come, some twenty or more, for medicine every day.

Pray for us here. There is one native Christian with me. Others mentioned coming, but I pressed none. It is several days since I saw a white face. I guess it will be another week or so before the Doctor passes through to Nyankundi.

The forest is on every side, miles and miles of forest monarchs towering above a mass of tangled undergrowth. Today a group of monkeys passed by, almost over our heads.

The pygmies brought in the leaves for the shack. It's surprising to see the strength of the little pigmy women. They accept no pay except salt. A spoonful of salt is ample payment for a load of leaves, a day's work. I gave them the Gospel, but their indifference is the same as that of their white "Bwanas," "plenty of time for that."

We are close to the pigmy village and will keep presenting the Word. If they continue to refuse they will be, at least, without excuse, for our Lord's commandment to us is to "preach the Word." The men are more interested but feel it is too much that the same Gospel should exist for their masters as for them.

Keep the work before the Throne of Grace, that these darkened minds may experience the brightness of Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

While I am still talking Kingwana, I am mixing words of this local language with it, for work in this tribe (Babila) will be especially effective when using their own tribal language. I trust the Lord will give us wisdom in all our contacts with the natives here.

Mr. and Mrs. Searle passed on their way to Nyankundi with their newly born "Thomas Gordon" and David. Miss DeJonge also is there for a week or more rest after the strenuous work at Mambasa, and the shock occasioned by Miss Wilson's death.

Give our Christian love to all the saints and again we solicit your continued prayers on our behalf, that in all the Lord's hand may be seen, and that souls may be saved to His glory.

Your brother in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Brother Robert Deans writes as follows:

We had a rather painful case brought here the other week. A native boy, 15 years old, was out hunting with others and they thought he was an animal in the bush and thrust a spear clean through his body. They brought him here in native fashion, bark cloth slung on a pole, serving as a stretcher.

The doctor being at Mombasa, but expected next day we dressed the wounds which were ghastly especially the side the spear went in at. We applied permanganate of potash as a disinfectant, then poured in Mercurochrome and applied a salve, binding both wounds tightly.

Next day they brought him and the wounds were closed and looked wonderfully well. The boy also was feeling a little better. An opening for the Gospel message was now found and the precious story told to the crowd gathered around. The Doctor arrived but said the lad had no hope as peritonitis was sure to set in which really did, the lad dying the same night. The Word of life was preached however and who knows but that the sad circumstance may be the means of leading some one to our Saviour's feet!

From Dr. Woodhams we have the following:

"The people at Mambasa seem hard to touch with the Gospel and so far we have no conversions to report, but there will be. There was a time when it was just like this at Nyankundi (and also at Akara), but last Lord's Day we were all at Nyankundi and were much rejoiced to remember the Lord with a good number who have been added to the church there. It is a great encouragement to see that fruit has indeed followed. It is a very nice assembly there now. So we sow in hope knowing that the same seed will also bring forth the same results here in due time. But three Mohammedans in all have been converted at Irumu. One of them received a copy of John's Gospel and was "born again" and came into the light from reading it. He has since been active among others and one of the others is the result of his testimony to him. I have not yet met them and give these details from brother Searle but he has seen them several times and seems impressed with the real change that is evident in their lives.

"Forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" but this is preceded by a "therefore" which connects it with the thought of the chapter, namely that this "corruptible must put on incorruption" and this being the case and being the hope, be assured that "your labor is not in vain in the Lord." As brother McKenzie once said in a Bible address in Oakland "wherefore the therefore?" "There is always a reason for the "therefore", and always profit in seeking its connection.

Your brother in Christ,

Dr. Woodhams and family are still waiting for the way to be opened for them to leave for a furlough and the Dr. has promised to cable when they actually leave.

The following extract is from the Africa Inland Missionary magazine:

"All Christians everywhere today should pray for Africa, but above all, Christian women should pray for the women of Africa. Realizing that Christian homes are the very foundation of all good society and progress, and that these cruel and wretched customs from which Africa's girls and women suffer are beyond the help of man, women should call 'upon God to stretch forth His hand in behalf of their sisters in Kikuyu land and in all that great stretch of territory known as the Dark Continent. '

We are thankful brother, to report safe arrival of our dear brother, William C. Amies, his wife and tow children came in on Tuesday, May 13th. They are for the present staying with his wife’s relatives near Camden, N.J.

We have just received tidings of the sailing of our brother J. P. Ribeiro of Brazil for this country. He is due on May 27th.

When the glory of God is mentioned, one naturally thinks of such a display as is presented to us in the mount of transfiguration, where "His face did shine as the sun," and "His raiment was white and glistering"; or of that at Paul's conversion when, "At midday, O King, I saw in the way a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun;" or of the glories displayed in nature at sunrise or sunset when the gorgeous beauties of light are reflected in the heavens. Such displays have unquestionable value, but is there not a deeper and fuller apprehension of the glory of God to be laid hold of in Scripture?

If we read the 104th Psalm (and please read it) we must be impressed with the fulness of provision God, as Creator, has made for all His creatures. Is. 6:3 (margin) confirms this:-"Holy, holy, holy, Jehovah of hosts, His glory is the fulness of the whole earth!" He, as Creator, has "covered Himself with light as with a garment," "for whatsoever doth make manifest is light." This "fulness of the whole earth" is the Light, the manifestation of the true God, the One who meets all need. The worldly-wise, "like the beasts that perish," see only this earth and its products, refusing Him who says, "He spread forth the earth and that which cometh out of it" (Is. 42:5). The light of creation being refused by such, it is little to be wondered at that the Light veiled in flesh, "covered as with a garment," should also be refused. "But if our gospel be veiled, it is veiled to them that are lost"-"nevertheless where it (the heart) shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away" (2 Cor. 3:16-18; 4:3-6).

Then what does such an one behold?

He beholds "the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." This only begotten and well-beloved Son of God was given that "whosoever believeth in Him should not perish"; this is the measure of the value God sets upon our living souls, and witnessed to, concerning those that receive Him, in the words of that Son, "Thou hast loved them as Thou hast loved Me."

Ponder such love from the Almighty God toward those who but accept the gift of that love! And it is all told in the face of Jesus Christ! The face is the index of all within. This is the One who heals the sick; who makes the lame to walk, the blind to see and the deaf to hear; who gives power to a withered arm, who raises the dead and restores to a fellowship and communion which sin and death had destroyed. This is the One who says, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father"- God, who is Love. Then yielding Himself unto the hour and power of darkness, "that through death He should destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil," He suffers the perfection of ignominy and humiliation at man's hand and the wrath of a holy, righteous God against sin, that sinners might be delivered from that wrath and be brought into God's family as SONS- sons who know the heart of God, sons who are made heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ-Christ, in whom "all the fulness of the Godhead was pleased to dwell."

What wealth, what riches for the heart, made known to us by the Spirit of God! The triune God ministering to sinners that but own their moral poverty and need! What provision for eternal life! All that God is and all that God has-the universe-for such as but accept the gift of His love! Giving! Giving!! Giving!!! Out of His all-sufficiency! "Not as the world giveth, give I unto you"-the world reserves, God gives without reserve. Such is the Glory of God as told out in the unveiled face of Jesus Christ. J. E. H. Stimson

(Acts 17:11.)

What a priceless heritage we possess in the Word of God! (Ps. 119:111). Both the inspiration and the preservation of Scripture have been miraculous. It has stood the test of ages, and in spite of the many assaults upon it by unbelieving men, the Book has stood, has continued, and we possess it now.

What a source of light, comfort and strength it has been throughout many generations! It has been the one perfect standard by which to test every doctrine, every preacher, every teacher. "What saith the Scriptures?" was the divine test used by the apostle Paul, and it remains still the divine standard after almost nineteen hundred years since his time.

But neglect in reading the Scriptures is now very common. Considering their great value and importance, we should read and search them daily as for hidden treasure, value their contents more than silver and gold, and would thus find them sweeter than honey to our taste (Ps. 119:124, 126-128).

We read that in the early days of Christianity the Bereans "searched the Scriptures daily." Paul's preaching and teaching were such that whole cities and countries were stirred and moved to earnest inquiry; and to ascertain the truth, these Bereans searched the records daily. What a fine example they have left us!

Some of us can remember early days when this was-still characteristic-when men and women "searched the Scriptures daily"-clear evidence of the Holy Spirit's leading. But conditions have changed in these later years. In all spheres of life things move with more rapid pace, and these changed conditions have had a far-reaching effect, both upon the Church as a whole, and on the life of individual Christians. The change has not been for the better, spiritually, but rather for the worse. In almost all circles of society less time is given to reading, and especially (among professing Christians generally) less time is given to "searching the Scriptures daily." Wherever the two prominent features of spiritual life- constant prayer and daily reading the Word of God- are neglected, spiritual declension will ever follow.

While admitting the changed conditions of today, the marks of a pious life and of distinct witnessing for Christ, ever remain the same; these never change. Enoch, in the early days, "walked with God," and the God-given word of prophecy he possessed influenced and governed his life in the days before the flood. In a world of ungodly men, as the judgment was approaching, he walked with God and bore a distinct witness for Him before the world. In our day, we too are called by grace to bear a distinct witness for God as we approach the end of all things on earth.

We may boast of being saved, and be able to discuss the doctrine of eternal security, or even to open up the subject of prophecy with a fair degree of intelligence, but mere knowledge of those things will not benefit us at the judgment-seat of Christ, if our lives have not also been governed by the Word of God and guided by the Holy Spirit. This is an important consideration for every believer (Isa. 66:2).
With these facts before us let us pause to take a fresh inventory, as do business men at certain times of the year, and so learn what is our present condition before God. If such examination shows us to possess things that are a hindrance to spiritual progress, or that we lack others that are necessary to progress in our testimony for the Lord, such an exercise will be healthful and helpful. This exercise will concern first our individual life, then our home circle, and finally our relation to the assembly. It will test us if we have given the Word of God its proper place in our whole testimony.

The daily reading of the Scriptures, both individually and in the home circle, should be our constant exercise. And preferably in the morning, if possible, for after a night's rest of body and mind all our perceptions are more keen and ready to take in the daily lesson.

The reading of the Scriptures imparts strength and tone to the spiritual life. Such an exercise at the beginning of the day resembles the gathering of the manna each morning by the Children of Israel, by which they were furnished with food for their daily need (Exod. 16:15-20).

