Jewish Massacres.
The tidings that are constantly reaching us of the unspeakable persecutions now taking place in Russia may well turn our attention to the Scriptures, where we may learn why it is that such things are befalling the Jews. In Leviticus 26:1-141Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God. 2Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord. 3If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; 4Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 5And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. 6And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. 7And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. 8And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. 9For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you. 10And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new. 11And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. 12And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. 13I am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright. 14But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; (Leviticus 26:1‑14), we get a beautiful description of the peace and blessing they might have enjoyed as a nation, had they known how to walk in obedience to the law of Moses. To the end of the chapter we are given an outline of what would befall them if they chose a path of disobedience. Added to this is their national crime of murdering their Messiah. “His blood be upon us and on our children,” they cried, when handing Him over to the Romans for crucifixion. The “seven times” of punishment are passing over their guilty heads, and worse troubles await them in Palestine even than in Russia — that “time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time” (Dan. 12:11And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1)). Then, and not till then, will deliverance come. “The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads” (Isa. 35:1010And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35:10)).
“Peace and Safety.”
A correspondent recently sent , us a copy of the Daily Telegraph containing a leading article written in a most boastful spirit. Never, according to the writer, was England in a more prosperous condition, never further removed from all possibility of war, never more at peace with all her neighbors. This is the self-complacent spirit that, according to God’s Word, will precede the worst and final disasters. “When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction shall come upon them... and they shall not escape” (1 Thess. 5:33For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)). At the same time every nation of the world, east and west, is increasing its armaments and weapons of war.
Revival in New Zealand.
News reaches us of a gracious work of God’s Spirit in several parts of this colony. In one little mining township known to us, where, until recently, it was impossible to get the people together to hear the gospel, overflow meetings are being held, and every meeting is crowded with eager listeners. “The trouble now is not to get people to the meetings, but to get them away.... For the last fortnight meetings have been held every night, and every night the hall has been full, and every night there were fifteen or sixteen seeking conversion.” This wave of blessing was preceded by months of praying.
Awakening in Lincolnshire.
A letter just received tells of a blessed work in a small village in this county. A few weeks ago the indifference was terrible — now prayer and praise resound, and every house is open for visiting for reading the Word and prayer.
China’s Awakening.
This is an awakening of a sadly different kind. Some distinguished young Chinamen have just arrived in Europe to learn the art of war. “Their Government has sent them to England to learn the making of guns, rifles, and ammunition.” China, we are told, is “recruiting. Huge arsenals are to be built,” &c. Things are moving rapidly towards the final crisis between East and West. The sure word of prophecy is a lamp in the dark place. Revelation 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17) leads to the belief that along with the revival of the hope of the Lord’s return, a special gospel energy will precede the coming of Christ. Is not this exactly what is now taking place? The interval between the rapture of the saints and their manifestation in glory with Christ when He comes for judgment, will be filled up by the wars and rumors of wars for which all nations are now preparing. Thank God! Christians are not of this world. May we walk in separation from its course and ways!
Awakening in Germany.
News has just come to hand of great blessing attending the preaching of General Von V. at Barmen. About 4,000 persons have been gathered together in a large hall, the streets being crowded. Many conversions have taken place, and consciences have been reached. Our brother is known by name to many of our readers. Let us hold him up before God in prayer! The work is spreading.