Messages of God's Love: 1956

How many different names there are! Bill, Tommy, Francis, Walter, Helen, and — your own! Sometimes when I meet a little boy I like to try to guess his name, and oh what a time I do have. Let me tell you about a boy whose name was Fred. He wasn’t very big but he had learned to write his name, and he liked to write it wherever he could find space.

One day he was walking home from school. The ground was covered with a beautiful blanket of pure white snow. Just like a big sheet of paper, thought Fred; I must write my name here. Of course he didn’t use a pencil, but just a straight stick. Carefully he traced out the big letters beside the path “FRED.”

Then he stepped back to look at it. All the way home, he kept thinking of those fine big letters, and as soon as he stepped in the house he ran up to his mother and told her all about it. “Do come back with me and have a look at it,” he begged. But mother was very busy, as most mothers are, and just couldn’t go.

The very next day Mother had to go to the store, so she walked along the path with Freddie until they came to the very spot — but the name was gone! Yes, the snow had melted a bit in the bright sunshine, and there was no sign of those fine big letters any more. Freddie was pretty unhappy about it all, but it made his mother think a bit, and she said, “Freddie, when you get home from school tonight, I want to talk to you about that name that disappeared.”

That same evening, Freddie sat by his mother and asked for the story of the name that disappeared.

Mother looked very thoughtful and then began to tell her boy about those whose names were written in the earth. She read to him Jeremiah 17:13 in which we were told of those who had forsaken God, and their names were to be written in the earth. When the Lord Jesus was here, He told His disciples not to rejoice at the great things they had been doing, but to rejoice because their names were written in heaven.

The Bible tells us that the earth is going to be burned up, so it won’t do us any good to have our names written down here. She told Freddie that the only way we could have our names written in heaven where they will never fade away, was to accept the Lord Jesus as our Saviour.

I just cannot tell you how very important this is, for it means more than any other question you ever thought about. It is God who writes these names. He writes the name of any boy or girl who believes in His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Do come to Him right now and take Him as your own Saviour, and then you will be able to rejoice in knowing that your name is written forever in heaven.

“WHOSOEVER WAS NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE.” Revelation 20:15.

ML 01/01/1956

The Faithful Negro Boy

A true story concerning the little boy who was whipped to death for going to Sunday school.

Some years ago, on foreign shores

Where feathery palm trees wave,

Beneath whose shade at close of day

Reclines the weary slave,

Among the negroes, Christian men

Had read God’s precious Word,

And dusky faces beamed with joy

As they God’s message heard.

God’s Word was blessed—though Satan tried

To make their labors cease;

But all in vain, for hearts were found

Rejoicing in His peace.

From field to field, from hut to hut,

The gospel message rung,

And God’s great love in giving Christ

Was heard on many a tongue.

When work was o’er, the dusky throng

From mid the sugar canes

Would all unite in happy song,

And sing their cheerful strains.

And families were thus made glad,

And hearts were filled with joy;

The tott’ring negro bent with age,

And many a girl and boy.

As weekly came the blest Lord’s day,

The negroes had a rule

Of meeting in a shanty rude,

For preaching and for school.

Among the rest, a bright-eyed lad

Was often seen at school,

While plodding o’er God’s precious Word

Upon a rude-made stool.

Poor little Sambo loved the Lord,

And sought Him much in prayer;

His message heard, he read the Word,

And kept its truths with care.

He seemed so blest on days of rest

When he could get away,

To be amongst the happy throng,

Who loved to sing and pray;

But Sambo’s master oftentimes

Forbade the boy to go

To listen to the teacher’s words,

Which filled his heart with joy.

His master was a cruel man,

Who oft his men would strip,

And beat them with a strong bamboo,

Or his most powerful whip.

Another truth young Sambo learned,

As well as sing and pray—

To love his parents and his friends,

His master to obey.

It cost poor Sambo many tears,

He sorrowed night and day,

When he was told he must not go

To hear them preach or pray.

‘Twas at the school he learned to read,

And learned his Lord to love;

And there his little heart was set

On better things above.

He loved his school, and now and then

From home he fain would slip,

But that he feared some wicked men,

And feared his master’s whip.

At last he could no more forbear,

In spite of dreaded rod;

How could he stay and disobey

His loving Lord and God?

“Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 10:32.

“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38.

ML 01/01/1956

Bible Questions for January

The Children’s Class

1. What did John say when he saw Jesus coming to him?

2.What did the Lord Jesus say of those that believed not the Son?

3.How do the true worshipers worship the Father?

4.Will the Lord Jesus cast out any who come to Him?

5.What did Peter say when the Lord asked the twelve if they would go away with the others who walked no more with Him?

6.Who did the Lord Jesus say was the father of those who willfully rejected and sought to kill Him?

7.What verse says that the Lord Jesus is the door by whom we must enter to be saved?

The Young People’s Class Moses

1.What was the sign upon the houses of the children of Israel which sheltered them from the judgment upon the first-born? Exodus.

2.How will the godly ones overcome in the tribulation? Revelation 12.

3.Who is the true Lamb of God? John.

4.Did the children of Israel go out empty handed, or did God make the Egyptians give them great wealth? Exodus 12.

5. Will God make the nations give their wealth to Israel in a future day? Isaiah 60.

6.Were the children of Israel to commemorate this deliverance from Egypt afterward? Exodus.

7.How are we to commemorate the Lord’s death for us, and for how long? 1 Corinthians 11.

ML 01/01/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 6:29-7:12.

The beautiful carvings of cherubim, palm trees and flowers, overlaid with gold in Solomon’s temple, bring the precious thoughts of righteous government, fruitfulness, and beauty before us. Even the floor of the temple was overlaid with gold. Then there were folding doors at the entry of the oracle, for, as we have already remarked, it is not the thought of approach to God (in the book of Kings) but rather of responsibility. Solomon failed in this responsibility, and in spite of all the glory that was seen in his clay, nothing could be, or will be, established on that ground. It will be on the ground of pure sovereign grace through Christ and His work, as is brought out figuratively in Chronicles.

The building of the temple took seven years, but Solomon took thirteen years to build his own house. It would appear that here Solomon failed — he devoted more time to his own house than to the house of the Lord, and his wives afterward turned away his heart.

There is, however, the thought that in Solomon’s own house we have a type of the Church in her place of association with Christ, for man’s failure always brings out in greater clearness the matchless grace of God. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Romans 5:20. The greatest work of God’s grace is the bringing in of the Church as the bride of Christ, just as the bringing in of Pharaoh’s daughter (a Gentile, and black too) must have been a marvelous thing in the eyes of Israel and of all.

The house of the forest of Lebanon is mentioned here also, and brings before us the glory of Solomon’s reign in a particular way, for the cedars of Lebanon, as we have noticed previously, speak of the greatness of man. Also we read that Solomon built a house for Pharaoh’s daughter like “the porch of judgment” for his throne. Christ as man will reign over the earth and judge righteously; man in Christ will be exalted even above the angels in that wonderful millennial day. (1 Corinthians 6:2, 3 and Hebrews 2:5-13.) The Church will be associated with Christ in this glory. Everything about the temple spoke of Solomon’s glory in a marvelous way. (Psalm 29: 9.)

Again we read of the great stones, the costly stones, and the hewn stones used for the foundation. Some of them were fifteen cubits long. What tremeous stones they were! God delights to remind us of the amazing grace that picked us up and gave us a place in glory with Christ. Solomon built the temple so that not a stone was seen, and yet it is interesting to notice that even the disciples became occupied with the stones of the temple and showed them to the Lord when He was here upon earth. (Mark 13:1, 2.) They did not lay hold of the grace which they typified, but would boast of the greatness of the temple, even while the nation was rejecting Christ — the only one who could bring in the grace and glory of which the temple was a figure. The Lord Jesus had to tell them that “there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Everything that is of the first man must come to naught, for man in a position of responsibility could never obtain blessing on that ground. The stones must be hidden, the gold must shine! And so today, if you and I are in communion with the thoughts of God, we will not exalt man, but the Lord Jesus Christ.

ML 01/01/1956

God's Answer

“What shall we do, Marie?” “Do? Why, let the poor maid come and live with us,” answered his wife.

“But it is hard enough to make ends meet, and what will it be with another mouth to feed?”

“Fear not. It is but little we can offer her — only a roof over her head and a share of our bread — but it will be a home and a shelter for the poor girl.”

So it was settled, and Anna Braden, homeless, almost friendless, found a home with the poor working man and his wife who lived on the seacoast.

She could have been happy in her new home with her warm-hearted friends, but the thought of their poverty weighed on her. She could not bear to think how she added to their burdens, but she knew to whom to go for help. She would go down to the seashore and pray to her heavenly Father.

“Oh, God, send help to my poor friends in need,” she prayed.

No voice spoke in answer to her cry, but in her heart a still small voice whispered, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matt. 21:22.

Then as she looked out over the sea she saw a bottle floating in the water, coming nearer and nearer the shore. In a little while she laid hold of it. She saw there was something in it and she drew out the cork.

There were no less than thirty slips of paper, each one containing a prose to the finder of the bottle. By sending her name and address to the different addresses written on each slip, she would receive the various gifts mentioned. Anna read:

“Ten sacks of flour will be sent to the address of the finder of this bottle on application to...”; then followed a merchant’s name and address. On another, five kegs of butter; on another, ten cases of eggs, and so on. In wonder and amazement Anna read the thirty promises. Anna thought, “It is too good to be true, but I will just try one promise.”

Choosing the slip promising ten sacks of flour, Anna sent the slip and her own address to the merchant whose name was on it. Then she waited; but not a word did she utter to Carl or Marie of her strange discovery lest they should be disappointed.

A few days later a message came from the stationmaster, “There are ten sacks here waiting for you; bring a wagon and take them away.”

The little cottage was a place of joy and praise and thanks to God on that wonderful day. Carl borrowed a horse and cart from a neighbor and brought home the treasure, while tears of joy ran down the women’s faces.

“Anna, Anna, what a blessing you have brought!” said Marie. And Anna remembered her prayer to God and the wonderful answer, and thanksgiving and worship went up to Him.

Poverty was now a stranger in the little house by the sea. One sack supplied their needs, and the rest were sold and brought in a welcome sum of money. But this was not the end. Anna took her precious slips of paper twenty-nine now — and sent them all to their addresses.

A few days later the little station was a scene of great excitement. The stationmaster was astonished to find his platform covered with huge stores of provisions of all kinds, and of the very best quality.

“Well, well, it is very strange — and they are all addressed to Anna Braden. Truly it is wonderful!”

But there was no mistake, and Anna Braden was a rich girl in the eyes of the wondering villagers. Excitement increased when a little later a gentleman arrived and was directed to where Anna lived.

He explained the mystery of the bottle to them. He said: “You have heard of the new canal which has just been opened in K.? Well, it was to celebrate this event that thirty of us merchants met at a banquet. There it was agreed — as a joke — that we should each put our promise on a slip of paper, and placing it in a well-corked bottle, commit it to the waves and see where it would land.”

What these merchants had done purely for their own amusement, God had overruled for His own purpose and blessing of His children, and the waves of the sea had brought it to the very feet of the child of God, even when her prayer was going up to Him. Truly before she called God had answered.

“It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking; I will hear.” Isa. 65:24.

And God has a most wonderful blesng for you too, worth far more than the great things that Anna received. He offers you and me, without money and without price, a full pardon from all our sins, and an eternal home in heaven. I really think that if all those provisions that were given Anna were offered you, you would surely accept them thankfully and at once.

Do accept then, thankfully and at once, that which God offers you and me, for your need is greater than Anna’s, if you are unsaved.

“I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” John 10:28.

“WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM TAKE THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY.” Revelation 22:17.

ML 01/08/1956

The Faithful Negro Boy

And once again poor Sambo’s voice

Was heard among the rest;

They did rejoice at such a choice,

And thought him highly blest.

But Sambo’s master soon found out

The boy had broken the rule;

He asked the youth, who spoke the truth—

“Yes, massa, been to school.

Me heard of Jesus — precious Lord!”

Escaped his smiling lips;

His heart was glad, the happy lad

Feared neither men nor whips.

“Me love my Jesus, massa, much,

Me love to school to go;

For, massa, Jesus’ precious blood

Has washed me white as snow.”

The master stared; his face was red,

He clutched his dreadful whip,

And bade a negro, tall and strong,

Poor little Sambo strip.

Poor boy! he trembled, though his heart

Was very full of glee,

As soon his hands above his head

Were fastened to a tree.

The master bade the negro get

A whip both stout and strong;

The dreaded weapon soon appeared,

And crack soon went the thong.

Then said the master, ere the strokes

Had numbered twenty-five,

“What can your Jesus do for you

When whipping times arrive?”

“Oh, massa, Jesus love me much,”

The suffering boy replied;

“I know that He is very near—

Yes, massa, by my side.”

The master’s face was very wroth,

And with a dreadful roar,

He bade the negro with the whip

“Give five-and-twenty more.”

And thick and fast the lashes fell;

The master foamed with rage;

He did not care, nor would he spare

The child of tender age.

The monster laughed his loudest laugh,

And cried with cruel hiss,

“What can your Jesus do for you

In such an hour as this?”

“Oh, massa, Jesus, faithful Lord,”

Replied the suffering boy;

“My back do smart — but oh, my heart

Is full of heavenly joy.”

Again the monster stamped with rage,

And shouted as before,

Drew near his side, and once more

cried,

“Give five-and-twenty more.”

Again the planter cried aloud,

With frown upon his brow,

“What can your Jesus do for you?

How can He help you now?”

“I love my Jesus, massa, much;

My Jesus loves me too;

Whip very sharp — de precious Lord,

He helps me pray for you!”

And around dear little Sambo’s grave

The weeping negroes stayed;

And many a heart, with pity moved,

For “cruel massa” prayed!

And when these loving prayers are heard

In heaven, there will be joy

When massa meets in heaven above

The faithful negro boy!

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer:... be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10.

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:5, 6.

ML 01/08/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 7:13-37.

We notice here that the two pillars of the house were called Jachin and Boaz. These names mean, “He will establish,” and “In Him is strength.” These pillars were made of brass, and brass figures to us righteouess in judgment. This reminds us of the verse previously quoted, “Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.” Isaiah 32:1. In the millennium, of which Solomon’s reign was a figure, there will be righteous government established in power in the earth. Even the measurements of these pillars and chapiters are all figurative and give us a further picture of the character of the kingdom. Twelve speaks of government in the hands of man and so it will be in the millenium. Ten speaks of responsibility Godward, for there were ten commandments, and in this future time, under the new covenant, we read, “I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts.” Hebrews 8:10. Perhaps the reason these pillars were eighteen cubits high, which is made up of ten and eight, is because the kingdom established in the millennial age (figured by the ten) will be the introduction into the eternal state. Eight in Scripture figures new creation, and at that time all will be permanently established on the earth, as we read in 1 Corinthians 15:25. “He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet.” In the millennium, as we have remarked, the new order of things will be brought in, for then righteousness reigns, but it is not until the eternal state that righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13).

Then there were brass chapiters of four cubits and five cubits, with seven nets on each one. Four speaks of the universe, five of human weakness, and seven figures perfection. Christ was crucified in weakness, but He will yet reign over the universe, establishing perfect government on the earth. The lily work and pomegranates on all these, no doubt speak of the beauty and fruitfulness which will be seen in the earth when this kingdom is established by the Lord Jesus Christ.

We then read of the great brazen sea which Solomon built. This sea was built upon twelve brazen oxen which faced in all directions. This brazen sea contained two thousand baths and would perhaps answer to that verse in Ezekiel 36:25. “I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.” During these “two days” (answering to the two thousand) Israel are nationally under the guilt of having crucified their Messiah, but when they turn to the Lord there will be cleansing for them, and then they will be established in blessing on the earth. This is figured in the twelve oxen. (See Hosea 5:156:3; Zechariah 13:1, 2.) What a day it will be when this cleansing takes place for that guilty nation. There will be stability and strength in the righteous government which will then be established, as typified in the oxen, the lions, and the cherubim. The wheels under it would perhaps show us what we have already remarked, that things will not be permanently established on the earth during the millennium, for a wheel brings in the thought of movement. It will not be until the eternal state that righteousness dwells.

ML 01/08/1956

What Does the Clock Say?

Everytime we look at a clock it reminds us that time is passing, and that we cannot stay in this world forever. We must leave it someday, either when the Lord Jesus comes for His own, or through death. How important it is that we should be ready. Let us not be careless or indifferent, but be sure our sins have been washed away in the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, for only those who have “washed their robes” will enter that bright home above.

Every clock has something to say.

Listen, my boy,

While ‘tis yet today.

This watch says, “Tick-tick-tick

Childhood and youth are past so quick!”

The mantle clock has the sweetest chime,

I think it’s saying,

“Redeem the time.”

Its hands are busy, it’s always true,

May we serve God faithfully too.

“Tick-tock, tick-tock,

Life is brief,”

Says the Grandfather clock.

Of today’s mercy make the most,

Tomorrow is not yours to boast.

Mother’s clock in the kitchen, too,

Tells of a supper

Inviting you...

There is a feast prepared for all

Who hearken to the gospel call.

“Bong, bong,” hear the midnight gong

In the old town tower

Sounding all night long.

Christ rejecters all must go,

Into a night of endless woe.

“Wake up, wake up!” the alarm is

ringing.

Time to arise—

For the Lord is coming.

Oh sinner, do not be too late

To enter in to heaven’s gate!

“BEHOLD, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME; BEHOLD, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

ML 01/15/1956

The Bible

A missionary traveling in Korea heard of some Christians living away up in the mountains. He found a guide and after a long and dangerous climb they came upon a lonely cabin. When they had entered, and these Koreans knew that their visitor was a servant of the Lord they were delighted.

The missionary was anxious to hear how they had heard the gospel and had been saved. They told how, eight years before, they had received a copy of the gospel of Matthew from an English missionary. They had read its life-giving message and believed it in their simplicity. Ever since then they had prayed that God would send them somne to tell them more of the way of life.

How wonderful are the ways of God, for there, far off from the rest of the world, the light of the gospel had shone. What an encouragement to continue to sow the good seed, knowing that God gives the increase!

Yet how many there are in these favored lands who have a Bible but seldom, if ever, read it. They have heard the story of Jesus, but to them it is nothing more than history. Yet the Bible is, in reality, “the word of God, which liveth and abideth Forever.” 1 Pet. 1:23. By it souls are born again, and by it sinners will be judged in the coming day.

Dear reader, have you read and believed this precious volume of truth? Have you seen in it more than mere history? Has it revealed to you your lost and ruined condition in the presence of a holy God? It says, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:23. It tells of God’s remedy too, for it says, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. Some people will say, “Oh but it is so hard to undetand!” But the way of salvation is simple and plain. It is not a question of interpreting but of believing exactly what God says in this matter.

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Rom. 10:9.

ML 01/15/1956

Harry's Dream

A godly father and mother had gathered their family around the table to read from the large old Bible, as was their evening custom. The family worship being over, the children were dismissed with “good night” blesngs, and the younger ones were snugly tucked in their beds.

In a short time the shades of night had darkened the sky and sweet sleep had closed the eyelids of little Harry. Dreams sometimes disturb repose, and God was thus speaking in warning to Harry’s soul. He knew well the verse:

“The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:16, 17.

He dreamed about His coming to call His own to be forever with Himself. He thought he heard the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God. He thought he saw the Lord Himself descending from heaven and His glory filled the sky. From the midst of a white-robed, shining throng, came the sound of His voice strong and clear, saying, “Arise, My love, My fair one, and come away!” Song of Sol. 2:13.

At the same time, from the earth there arose another company all clothed in white. The faces of some of these were known to Harry and he recognized them as they ascended to the cloud. Among the last of these were his loved parents. As his mother was rising to meet Christ, she gave one last, loving, never-to-be-forgotten look at her little boy. Terror seemed to fill his whole soul, and with one desperate effort he sprang toward her, seeking to catch the skirts of her white robe. But he missed her, and distance soon separated the mother from her boy. She was gone. Then the glory seemed to fade from the sky and in its place, heavy clouds were gathering. Harry now lay shivering with fear. He thought he had missed his last chance of salvation and dread despair filled his mind.

He knew he was a sinner. He knew that if he was not washed from his sins he could never be in heaven with Christ. He had thought of receiving Christ as his Saviour and Lord. Now he felt it was too late. Christ had come and he was left behind.

He jumped up and ran to his mother’s bed and found it empty and undisturbed. This confirmed his fear that she had gone. Falling down on his knees on the floor he prayed that he might have one more opportunity of taking Christ as his Saviour.

At last, some hopes rose in his mind as he thought that perhaps his father and mother had not yet gone to bed. So down the stairs he crept and then to the outside of the kitchen door, where he stood and listened earnestly.

Oh! if only he could hear their voices. But no sound broke the silence but the solemn “tick-tock” of the old clock.

What should he do? If they were there he would not like to go in, for his face was tear-stained, and what could he say was the reason for his coming down from his bed?

The enemy of his soul, who desired to keep him his captive still, seemed to whisper to him, “Ask for a drink of water.” With the thought of this euse, courage came, and slowly lifting the latch he opened the door.

The glad discovery was made immediately, that what he had seen was only a dream, for father and mother were both there quietly reading the Word of God.

I wish I could tell you that Harry knelt down and took the Lord Jesus as his Saviour right there, but I do not know. I am very sure of this fact, that the Lord Jesus is coming and He is coming soon! And then all those whose sins have been washed away by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus will be taken away suddenly to be forever with Him. I fear that many boys and girls whose fathers and mothers belong to the Lord Jesus will be left behind. Will they be left because they are too bad? No indeed, they will be left only if they have closed their hearts to the Lord Jesus. Do not rest tonight unless you know Jesus as your own Saviour.

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matt. 24:44.

ML 01/15/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 7:38-8:8.

Solomon also made ten lavers of brass, each containing forty baths. He set five on the left side of the house and five on the right side of the house. Five, in Scripture, is a figure of human weakness, and forty is the period of testing. These lavers would, no doubt, bring before us a picture of the Lord Jesus who came down into this world in weakness and was tested in every way as man here. Yet just as these lavers were filled with water, so the Lord Jesus ever walked in perfect obedience to the Word of God. Ten figures responsibility Godward (for there were ten commandments) and so the Lord Jesus magnified the law and made it honorable (Isa. 42:21). The pathway of the Lord Jesus is ever the perfect example of a life divine here in this world.

Hiram, king of Tyre, did this brass work for Solomon, for as we have remarked before, the Gentile nations will bring their offerings to Jerusalem in the millennial age. They will be blessed in and through Israel. These brazen vessels were all cast in the clay ground in the plain of Jordan. Surely this figures to us again the Lord Jesus who alone can bring in the promised blessings to Israel and the nations through His death. We must learn to know Him first as the One who went into death under the judgment of God, before we can know in a practical way, the cleansing which the laver typifies (John 13: 3-10). He came down in a body of clay, as it were, and then like the brass castings here, He bore the heat of God’s judgment against sin, thus glorifying God and opening up the way of blessing for sinners. We notice here that it tells us the weight of the brass was not known, and so we will never know the awful judgment the Lord Jesus had to bear for us, when forsaken of God in those three hours of darkness on Calvary. It was the Gentiles who crucified Him too (Hiram here was a Gentile), yet through God’s wondrous grace they will share in the blessings of the work He accomplished. When man’s heart told itself out at its worst, there the heart of God was told out in all the riches of His immeasurable grace.

After this we read of all the golden vessels for the house of the Lord which Solomon made, for all approach to God, and testimony for Him, must be according to His own character in righteousness. Surely we are led to say, “In His temple Both every one speak of His glory.” Psa. 29:9. Wherever we look on the divine page we can see that which speaks of Christ. Apart from this the Bible is a sealed book, but when we see Christ as the center and theme of all God’s counsels and purposes, it shines with His loveliness.

When all these things were completed, Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and the heads of the tribes together to bring up the ark of the Lord into the temple. The Levites carried it upon their shoulders, as the Lord had commanded, and brought it to the temple which Solomon had built. They set it under the wings of the cherubim in the most holy place, and drew out the staves of it. These staves were put in the holy place and it says, “There they are unto this day.” How marvelous all this will be in the millennial day, of which Solomon’s temple is a figure, reminding the people of God’s faithfulness in all their journeys, till He brought them into final blessing and established righteousness in the earth. Surely we too will praise Him above, when we retrace God’s faithfulness every step of our journey here below.

ML 01/15/1956

A Dog That God Used

Opposite a gospel hall in China was a large camp with several thousand soldiers. Several times the Christians tried to get an entrance among the soldiers, but all their efforts were in vain.

One day a bookcase was being gleaned out at the gospel hall and some dirty and torn books were put in a heap to be burned. An old torn Chinese Bible was put in the heap by mistake. A playful dog got hold of the book and while some children were chasing him, he ran away with a few torn leaves in his mouth.

Next Lord’s day a high officer, accompanied by two soldiers, came into the gospel hall and listened attentively to the preaching. Afterward when he was spoken to, he drew some torn leaves out of his pocket and said: “A few days ago a dog came into the camp, and when the soldiers were chasing him, he dropped these leaves. The story is very interesting; it tells about a chief and the life in his camp. Where can I get the whole story, for my men would like to read it all.” It was part of the book of Joshua in which the soldiers had become interested. A whole Bible was given to the officer and he was invited to come again and bring others too. After that the Christian preachers were asked to come into the camp as often as they wished, and they had full liberty to preach to the soldiers. Through this work eighty-two men accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and were baptized.

Some years after, one of the preachers from the gospel hall went to Manchuria. There he met a nice gentleman in a long Chinese gown, who greeted him very heartily. “Do you not know me?” he asked. “I am one of the eighty-two men who found the Saviour through the dog with the torn Bible. I have left the army and am preaching the gospel in this big city.”

How wonderful are the ways of God! He brought the Bible to these soldiers through a dog, for He can use whomsoever He will. If you have received this little paper today, it is because God has sent it to you that you might be saved. The Lord Jesus Christ died on Calvary’s cross to save your precious soul. Have you put your trust in Him as your Saviour? He calls you today. Tomorrow may be too late.

“THE WORD OF GOD IS QUICK, AND POWERFUL, AND SHARPER THAN ANY TWO-EDGED SWORD.” Heb. 4:12.

ML 01/22/1956

"The Little Chimney Sweep"

Perhaps you have heard of a chimney sweep, but I wonder if you have ever seen one. They are to be found all over England and their work is to clean the soot out of the many chimneys. You may imagine that they don’t look too clean after they have been at work a while, and when their day’s work is done, you can’t tell whether their skin is black or white, nor can you tell the real color of their clothes. In fact they are just black all over from chimney soot!

Now let me picture to you a strange sight. Think of a beautiful big house in the city of London, and in that house a lovely big dining room. At the head of that table sits a fine and wealthy lady, called the Countess of Belville. The table is filled with all kinds of good things to eat, and around the table are seated—you will never guess —fifty chimney sweeps! They have washed themselves so that all the soot is gone. But whatever made the Countess ask those fifty boys to her home for supper? Listen to the strange story.

Quite a few years before, this wealthy lady and her own little boy, Charles, lived happily in this same fine home. She loved the Lord Jesus, and her great desire was that her boy Charles might also grow up to be a true Christian. Every night, little Charles would kneel down and pray this prayer, “Lord, save me. Teach me to trust Thee, and to love my brethren as Jesus loved us. Amen.” Then he would quickly jump into bed and go to sleep.

One day Charles was late for his dinner. He had been playing alone in the garden all morning, and the gate was locked, so his mother began to hunt all through the house. Still no Charles! Soon all the neighbors joined in the search, and at last the police were busy looking too. Night came, and still Charles had not been found. Days passed, and still there was no news of the missing boy. About a month later, the police told her that the body of a boy had been found in the river. This river flowed right near her home, and this boy was found in a part that flowed through a village about six miles down the stream. Quickly she journeyed to the village and found that the lad’s body had been buried, as nobody knew who he was.

She was brokenhearted, and felt sure that this was the resting place of her dear Charles. She had a tombstone made, on which were these words, “Lord, save me. Teach me to trust Thee, and to love my brethren as Jesus loved us. Amen.”

About four years after this sad part of the story, the Countess came home from a visit to find a chimney sweep busy cleaning her fireplace. There was a man on the roof, and together they were getting out all the soot they could. The poor little fellow looked so sad that the kind lady tried to cheer him up.

“What is the matter, my boy?” “Nothing, madam. We have come to sweep your chimney, and my master is on the roof. He is coming down now.” “But why are you so sad?”

“Because my master will beat me.” Here the tears began to run down his cheeks, leaving little clean streaks through the soot.

“I must speak to your master myself when he comes down.”

“No, madam, no. It will only make him worse. I have no father or mother, but I tell God my troubles.”

“Who taught you to pray?”

“My mother did. I still remember the prayer she taught me long ago.”

“May I hear your prayer, my boy?”

“Lord, save me. Teach me to trust Thee, and to love my brethren as Jesus loved us. Amen.”

“Charles! Charles! I am sure you are my own dear boy Charles!” With a cry of joy she threw her arms around the boy, caring nothing about the dirt and soot. She kissed him lovingly and mingled her own tears with his.

Here the master entered the room and seemed amazed to find his sweep boy weeping in the lady’s arms. Slowly the surprising story was told. Charles had been stolen by a cruel man from his own garden that sorrowful day, some years before. Later he had been sold for a sum of money to this master sweep.

From that time, Charles was the joy of his mother’s heart. On the first of May, the day on which Charles was found, she gathered a large number of sweeps of his own age for a grand supper. She did this each year for many years, and she always told them the thrilling story of Charles. Then she told them that all boys and girls are lost and far from God, but that God has a beautiful home for them and invites them to come. She told them how glad she was to welcome and kiss her boy with all his dirty clothes and black face, and that God also waits to receive anyone who will come to Him just as he is. He, and He alone, can cleanse sinners and make them fit for heaven, by the precious blood of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Have you, dear young reader, ever been delivered from your cruel master, Satan, and welcomed into the family of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? Come now, just as you are.

“This man receiveth sinners, and eath with them.” Luke 15:2.

ML 01/22/1956

"Wonderful"

Let’s talk about Jesus,

The King of kings is He;

The Lord of lords supreme,

Through all eternity.

The great I AM, the Way,

The Truth, the Life, the Door.

Let’s talk about Jesus more and more—

Isn’t He wonderful, wonderful, wonderful,

Isn’t Jesus my Lord wonderful?

Eyes have seen, ears have heard,

It’s recorded in God’s Word;

Isn’t Jesus my Lord wonderful?

“His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.

ML 01/22/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 8:9-34.

There was nothing in the ark except the two tables of stone on which the ten commandments were written. The golden pot with manna, figuring Christ in His pathway here as our example in this wilderness scene, and Aaron’s rod that budded, speaking of Christ’s work as Great High Priest above, would not be in keeping with the kingdom when established, and so they are not found in the ark. The two tables of stone, however, bring before us the thought of the kingdom established in righteousness.

When the ark was put in its place, the glory of the Lord filled the house so that the priests could not minister. Solomon, who here typifies Christ, takes the place of both king and priest in connection with the people, as Christ will in the coming day. He blessed them and also offered sacrifices.

We notice here that the Lord dwelt in the thick darkness. What a contrast this is with the believer’s place now! We can draw near with holy boldness, into the very presence of God, because the veil has been rent. “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” Heb. 10:22. And yet how few Christians really value this privilege. They seem to prefer to worship at a distance, because they do not like to have their consciences exercised! Judaism is, of course, more pleasing to the flesh, for it was, as we know, suited to man in his natural state. It is only as we walk with God in communion that we enjoy our place of nearness in worship. May we know more of it!

We have noticed in our talks on 2 Samuel? why the Lord did not allow David to build the temple, but it is encouraging to see here, that although the Lord did not let him do it, He gave him credit for the desire (see verse 17). How often many of us have, the desire to do something for the Lord, and yet we are not permitted to do it. The Lord knows all about this and gives us credit for the desire. What amazing grace! How He delights to take notice of all that is of Himself in His people, Solomon’s prayer here is very beautiful and instructive. It shows us the ground of God’s dealings with Israel during his reign, and blessing is conditional here on their obedience, though provision is made for their failure. And so Solomon prayed that God would forgive His erring people when they acknowledged their guilt. Although heaven and the heaven of heavens could not contain God (and how much less the house Solomon had built), yet he prayed that God would hear the prayers that were made in or toward that place, where the Lord’s name was placed. It is because of this that Daniel, even though in captivity, prayed with his window open toward Jerusalem—and he was cast into the den of lions for doing it! Peter and John too went up into the temple at the hour of prayer, before Jerusalem was set aside as God’s center.

Solomon said, “Will God indeed dwell on the earth?” It has always been God’s purpose and desire to have the company of His creature, but ever since sin entered man has been running away. Nor could anything be established permanently on man’s responsibility, but in a coming day all will be established through Christ’s finished work. God is holy and cannot dwell with man until sin has been removed according to His own holiness and glory. This will not be fully so until the eternal state. (Rev. 21: 1-5.)

ML 01/22/1956

"Can't You Talk?"

When I was a boy, I remeer seeing a picture of a very fine and intelligent looking collie dog like the one in our picture, and a chubby, happy little girl. The dog sat looking at the little girl with a tender and kind expression, and she was looking up at him with such a pleasant smile while her little lips were open as though she might be talking to her doggie friend. Underneath the picture were these words, “Can’t you talk?”

I quite imagine the little lady had been talking away to her friend the dog, but never received an answer. Of course you know why! Dogs can growl, and whine and bark, but they just can’t talk, and they never will. They were born dog, with a dog nature, and that is all there is to it.

Now I sometimes think of this when we try to speak to folks about the Lord Jesus. We can speak about games, the weather, or school, and oh, what a chatter there is. But somehow when we begin to speak about the Lord Jesus, the Bible, and heaven, they can’t seem to talk any more. Why is that?

You and I were born lost! We were born children of fallen parents, and we need to be born again. If you read the third chapter of John’s gospel you will see that the Lord Jesus said to a very religious man named Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again.” I didn’t want to talk to anyone about the Lord Jesus either, until I was born again. When the Lord Jesus saved me, and washed away my sins, I found that I wanted the company of those who had also trusted my Saviour, and together we talk about His love. What do you do when someone comes along to talk about Jesus? Can’t you talk?

“Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it...

“AND THEY SHALL BE MINE, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, IN THAT DAY WHEN I MAKE UP MY JEWELS.” Mal. 3:16, 17.

ML 01/29/1956

A Picnic

A picinic! How we all enjoy a picnic! We started out quite happily to a park where the children could play in the river before eating. It was Janice’s ninth birthday too, so all the children were looking forward to a happy day.

After we had parked the car, the children all ran down to the water where an area had been roped off for the children, because it was so shallow.

We stood on the shore and watched while they splashed one another and jumped up and down in the water. After a while we went further up the bank to sit in the shade, for it was a very hot day.

Suddenly Mummie said, “Look, Jace is sinking!” and so she was, for her face was just going under the water. I started to run as fast as I could.

When I think of Janice sinking in the water it reminds me of our lost condion as sinners before God. “For all have sinned.” Romans 3:23. And “the wages of sin is death.” Rom. 6:23. Jace had gone beyond the rope and in the deep water, was helpless to save herself. Others were around her but didn’t see her trouble, and so did not help her. So it is with us as sinners, we cannot do anything to save ourselves and no one else can save us but Jesus.

Janice needed someone to pick her up and she knew it. Do you know that you need a Saviour? Dear unsaved one, your condition is serious if you haven’t called on the Lord to save you, for your sins will carry you into the lake of fire for eternity.

I was fully clothed, but time was precious and into the water I ran with a few quick steps. Then over the rope to Janice who was reaching to me for help as she went down again. How, quickly I lifted her from the water and took her safely to the shore where she quickly recovered from her frightening experience.

Time is also precious for you who are still in your sins, for God says: “Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2. Not tomorrow or next week but NOW. Do not delay—call on the Lord Jesus right now and you will find that He is standing ready to rescue you and cleanse you from all your sins by His own most precious blood.

How often we have thanked the Lord for preserving Janice from the water. Have you thanked Jesus for dying for you? It cost me just a few wet clothes to save Janice but it cost God His only begotten Son, who died on Calvary to save you and me. Now with a Father’s deep He calls you to come and be saved through trusting the Lord Jesus. Won’t you come right now?

“Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Prov. 29:25.

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glory Me.” Psalm 50:15.

ML 01/29/1956

A Pair of Skis

Do you know what skis are? All our northern readers will be ready to tell that they are two long thin pieces of wood strapped to one’s feet. They are turned up slightly at the front end, so that you can go skimming down snowy hills like the wind. It really is exciting. I used to think so when I watched the boys whizzing down the hill behind our place.

My brother made me a pair of skis out of the curved staves of an old bael, and I took some wobbly slides down a hill about two feet high. I fell many times, but of course that was because I had not proper skis. At least I said so.

“Why don’t you ask Mother to buy you proper skis?” asked my brother.

That set me thinking. Skiing wasn’t all fun. There were falls and spills far more serious than mine, and there were long toilsome hills to go up after the fun of going down. Even little hills made my heart go pitty-pat sometimes. But everyone else had skis, and so, just for the sake of appearance, I asked for a pair too.

What happened next? My mother knew me pretty well. She knew my timid heart and wobbly legs, and peaps my pride too, and my desire to be like others. I asked often for skis but I did not get them, and honestly I did not care too much. I couldn’t blame my old skis if I had good ones!

Do you know, I think there are many children who ask for salvation like that, but God who knows the secrets of the heart, knows that they ask because somebody told them to, or because their friends are saved. In their hearts they are afraid if they really did get saved, people would expect too much from them.

If you ask just once for God’s free salvation you will get it, if you really mean it. Peter really meant it when he felt himself sinking in the stormy waters and cried, “Lord, save me!” The blind man really meant it, when he lived in darkness and said, “Lord, that mine eyes may be opened.” The leper really meant it when he felt the awfulness of his disease and said, “Lord, if thou wilt thou canst make me clean.” All of them received the blessing at once.

Do you realize that you are sinking, blind and incurably diseased by sin? Just one cry and He will save you. God hears the cry of the heart, not just the words of the lips.

“Shall not God search this out? for He knoweth the secrets of the heart.” Psalm 44:21.

ML 01/29/1956

"I've Forgotten!"

“I’ve forgotton! I’ve forgotten!” The words were uttered by a dying man to his doctor.

He had been calling on a merchant when he was suddenly taken ill. The doctor was called immediately, and these were the words, the only words, the man spoke, and he kept repeating them over and over again.

“What is it that you have forgotten? Is it some matter connected with your business? Do you want to see your laer?” Questions such as these were asked, but all in vain. All he seemed able to say was, “I’ve forgotten! I’ve forgotten!”

The lawyer was called in, for they thought it might be something to do with his will. He too begged the poor sick man to tell what he had forgotten. At last the reply came in a whisper, “I’ve forgotten about my soul.” Then he was gone.

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Prov. 27:1.

ML 01/29/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 8:35-9:7.

Solomon mentioned the various things that might come upon the people in the government of God because of their sins. He spoke of drought, famine, sickness, warfare, and captivity, and in all these things they were to make God their resource. How beautiful this is, and a fine lesson for us too, for we ought to turn to the Lord in every time of trouble. But alas, how often we try all the other resources we can think of, before we turn to Him, and then, when all others have failed, we look up. How this must grieve His heart, for He is not against us but for us!

Although we do not have an earthly center now as Israel had (called a “house of prayer”), yet it is interesting to see that when the Lord Jesus promised to be in the midst of the two or three who are gathered to His precious name, He made a special promise in connection with assembly prayer. (Matt. 18:19, 20.) We do well to ponder this, and to be sure that we do not miss the assembly prayer meeting, if we can possibly be there!

Solomon then reminded the Lord in his prayer that Israel were His people whom He had brought up out of the land of Egypt. This is very touching, for the Lord would never have us forget His goodness in saving us from our sins. He delights to have us claim blessing on the ground of His goodness and grace through redemption, for we cannot claim it in any other way.

Solomon stood and blessed the whole congregation—a beautiful picture of the millennial reign when Christ will reign in the Solomon character as King of peace over Israel and the whole earth. He said, “There hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised by the hand of Moses His servant”; so all God’s promises of earthly blessing will be fulfilled in that day. What praise will rise from His people then! We notice, however, that blessing here is conditional on the pele’s faithfulness, in which they failed utterly, but in the coming day of which we have spoken God will put a new heart in His people and then they will walk in His ways. (Ezek. 36:25-28.)

As we consider the enormity of the number of sacrifices which Solomon offered at this time, we can see something of the thought that in a coming day the people will enter into the value of the work of Christ in a fullness they have never known before. Israel will offer sacrifices even in the millennial temple, but these will be commemorntive, and they will no doubt understand their meaning then. Solomon here takes the place of both king and priest as Christ will in that blessed future time.

On the eighth day Solomon sent the people away joyful and glad of heart. The eighth day brings in the thought of new creation, the beginning of a new week, and points on no doubt to the eternal state. The millennium is but the introduction to this.

We notice in this ninth chapter that the Lord appeared to Solomon. He told him that He had heard his prayer and that He would bless him and establish his house if he walked in His ways. But He warned Solomon that if he or his seed turned away from following the Lord, He would bring His judgment upon them and upon Israel! He would scatter them, making them a proverb and a byword among all people. We know only too well that this has taken place, for the Jews are a despised people even to this, very day.

ML 01/29/1956

The Clock That Would Not Go

A man in China had on the wall a clock of which he was very proud, for not many Chinese have clocks in their homes. But one day his clock stopped. The Chinaman was very upset about it. All the winding and tweaking he did was of no use—it just would not go.

At last he took off the two hands and brought them to a watchmaker, saying to him: “These two hands will not move. Please, fix them.” But the watchmaker answered: “You are a stupid man, go home and bring me the whole clock and then I will be able to make the two hands go round.” When he had brought him the clock, the watchmaker was able to repair it.

It is the same with us, dear children, for when our hands do naughty things, it is our hearts that are wrong. We must bring them to the Lord Jesus who alone can cleanse them in His precious blood and set things right. How foolish to try to stop this bad habit or that, without first coming to the Lord Jesus to be saved.

“MAN LOOKETH ON THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, BUT THE LORD LOOKETH ON THE HEART.” 1 Sam. 16:7.

ML 02/05/1956

The Son of a King

When Louis XVI the king of France died, or rather was put to death by his people, he left behind a little son who would have been Louis XVII if there had not been a change in the form of government. The nation became a republic, and so the lad was put in prison.

While in the prison, the people did all they could to make the little lad forget that his father was a king. They tried to fill his mind with all kinds of bad thoughts and bad feelings, but somehow the boy could not forget his father and the dignity due to his position as the son of a king. His early training seemed to remain fresh in his mind and kept him from many evil things.

One time when he was pressed very hard and sorely tempted, he began to cry, saying through his tears, “I can’t say it. I can’t do it, for I was born to be king.” What a brave answer this was!

Every boy and girl who has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour is the child of a King too, for he will reign with the Lord Jesus some day. The Bible says, “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion Forever and ever. Amen.” Rev. 1:5, 6.

We ought to remember this at all times. Whenever we are tempted to do anything wrong, to sin against God by a bad thought, word, or deed, let us think of what it cost the Lord Jesus to redeem us. Let us remember that we are in this wonderful position of being the children of God here in this world, and that we should act like it before our friends and neighbors.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth 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.” 1 John 3:1, 2.

ML 02/05/1956

The Shoeblock

Pearce knelt in true shoeblack fashion near the passenger entrance to a railway station, waiting for customers from the morning “Express.” Bright as Pearce usually was, his heart overflowed that morning, and he sang in the joy of his soul,

“I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place,
And He has made me glad.”

The stream of passengers pushed past the humble shoeblack, and it seemed as if his services were not to be required that morning, but this did not discourage Pearce nor cause his song of praise to cease.

At last a gentleman carrying a handbag came up and asked Pearce to shine his shoes, remarking as he placed his foot on Pearce’s box, “You seem happy this morning, boy; I think I heard you singing.”

“Yes, sir,” was the prompt reply, “I was singing my favorite hymn, the one I like best of all.”

The traveler’s curiosity was aroused. Here was a humble shoeblack, with few of this world’s comforts, yet happy, while he himself was possessed of wealth but carried on his mind a constant load of care.

“Can you let me hear a line or two of it?” asked the traveler. And Pearce struck up, in a sweet low tone, his brushes keeping time to the melody,

“I heard the voice of Jesus say—

‘Behold, I freely give

The living water, thirsty one,

Stoop down, and drink and live.’

“I came to Jesus and I drank

Of that life-giving stream;

My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,

And now I live in Him.”

Dropping some money into the boy’s hand, the stranger hurried along, but the words he had heard from Pearce’s lips, had entered his soul, there to speak for many days to come.

Here I may say—as you will already have guessed—Pearce was a converted boy. Christ was his Saviour; to Him he had come as a sinner and found rest, and in his own humble sphere he longed to tell others of that glorious resting place for the weary sinner.

At the close of a crowded service in a large hall where a gifted evangelist had been preaching Christ, a man walked up to the speaker, and in a voice choked by emotion, said, “Thank God, I have come to Him, and He has given me rest. It has been a long strule, for I was unwilling to give up all my own efforts; but He has stripped me at last, and brought me to Himself.”

The speaker was the traveler who heard Pearce sing, and although he had journeyed far since that day, he had never forgotten the boy’s words. Now he had found his soul’s rest in Christ, and his first work the following morning was to go to the railway station and greet the faithful shoeblack, whose simple testimony was used of God to first arouse him to think of God and eternity. It was a great joy to Pearce.

ML 02/05/1956

Bible Questions for February

The Children’s Class

1. Who is the resurrection and the life?

2. Whose praise did those seek, who would not confess the Lord openly—the praise of men or the praise of God?

3. Did the Lord Jesus say He would come again to receive His own to Himself?

4. Does the Lord want us to walk in obedience to Him (keeping His commandments) to make us unhappy, or full of joy?

5. How can we expect worldly people to feel toward us, since we are not of the world?

6. Is the Lord’s kingdom of this world now?

7. What does the Lord say of those who have not seen Him, and yet have believed?

The Young People’s Class Moses

1. Were all the first-born among men of the children of Israel to be redeemed? Exodus 13.

2. With what are we redeemed now? 1 Peter.

3. Did the Lord go before His people to lead them in the way? Exodus.

4. Has He promised never to leave nor forsake us now? Hebrews.

5. From what were the children of Israel saved by their passage through the Red Sea? Exodus 14.

6. To what Christian ordinance is this compared? 1 Corinthians 10.

7. What did the children of Israel do for the first time (recorded) when they crossed the Red Sea? Exodus.

ML 02/05/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 9:8-10:1.

How solemn are the ways of God in government! We cannot escape His dealing hand, whether as an individual or a nation, if we walk in self-will. Israel in the Old Testament were set to display these ways of God before the nations, and what lessons we can learn from His Word in this connection. God has caused Israel’s history to be written down for us, so that we might profit by it. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition.” 1 Cor. 10:11.

We see with Solomon that when God would use him to display His governmental ways, He gave him every opportunity to prove himself, so that if there were any good in him (by nature) it would be brought out. God therefore blessed Solomon as no other king had ever been blessed before, nor has been since. God gave him wisdom, wealth, and power, and Solomon was able to do all that he purposed to do. He said, “I withheld not my heart from any joy.” Eccles. 2:10. But with all these blessings and privileges in his hands, he proved unfaithful in the very things God had said the king over His people was not to do. (Deut. 17:16, 17.) Alas, he even went after other gods in the latter part of his life!

It appears that Solomon’s downfall began at the end of this ninth chapter, when he began to multiply silver and gold, contrary to God’s command. Although God had promised to give Solomon riches, yet in his desire to get exceedingly much, he went after gold as his object. He even gave some of the cities of Galilee to king Hiram to get it. God has promised to supply our needs, but alas, we often go after too much of this world’s goods to our sorrow, as Solomon did.

Nevertheless God gave Solomon space to repent, as He always does. The first steps of departure may hardly be noticed, especially when outwardly God continues to bless as He has before, for He is ever slow to judge His people. So it was here; Solomon’s kingdom was established, and all the Amorites, Hiites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites who were left in the land were brought under a tribute of bond service. Solomon also made a navy of ships, bringing still more gold to his mighty kingdom.

When the glory of Solomon’s reign was at its peak, the queen of Sheba came from her far country to see him and to hear all his fame concerning the name of the Lord. It is a touching story, full of interesting details, for it forms a picture of the fulfillment of Zechariah 14, when in the millennium all the kings of the earth will come up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. What a marvelous time that will be, and what glory will be seen then, as the very glory of heaven itself will be seen from the earthly Jerusalem! (Isa. 4:5; Rev. 21:24.)

Let us consider a few details in this interesting account of the queen of Sheba’s visit, in its application to us. She had many hard questions for which no answer could be found in her own land. How many of us are in the same position in this matter! There are many things we do not understand in this world, but, thank God, there is a day coming when we shall have the answer to all these perplexing problems. When we see the Lord Jesus, the true “Solomon”—the One who is “made unto us wisdom” (1 Cor. 1:30)—we will fully understand, just as the queen of Sheba’s hard questions were all answered when she saw King Solomon.

ML 02/05/1956

Marked and Claimed

Many of the boys and girls who read this paper have seen great logs floating peacefully down the river, or swirling and splashing through rapids. We often see them in the Ottawa River, and on the left side of our picture today there is a great pile of them at the paper mill. For those who have never seen them, I must tell you something of the story of logs.

If you come with me in the cold winter-time, you will find great bands of strong men working away, sawing down mighty trees in the forests. These trees are cut into logs, and are then often dragged to the nearest river and left on the ice. It seems strange to see such great numbers of logs piled on the ice and snow, but very soon, as the warmer weather comes, the ice melts and logs begin their long journey down the river to the mill. Side by side they float along, some big and some little; some pine and some spruce. And who owns all these fine logs? It may surprise you to know that they belong to different owners, and yet they all float down the stream together. How can it be told who owns this one and who owns that one? They are all marked with the stamp of the owner, and when they get to the end of the journey, they are separated from one another, and claimed by their lightful owners. Many years ago, I used to work in the bush in the cold winter weather, and I carried with me a stamping ax on which were the letters FS. Every log that we cut had to be stamped with this brand so that it would be claimed by the “Forestry Service of Canada.”

Now why have I told you about these logs and their markings? Because I believe there is a lesson in it which we all ought to learn. Is it not something like you and me and the other people we know? We are all journeying along together, but some day we shall come to the end of our journey, and then there will be a great separation. Boys and girls play together at school. Along the stream of life they go, to work in factories and offices, and nearer and nearer they drift to the great day when the separation will take place. Who is your master? Do you belong to the Lord Jesus? Perhaps you think it doesn’t matter very much right now, for you are young and strong and the day of separation seems very far away. But it is very important to be able to say right now, “I belong to Jesus.” I am so glad that the Lord Jesus saved me when I was just a boy, and marked me as His very own. There is no mark that anyone else can see, but the precious blood of the Lord Jesus has washed away all my sins, and I know that God looks down at me as one of His own. And if I should die, or if the Lord Jesus should come and call us all away, I know that He will claim me as His own.

Do not forget the lesson of the logs. They were marked and they were claimed. And you will be claimed some day. You will either be claimed by the Lord Jesus as one who has accepted Him as Saviour, or you will be sent down into hell with the devil and his angels. Which will it be for you, dear reader?

“HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE; AND HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT THE SON SHALL NOT SEE LIFE; BUT THE WRATH OF GOD ABIDETH ON HIM.” John 3:36.

ML 02/12/1956

All Rubbed Out

Rosie had plenty of paper and pencils, but she liked to do her arithmetic on her own blackboard. She had just finished about five or six problems, when she asked her mother to come and see if they were right. Carefully, mother began going over the adding, the subtracting, and the multiplying. Suddenly she found a mistake; the very first question was wrong! Up went the chalk and a big X was marked right over Rosie’s work. Then she looked at the next question, and sure enough it was wrong too. Another X was added, and soon the blackboard began to look such a sorry sight that Rosie began to cry.

“Oh, mother, do let me rub it all out and start over again.”

Mother took a sponge and wiped the whole board clean and then she sat down by Rosie and began to talk solemnly.

“Do you know what I was thinking of when I saw that blackboard so spoiled and crossed with mistakes?”

“Tell me, Mother.”

“I thought of that verse, ‘All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.’ Romans 3:23. You know, Rosie, every sin leaves a stain on your heart, so that it looks much worse in the sight of God than that blackboard looked to you just now.”

“Oh, Mother, what shall I do?”

“Would you like all those sins to be rubbed out?”

“Indeed, I would.”

“The Bible tells us, The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.’”

Rosie was silent for a few moments and then she turned and knelt beside her mother and prayed something like this:

“Dear Lord Jesus, please do wash away all my naughty sins and cleanse my wicked heart with thy precious blood, Amen.”

That wasn’t a very long prayer, was it? But I am very sure it was heard and answered in heaven. And Rosie knew it too, for a little time after she told one of her friends, “I know all my sins are gone for Jesus has rubbed them all out. He cannot see them, the angels cannot see them, and I cannot see them, and nobody will see them anymore.”