Then it was in the morning that the Lord instructed Moses to present himself before Him to receive fresh communications, later to be conveyed to the Children of Israel. "Be ready in the mourning, and come up in the morning unto the mount …. and present thyself to Me" (Exod. 34:2).

With David the King, we learn that the early morning characterized his spiritual devotions and prayers; in his psalms he describes his ardent desires, his heart-breathings in the morning. Also, led by the Holy Spirit, in those psalms he prophetically opens up lessons concerning the Lord Jesus upon the earth, by which we are furnished with instruction for a life of devotion and heavenly-mindedness here upon earth (Ps. 5:3; 55:17; 59:16; 88:13; 92:2; 143:8). "O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee:my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth (pineth) for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is" (Ps. 63:1).

Still later, in the days of Ezekiel the prophet, when the nation had departed from Jehovah and were worshiping idols, and the Word of God was not only neglected, but openly disobeyed, we are told, "In the morning came the word of the Lord to me" (Ezek. 12:8). The prophet was thus furnished with his message to deliver to Israel.

Again, the early morning had a special place in our Lord's life here on earth. The prophet Isaiah wrote concerning Him, "He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth Mine ear to hear as the learned" (Isa. 50:4). And Mark, the evangelist, describing the heavenly character of the perfect life of God's perfect Servant displacing Israel, the imperfect servant, writes, "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed" (Mk. 1:35).

Both the prophet and the evangelist unite in their testimony that our Lord and Master received His fresh daily communications from the Father, and engaged in the sacred exercise of prayer to the Father, in the early morning.

How necessary in our busy age, to be reminded of this. To the examples mentioned could be added a long list of men and women' who have followed the example of saintly Lois and Eunice, Timothy's mother and grandmother, in observing the custom established in Israel, reading the Scriptures daily in the home circle. The family altar was a sacred spot around which parents and children gathered; its sanctity we need to establish and safeguard today.

Since the days of saintly Timothy, a host of men and women, among them many faithful, earnest preachers, have left their testimony that it was in the home circle, sanctified by the daily, reverential reading of Scripture, that they received their first light, their first impress, the first impulse, changing the whole character of their lives and fitting them for future usefulness as witnesses for Christ (Deut. 4:9; 6:6-12; 11:18-21; 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14-17).

This maintenance of the family altar, the daily reading of the Word of God, brings into the home each day a spiritual and heavenly influence. For those in the pressure of business life, how necessary to carry from the home the sweet and hallowed influence and spirituality that the reading of the Word of God alone supplies. This testimony and influence in the home was also illustrated by the Children of Israel in Egypt. At a time (as in the world to-day) when darkness covered the whole land, a people under the shelter of the blood of the lamb had "light in their dwellings" (Exod. 10:21-23).

We remember a man in the Middle West who, the first morning after professing faith in Christ, read a chapter to the family at the breakfast table, and then upon bended knees thanked God for forgiveness of sins and the knowledge of present salvation, and implored the Lord to guide and safeguard each member of the family through the day. Writing a servant of Christ to tell of his new-found joy, he said, "Although it was but the humble home of a poor man, yet the home that morning was gilded all over with the glory of God." A. E. Booth

"God is faithful, by whom ye have been called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord"-1 Cor. 1:9, Darby's Translation.

This fellowship entails a community of interest, for it is a partnership. All who are called into it share a common fund of spiritual blessing centered in God's Son and deriving its character from Him. Of course this involves corresponding responsibilities.

Those referred to in the text before us are "the assembly of God which is in Corinth" and "all that in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both theirs and ours" (1 Cor. 1:1-3); that is to say, all Christians. All who call upon the name of our Lord are in this fellowship by virtue of God's call.

Manifestly this is not a voluntary association; it is not formed by any agreement arrived at by any number of Christians; but all Christians are "called into" it by God.

Of old it had been said to Judah:"Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces" (Isa. 8:9). And the true minister was to tell that people:"Say ye not, a confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, a confederacy" (8:12). If any should contend that a voluntary association was a necessity, they were to be told "not, a confederacy!" For God would be against it, and would exhibit His displeasure therein by breaking it in pieces. The only security for God's people lay in sanctifying Him, and obeying His wishes.

The fellowship into which we are called is characterized as follows:

1. It is the fellowship of God's Son. He counts upon us to hold as a vital trust the truth concerning His Son. Through His grace we know the Son as One who in eternal ages lived in the communion of the Godhead, the eternal Son. The Father was the eternal Father, there was no moment when He began to be the Father; hence there was no moment when the Son began to be the Son. God "gave" His Son; the Father "sent" Him; He did not give or send one who was to become the Son after He had been given and sent. This great and glorious Person is One whom God presents to us for worship, He commits to us, as a treasure to be prized, the truth of His eternal sonship.

Nevertheless God also desires us to understand that the Man Christ Jesus, born in time, stands to Him in the relationship of Son. For we hear Him saying:"Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee" (Ps. 2:7). Hence Mary is told in Luke 1:35:"The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." He is called the Son of God because of the manner of His birth. And to this agrees Acts 13:32-33:-"We declare unto you the glad tidings of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this to us their children, having raised up Jesus; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee" (Darby's Translation). The Man whom God raised up in David's house as "an horn of salvation" is claimed as His Son. This too is a truth that gives character to the fellowship in which we are.

2.-It is the fellowship of Jesus Christ. All that His personal name sets forth is to be precious to us. We ought readily to say:

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer's ear.

For this name reveals to us His grace, meekness and lowliness; yet it reminds us that He
is Jehovah the Saviour; it is a name that describes Him reaching us in our wretchedness and lifting us out of it. It is a name too which God gives Him in exaltation, for He has given Him the name "which is above every name," that at the name of Jesus every knee of heavenly, earthly and infernal beings should bow. This is our direct concern in the fellowship wherein we are.

Moreover our Saviour is royal, He is the Christ, the anointed One, the Messiah who, although denied before Pilate by Judas, is "made Lord and Christ" at God's right hand. In this way particular attention is called to Him in the place of authority as the anointed Head whereby men may have to do with God. And the fellowship in which we are implies the confession of Him in this way.

3. It is the fellowship of our Lord. The way of deliverance from disorder is not by associating ourselves, but by subjection to the guidance of our Lord. The flesh will not be given recognition where the commandments of our Lord are carried out, commandments which we surely know are not grievous. But a proper readiness of mind that obeys calls for searching of heart. It can only be maintained in the power of the Holy Spirit. We know that in a true way no one can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Spirit, and it is further evident that if we are to continually acknowledge His rule it can only be by the Holy Spirit's power. It is therefore the responsibility of every Christian to follow the instructions of the One whom God has set over us, One who made good His claim to our loyalty by giving Himself for us, and who lets us know what kind of people He wants us to be. In conclusion let us give attention to the fact that God who has called us into this fellowship is "faithful." In the passage before us, regarding the fellowship, it is His faithfulness that is emphasized. We may be assured therefore that He will not overlook disregard among us of any one part of the characteristics proper to the fellowship He has called us into, but will deal with it as He only can. On the other hand we may be equally certain that He will support every endeavor consistent therewith. R. J. Reid

This one request I ask of Thee,
Some daily portion grant to me.
From out Thy Word,
That feeding on it I may be
Still growing for eternity,
In Thy blest likeness soon to be,
Thou blessed Lord.

H. McD

(Continued from p. 331)

"And what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints."

Here is the second thing that the Apostle prays we may know. But how to know? Not merely intellectually, and not merely emotionally, but both intellectually and emotionally,

"That mind and heart according well
May make one music as before."

We are to know through enlightenment of the "eyes of the heart," and if somebody reminds me that "heart" in the New Testament does not mean "affections," that alters not the fact that it includes the "affections." It is "the inner man" which comprises both. And the inner man will also control the "outer" man, and in this way "body, soul and spirit" will be played upon by the three moving words:"riches," "glory," "inheritance."

Beheld from the viewpoint of mind and listening to the theologians, the whole verse becomes a battleground. We need but listen at the door "to hear the household jar within."

If, however, we add the "heart," it is no longer the disputings of the theologians that we hear; the theologians are transformed into musicians, wooing music from various sets of tuneful bells, making melody to Christ. For there is a certain reasonableness in each interpretation of the verse, and each interpretation expresses a truth, and each truth should bring us closer to God. Let us enumerate some of them then.

A great preacher believes that the inheritance here is God. The reader who is not acquainted with the original might think that impossible, but in Greek the "his" might be "of him;" and the "in the saints," "among the saints," and then we could scarcely interpret otherwise. What a grand thought it is! We have already considered it a little, so will simply let the preacher put and answer a question as to it:"We asked a minute or two ago how God belonged to men. The answer to the converse question is almost identical. A man belongs to God by the affection of his heart, by the submission of his will, by the reference of his actions to Him; and he who thus belongs to God receives God as his possession. The thing must be reciprocal.'All mine is Thine,' and God answers, 'And all Mine is thine.' He ever meets our 'O Lord, I yield myself to Thee' with His 'And, My child, I give Myself to thee.' It is so in regard of our earthly love. It is so in regard of our relations to Him."Surely this is a beautiful reciprocity.

Then there is a second view that "God inherits the saints." Ellicott calls this exegetically possible, but grammatically doubtful, while W. Kelly pronounces it "impossible," assuring us that Scripture never speaks thus. He apparently forgets the very probable correctness of the Revised Translation, "In whom we were made a heritage," of Ephesians 1:11. When too we think how these "saints" are robed in the glory of Christ Himself, how rich the glory of that "inheritance" which is all the fruit of Christ's atoning work. A third interpreter says:"Even so the inheritance of the whole universe, when it shall be filled with glory, belongs to Him, but He inherits it in the saints. It is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. He will fill all things with His glory, and it is in the saints that He will inherit them." This is certainly a magnificent prospect. It seems to be almost too wonderful to be .true, yet the interpretation is ably supported, and it makes very grand and beautiful music with which to set the heart singing. Moreover it has been connected with the closing verse of the chapter, in which the Church is represented as the "fulness" or "completion" of Him who filleth all in all. The two conceptions then correspond in measure with each other.

But how much do we know of it all? How much do these thoughts fill our lives? How much do they control our actions? How much do they color our horizon with the roseate hues of a coming, heavenly morning?

A German litterateur, a long time sick, exclaimed:"Oh that some great, new thought would come and pierce me through and through, and I should be well." Scripture is just full of such health-giving thoughts. Are we then ever sick? If so, why? F. C. Grant

Calendar:Aug. 16th to Sept. 15th.

