I came to. the Red Sea place in my life where I could see no way through, and to go back looked like defeat. I was afraid (Ps. 56:3), like Israel of old. With the Red Sea hi front of them, and Pharaoh and his host behind them, they feared. Moses told them, "Fear not; stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord." They could do nothing else but stand still, and we can do nothing else. "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him" (Is. 59:19). The Lord tells me, "Fear not, for I have redeemed thee" (Is. 43:1). That is the standard the Lord will lift up against the enemy. He has redeemed me with His precious blood, which He shed for me on Calvary's cross. In Ps. 4:4 we read, "Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still." Sometimes we hinder God from working for us by not being still, and then sometimes God has to cause something to happen to make us "be still," in order that we may be able to hear His voice speaking to us. Or we may make ourselves sick in trying to make things right ourselves. The quiet waiting upon God is the hardest lesson the child of God has to learn. But it is not in a careless way that God wants us in quietness, for we read in Ps. 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God." Why need I be afraid of Satan and his host when God tells me, "The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge?" Satan is mighty, but God is Almighty. The Psalmist could say, "What time I am afraid I will trust in thee" (Ps. 56:3). "He leadeth me beside still waters," or, waters of quietness (Ps. 23:2, marg.). This all shows that I must be quiet to hear God's still small Voice speaking to me.

We read in 1 Kings 19:11,12 there was "a great strong wind that rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire, a still small voice." How hard it is for the Lord to get some of us quiet enough to hear His Voice, but He who said, "Peace, be still" (Mark 4:39), to the troubled waters is the same One who can say to the troubled burdened one, "Peace, be still," and there will be a calm stillness in our hearts which nothing can disturb. "When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?" In Is. 30:7 we read, "Their strength is to sit still." Only the Lord knows how to quiet each one of us, and "He maketh the storm a calm" (Ps. 107:29). Lillian A. Byford

(Continued from p. 271 of Vol.49)

IX.-IN JOSEPH’S HISTORY

Probably no type so distinctly sets forth Christ as that of Joseph. His history, as it is given to us, appears co have in its every incident some meaning relative to the Lord and His pathway, whether it be in humiliation or glory.

We see him first of all as the well-beloved of his father:"Israel loved Joseph more than all his children" (Gen. 37:3). And following this we have those visions of supremacy which can only find their antitype in Christ. The sheaf to which all the other sheaves bow, with which Joseph's brethren associate the thought of kingship, suggests the Lord's place as King of kings when He comes to set up the kingdom in glory on the earth. With the binding of the sheaves we think of the harvest, used repeatedly as a figure of the end-time, when the sharp sickle of judgment will sweep over the earth and the Son of Man shall come on the clouds of heaven (Rev. 14:14-16; Matt. 13:30, 39-43; 24:29-31; Joel 3:13-17). As among all the rods Aaron's alone budded and bore fruit, so Joseph's sheaf arose and stood firm-significant sign of how the rejected and humbled One shall be exalted, for the throne is reached by way of the cross, the glory by way of suffering, whether for Joseph or for Joseph's Lord. "The sufferings which belonged to Christ, and the glories after these" (1 Pet. 1:11, New Trans.); "Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?" He laid down in death, arose in glory-"Now is Christ risen"-exalted by the right hand of God who has made Him, "this Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Thus He stands upright, or firm. The rejected Stone has become the Corner Stone. This Headstone shall be brought forth in due season "with shoutings:Grace, grace unto it" (Zech. 4:7). This shall be seen in Zion when God manifests His King. "Blessed are all who have their trust in Him" (Ps. 2:12).

Joseph saw in his dream that all the sheaves of his brethren "came round about and bowed down to" his sheaf. All Israel, as saved out of the great tribulation that is to come upon the world, shall gladly acknowledge the true Joseph when He comes as the Deliverer out of Zion (Rom. 12:25, 26). The Lamb with His sealed and saved company out of every tribe of Israel shall be seen on Mt. Zion. But to still farther bounds shall His drawing power be known. "To Him will be the obedience for, gathering] of peoples" (Gen. 49:10, New Trans.); "Yea, all kings shall bow down before Him, all nations shall serve Him" (Ps. 72 :11) ; "It is a small thing that Thou shouldest be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel; I have even given Thee for a light of the nations, that Thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth. Thus saith Jehovah, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, to Him whom man despiseth, to Him whom the nation abhorreth, to the servant of rulers:Kings shall see and arise, princes, and they shall worship, because of Jehovah who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen Thee" (Isa. 49:6, 7).

Now Joseph has a second dream. In it he saw the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bow down to him. To Jacob this could only mean Joseph's preeminence, his supremacy, over the whole family ; and he rebuked Joseph. Applicable as this is to Joseph's after-history in Egypt, and surely as to its fuller significance to Christ in His relation to Israel, yet may it not suggest what is of heavenly order more than earthly? As we think of these celestial bodies which under God exercise a universal rule and influence as of the heavens over the earth, and also find them used as symbols of various ranks of authority, may we not see in this dream the picture of the universal Lordship of Christ as Man, to whom angels and authorities and powers have been made subject, who indeed has been set above every principality, authority, power, dominion, and every name named? He has all power in heaven and on earth. In its exercise He will accomplish the subjugation to Himself of all authority under God of whatever order, for to this end He must reign. Thus we are given a glimpse of His glorious preeminence, and a foregleam of eternity.

From the anticipation of the end we turn to consider the path that leads to it. This finds illustration in Joseph's journey, and the experiences growing out of it.

As the most loved of Israel's children, Joseph reminds us of the Father's well-beloved Son-owned as such at His baptism, which brings in the anticipation of the cross, and again on the holy mount, the anticipation of the kingdom come in power. In the parable of the vineyard (Mark and Luke) the sent son is so spoken of, and the vineyard we know is a figure of Israel (Isa. 5). Certainly the attitude and purpose of Joseph's brethren quite agree with those of the wicked husbandmen in the parable. Again, He is so spoken of in Matt. 12:18, quoting from Isaiah:"Behold My Servant… My Beloved, in whom My soul is well pleased." Of Him it is written:"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand," and again, "All things are delivered unto Me of My Father." It is this One, God's "own Son," who was delivered up for us all that with Him He might grant us all things.

Joseph, the son of his father's love, dwells with him at Hebron, which means "participation," or "communion." How beautifully this suggests what John affirms of the true Joseph, that He is "in the bosom of the Father." It speaks of the place of fullest communion in which He shares in all the Father's counsels of infinite love and grace. He, as come from the Father, His sent One, declares Him, so that He can assure Philip:"He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." He declared His name, made known His Word, and accomplished His works. Of that coming and service as the Father's sent One, Joseph's journey from Hebron is the type. When called he yields himself without reserve to his father's will:"Here am I." This reminds us of that other word, "Lo, I come .. .to do Thy will, O God," and so of Him who came from the throne of heaven, from the place of participation and communion with God His Father, to display Him in the fulness of love and grace. He came from that "Hebron" and its blessed surroundings into which He will soon introduce us, where the fulness of our fellowship with the Father and the Son will be realized in the unspeakable joy of being forever with the Lord.

The journey is to Shechem. The meaning of Shechem is given as "shoulder (literally, early rising):diligence." The thought of service naturally connects with this. For Christ, Shechem meant to be here as the Son of Man to minister, not to be ministered unto. He stooped to the place of service. He made Himself of no reputation, and took the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. In this place He was the faithful and true Witness. None ever served as He did, who showed such "diligence" in being about His Father's business! Shechem means to be in the place of burden-bearing, of obedience, of learning, of submission (Matt. 8:17; John 6:30; 8:29; Heb. 5:8; Luke 22:42). The Lord Himself says by the prophet:"The Lord God hath given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary; He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth Mine ear to hear as the learned. The Lord God hath opened Mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave My back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair:I hid not My face from shame and spitting" (Isa. 50:4-6). And when in that place He said:"I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things." "I can of Mine own self do nothing; as I hear, I judge:and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me."

At Shechem Joseph found no welcome. His brethren were not there. He appears as a wanderer befriended by a stranger. And what more than this did He experience who came from the Father to the loneliness of this world and the sorrow of seeking those who should have been in the place of service to God according to their privileges and responsibilities, but instead had chosen their own place! Thus had Israel turned to her own way, and in that place He who was her true and only Friend, the Messenger of the Father's love, found rejection and hatred. So there is a second part to Joseph's journey; he must go from Shechem to Dothan-"two wells," or "cisterns." There he finds his brethren, and in just such a place the Lord found "His own" who, nevertheless, would not receive Him. Instead, that place was the one in which He, like Joseph, would be the object of conspiracy against His life-"This is the heir; come, let us kill him;" the place where ultimately they would find the way to rid themselves of Him, and withal shift the blame, as they think, through the lie of the blood-dipped vest. Dothan was the place of the pit for Joseph. But another day is coming when these brethren will say in the time of their own distress:"We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear:therefore is this distress come upon us" (Gen. 42:21).

This tells us more about that scene at Dothan. There was not only the violence and wicked sale of their brother, but the anguish of his soul-his sorrowful cries, his earnest pleas, his broken heart as he is ruthlessly given into strangers' hands to be separated from every tie of nature dear to his soul. What a scene! But considering it we instinctively turn to think of Him who is called "the Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." We hear Him saying:"Reproach hath broken My heart, and I am overwhelmed:and I looked for sympathy, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none" (Ps. 69:20).

Do we think enough of the path that led to the Cross? It is thus we come to know Him, not only know what He has done to save us, marvelously blessed as that is and ever shall be, but know Him in the sense of more fully apprehending the spirit and character of His life- "the life of Jesus" – as He moved through such experiences as Dothan suggests. In this way His mind will be formed in us, and we shall know a little more of what it means to suffer with Him. Beholding Him thus we shall become more like Him in lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and love. In all of this we may think too of the lessons taught by the Meal offering (Lev. 2).

But from Dothan, as meaning "two cisterns," we may draw perhaps another lesson. Two suggests contrast in various ways, and may signify what is evil. That is certainly associated with Dothan here. Now if Shechem is the place, typically, of true service, Dothan in some sense must present a contrast to it. Those there have left the former with the result that envy, strife, and evil break out. It is thus the flesh manifests itself against what is of the Spirit, and we may be reminded of the apostle's words:"But as then he that was born according to flesh persecuted him that was born according to Spirit, so also 'it is now."

"Two" may suggest divided interests, the lack of that singleness of object and purpose which is so essential in spiritual things. Paul could speak of the one thing which he did, of the one Object for whom he lived, and the one Source of strength for the path he walked. He, servant above all others save his Master, did not dwell at Dothan, the place of "two cisterns," but drank of the Fountain of living waters. Not to abide beside that Fountain is to hew out cisterns for ourselves, and then find that we have fallen out with what is really of God, so that the works of the flesh and not the fruit of the Spirit become manifest. In the end we reap as we have sown.

It is just such a contrast as this that we see existing between Jesus our Lord and those called "His own" who would not receive Him. They were at Dothan, so to speak, with its divided interests, its self-seeking, their own cisterns; and Jehovah who speaks of Himself as the Fountain of living waters they did not really know. Jesus came to them in that absolute singleness of object and purpose which the more it became evident, drew from ' them opposition, persecution, and finally death. "For consider well Him who endured so great contradiction from sinners against Himself, that ye be not weary, fainting in your minds."

"Let us.. .run.. .looking steadfastly* on Jesus, the leader and completer of faith." *The word here "has the force of looking away from other things and fixing the eye exclusively on one" (New Trans.).*

This beautiful psalm, the third of a series (25, 26, 27), gives the blessed ground of the soul's entire confidence in God. Primarily we find in these three psalms the remnant, whose experiences and exercises cast them upon God to find, in a way hitherto unknown, the fulness and sufficiency of divine grace. The psalm itself divides clearly into three parts. In vers. 1-6 we find the confidence of the saint in God, whatever the circumstances. In vers. 7-12 we see the soul in distress, crying out for mercy; and lastly, in vers. 13,14, renewed confidence in God in spite of oppressors and false witnesses. The Lord Himself is the confidence and joy of His people; the soul's longing is after Jehovah.

The psalm beautifully begins with an expression of entire confidence, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Light, salvation, and life are found in God Himself. It was He who commanded the light to shine out of darkness. His character as "light" does not repel the believer, but rather enhances the consciousness of security. The shining of the light brought order out of darkness and chaos at the beginning; salvation surely out of a scene of ruin. Life was thus begun, imparted by God Himself, giving it His own character.

With Jehovah as light, salvation and life, of whom shall the soul be afraid? Enemies may increase, foes may multiply, an army may encamp, determined to wipe out all resistance, war may be waged, but the soul is calm in the midst of hatred, conscious that God is for His people. This confidence will be blessedly manifested by the godly remnant, when under Gentile oppression in the tribulation period. He will then prove Himself strong on behalf of those who fear Him, and overthrow every opposing enemy. Confidence in God brings perfect repose, and the heart desires a deeper, fuller .knowledge of Himself. "One thing," says the psalmist, "have I desired of the Lord." What singleness of eye is here! Paul, in a later day, wrote to the Philippians, "One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Scripture says, "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." How necessary then that the child of God have one purpose, one desire!

The psalmist, however, not only desired, but he adds, "that will I seek after." We may have right and commendable desires, but lack that spiritual energy which marked the psalmist and, in a later day, the beloved apostle who could say, "I press toward the mark."

One precious feature in the Psalms is the frequency of longing expressed after God. To the godly, there was no place to compare with the Sanctuary, and deep longing is expressed frequently for Jehovah's dwelling-place. The soul desires to know God as He has been pleased to reveal Himself. The tabernacle (and afterward the temple) was the place of God's manifested presence. The Ark of the covenant was there, and concerning it Jehovah said to His servant Moses, "There will I commune with thee," and "There will I meet with thee." So the psalmist desires to dwell in the house of the Lord "to behold the beauty of the Lord and enquire in His temple." Only one whose heart is at rest in the presence of God could entertain such a desire! If conscience is not at rest, such glory would act as in Isaiah 6, where the presence of a thrice-holy God caused the prophet to cry, "Woe is me for I am undone," until the live coal from the altar of sacrifice had touched his lips. Sin must be put away, the soul cleansed, conscience purged, ere one can bask in the sunlight of God's presence.

This deep longing on the part of an Old Testament saint, let us remember, was in a dispensation of partial revelation; as yet God had not been fully revealed; it was only twilight and not the full blaze of complete revelation! And yet there was the deep spiritual longing for greater nearness to the blessed God. How this should admonish us as we realize how complete is the revelation now possessed, and how near is the place given to the believer in this dispensation, so that we are bidden to "come boldly unto the throne of grace" through the rent veil.

"To enquire in His temple," says the psalmist. Nearness to God is the place of divine communications, and here the heart would abide. Of necessity the soul who thirsts for God will seek, in the revelation He has given, under the guidance of the "divine anointing," those "deep things of God" given to the feeblest of His people for their enjoyment. "All things are yours," says Paul in writing to the Corinthian saints. How small a portion of our heavenly inheritance have we yet enjoyed!

In ver. 5 the writer dwells upon the security which the presence of God ensures. The primary application is unquestionably to human enemies. These he does not fear, his heart is inditing good matter and sings praises to Jehovah. It is equally true for us that as we know the blessedness of the Sanctuary, we are delivered from spiritual enemies, and everything in the world assumes its proper proportion; worldly entanglements are shunned, and the soul walks in the light and in truth.