Have you ever done as Rosie did, or is your heart still stained with sin in the sight of God? Do come to Jesus right now and He will cleanse you forever.

“Their sins and iniquities will I rember no more.” Hebrews 10:17.

ML 02/12/1956

None Other Name

Mr. Thompson was troubled. He was not troubled about his health for he was a strong and healthy man. Nor was he worried about money, for he had a good job, and money in the bank. Shall I tell you what troubled him? It was his sins! Now Mr. Thompson was not what you would call a bad man, in fact all his neighbors thought he was a very good man. But he knew he was a sinner before God.

When Mr. Thompson was a little boy, called “Dick,” he went to Sunday school, and heard again and again of God’s wonderful love in sending the Lord Jesus to die for sinners. He believed all he heard, but he had never taken the Lord as his own Saviour, and so had never been cleansed from those sins.

On this certain day as Mr. Thomon walked along with his troubled thoughts, he saw a crowd gathered on a corner and stepped over to see what had happened. There he saw a blind man, with a white cane hanging over his arm, reading aloud from a big raised-letter book. He was feeling the letters with his clever fingers, and reading for the passers-by to hear. He had just reached the bottom of the page and came to the words, “None other name.” Then as his fingers hunted for the next words at the top, he kept reating “none other name... none other name.”

Mr. Thompson didn’t wait to hear more. Something about those words seemed very familiar to him, and brought back memories of his Sunday school teacher. Do you know the rest of that verse?

Our friend went right home and got down the Bible which he had so long neglected and began hunting for those words, “none other name.” At last he found them in Acts 4 and verse 12.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

He knew what it all meant. He knew that there was no other name but the name of Jesus that could bring peace and salvation to his troubled heart. He had been quite regular at church, and had even taught Sunday school himself, but still he was not saved. Now at last he had found it for himself. In simple faith he knelt and accepted the Lord Jesus as His own Saviour, and his sins were gone. Will you do the same?

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

ML 02/12/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 10:2-5.

What a vast amount of wealth the queen of Sheba brought to Solomon! Does it not make us think of how we should present our all to the Lord? It says in Romans 12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” If the love of Christ truly constrains our hearts, we cannot give less than all.

“When the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom, and the house that he had built, and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up io the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king. It was a true report that I heard in in mine own land of thine acts and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it; and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.” (verses 4-7.)

The order of things which the queen of Sheba observed here is very intesting. First she spoke of Solomon’s wisdom. This is the first thing with us too, when we see the Word of God as the truth, and the full revelation of God’s mind. What a revelation this is! Then she saw the house Solomon had built, the expression of that wisdom and of what he had done. Thus we see the Lord Jesus as the expression of the wisdom of God, and the cross as the place where all this is manifested. Moreover this wisdom of God is displayed in and through the Church (Eph. 3:10), which is the spiritual temple. (Eph. 2:20-22.)

The next thing the queen of Sheba noticed was the meat of Solomon’s table and the sitting (not the service) of his servants. One likes to apply this to the Lord’s table where we see worship in its right place — before service. When we have searched the Word of God, and have learned the truth of what the Church is, and the cost to Him of this “holy temple,” it leads to an exercise as to where we can express this truth. How blessed to sit at His table, as worshipers, to remember Him in His death—precious privilege! After this the queen of Sheba saw the atteance, or service, of Solomon’s ministers. Service is in its proper place here — after worship. There are many who serve the Lord with the thought of obtaining His favor in this way, but He would have us at liberty in His presence as worshipers, before serving Him. He wants the service of a worshiping heart.

The queen of Sheba then noticed the apparel of these men who served Solomon, for it is lovely to see service in a becoming, humble and sincere spirit. Even a sister can serve in her sphere, wearing “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:4. There is so much of bustling self-importance in our day, yet this is so unbecoming to those who serve the One who was “meek and lowly in heart.” Matt. 11:29. May the Lord keep us humble, that everything about us, even our apparel, may mark us out as those who “serve the Lord Christ.”

Then there were the cupbearers the ones who ministered joy to Solomon. This may not be service exactly, but even one on a sick bed, showing the spirit of Christ, or one quietly walking in the truth, can give joy to the heart of the Lord.

ML 02/12/1956

Lost

There must have been about twenty children talking, laughing, and at times puffing as they followed the leader and filed up a narrow trail in one of the wooded parks where we were having an outing for our Sunday school. Soon the grade became steeper; there was less laughing and more puffing.

“May we go back to the picnic tables,” we heard two voices call from the rear of the line? Permission was granted, and soon in our fun we forgot about Lois and Betty who had wearily turned back. We circled the mountain and returned to the tables, tired and hungry, though still quite happy.

Suddenly someone noticed the two girls were not there. Without delay a search was started back up the trail, but there seemed no trace of the two. Our hearts felt weighed, and a dark cloud seemed to hover over our delighul picnic day. Gradually even the younger ones sensed the seriousness of the situation, as chatting and laughing were changed to quiet, diligent searching.

Finally, faintly, through the underush we heard a pitiful, earnest cry, “We’re LOST.” How our hearts leaped with hope!

“Where are you?” we shouted.

“Here. We’re lost!” Needless to say, though scratched, weary and crying, they were soon found and saved. It was an object lesson we did not soon forget as a servant of the Lord earnestly counselled us right there that the quickest way to be saved was to cry out, “I’m lost!”

Is there one who reads this who is lost in the endless, winding trails and tangled underbrush of sin? Won’t you just cry out in your distress, “I’m lost”? Oh, how much joy there’ll be in heaven to hear that! And soon you’ll find that there is a Saviour seeking for you. He, the Lord Jesus Christ, came all the way from heaven to seek and to find poor lost sinners. Before we could be saved, however, He, as the Good Sheerd, must give His life for the sheep. On the cross of Calvary He bore the judgment of God against sin in those hours of darkness. He finished the work of redemption, and now as soon as a sinner cries out, “I’m lost,” He is ABLE, READY and WILLING to save him at once from all his sins.

“THE SON OF MAN IS COME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST.” Luke 19:10.

ML 02/19/1956

Hasnas' Greatest Treasure

Hasnas’ means “beautiful.” This was the name of a little girl who lived in the village of Hisme in Palestine. She was very, very poor, having no father or mother, no home and nobody to love and care for her. She spent much of her time outside the village playing with the dogs, her only friends. Those who pitied her would occasionally give her a crust to eat.

She was anything but beautiful for she was crippled. Her head was covered with sores and dirt, and her eyes were inflamed so that she hardly looked like a human being. But God did not forget her. One day some peasants went up to Jerusalem and took Hasnas with them, leaving her at the Christian Mission where she would be taken care of. First she was nursed in the hospital and then taken into the orphanage. In the atmohere of love which now surrounded her she developed very happily. She drank in with a thirsty heart the story of Jesus and His love. She soon was able to read for herself all about the Saviour in the New Testament and she accepted Him as her Saviour. Then she asked to be baptized. No one knew how old she was, but she was probably between sixteen and twenty years.

Soon the Saviour took this little flor, which had opened so wonderfully to His love, into His heavenly garden. Hasnas’ last request was to hear again the story of the Lord Jesus’ suffering and death, and then she asked that her beloved New Testament, her greatest treasure on earth, be laid under her head in the coffin. She was buried on Mount Zion. She was poor in this world, but she had the true riches.

“Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?” James 2:5.

ML 02/19/1956

"She Is Worth It"

Johnny was very eager to buy his mother a present for her next birthday, so he decided to save all his pennies for this purpose. And he had his eye on such a lovely present. One day, when in town with his father, he had seen a beautiful vase, but its price was $2.00. That was a large sum of money for a little boy. Never mind, he would try, and so he saved his pennies week after week until he had the right amount. When his father was going to town one day, Johnny gave him the money and asked him to get the vase for him. Of course his father was surised at his request, and especially at Johnny’s having saved that amount, so he said to Johnny, “Isn’t it a lot for you to spend on a birthday present for your mother?” But listen to Johnny’s answer.

“Yes, Father: but she’s worth it.”

We read in the Bible of Someone who is worthy of far, far more! It says in Revelation 5:12, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” Of course, the Lamb is Jesus, because you will remember that John the Baptist said of Him, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29.

Now if Jesus is worthy, what can we give Him to show that we really believe it? We can give ourselves, can’t we? We can love Him because He first loved us. He loved us so much as to die on the cross of Calvary for us.

If we really believe this and trust our Lord Jesus for salvation, we will want to give to Him.

Then we can give our praises. How much we have to praise Him for! God gave His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus to be our Saviour, for we could not save ourselves.

Everything we do, we should do cheerfully and with a glad heart, and when other boys and girls see how happy we are, they will want our Saviour too.

May our present to the Lord Jesus be these things, and then when we get to heaven, we shall be in that great choir which no man can number, singing the song: “Thou art worthy... for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood.” Rev. 5:9.

ML 02/19/1956

Answered Prayer

Mrs. Barton was walking thoughtfully down a quiet country road when her attention was attracted by the voice of a little child.

“Dear Lord Jesus, please save my dear mother and wash her sins away.” She turned and noticed a little boy, his face upturned and his little hands clasped together in prayer, kneeling in the shade of a great maple tree.

When he rose from his knees, she took him by the hand and asked him where he lived. He pointed down the road and said brightly, “I live down there.”

They walked along together and the little boy chatted away freely, telling his new friend about his home and his mother and his Sunday school. It was at Sunday school that he had learned about God and the Lord Jesus, and the wonderful work of Calvary. His little heart had accepted it all by faith, and he was happy in the knowledge that Jesus had died for him. And he was filled with the desire that his dear mother might also know Jesus as her Saviour, and be forgiven.

“Do you think the Lord Jesus will answer your prayer?” asked Mrs. Barton.

“Oh yes, I am sure the Lord Jesus will answer my prayer.”

At that moment they reached the cottage door, and the little lad shouted a cheery “good-by” and ran inside.

His prayer was answered. Mrs. Barton made it a point to keep in touch with the little fellow. She soon found to her joy that not only his mother but his father too, had both been brought to the feet of the Lord Jesus by the testimony and prayers of their dear little boy.

I hope that many of the readers of this paper are truly Christians. But if you have not yet accepted the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour, then do so right now.

For those of our young friends who know the Lord, may this story of awered prayer encourage you to pray and seek the salvation of others.

ML 02/19/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 10:5-13.

When last of all, the queen of Sheba saw the ascent by which Solomon went up into the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit left in her. I like to think of this as the time when our joy will be complete —when the Lord comes and calls us home to the Father’s house. What an ascent that will be!

“When we with them ascending,

Shall meet Thee in the air,

To gaze upon Thy glory,

And all Thy likeness bear.”

No wonder there was no more spirit left in the queen of Sheba here. No wonder she exclaimed, “The half was not told me!” Surely when we see the Lord Jesus face to face in glory we will feel as she did, only in a much deeper and fuller way.

She said, “It was a true report I heard in mine own land... Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came...” If there is an unsaved one reang these lines, may we ask you if you have believed the true report in God’s Word of the Person and work of the Lord Jesus. When He was here upon earth, He said, “The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost part of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.” Matt. 12:42. And you too, dear unsaved reader, will remeer the Word of God which has been presented to you. What effect has it had upon you? Are you indifferent about it? The queen of Sheba was not. Do you say you do not know if it is true or not? Neither did she, but she came a long way to find out! Remember, you will be judged for how you have treated God’s message. You are far more responsible than she, for Solomon was only a man, but the Lord Jesus is truly God, and if you reject Him it is serious. “He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, bause he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

The queen of Sheba then said to Solomon, “Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.” Do we who are saved realize how wonderful is our place and privilege, and above all how wonderful it is to be able to sit at the Lord’s table? Do we show the happiness we have found?

Happiness leads to praise too, and so in the next verse we have the queen of Sheba praising and blessing the Lord and giving freely of her wealth. May we praise the Lord more for what He has done for us. How the Lord values this! (Psa. 50:23; Heb. 13:15.) Even though Hiram, king of Tyre, brought such a great supply of gold, precious stones, and almug trees to Solomon, the queen of Sheba’s gift is mentioned first. Hiram was paid for what he did, but with the queen of Sheba it was the worship of a heart that had been won to the Lord.

“And King Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, besides that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty.” How touching this is! And surely the Lord repays us for anything we do for Him. He always gives more in return than we could ever give to Him. How wonderful are His ways! “Unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think... Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Eph. 3:20, 21.

ML 02/19/1956

Annie

The Isle of Man is full of rocks like those in our picture. Annie Farnell who was born there, knew them all and loved to roam among them. One afternoon when she was eighteen years of age, she went to a very lonely spot above the Pigeon Current where two colossal rocks like columns tower above the little bay. Looking at the majestic scenery Annie thought of the time when the mountains and rocks would fall before the face of Him who sits on the throne.

She asked herself, “Where shall I be then?” She knew that she was not right with God, but she was not willing to give up the empty pleasures of this world. “When I am old, then I will turn to God,” she said to herself. “I have lots of time yet.”

She looked at her watch and was shocked to’gee how late it was. “They will think at home that I am lost,” she said. She got up quickly, but to her horror her foot slipped, and she began sliding down the rock, toward the sea. Suddenly her foot rested on a projecting part of it and, by holding on with her hand, she was safe. Trembling she looked down where, far below, the tosng waves were threatening to swallow her up. Looking up she saw the big rock towering above her. The sky was aglow with the rays of the setting sun. There was no hope that a fishing boat would pass near the Pigeon Current at that late hour, and even if it did, how could any one hear her call. Her only hope was that her dear ones would come and seek her.

When Annie did not come home at the usual hour Mrs. Farnell got very uneasy, but her husband said, “What can happen to Annie, she is at home on the rocks.” But after a while he too became uneasy, and went to see whether she was detained at one of her friends’ homes. But nobody had seen Annie. Fear gripped his heart and accompanied by his two sons and servants he searched all over the rocks until midnight. Needless to say nobody in that home slept all night. With the first streak of daylight they set out again. Many helped them, some going in boats too, but nobody thought of the Pigeon Current for it was a very dangerous spot.

It was a terrible night for Annie. She heard only the roaring of the waves and the cries of the sea gulls. Should she die so young and meet God, the One she intended to think of only when she grew older? She looked up to the starry sky and asked God to save her from this sudden death. She knew that He could do so, although there was no human hope. She was terribly thirsty. And oh, how thankful she was when, with the rising sun she noticed that a little water was dripping out of a hole in the rock near her. With great caution she reached forward, filled a shell that was lying nearby with the precious water and brought it to her burning lips. Again and again she filled the shell. The day almost passed by, and Annie was still hanging between heaven and earth till her strength began to fail.

All the people who had been on the search returned with a sad heart. Many were standing on the pier watching the returning boats, but none brought the lost one.

Then a steamer was noticed in the distance which suddenly made a turn and gave a signal. In a moment some boats were dashing toward it. Half an hour later one boat came back, and the owner hurriedly picked up a thick rope and shouted: “She is found. She is hanging on the great rock above the Pigeon Current.”

But how was Annie discovered in her dangerous position? It was God who came in and put it into the heart of a passenger to ask to see the famous Pigeon Current. It was too dangerous to go very near and so the captain gave his telescope to the passenger to look through. When the passenger handed it back to the captain, he said, “There is something white on the rock waving in the wind.” The captain tried to recognize the object. He even stopped the steamer to look more carefully. At last he said, “It is the white dress of a woman.” Immediately he gave the singal.

Three boats started out at once for the Pigeon Current. It was low tide, so they could go on shore. Three of the men began to climb these high rocks and at last came to a spot above Annie. One of them was willing to risk his life to save her. They fastened the rope around his body and the two others held it. Carefully he ventured down and reached her. He told her not to be afraid. He then fastened the rope around her and took her in his arms and step by step they went slowly down the terrible precipice. At last he reached the safe ground. By this time Annie was unconscious. The men put their jackets in the boat and gently laid her on them and made for the pier with their precious cargo. Mr. Farnell came in a boat to meet them. When he found that his daughter’s heart was still beang, although very weak, he thanked God and also the brave men who went to her rescue. The joy at home cannot be described when he brought Annie back alive. She, was very sick for a long time, but the Lord in His mercy restored her health and what is more, drew her heart to Himself. She then gladly lived to serve the One who had saved her, not only from a sudden death, but from eternal judgment, and gave her eternal life through faith in Him.

How little we know what a day will bring forth! May each one who reads these lines take it as a warning, for it would be a terrible thing to meet God in your sins, dear reader. Are you ready, if called away suddenly? Are your sins washed away in the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ?

“HE, THAT BEING OFTEN REPROVED HARDENETH HIS NECK, SHALL SUDDENLY BE DESTROYED, AND THAT WITHOUT REMEDY.” Proverbs 29:1.

ML 02/26/1956

The A.B.C. of the Gospel

We often speak of learning the alphabet, as learning our A.B.C.’s, because, as we all know, these are the first three letters. This is about the first thing a child learns, often before even starting school. Yet there are many older people, some of them very wise in this world too, who do not know the “A.B.C. of the gospel.” There are three verses I would like to look at today, the first beginning with A, the second with B, and the third with C, which make God’s way of salvation very simple — as simple as A.B.C.! And to learn them and believe them in your heart is far more important than learning the first three letters of the alphabet!

The text for A is found in Romans 3, verse 23. “ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD.” We are all sinners in the prence of a holy God, and He cannot have us in His glory with our sins upon us. We come short of it. Let us tell God that we believe this — that we know it is true of us.

Then the text for B is found in John 1, verse 29. “BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD, WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD!” The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God, whom God sent into this world to take away our sins. We are all sinners, and if God is going to take us to heaven our sins must be put away, and so in those three hours of darkness on the cross of Calvary, God placed upon the Lord Jesus all the sins of all who would believe, and punished Him in our stead. Will you tell God that you believe this too?

The text for C is spoken by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 11, verse 29. “COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.” If we bieve what God says, that we are siers, and also that He sent His Son to die for us, then — how wonderful— we can come to the Lord Jesus, with all our heavy burden of sins, and He will wash away every one of them in His precious blood. Then we will have rest. We will not be troubled about our sins any longer, because we know they are gone.

How simple it is: we are sinners, the Lord Jesus died for our sins, we come to Him and are saved. Have YOU done it?

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

ML 02/26/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 10:13-11:13.

At last the queen of Sheba returned to her own country. We too have precious seasons in the Lord’s presence, but when we have to return to our homes and daily tasks, let us carry something of the preciousness of His presence with us, that our faces may shine, as Moses’ did, when he had been on the mount with God.

Although Solomon’s magnificent glory and throne figure the glory of the millennial day, yet there is the personal side of it which has its moral lessons for us. How easy it is to become occupied with the blessings and forget the Blesser! So here with Solomon; his wealth and glory seemed to occupy his heart more than the Lord. He kept adding to it until he went beyond what the Lord had said the king should have. As already mentioned, the Lord had said the king was not to multiply silver and gold, nor horses, nor wives (Deut. 17:16, 17), but Solomon sought after all these things, until at last his wives turned away his heart after other gods. One feels that in a day such as this, of great prosperity in these lands, we are in danger of building up our treasures here, and then of allowing our homes and loved ones to assume first place. We do not make gods as the heathen do, but how easily we can allow all the wonderful inventions of this modern world to take up so much of our time that the Lord and His interests are put in second place.

No king before or since has been blessed as Solomon was, yet he was turned aside. Perhaps we could also say that in no period of the Church’s history have we been so blessed as today, and yet how general the departure. We are living in Laodicean days, and though we might boast of being rich and increased with goods, yet the Lord had to say of such that they knew not that they were “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Rev. 3:17. The knowledge of the truth will never keep us if we do not walk in obedience and dependence upon the Lord. The departure may not be apparent at once, as with Solomon, but sooner or later the true state of our souls comes out, and whatever we allow our hearts to go after, our feet are sure to follow in that path. May the Lord keep us, with our hearts set upon things above, not upon things here.

Solomon even went so far as to build a high place for Chemosh and Molech, and other gods, to please his idolatrous wives, until the Lord was angry with Him. God is patient with us, very patient, as He was with Solomon, but He cannot allow us to continue in our willful ways. He must deal with us. He told Solomon that he would rend the kingdom from him and give part of it to one of his servants. In His grace He said that this would not take place at once; He also promised to leave part of the kingdom to the house of David. Let us remember that these two things follow us all through our lives, as believers: the grace of God, and the gornment of God. These warnings to Solomon ought to have touched his heart and conscience, but when we have committed ourselves to a course of self-will, we are all too liable to close our ears to the pleading voice of God. Pride and stubbornness are two terrible things in God’s sight, yet how often we are found allowing them in our hearts. May the Lord help us to watch the earliest beginnings of these evil things in our lives.

ML 02/26/1956

Brave Andy

Andy was a retriever. Perhaps some of our little readers do not know what a retriever is. You have surely heard of a collie dog and a spaniel and a Scotty. And I think by now you have guessed that a retriever is another kind of dog. Yes, Andy was a fine big dog, and his master was very proud of him.

One day his master was amusing himself by throwing a stick into the stream for his dog to bring back. With a glad bark and a leap, the fine dog would swim away and quickly bring the stick back to his master’s feet, and then shake himself while the water flew in all directions. All at once there was another splash, and in an instant Andy was away into the water and swiing as hard as ever he could. A little boy had fallen off the bridge, and all that could be seen was just a little circle of ripples where he had gone down. Andy seemd to know that this was much more important than getting a stick, for he surely swam with all his might, and reached the spot just as a little head bobbed up on the surface of the water. Quick as a flash Andy seized the boy’s jacket in his teeth, and started for the shore. It was a struggle, but he soon reached the land, and dragged and pulled until he had the little fellow safely on the grass. Once again he shook himself and barked and sniffed. In just a moment the little fellow wiggled and scrambled to his feet. He coughed and choked a bit and then turned to run home as fast as he could. I’m afraid he didn’t even turn to thank the dog or the master for saving his life.

If you had seen this exciting adventure, I am sure you would have run right home to tell your friends about brave Andy. But I know of a more wonderful story than this.

I was like the poor lad who fell off the bridge. I was a sinner, and I was doomed to punishment forever, and could do nothing at all to save myself. I needed to be saved. I am sure you know who it was came to save me. It was the Lord Jesus, and He came down from the glory of heaven to die on the cross that He might save me from my sins. Do you remember why He was called Jesus? It says: “Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21.

I am so glad that Jesus came to save me, for I am one of the sinners that He loved, and for whom He died. I have knelt down and thanked Him too, and I am going to thank Him forever and ever when I meet Him up in heaven.

Now, dear reader, this is not just a story to be read and forgotten. It means more than you can ever imagine. It may be you are LOST and need to be SAVED. Perhaps you do not feel lost, but God says you are. And you are on your road to a lost eternity. But the Lord Jesus, in love to you and me, has died to save us.

“THIS IS A FAITHFUL SAYING, AND WORTHY OF ALL ACCEPTATION, THAT CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS.” 1 Tim. 1:15

Will you kneel down now, and own your lost condition and thank the Lord Jesus for dying to save you?

ML 03/04/1956

Frank's Testimony

Do you know what the word “testimony” means? Perhaps it is rather a big word, but maybe this story will help explain it.

Sometimes when we speak to a boy or a girl about the Lord Jesus, or about being saved, they are suddenly very quiet. They are filled with talk and laughter most of the time, but when it comes to the question of salvation, they have little or nothing to say. Perhaps they say a quiet “yes” if you ask if they are saved, and you have the feeling that they wish you would go away. But with Frank, it was very different. Frank loved to talk about the Lord Jesus, and was happy to tell us that the Lord Jesus had saved him. One day, just as Sunday school was about to close, Frank stood up in his class, and began to speak so that all could hear. This was his “testimony.”

“I am afraid quite a few of the boys and girls here are not saved, and perhaps if I tell you what Jesus has done for me, it might help you.

“I was saved when I was ten years old. My father and mother are both Christians, and I have heard the way of salvation since I was very little, but it was only when I saw my need of a Saviour that I really came to Jesus. One night at the gospel meeting, we sang a hymn beginning, ‘There is a fountain.’ I had often sung it before, and was singing it again without thinng, until we came to the chorus,

‘I do believe, I will believe
That Jesus died for me,
That on the cross He shed His blood,
From sin to set me free.’

“When I sang that chorus I saw for the first time that Jesus had died for me—my own self — and that I, bieving on Him, was saved. I just made it my very own and was saved right then and there.”

Wasn’t that a wonderful testimony! flow good to know that Jesus died for me — my own self! Can you truthfully join in singing,

“I do believe, I will believe
That Jesus died for me?”

ML 03/04/1956

"He Died for Sinners"

A little girl was talking to a Christian friend. Among other things she told her that she was not afraid to die.

“Why?” she was asked.

“He died for us,” replied the little girl.

“He died for sinners,” her friend remarked.

Looking up earnestly the little girl replied, “I’m a sinner, O yes! I’m a sinner, but He forgives.”

Yes, the Lord Jesus is able, ready, and willing to save all who come to Him. But it is most important that we acknowledge that we are sinners, lost sinners, deserving the righteous judgment of God, and then that we believe that He died in our guilty place, beang our judgment upon the cross of Calvary.

Have you, dear reader, made it a personal matter between your soul and God? It is not enough to believe about Christ, but if you would be saved it is by receiving Him as your own Saviour.

“As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1:12.

ML 03/04/1956

Bible Questions for March

The Children’s Class

1. What did the two men in white apparel say to those who were gazing up into heaven?

2. In what things did the early believers continue steadfastly?

3. Are there many ways of salvation, or only one and “none other.”

4. Did the apostles feel bad that they had to suffer shame for the Name of Jesus?

5. Whom did Stephen see standing at the right hand of God?

6. Was Simon’s evil THOUGHT sin, and did it need to be forgiven?

7. Did Ananias call Saul his “brother” (in the Lord) when he came to see him just after his conversion?

The Young People’s Class Moses

1. What made the bitter waters at Marah sweet? Exodus.

2. Who hung upon a tree that blessing might come to us? Galatians.

3. What did the children of Israel call the bread that came down from heaven? Exodus.

4. Who was the Living Bread who came down from heaven? John.

5. Of what will the overcomer in Pergamos eat, because he followed a REJECTED Christ? Revelation 2.

6. What did Moses do when the people spoke of stoning him? Exodus 17.

7. What should we do for those who despitully use us and persecute us? Matthew 5.

ML 03/04/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 11:14-12:15.

Although Solomon had reigned in peace for many a year, it was not because of the strength of his army, but because of the goodness of God. Now, when he began to depart from the Lord, the Lord brought trouble upon him. He stirred up adversaries against him which caused him grief and sorrow. Too often we look at the trouble that comes upon us as though it were by chance, or blame the one who troubles us, but we ought to take these things from the Lord. It was the Lord who stirred up these adversaries against Solomon, and if someone has turned against us, the Lord has allowed it. Let us be exercised as to why He has, for His Word says, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Prov. 16:7.

Jeroboam, who was one of the servants of Solomon, lifted up his hand against him. He was a mighty man of valor and the prophet Ahijah came to him with a message from the Lord. Jeroboam had a new garment upon him, and the prophet rent it into twelve pieces and gave ten to him. He then told Jeroboam that the Lord was about to deal with Solomon because he had forsaken Him, and would rend the kingdom away from him. He said that ten tribes would follow Jeroboam and two would follow the house of David. He particularly mentioned to Jeroboam that this was the government of God, but that Jerusalem was still His center — a thing which Jeroboam soon forgot when he was placed over the ten tribes. The prophet went on and told Jeroboam that if he would walk in the ways of God in the path of obedience, he would be blessed as David had been, and that the Lord would build him a sure house. We know only too well how soon Jeroboam departed from the Lord, and indeed there was never even one truly godly king who reigned over the ten tribes. Being in a position of responsibility (for the house of David is the line of grace) Israel failed utterly, as man aways does when tested.

After reigning for forty years Solomon died, and was buried in the city of David. Rehoboam his son then went to Shechem to be made king over Israel, but Jeroboam returned from Egypt at this time, taking his place as leader of the people. Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel then spoke to Rehoam and asked him to make their yoke lighter. Solomon had made their yoke heavy, they said, and they promised that if Rehoboam made it lighter they would serve him. Rehoboam asked for three days to consider the matter before giving his answer. He then asked counsel of the old men who had stood before Solomon, as to what he should answer the people. They said that if he would “speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants forever.” Rehoboam did not like this advice, however, but asked the younger men. They suggested that he speak roughly to the people, and make their yoke heavier instead of lighter. Rehoboam accepted this counsel and told the people he would make their yoke still heavier than Solomon his father had done. The Lord allowed this in His government, for when we forsake the Lord, we often show a lack of what is called “good common sense.” How foolish we are apart from Him! Then too, when we refuse the advice of those who are older and who are walking in the fear of God in obedience to His Word, how foolish we are! Natural energy and force too often characterize youth!

ML 03/04/1956

The Ice Cake Ride

Here are some huge ice chips in the Columbia ice fields. The picture brings to my mind a time, several years ago, when two small boys were jumping ice-cakes in the La Have river.

While they were entertaining themselves with this dangerous sport, they were unaware of the danger and became very careless. They pushed themselves farther and farther from the shore and one boy went beyond the length of his pole.

The current of the river, as well as the wind, rapidly swept him out into the deep waters. He was helpless. His friend ran for help, and his mother quickly got a rope, but she found her little boy too far away from the shore, so the rope was of no assistance. It was early spring and of course most of the boats were still in the boathouses. There was only one boat available, and it was in the middle of the river, occupied by a deaf man and his son. It was the son who responded to the call for help and picked up the boy from the ice-cake.

How thankful his mother was, as well as all those standing on the shore, when he was brought to safety.

Are you drifting along, like the little boy on the ice-cake, not watchful of the danger, drifting on and on to an endless eternity? Satan blinds the sinner’s eyes to the coming judgment, and many do not appear to be afraid, but are content to live in their sins. Just as the men in the boat rescued the little boy from the chilly waters of the river, so the Lord Jesus Christ can rescue your soul from eternal hell, if you call upon Him tay. He died that you might live.

“But God Commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

“FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.” Romans 10:13.

ML 03/11/1956

The Story of a Happy Man

Would you like to come with me to visit a happy man? He does not live in a palace or even in a nice home. He does not have nice clothes or food, nor a bed to sleep on. Nov, my reader, is it possible for a man to be happy without all of those things?

The Lord Jesus said, “A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15. How we like to multiply the things that we possess, and often think that happiness lies in having just one or two things more than God has given to us. That lie comes from Satan, and is about six thousand years old. Satan told Eve long ago that it would be so much better if she had just one thing more!

The happy man of my story lives in a prison in Brazil, and his name is Pedro. There are about a dozen men in his room, but they have no beds, chairs or tables, and no door. The window has a double row of strong bars, and the only entrance to the cell is through a hole in the ceiling. Pedro has been there for fifteen years, and Pedro is a happy man.

I need scarcely tell the secret of his joy. Someone gave this poor prisoner a Bible, and through reading it he learned to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his own personal Saviour. Indeed he read his Bible through many times, and is learning more and more each day of the One with whom he is going to spend eternity.

Does the Bible speak to you like that? Is it the word of the living God to you? Has it shown you ye.ur sin and guilt, and revealed Christ to you as the Saviour of sinners? If so, then you too are saved and happy. If not, would you not like, to be?

I am glad to tell you that Pedro is no longer in prison. Released after some years, he lives to serve the Lord Jesus, telling others of His love. He has learned that true happiness is in Christ alone, and his earnest desire is that others might be saved from their sins and find peace and joy in Him too.

“In whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:8.

ML 03/11/1956

An Accident

When we were in Kenya, the only way we could get water was to send to the nearest city which was Mombasa, nearly 50 miles away. We had a truck which pulled a trailer with a tank on it. We called this a water bowser.

On the way two deep and wide rivers must be crossed. To, get over them the truck and trailer had to go on a hand operated ferryboat. There was a chain which stretched from one side of the river to the other and six or eight men pulling on the chain were the power that operated the ferry.

There was no other way of crossing the river; it was by the ferry or not at all Isn’t that like salvation? In Acts 4:12 we read, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” If you want to cross over into heaven where the Lord is, you can only do so by trusting in that precious One, the Lord Jesus Christ, as our verse tells us. If He is not your Saviour then you will surely perish in your sins for there is no other way.

One evening we were waiting on the home side of the last river for the truck to come back with the water, and as you may know it gets dark very quickly in that country after the sun goes down.

We could see away across the river as the truck’s headlights came around the curve, past some cars that were waiting. It started down the ramp and then the lights went out.

We waited a long time and wondered why the ferry took so long. Eventually it came and was empty except for a few people. What had happened? Where was the truck? Soon we discovered that our truck with its precious supply of water was in the river. As the driver was going down the ramp he put the brakes on, but the brakes did not hold, and the weight of the water pushed truck and all straight into the river beside the ferry.

This reminds me of many people who have not had their sins taken away by the precious blood of Jesus. They think they can control themselves, but those very sins will carry them into everlasting punishment. “Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope.” Isa. 5:18. “His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.” Prov. 5:22.

We cannot do anything to save ouelves, but any who will turn to the Lord Jesus Christ in simple faith, just taking Him at His word, will have their sins washed away in His own precious blood which makes them whiter than snow.

“Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7.

ML 03/11/1956

"I Want You"

I just turned the corner, and nearly bumped into a group of happy, noisy boys playing marbles. It brought a smile, for I suddenly remembered my ovvn boyhood days, and the marble games we played at Hopewell School. Suddenly a voice called out from a house nearby, “Charlie, Charlie!”

Nothing happened. Apparently Charlie was too busy to answer, or else he didn’t hear. I’m afraid he didn’t want to hear.

Again the voice called, “Charlie, Charlie!”

This time a little fellow raised his head and shouted, “What do you want?”

“I want you.”

That was all, but it made me think. It made me think of the times my mother had said the very same words to me. At that time I didn’t think it was a very good reason to stop playing, and Charlie seemed to feel that way about it too.

Do you know, it made me think of Jesus calling me. He called me because He loved me and wanted me, and I am so glad I came to Him. He washed away all my sins and gave me everlasting life. And now He wants me near Him every day, for He wants to see me happy all the time.

“I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:2.

ML 03/11/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 12:16-24.

When the people saw that Rehoboam was determined to seek his own interests and not the good of the people, the ten tribes turned away from him and went back to their tents. Only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin followed Rehoboam. After this Rehoboam sent Adoram to collect the taxes, but the men of Israel stoned him to death, and Rehoboam had to flee for his life to Jerusalem. The ten tribes then set up Jeroboam as their king, fulfilling the word of the prophet Ahijah. How sure are the words of God, and His government upon those who forsake Him! We cannot escape it.

Rehoboam then gathered Judah and Benjamin together to fight against the ten tribes, in an attempt to bring them back to his kingdom, but the Lord sent a prophet commanding him not to do this. He must submit to the government of God in the matter, for God had allowed it. There is a great lesson in this for us. Sometimes God may bring His government upon us because of our failure, and then we try to escape it. We fight against it, as it were, but it is no use. Although God’s grace never changes — and here it was His grace that left the tribes of Judah and Benjamin with Rehoboam for David’s sake — but this does not alter His government. In times like this we need to look to the Lord for grace to humble ourselves under His mighty hand, for only by humbling ourselves can we cast our cares upon Him, knowing that He cares for us (1 Peter 5:6, 7). The word of the Lord was, “This thing is from Me”— precious words of comfort when our own failure has brought down the rod!

There is also a principle here as to any attempt being made to heal divion among the people of God by han efforts. Neither force nor compromise will do in these things, for in reality the ten tribes as a whole never returned to God’s center, nor to God’s king at Jerusalem. We know that indiduals came back in the time of Asa (2 Chron. 15:9, 10), and also in the reign of Hezekiah (2 Chron. 30:5-12), but never a whole tribe or tribes. Nertheless it is encouraging to see that faith always recognized the twelve tribes as one, even in their darkest days (Ezra 8:35; Acts 26:7). In the future millennial day they will be united again, never to be divided into two kingdoms any more (Ezekiel 37:22). This has its lesson its us in this church period too. What sad divisions there have been among the people of God in our day, but we are not told to look for a healing of them. Yet we believe that God still has a center, as He did in Israel’s day even after the division, and individuals are exercised from time to time to be restored, and gathered there. In God’s center the Lord is in the midst, and His authority according to His Word is owned. Human efforts to heal divisions have always led to compromise, for divisions do not come by chance they are allowed in the government of God, and are the result of the giving up of some principle of truth. It is not enough therefore, for different companies to just come together, as though there were not a cause, for it is God’s assembly, and His unity is never maintained at the expense of His truth.

No doubt these tribes that went off under Jeroboam could say that they were offended, and stumbled by Rehoboam’s ways, but this did not make it right for them to reject God’s center and authority. If we have our eyes upon men we are sure to be misled, but with our eyes upon the Lord, all is well. It is only in His light that we see light for our path (Psalm 36:9).

ML 03/11/1956

"Laid on Him"

Walter and I went together to visit old Mrs. McFadden. She was almost 90 years of age, and was a bit hard of hearing, but she still had the same bright happy look on her wrinkled face.

Our visit had to be rather short, so Walter immediately took out his Bible and read a verse to her.

“All we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6.

A bright smile lit up her face, and she said softly,

“Oh, I heard those words many years ago and they made me very happy.”

Still the bright smile continued, and she kept saying slowly to herself, “Laid on Him. Laid on Him.”

Perhaps her thoughts were wandering back to that far-off time when she first heard those words, and had believed that her sins were “laid on Him” — on the Lord Jesus Christ “who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:24.

She had lived many years since she first trusted the Lord Jesus, but the memory of that wonderful verse, with its three grand words, still kept her so happy.

Every time I went to visit her after that, I always used to repeat that same verse, if only to watch for the bright smile that would always light up her face when I came to the words “laid on Him.”

Dear reader, has the time ever come in your life when you truly believed that your own sins were “laid on Him”? God says it is a fact, I believe it, and I am happy.

Do accept the blessed Saviour as your own right now.

“WHO HIS OWN SELF BARE OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BODY ON THE TREE.” 1 Peter 2:24.

ML 03/18/1956

The Story of an Echo

Edwin was a happy boy, and was the joy of his mother’s heart. He was very little, and couldn’t quite say his own name correctly but called himself “Edwy.”

Mr. and Mrs. Hutchings were very wealthy, and gave their little boy everything to make him happy. But one day their little Edwin disappeared. He didn’t come home for dinner or supper, and his father and mother were filled with fear. They searched everywhere, and their neighbors searched too, but could find no trace at all of their lost boy.

Shall I tell you just what happened to him? Not far from where the Hutchings lived there was a big forest, and deep in the heart of it lived a man and his wife who were very wicked. One day the man saw little Edwin, with his fine clothes and happy smile, wandering near the edge of the forest, and he quickly picked the little fellow up, and carried him away deep among the trees to his own miserable hut. You may be, sure Edwin did a lot of shouting and crying, but it was no use. The cruel man intended to send a message back to Mr. Hutchings demanding money for the return of his boy. But then he became frightened that he might be found out. So he put some very old clothes on little Edwin, and called him “Tommy” instead.

Some time passed, but Edwin never forgot that his name was not Tommy at all, but really “Edwy.” And he never forgot the love of his own dear father and mother. One day when the wicked man and woman had both gone out, little Edwin started to wander through the bush all by himself. As he went, he kept calling aloud, “Mother, Father, come to Edwy... come!” To his surprise and delight, he heard a faint answer... “come.”

He scrambled along more quickly than ever calling and calling, “Come to Edwy... come.” And each time he would hear the faint cry... “come.” He didn’t know that his own voice was echoing back to him from the hills, but thought sure that someone had heard him and was encouraging him to keep coming. On and on his little tired feet carried him. Weaker and weaker his little voice kept calling.

At last, although he didn’t know it, he came near a road. A fine carriage was coming along the road, and they had stopped to rest their horses before climbing the next hill. Suddenly the coachman said, “Quiet please, I think I heard a voice.” Breathlessly they all listened, and soon they heard again the sound of a feeble little voice. Quickly, the man plunged into the woods and started toward the sound of the voice. In a few minutes, he returned to the roadside carrying a very weary and very dirty little boy. He was dressed in rags, and his arms were scratched and bleeding from his scramble through the bush. He looked about him and sobbed again,

“Come to Edwy... come.”

With overflowing joy, Mr. and Mrs. Hutchings grasped the weary, ragged little lad and covered him with kisses. Yes, it was their own lost lad!

They knelt down right there by the side of the road and together they thanked the Lord with happy but broken voices, for hearing their many prayers and bringing their lost Edwin home.

I am sure you are glad that Edwin was found. And I am sure his father and mother were much more glad than anyone else. Edwin’s story makes me think of a good many boys and girls who are lost right now. Perhaps even the one who is reading this paper is still lost. There is an enemy of our souls called Satan who would seek to lead us farther and farther away from God. But God loves you and me, and He wants us to be delivered from that enemy of ours. So He sent His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this world to seek and to save that which was lost. Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ came all the way down from heaven to die for me, for I was among the lost ones. It is a good many years ago now that the Lord Jesus saved me, and I know it made the very heart of God in heaven rejoice, for “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that renteth.” Luke 15:10.

ML 03/18/1956

Tommy's Faith

Do you study geography at school? When I was a little boy, I remember having a big gray book, with the wonderful word “Geography” across the front. I thought it was a big word, and I thought I was a big boy to study so profound a subject.

I remember the teacher telling us about many countries that we had never seen, about their products, their capital cities, and the way their people lived. One day he made me stand with my back to the big map on the wall, and name every country in the world, with its capital city, and its chief proct. Now I had never been in any of those countries except my own, Canada, and yet I believed everything he told me.

One day teacher Lewis was giving a geography lesson to a class of boys and he was telling them that the earth on which we live is a sphere. That was a hard word to understand, so he told them that it was round like an orange. When the lesson was almost over, he questioned the pupils about what they had heard; they had listened well.

“Now how do you know that the world is round like an orange or a ball?”

The pupils looked at one another in silence. They knew it was true, but they just couldn’t prove it at all. At last Tommy raised his hand, and said, “I know it is round because you said so.”

Tommy believed, simply because Mr. Lewis said so, and that was that. But is there anyone whom I can always trust? Anyone who always tells the truth, and never tells a lie? Yes, there surely is! It is impossible for God to tell a lie, and He has told us many things which I believe, simply because God said so. Will you read some of the things that God says, and believe them at once?

“All have sinned.” Romans 3:23.

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” —Acts 16:31

ML 03/18/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 12:25- 13:8.

Jeroboam not only carried the ten tribes away from the house of David, but he soon established other centers. He did not want his followers to go up to God’s center at Jerusalem, lest they should follow God’s king and own His authority. He therefore set up false gods in Bethel and Dan, and instituted sacrifices similar to those the Lord had appointed at Jerusalem. They were, however, planned out of his own heart and were hateful to God. We notice too that Jeroboam made priests of the lowest of the people, for when God’s authority is set aside, carelessness and the power of Satan soon come in.

How sad this is, and so soon after the wonderful reign of Solomon! What a failure man is in everything committed to him in responsibility. No privileges or blessings bestowed can keep us when our eyes are off the Lord. We are weak and helpless in ourselves, and how often the saddest falls come after the brightest days, because we are not watchful and dependent. Surely this was the case in Israel’s history.

But God did not leave Israel without a testimony at this time. He is never without a witness, and in spite of much failure in Judah, there was a man of God among them whom God could use to pronounce His displeasure upon that which Jeroboam had set up.

One day when Jeroboam was standing by his altar in Bethel, this man of God appeared and cried against it, saying, “O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men’s bones shall be burnt upon thee.” It was a faithful and solemn word, not appreciated by Jeroboam, and especially when told that a king of the house of David would carry out this judgment. He therefore put forth his hand and commanded that they should lay hold of this faithful man of God. But Jeroboam’s hand which he put forth dried up, and at the same time the altar was rent and the ashes poured out as the prophet had said.

Before going on with our chapter let us learn from this not to draw back from the path of faithfulness to the Lord. He is able to protect His own, as He protected His servant here. He is mightier than all the opposition of the enemy — but He wants faithful sernts, not men-pleasers! May we ever be ready to do His will, even when we have to suffer for it.

When Jeroboam saw what had happened, he asked the man of God to entreat for him that his hand might be restored to him again. This the man of God did, and Jeroboam’s hand was restored. This was God’s grace to Jeroboam, for even though we are to be faithful in our testimony, we need to be careful that we do not fail of the grace of God (Hebrews 12:15).

Jeroboam appreciated the kindness the man of God had shown, so he invited him to his house to refresh himself, offering him a reward. This was a test to God’s faithful servant, for the Lord had charged him not to eat bread or drink water in that place, and not to return by the same way that he had come. Sometimes when we are sent to deliver a faithful message, we are in danger of becoming too friendly with those to whom we are sent, and before we realize it we have become one of them. Then our testimony is gone.

ML 03/18/1956

All Ready for Heaven

Here are some miners’ huts, built hurriedly many years ago. We have all heard stories of landslides in mines, with their sad endings of many lives lost, but rarely do we ever hear of a message left that softens the sorrow of it.

Sometime ago a number of miners were busy working in one of the deep passages, when suddenly a landslide came rushing onto them. They were immediately cut off from all help or any possibility of getting back to the mine’s entrance.

Several of these miners were Christians and knew the Lord as their Saviour. Without a doubt, they began to take advantage of the few moments left that separated them from eternity, to plead with their comrades. Indeed, they left the written proof that they had not died without hope.

When the rescuers were finally able to reach them, they had all been dead a long time, but they found a board beside them. There they had traced these words, more eloquent than any speecs, “All ready for heaven.”

What had happened in the pit, far from others, when the moments of these victims were numbered, God alone knows! In His grace He allowed these poor workers to leave a little testimony. It was at the same time, the confession of their decision for eternity, and also a striking warning for the boys and girls who read these words, “All ready for heaven.”

Dear young friend, time flies. Be sure that you also are ready for heaven. “For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:14.

“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” Romans 4:7.

You cannot be sure that you will have an opportunity at the last, as these men did, but God offers you salvation NOW. This may be your last opportunity. If you wish to be ready for heaven, you must be saved in God’s way. It is useless to trust in your own works or in your church. God’s Word plainly declares that we are all sinners, lost sinners, and if we would enter heaven, we must have our sins blotted out. Since God is holy He must punish sin, but in His great love He sent His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to settle the question of sin. Now He has died as the Sin-bearer, risen again and is seated at the right hand of God in heaven from whence He offers a full and free pardon to “whosoever will.”

“SEEK YE THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND, CALL YE UPON HIM WHILE HE IS NEAR.” Isaiah 55:6.

ML 03/25/1956

Apples and Tracts

Mr. Clark was walking through a very poor district in one of the big cities of England. Here and there along the street there were men and women selling fruits and vegetables from little hand-pulled carts. But one of them specially caught the eye of Mr. Clark. There was nothing very unusual about the barrow, or the apples that were being sold. But there was something quite unusual about the happy face of the apple man.

Everyone who stopped to buy was offered a little gospel tract, and every boy or girl who passed by was offered a Sunday school paper. Now Mr. Clark loved the Lord Jesus, so he was interested in what this man was doing, and stepped up to him for a chat.

“Those are fine apples you have, sir. I would like to buy a pound.”

Quickly the man put a full pound in a bag and handed it to Mr. Clark. “And now, sir, would you please accept this little paper? It tells of the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Gladly Mr. Clark accepted the tract and then shook hands warmly with the apple man. “I’m so glad to know that you love the Lord Jesus. He is my Saviour too. And I hope you never get discouraged giving away these tracts.”

“Sir, I have not known the Lord very long, and it was my little daughter Carrie that first told me of Jesus. I was a careless, godless man, but somehow our little Carrie started ping to Sunday school, and it wasn’t long till she was singing hymns at home and telling us of the Saviour’s love. And of course, she was always begging me to come to the gospel meeting with her. Just to please her, sir, I went one night, and that very night I found out what a sinner I was, and the Lord Jesus saved my soul. Now it is my joy to speak a word to others as they pass by or as they buy my apples.”

Maybe your name isn’t Carrie, but if the Lord Jesus is your Saviour, what a happy thing it would be to lead others to Him. Carrie led her father to Jesus, and he was leading others. But first you must know Jesus Christ as your own Saviour. Do accept Him now.

“One of the two which heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother,... and he brought him to Jesus.” John 1:40-42.

ML 03/25/1956

"For Me"

“You stole it! You’re a thief.” Frankie’s head bent low and he blushed with shame.

“Look, Jim, Frankie stole a hymook from Sunday school, and he’s taking it home to keep.”

Frankie looked at the bright red hymnbook in his hand and couldn’t answer. He knew very well he hadn’t stolen the book, but had just walked out the door without thinking, as many other boys and girls have done. He was just about home when he happened to notice the book in his hand, and just about the same time, the neighbor boy saw it too. What should he do? It was a long walk all the way back to the Sunday school. Perhaps he should go home and tell mother first.

“Mother, I came home from Sunday school with this hymnbook in my hand. I just forgot to give it to my teacher. What shall I do?”

“Well, Frankie, I know where your teacher lives. Suppose you take it to him tomorrow.”

“All right, Mother, I will.”

The next day, Frankie could be seen rather timidly knocking at Mr. Allen’s door with his red hymnbook held out in front of him. Presently the door opened.

“Please, Mr. Allen, I took this book hqme yesterday by mistake and I am very sorry.”

“Frankie boy, I’m so glad to see you; come on in, and sit down.”

The lad walked rather shyly into the living room, set his hymnbook on the table the very first thing and then sat down.

“I tell you what,” said Mr. Allen, “I would like you to keep that book as your very own. But you must earn it.”

“How shall I do that?”

“You must learn hymn number 124.”

After a little more friendly chatting, Frankie went home to his own room. “I must learn that hymn,” he said to himself. “For I would like that hymnbook for my own.”

Over and over he read these lovely words,

“Precious, precious blood of Jesus,
Shed on Calvary,
Shed for rebels, shed for sinners,
Shed for me.”

By Friday night’ he knew the whole hymn. But then something very wonderful happened. Each time he came to those words, “for me,” he stopped and a feeling of joy came over his young heart. For me! He knew he was a sinner, and now he knew Jesus died for him! He not only could say the hymn from memory, he could sing it from his very heart.

Sunday came around, and Frankie was asked to say the hymn, to see if he had earned his hymnbook. With a bright smile, he rose before all the class to say it — but — he just couldn’t help himself — he sang it instead! And when he came to those words “for me” he pointed very deliberately right to his own heart.

I have often joined in singing that hymn myself, and have heard many boys and girls sing it too. But can you do as Frankie did, and I am glad to say, as I can do too? Can you point right to your heart and say, “Shed for me”?

“The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

ML 03/25/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 13:9-18.

The Lord knew how His servant could be turned aside by the friendly attitude of those in Israel, and that is why He charged him as He did. How easily we can lose the power of our separation when we get on friendly terms with those who are walking in disobedience to the Word of God. This is especially true with professing Chriians who are opposed to the truth of God. Just as the man of God here, we are liable to look on such people as one of us, because they profess Christ, but obedience to God comes first, before all other considerations.

It is refreshing, however, to see in our chapter that this man of God of whom we are reading was very faithful, and refused to have any part with Jeroam. He turned and started back for the land of Judah alone. So far he had been faithful to God’s Word.

But the enemy had his eye upon him, and although the first attempt to hinder his testimony had failed, he soon tried again. How the devil hates to see a faithful testimony to Christ! If the Lord has used us in any way, let us be watchful. This is when we need to be specially dependent, for we cannot stand alone.

There was an old prophet living in Bethel, and when his sons came and told him what the faithful man of God had said and done, he was greatly stirred. No doubt he was glad to hear of someone who was faithful enough to speak against the altar Jeroboam had built, for undoubtedly, he knew he should have done so himself. But he was in a wrong position, and how could he speak against Jeroboam’s altar when he was identified with it by remaining there? When the Word of God, as well as conscience, tells us that we are in a wrong position, often we desire others whom we know to be faithful, to acknowledge us, and to identify theelves with us where we are. This we often see in Christendom today. If a servant of the Lord is in a wrong position, going on with things he knows the Word of God condemns, he often seeks to get others, whom he knows to be faithful, to go with him, for it salves his conscience. Let us watch against the movements of Christendom which mix truth with error, where faithful men come together with unfaithful men, as though they had nothing to stand for. Alas, faithful men become unfaithful when they leave the path of obedience to please others, and thus escape the reproach of Christ.

And so it was here. This old prophet of Bethel had his sons saddle the ass, and he went after the man of God who had cried against Jeroboam’s altar. He found him sitting under an oak, and invited him to come home with him and eat bread at his table. The man of God replied that the Lord had told him not to eat bread or drink water in that place, and to return by a different way from which he had come. How careful we need to be lest familiarity leads to carelessness.

When the old prophet saw that the man of God would not yield to this temptation, then he resorted to lying. He told him that an angel of God had spoken to him by the word of the Lord, telling him to invite him to his house to eat and drink. Had the Lord changed His Word? Was the word of an angel more important than the Word of God? “Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you... let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8.

ML 03/25/1956

Believing God

In a certain town there was a foreman of a factory who became exercised about his soul’s salvation, but he could not seem to get peace. His employer who was a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, soon heard about it.