DAILY BIBLE READING:……. Aug. 16th, Gen. 42; Aug. 31st, Exod. 7; Sept. 15th, Exodus 22.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING:Aug. 16th, Hosea 10; Aug. 31st, Amos 8; Sept. 15th, Nahum 2.

Three scriptures were often referred to by an aged Christian as the secret of Christian power. They were these:

(1) Colossians 3:3:"Ye are dead."

(2) Romans 6:11 :"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

(3) 2 Corinthians 4:10,11:"Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh."

Weigh well these passages for they tell much of the way of victory for a believer in his pathway through the world. Let us consider them together for a little.

(1) Colossians 3:3 gives us God's judgment upon the flesh-life, the self-life. In the death of the Lord Jesus

WE HAVE DIED

When Christ went to the cross we went too. "The flesh" (as the principle of evil in the fallen nature with which we were born, is called) has been condemned, root and branch, in the death of the Lord Jesus. It has been ended in the sight of God, and is not to be sought to be mended by us.

The testing of it was made all down the centuries from the time of Adam's fall. Every fresh-proving showed its evil, in increasing measure. Then in the rejection of the Lord its incorrigible wickedness was manifested. So in the death of Christ the fruitless tree was condemned and cut down in judgment. No fruit for God ever grew upon it. No fruit is to grow upon it forever. Now to the believer a new life and nature are given. Christ is his life. That life, unknown to men, is hid with Christ in God. But the day is coming-at Christ's appearing- when it and all else will be manifested.

"YE HAVE DIED." The words were used to set free one who had longed for deliverance from the power of sin, from the workings of the flesh within him. He had fasted one day in a week, then two days, then three days, still without result. Then thinking it over he said to himself, "Suppose I fasted altogether, I should die." At once the light flashed into his soul:"That is what has happened; I have died with Christ."

And he saw that the first part of his history was closed in the death of Christ. "End of Volume I" was written upon the page. And he saw also that a new volume was begun in the life of Christ being given to him.

(2) Romans 6:11:"Reckon yourselves dead" to sin and ALIVE to God. This presents faith taking hold of the fact. We are called to reckon as God reckons, to count ourselves dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ-dead through His death; alive in His life. Sin was our old taskmaster; it commanded and compelled, but death has come in for us, in Christ, and in death "the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor. The small and great are there:the servant is free from his master." Sin has no title to order and direct now. Christ not only bore our sins, He was made sin for us. He was counted to be that which is so hateful to God. To that-our sin-He has died. Now beyond death He lives, He lives unto God. Faith takes hold of these glorious truths and says, "That death is my death; I have died with Christ. That life is my life; I live before God in Christ." He is free from that which He was made for me. I am free "in Him."

The fact-We have died with Christ.
The faith-Believing it we are set free.
The figure-In baptism to the death of Christ, we are associated with Him.

The fruit-Our lives can express Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit given unto us.

The flesh of sin is still within, or "reckoning" would not be called for, but in the new life given to us we may walk in freedom from its reiterated calls and claims. "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."Like a dethroned but still living monarch it may seek to control us still; but we are subjects of a new government, and refuse to yield to the behests of the old. Henceforth

"We KNOW," "we RECKON," "we YIELD."

We know "that our old man has been crucified with Christ"-that with Him we died unto sin.

We reckon that having died to sin we are "alive unto God," in Christ risen.

We yield. 'We place ourselves at God's disposal for His glory and pleasure in the fulfilling of His will, and refuse absolutely at any time to obey the dictates of the old tyrant.

This brings us to

(3) 2 Corinthians 4:10, 11. The practical application of the truths considered is now to be before us.

Day by day we are to apply the knife of self-judgment to ourselves. "Always" this is to be the case. The flesh is ever ready to show itself. Constantly, therefore, it has to be kept back from manifestation.

Luther has said, "If I shave to-day I must shave tomorrow." One who neglects to use the razor will soon be detected. He may pass for a little, but soon his face becomes "like stubble-field at harvest home." So unceasingly the Christian has to bear about in his body the dying of Jesus, applying to himself the cross of Jesus hour by hour, in words and ways refusing all that was judged at Calvary, so that unhindered the life of Jesus may be manifest in his body, that only what is of Him may be expressed.
Wonderful indeed is this! These bodies of ours are to be vessels for the expression of that which was expressed fully in the pathway of our Lord, that "the life also of Jesus"-His life here in this world-may be continued in the life of "His own," His loved ones, ourselves.

With this in view God may roll in death upon us-in one form or another. He may permit circumstances and conditions which may test and try and cast us upon Himself for relief. As with Paul, some thorns for the flesh may be suffered to afflict us. But His grace is sufficient for us, and His strength is made perfect in weakness.

And all is for our good, and all is "For Jesus' sake," so that His life may be manifested in our mortal flesh, that Christ may be seen in our pathway and in our service.

Then while death works in us, life will work in others; the vessel may be more and more broken that the light may shine out more and more.

Blessed indeed to live a life of liberty

"FOR JESUS' SAKE"

and for the blessing of others.

May it be yours and mine increasingly to walk in the Spirit and to be well-pleasing to our Lord until He come. Inglis Fleming

(Matt. 8:15, R. V.)

"He touched her hand and the fever left her!"
He touched her hand, as He only can,
With the wondrous skill of the Great Physician-
With the tender touch of the Son of Man.

And the fever-pain in the throbbing temples
Died out with the flush on brow and cheek;
And the lips that had been so parched and burning
Trembled with thanks that she could not speak,

And the eyes whence the fever-light had faded
Looked up, by her grateful tears made dim;
And she rose and ministered in her household-
"She rose and ministered unto Him."

"He touched her hand, and the fever left her!"
We need His touch on our fevered hands-
The cool, still touch of the "Man of Sorrows"
Who knows us, and loves us, and understands.

So many a life is one long fever!
A fever of anxious suspense and care;
A fever of fretting, a fever of getting,
A fever of hurrying here and there.

Ah, what if in winning the praise of others
We miss at the last the King's "Well done"-
If our self-sought tasks in the Master's vineyard
Yield "nothing but leaves" at the set of sun!

"He touched her hand, and the fever left her"-
Oh, blessed touch of the Man Divine!
So beautiful then to arise and serve Him,
When the fever is gone from your life and mine!

It may be the fever of restless serving,
With heart all thirsty for love and praise,
And eyes all aching and strained with yearning
Toward self-set goals in the future days.

Or it may be a fever of spirit-anguish-
Some tempest of sorrow that dies not down
Till the cross at last is in meekness lifted,
And the head stoops low for the thorny crown.

Or it may be a fever of pain and anger,
When the wounded spirit is hard to bear,
And only the Lord can draw forth the arrows
Left carelessly, cruelly, rankling there.

Whatever the fever, His touch can heal it;
Whatever the tempest, His voice can still,
There is only joy as we seek His pleasure,
There is only rest as we choose His will.

And some day, after life's fitful fever,
I think we shall say, in the Home on high-
"If the hands that He touched but did His bidding,
How little it matters what else went by!"

Ah, Lord! Thou knowest us altogether,
Each heart's sore sickness, whatever it be:
Touch Thou our hands! let the fever leave us-
So shall we minister unto Thee.

Edith G. Cherry

Every Christian should understand that which concerns his position and privileges while in the world, in order that he may walk here in a way well pleasing to God.

This position and privilege, and the practice consistent therewith, are presented in various ways in the Scriptures. All of these should be studied by us in order that we may be fully informed in that which is agreeable to the vocation which is ours.

For the sake of conciseness, I purpose to limit the few remarks I make to those aspects of our calling which are brought before us by the Apostle Peter in his epistles.

Let us consider first of all how that it is God Himself who calls us; "As he that calleth you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation."

CALLED TO HOLINESS

As truly as God called Abram of old, so truly has He called us. The patriarch was to leave his country, his kith and his kin, and to go forth to a land which Jehovah would show him. And we read, "He arose and went."

Today the call is to holiness, to be separate in spirit from the ways of the men of the world and from the whole condition in which man lives away from God. God is holy, and all those who are brought near to Him are called to be holy, to answer in character to Him who has separated them from the rest of the world. And this, "in all manner of conversation." That is, in words and ways they were to seek to be suitable to the position which was theirs as the people of God who had now a high, a heavenly, a holy place of privilege. They were a chosen race, a people for a possession, that they might set forth the excellencies of Him who had called them.

CALLED OUT OF DARKNESS

They had been in spiritual darkness. Although of Israel, the nation so richly privileged by God and brought by Him into a place no other people had enjoyed, yet they had only an external nearness to God. Their hearts had been darkened by sin and they were in ignorance of God. Satisfied with the outside position, they had been far from understanding what the will of the Lord was. But the gospel had been sounded in their ears. Their eyes had been opened to see their sin in rejecting the true Messiah, Jesus the Son of God, and they had realized that, great as their favors had been from God, they were but sinners before Him, needing His so-great salvation. Then believing the gospel message which had been proclaimed by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, they had been brought out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of the Father's love.

CALLED INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT
God has been fully manifested. He has been displayed in all that He is. His majesty, His truth, His faithfulness, His holiness, His hatred of evil-and with these His grace, and kindness, and mercy and love-all that He is in His nature and attributes has shone out in His beloved Son and at the cross of Calvary. God is in the light of revelation. Into that light-"marvelous light," "His marvelous light"-He has called us. And there we can be without a misgiving, for we know the cleansing value of the blood of Jesus Christ, His beloved Son; and we have a new nature which is of God Himself. We are born again. We are redeemed. We are made part of a holy and royal priesthood. Our new place and privileges eclipse altogether those which had been known by Israel. Thus we can offer up to God "spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."

CALLED TO SUFFERING

But while all this is blessedly true, we find ourselves in a world where Christ has been cast out. He has suffered here. Every chapter of the first epistle shows this.

Chap. 1:11:"The sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow."

2:21:"Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps."

3:18:"Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God."

4:1:"Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh; arm yourselves likewise with the same mind."

5:1:"A witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed."

In His atoning sufferings our Lord was alone. None could be with Him there. No angel or man could share with Him in those awful hours.

But in His suffering for righteousness at the hands of men, He has become a model for us to copy, and we are called to follow Him.

He has put away our sins, bearing them in His own body on the tree, in order that being dead to sins, having done with our previous life altogether, we should live to righteousness, to accord with the will of God for us in all our pathway. We were like sheep going astray, we have now returned unto the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls, and are to be directed by Himself alone.