The next section, vers. 7-12, is a sudden transition where the cry of distress is heard instead of exultant praise. This is characteristic of the Psalms, and is easily understood when we remember the difference of dispensation. There is, however, a note of-confidence still. How could the God who had encouraged him to seek His face fail him in the time of testing? Impossible! Every earthly prop may give way, father and mother forsake, but God? Never! He would never put to shame those who trust Him. The greater the soul's extremity the more would His tender mercy and loving-kindness be manifested. He still cares for His own,' blessed be His grace!

The spirit calmed, while still in the midst of enemies, the psalmist continues, "Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path because of mine "enemies." If sensible of our weakness and need, we shall be afraid of a path of our own choosing, and desire like him to know Jehovah's way. In the path of His will, we can ever count upon His grace and power.

The last section, vers. 13,14, forms a beautiful conclusion. Here we find renewed confidence in God in spite of enemies and oppressors. Doubtless these verses speak of the condition of the faithful remnant, their ground of hope, amidst the distresses through which they will pass. "I had fainted unless I had believed, to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Turning to Jehovah and counting upon His goodness the soul's confidence is strengthened. "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord." Here is the resource of faith, whatever the difficulties and trials of the way. Every circumstance is an occasion for waiting upon God, and proving the truth of the words, "My grace is sufficient for thee." And as we wait, our courage may well be increased and confidence of heart is strengthened. The happy conclusion of the whole matter is in the final words, "Wait, I say, on the Lord."

"Ah, whither could we flee for aid,
When tempted, desolate, dismayed,
Or how the hosts of hell defeat,
Had suffering saints no mercy-seat?"

J. W. H. Nichols

-A BIBLE MEDITATION-

God's blessed Word-"Meditate therein.. .make thy war prosperous.. .have good success"'-Josh. I:6.

HIS-Our loving, glorious Lord would not "abide alone," but by His "dying" has brought forth "much fruit." His redeemed.-John 12:24.
From the travail of His soul He reaps eternal satisfaction.-Isa. 53:11. "Better than gold," He declares.-Prov. 8:19. "Thou art all fair My love;" His joyous portion.- Cant. 4:7.
"Under His shadow with great delight;" sweet to our taste.-Cant. 2:2.
"We, Thy redeemed, are reaping what Thou didst sow in tears."
"Christ the first-fruits, afterwards they that are Christ's at His coming."-1 Cor. 15:23. "I and the children," wondrous harvest to God's glory!-Heb.2:13.

OURS-FOR HIM ALONE.-His life expressed in us.

"A garden enclosed"-for the Owner's enjoyment.
-Cant. 4:12.
"My soul desired first ripe fruit"-Micah 7:1.
"His garden," "His pleasant fruit."-Cant. 4:16.
Oh, to be able to invite His coming and to hear His
answer-"I am come."-Cant. 5:1.
"Fruit is the Lord's"; "holy unto the Lord." His
Word asserts His claim.-Lev. 27:30; Deut. 26:1-11.
For what does the husbandman toil? "Fruit."-
2 Tim. 2:6.

SOURCE-No fruit from Christian lives without living, vital union.-John 15:5.

Only from a hidden source-He is indispensable, and all-sufficient.
Produced from one Stock alone-"I am the Vine."
-John 15:1.
He has said:"Without Me.. .nothing."-John 15:5.
"Cannot bear fruit of itself."-John 15:4.
No method of manufacture produces living fruit-
it grows.
"From Me is thy fruit found."-Hosea 14:8.
"The planting of the Lord." – Isa. 60:21;61:8;
Matt. 15:13.
"My Father is the Husbandman."-John 15:1.- God's tillage."-! Cor. 3:9.
"Fruit by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."-Phil. 1:11.
"He that hath wrought us…is God."-2 Cor. 5:5. The work of God, all things new and of God! Amazing reality!
"Fruits of the Spirit."-Gal. 5:22. His blessed Person.-"Abide in Me."-John 15:4. "Rooted in Him."-Col. 2:7.
His holy Word:"heareth.. .understandeth.. .bringeth forth fruit."-Matt. 13:23. "Distilling as dew," tenderly as "small rain," as "showers"-Deut. 32:2.
His Word longed for, listened to, obeyed, cherished, as spoken by the One dearer than every loved one. Prayer, in response to His word and will.-John 15:7.
To be prayerless is to be fruitless. Enjoyment of love that passeth knowledge constrains response to it.
Abiding where grace has put us-in Him. Result:fruitful.
Derive from Him, draw upon Him, abide in Him. -John 15:9.
Secret of fruit-bearing, "abiding."-John 15:5. Power for fruit-bearing, "the Spirit."-Gal. 6:22,23. Character of fruit, "holy"-Rom. 6:22.

VALUE-Of value to Him. "Seeking fruit"-Luke 13:6,7. "Kept," watered every moment, night and day.- Isa. 27:3-6.
Only fruit "of the land" of value. None from Egypt.
The royal vineyard of Cant. 8:12 yields for Him who says:"The vineyard is Mine," 1000; and for servants, 200.He excels. Christ displayed in us is fruit precious to the Husbandman. Not leaves, but fruit, expressive of value. The tree displays its nature by the fruit the branches bear.

"Abide in Thee, one life is mine and Thine;
All fulness that's in Thee is counted mine;
As branch must bear the life-fruit of the tree,
So thus to show Thyself, Thou needest me,
As I need Thee."

PRIVILEGED, RESPONSIBLE TO YIELD IT-Yielding fruit a holy privilege and responsibility, for the tree is "known by its fruit".-Matt. 12:33.
By God's appointment-ordination by His pierced hand.-John 15:16. Proof of discipleship.-John 15:8.
"Fruit to your account," solemn consideration! There is an account, a heavenly record of much or little fruit.-Phil. 4:17.

VARIETIES – QUALITIES – Holiness – Rom. 6:29.
Patience-Luke 8:15; Jas. 5:7.
Separation, subjection.-Ps. 1:1-3.
Dependence and obedience-John 15:5,10.
Fruit of lips "by Him"-Heb. 13:15. Pleasing to God.
Wise-pure-peaceable-good fruits. Jas. 8:17.
"Fruitful in every good work."-Col. 1:6.
Kindness, meekness, gentleness, forbearance, forgiveness, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, all are fruits for His pleasure.

CULTURE – GROWTH – No end to growing – growing "up into Him in all things."

In grace and knowledge of Lord and Saviour.-2 Pet. 3:18.

By communion-not result of effort-"Consider the lilies how they grow." No growth without exercise.-Heb. 12:10. Ever needing chastening or training – purging, pruning-the hand that prunes is then nearest to the vine, blessed nearness! What is cut away (though painful) makes more room for Christ's life.

His eye is ever on us, sees every fruitless tendency and employs the treatment given by a skillful gardener to a haughty branch, stretching itself high above others, but fruitless. The sharp pruning knife soon disposes of useless growth and, laid low, the humbled branch yields the richest cluster for the Master's pleasure.

EXOTIC SOIL-His life to find expression in our fruit-bearing.

Belongs to heaven-living Him where He is not. "Planted in the house of the Lord…shall flourish," fruitful for not one year only, but every year, "to old age."-Ps. 92:12-14.

Fruitful in the land "of my affliction"-Gen. 41:52 -and undiminished by adversity.-Jer. 17:8. "The trees of the Lord are full of sap."-Ps. 104:16. "In a dry place" "His rivers of waters" flow.-Isa. 32:2; Ps. 107 :35.

ABHORRENT- Corrupt flesh produces only thorns (they pierced His brow) Heb. 6:8, rejected. Our own way, hitter, tendeth to sin.-Prov. 1:31; 10:16.

Our own thoughts.-Jer. 6:19. Barrenness.-Ps. 1:4. Corrupt.-Matt. 7:17.

Self-reliance-Hosea 10:13. Destroyed, Judged.- Ps. 21:10.

Independency's fairest fruits-Cain's-rejected. Unfruitful works of darkness.-Eph. 5:11. Imitation unmasked and judged.-Jer. 12:1-3. Bearing fruit to itself (Hosea 10:1)-wicked.

DISEASE-RECOVERY-If fruit is not brought to perfection, it is because of earthly cares, riches, pleasures.-Matt. 13:4-7; Luke 8:14. Affections set upon "things on the earth."-Col.3:2. Such His grace that He tenderly recovers from sad failure to be fruitful, and by holy lessons learned, the restored soul yields "better than at beginning." -Ezek. 36:11; 47:12. Consider John 21:17-19.

Christian, thou shouldest fruitful be,
Since the Lord hath planted thee
To produce, for His delight,
Fruit, the fairest in His sight.

He has said, "Thy fruits for Me,
By Christ Jesus," e'er must be-
Nothing of the flesh to dim
Praise and glory due to Him.
He has said, "In Me abide;"
Hear My Word, whate'er betide.
To thy Father's glory be;
Fruitfully depend on Me.

"I am come," we hear Him say,
"To My garden day by day;
Pleasant fruits to gather there
From fond hearts that hold Me dear."

Love, joy, peace and every grace,
Works of flesh should now replace.
By the Spirit we may bring
Holy fruit, just suiting Him.

His the watering and the care,
That His people's lives may bear
Fruit for Him, for Him alone,
Harvesting what He has sown.

E. J. Checkley

(Luke 22:49,50)

The servant of the high priest would hold a commission from his master to go with Judas into the garden and lead that multitude that went forth to take the Lord Jesus captive. He would carry the warrant for His arrest. How astonished Peter must have been when Judas stepped out of the throng, and put the traitorous kiss upon the Master's cheek! He did not know how to deal with Judas, but he had no hesitation as to how to treat Malchus when he, vaunting himself in his temporary authority, laid hands upon the Lord, and in the name of the high priest directed the band to make Him their prisoner. At such audacity the natural indignation of Peter flamed up hotly, and drawing his sword he aimed one mighty blow at the dastard, meaning to lay him dead at his feet, cleft though the skull.

It was new work for the fisherman, he had not been trained to wield a sword, and that misdirected energy only resulted in the loss of an ear to Malchus and the exposure of Peter's folly. No, that was not the only result, there was another. "I must work the works of Him that sent Me while it is day:the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world I am the Light of the world," the Lord had said, and those works were not yet finished, and that light was still to shine amid the deepening gloom. Hence, with a word of gentle rebuke to Peter, He stretched out His hand and touched the severed ear and healed it. The last act of those tender hands ere they were bound by His hardened captors was to heal the leader of them. The audacity of Malchus and the impetuosity of Peter only served as an opportunity for the continued manifestation of the absolute goodness which in Him was to triumph over all evil. "Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?" are the first words recorded as having come from His lips in this Gospel of Luke in which alone is recorded the healing of Malchus. That business was blessing, and not judgment; it was healing, and not a sword. And "the acceptable year of the Lord" in which such incomparable, invincible mercy was displayed has continued until this day.

That last miracle wrought in such circumstances, and so calculated to move any heart and open any eyes not utterly hardened and blinded by sin, had no effect upon the multitude; it does not seem to have impressed even Peter at the time, but it did afterwards-could he ever forget it? – when, instructed by the Holy Spirit, he learned the glory of that submission to suffering which he had seen in his Master, and the blessedness of that grace that was in Him that returned only good for evil, and that could not be provoked by any insult to retaliate in kind. There can be little doubt but that this very incident was in his mind when he wrote his Epistles and dwelt upon the sufferings of Christ, and exhorted the saints to "follow His steps," the steps of One who suffered patiently in the path of God's will, and so was infinitely acceptable to God. Ah, that was the secret that lay behind it all! Our blessed Lord sought not His own ease or glory, He valued not His own reputation nor contended for His own rights, the glory of God was His purpose; to finish His work and to be acceptable to Him was His very life. And so Peter, who recalls those sufferings and tells us of them so tenderly, also tells us that, "He received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (2 Pet. 1:17). To be pleasing to His Father was enough for Him.

Brethren, as we consider how patiently the Lord suffered, are not our souls moved and drawn to Him? It is not because crowns of glory shine resplendent upon His brow that we love Him and adore Him. No, we rejoice and are exceeding glad because of His exaltation, yet it is that lowly pathway of sorrow that ended in the cross that has bound our hearts to Him with unbreakable fetters. Suffering love has claimed us and made us His disciples to follow in His steps. And as we are partakers of His sufferings, happy are we, for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon us (1 Pet. 4:14). In such a path we are acceptable to God, for it is the path that the feet of Jesus trod.

We shall be tested continually. Yes, tested by our brethren as well as by the world, and the test may be more severe from within the Christian circle than from without it. How ready we are to draw the sword and slash away when we think that we have been wronged. To draw the sword, too, not in fancied defense of the Lord as Peter did, but in our own defense, and how many we have wounded and harmed (who only can be healed by the touch of the Lord) by the bitter spirit of resentment and retaliation which so often rises up within us. May the Lord pardon us for all such un-Christ-like conduct. This is the day in which we may suffer for Christ's sake, in which when we are reviled we may bless, and overcome evil with good, and so follow in His steps. The grace that transformed Peter from what we see him to be in Gethsemane to what he was when he wrote his Epistles, can transform us also; and it will if we consider the ways of the Lord as he considered them, and learn of Him as taught by the Holy Ghost, for grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ are inseparable. Peter, who had learned the lesson well, linked them together in the last exhortation that he ever gave to the Church:"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and ever. Amen." J. T. Mawson

In Psalm 17 we hear the voice of our Lord, yet identified with His people (Num. Bible, Notes.) And so in closing, most graciously He can say, "As for Me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness:I shall be satisfied, when I awake with Thy likeness." One is reminded here of that prophecy in Isaiah 53:11:"He shall see of (the fruit of) the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied."

In 1 John 3:2 we are told:"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." Most glorious revelation! Most gracious, that He the infinite One should so identify Himself with poor frail creatures! No wonder the apostle concludes that, "Every one that has this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure!"

Col. 3:1-4 tells how we may be so purified:"Set your affection (both mind and heart) on things above, not on things on the earth." A divided heart is not a pure heart-unmixed with things of earth and sense. How many things filter into one's life, unwittingly often, and defile that coveted purity! Pride, for instance; pride of knowledge, pride of position, pride of family; yes, of spiritual attainment even, and of virtuous living! All these, laid hold of by the flesh, if not watched, like gathering clouds will obscure "the glory of the Lord."

Too often we merit the exhortation in Eph. S:14:"Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise up from among the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee." Indeed, we may awake with His likeness and be satisfied; may anticipate in this life that "blessed hope," and its sanctifying influence upon our walk and testimony. We may reflect His image here while waiting "for the manifestation of the sons of God."

The truth of such a present experience is substantiated in 2 Cor. 3:18:"But we all, looking on the glory of the Lord with unveiled face, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Lord the Spirit." Peter tells us that it is by faith-"Whom having not seen, ye love; on whom, though not now looking but believing, ye exult with joy unspeakable and filled with glory" (literally, glorified).

We of this dispensation who now look by faith upon the face of the glorified Christ, unconsciously reflect His radiant beauty amid the surrounding darkness. And so may His grace abound towards all His saints that no veil of any sort will exclude the light of His countenance. May we all, "looking away unto Jesus," be so transformed into His image that, as Paul himself was, we too may be living epistles of Christ! .

"Satisfied with Thee, Lord Jesus,
I am blest;
Peace which passeth understanding,
On Thy breast;
No more doubting, no more trembling,

Oh, what rest!

