Messages of God's Love: 1903

God’s word is full of hidden treasures. Deep and wonderful things are to be found there, and, “In keeping of them there is great reward.” Blessed is the man who finds delight in the law of the Lord.

It was the man after God’s own heart who uttered these words, “O bow love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” What made the word of God so dear to Israel’s sweet Psalmist, think you, my young reader? The secret, I doubt not, is in this—”it is my meditation all the day.”

Do you wish that God’s word was precious to you? Then meditate upon it, and your eyes will be opened to behold wondrous things out of God’s law. Meditate upon the written word, and meditate upon the living Word—Jesus—and your heart will be filled with joy and gladness. “My meditation of Him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the Lord.”

Our picture shows us one, who I think, loves God, and loves His word. He seems to be reading from his large, opened Bible, while before him sits an attentive, bright-faced little listener. The scene is rather a strange one— a blacksmith shop. On the stone floor lies a horse shoe, and on the rafter overhead, hang various pieces of iron waiting to be formed and welded. But the great hammer is at rest, and the anvil is serving as a stand to hold the big Bible. The dear old man can let his work stand for a little, while he searches for treasures which are of greater value than silver, or gold, or indeed than “all the things that could be desired.”

How far are we following his example? Are pleasures and cares so filling our time, that God’s word is shut out!

If this be so, we are losing more than all the treasures of this world heaped together; for their value is little, compared with the treasures which will come through the diligent study of God’s word.

ML 01/04/1903

The Encampment.

THE pillar went before the children of Israel and led them until they came to the shores of the Red Sea, and there, in the wilderness they encamped by the sea-side. But soon their hearts were filled with terror for they beheld a great host of Egyptians—armed men, and chariots—marching toward them. Pharaoh had got word of the flight of the people and his heart, and the hearts of his servants were turned against them, and they said, “Why have we let Israel go from serving us?” So Pharaoh made ready his chariot, and took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and put captains over every one of them, and followed in hot pursuit. And there, where they were encamped by the sea, they overtook them.

Do you wonder that this great army of armed men filled the hearts of that unarmed people with fear? They might have been kept in peace, had they but known that there was a greater power connected with the pillar which was their guide, than the power of all the proud warriors that were pressing on toward them. But they did not know, and in sore fear they cried out unto the Lord. And then they began to upbraid Moses, asking him if there were no graves in Egypt, that he had taken them there to die in the wilderness. They said it would have been better to serve the Egyptians than to die thus. This fear and unbelief on their part was very sad. They were looking at the difficulties instead of looking upon the pillar of the cloud where the Lord war—the One who was mighty to help them.

Their difficulties were surely very great, for death stared them in the face. The sea rolled before them, and to go forward would have been death; Pharaoh pressed on from behind, and should he overtake them, that also would be death. Little did those trembling hearts know the mighty deliverance that was awaiting them. In the moment of their direst distress, God spoke to them by His servant Moses— “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show you today; for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

What assurance was this! The Lord was on their side, and He would fight their battle for them. They had only to stand still and see the salvation that He would work.

We have a most beautiful lesson here. The child of God may be in great straits and there may seem to be no way out, but having cried to the Lord, he need only stand still and see the deliverance that God will bring to pass for him. He may seem to be hemmed in on every side, as the children of Israel were when they stood on the shore of the Red Sea, with death before and death behind, and mountains on either side which they were not able to climb. But there is no difficulty too great, even though it be a mountain, for God to remove; no enemy too strong for Him to overcome.

Let us then count upon God and take courage. He is leading us just as truly as He was leading Israel, and He will not allow our foes to gain the victory. For Israel, He was in the pillar of the cloud. For us, He is on the throne, and we can go to Him there and find grace to help in every time of need. Have we faith for this, or do our hearts sink as did the hearts of the children of Israel in the day of their sore trial?

ML 01/04/1903

Jack H.

He was just twenty-one years of age, strong and healthy, yet a little more than one week’s illness laid him low. Dear boys, who read this, are you looking forward to the time when you shall be of age? When you can call yourself a man? Then let me tell you of this one who at that age was called upon to die. There are two or three things I want to call to your attention about Jack. One was, that he was not afraid to die. And why was this, do you think? Was he not a sinner? And does not God say, “The wages of sin is death”? Oh, yes. But Jack could say —yes, did say, “I am trusting in the Lord my Saviour.” “The sting of death is sin,” but when we know Jesus as our Saviour, the sin is gone, and so death has no sting for the believer. Another thing I will tell you about Jack, he did not care to get well and live longer in this world. When asked what he wanted, he said, “I want to go home.” Home, for him, was where the Lord who loved him dwelt. Another thing, he was anxious for all his friends to go to that same home. One after another he called to his bedside, asking them to promise to meet him in heaven. Some of them have since that time believed in the. Lord Jesus Christ as their own Saviour. God grant that all may, before it is too late, take Jack’s Saviour for their own. Over his open grave we sang his favorite hymn:

“Come sinners view the Lamb of God.

Wounded and dead and bathed in blood;

Behold His side, and venture near,

The well of endless life is there.

Come away, come away,

Let Jesus wash your sins away.

ML 01/04/1903

Answers to Prayer.

No. 10.

ONE day at school we were writing the answers to some questions the teacher had given us. I had forgotten the answer to one of the questions, but having received answer to prayer in the past, I believed that the Lord could help me. So I silently asked Him to bring to my mind the word that I had forgotten. He heard my prayer and I was able to answer the question correctly.

About this time, a friend of mine, who was a true Christian and seeking to live for the Lord, was talking with me on the subject of prayer. She believed in answer to prayer, but had never thought of asking God for such a little thing as the answer to a question in a school test.

Dear children, God loves to hear and answer our prayers for the little things that we need day by day, as well as for the greater and more important things. Nothing is so small that He will not be glad to give it to us if we ask Him.

“All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive,” means the little things just as much as the big things.

Talk to God just as you would to an earthly friend. Tell Him everything—not only your needs, but also your joys and sorrows. He is ever ready and willing to listen.

ML 01/04/1903

Brought to Jesus.

A MINISTER preached from, “And they brought him to Jesus.” As he was going home, his little daughter, walking beside him, said, “I like that sermon so much.”

“Well,” inquired the father, “who are you going to bring to Jesus?”

A thoughtful expression came over her face as she replied, “I think, Papa, that I will just bring myself to Him.” And that was the best beginning.

“Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

ML 01/04/1903

Fishing with Nets.

WE SOMETIME ago, dear children, I wrote you about the Apostle Peter in connection with fishing. Here is another picture of fishing; and this takes place just before the winter sets in, when those who wish to lay in a supply of fish, set their nets in the lakes, and then put away in a small log building called a “cache”, all which they wish to reserve for winter use. Then “Jack Frost” soon fixes them; and thus they will keep good till spring. The cache has to be well made, or the wolves will probably break in and steal. I have known them to visit such a place; and to climb on the top to see if they could affect an entrance, and people have sometimes killed them with poison.

Well, when we set nets in the fall, as you see in the picture, we catch a great number. The good fish we reserve for food, and give the dogs the common ones.

Now, will you read in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13, from verse 47 to verse 51?

First, who is the speaker? He is the Lord Jesus Christ. And what is “the kingdom of heaven”? It is that form of Christianity which He as God foresaw the kingdom would take during the absence of Him as the rejected King. It will not be so when He as King Jesus Christ takes His great power and reigns over the whole earth. Satan is the god of this world just now, and practically reigns over the nations. That is why there are so many unsaved people in the kingdom of heaven, as it is down here. All baptized people are in it. Look again at the picture. Jesus says, “the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that was cast into the sea”. As the net catches various kinds of fish, so different kinds of persons—believers and unbelievers, good and bad, persons who pray in the power of the spirit of God, and persons who merely say their prayers like turning a machine—all who profess Christianity are in the kingdom. The spiritual fish are being caught day by day as the gospel is being preached by some and religious forms and ceremonies taught by others. The time for taking up the net is not yet; but it will surely come when the net is full.

Now, who will visit the net and take it up? Not the persons who put it down —not the preachers of the glad tidings of the grace of God, nor the teachers of religious rites. The 49th verse says it will be the angels. They will know at once which are the good fish and which are the bad. There seems to be one particular point in this parable, and that I think is that the good and bad fish will not always be together in the net—that saved and unsaved boys and girls will not always sit together in class on Sunday afternoon, nor always kneel together at prayers, nor always pray together either. The angels will sever the wicked from among, the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire; in that place will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. What an awful future for all unsaved souls! Depend upon it, the net will be taken up — “overhauled”— as fishermen say. Where will you, dear children, be then? Taken for judgment, or gathered for the King’s use? That depends upon whether the angels find you to be bad or good fish. If they find you to be fit for the King, they will gather you to be in His presence forever. And what can make your fit for Him? Nothing but His atoning blood. If you can by faith point to it and say, “That made my peace with God”, you need not fear the overhauling of the net. But all who are not thus made fit for God’s presence must meet their doom in the furnace of fire. Oh? flee from the wrath to come! Cry to the Lord Jesus now to save you from your sins. Take them all to Him who died for you, and God will forgive them at once for Christ’s sake. Don’t delay; for although God is love and ready to forgive, He is also just, and must punish for sins, either on the cross or in the furnace of fire. The former He has done for all who own their sing to Him, and believe in the atoning sufferings of Jesus at Calvary. The latter will certainly take place for all who do not avail themselves of God’s great salvation. (Hebrew 2:3.)

If Jesus were to ask you the question of verse 51: “Have ye understood all these things?” could you answer in the last two words of it “Yea, Lord”?

“The Lord knoweth them that are His.” 2 Tim. 2:19.

ML 01/11/1903

The Kings of Israel.

SAUL’S DEPARTURE (1 Sam. 10:2).

WHATEVER may have been Saul’s feelings about leaving Samuel we do not know; but we do know that there was once a little company of people who had to part with One dearer than all the world to them, and this filled them with sorrow. But He would send them another Comforter, after He had departed from them to be with the Father, and He, the Spirit, would fill their hearts with a sense of Christ’s presence, such as they could not possibly have known had He continued to walk with them here on earth. But when the Spirit came He would not only cheer and encourage the hearts of His people, but he would also be their Teacher. And, oh, let us remember, dear children, that we have One, who, though unseen, has come to take Christ’s place, to testify of Him, until He Himself comes and takes us to be with Himself where He now is in heaven. And this One is our Teacher. When He comes and makes His abode with us, then it is that we begin to learn and know the things that are freely given to us of God. (1 Cor. 2:12.) You know that when we go to school, if we would make progress as students, we must be subject to our teacher, and diligent in our studies. And similarly, if we would rapidly grow in the things of God, as His anointed ones, we must be subject to the Spirit and diligent to search the word of God. And, oh, if this be the case with us, what wondrous things will be revealed to us, and what precious lessons we shall learn.

Well, we have seen that Saul was anointed by Samuel, and now he was about to leave him; not, however, to wander about as he did when seeking the lost asses, but now he was informed as to where he should go, and, also, what would befall him on the way. And this, no doubt, is full of meaning to us; for are not the children of this world just wandering about, not knowing where they go, seeking those things which only have to do with this present life? But those who know Jesus, and have Him as an object in heaven, do they not know where they are going? Yes, they do know, and more than that, they have the blessed Spirit to guide them and “show them things to come.”

ML 01/11/1903

"Lord Jesus, Take Me."

EDITH C—, was lovely in her life. Her kindness. and her attractive ways had won her many friends outside the home circle. And her patience, her obedience and her thoughtfulness for others, made her fondly cherished in her own home.

But her parents, to whom she was very dear, had one source of anxiety. Edith had not believed on Jesus as her Saviour, and they well knew that all these natural traits of character, which so endeared her to those with whom she had to do, would weigh nothing with God, when it came to the question of her soul’s salvation. Her heart had not been yielded to Him, and nothing but the atoning blood of Jesus could cleanse her from her sins, and make her fit for His presence. He who searches all hearts knew the earnest desires of these fond parents, and He answered their requests by bringing Edith to Himself. But it was through deep waves of sorrow that this was brought about, for that fell disease, consumption, laid its ruthless hand upon her when she was yet in the bloom of youth and beauty.

Oh! how much better, if we will give our hearts to the Lord, while yet in the vigor of health and strength, and earnestly serve that blessed Master while we may ; then we will not have to say with the man who turned to the Lord on his death-bed, “I have one regret; that is, that I did not serve the Lord while I had health and strength.” Alas! alas! how many slip along with little thought of God or Christ, only to have deep and sad regret for the wasted opportunities that can never be given back, and for the loss that eternity only can measure.

After months of lingering illness, during which she showed unmurmuring patience, dear Edith’s heart was fully turned to the Lord Jesus, and He then became very precious to her.

And now the longing grew, to see that blessed One who had given Himself for her.

Three weeks before the end came, she told her sister that Jesus was going to take her. The night before she was taken home, Lue said she saw her sister Annie, who had gone to be with the Lord just, six mouths before.

As the end drew near, she told her moaner, who was weeping, not to cry. She said she ought to be glad that she was going to be with Jesus, for she had learned to love Him more than any one on earth.

Oh, how beautiful! The earth-love, dear and precious as it was, could not equal the love that Jesus has put in her heart for Himself. And such a love will we, who know Jesus, all know by and bye. If only we could enter more fully into it here, our hearts would be filled with joy, and our lives would be a bright testimony to Him who gave himself for us. But we allow the earthly things too large a place in our thoughts, and do not take time to behold “as in a glass the glory of the Lord,” and so the deep love and the overflowing joy, which it is our privilege to know, are little entered into here.

Before the Lord took dear Edith home, He drew aside the curtain, as it were, and allowed her to have a glimpse of the unseen world, and the glories upon which she was about to enter. Raising her finger, she requested those about her to be still, saying she could hear music. Ah! the heavenly strains that reached her ear could not be heard by the others; but her face, radiant with joy, and her eager, uplifted gaze, spoke of the sweet music that had reached her inmost soul. Nor was this all; a light, beyond that of earth, reflected its beams upon her glowing face, and she said, “It is light—very light.” Then, with the words, “Lord Jesus, take me,” her happy spirit took its flight, and she was at home with the Lord whom she had so learned to love.

As we think of the sights and the sounds from the unseen world that were permitted to this dear one before she passed from time into eternity, may it bring to us some faint conception of the glory and the blessedness that await the redeemed of the Lord! May God give to us, each and all, to have our thoughts more fixed upon the things that are unseen and eternal!

ML 01/11/1903

Found Begging.

A BOY who had become dissatisfied with his home and parents made up his mind that he could have a far happier life, if he had more freedom, as he supposed, and therefore decided to run away from home. Such boys have a costly lesson to learn, yet a most profitable one, for they do not know that home is the happiest, best place on earth. But they do learn it sometimes, after many a hard knock and experience. This unhappy boy finally succeeded in slipping away from home. He went out full of self-reliance and pride, not realizing that the world had nothing to give him, save a cold unfriendly welcome. And he soon proved the truth of this.

From the home he had left, there started out a sorrowful, broken-hearted mother, whose love for her boy could never die, though he acted so badly. She would search the world over to recover her disobedient, wayward son, though death itself should seem to defy her. Dear children, love is a most wonderful thing, and there are no bounds that can hold it, when it is in search of an object upon which it is set. “Love is strong as death . . . . . Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it; if a man would give all the substance of his house for love. it would utterly be contemned.” Cant. 8:6, 7.

And, if we thus know a little of the nature and ways of love, then we know something about God, for “God is love.” It was the mighty love of God that led Jesus to suffer and die for us. “Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” And, oh, what a love that is, children, for us to believe and rejoice in.

It was while this distressed mother was stopping at a boarding-house in the town of H—, that a boy came one day to the door begging for something to eat. He was hungry and forsaken, but was too proud to return home, and own how foolish and wrongly he had acted. The mother of this boy had come to H—, in search of him, not knowing where he was. She now sees him before her—a beggar. But they had met under these strange circumstances, and in an instant she had him clasped in her arms, reconciling him and consoling him. tie had learned his lesson, and gladly became reconciled to his dear mother, for he now knew, as never before, what love really was and what it could do.

Dear reader, I need hardly to apply the lesson, it is so plain. You and I must learn the same with a loving Saviour God, just as that boy did with his mother. And we must learn it now, while He is yet seeking and saving the lost. It will not be so after a while. Do you know that you are a wanderer away from God —lost? Do you know that your condition is like that of a beggar—a “beggar of the dung hill”? And do you also know that you are too proud to return to God and seek pardon? But He is seeking you in love; offers you salvation through the death of Jesus, and now asks you to become reconciled to Him.

What answer do you give Him? You cannot remain indifferent under the strong loving influence of His call. Do you receive Jesus, or do you reject Him? Do you believe, or do you believe not?

ML 01/11/1903

"Lay up for Yourselves Treasures in Heaven."

THIS young girl, seated by the tree, seems to be resting from her labors. Her sack is pretty well filled with fine looking nuts. Others in the picture are still working for more. These nuts will probably be laid aside for cold winter days when little folks are shut in, and no more nuts are to be found.

Many people thus lay by in earthly store; and a measure of this is certainly wise. In summer, the bees store up their honey for winter, when there are no flowers from which they can get their living; the little ants, too, “prepare their meat in summer;” and God mentions them as an example of wisdom for us. Thus we may learn that it is wise to be diligent and prudent in these things.

But there is danger of hoarding wealth and allowing the heart to be set upon it, and God warns us against this. He tells us not to lay up treasures on earth, but to lay up treasures in heaven.

There are plenty of things to run away with our earthly treasures—moth, rust, thieves; yes, riches even take to themselves wings, sometimes, and fly away; and then our earthly treasures are gone; we are left without them. But if our treasures are stored up in heaven, nothing can touch them there—no blight, no corroding rust, no thieves! No, they are perfectly secure up there; and one who has treasures laid up there will have the enjoyment of them for all eternity.

God also tells us that our hearts will be where our treasure is.

The miser hoards up his wealth here upon earth, and his heart gloats over it; but the money will perish, and he will perish, too.

Not so with the treasure laid up in heaven. The one who has his treasure there will find it safely kept for him. His heart will not be set on the perishing things of earth, but it will be there where his incorruptible treasure is.

Oh, that this blessed storing of treasures above might be known by each of our dear readers!

ML 01/18/1903

The Crossing of the Red Sea.

AFTER God had said that He would fight for Israel, He told Moses to lift his rod and stretch his hand over the sea and divide it. And when Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, the Lord caused it to go back by a strong east wind all that night, the waters parting this way and that. And when morning came there was a pathway of dry ground with walls of water standing on either side. How wonderful, do you say? Yes, truly so; nothing but the mighty power of the One who holds the waters in His fist, could bring such a thing to pass.

But what about the poor Israelites during this solemn night while a way through the deep was being prepared for them! Did not Pharaoh and his host make sad havoc amongst them? Oh, no! they were “standing still,” and God was fighting for them. The angel of God, which up to this time had gone before them, now removed and stood behind them, so that the pillar of the cloud was now between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. It gave light to Israel in this solemn night of waiting, but it made cloud and darkness for the Egyptians. Do you suppose that Pharaoh and his great warriors would try to break through that pillar? No, no; they did not go near the children of Israel all through the night. God was protecting and watching over His people; He was truly “a wall of fire” to them.

It must have been very early in the morning that the children of Israel were on the move, perhaps at the first peep of day, They went right into the deep, but not into the waters, for there was the dry path that God had made for them; and On they passed, that great multitude of people, their flocks and their herds with them also, the waters forming a wall on their right hand and on their left.

The Egyptians, in their boldness, pursued Israel, going after tm into the midst of the sea. But the Lord was still fighting for Israel. In the morning watch He looked through the pillar of fire and of the cloud upon the Egyptians, and troubled them. He took off their chariot wheels, and this made them heavy to drive. And it made the Egyptians begin to realize that God was fighting for Israel, and against them. Then they said, “Let us flee from the face of Israel.” They did not know that they could not get away from God. It is ever a vain thing to seek to flee from His presence, and so Pharaoh and his host found it. God was not yet done with them. He told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea so that the waters might come down upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and upon their horsemen.

When Moses stretched out his hand, the sea returned to its strength, and Pharaoh and all his host sank as lead in the mighty waters. There was not one of them left. But the walls of water tumbling down upon the Egyptians and sinking them as stones, did not affect Israel, for they passed through on dry ground, the waters still continuing as walls for them. Safe through the deep! And not a vestige of their enemies left, save the dead bodies that washed upon the seashore! What a deliverance!

Do not let us forget, my dear young readers, that we have the same mighty God for our God, and He can make a way for us just as truly as He made a way for Israel through the mighty deep. We should not allow our hearts, to sink because we cannot see a way through our difficulties—faith counts upon God. Why should we fear? God is greater than all difficulties. May each one who believes in Jesus be able to say from the heart, “I will trust, and not be afraid.” If we are walking by faith and not by sight, we must not expect always to see the way, but we can always count upon God to make a way.

ML 01/18/1903

Be Not Ashamed.

A YOUNG Christian, who loved his Bible, was nevertheless very reluctant to confess the Lord Jesus Christ before his companions.’ One day he was on his way to a Bible-reading, when he suddenly saw that he was approaching a knot of his acquaintances. His first impulse was to hide his Bible, which he was carrying in his hand, and he slipped it into his coat pocket before joining them. One of them noticed the unusually swollen pocket, and called attention to it. Unable to conceal it any longer, he brought out his Bible and confessed that he was going to a meeting to read the word of God.

There is only one place where the word of God should be hid. The Psalmist said, “Thy word have I hid in my heart.” Psalm 119:11.

Oh, let us cherish it. We shall find it food for our souls, a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path.

“O my God, I trust in Thee: let me not be ashamed.” Ps. 25:2.

ML 01/18/1903

Charlotte's First Lie.

ONCE I remember having been led into telling a lie, through a servant girl, for whose benefit it was told. Suspicion instantly arose from my dreadful embarrassment of manner. A strict investigation commenced; the girl told me to face it out, for nobody else knew of it and she would not flinch. But my terrors of conscience were insupportable. I could not bear my father’s steady eye fixed on mine, still less the anxious wondering expression of my brother’s innocent face, who could not believe me guilty. I confessed at once; and with a heavy sigh my father sent to borrow from a neighbor an instrument of chastisement never before needed in his own home.

He took me to another room and said, “Child, it will pain me more to punish you thus, than any blows I can inflict will pain you; but I must do it; you have told a lie—a dreadful sin, and a mean, base, cowardly action. If I let you grow up a liar, you will reproach me for it one day. If I now spare the rod, I should hate the child.”

I took the punishment in a most extraordinary spirit. I wished every stroke had been a stab; I wept because the pain was not great enough and I loved my father at that moment better than I had ever loved him before.

I thanked him, and I thank him still; for I never transgressed in that way again. The servant was called, received her wages and a most awful lecture, and was discharged the same hour.

“Lying lips are abomination to the Lord; but they that deal truly are His delight.” Prov. 12:22.

“Foolishness is bound.in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” Prov. 22:13.

ML 01/18/1903

The Soldier in the Farmhouse.

A SOLDIER was brought to Jesus in a singular way by a little child. He was quartered for some weeks with a Christian farmer and his family. They were kind and hospitable and truly religious. His first meal in that house made a deep impression on his mind. Before eating, the parents, children, and farm-servants each stood behind a chair and bowed the head, while the father asked a blessing. After they had eaten, all did the same, and the father returned thanks. All went to their occupations, the children to school, except Johnny, the youngest. The soldier sat down after dinner, gazing from the window on the surrounding objects, feeling impressed with this thought, “These people love God.”

While thus meditating, the little boy came to him, looked into his eyes and said, “Tell me something about the dear Jesus.” Rather startled at the request, he began talking about dogs, horses, cows, and other things. When he stopped, the little one looked into his face again and said, “Do tell me something about Jesus.” Somewhat ashamed, the soldier replied, “I don’t know anything about Him.” Johnny, much surprised at the answer, replied, “And you so big, and don’t know anything about Jesus Christ! If you don’t love Him and serve Him you won’t go to Heaven.” The soldier could not reply. This was an arrow from God. He felt miserable. He soon left the house and joined his comrades in the village. In vain he tried to forget the child’s words, “And you so big and don’t know anything about Jesus!” He lingered till dusk, and returned to the farmhouse, hoping the family had supped, that he might avoid the praying. The careful wife had reserved the supper and, as he sat down to table and was about to eat, his little friend said, “Please pray first, then eat.” Quite discomfited by this rebuke, he laid down his knife and fork, not knowing what to do. The little fellow, seeing his embarrassment, folded his hands, and asked God’s blessing on the soldier’s supper. Strange thoughts passed through his mind while he was eating.

When the table was cleared, all the family was seated for evening reading, and each one was supplied with a Bible. All united in reading the Scriptures; the soldier read with them. All joined in singing a hymn. The father prayed, and did not forget the soldier; they then retired for the night, all except their guest, and the farmer and his wife. They spoke kindly to the young soldier, and read other portions of Scripture, and prayed, then showed him his room. The strangest feelings came over him. The Spirit of God was shedding light on that dark mind. He was ashamed, troubled, hardly knew what to do. So he kneeled down by the bed and prayed the first prayer he had offered for many years. “O God of this house, be my God.” He there sought for mercy. He found peace in believing on Jesus, and is now a devoted servant of God.

You see God can use even a little boy or girl in leading a “big” man to Christ.

ML 01/18/1903

Held Fast by a Chain.

A SEA captain walking by the sea, & and not noticing a great chain there, stuck his foot through a link of it, and could not draw it back again. He struggled violently to get free, but in vain, others also tried in vain, and the foot began to swell. The chain could not be unfastened nor moved, so a blacksmith came some miles to cut it, but his tools were not powerful enough. The tide then came in, and the water was up to his waist. As a last resource, a surgeon hastened to the spot to amputate his leg, but the water was now at his neck. “Too late!” cried the doctor, as the waves rolled over the poor man, and he was lost.

This terrible story has a warning voice—the chain which men carelessly step into is Satan’s snare. Christ alone can deliver us from it, and of how many He says, “Ye will not come to Me that ye might have life.” “Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.”

ML 01/18/1903

Lost.

POOR sheep are lost in the drifting snow, they don’t know their way home, not even the dogs are able to find their way; and the wind is blowing so strong and cold, that if there is not someone, who knows the way, to come and take them safely home, they will perish.

What a picture this gives to us of all those who do not know the Lord Jesus as their own Saviour. They are lost. They don’t know the way to heaven. They say some times, “We hope to go to heaven,” but what is the use of hoping, if they don’t know the way. Jesus is the way; He is the Saviour; He came to save that which was lost, and He has said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. Have you, my dear little reader, come to Jesus? Are you trusting Jesus to save you? If not, you are still lost. But Jesus wants to save every one and He says, “Come unto Me.” The Lord Jesus is like that shepherd that went after the lost sheep and when he had found it, he laid it on his shoulders, rejoicing, and went home with it. Now if you are not saved, He wants to save you, and if you just let Him He will save you; and will take you safely to be in heaven with Himself. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

ML 01/25/1903

The Kings of Israel.

Saul. (1 Sam. 10:2.)

AFTER Saul was anointed and had left Samuel, be would first come to a sepulcher. It was Rachel’s sepulcher in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and there he would meet two men who would tell him that the asses had been found, and that now his father, forgetting about the asses, was sorrowing for him. If we remember that Saul was of the tribe of Benjamin, we see that when he reached Zelzah, he was just entering upon his own inheritance. He was getting on towards his native land and people. But what does he meet here on the way? The grave or sepulcher of one of his illustrious, ancestors, and this was at Zelzah, which means “shade.” Thus he was at once reminded of death; and this to us may suggest death, not only as we find it in the world, and to which the whole creation is subject, but also that death which Scripture speaks of as “the death of the cross.” (Phil. 2:8.) This death of the cross none of us can have a proper sense of, unless we have been anointed with God’s Spirit.

As we look out upon the created world, as it now is, although it retains much of its original beauty and glory, as when it came forth unsullied from the Creator’s hands; still, because of sin, the curse rests upon everything and death reigns. Everything here in the old creation, which groans to be delivered, is born to die. And not until God creates the heavens and earth anew, and until that enemy, death, is destroyed, will this present sad condition be fully changed. But, children, that happy, blissful time is coming, according to the Lord’s promise, and we as His people are told to look for it. (2 Pet. 3:13.)

However, in a still more solemn and blessed way does the death of Jesus affect us: for the cross has cast its blighting shadow across this entire world of sin, and has forever separated us from it. Jesus came into the world where death and darkness reigned. He was the only Life and the only Light in the midst of that death and darkness. But when He died on the cross, He died out of that scene altogether, and that is why His death so affects us, for we are one with Him. Mary expressed this very truth, and felt it deeply, when she said, “They have taken away my Lord.” John 20:13. She was seeking Him (for she loved Him truly), the living One, among the dead. But in what she uttered, she expressed a truth, for the world had taken Him away and crucified Him; but after they had killed Him, that was all they could do, for they were not permitted to take Him away from the grave, as Mary ignorantly supposed they had done. He was raised up from among the dead by the glory of the Father, and so the angels could announce to the disciples, “He is risen; He is not here.” (Mark 16:6 )

He had risen to enter into a world of light and life in contrast to this world of death and darkness. And so, children, it is to that new world, or creation, that we belong, for God now looks upon us, who believed in Jesus, as having died with Him when He died upon the cross. ‘Tis true, God has been pleased to leave us in this dark world to which we do not belong; but while we are here, He desires that by faith we reckon ourselves dead unto sin and crucified unto the world. And we are to live here, not according to our former life in ignorance, but in the power of God’s Spirit, having the life of Jesus. We are to manifest His life here, and thereby glorify Him, and then in a little while He will take us bodily to dwell where we belong and where He now is, in heaven.

May God grant grace to each one of us, not only to live in the enjoyment of this precious truth, but in the power of it as well; not only to be hearers of the word, but doers of it also. And then looking on to that bright heavenly scene; we can sing

“From Egypt lately come,

Where death and darkness reign,

We seek our new, our better home,

Where we our rest shall gain;

Halleluiah!

We are on our way to God.”

ML 01/25/1903

Where Did He Go?

THERE was a great man who died, and after his death one of his servants said to another servant, “And where do you think our master went when he died?”

“Why, to heaven, of course,” was the reply.

“I think not,” said the first, shaking his head doubtfully.

“And why do you think not,” inquired the other, “was he not a good man, and do not all good men go to heaven?”

“Well, whenever our master was thinking of taking a journey to any place, he always talked about it a long time before, and made all necessary preparations before he started. But I never heard him say a word about going to heaven, and I am sure he never made any preparation.”

Children, we often hear it said that good people go to heaven when they die, and many people think that they are quite prepared to go there because they have been good during their life.

But Jesus said, “THERE IS NONE GOOD BUT ONE, THAT IS GOD.” Mk. 10:18. God is good, and it is His goodness that leads us to repentance. Rom. 2:4. It is because we are bad, and not good, that God calls upon us to repent.

Well, if we are all bad, if we have all sinned, as God says we have, was it not exceedingly good of Him to send His Son into the world to suffer and die for us that we might live through Him?

Yes, indeed, it was marvelous goodness, but it was more than that. It was LOVE. And the reason that people are not saved is that they do not believe the love that God has toward them.

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9, 10.

This old man was not prepared to go to heaven, for he did not know the way. He did not know Jesus, and He is “the way.”

We must go to Jesus during our life, if we want to go to heaven when we reach the end of life. And going to heaven is simply going to be where Jesus is.

We cannot go to heaven just as we are, but we can go to Jesus, now, just as we are, for salvation, and He will make us fit for heaven by washing us from our sins in His own blood.

Perhaps, some children who read this paper may wonder how they can come to Jesus, now that He has gone up into heaven. We will refer to one verse of Scripture, which will make it clear.

“He that COMETH to Me shall never hunger, and he that BELIEVETH on Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35.

By this we see that coming to Jesus and believing on Him are the same thing. When we hear His word and believe it, then we have believed on Him, then we have come to Him just as really as though He were here on earth in person.

His word invites us to come to Him; and it also declares that, if we do come to Him, He will in no wise cast us out.

ML 01/25/1903

My Lord and I.

Words of a hymn sung in the rocks and caves of France during the fierce persecution of the Huguenots, 300 years ago.

I have a Friend so precious,

So very dear to me;

He loves me with such tender love,

He loves so faithfully.

I could not live apart from Him,

I love to feel Him nigh;

And so we dwell together,

My Lord and I.

Sometimes I’m faint and weary,

He knows that I am weak,

And as He bids me lean on Him,

His help I gladly seek.

He leads me in the paths of light,

Beneath a sunny sky,

And so we walk together,

My Lord and I.

I tell Him all my sorrows,

I tell Him all my joys,

I tell all that pleases me,

I tell Him what annoys;

He tells me what I ought to do,

He tells me what to try,

And so we talk together,

My Lord and I.

He knows how much I love Him,

He knows I love Him well;

But with what love He loveth me,

No tongue can ever tell

It is an everlasting love,

In ever rich supply;

And so we love each other,

My Lord and I.

He knows how I am longing

Some weary soul to win;

And so He bids me go and speak

A loving word for Him.

He bids me tell His wondrous love

And why He came to die,

And so we work together,

My Lord and I.

He tells me of His kingdom,

It is not far away;

And oh, His heart is longing

To take me there some day;

Immortal joys are waiting,

And joys that never die;

Soon there we’ll reign together,

My Lord and I.

ML 01/25/1903

Answers to Prayer.

No. 11.

A DEAR Christian in England, 79 years old, writes: “I had collected the rents as usual, putting each in a separate envelope, and then into a drawer. But when I took the money to the landlord next day, one envelope was £1 short. I could not believe it, all the others were right. We searched, and when I got back I searched wherever I thought there was a chance. Then I turned to the Lord and asked Him if it could accord with His will to bring it to light. I had a desire to look amongst the ashes in the fireplace, so next morning I laid the fire and took up the ashes, looking as I went on, not thinking of despairing, but took the ashes to the dust bin, and tossed them into the sieve, gave it a shake and there was the sovereign. It had been in the fire long enough to mark it on both sides, but it was no injured. I need not say, I thanked the Lord heartily. How it came there will remain a mystery.”

ML 01/25/1903

Extracts From Letter From Our Young Readers.

I must tell you that I am saved through believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. John 5 :24.

Now I can call the Saviour mine,

Though all unworthy still;

I’m sheltered by His precious blood

Beyond the reach of ill.

B. H.

Little children praise the Saviour;

Praise Him your undying Friend;

Praise Him till in heaven you meet Him,

There to praise Him without end.

Percy W.

ML 01/25/1903

Answers to Questions of Dec. 7.

1 “Church of God.” Gal. 1:13.

2. “Hatred.” 5:20.

3.“Remember the poor.” 2:10.

4.“In well-doing,” etc. 6:9.

5.“Sin. 3:22.

6.“This present evil world.” 1:4.

7.“Christ.” 2:20.

Bible Questions for February.

The answers are to be found in the Epistle to the Philippians, and the first letter of each answer will spell who it is that is at hand.

1.Where was Paul when the Philippian assembly sent once and again unto His necessity?

2.What are we told to be doing with the word of life?

3.How many tongues will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord?

4.We are to shine as what, in the world?

5.Quote all the verse that contains the words “faith of the gospel”

6.What are we to do alway?

7.What did Paul say that he was set for?

ML 02/01/1903

God's Way and Man's Way.

A POOR old man lay dying, in a country village, of a lingering disease. Conscious that death was approaching, he was anxious to know how he could obtain that forgiveness which he felt his need of. Someone visited his bedside from time to time, and taught him that he must pray as long as he lived, and hope in God’s mercy through Christ, but that he must not expect to know he was forgiven till the day of judgment. This was man’s way of putting the Gospel before the man, but it was not the way to give the poor man peace. A servant of the Lord, hearing of his case, went to see him, when something like the following Conversation took place between them:

“How do you expect to be saved?”

“Well, sir, I keep on praying, and I hope God will have mercy on me.”

“Because you pray?”

“Well, yes, sir, I cannot expect to be saved unless I do pray.”

“Then prayer is to save you?”

“Why, as to that, I suppose it is Christ as must save me, but I must pray for forgiveness.”

“That is, you must have a hand in it. But now, if I were to hold a dollar in my hand, and ask you to accept it, would you beg and pray of me to give it to you, or would you take it?”

“Why, TAKE it, of course,” said the poor old man, smiling at the apparent absurdity of such a question.

“‘Be it known unto you, therefore . . . that through this man (Christ Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all that BELIEVE are justified from all things.’ God Himself offers you forgiveness. He holds it out to you, bidding you believe HIM, when He declares that ‘the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth from all sin.’ Instead of taking what He offers, and believing His blessed word, you keep on asking Him to give you that which He has been offering’ to you since you were a child. He bids you look to Christ—you look to prayer. He declares to you forgiveness through the blood of Christ—you tell Him in return you don’t believe. Him, for if you did you clearly would not ask Him to give that which He is offering to you Thus you make God a liar, and hope to be saved for doing so!”

The poor old man’s eyes were opened: he was astonished at himself, his conscience was exercised; real conviction of sin against God followed, he believed, and was saved.

Dear young reader, may you be led to Jesus in God’s own appointed way, and that is by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, then you can pray to God as your Father, through the Lord Jesus your Saviour.

ML 02/01/1903

The Song of Victory.

THE hearts of the children of Israel were filled with gladness, as they stood upon the shore of the Red Sea, and saw the great work which the Lord had done. Now they were a saved people—delivered from the dreadful tyrant who had so oppressed them. They had passed safely through the deep waters; and the tossing billows had been made, in God’s mighty power, to be but walls of protection for them, while these same waters had rolled in fearful judgment over their enemies, engulfing them every one.

Well might their hearts be filled with praise, and well might their glad song of victory ascend unto Him who had for them “triumphed gloriously,” and who had thrown “the horse and his rider” into the sea. This One had become their “salvation;” and now they praised Him for this, and for the way that He had led them, and for the way He would still lead them. Their hearts were full of joy and confidence.

Is there any lesson for us in all this? Yes, the awful waters of death and judgment have been safely passed for us who believe in Jesus, and we now stand on the shore of life. Sin must meet its just desert at the hand of a holy. God, and we who have sinned, have earned the wages of sin, that is, death. But all the waves and billows of God’s wrath have gone over that blessed One, the Lamb of God, who hung upon the cross for our sins. Jesus has gone into death for us, the floods of dark waters having encompassed His soul. But He has triumphed over sin, and death, and the power of Satan, and has thus made a way for us through death and judgment: Our foes are vanquished, and life and salvation are ours.

What a glad song of victory should go up from our hearts! And what praise should ascend to Him who has wrought such a glorious deliverance for us!

How many of you, my dear young readers, know this deliverance—this blessed salvation? And from how many hearts is the glad song of praise issuing! It is pleasing to the Lord that we should praise Him for His goodness. He says,

“Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me.” Ps 1:23.

Can you sing this song? “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 for ever and ever.”

ML 02/01/1903

"Don't Forget."

A WHILE ago two persons were engaged in conversation on the street and when they parted, the one called out to the other, “Don’t forget.”

What they were talking about I knew not but the two words they spoke at parting reminded me of the way many are forgetting God and neglecting the salvation of their souls. Dear children, there are four things you ought not to forget. Let me remind you of them.

Don’t forget that you must live forever. Your circumstances will change but your soul will never cease to exist. The body may grow old and decay; not so the soul. “I must live forever.” What a solemn thought! “I shall never cease to exist.” What an affecting fact! But where shall I live? What shall I be?

Don’t forget that you are a sinner. Rom. 3:9 says: “There is no difference for all have sinned.” Then you are a sinner. And the wages of sin, which is death, is your proper desert. (Rom. 6:23.)

What a solemn, what an awful fact! Surely you should not forget it.

Don’t forget that you may be saved. There is no need for you to be lost forever. The Lord Jesus came down from the glory that He might save sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15). God so loved a world of lost sinners that He gave Jesus, that who so ever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16.) Will you not, as a poor sinner, just take what God in love offers you, a Saviour?

Don’t forget that tomorrow may be to late for salvation. The Scriptures say, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” “Behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation.” While Jesus is saying “Come”; (Matt. 11:28) will you not say, “Lord Jesus, I come”?

ML 02/01/1903

"They Shall Never Perish."

THIS young woman is in a very strange place, is she not? A huge bear has her in his embrace; his great claws could easily sink into her tender flesh, and his strong arms would soon squeeze her to death, if he wished to make a victim of her. But she seems to feel no terror; and the face of this great creature looks kind; one might say, indeed, that he looks good natured, were it not for the determined look in his eye which would seem to say, You will do well not to rouse me!

He has doubtless been tamed and trained thus to hold one in his arms without doing hurt.

But I think none of my little readers would like to be in such a place, even though Mr. Bear would be for a time gentle, and would seem to be kind. And I trust that none of you will ever be in the embrace of such a monster, for it would pretty surely mean quick and dreadful death.

But there is a foe more terrible even than this, who would like to get hold of you if he could. He goes about, not as a bear, but as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. If you become the victim of this foe, you will suffer eternally, unless, through grace, you are delivered from his clutches; while the worst the bear could do would be to destroy your body.

There is, however, a blessed place of safety; there is One in whose arms you would be so secure that this dreadful foe could do you no harm.

You will, perhaps, not need to be told that this great foe is Satan; and that the One who gathers “the lambs in His arm” and carries them “in His bosom”, is the Good Shepherd—Jesus.

If you have not already found this place of refuge, I beseech you to seek it at once, and you will then be made to know how much stronger is He that is for you than he, that is against you.

ML 02/01/1903

Extracts From Letters From Our Young Readers

“I am taking great pleasure in answering the questions, and I will continue on with them D. V. for they are opening up the Scriptures to me.” F. M.

“I have been ill and have written these answers while in Prince Alfred hospital.” O. W.

“I thank you very much for sending me my prize for answering the questions in ‘Messages of Love.’ I find that they are opening the Scriptures to me wonderfully.” C. M.

Name—George W. (A child of God.) Matt. 5:45.

Age—Born of flesh January, 1884. Born of the Spirit of God July, 1902. John 3:6.

Address—On the narrow path to be with the Lord when He comes. Matt. 7:14.

ML 02/01/1903

In Great Peril.

WHEN the drifting ship Dunbar went ashore in the Gap, near to Sydney harbor, all but one on board were lost.

The survivor had a terrible experience. He was carried on the crest of a wave which, after it reached the shore, left him in a hollow place, high up in the face of the rock.

He lay there throughout that dreadful night and all the succeeding day, doubtless expecting every moment to be washed from his place of refuge.

It was not until the morning of the second day that the man was discovered by some people who came to view the scene of the disaster, and means were quickly taken for his rescue. A young man was found who volunteered to let himself down by a rope, and thus succeeded in saving the half-dead seaman.

The position of those without Christ as their Saviour is as perilous as, and infinitely more serious than, that in which the poor sailor was placed; for whereas he was in peril of losing the life of his body, they are in the greater peril of losing their own soul. Each returning wave of time may lift them into eternity.

“There is but a step between me and death.”

1 Sam. 20:3.

“It is appointed unto men once to die.” (Heb. 9:27.) There is no gainsaying this scripture. It was brought before an infidel, who was vaunting his unbelief in anything the Bible contained, but he was compelled to own the truth of that.

“But after this the judgment” is just as certain. Death for the sinner is the prelude to judgment. Then, if never before, God and he must meet.

Friend, have you had to do with Him about your sins? If so, having life and blessing in a once-crucified and now living Saviour, you must say—

“Death and judgment are behind me,

Grace and glory are before.”

Thank God if you can.

ML 02/08/1903

Marah.

AFTER the acing of victory and the rejoicing were over, Moses led Israel away from the Red Sea, out into the wilderness. That great company of men, women, and children, with all their flocks and their herds, journeyed on for three days without coming to water. In the desert, over which they were traveling, were long stretches of sandy ground without lake, or river, or spring of water; and scarce a tree or shrub was to be seen in many miles, and, too, the sun is hot and scorching in that country.

It must have been a great trial to them to go on day after day with no water for themselves or their cattle. At last they came to a place called Marah, which means bitterness. There they found water, but they could not drink it because it was bitter. This brought sore disappointment. and the poor, tried people began to murmur against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” Ah! how different now their thoughts and their ways from what they had been a few days before. Then they were rejoicing in the mighty power of God, and, were singing the glad song of praise, with their hearts full of confidence; now they were being tested on their journey toward the promised land; the bitter waters of Marah proved too much for them; their confidence was gone, and murmuring filled their heart instead. Are you surprised at this? Do you say, I wonder how they could ever question God’s power and goodness again, after having had such mighty proof of it! Is it not what many of God’s dear people are doing today? Our hearts have been filled with praise to Him who has redeemed us with His precious blood. But then comes the wilderness path with its difficulties; the scorching heat of the desert is felt, and our hearts sink within us. We forget, it may be, the wonderful deliverance that has been wrought for us, and we are ready to cry, Oh, how can I ever get through!

But God did not forget His people of old in their sad plight. When Moses cried to Him for them, He showed him a tree; and when this tree was cast into the bitter waters, they became sweet.

What a beautiful picture this is of the power of Jesus toward us! We meet with bitterness, and, in a sense, have death to go through in our pilgrim pathway; but when we remember that Jesus not only went into the bitter waters of death for us, in order to give us a life which is beyond the power of death, but also that He lives on high for us, and is thinking of us in all our pathway, and He will certainly bring us in triumph into the glorious land—when we remember this, the bitter cup is sweetened; we know that the difficulties and the trials are for our good. Thus He gives healing, and makes for us sweetness where, at first, only bitterness had been.

“Death’s bitter waters met our thirst,

“Thy cross has made them sweet;

“Then on our gladdened vision bursts

“God’s shady, cool retreat.”

ML 02/08/1903

George's Rescue.

BESIDE an ancient moat, overshadowed by old elder trees, and a tall hawthorn hedge, stood one of those fine old historical houses, whose faded grandeur, belonging to times long passed away, tells such a tale of the utter vanity of all earthly things. This ancient mansion had once been the occasional residence of Queen Elizabeth, and like several such still scattered up and down the country, was, so tradition said, one of her numerous hunting-seats.

It was mid-winter, and instead of green leaves and fragrant blossoms, branch and spray of hawthorn and elder were now only decked with snow. The old moat was frozen, and seemed to offer a tempting surface to those who, like most of my young readers, are fond of sliding and skating on the ice. But the old moat was not to be trusted, after all; for, as in most of the promised pleasures of this world, danger lurked where none was seen. Fair to the eye, but treacherous to those who would trust it, the frozen moat, although it looked sound, was, in many parts, very unsafe, for, on account of the shelter of the trees, it did not freeze so fast as more open waters, and the frost had but recently set in.

In this old traditional hunting-seat lived a little boy, who, wishing to give his school-fellows a pleasure, had brought some of them home with him to slide upon the moat. Among them was one whom I will call little George. Now, George’s father had forbidden him to get upon the ice at all, knowing that it was not yet sufficiently hardened; and a father’s wishes ought to have kept him from accompanying his playmates, especially to a place so dangerous, as the moat was known to be, But I am sorry to say that the temptation of a good game had more power with him than his father’s wishes, and, as a matter of course, his disobedience brought its own punishment.

At first none of the boys cared to venture far along the ice, but, finding it stronger than they had supposed, they soon forgot their caution. George had intended only to go a little way, and then return, supposing, perhaps, that a little disobedience was excusable; but when we take one false step, it is sure to lead to many. Excited by the amusement, he soon outstripped the rest, and, sliding merrily along the moat, approached a spot more densely shaded than the rest by trees. Hardly had he reached it, when the crashing sound, so well-known, and so ominous to skaters, was heard, and in another moment he was in the ice cold water, and clutching helplessly at the broken fragments floating round him. How forcibly his perilous situation reminds us of the actual condition of every one, old and young, who has not yet believed in the Lord Jesus Christ! Unless saved by another, poor George must perish, for he cannot save himself. In vain he clings to the broken ice; it was that which let him in, how then could it save him? In vain does the sinner cling to his own doings; it is his broken works which condemn him, how then can they save? True the sinner’s works did not originally bring him into all this ruin, any more than did the ice bring poor, George upon its surface; disobedience did that; and disobedience brought man into all the ruin he is in, and keeps him there. Poor little George cried aloud for help as he felt himself sinking in the deep old moat, but his cries could not deliver him, any more than can the converted sinner’s prayers save him from everlasting destruction. Many make a mistake here. They think that many prayers will give them favor in God’s sight, and move Him to have mercy on them. Ah, they do not know Him! nor consider that it was His love that moved. Him eighteen hundred years ago to give unasked His own dear Son to die for sinners. “For God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while, we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

George’s companions were terribly alarmed, as they well might be, when they saw his perilous situation and heard his piteous cries for help. Alas, g hat could they do? They were all young, the banks were steep, the trees obstructed their efforts, they could not reach their perishing companion; no effectual aid was nigh, nor was there time to fetch it, for a few moments would terminate the scene, and, sinking beneath the dark waters, their little friend would be lost. Poor little George! How bitterly did he now repent of having disobeyed his father! and how the reflection added to his misery! But repentance could not save him; feelings of contrition, however deep and agonizing, could not snatch him from a watery grave; ANOTHER must do it all, if it was to be done; and that other was found. A little fellow, younger even than the perishing boy, came to his rescue. Snatching a prop, which happened to be at hand, he ran to the spot where, but for him, George had gone down into death, and, extending it to the sinking child, who seized it convulsively, drew him to the bank. Poor George was saved!

Young reader, what a striking figure we may see in this of Him who, beholding our ruin and helplessness, came to our deliverance, because He loved us!

“Made like unto us,” sin only excepted, He went to Calvary, and there upon the cross endured the wrath of God for us, exhausted all the penalty due to sin, and now, through the blood of His cross, having purchased eternal redemption, He holds out deliverance to all. Lay hold of the truth concerning Jesus. Little George did not hesitate to seize the prop. He felt—he knew—his peril. Perhaps you do not. Be persuaded. “He that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but THE WRATH OF GOD ABIDETII ON HIM.” The dark waters of death and eternal condemnation are all around you. If once you sink beneath them—if you die in your sins, you are eternally lost. There is not a moment to lose. Lay hold NOW; cling to the prop, the tree, the cross. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”

May God grant, dear young readers, that all who see this little narrative may be enabled to perceive, not only their real state by nature and practice, but also that the DELIVERER has come, and has done ALL that was needed for their rescue; so that there remains nothing for them now, but to obey God by believing in HIM, whom He hath raised from the dead, even the Lord Jesus Christ, “who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Clinging to the cross, and looking up to Him who stands in life, “able to save to the uttermost,” or for evermore, you HAVE deliverance. Willful disobedience alone can keep you where you are. Beware how you “turn away from Him who now speaketh from heaven.”

ML 02/08/1903

The Back and the Burden.

JOHNNY was standing with open arms, receiving the bundles which his father laid upon him. His elder brother, Frank, cried out, “Johnny, you’ve got more than you can carry.” “Never mind,” said Johnny, in childlike trust, “Father knows how much I can carry.”

Just so. Our Father who is in heaven is the best judge of how much we ought to do and suffer; and as He has the allotting of it, we shall not be over-burdened. What comfort lies in that simple fact? We see cars on the railway marked to carry so much and no more; and the Great Ruler of all things has appointed such a load as we can safely carry, and not an ounce more shall be piled upon us, for it is written, “As thy days so shall thy strength be.” Our Father will try our strength, but He will not strain it. Wherefore, be of good courage when trials are pressing heavily.

ML 02/08/1903

Speeding on.

HOW swiftly these young people are flying down the hill-side on their smooth running sled! And others in the distance are speeding down over the steep hill-side also.

This picture brings before us the thought of life’s pathway, for we are all speeding on—yes, speeding on toward eternity. Some—especially the young—may think they are being slowly carried on; but time makes no stops—no delays; it never turns back in its flight; and surely, unerringly, swiftly it is carrying us all with it. Soon for us, time will end. Will it be for you, my reader, an eternity of bliss, when the sands of time have run their course, or an eternity of woe? Is the all-important question, which affects your never-dying soul, settled for you? Has the blood of Jesus made you clean from all your sins, or are you still a stranger to His grace? The sports of childhood will end: the busy cares of later years will come to a close; riches, if you possess them, and the treasures you may have heaped up here, will have to be left behind, for you cannot carry these things out of the world with you. What then?

Oh! delay not longer, I beg of you, if you have not given your heart to Jesus. Guilty, helpless, lost, are the words that are written over against you. What will these sports, these pleasures, these treasures, of earth do for you in that coming day of wrath?

“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul.” Do not brave that awful day of wrath which is surely coming! Do not allow yourself to be intoxicated with the pleasures of the world, soon to waken up in a place of endless woe! Do not heap up treasures here only to leave them to enter upon that scene where there is bitter wailing and gnashing of teeth!

Come now to Jesus, and lay up treasures which will meet you again in a scene where joy will be full, and where pleasures will last forever!

ML 02/15/1903

Elim.

AFTER the bitter waters of Marah had been sweetened for the children of Israel, and their thirst was quenched, they journeyed on until they came to Elim, which was an oasis in the desert. Here there were twelve wells of water, and seventy palm trees. How refreshing this green spot must have been to the travelers, after their weary march across the arid plain, under the burning heat of the sun! The grateful shade of that grove of palms would afford as sweet rest for them; and they could refresh themselves and their cattle with the cool water which was now before them in abundance. This resting spot in the desert would be to them a foretaste of the bountiful land to which they were going.

And as God vouchsafed to His people of old sweet Elim of refreshments in their desert journeying, so now He gives to His dear people precious times of refreshing in their pilgrim path; and these are but foretastes of the deep, eternal joy upon which they shall enter by and bye.

But Elim was not Canaan, and the weary march had to be resumed. And for us the times of special joy and happy fellowship with God’s people are but oases in the desert, which speak to us of the joys in store; and we, too, must take up the journey and press on, counting upon God, until the last step of the desert is trodden, and the land of delights is entered upon.

ML 02/15/1903

A Jewish Convert.