In Chap. 3:9 we have brought before us the fact that we are

CALLED TO INHERIT BLESSING

The expression may take us back in thought to Abram. When he was called the promise was made to him, "I will bless thee . . . and thou shalt be a blessing." Enriched by God Himself, "full of the blessing of the Lord," he was in his turn to be made a blessing to others. In him all generations of the earth were to be blessed. Christ, the Promised One, was to come of Abraham's seed. To-day the blessing of Abraham has come upon us who believe. And we are blessed indeed. Thus it is inheriting blessing, and blessing alone, the judgment which we deserved having been removed, the curse having been borne by Christ.

Thus blessed, we are to bless others. We are to live up to our income. So rich is our inheritance of blessing that we can use part of our abundant wealth in our dealings with others, and so follow our Lord Jesus in some measure. Thus the exhortation is given:"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing:but contrariwise, blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing" (Chap. 3:8, 9). Compassion, love, pity, courtesy, blessing-that which came out in Christ in its perfection is produced in part in the Christian as he walks in the Spirit.

The Lord prayed for His murderers while on the cross. So Stephen cried, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge," while his body was being battered by the stones of his martyrdom.

Wonderful indeed that we should be taken up by God's grace, so that in the power of the Holy Spirit Christ may be expressed by us in this world.

In Chap. 5:10 we have the great ultimate before us. We are

CALLED TO GLORY

"But the God of all grace, who hath called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

"The God of all grace." It is the only time this title is used. Peter delighted in the grace which had met him at the first, restored him when he wandered, and kept him on his way. And "grace begun shall end in glory," in God's glory, in His eternal glory. And as the headstone is placed there will be shoutings of "Grace! grace unto it!" Happy prospect!

"Who grace has brought shall glory bring,
And we shall reign with Him."

Our calling is not an earthly one like Israel's, but a heavenly one. The "inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away" is "reserved in heaven for" us, and we are preserved for the inheritance, "kept by the power of God through faith."

The suffering we may have to know is but for "a while," the glory is "eternal." And the sufferings are used to perfect, to stablish, to strengthen, and to settle us. Let us remember amid every trial, that it is the God of all grace who is working out His pleasure in us, that everything, everywhere, is under His supreme control, that all things are made to work together for our good, and that "the glory shines before" us while grace supplies our every need while on the way to the glorious terminus. We need faith and patience to inherit promises. Thus, finally, we are

CALLED TO GLORY AND VIRTUE

"According as His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (2 Pet. 1:3).

The goal lies before us, but we have to walk the pilgrim path. And on our way we need virtue (moral courage) to refuse the evil and cleave to the good. And all things that are necessary are provided for us. We have not to go at our own charges. Divine power has fully equipped us for the whole journey. The Lord Himself on high, the Holy Spirit in our hearts, the Word of God in our hands, the company of fellow-pilgrims as "through the waste we roam"-these are some of the things provided for a consistent Christian life. But "all things" are in the great commissariat on our behalf.

As we contemplate our Christian calling thus, well may our hearts turn to God in praise and worship. We join in the doxology, and cry:

"To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." Inglis Fleming
'BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY"

Everybody who has read Bunyan's immortal story must have felt sorry for the man with the "muck-rake," the man who, though "there stood one over his head with a celestial crown in his hand, and preferred to give him the crown for his muck-rake, did neither look up nor regard, but raked to himself the straws, the small sticks, and dust of the floor." Foolish man, and apt picture of those who choose the world instead of Christ.

But let us illustrate another kind of folly. Yonder is a magnificent palace:the rooms of it are filled with priceless treasures, and there is one in attendance who knows every treasure perfectly, and finds a great joy in showing them to all who care to view them; indeed, it Is his business to do so. A banquet is prepared also, and the tables groan beneath the weight of the choicest viands, and the doors of the banqueting hall are open to all. But in the stable-yard there labors a man with a pitch-fork; he labors at a self-imposed task, and his labor is in vain; for if you watch him closely you will see that he does nothing but turn over and over a heap of rubbish as though he expected to find a jewel there. He finds nothing, and groans in his disappointment, and yet he continues his searchings-hungry and tired, too. He is a joyless and dejected man.

Is the man a menial, a stable-boy, working there for a mere pittance? No, his, as we have said, is a self-imposed task; but that is not all the truth:he is a son of the palace; his place is in its glorious rooms; he is an heir to its splendid wealth, and the banquet is spread for him, and the guide, counselor, and friend who knows the place so well is there to show it all to him. Impossible, you say. Do not be so sure as to that.

That man has been born again. He will tell you, if you ask him, that Jesus is the only Saviour and that he has put his trust in Him for heaven at last. But he is not happy for he is held in the bondage, and is the slave, of self-occupation. He has often read the words:"I know that in me, that is in my flesh, dwells no good thing" for are they not written in Romans? He would tell you that they are true, yes true of him, but in his heart he does not believe them. He searches his heart and tests his powers and feelings; he concentrates all thoughts on the rubbish-heap of his own evil nature, hoping that he may find some good there, or change that which is bad into good; and he is continually disappointed and is miserable because he is a disappointed- a truly "wretched man." Art that thou man?

Christ, the mighty treasure-house of every good thing, is open for him, and the Holy Spirit of God waits upon him to take the things of Christ and show them to him, and to feed him with the fatness of God's house. But he continues to search the rubbish-heap; and he will continue to do so until his disappointment deepens into despair and he cries out, Who shall deliver me? Then he will open his eyes and look up and find that all good is in Christ.

"But you don't mean that I am nothing but a rubbish-heap," said a young lady who was miserable with self-occupation, after listening to my parable; and the tone in which she said it proved that her pride had been touched. She did not believe she was quite as bad as that.

The learning of the inherent and unmendable badness of the flesh is a bitter lesson:it were quickly learnt if the truth of God as to it were fully believed, but until it is learned we are not wholly free to be lead by the Holy Ghost into the knowledge of the glories of Christ, yet only on this line is the full liberty and joy of the Christian life known.

Christians, God's richest treasures lie open for you, the fulness of His grace is revealed in Christ; waste not the time in a vain search for good in the rubbish-heap in which no good dwells, but lift your eyes to Him who rightly sits in heaven's highest throne-your Saviour and mine. He is the preciousness, and He waits to be everything to you that the Word of God says He can be. Leave the rubbish heap and enter the palace. J. T. Mawson

"And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him (Gen. 50:15).

"But this Man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood" (Heb. 7:24).

The story recorded in Genesis, chap. 50, affords a glimpse into some of the closing scenes of the life of Joseph. Some years had passed since the joyous reconciliation between Joseph and his brethren had been effected. For many months they had been the recipients of the bounteous provision of their brother's table; the happy family had been reunited in a harmony that had surpassed their highest thoughts. They had been brought into most unusual favor with the king of Egypt, and the key to the most luxurious provision hung at Joseph's "belt.

But now a crisis arrives:Jacob, their aged father dies.

The body has scarcely been interred before the faces of Joseph's brethren are clouded with anxiety. Suspicious glances are cast toward the governor. Their memories carry them back to that black day when they plotted his death at Dothan. They recall the conspiracy, the pit, the shameful selling to the Ishmaelites, and their hypocritical report to their father. Surely their brother will now seek vengeance upon them for their base actings. And so a messenger is sent to him begging, in their behalf, forgiveness. "And Joseph wept when they spake unto him." Can we wonder at his feeling of disappointment? His brethren had not really known him. They entirely misunderstood their benefactor, and had never learned the unchanging character of the governor's grace.

Do we not see in the conduct of these sons of Jacob but a reflection of ourselves? Are there not times when we lose sight of the fact that He, as the true Joseph, is unchanging in His favor? A period of time, short or long, has passed since we heard His voice, "Thy sins be forgiven thee; go in peace," and constantly since that happy day we have been the objects of His unspeakable love-care. But in spite of the bounty of His table are there not times when the subtle question as to His future benevolence grips the heart and chills the spirit? Under stress, have we not all joined with the disciples on Galilee's lake and said, "Master, carest Thou not that we perish!" But must this not bring a tinge of disappointment to the sensitive heart of our divine Lord? His deep love displayed at Calvary knows no change. Our acceptance with the Father is eternal. He was, is, and ever shall be for us. God has placed Him in charge of all His "corn," and we, like Mephibosheth of old, occupy a place at the King's table.

Again, Joseph's brethren thought their brother's kindness to be dependent on circumstances. Jacob's death, they reckoned, would bring a change in his attitude. Their eyes were -upon Jacob; their faith was not in Joseph at all!

An unexpected crisis enters our life. It may be sickness, financial reverses, or some other such test. Like the men of the narrative, unbelief declares that our Joseph's affections will cool. Paul might have so reasoned at his last trial before Nero, "the Lion." "No man stood with me," he writes in his last letter to Timothy, "but all men forsook me. Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me and strengthened me." He had learned, through long experience, that the grace and love of Christ, his All-in-All, was unchanging in its character.

Let us remember that our circumstances, whatever they be, are controlled by the dictates of changeless love. Let us seek to look at them through Him, and not at Him through them. C. Ernest Tatham

"Do you not hunger and thirst after righteousness? and I pray you, saith not He who cannot lie, that happy are such? How should God wipe away the tears from your eyes in heaven, if now on earth you shed no tears? How could heaven be a place of rest, if on earth you find it? How could you desire to be at home, if in your journey you find no difficulty, distress, or grief? How could you be made like unto Christ in joy, if in sorrow you never sobbed with Him? If you will sit at Christ's table in His kingdom, you must first abide with Him in His temptations. If you will drink of His cup of glory, despise not His cup of ignominy. If you were a market sheep, you should go in more fat and grassy pasture. If you were for the fair, you should be stall-fed and want no wealth; but because you are God's own occupying, therefore you must pasture on the bleak and barren heath, abiding the storms and tempests that He may send down upon that and upon you."

AFRICA

The following is from our brother Gordon Searle. Our brother and his wife have been in Africa for five years already, and we understand they are hoping to be able to carry on until the return of Dr. and Mrs. Woodhams.

Nyankundi, Irumu, Beloved brother:May 21st, 1930.

Our sister Miss Wilson's death was a great shock to us and we miss her very much. Yet the joy we have in Christ for her by far surpasses all the sorrow, so that we are enabled by faith to behold her, as it were, in the blessed presence of the One Whom having not seen we love, and in Whom we rejoice with joy unspeakable and filled with glory. Her joy is complete. We cannot sorrow as others without "the hope," but only rejoice, and that in Him to Whom we, Whom He has redeemed, are all going.