"Taken up with Thee, Lord Jesus,
I would be;
Finding joy and satisfaction
All in Thee;
Thou the nearest and the dearest Unto me."

Herbert Cowell

Calendar:Feb. 16th to March 15th

DAILY BIBLE READING ……… Feb. 16th, Ps. 113; Feb. 29th, Ps. 126; March 15th, Ps.141.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING … Feb. 16th, 1 John 2; Feb. 29th, Rev. 7; March 15th, Rev. 22.

*"Psalm 23 is so ordered by the Spirit, as to apply to a dying Christ, or a saint who follows His footsteps, or the preserved remnant. It does not consider the sufferings as from God, or from man, nor those of the faithful, save as mere facts and occasions of Jehovah's care. Its subject is:Jehovah, my Shepherd, the constant, unfailing care exercised by Him"-J. N. D.*

This gem of song, rich in its setting, placed as it is between the Psalm of the cross (Ps. 22) and the Psalm of the kingdom glory (Ps. 24), contains the most blessed and complete picture of happiness and satisfaction possible.

Luther used to compare it to the "nightingale"-a bird of small size and not attractive, but whose melody is thrilling.

It contains but six verses, but many a costly library could be better spared than this short song. Those fond of disputing authorship (merely occupied with the letter of the Word) have challenged, without any reason, the assignment of it to David. Who so fitted to write of shepherd and sheep as the one who, from his earliest youth, tended and cared for his father's flock ? God reminded David that He took him from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over His people, over Israel (2 Sam. 7:8).

We often speak of the "Shepherd Psalm," but there are really three in this setting. Psalm 22 is the "Good Shepherd Psalm." In John 10 the Lord says, "I am the Good Shepherd, the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." Psalm 23 is the psalm of the "Great Shepherd." See Hebrews 13:20. In the psalm which follows we have the "Chief Shepherd" appearing in glory (1 Pet. 5:4).

It will be readily conceded that, in its primary application. Psalm 23 is the voice of the Messiah. He, as Man, fully identified with the remnant of Israel, owns Jehovah as Shepherd. That which was the comfort of the Messiah will be the support and comfort of His people in days of darkness, when the shadow of death is upon them.

But in John 10 the Lord speaks of Himself as the Shepherd of Israel-"the Good Shepherd" who gave His life for the sheep, and not for Israel only, but for the :other sheep not of this fold," of whom He said, "Them also I must bring and there shall be one flock, one Shepherd" (John 10:16). Here through grace we can claim a part, and appropriate this lovely psalm and make its expression of confidence our own.

The Person of Jehovah, and not what He gives, is the comfort of the heart. The Blesser, and not the blessing is the theme of this beautiful song. It begins with a note of confidence:"The Lord is my Shepherd." The Lord, Jehovah of the Old Testament, Jesus our Lord, of the New Testament, is the Blessed Man of Psalm 22, who took the sinner's place, and bore the sinner's judgment upon the cross. The forsaken Man of that psalm is the risen, exalted and glorified Man of Psalm 24.This blessed One, faith can say, is my Shepherd. But to intelligently use these words, it is essential to know the meaning of that agonizing cry of Psalm 22, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" We must be able to look back to the cross, as the place where the Saviour-Substitute bore our sins, drinking the cup of judgment in all its bitterness, before we can say, "The Lord is my Shepherd."

With such a Shepherd, whose love is unchanging, and whose care is infinite, the Psalmist can confidently say, "I shall not want." This surely is no small thing, in a world of need, where everything is transient and bears the stamp of death! But with such a Shepherd, faith cannot be over confident; and the assurance flows, not from what we are but from what He is. His faithful love can never fail His own.

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures (pastures of tender grass); He leadeth me beside still waters." The alternative reading beautifully says, "waters of quietness."

There is no unsatisfied desire, for "He satisfieth the longing soul and filleth the hungry with good things." No hungry sheep will lie down in green pastures, but the satisfied sheep lies down to ruminate. Spiritual blessings are His people's portion, the "finest of wheat" is the food given to His sheep, and so He delights to fill the soul with a satisfying portion and cause us to rest in His love.

But waters of quietness too are His providing, so that we not only have plenty but also peace.

"He restoreth my soul." Another translation reads, "He reviveth my spirit." Who is there among the Lord's people that has not, at times, grown weary of the way? Circumstances may, at times, weigh us down, and the spirit grows faint. But He, blessed be His name, knows our weaknesses, and His "strength is made perfect in weakness." Our moment of extremity is His opportunity-Then, alas, we are sometimes like Israel who forsook "the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." Perhaps we have turned to the world in our folly, seeking satisfaction of heart in the things of earth, and our disappointed hearts have found the waters of Marah bitter indeed.

"I tried the broken cisterns, Lord,
But. ah, the waters failed!
E'en as I stooped to drink they fled,
And mocked me as I wailed."

Our best times spiritually, are moments of danger, unless we are kept near the Lord, for the enemy ever seeks to mar any little .testimony to Him. Think of those favored disciples, listening to that marvelous discourse of John 14, IS and 16, and after closing that blessed season of communion with singing a hymn, they, that very day, forsook Him and fled. "Yet He abideth faithful," and the Shepherd restores their souls!

"He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake." Oh, to know more of His leading, that our feet may run in the way of His precepts and glorify His Name.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me."How many have found support and comfort in these precious words, in the presence of death. But this assurance is needed at all times, for we are all walking "through the valley of the shadow of death;" indeed, it is what this world is to the believer. Death's stamp is upon everything here, but we know the One who has taken His lonely solitary way, and met death in all its terror. NOW the sting has gone, and the grave is robbed of victory for the believer, only the shadow remains, and on the other side of the valley is everlasting sunshine-a morning without a cloud! And we can say, "I will fear no evil, for THOU ART WITH ME." What more can we wish? His company is our support. However dark the way and narrow the path., He is with us and the goal is sure.

Does the enemy intimidate .the sheep (for we know what timid creatures sheep are, easily frightened), faith can add, "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." The rod is used by the Eastern shepherd for defense, and the staff to guide into the fold. The believer can ever count upon protection and guidance until home is reached.

But there are enemies in the way, difficulties to be overcome. What of these? "Thou prepares! a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, Thou anoint-est my head with oil, my cup runneth over." Our Shepherd is our Helper and can protect and guide, sustain and feed, in spite of all that the enemy may seek to do. Further, He anoints the head with oil (the oil of gladness, Ps. 45:7), and the heart filled to overflowing runs over, like an overflowing cup. How often did we seek, in those dark days of unbelief, to fill our hearts with the vain things of this poor world, only to find as Solomon said, "All is vanity and vexation of spirit, and no profit under the sun" (Eccles. 2:11). The heart never satisfied, the conscience never at rest, the cup never filled, is the unvarying experience of this world's votaries. Until the heart finds safe anchorage in the love of the Good Shepherd, there never can be an overflowing cup.

The future is as certain and sure as the past. The Psalmist closes with these words of triumph :"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

The heart is confident in Jehovah Himself, so that all the circumstances of the way, the powers of evil, and our own inherent weakness, are but the occasion for the display of Jehovah's power.

"Goodness and mercy.. .all the days of my life." We cannot always count upon the constancy of our dearest friends, but this we know, the goodness and mercy of the Lord can be counted upon until the end, and the end is but the beginning.

"We shall dwell in the Father's house forever!"

"For the path where our Saviour is gone
Has led up to His Father and God,
To the place where He's now on the throne,
And His strength shall be ours on the road.

"Till then, 'tis the path Thou hast trod,
Our delight and our comfort shall be;
We're content with Thy staff and Thy rod,
Till with Thee all Thy glory we see."

J. W. H. Nichols

Is there a load on thy heart today?
Christ is sufficient for thee.
Is there a trial, a doubt, or a fear?
He is sufficient for thee.
He knows thy sorrow, thy need, and thy care,
He will support thee, thy burden will bear,
There's not a heart-ache that He will not share;
The Lord is sufficient for thee.

What is thy sorrow, beloved of God?
Jesus will bear it for thee;
Wisdom and might He will give thee to know;
He will thy Comforter be.
Do not essay to walk on alone,
He would go with thee, th' Almighty One,
Peace shall be thine which guards His own throne,
Jesus will succor thee.

O thou afflicted, tossed with thy fear,
God thy Companion will be;
Fear not thy foes that surround will prevail,
God is sufficient for thee.
He who is with thee will be thy Rearward,
God thine own Father who loves thee, thy Guard,
'TIS GOD THINE EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD,
GOD THY SUFFICIENCY.

"She (Achsah) said unto him (Caleb), Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land, give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs" (Judges 1:15).

The south land sloping towards the sun's rays was not necessarily pleasant and fruitful. The hot, Eastern sun beating upon it might turn it into a dry and thirsty land. So Achsah asks for springs of water. Streams and springs turn wildernesses into gardens. Such is the inheritance of saints, but what gives character to the inheritance is the fact of its being "well-watered." "The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well (spring) of water, springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14). Water in the desert speaks of exquisite delight. Water in cisterns and pools is apt to be muddy and impure. So human delights are comparable to water in cisterns and pools which ultimately become dried up. The sparkling spring-water leaps up, giving continuity of refreshment.

Achsah's pleasant south land had a dual attraction in the way of blessing. So the Christian's inheritance is symbolically watered by two springs. The Epistle to the Ephesians sets forth that we have obtained an inheritance in Christ, and Psalm 16 speaks of the fulness of joy in His presence and the lasting pleasures at the right hand of God. That aspect of the truth is illustrated by the upper springs. But we find also in that Epistle that Christ has found an inheritance in the saints, and the special delight which accrues to the soul in meditating on the latter aspect may well be considered as the nether springs. T. Oliver (Galashiels)

Or, The Place, the Peril and the Power of the Christian

(Concluded from p. 241)

"A MAN IN CHRIST"-HIS DANGER

In the paradise of God there are no dangers. There all is secured for ever in perennial peace. The tempter's voice shall never seek to allure and the flesh within shall draw away no more. While there as the "man in Christ" Paul was safe from every evil.

But the ecstasy passes, and he is found in the actual state of a man on earth and in the circumstances common to us all.

Here in this condition he is in a complex state, and not simply "a man in Christ." He finds himself exposed to danger from the presence of the flesh within him, therefore, "Lest he should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations," a preventive was provided-"a thorn in the flesh" was given to him. The flesh would exult and boast because Paul had been higher than any other of the apostles. It would lead him to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, and glory in the exceptional favor conferred upon him as though it was something to his credit. From, this we learn the incorrigible nature of the evil principle which is in every believer on earth today. The evil may be dormant or kept in check by the power of the Holy Spirit, but it is present and is ready ever to lift one of its hydra-heads and lead to distress and disaster. How many have failed in their testimony for the Lord they loved, through unwatchfulness and prayerlessness. Trusting in their love for their Master, as Peter did, they have believed that though all forsook Him yet they would not. Then being found in circumstances of temptation and trial they have been caught unprepared and unarmed and have by act and deed, if not by word of mouth, denied the Lord they desired to serve faithfully.

An old believer used to give young Christians of his acquaintance three words to bring about success in their Christian life. The first word was "Depend!" The second word was "Depend! f" The third word was "Depend!!!" We are only safe as we are held up by the Saviour Himself. As we draw from Him we shall be preserved. But only so. Throughout our earthly journeyings we are wise to pray, "Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not."

Some have thought that the flesh in them has been removed already by an act of faith, and have had to learn by bitter experience, when put to the test, that it is present with them still and that its evil is unchanged.

Why has it been left in us? some may enquire. One reason has been suggested. It is this:That we may learn something of the character of its evil, and so say "Amen" to what God did in condemning "sin in the flesh" at the cross where our Lord was made sin for us (Rom. 8:3; 2 Cor. 5:21). Another reason may be that we may learn the present love and care of our Lord as Advocate with the Father and as our great High Priest, in His keeping and restoring grace.

Because of the peril to which he was exposed a thorn for the flesh was given the apostle. It was an impaling stake, painful in its effect. Permitted of God, it was Satan's messenger. From this it would appear that it was something calculated to hinder the service of the apostle. Conjecture as to its nature cannot profit. The character of it is withheld. But such was its effect upon Paul, that, in bitterness of soul, he besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from him. The Lord is supreme in power and could have removed the trial. But it was for the Master's glory and for the servant's good that it had been given.

"A MAN IN CHRIST"-HIS RESOURCE

The answer of the Lord to the thrice-uttered, agonizing cry was, "My grace is sufficient for thee:for My strength is made perfect in weakness." "My grace is sufficient for thee." The thorn cast him on the Lord, as his ever needed and ever present resource. His very weakness served as the occasion to keep him constantly drawing from the limitless supply of strength which was in Christ the Lord. And that supply was all-sufficient for every demand which could be made upon it. On every occasion the Lord was his competence. Enough for every emergency, the Lord would never fail him. Thus he would be kept in constant touch with inexhaustible reserves and be empowered for every form of ministry.

Our weakness is no hindrance. It is imagined strength always which harms the servant. If ever conscious of our total inability to stand or serve aright, we shall ever lean hard and lean wholly upon the arm of power of our Almighty Lord. On the other hand, if we think that we can accomplish some good work in any strength of our own or because we have been successful previously, we are likely to fail hopelessly.

It is told of C. H. Spurgeon that when suffering from one of the fits of depression to which he was subject, he was driving in a carriage across London. The enemy was attacking him severely, leading him to think that all his work was in vain and his many labors utterly profitless. Suddenly the words, "My grace is sufficient for thee," came forcibly to his mind. It seemed to him as if the text was printed before him, that the "MY" was in immense letters .and the "thee" in very small ones, thus,

"MY grace is sufficient for thee."

The preacher thought of a little fish in the River Thames over which he was riding, and that the fish was afraid that it would drink up all the water and perish. But the river said, "Drink on, little fish, my supply is sufficient for thee." Again, he thought of a tourist on a mountain fearing that he might breathe all the oxygen from the atmosphere, and that the atmosphere remarked, "Breathe on, O man, my supply is sufficient for thee." Once again he thought, and now it was of a little mouse in one of Joseph's great granaries in Egypt. The little mouse feared it might eat up all the corn and die of hunger at last. But Joseph said, "Eat on, little mouse, my supply is sufficient for thee."

As Mr. Spurgeon pondered upon the greatness of the Lord and of His sufficiency, he marveled that he could ever have doubted Him. Standing up in his carriage and taking off his hat he said, "I should just think it is, Lord."

Thus he was encouraged to go forward for the Lord, confident in His power to maintain him in his labor, and that it was not in vain in the Lord.

Our weakness known and realized makes room for His power. No flesh is to glory in His presence. He that glories is to glory in the Lord alone. And so it came to pass that Paul rejoiced in infirmities and distress "for Christ's sake" so that the power of Christ might tabernacle over him. Of what he was as "a man in Christ" he would boast. Of what he was as a man here in service he would not glory, save in his weakness.

May it be ours to follow him.

Inglis Fleming

Calendar:Dec. 16th to Jan. 15th

DAILY BIBLE READING …….. Dec. 16th, Micah 2; Dec. 31st, Haggai 1; Jan. 15th, Zech. 14.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING.. .Dec. 16th, Matt. 16th; Dec. 31st, Mark 3; Jan. 15th, Luke 2.

At the end of that wonderful prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 are given those remarkable words, which are a revelation, surpassing almost any other in the Epistles, of the abundant fulness there is in God-"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end [unto all the generations of the age of the ages]. Amen."