A YOUNG Jewess had in some way become possessed of a New Testament: she read it, and became convinced that Jesus was indeed their Messiah; but, young and gentle, fearing the resentment of her friends, she kept her conversion a secret, till one night that she and her mother were sitting up alone until midnight. In conversation, something about Christians was brought up. “Do you love Christians?” asked the mother, in astonishment.

“Yes,” was the reply.

“Why, they are all bad people. Why do you say you love them?”

“Oh, no! they are good people—they love God.”

“Christians love God! —impossible. They follow the accursed Nazarene.”

“Nay, my Mother, but they must love God, for they love Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ is love,” said the girl, with trembling voice and beating heart.

“And”, said the mother, starting up, a sudden suspicion darting through her mind, “do you love Jesus Christ?”

There was a mighty struggle in the heart of the Jewish maiden, but she looked to the Lord for strength, and He helped her to reply, calmly and unthinkingly, “Yes, my Mother, I do.” Bitter and stormy was the scene that followed; but He was there, who will never forsake His weak ones in the hour of trial, and He made that bruised reed an oak, in the day of His east wind; she quailed not—not even when the door of her childhood’s home was opened, and the choice given her to go forth in the dark, stormy midnight, or deny her newly-found Saviour. She did not deny Him, and the mother thrust forth her fair, tenderly-reared daughter—the timid, gentle girl of seventeen summers—alone and forever, from her heart and home.

As she stood in the rain and darkness, not knowing where to turn, Satan drew near, and whispered dark doubts in her ear; but she sunk on her knees upon the cold, wet ground, and prayed, “Lord Jesus, if Thou art indeed my Messiah, take me to Thy friends!” and He did guide her to the house of the Christian Missionary, by whom she was kindly and tenderly received, and ultimately provided for ; but nothing could induce her friends to have any further intercourse with her.

Oh! dear young friends, let us thank our Heavenly Father that such fearful trials fall not to our lot. How often are we inclined to murmur when called to resign some trifle for Christ.

Oh! for grace, even as this dear young daughter of Abraham, to leave all, and follow Christ. But do you think she ever regretted having found Him of whom Moses, in the law and the prophets did write? Ah, no! in the midst of all her griefs, she was more than conqueror through Him who loved her.

ML 02/15/1903

Till He Come.

Walking in the sunshine

Of His eternal love;

Telling out to others

What led Him from above.

Seeking now to please Him;

(‘Tis but “a little while”);

Girding up our garments,

Which ways of sin defile.

Keeping close beside Him,

With an opened ear;

Hearing what He sayeth

In His word so dear.

Looking right before us,

Where He sits above;

Leaving all behind us,

For His wondrous love.

Resting on His bosom,

There in love we dwell;

Imbibing all the sweetness,

The tongue can never tell.

Feeding in His pasture,

With richest grace supplied;

Following where He leadeth,

With nothing good denied.

Trusting Him each moment,

While “little strength” abides,

Praying for the patience,

Which He in grace provides.

Hoping for His coming,

The end of serving here;

Seeing then His person,

Himself forever near.

Hastening on to meet Him,

With quickened step we go;

Commending Him to others,

While walking here below.

Waiting till he calls us,

When He will say, “Well done”;

Watching till the morning,

Watching—till He come.

ML 02/15/1903

Out of Reach.

I WAS leaving the room, in which my little boy remained. On the table was an article of some value, which, should the little one meddle with, might have been destroyed, and thus cause me much extra labor to replace it. I thought of this, and so placed the article on the shelf above, where it would be out of his reach.

While doing this, the thought came to me that there are many things in this world, which God, our Father, places beyond our reach, which our desire and ambition would fain cause us to put forth our hand and take.

And there is still the “forbidden fruit” in the path of every Christian, which his soul may lust after and seek to acquire. But our Father, in perfect love and grace, instead of saying, “Thou shalt not eat of it,” often simply places it beyond our reach. And then follows what men in this world call “Failure.” Ah, is it failure indeed, when God afterward shows us that it was only our selfish pride and ambition that led us to seek it?

Had we gained our purpose, perhaps it would have been to our destruction here in this world, or would have marred much precious work that God had been doing in our souls.

ML 02/15/1903

Better Than Stealing.

SOME poor families lived near a large wood-wharf. In one was a drunken father.

One night he called his boy and whispered something in his ear.

“Can’t do it, Father,” said John. “Can’t; why not?” asked the father angrily.

“Because I learned at Sunday-school, ‘Thou shalt not steal,’” answered John.

“And did you not learn, ‘Mind your parents, too?’”

“Yes”, answered the boy.

“Well, then, mind and do what I tell you.”

The boy did not know how to answer his father, so he said: “Father, I can PRAY tonight for some wood: it’s better than stealing.” When he crept up into his loft he did so.

The next day at noon there was a bundle of wood before the door—his door. Yes, there it was. His mother told him the overseers of the poor sent it; but he did not know them. He believed it was God, and so it was.

This little boy was “wise unto that which is good” (Rom. 16:19); and so, “He that BELIEVETH on Him shall not be confounded.” (1 Pet. 2:6.)

He was rewarded for his trust in God; and so,

“They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” (Ps 34:19.)

ML 02/15/1903

A Few of the Last Sayings of One of Our Little Friends Who Has done to Be with the Lord.

ALMOST two weeks before little H. took sick, he said to A. McA., “I am going to see John,” meaning her brother who is with the Lord. A few days later, with his eyes turned upward, he said “Oh! bun I love Jesus.” His mother asked him, “What makes you love Jesus?” and his reply was, “Tause, tause He loves me.” An hour later he was heard to sing in his childish way,

“Jesus loves me, this I know

For the Bible tells me so,

Little ones to Him belong,

They are weak but He is strong.”

Whilst he was sick, he said, “I do not want to stay down here any longer, I want to go to Jesus,” and, “If I take medicine it will make me better, and I don’t want to get better.” And when some friends told him not to talk that way as it worried his mamma, he said, “I do so want to go to Jesus—won’t it be nice?” Later when his father said to him, “You want to stay with mamma and papa don’t you H.? his reply was, “No Papa, I want to go to Jesus.”

What a cheer to hear such words as these from a little child, and that just before going into the presence of God. May the Lord use these sayings of our dear little H. to draw the hearts of our readers to find in Christ a portion to fully satisfy their hearts.

ML 02/15/1903

Feeding the Birds.

WINTER’S snow is thickly falling, and soon the ground, as well as the trees and the bushes, will be robed in a mantle of white. And what will the poor birds do then, for the ground will grow hard with the frost, and there will not be any worms or insects for them to feed upon! Even the leafless branches of the trees will not afford them food as in summer.

We might think they must soon starve to death. But, no; God takes care of even the little birds. He feeds the sparrows; He hears the raven’s cry.

In our picture today, we see a dear child feeding the birds; and from near and from far, they seem to be coming at his call. If he had not shown them kindness, they would keep at a good distance; but they have received good at his hand, and now, without fear, they come close to him, and eagerly pick up the sweet crumbs that he has in readiness for them. Does it not give you pleasure, as you look upon the picture, to see how happy and confident these little creatures are!

Let us learn from it, two little lessons. First; may we learn to show kindness to all of God’s creatures. God cares for them, and we should care for them. Second; let us thankfully recognize God’s care over us. While He thinks of the little birds, and cares for them, He tells us we are of “more value than many sparrows.” He does not wish us to be troubled about what we shall eat and what we shall wear. He would have us take these cares to Him who cares for us. He tells us to consider the ravens, for He feeds them; and to consider the lilies which He clothes so beautifully. He tells us too, that He will feed and clothe us, and we are not to be of doubtful mind. He gives us this beautiful word, “Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.” Should not this be enough for our hearts?

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

ML 02/22/1903

Jesus Cleansing the Temple.

Mark 11:15-17.

JESUS had just returned from Bethany, where He had spent the night with His disciples. He went into the temple, and found the money-changers there, and those who sold doves. He overthrew the table of the money-changers, and the seats of those who sold doves. This He did with energy and authority, for He was the King, and if He was going to reign over His people, He could not allow them to do as they were doing, for the house which was to be a house of prayer for all people they had turned into a den of thieves.

Many of the people who came to worship, came from a long distance, and instead of bringing their offerings with them, they brought money and bought offerings at Jerusalem. These money changers and dove sellers were the men who supplied the people with these things and they brought them into the courts of the temple, and sold them there, and no doubt, made large profits from the people in order to enrich themselves by this unholy traffic. This is the reason why the Lord Jesus called them “thieves” and charged them with making the house of God their “den”. But He had come as King, and if His authority was to be owned, these things must cease. The temple must be cleansed from all this unholy traffic, and holiness must have its place in God’s house. Jesus spoke and acted with power and authority, but the wickedness of the scribes and the chief priests was incurable, and they sought to destroy Him. They were afraid they would lose their influence with the people, because the people were astonished at His teaching; and so they must get rid of Him at all cost. Oh! how solemn. Reader, how is it with you? Do you own the authority of Jesus? Or do you want to get rid of Him?

ML 02/22/1903

Fruits of Faithfulness.

An aged minister of the word, named John Ryland, of Northampton, was once upon a journey in his Master’s service, when he was overtaken by a violent storm and compelled to seek shelter at the first inn he came to. Having stabled his horse, he sat down with the family of the innkeeper, in their wide, old fashioned chimney, where all strove to make him as comfortable as possible, while he waited for the abatement of the storm. But time passed on, the rain continued to fall heavily, and John Ryland found he must remain for the night. Having supped with the family, and the house being cleared, the host informed his tired guest that his chamber was ready as soon as he chose to retire.

“But.” said his visitor, “you have not had your family together.”

“Had my family together!” echoed the astonished landlord: “I don’t understand you, sir.”

“To read the Scriptures and to pray with them,” replied the guest. “Surely you do not retire to rest without doing so?”

The landlord, who was an unconverted man, to whom family prayer would have been an empty form, of course confessed he had never been accustomed to do anything of the kind.

“Then, sir,” said Mr. R., “I must beg you to order my horse immediately.”

The landlord and family entreated him not to expose himself to the storm which was still unabated, but Mr R., who was resolved to carry his point that he might set Christ before them, replied that he would rather faze the inclement weather at that late hour than sleep under any roof without prayer. They had received him into their family circle, and treated him as a friend. They had passed a pleasant evening together, and the aged servant of Christ having found no convenient opportunity of setting the truth before them, felt that the time had now come for a testimony for his gracious Master. The landlord still remonstrated, expressing great regret that he should offend such an agreeable visitor, but was evidently afraid or ashamed to attempt such an unheard-of innovation as family prayer in a public inn. Still Mr. R. remained firm to his purpose, and at last, finding that nothing would avail to turn his guest from his fixed resolve, the landlord said he should have no objection to “call the family together, but should not know what to do when they came.” Mr. R. replied that if his host had no objection he would willingly conduct the little service for him, a proposal which the poor man, glad to escape from an insuperable difficulty, thankfully accepted, and accordingly the entire family, servants, hostler, and all, were summoned into the spacious kitchen, and sat down, probably for the first time, beneath that old roof, to hear the Scriptures read and expounded. After, this, the servant of the Lord knelt down, and with much fervor and solemnity poured forth his supplications on behalf of all present. It was a solemn moment. He felt it was the first, and might probably be the last time that the only “name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,” would be proclaimed in that house, and he prayed accordingly. Nor did his earnest and touching appeals to the throne of grace remain unheard. When they rose from their knees, nearly every face was bathed in tears, and the inquiry, “What must I do to be saved?” was awakened in almost every heart.

Much profitable conversation ensued. On the following morning the precious opportunity was renewed, and the Lord owned the faithful testimony of his aged servant. Most, if not all the inmates, of the old inn were converted and became devout and earnest followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Family prayer was never again omitted in that house, and, strange as it may appear to some, the innkeeper and his family became the instruments of spreading the Gospel in a neighborhood proverbially dark and destitute of a knowledge of the truth. Thus the fruits of faithfulness abounded to the glory of God, and who shall tell where or when they ceased to spring up, or how many shall rise in that day to bless God for the hour when his servant was detained by a storm at an inn? “Them that honor Me I will honor.” Servants of Christ, “be instant in season and out of season,” for that which seems unseasonable to man is often God’s special time for working; and when “He will work, who shall let it?”

ML 02/22/1903

God Loves "All" Children.

“WHAT kind of children does God love?” said a Christian one day to the children in his Sunday-school. “Good children,” “Good children,” was the answer from several voices.

The teacher was silent, and the scholars were perplexed to know what answer to give. Presently he said, “Jesus loves bad children.” The children were surprised at this, and one little girl anxiously asked if it was really true. When she was assured that it was really true, because it is written that God loved the world, and in it “there is none that doeth good, no, not one,” she burst into tears, and said, “I am so glad then, for I am a bad child.”

Thus the “gospel of the grace of God” first dawned upon a little child, and melted a rebellious spirit into tenderness and tears.

God loves all children, not because they are bad, but because He is good; not because they are lovely, but because He is loving: for “God is love.”

No doubt the children that Jesus called to Him and blessed, were children who had been sinful and wayward and disobedient; but He did not say “Suffer the good little children to come unto Me,” but “Suffer the little children to come unto Me.”

If Jesus were living here today and preaching the gospel and teaching the people and blessing the children, how glad you would be to have your parents take you to Jesus that He might put His hands on you and bless you; and Jesus would surely make you welcome.

Though Jesus is not here, yet you can come to Jesus. He sees you, and hears you, and loves you, and knows your needs; and if you are a sinful, naughty child, He loves you still, and calls you to Himself. You may speak to Him and He will hear you, and forgive you, and heal you, and help you.

Will you not come to Him today, just as you are?

ML 02/22/1903

The Little Girl Who Took Out the "If."

A LITTLE girl was awakened about her soul at a gospel meeting where the story of the leper was told. Leprosy is a marked emblem of sin. It is a dreadful disease which soon covers the whole body. When any one became leprous in Israel he was obliged to go outside the camp, and when any one came near, his place was to cry “unclean! unclean!”

One day a poor leper came to Jesus and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth His hand and touched him, saying, I will, be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”

Well, this dear little girl, who was anxious, said, “I noticed that there was an ‘if’ in what the man said, but there was no ‘if’ in what Jesus said; so I went home and took out the ‘if’ and I knelt down and said, ‘Lord Jesus, Thou canst, Thou wilt make me clean; I give myself to Thee.’”

My beloved little reader, have you thus come to Jesus? And if not yet, will you come now? Oh; do come to Him! He can and He will make you clean; yes, whiter than snow. You are a sinner, and sin is a far worse disease than leprosy. Nothing can take it away but the blood of Jesus. Come to Him this very moment, for “Behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.”

ML 02/22/1903

Extracts from Letters From Our Young Readers.

“I have received Jesus Christ as my Saviour, and He is a loving Saviour, ready to forgive every sinful act we do.” F. M.

“Christ is my personal Saviour and I love Him with all my heart. I got saved in March 1901.,” A. M.

ML 02/22/1903

Answers to Questions of January 4.

1.“Truth.” Eph. 4:25.

2.“Honor thy father and mother;” 6:2.

3.“Even when we were dead in sins.” 2:5.

4.“Children.” 6:l.

5.“Holy Spirit of God.” 4:30.

6.“Us.” 2:6.

7.“Redeeming the time,” etc. 5:16.

8.“Christ.” 5:2.

9.“Holy Spirit of Promise.” 1:18.

“THE CHURCH.” 5:25.

Bible Questions for March.

The answers are to be found in the Epistle to the Colossians, and the first letter of each answer will spell what we are told to continue in.

1.What was it that Paul said he was always doing for the Colossian saints?

2.What are believers dead with Christ from?

3.Where are the things that the Lord’s people are to seek?

4.Who did Paul say that he was always praying for?

5.Of whom was it said that he labored fervently in prayer?

6.What are we told to let the peace of God do?

Answer to a Question.

One of our young readers has written, asking the meaning of 2 Cor. 5:3 and that it be answered in “Messages of love” for the benefit of others.

In the first verse of the chapter, the “earthly house” refers to the body in which the believer now dwells, which, at death, is laid aside. But we (believers) have a house not made with hands a new body—which is eternal and this all believers will receive when the Lord comes.

In the 3rd verse there is another word used, and that is “naked.” Those who will be clothed with their house from heaven will not be “naked” before God, for they will have God’s righteousness upon them; but there will be those who will stand before God, in another day, in their earthly house or body—but they will be naked sinners, without the robe of righteousness, without Christ as their Saviour, who will hear from the lips of the Judge the dread sentence, “Depart from Me,” and they will go into everlasting punishment. How sad and how different their portion will be compared to that of those who have rested in Christ alone for their salvation.

When “the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God,” all who have died in Christ—who are now unclothed—will hear the voice of Him who is “the resurrection and the life,” and at His bidding they will be raised in their new bodies; and those believers why have not laid aside their earthly bodies, will hear the same voice calling them to meet Him in the air, and their bodies will be changed and be made new bodies and that is the “house which is from heaven.” What a blessed hope, for they will be with their Lord forever; and that is the common portion of all the people of God. Our prayer is, that this may be the portion of all the readers of “Messages of Love.”

ML 03/01/1903

Shelter From the Storm.

THE little girl in our picture is making her way through the fast falling snow. She is carrying a basket, filled with different articles; perhaps she is taking these things to some poor person, and it may be in this way she is helping to care for the sick and needy. She is trying to shelter herself from the storm with the large umbrella she is holding in her hand.

It is good to find shelter in the day of storm, and I want to direct my little readers to a safe refuge, yes, and to a happy hiding place. That refuge is Jesus, that happy hiding place is under the shadow of God’s wings. Storms of trial and sorrow may beat upon you in this poor world, but if you are trusting “under His wings,” He will hide you “in His pavilion” in the time of trouble; He will be your helper and your stay. And not only that, but you will be delivered from the storm of wrath that will by and bye sweep over the world, for you will then be safely housed above.

Have you believed in Jesus? Has He suffered on the cross for your sins? If so, you will not have to suffer, for He has died in your stead, and now you are under a refuge that is secure; you have found a safe hiding place, where no enemy can do you harm.

It is well to think of what God has done for us, and to praise Him for His goodness. Let me give you a few precious verses on which to meditate. “Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat.” Isa. 25:4.

“I will say of the Lord. He is my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.” Ps. 91:2.

“He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust.” Ps. 91:4.

“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. 1:10.

ML 03/01/1903

Bread From Heaven.

AFTER enjoying for a time the grateful shade of Elim, and being refreshed by its fountains of water, Israel took up again their march through the desert. One month from the time that the “pillar of cloud” began to lead them, they were brought into the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Mt. Sinai, and there they encamped again—these, “many thousands of Israel.” But there was no bread for them there, and their thoughts and hearts turned back to the “flesh pots” of Egypt, and they wished themselves back again. Then they began to murmur against Moses and. Aaron, telling them they had brought them forth into this wilderness to kill them with hunger. How very wrong this was! It showed that they did not have confidence in God. They might have known that God would not allow them to die of hunger and. thirst in the wilderness after having visited them in mercy and brought them out from the fearful bondage under which they had labored in Egypt. They did not know that it was better to be in the desert with God, than to be in the brick-kilns with Pharaoh.

O! dear children, have we learned this great lesson which Israel of old had not yet learned? We may be in a wilderness where there is no bread, and no water, but if we have God to care for us, we have nothing to fear. Some set out to walk with God, but when trial or pressure come in the pathway they begin to murmur and rebel. Israel seemed to forget how sore their bondage had been; and how great was the deliverance that God had wrought for, them and What mercies had followed their steps. He led them through the deep. If Marah’s waters were bitter, He sweetened them for them. He gave them refreshment at Elim.

And now, if some cloud darkens our path, shall we forget the great victory that Jesus has gained for us, and the many mercies with which God has strewn our desert path! Oh, let us remember that we have God with us, and God for us; and may this keep our hearts from murmuring and discontent!

Notwithstanding Israel’s murmuring, God was very gracious, and told Moses that He would rain bread from heaven for the people. This was in great contrast with the “flesh-pots” after which they had been longing. These belonged to earth, but the “angels’ food” which God was about to give them belonged to heaven; and now God was going to test Israel by this heavenly food, for He said, “That I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law, or no!”

Are there any flesh-pots for us? and has heavenly bread been provided? John 6:32, 33, 35 shows that the true bread from heaven, which the Father gives, is JESUS. Now the question comes, How many of us are feeding on this true bread? We well know that daily bread is needed to nourish our bodies and make us strong. And do you think that we can be strong and healthy Christians without feeding upon this Bread from heaven? Surely we cannot.

This spiritual food becomes a test as to our condition, even as the bread rained down from heaven was made a test for Israel. Are we satisfied to feed upon Christ, or do our hearts turn back to the world? —for it is there the “fleshpots” are found. If the light reading, the parties and pleasures of earth are claiming our thoughts, we will not have much relish for Christ.

Oh! may God help us, each and all, to realize that Christ gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world. (Gal. 1:4.) And may He help us to walk before Him with grateful hearts, satisfied with the provision He makes for us in ‘the wilderness.’

We may learn more about the heavenly bread that God gave to Israel in another paper.

ML 03/01/1903

"The Religion of Jesus."

THE following is taken mainly from the words of a servant of Christ, long since gone to be with the Lord.

A poor looking Jew, with the longest possible face, came in, and asked if I could do something for him. I asked him, “Do you love Jesus?”

“No.”

“Do you believe in Him?”

“No.”

“Do you believe in God?”

“Yes, but not Jesus, no! no! not Jesus!”

He followed me to the wardrobe, where I clothed him.

“It was the religion of Jesus,” I replied, “which put it into the hearts of Christians to provide these clothes for you. Do you not think there is something in the religion of Jesus?”

“I don’t know,” he said; but as he was going I saw the big tears roll down his cheek.

It was some time before I saw him again. I at once began the old story:

“You must be converted. The blood of Jesus alone can take away your sins; and without it you will be lost, after all your good thoughts.” He sighed deeply, and I spoke earnestly to him. Some time elapsed, and then I met him on the street. I asked him how he felt. His only answer was:

“I tink I need de blood of Jesus.”

Without another word I went on my way, thinking the Spirit was doing the work, and needed not me. Some days after, I met him—full of smiles—a tear standing in each eye.

“How do you do?” I said. With deep earnestness he replied:

“I feel such a loveliness to Jesus, I could not sleep last night.”

And so it was, God met this poor unbelieving Jew. He was led as a sinner first to feel his need of the blood, and then to find in Jesus a Saviour and Friend.

ML 03/01/1903

Extract From a Letter From Our Young Friends.

“I received your letter and was glad to get it. We have a little prayer-meeting over at our mission, and there was a woman owned up for Christ as her personal Saviour on Monday night.”

E. M.

ML 03/01/1903

Amatola.

LIZA W— was born in the heart of the wild mountains of Amatola, in Kaffraria.

The brother officers in the regiment to which her father belonged in that place, called the new-comer, “The Little Amatola,” and her parents added this to her name in memory of the place where she was born. When Amatola was four years of age, her father was sent on military duty to China, and her mother went with her little child, back to their home in England.

But two short years had passed, when the little flower from the far mountains of Amatola began to fade. Owing to a fall that the child had while in London, symptoms of that dreadful and hopeless trouble, spinal disease, made their appearance; and now the buoyant, joyous days of this little one were over. Gradually health and strength went from her, and at the end of two years more, she was laid upon her bed, not to rise again.

As we look on our picture today, at the little girl lying on the sofa, among the cushions, with her friend seated at her side, we think of poor little Amatola. For her, the springing step, the bounding leap of joyous childhood were forever past and She was a hopeless, helpless sufferer. She was a child intelligent beyond her years. From her cradle she had been surrounded by “the pomp and circumstances of war;” and from her earliest days she had been accustomed to hear the quick, sharp word of command given, and instantly obeyed. In her nature she was imperious and quick in word and deed. For such a disposition, the heavy affliction that came upon little Amatola, was all the heavier to bear, and especially so as she did not yet know the grace of God in her heart.

Time passed wearily on, and her sufferings increased. Often she was unable to sleep at night because of the severe pain. At last the time came when her mother had to give her this sad message: “The doctor says that you must die!” On hearing this, the poor child wept with anguish; for hope is strong in the toast of the young; and to Amatola, the thought of death was terrible. But after this outburst of grief had passed, she listened calmly to the precious truth of salvation through the blood of Christ alone; and as the tearful pleadings of her mother’s voice fell upon her ear, the Lord graciously owned the word, and the suffering child was made to see herself in the light. One by one the sins of her little life rose up before her and were, confessed to her mother. She saw that she was a sinner in God’s sight, and this made her wretched, and with tears she begged her mother to, pray for her. Day and night the dear mother pleaded in answer to this request.

One day the dying child was pointed to a text of Scripture that hung upon the wall:

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” ¤ Jno. 1:7.

As she thought upon these precious words, the Spirit of God applied them in power, and the fears and dread of death all fled before the blessed light which broke in upon the soul of little Amatola.

Her mother, going into her room shortly afterwards, heard these words: “Oh, I feel so peaceful and happy now! The load is all gone; I know and feel that my sins are all forgiven!” When the eye of the dear child met her, no shadow lingered in it; and the low, sweet voice had lost its tone of anxious care.

From that hour, Amatola had full assurance that her sins were forgiven, and that everlasting life was hers. From that hour, too, a great change was seen in her ways. She did not order her nurse about as she had done before, but would ask her graciously for what she wanted. And she became very patient and submissive. On one occasion, speaking of her intense suffering, she said: “If my legs had not drawn up, I should not have gone to heaven.”

Do we not in this see beautiful submission; and that in a child not yet eleven years of age! She recognized the necessity of the Lord’s dealing thus with her; and, although in anguish of body, she was submissive in spirit. She had indeed learned to “glory in tribulations,” even while on the rack.

A Christian friend who visited her, remarked that she was sorry to see her so changed. Looking up with a lovely smile, the dear child replied: “Oh, it will not be for long, I am soon going home.” Thus triumphantly she could look forward with joy, knowing she would soon be with Jesus.

On one occasion, she said: “Mamma, I do try to be patient, because it will be doing something for Jesus.”

How many of my readers are trying to serve Jesus by being patient? In the Christian life, patience is one of the things which God calls upon us to add. See 2 Peter 1:6. And He tells us in James: “Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

May this and other important lessons be learned from the life of dear little Amatola!

ML 03/08/1903

Jesus Teaching How to Remove Mountains.

Mark 11:23, 24.

AT the word of Jesus the fig tree had withered away. Peter wondered at the power that had done this. But nothing was too great for the power of God, and so Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God.”

This faith is the faith that counts upon God in connection with difficulties. If you have some work or some difficulty, too great for human power and wisdom, and have faith to count upon God to undertake for you, you will succeed, even though it be as great as casting a mountain into the sea. God created the mountains, and He is able to remove a mountain. And so it is as to difficulties. There is no difficulty too great for God to remove. If you have difficulties too great for your own power, and have the faith to have God undertake for you, the difficulty will soon go. There is nothing too hard for the Lord. And if we have Him with us, there will be no difficulty too great for us to meet.

In the days of Elisha, there was a great famine in Samaria because the king of Syria besieged it. So great was the scarcity that the head of an ass was sold for eighty pieces of silver, and poor people were perishing within the walls of the city. While this was going on, Elisha said one day to a servant of the king,

“Tomorrow, about this time, shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.” The man could not see how this could be, and did not believe it. Even if the Lord should make windows in heaven, he did not see how it could be. But God brought it to pass according to the word of His prophet.

The great Syrian army had abundance of provision just outside the city of Samaria. And in the night God made the Syrian host “to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, the noise of a great host,” which filled them with fear, so that they fled in great haste, leaving all their provisions behind.

Four hungry lepers went out to the Syrian camp, and found that the Syrians were gone, and brought to Samaria the good news, and the people went out of the city and brought in a great spoil from the Syrian camp. Thus the words of the prophet were fulfilled. What seemed a human impossibility, God brought to pass in a very simple way. Nothing is impossible with God; and if we have the faith that brings Him into our difficulties, even though they are like mountains, our mountain-difficulties will be cast into the sea and disappear.

ML 03/08/1903

Procrastination.

HOW many thousands have had bitter cause to regret the putting off until tomorrow, that which might and should be done today. A Greek nobleman, many centuries ago, was interrupted in the midst of a gorgeous festival, by the unwelcome intrusion of a messenger who had been sent to him by a friend with important tidings. He had been told to say that the message he brought should be read by the nobleman immediately, as it contained information seriously affecting him, and of such pressing importance as to admit of no delay.

The nobleman, absorbed in his pleasures, and annoyed by the interruption, refused to listen to the messenger. “Serious things tomorrow!” he exclaimed, as he contemptuously cast aside the letter, and taking the goblet from the hand of his slave, pursued his amusements.

The delay was fatal. His pleasures had not reached their height, when a body of conspirators rushed in and slew him! The letter had been sent to warn him of a plot against his life, and had he but opened and read it, he would have escaped a sudden and painful death. His folly but faintly resembles that of all, who, knowing that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,” put off from day to day, from now till then, and time to eternity— as, alas! in result it often proves—the solemn, the earnest consideration of the great and all-important question, “What thinkest thou of Christ?”

Reader, are you guilty of this folly? The nobleman lost his life, but you will lose your undying soul, unless you can be persuaded to open the letter— God’s word, the Bible — and there read and meditate upon the doom denounced against all who believe not in the Lord Jesus Christ unto everlasting life.

“And what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” “Tomorrow” may be too late. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” but “he that believeth not shall be damned.”

ML 03/08/1903

Three Little Stories About Praise.

A VERSE in Psalm L. says: “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me.” (Find and read the verse.)

I want to give you three little stories about praising the Lord—true stories of three little girls who loved to praise Him.

1. Robbie and Edgar and Dottie had all been to Sunday-school together. It was the latter’s first experience, and when the three came into the room where their mother was sitting, the little girl exclaimed, with shining eyes: “I know ‘Jesus loves me’ and I sang it, Mamma.” “But she’s got such a tiny voice, nobody could hear her,” Robbie remarked.

“Oh yes, God could hear her, ‘cause He hears everything,” said Edgar.

“That is a very lovely thought,” said the mother, “It was quite right for Dottie to sing the hymn she knew, even though she could not make much sound. I am sure God heard her sweet little voice and blessed her for using it to sing His praise.”

Alice was seated in her little rocking chair, her doll upon her lap, and as she rocked gently to and fro she sang in a sweet, low voice:

“Saviour, teach me day by day

Love’s sweet lesson to obey,

Sweeter lesson cannot be—

Loving Him who first loved me.”

“Why do you sing that hymn so much, Alice?” asked her brother Tom, as he stopped work on the kite he was making to look across the room at his sister.

“Because my teacher told me Jesus likes to hear little children sing it, and that’s why I love to sing it,” Alice replied.

Could Alice have given a better reason for singing her little hymn? Truly, Jesus does love to hear little children praise Him and this is one way they can glorify Him.

“Dear Jesus, I thank Thee for making such beautiful sand for me to play in,” said Lucy in her heart, as she was playing one summer day by the sea-shore.

ML 03/08/1903

God's Care.

SOME years ago a young woman who knew Jesus as her Saviour, had gone to live for a time in a small town many miles from her home.

She had been only a few days in her new home and was not yet very familiar with the house, when one evening after dark she opened the wrong door. Supposing she was stepping into the hall, she fell to the cellar floor. But the Lord’s care was over her and she was not injured by the fall. Dear children, do you ever think how many dangers, both seen and unseen, surround you? Often you do not know what accidents you narrowly escape. But there is One who never “slumbers nor sleeps.” Can my little readers tell me who this is? I think I hear a little voice saying, “God.” Yee, dear children, that is right. God is always watching. There is never a danger that He does not see. And I hope you do not forget to thank God for taking such good care of you, day after day.

ML 03/08/1903

Extract From a Letter From Our Young Friends.

“Searching for the answers is a great help to my getting more familiar with the word of God.”

N. B.

ML 03/08/1903

An Oriental Scene.

OUR picture brings before us a scene in the far East—perhaps in India. The dress of the woman who sits upon the ground, the shrubbery seen through the open window, the strange cradle, with its little inmates, swinging from some support above, all speak to us of another clime, and of a land far removed from ours. But the same affection is seen in the mother’s heart, as she watches over her little ones, as is seen in the hearts of mothers in our own land, for God has placed it there. It may be in a land of heathen darkness, but still the mother loves her child.

This mother-love is sometimes shown in a very touching way; and this in the lower animals, as well as in man. I heard of a cat that sprang through the flames of a burning building with one of her kittens in her mouth; a second and a third time she made her way through the flames, each time returning with one of her loved little ones. Although she was badly scorched and burned, she did not rest until all her kittens were rescued from the burning stable. The owner of this faithful cat was so delighted with her conduct on this occasion that she laid money could not buy her.

But we know there is a love greater than even a mother’s love —a love which the dark waters of death could not quench. Do you know this love, my dear reader? Has the love of Jesus melted your heart? You were far from Him; has He drawn you to Himself? You were out in the darkness; has He brought you into the light? You were under the power of Satan; have you been turned to God? Are your sins forgiven, and have you “an inheritance” among them which are sanctified? Oh, then praise God with a glad heart that you have been brought under the power of this wonderful love.

“Giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who bath delivered us from the power of darkness, and bath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.

“In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Col. 1:12-14.

ML 03/15/1903

The Converted Negro and the Fiddle.

A SLAVE in the island of Jamaica, of unusual intelligence, and a fine player on the violin, was brought under the power of the truth through the labors of the English Baptist Missionaries, and became a decided Christian. Fearing his instrument might prove a snare to him, he broke it. Soon after, his master told him that he should want him before long to play his favorite instrument. He replied:

“Fiddle broke, Massa.”

“It must be mended, Sam.”

“Broke all to pieces, Massa.”

“Well, we must get a new one, Sam.”

“Me tink that no good, Massa; he soon broke.”

The master, suspecting that this breaking of the fiddle had something to do with religion, to which he was no friend, said:

“I hope you do not go to pray, and run after these mad-headed folks, Sam!”

“To tell de truth, me gone, Massa.” His master now threatened to flog him, to which he returned answer “Dat no good, Massa; whip no flog de Word out.”

His master now removed the refractory slave from his comfortable position as a house-servant, to work in the field under a burning Jamaica sun. He was now in the midst of three hundred slaves, to whom he soon began to talk about Christ, inviting them to go and hear his minister. His master, hearing of this, was still more incensed, and, calling him up, said:

“How dare you trouble my negroes? I will have no praying negroes.”

“Me no tink dey are troubled, Massa. Do dey work much worse, or are dey more saucy, Massa?”

“That is nothing to you; how dare you trouble my negroes?”

“To tell de truth, Massa, me tink dat de bread dat is good for my soul, is good for my broder neger; and me tink dat if it is a good ting for me to escape hell, it is good for broder neger; and if heaven is a good place for me, it is good for broder neger ; and me pray; and me pray for rich massa, and me tink dat if my rich massa would once go and hear de missionary, he would always go afterwards.”

At all this the master was angry, but sent the negro parson, Sam, from his presence with nothing worse than threatening words.

“Whosoever, therefore, shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 10:32, 33.

Negro Sam was not ashamed to confess Jesus before his master, and before his brother slaves.

ML 03/15/1903

Manna.

THE next morning after the sad murmuring of Israel, the dew lay round about this great host of people, and when it disappeared, the ground was covered with something white, like frost, and small, like a coriander-seed, and sweet to the taste. They were surprised when they saw this, and asked one another what it was. Moses told them that it was the bread which the Lord had given them to eat; and they called it manna, which means, “What is it?”

Then Moses told them that the Lord had commanded that they should gather up the manna— an omer for every man. They set to work and some gathered more, and some less; but when they measured it, those who had gathered much had nothing over, and those who had gathered little had no lack. Then Moses told them that no one should leave of it till morning; but, some of them, not heeding his words, left part of theirs until morning, only to find that it had bred worms, and was very offensive. This disobedience made Moses very angry with them.

Each morning the manna was found upon the ground, and had to be gathered for their daily food; it must be gathered early, too, for when the sun grew hot it melted.

Now there are precious lessons to be gleaned from this narrative. Shall we seek to gather up some of them?

The manna was to be gathered every day; so we who are now the people of God should feed daily on Christ. The children of Israel were not allowed to gather enough for two days, or to leave any over for next day. Yesterday’s manna will not do for today, nor today’s for, tomorrow. I must feed today, I must feed tomorrow, I must feed next day upon Christ, if I would grow in the knowledge of Him.

If the manna was not gathered early, it melted and was lost. If we do not begin the day with Christ, before other things come in to claim our thoughts and time, He is shut out. The children of Israel rose early in order to gather their daily food; blessed for us, if we rise early to seek the heavenly things! The new life which we have in Christ can be sustained only through feeding upon Him; “so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me.” John 6:57.

Do not forget, my dear young reader, it is one thing to have life in Christ, and it is another thing to be feeding on Him by faith. One may be a child of God, and yet be feeding upon light reading, and many vain and trifling things; and these are not the dew drops upon which the manna, pure and sweet, came down from heaven. Ah, no! the heavenly bread must not be brought into contact with these gross things of earth.

May God give to each of His own redeemed ones to feed upon the living bread, and to be filled with joy and gladness through it!

ML 03/15/1903

The Fruit of the Spirit.

HOW many of my little readers can tell what kind of fruit grows on an apple tree? Someone says “apples.” Yes, that is right. Now, if I tell you that oranges grow on a cherry tree, you will say, “Oh, no! cherries grow on cherry trees.” And you are right. Each tree has its own kind, of fruit—sometimes good, and sometimes bad.

Little children are like trees. They bear either good fruit or bad fruit. If they disobey their parent, tell lies, quarrel, or do anything else that is naughty, they are bearing bad fruit, and God does not like that. He wants to see the good fruit, which is “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Galatians 5:22, 23.

We cannot talk about all of these today, but hope to do so in succeeding papers, if the Lord will.

ML 03/15/1903

"Love."

Very little children understand what love is. Baby lips say, “I love Papa,” “I love Mamma.” They respond to the loving caresses of their parents, brothers and sisters. They love in return, those that love them.

But God loves those who do not love Him—yes, those who even hated Him and nailed His beloved Son to the cross. God’s love is much greater than the love of any one on earth.

If we love God and are seeking to please Him, unselfish love like His will be part of the fruit we bear. It will make us do good to those who do not love us. It will make us patient when others hurt or wrong us, while without this love of God we might grow impatient and even angry. It will also make us do cheerfully, things that we would rather not do.

I hope all my little readers will ask God for more of this love, and thus bear fruit which is pleasing to Him.

ML 03/15/1903

Your Last Chance.

THESE words in large print attracted my attention a few days ago. On reading what followed, I found it was only a notice of a photographer about to leave town. But as I looked at the words, I thought how much they might mean!

Dear young reader, when your Sunday-school teacher today faithfully presented to you, once more, the only way of salvation through faith in Christ, and the danger of delaying your acceptance of Him—what if it had been your last chance?

When last night the Gospel preacher preached Christ and Him crucified, and asked if you did not wish to have a personal interest in that death, would you have turned carelessly away if you had thought it was “your last chance”?

There are two things that might, either of them, come in, to make even the reading of this little paper, your last chance to accept God’s offer of free pardon and eternal life through the gift of His Son. One of these, you well know, is your own death. How suddenly and unexpectedly it may come! Only a short time ago, a man was sitting in his own house a shot was fired through the window—and he was dead.

The other is, the coming of the Lord. He says in the last chapter in the Bible: “Behold I come quickly.” The very thought of this event fills the hearts of His own with joy, but not so the unbelieving one. Ah, he knows that when the Lord comes, his last chance to enter the open door will be gone, for the door will be shut. (See Gen. 7:16, and Matt. 25:10.)

Once, more, dear unsaved reader, as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christ’s stead, be reconciled to God. 2 Cor. 5:20.

And now, just a word to you, dear boys and girls, who are rejoicing in Jesus as your own Saviour, What are you doing for Him Who has done so much for you? Are you seeking to serve Him each day as though it were your last chance? It may be. The time is short. “Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58.

ML 03/15/1903

Extracts From Letters From Our Young Friends.

“I do like searching for your questions because I feel sure that it pleases God, and I learn more of His holy word, and I know that pleases Him.”

J. B.

“I must tell you I am trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, and can say that the dear Saviour is mine. I’m sheltered by His precious blood, and now I can thank Him.”

H. T.

ML 03/15/1903

Press on.

SEE this fine-looking dog! How earnest he looks! Something has attracted his attention, and he is leaping toward it. Nothing must stop him in his course; so he goes crashing through the window. Does not this show earnestness and purpose on the part of the dog? And what a lesson there is for us in this Should not we who know the Lord have this same earnestness, and with purpose of heart, press on? Difficulties may come in our path, but we should not allow this to hinder our onward progress. Obstacles may seem to close our way, but if we have the mind of the Lord, we can still go forward, for, through Christ strengthening us we can do all things. The Apostle Paul could say, “This one thing I do; forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” He had a prize before him, and he was pressing on to reach it.

The dog in the picture has a prize before him, and no slight barrier shall stand in his way. He is pressing on through difficulties. The Apostle Paul had just one object before him, and that object was Christ in glory. Should difficulties stand in the way of his reaching that blessed object? No! Things behind must be forgotten, and hindrances in the way must be overcome; and with all the energy of his being he presses on. There was an object that had won his heart, there was a prize before him, dearer than all that earth held dear to him, and with his eye upon that prize, he presses on; he could say, This one thing I do.

How is it with you—with me? Has the loveliness of Christ so attracted our hearts, is His worth so precious to our souls, that we are ready to leave the things that are behind, and to press on to those things that are before, not allowing anything to hinder our progress in our heavenward path?

Oh, may this “purpose of heart” be granted to each one of my little readers who know Jesus; and may it be from this time, with each and all of you, “THIS ONE THING I DO.”

ML 03/22/1903

The Little Ragged Girl.

A POOR little ragged girl applied for admission into the Industrial School at G—, and was received. Here she learned to read and sew, and was rather a promising pupil.

One day she refused to read the Bible, saying, “My mother bade me not to read it.”

The teacher then said, “Tell your mother the Bible will do you no harm, but will make you wise unto salvation; and the rules of the school, which must be observed, require that every scholar able to read should read the word of God.”

The mother, unwilling to deprive her child of the industrial training she was receiving, and herself of the fruits of that industry, at length consented, and her little girl read the Bible daily, and committed portions of it to memory.

With maternal anxiety for the welfare of her child, she resolved to keep a strict watch on what she learned, and counteract at home any influences of the school. For this purpose she made her, evening after evening, repeat the lessons she was taught, and questioned her regarding them. She was both surprised and disappointed.

One day she heard of Christ’s conversation with the woman of Samaria; another, of His discourse with Nicodemus; another, of His love for the family of Bethany, of His sympathy with Mary and Martha, on the death of their brother Lazarus, and of His raising him from the dead; again she heard of the full and free forgiveness of the repentant sinner, while the proud and self-righteous Pharisee is reproved; and so on. There was nothing against the Virgin, the Pope, or the “true church” in all this. She had never heard these things before; they had all the charms of novelty, and, with a power peculiar to the Scriptures, commended themselves to her mind and heart.

After some time, the little girl was regularly absent from school. What had become of her? One evening a gentle knock was heard at the teacher’s dwelling; the door was opened, and there stood with anxious countenance the little pupil. After a kind recognition, she said, “Please, ma’am, would you lend me a Bible?”

“What do you want with a Bible?” asked the teacher.

“I want,” said the little girl, “to read it to my mother. She is sick now and I cannot go to school. I used to tell her all my lessons every day. I have told them over and over, and now she wants the Book of which she has heard so much.”

The Bible was willingly given; The teacher visited the woman, and, often found her little pupil reading the word of God to her dying mother.

The woman departed, giving bright evidence that she received and rested on Christ, and Him alone, for her salvation.

Soon after, the health of the little motherless girl began to decline. Her form was more slight, her step, less elastic, and her spirit less buoyant than those of her companions.

Unable to keep pace with them, she returned from school alone—yet not alone, for she had been brought to know Him who has said “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”

Though her outward man was perishing, she grew in the knowledge of Christ from day to day, and in a very little while her spirit departed to be with the Lord.

Thus the mother and daughter bear witness that the word of God makes wise unto salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus.

ML 03/22/1903

Jesus Teaching to Forgive.

Mark 11:25, 26.

JESUS said to His disciples, “When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

There are two kinds of forgiveness spoken of in Scripture. One is God forgiving a lost and guilty sinner who turns to Him with repentance, confessing his guilt, and believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour. In this way God forgives just once. He forgives thus because Jesus has died for sinners, and has borne the sins of all who believe. When we believe on Jesus, God’s word assures us that all our sins were borne by Jesus, and that when we believed, God forgave them all. This God has done once, and never needs to do again, just because Jesus settled the whole matter by His dying on the cross.

But the Scripture at the beginning of this article speaks of another kind of forgiveness—the forgiveness we receive from God our Father after we have become His children. In the first case, it is God forgiving a lost and guilty sinner; in this case it is a Father forgiving a naughty child. After we have become His children, if we do wrong things, He is not pleased with our ways, and we cannot enjoy communion with Him; and besides, He may take His rod and chastise us because of our naughty ways. Now God delights to forgive; but if we do not forgive, we are not like Him, and He is not pleased with us, and will not bear our prayer. Another Scripture says: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” And so it is if we do not forgive one another: And if we do not forgive each other’s faults, He will not forgive ours.

Sometimes God’s children have hard feelings in their hearts toward others. This is not right; and so Jesus calls on us to forgive. God does not hold any hard feelings against any one; and Jesus prayed for His enemies when they crucified Him, and God wants us to be like-minded. If we have hard feelings toward any one, we cannot pray for him aright. We need to forgive in our hearts, as God has forgiven us, and then our hearts are free to pray even for our enemies, and God will hear us, and forgive our faults, too.

ML 03/22/1903

Young and Old.

SOME twelve or fifteen years ago a very sad accident befell a young boy well known to the writer.

One evening when Fred G— was about twelve years old, he was riding on his velocipede down a very steep hill, at the foot of which was a railroad track. A freight train was switching back and forth, but the velocipede was going so fast that Fred was unable to stop it. Just as he reached the track he was struck by a freight car and killed. In a moment he was called away from the many friends and loved ones who sorrowed over his sad death.

Only a few months ago another was struck by a train, while he was walking across the track. He lived but a few hours and was unable to tell how the accident happened. But this time, instead of a young boy, it was an old man who was killed. Both had confessed Jesus as their Saviour, and we trust they are now happy in His presence.

But many, many people are going on, careless and indifferent, thinking there is plenty of time. They say that when they get old, it will be soon enough to think of their salvation. Alas! they forget that many do not live to grow old. Fred was only twelve years of age when God called him.

My dear readers, —little boys, little girls, —do not think that you are too young to be laid upon a bed of sickness from which you may never rise; do not think that you are too young to meet with an accident which may not leave you one moment to repent, and turn to Christ. Death comes to the young as well as to the old—to rich and poor alike —both to the saved and to the unsaved. No one is safe until he has come to Jesus and received the forgiveness of his sins.

Dear soul, turn to the Saviour today. Tomorrow, for you, may never come. Listen to those words of love, “Come unto Me.” Matt. 11:28. “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37 And “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 17:1.

Young and old are passing on,

Yes, dear reader, tell me, where.

Some to mansions bright have gone—

Heaven itself, with Christ’ to share.

But how sad to think of those

Who despise God’s wondrous love!

Naught for them but endless woes—

No bright home in heaven above.

Then, delay not, precious soul,—

Take salvation while you may.

Jesus Christ can make you whole,

He’s the truth, the life, the way.

ML 03/22/1903

The Fruit of the Spirit.

“JOY.”

Joy is another thing that little children know something about. How happy a little girl is when she gets a new doll; or a little boy when he gets a small train of cars, wagon, or a knife! What joy it gives them when they can get out in the yard and have a good play! How delighted they are to have a ride on a sled, in a buggy, or on the cars! There are many, many things that give children joy and pleasure.

But there is something else that ought to give us joy. Thinking of Jesus and learning about Him, give joy to God’s children. And this kind of joy is the fruit of the Spirit. Even in the midst of trouble and pain we may be happy in God. May we be filled with the joy that God gives and rejoice in Him continually.

ML 03/22/1903

"Peace."

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour, our sins are all forgiven. God tells us this that we may know that the punishment we deserved has all been borne for us, and that we shall never come into judgment. He does not want us to be troubled any more, but to have peace, knowing that nothing can ever pluck us out of His hand. This, dear reader, is peace with God as to the question of our sins.

But there is another “peace” which it is our privilege to enjoy—the peace of God. Often things seem to “go wrong.” Often we are in trouble of one kind or another. Perhaps all before us looks dark, and we don’t know what to do next. Perhaps some of our dear ones are sick. Everyone has trials and difficulties of some kind. But God knows them all, and He wants us to trust in Him. He says, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6, 7.

Take all your troubles to God, and leave them with Him. Do not worry any longer about them, but enjoy the sweet peace that may be yours if you will only trust in the blessed One who is willing to carry all your burdens for you.

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Pet. 5:7.

ML 03/22/1903

Thanksgiving.

HOW peaceful and calm the whole world seems to be, when the moon casts over it her silvery light! It says, as it were—the time has come for the busy mill to be shut down, the carpenter to lay aside his tools, the children to put away their toys, and to thank God for all His goodness to them during the day, and to close their eyes in sleep, trusting themselves to God for His mercies through the night. Remembering that not only have angels been watching over them during the day, but by night also. So the Lord Jesus, when speaking to His disciples, said, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 18:10.

But the little girl in our picture has not yet gone to sleep, but is sitting up in bed, looking out through the lattice window, and seems, not only to be admiring the beautiful scene, but, to be praising God who is the maker of all things.

When we think of the beauty and wonders of the whole creation, the way in which God has placed the moon and holds it there to give light on the dark world while the sun is gone, we should be led out in praise, and say, with the Psalmist, “O Lord, how manifold are Thy works; in wisdom hast Thou made them all; the earth is full of Thy riches. Ps. 104:24.

Have you, my dear young reader, given praise to God for all His wondrous works? and above all, have you thought about and praised and thanked Him for His gift of gifts—His beloved Son, whom He gave as a sacrifice for us poor sinners? Oh, think of it, dear children, however wonderful all the works of God are, this surpasses all, that He should so love us as to give His only begotten Son to die for us, and there punish Him for our sins.

All in creation are gifts from God, but may you go on to learn more of all God has done for us through His Son, and then you will be enabled to say, “Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” Rom. 11:33.

ML 03/29/1903

"The Rest of the Holy Sabbath."

THERE was a most remarkable feature connected with the gathering of the manna. While it must be gathered fresh each day, and any leftover would breed worms, so that they would be glad to throw away what might not be eaten, yet when the sixth day came they gathered a double portion, and on the seventh day they found it sweet and good; and not only so, but on the seventh day there was no manna to be found in the field. The reason was very simple and distinct; the Lord had marked that day as a Sabbath unto Himself, and they were to keep it in quietness and holiness. But how perverse is the heart of man! Although God was so gracious as to provide in this way a rest for the people, giving on the sixth day a double portion of the manna, and keeping it sweet for them that they might not have to gather on the seventh day, yet some of them refused to hearken, and went out to gather, but found no bread there. Then God told them, through Moses, that every man must stay in his place and none go out. From that time the Sabbath was rigidly kept by God’s people of old. Death was the penalty for the gathering of sticks to make a fire, or other work done on that day.

The seventh day was the day on which God rested “from all His work which He had made;” and it is a type of the eternal rest that awaits the people of God. But sin came in and spoiled God’s rest, and we get no mention of the Sabbath again until we find it here in the wilderness where Israel is brought into relationship with God, and now put on the ground of responsibility. The Lord spoke from heaven and made known His holy Sabbath to the people (Neh. 9:13, 14.) And He gave it to be a sign between Him and them, showing that He had set this people apart for Himself. (Ez. 20:12.)

Shall we, like God’s ancient people, be cursed if we do any work on the Sabbath day? No! we are not under the law, and do not therefore come under the curse of a broken law. “Christ bath redeemed us from the curse of the law.” (Gal. 3:10-13.) The day and dispensation in which we live are different from the day and dispensation in which Israel lived. But let us remember that we have greater light and more truth than they had, and our responsibility is correspondingly greater than theirs. As to one day in seven, there is an obligation resting upon us, even as there was upon them; but with us it is as to the first—not the seventh day of the week. It was on the first day of the week that Jesus arose from the dead; and this day speaks to us of the glorious resurrection morn that awaits the redeemed. It was on the first day of the week that Jesus met with His disciples, and that again and again; and on that day they continued to meet about His blessed person to remember Him in the breaking of bread. This first day of the week is called in the Scriptures, The Lord’s day. Does this title, which God gives to it, give it any sacredness in our eyes? Surely it should, for it is the one day of the week which the Lord claims as His own. And since He calls the first day His, it becomes His people to leave that day free in a very special way for Himself.

Consider a moment; would we treat the Lord’s table as we do our own table every day at home? No! this would be abhorrent to us—it would be sacrilege. There is a sacredness connected with the Lord’s table which we own with adoring hearts; and this same feeling of sacredness should be manifest in connection with the Lord’s day. But alas! alas! how greatly the Lord is dishonored by His people on this, His day. Many, yes most of people, put aside their regular business, or the daily duties which fall to their lot, on that day, and think perhaps that is all that is necessary; then the day, or part of it, at least, is given up to visiting, or mayhap, letter writing; or, as the case may be, some little extras that have been crowded out in the busy days of the week. Others take the day for riding, walking, or even sleeping. Where is service to the Lord in all this! In what is there learning of Him! Wherein is He honored!

May grace be given to all who are His to set the day apart for Him, and to use it in a, special way for His glory!

ML 03/29/1903

The Old Scotchwoman's Faith.

BY the side of a rippling brook, in one of the secluded glens of Scotland, there stands a low, mud-thatched cottage, with its neat honeysuckled porch facing the south. Beneath this humble roof, on her snow-white bed, lay old Nanny the Scotchwoman, patiently and cheerfully awaiting the moment when her happy spirit would take its flight to “mansions in the skies;” experiencing with Paul, “We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” By her bedside, on a small table, lay her spectacles, and her well-thumbed Bible— “her barrel and cruse,” as she used to call it, from which she daily, yea, hourly, spiritually fed on the “Bread of Life.” A young minister frequently called to see her; he loved to listen to her simple expressions of Bible truths, for when she spoke of her “inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away,” it seemed but a little way off, and the listener almost fancied he heard the redeemed in heaven, saying, “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.”