The following extract seems to us to so fit conditions out here as to give an idea and channel for prayer in behalf of the work here.

What shall we tell our home helpers and other friends in order to stimulate their interest? What information shall we give so as to enable them to pray intelligently?

Shall we tell them about the two or three who began so promisingly in the inquirers' class but have since fallen out? No, that is a bit discouraging. Shall we tell them about those six little girls and several boys in school who are a constant worry, who persist in doing just the thing they are told not to do? Or shall we tell them about those unfaithful herd-boys who are paid to watch the cattle and donkeys, but whose neglect and slackness have resulted in damage by the animals to that which is dearest to the heart of the Zulu woman, namely, her garden? Shall we rehearse one of those interesting episodes when she comes to file her complaint with outrageous demands for compensation? If ever grace is needed it is on such occasions! Could we ask our prayer helpers to pray for the girls who gather the eggs and feed the fowls? We have not yet found one girl who can do this work satisfactorily; they will break up the nests of the setting hens, and leave the very eggs they ought to take!

All these things may seem somewhat outside the realm of missionary endeavor, but it is just these little happenings that demand so large a part of the missionary's time. It often leads us to ask ourselves:"Is this real missionary work, attending to the hundred and one demands of these people-looking after the trouble with their gardens; caring for their sick, making and mending trousers, shirts and dresses; seeing to slates, pencils, and school books; washing clothes; sleeping, eating, buying food; repairs of all sorts and kinds, etc., etc.?" All these items are included in the daily routine.

Of course we have our daily Bible classes, prayer meetings, and regular preaching services, when we draw from the depths of the Word and give to our people; but here, as well as in the homeland, we have ample opportunity to "practice what we preach." With the Zulu, as with many others, "seeing is believing." The daily demonstration of the life of Christ proves to be the strongest influence. – Miss Maude Van Vessen, in the South African Pioneer.

Blessing indeed we have witnessed, souls have been saved, believers edified and blessed, but Satan is busy too, and many pitfalls are there which he places in the pathway. But our God is able. There is special difficulty in getting them to attend meetings faithfully. Satan would keep them from the Word. Out of between sixty to seventy believers only half or less attend regularly. Forsaking the meetings which are meetings with our Lord Jesus Christ is the betrayal of a sad condition of loss of that first love for Him which He so prizes. Pray without cessation that this may be restored.

We are at present working on a hymn book in the Kingwana language and to-morrow I expect to go to Mambasa to try over the hymns with Miss DeJonge and Mrs. Woodhams, who are better acquainted with written music than I am. We are using the mimeograph to good advantage now.

With true love in our Lord Jesus Christ, yours in Him,

D. C. Gordon Searle.

Brother Robert Deans writes:Beloved brother:May 14th, 1930.

The reason you did not get a letter of acknowledgment to your March 6th letter last mail is that I was with the Dr. trying to select a new site beyond Mambasa. With four natives carrying our Safari bags (canvas bags to hold bedding) we started out but first called at the Administrator's Office, telling him where we were going.

The Dr. had in his mind a certain location about forty miles west of here.

The Administrator in learning this told us to wait for about three months as the road would be cut through possibly by that time. He further said if we had negotiated with the government for the land the Dr. had in mind, and had built upon it, we would have been isolated as far as being in immediate touch with the natives is concerned, as the government is to bring all native villages to the road as soon as the road is cut through-the site we were heading for, believing the road was to go near the place, would have been about twenty-five miles away from it.

We saw the Lord's hand in this and greatly rejoiced thanking Him and led us, as He did the people of Israel, "the right way." Praise His dear name!

We thought it very good of the Administrator to inform us as he did seeing he is a Roman Catholic and could easily have put us off the track.

Bring this man and his wife, dear brother, before the saints so that they may intelligently pray to our gracious Lord that he and she may be won to Himself.

This is the same man who was at the burial service of Miss Wilson and heard the inspiring message from the grave side.

Pray also, dear brethren that we may have the Lord s mind as to the exact location, so that we may reach as many precious souls as we possibly can, for "the time is short."

We are moving out, D.V., at the end of this month to Mambasa where Ella and Mrs. Deans will take over Miss DeJonge's work until her return and Robert and I look after the Dr.'s station until they return as they also anticipate visiting the homeland as soon as the Lord opens the way.

It was our desire to have the new site settled so that I could have a few natives clearing same, while I was at the Dr.'s station, and go out occasionally, giving them a line on things and then return to Mambasa.

It may be we may yet be able to select at an early date-pray to this end.

Yes, we learned of the home going (through you) of our dear brother Ridout-His presence and fatherly counsel and advice in the saloon on the "Cedric" I shall never forget.-Thank the dear Lord he was not a superannuated Christian but was active until the end.-May we all learn to be "followers of him, as he also was of Christ."

We thank all the dear saints for every remembrance of this work and we are getting stronger and stronger as we realize the power at home on our behalf at the mercy seat.

With love from all the saints and from the Deans family, I remain, Your brother in Christ Jesus,

Robert Deans.

May we remember our brother's requests for prayer.

Dr. Woodhams and family, accompanied by Miss De Jonge, are expected to reach Kobe, Japan, about July 28 en route to San Francisco. It was thought, as mentioned last month, that Miss DeJonge was returning via Europe, but we now believe they are traveling together.

The Dr. writes:

We will first visit our parents in California and then come on East, which we will be on our way back to Mambasa. There will not, I hope, be the delays that were necessary the last time we were home. We then had to wait for matters to develop which could not be hurried. This time we ought to be able to make a quick return to our work here.

CHINA

Not having heard for some time from our brother and sister Kautto, we were thankful for the following:

Tientsin, June 20, 1930.

Just a few lines to tell you by the grace of our Lord all is well here, and we are awaiting the arrival of our brother Foggin. We are staying at the China Inland Mission Station.

We are quite concerned as to continuing the girls' school in the fall and are praying for a Christian woman to lead this, as Mrs. Kautto is not yet able to give Gospel talks in the language.

The bandit situation north of the Wall is not yet sufficiently cleared up to think of going out there, even if we were home. We have for a long time wanted to have meetings in outlying villages there, so as to make the Gospel better known than is possible in a passing visit, but as there are no inns one would have no place to stay, and meetings would have to be held on the highway, so a tent seems to be the best means for both, and this we are preparing to make by sewing 8-oz duck to cover a space about 30 ft. in diameter. For a month and a half we have been busy at home finishing the half of the house that had not been completed before because it was not needed. Now everything has been made comfortable for brother Foggin when he arrives.

June 25, 1930.

Our brother Foggin arrived to-night, and we were so glad to see him as he was to see us. He had a good voyage all the way. We are remaining in Tientsin until the 30th, so expect to arrive at Taitowying, July 1. Brother Foggin expressed his appreciation of all the kindness of the saints to him wherever he went, and we add our gratitude for the prayers of all.

Affectionately yours In Christ, Charles and Esther Kautto.

SOUTH AMERICA

We give the following encouraging extract from a recent letter of brother Montllau's:

Lanus Oeste, Bs. Aires, June 4th, 1930.

We have been encouraged in a section near-by called Pombeyo, where we were invited to hold meetings at the residence of a French believer. Quite a number have been gathering every Saturday night, and there are some who have confessed the Lord as their Saviour, for which we praise Him." .

Sincerely yours in our blessed Lord,

B. Montllau.

And also from our brother J. P. Ribeiro in Brazil:

Five more baptized yesterday, all men. God blessed the occasion with the concourse of about one hundred witnessing the rite and remaining over for the Gospel meeting. Also in their presence I married three couples of believers who for years were living maritally but lacking the money for getting married at the law.

At the breaking of bread last Lord's Day, several of the native brethren took their place, filling our hearts with solemn gladness and true humiliation as we ponder upon the high privilege God has allotted us of raising unto His glory this testimony to the simplicity of Christ-a thing unknown in the whole north of Brazil and the greater part of the south.

With our love in Christ Jesus,

J. P. Ribeiro. harbor work Dear brethren:- New York, July 18th, 1930.

Saints interested in the Harbor Work will be glad to know of the work going on in Montreal Harbor. The writer spent three profitable days at the Guelph Conference, then motored to Ottawa and from there went to Montreal where he was privileged to spend four happy days in company with our beloved brother S. J. Holwill in work among the seamen.

Brother Holwill works very hard during the day in his electrical shop but we managed to slip away to the ships every afternoon at 4:30, returning each evening about 10. It is a good forty minutes to the waterfront via tram-car and the work calls for patience as it always means a late supper, a trial to Mrs. Holwill, who is not well. However, we had much to stir our own hearts, fine openings with literature, talks on the Booth chart and each evening some lad or two coming back to our brother's home (which is a real Bethel to them) for a further talk over a cup of tea. Mr. Holwill is well-known and equally well-liked by many seaman having done this work for a number of years and the kindly, home-like treatment his wife gives the boys lives long in their memories.

On Lord s Day afternoons our brother Germain kindly offers his car and himself for the service so together after the breaking of bread we visited some seven vessels of different flags. This done, we picked up two boys and took them back to tea, brother Germain going home. In the evening had a Bible Beading at an elderly relative's home, another seaman joining us there. The boys like Gospel hymns and as there was a first-rate piano on hand we did our best to sing out the sweet songs of Grace. All in all it is a remarkable opening and while the season is a short one there is much to be done and from observation we can say our brother does his work thoroughly.

-R. A. West.

Erie, Pa., July, 1930.

For the past six years we have been able to reach all vessels that touch the Port of Erie. Now, however, owing to an accident to a newsboy, costing the Company on whose vessel it occurred, $10,000.00, all vessels coming into the ore dock are now strictly closed to us. The Superintendent, here, has had the matter up with the Head Offices in Cleveland, Ohio, but with no favorable results. Will those who are interested in this work, remember this in special prayer, for "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Gen. 18:14).

There are, however, five other lines which come here, and to which we have access:passenger and coast guard cutters, package freighters, grain, coal and pulpwood carriers. These are coming in daily, and also some ocean vessels for grain.

The men are invariably appreciative, especially when there are "seamen's kits" to distribute. Through the efforts of the Young People of the Detroit Assembly, and sisters in the Holland and Erie Assemblies, there has been a good supply of these this year. A sample will be gladly sent to anyone whose heart is stirred up to contribute to this good work.