These words are not, like so many of those we read, of no importance to us; they intimately concern every believer in Christ. It is a statement of the resources of our God, of what He has ready for us on demand, of what we are invited to draw on Him for. Is it not glorious while we are in the midst of so much poverty, distress, and want, to have such words to comfort and sustain our faith? Have you asked for great things? He is able to give them. Have you been thinking of what you would like to have God do for you? What does His Word say? Our asking and our thinking do not limit Him. We are not to limit Him as Israel did (Ps. 78:41), by unbelief, but have Him before us as He reveals Himself in Scripture.

Scripture is a revelation of God, of what He is to His people, what He can do for them, and we need to realize that our God is not limited at all in His resources and ability to meet every need. Our thinking has much to do with our lives for good and ill, and one way to give profitable employment to our thoughts is to be thinking what we would like to have Him do for us. Then we can turn our thoughts into prayers, to One who is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think."

But even this is only a small part of the resources at the believer's command. Our needs are only a drop in the ocean of need, and one of the most blessed parts of our life-service is that we can think of and ask for the needs of others. How often are the words spoken or written, "Pray for me; pray for us; pray for this person; pray for this work." God can reach them in every place; He can minister "exceeding abundantly" to every need, and what opportunities we have to minister to others and by taking thought for them!

If Paul needed and craved the prayers of God's saints, if Christ spent so much time in prayer, is it not of the greatest importance in God's ways of blessing? Whom and how many are you helping in your thoughts and prayers? It may be a new idea that we are to think of blessing for others, but we must think of the needs of ourselves and others before we ask, and God puts the two together. We may lie awake at night, worrying; how much better by far to be spending wakeful hours thinking of God's power and love, and asking from Him. That cures worry, cures every evil that besets. We can carry all the time before our minds the vision of His love, His goodness, His resources.

God has given His people such a treasury of promises to draw from as they are led. His promises are like a bank, from which we can draw for all our need, be it ever so great or small. We never trouble Him by asking for things too small. "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Is not that a most revealing statement, letting us know how minute His care is? Christ's assurance to men whom He was sending forth as sheep in the midst of wolves (Matt. 10:16, 30,) was not limited to them, for Luke assures us that it was said of all who are of Christ's friends (Luke 12:4, 6, 7).

How many assurances Christ gave of God's bountiful love! He desired that all should know how great the love of God is; that it does not lead Him to pass lightly over man's sin, as so many teach, but it led Him to give Christ, to send His Son into the world to bear the sin He hates, to save men from it. There are prayers that He does not answer-prayers for what would only harm and lead souls further from Him. Then there are prayers answered in wrath and sorrow, when unbelief seeks and will have that which brings ruin.

God is able to do "exceeding abundantly" in executing judgment upon despisers of His mercy and grace. Witness the Jews who rejected His mercy of old, and also in rejecting Christ. Myriads are treasuring up wrath for themselves by refusing God's mercy, determining to have their own way and do their own will in spite of God's Word. Here men are being offered God's mercy. If they will not have mercy, they are choosing judgment. There is no middle path. Even pagan idolaters are inexcusable, because God has revealed enough to every person to save them, if they will only follow His light (Rom. 1:18-20). Peter gives another side of this in Acts 10:34,35.

The great lesson for those having faith is that God's supplies are without limit. You never get to the bottom of God's meal-barrels and oil-flasks. You can never exhaust His resources. After you have used all you can, there is just as much left for you. Inexhaustible is written upon all of God's treasuries. The prayers and thoughts of .faith cannot lower the supply. Every believer needs to keep this before the mind and heart. There are difficulties, dangers, and straits innumerable; the work of faith is to let God meet them for us. In this way we are taught what He can do for His people. We are being trained for the great future. God looks on to it; we can see but the dimmest outline of it until Christ comes.

We gain much by keeping His sufficiency before us, by looking up instead of within or around. If storms of trial come, it is because they are best for us. If there bright skies and pleasant paths, that is because they are best. He always gives the best things for His people."He careth for you."So there is to be no worry, no corroding care."Our sufficiency is of God." J. W. Newton

"THE REGIONS BEYOND" (2 Cor. 10:16)

"To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you." These words, while they set forth the large-heartedness of the self-denying and devoted apostle, also furnish a fine model for the evangelist, in every age. The gospel is a traveler; and the preacher of the gospel must be a traveler likewise. The divinely-qualified and divinely-sent evangelist will fix his eye upon "the world." He will embrace, in his benevolent design, the human family. From house to house, from street to street, from city to city, from province to province, from kingdom to kingdom, from continent to continent, from pole to pole-such is the range of "the good news," and the publisher thereof. "The regions beyond" must ever be the grand gospel motto. No sooner has the gospel lamp cast its cheering beams over a district, than the bearer of that lamp must think of the regions beyond. Thus the work goes on. Thus the mighty tide of grace rolls, in enlightening and saving power, over a dark world which lies in "the region of the shadow of death."

"Waft, waft, ye winds, the story,
And you, ye waters, roll, Till, like a sea of glory,
It spreads from pole to pole."

Christian reader, are you thinking of "the regions beyond you?" This expression may, in your case, mean the next house, the next street, the next village, the next city, the next kingdom, or the next continent. The application is for your own heart to ponder; but say, are you thinking of "the regions beyond you?" I do not want you to abandon your present post at all; or, at least, not until you are fully persuaded that your work at that post is done. But, remember, the gospel plough should never stand still. "Onward" is the motto of every true evangelist. Let the shepherds abide by the flocks; but let the evangelists betake themselves hither and thither, to gather . the sheep. Let them sound the gospel trump, far and wide, o'er the dark mountains of this world, to gather together the elect of God. This is the design of the gospel. This should be the object of the evangelist, as he sighs after "the regions beyond." When Caesar beheld, from the coasts of Gaul, the white cliffs of Britain, he earnestly longed to carry his arms thither. The evangelist, on the other hand, whose heart beats in unison with the heart of Jesus, as he casts his eye over the map of the world longs to carry the gospel of peace into the regions which have heretofore been wrapped in midnight gloom, covered with the dark mantle of superstition, or blasted beneath the withering influences of "a form of godliness without the power."

It would, I believe, be a profitable question for many of us to put to ourselves, how far we are discharging our holy responsibilities to "the regions beyond." I believe the Christian who is not cultivating and manifesting an evangelistic spirit is in a truly deplorable condition. I believe, too, that the assembly which is not cultivating and manifesting an evangelistic spirit is in a dead state. One of the truest marks of spiritual growth and prosperity, whether in an individual, or in an assembly, is earnest anxiety after the conversion of souls. This anxiety will swell the bosom with most generous emotions; yea, it will break forth in copious streams of benevolent exertion, ever flowing toward "the regions beyond." It is hard to believe that "the word of Christ" is "dwelling richly" in any one who is not making some effort to impart that word to his fellow-sinners. It matters not what may be the amount of the effort; it may be to drop a few words in the ear of a friend, to give a tract, to pen a note, to breathe a prayer. But one thing is certain, namely, that a healthy vigorous Christian will be an evangelistic Christian – a teller of good news-one whose sympathies, desires, and energies, are ever going forth toward "the regions beyond." "I must preach the gospel to other cities also, for therefore am I sent." Such was the language of the true Evangelist.

It is very doubtful whether many of the servants of Christ have not erred in allowing themselves, through one influence or another, to become too much localized-too much tied to one place. They have dropped into routine work-into a round of stated preaching, in the same place, and, in many cases, have paralyzed themselves and paralyzed their hearers also. I speak not, now, of the labors of the pastor, the elder, or the teacher, which must, of course, be carried on in the midst of those who are the proper subjects of such labors. I refer more particularly to the evangelist. Such an one should never suffer himself to become localized. The world is his sphere; "the regions beyond," his motto; to gather out God's elect, his object; the current of the Spirit, his line of direction. If the reader should be one whom God has called and fitted to be an evangelist, let him remember these four things, the sphere, the motto, the object, and the line of direction, which all must adopt if they would prove fruitful laborers in the gospel field.

Finally, whether the reader be an evangelist or not, I would earnestly entreat him to examine how far he is seeking to further the gospel of Christ. We really must not stand idle. Time is short! Eternity is rapidly posting on! The Master is most worthy! Souls are most precious! The season for work will soon close! Let us, then, in the name of the Lord, be up and doing. And when we have done what we can, in the regions around, let us carry the precious seed into "THE REGIONS BEYOND."-From "Things New and Old," Vol. 2.

AFRICA

We would earnestly request prayer on the behalf of our brother William Deans, from whom we have received the following letter:

Nyangkundi, Congo Beige (written from Lolua). Dear brother:- Nov. 14,1931.

For over a month I have put off writing to you, waiting to see if any improvement should be noticed in my physical condition. I am still in a crippled state, and not at all able to participate in gospel activities in the fulness so happily enjoyed formerly. In place of energetic outdoor evangelization I am now doing translation work. Both types of service are needful. The complete Word is not yet translated into Kingwana. A portion of the New Testament remains uncompleted, and no books, as yet, of the Old have been completely translated. It is the right of these people that they should have the entire Bible in their tongue, so any efforts made to that end are well-spent. The immediate crying need, however, is "safari" work, or itinerant evangelism.

Many natives, especially children, come voluntarily to _ the various stations for twofold instruction-of God and of "letters." The desire to learn to read and write is present in the very young, and with some a sincere determination to learn of Him and know the way of salvation. This determination is heartily commendable, and the Spirit finds in such good ground in which to give germination to planted seed. The majority of the natives are too indolent, however, to rouse themselves from their lethargic mood and come. They must be sought for. The going out for the lost ones is most interesting and encouraging work, but very strenuous. On the tramp, one must live under strange conditions, eat local native food (prepared, of course, in our own way), and "think black."This engaging line of endeavor is now closed to me, as any exposure of this sort has drastic results.

If it should be God's will that I continue in this way, I am perfectly content. I would glory in my infirmities. Yet I cannot reconcile myself to the thought that such is His will. It may be that this testing and trying is to purge out the unneedful, making a servant more meet for the Master's use. This is doubtless true. Nevertheless, in the knowledge of the fact that this malady, rheumatism, is extremely sensitive to moisture, so that Congo's eighty inches of rainfall creates a condition that is hardly favorable to the regaining of health, it would seem advisable that one place oneself in a position fostering recovery.

At the Assembly gathering at Mambasa last September, the subject was brought up for discussion and various suggestions considered. The idea of returning to America was temporarily laid aside pending a reply from our brethren in Egypt. The suggestion regarding writing to an Egyptian assembly has been complied with, but as yet no reply has been received. Doctor Woodhams said that he wished me to come to Mambasa for a month's surveillance and treatment. The month of October was spent in happy fellowship with the Doctor and family, Miss De Jonge and Miss Creighton at Mambasa.

I feel that it is the right of the saints to know true conditions, so I frankly have spoken about the health matter. Uncomplainingly, but with this in mind, I will tell you that I have not known a solitary day without pain (in hips, knees, or feet, seldom all together) since Doctor left for America over a year ago.

In writing this I make no request other than that the saints pray for definite guidance from God, that He may direct in all things, that in a humble way I may serve Him fully, and that this life which is mine, yet not mine, for I have given it to Him to use to God's glory, may attain that end in whatever sphere He may place me.

This month ends our second happy year in Congo, and for the blessed privilege it has been, and is, we wholeheartedly thank the Lord, and praise Him for the measure of fruit which has been seen for our labors, and for those who have labored with us from afar, our dear brethren across the seas. Christian love to all,

Your brother .by grace,

Bill Deans.

In connection with the above, another writing at a later date says:

We lament our brother William Deans' protracted rheumatism which incapacitates him for the work which the Lord had sent him to do and which he so loves. He is now with his people at Lolua.

INDIAN WORK
Our dear brother H. A. Holcomb was called home to be with the Lord on December 31st, after a short illness. Our hearts go out in loving sympathy to those left to carry on the work. Miss Holcomb writes as follows:

You will be surprised to learn that our dear Father went home to be with the Lord yesterday afternoon, after only a few days of intense suffering from pneumonia. He was not able to lie down for the pain, and got only partial relief by sitting up. We were mentioning your letter during his illness, and I told him I would reply to it. We had little idea how very ill he was till the evening of the day before he left us, when the doctor from Shiprock came out to see him, and after the doctor left us, he was never conscious again. I am so glad that he was taken away from even one more night of such pain as he was having, and I know he is most happy in the presence of Him he loved, but I do miss him so. We sent a message after the Girdners, who had started last week for the San Diego Conference, and we are hoping they may come in some time today or to-night. I do not feel I can lay the dear body away till they come, as I am all alone here with a dear Christian white girl, who has been staying with us the past few weeks, and two Navahos.

During the last few weeks that Father was with us we often heard him singing snatches from the lovely old song, "I will sing you a song of that beautiful land, that far-away home of the soul." The last two weeks our house has been just full of Navahos both day and night, so that one's hands and time were full, but as long as he was conscious he wanted the door of his room left open, so that he might know what was going on, and who had come in. Specially the past few weeks he has been so much concerned that souls might be saved soon, and I see now that in other ways too God had been ripening him fast for glory. He has given such good messages to the Navahos at our morning and evening prayers, and I shall miss him so much in this part of the work. So many times since my mother left us, I have heard him say to our Navahos words to this effect:"My wife has gone up above, and my hair is getting white and I shall not be here much longer, and when I get to heaven, I shall be watching for you Navahos of this neighborhood to come up there too." As I always interpreted for my father I always heard his messages though he did not mine.

Miss Holcomb also sent on the following unfinished letter, written a few days before her father's death:

Dear Friends:-Greetings in the name of our dear Lord. The past few days have been full ones here at the mission, and I thought it might interest you to have a little glimpse of the activities here. As you know, we are in the midst of a nomadic people, who are frequently moving to find pasture and water for their sheep. We consider ourselves well located to reach the people of the neighborhood, though at no time in the year are there many living near the mission, and particularly is this true in the winter. Every day brings its quota of Navaho callers, and a stranger would wonder where they all come from, and well he might. But callers mean opportunities, and it is our aim to give a gospel message to each caller each time he comes. Thus in a scattering way we are able to reach a good many, though one would be glad if one might gather some together for more regular and systematic instruction of the Word. That has not proven possible so far.

During the first nineteen days of December we had 174 callers, of whom 153 heard the gospel. We consider this a good average when one considers that this has been the longest stretch of cold weather and the longest continued snow we have had in the ten years we have lived here. Snow lay deep all over the ground for five weeks, and is only now beginning to go off.