One morning he sent a note to his foreman requesting him to come to his office at 6 P.M. Promptly at 6 P.M. the foreman arrived.

“I see,” said the boss, “that you believed the words of the note I sent you. You came just as I requested.” He then began to speak to the foreman about the “letter” which God had written, His own precious Word, and he gave him these two verses,

“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28. And also, “Him that cometh to Me I will in. no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

The foreman saw the glorious simplity of salvation, that it is just taking God at His Word. His eyes filled with tears of joy as he said,

“I see it! I see it all! I believed the note you wrote to me, and I came to you. Now I believe the words of the Bible, and come to Jesus, the Saviour.”

How wonderfully simple it is. Faith just believes what God says, because God has said it. He says I am a lost sinner and that He cannot take me to heaven in my sins. But His love has found a way, through the redemptive work of His Son on the cross of Calvary, by which He can righteously put away all my sins, and make me white and clean in His holy presence. I believe this, and God says I am saved.

“BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED.” Acts 16:31.

ML 04/01/1956

"Little Anna"

You will be glad to know that the Messages of Love is read by boys and girls in a great many different countries. Just today I was passing a big school in the middle of a city called Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. I offered a paper to a little boy, and very soon I was completely surrounded by a crowd of boys and girls, all begging for more.

A little while ago, a friend of mine offered a Sunday school paper to a wee girl and she gladly accepted it. Then my friend went on to tell her of the Lord Jesus who came into this world to die that He might save boys and girls and take them to heaven.

“And the Lord Jesus is coming back soon too, to take all the saved ones home to heaven.”

Anna listened eagerly and stopped the story to ask many questions.

“And now, Anna,” said my friend, “how old are you?”

“Just this old.” Solemnly she spread out her fingers and thumb. “Just five. And now I must run home to my mother.”

She smiled brightly and then started to run home. Presently she turned and came back.

“Please, tell Jesus I live in that little brown house at the end of the street.”

Quickly she ran off. And then she came back a second time.

“And, sir, please tell Jesus, Daddy and Mother live there too. I would like Jesus to take us all to heaven.”

“Tell your father and mother that Jesus’ blood washes sins away, Anna.”

I’m sure a five year old girl is not too young to learn about Jesus, and I am so very glad Anna wanted to be sure her father and mother would go to heaven too.

When the Lord Jesus was here, He took little children up in His arms and said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14.

ML 04/01/1956

Only a Step

Arthur and his mother lived alone. His father had been dead for many years, and the rest of the family had grown up and started homes of their own. Of course they were devoted to each other, and Arthur was all that his mother could wish him to be, except in one respect. He loved his mother, but had not yet learned to love his mother’s Saviour. He was obedient to her, but had not yet obeyed the gospel.

One Sunday night at a gospel meeting, the preacher quoted several times the words:

“It’s only a step to Jesus:
Why not take it now?”

These words fastened themselves upon young Arthur’s mind, and when he went to bed that night he could not get rid of them. They would not let him sleep. That night he thought over the whole question. Should he take that step? Jesus called him, and had a right to his young life. He knew that he ought to for he was a sinful boy and needed the Saviour; he knew he ought to for otherwise his life would be wasted, and if he did not come at all, his soul would be lost.

The night wore on, and Arthur heard the clock downstairs strike ten, eleven, and twelve. It was then that his decision was made. He made it on his knees beside the bed, and then when it was made, he ran into his mother’s bedroom.

“Why, Arthur,” she said, “what is the matter?”

“I’ve come to tell you, Mother, that I’ve taken the step,” he said. “It was only a step to Jesus, and I’ve taken it.”

That made his mother happy, and it made Arthur happy. There was joy in heaven also, and we know all our Christian readers will rejoice to hear that Arthur took that step while for him it was “now.”

“It’s only a step to Jesus.” Boys and girls, can any of you who have not taken this step give any reason why you should not do it now?

The Lord Jesus has completed on Calvary’s cross all the work that was required for our salvation. He bore the judgment of God against sin. His precious blood was shed to wash away our sins, and now He asks us to come to Him and He will save us for eternity. Will you not come to Him at once?

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Hebrews 2:3.

“Only a step to Jesus!
Then why not take it now?
Come, and thy sin confessing,
To Him, thy Saviour, bow.”

ML 04/01/1956

Bible Questions for April

The Children’s Class

1. Who does the Scripture say receives the remission of sins?

2. What did Barnabas exhort young believers to do with “purpose of heart”?

3. How can a person be justified from all things?

4. Did the early disciples expect an easy path, or tribulation, in entering the kingdom of God?

5. What is the answer to the jailer’s question, “What must I do to be saved?”

6. Whom has God commanded to repent?

7. What did the early believers do with their books of “curious arts”?

The Young People’s Class

Types and Shadows

1. What was Moses doing on the top of the hill, while the children of Israel fought with Amalek? Exodus 17.

2. With whom do we wrestle now? Ephesians.

3. Who has gone up on high and is able to supply grace to help in time of need for our pathway? Hebrews.

4. Were the children of Israel ever to make peace with Amalek? Exodus 17.

5. Does the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit still continue with us as believers? Galatians.

6. When Jethro (a Gentile) saw the deliverance the Lord had wrought for Israel what did he do? Exodus 18.

7. When the Lord has delivered Israel in a future day, what will the nations do from year to year? Zechariah.

ML 04/01/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 13:19-32.

The man of God from Judah, who had been so faithful, was now caught in the snare laid for his feet by the old prophet of Bethel. The thought of a little fellowship with another prophet in his lonely pathway, and some refreshment for his journey seemed very pleasant. But what about the word of the Lord? Had He not made it clear that he was not to do this? The temptation proved too much for him, however, and he chose the fellowship of one in a wrong position, instead of treading the path of obedience alone. It makes our hearts sad as we read the story, and especially when we know that there are many dear children of God who are doing the same thing today. They are quite clear as to their path from the Word of God, and yet to please some fellow Christian they will go back. They will give up their separated walk, to show so-called “brotherly love” to someone in an unscriptural position. Perhaps such friends may be ignorant of the truth, and walking up to the light they have, but we are responsible to obey God rather than man when we know His mind. God does not change His Word to suit our circumstances. It is the same when some great preacher is in town, as when he is not. It is the same when we are visiting away from home, like this man of God was, as when we are at home. It is the same when our brethren know what we are doing, as when they do not know, for the Lord knows, as He did here. It is with Him we have to do.

Soon the man of God was seated at the table in the old prophet’s home, eating and drinking with him, in positive disobedience to the word of the Lord. The old prophet knew he was wrong too, and the Lord made him tell the man of God that he would come under His dealing hand for what he had done. Many of those who are in an unscriptural position know they are wrong, and are quick to notice any ionsistency in those who are in the path of the truth. Sad to say they would like to turn us out of the path and then point an accusing finger like the old prophet here.

What the old prophet said on this occasion proved to be true, for not long after the man of God had gone from his house, a lion met him in the way and killed him. God did not allow the lion to tear the body of the man of God in pieces, nor even to kill the ass, for all creation is under His hand. Things do not happen by chance in the Christian’s life, for we are in the Lord’s hands. The lion here is a type of the devil, and the Lord may allow one of His own to come under the power of Satan to teach him lessons he ought to have learned at His side. This was the case with Job, Peter, and others, as well as the man of God in our chapter. Satan can never rob a true believer of eternal salvation, any more than the lion could tear this man of God to pieces, but it is only by walking in the path of obedience and dependence that we are kept from his wiles. “By the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psalm 17:4.

When the old prophet heard what had taken place, he went out to where the man of God had been killed by the lion, took up his body and buried him. He mourned for him too, saying, “Alas, — brother!” He requested that when he died he would be buried by his side, for he said he knew that what he had spoken was the truth. May we be content to be misunderstood, as long as we have the Lord’s approval.

ML 04/01/1956

"Am I Too Little?"

A preacher was urging his hearers to come to the Lord Jesus and accept Him as their Saviour. After the meeting a little child came to him and asked, “Am I too little?” “Too little for what, my dear?” asked the preacher. “Am I too little to come to Jesus?” the child replied.

He took the little one up in his arms and said, “No, my dear, you are not too little. It was to the little ones Jesus said, ‘Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.’” Luke 18:16.

In all simplicity the child accepted the Lord Jesus Christ then and there, causing joy in heaven over another one brought to know Him as Saviour.

Whether my reader is young or old, the Lord Jesus invites you to come to Him too. The call is to “whosoever will” and if you are only willing to acknowledge that you are a lost sinner He will save you. God’s Word says, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Tim. 1:15.

Someone has made a little acrostic for the word “C-O-M-E” like this;

Children
Older Ones
Middle Aged
Everyone.

Have you responded to the Saviour’s invitation? Have you come to Him to have your sins washed away in His precious blood, and to receive His free gift of everlasting life? If not, why not do so today?

“SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME, AND FORBID THEM NOT: FOR OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” Luke 18:16.

ML 04/08/1956

"Peace and Glory"

One day a little baby was born in a village near the sea in South China. As it was a little boy, his mother was very proud and happy, and felt that a name must be chosen for him that would bring him good fortune throughout his life. Probably many names were considered, but in the end he was named “Peace and Glory” as, no doubt, his mother thought that if he had peace and glory he was sure to be happy.

Often, however, boys and girls have very different characters from the names they bear, and so it was with little “Peace and Glory.” He had never heard of the “Prince of Peace,” the “King of Glory,” in whose service alone true peace and glory may be found. As he grew up, his only thought was to serve his own will and do his own pleasure. He did not know that in doing this he was really serving Satan, who would try to keep him from ever getting either peace or glory.

Like many thousands in the world, he did not know the “way of peace” and there was “no fear of God before his eyes”; so when an opportunity came for him to join a band of robbers who lived a wild, adventurous life in the hills near his village, he readily threw in his lot with them.

As he was a strong, bold man, he soon rose to a high place in the band, but though the life seemed a free and easy one, he had no peace, for that can never be found in the bondage of Satan. He always had the knowledge before him that if caught by the soldiers, he would be put to death without mercy. Certainly there was not much glory in that way of living!

At this time the government of the province in which he lived wished to get many more soldiers for the army, and so a proclamation was issued, offering a pardon for all the past crimes to any robbers who would give themselves up and join the army.

“Peace and Glory” heard of the offer, and the thought of pardon was very sweet. How tired he was of living night and day in the fear of being captured and punished for his crimes! Certainly it would be much nicer to be a soldier, even if he did not make as much money! And with this thought in his mind he gave himself up to serve the government.

When he became a soldier, the same strength and boldness caused him to rise rapidly, and before long he became the officer of the guard which was stationed in his own village as a protection against robbers. On more than one occasion he proved himself without fear of man by attacking strong forces of robbers, and he soon became a leading man in the village.

However, “Peace and Glory” was still far from the “way of peace.” Although he had changed his position in the world, he was still going on in the service of Satan, and was just as far from God as he had been when a robber. To add to his pay as a soldier, he would spend much of his spare time gambling, at which he was very clever. He also built a large house where men could buy and smoke opium, and he himself became an opium smoker.

While he was in charge of the guard, a native Christian came to preach in the village. He stirred up the hatred of “Peace and Glory” by teaching that gambling and opium smoking, which were so common in the village, were sins against the true God and would meet with His punishment, unless the people repented and turned to the Saviour that God had provided.

Though some in the village believed and turned to God, confessing the Saviour, “Peace and Glory” would not listen to the teaching. Following his bad example, the majority of the villagers turned against the gospel, and made fun of the preacher, wishing to go on with their sinful pleasures rather than to accept the pardon that God was offering in the gospel.

When the preacher was leaving the village, he called together the few Christians and encouraged them not to fear the sneers of their enemies, but to keep on serving the Lord, praying that He would cause some others to believe through their words.

ML 04/08/1956

Lost Eddie

Eddie was only four years old, and really was too small to go so far with the other big boys. But he just didn’t tell his father and mother at all. When he heard the boys planning to go through the bush to fish, he decided all by himself that he would go too. Jack knew Eddie ought not to be with them, and tried his best to send the little fellow home, but Eddie trotted happily along, and that was that.

The boys had a grand time, and about supper time they returned to their own little village. All at once Jack, with a bit of fear in his voice said, “Where’s little Eddie?” Nobody had even thought of him forever so long.

They hurried to his home, and found that Eddie’s father and mother hadn’t seen him for a long time either, and they were really worried. Quickly, they all set off together, right back over the trail the boys had taken, hunting and calling for lost Eddie. The sun went down and still they hadn’t found him.

At last they began asking at every farmhouse if anyone had seen Eddie.

Farmer Wilson opened the door in response to a loud knock, and there was Eddie sitting by the fire, eating an orange! With a glad cry, the worried father ran in and picked up his dear boy and kissed him.

“He wandered into our yard crying, quite a while ago,” explained Mr. Wilson, “and all we could find out was that his name was Eddie. He couldn’t tell us anything else.”

Poor Eddie couldn’t find his own way home, nor could he tell Mr. Wilson which way to go. All he knew was his name. Do you know your name? Of course you do. But wait just a moment. The Bible has a name for every lost boy and girl — and that name is “Sinner.” Yes, I was lost too. I couldn’t find my way home to heaven, and I couldn’t find anyone who could take me there either. But Someone came to seek me. His name is the Lord Jesus Christ. He came right where I was, and He told me that He came to save sinners. Oh I am so glad that my name was truly “Sinner,” for I know that Jesus came to save me.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

ML 04/08/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 13:33-14:6.

Jeroboam still went on in his evil way in spite of the faithful testimony of this man of God from Judah. Indeed he went deeper and deeper into sin. Surely the slippery paths of sin always lead one farther and farther away, and when we have refused God’s warnings at the beginning of such a path, it is easy to pass them over and over again. God is patient, but how sure is His government, first upon His own and later upon the world.

Since this was the first instance of establishing another center than that which God had chosen, God has definitely and fully given us His mind as to it, as well as the path to be taken by the obedient child of God at such times. He bore patiently with this state of things for some time after, but His mind had not changed. It is so today; there is still a path (and only one!) for faith, and happy is the child of God who searches the Word of God under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to find it. “There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen: the lion’s whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.” Job 28:7, 8. “If any man will do His will, he shall know.” John 7:17.

God’s judgment had fallen upon His disobedient servant, as we have noticed, for His Word says: “the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17. We see therefore in our chapter the hand of God dealing with the ten tribes for their sins. The greater our privileges, the greater our responsibility, but no one escapes.

In spite of Jeroboam’s evil course, he knew to whom he could turn in trouble. When his son took sick, he did not go to his own center, nor to the wicked priests whom he had chosen, but sent his wife to Ahijah the prophet of the Lord in Shiloh. He told his wife to disguise herself and take a present of ten loaves, cracknels, and honey to this man, and then ask him what would happen to their sick child. He recalled that Ahijah had told him that he would be king over Israel, so he counted him for his friend.

By disguising his wife and sending this nice present, Jeroboam thought he could deceive the old prophet, who was now blind, but he forgot that he was not dealing with man but the Lord, whose word the prophet spoke. The ten loaves would perhaps figure to us his pretended obedience to God’s law, the ten commandments; and the honey would typify the sweetness of nature. These things in the hand of his disguised wife looked very fine, but God can see behind the nice outward show we may try to put on His Word uncovers it all. Nor did the fact that this prophet had once spoken good things of Jeroboam hinder him from being faitul at this time, for he spoke the word of God and was not a man-pleaser. The natural heart of man is governed by natural motives, but the believer has a new life, a new object, and new motives which the world cannot understand.

The Lord told Ahijah that the wife of Jeroboam was coming to him in disguise, and exactly what to say to her. When she arrived at the door of the old prophet’s home, we can imagine her surprise when she was greeted with the words, “Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings.” How solemn it is to have to do with God who knows all!

ML 04/08/1956

"I Know Him"

Dear old Mr. Maley leaned back in his seat with a happy smile. He was tired, and he had a long train journey ahead of him, but he was happy in the knowledge of the Saviour’s love, and the joy of it showed on his old face. His hair was white and his eyes were clear and true.

Presently a fine young man sat down beside him and after a little time, he began to talk to Mr. Maley. It was soon evident that the young man was fresh from school, and was very eager to show just how much he knew of things in general.

“Of course, Sir, you have read the writings of Mr. —?”

“No,” said Mr. Maley thoughtfully. “I don’t believe I remember having heard of him.”

Two or three other authors were mentioned, but Mr. Maley had heard of none of them.

At last the young man changed to another popular topic of the day, but found that the poor old man seemed terribly ignorant. He just didn’t seem to know anything. I am afraid the young man was a bit rude, and he finally turned to the old man and said, “And just what do you know, Sir?”

“Young man,” he answered, with a heavenly smile, “I know the Lord Jesus Christ, whom to know is life eternal.”

The young man was silent, and in a moment he rose and moved to another seat. He did not know Him, nor did he want to know Him.

“JESUS CHRIST, WHOM HAVING NOT SEEN, YE LOVE; IN WHOM, THOUGH NOW YE SEE HIM NOT, YET BELIEVING, YE REJOICE WITH JOY UNSPEAKABLE AND FULL OF GLORY.” 1 Peter 1:8.

ML 04/15/1956

"Peace and Glory"

Years went by, and the people seemed just as opposed as ever. Even the Christians got discouraged and cold-hearted, and after a time they stopped having any meetings. One of them, however, was a young relative of “Peace and Glory,” and the older man often amused himself by ridiculing the faith and hope of this young believer in the true God.

Shiu Poang, as the young man was named, longed that his old relative might be delivered from the power of Satan, and become a follower of the Prince of Peace, and on every occasion he would press upon him his need of the Saviour he had so long despised. No matter how much fun the old man made of his words, he would repeat the story of the cross, and assure him that it was only through the Saviour’s blood that he could ever have his many sins forgiven.

One day “Peace and Glory” agreed to read a gospel that Shiu Poang gave to him. He thought that by reading it he would more easily be able to show the young man the foolishness of leaving the religion of his father and mother and all his relatives, to put his trust in this new Faith.

He began to read the Gospel of Luke, but found that although the words were so simple, they seemed to convey a depth of meaning that he could not understand. He often had to ask the meaning of the things that he read.

One day he read the fifteenth chapter, and as he pictured to himself the hopelessness and helplessness of the poor prodigal son, Shiu Poang explained that the father’s loving forgiveness was a picture of the grace and love of God. “Peace and Glory” suddenly realized that he was the prodigal son, and that all his life he had been sinning against that love. Truly he was in a land far distant from God, and it was a land of famine where there was nothing to satisfy his heart.

As the wonderful story sank into his heart, he realized also that the Father’s arms were open to receive him, and to welcome him Home. There and then “Peace and Glory” decided that he would forsake his sinful ways, and turn to the God who had so loved him as to give His Son to die for his sins. Believing on that Saviour, he had peace in his heart for the first time, and soon he found that he could also “rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

How happy Shiu Poang was when he saw how God had answered his prayers after so many years! How encouraged, too, the other Christians were when they saw that God had done more than they had asked or thought in bringing to repentance the man who had been the ringleader in their troubles.

When “Peace and Glory” knew his sins had all been washed away in the Saviour’s blood, his first thought was to tefloll who knew him that he was now serving under a new Leader.

“I did not choose Him,” he said, “but He chose me and saved me.”

No more did he want to lie for hours smoking opium. Now he wanted to use his spare time to learn more about his Saviour, that he might know better how to obey his Captain’s commands.

His opium house he turned into a Meeting Room with gospel posters and hymns stuck along the wall. There were Bibles and tracts on the table for any who came to read. Is one corner was his bed, and day and night he was glad to read the Scriptures to any who would come to listen, and he urged them to trust in the Saviour who had made such a difference in his own life.

Several months later “Peace and Glory” was baptized, and openly and definitely showed himself on the new ground of trusting to the death and resurrection of Christ for his forgivess and justification. Among those with him when he was baptized were Shiu Poang, and the preacher who six years before had spoken of the power of God to win others to Him.

As you read of “Peace and Glory” and how he was brought to walk in the way of peace, just stop and ask yourself whether you have also found that path, and can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. If not, you are still in the diant country, a prodigal from the Fher’s home.

One of “Peace and Glory’s” first acts was to go off to the district in which he had been a robber, that he might tell the people of the villages of the change that had come into his life, and of the Saviour who was able and willing to save all who would come to Him.

If you know that Saviour’s love and power yourself, will you not pray for this old man in China, that God may keep him safe from harm, and use him to bring many more to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ?

“Is not my Word like as a fire? saith the LORD: and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29

ML 04/15/1956

"Where Are You Going?"

Mr. Anderson looked at the clock, threw aside his book, and rushed out the door. He hadn’t intended to read so long, and now he was afraid he wouldn’t get to the station in time to catch the train.

Quickly he stopped the first taxi he saw, jumped in, and shouted, “Drive quickly!”

Without a word, the driver roared down the street, around the corner, and up the next street. All at once Mr. Aerson looked out and realized they were no nearer the station than when they started.

“Where are you going?” he shouted to the driver.

“I don’t know, but we’re going quickly,” came the impertinent answer.

What a strange situation! Mr. Anderson forgot to tell him where to go, and he was probably feeling a bit weary, so didn’t bother to ask!

But I have met people who were much more foolish. They rush about from day to day journeying every ment nearer — where? If you asked them they wouldn’t know, but they are going quickly!

“Passing onward, quickly passing,

Yes, but whither, whither bound?

Is it to the many mansions,

Where eternal rest is found?”

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13, 14.

ML 04/15/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 14:7-27.

Ahijah the prophet, though blind, was not deceived, and he spoke very plainly to Jeroboam’s wife of her husband’s sin, and of the judgment of God upon him and his house. He told her that although God had placed him over His people, yet because of his sins He was now going to deal with him. He said, however, that although their sick son would die, yet he would be honored in his death, for he was apparently a child who had faith in the Lord — but the rest of Jeroboam’s household were to be cut off. How solemn and sure are the ways of God, and all the outward show we may put on, and the “honey of nature” cannot turn aside His government when there is departure from Him. Others may be deceived by it, but “The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.” 1 Samuel 2:3. Let us remember this, even as believers, and pass the time of our sojourning here in fear. (1 Peter 1:7.)

As we notice these things, we will bear in mind how the book of Kings brings before us Israel in her position of responsibility. It is therefore the ten tribes that are particularly before us, for grace had chosen Jerusalem, when the nation had failed completely, so that Israel would not be cut off altether. Under the kings of the ten tribes, called Israel, we see the nation reaping the result of their departure from God and His center. It will be noticed that they never had a godly king, although God in. His great goodness did send prophets to them.

Although Judah, which had God’s center at Jerusalem, was no better, yet grace had chosen Jerusalem quite apart from their deserving anything of His blessing. He could and did bless them on the ground of grace alone. Nevertheless they had no claim upon it in themselves, or because of their own obedience, as is borne out by what we read of the life of Rehoboam. This grace of God is emphasized by the words, “And he (Rehoboam) reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there.” Placed in such a position of privilege, he ought to have responded to God’s grace, but instead he and his people built high places, images, and groves on every high hill, and under every green tree. Is there not a lesson for us here too? May we not boast of being gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus, and yet have our own idols, as Israel did? It is a precious privilege to be thus gathered, but how easily we can, at the same time, go after the world’s vanities in our personal lives.

We read that Shishak king of Egypt came up to Jerusalem and took away all the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king’s house. He also took away the shields of gold which Solomon had made. Surely this reminds us that if we do not walk in the truth we have, we soon lose it. We will never value it enough to “fight the good fight of faith” to hold it, unless we are walking in it, but we will allow the world and its glitter, of which Egypt is a figure, to take its place. Poor Rehoboam made shields of brass to replace the shields of gold which were taken away, and although they might shine and look nice, they were not the same. When we have lost something of the precious truth of God in its power, we are prone to try to show an energy and zeal for the things we have accepted in its place. How natural it is to “cover up” our true state of soul, when getting away from the Lord.

ML 04/15/1956

Mud

This little lad seems to enjoy playing in the mud; and he’s just like two other little boys I shall tell you about. They too liked to play in the mud and were busy shaping it into mountains and valleys, rivers and roads — and it was fun! It stuck to their hands too, and some found its way to their faces and clothes; but they didn’t care about that.

How could they be persuaded to leave it alone? Mother might scold and threaten to punish them if they did not leave it, but that would not change their desire for it. They would still love to play in the mud.

Can you guess what made those boys leave their mud? Well, a stranger came along and gave one of the boys a shiny nickel. He stood up at once, and then the other little fellow looked up so earnestly into the stranger’s kind face that he got a nickel too. You should have seen them run off leaving their mud behind — they now had something better.

Now, dear unsaved reader, God does not send you this message to scold you; but He does hate your sins, and will punish you if you continue in them. He sends you a message of lasting joy and happiness — salvation from the power of sin and cleansing through the blood of Jesus. “These things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” 1 John 1:4.

Look up and receive salvation from His hand; accept His offer of everlasting life. His blessed Son, the Lord Jesus, died for sinners, and He will wash away your sins, every one of them, in His precious blood. How can you refuse His gracious pardon, and His free gift of everlasting life? When you take Him as your Saviour, He will set you free from the power of sin.

“SIN SHALL NOT HAVE DOMINION OVER YOU: FOR YE ARE NOT UNDER LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE.” Romans 6:14.

ML 04/22/1956

Answered Prayer

Because of his godliness, a workman was the object of the ridicule of his comrades and his foreman. The Christian workman suffered in silence however, remembering his divine Master, “Who when He was reviled, riled not again.” 1 Peter 2:23. Adding to his faith, love, he asked God to save the souls of those who were insulting him.

One day as he was praying fervently, his foreman happened to pass by and saw him. Perhaps it was out of curiosity, or perhaps hatred, but he stopped to listen. He heard his own name meioned. He himself was the object of the fervent prayers that he heard and to his astonishment, he felt stirred within.

“Never,” he said to himself, “have I ever heard of the equal.” He couldn’t understand such eloquence from the mouth of a simple workman. He was praying so earnestly.

“John,” he said to him the next day,

“I want you to preach to me.”

The workman thought this was a new kind of mockery. He replied, “You know well, Sir, that I am not a preacher.”

“I know it. I heard you yesterday depict so well the state of my soul, that you should be able to satisfy me,” the foreman said.

John replied, “It is true. I have prayed particularly for you.”

“And never has anything produced such an effect on me. Repeat what you have said.”

John did not refuse. He gladly told out the message of the gospel in all its simplicity. He told of man’s sin and of God’s great love in sending His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die in our guilty stead on the cross of Calvary. Now He is risen again, and from the glory He offers salvation to all. Soon both the foreman and his workman were on their knees praying, and their prayers were answered. The former mocker became a true Christian and a courageous witness for his Lord and Saviour. What rejoicing there was in heaven over this triumph of grace!

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5: 1 6.

“This is a faithful saying, a n d worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

ML 04/22/1956

Little Tommy, the Sailor Boy

The captain of a vessel was telling me of a little boy, who served in his ship many years ago. The captain is an earnest Christian now, but in the days when he knew this little fellow, he was not a follower of the Lord Jesus, but a stern and hardened man of the world. His first ship was a small frigate, with a crew of about a dozen men, and among them was this little Tommy, who did odd jobs and made himself generally useful. Poor Tommy had a bitter life of it among this reckless, godless set of men. His mother had taught him to love the Lord Jesus, and a few weeks later before he joined the ship, he accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, and now he wanted to serve Him faithfully.

Of course when the men discovered this fact, Tommy became a capital butt for all their jokes, but still he held on, persisting in kneeling down night and morning to pour out his heart to his Father in heaven. In spite of the cruel blows which were directed at him, he pleaded with God for the souls of the godless crew. With a heart sorely tried, and well-nigh breaking at times, the boy wandered about the vessel seeking a quiet spot, but seldom finding one.

In the course of one voyage the little vessel encountered a succession of terrific storms, day by day increasing in violence.

The captain and crew were too much occupied now to notice the boy, so amid the furiously raging elements his happiest and most peaceful moments were spent.

One awful night, when the sky overhead was dark with clouds, and the sea dashed mercilessly over the decks of the frigate, Tommy stole aft, and clinging with both hands to a rope, kneeled on the wet boards and pleaded for the men who were hurrying hither and thither carrying out the captain’s orders.

“It’s all up with us, Bill,” he heard the latter say to the chief mate, in a hoarse whisper. “It’s no use trying to save her.” Then the thundering voice of the waves drowned their voices, but still Tommy went on praying.

Presently he heard above the rain and wind the sound of his own name, shouted in different parts of the vessel. Springing to his feet, and clinging to every available rope, he made his way to the captain’s side.

“Do you want me, Sir?” he asked.

“Look here, boy,” said the captain, “we’re going to the bottom. It’s impossible to do anything now — but and stern and weather-beaten as he was, his voice trembled, “there’s a God in heaven, you say — well — I — I thought perhaps you’d pray for us.” Tommy gave one bright, glad look into the captain’s face.

“O yes, Sir,” he answered, without a moment’s hesitation, “I shall like that.”

The rough captain turned on his heel and led the way into his cabin below, Tommy and one or two of the crew following. There they knelt down, while the little boy prayed that the storm might abate, and with choking sobs, asked God to save the captain and men.

Very shortly afterward the fury of the waves and winds lessened, the clouds broke, and the clear winter’s moon shone down upon them. God had answered Tommy’s prayers!

Is not this a God worth knowing, who has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee?”

Is Tommy’s God your God? Is the Lord Jesus Christ your Saviour and Friend?

Dear reader, settle this question now. Listen to the voice of this blessed One calling you to Himself. He has borne the punishment of sin on the cross of Calvary and now He waits to receive you. He is seated at the right hand of God in heaven from whence He offers you a full and free pardon from your sins, if you will but receive Him as your Saviour. You will then prove, as Tommy did, what a wonderful Saviour He is, able and willing to help you every day of your life, and to take you some day to His home in heaven.

“He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry.” Isaiah 30:19.

ML 04/22/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 14:27-15:17.

After Rehoboam had given away to the king of Egypt the golden shields his father had made, he appointed a special guard to look after the brass ones he had made in their place. Sometimes we see those who once walked faithfully give up the truth of God, through worldliness or carelessness, and then display great energy in the gospel. We rejoice indeed at their energy, as we do at the careful guard Rehoboam placed over his brass shields, but how much better to hold the whole truth of God, and seek grace to walk in it. We cannot afford to give up any part of it without serious loss.

We now come to the end of the life of king Rehoboam with its solemn lessons. Although he was king in Jeruselem, God’s center, what sad departure from the Lord there was in his life. We have also noticed previously that he was told not to make war with Jeroboam and the ten tribes, yet we read, “there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.” We cannot walk peacefully in our path if we do not walk in obedience — God will not allow it. “If a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7. It is a vain wish to have the peace of God in our hearts and lives, apart from practical godliness in our walk. We cannot bring this about by our own efforts. We who are saved have peace with God through the finished work of Christ on Calvary, but the peace of God is only enjoyed as we walk in obedience.

Rehoboam’s son Abijam followed his father on the throne in Jerusalem, but he only reigned three years. His heart was not perfect before the Lord, for he walked in the evil ways of Rehoboam his father. He too came under the government of God, for the conflict between the ten tribes and the two continued all through his reign.

After him God in His faithfulness raised up Asa who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He took away the sodomites out of the land and removed all the idols his father had made. He even removed his mother from being queen because she made an idol in a grove. Faithfulness of this kind is rare indeed, but it shows how obedience to God comes before all other considerations, even family ties. Yet in spite of all this, and the fact that he brought the treasures his father had dedicated into the house of the Lord, he did not remove the high places. Little do we realize how carelessness on our part may effect others, perhaps for generations to come. Solomon, though a godly king in many ways, especially at the beginning of his reign, worshiped the Lord in high places, and now this thing is still a snare to his great grandson many years later. A man lends the weight of his godliness and position to all that he does, and the failure of some man of God will often be copied more than he is likely to realize, even after his faith has been forgotten. Let us all take heed to our ways, “for none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” Romans 14:7.

After this Baasha the king of Israel came up against Judah and built mighty fortifications at Ramah, intending to cut off Asa from others. Poor Asa had apparently become careless as to the treasures he at first valued so highly, and which he had given to the Lord, for he now thought more of his own interests than of honoring Him. He did not turn to the Lord in his difficulty, but made his own plans.

ML 04/22/1956

Starting Together

In one of the great railway stations of Chicago, there were two trains that started out together each day at the very same time. For seven miles they traveled side by side, but then they turned and went in opposite directions. One traveled eastward to New York, and the other turned westward toward the Pacific Ocean. The end of their journey was so different — miles and miles apart.

Here are two boys starting out in the journey of life together. They are twins. For some years they will probably go along through life side by side, attend ing the same school, eating much the same food, and hearing the same things from their parents. Undoubtedly there will come a time when they will turn to different ways in life, but I do hope that in the most important matter of all, they will both go the same way.

The Bible speaks of two ways through this life, into eternity. It speaks of the broad way and the narrow way. There are many, many who are traveling the broad way, and the Bible says that it leads to destruction. It leads to eternity in the lake of fire, and yet so many choose it. Of course there is plenty of company when you travel that way, and you have the laughter and entertainment of those who do not want the Lord Jesus Christ; but all this lasts only a little while. The pleasures of sin are only for a season, and then — O think of it — eternity away from God where there will not be one moment’s pleasure forever. Dear unsaved one, have you counted the cost?

But it is not too late to change roads now. You can take the narrow way today. The Lord Jesus went to the cross of Calvary and died as the Sin-bearer, conquered death, and rose again, in order that He might open up the way to glory for poor lost man. He offers salvation to “whosoever will,” and that means you as well as me. If you will but own your guilt before God and aept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, He will put you on the narrow road at once. The end of that road is eternity with Christ in glory where there are pleasures forevermore.

Which will you choose, dear reader: the pleasures of sin for a season, ending in a lost eternity, or pleasures forevermore with Christ in heaven?

“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” Hebrews 11:25.

“IN THY PRESENCE IS Fullness OF JOY; AT THY RIGHT HAND THERE ARE PLEASURES FOR EVERMORE.” Psalm 16:11.

ML 04/29/1956

Whosoever

How many boys and girls have seen a blind man? Sometimes we see a man carefully tapping his way along the street with a white cane, and then we know he is unable to see. What a great and priceless gift of God is our eyesight!

It is wonderful, though, that many dear blind folks are able to read Braille books. A Frenchman, whose name was Louis Braille, invented a system of writing for the blind, by using groups of raised dots to represent different letters.

Now I must tell you of a poor blind man who did not have much education. He was seated at a crossroad, reading the gospel of John. On his knees he carefully balanced a book, and his fingers were gliding over the pages written in Braille characters. His fingers were passing and repassing over the raised letters, and the blind man was saying, “Whosoever? whosoever? What does that word mean, Whosoever?”

A young boy, who was returning to school, heard him ask the question. He called out loudly, “Whosoever, that’s you, that’s me, and it’s everybody.”

“Good!” said the blind man. “Whosoever believes shall not perish. It’s well for me. I believe in Jesus and I am saved.”

Dear boys and girls, search in the Bible for some verses where “Whosoever” is found.

Do you remember the account of salvation given to the rebellious people in Numbers 21:8? God said to Moses when He provided healing by obedience through faith, “Whosoever looketh—shall live.”

And the Lord Jesus spoke of this to Nicodemus, telling him how. God gave life, by faith, to all those who looked at the serpent of brass raised on the pole. It was a picture of the Lord Jesus who would be raised up on the cross and made sin for us “that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:15.

Then again the glorious gospel is told out so simply in the following verse. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

Just say, dear children, as this poor blind man did, “I believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour, and I am saved!”

But let us not forget the solemn “whosoever” of Revelation 20:15.

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

If you reject God’s gracious “whosoever” offering you a full and free salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, you will find yourself in a lost eternity. You are either in the “whosoever” of blessing or the “whosver” of judgment. Which is it with you, dear reader?

ML 04/29/1956

Examination Day

Boys and girls usually like holidays better than examination days. Our story today is about an examination day in a school over in Scoand, many years ago. The exams weren’t held as we have them today, but rather the boys and girls were gathered in their classes, and a special visitor stood at the front of the class arid asked a number of questions. The answers were usually put down on paper, and often prizes were given for the best answers turned in.

In the senior class, the young folk were all sitting quietly waiting for the questions to start. The teacher was sitting at the desk, and quite a number of visitors and parents were on special chairs facing the pupils. At last there arose a quiet, happy looking man and he began to speak.

“Now, boys and girls, are you ready? I know your teacher has been faithful in teaching you arithmetic, and so I hope you will be ready for this question. It is a problem in profit and loss.”

The pencils were all ready, and the children listened carefully.

“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

There was silence. No one wrote a word, and no one spoke a word. Instead, the children looked at each other, then at their teachers, then at the visitors, and finally at the speaker, whose name was Mr. Duncan Matheson. No such sum had ever been given them before, and they didn’t know how to work it out.

After several moments of silence, Mr. Matheson went on to speak of the value of a soul in the sight of God, and of how He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to redeem our souls. He spoke of the attractions of the world, and of the danger that is ever present, that boys and girls grow up with some idea of the value of the things offered by this world, but not thinking at all of their souls. He told of how his own soul had been cleansed and redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus, and he urged all those who heard him that day, to remember the value of their souls.

Can you guess the result of this little talk? Two things happened. Many of the visitors were quite angry with Mr. Matheson and hoped he would never come to that school again. But two of the boys, named John and Alec, were very thankful for those faithful words, and went home talking seriously of what they had heard. In a few days, both John and Alec confessed the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. Their souls were saved for eternity, and they told the other boys and girls about it too.

Mr. Matheson’s problem is found in Mark 8:36.

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

ML 04/29/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 15:18-17:1.

Asa took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the King’s house, and gave them to Ben-hadad, the king of Syria, to help him against Baasha. He revived an old league with this ungodly king, and hired him to go out and fight against Baasha, king of Israel. Although God overruled, and Ben-hadad was victorious, the Lord was not pleased with this unholy alliance, and the government of God fell upon Asa. After he had pulled down the fortifications Baasha had built, and used the material to build cities, he became sick with a terrible disease in his feet, which grew worse and worse until he died.

We now read something of the terrible record of the ten tribes and their kings. It is a sad reminder of what man always is in his position of responsibility, for these people, so wonderfully favored and blessed of God, wandered farther and farther away from Him, filling the land with violence and idolatry. They did not have kings of the royal line of David, whom God had chosen in His grace, but God allowed men to reign over them who were but the expression of the evil heart of the people in their rebellion against the Lord. At the same time God dealt with these wicked kings and their households in His solemn and sure judgment. After the evil reigns of Baasha, Elah, and Omri, evil rose to a peak under Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel. To please her Ahab made a house for Baal, the god of the Zidonians, and provoked the Lord to anger more than any king who reigned before him.

We see wickedness in another form at this time, in the rebuilding of Jericho. It was completely destroyed in the time of Joshua who had also pronounced a curse upon the one who rebuilt it (Joshua 6:26). Thus we see not only violence, self-will, and idolatry, but open opposition and disobedience to the plain Word of God. This brings in the testimony of Elijah whom God raised up to warn the people, seeking to recall them to Himself, the One whom they had forsaken.

What remarkable boldness is seen in this dear man at a time when the nation had departed so grievously from the Lord. God energizes His servants for their difficult pathway and is able, as with Elijah, to protect them from all who would oppose their testimony. Men would like to forget the rights of God in this world, and act as though it were their own, saying, “Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?” Psalm 12:4. And again, “What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him?” Job 21:15. They do not like the testimony of those who would remind them of God’s authority, and it is especially serious when such an attitude is taken by those in a place of nearness and privilege, as Israel were at this time. Yet how patient God is! He does not judge until He has sent a faithful testimony, as He did here through Elijah. Gentle warnings and loving entreaties had not been heeded, so God must speak loudly to awaken His erring people. Elijah therefore said to Ahab, “As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” If Israel will not own the rights of Jehovah over them, then He will make His power known. How helpless they were to bring the needed rain: yet how slow they were to see His hand in the terrible famine that followed.

ML 04/29/1956

Confession

We all know that it is not easy to confess Christ before our fellow workmen. It takes courage from the Lord, but we know He will supply it, if we ask Him.

One time a captain, feeling his weakness, bought a large Bible and laid it open on his table. He said, “I want the Bible to speak to others for me, for I am afraid I am not strong enough to speak for myself!” Many of his companions laughed at his faith, but he stood true to Christ and became a real witness for Him. It was not long before he himself was speaking to others, of the Lord Jesus, whenever he had an opportunity.

When the Lord Jesus saved us, it was not only to make us fit for heaven, although that is blessedly true, but He has left us here to be lights for Him in this dark world. He wants us to tell others of His love, that they may be saved too. When He was here upon earth He cast a legion of devils out of a man, and then said to him, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee.” Mark 5:19.

And that is why this little paper has come to you. It is with the earnest desire that if you are still unsaved, you may be brought to see your deep need. God must punish sin, and only through the atoning death of His Son on the cross of Calvary, can He put away our sins and give us everlasting life. Have you received Him by faith into your heart? If not, will you do so today?

“AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, EVEN TO THEM THAT BELIEVE ON HIS NAME.” John 1:12.

ML 05/06/1956

The Last!

I think we all know what the word “last” means. There is always the last piece of candy in a bag, the last piece of cake on a plate, or perhaps the last slice of bread in a loaf. But that word “last” often makes me stop and think.

There is a “last” of everything down down here in this world. There will be, for you and for me, the last year, the last month, the last week, the last day, the last hour! Does that make you feel a little bit worried? If this were your last hour, would you be sure where you were going?

You will go to Sunday school for the last time. You will hear your last gospel message. You will read your last Messages of the Love of God paper. And then? Oh, dear boys and girls, we long and we pray that your dear souls may be saved, for we have no promise that we will be here much longer. I am writing this paper on the last day of the month, and the last hours of a busy day. The sun has gone down, and it is dark. And as I sit and write this paper, I don’t know if I shall be here tomorrow to see the sun rise again. But I do know that the Lord Jesus loved me and died for me, and I know—yes, I am sure —that I am going to be with Him in heaven forever, for His precious blood has cleansed away all my sins.

“Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7.

“Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML 05/06/1956

No Need of a Gun

What a great number of books there are to be seen everywhere! School books, storybooks, cookbooks, and just about every other kind you can think about. And yet, there is one book that was written before any other, and still is bought in greater numbers than any other, and is worth more than all the others put together. Can you guess what it is? The Bible—the Word of God!

Would you like to hear a story about the power of the Word of God?

Many years ago, two men were traveling through the far west. Then there were not the roads and towns that we see today, and so when night came, they had to stop and seek shelter in a very small cabin. The man who lived in this cabin was a big, strong man and the travelers felt quite uneasy about sleeping there, but there was nothing else that they could do. One of them had a lot of money in his purse, and so the other one agreed to sit up all night, with his gun in his hand, in case there might be trouble.

After a good supper the men went to their room. One climbed into bed while the other sat up with his gun in his hand, listening for any suspicious noise. He heard the big man shuffling around, and decided he ought to look through the crack in the door, to see what was going on. Just as he looked out, he saw the man lift a big book down from the shelf, and open it carefully on the table. It looked very much like a big Bible, but he wasn’t too sure. After quite a long time of silent reading, the man replaced the Bible and then knelt down by his chair to pray.

Without another word, the traveler laid aside his gun and prepared to get into bed.

“I thought you were going to sit up and watch,” said his companion.

“There’s no need of it here. I just saw him reading a big Bible, and now he is out there praying. I’m going to sleep.”

I’m sure you will agree that there is no other book in the world that would have this effect on the two anxious travelers.

“The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether ... Moreover by them is Thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:8-11.

This wonderful Book tells me of my sinful condition and of God’s holiness that cannot look upon sin. But it also tells me of God’s remedy for sin, the blood of Jesus Christ. Have you read this Book and believed it?

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105.

ML 05/06/1956

Bible Questions for May

The Children’s Class

1. What did Paul testify to both Jews and Greeks?

2. When the Lord appeared to Paul (Saul) on the way to Damascus, did Paul want to do his own will, or what the Lord would have him do?

3. What made Felix tremble?

4. Who was almost (but not altogether) persuaded to be a Christian?

5. Did Paul believe God would do exactly as He said He would?

6. What did Paul do before eating, in the presence of all the other men on his ship?

7. Did all who heard Paul, believe the things that were spoken?

The Young People’s Class Types and Shadows

1. Did the people say they would do all that the Lord had spoken to them? Exodus 19.

2. Could they do this, or was any person in the world ever justified by keeping the law? Romans.

3. Did the Lord allow the people to come near to the mount when the law was given? Exodus 19.

4. In what way can we draw near NOW, into the very holiest of all? Hebrews.

5. Were the people allowed to gaze at the glory of the Lord when the law was given? Exodus 19.

6. Can we behold the glory of the Lord NOW with open face, since redemption has been accomplished? 2 Corinthians 3.

7. Are believers now under the law or under grace? Romans 6.

ML 05/06/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 17:2-12.

The Lord told Elijah to go and hide by the brook Cherith where he could drink of the brook; He also said the ravens would bring him food to eat. Elijah might have reasoned that it was foolish to expect the ravens to bring food to him; and so it was, naturally speaking. But the whole creation is under the hand of its Creator. The hand that sends the rain and withholds it, could use even an unclean, ravenous bird to feed His servant. Elijah knew this, so he acted in obedience. He did not question the wisdom nor the power of God, and he was not disappointed, for the ravens brought him bread and flesh morning and evening.

What a lesson for us, for we can be sure that if God calls us into a path, He can sustain us in it, and. He may even dispose the heart of an unsaved man or woman to care for us. While we should not go to the world seeking its help in the work of the Lord, we know He can and does at times turn them to be favorable and friendly in a most unexpected way. He brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs, and He can do the same for us when we step out into the path of faith, having God alone for our resource. In these days when association and consederation are the cry, we need more of that quiet walking with God and confidence in Him, instead of leaning on an arm of flesh. The Lord can and does sustain His servants, and there will be power in one’s testimony only in the measure in which he has this confidence in his own soul. The Lord is the One who raises up, and fits, and sustains, as He did Elijah here. Let us pray the Lord of the harvest to raise up such, for His own glory, in these last days.

God also tests the faith of His sernts, for we cannot live on an experience, nor on the faith that sustained us in the past. There must be a present living faith for the path, so here when the brook dried up Elijah waited for the word of the Lord. Let us remember that the darker the day, the greater the need of walking with God; for other resources will eventually fail, even though God may use them for a time. As the end approaches for us, we are exhorted to be “sober and watch unto prayer,” 1 Peter 4: 7, for we have no strength or wisdom of our own.

The Lord now sends His servant out of the land of Israel altogether, to Zarephath in Zidon. If His own people will not have His word, He will reach out in blessing to others—even to Gentiles. This was strikingly seen in the life of the Lord Jesus who, when rejected by His people, the Jews, manifested grace to those who were outside. Indeed this is the way He is acting now. Though Israel is set aside because of their rejection of Christ, grace is working with the Gentiles, until Israel repents of its guilt, and is brought into blessing again.

When Elijah arrived at Zarephath, he found a poor widow gathering sticks. He asked her for a drink of water, and when she went to get it, he asked for a morsel of bread also. This brought forth her sad story of starvation and deep poverty. She had come to the very bottom of her barrel of meal, and she had only a little oil in a cruse. She was gathering sticks to cook this, the very last she had, and then, when she and her son had eaten, she said they would die. Little did she realize that the eye of God was upon her, that He had seen her need, and was about to provide for her. Man’s extremity is God’s oppounity!

ML 05/06/1956

Little Sins and Big Sins

I have met some boys and girls, and some big folks too, who feel that they do not need to be saved because they have never committed any “big sins.” Do you suppose this is right? They sometimes feel that if they only tell little lies, and don’t swear too often, and don’t grow up to rob and steal, they are quite good enough for heaven, and really don’t need to worry about their sins at all.

One day as I was traveling by train, we stopped at a town where there were a great many tracks beside us. On one of those tracks stood a long line of cars full of coal. Some were filled with huge black chunks of coal, bigger than I had ever seen before. Others were filled with smaller ones, such as we used to see at home. And then there were coal cars filled with such fine bits that it looked almost like coarse sand from where I was sitting.

This reminded me of our sins. Some folks commit very big sins. Perhaps everyone hears about it, and they exclaim, “How terrible! I would never do a thing like that!” Other folks commit a great many smaller sins, and some people think their sins are so small that they are scarcely sins at all.

But let us see what God has to say.

“There is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:22, 23.

“The thought of foolishness is sin.” Proverbs 24:9.

In the sight of God, sin is sin, whether we consider them little sins or big sins. No, it is solemnly true that God cannot allow one sin to enter heaven. And it is blessedly true that the blood of His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, can wash them all away.

All those black lumps were coal, and the size of the lumps didn’t make them any cleaner either! Right now as you read this paper, your heart is either stained with many sins in the sight of a holy God, or washed whiter than snow in the blood of His dear Son. If you had slipped away into eternity last night, where would you be now? If there were sin stains on your heart, you would be lost forever, instead of reading this paper telling of God’s gracious offer of pardon.

Don’t wait any longer, but own before God just what a sinner you are, and accept His dear Son as your own Saviour.

“WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL RECEIVE REMISSION OF SINS.” Acts 10:43.

ML 05/13/1956

David's Troubles

The “depression” had found its way into the Gas Creek region deep in the Rockies of Colorado. David Morton, his ten years resting heavily on his thin young shoulders, was concerned over something to eat and wear, and a place to live. So intent was he on these problems as he trudged up the narrow, rutted road to the schoolhouse, that he failed to see the beauty of his surroundings. He was not even listening to the wind as it whistled through the trees — a sound which he loved. Today he only shivered and drew his shabby coat closer about him.

“It’s not fair!” he suddenly shouted to a chattering blue jay. “It’s not. She’s the onliest brother ‘n’ sister I got.” He tried to think, but the doctor’s words kept bothering him. “She needs to cry,” the doctor had said. That was last night. He had been curled up behind the stove trying to keep warm, when he heard his mother say, “Father, I’m worried about sister; she isn’t picking up as she should. She won’t eat, and she fusses in her sleep. Henry, can’t we call the doctor? We’ll pay him when better times come.”

There was pleading in her voice, and father had gone for the doctor. When the doctor came, he examined the baby carefully, and then said bluntly, “There is nothing the matter with the child, except that her little lungs are not developed. She needs to cry, that’s all.”

“It’s true, doctor, that I haven’t let her cry. I’ve held her and hushed her for fear she’d disturb the people downstairs, who have so kindly let us have these two rooms free of rent.” Mother’s voice had choked, and the doctor had gone away soon afterward.

“Father wants to work,” David muttered defiantly to the world at large. “It isn’t his fault we haven’t enough to eat — and I guess we have to live somewhere.” But the problem remained — a place to live where baby sister could cry.

He was so absorbed in thought that he stumbled in his heavy boots and fell down in the snow. His dinner pail went rolling, not that it mattered, for it was empty save for a lone piece of cold corn bread. Picking up his lunch, he thought happily of the new teacher at the Gas Creek school. She often gave him some of her own lunch to add to his. If she hadn’t, he would have often been more hungry than he was. But an apple, a fat sandwich, a piece of cake, or peaps a cooky or nuts helped out a great deal. His mouth watered hungrily.

“I wonder what she’ll give me today,” he sighed. “Maybe I can take some of it to Mother. Mother looks so thin and tired.” He clenched his fists, blue with cold. “When I get big, there’ll just have to be jobs enough to go ‘round.” He thought of the teacher again, and of the idea he had been pondering ever since the doctor had left last night.

“Maybe her Jesus will help us.” At the thought his steps quickened, and then as he rounded the bend and the stone schoolhouse came into view, involuntarily they slowed again, for in the yard the “gang” was playing snowball.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

ML 05/13/1956

He Is Able

I think most boys and girls like trains. When I was in England I saw ever so many boys with notebooks and pencils, waiting around railway stations and sitting on railway bridges. Every time a locomotive went past, they jotted down the number of the engine in their little “Loco-Spotter” book.

One day as I boarded a train, I niced three boys with happy, carefree faces clamber on board and take their seats together. Then I spied two other little fellows holding hard to their mother’s hand, and looking a bit uneasy about the whole thing. There seemed such a difference in the excited and carefree manner of the first three, and the frightened, clinging way of the other two, that it set me thinking.

We are all going on a journey. It is not in a boat or in a train, but it is a journey just the same. The boy or girl who reads this Messages of the Love of God is on that journey. The journey takes us from earth to — eternity! I wish I could have said heaven, but it will not be heaven for everyone. I am sorry to say so, but I know it is true that there are boys and girls who read this paper every week, who have not yet taken the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, and so, although they are on the journey, they are not on their way to hean at all.

Now to finish my story. When I got off the train, the three happy boys jumped off too, and ran up front to the locomotive. In a moment, the engineer climbed down, and bent down his big strong face to give each boy a kiss!

“We had a good ride, Daddy,” they said.

Aha! Now I knew why those boys were so happy and carefree! Their father was the engineer, and they just knew that everything would be all right.

When we stop to think of it, we can have no sure guide to heaven but the One who lives there. Surely He can lead us. And in order to do this, He has sent His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins that we might be fit to enter heaven.