The "contribution" referred to consists of:Home Evangel, used as an envelope, Messenger of Peace, The Lamp, and other sound Gospel tracts, Gospels of John and Seamen's Kits.

To date there has been no lack of material for this branch of the Lord's work, and we are more than grateful to the many friends who contribute in various ways to this need.

"God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love," and it will be remembered by Him in that soon-coming Day. -F. B. TOMKINSON.

ELIZABETH MISSIONARY MEETINGS:

These will D.V. be resumed Monday, Sept. 8th, at the same place, 357 Morris Ave. We trust they will be attended with renewed energy and much blessing result.

"Every Word of God is pure" (Prov. 30:5).

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God" (Luke 4:4).

"Every Scripture is inspired of God" (2 Tim. 3 :16, margin, R. V.).

The Word of God, not only as a whole, but each several part, was all given by the inspiration of God. Theopneustos, as the original text reads, means "God-breathed," and is uniform in thought with Scripture elsewhere "God-spoken;" every book of the Holy Scriptures came from God as its Source. All is given in the language of men, but as He is the Author it must be verbally inspired.

First:God breathed into Adam's lifeless body, made of the earth; and by that divine breathing man became "a living soul," a living, human organism; in his creation an out-standing, striking contrast to the whole animal creation, since man was made in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 2:7).

Second:Christ, our Lord, the Second Man, the Last Adam, Head of a new creation, after He rose from among the dead, having completed atonement on the Cross, stood in the midst of His disciples in the upper room, breathed upon them as the nucleus of the new creation, and by that symbolic act formally introduced them into their new creation place. In this new creation relationship they possessed His own life and nature, as being already quickened by Him (John 5:21,25,26; 1 Cor. 15:45).

This formal introductory breathing entitled them also then to the gift of the Spirit:"Receive ye the Holy Spirit," which gift they received fifty days later, on the day of Pentecost (John 20:21, 22).

Third:Another breathing is spoken of in, "Every Scripture is God-breathed." The very words of Scripture breathed out, express in the language of man God's mind and will. The Old Testament was given in the language of one nation, Hebrew; the New Testament was given in Greek, the language of all civilized nations. Of the Hebrew Old Testament Scriptures it is written, "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Pet. 1:21), while concerning the New Testament communications we read:"Which things also we speak, not in words which men's wisdom teacheth, but [words] which the Holy Spirit teacheth" (1 Cor. 2:12-16).

In our day when skepticism and bold infidelity abound on all sides, and most of our schools and universities of modern thought boldly deny the verbal inspiration of the Word of God, it is of prime importance that all Christians, and especially young believers, understand aright the special claims that the Word of God makes for itself. If not, who can fully estimate the loss! If like all other books, life will be uncertain, truth will be uncertain, the fundamental teaching of Holy Writ will be uncertain, and the future will ever be under a dark veil; but when it is properly understood that we possess a Book which is God-breathed, God-spoken and God-given, with assurance and certainty we can depend upon its sacred teaching as an unerring guide through our whole Christian life, yea, even into eternity itself.

God Himself is its Author and Source, and the men employed to write were the sacred channels ("holy men of God") of communication. See Exod. 4:10-12; 2 Sam. 23:2; 1 Chron. 25:1-6 (which instruct us that the Psalms were prophetic and "the words of God"); Ps. 12:6; 18:30; 119:140; Isa. 8:1; Jer. 1:2, 4, 7,9; Ezek. 1:3; 12:8; 1 Cor. 2:12-16; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20,21.

At the beginning of the Book we are first introduced to the Author. His first name, GOD, welcomes the reader. At its very threshold we read, "In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth" (R.V.), God, Creator, absolute and Eternal. From this first verse this truth begins to open up as a new sprout on earth, developing through each succeeding book in both the Old Testament and the New, until we reach the book of Revelation. In the closing book the sprout seen at the beginning has expanded to marvelous perfection; we see the whole Word completed, in full bloom and flower, filling heaven and earth with sweet fragrance. And after this full revelation a benediction falls upon the devout reader like dew from heaven, in the closing verse:"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

As the Word of God is searched, we discern the expansion of its truths, precept upon precept, commandment after commandment, promise after promise, prophecy after prophecy, prediction after prediction, book after book, in each book section after section, even word after word-all coming down throughout each succeeding age, unfolding at each stage the Author's mind, and each part bearing its own witness to the perfection of the communications.

A reverent survey of the whole Book from first to last is sufficient to convince the reader and student of its real Author. To man (Adam) God spoke; to the patriarchs God spoke; to Moses, both before the law, and after the law, God spoke. To Israel as a nation God spoke (Exod. 20:1; Deut. S:22). To the prophets God spoke; and, when His Son came, in His Son God spoke. Now that He has returned to heaven, and the Holy Spirit has come down, we possess a complete revelation. All the truth has been given in its entirety. "When He, the Spirit, shall come, He will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13, R.V.; Col. 1:25, Gr.).

By the Word of God we are not only furnished with light concerning past history but our own present age, the Church period, is illuminated with New Testament light; and further, the light of the New Testament penetrates the otherwise unknown-things that are yet to come. For, with the light thus afforded, we see that the present time, the Church age, will ere long give place to the Great Tribulation period; which will be succeeded by the Millennial age; and even the Millennial years, although characterized by blessing for man, beast and the earth, will in due time give place to the blessed eternal state, when God shall be all in all for ever.

Further, we observe a golden cord, a silver thread, and a scarlet line throughout the whole Book from Genesis to Revelation-christ our Lord is discerned from first to last. His Person is presented in His perfect Deity and perfect Manhood. His Work stands out in sacrifice, atonement, and redemption. His glories, His personal, eternal, Godhead glories, are His by right. His acquired glories, the result of all that He did from the time He came from heaven till He returned to heaven, are shown to be His just due. His official glories, glories associated with every new position that He fills, whether in the Church, or Kingdom, in heaven or earth, are manifested. "Many crowns will be upon His head."

He is the central stem around whom the whole Book is formed; every part bears witness to Him. Type after type is woven into the fine texture of sacred history by the Holy Spirit, prophecy after prophecy, psalm after psalm. Then in the New Testament, whether in the Gospels or Epistles, Christ is the absorbing theme. Finally, in the book of Revelation we hear His voice and see His face, from the first chapter to the last.

Let us then, one and all, young and old, take up the Word of God afresh, and read it regularly each day; search it as for hid treasures; study its contents carefully and methodically to learn more of its Blessed Author, and more and more of Christ our Lord, then to use every part of the sacred Word as different "men of our counsel" (Ps. 119:24, margin.).

1. We go to the Pentateuch as to a seed-plot, to learn of the different beginnings, laws and commands.

2. The whole history from Genesis to Esther gives us examples in lives, interwoven types, and allegories.

3. In the Poetic Books we get "songs in the night," with Christ and His cross as the central theme.

4. Proverbs furnishes us with wisdom for daily life.

5. Prophecy foretells future events; Christ the Messiah-King, the crowning Hope.

6. The Gospels show us the Saviour's perfect life among men; give His teaching, which was as new wine for new bottles; and as we learn of Him we should seek each day to walk in His steps.

7. The Acts gives light as to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit working through the apostles, and shows the Church in the early days. The twenty-one epistles follow, with instruction for the individual believer and the Church collectively. After reading the four Gospels and the Acts it is of first importance to prayerfully study the epistles, for the main body of Christian teaching is unfolded in them. They expound our position and relation through sovereign grace, and the practice corresponding to our high and heavenly calling is also marked out, whilst the future prospect of saints of our age is depicted in such simplicity and fulness as to command the admiration and homage of every believer's heart.

8. The book of Revelation closes the inspired volume. In it we get truth for the last days, for the Church, the Jews, and the nations of the earth. It is light for the just-"that shineth more and more unto the perfect day," the completion and perfecting of all things.

The whole Book is indeed a well-furnished table, full of "goodly words" and "royal dainties" (Gen. 49:20,21). A. E. Booth

(Psalm 69)

(Continued from p. 22.)

"The sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow," as we learn from 1 Peter 1:11, was the subject of prophetic testimony. Nowhere are those sufferings more vividly portrayed than in the book of Psalms.

This presentation is unique, since in the Psalms we are privileged to hear the thoughts and know the feelings of our blessed Lord expressed in His pathway of humiliation.

Three psalms especially present His sufferings:twenty-two, sixty-nine, and one hundred and two. The first in His substitutionary sufferings; our present psalm, the sufferings of the Righteous One at the hand of unrighteous men; while Ps. 102 shows His sufferings as the rejected Messiah, cut off in the midst of His days.

Our psalm bears a title, and the remarks made on the title of Psalm 45 apply with equal force here.

We have already seen Christ in association with the remnant of Israel to be the key to a right appreciation and understanding of the Psalms, and nowhere is this more important to remember than here. For example, the sufferer says (ver. 5), "0 God; Thou knowest my foolishness, and my sins are not hid from Thee." How impossible to understand these words, save as we hear them as the voice of the remnant. Of course, primarily, the words are those of David, but the psalm, taken as a whole, can leave no question in our minds that it was the Spirit of Christ speaking through him, voicing sentiments that could only be true of a greater than he (see vers. 20, 21). It will be evident that Ps. 49, while leading up to the three last hours of our adorable Lord upon the cross, does not present atonement, while giving the circumstances in which atonement was made. Expiation was involved in the place He had taken, as we clearly see in verses 22-29.

Our psalm demands our careful and prayerful attention. In the beginning, He is seen in the deepest distress:"Save Me, O Elohim, for the waters are come in unto My soul. I sink in deep mire where there is no standing. I am come into deep waters where the floods overflow Me." Into this distress His faithful love had T led Him. The holy, spotless, sinless One, here in grace, having linked Himself with God's erring and wayward people, is made to realize the misery and wretchedness of their condition. "In all their affliction He was afflicted, the Angel of His presence succored them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them, and carried them all the days of old" (Isa. 63:9). But the sorrow is borne alone! He takes it upon Himself, no one shared His feelings, though He was bearing it for others. It has been aptly said that the true spirit of grace is to bear alone for others what others do not even know we are bearing, for their good-the credit of it all with God alone.

In this solemn and striking psalm we view the godly man in the midst of Israel acknowledging sins as his own, yet the sins of the nation. This brings Him into suffering, and He is reproached for the name of the God of Israel. Yet He prays in an acceptable time, and is heard in that He feared. This is in direct contrast to Psalm 22 where there is no response to His agonized cry. There is no forsaking by God in Psalm 69, but the Holy Sufferer is seen in the deepest extremity through the enmity and bitter hatred of men. He is hated without cause and His enemies heap insult and injury upon Him.