The Government had wished on us a big feed for the Navahos of this neighborhood to be given on Dec. 21st. The Government provided the food, and it was prepared and served from the mission. Several of the returned students in the neighborhood came to help us serve, and rendered most efficient help. The feed was on Monday. All day Saturday was spent in kneading and baking light bread, paring potatoes, etc., and we were thankful that there was a Sunday between that and Monday. Our guests began to arrive on Saturday, and by Sunday evening we had thirty-eight outsiders in for our evening prayers. This was an opportunity for which we were thankful, but we felt our entertaining facilities would be taxed to the limit. We have a large camp house, nevertheless when all were stowed away for the night there was scarcely a path between the beds. We had six straw ticks and thirteen quilts with which to make the thirty-eight comfortable. Usually Navaho boys will not sleep together unless they are brothers, and I know if I left it to them, more than half of our guests would sleep without any bedding, while the rest took what there was, so I loaded the quilts into the arms of three young men and went out to put the company to bed. I spread down a tick and called to the boys to roll in. The ticks are six feet long by three wide. By putting them crosswise, we got four on one tick. Of course their feet and legs were on bare ground, but they laughed heartily and were thankful when we covered them with one quilt. Next we spread down two mattresses parallel, and called for old men to fill it. They were a bit slower, but soon I had four here and covered them with a heavier quilt. When the ticks gave out, I put down a heavy quilt on the ground and proceeded as before, and by the time we came to the last quilt every one of our guests was provided for. Next morning we had practically the whole crowd for morning prayers. About a hundred and forty Navahos were here for the feed, and practically all of them heard the gospel message that was given first. That night a few less stayed than had been here the night before, and by the second night the crowd had dwindled yet more, and by the next night only the few who had come down here, with sheep (because on our southern slope the snow was melting off faster than at their homes), had remained. We were so thankful for the opportunities thus afforded us of telling the gospel to the same ones more than once, but by the time they had gone and our house was more quiet, we were ready for the more quiet days too.

The intimate contact with our people that we gain by allowing them access to our living-rooms has its drawbacks to be sure, in the wear and tear on one's nerves and by the added amount of sweeping, etc., that our house requires, but somehow it seems to me that it is more than repaid by the close touch it gives us with their lives. We find them open and friendly, and we hope we are making contacts for our dear Lord at the same time. We know it is indeed a big step for them to take-out of deepest heathenism into the light of the Gospel-but it is not too much to expect of our Blessed Lord of whom it is written that with Him, "Nothing shall be impossible." Nor is He unwilling, for again we read that He "is not willing that any should perish." So let us take courage and keep on praying the Lord of the harvest to bless each message of His Word as it goes forth from the Mission. We were particularly thankful for the more intimate contact thus afforded us with our returned students. Most of them have been baptized while away at school, some of them twice! But when they have come home to heathen camps to live they have been swept back into heathen lives. They have a hard lot in some ways, but we long to see some of them come out bright for our dear Lord.

Years ago a tract was in circulation which has now long been out of print and unobtainable. It was entitled, "The Advocate or the Accuser; which side do you take?" or words to that effect. Salt words for every saint were found in its few sentences, and one could wish that it were still being passed around.* *Its striking title was one which left its mark upon the reader- as it was intended to do, I doubt not. Perhaps some reader can supply the publisher of this magazine with a copy of the useful little paper, so that he may send it forth on a further mission of usefulness.*

Shall we consider the subject for a little together, that we may decide what answer we can give to the serious question asked by the writer :"The Advocate or the Accuser; which side do you take?"

And let us remind ourselves that it is Christians of whom the enquiry is made and with regard to their fellow-believers. "For or against" them, how do I stand? Christ is FOR them; SATAN is against them:on which side am I?

THE ADVOCATE (1 John 2:2).

What are the saints to Christ? He describes them Himself as, "The excellent of the earth," and declares that in them is all His delight (Ps. 16:3). He loves them all, and gave His life for them all at Calvary, enduring the awful judgment of God on their behalf. Now having finished the great work of atonement He is risen again from the dead and lives in the glory of God in constant service for their blessing. He ever makes intercession for them, never forgetting the lowest and least of all His own. He is the Great High Priest who succors, sympathizes with, and saves to the uttermost each one of His beloved people through all their pilgrim way, maintaining them in the time of their weakness and weariness. Then if any one of them sins He is his Advocate with the Father and recovers him from his wandering. Thus from beginning to end of their earthly path He is on the side of His people, and stands as in their interest while they are here in the world of His rejection, and soon He will come to take them to share with Him in all His joys in the Father's house.

This ministry of love, past, present and future, is for all His own. It is in no wise limited to any select company or particular few. Every member of His Body is dear to Him. He loved the whole assembly and "gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

He is thus the Lover, the Shepherd, the Helper of each one of His saints, and is always on their side for their aid and good. Each and all of them may say, '"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear."

THE ACCUSER (Rev. 12:10).

Satan on the other hand is the antagonist of Christ and of every one who is His. He hates them all as being the followers of Christ, and opposes them at every turn, and at every time. He is "the Accuser of the brethren day and night." He works against them ceaselessly and unsparingly. He is brought before us in this character of enmity again and again in the Scriptures. Thus it is that we see him against Job; against Joshua the high priest; against the disciples, especially Peter, and we find him presented as acting as informer against the children of God at all times and in all dispensations. He is their implacable foe, never failing to say his worst and do his worst against the godly.

Now on which side are we found ranging ourselves. Do we contend on behalf of our fellow-Christians, or against them? Do we occupy our thoughts and tongues with that which is good in them, or with that which is evil? Do we defend them or commend them? Are we advocates or accusers? Which is it, day by day? If we observe that which is wrong in our brother's conduct, do we go to God on his behalf and then seek to wash his feet? Or do we speak or write about his failure to one another? We are in danger of allowing the natural evil of our hearts to show itself by occupation with evil rather than with good, and in allowing our tongues to originate or circulate some wrong concerning another, if we differ from him in some particulars. Of old the one was commended who took not up (nor received) a reproach against his neighbor (Ps. 15:3);and the command was given, "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people" (Lev. 19:6). We all need these words of warning today as they were needed in that day. It is Satanic work to belittle or malign a Christian, and every child of God should beware lest he be found doing Satan's service in spreading an evil report concerning a fellow- believer.

It is well for us ever to look at one another "from the top of the rocks." Hired by Balak to curse the people of Israel, Balaam sought to pronounce evil against them. For the wages of unrighteousness he would be their accuser. But the curse was turned into a blessing. God would defend His people, and their enemy was made to tell of the fact that God had not seen perverseness in Israel nor iniquity in Jacob. He would have nothing but good spoken of them. He knew all that was of evil in them, and would correct them on account of it, but in the presence of the foe He would protect them as though they were perfect. So it should be with us as we regard every one of those who belong to Christ. All that He does for His loved ones is done in love. And so would He have it with us. "Let all your things be done in love," is His exhortation. If this were carried out how much that is said would be left unsaid, and the sin of the failing brother or sister would lead us to turn to God in prayer for the erring one. Samuel could say to the sinning Israelites, "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you." He had been given the place of intercessor for the people, and would not cease to use it on their behalf. He took their part even though they slighted him. And this place is ours today.

The Advocate or the Accuser:which is it with us? Shall we not test ourselves day by day as to this matter, lest we be trapped into doing Satanic work rather than the work of Christ?

Let each ask of himself, Do I speak slightingly, scandalize, or write against a child of God? Or do I listen while others disparage, depreciate, defame, or blacken any of His loved ones, for whom He is the Advocate? 1

The Lord Jesus is for all the saints. He is their Advocate.

The Devil is against-all the saints. He is their Accuser.

The Advocate or the Accuser:which are we like?

Inglis Fleming

Calendar:June 16th to July 15th

DAILY BIBLE READING …….. June 16th, Isa. 33; June 30th, Isa. 47; July 15th, Isa. 62.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING …. June 16th, Acts 4; June 30th, Acts 18; July 15th, Rom. 5.

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee" (Psalm 84:11, 12).

"And we know that ALL THINGS work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28).

All Scripture from beginning to end is a revelation of God. In these two quotations we have a word from the Old and one from the New Testament. They reveal what God is to His people; the revelations were suited to the different times in which they were written, and we may note as one of the wonders of the Book, that while Romans could not have been written before the cross, yet the value of the Psalms and the whole Old Testament has not been diminished by Christ's coming, but increased immensely. Both reveal God's relation to those who were and to those who are His people.

How much is expressed in the words sun and shield. Men are learning more and more of the blessings which the sun brings to mankind, and to the earth. Placed at such a distance away, yet it is the perpetual source of countless blessings to the earth and all upon it. Its ministry is unceasing. How good to know that our God is a sun. It is the servant of its Creator. It is a picture of His power, of His goodness, of His wrath. Around us we see the blessings brought by the sun. In the torrid zone with its vast deserts is to be seen the power of the sun to blight and destroy.

Once there were no deserts, no icebergs, no barren lands. The climate of the earth was mild to the poles.

The science of the day with its unbelief in God and Scripture has little or nothing to say of this time in the history of the earth, because evolution has no explanation to offer for it, or for why, or when, or how there came about such a mighty change in climate on the earth. Of all the writings known to man, only the Book of Genesis gives an account of the change and its causes. God the Creator brought about the change on account of man's sin.

But God is a shield. All know something of what a shield is for. While the sun is a source of blessing, the shield guards from evil. And probably no words in Scripture make this power of God so vivid as the quotation from Rom. 8:28.From some permitted evil source there comes that which were it not for God's constant care would harm. He simply makes it work for good. We have the greatest possible example of this in the cross. All sources of evil unite there to accomplish the greatest crime ever known; and God glorifies Himself in making the cross the greatest blessing ever known. The infinite Power that made the cross an infinite blessing can surely make all other attempts of evil turn to blessing. "There shall no evil befall thee," reveals what a wonderful shield our God is.

We have an example of it in 2 Cor. 12.Satan was permitted to send a special messenger to bear evil to Paul, "a thorn in the flesh." Here the man who wrote, "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God,"got a perfect example of that great truth. The Lord God is a shield. Anything that would make a man so used to suffering as Paul was, pray three times that it might depart from him, must have been some terrible affliction. But God did not remove it. He had a far better way. He made the evil into a very great blessing. Read over again the scriptures at the head of this article. Place beside them, "There shall no evil befall thee."

Do you not get a wonderful view of the power of God to make all things work together for good? Evil cannot befall those who are Christ's, because He turns it into blessing! Could anything be more wonderful? It starts out an evil, but before it gets to God's people it is turned into a blessing. Well, now, if in the battle every stroke of the enemy, instead of harming, only adds to your strength, because of that power in God to thus change it, why should any of the Lord's people fear? God has put into your hands the "shield :of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Eph. 6:16).

Do you not see why Psalm 84 ends with "O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee?" Try as he might, Satan could not harm Paul. God made Paul evil-proof. There simply could not any evil befall him, for when it reached him it was turned to blessing. "He said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for thee:for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake:for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor. 12:8-10).

Now, if all things do really work together for good to them that love God, is not the knowledge of that power of God the very best thing for God's people in days like the present? Everywhere there is a pressure that has never been felt before. For every one who loves God this pressure means not evil but good. You can leave every other question out but one, Do you love your Saviour? Have you His Holy Spirit? "The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given to us" (Rom. 5:5). If any one has received the Holy Spirit by faith in Christ, then we may be sure all that comes is being made to work for good to us. It means turning away from self and sin and the world, and receiving Christ as our only Saviour. That is all, and that is enough. It is a part of the rest He gives. J. W. Newton

(2 Cor. 11:3)

It is frequently difficult, even for those who are really children of God, to hold fast to the simplicity which God intends for us to have in our Christian life.

Men naturally shrink from too close a contact with a holy God. The flesh loves show. The devil is ever busy seeking to corrupt our faith, and often does it in a religious way. These things tend to beguile us from simple straightforward faith in God, from whole-hearted, close fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ and implicit obedience to the Word of God.

When Paul wrote to the saints at Corinth he recognized that they "came behind in no gift," but he also fears "lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Cor. 11:3).

As spirituality and devotion to Christ wanes, formality increases, and the Lord's people become occupied with questions, reasonings, and things that result in departure from simple acceptance of, and obedience to, the Word of God.

God's way of salvation is not by agonizing, or having some remarkable experience or heart-rending sorrow. Sorrow and bitter experience may indeed come into the life of a soul away from God, but salvation in its grand simplicity is "Repentance toward God. Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ."

In Acts 20 Paul tells us how he preached at Ephesus for three years, publicly, and from house to house, declaring the whole counsel of God, so that he would be free from the blood of all men. He sums up his preaching in verse 21 where he tells the Ephesian elders he was, "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." And this is God's plain, simple, clear way of salvation.

Our church-membership is equally simple. The moment a soul is born again, he becomes a member of the only church which God has on earth, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, of which He is the Head and we are the members. "By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body" (1 Cor. 12:13).

The Church is not only the Body of Christ (Eph. 1:23), but also His Building, a holy temple in which even the babe in Christ is a living stone (Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:5). This necessitates responsibility as to holy ways, as the Body shows our relationship to Christ.

The Christian's worship, according to the mind of God, is simple, as is his salvation and church-membership. True worship is the out-pouring of a grateful heart which knows the forgiveness of sins through the love of God and the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is a priest (1 Pet. 2:1-9). We are a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifice, we are a royal (or kingly) priesthood to show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. He who loves us and hath washed us from our sins in His own blood, hath made us a kingdom of priests unto His God and Father (Rev. 1:5,6). A priest is one who has the right of access to God and has a sacrifice to offer. The first is found in Hebrews 10:19-22, and the latter in Hebrews 13:15.

Our worship on Lord's Day morning is intended by God to be a simple memorial of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing mysterious about it; for on the night of His betrayal the Lord Jesus took bread and wine and gave to His disciples as a memorial of Himself (Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26). And so we partake of the bread and wine in memory of His precious work on Calvary, connecting it with the praise, worship and thanksgiving, which are its rightful accompaniments. We "show the Lord's death until He come."

Three .things are needful for a healthy physical body- Fresh Air, Good Food and Exercise. There is a corresponding need in order to have a healthy spiritual growth. Prayer corresponds to the Fresh Air, the Christian's "vital breath;" reading the Word of God is our spiritual Food, and working for Christ our Exercise.

God has not left His people to blindly grope their way home through a tangled wilderness or a pathless desert. Instead He gives plain, simple helps to guide our Christian walk and ways. These are the Word of God and Prayer. In the Word our path is marked out for us. Through prayer we understand the Word and commune with God. The unsaved man has but one nature, the old nature, the nature of the flesh, with which he was born into the world. The child of God has two natures; the nature of the flesh and the nature of the Spirit. It is as we feed the new nature, implanted in us at new birth, that we grow strong as Christians; that we walk according to the mind of God, that we are kept from evil and sin. This new nature feeds on the Word of God and prayer. Worldly occupations and amusements feed the old nature and keep the new nature down. God would have us grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He has not given us deep, mysterious ways to do this. A child can read his Bible; a babe in Christ may pray.

In Ephesians 6 we have the whole armor of God listed, which we are to put on to fight against the wiles of the devil, and the list closes with the Word of God and prayer. Paul commended Timothy, in that from a child he had known the Holy Scriptures which make wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

The Christian is a citizen of heaven, passing through this world as a pilgrim and stranger. He will be taken out of the world at the coming of our Lord, when He returns for His Church. Any day we may hear His shout, as He calls for those who sleep in Jesus to arise from their graves, and together with them every Christian living on earth will be caught up to meet Him in the clouds.

When leaving His disciples, the Lord Jesus promised; "I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, ye may be also." This is our Blessed Hope! It simplifies a Christian's ambitions and desires and purposes. We are not to look for place, power, possessions or position in this world, but to set our affections on things above, "Where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." This is to determine our entire outlook in life.

"For me to live is Christ."
"Not I, but Christ."
"Christ is all and in all."
May our gracious Lord lead each of His dear children to be very simple in the things of God, with Himself before each heart as its one Life, Hope, Desire and Object! F. L. French

BAHAMAS

Our brother Stratton writes and expresses deep thankfulness on behalf of the saints in the Bahamas for the loving sympathy and fellowship shown to them in their recent suffering. In another letter he says:

I am having my hands full, and more so than before, on account of sickness following the hurricane, but was recently rewarded in one case at Hopetown with a confession of Christ, which is a great uplift.