The Lord Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

ML 05/13/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 17:13-24.

This poor widow of Zarephath is a striking picture of what we were as Gentiles, and of the place where God always meets the sinner. When we have come to the very end of all our own resources, that is when the Lord comes in. That is when He makes known His saving power, as He did here. Elijah told the poor widow to make a cake for him first, and then for herself and her son. He then assured her by the Word of the Lord that the barrel of meal would not waste, nor the cruse of oil fail, until the Lord sent rain upon the earth. If she believed the Word of the Lord, the blessing was hers, and she showed her faith by making the cake for Elijah first. The blessing was hers too, just as the Lord had said, for her barrel of meal was never empty, nor did her cruse of oil fail through all the days of famine that followed.

How refreshing it is to see faith like this. God is always as good as His word. Moreover it is noticeable here that the Lord did not say He would fill her barrel of meal, nor fill her cruse of oil, but each time she went to get some there was enough for her present need. And this is the way it is with us in our Christian pathway. The One who saved us, supplies all our needs along the way to glory. We cannot borrow the grace and strength we need for tomorrow, but it will be supplied as we need it. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16.

Just as God had tested the faith of Elijah before, so He does again, and also the faith of this widow, now a young believer. Soon after this wonderful display of faith in the Lord, a deep trial came upon her. Her only son died. She then called Elijah and asked him why he had dealt in this way with her, and if it was to call her sins to remembrance. The enemy would cause us to question the ways of God when trouble comes, and to ask how He can love us when He deals thus. Let us not listen to his insinuations, but rather take all our trials from the Lord and be exercised thereby.

Elijah was exercised by all the Lord had allowed here. He took the dead child from his mother, laid him upon his own bed, and while he asked the Lord why this had happened, He sought His face in the matter. He then stretched himself upon the child three times, and the Lord heard his prayer, restoring the child to life. Elijah then took him down and gave him back to his mother. She acknowledged the Lord’s goodness in this wonderful miracle, and her faith was strengthened by it. If we take our circumstances from the Lord, they will be but new experiences of His faithfulness and prove a rich blessing. May we seek grace to do this, knowing the Lord allows them for our good.

I believe there is also a precious lesson in this for us, in connection with our children. How helpless we are to impart new life to them, but if in our helplessness we cast them upon the Lord, He will come in. He may use one of His servants for their blessing, as He used Elijah here. Perhaps it might suggest that we could sometimes arrange to get our children alone with one of His faithful servants. Then the Lord may enable him to get close enough to reach them. It is a great thing to know how to bring ourselves down to the level of a child.

ML 05/13/1956

God's Help

Joan ran out of the house with a happy smile. Her mother had sent her on a message; she was always eager to run messages for Mother.

But just ten minutes later poor Joan was carried home again by two strong men. Her eyes were closed and she was moaning.

“I think you ought to get the doctor right away, Mrs. Best. Some rough boys were throwing stones, and one of them hit your little girl right in the eye. I am afraid it is injured badly.”

With an anxious voice Mrs. Best called the doctor, and in a very short time he came in the front door.

He did his best to make poor Joan feel more comfortable, and then he took a look at the injured eye.

“It was a cruel blow,” he said, “but I believe I can repair the damage.”

Then he turned to Joan. “This will hurt you, I’m afraid, but I hope you will be brave.”

“I’ll try.”

“Are you ready now?”

“Just one minute and I’ll be ready.”

Bravely, her little voice rang out, “‘Please God, forgive the little boy who threw that stone. And please help me to bear the pain bravely. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.’ I’m ready now.”

I am glad to tell you that the eye got better, and I am sure you will admit that Joan was a patient and brave girl. But I wonder if you ever think of speaking to God and to the Lord Jesus like Joan did? God loves you, and He is listening all the time to everything you say. Perhaps you say things sometimes that you would not want God to hear, but He hears just the same.

Joan often spoke to God, because she knew that He loved her, and she knew the Lord Jesus as her Saviour. This is the very beginning of all real happess in your life. If you have not yet taken the Lord Jesus into your heart, you ought to do so right now. And if you are one of His saved ones, then you can turn to Him at all times for help in time of need.

“CALL UPON ME IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE: I WILL DELIVER THEE, AND THOU SHALT GLORIFY ME.” Psalm 50:15.

ML 05/20/1956

David's Troubles

“If I get there just in time for the bell, they won’t have a chance to yell mean things at me,” he reasoned. He would never let the gang know the agony it caused him to come to school dressed as he was. Of course he looked like a scarecrow in his fher’s old cut-down overalls and shirt, and those rubber boots for shoes. They weren’t so warm either; his toes were stiff with cold right now; but he woul’t complain. Father and Mother did the best they could, and it would only make them feel bad.

As he slowly walked along, some one caught sight of him and yelled derisively, “Hey, fellers, here comes Boots!”

They all laughed with that unconscious cruelty of youth.

Quickly he entered the schoolhouse, and as he warmed himself by the fire, the jeers forgotten, he thought happily, “I’ll ask teacher today.”

The school bell rang and the sturdy, rosy-cheeked youngsters filed into the schoolroom. There were only fourteen or fifteen in all, and they came in quietly, for even the most mischievous of them had a great respect for Miss Nelson, the new teacher. She was very different from all their other teachers. How vividly they remembered that first morning of school. When all were in their seats, she had said in a soft clear voice (little they knew the courage it had taken to do so),

“Before we begin our school this morning, let’s bow our heads and ask Jesus to be with us.”

Then she bent her head and closed her eyes (hadn’t they all watched?) and talked to this Someone called Jesus, whom they couldn’t see. And every morning since then she had opened the school with prayer.

Classes began, but David in his baggy trousers and big boots was not intent on his arithmetic and spelling. He was wondering desperately about prayer and Jesus. Recess came without his having a chance to ask his question, but during the noon hour, while the others were shouting outside in the snow, he approached the teacher timidly.

“Miss Nelson,” his voice was anxious, “if I asked Jesus for just three things, do you suppose He’d give them to me?”

“If you ask, and believe that He will answer. What three things do you want, David?”

“I’d like some clothes like the other fellers wear, so they won’t laugh at me any more; an’ I’d like for us to have enough to eat, so we wouldn’t always be hungry; but, Miss Nelson, I want most of all a new place to live so little sister can cry — she’ll die if she doesn’t! Will He give me these things, teacher, will He?”

Miss Nelson’s heart was touched. Too well she knew the poverty of this home, the father’s inability to get work, and even if they had been able to pay, she knew of no vacant house for rent in the settlement. But she stilled the doubts in her heart, and answered, “Yes, David, I believe He will. Do you?”

“These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat in due season.” Psalm 104:27.

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Psalm 103:10.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Mahew 6:33.

ML 05/20/1956

Come Now

A faithful preacher urged a young lady to come to the Lord Jesus and accept Him as her Saviour at once. She did not like his earnest appeal, and impatiently replied, “You are always urging me now, now. I cannot see the need of such a hurry.”

“I have no authority to teach or to preach any other gospel,” replied the preacher.

“O well, I’ll risk it,” she jauntily replied, as she waved goodbye and stard out on a summer excursion. In a very short time she was burned to death in a steamer on the Hudson river. It was her last opportunity — and she “risked it”!

But, dear reader, there is actually no risk or chance about it. If you continue to reject the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, there is no doubt whatever as to where you will spend eternity. God speaks the truth, and He says it will be in hell. If, however, you will accept the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart by faith, you will be saved and spend eternity with Christ in heaven.

Do not put it off, we beseech you. Decide for Christ NOW.

ML 05/20/1956

Stuck in the Mud

“When I was a little boy about three years old, I went out to play one sunny day in springtime. I had my rubber boots on and decided to cross the road to play on the other side. It was only a dirt road and the spring rains had now turned it into thick mud. I knew little about mud, so off I went until halfway across and then I found that I was stuck.

After a stiff struggle I got one foot free, only to find that the other one had stuck deeper than ever in the mud. I tried to get it free but both feet became very thoroughly stuck.

What a picture this is of many who have started out innocently enough, only to sink into the mire of sin! The harder they try to get away from their sins, the deeper they sink into them.

As I stood in the middle of the road crying, because I did not know how to get out, a lady who was passing saw me. She came to where I was, picked me up out of the mud and set me down safely at my home. How thankful I was to be out of the mud!

Do you want to be lifted out of your sins which will drag you down to hell? Then cry unto the Lord Jesus Christ and He will deliver you.

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” Ps. 40:1, 2.

ML 05/20/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 18:1-20.

During these unhappy years of famine, Obadiah, a true believer and a man of faith, was in the court of Ahab. In his wrong position he could not be a witness for the Lord, though he acted for Him in a hidden way. No matter where a child of God finds himself, he loves the Lord’s people — it is his nature to do so, even if it is secretly. Obadiah hid one hundred of the Lord’s prophets and fed them through those dark years. Yet how much better was the position of Elijah than that of Obadiah! Better to be suffering privation and trial in the path of obedience, than to be in the court of a king with a bad conscience!

After three long years the Lord sent Elijah to tell Ahab that he was about to send rain again. The famine was now so serious that Ahab was afraid all his animals would die, so he sent Obadiah in one direction, while he himself went in another, looking for fountains and brooks where they might find grass for their beasts. As Obadiah was passing through the land Elijah met him, and Obadiah recognized him. He fell on his face before him and said, “Art thou that my lord Elijah?” Apparently Elah was not pleased with the way he addressed him, so he replied, “I am: go, and tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.”

This ought to have been a voice to Obadiah’s conscience, for he was really acting under the authority of wicked king Ahab, instead of owning the Lord’s authority. Is this not often true of us, that we are more afraid of some man, more submissive to his authority, than the Lord’s? Peter could say, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” May we own the Lord’s authority first and always. We can see by poor Obadiah’s reply, how afraid he was of king Ahab, for he said, “What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?” He then went on to tell Elijah how he had hunted for him before this, but could not find him, and now if he told Ahab that he had seen him, the Spirit of the Lord might carry Elijah away, and Ahab would still not be able to find him. He told of how he had taken care of the prophets of the Lord, and that he fead the Lord from his youth, but alas, he seemed to fear Ahab more. However Elijah assured him that he would show himself to Ahab that day, and he did.

When Ahab saw Elijah he said to him, “Art thou he that troubleth Isrl?” Elijah replied, “I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commanents of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.” How natural it is for us to blame others for the trouble we bring upon ourselves by our own self-will and disobedience. Long ago in the garden of Eden when Adam sinned, he blamed his wife, and even the Lord for giving her to him. Eve, too, blamed the serpent. So it is today, the sinner will blame others, or the devil, and even God — anyone but himself. Yet we know that the first step in blessing is unqualified SELF-condemnation, even though we are so slow in coming to this point.

Elijah was not afraid of Ahab, for Jehovah was his Lord. He told Ahab what he must do, and the king obeyed, gathering the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal together, with the pele of Israel, to mount Carmel. The Lord is able to bring down those who walk in pride, for how helpless man is when He speaks.

ML 05/20/1956

The Country Path

It was a bright sunny day, and a gentleman who was visiting in the country asked a little lad to come for a walk with him. They walked along for a short distance till they came to a path that turned off to one side. It was fringed with pretty flowers and looked very inviting, but the little lad held back.

“Why don’t you want to come along this path?” asked the gentleman.

“Because before you go very far you will get into a patch of mud,” replied the little fellow.

He knew the end of that path, and he was not deceived; the beginning was pleasing enough, but he considered its end.

How like life’s pathway this is! Sometimes young folks, starting out in life, are taken up with the glitter of present things, things which Satan uses to hide from them the awful judgment which lies at the end of a life of sin. God in His Word warns us of the end of the path, because HE KNOWS. He warns us in love too, because He cares for our souls. Listen to His Word which says, “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” Eccl. 11:9.

God not only warns of coming judgment, but He Himself has provided a way of escape. He gave His own Son to die for our sins upon the cross of Calvary that He might save our souls from eternal hell. It would have been very unpleasant for the gentleman of whom we were speaking to get into the mud, but he could, no doubt, have stepped out again quite easily. If you reject God’s gracious offer of salvation, dear reader, and find yourself in a lost eternity, there will be no escape. Heed the warning NOW, before it is too late.

“O THAT THEY WERE WISE, THAT THEY UNDERSTOOD THIS, THAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER THEIR LATTER END!”—Deut. 32:29.

ML 05/27/1956

"David's Troubles"

David’s face shone with happiness; of course he believed that his teacher’s Jesus would send the things. Hadn’t she said that He would?

School over, the last tasks at the schoolhouse finished, she started for the settlement. Every time she thought of David and his simple faith, the tears would come. Reaching her boarding place, she went in, her eyes red with weeping. Planning to go directly to her room, she was stopped by her landlady’s voice.

“Come in a minute, Ruth,” she called. But when the girl appeared in the doorway, she exclaimed, “Why, dearie, what is the matter?”

Having found a sympathetic listener, Ruth Nelson poured out the whole pitiful story of David’s three desires. She finished with a sob.

Until she was almost through with her story, she had not noticed Mrs. Black’s visitors. Mrs. Howard, a neighbor, and Mrs. Richards were in the room. The three women were moved deeply by the story and when it was finished, there was a moment of absute quiet. Who would dare say that the voice of God was not speaking to their hearts? Mrs. Black was the first to speak.

“I know how the second request of that prayer is going to be answered,” she said. And as soon as her company left she made a number of trips to the cellar, bringing back vegetables, jars of fruit, and other canned goods, which all found their way into a big basket. When it was full, she surveyed it with a smile. “You won’t get hungry for a while, laddie, and when this is gone, there will be more.” Later that evening the heaped basket found its way to the Morton door.

As Mrs. Richards was leaving, she took Ruth’s hands, and said, “I know how the laddie’s first request is to be answered. I’ll see that he has plenty of warm clothes for the rest of the winter.”

The next morning she visited the owner of the one general merchandise store in town, explained what she wanted, and that is how David became the proud owner of not just one complete new outfit of clothes, but two! No more boots or overalls, or ragged coats for him!

But the third and most important part of the prayer was, as yet, unanswered — a place to live. Mrs. Black’s other visitor went home without making any promises. That evening she told her husband the pitiful story. He listened in silence, until she said that none of them knew of any place where the family might move.

“Why, I have a place,” he interrupted gruffly, “that house I have been using for a granary. It isn’t much for looks, but it is a good tight house. Two rooms can easily be cleaned out, and they can move in there. I don’t want any rent, and the baby can cry all day!”

And so David’s prayer, prayed in simple faith, was answered. Several days later, when all these wonderful things had been accomplished, he approached Miss Nelson’s desk one noon, and looked up into her face with shing eyes.

“Teacher, Jesus is so good! I musn’t forget to thank Him, must I?”

“Let’s do it right now, David,” she suggested. And there in the quiet schoolroom they knelt together.

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good; for His mercy endureth Forever.” Psalms 118:29.

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Genesis 18:14.

“With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26.

Perhaps the one who is reading this story is not poor, as David was, and you may never have been cold or hungry in your life. But every boy and girl who ever lived has a need that only Jesus can meet, and He longs to meet it for you. You need a Saviour — yes, a Saviour to save you from your sins and take you to heaven. The Lord Jesus is the only Saviour, and He will save you now if you turn to Him and accept Him as the One who died on Calvary in your guilty place.

“He is able also to save.” Hebrews 7:25.

“Thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21.

ML 05/27/1956

A Letter to a Little Girl

Bournemouth, England.

Dear Gracie,

Little girls like to get letters, so I am writing to tell you a little story about some children during the war.

Do you remember sitting in the armchair in my room? I thought you looked very tired and would soon be fast asleep when you got into bed, like Charlotte was. Then I thought of the little children during the war, how often they had to get up in the night and run to the shelter for safety.

One night when in bed asleep, I was suddenly awakened by the loud noise of several sirens all going at the same time. They were waking everybody up as enemy planes were coming nearer nearer, and might soon drop their bombs. A few minutes later, I heard children’s voices, and the patter of their little feet running along the road to the shelter. I could hear one boy’s voice shouting to his little brothers and sisters to hurry up and run fast to the shelter before the bombs drop. Their mother was a short distance behind, and she was running too, perhaps with a baby in her arms, and blankets to put around her children in the shelter.

I thought of the hundreds of children in the towns and villages round about who were running along the streets in the dark, seeking a shelter. Oh, if they only would run as quickly into the arms of Jesus, they would be safe, not only for a few hours, but for time and for all eternity. We often sing,

“Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o’ershadowed
Sweetly my soul shall rest.”

David knew what a safe shelter he had in God! In Psalm 61, he says, “For Thou hast been a shelter for me.” In Psalm 62 he says, “My refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times; ye pele, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us.”

With lots of love, from your friend,

R. G.

ML 05/27/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 18:21-39.

What a solemn and searching question Elijah asked the people at this time! “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him.” What a challenge! “And the people answered him not a word.” How stubborn their hearts were! They had not turned to the Lord, even after more than three years without rain. They still clung to Baal their false god, even though he had not delivered them from the dire famine — for such is the heart of man.

Perhaps the one who reads these lines is going through a deep trial. Have you turned to the Lord, dear unsaved one, or are you, like Ahab, blaming Him for your trouble? You know that all other help has failed, and yet you halt between two opinions. The enemy of your soul would keep you from the Lord, who calls you in grace, longing to bless and save you. Decide for Christ today.

Elijah told the people to take two bullocks; they could choose one, while he would take the other. They could take their bullock first, and cut it into pieces and prepare it for a sacrifice; he would prepare his after. They had four hundred and fifty prophets for Baal, and a great following, while he stood alone for the Lord, the true God of Israel. He told them not to put any fire under their sacrifice, but to call upon Baal to send fire and consume it. Nor would he put any fire under his sacrifice, but that he would call upon the Lord, and the god who answered with fire would be the true God.

To this the people all agreed, and so the priests of Baal prepared their sacrice first. Then they called upon Baal from morning till noon, but there was no answer to their cries. They even leaped upon their altar, crying, “O Baal, hear us.” Then Elijah mocked them, saying that perhaps their god was away on a journey, or asleep and needed to be awakened. This made them still more fanatical, and they cried aloud and cut themselves till the blood gushed out. Still there was no answer, and now it was about the time of the evening sacrifice. How foolish is the fanaticism and endless repetition in false religion coared with the simplicity of the truth of God!

Elijah came forward at this time and asked all the people to come near to him. He then repaired the altar of the Lord which was broken down, using twelve stones as representing the twelve tribes of Israel. He made a trench about the altar, and prepared the sacrifice and the wood. He then told the people to draw four barrels of water and pour it over the sacrifice and the wood. He told them to do it a second and a third time, until the water ran down and filled up the trench.

At the time of the evening sacrifice he stood by the altar and prayed in a few simple words, asking the Lord to show that He was the true God, thus turning the hearts of the people back to Himself. “Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, He is the God; the Lord, He is the God.” How could they help but acknowledge this in the presence of such a marvelous display of His power! What a contrast to Baal, who was but a dumb idol.

ML 05/27/1956

Working for Jesus

Daniel had often gone to Sunday school, and always enjoyed hearing stories of Daniel and David and Moses. I think the story of Daniel was his favorite probably because he had the same name.

He always loved to hear stories about the Lord Jesus and the miracles that He did. He liked to read his own little Bible and to sing hymns. But in spite of all this, little Daniel had never really given his heart to the Lord Jesus. But soon the Word of God had its effect on his little heart, and he began to feel sure that he must accept the Lord Jesus for himself, for he knew that he was a sinner.

And so it happened that he came home from Sunday school one day, and went right to his bed room. After a little time, he opened the door and came out again, with a bright happy smile on his face.

“Mother,” he said, “I’m saved now. I have just nov-taken the Lord as my Saviour.” You may be very sure that his mother’s heart was filled with joy, and she kissed her boy, and they prayed together.

The next morning, Daniel got up earlier than usual, and slipped quietly down stairs just as his mother was starting to get the breakfast.

“Why, Daniel, why are you up so early this morning?”

“Now that I am saved, mother, I thought I would like to help you all I can.”

Mother stopped to wipe away a tear. Then she kissed her boy again, and together they worked away happily getting the breakfast.

Just which part of this story fits you? Are you like Daniel at first when he went so regularly to Sunday school, and enjoyed it, but was not yet saved? Or are you like Daniel now, having taken the Lord Jesus as your Saviour? He loves you and wants you now.

If you now know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, have you ever thought of what He would have you do for Him? You don’t need to wait till you are grown up to live for Him. Kindness and obedience at home, and a willingness to help mother and to help others, is surely a wonderful way to please the Lord Jesus and I hope these things are seen in your life. But remember, Daniel came to Jesus first himself, and you must do this too.

“THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME.” Galatians 2:20.

ML 06/03/1956

Stewart and Willie

Stewart and Willie were schoolboys. They walked to and from school together. and often spent the evenings with each other. I met the two boys one night at the close of a children’s meeting. Stewart was sitting close to the wall, looking so serious that I was certain something was troubling him. Sitting down by his side I asked,

“Well, Stewart, is your soul saved yet? Can you look forward to being with Jesus in that bright and happy home where they see His face?” He raised his head, and with such an earnest look, his big blue eyes peering into mine, he slowly replied, “I cannot say that, Sir; but I would like to be saved, and I have been trying all I can since last Friday night.”

“And what have you been doing, Stewart?” I asked.

“When I went home from the meeting last Friday, I told my parents I would like to be saved, and they told me if I was good, and did what I was bidden, and kept God’s commandments, I would be saved, and get to heaven. They said that was in the Bible, Sir; and so Willie and I have made up our minds to do this, and we will try and live as well as we can for the time to come,” answered the boy.

The decided manner in which the little fellow spoke, left no doubt in my mind that he was really in earnest about his salvation. But it was sad to think he had been put on the wrong track by those who were entirely mistaken, and that they had told little Stewart what was not true. There is no part of the Bible that says boys and girls will get to heaven if they are “good” and “keep the commandments.” But I’ll tell you what it does say. It says, “There is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Romans 3:12. Everyone has broken the commandments, and all are therefore under the curse. Just read Romans 3:9-19, and Gal. 3:10, and you will see.

When I told the dear boy this, his blue eyes filled with tears, and he sobbed bitterly. After all his reformation, he saw that he was unfit for heaven, and could not go there.

“And what, then, shall we do, Sir?”

“You can do nothing, Stewart, because you are helpless sinners. But if you and Willie come close, I will let you read in my Bible what Jesus has done for you.”

The boys drew near, and we turned and read,

“He was wounded for our transgreions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5. This tells about the sufferings of Jesus, when He died on the cross for sinners.

“Now all this was for lost sinners,” I said, “and He suffered and died that they might go free. I am saved by His work, and not by mine. Do you believe that Jesus died for you?”

“Yes, I do, for I am a sinner.” “Well, now, let us see what Jesus says of those that believe.” We turned to John 6:47. There Jesus says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.”

“What does He say you have, Stewart?”

“Everlasting life, everlasting life,” said the boy, and the cloud passed from his face as he said it.

I thought it best to leave the Word of God with the two boys, and not to press them to say they believed.

Next evening, a good while before meeting time, my two little friends were there. I asked Stewart how it stood with him now.

“Saved, Sir, saved, and Willie here, too. He saw it first, and we are both happy now.”

The two boys, now little soldiers of Jesus Christ, go on rejoicing in Him as their Saviour.

ML 06/03/1956

Bible Questions for June

The Children’s Class

1. Was Paul ashamed of the gospel of Christ?

2. Are there any who are righteous (in themselves) before God?

3. How can an ungodly person be counted righteous before God?

4. For what kind of people did Christ die?

5. What is the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord?

6. Is the believer dead to the law?

7. How many things in our lives does God make work together for our good, if we love Him?

The Young People’s Class Types and Shadows

1. Did the Lord allow His people Israel to use any tool in making their altars? Exodus 20.

2. Is the Lord worshiped by men’s hands? Acts.

3. Did the Lord allow the children of Israel to exalt themselves by going up steps to their altar? Exodus 20.

4. To whom does the Lord look? Isaiah 66.

5. If a Hebrew servant loved the wife his master had given him, and his children, what did he have to do to have their company? Exodus 21.

6. Did Christ love the church enough to give Himself for it? Eohesions.

7. Will the Lord Jesus sen His own in a coming day? Luke 12.

ML 06/03/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 18:40-19:2.

Now that the people were convinced the Lord was the true God, Elijah told them to take the prophets of Baal and not to let one of them escape. He then took them down to the brook Kishon and killed every one of them. The Lord did not want His people to have divided hearts, and since they now knew that the Lord was the true God they must worship Him alone. May we know what it is to give Him our whole hearts too, for He is worthy. Let us get rid of our idols, and serve Him alone.

God had sent this terrible famine to turn the hearts of His people back to Himself, and now that they had acknowledged Him, there was no further delay in sending the rain. God is always in a hurry to bless, and so here, Elijah told Ahab that there was a sound of abundance of rain. Then he went up on the top of Carmel, and putting his head between his knees, he told his servant to go and look toward the sea. When his servant had done this seven times, he saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand. It is a great thing for us when our heads get down to our knees. Too often we are occupied with what we can accomplish, but when we get down before the Lord, knowing that all blessing comes from Him, then He can use us. After Elijah had waited with his head between his knees for a time, the Lord came in in a remarkable way.

Elijah then sent to Ahab and told him to get down before the rain stopped him. Soon clouds filled the sky and there was a great rain. While Ahab was hurrying to Jezreel, Elijah ran before him, rejoicing no doubt to see the rain coming upon the earth again. The first cloud that appeared was about the size of a man’s hand, but what great things followed. I believe this is a lesson to us, that if we are humble and look to the Lord, He will use our feeble efforts, just as this great “shower of blessing” started with a cloud the size of a man’s hand. May the Lord keep us close to Himself in these closing days, for “the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few.” Luke 10:2.

This testimony of Elijah to rebellious Israel is, also a figure of the testimony in power during the tribulation period (Malachi 4:5, 6), and it will stir up the hatred of the ungodly part of the nation, just as Elijah’s testimony stirred up the wrath of Jezebel. (See Revelation 11:3-13.) We might also mention that the testimony then will have the character of Moses as well, for he brought plagues upon Egypt — a type of the world in its opposition to the rights of God as Creator. What an awful time of judgment that will be!

When Jezebel the wife of Ahab heard that the prophets of Baal had been slain, she said that she would see to it that Elijah was put to death for all this. Elijah had openly demonstrated before all the people that the Lord was the true God, but we see that they needed more than a testimony. A testimony will never change the heart. God has given every testimony possible to man, but his natural heart is still at enmity with Him. Men will say they would like you to prove that the Bible is true, but even when we do give them overwhelming evidence, as Elijah did here, they only seek new arguments against it. The sinner needs not merely to be convinced, but conviction of sin and new birth by the power of the Spirit of God. The Lord Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3.

ML 06/03/1956

"Don't You Love Him Back?"

Barbara was sitting on the floor playing with her favorite doll. The doll had a name, but I have forgotten it. Barbara would talk to her doll, and tell her all kinds of wonderful plans. Mother was sitting nearby, busy mending torn clothes, as mothers often do. All at once the little voice stopped, and Barbara sat quietly. Then with a very thoughtful expression on her face, she walked slowly over to her mother.

“Mother, tell me, is it really true that God loves me? Does He really love little Barbara?”

“Yes, my dear, God really loves you. He loved you so very much that He sent His own Son to die for you. He loved you, but He did not love your sins, and so He sent His dear Son into this world to go to the cross in order that your little heart might be washed clean from sins, and that you might be fit for heaven. He wants you to trust His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“Does Jesus love me better than you do, Mother?”

“Yes, Barbara, far better. I have never died for you, but the Lord Jesus did.”

“Does Jesus love me now?”

“Yes, dear. Although He is in heaven, He sees you right now and He loves you right now.”

A glowing smile lighted her happy face and she cried out with joy, “Then I love Him! I love Him! Oh, I do love Him right now!”

From that day on, Barbara was a living testimony that she belonged to the Lord Jesus. There was a real change in all her ways, and she always delighted to tell others how much Jesus loved her and that He loved them too. As she would speak to people about the wonderful love of Jesus, she would carefully watch their faces to see if she could tell whether they loved Him too. And if anyone seemed unchanged or careless when she spoke to them, she would often say, “But don’t you love Him back again? I do.”

“WE LOVE HIM, BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US.” — 1 John 4:19.

ML 06/10/1956

"One More Chance"

Mr. and Mrs. Carson had been friends of mine for a long time, and I knew that they were praying daily for the salvation of their dear son, George. Perhaps there is a son of Christian parents who is even now reading this paper. May this story be a loud voice to your heart.

I was called one day, in great haste, to the Carson home to see George who was at the point of death. Yes, we do not all grow old, and it is a solemn thing to enter the sick room of a young man who has been brought up in a Christian home, and is dying — and lost!

“Oh, my son, my poor George! He is so young, and yet he is dying. How often have I prayed that he may accept the Lord Jesus. Is it too late now?”

I followed his weeping mother into the sick room, and there poor George was lying unconscious, and barely breathing. Suddenly his eyes opened. He looked around with bewildered eyes, and said, “Where am I?”

“You are at home in your own bed, George, right near me,” replied his mother.

“Am I very sick?”

“Yes, my son, you are very sick indeed.”

A terrible look of anguish came over his face.

“Mother, Mother! I cannot die, I am not ready to die!”

Then he turned his eyes slowly toward me and looked long and solemnly, but said not a word. He knew why I was there.

I bent over and asked, “George, I am going to pray. What shall I ask God?”

“Pray that the Lord may give me just one more chance.”

Then he again became unconscious.

We prayed earnestly that the Lord might raise him up again and give him yet one more chance to turn to the Lord and be saved. As we finished praying, we heard him murmur, “I cannot die... one more chance!”

Several days passed, during which the boy was hovering between life and death. Then he slowly began to recover. Little by little he gained his strength, and before long. was able to get up and be again with his family. Their joy was great, but their continued prayer was that he might now turn to the Lord. But I am sorry to say that as soon as he saw that he was going to get better, all serious thoughts seemed to leave him.

He was afraid to die without the Saviour, but he did not seem afraid to live without Him. He was thankful to all of us for our prayers, but remained absolutely silent when we spoke to him of the reality of his need of salvation.

Not long after, in spite of the tears and pleadings of his mother, he signed up as a sailor on board a merchant ship.

Once again I tried to touch his conscience, and spoke to him of God’s mercy in sparing his life, and God’s love in giving His Son to die for sinners.

“Are you going to leave home without Christ, and against the wishes of your mother? Be careful, God is not mocked!”

“Oh, I haven’t given up the thought of being saved. But just now I want to travel a bit, and when I get back home, then we will see. I may speak more about it then.”

Some time later, George’s mother received a letter from abroad, but not from George; it was from the ship’s captain. During a violent storm, poor George had been washed overboard, and they were not able to rescue him.

Right now, as you are reading this paper, God is giving you an opportunity to be saved. It may be your last. What a dreadful thing to be reminded throughout a long lost eternity, that you despised the last opportunity. Why not accept the Lord Jesus right now, and be saved for eternity?

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked.” Galatians 6: 7.

ML 06/10/1956

Rescued

Perhaps you have been a little surprised sometimes at the very earnest way in which someone may have spoken to you about your soul. Perhaps your Sunday school teacher has been so very eager to see you accept the Lord as your Saviour, or perhaps you wish your own father or mother would not speak so often of the need of being saved. But I am very sure that you would not be at all surprised about these things if you only knew somhing of what it means to be lost.

You might have been surprised if you had been at a gospel meeting in the city of Boston some years ago. The one who gave the message was certainly in earnest, and his tears mingled freely with his message as he urged the souls in the audience to turn to the Lord Jesus for salvation. At the close of the meeting, an old sea captain rose from his seat and walked to the front and began this solemn message.

“Some years ago, we were sailing along through the waters of the Caribbean Sea, when all at once the cry ran through the ship, ‘Man overboard.’

“When I heard the shout, I was at the stern of the ship. At once I looked down and saw the poor man struggling in the water. Immediately I threw down a rope which landed right by him. As quick as lightning, he grasped it and held on, while the great ship was slowed down, and a boat was lowered to bring him back on deck. In a very short time, he was safe on board, but he was still holding the rope! Indeed we actually had to pry his fingers loose from their hold, and then we found the fibres of the rope imbedded in the flesh of his hands.”

The old speaker paused for a moment, and then went on to plead with the souls there, not to let slip their opportunity of salvation. I am sure that you would be very much in earnest if your present condition was anything like the sailor who fell into the sea. And yet your peril is worse if you are not saved as you read this paper. Do not lien to the whispers of the enemy who would tell you to wait till you are older.

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may king forth.” Proverbs 27:1.

ML 06/10/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 19:3-8.

We have seen the hatred of Jezebel against Elijah the prophet of the Lord; now we see the weakness of this dear man of God. How much we need a constant looking to the Lord, for we can never continue in the path of faith in the strength of yesterday’s victories. When God is manifesting His power in some remarkable way, there is a danger of being in haste, delighted to be identified with such a testimony, though our own individual faith may not be up to it. If this is the case, and it is all too often, God allows that which manifests our true state of soul, for He must have reality. Our service must flow from communion with the Lord, for it cannot continue unless it does. Outwardly all may seem well, for we naturally like to see power displayed, yet when the power of God arouses the enmity of the world, the flesh soon breaks down under such a test. This is what we see in Elijah, and no doubt we have all seen it in ourselves too. We naturally shrink from the world’s frown, and indeed can only endure it as we are walking close to our rejected Lord, hearing His still small voice.

Elijah therefore fled from Jezebel, and leaving his servant behind went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He who had just slain four hundred and fifty of the prophets of Baal, now flees from a woman! How weak we are when we lose sight of the Lord! Furthermore we do not realize our weakness at such times, but blame others and justify ourselves. We would fain escape the shame of having our true state manifested, for what is often called “inferiority complex” is really only another form of pride. And so here, Elijah requested the Lord to take away his life, for he said, “I am not better than my fathers,”

When laboring in the energy of the flesh, we are always very alert to the failures of others, and, if we do not say it openly, secretly feel we are better than they. If we are walking with the. Lord and serving in communion with Him, we know our own weakness and are slow to condemn others. Then, and I only then, are we able in lowliness of mind to esteem others better than ourselves. (Phil. 2:3.).

But Elijah could not do this. When he got into the presence of the Lord in his unhappy state of soul, instead of judging himself, he wanted to die. And so with us; if we have been hard on the failures of others, we shrink from the discovery of self, and would do anhing to hide our own wretchedness. How proud are our natural hearts, and how slow to enter into the patience and grace of God toward His people, when We have not realized the need of it ouelves.

In spite of all this, the Lord was gracious toward His fainting servant. He provided for his weakness, waking Elijah by the hand of an angel, as he slept under a juniper tree. There he found a cake ready for him to eat and a cruse of water for him to drink, and after Elijah had eaten and drunken, he lay down again. The angel then awakened him the second time telling him to eat and drink, because the journey was too great for him. Elijah did so, and then went forty days in the strength of that meat till he came to mount Horeb. The Lord had not sent him there, but He saw the need of His failing servant, and provided for him. How gracious He is, even sustaining us when our failing hearts are running away from the path of His will, because we find it too difficult. Truly our God is the God of all grace!

ML 06/10/1956

An Eskimo Story

Who would not like to visit the land of the midnight sun—to see igloos and kayaks and polar bears! It would be fun to stay a few hours perhaps, but it would be quite a different thing to go to live there. You must crawl in the front door of an Eskimo house on your knees, and find that your bed is made of ice. You may have a good strip of blubber for breakfast, and the long winter’s night lasts all day!

The Eskimos are a brave and hardy people, and have souls that are very dear to God. Therefore God moved the heart of a brave man to go and live among them. He had a heart full of love for them, but his tongue could not speak one word of their language. However, the missionary was very patient. He was not afraid of the biting, bitter cold. He lived among them, learned their difficult language, and put it all down in writing. This was very difficult, for the Eskimos had no written language at that time.

As soon as he was able, he began to tell them of the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in dying on the cross to save them, but the poor Eskimos would not hear of it. They had their own gods, and their own notions of life after death. Why should they give up what their fathers believed? Away with the new doctrine—they would not give it a hearing.

Is it true what people often say, “One religion is as good as another”? Is there one way of salvation for the Apostle Paul and another for me? No, indeed. There is only one true God and He has said, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22. He “NOW commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30. This commandment to all men everywhere includes you and me and the Eskimos. Have you obeyed it? Are you saved?

One Eskimo named Kayarnak was a leader in opposition to the Christian missionary, and he was determined to kill him or drive him out altogether. With a number of warrior friends, the Eskimo leader burst into the Christian’s hut one day, with angry words and gestures. The Christian was seated at a table, where his puzzled visitors found paper, ink, and pens.

“What is this?” cried Kayarnak, holding up a piece of paper covered with strange black marks.

“I put words on it,” said the missionary, “and it remembers them and tells them back to me.”

The hut resounded with Eskimo laughter, as the paper was passed from hand to hand. At last the unbelieving leader thrust it back into the missionary’s hands. “Here,” he said, “make it speak.”

Very willingly the Christian took the paper on which he had been translating the gospel story, and he read slowly the story of the crucifixion and death of the Lord Jesus. There was a great stillness in the little hut as he read on and on. The word was God’s Word, and it was quick and powerful. Great tears rolled down Kayarnak’s face. His ears were opened, and he received the Word of God to the saving of his soul.

Have your ears been opened, dear friend? Having heard the gospel story often, will you go on your way to a lost eternity, while Kayarnak goes to be with Christ in heaven? Have you seen the Lord Jesus dying as ttie Sin-bearer in your place on the cross of Calvary? He is now seated at God’s right hand in heaven, having been raised again for our justification and. He is able and willinc to save you today.

“VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU; HE THAT H EA R ET H my WORD, AND BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT SENT ME, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, AND SHALL NOT COME INTO-CONDEMNATION; BUT IS PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE.” John 5:24.

ML 06/17/1956

"I Want to Buy a Miracle"

Doctor James stood up and looked at Mr. and Mrs. Bronson. He had just finished examining their dear little Jean, and his face was very solemn.

“Only a miracle can save the child.”

Tears filled the parents’ eyes as they heard the words, for they loved their little Jean dearly. Betty their five-year-old daughter loved her little sister Jean too, and so she listened carefully, and sat down to think — “Only a miracle!”

After a moment’s pause, she turned and rushed out of the house and down to Mr. Stinsons’ grocery store. He sold nearly everything, and perhaps he had miracles for sale too—whatever they were!

“Please, I want to buy a miracle.” Betty’s voice was firm and sure as she looked up at the clerk.

But the clerk only smiled a bit and said, “I’m sorry but we don’t sell mirles here.”

Without another word she rushed out into the street, and then began to think. Jean was sick; maybe a drug store was the right place to go for a miracle. It was probably some wonderful kind of medicine. She turned the corner and entered Mr. Foster’s drug store.

“Please, I want to buy a miracle.” This time her voice wasn’t quite as sure, and she looked eagerly at the kind face behind the counter.

“A miracle, my little girl? We don’t sell miracles here. What do you want a miracle for?”

“Sir, my sister Jean is terribly sick, and the doctor says only a miracle can save her. I thought you would sell me one.” Then she burst into tears.

At that moment a man who had been talking with the druggist, turned to little Betty and said, “Will you take me home with you? I would like to see your sister. Perhaps I can help her.”

Quickly little Betty reached up to take the man’s hand and together they hurried out of the store and down the street toward home. With a great rush, Betty entered the house and led her friend into the room where Jean lay still and quiet, and the doctor was still bending down watching. At the noise of the footsteps he turned.

“Why, Doctor Webster, this is wonderful indeed! Perhaps you can do something for us. I didn’t even know you were in town.”

Then turning to the astonished parents, he said, “This is Doctor Webster, a noted specialist, and I am hoping he may see if he can possibly save your daughter. But how he knew of this case is a puzzle to me.”

Quickly the noted specialist told of overhearing the unusual request for a miracle in the drug store, and then without another word he turned and bent down to the silent, weak little suerer on the bed.

A few moments was enough. He turned again to the parents.

“There is hope, but it will mean an operation as quickly as possible.”

The rest of the story is briefly told. The operation was completed with perfect success, and the kind Doctor Webster would not take anything for his clever work either. In fact I don’t think he ever forgot the wistful, pleading voice, “I want to buy a miracle.”

Do you know, I was far worse than poor Jean! Yes, I was doomed to death and eternal judgment, because I was a sinner. Only a miracle could save me.

And I am glad to say that a miracle did save me too, so that now I am sure that I will never see judgment at all. Do you know who saw my need and came to save me? It was not a doctor. No, it was the very Son of God Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ. He loved me and gave Himself for me.

“For me, oh miracle of grace,
For me the Saviour bled.”

Do you know, it would be just as foolish to expect someone else to save you, or to expect to save yourself by your good deeds, as it was foolish for dear Betty to rush into the drug store to buy a miracle. Miracles are not for sale! But right now, while you read this paper, the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross for sinners, is waiting and able and longing to save your soul.

Acccpt Him as your Saviour.

“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Ronzans 6:23.

ML 06/17/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 19:9-18.

When Elijah arrived at Horeb he went into a cave and lodged there. The Lord, who had followed the erring footsteps of His servant, came to him there, and said, “What doest thou here, Elijah?” What thoughts a question like this arouses in our hearts! The unbeliever runs away from God because he does not know His heart, but what a sad thing it is when a true child of God has so lost sight of the grace of God as to seek refuge away from His face. Yet when we are in a state like this we, like Elijah, are quick to justify ourselves and to condemn others. As a servant of the Lord he ought to have interceded for the people and not against them; but alas, his reply shows that he had failed of the grace of God, and so could not lift up the hands in Israel that were hanging down. (See Hebrews 12:12-15.) He would rather see judgment come upon them, than have the Lord deal with them in grace. He said: “I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

The Lord told him to go forth and stand upon the mount before Him. Then He passed by and a mighty wind rent the mountains, but the Lord was not in the wind. After this there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. Next there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. Then there was a still small voice, and when Elijah heard the voice he covered his face with his mantle while the Lord spoke to him. He had delighted in the evidences of divine power, such as when the fire consumed the sacrifice, but all these things did not reveal God Himself, for though He is holy and must judge sin, yet He delights in mercy and grace, This Elijah had failed to realize, but the still small voice awakened his heart; however, instead of judging himself, as he ought to have done, he covered his face with his mantle. It seemed that his service would come between himself and the Lord, for he repeated his old complaint about the people. He boasted of his own faithfulness, and could not see any good in Israel, the people of God. He thought he was above them, even speaking of himself as though he were not part of “Israel” at all, yet boasting of his own faithfulness. When we come to this point, when self is bore us in our service and we are thus unable to bring Christ to others, which alone is true service for Him, then God must set us aside and use another. Yet even in this, His grace never fails, and how tender and patient He was with His erring servant.

Elijah was then told to go and anoint Hazael to be king over Syria, Jehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat to be a prophet in his place. This must have been a difficult thing for Elijah to do if he loved the people, for instead of bringing them back to the Lord, the only source of blessing to them, he was called upon to mark out the messengers of judgment. The Lord then told him that there were seven thousand men who had not bowed the knee to Baal, and poor Elijah, occupied with his own service and faithfulness, did not know one of them! If Elijah could not lay hold of the grace that preserved a remnant among the people of God, then the Lord must tell him of it, before sending him to anoint a prophet in his stead who could do so.

ML 06/17/1956

Two Hands, One Heart

Shall I tell you something that happened when I went to school? There was a boy in our class named Billy. He was an active, merry lad who did not like to work. Many a day Billy did not have his ruler, or his book, or his pencil, and he tried the teacher’s patience sorely.

It was a rule in that school that we must erase our mistakes, and not just scratch them out; but how could Billy do this, when he had no eraser?

“If you do not have an eraser tomorrow, Billy,” said the teacher, “I shall punish you.”

Perhaps you can guess that tomorrow found him still without one. The teacher stood by his desk with her ruler uplifted as she asked the question and received the expected answer, “No, Miss, I have no eraser.”

“Have you an eraser?” The teacher repeated the question, and her face gathered its darkest frown. The uplifted ruler came down, gently, slowly, and the teacher passed on to the next pupil, leaving Billy staring in amazement at the new eraser lying on his desk! Where had it come from?

The teacher had two hands, of course, and the other hand had slipped the eraser on his desk just in time. And both hands came from the same heart!

There are many children, perhaps reading this paper, who need an “eraser” worse than Billy did. You need an “eraser” to rub out your sins from the sight of the Lord. Have you one? The hand of God is justly uplifted to punish you for your sins. What will you do?

God’s hand of mercy lays before you the very “eraser” that you need. He alone is able to blot out your sins with the precious blood of Jesus, and to say, as He said to the poor leper long ago, “I will. Be thou clean.” The hand which provides for your cleansing, comes from the same One who must punish sin because He is holy. He is light as well as love, but His righteous claims against sin were fully met at Calvary. Yes, little one, Jesus loves you. Will you receive His gracious pardon, just as Billy received that eraser? Billy used it too, and his page was made clean. Will you let Jesus cleanse you, making you so clean that God Himself can see you “holy and without blame before Him in love.”

“I HAVE BLOTTED OUT, AS A THICK CLOUD, THY TRANSGREIONS, AND, AS A CLOUD, THY SINS.” Isaiah 44:22.

ML 06/24/1956

The Diamond King

A man whose name has been very well known in the entire world and who was called “the diamond king,” died some years ago, leaving a considerable fortune. Feeling that his end was approaching, he said to those who surrounded him:

“I have lived my life in the pursuit of the most envied goods here below. I have played with health and with fortune. I have possessed diamonds, gold, and lands. But all that, I must leave, for I am not able to take anything with me. On the contrary, that which it is possible to take with one, I have not sought after, and as a consequence I have not found it.”

He telegraphed a friend, who was a preacher in England, to remember him in his prayers, but before the message reached its destination, he was in eternity.

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26.

Dear young reader, whatever your condition or occupation may be down here, there is one thing which claims your serious attention and which ought to have first thought: it is the salvation of your never-dying soul. This salvation does not depend upon your own doings; but your great responsibility is to take heed to the word of God. It says to you, as to the Philippian jailer,

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts. 16:31.

“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:38, 39.

ML 06/24/1956

God is Love

Mrs. Livingstone offered her last gospel tract to a little boy playing in the sand, and then boarded the bus for home. It was a long journey home, and she was tired. She had spent the afternoon walking among the crowds on the sandy beach, offering little Sunday school papers and tracts to the many boys and girls, and she was happy. It was so good to know the Lord Jesus truly loved her and had died for her, and it was good too, to have the privilege of speaking a little word for Him here and there.

“Your fare, please.”

The driver waited patiently while Mrs. Livingstone hunted rather fraically through her purse for the return portion of her bus ticket. This was embarrassing!

“I’m sorry, Sir, but I just don’t seem to be able to find my ticket at all.”

“That’s too bad, lady. Perhaps you could wait for the next bus, and maybe you will find it in the meantime.”

So Mrs. Livingstone stepped back down and watched the bus drive away. Then she really hunted. and prayed, but still she just could not find that ticket. And worse still, she had absolutely no money to buy another.

She sat on one of the benches nearby, and began to think — and pray. She thought of that wonderful verse, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19.

She knew that God had allowed her to lose that ticket, and she knew He was watching her. With a heart filled with faith, she picked up a stick and began to write in the sand, the words, “GOD IS LOVE.”

Just as she was tracing the last letter “E” something turned up in the sand. She stooped and picked it up. It was a coin — and a much more valuable coin than was needed to take her home. It brought tears of joy to her eyes to see what the Lord had done for her, and she stood and looked at those wonderful words with a heart overflowing with praise. “GOD IS LOVE.”

God has shown His wonderful love to you and me in the greatest possible way. He has given us something that is worth far more than all the coins in all the world, in order that we might know His great love.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16.

That blessed One whom God gave, the Lord Jesus Christ, died on the cross of Calvary in our guilty place. God’s holiness demanded a sacrifice for sin, and so He bore all the judgment for all the sins of all who believe that we might be saved from an eternal hell.

“As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons. of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1:12.

ML 06/24/1956

Confess the Lord

Many boys and girls are like a certain shell which floats to the surface of the water in calm weather, but which, at the first breath of wind, plunges to the depths of the sea. When with serious and believing friends, they pretend to be godly, but when they find themselves in a spot where they risk being made fun of, they are quite different! Their godliness lasts as long as fine weather allows them to sail without fear.

A young sailor who had found the Lord as his Saviour, once came to the chaplain on board and begged him to write a card, “I love Jesus.” The chaplain asked him what he wanted to do with the card.

The sailor replied, “Tomorrow we start out to sea. I am afraid of denying my Saviour, so I want to nail this card to my door so everyone can see it.”

Many falls, dear young folks, would be avoided if we would make an open confession of Christ, as this young sailor wished to do.

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9.

ML 06/24/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 19:18-21.

It is well for us to lay to heart these lessons in connection with Elijah, especially any of us who seek to serve the Lord. How easily we get taken up with our own service, and then perhaps when we are set aside for a time, or are called upon to suffer in our path of service, we think that the Lord’s work cannot be carried on without us. We forget that the Lord has His own faithful ones everywhere, and that while He may deign to use us, if we are lying at His feet content to be only a voice for Him, yet He can use others. He always has, and always will have, “a remnant according to the election of grace.”

Elijah still loved the Lord and so, taking the rebuke from Him, he arose to do as He had said. When he saw Elisha plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, he came to him, cast his mantle upon him, and passed by. Elisha immediately left the oxen and ran after Elijah saying, “Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee.” Elijah replied, “Go back again: for what have I done to thee?” The call to serve the Lord ought to touch the cords of our hearts. He wants willing servants, not those who serve grudgingly, and so Elijah told Elisha to go back again. However it is one thing to know that we can go back, and delay our service to enjoy home life, and it is another thing to try to do it. If one has really had the call from the Lord, he will never find true happiness apart from such a path. Everyone does not have such a call, though we all have our individual service for the Lord; but if one does, then he should remember the scripture, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed to me.” 1 Cor. 9:16, 17.

Elisha could not remain at home. He took a yoke of oxen, and using the instruments for wood he made a great feast. Then he arose and followed Elijah. He burned up the instruments, no doubt, so that he would not be tempted to go back again. It is a great thing to make a clean break when the Lord has made His call clear to one.

There is another point here that is of interest in connection with serving the Lord. Elisha was a busy man when the Lord called him, as were Moses, Peter, Matthew and many others whom the Lord called to serve Him. In fact they were occupied at the very moment the Lord called them. If one has not learned to be faithful in the ordinary matters of life, and diligent in “proving things honest in the sight of all men,” it is doubtful if the Lord would really call him. The Scripture says, “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” Luke 16:11. In these days when the path of a preacher is often looked upon as a respectable and easy occupation, it is because we have lost sight of the pathway of our rejected Master. What a pathway was His, of untiring, loving service to His Father and to ruined man, and what a pattern for any of us who would seek to represent Him in this scene of His rejection! I believe Elijah could be looked at as a figure of Christ in His rejection, and Elisha of our present pathway, with the Spirit of Christ resting upon us as we represent Him here. We will see more of this later (D.V.) in considering 2 Kings 2.

ML 06/24/1956

Trust

One summer day a group of botanists were out collecting rare flowers in the mountains. Looking down over the edge of a rather steep precipice they saw, through their field glasses, some flowers which were very rare, and they wanted to get them.

Just then a little lad came by. One of the botanists asked the boy if he would be willing to go down and dig up the flowers for them. They said they would tie a rope around his waist and hold him tight so he would not be hurt. They offered to pay him well if he would get the plants for them.

The boy did not answer. He just ran away, but it was not long till he returned with his father. Then he confidently said to the men, “If you will let my father hold the rope, I will go over the precipice and get the plant for you!”

This was real faith in one whom the boy knew he could trust. And what a lesson it is for us as to whom we are trusting for eternity. The little lad would not trust strangers to hold the rope, lest he should lose his life, and yet how many there are who are trusting the word of men for the salvation of their souls. Others are trusting their own works, their good character, church-going and other things. What a terrible discovery it will be to find out when it is too late that they are lost — eternally lost. Reader, whom are you trusting? Have you by faith seen the Lord Jesus dying for your sins on the cross of Calvary? Can you say, “He bore my sins in His own body on the tree?” Apart from Him there is no saation. His Person and work are the only foundation, and if you will claim this risen, living Saviour as your own, you will be able to say like Paul of old,

“I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED, AND AM PERSUADED THAT HE IS ABLE TO KEEP THAT WHICH I HAVE COMMITTED UO HIM AGAINST THAT DAY.” 2 Tim. 1:12.

ML 07/01/1956

"Walk in"

Mr. Bates was walking up and down with his hands behind his back. Every once in a while he would look at his watch, and then look up and down the street. Presently a little boy came along, and Mr. Bates stopped him.

“Sonny, do you happen to know Mr. Young who lives near here?”

“I sure do, Mister.”

“Have you seen him anywhere lately? He said he would meet me here and show me through this house.”

“No, I haven’t seen him, but, Sir, do you mean this empty house right here?”

“That’s right, Sonny.”