One day, the young minister put to the happy saint the following startling question, “Now Nanny,” he said, “what if, after all your prayers, and watching, and waiting, God should suffer your soul to be eternally lost?” Pious Nanny raised herself on her elbow, and turning to him a wistful look, laid her right hand on the “precious Bible,” which lay open before her, and quietly replied, “Ae, dearie me, is that a’ the length you hae got yet, man?” And then continued, her eyes sparkling with almost heavenly brightness, “God would hae the greatest loss. Poor Nanny would but lose her soul, and that would be a great loss, indeed; but God would lose His honor and His character. Haven’t I hung my soul upon His ‘exceeding great and precious promises,’ an’ if He brake His word, He would make Himself a liar, AND ALL THE UNIVERSE WOULD RUSH INTO CONFUSION.” Thus spake the old Scotch pilgrim. These were among the last words that fell from her dying lips; and most precious words they were, like “apples of gold in baskets of silver.”

Let the reader consider them. They apply to every step of the pilgrim’s path, from the first to the last. By faith the old Scotchwoman had cast her soul’s salvation upon God’s promise in Christ by the gospel. She knew that His dear Son had said, “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.” She knew that God hath said, “By Him (Christ) all that believe are justified from all things;” that “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from ALL SIN;” for “He bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” This was the first step. And all through life the Scottish pilgrim hung upon HIS “exceeding great and precious promises, for all things and in every hour of need. The divine argument of Romans 8 was hers by faith— “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” In every sorrow she had found Him a “very present help in trouble;” and now, about to leave the weary wilderness for her everlasting home, could she think that He would prove unfaithful to His word? No; sooner than should poor old Nanny’s soul be lost, God’s honor, God’s character, GOD HIMSELF must be overturned, and “ALL THE UNIVERSE RUSH INTO CONFUSION.” Dear old pilgrim!

ML 03/29/1903

"The Fruit of the Spirit."

“LONGSUFFERING.”

PERHAPS some of my readers can tell of persons who often or continually wrong them in some way. Perhaps some little boy has a play-mate in school, who often teases him, calls him names, and tries to make him angry. When all such wrong is borne patiently, longsuffering is shown.

Think how longsuffering God is with us, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. He is bearing with all the sin and wickedness in the world, waiting with patience for more poor sinners to turn to Jesus.

Dear reader, if God were not longsuffering, you would know nothing of a Saviour’s love. And now He wants you to be like Him. He does not want you to return evil for evil, but to endure patiently, with longsuffering, the unrighteousness of others toward you.

“Be patient toward all.” 2 Thess. 5:14.

ML 03/29/1903

What a Friend!

Little reader, tell me, pray,

Do you think that Jesus knows

All you think and do and say?

Yes, He knows.

When your voice is raised in prayer,

Does the blessed Saviour hear?

Stop the pain, remove the care?

Yes, He hears.

If you suffer pain or wrong,

Does the loving Saviour help

With His hand so good and strong?

Yes, He helps.

Yes, dear child, He knows and hears,

Sympathizes with your tears,

Watches o’er you night and day,

Helps you in His own good way,

For He loves.

ML 03/29/1903

Answers to Questions of Feb, 1st.

1.“Thessalonica.” Phil. 4:16

2.“Holding forth the word of life.” 2:16

3.“Every tongue.” 2:11

4.“Lights.” 2:15

5.“Only let your conversation,” etc. 1:27

6.“Rejoice in the Lord alway.” 4:4

7.“Defence of the gospel.” 1:17

“The LORD.” 4:5

Bible Questions for April.

The answers are to be found in 1St and 2nd Epistle to the Thessalonians, and the first letter of each answer will spell what we are to do without ceasing.

1.What did Paul ask the brethren to do for him and those who were with him?

2.What are we to do evermore?

3.Give the name of a place where these Thessalonians were ensamples to all that believed.

4.Quote to end of chapter after the following words: “what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how”

ML 04/03/1903

Jesus Answering the Rulers.

Mark 11:27-33.

WHEN Jesus visited the temple, a short time before His crucifixion; He found that God’s “house of prayer’ had been made “a den of thieves;” and He at once began to exercise His divine power and authority, casting out those who bought and sold, upsetting the tables of the money changers, and the seats of those who sold doves. When He had done this He left the temple, and went to Bethany to spend the night. In the morning he returned again to the temple, where He had to meet the wrath of the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders. They were very angry because He had upset their arrangements in the temple, and they had been seeking how they might destroy Him. So when He was walking in the temple, they came to Him and asked, “By what authority doest Thou these things? and who gave Thee this authority to do these things?”

Now these were not honest questions. They challenged His authority because they were angry, and wished to destroy Him. And so He did not answer their questions, but put a question to them which revealed the dishonesty of their hearts. He said to them: “I will also ask of you one question, and answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? Answer Me.”

Now John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus, and God had sent him to baptize, to prepare a people for baptize, to Jesus. And so his baptism was from heaven. But these wicked men knew that if they said it was from heaven, He would ask why they did not believe him. On the other hand they did not dare to say John’s baptism was of men, because they feared the people, “for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.” What, then, should they say? If they said, “from heaven,” they would convict themselves; if they said, “of men,” they would have trouble with the people. They did not wish either of these things, so they virtually told a lie, and said “We cannot tell.” This laid bare the utter dishonesty of their hearts, and exposed their hopeless condition morally. So Jesus said to them, “Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.” He would give them no satisfaction, but left them to ponder over the dishonesty of their own hearts. God desires “truth in the inward parts.” Ps. 51:6.

ML 04/03/1903

The Dying Widow.

SOME time ago a Christian was called to the death-bed of a widow. He went immediately, and as he came to the door, he heard a child’s voice inside. As he stood still a moment outside, he understood that it was the widow’s little boy that was praying for his mother. “O, Lord! bless my dear mamma,” prayed the child, “and give her to be ready to die. O, God, I thank Thee, that I have been in the Sunday-school and there learned to read in the Bible. There it is written that if father and mother leave me, Thou wilt never leave me. This is my comfort now, as my dear mamma must leave me. Comfort her also and take her to Thyself in the glory, and let me go there also. O, Lord Jesus! sympathize with me and with my dear mamma and help me to say: ‘Thy will he done!’” Here he stopped, and the visitor opened the door and stepped in to the poor woman’s bed-side.

“Your child has been praying for you,” said he, “I stood outside and listened to his prayer.”

“Yes,” she replied, trying hard to turn herself, “he is a dear boy. I now thank God for his going to Sunday-school. I cannot read myself; but he has read for me out of the Bible, and I have great reason to be thankful to God for that. In, this way I have learned that I was a sinner; but, through my boy, I have also heard of Jesus Christ, and now I put all my trust in Him. I am convinced that He has received me. I know I shall soon die, but I am not afraid. My dear child has been the means of my salvation. Oh, how thankful I am that he went to Sunday-school!”

Still a while the visitor conversed with the dying widow and her child about Him, who now was so precious to their hearts, and then he went home again with a happy and thankful heart, praising the gracious Lord for using His own means to reach the sinner’s heart and make it happy. What the boy had heard in the Sunday-school was the cause of his own conversion as well as of his mother’s.

ML 04/03/1903

Selfishness.

WHAT a lesson we may learn from our picture this week of the contrast between ourselves and God!

The boy seems to be saying to that fine-looking dog, “Go away, this is mine. I want it for myself!”

That is just like boys and girls, and men and women, too, and these actions are called—selfishness. That is the opposite of the character of God. God delights to give. When man had sinned, God did not turn him away, and say, I cannot do anything for you. Oh, no, there was nothing too great for God to do. He had only one Son, who was very dear to Him, and He saw He was the only one who was able to bring the sinner back to Himself and to make him fit to be in His presence, so He did not say, This is My Son and I will not give Him to die for sinners; I would rather let the sinners be lost forever—oh, no! but He said, I so love the sinners, that I will give My only Son and will punish. Him in place of the sinners and let them go free, Ah, that was not selfishness, was it, dear children? I am sure you will answer, “No!” Now, I ask you, have you believed that God gave His Son to die for you, and that He has shown such love for you? If you do, let that matchless love which He has shown to you, be dwelling in your heart and then you will show to others, not the selfish, nature, but the love of God and you will ever be ready to do for others and give as you are able.

ML 04/03/1903

The Lost Money.

ONE day while a little boy was walking along the street, a nickel slipped out of his mitten. He very soon missed it and knew it could not be far away.

While he was walking back and forth, looking for the lost money, a woman came, along. She asked him what he had lost, and then helped him look for it. But all the searching was in vain. The nickel could not be found.

The boy seemed to be taking some groceries home and it was doubtless the change from the money his mother had given him, that he had just lost. He did not want to go home without it. Perhaps if he had done so, he would have been scolded or punished.

The woman seeing his trouble and disappointment, and knowing what the loss might mean to him, gave him a nickel which she had with her. He seemed very happy to get it and started home rejoicing.

My little readers, I have been telling you what a little boy was seeking for: can you tell me what the Lord Jesus is seeking for? The boy was looking for a lost piece of money. And I think some of you are ready to answer that Jesus is looking for lost sinners. Yes, Luke 19:10 says, “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Jesus came to seek and to save sinners. He has already found some of us, and I hope if any of you are still lost that He will find you. He wants you, everyone.

The nickel made the little boy happy. Do you think Jesus is happy when a lost sinner comes to Him? He says, “Rejoice with Me: for I have found My sheep which was lost.” And again, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

If you are still lost in your sins, remember that Jesus is seeking you. Do not turn away from Him, but run into those loving arms outstretched to save you from eternal destruction.

ML 04/03/1903

"The Fruit of the Spirit."

“Gentleness”

Do you like rough people? No, I am sure you do not. Little children and sometimes grown people are afraid of one who is rough and ready to knock them about. How much pleasanter it is to have people handle us gently and to hear them speak gently.

And little folks as well as big folks ought to be gentle. It is much better for them when they are playing together not to be rough, but to be gentle in every way.

My little readers, if you have pet dogs or cats, do not tease and hurt them. That is not gentleness. God wants you to be kind to all creatures as well as to each other. You will never be cruel or unkind when you are trying to be like Jesus. He is called the Lamb of God. What can you think of that is more gentle than a lamb?

“Be ye kind, one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Eph. 4:32.

“Goodness.”

If I were to ask you to give me some proof of God’s goodness, many answers would quickly come, I am sure. You could tell of the happy home God has given you; of kind parents, brothers, sisters, and friends; of plenty to eat and plenty to wear of good health; of the bright sunshine and beautiful flowers; and of many other things, too numerous to mention. Every day brings its good things. We always have something for which to thank the Lord.

But while you are enjoying God’s goodness. He wants you to show goodness to all about you. “Abound to every good work.” 2 Cor. 9:8. “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.” Prov. 3:27.

Seek to please God in this way and bear more fruit for Him.

ML 04/03/1903

"His Ears Are Open unto Their Prayers."

THE child in our picture is on bended knee with clasped hands, closed eyes, and head bowed. His whole attitude is one of reverence. One looking on the picture could have no other thought than that he was in prayer; and this is a thing pleasing to God, whose eyes are over the righteous, and whose ears are open unto their prayers.

Sometimes little boys and girls—yes, grown people, too—are ashamed to be seen with bowed head, or on their knees. They are afraid that someone finding them thus, would be ready to laugh at them, or make sneering remarks about them. But why should they be afraid of what people may think when they know that the Lord is ever well-pleased to have

His people pour out their hearts: before Him! Would it not look as if, they had the fear of man before them; and thus a snare is brought to them, for they have been hindered in that which is right and which would be a strength and help to them. “The fear of man bringeth a snare.” (Prov. 29:25.)

Let me give you a little incident of a girl whose home was in the West. When she was about eighteen years of age, she went to visit some friends in the East. After some stay at different points, she reached Alleghany, where one of her uncles lived. This uncle had a fine house, well-furnished. The air of elegance which was felt in all the surroundings, and the evident culture of the inmates of the household made the poor western girl ill at ease. But, though feeling awkward and embarrassed in the midst of such fine surroundings, she endeavored to behave quietly and in a way becoming a Christian, for she loved the Lord, and sought to please Him. As her arrival was in the evening, it was not very long until she was shown to her chamber for the night. To her surprise, she found that she was to share her cousin’s room. This added to her embarrassment, for her cousin, some years her senior, was a very beautiful young woman—the pride and admiration of the city—and the poor girl thought, How can I kneel in the presence of such a person! Silently looking to the Lord to help her, courage was given, and she fell on her knees and buried her face in the bed-clothes. Then all trouble was past —she felt that she had the Lord’s approval; and this was enough, no matter what others might think.

“Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed,” Rom. 10:11.

In our picture, mother is peeping through the half opened door. And it always gives joy to the heart of a Christian mother to know that her children are learning to come thus to God and bring their needs to Him. Jesus saw Nathaniel under the fig-tree in prayer, and made mention of it. May my young readers all learn to seek His face diligently thus!

ML 04/12/1903

Jesus and the Parable of the Two Sons.

MATT. 21:28-32.

THE rulers had openly challenged the Lord Jesus, and called in question His authority. He had answered them, to their own confusion, exposing the shameful dishonesty of their hearts. and now He speaks to them in parables, declaring their wickedness, and announcing the judgment awaiting them.

The first parable He speaks is that of the two sons. To the first he says “Go work today in My vineyard.” The son replied, “I will not.” But he afterwards repented, and went into the vineyard to work. The man also commanded the second son to go and work in the vineyard; and he said: “I go, sir.” But he did not go. Jesus asks which of the two did his father’s will. They said to Him, “The first,” that is, the one who at first would not go, but who repented, and then went.

Now whom did these two sons represent? The first represented the publicans and harlots who had been living in open sin, but who believed the preaching of John the Baptist, and repented; and who gladly received the teaching of Jesus and entered into the kingdom of God, to serve Him in His vineyard. The second son represented the rulers of the people, the Pharisees, and all those self-righteous Jews who pretended to serve God, but who did not. They were just as great sinners as the publicans and harlots, only in a different way; and when they heard the preaching of John they did not repent, and they did not receive Jesus, nor believe in Him. So they did not enter the kingdom of God to serve Him in His vineyard.

Thus Jesus exposed the sad and rebellious condition of those very men who pretended to serve God, but who were only hypocrites.

Well, are there none at the present day who answer to these two classes? Have we not those amongst us today who are openly sinful and profane? And have we not those who pretend to be good, and to serve God, but who do not? Yes, there are plenty of both these classes.

Let me say to you, dear young reader, if you belong to either of these classes, you need Jesus as your Saviour. If you are openly sinful and profane you know that you need a Saviour! And if, like the rulers, you reject Jesus, but think you are good, your condition is no better, but worse. The hypocrites and self-righteous people who think themselves good enough will find themselves consigned to the same hell, the same lake of fire, as the openly wicked and profane. If there is any difference, their hell will be a deeper hell.

Oh! may you be like the publicans and harlots who repented, and entered the kingdom of God. God calls upon you, to believe in His Son, and to own Him as your Saviour and Lord, and to enter the vineyard, and work for Him. Obey the call. Obey now.

ML 04/12/1903

The Little Boy and the Colporteur.

HAS the little reader ever seen a colporteur, traveling about with his pack of Bibles? If not, perhaps you would like me to tell you what kind of persons they are. Well, colporteurs are men employed to sell Bibles and Testaments, going about from place to place, in this and other countries. The word Colporteur is a French word, and means a person who carries something by hanging it from the neck; and the reason why they first came to be so called is, that their packs of books are hung from their neck by a strap. There are colporteurs who do a great amount of good; because, in carrying the word of God from house to house, in places where but for them it would perhaps be unknown, they spread about the knowledge of the truth. Besides, they have, of course, much opportunity, if Christian men, of speaking a word for Christ. Some are very earnest and devoted servants of the Lord, and many little tales are told of their labors, not only among grown-up people, but also among children. One day a colporteur went into a house near D—, to try to sell one of his books. A woman was sitting in a chair at work, but she had no wish to possess a Bible. Nothing that he could say would persuade her. She knew not God, and, though the colporteur read some verses from the New Testament, her ears had never been opened to hear the sweet words of Jesus, and to her they had no melody. God was not in all her thoughts: how, then, could she desire His word. But there was a little boy standing by, and listening to all that the colporteur was saying. His young heart was not yet “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin;” and perhaps the Lord had been at work with him before, but at any rate He was at work now. As he listened to the missionary’s word, he longed to read the word of God for himself, and at last got courage enough to say, “I wish I might have one of those good books. How much are they?” “The cheapest Testament I have is five cents,” was the reply: but the poor boy had no money, and either his mother had none also, or else would not spare that trifle for God’s priceless word. So the little boy turned away with a sigh, and the colporteur left the house. ‘But sometime after this the colporteur happened to be in the same neighborhood, when he heard someone running after him, and a child’s voice calling, “Please, sir, stop!” Looking round, he saw the little boy who had asked him the price of a Testament. His face was beaming with joy, and, running up to the colporteur, he cried, “I prayed to God for one of those books, and one day I found twenty-five cents in the road. No one has owned it, and so now please give me a Bible.” The colporteur gladly opened his pack and gave the child what he had asked for, adding, “You can have that Bible for fifteen cents.” “No,” said the boy, “God gave me the quarter for it, and you must keep it all,” then away he ran, “rejoicing as one who has found great spoil.”

And so he had—don’t you think so? Who shall tell the value of one Bible? We know they are common enough; for they are now spread abroad by millions. They are cheap enough, too, as you see, for the boy could have had one for fifteen cents. But if Bibles are cheap and common, that only makes it a more solemn thing for those who neglect to read or hear them. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Thus, you see, the whole world is not worth one, soul: but “the word of God is able to gave them that believe. How many, many, souls, then, may one Bible save through grace!

Now tell me, when you look at it in this way, who shall count the value of one Bible? But do you appreciate it? do you read or love to hear it read? If not, may the little boy’s example) make you sorry, and lead you henceforth to prize God’s precious Book.

ML 04/12/1903

"The Fruit of the Spirit."

“FAITH.”

Do you know, little reader, what faith is? When Papa goes away to his work, telling you he will bring you some candy when he comes home in the evening, you believe just what he says. You trust Papa’s word and know he will not disappoint you. You have not seen the candy yet, but you know it will come because Papa says so. This is faith—simply believing.

Jesus tells you that He will give you eternal life if you believe in Him. Can you not believe His words just as you do the words of your father or mother? When you feel your lost, guilty condition, and your need of a Saviour, you have only to put your trust in Him—have faith in the One who died for you—and salvation is yours. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

“But after you know Jesus as your Saviour and have faith in Him for the salvation of your soul, He wants you to trust Him for everything else. “Trust in the Lord,” He says. “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.” Ps. 55:22.

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea I will help thee; yea I will uphold ‘thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Ise. 41:10.

Yes, we ought to have faith in God at all times, no matter what our sorrows or troubles may be. He will send only what is best, and we can be sure that He will always take care of us.

“All things work together for good to them that love God.” Rom. 8:28.

ML 04/12/1903

"Meekness."

JESUS says, “I am Meek and lowly in heart.” Matt. 11:29. And in different places in the Bible, He tells us to be meek. If a little child is proud or vain, and thinks he is better than his playmates, he is not meek. To be meek he must not be thinking how good he is, but he must take a lowly, humble place, which is pleading to God. “God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5. The Lord hates a proud look. (Prov. 6:17.)

Be of meek and lowly spirit; be willing to take a low place here, and God will exalt you and give you a very high place after a while.

“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 14:11.

ML 04/12/1903

Extracts From Letters From Our Young Friends.

Jesus loves me and I love Him. There is a dear little girl in the same class in Sunday-school as I am. She has been troubled about her soul, and I was speaking to her about her dear soul, and about my dear Saviour. Sunday night she accepted the Lord, believed His word.

Just back a little while she said to me, “Why didn’t Jesus come to save good people?” “Well,” I said, “there isn’t any good people.” She said, “I always thought I was good.” E. M.

ML 04/12/1903

Fear.

GOD has implanted in His creatures the feeling of fear in connection with danger. If men, or women, little boys, or little girls, see danger approaching they fear it, and will seek to avoid it. And the same is true of the lower creatures, such as horses and cattle.

The rabbit is especially a timid little creature, and it will flee, or hide, the moment it sees danger near. Here in our picture we have a little group of these timid creatures, both old and young. One of the younger ones, and a tiny little baby rabbit, are munching away at a leaf, while the mother rabbit sitting close by, is taking satisfaction in seeing her little ones enjoy their dinner. But the father rabbit is sitting up like a sentinel, with both eyes and ears open to catch the first sight or sound of danger, so that, if need be, they may hide, or run away.

In this world of sin and evil, the different kinds of creatures have their enemies, which prey upon them, or destroy them; and so they need to be on the watch against these.

Rabbits burrow in the ground so as to have a place where dogs cannot reach them. And Scripture tells us that “The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats, and the rocks for the conies.” Ps. 104:18. The coney is a creature very much like the rabbit, feeble and timid, but they make “their houses in the rock.” (Prov. 30:26).

To these timid little creatures God has given wisdom to make their houses in a place of strength and safety.

And is there not a lesson here for us, dear children? I think you will say, Yes, there is. We have a greater enemy than any of these little creatures have, and we need a place of, safety, where we can be secure from danger. Our enemy is the devil, but in Christ Jesus we have a place of refuge.

We are sinners too, and there is a day of storm and tempest coming for every sinner who is not sheltered in Christ. Oh! how terrible it would be to be overtaken in that storm.

Let me ask you, dear children, have you fled to Jesus for refuge! If you have not, will you not take warning now, and be as wise as the little coney, or the rabbit? Flee at once from the coming danger. Flee to Jesus Christ, and He will shelter you from all danger.

ML 04/19/1903

Water From the Smitten Rock.

(Ex. 17:1-7.)

The next camping place for Israel, after leaving the wilderness of Sin, was Rephidim. Here a new trouble arose; in the wilderness there had been no bread for them—here there was no water. This brought forth fresh murmurs against Moses. Alas! how slow of heart man is to believe. Only a little while before they had complained, saying they were brought into the wilderness to be killed with hunger; and God, graciously bearing with their corn plaints, had rained down bread from heaven to satisfy their hunger. Already this is forgotten, and now they complain that’ they have been brought into the wilderness to be killed with thirst; and so great is their vexation that they are almost ready to stone Moses, whom God had used, so wonderfully in their deliverance. This showed strange want of confidence, and much hardness of heart.

Do you suppose our hearts could be as treacherous as this? When some new trial comes, do we forget the deliverance that God has granted in a former trial? Ah! yes! our hearts are “deceitful above all things.” Often we forget the mercies God has shown us; often we become occupied with self and forget God; then, when new trials come, we are ready to faint by the way, and wake up, perhaps, to find that we have had very little confidence in God. In the children of Israel and their ways we get a pattern of what our own hearts are. Do you not think Israel’s thirst would have been quenched, if they had counted on God? Their need would surely have been met. And our wants, too, will be met by Him who knows all our need. He may allow times of pressure, but our God is faithful, and He will not suffer us to be tried beyond what we are able to bear. (1 Cor. 10:13.) When waves of sorrow encompass us round, let us not give way to despondency and sink, but let us keep our eye fixed upon Jesus, and then we will not fear the waves.

Again God meets Israel in perfect grace. He told Moses to go on before the people, taking the elders with him, and the rod in his hand that he had used to smite the river. The Lord said that He would stand before Moses on the rock in Horeb, and that Moses should smite the rock, and water would come out of it for the people to drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

How eagerly that thirsty crowd of people, men, women and children, must have drunk of the pure, refreshing stream of water, as it burst forth from the smitten rock? They all drank of it; and the marvelous thing was that that spiritual Rock followed them; and THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST. (1 Cor. 10:4.) What food for deep thought here for us!

Israel could not drink and find refreshment in that rock in Horeb, until it was smitten. And so as to the Rock for us, which, God tells us, is Christ. It was when that rock was smitten, that streams of refreshing flowed; it was when the sword of divine justice awaked against Him who took the sinner’s place, that “the flood-gates of eternal love were thrown wide open.” And now poor, perishing sinners can come and drink and live. “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.”

Moses called the place where water was given them Meribah, which means strife; for there the people got angry with him. He gave it also the name Massah which means, temptation, for there they tempted the Lord, for they had said, “Is the Lord among us, or not?”

Oh! may we never, never question that the Lord is with us; and may we remember not only that God is with us, but also that God is for us.

And may we remember that the bread given from heaven, and the water flowing from the rock, while a real supply for Israel, are for us beautiful pictures of what we have in Christ ministered to us by the Holy Spirit. He is the One on whom we are to feed, and from whom our refreshing is to come.

He tells us that these who come to Him shall never hunger, and those who believe in Him shall never thirst. (Jno. 6:35.)

ML 04/19/1903

Faithfulness.

A. B. was for several years in the army, and during the latter portion of his time was converted to God. When he had finished his period of service, he preferred to claim his discharge, as he felt that his position was a hindrance to his glorifying God. Being a husband and a father, it was incumbent upon him to obtain some employment in order that he might maintain his wife and family; but, having no trade, he did not know to what to turn his hand. He, however, put his trust in the Lord, and in due time he was taken into a house of business as a messenger and for general useful purposes; and thus his temporal wants were supplied, and he was happy in the assurance that he was giving satisfaction to his employers.

One morning, however, the head of the firm required him to tell a gentleman, who he expected would call to see him, that he was not at home. This direction greatly troubled A. B. He did not like to disobey his master, and, as a consequence, perhaps lose his situation, and he felt uneasy in his conscience at the thought of telling a falsehood; and in this conflict he passed two or three most unhappy hours. But he found grace to lift his heart to the Lord, and to put confidence in Him. So, a short time before the gentleman was expected, A. B. went to his master, and informed him, respectfully, but plainly, that he could not say that his master was out when he knew that he was at home. He then quitted the room, leaving the result of the course which he had taken to the Lord. The master made no direct comment to him upon the matter, either at the time or subsequently, so that things went on for some weeks much as they had before, except that when a trustworthy person was required to do anything, or to be sent anywhere, A. B. was oftener chosen than before, the master occasionally remarking that he selected him because he had confidence in him.

A few months after the occurrence of this incident, he called A. B. before him, and said that he had been asked to find some steady man to fill a certain post where his attendance would only be occasionally required, and that, as he did not know a more suitable person, he had recommended him; adding that he could attend to the business in question as well as that in which he was already engaged during the usual hours. Of course A. B. expressed his grateful thanks to the gentleman. But how was his heart lifted up to the Lord in thankfulness for His mercy in thus abundantly recompensing the little act of uprightness, of not telling a falsehood or gain, or to please his earthly master!

This little incident surely tells its own tale without multiplying words. I do not therefore think it needful to make any comment upon it. I would only direct attention to the following Scriptures, as, among many others, bearing upon the subject of faithfulness to the Lord.

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8.

“Them that honor Me I will honor.” 1 Samuel 2:30.

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?” Luke 16:10-12.

“Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8.

“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” Colossians 3:22-25.

ML 04/19/1903

Irene.

A DEAR little girl, whose parents were not Christians, attended a Sunday-school. There she heard about Jesus and learned a good many verses. She liked to repeat the verses but one seemed more precious to her than the others. It was this:— “For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:14. She often said it. Not long after she had learned it, she was taken sick and very soon went to be with Jesus.

How truly little Irene’s life was like a vapor! She was not more than six years old when she was called away from this poor world.

Yet even the longest life is like a vapor—so quickly gone! A hundred years is as nothing compared with the endless ages of eternity.

May all who read about little Irene think of their own lives as a vapor and seek to please God at all times, not wasting any of the precious moments in wrong-doing. For a vapor soon “vanisheth away” and our opportunities for doing good will soon be forever gone.

ML 04/19/1903

Confidence.

A LADY was crossing the street with her little boy three or four years of age.

On account of the narrow path through the mud, she started him on ahead. But he turned back and clung to his mother. He had perfect confidence in her. When holding her hand he did not fear the teams passing back and forth.

We may have this same childlike confidence in God. And it pleases Him to have us put our trust in Him.

He is able to preserve us in the midst of dangers and trusting in One who is abundantly able to protect us from every harm, we have no cause to fear.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee.” Isaiah 26:3.

ML 04/19/1903

The Goodness of God.

HERE we have a little boy and a little girl, cleaning out a dish with a spoon, and two fowls eagerly waiting to receive the contents. The mother, also is standing near and looking on with evident interest.

No doubt these children take pleasure in feeding the chickens, as we all ought to take pleasure in showing kindness to

God’s creatures. The mother is interested in seeing this; and I am sure God is still more interested in seeing any of us imitators of His own goodness.

Oh! how good God is. He makes provision for all His creatures. He feeds the ravens, clothes the lilies, and notes the sparrow’s fall. No creature is too small or too insignificant, to secure His notice. He has created all, cares for all, provides for all. The writer of Ps. 145, filled with a sense of God’s goodness, addresses Him with praise, saying, “Thou openest Thine hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.” God has not created the myriads of creatures around us to leave them helpless and without care. He has taught the birds how to make their nests, and the conies how to make their homes in the rocks; He has given warm coats to the sheep, and cattle, and beasts of the field, to keep them warm in winter’s cold; and He supplies food of many kinds to meet the need of all.

Thus God is good to all His creatures. And if you and I, dear young reader, are not merely His creatures, but His children, will He not much more supply our need? Will He not give us food? And will He not clothe us? Surely, if He has made us His children— His own sons and daughters—we are of more value to Him than many sparrows, and of far more importance than the lilies which He clothes so beautifully, Yes, we may count on Him as a loving Father to care for us, to feed us, and to clothe us.

But there is one need that we have, far beyond that of the beasts. We are sinners, and the beasts are not, because they have no knowledge of good and evil. We have intelligence to know what is right and what is wrong, and are responsible to God. We cannot say this of the beasts. We have sinned, and because we have sinned, we need a Saviour. God in His great goodness has met this need also. He has sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Saviour. And Jesus has died for us, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.

Dear young reader, you accept the food and the clothing which God provides. Have you accepted the Saviour which He has provided?

ML 04/26/1903

Enemies by the Way.

THE next trial for Israel was enemies in the way. Before they had left Rephidim, and when they were “faint and weary,” a nation that feared not God made war against them. Then Moses told Joshua to choose men and go out and fight with Amalek—for Amalek was the foe that had attacked them. And he said, “Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill, with the rod of God in my hand.” How often that rod had been used in bringing help to Israel, and in calling forth judgments against their oppressors. Now, again, it was to be used for their deliverance.

Joshua chose his warriors as Moses had directed him to do, and went out and fought with Amalek. But Moses, instead of going on to the battlefield, went to the top of the hill, taking Aaron, his brother, and Hur with him.

And now happened something that seemed very strange, but which showed how dependent the people were upon God, and how mighty was His power, in their behalf. It was this; —when Moses held up his hand, in which he had the rod of God, Israel prevailed, and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But long holding up of hands grew wearisome, so Aaron and Hur took a stone and put it under him for a seat; then they stayed his hands, one on the one side of him, and the other on the other side. In this way the hands of Moses were kept steady till the sun went down. And Joshua gained the victory over Amalek and his people.

In Moses holding up his hands for his people, we have a most beautiful picture of the One who stands for us in the face of a foe that is much mightier than Amalek was. We are not to contend with “flesh and blood”, that is, with our fellow-men, for this is forbidden of God, who tells us that they who take the sword shall perish with the sword. But we have a conflict to wage, and it is with the arch enemy of souls, who, with his host of wicked spirits, rules the darkness of this world. They would, if they could, stop us in our onward way to heaven, even as Amalek and his men would have stopped Israel in their onward march to the promised land. Who shall help us against such a power as this?

Moses went up into the hill on behalf of Israel: Jesus the Son of God, has passed into the heavens, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Moses grew weary and needed help to keep his hands up. The hands of Jesus, our great High Priest, never grow weary; He ever liveth to make intercession for us. Through Constant holding up of the hands Israel prevailed. Jesus is able to save to the uttermost or completely, all who come unto God by Him.

Yes, we who believe in Jesus, have the power of God on our side, and we will be brought off more than conquerors over all our foes. Let us then lift up our heads, and with fresh courage press on.

ML 04/26/1903

A Journey.

NEARLY nine years ago the students of one school planned to visit another school about a hundred miles away.

One fine morning, some four hundred people assembled at the depot, ready for a holiday together and happy because they were going to spend it in such an enjoyable way.

There were so many going that they had a special train. All was excitement. It was indeed a merry crowd.

But after they had gone a few miles the engineer saw, away ahead, a smoke arising from the track.

Nearer and nearer drew the train until it reached the dangerous spot. The smoke was from a small bridge of trestle work about five or six feet in length. It was not much of a fire, but the smoldering beams had become weakened and it was not safe for the train to cross. What was to be done? The travelers could not reach their destination by an imperfect road. No, the track must be perfect. The train must go back far enough to branch off on another road.

This caused several hours’ delay, but the end of the journey was finally reached.

What lesson may we draw from this little incident? We are all journeying through this world. Let us liken sin to the burning bridge. Just as this very small fire would have kept the train from reaching its destination if it had not been able to go over another road, so the smallest sin will keep the sinner from reaching heaven if some provision is not made. Just as the train must have a perfect track, so the sinner must have a perfect way of access to a Home above.

And what is that perfect way? Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” John 14:6.

Yes, dear reader, He is the way and the only way. If we go our own way, we will be wrecked by sin. But if we trust in Jesus as the sure and perfect way, our sins have been put away by His precious blood and He will carry us through in safety to the end of the journey.

Then we shall be with Him and like Him forever.

ML 04/26/1903

Shamefully Treated.

GOING into a restaurant one day where I was accustomed to take my mid-day luncheon, I found the owner, an old lady, in a dreadful state of excitement. She and her husband were usually so quiet and peaceful, that her countenance surprised me very much.

She had never spoken any unnecessary words until then: When she would receive the order for a lunch, she would attend to it quietly, receive the money with a “Thank you,” in German, and that was all.

But that day, no sooner had I opened the door, than she began, saying: “Do you know how shamefully they have treated our son? A boy,” she went on, “who never did harm to anybody Well, perhaps you don’t know about him, for he is always in-doors, or in the garden. He is 18 years of age, and not right in his mind, but he is our baby, the only one we have—all we have—and just because he escaped out of our sight for a little while on the street, and said something that he should not have said, the neighbors had him arrested, and before we knew anything about it, he was taken to the police station, and it took us two days to obtain his release. Now, we are going to sell this place, and leave this city and go where we can live in peace. There is nothing here but injustice and wrong!”

Dear children, her story, brought to my mind another Son who has been unjustly and shamefully treated. Do you know who He is? Jesus, the Son of God, who not only never did harm to anyone, but was always doing good to everyone. Wicked men took Him and shamefully nailed Him to a cross. In His sorrow He was alone. No fond mother was able to get Him free, and His own people chose to set a robber free, rather than Him, and they condemned Him to be crucified.

And now, dear children, do you think that God is angry with His Son’s enemies, as the father and mother were with their son’s persecutors? No, for God’s heart is different than man’s heart. Man thinks of vengeance, but God is now showing mercy and He saves all who come unto Him by His Son, Jesus Christ.

God’s message is that remission of sins should be preached in Jesus’ name beginning at Jerusalem (just the place where they murdered Him), and He also says that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

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

ML 04/26/1903

The Giver.

Who caused the little plant to grow

So brightly in the warm sunshine?

Deep down it sends its long white roots,

And toward the sky its tender shoots,

And soft green leaves so fine.

Who caused the little tender slip

From earth and air its life to sip?

‘Twas God in heaven above.

Who made the little bird to sing

So sweetly at the dawn of day?

He warbles forth his note of glee,

And sings, and sings, where’er he be,

His glad triumphant lay.

Who gave the little songster power

To fill with music sweet each hour?

‘Twas God in heaven above.

Who caused the little star to shine

So brightly in the evening sky?

From far away its little light

Shines down upon the darkest night—

Down from its home on high.

Who set the little shining star

Up there in heaven, from earth so far?

‘Twas God in heaven above.

And has He given no better gift

Than singing birds and flowers fair,

Sweeter than stars that shine above,

Though these dear things all show His

love,

And tender, watchful care?

Has He not given a Gift divine,

That may be yours, and may be mine—

This God in heaven above?

Ah, yes! He gave His well-loved Son

From heaven, to come to earth and die,

To bring salvation full and free,

A precious gift for you and me,

Our hearts to satisfy!

Oh, let us thank Him for this gift,

Our hearts to Him with praises lift,

Our Father, God above!

“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.

ML 04/26/1903

Fruits of the Spirit.

“Temperance.”

Temperance is moderation. “Let your moderation be known unto all men.” Phil. 4:5. God wants us to be moderate in all things. Eating, exercise, and many things that are good and necessary in themselves, ought not to be carried to excess. We must be careful that we do not think too much about any of these things and set our hearts upon them.

Let Jesus always have the first place and be the dearest object. Then we will bear much fruit and people will see in us, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.

ML 04/26/1903

A Letter From the Editor.

IT IS with deep thankfulness to our God and Father that we are permitted through. His grace to begin our fifth year with “Messages of Love.” He has seen fit to give us much encouragement by letting us know of blessing, through its pages, to many of our young friends.

We also rejoice to have so many answering the questions that appear in the first paper of each month, from all parts of the world. There are over six hundred to receive rewards for answers for the past year, and we trust that it will encourage many more to take up the study, and above all that it will be with much blessing to their souls. “The entrance of Thy words giveth light, it giveth understanding unto the simple,” (Ps. 109:130), is a portion that we all may do well to take heed to, and it is good that we begin early to search His word.

We would seek to encourage all who are the Lord’s, and who take this paper, to do a little bit of service for Him by seeking to get others to subscribe for it and answer the questions.

We also ask your prayers that nothing may appear in its, pages that would not meet with His approval, and that there may be much blessing resulting there from.

As packages occasionally go astray in the mail, we ask that if any do not receive their reward by the end of May, to let us know, and we will have them traced.

ML 05/03/1903

Answers to Questions of March 1st.

1.“Praying.” Col. 1:3.

2.“Rudiments of the world.” 2:20.

3.“Above, where Christ sitteth,” etc. 3:1.

4.“You.” 1:3.

5.“Epaphras.” 4:12.

6.“Rule in your hearts.” 3:15.

“PRAYER.” 4.2.

Bible Questions for May.

The answers are to be found in the 1St and 2nd Epistles to Timothy, and the first letter of each answer will spell what we should be rich in.

1.Whose will is it that all men should be saved?

2.Give the name of one who was not ashamed of Paul’s chain.

3.Give the verse telling of how a bishop must rule his own house.

4.Give the name of one who had forsaken Paul?

5.How are the meats which God has created to be received?

6.Whose household did Paul say “salute”?

7.What was it that some false teachers were saying was past already?

8.What was Timothy told to do with the good thing that was committed unto him?

9.Whom did Christ Jesus come into the world to save?

ML 05/03/1903

Jesus and the Parable of the Vineyard.

(MATT. 21:33-41.)

JESUS had spoken to them the garble of the two sons, showing how the publicans and harlots entered the Kingdom of God, while they in their self-righteousness remained outside in unbelief, not only having rejected John the Baptist, but rejecting Jesus also. In the parable of the vineyard Jesus goes further, and shows how they would not only reject the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, but in their self-seeking and pride of heart would also put Him to death.

God had established Israel in a goodly land. Here was His vineyard; and those whom He had placed there to take care of His vineyard were responsible to render the fruits of the vineyard in their season. But they did not. God sent prophets to Israel, calling for the fruits, but they beat, and stoned, and killed the prophets. Last of all God sent His Son to Israel. And you know what they did with Him. They cast Himont of the vineyard and slew Him. They said, “This is the heir; come, let us kill Him and let us seize on His inheritance.” This gives the awful state in which the Jews were. They wanted to have their own, and to use God’s vineyard for their own self-interest and glory. They wanted to possess the inheritance for themselves and refuse all the claims of God. Oh! it was a terrible state. What would become of such wicked men? Those to whom Jesus spoke the parable said, “He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husband-men, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.” And this is just what was done. The Romans came and destroyed that guilty nation and the vineyard was let to the Gentiles.

Let me ask, Have you submitted to the claims of God? Are you rendering seasonable fruits to Him? If not, what better are you than the wicked people who cast the Son of God out of the vineyard?

Now, let me tell you, you cannot render acceptable fruits to God unless in your heart you have submitted to Him, and owned Jesus Christ His Son. The Jews showed their rebellion against God by rejecting and slaying His Son. You must show your submission to God by accepting His Son. And this is your responsibility at this very moment, as you read these lines, if you have not already done so. Oh! why God give you to submit. Why should you not? Is not God a God of love? Is not Jesus Christ a loving Saviour? Has not God given His Son? Has not Jesus given Himself? Has He not died for you that you might be forever blest? Oh! then why not submit to Him just now, and let Him save you? And then you can render the fruits to God.

ML 05/03/1903

The Child and the Criminal.

A GENTLEMAN, holding his little girl’s hand, was walking up and down the platform of a rail-way station, waiting for the arrival of a train, when a commotion near the station door attracted general attention, the occasion of which was soon evidenced by the entrance of a prisoner heavily manacled, and in charge of several officers. He was, in fact, a notorious criminal, who had just been sentenced to a long term of imprisonment. The little girl looked at him at first with wonder and horror, which soon, however, yielded to tender pity, when, loosing herself from her father’s hand, she approached the prisoner, and lifting up her eyes to his face, spoke a few words to him in a low tone. But he looked so fiercely upon her, that she ran back to her father. She was soon, however, again at his side, and this time the prisoner was observed to drop his eyes as he listened to her, and a slight tremor passed over his hard face. Her father then called her, and she slowly retired, still looking upon the poor man with an eye of pity.

The train arrived soon after, when the prisoner quietly took his seat, and on the journey gave no trouble to the officers who had the care of him. Upon their arrival at the prison, he conducted himself well, and continued to do so, to the astonishment of all who had known his desperate character. One of the privileges granted to him appears to have been the use of a light in his cell during the evening; and it was observed that he spent his time in reading the Bible. Some months passed, during which his good conduct won the confidence of the prison authorities. At length someone asked him how it was that he had brought with him such a character for willfulness, while he had shown himself to be quiet and well-behaved.

“Well, sir,” said he, “I’ll tell you I did act as bad as I could, after they took me: and I did mean to do some mischief; for I didn’t care what became of me. I should have done it, too, I know I should; but God sent a little girl to speak to me. While I was waiting at the station, before I came here, a little mite of a girl was there with her father, and somehow I could not help looking at her. Presently she let go her father’s hand, and came over to me, and said, ‘Man, I am sorry for you;’ and, would you believe it? there were tears in her eyes! Something seemed to give way inside then; but I was proud, and wouldn’t show it. So I just scowled on her. The poor little dear looked scared, and ran off to her father; but in a minute she was back again, and she came right up to me, and said, ‘Man, Jesus Christ is sorry for you.’ O, sir! that clean broke my heart. Nobody had spoke to me like that since my dear old mother died, year and years ago. I had hard work to keep the tears back, and all the way down here I was thinking of mother, and the many things she used to teach me, when I was no bigger than that baby; for I had a good bringing-up, though more’s the shame to me. Well, the whole of it is, sir, I made up my mind to seek the God of whom my mother so often told me: and O, sir,” he exclaimed while the tears ran down his face, “He’s saved me—He’s saved me.”

The man, if yet living, is no doubt still a prisoner, and the little girl is perhaps growing up, the delight of some happy home, not knowing that her childish words were used of God to bring a sinful soul to the knowledge of Himself. But if their two mothers had not instructed their children in the Truth of God, the one could not have made, nor would the other have understood, the allusion to the sweet story of the love of God in Christ.

ML 05/03/1903

Two Mothers.

WHAT an interesting picture we have before us! Surrounded by the beautiful trees and flowers is a kind-looking mother with her little boy. She has doubtless come down to the stream with her pitcher to get some water, and seeing the pretty little ducklings, has sat down to watch them.

But there is another mother watching them, and she does not look so happy. Little chickens do not know how to swim, and if they did not keep out of the water, they would be drowned. But ducks can swim, and it is the nature of the little ones to run right into the water as soon as they see it. The hen does not know the difference between them and the little chicks, so when she sees the ducklings in the water, she looks quite frightened for she fears they will be drowned.

Just as it is the nature of the ducklings to swim and to love the water, so it is the nature of children to sin and to love to have their own way. All people, old and young alike, have sinful natures and love sin. But God is holy. He hates sin, and we cannot go to be with Him unless we get a new nature that also hates sin. And how can we get this? Jesus died on the cross to bear our sins. He was made sin for us, and when we believe on Him we receive a new nature that never sins, but always delights in doing good. It is this new nature that brings forth the “Fruit of the Spirit.”

The old sinful nature is still in us, and so we are sometimes tempted to do naughty things. But we must ask God every day to help us to do right and not allow the sinful nature to have its way.

“Preserve me, O God: for in Thee do I put my trust.” Ps. 16:1.

ML 05/03/1903

Gardens.

HOW happy we all are when the bright, warm spring comes!

How glad we are to see the pretty flowers blooming and to hear the merry birds singing!

In the picture, the little boy with the knife seems to be cutting out a weed. If any of you have gardens you know how the weeds spring up in among the flowers, Why is it that you pull up the weeds and try to keep them out? Some will answer, “Because they look ugly.” Perhaps some can give another reason. Yes, they grow faster than the flowers and if let alone they will soon choke and kill out the flowers. So you watch for the weeds and pull them out as fast as they come.

But I want to tell you about another kind of garden that each one of us has. In this garden the weeds are sins—naughty thoughts, words, and deeds. The flowers are good deeds. Whenever you do anything to please God, it is like a beautiful flower in the garden of your life. But when you do something naughty it is like a big, ugly weed.

And these naughty weeds not only look ugly, but if you let them keep on growing and spreading, they choke out the good deeds, just as weeds choke out flowers.

Satan likes to see these ugly weeds growing bigger and bigger, but God wants to see the beautiful flowers.

If you tell a lie a weed has started, and if you tell another the weed grows larger. If you keep on telling lies the weed grows so large and spreads so much that it chokes out the beautiful truth which God loves so well.

And so with everything bad. The more naughty things you do, the fewer things you will do that are pleasing to God. You cannot keep the weeds from choking out the flowers and you cannot keep the bad from choking out the good.

Ask God to help you, dear children, to keep out the weeds and let only the flowers grow.

ML 05/10/1903

"Because Jesus Is There."

ONE day in the Sunday-school, a teacher asked the scholars how many of them would like to go to heaven. In response all hands went up, without delay. Then the question was asked, “Why do you wish to go to heaven?” A moment’s hesitation, then A.’s hand was raised.

“Well, A., why do you wish to go to heaven?” the teacher asked. “Because Jesus is there,” was the thoughtful, but firm reply.

Could there, my dear young reader, have been a better or happier answer given? Let me beg you to ask yourself the question, honestly, “Why do I wish to go to heaven?”

Many desire to go to heaven simply to escape the miseries of hell. Others think it is a bright, happy place, and for this reason they would like to be there.

Others still are thinking of the reward they will receive; others of the glory. What is your thought? Do you, like dear A., want to go because Jesus is there? Oh, may it truly be so with you. Do you not know that heaven would not be heaven without Jesus! It is the presence of that blessed One that will make the light, and joy, and glory of that blessed place.

May He be so dear to your hearts that heaven for you will be to be with Jesus.

“Unto you therefore which believe He is precious.” 1 Peter 2:7.

ML 05/10/1903

A Child's Service.

Only an act of kindness

That a little child may show,

Seeking to please the Saviour,

And more like Him to grow.

Only a feeble-effort

To lighten the heavy load

Of some weary, wayworn traveler,

Along a toilsome road,

Only a glimpse of sunshine

That a little child may shed,

Brightening a path of sorrow

Where others fear to tread.

Only a thought for others

Costing some self-denial;

But all that is loss at present

Will be gain, after while.

Only a word for Jesus

That a little child may speak,

A word that will reach some sinner

Whom Jesus came to seek.

Only a little patience

When others do you wrong,

For wrongs will all be righted

By Jesus before long.

Only a little service,

Seeking to live for God

In a world of sin and sorrow,

Where Jesus’ footsteps trod.

Only a little waiting,—

Then let your light shine bright

Till the Saviour comes to take you

To His home of love and light.

ML 05/10/1903

Letter From a Child in Bermuda.

My Dear Mrs.:—I have accepted my Saviour; and oh, what a wonderful Saviour He is! He has pardoned all my sins, through His own most precious blood. I have found salvation in Him. In all our trials and sorrows, He is near us. I am thinking about Heb. 2:3.

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?”

I look back, and see how much He has done for me. He died on Calvary’s tree for me that I might be set free. The crown of thorns He did bear for me. He shed His last drop of blood for our sakes—His most precious blood.

“I am a pilgrim bound for glory,

I’m a pilgrim going home;

Come and hear me tell my story,

All who love the Saviour, come.”

I am yours in Christ

J.D.

ML 05/10/1903

Love.

MANY of you, no doubt, like the little girl in the picture, have pet dogs which you love very much. You like to play with them, feed them, and caress them.

Here the dog looks perfectly contented and happy, folded so lovingly in the little girl’s arms. While the child’s bright, kind face tells how fondly she is attached to her affectionate pet.

It is a good thing to have this gentle love for the dear little creatures God has given us, and it pleases Him to heavens treat them kindly. But can you tell me whose love is far greater than any you have for your pets, or even for your parents and friends? Many of you answer very quickly for you have heard again and again the old, sweet story of God’s love.

Can you, tell who it was that God loved? “Yes,” you say, “He loved sinners.” A n d how much did He love them? So much, dear children that He gave His only Son to die for them. Jesus was in heaven with God the Father, but He left His home on high, a home of glory and happiness—and came a little babe into this world of sin and sorrow.

As he grew older He was always obedient to His parents. He never did anything wrong, but always that which was pleasing to God.

When He became a man, He went about doing good—helping those who were in trouble of any kind.

But wicked men nailed Him to a cross and there God laid our sins upon Him. All this, dear reader, that you and I might not have to suffer the punishment we deserved for our many sins. Was not this wonderful love!

Now He wants us to love Him, who first loved us. Do not turn away from such love. Believe on this loving Saviour, who wants you to come to Him and have all your sins forgiven. “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

ML 05/17/1903

"The Mount of God."

THERE was one mountain which the Lord was pleased to call His —that was “Horeb the Mount of God.” On this mountain was the rock which was smitten by the rod of God in the hand of Moses, and from which flowed streams of refreshing for the people in their need—a beautiful picture of Christ, our Rock, smitten for us; and of the stream of refreshing which flowed to us through the Spirit of God.

Here, on this same mountain, the angel of the Lord had appeared to Moses in a flame of fire that came from the midst of the burning bush. Here again, nearly six hundred years later, God met, in a very special way, His prophet Elijah. And from this mountain, burning with fire, and enveloped in clouds and thick darkness, God spoke to the people, and gave to them the ten commandments written upon two tables of stone. We see there was much to mark it as the “Mount of God.”

The whole host of Israel, in their journey toward the promised land, now lay encamped near this mountain of God. And Moses now had the full assurance that God had sent him, and was with him, for these were the words that He had spoken; “Certainly I will be with thee, and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.” So here in the plain, at the foot of the mountain was a halting place for Israel.

Moses, doubtless, had often led his flock up and down its steeps, during his forty years sojourn in the land of Midian. When he started on his mission to Egypt, he took Zipporah, his wife, and their two sons with him, but before reaching that land he sent them back. Now that he had returned to the land of Midian, Jethro, his father-in-law, who had heard of all that God had done. for Moses, and for Israel His people, took Zipporah and her sons and went to visit him.

When Jethro drew near, Moses went out to meet him, and he bowed down to him and kissed him, showing thus the reverence which is pleasing to God, who tells us we shall honor the face of the old. After asking each other of their welfare, they went into the tent; Moses then recounted to his father-in-law what the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, and told him of the trials and sorrows that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord had delivered them. Hearing thus of the Lord’s goodness to Moses and the people, made the heart of Jethro rejoice; and he praised God and offered up sacrifices to Him.

On the morrow, when Jethro saw that the people stood by Moses from morning until evening, bringing their troubles and their questions to him, he told Moses that this was not good; it would surely wear him away, for the work was too heavy for him. He then counseled him to choose out truthful, God-fearing men, and place them as rulers over thousands, and hundreds, and fifties, and tens, and let these rulers judge the people in small matters, and only the “hard causes” should be brought to him; then his work would be lightened. Moses acted on this counsel, doing all that Jethro had said, and then he allowed him to depart.

Dear young reader, we are not brought to a mountain surrounded with darkness and terrors such as the Mount of God afterwards was to Israel, but we are brought to know Jesus who suffered on Cavalry’s mount for us, in order that the darkness might be forever dispelled and the terrors done away.

ML 05/17/1903

The Far Seeing Eye.

As the astronomer Mitchell was one day observing the setting sun through a large telescope, and gradually lowering the instrument to keep in view the great body of light slowly sinking in the western sky, there came within his line of vision the top of a distant hill, upon which grew a number of apple trees. In one of those trees were two boys, apparently stealing the apples. One was getting the fruit, while the other appeared to be keeping watch, to make sure that they were not seen in their guilty act; both, no doubt, hoping to be undiscovered. But there sat Professor Mitchell, seven miles away, with the great eye of his telescope directed fully upon them, and perceiving their every movement as clearly as if he were on the hill-top.

The above related incident puts us in mind of how all are under the continual observation of God; according to the Scripture. “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do;” and again, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Heb. 4:13; Prov. 15:3. It has been remarked by another, that, for the Christian, it should be a pleasing reflection that the eye of his God is at all times upon him. The remembrance of the fact should be a check upon sin, and an encouragement to holiness. And besides, as we read, “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” 2 Chron. 16:9.