INDIAN WORK

Our sister Miss Holcomb tells of the slight improvement in material conditions amongst the Indians in New Mexico, but the spiritual outlook apparently is as dark as ever. Her letter follows:

Shiprock, New Mex.

Your letter of October 21st came to us on our last mail, and we thank the saints for the ministry which it contained. We also thank our God for His tender care for us. We as missionaries cannot hope to be exempt from the pinch of poverty felt by so large a portion of earth's inhabitants these days, but we do thank our dear Lord that He not only cares for us, but gives wisdom as we ask it of Him in the spending of that which is received, so that it seems to go much farther than we would have supposed possible.

We find the work of giving a gospel message to those who call at the Mission by no means devoid of interest to us, but it is more difficult to make it seem so to those who do not know our people as we do. Although today was clinic day, when the Government nurse comes here to meet Navahos of this neighborhood who wish medical attention, there were not many here to see her and not many to hear a Gospel message either. A young man and his wife were here all night, and in for both evening and morning prayers. This morning we read John 1:29, 34, specially emphasizing the fact that our Lord Jesus alone is, as it is expressed in the Navaho translation, "The Thrower-away of sin among earth's people." The Navaho wording gave an opportunity to suggest that we only throw away that which we consider worthless or dangerous:that the reason Navahos are so loath to receive the Lord Jesus into their hearts is that they make the mistake of supposing that their sins give them pleasure, while as a matter of fact their sins, and particularly the sin of refusing God's love, are hastening them on to an eternity of sorrow.

Our Navaho people of this immediate neighborhood have much better prospects for this winter than they had for last. Most families had a good crop of corn; some had more than they can use, and quite a lot to sell. People who have been less fortunate have usually been able to get some corn by helping others through harvest. Sheep are fat and pastures quite good. Even though their fat lambs only brought 31/2 cent a pound, they were so large that they averaged nearly $2.00 per head, and the neighborhood has done better than was to be expected in paying off indebtednesses to the trader. We are glad to see our people not quite so poor as they were last winter, but our hearts crave to see some of them feeling keenly their poverty before God, and turning to Him for that which alone can satisfy the soul.

HARBOR WORK (New York)

Brother West reports a little improvement in the number of vessels coming to this port, though shipping is still poor. Opportunities, however, remain for numerous personal talks with men and goodly distribution of leaflets in foreign languages. This has been especially so among the Japanese, Belgians and men from Singapore (Malays), and these latter show considerable interest in the gospel, most of them being of the Mohammedan faith, though some are nominal Christians. General world conditions, poor wages, and other things, make it hard for some of them to believe that a God of love still reigns, and the worker takes a special joy in telling these men that, in spite of all that goes on down here, God still loves and is willing to save.

CHINA

A brother recently returned from North China has been telling us something of the terrible state of that country and the dangers and difficulties under which missionaries have to labor. There is no real central government, and in many cases it is a matter of "Might is right." Large companies of bandits and robbers infest the country, making it dangerous and unsafe for traveling, not only for missionaries and other foreigners but also for the Chinese themselves, one's life and property being always more or less in danger.

In view of the above we are indeed thankful to know that our brethren Kautto and Foggin have been so far preserved. Our brother Kautto writes:

Your letter of October 2nd reached us last night, together with the word of the distress of our brethren in, the Bahamas and it gives us much pleasure to be able to share in giving to supply the need. The Lord comfort their hearts. We trust the extremity will prove the Lord's abundant grace in more than meeting their need, not only of that which is seen, but of filling with peace the anxious soul and in the realization of His own words to us all, "Lo, I am with you alway," for "underneath are the everlasting arms," and "Come unto Me…ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." May there be a joyous answer to the question, "Are the consolations of God small with thee?" (Job 15:11), and may each one rest in Him whom he has believed, saying with the Apostle Paul, "I am persuaded that nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:39), to whom be the glory for ever.

We brought the tent in during the month of October, as ;the rain and wind had made a couple of long rents in the top during times when I was not able to be with the tent, and the nights were quite cool for outdoor meetings anyway. We will have time to mend it when the Chinese New Year season arrives and we cannot hold meetings, or we may make new ends altogether, for these are mildewed through pretty badly. Now we are getting ready to go north to the out-stations of Shuangshantze and Mutouteng for Bible study meetings with the professing Christians for about a couple of months.

The war is still, in the mercy of God, not in any way hindering our work, for which we are thankful indeed, and trust that by the help of the prayers of His saints we shall continue to have peace and quietness in bur borders, and that there may be some souls drawn to accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

We would thank you especially for intercession on our behalf, and for all the prayers of the Lord's people, for we realize it is not in our own strength we have been enabled to continue, and we daily praise Him for all His goodness in graciously providing this help. May His richest blessings rest upon all. With our warmest Christian love to all the dear saints.

JAPAN

Our brother E. B. Craig sends the following recent tidings from Japan:

4520 Montgomery St., Oakland, Calif.

Letters received just now from brother Tsukiyama of Tokyo, and from his wife, and one from brother Fujimoto, tell of the assembly meetings, and the various gospel activities continuing, also bring the good news of five more new converts. Two of these are the parents of a scholar of Mrs. Tsukiyama's Sunday School. This girl of eleven years was ill for some time, and died. Her bright faith in the Saviour was used of the Lord for the confirming of faith in her mother, and for the conversion of her father.. A door has opened for monthly gospel visits in one more hospital. And brother Fujimoto says that young brethren Inoue, Sugiyama and some dozen others, are manifesting a hunger and longing after the Word of God.

Please pray for these and for the new converts.

AFRICA

Our brother Robert Deans writes as follows:Yesterday after our gospel service and breaking of bread we had lunch, and then Mrs. Deans, Ella, Bob and I, with two natives, started out into the deep forest, we having heard that Pygmies were within an hour's walking distance. Pygmies, as you know, are nomadic, and unless we go with the gospel to them at once we might never have another opportunity. There were heaps of "thorns and briers overspread," and it was really difficult to reach them. We found them however in a little clearing they had made about twenty feet in diameter, and there sang our hymns and preached unto them "Jesus." Let us praise God together for His promise, "My word shall not return unto Me void." They were delighted that we came, and we were delighted to be there and to tell such a story. We are glad indeed to say that our dear sister Miss DeJonge is improving rapidly,-and it seems the recent operation removed the cause that had been troubling her. How good is the God we adore! Praise His dear Name!

We have had a letter from Bill which says he is progressing rapidly also. What a God our God is! May we trust Him more fully.

Quite a few deaths here amongst the natives have caused them to become alarmed. We had a heart-to-heart talk with the Sultan yesterday about the folly of living without Christ. Kindly pray for this man whose name is Apalikbo.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all, is our earnest prayer.

All the saints at Mombassa are well and rejoicing in the Lord.

Interruption in Congo Mail Service

In case any have not been receiving acknowledgment of letters sent to our brethren and sisters in Africa, we quote below extracts of a letter from Dr. Woodhams which will explain the delay:

Outgoing mail has been very irregular the last month and a half owing to the heavy rains. Two bridges were completely washed away, and for two weeks the road was not passable, and after these were repaired the big Ituri River rose to such a height that it was impossible to get a car on to the ferry. The ferry consists of six native canoes fastened together with planks. My car was in this river at the edge for all of one night before I could get it out, and the water came over the engine and to the edge of the front cushion; but since being cleaned up, it seems to have suffered no damage.

(Phil. 4:22.)

In places most unlikely
The Lord His grace doth show;
On bleak and storm-swept mountains
He makes His grass to grow.

On heights most uninviting,
The playground of the storm,
He bringeth into being
The flower of perfect form.

In wicked Caesar's household,
The gospel seed there sown
Brought fruit to life eternal;
There God sustained His own.

And still His arm upholds us,
For He doth make us stand;
Omnipotence enfolds us,
Protected by His hand.

E. H. Hageman

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower:the righteous runneth into it and is safe"-Prov. 18:10.

This text would have been understood by the ancients, for they knew that a tower was a fortress that sheltered all who fled to its refuge. The strength of such is shown in Judges 9:51-55, describing the repulse of an army, the death of its leader, and the raising of a siege. From this we are to gather that the name of the Lord is an impregnable fortress to His people.

When we consider that His name describes Himself, we are glad. For it is:"Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of peace" (Isa.9:6). Hence we may say:"The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble, the name of the God of Jacob defend thee." Again:"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God" (Ps. 20:1, 7). Hence when Asa cries to the Lord in the day of battle, he says:"It is nothing with Thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power:help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go against this multitude. 0 Lord, Thou art our God; let not man prevail against Thee" (2 Chron. 14:11).

We may consider an example of the defensive power latent in this name as shown in the day of trouble. David has arrived in the camp of Israel at the moment of dismay when Goliath defies the God of the armies of Israel. But this youth is unafraid, for he realizes that "the battle is the Lord's." For a moment he permits Saul to gird him with his armor, but upon reflection discards it because he has "not proved it."

On a former occasion he proves that his proper armor is the name of the Lord, as he rescues a lamb from a lion and a bear. Be it understood, however, that in the conflict he is not an attacker but a defender; he is neither a lion-hunter nor a bear-hunter, he is a shepherd. But he will face any foe that attacks the flock, although well aware that it is only in the name of the Lord he can do so. Therefore he says:"The Lord.. .delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear;" and it is with this armor he is now girded as he goes forth to meet Goliath, saying:"I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied."

Goliath's proposition is:"Choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants:but if I prevail against him, and kill him [as he is certain he will], then shall ye be our servants, and serve us" (1 Sam. 17:8, 9). He purposes

To Take Away the Liberty of God's People

David senses the peril as he beholds a people, who belong to God and through whom He would carry out His wishes, endangered by enemy bondage. Will he stand by and see such a people enthralled? Never! Little suspecting the unequal combat before him, the giant mocks the shepherd-lad, but the smooth stone "out of the brook" (speaking of the effectiveness of discipline by God's word) does what no man-made arrow can do. As Dr. Wolston says:It has a "curve" that eludes the "shield" borne before Goliath, and brings him down to his doom. Thus does David by standing for God's claim upon His people, preserve their liberty to them.

Now in the Church it is similarly necessary to guard our heritage. For the enemy is on the alert to estrange us from subjection to God, by proposing some principle which leads to bondage. And those he cannot deceive thereby, he attempts to terrorize. But it is written :"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." To do this, however, we must "Draw nigh to God," then "He will draw nigh" to us (Jas. 4:8). Thus when the devil looks us ,over to see what chance he has of successful aggression, he finds a prayerful people encompassed by the presence of God. He realizes that they occupy a strong tower, and realizing that he must meet Christ, he flees.

Conflict of this sort we see in Antioch and Galatia. Paul relates its cause, saying that false brethren "unawares brought in" had come in privily "to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage" (Gal. 2:4). They had come down from Judea to teach in Antioch that, "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved." This was an astounding thing to propose in Antioch, but it had been talked over in some private clique in Jerusalem, and afterwards guardedly whispered in Antioch, before it was launched upon the astonished body of Christians in that city. It was not a hastily conceived thing. We learn from Darby's Translation that the words "unawares" and "privily" are in both cases "surreptitiously." That is to say, there was something underhand in the character and procedure of the propagandists, preparatory to their foisting upon Antioch the false principle proposed. And while of course this was an extreme case, we may gather from it that, even in a modified way, the introduction of a false theory is fostered in a clandestine way, whereas what is true is always upright and simple in its presentation and practical out-working. It may be laid down as an axiom that anything in the Church that hesitates to come to the light, is of the enemy. But while Paul points this out, he does not dwell upon it. It is enough for him that the proposal is contrary to the gospel, a gospel "not after man" as to its character, nor "received… of man" as to his authority to preach it. Therefore "not for an hour" will he give place to it, but will resist it at every turn, so that "the truth of the gospel might continue" with the people of God. For he knows, far-seeing watchman that he is, that if he yields for one moment to the slightest vestige of the innovation, the enemy will extort continual concessions, until the saints are bereft of their liberty.

In Philippians 1:7 our apostle declares that "both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace." Doubtless he is viewed as on guard at the forefront of the battle,' maintaining the rights of the Lord among His people, and thereby guarding their freedom. But he tells us that in this conflict "ye all are partakers of my grace." As those whose measure is small, no doubt we partake of the benefits of his courage in withstanding the foe, but we are also in the same conflict in which he was, and, like him, are safeguarded in the strong tower of the Lord's name.
In conclusion we may learn from Acts 23 that even in failure when the apostle speaks unadvisedly and has to acknowledge it (ver. 5), and when with consummate shrewdness he divides the Sanhedrim by a partisan remark (vers. 6-10), his armor is not taken away; on the contrary the Lord stands by him waiting to be used again-when His servant turns to Him alone. And we may believe that "the following night," while he is despondent as he reflects upon his use of "Saul's armor," his heart was greatly strengthened when he finds the Lord beside him, and saying:"Be of good cheer, Paul:for as thou hast testified of Me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."

After fleeing to the strong tower for himself, well might he write from Rome those words:"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might!" R. J. Reid

Calendar:April 16th to May

DAILY BIBLE READING:……April 16th, Prov. 23; April 30th, Eccl. 6; May 15th, Isa. 1.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING:… April 16th, Mark 4; April 30th, Luke 2; May 15th, Luke 17.
Work in the Foreign Field

CHINA

We are glad to have a report of the safe arrival at Langchow, Kansu, of our brother Foggin and Mr. Hsu, his Chinese co-worker, after about five weeks of difficult and tiresome travel.

Our brother will need much patience and wisdom in endeavoring to preach the Gospel in that large and unsettled province, and on his behalf we would say in the words of the Apostle Paul, "Brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may run and be glorified, even as also with you; and that we may be delivered from bad and evil men, for faith is not the portion of all" (2 Thess. 3:1,2, New Trans.).