“Well, Sir, there’s a sign right on the door that says ‘Open for Inspection’; I can read it myself from here.”

Mr. Bates looked a little ashamed of himself. Sure enough, in big black letters could be seen the words, “Open for Inspection”; and even as he looked, he saw two other people walk in, and one come out.

He thanked the lad, and walked in. How strange that the lad would nice that big sign, and Mr. Bates missed it! And yet I know boys and girls who are on their way to heaven, and also I know men and women who are lost and on their road to hell. Why is that? The Bible says so simply and so clearly: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15. “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. If you are willing to admit that you are a sinner, and come to Jesus now, He will save you; and you will enter the door of heaven and find a glorious welcome. But if you turn away from God’s invitation and try to earn heaven some other way, you will be shut out forever.

ML 07/01/1956

"You Need a New One"

Do you own a bicycle? If you have had a bicycle, you know that it needs repairing quite often. I used to own one, and I guess it wasn’t a very good one, for I know I had to take it apart and fix it a good many times.

Mr. Alford had a bicycle which he used to ride to work — when it was working! But so very often there was something wrong with it that he used to go by bus as often as by his bicycle. His friends used to watch for him, and laugh when they saw him coming, for they never knew whether he would have his poor old bicycle, ‘or come on the bus.

At last one of them said, with a bit of a twinkle in his eye, “What you need is a new bicycle!”

I am sure Mr. Alford knew this too, but a new bicycle costs a lot of money, and so he tried to keep his old one running the best he could. If someone had offered him a new one, I’m sure he would gladly have accepted it.

The Bible tells me that I need something new too. It tells me I need a new life. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3. But how many of us try to make our poor old nature do the best it can. We try to put off this and that bad habit and we try to do what we think would please God, but I am sure we fail more often than we succeed, don’t we? Now, God is not asking us to do this at all. He tells us we are sinners, and that even our best is like “filthy rags” in His sight. He also tells us that we have no strength at all — we need to be “born again.” Does that sound strange? The wise man to whom the Lord said it, thought it was strange too; in fact he just couldn’t understand it at all.

But the Lord Jesus Christ died on the crops in order that He might offer to you and me that which we could not earn by ourselves. He offers to you and me the forgiveness of all our sins and a new life! Yes, “born again” by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ! He has saved me and given me a new and clean heart, and He will do the same for you. Will you come to Him now? “Ye must be born again.” John 3:7

ML 07/01/1956

Bible Questions for July

The Children’s Class

1. What are we to believe and whom are we to confess to be saved?

2. Can we understand all the ways of God, or are they past finding out?

3. What kind of sacrifice should a believer present to God?

4. Should we run up debts and owe money to others?

5. To whom will we have to give account some day?

6. Did the Lord Jesus Christ live to please Himself?

7. Would the Lord have us to be “wise” about good things or evil things?

The Young People’s Class Types and Shadows

1. Could Moses go up and have his name blotted out, so that the guilty people of Israel would be blessed? Exodus 32.

2. Who has gone into death, risen again, and gone into heaven, having obtained eternal redemption for us? Hebrews.

3. Could Moses see the face of the Lord in all His glory? Exodus 33.

4. In whose face does all the glory of God now shine? 2 Corinthians 4.

5. On what were the ten commandments written? Exodus.

6. Is this like the heart of Israel, and each of us by nature? Ezekiel 36.

7. On what is the epistle of Christ to be written now? 2 Corinthians 3.

ML 07/01/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 20:1-21.

In spite of the way the Lord had manifested Himself in such power as the true God, Ahab did not really turn to Him. God therefore allowed him to feel the power of the enemy, the king of Syria, before displaying His grace in a touching way. If Elijah could not enter into this grace of God toward His erring people (and as servants how slow we are to do this at times), then the Lord would manifest Himself in this character. Surely this ought to have touched the hearts of His people. May we too know how to minister it “as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10. God used an unusual circumstance to bring this out here, for it is our extremity that often causes us to turn to the Lord, and casts us upon Him where we prove His unchanging character in grace.

Ben-hadad, the king of Syria, gathered his mighty host together, along with thirty-two kings, and went up against Samaria to war. He sent a message to Ahab the king, saying, “Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine.” Poor Ahab did not turn to the Lord, as he should have done at this time. Alas, when we have given up the fear of God we are soon overcome by the fear of man. Ahab who had not owned the Lord’s claims, submitted to the claims of Ben-hadad, saying, “My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have.” The messengers returned with this message to Ben-hadad, but still he was not satisfied. He therefore sent messengers again to Ahab, saying that they would search his house for the things they wanted and that Ahab must give them up. This was too much for Ahab, and he sent Ben-hadad’s messengers back saying that he would not consent to such a demand.

Ahab’s reply made Ben-hadad very angry, and he ordered his men to set the battle in array against Israel. Though Ahab had failed to turn to the Lord in this matter, yet the Lord would not allow Ben-hadad to boast against His people. He was patient toward them and, as we have remarked before, He would manifest His grace and goodness toward them in spite of their failure. The Lord therefore sent a prophet to Ahab saying, “Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.” Ahab believed the message, and with only seven thousand in his army he went out against the Syrians in obedience to the word of the Lord. Ben-hadad and the thirty-two kings that were with him, were drinking themselves drunk in their pavilions at noon, when the army of Israel came out against them; they were unprepared for the attack. The men of Israel, encouraged by the Word of the Lord and the king, advanced against them and put them to flight. There was a great slaughter among the Syrians and they were utterly defeated.

The prophet then came to Ahab warning him to strengthen himself for the future. We can never continue in the path of faith on the strength of past victories — though we sometimes try to do so! We forget that it is only through the Lord that we can overcome in any circumstance, though often, as we look back on such experiences, we are prone to feel it was our own strength, and are confident of what we can do. If the Lord has used us in any way, as He used Ahab here, let us remember it is all His grace — nothing of ourselves.

ML 07/01/1956

Safe on the Rock

It was a terribly stormy night and a vessel was, wrecked off the coast of Cornwall, England. Everyone on board was drowned except one Irish lad. He was hurled by the waves onto a jagged rock, and there he remained safe through all the storm.

In the morning when the wind subsided, the searchers spied him through their glasses. They launched a lifeboat at once and rowed to the place where he was clinging to the rock. He had almost perished with cold and exposure. Tenderly they lifted him into the lifeboat and brought him to shore where he was warmed and fed. Someone said to him, “Lad, didn’t you tremble out there on that rock in all that storm?”

He replied in his Irish way, “Tremble? Sure I trembled, but, do you know, the rock never trembled once all night long!”

There are many “storms” in the pathway of life, but those who are on the Rock which is the Lord Jesus Christ are perfectly safe. The young lad of our story had to hold on to the rock, but those who have “fled for refuge” to the Lord Jesus Christ do not have to hold on to Him. He holds on to them. On the cross of Calvary He bore the full storm of God’s righteous judgment against sin for all those who believe, that He might become their “Hiding Place.” All the storms of life can never rob the believer of eternal salvation, and even though at times doubts and fears may attack us, causing us to tremble like the Irish lad, we know “our Rock” never moves.

If you have not received the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour, why not do so now? If you go on without Him, sooner or later you will sink down into a lost eternity under the judgment of God. May the very “storms of life” lead you to the Saviour who is able and willing to save you now, and for all eternity. Here is His precious promise to His own.

“I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE; AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH, NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY HAND.” John 10:28.

ML 07/08/1956

The Lighthouse

When on a visit to the seashore, I was living at the back of a bay, which had a fort overlooking it. On the pier which protects the port a lighthouse had been erected, and each evening it was the first light to go on. In the morning it was the last to be extinguished.

This lighthouse was my friend. Had it missed being lit a single evening I would have felt myself lost without it; but it never failed. When the days became shorter, it was lighted sooner and it burned later.

But what made it still more dear to me, was that it was an emblem of a more sure and durable lighthouse, even a person, the Lord Jesus Himself. He has said, “I am the light of the world. All other lights become extinguished. They may last for a time, but they will pass away. When your last hour of life comes, neither the light of science, nor even the light of affection will be able to brighten the valley of the shadow of death before you. But if you have taken the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, when that last moment comes, He will remain your guide. You will be able to say, “Thou art with me.” Happy is the bark that He guides to the heavenly harbor; happy is the soul of whom He is the “lighthouse.”

You may have difficult times along the pathway of life, but that “Lighthouse” always shines. Jesus is there! Never try to walk in the way that He does not light for you. Where His light shines there is peace and security.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12.

“Jesus saith... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh, unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

ML 07/08/1956

"It's my Heart That's Aching"

Mary was quite excited. She was thirteen years old, and was going to have a visit from her cousin Jean. She had never met her cousin before and was looking forward to the happy time they would have together. At last the day arrived, and the two girls spent a very happy time exploring the countryside and chatting together as only teen-age girls can.

At last bedtime came, and although there remained very much more to be talked about, they knew that they must get some sleep. Mary was a happy Christian girl, and had always read at least one chapter from her Bible before she went to sleep. She opened her Bible reverently, and turned to her chapter for the evening. Then she said to Jean:

“Jean, shall I read the chapter out loud this evening, and then tomorrow you can read your chapter out loud to me?”

Jean nodded, but said nothing. She felt a little uncomfortable as her cousin read so lovingly and with such interest one of the chapters concerning the pathway of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

When the chapter was read, Mary knelt down by her bed and closed her eyes. Jean felt more uncomfortable, for she had not been in the habit of praying before she went to sleep. Mary seemed to be ever so long on her knees, and poor Jean didn’t know what to do.

At last Mary arose from her knees, and in a very few minutes the light was out, and Mary was soon asleep.

For a long time Jean lay awake thinking more seriously than she had ever done before. She had always gone to Sunday school and she had always been considered a Christian girl, but somehow her cousin’s love for the Word of God, and her cousin’s prayer, had made her realize that perhaps there was something lacking in her own life.

Mary had been asleep for quite a while, when she was wakened by a little moan. Quickly she sat upright in bed, and turned to her cousin.

“Jean, what is the trouble? Do you have a toothache?”

“No, Mary, it’s not my tooth, it’s my heart that’s aching. I’m so unhappy,” and then she burst into tears.

“What is the trouble, Jean? What can I do for you?”

“I’m afraid I’m not a Christian, Mary. I have always gone to Sunday school, and I have always tried to do what I thought was right. But, when I heard you read the Word of God, and when I saw you on your knees in prayer, it made me feel that I didn’t know the Lord Jesus as you know Him. Oh, Mary, can you tell me how to be saved?”

“Yes, Jean, I can, for I was just the same as you until six months ago. I used to go to Sunday school too, and I think that everyone thought I was a Christian, but just six months ago, I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my own Saviour. Don’t think for one moment that reading the Word of God and praying is what makes me a Christian. It is nothing but what the Lord Jesus has done for me. And He will do the same for you too. Shall we kneel down beside the bed and tell Him about it?”

Side by side in the darkness the girls knelt in silence for some time. Then Mary began to tell the Lord Jesus about her cousin’s desire to be saved, and at the same time she thanked the Lord once again for dying on the cross to wash her sins away. It was not a long prayer, and it was soon followed by her cousin’s voice. Between her sobs and tears she owned before the Lord Jesus that she was a sinner, and she thanked Him for dying on the cross to put away her sins.

When it was over, they rose from their knees and embraced one another with tears of joy.

Perhaps they did not know it, but at the same, time, there was joy in the presence of the angels of God. There will be joy in heaven right now too, if the reader of this paper will accept the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her own Saviour.

ML 07/08/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 20:22-34.

Just one year after their first attack, as the prophet had said, Ben-hadad came back against Israel. His servants said that the gods of Israel were gods of the hills and not gods of the valleys, and that it was because of this that they had been overcome by Israel the first time. They suggested therefore that this time they would come against them in the plain, and defeat them. They gathered a vast army together, like the army they had lost in the previous battle, and came out to fight against Israel. Israel’s army looked like two little flocks of kids in comparison with the Syrian host which filled the whole valley.

A man of God then came to the king of Israel and told him that because the Syrians had said that the Lord was a God of the hills and not of the valleys, the Lord would therefore manifest His power and utterly destroy their army, as He had before. He said they would be delivered into the hand of Israel that they might know that the Lord was the true God.

When after seven days the battle began, the little army of the children of Israel advanced and slew one hundred thousand footmen, and the rest of the Syrian army fled to Aphek where a tower fell on twenty-seven thousand of them. Ben-hadad their king then fled to the city into an inner chamber. Surely we can see in all this that God is able to deliver His people, no matter how great the odds are against them. We have remarked previously that though the people failed to respond to the display of power through Elijah, who proved to them that the Lord was the true God, yet God did not give them up. He manifested His grace in delivering them in this remarkable way. I believe it is a picture too of how the Lord will come in, in a later day, and deliver His people Israel, even though they rejected the Lord Jesus, their true Messiah. Through the work accomplished on Calvary, He can and will bless them, delivering His own from the awful power of the enemy when He appears in glory at the end of the tribulation period. (Zech. 14:3, 4.) Ahab did not even ask the Lord for help here, yet the Lord delivered him. It makes one think of that beautiful hymn,

“Uncalled, Thou cam’st with gladness,

Us from the fall to raise,

And change our grief and sadness

To songs of joy and praise.”

But if the enemy cannot overcome us in one way he will try another. Ahab was not prepared for the wiles of the enemy, even though, through the Lord’s help, he had defeated them on the battlefield. Ben-hadad’s servants came to him and said, “Behold, now we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us... go out to the king of Israel: peradveure he will save thy life.” Ben-hadad took their advice, and putting sackcloth upon them, and ropes upon their heads, his servants went out to meet king Ahab. They said, “Thy servant Ben-hadad saith, I pray thee let me live.” Ahab replied, “Is he yet alive? he is my brother.”

The servants of Ben-hadad then came back and told him what Ahab had said. Ben-hadad rejoiced at this, and came out to meet Ahab who immediately invited him to ride in his chariot. Ben-hadad then made promises of what he would do, and poor Ahab, taken off his guard by this pretended kindness and humility, entered into a covenant with this wicked king. Often we find that the enemy is especially busy with his wiles after some great victory in our lives.

ML 07/08/1956

Only Believe

Johnny came to Sunday school when he was just a little lad about the age of some of the boys in our picture. He sat in his class from week to week, but like many of the other boys, he paid little attention to the old, old story of Jesus and His love. I suppose he thought he was too young to be saved just then, because he wanted to have a good time. The devil told him that if he accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour he would have to give up some of the sins which, sad to say, he loved.

However, his faithful Sunday school teacher impressed upon the boys from week to week the simplicity of God’s great salvation. He told them that they were lost and that their sins would finally sink them down into hell, if they died unsaved. He also told how the Lord Jesus died on the cross to cleanse them from all their sins. They could never put away one sin themselves, but He finished the work, so that all they needed to do was to believe in what He had done to save them. When they did this, receiving Him by faith into their hearts, they would be saved. One of his favorite verses was, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31. They often sang that well-known children’s hymn too,

“Tell it again! Tell it again!
Salvation’s story repeat o’er and o’er,
Till none can say of the children of men,
‘Nobody ever has told me before.’”

Johnny did not forget that wonderful verse telling him just to believe and be saved, nor the little hymn, but soon he thought he was too old to go to Sunday school, and he wandered out into the world to have his “good time.” It wasn’t long until he was married and his wife wanted the same kind of “good time” he wanted. She did not know the Lord Jesus as her Saviour, nor did he, and so when trouble came into the home they had no one to whom they could turn. His wife ran away and left him a poor, disappointed, unhappy man. He found that the pleasures of sin were only for a season, as the Scripture says, and that the world could never satisfy the longings of his heart. One day as he sat alone, thinking of all that had taken place, his mind traveled back to the time, over twenty years before, when he had sat in the Sunday school class and heard God’s wonderful way of salvation. The words “only believe” seemed to ring in his ears, and then the words of the hymn seemed to come with it. All he could remember of the hymn was, “Say it again,” and God by His Spirit pressed these words home upon his soul. Then and there he knelt down and owned to God the sinfulness of his life, and told the Lord Jesus that he would believe on Him as his own personal Saviour. That moment a peace and joy he had not known before, filled his soul and he knew he was saved.

Not long after his old Sunday school teacher received a phone call from him telling the good news, and how his heart rejoiced. His labor had not been in vain in the Lord and the good seed sown in that boy’s heart had at last borne fruit.

May this little incident be an encouragement to any Sunday school teacher who reads it, to go on faithfully serving the Lord. And may it be a word to anyone who has long since left off the reading of God’s Word and prayer. Turn to the Lord NOW before it is too late. Accept Him as your own personal Saviour today, and you too will “have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1.

“SEEK YE THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND, CALL YE UPON HIM WHILE HE IS NEAR.” Isaiah 55:6.

ML 07/15/1956

Thirst

“Aren’t you glad the Lanes cleaned out their pond and decided they didn’t want these big gold fish anymore?”

“‘Yes, I think they are so pretty.” The two little girls walked along the gravel road carrying a bucket between them, that spilled over a bit now and then.

“Where are we going to put them, though?”

“Daddy said we could keep them in the water trough, since we don’t have a real pond.”

It was over a mile to walk back home, and before long Beth sighed, “My, this is getting heavy; I hardly think you’re lifting at all.”

“Yes, I am,” defended Ginger, “but it seems like you’re pressing down.” At last they reached home with their burden and called Mother to come and watch the fish swimming around.

“That whitish one is the grandfather of them all,” Beth explained, quite proud of their new fish family that were now exploring the lengths of the trough which was to be their new home. “I hope there will be some tiny baby fish in there some day too,” exclaimed Ginger.

The summer rolled around, and though they watched them with interest, no little gold fish appeared. Something else was happening.

Day after day the weather was very hot and dry. “Let’s run under the sprinkler to cool off,” said Beth one afternoon. But though she turned the faucet open full force, the water just trickled out. Beth remembered the troubled expression on Daddy’s face when he remarked quietly to Mother some time before, that he was afraid the well was going dry.

“Emergency” — that’s what mother called it, and every drop of water must be utilized! Those were big words, but somehow everyone understood. It was not until later however, when Beth noticed the cattle bawling restlessly around the water trough, that she suddenly thought of the gold fish. Alarm lent wings to her feet as she ran to look at them. There they were, gasping and floundering in a little muddy puddle in the bottom of the trough! Away she flew to get a bucket, and in her consternation wasted precious moments turning on a faucet that only released a few drops and quit.

“Oh, Mother, where can I get some water. My fish are dying!”

Mother quickly emptied several jars full that she had stored away in the refrigerator for drinking purposes early that morning. “Oh, thanks!” and away Beth dashed back outside to the trough. Just in time too. She scooped the poor fish into the cool clean water, and watched them revive. The cows mooed and milled around, and her favorite horse came running eagerly toward her. She was sure Beth would understand, and give her a drink. They were so thirsty! But she had none to give them.

She too wanted a drink—she couldn’t remember ever being so thirsty before. And Daddy wouldn’t be in with the truck to haul water until chore time. She looked out over the spring wheat fields that already were turning yellow from drought, and thought sadly, “Water — oh, how we need water.”

Have you ever drunk of the water of life? This is the water Christ gives to thirsty souls. It is a well springing up into life everlasting. He that drinks of it shall never thirst again!

The Word of God tells us of this water of life. It reveals to us the Lord Jesus who came to earth to save us by laying down His own life for our sins that we might live. He only can cleanse and pardon our sins and make us clean and fit for the Father’s Home in heaven. Are you not thirsty for this wonderful water of life?

It will never fail you. It will never go dry like the wells and streams of this earth. You may drink and drink again; and the more you drink, the more you will learn of Him and His fathomless love. You don’t have to be afraid to drink of it — it is pure. You don’t have to wait for it, as these poor creatures did. It is freely given of God.

“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.” John 7:37.

Though just a little girl, Beth had already tasted of the disappointments of earth. She found that the things of the world cannot fill and satisfy the heart, and she had turned to the only One who can give lasting peace and joy. He is the Source and Fountain. “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” Isa. 12:3.

ML 07/15/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 20:35-39.

The Lord then sent one of the sons of the prophets to tell Ahab of the folly of what he had dope in making a covenant with this ungodly king. Before going, the prophet found a man and asked him to smite him, but the man refused. The prophet therefore told him that because he had refused to smite him, he would be killed by a lion. As soon therefore as he was gone, a lion met him and killed him. The prophet then met another man and asked him to smite him. The man did so and wounded him.

The prophet then disguised himself, put ashes on his head and went out to meet Ahab. When Ahab came along the prophet called to him and said, “Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver. And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” The king then replied, “So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.” The prophet then took away the ashes with which he had disguised himself and told king Ahab that because he had let Ben-hadad go, instead of putting him to death as the Lord had appointed, “therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.” Ahab went to his house heavy and displeased.

I believe there is an important lesson here for us. We are never to become friends with the world, for the Scripture says, “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4. No matter how nicely the world speaks, or the fair promises unsaved men like Ben-hadad may make, their hearts are at enmity with God. They hate Christ. They may turn to God in trouble, or to escape trouble, as Ben-hadad counted upon the mercy of the king of Israel, but let us never forget that the world is guilty of the rejection and crucifixion of the Son of God, and its true character is stamped upon it by that act. The man who refused to smite the prophet and was slain by a lion, is typical of one coming under Satan’s power. Satan is compared to a roaring lion in 1 Peter 5:8. If we do not take sides with God apart from, and even in open opposition to, the world, incurring its disfavor and hatred by our testony, we are liable to come under Satan’s power. The world lies in the arms of the wicked one, and we must overcome it, or be overcome by it. We cannot take an easy path through this world. “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26, 27. This is our scene of conflict and we need the whole armor of God to be able to overcome the enemy. We are to resist the devil with the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. The man who refused to take the offensive here was slain, while the one who did so, was delivered. We can never lay down our armor or give up the struggle till we get home to glory. May the Lord give us grace to be good soldiers of Jesus Christ, willing to eure hardness for Him.

“Then with what joy reviewing

Past conflicts, dangers, fears,

Thy hand our foes subduing,

And drying all our tears,

Our hearts with rapture burning,

The path we shall retrace,

Where now our souls are learning

The riches of Thy grace.”

ML 07/15/1956

Erwin

The boy you see in our picture today is Erwin. He is just twelve years old and was a regular attendant at our little Sunday school. One Lord’s day afternoon his seat was empty and the boys told me Erwin was sick in the hospital.

Directly after class I took the Sunday school paper to the hospital. Visiting hours were just over, and there was Erwin as well as many other children in the bright public ward, reading funny papers which their parents and friends had left.

Erwin was glad to see me and promised to read the Sunday school paper when he had finished the funnies. He told me he had mastoids, but was getting better.

“Suppose you had got worse instead of better. If you had died where would you be?”

With a kind of half smile he replied, “In hell, I guess.”

I told him how glad we all were that he was getting better, but urged him to take Jesus as his Saviour.

During the week, a girl in the class told me Erwin was on the “S.I.” list. Seriously ill and going to hell! I rushed at once to the hospital. Nurses in their white starched uniforms rustled through the corridors. I was asked to make my visit brief, for “he is a very sick boy.”

Entering the room it was easy to see the truth of the words. His breathing was in short fitful gasps. Ice water tinkled in a glass by the bedside. I took his little hand in mine and asked, “Erwin, do you know the Lord Jesus? Are you saved?”

“No,” he said, “I don’t know how.” Just think, Erwin had been in my class nearly three hundred Sundays. He knew all the answers in class but had never let Jesus into his heart. Asking God’s help, I read very slowly Psalm 23 and then that precious verse, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” ¤ John 1:17. “Jesus died because He loved you, Erwin, and His blood can cleanse all your sins away.”

His eyes were closed, and he was lying still and silent between the white sheets. Presently he raised his head and the radiance of heaven filled his happy face as he said, “I belong to Jesus. To think you told me every Sunday for so long and I didn’t believe it until now!” And then after a pause, “Tell my mother I belong to Jesus.”

“No, Erwin, I won’t do that — you must confess Jesus as Lord, yourself.”

At that happy moment his mother entered the room and I left.

It was my privilege to spend eight hours each day at the bedside of that little boy. Gangrene had set in and he grew steadily weaker, though he lingered for twelve days. Just a few hours before the Lord took him Home he raised his little head and looking at his mother’s tear-stained face, he said, “I’m going to be with Jesus, Mother. Meet me there.”

I shall never forget the happiness that filled his young face as he said those words.

My dear boys and girls, it is a real thing to know Jesus as your Saviour, and to know that you are clean enough for heaven because the blood of God’s own Son cleanseth from all sin. This is the ONLY way to have a happy deated.

Four of the boys from Erwin’s Sunday school class carried the little casket to the grave. After the service Erwin’s mother came over and putting her hand in mine she said, “Just to think, God had to take away my boy to make me yield my heart to the Lord Jesus.”

“We know there’s a bright and a glorious home,

Away in the heavens high,

Where all the redeemed shall with Jesus dwell:

But will you be there and I?”

“THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN.” 1 John 1:7.

ML 07/22/1956

Mary's Last Song

Mr. Sutton lived in the city of Pemberton many years ago. He had no boys or girls of his own, but there was nothing that he enjoyed more than to gather a group of children about him and tell them of the Lord Jesus who loved and died for little children.

One day as he was passing down one of the streets in the poorest section of the city, he noticed a very forlorn-looking little girl, sitting on the front steps of a little home. He just could not pass her by, so he went and sat down beside her and in a very short time they were chatting away like old friends. He found out that her name was Mary, and that both her father and her mother spent most of their time drinking. He felt so sorry for the little girl, that he invited her to his own home, and there supplied her with a complete new set of clothes, and invited her to come to Sunday school.

Mary was thrilled with her new clothes, and also delighted with the thought of attending Sunday school, which she had never done before. Sure enough, the next Sunday Mary turned up with the rest of the scholars. Not only was she very quick at learning the verses, but she also memorized a number of familiar Sunday school hymns.

After having attended Sunday school for about three weeks, she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour. The very next week she appeared once again at Sunday school but this time she was dressed in poor rags.

What do you suppose had happened? Her mother and father had sold her nice new clothes and spent the money on drink. This happened more than once. But each time Mr. Sutton would see that she was again clothed properly.

Now comes the saddest part of our story. Although Mary was just a very young girl, she worked in a factory where cloth was manufactured. Not many weeks after Mary had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour, there was a great crash in the middle of town, and the mill in which Mary worked, collapsed. People came running from all directions to see if they could help those who were trapped inside and Mr. Sutton was among the number. One by one the injured girls were carried out of the factory, until at last the cry of “fire” was raised.

The ruins were soon wrapped in smoke and flames. Above all the noise and confusion that quickly followed, there was heard the voice of singing. What do you suppose it was? Dear little Mary, trapped in the ruins, had raised her voice in singing one of the hymns which she had learned at Sunday school. Bright, clear, and fearless, her voice rang out,

“My heavenly home is bright and fair,

We’ll be gathered home;

No death nor sighing visit there,

We’ll be gathered home.

We’ll wait ‘till Jesus comes,

And we’ll be gathered home.”

Mr. Sutton stood with the tears streaming down his face, and listened to that brave singing, until her voice was lost in silence. He knew that his little friend Mary had been truly gathered home, and as he stood there, he bowed his head and thanked the Lord that Mary had given her heart to the Lord.

This story ought to be an encouragement to every Sunday school teacher, to continue faithfully sowing the seed, and to remember, the Word of God which says, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal. 6:9.

This story should also be a lesson to every boy or girl who reads it, that you might question your own heart. Have you accepted the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour? Are you sheltered by His precious blood?

ML 07/22/1956

Come

The barriers of death are gone,

The Saviour has arisen.

And heaven’s gate is opened wide,

To all with sins forgiven.

Then thank God for His precious love,

And for His mercy too,

By sparing not His only Son,

He now can pardon you.

Oh, why not come while grace abounds,

Christ will not cast you out;

For soon will end salvation’s day,

How foolish still to doubt.

The Lord Jesus said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

ML 07/22/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 20:40-21:7.

The prophet said that it was because he was busy here and there that he let the man go, whom he should have kept, and this is exactly what Ahab had done. And are we not often so busy here and there, that we neglect or give up the conflict? We get so occupied with other things that opportunities slip by and are gone, never to return. What a challenge to our hearts! The prophet said that because Ahab had let Ben-hadad go, therefore his life. would go for Ben-hadad’s. This makes one think of that verse, “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 3:17, 18. It is a solemn thing to think of the Lord requiring the blood of a lost one at our hands, because we were not faithful! Oh what a manifestation there will be at the judgment seat of Christ — how much to give account for — how much to be burned up as loss in our lives. May the love of Christ constrain us to live more unto Him, so that there may be more that meets His approval in that day. He wants us to have an abundant entrance.

When we neglect God-given opportunities to be faithful to the Lord, then we usually go after earthly things. When we are not willing to lift the sword of the Spirit against the world, we are soon jealous of what belongs to others, even our brethren, and harshly lift the sword against them. We become self-complacent and self-centered and make unreasonable demands of others.

Is it not often so? There are none so hard on others as those who are negligent of the Lord’s claims over themselves, as Ahab was here.

After failing so grievously himself, Ahab looked enviously on the vineyard of Naboth. It was near to his palace, so he wanted it for a vegetable garden. He offered Naboth another piece of property, or money, if he would give it to him, but Naboth said, “The Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.” He valued what the Lord had given him and would not sell out, even to the king. This makes us think how the enemy would like to get us to “sell out” — to accept money or earthly things in place of the enjoyment of the things of the Lord. But let us never forget that whatever robs us of the joy of the Lord in our souls is a poor exchange. It is better to die than do dishonor Him. Yet how easy it is to be men-pleasers, and while we might refuse to do what is wrong to please some people, it is hard to refuse others, especially those in a high position. How often we fail in this! We will be very firm in our stand with certain ones, but we weaken before special friends. However, Naboth would not give in, not even to the king.

When Naboth had refused to sell his vineyard to Ahab, the king was very displeased and upset. He went home but would not eat. He lay down and turned his face to the wall. When Jezebel his wife saw how bad he felt, she said she would see to it that he got Naboth’s vineyard. She was a very wicked woman and had no regard for the Lord nor for others, and murder was in her heart. What a partner for poor weak Ahab!

ML 07/22/1956

Trusted One Million Times

On a busy street in the South there is a drug store which has carried on business for many years. One day the druggists placed all their prescriptions in the window of the store with a sign over them which read, “Trusted one million times!” People had trusted that drug store to give them the right medicine one million times, and this was a good reason for others to trust it in the future.

Although the people who had their prescriptions filled at this drug store had trusted them to do the dispensing accurately, no doubt there were many who did not recover from their illnesses. The doctors did the best they could to proscribe the right medicines, the druggists were as careful as they could be, but God is the One who gives life, and He alone can preserve life. All is in His hands “seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” Acts 17:25.

But there is something more important than life in this world, which is only for a short time. If people can trust a drug store, how much more can we trust the One who has given us our life. He has not only told us about life here, but also about life after death, and the way of entrance to heaven. We are all sinners, afflicted with a disease far worse than any disease known to medical science; but at great cost to Himself, God has provided the remedy. He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross of Calvary, there to bear the judgment of God against sin that we might be saved. His Word declares, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

The drug store of which we are speaking could say it had been trusted one million times, but there are millions upon millions who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ down through the years, and He has never failed. All who have come to Him for salvation have been cleansed from every sin. The “cure” has never failed, and He has never turned one away. Dear reader, have you come to Him? The druggist charges those who trust him, and sometimes his medicine is very costly, but God’s salvation is free to all.

“But I trusted in Thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.” Psalm 31: 14.

“THE LORD IS GOOD, A STRONGHOLD IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE; AND HE KNOWETH THEM THAT TRUST IN HIM.” Nahum 1:7.

ML 07/29/1956

Water

“What is that man doing out there?” Mother wiped away the fog she had breathed against the window and peered more intently through the cleared place.

Beth’s curiosity was aroused, and she had to come to see what was going on outside too. There was a man holding a big twig that looked similar to an oversized slingshot, upside down. He leaned slightly forward and walked slowly about as if looking for something. Each hand grasped a branch of the forked willow, holding it up even with his face, and the other end stuck straight up into the air a little higher than his head.

“Daddy said the well diggers were coming today to start drilling a new well — it must be one of them,” said Mother, and just then, before her very eyes, she saw the stick curl forward and down. The man stood still, holding the other two ends rigid in his hands till the willow stick cracked at the crotch from the strain.

“That’s a strange thing,” said Daddy who evidently had been watching the whole procedure from the other side of the truck. “I’ve heard of looking for water that way, but that’s the first time I’ve ever seen it done. Is there some kind of explanation for it?”

Bill just shrugged and smiled. “I know I can’t do it myself,” he replied, “but my friend here seems to have some magnetic attraction to water, and when I have no idea where to begin a new well, he helps me get started. It usually works out.”

There were no springs, no creeks on the farm, and it was expected the well would have to go deep to find a subterranean flow. So this well was not dug, it was drilled. Day after day, a long heavy shaft dropped down, was pulled up, and dropped again, till it had sunk deep, deep into the earth. Heavy cables strained and machinery revolved to keep the shaft lifting and falling, lifting and falling.

This went on for several weeks, and then one afternoon, there was a faint gurgling sound, and the shaft came out wet. They had struck water! Down under sub-stratum of dirt, rock and shale, they had found a clear flowing stream. Oh how good and cold it was!

It reminds me of a verse that King David wrote several thousand years ago. It is in Psalm 46:4. “There is a river. the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God.” David was not the only one to whom God revealed this blessed and wonderful river. The beloved disciple John received a revelation from God and wrote about it in the very last book of the New Testament, so that we too might anticipate that blessed scene. If we have tasted of the Water of Life that Christ gives, we shall someday see it ourselves. This is what it says: “And He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb... and there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him: and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign Forever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true.”

Now can you see why I was reminded of these verses, when the wonderful, cool water streamed out of that newly found flow, and was pumped into the water troughs for the thirsty animals, and sprinkled out over the parched lawn? I could not see that river. I had walked over that very spot many times and had never known that deep underneath was flowing a crystal stream. But here was proof of it before my very eyes.

And the heavenly river of which David and John and other holy men of God spoke, I have never seen either. But I have tasted it — by reading God’s Word and believing it. Have you? It will make your heart glad, and you will never thirst again for lasting joy. I know, and many others know, it is faithful and true, and someday all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour shall be in that wonderful place, and shall see Him face to face.

“Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4: 13, 14.

ML 07/29/1956

Loss or Gain

Many years ago the magistrate of Barcelona needed a number of oarsmen for some galley boats. He decided on an unusual plan to get them.

He had a large table placed on the market square. On this table they placed some dice, and a large quantity of silver pieces. Then they invited whoever wished, to play. Any who won the game received a certain sum of money, but those who lost had to forfeit their liberty and become oarsmen on the galley boats. Although everyone knew how hard their work would be on such boats, and that they would be treated as thieves and slaves, yet there were many men who risked their lives at this wicked dangerous game. They played their well-being and liberty for a little money. In a very few days the required number of oarsmen were obtained.

Do not say these players were foolish, for if you are still unsaved you are in the same class as they. Many of them lost their present liberty in the vain pursuit of gain here, while you are playing with your precious soul which will live eternally in heaven or hell. They hoped to gain a sum of money and lost their liberty in the attempt; but if you reject the Lord Jesus as your Saviour there is no chance about it you will be lost forever in hell. Why continue to seek after the empty vanities of this poor world which can never satisfy, when you may have forgiveness and eternal life as a free gift? Accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour today.

“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36.

ML 07/29/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 21:8-20.

Jezebel wrote a letter to the elders and nobles of the city where Naboth lived, telling them to proclaim a fast and set Naboth up in the presence of the people. She said they should then bring forward two wicked men to say they had heard Naboth blaspheme God and the king. After this they were to stone Naboth to death. She did all this in Ahab’s name and under his seal, and so the elders of the city did as she had told them, and stoned Naboth to death.

What a solemn lesson we have here! What a word to any young man who is thinking of marrying an unsaved girl! Jezebel may have been a pretty girl with her painted face, for we may remark here that she is the only woman of whom we read in the Bible who used the modern art of “make-up,” but her heart was far from God, though zealous in her own religion. Dear young men, if you marry an unsaved girl, she will do many things that displease the Lord, and she will do them in your name, as Jezebel did, for that is the name she carries when you have married her. Oh be sure that you choose a girl (if you get married) who walks in the fear of God, or your life will be filled with sorrow. Be sure that she is one whom you would be happy to introduce as your wife at any time, or to have her use your name anywhere.

Poor Ahab, he was surely wrong himself, but his wife was not a helpmeet. She was more evil than he was, yet they worked together in their evil course. And so it was that after Naboth was stoned, Jezebel told her husband to go in and possess his vineyard. Ahab did so, but while he was walking through the vineyard, Elijah came down to meet him. How short are the pleasures of sin, and how uneasy we feel when trying to enjoy them! “The way of transgressors is hard,” Proverbs 13:15, as Ahab soon found out. True peace and joy cannot be found apart from Christ, and in a practical way they are ours only in the path of obedience. May the Lord give us all to see the folly of self-will, and to teach us to walk humbly before Him.

Ahab did not want to see Elijah, nor to listen to his message. He thought he could hide his wicked act, but he could not. We cannot hide anything from the Lord. He knows all “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13. Elijah said to Ahab, “Hast thou killed, and also taken possession?... In the place where the dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.” Ahab answered, “Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?” When one has a guilty conscience, he always thinks of those who point but his sins as his enemies. Yet it is a good thing to have our sins pointed out. Much better for a sinner to see his guilt now and be saved, than to see it revealed at the great white throne when it is too late, when there is no blood to cleanse from all sin. Much better too, for a believer to have his sin brought to light and to confess it, than to be allowed to go on, only to get farther and farther away from the Lord.

Elijah then told Ahab that he had sold himself to work iniquity. This is a terrible thing. Only the Lord can keep any of us, and it is an awful thing when we lose the fear of God and let loose in the paths of sin. Oh may we, as believers, pray that the Lord would keep us, for our poor hearts are capable of the most horrible sins.

ML 07/29/1956

The Widow's Light

I am sure there are many readers of this paper who have never seen a lighthouse, and I suppose there are others who have seen many. You must forgive me then, if I tell you what a lighthouse is.

Let us watch a ship out on the ocean as it draws nearer to the land. It is a dark night, but the captain knows he is getting closer and closer to shore. He also knows that there are dangerous rocks nearby, and he must try to pass as far from them as possible. All at once he sees a glimmer of light shining through the darkness. Eagerly he fixes his eye on the light, and watches it grow brighter as his ship draws near. Now he knows where the rocks are, and he knows just where to direct his boat, for that light is shining far across the waves from the top of a lighthouse built upon the rocky shore. Sometimes a lighthouse is built on a lonely, rocky island, to direct passing ships, and to warn them to stay far away.

The lighthouse of our story was built on a small island, and in that lighthouse there lived a man and his wife. Every night the light shone steadily over the waves, and many a captain was directed safely across the water by its silent gleam. Every week the keeper took his little boat to the mainland for supplies, and for oil to keep his light burning.

One day while he was on the mainland the sky grew very dark and the wind began to howl wildly. Higher and higher dashed the waves until the island could hardly be seen. The faithful wife quickly climbed to the top of the lighthouse and there set to work to start the light. But she noticed with great fear that there was very little oil, and she knew her husband had intended to be back in time with more. She could see nothing as she peered through the window in the direction of the shore but she hoped and prayed that her husband would arrive before the light went out. Presently she gave a gasp—the light was flickering! A few more flickers, a little wisp of smoke, and the light was gone! She cried out in despair, but there was nothing she could do. All night she watched, and in the morning as the storm abated, she went down to the rocky edge of the little island, and there found the wrecked remains of her husband’s little boat. But he was gone — drowned!

I think you would expect that poor widow to leave the island forever. But instead, she decided she must remain and see to it that the light shone every night without fail. And indeed it did as long as she lived. Everyone called it “the widow’s light.”

The Lord Jesus said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:5. But this world has put the Lord Jesus out, and now He says of those who belong to Him, “Ye are the light of the world.” Matt. 5:14. Have you ever thought of that? If you are saved, you belong to the Lord Jesus, and are left here to shine for Him. For there are many traveling through this world who do not know where their journey will end. The Lord Jesus wanted you and me to let our light shine brightly for Him. He wants us to let others know what He has done for us, and that He wants to save them too, Have you ever told anyone else about the precious blood of Jesus that has washed your sins away?

“Jesus bids us shine

With a clear pure light,

Like a little candle

Burning in the night;

In this world of darkness

So we must shine,

You in your small corner

And I in mine.”

“IN THE MIDST OF A CROOKED AND PERVERSE NATION... YE SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD.” Phil. 2:15.

ML 08/05/1956

A Penny

Once a child was playing, with a beautiful vase. He put his hand inside, but could not get it out again. His father tried to help him, but he could not get it out either. Would they have to break the precious vase? At last the father said, “Stretch out your fingers; hold them as straight as you can.”

“But I can’t!” replied the sobbing boy. “I would drop my penny if I did.”

All that time he had held a penny in his hand, and he would rather see the vase broken than lose his penny.

How many today are like this foolish child. They hold on to the pleasures of this vain world and rather than give them up, would run the risk of losing their own souls. The child held on to his penny, but dear unsaved one, what are you holding on to that hinders you from coming to Christ?

Often those of us who are saved hold the things of this life too tightly, and forget the true riches. What a loss, and for eternity!

“They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.” Jonah 2:8.

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36.

ML 08/05/1956

Who Is Jesus?

Daniel Webster was having dinner with some literary men in Boston. During the meal the men began to inquire about Christianity. Mr. Webster said that he believed that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only Saviour.

“Can you understand how Christ could be both God and man?” asked one of the men.

“I cannot. If I could, He would be no greater than myself. I need a superhuman Saviour,” replied Mr. Webster.

In this day when the deity of the Lord Jesus is denied on every hand, it is most important that we stand firm for the truth. It is His Person that gives value to His work, but let us not try to understand it. We are only called upon to believe it.

“Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” 1 John 2:23.

ML 08/05/1956

Bible Questions for August

The Children’s Class

1. Should we expect the preaching of the cross to be foolishness to unbelievers?

2. Can the natural unsaved mon receive the things of God?

3. Who is the only foundation on which to build?

4. Did Paul and those who preached with him have a nice dwelling place and good food?

5. Is it possible for thieves and drunkards to be washed and sanctified?

6. What does God say of the fashion of this world?

7. Was Paul willing to go without anything rather than offend his weak brother?

The Young People’s Class Types and Shadows

1. What did Moses have to do because of his shining face? Exodus 34.

2. What is upon the heart of Israel today, hindering them from seeing in Christ the fulfillment of the Old Testament types? 2 Corinthians.

3. Can we as believers now look at the glory of the Lord with open (unveiled) face? 2 Corinthians.

4. Where did Moses pitch the Tabernacle of the congregation? Exodus 33.

S. Are we to go “outside the camp,” with its forms and ceremonies, to meet the Lord now? Hebrews.

6. Where did most of the people prefer to worship, instead of going outside the camp? Exodus 33.

7. Is there a need for us even today to be exhorted not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together? Hebrews.

ML 08/05/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 21:21-22:3.

Elijah then pronounced solemn judgment upon Ahab and his household for what he had done, even to the cutting off of his posterity from Israel. He told him too what would happen to his wicked wife Jezebel, for she was the one who stirred him up in his evil ways. Her name is used in Scripture as the figure of evil in the name of religion (Rev. 2:20), and just as a terrible judgment fell upon her, so God’s awful judgment will fall upon that great religious system which persecutes the true children of God. (Revelation 18.) Like Jezebel who did evil in king Ahab’s name, so we see a great religious system around us which works through the government in many places, to hinder the servants of the Lord in the spread of His Word and truth. What a day of reaping awaits that religious system, more terrible indeed than that which came upon Jezebel.

When Ahab heard the words of the Lord through Elijah, he humbled himself and fasted. This is good to see, for when the sinner is warned of judgment, the right place for him to take is repentance before God. The Lord was pleased with this repentance and sent a message through Elijah saying that because Ahab had taken the humble place, He would not bring the evil He had pronounced in his days. If there is an unsaved one reading these lines, we would plead with you to take the low place in repentance before God. It is the place of blessing for you. If you will acknowledge your lost condition before God, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as the One who accomplished redemption for you at Calvary, you will be saved. Ahab was delivered from the judgment of God upon him during his lifetime, but you will be delivered from eternal hell, if you will accept Christ as your Saviour today. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

The twenty-second chapter presents to us a sad picture of a true believer forming friendships with the world. Jehoshaphat the king of Judah was a godly king, but he came down to Ahab, the wicked king of Israel. Notice he “came down,” for the world never comes up to the believer’s level; we can come down to the world, and do, if we are not careful. This coming down was the first step in departure which soon led Jehoshaphat farther away, for how can we be faithful when we have chosen the company of those from whom we ought to be separate? How can we count on the Lord to keep us from the evil of the world, when we have chosen its company? Oh let us watch the first steps of departure from the Lord!

King Ahab decided to make good use of Jehoshaphat, for the world always wants a person for what it can get from him, not for what it can give to him. The world is selfish and really has nothing to give. Ahab asked Jehoshphat to help him get back Ramoth-gilead which was in the hands of the king of Syria, though it belonged to Israel. We might remark here that this was the result of the mistaken kindness Ahab had shown to Ben-hadad, king of Syria. How soon Ben-hadad had forgotten the promises he had made to Ahab such a short time before (1 Kings 20:34-43)! It is also instructive to notice that Ramoth-gilead was on the wilderness side of Jordan where the two and a half tribes settled, and it was the first to fall into the hands of the enemy. We learn from this that if we do not walk in ALL the truth of God, the enemy soon robs us of the truth we have.

ML 08/05/1956

The Old Man of Dartmoor

At Dartmoor, in England, lived an old man who had earned his living by watching the cows and sheep in the vast pasture lands there. Having become old and blind, he had to seek shelter in an old people’s home for the remainder of his days.

One of his granddaughters often came to visit him and read portions to him from the Word of God. The old man had neglected the Bible during his lifetime but now always found the greatest pleasure in hearing it read.

One day she read to him the first chapter of the first epistle of John. Upon hearing the seventh verse, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin,” the old man suddenly stopped his young reader. Very seriously, he asked, “Are you very sure you did not make a mistake? How does that verse read?”

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin,” replied the young girl.

“I have never heard that before,” replied the grandfather. “Never heard anything to equal it. You are very sure that it is written like that?”

“Yes, very sure.”

“Then, take my finger,” said the dear old man, “and place it on that beautiful passage. I should love to feel it.”

When the bony fingers of the blind man rested on the place, he said, “Now, read it to me once more.”

The sweet voice of the child read again, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

Once again he asked, “Then you are perfectly sure of what you are reading?”

On the affirmative answer he received, the old man said, “Good, now if someone asks you how I have died, you can say, that I died trusting in this word, ‘The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.’”

The old man withdrew his hand from the Bible. It was not long after this that he passed peacefully into the presence of the One whose “blood cleanseth us from all sin.”

“BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” Romans 5:1.

ML 08/12/1956

Three Weeks to Live

Mrs. Wong was sick, so very sick that she could hardly get out of bed. But, though she felt sick, she didn’t know that her sickness was absolutely incurable. At last someone persuaded her to go to the missionary hospital. She had heard of the hospital and of the missionaries who had come to China to tell of Jesus, but she had not yet been to the city, or met anyone who told about Jesus.

At last she made up her mind, and slowly and painfully made her weary way to the city, and then to the clean white hospital. She was treated kindly and carefully, and thoroughly examined to see if the doctors could possibly help her to get well. And every time they came to her bedside, the missionaries would tell her about Jesus, and His wonderful love in coming down into the world to die for sinners. Mrs. Wong eagerly drank in the story, and soon had gladly accepted the Lord Jesus as her own Saviour.

After a few days, the doctor came to her bedside and told her the sad news that their examinations had revealed the fact that she could not be cured. She was dying.

She said nothing for a moment and then looked up at the doctor.

“You are sure that I will not be well again?”

“Yes, Mrs. Wong. We can give you medicine that will help you a little, and you might live for three months.”

“And if I go home and don’t take the medicine, how long will I live?”

“I don’t think you would live more than three weeks.”

“Get my clothes, please. I must start for home right now.”

The doctor looked astonished, and was about to protest, but Mrs. Wong looked at him with a wonderful smile.

“Doctor, the Lord Jesus Christ loved me and died for me. He is my Saviour, and I would like to go home right away and tell everyone who will listen about His wonderful love. Surely a few weeks of my life is as nothing compared with what Jesus has done for me.”

I’m sure the doctor and nurses never forgot Mrs. Wong’s eager desire to tell of Jesus, and I think it ought to be a voice to you and me. The Lord Jesus loved and died for sinners, it is true, but I wonder if the reader of this paper has truly taken the Lord Jesus as his own? And if you do belong to Him, have you told any others of what He has done for you? The time is very short, for the Lord Jesus is soon coming back again, and then we shall have no more chance to speak to others about His great love.

“Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” Mark 5:19.

ML 08/12/1956

The Blacksmith and the Gate

Mr. McKenzie was a blacksmith. He was a big strong man, and a very kind man too. Sometimes he sang as he worked, and sometimes he looked rather sad. There was one thing that bothered him and made him sad at times. He wasn’t sick, he had a happy home, and he wasn’t in debt. But every once in a while he would think about his soul, and about eternity, and then he couldn’t sing at all, for he was not quite sure that his soul was saved.

Mr. Dawson had often spoken to him about the Lord Jesus, and the big blacksmith believed every word. He believed that the Lord Jesus had died on the cross for sinners, but he felt that there must be something left for him to do, and he didn’t know just what it was.

One day, Mr. Dawson ordered an iron gate for his farm. Now Mr. McKenzie was a good workman, and when that gate was done, it was really well done. Not many days after the order was placed, the gate was finished and standing up against the wall of the shop, waiting for Mr. Dawson to come and pick it up.

About a week later Mr. Dawson came in and went straight to his gate. He looked it over carefully, and then picked up a great file that was near at hand, and began to scratch the surface noisily.

“What are you doing there?” called out Mr. McKenzie.

“Oh, I am finishing the gate.”

“You are spoiling my work! The gate is finished. Please, leave it alone!”

The farmer then told Mr. McKenzie that he was doing with the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, just the very same thing as he had done with the file.

“Don’t you see,” he went on to say, “that you are trying to add something to the work which the Lord Jesus Christ finished on the cross of Calvary? I picked up this file and began to work on a gate you claim is finished. I believe you have done a good job, and I believe I would only spoil it with this file I have in my hand. So, I want you to remember that the work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary is a finished work, and that anything you try to do will only spoil it.”

I’m glad to be able to tell you that Mr. McKenzie saw at once just what Mr. Dawson had brought before him. Then and there he accepted the finished work of Christ and his soul was saved.

However, this illustration falls short. The gate that the blacksmith had made, would wear out in time, although he had made it well. But the salvation that has been accomplished on the cross of Calvary will endure forever and ever.

Have you dear reader, accepted the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ for your very own need?

When I was a boy in Sunday school we used to sing a little hymn like this:

“Nothing either great or small—
Nothing, sinner, no;
Jesus did it, did it all,
Long, long ago.
It is finished! yes, indeed,
Finished ev’ry jot;
Sinner, this is all you need,
Tell me, is it not?”

Will you not accept right now the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour, and put your trust in His precious word which says, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life?” John 3:36.

ML 08/12/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 22:3-6.

The fact that Ramoth-gilead, on the wilderness side of Jordan, had so easily slipped into the hands of the enemy, makes us think of many of the systems of Christendom. They once had a large measure of truth, but stopped short of God’s full revelation, especially Paul’s doctrine which brings us “over the Jordan.” Those who do not see the Church as a heavenly company, not of this world, will sooner or later settle down to the level of the world, just as Ramoth-gilead fell into the hands of the Syrians. Nor is there power with such to recover what has been lost, for any system formed by men will be more or less ruled by men, just as Ahab was ruler of those tribes who had left God’s center at Jerusalem, and set up something of themselves. We can easily see that Jehoshaphat the king in Jerusalem, God’s center, should never have been down with Ahab at all. What part did he have in the court of Ahab, or in helping him in his battles?

But sad to say, Jehoshaphat had given up his separated path, or he would never have been there! Nor did he have the spiritual power to speak of separation when he was in a wrong position. When Ahab asked his help to recover Ramoth-gilead, poor Jehoshphat said, “I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.” What a sad remark from the lips of a true child of God. And yet what a word to our own hearts, for perhaps we have all gone to some place we should never have gone to, and when there, found we had no power to stand against the evil that surrounded us. If, like Samson, we put our heads in the lap of the world, we will soon give up our Nazarite separation to please our worldly friends. We will be like Jehoshaphat here, and make remarks that sound as if we were one of the crowd. Oh let this be a warning to us, for we can’t exercise spiritual power when out communion with the Lord, and the devil is ever ready to use the occasion to drag us still further down.