ML 05/17/1903

Lessons From the Proverbs.

PERHAPS some of my little readers have heard of Charlie and the plate of apples. One day when Charlie had been playing with some bad boys his father told him to go to the orchard and get some nice, red apples. Charlie got the apples and then his father told him to get a bad one and put it in the plate with the others. But Charlie said, “Oh no! Papa, the rotten apple will spoil the good ones.” His father told Charlie to do as he had said, and Charlie obeyed.

Some days later Charlie was asked to bring out the plate of apples. How many of you think that the good apples had made the bad one good? Not any of you. No, the bad apple had spoiled all the good ones.

Now can you tell me what happens when you play with naughty, bad children! You learn their naughty ways and are very likely to do the same things they do. Do you think God likes that? No, dear children, and I will tell you what He says. “Enter not into the path of the wicked and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” Proverbs 4:14, 15.

God does not want you to play with bad children, but to keep away from them, so that you may not be like the good apples that were spoiled by the bad one.

Again God says,

“If sinners entice thee consent thou not.” Proverbs 1:10.

Entice means to lead astray, or tempt. If someone tempts you to do something wrong, you ought to say, “No.” Your little playmates may laugh at you and call you “coward” or “baby”, because you refuse to do the naughty thing, but never mind that. It is much better to please God than to please a naughty companion. And it is never cowardly to refuse to do wrong.

I want to tell you about a little boy named Robert, who was enticed by two naughty boys.

These two boys wanted him to go to the river one Sunday, when his mother had sent him to Sunday school.

Our verse says, “If sinners entice thee consent thou not,” but Robert did consent to the wishes of his naughty companions, instead of obeying his mother.

When they reached the river, they went out in a little boat, expecting to have a good time. But instead of that, the boat was upset and they were all drowned.

Yes, dear children, if we yield to the temptation of sinners, we will get into trouble. Sooner or later, we will be punished. But if we do as our first verse tells us, and do not enter into the path of the wicked, but avoid it and turn from it, then they cannot entice us to sin.

I hope you will all ask God for strength and courage to have nothing to do with naughty children and their naughty ways.

ML 05/17/1903

From Baby Lips.

HOW many of the little boys and girls who read this paper like to stand at the window and watch the rain-drops as they fall pattering on the pane, or the beautiful white flakes of snow as they fly whirling through the air? Then do you think of the kind, loving Father in heaven, who sends the gentle showers that are needed to make things grow?

Older persons as well as children like to watch the rain and the snow and the people passing to and fro on the street.

A teacher once asked her Sunday-school class of little ones what they thought they would do in heaven. One dear little girl said, she would “look out of the window in heaven.” She, like many other children, could not think of anything she liked better than to “look out of the window”.

The day our little friend gave this answer was the last she was ever in Sunday-school. The next Lord’s Day she was sick and a few days later the Lord took her to be with Himself.

Yes, dear little ones, in this world, we like very much to see from the window the many things that make us think of God’s power and goodness. But when we are in heaven, we will be with the One who gives us so many good things. There we will see Jesus Himself and that will be better than looking out of the window. Through all the years of eternity we will never tire of gazing upon that glorious face of our Blessed Saviour who once died for us and is now preparing for us a home in heaven, where cs e will soon be with Him forever and ever.

ML 05/17/1903

"Blessed Are the Merciful."

A year and forth to school, I often passed a cage where there was a squirrel. Behind the cage was a box just as you see it in the picture, and the squirrel could go from one to the other.

In the cage were two wheels whose rims were joined by many cross pieces. When the squirrel began to climb these cross pieces, his weight pulled them down and made the wheels turn. The faster he climbed the faster the wheels whirled round, keeping the squirrel in the same spot all the time.

Squirrels like to climb trees, and when they are caged up they like to climb these wheels which are made for them to play on. In this way they can run fast and long, just as if they were in the woods or a big field, instead of in a very small cage.

In the picture one of the boys is opening the door of the box and the squirrel is ready to spring right out, happy to get to the wheels again. The boys have kind faces and seem interested in watching its movements.

We ought always to show kindness to animals as well as to people. There is a verse which says, “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.” Proverbs 11:17. When we show kindness and mercy it gives us a happy, peaceful feeling. But when we are cruel to anything we do ourselves harm instead of good.

When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He went about doing good, He made the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the dumb to speak, and the lame to walk. He healed the sick and comforted the sorrowing ones by bringing their dead to life. Jesus never hurt or harmed anything. I hope all my little readers will try to be more like Him and remember His words,

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matt. 5:7.

ML 05/24/1903

Jesus the Headstone of the Corner.

MATT. 21:42 46.

WHEN Jesus spoke the parable of the vineyard, showing how He would be rejected by the Jews, cast out of the vineyard and slain, He quoted to the rulers a verse from Ps. 118, to show how their rejection of Him would be the fulfillment of the Scripture, and how God would exalt the very One they were despising. He said to them:

“Did ye never read in the Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the bead of the corner; this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes!”

Jesus was this stone which was to become the head-stone, or chief stone, of the corner, and which at that very moment the builders were rejecting. And because they were thus rejecting Him, Jesus told them that the kingdom of God would be taken from them and given to a nation that would bring forth the fruits thereof. Not only so, but He told them of the judgment that would come upon them because they rejected Him. They were stumbling over Him because He seemed insignificant to them, and He declared to them that because of this they would be “broken” in judgment. “Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken,” He seemed to the builders only a worthless stone. They stumbled ever Him, only to perish. By and by He will be as a mighty stone falling from heaven upon that guilty nation. That will be when He comes again. He will come in judgment against His rejectors Souls stumble over Him now, and perish because they do not own Him as the Christ of God. When He comes again, it will be in glory, and in the crushing power of judgment on all His enemies; and so He says: “But on whomsoever it [that is this rejected stone] shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”

When the chief priests and Pharisees heard these parables, they were angry, because they saw that Jesus was speaking of them; and they would have laid hands on Him, had they not been afraid of the people, for the people took Jesus to be a prophet. These wicked rulers cared only for their own interests, their own glory, and their own reputation, and when exposed by Jesus, they wanted to kill Him. This showed out their real character.

Now, may I ask, are you better than they? Have you received and confessed Jesus, whom God has exalted to be the chief corner-stone? God has sent Him into this world to be a Saviour. Is He your Saviour; or are you like the rulers, rejecting Him? If you are still rejecting Him, what better are you then they? Oh! beware! If you stumble over Him, you will perish. If you despise Him, He is coming from heaven in judgment, and as a mighty stone, He will crush you to powder. If you believe on Him, you shall be saved.

ML 05/24/1903

If You Love Jesus Let Others Know.

A YOUNG man, knowing that he must soon leave this world, asked the nurse to send him a Christian. She therefore sent for the chaplain; but he could not understand the young man at all. At last, however, a Christian was found and brought to him, and they conversed together. It came out that for ten years the young man had known the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, yet he had not let people know it. In other words, he had not shone for Christ, but had only thought of pleasing himself. And now, when the Lord was going to take him away to be with Himself (for Christ’s sheep shall never perish), there was no joy, because he had not testified of Christ.

The young man’s object in desiring to speak to a Christian was that he might warn others who belonged to the Lord, how sad it is to be left down here, and not to shine for Him. It is only for a “little while.” God grant that we may shine brightly,

“You in your small corner,

And I in mine,”

and live, not unto ourselves, but unto Him who died for us and rose again.

ML 05/24/1903

Trust in Jesus; or, Little Mary.

In one of the wealthy homes of London lived a little girl named Mary.

She had parents to educate her, servants to wait upon her, and carriages to ride in. There seemed a great deal around this child to make her happy; but Mary was not pleased and satisfied with those things that please and satisfy other little ones. She knew she often did those things which she ought not to do, and left undone those things which she ought to have done; this filled her heart with fear and trembling. What could save her from God’s displeasure? Where could she flee for refuge?

Before she could read, she treasured up passages of the Bible which others read to teach her, and went away by herself to ponder them over. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart,” Mary often heard from the sacred volume. “But I do not love Him,” she said to herself; “I do not know how to love Him; neither do I love my neighbor as myself. I love Papa, Mamma, and my sister best of all. Did ever anybody love God with all their heart, and their neighbors as themselves? Did God really mean so?” She was required to be Christ’s faithful servant and soldier, and fight manfully under His banner. This amazed her greatly. “I am sure I do not fight, neither do I know what to fight against,” thought she. Mary asked many questions upon these perplexing subjects, but she was bid not to trouble herself upon such matters. “The Bible is not so strict as it seems to be,” they said. This eased her for a little while; but Mary was seeking after her Saviour, and could not be long put off. It was forgotten by Mary’s friends, that as children sin and do often bitterly feel the weight of their ill-deserts, they must seek forgiveness and peace through Him who was bruised for our transgressions, and by whose stripes we are healed. When Mary was seven, a pious servant-girl came into the family, who, observing her serious turn, sometimes spoke to her upon those subjects dearest to Mary’s heart. As soon as this was known, she was sent away; but she left some little books behind which the child hid away and read. Mary read the little books, where she found it was not joining any particular people that could save her, but it was believing in Jesus Christ. Still the way seemed very, very dark. “Oh!” she cried, being greatly burdened, “what can it be to know my sins forgiven, and to have faith in Jesus? If I were to die a martyr, I could do it; or to give away all I have; or, when I grow up, to become a servant, that would be easy; but I shall never know how to believe;” and the little girl was filled with grief and apprehension. Then the words of the hymn:—

“Who on Jesus relies, without money or price,

The pearl of forgiveness and holiness buys,”

came to her mind, and the Holy Spirit opened her eyes to behold and her heart to embrace its precious truth. “Rely on Jesus! I do, I will rely on Jesus,” she cried aloud; “I will trust Him as my Saviour; and God counts me righteous for what He has done and suffered, and He has forgiven all my sins for His sake.” Joy and gratitude filled her bosom. Before, everything seemed easier than to believe; now, the way of believing seemed easier than anything else. Thus the light of the glorious gospel broke upon Mary’s mind; she became a lovely disciple of the Lord Jesus, and grew up a devoted Christian woman.

Children, are you not sometimes burdened on account of your sins? It is not resolving to do right, or resolving to pray, or resolving to read your Bible, or wishing or hoping that will take away the burden; it is trusting the Lord Jesus Christ; He will wash your sins away in His precious blood which cleanseth from all sin.

ML 05/24/1903

Redemption.

Were every grain of earth a pearl,

The ocean glittering gold;

Could all the sheep that ever lived

Be gathered to one fold;

The waters, too, give up their fish,

The air collect its birds;

The valleys bring their fruit and grain,

The hills send down their herds;

Then take the whole, and offer up

A sacrifice to God:—

Not all this treasure would suffice,

Nor yet whole seas of blood,

To cleanse one sinner from his sin,

Or purchase his release;

Or find a ransom, that he might

With God have settled peace.

BUT JESUS HAS THE RANSOM PAID,

THE PRICE HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD,

By which the worst can now obtain

Pardon and peace with God.

ML 05/24/1903

Lessons From the Proverbs.

HOW many of the little boys and girls who read Messages of Love, have watched the ants on a bright warm day in spring or summer? A great many of you, I am sure.

Around the ant hole you saw a little mound or heap of something. What was it? Where did it come from? Now watch very closely the ants as they run in and out of the hole. Each one carries out a tiny grain and leaves it on the heap around the hole. Then it hurries back to get another grain.

Yes, it was the little ants that built the mound. One by one they brought up the grains, until, after a great many trips, there were enough to make this little mound.

But why do they make these mounds and where do they get the grains?

They are making a little store-house down under the ground. The grains are small particles of earth. They dig these out and bring them up out of their way. This leaves some space down below for the rooms of their house. Here they have a place of refuge; here they take care of the young, and here they store up corn, seeds, and other kinds of food.

Perhaps, you have noticed, too, how quickly they run in and out.

Do you think we can learn any lesson from the ants?

There is a verse (Proverbs 6:6) which says: “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” A sluggard is a lazy person. But the ants are not lazy. They are busy all the time, running back and forth, making their houses, and filling them with food.

So God tells us we can learn a lesson from the ants, for He does not want us to be lazy. There is always something for willing hands and feet to do. Even little children can run errands for Papa and Mamma and help them with a great many little things.

If we want to be like the busy little ants, we can always find something good to do something that will be pleasing to God, and helpful to those about us.

ML 05/24/1903

Lilies.

ONE delightful bright morning last summer, my brother and I were out in a little boat on a Canadian river. As we rowed along, enjoying the water and sunshine that God has so graciously given us, and admiring the grandeur and beauty of His handiwork in creation, we saw near the shore a marshy place where pretty water lilies were lifting their heads above the water.

We rowed over to the marsh and worked our way in among the lilies and other water plants. Then we reached over, as the girl in the picture is doing, and gathered a large bouquet of the beautiful flowers. You can see from the picture how the stems are long enough to reach the surface of the water, while the pure, white blossoms float gently on the rippling waves.

Do you know what Jesus says about the lilies? Some of you are familiar with these beautiful verses, — “Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven: how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith?” Luke 12:27, 28.

Solomon was a very rich man and had fine clothes, but they were not so delicate and beautiful, as the lilies, because his costly robes were made by man, and the lilies were made by God.

And yet the lilies soon fade and die. Flowers never last very long. If, then, God clothes the plants and the grass of the field so beautifully for only a very short time, do you think He can forget His own children? No, dear readers, He will never forget you. He will give you all you need and will care for you at all times. And He wants you always to trust Him.

Sometimes we do not have as much of this world’s goods as we would like to have, because God knows it is better for us to have only a little. He does not want us to be occupied with laying up treasure down here. He would have us lay up our treasure in heaven. And we can do this by learning more about Him and seeking to live for Him every day.

When we are done with this world all our earthly riches and treasures will have to be left behind. But the treasure we, lay up in heaven will last throughout all eternity.

ML 05/31/1903

Before the Mount.

A SHORT move from Rephidim brought the people into the wilderness of Sinai, and here they camped before the mount. Here it was that. Moses “went up unto God,” in Horeb, and that the Lord called to him out of the mountain, giving him words that he should speak to the children of Israel. The people were to be reminded, first, of what God had done to the Egyptians, their oppressors. Let us learn from this that God would not have us forget His goodness toward us, and His might in vanquishing our foes and in giving us the victory over the powers of darkness.

Next was to be recalled to Israel how God had, borne them on eagle’s wings and brought them unto Himself. Even as the eagle “stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her-wings,” so God in His love and in His pity had redeemed Israel and had carried them along and He had kept them “as the apple of His eye.” He led them through the desert, He cared for them in “a waste howling wilderness.” “In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them,” (Deut. 32:10, 11, 12, Isa. 63:9.) How very beautiful this is—and how true also now for those who are the Lord’s! Do we realize that we are being carried along by that strong and loving power; and that He who has redeemed us is not only caring for us in our weary wilderness journey, but He also has sorrow in our sorrow, is afflicted in our afflictions! Oh, what a thought! and how it should fill our hearts with comfort and joy!

God was about to make a covenant with the people He was thus leading. He had never before put His people under law. He had warned Adam against eating of “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”; He had given promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; but now He had chosen Israel to be “a peculiar treasure” unto Himself, and He would have them obey His voice, and keep the covenant He was about to make with them.

This was what Moses was to make known to the people. And when they heard it they all answered, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. Alas! alas! how little they knew their own unbelieving hearts, and how soon they had forgotten the wonders God had shewed them. And now, without knowing what God would have them do, they were promising to keep the law before they got it! This was a vain thing, as they afterwards proved.

And do we not often find the same thing now—those who are confident in their own strength but who, when tried, are sadly wanting? It is well to say, By the grace of God I will do this or that. Without Christ, we can do nothing, and it is well for us always to feel and own our weakness, and that the strength must be of God.

ML 05/31/1903

The Little Red Bible.

LITTLE Bessie was the only child of her poor parents. Her mother, a laborious devoted woman, did her best to render her humble dwelling attractive; but her father was both an idler and a drunkard. At the age of six, Bessie, who was an intelligent and lively child, began to attend a Sunday-school, and when she was able to read fluently the 5th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, her teacher, Miss Alice, made her a present of a small Bible bound in red, on the cover of which her name was printed in letters of gold. What a joy it was to Bessie, to show her treasure to her mother! From that time she never missed learning by heart each day, a verse of Holy Scripture.

Two years passed by, and then Bessie fell ill. On seeing her flushed cheeks and parched lips, the doctor shook his head.

“Do you think I shall ever get well?” Bessie asked him, fixing on him her large black eyes.

“I hope so,” replied the doctor.

“But do you believe that I may be cured?” said Bessie. “I shall not be afraid to die, and to go to heaven, where Jesus is.”

“I do not know, my little girl,” replied the doctor, “but God will take care of you.”

“Yes, God will take care of me,” said Bessie, softly.

Then she became so delirious that she did not even recognize her mother, nor her teacher, nor her father. The latter, seated at her bedside, watched her day and night. He was sober now, for he loved his little daughter, and he feared that God might take her away from him.

It was during the night that reason returned to little Bessie, and then she knew everybody. Miss Alice was near her.

“Am I going to die, Miss Alice?” was her first question.

“I think so, my dear child,” answered her teacher. “Are you prepared to die?”

“Oh! yes,” said Bessie with a sweet smile; “I am so happy! I love Jesus, and I wish so much to go to heaven! But, Miss Alice, when I go, I wish that you may place the little Bible in my hands. God will let me take it to heaven, I think. Then, when Jesus shall say, Let little children come unto Me, I shall be able to open my Bible at the very place where these words are found; and I know that He will be pleased that I have learned them down here. Will you not do it, Miss Alice?”

“Yes, dear child, you shall have your Bible in your hand.”

Bessie’s father, seated near her, began to sob, for his heart seemed near to break at the thought of separation from his little daughter. “Shall I never see you again, then, my child?” said he at last.

“If you rove the dear Saviour, you will go to heaven, Father,” whispered Bessie, placing her little weak hand in that of her father. “You wish to love Him; is it not so? I have such a desire that you and Mother may go to heaven!”

“I do not know what to do. I shall not be able to find the road!” cried the unhappy father.

Bessie’s face was lighted up with joy, and, making a sign with her hand, in order that Miss Alice might approach her, she said, “Do not put the Bible in my hands when I go to heaven; I will tell Jesus that I have left my Bible for Father and Mother, so that they may also find the road that leads there. Do not fail to come, Father . . . do not fail . . . to come!”

Such were the last words that little Bessie uttered.

Bessie’s father and mother shed tears abundantly at their loss, and they carefully preserved the departed one’s little Bible. And what use did they make of it? They read it, and their hearts having been made attentive by the happy death of their darling child, they read it with the deep desire to know the heavenly road. Both felt they had lived in sin, afar from God. The cares of the house had acted like a screen to hide God from the mother who was always absorbed with her duties; while gross sins had been the barrier which hindered the father from coming to the Saviour. But both now came to the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. They understood the words; “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isa. 53:6. They read with astonishment that the Son of God had come to save them in receiving their chastisement, and that whosoever believes in Him has eternal life. They simply believed these truths, and by faith they received the remission of their sins. From that time they consecrated their life to the Saviour, and sought to avoid what displeases Him, and to do His will. It was thus through their dear little daughter that they learned the way to heaven.

ML 05/31/1903

Lessons From the Proverbs.

LITTLE readers, when you are busy working or studying, or happy in your play, do you ever stop to think that God is looking down upon you and sees all you do? When you are kind to your brothers and sisters, and to your little friends, —when you try to help your, parents,—God sees it all and it pleases Him.

But if you do something naughty, even though no one else sees it, God knows all about that, too. He sees the bad as well as the good.

In Proverbs 15:3, we read,

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

Whether you are outside or inside, alone or with others, in the dark or in the light, —God sees everything you do, for His eyes “are in every place.”

A man and his little boy were once out in a field where there was a pile of potatoes. The potatoes did not belong to the man, but he was going to take some anyway, and put them in a sack, which he had with him.

He looked in all directions to see if anyone was watching, and then told his little boy to keep looking while he filled the sack.

But the little boy knew it was wrong to steal, and he had also learned that God sees all things. So he said to his father, “There is one way you forgot to look.”

The man was frightened and dropped the potatoes, wondering which way he had not looked. How many of you know? I think some of you have already answered the question.

Yes, he had forgotten to look up!

And now can you tell me who was looking down upon him from above? I am sure you can.

I hope that when any of you are tempted to do wrong, you will remember to look up. Do not think you can ever hide anything from God. But always say to yourself, “Thou God seest me!” Genesis 16:13.

ML 05/31/1903

Extracts From Letters From Our Young Friends.

It is not twelve months since I accepted the Lord as my own personal Saviour, and I am very glad, for I have been happy ever since. I am glad to see so many answering the questions, for it shows that they take an interest in them, and they are very helpful to young Christians, for we can never know too much about the Lord.

A. B. S.

ML 05/31/1903

Answers to Questions of April 5th.

“Pray for us.” 2 Thess. 3:l.

“Rejoice.” 1 5:16.

“A chaia.” 1 1:7.

“Ye turned to God, etc.” 1 1:9,10.

“PRAY.” 1 5:17.

Bible Questions for June.

The answers are to be found in Titus and Philemon, and the first letter of each answer will spell how often Paul said that he prayed for one to whom he was writing.

1.Who are told to be teachers of good things?

2.Give one thing that “toward man appeared.”

3.Give the verse following these words: “renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

4.What did Christ give Himself to redeem us from?

5.Give the verse containing the words, “a prisoner of Jesus Christ.”

6.What is it that old men, young women, and young men are told to be?

ML 06/07/1903

"Heaven Would Be Lonely Without Company."

IN THE times of persecution in Scotland, there was a dear old Christian woman who met in a certain spot with some of her friends to worship God. But one by one, as the persecution went on, these dear Christian friends were slain by the cruel and bloody Claverhouse and his dragoons. Still this dear Scotchwoman went to the trysting place. One day as she was returning from it, she met some of the dragoons.

“Well, Grannie, had you a good meeting the day?” said one of them.

“Oh, yes,” she replied.

“You had!” said the dragoon, “who was there?”

“God the Father was there, God the Son was there, and God the Holy Ghost was there; and I was there, and we had a good meeting.”

Ah! a wonderful trysting place that was. How many would be willing now to go, at the risk of their lives, to have such a happy meeting?

An, aged Christian remarked, in connection with relating this incident: “Heaven would be lonely without company.”

This is very true; but we, who love the Lord, well know that we shall have the very best of company there. All the redeemed of the Lord will be there; and what blessed company that will be! But first, and above all, “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb” will be there, and the Lamb will be the light and the joy of that blessed scene. His presence will make heaven to be heaven for us. And our happy song will be, “Thou wart slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood, out of every kindred and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign over the earth.”

ML 06/07/1903

Jesus and the Marriage of the King's Son.

MATT. 22:10.

READ the first ten verses of Matthew 22 Jesus is still speaking ‘to the Jews in parables. In the previous parable, He shows the shameful treatment He received from the Jews. In this parable, which gives us the marriage of the king’s son, He shows not only the dishonor they put upon Him, but that also which they put upon His Father.

In this parable the king’s son is Jesus Himself, and the king is God His Father. The king makes a marriage in honor of his son. The Jews were bidden to this marriage. And when the king’s messengers called them they would not come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, “Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come to the marriage.” Both before the death of Jesus, and after His death, the Jews were invited to the feast, but they would not come. “They made light of it and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise; and the remnant took his servants and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.” This is the way the Jews treated Jesus, and God His Father, and God’s servants. This brought upon them the judgment of God. “When the king heard thereof he was wroth; and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.” The Roman armies were the executors of God’s judgment against the Jews. They destroyed the murderers of God’s servants, and burned up their city—the City of Jerusalem.

Oh! what a solemn and awful thing it is to dishonor God, as did the Jews. How terrible the results! How is it with you, reader? Are you honoring Him, or dishonoring Him?

God must have His Son honored; and so if the Jews would not come to the marriage, and do Him honor, He would send the invitation to others. “Then saith he to his servants, the wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all, as many as they found, both bad and good; and the wedding was furnished with guests.” Yes, if the Jews would not come, the Gentiles would, until the wedding was furnished with guests.

Oh! reader! the servants of the Lord are still inviting guests to that marriage feast. The invitation comes to you now. Will you be a guest there? Are you willing to honor the King’s Son? Or, will you dishonor God by refusing to honor His Son? Which shall it be? You have had the invitation, and you are responsible to accept, or reject. Which will you do? Will you do honor to Jesus by coming to the wedding? Or will you bring upon yourself the wrath of God, by refusing to come! There is no middle ground; you must do one or the other, and, abide by the consequences. And what are the consequences? Well, it will be either heaven or hell, the unmingled joy at the feast in glory above, or the blackness of darkness forever in that awful region, called in Scripture, “the lake of fire.” Again I ask you, reader, which shall it be? Oh! heed the invitation sent you from heaven. Give heed at, once. Tomorrow may be too late. Oh! enter, enter now.

ML 06/07/1903

Lessons From the Proverbs.

MANY of our little readers may have heard this sweet expression, “Kind words can never die.” There is much truth in it, for, though the words may fade from memory and pass away, yet their impress remains, and the results will be gathered up in that coming day when words and deeds will all be reviewed. Let me give you a little instance in the life of a dear, aged Christian which will illustrate the truth of what I have been saying. I will relate the incident in his own words.

“One of the very best visits I ever had in my life was from and with a man I never saw. I was sick and in trouble once, and went to Europe for a change, and to see my parents. I wanted to stop at the Astor House, New York. It was so full, there was not room for me, but I got a cot on the ninth story. There was another cot in the room.

I lay down, turned my face to the wall, and tried to sleep. Someone took the other cot. When I turned, the light was out, if there ever was any. I could not sleep — tumbled and complained some. At length the one on the other cot said, ‘Friend you can’t sleep; can I help you?’ I told him, ‘no.’ But he was an angel sent by God to remind me that this was not the place of our rest. I got awake in the morning, but he was gone; he saw I was asleep and did not say good bye.”

This unknown, and unseen friend, did not know, and probably will not know, until eternity, how the kind words of comfort he spoke cheered the heart of a weary traveler. Had he grown impatient at the restlessness of his roommate, and spoken impatiently, he would but have increased the sorrow and discomfort of the tired one; as it was, the kind words he spoke were as oil upon the troubled waters, and the tried one could afterwards say, as we have seen, “One of the very best visits I ever had in my life was from and with a man I never saw.” Let us not forget that kind words will live, and their results will be very precious.

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”

ML 06/07/1903

Lessons From the Proverbs.

A SCHOOL boy was playing one day, and accidentally broke a window in the school-house. Do you think he tried to keep the teacher from finding out who broke the window? We shall soon see.

There is a verse (Proverbs 28:13) which says, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

To cover sins means to hide them and keep people from knowing anything about them. If we do this, we shall not get along well—we shall not prosper.

But the school boy did not try to cover what he had done. He went to his teacher and told her all about it. She was much pleased to think the boy was so honest, and she spoke very kindly to him.

When we confess our sins and forsake, them, mercy is shown.

Often people do something wrong and then, to keep from being found out, tell a lie about it, thus adding one sin to another. How much easier and better it is to confess the wrong at once.

This is true of sins toward God, as well as of sins toward man.

When a lost sinner comes to God confessing his sins, the Lord is merciful. He forgives the sins and gives the sinner eternal life.

But if the sinner will not turn to God —if he goes on sinning—there is no mercy for him. He can only expect to receive the punishment he deserves, and spend an eternity of misery.

If there is one dear reader of this paper who is still going on in sin, may that one go to God at once, confess his sins, and ask God’s mercy and forgiveness. He never turns any one away.

“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6, 7.

ML 06/07/1903

"My Son, Give Me Thine Heart."

HERE is an interesting group of children. The youngest one is feeding the little ducks and they are eager to seize the pieces of food that he throws out to them.

The oldest one seems to be telling the others something which interests them, for they are listening intently to what she says. And the way her little hand is raised shows how earnest she is as she talks. She may be telling them about her Sunday-school lesson and what she has learned about the Lord Jesus.

Jesus loves little children and it delights His heart when they love Him and like to talk about Him.

God does not want us to wait till we are men and women to think about Him and the salvation of our souls. He says,

“My son, give Me thine heart.” Prov. 23:26.

He wants us to give our hearts to Him when we are children. In another place He says, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” It is not safe to wait till we are older, for many die while they are still young. And if they die without God, not knowing Jesus as their Saviour, they can only be lost.

Satan tells you there is plenty of time, because he wants your heart, and does not want you to give it to God. But you must not listen to Satan’s lie. If you have not already believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, turn to Him now and give Him your heart.

Then you will want to learn more about Him. His word will be food for your soul and you will be eager to get it, just as the little ducks are eager to get the food from the little boy’s hand, and as the others are eager to hear what the older girl is telling them.

ML 06/14/1903

The Mount, Burning and Quaking.

AFTER willingness had been expressed to do all that the Lord had spoken, the Lord told Moses that He would come in a thick cloud, and the people should hear when He spoke, and should believe forever what Moses told them.

The camping ground of Israel in this place was a large, smooth plain surrounded by mountains; and here, it is said, “the air is wonderfully clear, both for seeing and hearing.” With ample space for two millions of people, and so situated that all could see and hear, the Lord was about to speak to them from Mount Sinai, and to come down in the sight of all the people. Bounds were to be set so that no one could touch the mountain, for it would be death to man or beast to come near.

This gives to us a picture of the holiness and majesty of God. Sin is abhorrent to Him, and man who is a sinner cannot come near until the question of sin is settled. But thanks be to God who has thought of us in His great love and mercy—A way has been opened into His presence— “a new and living way.” And this way is through the blood of Jesus.

The glory of the Lord was in the tabernacle, and the Lord appeared “in the cloud upon the mercy seat.” But man was shut out from this glory by the veil which hung between the holy place and the most holy. To go behind this veil was death for any save the high priest who could enter once a year; but his entrance must be with blood and smoking incense. Now this barrier is gone. With the death of Jesus “the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.”

Jesus had stood between God and men; He had settled the whole question of sin; and now a way of access has been made into God’s very presence; by the blood of Jesus we may enter with boldness “into the holiest.” What a change! It is no longer God dwelling “in the thick darkness” and making death the penalty of approach. Jesus our Saviour has abolished death and has brought life to light; and now instead of darkness and trembling and death, we have life and light, and joy and peace. May our hearts adore the blessed One who, at infinite cost, has removed all barriers, and brought His people into nearness and communion with God!

On the morning of the third day, after the people had been sanctified, thick darkness enveloped the mount, and the earth trembled and shook; even the mountain itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. The thunder reverberated through the heavens, and the lightening lightened the world.

The people came near and stood under the mountain, which burned with fire, for the Lord had descended on it in fire, and the smoke was ascending. Out of the midst of the fire they heard the voice of the Lord speaking to them. Do you suppose this was a time of terror for them? It was indeed. The terrible sights and sounds made them tremble; and they must have been deeply impressed with a sense of God’s holiness and majesty.

May we with glad hearts praise the Lord that He is now revealing Himself in love and grace, and not speaking to us in the thunders of Sinai!

ML 06/14/1903

The Happy Little French Girl.

I will tell you a little story

In a homely sort of rhyme.

It is about a little girl

Who was born in a southern clime

She lived in a pretty cottage,

With flowers round the door;

From which the busy little bees

Gathered up their winter store.

Every morn she ran to school

And quickly learned to read,

While to the stories of the Testament

She gave most careful heed.

For the mistress had bought,

From a pedlar going round,

Some copies of this precious book

In French schools seldom found.

But this man of God with longing heart,

For the children in the school,

Had asked the Lord to make her buy—

Though it was against the rule.

And oft he prayed and oft he longed

To know if any child

Had learned to love the holy book,

That he had left behind.

One day while passing very near,

He knocked at the school-room door,

But found a stranger in the place

Of her he had seen before,

He asked about the Testaments,

At first she scarce replied,

But when he seemed so anxious,

She said, she had laid them aside.

He asked if they were ever read,

She said she did not know,

But one had gone to a little girl

Who was at school some time ago.

He asked if the child lived very near,

She said just over there,

And she pointed to the cottage

With the flowers round the door.

The pedlar soon was seated

Within the little room,

And listening to the story

How the book there had come.

The father said, “Our little girl,

Came home from school so ill,

That her mother put her in to bed,

Where she lay very still.

The doctor came and saw Jeannette

(That is the little girls name),

He said it was fever she had got

And many were ill with the same.

Her mother nursed her night and day,

And tried to ease her pain,

But still the fever raged away,

And made her efforts vain.

At last we thought she must die,

And it nearly broke our heart,

To think that from our darling

We must for ever part.

But she only smiled most sweetly,

And said, ‘Please do not cry,

For the blessed Lord will take me

To His home beyond the sky.

He has said, Suffer the little children

And forbid them not to come,

For of such is the kingdom of heaven,

My bright eternal home.

Their hearts are bad and full of sin,

But My blood will wash them white

And not a spot will there be seen

When they stand in God’s pure light.

So I came to Him and He made me clean

And death cannot me harm.

For He’ll carry me in His bosom

And round me put His arm.’ [strange

She ceased; I thought these words so

Came from a fevered brain,

But she said, ‘Oh no, ‘tis all quite true,

I have read it again and again.’

At three weeks’ end the fever

Left our darling very weak,

She lay so quietly and so still

We scarcely dared to speak.

But as her strength came slowly back,

And no sound from her lips had come,

We feared what proved to be too true—

That our child was deaf and dumb.

Her patient little trustful face

Was bright as in days of yore;

But a longing look was in her eyes,

That was never seen there before. [have,

I knew there was something she wished to

But she only shook her head,

As toy after toy was brought to her

And laid upon her bed.

One morn I saw her look at a shelf

Where an, old book had lain long,

I brought it, at first she seemed herself,

But soon with a sigh laid it down.

I thought at once, to the school I’ll go

And ask for some story book;

Or perhaps the mistress can tell

Why the child has the wistful look.

When I asked, she said: ‘Oh, yes, I am sure,

‘Tis the Testament she wants,

For she always read it at play hour,

And o’er it seemed entranced.’

She gave it me, and I rushed home,

With my prize to dear Jeanette,

Who kissed and clasped it to her heart.

In a transport of delight,

Her eyes no more had the wistful look,

Her heart seemed satisfied.[book,

While she pointed out each verse in the

That tells how for sinners Christ died.

And so she taught her mother and me,

To love God’s holy word.

And I’m not ashamed to tell it thee,

We are saved through the precious blood.

The father ceased. The pedlar raised

His eyes to his Father in heaven,

And said, “Oh, Lord, I thank Thee much

For the answer to prayer Thou hast given.”

And then he told them what you know,

How the books he there had, sold,

And how he prayed both night and day,

They might prove more precious than gold.

And now we must say good-bye to Jeanette,

And good-bye to the pedlar too,

But the words of the Lord you must never forget,

For he meant them for each of you:

Suffer the little children,

And forbid them not to come,

For I want to have them with Me,

In My bright and beautiful home.

ML 06/14/1903

"The Name That Never Grows Old."

Hebrews 13:8

A CHRISTIAN woman met a party of heathen women. Seeking to do them good, she asked, “Where are you going?” They gave her the beautiful answer: “We are going to hear of the Name that never grows old.”

These poor inquirers had felt the power of the precious truth, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” Do you know Him thus?

ML 06/14/1903

Extracts From Letters From Our Friends.

“I am glad you have so many children to Read ‘Messages of Love’, and I hope every one of them will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. I hope they will get the answers correct, too.”

B. S.

“As I have been writing these answers, the words, ‘It is finished’, have been much before me. What peace and joy we have, to know that all is accomplished, and we have access into God’s holy presence; we, who were far away in our sins, but now made nigh by the precious blood of Jesus. Surely His love is more than tongue can tell; a love beyond all others, for He loved and gave Himself for us.

Many of the children in the school are saved, and take great interest in searching for the answers. It is nice to see them with their paper, pencil and Bible around the table, all eager to know what the answers to the questions are.

I, too, have enjoyed looking for them, and will, if the Lord tarry, still go on with them. The little while will soon, be past, and He will come again.”

ML 06/14/1903

A Wanderer.

WHAT do you think Mary has in her apron? I think it is a young bird, not able to fly. She is a kind little girl, and has brought it to Mother to see what can be done for it. Little birds sometimes venture out of the nest too soon, and fall into distress and danger. So do young people. Be not too anxious to get out into the great, big world, young friends! Stay at home, under the protection and guidance of your parents as long as you can. “Forsake not the law of your mother.” You may not always meet a kind friend. Young birds are more often seized by hungry cats than cared for by gentle maidens. And young people, boys or girls, more often fall into the snares of evil companions when they leave home, than into the care of Christian friends. The kindest thing little Mary can do with her foundling is to put it where the parent birds can feed it. I am sure her mother will advise her for the best.

ML 06/21/1903

Polished Stones.

A CHRISTIAN, who was greatly afflicted, sat down one day, weary and discouraged, to take a little rest. As she thought over her troubles and sorrows, she felt as though her load was heavier than she could bear. Thinking thus, and quite overcome with grief, she fell asleep in her chair; and while asleep, she dreamed. She, thought she was going from one building to another, and in each building she saw workmen scraping and polishing something that looked to her like dirty stones. As she passed on, from place to place she noticed that the surroundings gradually became cleaner, and the stones, on which the workmen were so busily engaged, began to look brighter. Seeing so much work put upon what seemed so insignificant and worthless, her curiosity was aroused and she asked one of the workmen what these stones were and what they were going to do with them. He told her that they were diamonds which were crusted over with dirt which was hard to remove; and they were being polished for the king’s mansion. Passing on, she came at length to the palace of the king, and there she saw some of the polished stones—handsome diamonds, sparkling and lustrous with beauty.

She wakened; it was only a dream, but a dream that spoke to her heart and conscience. She thought to herself, I will not murmur again; all the troubles through which I am passing will only serve to make me shine more brightly when I reach the happy home up there.

How is it with you, my dear reader? Do you sometimes feel faint at heart and ready to sink under the burdens that come upon you? for young Christians, as well as older ones, have their sorrows and their troubles. Do not forget that the polishing is going on, and that it is all needed if you would one day shine, resplendent in beauty, in “the mansions of the King.”

In the sorrows we are drawn closer to Jesus, learn more of Him, and grow more like Him. Thus we are being fitted for the fuller enjoyment of His presence, and for shining in glory in that coming, blessed day.

“He knoweth the way that I take; when He bath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10.

ML 06/21/1903

Jesus And the Wedding Garment.

MATT. 22:11-14.

We have already looked at the parable of the marriage of the king’s son. What we have here is still connected with that parable. In fact it is a part of it. The invitation had gone out, and the guests were gathered in to the feast. “The wedding was furnished with guests.” Then the king came to see the guests, and found one there who had not on a wedding garment. It seems that it was the custom in eastern countries, when a king or a noble made a wedding, or a feast, to furnish all the guests with a garment for the occasion. And if any guest failed to wear this garment, it was considered a mortal offence. It is this custom Jesus alludes to when He speaks of the wedding garment.

This marriage, of which Jesus speaks, is a parable, a kind of figure by which He was illustrating a spiritual truth. And the wedding garment, as well as the marriage, is a figure. God is going to honor His Son just as a king may honor his son by making for him a great wedding. The guests are these who share the joy expressed in the great feast.

And this is a great privilege God is gathering in many guests to the marriage of His Son. Countless numbers will be there, from every kindred and tongue, from every people and nation. And if you accept the invitation, you will be there also.

But God has provided a wedding garment for all who are to partake of the joy of this wedding feast. The garment is a figure of righteousness. And our righteousness will not do for God. We may think our own righteousness is perfect, but it will not stand the searching of God’s holy eye; and if we get into the presence of God in the light, where we can see what our righteousness really is, we will at once see that it will not do for a holy God. Like the prophet of God in Isa. 64:6, we will be ready to exclaim, “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” And surely we do not wish to wrap ourselves in “filthy rags” to go in to the marriage of the King’s Son. Oh! what a dishonor to Him this would be. It would indeed be a mortal offence. But God has provided a wedding garment, and He gives it to us without cost. We could never purchase it. It is too costly. He provides the feast, and He provides the wedding garment, and all we have to do is to accept the invitation and accept the garment. And when we have done so, we can again, exclaim as the prophet, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” Isa. 61:10.

Now let me give you one text from the New Testament: “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” This text, you see, shows that Christ is our righteousness, if we are believers in Him. Could you have a more beautiful garment than this? When you are in Christ by faith, you are clothed with the garments of salvation; you are covered with the robe of righteousness. Oh! what a robe. Surely you could not be better arrayed. I trust, my dear young reader, you have accepted this robe, and have accepted the invitation to the feast.

But we are told in the parable, that the king found a man among the guests who had not on the wedding garment. Alas! it is to be feared that a great many people profess to be Christians who are not clothed in this divine righteousness. They have nothing but their own “filthy rags,” and this will not do. The king said to this man, “Friend, how earnest thou hither, not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.” Ah! yes, he could offer no excuse, for the wedding garment had been furnished, and he had not put it on. “He was speechless.” And let me say, dear reader, if you have not Christ for your “robe of righteousness” in that day, you too, will be speechless, for God has furnished this robe and you would not put it on.

“Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Oh! that outer darkness! that weeping and gnashing of teeth! Shut out from the feast, and the joy and the song! Shut out in the blackness of darkness forever! And bound hand and foot! All liberty gone! You can no longer do as you please. Bound down under the judgment of God you will be food for the worm that never dies! O sinner, take warning now. Come to the feast, but come with the wedding garment. Accept Jesus Christ as your righteousness, and confess His name, while yet there is opportunity.

ML 06/21/1903

Lessons From the Proverbs.

“Whoso causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit.” Proverbs 18:10.

If some of the little ones who read this paper do not understand the verse just given, perhaps the following incident will help to explain it.

Along the shores of large rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water, wherever ships and steamers are accustomed to stop, long, platforms extend out some distance over the water. These platforms are called wharfs, or piers.

At the end of the wharf the water is quite deep, so that the steamer can approach and stop there without being stranded.

Passengers then get off and walk along the wharf to the land.

Those of you who live near a large body of water, know all about these wharfs, but many children have never seen them and perhaps never heard of them.

Some years ago one of God’s servants, a minister of the gospel, was standing at the end of one of these wharfs, preaching about Jesus and how. He came to save poor lost sinners.

Among the people who were listening, were some wicked men. One of these men was going to push another one against the minister and make him fall into the water.

But the minister saw what the men were going to do, and just as one pushed the other, he stepped to one side, and the wicked man himself went right over the end of the wharf into the water.

This man wanted to cause a righteous man to go astray in an evil way, that is, he wanted to get the minister into trouble by pushing him into the water. But instead, he himself went over into the water, and so fell, “into his own pit.”

Perhaps some of my readers can remember times when they had unkind feelings, and in trying to harm others, got into trouble themselves. Such things often happen.

I hope you will all think of the verse you have been reading and never try to get any one into trouble.

Remember that Jesus says,

“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32.

ML 06/21/1903

Extracts From Letters From Our Young Friends.

“One night Pa and Ma were out, and I was alone and afraid, but I thought a minute and I said aloud, ‘I am ready to face any danger, as long as the Lord is with me.’ That night I had a dream that the Lord came and told me that He was with me all the time. I have never been afraid since. When I get startled I repeat the words, ‘Be not afraid, I will be with you.’

Yours truly,”

E. T.

ML 06/21/1903

The Sagacity of a Hen.

THE following little incident we quote from good authority and which our picture this week illustrates.

“Owing to some heavy rains, nearly all the ground about a poultry-yard was covered with water. At this time there was a brood of chickens in the henhouse; they were on the roosting-place, and could not get down on account of the water. The hen was seen to convey them, one by one, on her back, to the grass-plot at a short distance, wading through the water as well as she could.”

God has wisely ordered it, that mothers should have affection for their young, and should care for them when they cannot care for themselves.

A mother’s love is very tender, very true. The mother hen loves her little brood, and watches tenderly over them. The human mother loves her little darlings and in unwearying self-denial she ministers to them. But there is a love that is deeper and stronger than even a mother’s love. If I were to ask you, dear children, whose love is that, I think you would be ready to answer, at once, the love of God is greater than the love of a mother; and that is right. And how has God shown His great love? He gave His well-loved Son to a dreadful death that poor sinners might be set free from their sins and share endless joy and glory with Him who suffered for them. Do you know this wonderful love? Have you believed in Jesus? God loved—so loved that He gave His Son. Jesus loved—so loved that He gave Himself. Are you His? If not, why not own your lost condition and believe in that love which is full enough to take you in! Why not believe in, and accept, as freely as it is offered, that love which is without limit!

ML 06/28/1903

Little Emily.

In a town in Asia, thousands of miles away from the so. called “Home Land,” there lived a family who desired to spread among the heathen population about them, the unsearchable riches of Christ. The family consisted of the grandmother, husband and wife, and five small children. The two oldest children knew the Lord as their Saviour, and morning by morning, at half past 6 o’clock they met with their father to pray together for the grace needed for each day, and for the salvation of precious souls about them.

The Lord had been working among the native children in this town, and several had openly confessed that they were sinners and that the Lord Jesus was their Saviour, but in this house there was still one dear little girl, who, though she had never been taught to bow down to idols as the little children about her, was nevertheless still a stranger to Him who said, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Morning by morning the two older children prayed for their little sister Emily. They longed that she, too, might know as they did, the forgiveness of her sins, and how precious their Saviour, the Lord Jesus was. One day all three children took a walk with their father to a cemetery, and seeing the graves, the father explained to his little daughters how God bad raised Jesus up from the dead the third day after He was crucified.

The time came when this parent had to go seven thousand miles away to his old home in America, and was absent many months. It took twenty-six days for him to get a letter from his loved ones, and our young readers may imagine how often he looked for the postman, to see if he had anything from that distant land. One day a letter came from the mother, which gave that far away father much joy. Here is an extract from it:

“The mail is in, and I shall get a letter from you before night, but I want to tell you something right away which will make you very happy. Little Emily, of her own accord, has confessed the Lord very sweetly and simply, and then threw herself into my arms and burst into tears, and when I asked her what she was crying for, she said, ‘Because I am so happy.’ Isabel has had many talks with Emily, and this morning, after prayer, unknown to me, she had been talking to her about her soul, and Emily had said how bad she was, and that she wanted to be a Christian. Isabel went over the gospel with her, and it was after this that she came upstairs and told me how Isabel had been talking to her, and how bad she was. ‘But I am a Christian now Mamma,’ she said, ‘and I am so glad,’ and then she burst into tears. She has exclaimed several times since how happy she is.”

So their prayers have been answered. Enclosed in the same envelope came a letter from Emily’s brother, a boy of seven years. He says, “Since yesterday Emily has been a Christian, and she said to Mamma that she was bad. She says she wants to be baptized and she wants Sunday to come soon, so that she can hear more about the Lord Jesus. We are so happy that Emily is a Christian. Do you like the verse I sent you? I prayed that nothing would happen to you while coming home on the train.” The father’s heart overflowed with joy, but the Lord’s joy was much deeper as He folded the new-born lamb to His bosom. The confession of Emily was read in a large meeting in New York, and the Lord used it to reach the heart of a middle-aged woman, who, hearing Emily’s words of how bad she was, was convinced of her own badness and her own need of a Saviour. A few days afterward, she found Emily’s Saviour, and is now a happy Christian, too.

Dear children, do not refrain from confessing Jesus as your Saviour. His name is a never-failing seed. Let little Emily’s history be an encouragement to you, for Jesus says, “Whoever shall confess Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 10:32.

ML 06/28/1903

The Fear of God.

WHEN God came down on the top of Mount Sinai, the people who had come out of the camp to meet with Him were frightened.

The mountain was smoking and quaking before their eyes; lightenings were playing throughout the heavens, and loud thunder& met their ears; added to this was another strange sound—the blast of a trumpet long and loud, which grew still louder and louder. Terror filled their hearts and they went back and stood afar off. They said to Moses, “Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” The glory and majesty of God were now realized in such a way by the people that they recognized it would be death to approach. Moses told them not to fear, for God had come to prove them. It was not His wish that they should die, but He would have His fear before their faces, that they sin not.

God proves His people now also; not with the thunders of Sinai making them tremble lest they die. He would have them walk before Him in love, in holiness and “without blame.” Being brought near to God and put in the children’s place, He would have His people walking as “obedient children,” and serving Him “acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” But even now, although there is fulness of grace, God speaks of Himself as a “consuming fire”—a fire that will bring His chastening hand in judgment upon those of His own who are not walking in holiness and obedience. The fear of the Lord is necessary now, even as it was of old. It is indeed the first step in wisdom’s path, for God tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Its absence is that which characterizes the wicked. “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” They go on their own way, regardless of God, not recognizing that He will, punish them for their evil doing.

God was teaching His people a lesson as to this at Mt. Sinai. “God is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.”

Let us walk in wisdom’s ways, having the fear of God before us!

“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.” “The fear of the Lord prolongeth days.”

“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life.”

“By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.”

“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor and life.”

“Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.”

ML 06/28/1903

Lessons From the Proverbs.

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

How many of you ever boast of tomorrow? How many say, “Tomorrow I am going to do this or that”? Perhaps all of you do.

We often plan work and play for the morrow, but can we be sure we will carry out our plans? No, we cannot, for we know not what a day may bring forth. We never know what may happen before tomorrow comes. We often hear of people who are well and strong one day and in eternity before the next. Some go to rest at night and never awake. Some are instantly killed by a terrible accident.

But many things beside death upset our plans. An enjoyable trip may be planned, and a severe storm make it necessary to give up that trip.

Sickness, unexpected work, and various other things often hinder the carrying out of our plans.

So dear children, do not boast of what you are going to do tomorrow. Remember that verse in James 4:15:

“For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”

Everything depends on God’s will and we should not want or hope to do anything, unless it is His will.

ML 06/28/1903

Extracts from Letters From Our Friends.

Dear Brother: —I thought you might be interested in my little daughter’s conversion, which was brought about on “Lord’s Day,” Jan. 25th, through reading a narrative entitled, “Lost,” on first page of “Messages of Love.” She was deeply impressed that she was a lost sinner, and after taking a Bible I turned to Romans 3:10, and explained Isaiah 53:6. She sobbed much at the thought that she was a lost sinner, and for her sins Jesus died and suffered. We then knelt in prayer, when she confessed her sins and accepted God’s free gift of eternal life, and Jesus Christ as her own personal Saviour. After rising from prayer, I turned to John 4:37, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out,” and asked her if Jesus had accepted her or cast her out. Joyfully she replied, “He has accepted me.” She is between eight and nine years of age, and I expect shortly to baptize her, as she desires to obey the Lord. I rejoice that our God is using your paper for His glory and salvation of souls.

Yours in His service.

C. G.

“I thought I would write you a few lines to tell you that I am getting much benefit out of those ‘Messages of Love.’ Every night as I kneel down to take my troubles to Jesus, I remember you, and all the little ones who are answering these questions. I am trying hard to get others to answer the questions and to do so with an eye single to His glory. Now I want you to pray for me, that I might take still more interest than I am taking in the Lord’s work.

From yours truly in Him,”

L. A.

ML 06/28/1903

"Behold I Come Quickly."

“Behold I come quickly.”

Yes, that is the word,

The promise once given

By Jesus our Lord.

“Behold I come quickly.”

E’er sweetly the same;

Then why should I care

For earth’s riches and fame.”

“Behold I come quickly.”

If sorrow is mine,

With this cheering promise

Why should I repine?

“Behold I come quickly.”

Is joy mine below?

Still greater my joy

When to Jesus I go.

“Behold I come quickly.”

Let come, then, what may,

This comforting promise

My spirit shall stay.

“Behold I come quickly.”

His word must abide.

I’ll soon be with Jesus,

Safe, safe at His side.

ML 06/28/1903

Answers to Questions of May 3rd

1.“God, our Saviour.” 1 Tim. 2:2

2. “Onesiphorus.” 2 1:16.

3.“One that ruleth well,” etc. 1 3:4.

4.“Demas.” 2 4:10.

5.“With thanksgiving.” 1 4:3.

6.“Onesiphorus.” 2 4:19.

7.“Resurrection.” 2 2:18.

8.“Keep by the Holy Ghost.” 2 1:14.

9.“Sinners.” 1 1:15.

“GOOD WORKS.” 1 6:18.

Bible Questions for July.

The answers are to be found in Hebrews, and the first letter of each answer will spell who it is that God has spoken to us by.

1. Who is said to be a witness to us?

2. What covenant will God make with the house of Israel?

3.Who are we told not to forget to entertain?

4.Give the verse following these words, “but after this the judgment.”

5.After Jesus had purged our sins where did He sit down?

6. Who became heir of the righteousness which is by faith?

ML 07/05/1903

Journeying Mercies.

Having read with great interest the accounts given in “Messages of Love” of the many answers to prayer, I would like to add the account of a similar experience, which, though it happened many years ago, has often encouraged me to cry to the Lord for help or guidance.

I was taking a long and difficult journey, and being young and quite alone, it was with great consternation I discovered that we should arrive—owing to many delays on the road—at the rough frontier town to which I was going, before daylight. I knew that no conveyance would be at the station, and greatly feared the long, lonely road I should have to walk in the darkness to reach the one hotel the little town contained.

The only passengers intending to alight at this station were an old man and his wife, and they assured me their son would be on hand to meet them and take them at once into the country. Again and again my heart went up to the Lord, begging for His care and protection. At last the train drew up at the station; we got off, and in a few moments it was out of sight, leaving us, in the dim of an October morning, alone on the prairie.

On turning to my old companions, I found them in a more unhappy plight than myself; the son had not arrived, and they knew not what to do, nor where to go. I immediately told them of the hotel, and they were only too happy to be my escort thither, while I was their guide; and as we walked along that dark road I gave thanks to our gracious Lord, who had not forgotten His timid child.

After resting and having some refreshments, and seeing the old couple safely met by their son, I sallied forth to find my own friends. Alas! the house was empty! They had moved, I knew not where Once more I cried to the Lord fur direction, and then turned down the first street I came to, with a feeling of confidence that the Lord would lead me to the place. I inquired at one house with no success. The next appeared to be shut up, but a man with a wagon was at the door.