The following is an account of their journey from Peiping to Kansu:

We left Peiping on March 1, on the six a.m. train for Shih Chia Chuang, Mr. Ruck being there to see us off. The tram was crowded, and we managed to get a place in one of the box cars near the door with our baggage securely under us. We felt quite happy as the train pulled out, and soon I heard Mr. Hsu talking to the man next to him about his soul. We arrived in Shih Chia Chuang in the evening, and found a warm welcome from a missionary friend, Mr. Rasmussen. Here we had our ill-fated car. The first thing we discovered was that the battery needed re-charging and had to wait a few days. Then we found that the gasolene was not feeding properly. On Sunday evening we put the car on the train for Yu Tze, about a hundred and seventy-five miles west of Shih Chia Chuang. We slept in the car all night, and the train pulled out about six o'clock in the morning, and crossing some high mountains, we arrived at Yu Tze about six o'clock in the evening. Here we put up at a Chinese inn not far from the station. The next day we did some bill-posting, tract-distributing and sold some Gospels. The following morning we left for Hsi An, planning to stop on the way at the various places. We got about twenty-four miles along the road when we had a smash-up. Mr. Hsu had a nasty cut in the back of the neck, so I put him on a passing bus and sent him to the Hospital, which was only about three miles further along the road, and later I too arrived at the Hospital in the car, several men pushing. Mr. Hsu was just coming out as I arrived, with his head all bandaged, and wanted some money to pay his bill. I was told there was a foreigner on the compound, so I soon got in touch with him. He was the business manager of the Hospital, Mr. Hauseke. It was the American Board Mission Hospital at a place called Tai Ku. Mr. Hauseke at once suggested that Mr. Hsu go to the Hospital until he had the stitches taken out, and I was to go to his home. Here we made some new friends, Mr. Hsu spoke several times in the Hospital, and on Sunday afternoon the Hospital doctor had a meeting in his home at which I was to speak, and tell them about the "brethren." Quite a number of foreigners were gathered, and I told them of my first acquaintance with "brethren," and some of their practices, and then we went on to speak of God's care for His creatures. The doctor invited Mr. Hsu to supper, and I was invited by some other friends along the road. The following morning we left by bus for Ping Yang, which is about half-way between Y" Tze and Hsi An. We did not arrive that day, so put up at an inn for the night, arriving about ten the following morning. After having something to eat we got the boy of the inn to mix up some paste in an old gasoline tin which had a handle attached, and off we started with our posters, etc. We had a good time preaching the Word as the people gathered round to see the posters, and we sold quite a few Gospels. Later we went to see Dr Hoyte of the China Inland Mission Hospital there. He re-dressed Mr. Hsu's neck and invited us to supper . We spent a nice evening together, and the doctor invited us to visit his patients on the morrow, which we did, and found them very ready to listen to the Gospel. The doctor invited me to dinner, and asked me to speak at the afternoon prayer-meeting which was being held for the foreigners, so I left Mr. Hsu to have dinner at the Hospital and continue the work there. At the prayer-meeting I spoke on the need of the Spirit's power in the ministry of the Word. The following day we left by bus for the Yellow River, arriving in the evening just after dark. Here the inn had no fire, and it was rather cool and gloomy, so I got them to buy some charcoal, and they made a charcoal fire on the top of a pan of ashes, and this looked quite cheery as it stood at the side of my bed. The next day we crossed the Yellow River in a crowded junk, arriving at a place called Tung Kuan. Here we had to stay for the night as the bus did not leave until the following morning. While waiting we got some paste ready, and went bill-posting. I shall never forget the last poster we put up. When I looked round, there was a sea of heads. We spoke to them, and then I pulled out my Gospels, and they sold like hot cakes.

We left the following morning in a good old Ford, arriving in the afternoon at Hsi An. Here we put up at an inn, and later stayed with a missionary and his wife until we left for Lanchow. We had already negotiated with the driver of an army truck, who at first said he would take us right through to Lanchow, but later said he was doubtful if he could get through as there were bandits on the road, but could take us as far as Ping Liang which was half-way. However, the Mission bus was going as far as Ping Liang, and they found room for us. The bus was crowded with luggage and passengers, and Mr. Hsu had to sit on the top with two other Chinese men. It was rather dangerous as there was no side protection, and these three held on to a rope that held the baggage. The car lurched from side to side, and we went along the edge of some very high precipices. One time I asked Mr. Hsu if he was afraid, and he said he didn't look. Later on in the day we got him inside, when some of the other passengers got off. After two days we arrived at Ping Liang, and now we had the worst part of the trip before us. We hired a cart and animals in company with a young man and his wife who had just come from Nanking, and were on their way to Lanchow, his home being very near there. It was agreed that the cart should take our luggage, that his wife should ride and we three walk. The first day we were" to go about twenty-three miles (70 li) but on hearing of a party of merchantmen having been attacked by bandits several days previous, and that there was a caravan ahead of us being escorted by soldiers, we decided to catch up and go along with them. We caught up to them about noon. Instead of going 70 li that day, we followed the caravan and went 110 51:We were well worn out with walking. The next day we had to cross a high mountain, so hired two donkeys, but it was so cold that it was better to climb the mountain on foot. That day we did about 125 51:Altogether we were eight days on the road, and we were certainly weary and footsore. When we arrived in Lanchow I hobbled with a big blister on one foot, and Mr. Hsu looked half-dead. What made things worse was that the water was so bad, and the food also. . The next day I went down to see Mr. Keeble and Mr. Mann of the China Inland Mission, and they kindly let us have a couple of rooms for a month in a compound which is being used at present as a Carpet Factory, until we can find a suitable place to stay.

MANCHURIA

For the benefit of those who have been watching recent events in North China and Manchuria, we quote below extract from a letter just to hand showing the distressing state that country has been brought to on account of the Japanese invasion and guerrilla warfare.
Hada, North China, April 8,1932.

The whole country is convulsed from end to end, and thousands of brigands who once were soldiers in Manchuria have been let loose on the border to harass the Japanese forces. The Jehol District, where we are working, is a kind of buffer State between China and the new State of Manchowkwo. We are cut off from the railhead and all trade is at a standstill. Itinerating is dangerous and the people, driven to desperation by the outrageous oppression of the military and official classes, are rising in several places. Ch'aoyang, a town four days' cart-journey to the south of us, and where we worked for years, has been besieged for weeks by the farmers, armed with all kinds of weapons and helped by the brigands. Finally, large bodies of troops had to be sent to quell the rising. All shops are closed and hundreds of people are in hiding.

AFRICA

Our brother Robert Deans and family since going to Lolua have been living in the cramped quarters built by their son Bill when he labored there alone. Our brother has now almost completed their new house, and hopes soon to move in. He writes as follows:

As our house is about ready for roofing we had a fine opportunity in preaching to a whole lot of Pygmies. They search the forest for the leaves for thatching and travel long distances with bundles of them on their backs, the bundles weighing from thirty to forty pounds. For this they only get three table-spoonfuls of rock salt per bundle, poor things; but they are glad to get the salt, and we are glad to get the leaves.

We were teaching school when they arrived. One can hear them from quite a distance as they sing their forest songs, or more rightly speaking, chants, while on the march. They are all women who do the carrying, and some use their native knives in place of cymbals. It is really quite a sight.

After they had dropped their bundles we brought them all in to the school-house, and one of the Christian men, Facili by name, preached to them in Kimbila, as they do not understand Kingwana. Pray, beloved brethren, for those dear Pygmies. How we would like to see some of them brought to Christ.

While at school two days ago, March 30th, at 9:30, an earthquake shock was felt. It was quite a sight to see all the natives in the school raise both their hands together (hands clenched) bringing them up and down until the quake passed off, in about 30 seconds. The only explanation we could get from them for their doing this was that they were possessed with fear, and were warding off anything that might happen.

Mrs. Deans thought the Lord was coming. Well, praise His Name, He will not be long. "Earthquakes in divers places" surely has a voice for us these days.

We had a small conference at brother Searle's home last week, and enjoyed it immensely. We were looking into 2nd Thessalonians. How very gracious it was of our dear Lord to unfold His mind to His saints by telling them about the awful calamities which are to come on the world. "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness that day should overtake you as a thief." "Let no man .deceive you by any means for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first." Praise God, we will be home with the Lord ere that awful day comes.

Brother Gordon Searle sends us the following, written on board the S. S. "Malda," while passing through the Red Sea:

We have had a good trip thus far. It was hot on the Indian Ocean and the first part of the Red Sea, though not unbearably so. But for the most part the Red Sea has been very pleasant, though a little rough on account of the strong head winds encountered. Today it is cool. We expect to arrive at Suez tonight and Port Said tomorrow, if the Lord will. At Port Sudan an accident occurred when a crane structure collapsed onto the ship. No one was hurt, but the ship was delayed an extra day. We were not dismayed by the delay as we had been having rough weather, and the delay gave the sea opportunity to get calm again. How many are the ways in which the gracious and kind hand of the, Lord operates on behalf of His own as well as for men in general.

The are several missionaries and Christians aboard, but one does' miss the Lord's table. Nevertheless we would remember Him and what He did for us. Precious Saviour and wondrous Lord, there is none beside Him! We are thinking now of how He brought His people through the Red Sea, and we partake of this experience by His grace, and are now standing on the salvation side of it with Him our Saviour and God, yes, and beyond the river also (Ps. 66:6). Praise His Name forever!

The Lord willing, our brother Searle expects to leave England on May 27th, on the S. S. "Nova Scotia," arriving at Halifax June 6th, intending to stay a little while with his relatives in Nova Scotia.

BRAZIL

Let us remember our brother Penna in prayer, as requested by him in a brief note written on March 30th. He writes,

"I am still very ill and cannot do any work, and writing is difficult. We have now two brethren here from the State of Parahyba. They are helping a great deal in the Lord's work. Please do pray for us, and especially for me, that the Lord may grant me health according to His will.

Change of Address:-Mail for brother Foggin should now be addressed, c|o-Post Office, Lanchow, Kansu, China.

"Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees" (Heb. 12:12).

There are still hands which hang down, there are still feeble knees. We have met those who have thus suffered. It may be we ourselves have been among them. Discouragement is a real "illness." It is not to be treated lightly, but those who have it are to be treated lovingly, for the family tie between children of God is a fact, and not a theory. Every discouraged believer is Satan's asset. False encouragement is not the remedy. Inflation is more serious in spiritual things than even in the business world, and equally a lie. But there is a remedy, and the Holy Spirit gives us a clear indication of our Heavenly Father's
will.

The tendency among the Hebrews was to be "wearied and faint" (Heb. 12:3):there is a blessed contrast in Isaiah 40:31. The inspired message was tender, yet withal firm, "Ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children" (lit., sons). "Forgotten;" ah, how often we too forget! God is not unkind in permitting that broken purpose, or that disappointed hope. The shut door is not a chance, nor it is because His love has faltered. It is all a precious part of His unchanging love. "My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord"-that is one extreme:"Nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him"-that is the other. Both attitudes are wrong; the right condition is lowly and loving exercise of soul. The blessing is sure "unto them which are exercised thereby." Words beginning with the same letter will help our memories and our hearts. It is not for His pleasure, or in accord with an experiment that He chastens, but for our profit, and our partaking of His holiness. Look beyond the present to "the peaceable fruit," and make "straight paths." The road is not a cul-de-sac, but there shall be a rich encouragement to living faith.

Do not look down on those saints whose hands are hanging down. If you do thus grieve the Holy Spirit, you may be like to such tomorrow. We are all weaker than we think, and pride of our spiritual strength is deadly. Do not look down on the saints with feeble knees, but lift them up. Help them to realize that God has not forgotten. The forgetfulness is all on our side. If you have been comforted in any tribulation it is that you may be able to comfort others by the very comfort you have received (2 Cor. 1:4), for that comfort was Divine. Satan aims at hands hanging down, for we are bidden to lift them up in prayer (1 Tim. 2:8), and he seeks for feeble knees that we may be unable to kneel in prayer. If he can stab us in our prayer-life he has a victory:if he cannot gain the battle there, he is defeated. The devil dreads powerful prayer (James 4:7, 8). "Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray" (James 5:13). All the references to the whole armor in Ephesians 6:10-17 lead up to the holy climax, "Praying always."

The times are heavy (2 Tim. 3:1). After years of comparative ease when we have all become unused to the pilgrim life and losing all things for Christ, some dear children of God have been removed from their situations. And the economic situation awakens their alarm-unless they depend simply on God. The broader path would sometimes seem to remove the problem, and the enemy is not slow to set forth its advantages. But faith counts "the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt" (Heb. 11:26). Yet it is easier to sing about this in the meeting than to feel it when every door seems shut in one's face. It does not need much faith to sing in a meeting:it does need faith to "bear when alone," and rejoice. But God "giveth more grace," to meet more need. He knoweth our frame, and it is a joy to encourage ourselves, and one another, in the Lord our God. Empty the Bible of the trial of faith of God's people, and how many of its biographies will be largely gone, how much of its refreshing stimulus will be ruthlessly taken away? "Faith" is not an easy-chair doctrine, not the title of an academic thesis, it is a reality for today whatever today brings. For faith is not something of mine resting on something of man, but a precious reality of His, whereby I rest on HIM and His unbroken Word.

From "Thoughts from the Word of God."

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

These articles are in nowise an attempt to portray a "Life of Moses,", but to call attention to some outstanding occasions in a life so pregnant with spiritual energy, and calling for such exceptional meekness and patience, as well as inflexible firmness and decision. In the main we shall consider these epochs historically and in their practical bearing, rather than in a dispensational and typical way.

1. A GOOD START

While the lives of the children of Israel are being embittered by bondage in the land of Egypt, and after an edict has come from Pharaoh that all males of the enslaved race are to be destroyed at birth, a son is born to Amram who has married Jochebed – both of them Levites. The parents having faith to perceive that he is "a proper child," one who furnishes a special satisfaction to God, disregard the King's mandate, and hide him for three months. But unable to conceal him longer, his mother puts him afloat on the Nile in an ark of bulrushes daubed with slime and pitch, whence he is rescued by Pharaoh's daughter, who has come down to bathe at the river, accompanied by her maidens. The child's sister, on the watch, hearing the words, "This is one of the Hebrews' children!" spoken compassionately by the royal lady as "the babe wept," offers to secure a Hebrew nurse, and, obtaining permission, fetches the mother, who is engaged at wages to nurse the babe. In this we may see one of the most striking interventions of divine providence in the history of mankind.

After his weaning he is brought to the abode of Pharaoh's daughter, who names him Moses, which means "Drawn out!" In this way the growing boy is continually reminded by his very name of the Providence that had intervened on his behalf and, like another of whom we read in the Gospels, it is possible that in this story he heard something which he "kept" in his heart. But of his early life we only know that his education was thoroughly attended to, for Stephen tells us sixteen centuries later that he "was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds" (Acts 7:22). And although later at the age of eighty, after forty years' desert experience, he reveals himself as a silent man, "not eloquent," but "slow of speech, and of a slow tongue," one averse to contact with people (Exod. 4:Id-13), we gather from Stephen's words that the younger man of forty was a scholar, a powerful orator, and a skillful man of affairs. He was a splendid specimen of a highly-polished civilization.

Knowing however his kinship with Israel, he doubtless deplores their misery and wonders how he can relieve them. It may be natural for him to suppose that his adoption by Pharaoh's daughter is the divine method of placing him where he can secure results. But faith leads him at the age of forty to renounce what Providence had conferred upon him; he "refused to be called the son of pharaoh's daughter" (Heb. 11:24). One of the evidences of "new birth" (in John 3:3) is that its subject gets his eyes opened, and apart from this he "cannot see" what God is doing. He is blind spiritually. But whether the work of God began in Moses when he was very young or somewhat later, we may observe that at the age of forty he is learning to appraise values; his eyes are opened so widely that he sees things as they really are. It is of course certain that he does not realize all that is involved in the step he takes, but the Holy Ghost selects words that reveals it, saying:"Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward" (Heb. 11:25, 26). All this was involved in the "good start" he had made in the way that is really life.

But having so decided a character, we now discover him endeavoring to expand his recent decision into a thing that "works" for the prosperity of God's interests among His people. Consequently, as the witness of an intolerable situation, he proceeds to kill a brutal Egyptian. On the next day, however, he witnesses a scene that urges him to attempt the making of peace between "brethren." But he finds this latter to be more difficult than killing an Egyptian, and the upshot of his well-meant activity is flight to the land of Midian. Commenting upon this occasion, and informing us of the thoughts passing through the young man's mind at this time, Stephen says he "supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them:but they understood not" (Acts 7:25). They had no conception of the self-denial and purpose of heart that brought him from the King's court to their side, nor did they understand that he was the chosen vessel of blessing among them.