Jehoshaphat’s conscience soon began to trouble him, however, and he said to Ahab, “Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord today.” Ahab the gathered four hundred prophets together and asked them what he should do. Should he go up to Ramoth-gilead? The whole four hundred prophets were agreed in their reply, saying, “Go now for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.” And the whole four hundred were absolutely wrong! It was not the word of the Lord at all, but a lie spoken in His name. What a picture this is of some of the smooth things prophesied in Christendom today. How little we hear of hell and judgment come from the pulpits in these times. Even at funerals the preacher often consigns the departed one to heaven whether he has confessed Christ as Saviour or not. What a delusion it and yet it is the popular thing that pleases the crowd. It is what people want, just as the prophets here knew what Ahab wanted to hear.

All this might have saved the conscience of Ahab, but it only made Jehoshaphat more uneasy. He knew there was something wrong when Ahab prophets spoke so nicely, with nothing to touch the conscience — nothing to arouse Ahab about his sins. The crowd is usually wrong in moral and spiritual matters, for the wide gate leads to hell while the narrow path, where few enter, leads to life. Let us watch again the tendency to follow the crowd and to be conformed to the world. (Romans 12:2.)

ML 08/12/1956

Thirsty Freddie

It was a lovely summer day. The seashore was full of boys and girls building sand castles, and splashing around in the water. But little Freddie was standing close to his mother, and he was in tears.

“Go, Freddie, he won’t hurt you, and perhaps he can find a drink for you.”

“You come too, mother,” said Freddie through his tears.

“No, I’m afraid I have to stay here with the baby.”

It seems that Freddie was afraid of the big soldier to whom his mother was trying to direct him, and I thought I might be of some help.

“May I help you, Freddie?” I asked.

“I swallowed a lot of salt water, and I’m awful thirsty,” he replied.

“You just come with me, and I can get you some fresh cool water.”

In a moment, Freddie’s hand was in mine and we were on our way.

“Freddie, do you really believe I can get water for you?”

“Yes, Sir, of course I do.” “How do you know?”

“Well, Sir, you said you could.”

By this time, we had reached a little fountain of fresh water, and Freddie didn’t need to be told what to do. After a good long drink, and a very contented “Ah-h-h,” he said, “Thank you,” and we hurried back.

His mother thanked me too, and then I said, “Freddie believed me and accepted my offer to show him water. Have you come to the Lord Jesus Christ who is willing to give the water of life freely to all who take Him at His word?”

She looked silently down at the sand and did not answer. I gave her a few tracts and added a few more words of invitation to come to the Saviour and then left her and Freddie.

A few days later, we met again, and to my joy, she brightly confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as her own Saviour. Since then, she has even taken the trouble to write me a letter to say how thankful she is to the Lord Jesus for saving her soul.

Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ wants to save you too. Have you accepted Him yet as your own?

“WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM TAKE THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY.” Revelation 22:17.

ML 08/19/1956

The Open Door

Mrs. Young had just finished an afternoon of busy shopping, and arrived home with her arms laden with heavy bundles. Carefully she set them all down and opened her purse for the key to the front door.

Could it be possible that she had forgotten to bring her key with her? Again and again she searched through the contents of the purse, but could find no key. She stood there on her front verandah looking more worried and anxious, wondering whatever she ought to do. It was getting dark and cloudy, and it looked as though it might start to rain at any moment. How could she have been so foolish as to forget to take her key with her when she went shopping?

After puzzling and hunting for some time, she reached out rather half-heartedly and gave the door handle a turn. To her surprise the door opened without any effort. It had not even been locked! How very foolish she felt as she opened the door and carried her parcels inside. Here she had been standing before an unlocked door, puzzling and wondering just how she was going to get inside! I wonder if you and I could have taught her a lesson from what took place outside that door?

We often sing in our Sunday school:

One door and only one,

And yet, its sides are two.

Inside and outside,

On which side are you?

One door and only one,

And yet, its sides are two,

I’m on the inside,

On which side are you?

How good to be able to sing in truth, “I’m on the inside.” I was not always on the inside. I’m afraid that at one time, I was like Mrs. Young, standing outside and hoping that someday I might be among those who could say that they were saved. Perhaps the reader of this paper feels that there is much that he must do before he can be saved. How good to know that the Word of God tells us of a Saviour who is waiting and ready and willing to receive you and me, just as we are. He tells us in John 10:9, “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.”

Right now, as you finish this little story, you can accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour and enter the door.

ML 08/19/1956

Be Warned in Time

I think every boy and girl who reads this paper has either seen an elephant or at least a picture of one, and you know what huge creatures they are.

One day in the city of Denver an elephant was being led along the street to one of the parks in the early hours of the morning. Everything was going peacefully and quietly, as there were very few people on the street. Presently, as they passed one of the side streets, the elephant keeper noticed a milkman just climbing into his truck. The keeper waved his hand to the milkman and shouted to him to please stay where he was and not come any closer. But the sight of an elephant was most unusual to this curious milkman, so he promptly drove his truck up as close as he could and jumped out to have a look at the elephant. In a moment the elephant stopped and waved his trunk in the air. He had smelled the milk and he turned toward the truck. The milkman saw what was going to happen and tried to get back into his truck again but it was too late. The elephant got there first and in a moment his strong trunk had lifted out one of the huge milk cans and dropped it on the road. The lid popped off, and the thirsty elephant had a very good drink of the milk and cream, but this was just the beginning. As you may imagine, an elephant can drink a great deal more milk than you or I, and he was not content with just one can, but reached in again and jerked them out one by one until all were on the ground. In this way forty-five gallons of milk and cream were spilled on the road, to the great dismay of the poor milkman. When it was all over the elephant and his keeper walked quietly away.

I am sure the keeper felt very sorry about what had happened but after all he was not to blame. He had warned the milkman, but his warning went completely unheeded. I think the milkman himself was to blame, don’t you?

His curiosity made him ignore the warning and he lost a good deal of money by the spilled milk. But after all, although I am sure he will never forget the experience, it was not too serious, and I suppose he could make up for the lost money. But there is another warning which I am afraid is very often unheeded.

In Hebrews 2:3 we read these words:

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?”

Is this not a far more important and serious warning? There is something that you are in danger of losing forever, and it is much more important than milk or money. It is your precious soul. The Word of God tells us of a home in Heaven which the Lord Jesus has prepared for all who will put their trust in Him. But the Word of God also tells us of an awful place called the lake of fire. The Word of God is filled with warnings that would turn our footsteps away from the downward road that leads to destruction, and turn us to the Lord Jesus Christ in whom we can find pardon under the shelter of His precious blood.

Have you ever heeded the warnings from God’s Word? May I ask you to read this one for yourself:

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” Hebrews 9:27, 28.

Some who read this may have no other warning. “Therefore be ye also ready.” Matthew 24:44.

“Time is gliding swiftly by,

Death and judgment both draw nigh,

To the arms of Jesus fly,

Be in time.

Oh, I pray you count the cost,

Ere the fatal line be crossed,

And your Christless soul be lost;

Be in time!”

ML 08/19/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 22:7-18.

Jehoshaphat did not condemn Ahab’s false prophets, as he should have done, for when we have chosen the company of the world we have to be careful not to offend! Surely the world of today is the same as it was in Ahab’s day; it does not want the truth. Jehoshaphat said in an inoffensive way, “Is there not here a prophet of the Lard besides, that we may inquire of him?” Ahab answered, “There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me. but evil.” Jehoshaphat knew at once that this was the right man — a true prophet of the Lord but again he felt he must speak carefully, in on unoffending manner, and so he replied, “Let not the king say so.” Poor Ahab’s wicked heart came out when he said, “I hate him,” for the world hates the truth of God and those who speak it.

Let us notice here that Micaiah did not mix his testimony with that of the four hundred prophets of Ahab. He was not like many an evangelist today who keeps in favor with the modernists as well as the fundamentalists, and stands with both. No, he was a separate man, even in his testimony. Is this not a lesson for us in our day of worldly association among the true children of God?

Ahab then sent a messenger to get Micaiah. There were the two kings, Ahab and Jehoshaphat, dressed in their grand robes, sitting on their thrones with the prophets prophesying before them. What a picture of present day religion which has so much outward show; but the true testimony of God is not of this character.

The messenger who was sent to get Micaiah told him that the prophets of Ahab were speaking good with one consent. He said they were all agreed in their testimony and suggested that Micaiah should speak the same. Why make himself unpopular? Why not please the crowd? Micaiah replied, “As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak.” When Macaiah came to this great religious concourse, Ahab asked him, “Micaiah, shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we forbear?” It would appear that perhaps even Micaiah was overcome by this impressive gathering, and by the presence of Jehoshaphat among them, for he replied, “Go, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.” Strange to say, however, even this message did not, set Ahab’s gulity conscience at rest. He expected a faithful testimony from Macaiah, just as the world expects a faithful testimony from the separate Christian. They are surprised when we take the place of men pleasers, as alas we do at times. They hate the truth, and yet expect to hear it from us, as Ahab expected it from Micaiah. Thus Ahab said to him, “How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the Lord?”

Micaiah then spoke up faithfully and told the king of this coming defeat and death, and of how Israel would be left without a king that day. Ahab then turned to poor, uncomfortable Jehoshaphat and said, “Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?” How ashamed Jehoshaphat must have felt! What a terrible thing is the fear of man and yet how real it is when we choose the company of the ungodly world instead of the path of obedience.

ML 08/19/1956

"Jesus Christ is so Sorry for You"

It was a busy railway station, and crowds of people were coming and going. Little Winnie was holding tightly to her father’s hand and intently watching the faces of the people who passed by.

A tall policeman with a very stern face came slowly along, and stopped right near where Winnie was standing. Very close to the policeman stood a big man with a fierce and unhappy face. Winnie’s eyes grew big with interest, and suddenly she noticed that the fierce man’s wrist was fastened to the policeman’s by a steel handcuff! He was a prisoner, and was probably being taken off to jail.

In a moment, Winnie let go of her father’s hand and ran over to where the two were standing. Bravely looking up into the prisoner’s face, she said with her sweet voice, “Man, I’m so sorry for you.”

The man turned and gave her such an angry scowl that she turned and ran quickly back to her father. Still she stood watching and at last she broke loose and ran over once again. This time there were tears in her bright blue eyes, and her voice was not quite so steady.

“Man, Jesus Christ is so sorry for you.”

This was too much. The fierce look changed, and the big prisoner seemed to have to blink his eyes and swallow hard. Then the train came along. He was led away, and taken to prison. He had been a very hard man to handle, but now he seemed to be so gentle that the guards and policemen asked him what had happened.

He told them the story of the dear little blue-eyed girl who had spoken to him at the station. “I suppose I frightened her for she ran back to her father. But soon she came back and told me that the Lord Jesus was so sorry for me. It brought back to me what I had learned from my Sunday school teacher as a boy, and now I know that the Lord Jesus not only loved me, but that He died to wash away my sins. I have taken Him as my Saviour.”

Dear reader, the Lord Jesus Christ is sorry for you too, if you are still in your sins. I know you are not being led away to prison, but something very much worse is ahead for you. When you leave this world, if you have not taken the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, there is only an eternity of outer darkness ahead. And the Lord Jesus doesn’t want you to go there, for He loves you, and as the prisoner said, He died for such as you. Can you say, as he did, “I have taken Him as my Saviour?”

“HIM THAT COMETH TO ME I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT.” John 6:37.

ML 08/26/1956

God is Everywhere

I have heard stories of men and women who have accepted the Lord Jesus while lying on a sick-bed, and I have heard stories of boys and girls who have been saved at Sunday school. But this is the only story that I have ever heard of a man who was saved at the bottom of the sea.

Perhaps you have never seen a diver. Before he goes down to the boom of the sea, he puts on a very strange suit, and wears a large helmet with windows in the front. It is a very dangerous way to make a living and one that I certainly would not choose for myself.

Mr. Barker had been a diver for a good number of years, and although his occupation was so dangerous, he seemed to be absolutely careless about the fact that he might someday go down to the bottom of the sea for the very last time, and open his eyes in eternity.

One day, as he was groping along through the blackness beneath the waves, in search of a lost ship, he said to himself, “They tell me that God is everywhere. I don’t believe that He can be down here at the bottom of the sea.”

No sooner had this passed through his mind, when he spied something white lying at his feet. He reached down and picked it up. It was a piece of paper held fast between the shells of an oyster. He held it in front of the window in his helmet and read these words: “Thou God seest me.” Genesis 16:13.

You may well imagine that this filled him with fear, for he realized that although the eye of man could not find him in the darkness of the sea, yet the eye of God was upon him.

He had often heard the gospel before, and as he suddenly realized that the eye of God was upon him, he remembered a verse that he had heard as a young man. “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 45:22. How good it was to realize that the very God who was looking down through the waves upon him, was asking him to look up and accept the Saviour that His love had provided!

Without even waiting to come up to the surface, he quietly bowed his head and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour.

Then he brought the oyster shell and the tract to the surface with him. Since that day, he has often shown them to many another man, and told how God met him and saved his soul at the bottom of the sea.

Dear reader, are you conscious of the fact that the eye of God is upon you? You may be reading this paper in the quiet of a hospital room, but wherever you may be, the eye of God is upon you. He knows all about you and He has this message of love for your soul: “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

ML 08/26/1956

A Noble Boy

I cannot tell you the name of this noble boy, for it has long ago been forgotten down here; but it will never be forgotten in heaven. What I wish to tell you happened many years ago when a wicked king was on the throne, and the people of his kingdom were forbidden to read the Word of God. A company of soldiers with their cruel leader were riding along a country road one day. Presently they came upon a little boy with a large book beneath his arm. Coming up to him the leader asked, “What book is that you are carrying, my boy?”

Looking up fearlessly into the face of the soldier, the noble boy said, “It is the Bible.”

“Throw it into the ditch then!” cried the fierce commander.

“No, Sir, I cannot do that. It is the Word of God.”

A second time the angry officer ordered the boy to throw away his Bible, but he only hugged the book more fondly to himself.

“Then pull your cap over your eyes, for you shall die.” Turning to his men, the officer said, “Prepare to fire!”

For a moment the soldiers hesitated, thinking that the boy would yield and throw away the Book, but he stood firm and true.

Dear noble boy, he had found in the Word of God he carried that which gave him life everlasting. He knew that the soldiers’ bullets would only send him into the bright presence of the Lord Jesus who had loved him and died for him. Even though he was only a boy, he had known of many others who had been put to death for their faith in the Lord Jesus.

“I will not cover my eyes. I will look you in the face; and remember that some day you will look the Lord Jesus in the face too, on the day of judgment.”

He stood calm and peaceful while the soldiers leveled their rifles, and in another moment he was shot through the heart. His body fell on the green grass, and the book for which he died fell with him. Would to God there were more of our boys and young men who are not afraid to stand firm and true to Jesus Christ. We know that times have changed now, especially in these countries of liberty. We do not now have to face the bullets of the soldiers because of having a Bible. But every boy who reads this story knows that if he wants to be true to the Lord Jesus and to the Word of God, at school or in the shop, he will find that there is still hatred against the Lord Jesus, and against His precious Word.

First of all, accept the, Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour, and then remain true and steadfast in His precious Word. “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:11, 17.

ML 08/26/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 22:19-29.

Micaiah said that God had put a lying spirit in the mouth of all Ahab’s prophets, so that he would go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead. This is a dreadfully solemn matter, and one that ought to be a voice to careless shiners. There is a point when God’s Spirit ceases to strive, and where He allows souls to come under the blinding power of Satan. (2 Cor. 4:4.) Indeed He Himself sends a judicial blindness upon those who long refuse to hear His voice, as Ahab had. “He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Proverbs 29:1. “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

“There’s a line that is crossed by rejecting the Lord,

Where the call of His Spirit is lost;

And you hurry along, with the pleasure-mad throng;

Have you counted, have you counted the cost?”

Zedekiah, one of Ahab’s prophets, struck Micaiah on the cheek when he heard his solemn message, and said, “Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee?” What he was really saying was that he was just as likely to be right in his prophecy, as Micaiah was. And so others will say to us that we are too sure we have the truth, that those who think differently are just as sure as we are and that they may be right after all. But Micaiah knew he had spoken the truth (as Zedekiah did too in his conscience!) and so he turned and warned Zedekiah that if he did not believe now, he would when it was too late. Dear unsaved reader, take warning. It is a solemn thing to reject the truth of God. If you refuse to take warning now and to “flee from the wrath to come,” Matt. 3:7, you will find out later, when salvation’s day is past, that God’s Word telling you of hell and “judgment to come” is the truth.

Poor Micaiah had to suffer for his faithfulness. Ahab had said that he wanted to hear the truth, but when he heard it he became very angry, and gave orders that Micaiah was to be carried away and cast into prison. So it is with men and women today. They say they want the truth, but when it is preached they too become angry, turning against the Lord’s faithful messengers. As Micaiah was being carried off to prison he warned Ahab again that what he had spoken was the truth, and he called all the people to witness it. There is always a holy boldness in connection with God’s faithful testimony which makes those who hear it tremble, for the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit.

Ahab trembled and became very uneasy, as we shall see in what follows. The help of Jehoshaphat, the assuring words of his four hundred prophets, and his definite rejection of Micaiah’s message, did not give him peace of conscience or heart. Could one man, a prophet of the Lord, be right and his own four hundred prophets be wrong? Yes, indeed! Oh the folly of following the crowd! Micaiah was right and Ahab knew it — but he was kicking against the pricks of his own guilty conscience and would not give in. As a last resort, he decided to try a plan which he felt sure (or rather hoped!) would enable him to escape the judgment Micaiah had pronounced upon him.

ML 08/26/1956

Second Chance Corner

“Four more minutes till the bus rolls,” said Daddy zipping up his jacket. For fourteen years he had been driving the school bus, and kept a clock-like schedule. The children began a mad scramble that somehow repeated itself daily, in spite of the advice given in advance, to have things in readiness.

“Your hair doesn’t look combed to me, Dave,” reminded Mother. Claire remembered at the same moment that she hadn’t brushed her teeth after breakfast. They both rushed in the same direction. Jon scattered a pile of books in an attempt to sort out which ones were his. Ginger followed Mother explaining that she was out of theme paper and needed some money, and Mary needed an excuse written for absence. Al was rummaging through the apple box, looking for some extra ones to eat on the way. The bus horn sounded and there were hasty kisses and good-byes. Some ran out the door, and some rushed back after forgotten lunch boxes and mittens; it was hard to direct traffic without some kind of casualties.

“Where’s my library book — due today!”

“That’s my scarf, your’s is in the closet!”

A scuffling of feet, a slamming of doors; then a sudden roar of the idling bus motor and they were off. All was quiet — and then a small wail arose from the back porch.

“I was just putting my boots on, and he didn’t wait for me!”

“Well, Davie, it looks as if you are left behind, but you know why, don’t you?”

“I just about had them on too.”

“Who didn’t get up when he was called this morning? Who was late to breakfast? You always think there is plenty of time — until it’s too late. Now you will have to run down to “the second chance corner” and see if you can meet the bus at the cross roads as Daddy comes back down the road from Waggoners.”

Mother watched the little fellow run out the gate and head for the crossroads. Yes, sometimes there is a “send chance,” but it is a poor thing to count on. Trifling and delay can be serious. It can mean losing one’s own soul — heaven, and eternity with Christ. So “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” But what if we’re not ready? What if we really meant to get saved? What if we had even thought about it? What if we had listened in Sunday school? What if we had said our verses every Sunday, but had just not turned to Him and been converted?

Sad, sad thought, that it will be these very ones who will come and cry, “Lord, Lord, open unto us!”

He will answer, “I know you not.”

It will be too late, no second chance to be ready then. Oh, do turn from your own willful, stubborn ways, and surrender your life to Christ, who is waiting, beseeching men, women, and children to come to Him. “Him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:16, 17.

“BOAST NOT THYSELF OF TOMORROW; FOR THOU KNOWEST NOT WHAT A DAY MAY BRING FORTH.” Proverbs 27:1.

ML 09/02/1956

A Gypsy Girl

Our story today is about a gypsy girl called Aggie. Mr. Barton used to spend a lot of time visiting among the caravans of gypsy camps, giving away texts, stories and Bibles. Sometimes they were very glad to see him, and sometimes they were not. But one day, he met little Aggie, and he will never forget that day. He stood at the steps of the caravan and called out to see if there was anybody inside. A dark face appeared at the door, and then a bright smile spread over the dark face.

“Come on inside, sir, I’m glad to see you.”

Mr. Barton climbed the steps and entered the caravan. First he spied two texts hanging on the wall, and then he met Aggie. She was a bright girl about twelve years of age, and she came forward with a glad smile.

“Sir, I’m awful glad to see you again. Look at our texts. I just love them, and look here where I write my name in the blessed Bible.”

The writing wasn’t very good, for Aggie hadn’t had much chance to learn, but this is what it said: “Aggie Brand, age 12 years.

“Thank you, Lord Jesus, for dying for me, a gypsy gal.”

Mr. Barton wiped his eyes when he read that. Then he found that Aggie had eagerly read the Bible since his last visit, and had accepted the Lord Jesus as her own Saviour. And according to her mother, she had told the others in the caravan over and over again, the wonderful story of Jesus and His dying love.

Have you a Bible with your name in it? I hope so, and I hope you can say what Aggie did, for Jesus wants you to accept Him and to thank Him right now.

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:17.

ML 09/02/1956

The Time Is Short

“The time is short,” the hours go by,

Why, sinner, still delay?

Oh, why not take God at His Word,

And enter while you may?

“The time is short,” the day is near,

When Christ the Lord will come.

Then all who have refused His grace

Will meet an awful doom.

“The time is short,” but happy they

Who in the Lord believe,

For in the twinkling of an eye,

He will His own receive.

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1.

ML 09/02/1956

Bible Questions for September

The Children’s Class

1. Did Paul charge for preaching the gospel, or did he make it without charge?

2. To whom does the earth belong with its fullness?

3. What has the Lord asked us to do until He comes?

4. Does the Scripture speak of many bodies of Christians, or is there only one body?

5. Does charity (love) envy others?

6. Should women take a public part in the church (assembly)?

7. If the Lord Jesus did not rise from the dead, can we soy our sins are gone?

The Young People’s Class Types and Shadows

1. Where was the priest to put the feathers (outward show) of the bird for a burnt offering? Leviticus 1.

2. What did the Lord Jesus say of those who honored, Him with their lips only, while their hearts were far from him? Matthew.

3. What kind of worship is acceptable to God now? John 4.

4. Was an Israelite guilty when he sinned, if he did not know he was doing wrong at the time? Leviticus 5.

5. Is a man justified in his conduct because he does not know anything wrong in his life? 1 Corinthians 4.

6. Where was the body of the animal offered for a sin offering to be burned? Leviticus 4.

7. Where did the Lord suffer for our sins? Hebrews 13.

ML 09/02/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 22:30-47.

Ahab suggested that Jehoshaphat wear his kingly robes while he disguised himself and went to the battle. In this way he hoped he would be unnoticed on the battlefield, that Macaiah’s prophecy would fail, and that he would return to his house in peace. Poor Jehoshaphat was in a sad position, learning the hard way how selfish and thoughtless the world really is. But he had promised to help Ahab; so he agreed to Ahab’s proposal and went to the battle in his robes. Soon he was mistaken for the king of Israel by the Syrians, and their chariots started to pursue him. It was only by the gracious intervention of the Lord that he escaped with his life. When he called for help, the Lord caused the Syrians to see that he was not Ahab, and they turned away, for it was Ahab whom they were specially seeking to kill. Undoubtedly we can see in this a picture of the priestly work of the Lord Jesus for us as believers now, for Jehoshaphat was a true child of God though in a wrong position. How often we have been preserved in our own lives, when we called upon the Lord for “grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. And how often too, when we have failed, we have been restored, because “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1. He is ever faithful and will carry every one of His own safely home to glory.

But what about Ahab? Poor Ahab, he could not escape the hand of God, and his plan to go to the battle unnoticed did not help him, for “a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness.” Yes, the arrow came through, and he received a deadly wound. He appeared very brave at the time, and would not give in, for he stayed himself up in his chariot during the day, but he died in the evening, as Micaiah had said. How sure are the words of God! How vain to try to escape His dealing hand.

Not only did Ahab die, but the words of the prophet were fulfilled to the very letter (1 Kings 21:24), for the dogs licked up his blood. Oh how solemn it is to go on in sin, but still more terrible to reject God’s message of warning and to persecute those who speak His truth, as Ahab did. May the Lord awaken any unsaved one who reads these lines to the awful judgment in the lake of fire that awaits those who continue in their sins and spurn God’s remedy. Ahab had a beautiful house of ivory here in this world, And the fields of Naboth for his own, yet “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27. You too, dear reader, may have grand things in this world and great possessions, but do you have Christ as your own personal Saviour?

Jehoshaphat was a godly king, but he made the sad mistake of forming the friendship of which we have spoken, with the ungodly king Ahab, and he lost in his soul by it. He did not take away the high places of the land, though he was faithful in many other things, for carelessness in one thing generally leads to carelessness in another. One sin seldom goes alone in a believer’s life, but usually leads to other things. So here, the next step in Jehoshaphat’s life was to become occupied with the accumulation of wealth, not being satisfied with the abundance God had already given him.

ML 09/02/1956

"What More Do I Need?"

It was evening in China. The busy road was crowded with people hastening to enter the city before the sun went down.

On one side of the road sat an old man with a long pole over his shoulder. On this pole he carried his bedding and a big pot of rice. He looked weary for he had walked seventy miles, and he had another seventy miles yet to walk.

Presently a missionary saw him and stepped up to ask if he could help him.

“Come into the city with me, and I will give you food and a warm bed for the night.”

“No, thank you; I have a long journey and I wish to be on my way before the city gate is open in the morning.”

“Is there anything I could do to help you?”

“No, thank you. I do not wish money, for I have been robbed three times already along the way. If I am tired, I have my bedding, if I am hungry, I have my rice; and best of all I am a Christian, and I have Jesus Christ in my heart. What more do I need?”

Do you have Jesus Christ in your heart? You may live in a fine home, and have plenty of money and food. But if you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, then I am very sorry for you. You must leave your home someday. You must leave your money someday. Your friends will gather and mourn for you — and where will you be? Do be sure right now that the Lord Jesus Christ is your own Saviour, for He loves you and died that you might be saved.

“FOR WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT A MAN, IF HE SHALL GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSE HIS OWN SOUL?” Mark 8:36.

ML 09/09/1956

Fire!

Right across the road from where I live, men are busy digging a foundation for the building of a new home. What a great deal of noise they are making! They are boring holes in the rock with noisy drills, and they are filling those holes with dynamite. Then comes the greatest noise of all. The rock is piled high with logs to keep it from flying, and then a great, low, “BOOM” is heard and the rock is splintered into pieces.

It reminds me of an experience I had some years ago when we were building roads in northern Ontario. There were no houses or buildings of any kind nearby, so it was not necessary for us to cover the dynamite blast with great logs. We simply laid our charges of dynamite, set the fuse, and then turned in every direction shouting “Fire!” at the top of our lungs.

At the sound of the word “Fire” all the workmen would immediately put down their tools and run down the road. They knew well that in just a certain number of seconds there would be a terrific explosion, and huge quantities of rock would fly in all directions. Some of the workmen took shelter under bridges, some behind great big trees, but each and every man ran as fast as he could, and found the very best shelter that he could, for all knew the danger.

May I ask what you would have done if you had heard the cry of “Fire”? Would you have stood quietly by and laughed at the rest of the workmen as they ran down the road? No, I feel quite sure you would have run along with the rest of them, and found shelter as quickly as you could. Perhaps you look up from reading this gospel paper and think, “I don’t see any danger around me here.” No, my dear reader, you may not see any danger from where you are, but let me assure you that Word of God speaks again and again of the dreadful judgment that is going to fall upon this whole world. Is there any hiding place? Oh, how glad I am to be able to tell you that the same blessed Book which tells us of the coming day of judgment, tells us of an absolutely sure place of shelter and hiding.

“A man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest.” Isaiah 32:2.

If you have not yet accepted the Lord Jesus as your Saviour and found a safe shelter in Him, you are much more foolish than a workman who would stand near the blast without seeking safety.

Every moment that you linger in this world without Jesus Christ as your hiding place, you are in danger. This little paper is like the voice of the one who called out “Fire” so that everyone might take shelter. Once again we would warn you in the words of Jesus Christ Himself: “Flee from the wrath to come.” Matthew 3:7.

ML 09/09/1956

The Last Lettuce

The Strong family were very fond of lettuce. But they lived in a little house with no garden of their own, and they couldn’t always afford to go to the store to buy it.

One day, Mrs. Strong happened to be talking with her neighbor, Mrs. Vincent, who had a row of fine heads of lettuce growing in her garden.

“By the way,” said Mrs. Vincent, “we have more lettuce than we can use, and you are welcome to help yourself to what we have in the garden any time.”

“Thanks!” said Mrs. Strong. “We are all fond of lettuce, and I’ll have Billy come over and pick a few heads as soon as he comes home from school, if that’s all right.”

“Certainly, but I ought to tell you that a boy is coming one of these days to dig up the garden, so don’t wait too long, or they will be turned under.”

Billy was a bit late coming home from school that day, and he was eager to play with his friend, so the lettuce was left till tomorrow morning. The next morning, there just wasn’t time before hurrying off to school; and again there was just so much to do after school that Billy didn’t get over to the Vincent garden. They could still see the fresh green lettuce through the fence, and so they were sure that all was well.

The third day Billy went over with a knife and a basket to bring home the lettuce. A strange boy was in the garden, leaning on the handle of his shovel, and wiping the perspiration from his forehead. And the lettuce was nowhere to be seen!

“Where did you put the lettuce?” cried Billy.

“Mrs. Vincent told me to dig anything that was left, and turn it under.

So it’s down there under the dirt,” said the lad, pointing to the freshly dug soil.

Billy was just about to scold the lad, but then he stopped and thought a bit. Hadn’t he been told before to get those nice heads before they were turned under? Hadn’t he been just too busy with things that didn’t really matter? He was ashamed to go home and tell his mother, but there was no way out — it had to be done.

After all, a few heads of lettuce is not a very serious loss. But it makes me think of something far more serious. And there are many Billys, and Franks, and Walters—yes, and Marys, and Peggys too, who are doing something a great deal more foolish than the Billy of our story. God is offering something so very wonderful I can hardly tell you about it. God is offering you the salvation of your soul, and a home in glory! Could anything be more important? And yet I know boys and girls who are busy with school and play, and a lot of other things, and they have not yet accepted God’s wonderful gift. They intend to some day, but it may be too late. Yes, the day is quickly coming, when the Lord Jesus will return from heaven and gather out of this world all those who have accepted Him as their Saviour, and then it will be forever too late. Instead of a home in glory, there is only the darkness and sorrow of the lake of fire. I would not tell you this if it were not true. But God loves you so much that He begs you again and yet again, to come to the Lord Jesus now while there is yet time.

“The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML 09/09/1956

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 22:48-53.

Jehoshaphat worked with Ahaziah the king of Israel (2 Chron. 20:35-37) in building ships to get gold from Ophir, but the Lord was not pleased with this alliance, for Ahaziah was a wicked king, as his father Ahab had been. Jehoshaphat should have learned the wrong of such alliances by what had happened when he linked himself with Ahab, but how often self-will comes in and we do not humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. Because the Lord graciously comes in and delivers us when we call upon Him, as He did Jehoshaphat, is there not a danger of our rejoicing at the deliverance and not asking the Lord why He allowed the difficulty? Then we miss the blessing because we have not learned the lesson the Lord would teach us, and so He has to speak again, perhaps a little louder the next time.

This is what happened to Jehoshaphat in our chapter, for after all his great effort and expense in building these ships for gold, the Lord blew un the plan and his ships were smashed to pieces. I believe there is also another lesson for us all here. Sometimes we seem to prosper in material things for a time, and without realizing it the love of money comes with our possessions (if we are not using them for the Lord), and we begin to make money a sort of object. We strive after it. We talk of how much we have made, and little by little material things replace Christ in our hearts. Then the Lord comes in and smashes our plans, as He did Jehoshaphat’s ships, letting us learn our folly in the hard way. Often we do not realize how much our possessions have become an idol until the Lord allows some shake-up, and we have to relax our grasp on the things of earth which we are so soon to leave behind. Paul warned those who were rich in this world (as Jehoshaphat was) not to be high-minded, nor to trust in uncertain riches but rather to use what they had for the Lord and to lay up a good foundation against the time to come. (1 Timothy 6:17-20.) We cannot take our money with us, but the way we use it will not be footten in that day of manifestation. Of course we know material prosperity was a sign of God’s blessing in the Jewish order of things, but even they were warned not to allow these things to turn their hearts away from the Lord. (Deut. 8:10-20.) No doubt we would be spared many a sorrow if we would turn to the Lord and seek His mind first, instead of building our “ships” for gold. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6.

Ahaziah the king of Israel walked in the same wicked ways in which his father had walked, and served Baal. He did not learn from God’s solemn dealings with his father, though these things should have been a lesson to him. And they should be a lesson to us too, for God has written them for our learning and admonition, that we should not fall into the same snares.

This brings us to the close of the first book of Kings, for man under responsibility (as he is seen in Kings) is a failure, as always, whether it be in Israel’s history or now in the Church period. Israel would have been cut off completely, as we would also, if it were not for God’s gracious promises of blessing, the fulfillment of which are made sure in Christ.

ML 09/09/1956

A Remarkable Escape

Quite a number of years ago, an old man sat down and wrote this story. He had been through a good many adventures in his earlier years, and he knew that it would not be long till he would be called home to heaven. So he wrote this story of one of his adventures, to be a lesson for boys and girls to read.

I shall never forget an incident which occurred when I was a young boy on my way to Australia. (It was not in a beautiful ship like the one in our picture, for it was in the days of sailing vessels.) We were slowly drawing near to the equator. There was hardly a breath of wind and the ship was going ahead at only about one mile an hour.

When standing on the deck, I saw a line of clothes which had been washed and put out to dry. The line had not been tied very well and all of a sudden it let go and all the clothes fell into the sea. One of the sailors who was standing near me on the deck, handed his hat and shoes to me and dived overboard, and began to swim to where the clothes were floating in the sea.

He had not noticed that on the other side of the ship there were several people anxiously watching a dark object some distance away. It was a very large shark! At once we all realized the terrible danger of the sailor, for we knew that the shark could swim much faster than he could.

Immediately the captain shouted out to the sailor to return to the ship as quickly as he possibly could. At the same time a number of sailors began to lower ropes so that their comrade, could be pulled aboard. Another quick-thinking sailor threw two or three large chunks of bread in the direction of the shark, in the hope that he might be slowed down.

What a thrilling race it was! The shark caught sight of the sailor and passed right by the bread, passed by the floating clothes, and made full speed for the poor swimming sailor. The sailor was a very powerful young man and churned through the water as quickly as he could. He managed to reach and grasp the rope just in time. Quickly he was pulled up out of the water, just as the shark rolled over and snapped his great teeth together just a few inches below the sailor’s dangling feet.

In another moment he was standing safe but trembling on the deck of the ship. He looked back down at the shark that had so nearly taken his life, and then he turned and thanked the sailors who had pulled him up on board.

And now, dear boys and girls, as you read this adventure I know that you are very thankful that you were not in the water too. But I want you to listen to the word of warning from an old man.

It was many, many years ago that I watched this race take place. But I have often thought since that my own danger was far worse than that of the sailor. I was a sinner on my way to a lost eternity, and I am afraid I did not realize my danger. Just as the captain shouted a word of warning to the sailor, so kind friends warned me of the danger of going on from day to day in my sins without knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour. Not long after I arrived in Australia the Lord Jesus saved my soul, and now I write this story to you that you too may learn to know the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour.

Just as the rescued sailor stood safely on the deck and turned to thank his deliverers, so I have thanked the Lord Jesus again and again for dying on the cross to save me. I want to close my story with a verse of warning,

“HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE, IF WE NEGLECT SO GREAT SALVATION?” Hebrews 2:3.

ML 09/16/1956

Your Name There

I have recently been reading some old, old copies of this Sunday school paper, “Messages of the Love of God,” printed over fifty years ago. I have found some of the stories very interesting, and I have just been reading one page which contains a long, long list of names. Can you guess what these names are?

If you have been receiving the “Messages of the Love of God” regularly, you will know that once a year a list is printed of the names of those who receive awards for answering the questions in the Sunday school paper. These questions have been going on for all these years, and I have just been reading the names of those who received rewards fifty years ago. Some of these people who were boys and girls at that time, are now grandfathers and grandmothers. And some of them are not here with us anymore. Where do you suppose they have gone? Some of them, whose names I recognize, have gone home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ; but I cannot help but wonder as I read these names, if some of the very boys and girls who answered the questions, and whose names were written down for rewards, have gone into a lost eternity.

We read in the book of Revelation about a book where a great list of names is written. I have never seen this book, but the eye of God has seen it, and I know that my name is written there. This book is called “The Lamb’s Book of Life,” and there is a day coming when that book shall be opened. We read in Revelation 20:15: “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

I am sure it is much happier for me to write about heaven, and it is much nicer for you to read about heaven, but the same book that tells us about heaven, also tells us about hell. The Lord Jesus Christ, the One who tells us so faithfully about that awful place of darkness, invites you and me to come to Him and accept Him as our Saviour, in order that our names may be written in His book of life. Have you ever come to the Lord Jesus Christ and accepted Him as your Saviour? He said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

ML 09/16/1956

A Good Answer

Every boy in the classroom was sitting unusually quiet and attentive, and even the teacher was looking a little bit uneasy, for the inspector was standing in front of the class asking questions of the boys one by one. The last subject on the list was Religious Instruction.

The inspector asked a number of questions about the Bible, which were all correctly answered. Finally he said:

“Tell me, can God see everywhere?”

“Yes, Sir,” answered a bright boy in the front row.

“Is there anything which God cannot see?”

Quickly Bobby’s hand went up, and the inspector turned to him for the answer. At this point the teacher interrupted and whispered quietly to the inspector that this particular boy was below standard and perhaps ought not to be questioned.

“Never mind,” said the inspector; “we shall see what he has to say.”

“Now then, sonny, tell me, is there anything that God cannot see?”

“Yes, sir,” answered the boy. “God cannot see my sins.”

The inspector’s face clouded a bit and he said, “And why not, my boy?”

“Because the Bible says, ‘The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin!’”

I think that was a fine answer, don’t you? I don’t know what the teacher and the inspector thought of the answer, but I’m sure it is true, and I am glad that God cannot see my sins for they are all gone.

“Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12.

“What can wash away my sins? —

Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

So that not one spot remains? —

Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Oh, precious is the flow,

That makes me white as snow!

No other fount I know,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

ML 09/16/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 1:1-18.

God’s hand in government upon Israel became more and more pronounced as time went on, because of their evil ways. The Moabites rebelled against them. Too often we take circumstances like this as though they happened by chance, but this was clearly and definitely the hand of God. And so if war should break out now, it is not merely the aggression of some country, but the ways of God; or if, like Ahaziah who fell out of a window, we have an accident, let us take it from the Lord.

But Ahaziah did not do this. Instead of turning to the Lord in his sickness, he sent messengers to inquire of an idol, if he would recover. The Lord therefore sent Elijah to meet these messengers whom Ahaziah had sent, and to ask them why they were going to a false god instead of to Him. Elijah then told them that Ahaziah would not recover from his sickness but would surely die. When the messengers returned and told Ahaziah what the prophet had said, he sent a captain with fifty men to Elijah as though he would force him to come and see him. When they found Elijah and told him to come, Elijah said, “If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty.” It appears that Ahaziah did not like being reminded of his sin in turning to false gods, nor did he wish to acknowledge the rights of Jehovah, the true God of Israel, and so God dealt with him in this way. Ahaziah, still proud in his heart, sent another captain with fifty men, and the same judgment fell upon them. They were all consumed by fire from heaven. Still not humbled by all this, Ahaziah sent another captain with his fifty men to bring Elijah, but this captain took the low place. He asked Elijah to be gracious to them and to spare their lives, and the Lord told Elijah to do so and to go with them to the king. Elijah therefore went and faithfully delivered his message, telling Ahaziah that he would surely die. He did die too, just as the Lord had said, and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead. Thus we see that the dispensation of law, typified by Elijah, ended in judgment. (Malachi 4:5, 6.)

We now come to the interesting and instructive chapter telling us of the translation of Elijah to heaven, without going through death. As far as Elijah personally was concerned it is touching to see the Lord taking away His faithful servant in such a wonderful way, in spite of his previous failure at Horeb. How marvelous are the ways of God, and in spite of our weakness, for which He may and does have to rebuke us, yet He delights to display His tender grace toward us. May we know more of His heart, and be constrained by His love to walk devotedly for Him here.

We would like, however, to consider more particularly the typical teaching of this chapter, with its application to ourselves in a practical way. Elijah is a figure of the Lord Jesus as the rejected One here. He had sought to recall Israel to the worship of the true God, but they would not have his testimony. And so the Lord Jesus fully glorified God His Father here upon earth, that men might know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3. He presented Himself to Israel as their king, but they would not have Him. They would not acknowledge who He was—the sent One of the Father. They had no heart for God revealed in Christ.

ML 09/16/1956

Shining

A visit to the dentist’s office is not usually a treat. Though the dentist has never really hurt me, I ease gingerly into the chair, and glance around at the many different instruments close at hand, and wish the ordeal were all over.

First he fastened a small white towel around my neck, and tilted the chair back. Next he took a little round mirror on a long handle and checked my teeth. This time it was a front tooth that needed a filling on the back side.

Now, I thought for sure I didn’t like going to the dentist. But do you know, I was in for a treat. While he was drilling he began to talk in short sentences when he was not too busy.

“Say, I think you know those folks that live next door to us on the corner. Haven’t I seen your family going in there occasionally?” With all the contraptions on, I couldn’t even nod my head, though I knew whom he meant.

“The little boy that lives there, the little one, you know, he’s quite a chap. My wife sometimes watches them out the window when they come out to play. It doesn’t take long before there are a lot of neighbor children collected there too. The other day one of the neighbor boys said something he shouldn’t have. Philip spoke right up, ‘Don’t say that. It isn’t pleasing to the Lord.’

“The other boy just laughed at him, but Philip continued more earnestly, ‘You mustn’t talk like that or you can’t play in our yard, because it isn’t pleasing to the Lord Jesus.’ She didn’t hear them say it again either.”

The Lord has left us here to shine as lights in this dark world, and when we let our light shine it may shine much farther than we think. The light shone in the yard that day. It reached the little boy’s heart and conscience. It also shone into the house next door. And now, clear downtown in a dentist’s office, it shone out bright as ever, when a worldly man repeated the incident where several others could hear the testimony of a little boy who loved that blessed One, and could not bear to hear His sacred name used in a way that was not to His honor and glory.

It warmed my heart to hear it. And now that same light shines out to you, warning you too not to despise that name! For God will not hold one guiltless who takes His name in vain. There is a day coming, when at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus alone can bring you salvation, hope, and peace with God. To know Him is to love Him. Don’t turn away from Him. Come to Him now. He will cleanse you from all your sins in His precious blood, and then give you “oil” for your lamp, that you too may be like one of those wise virgins of whom we read in Matthew 25, who were ready when the bridegroom came. The true oil is the Holy Spirit, who indwells every believer. He will enable you to shine as a light in this dark world. Then you too will be ready to meet the Lord Jesus when He returns to claim. His own.

“AND AT MIDNIGHT THERE WAS A CRY MADE, BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH; GO YE OUT TO MEET HIM.” Matt. 25:6.

ML 09/23/1956

Almost Separated

I think that a busy railway station is a most interesting place for any boy or girl. I have often stood and watched with great interest as crowds, of people came off this train and that, carrying suitcases and looking to the right and to the left, trying to recognize the faces of their friends. At the same time other crowds of people could be seen hurrying out to get on other trains. Some of them seemed to walk ahead with great assurance, and climbed aboard without looking this way or that. Others seemed rather slow and timid, and never quite sure that they were getting on the right train.

Now that I am a bit older, I still enjoy watching the crowds come and go. There is one railway station which I think I shall never forget. We were standing together on the station platform in the city of Cannes in the south of France. It was certainly a very busy place, and trains were coming and going constantly. To make things even more difficult all the announcements and all the conversations were in French. We had our tickets and were all ready to leave for Paris. At last the train pulled up right where we were standing. We were told that this was the correct train, so we promptly lifted our little girl Charlotte up a few steps and set her on the platform of the coach. Then we turned back again to help our little boy, but while we were doing so, the whistle blew, and the train began to move. Poor little Charlotte! I can still see the frightened look in her eyes. She stood at the top of the steps, all alone on the train, about to leave for Paris. And I can almost feel the anxious thumping of my own heart too, as I realized how very quickly we must act. In a moment, kind, strong hands reached up and lifted our little girl from her position and set her safely by our side again. You may be sure we thanked the Lord for keeping us from becoming separated.

As I have looked back from time to time on that event, I have often thought how sad it would be if some of the boys and girls who come so often to Sunday school, and who learn the verse so diligently, would be separated forever and ever from everyone who belongs to the Lord Jesus. Could that possibly take place? Yes, and I am afraid it will take place. For every boy and girl who has not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her own precious Saviour will be left behind when the Lord Jesus comes. If the Lord Jesus came while you were reading this paper would you be taken away up to His home in glory? If you are sheltered by His precious blood, you will most surely be there. But if your sins have not yet been washed away, you will be left behind with no more chance of accepting that precious Saviour. If you will open your Bible to Matthew 25:10, you will find these words: “They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” Don’t you think it would be very wise for each of us to be sure that we are ready?

ML 09/23/1956

Serving One's Self

Long ago an architect, Sostrate of Cnide, was charged by the king of Egypt to build a tower to warn the sailors of dangerous rocks along the shore.

The architect had his own name engraved on one of the foundation stones and then covered it with fine mortar. On the fine mortar he inscribed the name of the king of Egypt in gold letters. He knew that before long the waves would carry away the layer of mortar. Thus his own name would remain to his own glory for those who would follow after him.

How many men appear to seek the glory of God and His interests, yet in reality they are seeking their own glory. If the exterior of their presentations could in some way be taken away, they would appear as they really are, desirous, not of God’s glory, but of their own exaltation.

“This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me.” Matthew 15:8.

But let us not forget the verse: “The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7.

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9.

ML 09/23/1956

While You May

How many young lie sleeping

Beneath the earth and sea!

Some safe in Jesus’ keeping

Some past recovery.

Oh! could they stand before us,

What — think you — would they

say?

Ah! earnestly implore us,

Seek Jesus, while you may.

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” Eccl. 12:1.

ML 09/23/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 2:1.

I believe we could say that Elijah figures to us the Lord Jesus as the One who magnified the law and made it honorable (Isaiah 42:21). He only could meet its holy requirements. He was and is the Truth. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17. Elisha rather figures to us the Lord Jesus in the character of grace; for these two characters, grace and truth, were seen in perfection in the Lord Jesus in His pathway here. Yet just as Elisha’s ministry did not really begin until Elijah had crossed the Jordan and been taken up, so there was a hindrance to the full manifestation of God’s grace until after the work of redemption had been accomplished. The Lord Jesus referred to this when He said, “I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” Luke 12:50. When at the cross mercy and truth met together (Psalm 85:10) and all God’s holy claims against sin were fully met, then the hindrance was removed. Now that the Lord Jesus has “gone up” as the One who has fully glorified God, God has come out in all the riches of His immeasurable grace. This we see, in figure, in Elisha, for we will notice that all his miracles, except one, were miracles of grace. The one instance we refer to is the cursing of the children who mocked him, and figures the awful judgment which will fall on those who reject the grace of God. God is not looking for some good in man now, as under the law, but telling out His heart in grace, even to Gentiles, as typified in the cleansing of Naaman’s leprosy by Elisha. Grace now reaches beyond the limits of Israel. May we be more established in this wondrous grace of God, and manifest it to others.

With this in mind, let us consider the life of Elisha as that of a Christian learning what it is to be “dead and risen with Christ.” When Elisha was first called to follow the rejected Elijah, he was plowing with his oxen, and was not prepared to follow him then. He asked that he might return and kiss his father and mother goodbye, so Elijah told him to return, apparently tang back his mantle which he had thrown over him. What a lesson for us! If we are truly going to manifest Christ here, there must be a break with nature’s ties. There must be a willingness to leave even the dearest things in life, if necessary, to walk in obedience to the One whom we own as our Lord.

It appears that the Lord had been working in the heart of Elisha since the time of his first call, and now in our chapter he was tested again as to whether he valued the company of the rejected Elijah above everything else. What a challenge this was to him, as it is to us! Do we have double hearts? (James 1:8.) Are we trying to divide them with Christ, keeping a place for other things we hold dear?

Because of this, when at Gilgal, “Elijah said to Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel.” Would he yield to natural desires as he had previously, and turn back, or would he be content to follow Elijah, no matter how difficult the path might be? Elisha’s answer was clear and definite: “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” How beautiful! This was true purpose of heart. May there be more of this in our lives too.

ML 08/23/1956

An Unwanted Adventure

All boys like adventure. But sometimes adventures can end in trouble, and I am thinking of one right now that nearly ended in death.

James and Ridley lived in Yorkshire, England, and they loved nothing better than adventure. At every opportunity they could be seen on their bicycles, headed for the seashore where they spent many thrilling hours exploring and climbing the cliffs. Suddenly one day they came upon a new discovery —a cave! Doesn’t that sound thrilling?

Eagerly they started in, and cautiously explored this way and that, over the slippery rocks and around huge boulders. They shouted and listened to the, echo as it rolled back to them from the darkness. Time went so quickly that they almost forgot all about it. But at last they turned to come back out, and found to their horror that the entrance was filling with water. The tide was coming in! Trying to hide their fears, they waded into the water, shoes and all, and tried to get out, but it was no use.

“You stay here, and I’ll go for help,”

said Ridley bravely. Without another word, he dived in and tried to swim out, but the oncoming tide was too strong, and he had to go back and stand with James, who was now up to his ankles in swirling water. Quickly they looked to the Lord for help, and then they started to shout with all their might.

One boy can make a lot of noise, and two boys in fear of their lives can really make themselves heard, so it was not too long before they heard an answering shout from a passing rowboat. Very carefully the boat was turned in the direction of the cave, and the oarsman could see the poor lads now up to their knees in water and looking very frightened indeed.

He picked up a rope from the bottom of his boat and carefully tossed it toward the mouth of the cave. The tide did the rest and soon the rope drifted right within reach of the lads. Quick as a wink, James seized it, and was pulled safely up to the boat and lifted aboard. The rope was tossed back again, and this time Ridley was brought to safety. They were both cold and wet, and scratched, but they were safe, and were mighty thankful.

I am very glad their cries for help were heard, and I am sure their parents were thankful too. It makes me think how thankful I ought to be to the Lord Jesus Christ who came all the way down from heaven to save a poor sinner like me. My peril was much worse than the two boys, for I was in danger of being lost forever and ever. And the Lord Jesus did more for me than the boatman did for James and Ridley. He died to save me. He bore my sins in His own body on the tree, and I have thanked Him again and again. Have you?

“WHEN WE WERE YET WITHOUT STRENGTH, IN DUE TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY.” Romans 5:6.

ML 09/30/1956

This Is the Day

Jimmy rubbed his eyes and sat up in bed. The sun was streaming in his window, and it looked like just the right kind of day for a picnic.

“Ronnie,” he cried, “wake up quick and look out the window! This is the day of our Sunday school picnic, and see how bright it is!”

In a moment Jimmy and Ronnie were standing side by side, looking out the window with shining, happy faces.

They could think of nothing else. This was the day of their Sunday school picnic, and they were truly excited and happy. Breakfast was soon over, and they could hardly wait until eleven o’clock when they were to get on board the bus and travel out to the lake for their picnic.

At last when the great crowd of other boys and girls had gathered, they climbed on board and off they started.

Singing was the order of the day, and they joined in one chorus after another as they journeyed toward the picnic ground. Perhaps you can just picture the happy time they all had together, playing games, singing hymns, running races, and eating great quantities of sandwiches and cake. Before they returned home again, a Christian man by the name of Mr. Martin spoke to them for a while about the, wonderful and ever precious story of the Lord Jesus Christ and His love for boys and girls.

When it was all over they once again climbed on board the bus, and before long were all back in their homes again.

Now let us take another look at Ronnie and Jimmy. They have just climbed into their beds and are looking very tired. The big day is over and they will have to wait another whole year before the next Sunday school picnic.

I think most of us have looked forward to some such event, perhaps a picnic, perhaps a birthday. After hang enjoyed it very much, we look back to realize how very quickly it was all over.

Would you like to be able to look foward to a happy day that will never, never end? Oh, how you and I would look forward to such a day as that! I know a good many boys and girls, and I know a good many men and women, who are looking forward to just such a day. The Bible speaks of “eternity.” That is what lies ahead for every boy and every girl. In eternity there will be no more clocks; there will be no more calendars; there will be no more time. And everyone who spends eternity in heaven, will be hay forever. When I was a boy in Sunday school we used to sing a little hymn:

“There’s a home for little children Above the bright blue sky.”

We all enjoyed singing that hymn; but we must remember that no boy or girl, whose heart is stained with sin, can enter that lovely home.