“Can you tell me where Mr. S—lives?” I asked.

“Why, yes,” he replied, “but it is a long way from here, and I don’t know how to direct you. However, as I am just going to the next house, if you will get into the wagon I will be happy to drive you there.”

I need hardly add that again my heart went up to the Lord in gratitude and praise.

Having received a hearty welcome from my dear friends, who were true children of God, and could rejoice with me over these manifestations of the Lord’s loving care, I began to think about my baggage; so, later in the day, Mr. S.— accompanied me to the station. On inquiry, I learned that not one of my three trunks had arrived. The station-master asked if I had seen them through the customs. “No,” I replied, “we passed the customs at night, and the porter failed to waken me, as promised.”

“Then,” the agent confidently affirmed, “you will never see them again, I have had many similar cases, and the baggage is almost invariably lost.”

This was discouraging; but had we not a Mighty Friend ready, as I had proved that morning, to help His weakest child? On returning to the house we made this a subject of prayer, and on my next visit to the station the trunks were there safe and sound, much to the surprise of the agent.

“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Prov. 3:6.

ML 07/05/1903

Charlie.

We will call the boy in our picture Charlie, and say that he works for the farmer who lives in the big house. Charlie is a good boy, so he is happy. See what round cheeks he has. The sun is hot, and the sheep are lying down, so Charlie is lying down, too, under the shade of this great tree.

As Charlie lies there gazing upward into the blue sky, he feels the drawing and longing that we all feel when we gaze up so. Perhaps he has heard,

“There’s a home for little children

“Above the bright blue sky,”

and wonders how he can get there. Could you tell him? He needs two things; the ability to get there, and the right to enter. Now, no one can have a right to enter unless God gives it. Has He given you the right to enter? Do sons have the right to enter their fathers’ houses? If anyone receives Jesus, He gives him power (or right) to become a son of God. Can you find where in the Bible it says this? It is in John. Have you received Jesus?

Once there was a Frenchman in a hospital, sick. He wanted to receive Jesus into his heart; so he sat up in bed, and bared his bosom, and said, “Come, Jesus, into my heart.” One receives Him in one way and one in another. Do you want to receive Him? Well, He knows your heart. He will cleanse it, and then He will come in, and He will give you the right to enter heaven, because He takes you into partnership with Himself, and you are made a joint-heir with Christ. (Rom. 8.)

But, now you have the right to enter, how are you to get there? I asked some school children in Ireland this question, walking along the road, and had a variety of answers: one said “fly there,” but none could tell me how. Perhaps you say, “When we die the angels will carry us there.” That is true: they carry what is really us there, but we are not complete without our bodies, and you know they go back to dust. How, then, are we to get there in spirit, soul and body, perfect, all glorified? Must we die to get there? No; for “we shall not all sleep.” How is it to be done? Listen. “The dead in Christ shall rise first.” The living “shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” Then, together, they shall be caught up in clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and He will take them in, for they never part from Him again. Have you the right to enter? Will you be caught up?

ML 07/05/1903

Lessons From the Proverbs.

DID any of my little readers ever hear children quarreling? Likely you all have, and perhaps you have quarreled yourselves. Do you think God likes to hear those unkind, angry words? No, dear children, He does not, and I want to tell you today what He says about it.

“A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1.) When your little friend, perhaps a brother or sister, does or says something that displeases you, there are two ways you may answer if you give a soft answer it will make things all right. But if you show your displeasure and speak unkindly, it makes your friend angry.

Or if your playmates are quarreling and you come to them with kind words, it may turn away their wrath or anger. While if you join in the quarrel it only makes matters worse.

A verse in Matthew 5, says, “Blessed are the peace-makers,” and it is by giving a soft answer that you can be a peace-maker.

Another verse, Proverbs 16:24, says: “Pleasant words are, as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul.” We like to hear pleasant words; but angry words make us uncomfortable and unhappy, whether we speak them ourselves or hear them spoken by others.

We cannot be too careful about our words. The soft answers we give may hinder a great deal of sorrow and pain, —and our pleasant words may give a great deal of happiness.

Let us not, then, allow any angry words to pass from our lips, for they can only cause sorrow to ourselves and others. Jesus is our pattern, and His words were gentle, kind and forgiving.

ML 07/05/1903

True Happiness.

A dear girl who recently accepted Jesus as her Saviour said to a friend, “I am much happier now than I was before.”

She had indeed found the source of true happiness.

Many things down here give us happiness for a short time, but such happiness soon passes away, often leaving sorrow and disappointment behind. In Christ alone can we find lasting joy.

Earthly joys like gleams of sunshine,

Quickly come and quickly go,

Satisfying for a moment,

Those who pleasures here may know.

But true joy in all its fulness

We shall find in heaven above,

Blessed in Jesus’ glorious presence

And the sunshine of His love.

Yet the feeble comprehension

Of His wondrous love and grace

Is, e’en here, a happy foretaste

Of our joy when “face to face.”

ML 07/05/1903

A Place of Safety

MANY of my little readers have never seen an animal like those in the picture and perhaps do not know the name of this strange looking creature. It is a hippopotamus.

The hippopotamus is a large animal found in the rivers and lakes of Africa. It lives most of the time in the water. The one in the picture is just stepping out of the water. It may be going into the woods and brush to look for food, as these animals are accustomed to do at night.

The mother hippopotamus is still swimming and has a young one on her back. How safe and comfortable it looks as it rests there without fear of danger!

This interesting scene reminds one of a beautiful verse in Isaiah which speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ. It says: “He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.”

You have read many times how Jesus died on the cross to save sinners, to put away their sins, and save them from the everlasting punishment which they deserved. But His wonderful love does not stop there.

Just as a kind shepherd continually watches over his flock, carrying in his arms the young and tender lambs, so Jesus is always watching over us and protecting us from danger. We find many rough places in our journey through this wilderness, and we are often ready to stumble and fall. At such times the Lord helps us and keeps our feet from slipping.

But more than this. He has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven. When our journey here is over and we have reached the mansions above, we will have a home with Jesus forever and ever. There will be no rough places there—no dangers besetting our path. We shall be forever beyond the reach of sin and harm. All will be joy and happiness.

“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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am. there ye may be also.” (John 14:2,3.)

ML 07/12/1903

A Narrow Escape.

ONE of the most pleasant recollections of my childhood is that of a beautiful stream winding its way among the hills and cliffs. Though more than twenty years have passed since I was there, I recall distinctly the clear, sparkling water as it went murmuring over the pebbles of its sandy bed. Wading in such a stream gave me great delight and left such a deep impression on my young mind that I relate with the more interest the following incident.

Near this stream and about a mile from the station lived Mr. S.—. He and his daughter were one day walking along the railroad track on their return home from the town. About a quarter of a mile from the station Mr. S. —made a misstep and got one leg wedged in between the ties of the trestle work they were crossing. He could not get it out, and as he was quite heavy, his daughter was unable to help him.

It was only a few minutes till train time and the nearest help was back at the station. The daughter feared that if she left her father, the train would come and pass over him while she was seeking help. Yet there was no hope if she remained with him. So in her distress she hurried away.

Some men returned with her and reached the helpless man just in time to get him of the track before the train went rushing past. It was fifteen minutes late. If it had been on time it must have crushed the poor man to death.

At the time of this accident Mr. S. — did not know the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, but the Lord was able to save his soul as well as his body. God allowed the train to be late in order that the body might be saved from a terrible death. Afterward Mr. S.— turned to the Lord and found salvation for his soul.

God is watching over us and His power is unlimited. He can cause a train to be late to keep it from killing a man. We know not how many of the disappointments and inconveniences that we experience from time to time are God’s way of saving us or others from harm and death—sometimes the saving of the body, sometimes the salvation of the soul.

There is another thought in connection with the above incident. Mr. S. — was wholly unable to help himself. All his efforts could not free him from the track or put him beyond the danger of the coming train. He was entirely dependent upon those who came to his aid.

So it is with the sinner. He is caught in the snares of sin, and judgment is threatening him. It is coming just as surely as was the train, and the sinner is just as unable by his own efforts to escape it as Mr. S. — was to escape the train.

But there is One who is able to rescue you, oh unsaved soul! Hear the blessed words which God speaks of His Son:

“Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

Turn to God, who is able and willing to save you from the terrible judgment that will certainly overtake you if you go on in sin. “Turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways: for why will ye die?” (Ezekiel 33:11.)

ML 07/12/1903

The Giving of the Law

AND the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.” (Ex. 20:21.)

Amid the blackness and the darkness of the smoking mount, the law was given to Moses. In that law God gave to man the rule by which he was to walk. It was a righteous rule, showing what was due from man, as a creature, to God, his Creator. It was not a law, or rule, that could give life to man; neither could it make him righteous, nor yet could the keeping of it justify him from his sins. (Rom. 3:20; Gal. 3:21.)

And man being a sinner, needs justification; being dead in sins, he needs life.

The law does not give; it asks—it requires; it is, Thou shalt do this—thou shalt not do that. And its requirements are such that no one but the perfect Man, Christ Jesus, has ever been able to keep it. All others have failed, and the result of their failure is that they are under a curse; as it is written, “Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of law to do them.” (Gal. 3:10.)

Are you ready to ask, Why did God give such a law—one that could not be obeyed—one that brought condemnation and death, instead of life and peace? He tells us that-it was to “prove” man —to show what was in him. “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” “I had not known sin, but by the law.” Maybe I can make this clearer to you by giving you a few illustrations. Light shining into a disorderly room manifests the condition of the room, but it will never bring order out of confusion. If you have a dirty spot on your face, you will see it by looking into the glass, but the looking-glass will never make your face clean. If a wall is crooked the carpenter will discover it by hanging his plumb line beside it, but the plumb-line will never set the wall straight. So it is that the law of God will show you have sin in your heart and sin in your life, but it will never give you life and righteousness. It takes something more than the plumb-line to make the wall straight; it takes something more than the looking-glass to make the face clean; it takes something more than the light to set the room in order. And it takes something more than the law to give life. It is of the utmost importance that this truth be grasped, for many, many people are trying to do good, and to be good in order to get everlasting life; but it is only to fail and be left under the curse.

There is a way of life—there is salvation for lost and guilty sinners, but it is outside the law.

If the Lord will, we will speak of this in another paper.

ML 07/12/1903

Journeying Mercies.

After remaining two or three weeks with these dear children of God, I was obliged to continue my journey. The road I was now to go on was quite new to me, so I made very careful inquiries as to the route, time of trains, etc. “You leave here at four o’clock in the morning,” explained the station-master, “change twice, and reach your destination at one o’clock the next day.” This seemed plain; and as my brother had written that he would meet me on the twentieth, I left on the nineteenth, expecting no further trouble.

The first change was accomplished most satisfactorily. About noon we came to the second place. On alighting, I found the station filled with a noisy crowd of rough men. After some difficulty I got to the ticket office, procured my ticket, and inquired where I could get checks for my baggage. “We do not give checks beyond this,” was the reply.

“What am I to do about my trunks?” I inquired.

“The best you can,” said the man; “if you can get them on the train, they will go; if not, they remain here.” And he added, “The train goes in ten minutes.”

I would have been in despair, had I not known the Lord—and He who hears the cry of the sparrow did not pass by my cry. I found my baggage without difficulty in the quantity heaped on the platform; and then the Lord put it into the heart of a big, rough-looking fellow to come to my help and lift them into the train for me.

Now, surely, I thought, my troubles are at an end. I have only to sit here until one o’clock tomorrow, and then my brother will be on hand to meet me. But the Lord had a further test for my faith. When the conductor came in for the tickets, he said to me: “You arrive at M— at nine this evening.” Then I discovered for the first time that I had been misinformed, and, that instead of arriving on the twentieth, I should be there on the nineteenth—that no one would be at the station to meet me, and what could I do?

As the train sped along over the vast prairie, again and again I cried to the Lord for protection and guidance till fear subsided, and peace again reigned in my heart.

After some time one of the passengers, an elderly man, came over to where I was sitting and asked for the loan of a spoon, which he had observed in my possession, saying he wished to use it to feed their baby. The mother of this baby was the only female, besides myself, in the car. When she brought the spoon back to me, I ventured to ask if she was going far. “To M—,” she replied, naming my station. I told my difficulty, and she gave me a hearty invitation to cast in my lot with them, adding that her husband was well acquainted with the place.

When we left the train that night how thankful I was for this provision from the hand of a faithful and loving Father. All was darkness, and it was hard to keep our feet, as we stumbled over the rough prairie. Hotels, houses, sidewalks there were none; but our guide led us to a large tent, which he called “A stopping house.” This, however, was full, and we had to turn away. After wandering around in the darkness a few minutes more, we reached a very small log shanty, where the owner was willing to “give the ladies a bed.” The bed was in a corner of the room, surrounded by a curtain, and the young mother, the baby and myself thankfully took possession of it. My heart was filled with praise to God and great thankfulness, as you may well suppose.

The following day, after wandering around this village of tents (which looked very cheerful in the sunshine), and disposing of a few tracts, I gladly welcomed my brother on his arrival.

We remained a second night in the log “Stopping house,” and then set out on our seventy-mile drive home. This was accomplished with only one drawback—the meeting a prairie fire, and having to drive through it; but, through the Lord’s mercy, we were not consumed, though the ponies were slightly scorched.

I have nothing to add to this simple and true narrative, except to advise my readers to, in like manner, cry to God in every time of trouble. As the Psalmist says:

“Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them cut of their distresses.” Ps. 107:6.

ML 07/12/1903

"Once I Was Blind."

THE scene in our picture is one which is doubtless familiar to most of us, for many children play “Blindman’s Buff.” The faces here look bright and happy as they watch the blind-folded boy and carefully avoid getting within his reach.

Nearly nineteen hundred years ago there was a blind man named Bartimeus. He could not see to work, so he sat by the road and begged from the people as they passed by.

One day he heard a crowd of people coming toward him and he learned that Jesus was with them. Perhaps he had heard of the Lord’s wonderful miracles and how He had made the blind to see, for he cried out, “Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” The people around tried to make him be quiet but he only cried the more for help.

Then Jesus stopped and told the people to call the blind man to Him. When he had come, Jesus asked him what he wanted and the man answered, “Lord, that I might receive my sight.” Jesus then said to him, “Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.” And immediately he received his sight.

The blind-folded boy in the picture is enjoying the sport along with the others, but he is blinded for only a few minutes. It is a great affliction to be blind and we feel very sorry for those who can never see the kind faces of their friends, the beautiful trees, the flowers, and the sunshine.

But there is another kind of blindness that is much more terrible than this. Thousands and millions of people about us are blinded by sin, and do not see the lake of fire to which it is leading them. Do you know how this blindness can be cured?

The same One who caused blind Bartimaeus to see, can make the poor sinner see. He can show you how bad you are by nature. He can make you see how much you need a Saviour. Turn to Him and receive the sight that He alone can give. Then you can joyfully and thankfully sing,

“Once I was blind, but now I can see, The Light of the world is Jesus.”

ML 07/19/1903

Landmarks on the Banks of Time.

I KNOW a little maiden, five years old, who thought that before her nothing existed. And at one time I rode up the hill with a farmer—a grown man —who thought that everything had been for about a million years!

Have you, my young readers, ever thought of the past? Do you know that your own great-grandfather was probably living in the days of Napoleon? And that not a great many generations would take you back to the days of Luther? A few steps further, and you come to the time of William the Conqueror; and so on until you arrive at the most wonderful time of all—the time “when Jesus was here among men.”

Time is like a river, flowing onward, ever onward. Men are like chips thrown on its surface, carried irresistibly along with the current. There is no turning back. On it flows. The man launched on this river, may, indeed, disappear from the surface, but he exists forever.

Some men are more than chips. They leave indelible traces of their presence. The greatest Mari of all was Jesus. In three years and a half what an effect He produced on the course of time! And that not by might nor by power, as men reckon might and power. Power there was; power that was used by love for the good of mankind. But He used not this power to do good to Himself. In the same love with which He healed the sick and raised the dead, He yielded Himself to suffer in weakness. He died, and God raised Him from the dead. He lives forever, and the influence of His life here, so short, has been felt ever since, and will be felt more and more, until every knee shall bow to the blessed Man who went about doing good, and at last yielded Himself to be crucified.

His name was spread abroad by His followers. Those of whom we know most, and who appear to have done most, were Peter, Paul and John. Of Peter and Paul we read in the Acts. The young reader will find that book most interesting. It tells about persons and their doings. Of John, after the Lord’s ascension, we know but little from sacred history. From his epistles and the Revelation, we may glean some knowledge of him. This much is evident, that he lived to see great and general departure from the truth. He was an old man, therefore, when he died.

For many of my young friends, and some of the older ones, from John to the times of their own grandfathers is an immense gulf, into which were thrown a few scattered facts, and two or three great names. Now, I propose that we should take a journey down the stream of time, setting up waymarks for each successive generation. The first shall be,

IGNATIUS.

Of the place and date of his birth nothing is known. He appears on the scene as Bishop of Antioch, the city where the disciples of Jesus were first called Christians. (Acts 11.) It was a gay, frivolous, busy, beautiful city. The population was made up of all races, but with a majority of Greeks; a people fond of all kinds of pleasure, and much addicted to theatre-going and sight-seeing.

In about the year 107, the Emperor Trajan, on his way to the Parthian war, came to this city, the capital of Syria, from Rome, the capitol of the world. He was a hater of Christianity and a persecutor of Christians. Why, it is hard to tell.

ML 07/19/1903

Jesus, and Giving Tribute to Caesar.

MATT. 22:15-22.

THE hatred of the Jews toward Jesus was so great that they were determined to find something against Him as a ground of accusation. So the Pharisees “took counsel how they might entangle Him in His talk.” Their wickedness was so great that they would adopt any course in order that they might find something against Jesus. So “they sent out unto Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou are true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar or not?” Here was a clever game that they had set out to play. The Herodians were those who favored the Roman power, and the Pharisees were those who were opposed to the Roman power. They thought that between these two classes they could catch Him. If He claimed to be the Messiah who was to come and deliver the Jews from the Romans, they thought He must condemn giving tribute to Caesar, and thus expose Himself to the suspicions of the authorities; or if He favored paying tribute to Caesar, then He must renounce His claims as the Messiah and deliverer of the people of God. Now all this was pure wickedness on the part of the Jews, and showed that they had no conscience at all. “But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye Me, ye hypocrites? Show Me the tribute money. And they brought unto Him a penny. And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto Him, Caesar’s. Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” His answer confounded them. They wondered at it, and left Him. What did the piece of money show? The image and superscription were Caesar’s. This showed that they had accepted the authority of Caesar. And it was their own sins that had brought them under that authority. But they had accepted it, and were using Caesar’s money. Having accepted Caesar’s authority, they were bound to render what was due to Caesar. And Jesus told them to do so, and also to render unto God the things that are God’s, which they were not doing. Had they done so they would not have been under Caesar’s authority. But Jesus leaves them in the position they had taken as the result of their sins, and leaves upon their consciences the full weight of their responsibility, both to Ceasar and to God.

Thus we see the divine wisdom with which Jesus answered these adversaries.

Oh! what a dreadful thing to be found in the position of these Jews who used all their skill, without any conscience, in order to condemn Jesus, the Son of God. How much better to own our sins and go to Jesus to get deliverance from them.

ML 07/19/1903

Lessons From the Proverbs.

BETWEEN forty and fifty years ago two girls, Jennie and Becky, started one afternoon to visit some friends living in the country, four miles from Jennie’s home.

Becky knew the way and Jennie’s mother had entrusted her to Becky’s care.

While they were going through some woods on the way, evening came on and it grew dark. The girls lost the path and all their searching to find it again was in vain.

Jennie thought of the stories she had heard about people getting lost in the woods, and she became quite frightened. She had heard that when people are lost they go round and round in a circle and come back to the place from which they start. So she did not know how they could find their way out, and feared they would have to stay there all night.

Becky, too, was frightened and troubled, for she was older and felt responsible for their safety.

While their minds were thus filled with fear, the moon suddenly appeared from behind the clouds and shed her silver beams about them. Soon Becky exclaimed: “Oh, I have found the path!”

Then Jennie remembered that verse in Proverbs 24:10: “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”

When we are in trouble and do not know which way to turn, or what to do, God does not want us to be frightened and faint-hearted. He wants us to turn to Him and ask for health and strength.

When the girls were lost, God graciously allowed the moon to come out and make it light enough for them to see the path, and He is just as able to help us, whatever our trouble may be.

If we do not look to Him we faint because our strength is small, but if we trust Him, He gives us strength and we do not faint.

ML 07/19/1903

Little Herman.

Do you like to think, little children, that God is acquainted with all your ways? that His eyes are upon you when you go out and when you come in, and when you sit down and when you rise up? And He knows all the words you speak. If you know God’s love for you and you love God, you will be glad to know that He takes so much interest in you.

I knew a little boy in Switzerland about five years old who was glad to know this, for he loved God and knew Jesus as his Saviour. He was very attentive at school and learned his lessons well, and loved to have his mother teach him from God’s Book.

His elder sister, ten years of age, was a careless and romping girl, and thought of nothing but playing, but this did not disturb little Herman.

When they would be going home from school, each day, as they passed a certain big tree, he would say to his sister, “Will you wait for me or go slowly, because I must pray to Jesus behind this tree, and then I’ll come.”

What his prayer was, no one ever knew, for his sister did not care to listen, but, dear children, if she did not care to listen to his prayer, Jesus did. Children’s prayers and praises are of great value to His heart.

When little Herman was six years old, he took sick, and it soon became evident that he would be called home to his Lord.

“O, Mother,” he said many times, “I want to go to Jesus. I would like to go to Him. Do not cry. I am so happy!” A few more days and his spirit was with Jesus.

His pilgrimage was only six years, but his testimony was bright, and though he played like other children at times, yet his whole life showed that his heart was beyond this scene and his thoughts were where Jesus was.

I have often compared him to Noah’s dove, who could find no rest for the sole of her foot and returned into the ark.

“Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Heb. 13:15.

ML 07/19/1903

How Shall We Escape?

LESS than a year ago, four young ladies went out rowing one evening, on Lake Ontario. After two of them had rowed a while, they drew the boat up to the wharf so that they might change seats and let the other two take the oars.

They all stood up and took hold of one of the beams of the wharf for support. But as they did this, the boat glided away from under their feet and they all fell into the water.

A young man who was near at the time, jumped in and rescued two of them, but the other two were drowned.

The boys in our picture have also had an accident and in some way upset their boat. They seem to have a net containing some fish. Perhaps they have been fishing, and on their return, struck the rock which we see in front of the boat.

Not far away is another boat which may come to their rescue. Otherwise there does not seem to be any help for them.

It is sad for one to be drowned like the young ladies of whom we have been reading, but it is a much more terrible thing for one who does not know the Lord Jesus, to be called thus into eternity.

You, dear reader, may never get into a boat, you may never be in danger of falling into a lake of water. But if you do not know Jesus as your Saviour, a more awful danger is threatening you—the lake of fire itself. How can you escape the horrors of this lake?

Just as truly as there is a boat nearby which can come to the aid of the boys, there is a way of safety for you.

Do you ask what that way is? Jesus says, “I am the way.” In this precious Saviour is salvation for all who will receive it. He offers it freely to everyone.

But there is no other way. His precious blood alone can wash away your many sins. If you refuse Him and His salvation, there is no way of escape for you.

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

ML 07/26/1903

Ignatius.

Ignatius, hoping to save the flock, came of his own accord to Trajan, who railed on him, saying, “What an impious spirit art thou, both to transgress our commands, and to inveigle others into the same folly, to their ruin!”

The dialogue, as recorded in the “Acts of Ignatius” is too long for insertion here. Suffice it to say that Ignatius confessed that he carried Christ in his breast, and stigmatized the gods of the nations as demons, desiring as his portion the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Trajan at this said: “His kingdom, do you say, who was crucified under Pilate?” To which Ignatius replied, “His, who crucified my sin with its author; and has put all the fraud and malice of Satan finder the feet of those who carry Him in their breast.” In conclusion, Trajan pronounced sentence as follows: “Since Ignatius confesses that he carries within himself Him that was crucified, we command that he be carried bound by soldiers to Great Rome, there to be thrown to the wild beasts for the entertainment of the people.”

In accordance with this, he was taken to the port of Seleucia, whence they sailed to Smyrna. Here he was allowed to visit Polycarp, of whom you shall hear later, if the Lord will. He also received visits from deputies of various Asian churches.

On this journey to Rome he wrote several letters which are full of interest, because they let us see something of the condition of mind of Christians at the-beginning of the second century. In them he speaks of Jesus Christ as “My God.” He presses the reality of His humanity: and speaks of Him with ardent love. I copy two brief extracts:

“It is better for me to die for Jesus Christ, than to reign over the ends of the earth. Him I seek, who died for us. Him I desire, who rose again for us. He is my gain laid, up for me. Suffer me to imitate the passion of my God.”

Again: “I glorify Jesus Christ our God, who hath given you wisdom. For I understand that ye are perfect in the immovable faith of our Lord Jesus Christ; who really was of the seed of David according to the flesh, and born of a virgin really; who really suffered under Pontius Pilate; for these things he suffered for us, that we might be saved. And He truly suffered; as also He truly raised up Himself; not as some infidels say, that He seemed to suffer.”

[I have inserted this at length, because in Christian Science (falsely so called) we have in these days a revival of the Gnostic notions that Ignatius had in view. It is well that the young should be forewarned by the knowledge of the truth.]

After landing at Ostia, the port of Rome, and some miles distant from it, he was met by Roman Christians who, notwithstanding he had written them beforehand, expressing his desire to suffer for Christ, intimated their strong wish for, his preservation. But Ignatius could not be turned aside. He was brought to Rome and presented to the Prefect of the city.

“When he was led to execution, he was attended by a number of the brethren, and was allowed to join in prayer with them. He prayed to the Son of God in behalf of the churches; that He would put a stop to the persecution, and continue the love of the brethren to toward each other. He was then led into the amphitheater and speedily thrown to the wild beasts. He had here also his wish. The beasts were his grave. A few bones only were left, which the deacons gathered, carefully preserved, and afterwards buried at Antioch.”

ML 07/26/1903

Law and Grace.

We have seen that the law cannot give life, “For if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law?” (Gal. 3:21.) But life is the great need of man, who is “dead in sins.” His condition is a thoroughly helpless one; for what can a dead man do to bring himself to life? Many indeed are trying to gain eternal life by their good works, or by walking according to the requirements of the law, but this will not do, for “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight.” (Rom. 3:20.)

What hope is there then for man? Thank God! there is a way of life, although the law cannot give it; and while the law cannot bring salvation, there is salvation for lost and guilty sinners. What the law could not do, God has done. In the fulness of His grace He sent His own Son—the Son of His love—and gave Him up to be a sacrifice for sin. The law is “holy,” it is “good,” it is perfect as a law; but having bad material to work on, what can it do? A man may be a very good tailor, but if you give him a poor, shabby piece of cloth, can he make a fine suit from it? So was it with the law; it had poor material, “it was weak through the flesh.” It demands; it cannot give. It asks from one who has no strength; for such is man— “without strength,” and “ungodly.” But it was for just such that Jesus died. And here we find the marked contrast between law and grace. The law demands from one who has no strength; grace gives strength to one who has none. To hear the law given forth amid “blackness and darkness, and tempest,” was to make one tremble and feel his own powerlessness; to hear the sweet sound of grace, is life and peace to him who believes. And God now calls to man to “hear the word of the gospel and believe”

Dear reader, listen to the glad, good news! Jesus has died for sinners. Are you a sinner, lost and guilty? Then believe; look, and live! Jesus has met all the claims that God could have against you, and now, on righteous ground, He can offer you salvation; He can say, Believe and thou shalt live. He is the One who has life in Himself; and He can give it to whom He will. Will you refuse this wonderful gift that He is now offering you?

Your efforts to get life when you have no life are simply “dead works.” Cease your “deadly doings,” I beg of you, and come to Jesus in whom alone is the source of life.

Salvation is through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 15:11.) And this grace flows out for all who believe. Do you believe? Have you come to Him?

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

ML 07/26/1903

Lessons from the Proverbs.

IN the nineteenth century, less than one hundred years ago, there lived a man by the name of David Livingstone. He spent the greater part of his life in Africa, exploring the unknown regions and telling the heathen the good news of salvation.

A person going about among savages as Livingstone did, is exposed to many dangers and is often preserved from harm and death only by the care and intervention of God.

On one occasion the king of a savage tribe sent messengers to Livingstone asking him to return with them to their king. But Livingstone refused to go. The messengers were sent a second time and still he refused. The third time they went, he consented to go with them.

But as they journeyed they came to a place in which there were some wild beasts. The messengers were very much afraid of these and did not dare to go further. So they all turned and went back.

Livingstone found out afterward that the savage king had sent for him in order that he might kill him. But the

Lord was watching over Livingstone and in His own way defeated the purpose of the wicked king.

This incident will help to explain the verse, “A man’s heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his steps.” Proverbs 16:9. Livingstone had decided to go to the king but the Lord directed his steps otherwise in order to save his life.

“Devise” means plan. Very often we plan to do certain things, and the Lord interferes with our plans and directs our steps in a way that we are not expecting and perhaps do not like, but a way that He knows is best for us. Often when the Lord hinders our plans and leads us in His own way, it is to save us from danger, or to dons good in some way. Sometimes it is that we may be left or placed where we can do good to others.

Let us not murmur then, if our plans be upset. We know it is the Lord that directs our steps, and He will always lead us in the best way.

ML 07/26/1903

"I Shall Be Satisfied."

A DEAR Christian recently gave the writer the following brief account of a death bed scene:

Miss H— and her friend had often spoken together of their mothers, who were both with the Lord. When this friend was at death’s door, Miss H—went in and asked her how she was and if everything was all right.

“Everything,” she whispered, and then like a child, happy with the thought of a long-promised visit, she said, “I will soon meet your mamma and mine.”

And just before Miss H— left, the lips already touched by death’s cold fingers, said faintly, “I shall be satisfied when I awake in His likeness.” Ps. 17:15.

ML 07/26/1903

God's Own Word.

There is a lamp whose steady light

Guides the poor traveller in the night;

‘Tis God’s own word! Its beaming ray

Can turn the midnight into day.

There is a storehouse of rich fare,

Supplied with plenty and to spare;

‘Tis God’s own word! It spreads a feast

For every hungry, thirsty guest.

There is a chart whose tracings show

The onward course when tempests blow;

‘Tis God’s own word! There, there is found

Direction for the homeward bound.

Then use this lamp to light thy road;

This storehouse for thy daily food;

This chart to guide thee on thy way

Which leads to heaven’s eternal day.

ML 07/26/1903

Answers to Questions of June 7th.

1.“Aged women.” Titus 2:3.

2.“Love of God.” 3:4.

3.“Which He shed onus.” etc. 3:6.

4.“All iniquity.” 2:14.

5.“Yet for love’s sake,” etc. Philemon 9.

6.“Sober.” Titus 2:2,4,6.

“ALWAYS.” Philemon 4.

Bible Questions for August.

The answers are to be found in James and the first letter of each answer will spell what is full of deadly poison.

1. What is it that no man can tame?

2. Give the verse containing the words, “He shall lift you up.”

3.Who prayed for rain and it came?

4.Give the rest of the verse containing the words, “If I fulfil the royal law according to the Scriptures,”

5.What is it we all do in many things?

6.What man can tame the tongue?

7. Who are we told to draw nigh to?

8.Where do those who, have respect of persons tell the poor to sit?

9.Give the verse following, “Do not err, my beloved brethren.”

ML 08/02/1903

Jesus and the Resurrection.

MATT. 22:23-33.

THE PHARISEES had tried their hand in the effort to entangle Jesus in His talk, and had been baffled in the attempt; and now the Sadducees make a similar effort. The Sadducees were a sect among the Jews who denied that there was any resurrection. They also denied that there was any such thing as an angel, or a spirit. (See Acts 23:8.) And now they bring a case to Jesus which they think unanswerable, to see what He would say, evidently thinking to confound Him. They state their case. Moses had said, If a man died and had no children, his brother should marry his wife and raise up children to his brother, Now there were seven brothers. The first one died, leaving no children; the second married his brother’s wife, and also died, leaving no children; and so did all the seven. Then the woman also died. Now their question was, Which of the seven brothers would have this woman as his wife in the resurrection? for they all had been married to her in the present life. By this question they simply displayed their own ignorance. They did not know the Scriptures; and they did not know the power of God. The Scriptures did not teach that there would be any marriage in the eternal world. “In the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage,” says Jesus, “but are as the angels of God in heaven.” This does not mean that people become angels in the resurrection, but they will be like the angels in this, that they do not marry. Men and angels are two distinct races of being, and men do not become angels, nor do angels become men. But the angels do not marry; and in heaven men will not marry, either. In this they are alike. And if the Sadducees had paid attention to Scripture they would not have talked about marrying in heaven. And besides they would have seen that the. Scriptures taught the doctrine of the resurrection, if not as a distinct revelation, at least by inference. The Scriptures spoke of God as “the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,” and this long after Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were dead. But if these men were dead and gone, and there was no soul or spirit apart from the body, then they had no existence. How could God be their God, if they had no existence, if they had no soul, and their bodies had turned into dust, never to be resurrected? “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living,” Jesus told them. This shows that while the bodies of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were dead, their souls were alive, and God was their God. In Luke 20 Jesus says “All live unto Him.” Our friends may be dead to us, but they are not dead to God. Their souls are before Him, and alive, and He will raise up the body by and by to complete them, for man, is not complete without both soul and body. And when the saints are raised up, their bodies will not be in the present mortal condition. They will be glorified, and like the body-which Jesus has now in heaven. “We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body.” Phil. 3:20,21. The power of God, which the Sadducees knew nothing about, will accomplish this. He who created this body for the earth, can transform it and make it suitable for heaven, a body like Christ’s body of glory, and a body that will never die again.

The wicked will be resurrected, too, but not for heaven. They will be resurrected to go into hell, the lake of fire.

Do not, then, like the wicked Sadducees, deny the resurrection, but believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Saviour both of the soul and the body, and who will give glorified bodies to all who trust in Him.

ML 08/02/1903

Landmarks on the Banks of Time.

POLYCARP.

POLYCARP was a friend of Ignatius. He was bishop of the; church at Smyrna; then, as now, a flourishing commercial city. He was born about the year 70 A. D., and converted when yet a child. He lived a pious and consistent life; so that he was revered by the church, and respected by the heathen. He had sat at the feet of John, the beloved Apostle, and had also enjoyed the privilege of conversing with other disciples of Jesus, who had themselves seen the Lord. Everything he heard from them, he treasured in his memory; and, in later years, he would repeat it to others: “And all this,” says Irenaeus, who, when a boy, had, in his turn, sat at the feet of Polycarp, “All this in complete harmony with the scriptures.”

This remark by Irenaeus was called forth by the perverseness of one to whom he was writing. Even in the apostles’ days men had arisen speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves, and these increased more and more as time went on; so that some even denied that Jesus Christ had come in flesh, causing Polycarp to exclaim with grief, “O, God! to what times hast Thou spared me, that I must suffer such things?”

When he was about ninety years old he undertook a journey to Rome to confer with the Bishop, Anicetus, about some differences, amongst which was the proper time for celebrating Easter. From this you may perceive that the observance of days, reprehended by the epistle to the Galatians, had gained much ground. However, the two soon settled, their differences; and as to Easter, they agreed to continue each as he had been doing without breaking off communication with the other.

Whilst he was in Rome, the heretic Marcion, who taught that Christ had no real human nature, endeavored to get Polycarp to recognize him, accosting him with, “You know us!” “I do know you,” was the reply, “to be the firstborn of Satan “So, though they agreed to differ about Easter-keeping, no neutrality was allowed when the person of their Lord was touched, nor, indeed, when such truths as the resurrection of the body, and the judgment, were denied. For he brands with the same epithet—the first born of Satan— “him who falsifies the sayings of the Lord after his own pleasure, and affirms that there is no resurrection and no judgment.”

After his return from Rome he enjoyed six months of uninterrupted activity. Then, on the occasion of some festive games, there arose an outburst of popular feeling against Christians. Of the martyrdoms which followed (one of those “ten days” foretold in Rev. 2) we have an account in a letter inscribed, “From the Church that sojourns at Smyrna to the Church that sojourns at Philomelium.”

After telling about the fortitude of some of the sufferers, “Who, though torn with whips till the frame and structure of their bodies were laid open even to their veins and arteries, yet meekly endured,” the letter goes on to describe the arrest, trial, and execution of the principal victim, whose death brought the persecution to an end. He did not, like Ignatius, voluntarily give himself up, but waited until he was apprehended; and even sought safety by removing to a neighboring village, when the multitude at last turned their thoughts towards him. He was quite unmoved when he heard they were demanding his death, and resolved to remain in the city; but affected by the entreaties of the brethren, he withdrew to the village, a short distance away Here he passed the time in prayer, day and night. “Three days before he was seized, while praying, he saw, in a vision, his pillow being consumed with fire, and, turning to those present, he said, “I must be burnt alive.”

ML 08/02/1903

Speak the Truth.

A FRIEND of mine was telling me not long ago about a girl who did not speak the truth and who was not honest. She went to different houses to work for people and did not hesitate to steal things whenever she had an opportunity. Often, too, she told things that were not true. She was what some of you would call a story teller, like the poor little boy in the picture. God calls such people liars, for what is not true is a lie.

Soon the women for whom this girl worked, found out how bad she was. They could not depend on her word or trust her. Finally they stopped getting her to help them.

It is a very unhappy thing for one to lose the confidence of his friends and neighbors and to feel that he cannot be trusted.

In our picture, while the other children are reciting their lessons to Grandma, one boy is being punished for telling a lie and he has a very unhappy face.

How much better it is to speak the truth always and to be honest and faithful wherever we are—both when alone and when with others. Then our friends and those for whom we work will trust us at all times and in all places. It is the faithful, honest boys and girls whose masters promote them to higher and more responsible positions.

But while it is good to have man’s approval of our conduct, it is still better to have God’s approval, Do you know what God thinks about lying?

“Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are His delight.” Prov. 12:22.

How glad we ought to be to have the Lord delight in us and He will, if we speak the truth and do not deceive.

But God hates lies so much that He says, “All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” Rev. 21:8. What a terrible thing it would be to spend eternity in such a place!

Ask God to help You at all times to speak only the truth. Without His help we are sure to fail and do many things that displease Him. He is willing to help and can preserve us from evil as well as from danger.

ML 08/02/1903

"The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things and Desperately Wicked."

HERE is a picture of the largest land animal we have. Some elephants weigh ten thousand pounds or as much as fifty large men. They can easily crush a man to death by stepping on him.

But while the elephant is so large and powerful, he is a kind creature, and we can learn a lesson from his ways.

Many years ago some sick people were lying on the fields of Lucknow. They had been placed there to get the benefit of the pure air and warm sunshine.

Some noblemen wanted to ride through these fields on their elephants, and were looking forward with wicked delight to seeing the poor sick people tramped down by the elephants.

When the first elephant reached the people lying on the ground he stopped. The driver cruelly ran a spear into his ear, but still he did not move. When he found that the sick people were unable to get out of his way, he gently lifted them one by one with his strong trunk, placing part of them on one side and part on the other. In this way he made a path through the field and none of the elephants tramped on the people.

The elephants showed a great deal more kindness than the wicked men who rode on them.

But while the elephant is so kind to those who do not harm or tease him, he remembers and resents any cruelty shown to him.

Once when an elephant was passing a tailor’s shop, the tailor stuck him with a needle. The elephant did not forget this injury and when he was passing the shop again he threw upon the tailor a lot of dirty water with which he had filled his trunk from a gutter.

In both these incidents we have examples of man’s cruelty and of the wickedness of his heart.

“The heart is deceitful above all’ things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jer. 17:9, 10.

We all know that God hates sin and must punish it. How then. can we expect to escape punishment? Another beautiful verse says, “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” Jesus shed His own precious blood and thus bore the punishment instead of us. Now, if we believe, our sins are all washed away in that atoning blood.

Do not think, dear reader, that you are better than others. “All have sinned.” “There is none righteous.” Turn to Jesus. Acknowledge your lost condition before it is too late. Do not let your wicked heart deceive you any longer.

ML 08/09/1903

Landmarks on the Banks of Time.

Polycarp.

Upon hearing that the persons in search of him were close at hand, he retired to another village. Herein his conduct is in marked contrast to that of some who eagerly sought martyrdom, making it a work of merit, whereby they might escape the fires of hell, and gain the joys of heaven.

The officers came to his house, and, not finding him, they seized two servants, from one of whom, by torture, they extracted the secret of Polycarp’s hiding place.

Taking this servant as guide they came to the house where Polycarp was staying. He was lying in an upper room, from which he could have made his escape (for the houses were flat roofed), but he would not; saying, “The will of the Lord be done.” When the officers entered, he came down, and conversed with them, and ordered refreshments to be set before them, begging to be allowed one hour, without interruption, to pray: “Which being granted,” the letter says, “he prayed standing; and was so full of the grace of God that he could not cease from speaking for two hours.” When he had finished they set him on an ass and led ‘him to the city. The Irenarch, Herod, and his father, Nicetes, met him, and took him into their chariot, and began to advise him, saying, “What harm is it to say, ‘Lord Caesar,’ and to sacrifice, and be safe?” At first he was silent, but, being pressed, he said, “I will not follow your advice.” When they saw that they could not persuade him, they thrust him out of the chariot, so roughly or carelessly that in falling he bruised his thigh. But, still unmoved, he went on cheerfully under the conduct of his guards to the Stadium.

Being brought to the tribunal, the Proconsul asked him if he were Polycarp; to which he assented. The Proconsul then began to exhort him: “Have pity on thine own great age”—and the like. Say, “Away with the Atheists,” meaning the Christians. Polyearp turned to the multitudes, and waving his hand towards them, said, while looking up to heaven “Away with the Atheists.” The Proconsul continued to urge him, said, “Swear, and I will release thee—revile Christ.” Polycarp said, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He hath never wronged me. How can I blaspheme my King, who hath saved me?”

Much more passed—threats of wild beasts and fire; but all in vain. Polycarp was filled with joy, while the Proconsul was manifestly embarrassed. However, he sent the herald to proclaim, “Polycarp hath professed himself a Christian.” Upon this, the crowd, a mixture of Jews and Gentiles, cried out, with rage, “This is the teacher of Asia, the father of the Christians, the subverter of our gods, who hath taught many not to sacrifice nor to adore.” They at first desired that a lion should be let out against Polycarp; but, this being refused, they shouted unanimously that he should be burnt alive.

No time was lost,—the people gathering fuel from the neighboring workshops and baths, in which occupation the Jews distinguished themselves. As soon as the fire was ready, he undressed. Immediately he was led to the stake, but, when they were about to fasten him, he said, “Let me remain as I am; for He who giveth me strength to sustain the fire, will enable me also, without your securing me with nails, to remain unmoved in the fire.” So they bound him, without nailing. He then prayed, and when he had pronounced “Amen” aloud, the officers lighted the fire. And so passed this humble, faithful man into the presence of that blessed Master whose love he had known for eighty and six years.

“My heart is fixed, eternal God;

Christ for me:

And my immortal choice is made;

Christ for me.”

ML 08/09/1903

The Ten Commandments.

THE LAW, which God gave to Moses, was written on two tables of stone. “The tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.” (Ex. 32:16.)

That our little readers may see what was written with “the finger of God” we will give the ten commandments in full.

(1.)“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”

(2.) “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation that hate Me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments.”

(3.) “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.”

(4.) “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”

(5.) “Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”

(6.) “Thou shalt not kill.”

(7.) “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”

(8.) “Thou shalt not steal.”

(9.) “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”

(10.) “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.” (Ex. 20:3-17.)

And now let me give you a little account which will show how God used these ten commandments to turn an infidel from his dark infidelity and to make him a firm believer in the truth of Christianity. I will relate this little incident just as taken from a paper.

In a city in one of the Northern States of America lived a lawyer of eminence and talent. He was notoriously profane. He had a negro boy, at whom his neighbors used to hear him swear with awful violence. One day this gentleman met an elder of the Presbyterian Church, who was also a lawyer, and said to him, “I wish, sir, to examine into the truth of the Christian religion. What books would you advise me to read on the evidences of Christianity?”

The elder, surprised at the inquiry, replied, “That is a question, sir, which you ought to have settled long ago. You ought not to have put off a subject so important to this late period of life.” “It is not too late,” said the inquirer; “I never knew much about it, but I always supposed that Christianity was rejected by the great majority of learned men. I intend, however, now to ex-amide the subject thoroughly myself. I have upon me, as my physician says, a mortal disease, under which I may live a year and a half or two years, but not probably longer. What books, sir, would you advise me to read?”

“The Bible,” said the elder.

“I believe you don’t understand me,” resumed the unbeliever, surprised in his turn; “I wish to investigate the truth of the Bible.”

ML 08/09/1903

The Meeting.

The heat of mid-day’s sun is past,

Thrice grateful evening comes at last.

Dispelling now the cares of day,

Soft, gentle zephyrs round us play.

While in the west, its course full run,

Slow fades from sight the setting sun,

Shedding afar its glorious beams

O’er rippling lake and mountain streams.

While blended by a touch Divine,

Lo! myriad hues in splendor shine

From tinted clouds neath sky of blue—

No scene so old, ah! none so new.

Yes, God, Himself, the artist is;

No work of man can vie with His.

But while we gaze with admiring eyes

Upon the beauties of the skies,

Adore the One who made them thus,

And praise Him for His love to us;

What greater joy is ours to know

That where the heavens in splendor glow,

Amid the clouds of snowy white,

Our blessed Lord may come tonight!

Yes! in those clouds we’ll meet the One

Whose dazzling rays surpass the sun—

Whose beauties and majestic worth

Surpass e’en His own works on earth

What wondrous, cheering, gladdening hope!

E’en as we gaze the heavens may ope;

And in a moment, one with Him,

Earth’s charms no more our sight to dim,

Up there, forever, all His own,

We’ll see and know as we are known.

ML 08/09/1903

"Is the Link on?"

I suppose most of our little readers have watched a brakeman fastening a number of cars to an engine. There is a link that joins them one to the other, and to the engine, and when that is done the whole train can be moved. What is it that does all the work? The engine. And when the link is on the engine will convey the train to its destination. This reminds me of the believer being linked to Christ in glory. Just as the engine does all the work, and by its strength conveys all the carriages to their destination, so surely has Christ done all the work for the salvation of our souls, and all who believe on Him are connected with Him, and He will carry them safe to glory. “He that believeth on the Son HATH everlasting life” John 3:36, and God’s HATH never has, and never can fail. The link that holds the believer to Christ never will break. Then let me ask each reader of these lines, are you connected with Christ in glory?

ML 08/09/1903

Learning His Word.

“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.” 1 Tim. 3:15.

What blessed examples do I find

Writ in the Word of Truth,

Of children that began to mind

The ways of God in youth.

Samuel, while yet a child, was brought

To wait upon the Lord;

Young Timothy betimes was taught

To know His Holy Word.

ML 08/16/1903

The Ten Commandments.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 60.

“I would advise you, sir,” repeated the elder, “to read the Bible. And I will give you my reasons. Most infidels are very ignorant of the Scriptures. Now, to reason on any subject with correctness, we must understand what it is about which we reason. In the next place, I consider the internal evidence of the truth of the Scriptures stronger than the external.”

“And where shall I begin?” inquired the unbeliever; “at the new Testament?”

“No,” replied the other; “at the beginning—at Genesis.”

The infidel bought a Commentary, went home, and sat down to the serious study of the Scriptures. He applied all his strong and well-disciplined powers of mind to the Bible, to try rigidly but impartially its truth. As he went on in his perusal he received occasional calls from the elder. The infidel freely remarked on what he had read, and stated his objections He liked this passage, he thought that touching and beautiful, but he could not credit a third. One evening the elder called, and found the unbeliever at his house, or office, walking the room with a dejected look, his mind apparently absorbed in thought. He continued, not noticing that anyone had come in, busily to trace and retrace his steps. The elder at length spoke:

“You seem, sir,” said he, “to be in a brown study; of what are you thinking?”

“I have been reading,” replied the infidel, “the moral law.”

“Well, what do you think about it?” asked the elder.

“I will tell you what I used to think,” answered the infidel; “I supposed that Moses was the leader of a horde of banditti; that, having a strong mind, he acquired great influence over a superstitious people; and that on Mount Sinai he played off some sort of fireworks, to the amazement of his ignorant followers, who imagined, in the mingled fear and superstition, that the exhibition was supernatural.”

“But what do you think now?” interposed the elder.

“I have been looking,” said the infidel, “into the nature of that. I have been trying to see whether I could add anything to it, or take anything from it, so as to make it better, sir. I cannot; it is perfect. The first commandment directs us to make the Creator the object of our supreme love and reverence. That is right. If He be our Creator, Preserver, and supreme Benefactor, we ought to treat Him, and none other, as such. The second forbids idolatry. That certainly is right. The third forbids profanity. The fourth fixes a time for religious worship, and if there be a God, He ought surely to be worshipped. It is suitable that there should be an outward homage, significant of our inward regard. If God be worshipped, it is proper that some time should be set apart for that purpose, when all may worship Him harmoniously and without interruption. One day in seven is certainly not too much, and do not know that it is too little. The fifth defines the peculiar duties arising from family relations. Injuries to our neighbor are there classified by the moral law. They are divided into offences against life, chastity, property, and character. And I notice that the greatest offence in each class is expressly forbidden. Thus the greatest injury to life is murder; to chastity, adultery; to property, theft; to character, perjury. Now, the greatest offence must include the less of the same kind. Murder must include every injury to life; adultery, every injury to purity; and so of the rest. And the moral code is closed and perfected by a command forbidding every improper desire in regard to our neighbors. I have been thinking, where did Moses get this law? I have read history. The Egyptians and the adjacent nations were idolaters: so were the Greeks and Romans; and the wisest and best Greeks or Romans never gave a code of morals like this. Where did Moses get this law, which surpasses the wisdom and philosophy of the most enlightened ages? He lived at a period comparatively barbarous; but he has given a law in which the learning and sagacity of all subsequent time can detect no flaw. Where did he get it? He could not have soared so far above his age as to have devised it himself. I am satisfied where he obtained it. It came down from heaven. I am convinced of the truth of the religion of the Bible.”

The infidel—infidel no longer—remained to his death a firm believer in the truth of Christianity.

“Anecdotes of Martyrs.”

Dear young reader, do not wait until years have advanced, as this unbelieving lawyer did. It may then be, for you, forever too late. Accept now the truth of God’s word, and let it have power over your heart, and in your life.

ML 08/16/1903

"Those Terrible Wages."

SEE that my dinner is ready by twelve o’clock,” said a man to his wife, as he left home for his work one morning, adding, that if it were not ready, he would beat her until she could not stand.

Sally was a Christian; her sins were forgiven her; the Lord Jesus was her Saviour; heaven her home; so, instead of returning rough words, she hastened to do as her husband had told her; and on his return at ten minutes to twelve, dinner was ready, and she was seated by the table reading her Bible. By no means soothed at finding no cause for anger, the man approached as if to strike her, as was too often his custom, but was arrested by the book that lay before her, a book that had somehow taught his wife gentle words and kind actions, in place of the anger with which she used to meet his harshness. He could not read, but could spell a little. As he looked down upon the page, his eye caught the last verse of the chapter his wife had been reading. He began to spell it out.

“T-h-e the, w-a-g-e-s, what does that spell, Sally?”

“Wages,” answered his wife.

“‘The wages o-f of, s-i-n sin, i-s is, d-e-a-t-h,’ another long word, Sally; what does it spell?”

“Death,” was the answer.

The words seemed to frighten him, they were very solemn. “‘The wages of sin is death,’” he repeated to himself; adding, “If anybody ever earned those wages, I have.”

Quietly he ate his dinner, and for once bade his wife a kindly, “Goodbye.”

In the evening he returned sober, and exclaimed, on entering his cottage, “Those terrible wages! Sally, is the book full of the dark side?”

“Oh, no, Tom!” said Sally; “there is a bright side as well as a dark one. Just let me read the end of the verse: ‘The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’” (Rom. 6:23.)

Earnestly she told her husband of the love of God; of the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross: how He died for sinners, and that the vilest who came to Him would not be cast out.

He listened eagerly, while the tears ran down his cheeks; and when she had finished, he cried, “God be merciful to me a sinner.”

God worked in His soul; he felt he was a sinner; but he trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour, and was saved.

Reader, if unsaved, you have been earning the wages of sin. Have you ever thought what those wages are? “The wages of sin is death.”

If you have found out that you are a sinner, lost in God’s sight, there is salvation for you, too, for “God cornmendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8.)

ML 08/16/1903

Landmarks on the Stream of Time.

IRENAEUS.

THE scene of the labors of Irenaeus is nearer us than is that of Ignatius’ or of Polycarp. Probably born in Asia, between the years 120 and 140, he comes first to our knowledge as a resident of Lyons, France.

It is probable that one or both of his parents were Christians, because he was brought, when young, to the Christian assemblies, where he had the privilege of hearing and knowing the godly Poly-carp.

The church at Lyons (which is at this date the largest city in France, except Paris) was planted or nourished by Greek Christians from the neighborhood of Smyrna, and amongst these, doubtless, came the subject of this sketch.

The Roman Empire at that time extended. over the countries surrounding the Mediterranean. Marcus Aurelius, having become Emperor in the year 161, recommenced the persecution of Christians. He was a philosopher, having begun to wear the cloak at the age of twelve, and to practice that neglecting of the body which is referred to in Colossians. He used to sleep on the bare floor, and it was with difficulty that his mother prevailed on him to use a mattress and slight coverlet. Against this false philosophy we are warned in the second chapter of Colossians, and the true way of holiness is pointed out in that and the following chapter.

From an ardent adherent of such philosophy, therefore, we might reasonably expect an active hatred to the grace of God, which makes a believing sinner to be “complete” in the One who is the Head of every principality and power: so complete that all the teachings and austerities of the stoic can add nothing to him. Man and the devil both hate this: it takes all the glory from the creature, and places the crown, where alone it belongs, on the brow of the man-crucified, but God-glorified Saviour—Jesus.