However, if the children of Israel are not ready to be delivered it is evident that Moses, although he has "the root of the matter" in him, has much to learn before he can serve them as effectively as God desires, hence his flight is overruled for good, for it places him where he can learn to advantage what he needs to know.

Nevertheless, as his decision to renounce Egypt's treasures for God's interests is portrayed (in Hebrews 11) apart from fleshly admixture, so is his forsaking Egypt described as the fearless act of one whose eye is upon .God. "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the King:for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible." The entire summary of events in this passage omits any reference to the sojourn in Midian, and passes from Moses at forty to Moses at eighty; for God, who reads the intention of the heart, and knows the end from the beginning, accredits at the outset all that is involved in the "good start" His servant makes when he refuses to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. R. J. Reid

(To be continued, D.V.)

Calendar:Jan. 16th to Feb. 15th

DAILY BIBLE READING:………. Jan. 16th, Ps. 82; Jan. 31st, Ps. 97; Feb. 15th, Ps. 112.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING:… Jan. 16th, Titus 1; Jan. 31st, Heb. 12; Feb. 15th, 1 John 1.

Solomon prayed, at the dedication of the temple, concerning plagues which might visit the land because of the sin of Israel. Then he adds, "Thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart" (1 Kings 8:38).

This plague is not limited to "every man" of Israel's nationality in Solomon's day.

It is a well-known "plague" among the children of God everywhere today, and of "every man" among them too.

Deep distress is known by many who truly love the Lord as they discover that this plague affects them. Thoughts of evil which they abhor, spring up undesired in their minds at times. And it may be this occurs at the most sacred moments, as when they bow their knees in prayer, or when they sit to read the word of God. When they would desire most of all to be free from every distraction, unholy wishes or base desires or blasphemous notions make their presence known. Perhaps the result is that the oppressed believer begins to wonder whether he can be a true child of God at all. He says to himself, "If I am a real Christian, how is it that these hateful, and undesired, and unholy ideas fill my mind? What am I to do? I would not tell my dearest friend that I have such notions."

Is such an one reading these pages?

Then let me comfort you by saying, first of all, that what you find is found at times by the most faithful and devoted saints of God.

An old Christian woman said to an earnest preacher, "Oh, Mr. Hill, I wish I had your heart!"

"Do you?" he answered, "If you had, you would soon want your own back again."

"The plague of his own heart" is the disease of all alike.

Is there no balm of Gilead for such. Is there no relief obtainable?

Thank God, there is. His truth can relieve your distressed mind.

First .of all, then, let me remind you that you are part of a fallen race. You have inherited from your first father, Adam, a nature in which there is an evil bias against God. You have within you an evil principle which is called "the flesh." And "the carnal mind, the mind of the flesh) is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh (that is, in their natural unconverted condition) cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you" (Rom. 8:7-9).

Here is relief indeed for the believer-"Ye are not in the flesh." What has come to pass? This:Our sinful state in nature has been judged when Christ was "made sin" for us at the cross. There God "condemned sin in the flesh." He is not trying to improve it, and He would not have you try to improve it. He has set it aside as incorrigibly bad, an unmendable evil. He would have you think His thoughts after Him in this matter, and reckon as He reckons.

So it is written, "Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 7:11).

In the death of Christ you are seen by God to have died. In His risen life you are seen to be alive "in Him." And the Holy Spirit is given to you as the new power in which you can walk in newness of life, and have your life filled with spiritual peace and joy.

But though you are not in the flesh, the flesh is in you. A vessel at sea may spring a leak and become waterlogged by sea-water. Suppose it is brought up the mouth of a great river. It is now in the fresh water, but has salt water in it. It is in a different position, but still has within it that which came to it when it was in the old position.

"The flesh" is in us still. It came into our nature when Adam fell. It will be in us until we leave this body or until this body is changed at the coming of our Lord Jesus. Why has it been left in us? One answer may be that if it had not been we should never have learned its true character, and never valued the Lord Jesus so much. Its hatefulness to God is seen in its utter condemnation at Calvary, and we learn to say "Amen!" to what God did in the judgment of it there.

The cross of Christ sets aside the flesh judicially.

The Holy Spirit given to us sets aside the flesh practically.

"Walk in the Spirit (answer to His leadings in every way), and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh" (Gal. 5:16). As we "walk in Him," the Holy Spirit will always engage us with what is good. Things true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy, are His delight, and He will fill your thoughts with these. Therefore occupy yourself at all times with what is like Christ, and according to His mind. Fill your life with these things, and other things will be displaced in ever-increasing measure.

But if the evil desires and imaginations intrude themselves against your will, do not stop to occupy yourself with them. "You cannot prevent evil wild birds flying over your head, but you need not let them make a nest in your hair," it has been said.

When worried by the presence of these wandering or wicked suggestions from the evil nature, begin to sing a hymn, send up a word of prayer, repeat a scripture, or read some helpful ministry.

The enemy may come and knock at your door, but you need not let him in and give him the best chair at your fireside. Let him knock until he is tired. Meanwhile go about your business of doing good. Engaging in some form of -Christian service will help you. When a garden is full of flowers ^covering its beds the weeds are kept down in great measure.

"The way of the Christian's power for practical holiness of life is to be always and only occupied with good," it has been said.

If however you have given way to these thoughts of evil, and your will has been at work in that which is opposed to God and holiness, then at once judge yourself unsparingly, and confessing your sin to your God and Father seek His recovering grace and go on.

He understands you fully, has provided for your salvation and blessing, and gives "power to the faint, and to them that have no might He increaseth strength."

Keep yourself then in the love of God and engage your life with His things, and your mind will become increasingly free from what has distressed you. Inglis Fleming

According to Thy gracious word,
We come with joy to worship Thee;
Now fill each heart with praise, O Lord,
Sweet strains of heavenly melody!

Thy saints of every clime and land,
Gather as priests before Thy throne,
A blood-washed host Thy people stand
In righteousness, Thy grace to own.

With Jesus' blood our only plea,
O God, we come, a ransomed throng;
Through Thy dear Son brought nigh to Thee,
To praise, to sing redemption's song.

Thou didst accept in olden days
The fragrant incense offered Thee;
Now, 'tis Thy joy to have us praise
Thy Son's perfections constantly.

O God, we worship and adore!
Through Christ our praise ascends to Thee;
His name we bless forevermore,
On earth and through eternity.

F. L. French

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

A great storm had just swept over the part of Australia in which I was staying, and its track was marked by giant gum trees lying shivered and broken where once they reared their proud heads to the heavens. As I viewed those magnificent trees overthrown by the tempest, I felt that they held a silent lesson for me if only I were wise enough to learn it, so I set myself to discover why these had fallen and why those had stood when the great test came suddenly upon them. Here is one that has brought down others in its fall, lying across the roadway and far into the adjoining paddock; its length cannot be less than ISO feet, its girth 15 feet; but yesterday it stood, and seemed as likely to stand against any storm as any of its fellows ; now it lies there, its history as a tree finished for ever.

The cause of its overthrow was easily found. Through some flaw or wound in the bark of its great trunk not far from the ground, white ants had penetrated to its very heart; silently and unseen, day after day, they had eaten out its strength just where it was most needed. A casual observer would have seen nothing wrong with it twelve hours before, its leaves were as green and its great limbs as strong as any other, but when the trial came the secret of years was revealed, the giant had been "white-anted," and it could not stand the test. The storm had broken it at what seemed to be its strongest part, and great was the fall of it, and it had destroyed other trees of promising growth in its fall.

White ants are little things; you could crush a thousand of them with one stamp of the foot, but their work is deadly. I thought of certain things that are to Christians what the white ants were to that tree, things which are often allowed a place in their lives, little things chiefly, some secret self-indulgence that grows day by day into a habit; some self-pleasing that does not seem to matter much at the time, but which really comes under one of these three heads:the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life-these are the things that are the undoing of many a promising life. Every human heart has a proneness to them, as each one of us knows right well:

"No infant's changing pleasure
Is like my wandering mind."

There is one thing certain, and that is that at the beginning of every evil course the conscience will be active. The Lord above us who loves us, and the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, will see to it that conscience rings the alarm at the first appearance of these "white ants" that would destroy our spiritual life and testimony, and then it is easy to resist the invaders. If the alarm is silenced and the desire to please oneself prevails, and the invaders gain an entrance, it will not be so easy next week or next month to deal with them, and then a double work will need to be done; they must now be turned out, as well as kept out. Exercise of soul before God and repentance and confession only can effect this, and we must remember that spiritual ground is more easily lost than won. How often we excuse ourselves to ourselves for these little things, and because nobody sees them or suspects them we think it does not matter. Outwardly things are the same, the spiritual vigor does not appear to be much diminished, and we forget that God sees, and that the inner life is being slowly but surely sapped. Then at last comes the storm, for Satan sees and knows what others do not, and he chooses his time with consummate subtlety, and then-! What should we do if the Lord were not gracious! May God give us deliverance from evil. Oh, let us pray, "Deliver us from evil," and may we be watchful and self-judged before Him in little things, and never forget that the Lord is gracious.

But more is needed than diligence in resisting these invaders; if all our time were taken up in self-judgment and watchfulness our lives would not be joyous and fresh as God would have them. And we must beware that we do not confound self-occupation with watchfulness:nothing hinders a Christian life and growth and makes us such easy prey for the devil's snares as self-occupation. It is in occupation with that which is good that we overcome evil. "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things . . . and the God of peace shall be with you" (Phil. 4:8, 9). These things are in Christ, and they are heavenly things, and we are to fill our minds with Christ, and God will be with us. our shield from evil things without, and our great reward to satisfy our hearts within. Every exhortation to watchfulness in the Word of God is needed by us. and woe to us if we neglect them; but the surest protection from all evil is to rejoice in the Lord, and to keep ourselves in the love of God.

But there lies another tree, almost as great as this white-anted giant, not broken off six feet from the ground, but literally torn up by the roots. We marvel at the force of the wind that could do a thing like that, but the solution of the marvel is easy. The roots themselves were widespread, but they had not struck deep into the soil; the visible growth and foliage were far in excess of the secret unseen growth, the tree had not much depth of earth. My brethren, we must give heed to this if we are to stand and withstand the assaults of the devil. We must be rooted and grounded in truth and love, and for this we must know the Word of God and live by it; it must be in our souls and not in our heads only, or the time will surely come when the shallowness of the work in us will be discovered. Nothing can be of greater importance to us than a secret history of soul with God, for it is in secret that our roots strike deep into the grace in which we are planted, and we learn that our security lies in Him and not in ourselves, and so we are preserved when the test comes.

All the trees that I examined that fell in that great storm had one or other of these two defects:either their strength had been sapped by these tireless insects, or their roots had not struck deep in the earth. I pass on to others the lesson that they mutely taught to me. Finally, "make no provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof" (Rom. 13:14). J. T. Mawson
"OCCUPY TILL I COME"

It is impossible for believers in Christ to know all their treasures for they are unsearchable, as we are told in Eph. 3:8. But Christ would have His people search, have them look at their priceless gifts often, that their hearts may be strengthened for the roughness of the way. It is rough now, we are living at least in the beginning of the "perilous times;" and we need to have our hearts filled with visions of our unsearchable riches. Those who are Christ's possess such abounding resources, such treasures of mercy, and it is very great loss to be cast down by the difficulties and present dangers, when by having our hearts filled with the reality of the present and eternal gifts given to us freely in Christ, we might be rejoicing overcomers.

Unsearchable riches means that no matter how much we find, there is always more to be found. We shall never, we can never, even lower the supply; how much less exhaust it. One phrase is used for an expression of it-in christ. The born again one has an entirely new relation to God; he is "in Christ" before Him.

"All His joy told out unhindered,
Nought but Christ His eye can see;
Christ into His joy has entered,
And in Christ He welcomes me.
Would I know how dear to God?
Priceless as Christ's precious blood."

That is the way two sainted servants of God, the writer and the translator, expressed the vision God gave them of this treasure, and their words may open up to some a deeper insight into the meaning of "in Christ."

" 'There,' He saith, 'and thus I meet thee,
On the mercy-seat above;
There I commune with thee, greet thee,
Tell thee all thy Father's love
There thy blest reward shall be
All that Jesus is to Me.'

"One with Him, O Lord, before Thee,
There I live, and yet not I;
Christ it is who there adores Thee;
Who more dear, or who more nigh?
All the Father's heart mine own-
Mine-and yet His Son's alone."

In these words we have a glimpse of what "in Christ" means. And also of the meaning of Gal. 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ:nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." He uses His own ways of opening up His Word, and the words of the old German hymn translated by Mrs. Bevan may open up some of the treasure which Christ has for us in these trying days, while we wait for His coming.

"Place of glory, place of blessing
Place where God His heart displays,
All in Thee, O Christ, possessing,
Thine the voice that leads our praise;
Thine the new eternal song,
Through the ages borne along,

"As within His Temple olden,
Was there seen no costly stone, (1 Ki. 6:18)
Nought but cedar carved and golden,
Nought but Christ, and Christ alone-
So the stones so dearly bought,
God in heaven beholds them not.

"All the worth I have before Him
Is the value of the blood;
I present when I adore Him,
Christ, the First-fruits, unto God.
Him with joy doth God behold,
Thus is my acceptance told."*

*The hymn quoted from is found on pp.110-112 of Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso and Others, Vol. 1.*

God does not see us now, here in this world, as we are seen by the world or by other believers; He sees us as we are in christ. This is what is revealed in Eph. 2:4-10. If we would have the joy and strength of knowing as we may now know Christ, we shall find it in the secret place, Ps. 91:1; 73:17. In these scriptures and those following them we get views of the place believers have "in Christ:" also the awful gulf which lies across the path of the apparently prosperous unbeliever.

Is there a hard day ahead? Perhaps many of them in prospect? We are not of the world, not to fear for ourselves or for any interests we may have. We have in Christ, and from Him, that which shields His own in all the turmoil and temptation. We are in Him before the One who sees us in Him, and loves us as He loves Him. Of old time Jehovah said to His own, "I, even I, am He that comforteth you:who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man [frail, mortal man] that shall die, and of the son of man that shall be made as grass; and forgettest Jehovah thy Maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?" (Isa. 51:12,13).
It was to the saints at Ephesus that the warning was given:"Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption"(Eph. 4:30). Paul began 'to preach at Ephesus in A. D. 56. Acts 20 was about A. D. 60. 2 Tim. 1:15 was written about six years later. Rev. 1:1-7 was written in A.D. 90. Put these scriptures together, remembering that the Epistle was written A. D. 64, and you get a vivid picture of the need of watching for the child of God. Those to whom such words as are found in the Epistle were sent, could in a few years so depart from the truth that Christ had to send such a message as Rev. 2:4,5 to them. There was just a remnant in most of the Churches of Rev. 2 and 3; Philadelphia was a remnant herself; believers had almost disappeared from Laodicea; all this while John was still living. Acts 20:29,30 was quickly fulfilled. There were a few names only in Sardis (Rev. 3:4) that were undefiled; Philadelphia is the bright spot as the end is neared; there a "little strength" is commended, but there is found one token of the power of faith in an evil day; "Thou hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name."

This calls us back to Acts 20:32:"And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace." His Word is in our hands. It is our greatest treasure. It is given us to keep. His precious Word and His name, these we have; with the Holy Spirit to teach both directly by our study of Scripture, and also through the ministry of the servants God has raised up for His people's blessing. What treasure God's people have to draw their hearts away from the world. J. W. Newton