How wonderful it is to know that the Lord Jesus, who lives in that home above the bright blue sky, once left that home, and came all the way down here into this world because he loved boys and girls. He laid down His life on the cross of Calvary, in order that you and I might know that our sins are forgiven. He died so that you and I might be able to look forward to spending eternity with Him in heaven forever. I have been looking forward to that for a long time now, and I know that when I enter the gates of heaven I will never even want to come out again.

The Sunday school picnic may have been happy, but it came to an end. Your birthday may have been very happy, but it also came to an end. All the pleasures that you ever enjoy down here will come to an end, but the pleasures of heaven are for eternity.

“Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst.” John 4:13, 14.

ML 09/30/1956

Godfrey's Letter

I suppose that nearly every boy or girl who has ever been to Sunday school has learned a few verses from the Word of God. I imagine that the one most often committed to memory is John 3:16.

Mr. Warwicker had a class of boys, and each week they repeated to him verses and chapters of the Word of God which they had learned. But Mr. Warwicker knew that it was not enough simply to repeat verses from memory. He was anxious that each boy might truly trust in the Lord Jesus for himself. So he asked each one if they would please write a note, telling him what they had learned from the Bible verses they had memorized.

Next Sunday each boy handed his note to the teacher, and he took them home to read. This is the one that pleased him the most, and it was from a nine-year-old boy named Godfrey.

“Dear Mr. Warwicker,

The Bible has shown me how much God must have loved me, to send His only Son into the world to die for me. And how much Jesus must have loved me to die on the cross for me. I know He has saved me, and I know He will keep me. I love Him because He first loved me.”

It may be that you know little of the Bible, and it may be that you know a great deal; but the thing that is really worth while, is to know the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour.

“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.

ML 09/30/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 2:1-3.

Gilgal, the place from which Elijah and Elisha started out, was a place that was very important in Israel’s history. It was the place of circumcision, where the reproach of Egypt was rolled away when the children of Israel entered the land of Canaan. It is that which figures the death of Christ, and it was there that Israel were set apart for God. This is the starting point of faith, but what did it mean as a place or name only, when the true meaning had been lost, for now it was a scene of wickedness. (Hosea 9:15.) How sad it is to see, even today, that the cross which is the place of blessing, has become little more than a name or an emblem to many, and what evil is practiced under the name of religion around us! Such is man! If Gilgal were to have any real meaning it must be through Christ alone — Christ dead and risen, as typified in the crossing of the Jordan. And if the death of Christ is to have any meaning to us, we must know Him personally as the One who has died and risen again for us. We must have to do with Him personally, as Elisha did in following Elijah. May we be delivered from empty formalities which are so natural to our hearts.

Israel, as we have remarked, could never obtain the blessings of which these places spoke, by their own faithfulness. Just as Elijah was rejected, so Israel rejected the Lord Jesus who alone could bring blessing to them, and that through His death. We, like Elisha, are to follow that rejected One. If others go on with Christendom’s empty formalities (and alas, how much evil is connected with them as we have remarked), we find ourselves outside of all this when following our rejected Saviour. Elisha moved on to Bethel, following Elijah. Bethel means the house of God, and was the place where the Lord had made wonderful promises of blessing to Jacob. But how could these blessings be enjoyed by a guilty nation who had put themselves under law. Could Israel receive them through any merits of their own? Alas, there were false gods in Bethel, set up by Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28-30), so Elijah passed on. The sons of the prophets who lived at Bethel came out to meet these two men and said to Elisha, “Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head today?” But Elisha replied, “Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.” In a word he told them not to speak of the truth, if they were not prepared to walk in it. How empty is such talk!

No doubt we could take these sons of the prophets as a picture of those who are intelligent as to the truth and can speak freely about it, but it does not touch their hearts nor affect their walk. How often this is true of the children of Christian parents, as well as many others in Christendom who remain in an unscriptural position, though they know better. These sons of the prophets remained in Bethel with its false gods, associated with its evil, and would not stir themselves up to follow the rejected Elijah. It is easy to be satisfied with the truth we know, and yet be unwilling to follow a rejected Christ. Christendom today wants a popular and easy path, but the path of obedience, like Elisha’s path here, leads one “outside the camp” bearing Christ’s reproach. May the Lord cause each one of us to be more exercised to walk in the truth we know, for He wants reality. He desires the company of those whom He died to redeem to Himself at such great cost.

ML 09/30/1956

'Board!

Grandma and Grandpa had been visiting with us on Grandma’s birthday. We had a lovely supper with a birthday cake and everything. Now the time was drawing near for them to go home.

Once in the car it took only a few minutes to get to the station, and soon the headlight of the engine came around the corner. Before it had stopped the loud-speaker told us that this was the train we were waiting for. Then we saw Grandma and Grandpa safely on the train.

Children, when the Lord Jesus comes to take the saved ones to be with Himself, will you be ready to go? Are you saved? Have you asked Jesus to wash your sins away in His precious blood? If you have not, then do so now because that is the only way to get ready to go with the Lord.

We heard the conductor say, “‘BOARD,” and he waited to see if anyone else wanted to get on the train. Then he put the footstep on and got on himself. Slowly the train began to move and we turned to go. Suddenly a group of people passed us and one man asked, “Is that the 8:50 train?” “Yes,” was the reply. “Is that the last one?” he asked again. I didn’t hear the answer, but there was a young man standing there with his suitcase in his hand, ready to go, and the train was already leaving. He was TOO LATE!

That young man really wanted to be on that train — he didn’t mean to miss it. But he did, and was left behind. I thought how much he was like many people who intend to be saved, but put it off until it is too late. The gospel tells us that Jesus is coming and that we should be ready.

Are YOU ready, or will you be left behind when the Lord comes? I know you don’t mean to be too late, but you may be like the young man in our story if you do not take the Lord Jesus as your Saviour right now.

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

“BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED.” Acts 16:31.

ML 10/07/1956

Wonderful Jewels

Mrs. Woodley was tired and lonely and sick. The time seemed to pass slowly as she lay on her sickbed. She rang for her maid, and in a moment Peggy appeared at her bedside with a bright smile.

“Good morning, Ma’am. What may I do for you?”

“Peggy, would you mind bringing my box of jewels? I would just like to look them over.”

I imagine that you have already decided that Mrs. Woodley was a very rich woman and indeed she was. She had spent a good deal of her time in the pleasures of this world, and had been looked up to and envied by all her friends. But now she was lying on a sickbed and feeling quite sorry for herself.

Presently Peggy returned with the jewel box and stood aside while Mrs. Woodley lifted out and admired one by one, the magnificent jewels that she had worn at the many parties she had attended.

“Peggy,” she said, “would you not like to have some of these jewels? Aren’t they beautiful?”

“Yes, Ma’am, they are very beautiful. But I don’t feel that I would like them for myself, for I have much better jewels than those.”

“Finer than mine, nurse? But mine are the finest in the land. Where are yours? You never wear them.”

The nurse held up her Bible saying, “My jewels are in here.”

Mrs. Woodley, thinking that they were hidden away somewhere in the Book, said: “Take them out and show them to me.”

“Why, Ma’am, my jewels are so precious I can only show you them one at a time.”

Then she opened her Bible and read: “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

“The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rans 6:23.

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

She told Mrs. Woodley of the Saviour she had in heaven and that, although poor, she had a loving Father who provided for her. She also told her of the great happiness she had in Jesus, and that now she was waiting to be taken to her home in heaven to be with Jesus.

“Why, nurse, I have never heard of anything like that. How happy you must be to feel as you do. I wish I could feel the same.”

The next day she called her once again, and said,

“Nurse, I would like to see more of your jewels. The ones you showed me were beautiful.”

Once again Peggy opened her Bible: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

You will be glad to know that Mrs. Woodley soon realized that although she was envied by all her friends and was a very rich woman, yet in the sight of God she was a poor sinner, and needed to be saved. When she made this discovery, she bowed at the feet of the Lord Jesus and accepted Him as her own Saviour.

For many happy days after this, she and her nurse used to enjoy together looking at the precious jewels to be found in God’s Word.

Dear children, are these precious jewels yours? You may have them, and many more which are found in the Bible, if you will only accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour and Lord. They are all to be found in Him.

ML 10/07/1956

Bible Questions for October

The Children’s Class

1. Where is the epistle of Christ written without ink?

2. Did Paul “look” at the things which were seen, or at things which were not seen?

3. When the believer dies and is absent from the body, where is he?

4. Should we be separate from unbelievers?

5. Who was rich but became poor for our sakes?

6. Do we have to be careful to bring our thoughts into submission to the obedience of Christ?

7. What did the Lord say to Paul when he thrice asked to have his thorn in the flesh removed?

The Young People’s Class Types and Shadows

1. What was the first feast to be kept in its season? Leviticus 23.

2. Who is our Passover? 1 Corinthians.

3. What does unleavened bread typify for us as believers? 1 Corinthians.

4. Could the children of Israel eat any of their harvest before they brought the first-fruits to the Lord? Leviticus 23.

5. Who is the true Firstfruits? 1 Corinthians 15.

6. What was waved before the Lord to be accepted for the Israelite? Lev. 23.

7. In whom are we accepted? Ephesians.

ML 10/07/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 2:4-8.

Elijah asked Elisha to tarry at Bethel, thus testing his faith again, but Elisha’s answer is sweet and touching as before: “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” He wanted the company of Elijah above everything else. It meant parting with loved ones at home—a great test at first—and now with many others of the sons of the prophets; but his mind and heart were set on being with Elijah. May we all be stirred up to more of this devotedness to Christ. Elijah and Elisha then went on to Jericho, a beautiful city but under the curse. Elisha met the same test again here, both from the sons of the prophets and from Elijah. He would not remain in Gilgal with its empty forms, nor stay at Bethel with its false gods, but Jericho presented another test to his soul. We might break with the empty formalities and false associations of Christendom, yet how often, though in a separated position, we can be taken up with the pleasant things of this world. What a snare this is to those gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus in a special way. “The situation of this city is pleasant” is a thought and expression all too common to our hearts. Is there not a great need of more devotedness to Christ—of being willing to leave even the pleasant things to follow our rejected Lord? He not only took His place apart from the empty religiousness of the scribes and Pharisees, but He said, “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.” Luke 9:58. It is easy to limit separation to a position that does not cost us too much, but there is more involved in it than our poor selfish hearts are prone to realize. The Lord Jesus has marked out the path for us, as Elijah did for Elisha, and we are to follow Him. Are we willing to do so, even when it means a putting to death of the flesh, typified here in the Jordan? Is the company of Jesus dear enough to constrain us to do this, as the company of Elijah was to Elisha?

Even the sons of the prophets were stirred as they watched these two servants of the Lord leave their city behind and move on to Jordan. They too left their homes and stood to view afar off. May our hearts be stirred as well, not merely to view afar off, not merely to be observers, but to choose the company of our rejected Saviour above everything else.

A scene opens before us here! “And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.” What a picture of the Lord Jesus going into death! The nation had rejected Him, though He “was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.” Romans 15:8. He alone could bring the promised blessings to the guilty nation of Israel, but they would not have Him. Elijah taking off his mantle and smiting the waters, no doubt pictures to us the Lord Jesus laying His glory by, going into death, taking our place, and Israel’s too in that sense, in condemnation. He was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor. 5:21.) How wonderful that we, like Elisha, can be identified with Him in His death and resurrection, going through “on dry ground”! He did it all — we share in the victory.

ML 10/07/1956

Bolts and Bars

Our house has four doors, and every door has a lock. And I think most houses have locks on their doors — has yours?

I remember when I used to deliver newspapers in the city of Ottawa, there was one house where there seemed to be ever so many locks. An old lady lived there, and once a week when I had to ring the bell and collect for the paper, I would hear her turning locks and slipping bolts, and then the last move was always to unhook a big brass chain! Then she would open the door just a little bit and hand out the money for the paper. I’m afraid I thought this was very funny of her, but she lived alone and I expect she was nervous.

Will bolts and bars keep trouble out? Will it keep sickness out? Will it keep death out? I’m afraid not, for that same old lady with all the bolts and bars took sick and died, and now somebody else lives in her house.

Do you remember the story of the children of Israel in the land of Egypt? They were told that the destroying angel of the Lord was going to pass through the land, and was going to put to death the first-born in every home. Did they all rush out and buy more locks and bars to keep him out? Not at all. God made a wonderful provision, and I think you know what it was. He told them to take the blood of a slain lamb and sprinkle it on the lintel and the side posts of their houses. Then He said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Exodus 12:13.

I’m sure if I had lived then, I would have wanted the blood on the door. Perhaps the neighbor might buy a big lock and a new bolt, and then stand and laugh at me for thinking that I could be protected by blood. But still, it is God’s Word, and it is the only thing worth trusting.

There are many who have protected themselves with good works and prayers, and all kinds of things that look ever so nice. But God did not say, “When I see your prayers, or your good deeds, or your good intentions” — but, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”

Are you sheltered by the blood of Jesus from the judgment that is cong?

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

“WHEN I SEE THE BLOOD, I WILL PASS OVER YOU.” Exodus 12:13.

ML 07/14/1956

Mirza, the Gospel Man

Far away in the east, there is a land called Arabia where the sun shines hot and bright almost all the time. There you would see sandy plains and rocky mountains, little villages of white flat-topped houses and groves of tall graceful date palms. The people who live in Arabia are called Arabs, and they are thought to be descendants of Ishmael, Abraham’s elder son. Most of them still live in tents as Abraham did, and travel about from place to place on camels to find pasture for their flocks and herds.

But, sad to say, they do not know God as Abraham knew Him. Abraham was called “the friend of God,” but these poor Arabs are Mohammedans. Though they believe in one God, they do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but in a false prophet called Mohammed.

However, there are some Christian missionaries now in Arabia who are trying to teach the people about the true God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

About 70 years ago a missionary was traveling through Arabia on his way to the coast. As he was traveling on camels over the desert, he halted on Sunday because he would not travel on the Lord’s day. He invited all the people of the caravan to stop and hear him preach the gospel. As they were sitting on the ground, he read John 3:14, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” He preached on the text and afterward prayed. The following day the caravan traveled on.

The missionary never knew what the effect of his sermon was, but there was one man called Mirza who could never forget the words of that wonderful verse. He wandered about for a long time with his camels and tents, but at last settled down in the mountains of Oman.

One night many years later the season came to his memory very vividly, and he could not throw it off. He spent a sleepless night thinking of Moses and the serpent in the wilderness. He knelt and prayed to God that He would send someone to him who could teach him more about the wonderful verse which he had heard once and had never forgotten. Then it seemed as though he was in a dream. Someone said to him, “Tomorrow morning people will come to you carrying holy books, and they will explain to you the verse which is perplexing you!” So he got up before sunrise and sat by the wayside, expecting the fulfillment of the promise he had received in his dream. He was sitting just outside a little village in Oman.

That same morning two brothers called Ibrahim and Seyyid, Arab Christians, were going along that very road. They had a load of Bibles and Christian tracts, which they used to sell to the people and tell them of the good news the books contained.

But this morning as they walked along they remembered that the last time they had come to that village, the people had beaten them and taken away their books and burned them publicly. They were afraid that this would happen to them again, so they decided to enter the village secretly, buy some food and get away before trouble should come to them.

They did not know that the Lord Himself was sending them to tell Mirza the good news of salvation. When Mirza saw them coming, he felt sure that they were the men who were to explain to him about the serpent in the wilderness. He rose, smiling and said, “Come on; everything is ready and I am expecting you!” They thought it was only a trick to get them into the town where the people would treat them ill, but they followed him nevertheless, and came to his house. There he gave them refreshments, and immediately began to ask about the holy book. He bought a Bible in Persian and in Arabic, and said, “Please show me the verse about Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness.”

When they explained this verse to him and the message of the gospel, he began to understand and to believe that the serpent in the wilderness was indeed a type of Christ, and that Jesus was the Saviour of sinners.

Do you too, dear children, understand this verse? You have heard how the Lord Jesus was lifted up on the cross, how He died for our sins. If you look up to Him, and put your conference in Him, He will save you. You may be quite sure that if you trust yourself to Him, He will receive you at once, for He knows you as He knows every other child in the world, and thinks of you.

After Mirza knew and rejoiced in God’s great salvation, he said, “I find I am responsible to tell the news which I have heard to a dear friend of mine, a brother who lives in this village.”

To his great joy his brother also accepted Christ as his Saviour. Mirza went on selling Bibles and speaking of Christ to everyone, so that all the pele in that region called him “Mirza Injili,” or Mirza, the gospel man. He endured persecution in no small degree because of his boldness in confessing Christ and reading the Bible to the people.

“Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32.

ML 07/14/1956

C O M E

C is for Children

O is for Old people

M is for Middle-aged

E is for Everyone

“Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17.

ML 10/14/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 2:9-10.

As soon as Elisha had crossed the Jordan with Elijah, they could speak together freely, as we notice. Elijah no longer speaks to Elisha about going back as he had before, for how could he, so to speak, when the Jordan, figurative of Christ’s death, rolled between them and the old things? Elisha was in a new position now. It is the same with us, for it is not until we have seen our new position as dead and risen with Christ that there is any real liberty in the soul. How many dear Christians know their sins are forgiven, but have never learned this precious truth. Like the sons of the prophets who stood afar off as they viewed the crossing of Elijah and Elisha through the Jordan, so they can see a little of the blessedness of it in others, but do not know it for themselves. Often they remain “on the other side of Jordan,” because they cling to some vain or empty thing of this Jericho world and will not “buy the truth.” What a challenge! Have we each laid hold of the truth of all this for ourselves? Is it our desire to so break with the things here that Christ may be our all in all, as Elijah was now everything to Elisha?

Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee.” If such a question were asked of you or me, what would be our answer? What are the desires pressing upon our hearts at this time? Are they for earthly or material things, or for the unseen and eternal things? One might say that we are not in a position to answer this question aright, until we are in the conscious enjoyment of our new position. Because of this, Elijah did not ask Elisha what he desired until after they had crossed the Jordan. He had once desired to return to his father’s house, but how different it was now. The new life has new desires, a new object, new affections, and so Elisha’s request shows he was in the enjoyment of his new position. He does not mention material blessings at all, but says, “I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” What a marvelous request this was! His desire was to be here in the spirit of the rejected one who was going up, and so if you and I are in the secret of the thoughts of God, we will have such a desire too. We will desire to be in this scene, showing the life of our rejected Saviour who is now gone up on high, manifesting His love and grace before others. The “double portion” which Elisha requested would make us think of that verse where the Lord Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. This is to have life in a risen Christ, which is now true of all believers. May the thought of it stir our hearts. What a position! What a responsibility to manifest this life!

Elijah said to Elisha, “Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.” It is not an easy thing in a crooked and perverse nation to shine as lights in the world. Indeed it is impossible to do so in nature, but if the “old man” is in the place of death (as the Jordan typified) and our eyes are upon Christ in glory, then we will reflect His likeness here. (2 Cor. 3:18.) It is not by effort, in that sense, but by having a living Christ at God’s right hand before us, His life within us, am the Spirit, the power by which we live for His glory here.

ML 10/14/1956

The Cabin Boy and His Bible

Many years ago a ship with many passengers aboard left Stockholm, Sweden, bound for Scotland, which is about 800 miles away. No doubt those on board were looking forward to the time when they would see their loved ones again, fearing no danger on the trip home.

Before long, the coast of Scotland could be seen in the distance, but all at once a storm broke, dashing the ship to pieces on the rocks. All those on board were lost except the cabin boy, who was washed ashore on a piece of the wreck.

The rescuers, searching for anyone who needed help, found the cabin boy. They noticed he had something tied around his waist in a handkerchief.

Was it the ship’s papers or some other valuable article? No, it contained a small pocket Bible which he treasured. The sacred volume had been given to him by his Christian father, who had written a prayer on the flyleaf that through reading the Book, his boy might find Christ as his Saviour, the only hope for eternity.

How abundantly the prayer was answered! When he had finished his duties on the ship, the boy had found time to read the Word of God, and at last the light of salvation broke into his dark soul, and he was saved. Now God had saved his life too, that he might witness to others concerning his wonderful Saviour.

No doubt there are some of you reading this story, who, like the cabin boy, have trusted the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. What a joy that is to the Lord’s heart, and His desire is that you too should tell others of His great and free salvation, just as the cabin boy was spared to witness to others of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Perhaps some of you, like the cabin boy, have been brought up in a Christian home, but have you ever come to the Lord Jesus to be saved? Your pants, Sunday school teacher, and Christian friends have prayed earnestly that someday you might trust the Lord Jesus and receive Him as your Saviour. Someday, like the cabin boy, your life may be in danger, and if you die unsaved, nothing but a lost eternity awaits you. Not to accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour is to refuse Him. You will never drift into heaven: You must accept Christ if you would be there.

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.” Hebrews 2:3.

“CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YE WILL SERVE.” Joshua 24:15.

ML 10/21/1956

Not Even a Cackle!

John Brentz, who lived many years ago, was a faithful preacher of the gospel of the grace of God. Because of his faithfulness he incurred the hatred of Charles V who made an attempt to arrest him.

Hearing that the soldiers were coming he cast himself upon the Lord in prayer. Then he took a loaf of bread and hid in a loft. The search continued for fourteen days, and the one loaf of bread would not have been sufficient, but each day a hen came up into the loft and laid an egg, without even cackling! On the fifteenth day, the hen did not come and John Brentz heard the people in the street say, “They are gone at last.” He was then able to come out of his hiding place.

What a wonderful thing it is to know that all creation is under the hand of its Creator. He could keep a hen from cackling, and even the dogs from barking in Egypt long ago. He could make a donkey speak, to rebuke Baalam, and keep another one perfectly still while He, the Lord of glory, rode upon it.

And He gives to each one his life and breath at this very moment. If He took it away we would all drop dead. But there is something more wonderful than this. He also gives us the opportunity of being saved from our sins, and of receiving eternal life.

“The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. While He gives you your life and breath, dear reader, let me ask you, “Have you accepted His gracious offer of salvation?” God could create worlds by the word of His power, but think what it cost Him to provide salvation for you and me. He gave His Son to go to that cross of Calvary to take our guilty place. The very One who upholds all things by the word of His power, “When He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3.

Now He is risen again, and He said to His disciples, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.” Matt. 28:18. It is a wonderful thing that God should keep a hen from cackling, or dogs from barking, but it is far more wonderful to know the Creator of all things as your own personal Saviour. Have you received Him by faith?

“My soul Both magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” Luke 1:46, 47.

ML 10/21/1956

Happy Joyce

It was a hot sunny day on the island of Trinidad, in far away British West Indies. I was walking along Eastern Main Road with a haversack over my shoulder. What do you suppose was in my haversack? It was filled with seed ready to be planted. Now you must not mistake what I have said, for I was not going off to the fields to plant the kind of seed that will grow into carrots or beans. It was filled with gospel tracts which tell us the story of the Saviour’s love.

We often speak of this as the good seed of the Word of God, for if it is planted in the hearts of boys and girls it can spring up and bear fruit for the Lord Jesus.

I stopped at a little home by the side of the road, and found there a dear little girl by the name of Joyce. It was the hottest part of the afternoon, but little Joyce was still in bed, though her brothers and sisters were all up and playing about. Joyce was still in bed because she was very sick and could not run and play as her brothers and sisters were doing.

Perhaps you would expect Joyce to be pretty sad as she had to stay in bed all the time, but instead I found her to be very happy. Do you know why she was happy? She was happy because she belongs to the Lord Jesus, and she was happy in the knowledge that Jesus loved her and died on the cross to save her. When I went into her room she was sitting up in her bed reading her little Bible. Her mother told me that she reads her Bible every day and loves the precious news that she finds in it.

I don’t believe that little Joyce will ever run and play as you and I do, but I do know that someday I shall see little Joyce up in heaven, and I am so glad that I met her down here.

I just wish that you could come with me to visit Joyce. She is a little bit shy, and it might take a little while to get acquainted, but I know what she would have to say. She would tell you that the Lord Jesus Christ left His home in glory, and came down into this world because He loved you and me. She would tell you that the Lord Jesus shed His precious blood on the cross of Calvary in order that our sins might be washed away. And she would tell you that she has been washed in the blood of Jesus, and I think she would ask you if you have been washed too. Would you be able to tell Joyce that your sins are all washed away in the blood of Jesus? Oh, I do hope that you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour, and that your sins have been washed away forever in His precious blood.

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

ML 10/21/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 2:11-14.

Elisha wanted to enjoy the precious, remaining moments before Elijah was taken up, and so they “still went on and talked” together as they walked along. How sweet it is to hold communion with our blessed Lord in this “desert” scene, for it was now a desert through which these two men were passing. Elisha was enjoying Elijah’s company, we could say, as though Elijah had already gone up (for they were now across the river of death), and we too can walk here below in company with our blessed risen and ascended Lord. These are days of heaven upon earth!

While they were holding this sweet communion together the chariot of fire appeared. In a moment Elijah was taken up — and Elisha saw him go! His desire was granted, for he must see Elijah go up if he were to have a double portion of his spirit resting upon him. For Elisha it was now a walk of faith, but his eyes—the eyes of his heart too — were upon the one who had gone up. “My father, my father,” he cried, “the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof!” All his hopes and the hopes of Israel, figuratively, centered in the one who had gone up. So for us; all our hopes and desires, and all our blessings, center in Christ at God’s right hand in glory. He is the only One who can bring in the promised blesngs to Israel, and He will in a coming day.

Elisha then took hold of his own clothes and rent them in two pieces. We can see in this a figure of how we have put off the “old man,” and are to manifest “the new man” (the life of Christ) here in this world during His absence. How slow we are to be done with self in a practical way—to rend the old mantle in two pieces as it were!

Yet it was not until after this that Elisha picked up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him. When Elijah had placed it on him some time before, he had been unprepared to receive it, but now in the energy of faith he picks it up himself.

Just as Elijah is a type of Christ as the rejected One, so Elisha is a figure of Christ as the One who has gone through death, risen again, and is sead at the right hand of the Father in heaven. We now have life in Christ risen, and like Elisha here, we are sent back into the world to manifest that life. The Lord Jesus said, when He was about to leave this scene, “As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” John 17:18. Then after His resurrection He breathed on his disciples, communicating that risen life, of which the Holy Spirit is the power.

It is beautiful to see this brought out here typically, as Elisha returns to the river Jordan to cross over to Jericho. How could he cross over that “river of death” to bear his testimony in the “city of the curse” where Elijah had been rejected? He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him and came and stood by the waters. Then he smote them with the mantle saying, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” Immediately the waters rolled back and he crossed over. If we are going to manifest the life of Christ in this world, we must first learn what it means to be dead and risen with Christ. Then in a practical way we need to have the sentence of death on the old man, as the Apostle said, “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” 2 Cor. 4:10.

ML 10/21/1956

Away from Home

Carl came downstairs with his suitcase in his hand all ready to go to the station. He stood facing his father and mother and there was just a little sign of tears in his eyes, for Carl was just about to say good-by and leave his parents to go away to a boarding school. Together the three of them knelt down and asked the Lord to care for their dear boy while he was away.

Carl was a true Christian. He was in the habit of reading his Bible daily and kneeling down beside his bed each night to thank the Lord Jesus for His care through the day, and also to ask for protecting care through the night.

His parents urged him to continue with his daily reading and prayer all the time he was at boarding school, and Carl assured them that he would certainly not forget.

The journey was one of great interest to Carl, for he had not been to the city before. It was quite late that evening when he arrived at the boarding school, and was shown to his room. Three other boys were to share the room with him, and they were already in bed, although not yet asleep.

Quickly Carl prepared himself for bed, and then came the thought of his daily reading and prayer. But it was really so late, and the boys were already in bed, and the room was quite dark. Surely he could miss his reading and prayer just for the first night.

The next day Carl began his studies, and proved to be a very able and clever student. Not only did he stand well in his studies at school, but he could also run faster and jump higher and get games going better than anyone else in the school. All these things made him very popular with the rest of the boys, but I am sorry to say that he never read the Word of God or prayed when anyone else was looking. Once in a long time he would take out his Bible and read a few verses when he was all by himself. But never did he kneel down and pray by his bed when anyone else was in the room.

One day while the boys were engaged in playing, something particularly daring was called for, and immediately the cry went up: “Call for Carl! He’s not afraid of anything!”

Carl was just about to come forward when he heard a quiet voice add, “Yes, Carl is afraid of something.”

Quickly he turned to defend himself against the charge.

“What is it that I am afraid of? Tell me!”

Quietly the young boy said, “Carl, you are afraid of being laughed at.” Then he was quiet for a moment and Carl hung his head.

The boy went on, “Before you came to this school, Carl, our teacher told us your parents were Christians. Our teacher told us that you were a Christian boy, and that you were in the habit of reading your Bible and praying. I am a Christian too, Carl, and since you have come I have watched you to see if you ever read your Bible or pray. I am sorry to say that I have never seen you do either one or the other, and I have decided that perhaps you are afraid of being laughed at.”

Poor Carl, he stood before them all with his head bowed, and the tears began to run down his cheeks. He turned and walked back to his room and fell upon his knees beside his bed. There he remained for a long time in silent prayer. He was owning before the Lord his failure and cowardly conduct, and asking the Lord for strength to be true and faithful to Him.

I am glad to be able to tell you that the rest of the time spent at the boarding school, Carl remained a true soldier of Jesus Christ. In the presence of all the other boys he laid his hand on the shoulder of the young lad who had rebuked him, and thanked him for his faithful remarks.

May I ask the reader of this paper. are you a Christian? Do you read the Word of God? And do you pray? It is not the reading of the Word of God and prayer that makes us Christians, but if we belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, surely we ought to delight to speak to Him in prayer, and to speak to others about Him.

Let us remember and value the words of the Apostle Paul,

“FOR I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST; FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH.” Romans 1:16.

ML 10/28/1956

Hidden in My Heart

Boys and girls the world over seem to love to play the game of Hide-and-Seek. I can still remember some of the wonderful hiding places we had as boys at home. I can also remember the times when Mother used to hide candies in our home, and then allow us to hunt for them until we found them.

But I want to speak to you today about hiding something that is very, very important. If you will turn to Psalm 119, and read verse 11, you will find these words: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”

These words were written by a very wise king, King David, and you will notice that there are three special points to be found in the verse.

What have I hidden? Where have I hidden it? Why have I hidden it?

1.“What have I hidden?”

It is not man’s word, but the Word of God that liveth and abideth forever. Truly this is a treasure worth hiding. No thief can steal it, no moth can corrupt it. We cannot set too high a value upon the Word of God. We usually hide something that we value a great deal, so that no one else can get it and spoil it. Just down the street from where I am writing this story there is a big bank, and inside that bank there is a huge vault. This vault is protected by great steel doors and bars. Inside the vault are hidden things which men and women consider to be of great value. But, I have heard of vaults being broken into by robbers, and the valuable things have been stolen. But King David considered the Word of God of such value that he hid it in his heart. I hope that the reader of this paper will value the Word of God above everything else, and accept it as God’s own message of love to him, and truly hide it within his heart.

2.“Where have I hidden it?”

It was not in his head, or in his memory, but in his heart. Would the heart not speak to us of something that we love very dearly? This is the right place to hide the Word of God. I am sorry to say that I have been in homes where people have had to hunt in vain to find a Bible. Sometimes no Bible could be found at all, and sometimes it could be found hidden away at the bottom of a drawer. But oh, how happy I am to go into a home where the father and mother, and boys and girls, love the Word of God, and have it safely hidden within their hearts. You can almost tell when they begin to speak about the Word of God if it is very precious to them. For, they have found out from its pages that the Lord Jesus Christ loved them, and died for them to wash away their sins. Again, may we urge you to accept the truth of the Word of God in your very heart, as being God’s message to you.

3.“Why have I hidden it?”

For a very important reason. “That I might not sin against Thee.” It is not so that you and might have new ideas to talk about, or show off about. It is not in order that we might argue about the Bible. King David did not care about any of these things, but he knew that God, who watched him all day long, hated sin; and because David loved God, he wanted to walk in a way that would please Him. He knew that the Word of God would guide him in a way that would please the Lord. Therefore, he prayed that the Word of God might be hidden in his heart. Dear reader, if you truly belong to the Lord Jesus, then may we encourage you to read your Bible, to hide its words within your heart, and to pray that they may be used to keep your feet from a path that would not be pleasing to the Lord.

“Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:11.

ML 10/28/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 2:15-18.

As soon as the sons of the prophets living in Jericho saw Elisha, they bowed before him saying, “The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha.” Elisha’s great desire had been that a double portion of the spirit of Elijah might rest upon him, and now his desire was granted. It was not by effort, or thinking whether others could see it or not. No, it was because he had seen Elijah go up. And so how can we manifest the life of Christ here in this judged scene? The answer is 2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” If we are occupied with the Man in the glory, the blessed Lord Jesus Christ, others will see His Spirit resting upon us and His life manifested in us. To try to live “the victorious life” always leads to self-occupation, and we either become proud because we think we are living it, or discouraged because we are not. Occupation with Christ will keep us humble, because we are so unlike Him, but happy because of His unchanging love. In this way the life of Christ will then be manifested in us without effort! May it be more so with us as with the disciples of old, of whom it could be said that others “took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus.” Let us notice a little about these fifty “strong men” — the sons of the prophets living in Jericho—who had watched Elijah and Elisha go through the Jordan together. They did not believe that Elijah had really gone up into heaven. I believe they would figure to us the many “strong men” of Christendom today. Some of them are true believers, but they are laboring for the improvement of this world. They would use Christianity as a means to do this, for they have not seen the end of man’s trial at the cross. They think of Him as “the gardener” to improve this world — but the Lord had to tell Mary that she was now to know Him in a new way as the ascended One. (John 20:1517.) “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more.” 2 Cor. 5:16. These fifty strong men of the sons of the prophets came to Elisha and asked him if they could go and hunt for Elijah. Elisha told them not to go, for he knew they would not find him — he had seen him go up. However when they insisted, he told them to go, but afterward, when they came back without finding him, he said, “Did I not say unto you, Go not?”

It is the same today; there are many who do not see true Christian position. They do not see that the Christian is not of this world, that he is waiting for Christ to come and take him up where He is already gone. So they are wasting their efforts to improve this world. Such efforts are going to end in disappointment, like the men searching for Elijah, but too often these “strong men” will not listen to the Word in this matter. They want to do something, but any work that is not according to the Word will be loss at the judgment seat of Christ. “If a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Tim. 2:5. May the Lord exercise us to spend our energies in a way that is according to His Word and for His glory. Sometimes the energy of those not walking in the truth, like the fifty strong men, puts us to shame, but let us labor on diligently while the Lord leaves us here.

ML 10/28/1956

The Little Soul Winner

Three-year old Betty Lou was crying. Her mother asked, “Why do you run off and cry whenever Grandma or anyone else is praying?” Betty Lou answered with a sob, “Because I’m not saved and I am going to hell.”

Betty Lou told her aunt about it. “I am lost,” she said. “Do you want to take Jesus into your heart?” asked her aunt. With a happy “Yes!” Betty Lou slipped to her knees and confessed her sinfulness, putting her trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour. How happy she was!

At once Betty Lou started out to win souls. Of everyone she met at home, on the street or on the bus, she would ask, “Are you born again?” She went from house to house, talking about Jesus. Some listened; others laughed.

When she went to school Betty Lou talked with her teachers and school-mates and won many of her school-mates to the Lord Jesus. Her brother and sister say that it was not an usual sight to see Betty Lou in a corner of the schoolroom praying with another child.

After school hours Betty Lou gathered the children into a garage and spoke to them of the Lord. After that she would go out on the street to speak to those passing by. When she came in one night she said, “Mother, don’t worry if I don’t come right in when you call me. I may be speaking with some soul, and that is far more important.” (This was not disobedience, for she knew her mother was in happy agreement.)

When Betty Lou was eight years old, she became very ill and was sick for eight weeks. She prayed, “Lord, have Thy way with my life. If Thou dost want to take me Home, that’s all right.” Often she would say, “I hope Jesus will take me soon.”

The Sunday before Betty Lou died, she said to her grandmother, “How glad I am that I know I’m saved! If I had died when I was three, I would have been lost, and I knew it then. Now I’ll go to be with Jesus! Heaven is a million, million times better than here; there is no sorrow, no heartache, no pain.”

Betty Lou’s last week on earth was spent at the hospital, and then she went to be with Jesus. She had spent all the money she could to buy Bibles for those who had none, so at her homegoing several sent Bibles instead of flowers.

Dear reader — boy or girl, man or woman — why not accept Betty Lou’s Saviour as your Saviour too? He says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. Will you come to Him now? “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” Mark 10: 15.

If you already know Him as your Saviour, what are you doing to tell others of His love? Will you not, like Betty Lou, be a soul-winner, and seek to live for His glory?

“AND THEY THAT BE WISE SHALL SHINE AS THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE FIRMAMENT; AND THEY THAT TURN MANY TO RIGHOUSNESS AS THE STARS FOREVER AND EVER.” Daniel 12:3.

ML 11/04/1956

His Word

How good and how wondrous,

The words of our Lord;

We need them to guide us

In work or at play.

For walking with Jesus

We find sweet delight;

And leaning upon Him,

We have peace and rest.

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word.” Psalm 119:9.

ML 11/04/1956

The Buried Bible

About four hundred years ago it was considered a serious crime to own or read a Bible. Satan tried then, as he does today, to keep the light of the glorious gospel of Christ from shining into the hearts of men and women, boys and girls.

In the western part of England in the little village of Harrant, lived a blacksmith and his daughter. The man owned a Bible which he read to the villagers. He kept it hidden in his shop in a hollow block of wood.

Some soldiers in the next town heard about the blacksmith and his Bible and decided to go and burn the house and shop as the surest way to destroy the Bible. The blacksmith was away from home at the time but the young daughter crept into the shop unseen by the soldiers, and in spite of the blinding smoke, brought the big Bible from its hiding place. The flames scorched her dress and hair and blistered her hands. She ran to the garden in the darkness and taking off her jacket, wrapped up the Bible and buried it under a big cabbage, digging a hole with her hands.

This dear girl then crawled to a spring at the end of the garden where her father found her half unconscious with pain. The girl recovered from her burns and we know she valued that beloved Book more than anything else in the world. In fact, the great-granddaughter of that girl later brought that very same Bible to America.

Yes, the blessed Book of God — the Bible—has been the comfort and solace of sinners in all ages and none who ever welcomed its words, and trusted the Lord Jesus Christ of whom it bears witness, were ever sorry for their choice.

“And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15.

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105.

ML 11/04/1956

Bible Questions for November

The Children’s Class

1. If an angel from heaven came preaching another gospel than that which God has given us in His Word, should we accept it?

2. Has any man ever been justified by the law in the sight of God?

3. Should we be weary in well doing?

4. Are we saved by anything of ourselves?

5. Can God do more for us than we can ask or think?

6. Should we be kind and forgive one another?

7. Does the Word of God tell children to obey their parents?

The Young People’s Class Types and Shadows

1. After waving the sheaf of first-fruits before the Lord, could Israel bring first-fruits “baken with leaven” to Him? Leviticus 23.

2. Who are spoken of now as “a kind of firstfruits”? James.

3. Should we allow the “old mon” to work in us (like leaven before baking) or should we reckon it dead? Romans.

4. Was there a sabbath of rest at the time of the blowing of trumpets? Lev. 23.

5. Will there be a gathering bock of Israel (for their millennial sabbath) with the great sound of a trumpet? Matthew 24.

6. Were the children of Israel to rejoice on the day of atonement, or to afflict their souls? Lev. 23.

7. Will they mourn in a coming day when they see the One whom they pierced, yet who made atonement for them? Zechariah.

ML 11/04/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 2:19-22.

Elisha did not engage in the fruitless search for Elijah, but waited for the fifty men who sought him to return. “The servant of the Lord must not strive,” 2 Timothy 2:24, is a good word for us, for while faithfully speaking the truth in love, we need to be patient and wait for the Lord to reveal it to others. But Elisha was not idle, and so while these men were going on their fruitless search, he was bringing the blessing of God to those who would turn to him in Jericho. The men of the city had discovered that the water of the city was poor and that the ground was barren. It is much better to let the sinner see the emptiness of this poor world, than to try to attract him to Christ by the very “elements of the world,” which is under judgment. (Galatians 4:3; Colossians 2:20-23.) Yet how much we see of this today in the entertainments of various kinds used in Christian work, all appealing to the natural man, and trying to bring him to Christ by such means. Just as Elisha had crossed the Jordan, so the death of Christ is the end of all that we were as natural men, and in our service we need to bear in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, “It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing.” John 6:63.

Jericho, as we have remarked before, is a picture of the world under judgment, but it looked very bright and beautiful to the men who lived there. They said, “The situation of this city is pleasant,” but admitted that it had nothing to satisfy the longings of their hearts. Elisha then called for a new cruse with salt in it and healed the waters, according to the word of the Lord. Salt would bring before us the thought of judgment and also of preservation — it is used in these two ways in Scripture — and so since the Lord Jesus bore the judgment of sin at the cross, those who turn to Him, accepting Him as their Saviour, are “preserved in Jesus Christ,” Jude 1, from the judgment to come. We are in a new position now and for us the curse is removed, like the new cruse of salt healing the waters of Jericho.

We see that now instead of being taken up with the effort to find some good in man, as Elijah had sought to recall the guilty nation of Israel to the worship of Jehovah, the Christian is to bring the precious message of God’s grace to sinners that feel their need. How beautifully this spirit of grace is seen all through Elisha’s ministry.

In looking at these things in regard to Israel as a nation, it is very instructive and helpful. Elijah had sought to recall the people to Jehovah, as we have remarked, but he had been rejected as the Lord Jesus was. Israel would not be gathered (Isaiah 49) and so, as far as responsibility was concerned, the nation had failed utterly. But God had purposes of blessing toward them, and He would not fail. Elisha therefore enters Israel’s land through the Jordan in the power of grace, typical of the Lord Jesus going through death and resurrection, and it is beautiful to see him displaying the grace of God to a nation that had forfeited every claim to blessing. He used a “new cruse.” Thus the healing of the waters of Jericho typifies the blessing that will be brought in during the millennium, Israel will then receive a new heart and the curse will be removed. Man never could bring in the blessing himself, but on the ground of Christ’s death, all God’s purposes in grace will be fulfilled.

ML 11/04/1956

Just as You Are

John, a young fisherman, tied his boat securely in the little fishing port. Work was over for the day and before long he would be back at the cottage where his mother would have a meal ready for him and a comfortable chair to sit on. His hands were soiled, his face tanned, his hair blown into an untidy mass by the wind. At the top of the steps, an artist stood watching him as he tied his boat, gathered up the basket of fish, and climbed up the steps whistling merrily.

“Excuse me!” interrupted the artist suddenly, laying his hand on John’s arm. “Would you sit for me to paint your portrait?”

John flushed with pleasure.

“Why, yes, sir — thank you, sir.”

“Come along then to my studio. It’s not far away.”

“When, now?” John looked surprised. “Well, just let me go and get cleaned up,” he continued, “and change into something respectable.”

“No! No!” said the artist eagerly; “don’t do that. I want you just as you are.”

After several months the picture was completed and was hung in a well-known picture gallery. The artist became famous because of his painting.

Meanwhile, John heard of the Lord Jesus Christ who also wanted him. He learned how sinful he was and how impossible it was to be saved by trying to be good. One evening as he was reading his Bible, he read: “The Son of God who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. John sat thinking of that verse and the thought came to him that the Lord Jesus wanted him to come to Him then, and not try to clean himself up or try to be more respectable. It seemed as if the Lord were saying, “I want you just as you are, John.”

Just as he had gone right away to the artist’s studio, so John went to the Lord Jesus that evening and asked Him to take away his sin. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. Many people came to know the artist through the picture of John, but a greater number came to know the Lord Jesus through John himself, for he became a bright testimony for Him.

Dear reader, you may come today just as you are — and the Lord Jesus will welcome you with His arms wide open. Then you will be able to sing—

“Just as I am — without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!”

The Lord Jesus says, “COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.” Matthew 11:28.

ML 11/11/1956

I Can't Do It!

A short time ago a young Jewish girl attended a gospel meeting with a companion from school. As the message was given out, her heart was touched with the story of the redeeming love of Christ. Someone spoke to her at the close, and found her deeply convicted. She was pressed to decide for Christ at once, and seemed at the point of decision, when she suddenly exclaimed: “Oh, I can’t do it! It would cost too much! I would lose all my friends, and my family would disown me!”

“We can understand that,” replied the Jewish believer who had spoken to her, in a sympathetic tone. “There would be a price to pay, of course. But have you counted the cost if your soul should be lost?”

I wish I could tell you that she had since decided for Christ, but I do not know. I do know that the Bible says, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” Hebrews 2:3. It is a tremendously serious thing to trifle with God, and when He offers us salvation, we are very responsible. At great cost to Himself He has provided it for you and me, and it is a terrible thing to put anything before Christ. This young girl did not fully realize, I am sure, that her soul is worth more than the whole world. It would cost her much to accept Christ, no doubt much more than some of us who have Christian parents — but to lose everything that life holds dear would be better, far better, than to spend eternity in hell.

Dear reader, how is it with you? If you continue to reject God’s great salvation, judgment is ahead of you. God cannot have sin in heaven, but in His marvelous love He sent His Son, who settled the question of sin at the cross, so that He might offer a full and free pardon to you and me. As a risen living Saviour the Lord Jesus speaks from heaven, pleading with you to be saved before it is forever too late.

“There’s a line that is crossed by rejecting the Lord,

Where the call of His Spirit is lost;

And you hurry along, with the pleasure-mad throng—

Have you counted, have you counted, the cost?”

“Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 3:15.

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML 11/11/1956

"Tell Me a Story"

Mr. Hunter had just moved to the great city of London. He had found a room in a very comfortable boarding house, and was quite content with all the arrangements.

He had spent a good many months in boarding houses in other cities, but there was something just a little different about this one. There were Scripture texts on the walls of every room, including his own bedroom. And, also, thanks was offered to the Lord before every meal.

Mr. Hunter loved children, and before very long he was a very good friend of little Jackie who lived at the boardinghouse. One evening as Mr. Hunter was sitting in the parlor reading, little Jackie came bounding into the room.

“Tell me a story, Mr. Hunter, please?”

“Certainly, my boy, come and sit beside me, and we shall have a story.”

Mr. Hunter was very fond of telling stories, and he began to tell an interesting story about a sailor and his pet monkey. Jackie listened to the story with great interest, and when it was over, he said, “Thank you so much for that story, Mr. Hunter, it was a good one. Now, will you please tell me a story about Jesus?”

There was quite a long pause, and then Mr. Hunter said,

“I know another good story. Shall I tell you?”

“Is this story about Jesus?” said Jackie.

Again there was a long silence, and Mr. Hunter said, “No, I’m afraid I don’t know any stories about Jesus.” “And you so big! And don’t know anything about Jesus! But, Mr. Hunter, the Lord Jesus came all the way down from heaven to die on the cross for me, and I love to hear stories about Him.”

This ended the conversation, and Mr. Hunter went slowly and thoughtfully up to his room. He knew that Jackie was not the only one in that home who loved the Lord Jesus. In fact he began to feel that perhaps he was the only one in the home who did not belong to Jesus. His memory took him back to the days when, as a boy, he had read the Word of God, and had knelt in prayer each night before he went to bed. He knew that he had not prayed for a long time.

He looked at the text which was hanging on the wall of his room, and read these beautiful words: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” He had often read those words before, but they had meant very little to him. But tonight they seemed specially for him. In a moment he knelt down by his bed, and there he thanked God for sending the Lord Jesus to die for him, and before rising from his knees, he had accepted the Lord Jesus as his own Saviour. From that day on the Bible became a new and precious book to him. And, as you may imagine, he and Jackie had many happy times together, reading the precious stories of the Lord Jesus in the Word of God.

If you will open your Bible to 1 Timothy 1:15, you may read for yourself the precious words that meant so much to Mr. Hunter.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

Jackie was just a little boy, and Mr. Hunter was a grown man, but both alike were sinners, and both have trusted the Lord Jesus.

Will you do the same?

ML 11/11/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 2:23-3:8.

After healing the waters of Jericho, Elisha went up to Bethel. This was where God had made His promises to the patriarchs long before. Elisha re-enters these places, utterly ruined as to man’s responsibility, but now to display the grace of God. But what of those who despised it? It is solemn here to see that the children who came out and said to Elisha, “Go up, thou bald head,” were torn to pieces by bears. Yes, the curse of this man of God came upon those who despised the grace of God. So it will be that when the kingdom is established in peace and blessing in the millennium, those who will not take their true place in repentance and acknowledge that “He (Christ) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed,” Isaiah 53:5, will be sent away into everlasting punishment — how solemn! (Matthew 25:46.) The judgment of eternal hell will also come upon all those who reject the grace of God today. As we read of these children being torn by bears, in the very place where God’s wonderful promises were made, it makes us think of children in Christian homes who despise the grace of God which they have heard so often. May it be a warning to any unsaved reader of this little paper.

Elisha then came to Carmel. This was the place where judgment had been executed on Baal (1 Kings 18:20), and reminds us of how when the Lord Jesus was rejected, as Elijah had been, He said, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.” John 12:31, 32. Christ rejected becomes the new gathering center, not only for Israel but for all men; and thus Elisha’s ministry is one o grace not only for Israel but reaches’ out to the Gentiles too. Carmel means a fruitful place, and how it makes us think of that little hymn,

“The river of Thy grace,

Through righteousness supplied,

Is flowing o’er the barren place,

Where Jesus died.”

It is only as we see Christ, the One who was rejected here, now in glory at God’s right hand, that we can truly represent Him here, and bear fruit that is pleasing to God. God’s grace so fully displayed at the cross, now shines in the face of Jesus Christ above, but Satan will always seek to blind men’s eyes to it. “The god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4. Let us not faint with such a blessed ministry, in spite of the opposition of the enemy.

We now come to the character of things in the midst of which Elisha bore his testimony. Although Jehoram was not as wicked as his father had been, yet he walked in the evil ways of Jeroboam. Because of his sin, the Lord allowed the king of Moab to rebel against him, but instead of turning to the Lord he sought a military alliance. He asked Jehoshaphat the king of Judah (who was, sad to say, related to him by marriage), if he would help him fight against the king of Moab. What a terrible alliance this was! But it reminds us of some of the strange alliances of our day, when it does not seem to matter with whom Christians are linked as long as it is for a “good cause.”

ML 11/11/1956

The Great Divide

When we traveled across the United States a few months ago we saw many wonderful and magnificent sights — beautiful rock formations, high mountain peaks and sparing waterfalls. All spoke of the handiwork of God.

The conductor on the train would point out special sights of interest and at one time he said that we would soon cross “The Great Divide.” We were very interested to know what this was. He explained that the Great Divide, or Continental Divide, as it is sometimes called, is the great watershed that separates the streams flowing to the Atlantic from those flowing to the Pacific. This extends from the Mexican boundary northward up into the Rocky Mountains and on into Canada. In some parts of its course, the Continental Divide is at the crest of the loftiest ranges; in others, it is on gently rolling uplands at the summit of high plateaus.

After the conductor had left, I sat thinking about the Great Divide and I thought of another Great Divide that separates us from God. Yes, my SINS separated me from a holy and righteous God, but the Lord Jesus Christ has come in and taken the punishment I deserved instead. He crossed the gulf that made the fearful separation and paid the price for my salvation on Calvary’s cross. What a Saviour Jesus is! The thought of His great love for us should melt our hearts and make us want to live for Him alone.

Is this precious Saviour, your Saviour? If not, take Him NOW and then you can sing:

“Across the Great Divide my Shepherd found me,

And lovingly He placed His arms around me;

He shattered every fetter that had bound me,

And He carried me across the Great Divide.”

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

Just as the water on one side of the Continental Divide flows to the Atlantic Ocean, and the water on the other flows to the Pacific, so you also are on the way to either heaven or hell for ETERNITY. If you are still in your sins, you are surely on the way to hell, but if you know the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour, He has promised that you will someday spend eternity in heaven with Him forever.

Notice too, that this great watershed is sometimes at the crest of the loftiest ranges and then at other parts of its course it is on lower ground. It is the same with the sinner — you might be a very wealthy boy or girl high up in this world’s estimation, or you may be a very poor boy or girl. But this is certain — you need the Lord Jesus Christ for your own Saviour, for we read:

“FOR THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE: FOR ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD.” Romans 3:22, 23.

ML 11/18/1956

Ilondo and His Friends

Ilondo was born in a village on the banks of the Congo River in Africa. His parents were heathen and had never heard anything about the Lord Jesus. One day Ilondo saw one of the village boys with a book in his hand. Although he could not read, he was very curious about this book, and asked the lad where he had obtained it.

A few days later, Ilondo came to the missionary’s home and said, “I want to learn to read. I will gladly work for you if you will only teach me to read.”

The missionary felt the young lad was very sincere, and so he was permitted to go outside and help make bricks. Part of the day he worked, and part of the day he studied to learn to read. You may well imagine that the school on the banks of the Congo River is not quite the same as the school you might attend here in this country. But Ilondo was very anxious to learn, and after about four months, he had learned to recognize all the letters and was just barely beginning to make out a few words. However, just at this point his father came and took him away from the school. Before he left, he begged the missionary for something to take home to read.

“Oh, if you please,” he said, “if you will only give me a part of the Book of God.”