So it came to pass that under this man, the fires of persecution, which had slacked during the reign of his predecessor, were again blown up against Christians. You have already been told of Polycarp’s death, which is placed by some in the year 167, and now I have to tell you of the faithfulness of certain confessors of Christ’s name, who suffered for Him in the city of Irenaeus in the year 177. The letter from which the account is taken, is generally attributed to Irenaeus, though written in the name of “The Servants of Christ, sojourning in Vienna and Lyons, in France, to the brethren in Asia, Propria and Phrygia.”

I would willingly reproduce the whole letter, but the compass of our little magazine forbids it; so I must content myself with giving you a synopsis, hoping by this means to stir you up to procure a Church history and read it for yourselves. From this letter it appears that in those days Christians recognized Satan as the instigator of their troubles and the great leader of their enemies, regarding their persecutors as his slaves. In the commencement of this great trial, Christians were absolutely prohibited from appearing in any houses except their own, or in any public place, not even the market. The next step was the attack of the mob: “shouts, blows, the dragging of their bodies, the plundering of their goods, casting of stones . . . were magnanimously sustained.” Then came the trial before the magistrates, and the sufferings “legally” inflicted. Having pleaded guilty to the charge of being Christians, the martyrs were shut up in prison until the arrival of the Governor, probably Severus, afterwards Emperor.

The Governor treated them with such savageness of manner that the spirit of one Vittius Epagathus, a person of quality, was aroused to demand a hearing, pledging himself to prove that there was nothing atheistic or impious among them. “Though but a youth, he might be compared to old Zacharias, for he walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.”

The Governor only asked him if he were a Christian. He confessed in the most open manner that he was, and consequently was ranked among the martyrs.

ML 08/16/1903

A Piece of Chalk.

WHAT delight a piece of chalk seems to afford to many of the poorer boys in the streets of the cities.

The happy possessor of a suitable portion of the white material seems, however poor, ragged, and hungry he may be, to forget his sorrows and sufferings whilst he sketches on boards, or writes upon the pavement. Then if some, comrade appear, it is probable he may be the subject upon which the fortunate owner of the chalk may print the word “DUNCE.”

I suppose I have seen that word written upon the backs of boys scores of times, but I never yet knew of a single boy taking off his coat and writing upon it so that DUNCE might be conspicuous upon his own back to all who came near.

Many of older years write, not with a piece of chalk, but with the tongue, the word SINNER,

upon neighbors or relatives, but never until they are brought to see themselves in the presence of God, will they write on their backs, as it were, that terrible word.

The Pharisee, of whom our Lord tells us, who went up into the temple to pray, thanked God he was not like other men. The poor publican, or tax-gatherer, seems to have forgotten all around him in the sense of his need of forgiveness, and cried, “God be merciful to me, the sinner.”

“Dunce” is often written upon those who do not in the least merit such a title, and of whom the word is not true.

“Sinner” is written in truth by God Himself upon every one, for everyone has earned that solemn name. In Rom. 3:22, 23, we may read, “There is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

“Dunce,” if written with chalk can be easily got rid of. Frequently it is wiped off by a friendly coat-sleeve; at other times a brush soon removes the unpleasant word, and the trouble is over, and the matter soon forgotten.

“Sinner” is not, however, thus easily erased. Indeed, of ourselves it were impossible to remove it; but, blessed news, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us,” and thus the very name “sinner” becomes a title to enjoy the wonderful salvation provided for sinners by the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross.

Sometime since I was sitting beside an anxious hearer of God’s glad tidings, who had remained after the preaching to speak with me. Turning to 1 Timothy 1:15, we slowly read together the verse: “This-is-a-faithful-saying,—and—worthy of-all—acceptation,—that—Christ—Jesus came-into-the-world-to-save-sinners; of whom I am chief.” Turning to the inquirer, I asked, “What is your name?”

Without hesitation the reply was given, “Sinner! sir.”

In simplicity the blessed message was received, and peace and joy took the place of trouble and fears.

“Saint” is the new title given already to every believer on the Lord Jesus Christ. All those cleansed from their sins by His precious blood, and made nigh to God “in Him,” are taken out of their old position as “sinners” and given a new one as “saints in Christ Jesus,” and are called to speak and act suitably with such a place. They have their position by new birth, and should seek now to glorify God by walking worthy of their calling, as those who are “beloved of God, called saints.”

ML 08/23/1903

Jesus and the First Commandment of All.

Matt. 22:34-40. Mark 12:28-34.

The Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees. (Matt. 22:34.) Then they gathered together for another attack upon Him. One of these Pharisees, who was a lawyer (in Mark, he is called a “scribe”), asked him a question, tempting Him. This shows the wickedness that was at the bottom of the question. It was not an honest question, in order to get light, but an effort still to tempt Jesus, and catch Him in His words. This was what the Pharisees desired, although in. Mark, the scribe seems to give an honest approval of Jesus’ answer to the question, and Jesus told him he was “not far from the kingdom of God.” Whether this scribe ever entered the kingdom of God, or not, we do not know. He was not far from it; but, oh! how many have been brought, as it were, to the very door of the kingdom, and have not entered. How often boys and girls, men and women, have been brought to the very point of yielding to Christ, but have not yielded, and have gone down from the very door of the kingdom of God to hell! Oh! may it not be so with you.

The lawyer asked, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus answered very simply, and in such a way as to appeal to their consciences, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” The scribe acknowledged that this was the truth, and that to love God and man in that perfect way was “more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

This is the love that God required in the law; and very blessed it is, if such love is in activity. The whole heart, the whole soul, the whole mind, giving forth all their energies in love to God! Surely it is what is due to God from His creatures. No lower standard could God give. And then He requires that man should love his neighbor as himself. All this is perfect; but alas! who has come up to this perfect standard? Have you, reader? No, you know you have not. Men hate God, and hate one another. They broke His law, killed His prophets and murdered His Son Jesus Christ. And men cheat, and rob, and kill one another, This is just the opposite of God’s commandments. And thus men are condemned. What is to be done? Is there any remedy for this sad condition of the human race? Thank God there is. “God is love:” and if we have failed to love Him, He has not failed to love us. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” ¤ Jno. 4:10.

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

Oh! how blessed is the love of God. It exceeds the love in the commandments of the law. For, when we were the enemies of God, and had murdered His Son, He provided salvation for us through the blood our guilty hands had shed, the blood of Jesus. What could be more wonderful!

Have you, reader, accepted this great salvation? Have you believed God’s love to us? Well, “if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another,” God tells us. And then, too, “we love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:11-19.

Do you know this love? and are s you living in the power of it, as those in whose hearts it is shed abroad by the Holy Ghost? Rom. 5:5.

ML 08/23/1903

Fear Thou Not.

Isaiah 41:10.

“Fear thou not, for I am with thee.”

Oh! what words of comfort, peace.

Trusting in the loving Father,

Doubts and fears and terrors cease.

Wild the storms may beat around thee,

Angry billows loud may roar,

But the eye on Jesus gazing

Far beyond them all can soar.

Grief may fill thy heaving bosom,

Crush thee down with weight of woe;

Yet He’ll carry all the burden,

If thou wilt to Jesus go.

Whatsoe’er may be thy portion—

Dark or bright thine earthly lot—

Trust, in child-like faith, thy Saviour,

He is with thee, “Fear thou not.”

ML 08/23/1903

"That Hand Never Lost a Man"

TRAVELERS over mountains often come to very dangerous places in their oath. It was so in the case of a traveler I am going to tell you of. There are mountains called “The Alps” in Switzerland, and one day a traveler with his guide came to a very narrow and dangerous place. The guide, holding on to the rock with one hand, extended his other hand over the fearful precipice, and told the traveler to step on it and pass around the projecting rock. He did not like to do it, for he was afraid that the hand would not be able to bear his weight, but the guide said, “That hand never lost a man yet.” At last he stepped on the hand and passed on safely.

Every little one who loves the Lord Jesus, is like this traveler. You are passing through a most dangerous scene, and you cannot get on without a guide who knows every step you are to take. The Lord Jesus is your guide, and how safe we are when we trust that unfailing Hand. Who that has ever trusted Him has been disappointed? He stretches out His hand for our help and deliverance. His hand supports us in the midst of every danger. And not only does His hand support us day by day as we go through this scene, be He holds us safe for eternity. He has said in John 10, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand;” etc. “THAT HAND HAS NEVER LOST A MAN YET.” How safe the little one is who trusts in Jesus alone for his salvation. No power of the wicked one can take you from Him. Its holds you with His almighty hand, and defies the power of the wicked one to touch you. David took a little lamb out of the mouth of a lion, and slew the lion, so that the lion’s power was destroyed and the little lamb was safe. And so the blessed Lord Jesus has delivered all who believe on Him as their Saviour, from the power of the devil, and they are saved for eternity. We have every reason to rejoice when we are in the hand of One who has “NEVER LOST A MAN YET.”

ML 08/23/1903

"At Half Past Two."

MANY of you have often heard that the Lord Jesus is soon coming to take away all that believe in Him, but does the thought of that event fill your heart with joy, or is it a subject you would rather not hear about, and perhaps fear to think of?

If unsaved, you may well fear the Lord’s return, for can you imagine anything more dreadful than to be left behind for judgment?

A girl of about fourteen, who was not saved, was often very much afraid that the Lord would come, and she knew she was not ready, and would be left behind.

One night she had a dream. She dreamed she was busy at her lessons, when suddenly God told her that the Lord was coming that very afternoon at half-past two.

“Oh,” she thought, “what shall do? I am not ready,” and she dreamed she looked at the clock and saw that it was then after twelve. Only about two hours remained. In great fear she hurried into the next room, where her Christian governess was sitting, and begged her to tell her how she could be saved.

But somehow, although she had so often been told the way, she could not even calm her mind to think about it. She had often put off deciding for Christ, and now it seemed too late.

In this unhappy state she awoke, relieved to find it was only a dream! It was a warning from God, and although it was some time before she came as a lost sinner and trusted in Jesus, that dream was not forgotten.

Now we know that the Lord Jesus may come at any moment, but are you ready? How solemn to think of the numbers that would be left behind if He were to come today, because unsaved! Will you not turn to Him now, before it is too late? You need to have your sins washed away if you are to be ready, and there is a loving Saviour waiting to receive you and cleanse you from them all, if you will only let Him. He says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

ML 08/23/1903

Extracts From Letters From Our Young Friends.

I am glad that I can tell you that I know that all my sins are washed away through the precious blood of Jesus, and He is my own Saviour, 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. K. N.

ML 08/23/1903

The Crown.

ONE of the many occupations that add to the joys of childhood, is the making of wreaths.

When I was a child I often strung oak-leaves together with their own stems for pins, and braided clover into wreaths. One of the girls in our picture has a wreath of flowers around her head and she is adorning her sister’s hair with more of the flowers.

Dear children, does this wreath or crown of flowers remind you of a crown about which you have read in the Bible? If you do not remember, you will find it in the twenty-seventh chapter of Matthew, verse 29.

“When they had platted a crown of thorns they put it upon His head.”

Whose head, dear children? I think you all answer, “The head of Jesus.” And how would it feel to have a crown of thorns on your head? You all know, I am sure, that it would be very painful to have the cruel thorns piercing into the flesh.

Why was the blessed Saviour made to suffer in this way? Had He done wrong and did He deserve punishment? No, dear reader, you and I were the ones who did wrong. It was on account of sin that Jesus wore the crown of thorns. It was for our sins that the nails were driven through His hands and feet—sin caused Him to be spit upon, mocked and scourged. Yes, and more than this: God, Himself, turned away from His well-beloved Son because He was bearing your sins and mine. Is not your heart touched by such wonderful love? We deserved the punishment, but Jesus bore it all that we might escape prod’s wrath and judgment.

“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.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Do you believe? The message is for you. Do you feel the need of a Saviour? He is anxious to save you. Confess to God your lost, sinful condition, and accept the salvation which He offers to you.

Jesus wore the crown of thorns, but saved by His grace, you will wear the crown of life throughout the endless ages of eternity.

ML 08/30/1903

Landmarks on the Stream of Time.

IRENAEUS, PART 2.

SOME heathen servants, being seized, accused the Christians of eating human flesh, and of various unnatural crimes. This incensed the multitude to madness, and then was fulfilled the Lord’s word: “The time will come when whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” The martyrs now sustained tortures which exceed the powers of description, Satan laboring thereby to extract something slanderous against christianity.

Four names stand out pre-eminent: Sanctus, of Vienne, a deacon; Matarus, a late convert; Attalus, of Pergamos, “the pillar and support of the church at Lyons.”

Blandina, a slave.

“Through this last one Christ sheaved, that those things, that appear contemptible among men, are most honorable in the presence of God, when love to His Name is exhibited in real energy, and not in boasting and pompous pretenses. . . . It was an evident refreshment, support, and an annihilation of all her pains, to say, ‘I am a Christian, and no evil is committed among us.’”

Sanctus, also, having sustained in a manner more than human the most barbarous indignities, would neither give his own name, nor that of his nation or state, nor say whether he was a freeman or slave; but to every interrogatory he answered in Latin: “I am a Christian.” “This, he repeatedly owned, was to him both name, and state, and race, and everything.” Having exhausted the usual methods they affixed brazen plates to the most tender parts of his body, and heated them red hot. His body was one continued bruise. In this man the view of Christ’s suffering wrought great marvels, confounded the adversary, and encouraged the brethren, chewing “that nothing is to be feared where the love of the Father is; and that nothing is painful where the glory of Christ is exhibited.” He survived these tortures, and was brought out to die with his companions on a day of the extraordinary shows, afforded to the people on account of the Christians.

On this day he and Maturus again underwent various tortures in the amphitheater, as though they had suffered nothing before. They sustained again, as they were led to execution, the blows usually inflicted on those condemned to the lions; they were exposed to be dragged and torn by the beasts, and to all the barbarities which the mad populace with shouts exacted; and, above all, to the hot iron chair, in which their bodies were roasted. But not a word could be extorted from Sanctus, besides those which he first had uttered— “I am a Christian.” They expired at length, more than conquerors through Him that loved them.

Blandina, on the same day, suspended from a stake, was exposed as food for the wild beasts, but none of them touched her. She was, therefore, taken down, and cast again into prison.

Attalus also was reserved, but from a different reason. He was led round the amphitheater preceded by a tablet with the inscription, “This is Attalus, the Christian.” The populace would have had him dispatched at once, but the Governor, understanding that he was a Roman, ordered him back to prison, until he should receive instructions from the Emperor.

During this interval many of those who had denied Christ, now dared to profess their Saviour, and approaching the tribunal, desired a fresh opportunity of being interrogated by the Governor.

Caesar sent orders that the confessors of Christ should be put to death, and that the apostates should be dismissed. Roman citizens had the privilege of being beheaded, the rest were to be exposed to wild beasts. And now was our Redeemer magnified in those who had apostatized. They were interrogated separate from the rest, as persons soon to be dismissed. To the surprise of the Gentiles, they confessed, and so were added to the list of martyrs. A small number remained in apostasy, but they were those who had not a spark of divine faith, and whose lives had brought reproach on Christianity.

During this examination a Phrygian physician, named Alexander, stood near the tribunal and by gestures encouraged those being questioned to profess the faith. The multitude, incensed by the courage of the lapsed, clamored against Alexander as the cause of their change. Upon this the Governor ordered him into his presence, and asked him who he was. He declared that he was a Christian. In great wrath the Governor instantly condemned him to wild beasts; and the next day he was brought forward, with Attalus. For the governor, willing to gratify the people, delivered Attalus, to the beasts. Alexander neither groaned, nor spake a word, but in his heart conversed with God. Attalus sitting on the chair, and being scorched, said to the multitude, “This, indeed, which ye do, is to devour men; but we devour not our fellow-creatures, nor practice any other wickedness.”

On the last day Blandina was again introduced, with Ponticus, a youth of fifteen. They had been brought in daily to see the punishment of the others. No pity was shown to the sex of the one nor the youth of the other. Their tortures were aggravated by all sorts of methods. Ponticus, animated by his sister, after a magnanimous exercise of patience, yielded up the ghost. Blandina, last of all, having endured stripes, the tearing of the beasts, the iron chair, —was enclosed in a net, and thrown to a bull. She was tossed for some time by the animal, but proved quite superior to her pains through the influence of hope, and the realizing views of Christ, and her fellowship with Him. She, too, at length breathed out her soul.

The sorrow of the Christians was augmented by being deprived of the melancholy satisfaction of burying, their friends. For the heathen burnt the bodies and scattered their ashes on the Rhone, that not the least particle of them might appear on earth any more. And this they did that they might deter others, as they said, from the hope of a future life, “on, which relying they introduce a strange and new religion, and despise the most excruciating tortures, and die with joy. Now let us see if they will rise again, and if their God can help them, and deliver them out of our hands.”

This, dear young readers, is a scene from the life of Irenaeus, and it is probable that the description of it was written by him. In my next I will tell you a little about himself and his work.

ML 08/30/1903

A Shelter From the Storm.

I ONCE read of a wonderful tree that grows in the East Indies. This tree is a not-conductor of lightning; that is, it has some strange power in it which prevents the lightning from striking it. They have dreadful thunderstorms in that country, and the lightning flashes, and strikes other trees in the neighborhood, but it never touches this tree.

In England it would be very dangerous to stand under a tree during a thunderstorm, but it is different in that country, and when the people see a storm gathering they leave their houses and get under the shelter of this tree for safety. And they always find it there. No matter how severe the storm, the lightning never strikes that tree, and nobody under the shadow of it is ever hurt.

Children, do you know that you need a shelter?

There is a terrible storm coming. Where will you hide?

We read in Isaiah 32, that “a Man shall be as a hiding place.” The Lord Jesus is willing to be your shelter. Will you not come to Him? If you trust Him you will be safe when the storm of God’s judgment sweeps over this guilty world. But if your sins are not forgiven you will be in the storm without shelter.

Now you may find in Christ a hiding place. He is waiting to save you. But if you will not come to Him now, one day you may be like those, of whom we read in Revelation 6, who try to hide from His face, and from His wrath.

What a terrible picture it is! No shelter then.

O, dear children, “today if ye hear His voice, harden not your hearts.”

Remember that there is no other shelter for you.

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.”

ML 08/30/1903

Remember.

LUKE 16:25.

One by one we’re passing onward;

One by one the moments fly;

One by one we hear the summons,

From the One who reigns on high.

Happy they who know the Saviour;

And the value of His blood:

Filled with joy and peace forever,

In the presence of our God.

What a day of joy and gladness,

When the assembling shout is heard;

Life eternal in its fulness,

Sharing with our risen Lord.

Nothing but the blood of Jesus,

Can atone for guilt and sin;

Nothing from His love can sever,

Those who trust and enter in.

Not a tear shall dim our vision,

In that land of glad surprise:

Free from pain and death forever,

In our home beyond the skies.

Little children, too, are often,

Called from earth to pass away;

God would have us thus remember,

Here on earth we cannot stay.

Is the hope of heaven and glory,

Bright and clear to you and me?

‘Tis His blood alone can cleanse us—

He who died upon the tree.

What a price was paid to save us!

What a cost His love to give!

Only rest your faith upon Him,

And believing von shall live.

ML 08/30/1903

Answers to Questions of July 7.

1. “Holy Ghost.” Heb. 10:15.

2. “I will put My laws in” etc. 10:16.

3.“Strangers.” 13:2.

4.“So Christ was once offered,” etc. 9:28.

5.“On the right hand of God,” etc. 10:12.

6.“Noah” 2:7.

“His Son.” 1-2.

Bible Questions for September.

Who are we to love with a pure heart fervently? Give the verse that contains the following words twice, “Evil,” “Railing,” “Blessing.” What did the voice from the excellent glory say?

What are we told to do in order that God may exalt us in due time?

To whom must we be ready to give an answer, if asked a reason of the hope that is in us?

Give the words following these “If when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently.”

If one would love life, and see good days what must he do?

What is said “are given unto us?”

What are we told to submit ourselves to?

ML 09/06/1903

Kindness.

We have cats and kittens in so many of our homes that I think you have all seen kittens play. How they like to run after a string when some little boy or girl draws it over the floor! When Mamma is knitting or mending, the kittens like to play with the balls of yarn and the spools of thread. They play with the tassels of the table cover that hang near the floor; and with balls, marbles or anything that they can easily move with their pretty little paws.

In the picture, one kitten is playing with the string of the little girl’s slipper, while the other is watching it and looks as though it would like to play too, for kittens are very playful little creatures.

See how still the little girl stands and how careful she is not to hurt the kitten. She enjoys seeing it play. Sometimes children tease cats and hurt them, and think it is fun to hear them cry and to see them run away, but that is very, very wrong. Jesus said, “Be ye therefore merciful as your Father also is merciful.” When children tease cats and dogs, they are cruel, —not merciful, and God will punish cruelty. But He will show mercy to the merciful.

Dear children, never do to others what you would not want them to do to you, nor treat creatures in a way that you would not like to be treated yourself. Luke 6:31.

ML 09/06/1903

Jesus David's Son and David's Lord.

Matt. 22:41 46.

JESUS had already answered all the sects of the Jews, and revealed the condition that they and the whole nation were in. They had all been silenced, and now it was His turn to ask them questions. This he did in order to bring out His own position in connection with the nation of the Jews, whose leaders had manifested their enmity against Him, and their rejection of Him as the Messiah. They were His enemies, and the Scripture He quotes to them shows them the terrible position they were in.

He asks them, “What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He?” They reply, “The son of David.” Then, quoting Psalm cx, He asks, “How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord, how is He his son?”

They could not answer this question, nor durst they ask Him any more questions after that.

Jesus Christ was indeed David’s son, and He was David’s Lord also. He was God, and He was man. Being God He was David’s Lord; being man He was David’s son. The Jews did not see the glory of the person of Jesus, nor did they understand the Scripture which spoke of Him as David’s Lord, and David’s son. If they had seen that their Scripture applied to Jesus, they would have seen the terrible position they were in as His rejectors and enemies; for the passage shows that He would be rejected, and that Jehovah would call Him on high to sit on His right hand until He made His enemies His footstool. The unbelieving Jews, then, were to be made His footstool, because they were His enemies. What a solemn position they were in! Yet they persisted in rejecting Jesus, and in their enmity, they slew Him. But God raised Him from the dead, and afterwards seated Him at His right hand on His throne. And there Jesus still sits, waiting for the moment when His enemies are to be crushed under His feet.

Oh! what a moment that will be, when He will rise up from the throne in His glorious majesty, and execute judgment against those who would not have Him to reign over them. But He has not risen up for judgment yet. It is the day of grace, and of long-suffering patience. And while He waits in patience, all who submit to Him will be saved. O sinner, believe. Own the rejected and glorified Jesus, while mercy lingers. Own Him now. Tomorrow may be too late.

ML 09/06/1903

The Dying Soldier.

PUT me down,” said a wounded Prussian at Sedan, to his comrades who were carrying him; “put me down; do not take the trouble to carry me any farther; I am dying.”

They put him down, and returned to the field. A few moments after, an officer saw the man weltering in his blood, and said to him, “Can I do anything for you?”

“Nothing, thank you.”

“Shall I get you a little water?” said the kind-hearted officer.

“No, thank you, I am dying.”

“Is there nothing I can do for you? Shall I write to your friends?”

“I have no friends that you can write to. But there is one thing for which I would be much obliged. In my knapsack you will find a Testament; will you open it at the fourteenth chapter of John, and near the end of the chapter you will find a verse that begins with ‘Peace’? Will you read it?”

The officer did so, and read the words,

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you. . . . Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

“Thank you, sir,” said the dying man, “I have that peace; I am going to that Saviour; God is with me; I want no more.” These were his last words, and his spirit ascended to be with Him he loved.

ML 09/06/1903

"He First Loved Us."

I WANT to love God. Will you tell me how?” Such were the words used by Alice W—, who had been taken to a gospel meeting by some young friends with whom she was staying for a few days.

She had been brought up in a fashionable, worldly home where the name of Christ was never heard, and she had rarely been even to church, and now as she had listened to the “old, old story,” to her so strange, so new, a desire was awakened in her heart, and thus expressed itself, “I want to love God.” Her companions tried to help her, and once again repeated what they had heard that evening, that Christ died for sinners, and that now all who believe and trust in Him are saved. They tried to make it simple, but the light did not seem to break in, and she only again and again said, “I want to love Him, but I do not know how.”

When Alice had gone up to bed that night the girls told their elder sister about her, and as she felt there is no time like the present she hastened to her room, knocked gently, and going in found her sitting up in bed, restless and unhappy. She sat down by her, and taking her hand said, “They tell me, dear, that you want to love God; you will never do it by trying, but I have come with a message from Him to you.”

“Oh! what is it?” eagerly exclaimed Alice.

“Just this—we love Him because He first loved us.”

There was silence for some minutes, then all at once Alice said, “That was just what I wanted. He has loved me; I had not taken it in a bit,” and she jumped out of bed and asked her friend to pray with her, and then in a few broken sentences she just thanked the Lord mat He loved her, and had sent this friend to tell her so.

From that moment Alice was filled with joy, and never questioned her eternal security. Of course she had much to learn, but the great thought of the love of God took possession of her.

She has been spared many years to serve the Lord, and has been the means of leading others to Him, attracting them by her bright and joyous manner, though she had much to suffer in her own home because of her faithfulness to Christ.

Probably none of my readers are as ignorant as Alice was; perhaps you know all about the love of God and could tell others the beautiful gospel story of “Jesus and His love,” but how has it affected you? Has it touched your heart? Is there any response to His great love? If not it must be hard indeed. Satan’s desire is to keep you from knowing it, but God is making it known through His word and by His servants, and He wants you to share in it, and enjoy it now and through all eternity.

Will you accept it and thank Him for it? Or will you neglect it? Or, God forbid that it should be so, do you refuse it?

We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19.)

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10.)

ML 09/06/1903

The Bible

An English lady traveling in Tuscany, after reading her Bible gave it to the chambermaid to pack up with her other things. The young woman asked what book it was. “The word of God,” was the answer. This drew forth an expression of astonishment— “The word of God! What does it say?” Happily we need not ask such a question as this. By the goodness of God “the Scripture of Truth” is near at hand “in our own tongue, wherein we were born.” It is clear that to be ignorant of the Scriptures is to be ignorant of the Saviour, for they testify of Him. Let us then more and more diligently read, and search into, and dwell upon the precious words of this divine Book, that we may better know and enjoy the “unsearchable” riches of Christ, who, as an old writer says, is “the sum of the whole Bible, . . . to be found in every leaf, almost every line.”

Do you read this blessed Book and believe every word of it?

Study it carefully,

Think of it prayerfully,

Deep in thy heart let its precepts dwell;

Slight not its history,

Ponder its mystery,

None can e’er prize it too fondly or well.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord.” Ps. 1:1, 2.

ML 09/06/1903

"Search the Scriptures."

MANY who read these lines have watched the birds building their nests in the spring time.

Last spring two English sparrows built a nest in among the crosspieces of a telephone pole which stood near my kitchen window.

It was very interesting to watch the m day after day, bringing straw and other materials to this sheltered spot. The pieces they brought often dropped out or blew away, but the birds worked patiently on, preparing their home for the little young birds.

In our picture the nest is not on a telephone pole, but down in the tall grass where it will not be quickly or easily found—safe from harm.

The mouths of the young birds are open, eager to seize the worm which the mother bird has just brought in her mouth. Perhaps one little bird will get all of the worm, but do not think the mother will let the others go hungry. She will find another worm and bring it to another bird. Then away she will fly again and return with more food. Nor does she forget as she goes back and forth, which of her little ones have been fed. She feeds them by turn, till all have enough.

A little distance away, some men are watching this interesting sight, which is instructive, if we are willing to learn the lesson it teaches.

We, like the little birds, need food for our bodies, but we need food for our souls also. Can you tell me what this food is? I think some of you will answer, “The Word of God.” Yes, dear children, God gives us in His blessed Word, the Bible, the food that makes us grow more like Him—the food that makes us “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

And we need this food very much. We need it every day. If we do not get it, our souls will starve, and instead of learning more about Jesus and growing more like Him, we will be looking for pleasures in this wicked world and trying to find our happiness in them. In seeking such pleasures we can only get into sin.

Just as the mother bird has food for each little bird, and does not forget one, so God, in His Word gives food for each one of us. The more we seek, the more we will find. We need never starve, for there is always plenty there if we will only take it.

A beautiful verse — Psalm 119:9, says:

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word.”

When we are feeding upon Christ, we are getting that which keeps us from evil.

Let us not starve our souls when this spiritual food is within our reach, —offered so freely and in such great abundance.

Search the Scriptures daily, like those of whom we read in Acts 17:11.

ML 09/13/1903

Jesus' Denunciation of Hypocrisy.

Matt. 23:1-33.

JESUS’ denunciation of hypocrisy was directed against the Scribes and Pharisees. These men sat in Moses’ seat. That is they took the place of teachers of the law. And Jesus told the multitude to observe their teachings, but not to do as they did. Their life did not correspond with their teachings. They were hypocrites; that is, they pretended to be very good, when their lives showed that they were very bad. They bound heavy burdens upon others that they would not touch themselves. They did all their works to be seen of men. They thus sought honor from men, and not from God. They made a great show of their religion in making broad their phylacteries and enlarging the borders of their garments, and they loved the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called Rabbi, Rabbi.

All this was self-seeking and self-exaltation, and Jesus condemns it. He tells them not to be called Rabbi, nor to call men their father, for one was their Master, even Christ, and one was their Father, even God. So we are not to call our spiritual teachers Master, or Father. The greatest one is to take the place of servant, to take the lowest and humblest place, as Jesus did, in order to be a blessing to others. Then Jesus adds: “And whosoever shall exalt himself, shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

Then Jesus pronounces woe after woe upon the Scribes and Pharisees because of their ways.

They shut up the kingdom of heaven against men. They would, not go in themselves, nor would they suffer others to go in.

They devoured widows houses, and for a pretense made long prayers, and because of this they would receive greater judgment.

They compassed sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he was made, they made him twofold more the child of hell than themselves.

They were blind guides, and said, if a man swore by the temple, it was nothing, but if he swore by the gold of the temple, he was a debtor. Fools and blind, they did not consider that the temple was greater than the gold, and that the temple sanctified the gold. Again they said, if a man swore by the altar, it was nothing; but if he swore by the gift upon it, he was guilty, not considering that the altar was greater than the gift, and that the altar sanctified the gift. Then Jesus tells them that he who swore by the altar, swore by it and all that was on it; and he that swore by the temple, swore by it and by Him that dwelt in it; and he that swore by heaven, swore by the throne of God, and Him that sat on it.

All this is very solemn, and shows how wrong it is to swear by anything whatever.

Elsewhere Jesus says, “Swear not at all.” “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” (Matt. 5:34-37. Every form of profane swearing is wrong; and all such expressions as “My goodness,” and many other such things in common use, are condemned by the words of the Lord Jesus. “Yes,” and “No,” are enough. All else is sin.

We will do well to take heed to this lesson Jesus teaches in His condemnation of the Scribes and Pharisees. Many fall into the habit of using strong expressions in their conversation, and by words of different kinds, all of which Jesus condemns.

How much better it is to speak simply and truthfully in the fear of God, and to add nothing to our “Yes,” or “No.” In this way we do not offend God, and there will be a chasteness and dignity about our speech that will commend itself to our fellow-men, and our word will have far more weight than when accompanied by these sinful expressions.

ML 09/13/1903

Resurrection.

RESURRECTION! Perhaps some who read “Messages of Love,” do not know what this big word means. I will try to tell you. It means a raising up of the dead body to life again, out of the grave. Do you know what death is? The soul leaves the body, and then we say, “The body is dead.” The soul does not die, but when the soul leaves the body, the body is dead. No doubt you have seen the dead body of some man or woman, some boy or girl, lying in the coffin, ready to be taken away and buried. There is no life in the dead body, and so we cannot keep it, and have to take it away, and put it in a grave, where it becomes dust again. When God made man, He formed his body out of the dust of the ground, and then breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. When a man dies and his body is laid in the ground, the body turns into dust again, as the Lord God said to Adam, after he had sinned, “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” See Gen. 2:7, and 3:19.

Now God takes care of the dust of all these dead bodies, and there is a day coming when God will raise up all these dead bodies out of their graves, putting life into them again. The souls that left them at death will enter them again, and they will live. That is resurrection.

The Bible tells us that there is to be “a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.” (Acts 24:15.) This is very wonderful, but it is true, for God Himself says it. God who was able to create man at the beginning, is also able to raise up his dead body again, after death has cut him down, and He will do it.

In some future number of “Messages of Love,” we hope to give you some of the teachings of God’s word about resurrection; but what we wish you to think about this time, is just the fact that if you die, and are buried, God will raise your body up again. Both good people and bad people are going to be resurrected, and then they will have to give an account to God of the deeds done in the body.

This is a very solemn truth, and we would like to have you think about it. And remember, if you die in your sins, that is, with your sins unforgiven, you will be raised up again in your sins, and will have to stand before God in your sins to be judged for them. Oh! how terrible the thought of dying with all your sins upon you, and then being resurrected in order to be judged for them, and then cast out forever into outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Dear children, lay this to heart, and get your sins forgiven now, by coming to Jesus the Saviour, before it is too late.

ML 09/13/1903

"None Other Name."

THERE is a story told of a man who was much troubled about his sins, and for days the burden on his conscience seemed to become heavier, and his grief deeper. While he was in this state of soul, he was walking one day along one of the crowded thoroughfares of the city in which he lived, and noticed a crowd gathered on a corner, and went over to see what it was that attracted them, and saw a blind man reading from a raised-letter Bible. He was reading aloud, and received from the passers-by the few pennies they caused to crop into his hat to “help a poor blind man.” Just as this man stepped up, the blind man was reading from the fourth chapter of the Acts, and the twelfth verse. He was at the bottom of the page and came to the words “None other name,” and kept on repeating, “None other name,” “None other name.” This gentleman went on about his business, but the words he had been listening to, “None other name.” kept ringing in his ear. Through all the business of the day the words, “None other name,” remained with him. He went to his home at night, and the words, “None other name,” was still on his mind. At last he said, I have found it. I have been making a mistake. I have been thinking I should be saved and find comfort and peace by prayer, and strivings and efforts of my own, but it is only Jesus who can save.” So in the simplicity of faith, as a little child, he ceased his strivings, and cast himself on Jesus only, and found peace through believing on Him.

“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 09/13/1903

Bubbles.

WHAT fun it was when we were children, to blow soap bubbles! With our soapsuds and pipes or pipe stems, we were quite happy. Even the youngest, like the little boy standing on the table, thoroughly enjoyed the sport. How wonderful it seemed to see in these bubbles, painted in all the colors of the rainbow, pictures of the neighboring houses, street, trees and other objects.

We took pride, too, in seeing who could blow the biggest ones. Sometimes we had them larger than our heads. But we had to be very careful, for the larger they grew, the more easily they broke. As the bubble grew larger, the outside, or film of the bubble grew thinner and thinner, till a very slight touch or breath of air was enough to break it.

Sometimes we succeeded in separating the bubbles from the pipe and in blowing them for a while through the air, or over the table.

But large or small, all alike had an end. None of them lasted more than a few minutes.

The bubbles remind us of two things, —our lives and life’s pleasures.

Each of ns has a life on this earth, but that life must end. Some are short and some are long; but none can continue here forever. When the bubble of your earthly life bursts, where will you go?

God invites you to go up higher. Will you accept His invitation? Christ, the Saviour, is preparing a home above for all who love Him. He has given His life that we might live. Nineteen hundred years ago He died on a cruel cross that you and I might not have to die and suffer the punishment we deserved for our sins. Reader, can you reject such love? Seek Him while He may yet be found. Accept the wonderful gift He offers—the gift of eternal life. Then, when your life on earth is over, you will be blest in the Saviour’s presence forever and ever.

Speaking now of life’s pleasures, how long, we ask, do they last? Like the bubbles, some are gone very soon—some last a little longer. But all disappear in a short time.

Some of them are very beautiful, just as the bubbles are. But that does not make them stay. They are empty, with just a thin covering that will certainly break.

Why then, dear reader seek to find pleasure and satisfaction in that which is so empty and unreal—just like a soap bubble!

If we know Jesus as our Saviour, there are pleasures awaiting us that will not disappear. We can say with David, the psalmist,

“In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Ps. Ps. 16:11.

The only true joy we can find here is Christ. Rejoicing in Him we have joy that is unmarred by the troubles and disappointments that belong to earthly pleasures.

“And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full.” 1 John 1:4.

Do not cling to these bubbles of earthly pleasures, but seek that pleasure which Christ alone can give.

ML 09/20/1903

A Letter From One of Our Little Readers.

DEAR MRS. R—: I am so glad to say that I have taken the dear Lord as my own Saviour. He loves me, and I love Him. I know His love; He died for me on the cross. I, only a poor lost sinner. He washed me in His precious blood, and now I am as if born again, for all my sins are pardoned by Him. Many times I have thought of His love for me. Dear Miss S. (his governess) has brought me to Christ, and now I rejoice in Him.

Before I took Jesus as my Saviour I was very much afraid of death, but now if Jesus wants me I will die happily; and if He wants me to live, I will do it also happily.

I had a dream one night that was very frightening. I dreamt I was in bed and Satan was sitting at the foot of it. He was making all sorts of ugly grimaces. I was sitting up too—at least dreamt it. I was so scared that I screamed. Miss S. heard it and came in the room and asked me what was the matter. I told her, and she told me to think of Jesus and it would pass. I did, and soon went to sleep. Remember, I did not dream this after I was converted, but before.

Now I think that dream meant that Jesus wanted to show me something the way Satan looked like, so I would not obey him; but if it is not that, I wish somebody would interpret it for me.

Dear Mrs. R., everybody is enjoying the “Messages of Love” very much. I read it, and think it very helpful.

I have two or three questions to ask you; if you know them I wish you would tell them to me. The first one is, Do you know why Jesus doesn’t kill Satan—then there will be no more evil on earth, and everybody will go to heaven? I guess that is all for today, because I must close my letter to go down to the post-office to mail it and do other things. PAUL D. W.

P. S. Please write as soon as it is convenient for you.

ML 09/20/1903

Reply to a Letter From One of Our Little Readers.

My Dear Young Friend, Paul:—

It rejoices my heart to know that you have taken Jesus as your Saviour, and that you can now say you are made clean from all your sins through His precious blood. I do thank God for what He has done for you, and also that he has led you thus to confess Him. And we can both thank God, can we not, that He has permitted dear Miss S. to be so faithful toward you? She will have a happy reward by and by.

Oh! how blessed, dear Paul, that you are now happy in the Lord, and that the sting of death, which is sin, is all gone, so that you can be happy in life, or happy in death—as He will! You have gained a wonderful victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. There are many thousands of men and women who would give much to have what you now possess. All the money in the world could not buy the gift that God has given to you. And now may He give you grace, day by day, to live for Him, so that you may shine as a light in the world.

Your dream was quite remarkable and I think it might be helpful to others if it were put in “Message of Love;” indeed, I think your entire letter would be with interest, and I feel sure you would not object to my sending it.

Your question is not a very easy one to answer, but I will try to help you. When God created the angels, He made them spirits; they do not have bodies as men have. When man dies, or is killed, it is the body that is affected; the soul lives on forever. There are angels that have sinned, who are now in everlasting chains, “reserved unto judgment.” See Jude 1:6, and 2 Peter 2:4.

Satan once belonged to the angels of light, or the holy angels, but he got lifted up with pride and so had to be cast down. In Isa. 14:4-14, we have the King of Babylon, and in Ez. 28:1-17, the Prince of Tyre, as illustrating, or picturing to us, the pride that inflated the heart of Satan, and the fall that resulted from it. In the one place he is called “Lucifer,” in the other “The Anointed Cherub.” His heart was lifted up because of his beauty, and he said: “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.” . .. “I will ascend the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.”

What presumption in a creature to magnify himself thus, and seek to put himself on a level with the Creator! But God said, “Thou shalt be brought down to hell.” And that is where this wicked one will yet be.

And here is a lesson for all of us; God will not have pride, whether in angel or man; He will surely abase the one who exalts himself.

But now I must come more directly to your question. God did not put Satan out of existence, but He cast him down from his place of excellency. Instead of continuing to shine in the perfection of wisdom and beauty, he is now a hideous creature roaming about for a time; and evil though he is, he is sometimes used as an instrument in God’s hand to bring about the blessing of His own people, as in the case of Job. But he will finally spend forever in the lake of fire.

When God made man He made him lower than the angels, but His purpose was to lift him up above the angels, giving him a place in His own beloved Son. But God would put man to the test, and Satan, this fallen angel, whose hatred now was great against God, was permitted to go to the garden of Eden and tempt the man whom God had placed there. As you know, our first parents were tempted and fell, and so sin came into the world. And even if Satan could then have been killed it would not have put evil away, for sin was there, and from that time man was born in sin and with an evil nature.

But God’s wonderful purposes of love are now made known. He would have man taken into heaven to enjoy its blessed delights, and to be in a scene of bliss where sorrow cannot come. However, in order to reach that blessed place, and to be able to enjoy its purity and its holiness, man must be made clean from his sins; and death, the wages due for sin, must be met. But man, being a sinner, and helpless, could do nothing. It was in this condition of things that God manifested His boundless love by giving His only and His well-beloved Son to take the poor sinners place and suffer in in his stead in order to give him a place of endless bliss in the bright glory above.

Jesus did not choose “to kill Satan,” but He did choose to go into death under the weight of our sins, that He might give us life in Himself, and that we may never perish. After a time He will put Satan where he can never hurt or deceive more; and “yet a little while” and He will make us His loved companions for a blissful eternity. This is a bright and blessed prospect for us, is it not, dear Paul?

While here below we still have the old nature, which is evil; also there is evil all about us, as well as Satan’s temptations, and his bold efforts to devour us; but we have “GOD FOR US,” and He is stronger than all our foes. If we seek the face of the Lord, He will deliver us from evil, and will keep us day by day until He calls us home to be with Himself.

There is another point in your letter which I must mention: You think if Satan was out of the way everybody would go to heaven. That is a mistake; as I have said, there is evil in the heart of man, and many will not have Jesus. When he was here upon the earth, in all His grace and goodness, He had to say to His own people, the Jews, “Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life.” So it is today; there are many who will not come to Jesus; they go their own way, and do their own will, and that is sin against God.

I don’t know whether I have made, these points plain to you, but I hope you will get some help from what I have written.

ML 09/20/1903

An Arab Proverb.

Four things come not back:—

The spoken word;

The sped arrow;

The spent life;

The spurned opportunity.

ML 09/20/1903

Watching.

In our picture today we have a chipmunk, or ground squirrel. Let us learn something about the habits of these little animals and in what way we ought to try to be like them.

See what large feet and strong looking claws they have. With these claws they dig or burrow deep into the ground, and there they make themselves little round houses.

It is said that “during July and part of August chipmunks do little but play, seeming to spend all their time from sunrise to sunset in galloping over the ground, fences and walks, chasing each other like children playing tag, and trying to bite each other’s tails.” They have a time to play, but they work first. They do not play until after they have made their houses and their work is done.

Little children can all find some work to do and be busy, just as the animals are. Each one of you knows how he can help Papa and Mamma, or perhaps Grandma and Grandpa. Then when your work is finished it is good for you, also, to run and play.

When the squirrels burrow out their houses down under the ground they generally make two doors. Then if some enemy runs into their house through one door—trying to catch them—they can run out through the other door, and so escape in safety.

Sometimes, dear children, dangers follow us, but we, too, like the little animals, have a way of safety. Do you know what it is? There is a beautiful verse which says:

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

We can always flee to God and ask His protection, and He says He will deliver us if we call upon Him in the day of trouble. Ps. 1:15.

Chipmunks are easily caught in traps. I think you have all seen mouse traps or rat traps and know what a trap is.

We set traps to catch animals when we want to kill them or tame them for pets. In the traps we place cheese or some other kind of food to attract the animals.

Did you ever think that traps are set for you? Do you know who sets them? It is Satan. He sets traps for us in order that he may get us in his power and keep us away from God. In the trap he puts something to attract us. It may be temptation to do naughty, wicked things. It may be money or pleasure. He has many ways of catching us. Are we going to be easily caught like the chipmunk?

We surely will, unless we often ask God to help us.

See how bright and watchful are the eyes of our ground squirrel! He is watching and listening, ready to run at the sight or sound of any approaching danger.

Let us be watchful, too. If we are not, we shall certainly be caught in Satan’s traps and snares.

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” Matt. 26:41.

ML 09/27/1903

Landmarks on the Stream of Time.

Irenaeus—Part 3.

THE scenes just related must have produced a deep effect on the spirit of Irenaeus. The aged Bishop, Pothinus, having been one of the martyrs, Irenaeus was chosen to succeed him in the following year, 178. He labored so diligently and successfully that it is said the city became almost wholly Christian. He also interested himself in the adjustment of the Easter controversy, which was a dispute between the Eastern and Western portions of the church. The Easterns desired to celebrate the anniversary on the same day of the month every year; whereas the Westerns desired to have it fall on the first day of the week every year. Victor, Bishop of Rome, thought of excommunicating these Eastern churches, who did not and would not conform to the Western custom; but was turned from his purpose by a peace-making letter from Irenaeus.

He is best known, however, by a book written against heresies, in which he describes the doctrines of the Gnostics and of the Ebionites; these denying Christ’s Godhead, and those the reality of His manhood. He proceeds to show the true doctrine, and makes use of the forty-fifth Psalm to prove the Diety of Jesus. He insists on the continuity of the church from the apostles, and says that Christianity does not consist merely in the possession of knowledge (Gr. gnosis, hence gnostic), but in partaking of a life which is to be lived in this world and beyond it.

“His labors in Gaul were no doubt of solid utility,” says the historian from whom I cull most of these sketches.

“Nor is it a small instance of the humility and charity of this great man, accurately versed as he was in Grecian literature, that he took pains to learn the barbarous dialect of Gaul, conformed himself to the rustic manners of an illiterate people, and renounced the politeness and elegant traits of his own country for the love of souls.”

With all this, however, the gospel does not appear in its simplicity and fulness in his writings. He held the fundamental facts of it: the incarnation, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son and Word of God. He states that, “The Lord redeemed us with His own blood, and gave His life for our life, and His flesh for our flesh, and so effected our salvation;” but as another has said, when we pass from the inspired writings of the apostles to those of their immediate successors, “it is like a fall down a precipice.”

In the reign of Septimus Severna, persecution, always smoldering, blazed up again. Gregory of Tours affirms that after several torments Irenaeus was put to death, but the learned disagree as to the reliability of this testimony. Whether as a martyr or not, he entered into his rest about the year 202.

To find our next “Landmark” we shall cross the Mediterranean, to the north coast of Africa, where, in his days Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, shone for Jesus.

ML 09/27/1903

Jesus Denunciation of Hypocrisy.

Matt. 23.

THE scribes and Pharisees were very particular about paying tithes “of mint and anise and cummin,” but they “omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith.” Now, it was all right for them to pay a tenth of these small things, according to the law. But “judgment, mercy and faith” were far more important, and they were inculcated in the law, as well as paying tithes of the little things; and Jesus tells them they ought to have heeded the great things, and not omit the smaller things either. When they devoured widows’ houses they were not observing judgment and mercy. They strained at a gnat and swallowed a camel. It was fearful inconsistency.

In paying tithes of the little things, they were making clean “the outside of the cup and platter,” but within they were “full of extortion and excess.” And Jesus tells them to cleanse the inside that the outside might be clean also. If the heart was cleansed, the life would be clean also.

Then Jesus also tells them that they were “like whited sepulchers,” “beautiful” on the outside, but “within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” The hypocritical scribes and Pharisees outwardly appeared to men to be righteous, but Jesus knew their hearts, if men did not; and He declared that within they were “full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” Oh, what an awful condition! Like a sepulcher full of loathsome corruption and uncleanness! This is what hypocrisy is in the sight of God.

But Jesus pursues these wretched hypocrites further still with woes. He tells them they built the tombs of the prophets, and garnished the sepulchers of the righteous, and said, if they had been in the days of their fathers, they would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. In this they were witnesses that they were the children of those who killed the prophets; and Jesus knew they were ready to do just what their fathers had done, and worse too, for they were already seeking to destroy the Son of God. All their pretension was only wicked hypocrisy, and He calls on them to fill up the measure of their fathers. He declares them “serpents, a generation of vipers,” and asks them how they can escape “the damnation of hell.”

Moreover, He tells them they would do just what they had said they would not have done had they lived in the days of their fathers. After being Himself crucified and slain, He was going to send them prophets, and wise men, and scribes, and some they would kill and crucify; and some they would scourge in their synagogues, and persecute from city to city. Thus they would crown the wickedness of their fathers, and as the moral inheritors of their fathers’ sins, all the righteous blood that ever had been shed on earth would come upon them, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, whom they had slain between the temple and the altar.

Upon this wicked generation, or race, of Jews, all this fearful judgment would come. It did come upon the nation soon after, and will still come upon the nation until repentance is wrought at the end.

And a far more terrible punishment still awaits the hypocrite and every impenitent sinner—the judgment of the great White Throne. That will be eternal judgment in the lake of fire. Oh! how terrible,

Dear young reader, perhaps you would not like to be classed with these hypocrites Jesus denounced. But let me ask, Have you accepted Jesus? You are either for Him or against Him. If you have not accepted Him, you are against Him. Oh! if you would escape the hypocrite’s hell, do not pretend to be, good and yet reject Jesus; but own your need of Him and accept Him as your Saviour.

ML 09/27/1903

Another Letter From Paul D. W.

MY Dear Mrs. R.—I was very glad to receive your letter; it was really the best’ one I received this summer. I thank you very much for telling me about why Jesus don’t kill Satan. I can understand and I see that if Jesus did kill Satan there would still be evil in the world, because sin is born into them.

I thank you also very much for those tracts. I sent to my mother “I have Christ, what want I more,” “The Three Bidders” and “A Terrible Panic,” and I asked her whether she could say these beautiful words, “I have Christ, what want I more.” I know I can say them, and I am so glad I can.

The other day I went down to the village for Mlle. (his French teacher) and when I went down, I mean when I was going down the hill; I felt so, so glad—gladder than I ever felt before, because I love Jesus and Jesus loves me. Jesus was with me and I was with Jesus.

I am sending you three two-cent stamps, which is six cents, to please send me some different tracts. I am going to try to make other people Christians because I pity them so much, and so I will give them around. . . .

PAUL D. W.

Dear young reader, I hope you will think much about what this dear boy has written and that you may drink in of the spirit of his letter.

To be so filled with Jesus that one is “so, so glad” of His love and of His presence, is truly blessed. And it is when one is thus filled with Christ that he becomes a source of blessing to others. Little Paul is not satisfied to enjoy alone this rich blessing from God. He has compassion for those who are away from God, and wishes to do what he can to bring them to Christ. Thus the light is shining.

And his heart is full of love. He felt gladder as he went down the hill than ever he felt before, because he felt the love of Jesus welling up in his soul—he loved Jesus and Jesus loved him. Is not this beautiful?

“For love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God.” (1 John 4:7.)

Is your heart filled with the love of Jesus thus? If not, seek earnestly that you may know what this means.

Are you seeking the good and blessing of others? “Shine ye as lights in the world.”

May this little letter stir us all up to seeking more earnestly the face of Jesus.

ML 09/27/1903

Answers to Questions of August 2nd.

1.“The tongue.” James 3:8.

2.“Humble yourselves,” etc. 4:10.

3.“Elias.” 5:17.

4.“Thou shalt love thy, etc. 2:8.

5.“Offend.” 3:2.

6.“No man.” 3:8.

7.“God.” 4:8.

8.“Under my footstool.” “ 2:3.

9.“Every good gift,” etc. 1:17.

“The Tongue.”

Bible Questions for October.

The answers are to be found in the 1St, 2nd and 3rd Epistles of John, and the first letter of each answer will spell what the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from.

1.Give the verse containing the words “as He gave us commandment.”

2.Give the verse containing the words “world” and “love” three times.

3.To whom does it say, “Let no man deceive you”?

4.What was it that God did to manifest His love toward us?

5.What are “little children” told to keep themselves from?

6.What did those who went forth take of the Gentiles.

ML 10/04/1903

Not Under Law.

We have been occupied with the law which God gave to Moses. We have seen that it is “holy,” but it cannot make man holy. It is “just,” but it has no power to make man walk according to its just requirements. It is “good,” but it has no power to make man good.

Again, it was ordained to life, but it has no power to give life to the sinner dead in his sins. Man must therefore have been left hopeless in his ruin, had there been no other way of life provided. But thanks be to God, a door was opened up to poor, lost sinners—a way was made to God the Father. Jesus is that “door,” Jesus is “the way,” and whosoever will may come through Him.

This most important question being settled, there comes next the question as to the walk of the believer. Many of God’s dear people who know they cannot get life through the keeping of the law, yet speak of it as their “rule of life,” not recognizing that the One alone who gives life is to be, their rule and guide, and the perfect pattern to which they should seek conformity. God’s law was given to the children of Israel that they might know through it how sinful they were, and that their hearts were capable of murder, theft, covetousness and other wrong things. It pointed out what was right and what was wrong, but wherever man has attempted to walk according to it he has failed.

Thus we see the law not only could not give life, but no more could it enable man to walk right; and this is as true now as when it was given. Now, however, since grace has come by Jesus Christ, God tells us in plainest language “Ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Rom. 6:14), This being true, why should we put ourselves in a position in which God does not put us? Why should we place ourselves under galling bondage when God would bring us into blessed liberty? (Gal. 5:1). To put ourselves under law is to put ourselves under the curse, “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” (Gal. 3:10).

Who is there that continues in “all things written”? Who is there that loves God with all his heart? And who that loves his neighbor as himself? Not one!

Putting ourselves then under the law, we are cursed by it. Solemn thought!