In verse 5 the Righteous One in perfect faithfulness calls upon Adonay (Lord in blessing) Elohim (God in power), that the godly ones may not be stumbled by Him. The Faithful One, in the midst of unfaithfulness, exposed to all the fierce hatred of His enemies, is, outwardly, left to suffer to the full that which His position entailed.

The reproach He bore was for Jehovah's sake, "Because for Thy sake I have borne reproach;" again, in verse 9, "The reproaches of them that reproached Thee are fallen upon Me." The Righteous One in the hands of unrighteous men, in deepest distress, is found, in effect, going without the camp-the sin offering. This psalm was brought to the minds of the disciples when Christ cleansed the temple:"The zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up" (John 2:17), and in that Gospel especially the blessed Lord is viewed as rejected and outcast at the outset (John 1:10, 11).

How really "He learned obedience by the things which He suffered!" Overwhelmed by His sorrows, weeping, and chastening His soul, the "song of the drunkards," He cried to "Jehovah in an acceptable time," and was heard, in striking contrast (as we have seen) to Ps. 22, where He cries out and is abandoned-the essential point of that psalm because there seen as the Sin-bearer.

It is evident from verse 14, "Deliver Me out of the mire and let Me not sink:let Me be delivered from them that hate Me, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon Me," that, in the psalm, the sufferings are almost wholly from the hands of men; they are His adversaries, and it is from them the Holy Sufferer prays for deliverance. In all this, the Lord perfectly identifies Himself with the godly remnant, suffering with them in all they will endure, suffering because of their integrity. It is only when they see Him that the work of atonement will be appreciated by them.

Gethsemane is surely seen here with its overwhelming sorrow, the blessed Lord entering anticipatively into all that was entailed in the position He had voluntarily taken. Satan pressed upon His spirit what it would mean to come into contact with that which His holy soul abhorred, and in His unspeakable suffering His anguish wrung from His holy brow the bloody sweat. His voice is heard, "Hear Me, O Lord, for Thy loving-kindness is good; turn unto Me according to Thy tender mercies, and hide not Thy face from Thy servant:for I am in trouble, hear Me speedily" (vers. 16, 17). From that garden, strengthened by angelic ministry, He went forth for the full accomplishment of God's holy will. "This is your hour and the power of darkness," were the terrible words spoken to the nation-to man. That hour had come, when at last man could fully express all the enmity and hatred of God that dwelt in the human heart.

Delivering Himself up into their hands, every insult and taunt fell with titanic force upon the Holy Sufferer, until He says in spirit, "Reproach hath broken My heart and I am full of heaviness. I looked for some to take pity and there was none, and for comforters, but I found none." "They all forsook Him and fled," is the testimony of Mark (chap. 14:50). There was no one to take pity, no one to deliver; He had taken the cup of bitterness from the Father's hand, and must drink it alone.

In the intense thirst incidental to the cruel death of crucifixion, He said, "I thirst." Someone responded to the cry, and verse 21 of our psalm was fulfilled, "They gave Me also gall for My meat, and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink." This scene of anguish was but the prelude of those darker hours when the Sinless Substitute bore the full weight of divine judgment against sin. However we view Him, whether tested and tried by man and Satan, or taking from the Father's hand the cup which our sins and theirs had filled, nothing but perfection is seen. What a work! What a workman! How it bows our hearts in adoring wonder as we view Him in the perfection of His Manhood, and we worship as we acclaim Him, "My Lord and my God." J. W. H. N.

(To be continued, D. V.)

(Continued from p. 81.)

The Answer given by the Latter-day Saints, or Mormons

VI

Of all the crude and vulgar errors as to Christ, that of the Mormons, or as they generally style themselves, the Latter-day Saints, is perhaps the worst. To what extent the laity recognize the real teaching of their leaders, I cannot say. Generally when I have shown a Mormon what Brigham Young or some other leader had said or written on this theme, they professed utter ignorance of such doctrines and insisted that I must misunderstand their "prophets." But any one who will take the trouble to investigate can readily see for himself the truthfulness of what is here insisted on, however it may be perverted or even flatly denied by zealous "missionaries" or their deluded followers.

The evil sect founded by Joseph Smith is divided into two main branches, with lesser divisions in some parts. These two are generally known among the "initiated" as the Brighamites and Josephites, The former are, by far, the more numerous, and embrace those who accepted the authority of Brigham Young, who seems to be the father of most of the blasphemous tenets of this branch, The latter are the followers of the son of the "prophet," a second Joseph Smith, and are relatively free from the vilest errors of the Brighamites, but believe in salvation by baptism, the inspiration of Joseph Smith the prophet, the utter rejection by God of Christendom, and hope only in the Re-organized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because of their refusal of the abominable practice of polygamy they are generally looked upon more favorably than the Utah Mormons; but both systems completely deny many foundation truths of Scripture,

In fact the Josephites are, in some respects, more difficult to deal with than the Brighamites, because they refuse to listen to any ordinary version of the Scriptures, basing their teaching on what they call the "Inspired Translation of the New Testament," supposed to have been divinely given to the prophet Joseph. This perversion of the Word of God is so utterly unbelievable that it is repudiated by all who know anything of the original Greek, as a clumsy forgery.

It is with the Christology of the main branch we have now to do, however; so I shall not attempt further to point out the unholy teachings of the lesser sect, only warning any meeting them to beware of their smooth, plausible statements, as the elders of both branches of Latter-day Saints are past-masters in the art of using speech to conceal thought.

Brigham Young taught as to Christ that He was the natural son of Mary and Adam, after the latter had been exalted to become the God of this world,-to use his own awful language, "Our God and Father, the only God and Father with whom we have to do." Parley Pratt says of him, "Our Father Adam shall sit (in the millennium) enthroned as the Ancient of Days," and then Christ Jesus is his son and heir.
Those arch-heretics teach that Christ (may He forgive the words) was a polygamist, wedded at Cana of Galilee to Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, and later to Mary Magdalene. They further hold that He was simply a superior-man who, by His devotion and faithfulness in His generation, was exalted to Deity and is now a God, second in glory to Adam. They believe in a vast number of gods, all of whom were once men. A favorite saying is, "As man is, God once was. As God is, all men may yet become."

Christ's death is said to have made atonement for Adam's sin, though Adam's sin is in itself considered a voluntary humiliation for our sake. "Adam sinned that men might be," is one of their proverbs.

Since Christ's death has balanced the sin of Adam, all men are now free to save themselves by repentance, faith, baptism, the laying on of an elder's hands, and complete submission to the authorities of the Mormon church, a tyrannical hierarchy that has only been outdone by that of Rome.

Needless to say, love for Christ is unknown among those fully given up to this doctrine of demons. It throttles all spiritual discernment and makes its dupes sensual and materialistic to the last degree.

When the Mormon elder offers the declaration of faith which they circulate so widely among the "Gentiles" (as all but Mormons are called), it is well to remember that this statement was prepared for proselytizing purposes, and is not a full account of the doctrines of this weird sect. To find these, it is necessary to read the Book of Mormon, The Doctrines and Covenants, The Book of Abraham and The Pearl of Great Price. Extracts, however, are available in tract form which show the true nature of this system and prove its antichristian character, "From such, turn away." H. A. I.

(To be continued in next number, D.V.)

(Continued from p. 195)

THE PEACE OF CHRIST

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).

The child of God never fails to be filled with delight as he contemplates his Saviour. The more he gazes upon the matchless character and perfection of the Son of God, the greater grows his wonder and adoration. At times, the glory of God, as revealed in Jesus, is overwhelming. Our poor finite minds cannot fully comprehend it, but we worship in His blessed presence and exclaim as Thomas did of old, "My Lord and my God."

When we speak of peace, how the sound of the word soothes our hearts. Peace suggests a contented mind, a satisfied heart and an unruffled spirit. Peace brings thoughts of our Lord to our hearts, for we know that no one has real peace who is a stranger to Him. As we meditate upon His life, as it is recorded for us in the gospels, we realize that He lived in an atmosphere of perfect peace. Wandering about as He did from place to place, misunderstood by His friends, tormented by His enemies, who plotted against Him continually, He, nevertheless, maintained a spirit of perfect peace. He was conscious of the Father's satisfaction in Him and of His own obedience to the will of the Father. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee" (Isa. 26:3). When He was led before Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate and Herod and when He was mocked, scourged and crucified, He still evinced a peaceful serenity, which we could not explain, if He were not the sinless Son of God. When the soldiers and Pilate taunted He answered nothing. We behold Him in all His loveliness, The Man of Peace, resting our souls, as He says, "Peace be unto you" (John 20:19).

Christ's peace may be ours, if we, like Him, are willing to fulfil the conditions. A life wholly yielded to God in the power of the Holy Spirit will most surely be a peaceful life. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7). When we are abiding in unbroken fellowship with Jesus, we experience a heavenly calm, and a holy serenity of which those of the world know nothing. "But now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, Who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us" (Eph. 2:13,14). May we all experience more and more of the peace of Christ.

O, precious Saviour, our dear Lord Jesus, Thou art our peace. The mere contemplation of Thee brings peace to the troubled heart and rest to the weary spirit. Help us to separate ourselves from all that is carnal, worldly and unholy, all that will spoil our fellowship with Thee and mar our peace.

May we be found in peace. May those about us see the peace of God reigning within us. We thank Thee for the peace Thou hast bestowed upon us, that wonderful gift from above. O, Jesus, Lord, we adore Thee. Accept the homage of our hearts, we pray, in Thy Name. Amen.

THE LONG-SUFFERING OF CHRIST

"Love suffereth long and is kind" (1 Cor. 13:4). "But consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds" (Heb. 12:3).

Our Saviour's life was one of suffering and misunderstanding. He was willing to suffer long and to endure patiently, for He looked to the recompense of the reward. He, Who was in the form of God, made Himself of no reputation, took upon Him the form of a servant, humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:5-8). We adore Him for His long-suffering.

In Heb. 2:9,10, we read of what He accomplished by His sacrificial death. We begin to understand why He was willing to suffer long. "We see Jesus Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became Him for Whom are all things and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." What did He not endure, with such amazing long-suffering, in order to bring many sons to glory! O, the wonderful grace of God! How it is revealed to us in Jesus Christ, our Lord! "He shall see of the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied" (Isa. 53:11). He "endured the cross, despising the same" (Heb. 12:2) in order that He might be able to say, "Behold I and the children which God hath given Me" (Heb. 2:13).