The missionary gladly gave him a copy of the gospel of Luke, and asked him to read something before he left. Very slowly Ilondo looked at the strange words, but he could find only one or two that he knew.

“See, you can’t read yet.”

“No,” he said, “but I know the letters and if you will only give me the book then God will help me to learn to read.”

With a joyful heart Ilondo accepted the book and set off for his own village. For several months nothing was heard of him except that he had learned to read. About two years later the missionary went to visit Ilondo’s village and was very much surprised at what he found. Not only had Ilondo learned to read, but he had also accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour. He had gathered a number of boys of his own age, and was teaching them to read. They had even gone so far as to build a little school of their own. Here the missionary found them, diligently reading together the same gospel of Luke which he had given Ilondo.

He heard the story of their sufferings since he had seen them last. When Ilondo first made known to his father and to the boys of the village that he had accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, they were very angry with him. He was mocked, teased, and beaten for his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but he was so happy that he went about his work singing all through the day. And it was not long before some of the others in the village became anxious to hear of the Saviour who had made such a change in this boy. So he had the joy of reading to them the wonderful story of God’s love as seen in Luke’s gospel.

Perhaps the boy or girl who is reading this paper has often read Luke’s gospel, but it may be that you have never yet accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour. Perhaps you think that because you do not live in a heathen land, you are already a Christian. Perhaps you feel that because you go to Sunday school and can read your Bible quite easily, that you are already fit for heaven. But the Word of God tells us: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.

You are just as much in need of being saved as was Ilondo the heathen, and I hope that you may accept the Lord Jesus right now, as you are reading this paper.

I hope that if you do belong to the Lord Jesus, you may have the courage that Ilondo had, and freely tell others about the Saviour who died for you.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” Romans 1:16.

ML 11/18/1956

Keeping Grace

How often we forget Thee,

Our steps begin to slide;

But Thou, Lord, would recall us,

Close to Thy precious side.

How easy ‘tis to stumble,

When from Thy side we stray,

And then we let small troubles

Discourage by the way.

Oh help us then, our Saviour,

Thy footsteps to retrace,

That we as Thy dear children,

May count upon Thy grace.

We thank thee, O Lord Jesus,

That in Thy Word we find

A word of cheer and comfort,

Which does renew the mind.

So we would think more of Thee,

Our Saviour and our Guide,

That when the trials surround us

We’ll stand against the tide.

“He... exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” Acts 11:23.

“For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:25.

ML 11/18/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 3:9-20.

This strange alliance of three kings, the king of Judah, the king of Israel, and the king of Edom was surely not of God. Yet even today the cry is “Associate yourselves” (Isaiah 8:9), and sad to say we find even Christians linking up with these alliances having little or no exercise about it. Jehoshaphat the king of Judah was a true man of faith, Jehoram the king of Israel was an ungodly man, and the king of Edom had a hatred for the people of God altogether. What a confederacy! Yet confident in their own might and wisdom these three kings started out to fight against the king of Moab. But the Lord was not pleased with this unequal yoke. He blew upon their plans, and after seven days’ march He brought them to a place where they had no water to drink, and they were about to perish. Jehoshaphat then thought of how he had forgotten the Lord and so in their extremity he suggested they should seek out a prophet. The king of Israel suggested they ask Elisha what they should do, and Jehoshaphat was very pleased with this for he knew that Elisha spoke the word of the Lord. But when the king of Israel turned to Elisha to ask him about it, Elisha said to him, “What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab. And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.” vv. 13, 14. What a rebuke this ought to have been to poor Jehoshaphat!

How it saddens our hearts today to find true children of God linked together with modernists, and men of the world, as though they could have a common interest and purpose. The Word of God is plain and simple for those who would walk in obedience to it. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness... Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

Nevertheless, as we have remarked before, Elisha’s testimony was one of grace, and so he did not refuse to help these men. Although the Lord was displeased with this unholy alliance, yet grace is undeserved favor. It is, however, interesting to notice here that Elisha called for a minstrel, and when he played, he said, “Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches. He then told how the Lord would fill the ditches with water in a miraculous way. He also went on to tell the three kings that the Lord would deliver the Moabites into their hands and that they were to devastate their land. In the morning the water came, as the Lord had said, and filled all the ditches they had made, so they, their armies, and their cattle had plenty to drink. How wonderful this gracious provision, of God! How good He is to those who call upon Him.

Elisha felt unhappy over this alliance and the word of the Lord did not come in the usual way. There was a hindrance, yet God’s grace was greater than the hindrance. Perhaps we can see in Elisha’s calling for a minstrel that God often works in an unusual way in these days of weakness and strange alliances.

ML 11/18/1956

Trust

Mr. Jackson was spending his holiday on one of the West Indian Islands. As he rested quietly in the shade of a coconut tree by the seashore, the sun was slowly dipping in the west. He decided to take one more plunge into the cool ocean water before going home to his room.

He swam out a bit through the swells and was just about to turn back when he noticed a bottle bobbing up and down in the water.

He laid hold of it and brought it back to shore. He noticed that there was a bit of paper rolled up inside the tightly corked bottle. With great interest he removed the cork and pulled out the stained bit of paper. With amazement he read the following message:

“The ship Kent, Indiaman, is on fire. Elizabeth, Joanna, and myself commit our spirits into the hands of our blessed Redeemer. His grace enables us to be quite composed in the prospect of entering eternity.”

D. W. McGregor, Bay of Biscay.

As you may imagine Mr. Jackson’s curiosity was greatly aroused by this message, and he made inquiry to see if he could find out just what it all meant. At last he found out these facts.

Many years ago an English sailing vessel left London en route to India. When it arrived in the Bay of Biscay, a fire broke out when someone carelessly dropped a lantern. For several hours the hundreds of passengers faced death, either by fire or by drowning. Mr. McGregor was one of the officers, and feeling that all would likely perish, he wrote a few lines and enclosed his note in a bottle which he cast into the sea, hoping that the letter would turn up somewhere. Suddenly a glad cry was heard, “A sail under wind!” A ship had seen the Kent and was hastening to its aid. You will be glad to know that nearly all the passengers were rescued and taken back to England. I believe that Mr. McGregor and his wife and daughter were among those who were rescued. But I often think of the quiet confidence that he showed as he faced death. His message has still been preserved and can be read on the stained bit of paper.

Would his confidence be yours in the presence of death? You and I knew that vessels on the ocean are much different today from what they were in those days. But we also know that the day must come for each of us when we shall leave this world and step out into eternity. I am glad to be able to say, with Mr. McGregor, that I am trusting in my blessed Redeemer, and I hope you may be able to say the same.

The Lord Jesus Christ loves you and laid down His life in order that you too might know Him as your Saviour and your Redeemer.

“IN THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY; AT THY RIGHT HAND THERE ARE PLEASURES FOREVERMORE.” Psalm 16:11.

ML 11/25/1956

"Come unto Me"

I think most of the readers of our little paper will recognize these words as the beginning of the verse which says: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

I would like to tell you of something that took place in faraway India. It was getting near the time for the great heathen festival, and a Hindu priest had just inspected his robes. He realized that he must have one robe dyed a special color for the occasion. So he went to visit a nearby shop and purchased the necessary powder to dye his robe and took it home. When he opened the package he found strange words on the wrapping paper. “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Again and again the words ran through his mind. Was not that just what he had been looking for, for years? He was sure his heart was not at rest. Had he not tortured himself and made endless journeys in order to find rest? Who could be giving such an invitation as this?

One day he passed on the scrap of paper to another man named Krishna. This man was also very much interested in the strange words. He determined to find out where the words came from, and who had said them. He carried the piece of paper around with him and spoke about it to nearly everyone he met. Day after day he asked the shopkeepers, and the passers-by, if they had ever heard the words, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

One day Krishna came across a group of Christians preaching in the open air and he stopped to listen. He heard for the first time the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He heard the sweet story of His coming down to this world and laying down His life, in order that we might be cleansed from all our sins by His most precious blood.

At last, joy of all joys! He heard the precious words repeated, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

I am glad to be able to tell you that Krishna very soon accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour, and found that rest which he had so long sought.

For a long time now Krishna has gone here and there among his friends, witnessing to every one of the power of the Lord Jesus Christ to give rest to troubled hearts and consciences. Have you, my dear reader, found rest in trusting the Lord Jesus Christ? He came down here into this world in order that you and I might know the rest which He alone can give. Not only does He give to you and me rest for our troubled consciences by washing away all our sins, but the rest which He gives us is for eternity.

Will you not come to Him now and accept from Him that wonderful invitation? “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

ML 11/25/1956

An Unfaithful Mother Bird

On a low branch of a willow tree near the creek there was a nest made of fine grass. It was the nest of a pair of yellow warblers.

The day after the nest was finished, the mother warbler laid a tiny speckled egg in it. Each day she laid an egg in the nest until there were three.

When the mother warbler came the next day to lay an egg, she found a strange egg in her nest. It looked very much like her own eggs, but it was larger. Where had it come from? It was not a yellow warbler’s egg.

She laid still another egg in the nest, and then she sat on the nest each day and night until the five eggs were hatched.

The strange egg was a cowbird’s egg; the cowbird had laid it in the nest while the yellow warbler was away.

A mother cowbird never makes a nest of her own. She lays an egg in another bird’s nest and then she flies away and leaves it. She lays eggs in other nests, then flies away and leaves them, too. She lets other birds hatch her eggs and feed her babies.

Some of my young readers may well exclaim, “What a heartless bird the cowbird is!”

Yes, it is easily seen that the mother cowbird has no interest at all in her babies and doesn’t care what becomes of them.

What a picture this is of Satan who has no interest in precious souls except to take them headlong into hell. Satan does not love your soul, dear boy or girl. He cannot give you comfort dung your life or joy in your dying hour.

How wonderful to know that the Lord Jesus loves your soul. Sometimes we sing,

“Jesus my Shepherd is,
‘Twas HE that loved my soul;
‘Twas HE that washed me in His blood;
‘Twas HE that made me whole.”

The Lord Jesus had such a great interest in your soul that He came into this world and died to save you. Have you trusted this precious Saviour? Why not take Him today by faith into your heart? He gives eternal life to all who trust in Him.

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” 2 Cor. 8:9.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

ML 11/25/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 3:21-27.

We have noticed that Elisha called for a minstrel before prophesying here, and a few further comments might be helpful. When there was power among the people of God, souls were saved and blessing was poured out, without all the fleshly attractions such as music, entertainment, etc., used in our day. We learn the mind of God from the Acts of the apostles where there was the simple preaching of the gospel apart from these things. But in this day of great alliances in Christendom, when true Christians are mixed up with all kinds of things (with good intentions very often), God often comes in and blesses according to His grace, though not approving of all that is done. He surely did not approve of the alliance we have been noticing in our chapter. We could hardly expect to see godly order in unholy alliances, and yet God blesses abundantly, as He sent abundance of water here. How we rejoice to see souls saved, as the Lord saved Israel here. Nevertheless Jehoshaphat should never have been where he was, and so those who would walk for God’s glory will remain in separation from these things. Let us learn to go on in simplicity, for “to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22. When man has failed, as Israel did, and surely the Church has failed, God is not limited in the outflow of His grace. He is sovereign and often works in a manner suited to the state of things as it is. We will, however, find that His mind about a thing is clearly brought before us at the time He sets it up. Let us then give thanks, as Paul did, that Christ is preached, even if in pretense, yet ever seeking to go on steadfastly in the path of obedience ourselves.

God not only filled the ditches with water here, so that the people could drink, but when the Moabites who had come out to fight against Israel saw the water they thought it was blood.

They thought the three kings were fighting among themselves, and so they advanced against them to their own destruction. Whatever failure there may be among the people of God, when God stretches out His arm to deliver them, the enemy will be overthrown. How gracious He is! How good to turn to Him owning our failure and counting upon Him, for He delights in blessing. The Israelites rose up against their enemies and utterly defeated them, carrying out the judgment of God on Moab.

We notice it was when the rising sun shone upon the water that the Moabites thought it was blood. And so in a coming day, when Christ “the Sun of Righteousness” rises to deliver and bless His erring people, the first thing He will do will be to judge those nations who are the enemies of Israel. (Zech. 14: 1-3.) The kingdom will thus be introduced through judgment, and just as God used His people Israel here, so He will use them to judge their enemies in that future day. The Moabites tried to break through the host but they could not, for the Lord was undertaking His people’s cause.

The human sacrifice offered here by the king of Moab shows us something of the awful wickedness and corruption that will fill the earth during the tribulation period, when God is dealing in judgment. We read in Revelation, that the angel was told: “Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.” Rev. 14:18.

ML 11/25/1956

A Milkman's Bravery

Ned and David were taking a short cut home from school. It was not much shorter perhaps, but it included a little footbridge over Fletcher’s Creek, which was much more interesting than the streets of town. Besides, the creek was flooding at this time, and the water was running ten inches deep over the bridge. Didn’t that add to the fun?

No sensible man who wanted to get home would have taken that way, but Ned was only eight and David was seven. They laughed at the thought of danger and stepped out on the flooded bridge, just as many a sinner steps out into the paths of sin.

David reached the other side in safety and glanced back just in time to see Ned’s head go under the water. There were overhanging twigs and roots to grasp, but David knew he needed someone who was able to save his drowning companion. He knew he could not do it himself. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him for a quarter of a mile to his home, where the milkman was at that moment talking to his mother. The three then sped back to the creek, with fear and love and hope all the way.

Poor Ned was struggling in the water like a sinner who realizes he is sinking in sin. He grasped at a twig here and there which snapped off under his weight. His coat was becoming soaked through, and was cold and heavy as lead. Just as his limbs became numb with cold and everything grew black before his eyes, the milkman dived in, and pushed him over within reach of David’s mother’s eager hands. They helped him up the steep bank, and brought him to David’s home, where he was tenderly cared for until his parents came to claim him.

What did Ned and his father say to the brave milkman? Had they acted like many a sinner whom Jesus came to save, they would have said nothing. But Ned’s father was not so ungrateful. He said: “Now I know that the gratitude of a father toward another man who risks his life in saving his son, is something that can’t truly be put into words.”

I wonder if Ned and his father poured out their hearts in gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ who came to seek and to save that which was lost. I woer if you have, too. The Lord Jesus did not merely risk His life to save us He gave His life. He died in our guilty place that we might live. Has He saved you? Have you ever acknowledged that you are lost and in far greater danger than Ned was? If you die in your sins you will sink down into eternal hell. The Lord Jesus holds out His hands of love to you today? Will you accept Him and thank Him? Eternity will not be long enough to thank Him for His finished work on Calvary!

“THOU WAST SLAIN, AND HAST REDEEMED US TO GOD BY THY BLOOD OUT OF EVERY KINDRED, AND TONGUE, AND PEOPLE, AND NATION.” Rev. 5:9.

ML 12/02/1956

The Indian Boy and His Bible

Many years ago an Indian boy of the Ojibwa tribe was given a New Testament by a missionary. He learned to read it, and became so interested that he read it through several times. Soon he learned to know and love the Saviour.

The chief of the tribe was also a Christian who spent many happy hours with the Indian boy. Together they sought to tell other members of the tribe the gospel of God’s great love in sending Jesus to die for them.

One day the boy became sick and sent for the chief, who visited him each day for several days. He found the boy growing weaker, and at last was told that he would die within a few days. But the boy was not afraid to die. One day he said to his chief, “I will soon be with Jesus, but I want you to be with me until I die.” Taking out from under his blanket his New Testament which he had loved to read, he gave it to the chief and said, “Here, I want you to take this, and when they bury me, please put it under my head.”

Not long after, the young Christian Indian went to be with the Lord, leaving the cabin in the wilderness for a mansion in the glory.

We have the Bible in our homes today, but how many of us really love and cherish it like this Indian boy. What a privilege it is to possess such a Book — to have in our hands a divine revelation — every word of which is given by inspiration of God.

If you found any other book written three or four thousand years ago, you would perhaps think it a curious relic, something to be put in the museum. It would be a musty document, out of date, and practically useless to us.

Although the Bible is two thousand years old, and more, we do not think of it as useless and out of date. It is a living Book; it is a Book for every age, every class, every person. It is, as the Apostle Paul tells us, “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.

“Search the Scriptures; for... they are they which testify of Me.” John 5:39.

ML 12/02/1956

Bible Questions for December

The Children’s Class

1. To whom is everyone going to bow the knee?

2. Should we murmur and dispute about doing things?

3. Is the Lord going to change the bodies of believers and make them like His own when He comes?

4. Is God rich enough to supply all our needs?

5. Who is the Head of the Church?

6. In whose Name should we do all things?

7. For what did Epaphras labor fervently in prayer?

The Young People’s Class Types and Shadows

1. What was the last feast of the year for Israel? Lev. 23.

2. When the Lord Jesus was here, what did He say on the last day of this feast? John 7.

3. What provision was made for the Israelites who were bitten by the serpents? Numbers.

4. Who was lifted up on the cross for sinners, that we might have everlasting life? John.

5. What did Hezekiah do when he found the people burning incense to the serpent of brass? 2 Kings 18.

6. Did the Lord tell Israel to gather together and He would give them water? Numbers 21.

7. Is it sufficient to read the Word at home, or does the Lord want His own to gather together now? Hebrews.

ML 12/02/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 4:1-2.

The touching account in our chapter of a poor widow who could not pay her debt is very sweet and precious. God never loses sight of the individual. He knows all about us and He delights to have us call upon Him in time of need. In this connection we could take the poor widow here as a picture of a Christian mother who cries to the Lord on behalf of her children. She feels her own utter helplessness, perhaps having no husband to help, and with sorrow of heart she sees her children being led away in the paths of sin. The widow in our chapter had had a husband who feared the Lord and she called upon the Lord to come in and answer the desire of both their hearts for their children. This is very lovely, for the Lord delights to have Christian parents claim the promise, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31. He does not want our children to be turned aside into the world. He wants them to be saved, but we may be sure they are the special target of the enemy’s attack. He wants to break up every Christian home and ruin its testimony. May we who are parents be in real earnest on behalf of our families.

Notice here that the widow had a great debt, and it was because this debt was not paid that the creditor was about to take her two sons into slavery. Surely this reminds us of our great debt of sin — a debt we could never pay, nor could we set ourselves free from the power of sin. Yes, we were in slavery. What a hopeless condition we were in, and indeed, if the one who reads these lines is unsaved, you are in this position right now. Are you concerned about it, as this widow was? Do you feel the solemnity of your position with judgment hanging over you? Cry to God right now, asking Him to meet you in your need, just as this woman called upon Elisha, the prophet of the Lord.

Elisha then asked her two questions. He asked her what she would like hire to do for her and also what she had in her house. How searching are these two questions for those of us who are parents! What is our greatest desire for our children? Is it for worldly success? Is it to see our children stand first in their classes and get high positions in the world? It was not so with this woman, but rather that the debt might be paid and that her two sons might be delivered from slavery. Then in reply to the prophet’s second question as to what, she had in her house, she could say, “Thine handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil.”

Oil in Scripture is a well-known figure of the Holy Spirit, and it would remind us here of that verse, “And take... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Eph. 6:17. What an important thing to have the Bible in our homes and to read it; and yet how often it is neglected. We do not fully realize what a treasure the Bible is, just as this woman did not realize what a treasure she had in that pot of oil. Alas, there are many who have a Bible in their homes, but they have never learned from its blessed pages the wonderful truth of redemption. They have never learned how the Lord Jesus paid sin’s debt on the cross, when in those three hours of darkness He bore our sins in His own body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24). Yes, the Lord Jesus exhausted all the judgment for all who believe — blessed Saviour!

ML 12/02/1956

Beautiful Snow

I know that this Messages of the Love of God is read by a good many boys and girls who have never seen snow. But, at least you have heard about it, and I would like to speak to you today about the beautiful snow, and the way in which it illustrates God’s power, God’s grace, and God’s glory.

Snowflakes are so very light that we are hardly conscious of them as they fall upon us one by one. If we look at them carefully we can see their great beauty, and yet we can scarcely feel their weight. But they do have power. Many of us have seen enough snow come down to stop a powerful locomotive, to crush in the roof of a building, and to bring all the plans and purposes of man to a complete standstill.

Job 37:6 says: “For He saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth.”

Have you ever thought about this, as you have seen great drifts of snow, and have witnessed God’s great power in bringing all man’s works to a standstill? The snow also reminds us of God’s wondrous grace. I am sure you have often thought of Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

Yes, those beautiful white flakes drifting down from the sky are intend to remind us of God’s Word which tells us that our guilty sins can be washed whiter than snow in the precious blood of Jesus. Not only does snow speak to us of God’s power and God’s grace, but it also reminds us of His glory.

Do you remember, in the 9th chapter of Mark’s gospel, when the Lord Jesus stood on the top of the mountain His robe is described as “exceeding white as snow”?

There is a day coming when all the redeemed ones shall stand in the presence of just such glory, and we are already fitted to be there through the work which the Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross of Calvary.

Let us never forget then when we see the glistening snow, that it speaks to us of:

The power of God;
The grace of God;
The glory of God.

“WASH ME, AND I SHALL BE WHITER THAN SNOW.” Psalm 51:7.

ML 12/09/1956

Margaret's Choice

Margaret was the daughter of wealthy parents, who sought to bring her up for the world. When she grew older she was sent away to college, where she later learned to know the Lord Jesus as her own Saviour. She accepted Him, and decided to devote her life to Him.

Margaret wrote home to her father, telling him of her new-found joy in Christ. He was unhappy about it, and wrote her immediately, saying, “Margaret, get on the next train; come home, and we shall talk this foolishness over.”

She obeyed, and returned home. As her father met her, he said, “I did not send you away to get religion. That is all right for some people, but not for a child in your stratum of life. I sent you to college to learn how to take your place in society and to carry on the family name. You will have to get this notion out of your head. If by tomorrow morning you have not decided to give up your ideas, you may pack your suitcase and leave this home. I am not going to have a religious fanatic around my household.”

Margaret went up to her room with a heavy heart, and prayed that the Lord would help her in this trial. It meant a great deal to leave home; it would mean loss of love, culture, and money. She decided that Christ was far better to her than any, earthly gain and ambition, and, the next morning, after packing her suitcase, she started for the front door. Seeing no one about, she stepped over to the piano, and as her fingers ran over the keys the Lord brought this hymn to her mind:

Jesus, I my cross have taken,

All to leave and follow Thee;

Destitute, despised, forsaken,

Thou from hence, my all shalt be:

Perish every fond ambition,

All I’ve sought and hoped and

known;

Yet how rich is my condition,

God and Heaven are still my own!

She arose, and with tears streaming down her face, turned toward the door.

Before she could open it, her father stepped out from behind the curtain where he had been listening to her play, and said: “Wait! I did not know that Jesus Christ meant as much to you as that. I did not know that you were willing to give up father, mother, and home just for Jesus. Margaret, forgive me, for if such a great love can take hold of your heart, there must be something in it. Sit down here and tell me how I can be a Christian.” The result was that her father who had long despised the Lord Jesus, received Him as his Saviour.

Perhaps some of you, like Margaret, have parents, relatives or friends who do not know the Lord Jesus. If you are a Christian, how wonderful it would be if you could tell them of Jesus and His love. He longs to have boys and girls, men and women come to Him, for when He washes our sins in His precious blood, He makes them whiter than snow. If you haven’t come to the Lord Jesus to be saved, come now, and He will save you and make you His child.

“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow: though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18.

ML 12/09/1956

The Disappearing Island

In the South Pacific Ocean, off the eastern coast of Australia, is the tiny Falcon Island that seems to play hide-and-seek. In some years this island can be seen, but in other years it is hard to find. Fifteen years ago it was a mound rising thirty feet above the water but today it has sunk beneath the water.

When this island was discovered in 1865, explorers thought it was a reef. Thirty years later it had risen fifty feet. Then it almost disappeared from sight. Twenty-five years ago it was a peak six hundred feet high. Now it has vanished!

The secret of the island’s ups and downs is simple. It is a volcano and sometimes explosions force the island up and add to its peak. When the volcano is quiet, however, the ocean waves lash at the peak, wearing it down and covering it. That is what has happened to the island today.

I can almost hear some of our young readers say, “I surely wouldn’t want to live on an island like that!” — and neither would I! And yet how many today are building their hopes for eternity on just such a shifting island — on a foundation that will not hold!

Dear reader, are you building on the solid Rock — the Rock, Christ Jesus for TIME and ETERNITY? Have you trusted Him as your Saviour and your eternal Resting Place? If not, you are on a sinking foundation that will one day slip down to hell forever!

We often sing:

“Let all around my soul give way,

He still abides my lasting stay.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.”

We urge you to put your trust in the Lord Jesus TODAY!

“And a Man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” Isa. 32:2.

“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.

ML 12/09/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 4:2-6.

This poor widow was soon to find out what a treasure she had in that pot of oil. But before we go on with our story, would it not be well for each one of us to answer the question she was asked as to what she had in her house? Can we expect our children to be brought to know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour if we allow them to feed on all the evil that comes over the radio, and television, to say nothing of the other things such as magazines and lustful pictures that too often come into Christians’ homes? I believe we would all do well to ask ourselves the question which Elisha asked this woman, “What hast thou in the house?” If there is anything that is leading our children’s hearts away from Christ, and turning them to sin, let us get rid of it at once. One feels this is of all importance in a day like this when the devil is making inroads into Christian homes, as he never has before. It is amazing how even real Christians will allow, and even defend, the most shocking things in their homes. Oh may we keep our homes for the Lord, lest we become like poor Lot, who could not close the door of his house to evil when he wanted to, because it had been opened to the wicked inhabitants of Sodom too long! If we do not keep out the world when our children are young, we may find with sorrow, as Lot did, that we cannot when they are older.

After the widow woman had told Elisha that she had the pot of oil in her house, he told her to go and borrow empty vessels from her neighbors. She was to borrow many — “not a few.”

What a beautiful picture of the grace of God in this day. God’s grace is reaching out to many “empty vessels” — to all who are willing to take their place as empty, having nothing to present to God, only to acknowledge they are lost and helpless. “He bare the sin of many.” Isaiah 53:12. These are the ones who get the blessing. Dear sinner, if you come to God in any righteousness of your own, you will be rejected. Only “empty vessels” are acceptable, for God can fill them, as He did here.

When the widow had gathered all the empty vessels she could, she went into a room, alone with her sons, and shut the door; then she began to pour out the oil to fill the vessels. So it is with a sinner — he must get alone with God. The Spirit of God working in his heart convicts him of sin (John 16: 7-11) and then bears witness to the finished work of Christ who paid sin’s debt in full at Calvary. How wonderfully the Lord used the widow’s pot of oil; and how wonderfully He will use the Word in the power of the Spirit in blessing to every “empty vessel” who comes to Him.

As each vessel was filled it was set apart; and when we receive the Lord Jesus as our Saviour we too are set apart for glory, no longer part of this judged world, but waiting for the Lord Jesus to come and receive us unto Himself. May He make this truth practical in our hearts and lives even now, for we should seek to walk in separation from the evil about us.

The boys continued to bring the vessels to be filled; and as long as there were vessels there was plenty of oil. At last the mother asked for another vessel, but there were no more. Then “the oil stayed.” What a solemn day it will be for this world when the Lord calls His own away, at which time the Spirit of God will leave too. (2 Thess. 2: 7.)

ML 12/09/1956

Ready to Go

Some boys and girls take a very long time to get up and get dressed in the morning. I think these boys and girls are a bit lazy, don’t you? I remember visiting a big building one day with my little boy, and there we saw a group of men who could get dressed faster than anyone I ever saw. They could bounce right out of bed and pull on their great boots and hats so quickly. They were in such a rush that they didn’t even bother to run down the stairs; they just jumped through a hole in the floor and slid down a great brass pole. Perhaps you have already guessed that these men were firemen.

Yes, all the time that these men are in this building and on duty they must be ready to go. Whenever the fire alarm sounds, they must drop immediately whatever they are doing and get aboard the trucks just as quickly as they can. Then away they go down the street, with the sirens and whistles blowing.

Some day many of us are going to be called upon to stop whatever we are doing, and to leave in a great hurry too. Yes, we are going to be called to leave this world altogether and never again to return. Are you ready to go? If you read the 25th chapter of Matthew, you will find the story of ten virgins, five of whom were wise and five of whom were foolish. The wise were those who were ready to go, and the foolish were those who were not ready. The Word of God plainly tells us that the Lord Jesus will soon come from heaven with a shout, and all those who are sheltered by His precious blood are ready to go and will be caught up to be with Him forever in heaven. But those who have not accepted Him as their Saviour, and are still in their sins, will be left behind to be cast into outer darkness forever. Are you ready to go?

“BE YE ALSO READY: FOR IN SUCH AN HOUR AS YE THINK NOT THE SON OF MAN COMETH.” Matthew 24:44.

ML 12/16/1956

"I Can't Read"

Quite a number of years ago, a dear old servant of the Lord by the name of Doctor Baedeker was visiting some of the prisons in Russia. He had just been speaking to large group of prisoners in the city of Kishenev and was about to leave, when one of the officials said, “We have a murderer in our charge in solitary confinement.”

“Take me to his cell, please,” said Doctor Baedeker.

Turning to the stone staircase which led to the underground dungeons, the warden led the way to the dark basement regions of the prison. Here in a lonely cell lay the murderer. The visitor introduced himself by offering a copy of the New Testament in Russian.

“Thank you, sir, but I cannot read,” sadly replied the prisoner.

“Here then is the very thing for you,” was the happy reply. “You will be able to read this, and it teaches the truth that is most important for you to know.”

The visitor produced a small book of three pages and handed it to the convict. He took it, opened it, turned it over, and gazed with a puzzled look upon its pages. No words were there, but simply colors. The first page was black, the second was red, and the third was white. It was a copy of what is widely known as “The Wordless Book.”

“What is the meaning of this? I cannot understand,” said the condemned man.

This was the question the visitor was waiting for, to set the gospel of God’s wonderful grace before the prisoner.

“The black page represents sin—yours and mine,” he explained; “sin against God, sin in the heart and in the life, black as night. The red page speaks to us of the precious blood of Christ by which alone sin can be cleansed and put away. The white page speaks to us of the perfect salvation and the cleansing of our souls through the Lord Jesus Christ. This cleansing can be yours by faith in the Saviour of sinners.”

It was all so new to the poor convict. From one page to the other of “The Wordless Book” his eyes anxiously wandered and his hands began to tremble.

“You are able to read that little book are you not?” asked the kind visitor.

“Yes, thank God,” he replied as big teardrops fell upon his chained hands. “And thank you, sir, a thousand fold for bringing such a message to one so unworthy as I am.”

I am sure that there was joy in the presence of the angels of God that day over the repentant sinner of Kishenev. Which page represents my reader’s present condition? Be honest with yourself and answer to God. Is your heart stained black with sin, or is it washed white in the precious blood of the Lord Jesus?

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18.

ML 12/16/1956

A Lesson from the Ermine

In the forests of northern Europe and Asia lives a little animal called the ermine. He is from the weasel family and is famous for his snow-white fur. White ermine fur is very valuable and is often used on the robes of kings and judges — the white being emblematic of purity and honor. The ermine is very careful of his white fur coat and protects it against anything that would spoil it.

It is said that the fur hunters take cruel advantage of the ermine’s care to keep his fur clean. They do not set a trap to catch him, but instead they find his little home — a cleft in the rock or the hollow of a decaying tree and smear the entrance and inside with dirt and unclean matter. The dogs then start the chase and the ermine becomes frightened and hurries toward his home which is the only place of refuge. When he arrives he finds it covered with uncleanness and he will not soil his pure white coat. Rather than go into the unclean place, he turns and faces the barking dogs and preserves the purity of his fur at the price of his life. He would rather die than be unclean.

What a lesson this is to us, and it would make us think of many dear men and women, and boys and girls, who have been followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and rather than do that which was displeasing to the Lord, they have laid down their lives.

We read of a little boy who lived in Chicago, about one hundred years ago, who was going on an errand for his mother. Some wicked boys asked him to go into an orchard and steal some apples for them. This dear boy told them he couldn’t do such a terrible thing because he was a follower of the Lord Jesus, but they told him they would duck him in the pond if he didn’t do it. He still refused to steal and as a result the boys pushed him into the pond and he was drowned.

Perhaps you, dear Christian reader, may not be called upon to lay down your life, but you can live each day in a way that will be pleasing to the Lord, if you ask Him to help you.

“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10.

ML 12/16/1956

The Worst Disease

The worst of all diseases

Is slight compared with sin;

On every part it seizes,

But rages most within.

‘Tis palsy, plague, and fever,

And madness all combined;

And none but a believer

The least relief can find.

From men great skill professing

I thought a cure to gain.

But this proved most distressing,

And added to my pain.

Some thought that nothing ailed me,

Some gave me up for lost;

Thus every refuge failed me,

And all my hopes were crossed.

At length, the great Physician—

How matchless is His grace!—

Accepted my petition

And understood “my case.”

First gave me sight to see Him,

For sin my eyes had sealed,

Then bade me look unto Him.

I looked, and I was healed.

ML 12/16/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 4:7-16.

It is lovely to hear what the prophet said to the widow here: “Go, sell the oil, and pay the debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.” How wonderful to know, on the assurance of God’s Word, that our debt of sin has all been paid! But that is not all, for the prophet also said, “Live thou and thy children of the rest.” The poor widow was afraid her children would be taken for slaves, but what a change takes place now. Not only was her debt paid, but there was plenty for the future, plenty to live on. How grand this is! What a word to us, as parents! We not only desire to see our children saved, but living by the Spirit in the enjoyment of their portion. The Word of God not only tells us the way of salvation, but it also marks out the whole pathway, and the Spirit of God is the power to walk in it. What a happy home this must have been; and there is no happier home on earth now than the one where all are saved and walking in the truth.

How touching it is to see the grace of God reaching out to poor souls in need, not to the great and mighty of earth only, but to a poor widow, and now to a man and his wife in Shunem. We notice that Elisha sought out the poor of the flock and received a welcome to this humble abode. The wife in this home was more perceptive than her husband, and she realized that Elisha was not a mere traveler, but a man of God. She suggested to her husband that they make a little room for him so he could stay with them whenever he passed by that way. This is sweet and touching. How easy for some, with their grand homes, to be so occupied in keeping them nice, that they do not have a place or welcome for the Lord’s people. Dear young people, as you plan your home, do you have in view the thought of entertaining the Lord’s pele? Do you plan to have a “prophet’s chamber? It does not need to be grand, but a quiet place with a bed, a table, and a candlestick, like this “great woman” of Shunem provided for Elisha. This was sufficient for the man of God. It was his room, and it was not extravagant to have this room for him, as it was not extravagant for Mary of Bethany to pour her ointment on the feet of Jesus. He has said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Let us learn to value things rightly in view of eternity.

This “great woman” did not look for any reward — she only did what she could for the Lord. But the Lord delights to reward devotedness to Himself and so one day Elisha called her in and made a few suggestions as to what he might do for her. He told her how he appreciated her care and thoughtfulness, and suggested that he could speak to the king or to the captain of the host for her, but she did not seek such honors as that. I wonder if we are looking for honor and recognition for what we do, or are we content to go along with the lowly (Romans 12:16)? This woman might have wanted to be “somebody” in the world, but even though the Lord had not given her a family, she recognized her place was in the home, and she sought to use her home for Him. This is very sweet, and a lesson suited to our day, one feels, when so many women are not satisfied with the God-given place in the home. The Lord rewarded the faith of this dear woman, and Elisha promised her a son, even though so late in her life. She thought it impossible, but it was not, for with God all things are possible.

ML 12/16/1956

Around, Within, up

It was wintertime and the ground was covered with freshly fallen snow. A little girl was crossing a field of snow and in the quiet stillness she began to think. She looked around on the lovely pure white snow. Then she looked inside herself and thought of her own little sinful heart. She knew it was black with sin. At last she looked up into the sky and thought of the Lord Jesus who came to earth and died for her sins on the cross of Calvary.

As she thought of these things a little verse came to her mind which she had learned from the Psalms. It was the prayer of King David when he learned how sinful he was in the sight of God. She prayed the same prayer that he did so long before, “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7.

Did the Lord Jesus up in heaven hear her simple prayer? Indeed He did. Right there in the middle of the field He heard her cry and washed her white and clean in His most precious blood. He is ever ready to hear those who cry to Him, and if you have never turned to Him in all your need, why not do so today? Although God hates sin, yet He loves the sinner and in wondrous love He sent His own Son to bear our sins in His own body on the tree. Now as a risen living Saviour He offers a full and free pardon to all who call upon Him in truth.

“THE LORD IS NIGH UNTO ALL THEM THAT CALL UPON HIM, TO ALL THAT CALL UPON HIM IN TRUTH.” Psalm 145:18.

ML 12/23/1956

The Name That is Above Every Name

When I was a boy at school, I had to learn a great many stories about kings and mighty men of this earth. Their names are to be found in history and geography books; boys and girls are still learning and memorizing the stories of David Livingstone, Napoleon Bonaparte, George Washington, and many others.

Although these names are well known in the world today, there is one name which is above every other name. Many years ago there was born in the little town of Bethlehem, a wonderful baby to whom there was given the precious name of Jesus. The Word of God tells us in the first chapter of Matthew, “Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” All the hosts of heaven rejoiced at the birth of this wonderful babe, and we all know the story of the shepherds and the wise men who came to visit Him. He was not an ordinary babe, for He was God’s eternal Son — perfect God, and perfect man. Is it not strange that as we read farther in the story of this precious One who came to be the Saviour, we find that the very ones whom He loved so dearly refused to accept Him. We see His enemies take the blessed hands, which had done so much good, and nail them to the cross. We see them take His feet, which had walked so many weary miles in blessing, and nail them to the cross. And then, we see them nail above His head His accusation written: “This is Jesus the King of the Jews.”

How very sad it is to see that they took the very name of Jesus, which was given to Him at His birth, and nailed it over His cross as the only accusation which they could find against Him. If this were the end of the story it would be sad indeed. Just think that the only good man who ever lived in this world, the One whom the Father sent to be the Saviour of the world, was put to death with His precious name nailed above His head. But the glorious truth is that the One who was nailed to the cross and put to death has risen again. And now read in Philippians 2:9-11:

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

I am sure that many of the boys and girls who read Messages of the Love of God have learned in school about the mighty and noble men of this world, and I believe too that you have heard long before this the wondrous story of the Lord Jesus Christ. But I want to ask you if the name of Jesus is precious to your heart? Is He your Saviour? Only think of the cross where they nailed Him, and think of His blessed name nailed above His head, and then ask yourself, “Have I accepted this precious Saviour as my own?”

“Unto you therefore which believe He is precious.” 1 Peter 2:7.

ML 12/23/1956

Golden Opportunities

A Scotch botanist went out to the hills one bright day to study his favorite flowers. Presently he picked a heather bell and put it upon the glass at his microscope. He stretched himself at length upon the ground and began to look at it through the microscope. Moment after moment passed and still he lay there gazing, entranced by the beauty of the little flower.

Suddenly a shadow fell upon the ground where he lay. Looking up he saw a tall, weather-beaten shepherd looking down with a smile of half-concealed amusement at a man spending his time looking through a glass at so common a thing as a heather bell. Without a word the botanist reached up and handed the shepherd the microscope. He placed it to his eye and began to look. For a long time he gazed in enraptured silence.

When he handed back the glass, the botanist noticed that the tears were streaming down his bronzed cheeks and falling on the ground at his feet.

“What’s the matter?” asked the botanist. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Beautiful?” said the shepherd. “It is beautiful beyond all words. But I’m thinking of how many thousands of them I have trodden under foot!”

I wonder how many opportunities to accept Christ you have trodden under foot in your lifetime.

God’s time to be saved is NOW. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

You have sixty NOWS every hour of your life. That means a thousand for the waking hours of each day.

Opportunity, with her millions of NOWS, will be against you in that last great day of judgment, if you reject Christ. I seem to hear her voice on the witness stand:

“A thousand times a day I came to him. I was with him in the tender hours of youth. I came to him in the pleadings of his mother. I drew near to him in the hours of bereavement and sorrow. I spoke to him in the tender solicitations of devoted friends. I touched him in the prayers and pleadings of his dearest ones. I sounded the warning hundreds of times from the gospel meeting. I whispered to him in the night watches as he lay in the silence of his own thoughts and the convictions of his own conscience. Yet for all these years he has unceasingly trodden me under foot.”

There are souls in the awful place of the lost who would give a million worlds for just one more of the precious NOWS you are treading under foot. And when you see these trampled NOWS in the light of eternity you too will weep with unspeakable agony in the realization that not one of them will ever return.

Dear reader, do not trifle with that little word, “NOW.” NOW is God’s time to be saved!

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

ML 12/23/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 4:17-29.

The Lord gave the “great woman” of Shunem a son as He had promised, but it was not long until He tested her faith. One day when the child was grown, he went out with his father to the field with the reapers. Suddenly he experienced a pain in his head, and his father told a servant to carry him to his mother. The servant did so, and the child sat on her knee until noon and then died.

She had been walking with God in her soul, and so He sustained her in this deep trial. She was not swallowed up with sorrow, but realized that the Lord had allowed it, and that He alone could help her. She therefore took the dead child to the room of the man of God and laid him on his bed. She then told her husband that she would go to Carmel where the man of God was at this time, and she saddled an ass for the journey. Her husband could not understand her doing this, for he apparently did not know the One to whom we can turn in trouble. He lacked faith for such a trial in any case. How true it is that trouble brings out the true state of our souls, and if we are going on with the Lord, He sustains us. We then find a blessing in the trial, instead of questioning or rebelling against the ways of God.

This “great woman” started out for Carmel, telling her servant to go right forward with all speed. When she came near, Elisha saw her and sent his servant to meet her. He asked her if she, her husband, and her child were all well. She answered, “It is well.” This was faith indeed. Her only child was dead, and yet she could say, “It is well!” How wonderfully the Lord sustains those who look to Him, for if we consider that He orders all our circumstances, they must be well. He is perfect in wisdom, love, and power.

“We expect a bright tomorrow;

All will be well

Faith can sing through days of sorrow

All, all is well.

On our Father’s love relying,

Jesus every need supplying;

Or in living, or in dying,

All must be well.”

When the mother of the child came to Elisha she caught him by the feet, and Gehazi his servant was ready to pull her away. He did not like such familiarity, but Elisha said to leave her alone. The natural heart of man can never understand the confidence of faith. Such people, like Gehazi, do not believe that the Lord is interested in all the affairs of our lives — but He is! Even Elisha did not know what had taken place, but having the spirit of His Master, he would not turn her away. What a lesson for us! We may not understand the trials others are passing through at times, but let us learn to be gentle and not turn them away. Our hardness of heart and lack of sympathy often hinders us from helping those who are in need of help and comfort. Gehazi would have missed the opportunity altogether, but Elisha won her confidence and she soon opened her heart to him. However, she did not tell all her trouble at first, but her remarks revealed something of the burden upon her heart. Elisha was quick to see this, and was willing to help. He told Gehazi to go without delay, and lay his staff upon the face of the dead child.

ML 12/23/1956

"The End of It"

A little boy was sitting looking out the window of the train as it traveled along through the desert part of the western states. It was not wintertime, as it is now, but it was a very hot day and coaches were not air-conditioned then, as most of them are today. The scenery was monotonous and the coach was very stuffy, but the little fellow sat quietly, even though he was all alone.

Finally a motherly old lady leaned forward and asked, “Aren’t you tired of the long ride and the dust and the heat?”

The little lad looked up and replied so brightly, “Yes, a little. But I don’t mind it much because my father is going to meet me when I get to the end of it.”

Happy boy! He knew his father was going to meet him and so the journey was lightened. He could bear the heat of the day as he thought of that. Dear reader, how is it with you? Perhaps you are having a long and tiresome journey through life. Perhaps it has been one of trouble and sorrow, but I wonder if you know where it is going to end. This is the end of the year 1956, but what about the end of your life on earth. Everyone is not going to have a bright ending to life’s journey, for the Bible says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27. If you should die in your sins, then God who is holy must punish your sins in a lost eternity. How sad it would be to have a life of sorrow in this world, and then step into eternity unprepared.

But, though God is holy, He loves sinners. In matchless grace He sent His Son down from heaven to die upon the cross of Calvary as the Sin-bearer, that we might be saved. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. Would you not like your journey through life to end in the Father’s house in heaven? The dear little boy of whom we have been speaking was happy because he knew his train journey would end with a welcome and an embrace from his father, but I know something far better than that. When my life’s journey is over I have a home above, where I shall see the face of the Saviour who died for me, and God my Father will welcome me there. That is my eternal home. Dear reader, I wonder if you will be there too? If you take the Lord Jesus Christ right now as your own personal Saviour, all this will be yours.

The Lord Jesus said,

“IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE ARE MANY MANSIONS: IF IT WERE NOT SO I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU. I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU.” John 14:2.

ML 12/30/1956

Jesus in the Home

Mrs. Cooper carefully folded her last piece of ironing and set aside her heavy iron. It was a very hot afternoon and, although she was tired from her day’s work, she looked very happy and peaceful.

“Jenny,” she called. “Come here and run an errand for me, will you please?”

In a moment her little daughter Jenny was by her side.

“Yes, Mother, what may I do for you?”

“Will you please take this basket of ironing over to Mrs. Patterson’s home? I promised it to her for this evening.”

“All right, Mother, I won’t be long.”

And with a cheerful smile Jenny picked up the basket and started down the road. Although she had quite often been to Mrs. Patterson’s home with ironing from her mother, she was always just a little timid, for it was such a grand and beautiful home and so very different from Jenny’s humble home.

This time Mrs. Patterson herself answered the door, and took the basket of ironing from little Jenny.

“Hello, Jenny, my dear. Would you care to come inside for a few minutes?’

Very shyly Jenny stepped inside, and followed Mrs. Patterson as she showed her the beautiful pictures, lovely carpets, and the flowers which she had arranged here and there throughout the various rooms of her home.

“Don’t you think these things are lovely, Jenny?”

“Yes, Mrs. Patterson, they are certainly pretty. What a beautiful home for Jesus to visit. Does He ever come here?”

There was quite a long pause, and then Mrs. Patterson answered slowly, “Why no, Jesus doesn’t visit here.”

“Don’t you ever ask Him?” said Jenny. “We have only a room and a bedroom and we have no carpets or pretty things, but Jesus comes and makes us very happy in our home.”

Very little more was said, but I feel sure that Mrs. Patterson would not soon forget the remark of her little visitor.

I wonder how it is with the one who is reading this story. It may be that yours is not a home where Jesus is free to visit, but at least you can make Him welcome in your own heart, and I hope that you will do so now. He says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20.

ML 12/30/1956

The Best Name

In China there are thousands of people who do not know the true God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Instead they worship idols. One of the main idols is a huge one named Buddha.

There was a rich Chinese merchant who employed a little, bent old Chinese lady named Mrs. Yellow to come to his home. Mrs. Yellow’s job was to keep repeating the name of Buddha over and over as often as possible. In that way, the merchant thought, he was pleasing Buddha, and it was a lot easier to pay someone else to do it than to do it himself. This was Mrs. Yellow’s only way of earning money, so hour by hour she repeated Buddha’s name, counting off beads as she did so she could remember how many times she had said it.

Mrs. Yellow would often attend the gospel meetings held by some Christians. She liked to listen to Bible stories but never had taken the Lord Jesus as her own precious Saviour.

As the days went by, Mrs. Yellow found that she thought more and more of the Lord Jesus of whom she was hearing at the gospel meetings, and repeated Buddha’s name less often. Even so, it seemed too difficult to leave the habit of counting beads and saying “Buddha,” so she went on with her job. At last, however, the name of Jesus was too strong for either Mrs. Yellow or the idol Buddha! She realized that it was wrong to keep Buddha in her mind all the time, but far worse to keep Jesus out of her life. So one day she let go of her beads and said, “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!” The Name which is above every name — the Name of the Son of God — brought to her a new happiness. She knew from that moment that God had forgiven her sins through Christ’s finished work and that she was free!

Quietly, but joyfully, Mrs. Yellow went to her employer and told him that she was now a follower of the Lord Jesus so she could no longer say Buddha’s name for him.

“You are very foolish,” sneered the rich Chinese merchant; “you will starve to death without my money, and what good will Jesus’ Name do then? Can it help you?”

“Yes, He can,” replied he old lady. “My God has promised to supply all my needs through that Name. But if I die, I will but be with Him the sooner!”

Old Mrs. Yellow did not starve for the Lord Jesus took care of her. She lived many more years to tell others of the precious Saviour she had found, before she went to be with Him forever.

This little story makes us think of the Thessalonian believers of whom the Apostle Paul wrote: “Ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thess. 1:9, 10.

Perhaps you do not worship idols of wood and stone like people in some countries do — but you may be one of those who have never taken the Lord Jesus as your very own Saviour. We urge you to trust Him today and you will find true peace and happiness like the Chinese lady in our story did. If you reject Him you will be lost forever.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

ML 12/30/1956

Bible Talks: 2 Kings 4:30-34.

This earnest woman was not satisfied with having Elisha’s servant put his staff upon the face of her dead child, and so she said to Elisha, “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” These words must have touched the heart of Elisha in a special way, for he had said the same thing to Elijah long before, when Elijah suggested that he tarry behind. No doubt he thought of what he would have missed had he stayed behind then, and so he rose up and followed the poor sorrowing mother to her home. To lay his staff upon the dead boy’s face did not give life for we read here that Gehazi soon came back to tell that the child had not moved. No form or ceremony can give life to a dead soul, not even to the smallest child. They may be under the sound of the Word, like the child under Elisha’s staff, but the Lord alone can give that new life.

It is interesting at this point, to look at the dead child here as a picture of a child brought up in a Christian home, where all seems well for a time, but soon the parents realize that their child is dead in sin and needs new life. Faith can count upon the promise, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house,” Acts 16:31, but such faith is not negligent, for “faith without works is dead.” James 2:26. True faith will manifest itself, and will be deeply concerned over our children’s salvation. It will not rest until it knows that God has given that new life, as this mother would not until her child was given back its natural life. “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. Faith lays our children bore the Lord and then earnestly seeks the fulfillment of the promise. Just as this woman was not satisfied with having Elisha’s staff laid on the face of her dead child, so a Christian parent should not be satisfied merely to know that his child goes to Sunday school, or is brought under the sound of the gospel in other ways. This mother would not rest until her child was alive. This was her all-absorbing desire for him.

Her reply here, “Did I desire a son of my lord?” has instruction for us too. If the Lord has given us children, we should be exercised that we have His will in all things, bearing in mind the solemn position of responsibility in which He places us. We should seek His help in training our children for Christ, rather than that through our neglect they should be lost forever.

Before this woman had a child at all, her life was one of useful service to the Lord, and now, after the Lord had given her a son, the same devotedness is seen in her new responsibility. The root of all sin is our own wills, and if we are restless and unhappy in the circumstances where God has placed us, it is self-will that makes us so, and a change of circumstances will not bring about happiness. It is the sense of God’s love and grace in the soul that gives submission and happiness. What lessons there are in this little story for our home life in its various exercises!

When Elisha arrived at his room in the Shunammite’s home, he found the dead child laid upon his bed. The very first thing he did was to shut the door and pray. He knew he could not do anything of himself, so he turned to the Lord. After prayer he lay upon the child, putting his mouth upon the child’s mouth, his eyes upon the child’s eyes, and his hands upon the child’s hands.

ML 12/30/1956

Messages of God's Love: 1956

Table of Contents

Your Nome

The Faithful Negro Boy

Bible Questions for January

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 6:29-7:12.

God's Answer

The Faithful Negro Boy

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 7:13-37.

What Does the Clock Say?

The Bible

Harry's Dream

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 7:38-8:8.

A Dog That God Used

"The Little Chimney Sweep"

"Wonderful"

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 8:9-34.

"Can't You Talk?"

A Picnic

A Pair of Skis

"I've Forgotten!"

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 8:35-9:7.

The Clock That Would Not Go

The Son of a King

The Shoeblock

Bible Questions for February

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 9:8-10:1.

Marked and Claimed

All Rubbed Out

None Other Name

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 10:2-5.

Lost

Hasnas' Greatest Treasure

"She Is Worth It"

Answered Prayer

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 10:5-13.

Annie

The A.B.C. of the Gospel

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 10:13-11:13.

Brave Andy

Frank's Testimony

"He Died for Sinners"

Bible Questions for March

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 11:14-12:15.

The Ice Cake Ride

The Story of a Happy Man

An Accident

"I Want You"

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 12:16-24.

"Laid on Him"

The Story of an Echo

Tommy's Faith

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 12:25- 13:8.

All Ready for Heaven

Apples and Tracts

"For Me"

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 13:9-18.

Believing God

"Little Anna"

Only a Step

Bible Questions for April

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 13:19-32.

"Am I Too Little?"

"Peace and Glory"

Lost Eddie

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 13:33-14:6.

"I Know Him"

"Peace and Glory"

"Where Are You Going?"

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 14:7-27.

Mud

Answered Prayer

Little Tommy, the Sailor Boy

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 14:27-15:17.

Starting Together

Whosoever

Examination Day

Bible Talks: 1 Kings 15:18-17:1.

Confession

The Last!