In what relation, then, we may ask, does God set us with regard to the law? He tells us we are “become dead to the law by the body of Christ.” Dead to the law! Dead! Does not that seem strange? Does someone ask, How does that come about? Listen to what God says about it. He tells us we are “crucified with Christ”—we are “dead with Christ.” Yes, that is the way. Christ, our Substitute, died in our stead, and now, through Him, we “become dead to the law.” Suppose a man were guilty of murder and by the law of the land he must die; once that he is executed the law can do no more—its power is at an end. Just so our old master, the law, has no longer power over us, for we have died in Christ- It cannot now curse us, and ours is a great deliverance to be freed from such a master. It is because of the character of the law, “holy, just and good,” and man’s inability to meet its righteous requirements, and because of the power it has to curse those who do not fulfil its demands, that it becomes the hard master it is to those who are under it. So God, in His goodness, makes it very plain to us, telling us not only that we are “dead to the law,” but also that we are “delivered” from it, because we are dead to it. Rom. 7:6 (marginal reading) Let us carefully distinguish how God puts it. The law is not dead, but I am dead to it by the body of Christ. Rom. 7:4, 6.

If, then, we are delivered from the law, are we left without responsibility? Assuredly not. Death has severed the tie that bound us to our old master, but we have not been left in a position to follow our own will. God tells us that we are “married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” Our responsibility is according to the position into which we are brought—the higher the position the greater the responsibility. Turned “from darkness to light” and from “the power of Satan unto God,” “forgiveness of sins” through the blood of Jesus made known to us; brought into relationship with God as Father; having a standing in favor with Him; “an inheritance among them which are sanctified” granted us—surely our position is high, our responsibility great!

And now it is for us to “serve in newness of spirit,” not in “the oldness of the letter;” and serving thus we will find His yoke easy, and service to Him a delight.

Not under law, but under grace! Not under bondage, but in the blessed liberty of grace, seeking to live for Him who has made us His own, and who has won our hearts to Himself!

ML 10/04/1903

Gave Her Life.

A LADY, who was out carriage driving with her little child, was just nearing home when the horse suddenly became frightened and ran away. At a time of such immediate danger, the mother’s first thought was the protection and safety of her darling child. So she instinctively clasped the little one to her bosom, but was at the same time, forcibly hurled from the carriage and instantly killed. The child was unhurt, but by saving its life, the poor mother had sacrificed her own. Had she protected herself, she might have been spared an awful death, and the little one, perhaps, have perished. But love made her think not of herself, but of the one that was so dear to her. And so she really gave her life for another that could not save itself.

Weak and helpless, many have known what it is to have Another

“Stand between them and the foe,

And willingly die in their stead.”

It was Jesus, who, having His people clasped in the very affections of His heart, exposed Himself —His peerless Person—to take the awful wrath of God against sin upon the cross.

Reader, was He indeed there for you? Has your faith claimed Him as a Saviour and Deliverer? Can you say, “He loved me, and gave Himself for me”?

If so, then you may know that you are clear of all guilt as to your sins, cleansed and justified by His precious blood. You are delivered from the power of Satan, sin and death. Jesus met and overcame for you, through death, the great adversary of your soul, who had the power of death, and wrought for you a great deliverance. (Heb. 2:14-15.)

Blessed Deliverer, praise His name!

ML 10/04/1903

An Intruder.

WHAT is the little boy in the picture thinking about? There is his dish of breakfast on the table in front of him, and a fly on his plump little arm. I think he has forgotten about his breakfast as he watches so earnestly this little visitor. It is interesting to him to watch those six little feet moving along so lightly and easily, and the pretty, thin wings that carry him so swiftly through the air.

But he will grow tired after awhile. Perhaps he will say “Shoo! fly,” and then go on with his breakfast.

We are often interrupted one way and another when we are eating the food for our bodies. Do you think that intruders ever come along when we are feasting on the food that God gives us for our souls? Do you know what that food is? Yes, it is the Bible, God’s precious word. And Satan likes to get us away from our spiritual food and give us something else, like the little fly, to think about. He does not want us to be thinking about the Lord Jesus and feasting on Him. So he fills our minds with other things whenever he can.

He often comes to us with very pleasant, attractive things, for he is wise and knows how to please people.

But he cannot offer us anything as good as the love of Jesus. So let each of us ask God to help us to turn away from all the temptations and allurements of Satan and feed continually on Christ Himself.

He says:

“I am the bread of life; he that cometh to Me shall never hunger. and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35.

ML 10/04/1903

The Little Indian Girl.

In Assam, a country in the East Indies, a little girl, who for two years had attended the mission school, came one day to tell her teacher the sorrow she felt for sin. A few days after, as she was going to the schoolhouse, she picked up a torn leaf of a tract, which contained an invitation to sinners to trust in the atoning blood of Christ. She read it again and again, and showed it to one of her school-mates, saying, “What beautiful words!” She carefully laid up the torn leaf, and every day took it out to read. By degrees her soul found peace, her fears fled, and she became a true Christian.

“It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Lev. 17:11.

ML 10/04/1903

The River of Time.

SOME of us live near rivers and can often have pleasant times boat-riding, like the children in the picture. We enjoy such rides, for when we are out on the water we can breathe the pure fresh air and admire the beautiful trees and grass, the hills and fields, and the sparkling rippling waves around us. God has given us all these beautiful things to enjoy, and we thank Him for His goodness.

Others, living far away from streams, do not have these opportunities. But there is one river, dear reader, on which we all ride. Each one of us is floating down the river of time. The rivers of this earth flow on and on, till they reach their mouths, and finally empty into the great and mighty ocean.

Do you know into what ocean the river of time empties? It empties into the ocean of eternity. Just as a boat is carried along by the current of a river and sooner or later must surely pass through the mouth of the river and out into the ocean, so we are borne along by the river of time and shall someday be carried out into eternity.

The little boat cannot stay on the river. The current draws it into the ocean. We are just as powerless to remain on the river of time. We must all leave this world, for none of us can resist the current of time that is hastening us onward to eternity.

What will eternity be for you? You know what time is. You know all about the experiences of this life—some happy and some sorrowful. Is eternity going to be for you something better or something worse?

Oh, dear reader, you choose for yourself, whether yours is to be an eternity of blessedness or one of misery. Jesus wants you to spend it with Him, and that would be untold happiness. He has given His life that He might have you with Him. He has borne the punishment for your sins that you might not have to bear that punishment. He has shed His precious blood to wash away those sins and make you spotless in God’s sight and fit for His presence.

You do not have to work to obtain this wonderful salvation from eternal punishment. God offers it to you as a gift. “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1.

Have you not faith to believe His word? Dees not His love compel you to accept His priceless gift? Then your eternity will be one of unclouded joy.

But if you harden your heart and turn away from this unspeakable love, you will soon be launched on an eternity of awful darkness and unutterable woe.

ML 10/11/1903

Resurrection of Jesus.

You have often thought about the death of Jesus, how He was nailed to the cross and there died for our sins. Have you thought as much about His resurrection? The word of God says a great deal about His resurrection; and our blessing depends upon it, for if Jesus did not rise from the dead, His death could do us no good. If He were not risen, it would show that He had been defeated by Satan. But if He rose from the dead, it shows that Satan was defeated, and that Jesus also conquered death and the grave.

Satan did not wish Jesus to rise again; and when wicked men who were under the power of Satan crucified Jesus they thought to get rid of Him. His body was laid in a sepulcher cut in the rock, and they rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher and sealed, or cemented it to make it fast. And then they also placed some soldiers there to guard it. Thus Satan thought to hold the body of Jesus in that sepulcher of rock, and to hinder God from accomplishing His purposes of blessing for His people.

But all the power of Satan and of wicked men failed to keep Jesus in the sepulcher. He rose from the dead, and the earth quaked, and an angel descended from heaven and rolled back the great stone, so that the disciples could see that the sepulcher was empty.

The countenance of this angel was “like lightning, and his raiment white as snow,” and the guard of soldiers trembled and fled when they saw him. But this angel spoke kindly to the of the men who came to the sepulcher with Jesus, and told them to not fear. He told them also that Jesus was not there that He was risen from the dead, and then asked them to come and see the place where He had lain. The grave clothes were there in the sepulcher, but Jesus was not there. He was risen. Satan was conquered death was conquered and the grave was conquered.

Dear young reader, does not your heart rejoice to think of this great victory won by Jesus? How terrible it would have been if Satan could have held Him under the power of death! But he could not Jesus, by His death, had wrought redemption for poor sinners, and His resurrection was the proof of this, and the completion of His victory. If He had not risen we would all have been in darkness and doubt, just as the disciples when they saw Him die. They were heart-broken over His death, and knew not what to think or do. But oh! what a change when they saw Him alive again. Then they were glad, their hearts rejoiced exceedingly. And why should not we rejoice just as they did? Those who love the Lord Jesus do rejoice, and well they may. For His resurrection is the pledge that they, too, will be raised, if they fall asleep, and will be in the same company with Him.

Then, too, it was the same body that Jesus had before He died. The soldiers had driven nails through his hands and feet when they crucified Him, and one of them had thrust a spear into His side; and after His resurrection the prints of the nails were still in His hands and feet and the mark of the spear in His side, proving that it was the same Jesus, with still the same body.

The Scriptures tell us that Jesus was “the first that should rise from the dead;” also that Christ is risen, and become “the first fruits of them that slept,” and that He is “the first born from the dead.” He is the first, and has the first place of all who shall rise from the dead. Others before Him who had died had been brought back to life by the power of God, but only to die again. But Jesus rose from the dead never to die again. His is an eternal victory over death and the grave. And He has obtained that victory for all who believe. If we believe in Jesus, death for us is a conquered foe that we need fear no longer.

It was by sin that death had come into the world, but Christ died to settle the question of sin. He glorified God fully as to the whole matter. And for all who believe, the power of sin is broken, and death becomes a friend instead of an enemy, conducting us out of a scene of misery and wretchedness, into the presence of our risen and glorified Saviour.

ML 10/11/1903

On Mt. Horeb.

FORTY days and forty nights, or nearly six weeks! That was a long time was it not for a person to go without eating or drinking? And yet it was what Moses did when he stayed for that length of time up on Mt. Horeb.

When God called him to go up to Him into the mount, Moses rose up, and took with him his servant Joshua, and they went on the mountain side. They left the elders behind, telling them to wait until they would come back to them. And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered it. The glory of the Lord was there on Mt. Sinai and the cloud covered it for six days. We are not told what Moses did during the six days, but doubtless he waited in the presence of that glory. To the children of Israel who gazed upon the mountain top, the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire.

On the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from the cloud, and Moses went into the midst of the cloud, up into the mount and there he remained for forty days and forty nights. During that time he ate no bread and drank no water.

At the end of forty days and, forty nights, God gave to Moses two tables of stone, and on these tables, with God’s own finger, were written the ten commandments; they were not written with pencil or pen but graven in the stone.

There are those who say that God could not give a book and thus communicate His thoughts to man. How little they who thus speak, know of God’s power! Could not He who made the worlds, make tables of stone and grave upon them that which He chose? And could not He who made man, guide by His spirit, the thoughts of man, leading him to write that which He would have him write, and in the very words which the Holy Ghost would give? (1 Cor. 2:13.) It is thus God has communicated His mind to man, and woe be to him who lightly esteems it.

When the Lord delivered the two tables of stone, “written with the finger of God,” to Moses, He told him to arise and go quickly down from the mountain for the people had corrupted themselves. So Moses turned and went down the mountain side. And again we are told, “the mount burned with fire.”

God was having to do with a people whose hearts had already turned away from Him, and whose ways were corrupt. No wonder He manifested His glory before their eyes as a “devouring fire,” which would speak of unsparing judgment. It was for them the loud thunders of Sinai—not the sweet grace of Zion.

But even in this day of grace, God represents Himself to His people as a “consuming fire,” His chastening rod must fall upon those who will allow evil to go unjudged. How carefully we should walk before Him!

ML 10/11/1903

Food.

NOT long ago a young Christian said, “My Bible is getting so intensely interesting, I find it hard to put it down when I need the rest.”

The word of God is food for our souls. The more we read it, the more we will grow in grace. Bread and meat make us strong physically; the word of God makes us strong spiritually.

May we feed more and more upon Jesus, the Bread of Life, that we may become strong in the Lord.

ML 10/11/1903

The Bible.

In Wyckliffe’s time (14th century) a single copy of an English Bible often sold for thirty pounds—as much money as would build two arches of old London Bridge. Even rich people seldom possessed a whole Bible, but were obliged to content themselves with part of one. Workmen would frequently give the earnings of many years for one of the Gospels or the Book of Psalms. Farmers gladly exchanged a cartload of hay for a few chapters of Paul’s Epistles. And apprentices would save their pocket-money for more than a year, and then join two or three together to purchase a New Testament. If the word of God were as much valued by everybody nowadays the strongholds of Satan would all be destroyed.

ML 10/11/1903

Earnestness.

ROWLAND Hill, in an address to the people of Wotton, said, “Because I am in earnest, men call me an enthusiast. When I first came into this part of the country, I was walking on yonder hill, and saw a gravel-pit fall in and bury three human beings alive. I lifted up my voice for help so loud that I was heard in the town below, at a distance of nearly a mile. Help came, and two of the sufferers were rescued. No one called me an enthusiast then; and when I see eternal destruction ready to fall on poor sinners, and to entomb them irrecoverably in an eternal mass of woe, and call aloud to them to escape, shall I be called an enthusiast now? No! sinner. I am no enthusiast in so doing; AND I CALL ON THEE ALOUD TO FLY FOR REFUGE TO THE HOPE SET BEFORE THEE IN THE G OSPEL OF JESUS CIIRIST.”

“He that believeth on the Son bath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3: 36.

Haste! haste! haste !

Delay not from wrath to flee;

Oh, wherefore the moments in madness

waste

When Jesus is calling for thee.

ML 10/11/1903

The Story

Here in this beautiful picture

Dear little Alice we see,

‘Tending the children for mother

While she is busy at tea.

Sewing a doll dress for Mary,

Dainty with tucking and frill,

Telling a story to Baby,

Sitting so quiet and still.

Off on her stool in the corner,

Holding her doll on her knee,

There sits the third little sister,

Listening as hard as can be.

What is this beautiful story,

Alice is telling so well?

Oh! ‘tis tale full of glory

Holding the heart in its spell.

For ‘tis the tale of the Saviour

Dying on Calvary’s tree,

Paying the debt of the sinner,

That you and I might go free.

How He keeps watch o’er the children,

Looks on the world from above,

Leads His redeemed ones to heaven,

Where they may rest in His love.

Could any story be sweeter,

Or one even half so sweet

As the one this little sister

Loves o’er and o’er to repeat?

Precious to her is the Saviour,

Who on the cross shed His blood

For His dear sake, she is tender,

Kind to her sister and good.

Letting the light shine for Jesus,

Living for Him day by day,

Feeling His aid and His presence

Guiding each step of the way.

Children, have you heard the story?

Are you washed whiter than snow?

Tell of the Lord and His glory,

Tell it wherever you go.

Live every day for the Saviour,

Show forth His grace and His love,

Shining for Him ever brighter,

Until you meet Him above.

ML 10/18/1903

Landmarks on the Stream of Time.

Cyprian.

CYPRIAN was a professor of oratory in the city of Carthage, and a man of wealth, quality and dignity, fond of arguing with the Christians. Caecilius, one of them, a presbyter, had the happiness of leading him to Christ. This was about the year 246, about 44 years after the death of Irenaeus. He died a martyr, thirteen years later. In that short time he accomplished a great deal. From his conversion he manifested simple faith and true love. He saw with pity the poor of the flock, and sold whole estates for their benefit.

In a letter to his friend Donatus, he thus speaks of his conversion:—”When I lay in darkness and the night of paganism, . . . ignorant of my own life, and alienated from light and truth, it appeared to me a harsh and difficult thing, as my manners then were, to obtain what divine grace has promised,—namely, that a man should be born again; and that, being animated to a new life, he should strip himself of what he was before, and though the body remained the same, he should in his mind become altogether a new creature. How can so great a change be possible, said I, that a man should suddenly and at once put off what nature and habit have confirmed in him? These evils are deeply and closely fixed in us. . . He must still, thought I, be infested by tenacious allurements. Drunkenness, pride, anger, rapacity, cruelty, ambition and lust must still domineer over him.

“These reflections engaged my life very often, for they were peculiarly applicable to my own case. I was myself entangled in many errors of my former life, from which I did not think it possible to be cleared; hence I favored my vices, and through despair of what was better, I stuck doge to them as part of my very frame and constitution. But after the filth of my former sins was washed away in the laver of regeneration . . . . after the new birth, had made me a new creature indeed, immediately and in an amazing manner, dubious things began to be cleared up; things once shut were opened; dark things shone forth and what before seemed difficult and even impossible, now appeared easy and practicable. . . . Thus deliverance from sin is the consequence of sound faith . . . only let fear be the guardian of innocence, that the Lord may be detained as our guest by the steady obedience of the soul which delights in Him, lest pardon received should beget a careless presumption, and the old enemy break in afresh.

“But if you keep the road of innocence and of righteousness; if you walk with footsteps that do not slide; if depending upon God with all your heart and with all your might, you be only what you have begun to be, you will then find that according to the proportion of faith, so will your attainments and your enjoyments be. For no bound or measure can be assigned to the reception of divine grace, as in the case of earthly benefits. The Holy Spirit is poured forth copiously; is confined by no limits; is restrained by no barriers; He flows perpetually; He bestows in rich abundance. Let our hearts only thirst and be open to receive Him. As much of capacious faith as we bring, so much abounding grace do we draw from Him, Hence as ability is given, with sober chastity, uprightness of mind, and purity of language, to heal the sick, to extinguish the force of poison, to cleanse the filth of distempered minds, to speak peace to the hostile, to give tranquility to the violent and gentleness to the fierce, to compel by menaces unclean and wandering spirits to quit their hold of men, to scourge and control the foe, and by torments to bring him to confess what he is. Thus in what we have already begun to be, our new spiritual nature, which is entirely the gift of God, triumphs in its freedom from the bondage of sin and Satan; though, till our corruptible body and members be changed, the prospect, as yet carnal, is obscured by the clouds of worldly objects. What a faculty! What an energy is this! That the soul should not only be emancipated from slavery, and be made free and pure, but also stronger and more efficient, so as to become victorious and triumphant over the powers of the enemy!”

We trust the young reader will carefully note this testimony to the new birth. By it we receive a nature which partakes of the nature of God Himself: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” And its consequences were clearly seen in Cyprian. From pride and prodigality, he turned to humility and liberality. It is interesting also, to observe that the power of healing diseases and casting out demons was still with the servants of Jesus.

ML 10/18/1903

Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem.

Matt. 23:37-39.

JESUS had pronounced woe after woe upon the scribes and Pharisees because of their hypocrisy and wickedness. These wicked men were the men who ruled in Jerusalem, and that highly favored city, the city of the great King, was full of wickedness. It was ripe for judgment. Jesus, the great King, despised and rejected; exclaimed in sorrowful lamentation, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, ye shall not see Me henceforth till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

What tender grace and loving compassion in these words of Jesus! He would have gathered them, but they would not be gathered. “I would,” but “ye would not.” All His gracious love was refused. They rejected Him, and now He rejects them. Sorrowfully, yet solemnly, He has to say to them, “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” He would have filled that house with glory, but all was refused and sadly He turned away, telling them they should not henceforth see Him, until they said “Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

Only a little while before this, when about to make His last entrance into the city, as He was descending the Mt. of Olives, and drew near, His compassions lingered over the doomed city. “He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong to thy peace, but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Blinded by hypocritical self-righteousness and pride, they could not see. The Center of all the glory, the Prince of peace was there, but they knew not the things which belonged to their peace.

His prophetic, omniscient eye foresaw that guilty city’s terrible doom, and He did not withhold the sorrowful tidings, “For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee ; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another, because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.”

Oh! what a sorrowful vision for that heart of loving compassion to behold. Yet how truly it was all fulfilled. Every word came true, when the Roman armies surrounded the city, and accomplished its complete destruction and de’ solation.

And now, O sinner, is there no word of warning in all this for you? Was not the fulfillment of those solemn words of judgment a pledge of the fulfillment of a more fearful judgment, yet future? Jesus foretold that judgment and it was fulfilled to the very letter. And He has foretold a judgment that awaits all the ungodly, all who despise the gospel. That judgment will surely come to pass. Sinners, it will overtake you, unless you repent and believe in Jesus. Jesus wept over Jerusalem; Jesus passed through a sea of woe on the cross for sinners; Jesus had tears for you, O sinner: have you no tears for Jesus? No tears of repentance? No tears because your sins nailed Him to that cruel cross? Oh! pause a moment in your course. Is He not even now saying to you, “I would but ye would not.” Why will you die in your sins, when Jesus is waiting to save you? His compassions linger. Take heed lest He turn away, as He did from Jerusalem, and leave you to the desolation of coming judgment.

Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart. Repent, believe and live.

ML 10/18/1903

The Last Opportunity.

At the close of a gospel preaching a servant of the Lord said to two young men who had been present: “I should like to pray with you before you leave.” They were both utterly indifferent as to what they had been hearing, but consented at last to kneel down, and while an earnest, heartfelt prayer went up to God for their soul’s salvation, they were both strangely moved. One felt, as he afterwards expressed it, as though a voice said in his ear “If you are not saved tonight you never will be.” He trembled at the thought of where his sins would land him one day if not saved, and before he arose from his knees, by God’s grace, he had come as a lost and guilty sinner to One who was ready and willing to save him. His friend said nothing as to his own feelings, and very little in reply to what the other had to tell him, and so they parted.

A few weeks passed by, weeks of happiness for that newly converted soul, for he was daily learning more about the wonderful Person who had saved him—when one evening be received a hasty summons to go and see his friend, who had been taken dangerously ill. As he entered the room, the young man stretched out his hand and said: “Harry, do you remember that gospel preaching we heard and the prayer afterwards? During that prayer something seemed to tell me that it was my last chance, but I was determined not to give in and become religious. I put it from me, and tried to forget all about it, and I succeeded. But, oh I now I see it was my last chance. I am dying, and I am LOST!”

Reader, if you are still unloved, remember that for one and all there comes a LAST time or hearing the gospel. How important it is then that you should delay no longer, but come to Christ Now.

“There is a time, we know not when;

A point, we know not where;

That marks the destiny of men,

For glory or despair.”

“Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace; thereby good shall come -unto thee.” Job 22:21.

ML 10/18/1903

Feeding Her Pets.

SEE how many pets little Winnie has. She is just feeding them. Rover and Tabby are watching Bunny take his dinner from the dish in her hand. The birds are flying over to a place where they can see and play with Winnie and her little pets. She leaves the cage door open and the birds know that she wants them to come out.

Will Tabby try to catch and kill the birds when Winnie is not watching them? Will Rover run after the timid little rabbit and frighten him? Will Rover and Tabby fight about the food Winnie gives them to eat? Oh, no! they all love her so much, they would not do anything that makes her sad.

There is some One who loves us with a greater love than the love Winnie has for her pets. It is God, and we read in His word that “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. Then how much we should love Him. Do we think about this great love and try each day to do that which is pleasing to Him? In this way we can show the love that is in our heart for God; as Winnie’s pets showed their love by doing that which they knew would please her.

ML 10/25/1903

The Name of Jesus.

A WEALTHY nobleman, in his last illness, asked a preacher of the gospel to come and visit him, and on his arrival spoke to him somewhat as follows:

“I feel very ill and fear I am going to die. Now I want you to talk with me on religious subjects; but, in order to spare you any unnecessary trouble, I tell you plainly that I wish to hear nothing of Jesus Christ.”

“Well,” said the preacher, “it is a good thing that you have told me this at once, for otherwise He would have been the chief theme of my conversation; however, there are plenty of other topics, and to make a start may I ask if it will please you if I speak of God?”

“Oh, certainly!” answered the sick man. “I shall very willingly listen to all that you may tell me about God, for I respect and reverence such a great and mighty Being.”

“So far we agree then,” said the preacher as he took his seat by the invalid, and he began to tell of the love of God in such a feeling and yet soothing way that the sick man pressed his hand as he was leaving, and begged him to come again soon.

At the second visit the nobleman received him warmly, and asked with great interest what new topic he would discuss with him, adding, “I assure you, my dear friend, I was greatly pleased with your last visit.”

This time the preacher enlarged, according to the invalid’s wish, on the wisdom, omnipotence, and omniscience of God, but said nothing to arouse any painful or unpleasant feelings in his listener.

At the third visit the preacher dwelt on the spotless holiness of God, showing clearly thereby that such a pure and holy Being must exclude all from His presence that is not suited to it.

At the fourth visit he spoke of the unbending righteousness of God, and quoted Romans 1:18; “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.”

At this point the sick man began to tremble, and, no longer able to remain quiet, he cried out in anguish and despair, “Stay, I pray you; that is more than I can bear, for if the Almighty is really so holy and just as you describe Him, then I am lost!”

The preacher gave no answer, but rose up, and, bowing gravely and respectfully, disappeared.

One day after another came and went, but no preacher appeared.

At last a messenger from the Count knocked at his door, and begged him to come at once to his master; and as he entered the Count’s room he was received with these words:

“Oh, my friend, why have you left me so long? My mind is in a maze of doubt and fear; it is almost as if I were already in hell, or as if hell were in me. For pity’s sake tell me something, if you can, to relieve me, and give me the peace of mind of which your conversation has robbed me.”

“It grieves me, my lord,” replied the preacher, “not to be able to withdraw one word that I have said, but I must repeat that God is certainly gracious and merciful, but also a holy and righteous Being who must punish the guilty, and though I should delight to tell you many beautiful and comforting truths, yet, as you are not willing to hear them, I must leave you in doubt and misery; and so, though my heart bleeds for you, I can do nothing further, as you have yourself forbidden me to give you the only true comfort.”

“Oh, no, no!” cried the dying man in real soul-agony; “tell me what will help me, be it what it may; tell me if you know of a way of salvation still open for me.”

“Certainly, I know of one,” said the preacher; “but then you must allow me to speak of Jesus Christ.”

“Well, well,” cried the dying man, “say what you like, but show me the door by which I may escape from this ever-nearing hell.”

And now for the first time this true servant of God took his Testament from his pocket and read to the trembling man, of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood alone cleanses from all sin, and who fits the guilty sinner who trusts in Him to be in the presence of God.

He spoke more and more earnestly of Him, whom the nobleman had, till then, rejected and despised, as the One to whom he must go with all his sins, on whom he must cast himself in faith, and through whom he might have full and free forgiveness, and find joy and peace for his anxious soul.

“Just for such sinners as you,” continued the servant of God, “did the Lord Jesus leave the throne of His glory and walk through this world as a Man amongst men; for such sinners did He shed His precious blood upon the cross and pay the ransom price for all who believe on His name.”

These words fell like heavenly seed into prepared ground. The sick man received them joyfully. He grasped the truth that the righteousness of God has been fully satisfied, and that now He can receive all who come to Him through Christ; and soon after he passed away praising God for His mercy and grace to him.

Has this a voice to you, my reader? Many all around us are making light of the atonement, and speaking of the mercy of God apart from Christ. His mercy is full and free, but He is holy, spotless, and pure, and no sinner can stand before Him unless he is washed in the precious blood of Christ.

“There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

Is His name precious to you? Or are you trusting to be saved in some other way than simply trusting by faith in the finished work of Christ? God is only known in Christ, therefore do not think that you know Him if you are rejecting the One who came to reveal Him. “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” 2 Cor. 5:19.

“Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father.” 1 John 2:23.

ML 10/25/1903

Diamond Cannot Satisfy.

MILLICENT WARD was the only daughter of moderately rich parents, but she moved in a circle of extremely wealthy people, and often she longed for what many of the girls of her acquaintance possessed.

I remember once she said to me, “I should be perfectly happy if I could have a diamond necklace, with one row of stones even.”

Having a treasure myself far surpassing millions of diamonds, I replied, “I think your heart is too large to be satisfied so. I have found that ‘none but Christ can satisfy.’ But He can, for I have never had a diamond in my life, and do not expect ever to possess one, and yet I am happy, having Christ as my Saviour and Friend.”

“Oh, my dear,” was the reply, “that is all very well for old people, but not for us girls; I wants some diamonds, and I mean to get them if I possibly can, and then we shall see who is happier.”

Not long after, Millicent married a rich man, and she soon had what she desired—a diamond necklace, and a title into the bargain.

One day I called to see her in her lovely new home, and in course of conversation she said, “I have my diamonds.”

“Oh,” I replied, “and are you satisfied?”

“No,” she said. “I was till last night, but then I saw a great friend of mine with two rows, and I feel I must have two also.” Then, evidently remembering our little talk together, she added, “Now, do not say anything more, for I shall soon get two rows, and then shall really be satisfied.”

Again I said a few words about where true satisfaction could alone be found, but they fell on ground choked with the pleasures of the world.

Poor Millicent never got her two rows of diamonds, for, after a very short time of married life, her husband died, leaving her, to her great surprise, only a moderate income.

She is still unsatisfied, and shows it by constantly seeking for happiness where it never can be found—at earth’s broken cisterns.

She is thirsty still, because she has not come to the One who said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto He and drink.”

Every heart wants an object, and many a one cries in its longing as death snatches its dearest and best away, “Oh tell me of something that death cannot touch.” The Lord Jesus Christ is on the other side of death, and He says, “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.” We can never rest till we are satisfied, so He satisfies and gives rest.

Is anything keeping Christ out of your heart, dear young friend?

It may not be diamonds, but it may be something quite as worthless—for worthless they are in comparison with Him, and He who made them said,

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36.

Are you going to lose your soul for the sake of getting pleasure, or wealth, or ornaments? They are Satan’s snare for the young especially. Do not be caught by them, but rather think of the attractions of Him who gave His life a ransom for all.

He has blessing for you if you will accept Him. He invites you to come to Him now, but soon the door will he shut, and all who have spurned His love and preferred the pleasures of this world, will forever be shut out from His presence.

Oh! be warned before it is too late.

ML 10/25/1903

Protection.

When the summer days are over

And the winds of autumn blow,

When the frost has nipped the clover

And the ground is white with snow,

Tell me, children, how the birdies

Find their food and keep so warm:

Tell me how they keep from starving

And from freezing in the storm.

Tell me what the bees, so busy,

Find to make the honey sweet,

When the flowers have all been covered

By the blinding snow and sleet.

Up in heav’n a loving Father

Watches o’er these creatures small,

And without His careful notice

Not one sparrow e’er can fall.

He has taught the bees to wisely

Store up honey in their hive,

So through all the long cold winter

They have food on which to thrive.

And for cold and stormy weather,

To the birds He loves to give

Warmer coats of down and feathers

And the food whereby they live,

Thus, dear children, God is able

Both in sunshine and in storm

To protect the little creatures—

Ever keep them safe and warm.

How much more His own dear children

For whose sins the Saviour died,

Can at all times find protection

At His precious, loving side.

ML 10/25/1903

Answers to Questions of Sept 6.

1. “One another.” 1 Peter 1:22

2. “Not rendering evil,” etc. 1 3:9

3.“This is My Beloved Son,” etc. 2 1:17

4.“Humble yourselves,” etc. 1 5:6

5.“Every man.” 1 3:15

6.“This is acceptable with God.” 1 2:20

7.“Refrain his tongue from evil.” 1 3:10

8.“Exceeding great,” etc. 2 1:4

9.“Every ordinance of man.” 1 2:13

“ON THE TREE.” 1 2:24

Bible Questions for November.

The answers are to be found in Jude and Revelation, and the first letter of each answer will spell who are to see the One who cometh with clouds.

1.What gospel is to be preached to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people?

2.Supply the word that is omitted in this part of the verse, “and there were lightnings, . . . and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.”

3. What church had left its first love?

4.Give one thing that the Lamb who was slain is worthy to receive.

5.Give the words following these, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”

6.What are we told to do with the faith which was once delivered unto saints?

7.To whom was it said, “Peace and love be multiplied”?

8.Who prophesied that the Lord would come with ten thousands of His saints to execute judgment?

ML 11/01/1903

Jesus Prophesying.

Matt. 24.

Destruction of the Temple.

THE Temple at Jerusalem was a building of wonderful grandeur and magnificence. And, no doubt, the disciples of Jesus had great admiration for it. But the Jews had sinned greatly, and to all their other sins they had added the terrible, sin of rejecting Jesus Christ their King. Jesus had just declared the doom of Jerusalem, and turned His back upon the temple, saying to the Jews, “Behold your house is left unto you desolate,” when the disciples came to, show. Him the wonderful buildings of this great house. But when Jesus, the glory of that temple, was rejected, and had left the house desolate, its glory was departed; and so He said to them: “See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, there shall not be one stone left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

These words, too, would be the fulfilment of what had long before been foretold. When the Lord appeared to Solomon after the building and dedication of the temple at the first, He told Him, that if the people departed from Jehovah to follow after other gods, He would cut off Israel out of the land which He had given them, adding, “And this house which I have hallowed for My name, will I cast out of My sight.” Micah also prophesied, “Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.”

Thus the prophecy of Jesus was but the confirmation of what had been declared 750 and 1,000 years before.

About forty-four years later, on the 9th of August, A. D. 70, the Lord’s words were fulfilled. The temple was completely destroyed by the Roman armies; and a Mohammedan mosque now stands in the place where the temple had been. The time will come when this, too, will be destroyed; and when the Lord brings back His scattered people, the Jews, to their own land, their glorious temple will be rebuilt, according to the prophecy of Ezekiel (Chapters 40-47), and again the glory of the Lord will fill it. This will be when Jesus comes again, and when the Jews, having repented of their sin in rejecting Him, will say, “Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

That will indeed be a glorious day for the poor Jews, who have been so long scattered among all nations because of their sin. Through the very blood which they shed, when they killed Jesus, God will wash away their sins, and will give them to rejoice greatly in His wonderful grace toward them.

Dear young reader, may it be yours to believe in Jesus now, and to have all your sins washed away in His precious blood. Then you can pray for the poor outcast Jews, who have neither country, nor temple, nor home.

ML 11/01/1903

The Story of Sei Chan.

THE subject of our story was a dear child of God. He went to be with the Lord eight years ago. His parents did not know the true God, and the father was a zealous idol worshipper. He had a large idol placed in his house. There lived an old Christian woman just opposite Sei-chan. In the same house with this old Christian lived two or three other Christians. Sei-chan having often gone to see this old sister in Christ, heard the story of the Lord Jesus, and, believing, learned to sing hymns of praise to his new-found Saviour. He used to say,— “When the Lord comes, I will, with my aunt, sister and uncles go to be with Him, but my poor father and mother, as they worship idols, they cannot go to heaven”. Thus he waited for the Lord’s coming. He attended the children’s meetings. A brother who used to teach the children once said,— “Sei-chan, understands the Scriptures very well.” Every night before he went to sleep Sei-chan prayed in a low voice. One night, after his prayer was finished, his mother asked him,— “What were you saying just now?” “I said”, answered Sei-chan, “O Lord, now I am going to sleep, take care of me”, and then continuing to speak to his mother, he said, “My aunty has taught me to pray”. But his mother answered, “What, you pray!” speaking in derision for she considered her child’s prayer only affectation.

Thus while the idolatrous worship of the parents went on, Sei-chan alone believed in the Lord Jesus. He was often scolded on account of his faith: his father had frequently sought to persuade him to worship idols, nevertheless Sei-chan courageously refused to do it. One summer Sei-chan was taken ill with croup: He was not quite eight years old. The parents sought help from their physician and from their idols, but all to no purpose. At the beginning of his illness, the parent thought the right thing to do was to put Seichan’s bed right in front of the box containing the idol, but Sei-chan would not submit to this and the father did not insist, and so he lay just under the window opposite the old sister’s house where he had heard the gospel. The parents being greatly deceived by the Buddhist teachings, sought to compel their son to drink some filthy water which had been offered to the idol, or another abominable mixture of an excrement and water, saying to him, — “Unless you drink this you will surely die”. But Sei-chan shook his head. They insisted, “Drink it! drink it!” but the boy closing his teeth together refused to take the devilish concoction. After two or three days while his father was outside beseeching the idol for his son’s immediate recovery, at the time when the sun was setting in the west, Sei-chan’s spirit calmly left the body and went to be with the Lord. One day a little while after his death, his mother said to the dear old Christian woman living opposite,— “My Sei-bo was a true Christian, after a while I’ll believe the God of Sei bo” (“Sei-bo” is the pet name for Seichan). Sad to say, however, she did not believe on Him, notwithstanding her knowledge of the Saviour. The parents buried their Sei-chan according to the Buddhist ceremony, but his soul is with the Lord, and he is very happy now. Among many, many believers whom we shall see in the Lord’s presence when we are caught up to meet our Saviour, this dear Seichan will be among the number. Dear reader, though you are yet young, you do not know when death will come. Will you fall asleep with a peaceful heart as Sei-chan did? or are you one of those who have no peace, like Sei-chan’s father? If you believe in Christ you will have no fear. “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord: and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” Rom. 14:7, 8.

ML 11/01/1903

"Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out."

CAN you imagine away over in Germany a cluster of high hills and bluffs with a valley winding in and out amongst them and in this valley a stream murmuring over its rocky bed? Our picture reminds one of such a spot.

A few evenings ago as I was passing a neighboring house, the family were sitting out in the yard. One little girl had in her hands a young blue-jay which was crying and struggling to get away. Perhaps it had fallen out of the nest, for the little girl was talking about putting it up in the tree.

The boy in the picture has the young birds, nest and all, which he has taken from some sheltered hiding place in amongst the rocks or the branches of the trees.

It is very cruel to disturb the nest home of the little birds. The old bird feels very badly when she loses the young birds, and they starve to death without the mother bird to feed them.

How would you feel, children, if someone took you away off from your parents and let you starve to death? How would your dear papa and mamma feel?

The children here have guilty faces. Their expressions do not indicate self-justification or self-defense, for they know that the old man’s words of rebuke are true. They know they deserve punishment. Not expecting any one to come along, perhaps they thought their naughtiness would never be found out. But God says,

“Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23.

Some of the naughty things you do may never be found out by your friends here. But do you think you can hide anything from God? Every one of you has sinned and does sin. And do not deceive yourselves by thinking God does not know all about it. You cannot bide your sins from His all-seeing eye.

Since those sins must be punished, your only way of escape is through God’s mercy. He does not want you to suffer for your sins, because He loves you so much that He gave His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for you. If you will believe on that blessed Saviour your sins will be forgiven.

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

ML 11/01/1903

Trust.

LITTLE Charlie is happy, for he likes to be out in the rain. He also likes to carry an umbrella just as larger people do.

I think Charlie’s mamma left him in the garden with the nurse, while she went to the store. See, he has picked some of the flowers and put them on his hat.

He soon got tired of the garden, for little boys and girls do not like to play in one place very long. He went to the house and found no one there. It soon began to rain. There was an umbrella in the hall, so he took it and went to meet his mamma.

When the nurse saw that it was raining she left the garden and went to look for Charlie. There he was going down the road carrying an umbrella much larger than himself.

Do you think he will get wet? No, the umbrella is a good one and he is safe as long as he keeps it over his head. He believes the umbrella will keep him from getting wet, so he is happy.

When are we safe and happy in this world? Can any of the little readers tell? Only when we trust in the Lord, as little Charlie trusted in the umbrella to keep him dry.

“The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25.

True happiness comes when we have this feeling of safety in the Lord.

“Happy they who trust in Jesus;

Sweet their portion is and sure,

When the foe on others seizes

He will keep His own secure,

Happy people:

Happy though despised and poor.”

ML 11/08/1903

A Soldier's Choice.

Marinus was a nobleman of the city of Caesarea in Palestine, and an officer in the Roman army. Whether he had fought many battles or not history does not record; but he was a true and brave soldier, and faithful in his allegiance to his emperor.

Now it came to pass that a certain honorable and much-desired office in Caesarea fell vacant, and according to the ordinary rule of promotion in the Roman army, Marinus was the man to whom it should, by right, be given. The governor of the city was, therefore, about to appoint him to it, when another officer stood forward and objected. This man was the one who would, in due course, succeed to the place next after Marinus, but he laid claim to it at once. “For,” said he, “Marinus cannot lawfully hold such an office, because he worships not the gods of the Romans.”

When the governor heard this he was much disturbed, and sending for Marinus, he questioned him as to whether this report was true. And Marin confessed that it was; he did not worship the heathen gods. “For”, said be, “I am a Christian.”

Then the governor waxed very wroth, and said that no Christian could hold any office in the Roman State; nay, more, no Christian had any right to live under the Roman laws. Therefore he gave Marinus his choice—either would he deny the faith of Christ, offer sacrifice to Jupiter, and receive the appointment? or would he remain a Christian, and die by the headsman’s sword?

He should have three hours to decide. Three hours! And the question was life or death!

Yes, Marinus, but life that leads to eternal death, or death that leads to eternal life.

Yet the soldier hesitated, for life looked very bright before him, rich with many hopes; and it was hard, in the midst of health and strength, to lay it down deliberately at three hours’ notice. Was it worthwhile to be a Christian at such a cost?

But as he stood alone considering, the door of his room opened, and an old man entered. He was the bishop of the Church of God in Caesarea. He had heard of the governor’s order, and he had come to help Marinus.

He took him by the hand, and led him to the place where the Christians were wont to meet, for worship, and there he placed before him two things—a sword and a book—and bade him choose which he would have. The book was the New Testament.

And Marinus looked. The sword reminded him of many things which he had hitherto valued very highly—of earthly honor and glory, and power and authority. But the book made him think of One who had left the glory of heaven, and laid aside His power, had been obedient, even unto death, and had endured the shame of the cross. It made him think of the Son of God, who had loved him, even him, Marinus, and had given Himself for him, and who was, as it were, saying to him now, “Marinus, wilt thou follow Me?”

Then the soldier hesitated no longer, for what are earthly honors and glories, what is life itself, even at its best, compared with the love of Jesus? So Marinus left the sword, and chose the book.

He presented himself before the governor at the end of the three hours, and told him that he would still be a Christian; and forthwith, without further delay, he was led forth to the place of execution.

Thus Marinus, the soldier, had his place among the noble army of martyrs, and passed that day into the presence of Christ, who has said, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

And a very wealthy and noble senator of Rome; who had witnessed the constancy and death of the martyr, took up his dead body, and wrapping it in a rich garment, himself bore it away, and buried it with honor.

ML 11/08/1903

The Golden Calf.

MOSES seems to have been joined by Joshua, when coming down the mount with the tables of stone in his hand. As they descended the mountain side together Joshua heard the people shouting. He said to Moses, “There is a noise of war in the camp.” Moses said, “It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the voice of them that sing do I hear.”

Alas! alas! it was all too true. When they came near to the camp they saw the people dancing about a calf that Aaron had made. They had got tired waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain and had asked Aaron to make them gods to go before them; “for”, said they, “as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.” Oh, how soon they had forgotten the living God who had brought such great deliverance to them! how soon their hearts turned back to dumb idols of which they had been worshippers but a short time before! The first commandment God had given them was “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me,” and already it was broken, and that by the people who had quickly answered, “All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.” But such is man! His heart is evil, and the grace of God alone can keep him; and these people were strangers to this grace.

When they asked Aaron to make them gods, he told them to break off their golden earrings which were in their ears and bring them to him. When they did this he cast these golden ornaments into the fire and melted them into the image of a calf; when it came out of the fire he took a graving tool and fashioned it. Then they said, “These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.”

Could anything be sadder than such a departure as this? Do some of my young readers say, I would never do such a thing! Be careful! You do not know your own heart. With what pride some of you may have looked upon a bracelet on your arm, or a ring on your finger! May not even such a trifle as this come in to displace God in your heart? and if not this, are there not many other things? You would not bow down to a golden calf. But are you in no danger? “Little children keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21.)

Do you wonder that Moses was exceedingly angry when he saw the calf, and the people dancing about it? Do you wonder that he cast down the tables of stone and broke them beneath the mount, when the people had thus shamefully disowned the God who had written for them, with His own finger, upon the tables? Or can we wonder that the hot displeasure of the Lord was such as to make Moses afraid; for in His great anger He was ready to destroy Aaron, and to blot out from under heaven the name of the people whom He had chosen to be His own, peculiar people. Well may our hearts sadden at the thought of such dishonor done to the Lord; and well may each of His own inquire, Am I allowing an idol: in my heart? Is there anything permitted there that has a place before Him?

Moses, in the heat of his anger, took the calf they had made, which he called their “sin,” and burnt it in the fire. then stamped it, and ground it to powder, then strewed it upon the water and made the children of Israel drink of it. That would be for them a bitter draught; but so it turns; if we depart from God, or allow things to displace Him in our heart, we will have sorrow to reap.

When Moses saw that the people in their revelings had, to their dreadful shame, made themselves naked, be stood in the gate of the camp and called for those who were on the Lord’s side to come to him, and when the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him, he told them to gird on their swords and go in and out from gate to gate through the camp and kill every man his brother, his companion, and his neighbor. The children of Levi did as Moses commanded them, and there were about three thousand men slain that day.

Sentence against an evil work is not always executed speedily, but sometimes, as in this case, swift judgment descends upon the erring ones.

ML 11/08/1903

Be Warned in Time.

A FEW weeks ago we had, in our little paper, a picture of an elephant, and some incidents given to show his sagacity and his kindness. I wish to add another incident, showing the sagacity of this huge, homely creature that looks as if he had not more than enough intelligence to know how to walk. Then we will try to draw a little lesson from the incident.

Not many days ago, in the city of D—., an elephant was being transferred to one of the parks. As his keeper was taking him through the streets he saw, a little distance off, a milk man, with his wagon full of milk and cream, driving toward him. He called to the man not to come near, but he replied that he wanted to see the elephant and he continued to drive towards it. It was not long until the elephant smelt the milk, and hastening up to the wagon, be soon pierced its sides with his strong tusks, then with his trunk lifted the lid from one of the cans, and in a very few minutes emptied it of its contents. By this time the driver, who was thoroughly frightened, was whipping up his horses and trying to get away from the elephant that he had been so anxious to see. But Mr. Elephant had no notion of losing a dinner that was so much to his liking, and trotting along beside the hurrying wagon, he adroitly twisted his trunk about can after can, and jerked them out one by one, until all were on the ground. Then he made his dinner on the milk and cream that had not been spilled. In this way forty-five gallons were soon disposed of, greatly to the dismay of the poor milkman. He had had timely warning, but he did not heed it; and because of this he not only had a great fright, but he lost many dollars’ worth of milk and cream.

Do my little readers see the lesson to be gathered from this little story? I doubt not you do. Then heed the warnings that may be given you. You may not see the danger any more than the milkman saw his danger, but it is there. Some have gone to an untimely grave because they did not heed a timely warning. But there is something worse than an untimely death—a yawning lake of fire, a death that never comes to an end, for those who will not be warned of the judgments to come.

Dear unsaved reader, flee now to the place of safety ere it be forever too late —to Christ the only refuge from the coming wrath!

The milkman was foolish not to heed the warning given; do not let a worse folly be yours, only to suffer in endless woe the awful consequences that must come upon you, if you do not heed the warnings of God’s word.

ML 11/08/1903

Divine Help.

CHRISTIAN woman was recently called upon to undergo an operation which was not serious, but which was likely to be quite painful.

After it was over, surprised at the little pain, she remarked, “I asked the Lord to help me.”

God is able to help us and to give us strength and courage for the trials and sufferings that we have. If we have faith in Him, they will be much easier to endure.

ML 11/08/1903

Unfaithful Mary.

LET us see how many things Mary is trying to do. She is knitting, reading, rocking the baby and cooking the dinner. Which do you think she is doing best? I fear she is doing more reading than anything else. She does not seem to know that Fido has loosened his rope and has awakened and frightened her little brother, I think she must hear the baby cry; but does not know what is the matter. Does she know that the food she is cooking for dinner is boiling over? Does she know how untidy the room looks? Look at the things on the floor!

I am afraid she is thinking only of the story she is reading and will have a sad time, when her mother and father come home to dinner. She is happy now. See how she is smiling over the story.

Do you know that we are like Mary in many ways? First of all we often do not do our work in the very best way that we can. What does God tell us about this? “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” Eccl. 9:10.

Again we like very much to please ourselves, as we see Mary doing. She can leave her work undone and think only of the reading: because she likes it so much. We do more of that which we like than of that which is pleasing to God. We are told that “even Christ pleased not Himself.” Romans 25:3. Then if we follow Jesus, will we try to please ourselves? No, we will try only to please Him who has done so much for us.

There is a lesson here for the sinner. Is there a little boy or girl reading these words who has not yet believed in Jesus and had his sins washed away? If there is one, you are like Mary going on in your own way, enjoying the things of the present time, not thinking that you must give an account to God and be punished for your sins; as Mary will be punished by her mother for neglecting her duties. Believe in Jesus now. Do not wait until it is too late, for God says: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

ML 11/15/1903

Justified by Works.

THE following anecdote was related recently at a gospel meeting in order to explain the question asked in James 2:21: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?”

A young man came to London from the country, and was converted. He received peace to his soul through reading Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”

After his conversion, his thoughts returned to his native village, and he recalled with regret some of the misdeeds of his boyhood. He remembered how on one occasion he had defrauded an old lady by passing a bad penny, and that he had successfully played a similar trick upon the village postman. What would his former companions say, he thought, when he declared that he was now a Christian? They would remember these things. He obtained six stamps, Sand forwarded three to the old lady, and three to the postman. The lady, who was a Christian, was much surprised and pleased to receive the letter, and would indeed have been glad to have it, even without the enclosure, as it contained the news of the writer’s conversion. But the action was the fruit of the new life which he had received from God, and he wished to prove to his former friends that he was truly converted. He gave evidence of the faith which he had, even as Abraham long ago had done. Abraham’s faith had been counted to him for righteousness, and he proved that he had faith in God by his willingness to give up his son Isaac in obedience to God’s command.

ML 11/15/1903

Resurrection of the Righteous.

SCRIPTURE tells us that there are to be two resurrections—a resurrection of the lust, and a resurrection of the unjust. In this article I want to speak to you about the resurrection of the just, or the righteous.

This resurrection will take place when Jesus comes to take away His saints who are living on the earth. This may take place any day; we do not know how soon. But I want you to notice that when Jesus comes to take away His living saints, He will not leave the dead saints behind. We are told in 1 Thess. 4, that He will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. It will not be the living saints only who will hear that shout of the. Lord Jesus. All the dead saints will hear it, and will come forth from their graves.

Perhaps you remember when Lazarus was dead, Jesus called to him with a loud voice, “Lazarus come forth.” You or I could not make a dead man hear us; but Lazarus heard the voice of Jesus. Jesus had power to make him hear. And Lazarus came forth from the sepulcher. So also there is a day coming when the voice of Jesus will be heard in every grave. He will descend from heaven into the air with a shout. He will call to His dead saints, and they will hear, and will all come forth from their graves.

What a wonderful throng of people that will be! All the people of God who have died will be there. Abel, and Enoch, and Noah, and all the believers of their day, will be there. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be there. Moses, and Joshua, and Caleb, will be there. Samuel, and all the prophets, and all the people of ancient days, who feared God, and believed His word, will be there. The apostles and saints of the New Testament will be there, and all the millions who have died in faith since Christianity began. Thousands who have died as martyrs will be there—men whose bodies have been burnt to ashes at the stake, and men who have been eaten by wild beasts—all, all will be there. God has watched over their precious dust, and by His power their bodies will be formed again in resurrection.

Notice too, that this will be a resurrection from the dead. It will not only be a resurrection of dead people, but a resurrection from among dead people. The bad and the good lie side by side in the graves now, but at the resurrection of the righteous, a separation will take place. The righteous dead will be brought out from among the wicked dead, when the shout of Jesus is heard. They will come forth from their graves, as Lazarus did, and will leave the wicked behind, to be raised a thousand years later. So the resurrection of the righteous is called the resurrection from among the dead. See Mark 9:9, 10; Luke 20:35.

In the world the righteous and the wicked live on together; and when they die, their bodies may lie side by side; but after the righteous are raised, the two classes will never be together again. Even now God would have His people separate in spirit, and in their ways, from the wicked.

I trust, dear reader, you are a believer. And if you are, I know that if you die, you will be in the resurrection of the just.

In our next we hope to tell you something more about the condition of the righteous after they are raised.

ML 11/15/1903

Fortitude.

A FEW years ago there was a freshet in the State of Iowa which carried much destruction with it. While the waters were still rising, a bridge near the city of C—. was washed out just as a train of cars passed on it, and passengers, cars and bridge were dashed into the surging waters below.

The engineer of the train was thrown into the river near the shore. He could soon have made his escape, but his arm was caught between portions of the broken bridge, and held as in a vice. The waters were rising rapidly and he must soon be submerged, if he could not be released from this dire situation. He called to a man not far off to get a saw quickly and come and saw off his arm. This man without hesitation carried out the request of the poor, prisoned engineer, and just in time for him to escape a watery grave. The maimed arm was bound up, and cared for, and in due time the engineer recovered. The R. R. company paid him $5,000.00 damages, and out of this he gave $500.00 to the man who had so heroically cut off his arm. It required true courage and resolution to perform such an act, but by it the life of the engineer had been saved, and with deep gratitude he gladly sought to repay the man who thus unflinchingly went forward in this trying duty.

Shall we, who have been redeemed at the cost of the precious blood of Jesus, show less fortitude, less courage, in rescuing souls from eternal misery, than this man did in rescuing a fellow-being from temporal death? Had he wavered, or stopped to think of the dreadful task before him, the waters would soon have swallowed up the poor prisoner.

Alas! how often the followers of Jesus Christ are afraid to speak, afraid to act for Him. They waver—they put off—and perhaps the opportunity is gone forever.

May the Lord give to each of His own, true courage in seeking to rescue souls from the everlasting burnings!

ML 11/15/1903

A Dog's Gratitude.

LIVING in the next house to us was a little fox terrier, and for a long time he used to come to our kitchen door every day for a bone, or anything else we could give him, from the pantry. But at length his visits ceased, and, forgetting to inquire after him, we considered at the end of some months that he was dead.