How long-suffering He was with His disciples! They did not understand Him. Their hearts were hardened with unbelief so that they could not comprehend the great truths which He uttered. They believed that He was their Messiah, but when they first heard of His resurrection they were filled with doubts. But Jesus bore with them patiently and "beginning with Moses and all the prophets He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27).

Now He is seated on the Father's throne, and He is showing to us the same long-suffering and patient love, for, "the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9). "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7:25).

O, may we never forget what He endured for us. We cannot fully understand what the cross meant to our blessed Lord. Only the Father Himself knows what His Son endured. However by the help of God's holy Word we can realize to some extent how deeply He suffered. "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow His steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth; Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again, when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously; Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed" (1 Pet. 2:21-24). May we never forget at what price our redemption was purchased, with all long-suffering. May we look into our hearts and see if we have that most beautiful and Christ-like grace, the blessed fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for Jesus, Who has opened up a way into the holiest by His blood. We thank Thee that we can draw near and reverently look upon the wonder of our redemption. Nothing satisfies our hearts but our Lord Jesus. When we-are occupied with Him our hearts are filled to overflowing with holy joy. Give us a clearer understanding of our salvation through Him and of our position in Him. Father, it is most blessed to be a Christian. Use us to bring others into this blessed way. In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen. E. W. Carlile

(To be continued, D. V.)

(Continued from p.272.)

THE FAITHFULNESS OF CHRIST

"Faithful is He that calleth you who also will do it" (1 Thess. 5:24). "But the Lord is faithful who shall stablish you and keep you from evil" (2 Thess. 3:3).

There is not much said in the Gospels about the faithfulness of our dear Lord. It seems that the inspired writers were not led to lay stress upon a quality in Him that is so evident to all who meditate upon His life. The apostle Paul tells us that "He abideth faithful, He cannot deny Himself" (2 Tim. 2:13). John saw "heaven opened, and behold, a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True" (Rev. 19:11). Is not that a beautiful and appropriate name for our Saviour?-Faithful and True!

The author of the epistle to the Hebrews says of Jesus, "Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him" (Heb. 3:2). We who have been redeemed by His precious blood are so glad that He was faithful unto death. He was faithful to the trust committed unto Him. Not once did He turn from it. "And it came to pass, when the time was come that He should be received up, He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51). He told His disciples, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests, and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day" (Luke 9:22). In speaking to the Father He says in John 17:4, "I have glorified Thee on the earth. I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do." With what spirit did He accomplish His work?

With absolute faithfulness to the will and purpose of His Father.

Our heavenly Father, we know from Thy Word that faithfulness is one of the blessed fruits of the Holy Spirit which every believer may have if he is willing to let Thy Spirit rule in his heart. We thank Thee for Jesus, who died to save us. We are glad that we have the record of His life, that we may know Him who is Faithful and True. We are accepted in Him and clothed with His righteousness. Teach us to be faithful, especially in our testimony for Thee. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

THE MEEKNESS OF CHRIST

"For I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matt. 11:29). There are some attributes of character which cannot be analyzed or explained. We feel the presence of these qualities in certain people. We recognize their beauty and their worth, but it is almost impossible to define or describe them. Meekness is such a virtue. It is found in those who are truly humble and self-effacing. . It is a companion of gentleness and love. It is a rare and unusual quality even in the followers of our Lord. We have so much of self in us that we do not give the meekness of Christ an opportunity to develop in us. Self stunts its beauty and growth.

We must turn to Jesus for an example of perfect meekness,"He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth. He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth" (Isa. 53:7). During His trial, He was mocked, railed against, spit upon and, scourged, yet not one impatient word proceeded from Him during His awful torture, and the first words He uttered from the cross were, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

As we meditate upon His meek and lowly spirit, we bow our heads in reverent worship. Our God could be humble and meek. And what of us? We are proud, self-opinionated and self-exalted. We keep our heads bowed, but now it is in shame! Jesus Christ made Himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant. He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Gal. 3:13).

In John 6:38 we read these words, "For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me." These words fully portray our Saviour's spirit of meekness. Paul beseeches the Corinthians "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" to walk worthily of Him (2 Cor. 10:1).

We have such a glorious Saviour. Now our feeble tongues can but lisp His praise. How glad are we that we have an endless life in which we may sing to His glorious and worthy Name! In the aeons to come, our greatest joy will be to magnify and exalt Him, who gave Himself for us upon the cross of Calvary!

"Jesus, Thy Name I love,
All other names above,
Jesus, my Lord!
Oh, Thou art all to me,
Nothing to please I see,
Nothing apart from Thee,
Jesus, my Lord!

"Thou blessed Son of God
Hast bought me with Thy blood,
Jesus, my Lord !
Oh, how great is Thy love,
All other loves above,
Love, that I daily prove,
Jesus, my Lord!"

Our holy Redeemer:-We are Thine and Thou art ours. Oh, Thy condescending all-transcending love! We, are chosen and accepted in Thee. Thou hast lifted us from the miry clay and set our feet upon a rock. We love Thee, our Saviour. We love Thee in Thy meekness. May we, too, reveal in our lives this blessed fruit of Thy Spirit. In Thy name we pray. Amen.

THE TEMPERANCE OF CHRIST

Our Lord was temperate in all things. Even those who will not follow Him acknowledge the perfection and lawlessness of His character. His meat was to do the will of His Father (John 4:34). He tells us in John 6:27, "Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you." His whole teaching reveals the fact that "the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Rom. 14:17).

Our Lord had a body of human flesh, and He hungered and thirsted as all of us do, but He would not yield even to its normal need when that would be to do another's will instead of the Father's. After fasting forty days, He refused to exercise His divine power to satisfy His hunger. Before they crucified our Saviour, the soldiers offered Him a stupefying drink of wine mingled with myrrh, but He refused it. He said, "The cup which
My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18:11). "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Heb. 9:28). Blessed Lord, "Thou art worthy for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood" (Rev. 5:9). Hallelujah! What a Saviour is Jesus, our Lord!

Reprinted from Help & Food, 1898

When the Lord was here He mingled freely among men of every class. He had come to serve men, even to the laying down of His life for them. He loved men, and their needs drew Him on.

But it was not hard for men to see that He was not as one of them. That He had come from another world, was actuated by motives different from theirs, loved not what they loved, and in His ways and words shed a light upon them which condemned them and made them either repent and follow Him, or resist and hate Him.

When He returned to His glory He left His people behind to continue this on earth. His Church as a whole should practically be here a Nazarite as was her Lord. But if, wedded to the world, she has ceased to be that, it is still both the privilege and responsibility of individual members of the Church to be what, as a whole, she ought to be.

This necessitates their separation from the church-world as well as from the world itself. Nor is such separation to be confounded with that made by heresy. Heresy separates to be free to have its own way, and to make a center of itself. Nazariteship separates because it cannot otherwise be free for Christ. Christ is its all. At whatever cost it must yield Him the obedience which is His due.

Nor is it the obedience of a hireling who works for pay. It is "faith which worketh by love." It is from a heart captivated by His grace. It is that living water which having first quenched the sinner's thirst, becomes "in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4).

The coming of our Lord is near. The heat of the day is well-nigh spent. What an encouragements for the hearts of His beloved people to be true to Him. P. J. L.

As we close this brief study of Him who is altogether lovely, the chiefest among ten thousand, we realize how feeble are mere words, and how incapable are we to speak of the holy Son of God. We have tried to show, in part, the worth and beauty of our blessed Saviour. "I will praise Thee, O Lord, among the people; I will sing unto Thee among the nations" (Ps. 57:9). "Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good; sing praises unto His Name; for it is pleasant" (Ps. 135:3). "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Ps. 34:1). May the Lord be to you, the very joy of your heart and the delight of your mind! May you be able to say, "My beloved is mine, and I am His!" "This is my Beloved and this is my Friend" (Song of Solomon 2:16; 5:16).

When filled to overflowing,
Full vessels always bear
Much knocking, little showing
A trace of constant wear.

Though blow on blow receiving,
Full vessels scarcely sound;
Do I, on Christ believing,
In murmuring noise abound?

When grace is low and waning,
When self-importance reigns,
Loud cries and much complaining
Is all that then remains.

The soul that Christ is filling,
Will bear full many a blow,
In patient grace unwilling
Resentment quick to show.

E. H. Hageman

"O day of man's dishonor,
When for Thy love supreme,
Man sought to mar Thy honor,
Thy glory turn to shame.

Thou soughtest for compassion,
Some heart Thy grief to know,
To watch Thine hour of passion,
For comforters in woe.

No eye was found to pity-
No heart to bear Thy woe;
But shame and scorn and spitting,
None cared Thy name to know.

The pride of careless greatness
Could wash its hands of Thee:-
Priests-that should plead for weakness-
Must Thine accusers be.

O man, how thou hast proved
What in thy heart is found!
By grace divine unmoved,-
By self in fetters bound.

Yet with all grief acquainted,
The Man of Sorrows view,
Unmoved, by ill untainted,

The path of grace pursue."

(From "Man of Sorrows," by J. N. D.

Out of self! Oh, what emancipation!
Shackles broken, prison-doors unclosed!
Free as air, almost to aviation,''
Satan's rule forevermore deposed.

Into Christ! Oh, who hath words t' express it!
Hungry souls alone can understand,
Bless triumphant, none can e'er repress it;
Joy to execute His least command.

Into glory! Here we wait fulfilment,
None hath seen, nor even heart conceived,
By His cross we'll enter into glory,
Bought by Him, by Him alone received.

Our blest Saviour! Give to Him the glory!
Our Redeemer, purchased by His blood;
Intercessor, keeping whom He rescued,
Meeting every need along the road.

H. McD

(Deut.33:27.)

O Saviour, Thou, the eternal God.
My blessed refuge art,
My sure and certain hiding-place,
The solace of my heart,
My perfect shield, my one retreat,
My sheltering Rock from desert heat.

Yea,' neath the shadow of Thy wings
My heart may ever rest.
May leave all burdens at Thy feet,
And lean upon Thy breast.
When every door seems closed to me,
I know thou e'er dost welcome me.

And with Thine everlasting arms
Beneath me evermore,
I'll learn to know Thy heart of hearts
And its abounding store,
The cradle of my soul to be,
In time, and in Eternity.

H. McD