However, one morning, hearing a whining at the back door, I opened it, and there was Prince, looking much fatter, and in better condition than formerly. He was delighted to see me again, and on my proceeding to find something for him he told me, as plainly as a dog could, and with much wagging of his tail, that he had not come for what he might get this time, but just for the pleasure of seeing an old acquaintance. He only stayed a few minutes, and I learnt afterwards that, having been given to a friend who lived some miles away, he had been brought over to his old home on that day, and during a visit of about half an hour he had found time to prove that he was not forgetful of past benefits.

The gratitude of this little dog made me think of how we fail in seeking the Lord’s presence because we love Him.

ML 11/15/1903

"Because I Love Jesus."

I ASKED a dear little girl why she wanted to do what is right. She replied, “Because I love Jesus.”

Many people are trying to do right because they think that is the way they can get to heaven.

But they are making a great mistake. Jesus has done the work on the cross.

There is nothing left for the sinner to do. He has only to believe in Christ and His finished work. His own works can never save him.

After we know Jesus is our Saviour, it will be our delight to serve Him and to please Him by doing what is right and good. Like little Ruth we will want to do good because we love Him.

“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.

ML 11/15/1903

Extract From Letters From Our Young Friends.

“It is comforting to know that we have Jesus with us, and we can think of Him in our offices, in our homes, and even when doing our school work. I often think of Him when in school, thinking if He comes how many will be caught up to meet Him in the air, and so be forever with Him.

Yours in Christ.”

M. D.

ML 11/15/1903

The Monkey.

HAVE you ever seen a monkey? Most of us have seen them in cages at the parks. Once in a while we see one getting pennies for his master, who goes from house to house, playing on a grind-organ. That is what the monkey in the picture has been taught to do. He sees the lady and the child at the window and thinks they are going to give him some money.

Most of the monkeys that we see are cross; because little boys and girls tease them so much. Many times their masters are cruel to them. Often they are made to work all day without rest and food. Surely they get very tired going from one person to another getting money to give to their masters.

We should be kind and merciful to all of the creatures God has made. His word tells us, “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.” Prov. 11:17.

Again we read, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matt. 5:7.

ML 11/22/1903

Christ or the World.

A YOUNG lady was once urged by a minister to choose between Christ and the world, because, as he said, she could not have both. She said she was determined to have both. She loved the gaieties of the world, and was resolved to have them. Yet she wished to be saved, therefore would have Christ, too. She was told it was impossible. She must choose one to have the chief place in her heart. “Then,” said she, “I choose the world.”

After this she plunged into all sorts of gaiety, and tried to find happiness in the passing hour. But, one evening, while singing, in a large company, a song about the foolish virgins of Matthew 25, how, they came to the door when it was shut, and could not get in, and ending thus:

“Have we not heard the Bridegroom is so sweet?

Oh let us in, though late, to kiss His feet!

No, no! TOO LATE! Ye cannot enter now,” The thought burst into her mind, “That is just my case; it will be true of me!” She rushed out of the room, and spent the night in tears and prayer. Five days and nights she was in great distress, till at last that text, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out,” came to her mind, bringing her joy and peace in believing.

Going back to the minister, who had heard what was taking place, she was asked by him what was now her choice. Her answer was:

“My heart is fixed, Eternal God,

Fixed on Thee;

And my immortal choice is made;

Christ for me!”

Be thankful to God, reader, that the only door to real happiness is open, and open to you. But, oh! take care, lest you come TOO LATE.

ML 11/22/1903

The Resurrection Body.

In Paul’s day, just as now, there were some who denied the resurrection, and were ready to ass sneeringly, “How are the dead raised? and with what body do they come?”

Why should it be considered impossible that the dead should be raised? Are not all things possible to God? If God could create out of nothing, the sun and the moon and the stare; and if He could form the human body from the dust of the ground, and give it life, why should anyone deny His power to raise the dead? It is indeed very foolish for anyone to do so.

Perhaps some of you have put some grains of corn or wheat in the ground; and after a while you have seen them spring up, and grow into corn or wheat above the ground; or you have planted flower seeds, and these have sprung up and produced flowers. How is this? Whose power made these grow? Is it not the power of God? Those seeds which you put in the ground, decayed, and could no more be found; but out of them sprang up the new crop of grain or flowers. Is not this just as wonderful as the resurrection? We put the dead bodies of the saints in the ground, and by and by in resurrection, we shall see them formed again into new and glorious bodies. This will be by the same power that makes the grain or wheat grow. It is the power of God.

Then again, when you sow wheat in the ground, and it springs up, you do not expect to get a crop of oats or corn. Every seed produces its own kind, wheat produces wheat; corn produces corn. And just so in the resurrection, every man will have his own body. Abraham will not have the body of Moses, nor Moses the body of Abraham. Each one will have his own. Even though the body may have been burnt to ashes, and the ashes strewn upon the waters and carried to the sea, God will reproduce that body again. People may not believe, but it is simply a question of the power of God.

But the resurrection bodies of God’s people will not be in the same condition they were before death. Everyone will indeed have his own body, but it will be a changed body. It is no use for the infidel to sneer and ask with what body they will come. God can give a body as it pleases Him. He has made a great many different kinds of bodies—different kinds of flesh—flesh of men—flesh of beasts—flesh of fishes—flesh of birds. And He can make the resurrection body as it pleases Him.

In our resurrection bodies we are going to dwell in heaven, and God will give us bodies suited to that place. When He made creatures to live on the earth, such as men and beasts, He gave them bodies suited to the earth; when He made fishes to live in the water, He gave them bodies suited to the water; and when He made birds to fly in the air, He gave them bodies suited to the air; and so when He takes us to heaven in resurrection glory, He will give us bodies suited to heaven. We shall each one have his own body, but it will be changed, and suited to the place where we are going to dwell.

When we consider the power of God, there is no difficulty about this. Even now our bodies are changing all the time. A little child’s body is complete in itself, but it grows and changes, and yet continues to be the same body.

We are constantly taking in food into our bodies, and new particles are thus added, while waste is still going on, so that our bodies are constantly changing. There may be none of the same particles in our bodies now that were in them seven years ago, and yet, while this changing is going on, each one retains his own body, and this the same body as that possessed in infancy. Just so in resurrection, whatever changes of particles there may be, we shall each have his own body, the identical body that was ours before we died. And there is nothing more wonderful in this than there is in what is going on around us every day, according to the power and laws of God.

May God enable us all to see and believe His wonderful power, and then we shall have no difficulty about the resurrection.

ML 11/22/1903

"He Says He Will:" or, Faith in God.

ONE bitter cold winter, a poor Christian woman who had long been struggling against illness and poverty, was left without a shilling in the world. With many tears, she was obliged to tell her little boy, who was also a believer and her only son, that she could give him no breakfast that morning, for she had not a loaf of bread in the house. She was therefore, very much surprised, when after having been out of the room, he presently returned and began as usual to lay the little white cloth on the table, get out the plates and cups, and put everything in readiness for breakfast.

“Why Frank,” said his mother, “what are you doing that for; did you not hear me say that we have not a bit of bread in the house?”

“Yes, Mother, but I have been asking God to send us some, and I know He will hear me, because He says He will,” answered the little boy with a cheerful smile.

Presently, they heard the sound of horses’ feet coming up the road, and going to the door, Frank perceived a gentleman leading a horse slowly along. He stopped at the little wicket gate, and said, “Look here, my boy, my horse has lost two shoes, and I have still twelve miles to go; take him to the blacksmith’s shop over the way, and when you have brought him back safely, I will reward you for your trouble. Will you allow me to rest in your cottage in the meantime?” he added to the poor widow, who now appeared. in the doorway.

“Surely, sir,” she answered with a courtesy, “and welcome, too,” and hastened to set a chair for the gentleman.

They soon got into conversation. “I am afraid I am keeping you from your breakfast, my good woman,” he said, seeing that there was nothing on the table but plates and cups, “pray do just as if you were alone.” And he pressed her so much that the poor woman was at length obliged to tell him the real state of affairs. When little Frank came back with the horse, the gentleman mounted quickly, and rode off, having first dropped a five-shilling piece into the boy’s hand. “You shall hear from me again,” he said as he galloped away.

Oh, how eagerly Frank ran in-doors to show his mother what God had sent him! What was his surprise when with tears of joy the poor widow held up a bank note, exclaiming, “Oh, my child! how could I doubt the Lord for one moment! You were right, you were right, my boy.”

And the happy mother and still happier son knelt down and returned most hearty thanks to their heavenly Father for His goodness to them.

“I knew He would send us something,” said little Frank, “I knew He would, because He said so.”

Oh, that we all had this dear boy’s faith in God’s promises. Then, indeed, would we find the truth of David’s words, “God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.”

ML 11/22/1903

"All Gone."

LILY is a child about eleven years old, who lives in a small town. She is the eldest of five children. Her parents, though poor in this world, are rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God has promised to them that love Him. And because they love their children very much, and want them to share these true riches, and be heirs of the kingdom of God, they take great pleasure and care in training them up in the way they should go. Therefore, besides teaching them at home, they send them regularly to Sunday-school. There Lily had many times heard of the love of Jesus when on earth, and had often joined in singing:

“And still the kind Saviour bids little children welcome.

For Jesus’ loving, tender heart to children is the same;

Though here His voice is no more heard,

From heaven itself He speaks the word,

‘Suffer the children to come unto Me.’”

Although Lily knew so much about Jesus, she did not yet know Him as her own Saviour. She had not yet come to Jesus in faith. But the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep was watching over this little lamb. One day, last winter, Lily was helping her grand-mamma and aunty Hester, who are both crippled with rheumatism. They live in the next cottage: When Lily had finished, the chairs were drawn round the cheerful fire, and aunty asked her to repeat to them the verses she had learnt for the Sunday-school Anniversary. After some hesitation Lily commenced. Presently she came to the words:

“The Lord, in the day His anger, did lay

Your sins on the Lamb, and He bore them away.”

That same moment the light shone into her heart, and she realized for the first time that her sins were all gone. “Why, aunty!” she exclaimed, “then they are not on me, if Jesus has borne them all away!”

Can you say this, my dear reader? Do you know whether your sins are gone? Listen to these precious words which God has written to you in the Bible: “Who His own self [Jesus] bore our [all believers’] sins in His own body on the tree.” And,

“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.” 1 John 2:12.

“Children now in Him believing,

Everlasting life receive.

Come in faith to Him for pardon.

He has died that thou may’st live.”

ML 11/22/1903

The Birds.

Little birds in coats of brown,

Sing with bursting throats,

Filling wood and plain and town

With their ringing notes.

Merry songs from bush and tree,

And from skies above,

Tell of bird-life glad and free,

And the Father’s love.

Many little birds we see,

Singing glad and gay,

Kept from want and sorrow free,

Cared for every day.

Kept oy God, they fly around,

Singing as they go;

For should one fail to the ground,

He would surely know.

Clothed in feathers trim and neat,

Given a voice to sing,

Water cool and food to eat,

God sends everything.

So the birds can soar above,

Undisturbed by care,

Trusting in the Father’s love,

Singing everywhere.

Christ has greater love for you

Than a little bird;

How He died and proved it true,

You have often heard.

Do you, like the birdies small,

Spend your happy days

Making life a glad sweet song,

Filled with joy and praise?

May you like each happy bird,

Tiny though you be,

Let your song be ever heard—

“Jesus died for me.”

“Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; show forth His salvation from day to day.” Ps. 96:2.

ML 11/29/1903

A Second Forty Days on Mt. Sinai.

On the morrow after the slaughter among the people, Moses spoke faithfully to the children of Israel, telling them how greatly they had sinned. He also told them that he would go up unto, the Lord for them, The Lord had given Moses instruction to do this; He had told him to hew two tables of stone like the ones he had broken, and said He would write upon them the same words that were upon the first tables. And He told Moses to be ready in the morning to go up to Him to Mt. Sinai; there he was to present himself before the Lord in the top of the mount. No man was to be with him. Neither must any man be seen throughout all the mountain; and no herds or flocks should feed before it.

All this speaks to us of the holiness of God, and shows us how unapproachable He is until a way is opened up. But now with glad hearts, we can praise Him that Jesus is the way to God the Father.

Moses rose up early in the morning and took in his hand the two tables of stone that he had hewed, and went up into Mt. Sinai. There the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him; and in that holy spot, so full of awe and terror, Moses made haste and bowed his head to the earth; and he fell down before the Lord, as he had done the first time, for forty days and forty nights. In all that time he neither ate bread, nor drank water, because of the dreadful sins of the people; and he was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure of the Lord, who was so angry with Aaron and the people that He was ready to destroy them. And had not this faithful servant “stood before Him in the breach,” the Lord would have brought destruction to them. But Moses pleaded for His people and His inheritance which He had redeemed by His greatness, and which He had brought out of Egypt by His mighty power, and by His outstretched arm; and in his zeal he even went so far as to asks the Lord to blot him out of the books He had written, if He would not forgive them. But the Lord said, “Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book.”

Moses had found, grace in the sight of God, and the Lord told him of it; and not only so, but He made all His goodness to pass before Him.

What a strength and comfort this must have been to this faithful man in this time of deep distress! All God’s goodness made to pass before Him! And yet he could not see the face of the Lord, for none may see Him and live. Moses had besought the Lord to show him His glory, and the Lord hid him in the cleft of a rock while His glory was passing by; He covered Moses with His hand while He passed by, then He took away His hand, allowing Moses to see His “back parts,” but “My face shall not be seen,” He, had said.

Yes, Moses had found grace in. God’s sight; but could God show mercy to a people who had so grievously sinned? Could He bless those who had rebelled against Him, and turned away from Him? Surely not on the ground of anything in them; but according to His sovereign grace and mercy He has a right to bless; He can have compassion on whom He will, and He can be gracious to whom He will. And so, in the wonderful grace and goodness of His heart, He listened to the pleadings of Moses, and has mercy on the people.

He bids Moses to lead them into the place of which He had spoken to him; and He gives the blessed assurance that His angel shall go before him, and the nations shall be driven out, and he will give to the people a land flowing with milk and honey.

This was great grace on the part of the Lord, but He adds, “In the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.” And although He would send His angel before them, yet He says, “I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiff-necked people; lest I consume thee in the way.” This was evil tidings, and made the people mourn.

Let us learn from this that while God is full of grace and compassion, yet it is a sad thing when His people go astray, or do their own will, for they will surely have sorrow to reap later on.

ML 11/29/1903

I Am Not My Own.

(To Christian Children.)

I WISH I had some money to give to God,” said Susie; “but I haven’t any.”

“God does not expect you to give Him what you have not,” said her papa, “but you have other things besides money. When we get home I will read something to you, which will make you see plainly what you may give to God.”

So after dinner they went to the library, and Susie’s papa took down a large book and made Susie read aloud, “I have this day been before God, and have given myself— all that I am and have—to God; so that I am in no respect my own. I have no right to this body, or any of its members; no right to this tongue, these hands, these feet, these eyes, these ears; I have given myself clean away.”

“These are the words of a great and good man, who is now in heaven. Now you see what you have to give to God, my darling Susie.”

Susie looked at her hands and at her feet, and was silent. At last she said in a low voice, half to herself:

“I don’t believe God wants them.” Her papa heard her. “He does want them, and; He is looking at you now to see whether you will give them to Him, or keep them for yourself. If you give them to Him, you will be careful never to let them do anything naughty, and will teach them to do every good thing they can. If you keep them for yourself they will be likely to do wrong and to get into mischief.”

“Have you given yours to Him, Papa?” “Yes, indeed, long ago.”

“Are you glad?”

“Yes, very glad.”

Susie was still silent, she did not quite understand what it all meant.

“If you give your tongue to God,” said her papa, “you will not allow it to speak unkind angry words, or tell tales, or speak an untruth, or anything that would grieve God’s Holy Spirit.”

“I think I’ll give Him my tongue,” said Susie.

“And if you give God your hands you will watch them, and keep them from touching things that do not belong to, them. You will not let them be idle, but will keep them busy about something.”

“Well, then, I’ll give Him my hands,”

“And if you give Him your feet, you never will let them carry you where you ought not to go, and if you give Him your eyes, you will never, never let them look at anything you know He would not like to look at, if He were by your side.”

Then they knelt down together, and Susie’s papa prayed to God to bless all they had been saying, and to accept all she had now promised to give Him, and to keep her from ever forgetting her promise, but to make it her rule in all she said, and all she did, all she saw, and all she heard to remember— “I am not my own.”

And then he taught these lines:

“Oh, that mine eyes might closed be

To what concerns me not to see;

That deafness might possess my ear,

To what concerns me not to hear.

That truth my tongue might ever tie

From ever speaking foolishly,

That no vain thought might ever rest

Or be conceived within my breast;

That by each word and deed and thought

Glory may to my God be brought.”

ML 11/29/1903

Dying Words of Salmasius.

SALMASIUS, one of the most perfect scholars of his time, saw cause to complain bitterly against himself. “Oh!” said he, “I have lost a world of time; time, the most precious thing in the world! Had I but one year more, it would be spent in perusing David’s Psalms and Paul’s Epistles. Oh! sirs,” continued he addressing those about him, “MIND THE WORLD LESS AND GOD MORE.”

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15.

ML 11/29/1903

"Did He Say 'Yes' Mother?"

MAMMA is talking to Jesus,” said little Mary to herself, as she heard her mother praying in, the adjoining room,

As Mrs. H— left the place of prayer, Mary ran to her mother, and asked her very innocently, “Did Jesus answer? Did He say ‘Yes,’ mother?”

When you pray, dear reader, think of the question of this little child. Do you expect an answer to your prayer? or do you only repeat the words as a mere matter of form? If you ask aright, God will answer you; for He has said, in His holy word, “Ask, and ye shall receive.”

We should not only pray but be “watching thereunto,” and never be satisfied without a sense in our souls that the Lord is with us, and hearing us, and that He will grant our request, if it is according to His word. Many enjoy such a lively sense of the Lord’s presence with them that it appears as real as if they saw Him personally, like His disciples of old. It is a great pleasure to have the company of all such.

“Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full,” John 14:24.

ML 11/29/1903

Answers to Questions of Oct. 4.

1.“And this is His,” etc. ¤ Jno. 3:23.

2.“Love not the world,” etc. 1 2:15.

3.“Little children.” 1 3:7.

4.“Sent His only begotten,” etc. 1 4:9.

5.“Idols.” 1 5:21.

6.“Nothing.” 3 :7.

“ALL SIN.” 1 “ 1:7.

Bible Questions for December.

The answers are to be found in Matthew, and the first letter of each answer will spell who the tribute money was to pay for that Peter took out of the fish’s mouth.

1. What did Jesus say to Peter and the two sons of Zebedee?

2. What did Jesus say after saying these words, “I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes”?

3.What did Jesus say after they had sung a hymn and went out into the Mount of Olives?

4.What did Jesus say when the chief priests and elders said to Him, “We cannot tell”?

5.What did Jesus say to the woman who said, “If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole”?

6.What did Jesus say when He took bread and blessed it, and break it?

7.What did Jesus say after these words, “This generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled”?

8.What did Jesus say with a loud voice, about the ninth hour?

9.What did Jesus say after He spoke these words, “And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant”?

ML 12/06/1903

The Hidden Treasure.

THERE died, many years since, in the city of Lyons, in France, a widow who possessed a great treasure in her old age. She was very poor, and her husband was only able by working hard to earn their daily bread, when he died, leaving her a widow, childless and infirm, being in great need.

She sold nearly everything she had, and moved to a garret to spend the remainder of her days.

One day, as she was sitting alone in her half-empty room, it struck her that there was a singular outline on one of the beams. It had been white washed, but she thought it looked as if there had been a square opening, which had been carefully closed with a kind of door. She examined it more closely, and the thought occurred to her, “Perhaps there is some treasure hidden there,” for she remembered as a child the fearful days of the Revolution, when no property was safe from the men of equality and liberty. Perhaps some rich man had concealed his treasure there from their rapacity, who had himself fallen a victim before he had had time to remove it. She tapped with her finger, and the boards returned a hollow sound. With beating heart she tried to remove the square door, and soon succeeded without much difficulty; but, alas, instead of the gold and silver she hoped to see, she beheld a damp, dirty, moldy old book! In her disappointment, she was ready to fix in the boards again, and leave the book to mold and crumble away, but a secret impulse induced her to take it out and see if there were any valuable papers in it, but no, nothing but a book!

When she had a little recovered from her vexation, she began to wonder what book it could be, that someone had hid away so carefully. It must surely be something extraordinary. So she wiped it, and set herself to read. Her eyes fell upon the words, “Therefore say I unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air; they sow not, neither do they reap, yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better then they?” And the words she read appeared so sweet and precious that she read on and on during the whole day, and far into the night, almost forgetting to eat or sleep. The next morning, she sat down again to the book, the words of which made an ever-deepening impression on her soul. She began to see that she had indeed found a treasure, and an invaluable one. Her little room no longer looked so desolate; her food, which had so -often seemed to her as the bread of tears, now appeared to her more like bread from heaven; and her solitude was relieved by that which gave her joy and peace in the Lord Jesus Christ. She had the book cleaned and bound, and it was to her as meat and drink, by day and by night, until she was permitted to close her eyes and enter into the joy of her Lord. She related this history, in the latter days of her pilgrimage, to a beloved Christian in Lyons, in whose hands the book is now. It is Arnelotte’s edition of the New Testament, of the time of the Huguenot persecution.

ML 12/06/1903

Glory of the Resurrection Body.

WHEN we remember that in resurrection our bodies are to be fashioned like to the body which Christ has now in glory, we can well understand it will be something very wonderful, and very glorious. And this is just what Scripture tells us. The bodies we now have are like the body Adam had—earthly bodies. The bodies we then shall have will be like Christ’s body— heavenly bodies. “As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” (1 Cor. 15:49.)

Christ has a body suited to the glorious place in which He dwells—a glorified body. God has crowned Him with glory and honor. All the beauty and all the glory He could put upon a man, He put upon His own Son, when He glorified Him. And we shall be like Him. How wonderful this is!

The body we put in the grave is a body of corruption, dishonor, and weakness, humbled and ruined through sin. Because of the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, the body will come forth again in resurrection in incorruption, glory and power. It will indeed lie a wonderful change, but a necessary change, if we are to have part in the kingdom of God in glory. In our present condition we could not be there; and so the word of God tells us of the great change that will pass upon all the living and the dead who are the Lord’s. He is going to have us with Himself in glory; and when He comes to take us there, He will change our bodies into a condition suited to that wonderous scene.

The Lord Jesus wants to have us there in a state and condition worthy of Himself. As the fruit of His death and resurrection, He is going to bring us into the place He has gone to prepare for us in His Father’s house—the place of highest blessedness. He wants us with Himself, and he will have us like Himself. And this great change He will work when He comes to take us away. When He comes, there will be some living and some dead. He will change the living in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, when the trumpet sounds; and He will raise the dead incorruptible. The dead saints will then be in a state in which they will no more die, or their bodies go to corruption: and the changed living will never die at all; their bodies will then be immortal.

When this glorious change takes place, not only will Christ have the victory over death and the grave, but, He will give us the victory, too. Death will be swallowed up in victory, and we will be able to say, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Oh! what a triumph this will be for those who believe in Jesus! What blessedness and glory will be ours then!

Reader, do you believe in Jesus? Can you look forward to this “better resurrection?” Happy all those who have part in it.

ML 12/06/1903

Letting Its Light Shine.

ONE night, when passing along a country road, I noticed a light some distance ahead.

It was small, but bright. I knew there was no house near the place therefore it could not be a light from a window, nor could it be a light held by a person walking, as it remained in the same position. What could it be?

On drawing near I found it was on the ground, and when I reached the spot where it was, I put down my hand and picked up that from which the light was shining—it was a little glow-worm.

There amid the gloom, its tiny light was shining out brightly, and the more noticeable because of the darkness of the night.

I took it with me, and afterwards gave it to a friend, who placed it in the garden, and often on a dark night the little glowworm’s light was to be seen shining.

My dear reader, think of the little glowworm letting its light shine out in the darkness of the night, and remember that all around is darkness; and if you have come to know the Lord Jesus, you are to let your light shine, to be a light amid the darkness of this world, to bear testimony for Him who has called you by His grace, and brought you out of darkness into light. Believers are left here to be lights in the world. Are you letting your light shine?

ML 12/06/1903

The Home Above.

As we look at the picture before us we see much that is of interest. One is attracted by the various expressions on the different faces; another by the kite, high in the air; and still another by the stooped position of the man in the road. Perhaps others notice the flowers in the window, the bird-cage on the wall, and the church and trees in the distance.

When you are flying your kites and see them high in the heavens above, perhaps so very high and far away that they look like a black speck in the sky rather than a large, well-shaped kite, how many of you think of the home up there beyond the clouds and the moon and the stars?

The woman in the picture seems to be telling the children about this happy place, as she points upward, and they are all listening very quietly and thoughtfully.

Little reader, who came down from that happy home in heaven? “Jesus,” you say. And why did He come? Again you answer, “To die on the cross.” For whom did He die? Did He die for you?

Yes, for you and for me and for everyone has who had his sins washed away in the Saviour’s precious blood.

And soon He is coming to take us to be with Him. Are you ready to go? For He is coming soon.

“Yet a little while and He that shall come, will come and will not tarry.” Hebrews 10:37.

ML 12/06/1903

Eagle.

Our illustration this week gives us a good representation of what is called the Crested, or Harpy Eagle. God has created various kinds, and the one with which we are most familiar, in this country, is called the Bald Eagle, which has a somewhat different appearance than the one in our picture.

You will notice the way that the feathers are arranged on the head and neck. This is what marks this eagle as different in appearance from all others, and particularly when his fierce temper is roused, these feathers are raised and they form a fan-like crest, and it makes him look very bold and fearless. His general color, when full grown, is almost black, his head grey, his breast white, with a band of grey across the chest. The beak and claws are black. He generally makes his home in South America, but is sometimes found in Texas.

His strength is even greater than the Golden Eagle, but owing to his shorter wings, he cannot fly so swiftly.

How wonderful and varied is the creation of God, and no one can describe it so correctly as Himself. God, in speaking about the eagle to Job, said, “doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place. From thence she seeketh her prey, and her eyes behold afar off. Her young ones also suck up blood; and where the slain are, there is she.” The eagle is a creature of God’s and he has ordered its ways. Man has had nothing to do with it, nor can he change its ways, but he may look on and see God’s great power and wondrous wisdom, but, above all, remember that His wisdom, love and grace have excelled when He gave His Son to be the sin-bearer in the sinner’s place at the cross, and thus opened the way to have him share with the Lord Jesus in glory forever.

ML 12/13/1903

The Vail on Moses' Face.

WHEN Moses came down from the mount, he brought again in his hand, two tables of stone. He had broken the two tables that he brought down the first time, before entering the camp; this time he placed them in the ark which the Lord had before directed him to make. There was no glorious shining of his countenance the first time; but, the second time, his face reflected the glory with which he had been surrounded, for God had made “all His goodness” to pass before him, and had allowed him to see His glory.

Moses was not conscious of the shining of his face, but when Aaron and the children of Israel saw the glory of his countenance they could not look upon it, and they were afraid to come near him. Was it any wonder that fear filled their hearts? The law was “the ministration of death” to those who failed to keep it.

“Written and engraven on stones,” it was “glorious,” and now this glory vas shining out in the countenance of Moses. How then could those who had so grievously failed, look upon it? (See 2 Cor. 3:7-11.)

We find two ministrations, or agencies in this third chapter of Second Corinthians. One is called “the, ministration of condemnation,” and “the ministration of death;” the other is spoken of as “the ministration of the spirit,” and “the ministration of righteousness.” These two are contrasted; both are glorious, but the glory of the latter so far excels that of the former that its glory is lost. And the former “is done away,” while the latter remains.

Let us see if we can gather something of the meaning of these two ministrations. Man is by nature a sinner; his heart is at “enmity against God,” and he cannot keep the raw,’ and so it becomes to him the ministry of condemnation and death. It is the agent by which he is made to know what a sinner he is, for “by the law is the knowledge of sin,” and it is that which pronounces the sentence of death. “The commandment which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death,” “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”

What then is the ministration of righteousness? Man had no righteousness for God and so the law must condemn; but God had righteousness for man, and through grace this righteousness has been told out, and not only so, but this “righteousness of God” is “upon all them that believe.” God, who is just, can and does justify the poor sinner who believes in Jesus, because all his sins have been met and righteously dealt with, and now it would not be just, it would not be righteous, to visit the strokes upon the sinner’s head, when Jesus has taken those strokes in his stead.

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” 1 Pet. 3:18.

God is righteous, and in righteousness He justifies all who believe in Jesus, and this righteousness of God is ministered, through grace in the power of God’s Spirit, and so we get the “ministration of righteousness” which exceeds in glory and which shall not be done away.

Although the people were afraid to look upon Moses, he called them to him, and put a vail on his face that he might be able to talk with them. When, he went into the tabernacle to speak with the Lord, he took this vail from his face and then put it on again when he went out to speak with the people.

Moses has long since passed away, but to this day the vail is on Israel’s heart, God tells us. This is because they are blinded and their hearts are hard. When they will turn to the Lord the vail will be taken away; there will be nothing then between them and the glory; nothing then to make their hearts fail with fear.

Can God’s people now look upon the glory? Yes, with “open” or unveiled face they may behold the “glory of the Lord.” The glory that was connected with the law was a passing thing and it fades in the presence of “the glory that excelleth”—a glory that remains. How wonderful that we may by faith gaze upon this glory—the glory of God shining in the face of Jesus Christ! Will that glory condemn us? No, for it is a proof to us, who believe, that our sins are gone, for it shines in the face of Him who bore the wrath of God on account of those sins, but who now is glorified at God’s right hand. To us it speaks of “no condemnation.” (Rom. 8:1.)

May it be our joy to behold with unveiled face the glory of the Lord, and thus be changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the spirit of the Lord! (2 Cor. 3:18.)

ML 12/13/1903

Like a Thick, Black Cloud.

WHILST staying a few days in a little village, I called upon a youth who was paralyzed.

Having expressed my sympathy at seeing him so helpless, and having given him a few tracts, I left; feeling unable to speak to him personally about his soul in the presence of his friends.

The following days were very wet, and the floods rising, the road became almost impassable for foot-passengers.

I now asked the Lord, if it were His will, to cause the rain to cease, the floods to go down, and to let me see J. H. alone, and to give him a message of pardon from Him.

Very soon the sky cleared, the rain clouds passed away, the floods went down, and the morning of the very day on which I was to return home, I had the desired opportunity of again visiting him, and started, hoping that the Lord who had answered part of my prayer, would answer it all.

On arriving at the house, Mrs. H., his stepmother, asked me in at once, saying as she did so, “You will not mind seeing J. alone, will you? His father is gone to London, his sister is out, and I am busy.”

The second answer had been given, and surely the last, a message for his precious soul, would be given, too.

After a few inquiries, I asked him, “Now you are lying here so often alone, and suffering, have you the joy of knowing that all your sins are forgiven?”

He looked sadly at me, and answered, “No; my sins hang over me like a thick, black cloud. I never thought of them when I was strong and well, but now they hang over me like a thick, black cloud.”

Isaiah 44:22, came to my mind: “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins; return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee.”

I repeated this and many other verses to him, seeking to show that salvation was through the finished work of the Lord Jesus, that He had done all, suffered and died, and that now he had only to receive freely, by faith in Him, the pardon He bought with His blood.

Several months later I was again on a visit in the village, and went to see poor J. I found that he was much worse in body, and obliged now to be upstairs and to lie in a little bed boarded at the sides lest he should fall out, his poor legs and arms being fastened to prevent their drawing up.

Mrs. H. said, as we entered the room, “J., I have brought you a visitor. I wonder if you will know who it is?”

On approaching near enough for him to see my face, he exclaimed, “Oh! yes, I know. It is Miss C.”

I replied, “I did not think you would know me again, J., not having seen me for so long.”

“Know you?” he answered, “I shall always know you;” and J.’s poor pale face looked so bright that I felt sure he knew and believed the love that God had to him.

“Have you found peace, J.?” I asked. “Oh! yes,” he answered, “a long time ago; and I am so happy now.”

I stayed some time, and then left, bidding him good-bye until we meet again, when caught up together at our Lord’s return.

The neighbors said it was a privilege to be with him; he was so happy, rejoicing in his Saviour’s love, and I heard that he told his father that my visit was the means of leading him to Jesus; so all the prayer was answered.

“Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58.

ML 12/13/1903

The Friendship of the World Is Enmity with God.

James 4:4.

THE following allegory is translated from the German:

Sophronius, a wise teacher, would not suffer his daughter to associate with those whose conduct was not pure and upright.

“Dear Father,” said the gentle Eulalie to him one day, when he forbade her, in company with her brother, to visit the violatile Lucinda, “you must think us very childish, if you imagine we, could be exposed to danger by it.”

The father took in silence a dead coal from the hearth, and reached it to his daughter.

“It will not burn you my child; take it.” Eulalie did so, and, behold, the beautiful white hand was soiled and blackened; and, as it chanced, her white dress also.

“We cannot be too careful in handling coals,” said Eulalie, in vexation.

“Yes, truly,” said the father; “you see, my child, that coals blacken even when they do not burn. So it is with evil company,” for “evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Cor. 15:33; 2 Cor. 6:14-18.)

ML 12/13/1903

I Must Tell the Lord.

A POOR slave was being threatened by his master, that he would punish him if he attended the preaching, he replied, with respect and gentleness, “I must tell the Lord that.” This saying wrought so powerfully on the master’s mind, that he not only permitted him to go, but likewise all the slaves in his house, and afterwards attended himself, and brought his wife with him. As there are many little boys and girls who love the Lord Jesus Christ treated unkindly by those who have “no fear of God before their eyes,” such may learn a lesson from the slave, and, without replying as he did, be led to cast all their cares upon Him who cares for them, and pray for those who are unkind to them, that they may be granted repentance unto life.

ML 12/13/1903

God's Gifts.

PERHAPS each dear child who reads this paper has thanked God for something. God has given us food and clothes, home and friends, health and strength, and many other things for which we often thank Him.

We may not remember so often to thank Him for the beautiful things we see and hear around us.

What pleasure we take in the bright spring time, when everything is fresh and green, when the beautiful flowers begin to bloom, and when the merry birds are singing all about us!

Summer follows with its abundant crops and other blessings, then fall, with its mild, pleasant days and beautiful autumn leaves.

Each season is different from the others and we appreciate the change and enjoy each as it comes.

Last of all we have winter, and I know many of my readers are glad to see the beautiful white snow. The millions of flakes falling so softly and silently have an attraction for us as they cover the ground, the fences, the buildings, the trees; everything, with a mantle of white.

After a new fallen snow we can see very plainly any dark object moving about, such as the rabbits running so swiftly over the snow and the snow-birds hopping about on the white branches.

The girl in our picture is pointing out something to her little brother. Perhaps she sees a bird or some other little creature out in the snow.

While we are thanking God for. all these pleasant scenes He gives us, the snow reminds us of the greatest, most wonderful gift of all. It is a gift that God offers to everyone. Some of you have accepted it. If there is one of you who has not, may you do so at once.

This wonderful gift of God is

ETERNAL LIFE.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23.

God gave His own beloved Son to die on the cross, so that we need not die, but instead, receive everlasting life. The precious blood of Jesus was shed to wash away our sins, so that we may enter God’s presence without any sins upon us. He says (Isaiah 1:18), “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

If our sins are washed away in Jesus’ blood, God sees us as pure and spotless as the beautiful snow.

This gift is worth far more than all other blessings you enjoy from day to day. If you do not possess it already, accept it now, for God is offering it to you and wants you to take it. Think, as you look out upon the whitest thing you have ever seen, the white glistening snow, how beautiful the blood of Jesus Christ can make you—how pure and holy in God’s sight.

Do not let those dark black sins rest upon you any longer; but say as David said, “Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” Ps. 51:7.

ML 12/20/1903

Resurrection of the Wicked.

IN Rev. 20, we are told of the resurrection of the righteous. They live and reign with Christ. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with. Him a thousand years.” But verse 5 tells us “the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” Thus we see that there are a thousand years between the resurrection of the righteous and the resurrection of the wicked, and that while the righteous live and reign with Christ in blessedness and glory, the wicked will still be in their graves.

But the wicked, too, must rise after the thousand years are finished; and oh, what a change in their case! No word of their being fashioned like Christ! no word of incorruption, blessedness, glory, or immortality! No, no, they come forth from their graves in all their vileness, and in all their sins, to stand before the great white throne, to be judged out of the things written in the books. The wicked dead, small and great, will all be there. The sea will give up its dead; death and the unseen world of departed spirits will give up their dead—a mighty throng of guilty rebels. All, all must stand before that awful bar of judgment. There they must meet the eyes of the Son of God—those eyes which are as a flame of fire. They must look in that face from which earth and heaven flee away—that face of light too bright for mortal eyes to gaze upon—and they must answer to Him for all their wickedness and rebellion. Oh, what a terrible position to be in!

Dear reader, may God grant that you may never have to stand in that place of judgment. But if you would escape it, you must submit to the Lord Jesus now. Oh! believe in Him, and confess His name.

“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power.” No more death and no judgment for these. But for the wicked who stand in their sins and guilt before the great white throne, there is the second death. This is not the death that separates the soul from the body, but the death that separates the guilty sinner forever from the presence of God, from light and peace, and joy and blessedness. IT IS THE LAKE OF FIRE! Let Me give you one verse of Scripture which declares the portion of the wicked: “But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.” Rev. 21:8.

Oh! who would not seek to escape from such an awful doom? Who would not flee from the wrath to come? Again I entreat you, dear young reader, do not wait a day longer without having the question of your salvation settled. Christ alone can save you from the doom of the wicked. Flee to Him at once, and you will find Him a shelter from the coming storm that will sweep the wicked into the lake of fire, from which they can never escape.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 8:1.

ML 12/20/1903

If Fifteen Hundred Miles on Foot.

Some years ago there lived in a town of Northern Germany, a young man who had long cast off all thoughts of God, and lived in sin so open and terrible that he was remarkable amongst the ungodly and the depraved as one who outdid them all. How wonderful are the ways of God! God made use of the exceeding sinfulness of this young man to awaken in him the first desire after salvation. He became alarmed at his own wickedness. “I am worse than any other,” he thought. “If it is true that the wicked go to hell, and only the good to heaven, it is plain where I am going. If ever a man is lost eternally, I must be that man!” Night and day did this thought haunt the wretched sinner; his peace was gone, and he found no pleasure, even in sin. “It only,” he thought, “it were possible to be saved!” What could he do? He had been told of penances and prayers, of convents where monks spent their days in works that might at last atone, for sin; and he felt that no labor could be too great, no torture too severe, if he only might have the faint hope of pardon at last. He resolved to become a monk, but he wished first to know in what convent in the whole world the rule was the strictest, and the penances the most terrible. If it were at the other end of the earth he would go to it, and then he would spend the rest of his days in penance and in prayer. He was told in answer to his inquiries that the convent under the strictest rule was a monastery of La Trappe, distant about fifteen hundred miles from his home. He could not afford to pay the expense of his journey, and he therefore resolved to walk the whole way, begging as he went. This alone would be the beginning of a penance, and might gain him one step towards heaven.

It was a long, weary journey, each day beneath a hotter sun and through strange lands. He felt scarcely alive by the time he came in sight of the old building where he hoped to gain rest for his soul—for his body it mattered not. Having rung at the gate, he waited till it was slowly opened by an aged monk, so feeble and infirm that he seemed scarcely able to walk.

“What is it you want?” asked the old man.

“I want to be saved,” replied the German; “I thought that here I might find salvation.”

The old monk invited him to come in, and led him into a room where they were alone together. “Tell me now what you mean,” said the old man.

“I am a lost sinner,” began the German. “I have lived a life more wicked than I can tell you. It seems to me impossible that I can be saved, but all that can be done I am ready to do. I will submit to every penance, I will complain of nothing, if only I may be received into the order. The harder the work, the worse the torture, the better it will be for me. You have only to tell me what to do, and whatever it may be, I will do it.”

I would ask you who read this story, have you known what it is thus to feel yourself a lost sinner? To know that you are on the road at the end of which there is but one place, and that place the eternal lake of fire? To feel that all toil, all suffering, all torture here, would be but an exchange too welcome, could you but gain by it the faintest hope of escaping from everlasting despair? If you are still without Christ, you are whether you know it or not, in this dark road with its one terrible end; and should God in His great mercy have awakened you, so that you know the danger and the hopelessness of your position, you will be in a state to welcome as a voice from God the wonderful words which were spoken in answer to the trembling sinner—spoken by the old monk of La Trappe— “If you tell me to do the most fearful penance, I am ready to do it,” the German had said; and the old monk replied, “If you are ready to do what I tell you, you will go straight home again, for the whole work has been done for you before you came, and there is nothing left for you to do. Another has done the work instead, and it is finished.” “It is finished?”

“Yes, it is finished. Do you not know that God sent down His own Son to be the Saviour of, the world? Did He not come? Did He not finish the work the Father gave Him to do? Did He not say on the cross, ‘It is finished?’”

“What was finished?”

“He undertook to bear the full punishment of sin, and He did bear it, and God is satisfied with the work done by His Son. And do you know this—Where is Jesus now?”

“He is in heaven.”

“He is in heaven. But why is He there? Because He has finished the work. He would not be there otherwise. He would still be here, for He undertook to do it all, and He would not go back to His Father till all was done. He is there because God is satisfied with His work. And dear friend, why should you and I try to do that work which the Son of God has done? If God had lest it for us to do, we could never do it; were we to perform all the penances that ever have been or could be performed, they would be utterly useless to us. In doing them, instead of gaining anything, you would be but adding the crowning sin to your life. It would be as much as to say, Christ has not done enough. It would be to cast contempt upon the perfect work of the Son of God, and to dare to attempt to add to that which He has said is finished. Yes; Christ would be insulted and God made a liar; and were it not that I am so old that I can scarcely walk to the gate, my escape should testify against the place. I would not remain here another day. As it is, I must wait till the Lord comes to fetch me; but you can go, and I beseech you to go, thanking God His Son has done all for you, and that the punishment of your sins is forever past. And remember always that Christ is in heaven!”

What astonishing tidings for the poor weary sinner! Did he believe them? He did; and after a short time of rest, during which he learnt more of the blessed gospel from the lips of the old monk, he returned to his own land, there to make known amongst sinners, lost as he had been, the news of that love and grace of which he had first heard in the monastery of La Trappe.

Instead of walking 1,500 miles to hear of the One who has completed the work of redemption on the cross, may the voice from La Trappe reach your heart and bring peace and joy to you, also.

“Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:1.

ML 12/20/1903

Not Too Young for God to See.

I’m not too young for God to see;

He knows my name and nature, too;

And all day long He looks at me,

And sees my actions through and

through.

He listens to the words I say,

And knows the thoughts I have within;

And whether I’m at work or play,

He’s sure to know it if I sin.

Oh, how could children tell a lie,

Or cheat in play, or steal, or fight,

If they remembered God was nigh,

And had them always in His sight?

If those we know and love are near,

It makes us careful what we do;

Then how much more we ought to fear

The God who sees us through and through!

Then when I want to do amiss,

However pleasant it may be,

I’ll always strive to think of this—

“I’m not too young for God to see.”

ML 12/20/1903

Sliding.

WHEN the first snow comes early in the winter, what bright, happy faces the children have. They are glad to get their sleds out once more and slide swiftly down the hills and over the smooth slippery walks.

In our picture we see a good many enjoying themselves in this way. I am sure many of my little readers, like the boy in the front, take pleasure in drawing their younger brothers or sisters to school on sleds.

Twelve years ago, on Thanksgiving Day, some boys were enjoying their first sport with their sleds. They lived in a small town on the Mississippi River. The weather had turned cold enough to freeze the river a little.

The boys took their sleds out for a slide on the ice, but soon got out where it was not strong enough to bear their weight. One sled broke through, and before the boy could be rescued he was drowned. In a moment he was in eternity.

Dear reader, if you should be called away suddenly like the boy of whom we have been reading, where would you go?

Do you know the blessed Saviour who is up in heaven preparing a home for those who love Him? He wants us all to go there. He died on the cross and suffered the punishment for our sins so that we might not have to die and be forever shut out of God’s presence. If you feel your need of such a Saviour and confess your sins to God, He will forgive them.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” 1 Jno, 1:9.

Then if death should come to you, you will go to be with the One who died that you might live. But if you harden your heart and refuse to listen to the Saviour’s loving call, you can never enter His happy home “where all is peace and joy and love.”

I hope all of you who have not already done so will turn to Jesus and not rest until you know your sins are washed away in His precious blood.

Then as you glide on your sleds over the snow and ice these cold winter days, you will be all the happier because you know you have such a kind Saviour watching over and caring for you.

ML 12/27/1903

Redemption.

We have lingered long under the shade of “Horeb the Mount of God,” but before we pass on with the children of Israel in their journeyings, let us seek to gather up some precious lessons from the commands and instructions that God gave to Israel when He made them to hear His voice “out of heaven,” and showed them “His great fire” upon the earth, thus making them to know something of “His glory and His greatness.” (Dent. 4:36.)

The first subject we will take up will be redemption. Do you know, dear young readers, what this big word means? To redeem means something more than simply to buy, or to purchase. In the days of slavery in the South, a negro might be sold from one master to another, and still have to toil as a slave; but if some benevolent person bought a slave and gave him papers of freedom, he went forth a free man, rejoicing in his liberty. Such a person was more than purchased; he was redeemed from slavery—set free by the one who had paid the purchase price. This illustrates the redemption that God has for man, who is under the power and bondage of Satan. The one who believes in Jesus is not only purchased, but he is set free from Satan’s toils; blessed liberty is given him.

Let us look for a few moments at this in type. When the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai and there made a covenant with him, He gave instruction about the different feasts which were to be observed every year. The first one was the Passover Feast, and brought to mind that fearful night of Egypt’s woe, when all the first born of man and beast among them were slain, while they were preserved. God would have the people bear in mind, in connection with this feast, that all the first born were His.

The first born of clean animals must be offered up, and “the firstling of unclean beasts” must be redeemed; and “the first born of man shalt thou surely redeem,” was His word. He gave as a pattern of the unclean animals, the ass. It must be redeemed with a lamb, and one who would not thus redeem this unclean creature must break his neck. And in the very verse in which God -says, “the firstling of an ass” must be redeemed, He says also, “All the first born of thy sons thou shalt redeem.” (Ex. 34:18-20.) (Num. 18:15.)

Can you tell me why God has thus put man on a level with the unclean animal? It is because he, too, is unclean. That which is unclean must not be offered up to God; and man, who is a sinner, is unfit for God’s presence. The ass must have his neck broken unless a lamb was offered in his place; and man must suffer judgment at God’s hand unless a substitute is provided for him—that is, one to take his place, as the lamb was to be offered up, in place of the ass, which could not be offered up but must be killed if its substitute was not provided.

But oh, joy! the little unclean creature could go free when the lamb was offered in his place. And can God accept a lamb and let the sinner go free? Yes, yes, thanks to His blessed name, the purchase price has been paid! A lamb of worth so great that its price can never be measured— “the Lamb of God,” has been offered for us. Shall we then go free—we who are sinners by nature, and enemies of God? Is there redemption for us? Yes, there is redemption, full and free, for all who believe in Jesus, that blessed One who gave His life “a ransom for many.”

The price has been paid, and we are free. Let us then rejoice with glad hearts, and give thanks unto the Father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light! Col. 1:12.

ML 12/27/1903

"All Is Not Gold That Glitters."

A SHORT time ago someone I know thought he had picked up a treasure. He was walking in one of the streets of the City of London, when he saw lying in the way what he supposed to be a small diamond set in gold, and, hastily securing it, put it in his pocket to be looked at leisure. On examination, however, it was found to be merely a piece of cut glass, and so of no value whatever. It was only an imaginary treasure, much to the disappointment of the finder, who would have been very pleased had it been otherwise.

How glad we are when we do find something worth having! We would like to draw your attention to a treasure which indeed gives satisfaction to those who find it, a treasure we can truly say, above all treasures. It is the word of God. Do you possess this treasure in your heart? Listen to what was said to Timothy: “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.”

Would you not also like to be wise unto salvation? Then ponder this treasure which God has given you; believe His words, and they will make you wise and happy, too.

ML 12/27/1903

A Letter From "One of Our Little Readers."

DEAR MRS. R—:

I am ever so sorry for delaying so long to write to you, but I received the tracts, and I thank you ever so much for sending them to me. I have given part of them to my mother, who has not seen the marvelous light the DEAR Jesus gives when you come to Him, and I would be so glad if she and my father were Christians; it would so nice.

Miss G—, one of Mlle’s friends, was visiting us for her health and she is a true Christian. One day I was looking at her Bible, and I only found one page which was not marked. She has had her Bible for fifteen years, and that is her treasure; she carries it almost every place she goes.

After she had gone, my grandmother came to visit us, who is a Christian, too. One night after we had finished our Bible reading, she said, “Now let us spend a few moments in prayer.” And so we all knelt down, and she offered the sweetest and plainest prayer I had ever heard in my life.

And then my brother and my father came, and we had to stop giving thanks for the food to God. Now, dear Mrs. R—, do you think I ought to give thanks before my father for an example? It would be rather hard to find a few still moments to say it.

Could you please tell me, dear Mrs. R—, how you would try to make my mother a Christian; and then if my mother was a Christian it seems to me my father would become one, too. Please tell me, Mrs. R—, what you would do if you were in my place, because if my father and mother were Christians the whole family would be; and my grandmother and grandfather, too.

Now, dear Mrs. R—, I shall have to close my letter.

Your friend with love,

PAUL D. W.

ML 12/27/1903

A Word for Jesus.

LITTLE ANNIE, five years old, went one day to a new Sunday-school. She heard there that someday—perhaps, very soon—Jesus is coming down into the clouds, and that those who love Him will be caught up to meet Him there, and will go with Him to heaven.

The next Lord’s day Annie’s little sister M—, four years old, went to the same school. The teacher was asking each dear little girl the question, “How do you think we can get to heaven?”

Some said “By believing in Jesus.” Others, who did not yet understand the way of salvation, said, “By being good.”

When it came to little M—’s turn, she said “Jesus will take us.”

The teacher on inquiring learned that little Anna had gone home the Sunday before and told her younger sister, M—, the beautiful story of Jesus’ coming. Dear little M— remembered the good and wonderful news. And though she misunderstood the teacher’s question, she was ready with an answer most beautifully true.

I hope, dear children, you will be like little Anna, and tell to others the blessed things you learn about Jesus. “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” Prov. 20:11.

And how it will please the Lord if your work is pure and good—if people know by your words and actions that you love Jesus and that you are trying to serve and please Him.

ML 12/27/1903

Little Annie's Answer.

SOME years ago, whilst awaiting the arrival of a gentleman upon whom I had called, a little girl came running into the room, and seeing a stranger she looked rather shyly at me: but after a few kind words we soon made friends. One of the first questions I put to her was, “Do you love Jesus?” She readily replied, “Yes, I do.” I then said, “Do you think that Jesus, loves you?” She looked up in my face and slowly- answered, “I am quite sure He does.” What a beautiful answer! Does the little boy or girl who is reading this, love Jesus? I am sure He loves little children as much now as He did when He was on earth, and took them up in His arms and blessed them. For He is the same loving Saviour “yesterday and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.

ML 12/27/1903

Love.

WE all, I think, know how sweet it is to love and to be loved in return. But the love of Jesus is the sweetest of all love. It is human love, because He is a real man; it is divine love, because He is God.

One summer evening I was alone for a few hours, and not being well, I felt lonely, and longed for someone near me that I could love. I opened a book, and the Lord Jesus spoke to my heart through what I read. He told me He was very near, and loved me, oh! so much; and I knew that I loved Him, though very little compared with His love tome.

I did not feel lonely any longer, and the rest of the time I was alone passed very quickly.

Twice we read in the Gospel of John, “The Father loveth the Son”; and Jesus says He loves us as the Father loves Him; and He wants us to love one another as He loves us.

Little children, let us love one another.

ML 12/27/1903

Messages of God's Love: 1903

Table of Contents

Answers to Questions of November 2.

"O How Love I Thy Law!"

The Encampment.

Jack H.

Answers to Prayer.

Brought to Jesus.

Fishing with Nets.

The Kings of Israel.

"Lord Jesus, Take Me."

Found Begging.

"Lay up for Yourselves Treasures in Heaven."

The Crossing of the Red Sea.

Be Not Ashamed.

Charlotte's First Lie.

The Soldier in the Farmhouse.

Held Fast by a Chain.

Lost.

The Kings of Israel.

Where Did He Go?

My Lord and I.

Answers to Prayer.

Extracts From Letter From Our Young Readers.

Answers to Questions of Dec. 7.

God's Way and Man's Way.

The Song of Victory.

"Don't Forget."

"They Shall Never Perish."

Extracts From Letters From Our Young Readers

In Great Peril.

Marah.

George's Rescue.

The Back and the Burden.

Speeding on.

Elim.

A Jewish Convert.

Till He Come.

Out of Reach.

Better Than Stealing.

A Few of the Last Sayings of One of Our Little Friends Who Has done to Be with the Lord.

Feeding the Birds.

Jesus Cleansing the Temple.

Fruits of Faithfulness.

God Loves "All" Children.

The Little Girl Who Took Out the "If."

Extracts from Letters From Our Young Readers.

Answers to Questions of January 4.

Answer to a Question.

Shelter From the Storm.

Bread From Heaven.

"The Religion of Jesus."

Extract From a Letter From Our Young Friends.

Amatola.

Jesus Teaching How to Remove Mountains.

Procrastination.

Three Little Stories About Praise.

God's Care.

Extract From a Letter From Our Young Friends.

An Oriental Scene.

The Converted Negro and the Fiddle.

Manna.

The Fruit of the Spirit.

"Love."

Your Last Chance.

Extracts From Letters From Our Young Friends.

Press on.

The Little Ragged Girl.

Jesus Teaching to Forgive.

Young and Old.

The Fruit of the Spirit.

"Peace."

Thanksgiving.

"The Rest of the Holy Sabbath."

The Old Scotchwoman's Faith.

"The Fruit of the Spirit."

What a Friend!

Answers to Questions of Feb, 1st.

Jesus Answering the Rulers.

The Dying Widow.